~Fate & Swordplay~

A Gaia World Fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Gaia, used in the anime Escaflowne, but I do own most of the characters, and many lands and ideas!

Author's Note: Ah, now it's getting to be more Escaflowne in the next few chapters! This chapter's not much action, but more character interacting.

Chapter Five:

Comments on Faith

~ ~

Lemei sat in her room, devising a new way to escape this place she called a hellhole. She could only leave if a group of guards followed her. Almost no one was permitted in her room, guards were at the front entrance, night and day, and parading below the balcony. She had several plans on sheets of paper scattered across the room. Lemei wasn't exactly planning to attack the Carnele Empire by herself again. Well, at least at the moment, but she sure did want to get out of her room.

Then there was Akari, constantly arguing with her guards, trying to persuade them to let him in. He always lost and left, frustrated. 'I'll visit him first when I get out of here,' Lemei thought.

It was night now, she could see out her balcony up at the sky. Lemei could hear the nightlife outside, which mainly consisted of a few whispers and crickets chirping. She could hear the snoozing of the guards outside her bedroom door. 'Wait, snoozing?' Lemei thought. She listened again just to be sure. Lemei nodded too herself in an agreement before taking a stroll off her bed and to the door, which slightly creaked open. Lemei thought she might wake the guards with the squeaky door, but that wasn't the case. It seemed that the two of them were both heavy sleepers. Lemei tiptoed down the hall, coming to Akari's door. 'I promised him I'd visit him first,' she thought, with a hand on the doorknob. Lemei looked both ways down the hall before opening the door.

She stepped inside the moonlit room, closing the door behind her. Lemei sighed with relief at the fact that Akari was there, not awake, but sleeping calmly, resting off the day's events, which were quite too numerous for him. Lemei still couldn't quite figure out how she had managed to teleport to Akari from the Carnele torture center.

Lemei sighed, walking closer to the bed, being careful not to wake Akari. He probably wouldn't be mad at her if she did wake him, but Lemei didn't quite feel like talking right now. She slid onto the bed, creeping over towards Akari, laying her head on his chest, closing her eyes, and starting to rest.

~ ~

Tren walked down the hallway, slowly in pursuit of an answer, a final solution to solve this war. Somehow, he had found no room to sleep. The Duke's guest, Aurelia had found the time and place to sleep at night. Tren wasn't quite sure how, seeing as he still hadn't found out her secret. Goddesses didn't need to sleep, right? The main point was that Aurelia was sleeping in Tren's bed, giving the Duke no place to rest.

Tren wandered into his study, taking a seat at his desk, set to face the door. Tren sat, looking over strategies for a while, fully immersed in the art of war when a figure stood blocking the doorway.

And there Zuirem stood, leaning against the side of the threshold. "Ah," he began, "I believed that there was some kind of misfortunate accident you're trying to solve."

The Duke looked back down at his work. As much as he admired Zuirem's knowledge, he didn't quite admire his politeness. He ushered for Zuirem to continue anyway.

"I can tell you that there is more behind your sister than you thought. Some strange force has been gathered inside of her. She's very powerful, a good ally to have. Akari, on the other hand, would do anything for Lemei, but I have to admit, his military tactics are up to standards. Your special guest, Aurelia. I'm very concerned with her," Zuirem analyzed. Tren's head perked up at the sound of Aurelia's name. He wasn't quite sure how Zuirem had heard of her. Even Commander Akari and Lemei didn't know of her.

"Yes, she's very capable of destroying us all. Like I said when we first met, I am part of the Zhild. And Aurelia, she is the foreseen reincarnation of our mother, yes, the Goddess of the Sun. We've been waiting many years for this." Zuirem smiled at his reminiscing of lies before ending the conversation. "I'm sure you'll make the right decision with all of these people. They will help you, or defeat you. Either way, make the right decision." Zuirem smiled, hopping out of the doorway and disappearing down the hall.

Tren shook his head. He still didn't get the guy, but he was convinced that it must be in some bad blood in this Zhild community. He shrugged, turning back to his work.

~ ~

Akari awoke unwillingly as the bright sun stirred on his face. He wasn't sure how long he had been sleeping, but the sun had given some clue. He went to sit up, then feeling a warm body stir slightly on his chest. Akari looked down, finding the person to be Lemei. Akari laughed, pushing Lemei off of him, not so softly. She tried not to open her eyes. "Come back, I don't want to wake up," she said, reaching her arms for Akari. He slid back in bed, into Lemei's arms.

"When did you manage to sneak out of your cell?" Akari asked, lying back down. Akari didn't want to get back up either. Lemei laughed, positioning herself back on Akari.

"Sometime during the night when the guards started to sleep." As she spoke, her eyes still did not open. "Let's hope they weren't you're guards or they might just get some more desired training."

Akari laughed, agreeing with her. "That sounds good, the army could use some much-needed training. We can't quite defeat Carnele by ourselves, as much as you wish you could." Lemei agreed, though silently.

"So why exactly did you come here? You could've gone anywhere," Akari asked. Lemei shrugged.

"I couldn't have known until I found myself standing at your door," she said smiling. Lemei still didn't feel like getting up, there wasn't a reason to. Akari looked at her, noting something about her, "You've got bruises, there," he pointed her arm, "And there," he pointed to her neck. Lemei turned away from his gaze, but Akari's strong hand brought her eyes back to meet his. "It's ok, they'll heal. You should've told me about you're adventure in the Carnele Palace."

Lemei shook him off, making Akari quite sad. "It wasn't much, just a bunch of guys that kept asking me questions, threatening me." Lemei sighed. "I, I don't want to talk about it." Akari nodded. Lemei couldn't quite know the outcome of the truth, so she decide not to tell it, then thought of herself being exactly like her brother. "I'll tell you later," Lemei said, disregarding her last comment.

Akari got up off the bed, extending a hand for Lemei, she took it and he lifted her off the bed, setting her back down on the hard wooden floor. "You seem to have a lot of your mind. How about a spar?" Akari suggested. This lit up Lemei's face.

~ ~

Lemei, just now waking out of her long and comfortable sleep, choose a lightweight sword, pouting as she did, remembering that her precious sword had been taken away from her. Lemei winced at the pain as she picked it up, but she tried not to let Akari notice. She sighed, "I guess this will have to do." Then, Lemei stood opposite from Akari. "Now don't go easy on my just because of my few bruises."

Akari smiled. "I will." There was no need to express the thought, but Akari didn't want to responsible for more of Lemei's injuries. Lemei started off with an attack, causing Akari to block his chest. Lemei swung in from the outside of the blades, pushing Akari back. Lemei tried as much as she could to not put so much pressure on her right arm, but it was useless. She winced as Akari regained his footing and stood in his stance, waiting for Lemei to move. Move she did. Lemei swung with a high crashing blow only to come in with a kick to the stomach. She sent Akari backwards. "Tough today aren't you?" Akari asked.

"You've only got to work harder, I know your better than this," Lemei encouraged. She knew that the only thing holding him back was her. Lemei charged at him again, blocking and then sweeping in with her legs. Akari jumped and soared over Lemei's head landing behind her. He sent his sword at her, Lemei had little time to block causing her sword to eject from her hand, sliding across the floor. Akari used swift moments, trying to get Lemei away from her sword, but she kart wheeled towards it, picking it up when she was upside down and landing, blocking Akari's next attack. Lemei swung, drawing blood at Akari's arm. She shivered, but her face soon grew more solemn. Akari attacked again, Lemei dodged, but was only to be put in Akari's grasp.

Her sword fell from her hand again, and Lemei couldn't take anymore of the pressure. She slid to the floor, using her left hand to keep her right stable. Akari was concerned. Dropping his sword, he rushed over, bringing her up into his arms. Lemei avoided his gaze, knowing what it would be like. Both of them were breathing heavily. She knew that she would have to tell him sooner or later, just to take the pain away. "Akari, I..." Lemei said softly, but she couldn't finish her statement. Lemei turned to his eyes, which were still on her. "Akari, I need to tell you about the Carnele Palace." Akari only nodded, leading her into his bedroom, which seemed most comfortable at the time.

Lemei smiled at Akari and began the whole account of the story. "A mercenary was stationed outside my balcony that night. I was awake when he came in, but I had no weapons with me. As he grabbed me, I was unable to fight. The mercenary tied my wrists together, tied my feet together, gagged me and lowered me down to the ground off my balcony. As I tried to scream, the was to answer coming from my mouth. He rode with me away to the palace. It was a long trip, though the shortest I've seen anyone make, and I soon feel asleep on the horse. I don't know much of that part of the trip, but I know I arrived at Carnele with no bruises at all.

"The mercenary woke me, and pushed me forward into the foyer to see the emperor. Then the mercenary left. The guards at the palace were fiercer towards me, made me kneel down before the emperor though I refused. Emperor Resime yelled at he a lot. I said something to him and he hit me, causing me to fall over on the marble floor. Then the guards took me, led me up high in the palace. Once they had secured me in a room, the guards ripped my clothes, hit me, broke a few of my bones, made me bleed, and then they raped me. I had no choice against it and I couldn't fight back. I was helpless." Akari's eyes were full of pain and horror for Lemei. They were also filled with vengeance.

Lemei turned back to her story. "Then they kicked me down many flights of stairs, to the dungeons, chained me to the wall. I could've sustained it for a few days but it was so cold in the dungeons, and I barely had any clothes. They interrogated me, bruising me again and again as I wouldn't answer any of their questions. And then, finally, they left, locking up the cell, leaving me in the cold. Someone them came back, bringing a knife with them, they unlocked the cell door, came in and towards me, knife held high.

"The point only reached my skin as I called out your name Akari, so loudly, wishing you would help me before I died. By luck, I was suddenly transported to you, by some unknown force, my cry had been heard. And that's when I found you, landed on top of you." Akari, now with hate, but fear in his eyes looked at Lemei and then silently pulled her into an embrace. Lemei took back the hug, holding on to it for a long time. She finally let go.

"So tell me everything that's broken, show me every bruise," Akari asked. Lemei started with the arms, pulling up the sleeves of her shirt. "I've got bruises all along the upper half of my arms, my right arm is broken, and I have a quite large bruise there as well." The bandages on her wrists were somewhat covered with blood. "Not to mention the cuts on both my wrists." Lemei pulled up a length of her skirt to her thigh. Akari raised his eyebrows at this, but he wasn't planning on forcing anything on Lemei at the moment. "As you can see, I have lots of bruises all over my legs, with cuts at the ankles. Plus bruises everywhere else, my back, my breasts, my stomach. A few broken ribs. A lot of cuts." Lemei looked at Akari who was only looking into her eyes at this moment. "I know you want to help, but all I can do is heal," Lemei answered.

"Then if you want my advice, you shouldn't move from this spot for a week. You should have me bandage every cut and broken bone," Akari suggested. He already had his mind set on protecting her, helping her in any way possible.

"But, I have things to do I can't sit and wait, I can't," Lemei protested. Her mind already thinking up ways to get her out of the torture. 'At least it's better than sitting in my own room all day,' she thought. Lemei sighed.

Akari smiled. "It won't be for long. I just want to make sure that you heal quickly. I wouldn't want anything else to happen to you." Lemei sighed, giving in to his persuasion. She nodded softly.

~ ~

"I want spies over there now! If we're going to fool Carnele, we need to get a quick approach. This means we have to have trained people over there, waiting for us to attack. I am tired of waiting for this war to be over! Send our spies over to Carnele along with the ones that are already there. After that, send one fourth of the army to attack the palace. Send a second fourth to surround the city. Then send Akari to kill the Emperor," Tren planned. Yelling as he went to the many officials in the war room. "And I want Akari in here now!" He yelled at the messenger that stood in the doorway.

The messenger went away to search for Akari as Tren continued. "I want the other half of the army to stay in Melaso in case an attack is made on us." Tren continued to review the plans to the officers.

~ ~

Lemei let out a soft cry and slapped Akari. She cradled her wounded wrist and looked up at Akari. All Akari was trying to do was clean her wounds. Akari grabbed her arm again, but Lemei struggled and broke free. "Don't you dare put that stuff near me again!" Lemei yelled. She was looking serious, but then started to smile and laugh, handing her arm back to Akari. He rebandaged her wrist, kissing it softly.

The messenger came through the door, stopping in the doorway. "The Duke would like to see you right away Commander," he reported. Akari gave Lemei the look of 'be back soon.' She smiled.

~ ~

"Akari, so you could finally join us?" The duke said sarcastically. "Sit, will you?" Akari nodded a small 'yes lord, duke' and sat in an open chair. "As I have been saying, there will be an attack on the Carnele Empire. Akari, you will be leading the attack on the royal palace, and will assassinate the Emperor. There will be another attack made in the city. Is that clear?"

Akari nodded, "Yes, sire."

"Everyone is dismissed! Return to your duties and prepare for the final battle!" The Duke yelled out across the war room. Akari got up and was about to leave when Tren spoke his name. "Commander, I believe there's something you need to tell me."

Akari nodded walking towards him. "I've fallen in love with your sister." It was all he could say. And it said it all. "How many times do I have to tell you! She's not my sister!" Tren gapped, realizing the other part of the statement. "You what!?" He was astounded but soon regain his seriousness. "Well then, I guess you'd be happy to hear that I sending her to Palas while the battle is going on. She's done enough trouble already."

Akari was outraged. "You can't do this!" He wasn't furious with the Duke's decision, but with the fact that Lemei was leaving.

"I can, and I will. Don't let your feelings get in the way Akari," Tren responded. Akari stamped off towards his own room where Lemei sat, waiting for him.

~ ~

Akari opened the door, finding Lemei sleeping under the covers of his bed. She had obviously gotten tired of waiting for him and decided to sleep instead. Akari crawled in the bed with her, looking at her sleeping face. "Lemei, I want to tell you how much I love you, how much care for you. But you'll seem so distant. I can't believe you're leaving. I don't want you to leave," Akari admitted. He stroked a hand against her cheek.

Lemei made the sudden movement and caught his hand, pulling Akari closer. "What did you say? About me leaving?" she asked, obviously oblivious to the fact that Akari loved her.

Akari nodded. "To Palas, the Duke is sending you off again."

Lemei sighed, she knew it was coming. Then the other part of his phrase came into her head. What? He loved me? Was it true? No, no, not the powerful Asu Akari. Oh that liar, oh, oh, I'll get him! But part of her melted in some sense of relief. Her head became such a jumbled mess that all that came out was, "You...you..." She got out of the bed. "No...no...I...I...I," was all she could manage to say before she ran out of the room and down the hall.

~ ~

"You what?!" Lemei shouted, hitting her brother, although he was the Duke, he had a lot of nerve. "I decide against it. I'm not under your control anymore!" The Duke took a step towards her, grabbing hold of her arm. "You will not talk to me that way. The plans are already underway. There's a guard coming from Palas to secure your trip and arrival. Now without further notice, I'm sending you off to your room where you will not escape again. You will pack your clothes and valuables and leave. I will not expect you back until this is over. Goodbye."

Lemei's face grew to anger. "Son of a Bitch," she cursed, taking her arm out of his grasp and walking rapidly out the door. "Hey! She's your mother too!" Tren laughed, sitting back in his chair as the guards walked out, running after Lemei. She still didn't know that she didn't have the same mother. He loved it when things went as planned.

Lemei took a few turns, cutting the guards off. She stopped at a corner, backing against a wall into the shadows, watching as the guards ran past. She waited a few minutes until their footsteps could hardly be heard before going back into the direction she came. She rushed into Akari's office, shutting the door behind her.

Lemei calmed down, shook everything off her and walked towards Akari's desk. She laid her hands on the desk, leaning on it until Akari noticed her.

"I have important work, if there's anything you'd like, I'm sure someone else could do something for you," he spoke calmly. Lemei sighed and pulled up a chair. She inched her hand forwards, pulling the pen out of his hand. His hand followed the pen until he actually saw Lemei.

"Akari, I'm leaving," Lemei announced as calmly as possible. Akari took his hand back, and leaned back in his chair. "I wish I could stay, but I decided that I'm not going back to Palas again. I don't want to get them involved, and I sure as hell don't want to make my brother happy." Lemei toyed with her fingers and paused in her statement. She sighed. "I'm not sure where I'll go, but it won't be Carnele. I'm not trying to go in there and stop them. And I'm not sure if I'll see you again. But it's better than staying here. I, I don't know anymore."

"Lemei, you're not leaving. Just go to Palas, please. I'd hate to see you hurt again. Hell, you're not even healed from your last adventure. Dammit Lemei," Akari said, with a rage, pounding his fist down on the desk. Lemei jumped for a moment, looking at his fist and up to his eyes. 'I need to leave he's not going to let me leave,' Lemei thought, seeing him look up at her. 'She's going to leave, I can't let her leave,' Akari thought. They both stood up at the same time. Lemei rushed towards the door, but Akari got there first, sliding between her and her way out.

"Lemei I..." Akari looked deep into her eyes. "I know," she said, "I know that you couldn't let me get hurt, but Akari, I need to leave. I don't want to leave you, but I need to leave." Akari nodded, bringing her closer. She let him, until her lips met his, but se pulled away at the last minute. Lemei looked furious. She had been turned into a situation that she could not get out of. "Lemei, You yourself said that you lied, you did not want to be in the army, if you stay here, you'll be sure that your fate will be sealed. Please, Lemei." She couldn't turn away from Akari, she could really see it in him, how much she meant to him. At that moment, she let go. She let go of all the rage she had built up inside, and all the rivalries going on between her and the Duke, Carnele and Melaso.

"I'll go," she whispered and silently moved away from him, letting him walk away from the door.

~

"Have fun with those long chats over fragrant cups of tea with Melerina will you? I always knew you'd fit right in. And we're so sad to see you go," Tren joked. He turned around and walked out of the hanger, where Lemei was about to be flown to Palas, Austuria from. In a lot of ways, he was happy to see her go. Finally he could return to strategizing without useless distractions. 'Akari wouldn't have those distractions either,' he thought.

Akari wasn't so thrilled about her leaving, but he knew that it was the right thing to do. He couldn't bring himself to be there when she left, thinking it would only devastate him, so he left her a note, which she would find later, when she was unpacking. But at the last minute, he took his gut decision, decided that he couldn't bare to not see her one last time.

He ran as fast as he could, but all he saw was the airship had already left, it was too late. Lemei wouldn't be back until this war was over. That could be too long for him. Somehow he truly knew it would be too long. It was already too long.