AN: Woooww! Boy, if you want to get long reviews, just kill off the
main character!! I like long reviews.but when they're kind of yelling at
you it's not so good.^^"
June Mermaid- Yes.heheh..I'm evil, what can I say ^_^" And the quote was just too good to pass up.I mean, it sounded exactly like something Rose would say in a situation like that ^-^ And indeed, curse school!!! Aww, now I want a plushie too! So..cute.~eyes go swirly, falls over~ waka waka..
Ai-chan- Wah, I just started reading your "The Painting" fic.I'm just at the part where you find out that that cute sounding kid is.well.don't wanna ruin it for other readers but..AGH! 0-o ~falls over~ And there's going to be moping and sadness galore in this chapter, don't worry ^_^v And.~sniffle~ you read my mind..but there will be no musical ~sweatdrops~ well..maybe a teeny tiny one..but not a musical 0-o'
Bluedreamer- Ah.ka.kawaii!! ~glomps, hands over a blue crayon~ ..yeah. Annnyywwaayyy.
R.D- Wwweeelllll..if I told you you wouldn't read the chapter. MWAHAHAH! ~passes out~ X_x
Kouhei- ~lightning crackles, illuminates completely dark room except for glowing computer screen, wearing evil genius outfit complete with goggles and rubber gloves~ ahahah.AHAHAHAH!! Oh! Hi! And don't worry, I'm doing my best to work on an experiment to bring her back ~cackles, Smoak chomps on her head~...ok, ok, I'm working, I'm working! Yeesh..^_^v
Rachel Lathrop- Yes, it's unfair, isn't it? Thanks for the review, and tune in next chapter to find out What! Happens! Next! ~audience clapping like a gameshow~ eh heh ^^"
Megumi of the Moon-Bwahaha! Two chapters by Monday! And I worked so hard ~sniffle~ Anyway, here's the 'more' you requested ^_~
Faithful Reader- You may be new to reviewing but it was a very good review! And I'm glad you read my story! ~grin grin~ Well, keep reading to find out what happens ^_^ And I hate sad endings. Would I end it like this? Hmmm.perhaps, but then again..^_^v
It was overcast and clouds were gathering as the healers rushed Rose from the battlefield into the castle. Van was beside them as they set her on the table, pressing linen to her shoulder as they removed the broken tip of the lance, trying to stop the blood from flowing out of the wound. 'It's too close to her heart, it's too close!' His mind screamed as he watched, until one of the healers escorted him from the room. Van just nodded numbly, sitting in a chair close to the door. He was so stupid! If he hadn't relaxed and kept his guard up, she wouldn't be in this position! Growling low in his throat, he glanced out of the large bay windows. More clouds had darkened the area. This was not a good sign. Clenching his fists, he narrowed his eyes as he made a silent vow. 'I swear..if Rose dies..I will find a way to bring her back!' * * * * * * * * * * * *
Smoak paced around Folken's chair as he sat in his study, eyes shut and his head bowed. The dragon would not leave him alone, but he didn't make it leave. Smoak, as Rose had called him.*does* call him.had practically never left Rose's side during all the time he had seen her after she came back, and was quite reasonably distraught over the events that had recently occurred. Occasionally the thing made odd crooning noises, and then it was silent for a few minutes. Then it made another noise. Absently, Folken reached down and scratched it between its eye ridges, as he had seen Rose do so often. That seemed to calm Smoak down. Opening his eyes slightly, he watched the flame of a candle on his desk silently, sending out a small prayer to the gods.
" Please let her be safe." * * * * * * * * * * * *
Van sighed, resting his head in his hands. It was only mid-day, and maids were running around lighting the tall beeswax candles that adorned the castle walls. The clouds had gotten so heavy that it was almost like night had fallen over the city. He had reports from the Huntsmasters that the dogs were acting strangely, whining for no reason. The horses were all laying down in their stalls, and Smoak had disappeared a while ago, making a strange sound that reminded him too much of a cry of mourning. A loud cry rose from the forests where the dragons were currently residing, rising and falling with the howling wind outside. CRRAACCKKKTTHHHOOOOOOMMM!! He jumped slightly as lightning tore up the sky, illuminating the room in a bright flash. Thunder immediately followed, booming loudly through the valley that Fanelia was situated in. Then, like a knife had ripped through the clouds, it rained. Sheets of water fell to the ground, splattering angrily against the cobbled stone of the courtyard walkways and slapping against the leaves of the trees and flowers of the gardens. Just after the storm started, the door to the healers rooms creaked open, and the chief healer stepped out, head lowered. Van stood, watching him come over, heart beating wildly. 'Please let her be ok, please let her be ok.'
" My lord." The healer sighed, eyes riddled with sorrow. Vans heart sunk painfully low.
" I'm sorry.we tried everything we could.but.the wound just wouldn't stop bleeding. It was too big to stitch up, and it was too close to the heart and...I'm sorry, my Lord. Rose Kanzaki has died." The healer handed him her tiger necklace. Hitomi's had been destroyed from the force the spell gave out. He took it wordlessly. Another boom of thunder rocked the silence that followed. Van nodded slowly, trying to force words from his throat.
" I.see. Thank you..for trying." The healer sighed, nodded slightly, turned, and left the room. Van somehow managed to make it to his room. 'Rose is dead...by the gods...Rose is dead..' The thought kept echoing in his head over and over, until he shut his door behind him. Leaning against it, he slowly slid down to the floor, a blank expression on his face. Now, Van hadn't done what he was about to do in a long time..not even when Hitomi left. The last time he had done it was when his mother died.and he was young then. But now, he rationalized, now was the perfect time to shatter his carefully kept record. Drawing his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them, he lowered his forehead to his knees and cried, clutching the necklace so hard that the metal bit into his skin. * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, everybody was silent in the castle. Merle had locked herself up in her room and had meals sent up to her, and Allen stayed in the training arena for hours on end. Folken sat in his study, paper and quill at the ready, but he merely stared into a candle and watched it grow shorter, mind blank. Van walked around the castle, Smoak either following behind him or riding on his shoulders, occasionally making comforting crooning noises. Finally, his feet carried him to a room near the back of the castle. 'I can't believe I'm here, of all places.'
The temple had long ago ceased to be a temple. A larger shrine had been built closer to the city, so that everybody could pray there. The old shrine that once housed Escaflowne was now a morgue, albeit an unused one, reserved for the royal family of Fanelia. Today, however, it was being used.
" My lord, are you sure that you want to..?" Jarvis watched him with worry clear in his eyes. Van just nodded, sidestepping the chief worker. (I have no clue what they're jobs are really called 0-o)
" Let me see her." Jarvis sighed, bowed and stepped back, revealing a long black table. She lay there, eyes shut and hands resting gently on her stomach. Her clothes had been changed, and the wound cleaned so that nothing was visible and despite an abnormally pale complex she could have been mistaken for being asleep. Smoak peered at her from behind his hair, blinking rapidly.
' Cold..' Van blinked, craning his neck to look at Smoak. The dragon just huffed slightly in what sounded like laughter.
' She was right. You ARE a stubborn, snarly male.' Van blinked again. Smoak just huffed again and hopped to the ground and dipped his head to the table. He fought against a stinging behind his eyes and looked at Rose again. She really was beautiful, even in death. Merle and Millerna insisted on changing her dress, and she was now wearing a blue dress that seemed to change hues as the light struck it. The dragons had rushed it in from who knows where, so he suspected that no small amount of magic was involved. It was also obviously intended for royalty. Silver thread mingled softly with gold throughout the blue fabric around her neck, sleeves, waist and ankles, sparkling slightly in the light. The blue fabric fell into a V-neck and a chain of gold so fine it looked like woven threads criss-crossed from her rib-cage down to her hips, effectively cinching the waist without wrinkling the fabric. At her elbows the fabric gathered somewhat to explode in three full bell sleeves that ended at her wrist. White lace trimmed the edges of the ruffles, striking against her pale skin. Then the dress lay full to her feet, much like the one she had been in when she first arrived at the palace, upset and lost. To keep her hair out of the way, Merle had done it up in a long, complicated-looking braid that was put over her shoulder, stopping at her waist. He sighed. It looked too much like she was just sleeping. He had to get away from here soon, but he didn't know where else he wanted to go.
'I miss Rose..' Smoak sighed, laying his head against the floor by the table. The other workers had looked at the young dragon curiously when they came in, but ignored him and went on with their jobs. After all, since the dragons had helped them in the war there was really no need to fear them as much as they did before. Van glanced down at Smoak curiously. Something was bothering him, besides the recent events.
" How am I able to understand you?" Smoak blinked up at him, and then let out a puff of smoke, looking pointedly at the necklace that Van held in his hand.
' Because Rose had so much magic, she accidentally infused that stone in the tigers mouth with some of it..that's how she could understand us even before we gave her our Gift.' Van nodded slowly, clutching the necklace tighter. 'Looks like Rose gave me yet another gift.' If only he could find a way to pay her back. * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fire. Pain. Darkness. Noise. More pain Regrets. Death.
Light. Blinding. Warmth. Love. Happiness. Twinge of sadness. Forget about that. Family. * * * * * * * * * * * *
It had been two weeks. Van looked down at the tomb, sighing and placing a hand on the glass covering that separated him from her. Smoak launched himself onto his hind legs, placing his claws onto the granite edge to watch the unmoving figure below him. He had grown bigger, but only slightly.
" So, the dress really prevents aging?" Smoak looked up at Van and nodded.
' She was supposed to get it when she..ah..well, when she came of age, to make sure that the Arethian race would restart itself with her.but now it will keep her body from decaying, no matter how long it remains here.' Van was a little suspicious of Smoaks earlier pause, but he let it go. There were many things that he and the young dragon had talked about, and sometimes Smoak would refuse point blank to talk about things that involved dragons or rituals that belonged to their rulers. And Van respected that. After all, they were allies, apparently. Now, he just closed his eyes and listened to the quiet music float in the air. That had been another thing that had shocked Van when Rose was first put in her tomb. He shuddered for a moment. What an awful word. Anyway, as soon as Rose had been placed in this room, people reported that music seemed to come from nowhere, from all corners of the crypt. He didn't know how it got there, but it was soothing and relaxing. (The music I have in mind is from Inu-Yasha, it's called Kagome and Inu-Yasha..I suggest you download it, it's really pretty! No words, but it's still good ~nod~) Minutes passed by slowly, until the song started to repeat itself. It was then that Van gave one last glance at the coffin, turned, and left the room, Smoak close behind him. * * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken had come to a decision. As a person, seeing Van as distraught as he was, was beginning to dampen his spirits. As a brother, it was nearly heartbreaking. So that's why he was sitting in the library with Miguel, working out the finer details of his plan.
" Don't worry Folken, I remember after I got accustomed to everything again I was fine. What makes you think that she was any different?" Folken sighed to himself, recalling what happened to him when he was 'pulled out,' so to speak. Then he shoved the memories aside and focused in on Miguel again.
" It's just a precaution. I'm still not sure that what we're doing is right, but we have to give it a try. Van just can't keep going like he is now." Miguel nodded. Although Van had been attending meetings and helping to rebuild the damaged sections of the city, it had been done in such a monotone way that it reminded him of the guymelefs, only doing what they are 'programmed' to do. It wasn't right.
" Alright. We'll go and retrieve her at night.more cover that way. I've already told the guards what we're doing, so we won't have any problems getting it to Zaibach." 'The only problem,' Folken added silently, 'is what happens when she awakes.' * * * * * * * * * * * *
Happiness. Disturbance. Something wrong. Ignore it. It doesn't matter. Family. Here.
Movement. Vibration. Darkness. Let me stay. Goodbyes. Love. Reassurance. NO! * * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken suppressed another sigh of worry as they gently laid Roses' body out onto the metal table. Naria had been overjoyed to see them again, but worried as to why they were there. Naria placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him silent comfort. Out of everybody that he had talked to, Naria had been the only person he had told about his experience with the 'regeneration' program. He could only hope that what happened to him didn't happen to her as well.
" Machine at fifty percent ready." Technicians started the final countdown, and Folken sent a quiet prayer up to the heavens, similar to the one he had uttered when Rose was injured. 'Please..let her be ok after all of this.'
A few moments later, memories of Roses' last operation came rushing back in full force as the massive machine in the room started up. She was tossing and turning because of all the energy being forced into her body, attempting to draw her soul back from wherever it had gone to and restart her vital organs. But then something happened that made everybody in the room grow cold. As her heartbeat appeared on the monitor beside her, her eyes and mouth snapped open in a silent scream.
" Report! Her non-vital organs aren't supposed to respond to treatment until halfway into the process!" Folken barked out quickly, glancing back over at the body on the table. 'This is not a good sign.' * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don't want to go back. Don't want to go back. Don't make me go back there!
" THAYANNA!!" * * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken winced visibly as her cry rent through the air. It was now no secret where she had been.although the others would probably just say that she was only calling out the last thing she had thought of before she died. But, really, then she would have shouted Van's name instead. He nearly grinned at the thought. She would have never lived THAT one down. But back to the business at hand.
" Naria, Miguel, you stay with me. Everybody else out! She's awake, and there can't be too many people in the room. She'll be frightened, to say the least." The technicians scrambled out, intimidated by his tone. He supposed that to others he had sounded quite..serious..for the occasion. Usually successful 'rebirths' were followed by celebrations. This one, he feared, would not, though he was sure the soldiers would be happy anyway. Rose would not join the festivities. At least not mentally. Folken turned his attention back to the shivering girl now sitting on the table, eyes staring blankly ahead. He approached her cautiously, not wanting to send her into a reclusive frame of mind.
" Rose.?" Slowly, her head turned to look at him and he bit back a gasp. 'Such eyes.I've never seen eyes such as hers.not even in my own reflection.' She looked so...miserable. And even that didn't really begin to describe the emotion in her eyes.
" Am I in...where am I?" Rose asked hesitantly, as if the words were new to her somehow. Naria padded forward.
" You're back in Zaibach, Rose. We brought you back." Folken wished at that moment he could take back what Naria had said at the look on Rose's face.
" Back? What do you.mean?" Folken sighed.
" You..you died, Rose. And we brought you back." He resisted the urge to sigh once more as a calm but closed mask quietly slid over her face.
" Yes. Who knows how badly you were hurt, wherever you went! I'm glad we brought you back, from wherever you are." Naria spoke, and Rose nodded slowly, standing a little uncertainly.
" Yes..of course. Thank you..but..I have to go..lay down.or something." Miguel stepped forward to guide her to the door in the darkened room. She blinked at him uncertainly, and then her hand went to her neck.
" My..the necklace.where.?" Miguel cast his eyes to the floor for a moment before looking back at her.
" I suppose that Van still has it. The healers gave it to him after.." Rose waved off his silence slowly.
" I'll get it later, I suppose. I just want to..to sleep." Folken watched a point in the ground. It had not been a good idea. It had not been a good idea at all. * * * * * * * * * * * *
A week later they were on their way to Fanelia. They slipped Rose quietly into her room, for it was late at night. She nodded once at Folken and closed the door quietly, slowly going through the motions to get ready to sleep. She sighed quietly. ' How could they...but they didn't know any better, so I suppose..' Slowly combing out her hair, Rose glanced in the mirror. No wonder they were so concerned about her. She had gotten paler, and her eyes seemed so foreign to her that even she was frightened slightly by them. Rose brushed off the small illusion she had placed on her hair, and began braiding it. As a seeming testimony to what she went through, a forelock about an inch wide had turned completely white. Shivering as she closed the large bay windows, she got into bed and curled up, laying on her side. 'I feel guilty.making them think that I can fall asleep now. But it's not sleeping that's the problem anymore. It's just the fear of waking up again.'
And so, unbeknownst to Folken and Naria who listened outside of Rose's door, thinking she was asleep, she lay on her side and stared blankly out of her window until the sun rose in a brilliant show of it's light. And then, she cried.
AN: Sorry it took so long, minna!! School started, and I'm in a new one so..bbwwaagg I've been busy. That along with writer's block.writing angst is hard ;-; Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
June Mermaid- Yes.heheh..I'm evil, what can I say ^_^" And the quote was just too good to pass up.I mean, it sounded exactly like something Rose would say in a situation like that ^-^ And indeed, curse school!!! Aww, now I want a plushie too! So..cute.~eyes go swirly, falls over~ waka waka..
Ai-chan- Wah, I just started reading your "The Painting" fic.I'm just at the part where you find out that that cute sounding kid is.well.don't wanna ruin it for other readers but..AGH! 0-o ~falls over~ And there's going to be moping and sadness galore in this chapter, don't worry ^_^v And.~sniffle~ you read my mind..but there will be no musical ~sweatdrops~ well..maybe a teeny tiny one..but not a musical 0-o'
Bluedreamer- Ah.ka.kawaii!! ~glomps, hands over a blue crayon~ ..yeah. Annnyywwaayyy.
R.D- Wwweeelllll..if I told you you wouldn't read the chapter. MWAHAHAH! ~passes out~ X_x
Kouhei- ~lightning crackles, illuminates completely dark room except for glowing computer screen, wearing evil genius outfit complete with goggles and rubber gloves~ ahahah.AHAHAHAH!! Oh! Hi! And don't worry, I'm doing my best to work on an experiment to bring her back ~cackles, Smoak chomps on her head~...ok, ok, I'm working, I'm working! Yeesh..^_^v
Rachel Lathrop- Yes, it's unfair, isn't it? Thanks for the review, and tune in next chapter to find out What! Happens! Next! ~audience clapping like a gameshow~ eh heh ^^"
Megumi of the Moon-Bwahaha! Two chapters by Monday! And I worked so hard ~sniffle~ Anyway, here's the 'more' you requested ^_~
Faithful Reader- You may be new to reviewing but it was a very good review! And I'm glad you read my story! ~grin grin~ Well, keep reading to find out what happens ^_^ And I hate sad endings. Would I end it like this? Hmmm.perhaps, but then again..^_^v
It was overcast and clouds were gathering as the healers rushed Rose from the battlefield into the castle. Van was beside them as they set her on the table, pressing linen to her shoulder as they removed the broken tip of the lance, trying to stop the blood from flowing out of the wound. 'It's too close to her heart, it's too close!' His mind screamed as he watched, until one of the healers escorted him from the room. Van just nodded numbly, sitting in a chair close to the door. He was so stupid! If he hadn't relaxed and kept his guard up, she wouldn't be in this position! Growling low in his throat, he glanced out of the large bay windows. More clouds had darkened the area. This was not a good sign. Clenching his fists, he narrowed his eyes as he made a silent vow. 'I swear..if Rose dies..I will find a way to bring her back!' * * * * * * * * * * * *
Smoak paced around Folken's chair as he sat in his study, eyes shut and his head bowed. The dragon would not leave him alone, but he didn't make it leave. Smoak, as Rose had called him.*does* call him.had practically never left Rose's side during all the time he had seen her after she came back, and was quite reasonably distraught over the events that had recently occurred. Occasionally the thing made odd crooning noises, and then it was silent for a few minutes. Then it made another noise. Absently, Folken reached down and scratched it between its eye ridges, as he had seen Rose do so often. That seemed to calm Smoak down. Opening his eyes slightly, he watched the flame of a candle on his desk silently, sending out a small prayer to the gods.
" Please let her be safe." * * * * * * * * * * * *
Van sighed, resting his head in his hands. It was only mid-day, and maids were running around lighting the tall beeswax candles that adorned the castle walls. The clouds had gotten so heavy that it was almost like night had fallen over the city. He had reports from the Huntsmasters that the dogs were acting strangely, whining for no reason. The horses were all laying down in their stalls, and Smoak had disappeared a while ago, making a strange sound that reminded him too much of a cry of mourning. A loud cry rose from the forests where the dragons were currently residing, rising and falling with the howling wind outside. CRRAACCKKKTTHHHOOOOOOMMM!! He jumped slightly as lightning tore up the sky, illuminating the room in a bright flash. Thunder immediately followed, booming loudly through the valley that Fanelia was situated in. Then, like a knife had ripped through the clouds, it rained. Sheets of water fell to the ground, splattering angrily against the cobbled stone of the courtyard walkways and slapping against the leaves of the trees and flowers of the gardens. Just after the storm started, the door to the healers rooms creaked open, and the chief healer stepped out, head lowered. Van stood, watching him come over, heart beating wildly. 'Please let her be ok, please let her be ok.'
" My lord." The healer sighed, eyes riddled with sorrow. Vans heart sunk painfully low.
" I'm sorry.we tried everything we could.but.the wound just wouldn't stop bleeding. It was too big to stitch up, and it was too close to the heart and...I'm sorry, my Lord. Rose Kanzaki has died." The healer handed him her tiger necklace. Hitomi's had been destroyed from the force the spell gave out. He took it wordlessly. Another boom of thunder rocked the silence that followed. Van nodded slowly, trying to force words from his throat.
" I.see. Thank you..for trying." The healer sighed, nodded slightly, turned, and left the room. Van somehow managed to make it to his room. 'Rose is dead...by the gods...Rose is dead..' The thought kept echoing in his head over and over, until he shut his door behind him. Leaning against it, he slowly slid down to the floor, a blank expression on his face. Now, Van hadn't done what he was about to do in a long time..not even when Hitomi left. The last time he had done it was when his mother died.and he was young then. But now, he rationalized, now was the perfect time to shatter his carefully kept record. Drawing his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them, he lowered his forehead to his knees and cried, clutching the necklace so hard that the metal bit into his skin. * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, everybody was silent in the castle. Merle had locked herself up in her room and had meals sent up to her, and Allen stayed in the training arena for hours on end. Folken sat in his study, paper and quill at the ready, but he merely stared into a candle and watched it grow shorter, mind blank. Van walked around the castle, Smoak either following behind him or riding on his shoulders, occasionally making comforting crooning noises. Finally, his feet carried him to a room near the back of the castle. 'I can't believe I'm here, of all places.'
The temple had long ago ceased to be a temple. A larger shrine had been built closer to the city, so that everybody could pray there. The old shrine that once housed Escaflowne was now a morgue, albeit an unused one, reserved for the royal family of Fanelia. Today, however, it was being used.
" My lord, are you sure that you want to..?" Jarvis watched him with worry clear in his eyes. Van just nodded, sidestepping the chief worker. (I have no clue what they're jobs are really called 0-o)
" Let me see her." Jarvis sighed, bowed and stepped back, revealing a long black table. She lay there, eyes shut and hands resting gently on her stomach. Her clothes had been changed, and the wound cleaned so that nothing was visible and despite an abnormally pale complex she could have been mistaken for being asleep. Smoak peered at her from behind his hair, blinking rapidly.
' Cold..' Van blinked, craning his neck to look at Smoak. The dragon just huffed slightly in what sounded like laughter.
' She was right. You ARE a stubborn, snarly male.' Van blinked again. Smoak just huffed again and hopped to the ground and dipped his head to the table. He fought against a stinging behind his eyes and looked at Rose again. She really was beautiful, even in death. Merle and Millerna insisted on changing her dress, and she was now wearing a blue dress that seemed to change hues as the light struck it. The dragons had rushed it in from who knows where, so he suspected that no small amount of magic was involved. It was also obviously intended for royalty. Silver thread mingled softly with gold throughout the blue fabric around her neck, sleeves, waist and ankles, sparkling slightly in the light. The blue fabric fell into a V-neck and a chain of gold so fine it looked like woven threads criss-crossed from her rib-cage down to her hips, effectively cinching the waist without wrinkling the fabric. At her elbows the fabric gathered somewhat to explode in three full bell sleeves that ended at her wrist. White lace trimmed the edges of the ruffles, striking against her pale skin. Then the dress lay full to her feet, much like the one she had been in when she first arrived at the palace, upset and lost. To keep her hair out of the way, Merle had done it up in a long, complicated-looking braid that was put over her shoulder, stopping at her waist. He sighed. It looked too much like she was just sleeping. He had to get away from here soon, but he didn't know where else he wanted to go.
'I miss Rose..' Smoak sighed, laying his head against the floor by the table. The other workers had looked at the young dragon curiously when they came in, but ignored him and went on with their jobs. After all, since the dragons had helped them in the war there was really no need to fear them as much as they did before. Van glanced down at Smoak curiously. Something was bothering him, besides the recent events.
" How am I able to understand you?" Smoak blinked up at him, and then let out a puff of smoke, looking pointedly at the necklace that Van held in his hand.
' Because Rose had so much magic, she accidentally infused that stone in the tigers mouth with some of it..that's how she could understand us even before we gave her our Gift.' Van nodded slowly, clutching the necklace tighter. 'Looks like Rose gave me yet another gift.' If only he could find a way to pay her back. * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fire. Pain. Darkness. Noise. More pain Regrets. Death.
Light. Blinding. Warmth. Love. Happiness. Twinge of sadness. Forget about that. Family. * * * * * * * * * * * *
It had been two weeks. Van looked down at the tomb, sighing and placing a hand on the glass covering that separated him from her. Smoak launched himself onto his hind legs, placing his claws onto the granite edge to watch the unmoving figure below him. He had grown bigger, but only slightly.
" So, the dress really prevents aging?" Smoak looked up at Van and nodded.
' She was supposed to get it when she..ah..well, when she came of age, to make sure that the Arethian race would restart itself with her.but now it will keep her body from decaying, no matter how long it remains here.' Van was a little suspicious of Smoaks earlier pause, but he let it go. There were many things that he and the young dragon had talked about, and sometimes Smoak would refuse point blank to talk about things that involved dragons or rituals that belonged to their rulers. And Van respected that. After all, they were allies, apparently. Now, he just closed his eyes and listened to the quiet music float in the air. That had been another thing that had shocked Van when Rose was first put in her tomb. He shuddered for a moment. What an awful word. Anyway, as soon as Rose had been placed in this room, people reported that music seemed to come from nowhere, from all corners of the crypt. He didn't know how it got there, but it was soothing and relaxing. (The music I have in mind is from Inu-Yasha, it's called Kagome and Inu-Yasha..I suggest you download it, it's really pretty! No words, but it's still good ~nod~) Minutes passed by slowly, until the song started to repeat itself. It was then that Van gave one last glance at the coffin, turned, and left the room, Smoak close behind him. * * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken had come to a decision. As a person, seeing Van as distraught as he was, was beginning to dampen his spirits. As a brother, it was nearly heartbreaking. So that's why he was sitting in the library with Miguel, working out the finer details of his plan.
" Don't worry Folken, I remember after I got accustomed to everything again I was fine. What makes you think that she was any different?" Folken sighed to himself, recalling what happened to him when he was 'pulled out,' so to speak. Then he shoved the memories aside and focused in on Miguel again.
" It's just a precaution. I'm still not sure that what we're doing is right, but we have to give it a try. Van just can't keep going like he is now." Miguel nodded. Although Van had been attending meetings and helping to rebuild the damaged sections of the city, it had been done in such a monotone way that it reminded him of the guymelefs, only doing what they are 'programmed' to do. It wasn't right.
" Alright. We'll go and retrieve her at night.more cover that way. I've already told the guards what we're doing, so we won't have any problems getting it to Zaibach." 'The only problem,' Folken added silently, 'is what happens when she awakes.' * * * * * * * * * * * *
Happiness. Disturbance. Something wrong. Ignore it. It doesn't matter. Family. Here.
Movement. Vibration. Darkness. Let me stay. Goodbyes. Love. Reassurance. NO! * * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken suppressed another sigh of worry as they gently laid Roses' body out onto the metal table. Naria had been overjoyed to see them again, but worried as to why they were there. Naria placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him silent comfort. Out of everybody that he had talked to, Naria had been the only person he had told about his experience with the 'regeneration' program. He could only hope that what happened to him didn't happen to her as well.
" Machine at fifty percent ready." Technicians started the final countdown, and Folken sent a quiet prayer up to the heavens, similar to the one he had uttered when Rose was injured. 'Please..let her be ok after all of this.'
A few moments later, memories of Roses' last operation came rushing back in full force as the massive machine in the room started up. She was tossing and turning because of all the energy being forced into her body, attempting to draw her soul back from wherever it had gone to and restart her vital organs. But then something happened that made everybody in the room grow cold. As her heartbeat appeared on the monitor beside her, her eyes and mouth snapped open in a silent scream.
" Report! Her non-vital organs aren't supposed to respond to treatment until halfway into the process!" Folken barked out quickly, glancing back over at the body on the table. 'This is not a good sign.' * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don't want to go back. Don't want to go back. Don't make me go back there!
" THAYANNA!!" * * * * * * * * * * * *
Folken winced visibly as her cry rent through the air. It was now no secret where she had been.although the others would probably just say that she was only calling out the last thing she had thought of before she died. But, really, then she would have shouted Van's name instead. He nearly grinned at the thought. She would have never lived THAT one down. But back to the business at hand.
" Naria, Miguel, you stay with me. Everybody else out! She's awake, and there can't be too many people in the room. She'll be frightened, to say the least." The technicians scrambled out, intimidated by his tone. He supposed that to others he had sounded quite..serious..for the occasion. Usually successful 'rebirths' were followed by celebrations. This one, he feared, would not, though he was sure the soldiers would be happy anyway. Rose would not join the festivities. At least not mentally. Folken turned his attention back to the shivering girl now sitting on the table, eyes staring blankly ahead. He approached her cautiously, not wanting to send her into a reclusive frame of mind.
" Rose.?" Slowly, her head turned to look at him and he bit back a gasp. 'Such eyes.I've never seen eyes such as hers.not even in my own reflection.' She looked so...miserable. And even that didn't really begin to describe the emotion in her eyes.
" Am I in...where am I?" Rose asked hesitantly, as if the words were new to her somehow. Naria padded forward.
" You're back in Zaibach, Rose. We brought you back." Folken wished at that moment he could take back what Naria had said at the look on Rose's face.
" Back? What do you.mean?" Folken sighed.
" You..you died, Rose. And we brought you back." He resisted the urge to sigh once more as a calm but closed mask quietly slid over her face.
" Yes. Who knows how badly you were hurt, wherever you went! I'm glad we brought you back, from wherever you are." Naria spoke, and Rose nodded slowly, standing a little uncertainly.
" Yes..of course. Thank you..but..I have to go..lay down.or something." Miguel stepped forward to guide her to the door in the darkened room. She blinked at him uncertainly, and then her hand went to her neck.
" My..the necklace.where.?" Miguel cast his eyes to the floor for a moment before looking back at her.
" I suppose that Van still has it. The healers gave it to him after.." Rose waved off his silence slowly.
" I'll get it later, I suppose. I just want to..to sleep." Folken watched a point in the ground. It had not been a good idea. It had not been a good idea at all. * * * * * * * * * * * *
A week later they were on their way to Fanelia. They slipped Rose quietly into her room, for it was late at night. She nodded once at Folken and closed the door quietly, slowly going through the motions to get ready to sleep. She sighed quietly. ' How could they...but they didn't know any better, so I suppose..' Slowly combing out her hair, Rose glanced in the mirror. No wonder they were so concerned about her. She had gotten paler, and her eyes seemed so foreign to her that even she was frightened slightly by them. Rose brushed off the small illusion she had placed on her hair, and began braiding it. As a seeming testimony to what she went through, a forelock about an inch wide had turned completely white. Shivering as she closed the large bay windows, she got into bed and curled up, laying on her side. 'I feel guilty.making them think that I can fall asleep now. But it's not sleeping that's the problem anymore. It's just the fear of waking up again.'
And so, unbeknownst to Folken and Naria who listened outside of Rose's door, thinking she was asleep, she lay on her side and stared blankly out of her window until the sun rose in a brilliant show of it's light. And then, she cried.
AN: Sorry it took so long, minna!! School started, and I'm in a new one so..bbwwaagg I've been busy. That along with writer's block.writing angst is hard ;-; Hope you enjoyed the chapter!