Apocalyptic Fate
Chapter 2: Heir to the Future, Part 1
A golden sun hung pregnant above the sharply sloping mountains, golden rays gently caressing the brilliant city situated between the apex of two wild mountain ranges. But night was steadily encroaching upon the light's territory and there was nothing to do but submit to the inevitable. As darkness flowed into the sheltered land one by one pinpricks of light dotted the sky surrounding a glowing sphere of blue and a radiant orb of silver. In the city small illuminations also shone, their light the palest counterfeit of that above.
From the valley below the magnificent palace on a hill a stiff wind blew. Gauzy white curtains fluttered angrily in rebellion of such careless treatment by the zephyr. That same current of air caused the candle flame to jump erratically above the wick.
King Van Fanel watched these things and more with a listless sort of interest. Every since Hitomi Kanzaki had left there was little to amuse him. The war was over and Zaibach had been divided lavishly among the victorious allies. Each sovereign country taking whatever slice of the lifeless country they wanted. That had been seven long and lonely years ago.
With another dejected sigh he turned over on his side on the spacious bed, black hair in disarray. Alone again. Sure there were plenty of women willing to 'comfort' the lonely king, but he was only tempted for a moment before he saw another, sweeter face superimpose those of the court beauties.
"I've rebuilt it. I did it..." He felt pride, but what was the point when he couldn't look over it all, everything he had rebuilt, with the one whom he had shared so much with? But he was king and his country had to come first over his own happiness. Wasn't that what his advisors had said so many times? That and the fact that he needed to marry and produce an heir.
Suddenly a brilliant light burst through the room, followed swiftly by a wind that chilled and burned with ferocious intensity. Swirling through the chaotic explosion were screams of death and confusion. All these bombarded the king's poor ears as the winds whipped the curtains and sheets angrily. It hurt so badly, the screams, the light, and the wind. His body was a seething mass of tortured nerve endings.
Then all was silence and the agony was a teasing whisper underneath his skin. Slowly he opened his whiskey brown eyes and gazed upon a most startling being. A woman of ageless beauty stood there, crystal wings extended to brush the sides of the large room. Her pale lavender robes swirled gently about her bare feet as she advanced upon him.
He recoiled, feeling his heartbeat pound with fearful power. The woman's strange, multicolored eyes watched him carefully, catching each frightened movement. Slowly her magnificent wings folded into her back with the sound of crystal chimes.
"Who...What?" he demanded scooting away from her. She shook her head sadly and then deposited a heavy burden on the bed beside him.
"I have brought you a bride, my lord. Together the distant future shall be rewritten and fate shall be changed," she whispered her voice soft and mellifluous. It sounded almost like a warning or a premonition of something dark to come. She didn't smile once as she stepped back and faded in another painful explosion of refulgence.
When the brilliant afterimages faded from his lids he opened his eyes and for the first time looked upon the burden the strange woman-an Atlantean?-had brought.
His eyes widened and he whispered one word, "Hitomi?"
* * * *
Thanks for reading, short okay I know, but please REVIEW because that makes me happy.
Chapter 2: Heir to the Future, Part 1
A golden sun hung pregnant above the sharply sloping mountains, golden rays gently caressing the brilliant city situated between the apex of two wild mountain ranges. But night was steadily encroaching upon the light's territory and there was nothing to do but submit to the inevitable. As darkness flowed into the sheltered land one by one pinpricks of light dotted the sky surrounding a glowing sphere of blue and a radiant orb of silver. In the city small illuminations also shone, their light the palest counterfeit of that above.
From the valley below the magnificent palace on a hill a stiff wind blew. Gauzy white curtains fluttered angrily in rebellion of such careless treatment by the zephyr. That same current of air caused the candle flame to jump erratically above the wick.
King Van Fanel watched these things and more with a listless sort of interest. Every since Hitomi Kanzaki had left there was little to amuse him. The war was over and Zaibach had been divided lavishly among the victorious allies. Each sovereign country taking whatever slice of the lifeless country they wanted. That had been seven long and lonely years ago.
With another dejected sigh he turned over on his side on the spacious bed, black hair in disarray. Alone again. Sure there were plenty of women willing to 'comfort' the lonely king, but he was only tempted for a moment before he saw another, sweeter face superimpose those of the court beauties.
"I've rebuilt it. I did it..." He felt pride, but what was the point when he couldn't look over it all, everything he had rebuilt, with the one whom he had shared so much with? But he was king and his country had to come first over his own happiness. Wasn't that what his advisors had said so many times? That and the fact that he needed to marry and produce an heir.
Suddenly a brilliant light burst through the room, followed swiftly by a wind that chilled and burned with ferocious intensity. Swirling through the chaotic explosion were screams of death and confusion. All these bombarded the king's poor ears as the winds whipped the curtains and sheets angrily. It hurt so badly, the screams, the light, and the wind. His body was a seething mass of tortured nerve endings.
Then all was silence and the agony was a teasing whisper underneath his skin. Slowly he opened his whiskey brown eyes and gazed upon a most startling being. A woman of ageless beauty stood there, crystal wings extended to brush the sides of the large room. Her pale lavender robes swirled gently about her bare feet as she advanced upon him.
He recoiled, feeling his heartbeat pound with fearful power. The woman's strange, multicolored eyes watched him carefully, catching each frightened movement. Slowly her magnificent wings folded into her back with the sound of crystal chimes.
"Who...What?" he demanded scooting away from her. She shook her head sadly and then deposited a heavy burden on the bed beside him.
"I have brought you a bride, my lord. Together the distant future shall be rewritten and fate shall be changed," she whispered her voice soft and mellifluous. It sounded almost like a warning or a premonition of something dark to come. She didn't smile once as she stepped back and faded in another painful explosion of refulgence.
When the brilliant afterimages faded from his lids he opened his eyes and for the first time looked upon the burden the strange woman-an Atlantean?-had brought.
His eyes widened and he whispered one word, "Hitomi?"
* * * *
Thanks for reading, short okay I know, but please REVIEW because that makes me happy.