Not mine, not even the plot! These are just translations.
Summary:
We now enter the main part of the story. It continues from Natsuki's promise in their previous lives to be the one loving Shizuru. We now move to a somewhat Mai-Otome world with a magical twist. Do however, keep in mind this is an Alternate Universe (AU) so do not be surprise if things are different from Mai-Otome.
Note:
I've taken the liberty to include remarks to clarify certain scenes for those who are confused or would like details. (Please ignore if your imagination managed to fill in the gap because these remarks are just my own deductions and might not reflect the author's original intent) These sections are marked with (-#-); refer to bottom of chapter for details.
Entangled Love
Chapter 4 - Eternity (Part 2)
Authored by asuka
Translated by glowie
"Viola-sama!"
Immediately upon her arrival, a sturdy young man ran towards Shizuru. Sporting short fiery red hair is none other than the Captain of the patrol team, Captain Roeun.
"I'm very sorry to disturb you right upon your arrival but the situation is of utmost urgency. I think it's best that you come over and take a look."
"Very well. Please lead the way." Shizuru nodded. If something could ruffle the feathers of Roeun who is famous for his calm composure, it is definitely not something to be taken lightly.
Although inwardly she had somewhat prepared herself, she was speechless when she witness the horror presented before her eyes.
Scattered all over are bodies covered up by what was supposely white-colored cloth but now dyed bright red. It doesn't require a genius to know that these people did not die pretty.
"These are... was my subordinates..."
Roeun's voice was quavering with grief and anger.
Shizuru looked at Roeun silently, giving him time to control his emotions.
Eventually, after taking a few deep breaths, Roeun managed to continue.
"This morning as I did my normal rounds in the northern region, I've received an urgent report regarding the findings of cracks appearing in the Seal Stone. At that, I immediately rushed over here but... but I could never imagine the horror that awaits me. The grounds... they were littered with bodies... blood was everywhere. It was a bloodbath! A massacre! And the murderer was none other than my vice captain..."
"Soer?"
With utter disbelief, Shizuru voiced out the name of the promising young man whom she knew to be quiet and shy.
"Yes... it was Soer. I couldn't believe it. But I cannot deny what I saw with my very own eyes. I tried to stop him, I called out to him but I couldn't get any response. He was like a wild beast. I managed to subdue him and when I questioned him, he didn't reply. All he did was to glare at me with bloodshot eyes. After which, I immediately sent word to the academy of the situation. However, on your journey here, I'm afraid things have taken a turn for the worse."
With this, Roeun signaled his people.
Four soldiers emerged with a man bound and tied in the center. Four ropes were tied unto him and each end pulled in different direction and were held by a soldier. From the length of the ropes held by each soldier, it was obvious that none of them dared to go near him.
"This is Soer."
Setting aside the question of whether Shizuru could recognize the man brought before her, his very appearance can no longer be considered human. His skin is an eerie black whereas his eyes which are void of any emotions are ashen grey. Just one look is enough to unnerve even the weathered soldier.
"How did he become like this?"
"At the time of his capture, he seemed normal. But after I've sent the messenger and by the time you arrived, he became like this. From what little we could gather from his survivors, it seemed while they were patroling near the Seal Stone, they noticed a suspicious black fog hovering over the area. Soer ordered the others to stay back while he goes to investigate. Just as the soldiers have decided to go look for him as he was gone for quite some time, he returned. But upon his return, he started attacking them."
"... black fog." Shizuru knitted her brows, deep in thought.
"I'll go take a look, please do not follow me."
"No!!!"
Two sets of voices ringed in unison.
One of them belonged to Roeun and the other, Captain of the Guards, Azure. (-1-)
"It's too dangerous! Look at Soer now! God knows what else is lurking inside there!"
Remembering the state Soer is in now, Roeun would never allow the most respected Viola-sama to take the risk.
"Shizuru-sama, You are one of the highly important five columns. In view of the vaguity of the situation, I implore you to not endanger yourself unnecessarily. Moreever..."
She paused before taking a step towards Shizuru and whispered into her ear. "If anything were to happen to you... Gakuenchou will go mad." (-2-)
At the mention of Natsuki, Shizuru can't help but sigh.
Lifting her hands to stop the two from continuing.
"My mind is set. Do not try to dissuade me."
"In that case, let us go with you."
It is not everyday that one get to see the two captains who are always at each other's throats agreeing with each other let alone twice in a day!
"No. No matter what lies inside, I am confident I am able to protect myself with my kekkai. But if you two were to come along, it might actually make things difficult for me." (-3-)
Knowing fully well that Shizuru was speaking the truth, both of them remain quiet for they knew they could never win in a battle of words with the 3rd column. Not that they could win any sort of battle against the beauty.
To prevent them from following her, Shizuru placed a kekkai at the entrance before carefully stepping through it herself.
Apart from the reason she mentioned, there is another as to why she wouldn't let them follow her.
"Zeitlos! Are you there?" (-4-)
Zeitlos- The Guardian Beast for the Seal Stone. From the beginning of time, it has dutifully carried out its task of protecting the Seal Stone and had never left its place. Although Shizuru had only seen the magnificient beast once when she was still a child while accompanying the High Priest, its proud elegance and aura of holiness had left a deep impression.
As soon as she and the High Priest had stepped into the boundary of the sacred place, a stern and icy voice boomed powerfully.
"Halt! Do not proceed further!"
Little Shizuru was terrified and stood nailed to the ground. She vaguely remembers the High Priest had some sort of conversation with the majestic white-colored beast but she could not remember what was being exchanged. Was it because she was too scared to take note or did the High Priest removed her memory of the conversation?
When she heard from Roeun that Soer managed to enter the sacred place, she knew she had to come investigate immediately. White Wind would have never allowed anyone to enter the place. Not wanting the secret of the Guardian Beast to be disclosed, she had setup a kekkai to keep people out of this place. Especially at this time...
Something must have happened to the Guardian...
How she wished to hear the thundering voice, the voice that once nailed her in her place, when she walked in but... none... it was quiet... too quiet.
Filling the atmosphere instead was a mysterious blackish fog. The fog seemed to originate from deep within the cave which housed the Seal Stone.
Shizuru strengthen her kekkai and braced herself as she ventured into the cave.
The gaze of the people were still on to Natsuki as she stepped away from the balcony. Even when the doors were closed, even at this height, the cheers of the people could be heard.
"Good work, Natsuki."
Mai smiled towards Natsuki who had just settled into her chair and offered her a cup of red tea.
"Compared to you, I got the easy part. However, pray tell when did you took over my secretary's job as well?"
"Sigh... I knew it! You still prefer Shizuru's green tea don't you? But there's nothing I could do about it I guess. That's Shizuru's priviledge. I can only make something else for you least you compare the two of us and deemed me unworthy."
"Mou!"
That's the best retort a flabbergasted Natsuki could come up with.
"Fine... fine... I'll stop. Let's get back to the matters at hand. Due to the gravity of the matter, the royal palace had sent word that the King will be coming to Garderobe this afternoon."
"What's he doing here for?"
Brows knitted, the already impossibly icy mask of hers managed to increase a notch.
"Well... on the surface, it's to discuss the course of action regarding this matter with the Gakuenchou."
Mai sighed helplessly. The current King, Philip the Third, can be considered a wise king. He is well versed in both the sword and pen and is still in his 30's and unwed. His affection towards Natsuki is no secret and he did nothing to deny rumours of his relationship with Natsuki which are spreading like wildfire among the people. This only served to irk Natsuki to no end.
"I know you don't want to see him. But... we do need to notify the royal courts regarding this matter."
"Do not worry. I'll know well to place official business ahead of mine. If not, I would have kicked him a year ago when he asked me to dance with him in front of everyone... because of that I missed the chance to dance with Shizuru."
Natsuki spat out her grievance with gritted teeth. Obviously, she is still sour over the matter.
"Are there news from Akane?" (-5-)
"No... not yet."
"Sigh..."
For awhile, silence fell over the room.
Eventually, Natsuki broke the awkwardness. "Since that guy will only be here in the afternoon, I guess I'd better grab some rest while I still can."
Mai shakes her head... only Natsuki would dare to address the King as "that guy".
Gazing towards the blue-haired figure standing in front of the window peering into the distance, Mai slowly closed the door as she took her leave.
"Heavens..."
Shocked. Her usual calm demeanour had totally abandoned her.
Upon the jade green Seal Stone, a gaping hole was evident. The strange black-colored fog are seeping out of that hole. Blood could be found splattered all over the floor. Found admist the crimson liquid are white-colored feathers. Shizuru knew all too well who those feathers belonged to.
"This is bad... Oh! What should I do? Teacher..." Crimson orbs filled with worry, Shizuru weakly mumbled.
TBC
Notes:
Whew! Ok... I am hoping to finish this series as soon as I can so I can move on to more happier stories. No promises though. (ie. I don't promise how soon is the as soon as I can ... and also I don't promise on the happier stories either)
-Bonk- Ouch! (readers: Don't make promises you can't keep! Take THAT! and ThAT!)
As usual, all forms of reviews and corrections are welcomed! Yes.. I am still on my gaming machine... no spelling checks STILL.(I think I have been sitting in front of it for way WAy WAY too long... my butt hurts)
Thanks for those who have reviewed! I hope you guys have recovered from the previous chapter by now. -grins-
-Bug #1 caught and terminated!- Thanks to SychoBabbleX for the correction.
Remarks:
1. Captain of the Guards. While Roeun is stationed in the fields, Azure is stationed mainly within Garderobe.
2. Which is why Azure is -cough-knowledgable-cough- in Natsuki's behaviour.
3. Apart from healing, Shizuru's speciality is to create kekkai, magical barriers. I've decided to go with kekkai (magical barrier or shield) after much debate (err... 5 mins to be exact). Force field is too science-ficky. Barrier doesn't fit nicely because kekkai can also act as a shield. Shield on the other hand doesn't fit nicely because kekkai can also act as a barrier. LOL. I am long-winded like an old granny aren't I?
(readers: Don't insult old granny! Take tHaT! and THat!)
4. Ok... this is where I totally deserved the TAKE THAT part... I have absolutely no idea how to translate the name of the beast. In chinese it's LingHeng. Ling - a flicker, a moment. Heng - forever, eternity. It's two absolutely contradictory words. (a moment that last forever?)
I know... White Wind is so lame... forgive me... I'll take suggestions... and I'll change the name accordingly? Thanks!
UPDATED: I've changed the name to Zeitlos (It meant TIMELESS in German). I know, it is still not nice but at least the meaning is correct now. So there! -grins-
5. If you're still wondering... Yes, Akane is one of the columns. So to summarize.
- 1st column: High Priest - Creation (D)
- 2nd column: Natsuki - Ice (O)
- 3rd column: Shizuru - Wind (D)
- 4th column: Mai - Fire (O)
- 5th column: Akane - Earth (B)
(D) - Strong on Defense. Weak on Offense.
(O) - Strong on Offense. Weak on Defense.
(B) - Balanced.