Post by Hayate on Jun 21, 2009 21:25:59 GMT -5
Tales of the Epitaph
Chapter 17: The Flying Fortress
~ Capital of LeGable, Kingdom of Mac Anu ~
~ Magiday, Gorre-Lunae 32, AC2038 ~
*in the throne room of LeGable Castle, King Shirai is seen sitting in his throne, with Sakaki standing at his side; Kazuto and company are lined up before him, a Mac Anu guard restraining each of them*
Kazuto: …
Shirai: …Why have you returned here, Kazuto? Did you truly expect to be welcomed back after being chased away from the capital three weeks ago?
Sakaki: Isn’t it obvious? The traitorous prince has come to fulfill what has been prophesized. He comes to topple the kingdom of Mac Anu, just as he’d done with Lumina Cloth.
Shiro: That’s not true! We came here because we had something to tell his Majesty the king! Something that had been kept secret from him for 16 years!
Sakaki: Save your breath! Begging for your lives won’t help you now! Your Majesty, simply give the word and I can have these treacherous fools sent to the gallows!
Shirai: …
Saber: With all due respect, your Majesty, you would deny a few fleeting moments with your own son? The son with which you share 16 years of history?
Kazuto: …
Shirai: …
Sakaki: Enough of this foolishness! Take them away--
Shirai: Wait.
All: …?
Shirai: …I would…listen to what Kazuto has to say.
Ren: Your Majesty!
Sakaki: Tch!
Kazuto: It’s about the world-ending prophecy, Father. “Within the Mac Anu royal family shall be born an heir to the throne with hair of gold and eyes of azure”, right?
Sakaki: Of course! Everyone in the kingdom knows of the prophecy! It talks of you, boy!
Kazuto: You’re wrong! The prophecy isn’t about me! It’s about another!
Shirai: Another heir? But that’s impossible. You’re the only heir to the throne, Kazuto.
Kazuto: No, Father… There’s a second heir… The one whose existence had been kept a secret since my birth… I wasn’t the only child born to my mother 16 years ago. …I had a twin.
Shirai/Sakaki: !!!
*over the course of the next few minutes, Kazuto explains to his father about his twin sister Sakuya and the circumstances surrounding her birth -- about how Sakuya’s birth had been kept secret, how all records pertaining to her birth had been destroyed, and her connection to the world-ending prophecy*
Shirai: …Two heirs to the Mac Anu throne…? Could it be true…? How could such a thing be kept from me all these years…? It’s…unbelievable…
Sakaki: Of course it’s unbelievable! It’s completely absurd! The traitorous prince is so desperate to save his own life that he’d resort to telling these ridiculous lies!
Kaori: It’s not a lie! All of us here have met Sakuya personally!
Kazuto: You have to believe me, Father… It’s the truth…
Shirai: Kazuto… Even if what you’re telling me is true, how can I believe it? Like you said, everything that ever served as proof that this “Sakuya” existed was destroyed.
Ren: …Not everything… If I may?
*reaching into her robes, Ren pulls out a folded-up photograph*
Ren: This picture is all I have left to remind me of Lady Risa… I always keep it close to me…
*Ren hands the photo to a guard, and he in turn hands it to Shirai; the photo was of Risa, Ren, and Sakuya, and was dated back several years before Risa’s death*
Shirai: This is… Ah! That is Risa! I’d recognize her anywhere! She and my beloved Gardenia were so close. But she disappeared from the capital… *gasp* …the day Kazuto was born! …Then this girl is…
*analyzing the photo again, Shirai looks at the little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes; she bore a remarkable resemblance to Kazuto*
Shirai: …Sakuya… M-My daughter… *looks at Kazuto* …You are telling me the truth… I… I just can’t believe it… I have a daughter…and I hadn’t even known…
Kazuto: …Father…
Shirai: …Wait. If the girl in this photo is indeed my daughter…then she’s the true person who’s destined to bring about the end of the world?
Saber: That is another issue we’d like to address you with, your Majesty. We humbly request that you call off this hunt for Sir Kazuto’s life, as well as refrain from tracking down Sakuya.
Sakaki: What!? Do you realize what it is you’re requesting!? You’d have us sacrifice the fate of the entire world for the sake of one person!?
Ren: You’re one to talk, Sakaki! You claim that your actions are the sake of saving the world, but we know the truth!
Sakaki: The truth…?
Zero: …It was never Mac Anu’s intent to condemn Prince Kazuto to death. Everything that’s happened up until now was because of Sakaki’s insatiable greed. Sakaki doesn’t want to save the world from destruction. …He wants the Mac Anu throne. He wants to become king. The first step in his plot was to eliminate the late Queen Gardenia. Since Sakaki first became royal advisor to the king and queen, he had already begun working his magic on Gardenia. Sakaki had stricken her with a magical poison that slowly ate away at her internal organs. It was a lengthy process, but the results were satisfactory as far as Sakaki was concerned. The castle doctors were unable to find any trace of the poison because it was masked by Sakaki’s magic. But I was able to obtain a sample from the queen’s grave. I later discovered trace elements of the exact same poison inside the woman named Risa Fujino. *takes out a sheet of paper* See this? It’s a copy of Queen Gardenia’s death certificate, written entirely in Sakaki’s handwriting. The cause of death was ruled as being of “unknown origin”. …The second step in Sakaki’s plan was getting rid of Prince Kazuto. By the time of the prince’s 16th birthday, everyone in the kingdom had virtually forgotten about the prophecy. But thanks to Sakaki, let’s just say their faith had been restored. After gaining the approval of King Shirai, Sakaki put his plans to put Kazuto to death in motion. The only thing Sakaki had done without the king’s consent or knowledge was employing Atrum Neux and Kaeion. With both Gardenia and Kazuto out of the picture, the trauma dealt to King Shirai’s psyche would inevitably drive him over the edge, and after being deemed unfit to rule, there’d be nothing left to keep Sakaki from seizing the throne.
*after being presented with the evidence against him, Sakaki -- as well as King Shirai -- was speechless*
Shirai: …
Sakaki: …T-This is preposterous!!! I’ve never heard such absurdities in my life!!!
Kazuto: “Absurdities”?!? You murdered my mother, you monster!!!
Sakaki: Your Majesty, surely you don’t believe any of this nonsense! For years I’d done nothing but serve the kingdom of Mac Anu as best I possibly could! Please! Give me the order to have these lying children silenced!
Shirai: …
Kazuto: … *gulp*
Shirai: …He may just be a child… *raises head* …but he is still my son. And after 16 unforgettable years, I’ve no reason to doubt him.
Kazuto: *gasp*
Sakaki: Y-Your Majesty?!?
Shirai: Guards! Arrest Sakaki! Remove him from my sight!
*at King Shirai’s command, the guards release Kazuto and his friends and turn their swords on Sakaki*
Sakaki: S-Stay back! I’m warning you!
*refusing to listen, the guards continue their approach*
Sakaki: Tch! Impudent whelps! *raises hand* Conflagration--!
Ren: Fin Lei!
*before Sakaki could cast a spell, Ren seals his magic, giving the guards the opportunity to take Sakaki into custody; as he’s being dragged out of the throne room, Sakaki turns his head and glares at the party with an almost insane look*
Sakaki: …
Kazuto: …
*Sakaki is dragged out of the party’s sight, and King Shirai leans back in his chair, overloaded from all the information he learned today*
Shirai: *sigh* A daughter I never knew of…and a conspiring royal advisor… I feel like…such a fool… *sits up and looks ahead towards the party* …I suppose I should be grateful to all of you. You’ve opened my eyes in more ways than one today. If not for your actions, I’d have lost my throne and kingdom to a devious madman.
Shiro: Heh. Think nothing of it, your Majesty.
Saber: We simply wished to set things right before it was too late.
Ren: So, your Majesty, does this mean…?
Shirai: As far as I’m concerned, the only traitor here is Sakaki. …As of this moment, my son’s death sentence is hereby revoked.
Kaori: Hahaha!
Kazuto: And Sakuya?
Shirai: Free to live her life as she pleases.
Kazuto: *sigh* Thank you, Father.
Shirai: No, Kazuto. Thank you. For giving your thick-headed father a second chance. You returned home to reveal the truth to me knowing full well that you’d likely be slain on the spot. Even being sentenced to death did not dissuade you. …You’ve grown up. Your mother would be so proud. I certainly am.
Kazuto: *blush* Hehehe…
*having obtained the victory they set out to achieve, the party is finally able to relax; soon after, the party splits up so each of Kazuto’s friends is able to visit their respective homes, and life for Kazuto returns to what it was before, just as he had wished it would*
~ …One month later… ~
~ Dorinday, Althena-Lunae 38, AC2039 ~
*Kazuto is seen gazing out the window of his chambers, watching the birds fly by; cradled in his right hand was an enveloped letter sent to him by Sakuya -- he had apparently not read it yet*
Kazuto: …
*just then, there’s a knock at the door*
Kazuto: Hmm? Come in.
*one of Kazuto’s attendants -- a girl with long, golden-brown hair -- enters with a tray of food*
Attendant: I’ve brought you your lunch, Prince Kazuto.
Kazuto: Thank you, Aya.
Aya: …Hmm? *notices the letter* What’s that?
Kazuto: *puts letter away* It’s nothing. *continues looking out the window* …
Aya: …You miss them, don’t you?
Kazuto: …A little. I can understand Saber, Ren, and Kaori going back home, but it’s gotten so boring since Shiro left. …Oh! That reminds me. How’s the appeal for Kaeion’s pardon going?
Aya: Quite well actually. They say he should be released by the end of next month.
Kazuto: Good. Glad to hear it. …And…Sakaki?
Aya: Still awaiting trial, it seems.
Kazuto: …I see. Thanks again, Aya. That’ll be all.
Aya: *bows* Very well. I take my leave now, my Prince.
*after Aya exits the room, Kazuto takes the letter out again and simply holds it in his hands*
Kazuto: …
*running his fingers along the flap, he prepares to open it…when he’s suddenly distracted by the sound of spinning aircraft rotors*
Kazuto: Hmm? Where’s that sound coming from?
*just then, Aya bursts into Kazuto’s room in a panic*
Aya: P-Prince Kazuto! A strange aircraft just landed in the castle courtyard!
Kazuto: A what!?
*rushing out onto the castle courtyard, Kazuto discovers the strange aircraft just as its propellers were powering down; a hatch on the side of the aircraft opens up, and a flight of steps extends from the hatch to the ground; Kazuto approaches with caution, waiting for someone to step out*
Kazuto: …
*to Kazuto’s surprise, a young man with white hair steps out to greet him*
Kazuto: S-Shiro!
Shiro: Hey, Kazu! Good to see ya! You’ll never guess where I just came from!
Kazuto: W-What… What are you doing here in that…that…thing?
Shiro: Impressive, isn’t it? Some of the aerial city’s finest work. Come on. Everyone’s waiting.
Kazuto: Huh? Who’s waiting?
Shiro: Heh. Who else?
*as Kazuto climbs onto the aircraft behind Shiro, he discovers some familiar faces waiting for him on the bridge*
Kazuto: !!! Ren! Saber! Kaori!
Kaori: Hi, Kazu! Did you miss us?
Saber: Long time no see, Sir Kazuto.
Ren: Have you been well?
Kazuto: Y-Yeah, it’s…good to see you guys. But…what are you all doing here?
Saber: Sir Shiro appeared and picked us all up at our respective homes.
Ren: Apparently, Captain Ciel has a surprise to show us at Fort Ouph.
Kazuto: Fort Ouph? You mean the fortress in the sky above the Golden Sea?
Shiro: That’s the one. And wait ‘til you see what he has to show you.
Kaori: Hee-hee! I can’t wait!
Shiro: Okay, Vyce! Take us up!
*in the pilot’s chair, a man with whitish-blond hair who looks to be in his early 20’s is seen piloting the aircraft*
Vyce: Roger that! “Wryneck” is clear for takeoff!
*the aircraft’s propellers power on once more, and the aircraft called the Wryneck takes off into the sky; once the Wryneck was at cruising altitude, Kazuto gazes out the window and watches as the landmarks he once passed through on foot pass by below*
Kazuto: Wow… This is amazing… I’ve never ridden in one of these before…
Saber: The first experience is certainly the most memorable.
Kaori: Yeah… Hey, look! I can see Dun Loireag!
Ren: …I wonder how Sakuya is doing…
Kazuto: …
*with Sakuya now on his mind, Kazuto thinks about the letter he hides underneath his clothes; leaning back in his seat, Kazuto decides to relax and wait for their arrival to Fort Ouph; before long, he dozes off; a couple of hours later, Ren approaches him*
Ren: Kazu. Kazu, wake up. We’re almost to the city.
Kazuto: *yawn* …Just five more minutes…
Ren: …
*conjuring a small amount of water from the air, Ren splashes Kazuto’s face with it*
Kazuto: Aah! What’s going on!? Are we under attack!?
Ren: *giggles* Well, you’re certainly awake now. …Take a look out the window.
*ignoring his drenched hair and face, Kazuto looks out the window; his eyes catch a glimpse of a grand city floating amongst the clouds*
Kazuto: Whoa… So that’s Fort Ouph…
*over the next several minutes, the Wryneck touches down on Fort Ouph, inside the airship hangar; soon after, Shiro and Vyce lead the rest of the group to the other side of the hangar, where yet another familiar face is seen*
Shiro: Hey! Captain Ciel!
*in the distance, a young boy is seen; it was indeed Captain Ciel, but he looked vastly different than he did the previous month; his brown hair was shortened, and he had foregone his pirate-like attire in favor of a more adventurous look*
Ciel: *turns around* …Well, well! If it isn’t my favorite gang of troublemakers!
Ren: Captain Ciel…? Is that you…?
Kaori: Wow. You look so different now.
Ciel: Yup. A couple of weeks at the Dun Loireag Clinic did me a world of good. You might say I’ve been born again.
Saber: It’s good to see you’re feeling better, Captain. So what’s this “surprise” you wished to show us?
Ciel: Hehehe… Just take a look.
*to Ciel’s rear, a large airship is being constructed*
Kazuto: …Is that the…?
Ciel: Yessir. You’re lookin’ at the new and improved S.S. Twilight. I got in touch with some Fort Ouph engineers last month, and they were able to salvage the remains and reconstruct it into an airship. They’re putting the finishing touches on it right now.
Kaori: It’s incredible, Captain!
Ciel: And you haven’t even heard the best part! I’ve assembled a new crew! You’ve already met my pilot Vyce.
Vyce: It’s an honor to work under such an exalted Lumina Cloth naval captain.
Ciel: And I even have a new first mate. He should be ‘round here somewhere. *turns towards the Twilight* HEY, ‘GILLY’!
*a man with long, black hair leaps down from the deck of the Twilight to greet the party*
‘Gilly’: Yo!
Ciel: Meet my new right-hand man, kids. He hails from Naval Monte.
Gil: Name’s Gilgamesh. You can call me Gil. A pleasure.
Ren: Likewise. …This is all wonderful, Captain Ciel. We’re really happy for you.
Ciel: Heh. Thanks, lass. I was getting fed up with feeling sorry for myself, and decided the best way to honor me old crew was to get right back to serving my home kingdom. *rests hand on Twilight* And with this beauty, now I can serve my country from the seas…and the skies.
*moments later, a hangar officer approaches the group, walking up to Ciel*
Officer: Well, that’s it, Captain Ciel. The ship’s all geared up for its maiden voyage. *hands Ciel a bottle of wine* Care to do the honors?
*taking the wine bottle from the officer, Ciel turns to face his ship*
Ciel: “…And there, in the brief, almost nonexistent window between dawn and dusk, Twilight fades out, and the sun arises to greet the new day…” …With this, I christen thee…
*then, with a firm swing of the arm, Ciel shatters the wine bottle, letting the red liquid trickle down the ship’s hull*
Ciel: …“Daybreak”!
*all those who witnessed the christening of the Daybreak begin to applaud*
Ciel: …So! Who wants to come along and take this baby out for her first flight?
*just then, a second hangar officer approaches frantically, holding a letter*
Officer 2: Captain Ciel! This letter just arrived for you!
Ciel: A letter? That’s odd. No one else knows I’m here other than the folks at the Clinic.
*taking the letter from the officer, Ciel unfolds it and quickly reads it over*
Ciel: … *gasp*
Kaori: What’s the matter, Captain?
Ciel: It’s Lucia! She’s…been abducted!
All: !!!
Kazuto: Who took her!?
Ciel: It…doesn’t say! All it mentions is a location and… What the hell’s a “Neon Blade”!?
Shiro: “Neon…”? Oh, no… It’s Nanao. She’s calling me out. It would seem she wishes to settle the score.
Saber: Then why take Lucia? Why not call Sir Shiro out alone?
Ren: To make sure Shiro shows himself. Nanao knows someone like Shiro can’t ignore an innocent life that’s in danger.
Ciel: Yeah!? Well, neither am I! *crumbles up letter* This act of villainy won’t stand! There’s gonna be hell to pay if those Atrum Neux bastards harm one hair on fair Lucia’s head! Arc-en-Ciel, it’s time to fly!
Vyce/Gil: Aye-aye, Captain!
*Ciel, Vyce, and Gil, followed by Kazuto and company, all board the newly christened airship Daybreak and prepares themselves for takeoff; the ship’s antigravity engine powers on, emitting a low-pitched hum; the restraints keeping the Daybreak affixed to the ground are released, and the ship starts to float*
Ciel: Steady as she goes, Mr. Vyce.
Vyce: Aye-aye!
*Vyce applies power to the thrusters, and the Daybreak slowly moves forward out of the hangar; before long, the ship completely clears the city limits*
Vyce: Daybreak is clear for takeoff, Captain!
Ciel: Full speed ahead, Mr. Vyce! Next stop: the island city of Tartarga!
*Vyce applies extra power to the thrusters, and the Daybreak takes off into the sky at full speed; meanwhile…*
~ Abandoned City of Tartarga, Kingdom of Lumina Cloth ~
*in the decrepit city square, three individuals are seen: Lucia with her arms and legs bound by rope, and Nanao and Mitsuru standing above her*
Lucia: W-Who are you…!? W-What are you gonna do to me…!?
Mitsuru: …Bait…
Nanao: What she said.
Lucia: P-Please! Let me go! I don’t want to die! I wanna go home! …Someone help me…!
Nanao: Argh! God, you’re so noisy! *draws blade* Maybe I should cut out your tongue… That oughta shut you up…
Lucia: !!! (…Ciel… Where are you…? Get me out of here…)
Mitsuru: …Aah…!
*Mitsuru suddenly collapses to her knees and clenches her head in pain*
Mitsuru: N-Nanao…!
Nanao: Mitzi! *rushes to Mitsuru’s side* Not another headache!
Mitsuru: …It hurts…!!!
Nanao: (Mitsuru’s headaches have been more painful and frequent ever since we came to this city… Maybe we should leave…)
Mitsuru: Nngh…! Aah…! Make the pain…stop…!
*meanwhile, back on the Daybreak, a couple of hours after takeoff, Kazuto is seen standing on the deck, watching the clouds zoom by; he was holding Sakuya’s letter*
Kazuto: …
*Shiro suddenly approaches*
Shiro: Hey, Kazu. …Hmm? *notices the letter* Whatcha got there?
Kazuto: Ah! *hides letter* N-Nothing!
Shiro: Oh-ho… A love letter perhaps? A confession of love from a secret admirer?
Kazuto: …It’s from Sakuya.
Shiro: …Oh. Well, that’s somewhat disappointing.
Kazuto: *sweatdrop* …
Shiro: It looks unopened. You haven’t read it yet? Maybe she wishes to reconcile.
Kazuto: …
*running his fingers along the envelope flap, Kazuto prepares to open the letter…when he’s interrupted again -- this time by the sound of Gilgamesh’s voice*
Gil: ISLAND HO!!!
Kazuto: Hmm?
*looking over the edge of the ship, Kazuto discovers that the Daybreak was on its final approach to the island of Tartarga*
Kazuto: …Tartarga… (…We’re almost there, Lucia…!)
TO BE CONTINUED…
