Chapter 8

All That Glitters

Two figures stood facing each other, clothed in white, with black masks over their faces. In their right hands, they bore simple swords, long, thin rapiers. For a moment in time, the two seemed suspended, as if they would stand through the ages, unmoving.

"Begin." The command started a flurry of motion, both combatants lashed out, blades thrusting and clacking as they danced back and forth. Each sought out their opponent, tapping a rhythm into the floor and with their nimble blades as they dueled.

A quick thrust turned against one of the fencers with the point of his opponent upon his breast. Both returned to their upright positions, saluted with their blades, and removed their masks. Juri hadn't had a fight this good in a while, sweat glistening as she whipped her head back, flecking the air with sparkles. She looked to her opponent, who made no less of a show shaking out his blond hair.

As they walked to put up their gear, Laverne smiled and gave a curt nod to Juri. "You really are as impressive as they say. I never had such fun at the last school we attended."

Juri nodded in agreement. "You are easily one of the best fencers I've ever had the pleasure to duel."

"Why thank you, I might venture to say that you are one of the most charming I have ever dueled." Laverne couldn't resist flirting a bit. "By the way, where did you learn that riposte? It was absolutely perfect."

"The old captain of the fencing club taught it to me." Juri replied, her voice slowly falling to a quaver. "He was a prodigy, the pride of the region."

"Ah, an old flame. I apologize, I didn't mean to open an old wound." Laverne's voice took on a more serious tone.

"It's okay, a woman must face her ghosts sooner or later." Juri, having restored her confidence, opened her locker and put her gear away.

"Just as long as those ghosts aren't the sort that come back to haunt you." Laverne replied.

For a moment, Juri froze, staring into her locker as if looking back into the past. Slowly she closed it and walked out, her pace even, her face blank.

"Imbecile." Laverne smacked his right cheek, only to notice Nanami down in the courtyard. A quick glance was all that he needed to tell she was upset. Deciding hesitation wouldn't help anyone, he stepped hastily out of the club and made his way down to the distressed maiden.

Nanami was hardly paying attention to her surroundings. Half asleep, worried, and slightly delirious, she sat upon the bench, head lolled against her shoulder. Seeing her agitated state, Laverne made a gentle approach, sitting down on the bench outside of arms reach.

"Lady Nanami, are you feeling alright?" Her sheepish look told a story of sleepless nights. Sliding smoothly up, he placed an arm over her shoulder, pulling her next to him. Hardly thinking, she rested her head against his shoulder and drifted off to sleep.

***

She watched with sensual eyes as the two boys arrived on the platform. Her demeanor, as befitting a Rose Bride, was perfect, yet on the inside, she was absolutely insidious. She told Leander whatever he wanted to hear, and he obeyed like a tame dog. She didn't do all of this for a boy like him, who meant as little to her as those he killed in her name. No, all she wanted was him. He who had everyone wrapped callously around his finger like string.

Her longing was strong, an unfulfilled need, a desperation like one who is drowning yet not dead. She only knew happiness in his arms now, only when he dominated her, forced her, made her his slave. She didn't want anything else, and she would do anything he asked her to, as long as he took her back in the end.

She winced as Anthy entered her mind. Akio's smiling sister, who threatened everything she had built up. Her return had not happened all that long ago, and yet, she had completely changed him. She was many things, a flawless girl, a witch, a deceiver, and most importantly, a thief. She had come into their happy life, and like a rock thrown into a glass window, shattered everything.

She glanced at Leander, who had taken his place beside her. Perhaps she had a use for him after all. He was so prejudice, he could be turned against anyone with a few friendly words and a smile. Yes, he would be the perfect tool to make her lover rely on her alone once again. Anthy would regret ever ruining her life, and regret dearly.

At that moment, her thoughts were quieted as Leander pulled her up to him. She ever the actress, let herself fall back as his hand hovered over her chest, a magical light releasing the great sword she held within her. Gripping the fabulous weapon, he drew it from her, the blade gleaming in the sunlight.

"Sword of the Eternal Castle, grant me the power of Revolution!" Leander shouted as he held the sword aloft, the girl still laying limp in his right arm. For a moment, he regarded the castle that hung upside down over his head. Then, looking across the platform, he pointed the heavy blade at his opponent, who stood at the far end.

Nemo stared back, his sword drawn. "Leander, your hands have been stained with the blood of too many. Your masters have hurt my friends, and I know who chased Utena through the woods that night. Vengeance be unto my hand and my blade." His voice was cold like steel, as firm and unmoving as death.

"Hahahaha! You think you know so much, Nemo! But what you fail to realize is, no matter what you do, or how far you go, there is no victory awaiting you on the other side. All of my actions have been dictated to me by the Rose Bride, and Eternity will be mine!"

She gritted her teeth as she backed away to her customary place. He wasn't supposed to say that much, and now she would have to get rid of Nemo to keep her secret. Her eyes flitted towards Leander momentarily as she brushed a long lock of silver blue hair from her eyes. He had made one mistake too many, and she promised herself that once he was no longer useful, it would be his turn.

Rushing forward, the two combatants locked with each other, their blades seeking the colored roses upon the other's breast. Leander quickly realized he was in danger of losing the duel to Nemo who, despite never having fought like this, was fighting with a skill and precision that were frightening.

Making the best use of his massive blade, Leander swept it in wide, lethal arcs that kept Nemo away, and allowed him to maneuver his foe to the edge of the arena. Nemo began to worry at the vicious attacks that closed within a hairsbreadth of his chest. One strike like that would almost certainly end more than just the duel.

They swept around the arena, Nemo trying to keep solid ground behind him, but Leander had been here much longer, had put people's backs to the edge before. Nemo, looking for a way to win, suddenly came upon an idea. He allowed Leander to drive him to the rim of the platform, then put himself just within range of the cleaving arc of the great sword.

Leander took the bait, laughing as he swept his deadly blade at Nemo. "Haha! I have you now, Nemo!"

Stepping back and to the left, he smiled as Leander found himself overextended and off balance. As he recovered, Nemo's attack struck like lightning, sending brown rose petals into the wind.

Leander looked down at his chest, then up at Nemo, who smiled, fire still smoldering in his eyes. Bellowing with rage, he lunged forward, holding the great sword sideways, shoving into Nemo.

"Aaaagh!" Nemo screamed as he was thrown from the platform, his hands desperately reaching for the edge that he would never reach. Smiling down as his unfortunate foe fell, Leander turned, resting the great sword upon his shoulder as he walked back to the Rose Bride. The bells rang merrily, proclaiming the victor of the duel, a victor who would not enjoy their cries.

She gave him a small, curt smile as he approached. In her mind, she was much more pleased than she let show. He had exterminated his own problem, fixing the mess he had made. Maybe he was worth another chance, maybe.

***

"No!" Saionji reached out desperately as he watched Nemo fall from the other platform. He wished he could have done something, anything for his fallen friend, but there was no way he could. He slammed his fist into the wall, cursing as he watched the horrible spectacle.

Anger filled him as he turned away, unable to bear the sight of Nemo's murder any longer. He walked away, from the edge of the Student Body Council platform, tears of rage spilling down his cheeks. Someone had done what was unpardonable, they had murdered the victor of a duel. He would find out who the monster was, and kill them himself.

"You murderous bastard, when I find you, there will be blood." Saionji walked into the elevator, awaiting passage to the ground. It was already occupied by another, Touga, who was riding up to the platform.

"Saionji, what's happened? Are you alright?" He said, concern reflected in his voice.

"Nemo was murdered by someone, thrown from the Dueling Arena platform after the duel was over."

"I see, that's terrible, but perhaps necessary." Touga's reply was controlled, but slightly unsettled.

"What!? You can't possibly mean that!" Saionji turned on him, shock written on his face.

"I can and I do." Touga replied firmly. "Some unknown force is bringing duelists from outside in, and trying to replace us."

"But still, murder!? This is preposterous!"

"As horrible a thing as it is, it is also required. These strangers will stop at nothing to steal Eternity from us, and only their absolute elimination will insure that. It is the will of End of the World." Touga sounded sure, but the undertone of his voice bled doubt and worry, barely detectable, yet Saionji had been around him long enough to catch it.

"You don't believe that, even if you say it! I don't believe it, and I will avenge my friend! He didn't deserve that, no matter what his intentions."

"And you would presume to know his intentions?" Touga folded his arms, still keeping a cool face in front of Saionji.

"Yes I would. He was going to avenge the actions of those who hurt Utena Tenjou. He called her friend, and they told him they hurt her, and would continue hurting his friends if he refused to duel." Saionji's gaze turned aside. "He was finally becoming human, learning what it meant to have friendship, and now he's gone."

"Still, he was an intruder, and an unwelcome one at that. It's better that he is gone now." Touga stepped off the elevator to the platform, then turned to face his old friend.

"He was my friend! I won't consign his fate up to nothing!" Slamming his fist on the control, Saionji glared angrily at Touga as the elevator closed. "I finally had someone who liked me for me, not as a matter of convenience. Now he's gone, and I will make those responsible pay!"

A strong blast of wind whipped over the desolate platform, carrying one of the chairs from the edge of it. Touga watched it fall, and in his heart, wondered if what he had done was really right.

***

Utena's eyes shone brightly as she cleaned herself up. The hair brush rose and fell as she worked it vigorously through her hair. Water dripped from the shower faucet. Her clothes sat cleaned and pressed on a nightstand. The smell had been driven off her by the sweet scent of lavender and roses. She worked vigorously, trying to make herself perfect.

My prince, there still may be a prince in this world for me! Her thoughts refused to leave the dashing man who had come in and taken her fears away. Even the taunting voice inside her mind and her fear of seeing Anthy again were banished at the thought of him.

She scooped water into her hands, splashing it across her face. A soft towel removed the moisture, leaving her staring at her reflection in the mirror. "Why not? Why shouldn't my story have a happy ending?" She asked herself.

"You deserve it, you never should have lost it." Her reflection replied back. "You are beautiful, young, and kind. They had no right to take happiness from your life, not Anthy, not Akio, not anyone. You deserve a prince."

"Well, I'm not sure about all that." Utena blushed.

"Of course you are, you're a Prince yourself, remember?"

Utena started at her reflection. "What? No, you don't understand, I can't be a Prince. I failed to do that."

"Oh don't be silly, you are every bit the Prince, free to do as you please. And why not? After all, everyone around you has only hurt you. Shouldn't you be happy for yourself?"

She turned sharply away from her reflection, wrapping herself in her arms. "No, this is wrong! This isn't me, I don't think like that."

A hand touched her shoulder. "Listen to you, silly. You're fretting now that everything is right. Your world, your prince, your life are all falling into line just for you, and all you can do is worry."

Pulling away from the phantom image, Utena backed out of the bathroom, watching her reflection follow. "This isn't real, it can't be. You want to fool me, don't you! I'm not falling for it, this elaborate ruse. Akio already tried to mold me, make me what he wanted me to be, and I'll never make the same mistake again! There are no such things as Princes anymore, and I won't be a part of your sick game."

The image dissolved into the air, still smiling as it vanished. Utena dropped to her knees, her head cradled in her hands as she cried. "Am I going mad?"