The Heart of a Dragon
By: xzerox195
Disclaimer I don't own Gundam wing
The Heart of a Dragon
The forbidding gray mansion known as the Archer Castle stood alone on a hilltop, lost among the shadows of the skeleton trees. The castle looked bleak and foreboding in the late afternoon sun. A light breeze brushed across the vast lawn in front of the castle, scattering the many dead leaves. A figure sat in one of the windows, watching out over the small village that lay in the valley below him. He scanned the area, looking for anything out of place when suddenly, his eye caught something coming up the path toward his castle.
He turned his gaze toward, what appeared to be, a girl. She looked to be no more than eighteen, and wore a plain light blue summer dress. She looked nervous, as if the slightest sound would cause her to turn and run in fear. She continued down the path, heading straight for his castle. Disappearing from the window the dark figure moved from sight, vanishing into the depths of his castle.
Relena Peacecraft arrived at the castle, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up into the darkening sky, and slowly took in a deep breath. Ever since her brother and she had moved to the small village, the castle had mesmerized her, making her want to get a closer look.
The wind blew her honey blonde hair as she turned her blue eyes to look up at the castle. The castle sat on a large hill overlooking the village. It was made of old grey stone, probably dating back a few hundred years. It had many large towers rising high into the bleak sky, with one larger tower on the far right side rising higher than the others around it. Running along the roof, every five feet, sat a fierce looking gargoyle statue. All of them smiling wickedly back at her, as if they knew some cruel joke they didn't wish to tell her about.
She walked down the path looking at the window of the highest tower. For a brief second she thought she saw something move, but dismissed it as her fear getting the better of her. Pausing at the front lawn, she took in one last breath before taking her first step through the castle's front gates.
Her feet made a loud crunch as she proceeded across the lawn. With each step she felt her heart beat quicken. Each step she took she felt like running, fearing something in the yard would jump out at her. Finally she made it to the front steps leading to the door. She put her foot on the first stone step gingerly, and once she found it safe to step on, walked up the remaining stairs. And then, Relena Peacecraft found herself standing face to face, with the front door of the Archer castle. Part of her wanted to run screaming, while another part of her felt entranced to enter into the castle and see what lay within.
Slowly, she walked towards the large brown doors. The doors looked old and withered, as if they had been there for centuries. In the center of each of the double doors, were the faces of gargoyles, much like the statues that rested on top of the castle. Both of them held a ring in their mouths. Relena slowly inched her way towards the door, and just as she was about to grab hold of one of the massive rings, she heard something move on the other side of the door. She turned and frantically ran from the property.
Inside the castle the dark figure watched as the girl ran from the front steps, across the lawn, and back down the path towards town. He had successfully scared off another trespasser, but he knew he couldn't hide forever. One day someone would come and discover what he was. He felt something swell within his heart as he thought of the girl, but it was quickly vanished and was replaced with sorrow and depression. He wandered back into the depths of the castle alone.
Relena ran as fast as her legs could carry her, until she was almost at the end of the path that led up the hill. Stopping to catch her breath, she chastised herself for her stupidity and her cowardliness. It had taken her weeks to finally find the courage to go explore the castle, and when shw was only steps away, she had fled like a scared child. She turned and looked back up at the foreboding castle once again making a vow she would one day see what lay inside the castle. She didn't know why, but she felt drawn the old castle. As if something was there, waiting for her. She brushed the thoughts aside and began walking toward town. her brother would be furious if he found out where she had gone; she prayed he hadn't noticed her absence. Picking up her speed as the last rays of sun began to set on the horizon, tomorrow was another day and she would begin planning her return to the castle.
Back inside the castle the dark figure sat in front a fireplace, which contained a long, burnt out fire. He leaned heavily upon the fireplace, soon the transformation would begin. He would have to fight to keep himself under control, and not lose himself like he had so many times before. He listened intently for the town's church bell. Soon they would ring their twelve deadly tolls, sending him into a world of darkness, a world of pain, a world of hurt. He flinched as the sound of a bell filled the room, ringing out its deadly toll. He gripped the fireplace tighter preparing himself for the familiar pain. The second toll rang out and he felt something burn within his stomach. As the third toll rang out, he felt the ever familiar pain shoot from his back; And then, no longer able to hold on, he was lost in the world of darkness.
That night Relena dreamt of a boy. She was running towards him, but it seemed the faster she ran, the further away he was. He held out his arm towards her, as if beckoning her to rescue him, but it was useless she could get no closer.
"What is your name?" she called out to him, but he could not hear her. The darkness swelled around him then and swallowed the boy, Relena cried out to him but it was in vain.
The rooster crying out in the back of their cottage brought Relena back to reality from the cold, dark dream. She got up and splashed some water on her face; ever since she was young she had the same occurring dream over and over. This was the first night however, that the face of the boy was so clear. She brushed the dream aside and made her way to the front room.
Her brother was already awake, as always. He sat on a small wooden chair at the table in the center of the room. In his hand he held his sword, which he was sharpening intently. He was a well build man, but had thin arms and legs which made him quick with a sword. His eyes were a fierce ice blue, and he had long blonde hair, much like Relenas.
Relena smiled at him, "Good morning Milliardo."
Milliardo stopped and looked up at his sister giving her a small smile, and nodding his head acknowledging her presence. Relena just smiled and went to the small basin in the corner of the room to start breakfast. Her brother had never been one for words, and over the years she had figured out that Millardo spoke more through his actions, which she didn't mind at all. Milliardo continued to sharpen his sword, while Relena went and started the fire in the small stove they had. She began making eggs, that Milliardo had collected from the chickens that morning.
"Do you have more training today?" Relena asked still facing the stove.
Milliardo continued with his work and muttered out a "yes" in reply.
They had been sent by the high King Quatre to help build a defensive army here in town. Lately the neighboring kingdoms had been on bad terms. Quatre had sent many of his top officers and warriors to the various towns throughout the kingdom to help build up defenses, in case a war should break out. It worried Relena that such things were happening, but she didn't mind moving to the village, she enjoyed it compared to the busy life within the castle walls.
Her thoughts began to drift back to the castle up on the hill overlooking the village. She still felt entranced by it as if she was being pulled to it. She would visit the castle once again, and this time she would have the courage to see what was inside.
"Relena?" Relena jumped as her brother called her name.
She was quickly brought back from her thoughts and noticed the eggs she was cooking were starting to burn. Taking the pan off the small stove, she turned around looking sheepishly at her brother muttering a quick apology.
"Is everything okay?" Millardo asked, looking at her with concern in his eyes, as she walked over and gave him his breakfast.
Relena smiled, "Yes Millardo, everything is fine I was just day dreaming."
Millardo eyed her wearily but turned to his food and began to eat. Relena let out a sigh of relief, that he wasn't pursuing the subject. She knew he was worried about her. She hadn't really made any friends since they had moved there, and he didn't like the thought of leaving her alone at their cottage all day. But it was unavoidable due to his busy schedule.
She sat down and picked at her food. Today she would visit the castle one more time and this time she would find out what was inside.
Author's Notes: This is a story I had to write for an English class. My professor wasn't too thrilled when he first saw the length (it had to be a minimum of a page and a half, I ended up with 20 pages!) but I didn't care, I had fun writing it and that's what he gets for letting my imagination go! I used part of the story of spritied away, because it had to be a gothic essay and I thought the two would match well. Right now i am reediting it and finishing it. Originally it kinda had an open ending, because I had to quickly finish it to turn it in. I am working on chapter 2 right now and should have it up soon. However I probably won't be putting a new chapter out everyday but this story will be completed soon. Hope you enjoy and please don't forget to R&R!