Nine: RESCUE
Saralegui closed his eyes with a soft sigh. I never really noticed before, but the sun feels nice.
Make one for your personal usage, then, suggested Veni, sounding amused. If you don't mind going to sleep for three days after.
Oh, shut up. The blonde king tilted his head a little, basking in the warm glow.
"Do you like the sun, Sara?"
He didn't have to look to know that it was Yuuri. "Mm."
"Me too." Saralegui could almost see the huge grin that accompanied the words. "Conrad says that it's because he dedicated my soul to the sun, but I really don't understand what he means by that…"
"Why don't you ask?"
"Well, I don't think it's very nice to… after all, he's, like, in love with my soul. Or he was. It belonged to the person he loved, anyway."
"How can souls get transferred around?" The blonde was genuinely curious.
"No idea. It was something to do with Shinou, I think. He's always doing weird things. Anyway, did I tell you that Conrad named me?"
"He did?"
"Yeah, he named me for the month July. It's kinda girly, but I like it."
"July?" It did seem to connect with the image of a sun. "It's a pretty name."
"Eh? You think so?" Yuuri sounded part disbelieving, part embarrassed, and part something-else-he-didn't-really-know. "Your name's pretty too, Sara."
This time Saralegui opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the soukoku who was lying beside him. The Maou met his gaze with his usual open expression and a wide smile. "Really."
"Thanks, Yuuri." Nobody ever said that about my name before.
"Yuuri!" That was unmistakably Wolfram's voice, perfectly clear even though they were at least a quarter of a mile from the castle. "It's time for lunch! Stop wandering off randomly!"
"Coming!" Yuuri stood, dusting himself off, and then helped the other king up. "I wonder what they have for us?"
"I'm sure it'll be delicious," said Saralegui absently as he followed the Maou, glancing back longingly at the spot they had been resting in previously. It was a grassy hillside, smooth and gently sloping, one small area that was devoid of flowers and rocks as though made especially for sunbathing. "I look forward to the desserts in particular."
"Oh, so do I! Gunter thinks that I should eat more vegetables, but desserts are always better, don't you think?"
"Yuuri!" came the annoying yell again.
"Of course." I wish I could shut that idiot up…
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The girl he was currently dancing with, one Lady Izabella von something-he-couldn't-be-bothered-to-remember, fluttered her eyelashes sickeningly up at him. "It's amazing that you're a king when you're so young," she gushed. "I mean, our Maou was chosen by Shinou, so it's not really normal, but I always thought kings would be old and fat."
"I am sorry to have destroyed your image of a king," replied Saralegui, with a non-committal smile.
"Oh no! You're much better. Kings are way better if they're young and pretty." She leaned closer, quite a feat when they were already pressed together far more closely than was comfortable for Saralegui.
The blonde surreptitiously put a little more distance between them. "How nice to see that you think so well of me."
He chanced a quick glance around the ballroom. Wolfram was dancing not too far away, watching him with something akin to a smirk. He was the one who had introduced this Lady Izabella to Saralegui. Yuuri, meanwhile, was twirling Greta around the dance floor – no help there. Cheri-sama and Gunter was chatting with some other members of the noble houses. For the moment, Saralegui could only recognize von Grantz and von Wincott. Conrad and Berias were watching from the shadows on opposite sides of the room, while the Great Sage and a cross-dressing Yozak danced together. Saralegui was on his own.
This was the big party, the one Gunter had planned to introduce the young king of Shou Shimaron to the rest of the important noble houses in Shin Makoku. Saralegui suspected that this was all orchestrated to keep him occupied and exhausted during his stay, so that he wouldn't have the time nor the energy to do anything potentially harmful to the Maou. Not that he had to do very much – Yuuri was clearly falling for him, if the amount of unnecessary time they spent together was any indication.
At last, the song ended, and Saralegui was freed of the protocols of dancing with the relative of a politically powerful person. Stepping away with more than a little relief, he bowed to the girl, voicing a falsely sincere thanks for the dance before quickly disappearing into the mass of dispersed couples. He didn't spare a backward glance at the very obviously disappointed Lady Izabella.
You didn't have to dance with her, did you? inquired Veni, sounding simultaneously amused and sympathetic.
Wolfram practically shoved her onto me. The only diplomatic thing to do was dance with her, grumbled Saralegui. He's so unsubtly jealous, it makes me feel rather sick.
Can you blame him? From what I can tell, he's been working on the Maou for a while without any progress, whereas you waltz in and sweep Yuuri away as easy as a song. He has every right to be jealous.
Saralegui was carrying Veni despite almost all the other men wearing ornamental swords at their belts. He wasn't going to take any chances; this was a prime time for Alazon to show up. Without Veni, he'd never stand a chance. Happily, Veni did look rather decorative, so nobody took much notice.
Even so, he doesn't need to let the world know. It's just so… pathetic.
Sidestepping yet another bosomy woman, he found Greta and Yuuri. The Maou smiled brightly at him. "Are you having fun?"
"Of course. This party is quite marvelous," answered Saralegui, lying through his teeth. Though the party was admittedly well-organized and well-hosted. As the next song began, he bowed to Greta, saying, "Princess, may I have the pleasure of this dance?"
Greta giggled, taking his extended hand. And at that precise moment, everything froze.
Alazon's here, said Veni urgently, humming at Saralegui's hip.
The blonde let go of Greta's immobile hand. Why aren't I frozen too?
I kept the spell from affecting you, answered the sword. Believe me, it's not easy. She's powerful; it takes a lot to freeze time. Fortunately you have power related to time, or you'd be caught and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
A hand gripped his arm, and Saralegui turned to see a very anxious Yuuri. "Sara, what's happening? Why's everyone frozen?" The Maou poked at Greta, then glanced around at the eerily silent ballroom. Even the candle flames were still, not flickering as they normally would. "Murata!"
Turning, Saralegui noticed that the Great Sage had been frozen in the process of dodging one of the ladies, his hand outstretched and his face contorted in urgency.
Yuuri was now shaking the immovable statue of his friend. "Murata, speak to me!" When his efforts proved futile, he rounded on the other king. "What's going on, Sara?!"
"Alazon." Saralegui's face was a mask of seriousness. "She's come for us."
"Why? Wait, who?" Confusion was etched all over the younger boy's face.
"Alazon. She was my mother, before she disowned me," explained the blonde, very matter-of-fact. "I'm quite happy to be rid of her, to be honest. Who'd want a psychopath for a mother?"
You're a psychopath yourself, chuckled Veni in the background.
"What? Okay, well, putting that aside… what does your mother have to do with… this?" Yuuri waved a hand to indicate the unnatural, tableau-like stillness around them.
"She stopped time to make things easier for herself, I guess." Saralegui shrugged. "This is all merely conjecture. I have no idea of her motives." Lying came so easily. "Still, it's obviously something to do with us, since we're the only ones unaffected by her spell."
The Maou spluttered. He was clearly having a hard time wrapping his head around all this information. "Stopped time?!"
"Yes. With the right power, it's possible." The older teen looked around. "She's taking a while, isn't she?"
As if on cue, the object of their interest floated in through one of the French windows.
"Alazon," growled Saralegui under his breath. The memory of a foot coming down on his chest resurfaced, tinted a bloody red. Maternal abuse was not something easily forgotten.
She drifted towards them, icy and merciless in the stark light of the moon, her face pale even when she entered the candlelight. If anything, she looked even more foreboding than he remembered. Yuuri took a step back, instinctively drawing closer to Saralegui. One always felt more able to face danger with a companion at one's side.
"Are you… Sara's mother?" ventured Yuuri as she landed in front of them and flicked one dancer out of the way.
A tight, false smile tweaked her lips. "Biologically, I must admit to having given birth to Saralegui." Turning her cold gaze on the blonde, she raised an eyebrow imperceptibly. "You managed to prevent my spell from affecting you, but you cannot win against me. The Holy Sword will not obey you as it would its true owner, the Maou."
Nonsense, declared Veni. You know you're my master, and together we can certainly defeat her. The only thing she has over you is experience.
How? demanded Saralegui. Just talking about it isn't going to help us!
Let your power go. I'll use it to break her hold on time, get it flowing again. Keep her distracted while I work on it, unless you want her to be in the next country with the Maou when time starts up again.
The blonde could already feel power leaving him – it was taking quite a bit just to keep the time spell's grip off himself. He clenched his jaw. Go ahead.
Wonderful. Almost immediately, the drain of power from him increased sharply. Ignoring it, he faced Alazon again. He felt almost lost – his only weapon now was rhetoric.
"I'm sorry, but why are you here?" Yuuri was still very much in the dark.
The queen turned to him, somehow managing to inject despondency into her proud expression. "I am the queen of Seisakoku, the land of the Shinzoku. The land is dying, my people starving, ever since my useless son there stole our Holy Sword."
Yuuri blinked. "No way. Sara would never do that," he defended his friend.
The older boy jumped at the opportunity, grasping the soukoku's arm. "Don't listen to her, Yuuri. She's lying. The Holy Sword has been lost for decades. It only came into my possession a few weeks ago."
"The Holy Sword is the only thing that can save my country," continued Alazon, as though she'd never been interrupted. "My people are suffering. Only you, the Maou, can wield it and save them. I do not have the appropriate power."
"Oh." The soukoku brightened. "I'd love to help –"
"No!" Saralegui interrupted. "She's going to use you. The Holy Sword –" make it up on the go, something, anything! " – It will consume the one who uses it to resurrect Seisakoku! The amount of power it requires is huge!"
"But I need to help," protested Yuuri. "People are suffering!"
Alazon smiled. It was eerily reminiscent to the smile of a predator that had cornered his prey. "Yes. You need to help me."
With a start, Saralegui realized that the air was humming with power. He'd been so caught up that he had actually failed to notice! It was oddly familiar… The feeling when he was mesmerizing someone…
Her gold eyes were turning blue already. Saralegui avoided her eyes sharply, though there was no need – she was completely focused on Yuuri. "You will help me. You will obey me," she purred, her voice suddenly compelling.
Stop her, or you'll lose him! screamed Veni in his mind.
Saralegui felt as though the cogs of his mind were churning sluggishly through thick syrup. He didn't want to lose Yuuri to his mother, but somehow it felt wrong to mesmerize Yuuri himself.
That's the only way to keep her from reaching his mind! warned Veni, very forcefully. Hesitation has never been more inappropriate, you indecisive, wavering child!
"You are mine…" whispered Alazon, smiling in fierce triumph.
The Maou rocked on his feet, pupils dilated. "I am yours," he repeated, a flat monotone.
Something snapped. In a blink of an eye, Saralegui was standing between his mother and Yuuri, sword drawn and humming in his hand. He glanced at the glowing blade in distant surprise – when had he even moved?
He felt as though his mind has split in two, one part coolly analyzing and strategizing, the other thrashing in irrational rage. The calmer part took charge of his actions; while the insane part drove his emotions. Every fiber of his being called for the blood of the woman before him, every part of him worked for that one goal.
The shimmering sword drew a blinding arc in front of him. Alazon shrieked in pain, clutching at her eyes – Veni had not been gentle in severing the hypnotic bond. Saralegui advanced on her, relentless, slicing through the barriers she threw up like a hot knife through butter.
A strong wind whipped up, grabbing at his hair and clothes. Stop it, commanded the young king coldly. The wind died down immediately. A request of Veni brought a wave of heat crashing onto the woman before him – he saw the ripple of air, though he did not feel the heat. Alazon threw up a shield of bright light, not a moment too soon. The expanding air slammed against the shield, making it reverberate like a bell and boom like thunder.
Power was gathering around him, rippling the air in his immediate vicinity and bending light visibly around the glowing sword. In front of him, Alazon raised her staff, eyes narrowed. Seems like she's finally taking me seriously. Saralegui dimly noticed that even though they were still on the dance floor, there was an oddly clear area between him and Alazon. Maybe the blast pushed them out of the way… Putting the thought out of the way, he focused once again on his target.
There was one moment of stillness as he and his opponent stared at each other, measuring, calculating. Then all hell broke loose as both unleashed their power simultaneously.
Light, heat, wind assaulted both of them. It was literally a case of fighting fire with fire, and Alazon's vast experience was clear. Without Veni, Saralegui would probably have lost within the first few minutes. As it was, he managed to keep up quite well.
Defense, defense, defense. I don't want to defend, I want to attack! complained Saralegui.
Veni gave him an impression of exhilaration. Open your mind, sang the sword, its voice sounding different – louder, clearer and layered, almost a harmony of a thousand different voices chiming together. Give me more. Trust me. She will not win this battle.
The young king obeyed, pulling in his consciousness until he was no longer a participant but an observer of the fight. Veni's presence expanded to fill the space he had given up. Saralegui felt rather like he had that time when his disembodied consciousness had floated at the edges of the Maou's aura – insubstantial, shadowed by a greater being, a greater presence, or several greater presences.
Perhaps a part of Veni's past wielders' souls or spirits would merge with the sword when they died, thought Saralegui. It wasn't impossible. Most things weren't, when enough power was involved.
Immense power roared through his body as the myriad mages that made up Veni's ancient spirit utilized their strength along with his. White light rayed out, turning the world into fiery brilliance for a long moment. Somewhere, somehow, something burst. Color and life surged around him – the time-freeze was broken.
Magical nets formed around him, snaring the attacks she threw at him, then closing in on her, trapping her. She fought them hard, her lips pressed thin with concentration and rage. He could tell what she was thinking – you bastard, you ungrateful wretch I had the great misfortune to whelp, you creature that should never have existed…
Suddenly, his body was plunging towards Alazon, stripping away her defenses and oblivious to any attacks. Veni, glowing with a fierce brilliance, burned through the last shield and buried itself hilt-deep in her chest.
A part of him, a very small part, keened. He ignored it. Good job, he told the sword. Triumph roared through his mind and body, and unknowingly, he bared his teeth in a feral grin.
Veni laughed maniacally, receding. It's been too long since there was blood on my blade.
Saralegui recovered his mind and body as the sword's presence faded to what it had been before the battle. He stared at the body before him with distaste, planting a foot on her midriff and yanking the sword free. Blood spattered the floor in a wide arc, further staining the once-gleaming tiles that now pooled with rust-smelling fluid.
"Sara…"
He turned. Yuuri stared at him, eyes blank with shock and horror. Behind him gathered his court, free of the time-freeze and regarding him with accusation plain on their faces.
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A/N: Exams are over, and I'm back! Sorry (again) for the very long wait. Now that I'm probably going to be less busy, I'll do my best to update more. I'm aiming to finish this ficcy by the end of this year! ^^ Cheer me on, folks!
Dear me, Veni has a sadistic streak. And Yuuri's gotten a glimpse of the not-so-nice side of Saralegui. I wonder what I shall do with that… -ponders- I personally had fun writing the very first bit of this chappie, the one where they talk about their names. Shameless fluff XD though killing his mother was also quite fun –evil laughter–
Please Review and let me know what you think!