Middle Heaven

Mister Bottomless

A/N – Thank you Hopeless! Once again, I have created another chapter. Hehe. I'm really sorry. It became a bad habit of mine not to update fast when no one's reviewing my stories. Though I really become touched (and not flattered) and inspired when just one person says my stories are the best, 'cause they really are! (Smirks!) Hehe. Just kidding. Oh well, anyways, here's chapter 3. And here you'll finally going to know the first conflict!

Uchhhh… I am so hoping you won't flame me for this… I spent one whole week to think of a good scene for the last part of this chapter. So please, at least be sensitive when it turned out not good for your eyes.

Chapter 3

The Avatar

After the conference, it was planned again to hunt for Freya, as they didn't know what really happened. And they believed she was still alive. The Maranatha then again had their sentries all over the cities across the kingdom, as commanded by the Tristran himself, but as the king predicted, they returned without carrying the Fallen, dead or alive. The secret though was still hidden and intact inside his Palace, the heart of the Midgard monarchy. And the king still thought to activate the legendary Line again; the machine that could trespass the threshold between Asgard and Midgard.

Meanwhile, Liandrin and Tobi were on some pub at the corner of the city… It was after a week then. The plan of using Line then was decided, and the king will take the initiative of activating the machine without doubts or any sign of fear, they guessed. They knew how the king would do such dramatic decisions

Tobi grabbed his glass of wine extracted from blue herbs, and as people said it was almost divine, it was divine. Grinning at the woman beside him, he said, "These really stand up to their reputation. They're really good, Liandrin… c'mon, drink, will ya?"

Liandrin gave her an uneasy stare, "How can you be so carefree when in a matter of days our king, ruler of this kingdom will attempt to commit, what? Suicide?" she said freakishly,

"It's his decision, Liandrin… The great Tristan is much more higher than you. You don't have the right to judge his actions." He sipped again his glass, "And besides, this is your chance to say thank you for what he gave you,"

"Thank him? It's more like of doing the opposite." She raised her eyebrow, and frowned a little, "I can't believe you're a high priest."

Tobi smirked, "No one can do about my personality then. Haha." He smirked,

"But how about his kingdom? Who'll take care of it as much as he did? How about his son, the prince? Heck, he's just two years old," the outraged huntress then mumbled

"Didn't you hear what the great Tristran said? He said he wants to give his responsibilities to us, his loyal warriors of his service." He said calmly, nothing like Liandrin,

"But To—"

Tobi didn't even give her a chance, "Just think about it. Wouldn't he be grateful if you accepted those big responsibilities and let him do what he wants to do?" he paused, observing Liandrin's face quiet down, "It's your thank you. He didn't just give you a chance to live again, 'drin. He gave you life itself the second time." Tobi sighed, "Let him die if he wants to. Why would he use Line if it weren't for the good of his kingdom, Liandrin. It's his job."

The huntress then stood up, "You're horrible…"

Tobi then shook his head, "No. I'm hot." He smirked,

"Puhleesh," she mumbled. She then turned away from his direction, and faced then the direction of the door, "I'm going now, Koy's waiting for me at the Maranatha's dorm," She then walked away, but the suddenly stopped, though still near the table of Tobi, "Thank you, Tobi…" She faced him again, with a weird smile smothered in her face, "Really…"

"My pleasure." He only said with a smile, and a superstar's wink

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Liandrin fled outside of the pub, and ran fast enough to reach the Marantha's base just behind the palace in a matter of minutes. She got inside, and she was surprised there was completely no one seating on the chairs met by the people entering the abode. Liandrin bit her lower lip, "Great," she mumbled, walking to her room, "Some alone time…" she sighed, as she saw her pet, Koy, already sleeping on top of her pillow.

It's your thank you. He didn't just give you a chance to live again, 'drin. He gave you life itself the second time.

"Life the second time huh?" she smiled. She carefully moved the sleeping slime ball off her pillow, and laid down, "Oh god, I don't know what to do…"

Liandrin owed the king her life… She was only a poor swindler back then, someone who can't even help herself. Then the king just appeared before her, and gave her a hand when she was lying on the ground, with a serious wound on her leg. And then everything just turned to white light after it. She couldn't remember anymore. It was all so happy, her imagination couldn't help but disable itself to remember such an overly joyous moment of jubilee? Of happiness? She didn't know… All she knew is that, she just can't let the king, the one who gave her everything utilized in form of another chance to live, unselfishly die. But at the back of her mind, there it was, the haunting voice of Tobi and of someone who was a stranger, yet she knew it was herself. It was the only thing the king can do to save his land he was destined to rule.

And so was his son, Enovah… Her eyes turned to big balls of pain… and sighed. How painful is not to see your parents ever again? She knew. And it was hard, real hard. She looked at the poring peacefully sleeping. Attempting to waver her skill to stop tears from falling, but yes… she finally cried, and then closed her eyes and slept…

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They were once again in the throne room, only the three of them. The king of course, the high priest Tobi Jarth, who looked calm and composed as ever, having a confident but thin smile on his face, and Liandrin Morgase, somewhat avoiding the king's eyes, looking sad and dazed, not believing she had attended to the king's departure.

There was only silence, an obvious sign of confusion and thrill was floating above them, and the king finally opened his mouth. He looked weak on his cotton clothes. Without his golden armor he usually wore everyday, and the huge Excalibur-like blade he always displayed beside him on an expensive jeweled hilt, he looked fragile and ordinary, more ordinary than anyone living and looking up at him could imagine. "It's time," he mumbled, and then walked silently to his throne. Not to seat on it and feel mighty, but he pushed the stone eye of a dragon carved on the back his throne, and suddenly, the room quivered gradually, and Liandrin and Tobi realized that the three golden thrones were levitating upward, "Liandrin, Tobi… I give this secret to you." He whispered to the two completely audible. "Come now," he invited. The two walked then, and stepped up to stand on the levitated floor. When they did, the king moved his dead wife's throne right, and as quietly as possible, the floor climbed to the ceiling,

"Amazing," Tobi gasped stupefied, "But how can this be?" he asked, not taking note to the etiquette of asking a question to someone almighty,

The king shook his head, "Even I don't have the answers to all questions, even as powerful as I am." He just said.

The floor though stopped until it was only a matter of millimeters to the ceiling, when the king knelt down behind Enovah's throne, and searched for something under the royal chair, when his arm gestured a twisting move, the ceiling opened, and revealed a dark room, only lit by a dim, green light. It was only small. Shaped like an octagon, and the ceiling decorated by a chandelier-like steel object, with thin needles pointing down to the floor. Wires of different colors were like vines sticking on the plain black walls. Generally, it looked like the dream madman laboratory…

"This is it," Tristran declared,

"So… where is Line?" Tobi asked, Liandrin followed Tristran's eyes, and watched them,

Tristran frowned, "Tell me, Tobi. What is the only object inside here?" he asked, though Liandrin and Tobi knew the king was being sarcastic,

The priest looked then at the chandelier then after he scratched his head clumsily, and had a nervous laugh, "Sorry" he mumbled embarrassed,

"This is it, Liandrin, Tobi…" the king announced, "I won't turn back,"

"But my king!" Liandrin quickly objected. Her eyes shook; "please…" she spoke softly, her voice muffled,

"No, Liandrin," his voice final, "Tobi, take care of everything while I'm away." He sighed, "And when I don't return, tell my people the truth then."

"Yes, my king." He said dutifully, and knelt to acknowledge the honor,

"And take care of the prince Enovah. When he is old enough to lead this land, he will be king. Until then, Tobi, you will be in charge."

"Yes, my king." Tobi repeated again,

"Let my land be prosperous until the seas and skies meet." The royal man said more loudly,

"Yes, my king." Tobi repeated, to equal Tristran's strength of voice.

"Very good," the king then faced to Liandrin, and the huntress looked away, "Liandrin,"

"Don't go," she only said, nothing more…

"Come here, Liandrin…" he said gently, but the huntress didn't even budge,

"Please don't go…" she said, more weakly,

The king just shook his head, "No. Liandrin, I can't." he sighed, "If you won't go here, I'll go to you…" And he did. And Liandrin's and Tobi's face turned to shock. The king? Compromising to walk instead? He continued to walk, and when he was near to her, his face inches just above her ear, and whispered something. Carefully silent for only Liandrin need his secret words, and Tobi respected the rude privacy.

He was done then, and he went back, and centered himself under Line, and he closed his eyes. There was an immaculate silence. The priest and the huntress stared at him in suspense. What would happen next? What would happen next to them? What would happen to Midgard after something happens to the king. Suddenly he opened his mouth, and he opened his eyes, though, they only revealed the whites of his eyes, and nothing more. And suddenly, the needles glowed of bright green, almost like neon, and it emitted strange lights dancing everywhere. And it vanished. There were no lights. It was darkness, and they heard something that fell. The dim light shone again, and Liandrin gasped, "The king! Oh my god, my lord Tristran!" she screamed with panic as she ran to kneel to see if the king is still fine, and he was about to touch him when,

"Don't!" Tobi interfered, "Don't touch the king,"

"Tobi!" she yelled, her voice filled with enough compromises, he had enough

"He's still alive. He's still breathing Liandrin." He said calmly, "But right now his consciousness is not in this world,"

She observed his chest, it was moving, and she was glad, however… "But is he going to be okay?" Liandrin said, worried, and all doubt rushing throughout her veins as if it was her blood… Still gazing at the sleeping king.

Tobi shook his head, "Now who am I to know the answer to your question, Liandrin… But we'll just pray, 'drin. That's the only thing we can do now,"

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He could only remember a luminous green tornado enveloping him, and he spun and he spun, as if he was the tornado himself. He opened his eyes, but he though he was still closing his eyes, because of the fact he could not see anything, just pit black, 'So is this the Asgard?' he thought. Honestly, he wasn't afraid, he had come and dare to switch on the ancient, mysterious machine, and it was done; now all he had to do was go forward and forward. He walked blindly, brave and deviant. 'Is this really Asgard…?'

The king heard a laugh, and it just appeared before the light that suddenly blemished the darkness. "No," In a white-flame flicker, a woman solidified from the light, with dazzling black hair, and a slim figure emerged her body. Red and white was the color of her robes, and the ends of them tangled upward around her arms.

"Now who're you supposed to be,"

The enchanting woman walked nearer the king, and thinly smiled, "Az' rael" she simply said,

"And why are you here… Where is this place?" the king interrogated her with strict eyes, "Where are the gods?"

Az' rael had her face skeptic, "I told you, oh great king of Midgard…" she smirked, "This is not Asgard." The king waited for her voice again, his voice completely clear of frustration and impatience. Az' rael giggled, "Come on, oh great Tristran, let us have a good conversation." Her eyes narrowed, "Seat," she commanded,

The king turned his head behind, and magically appeared a comfortable-looking wooden chair, and it looked awkward floating in a pit-black area where they were. The king sat, and Az' rael smiled, as she too floated in space. "I heard Freya has still not hunted?" she causally implied the serious topic with a wider and warmer smile,

The king drew back a little his chair, though not causing one single noise, "Yes, Az' rael,"

"Please don't call me by my full name," she smiled cheerfully, "Just call me Rael, I insist,"

The king quieted suspiciously, "And so why ask that? Why ask about the hunt of Freya?"

"Is it wrong to ask about the hunt of Freya, oh great Tristran?" Her face then the king thought, was a different face. Her eyes suddenly burned with cold, and her beautiful hair fringed as if it was a witch's. She suddenly disappeared.

"Rael?"

He heard Az' Rael's voice behind him instantly, "Oh good… the king called me by my nickname…" she whispered. The king felt a blade slither millimeters far from his cheek, "Too bad I'm supposed to hurt you…" she giggled then, and she teased him by her deadly blade playing with his face,

Tristran's composition however, remained calm and cool, "Who are you?" he hoarsely demanded,

"I'm Az' Rael," she murmured upon his ear, "A honored avatar of your mighty god Odin. You're somewhere in Valhalla, oh great Tristran…" she laughed wickedly, "Only our god deserves to be leader, Tristran… Freya, the Almighty Odin has hated must be killed,"

The king cleared his throat, yet he couldn't say anything…

"The Almighty Odin told me to tell you He'll give you twenty years… And when that twenty years have ended, and no Freya has been given up to the god of the underworld…" Az' rael took another breath, "Your beloved Ygdrassyl shall die and wither and will be cut by Odin's tongue, and you, king shall decide what will then become of your kingdom," she then gave out an evil giggle, "Only in the case when you still live in that future…"

The king turned to her uncontrollably, having enough, but it was her blade that countered him. Pain struck the king, and blood came out of his wound,

"That's what my god Odin had said, and that is only what will be doing…" she calmly continued, and she finally let go of her play with the king, who just kept quiet and still, as if he was numb… "And that is all… For all what the great god Odin has been told to you, oh great Tristran, king of Midgard." She glowed, "Twenty years!" Her hair became mist, and so was her face and body… And the king realized, he too, was vanishing…

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"My goodness! You're finally awake, your highness!" Liandrin's relieved voice popped up, as the king slowly opened his eyes. The king was at his royal bed with red and yellow petals lying around him. He touched his cheek, and felt a bandage stuck on his cheek, "Hold on, my great lord, I'll call on Tobi and say you've finally woke up," the worried huntress stood up, and her prong too, and rushed out to the door…

Tristran gazed at the ecru-colored ceiling and he sighed, "Odin, Az' Rael…" and he gulped, "…and that twenty years…" he whispered… Twenty years…

He stood up, but then as he met the ground he stumbled to the floor with a decently loud crash.

"My lord!" Tobi and Liandrin rushed, "Of course you can't walk yet, you've barely got again your energy," Tobi said, and carried him back to his bed,

"Twenty years," Tobi and Liandrin faced the king, "Twenty years…"

"What about twenty years, your highness," Tobi and Liandrin spoke in unison,

But the king didn't say anything, just "Twenty years…"

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A/N – Yeeeeeah! I think that is a good way to end a chapter I suppose… Hope that quenched the suspense, or maybe even had your thirst for excitement even worse? Okay. Now for the next chapter, it's the real thing. It will be the future. The challenges of Midgard shall be discovered in the next installment of 'Middle Heaven'. plays theme song, Sing for Trees Uhuh, as if… I'm just glad all that hard time I spent on the 'Line' scene worked out.. Oh I do hope so… I spent a lot of days rewriting that scene just to make it a scene that would be my favorite!