Author's Notes: This story utilises the El-Hazard manga continuity, which I consider the definitive version of the chronicle. If you are unfamiliar with the manga, please do yourself a favour and find a copy to read. It contains unique material the OVA and TV series both lack, and will be worth every minute of your time - trust me.
I lay claim to nothing except the original characters and concepts featured in this fanfic, which is my love letter to El-Hazard: The Magnificent World, created by Hiroki Hayashi, Ryoe Tsukimura and Hidetomo Tsubura. Thank you for stimulating my imagination and making my childhood awesome.
El-Hazard: Shadows of the Past
Prologue: Seed of Vengeance
There was both fury and sorrow in the young nobleman's snapping brown eyes as he beheld his beloved liege lying pale and unresponsive in the subterranean infirmary's most spacious berth.
Half a dozen tubes led in and out of the fallen ruler's broken body and twice as many electrodes served to monitor his vitals, so that his attending physicians could make the minute adjustments required to keep him alive.
Every thirty seconds or so, the unconscious invalid would draw a dry, rattling breath.
The life support apparatus would beep louder and more frequently for the duration that he did so, and then, having made its point about the direness of his condition, return to its quiet baseline.
Each time the beeping intensified, the distraught observer's heart rate peaked along with it.
"How long until he recovers?" he asked of the head physician through gritted teeth.
"Prince Galus' wounds are grievous, Lord Nahato," was the sombre reply. "It was a miracle in itself that he lived long enough for us to bring him here and commence treatment. I cannot say for certain when he will regain consciousness, let alone-"
"HOW. LONG. DOCTOR."
The intensivist paused and cast a sad eye over the readings of the machines.
"My team and I are doing everything that we can, Excellency," he murmured with bowed head. "The rest now hinges upon whatever strength His Highness still possesses."
Moving over to kneel by the bed, Nahato gently took Galus' one free hand in both of his own and pressed his lips against it.
"I will avenge you, my Prince," he whispered fiercely, trying his utmost (and failing) to prevent his tears from flowing. "This I swear."
