Wild-Roze: SEQUEL!


She heard the rumbling, she knew it was the engines, constantly whirring. She opened her eyes and found herself standing on the bridge. The glass windows showed the pale clouds rolling gently beneath the vast hull. He stood where he always did, hands nestled securely on the wheel, like it was made to fit them. His back was to her, but she knew he was aware of her presence. She approached him, and reached out to touch his shoulder, but before she had made contact he turned and glared at her accusingly.

"You killed me Aika!" he said, his voice laced with a snarl.

"No.." She breathed, "That was Ramirez…"

"Free me Aika! Help Me!" he gripped her shoulders. "You owe it to me!"

"I don't know how!" She gasped.

He opened his mouth to speak again, but no words came, only a gleaming blade appeared shining with blood from his neck.

"Vyse!"


Her heart pounded painfully hard and her eyes snapped open. She realised how quick her breathing was and instantly slowed it. She sat up gingerly, letting the silken bed sheets slip from her, and she looked down at the man lying in slumber beside her. His white blonde hair framed his perfect, angled face, his emerald eyes closed lightly. Ramirez. She watched him, the steady rising and falling of his chest calming her jangled nerves.

For several nights now she had had this same dream, and every night she woke just as the sun was rising, heart racing. She dared not speak of it to her husband, for it was by his hand that her childhood love was dead. Aika swung her legs out of the bed and tugged on a thin robe, she stepped onto the balcony through the open doors, just as the Sun's gaze opened in the East over Yafutoma. She drew in the crisp dawn, then sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. Why was she plagued with these dreams?

"Your new habit of waking to see the break of day would be no problem if you knew how to awake without rousing me too, Little One."

She started to hear his low voice murmur in her ear. It always sent treamous through her body to have this powerful and dangerous man at such close quarters, especially as he always seemed so gentle with her.

"Well now that the responsibility of ruling the world has passed to your son, I know that you would just lie in bed till the Moons rose again if I did not." She replied, turning to face him. His arms slipped expertly around her and drew her closer to him.

"I would only lie abed all day if I had entertainment to keep my mind from dulling." His breath was hot on her neck, making her tingle. She chuckled quietly as he lowered his mouth to the bite mark on her neck, allowing his teeth to skim across it.

There came three, sudden, loud bangs on their chamber door, causing the Silvite to pull away.

"What!" He growled, clearly angry at being disturbed from his play with his wife.

"High Lord, The Emperor requests your presence and guidance during the meet with the ambassadors from the continents." A guard's voice called out. Aika groaned.

"That was today! Those meets are so tedious, not to mention every time I see Celeste I cringe." She said with a wince, recalling the two years she had spent oblivious to her family down in Alezmueres.

"You should have allowed me to kill that creature." Ramirez said stepping away from her, "Besides, you are not required to attend."

She smiled.

"But I know how much you detest those boring Meets too, you need someone there to sympathise with you."

He grunted turning away and pulling on his finery.

"After all these years you should know I'm not the type who craves sympathy." He said.

She laughed.

"That doesn't mean I can't give it to you, now we must hurry, our son awaits our council."

They entered the Council Room together, as always looking regal. Aika smiled softly as she saw her son, now 24 looking as impressive and imposing as any Emperor should be. His left arm was left bare of any material, exposing the electric blue band tattooed around his well defined bicep, honouring his humble past growing up in the forest. At his side, his timid wife-to-be, Syna sat. The pair had courted shyly for years before Vyse finally asked if she would allow his life to be bound to hers. They were to wed next month. Fina lounged in the smaller throne to her brother's side, the teenager was definitely not bothered with looking like a 'Lady'. Her exotic hair was tied at the base of her neck to cascade down her spine, and she wore plain black trousers that came up to just below her bust, then a loose linen fencing shirt covered her torso and arms. She had one long leg hooked over the arm of her seat fingers drumming lightly on the polished marble table. The two really were the perfect offspring of Ramirez and Aika, each holding qualities from both parents, but yet each so different from the other.

Ramirez cast a glance around the other occupants of the room, and like the others in the room, he tensed and his eyes narrowed, seeing the dark head of Celeste seated daintily beside the ambassador of the Black Continent. No one was truly relaxed during these meets, and no one trusted the woman who had once attempted to snatch the rule of Arcadia. It was clear the current Emperor loathed her, his lavender eyes mere slits whenever he looked at her. She was only present at these Meets because she still held the authority in Alezmueres, and she had requested to be present, the Emperor, not wanting an uprising, despite the fact that his military could easily crush the Black continent, allowed it.

Ramirez felt Aika cringe and inch minimally closer to him, and his hand slid almost possessively around her hips, before nudging her forward to the thrones beside the Emperor and Fina. Celeste watched them for a second before her dark eyes swivelled down to stare vacantly at the pale marble table top, but not in shame.

As the pair sat down, Vyse leaned forward, his fingers twining together on the table before him.

"First, each Ambassador will give a field report, Galcian, what news from Nasrad?" He asked his most trusted friend.

The young Lord Marshal of Nasrad also acted as Ambassador, and he stood proudly before the assembled people to give his reports on the red Capital.

Aika let her eyes slip from the young man who's father had once taken her own life and tried to rape her, she watched her daughter. Fina was staring intently at the table top, clearly day dreaming. Fina had always been the type to not sit still for too long, as was Aika, mother and daughter both found these Meets utterly dull. The High Lady decided to follow the teen's example and drift into a world of her own.

For a while she allowed her mind to take her through what she would be doing with Ramirez right now had the guard not disturbed them, however, very soon it turned to the inevitable…. Her dreams.

She allowed her eyes to slide shut, the sounds of the Meet seeming to fade, she saw the dream as clearly as if she was having it. Vyse stepped towards her.

"You killed me Aika!"

"No…" She breathed.

"You did! You killed me, and now you won't help me!" He gripped her shoulders again. "You owe me! You love me! Free me Aika!"

"No! You're long dead!" She howled.

She felt tears running from beneath her tightened eye lids, and gasped as he shook her roughly.

"Save me!"

She moaned once, before everything darkened, and she knew no more.

"I propose we build a new watch tower on the outer wall of Nasrad to give us warning to the desert bandits who are trying to stir up trouble on the outskirts-"

"No…"

Galcian paused, and looked to Aika, she seemed to have her eyes closed.

"You have an objection to this scheme High Lady?" He asked, confused. The fiery haired woman did not reply.

"Aika?" Ramirez said, frowning. His wife's eyes roved beneath her closed lids, and a feverish sweat had broken out upon her forehead.

"No! You're long dead!" She suddenly shouted. In an instant Ramirez was on his feet and grasped her shoulders, shaking her, trying to awake her.

"Aika!" he almost snarled.

Vyse stood behind his father, he had seen this sort of thing before in Ixa-Ness when some of the women had come down with a Winter illness.

"She is delirious with fever, Father. She needs rest." He said.

Ramirez silently passed a hand over her, soothing her with a little healing energy, and stilling her with a sleep spell.

"She had no fever before we entered this room." He growled, standing and glaring accusingly at Celeste.

She stood and scowled at the Emperor.

"I did nothing, why would I? Whatever is wrong with her is not my doing!" She said, folding her arms across her chest.

"I would have sensed any natural decline in her health! You forget the bond between us, it is powerful as you know!" He hissed.

Her scowl changed to a twisted mask of barely contained fury, it was that bond that had prevented her plans to conquer Arcadia.

"I did nothing!" She insisted again. "Truth Read me if you must!"

Ramirez's eyes narrowed before he turned back to the limp form of his wife, he crouched, then hefted her in his arms.

"Continue with your Meet, Son. If you need my council you can come to me afterwards."

With those words Ramirez turned and left, Fina paused for a moment, before following her parents out. Vyse turned back to the assembly, his eyes narrowing at Celeste, just as his father's had. He pointed at her.

"Lock her up until this matter is sorted out!" He said. Instantly guards surrounded the dark woman.

"You think your guards can restrain me Emperor!" She hissed.

"No, I don't believe they can, however, should you resist them I shall personally see to it that your two sons and your partner suffer your insolence!" He said with menace.

His savage threat took her by surprise, but after a moment she snarled back at him.

"You don't have it in you! You could never cause two innocent children pain at your hands!" She sneered.

"I would not hesitate to do so to the offspring one who tried to slaughter my own family!" He said, such venom in his voice that she faltered…perhaps the young man would…

"Very well!" She spat, "I have nothing to fear anyway, your mother's condition is not my doing!"

Vyse watched as she was lead away, he turned back to the Ambassadors in the room.

"Is there any matter of grave importance which must be brought to my immediate attention?" He asked, leaning his hands on the table.

No one spoke, and a few heads shook in reply.

"Well then, you all have my permission to do what you will for your continents, if in your eyes your actions will benefit the people of the land. You are dismissed." He said. Slowly the ambassadors filed out, some chatting about various projects they would be running when they returned to their continents. Vyse turned to gaze upon his fiancée.

Her body, although petite was lithe and strong, her skin was naturally stained by the Sun, and the same electric blue tattoo surrounded her left upper arm, however she also bore two tiny, red tattooed triangles on her high cheek bones. Vyse remembered that the women in his tribe marked so had been promised to the Witch Doctors as apprentices. All those years ago when Ixa-Ness was attacked Syna had escaped and fled to Horteka, never completing her training. She had then come to Soltis before Aika had been killed by Vigoro to work in the palace, an thus had met Vyse. She told him she remembered him from when she was very young as one of the only males in their village. The young woman smiled timidly up at him, causing his heart to clench in affection.

"Your mother, will she-"

He crouched before her and took her hands in his.

"She is a strong woman, I have no doubt that she will pull through." He paused and looked into her rich amber eyes, and leaned forward to kiss her gently. "Come with me to see how she is doing?" He asked.

After her nod he led her out of the Meeting Room and towards the Royal Families Wing of the Palace. As he approached his parent's chambers he spied Fina leaning against the wall outside, she glanced around when she saw him.

"Dad threw me out, he seems a little tetchy." She said, "Mum's alright, she's just sleeping now. I thought you would be along so I stuck around to tell you she's fine." She then pushed herself from the wall "Now if you two will excuse me, I believe I promised Vurg I would beat him at fencing again."

With that Fina walked past her brother towards the sparring arenas. He shook his head, she was a beautiful creature, and she was such a tom-boy, she took part in almost all activities that most Ladies should not; sword play, archery, and sailing were definitely some of her fondest time fillers.

Vyse turned from the retreating back of his sister and knocked once on the door, after hearing his father's snapped reply to not disturb them, he entered anyway, followed by Syna. Ramirez glared at his son, he stood beside the bed with his arms folded. Aika lay, now apparently in a calm sleep as Fina had said, but Vyse still dropped to his heels beside her and placed his hand over her's.

"What happened to her?" He asked, eyes briefly flicking to the emerald ones of his father.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Boy!" He snapped.

Vyse paid no attention to the anger in the Silvite's voice, he knew his father's moods well.

"I have retained Celeste, she is being held in one of the cells." He said.

"Hn, she won't stay put there for long." Ramirez said.

"Oh I think she will." His son said with a smile.

Syna placed a cool hand on Aika's forehead.

"Her fever has gone down, but she is still a little warm, she needs to be kept cool." She murmured quietly. Despite the fact that she had not completed her training to be a Witch Doctor, she was still very well versed in medicinal arts and her diagnosis was almost always right. Ramirez sharply turned and walked to the balcony doors, throwing them open a refreshing breeze whisked into the room and ruffled the hairs of Aika's fringe.

Syna smiled and nodded.

"She will be fine, Lord," She told him, "She just needs to rest."

Ramirez nodded once, and ushered the pair towards the doors.

"My thanks." He muttered shortly, closing the door behind them as soon as they were out.

Vyse shook his head.

"No matter how many people tell him she will be fine, I know he will refuse to leave her side until she wakes." He said, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, "Mind you, I would do the same for you." He slid his arm around her waist and drew her to his side, kissing her forehead. The pair turned towards the sparring arenas, it was always fun to watch the young princess training with Marco's son, Vurg. They had always been such close friends, and there were high hopes that eventually they would marry. Vyse however knew his sister would never be able to think of Vurg like that, he was too docile for her. Fina was wild, she loved adventure and mischief, Vurg, although he tagged along with her games around Soltis would never be able to keep up with her as a wife.

The two would always be the closest of friends, but Vyse knew that his little sister craved for a true adventure of her own. She had voiced to him more than once, that she felt trapped in Soltis. Ramirez was always over protective of his daughter, and it seemed obvious that he would be the one to choose her husband. She was never allowed out of the palace without escort and had seen very few of the many villages that dotted the base of the White continent. Eventually the beautiful marble tower had become like a prison for her, and it suffocated her. Vyse knew that if his sister did not get her chance to breathe soon then…. He was not sure of what the outcome would be. But every day that passed, he saw eyes become more and more desperate to get out, even if it was just to the surrounding villages, she needed to taste the freedom of the air. She needed to sail away, alone and find her adventure, only then would she be contented. Ramirez would never understand this aspect of his beloved daughter, Vyse knew he would never let her go.

Soon the Emperor and his bride-to-be arrived at the sparring arenas, and Vyse addressed the master swords man.

"Fina? No, she and Vurg have managed to slip their session today, I haven't seen them at all Emperor." He said.

Vyse's brow creased, and worry instantly clutched at his heart with a cold hand. Despite the fact that he could see his sisters need to be free, he was just as protective as his father, and would never let her leave either.


Fina smiled, still wearing the simple fencing clothes she had worn to the Meet, Vurg was at her side, dressed similarly. The pair had managed to slip out of the palace. Fina had convinced the young Lord to accompany her on a little outing to explore what lay beyond the marble walls. Although Vurg always resisted at first, he always gave into his impulsive friend. As her brother had done twelve years gone, her and her closest friend headed for the docks.

The two teenagers milled through the market, both had been here before, however that market never got old. The pair spent a long time trying on various clothes from stalls, and examining weaponry, they smiled and laughed together. Eventually they approached a small jetty lined with small sailing ships. The canvas sails were hoisted and tied with ropes, which clattered loudly against the main masts, blown by the wind.

Fina smiled, she had always loved the Delphinus, her mother's personal flag ship, but there was something about the curved wooden hulls, the inferior technology, and the loud, rumbling engines of ships like this. These ships were designed to be piloted by a crew of at least four, but it was possible for less people to fly them with skill.

She reached to a pouch of coins at her side. Her father had been promising to have her own flagship built. But she knew it would be vast, far larger than she needed, it would be armed with the armada's most powerful weapons and most highly advanced systems. All she wanted was a small vessel, enough for her to go and explore the world, perhaps with Vurg, perhaps alone.

She approached the salesman. A ship that had caught her eye, its hull was a rich mahogany, polished so it seemed to burn in the sun light. The sails where a smooth cream colour, and the whole ensemble, while plain was a beautiful piece of work. It was of reasonable size, and as soon as she saw it, she set her heart on it.

Vurg stood and watched her. The boatman clearly didn't know who this striking young lady was, or he would fall to his knees and present the ship to her as a gift for honouring him with her presence.

When she informed the man that she would be buying one of his vessels he had merely laughed, saying:

"These ships are brand new from the yard, you couldn't afford one girl!"

His small eyes were then caught by the bag of coins that she tossed idly between her hands, and he couldn't help but be curious.

"Having a few coppers won't buy you a boat, lass." He said, still not taking his gaze from the purse.

Fina chuckled, and opened the purse, reaching in she slipped out a gold coin, examined it in the sun, before dropping it back in again. His eyes had gone wide at the sight of gold, Vurg watched him carefully, knowing that he would try and swindle them.

Fina pointed at the ship.

"How much for that one?"

"fifty gold." He said quickly, he was starting high.

"Done." Fina said, and counted out the coins. The boatman stood in shock as the gold rained into his hands. He spluttered, in total shock. Vurg put a hand to his forehead in despair, Fina had clearly never haggled before. He sighed and shook his head at her when she turned to look at him.

"Vurg, we need to take it up to the palace docks. Its probably time we were getting back now anyway, my dear brother may have realised that we are gone." She said.

"The Palace!" The boatman said, hands still cupped around his money. He looked across at Vurg. "Y-your Marco's son?" He asked in awe.

Vurg sighed.

"So much for subtlety Fina. We should have just come out with an escort, my father is going to make me do laps of the training grounds." He said accusingly.

The young princess swore that if this man's eyes grew any wider they would explode.

"The Princess!" He gasped, the coins finally spilling through his hands as he fell to his knees. "Please, don't have me killed lady! Take the ship and your money!"

She blinked, such fear from this man. She smiled and knelt so they were eye to eye.

"Thank you, Sir for the ship. The money is yours. Vurg, lets take this ship up to-"

"Fina!"

Her head snapped around at the sound of her name shouted furiously. She bit her lip, her brother was striding through the crowd, which fell away from him with bowed heads, surrounded by a patrol. He was still dressed finely from the Meet and struck a very imposing figure. She stood, Vurg dropping to one knee before his Emperor, she merely inclined her head to him.

"What, Vyse?" She asked, tetchily.

"What are you doing out of the palace?" He said, a frown etched in place, "You know how father feels about this! You are always to be escorted!"

She suddenly scowled, it was such a rare thing for her to do, it made Vyse blink in surprise.

"I do not want to be escorted everywhere I go, I am able to take care of myself, Emperor! I can take care of myself!" She ground out between her teeth.

"No you can't!" Vyse almost shouted, stepping forward and gripping his sister's shoulders firmly. "Your venerable, anything could happen to you, its too dangerous!"

"I don't care!" She snarled, pulling away from him, "What is he so afraid that will happen? I can't even walk out of my own home Vyse!" She said, her eyes becoming sad, "I feel like if I don't get out by myself then I will die!"

Vyse sighed.

"That is not a choice you can make, father wants you to remain within the walls of Soltis." He mumbled, "Fina, I'm taking you back, then you will go and explain yourself to him." He said, nodding to the patrol.

Fina and Vurg were instantly surrounded by the escort on all sides and were marched back towards the tower. The boatman just watched them go.


WR: Ooooookay, there are gonna be kinda two plots within this fic, one concentrating on Aika and her dreams about Vyse, and the other about Fina (romance probable)