Alone in the Darkness
Spreading my Wings Towards the Faceless Sky
Chapter VII
By nerdwitch
Everything was like a fantasy leading to the reality. The stars twinkle in the darkness of the night and the moon was left hanging watching the joyous people as they delight themselves to the newly constructed theme park. The sound and its atmosphere charmed people to lure themselves inside the Cloud-cuckoo-land. Making it more interesting.
The brunette lad was now tired of staying in the theme park although it's really fun to linger around. But due to what his grandpa made him do that day, he now craved for his bed on his abode. It's already past 10 in the evening and he needed to wake up early tomorrow for some reason.
Manta was now at a five star restaurant residing inside the theme park for the grand celebration for Ren's success and his colleagues. So he just made use of his cell phone to contact him that he'll be leaving right away and he was permitted. He was allowed to exploit one of the cars that they utilize for their bodyguards but decided not to use any of it. He just reasoned that he would just take a cab or something.
And Yoh left the crowd. He walked to the bright city street of Tokyo feeling alone all the while. He walked and walked until he reached an intersection and was stopped. The light was hitting green; pedestrian must stay put for a jiffy. He looked down and sighed, thinking what may happen to the next second. He looked at the skyscrapers then stared at the next lane. He moved his head in circles as if easing the pain of his nape. He moved it left and right until he recognized a pointed hair from the same crowd.
"Hmm…pointed hair on the crowd?" he queried himself. The light now was altered to red indicating that they could now pass through. He looked for that pointed hair again and now he could see him clearly. "If I'm not mistaken, he might be Tao Ren. What is he doing here? He should be celebrating on his accomplishment on the restaurant." Yoh tried to walk up to him.
"Hi!" he greeted at him but just receive his cold gaze. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are Tao Ren right?"
Ren just stared at him once more; he never thought that someone could identify him even though he just wore his typical outfit. He gazed at him from head to toe, thinking if he was sort of familiar to him but he ended to no. But this guy knows him, and he couldn't lie for just a simple question. "Yes." He just simply answered.
Yoh looked on his way, "I thought so. Then what are you doing here? You should be at the bistro."
"Damn, he even knows my status. How did he know about it? Is he a spy or sort of?" he was bewildered. "How did you know my whereabouts?"
Yoh smiled, "I just came from your conference and your theme park, Mr. Tao. "
"So meaning to say, he spies at me!" he concluded but, "But if he really an enemy's spy, why talk to me?" "Who's your financier?"
Yoh suddenly ceased. "What?"
"I said who your financier is? Your boss."
Yoh became puzzled about Ren's manner of speaking. "Does he think of me as a spy?"
They arrived at the other end of the lane. Standing parallel to each other. Still the entrepreneur was way of a serious tone of asking on the apprentice.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Tao." Yoh stared at him. "If you're thinking of me as your enemy's spy, you're probably wrong."
"Well then, how did you know me? I don't have any idea that someone on the out crowd knows me. As far as I know I don't receive any interviews or photographs because I barred them." He said in an erudite way.
The apprentice drew a line of grin on his face. How did he know him? Well, he got him on Manta. But of course, he can't just say it to his face that he is the prime minister's son's assistant. He shouldn't easily let his guard down. "Out crowd? Sorry to say but I belong to your circle, Mr. Tao. Everyone on the circle knows each other." He fluently said.
Ren was flabbergasted. "Did he say circle?"
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The palace of Schwurzwald was reserved for its tranquility until Prince Hao started to have an argument with his father, King Mikihisa. They were at the silent hallway with huge windows and hanging draperies showing the exquisite garden formerly supervised by Queen Keiko on the outside.
The supremacy of the king's voice dominates the stillness. "You're not going anywhere, Hao. You are expected to be at your cousin's domicile before this week ends!" his voice echoes from afar.
"No!" Hao replied. "I'm going to Japan to find my fiancée, and I don't care whether I should be on Opacho's residence or not!" he said clenching his fists.
King Mikihisa started to get annoyed from Hao's impertinence so he needed to find a way for Hao unable to set for another country. "Stop being unreasonable or I'll make sure that you won't receive anything from me, Hao!"
Hao smirked, "What's signed was already signed, my king father. Otherwise, you're not true to your word and the people won't like that."
"Stop blackmailing me, Hao. You still know nothing and just being blind by your own selfishness. Follow my order and go to Chaux de Fonds." He said once more. "Or else you will never ever see your lovely fiancée, my dear son."
Hao was now being short tempered to his father. He even threatened him about him and Anna to be disaffiliated. Anyway, he doesn't care too much about it. Anna's cousin, Lyserg, had already tried to separate his girl from him, and now his father was pressuring him the same way. "Damn it!"
Too bad that Hao doesn't know if he really meant those words, he's still the king and everyone should comply on it and he's not exempted. But his threat involves Anna, his future queen. Anyway, time would easily pass by and sooner or later he'll have his crown and queen…on his own effort…
So, should he obey his father to let him know that sometimes he's a submissive son or just let him know his other side—the heinous one? Should he give him a chance to see his only beloved son obey his words before anything else or not? He doesn't know what to think by that time, what he only thinks about was getting Anna back but something was telling him that why don't he let Anna enjoy her own happiness for a while.
He knows her background, her cold and dark past. Let her free for a while…his other side told him, after that, you are free to have her anytime you want. That gave him an idea. Anna was exclusively for him. No one will surely stand his way for her. And if ever someone dared to, guess what will happen.
"Hao, I said—"
"Ok! I'll be going! That's what you want right? Go to Chaux de Fonds for my cousin Opacho's celebration for his merits on academics that'll be exulted for about 2 weeks." he said.
Mikihisa just scrutinized his son, "Ah-huh, 2 weeks…and after that you need to visit some friends and peerages for some acquaintance purposes and that will take for about a month or so."
Hao suddenly taken aback, his eyes became narrowed, "What do you mean about that acquaintance purposes that would take for about a month? Are you insane?" he almost yelled.
"You're a prince. And making up with other people is one of your duties that you haven't done for around 3 years. If you want to be renowned as a king, you should know your people, Prince Hao." Mikihisa stated assertively.
Two weeks is enough but adding four weeks for his father's directive is too much! He needed to say something! He again closed his fist. "I can't—"
A butler was seen moving towards them on the hallway and stopped in front of them. Hao had lowered his head still having the ire inside him. King Mikihisa asked for the butler's presence and he was answered in whisper. He was told that the Duke of Le de Woux has just arrived and was now at the sanctum waiting for him. The message was delivered briefly and the butler was allowed to go.
The king stared at the prince who's still has his face shadowed. "Hao, you already concede yourself to my order, so there are no more complaints I should hear from you." He slowly moved away, "Remember, be at Chaux de Fonds before the week ends." And he's gone.
Hao was left alone on the quiet hallway…still his temper was soaring high. The king was manipulating him and he didn't want that to happen! Damn it! No one should be ordering him to do this and that! And he shouldn't allow him to be accustomed with it. Maybe this time…but again? Never!
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Yoh tried to walk away from Ren; he could sense that this guy was sort of an outsider to his real world. "Don't worry, Mr. Tao, we'll meet again somehow. I need to go now." He waved at him.
Ren was a bit of dissatisfied from his answer, he ceased him, "And If you belong to my circle, then, how come I don't know you" he taunted him.
Yoh paused. "Because you really don't know me, Mr. Tao." He faced him. "But I'll be glad to introduce myself to you."
Ren composed himself. He slid off his hands to his pockets. "Name yourself" he sarcastically said.
Yoh placed a big smile on his face, "I'm Asakura Yoh."
…
…
The pointed hair waits for another statement. "And?"
"And what?" the brunette asked back.
Ren raised a brow, "Give me your status, your standing…are you a having a repute in the business world or perhaps in the politics, your assets…my god!" he hit his forehead.
Yoh tried to think for a while, "Hmm…I only got a title."
"What's it?"
"I'm a King."
He was stunned, "Are you sure? There's no so-called king terrorizing the country of Japan right now, Mr. Asakura."
"I do." He grinned.
"You do? And from what country are you?"
"There's no country involve."
"What kind of a king are you if you don't have any country to govern with?"
Yoh smiled again, "I'm the…Free Meal King!"
And as if a cold air passed between them…
Ren was jaw dropped. Did he hear it right? Free Meal King? And what in earth is that? "Is he trying to make fun of me?"
"You don't believe it did you? I thought so…" Yoh tried to get something from his pocket, "Here go to this place tomorrow morning and I'll show you that I'm really is a king!" he handed him a card.
Ren took the card and read it; he almost chuckled. "What makes him think that I'm going to this place?"
"You want me to prove it, so I'll show you who am I. If you don't come then…" Yoh stated as if he read what's on Ren's mind.
"Ok, ok! I'll go." He alleged.
The brunette grin, "So, I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Tao."
"Stop calling me Mr. Tao, you're making me old!" Ren demanded at him.
"Oki…I guess this will be enough. See you soon, Ren." And Yoh bid adieu.
He left Ren alone along the bright city street of Tokyo. Without giving him even a small hint of whom he was. But on the other side of it, did the apprentice know who he really was?
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The duke was silently standing besides the casement of the sanctum when the door swung open. It unleashed the figure of the king of Schwurzwald with his posture so polished and prudish. They both respond to each other's welcome as they lessen their gap.
"My, my…Duke Silva of Le de Woux! It's been a long time!" the king started with a handshake. "You didn't change a lot, my friend." He patted him on his back.
Silva received his hand, "Neither have you changed a bit, King Mikihisa. You look even more exalted than before."
"Coz that's what I need to do. So how's everything going on? I don't have any news about you." Mikihisa sat on a settee.
Silva followed him, sitting parallel to the king, "Ah, things still the same as I left them. Nothing to talk about."
Mikihisa slouched his back on the settee whilst crossing his leg, "Hmm, for so many years of being away and countries that had gone through, yet there's even no stories to tell?" He raised a brow.
Silva frowned, "You know I hate story telling, Mikihisa."
He sneered at him, "Just do it this time. There's no harm on telling." He stared at him.
The duke just shrugged his shoulders, "And what do you want to know? "
"Something that you don't want to tell?" Mikihisa suggested.
"Argh! C'mon! This is the first time in 10 years that we've seen each other, Mikihisa, spare me!" Silva stated in irritation.
"Hey we need updates." The king just grinned.
Silva just released a sigh, knowing that making this argument longer, the more this brunette king will insist! "Ok, I'll tell you. But first, did Yoh already meet my daughter Anna?" he asked in anticipation.
Mikihisa was confounded. Did he say, Yoh already meet Anna? He was speechless in front of him. He became wary. "I guess…we need to talk outside, Silva." He acutely said.
Duke Silva became puzzled from the king's sudden change of character. And what may be wrong? Is it something her daughter did…and what may it be, if ever? He looked at the king who's now making his way to the door. There's something that he really needs to know.
He was brought up to the huge garden where there's no one would be able to hear their conversation. He continued to walk around until Mikihisa stopped and started to muse something.
"Silva, I know you didn't know what happen to my son, Yoh." He started.
Silva just became more befuddled than before, even before he talked with Liam. What's wrong with this topic? He really doesn't know… "I guess so…as you know I was always away the whole time around."
King Mikihisa heaved a sigh, "I don't know where to start…" he moved his head furiously.
Duke Silva groaned, "Oh…start wherever you want to begin."
The king remained silent for a while then start off, "Hao wanted to claim the title of Yoh being the fiancé of Anna."
He was quite ceased from what he had heard, "Then? What happened to Yoh? You said that he's the one who convinced you from the start that he wanted to change places with his brother. Why didn't he do something?" still wanting for more answers.
"Remember the night we signed the new agreement?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"Since that night, Yoh was gone."
"What?" he bellowed.
…
Silence took place…
…
"How…how did that happened? Why I didn't know anything about it?"
Mikihisa looked down the carpeted grass, "It was told that his body was never found in the Cliff of Tharo where the accident took place…but..."
Silva instantly gazed at him, "But what?"
"There's another story beneath it."
He moaned, "Another unfortunate twist of fate…" he shuddered.
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Flashback…
Silva had just arrived from the palace of Schwurzwald and was guided to the sanctum of King Mikihisa. He just left her daughter from Dreuxscheld for the birthday party of the son of the marquis. From there, he went to his manor in Le de Woux to gather some important documents for his flight in another continent. But before he leaves, there are some indispensable matters that he needs to talk to the king.
He seated before him, "Do I hear it right? Hao doesn't want to be engaged with my daughter?" he said in despise. "And what reason does he have?"
Mikihisa leaned his elbows on the table and placed his chin on his compacted hands, "Yoh's the one who told me to be the one to be engaged to Anna. And Hao just wanted the throne."
"He wanted the throne that was entitled to Yoh…and what was Yoh's reason of becoming my Anna's fiancé? Of course, I still I want to know why he exchanged places with Hao." He uttered.
The king just stared at the table, "He just claimed that he can't rule Schwurzwald. That he's still young for it…Oh, my silly son!" he moved his head, "Definitely, he still can't reign over this kingdom for he's just 6 years old. He's being infantile on that subject." He buried his face on his palms.
"Was he really sure that he wanted to change places with Hao? Oh, well…as you had said, he's being childish…you think it's still early to formulate that matter about the affiliation and the throne, Mikihisa?" he queried at him.
He winced, "I guess not. It's just that it is us who made a mistake. We arrived in the conclusion that we should inform them about the concord that we had made. That Hao must be Anna's fiancé and Yoh must have the throne. Oh, bad. We shouldn't have told them."
Silva looked intently at him, "I haven't told Anna about it…Do I have this hunch that you don't want Hao to be your successor on the throne, King Mikihisa?"
Mikihisa remained reserved.
"Speak up, Mikihisa…I need to know something that Anna would be involve to." he tried himself not to bawl at him.
He hauled a sigh, "There are this instances that I see Hao being egotistic in some matters with Yoh…I don't know, I just had this instinct. Sometimes I seen him being malevolent to others or maybe it's just my imagination that fooled me…I don't know." he was perplexed.
Silva tried to analyze the situation. "A king shouldn't give an answer stating that he didn't know." he looked at the king who was more confounded than before. He was troubled. But as a close friend, he needs him to be at ease in this predicament that had just popped up. "Otherwise, give me an idea on whose Asakura Yoh that'll be my future-son-in-law."
Mikihisa gazed at his friend, "You mean, you still want my son to be your daughter's fiancé?"
"I guess I need to believe in your childish Yoh that he will be a good future husband to my lovely daughter. Indeed, it's still early for now to decide whether they are suitable for each other but I deem that Anna will be in Yoh's good hands." He smiled. "And I will put all my trust on that." And he means it.
"Thanks for giving us your full trust, Silva. I really appreciate it."
They both shook hands and proscribed the power of the first agreement. And make another pact for Anna, Yoh and Hao. Decided that they wouldn't tell the agreement listed on it until the time is right. And after that the duke of Le de Woux bid goodbye to the king of Schwurzwald for he's leaving the country that nocturnal.
But after Silva left, sudden news breaks the peacefulness of the palace. The guard alerted Yohmei, the king's father and the previous king, that the princes were nowhere to be found on the marquis' vicinity in Dreuxscheld. So the old man informs his son, Mikihisa, that he'll go to Dreuxscheld and find out where Yoh and Hao were and why they suddenly vanished in the hall.
Mikihisa waited for updates about his sons. He had no reports on why they are missing. He just can't leave the palace because his wife Keiko was becoming devastated on what was happening. He just hoped that both of them are all fine wherever they are.
Until this commotion arrived at the foyer of the palace. And both the king and the queen came around to see who had just arrived. Hao had appeared before them…and Hao only.
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Present…
Silva kept the silence roaming around that beautiful garden. Now he knows that Yoh was actually missing until now, he needed to know more about what had happened on the past. What happened to Yoh? How come that only his chauffeur's corpse was found if ever they are both inside the car? What happened to the investigation?
Mikihisa coughed that make Silva got his attention. "You don't need to be confused on the subject matter, Silva."
He stared back at him, "Why?"
"As what I told you, there's another story involve. A sad one…" his voice was feeble.
Silva abruptly glanced at him. "A sad one?" he mused.
And another story was melancholy narrated.
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An aircraft had landed safely from the Japanese Airline while others were just starting to take off. She was inside the terminal and staring at the runway of the planes that night. She felt chilly as the air conditioner continues to blast more frigid airs. She cuddled herself to feel the warm of her fragile body. She felt alone. She looked behind her and saw sundry people busy with their own lives. Not minding others who're not familiar to them.
She strolled a bit then ceased. She's been waiting for her cousin and her maid for a matter of time now. And she felt that someone was staring at her. She walked to the nearest seat. And again, hugged herself. Didn't anyone notice that the air was so damn cold? Or is it just her who imagined that because she's all alone? Or in view of the fact that she shudders due to that annoying eyes that she couldn't trace where and why?
She looked at the direction where her cousin and her maid should've egress with their belongings. Still, they didn't crop up. She continued to wait. Eyes were still there…watching her. She stood up and looked around from her position. She's trying to find those upsetting eyes. She clenched her fist. Everyone kept on walking from different direction. She looked around again. Until she saw a blue haired girl standing near the telephone booth with her luggage. She's busy calling on her cell phone. She wore her shades when they both caught each other staring at one another. She looks like a model by the way she dressed herself. Even the way she stood was so chic.
She smirked. And then she realized someone was pulling her dress. She looked down and saw a young girl with her teddy on her arms. The girl had her puppy eyes staring at her. She bent down to her.
"Hello." She smiled. "Is there anything you want?" she inquired. Suddenly, she realized that maybe this girl was lost and now finding some help from her.
The girl wagged her head.
"Are you—lost?" she said slowly.
But again the girl just moved her head, "No. Mom just right there." and she points her mommy talking with another woman on the waiting area.
"Then, what do you want?" she asked from her.
The little girl smiles, "You look like a princess!"
"Huh?" she said in bewilderment.
"I've been watching you for a while now, and then you walked stylishly like a real princess that I'd watched from an opera! Even your moves were notable!" the girl stated as she demonstrated her moves a while ago.
Does this girl was the one who kept on watching her? She looked again at the blue haired girl near the booth, but she was gone now. She glanced at the little girl who continued to talk but she doesn't mind what she was saying. She didn't want anyone here in this place to know that she's a duke's daughter and she wanted it to keep it as a secret. "Little girl, I could see that your mother is searching for you." She just said.
The girl turned to look at her mother and see that it's true. "Ok, by the way, I'm Millie, in case we meet again. Bye!" she runs towards her mother.
She gave a sigh as she watched her go to her mother.
"Anna."
She heard her name called at her back. She stood up and faced them. Jeanne immediately said an apology for being late. But what can she do? It already happened although she's annoyed from waiting. There's no use of arguing over it. Lyserg walked beside her and they all went to the exit.
The cold gust brushed against their faces as they walked outside the airport. Anna stared at the city's skyscrapers from the distance. Their lights were like stars that were glistening in diverse orders as if welcoming her to collaborate with them. Suddenly, she felt edgy as if a thud of thunder was inside her. She placed her compacted hand on her torso as if she could make it calm in a trice.
Lyserg tapped her shoulder, "Just relax. It's just normal for a first timer."
She nodded her head, believing to her cousin. "I guess you're right." She gave a breath.
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A/N: Hello there! It's me again…anyway, this chapter ends this way…and it's up to you to submit a review. If you want to make a suggestion or sort of, feel free to tell me and I promise I won't do any harm on you. Gee…I hate to say this but I wish my number of hits became my number of reviews…they're piling up…is it because all of my chapters were too long to read and it's better to read them than to make a review or what? Anyway, I'm too bored to make another update if I don't receive an adequate number of reviews. Sometimes I imagined that I'm not good enough for you guys…anyhow, still…I need to survive and finish this very first story of mine in which I am proud of. Ü
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DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but this fic. of mine that still I was confused on how it'll be going to end. Places and scenes are all part of my inclusive imagination and also those things that I can't describe precisely are mine. The characters are from Hiroyuki Takei and I'm just borrowing them for a while until I finished my story (Nah! I can't steal them!).