Hello Guys! Shidesu is Back!
Sorry for the delay, i barely had any time to write and translate, sorry about that.
Anyway, here is the new chapter, hope you like it, without more delays, let's begin!
SHIDESU! OUT!
Chapter 18: At the end of Fall.
White. All he could see was a white area.
Looking around him, he could feel nothing but his own breath. Feeling the weariness of his limbs and the cold sweat on his forehead it was the first time he was in that place, one moment ago he was struggling to breathe, allowing her to do whatever she wanted, and before he noticed he was in that white place.
Sitting he became aware of the strange floor, his reflection on the smooth surface that moved like waves on a lake. His own reflection stared at him. Trying to figure out what was going on, he placed his right hand on his temple, his left supporting his weight. He noticed the movement of the reflection but strangely it only acted as 'water', no wetness or coldness, just an image that moved below him. Placing his elbows on his knees he supported his head against his arms, he thought perhaps it was another way for Yukimura to torture him, after all he felt no fear or angst, just solitude.
Strangely the place was illuminated by a strange light, every time he looked at his own hand away from his face it blurred, near his face it was clear and detailed. It wasn't until he looked down at his own body that he realized that he was naked, no scars or traces of that tattoo for what he could see. Was he dead? He wondered, perhaps the wicked god that forced his fate finally got bored and decided to play with another toy, discarding him with the rest of the world, his thoughts replaced his curiosity, after all if it was another plot from the strategist then it would be just another moment before the storm, the warm of the place and the feeling of being safe was strangely relaxing, he tried to close his eyes but every time he did a faint breathing disturbed his slumber. Looking around he found no one, again and again he tried to relax, but the same happened.
Surely time was something that was aside of that place, he could swear that hours has passed by, just to realize that the same sweat from his hand took seconds to fall, sweat and cold drops that fell from the sky, time to time he could feel the faint rain drops touching his white skin, he arched an eyebrow as he looked again as his body, it was strange to see it but in that sit position it was clear that it was his body before the war, he remembered a nasty scar on his right leg, a cut in his abdomen a few months ago, that stab on his left shoulder, scars that were healed by Elise and only left a faint trace of pink skin, and now they´re gone.
Missing scars? It was new to think that, after so many months he wished to stop the war, but at least he wanted to be on the front line to prevent as many casualties as possible, and now he missed the scars on his body? He chuckled, at least every painful memory of those wounds were replaced for the warm memento of Elise healing him, how the last time she kissed the wound on his shoulder and she embraced him, it was until that moment that he realize placing in reflex his hand on his shoulder that he felt something.
Taken aback by the new sensation he could feel the rugged skin on his back, his hands moved as far as they could to feel his back. It was until he saw again his reflection on the water of his back that the lighting scar appeared before his eyes, not even pink but blackened skin on what it was the wound, a diagonal slash followed for the lighting traces at it sides, touching the line was painful as he could see the faint traces of magic on the reflection.
He was about to continue with it, to check how his body had the only thing he hated to see, if it wasn't for a pair of bare feet on his sight behind him. He slowly looked up to find her naked figure covered by her blonde hair and purple eyes. He didn't want to recognize her, but her figure and her lovely lips was a certain trait that he remembered. He turned to avoid eye contact, he couldn't stand to see her cry, and her trembling lips with wet eyes were a good sign that she barely held back her tears, perhaps it was a delusion of his mind. He hugged his knees without looking back, it was too late for excuses or for apologies, his own tears were falling the moment he felt her embrace around him, her golden hair covering him as she placed her face against his shoulder crying as well.
"I missed you so….sooo very much…" she could barely say between sobs, at first he hesitated to place his hand on top of hers, but his will was falling every time she sobbed until it was too much to resist "…..why…..why you don't say anything?" she asked, embracing him closer than before.
Kamui couldn't breathe for a moment, a knot on his throat and his heartbeat was about to stop for her presence "….I…I'm afraid…" Elise raised her head in sheer surprise, he was trembling as he was sobbing as well, she carefully placed her hand on his shoulder, for her it was the first time that he was like that.
"Y-You don't need to be scared, I-" she was interrupted as he suddenly turned to see her, it was an instant but she could see his troubled face as he embraced her and both fell to the ground, him on top of her.
"I…I'm afraid to lose you again….I´m…I'm afraid" he barely had enough coherence in his mind to formulate the phrase, her soft hair, and the tender touch of her hands on his back as she chuckled a little with her cheek on his head, it was like that dream on that filed, but this time he was able to show his emotions.
It took him a while to regain his sense, for what felt like several hours he embraced her with such strong feelings inside him, struggling between holding her tight to avoid losing her again or that he used to much strength and she could banish again as his previous delusions, sadness and regret were dying as she calmed him down with tender sweets pats to his head, until he finally was satisfied he released her just being aware of the intimacy of the moment. After some more minutes he turned away to give her the enough time to cover herself, in his rant he was barely aware that like him, she was naked. Turning away with a red face both of them were leaning against each other back, Elise hugging her knees and Kamui with his hand of his temples, they remained in silence for a while, there were a lot of questions in his head but barely enough courage to ask, she was acting like the other time he saw her in that field, caring, patient and always waiting for his response.
"…..Aren't you too quiet, Honey?" She asked, moving her feet up and down, looking at their reflection. "Or why you don't look at me?" How could he? She sweetly asked but that question just made his cheeks burn in sheer embarrassment, Elise was delicate and perhaps modest with her figure, but the last thing that he wanted to admit was that he missed they time together alone in their room instead of the full time they spent in their life's, he didn't want to think that her appearance was his fault.
"….I…I don't want to… make you feel uncomfortable… is not like I don't want to look but…" He tried to think in his next words but it was nearly impossible to think in something else, and he hated to admit it, but it was rather refreshing to see her like that, pure and gentle, not like that vision, the face of that fake Elise appeared in his mind for a moment as he grunted, not noticed by Elise who sighed.
"…remember what I said before?" she asked gently pressing her head against his "that I….wanted you to look at me….how I'll grow stronger to be able to protect you…. And that you would never stop looking at me…." Kamui bit her lower lip, perhaps it wasn't what she wanted but her words felt like daggers at his stomach, his body trembled for a moment as she gently rubbed her head against his "…. And besides…. I don't mind you looking," she said with a hint of shame in her voice.
Kamui remained silent for a moment, looking at the sky that was above them, for some reason small and cold drops started to fall, for the first time the sky changed it´s shade and slowly turned black "…..I….I'm dead? Are you here to…..say goodbye?" Elise looked at him as he chuckled "…..after all… I don't think I….I deserve to go to the place where…..where you are," he chuckled again as she covered her mouth with her hand "…..finally the gods gave me a chance to….. to apologize….just to take different paths at the end…..I guess…. I can´t complain… after all…after all the pain I ga-" He couldn't finish as she embraced him again, with same tears in her eyes, he heard how she sobbed on his shoulder, he hated himself so much for making her cry again.
"No..NO! you´re…. you´re wrong!" She said taking his hand and forcing him to look at her "You…..You would never hurt me" she locked lips again for a brief moment as she placed her forehead against him "…t3 d0m a9n1"
"Uh?" he felt a sharp pain in his head as her voice resonated inside it, it wasn't spiteful or with malice, that was what confused him the most, he felt sorrow and regret in her voice.
"I…I don't want 4W 06uT k3 now…." She said holding close to his body, tenderly caressing his cheek as she weakly smiled "…..I don't want…..4W 06uT k3" again those words that he couldn´t understand, he felt like he was in free fall, seeing that the faint black sky was approaching and feeling how slowly his body was losing its strength and hold on her, looking at her eyes he knew she was feeling the same, all they could do was try to keep together before it turned pitch black.
She never could´ve guess that she would be like that against another in that place, but it felt right to, although she was supposed to be loyal to them she was actually raising her hand against any of the soldiers or butlers in the castle, even that was different, she bathed in the blood and agony of the fell enemy in Hoshido´s name, instead of joy she felt disgust with every person tied with Yukimura that refused to speak, frustration with everyone that instead of helping her chose to help that damned man, THEY REFUSED TO SAVE MIKOTO´S ONLY CHILD, in her eyes they were no worthy of walking in the same hallways than the former queen. After the fourth or fifth soldier who had Yukimura's brand she lost her patience, now in the hallway of the six floor a man was crawling away of her, she slowly walked to his side with the head of her nagitana leaving a trail behind her, her eyes devoid of mercy, as the man was pleading for help she just lift her nagitana to point to his left leg. She sighed as she flipped her nagitana, hitting him with the butt of it, enough force to hear a clear "crack" as he screamed turning and holding his injured leg, not without time to complain as she quickly picked and pushed him up against the wall "I'm tired of games, tell me where he is or else….."
"I…I swear on milady´s name th-that i—aaargg!" He screamed as Reina broke one of his fingers.
"…..how you dare to imply that you….." she frowned, she couldn't believe the nerve of some people to use her name in vain, although he looked in pain she had to admit that somehow she was glad to see that her 'comrades' were that adamant. She almost felt pity for them, almost "You were speaking with him today, you were at his personal studio CARRYING those hideous orbs, so, for the last time, WERE IS HE? THIS IS THE LAST TIME I ASK!" she pushed him against the wall, struggling to take air as the pole of her weapon was pushing against his neck, it was just by mere seconds before he lost consciousness that by luck she released him, falling in four, taking with and erratic breaths "What happened?" Reina asked to someone out of his sight, he looked up and before he could say something she was already walking away.
"We need you back at the room, HE needs you, Reina," another voice replied. Reina hit the wall with her bare fist with enough strength to leave a mark on it, before walking out of his sight she just grabbed something inside her yukata and throwing a small object in front of the soldier. "I have a message for that bastard," she spoke with such venom in her voice that he could feel a void in his guts. "Tell that idiot that if he messes with my little boy again, I´ll show him the true meaning of NO MERCY!" She started to walk away "NOBODY MESSES WITH MY CHILD!"
As the torches illuminated the hallways of the castle, rustle sounds around the stone paths could be heard, maids, butlers and retainers were carrying several crates, furniture and provision to the royal stables. Although the walls and hallways were ruined in the throne room, the rest of the castle was another story. Little by little the old Nohrian banners were replaced for another one, a light purple back color, the brand color change to black as the diamond in the center was gold, with smaller diamonds in each of its points with the same color. Nohrian soldiers, Tacticians and servants were using the same banner as Xander was using in the cape covering his right shoulder, walking with his retainers and several guards he was walking to the stables while he was reading the last reports. "Everything is ready?"
"Yes, my King" Laslow said, taking some of the papers from his liege, the once mercenary was now a knight, wearing the same brand on his back. Peri on her side was still with her cavalier outfit, the only difference was the same Brand on her left shoulder and that her pigtails were larger than before, still with her same demeanor. "All set for the trip, my King, just in time before the winter."
"Eeeeeverything is done, King Xander!" Peri said as she happily, hopping in place. "Can´t wait to see how they are doing~!"
"Remember, Peri, you´re supposed to keep a close eye in anything that might cause problems, and to watch Lilith and the others."
"Yes sir~!" she said with a smile that disappeared after some moments with a pout "But, why do I have to go alone again? I kinda forgot."
Laslow sighed as Xander chuckled. "I can´t leave the capital for now, Peri. Laslow and Selena are busy with our little situation at the castle, and there is no other who I can entrust with this, remember?" Peri placed her index finger on her lips looking up remembering the last chat they had. "Also, you won't be alone, you will be with Niles, Odin and Nyx."
"Remember to follow Lilith´s orders as best you can," Laslow said, giving the girl a seal, which she quickly picked up and placed in her pouch. "Also, not a single killing spree like last time, understood?"
Her face paled as she was about to pout, looking at Xander he nodded. As Peri was about to cry, she looked away with a pout in in her face. "Fiiiiiine, just a kill or two then."
"My King" another voice interrupted, looking at the door of the stables was Lilith, with a brown robe covering her body and a silver scarf around her neck. "It´s ready, we just finished loading the wagons, at your word sir we are ready to depart," Xander approached as Peri passed aside of the girl to see if all her stuff was in. Xander searched for something in his pouch.
"Very well, Nohr will remember this Lilith. I know is not easy to do this, but right now we need you to go to Hoshido," he said while he was handing her a parchment, Lilith reluctantly took it, she bowed and turned back, not before Xander stopped it "…..where it is?"
She stopped for a moment, she wanted to turn back to see him but stopped just when she was about to see his face "…..in the safest place you could provide," she said walking to the wagons, Peri as expected was trying to stab some of the guards who placed her belonging in the wrong part of the wagon.
"….If I may speak, My King" Laslow said as Xander just kept looking at the blue haired girl.
"Go ahead," he said, finally walking away from the stables with his retainer at his side.
"Why are you sending Peri? Wouldn't be Flora a best reliable messenger? Jakob or Beruka, gods forbids, even Odin would be a better deputy for our interest, why Peri?"
"I'm not trusting this in her battle skills, Laslow, she might be the best trained lady in etiquette, I´ll admit that her bloodlust is something that might avert the others from her, but in a serious dialogue she might be as good as Leo or Macbeth when we're talking about etiquette and proper manners."
"Even with her bloodlust and her childish behavior?"
"Even with all and that, don't forget that she is one of the highest nobles of Nohr," Xander said, reaching the right wing of the castle "I´ll admit that I would like to send someone else, but Camilla won't leave the castle as you know, Leo is planning the strategy to take out all the bad weeds that….that thing left before leaving and I can't send other nobles if I can't trust them, at least Macbeth made sure that we wouldn't be in track in time before the winter, fortunately this new barrier might be what we need to survive without more causalities."
Laslow frowned and crossed arms as he was thinking in the last months, he tilted his head "…..I assume this was Lord Leo's idea right?"
He nodded "He want to see if the barrier only erases the anger or magic imbued in anyone who try to go beyond the barrier, or if it can change the nature of those who pass it."
"So, Peri is just a guinea pig?"
"Not at all, she is just a coincidence that I decided to send her, but I made sure that whatever happens, they won't be in danger. Although Lilith was quite displeased to go at the moment, but desperate times request desperate methods," he looked at the garden through one of the windows, a faint memory appeared as the shadows of a younger Elise and Kamui were playing in the flowers of the gardens, "….I just hope to live up to their expectations….."
"…..You will, my King, everyone knows that you will," Laslow said, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Phew, that´s all for now!
Hope you enjoy it, i was just zooning out in my work for the last week thinking "yeaaaaah, that might work in the next chapter", this way to narrate or to make clear some of the future plots, kind of hard to do it since i only have a few hours per week to write xD
Anyway, i hope it was of your liking, i took some of the ideas in the last reviews and PM, if you have some ideas or comments just leave a review, as always any idea or comment is welcome.
Hope you have a good week and a good day/night!
SHIDESU! OUT!
PD: Anyone knows how to change the font of the text? i have seen a lot of fics with different fonts, it would be a great help if anyone can help me with that xD
