The Truth Beyond the Reflection
Chapter 5:Beyond the Reflection
By Sanzaki Kojika
Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the Kyou Kara MaOh! Characters. I do however, own everything "beyond the reflection." Heh. WARNING: There IS Yaoi in here. YxW and vice versa. I guess you could say hints of CxY, too.
I have seen up to episode 41 now X3 And I'm currently listening to my Kyou Kara MaOh! Drama cd…XD Yuuri just accepted Wolfram's duel 3 But anyways…Today I went to Asahiya and my big sis was flipping through a magazine. She saw a pic from episode 40? Or so…the one where spoilerconradsavesyuuriendspoiler and she thought Conrad was Morgif! I will explain that in chapter 7 or so. Btw…this is a Wolfram chapter!
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The first thing I felt was pain. It flowed throughout my body and made me feel numb. Then, I could feel the wet ground squish beneath me. I forced my eyes open and pushed myself up on one elbow.
This had to be a dream. I was sitting in a mucky swamp. Above me hung a dark grey sky. Spots of dark trees and small shadows of mountains with snowcapped peaks lined the horizon. A brightly colored bird flew past and squawked. The scenery wasn't what bothered me though; the sky seemed to come together in the center (if there was a center) as a dome, and the clouds remained stationary even when a gust of wind blew past.
"Helloooo! Is anyone here?" I called out into the domed sky. There was no answer, not even an echo. I shivered as the wind brushed past me and I glanced down at myself. My pale pink negligee was hardly pink anymore. Mud clung to my skin as well as my clothing. At least I still had my sword.
I slowly climbed to my feet and a pain racked my head. This couldn't be a dream could it…? I had a blaring headache! So, where was I then? The last thing I remembered was that mirror…
A low growl interrupted my thoughts. I quickly whipped around. A beast of some sort, hunched over and drooling, was staring at me. I could tell by its eyes that it was ravenous and I was to be its dinner. Heh! That stupid thing! It wasn't even half my size, and I wasn't a rookie when it came to swordsmanship. I slowly drew my blade.
The beast growled and lunged at me. It reminded me of a rabid wolf, except that it had longer back legs and its claws were much longer. I held up my sword to block, but the beast still managed to knock me back. Dammit! It was quick and had a powerful lunge.
I rolled out of the way, but a claw caught me in the shoulder. I screamed against the pain and thrust my sword through the beast's eye.
For a moment, it seemed as if nothing happened. We were like statues frozen in time. Then, almost as if everything was sped up, the beast let out one last growl and fell onto its side. I was covered in the spray of blood.
I slowly rose to my feet. I was breathing hard and my knees were shaking. I stalked towards the fallen beast, sword ready in my hand. Luckily, the thing was dead. I had managed to get my stab to its brain. But now what?
I climbed out of the muddy water. The bank slipped away beneath the weight of my feet. I eventually managed to secure myself on more solid ground. I looked around me.
What were my choices? I could possibly go into the forest. I probably wouldn't find anything human there (assuming of course there was something human here), but I could easily find water and shelter. But then, I could head towards the mountains. There was a higher chance I would find a village, but there was also a higher chance of getting attacked. The mountains were further away and there was little cover. Of course, I could just stay here…but one glance at the fallen beast really made me second think that idea. So…I had to decide where I'd go.
I slid my sword into its sheath. I checked to make sure it was securely strapped on. I didn't want to chance losing it. I had already had to use it once; there was a high chance I'd have to use it many more times in the future.
I looked up at the sound of a bird squawking overhead. It looked like the same bird I had seen earlier. Was it going to eat that thing I killed…? I watched as it flew closer to the swamp I had left. No, it flew past it. Or tried to. Suddenly, it just stopped moving forward. After a moment, I realized why: it couldn't go anywhere further.
I moved to investigate. The bird ran into the 'wall' again. It finally gave up after a few tries and flew off in the other direction. I stared at the…well…invisible 'wall.' Nothing really seemed exceptionally odd (I mean this whole place was crazy!), but there had to be something there. I sighed and stepped back into the swamp.
It was just then that I noticed the dead beast was gone. I hadn't even seen anything move besides the bird. I looked around and watched the bubbles dance across the water's surface. One large bubble popped and the little ones surrounding it proceeded to do the same. I took a deep breath and plunged into the water.
The water was deep, far too deep for me to walk across it. And, it was deathly cold. It was clouded with dirt so my vision would be obscured. I decided against swimming to the wall. Instead, I would walk.
I climbed out of the water. I was freezing. I climbed onto the edge of the bank, and I could feel it lower beneath my weight. The mud sucked at my feet and threatened to hold me in place. I trudged along, lifting my knees almost up to my chest. The going was extremely slow, but I finally made it to my destination. I slowly put my hand out. The sky was a clod, smooth wall…like a mirror. The wall made an odd ripple of color where I touched it. I drew back slightly. So…I had to be inside of something. I was probably held in by magic…
Just then, I caught a glance of a sharp glare. It was on the part of the wall that hung over the water. I took a deep breath and plunged back into the water. My feet found the slick ground almost instantly and I clung to the wall. Luckily the mud had started to climb the wall. The water only came up to my waist.
I slowly made my way through the water. The whole time I had one hand on the wall. The sky abruptly stopped, but the wall continued. I was staring into an oval of darkness. Slowly, shadows began to take form. Boxes…shelves…the outline of a sword…the treasury! I was ecstatic!
"Hey!" I banged my fist against the wall. I heard Morgif groan, but it sounded so far away. It was starting right at me...er…I think. I had never been so happy to see that sword…no, I had never before in my life been happy to see it. Through this oval was home.
"Oi, stupid sword! Where am I?" I don't really know why I was trying to talk to it. It moaned and made faces. I sighed and shook my head. Through my 'window,' I could tell I was several feet away from the sword. I was…no…it couldn't be…in the mirror…? A sense of despair filled me.
I had to get out of here and fast. I didn't know exactly how I had gotten in here in the first place, but the memory of that voice hung in my mind.
I needed help, but whom could I trust? The answer came almost instantly. There was only one person who I could trust to stay calm and actually help me get free.
"Weller-kyo!" I shouted. I wondered if my voice could even be heard to my world beyond the reflection. Yes, it had to be. Morgif responded to me. I was probably at least muffled, like Morgif was to me. I had a feeling though I sounded more like a disembodied voice.
"Help me! Weller-kyo!" I shouted louder. I prayed he would come and find me. I didn't even know if he could see me though. Well, Morgif could…I glanced back at the water. The surface was still and silent. It bothered me. I turned back to the treasury.
A sharp pain shot through my ankle. I think something bit me. I glanced down to see blood, presumably my blood, floating to the surface. My ankle stung like hell. "Weller-kyo!"
The bubbling behind me had started up again. I could see a dark shadow moving underneath the surface. I started to pound on the wall. "Weller!"
The shadow moved towards me. I kicked it hard with my bloody leg. It backed up slightly, and I saw a fin rise out of the water. I gulped slightly. That was probably what had happened to the beast I had killed earlier.
I was starting to get frantic…but could you blame me? I pounded and pounded against the mirror, harder and harder. He just had to come! I knew he would!
A creak echoed dully on the other side. Someone had entered. I watched the dim shape move about in the darkness. Morgif moaned and gave what looked like an earnest look (but I might be giving that stupid thing too much credit). I knew my help had arrived.
I don't really know what came over me, but it slipped through my lips without a thought, "Conrad!" I think that was the first time I had said that name in a long while. It was only because I was desperate and on the verge of despair though. It was definitely not because I was overly happy to see the one person I trusted more than anyone in the world. Feh. That was just ridiculous!
Conrad…er…Weller-kyo glanced my way. He spotted me, or the mirror…I'm not sure which, but he moved closer nonetheless. His eyes widened when he saw me. I must have looked terrible. I didn't really care at this point though.
"Wolfram?" Weller-kyo gave me a questioning look. I wanted to break down and cry, but I forced back my tears and gritted my teeth. Instead of crying, I shot him a glare.
"Of course! Who else do I look like?" I snapped. The tears were brimming up in my eyes. I blinked them away. Dammit! Okay…so maybe I was a little happy to see him…but just a little!
"Then that really isn't you!" Weller-kyo shook his head. What the hell was he talking about? Before I could ask, he continued, "Something that looks like you has been living in your place out here. Greta was terrified of it."
"Greta! Is she okay?" Damn. Another slip-up on my part. I'm sure at least Weller-kyo knew I thought of Greta as my own...but I still didn't like to show my feelings directly. He gave me a gentle smile. Of course he knew!
"She's fine. She had come back to see Yuuri, but she left after she met with the other you." I sighed with relief. But wait a second…what about Yuuri? I would rip that thing apart, into tiny little pieces, and leave it for the birds if it did anything to my wimp…Weller-kyo must have known what I was thinking. "Yuuri hasn't seen you all day, so don't worry. Now that I know the truth, I'll make sure he never comes into contact with the imposter."
I could hear the monster moving behind me again. I kicked it harder and once again it backed off. Just because a person was paying attention to something, or well someone in this case, else didn't mean that person wasn't paying attention to the surroundings as well. That stupid thing! I was a trained swordsman. Trained by only the best.
Weller-kyo looked like he was going to question me, so I spoke up before he could say anything. "Has Günter found out anything about this mirror yet?"
"He couldn't find any mention of it in our library besides in one year of the treasury records, so he is going to set out tomorrow morning. Ulrike may be able to offer some information. I'll catch him before he leaves so we can work something out," Weller-kyo sighed and shook his head. I knew he was worried about me. I was glad he didn't say anything though.
"Please don't tell Yuuri…" I mumbled under my breath. Weller-kyo nodded slightly. We were both silent for a moment.
"Wolfram…" his voice was quiet. I cocked an eyebrow.
Suddenly, there was a clatter from above us. I could hear the dull murmur of one of the maids apologizing. A grunt answered her. It must have been Gwendal.
"I should probably go…It's morning already. I'll try to come back tonight!" Weller-kyo suddenly sounded distant. He gave me a reassuring smile and hurried away. The treasury grew hazy.
"The tree-" was the last thing I heard. Then the treasury vanished entirely. I was staring at my reflection. The mirror had become a real mirror once more. I glanced up at the sky. It was a dark blue and steady beads of light dotted across it. Night had fallen. I quickly glanced back at the mirror. Stars that didn't twinkle…this world bothered me.
The voice I had heard last had said something about a tree…well, the tree to be specific. I glanced towards the forest. I was positive that voice wasn't Weller-kyo's voice. There was no doubt about it in my mind. In fact, it sounded like no one I had ever met. Despite this…there was something about it that made me want to trust it. I decided to head to the forest and see if my intuition was correct.
I had started to make my way to the side of the swamp when I heard the growl behind me. Dammit! I had completely forgotten that stupid thing was there. I turned around and drew my sword. The thing was almost on top of me.
The monster resembled a giant catfish. It had two bulging eyes and two long, thin whiskers hung from below its mouth. It opened its mouth to reveal a set of long, jagged teeth, the longer ones taller than myself. Its fins were black and jagged. There was one at its top and two at its side. A small one was hidden underneath it. Its tail was long and fuzzy. It otherwise resembled the fins. The scales were a dull brown speckled in black.
The monster growled and tried to knock me off of the bank. I stumbled, but I managed to keep my balance. I swung my sword at it and it jumped back. A wave of water swept up to the bank, and I was pulled with it when it receded. The monster had me where it wanted me.
I felt the sharp pain again, but this time it was high up on my thigh. My blood tinted the water's surface. I now knew it hadn't bit me. I pulled myself onto the bank and glanced down at my thigh. One of the monster's whiskers was wrapped around it. It was trying to drag me back into the water. I clung to a rock for my dear life.
The monster retracted its whisker, leaving a long trail of blood down my leg. I had to wonder if its whiskers weren't covered in acid. It felt like it had burned my skin away. There must have been some sort of spike on it as well. At the beginning of the rail on my thigh was a small puncture wound. It led the way for the line of blood down my leg. I was dizzy with pain.
I slowly dragged myself further away from the water leaving a red trail behind me. The pain was excruciating. I couldn't think, I could barely see. I couldn't even fight back. All I could do was frantically try to escape. I felt so…weak.
I could hear the monster growling behind me. I prayed it couldn't follow me on land. I scrambled faster and the pain got even worse. If only I could find a place to hide…
Suddenly, there was a clash of steel and the monster shrieked in pain. Something must have gotten it…I didn't glance back to see what. I felt sick at the thought that something could take on that monster…something most likely larger.
I continued to crawl on, but my speed slowly dwindled away. My pain was finally starting to slow me down. The world around me blurred and grew hazy. Everything seemed to grow sluggish. My leg went numb. The darkness grew darker….
The last thing I saw before I blacked out strangely resembled a boot…
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Translation notes:
Oi: Hey (kinda rough sounding)
Weller-kyo: Lord Weller
Wee! Not too many in this chapter X3
This chapter is probably going to be my longest…grrr! It took mee too long to type ;; I was gonna do it all in one day but nooo. Anyways…chapter 6 is done, so I'll try to type that relatively soon. Unfortunately, I've been busy with translationg and such ; Hee hee. Please excuse any typos! And, OMG! This is all just one scene…
Also..this was written before all the great Conrad and Wolfram relationship buliding happend in the series..so I continue to build it along as I am XP