Author's Note: First of all, thanks to my first reviewer! Hoorah! And also, updates will not always be as fast as this one. Finals week has just begun. It will be study mode for the next few days. I do have a few chapters written up so I will update whenever I can get my hands on in the internet. Enjoy!
Chapter One
Song and Slumber
Year 2024...
Finally, he had found it. It was a peaceful place, he had to admit, so quiet and secluded, so beautiful in such a simple way. It was the perfect place for her to sleep; she would be undisturbed. He ran his hand along the smooth stone walls of the mausoleum, knowing that nestled within them was his heart, deep in slumber. He could feel her presence, filling him to the brim with an inexplicable delight. He was so close now that the memory of the scent of her blood invaded his senses, the memory of the feel of even just her fingertips sent pleasing shivers down his spine. He remembered her voice, and how his heart soared at the sound of it.
"Saya..." he whispered softly. "It has been a while..."
He took a seat on the stone floor near the entrance and leaned on the cold, solid wall, not wanting to step inside. This was sacred ground, for within slept his queen, and he would rather not desecrate or disturb it in the slightest. He looked upwards at the sky, and continued to silently do so for the next half hour. Soon, the sun was beginning to rise. Rivers of pink mingled with seas of yellow, and droplets of faint blue swam in between. It was lovely, the perfect setting for his partial reunion with his most beloved.
"I have seen death twice now," he began, as if truly speaking to her. "And I think that I am glad to have survived both instances, particularly the second. I have been reborn once more. I believe this is a gift, the perfect opportunity to begin anew as your Chevalier. When you wake, we will start a new life, the life that you have always longed for. I will show you the world, as I promised."
He closed his eyes, wishing for a moment that he, too, could sleep. Perhaps in the realm of dreams their paths would cross. He had not dreamt in a very long while. He struggled for a minute to recall exactly what it was like to sleep so deeply that your mind temporarily creates a new reality for you. He found he could not remember. Has it truly been that long...?
"Will you tell me your dreams, Saya, when you wake...?" he queried, his eyes still closed. "You can tell me anything." The stone felt hard and cold against his back. He craved for the warmth and softness of her skin. The wind blew a strong but fleeting breeze. He ached for the sound of her gentle breathing. Sighing, he stood and decided that Nathan would be looking for him soon. He was spared only a few minutes in the presence of his beloved. He ran his hand once more over the stone, regretting that he had spent countless hours searching for this place only to be granted a few minutes to stay. Then again, there was still tonight and tomorrow, opportunities for him to revisit and bask in her presence.
"I will return tonight, I promise. I will tell you a story," he said as he turned and walked away. He reached the steps and took them one at a time, slowly, lingering as long as he possibly could. "Perhaps I will tell you of your nieces. They are growing up beautifully."
"There is something very strange about him..."
"Nathan...?"
"No, Solomon."
"Oh...?"
"You disagree...?"
"Not entirely."
"Then you know what I mean."
"Also not entirely... Enlighten me."
"Don't talk like that."
"I find it utterly amusing."
The conversation was taking place in a small dance studio in a minor district in Okinawa. It was between a young girl and her twin sister, each almost an exact copy of the other, except for the eyes. One had eyes as deep as the clearest ocean, as bright as a cloudless sky. The other had the warmth of the earth, and the strength of a flame. They were beautiful, the twins. They had silken, raven hair framing a pale, oval face and lips as pink as dawn, the color that paints the sky just when the sun touches the horizon.
The first speaker was Mayu, the elder of the two, her eyes such a strange shade of brown that they appeared almost red. She was absentmindedly twirling a lock of her hair around her finger while looking thoughtfully at Solomon, their dance instructor. He was standing on the other side of the room, speaking to Nathan, their other, less-favored instructor.
Solomon was a charming young man, with a very intelligent, gentlemanly appearance. He was always dressed in clean white suits, ties of an assortment of colors, and polished leather shoes. His pale blond hair worked wonders for the smooth contours of his face, the deep, bluish gray of his eyes, and the beautiful fair color of his skin. His smile was smooth and sincere, his actions poised and graceful, different, as if he belonged to an era that had long since gone. The beauty of his outward appearance mirrored his personality perfectly. He was patient, understanding, with a very mild sense of humor. His laugh was mellifluous, never loud or boisterous like most other men. He was kind and considerate. If you had to hate him, it would be because he was so close to perfection.
Nathan was different, dressed in tight, frilly garments of odd and often bright colors. Today he sported a pale, lilac top with lace-ended sleeves just touching his elbow. His leggings, if possible, seemed tighter than usual and were in a dark shade of blue. His boots were brown, with golden designs running down the front. It was better than his selection of green and yellow apparel from the other day. His hair was very wavy and blonde, although darker than Solomon's, and his blue eyes lacked the storm gray hue that Solomon's had. His smile had more of a shrewd than gentlemanly look and his voice was always quite high-pitched for a male. He had a prominent jaw and chin, altogether a more distinct face that actually fit perfectly with his personality.
There were times when Nathan would be the butt of some of the jokes that the students spread but these were never taken too seriously. He was, after all, very kind and patient. He was simply a little odd. Solomon, on the other hand, was admired and adored – depending, of course, on the sexual preference of the student that is asked. Many of the students found it strange and sometimes disappointing that he seemed to show no interest whatsoever in the young girls flocking around him. This was not, however, the reason for Mayu's claim that there was something strange about him.
He caught the twins looking at him and smiled, making Mayu blush. She might think him unusual, but she was drawn to him nonetheless. He was far too charismatic to be resistible. She adored him and her reason for continuing this dance class was to be as close to him as was possible. Lately, though, he appeared preoccupied with several other things. His mind drifted constantly and he could no longer keep conversations with them the way he used to. It also seemed as though he and Nathan were always having disagreements of sorts. The two had never truly fought or shouted, but she could feel the tension rising between them. There were even times when it seemed as though the disagreement had something to do with her and her sister.
"Yui...?" she murmured softly.
Her sister turned to look at her. "What is it?"
"Do you ever wonder what they argue about?" Mayu queried.
"No," replied the other casually. "Whatever it is does not concern us." She had begun to sing, her voice soft and sweet. Mayu stopped her interrogation in order to listen to her sister. Mayu, who did not sing herself, had always remarked that Yui's songs were so captivating, alluring in a way she could never explain.
Across the room, Solomon returned his gaze to Nathan who, upon hearing Yui sing, seemed to be filled with more vigor and enthusiasm regarding their discussion. The young girl was unaware that although her singing differed from her mother's, it stirred the emotions within the two Chevaliers.
"Telling them would be a mistake," Solomon said, his stormy eyes filled with suppressed frustration. "This is not one of your theatrical projects, Nathan. This is not a script you can manipulate."
"Oh, Solomon, stop trying to protect them from a truth that they deserve to know. I honestly believe that the mistake here is that they haven't been told of their true nature," Nathan replied. "It could be beautiful! Exciting! It could be an entirely new adventure story!"
"I think we have both lived out enough adventures to fill our lifetimes a hundredfold," Solomon said calmly. "Let their family deal with the truth."
"I am quite sure that whether or not their family has told them anything they must be aware of certain special qualities that they have. It is only a matter of time before they realize just how extraordinary they truly are! Perhaps even without their family telling them!" Nathan said, excitedly. "It would be wonderful if we played a role in their discovery about themselves, about the past. It would be even more wonderful if we could become a part of their lives as their Chevaliers!"
Solomon sighed, reminded slightly of Diva. He subconsciously reached for the pendant that hung around his neck, hidden beneath his clothing. Perhaps this was why Nathan and Diva got along so well. Nathan could be so childlike, so demanding. Solomon wondered how Nathan managed to survive through the centuries with this kind of personality. "Nathan," Solomon said softly. "I believe we should do our best to watch over them, make certain that no harm, no unexpected surprises, befalls them. We are their predetermined Chevaliers, even without them granting us blood. When they learn of the truth, then we can play as much of a part as we want to. At the moment, I would rather not interfere. Remember, they belong to the family that raised Saya. She turned out perfectly, like a dream." He paused, a small smile touching his features, before adding, "I trust them."
Nathan pouted. "You are no fun..."
Solomon was glad that Nathan decided not to pursue the issue further. Although he knew that there was more to be expected of this discussion perhaps later when the class was over and they would return home. Nathan was not one to forget his side and simply give it up. "Well, I have an obligation to the students. And, actually, so do you," with a kind smile, he walked away, towards Mayu and Yui, and the other students who were eagerly waiting for them to finish talking.
As he walked out of earshot, he missed Nathan saying, "Life is simply not worth living without a queen..."
