The next morning, Mecale was awakened by Siri.
"So, how did your late night talk with Kouji go?" Siri questioned.
Mecale yawned and stretched. "Fine, why?"
"Just wondering."
"Nothing happened if that's what you're asking," Mecale stated as she climbed out of bed and opened her wardrobe.
"Oh." Siri sounded disappointed. "What did you talk about?"
Mecale pulled a dark green out of the wardrobe and went behind her changing screen. "Did my parents tell you the part of the prophecy about the samurai?
"No."
"Well, before I go to fight the shadow, I must pick a samurai to go with me." Mecale emerged from behind the changing screen, fully dressed.
"And you picked Kouji," Siri concluded.
"Yes."
"Does everybody else know?" Siri inquired.
Mecale sat down at her vanity and began brushing her hair. "No. I'm going to tell everyone at breakfast." She paused. "I have the feeling there isn't much time left."
Siri frowned at Mecale's words. "What do you mean?"
"It's growing closer," Mecale told her in a low voice, "I can feel it. It's coming for me."
"Do you think you can stop it?" Siri asked.
"I have to," Mecale said, "or else…"
Siri nodded. "I'm scared Mecale."
"Me too," Mecale admitted and walked over to her cousin, "but I know I can win."
"I…I don't want to talk about it anymore," Siri sniffled, "Come on, let's go to breakfast."
"Okay."
The two girls left Mecale's room and headed towards the dining hall. They met Kouji half way and the three of them entered the room together. They all took their seats and waited for everyone else. Riley was the last to enter. He was wearing a high collared shirt that covered his neck but when he moved a certain way, the tops of dark purple bruises could be seen. Mecale smiled at her handy work and then turned to her breakfast.
Almost as the meal was finished, the dining hall doors opened and Lucian McBane, commander of the Fanelian army, entered. He strode over to Folken and bowed quickly then whispered something. Folken whispered back and then Lucian spoke again. Folken nodded and the wolfman left as quickly as he had come.
Everyone's attention was on Folken as he began to speak. "Lucian has just informed me that the shadow is growing much faster than before." Gasps were heard around the table before Folken continued. "He estimates that at it's current rate of growth, she shadow will reach Fanelia three days from now."
Everyone stared in shocked silence. Suddenly, the table erupted into gasps and despaired conversation. Adrina leaned over and spoke to her daughter.
"Have you talked to Kouji?"
Mecale nodded. "Yes."
"Good," Adrina praised, "I think now is the time to tell everyone."
Mecale nodded again and stood up. "Excuse me everyone! Can I have your attention?" The group gradually quieted down and turned their attention to the princess. "Yesterday, after I went to my room to rest, my mother came to me and told me about another part of the prophecy that says I must choose a samurai to accompany me in my quest. I have made my decision, although I think that fate made it for me." Mecale smiled at the raven-haired man sitting across from her. "Kouji will be my samurai and will accompany me to Zaibach."
"This is ridiculous!" Riley shouted as he jumped from his chair. "How is he going to be of any use to you? He's from the Mystic Moon! He couldn't possibly have the skills that I possess!"
"It doesn't matter what skills he has!" Mecale shot back, "He wants to protect me and that's all that matters."
"He can't protect you!" Riley insisted, "He doesn't have the proper training! Has he even touched a sword? I won't allow it! I won't allow you to run off to Zaibach with this useless man."
"Enough!" Folken boomed, "Both of you, sit down!" Both teens did what they were told. Folken turned his mahogany gaze on Riley. "You listen to me and you listen good, you do not tell my daughter what she can and can not do. You do not own her."
"But your majesty," Riley began, "I am only concerned for Mecale's safety."
"He has a valid point," Van stated, "Riley is a great swordsman." He turned to Kouji. "Do you have any training with a sword?"
"No."
"What about your kendo?" Mecale offered, "That's kind of like sword fighting and you're really good at that."
"That's not the same thing," Kouji told her, "Maybe he's right. Maybe someone else should be your samurai."
"Being her samurai is about more than being a good swordsman," Adrina informed, "You have to be willing to protect Mecale, by any means necessary."
"I will protect her," Riley insisted.
"Since the two of you can not decide, this is what will happen," Folken announced, "Kouji and Riley will battle each other. The winner will earn the right to be Mecale's samurai."
"Folken!" Adrina hissed, "What are you…"
"Trust me," he whispered to his wife, then to the gathered people he said, "Van, you and Golan will help Kouji prepare and perhaps train him a bit. The contest will be held two hours form now."
"Father," Mecale started, "Don't you think we should be worrying about more important things? I'm sure Riley, Kouji and I can work this out amongst ourselves."
"I've already made my decision," Folken stated, "They will battle in two hours."
Mecale started to protest but Adrina's hand closed over hers.
"Have faith," her mother whispered. Mecale nodded.
"One other thing," Folken said, "I want everyone packed and ready to go to Asturia. IF you want, you may leave now."
"It's been almost twenty years since the last world endangering event," Merle commented, "I miss the excitement."
Everyone smiled wryly at the cat woman's sense of humor. Since no on really felt like eating anymore, everyone vacated the breakfast table. Van and Golan took Kouji to the training room to get him ready and everyone else besides Mecale went to pack.
Mecale went to her room and sat still for about three minutes before she decided she wanted to read the prophecy in hopes of finding something that might give her a hint as to how she was supposed to defeat the shadow. Mecale left her room and went to her parent's room, where she found her mother picking out clothes of a servant to pack.
"Mother?"
Adrina looked up from her task. "Yes Mecale?"
"I want to read the prophecy for myself," Mecale told her, "you know, to see if it will help me figure out a way to defeat the shadow. Do you have the book?"
"Oh I'm sorry sweetheart," Adrina answered quickly, "We sent it with the Schezars to Asturia. They wanted to go over it to see if they could find anything that we might have missed."
"Oh. Okay. Thank you." Mecale left her parent's room and went to see Siri. She too was packing.
"Hi," Mecale greeted.
"Hi," Siri repeated while trying to stuff three dresses into a suitcase at the same time.
"Do you want some help?" Mecale questioned.
Siri smiled and looked up. Tears were running down her face. "Yes."
Mecale hurried to her cousin's side and hugged her. "It's going to be okay."
"I don't want to leave," Siri sobbed, "but I'm so afraid to stay."
"It's all right," Mecale comforted, "You should go. There's no reason to stay here."
"Are you sure?" Siri questioned through her tears.
"Yes," Mecale assured, "Just pretend like you're taking a vacation to go see Kolena and Erika."
"But I feel like I'm abandoning my family," Siri said.
"You're not abandoning anyone," Mecale told her, "Now finish packing. I'm going to go talk to my father about the departure arrangements."
"Okay," Siri agreed.
Mecale hugged her again and then left the room in search of her father. She found him in the main parlor, discussing matters with Lucian.
"Hello Mecale," Folken greeted, "to what do I owe this visit?"
"I wanted to ask you about the departure arrangements," Mecale told him.
"I sent my quickest messenger to Asturia," Folken told her, "A fleet of airships should be here some time after dark."
"Thank you." Mecale left and went back to Siri's room to relay the information.
"Did he say who is going?" Siri asked.
"No," Mecale replied, "but I assume quite a few. He said more than one airship was coming."
"The town must be evacuating too," Siri deducted.
"That's what I thought," Mecale agreed.
Siri's face suddenly turned sad again. "My mother's not going."
"What?"
"She's staying here," Siri informed, "With my father and Golan."
"I don't think my mother is going either," Mecale admitted, "She was packing but I know she won't leave my father and I know my father won't go."
"Do you think Aunt Merle and Uncle Zane will go?" Siri questioned.
"No," Mecale replied, "Aunt Merle won't go without your father and Uncle Zane won't go without Aunt Merle. They'll send Dolyn and Zara though. You'll have to look after them."
Siri nodded. "This is so unreal."
"I know," Mecale chuckled, "I have to save Gaea from an evil shadow."
Siri giggled. "It sounds so ridiculous when you put it that way."
"It does, doesn't it?" Mecale smiled, "Are you finished packing?"
"Yes."
"The let's go see how your father and brother are doing with my samurai," Mecale suggested.
The two girls left Siri's room and headed to the training room. Inside, they found Golan and Kouji sparring while Van shouted instructions.
"Block!" the former king instructed, "Good! Now strike! Very good!" He turned when he noticed the girls. "Hello girls. What brings you here?"
"We wanted to see how Kouji is doing," Mecale told him.
"He's not bad," Van informed, "Much better than I thought he would be but he's not up to Riley's level of swordplay."
"Do you think he can win?" Siri asked.
"I don't know," Van admitted, "I've seen stranger things happen."
Mecale nodded and walked over to where Kouji and Golan were taking a break.
"Hey Mecale," Kouji greeted.
"Hi," Mecale replied, "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure."
Mecale led Kouji to the other side of the training room where they could talk privately.
"You have to be careful," Mecale started.
"What do you mean?"
"Riley is an excellent swordsman," Mecale explained, "His father is one of the best swordsmen in Gaea and Riley inherited the skill. He hasn't practiced like he should have, which is the only factor that is going to help you. If he were as good as his father, you wouldn't stand a chance. What I'm saying is, you have to watch out for him. He hates you and will probably kill you if he gets the chance."
"Then I'll make sure he doesn't get the chance," Kouji said.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I have to prove that I'm worthy to be your samurai," Kouji told her, "I don't want anyone to doubt that you made the right choice."
Mecale smiled. "Me either."
"Break is over Kouji!" Van called from the other side of the room, "Time to get back to work!"
"I won't let you down," Kouji promised and hurried back over to the other side of the room. They began training again and the girls left so they wouldn't be a distraction.
An hour and a half later, Folken came in and told them that it was time for the contest. Kouji sheathed the sword Van had given him and the four of them made their way towards the front of the castle. Just before they stepped into the courtyard, Folken stopped Kouji.
"I'm not going to lie to you," Folken began, "Riley is very good with a sword but he has one weakness. He has no motivation. I want you to go out there and fight like my daughter's life depended on you winning. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, now go out there and win."
Kouji walked out into the courtyard, followed by Folken. Riley was already there, waiting for his opponent. Spectators had gathered as well, including Mecale, Adrina, Hitomi, Van, Golan Siri, Merle, Zane and the twins, along with many other people from the village who had come to wait for the airships. The courtyard was crowded with people, eager to see the show.
Kouji walked over to where Riley was standing. The young prince had a superior smirk on his face as if he believed that Kouji was no competition whatsoever. Kouji swallowed and pulled his lucky hat out of his back pocket where it had been sine he came to Fanelia. He placed it backwards on his head. No frickin' way am I fighting this guy without my luck hat, he thought to himself.
Folken made his way through the crowd and stepped in between the two duelers.
"Combatants, are you ready?" Folken questioned.
Both men nodded.
"Draw you swords."
Both men drew their swords and held them in an attack stance. Kouji narrowed his eyes at Riley. You're going down.
Folken took a few steps back so he wasn't between them anymore. He looked from one to the other, then shouted, "Begin!"
Without hesitation, Riley sprinted across the short distance between them, hoping to end the contest quickly. Kouji stepped aside and spun around behind Riley. The blonde hadn't expected Kouji to dodge and his momentary surprise left him wide open to Kouji's attack. Kouji hesitated, however, giving Riley the time to gain his composure and spin around to face Kouji. Riley swung his sword at Kouji but he blocked it at the last second. Riley was once again surprised and Kouji took advantage by swinging his sword at the prince. Riley recovered quickly and blocked. Their swords were crossed between them and both struggled to gain the upper hand. Inch by inch, Riley was prevailing.
He really is good, Kouji thought, He'll wear me down and then finish me. If I'm going to have a chance, I've got to end this quickly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mecale watching him intently. Suddenly, Folken's words resurfaced in his mind.
"I want you to go out there and fight like my daughter's life depended on you winning."
Okay, Kouji thought. He jumped back from Riley unexpectedly, sending the younger man stumbling forward. Before he could regain his balance, Kouji kicked the sword out of Riley's hand and then dropped down and kicked his legs out from under him.
The crowd, who up until now had been cheering, fell completely silent as Kouji pounced on Riley's chest and put his sword against the prince's throat. Mecale was the one who finally broke the silence.
"He did it!" she shouted happily. The crowd broke out of it's trance and began cheering for the unlikely winner. Folken walked over to where Kouji had stood up and sheathed his sword.
"Well done Kouji," Folken praised, "You will be Mecale's samurai."
"But that's not fair!" Riley insisted, still on the ground, "He cheated!"
"He did what was necessary to win," Folken stated.
"Get over it!" Mecale shouted at the blonde and ran to Kouji. She hugged him tightly. "I knew you could do it!"
"Your father helped."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Kouji nodded, "He told me to fight like your life depended on me winning."
Mecale's smile widened and she hugged him again. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look out!" Mecale looked behind Kouji and saw Riley running at them, sword in hand. Acting on pure instinct, Mecale grabbed Kouji's sword and spun around behind him. She used the sword to deflect what almost certainly would have been a deathblow from Riley. He quickly backed off when he saw who had the sword. Not wanting to take any chances, Mecale smacked Riley's knuckles with the flat part of the blade, causing Riley to yelp in pain and drop his sword. She then shoved the point of Kouji's sword against his throat.
"What do you think you are doing?!" Mecale demanded. Riley said nothing so she pushed the blade closer, piercing the high collar of his shirt. "I asked you a question!"
"Mecale."
Folken and Kouji were now standing on either side of her. She lowered the sword and looked at Kouji. He was surprised to see that her eyes were several shades darker than they had been before. She handed the sword back to him and then second her hands left it, her eyes returned to normal.
Folken turned to a few Fanelian soldiers who had gathered to watch the fight and motioned them forward. "Take him back to his room and make sure he doesn't leave until the airships arrive."
"Yes my Lord." The soldiers took Riley, one on each arm and one walking behind, and led him back into the palace.
"Let's get back inside," Folken suggested, "Kouji, you'd probably like to rest before lunch."
"Actually sir," Kouji began, "if it's all right with everyone, I'd like to continue training."
Folken looked at Van and Golan. "Is that all right?" They both nodded. "Then go ahead."
"Thank you," Kouji said, then turned to Mecale. "I'll see you at lunch."
"Okay."
Kouji, Van, and Golan went to the training room while the others drifted away to attend to their own affairs. Before Mecale could slip away, her parents called to her.
"Mecale!" Adrina called, "May we speak with you for a moment?"
Mecale followed her parents to their parlor and sat down on a chair. Her parents chose to sit side by side on the couch.
"As you know, the shadow is growing much quicker," Folken began.
"Yes."
"It will be here in three days," he continued.
"Yes…"
Adrina put a hand on her husband's arm, stopping his monologue. "We think you should leave tomorrow morning in order to intercept it before it reaches Fanelia."
Mecale nodded. "I know."
Adrina stood and walked over to her wardrobe. She pulled out a white dress and presented it to Mecale. "This is the closest we could come to a Draconian ceremonial garment."
Mecale took the dress from her mother and held it up. It was a flowing dress with a tight bodice and no sleeves. The dress tied around the neck, then had one strip of white cloth going down the middle of the back. On both sides of the strip, the dress was open, presumably to allow her wings to be used. The dress was topped off with a gold, braided belt around the waist.
"Thank you," Mecale whispered.
"I also want you to take this." Adrina disappeared back into the bedroom and Mecale could see her rummaging around in the trunk at the foot of the bed. She came back a second later carrying a sword in a purple scabbard.
Mecale's mouth dropped open. "M…mother, that's your sword."
"Yes it is," Adrina smiled proudly. She pulled the sword out a few inches, revealing the purple crest with the white feather. "It has served me well and now I hope it serves you as well."
Adrina sheathed the sword and handed it to her daughter, who took it with trembling hands.
"Mother, I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," Adrina assured.
"Thank you."
Mother and daughter embraced, followed by father and daughter.
"Thank you so much."
"You're welcome darling," Adrina smiled, "Now go. I am sure there are things you would like to do before you leave."
"Yes." Mecale left her parents room and went straight to hers. She carefully hung the dress on her changing screen and clutched the sword tightly. She didn't want to let it out of her sight for one second. She decided to strap it around her waist so she wouldn't lose it. Once that was done, she began to think of the things she wanted to do before she left. The first thing she thought of, of course, as say goodbye to everyone. She had plenty of time to do that. The second thing she thought of was read her mother's fairytale book. She decided to do that first.
Mecale looked on her nightstand for the book and didn't find it. She knew she had brought it back to her room the last time she had it. She looked on her vanity, behind her changing screen and even under her bed. No book. She finally concluded that one of the servants must have taken it back to the library. They were always doing that, no matter how many times Mecale told them to leave it alone. She decided that she better go get it.
Mecale left her room and walked down the corridors to the library. When she entered, she found no one inside. That was normal. Hardly anyone visited the library unless they were doing research on something and needed a book. Mecale entered the room and began scanning the lower shelves. None of the servant women who cleaned her room were as tall as she was, therefore the book would be on a lower shelf than what she could reach.
"Ah ha!" Mecale announced, "There you are." Mecale pulled the worn book from the shelf and was about to leave when another book caught her eye. The spine of the book was much wider than the spines of the other books and she knew what it was before she read the words on the spine.
Mecale sat the fairytale book down on a table and pulled the heavy book off the shelf. She brought the book to the table also and sat down in a chair in front of it. Why did my mother tell me the Schezars took it? Mecale wondered. She opened the book to the table of contents and scanned the chapter titles until she found the one she was looking for. She opened the book up to about the middle and began flipping through the pages until she came to the one with the words "The Prophecy" at the top. She began to read out loud.
"When Atlantis was built, an Oracle prophesized that one day a great evil would fall upon the Draconians…"
Mecale read the parts about the shadow, the girl child and the samurai. After the paragraph about the samurai, there was another paragraph that her parents hadn't told her about. When she read it, she knew why.
"Once the shadow becomes active, the girl child and the samurai must go to the shadow and try to stop it. The only way to do this is to have either the girl child or the samurai sacrifice themselves. The blood of the girl child or the samurai will destroy the shadow and banish it's evil forever."
Mecale stared down at the words, trying to comprehend. One of us has to die? The thought of losing Kouji made her stomach turn and for a moment, she thought she was going to be sick. The nausea passed and Mecale read over the words again. One of us has to die. She wouldn't let it be Kouji.
"Mecale?"
Mecale turned around and saw Siri standing near the doorway.
"Here you are. I've been looking everywhere for you," Siri told her, "What are you doing in here?"
"I was just getting my mother's fairytale book," Mecale informed and picked it up off of the table. She stood and walked past her cousin to the door. "I was just going to go read it. I'll see you later."
Mecale disappeared down the hallway, leaving Siri standing in the library in confusion. What's wrong with Mecale? she thought. She's acting strange. And what was she reading when I walked in? Siri walked over to the chair Mecale had occupied a moment before and looked down at the book she had been reading. After a few lines, Siri realized it was the prophecy. Was it something in here that made Mecale act strange? Siri began to read the prophecy, hoping to find the reason for her cousin's odd behavior.
----------------------------------
"Kouji!"
Kouji turned around and was surprised to see Siri running towards him with a suitcase in her hand. He stopped to wait for her.
"Shouldn't you be boarding an airship?" Kouji asked. The ships had arrived ten minutes earlier and were boarding as they spoke.
"Yes," Siri replied breathlessly, "but I need to talk to you before I go."
"About what?"
"The prophecy," Siri answered, "Mecale's parents didn't tell us everything about it. The prophecy says that either you or Mecale has to die to stop the shadow."
"How do you know this?"
"I read the prophecy," Siri explained, "I found Mecale in the library earlier reading something. When I talked to her, she acted strangely and then left. I sat down to read the book in hopes of finding what was wrong with Mecale and realized it was the prophecy."
"So you're saying that Mecale knows one of us has to die and that's why she's been acting so weird?" Kouji asked. He'd noticed it too. She had barely said two words at lunch or dinner and had been avoiding eye contact with everyone.
"Yes."
Kouji nodded. "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."
Tears sprang into Siri's eyes. "Thank you."
"You'd better go," Kouji suggested, "Don't want the airships to leave without you."
Siri smiled and then disappeared down the hallway, leaving Kouji alone with his thoughts. If one of them had to die, he'd make damn sure it wasn't Mecale.
"There she is," Hitomi announced as Siri exited the palace. "We thought you got lost."
"I had some last minute things to pack," Siri lied.
"It's about time," Golan teased, "We thought you'd miss the ship."
Siri stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Which ship am I taking?"
"That one," Van informed and pointed to a large airship anchored nearby.
"You're taking Dolyn and Zara with you," Hitomi reminded, "So keep an eye on them."
"I will." Siri looked around at the gathered airships. There were fifteen in all and one Siri recognized. "They brought the Crusade II?"
"Yes," This time, Folken answered, "They're leaving it here in case we need to evacuate in a hurry."
"You should get going," Hitomi told her daughter, "the ships are almost done loading."
Siri looked around and saw that the courtyard was almost empty. "All right." Siri said goodbye to her parents, aunts, uncles, brother and cousin. When she hugged Mecale, she whispered, "Please don't do it Mecale. I would miss you too much."
Mecale looked at her in surprise but before she could ask how Siri knew, she had taken Dolyn and Zara by the hand and was leading them towards the airship while a servant followed behind with their luggage. Mecale watched as three of her cousins disappeared into the airship. A few more people boarded the various ships and then one by one, they pulled up anchor and rose into the sky, flying in the direction of Asturia.
After the ships had left, everyone, including the crew of the Crusade II and the servants who had volunteered to stay behind, went into the palace to retire for the night. Mecale knew she should get some rest but Siri's words kept running through her mind. Obviously she had read the prophecy. Had she told anyone? Did Kouji know? She hoped not. Finally, after almost an hour of confused thoughts, Mecale fell into a fitful sleep.
Mecale turned back to where Kouji lay, hoping he had gotten up. He was still motionless and Mecale suddenly realized that he was dead.
"NO!" she wailed, "Kouji!"
The man kept pulling her closer and closer to the shadow, until he had disappeared and all that was left was for her to follow.
"No!" she screamed and continued to struggle but to no avail. She cast one quick glance back to where Kouji lay before the darkness swallowed her. "Kouji!"
Suddenly, there was nothing to see but blackness. If was as if she was suddenly struck blind. She was alone now. The man had let go. Mecale knew that she had just stepped into the shadow, so she took a few running steps in the direction that she had come in. There was nothing but more blackness. She thought maybe she was disoriented and ran the other way. Only blackness. She ran in several different directions before she realized that she was trapped. Mecale sank to her knees and began to cry into her hands.
"Let me out of here!" she sobbed. She hadn't expected an answer and was surprised when she got one.
"Mecale…"
It was him. She'd recognize that voice anywhere. Suddenly more furious than scared, Mecale jumped to her feet. "Let me out of here!"
"Mecale…"
"Let me out!" she screamed.
"Come Mecale," he whispered, "Come and see the world we have created together."
The blackness in front of her began to lighten until she was looking at a scene. Thinking he had showed her the way out, Mecale ran towards the barren landscape only to find that it stayed the same distance away no matter how fast she ran.
"Look Mecale," he urged. His voice seemed to be coming from everywhere at once, "look at what we have done."
Mecale watched as the scene showed a huge forest of dead trees. The image moved to show a large palace. Mecale recognized it immediately.
"Fanelia," she whispered.
"Yes," he confirmed, "Fanelia. Your homeland. Look at what we have done to it."
The image swept down to the front of the palace where bodies were strewn about the courtyard, some heaped on top of the others. Mecale felt like she was going to be sick when she recognized most of the people as servants or members of the army.
"No…" Mecale felt as if she would pass out.
The scene changed again, this time showing the inside of the castle, her Aunt Hitomi and Uncle Van's room to be exact. There were four bodies here. Hitomi was clinging to Siri on the bed while Golan and Van lay nearby, swords still in their hands. They had obviously been trying to drive the shadow off.
"Stop it!" Mecale cried as the scene shifted to Merle and Zane's room. Merle and Zane were on their bed, holding Dolyn and Zara. They were all dead.
"Please…" Mecale begged but the scene changed yet again. This time, the image was of her parents room. "No…" They were both on their bed, holding each other. It looked as if they didn't even try to get away. They believed in her and she had failed them.
"Stop it!" Mecale sobbed, "Please. STOP! NO!"
****************************
In the next chapter, Mecale and Kouji go to do battle with the shadow.