Chapter Fifteen: Fate and Destiny
Jezabel put the parchment away with the other notes she had taken during her stay at the Vionne. It was compiled of various items of history, basic battle stats, basic formations and maneuvers that were used as often as possible during battle. One seemed to be Dilandau's favorite, Total Annihilation. It was the hardest to defeat, and no one could counter it. Possibly because it relied on chance, everything was left to chance. Like wargods the Dragonslayers went through the place of attack destroying everything that could be destroyed. That was the one that always paid the highest price though – for the other side. Rarely was a Dragonslayer seriously wounded, the foot soldiers caught the brunt of it.
To complement all this information Jez had gathered statistics on the fighting styles of her comrades, based on her own observations, but it still wasn't enough. However, she'd have to worry about it later. The sun was rising, and that meant breakfast was calling, and after that…training.
Quickly, she made herself presentable, pulling her hair into a short braid, and putting on a fresh uniform. She was changing more everyday, Jez didn't know how or why, but if she ever returned to earth, those of her former life would be in for a nasty shock.
Unlike the few early birds that were normally wandering the halls at this hour, today the Vionne was abuzz with activity. They had reached battlegrounds sooner than expected, and with the element of surprise still on their side Dilandau had ordered a raid. A minor battle, similar to the attack on Creole, but this one Jezabel wouldn't be attending. It was too crucial to undertake any gray areas.
'Why does no one ever tell me about these?' she wondered, scanning the crowd for Miguel, but he wasn't there. Most likely he was going over guymelef repairs, so Jezabel decided not to bother him after all. He needed his concentration on the battlefields, and thinking of Jezabel would only be a distraction.
"Gylynn!"
"Sir!" she turned around saluting her commander.
"As we will not be here today, and the cheetah warriors will, I want you and Kana to train with them."
"Yes sir."
He had left, his boots clicking away down the hall, it was only when Dilandau was out of sight that Jezabel saw the note on the ground. Cautiously she picked it up and read it…
'Remember, one day you'll come crawling back to me…'
That bastard, that's what he said to her when she refused his advances. Suddenly, the worst thought possible entered her mind, Miguel…he was going to hurt or kill Miguel. With him out of the way, Dilandau would be left without any competition for her heart – or her body, and Jezabel would be shattered. Well, it wouldn't work, not if she could help it. Forewarned is forearmed, or does it just cause unwanted stress?
With the Vionne clearing Jez sank to her knees and uttered a little prayer for everyone's safety, especially the safety of Miguel… 'Dear God please don't let him be hurt, underneath it all he's a good soul. Don't let him die again…'
Funny how that sounded, 'Don't let him die again…' Pushing these thoughts aside she focused on the current task Time to take matters into her own hands, she'd been slacking off too much while she had been here, time to put things into high gear. She wanted a few surprises up her sleeve if Dilandau ever had the nerve to pull something on her.
A fierce fiery rage built up in her, a loyalty she had never felt so strong welled inside her. Those boys were her family now, and if anything were to happen to them, let's put it this way, it wouldn't be pretty. She stalked off to the training room, first to blow off some steam, second to learn a few things from the demi-felines, great teachers those two were, and Jez expected to learn more from them today then her entire stay put together. The basics were down, now all she needed was the style.
"Arrrrgh!" Jezabel yelled through gritted teeth, fighting the demi feline never ceased to make her blood boil. Every time it seemed she had Naria right where she wanted her, she didn't. Stupid cats.
"Dead" Naria's voice pronounced, but not as efficiently as the blade that rested against Jez's neck. "You're not focusing enough, I know you're better than this."
Ah, who was she kidding, Jezabel loved the demi-felines. They could be cold, cruel, but they did it all for the love of Lord Folken. Gaea never ceased to amaze her, it was like living in Alice's wonderland, with a bunch of bloodthirsty boys. Even Jez had to chuckle at the thought. "Yes, Lady Naria."
Like an older sister she glanced down at Jez, and smiled kindly, "Naria will suffice."
'She's right you need to focus.' Like a refreshing breeze, Jez cleared her mind, and was once again ready for battle.
"Now let's try this again." Naria was instructing her on the uses of a dagger. In many ways it was better than a sword, but much more dangerous. With the sword you were farther away from you're opponent and had more reaction time, with a dagger there was much less of this precious time. It was a skillful combination of swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Needless to say, Jez found it fascinatingly hard, but it was a challenge she'd enjoy, like everything else about this place.
Blades swinging, and punches and blocks being thrown they charged and leaped back before charging again. Naturally, it was Naria with the advantage, not only was she the teacher, but she was also part cat. Those large leaps that she took were child's play to her, but seemed impossible for Jez.
On the other side of the giant training facility Eriya was facing off with Kana. What was so amazing about Kana, was the amount of energy she possessed. But there was no other way around it, she had to be able to run like the energizer bunny. Jez had to train, and studies were on her own time. Kana on the other hand was required to take various courses in addition to her training. These ranged from strategy to protocol in the courts. Again, another little quirk adding to the validity that Kana was the Empress of Zaibach, but how? Most of what Jezabel had been hearing was servant talk, but what if it were true…that Kana Askara was to be the ruler of this land?
The heat of summer was taking off, and Jez guessed to be somewhere in early to mid August, Red is what they called this month. That meant that she had been here about four and a half months. It didn't seem that long though, and the longer she stayed here on Gaea the more that Earth felt like a distant memory, not her former life.
'I can't let her become stronger than me…' Kana told herself, 'I must train harder and learn faster.' She repeated this mantra in her mind. In fact she did it all the time when she was feeling down, or overtaxed. Somehow feeling the spirit of competition helped to clear her mind and focus. Though she didn't think it was fair that she had to take all these stupid extra courses, and Jez didn't, she knew she'd be better off because of it. What she didn't know was that Jez did research of her own, on her own time.
When Kana had asked Lord Folken about the courses and why she needed them he had said only one thing on the subject, 'Everything has a purpose, those purposes will be known in good time.' Yeah, thanks Folken. Vague as ever are we not? From she had observed, and overheard, it was plain that she wouldn't remain a soldier forever. But what was truly in store for her, now that was a different story all together.
Eriya had knocked Kana to the floor, "Dead." She announced almost gleefully. Crossing over from their side of the facility, Naria and Jezabel were able to see the entire spectacle. Far away the twins seemed impossible to distinguish, the trick was to remember who had what colored hair. Eriya's shone with the golden rays of the morning sun, while Naria's casted silver shadows of a full moon.
"Sister?" Naria purred, "I think we've taught them enough for the day, do you agree?"
"Yes, sister. Lord Folken should be expecting us soon." Nodding to each other the pair strode off, their tails swing in an unharmonious pattern.
Jezabel looked down her nose at Kana who still hadn't pulled herself up. "Still squirming in the mud like the worm you are."
Leaping to her feet at Jez's catty comment Kana leveled her eyes, and bore into Jez's, "I wouldn't be talking Jez."
"And why not?"
"Because you're the one who's squirming in the mud, not me!" Sword in hand Kana lunged at Jez. Reacting quickly and lightly as Naria had instructed her, Jezabel performed a series of back handsprings to the opposite end of the mat where she had left her own. Hastily, she picked it up, and the two adversaries met in the middle. Circling each other, tapping swords occasionally as if to test each other. Slowly, a sadistic grin spread across Jez's face. She knew what to do, and she was sick of waiting.
If she aimed high, then Kana would aim low, and if Jez could get behind Kana, then it was all over. Jezabel raised her sword high over her head, she knew Kana wouldn't miss the opportunity to go for her unprotected stomach, and she was right. In one sweeping motion Kana was thrusting at Jez. As planned Jez quickly moved out of the way, flipping over her head, and landing behind Kana.
Suddenly, Kana realized what she had done, played right into Jezabel's hands, well, that could change. She spun around ready to make Jez dive and roll out of the way of the sword skimming the ground at ankle height. Although not anticipated, Jez knew how to counter this. Instead of leaping to the side of the pendulum Jez jumped up faster than Kana could swing and placed her sword against the warm flesh of her throat. Again, flipping and landing behind her foe. Holding her from behind Jezabel let the blade have a little taste of her opposition, just a little scratch above the juggler vein, nothing to cause serious damage, but enough to scare Kana.
"And I was the one in the mud? Tsk, tsk…allow me to rephrase that. You will be the one permanently in the mud, if you catch my drift."
"Why you little…" Kana hissed, without thinking of her own safety flipped Jezabel over her back and through some grace of God managed to avoid the weapon. Discarding all weapons they started to fight each other in a whirling dance of punches, kicks, and various gymnastics. The moves became more advanced, and more complicated, therefore the number of injuries increased, but still the battle raged on. And indeed they would have kept going for a very long time had Folken not interrupted them.
He had been passing by, and heard fighting coming from the training room. Curious he came in to watch, and it was a very good thing that he did. It didn't take a mastermind to see that they were out for blood.
Neither party had noticed him enter and therefore neither party noticed when a whip cracked through the air. Folken was going to have to take a direct approach. The two each threw another crushing blow, simultaneously, but before contact was made an intervening force restricted their writs.
Perfect accuracy and timing allowed Folken to wrap the whip around their wrists, stopping them mid-throw. Seeing the cause of the whip, both girls fell to their knees muttering, "Lord Folken." hands still locked together.
Folken glared at them, "In the absence of your commander I assume temporary responsibility for you. Although I cannot approve of bloodthirsty rage that seems to have caught you, I will comment on the increased skills you have demonstrated. On the battlefield you will be a force to be reckoned with. Now, I suggest you two eat something, and then I would like to see you in my chambers." With a swish of his cape he disappeared through the door, his footfalls echoing throughout the hall.
Scowling the two enemies unhooked their wrists, and put away their weapons. Jezabel wasn't hungry, anger tended to make her lose her appetite. But, she'd better grab something to eat while she had the chance, that lesson she had learned the hard way.
Kana had already left and didn't bother to put away the whip. 'Guess that leaves me.' Slowly Jez picked it up, the braided leather was smooth and rough all at the same time. Just for kicks Jezabel tried it out. With a flick of her wrist, her motion was followed by a cracking snap of leather that echoed off the metal walls.
Feeling a little better she coiled it up and returned it to its proper place on the weapons rack.
Kana hadn't been in the dining hall, which suited Jez just fine. The less she had to see of that…yeah, the better. Somehow, the Vionne seemed too quiet without hearing the constant clanks and bangs flowing out from the training room, it didn't seem right without that background sound she had became accustomed to.
Jezabel stopped a servant who was cleaning off tables if they could procure a glass of milk, and some fruit.
"Y-yes, milady." Trembling he ran off, the boy couldn't have been more that nine years old. In record time he returned with the requested items.
"Thank you." Jez replied kindly. The look of shock on his face almost made Jez burst out with laughter, apparently he wasn't used to the Dragonslayers being kind to him.
The blue tinted light that bounced off the metallic walls illuminated her way, nearing her room she heard a combination of cat meows, and human screams, (although they didn't sound that way.) Puzzled, Jezabel kicked open the slightly ajar door, while balancing her tray of food.
"Get off me you stupid cat!" Eva yelled trying to undo the claws lodged in her back, "Ouch! Stop it!" More curses followed, but it didn't do any good. Finally, with what looked like a lot of pain, Eva pulled her off. Now having the upper hand Eva held Gem out at arm length by the scruff of her neck. Gem' s paws bat uselessly at the air between them. "Don't you do that again. Bad kitty!" She scolded giving Gem a little shake for emphasis.
Rolling her eyes Jez intervened, "Put her down Eva."
Startled, Eva whirled around, still holding the furious cat.
"Relax it's just me, and put Gem down, you can choke adult cats by carrying them like that."
"Good." But Eva let the cat fall to the ground. Gem took one look at Eva, ruby eyes flashing before she ran out the balcony door, disappearing. "How…what…huh?"
"I don't know either." Jezabel plopped down on the bed as Eva continued to stare in disbelief at the glass door. Ignoring the angry-red marks on her arm, and the snags in her shirt.
"What, for the love of God, were you doing?"
"I was cleaning your room, that's what." Like Jez, Eva didn't seem to be in the chipperest of moods either. "Shouldn't you be in training right now?"
Choosing to ignore the comment, Jezabel swallowed a sip of milk before answering, "In case you haven't noticed, the Dragonslayers are out on a mission, and won't be back until tomorrow evening."
"Oh yeah, that's right." The subject of Gem completely erased from her mind Eva brightened considerably.
"Anyway," Jezabel continued, "This leaves a perfect opportunity to do some snooping in areas normally inaccessible at any other time."
"Are you saying that…"
"Bingo, you have keys to everywhere, a good portion of the Vionne population is gone, and this is our mission is it not?"
"Yeah, but Jez, I don't have keys to everywhere!"
Jezabel expected this, and she took it in stride, "Predictable, well, what are you missing from the collection?"
"Parts of Lord Folken's chambers, Dilandau's room, couple of dilapidated storage rooms, and some tower."
"Not too bad, just all the good places. I was going to suggest that we raid Dilandau's room, I know for a fact that he has some interesting things lying about in there." That was true, last time – the only time – she was in there Jezabel didn't waste a minute, she took in her surroundings, as trained. Though at the time she had failed to realize the importance of that room, her emotions were running too high that day. "And I still think it's a good idea, I guess that means we have to find a different way in."
"Whoa, hold up there chicky." Eva said throwing her hands up defensively, "You mean to say that we're going to break into Lord Dilandau's room, the most feared general in Gaea!" She looked horrified at the thought.
"That's the one."
"But how could we get in? He's got some sort of security device on his door, and even I don't know how to pick that lock!" As she went Eva became considerably more flustered, almost to reaching the point of panic. "What this whole 'we' business anyway? There is no way I am going to risk my neck for some half-baked idea that you cooked up!"
"Eva," Jez put up a hand to stop her, "Calm down. First I mean 'we' because this will take two people. Second I didn't say we were going to use the door."
"But, I don't see how we can get in." The contorted expression on her face matched the vocal infliction, "It's not like he has a balcony."
"That would be helpful as well, but, I was thinking somewhere along these lines." Jez reached into the mattress of her bed and puled out some rather smashed looking papers.
Glancing at them Eva decided to ask where, or how she got them.
"These." Jez continued unrolling the sheets, "Are blueprints of the Vionne's vent and air circulation system. Now, it also happens that we access Lord Dilandau's room by going through a vent in the laundry room."
"Why the laundry room?"
Patiently Jezabel outlined her plan, "Dilandau's room is on the second floor, if we were to go to it from my room, we'd have a couple of nasty falls. And then we don't run the risk of getting lost."
"Oh. How long have you had this planned?"
"Not too long," but the smile on her face indicated otherwise, "I've just been waiting for the right time to put it into action."
"Should've known." Eva sighed, Jezabel was becoming more like the Dragonslayers everyday. And yet she still seemed loyal to Van, Eva didn't envy the emotional maelstrom that must be going on inside of Jez. On either side she had friends and loyalties, but where would she end up ultimately?
"Eva!"
"What?"
"Never mind, I'll explain everything later. Meet me here at ten-thirty." Jezabel proceeded to leave her room, but re-entered a split-second later, "And Eva."
"Hmm?"
"Dress for the occasion, we wouldn't want your uniform getting dirty, and giving us away." This time Jez disappeared for good.
Reaching Folken's chambers Jezabel went to knock, but it opened before she needed to. 'I hate it when that happens'
"Come in Jezabel." Almost guardedly she did, "Take a seat." Following these instructions she sat in a chair identical to Kana's on her right.
Leaning forward so his elbows rested on his desk Folken continued, "Now I'm quite sure that you're wondering why I have called you here. And rest assured it has nothing to do with your little battle."
Relief cascaded through both the girls' tense forms.
"In fact I think Dilandau will be rather bitter for not having seen it himself, but I can imagine that he will be very proud of you none the less. It seems to be his style. But, to the point. There are some things that I need to know, and some information I need to give you. First off, how did you come to Gaea, Jezabel, I don't we've ever heard the full story."
She thought for a moment, trying to put her thoughts in some form of chronological order, "I guess it all started with the dragon."
Kana's eyes went wide, "Dragon! Sorry."
Folken only seemed mildly surprised, like seeing a dragon was a common occurrence. "What did this one look like?" he prodded.
"I don't remember, it's all a big blur, and I don't think I every got a good look at it. It was massive, everything the folk tales say they are, but they don't say how scary it is to meet one face to face. I was so worried about staying alive that I didn't even think about anything else." Jez continued to explain about the transfer, and being attacked by Van's guards.
"Then what?" Folken prompted
Jez's mind was spinning, choosing her words carefully, she continued. "I broke out of there jail, 'borrowed' a few things and high-tailed it out of there." Jez instinctively put up her guard. No sense in blowing the mission just before her greatest heist to date,.
"What were you planning to do once you got out of there? Why not stay in Fanelia?"
"Would you like to stay in a place you had been taken captive? I didn't like the feeling I got from the place, so I left. I didn't know what I would do afterwards, I just knew that I couldn't stay there."
"So you broke out, and then waited to see what hand fate dealt you."
"That's seems to be about it."
"Interesting, Yours and Kana's stories vary vastly, but I believe that there is a reason for it. Kana I know your story for fact, you were summoned by emperor Dornkirk to become the heir when he passed on."
Jez interrupted at this point, "But, I thought that you killed him!"
Folken sighed, "I did, but he was one step ahead of me, he has somehow tapped into the transportation power of Gaea and forced it to retrieve her when it was need to be so. In any case Kana will soon be fit to become the empress of Zaibach.
Kana's eyes seemed to be popping out of her head. Well, that explained all the other stupid classes she was taking, who knew that court manners were so complicated?
Jez stares at Folken with shock etched into every feature of her face. Kana? The leader of Zaibach? Why on Earth/Gaea was he telling her this?
Reading her expression like an open book Folken continued, "I'm telling you this because you both share an interesting link." he didn't say what this link was, nor did it look like he was going to tell them. "Consider this a notice, so you will be prepared for things to come. You are both dismissed."
Both girls left slightly, more than slightly dazed at today's revelations. There never was a dull day here…never.
Folken's eyes followed the two out the door, they were so alike in so many ways, and still so vastly different, maybe that was why they hated each other, because they shared more in common then not. Still letting thoughts run wild through his head Folken looked at the parchment on his desk that he had been puzzling over for some time.
'Three uncertain destinies, come from a world apart.
The first summoned by a fallen leader, the other's a dragon's keeper.
They will obtain positions of nobility and power.
The first shall rule The Land of the Foreign Leader,
The second shall command The Land of the Dragons,
The third shall awaken a forgotten relic and The Lost Country with its power,
The a fourth destiny will come and rule beside the third.
When the sky is aglow with the falling stars an ancient power will be invoked and these fates will either save or destroy Gaea.'
Folken sighed, he knew that the 'Dragon's keeper' was his brother, but other parts of the puzzle were still a mystery to him although he could feel that the answers were staring him in the face. Kana and Jez were most likely part of it, and the seer, Hitomi, from the last Destiny War, but who was the fourth?
A/N: Hallo, me again, sorry long time no update, blah, blah, blah, (mutters something about finals and a summer job) yeah, umm hope you like it, me tired, me go bye bye. Oh, and as always REVIEW!!!!!!!! *falls over*
Ciao!
Ice Eyes
Jezabel put the parchment away with the other notes she had taken during her stay at the Vionne. It was compiled of various items of history, basic battle stats, basic formations and maneuvers that were used as often as possible during battle. One seemed to be Dilandau's favorite, Total Annihilation. It was the hardest to defeat, and no one could counter it. Possibly because it relied on chance, everything was left to chance. Like wargods the Dragonslayers went through the place of attack destroying everything that could be destroyed. That was the one that always paid the highest price though – for the other side. Rarely was a Dragonslayer seriously wounded, the foot soldiers caught the brunt of it.
To complement all this information Jez had gathered statistics on the fighting styles of her comrades, based on her own observations, but it still wasn't enough. However, she'd have to worry about it later. The sun was rising, and that meant breakfast was calling, and after that…training.
Quickly, she made herself presentable, pulling her hair into a short braid, and putting on a fresh uniform. She was changing more everyday, Jez didn't know how or why, but if she ever returned to earth, those of her former life would be in for a nasty shock.
Unlike the few early birds that were normally wandering the halls at this hour, today the Vionne was abuzz with activity. They had reached battlegrounds sooner than expected, and with the element of surprise still on their side Dilandau had ordered a raid. A minor battle, similar to the attack on Creole, but this one Jezabel wouldn't be attending. It was too crucial to undertake any gray areas.
'Why does no one ever tell me about these?' she wondered, scanning the crowd for Miguel, but he wasn't there. Most likely he was going over guymelef repairs, so Jezabel decided not to bother him after all. He needed his concentration on the battlefields, and thinking of Jezabel would only be a distraction.
"Gylynn!"
"Sir!" she turned around saluting her commander.
"As we will not be here today, and the cheetah warriors will, I want you and Kana to train with them."
"Yes sir."
He had left, his boots clicking away down the hall, it was only when Dilandau was out of sight that Jezabel saw the note on the ground. Cautiously she picked it up and read it…
'Remember, one day you'll come crawling back to me…'
That bastard, that's what he said to her when she refused his advances. Suddenly, the worst thought possible entered her mind, Miguel…he was going to hurt or kill Miguel. With him out of the way, Dilandau would be left without any competition for her heart – or her body, and Jezabel would be shattered. Well, it wouldn't work, not if she could help it. Forewarned is forearmed, or does it just cause unwanted stress?
With the Vionne clearing Jez sank to her knees and uttered a little prayer for everyone's safety, especially the safety of Miguel… 'Dear God please don't let him be hurt, underneath it all he's a good soul. Don't let him die again…'
Funny how that sounded, 'Don't let him die again…' Pushing these thoughts aside she focused on the current task Time to take matters into her own hands, she'd been slacking off too much while she had been here, time to put things into high gear. She wanted a few surprises up her sleeve if Dilandau ever had the nerve to pull something on her.
A fierce fiery rage built up in her, a loyalty she had never felt so strong welled inside her. Those boys were her family now, and if anything were to happen to them, let's put it this way, it wouldn't be pretty. She stalked off to the training room, first to blow off some steam, second to learn a few things from the demi-felines, great teachers those two were, and Jez expected to learn more from them today then her entire stay put together. The basics were down, now all she needed was the style.
"Arrrrgh!" Jezabel yelled through gritted teeth, fighting the demi feline never ceased to make her blood boil. Every time it seemed she had Naria right where she wanted her, she didn't. Stupid cats.
"Dead" Naria's voice pronounced, but not as efficiently as the blade that rested against Jez's neck. "You're not focusing enough, I know you're better than this."
Ah, who was she kidding, Jezabel loved the demi-felines. They could be cold, cruel, but they did it all for the love of Lord Folken. Gaea never ceased to amaze her, it was like living in Alice's wonderland, with a bunch of bloodthirsty boys. Even Jez had to chuckle at the thought. "Yes, Lady Naria."
Like an older sister she glanced down at Jez, and smiled kindly, "Naria will suffice."
'She's right you need to focus.' Like a refreshing breeze, Jez cleared her mind, and was once again ready for battle.
"Now let's try this again." Naria was instructing her on the uses of a dagger. In many ways it was better than a sword, but much more dangerous. With the sword you were farther away from you're opponent and had more reaction time, with a dagger there was much less of this precious time. It was a skillful combination of swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Needless to say, Jez found it fascinatingly hard, but it was a challenge she'd enjoy, like everything else about this place.
Blades swinging, and punches and blocks being thrown they charged and leaped back before charging again. Naturally, it was Naria with the advantage, not only was she the teacher, but she was also part cat. Those large leaps that she took were child's play to her, but seemed impossible for Jez.
On the other side of the giant training facility Eriya was facing off with Kana. What was so amazing about Kana, was the amount of energy she possessed. But there was no other way around it, she had to be able to run like the energizer bunny. Jez had to train, and studies were on her own time. Kana on the other hand was required to take various courses in addition to her training. These ranged from strategy to protocol in the courts. Again, another little quirk adding to the validity that Kana was the Empress of Zaibach, but how? Most of what Jezabel had been hearing was servant talk, but what if it were true…that Kana Askara was to be the ruler of this land?
The heat of summer was taking off, and Jez guessed to be somewhere in early to mid August, Red is what they called this month. That meant that she had been here about four and a half months. It didn't seem that long though, and the longer she stayed here on Gaea the more that Earth felt like a distant memory, not her former life.
'I can't let her become stronger than me…' Kana told herself, 'I must train harder and learn faster.' She repeated this mantra in her mind. In fact she did it all the time when she was feeling down, or overtaxed. Somehow feeling the spirit of competition helped to clear her mind and focus. Though she didn't think it was fair that she had to take all these stupid extra courses, and Jez didn't, she knew she'd be better off because of it. What she didn't know was that Jez did research of her own, on her own time.
When Kana had asked Lord Folken about the courses and why she needed them he had said only one thing on the subject, 'Everything has a purpose, those purposes will be known in good time.' Yeah, thanks Folken. Vague as ever are we not? From she had observed, and overheard, it was plain that she wouldn't remain a soldier forever. But what was truly in store for her, now that was a different story all together.
Eriya had knocked Kana to the floor, "Dead." She announced almost gleefully. Crossing over from their side of the facility, Naria and Jezabel were able to see the entire spectacle. Far away the twins seemed impossible to distinguish, the trick was to remember who had what colored hair. Eriya's shone with the golden rays of the morning sun, while Naria's casted silver shadows of a full moon.
"Sister?" Naria purred, "I think we've taught them enough for the day, do you agree?"
"Yes, sister. Lord Folken should be expecting us soon." Nodding to each other the pair strode off, their tails swing in an unharmonious pattern.
Jezabel looked down her nose at Kana who still hadn't pulled herself up. "Still squirming in the mud like the worm you are."
Leaping to her feet at Jez's catty comment Kana leveled her eyes, and bore into Jez's, "I wouldn't be talking Jez."
"And why not?"
"Because you're the one who's squirming in the mud, not me!" Sword in hand Kana lunged at Jez. Reacting quickly and lightly as Naria had instructed her, Jezabel performed a series of back handsprings to the opposite end of the mat where she had left her own. Hastily, she picked it up, and the two adversaries met in the middle. Circling each other, tapping swords occasionally as if to test each other. Slowly, a sadistic grin spread across Jez's face. She knew what to do, and she was sick of waiting.
If she aimed high, then Kana would aim low, and if Jez could get behind Kana, then it was all over. Jezabel raised her sword high over her head, she knew Kana wouldn't miss the opportunity to go for her unprotected stomach, and she was right. In one sweeping motion Kana was thrusting at Jez. As planned Jez quickly moved out of the way, flipping over her head, and landing behind Kana.
Suddenly, Kana realized what she had done, played right into Jezabel's hands, well, that could change. She spun around ready to make Jez dive and roll out of the way of the sword skimming the ground at ankle height. Although not anticipated, Jez knew how to counter this. Instead of leaping to the side of the pendulum Jez jumped up faster than Kana could swing and placed her sword against the warm flesh of her throat. Again, flipping and landing behind her foe. Holding her from behind Jezabel let the blade have a little taste of her opposition, just a little scratch above the juggler vein, nothing to cause serious damage, but enough to scare Kana.
"And I was the one in the mud? Tsk, tsk…allow me to rephrase that. You will be the one permanently in the mud, if you catch my drift."
"Why you little…" Kana hissed, without thinking of her own safety flipped Jezabel over her back and through some grace of God managed to avoid the weapon. Discarding all weapons they started to fight each other in a whirling dance of punches, kicks, and various gymnastics. The moves became more advanced, and more complicated, therefore the number of injuries increased, but still the battle raged on. And indeed they would have kept going for a very long time had Folken not interrupted them.
He had been passing by, and heard fighting coming from the training room. Curious he came in to watch, and it was a very good thing that he did. It didn't take a mastermind to see that they were out for blood.
Neither party had noticed him enter and therefore neither party noticed when a whip cracked through the air. Folken was going to have to take a direct approach. The two each threw another crushing blow, simultaneously, but before contact was made an intervening force restricted their writs.
Perfect accuracy and timing allowed Folken to wrap the whip around their wrists, stopping them mid-throw. Seeing the cause of the whip, both girls fell to their knees muttering, "Lord Folken." hands still locked together.
Folken glared at them, "In the absence of your commander I assume temporary responsibility for you. Although I cannot approve of bloodthirsty rage that seems to have caught you, I will comment on the increased skills you have demonstrated. On the battlefield you will be a force to be reckoned with. Now, I suggest you two eat something, and then I would like to see you in my chambers." With a swish of his cape he disappeared through the door, his footfalls echoing throughout the hall.
Scowling the two enemies unhooked their wrists, and put away their weapons. Jezabel wasn't hungry, anger tended to make her lose her appetite. But, she'd better grab something to eat while she had the chance, that lesson she had learned the hard way.
Kana had already left and didn't bother to put away the whip. 'Guess that leaves me.' Slowly Jez picked it up, the braided leather was smooth and rough all at the same time. Just for kicks Jezabel tried it out. With a flick of her wrist, her motion was followed by a cracking snap of leather that echoed off the metal walls.
Feeling a little better she coiled it up and returned it to its proper place on the weapons rack.
Kana hadn't been in the dining hall, which suited Jez just fine. The less she had to see of that…yeah, the better. Somehow, the Vionne seemed too quiet without hearing the constant clanks and bangs flowing out from the training room, it didn't seem right without that background sound she had became accustomed to.
Jezabel stopped a servant who was cleaning off tables if they could procure a glass of milk, and some fruit.
"Y-yes, milady." Trembling he ran off, the boy couldn't have been more that nine years old. In record time he returned with the requested items.
"Thank you." Jez replied kindly. The look of shock on his face almost made Jez burst out with laughter, apparently he wasn't used to the Dragonslayers being kind to him.
The blue tinted light that bounced off the metallic walls illuminated her way, nearing her room she heard a combination of cat meows, and human screams, (although they didn't sound that way.) Puzzled, Jezabel kicked open the slightly ajar door, while balancing her tray of food.
"Get off me you stupid cat!" Eva yelled trying to undo the claws lodged in her back, "Ouch! Stop it!" More curses followed, but it didn't do any good. Finally, with what looked like a lot of pain, Eva pulled her off. Now having the upper hand Eva held Gem out at arm length by the scruff of her neck. Gem' s paws bat uselessly at the air between them. "Don't you do that again. Bad kitty!" She scolded giving Gem a little shake for emphasis.
Rolling her eyes Jez intervened, "Put her down Eva."
Startled, Eva whirled around, still holding the furious cat.
"Relax it's just me, and put Gem down, you can choke adult cats by carrying them like that."
"Good." But Eva let the cat fall to the ground. Gem took one look at Eva, ruby eyes flashing before she ran out the balcony door, disappearing. "How…what…huh?"
"I don't know either." Jezabel plopped down on the bed as Eva continued to stare in disbelief at the glass door. Ignoring the angry-red marks on her arm, and the snags in her shirt.
"What, for the love of God, were you doing?"
"I was cleaning your room, that's what." Like Jez, Eva didn't seem to be in the chipperest of moods either. "Shouldn't you be in training right now?"
Choosing to ignore the comment, Jezabel swallowed a sip of milk before answering, "In case you haven't noticed, the Dragonslayers are out on a mission, and won't be back until tomorrow evening."
"Oh yeah, that's right." The subject of Gem completely erased from her mind Eva brightened considerably.
"Anyway," Jezabel continued, "This leaves a perfect opportunity to do some snooping in areas normally inaccessible at any other time."
"Are you saying that…"
"Bingo, you have keys to everywhere, a good portion of the Vionne population is gone, and this is our mission is it not?"
"Yeah, but Jez, I don't have keys to everywhere!"
Jezabel expected this, and she took it in stride, "Predictable, well, what are you missing from the collection?"
"Parts of Lord Folken's chambers, Dilandau's room, couple of dilapidated storage rooms, and some tower."
"Not too bad, just all the good places. I was going to suggest that we raid Dilandau's room, I know for a fact that he has some interesting things lying about in there." That was true, last time – the only time – she was in there Jezabel didn't waste a minute, she took in her surroundings, as trained. Though at the time she had failed to realize the importance of that room, her emotions were running too high that day. "And I still think it's a good idea, I guess that means we have to find a different way in."
"Whoa, hold up there chicky." Eva said throwing her hands up defensively, "You mean to say that we're going to break into Lord Dilandau's room, the most feared general in Gaea!" She looked horrified at the thought.
"That's the one."
"But how could we get in? He's got some sort of security device on his door, and even I don't know how to pick that lock!" As she went Eva became considerably more flustered, almost to reaching the point of panic. "What this whole 'we' business anyway? There is no way I am going to risk my neck for some half-baked idea that you cooked up!"
"Eva," Jez put up a hand to stop her, "Calm down. First I mean 'we' because this will take two people. Second I didn't say we were going to use the door."
"But, I don't see how we can get in." The contorted expression on her face matched the vocal infliction, "It's not like he has a balcony."
"That would be helpful as well, but, I was thinking somewhere along these lines." Jez reached into the mattress of her bed and puled out some rather smashed looking papers.
Glancing at them Eva decided to ask where, or how she got them.
"These." Jez continued unrolling the sheets, "Are blueprints of the Vionne's vent and air circulation system. Now, it also happens that we access Lord Dilandau's room by going through a vent in the laundry room."
"Why the laundry room?"
Patiently Jezabel outlined her plan, "Dilandau's room is on the second floor, if we were to go to it from my room, we'd have a couple of nasty falls. And then we don't run the risk of getting lost."
"Oh. How long have you had this planned?"
"Not too long," but the smile on her face indicated otherwise, "I've just been waiting for the right time to put it into action."
"Should've known." Eva sighed, Jezabel was becoming more like the Dragonslayers everyday. And yet she still seemed loyal to Van, Eva didn't envy the emotional maelstrom that must be going on inside of Jez. On either side she had friends and loyalties, but where would she end up ultimately?
"Eva!"
"What?"
"Never mind, I'll explain everything later. Meet me here at ten-thirty." Jezabel proceeded to leave her room, but re-entered a split-second later, "And Eva."
"Hmm?"
"Dress for the occasion, we wouldn't want your uniform getting dirty, and giving us away." This time Jez disappeared for good.
Reaching Folken's chambers Jezabel went to knock, but it opened before she needed to. 'I hate it when that happens'
"Come in Jezabel." Almost guardedly she did, "Take a seat." Following these instructions she sat in a chair identical to Kana's on her right.
Leaning forward so his elbows rested on his desk Folken continued, "Now I'm quite sure that you're wondering why I have called you here. And rest assured it has nothing to do with your little battle."
Relief cascaded through both the girls' tense forms.
"In fact I think Dilandau will be rather bitter for not having seen it himself, but I can imagine that he will be very proud of you none the less. It seems to be his style. But, to the point. There are some things that I need to know, and some information I need to give you. First off, how did you come to Gaea, Jezabel, I don't we've ever heard the full story."
She thought for a moment, trying to put her thoughts in some form of chronological order, "I guess it all started with the dragon."
Kana's eyes went wide, "Dragon! Sorry."
Folken only seemed mildly surprised, like seeing a dragon was a common occurrence. "What did this one look like?" he prodded.
"I don't remember, it's all a big blur, and I don't think I every got a good look at it. It was massive, everything the folk tales say they are, but they don't say how scary it is to meet one face to face. I was so worried about staying alive that I didn't even think about anything else." Jez continued to explain about the transfer, and being attacked by Van's guards.
"Then what?" Folken prompted
Jez's mind was spinning, choosing her words carefully, she continued. "I broke out of there jail, 'borrowed' a few things and high-tailed it out of there." Jez instinctively put up her guard. No sense in blowing the mission just before her greatest heist to date,.
"What were you planning to do once you got out of there? Why not stay in Fanelia?"
"Would you like to stay in a place you had been taken captive? I didn't like the feeling I got from the place, so I left. I didn't know what I would do afterwards, I just knew that I couldn't stay there."
"So you broke out, and then waited to see what hand fate dealt you."
"That's seems to be about it."
"Interesting, Yours and Kana's stories vary vastly, but I believe that there is a reason for it. Kana I know your story for fact, you were summoned by emperor Dornkirk to become the heir when he passed on."
Jez interrupted at this point, "But, I thought that you killed him!"
Folken sighed, "I did, but he was one step ahead of me, he has somehow tapped into the transportation power of Gaea and forced it to retrieve her when it was need to be so. In any case Kana will soon be fit to become the empress of Zaibach.
Kana's eyes seemed to be popping out of her head. Well, that explained all the other stupid classes she was taking, who knew that court manners were so complicated?
Jez stares at Folken with shock etched into every feature of her face. Kana? The leader of Zaibach? Why on Earth/Gaea was he telling her this?
Reading her expression like an open book Folken continued, "I'm telling you this because you both share an interesting link." he didn't say what this link was, nor did it look like he was going to tell them. "Consider this a notice, so you will be prepared for things to come. You are both dismissed."
Both girls left slightly, more than slightly dazed at today's revelations. There never was a dull day here…never.
Folken's eyes followed the two out the door, they were so alike in so many ways, and still so vastly different, maybe that was why they hated each other, because they shared more in common then not. Still letting thoughts run wild through his head Folken looked at the parchment on his desk that he had been puzzling over for some time.
'Three uncertain destinies, come from a world apart.
The first summoned by a fallen leader, the other's a dragon's keeper.
They will obtain positions of nobility and power.
The first shall rule The Land of the Foreign Leader,
The second shall command The Land of the Dragons,
The third shall awaken a forgotten relic and The Lost Country with its power,
The a fourth destiny will come and rule beside the third.
When the sky is aglow with the falling stars an ancient power will be invoked and these fates will either save or destroy Gaea.'
Folken sighed, he knew that the 'Dragon's keeper' was his brother, but other parts of the puzzle were still a mystery to him although he could feel that the answers were staring him in the face. Kana and Jez were most likely part of it, and the seer, Hitomi, from the last Destiny War, but who was the fourth?
A/N: Hallo, me again, sorry long time no update, blah, blah, blah, (mutters something about finals and a summer job) yeah, umm hope you like it, me tired, me go bye bye. Oh, and as always REVIEW!!!!!!!! *falls over*
Ciao!
Ice Eyes