Nothing Else Matters
By: Dark Mousy
Chapter Eighteen:
The Hero
And they say that hero can save us,
I'm not going to stand here and wait.
I'll hold onto the wings of the heroes,
Watch as they all fly away…
The scent of her still filled his lungs, the warmth of her in his arms still fresh in his mind. She had thanked him, and left without a word… He had not expected her to do much else, the thank you was enough to calm him…
Zechs looked to the only doorway, where Suzuka had just left, with a forlorn look in his eyes. He stood there, in silence for some time, just staring around the room. So many thoughts flashed through his mind… He knew that he could just leave, and avoid the confrontation… But something stopped him, and something pushed him, as he went up the steps into his own oblivion…
The main hall was silent, as silent as death. The sun was full out, and so the dusted windows shone filtered light into the gloomy hall… Shining off the dull marble floors, which reflected the light onto the carved mahogany walls that surrounded him. Everything was fine, ornate, elegant… Treize had always liked elegance, although now Zechs didn't know what had snapped in his mind.
His boots resounded softly on the marble floor as he walked down the seemingly endless hallway… Passing door after door, opening one after another, finding nothing but an empty room. After another two floors up, he found a hidden spiral staircase, and began to climb.
It was as if Zechs had stepped into another world, it was so strange, so dismal. At the top of the staircase was a trapdoor, it seemed, and Zechs shoved it open, and put his hands up in order to climb up into what he believed the final floor. What met his eyes was strange, and calming immediately…
The entire floor, a seemingly endless ballroom hall on the top floor, covered in… Rose petals. Some had wilted, but most thrived beautifully. He moved his hand, revealing a white marble underneath the thick layer of petals. When he looked up to the high ceiling, a single chandelier made its presence known, to glint off the rose petals.
His eyes took it all in, and finally, he noticed the figure standing among them, staring at him with an indifferent expression… Sword in hand.
They're watching us…
They're watching us…
As we fly away…
Zechs finally pulled himself from the door, and stood in front of the hole to the stairway, with his feet standing lightly on the petals underneath.
"I think this obsession has taken you too far, Treize." His voice came, cool and low.
"I think not, after all, you'd like roses on your deathbed, wouldn't you? And what would be better than to die on a bed of roses…" Treize replied in an arrogant tone, as he stepped forward, and took his stance.
"We'll see how well your blood mixes with the crimson." Zechs now came at a monotone, as he made the first, miniscule move, and the fight began.
Everything seemed to be going in slow motion for Zechs. The fight was not eloquent, it was strength and agility. As Zechs spun his feet on the floor, the crimson petals rose up and danced around the two enemies, revealing white marble underneath, so white as if eager to take in their blood.
Treize did a powerful thrust, in which Zechs parried with ease, but with Treize's free hand he punched Zechs hard in the stomach. He was sent flying back and onto the ground, slowly cascading to a stop from the force of the punch. No sooner had Zechs a chance to open his eyes than Treize was above him, poising his sword to stab him in the neck.
Zechs had only the time to roll to the side, as he heard the steel clink against the marble surface. He spun one of his legs to wrap around Treize's knees, causing the man to collapse in the spot where Zechs had been and allowing Zechs the time needed to get up. But instead of taking the open shot, Zechs stepped back, and Treize rebounded and turned to him with death in his eyes. Play time was over, and Zechs knew it as Treize wiped blood away from his lip, and rushed.
Treize had moves on him Zechs had never seen. He was unprepared for Treize's next blow, in which Treize threw his blade up, caught it by the blade, and swung it around so the hilt landed squarely in Zechs' throat.
He groaned, and fell to one knee, holding his neck with one hand and coughing. He saw Treize's shadow over him, and his gloved hands gripped the rose petals underneath him.
"Foolish. Foolish…" Treize said, as he took out his small, Byzantine dagger, and placed the tip against the back of Zechs' throat. "It was valiant. I commend you. But now… Watch as they all fly away…"
Treize drew the blade back, still with his aim perfect, and brought it down…
