Chap.15



"Brother!! No!! Don't leave me!" Van wept openly, crouching over the still form of Folken. "I have just found you.." He whispered.

Slowly, Folken's eyes fluttered. Hope filled Van, only to be dashed again.

"Van...." Folken whispered, his voice barely anything. Folken's face was ashen drained of all color. "Van...." He whispered again, repeating the name.

"My brother, I cannot lose you a second time!" Van blinked, the tears coming without control.

Folken smiled tiredly, "You would make me live?"

"Please Folken..." Van pleaded. "You..we..must rebuild our kingdom."

"No...no Van. That is your job." Folken sighed, his body shuddering, each system shutting down systematically.

"I need you Folken.." Van cried.

"You have her." Folken smiled at the thought of a happy future for Fanelia. Van's eyes traveled to Hitomi, and a spark of happiness alighted within their depths. "She's the one, Van." And even with death so near, Folken's eyes sparked. "She is one in a million." He drew a long shuddering breath. "I don't have much time Van, please listen."

Van nodded silently, his eyes huge.

"I..I have wronged. But, I hope, that with this deed of mine, I have set it right. Too many have died. Too many, " Folken whispered, shadowy figures haunting his eyes. Already, Folken could sense a bright light, too bright, coming towards him. "Van, rebuild our Fanelia. It will be better than before. And love her, Hitomi. And within your happiness, I shall live and bask each day." He drew another shuddering breath. His heart rattled empty within him.

"Folken.." Van choked on his words.

"Van.." Folken grasped his brother's hand, interrupting his brother almost harshly, racing against time. "Van, you must do something for me." Folken lifted his hand, the real one, slowly. Upon the index finger was a thin ring. Carved with ornate symbols and jewels.

"The signet ring of the Dragon people.." Van whispered. Folken closed his eyes, too much effort to keep them open.

"It has given me hope, during my darkest hours." Feebly, Folken took it off and pressed it into Van's hand.

"Make sure that Kent gets this!" He said suddenly, a hard edge in his voice. There was something fiercely sad in the words. "Give it to Kent! Tell him...that...its...for her."

Van nodded.

"And tell him," Folken whispered, "tell him to get on with it." Folken tilted his head sideways. "And tell her..thank her for me."

"I will be with you Van." Folken smiled slightly.

Van's eyes widened.

"No! No Folken! Stay with me! Please!" Van cried, shaking his brother, trying to get the life back into him.

And Folken breathed his last.

And through tear-stained grief, Van looked at Folken, And he froze.

Folken's wings were a silvery white. A pure white. Drained of all color.

"Your wings Folken. You earned back your wings." Van whispered.

And the tears fell.





************************************

Kent watched dispassionately as soldier were carried out of the room, And many watched him with a fearful question in their eyes. What had happened here? The question was in everyone's mind. But he didn't go forth to answer it. He felt numb. The Emperor's body was being entombed within his burial chambers, starting already. As soldiers were lifted away, Kent walked slowly towards Van. His wound ached horribly, And the cloth was starting to form a crude sort of bandage. He limped over.

Van was still bent over the still figure of Folken. At the sight of his best friend, Kent almost balked. An emptiness swept within him. He blinked.

Walking up behind him, Kent placed a hand on Van's hunched shoulder. Van didn't move away.

Van's face was oddly set. He stood, his eyes still focused on Folken's limp form.

"He mentioned you, in his last breath." Van spoke slowly, as if just waking from a dream.

"What did he say?" Kent gazed down at Folken. The still, cold, marble features. The expression that so many thought was arrogance, that was really just a mask to hide the vulnerability inside.

"He wanted to...tell you...to get on with it."

"Hmm.." Kent smiled wryly. He could just imagine Folken telling him that, as if he wasn't lying lifeless before him, but rather, was smiling And laughing, joking, prodding him.

"He also said that he was sorry that he couldn't be there."

Kent smiled, a sad sort of smile.

Slowly, Van turned And regarded Kent with dull amber globes. He must've been pretty special to Folken, Van thought. His fist was clenched around the small signet ring of the dragon people, the last remnant of their race.

"Kent..." Van choked, forcing his emotions into check. Kent looked at him. Van lowered his eyes. "He....He wanted you to have this. For her, he said." Van shoved the ring at Kent. Kent stared down at it, speechless. He gulped, hard to keep the tears in check. Somewhere inside, his heart hurt And a part of him had died with his best friend.

Kent blinked rapidly.

"You crazy son of a bitch...." Kent shook his head sadly, turning the ring over And over. "...this was for your wedding..." Kent drew a long shuddering breath, then looked at Van's anguished expression.

"I'm sorry Van, King of Fanelia."

"I've heard too many apologies for one day." Van's answer was short, And would've seemed cold if not for the pained expression on his face. Kent didn't respond. Instead, he turned Folken's words around in his mind, trying to read the message hidden within.



***********************

The days rolled by, almost as if a haze had fallen over the Empire. Lourdes herself felt like every minute crept by, every even slowing to a halt And inching by, making every moment hurt. Making every moment a reminder of the loss. Then, as each day passed, Lourdes would look back And realize that a whole week had passed, then two weeks, then a month, then two months. And on And on.

How oddly time flows at times, she thought.

Lourdes felt guilty that she didn't feel more sadness at the passing of her father. Perhaps she should've shed more tears, felt more pain. The sadness she did feel, was a the loss of Folken, who had given up everything in the end. Looking back, Lourdes realized just how much she would miss him. Though never the most outgoing figure, Folken had been there. A shadowy character, awaiting a time when he was needed. Lourdes missed his witty remarks, his somewhat cold composure, that was only there to protect the vulnerable part inside of him. How often she thought of him. But, resigned, Lourdes somehow coped, picking up a warring Empire, And rebuilding the tyranny that her father had created.



Many in the Empire took the sudden death of their Emperor as a sign of succession, shrugging to each other.

"He was old..."

"He lived a long life.."

"His time was up..."

The rumors circulated, from the soldiers to the palace staff to the people of Doven. Few knew what had really gone on, even fewer knew the corrupt heart of their Emperor, And none were willing to tell.

The people demanded a successor, And, as the daughter And only heir to the throne, Lourdes was pushed into the unhappy position. And so, spending most of her time sitting on the large throne, with the heavy coronet on her head, Lourdes listened as her generals And ministers gave report after report.

The people are demanding answers.

The people require higher patrolling guards.

The people need less taxes to make up for the early drought.

The people this, the people that, it wearied Lourdes to the bone to think about everything she had to handle. The weight of the crown always getting heavier, weighing down on her like a stone upon her head. And always, always she was alone.

It was during one of these sessions, while her generals conversed amongst themselves, mostly solving their own problems, that the question of marriage came up. General Adelfos, previously one of Dornkirk's main advisors brought it up.

Adelfos had suffered a bitter loss at the death of the Emperor. His high-placed position, so hard-earned, seemed of little help at the hands of the little princess-turned-queen. At first, Adelfos tried to exercise his power, simply running Zaibach through Lourdes, but Lourdes proved to have a mind of her own. And now, hoping to unseat her in a final defeat, Adelfos looked at the Queen expectantly.

Lourdes looked back at him, her mouth dry.

"Ummm...General Adelfos...." She began, proud to notice that her voice trembled only a little. "That topic is not relevant at the moment." Her answer was clipped, brisk.

General Getin, another one of Dornkirk's high-placed generals, also saw the opportunity to unseat the little Queen.

"But Princess...."

"I am Queen now, General Getin, And I ask that you honor me as so." Lourdes voice was hard.

"Right, My Queen, " Getin bowed, "True, the topic is of little importance at the moment, but the people cry out for a figurehead, someone to show power. We must show our enemies that we are strong, your Majesty!" Getin's eyes flashed.

Lourdes gripped the edge of the throne, her fingers turning white. Her face was a stone mask, her back rigid.

"Do you question my ability to rule, Getin?" Her voice was dangerously low.

"Of course not, Your Majesty, it's just that..."

"My Queen, please, be sensible. This war is taxing on our people, we must have a figurehead for them." Adelfos stepped in.

Lourdes regarded him coldly, her stoic mask hardly betraying her beating heart. After a short silence, she opened her mouth to speak.

"I have a solution then." She nodded to her four generals, each a leader their own armies. "If it is the war with the Allied Countries, that is taxing Zaibach And her peoples, then we shall stop this silly war." Her words echoed in the Great Hall.

Her Generals stared, shocked, at her. Each looked to each other, dumbfounded. Adelfos was the first to recover.

"But surely, Your Majesty, you don't mean that!" His eyes were shocked, huge with disbelief.

"Are you calling me a liar, Adelfos?" She glared at him coldly.

"Of course not!"

"Well, then, you understood me well enough. Pull back the armies from Asturia And Fried, as well as the other Allied Countries." Her eyes turned away. "There has been enough bloodshed." The last part was muttered softly under her breath.

Her generals looked to one another.

"My Queen, I have to object." Getin stepped forward into the pale light. His face was hard. "The Emperor has planned this war for years, you cannot undo all the Emperor as succeeded in doing! It would be wrong!" Getin's pale eyes shook.

Lourdes narrowed her eyes.

"Do you question my word, Getin?" Her voice shook with anger. Getin paled. "Well, Getin, I think you overstep yourself." Lourdes gripped her throne, "Maybe you've gotten a little too full of yourself. Perhaps, a taste of another job would be required?"

Getin paled, and started to shake, as Lourdes threatened his beloved position.

"No! Your Majesty, I apologize..." He muttered, half-bowing.

Lourdes quirked an eye at the other Generals, all of whom were also shaken.

"Yes, I thought so. Pull back you armies, there will be no more Zaibach blood shed on foreign ground."

She nodded curtly, dismissing them. Adelfos stared at her. She raised her eyes, coldly looking at him. He measured her. She straightened, and her heart beat rapidly.

One by one, they shuffled out.

How easily these Generals could overthrow her, with their bronze, silver and gold armies....Yet, as long as they saw a strength within her, and as long as the People backed her, she could hold them in check.

When she was again alone in the large hall, Lourdes slumped against her throne, the cold metal digging into her back. Reaching up, she lifted the heavy band off her head. It ached. SHE didn't realize how heard She had been clenching The metal armrest of her throne. Her fingers were now white form The exertion. She sighed. But always, always, She had to show power And strength to her generals. If not, they would think her a puppet queen, simply to be nodded to, then disregarded. A child to be made happy.

She wasn't a child! And She had to show them, make them see that She was to be listened to, And obeyed.

She had plans, ideas for a new future for Zaibach. Hanging her head, She thought of a beautiful, peaceful country. Where The streets weren't overrun with soldiers And machines of war, but with laughing children, street vendors And flower stalls. She smiled. Perhaps her future could come true.

There was a light knock at The door. Looking up tiredly, Lourdes placed The crown once again on her head, dreading another confrontation with her generals. They had been very resistant to her ascension onto The throne, And no doubt would've been happy to see her gone.

But no general entered.

Lourdes massaged her head, her crown on her lap. Her pale hair had lost its luster.

Kent stood before her, looking up at her, his eyes depth less.

"My Queen," He knelt on one knee before her.

Lourdes nodded to him. Too tired to even tell him that he didn't have to. She remembered his words in those final moments before her Father's death. How She had said that She had loved him. Had trusted him. Did any of it matter now that death wasn't imminent? She was afraid to find out.

"Kenton." She spoke his name.

Kent looked up at her.

"You looked tired, Princess."

"The generals, are...very stubborn." SHE concluded. Kent laughed sharply. "They are pushing me into a marriage. They say its for The people." The words came uninvited.

Silence.

Kent didn't move.

"I see." Was all he said.

Lourdes wanted to scream.

Kent watched Lourdes' agitated expression And knew that She expected him to object, like he had done so many times before. But he steeled himself. He was tired, And he hurt inside, it was up to her now. He regarded her beautiful features. She had aged centuries in The few weeks that She had been forced to take up The crown. Her eyes, once alight with youthful joy, know held mature intelligence. And there was a cold, marbleness about her, that had never been there before. Her whole countenance was sharper, harder. Her beautiful hair was tied back tightly, in a coil around her head. It only served to maker her look older, more mature. She's harder to read, Kent concluded. Whereas She had once been an open book with her emotions, now She kept hidden behind a mask of stone.

"It would be good for Zaibach to have a King." Kent finally responded.

Lourdes looked at her crown. How meaningless it all was, She thought, to have a crown And a kingdom, but not The one you love. She sighed. Obviously, he didn't care. Why won't you just ask me to marry you! She seethed with frustration, her fingers winding themselves in knots. But She remained silent.

"So, what did you come here about?" Lourdes asked, her voice only a slightly strangled. Kent looked up at her.

"I request to travel to Fanelia, to help King Van rebuild his kingdom." His request was reasonable. Although Lourdes balked at The thought of running Zaibach alone, with no one on her side, She nodded.

"Of course."

Kent nodded, The discussion closed. He turned to leave.

Lourdes watched her happiness fading. What use was a bright future, a beautiful country, a kingdom of wealth, if She dint' have Kent to share it with her?

Her eyes shone, tears suddenly stinging them.

Damn her pride.

What would any of it mean without him?

Throwing it away, She stood. Her crown tumbled to The ground.

"Wait!" She called.

The metal crown rang as it hit The hard floor.

Kent stopped And turned slowly.

She traced each contour of his face with her eyes. How well She knew him.

"Will you marry me?" The words rang like bells. Like rain on a hot desert.

Lourdes held her breath.

Kent looked at her. Something shone in his eye. He stood proudly, And took a step forward. Slowly, he held out his arms. Lourdes looked at him, her eyes shining.

Then, She was in his arms.

And he held her.

And they were happy.



*********************************



Van gripped The edge of The railing, staring out over The dark city. The wind blew softly through his hair. Something inside of him ached. An emptiness. Van wondered what he would do now. Rebuild a kingdom, perhaps? Kent had promised to help. And maybe The Fanelian people would return from their mountains. Perhaps he would regain a kingdom. Van smiled wryly, a kingdom for the price of a brother. Was it worth it?

A soft hand touch his hand. His harsh grip on the railing loosened. He looked into her sea-green eyes. They were awash with emotion.

"Van." Her voice held a certain lightness that made it music to his ears. "They tell me that everything is okay now." She looked out across The arches And The domes of The city of Doven. She took a deep breath, the air smelling faintly of burning sulfur, yet already, the thick mist that had blanketed the city was parting, and the sun shone. "I don't...remember much." She said finally.

Van placed a hand over her slender one. Hitomi squinted in the sunlight, her auburn hair glistening.

"I must've fallen asleep." She concluded.

Van studied her face, its strong features, the determined chin.

"Yes." Van agreed, remembering the many nights alone in his cell. The ever painful memories.

"When I awoke, Van, I saw someone." Hitomi said, "He was very....angelic Van. I think he woke me up." She laughed lightly. "He had beautiful white wings, Van, just like you." She looked at him. "Who was he?"

Van looked deep into her eyes, and turned towards her.

"No one Hitomi." He said, smiling slightly. Hitomi looked at him, piercing his soul, then shrugged.

"It must've been a dream then." She look far away, to some hidden place in her mind, in her heart, "He was...." Her eyes glistened, "...from a dream."

Van slowly looked at her. His face sad.

Hitomi looked at him, her eyes large and concerned.

"Is everything okay Van?" She asked, peering into his face. He looked into her face, The depth less green eyes. Slowly, her gathered her in his arms. Her hair smelt good, soft against his face. She hugged him back. He smiled, his chin resting on her shoulder. The girl from the mystic moon. And he knew everything was alright.

"Yes, Hitomi. Everything's alright."

And everything was good.



**************************

"Just don't forget to think about me and I, won't forget you." Kent hugged Van fiercely, throwing aside his damn soldier's pride. Van, though red from embarrassment at such a show of affection, couldn't help but grasp his friend's arm fondly.

"I shall not forget you." They parted. Van regarded Kent.

A ship was docked in the harbor, ready to set sail for The Zaibach Empire. Ready to take Kent back to marry his fiancee. Van gripped his friend's arm.

Van's eyes traveled to The distant towers of the capital of Fanelia. How beautiful it was. In the short time span of 8 months, the kingdom of Fanelia had been rebuilt. With the Fanelian people returned from their refuge in the mountains, and help from retinues from Asturia, Freid, And Zaibach, The city had grown at an amazing rate. Feeling The weight of his coronet on his head, Van remembered with pride, his coronation. The weight of The crown placed on his head. The pride that had burst through his heart. Fanelia was alive once more.

Kent started towards the ship. Van smiled.

"Give Lourdes my greetings." Van smiled wryly, "I never thought I would say this, but, Zaibach is welcome in Fanelia, any time."

"Why, thank-you."

Kent grinned, mirth shining in his eyes. The young knight had grown into maturity. A certain aura now surrounded him. He would make a fine king. Kent turned to the girl standing next to Van, a girl with bright green eyes. She smiled at him, tears blurring her clear eyes.

"Oh Kent, thank-you so much, for everything." She threw her arms around him, trying to hold back the tears.

"We shall meet again, Hitomi." Kent smiled. Hitomi looked up at him and smiled, her eyes watery. She nodded, speechless. She grasped Van's hand, squeezing it gently. Van looked down at her, and smiled softly. Kent's heart warmed.

"You shall attend my wedding?" He asked.

Van nodded. "Of course."

"You couldn't keep us away!" Hitomi grinned, through her eyes still looked watery.

"Then, we shall not say goodbye. Farewell, my friends." Kent grasped Van's arm and gave it a firm shake.

Van smiled. "Farewell."

Kent boarded the ship.

Standing on the deck, he watched Van, king of Fanelia. Van stood proud and strong. His dark hair fluttering in The wind. How he resembled Folken. Van's dark eyes flashed with pride, pride And stubbornness. In a flash from the past, Kent remembered the day, the day that Folken had given up and had tried to give up his own life. That day Kent had spoke to him, how proud his eyes had been. How set his chin had been. Within Van, Folken shined through like a beacon. Kent closed his eyes, for a moment, in reminiscence of his lost friend.

"But you are here, aren't you Folken?" Kent muttered under his breath, feeling his friend's small smile. His face would be impassive, but his eyes would be dancing with mirth. Kent smiled at the image. "You would be proud." Kent couldn't help the stinging tears that emerged so suddenly.

The ship set sail slowly, pulling away from the shores of Fanelia. Kent twisted the ring situated on his ring finger, turning it slowly. It was a symbol of his love for Lourdes. He now had a kingdom, and a princess, awaiting him back within Zaibach. Already, Lourdes had written letters, detailing changes she had made within the Empire. Kent smiled, perhaps, everything would be alright. Kent breathed in deeply, the sea-salted air stinging his nostrils. He raised his hand slowly in a salute to the King of Fanelia.



Van watched the ship leave. Beside him, Hitomi rested her head against his shoulder.

"He is a good man, Van. He will make a good king." Hitomi commented, her hair rustling in the wind. Van pressed his lips together, his heart beating rapidly. He saw Kent raise his arm in salute. Van nodded softly.

"Yes, Hitomi, that he will."

Turning slowly, they headed back towards the new shining city of Fanelia.



*The End*