Fruity-writechic- MERRY CHRISTMAS FANS!
I am so excited for the holidays that I just had to give my fans a present. So here it is. The latest chapter of The way the pendiulum swings. It was so crazy I was working on my homework when I had the sudden urge to just write. I love it when that happens!
I very much went from there.
There may be some confusion resulting the setting of the play. For those of you who get confused, I am just informing you that this chapter takes place two years after Hitomi and Van's last encounter. Ziabach has undergone a lot of change and I mean a lot!
Pardon my grammar and spelling errors. I was too lazy to go back and edit them. I will make a better job of my punctuation in the next chapter.
P.S- Mieden is Dryden's father for those of you who have forgotten.
Chapter 3- Under the rule of a Tyrant
Had someone asked about Ziabach two years ago, many would have said that it was a great empire. A great empire with a strong head and noble body that willing obeyed the head's commands.
Now, if you were to ask about Ziabach you'd receive many answers. Some which speak of Ziabach and the glory of the games. Others would just cringe, stating that their experiences there were the worst ones they possessed. Many just remain silent.
You ask them about the new Emperor they just turn their heads and tell you to seek your answer else where, for the Emperor has ears.
It is the brave who'll tell you that it isn't the Emperor you should fear, but rather the blind mistress he keeps at his side.
Before the death of the previous Emperor, Ziabachans had come to believe that she was his long lost child and had accepted her as their empress. There were rumors that said she had married a certain prince of a now non-existent country. Although the two didn't like each other, the Emperor knew it was a matter of time before the two would learn.
But it would not be so, the emperor was killed, the prince and all his lands scorched in flames and the empress…no fate far worse than the one she had to endure, the cruelty of a tyrant.
The pink haired sixteen year old looked eagerly as the hand of a little wolfing rose amongst the crowd of other wolfing, that had congregated new the fire for another story.
"Merle-chan?" the cute half kitten half human spoke softly
"Yes Mia"
"Is there no happy ending for this story?"
Merle's eyes began to glisten at the child's innocence. All the orphans were merely toddlers and babies when the horrible sacking of her beloved nation occurred. They could not or would not remember the horrifying screams that purged Fanelia into darkness. Nor would they remember the sweltering heat of the licking flames. They would not remember, but she would. She would remember her dear brothers who were not of blood but of spirit.
Blinking her tears away she placed a brave smile on her face while making up the ending.
"Why yes there is Mia. The prince who was thought to be dead, came back to rescue the empress from the tyrant…"
From the shadows Gaddes watched as Merle performed her daily ritual of story telling. Although the children had not seen the drop that had escaped from her eye, he did.
Sighing he pulled back the tent cover and went back into his secluded shelter.
"Crap…" Merle cursed as she accidentally dropped a piece of bread on the floor. While bending down to pick it up she dropped one goblet, followed by another and another.
"Having difficulty Merle?" The voice was enough to send her first on end.
In slow motion she turned around to find Reeden leaning casually against a tree trunk with a goofy smile on his face.
Looking down at what had caused her to stumble, Merle spotted a large stone carefully placed beneath the dirt.
"Redeen…" she hissed "You placed that there?"
Reeden blinked before simply replying "Why of course my dear lady"
In a mocking manner he bowed before Merle
"I outta claw your eyes out." Merle flinched her fist causing her long claws to extend by another two inches.
Redeen simply yawned "Your threats mean nothing to me"
"Oooo really"
Reeden back away as he noticed the horrifying glint in Merle's violet eyes and how her cat ears were suddenly on end.
"Come on Merle it was a joke"
"How about I add another scar to your other ten million" Merle now licked her claw causing Reeden to tremble.
Amidst Merle's taunting a shadow had appeared from nowhere. Sticking out a foot Reeden was sent tumbling to the ground causing Merle to erupt with laughter.
Spitting out a handful of dirt Reeden looked up to see a familiar tanned face "Gaddes!"
"Leave the lady alone" Gaddes stated simply as he took care to stomp on Reeden's stomach while approaching Merle.
"Thanks Gaddes" Merle managed to say amongst her giggles.
"That's no fair I still won" Reeden mumbled.
Sticking out her tongue Merle took care to damaged more of Reeden's ego, leaving the poor seventeen year old in distraught.
"Merle." Gaddes voice was stern, causing both teenagers to look up at him with anticipation. "We need to talk"
Taking Merle by the arm, Gaddes guided Merle away from the now worried Reeden who just stood there helplessly.
Merle hadn't bothered to pick up the single apple and two goblets she had taken with her.
"What were you thinking?" Merle jumped in fear as Gaddess' fist met the broken, scratched maghony table.
Gaddess had kindly leaded them to his tent where Gaddess knew he would receive privacy from prying eyes.
"I thought I told you not to mention Ziabach in any of your stories anymore," he continued.
Calming down immediately Merle averted her gaze to her claws "Honestly Gaddess your making a big deal."
"It is a big deal" Gaddess boomed. Merle swore that the all the candles that illuminated the tent were going to blow out "You know how word spreads. People may think we're starting a rebellion"
"There just stories" Merle defended
"That contains the truth"
Unable to recall the memory once more Merle gazed intensity at a candle that was lying a few feet behind Gaddess. "They need to know something about Fanelia and the royals"
Gaddess sighed while wiping a hand on his forehead "I miss them too"
"Do you?" Merle's voice was challenging "Cause I don't see you plotting some way to destroy them like they destroyed us"
"Merle! Now's not the time" Gaddess weary voice replied
"NOT THE TIME? IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS!"
"I know"
"Why don't you get off your ass and do something? Austria is already planning something against that damn emperor"
"Because"
"Lazy ass"
"Merle…"
"Ass…"
"I am trying to protect you."
Merle stopped shocked.
"What?"
"If I plan something, Allen…he knows who I was." Gaddess paused to look at the astounded expression on Merle's lovely face "he thinks I am dead. If he believes otherwise, he'll search for other survivors."
Tearing his gaze from her he stared intensely at the table observing every crack. "I am only doing what he would have done"
Merle retracted her claws.
There was a strong silence between the two and for a moment Gaddess was sure that Merle had left.
"I understand" She replied at last "I understand"
"Get up" she groaned as a malicious voice called out from the shadows.
When the battered girl failed to respond, she felt a strong grip on her forearm that practically threw off the ground.
"I said get up whore" Slap
Not one cry escaped the girl's lips as the strong impact of a rough calloused hand reached her cheek. Stubbornly she remained stationary which only further upset the guard.
Slap
This time the girl was sent to the floor which basically caused her to defy the order.
"Phyruss!" another distant voiced called out "the emperor wants the girl,"
"Fine!"
The guard turned to look at the girl who was now crawling on her knees. Gripping her by her long blonde locks he sneered as the girl cried out. "Come along Marlene the Emperor wants to see ya"
Touching her in a vulgar area he dragged the girl out of the prison cell.
Hitomi was in her usual position, kneeling before the Moon Goddess statue deep in prayer. To the fool's eye she would have appeared like an angelic creature, peaceful in the calm serenity of the garden she dared to call her own. However if one looked closer they would've seen whip marks on her back and the remianants of burn scars particularly on her shoulder blades.
The remaining scars of where piercing metal once lacerated the skin upon her wrists were still visible.
It was hard to believe that two years ago, this was once the proud empress of Ziabach. Her past was unknown to most with the exception of a few. It was her past that protected her from the cruel touch of the now reigning emperor.
Do you know what happens when a seeress marries Hitomi?
A young Hitomi with cute puffy cheeks looked up to her Grandmother and smiled
What Grandma?
Both the seeress and her love are protected by the power of the pendent
You mean this pendent
Shyly the girl placed a small hand on the simple necklace that dangled around her neck.
Yes
How does it protect them?
If any one dares to take something precious from them the magic of the pendent automatically hurts the attacker
Something precious. Like a jewel?
The elder women couldn't help but smile at the girl's innocence
No something of more value
What?
I'll tell you when you're older
The little honey-haired girl scowled causing the elder women to laugh
That scowl will not give you everything you want dear
Humph
"No please don't"
Hitomi sighed as she attempted to pull her concentration into leaving her body. Sometimes if she concentrated hard enough she could almost feel herself flying, or even riding on Tarlem in the desert like old times past. Once she discovered that her mind wasn't going to allow her to leave she gave up and sat patiently listening to the worried whispers of the guards.
"Are you sure Emperor? What if she pulls something?"
"She is not going to perform a spell. Not again, just as long as I do not touch her"
Listening more intensively Hitomi heard the fighting struggles of a person begin dragged.
It's probably a soldier or something
"Seer" Hitomi couldn't help but smirk. Was that fear she detected behind Allen's voice.
"Yes Allen" As Hitomi anticipated Allen struck her across the face "its emperor, seer"
"There was only one true emperor" Hitomi dared to say "And you are not it"
"Dornkirk is dead" Allen spat on Hitomi as though she were no more than dirt
"You know what I mean" Allen felt his blood boil as he saw a familiar flame flash behind those fogged eyes. It was a flame he wanted so badly to exterminate but unless he found that damn pendent of hers he knew he couldn't. All he could do for now is beat her to a pulp. He had done that and still she came out of it stronger than ever.
If only he could do what he did to the pathetic Austrian princess last night.
His attention drawn back to the bleeding girl at his side, he signaled the guards to drop her at Hitomi's side.
He watched as Hitomi eyes wondered aimlessly, her arms moving ahead of her.
"Another soldier?" she asked
"No" Allen sneered
Feeling around Hitomi's hands made it to what felt like long strands of hair. Her mouth opened in horror as she looked back at where she guessed Allen was standing.
". None of the torturing methods worked. See what you can extract out of her"
Biting her lip Hitomi could still feel the women shaking beneath her hands.
"Do not dare to refuse me Hitomi, otherwise it'll be another five days of whipping for you. And I don't think that your old wounds have quite healed yet"
Almost quietly Hitomi brushed aside some of the women's hair before pressing her palm in the center of the girl's forehead.
A bright light illuminated both of the girl's as the guard's stood aside gapping at the site they've seen many times over but still couldn't comprehend.
When it was over Hitomi was left shaking with the women unconscious in her arms.
"She knows nothing."
"YOU DARE TO LIE TO ME!"
Hitomi's eyes widened with anger
"She knows nothing Allen" she hissed "she's only a princess, do you honestly think that her father would inform her of his battle plans"
Raising an arm Hitomi prepared herself for the hit, yet it did not come.
But she did feel the warm breath of Allen as he spoke close to her face "Mark my word Hitomi I will make you pay someday"
With that said Hitomi heard Allen walk out of the temple. "Leave the girl with her" she heard him say as the guards scurried after him like mice.
Smiling Hitomi looked down at the women in her arms. She was about five years her senior, yet Hitomi felt like a mother to her.
You are about to mother a child to monster. I only hope that it possesses your kindness and kindred soul like I've seen.
Van looked about the grand room, already feeling his anger towards a certain empress beginning to wear off.
Wow how does he afford all of this?
He inquired while gazing at the various urns that sparkled and gleamed with gold.
"I see you like the urns the dear Austrian friend has given from me"
Startled Van pulled back his hand that was midway through the air anticipating the touch.
"You sent for me Emperor?"
Van wrinkled his brow as Dornkirk stepped out from behind the curtain revealing his shriveled posture. For the first time Van saw Dornkirk for his true age, and realized that Dornkirk was like any other man, they aged. Again he spoke "Emperor?"
Raising his head Dornkirk smiled at the young Fanelian prince before staggering towards the balcony that over looked all of Ziebach "Tell me again Van, why are we here?"
"For the glory of Gaea sir."
"Ah yes. It's clear now." The emperor turned matching his ash grey eyes with Van's fiery ones. "You see that map Van" Van's eyes went the direction that Dornkirk was pointing at. A large map of Gaea and its nations, Ziabach being the greatest one of all. "That is the world I created. For countless years I've spilt blood, separated families, all to expand the empire."
Dornkirk's eyes flashed with mixed emotion of sorrow, frustration, and sympathy "Since I have become Emperor Van, I have only known five years of peace. Five!"
"My emperor"
Dornkirk waved his hand in the air dismissing him "Please don't call me that you are family now. Come, please, come sit. Let us talk together now. Very simply as men. Well Van, talk"
Breathing in deeply Van wiped the front of his face "Ziabach is far too great of an empire to rule"
"Tell me Van. What is Ziabach?"
"An empire sir. A great empire"
Dornkirk nodded solemnly "That is what you see. Now I will tell you what it is. What it truly is. What it has become."
Van watched silently as the old emperor's eyes clouded over, reminiscing about old times. "When I first came to power Van. I wanted a nation where everyone received what they desired. There were many who opposed my ideals, they said it was unrealistic, as it were. I refused and fought against all opposition Van. I was not the peaceful man I am now Van"
Seeing the look of awe on Van's face Dornkirk nodded "Oh yes I was a tyrant. Yet as I grew old , my perception changed. It seemed that as I became more peaceful, the nation I had sought to grow in peace grew more restless."
Sighing Dornkirk looked at Van with nakedness of his emotions "I am dying Van.
Like a reflection in water Van watched helplessly as the scene unfolding before him vanished like a warm winter's breeze. Replacing it was the familiar sight of him and his fellow slave companions in shackles standing before their owner Meiden. (Dryden's father)
Van knew that the time had come. Like many previous times before in his past two years of miserable existence. It was the time when blood would be spilt and the name would be called throughout the arena once again.
"Gladiator! Gladiator!" They would shout to the victor.
Taking a side glance at Jaju he could tell he was trying hard to contain himself from laughter. Unlike Van, Jaju took the games with pride. It came to no surprise since the average gladiator died in a month of incitation. Van and Jaju however had managed to last for two years.
Van's attention went back to Meiden's speech "Some of you are thinking you won't fight, some that you can't fight. They all say that until they are out there. Thrust this into another man's flesh." Van's eyes became slits as he's blood began to boil "and they will applaud and love you for that. You may begin to love them for that. In the end we're all dead men, sadly we cannot chose how, BUT we can decide how we meet that end in order that we are remembered as men."
The rest of the gladiator's stood emotionless as many of them attempted to suppress their fear.
"How many do you think will come out alive?" Jaju whispered. Van just shot him a look that suggested he lay off his ego for a moment.
"Alright! Alright! Geez touchy"
Striding into the arena Van automatically covered his eyes as the scorching sun burned him and the rest of his comrades. Glancing from side to side he quickly determined the size of the arena and began planning tactics on how to survive.
"Scared gladiator?" he heard Jaju say.
Snorting Van charged for the opponents.
What happened after that very much became a blur as it always did in the past. Van lacerated someone's flesh before rushing and cutting another. He had grown accustomed the horrifying screams that they no longer bothered him. Before he knew it, he and Jaju remained.
"They went down fast" Jaju remarked "Boy he looks pissed"
Van's red eyes followed Jaju's to Meiden who was sitting in the first row seething.
"I don't see why" Van tossed his sword aside "We did what he asked"
"What?"
"Killed"
"What is it you want? A girl? Boy?" Van looked up from the corner of the tent to see Meiden sitting before him. His normally pallid face red from what Van could only guess as anger. Mieden stroked his long ebony beard several times before looking Van eye to eye.
"You sent for me" Van replied simply.
"I did. You are good, gladiator. However you are not that good. You could be magnificent"
"I am required to kill nothing more"
Meiden nodded his head in agreement "That may be enough for these small nations, but not for Ziabach. The young Emperor has arranged quite a few spectacles for the empire's entertainment. I find it amusing, especially since the games had been closed down by Ziabach's previous emperor" Fearful that Meiden may have seen the truth, Van tore his gaze away still attentive to what the merchant had to say "So finally after seven years of living in flea infested villages we are finally going back to where we belong, the Coliseum."
Taking in deep breath as though Meiden were there at that moment he turned to Van "You should see the Coliseum Gladiator. 100 000 Ziabachans watching every move you wield with your sword. The silence followed by the sound of thunder afterwards."
"You were a gladiator?"
"I was"
"And you won your freedom?" The promise was so fragile that Van feared it would dissipate if he breathed too hard.
"A long time ago the emperor Dornkirk presented me with a Rudius- a sword that symbolizes your freedom. He touched me on the shoulder and that was it."
"So you knew Dornkirk"
"I said he only touched me on the shoulder once"
Van lowered his voice before replying "I think I may want to stand in front of the Emperor as you did."
Meiden raised an eyebrow in curiosity "Then listen. I wasn't the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you shall win your freedom"
"Very well. I will win the crowd"
Meiden smiled at last before replying "Good. You shall go to Rome with my son Dryden and the others. Have bloody adventures and the great whore will reward you. Perhaps when enough men have died, you may have your freedom. Take this…"
Mieden tossed Van a sword all too familiar to him. "This is…"
"Your old sword. I couldn't sell it in the market, the damn thing is a piece of crap."
Van bit his tongue as he dismissed himself from Mieden's tent.
"Tell me more about this wife of yours" Jaju started
"Why?" Van had always been defensive when conversation revolved around the only girl in his life he had ever disliked so strongly.
"I need something to remind me that life isn't as shitty as this"
Closing his eyes Van smiled as he attempted to recollect his past memories of the blind empress.
"She had hair of hone dew and lips as pink as well…" Van's eyebrows wrinkled as had difficulty recalling Hitomi's features. The only thing that popped out was her eyes. "Her eyes. They reminded me of the fields in my homeland after a rainfall. Fresh and glimmering."
"Didn't you say she was blind?"
"Yes, she was"
"Then how'd she marry you. If she couldn't see how you looked like"
Van closed his eyes "Our marriage was arranged"
"I know that. I just find it strange that she still married you."
"What do you mean."
"Well you hear how some girls' runaway after their wedding. Yours didn't do that"
"No" Van silently agreed
"And she gave you that pendent of yours"
Van's callused hand where the pendent laid securely. It was not the only thing that they hadn't taken from him, nor would he have let them. "Yes"
"Did she say why"
"Some tradition"
"You must have liked her a lot"
Van raised an eyebrow as he looked at Jaju "What makes you say that?" there was a roughness in his voice
"Well geez Van you protect that damn pendent more than your own life"
Blinking twice Van paused as the truth gradually sunk in him. He had found her attractive in a strange way. She puzzled him more than any women had before her. Had situations not gone the way they had perhaps they would've…
No! A voice within him protested. It's because of her Fanelian went down in flames
Anger reflected within his eyes as he looked at Jaju "Do not speak of her anymore"
"Alright! Alright"
Staring straight ahead Jaju and Van allowed their minds to vanish into the oblivion of the heavens. Both were secretly frightened of what would await them.
"Have you been to Ziabach before gladiator?"
"Yes"
Jaju raised an eyebrow as this new piece of information added further interest to Jaju's curiosity.
"So what was it like"
"It was a long time ago." Van answered.
Knowing all to well that his gladiator companion would say nothing more Jaju rolled onto his side and fell to sleep leaving Van captive to his nightmares.
Taking one more look at Jaju Van sighed. Closing his eyes he saw the one thing that haunted him all these years, emeralds, two them, calling out to him begging him to live.
The pendent began to shine.
Feedback
Sushi- Ummm thanks I am glad that you like the whole mystery persona. Some people usually find it annoying or something
Lockea- I don't know about them exactly falling in love in that chapter. There is certainly a form of attraction, Hitomi isn't like most girls Vans met before
Inda- Yes this is gladiator theme. I took some lines from the movie so I could keep a link with the actual movie. But keep in mind that I am going to add some other detail that doesn't have to do with the movie
Mirokulover- Happy to hear that somebody enjoys my fic
Fireangel631- You think Allen was bad in the previous chapter, ooooooo you're going to want to kill him in this one. Hehehe can you tell I don't like him much?
moggy201484271612345- here's your update
kk- Hehehe yeah the messy situation is just a result of my lack of organization. Blush It's nice to know that people enjoy that kind of thing.