Fan Fiction ❯ Six Years ❯ Chapter 3

Kana pushed open the throne room door and stopped. Blood rested heavily on the air. How had someone entered the throne room without his men knowing it? He bared his fangs in anger at the realization. Someone under his command was a traitor. One of the men he trusted had betrayed him. His cold eyes darkened at the reality. He had been through a lot of things but no one under his command had ever betrayed him before. The reality struck him deep within his heart. He bared his fangs as he made a decision. The traitor would die.

"General the enemy is burning..." Ura said as he ran into the room. He stopped short at the scene and Kana stepped forward.

"Someone in my army is responsible for this," he said as he drew close to the dead bodies.

"Why would someone do that?"

"I don't know, but I wish Lendas had not made such an emotional decision. The news of his death may prompt Lee to rethink his future duties as Ryoshan's companion."

"Lendas was Niezon's lover," Ura said and Kana nodded his head.

"True, but Lendas was also much more. They're in the castle. Come on!"

Kana and Ura ran out of the throne room then stopped short when a demon fell to the floor in front of them.

"Tanaas," Ura whispered as he knelt beside the fallen soldier.

"You are all pathetic," another demon said and Kana glanced up.

"Who are you?" he asked as the demon folded his crimson wings.

"Your new ruler."

Ura took a step forward to protest, but Kana placed his arm in front of him.

"No Ura. If you value you life, you would choose to be silent," he said and Ura stared at him.

"You're giving in, just like that?!" he demanded.

"Now, your highness, I do not wish to be taken prisoner. Instead, I would humbly accept banishment from the castle and my captain will do the same."

"If that is what you wish but realize that once you're off these grounds, life is a luxury," the stranger said and Kana nodded his head.

"I understand. Come, Ura," Kana said and turned away.

"Go with them."

"Yes, my lord," two guards replied and fell in step behind Kana and Ura.

"Tell me something, please," Kana said, once they had begun to descend the staircase. "What is your master's name?"

"His name is Levin, if you must know," one guard said.

"What clan claims him?"

"Xylphae."

"Can we just walk instead of talk? We're busy men," the second guard said and prodded Kana's wings with the tip of his spear. Ura watched it rip the delicate skin wrapped around bone and winced. He didn't want the same thing to happen to his wings. He glanced at Kana, who didn't appear to be in pain and shook his head. He didn't know what Kana was doing but he hoped it was right. They stepped out into the courtyard and Kana turned to look at the guards.

"We will fetch our horses and leave," he said and walked towards the stables.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ura asked as Kana knocked on the stable door. When there was no answer, he sighed.

"Bo, let us in. I would like to take Vengeance out."

"Kana? Is that you?" a muffled voice on the other side of the door asked and Kana folded his arms.

"Yes, Bo. It's me. Ura is with me as well. Will you let us inside?"

There was a pause, then the sound of a lock opening. Finally, one of the two large doors opened and Kana and Ura stepped inside.

"Now will you tell me?" Ura asked and Kana sat down on a barrel.

"With the king dead and the stranger in command, I thought it would be best to seek out Caedin and Ryoshan. I'm sure the stranger knows of Niezon's son and he will most likely go out of his way to kill the prince. Ryoshan is the only one that can save us all."

"I see. So that's why you did what you did in the throne room."

"Yes. Now let's get going before the guards decide to check up on us."

Kana mounted Vengeance, a strong black stallion, and watched Ura mount his steed.

"Please take care," Bo said as he opened the stable door. "And bring the young prince back safely."

Kana nodded his head as he coaxed Vengeance to trot forward.

"I can't believe you're so stupid, Kana. Throwing away your chance at glory only to be killed in the wild," a voice said and Kana narrowed his eyes.

"Xylphara. I should have known. You bastard! What did Niezon ever do to you?!" Kana demanded and the new demon folded his arms. He was thin for his species with wild cyan hair and dark eyes. He wore a sleeveless shirt in order for the tattoos branded on his upper arms could be visible. He laughed slightly and Kana's eyes narrowed.

"Niezon ignored my talents," Xylphara replied. "Now I am one of the five generals in Levin's army."

"So you throw away the lives of innocent people for a damned promotion?! What lies has this creature filled your head with?"

"You of all demons should not get sentimental with me, Kana. You have slain many with your selfishness."

Kana growled low for a few moments and Xylphara laid a hand on his weapon.

"Open the gate so that we may leave but bear in mind Xylphara, I will kill you one day for your treasonous act," Kana said, his voice cold and harsh. He turned Vengeance to the side and rode out of the castle grounds with Ura close behind him.

"And now?" Ura inquired.

"We ride away from the castle. Then we try to locate Lee's scent."

"Why Lee?"

"We must inform Asuka of the tragedy. Then we'll find Ryoshan."

"What if we get ambushed?"

"Ura, I've been through three wars in my fifty years of life. I can tell an ambush when we are near one. I cannot believe Xylphara's treachery, though. Going against our people like that...I cannot forgive him," Kana growled as he prodded Vengeance to a canter.

"When are we going to stop?" Ura asked.

"Soon. I can already smell Lee's scent. I want to get as far as I can before the scent fades. They're at least three hours ahead of us."