Eternal love
Author: Silhouette
Genre: Fantasy; AU original; YAOI (like duh?)
Ratings: PG-13
Pairings: SenRu and others
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk doesn't belong to me, but Sir Takehiko Inoue (* Sulk *) This story was inspired by Celine Dion's song, "Immortality".
Chapter 7
It's the seventh day of his traveling, and Akira was tired, and thirsty. The thought of seeing Kaede kept him on. He had crossed several rivers and scaled many mountains. He was lucky that he had the physical training in his youth, being the sportsperson he was, that he could endure the trip. He did not know exactly, where Eternalia was. But he does know that beyond the snowy mountains and dark woods bordering Tudoris, a small-unknown country in the frost-covered lands, Eternalia existed. And now he was in Tudoris.
/Kaede. Kaede. Kaede./
The acute pain in his legs was getting unbearable, but he pushed on, and on. Every step was equivalent to knives stabbing into his very flesh and bones. Fatigue swallowed him whole.
He did not notice how the earth suddenly gave way.
He did not notice himself falling.
Down.
Down.
And down.
* * *
Akira awoke to the sound of water trickling. He struggled and sat up before looking around himself. It seems like he had somehow found his way into a dark woods and presently sitting by a pond.
Wait.
A pond? How did I even get here?
A faint cough behind him made Akira jump in shock. He spun round only to see a very beautiful lady smiling at him. She was wearing Lilac-toned gowns and had a pair of dainty wings, her voice was light and sounded like the tinkling of bells in the quiet woods. "Hello, you are awake." She smiled again.
"He..hello." He stammered, "How…what am I doing here?"
"You are in Eternalia, of course, where do you think you are?"
"I thought I fell into the ground?"
"Eternalia /is/ underground, where do you think it was? It is definitely not in heavens, for we are a banned empire."
"How did I get here?"
All those who sought Eternalia never saw it.
"I know what you are thinking of." The lady nodded understandingly, "They sought Eternalia with a tainted heart. They sought not Eternalia, but the wealth and eternality of the lands. Eternalia do not permit anyone with corrupted hearts to invade our pure lands. I do not permit that."
"Who are you?"
"I am, of course, the Spirit of Eternalia. It is my job to guard Eternalia and save it from all harms." She knitted her eyebrows suddenly, "And I foresee danger approaching."
"You, Sendoh Akira, came with nothing but love in your heart. Love. It is the very key to entrance in Eternalia." The spirit murmured wistfully, "And now I shall guide you to the one you seek."
That would be…Kaede.
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"My valuable subjects," The plump king of Eternalia smiled down upon them, "Are there any more events to report for the day?"
A faint ripple in the crowd of ministers indicated that their reports were over.
"Good, I shall now announce something very important," The king cleared his throat, "Send for the envoy."
A tall and muscular but stern looking man came out with a roll of silk.
"Thank you, and please announce the message, Sir Maki." The king leaned back in his seat.
"As the king is getting on with age, he decided that he would hand the empire into the hands of the younger generation. The new king will be crowned today and all authority takes effect immediately." Maki finished the message and looked at the crowd expectantly.
Instantly everyone exploded into a riot of whispering and chatter. Suddenly, it went silent again, as someone stepped out. It was Minami.
"You speak of a younger generation, your majesty, but where is the new king you proposed?"
King Anzai started laughing, "Ohohohoho…you ask for the new king? Alright, Sir Maki, send for Prince Kaede."
As everyone watched in a mixture of shock, fascination and admiration, the Prince came out, well docked in elegant robes and looking every inch a perfect monarch with his cool unruffled air and firm gaze.
"P…Prince Kaede." Minami fell back in shock.
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