Author's Note: Hey... it's me again! The usual banter and the like. Legal diclaimer follows and the like.
Wings of Wisdom
by Rei Himura
***
Chapter 2: Cold Antarctica
***
The brightly lit and well-furnished corridors seemed to stretch on forever. Yuuki was beginning to feel panicky. How I wish I could conjure up a map... She paused. Why not? Taking out a small scap of paper from the satchel slung across her shoulders, she drew symbols in the air above the paper. A small mist enveloped the paper just then before disintegrating slowly. Yuuki smiled and picked up her map. Perhaps now she'll be able to find the dining room.
***
"Van!"
"Allen!"
"What are you doing here?" the pair spoke almost at once. Merle, who had just rounded the corner, eyed the two quizically. "One would have thought they were koibitoes long separated." she muttered under her breath. Van and Allen shook hands with one another. They may not exactly be friends but they were comrades by nature.
"I was here because Millerna-hime invited me to see the construction of Lazarus's Dome." replied Van with a soft smile. Still clad in his usual red sleeveless shirt and khaki pants, Van still appeared the same. But Allen detected a rather haunting look in his eyes. And he still hans't got over it...
"Well, I do live in Asturia. The Lazarus's Dome? Why, she's discussing it with Shamsiel in the dining room."
"Shamsiel? The great Sorceror formerly from Zaibach?" Van asked, forehead creased. Ever since Hitomi's death, he could never forgive Zaibach. Merle gulped. The tension was unnerving. She stepped back but promptly bumped into a walking figure.
"Itai!"
"Gomen ne!" Can and Allen turned their heads to find the young cat woman sprawled on the floor with a silver-haired figure beneath her. Van helped Merle up whereas Allen helped the other girl up. "Ano... you again?" she said in surprise. Van and Merle blinked. "You know her Allen?" asked the young King of Fanelia. Allen adjusted his uniform and then nodded his head.
"She's Shamsiel's apprentice. Though I didn't quite catch her name."
"It's Yuuki." came a rather irritated voice from behind. Yuuki gulped. "S-sensei..."
***
The shadowy figures paused underneath the sakura tree, waiting for more orders from their leader. A torch was lit, shadows cast on painted faces. Khameir grinned, his elfish ears pointing upwards to the velvety black sky.
"We will stay in town for awhile until the opening of the Dome. Do note of your supposed activities while here. Harikun!"
"Hai Taicho-sama!"
"You will be assiting at the local inn. Find out more about the visitors of the palace." Harikun, a greenish-looking elf, nodded his head and then vanished as he blended with the shadows. Khameir turned to face another elf, this time with red hair. "Sularki... your post has been confirmed as the gardener. And you better not screw it up this time. Don't even think of venturing inside the palace. Stay outside and just monitor her movements should she come out. Note... you are not to take any action at all." hissed Khameir. He knew his subordinates reputation forwrecking havoc. But this elf was one of the best spies he had. He had faith and trust in him. Sularki grunted, nodded his head and left. Khameir turned to face the other two elves who waited behind him. They were twins, with matching blue eyes and mischievous smiles.
"Karshuk, Tameii, the both of you will follow me. We are part of the executive merchant's board. Don't worry about anythign else... I have it all... under... control." with that the remaining three figures vanished.
***
"Sumimasen Millerna-hime, Allen-kun, Van-sama. Yuuki is rather new to Asturia and of course, the palace too. So sorry to keep you all waiting." explained Shamsiel to the amused princess. Yuuki, face flushed with embarrassment, sat at the far end of the table. Merle snickered.
"So what exactly do you do as an apprentice Zephyr-san?" asked Van. While he hated the Zaibach sorceror, he found his apprentice to be an interesting specimen. There was a certain atmosphere about her. Magical, elusive... mysterious. There was more to her, he noticed. Yuuki smiled, the shade of red vanising from her pristine face.
"Yuuki please... I'm a Sorceress in training. Shamsiel-sensei teaches me all that I would ever need to know about Sorcery, Science and the like. It's a tedious life, but it suits me the most..." she replied. At least it's better than being married off to an ugly looking Guymelef pilot. Merle snickered again. "Yeah... you were taught how to get lost too." Yuuki cast her a cold glare, one that surprisingly sent shivers up her spine.
Once done discussing the details of the Dome with the princess, Shamsiel concluded that it was time he returned to his chambers. "After all... I am but an old man." he concluded with a hearty laugh. He glanced at Yuuki and she nodded her head. "Hai... oyasumi nasai Van-sama, Merle-chan. I take my leave now. It has been a great pleasure to have been speaking with you." she spoke and then took her place beside her teacher.
"Oyasumi nasai Shamsiel-sama. Perhaps we shall take a look at the Dome tomorrow ne?" asked Millerna, a smile enveloping her sweet face. Shamsiel smiled and nodded his head. He faced Van, a strange glaze in his eyes as he did so. "I assume you will join us? Van-sama?" Van could only nod his head. "Very well then... oyasumi nasai."
***
The Sorceror and his apprentice were placed in separate rooms. Yuuki in Hitomi's old room and Shamsiel in the one across hers. But sleep would not claim her and thus after much tossing and turning around in bed, she decided to have a breath of fresh air out on the balcony.
In the pale moonlight, her silvery hair shone. Shimmered even. She had let it loose, after pulling it and bunning it to the sie of her head. The black ribbon which held the strands was not wrapped and tied to her left hand. Her dagger was left behind in the room. Slung carelessly on the arm of a chair.
"Eeto... I wonder what tousan and kaasan are doing..." she asked herself aloud. She leaned forward, resting her chin on the bannister. As she gazed at the stars above, she heard a melody being played above her. Eyes darted upwards to find a handsome elf sitting cross-legged on the roof playing a flute. He looked down almost immediately, drowning in her crystalline eyes.
"Ano gomen. I must have woken you up." he apologized. The tone of his voice was deep and masculine. There was a strange level of comfort in it too. Something Yuuki found rather... puzzling. "What are you doing up there on the roof?" she asked in response. The male raised his eyebrows and then nimbly leapt down onto the balcony beside her.
"Not one for introductions are you?" he smiled and kept the flute in his pocket. Yuuki blushed. K'so... where are my manners? First getting lost and bumping into people... now this! "G-gomen ne," she stuttered and looked away. His gaze was disturbing, as though he was looking into her very soul. "Hai hai... daijoubu. Watashi wa Khameir Jaheiran. Anatawa?" the male smiled, or smirked. Depending on the way one would describe the unusual quirk of his lips.
"Watashi... watashi Yuuki Zephyr." replied the Sorceror's apprentice.
***
Van tossed and turned in his bed. He was dreaming... not a pleasant one. A nightmare. Images of winged beasts flew around him as he desperately tried to hew them down with his sword. It was a futile attempt. Futile because no matter how fast he swung his sword, it never connected. Futile because if he didn't hurry, the love of his life would vanish. But then a strange thought entered his head. He had imagined this scene over and over again. Each time he had never won. He had lost. And what more did it matter? Hitomi was gone anyway. His vision of happiness crumbled before him.
"Don't let go Van..." he looked up, reddish-brown eyes searching for the bearer of the voice. "Hitomi?"
"Don't let the Angel out of your grasp..." he hurriedly scuttled to a standing position. Clothes torn and tattered, with blood stains here and there. He looked around desperately. "Hitomi? Hitomi! Where are you?"
"Don't remember me... find the Angel Van... find her... you will find happiness..." and then all was black as Van Slazar Fanel woke up from his horrid dream.
***
Notes: I know a lot of people would have killed me here. It doesn't make sense now does it? If it does... can you review it and tell me? Pweaseeee??? And you're wondering who the heck is Menou Zephyr. I know my storyline must have been rather common. Or can someone tell me otherwise? Lack of creativity here. N-e-e-d r-e-v-i-e-w-s a-s-a-p o-n-e-g-a-i!
Rei ^_^ Himura
Wings of Wisdom
by Rei Himura
***
Chapter 2: Cold Antarctica
***
The brightly lit and well-furnished corridors seemed to stretch on forever. Yuuki was beginning to feel panicky. How I wish I could conjure up a map... She paused. Why not? Taking out a small scap of paper from the satchel slung across her shoulders, she drew symbols in the air above the paper. A small mist enveloped the paper just then before disintegrating slowly. Yuuki smiled and picked up her map. Perhaps now she'll be able to find the dining room.
***
"Van!"
"Allen!"
"What are you doing here?" the pair spoke almost at once. Merle, who had just rounded the corner, eyed the two quizically. "One would have thought they were koibitoes long separated." she muttered under her breath. Van and Allen shook hands with one another. They may not exactly be friends but they were comrades by nature.
"I was here because Millerna-hime invited me to see the construction of Lazarus's Dome." replied Van with a soft smile. Still clad in his usual red sleeveless shirt and khaki pants, Van still appeared the same. But Allen detected a rather haunting look in his eyes. And he still hans't got over it...
"Well, I do live in Asturia. The Lazarus's Dome? Why, she's discussing it with Shamsiel in the dining room."
"Shamsiel? The great Sorceror formerly from Zaibach?" Van asked, forehead creased. Ever since Hitomi's death, he could never forgive Zaibach. Merle gulped. The tension was unnerving. She stepped back but promptly bumped into a walking figure.
"Itai!"
"Gomen ne!" Can and Allen turned their heads to find the young cat woman sprawled on the floor with a silver-haired figure beneath her. Van helped Merle up whereas Allen helped the other girl up. "Ano... you again?" she said in surprise. Van and Merle blinked. "You know her Allen?" asked the young King of Fanelia. Allen adjusted his uniform and then nodded his head.
"She's Shamsiel's apprentice. Though I didn't quite catch her name."
"It's Yuuki." came a rather irritated voice from behind. Yuuki gulped. "S-sensei..."
***
The shadowy figures paused underneath the sakura tree, waiting for more orders from their leader. A torch was lit, shadows cast on painted faces. Khameir grinned, his elfish ears pointing upwards to the velvety black sky.
"We will stay in town for awhile until the opening of the Dome. Do note of your supposed activities while here. Harikun!"
"Hai Taicho-sama!"
"You will be assiting at the local inn. Find out more about the visitors of the palace." Harikun, a greenish-looking elf, nodded his head and then vanished as he blended with the shadows. Khameir turned to face another elf, this time with red hair. "Sularki... your post has been confirmed as the gardener. And you better not screw it up this time. Don't even think of venturing inside the palace. Stay outside and just monitor her movements should she come out. Note... you are not to take any action at all." hissed Khameir. He knew his subordinates reputation forwrecking havoc. But this elf was one of the best spies he had. He had faith and trust in him. Sularki grunted, nodded his head and left. Khameir turned to face the other two elves who waited behind him. They were twins, with matching blue eyes and mischievous smiles.
"Karshuk, Tameii, the both of you will follow me. We are part of the executive merchant's board. Don't worry about anythign else... I have it all... under... control." with that the remaining three figures vanished.
***
"Sumimasen Millerna-hime, Allen-kun, Van-sama. Yuuki is rather new to Asturia and of course, the palace too. So sorry to keep you all waiting." explained Shamsiel to the amused princess. Yuuki, face flushed with embarrassment, sat at the far end of the table. Merle snickered.
"So what exactly do you do as an apprentice Zephyr-san?" asked Van. While he hated the Zaibach sorceror, he found his apprentice to be an interesting specimen. There was a certain atmosphere about her. Magical, elusive... mysterious. There was more to her, he noticed. Yuuki smiled, the shade of red vanising from her pristine face.
"Yuuki please... I'm a Sorceress in training. Shamsiel-sensei teaches me all that I would ever need to know about Sorcery, Science and the like. It's a tedious life, but it suits me the most..." she replied. At least it's better than being married off to an ugly looking Guymelef pilot. Merle snickered again. "Yeah... you were taught how to get lost too." Yuuki cast her a cold glare, one that surprisingly sent shivers up her spine.
Once done discussing the details of the Dome with the princess, Shamsiel concluded that it was time he returned to his chambers. "After all... I am but an old man." he concluded with a hearty laugh. He glanced at Yuuki and she nodded her head. "Hai... oyasumi nasai Van-sama, Merle-chan. I take my leave now. It has been a great pleasure to have been speaking with you." she spoke and then took her place beside her teacher.
"Oyasumi nasai Shamsiel-sama. Perhaps we shall take a look at the Dome tomorrow ne?" asked Millerna, a smile enveloping her sweet face. Shamsiel smiled and nodded his head. He faced Van, a strange glaze in his eyes as he did so. "I assume you will join us? Van-sama?" Van could only nod his head. "Very well then... oyasumi nasai."
***
The Sorceror and his apprentice were placed in separate rooms. Yuuki in Hitomi's old room and Shamsiel in the one across hers. But sleep would not claim her and thus after much tossing and turning around in bed, she decided to have a breath of fresh air out on the balcony.
In the pale moonlight, her silvery hair shone. Shimmered even. She had let it loose, after pulling it and bunning it to the sie of her head. The black ribbon which held the strands was not wrapped and tied to her left hand. Her dagger was left behind in the room. Slung carelessly on the arm of a chair.
"Eeto... I wonder what tousan and kaasan are doing..." she asked herself aloud. She leaned forward, resting her chin on the bannister. As she gazed at the stars above, she heard a melody being played above her. Eyes darted upwards to find a handsome elf sitting cross-legged on the roof playing a flute. He looked down almost immediately, drowning in her crystalline eyes.
"Ano gomen. I must have woken you up." he apologized. The tone of his voice was deep and masculine. There was a strange level of comfort in it too. Something Yuuki found rather... puzzling. "What are you doing up there on the roof?" she asked in response. The male raised his eyebrows and then nimbly leapt down onto the balcony beside her.
"Not one for introductions are you?" he smiled and kept the flute in his pocket. Yuuki blushed. K'so... where are my manners? First getting lost and bumping into people... now this! "G-gomen ne," she stuttered and looked away. His gaze was disturbing, as though he was looking into her very soul. "Hai hai... daijoubu. Watashi wa Khameir Jaheiran. Anatawa?" the male smiled, or smirked. Depending on the way one would describe the unusual quirk of his lips.
"Watashi... watashi Yuuki Zephyr." replied the Sorceror's apprentice.
***
Van tossed and turned in his bed. He was dreaming... not a pleasant one. A nightmare. Images of winged beasts flew around him as he desperately tried to hew them down with his sword. It was a futile attempt. Futile because no matter how fast he swung his sword, it never connected. Futile because if he didn't hurry, the love of his life would vanish. But then a strange thought entered his head. He had imagined this scene over and over again. Each time he had never won. He had lost. And what more did it matter? Hitomi was gone anyway. His vision of happiness crumbled before him.
"Don't let go Van..." he looked up, reddish-brown eyes searching for the bearer of the voice. "Hitomi?"
"Don't let the Angel out of your grasp..." he hurriedly scuttled to a standing position. Clothes torn and tattered, with blood stains here and there. He looked around desperately. "Hitomi? Hitomi! Where are you?"
"Don't remember me... find the Angel Van... find her... you will find happiness..." and then all was black as Van Slazar Fanel woke up from his horrid dream.
***
Notes: I know a lot of people would have killed me here. It doesn't make sense now does it? If it does... can you review it and tell me? Pweaseeee??? And you're wondering who the heck is Menou Zephyr. I know my storyline must have been rather common. Or can someone tell me otherwise? Lack of creativity here. N-e-e-d r-e-v-i-e-w-s a-s-a-p o-n-e-g-a-i!
Rei ^_^ Himura