7 and a half pages

A/N: As you see above, I have written the amount of A4 pages this chapter has taken up. I will do this for all my other chapters too (including the ones already out) so if you want, you can count them all up to see how big (or small) this fanfic will be. Anyway, back to the matter at hand, sorry I didn't get 2 chapters of this out this week. I was trying to catch up on two of my other fanfics, playing on Aion, as well as dealing with a lot of real life stuff. Life is so goddamn busy! It's so irritating!

And thanks for the reviews so far :) I really hope you enjoyed my last chapter. I certainly enjoyed writing it.

And now on to the next stage of the story!

Chapter Thirteen

Kanade sat by the window of the towering skyscraper, looking down through the smog at the citizens of Bei Jing below. It had taken the Chinese government many years to begin to realise the impact on health and climate their coal burning was having on the country. They had finally taken action, but it was too late for many of their citizens.

There had been a massive boom in respiratory related illness in the early 2020s, which was still just as large twenty years later. Even though they were building cleaner power plants, it would take decades before the smog of this city rose.

Despite this downside, Kanade was awed by the incredible history and culture of this city, as well as disgusted by the body of Chairman Mao that was still perfectly preserved in that glass coffin as a trophy and the pride of China.

How could they worship such a brutal man? She often found herself thinking. He killed millions of people and destroyed the country, setting it back two hundred years. This country is still recovering from those effects.

Kanade and the rest of Red Shield that had gone to Mongolia, had been back in Bei Jing for a week now, remaining under the roof of Yin Di's power and influence in this city. She had been awed that this skyscraper belonged to him, and according to Joseph, this was just one of quite a few more. It made Kanade feel a number of emotions aside from awe. There was respect, fear, perhaps even envy . . . but also pity. She would never want such power. It was too much, too much responsibility that could so easily be corrupted.

Yet Yin Di did not look like the type of man who was corrupted by greed and power. He was very difficult to read, though. Perhaps Kanade was just reading him wrong? Did it matter?

Not really.

A presence drew close to the door and Kanade looked towards it. A knock followed shortly.

"Kanade," a woman's voice said as the door opened. Karasu poked her head through. "Yin Di is back."

Kanade nodded, following Karasu out of the room and through the incredible building, going down a few floors using the elevator.

Across the phone, David had told Saya to get information on their enemy, Ianna. If they were to fight together, then Red Shield needed to know what they were up against. And for that, everyone had to be gathered.

The two came out into a large and grand corridor, to see Yin Di just passing them, dressed in white shirt, black tie, trousers and shoes, and with a dark coat billowing behind him. He cast them a slight glance and nodded in acknowledgement.

Kanade's breath was taken away for a moment. The dark aura of silent power curled about him like the shadows of dragons. Despite being a Queen, and he being a Chevalier, she felt herself shrink somewhat in his presence.

Thinking as a human, she was certainly inferior and insignificant to him. But as Chiropterans, she was his superior.

Yet it did not feel like that.

"Quickly," he said softly. "The others are getting impatient."

Karasu grabbed her arm and pulled her along behind, snapping her out of her daze. They had to walk quickly to keep up with his strides.

A man, dressed in a black suit, came up to Yin Di's side. "Master Yin Di," he said in greeting. The long white-haired Chevalier took off his coat and handed it to him, all the while still walking.

"Thank you, Lao. Tell the servants to bring tea for all of us."

"Shall I tell them to leave it in the preparation room next door?"

"Yes please."

They quickly came upon a set of double doors as Kanade watched Yin Di's back with thoughtfulness. He looked back at her, sensing her gaze.

"What is it?"

Kanade blinked, and quickly shook her head. "Nothing. I was just thinking that it is odd for a mafia boss to be polite and good mannered towards those that work for them. I guess I'm surprised that you're not a brute, like in the rumours and stories of mafia leaders."

Yin Di raised an eyebrow.

Soft laughter flitted to them. The three of them looked ahead to the double doors. Ahel leant against the frame with her arms crossed. Her expression was open and kind, matching the smile on her lips and within her eyes. But those green eyes . . . it looked like there was something missing, a light, a spark of life – it was lacking it. Within those emerald pools, Kanade thought she could sense the faint hints of loss and sorrow.

"She does have a good point, Yin Di," she said.

Yin Di shook his head in bemusement. "Even if I did treat my employees poorly, I would not be a bad-tempered brute."

"True, true," she chimed, stepping back to let him through the doors, followed by Kanade and Karasu. Kanade glanced up at Ahel as she passed. The woman smiled back warmly.

She is different to Niera, Kanade thought. She is welcoming and openly kind, whereas Niera . . . isn't cold exactly but . . . ack, I can't even describe her.

Ahel closed the doors behind them and did not lock them. Kanade was not surprised. They could all feel when someone would approach the door so any sneak peaking or listening in was not going to happen.

Inside was a large and luscious modern looking room, with sofas and chairs, a few glass coffee tables and beautiful plants carefully laid about the room. The room smelt fresh and sweet with the perfume of the flowers. Classic Chinese paintings hung from the walls; a huge plasma television was in the far wall. There were no windows.

Everyone was seated and chatting away to themselves, but they fell silent when the rest arrived. Kanade glanced around the room and did a quick headcount: there was herself, Karasu, Yin Di; Ahel, Joseph, Kylia; Tony, Saya, Haji; Victoria, Hibiki and Kai. Twelve in total.

Kai leaned back against the sofa, placing his hands behind his head. "Finally! You took ages!"

"Kai oji-san," Kanade tutted. "Watch it."

"Ah?! Is that how my daughters are supposed to talk to me? With that tone?"

Kanade rolled her eyes and sat down at one of the remaining sofas with Karasu. Ahel returned to her seat in between her two Chevaliers, and Yin Di took the single seat farthest from the door, so he faced the plasma screen that was on the other side.

He picked up a small silver remote and turned the TV on. They were greeted by Callum's face that was almost pressed up against the screen.

"Callum!" Karasu exclaimed. "Move that butt ugly face of yours out of the way!"

"Bleh!" Callum pulled a face. Joseph laughed, Hibiki giggled, and Tony cracked a smile.

"Moron," Kanade heard Tony say under his breath. Kanade chuckled at that remark.

A hand grasped Callum's shoulder, pulling him back.

"Stop faffing about and sit down," David's gruff voice said to his son.

Callum pouted as he sat back, folding his arms and grumbling under his breath. But with him out of the way, they could now see Joel, David, Julia and Lewis.

"We have been waiting impatiently all week for this call," David said. "It's about time you finally make the time to tell us what the situation really is."

Kanade glanced at Yin Di. His expression did not show much.

"Forgive my lateness," he said wryly. "A lot has had to be taken care of. We crossed the Mongolian boarder without permission, and the Red Shield members with me in this room have in effect, entered China illegally due to there not having been enough time to sort out their visas. So forgive me for trying to smooth theirs and your situation out with the Chinese government."

Kanade winced at the sting in his words. David sat back with a grudging huff, unable to argue against that point. Everything had been in such a rush that Kanade did not spend time to think about how difficult it would be afterwards.

I guess I should thank him for that.

"I trust everything has been dealt with now?" Joel asked calmly, with a soothing tone to his voice aimed mainly at David.

"It has, yes," Yin Di said.

"Thank you, Yin Di," Joel said earnestly.

Yin Di nodded in acknowledged response. He then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "A week has passed since the incident in Omnigovi province. Ahel and I will take the lead in explaining to you the situation."

"Wait," Julia interrupted. "Where is Niera? Has she still not returned yet?"

Kanade's blue eyes flashed to Yin Di, as did everyone else's. He showed no change.

"Not yet. We do not need to wait for her in order to make this discussion," he said.

Kanade's chest constricted. She could sense the relationship between Yin Di and Niera. She expected Yin Di to show some form of concern, yet he showed nothing. Kanade knew that if she was in Yin Di's place, she would not be able to stop fretting.

What made it worse was how deep underground Niera was buried. Surely nothing could have survived something like, not even a Chiropteran Queen.

"Very well," Lewis said, finishing whatever he was munching on. "Explain then, to us, why you and Ianna fight."

"Ianna has always had a desire for bloodshed," Ahel said. "As do we all. But Ianna has never bothered to control hers, enjoying the thrill of being the superior species. But this fight is a fight over Joseph, unfortunately."

They glanced at the Wild West bandit. He shrugged with a sigh. "It's not my fault."

"Well clearly you did something to antagonise Ianna," Karasu said.

"I didn't antagonise her," Joseph objected. "Quite the opposite actually."

"What? Did you kiss her?" Tony suggested with mirth.

"No, though if I did, it would still be the same now."

"So what –?" Callum began.

"He was the first person to show Ianna kindness, it seems," Ahel sighed. Kanade's eyes widened. She had yet to see Ianna, but she still could not help but wonder why someone such as Joseph would show an evil hearted person kindness.

Joseph then proceeded to tell of his past, shedding light on the reason why Ianna wanted him.

Saya frowned slightly, watching Joseph as he continued on with the discussion with the others. She replayed his story of his past in her head. Saya's expression fell slightly.

It was very much like Diva, Diva and Riku . . .

Except the situations were different. Diva never had any romantic feeling for Riku in the first place. Still though, the end result was Diva becoming pregnant, and Riku's death.

". . .Saya nee-chan . . .!"

A pang of hurt and sadness swept through Saya. She missed Riku terribly.

Is that what Ianna wanted? For Joseph to plant the seed of his children within her and then to kill him? But he showed her kindness, so did that mean that she wanted Joseph to serve Ianna instead and become her lover? Like what Solomon wanted with Saya?

Ianna would give birth to more Chiropteran Queens.

Saya glanced at Kanade and Hibiki. They listened eagerly, with patience and understanding in their expressions. The two girls treated their Chevaliers well, as friends, and walked amongst humans as equals – very different to Diva. If Diva still lived, Kanade and Hibiki would not be the same as they were today.

A slight shudder of dread shivered down Saya's spine. Haji glanced down at her in faded concern, but she smiled faintly back up at him, before turning her attention back to Joseph. It made sense that they fought so hard to keep him from Ianna's reach. Should she become pregnant with his children, then she could raise more Chiropteran Queens for Red Shield, Ahel and Niera to fight against.

The war would be huge.

"Freya and Annabel are as old as Yin Di and Kylia," Ahel continued.

"I'm guessing that's old?" The question came from Tony.

"Very old," Joseph agreed. "Kylia is almost five hundred years old."

Kylia scowled at him. "You should never say to a woman that she is old," she chided him.

Saya's eyes flitted to the female Chevalier. Her dark blond, curly hair bobbed just below her shoulders, framing her pale face and enhancing her deep blue eyes.

When Saya tried to pursue Annabel after she retreated, Saya was stopped by both Joseph and Kylia.

"Don't follow her," Kylia had said. "Otherwise you would be lured into the traps that cover their escape route."

Kylia wore an aged and ripped, black, gothic dress at the time. Now, she wore jeans, white crop top and trainers. It was a huge transformation.

A lot had happened that day. Freya also retreated, protected by the never-ending Chiropterans and marines who made it impossible for Red Shield to pursue. The ground shook as aspects of the necropolis collapsed beneath their feet.

Eventually, Yin Di appeared with Ahel in his arms, while the entrance behind him caved in completely. He handed Ahel to Joseph immediately, and for good reason. The Queen's eyes burned with parched thirst that it was almost insanity.

A hundred years without blood.

Saya could not even begin to imagine the torture. Just thinking about it made her throat go dry with thirst, thirst for Haji's blood.

If Ahel stayed with Yin Di, she could have killed him by mistake, or had a bad reaction herself as it was Niera's blood that ran in Yin Di's veins. Ahel pounced on Joseph immediately, drinking his blood until he collapsed unconscious. To drain a Chevalier of his blood to the point that he would collapse was just . . . well . . . it gave them all a good indication as to just how starved of blood Ahel had been.

Saya's mahogany eyes flickered to Ahel. There was guilt in her posture towards Joseph. Saya could sympathise with that guilt. Just thinking of draining Haji to such an extent sent her heart throbbing painfully.

"Annabel is Ianna's first Chevalier," Ahel went on. "We don't know much about Annabel at all I'm afraid, so we cannot tell you anything about her past, other than she was drowned after being accused as a witch, and she has a condition where she was born with a brain tumour pressing on the amygdala. That is the cause for her violent behaviour. What we can tell you though is about her status in the world."

Everyone shuffled in their seats.

"Despite her appearing so young, she is an extremely capable Chevalier," Yin Di said, pouring the tea into little china cups for everyone to lean forward and collect. Saya raised an eyebrow, not quite expecting the mafia leader of Bei Jing himself to be pouring tea for everyone. Despite his cold aura, Saya was fairly sure he had a kind heart.

"Her childishness works as a cover and a mask to those that she interacts with," he continued. "Therefore it has taken her time, but over the centuries and decades, she has come to bring the EU under her influence and control."

It felt like a slap.

"How can such a little girl influence something so huge?" Saya asked quietly, thinking of her fight against her.

"You remind me of my mother."

"Small body, big mind," Yin Di said simply. "Do not underestimate anyone that serves Ianna, for Ianna looks for those with intellect and intelligence, not physical strength. At the end of the day, it is the power of the mind that attains victory or is the result of defeat. Strength is just a favourable side dish."

"I hated my mother."

"As for Freya," Ahel then said. "We know much more about her."

"She is a decade or so younger than me, and we both originate from the same country – England," Kylia said, her voice soft. "As you know, she is blind, and as far as we are aware, she was born like that. She fights using the vibrations that she feels in the air and ground. But in her Chiropteran form, she has sight."

Saya saw Tony stiffen.

"She is arrogant," Victoria spat. "Saying that she made England's history."

"Freya is right in saying that," Kylia said with a warning undertone beneath her gentle voice. "You should all be aware of the Great Fire of London."

Saya's skin turned cold and everyone in the room paused, almost as if they could not believe what Kylia was implying.

"Freya's power in the United Kingdom has always been incredibly strong," Kylia went on. "Her first introduction to the world of violence was when she burnt down the mansion of her masters, an English Lord and Lady. Then in 1666, she started a fire in a bakery, which then spread and became known as the Great Fire of London."

". . . Impossible," Victoria whispered.

"It is very true," Kylia assured her. "Because I was there. My attempt to stop her failed."

The room was silent as the information sunk in. To think that a Chevalier was responsible for such an iconic moment in history was . . . horrifying.

"Freya has also always had some form of control over the British Royal Family," Kylia exhaled, seeming tired as Saya watched how her dark blue eyes were misted with memory.

"She left them to their own devices though," Yin Di said. "Until a hundred years ago when she began to take a more active approach. After the Royal Wedding in 2011, Freya then took a direct approach. In 2013, she decided to use the new heir to the throne as a hostage within their own country."

"But how much power does that give her?" Karasu asked. "The Royal Family doesn't have any power."

Yin Di and Kylia shook their heads. "On the contrary," Kylia explained. "The Royal Family has a massive amount of power – they just don't use it because in effect, they are not allowed to otherwise the UK would be torn asunder by civil war. Just think about the King's power compared to say . . . the Japanese Emperor. If the Emperor stamped his foot for the world's attention, at the same time the King clicked his fingers, who would the world press look to?"

"The King of course," Victoria stated. "Obviously."

Saya frowned. Is Japan really that weak? Surely not.

Kylia nodded to Victoria's response. "The government and the Prime Minister rule the country of course, in place of the Royal Family. But every law that Parliament comes up with has to ultimately be read and approved by the reigning monarch. If the monarch says no, then the law would not come to pass. Same with the military forces. The government controls them, but all members of the RAF, Navy and Army swear an oath to the monarch, not the government. If the King wished it, he can take control of his forces easily from the government, and the military would not argue. Their allegiance is ultimately to their King whom they would die for."

"Therefore if Freya controls the Royal Family, she also controls the best military in the world; and by extension, also the Common Wealth," Ahel concluded.

The room was silent as Red Shield finally began to understand their enemy.

Their enemy was the United Kingdom and Europe. They could not trust the Common Wealth, and struggled to keep the Americans from interfering.

Saya suddenly felt extremely tired with the shocking realisation. She looked up at Ahel.

Niera and Ahel were fighting against half of the world itself. Perhaps even more.

They were using the world itself for their game of chess. This . . . this was how the Queens played the game.

Being in Asia, being in China, was the only truly safe place for them, which meant that –

Saya's eyes flashed to Yin Di.

This man . . . my God . . . this man is holding the front against all of them.

And behind him stood his Queen that directed everything, just as Ianna stood behind Freya and Annabel, guiding them when needed. It was very much like a monarch and Prime Minister. The Chevaliers were the Prime Ministers, taking control of the rule and doing what they saw fit. But when needed, the monarchs, the Queens, would step in – the ultimate commander-in-chiefs.

Therefore what did Ahel do? What did Joseph and Kylia do?

Saya learnt that Joseph had good links in America that worked to keep the Americans back. Kylia, as far as Saya could see, looked to be an expert in history and politics which would no doubt guide them through the storm of politics. And Ahel . . .

She stood back to back with Niera, shrouded in the shadow of her eldest sister.

Yin Di stood in his vast office, gazing out through the glass wall that served as his window. His big chair and desk lay behind him in the darkness of his office. The only light was that of the Bei Jing that lay vast and open before and below him.

He could feel it. He could feel the city live and breathe for the city was his web, and he was the spider that watched over it. The people within it were his children whom he protected, but the flies, the intruders would be eaten by him, the predator, should they threaten him and his city.

He placed his cool fingers against the glass, letting the coldness of it seep in through his skin. How cold his life and heart was without Niera beside him.

Eight days it had been, and still he had heard nothing from her, not a single telepathic touch. He knew that not even all those hundreds of tons of rock and earth could keep Niera buried in that necropolis.

Yet he worried. It would take a long time for her to rise from it nonetheless. Her body would be a crushed and mutilated mess of bone, blood and flesh. She would need blood, a lot of blood to be able to regenerate. His desire to see her was so strong that it took conscious effort to stop him from walking out this very moment. The concern in his heart was almost agonising. He could barely think straight.

But . . . what if she did not rise?

Yin Di could feel that something was changing within her. It had been growing quickly over the past few decades. It was almost as if . . . as if she was burning out. Her smile no longer had the spark of fiery warmth that it used to. Her eyes were tired.

He felt a presence approach his door, but did not turn around as the door opened and light footsteps walked in.

"No matter how long it will take, you will always wait for her."

"Just as Hwayeom did for you, and you for him," Yin Di said softly. "We will remain loyal for eternity to the one who has our heart."

"Even if they have already left this world, leaving us behind," she said quietly.

Yin Di glanced back slightly; Ahel ran her fingers across his desk. A sad smile played on her lips as she then joined him by the window. Her black trousers melted into the shadows, while her white blouse caught the light of the city.

"A lot has changed in these one hundred years," she said gently. "I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you, Yin Di."

"I will not deny it," he whispered.

Bearing the front of Ianna's attempts to penetrate and infiltrate Asia exhausted him. He was just one man, one man against the United Kingdom and Europe. With one arm he fought them, and with the other, he used as a shield against the Americans to keep them out of their business.

China's incredible power and influence was a huge help, for they took the front of the Americans. Hwayeom used to use his power and influence in both Koreas against Ianna as well, and because he was a Prince, Hwayeom already had a superb grasp on politics. Both men had each other's backs. They kept it balanced.

However, it had collapsed completely with Hwayeom's death. Now, the South Koreans were under American protection, using it as their base, and the North Koreans were stirring up trouble by antagonising them.

If only that civil war would end!

"I am leaving tonight, with Kylia and Joseph," Ahel murmured, breaking the silence.

Yin Di glanced at her. "Will it be safe?" He asked quietly.

"I think it will, especially with Red Shield so close. Ianna would have retreated back into the EU zone to plan her offense."

Yin Di nodded only once and smiled faintly. He knew what Ahel wanted.

"We buried his remains in your tomb, Ahel."

It was a forgotten, empty tomb of a King.

Ahel touched his arm. "Thank you, Yin Di," she breathed.

He barely heard her leave.

Ahel found Kylia and Joseph waiting in the lobby. Joseph grinned and Kylia smiled upon seeing her. She felt warmth bubble through her cold body upon seeing their kind smiles. But one of them was missing. Her heart was hollow – empty.

Hwayeom had taken her heart with him.

"Ready to go and see him?" Joseph asked cheerfully.

Kylia held out Ahel's long green coat, designed like a trench coat. Ahel took it and swept it onto her body as her arms slid through the sleeves. She smiled at them, striding out into the city.

"Yes. Let us go and see the Prince."

And so the 2nd arc of Rise From The Past begins! What forgotten memories will rise from the dust now that Ahel has returned?

A/N: I just finished reading Vampire Knight (which was awesome! I definitely recommend it), and they had a lot of suspense statements like the one just above. So I'm going to try doing the same to see what will happen ;) I probably won't do it for all of them. It depends if I can think of something to write that will keep it interesting. I hope you all stay tuned!