Seijyu
~Zoi no miko
~Chp 4~
Waking up the next morning, miraculously found him still beside me. I gave
a start, sitting up, not quite believing. What had been done in the darkness... I was
so sure it would fade in the light of day, leaving me alone....
Zagato opened his eyes, lips curved upwards in a slight smile. "Something
the matter, Innova?"
I bit my lip. "Gomen, Geika - "
He pulled me back down into his arms. "Don't call me that!" he said, almost
fiercely. "I'm no more noble than you are... Innova... my Innova.... I don't want to
be your Geika or anything like that... I just want to be Zagato, I want to be your
friend. And don't apologise for last night. Never apologise for that."
"All right," I whispered, letting myself snuggle against him. It was all so
sudden, unexpected... I could hardly believe he was actually here....
"Zagato-sama...."
He gave a soft sigh, more relaxed than I'd seen him since the whole ordeal
started. Even that made it worth it, even if he never held me like this again. It was
worth it. I closed my eyes, letting my mind drift. We could do it, stop the Magic
Knights, save Emerald-hime....
The Magic Knights - ! I sat up again. "Zagato-sama! We've overslept! The
Magic Knights -"
"I know," he said, giving an almost weary sigh. He sat as well, leaning
forward and kissing me lightly. "Thank-you, Innova." Then, standing, he returned
to his own room to dress.
I dressed as well, suddenly self-conscious of how thin this human body
was, how pale. Zagato was so strong, so well built. I was attaching my cloak to my
shoulder guard when I felt strong arms slide around my waist, Zagato holding me
from behind. My breath caught, and I let him pull me against him, shivering
slightly as he kissed the tip of my ear. "Zagato-sama," I forced myself to say, "It
would be best if we weren't too familiar in front of the others...."
"Mmm." He kissed my hair, pulling away, putting on his armour and
head-dress from where he'd deserted them the night before. "You're right." Giving
me one last smile, he unlocked the door and left.
Caladina and Ascott didn't look like they'd been in the center court for long
when Zagato and I arrived. "Ascott," I started. "You let the Magic Knights revive
the first Mashin. Zagato-sama is not please with this. However, I'm sure that you
will be able to finish them off before they reach the second shrine in the sky.
Summon your strongest monsters. Do your best for Zagato-sama."
"Hai!" The little boy bowed to me and Zagato from atop the floating stone
he rode on.
"Good. Caldina-san, go with Ascott and back him up with your illusions if
needs be. Once the Magic Knights are dead, we will pay you what's left of your
fee."
"Right." Turning, the scantily-clad pink-haired dancer disappeared with
Ascott, the pair all too happy to do their tasks.
I turned to Zagato, bowing again. "Do you think they can do it,
Zagato-sama?"
"I hope so," he replied.
"Zagato-sama?"
I turned back towards the center of the court as the soft voice called his
name, seeing the illusion bubble that Emerald used to contact us manifest itself. I
dropped to one knee, surprised. She'd never manifested before with me in the
room. "Emerald-hime -"
"Emerald." Zagato stepped closer to the bubble. "Please, give up. I don't
want to kill your Magic Knights."
Emerald looked up at him with questioning eyes. "Won't you give up now?
You don't need me anymore, Zagato-sama."
"Don't need you?" he asked, puzzled.
"You have Innova," she replied. "Won't you forget me? You don't need my
love anymore."
Zagato turned to me, hurt and disbelief in his eyes. "She really did put you
up to this? Emerald told you to love me? To distract me from her? Everything you
said - I believed you, I truly thought you were telling the truth -"
"No! Geika, it wasn't a lie! Emerald-hime has nothing to do with how I feel
for you -"
Zagato, however, wasn't listening. He spun on his heel and strode out of the
room without another word.
I let my head drop, trying to quell the sudden hurt and pain inside me
before it spilled over into tears. "Zagato-sama...."
"Innova," the princess murmured. "I'm sorry."
I looked up at her. "No, you're not. If you were sorry you'd stop this, you'd
love him."
Emerald looked pained. "Do you think I don't want to? Look at Cephiro!
Our country is falling apart. Our people are suffering, dying! I won't kill them for
my own selfish desires! For me to leave this life is the only way Cephiro will
survive."
"Why can't the people pray for Cephiro? Why does it have to be you?"
"It is the calling of the Pillar," she said, and disappeared.
I stared at the spot where she had been silently, not knowing what to do.
Zagato - Zagato didn't believe me. He wouldn't want to see me.
Discarding any other options, I set up a scry spell to watch the Magic
Knights. I would make Zagato-sama's wish come true, no matter what.
I didn't see a lot of Zagato-sama for the next few days. I spent them
watching the knights, as Caladina and Ascott were won over by the girls charms
and left our side. They were so young, the knights.... Innocent. But I couldn't think
about that. Emerald was more important. Finally, I dared to go before Zagato,
kneeling at his feet in what would have been a throne room.
"Geika," I started, "Alcyone, Caldina, Ascott, they have all been defeated.
Please, I beg your grace to let me go against the Magic Knights. I have discovered
a weakness in them that will allow me to put an end to their quest."
Zagato, who had been gazing rather intently at his half-empty wine glass
moved his attention to me. His eyes, when I dared to look at them, were
expressionless, which frightened me. "What weakness is this?"
"Emerald-hime has a brother, Geika. She took his memory so that he
wouldn't remember her, but he still fights for her freedom. He is very much in love
with one of the Magic Knights, and she is fond of him as well -"
"You plan to use him as bait."
"With your permission, Geika."
Zagato was silent for a long moment. I looked up, finally catching a hint of
emotion - of sadness - in his eyes.
"Please, Geika. In order for your wish to come true, please send me against
the Magic Knights. For Emerald to be free - "
Zagato set the wine glass down firmly on the arm of his chair, saying
nothing, a slight anger in his eyes. I bit my lip. I'd been to forward... he was still
angry at me.... "Please forgive me. I've said too much."
Zagato stood, finally speaking. "You follow me, even though you know my
true intentions...."
I kept my head bowed. Of course I followed him. How could I not? What
else did I have but Zagato-sama? "Of course."
Finally, Zagato nodded. "Go, then. Do your best for Emerald-hime. I have
faith you can do it, Innova. I will be watching."
"Yes. Thank-you, Geika!" I said, standing. He had faith in me! I could do
this. Putting my half-formed plan into motion, I teleported out of the castle to find
Ferrio.
Gall, it was so easy to trick them! They were so young, so trusting. Ferrio
was so gallant, caring for the strange girl he'd found passed out in the rain. I had to
be a girl, you see. It so much was less likely they would have trusted a man. And I
couldn't have toyed with Ferrio if I appeared male - to make him blush, to awaken
Fuu's jealousy and remind her of the strength of her feelings toward Ferrio. She
kept silent like I had hoped, not saying anything, bravely going off with the other
two to awaken the Mashin. Leaving the boy she loved with another woman who
appeared to love him. Perfect.
I probably could have attacked them there, killed them all. Zagato-sama had
that faith in the strength of my magic. Maybe that was my failing, that I didn't.
Or... maybe the innocence of the girls had got to me. I wanted to try and take them
out of the game without killing them, first. They were so young, so happy... so
naive. Maybe I should have warned them, told them what they were really fighting
for. It wouldn't have mattered, though. They wouldn't have believed me.
Capturing Ferrio was easy - I'd drugged him the night before, with a special
herb lovingly added to his soup. He really did love the girl... I could see it in his
eyes as I told him what I planned to do. It almost made me feel guilty. No helping
it, though. I would try not to kill her, to kill those girls, but Emerald-hime was
more important... Zagato-sama was more important than they were.
They were so weak it astounded me, as I fought them in the wind-Mashin
shrine in the sky. The glamorous blue water Knight, and the pretty little red fire
Knight, wanting so much to save Cephiro. But they were inexperienced, though
their will was strong. And the green wind Knight, the logical one, who loved this
boy I had taken prisoner. I was forcing her now to think about the logical answer,
as I presented her with her choices. Swear to give up on being a Magic Knight, or
watch her beloved Ferrio die. Logically, the good of the country was better than
the life of one boy. But her heart wouldn't tell her that. Even Emerald couldn't stop
thinking about Zagato for the sake of the country. How do you choose, little
Knight?
Fuu tightened her grip on that magical sword, raising it high. I never forgot
her words. "He wouldn't want me to save his life by surrendering to you. I cannot
agree to such an evil bargain. I will not abandon my friends, who protected me
with their lives as I talked with the Mashin. We will save Cephiro!"
I stared at her, shocked for a moment. "Then what do you purpose to do,
Magic Knight?"
Fuu took a determined step forward. "I'll fight you myself, and save Ferrio,
too!"
I narrowed my eyes. Apparently, I'd have to kill them anyway. "Then
prepare to die."
Then, before I could act - that voice! That power, green light searing
through me, unblockable... was this the power of a Mashin? I could hardly move,
couldn't summon magic to fight back.... I raised my arms in front of my face in a
futile attempt to shield my body from the power and light. They'd won, awakened
the Mashin somehow, and now, I was going to die... to die before I could help
Zagato-sama, when he was still displeased with me....
And suddenly I was back at the Palace, energy fading around me,
Zagato-sama in front of me. A spell of Transportation... he wasted that kind of
energy on me? When I failed? "Geika!" I fell to my knees, as much from pain and
exhaustion as respect, now. "Gomen nasei! I failed, the Mashin is revived, I failed
you!"
He dropped to his knees beside my trembling body. "Innova -"
"Gomen nasei, Geika - I - "
"Don't call me that!" he said, suddenly, pulling me into his arms, trembling
as I was. "Innova - "
"Gomen nasei!"
"Shhh. Shhh." Hands on my hair, nestling my face against his neck, just
above the armour. "It's all right. It wasn't your fault. Oh, Innova, Innova...."
I closed my eyes. "Zagato-sama...."
"I'm sorry," he murmured, lips resting against my hair. "I shouldn't have
questioned your loyalty. It must have hurt you so...." He gathered me into his arms
as he spoke, so gently, so carefully, as if I would break.
"It's all right," I murmured, keeping my face buried in his neck as he stood,
trembling. "Zagato-sama...." I whispered, closing my eyes, "I'm in love with you."
"I know," he murmured, voice wavering slightly.
After a few minutes, he set me down, every movement still so very gentle,
and unfastened my shoulder guard. I opened my eyes, realising I was in Zagato's
bedroom, on his bed. He had taken off his armour and head-dress now, as well,
kneeling beside me, holding me securely against his body, head resting against his
chest, warm, strong, but... trembling slightly.
"Zagato-sama - "
"The Mashin could have killed you," he whispered, stroking my hair, my
back, his hands trembling now, too. "Innova, my Innova...."
I looked up at him in surprise. He... he really did care for me....
"Zagato-sama -"
His eyes were so worried, and yet, so full of caring, riveted on my gaze, so
intense it took my breath away for a moment. Those beautiful purple eyes...
concerned for me? My breath caught, hardly daring to move, to speak.
"Innova." His lips were so warm, kisses so intense I hardly dared breathe. It
felt so good to be here with him, his lips against mine, my throat, my shoulders as
he undid the top of my coat. And I dared to hold him back, run my hands over his
strong, softly muscled back and sides. Before I hadn't really known if he cared for
me, whether I was just a place-filler until he could have Emerald back. But now I
began to believe him when he called me friend in reverent tones, made love to me,
so gentle.... It was more than I'd ever hoped for, dreamed of from anyone, let alone
him... but I'd only ever wanted love from him, I realised. Emerald was beautiful,
kind, good... but she was almost a mother to me. And Zagato was so strong, so
elegant... they would be beautiful together. And I wanted that, for both of them.
Though I loved him so... I knew what was right, and that is what I would fight for.
The next morning I left Zagato's side before he awoke, dressing in the next
room and getting to work. He found me in the midst of creation, papers with
spell-notes strewn on the table in front of me, a few discarded ones on the floor.
"Zagato-sama!" I looked up, smiling. "Here is a way to defeat the Magic Knights.
If we separate them we can get rid of them easier, especially the little fire knight
who hasn't revived her Mashin yet. Even if we only succeed in killing one of them,
they'll think they won't be able to fulfil their mission and become magic knights.
See, if we create a monster like this, it will be hard for her to use her magic...." I
paused, watching Zagato-sama, who had been silent.
He glanced over the papers around me, with almost a weariness in his eyes,
then looked at me. "Innova...."
"We can beat them, ne, Zagato-sama? Once they're gone, we can free
Emerald-hime from being the pillar. And you can be together... Zagato-sama...."
"Why do you do this, Innova?" he asked softly. "If you love me...."
I gave a smile. "You forget, Zagato-sama. I also love my mistress
Emerald-hime. We save her first. The details come later. Will you help me with
this spell?"
He paused, then nodded. "Of course."
He'd always been better at Magic than I was, and he organised the spell
fragments I'd made in next to no-time. Creating the monster itself took a lot of
magic energy, but nothing a good nights rest couldn't replenish. I tried to take most
of the burden on myself - it was my spell, after all - only able to send the new
monster on its task before collapsing onto the floor in the center court of the castle.
Zagato turned, surprised, dropping to his knees beside me. "Innova - !"
"I'm fine," I tried to re-assure him, letting him hold me against him. It was
so much easier to hug without armour in the way....
"Zagato-sama?!" Interrupting the calm silence, an incredulous voice could
be heard from the hallway. Was she still here? I let out a long breath. I honestly
hoped she would have given up and gone away before now....
"Itoshii... Zagato-sama.... why are you...."
Zagato stood, leaving me carefully on the floor, turning to face Alcyone. "I
did not summon you here, Alcyone." Even without the huge armour, he was still
so commandeering, so powerful....
"Why were you holding him, Zagato-sama? What - " Alcyone voice was
pitched somewhere between confused and hurt.
"I care for him." Zagato said plainly, glancing back at me.
"That's disgusting!" She blurted. "He's an animal!"
I winced against her harsh words, the painful reminder. I wasn't human....
Zagato looked over sharply, rage in his eyes and voice. "Take care to watch
your words, ungrateful woman! I've shown you mercy and you've been nothing but
useless, and rude and assuming on top of that. You do not speak of Innova in that
way."
"Are you so blind, Zagato-sama? You changed when you met him! He's
been using you through this whole escapade, he wants to kill Emerald and take
over Cephiro -"
I had closed my eyes against her words, trembling, trying so hard not to cry.
What had I done to deserve her scorn? At the sharp, sudden crack that cut off her
words, I opened my eyes, seeing Zagato-sama pull his hand back, and Alcyone lift
hers to touch a reddening cheek.
"Zagato-sama - itoshii - "
"I am not your beloved. I am your superior, Alcyone, and I do not give you
permission to be so familiar with me." he said, coldly angry. "I hold no
reservations against hitting women who are rude and untruthful to my face. Leave
my presence. I will not be merciful next time I see you."
She gave a slight whimper, darting away down the hallway.
Zagato gave a long sigh, shoulders suddenly sagging. "I apologise for her
words, Innova. They aren't true."
"Thank-you, Zagato-sama," I murmured, looking down at the cold stone
floor. Alcyone was right... I didn't belong in this body, with Zagato-sama....
Zagato was silent for a long moment. "Do you honestly think we'll win,
Innova?" he asked, finally. "As strong as our wish is for Emerald to live... she
wants her knights to win so badly.... the one with the strongest will in Cephiro...."
I looked up at him, swallowing again, as if it would quell my fears. "Geika,
there is another option. Let me go against the Magic Knights again."
Zagato shook his head. "No. I will not put you in that kind of danger again."
"You don't have to. Give me my Seijyu from back. They won't be able to
touch me."
Zagato took a step towards me, his words taking on an air of formality.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Why? I want to be useful to help you fulfil your dream! Please, Geika - "
"Don't call me that!" He crossed the stone floor, kneeling in front of me.
"Don't worship me! I don't deserve that!"
"Zagato-sama - "
"The Human Transformation is a one time only thing, Innova. If I give you
your true form back, I can't make you human again."
I looked down at the floor for a moment, silent. "That's all right, then. With
Alcyone gone, we're the only ones left, and she never respected me anyway. So
you don't need me human anymore."
"Don't say that." Zagato closed his eyes briefly. "Don't ever say that. I need
you, Innova. Always."
"Even if it means Emeralds death?" I asked, voice quivering despite my
efforts to stay calm, to try not to let these human emotions plague me. "If the
monster fails today... this could be the only option we have left."
"There's always another option. I'll fight them myself if I have to. I'm not
turning you back." He stopped, giving a long, almost pained sigh. "Forgive me. I'm
being selfish. I couldn't live with having you with me as a Seijyu... not being able
to be close to you...." He lifted a hand, smoothing a caress down one side of my
face. "Innova, you're all I have left. If I fail, I'll never be able to get Emerald back.
I won't loose you like I lost her."
I closed my eyes at the gentle caress, thinking, troubled. His will should be
focused on her, willing to pledge all for Emerald, care for nothing but her.... "How
will we defeat the knights, then?"
Zagato thought for a long moment. "Lafarga will do it. The strongest man in
Cephiro."
I opened my eyes, raising one eyebrow. "Isn't he loyal to Emerald-hime,
one of her bodyguards? One of the ones you turned to stone when they came
against you when you first kidnapped Emerald-hime?"
Zagato gave a slight smile. "Anything can be undone."
~~~~
Cont...
~ zoi_no_miko@kuronue.zzn.com