A guard had just informed Sara and Stofel that His Majesty, the Maou, King Yuuri Shibuya was requesting permission to enter Spitzweg Castle. Sara jumped out of his chair dropping the book that he was reading to the floor. His father was right! He looked at his Stofel with a wide eyed toothy grin. Stofel could not believe how quickly the Maou had come to visit. The Maou was the most wonderful unexpected surprise. Stofel and Sara stared at each other in utter disbelief. THE MAOU WAS THERE!
"Your Excellency, should I bring His Majesty to your study?" asked the guard after waiting for a response from Stofel.
"Yes, of course!…No wait!" Stofel looked out the window. "Damn!" he said. Why couldn't the Maou have come one day later? Now he had to call Gunter up and hide Cinderfell.
"Father?" called out Sara.
Stofel looked at the soldier, "Have two guards meet out back, and take you time returning to the gates. I don't want the Maou to think that we are desperate to see him."
"Yes Sir!" said the guard and left.
Stofel turned to Sara and said, "I want you to meet the Maou at the main entrance, and have the servant's prepare tea, lunch, dinner, and rooms for the Maou and his contingent. Take your time in welcoming him, and then take him to the…front tearoom overlooking the road to the gates. I don't want him seeing the back area."
"Yes father, may I ask why?"
"He's probably with Weller!"
Sara thought of what his father meant and it dawned on him. "I understand Father!"
Sara and Stofel left the room and went their separate ways. Stofel went down to where Gunter and Cinderfell were preparing their horses for the journey. Two guards were waiting for him as ordered, and he had the guards hide until they were needed. "Gunter," cried out Stofel obtaining said man's attention. "Come here my son," he said sweetly.
Gunter approached him. Gunter wondered what his father wanted. It was too late to make amends for Cinderfell's treatment. "Yes?" he said bluntly as he approached Stofel.
"I have some exciting news for you, why don't you change into some more appropriate attire to welcome," he paused and smiled making sure he had Gutner's full attention. Gunter looked at him questioningly. Stofel smiled and said, "To welcome the Maou."
"The Maou? He's here?"
"Yes my son!"
Gunter turned to yell back to Cinderfell who was tying up the remaining satchels to the horses, but Stofel stopped him and said, "You get changed, and I'll let Cinderfell know that you'll be leaving a little later." Gunter looked back at Cinderfell. He did not know what to do. "Go and get changed Gunter. You don't want to keep the Maou waiting do you?" Gunter looked back once at Cinderfell and rushed into the castle.
Once Gunter was out of sight, Stofel called the hidden guards. "Take Cinderfell down to the basement and lock him up. I don't want the Maou or anyone to see him. If he gives you trouble, knock him out. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir!" said both guards.
Stofel watch the guards approach Cinderfell. Each one grabbed Cinderfell by an arm. Cinderfell yelled "Let me go!" as he struggled for freedom. One guard took the hilt of his sword and hit Cinderfell on the head rendering him unconscious. They dragged him down into the basement, and locked him up in a small dark room with no window.
Stofel satisfied that Cinderfell was out of the way, made his way to the front tearoom.
At the gate Yuuri waited patiently to be let in. The guard that had gone of to inform Stofel of his arrival returned and apologised for making the King wait. He opened the gates. Yuuri and his men entered, and he informed the guard that His Highness the Great Sage would be arriving soon. The guard said that he would escort the Sage to the castle.
Yuuri and company approached the castle, and Yuuri was not at all surprised to see Sara standing at the entrance waiting for him. Yuuri whispered to Hube, "Let the show begin."
"SARA!" yelled Yuuri out joyfully. He jumped off Ken's horse and ran to Sara. "It is great to see you!"
"Yuuri, I can not believe you are here!" said Sara and clasped one of Yuuri's hands to him into his. "It is such an unexpected and wonderful surprise!"
"I received your second letter and had come to see you! I apologise for not answering your first letter. Am I forgiven?" Yuuri looked at him with his puppy dog expression.
"Yuuri there is nothing to apologise for." The two smiled at each other. Hube coughed in the background.
"Sara I don't believe you have met my dear friend and companion Lord Geigen Hube Brischella," said Yuuri as he pulled his hand out of Sara grasp.
"No I have not had the pleasure," said Sara. He was a little confused. It was odd that Weller was not with Yuuri.
Yuuri introduced the two men to each other. Sara then said, "How very rude of me. You must have had a long journey, please come in Yuuri and Lord Brischella." Sara motioned the guards to take care of Yuuri's escort, and led Yuuri and Hube to the front tearoom.
Tea had been set up when they arrived. "You must have had a long journey Yuuri."
"Sort of. It's nice to get out of the castle once in a while. Plus I first went down to Stratton to meet up with a friend," said Yuuri as he sat down at the chair indicated by Sara.
"You have a friend at Stratton?"
"Yes, Ken Murata. Have you met him?"
"Ken Murata? The name sounds familiar, but I don't believe I have met him," said Sara thinking.
Yuuri clarified. "I think you might know him as the Great Sage. We sort of grew up together so I just call him Murata as he calls me Shibuya."
"The Great Sage?" Sara's eyes widened. "No I have never had the honour of meeting the Sage."
The door at that moment opened. Stofel entered. He picked up on the last words that Sara had said. "The Sage?" he said.
Yuuri and Hube both turned to Stofel and greeted him. Yuuri turned to Sara and continued to say, "I don't know if it's an honour or not, but he should be arriving soon. He decided to join me."
Stofel was surprised. "The Great Sage is coming here?" Why would the Sage come? What could he possibly want?
"Yeah," said Yuuri and took a sip of tea that Sara had poured him. He looked Hube as Hube looked out the window. Yuuri introduced Hube to Stofel.
Stofel sat down, and said while Sara poured him some tea, "I'm surprised that Lord Weller is not with you."
"Well I know that there is little tiny family riff, so I thought it was better not to bring Conrad," said Yuuri.
"I understand your concern, but I think that after the ball we were beginning to form a bond again," Stofel said as he looked at Sara then to Yuuri.
Yuuri choked on his tea. "Uh…well yes…I guess." He looked at Stofel then to Sara. Both of them were smiling at Yuuri. What this their plan? Have him fall for Sara? Well they were in for a big surprise. There was no way he could fall for Sara. Sara was a boy! A girlie boy at that! He would never fall for a boy! OH…wait a second…Wolfram was a boy too…but…Wolfram was different! Wolfram was beautiful, an angel, a … Yuuri was brought out of his thoughts when the door opened and….
"YOUR MAJESTYYYYYY!" Gunter floated in. "It is so wonderful of you to visit us, and to think that I was about to leave, and," Stofel interrupted Gunter. "Gunter save it for later! I'm sure His Majesty has other things that he would like to talk about."
Sara quickly added, "Please tell us about you journey and The Great Sage."
Yuuri looked at Hube. The both felt that Gunter had been cut off at a crucial moment. What was Gunter going to say? Hube looked out the window again, while Yuuri began to relate their boring journey to Stratton. He had to make it sound exciting. He had to drag the story out until Murata showed up. He looked at the three men in front of him. They had no resemblance at all to each other. He noticed how Sara and Stofel both nodded in unison at his story bored them, while Gunter listened at each and every word completely captivated. He noticed the subtle looks that Stofel and Sara gave each other. Gunter on the other hand was oblivious. Yuuri came to a conclusion that Gunter was not privy to Wolfram's plight, while Sara was. This disgusted Yuuri even more.
Over an hour passed and Murata had not arrived. Yuuri was becoming worried that something had happened when Hube rose from his chair and said, "Your Majesty the Sage has arrived." Yuuri quickly went to the window and saw Murata and his escort riding down the road from the gates to the castle.
*
Three men entered a room in a cellar of an old ruined mansion. What they saw was incomprehensible. The room was lightly lined with esoteric stones. There was a table with a pair of chairs, two beds covered with clean heavy blankets, a basin and water, a small reading table with a lit oil lamp, a bookcase littered with books, candles on the tables, a small arm chair, and a large comfortable arm chair. The furnishings were well kept and clean. What surprised the men more were the two occupants in the room.
Upon the three men entering, a tall thin man rose from the small arm chair. He was wearing outdated clothing maybe around 80 years old. He wore a tired expression. He looked at the three arrivals with dull blue eyes that once might had been brilliant dark blue. His black hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He immediately recognised Shinou and he dropped to his knees. The three arrivals noticed a shackle around one of his ankles and the long metal chain that ran to the wall behind him.
A second man was sitting in the large arm chair. He too was shackled. He was not as tall as the first man, but was just as thin. Time had not treated him so kindly or the esoteric stones. His blond hair was cut extremely short and lumpy, his beard was patchy, his once brilliant green eyes were faded, and like the other man his clothing was outdated. He too stood up dropping the book that he was reading onto the floor. Unlike his companion, he did not fall to his knees but fell back into the chair and began to cry. That was when Shinou exclaimed, "WHAT IN SHIN MAKOKU IS GOING ON?"
Ken looked at the two men. He did not know who the tall one was, but the blond one he could almost be certain of who he was.
Conrart's mouth had dropped opened. He froze when he saw the two men. How could it be? He quickly regained his senses and walked over to the crying man. He knelt down on one knee, brought his hand to the man's face and said, "Uncle Stofel?" He looked at the other man and said, "Raven?"
Raven nodded. Stofel looked at the man before him and asked, "Is that you Conrart?" Conrart nodded back at him. Stofel grabbed hold with what little strength he had and hugged Conrart. Tears of joy flowed from his eyes. "I hoped all this time that it would be you who would rescue us," said Stofel between sobs.
"Me?" asked Conrart.
"Yes you my dear boy." Stofel pulled away from him and touched Conrart's face. "My dear glorious half demon half human nephew. I was an idiot to think Celi had made a mistake in marrying your father, but I was wrong. They brought you, our saviour to the world." Stofel again hugged Conrart as tightly as he could. Conrart returned the hug. He could tell that it was the most heartfelt hug that he had ever received. Tears began to swell in Conrart's eyes.
Ken went over to Raven, helped him off his knees, and said, "There is no need to bow to us Lord Raven." Raven sat down on the chair in awe of seeing a double black for the first time in his life.
"Ahem, I really hate to break up the lovely family reunion, but who the hell is at the castle?" asked Shinou.
Raven and Stofel responded, "ALAZON!"
"ALAZON?" said the three new comers.
Stofel began to explain, "Alazon is a siesakoko witch, and has…" He was cut off by Ken.
"We need to remove you from this room, building, first before you tell us what happened and what is truly going on. Lord Weller can you help me remove these shackles?" Conrart pulled his sword out and swung it against Stofel's the chain, and luckily neither the metal chains nor the shackles themselves where made of or had esoteric stones. The chain broke easily due to its age and rust. He proceeded to Raven's chain, and it to broke away easily.
Conrart helped Stofel to his feet and led him out of the room and out of the house. Ken attempted to help Raven out, but the man was too tall for him. Shinou helped Raven out. Raven was honoured and had never thought that the Original King would one day help rescue him. He felt humbled.
Both of Conrart's men were surprised when they saw Conrart lead Stofel out of the Mansion along with Raven being helped by Shinou and Ken. "We need to take both of you away from here," said Conrart. "Do you think you can ride?" he asked Stofel and Raven. Both men nodded. With the help of his men, Stofel sat behind Conrart, and Raven sat behind Ken. Shinou said he would meet them at the main road and vanished.
The trek back to the main road leading to the castle was quicker since they knew the way back. The demon soldier was waiting for them along with Shinou. As soon as they arrived Conrart helped his uncle off the horse as Ken and the soldier helped Raven off. Shinou stood by and watched. He had been pacing up and down the road thinking of the siesakoko witch. He knew that she had to be a power to be reckoned with. All this time, she had masked herself as Lord Stofel von Spitzweg and hidden Wolfram's true identity. What else was she hiding?
Conrart helped his uncle sit on a stone on the side of the road. A soldier brought over a flask of water which Stofel and then Raven drank from. Both of them began to feel better, but they knew that their recovery would be a long one. Stofel thanked Conrart once again for rescuing him.
Shinou finally spoke up, "Lord von Spitzweg can you please till us what is happening, and make it brief. You can give us all the horrid details later on. My chosen Maou and my precious descendant are both at that castle."
Conrart looked at Shinou wondering what he meant. "What do you mean by your descendant Your Majesty?"
Stofel then said, "You don't know about him?"
"About who?"
Stofel looked at Conrart. A gentle smiled graced Stofel's face and said, "Wolfram is alive."
Conrart froze. The words that Stofel had just said echoed in his head. Wolfam was alive. His baby brother was alive. He fell to his knees and began to cry. He did not know whom to thank. Then he remembered a face, a face that he had seen at the ball. He turned and looked at the Sage and said, "Cid Fellow?" The Sage nodded back.
"Shibuya figured it out days ago. He's up at the castle looking for Lord von Bielefeld as we speak," said Ken.
Conrart stood up quickly and yelled, "WHY DIDN'T HE TELL US!" He ran over to his horse, but before he could jump on it, he froze. He could not move. Shinou had cast a paralysing spell on him.
Shinou approached Conrart and said, "This is why Yuuri did not want you, Gwendal, or Celi to know. He knew that the three of you would end up rushing into that castle and putting Wolfram's life in danger. Also, you three would have bypassed Stofel and Raven. They would have eventually died from starvation." Shinou turned to Raven and asked, "She was the only one to attend to you?"
"Yes, she was the only one who knew about us," replied Raven.
Shinou turned to Conrart and said, "You will do as Yuuri ordered and as I order you to do now! You and your men will remain with your uncle. The sage, the soldier that came with us, and I will go to the castle as planned. Do you understand?" A menacing glow enshrined Shinou. Conrart closed his eyes in understanding, and Shinou released him from the spell. Conrart stepped away from his horse and went to sit beside his uncle.
"Lord Stofel von Spitzweg as brief as possible please explain," said Ken.
Stofel nodded and related his story as brief as possible.
*
He had met Alazon at a ball. He fell head over heals for her and asked her to marry him. He did not know at the time that she was a siesakoko witch.
The day after they were married she had a gypsy tell her her fortune. The gypsy prophesised that a male von Spitzweg child with magnificent, long, golden blond hair would meet the new Maou on the first day of the Maou's fifth year reign. Said child was to marry the Maou and become the most powerful royal husband to have lived.
Their first born was born around the same time as Gwendal. He was not present at the time of his first born due to that fact he had to travel. When he returned after his long journey he was greeted by the birth of his first son. He was happy. Years went by and he began to notice that his son did not look at all like him or his mother. Gunter looked nothing like a Spitzweg, but he looked more like a von Christ. He was too in love with Alazon to question her.
Years later when he returned from another long journey, he was greeted by the birth of his second son. He had brilliant blond hair, and it was almost golden. At the same time Celi had given birth to he third son Wolfram. His second son, Sara, was beautiful, but when he saw Wolfram he was transfixed by the boy's magnificence.
The night that Wolfram disappeared he had mentioned to Alazon that the von Spitzweg bloodline ran through Wolfram also. That was a mistake on his part. Alazon must have remembered the prophecy and she rid herself of Wolfram. She must have led Wolfram to the Black Forest in hope that a creature would kill him. But she was disappointed when she found the child near the old mansion. He did not know how Wolfram survived the forest, but Alazon found him and hid him in the mansion. She used her powers to hide the fact the Wolfram was alive.
A few months after the incident, Raven had noticed Alazon ride out to the Black Forest every day. She took no one with her. He quietly followed her to the mansion, and hid. He waited for her to come out, and followed her back to the castle. That night Raven informed him of Alazon's afternoon habit. They decided to follow her the next day.
When they arrived at the mansion they followed her inside. What they found appalled them both. When they saw her with Wolfram they tried to remove him from her, but she was two powerful for the both of them. She had already begun to line the walls with esoteric stones. Raven and him had been weekend. They asked why she had kidnapped Wolfram, and she said that she had to make sure that Sara would marry the next Maou as per the prophesy. He begged her to let Wolfram live, and she said she would do it under one condition. That condition was that as long as they did as she told them, the child would live. She promised that no harm would come to Wolfram as long as he and Raven remained quiet.
They agreed and she promised to keep Wolfram alive. What they did not know was that she intended for them to take Wolfram's place. She locked them both up in the cellar. She would each week cut some of his hair from his head or beard to create a potion that would transform her into him. She fed them and took care of them daily. She would leave of food and extra water whenever she was away from the castle.
*
Conrart took hold of Stofel's hand and said, "Thank you." A single tear ran down Conrart's cheek. He held firmly to his brave uncle's hand. How much had his uncle suffered to make sure his little brother lived?
"What I don't understand is why Raven was also imprisoned," said Ken.
Raven replied, "Because I would never leave my lord's side. I swore allegiance to him and to him alone. Alazon knew that and she knew that eventually I would manage to tell the truth!"
"What about the hire help and the soldiers? Did they not notice Wolfram as the Maou's son?" asked Shinou.
"She fired all of them, and brought in new help," replied Stofel.
Conrart then said, "We can ask questions later. We have to find Yuuri and Wolfram quickly before any harm comes to them." He rose and walked over to his horse.
"Lord Weller," called out Ken. "We are going to keep to the plan that we had in place. Shinou and I will go to the castle. Alazon won't be able to deal with Yuuri and Shinou at the same time if the worse comes to happen. You are to stay with Lord Stofel and Lord Raven. Approach the castle with care and hide near the gates. If we need you we will send you a signal."
"I should go also. THAT'S MY BROTHER THERE!" he yelled pointing in the direction of the castle
"Alazon is expecting me and no one else. If you go Lord Weller she will become suspicious and possibly harm Wolfram. Do you want that to happen?" said Ken.
Conrart shook his. "No…very well I will stay with Stofel and Raven, but if anything happens, you send me a signal understood?"
"Well do Lord Weller," said Ken and he mounted Ao. Shinou shrunk himself enough to hide in one of Ken's pockets. The soldier that had come with them mounted his Hube's horse. Before they made their way to the castle, Stofel made one request. "Gunter is innocent. Please make sure no harm comes to him. Ludwig would kill me."
Conrart looked at his uncle and asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Gunter is Ludwig's son. My son with Alazon died a few days after birth, and Alazon, I don't know how, exchanged them."
"Why?" asked Ken.
"She might have thought the prophecy meant to be our first born, now she is trying it with her bastard son."
"Sara is not yours?" asked Conrart.
"No! She has raised Saralegui as a Spitzweg all for the cause of the stupid prophecy."
"I see, but she also made another mistake," said Ken.
"What was it?" asked Conrart.
"The first day of Shibuya's fifth year as king was the day you two were in Stratton and not the night of the ball," said Ken and winked at Conrart.
"The day he met Wolfram!"
Shinou poked his head out Ken's pocket and said cheerfully, "I cut off his long golden ponytail!" Ken kicked the Ao and left Conrart behind. The soldier on Hube's horse followed.
Conrart smiled and THEN remembered garden scene the night of the ball and yelled out, "KEEP YUURI'S HANDS AWAY FROM MY LITTLE BABY BROTHER!"
Conrart, Stofel, Raven and Conrart's men, followed at some distance. When they were close enough to the castle they hid themselves behind some bushes and trees. The castle guards at the gates did not see a thing.
*
"Murata it was about time we got here!" said Yuuri as Ken entered the tearoom.
"I apologise to everyone for being late," Ken said and rubbed his behind. "Horse riding for two days is not my speciality."
"Your Highness please sit down. May we take your coat," asked Stofel
"No, that's alright. I will keep it on."
Yuuri proceeded to introduce Murata to Stofel, Sara, and Gunter. Gunter was elated. Two double blacks in the tearoom. "You my, I would never have imagined in meeting the world's most beautiful double blacks in our tearoom on the same day. I have to tell…"Gunter was cut short of mentioning Cinderfell by Sara and Stofel at the same time. Gunter noticed that it was the second time he was cut off before mentioning Cinderfell. He would make sure to eventually sneak Cinderfell's name in into a conversation.
Ken several times had attempted to speak alone to Yuuri, but Sara kept interfering. He needed to tell him about Stofel and Alazon.
After a while of conversing about the Sage's arduous horseback journey, a maid come into the room and announced that lunch would be soon served. Yuuri, Hube, and Ken took it as their cue for the next step in their plan. Ken had to forgo his conversation about Alazon with Yuuri.
Yuuri stood up and said, "Sara, can you please show me around your beautiful castle?" He smiled at Sara and took his hand. Yuuri turned to who he thought was Stofel and said, "Lord von Spitzweg you don't mind if Sara shows me around?"
Alazon smiled back at him. "Of course not. Sara please show His Majesty around. What about you Your Highness."
"I am quite comfortable here," said Ken.
Yuuri took it as his cue to pull Sara out of his chair and walk to the door. Hube pretended to give a sigh, and followed Yuuri.
Sara began to show Yuuri around the castle. After fifteen minutes, Yuuri was becoming impatient. He had noticed the hired help, but he had not seen Wolfram. He wondered if he put on the glove it would take him to Wolfram?
Yuuri stopped in front of a painting of a fat lady and asked who she was. Sara answered him. Yuuri stepped behind Sara and slid the glove on. The glove pulled him. Thanks to Hube holding him in place, Sara did not notice anything. Yuuri slid his hand in his pocket and mentally told the glove to g-e-n-t-l-y pull in the direction that Wolfram was. The glove obeyed.
Yuuri began to walk in the direction that the glove pulled him. Sara would try to stop him from walking the direction the glove wanted him to walk. Yuuri was quick enough on his feet to say he wanted to go this way and that way. He looked at the various paintings along the way and asked questions. Sara was all too happy to tell him about the paintings. Then he would open a door and look inside. Sara thought he was like a child in a candy shop. Hube on the other hand knew what his King was doing. He was cleverly making his way to Wolfram.
Yuuri opened another door and exclaimed, "Oh WOW! It's the kitchen," and barged right in." The cooks stopped prepairing lunch when the Maou entered. He looked around and saw a door at the far end wall. He began to look at the tables and stoves in the kitchen slowly making his way to the door.
"Yuuri, this is just the kitchen. Why don't we go to the dinning room for lunch?" said Sara.
Yuuri pretended that he was engrossed with what was going on in the kitchen. He paid no attention to Sara. Hube began to think that the King was over doing it a little. Yuuri reached the door and asked, "Where does this door lead?"
"To the cellar," said Sara.
"A wine cellar? I bet there are some great wines down there!" He opened the door. He was relieved that it had not been locked.
"There is nothing down there," said Sara urgently and tried to pull Yuuri away from the cellar entrance.
"I want to see!" said Yuuri like a spoiled brat and pushed away from Sara. Sara went to grab Yuuri again, but Hube intervened.
Yuuri walked down the steps into the cellar. He pulled his gloved hand out of his pocket and asked it, "Lead me slowly." Sara saw him talking to his gloved hand. Sara ran down the steps, passed Yuuri, and stopped at the bottom.
"As I said there is nothing down here," he said blocking Yuuri's way.
"You shall remove yourself from my presence," said Yuuri. His temper was beginning to show. He pushed Sara out of the way. Sara stumbled and fell to the floor. Yuuri walked past him. A blue aura engulfed Yuuri and lit the cellar with blue light. Yuuri walked in the direction of that the glove took him. It led him to a door at the far end of the cellar. Sara tried to get off the floor, but by this time Hube knew that Yuuri's show was over, and pointed his sword at Sara. Sara did not move.
Yuuri stopped in front of the door. Someone was banging against it.
*
Wolfram woke up. Why did people keep hitting him on the head? He was going to have another lump! He heard a commotion out in the cellar. He first did not know what was going on until he heard a menacing voice. He recognised immediately. He got off his old bed and ran to the door. He knew who that voice belong too. He bang to slam his fist against the door. "YUURI I'M IN HERE!" he yelled over and over while banging his fist together against the door.
*
Yuuri attempted to open the door but it was locked. He summoned a small water serpent and projected into the lock. The lock gave way, and Yuuri opened the door. Wolfram fell forward onto the ground. Yuuri smiled brightly as he saw the brilliant blond hair fall in front of him. "Wolfram!" he called out and kneeled next to him.
Wolfram gave Yuuri a bright smile and a confused look at the same time. "My name is Cinderferll! WIMP!"
Yuuri could do nothing but laugh and take Wolfram into his arms. They hugged each other tightly neither one wanting to let go.
Hube watched from the distance and decided to slowly approach the hugging pair.
Sara watched in amazement also. He could not believe what he was seeing. The pair broke apart, looked at each other, and kissed longingly. He was rooted to his spot as his mouth dropped open. Why was Yuuri kissing Cinderfell? Why? Why? Why? When had the met? How long have they known each other? How did Yuuri know Cinderfell's real name?
Hube cough loudly. The pair broke apart and looked at Hube both blushing.
Sara come out of his trance and turned red with anger. He jumped to his feet and ran up the stairs. He ran down one corridor, to another, then another, until he finally reached the doors of the sword room. He threw the doors open and ran in. He looked for a sword that was hidden un a trunk. He opened the trunk and pulled at the sword. It was the divine siesakoko sword. If he was not going to marry King Yuuri Shibuya, neither was the brat Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld! He took a sword, unsheathed it, and calmly made his back to the kissing pair with intent of murder in his eyes. He was stopped dead in his tracks when he heard an explosion. He ran in the direction of the explosion.
*
Yuuri and Wolfram had broken apart when Hube eloquently coughed. Yuuri stood up and pulled Wolfram up also. Wolfram had a lot of questions to ask, but he noticed Sara running up the stairs. "YUURI! SARA IS RUNNING UP THE STAIRS!" he yelled and ran after Sara. Yuuri and Hube chased after him. "WOLF…CID…WAIT!" yelled Yuuri.
Instead of heading the same direction as Sara, Wolfram ran out the back kitchen door into the courtyard. He ran as fast as he could towards the stables. Yuuri and Hube followed him. He reached the stables and looked for Willow. Willow was prepped ready for their journey. He approached Willow and pulled his sword out. Yuuri and Hube caught up to him.
"Wolfram…Cid what are you doing?" asked Yuuri as Wolfram started to remove the rags off the sword.
Wolfram looked at Yuuri. What was it with him calling him Wolfgan, Wolfram, whatever? "Yuuri my name is Cinderfell! Why are you calling me Wolfram?" He had finished removing the rags and pulled the sword out of its scabbard.
Yuuri took a deep breath. How was he going to explain it? Yuuri place his gloved hand on Wolfram's left cheek and said, "Your name is Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld…not Cinderfell." Wolfram looked at him with a blank expression. "Look, I'll explain everything to you once we leave here."
Hube then said, "Your Majesty…" but was cut short when they heard an explosion. The three men ran out of the stables. Hube pulled his sword out as did Yuuri with Morgif. They looked in the direction that the sound had come. It had come from the front tearoom.
"MURATA!" Yuuri took off in the direction of the explosion.
"GUNTER!" yelled Wolfram following Yuuri. Hube ran behind both young men.
"YOUR MAJESTY!" yelled Hube running behind both young men.
*
Conrart was sitting next to his uncle while they waited for the other's to return. Stofel asked many questions about his sister, Gwendal, about him, the new Maou, and life in general at Blood Pledge Castle. He finally asked why Conrart had yelled out to the Sage to make sure that the Maou kept his hands off Wolfram. Conrart explained what he saw the night of the ball. Stofel and Raven both let out a boisterous laugh. Their cheek muscles began to hurt since they had not laughed so hard in such a long time. "Don't be the over protective brother my dear nephew! I tried it with Celi and it didn't work!" said Stofel.
Conrart did what naturally came to his family. He crossed his arms and humphed at Stofel. Stofel and Raven began to laugh even harder, but was cut short when an explosion came from the direction of the castle.
Conrart jumped up as did he men. "THAT'S OUR CUE!" he said to his men. He jumped on his horse as did his men on thiers. He looked down at Stofel and Raven and said, "Uncle please wait here. Raven take care of him!" Raven nodded as Stofel was about to protest, and he held Stofel back. Conrart and his men took off.
Stofel shook Raven off. "Raven listen to me.!" Raven looked at Stofel and listened. "Alazon is impersonating me! My guards are taking orders from he. She'll…" Raven cut Stofel off.
"They will only take orders from her and not anyone else! They'll attack Lord Weller and the others," said Raven looking in the direcition of the castle.
"Right!"
Both men began to walk towards the castle.
*
Yuuri, Sara and Hube had left the tearoom leaving Alazon disguised as Stofel, Ken, and Gunter behind. The three chit chatted about the weather, how smooth the road was to Spitzweg castle, and how much the Sage rather ride a in a carriage than a horse. Ken slowly turned the conversation to the night of Wolfram's untimely death. Alazon attempted to change the subject, but whenever she did Ken would ask Gunter about that particular night and his feelings behind it.
Gunter stated that he wished that he had been there and would have searched high and low for Wolfram. A shadow of sadness crossed his lovely face. Gunter himself masterfully managed to change the subject. He began to ask the Sage questions regarding the future direction of Shin Makoku and about the plans of His Most Magnificent, Glorious, Handsome, and Royal Majesty. Ken started to laugh, and Alazon stood up.
Alazon's eyes scanned the floor. Ken took notice.
Shinou whispered for only Ken to hear, "Yuuri has Wolfram!"
Alazon began to walk towards the door with a worried look on Stofel's face.
Ken then said, "Gunter, my friend, you sound exactly like your father!"
Alazon stopped before he reached the door.
Alazon smiled through Stofel's face as she turned to Ken. "I don't say things like that Your Highness."
Gunter looked confused.
"Oh, I'm not talking about Stofel von Spitzweg, Lord Gunter von Chris's supposedly father, I'm talking about Lord Ludwig von Christ!" A sly smile crossed Ken's lips.
Gunter stood up, "Your Highness what are you talking about?"
Ken looked at Gunter. Ken gave Gunter a small yet sad smile and said, "That is not Stofel von Spitzweg."
Gunter turned and looked at Alazon. He was beyond confused. He then saw the Original King materialise behind who he thought was his father.
"This my dear child is Alazon a siesakoko witch," said Shinou and he grabbed he hand.
As soon has Shinou grabbed Alazon's hand a bright golden light surrounded them. Alazon slowly transformed back into a woman. Stofel's clothing hung off her. She was tall and beautiful. She had the same hair colouring and eyes as Saralegui. Shinou smirked at her. Alazon hissed at Shinou as her eyes glowed blue.
Gunter stood stunned and step backwards towards the Sage. He had heard about siesakokos before, during his travels, but never imagined that he had been living with one almost all his life. He did not know what was real or not anymore. He was about to scream that he wanted an answer to what was happening when Ken pulled him and said, "Back away Gunter." He looked at the Sage and saw fear in his eyes.
"You will not ruin my plans," snapped Alazon to Shinou.
Shinou retorted by saying, "You ruined your own plans by believing in the stupid prophecy. You created the prophecy by your own actions!"
"Nooooooooo!" Alazon struggled to release herself from Shinou's grasp.
"Think about it!" said Shinou with spite while holding firmly to Alazon. He continued, "If you had not taken Wolfram, he would have met King Yuuri the first day of his arrival to Shin Makoku. Your actions prevented that and caused the prophecy to come true. Yuuri did meet Wolfram on the first day of his fifth year reign. That day was the day they met in Stratton and not the night of the ball!"
Alazon could only think of one thing after Shinou's speech: the brat and the Maou were dead! "If my Sara is not to marry the Maou then that brat and he are NO MORE!" she screamed
Shinou noticed the surge in power emanating from Alazon. He had to do something quickly before the situation became worse. In one swift move he pulled a sword out of thing air, threw it towards Gunter, and yelled, "GUNTER PROTECT THE SAGE!"
Gunter saw menacing auras emanating from both Alazon and Shinou and instinctively caught the sword by its hilt. He looked at the Sage and quickly threw himself over the Ken while raising the sword above his head. He quickly raised an air shield to protect Ken and himself from the powerful blast created by Alazon's and Shinou's forces clashing.
The windows of the tearoom explode outwardly. An exterior wall crumbled. The furniture flew into the air, overturned, and some of it flew out the glassless window. The tea table and the chairs bounced of Gunter's shield. The sheer force of the blast left the tearoom in ruins.
Shinou and Alazon stood facing each other after the intitial blast. Shinou raised his right hand and blasted his power towards Alazon. Alazon shield herself, but Shinou's force pushed her back and she flew out the crumbled wall. She landed on her back in the frontcourt yard. Shinou floated in the air. The pupils of his eyes had turned into slits. He looked towards Gunter and Ken making sure that they were fine before following Alazon out the crumbled wall.
Alazon looked up and saw Shinou coming towards her. She smirked at him with hate. She raised her body from the ground horizontally floating a few meters above the ground, and slowly she straightened herself to be eye to eye with Shinou.
Near by Spitzweg guards were the first to reach the scene. The saw the crumbled tearoom wall and then Shinou and Alazon facing each other in the air. They did not know what to make of it. Why was a woman wearing Lord Stofel's clothing and why was the Great One doing there? They looked at each other and decided to back away.
Shinou spoke in a menacing tone. "Leave this land! You are banished from Shin Makoku witch!"
"Who do you think you are fool? Do you honestly think that you can defeat me?" sneered Alazon.
Shinou brought his hand up once more, but at that instant he heard "MOTHER CATCH!" He looked to his left and saw Saralegui throwing a sword to his mother. She caught. He recognised the sword as being the siesakoko divine sword that had disappeared many years ago. He knew at that moment he was in trouble. He threw a powerful blast at her and she stopped it with the sword. She pointed the sword at him and threw spell at him. He defended himself by raising a shield which he knew was not go to do much against the power of the sword. The blast it his shield and it held. He felt two external energies flow towards him. The Great Sage was recharging him while Gunter had thrown a supplemental air shield around him.
Alazon pointed the sword towards Shinou again, but before she could throw another blast towards him she was hit by a blue bolt herself and thrown back. Everyone turned in the direction of the blue bolt and saw Yuuri floating in the air. A dark blue menacing aura surrounded him. He was pointing Morgif at Alazon. Dark clouds began to swirl around the castle, lightning began to crack, and thunder rumbled. Yuuri went to Shinou's side and said, "Does thou need some help? She seems to be more than she is."
"Your help will be more than appreciated," said Shinou. Yuuri moved in front Shinou.
Down on the ground Wolfram saw the Great One battling a woman in Stofel's clothing. He saw Sara at a distance. They looked at each other. The look of hate in Sara face pierced right through Wolfram. He saw Sara turn to one of the guards and take his sword. Once Sara had the sword he rushed towards Wolfram. Wolfram was fine in seeing Sara running towards him. He ran towards Sara, sword raised. Two swords clashed sending sparks into the air. They parted and heard the thunder. The both looked up and saw Yuuri floating by them.
Hube and Yuuri saw the fight between Alazon and Shinou. The both saw Alazon use a sword against Shinou, but Ken and Gunter had protected him from any injury. Yuuri called upon Morgif and his own magic and rose above the ground. He said Hube before joining Shinou, "Protect Wolfram!" Hube ran off after Wolfram.
Conrart and his men galloped at full speed towards the castle. The gates had been deserted when the initial explosion happened. Conrart and his men went right through the open gates. As they approached the castle, Conrart saw Yuuri in Maou mode approach Shinou who was also in his Maou mode. He looked at the ground and saw Wolfram and Sara rushing at each other clashing their swords. Several Spitzwegs gaurds began to rush to help Sara. Conrart ordered his men to stop the gaurds. He saw Hube being intercepted by a Spitzweg soldier.
More Spitzweg gaurds and Yuuri's own men arrived at the seen and they each went to protect their one party. They ended up clashing each other. A battle started among Spitweg soldiers against Conrart's men and royal troops.
High above the ground Yuuri eyed Alazon. He did not quite understand why she was wearing Stofel's clothing, but no matter. All he knew was that he needed to defeat her and the sword she held. Alazon felt the power emanating from Yuuri. She knew then that he was far more powerful than Shinou. It would take all her power and that of the swords to come close to defeating him. She turned her attention to her son below battling Wolfram. She pointed the sword towards Sara and said to Yuuri, "See if your brat can defeat my son now!"
A ray of power went from the sword to Sara. Sara felt the power flowing into to him. He stepped back from Wolfram. His eyes glowed blue. He raised his hand and threw a powerful blast at Wolfram. Wolfram braced himself for the hit that never came. Gunter from the distance had quickly thrown an air shield over Wolfram.
Yuuri had looked down towards Wolfram but could not help out since he had to block an attack from Alazon. Shinou backed away and floated down near Wolfram. He engulfed Wolfram with his own power to protect him.
Sara threw another blast at Wolfram, but once again Wolfram stood his ground with Shinou's help.
Above the ground Yuuri and Alazon were throw blast at each other. Water serpents began to emerge from the thunderclouds and headed for Alazon.
Wolfram was now serverly pissed off! He felt Shinou's power flow in him and by instinct he raised is right hand. A fireball appeared in his hand slowly increasing in size. Shinou's eyes widened, and he dropped back. The fireball increased in size and turned into a giant roaring fire lion. Wolfram screamed and lunged the lion at Sara. The lion rushed Sara and threw him into the air.
Alazon saw the attack on her son and flew down to him. She caught him in mid air. She looked down at Wolfram. He was gathering another fire lion. She looked towards the sky and saw the water serpents heading her way. She raised the sword into the sky before she and Sara were hit.
The serpents and the lion collided upon Alazon and Sara causing an explosion of steam. Everyone, except for Yuuri and Wolfram, were thrown back from the blast radius.
The steam began to lift. Yuuri looked at the place where Alazon and Sara had been. They had disappeared. He looked towards Wolfram. Wolfram was panting hard. He closed is eyes and fainted. Yuuri rushed down to him and knelt next to. He lifted Wolfram into his arms. He looked Shinou as he approached them. "How?" Yuuri asked Shinou.
"I just covered him with my power and he instinctively called upon the fire element," said Shinou as Ken, Gunter, Hube, and Conrart approached them.
"But he never made a contract with any element," said Gunter.
"My element was fire," said Shinou. "He must have picked it up from me when I shield him."
Conrart looked at Yuuri and knelt next to him. He looked at his younger brother, and without asking permission took Wolfram out of Yuuri's arms and into his. He stood and began to walk back to the castle. Yuuri did not protest. After all Wolfram was Conrart's brother.
Several of the Spitzweg men went to block Conrart's way, but Gunter stopped them. "Let him pass," he ordered. He then said to Conrart, "Conrart fallow me. We'll take him to my room." Gunter led the way and Conrart followed.
Off to the distance someone yelled, "Conrart!" Conrart turned and yelled back, "Uncle I told you to wait for us!"
Yuuri and Hube looked at the two men approaching them, as did the Spitzweg guards. They all had stupefied looks on their faces.
Ken placed his hand on Yuuri's shoulder. "Shibuya…Hube…my I introduce you to the REAL Lord Stofel and Lord Raven."
Hube and Yuuri 's jaws dropped.
Well I hope that answers all the questions of - How could Stofel treat his sister's son so badly?.
I'm actually surprised that no one picked up on the clue in the first chapter. Raven would never leave Stofel.
Next chapter is the wrap up of the story. Not everything is so rosey.