Fan Fiction ❯ The Great War of Ashliyana ❯ Chapter 1 --"The Mission" ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Yo! This is Chapter One. It just breathes Shounen-ai, doesn't it?

CHAPTER ONE--"THE MISSION"

He sat against the trunk of the tree on the lowest branch that was still a good seven meters above the ground yet he didn't mind that he might fall. He kept his eyes closed, simply listening to the small sounds around him, like the rustling of his clothes when the wind blew or the sounds of hundreds of sakura being gently ripped from their branches by a gentle breeze and enjoying the feel of the dappled sunlight as it fell on his skin through the spaces between the canopy of small bright pink petals above him.

His long braid of silver hair stood out on the dark colored fabrics of his Peacekeeper's uniform as it lay against his neck protected by the high collar of the black rubber body suit he wore under his uniform. His thick bangs that covered the right side of his face swayed ever so slightly yet not lifting enough to reveal his right eye. A stray sakura petal landed on his nose and his natural instinct was to blow it away. When he felt that it was gone his exposed left eye fluttered open, a pale green iris meeting the bright pink of the giant sakura tree and the blue of the forever cloudless sky.

Not a cloud in sight. How strange. He had twenty-two years of it yet it still amazed him how damn high up Semele was. They were above the clouds and only particularly cloudless days did the surface dwellers see the great floating city in the sky. So those who had seen Semele were automatically "freaks", "people who barely retained their sanity", "confused and troubled people".

Poor fools. He half-yawned/half-sighed as he stretched a little and he clasped his hands behind his head, gazing up at the sky. Birds had it easy. They could fly anywhere they wanted; they could live anywhere they wanted. What he would give to get away from this place, get away from these people. "But sooner or later, you'll have to realize that YOU will NEVER be normal", people told him.

Why?

Because he was Xavier von Langley, the son of Semele's Lord Librius von Langley, which automatically marked him the heir of the throne. If that wasn't bad enough, he was a Peacekeeper, one of the Elite Five, the best, which wasn't something he was proud of.

"You look bored."

Xavier looked down at the speaker. He was looking up at him, thumbs hooked into the pockets of his pants. Emilio Thaudevaulde, the second elite with the raven black hair and the glassy grayish-blue eyes. Xavier knew well that Emilio hated him with a passion.


"Is it obvious?" Xavier answered dryly.


Emilio shrugged. "Could've fooled me."


"What do you want?"

"Other than your job?"

He didn't answer. Oh yes, Emilio would never change. "Can we get to the point?"

"Well! You don't waste any time at all. Your father is looking for you."

He frowned at this and returned gazing at the sky. "Since when did the old man send others to call me? Does he really want to put more distance between the two of us?" He wasn't really asking Emilio but he hoped that the gods, which he didn't really believe in, would hear him and answer him…somehow.

Xavier thought he heard Emilio sigh. "You're acting rather immaturely."

"Oh shut up." He snapped and pushed himself off and he jumped down, landing behind Emilio. "Where is he?"

"His office…"

"I see." He nodded absent-minded and walking away, knowing full well that he shouldn't be expecting Emilio to bow as he left. That was just something Emilio couldn't do, given his extremely proud nature.

It didn't take a close friend to know Xavier didn't want to see Librius right now. In Xavier's opinion, even a blind man could see that. Librius, or His Majesty as Xavier was required to call him, was always busy and if he ever wanted to see his son, it was always concerning business. The last time he was called, he was told to read up on battle strategies.

Battle strategies? What a bore, Xavier complained silently. Now what did Librius want? He hoped that it wasn't about battles or wars or the sort. He wanted to crawl into some little hole and rest there until the end of eternity. But unfortunately... that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

It was a known fact that being the best of the Elite Five, Librius loved to ask favors of his son especially if they involved Xavier having migraines. Now, he stood before Librius' office, the two pages on either side waiting for a command from him and Xavier himself hesitant to enter.

"The Master is waiting for you, Young Master.'' One of the pages said and Xavier absently made some off-hand gesture to them to open the doors.

"You can still run now", some little voice in his head said but he ignored it, and steeled himself for the great distance Librius would put between them. The doors creaked open and harsh bright light flooded out. For a moment, he closed his eyes to prevent being blinded before opening them again, eyes partially adjusted to the light.

Librius knew how to choose his furniture well. The well-polished wooden shelves lined with books and the desk of mahogany where Librius sat reading a book gave the room such an aura of elegance and wisdom. It looked welcoming… to strangers but to Xavier it felt as though he and Librius were miles apart, always separated by positions and mindsets.

It also hurt him that his presence wasn't acknowledged until the pages closed the doors behind him and only then did Librius look up but Xavier couldn't tell whether Librius was pleased to see him.

For as long as Semele existed, or Eternia for that matter, no one had ever seen Librius von Langley's face. The man was always wearing a black hooded silk cloak with big, long sleeves. The hood itself covered Librius' face and it seemed that there was no one under the cloth. Sometimes Xavier wondered how the Nifleheim did he get his silver hair, pale green eyes and milky white skin.

"Ah, you're here, Xavier.''

Xavier's thick brows furrowed in a frown, his lips turning down slightly at the corners. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't state the obvious, Your Majesty.'' It was rude but he knew Librius wouldn't mind.

"Hmm, well, I suppose you got me there.'' He set the book down and gestured to one of the chairs near his desk. "Sit, sit.''

He obeyed and purposely averted his eyes from Librius, not wanting to see that faceless wraith that was his father. He stared instead out at the window near Librius' desk, watching the serene scene of the garden outside. "Why did you disturb me?"

"Hmm?''

"I was sleeping. Why did you disturb me?''

"Because I've a favor to ask you.''

Xavier snorted. "Really?''

"Ah, it's quite important this time, Xavier.''

"You always say it's 'quite important'.''

Librius laughed softly. "Do I? Well then, maybe I do.''

Xavier rolled his eyes. What an idiot.

He leaned forward, bringing his fingertips together to make a steeple, elbows on the edge of the table. "But Xavier,'' he began, suddenly serious, making Xavier sigh inwardly, "you don't seem to understand.''

" Really now.''

"It's a matter that concerns the Elite Five. Including you.''

At this Xavier turned his head to look at Librius. "The Elite Five and me...?''

This was really important then. The Elite Five was composed of the Five most powerful, most skilled and most agile Peacekeeper, each receiving their rank according to their power levels. Xavier was the highest ranking, Emilio in second and Kaede, Hisoka and Asato ranking respectively third, fourth and fifth.

As long as Xavier had known, the Elite Five's four lower ranking members Emilio, Kaede, Hisoka and Asato were the only ones that were summoned often. Xavier, having his great amount of high-level psionic powers, could level half of Eternia.

"It's more serious than you think.'' He eased back a bit. "Do you know what I was reading?''

" Just like that, huh? Damn it, Your Majesty.'' He grumbled but his voice was so soft that his father hadn't heard. How could this man know how to change the mood so quickly?

He lifted the book from the table and offered it to the young man. "Here.''

For a moment, he did nothing before he took it and read the words on the cover, raising a brow. "Eh?"The Geographical Structure of Eternia, volume 23'?' What the...?''

"Turn it to page 342.''

Xavier flipped it to the said page and, if it were possible, his brow was raised higher. "Your Majesty.''

" Read''

" ' The continent of Ashliyana is composed of Northern Ashliyana, where the kingdom of Arcadia is the capital city, ruled by the Scott family, and Southern Ashliyana with Themiscrya as it's capital, ruled by the Black Well family. Northern and Southern Ashliyana are separated by a great desert named " The Pakade Desert'' After the only person who has successfully crossed it, and the Lycian mountain range.' '' He looked up. "What does this have to with this so-called favor?''

" Quite a lot, actually. But I'll leave you to do all the figuring out.''

At this, Xavier's jaw dropped slightly. "What do you mean?''

" I have another meeting to attend.'' He rose gracefully, walking passed Xavier. "Oh, and I recommend page 255, too.''

" But wait- -'' Before Xavier could turn his head, Librius was gone. For a moment, Xavier just sat there, staring at the closed doors before sighing. "Damn it.''

This was another thing he was annoyed about Librius. He was not only busy, but not quite well in the head. Must be all the years ruining over a city that's not supposed to be even floating in the air were getting to him. Oh well, no use in bitching about it. He turned to page 255 and found, much to his surprise, a security/identification card and a piece of paper folded in half. He had two options: leave the book, forget the "favor'' and went back to sleep or read the note. The latter. Most definitely the latter.

The handwriting was dreadful! He could barely read but somehow, after some studying, he could read it just fine. He read it out loud for himself.

"'Dear Xavier, this card will grant you access to the lowermost floors of this building. I'm sure you know how to use it. ^^ You'll find a very interesting person down there waiting to meet you. But watch your temper.' What does he mean by that? 'When you're done, bring your new friend to the library with you and please return this! =P I'm also sure you'll meet another friend there. He's a nice person and my very good friend so be nice! Just keep in mind... X. Love, Dad^^' ''

He was silent before he crumpled up the note in a fisted hand, teeth grinding. Damn him. He was making fun of him! He could only sigh. But what else is new?

***

" Sorry to keep you waiting!''

He looked away from the portrait to see Librius entering the door. The man hadn't changed in the past ten years. He was still some cook in a long black hood.

"So how have you been?'' Librius asked, rather cheerfully.

He shrugged. "Pretty good. I still haven't found anything that matches my tastes.''

"You're still so hard to please.''

"Of course I am.'' He smiled slightly and laughed, shaking his head before becoming serious. "Did you tell him?''

"Hmmm?''

"Xavier. Did you tell Xavier that I'm here?''

He shook his head. "No. He's still busy trying to calm himself down.''

The man raised a brow. "Calm himself down? You didn't do anything to upset him, did you?''

Librius was practically grinning. "Of course not! He is my son after all. I'd do nothing to make my only son upset.''

"Why am I not convinced?''

"You're cruel Zidayne…"

"Me? Cruel? Speak for yourself Von Langley!" His hazel eyes narrowed dangerously. "These riddles, these lies, you're just playing with him, you know. What if he was to find out?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

End Chapter One