Uh...guess who decided to show up dear readers?!
Without further ado, let's begin with the much awaited semi-finale of Evermore ^_^
Chapter 4: Clash of the Titans
My Hiwatarian,
Eternity will be in our heartbeats, and, in our souls.
A tempest was raging in my heart and soul earlier. Loneliness had shattered me so much, that I was afraid I'd be nothing but a broken mess when your eyes will grace this existence of mine. But these words from you, my lord, have embraced me in the same way the mighty ocean embraces a river; taking in her torrential waters and pacifying them into subtle, playful waves.
Words fail to express how much solace your declaration of love brings me, great general. They never fail to fill my heart with warmth and utter admiration for you. The world calls you cold-hearted you say? Maybe because they've not seen the affection that you hide deep within you. Honestly, I don't care what the world says. I've sensed enough of your emotions to know you'll be the source of my happiness in this life and the next.
Calling me the source of your hilarity, your goddess, you have given me a place I never had the privilege of even dreaming about, my lord. These ties of love binding us without ever seeing each other feel like a trance. Where physical boundaries of earth cease to exist, where just you and me live in our own little world. Where Hilary Tachibana belongs only to her K…..no, my beloved, I won't say your name just yet. When we will have successfully executed our duties, you to general Kon and me to lady Salima, will we meet my lord. I will lose myself in your strong embrace and you will be eager to lose yourself in my tear-laden eyes. And in that delicate moment, my Hiwatarian, I will whisper your name…..
Until then? Eternity will be in our longing, and, in our love.
Only yours for ever and evermore,
Hilary Tachibana
"Hilary," Kai felt the words gently roll over his tongue, as a small smile bloomed over his face. Expressing emotions was never his forte. And yet, he couldn't contain the sense of comfort brought by the letter he had received from Hilary a few days ago. Like rain falling on a parched piece of land, her words satiated the dryness of emotions his soul was cursed with since as long as he could remember. "We don't have to wait for long, my love," he said to himself, "I'm coming."
The murk of a typical Chinese evening was quite dense outside, but inside the wide tent, it was denser. Even the tiny blazes of the candles possessed by the colorful paper lamp-stands weren't able to omit the condensed darkness from the pavilion fully, fighting for their existence against the crazy gusts of wind steering inside through the square windows made on the fabric walls. Swords, shields, bows, arrows, spears-all the weapons were immaculately arranged in short metal racks. Outside, under the starless nocturnal sky, soldiers were practicing, marching around and preparing for the battle of the East China Sea. Their preparation was physical. For the tactical part, both Lee and Tyson were inside.
On the large round table, the map of East China Sea was laid. Mystel, Tyson and Lee were analyzing it-mostly, Lee. The navy-haired guy and the Egyptian blonde weren't even getting a chance to open their mouths properly, standing by Lee's side crossing their arms on their chests, keeping their wrinkled eyes on the map and digesting the incoherent blabbering of the Chinese general who was praising his own analysis more and putting emphasis on discussing the tactics less. The blonde and the blunette, especially the latter, wasn't much satisfied with the leader, at least his facial expressions were saying so.
"Okay comrades," Lee pointed at a dot on the map with the cane held in his hand, "We'll attack from this gateway, when their navy will be preparing to assault us from forward."
"What?" Tyson exclaimed, exchanging a baffled look with Mystel who also seemed unprepared for this decision of their general.
"Why?" Lee frowned, "Any problem?"
"Lee…we cannot do this," The blunette disagreed with the Chinese, "This is unfair, going clearly against the rules of a formal battle."
"Granger, you must have forgotten that everything is fair in love and war," Lee chuckled, "Be it by hook or crook, I want to win this battle."
"I can understand how important it is for you to win this battle, Lee," Tyson tried to convince him, "But…if any unfair means is followed by us, it will be a disgrace on our triumvir. What will be the profit of winning then, Lee?"
"Don't dare teach me profits and losses, Granger!" Lee pointed the cane at the blunette, "I said that everything is fair in love and war and it's my statement! No one dare go against it!"
"Oh really?" Tyson cocked a brow, "Then, according to your statement and belief, Ray's affair with queen Salima is also fair, isn't it?"
"Hold your tongue!" Lee's face reddened in infuriation. Mystel bit his lips, lowering his eyes at the audacity of Tyson as well as the worsened mood of the Chinese general.
"Why? Why is it bothering you now, Wong?" The blunette scowled, "You cannot turn a wrong into right even if it is done against something wrong. If an eye would be clawed off in return of another eye, the whole world would become blind!"
"I don't care!" Lee hissed, "I just want to avenge the humiliation of my sister caused by Ray and Salima!"
Dropping the pointing stick on the floor, he blurted, "At first, it was queen Amisia, then lady Akane and now, it's my own sister. How many women of China will have to shed tears and how many men of China will have to lose all their senses because of that ominous seductress of Kanto? I will never tolerate it!"
"You think I don't know your actual motive?" Tyson sneered, "You have said that you want to win this battle for the sake of princess Mariah but as far as I know, princess Mariah never approved of this battle. Your solo motive to win this battle is to conquer all the kingdoms that are ruled together by the three of us! For this, you have even used your own sister! Now, in using unfair means to win this battle, you aren't even hesitating a bit! How can you stoop so low, Lee? How lower will you stoop to cherish your own selfish goals?"
"Tyson!" Lee snapped.
"Pardon me, Lee!" The blunette stretched a palm to stop the Chinese, "But I cannot battle adopting any unfair means. When you are thinking of giving up this plan, don't hesitate to call me. I'm leaving!"
Clenching his teeth, the blunette made his way towards the exit of the pavilion. That, surely, left a crack on the ego of the Chinese general. He wasn't expecting it from Tyson, thinking him always harmless and innocent. He eyed Mystel whose gazes were still lowered. Suddenly, apart from irritation and insult, a fear struck his mind too. Mystel had betrayed Ray and joined him because according to the Egyptian, Ray's battle plans hadn't been approved by him. Here, the same thing happened between him and Tyson. What if…
"Soldiers!" Lee didn't waste a single moment, "Arrest general Granger! Right now!"
Before Tyson could cross the threshold of the marquee, from all the directions, Lee's soldiers rushed towards him and pointed the blades of their spears at him, encircling him completely. Seeing them and hearing Lee's announcement, Tyson was bewildered. Frowning, he gawked at the Chinese general whose lips were wearing a sly smirk; eyes viciously glinting at the other member of the triumvir. Mystel gulped, giving a confused stare at the black-haired neko-jin, not expecting him to be that ruthless. The guards tied his wrists into the metal cuffs, not dropping the lances but Tyson cared the least. His baffled, hurt, infuriated eyes were placed only at Lee.
"Sorry, Granger," Lee's smirk wasn't wiped off, "But you have got to know too much, something beyond all the limits. The longer you will stay behind the bars, the better it will be for me and mother China."
Tyson's eyes wanted to explode with tears at this betrayal of the Chinese general but he only grinned faintly, gritting his jaw. Sighing when cangue was being put around his neck, he spoke, "You may do whatever you want with me, Wong. But remember one thing! Though you may succeed in conquering all the kingdoms of East Asia and win the war, in the end, your pride will be shattered! This victory, the ownership of all these kingdoms-everything will seem so trivial to you! Remember these words of this Tyson Granger!"
Glaring at the Chinese general with his bloodshot eyes for the last time, Tyson walked away with the soldiers, chained by them. Lee kept staring at his departing figure as Mystel cleared his throat, "Pardon me, my lord…but I think you shouldn't have been so ruthless with general Granger."
"Do you want to share his fate, Mystel?" Lee narrowed his eyes at the blonde.
"No…." Mystel swallowed, bending his head and shaking it, "Pardon my insolence, my lord."
"Okay then, take care of the soldiers and everything else," Lee ordered, "I have got a headache and it needs a remedy. See you in the morning."
Even after Lee's departure, Mystel couldn't be normal for a few moments. After it, huffing, he started organizing everything, along with checking whether the weapons were in their best shape or not. Right then, another messenger showed himself in front of the pavilion. Turning to him, the blonde replied, "Master Wong isn't here."
"I have come here for you," The runner informed, "Lord Kon has sent your belongings which you left back in China."
Mystel creased his brows in perplexion, "Huh?"
"Yes," He nodded, "Along with them, he's left a letter for you too."
"A letter…for me?" Now, Mystel was not only confused, but also a bit petrified. He knew that he was safe here as long as he was with Lee but he was well-aware of the strength of Ray too. If Ray managed to win tomorrow's battle once, he couldn't imagine what the raven-haired neko-jin could do with him. Gulping, the Egyptian glanced once at the baggage and boxes set on the ground. What if there were any snake, scorpion, poison, sharp weapon or something like that?
"Yes, here it is." The messenger handed him a scroll. With a heart pounding fast, trembling hands, Mystel unfolded it and began to read:
"Dear Mystel,
I have heard that you joined Lee Wong, my sworn enemy whom I'll face in the upcoming battle. To be honest, I didn't expect you to do this. You'll be glad to know however, that I have no hard feelings for you. I think you have done whatever seemed right in your eyes.
Therefore, as you forgot all your belongings while leaving my side. I have sent them back to you. With that, I wish you good luck with your new master for the upcoming battle.
God bless you. May you stay satisfied with your new master. May you never have to have the unfortunate chance of changing your master again.
Yours ever,
Ray Kon."
The blonde couldn't complete reading the entire letter. Before it, tears blinded his eyes, the scroll dropped from his hands. Stepping back from his own belongings as if they had been about to attack him anytime, he clutched the fabric of the tent in his nails. He had thought that the letter would surely contain any threat for him and Lee. But no, he was really touched by the kindness of his ex-master. In front of the generosity of Ray, Lee's pride, his evil plots-everything got crushed. Mystel felt worthless to betray the raven-haired neko-jin in this way. Of course, he'd committed a crime…. but didn't he really have any way to repent? To account for that?
'Forgive me, master…' He sighed, 'I know…I have committed such a huge crime. But for it, I won't let you suffer, nor will I let the evil and unfair plans of general Wong succeed. I…I have to do something soon…'
Enlightening all directions, the star of daylight woke up and peeped through the curtains of the clouds. When its reflection fell on the calm, turquoise water surface of the East China Sea, one by one, the ships of both the party started arriving. The ships from Kanto had white sails and their flags had the faces of scary golden tigers painted upon them. On the other hand, the Chinese ships were bearing flags with infuriated black lions and black sails. Both Ray and Lee had 100 ships but Salima's additional 60 ones increased the strength of her beloved. They were facing one another on the pacified ocean, raising no throb there.
The general of China, completely clad in black metal armour, holding a spear in his right hand, gaped at his raven-haired rival who was also wearing silver breastplate, wrist-cuffs, knee-girdles and helmet-exposing his bare, tanned and twisted muscles and possessing his signature Katana sword. The two pairs of golden eyes were set on fire, intending to set the other ablaze. Standing behind them, in separate queues, the soldiers of both the groups were waiting for the order of their respective group leaders. However, Lee's eyes shone a bit when the rays of sunshine fell on the scarlet-haired queen of Kanto as she appeared from behind general Kon and intertwined his fingers into hers. Smiling at him once, she filled her onyx orbs with sheer determination, shooting with them right at the Chinese general.
"Well well…." Yet, Lee wasn't a bit nervous, "I didn't think that Ray Kon could stoop so low that he had to bring a woman with him in the battlefield. Where is his pride, huh?"
"Scared?" Salima was more amused, "I want to see your face when you lose against a woman, general Wong."
Ray chuckled at the words of his beloved but the face of his opponent went red in anger and embarrassment. Gnashing his jaw, he remarked, "I also want to see your face when you will walk in front of the people of China, tied to my chariot, lady."
"Hold your tongue, Wong!" Ray blurted, pointing his rapier at his opponent, "Its sharpness is nothing in comparison to that of my sword!"
"But my lance's sharpness is!" Lee raised his spear, "What are you waiting for, soldiers? Charge!"
"Charge!"
Ray's and Salima's combined voice was also equally fierce. With the sound of one hundred conch-shells and trumpets, the battle began. Ray's soldiers jumped on Lee's ships and surrounded them. Arrows scurried from the bows of the archers, setting fire to the black sails and flags. Lee wasn't someone to step back easily either. The swords of his soldiers bravely clashed against the rapiers of the warriors of Kanto. The waves of the battle were so intense that the surface of East China Sea couldn't remain calm for a longer time, starting shaking bit by bit. Soon, corpses of the warriors of both groups started collapsing into the greenish-blue water, turning it crimson immediately. Ray, Salima and Lee cared the least, absorbed in the obsession of ripping one another into pieces.
Amidst all these chaos and clashes, the Egyptian blonde tried to keep his cool. He spotted Lee's ships arriving at the forbidden point of the ocean one by one while fighting. Anytime, they could attack Ray's navy. Quickly beheading one soldier with his sword, Mystel ran towards the vessel in which Ray was present. Dodging a few arrows and hits of rapiers, jumping over some corpses and boats, he finally set his feet on the ship of the neko-jin who was busy in shredding his own enemies at each and every turn of his ankles. Throwing one of them in the water with the tip of his foliage, he rotated to Mystel, discovering his unexpected presence there. Frowning, he spoke, "Mystel? You're here?"
The blonde wasn't ready for it. That's why, he couldn't think what to say to his ex-master at first. Smirking, Ray stood up, "Lee has sent you here to finish me, hasn't he? Fine, but don't expect me to surrender to you completely even without a duel."
Mystel was seriously embarrassed now. He tried to protest, "No, my lord, it's not what you're thinking…"
Shoosh!
The Egyptian couldn't even finish his words as his eyes widened in shock and the sudden amount of pain at his backbone. He gasped in horror; his legs shook while struggling to remain balanced. Ray saw the reason in the form of an arrow shot by one of the warriors of Lee and stabbed the heart of his former agent before his horrified golden orbs. Dropping his sword, he quickly rushed to the blonde and caught him tightly in his arms before the latter could collapse. Placing his head on his lap, the neko-jin tapped his face, "Mystel!"
"Pardon me…my lord…" The blonde stuttered as his whole body was going numb, "I…cheated you…"
"Sssh…." Ray grasped his mouth, "Don't talk. You need treatment now."
"No…." Mystel's breaths were also going heavy and unstable, "Before I die…I need to tell you…that...General Wong's ships have arrived at Luse point."
"What?" The neko-jin glowered.
"Yeah…." He tiredly nodded, "General Wong is cheating in this war…beware of him…"
Mystel's hand heavily thudded on the surface of the vessel, his breaths escaped from his lungs as he closed his eyes for the last time, and for evermore. Ray couldn't be more shocked at it. He just kept staring at the corpse of his former friend and one of his most trustworthy agents, bound in his arms. Around him, the war didn't stop but he couldn't concentrate anymore on that. An unknown pain filled his heart out of the blue though he couldn't even shed a droplet of tears. Mystel was one of the persons whom he could trust with his eyes closed. When he'd got to know that Mystel had betrayed him and joined his sworn enemy, he had definitely been hurt, but never had any grudge against him. Now, when Mystel had realized his faults and decided to account for them, this chance had been snatched so ruthlessly from him?
"Don't have any grudge against yourself, Mystel…" Ray murmured, "In my eyes, you are always right and innocent. Rest in peace, dear friend. Thanks for everything."
Standing up on his feet, he yelled, "Soldiers! Keep your eyes at Luse point! Send some ships there! Now!"
With Mystel's given information and his own managing ability, thankfully, Ray easily defeated those secret ships of Lee, succeeding to avoid their attacks. After a long time, along with the sunset, the war of the first day ended without any outcome. The injured soldiers were taken to the tents for treatment. Ray himself performed the last rites of Mystel and buried him with utmost respect, along with forgiving him genuinely once again. While watching the reddening water surface of the East China sea, he sighed and turned to the redhead, "Let's have some rest, my queen. Tomorrow, we have to toil more."
She was lying in the large, milk-filled, ornately carved marble tub. Delicate pink rose petals were floating all over the surface, some adamant ones even sticking to her exposed arms and feet. An aide was adding essential oils in the milk, while a pair of attendants were massaging her dainty arms and feet, another maid was pouring herbal water over her lush scarlet tresses. Onyx orbs covered under the curtain of graceful eyelids, she seemed to be in a state of deep slumber. And yet, she was as alert as a tigress eyeing her prey.
She was Salima; revered as a goddess in Kanto, and rumoured to be an ominous seductress in the entire East-Asia. She had to adorn herself to be just with that stature. What difference then an ongoing battle make to her self-care rituals? She was disturbed from her relaxation act by a knock at the door. "Who's it?" she glowered, but her voice was composed.
"Apologies for the interruption your highness," a maid entered with her head bowed deep, "a messenger seeks permission to meet you."
Nonchalantly, she dismissed the attendant, "Not now. Tell them to visit tomorrow."
"He claims to have been sent by General Wong, your majesty. Says it's urgent."
'What does Lee want now?' Salima thought to herself. Out loud she commanded, " Summon him in the waiting room." Signalling her attendants to wrap things up, she continued to play with the rose petals and milk.
.
.
Lee's envoy, Kevin, was sitting in the waiting area. Heavily influenced by Lee and his like, he too was an ardent hater of the queen. How could a petty creature as a woman have such influence upon the great warrior men of Asia? It was general Kane Yamashita at first, and then general Ray Kon. Men of extraordinary prestige had offered themselves at her service like devotees offering themselves to their Goddess. That was unbearable. An insult to the warrior blood that flowed in their veins. Nevertheless, his chain of thoughts was broken by a strong scent of fresh lotuses perfuming the aura as the soldiers announced Salima's arrival.
The goddess of Kanto stepped in. Clad in a satin, off-shoulder white gown, moist blood-red hair left at the mercy of the night breeze, supple skin glowing in the warmth of flamed torches. The same fire seemed to burn in her sparkling black eyes. Kevin could feel his cheeks heating up. All the hatred he was diverting towards her vanished into thin air. And Salima? Pleased at the charm she had cast on yet another man, she smiled to herself.
"If you've gawked me enough, let's head on to business, messenger of my enemy." Her tone was cocky. All that entered Kevin's ears though, was an intoxicating voice. A voice that rendered him incapable of doing anything else. If possible, he'd have offered himself to her right then and there. In response he bowed. A little too deep, that made it seem like he was even ready to lie down at her feet. What an irony? But then again, such was the appeal of the queen.
Straightening himself, Kevin spoke, "I am Kevin, your majesty. One of the oldest and most trusted follower of general Lee Wong. And I come before you with a proposal from my master."
"Is it his manifesto of finally accepting defeat before a woman, Kevin?" she chuckled, her laughter echoing like the jingling of trinkets in the empty caravan.
Still enchanted by the magnetic force that was Salima, he somehow managed to ignore the jab. "No your highness. I come with a deal from my master. A bargain, which, according to general Wong will benefit both parties and this unnecessary war can be stopped as well." She raised a brow, but ushered him to continue. "Master Lee wants you to surrender, lady Salima. General Kon will have to give up on his Japanese provinces, though master Wong will let you have Kanto. All he asks in return is for you both to present yourself in the court of China."
"Impossible!" Like the roar of a tiger, Ray's voice echoed from the threshold of the tent. The scowl on his face evident of his rage on whatever he had heard. Before others could even blink their eyes, Ray was standing face to face with Kevin, eyeing him with murderous intent. "What was Lee thinking when sending you here, messenger? Ray and Salima will not see through his treachery?"
"You have a misunderstanding, general Kon." He gulped, legs shaking at the display of wrath by said person. "Master Lee wants peace as much as you do."
"No he doesn't!" Ray was adamant. "All he wants is my kingdom, to expand his rule. It was your master who ruthlessly murdered Zeo Zagart after taking his lands. After promising him peace! He jailed general Tyson when the guy opposed his cheating in the war! In his greed for power, he has even forgotten the motive of general Kane Yamashita." He bit back furiously. Ray's involvement with Salima had never meant he had his guard down at any point, except before his queen. He was vigil of whatever was going around him. He just didn't care. If Lee was out their gulping every kingdom he eyed, Ray didn't care. He wanted peace, a sense of belonging which he had finally found in Salima's embrace and her Kanto.
Kane's name stuck a sensitive chord in her heart, but sensing the neko-jin's anger, Salima put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Ambers and onyxes collided as their eyes chatted in a language of their own. The queen gestured him to calm down. To the messenger she said, "Inform Lee we were not interested in his offer, if he wanted harmony, he'd not have called for this war in the first place."
Kelvin, though not pleased with their reply, bowed before them. "Very well if it's your final decision your highness. General Lee Wong awaits you at the battlefield tomorrow." Taking a few steps towards Salima before continuing, "I ask for your leave, but if the goddess of Kanto will be generous enough to bestow her blessings upon this trivial servant…." He was about to hold her hand and kiss it, when suddenly he was pulled back with great force. Ray's sword had pierced Kevin's heart, blood oozing out with no restraint, pooling at his feet. It happened so quick that the audience went blank, dead silent for a few minutes. Soldiers took a few steps back.
The queen of Kanto was shaken from her knight's sudden outburst too. She understood his rage, more on Mystel's death than on Kevin's actions. But killing the messenger was not ideal in any way. Was her Ray blinded by his wrath? What if he fought the next day with the same fury, committing a mistake that'd become a cause of their defeat? Was Lee's offer worth believing? No. 'Why am I even thinking this?' shaking her head, a daunting smirk crept up on Salima's face. That was the Ray Kon she loved; her knight of amour.
While in one corner of the encampment love had taken a furious, bloody form; in another part of Kanto's castle a sweet, sinless tale of amour was being weaved. For, Hilary had received a letter from her beloved phoenix-lord.
Hilary,
In your last letter you spoke of longings and love. But you know what? Our longings are short-lived now. I am coming to Kanto to assist Ray in this war. Lee's forces won't hold for long before the joint armies of Japan, Kanto and Russia.
Some days more, my love, and then we'll be together.
Expressing myself is not something that comes easy to me Hilary. That's why, I am eagerly waiting for the day we will lose ourselves in each other's eyes. Peeking into our souls, reading all the admiration and love that we have been feeling so deeply. Just wait for me.
'Cause then, eternity will be in our eyes, and, in our amour.
Evermore yours,
Kai Hiwatari
Hilary hugged the letter close to her heart. Closed eyes made way for tears of happiness as she smiled in delight. Her lord was finally arriving. "I'm waiting my lord." She whispered to herself.
Without any hurry, the sun rose on the next day at the same time as its crimson glow checked its reflection on the turquoise water of East China Sea which also turned scarlet, whether for the blood shed by the warriors on the previous day or the proud sunshine, it couldn't be known. The sky was clear, with white rafts of floating clouds. Under them, for giving the undetermined battle of yesterday a proper outcome, the ships of both groups had arrived, facing one another, once again. Today, both Ray and Lee were equally confident-more than the previous day. However, the red-haired queen was looking quite dull and pale, staring at the water surface which was bearing the image of the dawn sunrays.
"Salima?" Ray worriedly put a hand on her shoulder, "You alright?"
"Huh?" Salima quickly changed her expression, "Y…yeah…I am."
"You were seeming lost," The neko-jin commented, "Maybe for the incident of yesterday evening, right?"
"Yeah," The redhead nodded, "Actually, I was so shocked…"
"It's okay, Sal," The general squeezed the shoulders of his queen, "Look, I have full faith on you. I know that you will never betray me and our love. Let's win this for the sake of our love, my queen."
"Thank you for trusting me, Ray…." Salima held his hands, "No matter what happens, we'll win this."
With a bright smile of confidence all over his face, the raven-haired Chinese turned to his soldiers, "Charge!"
Lee was also ready to begin the battle, "Charge!"
Once again, with the roars of the conch-shells and trumpets, the battle of the second day began. The soldiers of both groups rushed in the opposite directions with their swords raised in the air. Salima went to her ship and prepared her archers so that they could destroy Lee's navy with the tips of their arrows which were lighted with fire. The black and white sails, the flags bearing the emblems of golden tigers and black lions-were being shredded, getting soaked with the blood of the martyred warriors and burnt. Little by little, the crimson of the greenish-blue ocean was being deepened. Ray was bravely slaughtering the troopers of Lee Wong one by one, smearing his forehead with their blood. Nobody was getting a chance to stand before him for longer.
But nobody knew when the dice of the game got tilted. While doing his job, Ray suddenly saw the 60 ships of the Japanese queen heading towards the navy of Lee Wong, together in a row. He frowned, 'What's this?'
At the next second, his eyes became widened in horror when he spotted white flags of forfeiture being raised and waved in the air from the same ships. All the soldiers of the scarlet-haired queen dropped their swords on the boats and knelt down before the warriors of Lee Wong. Lee glanced at Ray once. With a smirk, he ordered his soldiers to arrest the whole battalion of Salima. In front of the horrified eyes of the neko-jin, Lee's soldiers put handcuffs around the wrists of Salima's combatants. Ray couldn't believe his own eyes. Yet, grasping a last hope, he turned back to know how Salima was reacting at this deed by her soldiers.
No, where was she? Ray's eyes couldn't spot the vessel of the red-haired queen anywhere in their sight. It was long gone! The blood-soaked sword from his hand which wasn't feeling exhausted a bit to quench its thirst with the crimson liquid of life shed by his enemies, tiredly fell down on the boat. He was struggling to accept that he so easily lost a battle which he had been supposed to win without any literal effort! But what struck him the most was the unexpected departure of the queen, his queen, his trustworthy queen and beloved from the battlefield. He watched his soldiers who were also getting killed by the military of Lee all-around him. His ships were drowning, burning, getting drenched with blood-and what not?
Everything…everything was looking like a nightmare to the Chinese general. Gritting his teeth and pressing his heart with boulders, he announced, "Soldiers! Let's leave!"
The remaining ships of Ray immediately wheeled and fled away along with their general, showing their backs to the enemies. The setting sun, once again, deepened the crimson of the turquoise-colored liquid mirror of East China Sea. Drenched in the soft light from west, Lee victoriously raised his sword in the air, keeping all the surrendering soldiers as witnesses who were kneeling down before him, with their hands on their backs tied in metal cuffs. The floating and drowning corpses of Ray's soldiers, the remnants of destructions remained speechless, being the motionless, lifeless evidences of the downfall of a brave, mighty warrior of China.
As well as the victory of the evil, a rare sight for the world.
Flame torches were burning at regular intervals all across the royal palace of Kanto. Unfortunately, even the light emitted by those scorching fires failed to illuminate the hearts of the residents. A sharp clicking sound was heard across the corridors, followed by the rhythmic rattle of military feet. Kai was treading as fast as he could towards his friend's chamber. He had just arrived at Kanto and learned of the battle's outcome. He knew Ray needed him now. The thought of visiting Hilary in a faraway corner of his mind. "Not now," he said to himself and moved on.
In one gloomy chamber, darkness prevailed like there won't be any sunrise the next day. Thick curtains had not been removed, neither were any candles lit. Only the gallery was radiating, washed completely by the serene moonlight. Though, nothing in the world was serene anymore for the sole occupant of the room. Tightly clutching the sculpted stone railings, Ray was standing. His bare brawny physique soaking in the moonbeams. Amber orbs that once carried the lustre of sparkling jewels were now reduced to moist, red-rimmed eyes that burned from deep within. Tears begged to cross the threshold of his lashes, but no, he couldn't cry.
The creaking of the opening doors reached his ears. Thinking the intruder to be his heartthrob, he quickly turned back. His smile faded soon, instead being replaced by a smirk, when his eyes met Kai's amethyst orbs.
"Locking himself and throwing tantrums doesn't suit a general as mighty as Ray Kon," Kai laughed in an amused tone which softened towards the end, "I heard what happened at the battle. Sorry I was late."
As if possessed, Ray let out a nonchalant laugh. Only Kai knew how dry and fake it was. "It wasn't your fault Kai. The loss is totally on my shoulders. I f…failed. Failed to prote…protect my forces." His voice shook as he tried his best not to cry. Maybe for the arrival of a support in form of Kai or the absence of his beloved, silent tears burst from the neko-jin's eyes. His voice shivered, loss of energy and vigor evident in the soft tone, "And I failed to protect my Salima."
"Any news on the queen?" The Russian general asked.
To his dismay, Ray shook his head. "I don't know when she left the battleground. We were fighting and then suddenly…." Goosebumps raised on his body on recounting the terrible loss he had incurred by retreating from the scene of war. "Suddenly, Salima's forces surrendered. I tried looking for her but it was too chaotic. Lee's army was butchering my fleets. I had no other option than retiring with whatever remaining army I had."
"What do you think has happened to her majesty then?"
"I don't know. Maybe Lee captured her." His voice was shaking as silent tears streamed all over his face. "My spies are on a lookout in Lee's forces. If he has held her hostage, he should've had contacted me by now." Ray felt so helpless. All he wished to do now was to set the world on fire. He wanted nothing but to see his Salima alright. He was praying to all gods in the world to keep her safe.
Before Kai could respond, his loyal commander Bryan knocked on the door. When called inside, he said something that shook the living daylights out of both the generals.
Ray couldn't believe his ears. The earth below him was moving. Or were his feet shivering? Nobody knew. All that one could see was Ray thumping loudly on the cold floor, slamming his fists on the mandala artwork so much that they bled. He could feel millions of invisible shards piercing his heart. Caving in himself, the magnanimous Japanese general burst into fits of crying. Kai helplessly looked at the mess his friend had become. Breaking on the inside that he could do nothing to help him. Afterall he had also heard what Ray had heard,
"An emissary of queen Salima has just brought in the news that her majesty has succumbed to her injuries….."
The sun was rising in the sky outside, spreading its golden rays. Only time could tell, how many innocent lives this day was going to shove past the threshold of eternal darkness. Or maybe, eternal love? Only time could tell…..
And, Salima's dead *face palm* Let's see what turn the story takes from here. That's all for the fourth adventure of Evermore. The fifth and final will be out in this month only. Hoping that my co-author Misty returns in the meantime.
Until then, fav, follow and review!
~Ellie and Misty ^_^