Shade-the-Wanderer: Thanks for pointing out the confusing bits about referring to Dilandau as Allen's sister. Gomen nasai! Will definitely go back and tweek that portion. Thanks again. Glad you like the story so far.

Sakura_Shinguji_Albatou: Thanks. Yeah, Folken and Dilandau are in Morgreth's mind. I'll be sure to make a note of the location in this chapter and clear it up in the previous chapters. Gomen for the confusion, and thanks again for your support!

Jade-Goddess: Yeah…they're floating around in Morgreth's mind. Kinda creepy. ;)

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Chapter 11: King of Swords, King of Hearts

[Aboard the Crusade]

Eleven hours had passed, and still no word from Allen. Hitomi tried to sleep, but it was no use. Oddly enough, she kept thinking about Folken.

She rose out of the cot and looked out the window into the darkness. A reflection of Folken was staring back at her. He was bathed in a beautiful blue light.

Hitomi Kanzaki. His voice filled her mind.

What? she thought to herself in surprise. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, but the apparition was still there, and his voice calmed her like a cool lake.

Hitomi Kanzaki. I need you to come to the Vione. We are in terrible danger.

F-folken? What's wrong? she thought back.

The cards, Hitomi. Look at the cards and trust in your heart.

A mild breeze fanned through the room, causing the low flames in the gas lights to dim briefly. Five cards danced in the breeze and fell on her cot.

She looked at the cards. The first card was the magician in reverse. The second card was the emperor in reverse. The third card was the king of birds. The fourth card was the king of fishes. The fifth card was the four of birds.

"The magician in reverse…an abuse of power," she said as she read the cards. "The emperor in reverse…failed ambition, an untrustworthy person. The king of birds…a rational thinker and inventor. The king of fishes…a skilled man, charismatic. The four of birds…need for rest or recovery."

"What did Van say Folken's full name was?" she asked, thinking aloud. "Folken Lacour de Fanel?"

She gasped at the realization that hit her. "Folken is the heart! He was supposed to be King of Fanelia! The two kings represent his personality, and the four of birds indicates that he needs rest because…someone is abusing their power…someone who wanted Folken's position? Another magician, perhaps?

She heard Folken's reassuring voice in her mind again. Look at the cards and trust in your heart.

Even though Folken and razed his own country to the ground…even though Van wanted to kill him…there was still something about him that she could trust. Hitomi had been around enough people to know the difference. There were people who didn't feel right for one reason or another. It was as if they had a bad energy around them. People who tried to hide the things that they did. There were also people who just felt right…like you could trust them, because they did not try to deceive you. Folken was like that. She trusted him and her heart.

[Aboard the Vione]

Note: Morgreth is still occupying Dilandau's body in this section

Morgreth felt the hair stand up on his neck…or rather the neck of Dilandau Albatou. While he enjoyed occupying the youth's body, he was appalled at the crass thoughts that bombarded him relentlessly.

The Sorcerer noticed a shift in the room. The energy had changed…like the gathering of energy before a lightning strike. The question was when and who it would hit. He tried to probe his old body, to see if he could spot any activity. But it was like a black fog; more likely a result of the anesthetic. The boy lacked any special mental powers, so a block was out of the question.

The door to the infirmary gave way, and Jajuka charged in.

"You could've knocked, Jajuka," Morgreth said, imitating Dilandau's voice. "Where did you learn your manners? Strategos will not be pleased with you, damaging his ship like that."

"Lord Dilandau…you're ok?" he asked. "What happened to Arashi's men?"

Dilandau laughed. "Of course I am ok! Do you honestly think some sedated, old man would be any match for me? And as for those lazy, undisciplined sloths, they were like that when I came in." Morgreth tried to probe Jajuka, but it was impossible. How could a simple servant block his powers?

"Of course. Forgive my presumption," replied Jajuka.

"Apology accepted," replied Albatou. "Now why don't you come over here and give Morgreth a little visit? He's quite harmless in this state."

"Lord Dilandau, Lord Folken wishes to see you," answered Jajuka.

"Oh really? You know, it would be nice for him to come to me once in a while," he replied with some irritation.

Jajuka looked at him.

"Oh, all right!" Dilandau huffed. "He did rescue me from the Sorcerers, after all." Albatou stood up. "Rest in peace, Morgreth," he snickered, as he looked down at the Sorcerer.

Dilandau walked through the remains of the door. Then, everything went black.

"Forgive me, Lord Dilandau," replied Jajuka, after he hit Dilandau in the back of his neck with the hilt of his sword. He picked the crumpled youth up. "You may come in now," he said to the guards and technicians outside. "You must keep the Sorcerer alive until Lord Folken returns here. He will deal with the Sorcerer himself." The guards and technicians nodded. Jajuka walked out and turned left down the corridor.

Allen Schezar was growing impatient. Folken had left him with Arashi's men, and there was talk about how the Sorcerer had overpowered the people in the infirmary. The knight could not see what this had to do with Celena, and started to wonder if this was some elaborate ruse.

"Sir Allen?" inquired a deep voice.

The knight turned and saw a tall, well-built creature that looked like a cross between a lion and a dog. He was dressed like an officer of Zaibach and seemed to have a kingly bearing. He held Dilandau in his arms. "Yes?" replied the knight.

"I am Jajuka. Lord Folken wishes to express his regret for the delay. He has asked that you come with me." 

Allen followed him down the hall to Folken's study.

  [Inside of Morgreth's Mind]

"Did we get through?" asked Dilandau.

"Yes. I believe Hitomi saw and heard me."

Dilandau felt as though he were slowly dropping. He looked up and saw the image of Folken fading. Strategos looked drained.

"You don't look so well, Folken. Maybe we should set down someplace and rest."

Strategos managed a wan smile. "Yes. There is one more thing I need to do," he said as he decelerated.

They landed softly on a solid black clump. Folken's black wings diminished until they were non-existent. He zipped the upper portion of his uniform and removed a red brooch from his gold vest. He swooned from the loss of energy. The power required to block Morgreth's scans and to project himself in Morgreth's mind was taking a terrible toll. He cleared his mind and focused what little energy he had left on the task at hand.

"Well something's grabbed his attention," commented Albatou, as he pointed upwards.

Folken looked and saw in increase in the forks of electricity. He smiled. "Morgreth's trying to figure out what is going on…he can feel the change. We must move before he suspects something."

"Don't we have to wait for that girl?" asked Dilandau.

"Not entirely," replied Folken. "We needed the altitude to increase our chances of getting through to her. He then held the brooch in front of Dilandau. It was the same spade-shaped brooch that he wore on his black cape.

"What are you doing?" inquired Dilandau.

"Removing both of us from this forsaken place," replied Folken. "Look at this brooch, Dilandau."

The youth looked at the unremarkable piece and then felt himself drawn into it. It was as if he were being called into a place of warmth and safety. Fires danced. He saw Gatti, Chesta, Dalet, and Viole sitting around a fireplace.

"Yes. That's it. Let go," replied Folken as Dilandau's image was being pulled into the brooch.

The brooch grew brighter and then faded once Dilandau was in it.

[Switch to the Vione / Folken's Study]

Folken's face was drawn, save for a small smile as he felt the brooch in his hand pulse with warmth.

Then he collapsed from exhaustion.