The Descended Shadow
Chapter V
The day the Angel Fell…
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 {www.butchsforum.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' www.butchsforum.co.uk.
- Character reference at the end of the Fan Fic. If you forget a character, remember.
………
"To eat is to live, but if you live to eat, is there a point to living?"
A young boy, in his early teens asked himself looked sparingly at a bin of garbage. The rain battered down onto him and he shivered. A youthful man came up behind him silently, drawn by his comments. He brought his coat around the boy.
"But without life there is no hope, do you not hope for the future?" The man asked.
The boy nodded,
"I hope". The man smiled.
.
"That was the first day I met Letús. I had nowhere to go, no one to rely on. I had wandered around that city for months, before he came" Nimura reminded himself. He sat in his room, in his favourite spot beside the window, his words reverberated.
"He took me in, gave me a place to live, a cause to fight for and a future to hope for"
.
Clash, clash, clash
The sound of the hollow wood echoed across the small cave. A cocky young Nimura smiled happily. The youthful man he was fighting was far from impressed, and frowned down upon him.
"See I told you I could do it" Nimura told him happily, "It's a piece of cake"
The man shook his head. Before Nimura even knew what was happening his legs had been kicked out from under him and the mans wooden sword was held to his neck.
"It looks like I'm going to have to take you back to school," Nimura groaned angrily, "That's not fair I wasn't ready!"
.
"He was the one who was always there for me when I became a man. He and one other… Sanjiyan" Nimura told his empty room. In a fit of rage he grabbed a small glass vase that lay on the table beside him. Jumping to his feet he threw it into the wall with all his strength. It shattered, covering the room with glass shards.
"DID THEY BOTH KNOW?!" Nimura yelled, "WHERE THEY BOTH IN ON IT?!" The room answered him with sparing silence.
Nimura fell to his knees, tears streaming from his eyes,
"Did he?" Nimura asked again, burying his face in the floor, "If so why did he choose me? Why?"
.
All the rebels had gathered into one room, facing Talús. His face appeared distort.
"Letús is dead" Talús told them, shocked gasps greeted the news, "He died three days ago at the hands of alliance soldiers" The gasps of distort and calls of rage continued within the crowd. Talús silenced them,
"This is not the time for grieving" The crowd immediately silenced to hear what he had to say. He looked straight into Nimura's eyes.
"Nimura step forward" Talús ordered. He did, all eyes turning to him.
"Before Letús died he placed his leadership onto you" Talús told Nimura. Talús backed into the crowd and knelt to Nimura.
"Me?" Nimura asked, utterly shocked "But I'm not…" Following Talús's lead the rest of the rebels in the room knelt and bowed to their new leader.
.
"Do you have any idea what you've put me through?" Nimura yelled, "The hardships, betrayals and out casting!" Nimura was never welcomed with open arms into the rebels, being alliance born but they tolerated him as he served. When Letús placed him in charge they turned on him,
"The only reason they listened to me at was you!" Nimura yelled as if Letús was in the room, "And were did it get them…death" He had been used and thrown away by the people he most trusted.
………
It had been a week since Von had first left, seven whole days. The situation in Fanel and the castle had become more complicated with every passing day. The rumours that the king had gone were now readily accepted as fact, causing disturbances and upset in the city. Even with the passage of time things had not calmed in the castle, where chaos stilled reined.
This morning Sadako again tried to escape through hiding in the gardens which somehow managed to retain their calm in the sea of turmoil. Ever since the day the rebels had escaped the city she hadn't seen Nimura. She nearly felt as if he was avoiding her, but he wouldn't… would he? What he needed was time. She sat in a secluded part of the gardens that boasted a view of the city over a sheer ledge. She hadn't been there long before she had dozed off in the early morning sun.
.
Sadako felt herself floating in mid air. Her eyes where wide open but she couldn't see anything in the darkness. She felt wrong, like she had no right to be in that place. Suddenly a bright light flashed before her, forcing Sadako to shield her eyes. She was struck with a strong feeling of dejá vue,
"Haven't I seen this before?" She asked herself. As she expected, when she looked into the light she found her mother looking back at her, not looking a day over twenty. Hitomi smiled at her, and spoke.
"The past and the present ever connected to the future,
The glory's of old lead to none but this day,
With the conquest of fate, the victory of love,
The future is as planned by the dreamers of ancient's days"
Sadako had heard it all before! Just after her first arrival in Gaea. But what did it all mean? What did any of it mean?
"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!" Sadako yelled at her mother. She kept her smile before continuing, filling the void with her voice once more.
"Prince and Princess shall meet,
Nations shall merge,
Twin Nations, twin kings,
Led by fate the land will rock"
The new verse to the puzzle gained Sadako's silence. She edged each word onto her memory. She was about to callout when the lit void turned black again, and she could feel something under her feet. Light slowly filtered into the room she now stood in a grand room, one massive throne dominating. The walls were decorated by weapons and portraits of past victories. At the end of the long rectangular hall one huge, oak door stood. The door was five meters in height, while the room was twenty meters in height. On both sides of the room, the walls allowed light to enter via multiple opening out of the building. Behind the throne a massive red flag hung, covering the entire wall, marked with the symbol of the Psi, a dark black against the red. The flag of Freid.
Sadako took in her new surroundings. The room was one she had never seen before, but it made her feel uncomfortable. She was about to take a step towards the door when figures of people slowly faded into view. The first stood, a long sword in his hands, elaborately decorated, with two ornamental snakes circling the bottom of the blade, entwined around each other. The man himself stood six foot from the ground, with long blond hair. He wore a long black coat that stretched down to his ankles. On the 3rd finger of his right hand was placed a small oval ring, with the symbol of a sword, entwined with two snakes… like his blade. He smiled towards the other two figures. Sadako had never seen him before but he seemed familiar to her.
The second figure was of a man in his early twenties, his ornamental Fanelian sword in his hand. He was on the ground as if he had just been thrown there. His clothes had been ripped and torn in places; blood was trickling from his hand as he clenched his sword. His hair was in a mess and he had grown part of a beard but Sadako could clearly see he was Nimura.
The third person was a young lady also in her early twenties. Her long brown hair was a mess, but held in place by her yellow ribbons, though they had lost a lot of their colour. Her clothes too had been damaged, but she stood ready with her sword in her hands. Sadako gasped, she was looking at herself…
"If it is glory you want boy you will have to do better than that. Now face me!" The man yelled at Nimura on the ground. None of them showed any sign that they had seen Sadako, even though she was facing them head on. Nimura spat some blood onto the white marble floor, staining it.
"It is not glory that I seek" Nimura told him calmly, "But your end…. Chid" Chid laughed,
"I have been trained by the best in Gaea, by Alan Shazar, Von Fanel, and yes your father, Dawn Kosime. Do you really believe you can defeat me? With only a little girl backing you up!"
Sadako watched herself grasp her sword tighter and run at Chid. He turned effortlessly to her.
"Sadako STOP!" Nimura yelled, but it was too late. Chid parried Sadako's attacks. Forcing her sword into the ground he held it in place with his foot. Lifting his own he thrust it into her shoulder. Sadako screamed in pain as he lifted the sword upwards, lifting her off the ground. Chid shook his head,
"Silly Girl"
Nimura lifting his own sword aloft and ran at Chid with all the speed he could muster.
"PUT HER DOWN!" he yelled. Chid, while still holding Sadako in mid air tore the sword from her shoulder, and kicked her in the stomach sending her backwards across the floor, with a yelp. Turning his sword Chid blocked the upper strike from Nimura's blade. Forcing Nimura's blade away he opened his defences. With one direct strike Chid pierced Nimura through the stomach. He involuntarily spat some blood. Sadako, cradling her wound screamed,
"NIMURA!"
Chid came right up to his face,
"I'll let you say goodbye… Think of it as a gift" Chid pulled his blade from Nimura, and grabbing him by the neck he threw him back at Sadako. Hitting the ground he rolled before coming to a complete stop.
The injured Sadako clambered the few feet to him and grabbed onto Nimura. She cradled him, ignoring her own pain and wound. Tears welling in her eyes she hugged him tightly.
"Nimura you can't…."
Nimura smiled. Chid watched them indifferently.
"How touching" His voiced echoed across the small room. He walked the few feet between them, a few feet that lasted hours for Sadako as she watched over the scene.
She watched unable to move, unable to react. She had just watched herself and Nimura… Chid stopped over them, and raised his sword into the air ready to strike.
"Any last words?" He asked.
The scene-faded form Sadako's vision and she was once again within the gardens, shaking uncontrollable. Had she just seen the future? Had she just seen the place and time both she and Nimura were going to die? Or was it just a dream…
………
Over the years after the reconstruction of Fanel and Fanelia Von found himself besieged by advisors, this dulled his abilities to rule effectively. It had been in resent years that Von had cut through his advisers lowering them to the bare minimum. It was in front of these advisers that Merle sat, ready to start yet anther meeting on yet another pointless subject.
The advisers met with Von in a large circular room, in the centre of which there was a long rectangular table, set with eight chairs. Two of these would be taken up by Von and Merle; four would be filled with advisors and the last two for the governors of Fanel and Fanelia's second city, Urthas. Fortunately for Merle half the chairs were empty giving her some breathing space. In front of her sat Poker, Von's main advisor, backed up by Von's advisors on both Foreign affairs and Localized issues. Alan sat to the side of the room, away from the table. Von was missing from the meeting for obvious reasons, Von's advisor on military matters was hospitalized and neither of governors where required at this meeting as it did not affect them.
"Alright lets get this over with," Merle told them utterly bored, "What unimportant tripe are we dealing with today?" Poker looked far from impressed by her comments,
"Please My Lady, each and every thing we discuss in these meeting is of utmost importance to Fanel and the future of Fanelia. Now let us start our discussion on setting up a running ban within the castle," He told her,
"That's important? That's what I have been dragged out of my bed for?" She asked angrily.
"It is a highly important subject. It is causes danger for all the people in the castle" He told her, Merle laughed quite vocally.
"Yes, and from my memory it is you lot who do it all!" Merle reminded him. Poker was about to rebut her comments but didn't have the chance. The two doors that gained entry to the room swung open, bashing against the wall with a bang. All present turned to see who had created such a racket in this 'important' meeting. Poker gasped,
"My Lord!"
Wrapped in his black travelling cloak Von stood before them, having just entered the room. He smiled at their abstract reactions to his sudden return.
"What wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost"
Poker composed himself and rose to his feet, the other advisors followed in suit.
"My Lord, welcome back. Would you like to return to the meeting?" Poker asked, Von smiled.
"As important as this subject of discussion is I have something of even more importance to discuss. Return here in an hour, and make sure someone gets more chairs in here" Von told them, Poker and the other advisors bowed before making there way from the room.
Merle who had remained composed upon Von's arrival, once the advisors had gone jumped on him. She licked him happily in the face.
"Merle… Come on, stop that!" He told her trying to sound angry but failing.
"I'm so glad you back," She told him between licks, "I was soooo worried"
He embraced her in a hug,
"I'm sorry I made you worry" He told her apologetically, she broke from the hug.
"What have you discovered? Do you still doubt the path you have trod?" Merle asked, Von pattered her head, mussing her hair,
"You'll just have to wait for the meeting like everyone else," He told her meanly. She began to water her eyes in a fake attempt to cry,
"That's so mean!"
From the side of the room Alan stepped forward,
"I too would like to know what you have discovered" Alan asked him, "The sooner we can ship that trouble maker to Fraid the better"
Von looked Saddened for a moment,
"What's he done to warrant that?" Von asked, Alan smiled.
"I will tell you my story if you tell me yours!" Alan joked, Von smiled,
"Ok then I will tell you…"
………
For the past few days Nimura had spent most of his time in Sarah's inn. He didn't want to be bothered, by anyone, and this was the best place he could think of where he could be alone. That morning was no different, he went into the inn early, and expected to leave late that night… unfortunately things weren't to go as he had planned.
It all started in the early morning, Jennifer sat down next too him and started talking. He had attempted to get rid of her but found it harder than he could have imagined… she just refused to leave. He didn't want to interact with anyone but found with time he was talking to her, as he would have before…
"Jennifer" Nimura asked grabbing her attention.
"Yes?" She answered.
"Luke, what happened?" Nimura asked in a hushed voice. She took a deep breath and looked serious. She glanced around the room to make sure nobody was very close, and as she thought most people where up at the bar itself, afraid to be too far from the ale.
"Your father went to see Chid and it was on that trip he went missing, right?" Jennifer asked, Nimura nodded,
"I know this" Nimura told her.
"Yes, but what you don't know is that he stopped here first" She told him. Nimura felt like he had been slapped in the face.
"He stopped here first?" Von asked, "What did he say?!"
Jennifer bit one of her figures,
"Well, according to dad, Dawn told him, Von and Alan of something he believed was going on in Zaibach… Some great oppression" She told him, "He had some fears that something was going to happen, and that's why he was going to see Chid"
"And Von just let him go… Alone?" Nimura asked angrily,
"No, Von wanted to go with him personally, but he refused Von. If something was afoot, he couldn't risk more complications in the alliance" Jennifer told him, "And if something happened this knowledge wouldn't die with him" Nimura looked deep into his glass,
"And something did happen…" Nimura asked, "But what has this to do with Luke"
Jennifer held her hand up defensively
"I'm getting there!" She told him, "Is there no patience in the world anymore"
"Sorry" He told her, "Please continue"
"Anyway after Dawn's disappearance, Von and father placed themselves on guard, and it was they who suggested that you and your mother should make your way here as soon as possible" Jennifer told him.
"He tried to help father?" Nimura muttered, "It was he who wanted us to come?" Nimura didn't know what to think, did this mean that Von didn't betray his father or mother? Could it be true that he had tried his best for them?
"Nimura?" Jennifer asked, "Are you Ok?"
"I'm fine" Nimura told her, though she had a feeling that he was lying.
"Well even after Dawn's disappearance Alan did not believe that anything special was afoot. He believed the reports that it was pirates who attacked the Levi-Ship" She told him, "Father was originally Alan's second mate and they were always great friends, even after he left to live here with mother. This changed that all, as father couldn't believe that Alan still didn't trust what Dawn had said. Over the years they have just spread wider apart, and father now has grown a great dislike for Alan" Nimura nodded, listening intently.
"When Luke was young Alan helped train him. After this all happened Luke continued to see Alan behind father back and two months ago Alan offered him a place in his fort in Asturia" Jennifer continued, her voice saddening, "When he approached father about it… well you can guess how he reacted. That night Luke left, and from then it has been as if I never had a brother"
She sniffed,
"And since then things have gotten more complicated" Jennifer said, "Business is even down because of those rumours that the alliance is losing the war with Entóntria" Nimura looked perplexed.
"Entóntria?" Nimura asked, Jennifer couldn't believe her ears.
"You mean to tell me you don't know about Entóntria, or the war?" She asked, Nimura nodded, "Have you been under a rock?" Nimura gave her a reminding glace,
"Oh yes, you have been…" Jennifer apologized; "Sorry" Nimura motioned for her to continue.
"About four months ago in southern Zaibach, ports were being attacked by unmarked ships," Jennifer told him,
"How could I have not heard of that?" Nimura muttered to himself, and Jennifer answered,
"Well the alliance kept these attacks very hushed in Zaibach, afraid that the rebels may take advantage of the attacks" Jennifer told him, it was only then that it occurred to Nimura that he had never actually told Jennifer that he was a rebel. He was going to tell her but she continued on,
"And right too, those people make me sick… There are problems in Zaibach, your father found that out" Jennifer said pointing to Nimura, "But it is unacceptable for them to take advantage and kill people in a fake war. Sorry, you wanted to say something?"
Nimura shook his head,
"Nope, not a thing"
"Back to the point, after some investigation it was discovered that these ships were coming from a collection of nations calling themselves, Entóntria. The attacks have now spread onto land attacks, which have been launched into Fraid and Basram, though they're keeping very quiet about them. In Zaibach too they are no longer keeping to the shadows and have started to fortify land they have taken" She told him, "And some say they are even using the forbidden technology used by Zaibach back in the Great War" Jennifer continued,
"So people are getting scared?" Nimura asked,
Jennifer waved her arm around,
"What does this room tell you?" She asked, "Only six months ago you could barely move for people… Now only those looking for a stiff drink, or information come. Yes people are scared. This is the first real threat to Fanelia since the Great War, and the fear is that Fanel will suffer the same awful fate again"
They were both quiet for a moment before Nimura drained the last of his drink and announced,
"I'll get us another" Jennifer jumped to her feet,
"I'll come, anyway a customer is not allowed behind the bar," She told him, Nimura laughed getting to his feet he motioned with his hand,
"Lead the way"
They made their way over to the bar, Nimura waited at the front, near the door to the inn while Jennifer snuck in behind the bar. Grabbing a couple of glasses she joked,
"So what'll it be, stranger?"
"Well what would you suggest M'Lady?" Nimura asked continuing the joke.
"The Ale is Fanelian special," Jennifer told him, "One?"
"Please" Nimura answered, smiling.
"Listen Jennifer, what is it your doing tonight?" Nimura asked as she poured the drink.
"Nothing, it is my night off. Why?" She asked suspiciously looking up at him.
"Well… I was wondering…" Nimura stuttered turning red, "If you would like to go out… For a walk, or something?"
"Are you asking me out on a date Nimura?" She asked, finishing the second glass.
"Well, a date… Not as such" Nimura said trying to sound calm.
"Sure, sounds like fun" She told him happily.
"Well great" Nimura said happily with a smile.
"What about the other girl, the one you brought here before?" She asked,
"Don't worry about her," Nimura told her, and Jennifer smiled.
Behind Nimura the door to the bar opened and a tall man stepped in. His long blue coat shifted in the draft as he entered, his long blond hair staying stationary. Nimura watched Jennifer turn pale, and turned to see Alan standing before him. When he spotted Nimura he smiled and muttered to himself,
"Two birds with one stone"
Jennifer ran round from behind the bar, and stepped in front of Nimura a challenging glare in her eyes.
"What are you doing here?!" She asked angrily. Alan didn't pay much attention to her,
"Little girl, I am here to see your father" Alan told her,
"Don't patronize me!" She yelled at him, "Don't you think you have done enough for this family as it is" The bar went quiet watching the scene at the door, a moment later Gaddes emerged from the kitchen.
"What's all this your yelling about Jennifer?" He asked absentmindedly before spotting Alan at the door.
"What are you doing here?!" Gaddes yelled his voice booming. Alan pushed some hair back, uncaringly.
"I'm here to see you Gaddes, but first" Alan said, "Nimura you are wanted at the castle, ask for the adversarial room and tell Sadako. Be quick, as it is urgent"
"I'm not going till you leave" Nimura told Alan angrily,
"Don't worry about it Nimura, you go on" Gaddes told him, making his way to the door. Nimura groaned angrily at Alan before walking to the door,
"See you tonight Jennifer" Nimura told her closing the door behind him. The room remained quiet those at the bar enjoying the free entertainment.
"Why are you here" Gaddes asked angrily, keeping his voice down, "Why do you want to see me?"
"I would like to talk to you in private, if possible Gaddes" Alan asked.
"Private?" Gaddes laughed, "If you have something to say, say it!"
Alan took a deep breath,
"Alright then" Alan told them, remaining silent for a moment before telling them,
"I'm sorry" Gaddes almost fell over with shock,
"What?" Gaddes asked, unbelievingly, "Sorry?"
"Yes, I am sorry… You where right" Alan told him, "About Zaibach" Turning his heal in the ground Alan opened the door and walked out as swiftly as he had entered leaving Gaddes and Jennifer confused.
………
It took her a few minutes but Sadako recuperated from her vision. She wasn't totally sure if it had been a vision but it had still shaken her pretty badly. Even if it was just a bad dream it was not a pleasant thing to see yourself and a friend die. Once she had calmed herself she made her way back to the castle slowly her mind still buzzing with the words and images. Wondering if her mother was bombarded with the same images, and words echoing the future.
It was as she neared the castle, in the shadow of the fountain that she caught sight of Nimura making his way up the stairs from the city below. Having not seen him in four days she took the opportunity and ran to meet him by the top of the stairs.
"Morning Nimura" Sadako greeted him with a smile. He returned a hollow smile,
"Hello Sadako" His cold greeting made Sadako take a step back,
"Is everything alright Nimura?" Sadako asked. He ignored the question,
"We are wanted in the castles Adversarial room, I'm told it's important," Nimura told her. Then pushing passed her he told her,
"Now if you don't mind I'm in a hurry. Later Sadako" Braking into a run he continued on. After a few minutes she slowly followed his tracks into the castle,
"That was odd" She muttered to herself, "Is he angry at me for something?"
………
Von sat comfortably at the head of the adversarial table, alone. Everyone had gone to either find someone or to return when the meeting was due to start. His extravagant fur coat had replaced his black cloak. He was going through it in his head, what he had seen and his conclusion. No matter what happened now, it would begin; he just hoped he could get the head start. He sighed sadly to himself,
"He asked me not to go, but what choice did I have? Hitomi's sign has been seen…"
The door at the head of the room, directly facing Von slowly creaked open, and an unsure Nimura slowly stepped in. Von straightened his back, in an attempt to look as big and official as he could. He smiled at Nimura, but he scowled back.
"So you back," Nimura asked,
"I am, now please take a seat" Von invited him, pointing to one of the empty seats on the table. Nimura took it, but continued to watch Von unpleasantly.
"Why have I been asked to come here?" Nimura asked.
"I have asked for you and Sadako to come to this meeting of my adversarial council, because it directly effects you both, that and you two were the ones who sent me to Zaibach in the first place" Von told him keeping his emotions now ambiguous.
"So you didn't find anything in Zaibach, and you are going to humiliate use before you kill us?" Nimura asked angrily,
"Quite the contrary" Von answered, a glint in his eye, "But that's what the meetings for, now I wish you to answer me a few questions" Nimura's scowl lightened,
"What questions are these?"
"Well explain to me why the head of my army is in Hospital at the moment? You remember Onoír don't you?" Von asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He deserved it, lets just leave it at that…" Nimura answered,
"Well then if you won't answer why, answer me how?" Von asked again.
"How? I beat him in combat, that's how?" Nimura answered, Von looked unconvinced.
"Nimura you realize how lucky you are to have survived that. I have failed to see anyone beat him since he came into my service" Von told him, Nimura avoided Von's eyes,
"It was a lucky blow, a weak blade," Nimura told him. Von nodded in approval,
"Yes I know"
"Then why did you ask me?" Nimura asked angrily.
"To see if you knew it yourself," Von answered, "A man who is unable to admit his own shortcomings is worthless"
Nimura snorted angrily. Von's face turned stone serious.
"Nimura about your…" Von started but was interrupted as the door opened and Alan stepped in. Von got to his feet, pulling a face of joy, and greeted him,
"Welcome back Alan, please take a seat"
Over the next few minutes the rest of the meetings attendees took their seats and waited to hear from Von's own mouth what he had discovered. Sitting around the table all the seats had been filled. At the head of the table sat Von mirrored by Poker. The other seats filled with Von's other two advisors, Merle and Alan and of course Nimura and Sadako.
At the head of the table, Von stood up and opened the meeting.
"I would assume all of you know why we are here?" Von opened, everyone nodded but Von continued to explain anyway, "We are here because you all have a stake in this. As you know I have been in Zaibach, investigating claims raised of oppression and brutality" No one dared make a sound, as Von was talking afraid they might miss an important detail. After a moment of silence Von continued,
"I wanted to know if these claims where true, and I have now confirmed them"
The room broke into a series of mutters, some of disbelief and shock others of silent agreement. Von waited for them to calm down before continuing with what he had to say,
"Now we are going to…" Poker stood up and addressed Von directly.
"Lord, are you sure this is correct? Tell us what kind of things you saw?" Poker asked before sitting again, the other advisors added their voices to his. Von nodded,
"Yes I am sure of what I saw when I was there. In my short time there I witnessed acts of savage brutality, murders and indescribable crimes by soldiers displaying Fraid's Psi. The capitol is also in ruins, the majority in slums barely surviving"
Once again nobody broke the foreboding silence, and Von just nodded.
"I am not allowing this to stand, and I'm sure the Fanelian people would agree with me. We know what it is like to be grinded into the dirt. I want my Levi-ship prepped and ready to depart as soon as possible"
"But your just back my Lord, where is it you are headed?" Poker asked angrily, rising to his feet again.
"I'm going to Asturia, following this I will address the leaders of the alliance in Norte" Von answered detecting the tone of his voice.
"But my Lord that will be seen as going behind the back of the alliance… Such actions can lead to no good!" Poker told Von, all eyes had turned to him facing Von off.
"I believe I know whose actions are going behind the back of the Alliance and they are not mine!" Von told him matching his angry tone of voice, "In this situation you do not wait around, we need this sorted out… People are dying Poker, with every day another family grieves and I will not prolong their suffering"
Poker bowed defeated,
"Your orders are my command" and made his way from the room. The other advisers rose from their chairs, and followed him from the room. Von fell back into his exhausted, and placed his hand on his forehead.
"Sometimes I wonder who is meant to be king around here" Von commented before straightening himself. He faced Nimura and Sadako who sat opposite each other at the table.
"I would also like you both to come, for obvious reasons" Von told them. Nimura got to his feet, and raised his hands in indifference,
"I'll come" Nimura started before turning fiercely to Von, "But you had better be serious about this" Von smiled as Nimura left the room,
"Like father like son" He commented. Sadako got to her feet,
"I'll come but can I would like to have a word with you Von?" She asked, unsure of her place.
"Relax Sadako, I will talk to you about that on the ship" Von told her. She nodded and slowly made her own way from the room. Merle laughed putting her feet up on the table,
"So when do we leave?"
Von turned to her.
"Sorry Merle, but not this time" He told her. She jumped up,
"But why not! Why am I being left behind?!" Merle complained. Alan lowered his face into his hands in disbelief.
"Because I need someone I can trust here Merle" Von told her, "What do you think that lot would do if we left them alone?" Merle pictured it in her head and it wasn't pretty. Standing up she straightened herself as far as she could and held her hand to her heart.
"I will protect Fanelia for you Von" She joked before hugging him around the neck happily. She purred a moment before turning to Alan with a snide smile,
"Now that my observer is leaving Queen Merle can conquer the world at long last"
Alan rose his face out of his hands and looked disbelievingly at her while Von sat without a clue,
"What are you talking about?" Von asked, looking accusingly at Alan,
"I'll tell you later Von, don't worry about it" Alan told him. Merle hugged onto Von tighter so he couldn't breath,
"Please Merle, I can't breath!" Von complained,
"Yes but now I will be queen if you die" Merle joked happily hugging ever tighter.
………
Once he had cleared the adversarial room Nimura made his way down into the city. He now knew that they would be leaving very soon and there was someone he needed to see beforehand. Making his way through the courtyard of the kings Nimura ran into her without realizing it.
"Nimura?" Came an inquisitive voice, looking up he found Jennifer right in front of him. Her face threw him out of his haze,
"Ah Jennifer, I was just coming to see you" Nimura told her,
"See me? What for? Your not trying to get out of our date tonight are you?" She asked jokingly. Nimura placed his hands in his pockets,
"Well actually…" Nimura started but stopped when he saw she understood.
"Oh… That's Ok," She told him,
"Well its because we're about to head off to Asturia, but we can reschedule for when I get back!" He told her trying to sound upbeat.
"We… You and that girl?" Jennifer asked with a pinch of jealousy.
"No! Well yes she's part of the group but there are others" Nimura told her panicked hoping she wouldn't get the wrong idea.
"Well then, I guess I will see you when you get back" Jennifer told him trying to sound happy before walking off. Nimura stood sadly for a moment then turned and slowly returned to the castle. Once again the last thing he wanted to do was to talk to someone, but fate wasn't that kind to him.
"Nimura, I need to talk to you for a moment" Came Sadako's voice as he reached the top of the stairway up to the castle. He sighed looking up into her concerned eyes.
"What is it Sadako?" He asked, "I'm in a hurry" She was taken aback but continued anyway,
"Have I done something wrong?" She asked sadly, she just couldn't work it out in her head, why he had been avoiding her.
"Of course not" Nimura quickly answered, his voice far from sincere.
"Then why have you been ignoring me?" She asked, refusing to give up. He didn't answer. Placing her hand on his shoulder she asked again,
"Why have you been ignoring me?"
The pulled away from her violently, and turned to face her.
"Why! Because it has been your fault! I lost everything because of you! My people, my past and all I had to hope for!" He yelled at her, "I lost it all the day you came!" She took several steps back from him, scared; He lowered his head sadly,
"I'm in a hurry," He reminded her turning and jogging back into the castle.
………
It had not been long before Von's personal Levi-ship was loaded and they began their trip to Asturia. When a king would depart a nation there would usually be crowds to wish him a safe trip, but not on this departure. As things turned out the people still hadn't been told of Von's original trip from the nation.
The ship travelled through that day, east towards Asturia. It was in the late evening of that first day that Von sat comfortably in his room admiring the view of the passing forests of Fanelia. It was a long trip and they wouldn't make it to Palas for another day and a half. He lifted the small glass to his lips and took another sip, several small birds catching his eye.
"Beautiful" He commented quietly.
Knock, Knock, a quite rapping came at the door pulling him from his thoughts. Without turning his head he answered their wordless request,
"Come in"
The door opened allowing a small draft to blow into the room, freezing Von from head to foot. He shivered, still not looking to his visitor.
"Please take a seat Alan" Von told him. His visitor groaned angrily.
"How did you know it was me?" Alan asked. Crossing the room he took a seat opposite Von.
"I could never get how you and Dawn could always do that" Alan commented angrily. Von turned from the window,
"What can I do for you, my old friend?" Von asked changing the subject. Alan smiled,
"Old friend? You make me sound like an old man," Alan told him, Von smiled.
"Aren't you?" Von joked; Alan fired a frightening glance at him
"No old man could wipe the floor with you" Alan told him angrily, "Come on, I'll show you how old I am!" Von shielded himself in mock defence,
"Maybe next time Alan," He told him.
Alan relaxed leaning back in his chair happily. He lifted an empty glass from a table beside him along with a bottle, filled with a red liquid.
"Drink?" Von offered, motioning to the glass and bottle. Alan nodded,
"Thanks…" Alan started, Von beginning to pour his drink; "If this is all true we both know what will happen" Von stopped pouring for a moment,
"I know where this could lead us Alan, but the truth is the truth" Von told him beginning to pour again.
"Do you believe Chid could be the one responsible for this?" Alan asked angrily. Von passed him the glass.
"Responsible? Maybe not, but he is involved" Von told him confidently, "Even if he isn't the one orchestrating it" Alan bowed his head,
"There is something I never told you about Chid's father" Alan muttered his face hidden in his lap, Von shook his head,
"I know Alan…" Von told him sadly, "I know he is your son"
Alan raised his head sharply looking Von deeply in the eye.
"When did she tell you?" He asked sadly.
"A long time back…" Von answered, "Lets leave it at that" Alan sighed angrily leaning back in his chair again,
"My son or not, if he is responsible…" Alan told Von, "…I will kill him myself"
Seeing the sincerity in Alan's eyes he didn't question that he would.
"There is no need for us to plan for that, we still don't know for sure" Von reminded him, "But once we return, we shall see how he reacts to this, and in front of the council in Norte" Alan nodded agreeing. The silence that took the room, leading to Von changing the subject.
"So Alan tell me did anything interesting happen when I was away?" Von asked, Alan smiled, knowing rightly that Von had already been told about events in the city.
"No, it's been rather quiet" Alan joked, "By Fanel's standards anyway"
"Well then tell me, what did Onoír do to land himself in hospital?" Von asked curiously. In getting the details of what happened he never did find out what had started the duel in the first place. Alan laughed at the memory,
"He quite simply acted like himself, you know the stubborn and superior fellow we have all grown to love"
Von sighed sadly,
"He brought up Dawn did he?" Alan nodded sadly,
"There is no greater insult than to mock ones heritage" He reminded Von.
"Well its nice to see he has inherited something from his father" Von said absentmindedly. Alan raised an eyebrow.
"Is that distrust I sense?" Alan asked pryingly. Von raised his head.
"I just don't know what to think about Nimura. He was right about what was happening which means his heart was in the right place" Von told him, "But I know that Dawn would not have supported these rebels. They may have the cover of being nice, fighting for justice and so on but it's just a cover for murderers… and kidnappers"
Alan smiled happily. He had not been sure of Von's actions, but he now knew that he had not lost his senses. He was still untrusting of the boy.
"Indeed…" Alan commented, "But what of the girl?"
It was now Von's turn to lean back in his chair,
"Sadako?" He thought aloud, "As far as I can see she has done no ill, and we have no choice but to assume that Hitomi would have raised a child of honour"
Off the cuff Von changed the subject,
"So tell me how is your little trainee doing, young master Darious" Alan smiled.
"He's doing well, learning a lot, including how to talk back!" Alan told him happily, "It amazing the change in him"
"That's good" Von commented, "I always thought the boy had potential"
"Don't tell him, but I'm running out of things to teach him" Alan whispered over to Von, "It is amazing the speed he learns" Turning to the sky Von commented,
"The stars are beautiful tonight" Alan nodded before jumping to his feet. Von looked up at him.
"Id love to sky gaze with you all night but being the old man I am I need some sleep now and again" Alan said with a smile.
"Alright Alan" Von told him with a laugh, "I'll see you later"
Closing the door behind him Alan made his way to the deck of the ship. Inside Von turned back to slowly moving trees below them,
"Don't the crew ever get tired" He commented before taking another drink from his glass.
………
Sadako had spent the start of the flight in her room going over matters and current events in her mind. She could understand why Nimura would feel upset but did she really cause him that much pain? If that were the case maybe it would be better if they stop acting friendly.
It was in the evening that she decided to go out onto deck for a breath of fresh air. She hated being coped up in one place for too long at a time. She headed for the stern of the ship. The deck was entirely deserted, leaving her only the quiet howl of the wind for company.
She leaned comfortably on the gang rail, watching the trees fly past them far below. She had originally thought the idea of a flying ship like this was silly, but being on one not as a prisoner was actually quite refreshing. She took a breath of the cold air, when a noise behind her caught her attention.
She turned in time to catch Alan walking towards her. He noticed her, and gave an ironic smile. Walking up beside her he greeted her,
"We have to stop meeting like this" He joked, Sadako watched him coldly. He leaned back on the gang rail, and turned to face her,
"I'm sorry, about before" He told her.
Her cold eyes thawed,
"What?" He smiled,
"I'm sorry for the way I acted the last time we met" Alan repeated. She smiled back,
"Apology accepted" In her smile Alan saw something he hadn't seen in 2 decades, he saw Hitomi's smile in that of Sadako's. But as all beautiful things the smile faded.
"My mother" Sadako asked, "You loved her didn't you?" Alan's smile disappeared.
Again Sadako wished she had thought before she talked,
"I mean, what you said the other night" Sadako thumbed, "But I don't mean to pry"
Alan waved his hand,
"Don't worry about it… But that was along time ago"
Sadako sighed looking back over the passing forest,
"Tell me, what was she like?" Sadako asked,
"She was a kind soul. She never hated, was very protective and always overflowing with youth," Alan told her. Sadako smiled,
"She hasn't changed much then"
"If you really want to know about your mother when she was here I'm not the one to be asking" Alan informed her.
"What do you mean?" Sadako asked.
"We'll I knew her well but I wasn't the one who was always with her, Von was" Alan told her with a sigh, "When your in love you usually would be" Sadako almost choked,
"Love?" She asked in shock, "They were in Love?"
Alan looked away as if he had said something he shouldn't have.
"She never told you?" He asked. She shook her head violently. He turned back to her,
"Don't worry about it, it was a long time ago" Sadako involuntarily shivered as a particularly cold breeze hit them and clutched her arms for warmth. She felt something being slipped onto her shoulders. Looking over to Alan she saw he had removed his coat and put it onto her,
"It won't do for a young lady to catch cold" Alan commented, and she blushed. Alan turned and started to walk back across the deck.
"We won't arrive in Asturia for another couple of days, perhaps we shall talk again" Alan commented before continuing out of sight.
And so Sadako was left alone on the deck again with only the wind for company, she had a feeling it was going to be a long trip.
………
It was in the afternoon of the next day when Sadako slowly made her way through the rich looking corridors within the ship. From what she had pieced together about Von he didn't appear to be the sort of person who would like this kind of rich atmosphere, but if that were the case why would his ship covered it in. She came to a large unmarked door at the end of the corridor, and guessed she had reached her destination. She knocked twice on the door and heard some fumbling from within,
"Just a minute" Came the voice from inside, which was quite distinctly Von's. She waited a moment outside the door before the voice from inside came again,
"Come in" It invited her happily.
Pushing the door inwards she stepped into what could only be described as 'The Kings Room'. The room boasted luxury, power and authority. It was also well decorated with rich looking paintings seating, rugs, and much more. She felt like she had stepped into a palace from an old fantasy novel. Von smiled as he watched her enter, hypnotised by her surroundings.
"Good Afternoon Sadako" Von greeted her, "Please take a seat" He motioned to the seat Alan had occupied the night before. She nodded and took it,
"Can I offer you a drink?" Von asked, still looking quite scared she answered,
"No, but thanks anyway"
Von poured himself one and took the seat he had been in the night before, right opposite that of Sadako. Sadako was about to speak when Von beat her too it.
"You're here because you want to know how to get home" The request seemed very ungrateful when said aloud but she nodded. Von straightened his back and sighed,
"I'm sorry but there is nothing I can do for you" Von told her. She felt like she had been hit by a brick.
"You can't? But how did my mother get home?" She asked angrily. She knew it wasn't Von's fault if he couldn't help but it still made her angry.
"When someone comes from the mystic moon they are fated to complete a task, once this task is completed then they may return to their home… but not before" Von told her gravely, "Until your task is complete you cannot go home"
"So tell me what is my task then?" She asked spitefully, "Since you appear to have all the answers"
"I do not know. It was your mothers task to help unite the alliance and remove Dunkirk, freeing Gaia of his interference, but there is no way for us to know until you have done it" Von told her, "I'm sorry I wished to be of more help"
"So I can't get home until I complete a task, when I don't even know what it is?" She clarified,
She shook her head angrily,
"You are welcome to stay with us" Von told her, "I'm sure your mother would rest well knowing that you are with friends" Sadako nodded slowly,
"Thank you."
"It is true that you could be here for a while but when you do return home it will be as if no time has passed. In other words you will return to the moment and place you left" Von told her; she gave him a faint smile.
"That's some good news anyway, but tell me Von why did you lie to me?"
"What do you mean" Von asked absentmindedly.
"You and mum weren't just close friends where you" She told him suspiciously. He froze.
"I was afraid this might come up" Von told her quietly.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" She asked,
"I didn't tell you because it would have complicated matters," Von told her his voice still low, "I believed you would be less likely to approach me if you knew" Sadako sighed, understanding. Throughout the day she had played out many different scenarios of why Von wouldn't be telling her, and none where anywhere near the truth. She smiled,
"Don't worry about it, I won't be hiding from you because of that" Sadako told him, a faint smile forming.
"And Von I think I will take you up on that offer, I will remain with here… If its alright" Von smiled back,
"Think of yourself as family"
The two of them continued to talk through the afternoon and into the evening. She even discovered that it was Poker who had planned the décor of the ship. It was later that evening when Sadako decided it was best for her to retire for some air.
She was slowly making here way across the deck when she saw Nimura standing looking over the side of the ship. Pretending she hadn't seen him she continued to walk on passed. If he didn't want to know her any longer she didn't want to know him either.
"Sadako?" Nimura's voice came but she ignored it and continued. Again the voice came followed by footsteps,
"Sadako, I want to talk to you!"
Sadako just held her head up high and ignored Nimura as she passed. She was concentrating on ignoring Nimura so much she stopped looking where she was going. Bang. Sadako walked face first into a wall.
"Aw Aw Aw!" She complained, grabbing her nose she fell to her knees. 'So much for my effective ignoring tactic' she thought angrily. A knelling Nimura offered her a handkerchief,
"I'm sorry," He told her sadly, "I didn't mean to… It was unfair of me to blame you"
Sadako looked into his sincere eyes, 'He's back' she thought' before taking the handkerchief. She showed her gratitude with a smile.
"Here" He said offering her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet. She was about to thank him when the ship was knocked. Nearly being thrown to the deck again she grabbed onto him for support. Her head came to fall to his chest. She felt herself become paralysed unable to move. She could feel his heart beating, he could feel her warmth flow into every aspect of his being.
Nimura brought his hands around her, holding her closer to him, her heart now beating at double pace. She didn't understand why but a feeling of serenity took her, a calming feeling of peace filling her soul. She closed her eyes, and continued to listen to the rhythmic beating of Nimura's heart. So they stood wrapped in each other's embrace.
A noise on the other side of the deck forced them to break away from each other.
"Sorry, I didn't…" Sadako told Nimura, her face reddened. His face too was reddened,
"I… Didn't…" He stuttered trying to get the right words out before breaking into a hearty laugh. Sadako joined in, but after a few moments both were quiet again.
"We'll be arriving tomorrow, so we had better get some sleep" Sadako told him, hoping to change the subject entirely. Nimura nodded,
"I suppose," Nimura said, "Goodnight"
"Goodnight" Sadako echoed. He turned and walked off the deck of the ship. Sadako sighed before heading inside the ship,
"What just happened?"
………
It was as the passengers of the Fanelian Levi-ship slept that they made their way into Palas, the capitol city of Asturia. The sun shone down onto the city, as the ship silently floated into the Levi-Port. This Port had been built high onto a mountain, which looked down over the city. Of all the cities in the alliance Palas was the biggest, and one of the oldest. The people of Asturia had been united as a nation longer than any of the other peoples in Gaea becoming the first great power… before the rise of Zaibach and the coming of Dunkirk. Over the years the nation's power had weakened before it became not but a moderate power in Gaea.
The city itself was built next to the sea; a great bay in the centre of the city focusing into a mighty port and in more recent times the setting up of a mighty Levi-Port. These ports brought hundreds of traders to the city, and formed the permanent market districts of the city. The nation had known bad times and bad rulers in the past but the people of this fallen star were confident for their future and the place they hold in the future of Gaea.
Von awoke that morning with the sun burning into his face. He rolled over out of the light wishing he had closed the curtains the night before. He forced a pillow over his head trying to block the faint sounds of people. Unable to block the racket he gave up and placed the pillow back onto the bed.
Opening his eyes full he caught sight of the stationary, tall, brown wooden buildings far beyond the window. He gasped,
"We're already here?" Shacking the sleep from his eyes he pulled himself from the bed and dressed himself. Opening a wardrobe he selected a white shirt, black trousers and a scarlet robe. Within minutes he had cleared the room and was running access the ship.
Bolting out of the doorway from the Levi-ship Von found that everyone else had already assembled in the Levi-port. Alan smiled, billowing a laugh,
"Here we are! Von what kept you" Von fired a silencing glance at him. Stopping he fought to get his breath back.
"Why didn't someone wake me?!" Von asked between gasps for air. Alan folded his hands,
"But we thought it was better not to disturb a king when he slept" Alan told him, "Anyway if your too much of a lazy bones to get up in the morning don't blame us" Von straightened himself, taking a deep breath of the air.
"Smell that sea air! You've gotta love it!" Von called out happily, "It's been too long since I have come to Palas… Far too long"
Alan bent over to Sadako, of whom he was standing beside,
"I really hate bringing him here… He always goes and acts like this" He whispered into her ear. She giggled into herself for a moment catching Von attention,
"And what are you two talking about?" Von asked suspiciously. Sadako stopped giggling and looked innocently at him. Alan threw his hands in the air,
"Nothing… Nothing at all" Von eyed him suspiciously before continuing into further discussion and calling out about the sea air but Sadako's mind had gone else where. She turned her eyes several feet away where Nimura was now standing trying desperately to avoid getting into a conversation with Von about whether he remembered the sea from when he was a boy.
She had muddled the events of the previous night around in her head again and again hoping she could make some sort of sense out of them. Did it mean anything? That was the real question she was having trouble finding an answer for.
It was Alan's voice that shattered through her thoughts,
"Ah… And here comes our escort to the Palace" Below them slowly climbing the mountain-way up to the Levi-port was a group of four riders, the dust from the road flying into the air as they hastily made its way upwards. Alan muttered under his breath as the face of the head rider became visible to him though Sadako could not make out what he had said.
The head rider pulled back, bringing his horse to a stop and those of his companions. Agilely he pulled himself from his horse and jumped to the ground, sending yet more dust into the air as he impacted. He smiled over to Alan and bowed,
"Good Morning master". Darious looked up into his master's eyes.
"YOU!" Nimura's voice yelled out echoing across the Levi-Port. Von placed his hand on Nimura's shoulder holding him back,
"Nimura…" He started in an attempt to calm him. Nimura pulled passed him, grabbing the base of his sword ready to draw it. Alan grabbed his own in preparation,
"Don't!" Alan yelled at Nimura, "Don't draw that sword!" One of Darious's companions prepared to draw his own sword but Darious waved his hand ordering him to leave it.
"Why shouldn't I?!" Nimura called back at Alan angrily, his hand shacking with the rage he had not experienced since his encounter with Onoír in the Arena. Alan smiled sadistically,
"Because he is under my protection" Alan told him, "And while he is, NOBODY will cause him harm"
Nimura snarled at him. He was about to remove his sword and take the consequences when Sadako came up to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder,
"Don't Nimura…" She asked him anxiously. She knew well from her mother's stories the skill of the great Knight Alan Shazer. Nimura wouldn't stand a chance against him, though she wouldn't tell him that. Grudgingly Nimura let go of his sword and took a step back defusing the situation.
Alan too let go of his sword and turned to face his pupil.
"Darious" Alan greeted him, "We are in a hurry, so if we could speak to your father as soon as possible" Darious looked uneasily over Alan's shoulder to the still fuming Nimura,
"Of course," He answered, motioning to Nimura "And maybe you could explain him" He turned to his companions,
"Stay here and guard there ship" He ordered them, "I don't want anything to get near here" They each saluted before jumping from their horses as Darious climbed back onto his own. He motioned for them to use the now free horses.
Von stepped forward but whispered into Nimura's ear before continuing.
"It would probable be better if you two don't come to the palace" He told Nimura, "But feel free to explore the city, you have several hours anyway" Nimura only scowled in response. Von sighed continuing to his horse.
Within moments Von and Alan had climbed to horses and had started to trek down the side of the mountain into the city of Palas.
………
Slowly the three horsemen made their way through the city, Von, Alan and Darious. They galloped their steeds as fast as they could in the outer parts of the city but as they got deeper they found they were unable to any longer as people are buildings became more dense around them. By this point they had slowed into a calm march, people all around them showing their respect for the men with admirable greetings. Darious seemed to be enjoying all the attention, though Von most defiantly wasn't.
He had never been happy with the attention his position has given him. He had at first embraced his peoples wish to show respect but as time passed he found himself not even entering the city any longer because of it. He hated that kind of attention.
Looking around him he could see nothing but the building that lined the streets on either side, burrowing high into the sky in a vain attempt to touch the face of God. The road they travelled upon was lined on both sides by sellers attempting to pone off their own goods, and the addition of the people meant the road was nearly impassable. Far ahead of them in direct line with the road lay the Asturian royal palace, its banners flying high in the sky boasting a nation of sovereignty. Alan sighed openly, and spoke to nobody in particular,
"It hasn't changed much" He commented, "The world outside may move, but this city has always just stood still" Von smiled
Darious drawn by Alan's words bend his head back to answer,
"As if this old place would change!" He joked heartily, "It would probable take another great war to make any real change in this city," Nodding Alan agreed,
"It probable would"
They continued their way through the city, eventually coming to the gates and walls that separated the palace from the rest of the city. Before they had even signalled to the guards they had opened the gates for them to enter the palace grounds. They found themselves in a huge stone courtyard, decorated with sculpture of various warriors, standing guard, still defending the palace even in death. Once they had passed through this courtyard they crossed a second wall into the inner palace courtyard.
They continued towards the central building of the palace at a respectful pace. On each side of them they were dwarfed by huge statues of each of the kings of Asturia's history, shaped out of metal. Just beside that of King Aston, an empty pedestal stood, as if awaiting the next king.
Before entering the palace itself they climbed down from their horses, ordering the guards to keep them there. They entered through the huge double doors, a blast of heat making Von's skin tingle. He knew exactly where they were going and how to get there but he let Darious lead the way anyway. Soon enough they stood outside a door far less impressive when compared to the rest of the palace. Darious motioned to a couple of seats to the side of the door,
"I'll see if dads busy. Stay here for the moment" Darious told them. Darious opened the door and slipped in. Alan and Von took the seats, and waited for his return and their audience with an old friend.
Alan leaned back in his chair and stared up at the expensive looking roof.
"I hope you know what you're going to tell him" Alan commented. Von joined him in starring at the roof.
"Maybe I didn't rehearse in front of the mirror this morning but yes I know" Von joked. He sighed sadly.
"Oh for the peaceful days again" Von commented sadly. Alan looked at him in disbelief,
"And what days would they be. I don't remember us having any of those" Alan told him. Von wanted to tell him how wrong he was but thinking it over he couldn't think of any either.
"I guess your right" Von finished. Neither spoke again instead waiting for Darious's return in silence. They didn't have to wait long as a minute later he came back out of the room.
Von and Alan rose to their feet when he came out hopeful for good news, Darious smiled,
"Dad'll see you now" He told them before throwing the door open for them to enter. Entering the room they found themselves in a very cramped space, even though the room wasn't that small. It was packed with books, scrolls and artefacts of every size and type. Some light made it into the room through a window at the back but most was blocked by the piles. Within the centre of the mound a small desk with several chairs sat, though they too were covered in books. The man behind the desk looked up at them over his oval spectacles. Seeing his visitors had arrived he jumped to his feet, several scrolls falling from his lap onto the floor.
"My dear friends it's been too long!" He told them happily. Darious stepped out leaving them alone to talk. Von smiled back at the man. It wasn't the first time he had seen this study, but it appeared to have even more in it than when last Von saw it.
"Its good to see you too Dryden" Von told him. The mans smile grew even larger and waved to the seats in front of his desk.
"Please take a seat," He offered them before brushing down his brown coat and taking his own seat again. Von and Alan carefully made their way deeper into the room, and took a seat each. As Von sat he heard a crunch and pulled out a slightly flattened scroll from the chair. Von looked guilty, and placed the scroll onto the desk.
"Don't worry about it" Dryden told him, now crossing his arms, "But really Von I see Alan regularly enough but not you, why don't you come to visit?"
"Well you know how demanding it can be being king" Von commented. Dryden nodded,
"Personally I don't know how you do it. I at least have Millerna to help when the going gets ruff"
"You never told us how you duped her into loving you again Dryden" Von joked. Dryden smiled evilly,
"As if any women could resist the Dryden charm…" He told them snidely, "…Not that I have had any reason to use it recently" Von nodded along,
"Speaking of Millerna, she should really be here to hear this too" Von asked, Dryden shook his head.
"No can do, Millerna's off in Lanpart at the moment, some special meeting of something or other," Dryden told him. He looked down upon them over the top of his glasses,
"But what is this matter of which we must discuss" Dryden asked. Von straightened himself in his chair,
"I have come here personally to inform you that there is to be a special meeting fourteen days from now in Norte" Von told him, "I will be presenting some special evidence to the leaders of the alliance there"
Dryden leaned back comfortably in his chair,
"What type of evidence do you mean?" He asked. Von took a breath before answering.
"Ten days ago I got information of a cover-up on how Ziabach has been being handled by Fraid. I followed this up, and have found them to be correct. In Norte I will bring this to the attention of the alliance leaders. As the closest ally of Fanelia I thought it best to inform you of this first" Von told him. As he listened Dryden straightened in his chair as the subject matter became serious.
"You believe Chid is responsible? You plan to challenge him?" Dryden asked the fun and humour notable lacking from his voice. Von frowned,
"I don't know if he is connected but this is something that must be brought to the attention of the alliance," Von told him. It was Dryden's turn to frown.
"I will attend your meeting, but I can clearly tell you now that you are being mislead. It is not possible for anyone to do this under the nose of the alliance leaders and not be caught" Dryden told him. Von scowled,
"I saw it with my own eyes Dryden. The horrors that have been forced onto that nation"
"We don't know what you saw. It could have been a trick or enactment for your benefit. Maybe the rebels have had something to do with this trickery, you have freed one of them because of this have you not?" Dryden asked his voice insulting.
"That has nothing to do with this!" Von yelled.
"Indeed…" Dryden answered leaning back and raising his book again, "Now if you would excuse me I have a lot of work to get on with"
Von quickly rose to his feet, Alan following in suit. He bowed to Dryden in mock respect,
"It was a pleasure as always Dryden" Von told him before making his way to the door no longer being careful not to damage anything that may lie in his path. Dryden ignored them, re-engrossed in his book.
When they were out of the room and the door closed Von turned to Alan seriously.
"I have a bad feeling about this" Von told him, Alan shook it off,
"Come on Von, he was just being sure. Remember how I reacted to the same news" Von shook his head again,
"No there was something different" He started, "Alan I want you to do me a favour" Alan nodded,
"What is it?" Alan asked.
"I want you to get the crusade and make the trip to the other alliance leaders. Don't tell them why but make sure they come to the meeting in Norte" Von told him,
"I have a feeling that this goes deeper than either of us expected"
"Alright, I shall leave immediately" Alan told him, "And I shall see you in Fanel when it is done"
Von took a deep breath before embracing Alan in a hug. A moment later he pulled away,
"Goodbye old friend" Von told him before running from the room. Alan was about to do the same when Darious made himself known,
"Master what is going on?" He asked Alan. Alan turned to face him.
"Darious, just the boy I wanted to see" Alan said. Darious looked insult,
"I'm not a boy, I'm 15 years old!" Darious fought back. Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword Alan removed his blade. He held it before him, offering it to Darious.
"What are you doing?" Darious asked. Alan smiled,
"When I completed my training my master gave me his sword. Since then I have used it for Asturia and for Gaea. Today I offer you the same blade" Alan told him. Darious stared at him in disbelief.
"You mean…" Darious stuttered, "My training is compete?" Alan smiled again.
"You have finally come of age" Alan told him, "Now take your new sword and do it justice. Follow the code of chivalry and bring honour to your kingdom and teacher, Darious knight of Asturia" Darious took the sword into his own hand and held it aloft.
"Thank you master" He told Alan.
"Goodbye" Alan told him before bowing in respect and running from the room.
………
Soon after the departure of Von and Alan, Sadako and Nimura too left the Levi-Port. Using one of the horses left by Darious's companions they made their way down to the waterfront. It had been many years since Nimura had seen the sea and he wished too once more, even if it wasn't anything new for Sadako. Nimura held onto her as she rode the horse, petrified to let go. On their way through the city neither of them spoke for the noise of the other people who packed the streets of the historic city.
"I still can't believe you can't ride Nimura!" Sadako cruelly joked as they finally ground to a halt in a deserted part of the waterfront. Nimura threw himself from the horse.
"I know how to ride…." He started, "I just haven't done it for a long time. We didn't have much use for horses in the desert" Sadako jumped from the horse, joining him. She stroked the horse's head,
"Stay" She told it. It naiad in agreement, "Good boy"
Walking over to the waters edge Sadako stretched,
"Riding is so cruel on the back!" She told Nimura. Sitting down she dangled her legs over the edge of the water, thought they were high enough that her feet where above any actual water. A moment later Nimura joined her, sitting next to her. An awkward silence followed.
"About what happened last night" Nimura started awkwardly, "I didn't mean to…"
"No, no, I didn't mean to fall" Sadako told him, "It was all just a mistake, nothing more" Nimura agreed with a nod,
"Just a mistake"
The awkward silence returned but Sadako soon broke it.
"So how have you been doing" Sadako asked, "We haven't talked since…" Nimura took a deep breath of the sea air before letting it out again.
"I've been better," He answered, "But there's nothing to worry about" Sadako, unconvinced kept a look of concern. Nimura smiled at her,
"I'll be fine, don't worry"
"Well, what is it your going to do now?" She asked, she had asked the same question once before but circumstances had changed since then. He sighed looking up at the sky before answering,
"My answer has not changed. I will help Zaibach in any way I can. But now maybe we can put a stop these horrors once and for all" Turning back to face her, he found she was starring at him with a sad smile,
"What?" He asked unsure what to make of it,
"I admire your perseverance," She told him, "I don't know if I could go on if I was put through the same things" Nimura looked at the ground saddened again. Sadako panicked,
"I didn't mean to," She stammered, "I'm sorry, that wasn't a nice thing to say"
Nimura looked up and laughed heartily,
"Gotta," She groaned angrily at him,
"That's so mean!" She complained, as Nimura continued to laugh. His laughter dying away he fell back and looked into the cloudless sky, broken only by the few gently floating levi-ships. Sadako leaned back, joining him in looking up.
"What's so interesting" She asked
"Nothing… Absolutely nothing" Nimura told her, "Moments like these are few and far between" One ship after another slowly made their way gently across the sky, as Sadako and Nimura just watched them, the heat of the sun warming them and the cool breeze from the sea cooling them, mixed opposites.
A while later Nimura's relaxation was broken by a gentle snoring from Sadako's general direction. He sat up again and got to his feet, careful not to fall into the the cold wet water below. Pulling his sword from his sheaf he started to train with it, swiping invisible opponents all around him.
In his recent fights with Onoír and Sanjiyan it had become painfully clear to Nimura that he wasn't as good with his sword as he thought he was. Even the memory of Onoír's superior smile made him slash at the air more and more violently. His temper was another thing he would have to keep in check in the future. He had lost count of how many fights he could have avoided if he had only kept his cool.
As time wore on he continued his training but it was a while later as he preformed a particularly difficult series of strikes including a twist and stab that he accidentally kicked Sadako, who was still sleeping. She immediately woke up, and clenched her kicked side.
"That hurt!" He told him angrily. Nimura immediately dropped his sword and knelt down beside her, apologizing profusely,
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to…" His apologizes where cut short when Sadako pushed him, sending him into the water below. He fell with a yell,
"Wha!"
Sadako looked over the side and smiled down to him in the water trashing about.
"Now we're even" She told him getting back to her feet, "Are planning on staying in there all day or are we going to head back" Nimura fired a look that could break granite at her,
"Alright take your time" She retracted. Sadako climbed back onto their horse and waited for Nimura to get out of the water, she felt sorry for him but had no regrets.
………
Von galloped his horse through the city as fast as he possible could. The buildings appeared to be no more than blurs as he flew passed them, at high speed. The calls of admiration from the people had been replaced by yells and complaints as he narrowly avoided knocking them to the ground.
He couldn't place his finger on it but he had a really bad feeling, and wanted to get them out of Palas as soon as was humanly possible. In less than a third of the time it had taken them to get to the palace he had forced his way back to the Levi-Port. Jumping from the horse and ran full pelt into the ship, and straight to the bridge.
Knocking the door open, he caught the attention of everyone on the small bridge to the royal Levi-Ship. The man of rank saluted,
"Captain on deck!" He yelled, everyone else joining him in a salute. Von walked up to him,
"At ease" He told him, "Are we ready to depart commander?" The commander looked surprised.
"Well yes sir, all we need to do is pull the anchor, but I thought we were going to be here for a while" The commander replied,
"There has been a change of plan," Von told him, "Everyone accounted for?"
"No sir, Nimura and Sadako have yet to returned from the city"
A man with a pair of binoculars called out to them,
"They are coming up the hill now, Sir!" Von hurriedly pointed out two of the bridge crew,
"Get them onboard and pull the anchor" He ordered them. Without another word they had gone to fulfil their duties.
"Commander, as soon as that anchor is pulled I want us on our way, at top speed" Von ordered him. He nodded,
"Of course"
Within only a few minutes the Levi-ship had started to lift, rising above the Levi-port below them. Von watched at the commander ordered his men, commanding the ship like a pro. It reminded him of the old days with Gaddes on the crusade. Soon enough Sadako and Nimura entered the bridge, as they sped leaving the city far behind them.
"What's going on?! Why are we leaving like this?!" Sadako demanded. Before Von could answer a Roar filled the air, and a large black shape flew past the left side of the ship. In its wake the windows to the bridge on that side shattered inwards covering the crew with the glass. Nimura involuntarily ducked,
"What the hell was that?!" He yelled. Again the Roar, and the black shape flew passed them.
"Shot that thing out of the sky!" Von yelled taking command of the situation. The commander looked angrily at him,
"What do you think we're trying to do, give it a party?!" He yelled at Von angrily over the noise "With all do respect this is my ship! So be quiet or get off my bridge!" A jerk hit the ship, forcing Sadako to fall to the right of the bridge. Grabbing a handrail she secured herself.
"Levi-stone hit sir!" One of the crew called out, "We're losing some altitude"
"Protect the other three, keep this ship flying!" The commander yelled. Another jolt, much larger than the first hit the ship and it ripped Sadako from her handrail. Nimura ran to her aid but with a smash and a scream she was thrown through the glass window on the right side of the ship. She was falling towards the earth.
Nimura ground to a halt next to where Sadako had been thrown out of the ship. Turning he yelled at Von,
"SAVE HER!" He yelled, "I KNOW YOU CAN!" Without a second thought Von pulled off his scarlet robe and leaped over the handrail, preparing himself to jump. He took a deep breath and jumped through the window, himself dropping to the earth. As he fell Von forced himself vertical, speeding his descent. The ship shrinking far above him, the ground growing at an unbelievable rate. There was but one thing on his mind, saving Sadako, as he had her mother. Far below him his eyes caught sight of her, and from his back erupted angelic wings, showering the air with feathers, tearing his shirt apart.
As he got closer to Sadako he could see white… She was falling, but she too had wings. He watched in disbelief each second bringing him closer to her,
"She…. She is my child," He told himself. In mid air she turned reaching out her hand to Von. He grabbed it; bring her close to him, and spiralling upwards as his own mother had taught him. Her face in his shoulder she asked in disbelief,
"Are you an angel?"
Von smiled.
End of Part Five
……
Butch Cassidy
27/03/04
……
Author Message:
……Well now, what did you think? Sadako's father unveiled, Nimura being a jerk, and an intimate moment, it is 'The Descended Shadow V'. I hope all my favourite readers (That's everyone) liked this Chapter, as I believe it has brought some powerful and important elements to the forefront. An interesting factoid for you all, did you know on page 5 of this Chapter was page 100 of the whole Descended Shadow story (Excluding P1). When I finished Chapter IV I was lacking sleep, now on Chapter V I'm sick, (Cough) Life's not fair :..(
About page 3 I also mention the Psi, being the central symbol of the Freid flag, this is correct as in the series, but the Psi itself is a Greek letter, best described as a capitol 'U' with a small 'l' through the middle. The Psi -
As always, if you liked the Descended Shadow try Shadows of the Past. Shadows follows the same single running storyline as the Descended Shadow but from Hitomi's return 20 years past. To get the whole story you should really read both, but I'm no preacher, each can be enjoyed on their own.
Getting back to the point any C&C can be directed to me either through the below email address or in a review on FF.net. Chapter VI (6) is going to be a little bit shorter so I hope to have it out in mid to late April. I'm also sorry that this part was delayed a little, I was suffering from writers block on some of the 'Difficult' scenes in this chapter. Anyway until next time, see you later and keep reader for there is no purer art than the written (Or typed) word.
Butch Cassidy
Website - www.butchsforum.co.uk
E.mail - butchsvideostop@tiscali.co.uk
.
Cast #Ref part IV (Alphabetical) –
OC – Original Character
NC – New this chapter
Alan (OC) – Knight of Celia, friend to Von and Merle.
Chid (OC) - Duke of Fraid, really son of Alan Shazar
Dawn – Nimura's father (#Ref Shadows of the past)
Darious – A student of Alan's, infiltrated Zaibach rebels in 'P2'
Dryden (OC) - Husband to Milerna and king of Astura. Interesting man
Gaddes (OC) – Originally member of Alan's crew. No longer friendly with Alan
Hitomi (OC) – Sadako's mother, originally from earth
Jennifer – Sarah and Gaddes's daughter. Childhood friend of Nimura
Letús - Original leader of Nimura's rebel cell. Father figure to Nimura.
Luke – Sarah and Gaddes's son. Not in Fanel. Family refuse to comment
Merle (OC) – Close friend and confident of Von, mother-like figure to Nimura
Milerna (OC)- Queen of Astura, used to love Alan, now married to Dryden.
Nimura - Originally leader of Rebel cell, now close friend of Sadako's
Onoír – Head of Fanelia's armies, advisor to Von. Lead attack on rebels (P2)
Poker (NC) - Von's main advisor. Doesn't always agree with Von's decisions.
Sadako – Hitomi's daughter, epicentre of the series
Sanjiyan – friend of Nimura', but turned on him believing him to be a traitor
Talús – Member of rebels, old favourite for leadership, killed by Onoír (P2)
Von (OC) – King of Fanelia. Need I say more?
End.