The Counterfeit Dios Saga
Chapter 2 – An Unfortunate Requiem
"Negotiations have been going sour." The voice that spoke was gruff and impatient and the man in the chair cringed back from its haughty tone to grip the sides of the chair nervously, sweaty palms sliding over the smooth leather. "What did you assemble us for Eichiro?"
"Yes. Do tell." This time the voice was feminine, smooth and liquid, almost catlike with it's undertone of amusement. "Hopefully it's more interesting then your last report."
"Masumi." The first voice said warningly. There was the flash of glasses in the dark room as attention was returned to the nervous man in the leather chair. "Well."
Eichiro could feel the eyes or all those at the table riveted on him and he licked his lips. "Yes well. It's about The Goddess." Silence fell, so quick and total that it was like someone had flicked of all sound completely. There was only the quiet music of the flowing water in electric fishpond behind him.
"Exactly what is wrong with Rose of the World, Echiro?"
"Well for sometime she's been still and immobile. For the last few months actually. But last night well...she was crying."
"Crying." The female voice spoke with obvious interest.
"Yes ma'm. She's not awake but she weeps all the same. I...I believed at first that there was something wrong with the Morpheus system but when I checked it was fine."
"No that wouldn't be it." The first voice said thoughtfully. "The Goddess of Princes would not cry over a simple dream, no."
"Could it be..." The female's voice again. "Heart of the Rose?"
"Coming here?" The first voice said in shock.
"You never know. Exchange students have been coming from far and wide lately. Whose to say that one of them isn't Heart of the Rose searching for Rose of the World? Without knowing it perhaps but searching all the same."
"But how could they manage to track The Goddess here!?" Eichiro asked worriedly.
Amusement returned to the woman's voice. "You're so very young Eichiro...if you can't honestly perceive the reckless and stubborn danger of love."
"Quite. But this might work to our advantage." The first voice said, voice plotting and thoughtful again.
"How so?" The woman questioned.
"Well, won't Rose of the World be stronger with her Heart? How could we deny her, her lover?"
"So...you're proposing we find Heart of the Rose as well? Intriguing. But how exactly do you expect us to know who it is?"
There was the sound of movement in the darkness that filled the room and shaded the features of those at the table. The sound of a chair squeaking and groaning as weight was lifted from it and then footsteps. The sound of steel ringing filled the room and something was flung across the table and spun into the patch of ice blue light produced by the small fishpond in the floor. The azure glow glinted of the thin silver blade of the rapier that lay on the ground.
"Rose of the World is The Goddess of Princes so her Heart must be as well." The first voice spoke, foot steps returning to the table as the chair was taken up again.
"So what are you suggesting?" Eichiro spoke up.
"We will restablish the dueling teams."
Eichiro's eyes widened. "The dueling teams! But last time we did that Rose of the World's brain patterns were heading drastically in the danger level! That's why we abolished them in the first place!"
"Ah. But if her Heart is here...things may go quite different." The woman said. "Rose of the World is amazing isn't she? So aware and yet such a complete prisoner."
"That's enough Masumi." The first voice spoke.
"Of course sir." She replied.
"If Heart of the Rose really has come then they will be one of the top duelists. We'll have to watch the teams very closely from now on. Particularly once we wind up to the championships. That's where we'll find Heart of the Rose."
"But...." Eichiro started.
"Do you have an objection Eichiro?" The feminine voice questioned with a mocking tone.
"No I...I suppose not."
"Good."