I don't own Gundam Seed (although I wish it was).
It's just that I was bored and wrote this story in my mind and decided to put it online. This is an AsuCaga fanfic and for the first time I'm using Lacus as an antagonist.
I'm not really a good writer so thank you for motivating me with the review and all
Note:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the reviews …
and sorry if i couldn't reveal any spoilers as of the moment
because i really plan on making this fic a puzzle where each chapter forms the bigger picture.
please do stay tuned and thank you for the support
So that's it Enjoy reading: D
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Amelia's Crypt, that's how the people of Neo Verona would usually call it. It was a catacomb of an enchanting priestess, the one that came before me but I've never seen since the very day that I was ordained to take over her title. No one really knows how or why she passed away, aside from the fact that she actually killed herself. People say her immortality caused her to be deranged and after enduring 400 years of living a life of prayer and consecration all alone for the welfare of the sky continent, she decided to asunder from the path that the Gods decided for her.
Everyone calls her the 'lilac priestess' for the lavender color of her hair and clothing makes her very distinguishable above all else. This is the dwelling where she took her own life. Everyone was certain that she's already dead but what remains a mystery is where her corpse is. For her body was never found yet the Mystical Second hand of time searched for a new Freedert before the world could collapse without a priestess as its pillar and the only way to do that is to gain the death of the predecessor.
This is a mythical place that people refused to believe that has really existed. With nothing but rumors to describe how dainty her tomb was, just to satisfy their meek imagination, no one actually has a clue on how to reach the place. Some say it's the artwork that exhibits the anger of Gods, with nothing but a barren land filled with air so poisonous no man could ever live by just one breathe.
But I really wonder who could cause such offensive rumors, when the people would actually hang their mouths open in awe if they saw the truth about the place. The view is more of a garden than that of a graveyard. More like a sanctuary for the living than that of the dead. Flowers bloom everywhere, butterflies fluttering here and there. The sky was clear and so is the water from the lake. I've known no lie neither have I spoken one, for I've seen the place with my own eyes. Because here lies the memories of my childhood, the memories I've shared with…
"Athrun, it's not ready yet!" I said, trying to hide the unfinished crown of flowers I was making for him.
"You said you wouldn't peek, you cheater" I pouted at him which only caused him to become more persistent on taking a look of what I'm doing. He has always been like that ever since I met him, since the day father told me that we are destined for matrimony. For a child, it wasn't something to be serious about but I knew all along that I wanted to be with him more and more.
"Don't be stingy Cagalli, I'm only taking a glimpse" he was now trying to be stubborn but finds amusement as I retaliate on showing him my work.
"You're making that for me right? A glance is only justifiable" he reasoned, with his right hand trying to reach out. He was always the smarter one between the two of us. He would always come up with reasons I could no longer defend myself from. He was a cheerful young boy with azure colored hair and emerald eyes that make me want to stare at all day long. We play together; laugh together, hoping that childhood would stay and last forever.
"Yes it is, but since you broke your promise, I've decided to give this to my sister Lacus when I get home" I said with a slight indifference which planted a grimace on his face.
"Eeh! Then when will I get to have one?" he stared at me and begged for me to make him one. Now I've managed to make him sad, I wish I could take back what I said but I also wanted to give a present to my sister when I get back.
"I'd make another one the next time were here, but I need to give this to my sister because we seldom see each other now" I reasoned out to him remembering my sister who was busy studying spells and scrolls of worship.
"Lacus is her name right?"
"Yes, she was always on her room with the mentors with no rest except for the afternoons, being taught on taking the title as this continent's Freedert"
"Hmm…So that's why, we couldn't see her" he realized, as he saw my face depicting sadness for my sister.
"Hmm…well if it could cause a smile on that frown of yours, maybe I could consider you giving those flowers to your sister" his reply caused a smile on my face. But before I could be any happier, he opened his palms to reveal a string of small flowers linked together appearing to be a ring. He took my right hand and gently eased the ring in my index finger and spoke…
"But in one condition…"
"I would give my whole life to gain the title 'Elliot of Arc Aile'. By that time, I could be fit enough to stay by your side and protect you as always, I'll become a man deserving to beget the role of defending your honor, so you better wait for me…Cagalli" his tone was never like that of an adult, his was remarkably juvenile for it was a child's promise. But then again, never have I doubted any words that came out of his lips, for I was also a child who pictured a future with me beside him.
"Aah!" A sudden realization came to my consciousness, I recalled something about my sister Lacus which also caused a stir to where his Pegasus was, near the lake replenishing its thirst with the clear water that it offers.
"It's already 1 hour past sun down, Mir's going to get mad at me, let's go back now" I said preparing myself to make a run for the castle. My parents would be worried by now and it would surely make them mad if they knew I dragged Athrun with me on sneaking outside the castle gates to such an unknown place.
I started running for home, trying to arrive first before Athrun, so he wouldn't get scolded which would most likely happen to me the moment I arrive on the palace. But before I could go on any further Athrun called my name…
"Why?" I inquired making him answer me in a hurry.
He was staring at me with those honest emerald eyes of a child. Not a single deception can be traced, but only innocence and something more I cannot define. He paused for a while thinking about what to say…and then I heard him…
"When we get back here, I'll give you a real one" he said, pointing at the realm of flowers on my finger.
His promises left me breathless; we were too young to make such warrants, those not even adults can fulfill, we were too young to make expectations not even grown-ups could possibly obtain. But we were too young to know the cruelty of the world and we were free to be who we really are, not to be robbed of innocence for the time and I believe that is reason enough for us to go about on make believe.
With a nod and a smile, I bid him goodbye…
"Then, see you at the castle, Athrun"
…
"See you again, Cagalli"
Cagalli…
Freedert…
Freedert…
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"Freedert, Wake up!"
Cagalli's dormancy was braced by Miriallia's clutching address. Her handmaid was now all over her room, taking out every ensemble worthy of being worn from her closet. Her movements were in a panic when the princess scanned her with such lethargic eyes, before she took notice of the room that served her slumber. The sun's rays were already penetrating the closed curtains, the trumpets were already blown, the guards' loud stump were already filling up her ears, indicating that it was already past afternoon and it was definitely preposterous for a priestess to be still lurking under the sheets of her bed at that late hour of the day. But despite the notion that her surrounding was giving her, the priestess couldn't care any less, for just as the people of the king's court populated the grounds, her mind was also populated of thoughts and questions about a certain dream that paid her a visit during her sleep.
"A dream?" Cagalli asked herself in whisper with a hand reaching out to her forehead to recall what she had dreamt of. The dream was very clear to her memory that not even a single one escaped her recollection. Everything was clear but each one of it brought her confusion. She doesn't understand why in the world would a part of her memory when she was still a child, would suddenly come rushing back at her? It was indeed real, for she knew it had happened but she could no longer educe how to reach that very place and if it really did exist.
"My lady! Your sister has already arrived downstairs!" Miriallia spoke to her expressing a very worried face with an emphasis on every word verbalized, pulling Cagalli back to reality.
"Lacus is back?" the princess asked, with orbs now focused on Miriallia. The handmaiden's statement called up the reason why suddenly everyone seems stirred up and busy as ever in their own respective posts. It was the day of her sister's arrival after living in Arc Aile for two years to be with her Fiancé'. She missed her so much and wished to welcome her. But the hours that took her into dreaming such unrecalled, shaded memory of her past deprived her the happiness of doing so.
As Miriallia, went out of her way to lay out an array of elegant dresses for her priestess to choose from. Cagalli caused a light rub on both of her eyes and quickly rose up from where she was lying from, a while ago. And with three quick, wide strides she made a run for the lavatory, thinking and hoping that she could still catch up and present a pleasant welcome for her sister. Forgetting for a moment, keeping the mind astray, about the dream that may shatter the hidden relics holding her mortality.
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An endless display of different cuisines served up until the edges of such extensively over-sized table, colors and taste differ from that of the previous one, piles of pastries higher than the first one, flowers freshly picked smelled throughout the place, Music playing the most enchanting melodies, thousands of Bottles were opened, wine was poured on every fine piece of glass seen held by the visitors and the people filled up the area with laughter. Today, was the coming home of the first born, everyone was elated to see their princess once again especially those of the royal bloodline, almost all of them rejoiced except for one who seems dismayed about everything he lays his eyes on to and is now considering the idea of not leaving the corner of the room where he stood from, until the end of the banquet.
"My love, is there any problem? You seem appalled…" Lacus inquired, walking towards her Fiancé. She was currently speaking to her mother when she suddenly noticed Athrun's expression from afar and she could not help but be curious on what was causing him such upset.
Athrun felt her worries in her words, so he tried composing himself as to hide his expression from Lacus, then with a fake smile he replied "Everything's fine, I just don't consent to the idea of socializing by now"
It was the truth but then again, it was made worthy to be a lie; Athrun doesn't like socializing, a characteristic unique to that of the royalties. But today was an exception to that, because as of the moment, it was not only the plain idea of talking to people that seemed to appall him but everything that exist around him seems to wield the same dread that socializing causes him.
The Music was off and unappealing, the flowers continue to irritate his senses, he finds everything served on the near table to be tasteless except for a glass of wine that lingers with it's content half full on his palms because Athrun prefers to cradle the glass with his bare hands rather than to carry out a conversation with the same people who share his bloodline. And what more, the person he yearns so much to see has not yet arrived. But despite what affect it may bring, he has to conceal it in front of everyone especially to Lacus and the rest of the royal bloods, even just for now, he must contain it to himself. While he waits for-
"Oh Elliot, you can't be like that, Father has been meaning to speak to you, Come with me"
And that's how the peace brought by standing on a secluded corner was put off. Lacus linked her arm giddily on his and dragged him away from the walls that he befriended awhile ago, towards her father who excitedly called for his title, not even by his name, and was thrilled to converse with him, leaving the green eyed lad with no choice but to pass some time divulging into a meaningless discussion with Lacus' parents.
"Elliot, my boy! How does Arc Aile fair these days?" the king asked him with an arm settling itself on Athrun's broad shoulders. He seems to be in a fine mood, Athrun thought to himself. His tone was full of glee as the lightly trimmed mustache raised its fine edges as he spoke. Kalos Metherlence VI, he was still the king the he used to be and as how his cognizance fancied him to be, 15 years ago, Athrun recalled. He may have aged a little on his every visit to Arc Aile but the persona that marked in Athrun's memoir remained unchanged, leaving him wondering if the person he's been waiting for would have been like that of the king, free from diversity or any evidence of the flow of time.
And this was how he managed to indulge himself with boredom beyond belief. Conversing with the king on how Arc Aile's produce had remained abundant this year. How the numbers of soldiers that was under his command was increasing, how his father would be visiting Orb during the fortnight and what his future plans for his own country's development are. As ambivalent as he was, he would always choose to be considerate when it comes to conversations. Once asked, he answers with brilliance, full of conviction, as if there was really an intent to listen and prattle. But there was a topic that he would never entertain though or even let alone arise, and that was when he was asked about his plans for marriage.
Once asked, he still answers with brilliance, conviction carrying on. Sustaining his phony intent to listen and chatter, but will quickly dismiss the topic without any reluctance by saying…
"Excuse me your highness, but I believe that it's an affair that can only be discussed between me and my future bride"
Hiding his absent intention towards marriage, that's how the king would stop inquiring with Lacus smiling like a Cheshire cat by his side due to what she had heard, that was clearly referring to her and no one else. From time to time he would jest to either impress her or make her laugh, making everyone see how compatible they appear and really meant for each. And with that…
The music plays on
And on…
And on…
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The music from the throne room echoes outside towards the corridors of the castle. Its walls reveal the shadows of those two individuals pacing in a hurried state towards the banquet. One of them has her hands on both her sides carrying the petticoat of her long white attire, praying on whoever merciful God there is to make the dress lighter than what it really weighs. For surely any woman can be captivated by its beauty but incontestably, once you get to wear it, you'll realize it's beauty would instantly be outweighed, literally.
It's funny how the small stones embellished on this dress weigh less than a gram per piece.
Because the dress was that heavy and it's not something anyone could carry, especially if a person's in a rush for she was already two hours late and is not that ready for a new scolding. The second one was shown to be wearing a lighter cotton made dress worn by servants of the castle, as at ease as she may seem, her burdens were heavier than she actually weighs right now because her master was late and was bound to get reprimanded as soon as they reach the celebration. And if that's not enough, she would be receiving a great amount of lecture in front of a great number of audience. And even though everyone there loves her master, Miriallia hates to admit it but, no one would miss a show like that.
Two individuals…
Two different silent burdens…
One direction…
No idea on what's going to happen…
"Freedert that's not the way, it's over here" Mir stopped Cagalli and pointed that she was going the opposite way of where they were heading.
"Sorry" Cagalli apologized, following Miriallia with the same pace that she has. They were both in a hurry but the princess seems to still have difficulty grasping reality away from sleep. Or maybe she just couldn't think properly due to being in a hurry.
"I told you to get a good amount of sleep, but it looks like you found it insufficient" Miriallia was now lecturing her with ridicule on how disappointing it was that she overslept. This seldom happens to her and thinking about it more, this never have happened whenever there is an occasion in the kingdom.
"I did sleep after you left; it's just that…well…" Cagalli explained herself, not guilty on Mir's accusation but decided to think about the right words to say as she saves herself from getting a good amount of "flattery" right before she gets the greater one from her mother later on. And Miriallia could do nothing but wait on what she has to say while they converse as they bolt through the corridors.
"I had a dream, last night"
"A dream? My lady everyone is entitled to dream but no one is allowed to conk out just so you could sustain it" her handmaiden continued with her lecture with a mocking snicker and was now on the chapter where she declares that it's foolish to oversleep and reason out that you just had a dream, Causing a slight irritation to arise from the both of them.
"No! It's not just a dream, it's a memory from long ago that I wasn't able to recall" Cagalli defended herself still pacing towards the hall.
"A memory? About what?" now it was Miriallia's turn to be puzzled.
"Well, it happened long ago, between me and…Athrun" pausing for a breath in order to speak of his name, Cagalli felt the impact that left her lips upon the name the she articulated. Athrun, she wondered how many years has it been since she called him by his name and how many years has it been since she had last caught sight of him, which was right before she got her title and was bound to never meet anyone until she has reached the age of wisdom, already aware of evil, prepared to face consequences.
"Athrun?" Miriallia was puzzled on how familiar the name sounded but couldn't recall whose it was. It sounded so familiar that she could even testify that she heard it many times before…It was a man's name…it was the birth name of the…
"Ah! It's the Master- "Miriallia exclaimed realizing who the owner of the name was, subjecting both of them to pause their steps with Mir covering her mouth with both hands and Cagalli raising a finger, hushing Mir to keep her voice down.
"It's Lord Elliot…?" Miriallia whispered to Cagalli in order to make sure she was indeed correct on her assumptions.
"Indeed…Athrun was his birth name" with a deep sigh from Freedert; the two resumed their walk but was now going for a slower tread.
"Well what was it about?" Mir Inquired
"It was about the last time that I saw him, before he earned the right to wield the 'Wedge of time' as Elliot, the prime swordsman, highest of Neo Verona, the person Lacus was betrothed to" Cagalli declared while reminiscing that part of her life when playing hide and seek was the most difficult thing to do for the both of them and when time was so graceful that it makes it appear that the days are longer and nights are cut shorter just for the two of them. When innocence still lingers and there was no room for farewells.
"Did you know, we used to play at Amelia's crypt when we were young" in her vivid mood, the princess started to recall the days when she was young, not anymore caring if she was treading too fast or too slow to reach the grandiose doors of the throne room which was now an abridged distance away from her.
"Oh, I remember, the both of you used to be late and the—Wait!" Miriallia's sudden realization startled Cagalli and urged the young priestess to pause once again and look back at her faithful friend and servant.
"Pardon me but did you just say, Amelia's Crypt?" Mir verbalized with caution forming through her words, with eyes pierced on the very person looking back at her. Hinting her to deny what was asked of her.
"Yes, Indeed" Cagalli confirmed, realizing there was something amiss on what they were discussing
"B-but My Lady, Ame-Amelia's Crypt, was just a place of fiction, stories made for younger children's enjoyment and older people's humor" a stuttering and startled Miriallia tried to explain to her priestess the known truth about the place of rendezvous that she was narrating a while ago and on how it was only a mythical place, known to have never existed since the beginning.
"Huh? How can you say that Miriallia? I've already seen it with my own two eyes when I was young"
Miriallia was speechless at the princess' reply and what made her more confused is that the princess spoke with conviction as if she really had seen the make-believe place no one could possibly have laid there eyes on. They had appeared in front of the doors, seconds away from being reprimanded which was what they were expecting since this morning but Miriallia had other thoughts on her mind that caused her to test how genuine Cagalli's statement was and asked "My lady, if I may ask, what did the Crypt look like?"
"Well, it looked more of an oasis rather than a grave for a person, which I'm certain of. The sun's warmth was really pleasant to the skin and so as to bring life to the colorful flowers that grow on the fields. The fishes in the nearby lake were really big; one could feed a whole family of six and…Oh! Oh! I remember! The butterflies were also very pretty and so as was the red ladybugs climbing there way up to the leaves and tall grass" Cagalli spoke not realizing the fear that was forming on her friend's eyes. She described it as how she had seen it when she was still a child and the next thing she knew, not only the memory but also the feeling of being able to reach such place, came rushing back.
"Freedert, there's no such thing that exists…" Mir declared with a tone of bereavement opposite of the one she usually has. She looked crestfallen as if Cagalli cursed at her or have said something to offend her. Every word she hears, every description she makes, causes Miriallia to recall what Neo Verona really looked like during those days and how what she says seems to be a lie if you get to compare it to what reality has presented to them. But the princess who wasn't even facing her, focusing on the doors opening, failed to recognize these but still managed to reply with a smile thinking she could make her handmaid believe her.
"Miriallia, I told you already, I've been to-"
"When the previous priestess killed herself with no one to replace her, There was nothing but the years of endless winter"
"I present to the royal court. Orb's Freedert Metherlence, Grand priestess, Highest of Neo Verona" the guards were shouting her name with glory, the people were now anticipating, suddenly pausing on what they were discussing, everyone was waiting, even the maids, stopping their tracks, musicians holding their strings, the exquisite food ignored by those who were looking forward to them earlier, the colossal doors slowly opening seemed to be a pain when anticipation has filled the air. Slowly the slit between the doors were now turning on a wide clearing only to reveal the priestess, her composure stiff and reluctant, eyes full of confusion, still in her conversation with one of her maids and wasn't even focused on facing them. She froze on where she stood, suddenly hit like ton of bricks, forgetting to move forward, suddenly forgetting what she ought to do for the day.
"What?"
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Chapter 6: The Wielder and the Faithful
From this chapter onwards, there will be more AsuCaga, promise! :D