CHAPTER 6 - EXECUTION AND HATRED

##NORMAL POV##

A beautiful sedan chair could be seen moving in the direction of the castle. People knew that the Almighty Wizard was inside.

##High noon, oh I'd sell my soul for water Nine years worth of breakin' my back There's no sun in the shadow of the wizard See how he glides, why he's lighter than air? Oh I see his face!##

"Look Steve!" A black slave said pointing at the sedan chair.

"What is it now Eddie?" asked annoyed Steve. "Oh, that fucking wizard again?"

"Yeah, did you see what happened to Michael?" Eddie asked.

"Something happened to Michael?" a black haired man asked.

"Well... he was sentenced to death Lee..." Eddie answered quickly

"What?!"

"Didn't you see? He punched a guard to protect a little girl."

Lee couldn't make a move; he couldn't believe that one of his best friends was about to die... Rei was missing and now this?

"I heard that there's going to be a public execution." Eddie continued.

Lee looked at him with wide eyes; his friend's death was going to be an entertainment for some psycho wizard? He was about to say something when…

"You've seen the wizard newest toy?"

"So he found something to occupy his nights?" Steve laughed. "So how does she look like?"

"He, I think the wizard is into boys." Steve and Eddie laugh trying not to think about the execution. "Long black hair, golden eyes, about 17 years old..."

"How did he look like?!" Lee screamed grabbing the black slave by his dirty, torn clothes.

"Easy there Lee, I said he had long black hair and golden eyes so what's the big deal?"

'Rei... Of course Rei worked in a different section, that's why they don't know him... But what is Rei doing with that tyrant? Did he betray us? No, he couldn't, could he?' Lee thought.

"You should have seen those fancy clothes the wizards whore wore."

Now Lee was sure, Rei did abandon them to live in the wizard's castle, anger was boiling in him, first Michael now this.

"This is the last straw!" he screamed and started to run in the direction of the castle.

"What's with him?" Steve asked

"Don't know, but something's going to happen soon. Lets get back to work."

##KAI POV##

Finally back in the castle, the desert air is horrible; I always feel bad out of the castle. And now my head started to hurt, great, just great. I feel weak... I didn't eat anything for a long time. And that fainting, how could I show such weakness in front of a mare slave!? I looked at the sun, it was after midday.

"Rei, go to the kitchen and tell that stupid cook to make dinner."

"Yes Master." my slave said in an unemotional voice. What's with him? Maybe it's the sight of the tower that made him so gloomy, why do I care? I better go wash and change.

##REI POV##

It's horrid! I can't do anything. Or maybe I could...NO I could never kill anyone not even someone so...I don't even want to think about HIM. I'm such a weakling. I could end this rain of terror, but I would be killed by one of HIS guards, but then all of slaves would be free. I want to cry... NO I won't give HIM the satisfaction.

I reached the kitchen door, kicked it opened and yelled.

"Tyson! The Almighty bastard wants dinner."

I saw Tyson looking at me like he saw a ghost; I didn't want to talk to him and quickly exited the chamber. I went down the dinning room and stood there awaiting for my nightmare to come back.

##KAI POV##

I looked in the mirror, was this really me? I looked at the deep dark shades, which were emphasizing my eyes, my pale skin; I really looked like death herself. And those tattoos aren't making it look better. But I don't regret making them, they are a sigh that I'm strong and untouchable, still I need more sleep, at least I ended my research, and it's very useful, I smiled. Surely dinner is served by now, I should be going.

I entered a dinning room and sat at my chair. Rei was standing behind me as usual during eating time. This time I was really hungry and I ate much more than at the other days. When I was eating a dessert, some thought had struck me. I sensed some strange feeling from my slave. He was unnaturally tensed, as if he forced himself not to attack me. Maybe it was caused by what had happened at the desert with that slave? Or maybe he is upset? I don't know… Oh, why should I care? His emotions aren't my problem. And even if he was to attack me, I'm safe here, in castle.

Finally, I ended my dinner and headed towards the study, leaving Rei alone with the remains of food.

##REI POV##

I looked at the food and felt as if I was to puke. I still couldn't believe in what I had seen before. During the dinner I had a big desire to grabbed my hands around his soft, slender neck and strangle it, strangle him to death. Then I had felt cold sweat pouring down my back and I had regained myself. That was horrible, I have never thought about killing and now? Maybe this castle influences at me like that? Or maybe this is caused by HIS presence?

I watched Tyson as he gathered all the plates, happy that THIS bastard ate more than usually. I shook my head and wandered over the castle. I couldn't stop thinking about the following day. How can I help Michael? Is there any chance at his rescue?

Maybe I should beg the Almighty for pardon? No, I threw this thought aside immediately. Maybe I'm a slave, but still I have my pride. I will never beg him for anything!

I shook my head helplessly - I don't know how I will managed to stand the test of tomorrow…

##NORMAL POV##

Bryan was in his element. He immediately fixed up everything, which was needed to build special platform. Slaves were already nailing boards together. The others were bringing a piles and special blade as a guillotine.

Bryan watched it with a satisfied smirk. In his mind he already was watching the scene of killing. He rubbed his hands and rushed the slaves. In the contrast to Rei, he couldn't wait for the ceremony.

#X#X#

After ending his work Kai went to bathroom, cleaned himself, and walked slowly to his bedroom wondering if Rei will be there. He stood in front of his door, he was about to walk in when he heard something, like...crying? He waited a minute and opened the door quietly but no one was there, he looked around his room, and thought that maybe it was Rei, he opened the door to Rei's room a looked around. Rei was lying on his bed sleeping.

'Must be my imagination.' Kai thought and exited the room.

Rei was lying on his bed trying to hold back his sobs when his Master went in. After the wizard left he broke down again, tears flowing down his face.

'Why? Why?!' Rei screamed in his mind.

##KAI POV##

I'm here again... it's dark, it's always dark, it's very depressing, but maybe just maybe he's here again? He was last time...

I see him! The same long onyx hair waving behind him. He's there waiting for me, I ran up to him, but he's going away, I try running faster but I still can't catch him.

"Wait, wait for me!" I screamed but he doesn't hear me, he's too far away to hear me.

I collapsed lying on the ground and panting. Why didn't he wait for me? Why has he...rejected me?!

"You don't deserve love, Kai Hiwatari!"

"Why did you leave me?!" I scream through my tears.

"It's your fault, Kai Hiwatari!"

"No...NO!"

I shot up straight in my bed, I'm all wet because of my sweat, and... What is he doing here?! Rei is looking at me strangely, he's dressed and standing in the middle of my room, looking at me.

I decided to ignore the fact that my slave saw me having a nightmare, and start to dress, the execution is today, I really don't want to go, in spite of all the things people say about me I don't enjoy the sight of blood.

I went down to the dinning room to find breakfast ready. I ate in absolute quiet. I like it when it's quiet but there's something wrong here, Rei hasn't said a word since yesterday. Like I care. I finished eating, when suddenly there's a knocking on the door.

##NORMAL POV##

"Enter!" said Kai and Tala walked in.

"Good morning My Lord, I'm here to take you to the execution."

"Whatever." The wizard rises from his chair and start to walking out "You're coming with me Rei."

Rei looked shocked, he opened his mouth several times to say something but the words didn't come out. Finally he whispered

"I'm not going."

Kai's eyebrow went up.

'Is he opposing a direct order?!' Kai asked in his mind.

"What did you say?!" Kai asked in an angry voice

"I'm not going!" Rei yelled and started to run out of the chamber.

"Ivanov, stop him." said Kai calmly.

Tala grabbed the slave's hand and twisted it behind Rei's back immobilizing him. Kai walked to Rei, they were similar height so he looked into Rei's eyes saying.

"I see I've been treating you too lightly, remember that you're still my slave and you have to listen to my orders." he turned away and started to walk out when…

"Never." Rei whispered.

That was too much even for Kai, he turned again to face Rei, he had fire in his eyes.

"What did you say?" the wizard asked in an angry voice.

Tyson, Max and Kenny were listening to everything in the kitchen.

"I said NEVER!" Rei screamed.

Kai slapped Rei across his face so hard that the raven hair boy fell down on the floor bleeding slightly.

"When I said your going, I meant it!" Kai yelled "I'm leaving, Ivanov make sure that my slave makes it to the execution."

#X#X#

## In the heat and the rain##

There was a big crowd surrounding a wooden platform, a row of chairs in front of it. On the platform there was a guillotine, the clean blade was shining in the sun. Slaves were murmuring but stopped immediately when they saw the Almighty's sedan chair approaching. Out of it came Kai, Rei and Tala; Bryan and the other guards were already seated. When the wizard sat down, the executioner appeared on the platform followed by his helper. The first one was very tall with a black hood covering his face the other one was small with a big nose. The executioner was leading a purple hair boy.

##With the whips and chains##

Michael looked at the crowd

'At least I'll go with style.' he thought, he looked at the front row and saw...Rei, 'What is he doing here?'

Rei tried to avoid his friend's gaze, when Bryan stood up and said.

"6586123 you are accused of attacking a guard and sentenced by The Almighty Wizard Kai Hiwatari to death, any last words slave?" he asked

Everyone looked at Michael who was smiling.

"Wizard, you can kill me, but you can't kill our will of freedom, we will

fight you!"

##To see him fly##

"Oh shut him up!" Bryan yelled.

The executioner grabbed Michael's neck with his enormous hand, placed him in the guillotine and secured him. He took a thin string into his hand and looked at Kai.

##So many die##

Everyone was looking at Kai except for Michael and Rei who were looking at each other, Rei wanted to run away but Kai caught him by his shoulder and pushed him into his chair. The wizard raised his hand and waved it down, the blade went rushing down, it was less than a second, all the slaves gasped and looked at Kai who didn't even blink. Bryan was the happiest person on earth. The executioner's helper Ian took the head and waved it to the crowd, some woman fainted at the site. People started to murmur but when Kai stood up they stopped. He started walking to his sedan chair.

Rei couldn't move, he was in shock; Kai looked at Tala and the Commander took Rei by his hands and almost dragged him to the sedan chair.

##LEE POV##

I saw the whole execution, it was horrid. I was still in shock, when I noticed how Tala was pulling Rei away from the platform. I looked attentively at his face - to my surprise I saw only the pain and great grief.

'You won't be so happy now, you traitor.' I thought as Rei disappeared in sedan chair. But, what if he is there unwillingly? No, then he would run away.

Yesterday, I was in castle grounds and there I managed to ask one of the guards about Rei. He told me that he has been there for nearly 5 days. He also said that Rei was some kind of birthday present for The Wizard.

Slowly I left the deserted platform. The guards have already taken Michael's body. I headed towards our hut. I was taking care for Mariah now. She was very jittery because of Rei's disappearing. She had a high fever and was very upset. When I told her that he is alive, she looked happier, but then she came back to her previous state, because of fact, that Rei was Almighty's slave now. I tried to comfort her and even called the town medics - Judy and Emily. They told me that it's temporary shock and she will be all right soon. I hope so… I don't know how I would life without her.

##KAI POV##

Finally we were in castle, I walked to my study with Rei. I started to read some parchment when I felt someone staring at me, I turned around and saw Rei glaring at me, I had enough of this! All his moods, opposing me and now this silence of his. I must know what happened to him.

"Why are you so quiet?! Something wrong?" I almost yelled in frustration him.

His amber eyes looked straight at me. I saw the flash of his fangs and his clenched fits starting to tremble.

"Wrong?! WRONG?!" he repeated with great anger. "How dare you ask about something like that?! You killed my best friend and you ask why I'm upset?! You bastard!" he looked at me with an unimaginable hatred. Then he continued slightly quieter. "You are coward. You kill people only because you are scared of them. I find you repulsive. I hate you. And you know what? You are WEAK! "

This word made me sick, I was staring at him in disbelief, the last word still ringing in my ears. The old mares and memories came back very quickly. He gazed at me with the strange look and raised his eyebrow.

I opened my mouth and said softly.

"I'm not weak…"

He leaned forward and cooked his head.

"What did you say?"

"I'm not weak!" I repeated firmly and looked straight into his feline eyes. To my terror his lips bend in sarcastic smile. He started to laugh uncomfortably, nearly maniacally.

"You…aren't…weak?" finally he managed to cough it up, wiping away the tears of laughter. "Don't make my laugh! You are the weakest person I ever seen. Now, if you pardon MY LORD, " he accented the last words, "I will go to my bedroom to mourn for my friend." And with that he tuned away and left the room, his plait trailing behind him.

I was still in shock. He thinks that I'm weak. Maybe he is true? What if all my grandfather's talks about my weakness were also true? I collapsed on my knees and grasped my head. Oh, I'm pitiful.

#X#X#

##We built a tower of stone With our flesh and bone##

##NORMAL POV##

"It's sick, how could he kill Michael for that?"

"Yeah, I have enough of him."

"We should do something with that."

"If he wants us to build the tower he must pay us…"

##Just to see him fly##

Lee was walking among the crowds of slaves, satisfied smirk on his face. He discovered that many people were seethed with anger towards the Wizard.

##But we don't know why##

'Now I can fulfill my plan.' he thought as he rubbed his hands.

##Now where do we go?##

Soon everybody who was interested in knew about the plan of rebellion. Slaves were gathering everything they needed to revolt and Lee with his friends was making accurate plans. They were very careful; they didn't want to destroy everything. They worked especially at night, when the guards couldn't overhear them.

Lee wanted to attack the main edifice of castle. He knew that Wizard's house had very good security, but he could remedy it. When the one of group would evoke chaos next to the tower for distraction, the other would attack the gates. The guards from castle would go to the tower to help, thereby making the castle easier to attack.

Everybody tried to help, even children. Finally, Lee determine the date of rebellion…