Battle of the Mages
Mysterious
No dust. No dirt. Cobwebs situated carefully in out-of-the-way corners. A different clean than most would expect. No sparkles. No shine. Clashes of stone and marble. Gloomy. Cold. Clean. Only one castle could have this type of look to it, and only one child could have the patience to keep it up. When she wasn't away, Asukki spent her time keeping everything that was naturally out of place in its place and making sure things in place were perfectly situated out of place. The owner of the castle liked it this way. The owner wouldn't have the castle so perfectly clean. There was a foreboding image to be kept.
"Asukki, why is your life so pathetic here at the castle," Riku asked from the bed. He laid belly flat, propped up by only his elbows, and he was reading a book. Asukki was done with her chores for the day, and wasted whatever she had left of her time in Riku's room, picking through things that weren't necessarily his to begin with. The room wasn't empty at all. There was a dresser, a closet, a chest, and a lamp, and other things to make a room roomy, but nothing of what would interest him naturally.
"Why do you still have this thing?" she ignored. She held up the wooden sword he used to have on the islands, paying more attention to that than his question. Now that he had a real sword, he didn't need one so pathetic anymore. She had it up to her eye level, then higher as she examined it from the bottom. Standing up, she held the sword in front of her, swinging it occasionally to get a feel for the strangely weighted item.
"I asked you a question first, so I expect you to answer it."
"Hey, just because you're the master's favorite, doesn't mean you're allowed to tell me what to do, too."
"This is why I'm wondering why he doesn't like you."
"Well..." Asukki hummed. She examined the worthless wooden sword for a little longer, and deciding it wasn't so important anymore, she threw it aside, plopping herself on the ground again, where she liked to sit cross-legged. "I am his servant. As long as I'm here, I have to do whatever he tells me."
"And if you don't?" Riku asked, looking away from the book to pay attention to Asukki. She wasn't looking at him, something she usually did when she went off in explanation. She twisted one of her golden locks around her finger while she searched the air for a reason to give Riku the answer. They still hardly knew each other. Riku didn't talk much about his friend, and he spoke down to her while they were at the castle, just because it pleased the owner. She had no reason to tell him.
An embodiment of Death.
"Asukki!" bellowed a deep, gravelly voice from the door. Asukki turned her head up to look up at who would be the owner and the master of this castle. Dressed in complete black robes, his face was shrouded by the purple-trimmed hood, allowing no one to see his face. Asukki stood up instantly before the King of this castle, bowing only because she had no dress to curtsy in. "Have you finished your duties."
The mystery of thousands.
"I have, Your Majesty," she answered the dark shroud. She kept her head down out of respect. It was considered rude if she were to look the master straight in the face as the servant she was.
"Cleaned the surfaces?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Made the dinner for the guests?"
"I have, Your Majesty. It's on the -"
The fear of millions.
"I did not ask you where it was!" he bellowed again. Asukki shut her eyes tightly, silently shrinking back into the room without actually moving from her spot. "What are you doing here?"
"I -"
"I was making her clean my room," Riku said, returning to his book. Because he was the favorite of the master, he had the luxury of speaking indirectly and out of turn. The master took a step back with a hum of satisfaction.
"Very well, then," he decided, turning to leave. Outside the room, he stopped, but without turning, he spoke, his deep, gravely voice resonating against the walls and making the whole room shake with his power. "Later, I want the two of you in the Grand Hall. There's something I want to show you. Preferable as soon as Asukki finishes cleaning."
The power to make those beneath him quake.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they agreed, watching carefully as the embodiment of shadow left the room. Asukki let out her breath finally. It was clear, even to Riku, that she was afraid of the master, but for whatever reason why, she never once said, and never once spoke about it to him.
"Thanks, Riku," she breathed. She returned to his wooden sword, picking it up and storing it where she had gotten it in the first place. She sat down again on the floor, staring up at the ceiling as she waited for her to "clean the room" without actually cleaning it. Perhaps when Riku finished his chapter, they could leave. The room was clean enough already.
He was truly the only man to turn a Mage weak with fear.
"Let's go," Riku decided, finally putting his book down. Asukki looked up, widespread fear on her face.
"Do we have to?" she asked. Her lip trembled slightly, but not enough for Riku to notice. He only sighed, rolling off his bed and he stood in front of Asukki.
"You know we do. If we don't...he'll hurt you, right?"
Asukki licked her lips. There was a vast difference in character when she was away and when she was at the castle. Away she was a vibrant kid who spoke too fast, enjoyed laughter, and even pranked other people to make up for the time spent in the castle. At the castle, she was less active, always forced to do what she had to do whether or not she was told. Shrugging one shoulder, Riku held his hand out, just for her to take. Asukki didn't hesitate, like another would, and she took his hand gratefully and let him pull her to her feet.
Between the walls of the tallest tower was nothing but empty, grey space. It was dusty, and unused; the one place Asukki wasn't allowed to clean. It was to give the impression that this place wasn't used at all, but fresh foot prints always decorated the dusty, dusty ground. It was for naught but it was still empty.
One wall bore a long-unused hearth that was black with age. It was here Riku and Asukki stopped. All around them there was nothing, but in this hearth it held the gate to a room that would have never been found just by searching for it. This other room could only be reached by magical means from the hearth. Here Riku and Asukki stood, side-by-side, taking their time entering the room beyond: the Grand Hall.
"Well, here goes," decided Riku finally. He held up his hand to the blackened grey brick wall, concentrating his magic to form the green gate portal to the other side. With one quick, deep breath, Asukki was allowed to go through first, Riku following calmly after her.
The Grand Hall was a large room, but unexpectedly small. It only had enough room for the empty glass coffins along the walls, and the hidden stage way in the back. The room was decorated in black and red and gold and brass. It was clearly obvious that the Hall was the secret base of those working hard to plan something, anything would do. Most everything was shrouded in darkness, but the hidden stage was lighted with enough light for everyone to see. It was the hidden stage where Asukki and Riku made their way ever so carefully.
"Hey, we're here, King," called Riku when they were both through. Asukki hissed, grabbing Riku by the arm and shaking him back and forth so weakly violent.
"Don't use that tone with him!" she shushed him. Riku looked at her through two aquamarine eyes, and she stared back at him pleadingly through her own minty green eyes. "Please..." she begged, tightening her grip.
"Your Majesty, before we start, can I make one little request?" Riku started, staring the master straight. Their master, still shrouded in black, moved slightly, and then nodded his head, giving Riku his permission to make his request. "I'd like to have Asukki as my servant, if you don't mind. I'll make sure she does her normal duties around the castle, I just want responsibility over her."
"Very well, then," granted the deep, gravelly voice. "Do as you please, but I must warn you. If she messes up, you'll be the one to suffer."
"I understand."
"Riku!" Asukki snapped. He turned his sharp gaze to her to silence her from any more outbursts. Her brows furrowed over her minty eyes, but she said nothing more.
"Now..." started the leader of this band of members. Everyone leaned in, listening intently to what the owner of the castle had to say, especially Riku and Asukki.
The plan commences, and only we can carry it out.