Frozen Moon
Prologue: The Beginning
This is a byproduct of unused Change my Destiny ideas. Alternate Universe, some OOC. Expect characters to react in a slightly more mature manner.
...
A 13 year old Charlotte limped into the cold, darkened courtroom, staring into the seemingly empty hoods of the Galian Council of Elders whom waited patiently for her return. Established by Brimir during the exile from the Holy Land, the elders were the wisest and most powerful magi in Galia, acting as the guides for the King. Currently, there were three elders, each one sitting with their hands on their table, examining her, then writing an evaluation on a piece of parchment. Charlotte curtseyed with care, doing her best to keep her back straight as she walked up to the elders and placing the remains of the dragon she killed on her most recent mission. She was to acquire the arms and legs of a wind dragon in the southern mountains. She had reached her destination with little issue, but it turned out she was fed false information. Instead of facing a wind dragon, she fought a three headed Firedrake, a famous, red dragon that has no wings.
She had managed to kill the dragon, but it had taxed her power more than she had wanted. She was exhausted, and wanted to do nothing but rest her troubles away with a warm bed and a good book.
But to the elders, that didn't matter. Charlotte to them was just a tool used for their own personal gain until she died or was deemed useless. She was a weapon, wielding the power of the void.
"Congratulations on completing your task, dark one. However, it seems your training needs to be more strict. Fighting a wind dragon with your power should have been a simple task." mocked one of the elders in a fake surprised voice. The others nodded; It was obvious that they hadn't wanted her to come back alive.
Charlotte hated her examinations. The elders always found something wrong, criticizing her of any fault they could find despite her success. Considering the fact that she had trouble killing the Firedrake, her wounds would no doubt be pointed out despite her maintaining a strong, emotionless look.
"I humbly ask for your forgiveness." said Charlotte, her almost inaudible voice echoing in the empty chamber. One of the elders sighed.
"While we are glad for your safe return, Elder Ein is right. Is your power waning, dark one? Well, no one would be surprised, being born of a commoner woman." snarled another Elder. Charlotte said nothing, ignoring the pain and ache of her wounds and their words. The third elder put up his hand.
"While we all know she could have done better, Elder Zwei, there is no denying she has completed her task. For now, we shall let her rest. We don't want such potential to go to waste... you owe us that much, dark one." Said the third elder. The other two elders shook their heads.
"Elder Drei, you are too kind." said Elder Zwei. Elder Drei chuckled.
"Only because I owe her father, the late king, a favour. Still, there is no denying her strength. Do you have anything to say for yourself, dark one?" concluded Elder Drei. Charlotte shook her head. She didn't need to say anything, they wouldn't listen to any of her requests anyway. With a weakened turn, she limped out of the courtroom, doing her best not to faint.
...
"Charlotte! Are you well?!" cried out Joseph as Tabitha exited the court building. Rushing up to her with a worried gaze, her caught her before she fell on her knees, her whole body shaking.
"Uncle..." whispered Tabitha, clinging to his chest. She shook violently, letting all of her emotions go. Joseph stroked her head, sitting on his knees, cradling Charlotte on his lap, telling her everything was fine, that she was safe now. Sheffield, Joseph's wife, came a few minutes later, immediately kneeling down and embracing her husband and foster daughter.
"It is good to see you safe, youngling. I had heard rumors that you were to fight a wind dragon? What an outrage! The elders should be ashamed of themselves, letting such a young girl fight such a thing!" huffed Sheffield. Charlotte stopped her weeping, facing towards her step mother. Sheffield waved her staff, and with a sprinkle of tiny lights, Tabitha's wounds numbed themselves, much to her relief.
"I'm home." said Charlotte, smiling. Her step parents returned the look, giving Charlotte a sense of homecoming. Charlotte had always hated her missions, but when she thought of her new family, she knew she couldn't die. She didn't want her new family to feel the pain she felt so many years ago.
"Where does it hurt child? Were you able to heal yourself like I showed you? Is there anything you want? Are you hungry?" pampered Sheffield, hovering over Charlotte like a bee, flying left and right to examine her, lifting every limb. Joseph chuckled.
"I think for now the best thing we can do is go home. We shouldn't cause her any more trouble than she's already been through." Joseph then heaved Charlotte up over his shoulders, letting her sit. Despite being 13 years old, Charlotte had always been short and light. She laughed as her uncle placed her on his shoulders, enjoying the high view of the Galian farms below the hillside. The three of them walked back to their estate, enjoying the sunny weather.
Soon, they reached the Galian Mansion, located at the base of the mountain the Elder's temple sat on. The estate was grand, screaming wealthy beyond anything within hundreds of miles. Charlotte and her family were greeted by four single file lines of maids distributed evenly on the left and butlers on the right.
"Welcome back, King Joseph, Lady Sheffield, Mistress Charlotte." They bowed, and one of the Butlers rolled a red carpet towards the entrance of the Estate. The king waved back in kind as Charlotte sat hunched on his head, her face flattening his messy blue hair. Sheffield chuckled.
"Well now, fast asleep already? Well, I suppose she would be. But still, I don't believe the things that the council does. Why don't you do anything to stop them?" asked Sheffield, eyeing Charlotte worriedly. Joseph sighed as he gently lifted Charlotte off his shoulders, cradling her against his chest.
"I've done all I can possibly do. I've spoken with them, announced their deeds to the people, even tried to dismantle their organization... but they have too much power over me. They know so much more, and use their fickle with care. All I can do now is reduce the severity of her missions..." said Joseph solemnly, bringing Charlotte up the stairs and into her room. Crafted by the finest Earth mages, the room was filled with all sorts of toys neatly placed on counters and in bins, the finest carpets and cushions, as well as the best view the household could offer. Joseph placed Charlotte on the queen sized mattress, letting Charlotte snuggle unconsciously against the comforting sheets. Charlotte moaned in her sleep, but was otherwise undisturbed.
"We must find a way... there has to be a way! I can't stand seeing her like this, coming home day after day, weak and broken... She should be in school, making friends, learning, falling in love!"
"Just like we did when we were young?" chuckled Joseph, embracing her from behind. Sheffield blushed.
"You know what I mean."
"That I do. But do not worry too much love, Charlotte is a talented mage. I'm sure that she will grow stronger still..." said Joseph, slowly coming to a stop. A grin spread across his aged features as an idea came about. He let go of Sheffield, rushing towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Sheffield called out, surprised by his sudden giddiness. She followed him, having finished healing Charlotte.
"I need to go speak with the elders. You, beloved, just gave me a brilliant idea..."
...
Joseph walked up the sizable hill, wondering how he will establish his idea to the Elders. Originally, his idea was to command that they send Charlotte to the famous Tristain magic academy. However, knowing their insatiable greed, they may not let her go.
Joseph felt nothing but pity for the young girl. Her life was filled with nothing but sadness, and it didn't help that his brother was the one who brought all this upon her. There was no denying that his brother, Brandon Alvatto Orleans De Galia, had loved Charlotte and his wife. So much so that he left his position as prince, intent on living with his lover and his child in the forests beyond, giving Joseph the title of Heir.
However, the people of Galia and its nobles did not take it lightly.
Joseph reflected back on the day when he found out about his brother's death. He was told by the elders that it was an accident, but Joseph was raised by the elders as much as Charlotte was, having many years of experience under his belt.
Brandon's death was not an accident. He was assassinated. He was sure it was the Elder's doing, but he had no proof.
Joseph made a small prayer of thanks to the attendant who informed him of the truth. In a secret will written by his brother, Brandon's most loyal attendant was to watch over his wife whenever Brandon was absent, and if he were to die, inform Joseph of everything that the lovers experienced. From their stormy affair, to the birth of Charlotte, to Brandon's final confrontation with the assassin that killed his wife. Brandon wanted Joseph to mentor Charlotte in his stead.
For his loyalty, Joseph paid the attendant well enough to live comfortably for the next sixty years.
At first Joseph didn't understand why he left, but after meeting Sheffield, Joseph's eyes were opened. His love for Sheffield was strong and true, and meant more to him than any title he could ever gain. He was convinced it was a sign, a sign to take hold of his brother's final request and be there for the child. It was the least that Joseph could do for his dear brother.
His thoughts then wandered back to Charlotte. At first, she was always quiet and shy, never meeting the eyes of those around her. Thanks to Sheffield though, she warmed up to her and Joseph, as well as the maids and butlers in the household. He did his best to be a father, and told her stories of her real father's achievements, showing her highly detailed journals of Brandon's adventures beyond her castle. That was how she started to love reading; by exploring the universe of imagination, delving into a new world with each book. He tutored her happy two years, teaching her about the world, magic, proper leadership as well as responsibility. He knew his time was short; that the elders would come and take her away.
In two years, on her eighth birthday, they came. He didn't see her for the next three years, his only way of contact being letters written by her. When she finally returned, she was a shadow of her former self; forged to hardened steel in the fires of battle and bloodshed. Sheffield and Joseph did all they could to return her to her cheerful self, and they did with time. Still, there was no way to heal the scar that battle had imprinted on her, the innocence that she once had...
He had thought enough. It was time for action. He would find a way to send her off, to live a normal life, even if it meant doing what his brother before him had done; giving up his life.
Finally reaching the temple of the elders, Joseph opened the large oak doors. They creaked within the eerie silence, opening a path to a darkened, damp hallway. There were no sounds. No fire crackling in the darkness. No birds in the sky. No wind in the air. Only the faint beating of his heart. He walked forward with a silenced grace.
Joseph had been trained under the elders, but because he was not a void mage; he was not as important as Charlotte was. His training was observed by his father, and was much more lenient than what Charlotte had told him she went through. Due to his training, he always moved with a feline's trod, readiness for battle in every movement. As king, it does not hurt to be prepared, his father used to say.
Walking towards another set of oak doors, guided by only the light behind him, Joseph reached out, before his keen senses picked up voices.
"...failed. We need to further our plans." said one of the elders. He was sure it was Zwei.
"Indeed, this is taking too long. Reconquista is becoming impatient." said Ein.
"What shall we do with the girl?" said Drei.
"She is not an issue at the moment, but we must be cautious. With each victory, she grows more and more powerful. Soon, even we may not be able to get rid of her." said Ein.
Joseph had heard enough. He burst through the doors, wand out, forming icicles above his head. The elders abruptly stood from their seats, not expecting the surprise attack. Joseph fired the icicles, piercing Zwei and Drei's hearts. Ein however was able to move slightly faster, but not enough to save himself.
"Hmph. So much for the strongest mages of Galia." muttered Joseph as he walked up to Ein, who was struggling to breathe. Joseph's icicle had pierced his left lung. Grabbing him by his collar, Joseph roughly brought up up to his feet.
"You're going to tell me everything you know Ein! What are you planning?!" Shouted Joseph, but Ein was laughing, completely ignoring Joseph.
"So close... I was so close... the ultimate power was within my grasp and yet..." laughed Ein. Joseph shook him again.
"What are you talking about?!" shouted Joseph. Ein finally stopped laughing, staring at Joseph with crazed eyes."
"Rejoice, my King. Soon, Reconquista shall come to this land. Our people shall conquer all the nations of Halkeginia, uniting under one rule, and take back the land of promise from the elves! With our trump card, with our Chimera's, we shall be unstoppable!"
Joseph watched as Ein laughed maniacally until his last breath, wondering what would become of the kingdoms.
...
I would like to thank another fanfic writer, FernandelDeLaFrance. Without his Author's Creed inspiring me to write this story, I would not be posting this. Kudos to him, and go read his story On The Wings of an Eagle, an Assassins Creed/Zero no Tsukaima cross over! R&R!
There are many stories that are nothing more than... pastiches, written by unimaginative copycats and lazy writers, repeating word for word events in other stories and wasting the time of the one reading it.
And then there are many stories that are written by shallow and greedy men pandering to their audience, not daring to break out of the cage they have built for themselves, to surprise them, to create something new.
And then there are those who blindly follow what is known as the 'canon', not daring to break out of the mould that the original Creators gave us. Yet if they gave us such great gifts of imagination and the ability to exercise our free will, is it not a travesty for us to cling to stringent and arbitrary conventions, to write stories that make no effort to create something new, something inventive, something different
And that is why, Author, realize the truth of these words.
Where other men blindly follow others, fearful of creating something entirely their own, remember: Nothing is true.
Where other men are limited by the fear of their audience's backlash, by mainstream demand, terrified of breaking the mould and example set by society and their peers, remember: Everything is permitted.
To write what is right, and right what is wrong.
We work in the dark to serve the light.
We are Authors.
Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
FernandelDeLaFranc