SWORD PRINCE: RETRIEVAL
Chapter 3: Whisphers From The Shadows
Once the White Knight managed to escape from the two royal siblings, he grasped for air and leaned on the wall for support. His heart was pounding furiously against his chest. His legs felt weak, as if his bones were brittled frames. He collapsed to his knees, shaking uncontrollably with the feeling of anxiety overwhelming his emotions. While his eyes transformed into its gold color, a massive pain began to form in his head.
Urgh..my head. Why is this always happening to me..? he thought and placed a hand on his temple. There were voices echoing inside it, screaming the same name that he heard before.
"Suzaku!" they shouted in chorus. "..come...ck..t..s"
He couldn't really make any sense out of it. Their words sounds muffled and he's unable to process anything because of the agonizing headache. He began to hyperventilate, his lungs getting heavier. His vision swam, and that's when Gino appeared under the torrent of smoke that's coming out from the broken windows of the palace. Upon seeing his commander in pain, Gino immedietly rushed towards his side.
"Commander, are you okay?!" the blonde man asked with worry. A painful groan escaped the young Flash's mouth. "Commander!" When he placed a hand on his shoulder, he froze. Something just feels so unnatural forming within him.
What the hell is this feeling?
Gino's brainwaves seemed to be reacting. His sky blue orbs were wide and glowing the same color as the stifled White Knight. Vague scenarios filled his vision, whisphers of people called from the back of his mind. It felt like memories were crossing his thoughts.
"Suzaku!"
"Suzaku..? Who..in the world?" Gino was utterly confused. He really had no clue on what's going on, or why is he even seeing this. Needless to say, these images and voices murmuring soothed him for some reason. They feel so warm and kind, as if he's looking at a book of beautiful and colorful memories. But the Flash doesn't feel the same at all.
Once all the commotion fell silent with the visions slowly fading, he glanced back at his commander, who finally recovered from his headache not too long ago. "Are you alright now, Sir?"
"Y-yes. Don't worry about me, Gino." The White Knight said. His voice sounded soft and tired. He stood up with a slight wobble. "We have to keep going. We musn't let Master V.V. keep waiting."
"O-of course. And sir? What was..that vision I saw a while ago?" Gino asked hesitantly. The Flash turned his gaze at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw some weird images, but they were foggy. Also, I heard someone shout 'Suzaku'. It sounds like a name of someone..do you know who?"
The White Knight looked away from the blonde. "I don't think I do." he replied in a still soft but, stoic voice at the same time. "Let's just move."
"Y-yes, sir." Just who is he? His identity always seems so hidden.
-oOo-
Charles held Marianne close to him as both royals squeezed themselves at the wall, staring at the hideous looking monster with pure disgust. It's deadly claws were releasing poisonous liquid flowing from the mechanism on the users body. The monsters back was hunched up, it's bloody eyes were glaring murderously at its targets and there were sharp horns attached to its head.
"Charles.." Marianne whisphered to her husband and gripped his hand tighter. "Is there anything..at least a tip for survival?" she asked as her voice slightly wavered with fear.
"I don't think so." Charles replied, which made the Empress gasp.
"But what about Lelouch and Nunnally?! What would happened to our children? Most importantly, what will happened to Britannia?!" she cried and the warm teardrops escaped from her eyes.
"Then, I'll pass the throne onto Schneizel..if this is really our end." The Emperor answered. The monster laughed, mixed a texture of malice and murder. It raised it's claws, postioning itself for precious minutes of mutilating them. Giving up all hope and letting a melancholic sigh, Charles turned to his wife and caressed her cheek.
"Marianne, it's over. Stop shedding your tears."
''But..but..!" Marianne tried to persist but was interrupted when Charles gripped her hand tighter.
"I know how you feel. Lelouch and Nunnally will be fine. Schneizel knows it's his turn to be the Emperor. So please, enough."
"Charles.."
The monster laughed once more and just before it starts its attack, a sound of a blade cutting through flesh rang out the damaged room.
Charles and Marianne raised their heads up at their killer, and were dumbfounded to see it's arm cut off. Black goo sprayed out of the sliced part and it roared with pain. It turned around with an angry growl. A slender raven-haired figure, holding his stained sword stood before the two.
"Hello..bastard." Lelouch said in a deep and dangerous tone. "Before you kill them, face me first."
"That voice..!" Marianne gasped. She looked at the raven, the Empress was shocked to see it was her son. His clothes was stained with black patches and was gripping a unique-looking sword on his hand. "Lelouch? But-"
"Mother, Father..escape this room, now. Nunnally's alive, she's waiting outside. Go with her, escape the palace and I'll take care of this monster."
"But, it's too dangerous! You'll be killed!" Charles yelled.
"I won't die. I'am determined to wipe out every monster in this world, in order to avenge my fallen knight. Suzaku..he died because of them! That's why I must..!" Lelouch took charge and slashed harshly at creature.
It fought back at him and tried to affect the prince with it's poison. Lelouch jumped back and did another attack. The sword and claw ended up being compressed.
"Lelouch!" The Empress cried.
"Just go..!" the prince shouted and repelled his blade from the creature. "I'll be fine!"
"Marianne, let's go." Charles said and dragged his wife out of the room, while Lelouch was left alone to duel with the monster.
The Black Sword glowed into a yellow hue, sorrounded by spirals around it. Lelouch used it's magic on the claws, therefore melting it. While it tries to recover, the prince immedietly slashed down on it's feet, making it fall.
While the creature lays there, he smirked. "This will be a part of my revenge. Farewell."
SLASH!
After hearing one last roar from the mutilated monster, it melted into a viscous black liquid and seeped into the ground. Lelouch stood on it's death spot, his sword was still emitting light and his bright amethyst eyes were covered by dull silver ones. Despite the warmth of the flames exposed from outside, he still feels a cold breeze crawling on his skin while his stained white cloak flapped magestically behind him. His raven locks, being ruffled by the passing wind.
An image of a brunette, smiling with so much bliss reappear in his thoughts. But it soon faded away, turning those enchanted eyes back to its normal hue.
''Your majesty!"
Lelouch turned to the direction of the voice. He saw a red haired girl, holding a katana and a green haired one with chains wrapped on each of her arms, but the metal disappeared from her with just one blink of an eye.
"Kallen..C.C.."
"Are you hurt?" Kallen asked. The prince shook his head in response. She sighed in relief. "Good. C.C. and I confronted those horrid creatures heading towards the palace. We got sorrounded, so we weren't able to accompany you. Is your family alright?"
"Yes. I have told them to evacuate the palace. So they should be safe by now." Lelouch said. "They were nearly slaughtered, but luckily, I managed to make it in time."
"How was the sword?" C.C. asked. "Did you handle it well?"
"Yeah. The Black Sword really is something. It's powers are even transformable to the human body. My resistance tends to get stronger everytime it releases a blue light. I can feel the enemy's strategies by just one look into their eyes."
Kallen put up a small smile on her lips. "If your will is strong, the sword will grant you the most effective power. It's just like a reward, for staying strong."
"Huh..I never knew that." Lelouch muttered. "Well, I'll ask more details later. I have a job to finish." He turned around to leave.
"Wait." C.C. called out. He stopped in his tracks."Where are you going? If you're planning to fight them, don't. It's too dangerous." she warned.
"I'm willing to risk myself for the sake of everything. Unless all of them are wiped out, I'm not going to hold back."
With that last statement, Lelouch was gone, leaving the two girls alone together. Kallen turned to her partner. "C.C., let's go follow him." she suggested. The Grey Witch nodded.
"Let's go.
( Outside )
There were giant flames raging in the palace grounds and at the same time, spreading from road to road. Sounds of distant gunshots rattled through the area, followed by cries of people and men, fighting for their lives. The once azure sky of Britannia was covered by thick black clouds with streaks of lightning flashing through them. The wind was blowing violently, cooling corpses that were littered here and there.
The Britannian Family, who were staying in a small shelter guarded by some of the personell, watched the terrifying scene before them. It filled their minds with such pity and shock. Nunnally's eyes were wide and there were tears pooling her lavender eyes. Charles had a downcasted look on his face, with his fists clenched in anger. Marianne had a worried expression and felt like she was paralyzed as she scanned the palace.
"The Royal Palace was our only home.." the Empress muttered with melancholy. "If it were to fall, what will happened to our fate?"
Charles just narrowed his eyes. Nunnally weeped silently on her own. Marianne noticed her daughter's crying face, she wrapped her arms around her in comfort.
"Mother.." the chestnut haired girl mumbled. "Why..why is it like this? Why do we have to suffer..?" The tears escaped her eyes rolled down her cheeks like a waterfall. "What did we ever do..? Are we..going to die?"
"Don't worry, dear.." Marianne whisphered. "We'll be alright. I'm sure that we did not do anything harmful against them, this is only a coincidence. We're safe here, anyways. Just hang in there until everything is over."
"What about big brother..? He hasn't return yet!" Nunnally cried and hugged her mother even tighter. Her love for her brother was strong and big. And if he dies, her world would be devastated. The ashes of her heart will be burned by the flames of grief and sorrow. "I..I can't live without him.."
"Lelouch will be alright. After all, he's a smart young man and a strong one too. I'm sure he'll come back to us safely.."
"O-okay.."
Meanwhile, the Emperor still had his eyes at the wrecked palace. He glared murderously at the monsters infatuating the structure. They were pounding their gigantic weapons and biting off the guards firing at them.
Those accursed beings. They will have a taste of Britannia's wrath once we recover from this..
Few more seconds have passed, his glare died upon seeing a cloaked figure disappear from thin air. He was assaulted by a wave of bullets, but to Charles's surprise, the figure just stood there without twitching a muscle and a huge beamed green barricade formed in front of him before one could even hit him. ( A/N: I changed my mind. The shield was suppose to be green in the last chapter. XD )
H-how is that even possible?
When it disappeared, the figure sprinted immedietly and a sword appeared on his right hand. To make it more shocking, in just one blink, he was already behind the three interceptors, preparing to slash at them.
What an incredible speed...
...
Good job, White Knight.
"Thank you..Master."
The said knight stood on top of the lifeless bodies. His black suit was now drenched in patches of fresh blood. He smirked darkly behind his hood, followed by a dark crimson tear trailing from his left eye down to his cheek. A visual was flashing in his brain again. A smiling little boy wearing a white tuxido. His short raven hair, his innocent violet eyes. His figure flashed again and again. The White Knight clenched his teeth, gripping the handle of his sword tight as he could.
"Master V.V.."
Wait for a while my knight. I shall lend you my power.
He felt a sense of power flowing through his body. The raven's appearance was ripped from his brainwaves. His breaths were shallow and his body was trembling. "Nnh..Master.." he moaned. A dark aura sorrounded him as thunder rumbled from the skies. He slowly, but shakily turned to his left, staring at the small building plotted meters away from him. Using his eye powers, his vision penetrated the walls. He sees a trio of people, dressed in a gaudy plummage of royalty.
They are our target. Destroy them, let them perish through the hands of the most powerful knights of the Forbidden Depths. And that's you..my knight.
"Yes, Master. I will kill them..for the sake of our future." he said with pride transparent on his voice. And get my memories back.. The aura grew thicker, causing black tentacles to form behind him. Another trail of blood raced down. This time, it was from his other eye. His eyes began to feel all sore and heavy.
"Why are my eyes bleeding? They hurt...but I feel so powerful at the same time."
It's a sign that your inner power has awakened. Now, just like what you did to those men..kill them with no mercy. Go on, my dear Dark Lightning Flash.
"As you say, Master!" the White Knight shouted. He started to attack, making the tentacles to extend as it reaches out for the building. They enacased themselves around each sides of it. He then, urged them to squeeze the shelter. The tentacles compressed itself harder against the walls.
The lights inside flicked off. To make more matters worst, the whole place was beggining to crumble. The walls are starting to break above them. It seems that anymore damage sustained, it will definitely crash down. The men who were assigned to keep the building in place rushed to their computer terminals.
Marianne held her daughter protectively in her arms, while Nunnally screamed in anguish and fear. Charles grimaced and rushed to wife and child's side. He secured them tightly with him. "What the hell is going on?!" he demanded at the guards, who were frantically pressing some buttons at the panel.
"U-unable to identify sir!" one of the guards in charge of the operations cried. "There's an uknown source pressed on the walls!"
"Then do something!"
"Negative! The turrets were crashed down! Defense have decreased by 30%"
The White Knight grunted through gritted teeth. "My..body..!" The tentacles loosened its grip on the building, but V.V. still persuaded him. He screamed on the top of his lungs, enslaving himself with more and more pain. His consciousness was fading, his head felt like it's about to be splitted into two.
"STOP THIS!"
After hearing the enraged voice of a young man echo, a stinging pain sparked on his chest. The tentacles disappeared, and that's when the shelter stopped faltering. Nunnally opened her teary eyes. "Wha..?"
"It stopped?" Charles said.
Ignoring his aching chest, the White Knight looked up through his half-open eyes. His powers were disrupted badly and it decreased a rather high amount. From there, he saw a raven sorrounded by lightning sparks, wielding an unusual sword. His eyes were glazed with anger.
"Bastard.." the Flash growled. "What the hell is your problem.." he readied his sword with a slash. "..why are you siding with those fugitives?!" He bolted towards him, only to let his sword to be stuck with his new opponent's. The raven pushed him back and swung his blade with a full force, a curved line of flames pulsed from his sword. The White Knight evaded with his fast reflexes.
"My family is not a bunch of fugitives." Lelouch stated bluntly. "Dare to say that again, I'll turn you into liquid and you'll vanish just like the other creatures."
The cloaked Flash threw him a deathly stare, revealing his bloodied golden orbs. The prince flinched internally as he saw his pair of eyes. He looked as if he cried tears of blood. Lelouch's eyes suddenly grew wide. He remembered the dream he had before all of this happened. Suzaku Kururugi, insane and completely pyschotic while bloody tears, similar to what is he seeing now, trickling down his face.
"Die.." Suddenly, Suzaku's bitter accent from his dream resonated. Lelouch felt a sickening feeling in his gut, but soon scratched those thoughts away. However, there's still a question dwelling in his head.
Could it be, this insane person really is Suzaku?
Wrong. Lelouch denies it. Suzaku is dead, and he's devastated with it. That's why he's here, standing amidst the flames with his powerful Black Sword. Preparing to risk everything just to avenge his friend.
''What the hell do you want?" he demands.
"Does it look like I'll tell you?" the White Knight spat. "It would be better if you stay back. Or I'll have you dead."
"Heh, I don't fear such words.." Lelouch mused. "Say, would like a fair duel with me?"
The cloaked knight narrowed his eyes. "A fair duel, eh? Then, I accept that." he consented, despite the fact that he's on the brink of fainting. Using a little bit more of his strength, he sprinted towards the prince. Lelouch positioned his sword and charged for him as well.
"RAAAAGH!" they both screamed and began their spar. Meanwhile, Charles and the others were watching them from the cracked window.
"Is that..who I think it is?" he said, bewildered when he sees his only son, battling the powerful cloaked figure. He watched him carefully, observing his skills. He was surprised to see him fight like an expert, endowed with impressive combat skills. His enemy, however, has a great speed and excellent swordsmanship. Charles sworn that this man has skills just like Lelouch's deceased knight. The only thing common among them was their sword skills. The way they handle it was outstanding.
"W-what's big brother doing there..?" Nunnally asked. "How did he learn those moves?"
"Suzaku-kun must have taught him those moves..what do you think, Charles?" Marianne looked up at her husband. He nodded.
"I think so."
...
"Tch!" Lelouch dodged the dark magic from his sword. The White Knight countered and did another swing, the prince smashed his blade against his to block the attack. Damn, he's good! He's fast just like Suzaku! he was awoken from his thoughts when he felt a presence behind him.
Too bad. the Flash's voice spoke in his head. You lack speed.
"You may think you're a lightning flash because you're obviously not." the prince said and followed his strategy: Overtake to the left and knock his sword out. When he heard a slash, he declared "Now!" A clink sound was heard.
''You insulted my title." he tried to sound cold as soon as his sword dropped down to the floor, but he said it rather breathily. "I'am the Dark Lightning Flash, you're just someone who lacks awareness." Creatures hissed behind Lelouch. He turned around and was met by a group of ogres. The White Knight picked his sword up and pointed it to the prince. He locked his eyes on the ogres' blackish ones, and took full control of their minds.
"Kill him." And so, they charged.
SLASH! SLASH!
Lelouch reopened his orbs. A red-haired girl stood protectively in front of him, with her katana sorrounded by flames. "K-Kallen..?!" he called out disbelievingly. The female warrior turned her gaze at him, her cerulean eyes filled with determination.
"Leave them to me. Go get that guy." she told him. "These ogres have different powers than the other monsters we have conquered. They are highly powerful." Kallen stared back at the bunch of ogres, who are utterly bloodthirsty. Bat-like wings appeared behind her and flew towards the summoned creatures, she proceeded to use her expertised sword attacks. The powers she casted on them had effectively distracted the hungry ogres. While they were suffering by her death flames, she slashed harshly at their decaying bodies. Thus, causing them to explode into pieces of polygons.
"Beat that." Kallen muttered as she landed. But her battle isn't done yet. There were still ogres forming in front her naked eyes. She cursed, before dealing with them again.
The White Knight's head suddenly pounded. W-why..? Why again?! Then, there goes the voice of the child that have been haunting him ever since.
"Suzaku!"
D-damn it! My head..! He got down on his knees again, with his lungs feeling all weighed down. Lelouch finally noticed his vulnerable side and now, it's his chance to bring him down. With lightning sorrounding him again, his speed increased and he ran for the Flash.
"Don't think you can lay your hands on my commander like that, you fugitive!" a voice entered the prince's mind. Before the Black Sword could even hit the White Knight, his weapon was pushed back while Lelouch was caught off guard. As a result, the prince found himself sliding back, but he managed to maintain his balance. He panted heavily as he stopped.
"What the..who was that?"
"Are you looking for me?"
Lelouch looked to the direction of the voice. It was a man, who has blonde hair and sky blue eyes. He also looks like a year younger than his age. "Who are you?" The young blonde man smirked.
"Someone you call..the Black Beast Tamer!" Gino shouted his title as a trio of blue-skinned beasts came out from the portal that he summoned. The beasts roared with excitement and charged at the prince, releasing a strong wind as they go.
Lelouch immedietly made his move and his eyes returned to blank silver. "The Power of the Black Sword! Release!" More lightning developed around him. Then, he ran.
The sharp ends of his sword flared with heated blue sparks as it made contact with the beasts. He slashes it here and there. Lelouch defeated them without even breaking a sweat. But he was totally worn out.
However, Gino was still pumped up for another round. Or so, he thought. The blonde is going to summon more beasts for the prince to defeat, considering the current state he was in, exhausted and nearly powerless. With a smirk, he began to summon more.
"Looks like your energy is slowly draining. Let's use those precious amounts of strength for some more beast killing." Gino chuckled with that innocent yet, malacious smile on his face.
My powers..they're almost gone. I'm going to lose it if I push myself harder. But I can't get out of this situation! I need to fight in order to do so! Lelouch tried to urge himself to stand up. "Just..a little bit more..." he muttered. "Do it..now.."
"If you say so! Poison Fangs, go!" Gino yelled and the beasts, who goes by the names of Poison Fangs, limped towards the prince.
"Must move...must fight..."
...
"Lelouch!" Marianne cried. "Stand up! Fight!"
...
"S-Suzaku.." Lelouch murmured. "I..will definitely.." The beasts had already jumped and they are already falling to his direction. The prince waited for the worst case scenario, until he heard a huge explosion. He raised his head, seeing a green-haired witch holding her glowing chains.
"C.C.?"
The said girl looked at Lelouch with her usual smirk. "I made it in time, your majesty." she said. "Stand back, I'll be the one to battle him. Besides," C.C. tossed her chains to Gino's direction. The blonde defended himself along with the White Knight, who's already laying unconscious on the floor. A barricade of red hexagons started to form as their shield. C.C.'s chains extended, she continued. "I know what this guy thinks.."
"Nonsense!" Gino protested, then reached out for his axe. He ran towards the girl while C.C. did the same. Her chains shortened again and proceeded to toss it at him. The chains spin like a boomerang, the blonded fended them off with his axe. But the piece of metal the witch posses is an immortal object.
"You can't cut my chains. They're being supported by powerful source." C.C. stated. "I assume your axe was just made from scratch right?"
"Are you trying to insult me, woman?" Gino scoffed. "I'll put an end to that!" He smashed his axe and on the ground, causing a huge crack to open and black spiky vines began to sorround Lelouch and C.C..Kallen zipped through the vines, then they broke down.
"W-what? These vines don't break easily!"
"My katana has special powers that you don't have. So shut up and go away." Kallen spoke darkly and pointed her weapon at him.
"You..have no choice, beast tamer.." Lelouch said breathily from behind. "Get out of Britannia and leave my family alone."
Gino cursed. "Darn it!" He rushed to the unconscious White Knight and propped him up. Then, a light sorrounded them and disappeared from the scene. Inside the White Knight's slumbering mind, V.V.'s voice can be heard from within him.
You overworked yourself. But I'm amazed about your skills. Just rest for now..Suzaku.
"Well, that was a close call. Isn't that right, your majesty?" C.C. saracastically said. She received no response from the prince. "Your majesty?" she turned to face him, and gasped a little when she saw him collapsing. Kallen saw this as well, she immedietly moved to catch him. Instead of Lelouch falling to the cold hard ground, he landed on Kallen's soft arms.
"Your majesty!" she cried and placed a finger on his wrists. Her panicked self slowly calmed down when she felt a soft pulsing. "He's still breathing..but why did he suddenly fainted like that?"
"Exhaustion. Simple as that." C.C. shrugged. Then, the rest of Lelouch's family came rushing out of the shelter.
Marianne approached the Grey Witch. "Where's my son?" she cried. "Tell me, what happened to him?"
"Calm down, my lady. Prince Lelouch is over there." C.C. pointed to her right, Marianne's eyes followed. Lelouch was laying unconscious on a redhead girl's arms, Nunnally and Charles knelt in front of his figure. She joined them immedietly.
"Big Brother.." Nunnally whisphered. "You..you were..amazing out there. Thank you for protecting us.." she sobbed and held her older brother's hand closer to her face. Marianne nodded, while tears pooled her eyes.
"Yes. You fought so hard, and risked your life just to protect us and avenge Suzaku-kun.."
Charles turned to the guard standing behind him. "Call for medical help. My son needs to be attended immedietly."
"Yes sir!"
Mysterious Ruins
V.V. and Gino waited outside the White Knight's dorm. Then, a specialist from their team came out, wearing a golden spectacle and lab coat.
"How's my knight?" V.V. asked.
"Well, his condition is stable. I'm sure he's going to be fine. However, he won't be able to wake up immedietly, due to the heavy loss of his power and overworking himself. His brainwaves had also sustained quite a damage..so that's also another factor. But he'll be on track again once he recovered his lost power." he reported. The headmaster nodded and he went to visit his warrior. Gino bowed before the specialist and he left, before following his master inside.
The White Knight layed on a bed, with a few wires attached to his head. Gino was surprised to see his commanders true face. He had always seen him with a hood these past few years. He has brown hair and had tan skin. "This is..him?"
"He's a year older than you." V.V. said. "White Knight has a Japanese nationality."
"How do you know that, Master? You said, he lost his memories. How come you know it?"
"He just looks like one, that's my opinion only." the headmaster shrugged and turned to leave. As he was about to open the door, he said, "Look after White Knight, Gino Weinberg." And, he was gone.
Gino took the chair beside the bed and sighed. He looked at his unconscious commander. "I never knew..you were the most powerful knight, Commander.." He looked at the night sky through the window.
"Though, you're still quite a mystery to me.."
Author's Note:
Minna~! I have finally recovered from my writer's block! And here you are, Chapter 3! :3
I'm sorry that I updated so late! Trust me, it ain't easy making chapters. I can loose patience pretty quick you know? 10 minutes into writing and I'm like already tired. But I still like writing, though. I managed to stay patient to finish this long action chapter. I was also excited to put a pinch of Kalulu in this chapter! If you know what that part is, congratulations! I'll try to add some more in the next chapter. Maybe you guys could suggest one! Exception: Lemons, lime and any saucy things.
Please make it a lot on friendship and a little bit romantic. As this story progresses, their love will grow and grow until their completely Kalulu! But don't jump on to marriage yet. I would prefer young love first..XD
I'll get the next chapter ready as soon as I can! Do not hesistate to leave me a review. Zero loves you all! ^^
Until next time,
~Dark Zero 1718