Lord of Darkness
Chapter 12
Ami's Story (1)
______________
Sorry, haven't uploaded so long. My computer
and its internet connection went berserk. And,
of course, the blight of everyone's life -
school. I can't believe how much work I have!
And in my senior year, at that! Then computer
break-down, and everything. I'll try to update
as much as possible, but I'm not sure how much
I'll be able to do.
A Special Thanks to Triad Card 844A for
helping me upload these stories. Thank
you, I wouldn't be able to update without
you. And thank all my readers for reviewing.
It's due to your encouragement that I'm
able to continue this. I can't express
in words how grateful I am to you all.
This part is actually more a story in
itself than a part of Lord of Darkness. I
decided to add it because of one Mercury fan's
complaint. This is a memory from Zoicite and
Ami, and will be told in their perspective, but
in the third person view. The timing will be off,
sometimes in a linear chronicle order, sometimes
parallel order.
*thoughts
//flashback
For the usual copyright notes, look at Chapter 4.
_____________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 12
Ami's Story
____________
//
(Zoicite)
The strawberry-haired general glared at the dancing
girls in front of him, twirling crazily around. The other males
seated at the table, however, seemed to enjoy the entertainment.
Zoicite tried to keep a sigh of annoyance from escaping his lips.
He couldn't understand why in the name of anything that could claim
supernatural powers did Endymion have to sent him? He was entirely
wrong for this job to aid the queen in her battle to vanquish her
enemies. He was a strategist, not a commander. Kunzite would have
been much more appropriate for this assignment, but no, Endymion
just had to send him. He tried to stop another sigh as the queen
turned to him, a gleam in her sea-green eyes. She stood up, holding
a cup of ruby-red liquid, as if proposing a toast. The room immediately
fell quiet.
"Lord Warrior Zoicite, I'd like to present you with a gift
for aiding us in this time of trouble."
Zoicite nearly groaned. The last time she'd given him a 'gift',
it had been a life-size portrait of the queen, framed with pure crystal
border. It was precious, but an entire waste of money. Endymion had
banished it to the treasure room as soon as he'd set eyes on it, and only
ordered it to be brought forth when Queen Karagin arrived for a visit.
Whether he wished or not, he'd have to accept as protocol demanded. He rose,
too, and bowed formally to her.
"You're most generous, your Majesty."
Queen Karagin clapped her hands three times, and two burly guards
dragged a young lady swathed in a blue silk robe toward the throne, where she
kneeled down, her eyes downcast.
(Ami)
Ami screamed as she was torn from her home. Karagin had just beaten
their king's foolish attempt to take her capital, and was in the process of
taking anything that contained any value.
*To the victor goes the spoils.*
She thought grimly to herself, kicking and trying to gouge the eyes
of the guard that had found her hiding place. She managed to score a hit
to his thigh. He smacked her hard across the face.
"You little bitch!"
He snarled, followed by another painful hit. Ami felt her head snap
to the side with the force of the blow, and bit her lip from crying out.
"Maybe a little rape would take the spunk out of you."
Ami felt her eyes widen as the guard ripped at her coarse peasant
skirt, but she was paralyzed with fear. He grinned, showing his rotten teeth.
"You're going to scream for me."
Ami closed her eyes, to weak to scream or even to cry as she resigned
herself to her fate, tears pouring down her porcelain skin. A bored smooth male
voice came to her rescue, however.
"Leave her alone. Her Majesty asked for a gift, a 'pure' gift, to present
to General Zoicite. I think she will do nicely, with a bit of grooming."
The soldier glared at the man, yet still bowed his head in submission.
"Yes, commander."
He agreed, reluctantly.
Ami felt herself being grabbed and roughly tossed onto a carriage. Her
hands and feet were bound swiftly, and she curled up at best as she could, her
head dropping to her chest in exhaustion.
During the trip, Ami desperately tried to escape. Yet each time, she was
caught and thoroughly beaten. The last time she was recaptured, they had stripped
her and flogged her with brutal enthusiasm before advancing on her with fists. She
had passed out sometime during the beating, and when she had awoken, she couldn't find a
single inch of her previous creamy skin where no bruise decorated it. She stopped
trying to leave, hopelessness filling her soul.
(Zoicite)
Karagin turned to him again.
"She was one of the loveliest girls we could find. She's all yours."
She turned back to the girl.
"Raise your face, slave."
The girl obeyed slowly, raising her sapphire eyes glittering with tears
to clash with leaf-green ones. Zoicite sucked in a breath. She wasn't the normal,
flashy beauty he was used to, but a refreshing, exotic looking beauty. This was
one gift he would never say no to. He bowed to the queen.
"Thank you, your Majesty."
He turned back to the guards, motioning with his hand.
"Untie her, and take her to my quarters."
That sentence seemed to be the signal that the matter was closed, for
the noise level rose immediately again. As the soldiers escorted the young slave
girl from the hall, he grabbed one of them by the arm, and whispered threatening
into his ear:
"If I find she's mistreated in any way, I swear to the goddess Hecate*
herself I'll make you wish you'd never been born."
The soldier paled. Hecate was known for vengeance on oath-breakers, and
Zoicite was famous for carrying out every promise he made. The soldier hastily sought
to pacify him.
"My Lord, she will be cared for well."
Zoicite glanced at the blue-haired maiden. Tears were still dripping down
her cheeks, and her lips formed the word 'please'. She seemed to weak to speak, and
the hardened General felt a rush of sympathy.
"Make my excuse to her Majesty. I suddenly feel dizzy and need to return to
my quarters."
"Of course, My Lord. Let me call one of the maids."
"Not necessary. I'm sure that my new gift will do fine."
The two soldiers bowed.
"Certainly, my Lord,"
They vanished, and Zoicite wordlessly guided the maiden
toward the room. Yet, she seemed weaker than he'd originally thought,
and collapsed halfway. He scooped her fragile body into his arms, and
tucked her into bed as soon as he arrived in his room, he himself
spending the night in a chair.
(Ami)
Ami felt the last remains of sleep leave her eyes, replacing it with
glaring sunlight that even shone behind her closed eyelids. A soft moan escaped
her lips as she stretched, feeling soft and relaxed and warm. Eyes still closed,
she wriggled her shoulders experimentally, surprised by the dull ache instead
of yesterday's sharp pain.
"So, you're awake. How do you feel?"
Ami's eyes flew open, barely able to keep a cry of surprise from sounding.
Zoicite was sitting on a chair, watching her with a critical look, and she realized
she was sitting on a bed. She sighed inwardly, thanking her guardian angel that
she felt no pain between her legs which meant that she was still a virgin. She hastily
dropped to the ground, kneeling before him.
"I apologize for inconveniencing you, my Lord."
He seemed shocked by her submissiveness.
"Sit down."
Ami moved to obey him. He kicked his trunk open, searching for something.
"Here, wear this."
He tossed her a dress, and Ami's eyes grew wide. The dress was very pretty,
a light summer dress reaching below her knees with small purple flowers printed on
the blue material. She let her fingers glide over the watery cloth, trying to imagine
the feel of it against her skin.
"Is this silk?"
She asked timidly. Zoicite gave a curt nod, his head snapping up as Ami
gasped, holding the dress at arm's length as if it might suddenly bite her.
"Oh, no, master, I cannot. This is too fine for the likes of me. I'm a slave,
not a lady."
"You've never worn silk before?"
"Of course not. That is the cloth of the rich. I'm only a normal peasant with
some healing talents."
Zoicite sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. Ami nearly fainted, her heart
pounding in her chest.
"You're far from ordinary, Ami. You've healing magic, I sense it, very strong
healing magic. If you continue to develop it, you might even be able to control water for
the liquid is directly interlinked with healing. Do you call me master? Then follow
my request to wear it."
Ami still shook her head.
"But, master, if I wore it, you'd have to burn it."
Zoicite sighed.
"Listen, Ami. You're no worse than the next person. It's not our birth that shape
who we are, but what we make of the opportunities given to us. I was even worse off than you
at your age. My mother was a prostitute who died giving birth to me. I never knew my father.
And now, I'm one of King Endymion's most trusted generals. Sure, I know people call me bastard
son and give me other nasty names behind my back, yet I've won more respect and friendship
that I should have as an offspring of such degrading lineage."
Ami paused a moment, before nodding reluctantly.
"I thank you, my Lord."
She gingerly picked up her dress, heading toward the privy.
(Zoicite)
Zoicite raised his head as the privy door opened again, and - felt his jaw hit his chest.
The mirror stared back at him, giving him a quick image of himself looking like a dead fish. He
hastily closed his mouth, his eyes roving over the blue-haired girl. She was more slender than
appeared previously, her limbs slim and willowy. Grace and gentleness accented her every movement.
She stood still, her eyes fixed on the ground, though her hands were twisting nervously in her lap.
The dress fitted her to perfection, as if it was made for her.
"You look lovely, Ami."
"Thank you, Master."
"Please, Ami, call me Zoicite. I wish to be your friend."
The blue-haired girl stared at him in shock and disbelief. Her lips worked furiously trying
to speak. Her voice was choked and hoarse when she finally managed one comprehensive word.
"What?"
Zoicite shrugged, hiding a smile.
"I wish to be your friend."
She dropped like a rock to her knees, trembling from head to toe.
"I cannot, master."
Zoicite felt like smacking himself on the forehead. What in the world was so difficult for her
understand. He had only asked for two things: 1) she'd call him by his name instead of master, and 2)
stop being submissive. He took a deep breath, determined not to let his anger show.
"Ami, if you call me master, you'd follow my orders."
(Ami)
Ami fidgeted. She was stuck, and she knew it. If she stopped calling him master, it would mean
that she had accepted his offer, - and that was unthinkable. She is continued to call him master, she
would have to follow his orders.
"Yes, Lord Zoicite."
He sighed, as if knowing that was the best he could elicit from her. He turned back to packing.
"Any questions?"
Ami bit her lip. She was curious beyond reason, but would he answer her without becoming angry?
"Permission to speak freely, my Lord."
He waved a hand absently at her.
"Granted. Go ahead."
"Why are my bruises almost nonexistent?"
"You've slept for three days, Ami. And I worked some of my own healing talents on you. Combined
with your own gift, it helped your body to recover."
"Who does this dress belong to?"
"You."
"Before that."
Zoicite froze, his posture stiff and unrelenting, but he still didn't turn to face her.
"It belonged to..."
****************************
*Hecate - the dark moon goddess who walks in the Underworld.
Cliffhanger! *cheers*. So who does this dress belong to? Anybody wanna take a guess? Please
leave me a review. Oh, I actually intended to make it one long chapter, but it will be way to
long, so I'm splitting it in half. And does anyone want a story on how Makoto came? I've
an idea, but nobody requested one, so I was just wondering if anyone would like if I wrote
one.
Don't forget to click the "Go" button next to the review box.
Chapter 12
Ami's Story (1)
______________
Sorry, haven't uploaded so long. My computer
and its internet connection went berserk. And,
of course, the blight of everyone's life -
school. I can't believe how much work I have!
And in my senior year, at that! Then computer
break-down, and everything. I'll try to update
as much as possible, but I'm not sure how much
I'll be able to do.
A Special Thanks to Triad Card 844A for
helping me upload these stories. Thank
you, I wouldn't be able to update without
you. And thank all my readers for reviewing.
It's due to your encouragement that I'm
able to continue this. I can't express
in words how grateful I am to you all.
This part is actually more a story in
itself than a part of Lord of Darkness. I
decided to add it because of one Mercury fan's
complaint. This is a memory from Zoicite and
Ami, and will be told in their perspective, but
in the third person view. The timing will be off,
sometimes in a linear chronicle order, sometimes
parallel order.
*thoughts
//flashback
For the usual copyright notes, look at Chapter 4.
_____________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 12
Ami's Story
____________
//
(Zoicite)
The strawberry-haired general glared at the dancing
girls in front of him, twirling crazily around. The other males
seated at the table, however, seemed to enjoy the entertainment.
Zoicite tried to keep a sigh of annoyance from escaping his lips.
He couldn't understand why in the name of anything that could claim
supernatural powers did Endymion have to sent him? He was entirely
wrong for this job to aid the queen in her battle to vanquish her
enemies. He was a strategist, not a commander. Kunzite would have
been much more appropriate for this assignment, but no, Endymion
just had to send him. He tried to stop another sigh as the queen
turned to him, a gleam in her sea-green eyes. She stood up, holding
a cup of ruby-red liquid, as if proposing a toast. The room immediately
fell quiet.
"Lord Warrior Zoicite, I'd like to present you with a gift
for aiding us in this time of trouble."
Zoicite nearly groaned. The last time she'd given him a 'gift',
it had been a life-size portrait of the queen, framed with pure crystal
border. It was precious, but an entire waste of money. Endymion had
banished it to the treasure room as soon as he'd set eyes on it, and only
ordered it to be brought forth when Queen Karagin arrived for a visit.
Whether he wished or not, he'd have to accept as protocol demanded. He rose,
too, and bowed formally to her.
"You're most generous, your Majesty."
Queen Karagin clapped her hands three times, and two burly guards
dragged a young lady swathed in a blue silk robe toward the throne, where she
kneeled down, her eyes downcast.
(Ami)
Ami screamed as she was torn from her home. Karagin had just beaten
their king's foolish attempt to take her capital, and was in the process of
taking anything that contained any value.
*To the victor goes the spoils.*
She thought grimly to herself, kicking and trying to gouge the eyes
of the guard that had found her hiding place. She managed to score a hit
to his thigh. He smacked her hard across the face.
"You little bitch!"
He snarled, followed by another painful hit. Ami felt her head snap
to the side with the force of the blow, and bit her lip from crying out.
"Maybe a little rape would take the spunk out of you."
Ami felt her eyes widen as the guard ripped at her coarse peasant
skirt, but she was paralyzed with fear. He grinned, showing his rotten teeth.
"You're going to scream for me."
Ami closed her eyes, to weak to scream or even to cry as she resigned
herself to her fate, tears pouring down her porcelain skin. A bored smooth male
voice came to her rescue, however.
"Leave her alone. Her Majesty asked for a gift, a 'pure' gift, to present
to General Zoicite. I think she will do nicely, with a bit of grooming."
The soldier glared at the man, yet still bowed his head in submission.
"Yes, commander."
He agreed, reluctantly.
Ami felt herself being grabbed and roughly tossed onto a carriage. Her
hands and feet were bound swiftly, and she curled up at best as she could, her
head dropping to her chest in exhaustion.
During the trip, Ami desperately tried to escape. Yet each time, she was
caught and thoroughly beaten. The last time she was recaptured, they had stripped
her and flogged her with brutal enthusiasm before advancing on her with fists. She
had passed out sometime during the beating, and when she had awoken, she couldn't find a
single inch of her previous creamy skin where no bruise decorated it. She stopped
trying to leave, hopelessness filling her soul.
(Zoicite)
Karagin turned to him again.
"She was one of the loveliest girls we could find. She's all yours."
She turned back to the girl.
"Raise your face, slave."
The girl obeyed slowly, raising her sapphire eyes glittering with tears
to clash with leaf-green ones. Zoicite sucked in a breath. She wasn't the normal,
flashy beauty he was used to, but a refreshing, exotic looking beauty. This was
one gift he would never say no to. He bowed to the queen.
"Thank you, your Majesty."
He turned back to the guards, motioning with his hand.
"Untie her, and take her to my quarters."
That sentence seemed to be the signal that the matter was closed, for
the noise level rose immediately again. As the soldiers escorted the young slave
girl from the hall, he grabbed one of them by the arm, and whispered threatening
into his ear:
"If I find she's mistreated in any way, I swear to the goddess Hecate*
herself I'll make you wish you'd never been born."
The soldier paled. Hecate was known for vengeance on oath-breakers, and
Zoicite was famous for carrying out every promise he made. The soldier hastily sought
to pacify him.
"My Lord, she will be cared for well."
Zoicite glanced at the blue-haired maiden. Tears were still dripping down
her cheeks, and her lips formed the word 'please'. She seemed to weak to speak, and
the hardened General felt a rush of sympathy.
"Make my excuse to her Majesty. I suddenly feel dizzy and need to return to
my quarters."
"Of course, My Lord. Let me call one of the maids."
"Not necessary. I'm sure that my new gift will do fine."
The two soldiers bowed.
"Certainly, my Lord,"
They vanished, and Zoicite wordlessly guided the maiden
toward the room. Yet, she seemed weaker than he'd originally thought,
and collapsed halfway. He scooped her fragile body into his arms, and
tucked her into bed as soon as he arrived in his room, he himself
spending the night in a chair.
(Ami)
Ami felt the last remains of sleep leave her eyes, replacing it with
glaring sunlight that even shone behind her closed eyelids. A soft moan escaped
her lips as she stretched, feeling soft and relaxed and warm. Eyes still closed,
she wriggled her shoulders experimentally, surprised by the dull ache instead
of yesterday's sharp pain.
"So, you're awake. How do you feel?"
Ami's eyes flew open, barely able to keep a cry of surprise from sounding.
Zoicite was sitting on a chair, watching her with a critical look, and she realized
she was sitting on a bed. She sighed inwardly, thanking her guardian angel that
she felt no pain between her legs which meant that she was still a virgin. She hastily
dropped to the ground, kneeling before him.
"I apologize for inconveniencing you, my Lord."
He seemed shocked by her submissiveness.
"Sit down."
Ami moved to obey him. He kicked his trunk open, searching for something.
"Here, wear this."
He tossed her a dress, and Ami's eyes grew wide. The dress was very pretty,
a light summer dress reaching below her knees with small purple flowers printed on
the blue material. She let her fingers glide over the watery cloth, trying to imagine
the feel of it against her skin.
"Is this silk?"
She asked timidly. Zoicite gave a curt nod, his head snapping up as Ami
gasped, holding the dress at arm's length as if it might suddenly bite her.
"Oh, no, master, I cannot. This is too fine for the likes of me. I'm a slave,
not a lady."
"You've never worn silk before?"
"Of course not. That is the cloth of the rich. I'm only a normal peasant with
some healing talents."
Zoicite sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. Ami nearly fainted, her heart
pounding in her chest.
"You're far from ordinary, Ami. You've healing magic, I sense it, very strong
healing magic. If you continue to develop it, you might even be able to control water for
the liquid is directly interlinked with healing. Do you call me master? Then follow
my request to wear it."
Ami still shook her head.
"But, master, if I wore it, you'd have to burn it."
Zoicite sighed.
"Listen, Ami. You're no worse than the next person. It's not our birth that shape
who we are, but what we make of the opportunities given to us. I was even worse off than you
at your age. My mother was a prostitute who died giving birth to me. I never knew my father.
And now, I'm one of King Endymion's most trusted generals. Sure, I know people call me bastard
son and give me other nasty names behind my back, yet I've won more respect and friendship
that I should have as an offspring of such degrading lineage."
Ami paused a moment, before nodding reluctantly.
"I thank you, my Lord."
She gingerly picked up her dress, heading toward the privy.
(Zoicite)
Zoicite raised his head as the privy door opened again, and - felt his jaw hit his chest.
The mirror stared back at him, giving him a quick image of himself looking like a dead fish. He
hastily closed his mouth, his eyes roving over the blue-haired girl. She was more slender than
appeared previously, her limbs slim and willowy. Grace and gentleness accented her every movement.
She stood still, her eyes fixed on the ground, though her hands were twisting nervously in her lap.
The dress fitted her to perfection, as if it was made for her.
"You look lovely, Ami."
"Thank you, Master."
"Please, Ami, call me Zoicite. I wish to be your friend."
The blue-haired girl stared at him in shock and disbelief. Her lips worked furiously trying
to speak. Her voice was choked and hoarse when she finally managed one comprehensive word.
"What?"
Zoicite shrugged, hiding a smile.
"I wish to be your friend."
She dropped like a rock to her knees, trembling from head to toe.
"I cannot, master."
Zoicite felt like smacking himself on the forehead. What in the world was so difficult for her
understand. He had only asked for two things: 1) she'd call him by his name instead of master, and 2)
stop being submissive. He took a deep breath, determined not to let his anger show.
"Ami, if you call me master, you'd follow my orders."
(Ami)
Ami fidgeted. She was stuck, and she knew it. If she stopped calling him master, it would mean
that she had accepted his offer, - and that was unthinkable. She is continued to call him master, she
would have to follow his orders.
"Yes, Lord Zoicite."
He sighed, as if knowing that was the best he could elicit from her. He turned back to packing.
"Any questions?"
Ami bit her lip. She was curious beyond reason, but would he answer her without becoming angry?
"Permission to speak freely, my Lord."
He waved a hand absently at her.
"Granted. Go ahead."
"Why are my bruises almost nonexistent?"
"You've slept for three days, Ami. And I worked some of my own healing talents on you. Combined
with your own gift, it helped your body to recover."
"Who does this dress belong to?"
"You."
"Before that."
Zoicite froze, his posture stiff and unrelenting, but he still didn't turn to face her.
"It belonged to..."
****************************
*Hecate - the dark moon goddess who walks in the Underworld.
Cliffhanger! *cheers*. So who does this dress belong to? Anybody wanna take a guess? Please
leave me a review. Oh, I actually intended to make it one long chapter, but it will be way to
long, so I'm splitting it in half. And does anyone want a story on how Makoto came? I've
an idea, but nobody requested one, so I was just wondering if anyone would like if I wrote
one.
Don't forget to click the "Go" button next to the review box.