This fanfic is a Fantasy/Action/Adventure/Romance one...
Disclaimer: Michiyo Hikari does not own anything from the anime/manga series, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed.
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Chapter 3 – Eternal Vows
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Cagalli smiled as a mild stroke of warm breeze hit her face. Syphoria was such a beautiful place. It was no different from Earth except that it was nicer and it consisted of things that Cagalli never imagined existed. Some trees looked exactly like cherry blossoms while its flowers were light blue. The plants and flowers were very exotic yet very awe-inspiring as well. The food - even though some of them looked absolutely out of ordinary - were very tasty and delicious nonetheless.
As Cagalli's mind wandered off, she came to an abrupt stop when she remembered her parents. Kira didn't exactly mention anything about them but Cagalli wondered what their reaction would be if they called home and found no one answering their calls. Frowning at the thought that they would surely be dead meat when they get back, Cagalli focused on the present and tried to ignore the ideas of lectures they would be receiving later on.
Just that morning, Cagalli woke up thinking that everything that occurred yesterday was nothing but an interesting dream. Yes, an amusing, weird, rather interesting dream. Yes, a dream was all it was. However, when Lacus greeted her and gave her a very exquisite apple-green flower, she knew and forced herself to believe that she had a Guardian, a sleeping Epheral, and she was currently in a world known as Syphoria.
"Do you like it here, Cagalli?" Lacus asked. They were on their way to meet Laura, Kira, and Athrun at the top of Feryllian hill.
Cagalli grinned. "Yep."
Lacus giggled as she whirled around, her floral white dress swaying with her every movement. "That's very nice to hear! Kira was also surprised when he first arrived here but he told me he thinks Syphoria's an amazing place."
"In that case, I can't disagree." She smiled. "Say, Lacus? Do you like Kira?" asked Cagalli, she really couldn't help but wonder. Lacus was like an angel and Cagalli would have no objection whatsoever if her brother went out with the songstress.
"Yes! I like my lord very much!" Lacus replied happily.
Somehow, Cagalli felt that that kind of "like" wasn't the same one she was referring to. Well, it's ok. Maybe Guardians don't fall in love or something.
That's stupid! They're people too – wait, are they? Syphorians are not exactly humans right?Cagalli's mind interjected.
Stomping at the thought, the question presented itself before Cagalli even realized it. "Lacus? What are you, precisely?"
Lacus sweetly smiled. "I'm an angel."
Cagalli suddenly felt guilty. What did it matter whatever Lacus was? She was the nicest person – well, angel, Cagalli had ever met! Not that she met one before. "So you're Kira's Guardian angel hmm? Well that makes perfect sense."
Lacus giggled. "I guess you're right."
"Lacus, Cagalli, over here!" The two heard Kira's voice.
As they walked up the hill, they saw the three people they expected to meet. Kira wore a black sleeveless shirt that went with black jeans with a few cuts here and there while Athrun, on the other hand, was clad in a white long-sleeved shirt matched with black pants. Standing in the middle of the two boys, was none other than Laura who looked very pretty in a honey-coloured summer's dress.
"So um...what's the occasion?" Cagalli asked.
"The ceremony of Eternal Vows will now commence, child. Now if you would please stand in front of Athrun, and Kira shall do the same with Laucs, we shall begin." Laura said as she watched the four with a warm smile grazing her face.
Knowing fairly well that she would find out whatever was the purpose of the ceremony (and how it will be done) as soon as it started, Cagalli stood before Athrun as he smiled at her. Feeling a blush forming on her cheeks, she quickly turned her head to face Laura.
"Guardians, your wings please."
Cagalli watched as Lacus's pure white wings appeared from her back as Kira's Guardian stood behind Athrun. She really looks like an angel with those wings. Her thought was suddenly cut short when Athrun's black wings blocked her view. How come his wings are black?
"You may now present your Promise Seeds."
Cagalli and Kira didn't know why Laura was so serious. They also knew that it wasn't the right time to ask. Their attentions were moved from the lady to the glowing objects that now floated between themselves and their Guardians.
Cagalli stared at the ice-blue seed in front of her and wondered what it was. Before she could ponder anymore or form any guesses, Laura spoke again.
"Today, at the seventh day of the seventh month, I, Laura Hibiki, will perform the Eternal Vows of Athrun Zala, Cagalli Yula Attha, Kira Yamato, and Lacus Clyne. Please hold hands."
They obeyed without second thoughts. Cagalli wanted to pull her hand away the very second it touched Athrun's but she knew she couldn't.
"Do you, dear Guardian, vow to protect the person standing before you, whatever it takes?"
(AN: Bold text indicates Lacus and Athrun saying the same thing at the same time.)
"Yes."
Cagalli watched the Promise Seed slowly grow as soon as Athrun and Lacus answered Laura.
"Will you die and sacrifice your life for the safety of the person standing before you?"
Cagalli's head immediately shot up as she studied Athrun's emerald eyes. Surely, he can't be serious! "N-"
"I will."
"Should you fail to do this task, will you pay the consequence of death?"
"Yes."
By now, the Promise Seed had turned into a very delicate flower that mystically glowed before them. Its white heart-shaped petals, white stem, and white leaves, were embellished with red markings of unusual lines.
"Very well. You know what to do."
Athrun gently let go of Cagalli's hand as he levelled his hands with the flower, surrounding it in an invisible ellipse. He intently stared at it and it produced another flower that looked exactly the same with the original. Just then, the flower that was closer to Cagalli slowly went towards her and inside her chest. Her eyes opened wide and it took all her self-control to hold back her scream. Athrun on the other hand, was calm and collected when his own flower entered his body. Reaching for his Lady's hand once more, he smiled at her before he said his pledge.
"My lady, Cagalli Yula Attha, I, Athrun Zala..."
"My lord, Kira Yamato, I, Lacus Clyne..."
"...solemnly promise to be always by your side until the day that you decide to banish me. I give you my life, and I vow to protect you for as long as I live."
The twins were entirely speechless.
"You may seal the vows." Laura finally announced.
Cagalli felt her heart beat faster than it should as she saw Athrun getting closer to her. Her body stiffened at the feel of his hand on her cheek. She could also tell that she was furiously blushing by the heat she felt on her face. She opened her mouth to shout and tell him not to touch her but it was a mistake... that gave him the advantage to kiss her. Cagalli's eyes were as wide as they could be as she felt Athrun's soft lips kissing her. For some odd reason, she felt her eyes close and she...she...kissed him in return. If first kisses were like that, Cagalli sure felt weird. She felt as if an indescribable power went through her body and Athrun's icy breath was just so... nice. Finally coming to her senses as their lips parted, Cagalli wanted to slap herself for doing such a stupid thing! He kissed her and she kissed him back!
"I-I gotta go." Cagalli turned away as she ran as fast as she could, disappearing into the woods. She ignored the calls of Laura, Lacus, and Kira as she continued her jog. If there was a time that Cagalli had felt so stupid and embarrassed, it was that day. Athrun just stole her first kiss and she actually let him do it!
That fag! I bet he thinks I like him now! The nerve! Grr...I hate him!
Passing overly large, high, trees and stepping onto weird-looking roots, Cagalli found herself in the middle of nowhere. Cursing herself for not looking where she was going, she turned around and she felt her body froze in her spot. There, blocking her way, was a giant brown bear with its mouth opened wide, drooling and featuring very long, sharp, teeth. The creature's eyes were as red as blood, he had the horns of a bull, and the fact that he had an inch thick and a foot long of sharp claws scared the girl even more.
The bear gave out a roar of laughter before he growled. "Look what we have here. Food! Hahaha... you're dead kid, you're going nowhere but here." He grunted as he patted his stomach, his voice was that of an angry lion with what sounded as if an aluminum foil was stuck to its throat.
Cagalli wanted to run but her legs couldn't move from all the fear she was feeling. The bear charged at her, ready to strike. Cagalli shut her eyes tight, not wanting to see her demise. She swore for running away like that, she wished she thought more of her actions, she longed to be safe at home, she prayed someone would wake her up and tell her she was just having a nightmare, and she hoped for her brother to be by her side until…an image of a blue-haired boy appeared between her thoughts.
ATHRUUUUN!
Some sort of blow, pain, her scream, she did not receive or hear any. She waited... and waited... but nothing came her way.
Then... she heard his voice. "I wouldn't dare go one step forward if you know what's good for you. How dare you treat my lady like that!"
Cagalli opened her eyes when she felt someone circled his arm around her waist as the person held her close to him. When she looked up, she was greeted by a pair of emerald eyes that told her everything was going to be all right. "Are you all right?" he asked.
Cagalli could only nod as she leaned her head on his chest. She didn't even know why she did it but it made her feel secure. One of Athrun's wings surrounded her, serving as a shield. The other – she predicted – was spread, on high guard. She had never felt so protected in her life. She never imagined that she was born to be watched over by someone else, all the time. Maybe she judged him quickly and that he wasn't as bad as she thought he was.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY FOOD, YOU NASTY HALF-BREED!" The bear roared with his voice sounding scarier by the minute.
"Looks like you just have to search for another prey, humongous gorilla." Athrun mocked.
"I'm a BEAR! And WHY may I ask, are you BLOCKING my WAY!"
"Simply because you wouldn't be able to touch even a strand of this girl's hair while I'm still alive and breathing." Athrun explained nonchalantly. With his free hand inches away from his chest, Athrun summoned a needle and it floated above his index finger as it pointed at the object. "Gorilla, do you know what this is?"
Cagalli watched the bear squint his eyes to stare at the object Athrun was referring to. Then the large creature laughed. "A NEEDLE! You THINK you can finish me off with a NEEDLE? A NEEDLE?" He guffawed to his delight.
Athrun chuckled and Cagalli heard him mutter something along the lines of "moronic demon" and "weapon by its size". "Yes, I shall use this little needle to get rid of you. May I tell you a tiny bit about it? It is known as the Ice Needle. Perhaps you've heard of it?"
The bear's cocky laughter was soon replaced with a nervous laugh. "THE ICE NEEDLE? You're telling me THAT'S the one?" The creature laughed once more, obviously trying to hide his anxiety. "YOU'RE telling me YOU'RE the one they call the ICE PRINCE?"
Athrun smiled. "This is the Ice Needle you're talking about but I am no prince. Now I would spare you the honour of tasting its power if you let us leave peacefully. Do we have a deal?"
The creature grunted. "Get out of my sight."
Athrun nodded at the demon as he turned to Cagalli. "Will you give me permission to carry you, my lady?"
Cagalli rolled her eyes. "Do I have a choice?"
Athrun raised a brow but said no more. He then bent down, placed his arm behind Cagalli's knees, pulled her up, as his other arm supported her back. A yelp escaped Cagalli's throat as Athrun flapped his wings and they flew in the air. She then noticed the needle that Athrun created now floating above her chest. It was clearly made of ice as it sparkled at the almost setting sun.
She was tempted to touch it, and she would've, up until she got caught.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Athrun warned.
Cagalli frowned but remained silent. After glancing a look behind her, she shouted in surprise. "Zala, look out!"
As soon as they spun around, the needle above Cagalli attacked the charging bear that tried to grab Athrun's ankles. The sharp little object pierced its target on the forehead and Cagalli gasped at what happened. The creature stood, covered with ice, frozen, from head to toe.
"I warned him, didn't I?" Athrun sighed before he headed to the direction of Laura's house.
"Athrun?"
"Yeah?"
"Uh...can we go somewhere else? I...um...don't want to go home yet."
Athrun didn't seem surprised by her request at all; he gave her a nod as they flew south. Cagalli had so much to say and ask her Guardian but she didn't want an audience present when she talked to him. She put her thoughts aside as she savoured the feeling of flying in open air. It was very different from flying on a plane. The wind caressed their hair as it guided them to their destination, wherever it was. Birds flew past them and Cagalli felt so close to the clouds.
After a few seconds, they landed on a field surrounded with colourful flowers all around. The moment Athrun let go of Cagalli, she stood there and admired the view. If paradise truly existed she believed she was in one that moment. The trees encircling the place with leaves of different shapes and shades of orange and red were incredibly tantalizing.
Cagalli heard someone clear his throat and she was reminded of the real reason she was brought in the said place.
"You wanted to talk about something?" He asked as he stood his ground behind her.
Cagalli took a deep breath as she felt her heart skip a bit. She had not forgotten the words Athrun spoke at the ceremony of Eternal Vows. "Tell me, how can Guardians... be banish?"
Athrun suddenly felt as if someone unbelievably strong punched him on the face. Was she going to banish him?Shaking his head to get rid of the thought, he answered the question as if they were talking about the weather. "By getting killed in the hands of the one they were born to defend."
Cagalli shuddered at the image of herself standing beside Athrun's dead body with his blood covering her hands. Moreover, he just pledged that she may "decide to banish" him an hour ago. "I-I see." Wanting to change the subject, she hastily added, "Thanks for saving me by the way."
"You're welcome, my la– Cagalli I mean."
Cagalli giggled at the hesitant sound of Athrun calling her "my lady". She soon realized that she actually didn't mind him calling her like that. Guardians did address their... well... Lady or Lord like so.
An image showing Athrun kissing her flashed through her mind and it made her turn around, very annoyed. "But I still don't forgive you for that damn kiss!"
Athrun couldn't stop himself from grinning at Cagalli's abrupt change of mood. "I'm not sorry, my lady, for you kissed me back."
"That's not the point!" Cagalli yelled, changing the way his accusations were going. "WHY the bloody hell did you kiss me in the first pla-"
"Because that's how you seal an Eternal Vow." Athrun chimed in. "By kissing his lady, the Guardian now has a small piece of his soul in his lady's body and by kissing him back, his lady also gave him a part of her own soul, therefore, making the seal unbreakable by any enemy who tries to break the bond of the two." He calmly explained as if he just told a little girl why one plus one equalled two. "In times of danger and when the Guardian is far away from his lady, he will easily know her location when she calls for him either verbally or nonverbally. I heard your voice calling my name and that's how I found you with that bear demon, Cagalli."
Cagalli grimaced. "WHATEVER, I STILL DON'T LIKE YOU!"
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That night, as she lay in bed, Cagalli thought of the vows and what Athrun told her about a part of her soul being inside him and a part of his soul being inside her. Various different thoughts crowded her mind as she rolled on the other side of the bed in Laura's guest room. She hated Athrun's guts and how he always kept his cool. She also loathed the fact that he kissed her and he sounded as if it was nothing serious when he told her why. Ha! She wouldn't care one bit even if Athrun got hurt because of her.
Let him be. She thought. It's not my fault he annoys me so much! Stupid jerk, thinks he's all that.
WHAT did he exactly do to make you say that hmm? Once again, her mind contradicted her views.
SHUT UP! He kissed me!
And you're mad about it because?
SHUT UP and LEAVE. ME. ALONE!
I will but I still don't see why you hate him so much when he just vowed to protect you until his very last breath. Could it be? Could it possibly be that you don't want him to be your Guardian because you care about his well being?
Ha! AS IF! Stop talking to me and get lost!
Cagalli had to slap herself to cease her musings. She was actually arguing with her own mind! There was no way she'd fall for Athrun and she knew it. She would make his life miserable if that was what it took to keep his stupid promises out of her mind. She would irritate him, as she would Fllay Allster, just to convince her brain that she didn't care about her Guardian.
Yes, that's right. No one kisses Cagalli Yula Attha, messes up my insides by implanting someone else's soul in me (and a flower), and gets away with it!
But...were those really the only reasons?
"What do you want?" Cagalli heard a voice.
She hated people who eavesdropped but...just once, she wanted to know what was the conversation about. Standing up and walking towards her window as quietly as she could, she pushed down one of the blinds covering her window and peeked outside.
Outside, she saw Athrun standing in front of someone who wore a long black cloak with a hood that covered his face. She felt a shiver down her spine at the look of the mysterious stranger. Thankfully, her window was half-open that night (with the blinds pulled down) so that she could hear them from her room on the second floor without being noticed.
"Is that how you greet your brother?" The stranger asked, his cold voice coated with sarcasm and a clear tint of hatred.
"Sorry. I don't have a brother anymore. Last time I checked, he pushed me to the River of the Dead when I was five and I never saw him since I started my life here." Athrun said.
"I did not waste my time to come here and talk about the past, little brother."
"I asked you what you wanted."
"Father wants you in hell in three days time. It's a shame really, he claims you his Heir. His HEIR! A vile half-caste will rule Hell!" The hooded figure let out a mocking laughter. "I would respect you but your mother was not respectable so need I bother? No, of course not."
"I don't need your respect and I'm notgoing there!" Athrun hissed.
"Disgusting. You prefer this trash wasteland over your soon-to-be kingdom? Some Prince of the Underworld you are. I've always wondered why I can't be the future King of Hell seeing to it that I am more capable! Hell would be much evil, cold, and lifeless if I rule!" The stranger paused as if considering a thought. "It's your pathetic mother, isn't it? Just because Father met her before my mother! That must be it, just because I'm only his stepson... but look at you... a despicable half-demon!"
Ignoring his brother's insults, Athrun demanded. "What do you know about my mother? Tell me!"
"The rules have not changed, brother. Demons in the Underworld are still forbidden to speak her name. After all, she is just a shameless whore."
"Don't talk about her like that!"
"You don't believe me?" The man asked, his voice challenged that of Athrun's. "Then explain to me why she left you with father and ran away? She obviously didn't want a child like you! A shit-blooded fool you are! Even some demons in Hell spit at the sound of your name! They can't accept the fact that a HALF-BREED living in SYPHORIA as a mere GUARDIAN will be their future King!"
"I'm glad to here that." Athrun smiled arrogantly. "Because a half-breed like me does not wish to even see Hell! Go back there and tell father I won't come."
"Ah, you're still as stubborn as you were to follow Father's commands. He also wished to tell you that he would not take 'no' for an answer. If you don't agree to come in three days, he will personally visit you and probably have a chat with your lady."
"That's not possible! The seal-"
"Between Syphoria and Hell is finally broken, dear brother, I'm sure you had your suspicions? I wouldn't be here if the barrier was not destroyed. Demons will soon attack and take over this cowardly place."
"Fine, I'll go and talk to him but if you show yourself to Cagalli, talk to her, and harm her, I willkill you. Mark my words, brother, I will kill anyone who harms her. Anyone."
"How touching. The desire to kill, yes, indeed the blood of our Father really flows in your veins. You are still a demon, Athrun, and nobody can change that fact no matter how you want to. You are still a demon through and through." Then he pressed the obvious. "Of course it's a shame that you're half."
"I'm grateful for being like this and I don't kill for nothing like you do. I kill if I must to protect people, specially my lady."
"Your lady sounds very interesting. Mayb-"
"NO.She will not be involved in this. I believe I've had enough of our meeting tonight. Go." Athrun dismissed the matter as he nodded his head for the stranger to go on his way.
"The same goes for me. See you in Hell, brother, I await your visit." With his last words echoing in the dark, the man vanished in thin air.
Turning away from her window, Cagalli leaned on the wall as she slowly slid down and sat on the floor. Her breath quickened and beads of sweat occupied her forehead as she recalled Athrun's conversation with the cloaked stranger. Before she climbed up to bed and closed her eyes, deciding that she would think of everything the next day, all her feelings of making Athrun's life miserable were replaced with something else she could not decipher.
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To
Be Continued
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