Saving the phoenix
'Have you had enough!' snapped a certain man, torturing a seventeen year old teen with a whip after he'd had a "sexual intercourse" with the boy.
The teen moaned, unable to speak.
'I asked you a question!' he said angry, again using the whip on the naked and chained teen.
The teen cried out in pain before he happily accepted the darkness around him as he lost consciousness.
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Far away, across the border, a young blue haired teen woke from a nightmare. He was sweating, and panting heavily.
Whoa, weird dream…or maybe…a vision…I've gotta ask gramps about it…in the morning. He thought as he yawned. The prince peered at the black sky, filled with thousands of stars and a crescent moon.
Probably not long after midnight…I should try and get some more sleep…
The tortured teen regained consciousness a few hours after he'd lost it. He was shivering. The cold stone floor wasn't a good place to spend the night on. He sat up slowly, clearly in a lot of pain. He immediately noticed he wasn't chained anymore. The teen scanned the room and noticed he was alone. He also saw the door ajar, which meant he could try and go to his own soft, comfortable, double sized, four poster bed to rest.
He managed to take on his loose fitting dark pants, which were immediately discarded when he'd entered the room, under threat of the man who had caused him pain from the moment he began to grow into an adult.
He somehow made it to his bedroom, using the walls for support. Luckily he knew the shifts of the guards, so he could avoid them.
When the teen opened the bedroom door his painful expression saddened when his personal servant sleeping on the ground, on a rug in front of the hearth. He was dressed in pore simple clothing. Just a simple ragged shirt with shorts, also ragged. The boy was a year younger than him, and they grew a strong friendship since the day they'd met. Even though they were friends, personal servants weren't allowed to sleep in a bed.
The teen hated the rule, but he couldn't do anything about it, not even with the influence he had in the castle as the grandson of the king.
Normally he would cover his servant with a blanket, but right now the only thought he had was returning to his bed…quickly…
He accidentally stumbled over a book lying on the ground and thereby awoke his servant.
'Who's there?' asked the brunette sleepy. 'O my God…Master Kai…what happened?' the boy asked as he quickly got up on his feet and helped him in bed.
'S…sorry…for waking you Kenny…' said the prince and fainted of pain and exhaustion.
Kenny went to the bathroom and returned with basin of lukewarm water and a few towels and washcloths. He started to clean the prince's wounds.
On the other side of the border the blue haired prince woke up again.
It's dying…the phoenix…it's dying…It'll die if this continues…I've gotta tell gramps! This is definitely a vision…but who's the phoenix? And how come it's in bad shape? Te phoenix has a warm and strong aura…how come it's this weak?
The prince quickly took on some clothes and made his way to the throne room. On his way he bumped into his sister, who was returning from the bathroom.
'Takao? Where are you going? How come you're up so early'
'Later Hillary, I've gotta do something first.'
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Kenny cleaned the prince the best he could without causing him too much pain. When all the dried blood was gone the teen could see how bad the situation really was. His eyes widened in horror when he took a good look at Kai's back.
This is no good…this can't be healed naturally…not within years…
Kenny suddenly noticed the prince was shivering. The brunette covered Kais lower part of his body with a blanket, not daring to lay something on the wounds.
I should warn his brother… The teen took a look outside and saw the sun already rising.
Almost morning…I can wake him then…
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'Are you sure about this Takao?' asked the prince's grandfather.
'Of course I am! Why else would I be telling you! He snapped. 'It doesn't't feel right gramps. I must save this person…I don't know why'
'Takao, you don't even know this person.' said Hillary carefully.
'Nor do you know where to find this person…' added his grandfather, with the same caution as his granddaughter. He knew Takao's temper could suddenly flare up.
'If he haunts my dreams, I'm certain I'll know who his is when I see him.' he defended.
'How do you know it's a he?' asked his sister.
'I…' Takao was caught off guard. He hadn't expected such a question. 'I've got the feeling he's a he. Just trust me on this gramps…Please…Let me search for him.' he pleaded.
'This means a lot to you, doesn't't it?' asked the king, knowing Takao wouldn't't plead if it wasn't necessary.
'Yes, it does'
'But you don't know where to search…and what if you're attacked…' said Hillary concerned.
'I've been taught swordsmanship since I was able to walk. I can take care of myself Hillary.' he said nicely. 'And besides, I can take Dragoon with me. I'll be fine'
When he was certain Hillary wouldn't't complain anymore he directed himself to his grandfather again.
'May I go search for him then grandfather?' he asked again.
The man didn't't answer at first, but finally decided.
'Yes, you may go Takao, but do be careful'
'Thank you. I will.'
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'Master Rei…please…wake up…' tried Kenny, nudging the sleeping teen gently.
Rei woke up. He yawned and stretched himself in a very feline-like way.
'Kenny? Is something wrong?' he asked sitting up, feeling the distress coming from the teen.
'Yes! It's Master Kai…He's badly injured'
'Say what? Kai's injured!'
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'Are you sure you've got everything?' asked Hillary before Takao went to the stables. Takao wasn't dressed in his normal formal attire, but wore civilian clothes. Expensive civilian clothes, but civilian clothes. He wore loose fitting blue pants, with a yellowish long sleeved top. He had a red leather jacket over it, which carried several small weapons, and other things, like a compass, and matches. He wore a hooded cape, though he didn't't have the hood on. He would only to that when they were in crowds. He carried a special belt around his waist, which carried a long strong sword. He had received it from his grandfather, who had received it from his grandfather, and so on. The blade was quite simple, yet strong, and the grip was beautifully decorated with a blue dragon encircling it. On his back was a backpack, which contained food and water for the first few days, and also medicine and bandages, just in case.
'Yes, I'm ready to go'
'No you're not.' said an energetic blond nearing him. 'You weren't planning to leave without me, now were you Takao?' he asked with an ear to ear grin. He was also dressed in civilian clothes, though he was a palace guard normally. His clothes weren't as expensive as Takao's though. His pants and top were a brownish tint, and he also had a cape, but his one was much older and more tattered. He also had a hood, but it was much smaller, and didn't look like it would stick to the cape much longer. On the right shoulder of the cape normally was the symbol of the Dragon-land, but Max had already cut it off. If they were to cross the border, it would be best if the people didn't know where they came from and who they are.
'Max…' he said nicely. 'It might get dangerous…' he warned, but he knew it wouldn't help.
'The more a reason for me to join. Please?' he nearly begged. Takao smiled. He knew Max would follow him even if he used his status as prince and forbade him to come along.
'Okay then. But I only packed for one, so you've got to get your own'
'I already did. The horses are also ready by the way'
Takao was surprised. He hadn't suspected that. 'You never cease to amaze me, do you?' he teased. 'Let's go then.
'Be careful Takao.' said Hillary as they rode off.
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Rei quickly followed Kenny to Kai's bedroom after he had quickly dressed himself. He wore his usual white Chinese stile of clothing, with black pants. He had a yellow headband this time, but the Yin-Yang sign was on it as well. He didn't have his hair wrapped up, 'cause he didn't make time for it. He wanted to see what was wrong with his brother. He stopped in the door when he saw the wounds on his brothers back.
'My God…this is awful…' he said after a few seconds of silence. He approached the bed. 'Kai…' he softly said.
'Can you heal him?' asked Kenny forgetting the formalities at the moment.
'I don't know. Not completely I think.' answered the black haired teen as he sat down on the edge of the bed, taking a closer look. 'This is really bad…I can try and heal him, but I don't think it'll have much effect…the wounds are really, really deep'
'Not much effect? But with your magic…I thought…'stammered Kenny.
'Magic does have it's limits Kenny. I'll certainly heal what I can, but it'll not heal completely. Rei held his hands above kais body. One above his neck, and one at his lower back. He closed his eyes and a yellow aura appeared around him. He gently laid his hand on his brothers neck and on his buttocks. Kai moaned as his body also began to glow, but he didn't regain consciousness.
'Shh…it'll be okay…' whispered Rei, not knowing if his brother would hear him.
Kenny watched in awe. He'd seen Rei heal before, but this time it was different. He now realised he'd only seen a little amount of his magic before.
The yellow glow disappeared and Rei opened his eyes. He again looked at his brothers back.
'And?' asked Kenny nervous. He saw how much the princes back had healed, but he wanted to hear it out of the other teens mouth.
'It healed better than I thought, though it needs a lot more magic to heal completely…I'm not strong enough…' he said casting his eyes down.
'Not strong enough? You are already incredibly strong Master Rei.' said Kenny.
'But not strong enough to heal my own brother'
'But you did! Without your magic I think he could've died of the wounds. It looks a lot better now, and I think I can dare and bandage him now.' said Kenny. 'Don't blame yourself Master Rei. Blame the one who did this to him.' he used a wet washcloth to clean the wounds again, though it wasn't necessary. He wanted to have something to do.
'I wonder who did this to him. Do you know Kenny? Did he perhaps tell you?' 'No. He only apologised for waking me'
Rei smiled sadly. 'That's certainly him. You know not to tell anyone about that, do you'
'Of course. Master Kai and I already talked about that. I'll go and bandage him…Perhaps you should attain breakfast instead of him. He never misses breakfast, and I don't think it would be good if your grandfather storms in the room'
'You may be right. I'll tell him and at the same time I hope to find out who did this. It must have happened in he castle, 'cause no matter how strong Kai is, he couldn't have made it far with those wounds. Take good care of my brother when I'm gone, okay Kenny'
'Of course Master Rei.' said Kenny immediately beginning with bandaging the princes back.
Kai moaned again. '…R…Rei…' he said, voice full of pain.
'Kai? You came to…' said Rei relieved, sitting on the edge of the bed. Kai slowly turned his head to look at the black haired teen. '…B…Bo...Boris…he…' he said and fainted again.
'Boris?' said both Kenny and Rei in unison.
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Takao almost fell of his horse.
'Whoa. You okay Takao?' asked Max while both horses stopped.
Dragoon, who was flying along with them several feet above them, descended, and landed on Takao's shoulder, his tail curled around the teens neck. He gave a concerned yelp.
'I'm fine…the phoenix…he got stronger a few minutes ago, though I'm not so sure anymore.' he said patting the dragon on his shoulder. 'Let's go further.' he said as they told the horses to continue again. 'Dragoon? If you want, you can stay on my shoulder. You're not heavy, and flying would wear you out, and you won't be spotted from far away if you stay on my shoulder.' said Takao to the dragon, not bigger than a cat. 'And Max? Maybe it would be better if you didn't call me by my real name'
'Okay. Sure. What should I call you then?' he asked nudging the stallion he sat on not to slow down.
'Tyson would be okay.' he said smiling. 'Tyson Granger.'
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When Rei entered the dining room he saw that the king and Boris already had started breakfast, together with some other people who normally weren't there.
'My Lord.' said Rei as he sat down.
'Rei, what a surprise to see you at breakfast. Normally you're in the guarding for training, am I right?' said the King, really surprised.
'Yes. I've decided to skip the training for today.' answered Rei.
'I see, I see.' said the King nicely. 'And why isn't Kai here? He never misses breakfast.' he asked.
'Kai is still in bed.' said Rei, but he didn't explained it further yet. He scanned the people around him and only one person wasn't surprised. Boris.
'Still in bed?' asked Voltaire surprised. 'Is my grandson sick'
After all these years he still doesn't see me as a grandson?
'No, not sick, though there's something else. My brother…' said Rei emphasizing on that part, 'is badly wounded'
'Wounded? You two weren't sparring again, and hurt each other, were you'
'No, we weren't. If that had been the case I could've healed him completely'
'What do you mean, would have? And how come he's wounded'
'His injuries are too bad. My magic isn't strong enough to heal it. And about how he got hurt, I do not know'
'Injuries too bad for you to heal them? Then it must be very serious.' said Voltaire. He still didn't completely accept him as his grandson, but he did accept his skill of magic. 'And you said you didn't know how he was injured.' he continued. 'Can't you tell by the shape of the wounds what could've happened'
'Before I'll answer that question you should take a look yourself My Lord.' answered Rei, noticing impatience in the King's voice. He looked at Boris but he couldn't read him at all.
'Yes, perhaps I should take a look myself.' he said standing from his chair. Boris also stood up.
'I don't think it would be wise to have too many people with him at once. Kai needs rest.' said Rei to Boris. The man glared at him, but he sat down when the king signalled him to sit.
Voltaire followed Rei to Kais bedroom. Kenny wasn't finished with bandaging the teen yet. He was about half way when he heard the door open. When he saw the king he immediately dropped on one knee.
'At ease Kenny.' said Rei as Voltaire went to the bed. His eyes widened in shock as Kenny's eyes did before when he saw his grandson's injuries.
'This is only halve of the wounds, and when I first saw him, it was double as worse.' said Rei. 'I think you can imagine how bad it was. And seeing the wounds I think someone whipped him…badly…' he added sitting down next to his brother on the other side of the bed than Voltaire was. He held the unconscious teen's hand.
'Whipped? But why would someone do that to him?' said the king surprised. 'I don't know, and Kai is unconscious at the moment, so we can't ask him. He did wake up a while ago though'
'And? Did he say anything? A name maybe'
'Actually, yes. He told me the name Boris before he lost consciousness again. I think Boris has something to do with it.' he added.
'Boris! You've got to be kidding me!' snapped the king. His mood suddenly shifted from concerned to very much annoyed. 'Boris trains Kai, he doesn't injure him like that on purpose'
'I'm just saying what I heard My Lord, and made my own assumption'
'Then don't go make assumptions without solid proof!' yelled the king angry.
Because of the noise Kai regained consciousness again. He moaned and tried to roll over. Rei gently pushed Kai against the bed.
'You'd better not move Kai.' he said friendly. The dual haired teen turned his face to his brother.
'Rei…' he said softly. 'What time is it?' he asked.
'Somewhere between breakfast and lunch'
'What? I missed breakfast. I've got to…' he said and gave another moan as he tried to get up.
'Don't worry about that Kai.' said Voltaire. 'Rei came instead of you and told us you were badly wounded. How do you feel now?' Kai didn't bother to turn around to face his grandfather.
'Like I was run over by a herd of wild bison.' he said weakly.
'Rei told me he had already tired to heal you, but he wasn't strong enough to heal everything. I'm afraid it'll have to heal on the natural way…' said Voltaire.
'But it'll be okay.' assured Rei. 'I'll search for something to speed the healing…but first, do you think you can sit up?' asked Rei completely ignoring Voltaire.
'That way it'll be easier to bandage you.' he explained to him, and the king.
'But if it hurts too much, don't move. I'll manage.' said Kenny quickly.
'No…' said Kai weakly. 'I'll manage Kenny'
'Try not to tense up too much…' warned Rei as he helped Kai up. When Kai was up he was panting heavily, and Kenny immediately started bandaging the rest.
'What happened Kai? How did you get so injured?' asked Voltaire. 'Who did this to you?' he added.
'I…' started Kai. 'I can't say.' he said.
'Can't say?' asked Rei raising his eyebrow.
'He'll kill me'
'But you've already told me'
'I…did I? He asked, really not remembering it.
'You see!' snapped Voltaire to Rei. 'You've got no solid proof of you accusation'
'I didn't lie to you My Lord. I've never lied to you. Why would I start today'
'Because you've hated Boris since the day I took you in, and today is the perfect opportunity to blame him for something'
'Grandfather, please.' said Kai wincing at the sound of his grandfathers voice. He knew he wouldn't believe him if he had told him it was Boris. It was best to keep Voltaire out of it and search it out on his own. He also didn't want Rei to be in trouble because of him.
'C…could you please leave the room grandfather?' he asked while Kenny was bandaging him carefully.
'Of course. Call me if you need anything.' said Voltaire and left.
'Rei, please stay.' said Kai just before Voltaire had left the room. 'I've got to talk with you'
'Sure.' said Rei, happily accepting it, because he wasn't in the mood to argue with Voltaire.
TBC?
This is just one of my ideas. I don't know If I'm going to continue with it, but I decided to post it anyway. Should I continue or not?
Please, review? Give me inspiration to continue please!