Chapter 12

The Shadow of Death

Utena clawed at the air in desperation, her heart pounding like a drum. Is this it? Am I going to die? It was strange, but as she fell, a strange calm began flowing over her, and she started to drift, her struggles against the intangible winds ceasing. Maybe it's meant to be this way, maybe I am supposed to die here. A gasp. The struggle returned, even stronger than before. No, this is wrong! My friends, I'll never see them again! If I die, and they need me, oh my God, what have I done!? I have to live! I have to be there for them!

Suddenly she felt the water surging around her, pulling and clawing at her clothing, dragging her into their depths. For a moment, she was sure she would be cast against the rocks, her body broken. Then time seemed to stand still, as if being given pause all around her.

A brilliant light erupted from her pocket, shining out like a star. She reached in, sliding out the Rose Crest that she had kept there. The waters surged up around her, becoming more and more solid as she was carried skyward.

"What!?" Utena looked around at the stair of coral that rose up from the sea, climbing the mountainside. The whole thing was carved with ripples and waves, twisting and dancing as they twisted around the face of rock that stood against the might of the sea's waters. "Is this... a Dueling Arena?"

Her mind turned back to Akio, realizing he was still near. She looked back down the flight of stairs, catching sight of him as he came running up the coral steps towards her.

"Utenaaa!" He roared, brandishing his sword as he charged after her, rage burning in his eyes. "I will see you dead, Tenjou! You can't escape death forever!"

Akio jerked sharply, stopping him. Embedded in his back, a long shaft thrust, ending in a sharp point that protruded from his chest. Turning about slowly, he struggled to hold himself up as he sought the one who shot the arrow.

Michael stared up at Akio, the bow still squeezed tightly in his hand. That's right, you monster. Keep away from our Prince! A shiver of fear rippled down his spine as Akio started walking back down towards them, each step stronger than the last.

Slowly, the agony disappeared from the fallen Prince's face, replaced by perverse delight. "Hahahahaha! So he was telling the truth!" Akio laughed, gripping the shaft and ripping it from his body. "Now that hatred fills my heart, I have found something Eternal! I will hate and destroy that which I hate forever!"

Jim moved to bar Akio's passage, holding the spear up defensively. "Don't come any closer! I'm warning you!" He tried to keep his voice steady, but the sight of the bleeding hole in Akio's chest filled him with fear. He had seen death before, but never one who defied it.

The waves of the sea crashed against the rocks. Jim found himself lying against the mountainside, blood crawling down his neck. He tried to move, but his body barely acknowledged his commands.

Michael rushed over to his companion, kneeling next to him. "Jim, Jim! Speak to me! Stay with me Jim, I'll help you!" He didn't see the sword fall, striking him in the side. "Aaaagh!"

"No! Akio you monster!" Utena yelled, rushing down the coral steps towards Akio. She leapt upon his back, pounding against it with her fists.

Undaunted by the attack, he swept his arm about, throwing her to the ground again. "You really think you can hurt me, don't you Utena." His smile grew as he looked down at her prone form, an idea forming in his mind. "How about we make a deal."

"A deal? Why would I want to deal with you?" Utena started pushing herself up, but was halted by the point of Akio's blade.

"Because if you don't, I'll kill all of you here and now." He replied, a cold glint of his former cleverness reflecting in his eyes.

"What kind of deal?" Utena asked, trying to stall for time.

"We duel, one last time. If you win, I won't kill your friends. If I win, I will take back the power you stole from me." His smile brought memories back to Utena, memories of how he had twisted her around his finger. She wouldn't fall into that trap again, but she had little choice except to take his offer.

"Fine." She replied.

***

Nemo looked up from his desk, a strange twist of emotions filling him. He felt lost and confused. The laws must be completed, or my people will... No! They don't need me lording over them! Utena said so! She said... she... she left me... she went away. Why did she leave? You're a monster, that's why! You drove her off, and now she hates you, pitiful Prince! You don't deserve to live! But Utena wouldn't want that, and my people need me. Yes, they need me, to write laws, to make them behave. To rule their simple minds, to-

"Aaaagh!" Nemo screamed, grabbing his head in his hands. "What's wrong with me!?"

"Nemo, are you alright?" A sweet voice said from behind him.

"Utena!?" Nemo nearly fell out of the chair, stumbling as he ran up to her. He threw his arms about her, tears streaming from his cheeks. "You came back!"

"What's all the excitement about?" She laughed, drawing back from his embrace.

"I'm just glad to see you." He replied, joy filling his voice.

"Excuse me, my Princes, but we need to leave. Saionji's army is poised for attack, and we must go and ready the troops waiting in the city." Ryan said urgently, gesturing for them to follow him.

"Of course, the troops will need us to be there in preparation for battle." Nemo replied, following them out of the dusty room.

Utena looked over at Ryan, their faces impassive as they followed Nemo out. He didn't see, the blindfold that had been placed over his eyes, nor would he understand all that was happening. The puppets walked after the blind man, one wearing Utena's clothes and hair, the other carrying Nemo's sword and bearing Ryan's tunic.

***

"My Prince Saionji, an army is assembling in Ookami. They are poised to attack our encampment." The messenger said hastily, kneeling before Saionji. All around them, the celebration stopped as the men looked to their new Prince.

Not again! Saionji's eyes darted nervously about. I don't know how to lead these men! Think Saionji! What would Touga do at a time like this? He would order the men to assemble and... and... attack! That's it! We need to strike before they can!

Drawing himself up to his full height, he cleared his throat in what he hoped would sound like an officious manner. "Prepare the soldiers! We march on the city in two hours!" He declared with a confidence he didn't feel.

Smiling to each other behind his back, the twins drifted up on either side of him. "A wise choice, Prince Saionji." Meirk whispered, resting a slender hand upon his broad right shoulder.

"But don't forget, your Princess must be protected and watched over too, or she could be hurt." Kriem said, her sickly voice barely drawing his attention more than it needed to.

"Yes, make sure she is well cared for. I don't want her put in any danger." Saionji said somewhat absently.

"As you wish, oh wise Prince." They intoned together, pulling long strings as they walked away. The cotton balls in Saionji's ears fell free. They walked back to the main pavilion, their eyes falling on the gagged and restrained Ambrosia. Kriem gestured to the guards holding her as Meirk walked up and removed the mask from the face of the scout. Everything was falling into place, just as predicted.

They didn't notice a tiny blue creature following the guards as they walked Ambrosia off down the hill.

***

Long ago in Ookami Castle's history, there had been many struggles and dangers. Kingdoms warring against each other, while death loomed to consume the weak. Althea knew, she had been there in those days. She knew the peril, and what men would do to protect themselves. She also knew how to take advantage of it.

She moved from shadow to shadow, vanishing with each step into the darkness. Her foot went up from the firm stone floor of the hall, and came down in the loose rubble of the mountains.

Smiling back at the dark walls of the castle, she trudged up the mountain's climb, making her way from her foes. Soon enough, Prince Nemo will be here, and I can continue shaping him. Crows went flapping into the sky. Althea looked cautiously about, seeing the mirrors standing behind the rocks and leaning against the short hill shrubs.

A wary smile crossed her wrinkled face for a moment. "I trust all has been well, grandmother." The soft voice came from somewhere nearby.

"Always, and I see my favorite grandson has been hard at his studies." She replied, her voice terribly calm.

"I was taught by the best."

"Yes, and you have so much potential to learn more. Are you back to seek your grandmother's wisdom again, Edric?" Her grin grew until it nearly divided her old face.

The dimming sun reflected off a pair of glasses, revealing one of the mirrors to be more than it seemed. "I am ready to learn from the mistress who taught me so well, and can hardly wait for her next lesson to be demonstrated." Edric replied, his own voice a soothing whisper.

"Good, I am glad you have come to learn. I will teach you one of the most important lessons of all today." Althea's smile vanished into the folds of her wrinkled face. "At the top of a mountain, there is only enough room for one to stand."

Her eyes shifted, seeing the world underneath the layers. She shifted her foot, watching as the mirrors slipped from their standing places and shattered against the ground. Still standing firmly ahead of her, Edric smiled as he leaned with his shoulder resting against the tree, his hands in his pockets. Overhead the crows were wheeling in the sky, their eyes searching the ground intently.

He's quite confident in his abilities, far too confident for his own good. She concentrated once again. Scissors crept out of the darkness, cutting swaths of threads that led into Edric's pockets. He pulled his hands out, looking at the severed ends in disgust. He thought he could hide them from my eyes, but he has yet to see how powerful I truly am!

Raising her hands, she offered them in a hugging embrace to her grandson. He in turn approached, taking hold of her. The serpents struck, biting deep into him. He jerked, spasms ripping through his body as the venom quickly overtook his muscles, freezing them in death's grip.

"Ahahahaha! You thought to outwit me, foolish child!" The old Witch laughed triumphantly, her arms still wrapped about her dying grandson. She softened her voice mockingly as she gazed into his eyes. "You should have remained my pawn, served me as before. It seems that your arrogance has finally cost you your life. It will be okay, I will only grow stronger, and soon I shall be immortal! The body of Anthy Himemia will be an excellent vessel for my powerful spirit!"

Suddenly terror filled Althea as she felt chilling words drift to her ears. "Not so, grandmother mine."

Looking down at Edric again, she saw not the young man wearing glasses, but another, a stranger wearing clothes belonging to Edric, his face crisscrossed with threads of deception. His arms had become rigid with the poison, and she found herself locked in his death embrace.

Walking around from behind her, Edric took his glasses from the deceased body, placing them upon his own nose. "Now the lesson is complete. Anthy Himemia taught me well of the art of deceiving one's foes into trapping themselves."

"What!? You lied! You said you had been taught by the best! How can you break the oath of words!?" She demanded, furious rage filling her eyes.

"I didn't lie, you have been outdone." Edric replied, a faint hint of pride in his voice. "She is now your superior in every way, and will be much more useful to me than you were. It's a shame really, that after all this time you underestimated me."

"You tricked me." Her voice slowly became admiring as realization dawned on her. " Just as I twisted the Prince, you made my thoughts betray me. Well done, my favorite grandson, I didn't see how far you came, and you have shown me a great deal of truth."

"It is too bad you will never have a chance to learn from it." Edric replied, his voice now deadly serious.

"Sadly, you still failed. The one lesson you didn't take to heart will kill you."

"What lesson is that?" He asked, his eyes laughing.

"Never show yourself until you've won." She smiled again, thrusting her hand out to seize his leg.

"Foolish woman, I didn't." He replied. As the snake leapt off her sleeve, it struck a glass surface, breaking it apart. The last mirror fell, shattered by her attack. Althea cursed venomously as she struggled to free herself of the dead man's embrace. She didn't realize that the crows had begun to land about her...

***

Utena found herself standing upon the Dueling Arena once again, staring across at Akio. She could feel her fear rising, but stubbornly pushed it aside. Across the field, Akio stood ready with his longsword in hand. Dark eyes glittered as he took up a combat stance.

Suddenly realizing she wasn't armed, Utena spoke up in protest. "Wait, where's my sword? And aren't we going to wear roses for the duel?"

Akio smiled cruelly, his eyes glittering with heartless mirth. "We never agreed upon the terms of the duel, other than if you won I would not kill your friends, and if I won, the Power of Dios would become mine once again." The smile became even more fiendish. "In other words, you can try to survive my wrath!"

Without another word, he rushed at Utena, his sword seeking her heart. Knowing she had no way to defend herself, she ran, looking frantically for a weapon. Surrounding them were great wooden doors, and beyond, revolving like a storm were the Swords of Hatred.

Desperate for some escape, she gripped the handle of a door and began pulling, but it refused to give way. Akio shouted, swinging for her back. Utena jumped aside, narrowly escaping the blade as it bit into the door.

"You can't escape me now, Tenjou! I will kill you!" Akio taunted, laughing as he pursued his beleaguered prey.

Utena moved quickly, gripping a door by the frame and leaning out. She grasped at the whirling swords, trying to take one by the hilt. The razor edge of one of the blades cut her hand, and a second bit into her arm.

"Aah!" She cried in pain, drawing her bleeding arm away from the spiteful blades.

"Die!" Akio's sword once again came close to hacking through her leg. Utena leapt from her perch, hitting the floor hard and rolling several feet. She rose slowly, holding her bleeding hand against her chest. Panic filled her as she stumbled away from her relentless attacker.

I have to escape! He'll kill me! As frightened tears crawled down her face, she scrambled across the arena, looking for some avenue of escape. She caught a glimpse of someone else out of the corner of her eye. She rushed towards them, then paused. Are my eyes lying to me?

Standing on the far edge of the arena, a young boy watched her. His eyes were filled with sorrow, his clothes tattered and hanging like rags from his sea-soaked body. Across his back hung a sword, and in his hand, a red rose.

A boy!? What is he doing here? What if he gets hurt? Resuming her dash, she skidded to a stop in front of the boy. "Listen, you need to get out of here! We need to run!"

He looked at her, his noble eyes sad. "Why?"

Utena was taken aback by the question. Doesn't he understand? Akio will kill me, and him too if he stays. "There's someone dangerous here. He'll hurt us both if we stay."

"I'm not afraid of him, why are you?" The boy's reply sapped the air from Utena's lungs.

Why-why am I afraid? I don't have a sword. I can't fight him. I'm running from... Realization flowed into her. I'm running from my fears, from my hurt. Akio is my fear, a fear that continues to chase me. He wants to destroy me, to take my nobility, to rob me of who I am!

Looking up at the boy again, she stepped back in surprise. Gone was the wet, tattered boy that had stood before her, replaced by a young man. His eyes were like fire, nobility and strength flowing from him like water. His gaze met hers, sad but brave. "Utena, I promised I would never leave you, no matter what. I can't help you if you don't want me to, but I will always be here."

Utena's breath caught in her throat, tears spilling down her face. "Nemo..."

She rushed into his arms, finding warmth and safety in his embrace. In that one place, she could find peace, where no fear could pursue her. She looked up at him again, hope in her eyes. He smiled sadly, "I wish I could help you, but I have no strength to fight, and this is your fear."

"My fear? Akio..." She stood slowly, determination growing in her eyes. Nemo slid the sword from his back, handing it to her. Utena blinked in surprise, "I thought you said you couldn't help me?"

"I may not be able to fight with you, but my blade will always protect you, even if I can't wield it." He slid his hand down her cheek, then as if by magic, produced a rose, it's petals red, then pink, then white. He placed it over her heart, kissing her forehead. "Be brave Utena, I will be with you."

Smiling through her tears, she turned to face her fear once again. Akio was still coming, as if she had only been there a moment. Gripping the hilt of the sword, she drew it swiftly from it's sheath. "Nemo..."

Akio stepped back , reeling as if he had been struck. His eyes opened wide, his mouth agape. He no longer saw Utena standing before him, but Dios. "No! That power should have been denied of you here! I will not let you win!"

"You can't take away my hope, Akio. As long as someone needs me, I will fight!" Utena lunged, a cry of battle soaring from her lips.

Steel met steel as they locked in combat, each seeking the other's heart. Akio drew back, fear working it's way into his depths. He struck with the fierceness of a cornered animal, trying desperately to defeat his foe. With each stroke, Utena grew bolder and more powerful, her each swing threatening to break Akio's grip.

My vengeance, it-it's breaking! There's only one way to win this! He drove his blade forward, intent on impaling her, even as her sword fell upon him.

Utena gasped, staring down at her chest, where Akio's blade had buried itself to the hilt. The fallen Prince began to laugh, but it died upon his lips as he felt the hilt within his own breast shatter under Utena's sword. His eyes met hers, then clouded over as he fell.

For several long moments, she looked at him, then down at the blade within herself. She slowly began to realize that no blood flowed from her wound, nor was there any pain. Gripping the hilt, she drew Akio's sword free, seeing it covered in blood, yet none came from her chest.

"What's going on here?"