Chapter 13

Slip the Dogs of War

Saionji didn't feel right about any of this, like a man stumbling through a dark night in a place he's never been. Shadows danced about him, the men moving like phantom figures, fading in and out of reality around him. He felt trapped, as if a prison had been erected about him, one that moved with him, allowing others to pass in and out of it, in and out of his sight. His world had become the inside of a little bubble, everything beyond denied to him.

"It's the burden of leadership." He heard a voice say through the myriad of floating images and sounds. "He's still getting used to the feeling."

What is this? Is it really the feeling of leadership? Am I just confused by the power of being in charge of others? I don't understand, why am I so disoriented? Shouldn't I be leading these men? Touga would be, so would Juri. Why am I struggling to do what I know they would be?

"My Prince, the soldiers are awaiting their orders. The enemy has assembled his forces on the far sides of the field." Meirk whispered into his right ear.

"We shouldn't give them a chance to prepare. Charge our forces, and break their lines. Follow the main force with another to keep them from cutting the men off." Saionji replied, still feeling that gut-wrenching feeling within himself.

Kriem approached her sister, a worried look plain upon her pallid face. "He doesn't know, or else he lacks the power we thought he had." She whispered.

"Are you suggesting we bring Conall out to lead the battle?" Meirk asked, a flair of irritation in her voice.

"I'm not questioning your choice, but Prince Saionji doesn't seem focused on the task at hand, nor does he seem to understand the power of his name." She responded, trying to placate her irritable sister.

"He is perfectly ready for what I-we have planned." Meirk cut off her answer, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"If you say so... sister."

A commotion broke out, turning their attention back to the men moving along. Saionji had stopped, a hand resting upon his head. Nearby a drum beat loudly. The sisters began moving closer to him, Meirk's frustrations and Kriem's worries showing clearly on their livening faces.

Unable to break away from the feeling that something was missing, Saionji gritted his teeth. Why does it feel so empty? What have I lost? No not what, who! Someone special to me, someone I was-I was-

After all, I'm only a peasant girl, and you, you're a Prince!

Those words, so desperate, so lonely. I was protecting her, but she's not here. Ambrosia!? Where is she? I have to find her! Breaking away from the column preparing to charge, Saionji turned and looked back up the hill. With all the speed his long legs could muster, he charged back up the rocky tor. The wind started to rise, picking up on either side of him, and dividing all that stood in his way. Not man nor material remained before, and even the height of the hill became little to him. Driven by a single thought, he pressed on heedlessly.

A rock, unforeseen, caught his foot. His balance lost, Saionji plunged into the earth, his face bruised and clothes muddied by the trampled ground. Pushing himself up, he continued on, hardly noticing his fall.

Down below, Meirk watched in fury as he disappeared up the hill, leaving her ambitions behind. A thousand silent curses whirled in her mind as she stood, her body quivering with barely contained rage.

"What just happened!? Why did he leave!?" She demanded.

Kriem walked up, examining the ground. She picked up a pair of threads and held them to the sky, looking closely at each. "Here is the problem, sister."

"What!?" Meirk snarled, looking over at the tiny cords. When she saw them, however, she could hardly believe it. The threads she had tied about Saionji's neck were numerous, good threads, but there was another, and it was still trailing after him. She has made many connections, but they were weak, like tissue. She hadn't counted on his ambitions to be so small. The last thread was different. It looked as weak as her threads had proven to be, but as Kriem rubbed it, it's true nature came out. Hidden under the frail cord, was a steel wire, solid and strong.

"We made a mistake, Meirk." Kriem said, her voice low and sad. "We didn't understand their bond."

"We don't need to understand it." Meirk retorted angrily. "I won't let that tramp have a hold on him, even if I must crush his mind to do it!" She started back down the hill to carry out her plans, not even bothering to speak to Kriem again. Alone on the hillside, she watched her furious sister leave. A single drop of water landed on the grass.

***

Nemo looked about at the army assembled before him, nodding in approval at the sight of the men. They stood in perfect ranks, silent and precise. People were looking out of their homes, watching the Prince and his men as they advanced through the streets.

The army is well trained. We'll lead them into the city, then trap them there. A column will fall around the back, forcing them to try to open their supply routes. We shall fall on them on all sides, until they can't possibly fight back.

A long conveyor belt ran from Nemo's army up to one of the empty towers, where it was loaded with books and envelopes, which were returned down the belt's length to the formation. As the men reached the old, ruined fringes of the town, Nemo began issuing commands to each force, as if he had been doing it for many years.

"Force one, take your men and integrate into the houses along the north edge. After we draw their force into the streets, fall in behind them and entrap them."

"Force six, take positions in the north and south buildings. After their main attack force enters, open fire on any units still on the hill. Keep them from making any rescue attempts."

"Forces two and three, you will hit their flanks after they enter the city. Don't reveal yourselves too early, or the trap will fail."

"Force four, attack their lines, then fall back into the city in a hasty retreat. Drop your weapons behind you to convince them it's a rout. Retrieve secondary ones after passing Force seven."

"Force seven, you hold the line along Alamo Street. Allow Force four to pass you, then hold off the enemy retaliation until they can reinforce you again."

"Force five, take the upper floors of houses, and use them to fire on the enemy along Teutoburg Street."

"Once the trap is sprung, apprehend any leaders. We want to behead the serpent quickly, and leave the corpse to rot in the sun." Nemo could feel his confidence rising. They wouldn't stand a chance against his army, and he would punish them personally for trying to take his land.

Suddenly, a terrible pain erupted in his chest, sending him staggering to his knees. His breath became labored, weak. He gripped at it tightly, as if trying to tear into his throbbing body. The pain grew sharper and more terrible, rending at his mind. Flashes, distorted images, shadows and spots spinning around him.

What's happening to me!? He stared at the ground wide eyed, gasping, trying to pull more air into his chest. I feel like someone tore out my...

"Aaaagh!" Gripping his hands with his head, he reeled backwards, his mind going black around him. I-I'm dying! Somebody help me! Anyone! Images began flashing through his mind, Ragnarok, Conall, Ryan, his father, Saionji, Anthy, a woman he felt he knew, Utena. He tried to grip on to those familiar faces, the people he knew, the world he knew, but he started to slip again. Darkness began filling his mind, drowning him like a man being sucked underwater by a strong current, life running out as quickly as air to one pulled under. The panic flowed out of him, replaced by an unnatural calm. This is it, I'm going to die here, aren't I? Strange, it seems so much easier than I thought it would be...

As the world closed in around him, crushing him with it's weight, he saw a glimmering light. A hand flew out of the darkness, pushing between the stifling forces that threatened to destroy him. Reaching up, he felt his fingers take those of the person on the other side. The pain suddenly flooded back, and for a moment, he wanted to die, for his suffering to end. That wonderful calm, no more pain. No, I want to go back, let go of me, let me die.

"Don't leave me! Not yet! I still need you!" A voice called out from the depths of his soul.

That voice, so sad, lonely... They will be alone when I'm gone, alone again... They're reaching out to me, they want me back! I... I... No! I can't abandon them! A tiny fire ignited again within Nemo's breast, growing and surging with new vitality.

To his surprise, he felt himself growing stronger, light returning to him. I can't... die yet..! Not like this... someone believes in me... I have to fight for them... I have to escape this..! Nemo pulled harder and harder, grasping at the edge of the ledge from which he dangled perilously. As the hand drew him up he caught the rocks, pulling himself upward. Then as he lifted himself over that edge, over the threshold of death, he saw her smiling, tear-streaked face again.

Utena...

***

For many long moments, Utena sat there, her eyes fixed on the bloodstained blade. She couldn't bring herself to understand what had happened. She should have been mortally wounded, dying. Reaching a hand into her jacket, and the shirt beyond, she felt for the stab against her bare skin, but there was nothing. No mark, no blood, no sign she had ever been injured. Thousands of explanations fluttered through her head, but each was rejected. There was no way she knew that a blade could strike yet fail to cut.

Movement out of the corner of her eye drew her attention back to the boy who had given her the sword. Nemo. She got up and walked back to him, thoughts racing through her head. She had so many questions, yet felt unable to voice them. Deciding to take the easier course, she held the sword back to him, doing her best to appear unshaken.

He regarded the weapon for long moments, then took it from her hand. Sliding it back into it's sheath, he slung it over his back, and began stumbling wearily off down the stairs of the Dueling Arena.

"Hey wait!" Utena spoke up suddenly, jogging after the child. "I have to ask, how did you get here, and why?"

"I'm always with you, Utena." The boy replied, stopping as he looked back at her. "I've just looked different."

"What?" Utena blinked. "When?" She found herself staring not at the child, but at a pink haired little girl with a bright smile.

"Do you remember?" Again, the figure before her ceased to be, but stood tall, with white clothes and lavender hair that rippled like waves. His voice was like Akio's, but somehow kinder, like one that cared. "How about now?"

Utena's hand drifted unconsciously over her mouth, realization flooding into her. "But if all three of you are the same, then you're really a part of all of us?"

"Of course," it was the boy again, "we are the nobility of the Princes, and all true Princes have a part of us with them. Some have lost it," he looked over at the crumpled form of Akio, "while others have just forgotten."

"Like Nemo and I." Utena whispered to herself.

The young Nemo nodded, smiling. "Now you understand who we really are."

"Wait, if you're Nemo's nobility too, could you tell me what's wrong with him?"

The boy nodded again.

"What is it? I have to help him, but I don't understand what happened."

"Follow me, you're answers will come."

The mouth of the great stone wolf upon the mountainside stood open before them, leading into darkness, but Nemo continued to walk in. Utena followed, her eyes dancing back and forth at the glittering stone of the cave.

"This place, it's full of memories..." She said absently, her tone hushed. Hanging from the walls, a series of pocket watches, each set at a different time. As minutes passed, they ticked, but only once, never growing faster, but always in unity.

Noticing a light ahead, Utena looked down the tunnel. A doorway stood open, but after walking in the dark, she could barely stand to look into it. Several steps passed, and she found herself in a room with a high vaulted stone ceiling.

"Oh, Utena! We were hoping you would show up soon." Clearing her eyes, Utena saw Anthy sitting in a chair, a pleasant smile upon her lips.

"Anthy? What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story, so I'll tell you later." Anthy giggled, gesturing for Utena to take the chair next to hers. "Please, come and listen, I think you should hear this."

"Hear wha-" She stopped, blinking as she noticed another here as well. The woman was aged, yet beautiful, like a tree that stood for hundreds of years. She sat serenely with her hands folded in her lap, her eyes reflecting a lifetime of experiences, both wonderful and sad. Her hair was a bright, warm russet, tied carefully back with a small brown ribbon.

"Are you Utena Tenjou?" The woman asked, her eyes seeming to take the young lady in.

"Yes, that's my name." Utena could feel her cheeks flushing. What is this feeling? She seems so familiar, like a place of safety. I want to be near her, to feel that warmth. Why? Sitting down in the chair, she could almost feel the embrace of the woman's presence, guarding her, giving her a wonderful sense of peace.

"My son has told me many things about you. You're a very special girl, Utena."

"Your son? Do I know him?" She wasn't sure whether to be surprised or glad.

"Very well, probably better than I do." She answered softly.

"You're..." Utena felt her voice catch in her throat, unable to speak. She didn't need to. The woman nodded, smiling demurely.

"Let me tell you a story Utena, about the Old Way, a Prince, and a love that challenged the world."

***

Out upon the ledge that led up to the Dueling Arena, a pair of wolves trotted, their noses high and searching. A movement ahead drew the attention of one, who was quickly followed by the other. Coming over to where Michael and Jim had fallen, they began nuzzling the men, slowly bringing them back to consciousness.

"Wha-where are we?" Michael asked, still half dazed.

"You've been wounded. Lie still, and let us tend it." One of the wolves spoke softly, then began licking at the cut upon his back.

"Where's my friend, Jim Nettle? Is he okay?"

"My companion is seeing to him right now. Just relax, your friend will be fine."

"Alright, if you say so."

Minutes later, the wolves turned to speak to each other, leaving the two men propped up against the rocks. The first spoke, concern in his voice. "They should have been dead, but somehow they're still alive."

"An oath? They were wounded by a Prince's sword, that is certain." The second replied.

"Perhaps, but we must ask them what happened. The Princes need to be found soon."

"There is also the scents too. If the blood we smelled did belong to Prince Nemo, he could be wounded."

"Let's hope not. If anything happened to him, Captain Ragnarok will be furious."

Nodding in agreement, they turned back to their wounded charges. "We need to ask you two what happened here, and where the Princes have gone."