Hi everyone! Welcome back to "Kingdom"!
Thanks to Cutetyhil, TwilightUniverse018, Scarlet witch of Terra, Ezabella, Rock the road, Sohana Sarker, Guest, TLP and Justafan for reviewing.
TLP: Oh, Dranzer is hiding from Kai because she wants to test his skills and qualities :P As for Ray, Mariah, Kane and Salima...well, Ray'll be paired with both of them here. Both will be lawfully wedded wives of the neko-jin (Never heard of polygamy, right?) Okay, let me clarify one thing: My story is never written in order to inspire polygamy. It was an ancient culture, so never mind here.
Justafan: Yes, I'm a Bangladeshi and I speak in Bengali. Bong guy is my favorite (Bong Musafir too and Raj-lekha too!). In this lockdown, I'm feeling crippled *Wails*...but it helps me update my stories faster :D And Katherine is Dr.K in Beyblade V-force. For her interruption, Zeo became evil and started helping his father, ending up snatching Dranzer from Kai, remember?
Okay...enough blabbering...so enjoy!
The sun of that morning was fully blistering in the mid-sky. His rays weren't lenient anymore. Lustering, they were entering through the open windows and escapes of the white-stone walls and displaying themselves on the navy-blue barriers on whose surfaces several colorful deities were painted in two-dimensional forms, standing and blessing the common people. Little angels were sprinkling petite flowers on them from their flourishing baskets. Outside, yellow butterflies with black dots on their wings were humming around pink camellias planted in the fertilized soil of wooden tubs, intending to collect honey. Black bumblebees were angrily glaring at them. However, the beautiful arthropods weren't bothering about them just like the girls inside the room. The brunette was caressing the surface of her canvas with a peacock-feather brush while the others were making the garlands of lilies, laughing with one another. Sometimes, they were just rolling down on the floor while giggling. The sounds of their chortles were echoing in the atmosphere, representing the reverberations of flowing cataracts.
"Is it easy?" The American princess asked, penetrating the needle into a flower, "Sister Hilary has already vowed that she'll marry such a guy who tends to have only one wife throughout his life."
"Aww...Charlotte-chan, don't be so naïve," The female blunette commented, "Most of the members of the royal families across the world are apt to have more than one wife. At present, the rate of polygamy among the young princes is rapidly increasing. Show me if you can find a prince around our age who will be satisfied having only one wife!"
The coco-haired princess glared at her friend who was busy in spreading frustration among the girls. Nonetheless, she didn't say anything, just dipping the brush into a color-pot.
"Mark my words, girls," Mariam kept blabbering, "We have to give up these dreams and enhance the skills of spending our lives peacefully with our co-wives."
"It'll be useful for your married life, Mari," The dual-haired Spaniard poked her, "You better learn those techniques."
"Why specially me?" Mariam cocked an eyebrow.
"Because..." The orange-banged girl winked, "Before a while, I saw Max writing a letter to Emily."
As the name of the American orangette was mentioned, the face of the Japanese blunette became flushed. Hot air hit her cheeks. She clenched her teeth, putting another flower with sheer force through the needle. As a result, the barb pierced the skin of her index finger of her left hand a bit. Thankfully, it didn't get inside the flesh.
"Ouch!" Mariam winced in sudden pain.
"Mariam!" The chocolate-haired girl rushed to her, standing up. Gently taking her finger in her hands, she worriedly asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes," The blunette nodded, "Don't know how this needle..."
"C'mon Hil, this pain is nothing to her," Julia shrugged, "She has already experienced the inflammation of jealousy. Am I right, Mariam?"
"Oh really?" Frowning, the royal-blue haired girl playfully threw a rose at the Spanish girl. Smirking, the brunette got back to her seat, absorbing in completing the painting.
"Hil, be it true or not, for the first time in my life," Julia acknowledged, catching the flower, "I'm agreeing with this witch."
"Hey!" Mariam gritted her fists, almost flinging herself at the Latina, "I'm not a witch!"
"Maybe not, but I have addressed you as a witch!" The dual-haired girl rolled her eyes, "What will you do? Will you go and complain to Max?"
Though the sunlight inside the room was white, only the red of its spectrum sprinkled itself on the cheeks of the blunette. In a mixed emotion of annoyance and shyness, she pouted, sighing, "Hmph!"
"As I was saying," Julia cleared her throat, "We may be the members of royal families but most of the decisions regarding our lives and future are taken by our parents. So, we should learn how to spend the married life peacefully with co-wives."
"Then I'll wait for the perfect one," Hilary conversed, stroking the brush on the context, "It's my belief that I'll get married to such a man who'll be satisfied having only one wife. My heart tells me this thing always. I have full faith on my heart. It doesn't lie to me ever."
Drawing the sweeper for the last time, she put it back into the pen container. Her eyes fell upon the masterpiece which had been completed by her. All the girls mustered around her in order to have its glimpse. Their eyes sparkled at it.
"Wow, Hil!" Julia exclaimed, "It's beautiful!"
"Wonderful!"
The whole paper was highlighted in the darker shades of blue, representing the sky of night. At the center, just like the living room of a house, just like the assembly hall of a fort, the moon was sitting, intensifying her beams covering a certain circumference. Like the granules of gemstones, stars were scattering all over the ether. The moon was surrounded by an azure dragon whose chest was aqua-colored. Its prickly tail was fluttering. Its shiny scimitar-like nails were expanded as if they had been progressing towards the moon in order to catch it. At its opposite side, a scarlet phoenix was flying, stretching its plumose majestic wings having golden armlets. Its well-built chest was guarded by metal breastplates. Its javelin beak was also made of gold, possessing the silvery gleams of the nocturnal queen of the sky. Its white-specked tails were gliding, almost manifesting the beauty of a dancing peacock. Those creatures were progressing towards each other, nearly penetrating the moon. The emerald orbs of the bird were pouring love into the sapphire pools of the reptilian.
"What does it mean, Oni-chan?" The purplette curiously asked.
"It indicates the balance of the world," Hilary narrated, "Look, the azure dragon of the east represents woods which grow on the planet penetrating the soil. Whereas, the vermillion bird of the south represents fire which destroys everything. The dragon is the symbol of creation and the phoenix is the symbol of destruction. Both the things are equally important to retain the maintenance of the world. Only then, all the beings living on the earth can be happy and satisfied."
"So...aren't the dragon and the phoenix enemies?" Charlotte asked.
"Not at all, Charlotte-chan," Hilary negated, "They're each other's souls. Apparently, their relation may seem opposing but deep inside, they are more than friends. The same relations lie between the owners of their powers. They can read each other's mind. Whenever one mistakes, other helps him or her correct it. When one's pride crosses its limits, another breaks it and make his or her counterpart realize. If one drowns to darkness, another lifts him or her up to the realm of light. If one is frustrated, another shows him or her the path of hopes. Such a divine relation, isn't it?"
"It is..." Julia narrowed her eyes, "But we were talking about the relation between a husband and his wife, weren't we?"
"It's also a divine relation, Juli," Hilary murmured, drowning to her feelings for a particular Russian, "The depth of the bond is indescribable..."
The chocolate-haired girl expanded her slender arms, looking above. From the tree beneath which she was standing, xanthophyll-filled bougainvilleas were interspersing on her. Her eyes were set at their leafy origin. She breathed deeply, releasing all the congealed dirt from her heart. The smell of honey refilled the empty space, she asked for more blessings. Getting her signal, the speed of the flowery rain increased. She twirled, her well-circumference gown jived with her. Some yellow buds clang to her violet skirt, creating a new design.
Oh Hiwatarian! Nipponista is looking at your way,
Oh Hiwatarian! She has her eyes set upon your way,
Since ages, since all her lives and embodiments,
Step inside her home, oh foreigner!
Oh beloved! Soon arrive and enter there!
Losing all the senses of wisdom,
She has achieved a gem named "Hiwatarian",
Step inside her home, oh foreigner!
Oh beloved! Soon arrive and enter there!
Routing, she sat beside the pond. Sunlight checked its image once on its transparent, yet greenish mirror. As a reply, the water flickered. A drake located its beaks against those of a goose, creating a heart-shape. She placed her right palm against her cheek, gazing at the lovely couple.
Flashback:
"Hey! Look over there!"
A 12-year old Dew rejoiced, pointing at a pair of swans passionately kissing each other, forgetting the rest of the world. All the girls were sitting at the edge of the crystal loch, playfully sprinkling water at one another. Unexpectedly, the teal eyes of the purplette fell upon the avian duo.
"How beautiful!" The blunette exclaimed as her jade orbs glittered, "We're so lucky!"
"Lucky?" The Latina raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"Because...the duo of swans is considered to be very auspicious in our religion," Mariam explained, "If anyone gets to have their glimpse once, he or she can get the love of his or her life."
"Wow!" Dew leaped in joy, "How sweet!"
The brunette leered, consciously observing the couple. She didn't blink for once. She was afraid of losing them. She was thinking that the duo would vanish if she closed her eyes once.
Flash forward:
A fluffy yellow ball of happiness jolted as some blobs of water hit the sun-kissed face of the brunette. Shrinking a bit, she shivered. Patting the back of the gosling, she touched the water. Drifting, a fully-bloomed lotus came to her, sitting on the green round leaf. The brunette picked it up. While watching it, she felt as if she'd been gazing at someone's orbs. She sensed that someone was observing her from a close distance. Putting it back, she stood up.
Flashback:
Smirking a bit, the wolf placed the spear on a nearby bench. Then, he spoke, "Princess, all credits go to my cousin, Kai Hiwatari."
That name... again... again the girl felt her cheeks getting warm, hearing the combination of those three letters. She stammered, "K...Kai Hiwatari?"
"Yes, you've heard it right, princess," Tala affirmed, "He didn't only save the woman but also banned the culture from Russia forever."
Hilary felt her heart swirled once in joy. Her eyes started glittering with the tears of delight. Unexpectedly, they got closed, failing to carry the weight of the overflowing emotions of the coco-haired princess. Her lips molded the blooming smile of rejoice.
"He's the best of all the warriors of Russia...err, the world," The redhead was carrying on, "Before a few days, he has overthrown a bunch of demons who attacked Russia. You know, princess, he's like a pine-apple, Filled with spikes from outside but sweet juice from inside. Believe it or not, he's the kindest person that I've seen ever."
"I see..." Hilary asked, "You're much fond of your cousin, aren't you?"
The wolborg-wielder glanced all over the area, not answering to her question immediately. Then, almost inaudibly, he spoke, "Shush! Don't let anyone learn it, princess. If Kai gets to know it, he'll keep taunting me till my last breath."
"Really?" The brunette frowned, "But why?"
"He thinks that I was born only for being a headache to him," Tala sighed, "But deep inside, I care for him. That's why I didn't want to leave him alone in Japan. Actually, he's like that. If you meet him once, you'll also fall in love with him."
Hilary gasped as the waves of those words tinged her ears. It was again her turn to get reddened in the tint of infatuation. Though the sun was in the mid-sky then, she felt as if the crimson glow of the head of the solar family had been using her face as a mirror. A placid breeze blew through her untied hair, making it dance a bit. Her bangs somewhat covered her eyes as she got them down.
Flash forward:
She didn't know whether it was a stupefaction or an intoxication. Placing her hand at the left of her chest, she got closer to her heartbeats. The pounding heart, all of a sudden, seemed to have a mouth. Through it, the blood-pumping organ was gossiping with the whispering wind.
Neither the lullaby of my mother, nor the vibrant colors of the spring,
I'm not able to touch anything,
Since my gazes have gotten struck with an archer,
For me, the estrangement seems very troubling.
The whole world knows about my dilemma,
Only the detached one doesn't want to bother...
The chocolate-haired girl again returned to the garden. Bushes of carnations and lilies were welcoming her with their seraphic aroma. Smiling, she picked up the bamboo basket. Her flower-petal fingers started picking up the flowers. Then again, the hovering breeze passed across her tresses. She looked at the sun-embellished sky, wearing the wedding dress made of the cotton of clouds. On the mirror of her mind, an image of her appeared in the adornments of a bride.
Being crazy, I went to the river bank to fetch water.
Oh, being crazy, I went to the river bank to fetch water.
Me, the doe, became unconscious stabbed by the arrows,
Those arrows came from the gazes of yours,
I danced ceaselessly, I danced ceaselessly,
I became your devotee.
Keeping the flower basket on the yard, she returned to the tree. Beneath it, a lot of pigeons had already gathered. Taking the pot filled with grains, she scattered them around herself. Flittering their wings, the birds surrounded her to eat her offerings. She swirled, a tiny bird sat on her shoulder. She nuzzled her nose against it. It enjoyed the affection wholeheartedly, closing its eyes.
Flashback:
The brunette yawned, going back to her hut. Nightfall already covered the camp. Fireflies were sparkling, some tapers tied to the trees were ignited, giving the guards and nature some light. The humming of crickets could be heard. Coming in front of her shed, she stopped once again, throwing her gazes towards the mysterious peak. On it, there was a fireplace. A pale guy was sitting beside it. His face couldn't clearly be seen. She could only see his scarf blowing in the air. Was he watching her?
The white scarf...that reminded her of her dream. She felt to be stuck in a Déjà vu.
She kept standing there without taking a step. She kept looking at him without blinking. Her heart danced as the flames of the torches attached to the trees quivered, enlightening her mien. He stood up for seeing her clearly.
Flash forward:
She was always a realistic person. But on that day, for a strange reason, she was tending to have daydreams.
The stallions in black, gray and white were sprinting across the wild path, leaving the greeneries and the skyscraping trees behind. Wind springing from their storms produced pulsations among the bushes, birds forgot cheeping. Deer stopped fondling the little ones, creeks ceased flowing. Quickly, the cute rabbits hid behind the condensed shrubberies. Stopping playing with nutshells, squirrels entered the tree-holes. With awestruck eyes, the wild were staring at them. They didn't seem to bother at all. The galloping horses mercilessly spanked the ground with their iron hooves. Their whining reverberated through the forest.
All of a sudden, the slate-haired Russian pulled the bridle of his stallion as the beast stopped, neighing and tossing its front legs a bit. The other two also decreased the speed of their mounts.
"What happened, Kai?" Confusedly, the redhead asked, "Why have you stopped here?"
Not replying to his cousin, the phoenix-prince closed his eyes. His ears twitched as he felt that someone was weeping at a distance. Dismounting his steed, he tied it to a tree and started running towards the direction from which he could hear the sound of crying.
"Wait!" Tala yelled.
"Let him go, prince Valkov," The bald sage assured him, "Everything will be alright. Just follow him."
"Okay," The wolf-prince nodded as the duo started advancing, trailing the tracks of the dual-haired Russian.
The phoenix-prince found himself in front of a large tree, spreading its branches that were almost covering the sky. Because of the leaf-covered twigs, rays of sunshine couldn't easily peep at the woods. There was no sign of the air. The lonely banyan tree was standing helplessly. Droplets of water were trickling down from its jade leaves. Though the atmosphere was silent, the young Russian could easily hear the painful moans of the living being.
"She's lady Kincaid," Someone commented, "She was the most knowledgeable lady of Japan once upon a time."
"Huh?" The twin-haired prince turned back. There were the bald sage and his scarlet-haired cousin.
"Along with being wise and a woman of letters, she was very beautiful too," Stanley continued, "Because of her immense beauty, Boris Balkov, the ruler of the dark realm, became allured to her. He proposed to marry her. But quite obvious it was, she rejected his proposal. The wrath of the bastard erupted, he cursed her and turned her into a tree."
Hearing the great sage, the blood of the dual-haired Russian started boiling. Clenching his teeth, he gnashed his fingers into fists. He didn't see the mentioned man but he wanted to chop the head of the nasty man off right then.
'Why?' He asked himself, 'Cannot a woman have her own choices and opinions? Boris Balkov has so many wives, sex-slaves and concubines, doesn't he? Then why did he need a wife? The lady did the correct thing at that time. Who...who would accept the ruler of underground as her husband? For exercising her rights, lady Kincaid had to sacrifice her life, her youth in this way. When will we be able to realize that women are also human beings? When will we stop treating them as objects? When will the golden moment arrive? When?'
"But this curse isn't unchangeable," Dickenson cleared his throat, "The possessor of the sacred vermilion bird of the south can remove this curse if he or she launches an arrow at the tree. For it, he or she has to use the power at least once in his or her lifetime. Otherwise, the lady will be freed from the curse but the shooter will be no more on the earth."
Kai loosened his jaw and grips. Something was remembered by him.
Flashback:
"Don't lose the locket, grandson," The old man advised the four-year old prince of Russia, placing him on his knees, "It's valuable."
"Really?" The amethyst orbs of the toddler flickered in curiosity. He questioned, "Why?"
"It contains the power of the sacred vermillion bird of the south," The elder Hiwatarian flapped his legs, causing enjoyment and fun to his grandson, "The power is very precious. Only the members of our clan are supposed to obtain and exercise the power."
"What can I do using the power?" He innocently asked.
"You can help the weak and the destitute using the power," Voltaire answered, patting his head, "It'll help you become a great ruler one day."
The slate-haired kid grasped the bird-shaped locket with his tiny fingers. The scarlet speck inside it glimmered, sending the vibes to his lotus orbs.
Flash forward:
The slate-haired prince pulled off the bow from his back. Attaching an arrow against the cord, he dragged it a bit, preparing to launch the weapon.
"Kai!" Rushing to him, the redhead grasped his arms, "You cannot do this. Are...are you crazy? You haven't used the power of Dranzer yet. Let alone using the power, you have never seen the bird. You'll lose your life."
Narrowing his eyes, the shark-fin-cheeked prince gawked at his cousin. Getting the death glare, Tala stepped back, gasping.
"Tala," He started, "Let me announce one thing clearly: I am not afraid of Boris Balkov and his curses."
"You're saying it because you haven't been cursed by him ever," Dickenson spoke, "If you got it once, you could understand how deadly they are."
"I don't care!" Kai blurted, "Sir, according to your order, I came here with a view to killing the demoness and saving the innocent people from her grasps. If I leave her alone here, if I don't save her from the curse, it won't be justified to her. Justice won't be served to her. In the eyes of truth and my conscience, I'll always be regarded as a criminal. Let me retrieve lady Kincaid."
"Kai..." Tala squeezed his shoulders, almost with his tearful eyes, "Why aren't you understanding that you'll die if you launch your arrows? Please, don't do it!"
"I respect your choice, Tala," Kai got off the hands his cousin from his shoulders, "But my decision is firm."
Sighing, the redhead stood beside the sage who had a calm expression all over his face. Kneeling down, the phoenix-prince bowed before the tree. Then, he shot the arrow which pierced the living being in front of his eyes.
"Boom!"
Deafening sound resonated across the aura. The tree became split into two equal halves. After a cracking sensation, two fragments of the tree collapsed on the ground. Sunlight fell on the eyes of the viewers, mixing with another glow. They covered their eyes with their palms, not able to bear the brightness. From the radiance, an old lady came out, stepping on the ground.
They squinted, removing hands from their orbs. The lady wasn't young anymore but still she possessed the beauty of her youth. She was wearing a white kimono, joined to her waist with a thick golden strap. Her coco-colored hair which had a blurring shade of white was tied in a high bun; two tresses fell on her cheeks. Her soft auburn eyes were struggling hard to adjust to the daylight which she had seen after a long period.
"Accept my reverence, my lady," The slate-haired Russian again bowed, standing up, "Hope the arrow hasn't hurt you."
"Who...who're you, son?" The salvaged woman screwed her eyebrows, affectionately staring at the young prince.
"Kai Hiwatari is the name of the worthless guy, my lady," He replied, not looking at her eyes, "Are you alright?"
"Yes..." The old lady nodded. Tears of joy were brimming inside her chestnut pools. Slowly approaching him, she placed a hand on his head.
"May you have a long life from now onwards, prince Hiwatari," Kincaid blessed the phoenix-prince with her tear-clogged voice, "Only for you, I've been freed from the curse. Be victorious at all the stages of your life."
The slate-haired Russian didn't utter any word. He closed his eyes. Amidst all the feelings of satisfaction and weightlessness, a strange thought was lurking inside his brain.
Sage Dickenson told me that the shooter would die if he didn't use the power of the sacred vermillion bird of the south. Then...how...how am I still alive? Have I ever...ever used the power?
Someone was watching the scene, sitting on the dressing table of the princess of Japan. She smiled.
Congratulations, my prince! You've passed one test. But yet, a lot of tests are left. When you'll pass all of them, I'll present myself before you as the reward...I promise...
"Father, have you called me?"
The king looked at the doorway. As he saw the familiar face, his expression beamed up with the rays of joy. Approaching her, he spoke, "Come inside, my girl."
"Thanks." The brunette entered the chamber. Glancing all over the compartment, she inquired, "Tell me, father, how can I help you?"
"Hil," The old brown-haired guy patted her head gently, "I've called you here for an important discussion."
"Important?" Hilary raised an eyebrow, "What's the topic?"
The emperor of Japan didn't immediately answer. Rather, he kept silent for a few moments, strolling aimlessly around his daughter. The brunette frowned seeing her father's condition.
"Father?" The princess frowned, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, my child..." Hayashi replied, "But I'm afraid whether you'll be alright or not after hearing my decision..."
The heart of the chocolate-haired girl skipped a bit. Gulping, she tried to appease herself.
"Just tell me once, father," Hilary held the hands of her father, "I promise...I won't break down or disappoint you."
"Hilary, you're a grown-up young lady now," Hayashi cleared his throat, "It's high time you got married."
As the topic was mentioned before her, she blushed a bit. Her heart started pumping fast. Gazing below, she tried not to face her father at that moment.
"So...we're going to arrange a groom-choosing ceremony for you in the next week," The father continued, "Kings and princes from different kingdoms will come to take part in the contest. The competition is totally based on archery since it's your favorite battle sport. But...neither the final decision of the ceremony won't be announced, nor will the invitation cards be sent to different empires unless you disagree with us on the point."
Being patient, keeping her head cool, the brunette listened to her father attentively. Taking a sharp intake of breath, she spoke, "Father, I can understand your feelings. You have all the rights of thinking about my future. I won't stop you from exercising the rights. But...you've to fulfill a wish of me."
"Sure, my girl."
"Father..." She blushingly bent her head down, "May you send a letter to Russia?"
"Russia?" Hayashi cocked an eyebrow, "But..."
"It's a groom-choosing ceremony of me, right?" Suddenly, all the shyness of the princess disappeared in the vanity, "Then...it's also my right to choose my future husband, isn't it?"
Hayashi smiled. All the tensions took leave from his face.
"Okay, my girl," He cupped her cheek, "I'll send the invitation letter to Russia too. Prepare yourself for the ceremony, okay?"
"Alright, father!" Hilary hugged the emperor of Japan, "Thank you so much. You're the best father of the world!"
'I don't know, my girl...' Hugging his daughter back, Hayashi pondered, 'According to your wishes, I'm sending the invitation to Russia but...will the rulers of the kingdom accept the offer? Even if they accept, will the Russian prince be victorious in the contest? I don't know...but I only know the happiness of my daughter. May the deities give you all the ecstasy and comfort that you want...'
How was it? Good or bad?
Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and the spelling errors of the chapter because I haven't revised it yet. I'll do it when I'll get time. Take care :D
-Misty ^_^
P.S: Those who haven't read my newly published fic "Love Chronicles", please check that out xD