Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Stargazer ❯ One castle - many lifes ( Chapter 10 )

CHAPTER 10 - ONE CASTLE - MANY LIFES

##TALA POV##

I was hidden behind green bushes, observing the whole scene between Rei and Kai. Hm, as I see, Rei became interested with Kai's past. That's good, everything shapes up well. I guess that my plan starts to have awaited effects.

#X#X#

##NORMAL POV##

Kai was running ahead, passing numerous rooms and corridors. He wasn't even aware that he nearly knocked his jester, Max. Without turning he continued his run, not knowing really where he was heading.

Max looked at the disappearing silhouette of his master. That was strange for him, to see The Almighty in such state. After a few minutes of musing, he decided to share his thoughts with Tyson.

As he reached castle kitchen he found Tyson sitting by the table, staring at something in his hand. The dishes were already washed after breakfast and at the stove there were few pots. Max inhaled a delicious smell from boiling food and then turned to his friend.

"Hey Tyson! You know, I've just seen something really strange. The Almighty is dashing all over the castle as if he was nut! He didn't even yell at me for standing at his way."

After a moment of silence, Tyson spoke slowly without turning his head to Max.

"You know that The Wizard tends to do strange things, so don't bother about that 'little' change."

"But…"

"Maybe you should talk about it with Kenny?" interrupted Tyson. "I really don't have time, I must cook a dinner on time." And he faked a smile to reassured Max.

"Well…ok. I guess it will be better not to disturb you." Blond smiled widely and left Tyson alone in kitchen.

Tyson was looking at the place were Max was standing before. Finally he sighed and returned to the previous activity.

##TYSON POV##

I was looking at the picture of my father and me. It was drawn when I was 5 years old - one year before the death of Old Almighty. I don't remember my mother, she died after a delivery, and it was very common for slave women. Even during the pregnancy, they were often working hard and it was a cause of frequent death of new mothers.

I was brought up by my father. I looked closely at the picture. He was a chubby man with a dark carnation and dark hair. His eyes were always happy to me, I remember that even when he had the worst day, there was this strange light inside his orbs.

Dad was the Wizard's Cook and he was spending whole days in the kitchen. As I was living with him, I was often observing his work and trying to imitate his actions. He always smiled at me, and sometimes laughed, when I fell to the sack of flour or smeared my face with chocolate sauce.

I know that he had many concerns and problems, but he never showed it in front of me. After some time, I started my training at the Court Cook. It was already in time of present Wizard ruling. My father became more ill from worries and stress. The Almighty's habits were causing many problems in kitchen and my dad was trying to be up to them. I guess, he tried too much, because when I was 15 years old, he left this world.

After a time of sadness I came up to the conclusion that anywhere he went, it must be better place than this one. I slowly got used to my new job. The Wizard has started to eat less and less, but he ordered to prepare always the same amount of meal.

After a year form the start of my work, a new person arrived in castle. To be honest, he wasn't really 'new' for me, but he had lived at desert before. First time I met him I had about 10 years. I was at the special appeal of children living and serving in castle. It was called by the Wizard, he was distributing some task among us. And then, I saw him - he was in my age, but looked more mature and very formidably. I could see blond hair, slightly covering his face from under the dark grey hood he used to protect himself from the desert's sand. But one thing filled me with terror his blue, cold eyes, without any emotions inside them. I shivered as he gazed at me, his freezing stare piercing through me. I thought that he could kill me with one movement. Then I heard The Almighty calling him.

I looked in the direction where the Wizard was standing, he introduced that child aloud.

"This is Max Tate. He will be our spy, I trust him so you must also put your trust in him." The Almighty always introduced his servants like that, we were bond by oath of silence. If anybody says something, everybody will be killed.

But after 6 years Max came back to castle and he had changed a lot. His personality made an about-face. Kenny being the know-it-all he said a reason of it to us.

Max had a mother between slaves, which were living at the desert - Judy. She was a medic, helping the builders and their families. Max's task was to observe her actions, if they weren't crossing a limits appointed by the Wizard. He was very good in that role; nobody ever guessed his real intentions. Of course, I think that Max was attached to his mother and he loved her I his own way of feelings.

But one day something very bad happened between Max and Judy. He was 16 years old then, and he thought that his mother loved him no matter what he would do. But, sadly, he was wrong. He told her that he was interested in boys, not in girls. He wasn't accepting Judy's reaction. She went berserk, said that she didn't want to have some kind of freak as a son, that she wouldn't be his mother anymore.

That was a great shock for Max, everything he believed in before fell down. His soul was shattered and he lost his memory from his past. The guards found him wondering about desert and took back to the castle. I guess the Wizard felt slightly sorry for Max and he allowed him to stay in castle.

Also Max's personality changed from mature to childish. He began to keep his smile always at his face, tell some jokes, laugh aloud and make pranks. Because of this Kenny proposed to make Max a jester, to keep him occupied. Maybe he couldn't make the Almighty laugh but all the castle servants did. But now even Max isn't smiling. The atmosphere is horrible. Tala was saying something about changing that, I hope he'll manage to do so. Hmmmm what's that smell? Oh fuck DINNER!

##KENNY POV##

I finally ended my work in the library, making a list of the astronomy books; I really don't know why does the Almighty need them all. I was walking out of the chamber when suddenly a dark blue blur ran past me, I lost my balance and fell on the cold stone floor.

"Auuuu! ...What was that Dizzy?" I said reaching into my pocket and taking out the glass sphere chained to my leg.

"That was Kai." a woman voice said.

"Shhhhh Dizzi don't call him by his name."

"Easy Kenny he's not here, chill out."

"Easy for you to say, you wouldn't get punished. I still have to give him the list, but it seems he isn't in the best mood, and you remember what he did when he was in a bad mood last time?"

##FLASHBACK##

I was in the cellar, it might be dark and scary here but I was looking for some old books to read, you know I had read almost everything in the castle so I had to look hard for something new. I walked quietly through the corridors, looking around, just in case someone's here and I could run away fast. I diverted my gaze to a stack of old parchments, maybe this was it? I gently took them into my hands and started to read them. Hmmmmm very interesting something about a way to communicate in big distances. I dug deeper under the mass of paper and found... a glass ball? What kind of toy was this? I looked at myself in the reflection of the smooth surface. I was so absorbed by my new discovery that I didn't notice someone behind me.

"Hello shorty!" God don't let it be him! Everyone but not him!

"What are you doing here?" he asked, I knew that voice perfectly.

"Wanna play?" he asked maliciously in that deep cold voice of his.

It could be only one person, the person that hates me and makes my life horrid from the day we have met - Bryan...

"Hi Bryan..." I said quietly.

"Whatcha get there?" he said as he snatched the sphere from my hand.

He looked at it a couple of times. But when he got closer to it, he sneezed because of the dust covering the ball. I laughed, oh boy I should have known better than to laugh at him.

"Oh look what do we have here." he smiled when he noticed there was a chain attached to the sphere. "This will be useful."

"Come here rat!" he yelled as he grabbed me by my leg and lifted me up.

"A little present from me." he laughed almost manically as he chained me to the sphere.

He dropped me, and took my torch. I was alone in the caller, who knows what can be in here.... I shivered from the cold and curled in one of the corners. Suddenly I heard a voice. It made me jump 5 feet up.

"The exit is 50 feet to the left and 20 to the right, genius." a woman voice said sarcastically.

"Who... who said that?" I said weakly in a great fear.

"Look down mastermind."

I looked around me but I couldn't see anyone in this darkness.

"Oh brother, are you blind or something?" she said again.

"Hey that wasn't nice!"

"Than look down here, I'm in this stupid glass ball."

I looked down to my leg and to my surprise I saw that the sphere was gleaming slightly. I touched it and it shined even more.

"You are trapped inside, aren't you?"

"That's true. And believe me or not, but I'm not pleased with that."

"I must go and tell The Almighty that this stupid Bryan chained you up to me."

"This isn't the wisest idea, but do what you want."

I looked suspiciously at the sphere and then went to the Wizard's chamber. She kept talking to me all the time and she introduced herself as Dizzi. Finally I entered daily room of Almighty and bowed in front of him.

"What do you want?" he snapped at me.

"M…Master," I stammered, "I came to you to file a complaint against Bryan. He chained this garrulous sphere to my leg."

He raised his cold eyes at me and frowned even more.

"I have no time for such a nonsense. If you try to get rid of it, there won't be any possibilities to unchain you." and with that he waved his hand to leave him alone.

##END OF FLASHBACK##

Suddenly I heard footsteps outside a library. I hid behind a bookshelf and saw BRYAN. I started to tremble uncomfortably from fear, I couldn't help, but I always react like that when I see him. When he passed the place I was hiding in, I quietly sneaked out of the room, trying to avoid my tormentor.

##BRYAN POV##

I crossed the library and stood in front of bare wall. I furtively looked around to make sure that no one was nearby. As I didn't notice anything suspicious I touched a concealed brick and secret passage had opened.

I entered a low tunnel and closed the door behind me. Then I slowly strolled down the corridor musing about my boring tasks in the castle. I hope I will find that dwarf soon; maybe I will have at last some fun. There was nothing interesting from the day of whipping those stupid rebels.

Finally I approached my destination - central control of water management. This was one of engineering miracles. Enormous cogwheels were running all the time and there were many transmission gears and switches - all maintained by one person - me. Of course I was only checking if everything was working correctly and report it to the Wizard.

I stood at the iron footbridge, masses of water flowing under me. I leaned at the railing and looked thoughtfully at the nearby wheel. Everything was working properly as little gears. Yes, gears that reminds me about something. Oh, yeah we have been supposed be like little gears in a whole…

##FLASHBACK##

We were standing in even row, the best of all. Voltaire and Boris were standing in front of us, ready to say their speech. Finally Voltaire spoke first.

"You all here are chosen as the best ones in castle. And of course, you are better than those outside it, you are not some little and pitiful slaves, you come from pure blood. We have observed you from your birth and now we know how to direct your further training."

He looked closely at us and then turned to Spencer.

"You must train your self-control. If you want to be an executioner, you can't allow to have shaking hands. You mustn't show any emotions to your victims."

Then he came up to Ian.

"You must be taught to act invisibly, as a gatherer of dead bodies you can't be very distinguishing. Also, you should get used to the sigh of corpses."

"Bryan, you as a person who will control all slaves, you must learn how to drag them to work and how to punish all these filthy carcass for disobeying the orders. Also, it'll be good if learn to find a joy in tormenting slaves."

"Tala, you as a man responsible for all guards you must learn how to detect any lies and plots among both slaves and guards. You must show no feelings and analyse every unusual event. You can think only about your master, not about yourself."

Finally, Voltaire approached the last boy in the row. He looked at him for a while and finally spoke.

"Kai, you have the most important aim in you life, I hope you understand the meaning of it. You mustn't show weakness, you must proof you power and greatness of our family. You can't disappoint all people, "he pointed at us. " who believe in you and depend on you." he turned to all of us. "In order to prepare you to your tasks you will start a special training sessions with Boris."

##END OF FLASHBACK##

From that time our life has become the not ending torment. Superhuman exercises that strengthen both body and psyche. I guess that it changed us permanently and nothing can make our life worthy after that…

##FLASHBACK##

##Hot wind, moving fast across the desert##

We were in one of many training rooms in castle's underground. It was the great chamber with all necessary equipment to teach us to our future functions. As one of us was training laps, other could do some fitness's tests. Of course, we were co-ordinated by Boris…

I was thrown at the wall with great impact, I could felt all my previous scars opening.

"What did you say?!" my tormentor yelled.

"Nn..nothing Boris" I whispered.

"Don't lie to me boy, it will only make your punishment worse!" the old prick yelled again as he kicked me at the side.

"He said he was sorry." someone said.

The mysterious person stepped out of the shadows, everybody knew him, he was one of my best friends and the Almighty's successor - Kai Hiwatari.

"Why are you beating him up so bad? He just said he was sorry." Ian said coming out of nowhere.

Boris decided to take care of this little mutiny after he finished with me, so he ignored the rest and started to beat me again. I closed my eyes waiting for the pain but it didn't come. I looked up to Spencer holding Boris's fist from punching me.

"He doesn't deserve this kind of punishment." The blond giant said in his usual low voice.

It was strange, he was 10 like we all and he was already very tall and mature.

Boris was boiling mad, his own students saying such things, his normally deadly white face was red from anger. I never saw him so furious in all my life and it was scary...

"Oh and Bryan, no harm done." the familiar red head said appearing from behind Kai. His cheek was bleeding slightly.

That was the last straw for Boris. He walked out of the training room leaving us alone.

"Wonder what that prick is going to do now."

Truly we had never opposed Boris's orders and something bad just had to happen.

Our tutor came back in a couple of minutes with about ten guards with him. God that was the worst beating we ever got. Every one of us was in bruises and cutes, we could hardly move.

"And for the final lesson a little surprise for you." Boris said in a malicious voice.

We shivered; we all knew about his "little surprises" but this one was horrid. No, that word is too nice to describe the situation we got into.

##We feel that our time has arrived##

The guards took us to one of cells. It was a small room, with three little doors 2,5 feet wide and high. They were places next to the floor. I had wondered why Boris led us here, but soon I could see why.

A guard opened one of the doors and ordered Yuri to crawl inside. As he did it, the rest of us followed. I crawled there as the last one and looked around. To my terror I discovered that we were squeezed in a very little room - 3 feet wide and long. There was small place for us that we practically could only stand. As I looked up I saw a little hole - 2 inches wide and high - and it was the only supply of fresh air.

I heard guards laughing and the doors slapped shot, leaving us in a complete darkness. Yuri and Kai in one end, me and Ian in the other and Spencer in the middle

"Fuck, fuck...oh fuck" I whispered. I hate darkness. If there's anything I'm afraid of, it's this. You can beat me up, you can torture or kill me but this.... God, please kill me or let me out.

We couldn't move an inch. I could feel the breathing of everyone. Yuri's and Spencer's calm and deep ones, Kai's quicker and Ian's? It sounded like he was suffocating!

"Spencer grab Ian, he's having a fit!" Yuri yelled.

Spencer tried to catch our little friend but in this thigh box it was impossible. I was paralysed by fear myself. Ian started to trash between us, shivering uncontrollably and whispering words we couldn't understand. Something about the air and space. But I had my own problems.

Somehow Spencer grabbed Ian and tried to calm him. That didn't do anything. I still wonder how he caught him here, in this dark place. The darkness…

##END OF FLASHBACK##

For how long I can remember, I've always been afraid of the dark, but until that day I didn't know Ian was claustrophobic. We thought it couldn't get worse but it did...

##FLASHBACK##

##The world spins, while we put his dream together##

After some time, maybe it was an hour but for us it was eternity, my head started spinning. It seemed that the others had similar problems, well maybe except Ian who snapped completely and started acting like a lunatic. The limited air supply and the constant standing made everybody dizzy.

"Fuck... my head...." Yuri whispered.

"Maybe if we move a little we could make enough room so somebody could sit on the floor."

Everybody agreed silently and started to move. Unfortunately Ian somehow got trapped in the corner between Spencer and myself.

He started to squirm, I turned my head and I could almost see his eyes filled with fear.

"Not again..."I whispered weakly, the lack of air making me feel as if I was to collapse in a minute, but I didn't say anything, the others were in the same situation.

"If think that's enough space, sit down Yuri." Kai ordered.

"Don't worry, I can handle a little longer," the red head said weakly.

"Yuri..." Kai started.

"For heavens sake someone sit down! You're wasting the air," I screamed hysterically. Immediately Yuri sat down.

The next hours or was that ages, doesn't matter, were spent on Ian's hysteria and changing places so everybody could sit down.

"It's your turn Spencer." Yuri said.

"I don't feel tired, let Kai sit down now." the giant said.

Spencer was always a big brother for all of us, always caring more about us than himself. We all knew not to argue with him so Kai did as he was told.

More time passed we were hungry, we knew we had to wait till the punishment ends. But who knew when...

"Having fun my students?" Boris's voice could be hared through the wall.

Everyone was paralysed with fear, we didn't even breathe.

"I hope you are, because there's still eighteen hours of fun," he laughed mockingly.

What? Eighteen more hours?!

"You know you wouldn't have been here if you hadn't been WEAK! If you had done what you're told nothing bad would have happened to you!"

I could hear Kai crying quietly, Yuri comforting him and Ian's trashing. But that wasn't important for me I was scared shitless. It's my entire fault. All because of that I accidentally wounded Yuri when I was throwing my knife. Thank God it wasn't anything serious, but I apologised, and Boris heard it... Will they hate me now, it is my fault....

##A tower of stone to take him straight to the sky##

I couldn't hold it back anymore, I broke down, and tears were flowing freely down my face.

"Bryan, are you ok?" Yuri asked.

"It's my fault" I whispered.

"No it isn't, it that bastard's fault only" Spencer said.

Maybe they are right, but if I hadn't showed any emotions they wouldn't have gotten hurt, it's my fault whatever they say. I could fell my pants getting wet, but I didn't even think about it. We're staying here for eighteen hours more so it doesn't matter.

More time passed, the smell of faeces and urine combined with heat were unbearable, Kai fainted and I felt that I would too. Our scars started to bleed again, I was sure we would get some kind of infection. I closed my eyes for a second.

When I opened them again we were out. God that was the happiest moment in my life. I was lying on the floor, I looked around the others were also out.

##Oh I see his face!##

"Had fun? I hope you had because you still have a whole day of training ahead of you" Boris smirked evilly.

It's my entire fault…

##END OF FLASHBACK##

I reached to touch my whip, it's there. It's time to whip some slaves. I smirked and went out to the tower.

#X#X#

##MARIAH POV##

##In the heat and the rain##

Two months passed form that terrible whipping The Almighty had ordered. And from this time I have learned many things about people. I finally noticed Lee that he has been always with me, even when I was mean for him. He has always cared for me, no matter what happened. Now it was my turn to help him. I looked after him, when he was curing after those tortures. Of course I wasn't alone…

##FLASHBACK##

##With the whips and chains##

Lee was ling on the straw mattress. He was unconscious and he had a fever. He was tossing and turning and he was delirious. I tried to calm him, but in vain. Finally, somebody called Judy, our medic. She kneeled next to Lee and checked his pulse. Then, with my help, we tenderly turned him at his stomach and took off his shirt.

##Just to see him fly Too many die##

Judy took some special herbal essences and ointments and then put it on his cuts. She ordered me to keep Lee in that position, until medicine should be absorbed. Then all that was left to do was wait and hope the infection wouldn't attack his organism.

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

I was next to him all the time, at night and at day, praying to make him healthy. And finally, my preys came true. Lee opened his eyes and smiled at me. That was the happiest moment in my live. I threw myself at him and hugged softly, not to hurt his bruises. He was surprised, I could feel it, but his gently placed his hand on my back and I stared to cry.

##To see him fly But we don't know why##

##END OF FLASHBACK##

It is so unfair. Innocent people are in pain and tyrants have no punishments. Why? And why they can catch their victims and make them to step at their side. They brainwashed Rei, I will never forgive them… But now, I must live for Lee, he is the most important person for me now.

##Ooh, now where do we go##

#X#X#

##TALA POV##

##FLASHBACK##

"Yes, The Almighty? What happened?"

"I want to know who was that robber."

"Yes, sir."

##END OF FLASHBACK##

From that event, I knew that I have unique chance to make Kai happier. And from many years that's my goal of life. To make him fulfilled, to make his tormented life slightly lighter to carry on. I haven't seen him smile from that horrible event, when Voltaire had caught us. Not that he hasn't smirked or what, but I didn't see him smiled with true happiness, like in former days. Even his characteristic smirks used to radiate with joy, now they are only forced grimaces.

##FLASHBACK##

The wooden doors were slightly opened, but I could have seen a glimpse of red there. So the Almighty is watching? Ohh this is perfect to my plan. I looked at Rei who was sitting next to me.

"But..." I trailed of, as I slowly leaned closer to Rei who didn't seem to notice that. I captured Rei's lips in a light kiss, which quickly changed into a passionate one.

If this doesn't work, nothing will…

##END OF FLASHBACK##

And it worked, maybe that wasn't the exact reaction that I wanted, but it worked. My back is killing me.

I wonder what will Rei do now? Is he going to go after Kai? Or maybe he will withdraw into himself again? I must look after those two, otherwise my plan will misfire.