Prisoner 29015
Kailani
Durward stopped in front of the metal door to read the prisoner number.
"… 2- 9015. I think I've finally memorized your number by the way," He slid the door opened to see the helpless girl rapidly move to a corner of the jail cell. The chains sliding across the floor was dull for the mildew from the water that rose in the cell. The mildew had grown to perhaps think on its own – perhaps feeding off the life force of this poor little lady.
The creature trying to dig herself further into the corner made small grunting noses in fear. She covered her face and vigorously shook her head.
"No, no. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm Durward, the new guard. You must know my grandfather, Kerwin pretty well, then? He spoke frequently of you." Durward entered the cell and immediately felt a rush of nausea through his insides. How did she survive in this black hole for three hole years? "I brought you food, would you like to share with me?"
The creature stopped shaking her head and calmed down. The chain stopped rattling … it was too quiet … the only sound in the cell was the drip-drip-drip of the water – it drove Durward insane by just standing there.
Durward broke the bread in a little piece, lavishly spread lucious butter on top of it, and offered it to the creature.
"Here, take it. You will need your energy. You need to eat." Durward came closer to the creature; but the creature did not pay any heed to Durward because she was off in her own little world. "You must eat…"
Durward hopped up and sat next to the emaciated creature. Kerwin told her stories of a brilliant lady entering this cell. Kerwin described to Durward, the most wonderful conversations and adventures that the lady would tell him. For the first time in sixty years, Durward heard joy in his old grandfather's voice. He was actually happy to go to work.
"…you must eat.."
Still, that once radiant beauty, refused to eat – no, did not even make an attempt to live; the creature was nothing.
Durward sighed loudly and tossed the bread down to a couple of rats that were scurrying around for food. The hungry little beasts raced for the food like a pack of wild dogs. At least they were willing to live…
"You know … my late grandfather told me one day… about a wonderful country named Cephiro… I always wished that one day, I would be able to visit this world. I want to see the clear blue sky, the curious mythical creatures, and the magic – or the very love that their people have of their world,"
Drip..drip..drip…
"In that story, there was a say about three magical knights that came from a different world… to protect Cephiro with their lives…Is that true, Lady Hikaru of Cephiro?" Durward slowly peered over his shoulder at the creature.
It was slow, but gradually, Durward saw a flash of life gleaming in her hands.. there was a spark of courage and a glitter of hope in her blood. There were no words or any other body movements to show Durward that she wanted to actually live; but body movement or not, Durward smiled like a giddy boy to have seen the proof that he wanted. She was really the legendary Lady Hikaru of beautiful Cephiro.
"My ladyship," Durward pranced down the step that he was sitting upon knelt before Hikaru. Durward softly guided his right fist to his heart and silently vowed his allegiance to the creature.
He stayed in that position … he wanted to stay in that position until the legend told him to rise, accepting his allegiance to her.
It was a while – perhaps a whole day and night… but finally, Durward received what he was hoping for … that little gleam of hope…
"…I am not a legend…"
Durward snapped his head up. His knees were numb from the blood rushing to all the wrong places … but he did not care. Tears glistened in the eyes of this young boy.
"But you are my ladyship,"
"…I am a fool.."
"My people have sworn to save you and that we will,"
"…I am not I.."
"Your ladyship…"
" … I am only a number… I am… 29015. I am no more than that…"
Durward did not arise from his position. There was such saddness that dripped in her voice. Durward wanted to break off those rotten chains and carry her out then and there – but he knew that he only could not take on all of Maitcan's guards. What would the chance be that he would meet Manoma on the way? It was too dangerous for his ladyship.
" … number 29015.. Please go away…"
* * * * *
Charity spat out a leave of morsel of mint that she had been chewing on for the past hour onto the damp ground. It had been raining for the remainder of days … the remaining days that Charity pasted and polished her devious plan to take over Manoma, all to herself.
A messanger rode ahead of the procession of warriors that were riding back from the aimless three year long war to prepare Maitcan of their warriors.
"They come! Our men comes!" shouted the messanger.
Charity ran her fingers through her long damp hair and quickly straighted out her sword. She ran her tongue over her wet lips to welcome a devious smile that spread over her face. Along with Amos and Dougal, Charity began to walk towards the gates to Maitcan, an invisible barrier of fairy prisoners that were forced to torture intruders with illusions of their fears and hopes.
As Charity expected, in front of the train of warriors was her target, Manoma. Manoma's muscular-broad shoulders were upright and emotionless. His legs that wrapped around his stallion were ripped with muscles that Charity grinned at. His hair drizzled over his gray eyes, dancing with the rain that poured over his entire body.
People fear him. Fear feared him.
As Manoma passed through the fairies, Charity gave a low bow.
"Welcome, Manoma. It has been too long."
Manoma slowed his gait and got off his stallion. His stallion, that adored Manoma, pushed against Manoma's back with its head when Manoma turned to Charity.
"Charity, it has been a long time. I believe things have gone well over my absense."
Charity opened her big beautiful eyes at Manoma.
"Of course, no trouble at all."
Manoma gave a sign to excuse his men and walked inside Maitcan.
* * * * *
It was late in the evening when the welcoming feast ended and one by one, the warriors exited the main house and into their own welcoming homes.
Manoma, stripped of his warrior gear and into his simple outfit of a open shirt and pants with a small dagger on the back of his belt, took in ale while sitting in his large chair by the fire place. Maitcan was not very luxiurious but, it was home for Manoma. The chair that he sat in, a plain and strong wooden chair to support his weight, was his comfort. It stayed with him and met him even after a battle; it didn't care how many people he killed – it remained at its place, as it should be, waiting for him. Manoma was in this own thought when he felt the presence of Charity climbing down the stairs.
"Manoma, why are you still awake?" Charity was dressed in a sleek dress that – to sleep or to impress, it was unknown.
Manoma continued to stare at the fire, drinking his ale.
Charity gripped her hands into fists.
Manoma… it will only be time until you will be the one crying to me…
Charity traced a line across Manoma's chest and climbed onto his lap.
"You have gone for so long, I began to think the great Manoma had died."
There was still no answer or emotion. Manoma took another drink from his ale.
Charity gritted her teeth as Manoma took no notice of her sexuality.
With one of her elegant fingers, she carefully traced the outline of his jawline.
"…I missed you…" whispered Charity. She smiled as she slowly descended towards his lips. She was so close to his sensual lips, she was able to fell his warm alcohol breath on hers. " … I missed you …"
Manoma watched Charity with curiosity. He watched her as she silently wet her lips for him. Charity was about to lick his lips when the doors to the room burst open.
"SIR! THE PRISONER HAS ESCAPED!!" shouted a guard.
Charity placed her two hands on Manoma's rugged cheeks. His week old beard was soft to push her hands through.
"Prisoner?" asked Manoma. Manoma's eyebrows slightly arched downward questioning Charity.
"Do not mind, I will take care of it."
"Answer me, Charity. What prisoner?"
Manoma grabbed her hands from his face and demanded an answer.
Charity jumped off his lap, took his ale, and chugged it down herself.
"Your fucking pet. It seems she still has the urge to live,"
Manoma stopped for a moment to remember what Charity meant as his pet. Charity was already out the door when Manoma remembered her.
"CHARITY!!" His roar made Maitcan shake with fear.
* * * * *
There was no time to undo her chains. The people that Durward spoke of had final come to get her out.
The men had almost an excellent and a undisclosed route of Maitcan and into a secret hide out in the local forest – with the help of some of the imprisoned fairies, they made a underground tunnel through most of the garden and into the prison cell 29015. The plan was perfect. The lifeless lady was to be carried out on one of their backs.
They had come to her during the feast – when the soldiers were drunk out of their minds.
"My lady, I am Kerwin the second, you already met Durward, and that is Brolly. We have to come rescue you." They were all so proud, but Hikaru did not want to leave nor did she want to stay.
"I know how scared you are, but trust us, Hikaru. We are here to get you back to Cephiro. Back to your people, friends…your brothers…" whispered Durward.
Hikaru, for the first time, felt something warm in her eyes.
Tears?
Durward slowly carried her away from her corner and carefully handed her to the biggest and fastest, Brolly.
They entered back into their tunnel. The men were grinning with pride; they had done it. Lady Hikaru would finally be free.
In the midst of their happiness, they miscalculated the time that the cell would fill with water. Naturally, the water that haunted Hikaru for the three year came rushing towards them, almost drowning them.
At the same moment, Amos having the duty of checking on the status of Hikaru – if she was still alive or not – had found the empty cell and called the alarm.
Hikaru did not scream when three pierced through her lifeless skin – one on her arm, chest, and leg. Durward took notice of this and sprinted back towards Maitcan.
"GO!!" Durward pulled out his sword to parry the arrows that washed down from the sky. Still, even when he knew if Manoma would get involved, it would be over , he still didn't lose hope. "DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME – GET HER OUT OF HERE!!"
Brolly, running with Hikaru on his back, looked backwards at Durward – just as a horrendous shadow engulfed him. There was a wail of pain from Durward's mouth.
"GO!! GET HER OUT OF HERE!!"
Brolly tried to run, but somehow, the sight of the dark rider mesmerized his nerves… paralyzing him. It was only when Brolly saw the gleam of Durward's blood on the rider's magnificent sword that he woke up from his trance. … but it was too late. The sword came down on Brolly, shaving his head clear off his shoulders.
Hikaru was thrown out of Brolly's back and into the muddy dirt.
Hikaru screamed in her mind for the brave men that risked their lives for hers.
It was unfair…
… but no sound reached the surface.
Hikaru shook with anger … an anger she did not know before. She grasped the wet earth in her hands .. the first time she felt anything… there was a sudden heat in her – she almost remembered…
The shadow that killed Brolly leaped down his horse and was approaching her. The darkness was suddenly threated with a burst of flame surrounding Hikaru. The giant shadow stopped at his track. He did not squint at the light, but smiled at it.
"Ah, so then, you are Shidou Hikaru."
Hikaru slowly walked towards the man that killed her saviors. Manoma saw in her hands, two fireballs forming and smirked. Manoma walked closer to the insane girl. He got close enough to see that Hikaru's eyes were burning with a explosive flame.
Just as quick as the flame came, it extinguished just as fast. Just as the flame went out, one last arrow… Charity's arrow went through the middle of Hikaru's chest.
Lantis… I'm forgetting…