Hello! Okay, I just have to say a little something. I wrote half of the story in just one shot, but I had I really hard time with the las part, so I'm sorry if it isn't really good. Well, I'm better let you make your own opinion on my work.
CLOUDS AND DIRT
Chapter four: Hatress of dreams
In dark catacombs, dirt and dry blood can be seen on the cracked ground, the partly demolished walls and even on the menacing ceiling. The wind murmured through the fissures. Or was it? Ceils full of corpses and skeletons were everywhere, but in the hollow of a remaining pillar, a wooden door were still standing; behind it a low fire were burning, but it was not the only remaining things alive. Thin people were stuck in other prisons; their wings dark with blood and God knows what. They were unfed, but they were doomed to die even if those leashed angels were saved: 'scientists' tainted them.
Suddenly a screeching shout were heard, this awakening the ones who found sleep thanks to their illness. Every angel flinched. Their victim was too young, much too young, but now she had no future anymore, like the rest of them.
Two middle age men brought the little girl. Her head down, still her dirty honey hair couldn't hide her delicate white lips and her empty blue eyes. The humans opened the door of the ceil and let the fourteen years old child on the cold unsteady marble. A woman with a broken black wing and a torn white one reached to the girl.
She wrapped the child in her arms and tried to comfort her. Then, the tainted angel looked at her arms and saw cuts and small holes filled with dark blood.
-Damned monsters! She didn't even start her life and you already took it away from her!
-Shut up! You are more useful than in those celestial gardens 19 where we…recruited you and your comrades.
The small girl moaned and opened her eyes.
-Mother…
-Yes, sweet heart, I'm hear, by your side.
-It hurts. I feel them inside.
-They tried to inject you their blood, didn't they?
-Yes…
Then, the mother and the daughter let their tears rolled down their cheeks, the girl gripping the woman like if her life depended on holding the thing fabric of her mother's dress.
-Don't worry I won't let you transform. I won't let you be what they want you to be. You'll remain a angel. Now, hold me. Hold me like you never would see me again. I still have enough energy to save you.
-What about you! You're coming with me, aren't you?
-Yes, I'm coming. Now, be a good girl and never let go, never open your eyes, never speak a word. I'm here; everything is fine.
-Yes. Bye.
-Bye. I'm sorry, comrades, I have to.
Then, a hollow wrapped its darkness around the mother and the child. Silently, breathlessly they cried and it was over. They were gone leaving their corpse chained, but their souls free. A male angel came to them and closed their eyes.
-Rest in peace, Laeticia and Galadria. Please prepare our places by your side.
An other angel lifted his chin and looked at the two dead women.
-Laeticia was wise to keep some of her energy to prepare this ceremony for herself and her daughter.
-Indeed, but soon, it will be our turn. Be patient.
-Those humans are crazy to think they can create a master breed by mixing their blood in our veins. And in name of what would this new generation would fallow their orders?! This will only cause our death. We're much too different now. We can only be mixed during conception. Will they understand one day?
-I don't know. Their king is obsessed with power. He thinks he's the best, that he's the most powerful, but one day, he will be defeated and he'll receive his worst and fatal hit.
-I just hope the Emperor will forbid the celestial gardens 19. Having to find an other way to get inside a different garden would slow down their experiences.
-Yeah…Do you feel it?
-What?
-Mneileasias is dead.
-He's free. Now, it's just the four of us. Hope, my friend. Hope for our freedom…
Kira and Lacus were discussing, walking in the immaculate walls of the many corridors. The pink beauty seemed anxious and Kira was doing his best to soothe her.
-We need to find Yuna. He was there. He knows what is happening there. I'm tired of those gossips. I need facts.
-I know, but he needs to report to my father first.
-Kira, I need to know. The gardens are under my responsibility. If some of my people disappear I need to know.
-Then, we find him and ask my father to be present during the report.
-Okay.
Without an other word, Lacus started to run. It wasn't really easy with her light pink dress, so even if Kira was surprise by her sudden outburst, he was able to catch up. Surely, it was easier with usual Cagalli's not-real-dresses. In fact, it looked like one, but it was open up to the thigh and underneath, Cagalli wore short pants.
After several minutes of research, they find him in front of Cagalli's room, begging her to let him in.
-Cagalli, I want to see your sweet face! It's been so long, how can you be so cold with me?
-Get lost Yuna! I'm practicing my skills!
-But!
-No 'but's ! Now, GO AWAY!!!
She really was pissed off and this really frightened the desperate lover boy and the brother, but Lacus was over it fast and headed to the purple head angel (author's note: I hate to say Yuna is an angel, berk!).
-Yuna, tell me! What are the news of my sector?
-You'll have to wait as the others to know. The Emperor might even don't bother to tell you, so…
-So nothing! You're coming with us, so that Lacus can sleep at night. Plus, talking about the evil, you're late for your report to my father, so start running!
-Oups!
It was the good way to shake Yuna a little. He literally flew to the Emperor's office, Lacus and Kira on his tail. When they both got inside behind Yuna, the boy silently asked to his father if they could stay for the meeting. The answer was positive to the great relief of the fiancée. Yuna cleared his throat and showed his respect. The Emperor let appeared a genuine smile and began to speak before Yuna could start.
-First, I want to announce you something. We received some news from Earth and I decided Cagalli's hand wouldn't be yours.
-I..I b.beg you pardon?
-I know it breaks your heart, but it would break hers to bond to you. However, I still need your loyalty and I would appreciate it if you could give me your report.
-Yes…Yes, sir. The gardens seventeen, eighteen and nineteen have been under great assaults of winds, mist and rains, so the harvest of apples shouldn't be prosperous. However, angels have been missing during their work at celestial garden 19. Even a young girl accompanying her mother was reported missing by her father who did not see his wife returns neither. So far, thirteen people are missing. The investigation group couldn't really investigate yet, but blame their disappearance on the weather. Should we stop all activities in those sectors, Emperor?
-Yes, and help the families touched by this tragedy.
-As you wish, your Highness.
Then, out of the blue, Lacus' voice was heard. Kira could feel her sadness into her words.
-If it doesn't bother you too much, Emperor, I would like to go and see by myself what are the damages.
-Ah, yes, it is your gardens. Will you only see those poor families?
Kira knew his father was suspecting his fiancée to try to help finding the lost angels.
-Of course, she will. I'll escort her; nothing shall happen to her.
-Right, and who will escort you?
-Father, I promise you I won't take futile risks.
-How are your teleportation skills?
-One kilometre is my limit, but it's enough to get out of danger.
-Alright, then. I'll let you two leave, but don't do anything reckless.
-Thank you.
-Good, is the report over, Yuna?
-Yes, sir.
-So, I wish the three of you a good day. And Kira, be careful.
It was settle down. Lacus and Kira would go to gardens 19 and Yuna would stay alone. The couple went to prepare their leaving, when Yuna just returned to his apartments; he would never be the possessor of this palace…never.
Cagalli was sitting on her soft and comfy bed. Silence floated everywhere, imposing respect. A slight light was radiating form her.
-I'm nothing. I'm air. I'm not here. I'm the wind passing through everything. I see everything, feel everything. I'm the ray of the moon, pale shadow of the sun, but still everywhere in the dark.
And she went on, trying to concentrate to finally be able to perform teleportation. After an hour, the princess felt nothing. She flashed her eyes open to realise she was floating.
-Great! A child of ten years old could have done that! Okay, concentrate Cagalli, concentrate.
A few moments later, she went into a trance. Fog blurring her vision, still, a silhouette could be seen. Suddenly, Cagalli had a urge to scream; like if fire wanted to spit out of her, like if a torrent wished to get out and to damage her surrounding.
-Who are you? What do you want and what are you doing here? You have no right to be here. This is my head, my mind, my thoughts! Get out, now!
-Calm down, will you. I know the place quite well.
The shadow became clear and Cagalli was able to see who it was: Asuran Zala.
-Well, what brings you here, my prince? Our last meeting was quite pleasant, don't you think? It was so great to be brought like a box to one place to another. In fact, wasn't I a…what's the word? Oh yeah! A potential stolen matter, right?
-Oh, come on, Cagalli! Don't be so precious, or at least, don't be so blind! Yes, our kingdoms signed this peace pact, but it's fragile! There are tensions! Open your eyes! You're there princess and important for the future of your world. As a prince of my own kingdom, I had to preserve mine. I thought you would have been able to understand that.
-Still, you were so cold. You didn't have to. Plus, you use me. You asked me so many questions and I answered each of them, what about mine? What about gratitude? What about…trust, friendship, goddamit! Do you know how it feels to be ignore like this?!
-Well, then sorry! But it was my way to protect you! From my father, from my people and from yours! And I AM grateful for your answers! What do you want from me, now? That I beg you pardon on my knees? I can't do that because I wasn't wrong. I prefer to be cold and see you only for a brief moment than to keep you for myself and to bring you a castle of problems!
-It's not that I wanted to stay with you longer, it's just that I wanted comfort. Was it so much to ask?
-I couldn't bring that to you.
-Hmph, obviously.
-I couldn't bring that to you because you had to take care of this problem by yourself. If you wish so much to be by my side, than you shouldn't have escape in front of this obstacle. You should have confronted it!
At this comment, Cagalli lowered her amber eyes. He was right. Knowing she had someone for her blinded her judgment. Normally, she would have stayed with her father and defend her position; a few loud protestations here and there, some unlady-like comments…
-I guess…I guess I just wanted…
-Your knight in shinning armor? Always, Cagalli. I'll always be there when you'll need me, but never if you don't deliver your fights.
-I know that! I never was like that.
-Don't change Cagalli. Your feisty attitude is your beauty, your vitality.
-Talking about vitality, are you already asleep or what? It's only 8pm.
-In fact, it's nine and an half.
-Oh. That's why I'm so hungry…but still how can you be here?
-I'm training and to be at the best of my power, I have to adjust my chakra.
-And you came in my mind like that? Sounds too easy…
-You told me we kind of have a bond and I thought that if we connected, our energy will be one, so since I was adjusting mine, my mind wandered to you.
-That's nicer than earlier.
-What about you?
-I'm trying to teleport somewhere.
-Where?
-Don't know…in my closet…anywhere!
-How is it going?
-Not good. It's been more than an hour and no results. If things still go this way I will lose my calm and that's certainly not good for what I'm trying to do.
-And what if you needed feelings and strong emotions?
-My brother needs to calm his mind.
-You're not Kira, thanks god. In fact, you're almost the opposite of him. He's calm, poise, he thinks before he acts…
-Hmph, go kiss him if you love him so much.
-You know what I mean. You're drastic and you prefer to fallow your heart even if it tells you madness…
-You don't know how to talk to women.
-Let me finish: this thirst of life you hold in your soul makes you the most lovely girl around.
-You are improving. Anyway, what were you trying to protect me from? Didn't your father agree with the clauses of the pact? He can't really harm me, can he?
-I…don't know. I have this intuition…plus, this odd arrangement…
-Men don't have intuition, women do. But what arrangement?
-You'll soon know by your father.
-Oh! THIS arrangement…wait. You knew! When I was at your place, you knew! And you didn't tell me! That's why you were acting so strange! You're lecturing me about not being coward, but you did the same thing. I would have preferred to learn the news by you since we already know each other.
-And then, you would have made a scene.
-Okay, that's it! You don't trust me and I don't trust you now, so this conversation is over.
-You are overreacting.
-Oh really? Then how do you feel when your father hides you major facts?
-(sight) Betrayed.
-Right! You know what I long for since I'm a little girl? The truth. I'm not the only person who has to learn something I guess. See you next time Asuran.
-With a last look, Cagalli disappeared. The only proof she had been there were the sparkles she left behind and her words echoing in the nothingness of the Universe.
-The major problem of both of us is that we're still children, if not then, we're teenagers. We need to grow up, but we don't want to. Pffff! Better start my physical training now.
Cagalli was back on her bed and pleased she let some steam escape. Not wanting to think of her soon-to-be husband, the princess went back to her teleportation skills. She knew she couldn't get back to the state of no emotions, but she had another possibility; the one of Asuran. At her state, Cagalli thought it could be a good idea. So she concentrated on what were burning inside of her; anger, sadness, regrets, lust of action, need to be strong… They twirled like a raging hurricane and then, there was the pain in her chest: like if she was tearing apart. The wind started to blow. Suddenly, she stopped to exist to finally hit back the ground in a blink in an eye.
Cagalli stayed on the cold floor of her bathroom, both frozen and burnt. Her breath was harsh and rapid. Once again, she sat correctly, trying to stay steady and tried her experience one more time; she ended in her closet, shaking like a leaf balanced by the wind. And she retried again and again. After her sixth teleportation, Cagalli attended to reach her bed, but her legs were extremely weak and let her down.
-Is this so painful for you too, Kira?
-Finally, the princess fainted, drained from energy.
Cagalli's dream
Mist. Everywhere. Cagalli was once again there.
-Can't believe it! Couldn't I have dreamed about…I don't know…hunters of thieves, great fighters, historic heroes…
-I feel offended.
-Not you again.
-Common, we can't keep bickering like that; we'll have to pass the rest of our lives together.
-Oh yeah! Like I could forget that.
-Look, if you don't want to see me, then stop becoming into trance.
-I'm not into trance.
-Then what? You're sleeping?
-Not exactly…
-How come, "not exactly"?
-I kinda worked out a lot, and…
-And worn you out.
-Yeah.
-What did you wanted to prove?
-Nothing!
-Then try to stop to put your life in danger!
-Mind your own business!
-You are my business! Remember? You are my world! And I'll show you when the opportunity comes that I trust you, but for now, I can't do anything. Except to say sorry which I did!
-…
-I'll take this silence as a possibility to here you talking to me with a smile on your face once again.
Cagalli just looked away, sighing. A chill ran through her and she lifted her chin.
-We just don't know each others yet. Sure there's something between us, but what do you like, what does your past look like, what are you dreams? This is mystery.
-Those answers will come…are you okay?
-Yeah, it's just that I'm…sleeping on a cold marble floor.
-Then wake up.
-Oh! Why didn't I think of this sooner?! I'm so dumb! What do you think? I can't decide when I wake up when I faint! In fact, it's my first time.
-Oh really?! A lot of princesses of my kingdoms faint ten times a month.
-Well, not me and I fainted because I didn't have any energy left.
-Then, I might help there.
-How?
-We're connected, right? So I can grant you of some of mine and you'll be able to wake up…and get into bed. Nowhere else.
-Okay. Do it.
-No "please" and "thank you"?
-Oh pu-lease!
-That will do.
Asuran then got near of her and took her cold hands.
-God! Your hands are cold!
-Do you have to be so…close!
-Consider that as my reward. Sleep tight.
And she was gone.
When Cagalli woke up, she went straight to her bed and fell in a real sleep visited by no dreams.
Hey! It's me again. Just wanted to know that the couple is not really back together again. There'll still be awkward moments. So, write to me if you have commentaries...don't be mean, be constructive.