Chapter 16
Ohtori's Secret Truth
Nanami looked down at the school she called home, Ohtori Academy. She stood high in the sky, upon a cloud that drifted overhead. Below, the bells were tolling out the time, calling the students to their lessons.
"Hmm, I should get to class, but how do I get down from here?" She thought for a moment, trying to decide what she would do to get off of the cloud. A sudden thought occurred to her, and she started jumping up and down, trying to force the cloud closer to the ground.
"Come on, you stupid cloud, I want down!" The inanimate, yet somehow solid cloud refused Nanami's commands, continuing to drift as it always had.
A strong wind began to blow across the sky, and the sun began to sink past the dawn horizon. "Huh? But the sun sinks in the west, doesn't it? Why is it going back down the way it came?"
She faced the sun in confusion, watching it disappear. Night emerged around her, stars twinkling, then vanishing as light started to shine upon her back from behind. Turning around, Nanami saw the sun rising again, but this time from the west, and heading across the sky to the east.
"What is going on here? Am I going crazy?" Gripping her head, she sat down upon the cloud, trying to make sense of this bizarre occurrence. "Maybe the sun got tires of going in the same direction all the time and started going the other way? Huh!?"
The sun rose from the west again, circling overhead faster and faster, bringing with it the change of seasons, then years. It continued to go through the reverse cycle, days flying backwards as she sat there. Looking back down, Nanami gasped in surprise.
Ohtori Academy was being taken apart, piece by piece, until there was nothing but a great expanse of land below, then something else happened. Another building seemed to rise from the earth, replacing the academy. It looked like a wondrous castle, the sort that Kings and Queens of old would live in. She watched as it went from a dilapidated old building, and became new, glorious, like it was becoming newer with each passing of the sun.
"Wait a second, that's what stood where the academy is before it was built! I'm going backwards in time! No wonder my clothes don't fit anymore. My clothes!" Nanami looked about frantically, realizing she was getting younger and younger, turning slowly into a baby. "No! I don't want to be a baby again!"
She sat up in her bed, sweat beading on her forehead. Placing her hand on it to check her temperature, she stared at the wall. "Why do I keep having these crazy dreams?"
Looking out her window, she watched the rain pour out of the nighttime sky, pattering heavily against the glass. She was reminded of when she found Utena , sopping and miserable, clinging to life by a thread. "What could it all mean?"
***
Akio had not slept well either, his mind troubled by a strange foreboding, a deeper fear that refused to leave his heart at peace. The lack of company at night was also disturbing since Anthy had disappeared, and Cassandra ran off after he became angry with her.
Tossing and turning within his bed, he shifted anxiously from side to side, trying to settle his mind and heart. He could feel his power slipping away, the influence over those under him eroding. A sandcastle that looked suspiciously like Ohtori Academy sat alone on the beach, rain tearing down its walls, waves eating its base. The structure was consumed suddenly as a wave, larger than the others, swept up and tore the whole fortress down, leaving nothing but a lump in its wake.
Rolling out of his bed, Akio headed to the kitchen, looking in the fridge for something to calm him down. "Ah, perhaps some warm milk will help me get to sleep."
He reached in, pulling the carton out. Taking a glass from the cabinet, he poured, sending several foul smelling chunks of spoiled milk into his cup. Recoiling in disgust, he tossed the milk into the trash, followed by the cup and its foul contents. Suddenly lost for an appetite, he headed up to the planetarium, hoping to escape his problems with some relaxing stargazing.
The rain hammered hard at the outside of the tower, as if trying to make its way in to find him. He ignored the thought, turning on the massive twin globes that threw stars all across the artificial sky. At least here, he would be able to relax and let the world's problems pass him by. A heavy thud brought his attention to part of the domed roof above. A single raindrop fell, hitting the tip of his nose.
Akio hurried from the couch where he had reclined, flipping the lights back on. As they flashed, fear lit upon his face. A sword had pierced the top of the dome, its blade poised right over where he had been laying. Another thud sounded, then another, and another! Looking about, he could see swords were thrusting through the metal roofing, rattling slightly as they continued their bloody quest.
"The Swords of Hatred!? No, this can't be happening to me!" Gripping his sanity, he turned and ran, hurrying down to his room. He barred the door, slammed shutters over the windows, and locked every opening he could. Sitting by himself on his bed, he shuddered in fear at the thought of the swords, their eternal vengeance against his soul continuing to seek him out.
"How could they have come for me? Surely they would be after Anthy, or Cassandra? They are the Rose Brides, and I haven't tried to reach Eternity since that day! Unless..."
Akio tore open the locks, throwing the door aside with a bang as he headed to the windows overlooking the Dueling Arena platform. He gazed across the rain filled night, his eyes straining to see what could be out there. A lone figure wearing black, a great sword clutched in his gauntleted hand. The sword rose, pointing straight at Akio, a challenge of fate.
"A Black Prince!? One who could direct the power of the Swords at anyone whom they could hate!" Akio could feel his heart freezing in terror within his chest. He is coming to destroy me, isn't he. Hatred has taken someone so strongly, he has become one of the Forbidden, a Black Prince. If he catches me, I'll be destroyed, and all I have built will be taken with me.
Rushing to the elevator, he pulled his jacket over his bare chest, securing it quickly as he waited for the doors to open. The ring of the little bell caused him to jump, but he recovered his nerves as his flight took him to the parking lot, where he pulled the tarp from his car.
The vehicle was an immaculate, heavily customized 1960's Corvette convertible, with a lusty red paint job, it was one of his most prized possessions. He didn't waste any time, hopping over the door into the driver's seat, starting the ignition, and racing out of the parking lot. His heart and confidence rose as he escaped once again, rain whipping across his body, from the doom that sought him.
***
Utena awoke with a start, looking around her room. She didn't know why, but she felt like someone was watching her. Sitting up, she hopped from her bed, a yawn escaping her as she reached for the light switch.
"So good of you to get up on my account." An elderly voice said, coming out of the darkness. Flipped on the light, revealing the elderly man she had seen sitting on the bench back when she had first returned to the academy.
"How did you get in here!?" She asked, startled by the sight of him.
"Do you think this academy has always stood here?" He asked in return.
Confused by his question, Utena blinked repeatedly, trying to convince herself that this was just a strange dream. "Well, yeah, I suppose so."
"Always is a long time for most things. No, this place is new, built upon the ruin of others, like your parents."
"M-my parents!?" Utena stuttered, unsure now of just how much this old man knew. So many people know about my past, probably more than I do. An uneasy feeling filled her as the old man spoke again.
"Indeed, the castle that once stood here was magnificent, but that was a long time ago, long before the memories you still have." He began walking out of her room, using a fine cane to support himself.
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Realizing just how much he might know, Utena reached out, as if to stop him.
"You really want to know?" He asked, smiling over his shoulder at her. "Then follow me." The old man trundled slowly from the room, Utena following behind him. Instead of making his way out of the building, however, he headed into the dorm's kitchen.
Pointing to the refrigerator, he commanded her. "I'll need you to move this for me, anywhere else will do."
Surprised but willing, she took the edges of it with both hands, pulling the heavy object, inch by inch, from where it stood. Finally getting it to a new spot, she wiped her forehead with her nightgown's sleeve, looking down at the floor where the fridge had stood.
"What's this?" She asked as the old man knelt, grabbing a small cord that sat on a large patch of bare wood flooring. With a sharp pull, he drew it up, revealing an ancient stone stair leading into the ground.
Stepping into the passage, he motioned for her to follow. "Come on, we don't have all night."
Following him down into the passage, Utena looked in awe at the carefully crafted stones forming the foundations of the dorm. The passage, however, continued further and further, making its way well beyond the scope of the little building above.
"Just how far does this go?" She asked, running her hand along the wall.
"As far as the city below, and to the oceanside nearby."
"I can hardly believe all this is here, just sitting underneath the academy. Why has no one discovered this yet?" Utena was still curious.
"Simple, someone doesn't want anyone else to know it is here." The old man answered.
Utena had so many more questions, but she sensed that the old man had no intention of carrying a conversation with her, so she silenced herself. The stone under her became more rough, making her wish she had brought shoes, or clothes other than her nightgown for that matter.
A bright light cut suddenly into the dim passage, causing Utena to throw her arm in front of her eyes. The old man chuckled as he opened a door ahead of him. "Be cautious, this place is very old, and sometimes the unexpected happens here."
"Thanks for the warning." Utena grumbled, rubbing her eyes to get the spots out of them. She followed the old man carefully, trying not to stub her toes on the uneven stone floor. The room they entered, unlike the old passage they had passed through, was beautiful. Well worn, but elegant tapestries hung from the walls, depicting a prosperous kingdom, filled with knights, farmers, builders, and scribes. It showed generations of Princes, kneeling before the priests as they were crowned Kings.
Upon the far wall, however, were beautiful paintings of the line of Kings and Queens, each adorned wonderfully in royal raiment. Utena wasn't sure why, but she felt so close to them as she gazed upon the paintings of the long passed, wonder filling her. As she drew near to the right end, her breath caught in her throat. There, near the far corner, were three pictures that held her attention. The first two were of a man and woman, garbed like the others, but these she knew. The last, was of a little pink haired girl with a bright, happy smile upon her sweet face.
Dropping to her knees, Utena began sobbing at the sight of her parents, unable to hide the deep sorrow she felt for their loss. A firm hand rested upon her shoulder, squeezing it gently. Utena looked up, seeing the old man, but he had changed. Gone was the hunched frame, weary with years, and the wrinkled face has smoothed a little, showing strong, regal features.
"Yes, it is time you knew the truth, Utena. This place, the kingdom you once knew as home stood where Ohtori Academy now sits, taken away by End of the World. It was built only a year after your parents died, and you were raised on the remaining wealth of your family."
"That isn't possible! If Akio was the one who built it, why would he only be standing in for the chairman?" Utena argued, her eyes still watering.
"The man who paid for the academy was no less a pawn than everyone else. Each was a piece in his game, trying to make their way in the world he masterminded." The old man replied, his voice like that of a parent explaining something to a confused child.
"But, that can't happen, it can't be true." Utena stared at the floor, her voice hardly above a whisper.
"That's okay, someday you will understand the truth of what I say." The old man's eyes became cold as he wrapped a thick cord around Utena's neck, tightening it until she couldn't breathe.
Panic overtook her at the sudden realization of her peril, and she gripped frantically at the noose, trying to afford herself some breathing room. Slowly her body lost its fight, leaving her slumped over on the floor.
"In time you will learn, little Princess, that you cannot hope to oppose the will of a King of the Old Way."
***
Saionji found himself walking along the streets near the sea, his umbrella resting on his shoulder. The rain came down hard on the waves, making the waters restless and shifting. The night was still deep, and he longed for the morning sun to take away this rain.
Suddenly a carriage rolled by, throwing rainwater up onto the sidewalk. Saionji jumped back, avoiding the sloshing water. "Watch what you're doing!" He called out in annoyance at the driver, but was left unanswered.
"Some people can be so rude." He said to himself as he watched the carriage roll down to the port. "I wish they would learn some manners."
Seeing it stop next to a large sailing ship riding in the harbor, Saionji watched them. He saw several people rush to either side of the dock, holding up a large awning between them with a wolf's head upon it. Someone stepped from the carriage, followed by two more people carrying a large bundle between them.
"Hmm, something is suspicious about this. I better find out what they're up to."