-Catgirl-of-Bavaria-: Woo, here's a longer chapter than my usual! Sooner than a month too, look at that! This one turned out 21 pages long, and it's finally getting to the part of the story I've been waiting to write for a while now! Finally we got some more fluffies going on! ;) As well a bit of action in this chapter by request of some of the reviews!
Also, I'd like to add that I have a rough idea for where to go with a sequel, which will include my OSR babehs, which you can find on my Deviant Art! So I'll be pondering further on that, as well as going to school… Um, yeah, that's pretty much it, I'm not feeling that talkative in this note! XD
Also, I'm trying something new with this chapter, I'm including some song lyrics that I think really suit the situation and Aikka and Eva's love. And I did not write the song, it belongs to Lifehouse!
Spellcaster Hikaru: .:glomps back:. Hikaruuu! X3 how's your school going? Eight days into mine, and the school had to close because of a bomb threat! Oo They didn't find anything of course, but I got a day off. Me and Aki Yasu had a German quiz too, and a good portion of our homework wasn't done either, so now we got extra time on it! XD lol, that's an amusing image, Kross using the Force…Poor Toros, somehow I see him as being a victim of it… .:gets to work on constructing a new closet for Janni and Takai:. :D Oh, by the way, ADW and DD are back in the RP!
Dramaqueen of the Moon: Indeed, Eva must know the truth! We'll see how it goes, shall we? And yeah, it would be interesting to see Jordy's reaction to his little sister falling for a Nourasian.! XD Glad you like it, hope you like this chapter! ;D
Sekai Nerah: no, I don't think I've been killed yet XD And Takai, bad? Oo I should hope not! Hope I updated quickly enough!
Whitehitsugaya: I put in some more action in the beginning of the chapter for ya, hope you like! And my gosh, you're right about that bit! XP Thanks for pointing that out I don't know how I miss stuff like that… XD
Crazyvegimab: Thanks, Mab! And I understand about being busy, happens to all of us. I agree, often times the fiancée characters are not that likable…I really like how both she and Takai turned out :) Janni too, of course. I'm glad you like the knighthood, really glad that worked so well. Hope you like this chapter! More fluff and more action! ;)
Amber: Hey:D woot! .:Joins Amber with the sparkly eyes:. Ah, cuteness and violence…two of the most awesome things in the world! X3 Glad you like it, here's some more!
Aisha12894: Yep yep, love, it's all around :3 Glad you like!
IchikoKitsuneKoumori: Indeed! Kross is a little pain in the butt…or rather a huge one…Oo; Not to worry, though, Aikka will get his two cents in .:shifty eyes:.
Shrouded View: Aheh, .:backs into a nice cozy corner while the fans swarm her:. Well, I can't say I didn't see that reaction coming! XD Well, in consolation, you didn't have to wait a month for this bit! Lol… .:drops the chapter and runs:. You shan't be disappointed! Aikka Molly fluffies!
Sangofananime: lol, don't worry, I'm back with more…and Aikka's safe…for now… Lol, I'm just messing around, I wouldn't kill Aikka….Or would I? .:Is shot:. Anyway, enjoy the chapter, glad you like it!
IchigoNekoKun: lol, Oh noes, not that song! XD Enjoy the update!
Isabella of the Night: lol, and thanks for the well wishes! Nah, I like being evil, but I don't think I'd go that far…I've already tortured Eva soo much… She may just kill me if I killed the prince off!
Crystal Persian: Thanks and enjoy:D
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Takai, Janni, Taaku, Kisara and Satis! And I wuv them all! .:huggles:.
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-Chapter 17-
The Truth
--
Aikka's eyes followed Eva as she disappeared up the pathway and behind the purple foliage. It hurt him, really, to see her with such fear, struggling so hard against Janni but it was the only way.
His eyes flashed menacingly back to the Crogs, now charging towards him.
"Retrieve the dark-haired girl, alive! Kill the other and the child!" Kross growled to the two others, and Aikka quickly brought his blade forth, running a flat palm along the cold metal of the blade, hilt to tip, leaving it blue in arcane energy as he went.
"Un Sekai tera kuratar!!" He growled, swinging the sword in an arc in front of him. Though the arc of the sword itself was not near far-reaching enough to reach or cut the Crogs, it sent a sort of blue wave off in its stead, causing the two officers to flinch and raise their own swords in defense. The creatures were perturbed by this, to Aikka's satisfaction, but their orders made them drone on. Unfortunately for them, Aikka was already into his next spell.
"Un Sekai Ubara!" His hands together in front of him, with his sword inserted between them, began to glow blue, before a great orb formed around the prince. He glared at the Crogs with eyes that even pierced through the blue glow around him, and the orb exploded forth, blasting into Kross's underlings, knocking them several yards backwards. It even reached Kross, but the larger male was not so easily offset.
"If you want Molly, you must kill me first!!" Aikka shouted at them all. Kross just gave an amused laugh, but allowed the other Crogs to do the task of knocking the prince out of commission.
It seemed as though the orb's passing had created a windstorm in the clearing, leaves rustled all around, dust swirled on the outskirts of the battleground. It rippled through Aikka's shoulder length hair, and through his clothes, sweeping his cloak wildly around him. Behind the few auburn tendrils that would swirl around his face, blue eyes blazed with a ferocity that had never been there in the presence of the Crogs.
His heart blazed with the passion for his people, still not safe from the Crogs, the murder of one or more of their best mages…the threat to the one girl he loved, his soul mate…He was sure that Eva was his soul mate, and he was sure that he'd protect her, he'd much rather die than let Kross or any other Crog get their hands on her. He was here now, and his main objective was to let Kross know just how much he really, truly hated him.
The Crogs promptly got to their feet, and marched over to Aikka, bent on destroying him first, or in the least knocking him out of the fight; he was sure that Kross didn't really want to kill him yet, that would be letting him off too easy, for all he 'betrayed' him and his race during Oban. No, logic told Aikka that Kross truly wanted him to suffer. And the best way to do that? Make him very aware of Eva being captured, and then extracting whatever revenge he had planned for her. Aikka knew that had to be it, they knew his strongest weak point now. Up until now the Crog had taunted him about it, even lost his temper and threatened to kill him first, but Aikka somehow knew better.
And by the spirits, he wasn't going to let either option happen. To die or to be captured would be to fail Eva. Fail the one he loved.
Aikka leapt to each side as the Crogs barreled, sword first, towards him, nimbly avoiding each with as much precision as one of his arrows. Jumping with a flip as one of the blades came back, he landed beyond them, stripping his cloak and chanting the blade arc spell again, waved the blue light towards the unprepared Crogs, knocking one to the ground, leaving the other to flinch and defend himself, before charging all out at the prince.
This caught Aikka off guard, and he found himself watching the Crog's bladeless hand rise, already putting him in range of the creatures vast arm length. Aikka leapt out of the way, but it was not soon enough; he found himself hurtling through the air, breath knocked out of him, chest already aching. He slid in the dirt and grass until being stopped by a pile of rubble that was once part of the cliff.
He quickly pulled himself to his knees, doubling over and coughing, almost afraid he'd expel blood. A hand grasped his stomach and his chest, and Aikka knew if there weren't broken ribs in the least, the area would become a large bruise, to say nothing of his back, which had just collided with rock. Glaring at the Crog who'd assaulted him, he leapt up, his sword beared and ready. The Crog laughed as he approached again. Aikka's eyes widened, he hadn't even regained his breath and the fight was at his feet again.
"I'll admit, prince, you're rather tenacious!" The official sneered, "But unfortunately it will be your downfall!"
Aikka quickly took in breath in a slightly pained gasp, ready to chant a spell, while the Crog already had his blade raised; Aikka suddenly feared for his life, as he felt air scratching in his throat. He knew he had to dodge the attack again; it would hurt, but he wouldn't be able to summon the words fast enough.
Suddenly, the Crog tensed, making a short gasping sound, and Aikka, still gasping in air, saw blue, along with a dark tan hand grasping one of the long black ears, allowing the owner to stay on the Crog's back, their sword pressed deep into the black mass that was the Crog's shoulder. The Crog's eyes were wide, yellow circles at this point, and Aikka straightened up, staring as the blue blade seemed to rip itself out of the Crog's shoulder, bringing a small river of blood with it.
Without any warning, Aikka's attacker reached around behind him, grabbing the ankle of the Nourasian on his back, dragging him around, tossing him in one swift movement to the side, the futile annoyance that he was.
"Takai!" Aikka shouted, seeing his friend and guardian flying over and into the dirt, skidding on his hands and knees, sword being lost to his flight. Before he could run to him, his opponent raised a rock hard fist.
Aikka stumbled into a dodge, but finally managed to form a coherent prayer.
"Un Sekai nara ketah!" His blade now glowed blue again, but it didn't send out a wave like before, rather it surrounded the metal like a flame, as he brought it forth, running it through the Crog armor as if it were butter, and into the actual flesh of the creature. Bringing a leg up, Aikka kicked the Crog in the stomach, both to remove his sword from his chest and to push the larger being backwards and consequently to the ground.
Aikka stared at the mass now bleeding in the dirt, his yellow eyes fighting to stay open. Aikka felt the blood on his clothes make his tunic heavier, as he ran to check on Takai, who was pulling himself up already.
"Aikka, if you insist on staying behind to play the hero, I do hope you have a plan!" Takai said, half-jokingly as he stood, sword already poised, the other Crog officer making his way over to them. Aikka merely coughed a laugh, gripping his aching chest.
"No, actually I thought you might have one," Aikka replied slyly, as the two combined their front.
"Here's one;" Takai muttered as the two of them marched forth, their pace, swords raised and blazing blue once more, before they both charged. "Don't die!" Aikka grinned; like he planned to leave this world before seeing Eva again.
Two forces met, and blood was spilt.
--
"Lady Eva, is there anything I can get for you?"
The voice seemed distant to Eva, as did everything else. Peering out into the rest of the wide room that was the infirmary, it was like looking at a different world, one hidden behind a veil of fog. The nurse leaning over her bed slowly came into focus in her crimson eyes.
She shook her head. What she wanted, what she so desperately needed, the nurse couldn't possibly provide. The nurse nodded and receded from her bedside, leaving Eva very alone staring out the window closest to her. The crimson light was growing in a certain brightness that only signified sundown. She didn't recall how long it'd been since she was separated from Aikka, but it felt like several grueling hours.
Her arm was currently bandaged up, feeling better already due to the Nourasians' medicine, but this small ray of light was nearly lost to the rest of her predicament, the dark cloud around her heart. Where was Aikka? Where was Takai? Taunting thoughts like this kept running through her head as her dull red eyes, still swollen from tears, stared around. With one arm she hugged both her knees to her chest, wishing that the Crogs never, ever existed.
"Eva, where are you?!" Don's frantic voice rang into the hospital wing, and Eva's head rose above where she'd set it on top of her knees. That's right, she recalled, Janni had gone some time ago to fetch the others and tell them what happened.
Her father paused only briefly in the door to scan the beds from where he stood, before making a beeline for Eva. Rick soon followed, just as worried, but not making as much of a scene about it, then Stan and Koji filed in, looks of fear etched in their faces.
"Eva, thank goodness, are you hurt? What did those bastards do to you?!" Don wrapped his arms around his listless daughter.
"It wasn't exactly the Crogs who did it, sir," a small voice came from the corner near Eva's bed. Eva and the others then became aware of the small form of Taaku sitting there, Takai's bow and arrows held gently in his hands as he stared down at them. "The only reason Lady Eva is injured is because of me. She risked herself to save my life when I was too cowardly to move…" Taaku's voice began shaking, and Eva became suddenly and acutely aware of others' problems.
"That true Little Mouse?" Rick asked softly, admiring the girl from underneath his shades. She nodded, not taking her eyes off of Taaku.
Suddenly leaping up from his seat on the ground, it became evident that the boy had been silently crying for a while now. "I'm terribly sorry that I've caused her so much trouble, she is a guest and I am a knight in training, I should have been…I should have been more brave…" he said with a broken voice as he sank into a low bow.
Eva didn't even hesitate, tearing off the covers and standing on wary legs to come over to Taaku. The boy looked up as she knelt in front of him, green eyes filled with tears. Those eyes widened as Eva wrapped her arms around him, cradling him as if he were her own child.
"Taaku, don't talk like that. I don't blame you at all." Eva said quietly, feeling the initial shock of her hugging him wear off of the boy. "You're only still a child, you don't have to be brave all the time." She felt his smaller arms slowly return the hug, his shoulders shaking just slightly.
"Well, that explains what happened to Lady Eva, but where is my son?" A deep voice sounded from the doorway. Looking there, the group caught sight of none other than the king and queen.
Don and the others looked at Eva, and she quickly deduced that Janni hadn't exactly told them the whole story. Eva looked at them all, letting Taaku fade away from her arms to bow to his king. She swallowed hard, ready to relay the information, but Janni intervened before she had to bear it.
"He stayed behind. He fought them so we'd have a chance to escape. Takai went after him after sending up a signal." She said, almost defeatedly. The king stared at the girl who'd just spoken. Sighing, he decided her information was trustworthy.
"I don't understand it, my love, I thought you arranged a shield with the mages of the city," Nori observed to the king. The king looked puzzled for an instant, and Eva opened her mouth to give them the bad news about that shield and those mages, however, another voice sounded from the door.
"That would be general Kross's doing, I'm afraid. One or more of our mages have been lost to us…" Aikka's voice came hoarse and exhausted, and the entire occupancy of the room, that is to say the humans, king, queen and a few nurses, turned on the spot. There he stood in the wide doorway, one arm slung around Takai for support, breathing raggedly, and, to Eva's horror, both of them were covered in blood. A collective gasp met this sight, and the nurses rushed to meet him as he and Takai limped in. None were as fast as a certain Earth girl, however.
"Aikka!" Eva cried, running against her father's protests over her injury. Tears reformed in her eyes as she looked at him, and his blue eyes remembered her, and he smiled back at her weakly.
"Eva, I'm so relieved you're alright," he said. Eva scowled.
"Me? What about you?! I didn't ask you to fight them alone!" Eva cried, moisture pouring down her cheeks. "You don't want me to get hurt, well what if I don't want you to get hurt?? Look at you! You're covered in blood!" She cried, while the nurses stood off to the side at a loss of currently what to do. Aikka looked amazed underneath his tired expression, but then smiled.
"It is not mine." He told her, blue eyes glinting mischievously. Eva blinked. "I have some scrapes and bruises, true. But it appears that Crogs bleed red just as much as any of us do." He observed hoarsely. Eva gasped and was about to ask the prince if that was really true, but the Nourasian gave a weakened lurch as Takai made immediately to catch him before he collapsed.
"A-Aikka!" Eva made a move, even with an injured wrist, to help him as well, but the nurses took the princes new shown weakness to step in, guiding his heavy steps towards the nearest bed. Eva could only follow behind and stay out of the way. She watched, still scared, as Aikka seemed to fight to stay conscious. The nurses rushed off to find proper things to take care of him, and Eva leaned over his bed.
"Aikka, I didn't want to leave you back there," She said sadly. Somehow even with what Aikka had said about the blood, it seemed almost as though he were on his deathbed to her. Aikka's pained expression softened and he opened blue eyes to her.
"I know, Earth Princess. But I didn't want…anything more to happen to you. I wouldn't be able to live with that." Aikka told her softly. They suddenly seemed to be the only ones in existence in that room. "I'd do anything for you, Molly." Aikka whispered so low only she'd be able to hear him. He only half knew he was saying all this, that he was now reaching up to shakily cup her cheek.
In the same hushed whisper, he continued, his eyes beginning to tire and sliding steadily shut. "I'm glad I survived their attacks, however…If I hadn't, I'd never have been able to tell you… How much I truly… care about you…" Eva's heart skipped a beat as his eyes finally shut, his arm steadily feel back onto the bed beside him.
"Aikka?" She asked warily. But seeing his chest rising and falling at a once more normal pace, made her breath in relief. She suddenly couldn't help the smile that played across her face, and nor could she stop the blush spreading across her face. Was this what he was going to say to her back in the forest?
"I would not take what my son said to heart, young Eva." The voice of the king said behind her as the nurses flocked around Aikka again with medicines and bandages in their arms. He was suddenly standing just next to her, whereas her own father and the others were off by her bed on the other side of the room, conversing quietly to themselves, letting Eva have her moment with the prince. They all knew she needed it.
"Ah, excuse me? I'm not sure I understand…" Eva said nervously under the king's stern gaze.
"I mean just this; Aikka may have said those things, but even he knows he can not and should not. Be it rebellion or his stubbornness that brought him to say it, nothing can come of what he just said to you." The king said. "Understand, I try not to hurt you, Lady Eva, but Aikka has… responsibilities. You would do well not to become too attached to my son."
Eva suddenly felt dark feeling developing in her gut again as she met the king's gaze. But no, he couldn't mean what she was thinking, Aikka would have told her! Right?
"Sir, do you mean to say...is Prince Aikka…" Eva asked, not bringing herself to finish the dreaded sentence. The king, however, seemed to know what she was thinking and nodded.
"Prince Aikka is indeed—" He was cut off by a cry from the doorway.
"Prince Aikka!" Almene walked as fast as manners and being ladylike would allow, to stand over his bed on the opposite side of Eva and the king. She gave a quick greeting and a bow to the king, before turning her attention back to the resting prince. "I came as quickly as I heard word…"
"He is indeed, engaged." The king finished quietly to Eva, who was now watching Almene, the girl she'd liked, who'd helped them and who was so kind, turn to some sort of competition. And when she thought competition, she herself knew there was practically none; Aikka was engaged, that was that. But what hurt the most was…
"He never told me…" Eva murmured, looking down at the prince, recalling his last words to her. Almene looked up at the sound of her voice.
"Lady Eva! I'm sorry, I did not notice you there," She promptly got up and sank to a bow. "I hope you are enjoying Nourasia?"
Eva looked at Almene only for a second, but didn't respond. Almene then figured out that there was something brewing beneath the human's surface, something like despair. The king then took this opportunity to disappear to elsewhere in the room.
"Lady Eva, are you alright?" Almene asked worriedly, lavender eyes full of concern that Eva couldn't bear to look at. Eva sucked up the tears that were so close to falling, and shrugged the princess off.
"I'm fine. I just need some fresh air…" Eva said flatly. "It was nice seeing you again, princess."
Without another word, Eva ran off, out the door way to the infirmary, and off, neither knowing nor caring where she was going. Don Wei watched it happen, and looked with narrowed eyes towards the king. He knew he must have said something to his daughter, he'd sensed the unease as they were talking over Aikka's bed.
"May I ask, your majesty, what exactly you said to scare my daughter away?" Don asked, approaching the king.
"My son was careless with his words. I was simply warning her not to take him seriously, and…" He gave an indicating look at Aikka, now accompanied by a worried and slightly bewildered Almene. "I do believe she had the right to know the truth about my son, wouldn't you agree?"
Don suddenly understood. After all, Aikka was royalty, this was a possibility he'd been contemplating since he'd seen his daughter looking at Aikka in that rare way. To say he was prepared for it, however, would be a lie. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Don nodded.
"I suppose so." He settled on saying. "However, she did risk her own life to save one of your subjects, I would hope that you show her better respect in light of that."
Meanwhile, the queen had been watching on silently, ever since Eva had learned the truth. She cast a sad look out the window. The other humans around Eva's now empty bed stared from the king and Don to one another, back to the floor. Janni, looking towards a window, found Takai sitting on the edge of another bed, wiping away at his bloody face.
"Disgusting filth," He was heard as muttering as she came closer, in reference to the blood he was cleaning away. She gave a slight laugh as he worked to get the crimson off.
"Some day, huh?" the gunner said quietly, approaching the knight. Takai looked up from behind his moist towel, and smiled darkly. "So…You killed Kross?" Janni asked hopefully, at which Takai's brown eyes faded slightly.
"I wish I could say we did…" he told her as she sat down on the mattress with him. "The other two were not so lucky. One we killed, the other may just have a scar as well as Kross." They both resorted to silence, each silently sending their own curses to the elusive General.
"So it's true, Aikka is engaged." Janni said, breaking the silence a few moments later, after a look at Don and the King, on separate sides of the room, agreeing to disagree about the whole subject of Eva and Aikka. Takai merely nodded. "I told her, when we met Almene…I knew there was something about her."
"Aikka did not tell her?" Takai asked softly, frowning. Janni shook her head, somewhat angrily.
"I warned her but I don't know how she'll really take it. Aikka let her down, she'll have every right to be pissed off with him." Janni growled, clenching her fists in her lap. "If my brother were here…"
Takai looked at her strangely, but settled for shaking his head with a weak smile. There was still much he knew he had to learn about humans, especially this girl. Still, he thought as he scrubbed away some blood from his now sleeveless arms, she had a very endearing quality to her. He'd never seen a girl with more passion than Janni or Eva. He used to be confused on how Aikka had become so fascinated with the human world, but he could tell that he was beginning to see and understand.
"You know…" Takai said quietly as Janni continued to fume. She looked at him questioningly. "Prince Aikka…He really does love her." Takai admitted. Janni stared sideways at him, but softened.
"Before this war I never understood it, his relationship with a human girl called 'Molly,' but now…I can actually see it for myself." Takai said, tossing his bloodstained towel aside. "My father told me little, and he didn't approve of it, but it's different when you actually see it happening. I don't know what Aikka was planning, but I'm sure he never meant to hurt her."
"I…guess…" Janni surrendered to Takai's wisdom, but still stared at Jordan's mark on her wrist. She still wanted to know what her brother would think about this whole situation.
"Still, should you go talk to Eva?" Takai asked uncertainly, leaning off the bed. Janni thought for a few seconds, letting her wrist fall to her side.
"No, I think she needs a little time…Even then…" She cast a look over to Aikka's bed, currently surrounded by curtains so the nurses could inspect him in privacy. "Aikka needs to fix what he's done. He's the real one who needs to talk to her." She stood up off the bed.
"Besides, this place is huge. Other than the guest wing, I don't know where she'd have gone…" Takai nodded at her confused look and got to his feet himself.
"Well, if you aren't occupied, perhaps you could accompany me," Takai suggested. "I must get some food and extra robes for Aikka to change into when he awakens, and I should like to get some new clothes for myself as well…" he told her, holding out some of his shirt and staring disgustedly at the Crog blood. He looked at her again, a bit regretfully this time. "It's not much, but I am afraid our little lesson tomorrow won't be possible…and since I have the time available…I hope it may make up for it." Takai told a confused Janni. She soon regained her bewildered look, and smiled lopsidedly, her tan skin lighting up in pink.
"I'd like that," She said, starting for the door. "I should probably start carrying around my big guns anyway," she said with a wink. Takai was soon to follow after her, and Rick was quick to observe.
"Those Nourasian boys, they sure have a way with the ladies…" He murmured to himself, while Stan and Koji looked knowingly at one another after watching the interaction. Rick turned his head to look at the prince's bed, and now the curtains were being pulled back, revealing the sleeping prince, his dressings changed, covered to the shoulders with a blanket.
"How is he?" Rick asked quietly to one of the passing nurses.
"He is fine and relatively uninjured, just exhausted from the fight. He should wake within the hour," She replied kindly to him. Nodding, Rick took a few paces towards the prince's bedside, where Almene had resumed her post.
'You did it again, kid, you saved the Little Mouse,' Rick thought to Aikka, staring at the prince's sleeping face, still a bit scratched up. 'Still, you're gonna have a mess to clean up when you wake up.' His glance rose to look at Almene beneath his tinted glasses.
With that, he turned, going to find his way back to the guest wing.
--
He remembered the day he met Eva. It seemed like such a fluke meeting at the time, and even then, she was 'the enemy'. Though it took no effort at all for his relationship with her to prove that one thing was true; the old saying that stated 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.'
But it was so much more than that, at least to him. He couldn't have predicted meeting someone like her, let alone at the races, let alone of the human team, whom he was supposed to be fighting, along with the Crogs. She'd been to this day so affected by the Crogs, and it was partially his fault. He never asked for it to happen.
And yet, no matter how he looked at it, he didn't regret that day, that first day of the races when he met her. How could he regret one of the greatest days of his life? His only regret was that he wasn't able to have spent more time with her in the year since then. That he hadn't been able to say what he wanted back in the woods.
He regretted that, as much as he didn't want it to be, he was still betrothed to Almene.
Desperate for changing
He recalled the day he'd met Princess Almene, too.
It was only days after he'd returned from Oban, and the high that he'd gotten from defeating Canaletto, from rebelling from the Crogs(who were at the same time receding from his planet, their warships affected by the avatar's crowning) was still strong in his spirit. But more present was the natural high from the fact that he now had a friend, an ally, made from an 'enemy' and with bonds that could not be broken, that had transcended all the adversity the race had brought down on them, transcended their differences in race. That was the best high of all, for once he felt new, and enthusiastic even through the most boring of studies. This girl called Molly, or Eva, rather, as he'd only vaguely found out, she gave him something new to look forward to.
He greatly looked forward to the day he'd be able to honor his promise to her, to reunite with her and show her the kingdom that he'd one day inherit.
And then came the day of his presentation to the princess, the princess he only vaguely remembered from his childhood. A young woman who he barely knew. The day he was presented, was the day both Aikka and Almene's fathers agreed, the engagement was made official.
Some part of Aikka's heart sank that day, he remembered the vague sinking in his stomach as he politely kissed the top of Almene's hand while looking in her lavender eyes. Looking back, Aikka recalled he didn't know why this sinking feeling happened. But hindsight was perfect sight, and he could tell, even back then, even if he didn't know it…
He was in love with Molly.
Starving for truth
Drawing in air, Aikka smelled the calm air of the infirmary, the smell of herbs reaching his senses. He could hear scattered, quiet talking. The place wasn't that crowded at all, and the light on the other side of his veil of sleep was dim, like that of the torches. At his touch, he could feel linen cocooning his torso, his arms out from under the blanket, and a hand in his. It was a smaller hand, like that of a girl's.
His eyes began to flutter open, and he was eager to find Eva next to him. Had he finished saying what he wanted before he passed out? He hardly recalled…He slowly turned his heavy head to his right, his sapphire eyes only half open from his drowsiness.
"Molly?" he breathed, the shape of the person holding his hand coming only slowly into focus. The figure jolted, as if they'd been in a daze until he'd spoken, but as his focus sharpened, he noticed, it wasn't Molly who held his hand.
"Prince Aikka! You're awake!" Almene said joyfully, clasping his hand into both of hers. Aikka's eyes widened, and he suddenly felt so much more awake as he stared at her lavender eyes. "Thank the spirits you're alright—Ah, Aikka, you shouldn't rise, you need your rest…!" Almene objected as Aikka pulled his sore body up to a seat in his bed, blue eyes leaving Almene to peer around the vast room that was the hospital wing. He knew what he needed, and Almene was not it…Nor was what he needed there in the room.
"Where is Molly?" Aikka asked, more thinking aloud than anything. Almene went from blushing over seeing her fiancés bare chest to staring confusedly at him.
"Molly?" She asked. "Oh, do you mean Lady Eva?" Her look turned nervous and slightly sad as he turned to look at her again.
"Yes, where is she?" Aikka asked calmly. "I…must speak with her…" he settled on saying, his voice fading. Not even Eva's family was there in the hospital.
"I cannot be sure, when I came in, she was here…but your father said something," She recalled aloud, while Aikka's eyes widened, and he looked off. "She just…ran off after that…"
Aikka stared off, in a haze; what in the world had his father said to her? Eva was still injured, she shouldn't have left the infirmary! Nor was his father or mother around. He didn't get a good feeling about what Eva would have run off for.
So, the prince said nothing as he tore the blankets from his body, ignoring the objections from his stiff limbs and bruised torso as he set his bare feet on the cold stone floor. Looking to his side, he found a pile of fresh clothes next to his bed, brought there sometime before by Takai. Grabbing them, he hastily pulled a sleeveless shirt and a long brown robe that swept around his ankles over the fresh pants that the nurses had given him before.
"Aikka, what…where are you planning to go?" Almene asked cautiously.
"I apologize, Almene," Aikka said with a bow as he swept his robe flat around his form. "Thank you for sitting by me, but…I must find Eva. I have to discuss something with her…" Aikka left it at that as he headed for the hallway, leaving a silent Almene alone in the hospital wing.
"Aikka, what is it that haunts you about her?" Almene asked the newfound silence, a look of sudden thoughtfulness on her face.
I'm closer to where I started,
Aikka tore down the hallways of the palace, jarring his brain for where Eva would have gone. Of course, the guest wing had been his first stop, but no one had answered her and Janni's door, and Rick claimed to not know where the girl was. What he did know, though, was what his father had actually said to Eva, and he had even encouraged the prince to find her soon. It was then, Aikka knew, he really did need to find her soon…Though where would be the problem…
Eva knew now, she knew the truth about Almene, and it gave him a bad feeling of guilt that he hadn't been able to tell her the truth himself, worse that his father had been the one to tell her. He had to find her quickly, she may know now the truth about his engagement, but she still didn't know the whole truth, the fact that Almene was not the one who held his heart. There was still a dark voice in the back of his mind that told him it wouldn't do any good to tell her, that perhaps she wouldn't believe him.
"Still," Aikka said to himself, glancing down all the arching doorways on his way away from the guest wing where the humans were situated. He had to tell her. He had to find her.
Chasing after you.
Eva sat at the edge of the railing, just feet away from the vines of the Athelas plant overtaking the walls and stone railing. Over looking the other terraces below, the gardens, she held to her injured arm, fighting off tears. There was no way she was going to cry, she'd told herself that several times since she'd come here after running from Aikka's father.
The blue light of the moon hung over her, but it suddenly had such a melancholy tone to it. And as she sat there watching her feet dangle over the garden level below, she tried to convince herself not to be so surprised.
"I don't know what I was thinking…" Eva muttered, curling her knees closer to her chest, despite the absence of cold. "Even back home, that's how it is in the fairy tales. The prince marries a princess, and they live happily ever after."
She set her head in the crook of her arm at this last commentary and sighed. A light breeze caught her hair and swept over her as her eyes slunk over the landscape that was quiet and tense with the recent attack. Closing her eyes, she found herself, surprisingly and for the first time in days, wishing that she could just curl up in her bed at home, to get away from these problems. Too bad that had all been destroyed.
"Janni was right, how could I have been so stupid?" She whispered to herself.
"You are not stupid." A voice came behind her, calling her head from its shelter in her arm. "You are one of the cleverest people I know, Molly."
Turning, Eva spotted Aikka, standing straight and in the middle of the doorway, his long robe rippling around his legs. He beheld her knowingly, his crystal eyes dim with guilt and sadness. He took a couple of measured steps towards her, treading lightly as if the stone might crumble beneath him if he stepped wrong. Eva turned her face back to look outwards again.
"Why'd you never tell me you were engaged?" Eva asked, as if in conversation, though her voice was hurt and icy. It was that ice, but more so, that hurt that stung Aikka like a knife so much he almost visibly winced. "Did you think I wouldn't be happy for you?"
I'm falling even more in love with you,
"That isn't what I meant to happen. None of this is." Aikka told her. "I had every intention of telling you…Back in the forest…"
"If you were gonna tell me, why'd you try to kiss me?" Eva asked harshly, turning and letting her legs go to dangle over the railing again. Aikka stared at her, before looking off.
"I know I shouldn't have, when I was trying to tell you the truth…" Aikka began awkwardly, before looking at her with meaningful eyes again. "But I do not regret it."
Eva looked oddly at him, before swinging her legs over the balcony railing.
"What about Almene, then?" Eva raised an eyebrow at the prince. He tilted his head in return.
"What about Almene?" Aikka returned the question as he stepped forward.
"What about her? You're marrying her, aren't you?" Eva retorted, hopping down to the floor and making to pass Aikka. "She's a nice girl, you shouldn't talk about her like that." Without making any eye contact with the prince, she strode past him, in a hurry to get away before the tears came.
Letting go of all I've held on to,
"That is what you think?" Aikka murmured as she approached, sensing the hurt in her voice, the kind of hurt that expressed loneliness, one's feelings not being returned. Eva paused only for a second before turning to him.
"It's true isn't it?" She said listlessly, before turning away and heading quickly for the doorway. Aikka drew in a sharp breath and made to quickly catch up with her, his sandals scratching the stone floor below him.
"Molly, please, wait!" Aikka pleaded, grabbing Eva around the wrist. Turning around reflexively to retract her hand, Eva caught a desperate look in Aikka's eyes as his other hand grasped her injured side by the shoulder. Both his touches were gentle, and the feeling of her back meeting the wall was lost as she stared, surprised, into Aikka's eyes.
I'm standing here until you make me move,
"Please. If you will only let me explain myself…" Aikka whispered, staring down into her eyes over their suddenly evident height difference. Eva could only stare silently up at him, bewildered as to his sudden show of force. Even more puzzling, were Aikka's eyes, which, almost like hers, were glistening, almost as if he too were also on the edge of tears. He looked down, slowly and tilted his head more towards hers, though it wasn't like the move in the woods, he wasn't moving in to kiss her. Crimson eyes followed him as he drew in heavy breath.
"Almene and I…We aren't like that. I am not engaged to her by will or love." Aikka told her. Eva's eyes burned with tears as she looked at him. "I…know I have no right to say this, but…" The one hand that had captured her wrist and pinned it to the wall above Eva's head, moved, gently tracing her skin as he took her hand, clasping it into his own. Eva stared at the movement as his hand held to hers desperately, almost needing.
"If the Spirits would allow me one selfish act in my life, I would will it to be this;" Aikka continued softly. When he opened his blue eyes again, he found Eva's full of tears as a couple beaded down over her star and stripe. He gave another squeeze to her hand, and leaned in farther, their faces only inches away. "I love you, Molly."
Eva let out a quiet gasp, and eased in his grasp. A breeze was the only thing that penetrated their senses as Aikka once more leaned in, tilting his head as he went. The only difference in them both from the moment in the woods was that Eva soon found herself leaning up to meet him. Nothing else seemed to matter other than this one thing. Both felt a rise in anticipation as their lips just brushed, as Aikka paused, wishing to make the moment last as long as he could. Just inches away from each other, crimson eyes met elated crystal ones.
I'm hanging by a moment here with you.
"Prince Aikka!" Both of their half-lidded eyes snapped open at the sound of Canaan's somewhat distant voice. Aikka glanced off without moving his lips away from Eva; he knew Canaan hadn't actually seen them like this, his voice wasn't near as frantic or angry as it would have been in that case…But he was being sought by his master nonetheless, and by the sounds of it, Canaan was somewhere on the same level of the terrace. If he hadn't seen them yet, he would soon. "Prince Aikka, where are you?" Aikka suddenly felt Eva fade from him, leaning back onto the wall.
"Canaan's looking for you." She stated sadly, looking off. Aikka frowned; there was no way he'd let this moment be interrupted again. "Ah! Aikka?" Eva exclaimed quietly as his hands shifted, as he began with her in tow off to the other side of the terrace, away from Canaan's searching voice.
"Come, you must see my kingdom," Aikka told her, dragging her off towards a very familiar place, using the line he'd last left her with when he left Oban. He could feel her confusion at what he'd said.
"What do you mean? I have seen your kingdom! Aikka??" Eva said confusedly.
The two of them disappeared into a side path to another, mountain scaling patch of woods from the terrace. And watching from another balcony above, a Nourasian girl stared, still shocked, at what she'd just seen. Movement from the vegetation where the prince had just disappeared ceased, only moments before Canaan happened upon the scene.
Almene faded away from the railing, as Canaan began looking around for signs of the prince.
"So that is the truth about you, Prince Aikka?" she asked to the silence as Canaan stalked off, grumbling about the prince's disappearing act. She suddenly smiled, staring up to the blue moon of Sekai. "I see. Now, I understand." She realized, thinking back on her experience with the prince the last few days. She didn't wonder anymore, why he'd been so distant to her, even during their dinner together.
"Treat her kindly, prince," Almene smiled, gliding back towards the door to the palace.
Forgetting all I'm lacking,
Completely incomplete,
Eva did her best to keep up with the nimble prince, as they headed up a path, one that was forgotten by time, ragged and rough enough to slow anyone who didn't know its direction down. Patches of Athelas also made her cautious not to stray from the path, as she clung to Aikka's one hand. He just kept leading her higher and deeper into the thick Nourasian forest.
"Aikka, where are you taking me?" Eva panted, when it seemed like they had been heading upwards forever. "And I've already seen your kingdom, I don't get it!" Aikka responded with laughter.
"Do not worry, it isn't that far now." He turned in place, turning a smile to her. "And you will see what I mean."
I'll take your invitation,
You take all of me now
Eva stared with a blush at his sudden smile, but before she did anything in response, they were moving again, up the inclined path. Aikka eventually started to slow, before he spoke up again, his hand squeezing hers gently.
"I often come to this place, as far as I know, I am the only one who knows of it. I found it accidentally when I was quite young," Aikka told her softly, just as the path began to level out. The surrounding vegetation thinned out as well until it finally let into a clearing. It was then that Aikka stopped, but didn't let go of her hand. "This, is the only place I can go to truly escape…everything."
Eva took her eyes off of the prince, to look at the actual clearing. It was quite big, with plenty of thick, winding-trunk trees around, purple foliage spilling indigo light from the glinting moon. Stone rocks lay naturally about, and if he hadn't just told her he'd been there frequently, she'd think that it was completely untouched by anyone. The most capturing feature though, was the view of the night sky, perfectly framed by purple leaves, winding trunks, and an uneven stone floor.
"Now, come see my kingdom," Aikka turned completely to her, leaning towards her and simultaneously tugging her hand towards him. Eva could only stare at him, entranced by his blue eyes, enthusiastic and without the sadness that had been there just earlier. She followed, feeling as if she and him were both floating towards the overlook in a dream.
I'm living for the only thing I know,
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
Aikka didn't take his eyes from Eva's as he walked, knowing every rock and where it was. His heart beat frantically, he knew she'd love what he was about to show her, he was just dying to see that joy in her eyes again.
"As I was saying, it is about time that I show you my kingdom," He said as he guided her to the edge, waving his free hand over the sight in presentation. Eva gasped the second she took her eyes off of Aikka's.
It seemed as though they'd climbed into the surrounding mountains, because below lay Daalan, she could finally see all of it. As Aikka had told her back on Earth, the city did form to the land, parts of the city crept up the sides of the mountains, and unlike the cities on Earth, the civilization wound around the forests, instead of the other way around. She could even see beyond that, to the surrounding lands, deeper into the valley and past the mountains. Moonlit stretches of free, uninhabited land met her gazes past the reaches of the city gates. Even nearer, there was the palace; they were almost above even that. And on the other side of the palace, in the west, as Aikka had said, lay a glimpse of the canyons from behind the surrounding mountains, which were doused with patches of violet forest.
"Oh my god," Eva gasped, gaping out, and looking at each and every thing for a second time. Her smile spread as she stepped forward carefully, trying not to get too close to the edge. "Aikka…It's…" She turned back to him. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!" She said, red eyes gleaming with wonder.
Aikka looked on her fondly, bringing a hand up to stroke her hair affectionately.
And I don't know what I'm diving into,
Just hangin' by a moment here with you.
"I knew you'd like it," he whispered. He continued to trace through her hair, moving gently down the side of her neck as his expression fell. "I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you the truth."
Eva shuddered slightly from the breeze coming over the overlook. She'd almost forgotten about their previous discussion. But she nodded, knowing this topic had to be cleared from the air, if they were to ever be able to move on. If such a thing were possible now that she knew about Almene and Aikka. Having her feelings reciprocated, that was one thing, a great thing, but it was another to think about if those feelings would be appreciated by the others, their parents in particular.
"If you don't love her, then why are you marrying her?" Eva asked quietly, glancing to him inquiringly. He smirked sadly, his hand brushing away from her.
"Why else? It is an arranged marriage." Aikka stated, traveling a short distance to lean against one of the larger stones. Eva inhaled a bit sharply, blinking at his words. So they had been unwillingly given to each other?
"So your parents decided for you both to be married? How long ago did that happen?" She asked.
"From the time when Almene was young, but do not get the wrong idea," Aikka answered, staring out over Daalan. "She was not so much traded to me for marriage, but promised. True, there are political reasons, traditional ones, but love is also a key value in Nourasian weddings, royal ones included. I am told that my parents were very much in love with each other when they were younger, before they got married, even."
"But, you're not in love with Almene?" Eva asked, relaying the prince's earlier claims. Aikka shook his head.
"No." He said quietly. "From the time we were young, it was our parent's intentions to let the two of us get to know one another, to spend time with each other and develop a friendship with one another…Even for us to fall in love with each other…" Aikka explained. "But the Crogs posed difficulty even in that."
Eva cocked an eye brow at the mention of their enemy, and Aikka sighed. Eva leaned next to Aikka on the stone, and their gazes met briefly.
"They came before I was born, so there was considerable worry over me when I was born, the only heir to the kingdom. Almene and I were both raised protectively, so we were rarely ever able to meet as children, as our parents desired." Aikka looked away from Eva, who remained silent and listening. "We never developed the relationship my parents had in their time. But the engagement went ahead as planned, and as soon as I returned from the race, it was confirmed."
"But even back then, I felt it difficult to learn to accept the engagement, only now I realize it wasn't just from my lack of knowledge of her that made me feel that reluctant…" Aikka said, turning completely to her. "I never loved her, but I loved another." He was once again coming closer to her, and Eva was frozen there by his words.
There's nothing else to lose,
There's nothing else to find,
"No matter how much I've tried to deny it these last few days, there is no denying it. I'm through denying it." The prince sent a hand to caress her starred cheek. He made a point of looking directly into her eyes. "I love you, Molly. No one else."
His hand moved along her jawline, traveling to the back of her neck, where he gently urged her face upward. She responded readily, even eagerly, tilting her head as she rose her blushing face to him. Once more, they got closer and closer, and she could soon feel the prince's breath again, warm and soft against her. She almost half expected some new interruption, it felt too good to be true that they were so close again. But they were indeed completely alone as they let their eyes meet one last time. Her eyes closed lightly as their lips finally met, just touching before they melted into one another. His free hand found her waist and pulled her closer, while both of her hands rose to his shoulders, leaning in agreement to his hold on her.
Aikka pressed only a bit harder onto her lips, desperate for more, but not wanting to move too hastily. But feeling Eva pressing into his body, her lips responding avidly to his, he decided with a blush, to deepen the kiss. Teasing her lips with the tip of his tongue, the Nourasian awaited permission from Eva to enter. Though a bit surprised at his forwardness, his Earth princess was only too ready to comply. He smiled into the kiss as they melded together, wrapping his arm more around her waist, the pure excitement running through his veins being enough to drown out the sensations of her leaning against some of his more formidable bruises in his stomach.
Eva shivered at the sensation of Aikka kissing her, of his tongue slipping into her mouth and mingling with her own. Just as it had when they were walking towards the overlook in the first place, it felt like they were floating together. No longer did they misunderstand each other, everything was out in the open, everything was explained. Janni may have been right, but it didn't matter to Eva. Aikka loved her, and now he was physically showing her…Wait until she told Janni back at the palace!
Back at the palace. What would happen there? What was to happen to their love when they would return? King Lao had made it clear that he intended his son to be wed to Almene. And Aikka and Almene…
Eva suddenly stopped, still in Aikka's grasp, his lips still against hers, still in a hazy world that she'd only dreamed about. As much as she hated it, the haze of this world was suddenly fading, her crimson eyes opened with realization. It only took Aikka half a second to sense her pause, before she faded from the prince's kiss entirely.
There is nothing in the world,
"Molly?" Aikka gasped, slightly out of breath from his show of love for her. His eyes looked over her with worry as hers slunk off, once again full of sadness.
"It doesn't matter." Eva whispered, her hands sinking from his shoulders to his chest. "Once we go back, it won't matter that I love you or that you love me…" Aikka was silent for a second.
"What do you mean?" Aikka asked as her hands slipped off of him. Even as they left, he wanted them back.
"Even if you're done denying it, I don't think your father is." She leaned back against the rock again. "And you're still engaged to Almene. And we aren't even of the same race. Be reasonable, they won't want us to be together."
"Molly, if love were a reasonable emotion, I would have fallen in love with Almene," Aikka retorted, bracing an arm on the rock in the direction she was looking off in. Gently taking her chin with his fingers, he drew her gaze back to him. "When I say I'm done denying it, I'm done denying it to my parents as well. I love you and I am not going to let you go again, Eva."
That can change my mind,
"And besides," he continued with a wry grin. "When has adversity ever been your weakness, Earth Princess?"
Eva blushed over a smirk of her own, but still felt admittedly worried. Sinking into his chest, she clutched to him needingly; she couldn't let him go once they would return to the palace. She didn't even know how her father would react; she remembered the first night she'd had Aikka in the hospital back home, the look on his face when he'd walked in on their hug, and even now with what Aikka had said to her back in the palace's infirmary, things were a bit more obvious. Aikka wrapped his arms around his love.
"I just…I'm not sure what to do here…" Eva murmured into his chest, feeling her eyes burning again. "I want to do something, I just…have no idea what I can do…"
"Don't worry, Molly, we'll figure something out," Aikka whispered soothingly, stroking the girl's hair. "I will have to go in front of my court, but…" He trailed off, feeling Eva's breath becoming shaky in his arms. But the brief pause made him recall something.
"Molly, so, if it were possible, if Almene were not a factor," Aikka asked, still stroking her hair, trying to calm her. She moved slightly, signaling she was listening. "Would you want to be with me?"
Aikka's voice was so quiet at that point, but Eva could still hear him, and she drew herself from his chest, looking at him with wide and shocked eyes. Aikka looked back at her, calmly and questioningly.
"Aikka, did you just ask me to marry you?" Eva asked in shock as she stared at his blue eyes. Aikka then smiled coyly.
There is nothing else.
"In a way," he said, stepping back slightly from her. "Come with me and I'll show you what I mean." He held out a hand in offering to her, and grinned.
Desperate for changing,
Starving for truth,
She looked at his hand, considering the question. If it were possible? She'd take it in a heartbeat. Perhaps not now, they were both so young, but eventually…
I'm closer to where I started,
Chasing after you,
Eva grinned to match Aikka's expression, pushing herself off of the rock behind her and into his grasp. Aikka smiled and accepted her with a small kiss on the lips, before leading her off to the side of the clearing, and back down into the sloping path. But before they'd reached the stone terrace of the palace, Aikka guided her down a less-tread path, in the direction of the Holy City below.
I'm fallin' even more in love with you,
Letting go of all I've held onto,
I'm standing here until you make me move,
I'm hanging by a moment here with you.
-Catgirl-of-Bavaria-: Woo! Finally they kiss! I was long and evil about it, but it finally happened! How'd you guys like? Also, putting in the idea of Aikka being able to enchant his sword is an idea I've loved for a while now :D I think it'd be really awesome if it were canon, too. Seeing it in anime form would be sweet! Not as sweet as Aikka and Eva getting together in the canon, though! X3
Also, how did the inclusion of the song work with the chapter? I heard it on the radio, and it immediately fit. I've never done anything like a song-fic before, so this is my first time. How'd you guys like it? Did it help? Oh, and the song is Hanging by a Moment, by Lifehouse, and I don't own it! XD
Next chapter:So, where is it that Aikka's leading Eva now, and what's he got in mind? Later on, they return to the palace, and Aikka receives a shock…And so does Eva when a certain Avatar shows up…With a plan.