Summary: Rose Veronous is your typical Mar Heaven resident. And like most residents is capable of using ARM's. However being born into a family more accurately known as the Shield wielding Guardians left her with responsibility of caring for the residents of Lake Vestry. With the new rise of the Chess Pieces and a new war to begin; she makes a brash decision that almost gets her killed in the very cave she was sworn to guard. Saved by the group known as MAR, with such explicit timing, she decides to leave her home and follow this group to see out their goals of bringing an end to the Chess Pieces. In the midst of all the chaos though she herself becomes a target and unexpectedly is kidnapped by the very man she despises... This is what becomes of her. Will Ginta and her new found friends be able to rescue her, or will Phantom corrupt the girl into submission?
Disclaimer: I do not in any right own MAR: Marchen Awakens Romance. The only thing I own is the plot and the character Rose, which I hope you will all come to like. My biggest fear is her being labeled as some Mary-Sue and frankly I've tired desperately to keep her clear of that area. Point blank there really is no happy ending for this character. Yes I know I'm an evil author and I do try my hardest to be just that. However by the time we get near the ending for this story if reviewers dare feel sympathetic to her and wish for a better out come feel free to tell me.
BOLD: Inner thoughts!
Italic: Past tense, flash backs, or simply thoughts set in a past tense.
Warnings: Typical Angst at best as well as my tendency at swapping from first person perspective to normal. Also forgive my crummy attempt at a fight scene. Please be gentle at my first attempt at a MAR: Marchen Awakens Romance fic! The story generally follows the path of Rose so don't expect any swapping of scenery of character. At best I might do a perspective from Phantom himself, but over all very Rose centered. Thank you for your time and consideration!
How long has it been I wonder, since joining Ginta, Nanashi, Dorothy, Snow, Alan, Jack and Edward? Weeks perhaps? It seems logical... Ever since coming across them, or should I say, ever since they came across me down at that accursed Lake.
I admit I had been...foolish for chasing those chess pieces in there, but I had been so... So mad! So upset and furious! I know I should of stayed out and taken care of my fellow people, should of healed the injured, but that little bastard... THAT bastard had killed the only family I had left, my mother. So was it wrong for me to want revenge?
At that time I hadn't cared if the little bastard was a rook, bishop, or a knight chess piece I just wanted to kill him. Did I have any chance of winning? Nope, but I hadn't cared... I hadn't stopped to think that I lacked any real offensive ARM's. I had defensive shield like ARM's and Holy healing ones, but no real offensive ones. But it didn't matter I still gave that shrimp a run for his money with my Celtic Shield. The only thing I could use offensively really. An ARM that could reflect the enemies attack back at them, or absorb the attack to spit it back stronger at the enemy.
In the long run I certainly pissed him off with those little surprises, at least he took me more seriously than. And you know, the most relishing moment, even though I was beaten and battered, was when he thought he had me. I had released my Celtic Shield and turned around and punched him. In that moment I felt so damn victorious. I, Rose Veronous, had punched a Bishop chess piece. And you know what? It felt fucking great! I felt like a winner, like I had avenged my mother with that single punch. But I was spent, I had nothing more to give and I had been ready to accept death as I collapsed to my knees, just waiting for the finishing blow...
Only the blow never came and instead just a flash of blond hair took it's place. I was so delusional I actually thought it was Boss who had came to my rescue. Which really made no sense at all, but hey I was on the verge of passing out so can you blame me? And than I don't remember anything after, just blackness and a slight awareness that something, or someone had dragged me away to a different spot and was talking to me. The most terrifying thing was the voice sounded like HIM, like Phantom. But when I reawakened I was outside, no longer in the Lake cave, but in the presence of my rescuer and his companions.
Six years before, when this whole Chess Piece domination of Mar Heaven accrued I had been young. A small child shielded from the whereabouts of what was happening. So when our little town had been attacked I didn't understand why, my parents even shielded me from the knowledge of the war. Seeing that man for the first time, that pale silver haired man with the deep purple eyes, I had assumed he was injured. I had no clue, none what so ever, that he was a Chess Piece the elite Knight Phantom. All I saw was his arm covered in bandages with the thoughts that he was injured. I did not see the malevolent deadly ARM in his hands, nor the Knight Chess Piece adorn to his ear, just his bandages.
I'd be lying if I hadn't been smitten with the man, he was admittedly gorgeous and I just a foolish nine year old. Without thought or care I had ran up to him grasping his attention with my words...
"Are you hurt?"
He had seemed amused by me now that I think about it. That little smile that graced his face humored by my concern for some reason. But he never answered me as my mothers screeching interrupted him.
"Rose! Rose get away from him!" She was panicked, so fearful for me, I didn't understand her reasoning, not like I do now.
"But Ma he's-"
"Rose is it?" My head had snapped back to him so quickly, so soft spoken so...enticing. "Such a fitting name and yet so caring, but it would seem your thorns have not grown in just yet." A wicked smile crossed his face that even had me shuttering, "Let me give you a gift for your foolish concern, Rose..."
"No!" My mother was screaming again dragging my eyes from the man back to her, "Leave my baby alone, Phantom! Rose run away from there! ROSE!" Her scream had been so filled with terror, her eyes going wide, but not towards me towards the man she had called Phantom. I found myself turning back to him in question catching barely heard words before my feet left the ground. It was like the air had been knocked out of me as I was thrown back the moment his hand came in contact with my chest.
That pain had been unbearable. I was hardly aware my shirt had torn open where he touched, or the fact a mark was forming there, a tattoo of sorts. It was a task just trying to stay conscious, it was like my very existence was being eaten away from me. I could hardly make out the hysterical screams from my mother in the background, but I could hear him speaking again.
"When this gift starts to take over your body, Rose, you will seek me out. You will be like me, Rose, and you shall belong to me. You are now bound to me forever." I had passed out than too shortly after, the dull husky laugh of his still ringing through my ears.
Glancing over I caught Ginta, and Princess Snow's eye, they were wearing some what concerned looks at me. Did I look that distressed when thinking over these thoughts?
Reassuringly I flashed them a smile, which seemed to be enough for them to keep there eyes on the goal situated here. I did however catch a glimpse of Alviss turning his head away as well. I guess he had been concerned too...
This oddly warms me, to think Alviss would be concerned, even just a little bit for me. I must admit ever since he joined in our effort against the War Games I've become infatuated with him. He's so mature, calm, and collective, I've never really seen him angry or blow his top off at anyone. Yet I feel so unnoticed by him that it's rather heart breaking really. So to know he was concerned, if just a little, is good enough even for me.
I sigh inwardly. Alviss. How many times have I wanted to tell you my feelings? How many times have I backed down in fear of rejection? Seems like far too many to count. It's silly really the more I think about it. I'm actually jealous of Bell that little fairy that's always around him. What's worse I'm afraid of her jealousy, or to be on her bad side. It's sad since you could easily crush her in your hands. Yet I feel so undeserving of his affections when she's around... But you're just like me Alviss, aren't you? We both suffer from the same curse, yet I feel so far away from you.
The Zombie Tattoo, that's what mother called it. Unable to shield me any longer from the truths of the world she finally told me. She told me about the Chess Pieces, she told me about Phantom, and she told me about the Zombie Tattoo. The gift Phantom had so deliberately given to me was a curse. Once it covered my whole body I would become immortal like him, a walking living corpse, forever stuck in time, never aging, and never moving forward with the future.
I couldn't bare to understand why anyone would want such a curse. To stop aging, to watch the ones you love die, to live for eternity, who would want such a burden? What was worse was not knowing why he had chosen me to give such a curse too...
Unlike Alviss though I shared this knowledge to no one. I kept the Zombie Tattoo a secret from everyone. I dressed in such a way that no skin was ever exposed. Sometimes with Alviss it would end up exposed mainly on his arms so everyone knew of his burden. I kept mine quiet though, I did not want everyone to worry for me. Just knowing how close the tattoo was to completely covering my body seemed like a good enough reason to keep it unknown to them.
In my heart it felt like any day, any week, would be my last and I would be forever bound to Phantoms side. I would belong to him as he had stated six years ago and if they knew... If Ginta knew he'd certainly be upset, I wouldn't want to cause an uproar amongst our little group. They were already fighting gallantly to defeat Phantom in hopes of saving Alviss from the curse they didn't need to add mine to the list either. After all one can only fight so hard for so long before you over do it, right?
I shouldn't be dwelling on such thoughts though, after all we've been allowed to Dorothy's home town, Caldia. This should be exciting right? This place never lets outsiders into it's walls, yet just being with Dorothy gained us such access. To top it off we were offered new ARM's, I can proudly now say I have an official offensive ARM now. Though I myself do not partake in the War Games they saw it fit to offer me it. Holy ARM Holy Serpent Leviathan, a piece I shall now cherish and call upon when it's strength is needed.
The biggest surprise upon coming here though would be discovering Dorothy was a Princess. I don't think anyone would of guessed such a thing, she acted nothing like Snow, let alone anything like a Princess. But I suppose one can't judge a book by it's cover. However pleasant our time was there, it was short lived when Caldia came under attack by the Chess Pieces. Such rotten luck we seem to be having...
"Rose stay here, we'll take care of this!" Ginta all but ordered before rushing off to the nearest tower of ARM's to defend.
"But I..." She sighed quietly. Why does everyone assume me weak? I want to help too! "Alviss, wait!" Catching sight of the blue haired male she raced off after him, "I want to help too, Alviss!"
"Rose." He looked her over skeptically, "You sure about this? You could get seriously hurt out here."
"I know you guys mean well and all but I'm not a baby!" She huffed, "I can fight too, yah know! Just you watch..." She all but grumbled that last part to herself, running off ahead of him.
"Rose wait!"
She paid little heed to his call only stopping upon coming across the raid of Chess Pieces. They all looked like Rooks, nothing too serious, but there was certainly a lot of them. Maybe I rushed in a little too wholeheartedly...
"Is this all they send as the cavalry? A girl?"
"Isn't she a member of Team MAR?"
"Your right! What's 'er name... Rose I think? She doesn't fight in the games though."
"I call dibs then! This should be easy pickings!"
"Well aren't you all cocky little mice." Rose huffed out in irritation, "Anyone tell you not to underestimate your enemy!" Time to try this puppy out... Here goes nothing. "Rise Leviathan!" The actions that followed after found the Bracelet like ARM glowing in it's answer to her call. The sky above parting clouds for a majestic serpent beast to descend, it's body littered in graceful wings and a halo floating atop it's crown.
"What the hell is that!"
"Your calling card." She grinned ruefully jutting her arm towards the crowd of Rooks. "Strike down these Sinful souls Leviathan!" With a mighty roar the beast swooped down, jaws a gap, as it made it's rush across the group. It's massive body whipping several members off the bridge to scream to their death, others lost to the jaws of the beast.
"Rose!"
"Alviss..." She turned her head to grin at him, "I told you I could fight too!"
Alviss had to admit he had doubted her abilities many a time, but seeing her now with such a massive creature left him in awe. The most remarkable thing was probably the fact the beast some how avoided breaking the bridge apart. "Remind me never to get on your bad side..."
As if you ever could... "Leviathan return!" With the beast returned to it's bracelet form what remaining Rooks were left in a daze and shock of what just happened. "Celtic Shield Duplicate and lend us your protection!" Rather than just one shield forming two rooted up, one taking it's place before her companion. "I believe it's your turn to have some fun Alviss?"
The male merely nodded rushing forward with the shield following in his lead to spiral around his frame.
"What are you waiting for! Attack!"
"But that shield is huge how we suppose to get around it?"
"Time the opening idiot!"
"Thirteen Totem Pole scatter!" Again the battle field was scattered with screams upon massive rock like structures slamming into any foolish Rook not quick enough to avoid it.
This battle seemed to drag on for hours, whatever Rook taken down several would pop up to take it's place. The Shields themselves kept most Rooks at bay, whatever Rook that slipped through were quickly dealt with, with a clobbering fist pounding. Rose was generally safe away from the main brute of the Rooks behind her own shield, their concentration more upon her dangerous male companion then her. Whatever Rooks that attempted to target her were thrown asunder by a quick shove of the shield rammed forward. But as abrupt as this battle was it suddenly stopped the Rooks taking there leave without rhyme or reason too.
"Well that was weird..." Alviss murmured removing his Thirteen Totem Pole from battle. "They left without even stealing anything." With the threat gone the shield following around him also returned to it's owner. His eyes turned to his female companion a small smile cracking his face at her rather bubbly attitude. I guess she really needed to blow off some steam...
"We make a pretty good team don't you think Alviss?" She beamed all to happily, rocking back and forth on her heels with a hum, "I'm not so helpless after all!~"
His usually hard sharp eyes, softened slightly, "I suppose we do, don't we? Thank you, Rose for the protection..."
"Thank you, Rose."
She couldn't help but smile stupidly to such simple words. He said thank you... To me of all people! Oh Alviss... Why do you have to act so kind on the surface, but so nonchalant beneath?
"!ROSE!" His sudden surprised cry dragged her from her thoughts. Her smile falling from her face to one of confusion and the shock and fear upon his face only lead her to further confusion.
"Alviss?"
"Hello, Rose..." She knew that voice anywhere and the sudden realization that came with was a sure sign of Alviss' reaction. She didn't even have room to respond as her frame was pinned to his under his bandaged arm around her. His only arm not covered in such bandages found it's way to grasp her face firmly. It was only than she realized he was bleeding.
It was perhaps the most bizarre thing she'd ever seen. His blood wasn't even red it was blue. Did Ginta inflict this upon him? Would my blood turn this color when this curse takes it's hold upon me? Admittedly it was fascinating, but she was too over come with terror to find it that way. She found her head strained to turn to the side forcing her to look over her shoulder and up at him.
"Your so close I can feel it, Rose. I meant every word when I said you'd belong to me those six years ago." His voice was hushed and low, his breath just tickling her ear. Her only reaction to him was to shudder in his hold.
"Phantom leave Rose out of this! She has nothing to do with you and these war games!" Alviss was agitated more than ever, he couldn't even attack in this situation. If he did he'd harm Rose and Phantom didn't seem keen on letting her go either. It's like the damn man knew he had him where he wanted him. Curse my luck...
"Oh?" Phantoms face cracked into an eerie smile, "So she hasn't told you then?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Rose," he glanced at her seeming in a chiding manner, "keeping secrets from your fellow friends have you?" She turned her gaze away from his purple hued one shamefully. "So you have... That's not very trusting of you, Rose." He chuckled lowly. "You see, Alviss, Rose, has everything to do with me. Perhaps I should show you what she's kept hidden from your eyes?" His hand released her face to shift down to her shoulder.
"No stop!" She gasped in horror immediately trying to break free of his hold. Unfortunately she was helpless against him, his hold was bruising, even wounded his power was immense, a heavy thick cloak weighing down on her. She felt like she could drown in his power.
"Come now, Rose, no need for this veil of secrecy any longer." His hand tightened along her shoulder grasping the cloth to abruptly rip away, exposing her shoulder and removing the sleeve upon her arm.
Vaguely she was aware of the choked sound that emitted from her companion. He had moved to rush forward to stop short in his surprise. She couldn't even look at him, she didn't want to see him, she didn't want him to see her like this.
"Rose, how, why...? Why didn't you say anything? Look at you... It's almost complete..." She absolutely hated hearing such worry and concern in his voice, it seemed so unlike her blue haired companion.
"I felt no reason to speak of it... Ginta was already fighting to help you cure your own, no reason for me to tell the same story... What difference would it have made anyway? He's already aware of the Zombie Tattoo no reason to alarm him of my own." Her voice was so hushed, she wouldn't even look at him as she spoke. Her head was down cast towards the ground, eyes fixated on nothing.
"That's besides the point, Rose! You don't keep secrets from your friends... Phantom you monster how could you do this to her!" He was furious, something she never dreamed hearing him be. Yet here he was angry as ever.
"How?" She could practically hear the mirth in his voice, "Her foolish innocent concern for me had to be gifted. I simply had to capture it and make her mine."
"Is...Is that true, Rose?"
Her head spun up so fast she could of sworn it would of rolled off from the force if it wasn't connected to her body. "I-I was young Alviss! I didn't know anything about the Chess Pieces, the War Games, my parents had shielded me from it all! When Vestry was attacked six years ago I only sought out for the wounded to heal. I only saw the bandages and thought..." Her voice trailed off quietly in defeat.
"And thought I was wounded." He finished off with a purr, "Such pure innocence, wouldn't you agree Alviss?"
"That isn't fair judgment! She didn't know! It was a mistake on her part."
"Regardless of what it was, Alviss, it doesn't change the out come of where we stand now, does it?" He turned his head to the side silently, "It seems company is arriving..." He grinned casually, "It's time to bid you farewell Alviss..." With a movement of arms he encircled them around her, making it suddenly apparent he was kidnapping Rose all along. "Oh and give my regards to Ginta would you?"
"ALVISS!" Rose all but screamed trying to reach out for the boy, who too had come to the conclusion and started running forward.
"ROSE!" It was the last thing she saw, before she was whisked away. His arm reaching out for her, the horror in his blue orbs, his body running forward to try and meet her, before she was met with the inner walls of a castle.
"Alviss..." I couldn't believe it. One moment he was there and the next gone. No, one moment I was there and then gone. Now I stand in the belly of the beast, in the grasp of the enemy, in HIS cold embrace. How could things end like this?