All the usual disclaimers in place.
Chapter 4: At the end of the day…
"Rayne, good to see you," the brown haired man smiled. "And you brought Hyuuga too. This is a surprise."
"I take it you saw the lights."
"I did," Bernard said leaning back in his chair in the hotel lounge. "So does it mean what I think it means?"
"That Angelique's back? Yes."
Bernard let out a hesitant breath, relief and joy filling his chest in finding that his relative returned. "Do you know where she is?"
"Yes we do. She's safe."
"For now," Bernard's voice went low, suggesting that all was not well.
"What do you mean?" Rayne asked.
Bernard sighed and flipped open a folder containing reports, "I've been investigating reports of Rebel sightings here in Rhys."
"Rebels here?" Could that explain why Nyx disappeared? "Why would they come here?"
"It could be a number of things."
"Could these rebels have something to do with the destruction at Sunlit Mansion?" Hyuuga addressed his question to Rayne.
"The mansion was attacked?" Bernard asked.
"Yeah, and Nyx gone. And we don't think he did the destruction this time," Rayne confirmed.
Bernard rubbed his eyes, "I guess that wouldn't surprise me."
Hyuuga and Rayne gave him a questioning look.
"Nyx's family has been in the shipping business for centuries. That's where most of his wealth comes from," Bernard explained. "Most of that business derives from ships that ship goods and supplies in between the Medina Islands. It unites the islands essentially through trade."
"So what does this have to do with his disappearance?"
"A number of things I'm sure. The Rebels decided to make their base on those islands since they are independent from the rest of Arcadia. They practically invaded those islands and some say imprisoned some of the Migrants. Exuse me, the politically correct term would be Medinans. The Rebels are taking the islands hostage. I found that Nyx recently has been trying to stop all of his ships from transporting certain goods in between the islands to cripple the Rebel supply holdings. Many of those ships are now being used to blockade the islands that haven't been infested with Rebels and prevent any Rebel task force from forcing the other islands to supply them. It's not an easy task."
"So they got angry and decided to punish him."
"Most likely. The poor guy can't get a break."
Rayne shook his head, "He's been trying to help those people. Prevent them from suffering at the hands of the Rebels even more."
"It's not good for his income either. If he's anywhere, he's on those islands, probably imprisoned."
Hyuuga sighed, "Angelique's not going to like hearing that."
"It would do no good to not tell her."
Rayne stood, "Well, maybe seeing her Bernard-niisan would cheer her up."
---
"I guess you didn't find anything at the hospitals, J.D." Rayne said as his group found the taller man heading towards the mansion. The blonde shook his head.
"We may know where Nyx is," Hyuuga said nodding towards Bernard who smiled, "Nice to see you again J.D."
"Well, let's head inside, and we can formulate a plan."
They entered the gaping hole of the doorway, and when they saw the inside, three of their mouths dropped.
It was clean. Sparkling clean. No glass anywhere. It was like nothing happened. Even the blood was scrubbed from the piano.
"I see the destruction outside, but where is the devastation and destruction here?" Bernard asked in curiosity.
Rayne spotted Alonzo lying on the couch snoring loudly.
"Who's this?" Bernard asked as Alonzo grunted and opened his eyes.
"Well, look at this. The Three Musketeers are back," he stretched and spotted Bernard. "Looks like you've found another to join your merry band of men."
Rayne rolled his eyes, "What are you doing sleeping?"
"Because I can."
"Did you clean all of this up?"
Alonzo chuckled, "No, a fairy came out of my ass and gave me one wish. Of course I cleaned it up, what d'you think?"
"You cleaned it up nice, " J.D. complemented. He knew Rayne and Hyuuga didn't like Alonzo very much. He on the other hand, liked his carefree presence. It reminded him of a rougher version of his late friend, Kai.
"Thank you, J.D. At least someone appreciates what I do. I may be considered lazy, but I do my job well."
Bernard arched an eyebrow, "No, seriously. Who is he?"
Rayne's brow twitched, "He's Alonzo, Nyx's servant."
"Servant?"
Alonzo shrugged, "I prefer the term assistant. Servant sounds too kinky."
The four just stared.
"What? He owns a whip, you know."
Alonzo made some tea while the four men sat around the coffee table, discussing what would have happened with Nyx. As soon as the tea was served, they filled Alonzo and J.D in on Bernard's theory.
"Alonzo, has Nyx told about any financial handlings or have come across any?"
The man shook his head, "No, what kind of assistant would I be if I hounded him for every financial detail?"
"No clues in his room or-"
"Hell, no. I stay away from his room. God knows what kind of stuff he does in there."
Rayne inspected his cup of tea, suspecting that Alonzo may have spiked it.
"Is Ange still resting?" J.D. asked.
"Yeah."
"I'm guessing you guys are going to take her to Celestizm," Bernard said.
"That's the plan."
"Ah," Hyuuga perked up looking at the staircase, "speaking of which…"
Bernard stood, giving his relative a smile, "Look who's up."
Angelique nearly ran down the stairs, "Brother Bernard!" She ran into the older man's fierce hug. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Angie."
Alonzo turned to Rayne, "I'm confused."
Rayne sighed and set down his half finished tea, "It's a long story."
Bernard pulled back, "You haven't changed a bit."
"Neither have you. How's Roche?"
Bernard shrugged, "Ah, he's the usual. Here and there. I'm glad you're safe here with your friends."
"I was very fortunate."
Alonzo rose from his seat, "Here have a seat and some tea." He motioned for Angelique to sit down, "I trust you had a good rest."
She nodded, "I did, thank you."
Bernard blinked at the more refined manner Alonzo used. He guessed working with Nyx caused this normally course man to clean up his language and mannerisms around ladies.
Rayne cleared his throat, getting Bernard's attention. The red-head jerked his head, that could have meant anything, but the reporter instantly knew what he meant.
"Angelique," Bernard said softly, "I may have found a key into finding our friend Nyx."
Bernard sat down and explained everything that he had found.
"It is my fear that he had been captured by Rebels."
"Rebels?" she asked.
Bernard nodded. "They were formed by people who were unsatisfied with the way the Holy City and the Diet handled the Thanatos attacks three years ago. They were unthreatening at first, but somehow they became stronger and more organized. They are rumors and reports of their base being in the Medina Islands. I'm sure you've never come across a Migrant to your knowledge."
"Migrant? You mean immigrants."
Bernard cursed himself for calling them by that name, "No Angelique, I apologize for having to call those people that. What I meant was Medinan. The term Migrant is a disgusting word we mainlanders use to describe them."
Bernard continued, "I have come to believe that Nyx and his family were of Medinan origin."
"Why do you say that?"
"The inhabitants of the Medina Islands are all of one people, though there are many tribes and groups make up the Medinan race. They have characteristically black or dark hair and blue or golden eyes."
Angelique remembered her friend's dark hair and those lovely blue eyes that made her think of the ocean. Not many in Arcadia had black hair or blue eyes such as his. "Like Nyx."
Bernard nodded, "My thoughts became more solid when I found about his family's shipping business there. Nyx's business is what unites the various Medinan tribes and islands under one group. Now he's using his business to protect them from a possible genocide by the Rebels."
"You didn't tell us anything about a genocide." Rayne protested.
"Oddly the Rebels are still loyal to the teachings established by the Holy City and they carry the same prejudices we mainlanders have towards the Medinans."
"Why do mainlanders hate those people?" she asked sadly.
Bernard shrugged, "It's baseless really, most have us have grown up thinking that Medinans were too terribly different to tolerate. Especially the older generation. We pick up on our parent's feeling towards these people. Mainly the Medinans don't follow the ordinances given by the religious Organization and their customs are so diverse. That's why they are independent from the rest of Arcadia. I don't know why we call them such horrible things such as Migrants. The term comes from a fear mainland Arcadians had long ago that they would try to integrate into our society and our way of life and disrupt the religious ordinances. Though not many Medinans migrated here. Nyx's family was probably one of the few exceptions. Their wealth and conversion to our religious organization was probably the only way they escaped persecution."
"How come I was never aware of the Medinans?"
Bernard smiled, "Most people only have come into contact with Medinans on the coasts, not in the middle of Arcadia. You weren't raised to judge people by how they look or where they come from. One of the many aspects that makes you Queen."
"Now that we found that the Rebels have penetrated the center of Arcadia, who knows what will happen," Rayne said folding his arms.
"But shouldn't we go and try to help Nyx, wherever he may be?" Angelique pleaded with her male counter parts. Erwin meowed agreement, mimicking her pitch.
"I recommend you head to Celestizm first," Bernard answered, "It would be rash to try to jump on a ship and head into Rebel infested islands. Take some time to collect yourselves. Besides it won't be easy getting there. Most of the Arcadian ports wont allow ships to go to and from the Medina Islands ever since word of the Rebel occupation reached here. Our best chance is finding a small port town that isn't big on industry shipping."
"But Nyx could already be…" Angelique didn't want to finish that sentence. It tore her heart to even think it. Luckily Bernard calmed her a little, "Nyx is more useful to the Rebels alive than dead."
"That prick better be alive," Alonzo muttered as he got up. "I'm making dinner, it should be ready in about an hour. Any requests?"
Angelique was reminded of long ago when her four male friends had trouble deciding on a dish to make for her. Smiling she turned, "I think anything you make should be fine."
"I'll help," J.D. blurted as he ran into the kitchen, Alonzo followed him.
Angelique was reminded of something crucial and embarrassing Alonzo told her. His cooking habits. She wondered if he would do that now.
Almost as if reading her thoughts, Alonzo winked, "Don't worry I'll keep my clothes on this time."
Rayne went wide eyed, "What?"
"It 's a long story," Angelique sighed.
---
Dinner was superb. Rayne had a theory that J.D. actually made most of the food, but J.D. refuted that theory. The men did their best to take their minds off of Nyx and the Rebels for the time being. Angelique pretended to follow suit but deep inside she was churning with worry and anxiety. She kept telling herself that he would be alright, but somehow that didn't make things any better.
As a result when she went to bed for the night, her mind whirled with worry over the man who gave her friends, a home, and hope. A man who made her Queen of the cosmos. He had given her so much pain as Erebos and so much joy as himself, that for the last few months before she became Queen, her mind was whirling in confusion.
And then there was the night he told her everything…
That night he held her in his arms. That night he almost defiled her. No, that's not it. Erebos almost defiled her. Whenever Nyx was able to fight against Erebos, her heart felt sore. She would never have been able to kill her dear friend when he stared at her with such sad and dejected eyes.
The knowledge that he was fighting beside her the entire time gave her the strength and courage to pierce his body with her sword and rid the world of Erebos.
Angelique turned in her bed and closed her eyes. She silently prayed that she would see him again.
---
Angelique felt her body being pulled. Opening her eyes she found that she wasn't in her bed. She was lying on gentle grass surrounded by trees that covered the moonlight. She gained her footing looking at her surroundings. They seemed somewhat familiar. There was a small pond with a delicate waterfall, pouring into the calm waters. The water seemed to be illuminated by the moonlight and the fireflies that blinked and floated softly above the water.
Angelique bent down and touched the water. It was warm and she watched the ripples cut across the pond the other side. That's when she saw him.
The figure stood tall, the moonlight cutting across his elegant features and shining on his mane of dark hair. He slowly stepped into the water and made his way to the middle, the water reaching to his waist.
She blinked, unsure if it was him, "Nyx?" She dipped her delicate feet into the water and slid into the pond and moved towards the figure, desperate to get a better look. She reached right up to him, and stared straight up, inspecting his face. She gave a relieved smile. It was him.
"You came back," was his husky whisper, reaching out to touch the side of her face, but stopped at the last second. He instead gave her a sad smile, "You look as radiant as ever, mademoiselle."
If it were any other situation, she would have blushed, flattered by his smooth talk. But now, listening to his strained voice and looking at his appearance she took little notice to the compliment.
Angelique was sure it was him, but his normally fair skin was dirty and damp with sweat and grime. His long hair was untamed and disheveled, and his eyes…his eyes no longer portrayed warmth. They were distant and faded; making his normally brilliant blue eyes seem dull, almost black. Just like the eyes he had after he burned down his mansion and was fighting control of Erebos. The lines under them only added to the haunted and weary look they gave. On his cheeks and chin were thin patches of facial hair growth.
His body seemed different. The dirtied white cotton shirt he wore was parted down the middle giving her a view of his torso. Again, normally, she would have been embarrassed but now she was shocked. His shoulders seemed broader and his height taller, his muscles, which she guessed should have been more lean, were thicker but painfully so. Like it was unnatural for his body.
"What happened?" she asked staring into his dark eyes. "I had hoped that you would live for happiness. So you wouldn't have to suffer…"
Tears leaked from her eyes in spite of herself. She wanted to see him but not like this, not when the pain was so prevalent in his eyes. With a small sigh, Nyx hesitantly lifted his hand to her face, wiping away her tears with his thumb. Her eyes widened for a moment at his touch.
"I honestly tried, Angelique, I really did," Nyx said. "But it was difficult when the only time I've ever known true happiness was…" He paused, not quite sure how to word the next phrase, "Was when I was with you."
She inhaled sharply, a gasp almost forming. "Nyx, we will find you. Then we can all live happily together."
He retreated slightly, shaking his head, "I'm sorry, Angelique. It's best if you do not save me this time."
"But, why? We want to take you home."
"Don't go looking for me, Angelique. You will only get hurt if you do. I don't want to cause you any more pain than I already have. If something were to happen to you, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
"Is something wrong? Is it Erebos?"
He shook his head, "No, not this time, you rid the world of him. But I found why he was truly drawn to me. It's because I'm…"
He trailed off before emitting a small smile, "Angelique, Sunlit Mansion is yours. Live in it, make it your home. Just promise me that you won't allow Alonzo to destroy it during one of his parties."
"I can't just abandon you. I may not be Queen anymore but I can't let the people I care about suffer."
"Angelique," he sighed, like an adult trying to reason with a particularly obstinate child. The water sloshed as he glided through the water.
Her chest was tight. Their bodies were almost touching. She could feel his warmth. He placed his hands on the sides of her face. Her breath hitched in her chest as her cheeks turned a peculiar shade of red. He tilted her head back, as his face drew closer, so that his lips nearly touched her ear.
"It's time to wake up, my Angel," he whispered.
With that he submersed her head underwater.
She woke with a start finding that she was in her bed. She looked to side out her window: the sun was just peaking over the trees. Her chest ached with the realization that it was all a dream, but her skin still burned from his touch.
A/N: Ah, the appearance of Nyx (sort of). So what will the gang do? I know most of Angelique's dialogue is cheesy, but she is kind of a cheesy character. I have seen several translations of this series so the spelling differs from translation to translation. I'm basically using the spellings that I think sound right so if any are confused by my spellings of certain characters and places its probably because you've only seen one translation of the series. I refer to episode 7 of second age of when Nyx revealed everything to her. It was my interpretation of the part when Erebos had her on the bed as if he was about to, well, you know. At first I thought he was choking her but he probably would've used two hands to do that. Based on the actions and dialogue I thought rape was the intention he had there which blew my mind away for a few moments(C'mon he says "Lie still" and "Relax" while she's on the bed, what the hell). If any of you want to get a better picture of Alonzo you can view it here on my profile h t t p : / / s i n i s t e r k a t . d e v i a n t a r t. co m / a r t /C h a r ac te r -D es i g n- p o r t r a i t - 1 38 3 3 5 94 4. Sorry for the weird spacing. FanFiction won't let us post links normally.