AN: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.
{-}
Treize walked through the narrow corridors of his fortress. The lower part of the castle was dank and quite unpleasant, but his need to consult the Lady Une was quite urgent. She was down in her chamber, a special room where she practiced her magic. He never could quite understand her fondness for the darker parts of the fortress. She was always welcome to anywhere within the stronghold for her many years of devoted services, but insisted she was content.
Turning to his left, Treize marched down the final corridor. At the end of the hall, was the door. He did not bother to knock, he simply entered. He found her facing away from him poised upon a stool. Treize walked in front of her face. Her eyes were blank and she stared past him; she did not heed his presence at all. She was in a trance.
Treize leaned against the wall and waited. It was not uncommon to see her in this state. Her trances were the key to gaining the information he needed. His conquest was almost complete.
Treize watched the woman carefully as she slowly began to stir. Finally, she gasped for a deep breath and blinked her eyes. The trance was over. Upon seeing her Lord she bowed her head slightly.
"What have your eyes seen today?" asked Treize patiently.
"A survivor," replied Lady Une.
"A survivor?" laughed Treize amusedly, "From what, may I ask?"
"From a family we thought was once dead," she answered sharply.
Treize looked at her quickly. "A Peacecraft?"
Lady Une nodded her head.
"Nonsense, you know as well as I that Zechs Merquis no longer holds true to that name. Milliardo Peacecraft is dead. Zechs Merquis' loyalty is to me."
"I do not speak of Zechs. He buried his heritage and his birth right years ago. You are right, Milliardo Peacecraft is dead. I speak of another."
"Impossible," stated Treize calmly. "We killed all in the royal family."
"Have my eyes ever told you wrong?" snapped the sorceress. "There is a girl, she lives."
"A girl. Does she seek to reclaim the throne?"
"She knows not her true name," replied Lady Une.
Treize smirked in disgust.
"But," added Lady Une, "she will be the one to destroy you."
{-}
Something was calling him. He could feel it in the air and in the wind. His heart was reaching out beyond the walls of his home. His blue eyes sparkled and his blonde hair blew in the breeze. He felt a dull ache deep within his chest. He did not belong here. Not trapped within these walls. In his heart, he knew there was something out there. Something more and wonderful. Something that would prove to be the adventure of his life.
"Quatre," said a voice.
Quatre Winner turned to see his sister Iris.
"Yes?"
"Father wishes to speak to you," she replied.
"Very well, I will be along in a minute."
Iris nodded. She picked up her skirts and exited the garden where she had found her younger brother.
Quatre sighed regretfully. He picked himself up off the soft green grass and proceeded into the manor. The Winner family was prosperous and well respected. Lord Winner was a wealthy sea merchant. Quatre was his only son out of nearly twenty-nine daughters. He was to take over the trading company once Lord Winner was laid to rest.
However, Quatre had no desire to deal with money and merchandise the rest of his life.
Quatre knocked on the door of his father's study. He entered the room quietly.
"You sent for me father?"
Lord Winner was facing the window overlooking the vastness of the Winner estate. His hands were behind his back, and he did not turn to look at his only son,
"Tell me Quatre, what is all this I hear about you leaving to fight for the Cause?"
Quatre bowed his head and thought. He had known this day would come.
"They are in dire need of help father and I have been training for some time now…"
"It is a fool's quest," interrupted Lord Winner.
Quatre felt his face grow hot,
"But… it must be done. If someone does not stop Lord Treize's tyranny, he will become High King and rule over all the lands."
"That is none of our concern."
"It is everyone's concern!" exclaimed Quatre. "Just because his armies have yet to touch the boundaries of our land, does not mean they will not come. They are heading this way this very minute father, into the west! Sooner or later we will have to fight to save our selves!"
"Who will stop the Great Warlord? You?" shouted Lord Winner as he spun around to face his son. "Do you think you shall be the one end it all? I will die before I see my only son ride off into battle to get himself killed on a fool's quest!"
"But father!"
"No! Think of your sisters. If you should die in battle, they will have nothing after I die. They will be cast out of the manor, unable to keep up the trading company! You are right when you say you have a responsibility, that responsibility lies here, at home! I forbid you to go!"
Quatre felt his face grow even hotter than before,
"Don't you understand? There will be nothing for us if we do not take a stand! The servants are already fleeing. The shadow in the east grows larger everyday! The enemy is approaching and he will destroy all in his path!"
"You will not go!" screamed Lord Winner slamming his fists upon the table.
Quatre simply stared at his father. His blue eyes were full of emotion. He let his stubbornness and pride get the better of him,
"You have no control over my actions. I plan to leave immediately like it or not. I will ride to offer my services to King Darlian in the north. He is raising an army by the thousands to stand up to Lord Treize."
Lord Winner was silent. Quatre continued,
"Goodbye my father," he turned and walked out of the room.
Quatre fought back the urge to shed his tears. He walked briskly to the stables where his horse was waiting for him.
His faithful servant Rashid helped him mount and pack up his saddlebags.
"Have a safe journey Master Quatre."
"Look after father and my sisters Rashid. They will not handle this well."
Rashid nodded his head. Just as Quatre was about to take his leave, his sister Iris ran towards him with tears streaming down her face,
"Quatre please do not go!"
Quatre steadied his horse. Iris grabbed her brother's leg squeezing him tightly.
"Iris, I am sorry…"
"How can you go? Why must you leave us for war? You will only get yourself killed!"
"I have to go Iris; I do not belong here anymore."
"Father is not himself…"
"He does not understand me," cried Quatre. "Listen to me," he continued before she could reply, "there is something out there for me, Iris. Whether it is glory in battle, adventure, or love I do not know. But I do know that I will never become the man father wishes me to be."
"Your place is here," retorted Iris. "This is our home! Father loves you very much and it hurts us all to see you go to your death!"
"We will have no home unless we defend it! Don't you see Iris? Lord Trieze's armies are growing stronger each day. He will not stop until he has taken all of the lands! I have to go Iris, I have to!"
Iris nodded her head slowly while the tears streamed down her face. She gently released Quatre's leg.
"Goodbye, Quatre. Please be careful."
"I will find what I'm looking for Iris, and I will die before I let Lord Treize become High King. I swear it."
Quatre kicked his horse and galloped off. Iris watched him fade into the distance. She knew his heart desired greatness. She knew he was seeking adventure and to find himself. But she feared war would forever scar his pure heart. She began to sob uncontrollably. A gentle hand touched her shoulder. She spun around to face Rashid.
"Do not cry. Master Quatre will return," he said quietly.
"Damn his pride," muttered Iris.
"It is not his pride that drives him onward. It is his heart. His destiny does not lie here at home," answered Rashid as Quatre's form disappeared into the horizon.
{-}
Heero walked outside in the forest. He breathed in the fresh air. This part of the world was so pure and untouched compared to what he had seen. Even though he was not sure, Heero decided he was inside the Northern realm of King Darlian, the only remaining country unspoiled by Lord Trieze's infamy.
King Darlian was the Lord Treize's last opposing force. The only remaining force to protect the goodness of the land. Refugees were flocking to the Northern Realms for shelter from Treize's tyranny. Many had lost their homes, family, and friends. Many had lost their lives.
As for Heero's own feelings on the matter, his heart was torn. His mind flashed back to the many times he had been asked to aid Odin on his missions. Heero was just as responsible as Odin for taking the lives of many innocent people. He hated himself for that, but his mind was so filled with hatred that death did not matter. His hands were splattered with blood, there was no turning back. He hated what he had become: a man without an identity, a man with a painful past, and no future in sight.
Heero trudged on through the forest, believing himself to be at peace for once. His wound upon his head was fully healed, but he still felt slight discomfort in his arm, however, he would never give anyone the satisfaction of knowing. He did not know how to show how he felt. He was raised by a man as cold as ice, so thus, Heero acted in the same way. Except, for the fact that Heero had a heart, Odin did not.
Heero's mind flashed back to the day Treize had ordered the raid upon the Cinq Kingdom. He demanded to assassinate the High King, the Queen, their family, and all loyal subjects. An army marched into the Cinq Kingdom one rainy night, led by Treize himself…
Heero did not arrive at the scene until the battle was nearly over. He followed Odin into the palace. The entire Great Hall was a bloodbath. King Peacecraft was a pacifist. He had hardly any armies to protect his kingdom. Treize performed his work quickly without many complications.
Heero stepped over the bodies of the palace guards who died fighting for their king. His heart was troubled and he wished to be there no longer. He watched as Odin smirked at the entire battle scene. Heero felt disgusted at the sight of him. How could any man wish to see innocent blood spilt? True, he h ad been raised by an assassin, but that did not mean he was not cursed with a conscious.
Upon seeing Treize, Odin quickened his pace. The War Lord was standing near the throne with a group of his guards. As Heero came closer, he noticed they were holding several people within their grasp. It was the High King, the Queen, and several advisors.
"Well your Highness," smiled Treize, "It seems as if your idea of peace did not last very long."
King Peacecraft looked up at his nemesis with defiant eyes,
"Nor will your idea of becoming King."
Treize simply smirked and walked over to the throne. He sat down upon it and glanced about the throne room.
"You are wrong Peacecraft. I will rule. All shall bow before me for I shall be crowned by the power of the stars in the heavens and the people will recognize the true High King of Mythica."
Peacecraft looked at Treize with pure disgust in his eyes,
"The people of Mythica will never bow to scum!"
At this Treize grew quite angry. He rose from the throne and landed a heavy blow upon the High King's head. The Queen screamed in horror and Heero started forward anger filling in his heart. But Odin held him back with a strong hand,
"What has gotten into you?"
"It's not right," replied Heero and he removed Odin's grip from his shoulder.
Odin's eyes grew dark,
"I will tell you what is right and what is wrong!" He threw Heero back away from the group.
"Odin!" cried Treize. The assassin looked over. "Show this man the consequences of being King!"
"With pleasure," said Odin as he drew his sword.
Heero cried out with rage and lunged forward, tackling Odin to the ground. The two men struggled together. Heero rolled on top of Odin and fought for his sword. They grappled but Odin threw Heero from him and lunged at his former pupil. Heero avoided him quickly unsheathed his sword and lanced the assassin with it as soon as he turned around. Odin fell with a cry of pain as he looked at Heero's blue eyes burning with hatred and ice.
However, Treize guards were upon Heero instantly. Heero struggled with them, but he was outnumbered nearly six to one. The pinned him on the ground with his arms behind his back. Treize walked over quickly to the angry young man.
"What do you think you are doing boy? Did you think you could save them?" Treize looked over towards the King and his subjects. With his eyes, Heero saw a woman unsheathe a sword. Heero froze. With a nod from Treize, she quickly dispatched the weapon into the High King's heart. The Queen screamed and cried out as her husband fell to the floor, limply. Heero struggled to get free. But he was held down much too tightly. Treize nodded his head once again, and this time Heero cast his eyes downward as the Queen's screams were silenced once and for all.
Heero was shoved to his feet and held roughly by two guards. Treize encircled him slowly,
"Did you really think you could stop me? You fool! You killed my best assassin and nearly spoiled my plans, and for what? To get yourself killed? I admire your bravery, but I am afraid foolishness will get you nowhere."
Heero simply stared at the War Lord. His Prussian blue eyes gave a glare colder than death. Trieze froze under the gaze. He approached Heero closely and whispered to him,
"I know you have served under Odin, but tell me…who are you?"
Heero simply stared and gave no reply. Treize looked at him puzzled, and turned his back to walk away. Heero took the opportunity.
He twisted out of the guards grip and managed to unsheathe one of their swords. He took down the two men who had been holding him. Turning around he met his other attackers struck left and right, bringing them down as well.
Treize charged towards Heero. Heero held his position firmly and waited to meet the attack. However, instead of striking blades with his enemy, he ducked, tripping Treize upward into the air. Heero ran at this point, towards the doors which led to the outside of the castle. To stay would mean his death. He would fight another day. Guards were pursuing him from every angle but Heero managed to hide himself just long enough to reach the outside of the palace grounds where he acquired and horse and began to ride off.
He was almost to the gates. They were closing on him as the guards prepared to trap him in. Arrows were flying in every direction and Heero lashed out with his sword to keep soldiers from removing him from the saddle.
Heero reached the gate just in time. Yet, just when he was almost a safe distance form the palace, he felt a sharp pain in his left arm. He grunted and turned his steed around. Upon the palace walls was the same woman who had murdered the King and Queen. She held a small crossbow in her hands.
Heero stared at her with ice cold eyes. He looked at his arm and snapped off the arrow she had fired into his flesh. He threw it on the ground defiantly and galloped off.
Upon the walls of the fortress, Lady Une watched the anonymous rider take his leave. Treize was soon by her side.
"He is gone," she said.
"His life is of no significance to me," replied Treize.
"He is strong," stated Lady Une.
"He is a fool," exclaimed Treize and he stalked off.
Lady Une watched him go. She then turned her head off towards the distance, where the rider soon vanished. Something stirred inside of her and an unknown fear possessed her body.
AN: Please email: Wildrose1404earthlink.net