Yo, here's the next chapter…
If you have questions about where I'm going you probably don't want to ask because I have a bad habit of giving the plot away if I reply… I just so love telling people my plots… I actually wasn't planning on it working out this way on the Takeru side… it's an interesting story though that I don't feel like typing… This chapter had many unexpected drawbacks actually… Oh well…
Side/ mid story writing thought: Wait wait wait wait…. Is it your majesty like I've always typed it… or is it you're Majesty as in you are majesty? I just now thought of it. The later would make more sense, but I'm not sure if it is or not. If someone knows could you please tell me?
Secrets of a Kingdom
Chapter Three: A Whole New World
By: Yami Kibou
Dim light reflected off of the pale skin of the young lad. He looked dejectedly past the quaint city into the horizon, watching the birds as they flew through the blue skies making a mirror image of the sight in his azure eyes. Following his daily routine, perched on the window, mulling over his life. The traumatic night played over in mind as he watched his childhood burn.
Though he has found much joy living with the Yagami family he can not rest knowing that the one who destroyed his home is going unpunished. Revenge was placed in his heart young and as time went on it had manifested into his only desire: to find the ones responsible for the death of his family and to punish them. Here in his room he contemplates his revenge every day. King Shun… He pounds his fist into the wooden panel. Just the name makes his blood boils.
After he calmed his nerves his mind traced to the fading face of his young brother- his hair shining in the sun, his bright, smiling eyes, and his joyous laughter, everything he missed. He knew he was alive still… he could feel it. They always had a strong connection. Somewhere his brother was alive. He shuddered at the thought of him being in the clutches of King Shun doing who knows what.
Thirteen years. Thirteen years with that mad man. He shook his head to relive himself of his cruel imagination. He couldn't help but think of where he was. He could die happy if he only saw his brother again. Thinking back to the conversation he had with Sora he couldn't help but to laugh bitterly. They say that their kingdom was wiped out from the face of the planet… impossible. How can they not find a trace of anything that once belonged to the Takashi kingdom? How can everything like that just vanish without a trace? They said that there were no signs of there every being a settlement where the main city should have been…
Inwardly deciding something the young prince quickly rose to his feet. He briskly walked to his drawers and pulled out a few changes of clothes. He quickly threw them on his bed and grabbed a large traveling bag he had under his bed. He began to shove his garments into his bag. He paced around his room thinking and grabbing everything he thought he would most certainly need.
"I know that the Yagamis are doing everything in there power to bring me justice, but I can not sit idly by…" He checked the position of the sun and noted the time. "I still need some food and water before I leave… The cooks and servants will still be cleaning until late… I will leave at midnight…" He tucked his halfway full bag underneath his bed then collapsed on his sort bed, burying his face in the soft blanket. His voice came out muffled as he whispered the name of his only blood family, "Takeru…"
Chapter Three: A Whole New World
The cold room was thick with darkness, where Takeru laid awake under his soft comforter. He held up his hand in front of his face, barely able to see its outline. Reaching over to his night stand he turned the knob on his oil lamp that brought the small flame to life. He rolled out of bed fully dressed and picked up the burning lamp. He quietly left his room and proceeded down the deathly silent hall. His eyes shot wide opened as he felt a sudden flow of wind come up form behind him.
"Where are you going?" Came a hushed, almost inaudible voice behind him
Takeru turned and glanced nervously behind him only to see an empty hall. "Hello?" Takeru shook his head and continued down the empty hallway.
He exited the castle without any difficulties and proceeded down to the city. Reaching the gates he saw two figures illuminated by their own oil lamps. He recognized Miyako automatically with her distinguishable violet hair and the other short, skinny man as Koushiro. When he reached them they both gave him a quick bow of respect.
"Are you ready for the trip of your life?" Miyako asked, full of excitement.
"I still have a really bad feeling about this…" Takeru said looking back to the looming castle.
"Don't worry your majesty, I have calculated this day for nearly a year now and I am almost positive everything will come out perfectly."
"Almost positive?"
"Well, with every field experiments lie variables. I believe that perhaps there may be some sort of fail safe to the curse that if anyone might escape there would be undesirable effects that will come upon the 'escapees'."
"You mean us?"
"Of course I mean us. But, I also infused cloaks that will protect us from any negative magic." Koushiro said, holding up three simple cloaks for everyone to see. "So even if we do hit resistant magic these should protect us well enough."
"Well, I just feel so much better." He said sarcastically.
"Ugh! Well, we're not going to be testing anything unless we get going! Come on let's go!" Miyako said, energetically. She was quickly silenced when the hand of Koushiro covered her mouth.
"Miyako, shh! Do you want us to get caught?"
"Uh right… Sorry" She replied with a slight blush.
"But you are right. If we want to do it tonight we have to go now."
Koushiro led the way toward the city gates. At this time at night the city was dead. The only light to guide them was their small oil lamps. The city was eerie from the curse they were plagued with. Looking up they could see no stars in the sky to guard them. For thirteen years nothing but dark forlorn clouds covered them casting down dark shadows. A cold mist surrounded them as they quietly walked down the empty, miserable streets. Koushiro passed out the brownish cloaks to his friends and they all slipped them on. The tall unmanned gates towered before them. In the past it would have been guarded by a patrol guard, but now it is well known that nothing can enter, or leave so there is no point to stand guard.
Koushiro turned to his two companions and began to give him a run down. "Okay, I myself have never been past the gates since the curse has been placed… but those who ventured out have said that it can get violent. Most likely a spell to try to scare people back to the town," he added. "The two of you will have to stick close to me if you want to make it past the barrier with me." After the two gave nods meaning the understood he continued with enthusiasm lighting his voice. "Just imagine. If this truly works all we would need will be more mages to pull the town through! Soon we might be free!"
Chapter Three: A Whole New World
Yamato quietly snuck down to the kitchen with his bag in hand. He checked down every corridor and listened intently for any of the patrolling guards. Easily enough he made his way down to his destination. After tossing his bag on the table he lit an oil lamp he had also been holding and sat it on one of the tables. He quickly began to rummage through a near by cabinet and started to pull out what dry food was around and transfer it to his bag.
"What are you doing? It's late, you should be in bed." Yamato turned and found Taichi standing in the doorway. Yamato gave the look of being caught of some sort of heinous crime.
"As should you Yagami," he said, quickly grabbing his canteen and filling it with water.
Taichi examined the bag and was able to put two and two together, "Planning on leaving on a trip?"
"What do you care?"
"How do you think you can find him when our best spies have not?"
"I'll mange."
"Yamato…"
"I know what you're thinking. Geez, you're starting to sound like Sora."
Taichi gave a short chuckle, "I'll take that as a compliment."
"I know this will sound crazy, but I feel like it is time for me to start my own search. I know I'll find him. It's like… It's like someone is trying to lead me… Humph, this probably sounds crazy."
"Not really… I think I would be feeling the same way if something happen to Hikari… You're an adult Yamato. If you want to leave I can't stop you."
"… Thanks Taichi… Well… I better be leaving now. Though I have your blessings I can't say that I would receive the same from others."
"Yes, I guess you're right." Taichi watched as Yamato finished packing his bag a toss it over his shoulder. Yamato did not get far past him until Taichi stopped him. "Yamato wait."
"Yeah, what is it?" He asked, quixotically.
"I'm going with you." He said firmly.
"What?" He almost shouted. "You're kidding? Why would you go?"
"Because you're my friend Yamato, whether you like it or not. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to, so it's my duty as your friend to tag along and protect you."
"It is also your duty to stay here and play prince."
"The kingdom will not fall if I'm not here to watch my father sign papery work for a few months."
"Who said it would be only a few months."
"… Here, I'll make you a deal. I help you look for your brother for a total of three months. If we haven't found any clues by then, I'll come back, deal?"
"I don't need your help!
"Will you stop that all ready. I've already made up my mind. Even if I don't get you to say I can go, I'll just follow you anyway."
"Fine, we're only wasting time by standing around arguing."
"I'm glad you've finally realized that you need me."
"Whatever Yagami. Just hurry and grab some traveling gear. I'll grab some extra food."
"Sounds fine to me. Just don't try to sneak off on me."
"What am I, four? I said you can come."
"Good, I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Just be quick."
Yamato watched as Taichi briskly left the kitchen. Now that he was left alone approached the table and turned out the lamp. "Sorry Taichi… This isn't your battle…" He abruptly turns and left, mulling over the path he would take to find his brother.
Chapter Three: Facing the World
Loud thunder once again ripped through the air around the struggling trio. With the blinding fog thick around them added to the pending darkness they could only hold on to one another's cloak to keep them from getting separated. As they increasingly approached the barrier the colder and harsher the elements began to become. Nothing could be heard over the none stop thunder and the freezing cold winds made it hard for their bare hands to hold tightly around the cloth.
"Koushiro!" Came a screaming voice in the darkness, though, the intended listener had not heard. "Kuroshiro!" She screamed once again, managing to get it between thunder clasps.
"What?" Koushiro yelled back.
"I can't go on like this. I wanna go back!"
"What?"
"I want to-."
Koushiro stopped immediately when he felt the slack ease completely on his cloak. "Miyako? Miyako what happened? Takeru?"
"She's fine!" He heard the voice of Takeru shouting. "I got her!"
Feeling blindly through the darkness Kuroshiro was able to find Miyako's hand and once again began to head forward.
"No Koushiro … Stop! I want to go home!"
"Where almost there Miyako; I can feel the barrier close by!"
"It's okay Miyako! I'm right behind you!" Takeru reminded here, reassuringly.
"It's here!" Shouted Koushiro, finally. He excitedly pulled on Miyako's hand so she would move forward toward him along with Takeru. "You two stay close to me! This looks like it's going to be some ride!"
Both Miyako and Takeru clenched onto Koushiro as he began to chant the spell he'd been working on this past year loudly. Takeru and Miyako cringed as it seem that the elements became worse with each passing syllable. The words fought against the thunder and cold and after what seemed like an eternity the three were slowly beginning to emanate a bright golden light. Miyako and Takeru were relived to be able to see each other again, and now able to watch Koushiro work his field. The light seemed to push back the dark, cold fog, and drive away the murderous thunder. Suddenly a new sight was coming into focus. It seemed as if someone was seeing a completely different image stacked on top of another. They saw the fading image of the dark, violent forest into the growing peacefully dark forest, both looked the same, but at the same time, both were radically different. The violent forest then finally was almost completely-.
"Takeru! Stop!"
Takeru quickly closed his eyes, afraid that someone had followed them and found out their goal. But as soon as he opened his eyes he saw only the still forest with Koushiro and Miyako next to him. Both seemed to share the same look of thrill and amazement as they looked around the dark forest. Everyone began to laugh with joy as they fell to the ground and for the first time in thirteen years, gazed at the starts. In a silent awe they starred up into the starry night where millions of stars graced the night sky. Takeru could hear Miyako let out a breath of contentment as she enjoyed the feeling of finally being free.
"Koushiro … You did it. You really did it…" Takeru whispered, loud enough for his friend to hear.
"I told you Koushiro was amazing, didn't I"
"Do you know what this means" Takeru said breathlessly. "This was just an experiment; soon the entire city will be able to look at the stars. I can not wait to see the look on everyone's faces when they found out. Koushiro? When are we going to head back? We can't stay out here forever."
Takeru would have been glad that he didn't see the round face of Koushiro turn ghostly pale. Though, he was soon to find out the cause when Koushiro sat up with the speed of lightning, clutched his hands around his head and yelled at the sky. Both Miyako and Takeru starred at their friend in bewilderment as he began to rant to himself.
"Oh, no! I am such an idiot! How could I have been so ignorant to ignore such a key element in my research?"
"Koushiro, what's wrong?" Asked Miyako, rolling into a position where she could better see her friend.
"I… I never calculated the necessary requirements for the return!"
Takeru sat up quickly and starred directly into Koushiro's face. "You mean we're stuck here?" He yelled.
"Well… for now… I'm sure the entry spell won't take too much preparation… I'm just not sure of what form of incantation is necessary. Oh no! All my research material is in my room!"
Miyako furiously vented her frustration on the young prodigy." You mean we're trapped in the dark and creepy woods without food or water or… or… a warm bed?"
"Well… yes. But don't worry. I won't rest until I find a way back though the barrier. I just wish I could see it. It looks as if the forest just goes on." Koushiro stood up and thoughtfully walked to where the barrier once was. He walked past the point where the exited and lifted his hands as if trying to touch something unseen. "That's strange; I can't even feel a magic aura… Interesting…" He looked back to where you should have been able to see the city in this clear weather, only to see an endless sea of trees. "I suppose this explains why no one has ever entered the city. We're not even visible in any way. There are even trees where our city is."
While Koushiro muttered along to himself, Takeru inched his way to Miyako and leaned to her direction. "He's doing it again… He could be doing this for hours… Miyako?"
"Shh, I'm trying to listen." Miyako watched Koushiro intently as she hung on every word.
Takeru only sat back and moaned to himself, "Great, only I would choose the one tract-minded mages as friends. I guess it's not a bad thing considering the position we're in…" Takeru exhaled and lay back on the grass to gaze at the magnificent sky while he waited on Koushiro to find some sort of clue to what they were to do next.
Chapter Three: A Whole New World
Sayuri quickly rushed through the castle halls as she made her way to the royal chamber where King Shun blissfully slept, unaware of the current circumstances. She approached the large oak door, guarded by two knights. She gave a swift order for the two guards to stand down. Since she was in authority the quickly obliged. She burst through the door, startling the king out of his sleep. He jolted upright in his bed and starred daggers at the intruder. His anger only intensified when he saw who it was.
"Sayuri! What is the meaning of this intrusion?" He barked.
"Forgive me, your majesty, but I am afraid I have bad news."
"And what is it that could not have waited until morning."
"It is about Takeru, sire, he has managed to pass through the barrier."
"What! What do you mean he has passed through the barrier, how?"
"I'm afraid a young prodigy by the name of Koushiro has managed to find a weak way of passing through the barrier. Weak, yet effective. He has taken Takeru and another mage with him." As she began to rise she placed her hand gently to the temple of her head. "It's strange… This is the first time in thirteen years that I haven't been able to sense his presence… What are we to do?"
"Let me think." He exited his bed and began to pace around his room wearing only his gown. "I'd prefer to send someone out and eliminate the two escapees and retrieve Takeru… But that wouldn't work, Takeru would begin to question me about my actions… If I let the other two live they would want to advance the "cure" for our "cursed" kingdom… I can't have that… This is a problem." He turned and growled at Sayuri. "Why did you not stop him? You had to have known of his intentions."
"I take full responsibility your highness, I have always had trouble waking myself."
King Shun ignored her comment and went back to his thinking "… Wait… I might have an idea that could possible work."
"Oh?"
"I've been mulling this idea over before now, yet this has proven to be an unexpected event that may be the excuse to throw it into effect… Yet, you will need to play an uncharacteristic role my dear Sayuri…"
Next Chapter: Yamato begins his journey, only to hear unexpected and annoying rumors about the royal family he left behind. Takeru and the others have an unexpected visitor that sets them of on a quest. Will their paths meet? Not for a while ,