Author's Note: For anyone wondering I am not doing fine because I just witnessed my brother skipping very strangely in front of me. Please, don't flaunt your sexiness, bro. (lol, jk everyone)
The Lost Protector
This story is dedicated to Chichirui for she is the reason for most of my inspiration and without her these stories wouldn't be half as fun! So this one is for you my hyper active friend! Keep the hyperness alive!
Chapter 4: Dark ShadowsWillow awoke with a pounding headache. "Agh, damn girl. If you wouldn't fight then you wouldn't get hurt," she whispered to herself. Her body felt like it was on fire as she stood up and stretched.
If anyone had been watching they would've been scared. Her voice was the same, but it held a different tone to it. It was darker and more intense as if she was stone and nothing could phase her tough surface. Her aura had changed and as she stood there, in her small camp, a smile appeared on her lips as she glared about.
"Well, I guess it is time to start with my plan," she said, and her smile turned evil in a flash. "Gaea, get ready. I'm coming. Oh, and dear Kat, get ready for the ride of your life."
With that said, Willow cleaned all traces of the camp with a wave of her hand and walked off into the forest.
A month later…Willow smiled to herself as she walked into Fanellia. The streets were crowded with people setting up their shops and shoppers all ready hustling about, buying and trading things. The tall stone buildings stood tall with a majestic feel around them, their country's flag waving proudly upon each street corner.
Army men walked the streets, ensuring peace, though she doubted there was ever any uproar. She navigated the streets without trouble, passing carts and horses and people in the streets but not caring. Noise and movement flew around her in the chaos of the early morning.
Such a little city… so small… with their king in the state he is, I can easily take over this small place. Then I can put everyone under my spell and attract more warriors to do my bidding, she thought as she walked.
There would be time enough later in the day for her show. All she had to do was just relax, blend in, not get noticed and everything would be fine. Just then a small shop caught her attention and she walked over to it. It was a spice seller's stand with all sorts of fragrant herbs and grasses for every use. She browsed the selection with interest. "Hmmm… Dragroot… that is used for putting people to sleep," she muttered, remembering what she had been taught as she picked up a jar of crushed pink petals. I might need this, she thought.
She bought it, easily whipping up Gaean coins out of thin air and giving them to the seller. Then she left the stall to wander the city some more.
"Well, well, Willow, you want to take over Gaea do you? I think I will help in that operation… but I still have Lord Dilandau to watch over… hmmm… oh, don't worry, dear Willow, you will get your chance to rule Gaea but when you do that'll be up to you," the shadowy figure said.
It stood in a dark room the darkness completely cloaking it. There was a misty feel to the air, as if it was so old and thick with magic it could easily turn into a fog to cover the darkness that made up the floor. The wall had no corners or defined lines to end it; it only stretched out forever in the darkness. The feeling of being within a large space was apparent.
The figure walked through the room with a sturdy, even gait that held a sort of elegance to it until it came to a small candle burning. It was the only source of light in the darkness, but it barely even put a dent in the massive amounts of blackness that swirled around it. However, it was only needed for one purpose.
With the dim light cast by the candle, she could see her book, which lay underneath the candle. The figure was covered by a black hooded cloak, which flowed into the darkness, pulled the book out from under the candle and pulled off its hood.
Underneath the hood was the most beautiful face anyone had ever seen. Her beauty lit up the room where the light could not. Sparkling, golden eyes that held an ever-present burning fire in them looked out into their dark surroundings, glowing slightly in the darkened room. A dainty nose gently protruded from her slim face, full, luscious red lips, small chin, and well defined cheekbones were slightly hidden by the strands of lavender hair that fell gracefully from her head.
The figure opened up the book and flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for. Written on the old page, worn by centuries of use, was writing that no one could read. It had been long forgotten by the people of the Mystic Moon, undiscovered on Gaea, and only one person could read it-her. "Lle una morwen, naa lolitheun dolle, que da lox," she spoke in a mighty voice that echoed through the room.
A small gust of wind picked up and swirled around her, her hair gently whipped around her face. She could feel the presence within the wind. "Go, make Van fall in love with Willow," she whispered to it, guiding it with a flourish of her elegant finger.
The wind howled in response and then was gone, twisting its way through the darkness and out into the world. The figure smiled. "There, Willow, you have your chance. What you do with it is not up to me," she said.
Willow looked around the room she was in; it was pretty nice in size and very nicely decorated. Dark crimson carpet, white walls, lots of windows with dark crimson drapes covering their wide French accent, and light Oak bed, dresser, four-poster bed, and nightstand next to the bed-the works. The walls had very expensive looking paintings and mirrors and accents like small vases all around, things to break and very expensive.
There was a bathroom over to her left finished with white marble everything, and across from her foot of the bed was a mini study, a fireplace and a desk, a couple high-back dark crimson chairs in front of the fireplace. "King of Fanellia, Van Fanel?" She asked as she noticed a figure sitting in one of the chairs. It had been a while since she first entered the quiet room with only the sound of the crackling flames to comfort her as she waited. Why didn't she see him before?
"You say it like something out of a book," the figure commented, his voice was deep with sadness.
"Because it is," replied Willow with ease. "You are the King Fanel, am I correct?"
The figure stood up and turned around, facing Willow. He was tall, at least six foot, with wild, raven-black hair and dark, liquid hazel eyes that held a tormented soul within their depths. He wore black boots, pants with a white shirt. On his face he held a sad expression as if the world around him was crumbling. "Yes, I am. Who are you?" He asked.
Willow smiled. This was the famous king, the battle veteran of the first Destiny War. "Willow Akimo Commander of the Star Angels back on the Mystic Moon. Recognize the name? Of course you do. I'm not here to retell tales of days back on the Mystic Moon or hear of your lost love. I've come here to tell you of a dangerous person that will soon attack," she replied.
A month later…Kat sighed as she rested her head on her folded arms. It had been two months since Willow had arrived on Gaea and since they had lost her. She was worried because of Willow's disappearance and harsh words that still echoed in her mind. They had searched everywhere for her but it was like she had simply dropped off the end of Gaea. No trace of the long lost girl could be found.
"I've been having dreams about her. They're strange dreams, unlike the visions or disillusioned dreams the Protectors usually have. Willow and I were battling each other with magic so powerful it was like we were powered by something else. I could hear the screams of Gaea, pleading with me to destroy Willow, and I saw Willow's eyes-they weren't her own. Suddenly a figure appeared between us.
"His aura worried me and as soon as he appeared I couldn't move. I watched as he grabbed Willow and disappeared, leaving behind a piece of parchment with a single teardrop on it," she muttered as she wrote it down.
"Dilandau tells me the dreams are nothing, just my mind trying to make sense of the situation. Yet I don't believe his words… there's something more to these dreams then what meets the eye."
The dreams had been plaguing her ever since they had lost Willow. She had been loosing sleep because of it, her mind going into panic every time she closed her eyes, the images replaying in her head. Plus she had been having another dream. She was watching the figure talk to the small Willow in the hospital so many years ago.
They must've done something to her. She wouldn't be who she is now if they hadn't, she thought. But how did they get her to agree so easily?
Just then Nicole ran in disturbing her thoughts. "Kat, we've found her," she said. Kat was on her feet, not caring about all the books and papers that she sent flying as the sudden movement caused a small earthquake on the table where she was. "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but we think we've almost found her. Come on, we've got to go," Nicole said and ran back out the door.
Kat ran after her, wondering why Nicole was the one to come and get her. Why did she say she wasn't supposed to know? Willow… what are you doing? Kat thought as they ran.
Willow smiled form her place in the shadows. Sulking outside the small dungeon where Van had arranged for a meeting of his generals, she replayed her ingenious plan that had actually started to work out. It had been two months since she had arrived in Fanellia and all ready she was gaining control of the lost king. It sort of worried her because of the ease of which she got Van to agree… but then again it did make some sense.
All
ready I have two hundred followers.
Thanks to Van, I am close to my goal, she thought. She emerged from the shadows and began to
wander the corridors of the castle, bored with her guard duty. She wasn't learning anything new. Somehow, that bastard Van has fallen in love
with me. This might be a problem… but
how'd it happen?
FLASHBACK
"You wanted to see me, Van?" Willow asked as she entered Van's room. It had been strange because she had received a currier telling her to meet the king in his room. Van almost never called her to his side.
She looked around the familiar room and found him sitting on the bed, looking rather nervous. Strange, she thought. "Yes, I did. Willow, you've helped me rebuild Fanellia better then it had been. I don't think it would be what it is today without you. The economy has blossomed, the people are happy, security is better and most of all the advisors are happy, all thanks to you," Van said, his voice strong but she could see in his eyes that he was nervous.
"Yeah, you've told me about a million times how happy you are that I've helped you. So why all the privacy?" Willow asked.
"No… see, over the two short months we've been together, I've fallen in love with you."
Willow stared dumbfounded at Van. The only thing she could think of was, oh damn!
Van gave an apologetic smile as if he was sorry that he had given her such a shock. "I believe that the Fates want us to be together, Willow. I've never felt like this before. If you will have me-" Van was cut off.
"Van, this is all so sudden. I… I need to think about it," Willow said, hoping she sounded flustered. Her mind was reeling-how could this have happened? This was not a part of her plans.
Apparently
she did because Van bought it. He
nodded, a serious look coming over his face.
"This is very delicate, Willow.
I want you to think of everything before you decide. Until then, I'll wait for your response," he
said. Willow nodded and left the room.
END FLASHBACK
"Definitely a problem," she muttered. She shook her head and headed out of the castle. She need air, she needed to rethink her plan. Once outside she went to the stables and took out her mount-a chestnut mare sturdy as a rock. Quickly tacking up the mare and mounted, galloping away from the castle and towards the forests around Fanellia.
From a window from the dungeon Van watched his love ride away in the darkness of the falling night. "Where ever you're going, Willow, take care and please come back," he whispered. Within the shadows the lavender haired beauty smiled. "This has taken a very interesting turn. Very interesting indeed," she said.
With that said, she disappeared back into the shadows. She left no trace that she was ever there behind her.
Author's Note: Yes, the first AN was odd. I just thought it up. Seriously, he's normal. Ooooh, so who's the lavender haired beauty hm? You'll see in my next chapter and has anyone noticed that I have an affinity with making my characters erase their tracks with a wave of their hand?
~The Shadow That Takes Form as a Kat~
~~ShadowKat~~