Level 7: Confessions and a Shattered Heart
"Unbelievable. . . the Emperor is in love with Hikaru. . ." Caldina breathed, almost unable to believe her own words.
"I know what you mean. . . it's like seeing Umi-"
"Now Ascot, don't go talkin' about that guy in the book again. You'll just get yourself all worked up and start worshipin' that. . . thing of yours."
"What's that supposed to mean?! It's a beautiful work of art!" Ascot spat, glowering at Caldina. She just shook her head and chuckled.
"You're a card, Ascot.
"But anyways. . . poor Hikaru, how is she suppos' ta handle somethin' like that? A girl's heart just can't be pulled in two directions. . ." Caldina sighed, staring up toward the sky as a soft wind tickled her cheeks.
"So, are you saying you think Hikaru loves the emperor as well?" Ascot inquired with a surprised glance.
"Well, I guess. . . oh, poor Lantis. . ." Caldina's eyes dropped to the ground, as if mourning for the great swordsman. Ascot mirrored her actions, biting his lip in slight anger.
"It's not fair, how will Lantis take that?!"
"How will Lantis take what?" A husky voice growled from behind the two. Each jumped, and Caldina shoved the Universe of the Four Gods behind her back. Lantis peered at them with dark, emotionless eyes.
"Oh, Lantis - when did you get here?"
"What did you mean by, 'it's not fair', Ascot?" Lantis interrogated, ignoring Caldina's question. Ascot trembled, and while he spoke he stumbled over his words.
"W-well, you see what I meant was that you, u-um. . ." he stuttered, trying to come up with some sort of answer. Although his face appeared calm, Lantis' eyes narrowed slightly, and both Ascot and Caldina became aware that he was losing his patience. When receiving no answer, Lantis shifted his gaze toward Caldina's hidden hand. Her eyes caught where his went, and she shifted her position uncomfortably, for she knew what was going to come out of his mouth next.
"Caldina, what are you hiding?"
"It's. . . um. . ."
Becoming increasingly irritated by all of the secrecy, Lantis didn't wait for an excuse and marched toward Caldina, causing her to screech in fear that she dropped the book on the ground, it's pages flipping open to the current written page. Lantis eyed it for mere seconds before dropping down to pick it up.
"What is. . . this. . . ?" Before the two could stop him, Lantis began to read the pages before him. Time seemed to have stood still as Ascot and Caldina sat frozen in helplessness - there was nothing either one could do now. As if eternity had passed, Lantis finally closed the book in his hands, and placed it on the ground. Caldina and Ascot stared at him, their mouths agape slightly as they watched him stand. He didn't make any attempt to move, and Caldina tried to read his face. . . but as always, it was empty. However, she knew that he was in pain - her eyes burned with threatening tears, and she stood as well, standing next to him.
"Lantis-"
"LANTIS!" An abnormally loud screech pounded into Caldina's ear, and she turned to see the tiny pixie, Primera, flying at top speed toward them. "YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY LANTIS, YOU HEAR?!" she continue to screech, flying straight up to Caldina's face. "What do you think you're doing, huh?! He's mine!" Caldina's brow twitched as she clenched her teeth.
"Listen, you little bug. . ." and they both shot insults back and forth to each other and became so involved that they didn't realize Lantis' exit until it was almost too late.
"No! Lantis, wait for me!" Primera whined after him, turning to stick her tongue out at Caldina before catching up to Lantis.
At first Primera sat silently on his shoulder, watching his ever straight face. But soon she became fidgety and jumped up.
"Lantis, what's wrong with you? I know you're usually all quiet but I can tell there's something wrong!" He said nothing, and Primera growled in frustration. "Lantis! Tell me!" He stopped suddenly, and stood without a word. "Huh?"
". . . Lantis?"
". . . Leave me alone." It was like a stab to her heart. The little pixie slid off of Lantis' broad shoulder, tears welling in her tiny eyes.
"But. . . Lantis, why. . . ?" she choked, tears spilling down her cheeks. Lantis had never said anything like that to her. Bursting into a chorus of sobs, Primera flew in the opposite direction to wallow in her own self-pity. "LANTIS HATES ME!"
Lantis soon reached his sleeping quarters - a room consisting of merely a bed and little other furniture. He sat down upon the bed, resting his hands on his legs, staring at the floor. He remained in the darkness of the room; silence his only company. Without warning, a single, crystalline tear fought its way down his cheek, and he finally lost all control of his composure.
". . . Hikaru. . ."
"Hikaru. . . what do you mean by that?" Hotohori asked, fearing the consequence of his curiosity. His stomach lurched when Hikaru's eyes fell away from his onto the ground, and he knew instantly he was going to regret every wanting to understand her words.
"Hotohori, I-"
"Hikaru, I'm sorry. I brought all of this upon you so quickly. Heh, it's just that I've never felt quite like this and normally I'm not so frightened to express my feelings to anyone. If you would rather stop this conversation right here, that would be just fine."
Hikaru considered for a moment, and then shook her head. "No, Hotohori. It's just not fair to you if I don't. You see. . . Cephiro, that other world I've traveled to before. . . in order to save it, it was my duty along with my two best friends to save the Pillar, the one who supported Cephiro with her prayers and wishes. She was captured by her own High Priest, Zagato - or so we thought. We didn't understand anything then. . . the Pillar and Zagato were in love, but before we understood this we fought and killed Zagato. We thought we'd won. But when we found out that the only way to save Cephiro was to kill the Pillar, we didn't. . ." Hikaru had to fight back a sob in order to continue, ". . . we didn't know what to do. It just wasn't right to kill someone because she was in love!
"However, in the end we had no choice. Then, after we went back home, I couldn't live with myself. We went back to Cephiro to save it one last time, and I met. . . Zagato's brother, Lantis.
"The truth is, Hotohori, that. . . that I. . ." her mind was in such disarray she could hardly form the words that screamed in her head. ". . . I fell in love with Lantis. Even after we saved Cephiro. . . I still love him." Tears caressed Hikaru's cheeks when she saw Hotohori's sudden distant gaze. "Hotohori?"
"I. . . suppose I knew so much, from the way your story had gone. I'm very sorry again, Priestess," Hotohori responded solemnly, preparing to rise from his place as dawn began to shed a soft light into the forest. Hikaru really didn't know what to say to him. All the "I'm sorry's" in the world couldn't possibly make up for this entire scene. Yet, that was all she could think to say.
"I'm so sorry. . ."
"No need to be, Priestess. However, if you'll excuse me, I really need to be alone for awhile." With that, Hotohori rose from his place and glided with such grace across the emerald ground, disappearing into the darkness of the trees.
"H-Hotohori. . . !" Hikaru softly cried before collapsing onto her side, sobbing quietly. She was so lost and confused it made her head spin and her stomach hurt. Her small cries mixed in with moans of anguish from this ill feeling, and she found she had no strength at all to try to get up. Twice she'd hurt Hotohori, in one day! It felt like someone was squeezing her heart and twisting it savagely. She was hurting so bad, she realized, because she really did love Hotohori. . . she just wasn't sure it was the way he wanted her to love him.
The delighted chirping of the birds greeting the morning sun could not bring even the slightest of smiles to the young emperors face.
'I'm not angry at all with Hikaru. . . am I? I don't know, it's so frustrating,' he thought to himself. Shaking his head to rid himself of the disappointing conversation, he finally began to pay attention to where he was. He'd happened upon a small hillside overlooking the forest and land just beyond it. It really was a beautiful sight.
"Perhaps all I need is to relax a bit. . ." he said softly; finally taking a seat on the soft, cool ground. Several moments went by in sweet silence, and then broken by the soft pattering of footsteps in the grass behind Hotohori.
"Sire? Are you feeling better this morning?" Nuriko's soft, lady-like voice filled Hotohori's ears. Sighing, he lowered his head.
"I wish I could say I did, Nuriko."
"What's the matter, Highness?"
"I don't want to trouble you with my problems," Hotohori replied, and Nuriko took a seat next to him.
"Please, Highness, after the other night? I think I can handle anything you dish out at me," she teased, poking his shoulder. A fragile smile touched Hotohori's lips - a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Nuriko. It's just. . . I spoke with Hikaru when she woke during the night-"
"She woke up?"
"Yes. I wanted to tell her that. . . that I love her, but before I could she stopped me and told me she already loved another man from another world. . ." Nuriko twitched as Hotohori told her what happened, growing increasingly angry at Hikaru.
'He's mine, damn it! I saw him first!' a voice screamed in her head, and she clenched her teeth to keep from screaming. "I. . . see, Sire. I'm so sorry, is there anything I can do?" she asked kindly, masking the bitterness in her voice.
'Perhaps I can ring her little neck and pull her arms out of their sockets for you?' she added as an afterthought to herself, trying to hide her mocking grin.
"Nuriko, you're so wonderful to me, you don't understand how much I appreciate this," Hotohori said, leaning over to rest his head on Nuriko's breast. Nuriko flinched, about to push the emperor away, but instead timidly put her arms around him.
'Haha! Yes! Cling to my bosom!' she thought, laying her head atop his, holding back a cackle of victory. Hotohori snuggled his head against her chest, and suddenly a memory popped into his head:
"Yep, it seems you have the same problem I do." The woman shifted her gaze to Hikaru, looking slightly displeased.
"What do you mean by that? What problem?"
"Well, your breasts." The woman suddenly became shy, covering her chest with her arms.
"What's wrong with my breasts?!" she demanded.
"Well, we both have pretty small breasts, and you being a full grown woman it must be really tough for you and all-" the woman became infuriated and picked Hikaru up of the ground with one hand easily, bringing her to eye level.
"Where do you go off looking at my breasts anyway?! THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SIZE OF MY BREASTS!"
'Now that I think of it. . . Hikaru was right, Nuriko's breasts are. . . abnormally small. . . almost like a. . .' Hotohori sat up quickly, looking at Nuriko. Nuriko tilted her head to one side.
"What is it, Sire?"
Hotohori held his breath. "Forgive me, Nuriko." Overtaken by his ridiculous suspicions, Hotohori, lunged forward at Nuriko, pulling apart the top of her dress. Nuriko squealed, but before she could do anything about it, it was too late. Hotohori sat back in shock, wide-eyed.
"N. . . Nuriko. . . you don't. . . have. . . any breasts. . ."
"I, I, uh. . ." Nuriko stuttered, fumbling to cover herself. "I can explain. . . !"
"Please, PLEASE don't tell me you're a. . . a man?!" Nuriko's eyes started to tear, and she. . . heh, he. . . jumped up.
"HOW COULD YOU, YOU PERVERT!" he howled, and with a powerful cry he stampeded off back into the forest. Hotohori still sat in shock, and before long looked out to the horizon, dropping his head and groaning.
". . . Is there no one I can trust?!"
"Okay, so. . . where do I go now?" Umi asked herself aloud, wandering aimlessly down the Kutou Palace corridors. It'd been nearly an hour since she'd escaped that idiot, Suboshi.
'Heh, he's probably sitting in the dungeon still, crying his eyes out,' she thought with a sneer. That's what happens when you mess with the water princess, Umi Ryuuzaki!
"But. . . that doesn't help me find my way out of here," she sighed, turning yet another corner to another long hallway. This was getting rather tedious. Getting tired of just walking down halls, she decided it was time to explore a room or two. Keep the search at least a little exciting.
"Okay, door number one, two, or three?" she asked herself, standing at the median of three doors. Closing her eyes, she spun around twice, and stopped to point at the door on her right. "Door number three it is!"
She suddenly felt like she was trespassing as she touched her fingers to the ornate handle, getting a firm grip upon it. Why? She wasn't doing anything wrong - after all, they captured her and violated her rights! Breathing deep, she tugged the heavy door open with all of her might, the door creaking loudly. With it open enough for her to step in, Umi suddenly heard a soft moan from within the darkness of the room. Gulping, she poked her head around the door, and had to bite her lip to stop herself from screaming.
"How do you feel now, my dear Nakago?" a deep, feminine voice purred. Nakago chuckled heavily.
"Strong as ever, Soi-" stopping suddenly, Nakago turned quickly to the door, and if Umi's legs hadn't felt like they'd turned to lead she would have run - but it was too late. She found herself staring into the icy gaze of Nakago, and were she to look anywhere else she would have blushed furiously. The woman, whom he called Soi, lay atop him and also stared at the poor girl. She obviously felt no shame since she merely smirked and rested her head atop Nakago's broad, bare chest.
"I, I-I uh. . . um. . . I'M SORRY!" she cried in haste, turning to run as fast as her disobedient legs would carry her. Both Nakago and Soi stared after her.
"Isn't that the girl you imprisoned when she refused to become the priestess of Seiryuu?" Soi asked, stroking the curves of Nakago's chest.
"Indeed. I can only wonder how she managed to escape her cell."
"Why didn't you stop her then, Nakago?" Soi wondered, and Nakago smirked.
"She can't escape me in this palace, no matter where she goes."
Umi was practically wheezing by the time she'd slowed to a quick little trot down one of the winding corridors.
'I hope I got away from him and that. . . woman,' she thought, exasperated. She didn't think she could handle another sprint. Suddenly she blushed again at the memory of the two. Was that woman his wife? Girlfriend? Umi shuddered.
"Not that I care - that was disgusting!" she bellowed, twitching in disgust. She became so immersed in her own little rant that she bumped into someone.
"Oof! Oh, I'm so sorr-" Umi looked up to see just who she bumped into. Amiboshi! Or... was it Suboshi? It was a matter of her freedom if she didn't find out which one it was!
"Ha! I've got you now!" That answered her question.
"Suboshi!" Umi greeted in feigned innocence, "What a coincidence to find you walking down the same, uh. . . hall. . . as me. . . heh. Well, I'd better be on my way, sorry again for bumping into you!" she finished quickly before trying to dash away again. However, it was in vain as Suboshi quickly grabbed her arm.
"Oh no you don't! Not this time. Look, I'm sorry I have to do this, but the Emperor wants to see you again right away. I hope you changed your mind about becoming the Priestess. . . for your sake," he added with slight sympathy. Umi scowled.
"Not happening, buddy," she grumbled, being dragged by her arm by the young boy.
Moments later they entered the large chamber of the throne room where the Emperor sat just the night before, looking as smug as ever. Umi sneered at him and turned away from him once she was standing right before his thrown.
"Ah, girl from another world. Have you reconsidered?" he wasted no time. Umi 'hmphed' and crossed her arms.
"'Girl from another world' is NOT my name, pal. It's Umi Ryuuzaki. MISS Ryuuzaki to you, by the way. And no, I have not reconsidered, and I won't either. I don't want to be your priestess! I just want to go home!" she shouted to him, tears misting in her eyes. Home. How she missed her friends terribly... she felt so alone in this place. It never really hit her how much she wished she could be with Hikaru and Fuu right then, to have them fight along side her against this evil man. The Emperor narrowed his eyes in impatient anger, and rose from his throne.
"You no longer have a choice-"
"Allow her freedom, Sire," a deep rumble echoed in the large throne room. The Emperor was taken aback when Nakago came traipsing in, the sound as his feet hit the ground reverberating off the walls.
"Learn your place, General! This girl must become the Priestess of Seiryuu!" the Emperor spat back at Nakago's audacious request. Nakago smiled coolly, stopping next to Umi, who trembled just being near him again.
"It is her decision. She'll die before changing her mind - have you not noticed?" Nakago turned toward Umi, his face expressionless. "Go now. Have your freedom."
Umi was dumbfounded. "I, uh. . . th-thank you. . " she replied softly, not sure if she was right in saying it, but she turned around quickly and broke into a run before anyone could stop her.
"Nakago?!" the Emperor pointed a frantic finger, "Guards!" But only after a few steps, the soldiers stopped in their tracks when Nakago raised his hand. "What do you think you're doing?!"
"You should have more faith in me, Sire. Do you think I am foolish enough to give up the Priestess of Seiryuu without planning to obtain her once again? Hmph. It seems you are the fool," Nakago mused as he turned to the shadowed corner of the throne room. The Emperor was in such a state of shock he could not find a voice in which to chastise his insolent general.
"You...you..." he started, but Nakago was no longer paying attention.
"I think she has a good head start," he started, speaking, it seemed, to the corner, "go after her and make her see why she must become the Priestess of Seiryuu."
From the corner, a light mist began to form, and a sudden shape took place in mid-air - a face, though one could be fooled into thinking it was an ancient mask. Painted elegant an black, white, blue, and just a touch of gold, the face held a sinister smirk. The room suddenly echoed with a dark cackle before it spoke with an eerie influence,
"As you wish, Lord Nakago."
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OMG! Like, it's been what, a year and a half? OMG AN UPDATE! SOOOOO sorry to those of you that really wanted me to continue this! As you can FINALLY see, I still am going to. X.x; Slowly, but I'm working on it. Oh! And here's something exciting: I'm turning this into a radioplay! I've already done a trailer and chapter 1, and chapter 2 is in the works! E-mail me if you're interested.
I hope you all enjoy this next segment! And I PROMISE chapter 8 won't take another year! -;;