"Behind Dynasty walls, the power to shatter one's sanity lies sleeping…"
Shattered
(Inspired by Weiß Kreuz)
Written by Lord Lykouleon
Act I ~ Preservation Of Memories
+Chapter Two+
Behind Death's Frozen Breath
[The Dynasty: March 22, 1989]
It stood before him, a door marred with hideously elegant carvings. Incantations written in an archaic language; the tongue of ancient Japan. In the background, a steady beat could be heard. …Clang! …Clang!
A wisp of smoke began to gather itself in front of the sealed entrance, swaying in a teasing manner as the sound of rock being broken apart continued. …Clang! …Clang! Eyes within the shapeless apparition opened, regarding the man lazily. …Clang! There was a disturbing hunger glowing within its eyes. …Clang!
Dais shivered. "What are you?"
It didn't answer, fading into the backdrop of the mysterious door that loomed before him. But its stare continued to hold him captive as the beat of the pickax grew louder, faster, and surprisingly resembled a knock.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Dais rolled over in his bed, pulling away from the annoying sound that kept rapping at his door. The heavy wooden frames of his room rattled again, but elicited no response from its occupant.
He was vaguely aware of the whoosh of the fusuma sliding open and close, followed by a brief moment of silence, the intruder debating something within his mind before he decided that he didn't give a shit. The white-haired man was slightly roused out of his sleep when a second body plopped down next to him, the added weight making the bed squeak in protest.
More curious than surprised, Dais lifted his head, peering over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of a mop of disheveled blue hair. "Cale, what the hell?" was what he tried to say, but all that emitted from his mouth was a low groan as he drunkenly dropped his head back onto his pillow.
"Good morning to you too," Cale replied with equal enthusiasm.
He tried again at his initial question, this time being more successful. "What are you doing here?"
"They're working near my room." He squirmed a bit, trying to get comfortable on his half of the bed. Cale pulled the covers over him. "Too much damn noise."
Dais pulled the covers right back. "Your own fault. You gave the order."
"Tch." Cale curled up against his borrowed pillow, giving up on claiming Dais' blanket, for now. "The blocked passageways were slowing down the reconstruction. Besides, teleporting every time I came across a roadblock was getting on my nerves."
"Did you come here to sleep, or bitch?"
Cale grunted, rolling over onto his side, purposely making the bed creak to annoy Dais. Apparently, it worked, for he received a quick kick to his calf for his efforts. "Ow! Dais, damn it!"
"Cale, I'm letting you sleep in my bed," he retorted, his voice flat and heavy with sleep. "So shut up."
Cale blinked and turned to stare at Dais, startled. After a moment, he laid back down on the bed, snatching his pillow to his chest broodingly. "Sekhmet's right. You are an ass in the mornings."
Dais snorted, but did not contradict him.
Sekhmet walked briskly down the halls in a hurry to get to his destination, all the while cursing the name of one certain ex-warlord. Damn it Cale! This is your show not mine. He couldn't understand how he ended up doing Cale's job, nor could he fathom exactly where the blue-haired halfwit could have gone at this hour. It was 7:00 AM by Mortal Realm standards; not a time Cale was found wandering about. So where the hell is he??
"Lord Sekhmet." A Dynasty Soldier was standing before him, sharply bowing in salutation. "We are still unable to find Lord Cale."
Sekhmet resisted the urge to massage his temples. "Did you try contacting him?"
A nod. "No response. Apparently, he's not conscious."
He's asleep somewhere? He frowned. I should have known. "Continue looking for him. And brief him with our current situation."
"Yes, Sir."
Sekhmet watched the soldier scurry off, running through all the possible locations where his comrade could have crashed for the night. Deciding that there were too many, he dropped the subject and continued on his way. Fine Cale. Have it your way. But this is the last time I stand in for you.
"Lord Sekhmet." Several Dynasty Soldiers bowed to him in unison once he arrived at the scene. He nodded in acknowledgement, mainly to hide the frown in his eyes. The soldiers looked jittery for some reason. Pushing the thought aside, he surveyed the area himself.
The corridors in this particular part of the castle were not that heavily damaged, though the wooden support beams and pillars were splintered and bent in every which way, specifically near the ceiling. A rooftop battle, he concluded. Must have been one of Kayura's fights with Wildfire and Strata. His eyes traced one of the support beams that had collapsed as of recently. Not enough to take the whole roof down with it, but it did manage to punch a hole in the adjacent wall. He noted that the Dynasty Soldiers had taken the initiative and widened the opening that morning, revealing a previously concealed corridor.
"We do not know where it leads, Sir," one of the soldiers informed him hastily, noticing the general's eyes directed towards the hidden passageway. "This area has been off limits, even during Talpa's reign."
Off limits? He didn't recall that… Wait a minute. He did remember Talpa mentioning before to stay away from the Northwest Passage, dubbed Death's Frozen Breath by some because of the eerie chill that seemed to vibrate off the walls. It was an area that ran behind the holding chambers. Wa~y behind the holding chambers, hidden so far back that he had forgotten that it even existed.
So that's where we are. His eyes narrowed, the reason behind the soldiers' jumpiness becoming clear. The Northwest Passage. "Are there any scrolls that map out this section of the castle?"
"Yes…" Sekhmet raised an eyebrow at the soldier. "But all the blueprints are with Lord Cale and…"
He would have been amused at how the Dynasty Soldier stopped talking if he wasn't trying so hard to keep his expression neutral. But a strained look had slipped through his grasp, revealing how fed up Sekhmet was with the situation, and Cale. I'll need to have a talk with Kayura. He should be taking care of the army, not heading up the reconstruction. "Find him. And see where he kept those scrolls," Sekhmet ordered, dismissing two soldiers who practically ran out of the corridor.
He again wanted to massage his temples, but centuries of discipline kept his hands at his side. Sekhmet glanced at the remaining two soldiers. "You may leave as well." Without another word, he brushed by the bemused guards and entered the secret passage alone.
It's cold. That was the first thing he noticed. The air in here is constantly moving. But he could smell the staleness, the dry decay suffocating his lungs. This movement… He stopped.
"I thought I had dismissed you."
The two soldiers came up on either side of him, one carrying a torch. "We wish to accompany you, My Lord."
He smirked. "Very well."
It was dark. But it kept moving. The darkness kept moving forward. There was some light now. And footsteps? What's going on?
Her sight was limited. Tunnel vision. Walking down a long corridor. What is this?
A man's silhouette began to reveal itself in front of her, walking like she was. He was young, but tall. Very tall. With a good, but slender build. He looked familiar. She couldn't place it. Not until color started to come into play and she caught a glimpse of his dark green hair. Sekhmet?
Kayura gave a start. The image of the young ex-warlord had vanished. It faded to mesh with another—a large door—before going back to the bearer of the Venom armor. Then back again, to the door. Only this time, there was something standing in front of it. She couldn't make it out. A simple blur. Back to Sekhmet again.
The young Ancient squinted her eyes, her focus slipping. She felt her body start to prod her spirit awake, the pull making each image less distinct. Need to focus. The sudden laughter of the unknown figure at the door almost snapped Kayura awake. The sound brushed by her spirit self, making her shiver. So cold. Then everything went black.
Kayura looked around, frantic. Not by the all-consuming darkness, but the cold air that seemed to blow from every which way. "S-Sekhmet…?" she whispered, feeling suddenly weak, wanting someone to hold her. Anyone to hold her and comfort her, like the twelve-year-old girl she was. Everyone had forgotten that she still was.
"Sekhmet, where—?" The spear tip suddenly came into her line of vision.
Kayura screamed, jumping back to get out of the way, when she heard the sickening sound of the blade piercing through flesh followed by an agonizing scream. It wasn't her own.
She watched in horror as Sekhmet fell to the floor, the spearhead protruding from his unprotected back.
"SEKHMET!!"
She jerked awake with a gasp, almost jumping out of her bed with the force of her scream. Sekhmet… Kayura clutched the edge of her sheets, sweat dampening her skin with an uncomfortable heat. She wiped her face with her blanket. Her heart had yet to stop racing.
"What was that…?" she murmured, resting her face in her hands. The tension that still remained in her body made her feel drained. True, she was no novice to intense visions, but this…
A premonition of death. She shivered just at the thought.
There was a knock at her door. "Lady Kayura." It was one of the soldiers.
She opted to get out of bed, but thought that to be an obvious indication that she was stressed. Instead, she regained her composure, sitting up straight and folding her hands on her lap. "You may enter."
The fusuma slid open, the Dynasty Soldier stepping into the room before kneeling down before the young woman. "I am sorry to disturb you in your quarters, My Lady," he humbly apologized, keeping his head low. "But there has been a development."
"What sort of development?"
"A newly discovered passageway located behind Death's Frozen Breath," the soldier reported. "Lord Sekhmet is investigating the matter as we—Lady Kayura?"
She had already risen out of bed, the shakujo gripped tight in her hands. "Lead me to him." When the Dynasty Soldier did not move, still stunned by her sudden change in demeanor, she barked out the order again. "Show me where Sekhmet is! I must reach him before he gets to that door!"
They had been traveling down the dark corridor for some time. From the dim glow of the torchlight, Sekhmet could see no distinguishing features on the walls, ceiling, or floor. Nothing to indicate that they were getting closer. Closer to what? For all he knew, they could be walking down an unfinished passageway, abandoned when the castle was first built. But that would not explain why there was so much energy trapped within the walls. It was infused in the very air. And it unnerved him, though he wouldn't show it.
Sekhmet squinted his eyes, slowing down his pace. The torchlight had been growing faint the deeper they walked. And it soon came to a point where he could hardly see in front of him at all.
He came to a stop, the two Dynasty Soldiers that accompanied him stopping as well. Taking in a deep breath, his lungs constricted with the intake of air. This passageway must have been sealed longer than I thought. There's not enough oxygen in here to keep the torch going. Sekhmet frowned. Dead end. No point in going any deeper in this darkness.
He ordered the two guards to head back. At least, that's what he intended. Instead, he fell into a draw stance, hand moving to his side. The Dynasty Soldiers immediately followed suit, the one holding the torch unsheathing his sword. The other held his spear in a ready position.
Sekhmet's hand hovered anxiously over the hilt of his katana. He had felt something brush by his back. Nothing tangible. Only the energy currents floating aimlessly within the passageway. But it had succeeded in putting his senses on full alert. Something's different. Eyes darted back and forth, trying to penetrate the darkness. Something's coming.
"Lord Sekhmet!"
He saw it. Movement ahead, along the walls, running down the length of the hallway. Flames. Black flames sparked to life from unseen torch lamps. They bathed the corridor in an unholy gray light, illuminating the passage at the same time casting it further into darkness.
"My Lord." His attention was drawn to their own torchlight, now completely snuffed out, overpowered by the forces working around them.
"We go forward." He moved his draw hand away from the katana, but kept his thumb on the edge of the tsuba. "Stay on alert."
The guards nodded, and the three of them continued onward in a slow, cautious approach, Sekhmet taking the lead. It wasn't long before they reached the end of the passageway. A huge rundown door somewhat resembling the Dynasty gates loomed before them.
Sekhmet stopped to examine the design from afar. One of the soldiers remained at his side while the other ventured forward to get a closer look. "The make is older than even I can remember," he mused aloud, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Any ideas?" He turned to the sentry beside him.
"None, Sir," the Dynasty Soldier shook his head. "It seems to predate even your arrival to the Dynasty."
Even my arrival? he echoed. But how far back? What could Talpa have been up to from the day he had lost to the Ancient to when he recruited us?
"…met!"
He frowned. He thought he heard someone calling him.
"…khmet!!"
"Lord Sekhmet." The guard pointed down the way they had just came. "It's Lady Kayura."
Sure enough, Kayura was standing a few yards away, leaning against the Ancient's staff while she caught her breath, wearing nothing but the knee high yukata she used as sleepwear.
"Kayura." He fully turned around to face her, hands on his hip in a reproachful manner. "What are you doing running around dressed like that??" It was bad enough that she was the only female in the Dynasty. She didn't have to openly remind everyone of that fact by prancing around in something so short.
He thought she had muttered something under her breath, but didn't catch it. "Sekhmet!!" she cried out, her uneasy expression forcing aside his previous thoughts. "You have… get…!!"
"What!!" He leaned forward, trying to pick up the words. "I can't hear you!" His own words dawned on him after he said it. I can't hear her? But she's not that far away from me. And why is she just standing there? Kayura was trying to speak to him, continuing to shout and wave her hands frantically. But she did not step forward, as if an invisible barrier held her back. Then he realized how thick the air felt. There's too much energy confined in here. He gasped, now feeling dizzy. It's blocking out her voice. And… His vision blurred, the green-haired man tottering uneasily on his feet.
"Sekh…!!" It was Kayura again. He strained to hear her this time. "…out …there!! Get… of there! …Get out!!!"
"God!!! Sekhmet, get out of there!!!" She was close to a near panic now, weight sifting restlessly from one foot to the other. "Sekhmet!!"
He couldn't hear her. He couldn't understand. And even if he did… Damn it! I need to get in there, but… Her feet wouldn't move. She was afraid. So very terrified with what would happen if she took just one step forward.
Please, Sekhmet! Just come over here! Please!!
The Dynasty Soldier that was with him, fortunately, had understood Kayura's wishes and Sekhmet's current state, helping the young ex-warlord walk back down the hallway. But the other was still standing in front of the door. Neither did he move nor acknowledge what was going on behind him. His unresponsiveness sent a chill down Kayura's spine.
She gasped when the Dynasty Soldier finally turned around, his eyes glowing with that same godforsaken light that lit the passageway.
Instincts taking over, she lifted the shakujo. "Power passed down by the Ancients, endowed in this staff, I call upon thee!! Cast out this false light!!"
The shakujo rang once, the sphere at the top shining brightly before exploding with light. The black flames that burned on the walls quivered at the girl's power, receding into ashes with an ethereal howl. But the torches closest to the door only grew more intense, and the Dynasty Soldier did not flinch. His eyes still possessed that uncanny glow, and they were directed towards Sekhmet's retreating back.
No! Kayura pulled back. My range is limited in here! "Sekhmet!! Behind!!"
But by the time of her warning, the soldier had already charged, spear poised to strike. Sekhmet turned, only to see a shadow descend upon him.
Metal creaked. Voices grunted in pain. And Sekhmet's eyes widened in surprise.
The silhouettes standing above him continued to struggle while he watched from his new position on the floor as the guard that had been helping him fought against the now possessed Dynasty Soldier. Sekhmet couldn't tear his gaze from the spearhead that was protruding out of his back, amazed that the soldier had taken the blow for him.
The Dynasty Soldier grabbed the spear's shaft, refusing to let go. "L-Lord Sekh…met," he coughed, casting a glance back at his liege. "Yo…u must leave… this place… And keep… Lady… Kayura away…" Using his opponent's shaft, the soldier threw him to the side, pinning him against the wall. "H…Hurry!!"
He nodded, rising shakily to his feet. "Arigatou."
Kayura watched, both awestruck and horrified as the Dynasty Soldier sacrificed his life, driving the tip of his sword through his adversary's head before collapsing in a heap of armored plating and dust. The other soon followed suit, his eyes smoking gray steam before falling apart, the helmet still nailed into place against the wall.
"Sekhmet!!"
He was barely conscious when he finally reached her, falling into her arms and taking the smaller girl down with him. Kayura fell onto her knees, hugging him close in desperation. "Sekhmet!! What's wrong with you?? Wake up!!"
She slapped his face a little, trying to rouse him. "Sekhmet, come on! Don't do this to me!!" But he was out cold. "Sekhmet!!"
Laughter trickled softly to her ears, robbing her of her voice. That sound… She looked up, down the corridor to the door where the flames seem to dance in tune with the icy sweet giggles. The laughter continued, and the door began to creak open.
Kayura froze.
Her eyes were riveted on the opening door, her frame trembling with every second. The rings on the shakujo rattled in her unsteady grip as her other hand shook Sekhmet with rising panic. "S-Sekhmet." She shook him harder. "Sekhmet!"
The laughter grew louder, her screams being drowned out by the incessant giggles that echoed and invaded her mind, pounding at her temples. She shut her eyes tight and huddled close to her companion, wishing for it to stop. Wishing for escape.
Then she felt her surroundings grow light. The laughter was fading. And all she was aware of was the burning symbol on her forehead before everything went white.
Dais snapped awake, sitting up abruptly at the mental shock that just slammed into his brain. He reached up to gingerly touch his forehead. Serenity. He shook his head, trying to drive out his sudden dizzy spell at the appearance of his kanji. What was that all about? And here he thought he'd finally get a good night's sleep.
He looked down at Cale enviously, the blue-haired man snoring away on his bed, blissfully unaware of anything around him. I bet if I kick him off the bed he wouldn't so much as flinch. The idea was tempting, especially since Cale had somehow managed to wrestle his blanket away from him in his sleep. But he stopped short, the sight of the kanji of Obedience shining brightly on the man's forehead making his brain stall. What…?
The room suddenly grew bright, a flash of energy materializing in the center of the room, causing Dais to jump to his feet and shield his eyes. When the light cleared, Kayura was kneeling in the center of his bedchambers with an unconscious Sekhmet lying in her lap.
"Kayura??" Dais approached the duo, frowning when young Ancient didn't respond. He crouched down beside her, waving a hand in front of her face. "Kayura?" he tried again, but the girl only hugged Sekhmet tighter, the shakujo shaking with her movement. Something was wrong. Her eyes were trained directly ahead, staring at something that he couldn't see.
"Kayura!!"
She yelped, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. Her eyes darted around erratically, taking in the new surroundings and finally identifying it to be Dais' room. It took her a moment later to realize that the owner of the room himself was sitting right next to her. "D-Dais?"
The shakujo clattered noisily against the floor.
He found himself holding Kayura in his arms, the girl clutching his robes in a vice-like grip as she sobbed into his chest. "It's okay, Kayura," he soothed, smoothing out her hair as a way to placate her. "You're safe now. It's okay."
She shook her head frantically, crying even harder. "N-no… Sekhmet… He…"
"Sekhmet will be alright," he immediately replied, although he wasn't so sure of that answer himself. Looking down at the youngest of the three ex-warlords, Dais frowned at his pale skin and sweat-soaked hair. What the hell happened to the two of you??
"It… It did something… to him…"
She was shaking more, and Dais had to place his palm against the small of her back to steady her. "Who did?"
"T-The laughter…"
Dais' eyebrows furrowed. The laughter? He remained quiet, letting Kayura talk.
"It… did something… to hurt him. I don't know how… He passed out, and I tried to wake him… But he won't! He won't wake up! …And I don't know what to do, Dais! I… I saw him die! In my dreams… I saw him… I saw Sekhmet…"
"He's not going to die, Kayura," he spoke firmly. "You know Sekhmet's stronger than that."
He felt her nod, her cries quieting down to a few hiccups as she settled against his chest, all of a sudden feeling tired. And soon enough, she fell asleep.
Dais watched over the girl in his arms. His gaze occasionally switched from the head of long raven-blue hair under his chin to the prone form of his comrade-in-arms lying next to him. He couldn't sense that there was anything wrong with Sekhmet, other than a nagging sense of discomfort and heat in the back of his mind that was beginning to be bothersome. As far as he could tell, his life was not in danger. But for Sekhmet to get knocked out… He scanned over his body. Then checked the state of his aura …without any physical injury, or mental at that… It didn't make sense.
A fine white eyebrow rose in the direction of his bed. Cale had stopped snoring.
"How long are you going to lie there?"
The blankets stirred, Cale swinging his legs over the side of the bed. His eyes were void of any humor or sleep. Only gravity. "It unnerves me…" He leaned forward, folding his hands between his legs. "…to see her like that."
He smiled ruefully, looking down at Kayura. "Yeah. It's… different. Now that she's no longer a first-class bitch."
Cale laughed dryly.
The silence continued, each man lost in their own thoughts. Cale got up after a moment, walking over to the trio in the middle of the room. He knelt down beside Sekhmet, reaching over to feel his pulse. Cale's lips moved silently, counting the beats of the man's heart before pulling away and shaking his head. He bit on his bottom lip, eyes moving restlessly from Kayura's sleeping form to the shakujo lying on the floor. Dais continued to watch him, recognizing his behavior.
He waited.
Cale's hand clenched as he slammed his fist into the floorboard, cursing under his breath. "Our fifth day and already this shit."
"No one said this was going to be easy," Dais answered quietly.
"Yeah, but…!!" He looked down at his friends. He considered them as such now, he realized. Maybe even family. Yes, he thought of them as family. Some big brother I turned out to be! he growled bitterly. Something happened to them. They were in danger and I wasn't even there!!
Dais felt his frustration. That same anger coursed through his own veins. No one said their task was going to be easy… But by God, no one said it was going to be this hard.
~+~+~+~+~
And now… For something random…
The soft glow of the monitor flickered in the dim lighting of the study. Strangely enough, no one was sitting in front of the computer.
There was a soft knock at the door, followed by a muffled call. "Lykouleon?"
Silence answered the person's call, since there was no one in the room to answer him. Except for possible wandering spirits. But we won't get into that.
The name was called a second time before the knob was turned, letting in the light of the hallway along with a young man with long, raven hair, pointed ears, and a gentle countenance. He looked around, saw that the room was empty, and then approached the screen with curiosity.
"Hmm, what's this?" The man took hold of the mouse and clicked a few times, scrolling through the document. His eyes widened, a smile spreading across his lips. Who would have guessed he did this in his free time. He sat down at the desk, clicking on a few more things. Not bad reviews either.
"Ruwalk!!"
The Yellow Dragon Officer jumped to his feet. "Alfeegi!" He moved to block the screen from view, knowing very well that if Alfeegi discovered that… well, it'd just be bad if he did.
"Don't scare me like that," Ruwalk breathed, sneaking his hand behind his back to shut off the monitor.
Alfeegi did not seem too happy. "What are you doing in the Lord's study??"
"Well… I came in to drop in some papers!" He patted the rather small stack that was sitting next to him, hoping that the Chief Secretary of the Dragon Tribe wouldn't notice that those papers had been there since this morning. "Are you looking for the Dragon Lord?"
With an audible sign that indicated that he was, and for a very long time now, Alfeegi moved to massage his temples. "Yes, have you seen him?"
At that moment, the Dragon Queen, having had overheard the question while walking by, popped her head into the study, smiling brightly. "Oh, he went off to Faerie Forest." Raseleane blinked at the stunned looks the two were giving her. "What? He didn't tell you?"
"Oh for the love of…!!" Alfeegi excused himself from Her Majesty's presence, then stormed down the halls mumbling to himself.
"Oh my…" Raseleane raised her palm to her cheek. "I hope he doesn't get in trouble."
Ruwalk sweatdropped. "I think it's too late for that, Your Highness."