A/N: Welcome to the second stage of "Beyond", titled 'Myth'!
Well heyo my friends! How have you been since last we spoke? I've been grand thanks! Been pulling around with "The Shining Light" so that, hopefully, it can go back up again very soon. But right now, things aren't looking too good for it – there's a lot of things about it that require serious tweaking. Cia and I have planned a sit-down session to put some more ideas together, and after that hopefully we'll be able to post the story back up again.
Anyway, I wanted to get down to writing this chapter as soon as possible, and ideas have been flying around for this story between myself and MaY-sempai. I really owe this girl – BIG TIME. She always gives me the best advice, asks some of the best questions that get me thinking, and her continuous support is mega appreciated! In fact, a lot of her work has inspired this story's birth. So, if you want to thank anyone, thank MaY-sempai, my sempai, the fluff-master and the Queen of Randomness. Thank you so much MaY-sempai! I don't know what I'd do without you girl : D
And, in reply to MaryK's review, yes this will eventually be a YukiXShu fic. It's just Shu-chan hasn't been introduced yet. Hopefully his grand entrance should be in this chapter : D Look forward to it!
Well, anyway, I'll quit waffling here and I hope you enjoy reading the Stage II, 'Myth'!
Theme of 'Myth': Main Theme – "Gravity of Love" by Enigma; "Epitaph" from .hack/LIMINALITY Original Soundtrack; "Eternal" by Evanescence.
Beyond
Stage II: Myth
Nothing is ever as it appears. The World was never meant to be certain. We cannot be human, without being unsure of things. Nothing is for certain. Everything around us is shrouded in mystery. While the human race thinks we know everything, we only know one thing for certain.
That is that we know nothing for certain.
After all, there'd be no fun in life, if there was no mysteries.
In the city of Tokyo, a storm was raging.
It was one of the worst storms in history, and it was completely unexplainable. Many experts tried to explain how it had come about, but they were completely unable to give an explanation. They advised citizens to stay in their houses, as thunder and lightning storms were due to strike during this horrendous storm. There was even rumours flying around about a tsunami striking the city. But these were only rumours, and therefore most people didn't listen to them.
Eiri Uesugi, stared out of the living room window, watching the rain drops almost crash into the window and listening to the roar of the rain pattering on the roof. Thunder clapped in the grey sky, that was overcast with big, fat, rain clouds. The big fat rain drops clanked on the window. The lightning in the sky caused the whole city to almost light up.
The sun was nowhere in sight.
It was hiding behind the veils of clouds, trying to make a dream come true. Trying to give the most important gift to a lonely man.
Trying to give hope for love to Eiri Uesugi.
Eiri sighed, and turned away from the window. He felt so exhausted right now. The book was nowhere near completion. It was still a blank document, sitting open on his laptop. He didn't understand why the storm had suddenly come on like this. But what he really didn't understand… was why he felt so empty.
It was as if a part of himself had flown away, into the very heart of the storm.
"Loneliness is something man must endure in his heart,". A wise man had once said that to him. But that man had been born, lived and died alone. He had endured loneliness all through his life, and yet never once had he ever found love. He'd always been alone.
It seemed Eiri was destined to carry the same fate.
Fatigue began to take its toll on the novelist. He felt weak, and the world around him began to spin madly out of control. He couldn't seem to focus correctly. He, somehow, managed to make his way to the couch, in which he collapsed on.
And, the last thing he remembered seeing, was a very bright light, like lightning, before he fell into darkness.
A young, pink-headed man stared listlessly out of the castle window. His violet eyes studied the horizon, watching as soldiers on the Eastern and Southern boarders began to gather forces and prepare their attack on Anaeria. His mind was elsewhere though. It was not within the boarders of Anaeria. It was somewhere past the boarders of the Air land. It was where his heart was.
It was in the World.
"Prince Shindou! Your father is calling for you!" called a long, brown haired girl, who poked her head round the young man's doorway. 'Prince Shindou', as he was addressed, rolled his eyes and turned to face her.
"Ayaka, please call me Shuichi. You know I can't stand being addressed as 'Prince Shindou'," he muttered. Ayaka smiled at him.
"I know, Shuichi, I know. But, please, hurry. He sounded urgent when he called for you,". Shuichi turned his attention back out the window for a brief moment, and then turned back to Ayaka again. He nodded.
"Right. Lead the way," he said. Ayaka nodded hurriedly, and led him out of the room, and down to the courtyards, where his father would be waiting for him…
The leader of the Water Land of Aquaria, smirked while watching his soldiers get into position and form groups. He'd finally managed to form an alliance with the Fire land of Ouzo's leader, Lord Maa. He was just hoping he'd be able to get Sir Ken of the Earth land, Gaia, to join in the fight against Anaeria. Then they'd really be able to take over that out-dated Air land.
"Master! You're wanted downstairs for a talk with Lord Maa!" called a soldier from outside his office.
Taki, smirked and stood up.
"Tell him, I'll be with him soon," he began. Then he paused for a moment.
"And tell him… that someone from the World is arriving in Anaeria soon," he added.
"Soldiers! Listen up! We've got an important battle ahead of us! But don't fear! King Shindou will lead us to glory! So, keep those chins up and let's go kick some butt!" yelled a blond headed gun mage from the Palace Guard.
Hiroshi Nakano, sweatdropped and turned to his fellow commander, Suguru Fujisaki.
"I have to wonder sometimes why K was put in charge of the Guard," he whispered. Suguru nodded and sweatdropped even more as K began randomly shooting things in the Guard's headquarters.
"Well… maybe he'll calm down soon,"
A painting crashed to the floor.
"… or maybe not…"
A/N: Hehe! We were introduced to a lot of characters today! We had Shuichi, Ayaka, Taki, Maa, Ken, K, Hiro and Suguru… all in one chapter! Hehe! I found it really difficult to write this chapter, but it turned out well I think! Anyway, please review, and I'll update soon – that's a promise!
- Hikari-kun -
