Amethyst
Mikan went home to find her mother sitting in front of the television, laughing. She greeted her curtly before dashing up the stairs then slammed the door behind her when she was safe in her own room. Mikan tossed her bag to one side and sank into her bed. Though she managed to sneak an hour of sleep during in school, Mikan felt more exhausted than ever. All she wanted to do now was to sleep but the thought that every sleep would bring her back to that strange land both scared and excited her.
After a while of lying down and thinking, Mikan got up from bed then moved to her study table. She sat on the chair then picked out a pen and paper from the drawer. She stared at the blank paper, pen ready in her hand before scribbling one word onto it.
Summoner.
Mikan Yukihira of Alicia wasn't a normal teenager who attended high school; she was a Lady Summoner of a noble but shameful birth. Her father was the Master of Summoners, a member of the Council of Eight; her mother was the late queen who fell from grace when her affair with the Lord Summoner was exposed, it was also this that cost them their life.
Mikan closed her eyes, trying to remember the Lord Herald's words. He told her about the existence of Summoners, how they were the direct descendants of Mother Alice, the goddess believed to be the one who created humans from the elements, which explained why Alicians have the ability to control certain elements.
"Like me." Lord Herald Koko reached an arm out the window and plucked a leaf. Placing it on his palm, Mikan watched as the leaf levitated a few inches above his palm. "I'm a man of the Woods, thus I'm able to draw power from the trees and grass. I am one with the flowers and the trees."
But there were two groups of Alicians who were different. While everyone in Alicia was said to be a child of Mother Alice, there were only two groups of people who were her direct descendants: the Summoners and the Berserkers.
He continued to explain. "Summoners, like you, are the direct descendants of Mother Alice. While the spirit of the Woods flows within me and a Fireborn has fire within their souls, the energy from Mother Alice flows within her two children and their children. In fact, in early days, Summoners and Berserkers are believed to be gods."
With his words ringing clearly in her mind, Mikan wrote down another word: Dragonheart.
The Lord Herald further explained. "Brison was Mother's Alice first son and he was the first Summoner to roam the land. Summoners might not have the gift of the elements, but they do possess something greater; you have the ability to weaken or nullify the elements, so our powers are useless against you."
"I-I can do that?" Mikan had asked and the Lord Herald answered with an inclination of his head.
"You might not know how now for it takes practice to master that skill, but it's in you," he said, "it is a Summoner's greatest power.
Mikan thought it over. "Why is a Summoner called a 'Summoner'?" she queried. If nullifying was a Summoner's power, why call it a 'Summoner'? Why not something like 'nullifier' instead?
"Ahh…" There was a twinkle in his eyes, "it's simple really. As the First Summoner was the son of a goddess, he did possess something other than his nullifying powers; First Summoner Brison is said to be born with a Dragonheart. The word 'Brison' roughly translates to 'dragon' in ancient runes."
"So what? He could summon dragons? Is that it?"
Lord Herald beamed brightly. "Exactly. Or at least, that's what the legend says. It is said that with the Dragonheart, First Summoner Brison was able to call upon a dragon to aid him, and so that's where the word 'Summoner' came along. Legend also said that the earlier Summoners were able to summon dragons. But like I said, all is just a legend. There were no actual records saying that said this ability ever existed, a Summoner was never recorded to have summonsed a dragon. No one knows for sure why you are known as a Summoner, but one theory that's closer to reality is that Summoners—or the Masters of Summoners, to be more specific—are responsible for electing the King of Alicia. Which is the reason why we're travelling back to Kensington right now," his tone grew serious and Mikan could feel herself sitting up straighter in her seat. "The throne has been empty ever since the death of King Shiki. A kingdom cannot survive without its King, my lady."
Mikan leaned forward at her desk and groaned. Kings, Summoners, Dragonhearts, all of this was giving her a migraine as she felt her brain throbbing painfully.
The computer was turned on; Mikan could hear the gentle hum coming from it. She mulled it over for a moment then reached out to type into the search bar. She first entered the word 'Summoner' but nothing from the results that returned was relevant to her dream. A moment of contemplation later, she added the word 'Alicia' but it yielded no hits.
A dozen more tries with different combination of words later, Mikan gave up completely. She eventually came to a conclusion that Alicia doesn't exist, neither do the elements associated with it. The goddess called Mother Alice didn't exist while there's no such thing as Dragonheart—besides a 1996 film.
She allowed a heavy sigh to escape her lips. "It's official," Mikan muttered to herself as she leaned back into her chair, "I'm going crazy."
There were so many reasons to deny Alicia as reality—reasons like 'it's a dream', she thought to herself—but Mikan just couldn't shake off the fact that her dreams of Alicia felt real. Never had she been in a dream that felt more like reality, despite the fantastical elements, nor have her dreams ever recurred, nor has she ever remembered her dreams so clearly.
"If Alicia is a figment of my imagination, then I'm definitely Tolkien reincarnated." As Mikan contemplated penning down her dreams so that they could be published as a fantasy novel, her doors creaked open and Mrs Yukihira's head appeared.
"Everything all right, sweetie?"
Mikan gave her mom a reassuring smile and a nod. "Yes."
"How was school?" Her eyes were darting all over the place and Mikan could instantly tell that there was something on her mother's mind. So she got up from her chair then pulled Yuka by her hands to the bed.
"What is it, Mom?"
Yuka reached put a hand to pat Mikan gently on her cheeks. "I've been thinking about this morning and my motherly instincts are telling me that something is wrong." Mikan didn't respond. "What is it? Is it about daddy?"
"It was nothing. I think it was a bad dream, I can't remember." Mikan lied. Yuka continued to look at her daughter before finally pulling Mikan into an embrace.
"I miss your daddy." She felt Yuka patting her back comforting manner. "We'll give him a call tonight, okay?"
It wasn't as if they weren't doing that every night already, but Mikan still felt her heart lifting a little upon hearing her mother's words. "Okay."
"Now," Yuka pulled away from the embrace and grinned at Mikan, "what say we go down and prepare dinner?"
Mikan furrowed her eyebrows then took a peek at the time. "But it's only four."
She felt her arms being tugged at as Yuka got up from the bed. "I know that, but good lamb stew takes time to cook, I could use some help with the salad and I can't believe you haven't showered. So go do that and I'll wait for you downstairs."
Mikan was gobsmacked. "Lamb stew?" Sure it was her favourite, but it was also her father's favourite as well. "But daddy—"
Yuka placed a finger to her lips and winked playfully. "Your father doesn't need to know, so keep it a secret between us girls, okay?" Yuka laughed and it was infectious so Mikan soon found herself joining in.
Mikan gathered her towel and some clothes before heading off to the bathroom, thoughts of Alicia were replaced with her craving for her mother's lamb stew.
As expected on the fourth day of their journey to Kensington, Mikan could begin to make out the faint outlines of the city. During their ride back, she had seen numerous cities and towns but none of them were as grand as the skyline of Kensington city. It was sunset when it first came into her sights but just the sheer silhouette of the towers and spires that reached the skies was enough to leave her in a state of awe.
The carriage slowed to a stop and Mikan jumped out from the confined spaced. She stretched her arms as well as her back that were aching from a day of being cooped up with Lord Herald Koko in the coach. He watched her with a smile gracing his lips.
"There is still a day's ride before we reach Kensington. And it'll be another half-day before we reach the castle." He announced. "But we're almost there, my lady."
Mikan found a large rock to sit on and massaged her legs, relishing in the fact that it was not long before she could finally change out from the clothes she had been wearing for the last few days. Faintly she could smell an odour coming from her own gown. She crinkled her nose.
"Once we're in Kensington," she began, "can I bathe?"
Lord Herald laughed. "Of course, my lady. I'll have someone prepare a nice warm bath for you."
Night gradually came and the two sat surrounding a fire—courtesy of the Lord Herald. Like all nights, he had a lute in his hands and he played while he sang, his voice accompanied with a dreamlike melody from the lute. Mikan was always mesmerised by the songs he sang in his operatic baritone and she watched him in a daze, a hand under her chin.
She had learned a lot in the past few days, of Alicia, of her duties as a Summoner and how everything worked. The Lord Herald was indeed a very good teacher and Mikan was much less confused than when she first arrived in this strange land.
When the third song finished, Lord Herald Koko put his lute away and all was silent around them except for the sounds of insects and the occasional whinny from the horses. When Lord Herald Koko broke the silence between them, his voice was not the cheery tone Mikan was used to; it was grave, solemn even.
"My lady," he said, "in the past few days I've come to know you, I have found you to be sweet and innocent, there will be no doubt that you will be endeared by most. But your innocence will also be your weakness in court; it will not benefit you as the Mistress of Summoners. Believe me when I say that there will be parties who would use this to their advantage and might even harm you. You must grow up once you're in Kensington, it is the only way you'll survive.
"Politics is an extremely ugly beast, my lady. It is a game where the risks are high, you cannot afford to have a misstep or you'll pay dearly. I do not doubt that there will be certain people who would like nothing more than to see you fall."
His words sent a chill down her spine and she wondered what made him speak like that out of the blue. "Why?" Mikan asked softly.
The Lord Herald grimaced. "Because you would want to win when you're playing a game, no? And in order for you to win, someone must lose. But," Lord Herald Koko was focusing on a patch of grass by his feet. He hovered his hands a few inches above it and when he moved away, one single white flower stood erect from the ground. Lord Herald Koko plucked it then handed it over to Mikan. "I promise you I am not one of those who wish to see harm inflicted upon you. I will protect you."
Mikan accepted the flower with hands that trembled slightly. "And how can I trust you?"
Lord Herald Koko smiled softly. "Because I speak the truth."
Frankly, Mikan would never think that the Lord Herald would do her any harm. He was the one who helped her, he was the one who painstakingly explained everything to her till his mouth went dry and her ears grew heavy. Natsume might sometimes joke that she wasn't the brightest bulb in the group, but she just knew that the Lord Herald meant every word he said.
Speaking of Natsume, Mikan felt a sudden longing for the raven-haired lad. She had been in Alicia for one full day now, though she knew that in real life, it might have been only two hours since she remembered that it was an afternoon nap that brought her here. She didn't quite know how the times of Alicia and real life corresponded with each other, only assuming that life on one side would run its course until she fell asleep to wake up on the other side.
Her heart ached from longing and Mikan welcomed the sleep that came to her as she leaned back into the carriage seat, mentally reminding herself that she needed to call Natsume once she was awake in Tokyo.
Mikan woke up early on a Saturday morning. Her Alician self had safely arrived at Kensington castle and she had yet to fully absorb the sights she had seen. As they neared the royal city, she was aware of the increasing display of wealth as they passed. First it was houses that looked like wooden huts, then it grew to become simple brick houses till when they were in the heart of Kensington, Mikan marvelled at the elaborate but elegant architecture of buildings and she watched as men in clothes grander than the Lord Herald's and ladies in gowns fancier than Mikan's strutted down the streets.
"That's the beauty of Kensington," the Lord Herald had commented, "while the rest of Alicia is suffering from the effects of the absence of a King, Kensington still stands, prouder than ever."
As Mikan showered, she remembered that hot bath Lord Herald Koko had promised her. Once she had arrived at the apartment that was specifically for the Master—or in this case, Mistress—of Summoners, she was treated to the most heavenly bath ever. Standing in her bathroom in Tokyo, Mikan moped silently, missing the lovely scented oils and flower petals that were used as Lady Summoner Mikan bathed.
But her spirits soon returned along with a level of anxiety when she remembered the events that were to come. Today was the annual Alice High Concert and as vice-chairperson of the event committee, there were hundreds of things that needed Mikan's attention. She cast a glance at the time only to find that she was at least twenty minutes late.
As if to reprimand her for being tardy, her ringtone cut through the silence and Mikan jumped. She took a look at the caller and squeaked. Meekly, she answered.
"Where are you?" Hotaru Imai asked sharply.
"I'm on the way," Mikan quickly lied. She briefly acknowledged the fact that she was lying more than usual these days.
But then again, Mikan was always a horrible liar and Hotaru Imai was exceptionally good at seeing through her every lie, with the two being best friends since the days where they could barely form proper words. Hotaru sighed. "You're still at home aren't you?"
"..Yes."
"Mikan Yukihira, listen closely to me, I want you to get your ass here this instant or I'll personally drag you by the collar."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be there ASAP, ma'am." With that, Hotaru hung up on her. Mikan stuffed her phone into her pockets and began to hurriedly gather all her things. Papers and files for the day were unceremoniously dumped into her bag. She quickly grabbed her dress for the night that was hanging in her wardrobe. When everything was ready, Mikan ran down the stairs, all the while screaming, "Mom! I need you to send me to school!"
Ten minutes later, Mikan was hurrying into the school hall where other members of the committee were beginning to set up the place. Hotaru was standing in the middle of the room, overseeing everything. She turned around mechanically when she heard the footsteps that belonged to no other than Mikan.
"Bags over there, clothes backstage, then get yourself busy. You are already thirty minutes late. Get moving."
Mikan rolled her eyes and shouldered her bag that was threatening to fall off. "Good morning to you too, Hotaru."
After everything was set down, Mikan tied her hair into a loose ponytail then begin with her work. There were plenty of things to do: students needed briefing, sound systems had to be inspected and the programme schedule had to be recheck for at least four times.
"Emcee!" Someone screeched. Mikan whipped her head to the source of the scream, confusion overtaking her senses for a moment before realising that she was being summoned.
Right, she also had a ceremony to host.
When the clock struck five, people began filling the seats and Mikan felt herself getting more nervous by the second as she stood backstage. Worst-case scenarios like messing up her lines, collapsing on stage or lights crashing onto the audience played out in her mind and without realising it, her knuckles turned white from gripping too tightly on her own wrist.
Natsume strolled over casually, sipping a can of soda. He noticed his girlfriend's actions and patted her head lightly. "You'll be fine," he said, "you just have to keep talking, and if you're good at anything at all, it's that."
Mikan looked over at him, too anxious to even realise the fact that she was being teased but what caught her attention was the tie that hung loosely around his neck. She tut-tutted then released her arm and wrapped her fingers around his tie before tugging it up his neck. Natsume almost choked on his drink when Mikan pulled a little too tight.
"Sorry," she apologised. Natsume held up a hand to indicate that he was alright and continue with his drink, hands in his pocket. Mikan studied him through narrowed eyes. "Aren't you the least bit nervous?" He was supposed to perform. Solo.
Natsume merely shrugged. "There isn't a reason for me to be nervous."
She shot him a sideways glare. "Cocky bastard."
The boy laughed before pulling her into his arms. They stayed that way for a minute or so and Mikan felt her shoulders relaxing as she felt the comfortable warmth of Natsume's embrace enveloped her.
"You'll do great, trust me." Natsume leaned in to peck Mikan on the lips and she tasted the sweetness of his drink. When he pulled away, Natsume caressed her cheek with a thumb. "Break a leg, Yukihira."
Mikan nodded. "You too, Hyuuga."
…
Mikan was in a ridiculously pleasant mood when the concert was finally over. She did not mess up her lines or made a fool out of herself on stage and the audience was safe from any crashing lights from above. Everything proceeded smoothly but the best part of the night was definitely the solo performance right before the closing act. In fact, the audience enjoyed it so much that when the final note hung in the air, the crowd broke into a thunderous applause, some even gave the performer a standing ovation.
Mikan watched with overwhelming pride in her heart as Natsume moved away from the piano to the front of the stage to bow. She was tempted to jump up and scream, "That's my boyfriend!" but her better judgement held her back, although not without difficulty.
So as the two couple walked home together after cleaning everything up, hand-in-hand, Mikan was chattier than usual and she walked with a spring in her step. Natsume watched all this with a slight amusement and a smirk on his face.
"So what's next?" He knew that Mikan always had a knack of sticking her head into every single school events, so he was doubtless that she had another big project coming up after the annual concert.
"Hmm..." Mikan thought for a moment, "the school carnival. It's coming in two months and there's so much stuff to do."
Natsume placed an arm around her shoulders then pulled her closer to him. He kissed the top of her head. "You'll pull through. You always do."
Mikan felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for Natsume's simple words. She was thankful for his trust in her. Once they arrived at her place, Mikan stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips.
"Thank you, Natsume," she murmured softly, "I love you."
"I love you too, Polka."
Mikan smacked him across the shoulder, though fondly. "Good night."
Natsume nodded then waved. Mikan walked up to the door and unlocked it with her keys. Just before she closed it behind her, she turned around to take one longing look at Natsume standing at her gates, his trademark smirk plastered across his face. She could still remember a time when she hated it to no end, but now, it was the one thing that she loved the most about him.
Lady Summoner Mikan Yukihira looked at herself in the mirror and let out a shaky breath. Today was the day where she would finally meet the Council of Eight. Today was the day where the whole realm would know of her existence,
The last remaining Summoner of Alicia.
Mikan was wearing a dress that was similar to what she wore during her trip back to Kensington, but the gown was a soft shade of grey and there was little to no embellishment on it. She patted the edge of her sleeves that reached her elbows, the edges trimmed with lace.
Over the dress, Mikan wore a white velvet robe that felt heavy around her shoulders. It was fastened with a brooch that was in the shape of an eight-petalled flower, just like the one on the back of her hand. A large emblem of a star with eight corners was sewn onto the face of the robe, and according to one of Lord Herald Koko's lessons, it was the King's emblem. Both the robe and the brooch were handed to her by the Lord Herald shortly before she retired for bed the previous night.
"Here is your robe and the Master of Summoners' brooch," Mikan accepted the items with a murmur of thanks. She was tired and was already missing Natsume dearly; suffice to say she didn't appreciate someone preventing her from going to bed.
"You are to wear the brooch at all times, the robe during formal events as well as in assemblies of the Council." He paused and his tone went soft. "They were passed down to generations of Masters of Summoners, your father wore them once."
She closed her eyes painfully. My father's not dead. This is all a dream. My father's back home, safe and sound. This is all not real.
Mikan walked out the apartment building to join Lord Herald Koko by the carriage that was to bring them to the venue where the assembly was to be held. He too wore a similar robe but his brooch was in the shape of a feather. Mikan didn't notice this before—partly because the Lord Herald was always wearing gloves—but when she glanced at his gloveless hand, there was indeed a feather mark on the back of his hand. The Lord Herald followed her line of sight then smiled. "Mark of the Heralds, the feather symbolises knowledge as well as the falcon."
As if on cue, Lord Herald's falcon that perched on his shoulder gave a sharp cry. Mikan jumped at the sound. The Lord Herald smiled, amused and Mikan felt her face burning.
"We should probably leave," she mumbled then got into the carriage, Lord Herald Koko followed suit.
Soon later, the two had arrived at their destination. As they got out from the coach, Mikan could feel her legs shaking underneath her. Lord Herald Koko noticed this immediately and he placed a reassuring palm on her shoulder. "Do not be afraid. I am here."
The simple action gave Mikan quite a surprise and she realised how familiar it was.
It reminded her of Natsume.
The Lord Herald and the Lady Summoner walked into the building side-by-side then stopped before a pair of large wooden doors. Lord Herald Koko turned to her.
"Are you prepared?"
Mikan closed her eyes and then tried to calm herself with her mantra. When they opened once more, she nodded. Then the doors were pushed open.
At first Mikan just stood there, rooted to the spot. Only when she felt a small nudge from behind her did she begin to move. Ignoring the eyes that were on her, she made her way to a grand chair with the mark of Summoners embellished on its back. When she sat down, Mikan raised her eyes meekly to look at the faces that sat surrounding the round table. She realised that there were three empty chairs—one for the Lord Herald, no doubt—as well she was the only female in the room.
The Lord Herald took his seat gracefully and met all the eyes of the members that belonged to all members of the Council of the Eight.
"Gentlemen, I have found the last remaining Summoner." he announced steadily then his eyes fell on Mikan. "Lady Summoner Mikan, would you like to introduce yourself?"
...
"You did very well just now, my lady. I am truly impressed."
Mikan forced out a smile. Although the assembly was over, it didn't mean she was any less jittery. His words from the night they sat to watch the skyline of Kensington never stopped echoing in her brain. Was there really someone in the Council who would harm her? Could it be the young and charming Lord Knight Tsubasa? Or perhaps the austere Master of Gold, Lord Treasurer Jinno who was by far the oldest in the Council of Eight? Certainly it can't be Lord Servant Ruka who spoke so softly and kindly.
They arrived back at the apartments but this time, it was only Mikan who got out from the carriage. She looked back at Lord Herald Koko, puzzled "Aren't you coming down as well?"
He shook his head. "I'm afraid not, my lady. I am needed elsewhere so unfortunately, I won't be joining you. However, the Lord Servant has assigned a lady companion to you. She should be waiting in your room. I'll be seeing you in tonight's banquet."
She mentally groaned. It was hard enough for her to meet with what might very be the most powerful group of people in the kingdom, but now they were going to host a banquet to celebrate the return of a Summoner. As much as she wanted to reject that idea, she just couldn't find her voice during the assembly. And as much as she liked parties, she never liked being the centre of everyone's attention.
"They just want to flaunt me around like some sort of prize," she muttered grimly under her breath. However, despite the distance between them and the volume of her voice, the Lord Herald had heard her.
"The Council of Eight does not plan on doing that. Your return symbolises that a new dawn and better days are in store for the kingdom. It is a cause for celebration." He grinned. "I'm off now. See you then."
Mikan watched sullenly as the horses galloped away, pulling the carriage behind them. With a heavy sigh and a heavier heart, she headed to her apartment, wondering how would her lady companion look like as well as what the two words actually meant. A friend? A servant?
When she entered her room, Mikan saw a figure standing in it examining one of the drawings that hung on the wall so that the lady's back was facing Mikan. She narrowed her eyes; there was something familiar about her…
Sensing the presence of someone else, the figure turned her head around calmly to look at Mikan and the latter took a sharp intake of breath when her eyes fell on her companion's face. Her lady companion was stunningly beautiful, with a head of jet-black hair that was cut short that framed her pale face perfectly. The one thing that was different from what Mikan was used to was the colour of her companion's eyes. At first glance they might seem black but when the light hits them at a certain angle, Mikan realised that they were purple instead.
But no matter how different her eye colour was, there was no denying that the person standing before her was the same person who was her true friend and companion for the past seventeen years.
"Hotaru..?"
Q & A
Q: Is Mikan's family name Yukihira or Sakura or both?
A: It's just Yukihira. Mikan of Tokyo is Mikan Yukihira while Mikan of Alicia is also Mikan Yukihira.
Q: I've read this before...
A: I've already put up a notice at the end of the first chapter to explain why this story might seem familiar to you.
I'm extremely eager to hear your thoughts. :D
