Chapter 14

And the Blind Shall See

This is my punishment, for all my sins, my eyes have been closed. With each passing day, Touga grew more despondent. He longed for sight again, for the power to behold the world as he once had. Before, he had watched the patterns unfold, seen the destinies of those around him, and even beheld Eternity, and yet, now he was nothing. His friends and enemies had surpassed him, his lackeys no longer believed in him, and he had to hide the shame of his blindness from the world.

School had been difficult, but not impossible. He was resourceful, able to figure out how to get around some of the obstacles his blindness had caused, but not all of them. Soon, those things he could not escape would come back, and he would find himself at a dead end.

Sitting in his chair, he thought about this most horrible predicament. I can use contacts to hide the damage, but that may only be a temporary solution in this mess. What I need is the ability to see again. If only there was some way to- Wait, that's it! Eternity, it holds the power of miracles! I must gain the Rose Bride.

Touga stood up, growing more excited with the thought, then a problem came. But this Rose Bride doesn't have that power, she's just a replacement for Anthy, who actually possesses the power. I have to find a way to win her without my sight. Striding over to the wall, he felt along it until he came to the sword case. Reaching within, he drew out a long blade, elegant and slender.

Feeling its balance, he swept the sword about, probing with the point, making his way around the room, tapping things with it. His excitement began to grow as he continued learning, feeling, moving about. The blade tapped against the table, bumped a lamp, moved over the surface of the floor, brushed aside the curtains. I can do it! All I need is to feel what I can't see! But first, I have to master the use of the sword without being able to see my opponent.

Tapping his way into the hall, he walked more confidently than he had since getting blinded, his memory marking everything in the house within the confines of his mind. He made his way down the hall, and into the living room. Brushing his hand out, he found his cell phone sitting upon a side table. Taking it, he dialed in a number, pressing it to his ear.

"Hello?" The masculine voice on the other end responded.

"Saionji, I need to ask a favor of you." He said.

***

"Blind!? But how? I saw you at school just yesterday, and you didn't seem to have any problems then." Saionji wasn't sure he believed Touga. They stood in the large study, on either side of a large round carpet, facing each other.

Touga, who was having an easier time finding people he could hear, reached up, taking the sunglasses off his face. "Ah! So it is true!" Saionji looked shocked, staring at the sky blue pupils that replaced the deep blue ones Touga had been born with.

"Yes, it is true. That is why I need your help, Saionji. In order to get my sight back, I must have the power to perform miracles, the power of Eternity. The only way I can ever be free is to recover my sight." Touga's voice was dead serious. "I need your help, Saionji, no one else can do it."

Turning aside, Saionji glared at one of the chairs. Sitting on its cushion was a white ring adorned with the Rose Seal. He faced his old friend again. "I will never become a duelist again, but I will help you."

"That's all I ask." Touga replied, raising the sword in his hand. The sound of metal scraping metal came to his ears as Saionji drew his katana. They faced each other, their blades held in fighting stances. Several moments passed, and neither of them made a move.

Out the grand windows, the sun broke through the clouds, filling the room with golden sunlight. Saionji stepped, attacking his friend, but finding no resistance. Touga was still waiting, unmoving, as if he had simply been turned to stone.

"Touga, are you all right?" Saionji asked, concern finding its way into his voice.

"I'm fine," he replied, "just learning to listen." His blade rose slowly until it touched Saionji's, tapping it gently. A sudden eruption of swiftness, and his blade hovered over Saionji's throat, where it hung for a moment, before being withdrawn. Saionji didn't reply, only drew back, still watching his friend.

"Attack me again." Touga called, readying himself. Saionji came at him, swinging down at Touga's head. Reacting quickly, but inaccurately, he clumsily parried the blade.

"Again!" Touga called, backing up a pace for space.

Saionji came at him again, thrusting for his chest. This time, Touga didn't hesitate. Sweeping his blade across his chest, he forced the katana aside, sending Saionji toppling to the ground.

Not a word was said, only the clashing of steel marking the passage of time. Back and forth they dueled, always accentuated by Touga's words. "Again! Again! Again!"

***

Leander smirked at the sight of the letter within his locker. They dared challenge him for the Rose Bride again! Ha! Ever since he had killed Nemo, no one had even thought about issuing him a challenge. He pulled the letter out of his locker, opening it to reveal words he was all too familiar with.

Come to the Forest Dueling Arena at midnight.

"When will the fools learn, death is the only destiny of those who challenge me." Leander said to himself, tossing the letter aside casually.

"You dropped this." He hadn't even heard Cassandra approach until she was right behind him, holding out the letter he had thrown. She smiled at him with that calm warmth he so enjoyed. Grinning, he took her around the waist and drew her close.

"I don't want it anymore, but after tonight's duel, I think I might want something else from you." The predatory gleam in his eye gave her a shiver, but she held it.

Still smiling, she replied. "Of course, whatever you say."

As the two of them left the lockers, Juri approached, her eyes overshadowed by darkness. Leander paused, looking at the fencing captain, no longer seeing a vision of perfection, but another conquest to be gained. Upon the wall, his shadow was holding a leash to Cassandra, who stood behind him, and a second leash in his free hand. He approached Juri, a confident smile on his face.

"Lady Juri, it's been a while since we've talked." He lowered his voice, a lecherous grin starting to form on his lips. "Perhaps it would be best if we spent some quality time together."

"I'm not interested." She replied, her tone flat.

"Not interested? Is that why you always look so alone, so distant from everything around you? Why don't you relax for a while, I bet it will do you a lot of good." He reached out and gripped her shoulder, turning the young woman to face him. The shadow was holding up the leash, moving it towards the neck of Juri's shadow, which was now sitting on the floor like a dog.

"I said NO!" Juri smacked his hand from her shoulder angrily, a ferocious scowl on her face. Surprised, Leander jerked away from her as if she had tried to bite him.

"So, too good for anyone else! You're becoming just like the rest of them, too self-righteous for your own good!" He turned away from her, his grin fading into an angry frown. "I used to think you were perfect, Juri, but now I see you for what you truly are. Nothing more than a whore who thinks too much of herself. You're a coward, hiding behind your false nobility, running from your own demons. Well, I hope you rot!"

Storming off, furious at being rejected, Leander made his way out of the academy grounds. The wind began to howl as clouds once again flowed in to blot out the sun. Deep within him, a blackness that had been, was growing. It had grown with each foe he killed, it had grown with each act of selfishness, pride, and prejudice. Now, it was throbbing to the point of bursting, filling his soul until nothing was unsoiled by its touch. He would take Eternity, the Rose Bride, and all that he wanted, and anyone who denied him be damned.

***

Akio watched as the students made their way home through the rain, heads covered by their school bags, hands, or whatever else they could get their hands on. Ever since the day Prince Conall had failed to capture Utena, the sun had shone brightly through the school, defying the season and growing as warm as summer. The sudden rain had brought all of that to an end.

Something was once again happening, the world was changing again. While it didn't bother him unduly, it was worrisome that so many things were happening beyond his ability to control. The arrival of Princes from across the sea, the reappearance of Nemo, the deaths of students that entered the Rose Duels, Anthy's rebellion to his will, each stood as a clear sign of what was to come.

It would not be long before someone else attempted to claim Eternity, he could feel it. The shadow of Dios had come to rest upon someone again, but this time, he wasn't sure who. The elevator doors slid open, admitting Cassandra to his quarters. She walked over with a bit more haste than usual, sitting upon one of the sofas.

Swirling a wineglass in his hand, Akio looked over at her. Anticipation and hope were written all over her face, hidden behind the veils expected of a Rose Bride. She sat quietly, unmoving as he walked over to her. As his hand brushed her hair, running down to her cheek, she shivered in pleasure.

Anger suddenly burned within Akio's heart at the sight of her weakness, her need. He struck her across the cheek, his eyes slimmed. "Do you even try anymore? I expected better from you than this."

Holding her cheek, she looked up at him with sad eyes, trying to conceal her feelings, and losing terribly. She scooted away, her heart wrenched apart by his callousness. Furious, both at himself and her for what he had done, Akio walked briskly to his room, trying to recollect himself. Cassandra watched him go, tears spilling down her cheek. She loved him as passionately as she could, but he still despised her! Trying to draw back into her shell, she searched for an answer, any answer, that might help her. There were none.

***

Leander made his way out onto the great platform, rain soaking him as he pulled the Rose Bride along with him. Now he was angry with her too. She had resisted him when he brought her, as if she had any right to do other than his will. A lone figure stood on the far side, obscured by the rain. Leander didn't care who it was, only that he might have what he wanted.

"Give me the sword!" He demanded angrily, reaching for her chest. The glowing pulse of light from within her released the hilt of his great blade, thrusting it into his hand. He drew it callously out, letting her fall to the ground as he drew it.

His opponent made no move, still standing like a statue as he approached. "Well, are you going to fight or what!?" The other figure began to walk slowly towards him, making no move to hurry.

"So you think this is a game!? I'll teach you to mock me!" Lunging through the rain, he swept his massive blade down on his foe, shouting as the sword fell upon his head.

It was suddenly twisted around the tall, redheaded man, forced to the ground by his opponent's blade. "You should really get control of yourself, or you won't stand a chance against me." Touga whispered, opening his blind eyes.

"Touga?" Leander drew back, pulling his sword up defensively. "What is this, some kind of trick?"

"No deception, my sight is gone, but not my will. It's strange, but I can feel you so much better now that my eyes are closed to me." He smiled, watching his foe in a fearful parody of sight.

"Hah! You really think you can beat me without the use of your eyes? I'll cut you down just like every other worthless duelist who dares face me!"

"You've gotten darker since I saw you last, are you sure you're all right?" Touga's question angered Leander, who attacked again. His thrust plunged towards the blind man's heart, but Touga snapped his blade around, throwing Leander to the ground past him. Snarling in rage, he swept the heavy sword at Touga's back. With casual effort, Touga stepped forward, just beyond the range of Leander's attack, as he turned to face the enraged boy.

"I suggest you drop your sword and surrender, before it's too late." Touga said, his voice cold.

"Never! I'll kill you for challenging me!" He lunged again, sweeping the great blade at Touga's shoulder. Moving like lightning, Touga's blade swirled, throwing Leander's attack around him. Leaning in close, he pushed slowly forward, driving Leander back step by step.

"I think it's time you learned that the game is over. You never did stand a chance against me, even without my sight. It's funny actually, you see, now that I am blind, who you are is so much more clear to me. You are a coward and a fool, judging people who fall beneath your expectations, then holding yourself over them as if somehow, you were a paragon of virtue yourself. In truth you are lower than the dirt you walk on, standing on the corpses of the slain, proclaiming yourself proudly. You have lied, mocked, cheated, stolen, murdered. Now your sins have caught up with you for all you've done."

"Oh, and by the way, this is from Saionji." Touga gave one final push, throwing Leander from the edge of the platform.

Whatever mercy there had been for Nemo, Leander would not receive it, nor would anyone seek to avenge him. Walking over to the Rose Bride, Touga scooped her up, saying nothing as he walked slowly down the spiraling stairs of the platform as the bells tolled in honor of the blind man's victory.