Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.
A/N: Sorry for taking so long to produce another chapter! I was busy with some issues at home. Also I came back from Anime Expo 2013! It was interesting to see Nexon there for the first time. :D
To all my loyal readers and reviewers! I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm grateful for the amount of time you're willing to wait for me to come up with more chapters! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Fifteenth: It Approaches
The skies above Maple World were filled with dark gray clouds. The sounds of thunder echoed in the distance. Rain constantly fell to the surface. On the sky island of Ereve, the knights were busy sparing and preparing for an unknown battle. The little princess sat next to Katarina Von Irmalinda watching them. Empress Krystal sat next to the princess quietly. The Empress had small bags under her eyes from the sleepless nights. Her complexion was quite pale and sickly. There was a beautiful tea set out on the table with little snacks for the spectators.
"Lena, where did you disappear to?" Aria questioned the wind worryingly. Lena chuckled quietly from behind her. Aria jumped in shock and turned to face Lena with a small pout. "Seriously, Lena. I'd think you were five years old." Lena merely smiled softly.
"Oh please even I need to relax every once in a while. By the way, I hear we're getting a tactician apprentice today. It seems like Katarina wants a protege to train." Lena stated calmly. Katarina stared up in annoyance.
"Really, it's not a bad idea. I suggest you all find a protege to train to take your place after you all retire. You all really should think ahead more. Thinking about the future isn't a bad thing, especially if the times are quite chaotic as of late." Katarina lectured sternly. The two other knights merely shrugged and continued sparring.
"He's young though. I heard he only a few years older than the Princess. Are you sure it's going to be alright? If something were to happen tomorrow do you think he'd be ready to carry the burden of the world on his shoulders?" Aria questioned in worry.
"He'll have too. It is what is required of him." Katarina returned calmly. "Ahh, look who's finally arrived." Katarina stood up and walked over to the young child. The Knights all stopped to study the young child with a mixture of curiosity and worry. "You are looking quite better now that you've eaten."
"Yes, ma'am. I'm feeling much better now that I've eaten. Should I start my studies soon?" A timid voice asked obediently. Katarina smiled softly.
"First allow me to introduce you to the Empress, Princess, and the knights. These are her knights, Alex, Jack, Lena, and Aria. They are the guardians and protectors of the Royal Family." Katarina pointed to each one as she said their name. "The last two are the Empress and Princess Cygnus." She gestured at the boy. "This is Neinheart, he is my apprentice. You will most likely end up being the Princess's tactician in the future. Remember the knights rely on your ability to plan out battles and course of actions. We, tacticians, act as the strategist as well as the adviser to the throne. If we make mistakes, people will die remember that."
"Yes, ma'am." He replied softly storing the information away in his mind. His short light blue hair and cyan eyes were a interesting sight. He looked like the ice from Rien. "It is a pleasure to be working with all of you. Please take care of me." Katarina took Neinheart to another chamber while the others continued their usual routines. Princess Cygnus played with Shinsoo while Empress Krystal looked on with a gentle smile.
"He's quite young don't you think Alex?" Jack questioned as he punched toward Alex's chest. Alex blocked it silently, deep in concentration. "He's a few years older than your son right?" Alex slid to a stop a few feet away.
"He's young yes, but they usually learn more when they're younger. He looks older than my son by a few years. However, I haven't seen my son in years though. In fact, he probably doesn't even remember that I'm his father or that he even had one." Alex stated calmly. Jack sighed and stretched his arms.
"A son that doesn't even know who his father is... I don't know if I should pity that son of yours or not. I mean if I knew I had a father that served the Empress of Maple World I would be extremely proud to be his son." Jack exclaimed as he popped his knuckles.
"It's too dangerous for him to know that I'm his father. It would just put him in danger, especially if the Black Wings should decide to attack." Alex stated softly as he glanced up at the crying sky. Jack turned his head to the world outside of the chamber.
"He should still know that his father loves him." Jack whispered in return. Aria glanced down at the little Princess that was munching happily on the snacks. Her smile was warm and full of innocence. Empress Krystal smiled tiredly at the sight. Lena put a hand on her shoulder.
"You should go get some rest, Krystal. You look exhausted." Lena stated softly. Empress Krystal shook her head slowly. Suddenly a hawk came flying in from one of the slightly opened windows. Lena extended her arm as it landed on her, around the hawk's neck was a canister. Lena opened it and pulled out a letter. Her eyes scanned the message. A smaller letter fell out of the canister unnoticed excepted by the little princess.. Princess Cygnus picked it up and read the front of the envelope, before opening it. The other three knights walked over to see what it was.
"Lena? Who's the letter from?" Alex questioned as he found a chair to sit in. Jack stood near them with a curious look in his eyes. Aria took a sip of her tea as she waited. Lena flipped the letter over and noticed a speck of dried blood.
"It doesn't say who it's from. It's just this letter is a bit concerning." Lena put the letter down on the table for them to see. Lena petted her hawk with worry. "I'm also wondering how they knew this messenger hawk was mine."
"Eckhart!" Princess Cygnus stated happily at the small letter in her hands. The others glanced down at the Princess in surprise. "He's still fine after all."
"Eckhart? Isn't that the boy back in Kerning City that saved the Princess?" Jack stated out of remembrance. Alex nodded and noticed the letter.
"What do you have there, Princess?" Alex prodded gently. She smiled happily as she handed him the letter. Alex read it and smiled gently. The others waited patiently as Alex returned the letter to Cygnus. "It seems like Eckhart has been quite busy as of late. I believe he sent us this other letter as well. I didn't realize he was doing such work for the Dark Lord." Cygnus glanced up at them with a small frown.
"I don't think Eckhart is with the Dark Lord anymore..." She stated softly in concern. The Knights blinked in confusion.
"What makes you think that, Princess?" Jack questioned. Cygnus put the letter down on the table and pointed to a certain sentence that was in fine print.
"Eckhart wrote the word alone here. And then there's this other word that I don't know... incognito... What does that word mean Jack?" Cygnus said with a tilt of her head.
"Uh... it means to um... be in disguise or to be able to move around undetected as who you really are. It's not something that we do often if at all. Thieves on the other hand they do it quite frequently. I wonder why he's incognito though..." Jack stated with wonder. Alex closed his eyes in deep thought.
"I'm still trying to grasp how the boy knew that this hawk was mine." Lena mentioned while stroking the hawk's head.
"The boy is quite intelligent from what I've seen." Aria spoke softly. "I wouldn't be surprise if he found out something without any of us knowing. According to this letter, the Black Wings have been silently planning something. There's also the possibility that the Black Wings are already attacking us if the conditions he mentioned are being fulfilled. If he's being cautious enough to send this letter than..."
"Then, we can't wait for them to attack. We must find the source of our troubles." The Knights turned to see Katarina standing at the door. "I had speculated that they had already started to move, but I was having a difficult time discerning what they were up to." Katarina walked over to the table and picked up the letter. Her eyes scanned the words. "Krystal, you might want to read this." Empress Krystal extended her hand as Katarina gave it to her. Empress Krystal's eyes widened at the information on the letter.
"How does he know about my condition? That child... I hope he's not getting himself into trouble. If this information is true than... they must have someone that can do harm even through Shinsoo's protective barrier." Empress Krystal stated calmly. Princess Cygnus glanced down at her letter and read it again, it was different than what was written before. She blinked again in curiosity.
Dear Cygnus,
I finally managed to find Miss Lena's hawk. It took me quite a while to locate. What a dangerous bird that hawk! I thought I'd tell you that I'm doing fine. There's probably been word that I've been missing for sometime. I've attached another letter for the Knights detailing the information that I've managed to uncover. I think you've noticed that this letter is a bit special, the first message has been replaced with this one. I can be at ease knowing that this message will be read by only you. I don't know why I decided not to tell them everything I know. I'm afraid that danger is headed your way. The Black Wings are stirring but I'm not sure what they're planning. It might have to do with how my mind keeps being attacked. I am led to believe that the Empress is also experiencing the same with some sort of mind invasion. Please no matter what don't be reckless, Cygnus. I don't know why but I have a feeling that something horrible is going to happen that will change your life. Keep your eyes and ears open and learn as much as you can from your mother. You must be prepared for anything and everything. Even... even if that means that you might have to take up the throne... This second letter was never sent. When other people look at it they'll see the first letter. If you wish to see the first letter again just merely wish for it and it shall reveal itself to you. Cygnus...never mind. I'll tell you another time. Just be safe.
Eckhart
Princess Cygnus wished for the first letter and she saw it change back to the normal letter. She smiled softly and hugged the letter to her chest. Princess Cygnus looked up and saw the knights speaking with Katarina while her mother spoke every once and awhile. They were so busy talking that Princess Cygnus stood up and walked off to find the young tactician-in-training. Shinsoo noticed her walk out and return to resting. She walked through the barely lit halls toward the library. The huge windows showed the lightening and rain. When she got closer to the library, the door was slightly open allowing for a stream of light to come flowing out. Princess Cygnus pushed the door open quietly and saw the young tactician studying from a huge tome. He had a pair of glasses on the tip of his nose. She closed the door behind her and walked next to him quietly. His eyes were reading the words in the book. She watched him for a while before he sighed audibly and faced her. She blinked in surprise.
"Did you need something, Princess? I don't mean to be rude, but I find it difficult to focus when you're hovering around me." Neinheart stated calmly. His eyes were cold and hard. Princess Cygnus shook her head and smiled widely. He blinked at the dazzling smile. "How can you just smile to someone that you barely even know?"
"Why not? I just wanted to become your friend. There's no one here around my age. It can get kind of lonely here without someone to play with. I... I just wanted to have someone to talk with and can understand me better than anyone else. Katarina said you're going to be my tactician so I thought we'd get to know each other better." Princess Cygnus returned quietly. She starred at her feet worried that she overstep her place. Neinheart studied the Princess with calculating eyes.
"...You know, you're not cute. Trying to force yourself on others." Neinheart stated bluntly. Princess Cygnus continued to stare down at her feet, tears forming in her eyes from the statement. She blinked them away and lifted her head up to face him.
"Well, you're not exactly handsome either. Definitely not a gentleman. You're similar to cold frozen lonely ice." Princess Cygnus returned with stubbornness. Neinheart clenched his jaw in annoyance, before opening it again to retort.
"Sorry for being cold ice." Neinheart replied sarcastically. Princess Cygnus turned her head and walked through the shelves of books in heartache. Neinheart watched as she walked away. He closed his eyes tiredly and allowed his head to hit the table. His arms were limply at his side. "I messed up... she probably hates me now..."
"What should I do? I just wanted to get along with him..." Princess Cygnus muttered under her breath with small tears in her eyes. Cygnus walked toward her little hidden alcove and sat down. As soon as she sat down her tears started flowing down her little cheeks. She pulled open a piece of the wall out and found small box. She opened the box. Inside the box were little small keepsakes and letters. She added her most recent letter inside the box and returned it to it's rightful place in the wall. Princess Cygnus curled into a small ball and cried herself to sleep. Neinheart opened his tired eyes to stare out the glass window.
"So tired..." Neinheart closed his eyes again. "A nap won't hurt..."
Alex sighed quietly as he sat against the wall tiredly. Jack was laying on the couch a few feet away. Aria and Lena were sipping some tea at the table with Empress Krystal and Katarina. Alex glanced up at his Empress.
"What's our next course of action? I agree with Katarina when she said we should probably attack first." Alex stated calmly. Jack turned his head to face them.
"From what the boy tells us, our enemy is difficult to locate. If a thief of his caliber can't find them than it's going to be much tougher for us to locate them." Jack explained lazily.
"We have much more resources than he does. I don't see how we couldn't get the information." Aria specified after putting her cup of tea down.
"Is it really merely just information that we need? I'm sure we should think things through a bit more before deciding." Lena interjected gently. Katarina remained silent contemplating the ideas. Empress Krystal looked down at her pale hands.
"We don't have time!" Jack stated angrily. "While we dilly dally here, her majesty is suffering from something that can attack her mind from outside!"
"Enough. Arguing among ourselves isn't going to solve anything." Katarina stated firmly. "First, we must quickly gather the information that we can. Hopefully we can finally find a way to prevent it now that we know more about them and their plans. Then, we'll try to locate the enemy. Do not take any rash moves, it will cost you your life. Lena, I want you to try and find a way to get in contact with the boy. If we can have constant flow of messages between him and us it will help everyone greatly. Aria, you help Lena as well. Alex, Jack, I want you two to make sure the grounds are protected as well as the Empress and Princess." Katarina ordered swiftly. The knights nodded before leaving the chamber. Katarina sighed softly before glancing down at the letter on the table.
"Katarina, are you alright? Maybe you should get some rest?"
"Really, Krystal. Between the two of us, you need your rest. I'm still able to sleep at night. It's just... it's been a long time since I've reached a wall that I couldn't find a way out. I want to help you out of your suffering."
"You put too much on your shoulders, Katarina. The Knights are willing to help, you just have to tell them with your voice. They rely on you to prepare their strategies." Katarina smiled softly at Empress Krystal.
"You are a wonderful Empress and friend, Krystal. I hope I can return it."
A/N: Maplestory what is with all the new classes! I can't keep up! Not to mention I have to research more to write better. Oh well, I really hope this chapter will hold your attention for a while.