Heeeello! Shidesu here
Sorry for the late update, actually, i had some issues and as i feared, i couldn't updated the chapters in time, some things i needed to polish here and there, i really hope that i can update all the chapters in this week, so wait for it a little more.
Well, i dont want to take too much time in this A/N, so lets get to the point, new chapter, second half of the first encounter of the full crew (of first generation, of course) and one step away of the Valla hidden war, get ready for it!
Chapter 26: In the new dusk
Xander sighed, massaging his temples, it wasn't at him expected, of course, it was something that obviously was…awkward.
Leo sighed as well with his fingers on the bridge of his nose, annoyed as well, perhaps it was result of her education? Or was just mean to be? Not like they could blame her, but, there was a lack of common sense in all the scene.
A few moments ago, they found that the little Kanna could be a little…..odd with strangers, not, that wasn't the word, it was…..with a little of awe after receiving that treatment from Leo and Lazlow, she was packing up her tent, helped for her dear friends the little Midoriko and of course, that annoying fox-girl, what was her name? Selkie?
Anyway, they were checking that everything was in order, not forgetting anything, and the moment Xander and Leo were near of them, she left go the crate on her hands and in an incredible way, she stepped back before Xander could talk, showing her teeth as if she was a wild animal, with all and growling, Midoriko couldn't understand it but Selkie for her side, just took a small sniff on the air to understand why Kanna was hiding behind a post and hissing to those blonde men, doing the same thing, she was aside of her.
"Ahh, wh-what are you doing girls?" Midoriko asked, picking up the clothes that were inside the crates that the girls just dropped "Oh, h-hello there, sir…?"
"Ah, my name is Xander" Xander greeted the girl, extending his hand "This is my younger brother Leo an-"
"Hissahhh!" Kanna hissed louder, and before they could react, she ran to Midoriko side, pulling her away of them
"W-Wait, Kanna wh-what are y-you doing?!"
"They are the guys who touched Kanna!" Selkie growled, taking Midoriko´s free arm, making both of them deadpanned as how the girl…..expressed what happened earlier that day, making Midoriko blush with a trembling lip and walking back as well when she looked back
"Wait, that´s a misunderstanding!" Xander said taking a step closer, but the moment he moved, the girls moved three steps away
"W-Well, the fact is that w-we dont want nothing to do with you sirs!" Midoriko shouted
"Oh? So early and you´re already making your niece cry Xander?" Both of them turned to see how Camilla was approaching, with arms crossed and a soft smile on her face, followed by Selena and Beruka of course "And i thought that i was done for the day"
"Uh? What´d you mean Camilla?" Xander asked
"Well…i had a little chat with that retainer of yours…." Camilla said, even if she had that small smile on her face, Selena grimfaced when she heard that, there was a glimpse of hate or darkens in her always gentle smile "…just lets say i made really clear what was going to happen if he dares to touch again my little sweet girl~"
"Mama!" Kanna shouted as she walked to her side with open arms, she jumped to greet her mother and giggled when she patted her head "Oh my dear Kanna, im glad to see you´re recovering from your uncle´s hideous spell"
"C-Camilla, i don't think th-" Leo tried to defend himself, but when Camilla looked back, his words stalled under the hard gaze of his older sister
"Please, don't even waste your breath, i already know everything about your plan, trying to take advance of my sweet Kamui and his good intentions, it has been years since the last time he heard of you"
"W-Wait, wh-what?"
"Let it be the last time you raise your hand to any of your nieces, ok?" Camilla said finally leaving Kanna on the floor and taking her hand, of course Midoriko and Selkie behind her as she walked away of them, not before taking one of the crates "I would never hate any of you…..but that doesn't mean that i would forgive you if you try something like this again, i´m clear?"
"Y-Yes!" Xander and Leo replied at the same time
"Great! I knew you could be reasonable" Camilla said still patting Kanna´s head "Well, and now i think is time for introductions" she rubbed her head faster causing Kanna to close her eyes with a grin, making her giggle louder "As you may know, this little cute girl is Kanna"
"I-Is a pleasure to finally met you Kanna" Xander said, trying to break his stoic expression, but for Kanna´s face, he didnt succeed, the small purple-haired girl quickly hid behind her mother
"Oh my~ i didnt knew you were this shy Kanna, what´s the matter?"
"…he did something bad" the girl said "he was really mean, e-even when i helped him"
"I know dear, i know, but your uncle is really, really sorry about that, isnt that right?" She looked at the blondes who quickly nodded "See? They won't hurt you"
"That´s right little princess, we won't harm you, actually we want to apologize for what happened" Xander kneeled at her eye level "So, would you forgive us for what happened?" he stretched his hand, inviting her to get closer, but Kanna had a confused look on her face, tilding her head and with her index finger on her chin, she looked away for a moment, then he returned to see him
"Uhh…..what? Are you talking to Selkie or me?" Kanna asked, looking back at the kitsune who just shrugged "She's the daughter of the boss of the kitsunes…..but saying that she´s a princess is too much, dont you think?"
"Uh? no, I'm referring you, of course!"
"….you´re so strange" Kanna hid her mouth under her hand "We barely know each other, and you´re already calling me 'princess'?"
"You must be jesting, right?" he looked at Camilla, who tilted her head had the same confused face that her daughter "…you hadn't told her?"
"About what?" Camilla said with a smile "There´s nothing to say or discuss Xander, now, if you excuse us, WE have things to do, later~" With that said, Camilla and the girls picked up the rest of the crates and walked away, leaving both of them with a blank expression on their faces
"…Xander" Leo spoke after some minutes
"…yes Leo?" Xander said passing his hand over his hair
"….I think that Camilla is still mad" Leo said sighing
"Y-Yeah, perhaps is a little to early to try to get along with our niece….."
"…but that´s not the only thing im worried about" Leo said, gaining the attention of his brother "…..remember what she said?"
"….yes, i´m not sure if i understand…but apparently there are more things we need to find out, like what she meant when she said 'years' after our last spar"
"…..i think it´s time to see what Flora has to say about it"
They couldn't believe it, Xander, Leo, Ryoma and Scarlet were walking side to side, after what looked like hours, the went through that strange portal again, just to see that the clouds above them barely moved from their place, that the smell of iron and fire was still on the air, and of course, that the whole army was marching now to their next destination, the bottomless canyon.
It was weird to say the least, Xander never thought in his wildest dreams that Flora would be so…rude with him, after a couple of minutes, they found the maid in Kamui´s quarters, and of course, checking that everything was in place before they had to leave, Flora moving her liege clothes and preparing some snacks wasn't something strange, what was strange was that look in her eyes, the moment they were in the room, was the moment that her happy movements stopped, followed for ones of without her normal spark, she loved to help her liege, to do whatever it took to be a good maid, but now, in front of them she was…angry? She never frowned, but for her eyes they could tell that there was something wrong, she tried to excuse herself taking some of the towels that were laying on the chair, just to be stopped for their questions, of what happened and why she never send a letter of what was happening, of course she was 'exiled' from Nohr, but she was still a part of his family, and knowing how she thought about noblemen and norms, interfering with that style of life was common sense, he tried to get an answer, why she let Kamui do that kind of thing to happen? Why Kamui was entirely lost in that life style? Did he really intended to keep that charade? the moment she turned to see his face he was hit for what he never saw in the castle.
Flora wet eyes and with a hint of sadness
She was trembling, clutching at the towel in such way that it seemed that she would break into a million pieces if she let it go, then the second surprise of that moment
'HOW DARE YOU?'
Followed for a sound that he never heard coming from him, the sting pain on his cheek when Flora hit him with all her strength, Xander remained there for a few second, not believing what happened, Leo widened his eyes in sheer surprise for what the girl just did, then after a quick bow, Flora left the room, leaving them not only in shock, but in disbelief of what happened
He could still feel the pain on his cheek, but what hit him more was the pained tone in her voice, Flora was a strong, dedicated girl back at the castle, even if Garon forced her and her twin to live with he albino boy, even after countless time he threatened them to kill them if the boy escaped from that place and how they weren't only maids, but hostages, daughters of the leader of the ice tribe, forced to smile and hide her loneliness day after day, Xander knew how it pained her very day, but never complained, never acted for instincts, and now, she slapped the heir of the Nohrian Throne, in front of his younger brother
For his side, Ryoma was still thinking about what he did wrong back with Sakura, the moment they were in the same place, it was if life resumed its course where it was left, he looked at his younger sister, in fact, she was…..beautiful, so full of life, unlike the last time they were at the castle, she was more open, more confident, she let her hair grow, not as long as him, but he could tell that it has been a while since she had that hairstyle, her bangs at the same level but her back hair was under her shoulders, now her face was….more feminine, like they departed mother, their real mother, her voice changed a little, it was real? Was he dreaming about it? She looked…older, the moment he wanted to know more about, more about the last months, the last time they met at Cyrkensia, about what happened with Kamui, she was glad to see that he cared for them, but the moment he said 'i can't believe I have a niece' her expression changed, that smile disappeared from her face, without a decent excuse, she took Mikoto and left them without a hint of what happened
Now they were walking, deep in thought, Xander and Ryoma, a side of each other, nine or ten months ago they were battling to death at the border of Hoshido, trying to destroy and recover what the other 'stolen' from them, and now, they were walking like a pair of kids who were just scolded for their mothers, there was something they couldn't understand.
"So….i think you didnt had any luck, right?" Ryoma commented after a long silence, Xander shook his head "…..huh, i still don't see it, what are we doing wrong?"
"I….I dont know…." Xander sighed "Is just….i dont know anymore, i thought that after all this time, i could just start over, to forget all about what happened in the last months, to believe that what i wanted to do was the correct way….but now….."
"Geez, you blue blood are really so dense, aren´t you?" Xander and Ryoma looked back to see Anna with a frown on her face, accompanied by Scarlet, Fuga and Shura, who were talking behind the secret seller "Maybe i can help you….for a fee of course~"
"C´mon Anna, arent you a little too easy on them?" Scarlet said with a frown "You know, after hearing how you tried to clear between your nieces and you…..you´re so thick-headed"
"Now you too Scarlet, could you please tell me what is going on with everyone?" Ryoma asked really concerned and worried "I don't know what im doing wrong, after all, i came here but Kamui is still hiding something from, and is the thing with my nie-"
"Oh no, you big, dumb, stupid man!" Scarlet growled taking Ryoma from the sides of his of his White clothes of his suit "They are angry with both of you because you´re still thinking as a single one!" Ryoma widened his eyes as Xander frowned fo her statement "Is so obvious, after all this time saying that you tried to mend the relationship between Queen Mikoto and the people of Hoshido, you can't see that it pain´s them to hear that from you?"
"W-Wait, what? O-only fo-" Ryoma stopped himself from a moment, then he understood what Scarlet said, now he understood that pained expression on Sakura´s face, they were always talking about 'their daughters', not as a single one, but as if Mikoto and Kanna were real sister…no, even that was wrong, THEY were sisters, not like Kamui and the Norhian or Hoshidian Royal Families, but real family, he felt a knot in his chest when he thought about it, how every time they said it as a 'single' niece it was he was trying to push away Kamui´s other daughter, like if she wasn't real, looking back at Xander, he could tell that he was thinking the same for his face
"Oh? So now you get it?" Scarlet interrupted his thoughts letting the prince go from her grip "Now that you know al- well, MOST of the issue, what´s next?"
"…..i think im going to apologize…not only to Mikoto and Sakura….but also Kanna and Camilla"
"Finally!" Scarlet said with a soft smile, then she looked at the Norhian prince "What about you?"
"….for once, i think i concur with him…..for now" he shook his head "…..but im in disadvantage, there´s someone that i need to apologize to"
"Awww, you just took away my change to make a profit" Anna said with a sad tone, thing that made the three of them chuckle, Ryoma and Xander looked each other for a moment, before resuming their march, perhaps they needed more time to accept Kamui´s relationship with Camilla and Sakura, but at least, they knew what to do the next time they were with their family, not just pretend to be with them
It was incredible, the softness of the air, the image in front of him, endless skies with floating islands, surrounded by ruins that related the antiquity of the place, how at the distance he could see the infinite sky but at the same time, fragments of other lands, as Ryoma and Xander stood up, they couldnt believe what they were watching.
A few moments ago, they were in the bottomless canyon, but why were they there? Ryoma tried to recall what happened, but looking at the other prince and his frown, with a single word he remembered everything
"CAMILLA"
It was with that name that Ryoma remembered what happened, how they were at the edge of the bottomless canyon, how Kamui declared that in order to understand, to see the real enemy he had to do another single thing, and in consequence, he explained that the real enemy was so powerful that he cursed not only the land but also his body, that mentioning his origin and his name was enough to shatter Kamui´s body in the air, but he was willing to sacrifice his life and future if Ryoma and Xander could reach an agreement, of course the voice of certain someone's didn´t waited, in protest of what the albino said, Sakura and Mikoto ran to his side, trying to convince him to not do it, as Xander and Ryoma walked to his side, not sure if what the albino was saying was true, but after the short time they were with him, something was for sure, if it wasn't necessary, Kamui wouldn't leave his family, less his daughters for a jest or if it wasn't necessary, with that, Ryoma was convinced that what the albino was saying was true, but before he or the blonde prince could say something, there were a pair of hands on their shoulders, then the inevitable happened
Camilla pushed them to the abyss with a smile
It was unbelivable the amount of words Xander used to describe how irresponsible or idiotic was his sister for pushing them without giving them the benefit of the doubt, in all the fall he could only curse how easily the wyvern rider took that chance to do that
After some minutes, that unknown place, even after that fall, it didn't seemed like something was broken or missing, after some minutes, the army started to appeared around them, to be specific, emerging from the lake in front of them, some of them still shaking, some with a big grin on their faces, the rest of them just paled when they saw Xander´s face
"Xander!" RYoma looked over his shoulder to see the other prince approaching behind them, he stopped when Xander looked back "….am…um…..are you…..mad Xander?"
"Mad doesn't describe for what i am…." Xander replied dusting off his armor
The moment didn´t lasted long, as soon they started looking for each other, it was clear that some members were missing, and to get it worse, some of the soldiers started shouting, saying that they were under attack, not even a chance to get ready and they were already under the siege of an enemy force, strange as it was, they couldn't fully describe the feeling of fighting something invisible, either way, it was amazing how them figh them back, as much as he hated to admit it, Xander and Ryoma were doing fine as a paired unit, in minutes, the deflected the forces.
As the battle advanced, they could see how from one of the islands emerged some pillars of light, he thought that it was the enemy until he heard that song.
~You are an ocean of waves ~ weaving a dream ~ like thoughts become a river stream ~
It was Azura song, even if they were in two different places, they could heard her voice, then an explosion from that island with a laughter, they recognized those mad giggles, it was Rhajat who was teleporting between the enemies lines making them fall to the abyss, followed for her younger sister, soon after that, some of the soldiers were bathed by bright lights and disappeared
"Look! Over there!" Leo shouted pointing at one of the edges of the island, even in that chaos, they could see how Elise, Sakura and Orochi with the healers and priests were teleporting all the forces from one island to the other
~Yet may the tide ever change~ Flowing like time, to the path, yours to climb~
This time they could see how that song revitalized them and they were ready to use again their staff´s, one by one they were transported, making it more difficult to stand their ground, of course it was a bad idea, but they had to stay and fight until the army was united again, and for what they could see, they were taking the injuries soldiers over the others, and of course, over them, minutes passed as they were slowly but surely overwhelmed by the tide of enemies, then it was when the ground trembled under their feet, as the light became brighter in the other island followed for what they could see, another blue light
It was over
In the last minute, the other half of the army did something that made disappear the invisible force in front of them
"At last" Xander commented sighing in relief, Ryoma chuckled as he kneeled "Mmm? It isn't unwise to kneel in front the enemy?"
"True, but I don't think they´ll have the change to get near before you strike them down, don't you think?"
This time, Xander chuckled, even with his stoic face, Leo could tell how his brother was relaxed "Fair enough….so, shall we call it a truce between us?"
"Of course…brother"
How did it happened? A few moments ago they were ready to apologize, and perhaps to find some answers, now they wer at a halt, no, they weren't missing any enemy, or were trapped in the islands, but the situation took a turn for the unexpected.
In front of them was Kamui, unconscious in Scarlet´s arms, trying to wake him up, for what they could see his left arm was singed, Sakura and Camilla at his side trying to contain their tears, as Mikoto passed out, hold by her older sister, Xander and Ryoma approached, when Scarlet noticed them, she was still distressed, with a quivering lip, she couldn't find the words
"Scarlet…" Ryoma broke the silence "…What the hell happened?!"
Aaaaaaaaaaaand thats all for now!
WoW, who expected that? Who? I guess it was pretty obvious :v
Sooooooo,scarlet is alive AFTER the bottomless canyon? Yes of course, i already altered the Valla route, so why not this little fact as well?
Well, look at that, is april 12, so what now? The poll is settled?
Not quite yet
Yes, to be honest, im glad to see that there were a lot of votes this time, not only two or three, but now, to be fair, I dont feel that i gave enough time for the poll, of course i said that i would close it today…but as a lot of you requested, i´ll gave the poll an extra week, ok? So the next 19 of this month i will close the poll without delay, so please, if you want to vote, just click my name and go to my profile, just to resume, Orochi is winning by 13 votes, Flora and Ophelia in second place by 10 votes and ….Velouria by 8 votes? Omg, what happened in the last weeks? I remember that she was in last place with midori and mitama, but in the last days she got 8 votes?! xD poor Azura and Caeldori, left behind by our favorite werewolf :v
Anyway, sorry for the delay guys, actually, im having a hard time to update the others chapters of my other Works, i just keep re-writing the chapters im not satisfied with the result, so i will put them in hitaus until i find the right words and scenes, so please wait, i´m sorry for the big delay
Well, i think that´s all for now, please leave your review and comment, i hope you enjoyed the chapter as i did writing it, hope you have a good week and day
SHIDESU! OUT!