~Fate & Swordplay~

A Gaia World Fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own the story of Escaflowne or any of the characters involved with Escaflowne, and while some of the characters may be mentioned in the fanfic, most of the plot is truly based off of the world of Gaia. This is why it is a Gaia World fanfic and not an Escaflowne Fanfic. I do own the main characters, though. They are my creation.

Author's Note: Zuirem's probably my favorite character. He's all about manipulation, a favorite sport of mine. First I had you thinking that he was from Ziabach, then the Zihld, what's next? Who is he anyway? I bet you're dying to find out, but I'd rather leaving you hanging. R&R, C&C.

Chapter Four:

Manipulation at it's Fullest

~ ~

It was dawn when Lemei had reached Carnele's main palace. Luckily, her body had not been bruised, and bones were not broken. She could only hope that it would stay this way, but Lemei knew that Emperor Resime only wanted her alive, no matter what conditition. So she could only hope that she would get out of this.

Her plan had been simple. Take out the Empire from the inside. It would've been much easier if someone would've come with Lemei to help her, but both of them would not have gotten inside. They only wanted Lemei, and her secret plan was kept inside of her, wishing to come true.

There was a bang on the gates of the palace, Lemei jumped out of her sleep, but she was still, very still. Lemei closed her eyes before the gate opened. The capturer got off the horse, turned around and pull Lemei off. She landed on her feet and let her eyes open. He pushed her foward into the main hall of the palace. Lemei looked down and noticed that her hands her tied together, the rope severed shallow cuts along her wrists. She looked foward again, taking a step into the main hall.

The Emperor was siting on his throne when they arrive. The capturer threw Lemei down at his feet. She tried to get back up, but the capturer kicked her back down. 'One bruise,' she thought. Lemei looked down at the floor she was kneeling on, trying avoid any eye contact with the Emperor.

Gladov Resime looked back at the capturer smiling, "So you got her. Good. Maybe next time you could be here sooner." He knodded at the guards and two took him away. Resime looked down at his victim, still smiling. "Ah, the moment I was savoring has finally arrived," he said, placing his figertips together in thought. "Now the only barrier is time and we will have Melaso and be invincible!" Resime laughed.

Lemei had angered burried deep inside of her, anger and fear. Fear for her country, that it might be destroyed, overtaken. "You will never be invincible, no matter how hard you try, there will always be something in your way," Lemei said to the Emperor. He leaned forward, "How can you be so sure?"

"Not even if you kill everyone," she responded. The Emperor'a hand slide across her face as he smacked her. Having no free hands to support herself, Lemei was pushed over by the force, landing her side on the hard, cold floor. Pain shot through her entire body, Lemei winced at the pain, but it would slowly reside away from her. She felt helpless lying on the floor. The Emperor just looked at her, and then cautioned for the gaurds to take her away. The two of them brought her back up from the ground and hauled her over to a corridor that lead upward, high into the palace.

~ ~

Akari was determined to get back Lemei. Unfortunatly, his lust for love blinded his eyes from the destruction that his action could cause Melaso. He had been riding all night after he had found out what was happening. It was midday when he collapsed from the exaustion of riding. Akari had fallen off his horse and slept on the dirt ground. His determination had not failed as long as his body was strong enough, but he hadn't gotten sleep for the past week. It weakened him enough to this point where Akari finally collapsed. The hot sun beat down on his face as he slept.

Zuirem hadn't been far behind. He had followed Akari, knowing that he couldn't let his own plan fail so soon in the game. Stoping Akari before he could wipe out Carnele with Lemei was his best bet at keeping the control between the two armies. Zuirem caught up to Akari after he had collapsed off his horse. Zuirem pulled Akari onto his horse and lead his off deeper into the forest, confusing Akari about which direction to lead too. It would buy time for Zuirem to carry out his own plans.

He dropped Akari off and tied him to a large tree, hoping that this too would buy time in plans. Zuirem laughed as he left Akari in his place, without his horse, and road off towards the Carnele Palace.

~ ~

Tren pondered his situation. The war seemed to be getting worse each day. Someone had to stop it or end it soon. Tren felt like the weight of the world rested upon him, but he couldn't admit he didn't know what to do. His mind was full of rage.

"My lord, Duke," a voice came from the open door, "It seems I have some unexpected news for you."

"Well if you're going to tell me something, then you'd better say it!" Tren snapped. All the rage and anger that circled around the war propoganda was getting to him. He was so easily offended.

"Firstly, Commandar Akari is no where to be found. Secondly, there has been someone wandering the corridors," the messenger explained.

Tren's eyes rolled over the first part of the messege. Akari had gone off to go rescue Lemei beyond his wishes. Punishments would be made when Akari was in the proper state. "Don't worry about Akari, I know where he is," Tren spoke, laughing in his head at how stupid he thought Akari was, but his mind began to wander to the strange person. "Wait, you said that there was a person, wandering, you say?" The messenger nodded. "Bring me to them." The messenger led the way.

~ ~

She sat in the center of the room on the floor, hardly cold anymore as it had been, in one of the rooms. Gaurds were outside her door, ordered to follow her if she went anywhere. Her brilliance seemed to sparkle and shine out from her. It seemed like light radiated from her body. Her gold hair shimmered the sun played in the window. Her eyes were closed, but it was very aware that she was awake. Awake, but still, very still. Her eyes twitched at the sound of footsteps that came and stepped inside of the room.

Tren marveled at her brilliance. She seemed to innocent, yet so powerful at the same time. Tren was only able to sit down in front of her and stare at her. When he finally came to his senses, he signaled for the gaurds to leave. "Who are you?" he asked first, not expecting any answers.

"I am one, I am small and powerful. I am," she answered. Not once did her body change positions, not once did her eyes open.

"But what are you called?" Tren asked, expecting to get more of an answer this time.

"I am called Aurelia, Akuth Aurelia," she answered. Her clothing consisted of flowing white robes that seemed to glow with the same effect as the rest of her.

"And your eyes, open your eyes." Tren commanded. It such a mystery to what was under those lids. She had kept her eyes closed, she had kept them in darkness, though the rest of her was glowing, like light.

"My eyes are not to be opened unless the need comes." Aurelia heard Tren pause to open his mouth. "Wait and you will see them. I am sure of it." And finally she smiled.

Tren was still curious about Aurelia's being at the palace. The palace was gaurded and someone couldn't just walk in from anywhere. His face that had lightened became stern again. "Where do you come from and what are you doing here?"

"Where I come from? My past and where I come from should not matter to you. If the seeker wanted to know where everyone else came from, then why is he trying to find out where he comes from? And I also believe I can help you. Maybe not in a way you are certain of, but yes, I can help you." Aurelia glowed on his face and his hands. It felt good to the touch, the glow felt calm.

She got up to walk out of the room, but Tren's sword caught her as she was leaving. "Don't think you can get away just with a few answers?" he asked. She smiled, almost as if she was ignoring the blade. His emerald eyes smiled, fasinated, at her. She stepped around the blade, to come closer to where he was. Aurelia now stood very close to him, and at that moment she kissed him. Tren heard the sword clatter to the ground, suprised enough by her kiss that he had dropped his blade of power and kissed her back.

"Ah," she smiled knowingly, "and now you want me to open my eyes, let you see everything? You don't want me to leave this room either." Tren nodded, he wasn't quite sure how she had charmed him so much, but she took his breath away. "I can satisfy you in all ways for only a small price. You stop fighting the Carnele Empire."

He smiled, picking back up his sword, but as he was about to had it over to her, he slid the knife through her stomach. "I am Duke, I'll never stop fighting." Tren soon became so suprise because of Aurelia. She came closer, whispering in his ear, "Swords cannot stop me, I am immortal, I am the Goddess of the Day, Aurelia." Just by hearing this, Tren slid to the floor, kneeling before her. Aurelia took the sword out of her, placing it on the ground, watching her wounds heal and her body regenerate. By the time she had come down to the floor to kneel next to him, the blood had disappeared.

"I don't want you to fight. I spread peace through your kinds' hearts," she said, wipping a tear from his eyes, obviously not listening to his apologies. She smiled and Tren finally regained his strength.

"I will stop fighting," he said, placing a hand on the side of her face, "But I cannot say that my army will not. I do have one request, please stay at the palace, at least until this war ends." Aurelia knodded as she slowly raise from the floor. "I will do this for you," she said. Tren stood up, "One more question, your eyes."

"My eyes are a weapon. I cannot see, but when I open my eyes, the light shines further through than I could ever get without them." Aurelia smiled.

~ ~

Akari's head was spinning when he awoke. He was about to bring his hand up and rub a sore eye when he realized that his hands were tied behind a tree. 'Hmm, and this is why my arms hurt.' He tried to trace his memory back to when he was knocked out, but Akari couldn't recall a thing. The only thought in his mind was, 'I'm going to kill you when I find out who you are, and of course get untied.' He thought about the situation. 'I can't even reach my hands, nor can I climb a tree backwards.' He agreed with his mind, "Yep they have it in for themself."

The rope was thick at his sore wrists. As long as Akari tried to loosen the rope, he got more frustrated. He decided to sleep instead.

Five hours later he woke up. It was still day, but Akari could see that it was passing. He watched a bird chirp and bounce along the brown leaves that scattered the ground. Oh, how Akari wished he could just chop off his hands just to save Lemei, but if he did, then Akari couldn't fight, and that meant he couldn't protect her either. Akari laughed. It was so odd how he wanted to save her, protect her so badly when he knew that she was more the capable of protecting herself.

Akari then decided that he thought about her too much. 'What the hell have I been doing all these years?' he thought, 'She's been right in front of my face and I've never seen her. Lemei is.' His mind trailed off. Akari sat and waited. It was the least he could do. Maybe some traveler would come passing by and untie him. 'It would be a long time before that happened.'

~ ~

Lemei's scarce clothing hung loosly around her battered body. After Resime had done what he wished to Lemei, he had thrown her in a cell and chained her up to the cold stone wall. Lemei wasn't getting out of the Carnele Palace anytime soon. She banged her head against the wall, which she was sorry for later because it only caused her more pain. 'Where are you, Akari? Asu Akari?!' This thought only confused her more. Why was she thinking so much about Akari. For all she knew, he was probably sleeping back at the palace. 'I want my sword!' she screamed in her head. She seemed so empty without it.

How was she going to get out if she was chained up. Lemei knew that her brother wouldn't help her. The only person she could ever think that would help her would be Akari. Right then, Resime entered the cell.

"It's so obvious that we could kill you right now and still get what I want. But we have better plans for you. It seems that we've only just now learned of what you're capable of." Resime slapped her. "Don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about. You've known about it your whole life. And now with you, Carnele finally has the advantage!!"

Lemei spat on his face. "I wouldn't do anything to help in your crimes." Resime whipped the saliva off his face before charging out of the place. Now Lemei had more to worry about. There was something about her that Carnele was using. Lemei had no clue what they were talking about. 'Well besides my excellent swordsmanship for being a women.' Then she finally realized what they were talking about. Lemei cursed out loud. This wasn't good, this wasn't good at all.

"Please Akari!!! HELP!!" Lemei yelled out. The gaurds were startled at this and stared into the cell as a white light englufed her body, blinding everyone from seeing what was happening. When the light finally was overcast with shadows, there was a hurried whisper through the gaurds, Lemei was gone!

~ ~

As if not being beaten up enough, Lemei fell down on top of Akari. Akari awoke startled at this body falling on him. Lemei saw that his hands were tied behind a tree and laughed. She had found it to be funny that Asu Akari, Great Commander of the Royal Army was tied to a tree. Lemei laughed again, looking into his emerald eyes.

"You don't know how many things I could do to you with you tied up like that," Lemei said, jokingly. Akari raised his eyebrow and Lemei's cheeks grew red. "I mean..." she tried to explain, but ended up laughing it off.

"So are you going to untie me or play tricks on me?" Akari asked. "Just wondering." Lemei thought for a while before taking out Akari's sword and walking behind the tree. When she had come back around, there was Akari, standing, taking the rope off his sore wrists. There was pink marks where the rope had been and some dried blood. Lemei felt sympathy for him, walking over to him and looking closely at his wrist.

"Looks like the rope was tied too tightly. Whoever tied you up obviously didn't want you to get free for a while. You might want to clean the wounds when we get back," Lemei suggested seriously. Then she saw that Akari was looking her over.

"And you? What can I say about you?" Akari shook his head. "You've got your clothes ripped and your ankles and wrists have cuts like mine." Akari kissed her wrist softed. "I'll have to clean them when we get home." Then his mind began to wander. "Wait, you were in the Carnele Palace, weren't you?" Lemei shook her head in aggreament. "But you escaped?"

"Yes, they chained me to the wall in the dungoen and beated me," Lemei said, showing him her bruises. "And the worst part is that they took away my sword! My beautiful saber!" Lemei yelled. "When I get back there, I'm kicking all there fat a--"

"Lemei, you escaped a few hours ago, right?" Lemei nodded her head, not able to Akari how she really got to him. Akari looked concerned. "I think we'd better get out of here, there will be men that will follow." Lemei and Akari ran towards Melaso, in hoped that both would not be caught and brung back to the Carnele Palace.

~ ~

Emperor Gladov Resime was angry when he had found out the news that Lemei had escaped. He did send men after her, on horseback, but he would not believe what the gaurds told him about how she escaped. He would have them all killed, and new gaurds replaced that day. Emperor Resime paced in his office. He news about Lemei, her gifts, her talents. He knew every piece of background on her. This obviously ment that there were spies on the Melaso palace grounds.

The Carnele Empire would rule, as Resime saw fit in his mind. This time he needed a better, full-proof plan. No one would escape next time, no one. Melaso was only the first part of his plans. The prophecy would prevail. Emperor Resime knew that he would be in charge of the whole thing. This war was only the first step. He laughed at his mischief.

~ ~

Duke Tren Yamair pointed his sword at Akari's neck, threatening him with curses. "I swear if you ever disobey me again, you'll be anything but commander of my army!" or something to that extent was spoken. Lemei clung to Akari, in hopes that her brother wouldn't have to say anything about her interferance to Akari.

But the Duke pointed a finger at her as well. "And you, I'm having gaurds at your doors and windows. You won't be getting out of your room alone."