The Heart of a Dragon
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing
Chapter 2
He stumbled through the forest, his arms and legs scratched from the braches scrapping against him as he walked by. He had been able to maintain some control over himself this time, but still it had taken all his energy to maintain what little control he had. He had awoken to find himself in an empty field in the middle of the forest. All around him were broken tree limbs, trees ripped in half, and dead deer. He had slowly gotten up and started the long and painful walk back to his castle. He needed to find the answers he was looking for, before it was too late. A light breeze blew his tangled brown hair as he continued to drag himself through the forest.
Relena waved goodbye as Millardo walked across their small lawn towards the training grounds. She needed to quickly get her daily jobs done so she would have time to go to the castle. Relena turned to leave when she heard someone call out to her.
"Hey," Relena turned and saw a girl with short purple hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was waving her hands high above her shouting at her trying to get her attention. "Hey you're the new girl that moved her right?"
Relena gave her a small smile and walked over to meet the strange girl. "Yes, my brother and I just moved here not to long ago."
"Well hi, my name is Hilde" the pixie girl proclaimed, smiling at Relena.
"And I am Relena" Relena replied smiling back at her.
"Well Relena I hope we become fast friends" Hilde said cheerily jumping forward giving Relena a hug.
Relena laughed at her enthusiasm and hugged her back.
"So is there anything you wanna know about the village?" Hilde asked as she took a step back and rolled back on her heels.
Relena smiled, it seemed this girl couldn't stand still for a second. She thought for a moment on if she should ask her about the castle. Seeing no harm in it she formed the question in her mind.
"Do you know anything about the castle of the top of the hill?" Relena asked nervously.
Hilde stopped bouncing and looked at her wearily for a minute.
"I don't know too much other then it used to be haunted. They say there was once someone who lived there, by the name of Odin Yuy, the master of Archer Castle. People say he would often disappear mysteriously in the middle of the night and feed on the local villagers, until finally he had eaten them all." Hilde said looking seriously at Relena and then breaking into a huge smile. "But it's all just an old rumor that has been floating around the town for years."
"That is quite the story, I wonder if it really is true." Relena said turning her gaze to the castle.
Hilde laughed, "Ha maybe, but everyone is too scared to go in the castle. Everyone that has tried either runs away scared, or doesn't bother trying to get in because the front door is locked shut."
Relena looked up toward the castle and felt that yearning again.
"Hello in there," Hilde said waving her hand in front of Relena's face.
Relena jumped, startled and embarrassed that she had dazed out and muttered a quick apology.
Hilde just laughed, "I actually need to go, but if you ever get bored come over, I live three houses down from here."
"I will." Relena replied happy that she now had a friend.
And with that Hilde turned around and skipped down the road toward her home. Relena went into her home to quickly begin the list of jobs she needed to finish.
He stumbled through the forest, the top of the highest tower of his castle in sight. Relieved to know he was so close, but still, he was completly exhausted. He kept his focus on moving his feet forward, for he knew if he fell, he would not get back up again. The sun had been up for a while now as he dragged himself through the forest. He needed to get back soon, his body couldn't take much more of this. Dazed and broken, the figure continued on its path, each step felt like a triumph, and every breath he took was ragged and heavy. He failed to see the root that was sticking out from the underbrush, and to his immense pain, he tripped and fell heavily on the ground. It was over now, he didn't have the strength or the will to get up and continue. He slowly closed his eyes and fell into the warm darkness he had been fighting. Silently slipping into unconsciousness.
Relena ran from her home, the last of her jobs done for the day. She only had an hour before her brother would return and she needed to move quickly. She donned her riding cloak, and threw the hood over her head hoping it would be enough to hide her appearance. Checking one last time behind her shoulder to make sure everything in the house was in order, she ran out the front door on her way to the castle.
Taking the back roads around down, Relena ran towards the path that led up to the castle. There were very few people out, and those that were out didn't pay her any heed. As she ran, the sun began to sink into the horizon. She glanced back silently cursing how late it was, she would have to hurry if she wanted to make it in time. Finally reaching the path she began her ascent without hesitation.
When she was about half way up the path she slowed her run into a walk, looking around her at the withered and dead skeleton trees surrounding her. Despite its harsh and frightening appearance, Relena found it to be somewhat peaceful. She looked around at the landscape around her when something caught her eye. It looked like it was a person laying on the ground. Shocked, Relena ran into the woods towards them.
It was a man who appeared to be about the same age as she was. He had unruly brown hair that fell over his face, and a lanky body that was covered in scratches and scars. Relena gently shook him, praying he was still alive. Wondering how anyone could end up in such a condition.
She let out a sigh of relief when he stirred from her touch. Looking around, she wondered if she should attempt to carry him back by herself, or go for help. She turned her gaze back towards the man before her. Slowly he opened his eyes, and turned his head to look at her. Relena instantly felt lost in his Prussia blue eyes. They held an intensity and sadness she had never seen before. The man suddenly jumped up, and covered the lower half of his face with his hand.
"Who are you?" he asked confused, sounding threatening.
Relena looked up at him concern etched across her face, "You shouldn't stand up like that, your injured; we need to get you help."
"I'm fine," He stubbornly replied, sounding even more threatening than before.
Relena stood up meeting his gaze, "Look at your arm."
He shifted his gaze to his arm. Blood flowed freely from it, probably a result from the trees scarping against his arm as he walked.
"It's not serious," He replied not meeting her gaze, the world suddenly spinning before his eyes.
"But it's bleeding," Relena said worried.
Without warning his knees gave, and he began to fall forward, his strength failing him once again. Relena quickly ran forward and caught him before he hit the ground. She held him for a second, praying he wasn't dead, and sighed in relief when she heard his slow, steady breath. She needed to get him to her home so she could take care of him. Struggling to hold him, she slung his arm around her shoulder, and began to half carry, half drag him toward town. She watched as the sun started to set over the horizon. Her brother would have a fit over her being late, not to mention the added fact she was bringing a total stranger home in the middle of the night. She looked once more and the man she was carrying and smiled. He looked so peaceful; she paused for a moment; she knew him from somewhere. She had seen him before, but she couldn't remember from where. Brushing it aside, she continued down the path toward town.
Authors note: I hope your enjoying the story so far. I am currently still working out a ending for it, but i figure once i get through editing it something will come to me. As for now its currently 4:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. So i figured I would edit out some chapters since sleep is eluding me tonight. As always please read and review i enjoy your comments.
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