Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ To See the Light ❯ Of Mortal Blood ( Chapter 4 )

To See the Light

Chapter Four: Of Mortal Blood

Author: Crimson (crimson@glomped.com)

--

I hadn't touched my meal.

I noticed that as a servant came to take my plate away when dinner was over, the boy looked at me oddly, but silently took my plate away to the kitchen.

I felt exceedingly bad for intruding on Dais' privacy, but I couldn't help myself. If I hadn't pulled that stunt, then I wouldn't know all that I did, and I was certain that my knowing would help everyone out one day.

Hopefully that one-day would be soon. Otherwise I was in for it.

Dessert was next up on the list, and I prayed I would make it through it and to the safety of my room.

A servant placed an elaborately decorated silver bowl full of some sort of chocolate pudding topped with a delicious looking whipped cream.

I couldn't touch it, and the talk around me was driving me nuts. I merely wished I were alone in the comfort of my quarters, in which I could fully derive the information I had so hastily discovered today.

I could hear Sir Kenji conversing with another knight, Sir Sameton about a woman of stature named Lady Chelsea of Dark Valley, and how gorgeous she had grown. Apparently the only useful insight I had gained from listening was that Dark Valley had the same ideas as of Sunstone, to send Royalty to the mortal realm to be taught. But only taught of weaponry. Sunstone sent our Royalty to be observant of everything, and mostly of technology.

Supposedly Lady Chelsea had come back a healthy, vibrant nineteen-year-old and men from the Isisis realm had taken interest on her.

Disgusting, indeed. Didn't they have anything better to think about then a girl's cleavage?

I decided I could handle no more, and excused myself from the table. Perhaps this had caused some sort of commotion, because as I did, the table fell silent. Everyone's eyes were on me and I bowed, retreating tumultuously to the shelter of the hall. Even the Warlords had watched me rush out of dinner.

But I didn't care one bit.

Customs were becoming more of an annoyance than a ritual. I wanted to keep my mind on the situation at hand, of the demon and the war, I didn't have time to worry about my reputation. Surely it had already faltered, suffering under my acts of inhibition.

I departed to my quarters, locking myself into my room, trying to not think about the day's bad events.

I flopped onto my bed, and reached over to light some incense. The delighting smell of musk filled my room, relaxing me so that I could concentrate.

I suppose I relaxed too much, because I could feel my body swaying into the first signs of sleep.

I tried to fight it, but then, perhaps a good night's rest would leave my head clear and my brain ready to think of solutions.

My eyes fluttered closed and I cuddled into the soft bed, still smelling the sweet aroma of my incense.

And that was the last thing I consciously remembered…

--

Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!

I stirred in my sleep, aware that noises were happening around me, but not caring enough to wake myself.

Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!

I heard the same noise again, but I imagined it was in my dreams.

The clanking noises became faster, and now I heard them crisp and clear, yet I couldn't open my eyes.

I imagined they were footsteps of Dais, yes, Dais! He was coming to my room, to wake me, to assure me that he wasn't upset with me anymore…

He would then lean down and place a gentle kiss on my lips and-

Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!

Those noises didn't resemble footsteps at all. In fact, they resembled swords hitting each other…as if in combat.

My eyes snapped open in realization. It sounded as though a battle was being waged just outside my door, down the hall a ways.

I jumped out of bed, and instantly regretted it. I had always had a terrible time with getting up too fast, and it had to hit me at this very moment.

I gritted my teeth and continued on my way, ignoring the buzzing in my head.

I threw my door open, and I heard it slam against the wall as I ran down the hall to investigate what those clanking noises were really coming from.

Regretfully, my guess had been correct.

As I rounded the corner of the hall towards the Warlord's quarters, I almost ran smack into the tip of a glistening sword.

I stopped in my tracks, and gasped. But that gasp led me to struggle for air.

I looked up to see a very tall man holding me by my neck, strangling me as he did. He had blood dripping from his lips and small cuts along his arms, but yet none of this stopped him.

I choked for air and the man threw me across the hall. I landed on my side, realizing that twice that day I had been thrown…twice.

I wheezed for air and found it refreshing to grasp some into my lungs, but I didn't have long before the man was walking towards me. I looked up to see a body of a Isisis guard laying motionless a few feet away.

That was where the noise had come from. I realized this just as the man pointed his sword at my throat.

"Well it looks like I didn't have to go looking for you…" he growled, almost happily, "It looks like you came to me!" and the man chuckled as his face turned serious, "You are to die mortal, you do not belong in this realm. You bring shame upon us." The man snarled.

"I am not a mortal!" I choked out, hastily. I didn't dare use magic to protect myself. This man would kill me before I could even muster a spell.

And my gun was underneath my bed.

I was royally screwed.

"You lie!" the man shouted as his sword swiped before me, "I know who you really are! You bring disgrace upon us! You evil little wrench!" the man took the sword and cut into my shoulder.

I yelped with anguish and jerked back, "But why?" was the only thing I could ask the man, scared and senseless. I flinched as blood started to ooze down my air and my shoulder ached with pain.

The man's face came so close to mine that I could smell his breath. And it smelled of whiskey. I was appalled, there was no such thing as alcohol in the Nether realm, how could this be?

"You aren't even a Princess, you are no one. In fact, you are lower then no one, you are a mortal." The man drew back his sword and I recognized the position he was holding it. He was going to slice my neck.

I screamed, cowering, throwing my hands over my head hoping it would stop the man.

I suppose my outburst surprised the man, because his sword stopped and he looked at me startled. I took advantage of that split-second and kicked the man's legs out from underneath him, desperate to get away.

I scrambled to my feet and endeavored to run, only to be stopped. The man grabbed my feet, dragging me back to the floor.

Blood oozed from my gouge and it started to puddle on the tile. I could only feel it ripple into my body as I groaned with pain.

Once again the man drew back his word, ready to slice me, and this time there was nothing I could do.

Perhaps this would be for the better. I probably couldn't rule the Sunstone Kingdom as well as the Queens before me… Perhaps Dais was right about the Ancients looking down upon me, for sneaking into places I wasn't allowed.

I closed my eyes, and waited for the final blow to come. It was best to embrace death, not to fear it.

That's when I saw someone appear to my right. I then saw a blur of a body rush the man about to kill me. I watched in slow motion as the sword headed right for the small of my back, and I knew if it hit, it would crush me and be fatal. I thought fast and rolled away from the blade as the man struggled to keep the sword coming.

The sword halted to a slow pace, and I managed to get out of the way of the blade. The sword came down and it struck my thigh, and I gasped as my mind registered the stab.

Hot, salty tears came rushing down my face as I cringed and held my leg. It hurt. It hurt so badly I couldn't think straight. Colors of red and white flashed before my eyes and my vision blurred as if I was transporting to a different dimension.

The man started screaming at his attacker, "NO! DON'T SAVE HER! THE BITCH! SHE DESERVES TO DIE!"

I heard a struggle as bodies and swords smashed against the walls. And the man continued on, "SHE'S NOT THE PRINCESS! SHE IS A MORTAL! SHE IS OF MORTAL BLOOD!"

More slamming and shoving as I then heard two bodies slam against the opposite wall, "DISGRACE! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO HAVE SUCH A HONORED LEADER DISGRACE US!"

Someone objected, "What do you mean?"

"SHE IS OF MORTAL AND WARLORD BLOOD AND SHE CLAIMS TO BE THE PRINCESS OF SUNSTONE! I WILL KILL HER IF IT IS THE LAST THING I-"

Then I heard the man scream in agony.

I opened my eyes to see the man staggering before me, the sword through his chest, only to crumple to the floor with a thud, leaving his blood in globs upon the floor.

My breath was ragged and I couldn't help the tears falling rapidly down my cheeks. Though only my arm and thigh were struck, it felt like my whole body had been slashed to pieces with that man's sword.

I looked up slowly to see Dais standing above me, blood stained on his hands and various purple bruises forming all over his face. A now unused sword lay at his feet, crimson liquid staining the tip.

"Dais?" I questioned meekly.

Dais leaned down, and my instincts drove me to cower and jump at his touch.

Dais frowned at me.

Perhaps he was ashamed of me because I could do nothing but get stabbed. Perhaps I was a dishonor that should be left to die. Perhaps he should've let that man kill me.

"No." Dais stated flatly.

I looked up at him, and realized I had said that out loud.

"I am just upset at myself for allowing my temper get the best of me, and letting it lash out at you." Dais apologized, scooping me up in his arms. "Do you think you will be alright?"

"It hurts." I choked back a sob.

Dais nodded, understanding, "Do not move, it will only make it worse."

I couldn't even move my right arm or my leg, I felt so weak.

I grimaced as Dais started walking, and the rush of feet came stampeding into the hallway.

"What happened!?" Lady Kayura exclaimed as she saw the two of us, and the deceased men laying on the floor. Sekhmet, Cale, and another man were right behind her, their eyes upon us.

Dais looked down at me as I felt my face flush, half from the pain I was experiencing…perhaps the other half because Dais was holding me.

"We must get the Princess to safety and bandage her, then I will clarify what just took place." Dais' voice sounded low and dangerous, and I felt safe being in his arms.

I wished that time could stand still, and I could stay in Dais' arms forever, just enjoying the pleasure it gave me. I felt at peace for the first time I had arrived at Isisis. But alas, I could not indulge in the moment.

My body craved painkillers, and I am sure Dais' body was desiring the same thing. Though I could only see what was from his waist up, I was sure he was cut in several places unknown. He was fighting a man without any armor or protection, and it made me wonder why he hadn't transformed into his subarmor.

I suppose loss of blood was a bad thing, and my head began to get dizzy exceedingly fast. I could feel Dais walking…walking, but I had no clue to where. My surroundings started to come in and out of focus, making me feel sick to my stomach.

I sniffled to myself, intent on keeping my posture in front of the Warlords and Kayura. They had been through such misery and suffering, the least I could do was hold a front and take a little pain.

Perhaps little wasn't the right word. Excruciating seemed more appropriate for what I felt.

My eyes flutter closed…I started to lose consciousness, the world around me departed into blackness and chaos….

Things were getting mixed together and I could no longer tell what was reality and what wasn't…

"Hold on, Princess…" came a fuzzy voice as my grip began to slide, I couldn't hang on any longer.

--

"Who was that, who attacked you?"

"A man, in detail a Warlord from the realm of Dark Valley."

"Oh geeze. This is just what we need."

"He wasn't wearing any armor, Dais."

"Yes, and that is why I chose to portray my honor."

"So you didn't wear yours? Dais that is dangerous, you know that."

"I know Kayura."

"How did the Princess get involved? What did she do, run into the blade?"

"No, hardly. She must've heard the fighting and she came out."

"Not the brightest thing to do."

"She is curious."

"Indeed."

"The man claimed she was of mortal blood."

"Mortal blood? This is interesting."

"Not only that, Sekhmet, but of mortal and Warlord blood."

"Mortal and Warlord? But how, and who?"

"It was probably Cale, he could never keep his pants on!"

"Sekhmet…you're asking for it. Besides the Princess looks nothing like me!"

"I see it! Ha, I mean-"

"Shut up Snake Boy."

"Warlords, stop arguing. This isn't the time or place."

Was this all a dream? Yes, it was all a dream. So many voice…so many voices, it hurt my head.

I stirred, concentrated on opening my eyes.

Thankfully I was in a dark room of some sort, because no light reached my eyes, and I woke without cringing too bad.

I gritted my teeth and focused.

As I awoke I had four pairs of eyes upon me.

Perhaps their conversation hadn't been a dream.

That's what worried me the most.

The second they were aware that I was capable of answering their questions, they bombarded me.

"Princess, who was your mother?"

"Princess, who was your father?"

"Princess, tell us your past."

"Princess, are you alright?"

The last one question came from Dais, as I had always thought, the sane one of the four.

I saw stars. Perhaps it was the fact that I had sat up too fast, perhaps it was everyone crowding around me.

"Give her some room…" Dais growled, pushing back Cale and Sekhmet. Kayura stepped back on her own.

I blinked as I adjusted to being awake after the ordeal that happened earlier. The only intelligent answer I could give them was "Huh?"

The look on my face must've been priceless, because Dais burst out laughing.

Cale only gave me a confused look, Sekhmet grinned openly, and Kayura looked slightly amused.

Yet, Dais was laughing. I had never had the pleasure of hearing such a sweet sound, such an unmistakable sound. The Warlord of Illusion was holding his sides, and doubled over in…laughter.

"I think…" Kayura decided with a smile, "I think this interrogation will be best left for a later date, when the Princess regains her full strength." She nodded towards Cale and Sekhmet and then began to quickly leave the room.

Cale followed, not surprisingly.

I continued to watch Dais chuckle as Sekhmet flashed me a small smile, "Goodbye Princess." He placed a hand on Dais' shoulder before the Warlord of Venom retired.

And that left, Dais and I…

The grin on Dais' face was still evident, but he quickly turned serious.

I frowned, "Dais, tell me, who was that man?"

He knew perfectly well what I was talking about, and he turned away avoiding my gaze.

His long silky albino hair framed his face, shadowing his eye, so I could only see his lips move. "He meant to kill you, Your Highness. He came here from the Dark Valley Kingdom, a Warlord."

I nodded solemnly, disregarding his use of my so-called title, "But why?"

Dais shook his head as if he was contemplating telling me the truth of it all. With a defeated sigh he told me, "He claimed you are of Warlord and mortal blood, a disgrace."

I sucked in my breath, "That's not true." I barely whispered.

There was a moment of silence before Dais replied, turning to me, "Are you sure?"

I blinked…of course I was sure…wasn't I? "But I'm the Princess…" I finally managed.

Dais took a step closer to the bed I lay in, and I finally realized where I was.Was. In. Dais'. Room.

My eyes widened…

"You are the Princess." Dais agreed, "But are you of Warlord and mortal blood?"

I scoffed, "Aren't you mortal?"

Dais seemed taken aback, "Hai." He at last answered, "That I am."

"Then if for some odd reason I was, why would it matter?"

"It wouldn't."

"Nani?" I blurted, "But you said it was a disgrace!"

"The Dark Valley Warlord said those words, I merely repeated them for you to hear. I did not say them."

I was at a loss for words.

"Princess, do you even know if you are of which the Warlord claimed?" Dais questioned me.

I was stumped, and I was sure I showed it, "I honestly don't know."

--

The pain started to numb after Dais had left me to rest, the Warlord had graciously left me some Nether Realm pain killers- but he might as well not have. Nothing like the Nether Realm's disgusting, horrid tea that more resembled sludge than something to make me feel better.

What I'd give for Advil!

And they expected you to swallow this stuff! I could, I suppose, if I plugged my nose and closed my eyes imagining it was anything but…sludge. With a good amount of forced effort, that is.

Two sips later, I abandoned the drink and left it to rot on the floor.

Pain was better than drinking that.

I had no idea how long I had been left in the Warlord's quarters, alone. I figured at least seven hours, maybe more. I had been awake for a quarter of an hour, with nothing to do except trying to digest that appalling tea.

I was stuck, its not like I could get up and walk around with my thigh and arm bandaged and wounded, my body just wouldn't allow it.

Now I really craved my MP3 player back in my small apartment in New York, screw the proper ways.

I was bored.

I sighed, and playfully fingered the fraying edge of Dais' black velvet comforter. I wish Drey were here so I could have someone to talk to. He would always talk to me, no matter what, even if I had done something terribly wrong. He would talk me through it, just to make me feel better.

I felt uncomfortable lying in the dark, alone in the chambers of one who masters the trick of illusion. I missed New York very much, the hustle and bustle of city life…cars…coffee…thigh masters…

Not dark and gloomy ancient castles with secrets to be uncovered and battles to be waged against immortal demons.

I shouldn't think like this, I wouldn't allow myself to think like this.

I am a Princess of Sunstone.

Geeze, lately I sure have had to remind myself that, and on several occasions.

But what about that Warlord from Dark Valley, who claimed I was of Warlord and mortal blood? If that were so, I would be unfit to rule the kingdom.

What if I was? What would I do then? Who would I be?

I didn't know my heritage. I just knew that the Queen hand picked me from when I was just an infant to rule the Sunstone kingdom since she, herself, did not produce a female heir. I wasn't allowed to ask questions about where I came from, or who I really was. It was disrespectful. All I knew was that once I was picked, I was the Princess, and the person I was before was gone forever.

"Drey, where are you?" I whispered desperately to the cold night air.

Well of course no one answered. I expected that.

One single beam of moonlight fought its way through the midnight curtains of the bay window, striking the end of bed where that troublesome shelf of books was located.

I starred, wide eyed at those familiar books, especially the worn crimson bound one in the midst of all the other unimportant works of art.

What was with books these days? Why couldn't I have a computer!?!

I almost felt compelled to reach forward and grab that one book. For some reason I was drawn to that particular book, but was it worth the difficulty?

As if some spirit, despite it all, was drawing me to it…closer and closer to its captivating words.

"How are you doing, Princess?"

I jerked my head as the beam of moonlight caught in silver strands of white. One violet eye peered at me, starring at me.

"I…I…I'm fine." I looked down at my hands.

Dais looked at the cup next to the bed, he must've brought me earlier, "Doesn't satisfy your tastes?"

I looked up at him, "Gomen." Was all I could say.

"Don't be sorry, your highness. Everyone's entitled to his or her own opinion. You have a lot to learn about life." Dais lectured.

Oh one of these days he is going to be sorry he judged me for my age, "Are they?" I snottily raised an eyebrow, "But I suppose you were kind enough to bring it to me."

"True, true." Came his calm voice, as he caught my eyes.

"I'm sorry to cause you so much trouble." I hastily stated.

"You've brought some with you, yes." Dais cautiously…was it? A smirk?

"Hai." I replied solemnly.

"There seems to be even more of it in the throne room." He explained.

"Oh, really?"

"Your Prince has also returned from the mortal realm, him and Prince Drey await your presence."

My somber attitude melted as I evidently perked up, "Really?"

Dais nodded and bent down and gently peeled the flocculent comforter covering me, "I'm taking it that you have the strength to greet them?"

"Hai!" I reached out my arms and wrapped them tightly around Dais' neck.

And suddenly, we were a breath away from each other…When did that happen? One moment he mysteriously appears in the room, the next I'm in his arms…

His muscles flexed as he lifted me up and carried me if I weighed nothing. His breath was hot and warm upon my face, making me instantly blush and evade my eyes.

Princess' do not have dirty thoughts about Warlords.

Now was not the time to have any distracting daydreams, especially not of an Isisis official, when emotions were surely not going to be returned.

A sacrifice for nothing…

I was never one to make an initiative, not in this realm.

But yet, in the mortal realm I felt stronger…a different person…perhaps I really was a whole new person there.

However, I was in the Nether Realm.

"You should clean up, we have the time." Dais referred to my ripped and blood stained clothes I still wore from earlier.

"That would be a good idea." I agreed, "The two of them will be worried as it is."

"You have a lot of us worried." Dais completed softly.

I didn't expect Dais to say that, in fact, lately Dais had been constantly surprising me- as much as I had been questioning my royal heritage.

Things sure have changed, and now, perhaps it would change even more so, now that Erick and Drey were here at Isisis with me.

The more and more I thought about change, the more I felt that change would come.

--

"What happened to her!?!" Drey exclaimed, the moment I was carried in by Dais to the Isisis throne room, thankfully in fresh clothes.

Perhaps I was paler than I usually was, losing blood could do that to a person. I was only human after all.

…Nani!?!?!

Human!?! I was not human! I am immortal! Geeze, all this talk of mortal blood has driven my brain to believing it was true!

Human…bah…

The oldest heir of Sunstone ran up to me instantaneously, his chin length sable blue hair, which looked more raven than sky-like, flying all over the place. He eyed me with bright eyes brimming with worry.

"I'm alright." I assured my Prince, "A Warlord from Dark Valley aimed to kill me. If it weren't for Dais, I would be dead." I nearly smiled at my appropriate hero, but instead opted to just nodding slightly.

Drey frowned noticeably, "Perhaps earlier today we intimidated them too much." He nearly growled.

I sighed and attempted to focus my mind on something a bit more pleasant.

"War…" came a sad voice, and a tuft of golden blonde hair caught my eye, resembling the shiny, precious gold metal more then it did a mere hair color. But the luscious shade fit his personality so perfectly, something to be cherished.

"Konnichiwa!" I greeted in my native language, feeling my face brighten.

My last Prince, Erick, bowed in reverence, "Konnichiwa, Destiny, thank the sun you are safe and well." He chuckled good-naturedly, "It has been a few months, has it not Princess?"

I giggled, and I was starting to feel my old self, "It has."

"I brought something for you, I thought…" he paused, I knew all to well for dramatic effect, "That you will appreciate, I am sure of it."

I felt like a giddy schoolgirl, anxious for presents on Christmas Day, "Christmas already?"

I saw Drey lift a confused eyebrow at my mention of Christmas, and well, I then realized he had never heard of it…perhaps one day I could explain and show him what it was.

Erick retreated a few steps back, where four large boxes, as large as I, waiting patiently to be opened and their insides revealed.

Erick gave me an evil grin and started opening the largest of them all, "Yes…I think you will like what's inside."

--

to be continued…