At the dining table in the Fanelian palace, lunch was being eaten. There wasn't much idle chitchat around the table as the moods of the diners were not jovial. The shadow was growing closer and Mecale still hadn't returned.
Suddenly, at the exact same moment, Hitomi and Siri sprang up from the table, earning curious stares from the rest of the people at the table.
"Mecale is back!" mother and daughter shouted in unison and dashed towards the dining room door. The other occupants of the room didn't hesitate to follow.
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Mecale opened her eyes and clinked against the harsh sunlight on her face. Once her eyes were used to the light, she looked around. Kouji was laying next to her, their arms still wrapped tightly around one another. She saw that they were laying in the soft grass of a clearing with a canopy of trees above them. She recognized the place immediately.
"Kouji!" Mecale called and shook him, "Kouji, wake up!"
Kouji groaned and his eyes fluttered open. "Huh?" He smiled when he saw Mecale. "Hey beautiful."
Mecale grinned. "We're here."
Kouji sat up suddenly, dragging Mecale with him. "We're here? This is Gaea?"
"Yes," Mecale answered. "We're in a clearing in the Fanelian forest."
Kouji got to his feet and helped Mecale up as well. "This is Gaea."
"Come here," Mecale called and led him to the edge of the clearing where a path led through the forest. From their vantage point, they could see the Fanelian palace and part of the city. "That is the palace of Fanelia."
Kouji stared at it in awe. "Wow."
"Look there!" Mecale pointed to where a group of people emerged from the castle and made their way towards the forest. "That's my family! Come on! Let's go meet them."
Mecale took Kouji's hand and the two of them sprinted down the forest trail towards the palace. They raced down the path hand in hand until her family came into view. Kouji then let go of her so she could go to them.
Adrina was the first person Mecale encountered. Her mother wrapped her into a big hug. "Mecale, you're back! Are you all right?"
"I'm fine mother," Mecale assured.
"What happened to your head?" Adrina asked worriedly.
"It's nothing," Mecale told her, "just a scratch."
Next to Adrina, Riley stood, waiting for his turn to greet Mecale. He was shoved aside by Folken, who snatched his daughter up into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"My sweet little Mecale," Folken gushed, "we were so worried about you!"
"I'm fine, really," Mecale insisted, surprised by her father's outpouring of emotion.
Mecale was welcomed by each member of her family, who all shoved Riley aside to get to her. Siri was the last to welcome back the princess.
"Mecale, I'm so glad you're back," Siri told her while hugging her. "Things have been too dull without you." Siri released her cousin and looked past her. "Mecale, who's your friend?"
"Back off Siri, he's already mine," Mecale whispered before turning to Kouji. She motioned him to come closer. "Everybody, this is Kouji. He's Amano and Yukari's son." She wasn't quite sure she should introduce him as her boyfriend, especially with Riley there. She didn't know what he might do.
Hitomi came forward from the group, her eyes wide. "You are Yukari and Amano's son?"
"Yes ma'am."
Hitomi smiled. "You look just like your father."
"Thank you ma'am."
"As you've probably already guessed, that's my Aunt Hitomi," Mecale introduced, "that's my Uncle Van, Aunt Merle, Uncle Zane, cousins Golan, Siri, Dolyn and Zara. And these are my parents."
Kouji noticed that Mecale neglected to introduce the blonde man standing at the back of the group. He didn't have time to ponder the reason why because a second later he found himself staring up into the mahogany eyes of Folken Fanel.
"Kouji," Folken said.
"Y…yes sir?" Kouji stammered. The man was at least four inches taller than Kouji and looked like he could rip his head off if he wanted.
A smile broke out on Folken's face. "Welcome to Fanelia."
Kouji let out the breath he had been holding. "Thank you sir."
"Let's go back to the palace," Adrina suggested, "we can finish our lunches and talk. Are you two hungry?"
"Yes mother," Mecale answered, "I'm starved. What about you Kouji?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty hungry."
Everyone chatted happily on the way back to the palace. They all spoke English so Kouji could understand and wouldn't feel left out. When they reached the huge palace (or at least huge compared to what Kouji was used to) they all went to the dining room where their lunch was still set out but had been covered. As they sat down, servants hurried in to uncover their food and bring plates for the two newcomers. They all ate their lunch and chatted happily.
After lunch, everyone went to the parlor to talk more. Kouji noticed that Mecale completely ignored the blonde man and went out of her way to sit as far from him as possible in the parlor. Once they had all been seated, Adrina smiled and spoke.
"All right Mecale. We're dying to hear about your adventures on the Mystic Moon."
"With all due respect mother, I'd rather talk about the nightmares I've been having," Mecale said.
The smile faded form Adrina's face. "You mean about the shadow."
"How did you know?" Mecale questioned.
"Because of the prophecy," Folken answered.
"What prophecy?" Mecale looked around the room and saw that she and Kouji were the only ones who looked confused.
"An ancient Draconian prophecy," Folken told her, "that we found in the Draconian book."
"Found? When?" Mecale asked.
"Right after you were born," Adrina replied.
"What does this prophecy have to do with my nightmares about the shadow?"
Adrina took a deep breath. "The prophecy tells of a daughter born to two Draconians, one from each side of the family tree. The girl will have wings of gold and will represent the good of the Draconians. Alternately, when the girl is born, a shadow will appear that represents the evil of the Draconians. When the time is right, the girl will battle the shadow in the ultimate battle of good and evil. If the girl wins, the shadow will disappear forever. If not…"
"What?"
"The world will be destroyed."
Mecale stared at her mother in surprise. "Let me get this straight. That shadow in Zaibach is there because of me and I'm the only one who can destroy it. If I don't, the world is going to be destroyed?" Her parents nodded. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"We wanted to wait until you were ready," Adrina answered.
"What makes you think I'm ready now?" Mecale questioned.
"The prophecy states that the shadow will remain dormant until the girl is ready to fight it," Folken stated.
"And?"
"And the shadow is moving closer as we speak," Folken informed.
"What?!" Mecale exclaimed, "It's moving? What will happen if it reaches Fanelia?"
"It will destroy every living thing it touches," Adrina spoke, "plant and animal alike."
Mecale nodded slightly. "How much time?"
"About a week," Folken answered.
"All right," Mecale agreed, "I have a week to defeat this thing. I can do it." She glanced up and saw a worried look on Kouji's face. She offered him a slight smile but he didn't return it. She looked back at her parents. "Mother, father, I'm exhausted from my journey. Would it be okay if I went to rest for a while?"
"Of course," Adrina told her.
Mecale got up and left the room. She hurried down the corridors to her room and collapsed on the huge bed. How am I supposed to do this? she thought to herself, I'm only a seventeen year old girl. She had acted brave in front of her parents but in reality, she was scared to death.
Earlier, she had had a servant bring the bag containing her bear to her room. Now she found it sitting at the foot of her bed. She pulled the bear out and hugged it to her.
A moment later, someone knocked on the door. She assumed that it was Siri and called "Come in!" When the door opened, she was surprised to see her mother enter.
"Is it okay if I talk to you for a minute?" Adrina inquired.
"Of course." Mecale sat up on the edge of her bed. Her mother crossed the room and sat down next to her.
"There was a part of the prophecy that we didn't tell you," Adrina began. Mecale said nothing so Adrina continued. "When the girl-child…you, when you go to fight the evil, someone will accompany you."
"Who?"
"Your samurai." Adrina told her, "He will accompany you to Zaibach and help you in your battle."
"Who is he?" Mecale asked.
"Whoever you choose," her mother replied, "although, I think you made your decision before you ever heard about the prophecy."
"Kouji," Mecale whispered before she could stop herself. She looked up at her mother, wide eyed.
"Don't worry," her mother chuckled, "I already know."
"How?"
"A mother just knows," Adrina smiled.
"What about father?" Mecale asked.
"He knows too," Adrina assured.
"He's not going to try to do anything to Kouji, is he?" Mecale inquired.
"No," Adrina laughed, "as long as it's not Riley, he's happy."
"Speaking of Mr. Pretty Boy, what's he doing here?"
"He wanted to stay," Adrina informed, "He refused to leave with his family. He wants your answer to his proposal."
"Didn't he get the hint when I ran out on him?" Mecale scoffed.
"Apparently not."
"Figures," Mecale stated, "arrogant pig."
Adrina laughed again and stood up. "I'll let you rest now but you might want to think about telling Kouji about what I've told you so he knows what's going on."
"I will," Mecale assured.
Adrina bent down and hugged her daughter. "I'm glad you're back sweetheart."
"I'm glad to be back."
Adrina smiled and left Mecale's room. Mecale crawled into the middle of her bed and laid down, clutching the bear. She had a lot to think about but right now she was just too tired. She closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Mecale was awakened later by Siri. She smiled when she saw her younger cousin leaning over her.
"Rise and shine sleepyhead," Siri chirped, "it's almost time for dinner."
"Already?" Mecale sat up and stretched.
"Yes," Siri confirmed, "we have about ten or fifteen minutes so get ready."
Mecale looked down at her jeans and T-shirt. "What? You don't like my new look?"
"I do but I don't' think your parents would be pleased if you showed up to dinner dressed like that," Siri said.
"I guess you're right." Mecale picked out a dress and changed behind her changing screen. She emerged to find Siri sitting on her bed.
"So," Siri began, "there's something between you and Kouji?"
Mecale smiled. "What makes you think that?"
"Oh, I don't know," Siri scoffed, "perhaps the fact that you told me to 'back off' because he's 'already yours'."
"I was just warning you," Mecale told her.
"So you are an item," Siri deducted.
"Yes."
"You have to tell me everything," Siri insisted.
"Later," Mecale told her, "We'd better get to dinner. By the way, where is Kouji?"
"Your parents gave him a room in the guest wing," Siri informed, "A servant was just sent to get him for dinner."
"Riley hasn't talked to him, has he?" Mecale questioned.
"Not to my knowledge," Siri replied.
"Good," Mecale breathed, "It could be disastrous if the two of them got to talking."
Mecale and Siri left the room and headed towards the dining room.
----------------------------------------
"Excuse me sir."
Kouji looked towards the door when he heard the woman's voice come from the hallway. "Yes?"
"Dinner will be server shortly sir," the woman called through the door, "I've been sent to take you to the dining hall."
Kouji jumped off the bed and hurried to the door. He opened it to reveal an older woman with graying hair and a warm smile.
"Please follow me sir."
The woman led him down a long corridor and then turned down a more lavishly decorated hall. Up ahead, Kouji saw the blonde man who Mecale failed to introduce. He came out of a side hallway and stopped when he saw Kouji. He smiled and waited for them to catch up.
"I don't think we've been introduced," the blonde said to Kouji, "my name is Prince Riley."
"Kouji," Kouji stated by way of introduction.
"How are you enjoying Fanelia so far?" Riley asked.
"It's definitely different than Earth," Kouji commented.
"I'm sure it is," Riley agreed. He turned to the woman who was standing nearby. "You're dismissed."
"I'm sorry Prince," the woman apologized, "but Queen Adrina asked me to bring the guest to the dining hall."
"I can take him," Riley told her, "I'm going there anyway. You're dismissed."
The woman hesitated, then bowed. "Yes highness." The woman turned and disappeared down another corridor.
"Come," Riley urged, "dinner is almost served."
The two men started down the hallway in the direction that the servant had been leading Kouji in the first place.
"I wanted to thank you for returning Mecale safely," Riley spoke as they approached a huge set of double doors. "I was beginning to think she'd never return."
"Uh, you're welcome," Kouji offered. He didn't like the way the man spoke about Mecale like she was something that had gotten out and ran away, like a dog or cat. He wondered if the man was related to Mecale. She hadn't mentioned him and didn't even bother to introduce him, but he was a prince. On the other hand, he was blonde. The rest of Mecale's family had darker hair. Kouji began to have a sinking feeling in his stomach about who the blonde man really was and decided to find out.
"So," Kouji began as they approached the double doors of the dining hall, "Are you another cousin of Mecale's?"
Riley chuckled. "Of course not. I'm her fiancé."
Kouji looked at the blonde man in shock. "Her…fiancé?"
"Yes," Riley nodded, "Didn't she tell you?"
"No," Kouji said, his mind reeling. "She never told me."
"Oh, well anyway, through those doors is the dining hall," Riley pointed, "I just remembered that I have something to attend to quickly. You go in without me."
Before Kouji could speak, Riley turned and hurried down the hallway they had just come down. He didn't want to enter with Kouji. He knew Mecale would suspect something.
Kouji stood in front of the dining hall, staring at the doors in shock. She had a fiancé? Why hadn't she told him? Suddenly a red cloud of anger broke through his shock. She had played him. Just a little fling on Earth before returning home to her fiancé. He had been a fool to believe she would care about him. His mother had warned him when he had first told her he was moving to California. "Watch out for those girls, they'll take everything you have and leave you out in the cold." Why hadn't he listened? Now he was stuck on some far away planet with no way to get home.
Furious beyond belief, Kouji stormed into the dining hall and took his seat across from Mecale. When he sat down, she smiled at him but he turned away without returning it. Throughout the rest of the meal, he kept his eyes on his plate and only spoke when someone addressed him. After dinner, Kouji claimed he was still tired and went to his room for the night.
Everyone else made their way to the parlor to chat before bed. Mecale knew that something was wrong with Kouji and was beginning to think that Riley had spoken with him after all. When they got to the parlor, Mecale sat next to Siri.
"Are you sure Riley didn't talk to Kouji?" Mecale asked her.
"As far as I know, yes," Siri answered, "Why?"
"I think he did," Mecale stated, "Look at Riley. He's all smiles. He should be pouting."
"You're right," Siri agreed, "What are you going to do?"
"I've got to talk to Kouji to find out what…"
Mecale was interrupted by her mother. "Mecale, why don't you tell us about your trip to the Mystic Moon?"
Mecale forced a smile. "Of course mother." She shot a death glare at Riley and then began to recount her adventures to the group.
It was late when everyone decided to retire for the night. Mecale went to her room like everyone else but she planned on going to talk to Kouji as soon as everyone was in their rooms. She didn't want her father or one of her uncles to see her sneaking off to Kouji's room.
Mecale waited for twenty minutes before opening her door and creeping into the hallway. She made sure no one was around and then started down the main hallway towards the guest wing. She had only taken a few steps when she heard someone behind her.
"Mecale?"
Mecale turned around and saw Siri standing near where the hallway branched off to the separate wings.
"What are you doing?" Siri called down the hallway.
"Sssh!" Mecale hushed and waved for her cousin to join her. "I'm going to see Kouji."
"Why are we whispering?" Siri questioned, also in a whisper.
"So my father, your father or Uncle Zane doesn't catch me," Mecale replied, "They'd kill me if they knew I was sneaking off to Kouji's room."
"You're right," Siri agreed, "Let me come with you. That way no one will be suspicious if they see us walking around."
"Okay."
Mecale and Siri went down the main hall and turned down the corridor that led to the guest wing.
"Which room?" Mecale asked.
"This one," Siri pointed to the second door on the right side of the hallway.
"Whose idea was it to put him next door to Riley?" Mecale inquired, sending a poisonous glare to the first door on the right.
"This was just the room the servants got ready," Siri shrugged.
"All right, you wait out here," Mecale instructed, "I'll be out in a few minutes." Siri nodded and Mecale walked over to Kouji's door and knocked.
"Come in!" he called through the door.
Mecale turned the knob and entered the bedroom, then closed the door behind her. Kouji was lying on the bed with his head propped up on the pillows. He looked up to see who had entered, then sank back down.
"Oh, it's you."
"What's your problem?" Mecale asked.
"Nothing," Kouji answered without looking at her.
"Don't lie to me." Mecale stomped over to the bed. "You've been acting weird since dinner. What's going on?"
"Nothing," Kouji repeated and still refused to look at her.
"Then why are you acting like a jerk?" Mecale demanded.
"Why don't you ask your fiancé?"
Mecale looked at him in confusion. "What?"
"You heard me," Kouji said, "Why don't you go ask your fiancé what's wrong with me?"
Suddenly it dawned on Mecale what was going on. "RILEY!" Mecale turned from the bed and ran back to the door, finally getting Kouji's attention. She tore the door open and exploded into the hallway, catching Siri off guard and causing her to stumble back a few steps. Mecale went to the first door in the hallway and pulled it open.
Riley was laying on his bed, much like Kouji had been doing. He smiled when he saw her. "Mecale. I knew it was just a matter of time. I have dreamt of the night when you will finally share my be…"
The last word was cut off as her slender hands wrapped around his neck. "You bastard! What did you tell Kouji?!" She began to squeeze his neck viciously.
"M…Me…cale…" Riley chocked out.
"Tell me!" Mecale screamed, "What did you tell him?!"
Riley brought his hands up to hers and tried to pry them off but rage had given her strength.
"Mecale stop!"
Mecale didn't turn around but a second later, Siri was next to her, pulling at her arm.
"Mecale, let go!" Siri shouted, "You're going to kill him!"
"Good!" Mecale called and squeezed tighter. "Tell me what you told Kouji!"
Riley's face began to turn red and his grip on her hands lessened. Siri was still yanking on Mecale's arms but it was useless. Suddenly, Mecale felt two arms go around her waist and she was hauled off of Riley. The second her feet touched the ground, she spun around, ready to tear into whoever had stopped her. Her intentions changed when she came face to face with Kouji.
"Mecale, what the Hell is going on?" he demanded.
Mecale turned back to the bed, where Riley was now lying on his side, gasping for breath and holding his throat.
"My God Mecale," the blonde prince croaked, "Have you gone completely insane? You nearly killed me!"
"Don't relax yet!" Mecale warned and lunged for Riley again. Kouji grabbed her and pulled her back before she could get a hold of him. Siri stood near the bed, watching the exchange with wide eyes.
"Mecale, what is wrong with you?" Kouji inquired.
"He lied to you!" Mecale announced, "He's not my fiancé! I'd rather die than marry him!"
Kouji's eyes narrowed and he glared at the man on the bed. "You lied to me?"
"Technically, it wasn't a lie," Riley defended, "I proposed to her and she hasn't answered me yet."
"You want an answer?!" Mecale shouted, "I'll give you an answer!" She tried to get to Riley but once again, Kouji intervened.
"Calm down Mecale," Kouji soothed, "Killing him won't solve anything."
"Yes it will!" Mecale countered.
Suddenly, a servant appeared at the door. "Is everything all right? I heard shouting."
"Out!" Mecale ordered. The servant looked shocked, then bowed and quickly left. Mecale turned her attention back to Riley. "Why? Why did you lie to him? Are you jealous?"
"Ha! I would never be jealous of scum like him," Riley scoffed in Gaean, "the reason I lied to him is because you deserve better. What can he give you? Nothing! I can give you riches beyond your wildest dreams. You and I will be the rulers of the richest, most powerful country in Gaea!"
"I'd rather die than rule by your side!" Mecale spat, also in Gaean.
"He is nothing!" Riley shouted in Gaean, "I am a prince! He is nothing but a lowlife from the Mystic Moon! He's not even good enough to shine my boots!"
"What are they saying?" Kouji asked Siri but before she could answer, Mecale dashed towards Riley again. This time Kouji wasn't quick enough to stop her and she pounced on the blonde once again, shouting choice phrases in Gaean. Luckily for him, she had barely got her hands around his already bruised throat when Kouji pulled her off again.
"Okay," Kouji said and threw a still raging Mecale over his shoulder. "I think that's enough for tonight. Time to go." Kouji turned and exited the room, followed closely by Siri. Once in the hallway, Kouji stopped and turned to the dark haired woman. "Me and Mecale need to talk. You don't mind do you?"
"Of course not," Siri smiled, "I'll see you two in the morning. Good night Kouji. Good night Mecale."
"Good night," Kouji called and entered his room. He walked over to the bed and unceremoniously threw Mecale onto it, cutting off her incessant ranting.
"What was that for?" Mecale demanded.
"To shut you up," Kouji told her, "thank God it worked."
"Well excuse me if I'm a little bit upset," Mecale said.
"A little bit?" Kouji chuckled, "I thought you were going to kill him."
"I was," Mecale sulked, "until you stopped me."
"It's over now," Kouji told her, "I know the truth, everything's okay."
"Is it?"
"As far as I know, yeah," Kouji replied.
"So you're not mad at me any more?" Mecale prodded.
"No," Kouji answered, "I shouldn't have been mad at you in the first place. I should have known that you wouldn't have led me on if you were really engaged. I'm sorry."
"You are forgiven," Mecale smiled. Suddenly, the smile faded from her face. Kouji noticed the change in her attitude and frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to talk to you about something."
"Oh no," Kouji groaned, "Let me guess, you're married?"
"What? No."
"Have a kid somewhere?"
"No."
"Then what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Did you listen to the prophecy my mother told me about earlier?" Mecale questioned.
All traces of joking were gone from Kouji's face and he sat down next to her on the bed. "Yeah."
"Well, after I went to my room, my mother came to talk to me," Mecale explained, "She told me about another part of the prophecy that states I must pick a samurai to aide me in defeating the shadow."
"I'm coming with you," Kouji stated matter-of-factly. "Even if you don't want me to be your samurai. I've already made up my mind."
Mecale smiled again. "Who else would I want by my side when I go?" The smile faded. "I probably won't live through it."
"The Hell you won't," Kouji exclaimed, "I'm not gonna let you die Mecale. No matter what."
"Thank you Kouji." Mecale hugged him tightly.
"No problem," Kouji told her, "You'd better get to bed. It's late."
"All right."
Mecale kissed Kouji quickly and then left his room, heading for her own.
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One more chapter down, four or five more to go. That counts the epilogue though so probably only three or four more actual chapters. Yeah! It's almost done!