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:
ADDED A PART I FAILED TO INCLUDE AT THE END...I'M VERY SORRY
Those italized with apostrophe are words spoken
Those that are not, are character thoughts
Thanks for the reviews by the way…
So that's it enjoy reading: D
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"It's your turn now, you dolt"
The markets of Neo-Verona have always been busy in each blessed day. People exist either to buy or sell goods of needs and wants. Children, whose mothers are busy in their exchange, play tag, uncaring if the place was unfit for such a game. It was a field of merchants waiting for coins to come out from the pockets of people who seem to find satisfaction on bargains and trades. A place so big you could lose your way in a blink of an eye. Old men, nagging ladies, dirty looking children, carriages, horses, blacksmith, tourists, the place contains a bunch of strangers. Lurk in such places and you would be considered just like one.
"I know, wait for me!" came a shout from a handsome juvenile who still had freckles on his cheeks and who is obviously enjoying the day with his playmates. They were playing catch to be exact. They kept passing and tossing the ball every single time it gets to them, all were laughing , filled with no concern for the hard day's work that adults had been an expert of, until one of them had manage to toss the said object in a much effortful manner and the ball got farther to where it should go.
Today, in this very day, a stranger who hid herself in an auburn cloak such as that of her orbs under the sun that had the same shade as her locks, tread the streets of the town market and picked up the object. The ball flew to where she stood and as expected a child was now going to her to retrieve it.
"Sorry miss, but can I have our ball now?" the youngster looked up and asked, unbeknownst to the identity of who was he speaking to.
"Oh! This one? Here you go, try to be careful nextime" The stranger in front of him knelt, seeing that it was the appropriate thing to do, to accommodate the child's height. But as she offered the ball with a smile, the boy suddenly became wide eyed in awe upon the realization of who was he talking to.
"You-your high-…your highness" the boy suddenly made an attempt to bow down in front of her on that very street only to be stopped and signaled to keep quiet.
"No need for that now, sorry, but could you keep this a secret?" the cloaked woman begged the child to keep silent on the fact that he came face to face with the holy priestess of Orb.
"Could you not share this to anyone, I'm afraid I would cause a commotion if someone finds me in the streets with no guards and maidens" she continued.
"Oh! I will, if-if the royal…If the royal priestess asks for it" the boy who still taken aback spoke as he took his toy from the priestess.
"I give you my gratitude then" the amber orbed priestess thanked the boy with a smile that had seemed to also soften the child's expression. She pats him on the head and waved goodbye as the boy ran farther and farther away from her. She waved her hand continuously with the most sincere smile she could put up but as she realized that she was now alone on that very narrow street that had seemed no one could pass by at any moment, she couldn't help but sigh on her current predicament.
"I really wonder where in this continent I could find that thing?" she said to herself, fully aware that she was alone and no one could hear her.
'will you keep this a secret' huh" how many has she utilized the same line on the very same day. Truth is, it wasn't just the child who knew about her identity that day. She was trying to find something for Miriallia today and tried asking every stall and every merchant about it, hoping that they would mistake her for a commoner or a foreigner. But she was proved to be wrong; majority of them knew her because her features were that recognizable: the amber orbs and that long hair who possessed the color of the sun. And for every attempt to speak of her true identity she begged for their silence and consideration and she found herself walking round and round the town for something she doesn't even know what looks like.
"Savia, I wonder what that even looks like" and this is what Cagalli asked herself as she tries to recall her morning conversation that catapult her to the town.
"Discern well my dear sister"
Once again, I find myself in a series of confusing thoughts. To be confused and to stare blankly seemed common to me this past few days. I couldn't even go down to the dungeons and recite my prayers with the state I'm in now. I'm certain, Escalus is aware of these thoughts that put my mind in a tangle, I dream of her often. She's speaking to me, but I couldn't hear her voice. And to show my face in front of her is the last thing I want to do as priestess.
Two years. Could two years really change a person? My sister never learned to speak of lewd words. She was pure to me, not until she confessed of her and that wielder's carnal activities. No matter what, I could never hate her; neither do I blame the both of them. But in that moment, I wished she didn't do what I knew she did. Maybe only if I could…
"Turn back time?" a voice suddenly came wringing in my ear and I knew instantly who it was.
"Oh, Halca, good morning" I greeted my sister's hand maiden. She was there for Lacus ever since we were young. She had a long black hair that reached past her knees and she had eyes as red as rubies. She was from Idola such as Miriallia; rumors say she was a daughter of a prostitute that sold herself to a citizen of Neo Verona. Her mother died from an unknown illness and when she was about to be sold just like her mother, Myrna bought her and just like Miriallia, they worked here ever since.
"You haven't been sleeping well, your highness" she looked at me straight in the eye as if observing me and how I have been lacking in sleep due to the night conversation or should I say argument I had with Lacus.
"Would you mind if we turn back time then, so you could sleep longer" she continued as I gestured her to sit right next to me in the garden. Somehow, I can't calm myself when I woke up this morning. I fear that it wouldn't help to see or even coincidentally pass by my mother in any place of the castle so I decided to rid myself of any maiden and hide myself here in the gardens, where only a few guards were present when we have no special occasion such as today.
"That's not even possible Halca, please; someone might hear you and take it seriously"
"Hahaha, forgive me your highness, I only meant it as a joke, you haven't been sleeping well this recent nights have you?" she spoke to me in a nonchalant manner but none of it ever occurred to me. She also inquired if something was bothering me, even to the extent of offering a hand if ever there is one.
"It's just that my sleep fell short this past few days and once I wake up, I can't return to my previous slumber" But in the end, I can't afford anyone getting involved with matters I can't even solve myself or even put a finger to it so I denied her previous inquiry and replied that everything was fine.
Fortunately, she bought my reply and shrugged the conversation away. But by the time, I thought we could no longer continue our discussion, she decided to take notice of other things around us, currently, the flowers in the gardens.
"My my, the flowers in Neo Verona, never fail to amaze me day by day, filled with rich shades, each of them make their existence noticeable don't they, not even willing to be out shine by the other, it's funny how they resemble people sometimes" she stared at those flowers intently, not even noticing I was already staring at her. Her eyes were looking at the flowers but her mind was far from where she looked. I failed to see the resemblance she was speaking of, for the one I took notice, are her eyes that carried an unknown emotion of sadness within them.
"In Idola, what do they look like?" at first, it may have been a foolish thing to ask. Knowing that the place I inquired her of was abandoned by Gods. But somehow, I can't help but wonder what kind of place really was Idola. I heard a lot and I've read a lot. But those were futile information compared from those a person born from that very earth actually knew.
"In Idola?" she replied with a slight smirk bearing a disbelief that I have managed to ask her such question about her birth place.
"The people's lives in Idola, is like living like a single flower in a barren field, left with no nourishment all you could do is think of survival and nothing more. A single gush of clean air would be a miracle, an ounce, no; a single drop would mean life for the day and with the sun being hindered by the floating continent, we have no choice but to succumb to an everlasting darkness. But no matter how much you try hard to survive in that place those greedy men will step on you until you're left with no strength to grow once again"
"People hate beauty in Idola... When a beautiful flower grows it becomes noticeable because of the features it bears alone. A lot of people come for it; they will even pluck it or step on it"
"I'm sorry to hear that" her statement left me with nothing but sadness for the people of the barren land of Idola,
"Indeed a punishment must be done, but only to those people who have sinned. Why are the innocent ones also suffering? Being evil and good is a choice. I believe that a lot of people from Idola are good people and they must no longer carry the sin of their ancestors." I stared back at her and told her what I believe of. But when she looked back, I was defeated by her reply.
"Evil or not, we are considered sinners here in Neo Verona, the barriers that you sustain through your prayers to protect this continent are a clear proof that we are not welcome here."
"Did you know, the land where I was born in Idola was directly below this continent so the nights were longer in that place? We have a lot of women in our town and with no food to eat and even feed their children, as loathsome as it is, they decided to sell their flesh to earn a living. It's a place called Silkres or shadowed ground. My mother was one of those tainted women. She was very enticing and alluring, she dreamt of earning for herself so that she could properly live here one day. And then she met my father, a resident of Neo Verona, he fooled her into a belief that he loved her and my mother gave herself to him. I was the fruit of their affair. I had the color of his hair"
"When he knew she was with a child, he left her despite her begging to bring us in Neo Verona, My mother's friend told me he left her saying that people like us are unfit to live here, and that we are so filthy the Gods refuse to even look at us"
"That's terrible…" I was taken aback about the story of her life in Idola. I was not aware that someone from our continent could do something ruthless such as what she stated.
"My childhood was spent seeing my mother bringing home different men going into our house and those men leaving after they're satisfied. She kept me into a wardrobe whenever her patrons would come for her. Her dreams of settling in this dream continent ended the day she fell in love with that man and she was left with nothing but another burden of a child. But despite everything, I knew she loved me, so when she died I couldn't help but be angry. I prayed to Haumea but there was no answer to it."
"I'm sure the Goddess, heard you-"
"Yes, I know she did, but she refuses to listen and she left us"
When I pray, I ask the Goddess to guide her people, to feed her people and protect them. When I do, I also think that she would include those who live under our continent. I believe that one day, she will once again, forgive them, for they are no longer the ones who had sinned eons ago before this continent ever came to be lifted up from the sky, but a single story proved that what I always believed at was wrong. The goddess still doesn't want to claim Idola's people as her people. As long as the blood of those ancient sins ran through the veins of Idola, she will not claim them as hers.
"Miriallia, lived in a town right next to mine, didn't the priestess ever inquired about her life down this lush continent?"
"I tried to ask her, but she would always tell positive things about Idola despite its condition. That's why I wasn't aware that you lived such life back then, I'm sorry" sorry, that's all I could say right now, it's true that I asked Miriallia when we were young but she would always tell me stories about her life that made her smile so I thought that everything was doing well under my timeline as the priestess.
"Oh Miriallia, always an optimist. Her highness, doesn't need to feel sorry about my life, I am honored to have served under you and not being sold to anyone back there. It seems that there's a limit to what a priestess is capable of. But no matter what I know that the lady Freedert is trying her best, Isn't she?"
"Halca…" a Limit to what a priestess could do? Maybe there really was a limit to what I'm capable of. Maybe I was trying my best, but I know now that it isn't enough. I may have been weak at some point. If a priestess is powerless such as I, how will I come to serve my purpose?
"Never mind my life, Miriallia, is still weak isn't she?" she asked diverting the subject we have been dealing with.
"Yes, Indeed, and I feel insufficient whenever I see her weak day by day" I said confirming her inquiry.
"The truth is, I sought for the priestess because I wish to let you know something that could help Miriallia's condition" as she spoke of those words I couldn't help but feel enliven for the very thought that I could find a way to improve Mir's current condition. That lead to me immediately prying her to tell me what it is.
"Your highness, there was a single plant that lived in Idola. We used to get its flower and amend it in water. It serves as a panacea or a countermeasure for all our ailments back there. I heard that it also grows here in Neo Verona. But despite the rumors, I failed to see one"
"But you said there was no plant that lived in Idola"
"The plant nurtures itself to where it grows; I have seen one of it. It exists, a flower that feeds itself and grows back despite being stepped on, a Savia"
Even though I was uncertain of where to find the said a plant, I knew that deep down inside, I must find the said flower. It's the only thing I could do for now. No matter what it takes I have to search for it. If that could make Mir feel better and make her return to her normal state.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your time, I'm afraid I must take my leave now before Lady Lacus seeks for me" I wanted to ask her more, but I thought that her edifying me about the greenery has been enough help. The servants are unlike those of royalty, they do not have the privilege of lazing around and drink tea the whole afternoon, instead, they make a living for themselves, for their families. And this, I must come to understand. But for a fact, I never thought that I would hear such stories about a servant's life today, especially from Halca whom I haven't been close to despite these years. With this in thought, maybe I could ask one more question before she takes her leave.
"Halca, your Father…"
"What of him, your highness?"
"I was thinking, you're already settling here in Orb, so maybe I thought you could try and find-"
"He's dead to me now" she immediately cut off my words with such coldness and anger.
"I didn't really have any intention of finding him, when I came here. He left us and deserters doesn't have any right to claim what they have left behind"
"But you're his child, maybe he has changed for this past years" I tried my best to reason out on her. Her father may have left them in the past but one cannot deny that he is a parent and I know that every forbearer has a heart for its offspring, I know because I have a father.
"I don't think my father is capable of change, once people show themselves up, NO amount of years could suffice for them to change because your identity is not a product of change but it just shows how they really were inside from the very beginning which people remain to be up until the future. I and my brother have no more need for him now"
So she has a brother…
"Oh, would you let me meet him someday…your brother?" I said in order to lighten up the awkward mood brewing upon me insinuating on her paternal history.
"It would be a pleasure your highness, although I'm sure you'll meet him sooner than what you would expect, I must take my leave now" I bid her goodbye and was about to go back to my recent train of thought until I heard her voice once more.
"Oh I forgot to ask, If your highness really believes that change occurs among men, does she also believe that the people of Neo Verona today were no longer those chosen men eons ago?"
Her words struck me. I stopped on my tracks and suddenly thought about what she said. I always affirmed that the people of Idola were no longer the sinners of the past but Halca made me ask myself, do I also discern that way towards Neo Verona? I stared at her, with nothing to reply. My mind seized to deem and I'm afraid I cannot utter the reply that she seeks from me. She stared back at me then smiled seeming to understand something despite me rendering nothing.
"I see, well then, discern well your highness" And then she took her leave after a smile that mocked my silence
I have to admit, I always had this gut feeling of fear towards her. Her eyes were of blood to me rather than rubies. And it has always been like that. We seldom spoke to each other. And even though she revealed her whole life to me, I still couldn't keep calm with her around. Maybe that's because I knew she had always been eyeing me and my every actions. She was the one who sold my secret to my mother and I could never trust her. Her past or her present actions, how must I judge her real identity?
Those were the same words that she heard the night before. It's ironic how she got the same conclusion from two different people. Discern well, she tried hard not to think of it but she ended up reckoning more. Maybe something really is wrong on her side of thinking. She was really bothered as to how she could've ended up being told to conceive well. Has she not been doing this, ever since she got her title and changed her name into another? She thought she was doing a good job on it. Thinking that is. But next thing you know…
"I guess I'm back to the beginning" Freedert told herself clearly tired at the thought that she couldn't find the plant that was mentioned by Halca not too long ago in which she decided to search on the towns market. She didn't really know where to start after managing another great escape from the castle but she knew she had to breakout. Because that fortress would only trap her, make her feel alone more and more with nothing to do. And in the end, she'll just end up not solving anything among the set of questions that circumstances made her create for herself. She remained indecisive, unconscious to the fact that she was still kneeling at the roadside. As she was failing to stand up and take notice of her surrounding by the minute, a carriage having two dark horses that displayed their stealth was coming towards her direction. Nearing at her for every second that she fails to sense what was coming for her. The speed of the carriage remained unchanged and when she finally took notice of what was running, for it became louder on her hearing, it was too late…
The screeching noises of horses and the forced halt of wagon wheels echoed through the no longer empty space. A large crowd may have gathered, but only a few were able to notice it and care about it. It was a road that was seldom being used. And on this day, on this road near a creak where nobody dares to pass by, lies the unconscious golden haired priestess.
###
It had been a pleasant morning in the castle. The day has always been like yesterday. The people still strive to sustain the happiness despite the struggles of kitchen and cleaning duties. Today, the songstress may have been slightly disappointed on how her night turned out to be. In Arc Aisle, the first and last sight she would see would be Elliot and his enamoring eyes. But her night was spent alone in Orb and she's afraid that those nights would still persist. As a royalty, you're not allowed to speak of request of wanting to sleep with your fiancé. Etiquette goes with the idea that all women who are not married in Neo Verona are all pure and undefiled. And she knows that the assumptions apply to her as well.
Here in this large dining hall. She shares a morning meal beside her fiancé and parents. She kept noticing that her father was staring to the empty seat for her sister who had failed to come down and join them for breakfast. Of course, her mother would rant about her sister not joining them because of the amount of shame she may have had during the scene she had caused on their evening meal. They're so-called reunion may have turned out into a small argument last night but she also wonders what her sister was currently doing. She also stole a glance on her side to check what her fiancé' was thinking about. Was he also curious as to why her sister has not arrived yet? But when she turned to check up on him, it gave her an unknown sense of relief that Elliot gave no sign of caring where her sister was but that is only until…
"Your highness! The priestess, Lady Freedert" a maiden of her sister came running through the doors with fear and worry coinciding on her form. She was catching her breath while calling out the Priestess' title in front of them and everyone in the hall including Halca who had a knowing snicker, were all eyes on her.
"What is it? Speak up!" her father, Kalos, stood up as he could no longer contain the agony of waiting for the maid to continue the news.
"It's the Priestess, My king, she has escaped, again" and with one last statement, a fine dinner turned into a chaos.
"What!" her father, slammed a fistful and made contact with the table. Her mother was speaking of insults towards her sister on a much higher tone: Saying that she dared to call herself a priestess when she, herself, has no discipline and that she would be punished when she gets home.
"Halca, order the guards to find my sister at once" the songstress was also concerned but her father was infuriated. She knows that her sister would really have to hear an earful when she gets back. That is, if they find her.
"Where have they last caught site of her?" .Everyone was confused and agitated on what to do. Guards were running to their respective horses and soon, a hoard of Pegasus left for the skies, leaving nothing but shadows as they expose their forms under the ray of the sun. But among the rumbling populace, the man beside Lacus who had gestured to wipe his face with a white cloth and looked as if he had just finished his breakfast finally stood up gallantly, asked one of the guards, unhurriedly and made his presence finally very noticeable inside the room
"At the Town's market, she was in Amacus, my lord" came the guard's reply
"I see, Go prepare my Pegasus, Aegis then, form a Battalion on the west wing and wait for my signal on grounds" Athrun ordered the guards with his usual collectedness expressing that he would be joining the search for the mischievous priestess that turned their calm breakfast into a pandemonium. He was about to leave when Lacus suddenly interjected.
"Wait, Elliot! Orb's guards are of great abilities, I don't see the need of you joining them"
"What good is a Wielder, if he doesn't serve his purpose?" came his reply with a straight face that dared not to show any emotion of worry or distress, on what lacus was insinuating. She adjured him to no longer continue into his pursuit and he wasn't about to hear any of it. Time is running out and Cagalli is missing. He couldn't afford to waste anymore of his time.
"But, couldn't you just wait here"
"It'll be more convenient for me to help them find her"
"Just let the Guards Handle this! This isn't the first time that my sister did this kind of act! And we-"Lacus was now annoyed because of him still proceeding on the venture, when finally, Elliot's one last reply silenced her supposed sweet and beautiful voice. Funny, on how such songstress could voice out such words of retaliation and annoyance that seemed out of her character. Or is it?
"Lacus, your sister, the priestess, is missing" he emphasized on how important it is to find her and as the wielder of the continent, he could not sit back while she rummages alone in the streets with nothing, stripped of protection. She was dumbfounded on what he said and with his words; she realized the she should have never spoken from the start.
"-And if you couldn't go and help us, I suggest you show I bit more concern to the fact that your sister whose prayers carry this massive continent together with its people has once again submerged herself into a sea of strangers waiting to get their filthy hands on her" and with that her beloved finally went to his departure. He left her to find another, with her standing their alone. Her father was no longer there and her mother decided to prepare the worst punishment she could ever think of. She was left alone in the dining hall, unsure on what her next actions must be until she felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Halca behind her.
"Don't worry your highness…Lord Elliot is with them, they will surely find her" she spoke of assurance with a smile on her face.
"I'm sure they will" she looked at Halca, unconcerned and set her eyes back at the windows that revealed the azure sky. Not too long ago, they were eating their meal and now, everyone has left the grounds to find her sister, Including Elliot. The silence brought by people's absence was very familiar to her. Surely her sister will be found later on, she will be punished and Lacus would be there to witness and even defend her. But as she looks at the infinity revealed by jalousies, with the rays of warmth replaced the flakes of ice compared to the past, she knew that whether they find her or not is none of her concern.
###
"Cagalli"
"Cagalli, It's your turn now"
"I was waiting for you"
There was a boy, I know him. But I don't understand. Why is he waiting for me? I tried to reach for him. It's Athrun. He always waits for me whenever we play. I was trying to get near him. But there was something that pulls him farther and farther away. There was a form. It was a beast behind him. Its claws were of incomparable salience, its presence screams death and blood. It was right behind him.
"Athrun! Don't go there!" I called out for him. There was a fear inside me that I couldn't explain. All I know was I had to pull him back. I forced myself and when I finally got a grasp of him, I still couldn't have a clear view of his face. The dark flames behind him grew bigger. He wasn't moving at all. He was just standing there.
"Athrun, we have to go! Please" It was dangerous to where he stood. The eyes of the beast were becoming clearer and clearer by the minute. Everything was dark and I couldn't see anything around us.
"You left me, alone" in a low audible sound, I heard him speak. But I couldn't decipher what he was talking about.
"I waited, but you weren't there" I searched for him to look at me directly in the eyes but failed. I felt a great amount of sadness and guilt coinciding within me but I do not understand where it is coming from. I did something wrong, I'm certain I did.
"Don't leave me" he began to lift his head and face me but as he did…
"You are…"
"Because…"
"You are mine, Freedert!" it was Escalus visage; he metamorphosed into another being .Her form was now grasping me. I felt I was being devoured. I couldn't move, I was shaking in fear. I can it feel it. Danger is coming. Her face wasn't as serene as I usually see it. It's as she was trying to…
"No!" she woke up from a slumber, sweating and shaking in agony. She tried to grab onto anything that could relinquish the fear that she was experiencing only to find out that she could only hold on to herself and felt like crying. Great amounts of gulp, fast pacing heartbeat, tremors all over her form. It was an odd experience for her and she didn't have any idea of what was happening. Until she could only stare at her moist palm and calm her own storm.
"It was a dream…again" once again, her dreams were once again abstruse. She remembered the dream about Amelia's crypt and now what…about a beast? Along with this string of confusion we're those dreams. With how things are going, she wasn't really sure whether to ignore or find the message of those winded stories that visit her in her sleep but somehow, at the back of her mind, she knows they were bound to her heart finally calmed itself and she realized that she could no longer do anything about those dreams, she started gaining sense of her surroundings.
A damp cloth which she thought fell from her forehead when she suddenly rose up, now rested itself beside her, all disheveled. There were vegetables beside her, particularly, cabbage and carrots. Chickens were also staring at her and she wondered maybe they were also thinking on why is she here. She finally realized that she was on board a merchant's wagon. She surveyed the area and saw how fine this little place could be. It was a covered wagon of merchandise. When she looked to her side and saw the two dark horses, she finally remembered what happened.
"Well, finally you're awake" an old bearded man spoke to her, as he came inside and handed her a bowl of water. He's a short old man, to be exact, with a long white beard and a scar on his left eye. She drank the water that was given to her, thanking the old man for the kind gesture.
"Were you harmed or anything?" the old man inquired. The old man seems to be the owner of this carriage full of goods. She remembered that when she finally took notice that his wagon was coming towards her direction, it was too late to stand up. She froze from the moment, although the wagon halted just in time. The wagon forced the horses to halt an inch away from her and she lost conscious from the impact. She was unharmed to say the least and she reassured the old man who had been enough to ask her about her condition.
""Thank Haumea, the priestess is safe" the old man spoke, looking above for a awhile
"Thank you kind sir, but could you not tell anybody about seeing me?" again, she did another begging gesture.
"Tell anyone? After what happened your holiness, the guards would cut off my head if they knew what I had done to you" he spoke as if, it would be the death of him if he told anyone how he came to find the high priestess of Neo-Verona.
"Oh, I'm sure they wouldn't, you, sir didn't really mean any harm" she tries to reassure him
"Oh well, it's not that I'm afraid of the castle dogs but having an encounter with them, sure is trouble" said the old man as he settle himself on a spot near the edge of the carriage. He looked exasperated, as Cagalli observed him and then went back on appraising her current refuge.
Maybe he was tired from work…
"Sir-"
"Gattaca, that's what people call me. Please, do address me as such"
"Well then, Mister Gattaca, were you by any chance a Merchant?" she inquired out of curiosity and wonderment
"Well, it's been years since I last came to Orb, to be honest, I didn't really expect to meet you again, Lady Freedert…" he looked backed at her. And then came the statement which arouses her curiosity.
I met him before?Well I don't remember anyone that goes with the name of Gattaca…have I met him before? When? Much more, where? Its odd, how sure he is that he met me. His eyes don't lie. It would surely be disrespectful to lie that I met him but it would be rude to deny that we have met.
"Dear Sir, I'm sorry but have we really met before?" between the choice of being disrespectful and rude, she chose the latter.
"Oh yes Indeed! Only that you weren't crying and a bit more cheerful than she does. You're the last one I met before I left Orb for good. Fate really likes to play a lot doesn't it, I arrive here and you're the first one that I've met." He seemed to be reminiscing about something. Maybe he was mistaking her for someone else though. But his words were exact, never made of lies and mischief. Every word that came of him, have happened because as Cagalli views it, it was one of his most precious memories. But still, no matter how much thinking she does, over and over she cannot remember meeting him in her lifetime. He seemed happy about meeting her but her who cannot remember made her feel disappointed.
"Sorry" and all she could was apologize
"Hahaha, you don't need to apologize your highness" the old man Gattaca gave out a hearty laugh seeing her childish apology
"it's not really something that you could really remember. In fact, If I may be allowed to be frank, I prefer you don't. "
And why shouldn't I? What happened back then?
"But never mind that, meeting an old man like me wouldn't do you any good after all, may I ask then, Why is the famed and precious high priestess strolling alone in such a busy town?" the old man's inquiry made her stand up quickly as she remembered her purpose for going to town.
"I'm sorry, sir but I really have to go now, I'm afraid I must find the Savia before sun down" she jumped from the wagon's elevation, attempting on making a run for it as she let the hood of her cloak cover her features once more.
"Savia? The changing Savia?" the old who looked quite taken aback at what she just said.
"Yes, do you have any idea of what it looks like? Do you know where I could find it?" she stopped at her tracks when she heard the old man's word. Freedert immediately had an idea that the Old man might know something about where to find the plant or even tell her its form seeing that he seems familiar with the said plant when he spoke.
"No Matter how hard you look for it. You won't find it here in Neo Verona" Gattaca stared at her and finally concluded.
"But why?" said Cagalli who is in complete disbelief that the plant was nowhere to be found. Halca kept her hopes up and now, she was about to be depressed about the fact that she wouldn't find it.
"My priestess, the flower of Savia, only grows from the burial site of the dead? That's why it could nourish itself in Idola despite the land being barren."
"But weren't there people who also die in the sky continent?" she continued to retaliate
"Freedert, you must understand, it is not an ordinary seedling. The plant only grows atop the grave of a person with an uncontainable anger. It is the very representation of what it feels to be mad towards something. Anger feels on itself just like the plant. It grows more and more when people step on it. It becomes stronger admidst cruelty."
"But the person from Idola said-" she tried her best to reason out but…
"The people of Idola, harbors a great amount of unresolved anger within them. They are angry at the Goddess, angry at the people of the Sky continent, angry at their own brethren and even their own children. That's why, Savia's grow vast on their graves. It may even turn a cemetery into a bloody garden."
After hearing those words, she finally connected the missing pieces about the mystery behind the Savia. That's why Halca knew that it exists. It's abundant in Idola because of their heavy anger towards them who lived above.
"Could you tell me, how it could be used a medicine?" her curiosity about the plant grew more from what she had heard a while ago.
'What do you know of it?" the man was testing her knowledge about the plant and she then reasoned out what Halca had told her. They must boil it on water and it turns into a medicine.
"It's a poisonous plant that everyone desires"
"What? But my friend said that it was their-"
"Your friend has not fully revealed to you what the damned flower could do then. The plant could be a drug for addiction, a medicine for healing and even a poison for death, depending on whose blood gets pricked by its thorns." Gattaca was telling her about a mysterious flower and she was bound to it due to her curiosity. To listen to it like a child who just heard first story.
"The Savia is a flower, pure as white but it possess thorns surrounding its hollow stem, ones you prick your finger, the flower turns red. You blood will signify your desire on how you want to use the flower, and that's how you turn a flower into either a poison or a medicine. Do you understand, my lady?" Gattaca stated wanting to make it clear to her. Suddenly, she felt about learning more about the plant but then again, the realization that she could never find it in Neo Verona was starting to sink on her musing.
"It's a pity; that such flower is unknown in here, I'm sorry Miriallia" she dried remembering her weak friend who was still resting in the castle.
"Miriallia?" Gattaca asked the priestess
"You see, my friend has been weakened far too long now. She's still resting and trying to regain her strength but I just want to hasten it up. I couldn't afford to have the sight of her being that fragile in the coming days" she tried to explain herself and her contingency with her voice carrying such sad tone. Her friend Mir was always there for her and so, during her moments of vulnerability, Cagalli wanted to be of help to her. It doesn't matter if she was her servant, all she knows is that Mir is like a sister to her and she wouldn't sit still on what was happening right now. But as to how things were getting into a conclusion, she knew she had to give up.
"Hmm, you seem determined, would you like me to tell you a secret?" Cagalli's hopes began to surge up. She affirmed to the man's somewhat playful question, Aspiring for good information about the plant.
"There may be one place left where that plant could grow you know. But it's located on the far edge of the continent. I could give you a ride in there but by land, it may take longer than riding on a peg-"
"Please take me with you, I beg of you please, dear sir, if you would be so kind to take me there, I would forever be in your gratitude" she held the man's both hand and begged for him to take her to where the flower is. She can't believe that when she was about to dismiss the topic, Gattaca suddenly gave her a great news about the Savia. Her gestures were that of child who had seen a candy for a very long time and earned her a loud laughter from the old merchant himself. She finally realized what she did and so, it also made her giggle just by thinking about it. Once again, she lifted herself and rode on the carriage. Gattaca is now in front getting ready to proceed on their destination.
Gattaca was a mysterious old man, Cagalli thought. It's unlikely nowadays to meet an old man who's still apt on travelling alone, unsure of where to go. He was old and yet both of his horses looks strong and gallant. They weren't those horses used for selling, they were those fit for castle generals. And if not for the ridiculous chickens and vegetables, that lay strewn, she may have asked him, if he was an Officer way back then. He doesn't look weak for an old person also. Usually they walk slowly and tend to find a support for their aching backs but he was not one of those. Cagalli surveyed the way he sat up front and he seemed to have no problem about it. As they move towards the place where the Savia grows, her heart was full of anticipation of getting Miriallia in better condition and finally seeing what flower the Savia really is.
"Mir, wait for me…"
###
The guards have finally arrived within Orb's largest town. They searched every tiny alley just so they could find their precious priestess. They asked and a lot of people confessed that have seen her moments before the castle guards arrived but they no longer have an idea to where she is. They told the guards what she was wearing and all probable information they could make use to track her down but with a city as large as this one, it make take a whole day and great amount of yelling to find her. they have yet to give up even though it make really drain all their strength once more to find the priestess because the king would dispose all of them when they get back empty handed. The guards were always the one being punished in the end. It was pretty amazing on how a girl like her could escape an number of men trained to secure and protect the fortress and now, for the greatest amount of time they could even remember, the guards were again doing what they have always done when she manages to outsmart all of them. Search.
"Search the whole area; I want her found before sun down" Athrun stately charged one of his men. He had joined the search for the priestess and the Guards respond to his every orders. They have trusted him but for now, their efforts were of no fruition. She was still missing. He was set on finding her whatever it takes until he heard Rayearth jesting inside of him.
" Hahaha, you're a madcap"
"What do you want now?"
"You pretend that you're calm and indifferent but the truth is, you were the one so dead set on finding that girl…Hahaha. What A joke you turned out to be My Lord"
"If you can't be of use, right now, just like that songstress, then I suggest you keep quiet"
"You know, you would be surprised to where she's heading now"
"What?" he suddenly blurted out a question audible enough to be heard by one of his men. He signaled them that it was nothing, and they continue on their duties.
"Where is she, tell me now!"
"There's no need to rush my Lord, all things will fall into place that was our plan"
"Speak up right now! I'm serious"
"Well then, I must say My lord that while your idiotic minions are searching for her in this beautiful town you are planning on flipping over, your beloved is nearing that 'place', as we speak"
"It can't be…but why would she -"
"But she is…and I suggest you get moving"
His movements were swift. Walking past the guards, heading back to his Aegis, ignoring all of their questions and ordering everyone to get back in the castle. He rode his Pegasus soaring to the sky. The guards were all in shock upon his actions. For a moment there, he was calm and straightforward but in a swift movement he gestured all of them to move out of his way and ignored their entire summons. He flew up to sky, with all his guards raising their head, staring as to how far he flew, still dumbfounded on what they have to do.
"Shall we get going then, to the place where it all started?"
###
The journey towards the edge had been a pleasant one for the priestess. It was opposite the direction to where their Kingdom stood but it was still within the borders of Orb. She takes a peek from time to time to where they were passing. The more that the carriage paves its way towards its destination, the lesser the number of people she sees but more trees appear. She never thought such a place exist within their country, where the trees grew more abundant, large infrastructures seems to have no more space to where they grew and that a peaceful place had built for itself a sanctuary hidden beside the busy streets of Orb. The more that they travel and the more that she caught sight of things new to her, she thought of how her time had been spent all this years. Her mind began to delve in the idea of "what if's" about her stature and if she wasn't the priestess she came to be. She could've been freer but unsure if she would be any happier. She could've had more friends to converse with, but doubtful on what they would perceive her. She could've gotten married but is clueless on who may it be-or No, she used to have when she was a child but that was a long time ago, fifteen years have passed and maybe those were just a child's game to be held onto because he's now the fiancé of her sister and…
You lived with the path, you believed was meant for you, you didn't think twice and didn't even look back. And that's what made you a fool, from the very beginning…
"What an Impudent man!" she spoke as she described their first conversation after so many years. She expected him to be the sweet young boy who she met years ago but when they did, he just talked to her with such rudeness she had to no clue where in this continent he got from. And the worst part is…
"Every now and then we do it, night after night or even when the sun is up…"
He even dare involve my sister…
"Who's this impudent man you speak of?" it was too late when she realized that the old man who had been taking control of the carriage heard her. It caught her by surprise but decided to go and tell the old man who it was.
"He was just an old friend, from the past may I add" Cagalli emphasized her words to Gattaca. Truth is, the mere thought of him after what he did makes her mood shift from happy into what they call irk. She doesn't want to see him and it doesn't help that he would be spending a great amount of time in their hospitality. On how she plans to avoid him? That's something she must delve on, one of these days.
"Oh, a lover?" one statement that had no bearing came out from the old man's mouth. She fails to see his face but what he said caused her to stir up to where she sat and defend herself from what was being accused of her. She is not allowed to fall in love and even if the Goddess could allow to do so, she will never fall for that knight.
"He's not-Whoa!" a loud thud was heard as the carriage suddenly took a halt. The old Gattaca began to laugh at her stumbled form. She looked like a child and that made him smile a little more before he then told her that they have reached their destination.
The whole place was rich of vegetation. Not a single person aside from the two of them was present. It was indeed a sanctuary where the sun's rays were nearly shunned as the huge trees looked to reach up towards the sky and formed what looked to be a fortress to protect its unknown inhabitants. But it was not a place where you could feel fear; it is an untouched place capable of calming anyone. It was so magnificent of a place that it could lure anyone inside it. But how this place became hidden for so many years, that she doesn't know.
"Sorry for the trouble" she bid the man goodbye and thanked him for bringing her to the place.
"Anything for the priestess" he gave out a hearty laugh
But when she was about to go, she noticed that the old man stared at her for quite a bit. And it made her wonder if there was something that he wished to tell her before they part. It gave an unexplainable feeling until the old man told her.
"I don't know what may happen once we go our separate ways but please no matter what happens, never let yourself fall in love" with such serious words, he warned her. Surely she must not fall in love. It was the consequence behind the luxury of being a priestess after all. And she accepted it the moment she was named "Freedert". Her feelings hasn't been a problem to her duties and that she knows would remain all throughout her immortality. So with all confidence she assured Gattaca that it could never happen and bid him goodbye.
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Read and Review
Thank you so much for waiting.!
I have to say, I'm really sorry for the huge delay
I'm adding another chapter before I put up a bunch of AsuCaga scenes
I know I promised but the original chapter I intend to upload got deleted
So I decided to slightly change the trajectory of the story
Next Chapter: Once upon a time, there was you and me
Promise