Attara: HOLA! I know it's been a while since I last updated (about two weeks), but it's not as bad as previous…lapses, right?
Aria: No way! I know that every reader needs at least a weekly dose of me!
Attara: …Right, like a drug?
Aria: OO Yup! Just like a drug! Er…wait…
Attara: Yeah, anyway... Enjoy the fic!
Devi awaited Seto at the other end of the thick, brown rope.
"What took you so long?" He asked immediately once he reached the top.
His white overcoat swept the windowsill as he climbed through.
"I couldn't find a rope, so I had to summon one." Devi muttered. "Watch my emotions and magic."
"Hmph…"
"And, just to be on the safe side, I'm not using any more sorcery until I am well-rested. Well, it looks like it took us a while to get out of there." Devi looked up at the morning sky.
She shoved her hand into her right pocket and took out her cell phone. She flipped it open and dialed a number. Seconds later, she crushed the slightly melted machine in her tight grip.
"No signal," she muttered angrily and dropped it onto the ground, the frayed wires slightly jolting as small amounts of electricity continued to run through.
They trudged along a dirt path. Every step kicked up a cloud of dust that would leave them invisible for a small moment.
"That's strange, since when is the library surrounded by dirt?" Devi remarked.
Kaiba didn't answer.
"Look, Kaiba, there's a marketplace…next to the library?" Devi quickly turned around. "Wh-where's the library?!"
What had formerly been a prison for the two had become just an anamnesis in their minds. The building had been replaced with nothing but air and a sand dune.
"What's going on?" Kaiba stared at the hundreds of people huddling around, demanding trades.
"I'll go ask someone about this…" Devi took the initiative and rushed to the people dressed in robes, despite the hot weather.
"Where in the world did you get those clothes?" A female gasped when viewing Devi's outfit.
"My friend gave it to me," she answered quickly. "Miss, do you know where we are?"
"'We?'" The female raised an eyebrow. "Who's the other person?" Her tone hinted of a suspicion that suggested that Devi needed some sort of mental help.
"He is." Devi jerked her right thumb into Kaiba's direction.
"A man?! What is he doing outside in a day like this?"
"Well…" Devi started helplessly. "Um, Kaiba, get over here!" She waved for him to come.
He approached the two women and gave a questioning glance at Devi.
"What do you want?" Kaiba accosted.
"What are you doing outside in a day like this?" Devi repeated with a snicker.
"What are you talking about?"
"How dare you talk to your master in that way!" The female looked at Devi in horror.
Devi's face immediately changed to one of confusion, "Wh-what are you talking about? He's not my master!"
"Please forgive this wretched girl. She needs discipline," the unknown woman excused Devi's behavior to the smirking boy.
"I do not need discipline! I'm afraid that it is you who require a lesson or two!" Devi snapped. "Never speak of me like that if you wish to live!"
Anger hasn't worn off, yet. The phrase ran through Devi's mind. She looked at her hands and nodded deliberately.
"Yes…anger…" She said to herself in disgust. "I apologize, miss. I do not have control over my emotions as of yet."
"That'll teach you to respect your masters!" The woman shook her head, allowing her hood to reveal a head of white hair.
Devi nodded again. I am certainly not going to go through with this once again… she thought to herself.
"Yes, it was quite foolish of me…" Devi acquiesced.
"No master would show mercy to a slave who has lied," the woman continued.
"Yes, I get it now." Devi spoke through her clenched teeth. "Now, be gone with you," she said in an imperative tone.
The woman stared at Devi with narrowed eyes, but showed compliance.
"So, Master, I thought that slavery was outlawed in Japan." Devi murmured when the stranger turned away.
"Any idiot would know that this isn't Japan," he answered.
"No kidding. This might be why I sensed some sort of supernatural force in that room."
"Then how can I understand them?"
"Long ago, Mornedraian slaves had no right for their own language, so there was a method for everyone to understand what was being said. Mornedraian slaves no longer exist since slavery had been outlawed ten thousand years ago, but the methods may continue to dwell in other areas."
"Magic."
"Yes…magic."
"How do we get back?"
"I'm not exactly sure…but I'm not going to ask anyone about where we are! These women have incredibly low self-images… Although, you can't ask anyone, either…"
Devi looked at all of the bustling women and sighed.
"I guess I'll give it another try…" she muttered to herself. "Excuse me, miss. Where are-I mean-am I?" Devi tapped a girl's shoulder.
"Why, we are in the world of Crayste!" The pretty slave answered, her hood neatly covering her head.
"Crayste? That sounds somewhat familiar…" Devi trailed off.
Just then, the Craysten took a quick intake of breath and raised her right arm.
"I-is that your master?" She pointed to Kaiba.
"Um…yes," Devi lied.
"Why do you not bow?"
"Um…my master doesn't require it."
"My, my, your master seems to be different from all of the other ones." Her face flushed in a deep red.
"He does?"
"Of course! The other ones don't move from their beds and seem to gain a bit of weight."
"That's…interesting."
"And, your master is quite attractive, unlike all of the others. Did you bear any of his children yet?"
"Excuse me?!"
"It is your duty to continue his family, isn't it?"
"No, it must be some other slave's." Devi smirked.
The native girl examined the foreigner's clothing, "Hm…you must not be from Crayste, am I right?"
"And why would you say that?"
"Your clothes--and attitude towards that man--are very peculiar."
"I…uh…just need discipline."
She smiled, "First, no one in Crayste has dark hair. Second, a rebellious slave would never say that she needed discipline, but a proper slave would do her duties. Here, take a robe and give one to that man. Make sure he covers his face."
"Thank you…"
Devi eagerly took the clothing and unclasped a golden bracelet. She then handed the valuable trinket in gratitude for the help. The girl stared at the precious metal and held it. It was still warm from the foreigner's touch.
"Where could you have obtained this?!" She asked, amazed.
"You're right, I'm not from Crayste, so I do have my resources." Devi whispered as she threw on the dirty, brown garment. "Here, Kaiba, wear this." She tossed the other to him. "Put it on quickly!"
"I don't want a new wardrobe, I just want to get out of here!" Kaiba spat.
"If you don't wear it, then you'll never get out of here!" Devi angrily retorted.
"May I ask of where you have come from?" The stranger inquired politely ignoring the couple's argument.
"You'll know sooner or later." Devi answered.
I can't introduce myself to anybody until I get the king's permission… But Crayste sounds incredibly familiar… Devi reasoned.
"Where can I meet your king?" She asked.
"Oh, his palace is at the center of town. I would take you there, but slaves are not allowed to approach the king without a royal invitation. If one does not dawdle, it will take two days," the Craysten said quietly.
"I see. Well, I should be going now. Good-bye!"
"Bye."
Devi continued through the buzzing crowds, noting that Seto was close behind. After a few hours, the market was far in back of them. Now, there were only fields of grass and the occasional tree-like plant. Observing that there were no more natives in sight, Devi threw off the cloak. Its musty smell had sickened her, and she could not bear the consistent scent any longer.
"It's getting dark." She looked up at the sunset. "We should camp out somewhere."
"We don't have any supplies," Seto muttered.
"Well, I could conjure something up, but I might hurt someone. Will you risk it?"
"What other choice is there?"
"Well, we could ask to stay at someone's house, but we don't know their culture. Let's not get our cover blown. We're camping out."
"Since when do you make all of the decisions?"
"Since I became queen."
"You're not in Mornedra."
"You're not on Earth."
"I'm as much of a stranger here as you are."
"Your race is weak, so do not argue with my actions."
"Or what would you do?"
"You'd regret for ever hearing of Liana."
"I already do. Besides, you can't do anything to me. You're nothing but a slave for your pathetic emotions."
Devi gave a low growl. His insolence was extremely trying.
"Well, you see, I could burn any mortal to a crisp. What makes you any different?" Her eyes glared dangerously.
"You wouldn't dare use your powers against me in such a place full of innocent people."
"Oh, but I would, Kaiba," she sneered. "If it means to annihilate you from existence, I would."
Here, Devi realized that the environment became noticeably cooler. I must be getting angrier quickly. Attempting to concentrate on more peaceful memories, she deeply inhaled several times. She found that her temperature dropped to normal and resumed the conversation.
"Now, enough of this. Do you need to eat?"
"No."
"Good, I don't either. You can use the robe as a blanket, and don't snore."
Devi wrapped herself in the item of clothing, making sure the hood had covered her head, and no stray strands of hair touched the dirt. This acted as an alternative, thin, and malodorous sleeping bag.
"Ugh, how stupid it is to require rest…" she muttered. "I hate emotions."
Seto did the same, but managed to gather a bundle of grass to act as a pillow.
Devi rolled and looked up to see the splashes of white scatter across the velvety blue background. Hm, there are four moons here… Devi observed. Mepa, Gwoxld, Quelk, and Tqiezant of Crayste. Why do I know this? What is the significance of this planet? It must be from when I still had my passion… Crayste, Crayste, Crayste… Ah well, I'll find out tomorrow when we meet the king. She forced her eyes to turn away from the hypnotic sky and drifted to sleep.
A group of fifty men in brown robes circled around a child of two or three years. She sat on a red pillow with her legs crossed as she watched the men bow down. She was the one that would set them free into the world. She would be the one that would make others cower before them. She would lead them and they, in turn would have the universe at their feet.
Of course, leading them and physically surviving meant two different things. No, they planned to drain her magical life force once she grew old enough to develop her powers. They each would gain an ability of hers. She was the result of years of perfect breeding. She would be the ultimate, the most powerful person ever known, that is, if she lived.
As of now, she could only use the common ability of telekinesis and a weak control at that. No, she wasn't ready.
The dark-haired girl rose to her feet and crossed over to the other side of the grounds. The large and deep well that the men prayed to daily had always sparked her curiosity. What was in there? Who were they praying to? Only she sat at the edge of the well. She was never reprimanded for it (though she never was reprimanded for anything), and so she took this silence as permission. The others, however, made sure to mark a ten-foot wide circle around the well, not allowing themselves to step anywhere over the line. She knew she was different, special, but she didn't know why.
Recently, the men seemed to be more tense, more alert. Something was going to happen; she could sense it. The number of prayers around the well increased every day. They began to look at her with stares of suspicion and curiosity. What was going to happen? She did not know. She was only the special one with whom no one ever socialized.
Then, it happened. She had been humming to herself as she traced the lines of the stones that bordered the well when the liquid in the hole rippled. Something was in there, and that something was coming out. In only a few seconds later, the ground began to vibrate as the liquid in the well began to bubble more and more. Whatever was coming, it was big.
She only caught a glimpse of a round, blue eye before she felt herself rise above the ground. Looking down, she saw that she sat on a white, scaly back of an enormous reptile with wings. And, for some reason, she felt a kinship towards it. They were both untouchable, both worshiped, and both in need of a true companion.
She peeked down to the ground, where she saw the hooded men praying for them once more. The reptile then aimed its head toward the men, and with one yawn, destroyed the temple along with its dwellers. She clutched the neck of the reptile even tighter.
They were alone now…
Devi awoke with a start, and, along with consciousness, the memory of the dream disappeared.
A strange noise pierced the night air.
"Who's there?!" She yelled into the night.
An eerie sound answered. She looked around for Kaiba. He was gone.
"Kaiba!"
Devi scrambled to her feet and correctly dressed herself with the robe. Oh great, what has the kid gotten himself into now? Another rustling of leaves attracted her attention, and the strange noise returned. This is what an Earth genius is? She rushed to the bush and pushed away the leaves.
"Kaiba! Ugh, you stupid little…"
Two eyes looked down at her. They were as large as the palm of her hand and glowed in the darkness.
"Do you have a boy?" She asked it.
The creature stared at her in disbelief.
"Are you deaf? I asked you a question, now answer it!" She demanded.
It continued to watch the humanoid form in wonder.
"Okay, so you are deaf… Move aside." Devi went through the tangle of branches and found Kaiba lying on the ground. "Stupid kid." She turned around and faced the creature. "I know that you can speak and hear. You are a peirnet, aren't you?"
Devi approached Kaiba and shook him awake. He groaned and turned to face her.
"Get away from me," he managed to say.
"Get up, idiot." She pulled him up. "Did you do anything, peirnet?" She asked the beast.
It shook its head.
"Very well, then. Farewell." Devi left the area.
Seto stared at the creature for a moment, but quickly exited the zone as well.
"Was that thing docile?" He asked Devi once they reached their campsite.
"No, its abilities are deadly, especially to beings who possess any amount of magic," she muttered and looked up at the sky to see the first rays of the planet's star. "Come on, we have to start the journey. Get your robe."
Devi followed the dirt path and surveyed every significant object they passed. It looked very much like a desert, but not quite as barren. Disseminated trees and bushes were the spectators of the travelers who voyaged on the course.
When the star was directly above the two, Devi remembered another mortal characteristic she had managed to gain.
"Kaiba, you hungry?" She asked.
"And what can you do about it?"
"If you're going to continue to do this, I might as well leave you to die."
Devi sat down on a nearby boulder and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply and exhaled to calm herself. She held her breath and licked her lips. She mumbled something in Mornedraian. Seconds later, a leather bottle of water and a white blob appeared in her hands. Devi ripped the white blob into two equal pieces and handed one to Kaiba. Then, she drank thirstily from the bottle, wiped the rim, and handed the rest to Seto.
"Mokuba would kill me if I were to let you die," she excused herself and swallowed the Mornedraian food in a gulp. "No more magic for the day. Besides, we should be nearing the monarch soon enough."
Kaiba stared at the rim of the bottle after swallowing the white, amorphous substance. Is she trying to give me an indirect kiss? He wondered.
"You and your kind are all alike!" He yelled as he gripped the leather.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Your schemes will not be successful. I knew all along that you were going to pull something like this!" He waved the bottle in front of Devi.
"So…you knew all along that I was going to give you a half a bottle of water?"
"Don't be an idiot!" He pointed to the rim.
"It's leather?"
"Ugh, you really are a poor excuse for a human. Your disgusting saliva has been in contact with my bottle."
"First, do not call me an idiot, unless you want to be cremated against your will. Second, I will have the bottle if you wish to die of thirst. I am doing you a favor, Seto Kaiba. The world does not revolve around you in any way! Accept favors when you need them, despite the sacrifices."
"It will be the happiest day of my life when I get away from you!"
"Oh really? Well then, Kaiba, I feel touched to be included in your puny life. Now, either drink the water, or give the rest to me."
Kaiba lifted his head and raised the bottle an inch from his mouth as he poured the precious liquid into his throat. I'll keep the bottle just in case we find a spring nearby. He thought as he shoved it into a pocket of his robe.
"Well, Kaiba, I hear that you enjoy competition, so I propose that we race to the palace." Devi offered.
"I refuse to take part of a ridiculous contest."
"Get ready. Get set. Go!"
Devi sped off. That's good, I'm energetic right now. I have to get away from him as soon as possible. She thought to herself. The Sovereign Council would not like it if I killed a mortal… She concentrated on her goal. Out in the horizon, there was a tiny white building that was growing by the second. That must be the castle. Devi looked behind and saw Seto walking in a brisk pace. She expedited her run. Must get to castle. Just a couple of miles… Half an hour later, she arrived at a region half a mile away from the fortress. I should be calm now. A good run always does. Devi grunted, snapped her fingers, and pointed to an area next to her.
"What's going on?" Kaiba's startled voice arose from the area she had indicated.
"You really are a slowpoke." Devi moaned, out of breath. "We should take a rest before we address the king. It would be more appropriate for me to-"
She fainted. Devi had already used more energy than she had possessed to get that far' now, she had used telekinesis to bring Seto over, and furthermore, she had to control her outbursts. The queen was definitely stretching herself too thin.
Should I wait? Seto stared at her. Or should I go? He glanced at the castle. I don't know what to say to the king. I don't even know how to talk to the king, but does she know how? He looked at Devi again and realized that she would need at least an hour of rest. Seto sat down to wait.
"Get up." Devi shook Seto awake. "You didn't even do much, why are you sleeping?"
Seto remained silent and started on the ten-minute walk.
"Quiet, there, are we?" Devi grabbed her robe and followed him. "Do you even realize what time it is? We raced yesterday. You slept for quite a while."
Seto still kept quiet.
"A little silent today, are we?" Devi taunted. "Still trying to figure out how to get out of here?"
"It was your fault that we're here in the first place," he mumbled.
"Oh really? And what would you have done?"
"It would have been easier if you didn't trigger that alarm."
"That was impossible!"
"I would have found a way."
"Yes, I'm sure you would." Her voice reeked of sarcasm.
The incredibly large structure towered over the two foreigners at Devi's last statement.
"The king of Crayste," Devi murmured.
"What is your business here, slave?" Two guards blocked their way in.
Unlike the slaves, these two women were dressed in fine armor and carried spears in their right hands. On the left, there was an iron shield always ready to defend. Their helmets also constituted of iron, holding all of their hair in a small bunch that would probably cause an immense amount of perspiration.
"I am not a slave." Devi replied.
"What is your business here, slave?"
Devi flung off her hood.
"Can you not tell a Craysten from a Mornedraian? I am not a slave, you thick-headed fools!" She cried. "Now let me in!"
"What is your business here, slave?"
"That's it. I've had enough of these idiots."
Devi grabbed each of their wrists and burned them as much as she could. She ran past the two as they wailed in pain.
"Hurry up, Kaiba." She motioned for him to follow.
Anger. Devi's mind echoed. She tried to shove the thought away.
"They started it. Besides, they're the same rank as slaves, anyway," she told herself.
Devi sighed and pushed through the gates, completely unprepared for what was to come.
"Wow," was all Devi could muster from the breathtaking sight that greeted them.
An extravagant garden filled with the most exotic flowers that Devi had ever seen encompassed an artificial stone path. Each embedded stone was perfectly arranged to meet the footfall of an average stride, most likely the king's. Several benches strategically placed in the area may have served as picnic settings for a royal meeting. Ultimately, the amenities led them to the imperial doors, which, of course, were engraved in none other than gold.
Devi groaned as she neared the entrance. Two more guards blocked their way.
Attara: Wow, how's that for a cliffhanger?!
Aria: Er…could someone explain to me what that drug comment was about?
Attara: It means that you're…er…not normal…
Aria: Huh?
Attara: Sorry, I don't have patience for idiots. Well, don't forget to read the summary for Heartless Being! It'll help a lot with reviewing the main concepts for those of you who haven't read it! Anyway, please flame/review!