Disclaimer: I do not own RW/YST, however I do own this plot and any original characters. Dare steal them you shall face the wrath of the immortal/mortal dragons. They shall not be as gentle as I am. So just a minor warning ^_^ I WARN YOU I HAVE AWFUL GRAMMAR USAGE!
Dedicated to all the Dragons lovers.
*** Scene Changes
'Thoughts'
"Dialogue"
(Authoress' Ranting)
Ticks- Minutes
Rotations- Years
Beewees- Childish Way of saying, 'cooties!'
The sky was a mixture of ash and garnet, a hooded figure ran across the desolated gray cobblestones. Thunder crackled in the background, the figure swiftly pushes open the door of a well-known bar; mahogany tresses fell forward concealing the adjacent cerulean eyes. "Melody, the regular?" the bartender inquires, as the hooded figure removes the hood of her cloak, with a silent nod she sat on a stool. Wrapping her shawl tightly around her, she pats her stomach gently. "Soon… my dear child." She mutters coaxingly at her abdomen.
Melody was rather plain looking. Small red freckles patted neatly across her nose and neck. Her nose was pointed with an elegant fashion. Her hair was drawn into a tight and round bun, however the unique part of her was her eyes. Her eyes were quite uncommon sometimes it was cerulean and sometimes it was a twinkling periwinkle, that's what the palace peasants would nickname it. Sighing, she sits back against the stool. The bartender quickly returns with a smoking drink. "Just as you like it. The icy golden juice of the frogs." The bartender says with hospitality. "Thank you Thomas." Being polite, she hands Thomas 10 golden coins. Smiling, he walks away to serve another costumer.
She was quite unaware that a pair of unwavering golden hawk eyes were staring at her. Gulping, she lifts the bendy straw towards her lips, sucking the hot smothering liquid into her throat; she lets out a sigh of content. Her belly quavers slightly as the baby kicked her stomach gently. Her lips crack slowly into a smile, however her eyes contradicted the smile, tears emerges from the gap of her eyelids.
The owner of the irregular eyes stands up from his seat and saunters over towards her, his eyes never leaving her back. Reaching slowly to tap her shoulder, he was intercepted by the bartender who had gotten her attention before he could. Growling slightly at the interruption he stood in the dark corridor, which was located conveniently towards Melody's right. He watched, as hugs were exchanged between the two. The bar was filled with incessant chattering, one that he found quite irritating.
"Ahh… Melody, have you told King Charles III, that you are pregnant with the chosen child?" Thomas queries, the dark slender bangs of cheery-colored fell downwards, groaning in disapproval he flips the bangs out of his eyes. Melody glanced around her eyes looking for any unwanted ear-dropping person. Smiling, she opens her mouth to respond, "I had not yet told him. He would think this child was illegitimate! I'm not even the Queen of Takiyo. I'm just the head servant of the majesty. I never expected myself to be bedded by him!!! He knows about the prophecy but he thinks it's my sister who is destined to give birth to the chosen child. I'm thinking of marrying the next man who I see." Her eyes were vacant of emotions as she finishes her whole entire speech.
"YOU—WHAT?" Thomas exclaims in a loud-manner voice, his eyes as large as saucepans. The bar was instantly hushed by the sudden outburst of Thomas. The hawk-eyed man raises an eyebrow at Thomas's reaction. Looking towards the crowd, he grins sheepishly and mutters an apology. He takes a seat next to Melody he strokes her back tenderly. She smiles lightly at her friend's gesture.
"I am simply saying that he manage to bed me, I had not told him that I had been pregnant for the last 9 months… the child is due quite soon. I am not going to coerce him into marrying me and supporting me." Melody mutters softly, her eyes were trembling as if she was about to cry. She had ended up falling in love with the king, and the king loved her sister. "It's just not fair, King Charles had fallen in love with Jessica…" her words were barely audible. Thomas had to twist his head in order to hear the words, upon hearing the words he sighs.
"Melody, Melody, I had known you since I was 7 and you were 5. You thought things were impossible to achieve, but look what happen! You became the chosen one's mother! The prophecy would come true!!!" he murmurs soothingly. She turns her attention towards the window, "Thomas… you had not read the complete version of the prophecy then." Thomas looked aghast by what she had just said, he opens his mouth, vivid features of anger lined his forehead, "What do you mean Melody??? I have grown up with you!!! We read the prophecy books together! It had always been a paragraph long…" His tone was one of anger but slowly soften, realizing that it was foolish to get work up over something so trivial.
Slowly walking out of the shadows he stood in front of Thomas and politely tapped his shoulder, "Hey… can I please talk to her for a sec?" He looked like he was from the slums; the unkempt attire and the tousle chestnut hair just added more to the suggestion. Thomas raises an eyebrow and glances towards Melody, whose gestures told him that it would be all right. Sighing in defeat, he retreats back towards the bar counter. "The Head Maid of the King?" he inquires slowly, not wanting her to think of him as a shady character. Melody nods, and focuses on her attention on him. She was staring at him… 'Damn… she's beautiful… the eyes… they look so sad…' He shook off his thought, 'you're being stupid!! This woman is pregnant and you're falling for her. Gee… what kind of messenger/mercenary are you?' He was reprimanding himself, for something that had all ready occurred.
"Melody… you are with child, are you not?" his eyes dead set on getting out the message. She nodded again, her mouth parched from speaking to Thomas. "I am Eric Phoenix of the Likeon Kingdom." He stuck out his hand in a friendly gesture. Slowly her fingers intertwined with his as she produced a firm handshake. She made a gesture towards the seat across from her, smiling he accepted it. His face suddenly became its grave state, his mouth was set on a grim look, "Melody… m'lord's kingdom had heard of the prophecy too, and I have come here to persuade you to come to the kingdom and give birth there, so we have the blessings of the Chosen presiding queen of the valley dragons."
Melody looked at him, as if he had gone mad. "I shall not allow that! This is my child… I would do as I please. She would not help you bring the blessings of the nearby valley dragons! She is not some kind of puppet that you can control!" she exclaims her hands flung outwards, in an angry position. Her eyes flared with deadliness, slowly standing up, her legs wavers due to the weight in her stomach, with a look of determination written across her face, she walks towards the door. Immediately Eric stood up and grabbed her arm.
"I am sorry that my news have add more stress to your shoulder, but I have come here just to deliver the request. That is simply all, I just need an answer." He murmurs soothingly. Sighing she succumbs towards his request, rummaging through her cloak she pulls out a towel and wipes the perspiration that seemingly appeared from her brief stroll towards the door. Taking a deep breath, she regains her composure, and turns towards the window. The wind was howling and the rain was hungrily pounding the roof of the bar. 'Wait a second, how does he know that I have the chosen child? There are a lot of women who are pregnant these days… and most people assume that Jessica is the mother, unless he's from the Oracles who want the child as a sacrifice for the goodness and protection of the dragons, which would destroy any remaining residue of darkness. Plus, there is no kingdom called Likeon.'
"Are you from the Oracles?" she immediately inquires, wanting to make sure her that her suspicion was correct. His face immediately turned pale, he avoided eye contact and murmurs a quiet 'no.' "So you are." She simply states it. Rubbing her eyes, she leans against the chair and touched her stomach as if it was the only thing that kept her alive. "My answer is no, I simply cannot let the Oracles sacrifice her just to get rid of the darkness of one's own heart, everything has a flaw. We cannot get rid of the Trexxs, Dogons, Locusts, or one's own enemy. They're part of this world. However, I do beg of you not to return… please stay here." Her eyes were penetrating into his soul… waiting for an answer.
"What reason is there, for me to stay?" he asks again, he was avoiding her eyes again, not wanting to be caught in the depths of purity. She leans forward, both of her elbows propped on the table, placing her chin there, she opens her mouth, "Me." The single word hurled him out of the chair; he was surprised by the sudden emotion displayed by her. He stood up and ruffles his hair thoughtfully. "No… I am the top mercenary of the Oracles." He says through reluctant teeth. Melody sighs and leaned back, her smile vanished as the trace of grief was placed on her face. "It's all right." He sighs and stood up to leave, turning he looks once again at her before leaving…
***
She sighed, the bar would be closing soon, her duty as the head maid had yet to come. "Aww… Melody, cheer up. It will be all right." Thomas says sympathetically, he had seen the whole exchange happen. Sighing, he stopped wiping the glasses and walks towards Melody. With a small hug he helped her wrap the shawl around her frail body. Turning her head, she buries her face into his shoulder to cover the gradual sobs. He only wrapped his arms around her. "'Tis not wise to cry when you are about to have your dear child." He pushes her back gently, and looks at her face. Wiping away the tears, he opens the door, "Melody, I wish you luck. You will always be welcome here…"
The clouds were parting away revealing the dim pale reflection of the moon. It was nearly dark-after (referring to Mid-night), as Melody skid down the streets cautiously. It was quite unheard of for someone to wander during dark-after. The castle was not that far, it was supposedly 13 ticks till dark-after. She wrapped the cloak tighter around her mid-section, and begins walking quicker and quicker by the tick. The cathedral bell had not yet rung she was still safe…
Turning a corner she found herself face to face with the palace, smiling lightly, she walks over towards the palace's door, pushing it open, she surveys the area. Everything was as she left it to be. Glancing around the deserted area, she sighs and mutters, "Guess… everyone is asleep." With that said, she walks down the right corridor. Taking a left at the first door, she pries the handle opens and enters the room.
What happen next was not to be expect, the King was there. His dark emerald eyes glare down on her small figure. "Is this child mine?" his voice was hoarse. 'What shall I do? I cannot lie to him… yet I have to… this behavior is treacherous among the people.' She bravely shook her head, the king let out a weary sigh, which sounded almost like relief. "Good… then. Queen Jessica had thought that I was having an illegitimate affair with you. How silly. You are pregnant with another peasant's child are you not?" he questions again just to make sure that everything was fine. She nods again. "In that case, I have to say that you will leave this facility in an hour."
Her eyes dilated at the words he had just said, she had to leave??? That was preposterous! "W-W-w-W-w-hhh-y?" she stutters out, the words barely audible. The king had a gloating look on his face, "Because Jessica, claims that if I want the child, then I have to banish you from the kingdom." Her eyes were clouded with tears; she could not disobey the king, her eyes flutter shut as she bowed her head. With that said, the king had left smirking…
'He is so callous! I cannot believe I had fell in love with him!' Her thoughts were berating herself for being so silly in the matters of love. She should have waited for it like everyone else did, but no! She end up being bedded a week later by the notorious king, himself! Sighing, she wiped the traces of tears away. Leaning over she began packing the few articles of clothing and items that she possessed. She smelled the slight remains of rum, sighing she stood up and empty the residue in the bin. 'How dare the King, drink rum in my quarters.' The whole day was tiresome… she had fell in love in a day and had gotten rejected, her child was due quite soon, and she was exiled from her quarters. 'It's simply a magnificent day!' she exclaims towards herself, sarcastically.
Standing up she walks over towards the bath stall, gingerly pushing open the door open, her feet sways obediently over the ledge and into the small corner. Twisting on the small wooden handle, a jet array of droplets fell on her. Grabbing the rag by the corner she began scrubbing herself, ignoring her belly for the fear of pain. Within a second, there was a knocking on the door, 'It is most likely the footman…' With that thought processed in her head, she turns off the shower tap and quickly dresses herself out of anxiety and the continuous banging. "My dear, you have better hurry up before this carriage chooses to leave you here or do you rather prefer to feel a sore bottom by tomorrow?"
She rolled her eyes at the last comment. The footman was simply rushing her, and had he no respect for a woman? Sighing, she placed on a dress over her head and jerked open the door. With a grim smile, she pointed towards the bags sprawled over the neatly made bed. Grimacing, the footman walked over towards the bed and dragged the bags, "Shall we go?" Nodding, Melody took a step out of the door and gently shuts it. It was the last time she would see the palace…
***
The carriage ride towards the pub was rather dull. Melody had grown accustom to the steady pace of the carriage, slowly wrapping herself in her cloak she fell into a restless sleep. The carriage halted to a stop, Melody was thrown carelessly into the door. Groaning she clutched her stomach, which disapproved the sudden action. Within a tick Melody and her bags were tossed out of the carriage and into the pub. Groaning, she shook her head and touched her belly in instinct, the pub's light was still on.
Suddenly the door was flung open, as Thomas stepped out. Relief spread across Melody's face, as she walked towards him and flung her arms around him. 'What the???' that was the first thought that had reached Thomas's mind, but after a moment or two, he realize that it was Melody and began soothing her as best as he could. "What happen?" he asks gently, as he continues to embrace Melody. She flutter her eyes open and began telling him what happen, he only continue to pat her back to calm her.
"You can live at the bar with me." He mutters quietly, Melody had to strain her ears in order to hear it, but she could all ready see the color tinting his cheeks. She grinned broadly, and accepted the offer with gratitude. Stepping into the bar, she laid her bags onto the empty tables and surveyed the area, "So… this is going to be my new home." Suddenly an image obscured her vision, it portrayed her in a white flowing gown dancing in the sky. She would soon be there…
Thomas regarded her with curiosity, his hand slowly landed on her shoulder, instantly bring her back into reality. "Oh I am quite sorry, for my peculiar behavior, I did not mean to doze off, please continue." her voice slowly rose as if, she was sort of upset at his sudden touch. Sighing, he pointed towards the vacant room. Nodding, she began picking up the bags but only to be stopped by Thomas, himself who scowled at her sudden action. "Are you forgetting that you are pregnant, do you want to lose the child, my dear?" Thomas reprimanded her as if she was still a child, herself.
She crossed her arms sternly across her chest, "I am not a little child, Thomas! I am a grown woman!!!" Thomas was surprised at how her face contorted into a mask of harshness, jumping back he waved his hands in a surrender manner, "Yeh… you are an adult and quite a beautiful woman, if I may say so myself." He added the compliment, for the amusement of seeing her rose-cover blush spread across her cheeks, which occurred like old times.
"Stop it." She mutters, as she tried to cover the last remaining trace of the blush. He only shrugged it, his jocular grin still spread across his face; he picked her bags up with ease and walked towards the vacant room. The grin seemed to have been infectious because Melody's lips were twitching into one, with a proud step she walked through the door and into the bedroom.
"Melody… I need to tell you something." Thomas's jovial grin had all together disappeared, as his face became serious for once. Sitting down on the bed he motion for her to sit on the bed beside him. Melody raised an eyebrow at the slight motion, never in her life had she seen Thomas all that somber. Sighing, she complied with his wish, and sat next to him. "Melody… I have grown to love you since the age of 17 rotations. You had told me that you have loved me at the age of 10 rotations, when I was still a mere lad, I had never intended to hurt your feelings, 'cause all the boys thought that girls had beewees!" he stopped, he did not want to continue spilling out his heart towards Melody, it was not right, he knew it. Standing up weakly, he turned towards her, "Just forget what I said."
***
It had been nearly an hour since Thomas had left. Melody was frantically weeping in the bed, worrying for her dear companion. It was nearly 19 ticks till two, and still there was no sign of Thomas. However, someone else stood in front of her, water covering his hair. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drop. Melody slowly turned her head a slight inch before seeing the intruder; her mouth formed into a big 'o' shape. "Eric?" she inquires softly, the figure only nodded. His hair was plaster onto his forehead; with a swift movement he wiped it away.
"I found your friend… lying in the gutter drunk." He indicates by pointing towards the figure sprawled across the ground. Standing up gently she walked towards Eric and gave him a gentle hug, only to release her grasp, as she tried to get on all fours to observe Thomas. "He's all right, he just passed out." Mutters Eric, as he got on all fours to help Melody up.
The second she stood up she felt her stomach lurch, "It's time!" she exclaims jolting Thomas awake. Strange, how a simple shout was able to wake the unconscious. Shaking his head to clear the vague thoughts, he stood up and wiped the drool that formed across his bottom lip. Eric only stared at her dumbfounded, "The baby is going to come soon! 'Tis the time!" she exclaims again with joy.
A second slowly passed as realization both hit the men. Thomas ran out the door to seek the priest, acolyte, and healer. "Eric, stay here with her!" Thomas shouts, as he maneuvers over a tree. Nodding at the command, Eric walked towards her and immediately helped her towards the bed.
Melody let out a ragged breath, "I am going to die from this… Eric. The child is under Thomas and your care, I entrust you both and I have grown to love you two." Eric's eyes glared at her, "What do you mean you are going to die??!" his reaction was pure. She let out a chuckle, "I w-wil…"she stutters as she clutched her stomach in agony.
"I am having a contraction!" she exclaims, her mouth opening wide as she gulped in deep breaths. Eric only ran around clumsily looking around for the rags which was supposedly located behind the counter, he nearly tripped over the polish floor. He glowers at the thought of him spilling on the floor, he was prone to weather conditions and such but he was not prone to the slipperiness of a simple wooden floor. Quickly grabbing the rags from the canister, he slid across the floor in a fluid motion and crashed into the room, Melody was located in.
"You are so graceful, Eric." Melody mutters, as she felt the sudden quaver of the ground due to Eric's sudden movement. He stood up and brushed himself, and only grinned. "It is a duty of the mercenary to have such shatter movements." He says in a comical way, as he bows down in a polite gesture. Melody only lets out a weak chuckle due to the impact of another contraction.
"Oh Kelpio the Scorched Dragon has descended his presence upon us [1]!!!" she exclaims, as she clutched her stomach in agony. Eric, quickly ran towards her and began dabbing her forehead with droplets of water, "It will be ok… the high dragon lords will help you…" he mutters soothingly. She only nods, her mouth parched from the shouting of pain.
The door swung with a maddeningly bang, a gust of wind blew fiercely in. Eric turned his head towards the head, his fingers grasped firmly around the hilt of his sword. Taking a closer look he found the familiar face of Thomas. He was there with three strangers, who seemingly were the priest, acolyte, and the healer. Quickly they all rushed into the room crowding Melody with the variety of faces, she groans and falls back her hands still wrapped tightly across her stomach.
"Let me help her." The healer murmurs, the priest and acolyte nodding, sighing Thomas allows them to take a closer look of the patient. The healer turns her head around and glares at the priest, Thomas, and Eric, her mouth opens, "Leave now… it is not a pretty sight." Nodding and automatically believing the healer, they left the room not wishing to bring ill omens towards the child.
"Wait!!!" Melody shouts, she was trying her best to get up, but was being chastise by the healer, she was reaching for something under her pillow, with a successful smile planted upon her lips, she thrust the object at Eric and Thomas, whom luckily caught it.
***
It has been two hours since the healer had been brought in. The whole room was decked with a revered silence, as the priest was stepping in the circle muttering incantations to protect the baby from any demons. Eric was staring at the ground, his eyesight never wavering, while Thomas was busily wiping the countertop absentmindedly. The book was lay scatter across the ground, both of them were afraid to touch it, as if it was some sort of Gecko urine [2]! Reluctantly Eric looked towards Thomas who was staring at him, telling him to go on touch that book, you know you want to!!! Slowly bending down, he picked up the book, his eyes glued at Thomas's figure. With a quick stride, Thomas had joined Eric's side.
Prying the book away from Eric's trembling fingers, he flipped the cover over. In neat and small writing read the words, "The Dragon Prophecy."
The Dragon Prophecy
For those who have come and seek, this is what you shall find… the true prophecy… and shall not find anything more but the simple truth…
IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO BE FORGOTTEN… BUT IF THIS SHALL BE FORGOTTEN, THE WORLD SHALL BE PERISH… HEED THESE WARNINGS…
There would be a time, where dust would be overflowing the skies with hatred and such… the dragons would retreat into the far mountains… and nothing shall prosper… due to one man's cold heart…
In the reign of King Charles III two children would be born.
The chosen one's mother would die of birth complications… and a new revolution would arise…
One would be mistaken as the chosen one, that one is the chosen adversary of the crescent stars…
One would be the true chosen one… the one to lead the dragons into a mighty battle against the mistaken one… and win.
One would turn to the Trexxs for the answers…
The other would turn to friends… who will betray her…
One would have everything that she had ever scheme of and dream of…
The other would start out small as a small weed… and become the grandest flower of all…
One would have 4 companions of darkness and solitude reaching for the same goal…
The other would have to search for her companions…
The dragons… would choose the upright passage of the north… where the two girls will journey…
One is in the name of betrayal…
One is in the name of truth…
Both would have a birthmark of the legendary black & white dragons…
One would have Posseius the Winged White Dragon conceal cleverly…
The other would have Illegitimate the Sightless Dragon conceal perfectly…
Both would find love and betrayal…
Once you have chosen the right dragon child…
Light the fire of ashes in the Northern Cavern…
Destroy the minions of the lost one…
Then retrieve… the egg of the chosen dragon…
It is left for the chosen child to decide which dragon is the correct one…
If you know the chosen child… you cannot help her in anyway… for it is in her ignorance that she shall be able to save us.
Thomas glanced at the prophecy… it was all in front of him. He gulped… Melody would die… he let the thought stank in as he clutched his stomach to prevent him from spewing his gut contents. Eric however glanced at the wall, his eyes watering with tears… this is the first time he had loved someone… and probably his last… how he regretted that!
The clock chimed to remind them the time, the healer stepped out a small bundle of joy wrapped up in her arms. She glanced at the ground, her eyes wavering… she was the harbinger of bad news, clearing her throat she glanced around the area, "Melody died… due to birth complications. However, she told me that she had saw some kind of white feathery stuff… but she also entrusted that Eric and Thomas is the caretaker of the baby… and that she had always loved you both." With that said, she dropped the baby into Thomas's open arms and departed the remorseful scene, the priest and acolyte towing behind.
With a seldom sigh, Thomas cuddle the child assuming that she was asleep, "It is a beautiful child. What shall we name her?" Eric turned quickly; a snap was heard as his neck cracked due to the cramp of sitting there, "Mia." Thomas smiles and sits down on the seat.
"Eric… I know this is quite upsetting, but can you live here?" Thomas says gently not to awake the baby. Eric nodded, this was his child and he would take care of it as long as he lives. It was silent, as Thomas continues to rock the baby while Eric watched, a small smile lighting his face. The book was scatter across the floor… forgotten again.
However… one minor thing that the prophecy had neglected or forgotten to mention… the chosen child was a mute.
~~~ End of Prologue. ~~~
Posted On: 9/29/02
~*~*l Water Dragon l*~*~
[1] Kelpio the scorched dragon- he/She was a dragon that brought disaster towards the Taki clan… and was sent to the Taiyo clan… where he was foolishly scorched by another dragon's breath. He eventually brought disaster towards the clan and one day he/she was mysteriously killed.
[2] Gecko urine- one of the deadliness… toxic poison used in the Tsuki clan. If you take a sip of it or touch it, you would experience 9 hours of pain, from the inside your stomach begins to burn (as if it was acid)… and slowly it kills you.
Trexxs- black winged creatures that resemble a dragon. Usually they travel in a colony, if you ever see a single one alone it's probably the scout that looks for any sightings of dragons. Trexxs has a large navy blue bill also the body of a Trexxs usually has sensors all over it's body. However the creatures are near-sighted and a step near one you would fear it the instant you lay eyes on it for… it is cover in a foul smell. The Trexxs is one of the many adversaries of the dragons.
So how was it??? Was it strange??? Plus don't expect the next chapter longer than this chapter!!! 'Cause… the prophecy took up most of the pages ^^; I would much appreciate it if I got feedback and constructive criticism. The next chapter shall come around in December or earlier, if I ever get the time to work. School takes too much time x.x; E-mail me if you have any questions. Plus Mia/Nasuti isn't destined to be a mute forever; she'll get her voice back eventually.
Ja!
The evermore,
~*~*l Water Dragon l*~*~
"Kill me, love."
--Silent Jealousy, X-Japan.