A/N: OMG! I have finally updated! (actually, I was quite busy last night.)
Between working on my Gundam Wing fic, updating my web page (after like 5
months…ooh, I will not let that happen again) and putting up various other
things I've found from last year, you could say I've been busy. For those
of you that noticed my double uploaded chapter (chap.8) I fixed that, about
a week ago…but I didn't get much for reviews…aww…*pouts* Oh well, what can
ya do? Enjoy!
Chapter Eight:
"L-lord Dilandau, forgive me." Jezabel begged, she didn't come to this new world only to die in it. Not now, not yet.
"I asked you a question soldier. I demand an answer. What's so funny?"
"Nothing sir. The pun was irrelevant…sir." The metal was warming to her skin, 'Please don't let it get any warmer.' The thought of her blood spilling on to it was too much to bear. This wasn't a game. The thought hit her like a ton of bricks. No this was real. Life here was real. The fantasy had become reality, she could die here, just like she could die on earth.
The blade lowered so did Jezabel's head. When the tip was well away from her, she collapsed to the ground, trembling. 'Thank you, thank you. Oh gods thank you.'
"Let that be a lesson to you."
"Yes sir." Although she had nearly died Jezabel couldn't help but respect her commander. There was something about him, tantalizing. Something that compelled you to feel as though you would do anything for him, even die.
What was she thinking? This was Dilandau, the enemy. She was only under his command until she revealed her cover. She would never lay her life down for some monster. Especially one of Zaibach.
She became aware of a clap of sound followed by a muffled thud. Kana had received her punishment.
"Get back to your training. Now!"
At once the crew obeyed, pairing off with various weapons.
Standing over Kana, Jez held out a hand to help her up. "Lord Folken wants to see you."
Knocking away the offered hand Kana stood without assistance. "I don't need your help." Smugly carrying her head the cat-like blonde waltzed out the door.
"Jezabel!"
Snapping to attention, and then dropping to her knees Jezabel addressed Lord Dilandau, "Sir?"
"I'm going to test your sword-fighting skills. Follow me." He led her to a unoccupied corner of the room, waiting for Jezabel to make the first move. She unsheathed her sword, not the same one she had 'borrowed,' but a Zaibach issue. The Irish sword was in her quarters, collecting dust.
'Here goes nothing.' She charged, gaining as much momentum as possible in the short gap between them. It all seemed to be in slow motion. The tip of her blade was in front of her, all of her attention was focused on her target, Dilandau. Peripheral vision was no longer existent, all she could see was Dilandau. But, what she didn't see was when his blade came and knocked her own out of reach. And she didn't see the pendulum come back, tapping her neck.
One hit, she was done. The fight had lasted no more than a few seconds.
"I kill men like you in mass numbers on the battlefield. Be happy you're under my command, and not a foe."
"Yes sir."
"Charge more aggressively, like you aim to kill me." Glaring the demon took up arms, looking as though he was ready to kill her.
So she tried, and tried again. But, each time failing horribly. It was the same pattern every time. Charge, and that was as far as she got. Jezabel's sword was always knocked away before she had a chance to do anything else. She tried to brace herself for the blow, but every time Dilandau hit it just enough to send it away.
"That's pathetic, I'll have to go much easier on you. Now watch, this is how a charge should be done." Without warning the pyromaniac lunged for her. Frantically Jezabel tried to block, but it was no good.
"That is how it should be done." Dilandau's sword was placed just at the tip of her stomach. If he had stopped a moment later she would have been impaled. "Envision the strike, then complete it."
For the rest of the afternoon Dilandau oversaw her training. He was impatient, but a very good teacher. If there was one thing he knew it was how to fight, and fight well. Dilandau corrected her griping, which was why she kept losing her weapon in the first place. The new grip was more difficult to maneuver, but it was more controlled, and sturdier. Not to mention it made her feel more in tune with the weapon, like it was part of her. Not a clumsy metal stick she was holding.
"You're a defensive fighter." He remarked, "That's well enough, and a good defense is key to survival. But, the offensive fighter will always be the victor. Now try it again, and this time, don't give up so easily." The boy terrified her, but somehow at the same time she wasn't afraid of him. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge, this was going to be her greatest. After another round she was back down on the ground. 'One day I will beat you. I swear it Dilandau.''
The worst part about getting knocked down was forcing yourself back up, but she did it again and again. 'I have to become better than this. I can become better than this.' Every time she went down this phrase got her back up.
Dilandau was impressed with her stamina, though he didn't show it. Intimidation was the best way to earn respect. But she was more difficult. A conflicting personality, at times she was meek and subdued, but conversely she could be very defiant. But that was well, he'd beat it out of her eventually.
'There's something about her style. It's unique, and foreign, that'll make it hard for enemies to compensate with it, but her swordsmanship, I know I've encountered it before.' But he couldn't place it. "That's enough for today."
Jezabel was panting, trying to control her breath, "Yes Lord Dilandau." She gasped out from the kneeled position she had pulled herself into. Jezabel stayed there for a few minutes and then started stretching to cool down her muscles. Not doing this only made the next day worse. It was as Dilandau promised it would be…a living Hell.
Most everyone had left to use the showers, save the servants. But Jez remained for a little bit. If she was ever going to become as great as Dilandau it was going to need an extra effort on her part. But in order for the body to be strong, the mind needed to be as well. A good bout of meditation was in order…in other words she let her mind wander.
From the windows she could see the sun setting. The sky was painted with the dye of rose petals, and the two moons of Gaea hung in limbo over the Floresta Mountains of Asturia. They were like jagged teeth cutting into a sheep's coat, rose colored wool. It was scenes like these that always made her stay at the Vionne worthwhile. But it frustrated her as well, she wanted to be able to fly into the night, to chase the sun. But it was still only a fancy. Angels had things so great, Jezabel hoped that when she died that she could join them, cavorting in the clouds. In the distance she could make out the thin line of the ocean horizon, the blue-jeweled water, laced by a sandy beach.
Suddenly her peace was interrupted, "Jezabel!" Eva had found her, "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!"
"I've been here, look outside."
Eva did, and her eyes popped open, wider than they normally were, "Wow." She breathed, "Anyway," she looked over her shoulder to make sure no one else was near, "Guess what I found out?" she hissed, excitement all but dancing through her eyes.
Feeling as though she was talking to a little kid, Jez replied, "What?"
"Kana is being groomed to be the heir of Zaibach."
"What!"
Eva's hands flew up defensively, "Look, it's only a rumor, but people say that she is the true heir to Zaibach. Lord Dornkirk was like her Great- Great-Grandfather or something."
"You're joshin' me!" Jez exclaimed, using a very British phrase she'd picked up.
"No, I'm not. I think it's a rumor that has some truth to it. I mean, she even resembles the old man. The way she thinks, if you look closely there's family resmblance."
"Yeah, but I look like the freakin' Queen of England did at my age too! Along with thousands of other girls. Wait, Kana's from Earth, Dornkirk is from Gaea, that makes no sense."
Slapping her head Eva cried out in frustration, "Do you think you're the only person that's traveled from the Mystic Moon! Dornkirk was from there too, and he was like two-hundred when he died."
Words weren't necessary, Jezabel's expression said it all. "T-two…hundred!"
"Yeah, some machine-thing was keeping alive."
"When did you find this out?"
"It's a long story, but, shoot! I got to tell Van about this! Where the heck did I put that?" She began rummaging through her pockets, "I know it's in here somewhere. Oh, crap if I lost it, I am d-e-a-d, dead."
"Well, want to know something else?"
"What?" Eva's head snapped up. She had a great aura of energy, it was like the air pulsated around her. Jez almost had to laugh, Eva's hair was something less-than-perfect, and needed a brush badly at the moment. She was slightly out of breath, but her almost lime-green eyes flashed with intensity.
"I just thought you might like to know that Zaibach is launching an attack on Creole, the town just south of the Fanelian border."
A stream of questions were fired off in rapid succession, "When, how many men, weapons?"
"Woah, I'm not positive, but it all depends on how quickly Kana and I progress in our training."
"Oh…" by now Eva had found what she was looking for, a slim silver-toned box, "Gotcha! All right, keep me posted, laterz!" She yelled as she ran out the door. And then sliding back she stood in the doorway. "You know dinner starts soon, you may want to freshen up a little."
"Crap!" As hurriedly as possible Jez ran back to her room, fixed her hair, and washed the sweat away from her face before changing into her spare uniform. Grabbing her boots she attempted to pull them on while running down the hall. Just barely making it in time for supper.
Dallet's smug voice was the first thing to greet her ears, "Well, look at what the cat dragged in."
"I had a bit of servant trouble, Lord Dallet." She said dipping into a low curtsy, and batting her eyelashes, "Wilt thou forgivith me?" Smirking she pulled up a chair to the great table and settled about fixing her plate.
For once things seemed to be going her way, but she made a mental note to herself to give Kana a nice present. Jezabel still hadn't forgotten what happened on her first day. Smiling to herself she lifted up her head and relaxed in the plush chairs.
Like the rest of the Vionne the walls were made of a cool stone-like metal texture. High ceilings were abundant, and the main source of light came in through the windows far above. Here and there in the table were deep knife- made pockets, presumably from dinnertime scuffles.
But, she had to wonder where Lord Dilandau ate. In all her meals she had never seen him once eat with his men. It must be lonely at the top, with everyone except maybe Folken below you.
It was things like these that drifted in and out of her mind during the meal, drifting like bubbles during the hot summer days. But for now she would have to take things one step at a time, one day at a time, life was beginning to settle in on this new world, and somehow, she felt as though she'd always belonged here…it was strange really…
A/N: Good, bad, strange? Kind of a boring chap….I'll make up for it later…I'm so happy I finished with this HUGE project for America History! Yeah! *shudders* that was a nightmare….*cringe* but I got an A on it so that's good, well 'til next time. R&R! (oh and please ignore any typos…I'll fix 'em later)
Ciao!
Ice Eyes
Chapter Eight:
"L-lord Dilandau, forgive me." Jezabel begged, she didn't come to this new world only to die in it. Not now, not yet.
"I asked you a question soldier. I demand an answer. What's so funny?"
"Nothing sir. The pun was irrelevant…sir." The metal was warming to her skin, 'Please don't let it get any warmer.' The thought of her blood spilling on to it was too much to bear. This wasn't a game. The thought hit her like a ton of bricks. No this was real. Life here was real. The fantasy had become reality, she could die here, just like she could die on earth.
The blade lowered so did Jezabel's head. When the tip was well away from her, she collapsed to the ground, trembling. 'Thank you, thank you. Oh gods thank you.'
"Let that be a lesson to you."
"Yes sir." Although she had nearly died Jezabel couldn't help but respect her commander. There was something about him, tantalizing. Something that compelled you to feel as though you would do anything for him, even die.
What was she thinking? This was Dilandau, the enemy. She was only under his command until she revealed her cover. She would never lay her life down for some monster. Especially one of Zaibach.
She became aware of a clap of sound followed by a muffled thud. Kana had received her punishment.
"Get back to your training. Now!"
At once the crew obeyed, pairing off with various weapons.
Standing over Kana, Jez held out a hand to help her up. "Lord Folken wants to see you."
Knocking away the offered hand Kana stood without assistance. "I don't need your help." Smugly carrying her head the cat-like blonde waltzed out the door.
"Jezabel!"
Snapping to attention, and then dropping to her knees Jezabel addressed Lord Dilandau, "Sir?"
"I'm going to test your sword-fighting skills. Follow me." He led her to a unoccupied corner of the room, waiting for Jezabel to make the first move. She unsheathed her sword, not the same one she had 'borrowed,' but a Zaibach issue. The Irish sword was in her quarters, collecting dust.
'Here goes nothing.' She charged, gaining as much momentum as possible in the short gap between them. It all seemed to be in slow motion. The tip of her blade was in front of her, all of her attention was focused on her target, Dilandau. Peripheral vision was no longer existent, all she could see was Dilandau. But, what she didn't see was when his blade came and knocked her own out of reach. And she didn't see the pendulum come back, tapping her neck.
One hit, she was done. The fight had lasted no more than a few seconds.
"I kill men like you in mass numbers on the battlefield. Be happy you're under my command, and not a foe."
"Yes sir."
"Charge more aggressively, like you aim to kill me." Glaring the demon took up arms, looking as though he was ready to kill her.
So she tried, and tried again. But, each time failing horribly. It was the same pattern every time. Charge, and that was as far as she got. Jezabel's sword was always knocked away before she had a chance to do anything else. She tried to brace herself for the blow, but every time Dilandau hit it just enough to send it away.
"That's pathetic, I'll have to go much easier on you. Now watch, this is how a charge should be done." Without warning the pyromaniac lunged for her. Frantically Jezabel tried to block, but it was no good.
"That is how it should be done." Dilandau's sword was placed just at the tip of her stomach. If he had stopped a moment later she would have been impaled. "Envision the strike, then complete it."
For the rest of the afternoon Dilandau oversaw her training. He was impatient, but a very good teacher. If there was one thing he knew it was how to fight, and fight well. Dilandau corrected her griping, which was why she kept losing her weapon in the first place. The new grip was more difficult to maneuver, but it was more controlled, and sturdier. Not to mention it made her feel more in tune with the weapon, like it was part of her. Not a clumsy metal stick she was holding.
"You're a defensive fighter." He remarked, "That's well enough, and a good defense is key to survival. But, the offensive fighter will always be the victor. Now try it again, and this time, don't give up so easily." The boy terrified her, but somehow at the same time she wasn't afraid of him. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge, this was going to be her greatest. After another round she was back down on the ground. 'One day I will beat you. I swear it Dilandau.''
The worst part about getting knocked down was forcing yourself back up, but she did it again and again. 'I have to become better than this. I can become better than this.' Every time she went down this phrase got her back up.
Dilandau was impressed with her stamina, though he didn't show it. Intimidation was the best way to earn respect. But she was more difficult. A conflicting personality, at times she was meek and subdued, but conversely she could be very defiant. But that was well, he'd beat it out of her eventually.
'There's something about her style. It's unique, and foreign, that'll make it hard for enemies to compensate with it, but her swordsmanship, I know I've encountered it before.' But he couldn't place it. "That's enough for today."
Jezabel was panting, trying to control her breath, "Yes Lord Dilandau." She gasped out from the kneeled position she had pulled herself into. Jezabel stayed there for a few minutes and then started stretching to cool down her muscles. Not doing this only made the next day worse. It was as Dilandau promised it would be…a living Hell.
Most everyone had left to use the showers, save the servants. But Jez remained for a little bit. If she was ever going to become as great as Dilandau it was going to need an extra effort on her part. But in order for the body to be strong, the mind needed to be as well. A good bout of meditation was in order…in other words she let her mind wander.
From the windows she could see the sun setting. The sky was painted with the dye of rose petals, and the two moons of Gaea hung in limbo over the Floresta Mountains of Asturia. They were like jagged teeth cutting into a sheep's coat, rose colored wool. It was scenes like these that always made her stay at the Vionne worthwhile. But it frustrated her as well, she wanted to be able to fly into the night, to chase the sun. But it was still only a fancy. Angels had things so great, Jezabel hoped that when she died that she could join them, cavorting in the clouds. In the distance she could make out the thin line of the ocean horizon, the blue-jeweled water, laced by a sandy beach.
Suddenly her peace was interrupted, "Jezabel!" Eva had found her, "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!"
"I've been here, look outside."
Eva did, and her eyes popped open, wider than they normally were, "Wow." She breathed, "Anyway," she looked over her shoulder to make sure no one else was near, "Guess what I found out?" she hissed, excitement all but dancing through her eyes.
Feeling as though she was talking to a little kid, Jez replied, "What?"
"Kana is being groomed to be the heir of Zaibach."
"What!"
Eva's hands flew up defensively, "Look, it's only a rumor, but people say that she is the true heir to Zaibach. Lord Dornkirk was like her Great- Great-Grandfather or something."
"You're joshin' me!" Jez exclaimed, using a very British phrase she'd picked up.
"No, I'm not. I think it's a rumor that has some truth to it. I mean, she even resembles the old man. The way she thinks, if you look closely there's family resmblance."
"Yeah, but I look like the freakin' Queen of England did at my age too! Along with thousands of other girls. Wait, Kana's from Earth, Dornkirk is from Gaea, that makes no sense."
Slapping her head Eva cried out in frustration, "Do you think you're the only person that's traveled from the Mystic Moon! Dornkirk was from there too, and he was like two-hundred when he died."
Words weren't necessary, Jezabel's expression said it all. "T-two…hundred!"
"Yeah, some machine-thing was keeping alive."
"When did you find this out?"
"It's a long story, but, shoot! I got to tell Van about this! Where the heck did I put that?" She began rummaging through her pockets, "I know it's in here somewhere. Oh, crap if I lost it, I am d-e-a-d, dead."
"Well, want to know something else?"
"What?" Eva's head snapped up. She had a great aura of energy, it was like the air pulsated around her. Jez almost had to laugh, Eva's hair was something less-than-perfect, and needed a brush badly at the moment. She was slightly out of breath, but her almost lime-green eyes flashed with intensity.
"I just thought you might like to know that Zaibach is launching an attack on Creole, the town just south of the Fanelian border."
A stream of questions were fired off in rapid succession, "When, how many men, weapons?"
"Woah, I'm not positive, but it all depends on how quickly Kana and I progress in our training."
"Oh…" by now Eva had found what she was looking for, a slim silver-toned box, "Gotcha! All right, keep me posted, laterz!" She yelled as she ran out the door. And then sliding back she stood in the doorway. "You know dinner starts soon, you may want to freshen up a little."
"Crap!" As hurriedly as possible Jez ran back to her room, fixed her hair, and washed the sweat away from her face before changing into her spare uniform. Grabbing her boots she attempted to pull them on while running down the hall. Just barely making it in time for supper.
Dallet's smug voice was the first thing to greet her ears, "Well, look at what the cat dragged in."
"I had a bit of servant trouble, Lord Dallet." She said dipping into a low curtsy, and batting her eyelashes, "Wilt thou forgivith me?" Smirking she pulled up a chair to the great table and settled about fixing her plate.
For once things seemed to be going her way, but she made a mental note to herself to give Kana a nice present. Jezabel still hadn't forgotten what happened on her first day. Smiling to herself she lifted up her head and relaxed in the plush chairs.
Like the rest of the Vionne the walls were made of a cool stone-like metal texture. High ceilings were abundant, and the main source of light came in through the windows far above. Here and there in the table were deep knife- made pockets, presumably from dinnertime scuffles.
But, she had to wonder where Lord Dilandau ate. In all her meals she had never seen him once eat with his men. It must be lonely at the top, with everyone except maybe Folken below you.
It was things like these that drifted in and out of her mind during the meal, drifting like bubbles during the hot summer days. But for now she would have to take things one step at a time, one day at a time, life was beginning to settle in on this new world, and somehow, she felt as though she'd always belonged here…it was strange really…
A/N: Good, bad, strange? Kind of a boring chap….I'll make up for it later…I'm so happy I finished with this HUGE project for America History! Yeah! *shudders* that was a nightmare….*cringe* but I got an A on it so that's good, well 'til next time. R&R! (oh and please ignore any typos…I'll fix 'em later)
Ciao!
Ice Eyes