Treason
9
(Execution Style)
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that I was guilty now. The news of the sight Zankou had witnessed had spread fast and all involved in deciding my fate had been called upon early. There was no more trial, there were no more testimonies, and I wasn't going to have a chance to defend myself against this criticism. I was found guilty… sentenced to death.
Like a common criminal I had been slapped into a cold jail cell. In the dead of winter this was not the most comfortable place to be. The cool winter air seeped in from every crack in the wall to make me feel as though I was just a piece of meat waiting in a cooler somewhere. I guess the analogy wasn't too far off, after all I would have my head lobbed off tomorrow. How was that any different than being treated as a dumb animal?
On Kinmoku-sei it was believed that if and when a senshi was to ever go bad, their head needed to be disconnected from their body. This would separate the bad and degenerate mind from the pure sailor star seed that they carried in their body; if the two were disconnected, when the sailor crystal was reborn it would be absent of the tainted mind.
Every now and again my ears picked up the faint clicking of heeled boots on the stone floor just around the corner from my cell; either Chaser or Developer's head peeking around the corner to check on me would usually follow their sound. Never once had either of them looked me in the eye when they checked on me. I don't know if it was entirely out of disgust or if they truly couldn't stand to see the sight of me in this cell.
I didn't blame them though, they were powerless in the situation. Any attempts they would make to argue my innocence or to even refuse to guard me would be seen as their acts of treason. It was a filthy disease, this spreading of suspicion. Fingers could point to anyone now that a Sailor Senshi that had been sworn to protect the crown of Kinmoku-sei had been found guilty of treason. Already the small groups of gossipers in the surrounding towns had begun their own private witch-hunt for my supporters.
The sound of heeled shoes on the stone came again and I didn't even bother to pick my head up in an attempt to make contact with one of them. The strong scent of olives tantalized my senses and I knew just who was here. In a moment I was to my feet and standing at attention inside my cell waiting for the appearance of my princess. She wasn't alone though, there were more shoes sounding on the floor.
"Fighter." Kakyuu said airily as though it was painful to even speak my name. Maker and Healer flanked either side of her and my eyes played on them curiously. I so desperately wanted to speak with my princess, to tell her that I was sorry to try and explain my heart, but I couldn't bring myself to speak any such things to her right now.
"The entire palace is on alert and we are required to stay in our senshi forms until further notice." Maker explained answering my questioning eyes. "The Princess wasn't allowed to come and see you by herself." I nodded my head that I understood.
Healer looked as though she was fighting a horrendous battle in her mind, as her face would continuously flash from sympathetic to enraged. I had no doubts of what was going through her mind, and didn't feel like opening the flood gate of insulting comments that would no doubt come from her lips.
"Are you all right in there?" Kakyuu asked, clearly trying to hold back tears. What kind of question was that to be asking me now? Of course I wasn't all right, I was waiting to die.
"Yes Princess, I'm fine." I lied. "Where is Seeker?" I asked fearing the answer. Immediately Kakyuu's head dropped down a little lower, directing her eyes from my face.
"Kintra is confined to his quarters because he helped you escape your room, baka!" Healer's snide comment wasn't completely unexpected. "Why did you do that?!" She had begun and there was going to be no stopping her now, I had no choice but to listen. "You're so stupid, you were going to be ok, you were going to go free! WHY?!"
"I had to see her." I stated clearly and confidently, I knew she didn't understand, or possibly didn't want to understand but her anger with me was clear enough.
"You think risking your entire life was worth spending those few moments with her?" Her gloved hands seized the bars of my cell as she stared at me in contempt.
"Yes."
In a growl of frustration she ripped herself from the bars and spun around. "You're such a selfish asshole!"
"Healer-" Maker tried to intervene though I have no clue as to what she thought she could have done to calm our temperamental friend now.
"Did you ever stop to think that maybe there were other people around that needed you? What about our Princess?! You would rather have ten minutes of your own happiness and in turn have our Princess be sad over your baka death for the rest of her life?" That hurt, and I had to admit to myself now that my acts had indeed been selfish in all aspects. My head dropped down so that my bangs shielded my eyes from them. All three of them were staring at me, not saying a word.
"You're an asshole and I hate you now because I'm never going to be able to see you again!" And with those words I watched as Healer stormed out of the hallway that was in front of my cell. Would those really be the last words that I ever got to share with her?
"Seiya-"
"No Maker save it." I started, cutting her off in the process. Healer's words had stung and I hadn't recovered from those wounds yet, and I doubted I would. "I don't need you to lecture me too on what a failed senshi I am, I just don't need it. What good would it do me now anyway?" I turned away from the bars, the stress and aggravation of the situation before were nothing compared to what I felt now.
"The Sol Senshi were asked to stay for your execution tomorrow morning." Kakyuu's melodic voice reached my ears, and although it brought grim news, it somehow didn't sound so bad when she spoke those words.
I had no doubts as to Odango's reaction to this right now and as much as I'd like to think that Mamoru was pleased with the turn of events, I was sure he wasn't. The other man, oh how I wanted to hate him, to have a reason to despise him other than the fact that he possessed the one thing that I would give up everything for. I just couldn't do it. I know he had only the best intentions towards my Odango and if she had wanted to be with me, if that's what would have made her happy, I was sure he would have condoned it… much the same way I had.
"Usagi wanted to come down and see you." Kakyuu continued. "The council has decided that no one was to be permitted to see you before the execution."
"She was hysterical and you can only imagine how this was effecting Haruka." Maker stated bluntly as she rubbed her temple. "If you thought Haruka was on your side during the trial then she's taken a complete 180 and if this execution doesn't get carried out, she'll handle it for them."
Kakyuu stepped forward and placed her hands on the bars delicately. What do you say to your friend who is about to die? I wish we had more time… I took you for granted… I love you… What is my life going to be like without you in it? Yeah those are all things I had expected to cross my princess' lips, but none of them came. She stayed completely silent.
Maker was torn between consoling our princess and saying her good-byes to me. I understood when she stayed silent and placed her arm around Kakyuu. I wished I could have been standing there comforting my princess, being the one that could tell her that everything was going to be all right, but I couldn't. I'd never be able to protect her again. Who was going to protect her when I was gone? I trusted the others, but there was nothing like the reassurance of being able to take care of things with your own two hands.
All of the battles that we had fought together, all of the times I had protected my world and my princess, and for what? For our future? I fought this time, I protected my princess and what was I given as my future? Death.
"I'm going to find Healer." Kakyuu spoke up turning away from me.
"Princess wait!" I called as I sprung to my feet with an energy that I thought had all been drained from my existence. She turned and faced me again, I reached my arm out quickly and snatched her hand in my own. I looked one last time into her brilliant ruby eyes that were filling with tears before I bowed down and kissed her hand. "I love you." I spoke in almost a whisper, even in the end, I didn't want her to give up on me.
Slowly her fingers slipped from my grasp and she walked out of my sight. Maker stayed however, and simply stared at me as I watched Kakyuu leave. "She's doing everything she can." She spoke as she crossed her arms over her chest. "She is completely powerless in the situation."
"I know." I spoke not taking my eyes from where my princess had disappeared.
"You're not the only one that is feeling this guilt you know." Her voice and words interrupted my thoughts as my mind came from its reverie. "We're all blaming ourselves for not being able to save you. Princess Kakyuu and Usagi perhaps more than anyone else."
"Why did he do this?" I asked in a monotone voice, perhaps trying to suppress my anger.
"Who?"
My eyes flicked to Maker's purple hues and I was sure she could sense all of my raging emotions through them. "Zankou, why does he want me dead in the first place? What real threat was I to him that he had to devise such a plan to seal my fate."
"I don't know, maybe he really believes that you are guilty of treason, heaven knows he's gotten just about an entire planet to believe it!"
"That's bullshit!" I shot back not satisfied with her answer. There had to be some great divine plan behind all of this, my life wasn't being wasted on some silly suspicion that Zankou had. He wanted me out of the way for something else, something of grand design. Well, I wanted to think he did anyway. No one really wants to die for nothing, especially not a senshi. For the cause, my princess or my love, those were things I could foresee dying for, not someone's petty suspicions or squandering needs.
"Bullshit or not, it's coming to an end now, isn't it." Maker looked upon me with sympathy in her eyes.
"Sailor Star Maker, that's quite enough." Zankou's form came into my view and sent my blood to boiling. I didn't care at the moment how much he had heard of our conversation, though I was more than sure that it wasn't much if any. I watched as Maker nodded her head and took her leave after sending one last look in my direction.
Zankou turned and waited until Maker was no longer in sight before placing his attentions on me. "You did this to yourself you know." He spoke with a slight smirk to his lips.
"Oh I couldn't have done it without you." I said as though I was thanking him.
"I don't know why you abhor me so much. I never once thought this would go as far as it had, I always had my beliefs that you were innocent. After all, next to Kintra you are the Princess' most able body guard and friend." His tone was fake and I could sense it clearly. It was as though he was standing there slapping me in the face with his words and I could do nothing in retaliation. "We will see one another in the morning."
I growled at him and he turned around in response. His hand came up to rest thoughtfully on his chin. "Oh and by the way," He spoke with a smile on his face. "I suggest you take tomorrow's proceedings as a civilized being otherwise Maker and Healer are going to be forced to aid in your execution."
~@~@~@~
Even if I had tried I couldn't have slept a wink last night. The bright morning sun was filtering in through the window of my cell in unveiled glory. The day of destiny was upon me, the last day of my life and it couldn't get any worse. Down the hall from my cell I could hear Developer and Chaser talking… about my execution nonetheless. Talk about tactful.
They were discussing whether or not I was going to be executed as Seiya or as Fighter. Developer seemed to believe that it would be more appropriate for my life to end as Fighter, since it was my duty after all that I had shrugged supposedly. Chaser on the other hand disagreed and said that Zankou and the council probably wouldn't allow me to change into my senshi form due to the fact that it would be much harder to restrain me.
I shook my head and realized that it didn't matter either way, Seiya or Fighter I was still going to meet my end and arguing over something as trivial as this was past the point of worry by now.
I sat and watched as the sun made its path across the floor of my cell and from its position I could tell that it was close to reaching the second quadrant. It was almost time. The echoes of footsteps resounded in the narrow hallway before my cell. Soon my eyes took in Zankou, Judge 13, Chaser and Developer coming around the corner to claim me for fate's hands.
Standing, I looked them all straight in the eye not allowing them to see my obvious fear and anxiety, there was no point in struggling now. I wasn't broken, no, I just didn't see where struggling would get me. I would rather allow my mind to wander as I walk that short path to death, than have a clear mind as my body pumped out pure adrenaline to fuel my muscles.
"Do you have anything you'd like to say?" Judge 13 asked as he unlocked my cell. In a single gesture I raised my hand and raised my middle finger to defy Zankou. "I see." Judge 13 spoke as he raised an eyebrow at Zankou who was looking at me curiously. With a wave of his hand, Judge 13 motioned for Chaser and Developer to take hold of me. I went with them freely, I didn't want to hurt them for fulfilling their duty, this wasn't their fault.
We walked in silence until we came upon the main gate of the jail. My execution was to be a public spectacle, a warning in a sense to those that dared to go against the crown of Kinmoku. To think, I was being made an example of when this position was always the other way around. I kicked myself now for not truly understanding some of the pain that the one's before me went through.
There was an Epoch standing on top of a raised platform off to my right. An Epoch is Kinmoku-sei's equivalent to an Earthen Knight. The sunlight reflected off his sword and the snow behind him, blinding me temporarily and forcing my eyes away. As my head shifted to counter this bright flash of light, my eyes scanned over the crowd of spectators. The audience for my finish stretched back farther than my eyes could see and I sincerely doubted that there was anyone missing from the mob.
I couldn't see my princess, Maker, Healer, Seeker or the Sol Senshi, but I knew they were there. I could feel them, or rather I could feel their eyes upon me. My feet were being led by Developer and Chaser's lead. I couldn't look at the faces of the crowd any longer. The despise and hate that radiated from their stares could have been enough to kill me right then and there.
I was lead up the stairs of the platform accompanied by the melody of the shouts of the crowd. Amazingly there were a few voices crying for my innocence but it gave me no comfort. The words were a blur and they might as well have been since I didn't need it right now. Two more steps and I was face to face with the Epoch, he was no one in particular, and I had never seen him before in my life. He did belittle me though by staring straight into my eyes defiantly cursing me for all that he believed I had done wrong.
"Seiya Kou, Sailor Star Fighter, you are to be put to death by beheading for the act of treason against the royal crown of Kinmoku-sei." Judge 13 read off my charges as though they were a grocery list. Added pressure was put on my arms as Chaser and Developer pushed me down to kneel before the Epoch. My emotions swirled in my head and my mind was not thinking clearly. All of the things that I had yet to accomplish and experience in life came to mind.
"STAR COMPASSIONATE BLAZE!!" Rang through the air and the next thing I knew a green streak of lightning passed before me and knocked the Epoch from the platform. The crowd was in an uproar as the turned their heads all around to find the source of the blast.
"Developer, Chaser fire back!" Zankou ordered but the two were just as bewildered as the crowd. I had however spotted where the assailant had been, Seeker winked at me before vanishing from my sight as well.
In mere moments a form landed gracefully before me in a true Starlight's pose. "I suggest you let free your hold on him." Seeker stood clad in her leather fuku with her star yell raised before her, threatening Developer and Chaser.
"Sailor Star Seeker, I suggest you rethink your actions before you provoke us any further." Zankou stepped forward gaining ground on Seeker.
I stood free beside Seeker as she turned a cynical grin on Zankou. "I am a Sailor Senshi destined to protect the Crowned Princess of Kinmoku. I will defend her wishes without question, you my good sir, are the one that is going against them now." By now the platform was encircled by Epochs with all of their blades drawn. Never before had an Epoch and a Sailor Senshi gone against one anther, the upper hand would no doubt have always gone to the senshi. This time it was different, this time the senshi was out numbered fifty to one.
"Ready to get out of here?" Seeker asked me with a sardonic grin and I merely nodded my head in response. I was saved, by not out of the clearing yet, and Seeker-baka still had her cocky attitude. "STAR COMPASSIONATE BLAZE!!" Seeker summoned her powers once again and blasted a row of Epochs. The battle was on.
Battle cries sounded as the Epochs bum-rushed the platform to take us down. I had my back plastered flat against Seeker's as we both tried to fend off the Epochs. "STAR SENSITIVE INFERNO!!"
"STAR GENTLE UTERUS!!" Three quarters of the Epochs were cleared out of the way by these new powers. I looked around and saw Healer and Maker standing on the turrets of the towers. They too in turn, came down to the platform beside Seeker and I.
"You didn't think we'd let you have all the fun, now did you?" Healer winked to Seeker as they both turned back to what they were doing, an army of Epochs began to flood the scene and it was starting to look hopeless.
"You may be needing this!" Maker suggested as she opened her gloved hand and produced my henshin broach. My heart swelled as I set my eyes on the item. Without hesitation I grabbed it from her hand and threw my fist in the air.
"FIGHTER STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!!" This was going to be one hell of a battle, and if I died this way, I could at least take solace in that. The crowd became involved in the commotion as well. I sensed more henshins, it must have been the Sol Senshi. With my star yell raised, I warded off some of the Epochs that dared to come too close. We had to get off this platform and to higher ground.
I took the lead and leapt from my place to one of the over crossing bridges of the palace. This agility I had missed, and not even the slickness of the snow could deter me from pushing every move to its limit. I watched as Healer, Maker and Seeker sought for higher ground as well… and in time Chaser and Developer also joined us.
From my new higher position I could see that the Sol Senshi had indeed transformed and were fighting off the angry mob of people that had turned to riot against them. There were no powers, save Saturn's 'Silent Wall' being used, and I knew that they didn't intend to hurt people. "Seeker! Watch out!" I heard Maker's voice call out as I turned my head to see.
My eyes landed on Seeker just in time to see her take an arrow in the shoulder and stumble down the roof. Her form tumbled and I couldn't say that this was helping the arrow that was now lodged in her shoulder. The rooftops were slippery since they were coated with ice and there was no way for her to stop herself. "SEEKER!" I called out as I struggled to make it from roof to roof avoiding the onslaught of arrows and daggers.
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!!" I sent a blast down to back away the people that were gathering around Seeker's fallen form. There was blood everywhere staining the pure white snow. "SEEKER!" I called out as I landed beside her.
"Fighter you baka, get out of here!" She spoke with effort as she pushed herself up with her uninjured arm. Ignoring her plea I took her up in my arms making sure to make my face look as strained as possible.
"You need to stop hanging out in the kitchens, it's going to your hips!" Her eyes narrowed telling me that my comment wasn't appreciated and I accepted it with a smile. My princess, I had to find Kakyuu, she would keep Seeker safe. There! I spotted her standing over looking the scene from a cross bridge. Her head turned frantically around trying to assess the situation. "Princess!" I called out and drew her attention towards me.
I carried Seeker's form, which was becoming less and less conscious by the minute. I was almost there, my muscles were already burning, but I couldn't give up yet. One finally leap and I would be safely on the landing with my princess. Just before I was to land I caught a dagger in my left leg and faltered, dropping Seeker at my princess' feet in the process.
I cried out in pain as I gripped the steel blade that had worked its way into my muscle. I had to tear it out, I closed my eyes and yanked with all the strength I had to free it from my leg. Throwing the blade to the side I turned my attention to Kakyuu who was holding Seeker in front of me. "Princess…"
"Fighter I'm so-" Her tears choked her up as Seeker's eyes closed.
"Protect her!" I stood and turned back to what was going on. I saw the Sol Senshi teleporting, perhaps going to Earth. Earth! It was our only choice now. I made my way to Healer and Maker who were fending for themselves. "Earth!" I managed to get out between the pulsing pains of my leg. The Epoch couldn't follow us to Earth, we could be safe there and return when the riot had died down.
But could I leave my Princess and Seeker behind? Yes, they would be safe, no one would dare harm Kakyuu and she would in turn keep Seeker safe… I hoped. This was our only option.