Author's note:  I'm getting there; I'm getting there.

Chapter 14: Trials

            The Alliance negotiators gathered on board the Crusade. Van laid out the situation. "Zaibach has split into five regions of power – each depending on the geography. They all wish to be independent from the others but at the same time, they want to control the profits and productions which come from each other."

            Gaddes scratched the back of his neck. "A regular civil war."

            "Except no real fighting has begun. That is what Alessandro hopes to keep."

            Emilee, arms crossed and leaning in a corner, frowned before speaking up. "What do you mean – no real fighting? What was that that happened today?"

            Van sighed. "The attacks which have occurred cannot officially be linked to any one fraction. It's hired chaos. No one claims the results, but no one misses the chance to take advantage against another. So, with everyone acting, but no one declaring, nothing can be done." He nodded to Allen who stood to unroll a map on the table.

            "As Lord Van said, the five fractions are based on the territory. The mountains, flatlands, ports, the capital city, and the military all claim rights on at least one other. The worst off is the capital because it relies entirely on the others. The only security it has is that it is the center of science and technology that everyone needs." Allen pointed to the cost. "The second worse are the ports. They rely solely on exporting and importing the goods of the country and have no defense outside a small security force. The flatlands have laid claim to the ports for their own use for the agricultural products. It's a legitimate claim, but opposition from all sides is strong."

            Gaddes groaned. "No one wants anyone to gain an upper hand."

            Again Allen tapped the map. "It gets even better. The one holding the greatest power is the supervisor of the mining system in the mountains. That group wants both the flatlands and the ports, and to make the capital its own."

            "The mountain fraction is the biggest obstacle, but we cannot ignore the others." Van placed a roll of parchment with the Zaibach seal on the table. "The fifth fraction, the military, can be counted as on our side. General Alessandro leads his men with nearly full loyalty and the people hail him as a hero. Most are convinced that when Emperor Dornkirk died, the empire he tried to create quickly faded with him. Now he wishes to salvage what he can before everything is lost. Alessandro is the last of the four generals on the Zaibach army and a survivor of the Deadlands."

            "Wait." Emilee interjected. "Zaibach was your enemy, right? So wouldn't it be better for you if you let it tear itself apart? Save you trouble? Why are you so set on helping them?"

            "Because we have to finish what we started once and for all. Even if that means helping those who once tried to destroy us." Hitomi sat just behind Van and fingered her pendant. "There were forces used wrongly here, and people suffer for it. Emilee, we're here for a reason. The first time I came to Gaia was to stop Dornkirk from destroying this world with his dream and to learn the consequences of my power. Now I think we're here to finish what we started by healing the gaps left from our victory. This world is not at peace. That is why we are here."

            "You mean that's why you're here. I still don't know why I'm here. I'm a simple English teacher for Heaven's sake!"

            Hitomi simply explained. "You're here to do what I cannot."

            After a moment of awkward silence, Gaddes huffed, "Well, anyway, we're here, we have to do something to stop a civil war that will probably end up all over the world, and whether or not this Fate and Destiny thing plays a part – I could care less."

            Emilee smiled half-heartedly. "Couldn't have said it any better."

            Allen glanced sideways at her.

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            Dark. Cold. Alone.

            How long had it been since she'd seen the sun? How long had her other life tormented her mind? How long had anger burned? Hard, pointless anger that latched on to every thought and turned everything against her. Celena struggled to control the flood as words she hardly remembered spilled from her mouth.

            "Jajuka! Where am I? Take me home! Dragonslayers, yes, burn it all down! How could you fail! Cheek… You – You took away my victory! I – I –"

            Celena turned the anger against herself, biting her tongue. Not me… Not me…

            "Celena? Why do you push me away?"

            Startled, she looked around. A pale outline of a thin boy in blue armor danced in front of her. Red eyes were haunted. "Don't leave me alone."

            She drew back from the apparition, shaking her head. "You can't be me. I would never kill innocent people."

            "I am you, but I am not. I am who you might have been in another world, but I was pulled to this one. There was no guidance."

            "You killed people!"

            "It was all I knew."

            "Don't ask me for forgiveness. Go back to the world of the dead and apologize there."

            Dilandau took off the thick diadem from his forehead and looked at it curiously, as if he'd never seen it before. With a sigh, he sat in an invisible chair. "I ask for acceptance. It was hard enough getting here, girl, so hear me out. I've never asked for anything, but I'm trapped in your mind because you won't accept me."

            "I don't want you!" She spat.

            Dilandau nearly rose from his seat. "No one wants the darker side of their soul! But you can't deny it's there."

            A spike of pain flashed through Celena's mind. That is how it worked then; the sorcerers took everything evil in her and manifested it into another persona. Try as she might, the proof floated casually in front of her. Cautiously she let one of the barriers she had created fade away. Dilandau smiled.

            "You're beginning to understand."

            "What happens if I do?"

            "You and I become one, though in a sense, I die."

            Celena shook her head. "No! I won't kill anyone, not even you!"

            He sneered. "What, a pacifist now?"

            She glared and he winced.

 "There you go, putting up another wall. You won't kill me by accepting me; I just won't be alone anymore. I'll become a part of you, just like I should have been." He leaned down to look her in the eye. "Don't you see? Without you I'm a blood-hungry commander. Without me, you are helpless with no will of your own. You're at the mercy of others demands."

            Standing deliberately in front of her alter ego, Celena asked. "If you are a part of me, then who is Dilan?"

            The boy sulked. "Some freak of the sorcerers that needs to be burned."

            Celena slapped him. "That's not true!" She stormed. "He's a victim like me – like you. If you keep talking like that then I'll – I'll…"

            Dilandau smiled slowly, holding a hand to his slapped face. "You understand now. This is the first time you've spoken for yourself without me pushing you."

            Celena stopped. For a long time they locked eyes, holding each other gaze for gaze. Finally she reached out to touch the silver line running down his right cheek. "I accept you, though I cannot forgive you for what you've done."

            Dilandau's eyes lost what little fire was left in them. "That is all I asked and hoped for." He touched her face in return. "There is only one thing left."

            "Defeat Dilan."

            An unearthly silver glow went unnoticed from under the cell door.

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            The Zaibach capital, and heart of Gaia's chaos was drab and dreary despite the cheers and cries that greeted Alessandro's return. Hitomi watched the masses reaching up towards the floating fortress almost desperately, looking for some sort of salvation. She shuddered. Van slid a consoling arm around her shoulders. Leaning against him she said,

            "These people live in darkness but they can't do anything to change it. Even under Dornkirk they weren't they weren't really happy. I sensed it when we were brought here with Allen, and then again when Folken died. The people are oppressed by everything they work for. How can we help them?

            "By taking care of those who use them."

            Van and Hitomi turned to see Emilee stepping on to the bridge observatory. Wearing her pale blue apprentice uniform she looked like a rather pretty boy. Catching Hitomi's look, she shrugged.

            "I know. I need a haircut but can't find anyone trustworthy." Straightening her shoulders, she bowed. "I'll just have to be more gallant." Rising, she glanced around the empty bridge. "Where's the General? There's been a trespass on board when we docked a few minutes ago. Allen sent me to find him."

            Van reached for his sword. "Try the cargo hold."

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            A great steel-gray guymeleph rested in the shadows of cargo bay five. The ancient model was rather thick and awkward looking, but once it had bested every competitor, standing upright against every odd. Once it brought honor to Zaibach and peaceful support to the Emperor through contests and trials by combat. As strong in body as the spirit of the one who once piloted it.

            Alessandro sighed and patted its leg fondly. Now it was a simple monument to what once had been. Broken through the heart energist the day his dreams fell short of ambition – when he had found that his worth was only his mind, not the honor or spirit that lay behind it. He had quickly learned that scientific calculation was worth more than mere physical ability and ideals.

            Today would begin to change all that - the General made the solemn vow to the guymeleph Steelcoal. Today the honor would be restored. Straightening his shoulders and standing at attention, Alessandro looked up at the emblem on the machine's breastplate of a golden circle blazing around a silver sword in a promise of glory. He smiled faintly and saluted.

            "General, sir?"

            He turned to see the young apprentice if the Caeli knight approaching hesitantly. "Yes?"

            The boy bowed. "Sir, I was sent to find you and bring you back to a more protected area. One of the crew went missing. They found his body stripped of uniform and think someone is on board to kill you."

            Alessandro gritted his teeth. A last ditch effort to halt the peace conference. If he died now – "Thank you for informing me. We will head back now."

            A gray mass dropped from the ceiling and landed directly in front of them. With a slithering hiss it raised upright, drawing two black blades from behind.

            "A shadow gecko!"

            "Sir!"

            The young man stepped between the General and assassin, unsheathing his own sword. Taking the offensive, he lunged forwards. The gecko bent inhumanly around the thrusting weapon and swept in with its own. The boy ducked the first swipe but caught the second in the right shoulder. He let out an unusually high half-scream as the short sword cut through the leather soft-armor and into a bandage underneath. He was already wounded, Alessandro noted in surprise, and he still fought.

            The gecko hissed again, eyes glowing green. "Amateur!" It let loose a series of attacks, the black blades nearly impossible to see in the shadows. The apprentice held a steady defensive but began giving way. Without warning, the reptile slashed across the boy's stomach and whipped its tail into a place where any man would crumple in pain. The young man was thrown to the side.

            Readying its swords the gecko smiled. "Message to the hero. No power on Gaia can solve the problem of Zaibach in equality. One master must rule."

            Alessandro drew his ceremonial sword. With a salute to the assassin, he prepared himself.

            Before either could move, the sharp edge of a dagger tickled the gray throat of the reptile.

            "Drop your weapons."

            The green eyes shifted for a moment before he complied. "Not paid enough to die."

            Breathing roughly, the red haired boy nodded shortly. "I'll have you paid to send a message back to your master. Tell him that a power besides Gaia has come and that the master will be one of all people."

            The shadow gecko laughed. "How possible?"

            The apprentice circled to face him. "People can do amazing things when pushed. Now go."

            For a long moment the reptile stared at the boy before bowing slightly. "The day I beat by female, I believe possible."

            Alessandro stared. This boy was a girl? How obvious it was now – from the slim physical build, to the light voice, to the quick recovery from a blow that would have crippled an ordinary man for at least a half-hour. He – she turned to the General cradling her arm.

            "Please sir, don't tell anyone. There is a reason for this."

            Alessandro bowed. "I'm certain there is my lady, but you have re-opened a wound and injured yourself. I'll hear the story after you're taken care of."

            Shaking, Emilee picked up her sword. A thin film of sweat appeared on her forehead. "Thank you sir. I'm still not used to sword fighting. I – I think I'm going to be sick."

            She tried to lead the way out of the cargo bay, but stumbled and collapsed. Alessandro quickly knelt beside her. A faint green tinge had begun to edge the wound on her shoulder. He cursed.

            Poison.

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            Too far…

            Dilan had gone too far this time. For years he depended on him as the eyes and ears, but now he went too far. Yumi wiped his eyes again. How could he do such a thing and not expect it to be found out by his informant? Out of sheer spite for not capturing that girl, Dilan had thrown his wife from the dungeons into the sky. The old man let out a choked cry at the thought of her pain and panic as she fell, waiting for the inevitable. This time there would be no rescue – no final task that a husband might do to save a wife like there had been in the past. Yumi felt the fire of hate stir in what he had once thought was a dead heart. Why Adel had loved him when he had nothing to give, he never knew. But she had given him some meaning to life. Dilan had taken that from him, and now he could pay.

            Stumbling down the dimly lit corridors he had traversed for years, the servant began to count.

            "Seven on the left, through the door, then five on the right."

            Was it his imagination, or was there some sort of glow around the corner? Whatever it was, it had faded by the time he reached the turn. Third door on the left. Yumi turned the locking wheel and labored to open the door. Something shoved from the other side, throwing the old man across the hall. Before he could move, iron hands pulled him up and pressed him hard against the wall.

            "Where is he? Where is Dilan?"

            Yumi blinked. It was her – the girl - but she had changed. Energy burned behind her eyes and her thin hands bruised. Sputtering, Yumi answered,

            "I don't know."

            Pity and anger gleamed. "You are practically his slave, and you don't know where your master is?"

            Yumi shook his head, too grieved to answer.

            The girl, Celena, gently released him. "Do you know where my friend Jock is? He was kidnapped in my place."

            The old man shuffled down the hall.

            This could be a trick – Celena's suspicious side whispered.  No it isn't – she argued - Something has changed that man. Dilan changed him.  The dark side grumbled – You're getting out on your own if you're wrong.

            Her trust was rewarded when her usually energetic friend stumbled weakly from his cell. Jock gave Celena a shadow of his cocky smile.

            "Never expected a rescue party."

            With a choked cry she threw her arms around him. Pulling back, he frowned. "Celena, your face…"

            "It's nothing." She smiled and pushed his hand away. "I have to get you out of here."

            "How did you find me? How did you get here? Where are we?"

            She sighed at the barrage of questions. "I followed my brother. We're in Zaibach."

            "What? I don't understand. Why did those men want you? Why didn't they just kill me?"

            Celena clapped her hand over her friend's mouth. "Cause you were going to be bait. Jock, someday your curiosity will get you into trouble and there will be no way out. I'll tell you later – escape now." Slinging his arm around her shoulders, she helped him follow their silent guide. "On second thought, someday is now - we just got you out of trouble."

            "Celena, have you grown?"

Author's note:

            Bizzy bizzy bizzy… I'm preparing for College. I'm nearing the end of this tale at the same time. If I end up on campus before ending this, it may take longer as I figure out the internet system. Review me please!!!! It sooo helps encourage me.