December 29, 2006
Disclaimer: I do not own Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
Title: The Forest of Purity
Author: PurificationArrow
Rated: Teen
Genre: Romance/General
Summary: While in the Toxic Jungle, Nausicaä and Asbel's feelings for each other start to grow. They also find a strange tree that is protected by an electric barrier. Suddenly, a new problem begins to stir: someone is also after Nausicaä's heart, but who?
Notes: Sorry once again. Jeez, that's like the only thing that I can think of saying. I feel really bad for leaving everyone and this story for such a long time. Once again, sorry. But at least this chapter is out now. Although for future chapters, I feel I must warn you. It'll probably take a long time for updates to appear because of school, and other things that I can't remember right now. So, here's the chapter.
Bold - emphasis on words
Italics - thoughts or flashbacks
Bold and Underline - Author's note in mid-chapter
Chapter 7: The Past
Last Chapter: Eyes narrowing, I murmured the big question, "So why?"
---Nausicaä's POV---
Sunlight hit my face, and I made a sound and sat up.
I stared at the window, and the first thing that caught my gaze was an enormous graveyard. I felt sadness creep into my heart, so many people had lost their lives because of the poison from the Toxic Jungle.
But still, I was fascinated that they had managed to live this long in the Jungle, let alone without detection from me or my people.
It had been the next day since Asbel and I were separated. Then I sharply intook a breath, "Asbel..." I murmured. I pushed the cover's away from my body, and swung my legs over the side.
I was still clad in my usual attire.
My stubborness had forced me to refuse any clothes that were offered to me by either the Prince or the knight whom I had spoken to just the previous day. But it made no difference to me, the only thing that I needed to focus on was finding Asbel.
I reached a hand out to the door, and I cried out as a spark ran up my hand and gave me a shock.
I took a step backwards, clutching my hand, "Electricity." I whispered. I took a step back and viewed the entire room, "Electricity must be running through this entire city, seeing as it is in the middle of a tree protected by an electric barrier."
This world was immensly fascinating, but the only thing that I could do was attempt to convince Than once more that I had no intention of being Harasa's queen.
How I was to do that, I had no idea. My first problem was to get out of this room, and the window was out of the question. So the only option I had was to try to break the door down, find Asbel, think of a plan, then follow up with it.
As I looked around, nothing I saw could help.
The table in the room was stone, and was carved from the room itself it seemed, same with the bed. My sword and flare gun had been taken, so that left me with virtually no options.
I sighed, "Guess the only option is to break the door down by hand."
I stepped to the door, and faintly heard the crackling of electricity. I raised my foot, and began to hammer away fiercely, hoping that I could last longer than the door.
---
I sat back, panting and exhausted.
Darkness had fallen, and I'd been repeatedly trying to break the door down but to no avail. It hadn't even budged a single inch, and I wiped a hand across my forehead. I was seriously contemplating just waiting until I got some of my strength back.
That is, until there were sounds outside the door, and it opened.
I sprung up, and was actually quite surprised to see the knight there. He closed the door behind him, and despite the fact that his helmet was covering his face, I could feel an intense stare coming from him.
"Princess Nausicaä, put on these clothes, quickly." He said, and in his outstretched arms, was a knight's suit.
The more logical part of me said not to. My gut said do it.
So I did.
Within a few minutes, I was changed and inside the suit.
I was surprised almost instantly, "It's so light..." I murmured. The knight chuckled quietly, "It is made out of Ohmu eyes." I whirled around and glared, angry. He laughed, "Not live Princess. Their shells of course."
I was glad that the helmet was there to cover my face, for I blushed.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
The knight didn't seem to mind, "It's alright. Come with me." He must've known that there was a somewhat reluctant look in my face, because he put a hand on my shoulder and while opening the door he whispered, "You can trust me."
It was then that I knew I could.
His voice was deep and kind, just like Father's was. I felt a small stab of pain as I remembered where my father had been buried, but shook it off and followed the knight.
As I walked along, something occured to me. I turned my head to him, "I'm sorry I never asked this before, but what is your name?"
Without looking at me, he turned the corner and I followed, "My name is Aden." He said.
I noticed a hint of hesitation when he spoke his name. Something told me that there was more going on than what I was involved in right now. But logic forced me to let it go for the moment.
---
Aden stood in front of a large, wooden, double-door.
He had produced keys from somewhere and was proceeding to unlock the door. I stood behind him, "Excuse me, what are you doing?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. The knight turned his head slightly, "Princess, please. Be as silent as possible."
I blinked, suddenly confused.
Why? Why be silent? Was this place forbidden, even to a knight of the castle?
Finally, he opened one of the doors, and motioned me inside. When I did, he closed the door behind us, and I felt my body tense instantly. There were sounds, then light. I looked at Aden and saw that he had lit a torch.
"Follow me Princess." He said quietly.
Without a word, I did as I was told.
When I looked around, I saw nothing... just stone walls. Ahead of me, lights flickered dimly. The torch Aden was carrying shed some light, and when I peered into the chambers that were also in the room, I gasped.
Coldness gripped my heart.
Skeletons. Many of them.
I could hear only the sound of my heart, hammering in my ears. Then, my vision was cut off. Aden had come back and turned me away. "Princess Nausicaä, don't let your eyes wander unneccesarily." He said.
He took my hand, though I could barely feel it.
The image of those skeletons still held my mind in a deadlock. I shook of what felt like a heavy cloud descending upon my shoulders, "Aden, what were those? What were those clothes they had been wearing?" I asked him.
The knight continued to move, but answered still, "Those are the bones of prisoners from long before."
He paused before continuing.
"1000 years before our time, it was a time where the world flourished. Where humans were many, and there were no poisonous jungles; nor were there Ohmu or any other Jungle insect. Weapons of war were created then. They were called nuclear weapons."
I attempted to imagine what he was talking about, but could think of nothing.
"Many times, our ancestors fought amongst themselves, many were killed. Many innocent lives were claimed because of those things. The nuclear weapons. Long before even that time, two nations were at war with one another. One side dropped what was called the Atomic Bomb on a city called Hiroshima. Many people died then. And, after many long years, after-effects took place."
His voice seemed so dark, as if he'd seen all this himself.
I attempted to catch his eye, "What kinds of after-effects?"
He sighed, "People began to suffer. Grow weak. This phenomenon was called radiation sickness. The nuclear weapon that had been dropped on the unfortunate city had given off waves that damage nerves badly. People got so sick, and the medication in that time wasn't strong enough to save the lives of those who had been poisoned by the radiation."
Aden's voice seemed weary now, but his grip on my hand was tight.
My consciousness felt horrible at making him continue, but curiosity pushed me forward. "And what happened afterwards?" I asked gently.
By now, Aden had stopped, and he was fiddling with the keys again. "Problems with radiation continued to happen. So, that's where things began to change. Toxic fumes in the air created from all the factories began to form. After a short time, small jungles were created all over the world. Shortly after that, Ohmu were created. Our ancestors fought back out of fear, but the Ohmu were not to be stopped. The rampaged, and destroyed everything."
I bit back a gasp as I could hear Obaba's voice blend in with Aden's.
"Countless innocents were destroyed." He said, and opened the door. I followed him in. "Then, you know the story from there." He said, and finally faced me again. Through the openings of his helmet, I saw green-ish hazel eyes that reflected such sadness that I had to look away.
"Forgive me Princess Nausicaä. It took a while, but here." He turned and lit torches that were on the walls as well.
Then, there was Asbel. He was chained to the wall, and I went to him. The area around his wrists looked red and raw. It was bleeding, and I knew that he'd been struggling to get free. To get free so he could find me.
Asbel was unconscious.
I grabbed his shackles and attempted to pry them apart, knowing sub-consciously that it wouldn't help at all. My theory was correct. The chains just wouldn't give. I wanted to use the sword that had come with the armor, but risk of hitting Asbel stopped me.
It then occured to me that Aden was still there.
I turned to him, "Aden, please! Free Asbel!"
Aden just stood there, and shook his head. "Forgive me... I cannot Princess." He said, his voice laced with regret. I felt desperateness grow within my heart, "Why not? Why won't you help?!"
"What is going to happen?" I shouted. "Tell me!"
Deja vu hit me. This is exactly what had happened when Asbel and I had met up with his people on the outskirts of the destroyed city, Pejite. I remembered then that I had felt so helpless when they had knocked their own prince unconscious and had taken me away.
So helpless.
Just like now.
Aden flinched when I shouted, "Sh!" He muttered, his voice straining to stay gentle. "Please Princess, lower your voice." He sighed, "I'd tell you if I could, but the Prince hasn't said a word to me."
Frustration.
I felt frustration along with helplessnss.
"Then... can you do this much? Free Asbel." I murmured, voice soft.
What Aden did next surprised me. He pulled off his helmet. He was no older than 20 years old. He had sandy brown hair, and hazel colored eyes. "Do you truly desire this man's safety so much?" He asked.
Before I had a chance to think, I knew my answer.
"Yes."
Aden had a look of understanding on his face, "Very well then Princess. Stand back."
I got up, and moved aside, somehow trusting Aden to stay true to his word and set Asbel free.
He drew his sword, and positioned it. That's when I began to feel slight doubt. Obviously he seemed to sense this, "Don't worry. I'll allow nothing to happen to him." He assured me gently.
The glimmering sword went up, then swiftly down.
There was a loud snap, and Asbel slumped to the floor. The chains that had been attached to the cuffs were broken.
I let out a gasp of happiness, and rushed to his side. I pulled his upright, and pushed bangs out of his face without even knowing what I was doing. "Asbel, Asbel talk to me." I pleaded.
He didn't respond at first.
"Asbel!" I repeated.
He let out a small moan, and opened his brown eyes weakly.
"N-Nausicaä?" I stuttered. I smiled, and pulled of my helmet. "Asbel, are you alright?" I asked.
Asbel gave me a weak smile, "Y-yeah." He mumbled. "Just... tired." Then he faded off. His eyes closed again, and he unconscious once again. I turned to Aden, "Aden, is he alright?" I asked, feeling nervous.
The knight nodded, "He is. Being exposed to this environment has taken a toll on him. A small one, but I suggest we get him out of here quickly."
He moved forward, and looped one of Asbel's arms over his neck. "Quickly Princess." He said, and moved off.
That's when it hit me. "Wait, Aden!" I began to rush out the door after him, but it slammed shut in my face. I gasped, and grabbed the metal bars. "What's happening?" I shouted, though having a sinking feeling that it wasn't good.
Movement of cloth.
Than appeared from where we had entered, with a smile on his face. "Good work Aden." He grinned.
Anger seized control. "Aden, this was a plan?!" I shouted.
The look on Aden's face said otherwise. It seemed immensely shocked, and he looked as though he were about to disagree with Than, but the Prince of Harasa beat him to it. "Princess Nausicaä, let me tell you now. Anywhere you go in here, I will know. Anywhere."
He walked to where the bars were, and grasped my chin.
"Willingly or not, you will be my bride. I really do hope that you choose the easier way. I'd hate for anything to happen to that man over there. The Prince of Pejite." He released me.
"What are you planning to do to Asbel?!" I growled.
Than turned to me, "Hopefully nothing if you cooperate Princess. Hopefully nothing..."
The stone walls began to warp, and I looked around in panic. They became the surroundings of the room I had been trapped in, and the door was open, showing Aden, Than, and Asbel.
When I jumped to try and get Asbel, it slammed shut in my face.
The sound of Than's triumphant laughter echoed, and eventually faded away.
I stared at the door, and let out a stream of colorful curses in my head. I closed my eyes, and sat back down on the bed. When my eyes opened, they were filled with salty tears. The tears blurred my vision, and I couldn't see right.
I pictured Aden in my head.
"Traitor..." I choked out.
---
(A/N:) Okay! IM SOOOOOOOOOO sorry!! I never meant for things to take this stupidly long. I'm just a stupid person, and a bad authoress! I really squeezed my brain out as much as I could to make this chappie as good as I could make it for 1 in the morning! I'm sooooooooooooo sorry once again! If I had any false information in the little history thing that Aden gave, I'm really sorry!! PLEASE forgive me!!! Oh yah, just as a heads up, the next chapter probably isn't going to be until next year. (BTW, that's only a few more days) As soon as I can, I'll start the next chapter and post it! I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY!
-PurificationArrow (whose sorry)