Post by Hayate on Mar 7, 2009 19:06:03 GMT -5
Tales of the Epitaph
Chapter 4: The Stone of Destiny
~ Capital of Lia Fail, Kingdom of Lumina Cloth ~
~ Dorinday, Gorre-Lunae 19, AC2038 ~
*Kazuto, Ren, and Shiro are seen locked behind bars in a Lia Fail prison cell; Shiro grasps the bars with his hands and yells at the prison guards*
Shiro: Let us out of here! I wanna speak to whoever’s in charge! Do you have any idea who you’re keeping prisoner in here!? The crown prince of Mac Anu himself!
Guard 1: Ah, shut up in there, whitey! You ain’t goin’ anywhere without the Emperor’s say-so!
Shiro: Tch! *kicks cell door harshly* This completely bites! Damn Imperial Forces come out of nowhere and just lock us up and throw away the key -- no questions asked!? It’s been three whole days! Just what do they plan to do with us!?
Ren: Calm yourself, Shiro. There isn’t anything we can do right now. If we attempted to break out, they’d just add jailbreak to our already expanding rap sheet. Besides, the Imperial Forces seized all of our equipment. We aren’t able to do anything even if we wanted to.
Shiro: Grrrr… C’mon, Kazu, say something to them! You’re the prince of Mac Anu, for Aura’s sake!
Kazuto: …
Shiro: …Kazu!!!
Kazuto: What do you expect me to say, Shiro!? Even if I said anything, they wouldn’t listen! I’m not the prince of Mac Anu anymore!
Shiro: …
Kazuto: It feels like…ever since I was chased out of LeGable, all I’ve done is cause trouble for everyone around me. The Mac Anu Royal Guard…Atrum Neux…and now this…
Ren: …Kazu…
*turning back around, Shiro once again grasps the bars tightly with his hands*
Shiro: (…Dammit…! What the hell are we supposed to do now…?)
: Move aside! Coming through!Ren: Hmm? What’s all the commotion outside?
Prison Guard: B-But your Highness, the Emperor said no one’s allowed to--
: I don’t care what Daddy says! I demand you let me through or else!Kazuto: …That voice…
Shiro: …Oh, boy…
Prison Guard: …Y-Yes, your Highness.
*as the prison guards step aside, Kazuto, Ren, and Shiro see a teenage girl enter the prison area: she had long light-brown hair with flower-shaped hairclips, bright blue eyes, and was dressed in elegant clothing*
: So it’s true! My Kazu really was being held in the palace prison! Whose sick joke is this!?*at the sight of the girl, Kazuto rises to his feet and approaches the bars*
Kazuto: K-Kyoko…?!?
Kyoko: Honestly, Kazu, can’t you go FIVE minutes without getting yourself into trouble!?
Kazuto: Heh… Nice to see you too…
Ren: …Who’s that?
Shiro: Kyoko Von Lumina Kazuhiko. Imperial princess of Lumina Cloth, as well as Kazuto’s fiancée.
Ren: …So that’s the Lumina Cloth princess… W-Wait! Fiancée?!?
Kyoko: Hmm? *looks at Shiro and Ren* …Oh, great. The womanizer’s here too.
Shiro: Hehehe. Hello again, your Highness.
Kyoko: *sigh* …Really now, Kazu… What on Earth did you do to get yourself locked up like this…?
Kazuto: It’s a long story. I’m just glad that, amidst all this chaos, I finally get to see a familiar face.
Kyoko: …Kazu…
Ren: …So what’s their story?
Shiro: Well, you see, the King of Mac Anu is old friends with Emperor Kaito and Empress Ryoko. Some time before Kazuto and Kyoko were born, they agreed to enter into an alliance to put an end to decades of disputes between Mac Anu and Lumina Cloth. Part of their agreement was that if one country were to give birth to a male heir and the other a female heir, the two heirs would be wed.
Ren: …Engaged since birth…
Kyoko: *looks at Ren* …Kazu…who’s that?
Kazuto: Huh? …Oh. This is Ren.
Ren: …H-Hello…your Highness.
Kyoko: “Ren”, eh…?
Kazuto: …W-What is it?
Kyoko: *glares at Kazuto* You’re cheating on me, aren’t you!?
Ren: !!!
Kazuto: W-What?!? No! Of course not! She’s just a traveling companion of mine!
Kyoko: LIAR!!!
*upon having said this, Kyoko sticks her tongue at Kazuto, turns around, and bolts out*
Kazuto: … *sigh* Glad to see she hasn’t changed either…
Ren: T-That behavior of hers is…normal?
Shiro: Sure is. Kyoko gets like that whenever Kazu associates with other girls his age. It just her way of saying she loves him.
Ren: …I see… (…I do remember hearing that the Kazuhikos were one of the most eccentric royal families in Lumina Cloth history…)
*meanwhile, Saber meets with Emperor Kaito and Empress Ryoko in the palace throne room; as Saber enters, she drops to one knee and bows her head*
Saber: You wished to see me, your Majesties?
Kaito: Ah, Saber. There you are. The captives from Mac Anu -- are they still…?
Saber: Prince Kazuto and his companions are still being held in the prison area. Awaiting orders as to what to do with them.
Kaito: Yes… What to do, what to do… I suppose we could turn them over to Mac Anu.
Ryoko: I say we just have them executed right here and now. You heard what Shirai said about the prophecy -- if Kazuto lives, the world will end. I say we kill them now and save Mac Anu the trouble. Hohoho!
Kaito: Yes, there is that, but think of the--
Kyoko: MOM!!! DADDY!!!
*just then, Kaito gets cut off as Kyoko barges into the throne room*
Saber: L-Lady Kyoko!
Ryoko: Kyoko, dear! You’ve returned from Breg Epona so soon!
Kyoko: Never mind that! Would either of you care to explain why my Kazu is rotting away in a prison cell?!?
Kaito: Kyoko… Surely you must know of Mac Anu’s prophecy concerning the crown prince by now…
Kyoko: But I thought it was disproven! You can’t keep him locked away over a seer’s refuted fortune! And besides, does the King of Mac Anu know you’re treating him like this!?
Ryoko: As a matter of fact, it was King Shirai himself who had ordered the prince’s capture.
Kyoko: …No way… Has the entire world turned against my Kazu…?
Kaito: …It is Prince Kazuto himself who has turned against the world… Please understand, Kyoko--
Kyoko: No!!! I don’t understand!!! You’re wrong about Kazuto!!! He isn’t the person you think he is!!! He isn’t the kind of guy who’d willingly want the world to come to an end!!!
*saying nothing else, Kyoko spins around and dashes out of the throne room*
Saber: …Lady Kyoko…
*in the palace’s prison area, Shiro continues to look towards the guards outside from behind the cell bars*
Shiro: …Ren, can you knock those guards out with your Gadelican magic?
Ren: I’m afraid not. My staff serves as the conduit for my Gadelican spells; without it, I can only manage standard Aurian magic like Vak Don and Zan Rom. And as we are now, I can’t manage even those because of the magic-annulling properties of these walls.
Kazuto: …So we truly are stuck here then…?
Guard 1: H-Hey! What are you--!? GAH!!!
Shiro: Hmm? Something’s going on outside.
Guard 2: M-Milady, what are you doing!? AGH!!!
Ren: …?
*at that moment, Kyoko rushes in with the guards’ keys and the trio’s equipment in tow*
Kazuto: Kyoko! W-What are you…!?
Kyoko: No time to explain! *unlocks prison cell to free Kazuto and others* More guards will be here soon! You need to get out of here right now!
Shiro: You’re…helping us?
Kyoko: Hey, I’m not so heartless as to sell my Kazu up the river over a stupid prophecy. Hee-hee! *wink*
*just then, one of the guards Kyoko had struck earlier returns to his feet and confronts the party brandishing a sword*
Guard 2: H-Hold it right there!
*turning to face the guard, Kyoko mounts a circular blade -- a chakram -- to a type of launcher attached to her wrist; then, with a swift backhand movement, Kyoko shoots the chakram forth and slices into the guard’s abdomen*
Guard 2: GAH!!!
Kyoko: Hmph!
Shiro: …Nice throw…
Kyoko: Why, thank you! Now, c’mon, let’s go!
*after arming themselves, Kazuto, Ren, and Shiro follow Kyoko through the corridors towards the upper levels of the palace*
Imperial Forces: The prisoners have escaped! Seize them!
Kazuto: Get out of our way!!!
*Kazuto, Shiro, and Kyoko fight their way through the legions of palace knights with their respective weapons while Ren mows them down with her magic; before long, their fight takes them up the floors of the palace and in front of the throne room*
Shiro: *panting* There’s…so many of them…!
Kyoko: Tch! I didn’t think they’d be on us this quickly!
Ren: Your Highness, if you don’t mind my asking, how are we supposed to escape from Lia Fail? If I recall, the city’s surrounded by a vast stone wall.
Kyoko: That’s right, the Morrigu Barrow Wall. But don’t worry. There’s a door hidden under Daddy’s throne. It connects to a series of tunnels that lead underneath the wall and outside the city. You’ll be able to escape by using it.
*as Kazuto pushes open the double doors of the throne room, the group finds…*
All: … *gasp*
*…Captain Saber standing before Emperor Kaito’s throne; in her hand was a long broadsword*
Shiro: Saber…!
Saber: I had a feeling you’d come here… So, your Highness…you would betray your own kingdom for the sake of these criminals?
Kyoko: I’m not betraying anyone! It was Mac Anu and Lumina Cloth who betrayed Kazuto when they sentenced him to death without just cause!
*Saber begins to walk forward towards the group*
Saber: The prince is destined to bring about the world’s end… And yet you defend him unyieldingly… Why?
Kyoko: …Because… Because the entire world’s against him… Even if it’s just me, I want him to have at least one ally in a world that considers him its enemy…
Kazuto: …Kyoko…
Saber: …I see…
*just then, Saber raises her broadsword, poised to strike Kyoko down…*
All: *gasp*
*…but instead of doing so, Saber drops to one knee and presents her sword to Kyoko*
Kyoko: …S-Saber…?
Saber: Your Highness, Lady Kyoko… I would not be here kneeling before you today were it not for the kindness you showed me so long ago… You convinced Emperor Kaito and Empress Ryoko to take me in -- a person with no one to call family and no home to return to… Everything I am today I am because of you… If it is the prince’s life you wish to protect, then the prince’s life is mine to protect as well…
Kyoko: …Saber…!
Ren: … *ears twitch* …The guards are coming! We must go!
*her feet carrying her forward, Kyoko kneels down at Kaito’s throne and presses a button along the rear side of its backrest; upon her doing this, a mechanism underneath the throne moves it backward to reveal the hatch that leads into the under-city tunnels*
Kyoko: There! Now get going already!
Shiro: We appreciate this, your Highness!
*after Shiro and Ren climb down into the tunnels, Kazuto approaches Kyoko*
Kazuto: …Thanks, Kyoko. I know there’s gonna be a lot of hell for you to pay because you’re helping me, so…
Kyoko: …Forget about it. Just… *looks away* …don’t die.
Kazuto: *smiles* I’ll do my best. Heh.
*after watching Kazuto climb down the hatch into the tunnel, Kyoko turns back to face Saber*
Saber: …
Kyoko: …Captain Saber!
Saber: *salutes* Yes, your Highness!
Kyoko: I have an assignment for you. I want you to follow Kazu. Stay by his side and keep him safe.
Saber: !!! …Y-Your Highness…?
Kyoko: That hopeless fiancé of mine’s always getting himself into trouble. Even if I tell him not to die, he’ll no doubt find a way to screw that up. …So I want you to follow him. And protect him.
Saber: … *laughs*
Kyoko: W-What’s so funny?
Saber: …You truly love Sir Kazuto, don’t you, your Highness?
Kyoko: *blushes deeply* Oh, shut it!
Saber: *kneels* Your Highness, Lady Kyoko. I, Captain Saber of the Lumina Cloth Imperial Forces, accept the terms of the assignment you have given me and shall see it through to its completion. I shall protect the prince with my very life.
Kyoko: … *smiles* Thank you.
*as Kazuto meets with Shiro and Ren at the bottom of the ladder, he finds himself at the entrance to a vast network of tunnels; a multitude of lamps strung from the walls illuminates the walkways*
Kazuto: Wow… This place is huge…
Ren: It isn’t uncommon for royal families to have secret passageways such as this to serve as a means for escape should the palace ever come under enemy attack.
Shiro: Well, they sure spared no expense in making these tunnels detailed. We’re liable to get lose if we aren’t careful.
*just then, the group hears the sounds of iron boots clanking against metal; glancing to their rear, they notice Saber descending the ladder and approaching them*
Ren: Miss Saber…!
Kazuto: What are you doing here?
Saber: Lady Kyoko has entrusted me with the safety of Sir Kazuto.
Kazuto: …She what…?
Shiro: Hehehe. You must feel honored, Kazu. Now you have three bodyguards.
Kazuto: …
Shiro: …Kazu? You okay?
Kazuto: H-Huh? Oh. Yeah, I’m fine. (…Now even Kyoko’s worried about me… Shiro, Ren, and now Kyoko… All I do lately is cause them grief…)
Saber: Come. We should move, or else the Imperial Forces will be upon us.
Shiro/Ren: Right!
Kazuto: …R-Right…
*with Saber in the lead, the group works its way through the intricate workings of Lia Fail’s underground tunnel system*
Saber: We’re almost there. Once we’re through this next chamber, we’ll be outside city walls.
*turning east into the chamber Saber mentioned, the group walks forward…*
All: … *gasp*
*…and finds Lieutenant Jack Russell and several members of Lumina Cloth’s Imperial Forces waiting for them*
Saber: Jack…!
Jack: Captain Saber! What do you think you’re doing!? You would abandon the Imperial Forces and side with the fugitives from Mac Anu!?
Saber: …I will do as my princess Lady Kyoko asked of me. I will protect the life of Sir Kazuto.
Jack: …First the princess and now you, Captain…?
Saber: …Jack, I…
Jack: Spare me your needless words of remorse, Captain Saber, for they fall upon deaf ears…
*resting his hand on the hilt of his broadsword, Jack slowly draws his weapon*
Jack: Defecting from the Imperial Forces… Aligning yourself with the enemy… Such actions can only be considered treason against the kingdom of Lumina Cloth…!
*as Jack assumes an attack stance, the knights standing behind him all assume attack stances as well*
Jack: Prepare yourself, my Captain…for I shall show you no mercy!!!
Saber: … *draws broadsword* Everyone… I humbly ask that you leave Jack to me…
Ren: …Understood.
Shiro: *draws dual swords* We’ll handle his knights!
Kazuto: *draws sword* Hmph!
*the two opposing sides stare each other down intently*
Saber: …
Jack: …CHARGE!!!!!
*the two sides suddenly break into a full-speed dash towards the center of the chamber and meet in a fierce conflict; meanwhile, above ground, within the palace walls, Kaito and Ryoko are led into the prison area by a palace knight*
Knight: Here she is, your Majesties. She was resistant, so we had no choice but to hold her here.
*as they walk in, Kaito and Ryoko find Kyoko locked inside one of the cells*
Ryoko: Oh, Kyoko! Thank Aura you’re alright!
Kaito: What on Earth were you thinking, dear!? Assisting the prophecy child in escaping!? They could’ve easily done away with you just to make a quick getaway!
Kyoko: *sticks tongue out* I’ve known Kazu and Shiro for years, Daddy! They’d never do something like that! …Besides, even if Kazu’s all but guilty in your eyes, I still believe in him. I have to believe in him. After all… *blush* …he’s going to be my husband one day.
Ryoko: …
Kaito: …
*a short time later, in the tunnels below the city, Kazuto, Ren, and Shiro do away with Jack’s knights, but Saber and Jack were still locked in intense combat*
Saber: *panting*
Jack: *panting* Grrrr… GRAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*charging towards Saber again, Jack swings his sword down upon her; Saber reacts by defending herself with her broadsword*
Jack: Why, Captain Saber…!? Why do you turn against the kingdom…!?
Saber: I have turned against no one! My actions are at the request of Lady Kyoko herself!
Jack: …Is that your only reason…?
Saber: …
Jack: Grrrr… Answer me!
*as Jack draws his sword back, his and Saber’s blades clash violently, the sounds of the clanging metal echoing off the chamber walls*
Shiro: C’mon, Saber…!
Kazuto: …
*reeling back a bit, Jack swings his sword horizontally towards Saber; moving swiftly, Saber kneels down to evade the attack*
Jack: !!!
*then, with both hands grasping the hilt, Saber thrusts her sword forward…*
Jack: *deep gasp*
*…impaling Jack through the abdomen*
Saber: …Forgive me…my friend…
*Saber removes the blade from Jack’s body, and Jack falls over, his sword falling out of his hand and clanging on the ground*
Saber: Ren! If you please!
Ren: Huh!? O-Oh! Of course!
*rushing over to Jack’s side, Ren begins to heal his wounds with her magic*
Saber: I’m going to be leaving Lia Fail for some time, Jack… I know not when I will return… During my absence, the Imperial Forces will require a leader… A beacon of true strength and valor… Jack… You are one of my finest knights and have been a most loyal lieutenant… In terms of battle strategy and proficiency in the art of the sword, you are second only to myself… I can think of no other better suited for this task…
Jack: …Captain…Saber…
Saber: It has truly been an honor…to serve the kingdom of Lumina Cloth by your side…my friend…
Ren: … *sigh* There. He’s no longer in any danger.
Saber: Thank you.
Shiro: …Once we’re outside the city, where should we go? Doesn’t really matter, I suppose -- both Mac Anu AND Lumina Cloth are after us now, not to mention Atrum Neux.
Saber: Might I suggest we move south? Past the southern woods is Breg Epona. We’ll be safe there from the Imperial Forces.
Kazuto: Alright then. Lead the way, Saber.
*finally turning towards the exit, Saber leads the group out of the tunnel and above ground; meanwhile…*
Zero: Argh!
*somewhere in Mac Anu, Zero is seen cornered in a darkened alleyway by the cloaked member of Atrum Neux*
Zero: …I see subtlety isn’t one of Atrum Neux’s specialties…
: I’ll only ask once more… Where was the Mac Anu prince last seen heading?Zero: Heh. An informant never betrays the trust of his client.
*Zero’s body begins to collapse into cards, but with a simple motion of the cloaked man’s hand, Zero freezes in place*
Zero: !!! …That spell…! Y-You’re…!
: I can see that I must resort to…other methods to obtain the information I seek…Zero: …
TO BE CONTINUED…
