The Descended Shadow
Part III
The King On His Unmoving Throne
Disclaimer – Escaflowne is not mine, the characters and story are the property of Bandai entertainment. The story and characters of 'The Descend Shadow' or 'Shadows of the Past' are the property of Butchs Fan Fiction Forum.co.uk. Before use of these characters or elements of the story please get permission from Butch Cassidy at butchsvideostop@Tiscali.co.uk
Visit the Home of 'The Descended Shadow' at www.butchsforum.co.uk.
…
As the sun rises on the city of Fanel shadows cover all around it, a city of stone inside the oceans of green. The city itself built into the mountain, slowly rising higher towards the sky as the buildings ascend. Surrounded on three sides by the mountain it has built itself into, defending it from all who may threaten the peace of the citizens living inside. The three walls of the city, separating the three aspects of Fanelian life. As the city is entered the rolling green and yellow fields of crops grow, inside the first and weakest wall of the city. The fields turning to slope, the city advanced past the second and considerably stronger wall of defence. Dotted with buildings, the cities density increasing with every step. Each leading closer to the centre of Fanelia.
As the final and strongest wall is passed, we enter the 'Court Yard of Kings', rebuilt in the exact location where the kings of the old Fanelia where crowned. Each reigning over their land, long before the birth of Von Fanel, the war with Zaibach and the coming of the visitor from the Mystic Moon. Each building boasting size and displaying elegance. The buildings built around the defensive turrets within the centre of the city itself. Designed by the king the defences where built as a final stand for the city if a war should return to the peaceful Fanel.
Far above the city dozens of Levi-Ships cross the walls unopposed entering the capitol. Most ships packed with traders ready for their days profits but a few house others. A group of these ships embroider with the winged dragon of Fanelia carry a very special cargo into the city. Within one of these ships, old times where being relived.
"I was surrounded on all sides. They where so close, I could even smell their bad breath through my Guymelef armour" Sitting excitedly in the soft leather chair, Alan Shazar relived past glories with his companion. Following each word with unabated breath he felt like he couldn't wait for the next words,
"And! And!" He asked excitedly. Holding onto the moment Alan waited.
"Well I taught them all a good lesion! It takes more than a dozen Zaibach Guymelef's to defeat this Knight!" Alan called out in triumph. There was nothing that he enjoyed more than to tell the stories of his past victories to the younger generation. What's the matter if he added a few of the more exciting details? His companion leaned back in his chair holly unimpressed and crossed his arms,
"In other words Van jumped in and saved you from certain death"
Alan looked him down sternly,
"You know sometimes I feel I have taught you too much" and with a laugh he lifted his glass taking another sip. Placing it down again Alan lost the smile,
"But seriously I want to congratulate you on how you handled yourself on this exercise. And lying about use breaking in was a nice touch. I guess I'm lucky you are resourceful; I would have hated to have returned without you…. Your mother would have been quite upset with me" Allan congratulated him, his companion laughed before realizing it was not the right thing to do, he looked at his feet as Alan told him off.
"Your training is no laughing matter Darious. You must be prepared to defend yourself in a moments notice and you won't learn that with humour" Alan told him sternly, "But I must admit you did well. I even thought you where a rebel for a minute" Alan started to laugh, disregarding his advise from a moment before, feeling it was safe Darious joined him.
"I just hope this will put an end to these rebels" He told Allan confidently, "They nearly had me convinced their cause was a just one…" Alan watched him sadly,
"They are very manipulative these rebels but unfortunately this is far from the end. Sure we have scored a decisive victory but this war will not be so easily won. As long as people believe the ranting of an extremist few there will always be those willing to fight on" Quiet infected the room, leaving both parties silent, in a desperate attempt to change the solemn mood Alan pointed out towards the window at the side of the room.
"Ah, so we have finally made it to Fanel. About time…" Allan told Darious, "It seems every time I get into one of these things the trip just seems to get longer"
Darious jumped to his feet and ran to the window Alan indicated to, starring in aw at the city as they passed over it. Alan sighed, pulling himself to his feet and joined him by the window.
"No matter how many times I see this I never get tired of it" he told Alan, "It truly is amazing"
"Nothing impresses me anymore. Anyway why aren't you impressed by me, I helped built this city" Darious looked unconvinced, Alan was almost hurt,
"I really did! And don't question your teacher" Alan told him pointing deep into the city, "You see that platform, that's where were landing. And once we've landed we must be quick. I wanna word with the king and then it's back to Palace with you"
"But I thought we where staying awhile in the city" He asked Alan, he had had his heart set on looking around. He loved it here but never had been given the time to look around properly. Alan shuck his head,
"Sorry but I won't risk it. It will be a while before the prisoners are transferred to Fraid and I don't want to risk you staying in the same city, it's just too dangerous" Alan told him seriously. The last thing he needed on his hands was his student being injured or even killed because of his carelessness, no; they needed to head back to Palace as quick as they could.
"You don't trust the Fanelian's to keep the prisoners secure?" He asked Alan, hoping to back him into a corner, forcing them to stay.
"I trust Fanelian's more than you could know and if it was my life then I would stay but its not. It's your life and nothing is worth that risk" Alan answered,
"But if I don't take risks how am I meant to learn how to look after myself!" He asked angrily, he had had it with being treated as a child by Adults. He could take care of himself better than most people his age. For heavens sake, he had just spent 3 months in the middle of a rebel encampment risking certain death if his identity had come out. 'If I can survive that I can stay in the same city as a few rebels in chains' He thought to himself.
"No" Alan told him without even turning his head to face the boy. He could feel it in his tone of voice, the order that said end of story and if Alan used that it really was the end of the discussion. He would be going back to Asturia by the end of the day weather he liked it or not. The story of his life, do this and do that…. Freedom is a commodity taken for granted.
……
"So it was an omen" The voice startled Nimura as he sat in the pitch black. They had been there for what felt like days, just sitting in the dark. When they had been captured all the rebels had been split up, it was harder to escape with only a couple of friends than a large group. He turned to where he thought the voice had come from but he couldn't be sure.
"What was an Omen, Sanjiyan?" Nimura asked, he and Sanjiyan had been put together but he had no idea what happened to Sadako, or where the rest of his people had gone.
"The pillar of light we saw before she came, before this had all happened" Sanjiyan answered, slumped back on the ground "It foretold of our doom…. The doom she brought us".
Nimura couldn't believe that he would still blame what happened to them on Sadako. There was no evidence she was involved, not only that but all the evidence proved the coterie. They had been infiltrated and betrayed.
"She had nothing to do with the attack on us" Nimura told him hotly "It was that kid, nobody else" Sanjiyan groaned in disbelieve,
"How can you still say that! You told me that Talus wanted to get rid of her…. Maybe he was right. Was it just coincidence that this all happened at the same time. Do you really believe she had nothing to do with it?"
"You wanna know what I believe" Nimura told him, "I think you haven't gotten over the fact you where beaten by a girl"
Sanjiyan flared,
"I may have been beaten by her but at least I haven't become infatuated with her. You're still a child, and obviously haven't leaned the difference between pride and skill or appearances and reality"
Nimura had always looked up to Sanjiyan, he had helped him learn along with Talús and his adopted father but he like Sanjiyan had been forced to the edge of his tether. They had been in the same room for days, no food, no water, and no light. Neither of them could take much more of it.
"Remember who your talking to Sanjiyan, I am still above you and will put back into your place" Nimura told him angrily.
"I'm being threatened, threatened by the leader of a destroyed cell. The cell he led to their deaths in the first place. This is rich indeed" Sanjiyan told him, his eyes flashing fiercely, "You couldn't beat me if you tried Nimura, and you know it. Even with this injury I'm more than a match for you".
"I didn't lead to anything!" Nimura yelled angrily.
"You didn't, tell that to all the people who won't be sent, who lost their lives…. Say that to Talús. You where their leader, it was your responsibility and you failed them all"
Nimura got to his feet, ready to lurch onto him when the ship suddenly ground to a halt, throwing him back to the floor. Groaning angrily he turned to more important matters,
"What was that?" He asked, Sanjiyan answered right away.
"It would appear that the ship has stopped" He told Him, "We have made it to our destination. Fanel" A short silence followed in which Nimura took this in.
"Time is up…" Nimura sighed quietly, "It's been a while… Fanel" He turned his face to the darkened shape of Sanjiyan , barring all anger.
"This is not a time for us to be fighting" Nimura told him, "We won't tell them anything" Sanjiyan groaned, sounding as if he was really holding back from attacking him.
"I know that! I've been around a lot longer than you have, so don't talk down to me" Sanjiyan told him, "'Silence and secrecy in death and in life', as Letús told us"
Nimura was about to speak when a large segment of the wall turned into a pillar of rectangular light, blinding both Sanjiyan and himself. Cursing from the brightness, a voice boomed into the now illuminated room,
"You in the room. Get to your feet, its time to go"
......
The few sources of light glittered among the damp puddles infesting the floor, like the dirt which saturated the room. Each noise echoing along the cold stone walls, repeating every sound which beats from the lips of those present. Breath hung in the air, clouding the already darkened room with a misty gloom. The patter of feet along the floor, refused to allow Nimura to believe he was in a nightmare. The experience was very real.
Sighing, another plum of breath entered into the air Nimura's company broke the silence,
"So, tell me. Are you going to enlighten me with what I need to know" Slowly rising his head he watched Nimura's blank expression. Nimura hung tied by the hands to the roof of the dank, depressive dungeon. With a smile, he walked to a small table several feet from where Nimura hung. He took a moment to select the item he was looking for before turning back to Nimura a small black knife in his hand.
"Now… Now…. I don't enjoy causing pain you know…" Rising the knife to his cheek he crested it lovingly, "But if you do not talk to me I will have to find a way to make you talk"
Keeping his eyes transfixed on the broken stone slabs at his feet, Nimura felt him contact painfully, contracting in pain he blocked any sound from passing his lips. He refused to give the satisfaction. Straitening his back, he watched Nimura calmly, as if enjoying every minute of his pain.
"There really is no need to be shy, we will get the information we seek…" He told Nimura with a smile, "Either here or in Fraid". Nimura remained quiet as if deaf to the ramblings.
Sighing again, the cold air bit into his lips,
"You know I didn't want to have to do this, but you have made me miss my lunch". Nimura's gaze followed him as the crossed the room. Watching him stop, he become aware of the darkened shape of a person, lying on the wet floor. Bowing, he lowered the torch he held in one arm to the face of the faceless mass. Nimura couldn't suppress the gasp, as he looked upon the unconscious face of Sadako, lying on the floor as a wet sack among the dirt.
Twisting he faced Nimura, his silky black hair attacking the air around him.
"So he was right, you do care this one" His smile widened "This is just too perfect" The smile still rippling on his lips, he rose Sadako's tied hand from the floor and brought the knife to rest on top of it.
"Now every time you don't answer me, she will suffer the pain you have escaped" He told him, "The question is how much do you think she can take before talking, herself?"
"I don't know, or care how you do things in Fraid, Dolár, but in my city we do not get information this way" The loud voice boomed across the small room, Nimura even turned to see the orderly figure. The tall man, swamped in a large fur coat stood, blocking all light from the now thrown open doorway. The shortened hair hung messily, the same colour as his black beard sticking close to him, the lines of age slowly advancing across his face. The dark brown eyes, taking in all around him. The voice boasting power.
Scowling Dolár backed away from Sadako,
"Of course my lord" He told the man in mocking respect, "What are your orders" Entering the room, the man meet his sarcasm with great dislike,
"Leave".
He threw a last look of extreme dislike at Nimura before skulking past the large man, closing the door loudly behind him. In the silent room, the man watched Nimura, who refused his gaze.
"Tell me, how did you escape the kidnappers" He asked, a kinder voice echoing around the room, "Nimura" Nimura couldn't hid his surprise, turning to face him again.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Nimura lied. He ignored Nimura's denials of knowledge. He slowly lifted a sword from his side, displaying it in his hands, held aloft for Nimura to see. The intricate designs covering the hilt and sheaf, the winged Dragon holding presodence.
"Where did you get this sword?" He asked, gripping it tightly, "Who gave it to you?" Nimura ignored his question; the man was unimpressed by Nimura's refusal to speak.
"WHERE DID YOU GET IT?!" He yelled across the room, the voice echoing back triess. The room slowly regained its silence, both pairs of eyes meeting over the cold, clouded air.
"It was a gift….. From my father" Nimura told him, his voice barely auditable, "Before he….."
The man frowned, pleased with the answer, lowering the sword he took several steps towards the distort Nimura.
"Yes I know…" He told him; "Because I was the one who gave it to your father after our victory over The Wolves" Nimura raised his head fiercely, staring right into the eyes of the man,
"Fanel…" He asked, "Von Fanel"
Relaxing his back, he nodded slowly.
"Yes, I am he"
"YOU…" He yelled at Von angrily, "YOU'RE THE ONE, ITS YOUR FAULT!" His voice further echoing around the small stone room, Nimura fighting his bonds.
"I was not responsible for what happened to your father, Nimura" Von told him quietly, his voice shacking.
"BUT WHERE WERE YOU! YOU WHERE HIS FRIEND AND YOU BETRAYED HIM!" He yelled into his already echoing voice, "Where were you when he needed you?"
"I won't de-nigh it, I couldn't help your father when he needed it but the truth is we do not know what happened to him. Nobody knows what became of him" Von told him quietly, "All I can tell you is that if I could have done anything to save him, I would have" Nimura watched him with barely controlled rage. Taking further steps forward Van cut the ropes that bound Nimura to the roof, bringing him to the ground.
"Guard!" Von called, a guard immediately entering the room on command, "Take our guest to a guest room, but guard him". The guard lead Nimura from the room, if he was thinking straight he might have realized this was an ideal time to escape. Before he had left the room,
"Nimura, I will discuss this with you further…" Von told him, his back turned to him, "Later". The door closed with a loud echoing bang, returning silence once more to the cold stone room. Turning to face the still unmoving Sadako, he slowly walked to her.
'So this is the girl he mentioned'
……
The first thing Sadako felt, returning to consciousness was the cold. Wherever she was it was freezing. She couldn't move, so she thought. Remembering back to the events that had befallen her in the alien world she now knew as Gaia. It was a terrible fate that someone should be ripped from their home and all they knew, in a moment losing everything they had loved. Remembering the day she found herself in the desert put a bad taste in her mouth. Since that fated day she had known nothing but bad luck. She couldn't forget the name, Alan Shazar. She was sure she knew it from her mother's stories but weather he was a hero or a villain she could not tell.
Tugging her hands she realized her inability to move was not her bodies fault but she was imprisoned, her hands tied behind her back. Continuing her train of thought she slowly pulled at the ropes hoping her hands to pull free. Home. She wished should could just be lifted and returned to the home she was forced to leave behind. Memories of her family, friends, everyone she knew filled her. Each making her miss her home more than the last. She could almost see her mother, arms wide, ready to welcome her. A tear fell from her eye, and ran down her cheek.
"WHERE DID YOU GET IT?!" The voice echoed, pulling Sadako from her thoughts of home, and back to her cold reality. She slowly opened her eye a crack, straining to see who the loud voice had belonged too.
She watched a large man lift a sword and point it, at a young man suspended from the room of the dirty room she had found herself in. She couldn't make out the face of the young man, but he appeared to be attempting to ignore the man despite his shouts. In defeat the young man answered him, though Sadako couldn't make out the voice. Slamming her eyes closed again she pulled at the ropes that bound her arms more furiously. Whatever was going on, she didn't want to be caught up in it for longer than she had to. The rest of the happening where a blur to her as she worked at the ropes, keeping herself as still as possible.
Before she knew it another man had entered the room, leading the young man out. As the light shone on his face she saw him. She saw Nimura, face distorted with rage. It was at this moment that the ropes behind her back came free, but the large man turned and slowly walked towards her. She waited for the best moment for her to escape she closed her eyes and waited.
"So you are the girl he mentioned", She heard the loud voice ask, now considerable lighter. He lowered down onto his knees beside her, and lifted her off the wet ground. Lowering the light of the torch to her face he gasped and Sadako struck. The next few moments where a blur for Von as a moment later he was on the ground letting out a painful groan with the girl he had just had in his arms was above him ready to run.
Sadako ran for the door only to be blocked by two guards running into the room,
"Lord Fanel, are you aright?" Sadako froze in her stride, hearing the name they had called for. It was not the moment to freeze as a second later she was knocked out by Von. Falling he caught her in his arms.
"I'm fine, return to your posts" Von dismissed the guards. Turning her head he looked into Sadako's face again. Rising his hand he felt her back, an air of confusion surrounding him.
……
"Nimura, in our lives we must complete one act that will define who we are, always look to yours. Never weep for those who have passed from sight, for not all who are gone are truly lost" The last words Nimura has been given by his father, and now he spoke them in the land he called his second home. It had been 12 years since he had heard those words and yet he had never forgotten them. The night his father left…. For the last time.
He and his father had always been close. Refusing to allow strangers to teach him, Nimura was always taught by his father. Weather it was the skill of the sword or of language and history his father was always been his teacher. Thinking back, it was probable this that allowed him to connected so well with Letús when he first came to Zaibach with not but a name. Letús was a teacher in one of the main cities of Zaibach, a teacher before the war against the alliance destroyed everything he knew.
Lifting himself from the bed he had laid himself upon he walked to the open window. Looking down into the courtyard many stories below he decided it was not a viable escape route. Turning his eyes to the city he felt sickened. In Zaibach the people lived in poverty, barely able to survive from one day to the next but here they lived in the lap of luxury. He watched the small people moving around the street, far below the castle, none knowing of the truth of real suffering.
Through the years following the disappearance of his father he had always tried to honour his last words, in trying to make a difference for those around him. That's why he worked to try and help the people in Zaibach, later joining the rebels. No matter what they had tried, the alliance ignored them, treating them like criminals. When one is treated like a criminal what is the next logical step… become one. And so the rebellion was formed to force the alliance into the changes they refused to give. Where did that get them? Nowhere. The situation just got worse, and it appeared the rebellions time was limited. He trusted his men but knew they all couldn't hold back information.
Taking a deep breath he looked round the room he had been forced into. It looked like it was worth more than he was, with extravagant designs, expensive materials and even bits of gold dotted across it. One way in, One way out. The room was a prison cell in all but the look.
"Welcome to Fanelia, where even our prisoners are treated like royalty" Nimura joked, throwing himself into an armchair by the window. He followed a bird across the sky, recalling his father stories, stories of Von Fanel.
His father had always told him of the young king, a valiant king ready to do anything to defend his people. He had, on many occasions come to the edge of death for them. A man free from spite or hatred, forgiving all those that had wronged him. Except for Zaibach it would appear.
"'Hatred is as a virus; even the smallest piece harboured within the heart of a man can infect and spread though his very soul" Nimura quoted, the quiet room offering no response, just quiet dignity. Moving his eyes back to the cobbled streets of the city below Nimura tried to recall the memories of his time in the city. When he was younger his father would often bring him on visits to the mighty city of Fanel. It was even here that he lost the last that which he loved. Shacking his head he forced his mind from recalling those memories. The person who dwells in the past can get trapped there. No it was better for him to keep his mind on the situation at hand. Turning his attention to the room he surveyed it again hoping to find a magical doorway had opened up in the centre of the room, offering escape. No such doorway had appeared.
Looking out the window again he found that the high fall to the ground bellow, had lost none of its height and was still not a viable method of escape. One question serried on the forefront of Nimura's thoughts, 'How to escape?'
……
"Sadako! Sadako! Walk up sleepy head!" A voice yelled into Sadako's ear. Groaning she rubbed her eyes, "Hitomi, can you please get this child of your up!" Opening her eyes she saw Yucari standing above her, shacking her head. With a wave of the hand she walked off,
"She all yours"
Now her mother came into view, smiling at her,
"Come now Sadako it is time for you to get out of bed. Those exams aren't going to do themselves. You'll be late if you don't hurry" Something clicked in Sadako's head and she jumped out of bed, forcing her mother to step back. Sadako threw her clothes on as quick as she could, ran from the house half eating a piece of burnt toast.
"Wait Sadako!" Her mother called after her, stopping she jogged back. Dancing hurriedly on the stop she asked,
"What is it, Mum?" With a smile her mother held out her hand, a small red pendent lay on it.
"Here, for good luck in your exams" She told Sadako, smiling with joy, "This my dear will lead you to your future." Lowered her neck, Hitomi clipped it onto Sadako. She hugged her mother tightly,
"Thank you" She told her before quickly jogging back off to her exams. Half way down the road, Sadako found herself surrounded in a blue light, lifted from her feet. Back in Fanelia she woke up.
……
Sadako slowly opened her eyes, the colours of the room slowly flowing into focus. It took a few moments for what had happened to register. Lifting herself off the bed she felt the painful lump on the back of her head. Shacking the tiredness from her eyes, bring sense to the confused mass of colours in the room.
"So you are awake" The loud voice from before asked. Turning to her side she saw the man sitting in a chair to the side the bed she had just been sleeping in. Not sure what to think she looked away,
"Who are you?" She asked anxiously. She was pretty sure but wanted to confirm it. The man straightened in the chair,
"I am, as you already know, King Von Fanel" He told her, his eyes always on the young lady, "But the real question is, who are you?"
Sadako turned to face him,
"Who am I?" She asked, her voice heated, "You drag me here in chains and expect me to answer you so casually?" Von sighed, this reaction was not unexpected.
"True we brought you in chains, in the believe you to be one of them. Now we know you are not one of these, 'So Called' rebels. And because of it you are no longer in chains" He wasn't lying; all of the ropes, chains, or restraints of any kind had been removed from her. Taking a deep breath she asked,
"I know your name, but who are you?"
"I am king over the lands of Fanelia, and Lord over this city. I am also the one who has freed you from your bonds" He told her calmly, "Now would you honour me with your name?" With a faint crackle, she answered,
"I am Sadako, Sadako Kanzaki"
"Kanzaki?" Von repeated to himself, his suspicion had been confirmed. It may have been over two decades since he had seen her, but he had never forgotten the face of his beloved Hitomi. He knew the first moment he saw her face, she was too much like her to be a coincidence. The silence from Von unsettled Sadako; she didn't know why he would have gone so quiet at the mentioning of her name. It was only then that it dawned on her, her mother's main character was always Von Fanel, and if they were indeed the same person he would have recognized her name. It was Von, who broke the silence,
"Your mother…. Her name was Hitomi?" He asked, as if scared to hear the answer, to hear he was wrong all along. After a short silence which felt like an eternity for Von Sadako answered.
"Yes, it is" She answered; it felt like all the air had been sucked from the room, leaving nothing but the silence. Not even the sound of the birds outside in the late afternoon could break through. Von had suspected, but refused to allow himself to believe, he couldn't stand the ack, and he just couldn't allow himself to go through it again.
"You are her daughter" Von said tearing a hole in the silence, his mind elsewhere, "Sadako? It's a pretty name. Who gave it to you, your father?"
"No" Sadako answered trailing away, "My mother. I never knew…."
"So you have been forced here too, against your will?" Von asked, desperately trying to switch the direction of the conversation.
"Yes" Sadako answered mindlessly, "One moment I'm home, the next in a desert" She froze, memories of home filtering into her mind, forcing them aside.
"How did you know my mother then" Sadako asked forcefully, remembering she had no reason to trust him.
"We were…. Friends" He answered, his voice no more than a whisper, "Good friends"
Pulling herself from the bed, she stood by the window looking out at the city below them, the people looking as ants from the height
"This is Fanel?" She asked, keeping her eyes on the city, "I am your prisoner, I assume" Von watched her by the window, keeping firmly in his chair.
"You are not a prisoner. You are a guest of mine, and are free to go any time you feel you want too" He told her.
"You mean if I want I could walk out of that door and you wouldn't stop me?" She asked, she couldn't believe her ears. What kind of man allows those he has captured to leave on a whim? Leaning further back in his chair, he smiled.
"I would be hurt that you would want to leave but yes, I would do nothing to stop you"
"Is this how you treat all your prisoners?" She asked, leaning on the window frame, watching the aging king intently.
"No, the rest of my prisoners are treated as prisoners" He answered
"Then why am I treated differently" She asked,
"Because as I already said, I know you are not a rebel. I don't imprison people for being in the wrong place at the wrong time" He told her,
"Tell me Von, why should I believe you knew my mother, or that you are even who you claim to be?" Sadako asked, she had realized it was better not to take people on face value, and she had no proof this really was Von Fanel. Von started to snigger,
"Well Sadako I could give you a tour of the castle and see if people know who I am and then set up an elaborate meeting in the city to prove it, but that would all be a bit showy" Von told her between sniggers, "But I believe it would save a lot of trouble if I direct you to the wall to your left" Turning to the wall she realized how silly her last question had just been. Standing 4 feet tall, a massive portrait of a young man with striking black hair, with his arm round an attractive young brunet. Lavishly decorated, the room the couple were in was a mirror onto the room they currently occupied. The wooden frame carved intricately into shapes and symbols Sadako couldn't understand. The man in the picture although younger was unmistakable the same man as was in the room with her. The lady…. Her mother.
"So she really did come here" Sadako stuttered in disbelief, looking up at the huge painting. Even through all that had happened she didn't really believe that her mother had come to Gaia, that it was all some dreadful mistake, but the proof she was hanging on the wall in front of her… She had come to Gaia, and most defiantly knew this man.
"Yes she did, and it would appear like her you have come" Von told her, "The question is, how and why?" It was just then that Von caught sight of the small red pendent around Sadako's neck. He took a deep breath,
"That would be how" He told her pointing to the small piece of jewellery. Looking around her Sadako tried to spot what he had indicated too,
"What is how?" She asked anxiously.
"The pendent around your neck. Look at the painting and to your mother" Von told her. Following his direction Sadako looked up at the painting again, to her mother. And rightly so, there around her mother's neck lay the same bright red gem that hung from Sadako.
"You mean this… this is what brought me to Gaia?" She asked, looking to Von for reassurance. It was her mother that gave her the pendent, and if she knew, why did she give her the pendent.
"I know what you are thinking, and yes she did know what was going to happen" Von told her.
"Then why did she give it to me?" She asked angrily, why her mother had forced her into this God forsaken world.
"Fate" Von answered, "Because you where fated to come here, to come Gaia. The pendent was your great Grand-Mothers, who then gave it to your mother who gave it to you. 'With each new generation the pendent is passed to, a major upset in Gaia will follow, a crossroads for the future of Gaia fated to be influenced by a visitor from the Mystic Moon '"
"What has brought you to this conclusion?" Sadako asked angrily, "How do you know how this whole thing works?"
"Those where the words of your mother, as your grand grand-mother knew, before her, she knew she would have to pass on the pendent"
"Well, Mr has all the answers why didn't she warn me? Why did she keep this little fact to herself?" Sadako asked again, her anger beginning to fail.
"Think to how you first reacted when you found out where you where, if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes would you have believed it? How was she meant to explain that to you?" Von told her, keeping his composer, "Anyway, your mother told you stories did she not, stories of Gaia?"
It all became clear to Sadako, her whole life her mother had treated her differently, knowing what she would have to thrust upon her, the fate she would have to endure. She had trained her and prepared her for the world she knew. This was her test, to see if she was truly capable, and she was adamant she would pass with distinction.
"How can you let it happen?" Sadako asked Von absent mindedly, "Let the people in Zaibach suffer as they are?"
"What do you mean suffer? The people in Zaibach are not suffering" Von answered, confused by her comments.
"They suffer because of the Alliance, they suffer because of you" She pressured him, he got to his feet and turned to leave the room, cutting the conversation.
"Sadako Kanzaki, I shall take my leave of you. I'm sure it's been a tough few days for you, so you should rest. Please think of this room as your own" Von took several steps to the door before adding,
"And please feel free to go where you will in the castle or city, you will be quite safe. Your mother particularly enjoyed the gardens in the castle, perhaps you will as well". And without another word he was gone, leaving Sadako alone in the fading light of the day, with a lot to think about.
…...
Standing outside the basic brown door in front of him, Von forced himself to try and clear his mind. A lot had occurred that day but he needed to keep his mind clear. In a few moments his mind would have to be focused. He could think the day through in the evening, now was business. He was about to push the door open when someone calling his name caught his attention.
"Von!" Came the voice of Alan Shazar as he tore down the corridor. He stopped for a breath before speaking again.
"You don't know how hard you are to track down" He told him, his breath returning with every passing second, "I've searched for you everywhere" Von sighed,
"Is there any particular reason you wanted to see me or did you just want a hug?" He asked jokingly. Alan didn't look at all amused,
"Very funny" Alan lied, "Yes there is, we will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning, and I thought I had better tell you myself. You know how often these curriers 'Forget' messages"
"You ran all this way to tell me that?" Von asked.
"Well yes" Alan answered, "You see I probable won't be back for several months, and wanted to say good-bye to an old friend" Von couldn't help but smile at him,
"I'll tell you what Alan, stay an extra day" He told him, "I would rather have a friend around if anything should happen". Alan stared blankly,
"Have a friend around…. Anything should happen?" Alan repeated, "You're not making any sense".
"Don't worry about it Alan, just stay the extra day and we shall see" Von told him persuasively. Throwing his hands into the air Alan agreed,
"Ok then, one more day but then we really must get back to Palace"
"Goodbye old friend" Von said before pushing the door open. A moment later he stood in his personal study. The calming room was where Von did most of his work, a small fire burning and a window which looked over the city he had built. The man sitting at his desk turned in his chair to see Von enter. His long blond hair, reaching his shoulders he smiled to see him enter,
"Von, nice of you to come" He told him, "I was starting to think you had forgotten about me"
Stepping across the room, Von took the seat opposite him and smiled back.
"No Chid I hadn't forgotten about you. It's just been an interesting day" Von told him calmly, making himself comfortable in the leather chair. The change in heat always made him feel uncomfortable.
"Good thing too, we have important matters to discuss before my departure tonight" Chid told him, straightening his expensive looking shirt, "Erráre is a week away, even by Levi-Ship"
"Yes, Yes, I understand. But before we start, I thought it better to tell you I will be keeping the rebels here for questioning" Von told him, trying to making it sound as unimportant as possible. Chid's eyes flashed,
"Is there any particular reason?" He asked quietly,
"Not really, id rather question them myself. I can't just sit on the sidelines all the time" Von answered him between his teeth. Chid threw his arms into the air, leaning back into the soft leather of the chair,
"Feel free, but we have more important matters to attend too, do we not?" Chid asked,
"Indeed, tell me how things are going" Von asked, Chid's face paled,
"Not well" Chid told him taking a deep breath, "We both know of the incursions into Zaibach but in resent weeks Entóntria have launched several attacks into both Fraid and Erráre" Von leaned onto the table, watching his old student.
"You fear an attack on a major city or settlement?" Von asked gravely,
"It's only a matter of time. They may only be savages, but their use of the Cursed Technology gives them an advantage over our people"
"It's sad to see that even after our defeat of Zaibach their legacy is still with us. Do we know how much of the technology they took?" Von asked angrily.
"With every day they take more, Zaibach is filled with the stuff, and with every passing day they take more of the country from us" Chid told him, "It doesn't help that the people in the country see us as oppressors and occupiers either. It was hard enough to defend the country from outside forces without having to deal with inside ones too"
"What is it Fanelia can do to help?" Von asked, he had no idea that the war was going badly. All the common people believed the Alliance to be wining hands down over the savages out of the western lands. Chid smiled at the offer,
"Von, always willing to help as he can!" Chid called out happily, "But no my teacher, you are unable to help. There is little that can be done until they make there full move into our lands. We are weakened in Zaibach and they will expect the same in the rest of the Alliance nations" Von joined him smiling,
"And once they do they will have a nasty shock?"
"Yes! And then we can use that momentum to strike back" Chid finished.
"What do we know of our enemy? Has anything come to light?" Von asked. They knew little of there enemy, other than their name, Entóntria. They didn't even know how many kingdoms made it up, one or two dozen.
"We still don't know much. Any of our spies we have sent have never returned, and through using the Cursed Technology even their Guymelef's are invisible in the heat of battle" Chid answered, his face turning graver by the minute, "I don't know how to say this, but if things don't start to go well, we could end up losing this war" Von looked up at the young king,
"Chid, 'one who looks into the Abyss will only find the Abyss looking back at him', if you expect the worst, only the worst will come of it" Von reassured him, "Tell me, how are things inside Zaibach?" Chid recomposed himself, pleased for the changed in subject,
"Zaibach? Well reconstruction is continuing at an unbelievable pace, though it is hard removing all the cursed technology from the cities. The people, for the most part are happy, and DON'T hate the alliance. The country will soon be ready to join the rest of the alliance as a full member, that is if Entóntria haven't levelled it" Chid predicted happily, Von smiled unsurely.
Chid pulled himself to his feet, Von followed in suit,
"It is starting to get late, and I must get the ship ready to depart, so I shall take my leave of you Sempai" Chid told him sadly, "It's a pity, I would have loved to have duelled with you again, but maybe next time"
"I'm sorry you must leave so soon, but maybe we shall have that duel, someday soon" Von told him, retrieving Chid's coat from a hanger at the back of the room. The long dark coat was lavishly dressed and patterned with lettering from his homeland of Fraid. Taking his coat Chid headed for the door.
"I hope to speak to you again soon, Von, it has been too long between trips" Chid told him happily, he always loved to meet up with Von when he could.
"I shall do all in my power" Von told him before he departed from the room, with a quiet respect.
......
Inside the city of Fanel the greatness, power and beauty and unmatched in all the known Kingdoms of Gaia. Crossing all the divides of culture, history and popular opinion, the city is a remarkable sight to all who came to see it. As beautiful and magnificent as the city is one part of it got the most attention, the greatest palace in recorded History. The Castle Kanzaki. The castle was only visible on one side, built into the mountain that brings the city one of the greatest defences in Gaia. The magnificent splendour of the castle visible even to those entering the city from the far entrance miles from it. Surrounded by gardens, designed and built by the best in Fanelia, displaying flowers of every colour, scent and type, with fountains, grass and the sculptures.
Out of the entire castle one room is the most beautiful, with the most advanced workings to show the greatness of the Fanelian Kingdom. The Fanelian Royal Throne room. The long rectangular room, high was paved with marble, statuettes built into the walls of both sides showing the heroes from the past age of Fanelia. Each with their own story. At the back of the room, surrounded by a circle of carpet, four thrones sit. Two thrones side by side on the upper level, for seating the king and queen of the kingdom. Below them, two smaller thrones sit, for honoured guests. Carved in wood, the thrones boast power over the subjects of the kingdom. A staircase on each side leading into the stands for people requesting an audience with the king. The room usually flooded with light was now darkened by the fall of the late evening. The room usually filled with banter and laughter was silent as the dead. The throne though was not empty. Sitting on the left throne, the aged king Von Fanel sat; his eyes open alert, thinking. A beam of white light, the last of the day passed by, leaving half his face Shrouded in Shadow. His face cold, no sign of joy in his lifeless eyes.
The two solid oak doors at the end of the long rectangular hall opened loudly. Crossing the room with the repetitive clink on the marble floor. The beautiful lady, wearing a long white dress marched to the throne. Her beautiful face marked with the early signs of age, and fur, a long tail, trailing behind her. Reaching the throne she sighed at the King, taking the throne to his right.
"Lord Von, what troubles you" She asked a relaxing clam in her words. Von turned to face her, his eyes troubled. He reached his hand to her and held her hand tightly.
"The world of truth is hidden from me" He told her, riddling, "Which of the truths that I know is the truth for the rest of Gaia" She watched him perplexed.
"Von what have I told you about speaking jargon" She asked him comically. He pulled a faint smile from his, tired lips.
"What age am I Merle" He asked her quietly, "How long has it been since I entered this world"
"42 summers have past since your mother brought you into this world my Lord" She answered, not sure what to think of his thinking.
"Then why do I feel twice that" He asked her spitefully, "Why have I seen so much more than any man should have to" Merle remained silent, hoping Von would let her in on his thinking. She didn't know what could have happened; she had seen him that morning, what had happened?
"I dought the truth, Merle" He told her, "I dought the path that we have trod"
"What do you mean my Lord?" Merle asked,
"Have we done right Merle" He asked her, "At the end of the Great War we all said it was the time for peace. Has there been a peace? Have we not been fighting? Have we not been damaged? Have we trod the right path, with Zaibach, with Erráre, with the Wolfs, with Dawn, and now with Entóntria?
"My Lord, you have done what you must over the years. We have taken each challenge as it came, but if you dought the truth and dought your actions…" She told him, clenching his hand tighter "…Search for the truth, and bring it to us. Any truth can be seen but only the real truth can be seen as bright as the sun"
Von started to smile, his eyes twinkling,
"You know Merle, no matter what some people have said about you in the past, you always know the right thing to say" He told her, the smile enlarging, "But I must tell you a story" And so they sat, Von telling her all he had learned, and seen in those short hours.
……
Nimura in his attempts to find a way free from his prison found himself standing on a chair, feeling the tiles of the roof. He had searched every inch of the room trying to find a way to free himself, with no luck. It was at the moment he was stretching over to a particularly difficult part of the roof to reach when a knock on the door startled him. Losing his balance he fell painfully to the floor, in a heap. Pulling the door open his guest ran to his aid, hearing the loud crash. She leaned down at the heap that was Nimura.
"Are you alright" Came the sympathetic voice. Groaning painfully, and holding his head Nimura looked up. His eyes meet with the beautiful face of Merle, her eyes concerned. Seeing her he found himself stuttering, at the sight.
"Merle?" He asked in disbelief, recognising her. A smile pulled across her face,
"You mean you remember me…" She asked shocked, throwing her arms around him. He hugged her back, fully embracing her.
"I thought they had killed you" She told him, tears swelling in her eyes, "After they took you, nothing, not a word and now you just appear back as a prisoner from Zaibach"
"I don't know what to say…." Nimura told her quietly, he couldn't make sense of what was happening. Pulling away from him, she lifted him to his feet, and looked him over,
"Well lets have a look at you" Merle said, looking him up and down, "Your quite like you father, Nimura… but you have your mothers eyes" Still smiling she sat him down on the bed.
"But I have something to tell you" Merle told him, "About Von"
"Him…." He snarled,
"He is not responsible for what happened to him Nimura. He and Dawn where the closest of friends, and if Von could have given his life to save him… he would have" She told him quietly.
"Maybe he should have…." He started, "But I don't want to argue on this, what's this you want to tell me?"
"Please don't try to go. Things are going to get interesting in the castle tomorrow and I don't want to have to send guards to find you if you try and leave. Von has gone" She told him, a quiver in her voice.
"Gone? Where?" He asked, not sure what to make of the new information.
"He has gone to Zaibach" She answered, "To discover the truth"
.......
The quiet streets of Fanel where interrupted by the loud impact of hooves running down through the cobbled streets. The houses flying past, the rider in plane clothes and a black cloak he flew through the city at great hast. Some people yelling obscenities as he went by. The rider's identity hidden from his subjects as he exited the city and spelled several days of confusion to his subjects. Von Fanel had left Fanel and soon Fanelia. Thoughts riding around in his head he kept his task forefront of his thoughts.
The truth may have been veiled from Von Fanel inside his homeland but soon he would pass the veil, and the truth would come into the opening for all with eyes to see it.
End Of Part Three
Butch Cassidy
11.01.04 (Euro-Date DD/MM/YY)
……
Author Message: -
Here we are with the first Butch's Fan Fiction Forum release of 2004, the Descended Shadow Part III! For all the people who have been waiting for this release, thanks and I hope it lived up to your expectations. This part is shorter than its two predecessors but that's to make up for the next part, due in March 2004. Part IV is going to be bigger than the average part. Encase anyone doesn't know the word 'Sempai' (Chid called Von this) is what you call someone older than you of whom you respect a lot (Japanese Culture). You also probable noticed a lot more use of Quote phrases in this part, this is one of the styles I always use but have been having trouble fitting it into previous parts of the series. Check out 'Shadows of the Past' if you like the 'Descended Shadow' as its running on the same story arc but with Hitomi's return to Gaia, 20 years before Sadako.
I really do hope that people enjoy this Fan Fiction, and I would love to hear any feedback on it, just mail me at the address below. You can also get lots of other fun things connected to this series and others at the Butch's Fan Fiction Forum website, as marked below. Find artwork connected to the series, all the parts, history and a lot more. Well until next time, Bye and keep reading your eyes out!
-Butch Cassidy
www.butchsforum.co.uk
butchsvideostop@tiscali.co.uk
END