Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ To See the Light ❯ Paying the Price ( Chapter 5 )

To See the Light

Chapter Five: Paying the Price

Author: Crimson (crimson@glomped.com)

--

The familiar glow must've illuminated my face, where I'm sure I was smiling dumbly. My excitement was probably evident to anyone who walked within fifty feet of me. My fingers glided swiftly over the smooth surface, bringing up more windows on the screen, that contained even more information.

Finally everything was at the touch of my fingertips.

Large, now empty boxes and more importantly modern technology surrounded me. Erick had managed to bring back with him a CD player, a TV with a VCR and a DVD player, a microwave, a hairdryer, even a curling iron… But what I cherished the most was the computer, which I now sat in front of, never letting the machine out of my sight.

Of course I hadn't moved for the last two hours. Probably wouldn't move for a long time.

Dais must've been thinking the same thing I was, "You haven't moved for nearly three hours." I heard him announce. I could detect hints of annoyance and curiosity in his voice.

He was the only one left in the room besides me, Erick had retired not much earlier chuckling to himself at my amusement, with Drey following not quite understand what a "computer" was. Erick promised to explain it to him in the morning.

Dais opted to staying with me. Kayura must've said I was not to be left alone, or something to that extent, since the incident with the Dark Valley Warlord, which meant constant supervision.

I stayed at the computer setting the programs up and mostly just trying to keep myself busy. I was unsure of what would happen if I was to suggest going to bed. Would I need a bodyguard to hover over me?

Click, click, click, click, click, click, clack, click, click, click, click…

I continued my work just sitting there in the dark throne room, typing, with just the light from the computer illuminating the room.

Windows Setup Complete.

Progress!

I heard Dais stir behind me, his footsteps echoing through the room and his reflections on the screen caught my eye. I watched him carefully from my screen, hopeful that he wouldn't notice.

He moved like a cat stalking prey, but without intention of killing. Odd, but yet, it made sense. This man was more then what meets the naked eye, more then even I knew. And yet I was drawn to him still, but why?

I sighed with confusion and frustration and returned to my work.

He was coming closer.

"Princess…" Dais' voice rang sharp and clear, "It's late."

"I'm not asking you to stay here with me." I snapped and then, regretted it, cursing at me hastiness. Still needed to learn to hold my tongue. Perhaps in the next 52 years or so I could learn to do so.

"I know. I choose to stay." Dais corrected me.

My eyes inevitably drifted back to his reflection, but this time he was starring right at me, "Kayura is over protective. I can take care of myself."

"You're stubborn." Dais replied casually.

"I did not ask for your opinion." I reminded him, my eyes still locked with his.

"Ah, but I shall share it any ways." He took a step closer to me, and I could nearly feel his breath on my neck.

"I-" he cut me off.

"Kayura did not tell me to stay, I wanted to."

I shut my mouth.

"You should get your rest though your highness. You are still injured."

"I haven't forgotten." I softly answered, shifting my gaze down at the keyboard.

He took an empty chair and dragged it a few feet towards me, before sitting down in it.

"You're staying?" I asked, although I already knew the answer.

"Yes."

For a few minutes he was quiet and I suppose he just watched me while I attempted to work, but I could never fully put my concentration into it. Too much was on my mind.

Something had to be said.

"Dais?" I timidly started, and stopped my typing.

I never heard him answer, but the reflection in my screen told me I had his attention.

"Don't call me your highness." I playfully smiled, turning around to him.

Dais raised a pale eyebrow, "Oh?"

Was he amused? It seemed like it. I nodded dumbly, and almost giggled. Almost.

"If customs allowed it, I wouldn't want you to call me Princess."

"Then what would I call you?" he inquired.

I starred into his eyes and gave him a soft smile. "Destiny."

--

The next day I awoke in my bed with thoughts from the previous night still fresh in my mind. Dais had carried me off to bed and had left me alone. He must've thought there were no threats against my life.

I stretched my arms and yawned openly, something I could never do in public in the Nether Realm. I felt stronger and I was sure I could walk by myself. Besides, I have had too much sympathy and assistance. It would be too embarrassing to rely upon anyone other than myself.

The morning went as any other normal morning in Isisis, except my two closest friends in the world accompanied me.

Drey met up with me the moment I left my room. He was astonished to see me on my feet. I was walking, well minus a slight limp.

"You're looking better." He greeted, hooking arms with me, "Don't put too much pressure on your leg just yet." He reminded me sweetly.

"I know." I exaggerated, as if he was nagging me. I grinned, "Are you and Erick to stay another night?"

Drey frowned lightly, "No. I'm afraid not."

"Oh?" I questioned.

"Mother wants us home."

"And me?" we continued walking through the halls.

"She says to stay." He stated as his grip on my arm tightened, "I'd stay with you, you know that. But with the war…"

"Don't worry about me." I smiled.

"Are you managing okay here-"

I cut him off, "Let's not get on that subject, Mmm?"

He nodded reluctantly and left it at that and we walked on in silence.

When we reached the throne room, music drifted out and slammed into us, much like a fast moving vehicle into a brick wall.

Drey's eyes widened considerably and he pushed me behind him, protectively, "What's that!?"

I blinked. The poor boy had never heard a stereo?

I laughed. I suppose I had completely threw him off, "Drey…don't worry."

He turned to me, puzzlement written all over his face.

This only caused me to laugh harder. I grabbed his arm and dragged him into the room. Loud music filled the room, blaring from large black speakers set up on a table. A system was behind it, just as tall, and Erick stood beside it with a proud smile upon his face.

The Warlords were scattered in various places around the room, I suppose taking in the atmosphere. Sekhmet was standing next to Erick with a baka grin on his face, Dais was sitting in a chair, sprawled with his hands behind his head, and as usual Cale was looking pissed off in the shadows of the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Well…" Erick gestured to the system, "What do you think?"

"Techno?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

His smile never faltered, "Techno." He assured me.

I contained myself from rolling my eyes.

Drey starred at the speakers as a child would at presents at Christmas time. "What is it?"

"A stereo system." Erick answered his older brother, patting him on the shoulders, "This is a small insight of the mortal world's technology."

Drey ran a hand over the smooth surface of one of the speakers, "This makes music?"

"It plays music." I corrected.

Someone snorted from the back of the room. Surprise, Surprise. It was Cale.

"Nothing good can come from the Mortal Realm." He scoffed.

Ah, this was too easy. "You fail to remember you came from the Mortal Realm. If everything bad comes from there, then what does that say about you?"

More sneering from the midnight blue haired man, "It seems you came from the Mortal realm as well, Princess."

My eyes narrowed angrily and I was ready to snap back when a small voice distracted me.

"What does he mean by that?" Drey asked suddenly.

"He's referring to her time spent in the Mortal World." Erick answered blatantly.

"No." Cale intervened.

Drey and Erick looked at me for an answer. My brain stopped as I starred at nothing. What was I supposed to say to that?

Dais, sensing my distress, stood up and took the spotlight from me, "The Princess' attacker from the other night claimed she was of Mortal and Warlord blood."

The room fell silent.

"What?" Erick blurted, his eyes questioning me…then shifted to Dais, and back.

Sekhmet nodded, "This is true. The Warlord's purpose was to kill the Princess, saying she was of bad heritage and unfit to rule the Sunstone Kingdom."

"They're lying." Drey snapped, growling angrily, "Destiny is of pure Sunstone blood. My mother would've never chose a mortal to rule the kingdom."

"We're not saying she's not immortal." Sekhmet pointed out.

"But we're not saying that she is." Cale threw in.

Damn Cale.

"We have no proof either way." Dais reminded, trying to calm everyone down.

It didn't help.

"But that's insane!" Drey nearly blew up, "How could you even think she's not! She's the future Queen of Sunstone!"

"So what?" Cale interrupted, moving out of the darkness and into the light, "What proof do you have that she's not mortal?"

Drey lashed out at Cale, ready to take his aggression out on the Warlord of Corruption. Thankfully Erick held him back.

"How dare you question Destiny's upbringing and heritage!" Drey shouted, throwing words at him.

Cale gave Drey a cat-like smile and shrugged, clearly enjoying the other man's anger. "How dare she call herself the Princess if she doesn't even know her own heritage."

Dais took a few steps closer to Drey, Erick, Cale, and I while Sekhmet hung back, preferring to not get involved into something he didn't have to. Drey's attention was upon me in a flash, looking desperately for me to correct Cale.

But I couldn't.

"Destiny…" he hissed, "Tell them he's wrong." He pleaded with me.

Erick watched me as well, his eyes clouded over with confusion. Trying to grasp the reality of the situation.

Once again it was all put upon me. And I didn't know what to say. All I could tell them was, "I don't know." And the second I said it I felt desperate. I felt guilty for not knowing, and horrible I couldn't even side with Drey.

Drey's eyes widened at my words and he shut up, his gaze quickly dropping to the floor. Erick looked hurt and he starred at me as if I had the plague.

I had disappointed them.

Things were looking bleaker and bleaker for me. First I didn't feel like the future Queen… and next I didn't even know if I was the future Queen. And if I wasn't, who was I?

Cale opened his mouth to say something, but Dais abruptly stopped him. "That's enough Cale."

--

I was alone, again. Not surprising. Drey and Erick had promptly left me to go back to Sunstone, I suppose I had hurt what I considered my only family. I felt guilty and ashamed. I would do anything for those two.

I just honestly didn't know if what that Warlord had said was true.

I wasn't about to lie to them. But what did they want me to do?

Once again I had royally fucked up, and once again I was in the dark throne room, the only company was that of the statues. It seems they were the only ones who would listen to me these days.

Sometimes if I looked up at the "Cruelty" statue, I would feel a sense of hope. There was something more familiar about that statue, than that of the others.

Perhaps it was a fluke. The statue couldn't help me. It could only be a statue. Not very exciting if you ask me.

I was back at the computer, my only comfort, and my only escape.

I typed, and diligently put all my effort and energy into recording all my data I had researched on Talpa. All the notes from the library books and all I could remember from Anubis' journal.

The rest of the day passed quickly, the afternoon turned into night, and I could've cared less. The war was at its peak, but that wasn't what was stressing me out. Nor was the thought that Drey and Erick were thoroughly confused and disappointed in me.

It was something else. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on…something was coming, and coming fast. I sensed I wasn't the only one who could feel it, he could feel it too.

That much was clear from his jumpy behavior.

But I would be damned before I would ask Cale for his help. I was so mad at him I couldn't even think straight.

All the more reason for me to work harder.

"That doesn't make sense!" I screamed at the computer, thoroughly frustrated, "There is not enough energy in this realm anymore to open a portal of that sort!" I banged my fists on the desk hoping it would make me feel better.

It didn't.

Then, as if by magic, a pair of warm, strong hands were upon my shoulders, massaging them. It felt lovely and I never wanted it to end. Whoever was responsible, I could melt into their touch and be satisfied for the rest of my life. I sighed contently.

"Even after what you've been through these last few days, you're still hard at work." Came the deep voice I so admired.

I melted even more, all I could manage for an answer was, "For my people."

"What if by chance you weren't of Sunstone blood?"

I cringed, "Could we not talk about that?"

"I apologize, Princess." Dais quickly retracted.

I slumped into the chair, "I suppose it doesn't matter. I care about Sunstone, so even if I am not to be Queen, I would work just as hard for their safety." I continued, "This is my home, this will effect everyone in this realm."

"You deserve to be Queen."

I laughed bitterly, "Do I? I mess up so much. I'm surprised her majesty hasn't kicked me out of this realm for good. I mean look…" I pointed to the computer screen, "All the information I have gathered is from books I wasn't suppose to touch."

Dais chuckled, and then seriously added, "All the more reason why you should be Queen."

"Why?" I bluntly asked.

"You would do anything for your people, if that's not royalty, then what is?"

It had never dawned on me like that.

I turned around, abandoning the computer for a moment to give Dais a small smile. "Arigatou."

He nodded solemnly, "And now, excuse me, I must leave you."

I hadn't realized how many things had changed since I had arrived at Isisis. How much I was depending on Dais.

Ha. How Queen-like was that? If only Dais knew…

"Going?" I asked innocent enough, even though I so desperately wanted him to stay.

The light shone in Dais' eyes, "A battle is brewing in the Northern Regions. It's not looking good."

That struck me hard. A real battle? This was getting serious. "How bad is it?" I whispered.

Dais' head lowered, "Bad enough. Sunstone Warriors are not holding up well. If things continue like this, they will be pushed back and forced to retreat."

I blinked. How could that happen? "We're losing." It wasn't a question. I knew we were.

What if we lost the war?

Then there would be no Sunstone Kingdom. There would be no Sunstone Royalty. There would be no Queens.

I suppose there would be no me.

"Do not worry. Sekhmet, Cale, Kayura, and I are going to fight. I assure you there will be a kingdom for you to rule." He bowed respectively and turned to leave.

"Dais." I stood quickly, reaching for him, but instinctively pulled back. Now was not the time, nor the place.

He stopped, "Princess?"

I sighed, there really was no hope. No dreams. That's all I would ever be to him. A Princess. Nothing more. I was such a fool to think he, the highly respected Warlord of Illusion, could care for me.

That we could be something more.

"Take care." I said in a deadpan voice.

Dais didn't move. And then he slowly nodded, not looking at me.

And like that, he was gone.

--

Everyone had left, minus me, that is. The servants had gone with the Warriors, and the very few Ladies that did reside in the castle opted to move to the city of Killion, a residential area of Isisis, safe if the castle was ever attacked.

The Warlords and Kayura were true to their word. They had gone to battle.

I decided that my place was to stay at the Palace. When Dais had gone, he had ordered a high servant to make sure I got into town.

I would have none of that.

I tricked the servant into thinking I had left with a carriage. But here I was, back at the computer.

There was something not right about the battle, about the whole thing. And it wasn't the fact that Sunstone was losing. Something in the air wasn't right, the whole feeling wrong…oh so wrong. I know I had never experienced war before, but…but this was eccentric.

The whole puzzle of the portal was tearing me apart. Supposedly Talpa was residing in the Dragon Realm. A realm long abandoned. Just a desolate region the undead could spend eternity in, supposedly of course. But it didn't seem plausible.

The Dragon Realm rarely could create portals, only when an electric storm collided with a magnetic force more powerful than anything seen in the mortal or Nether Realm.

If out of some change, which I calculated at 1 in seventy million, it did happen, the Dragon Realm connected with the Dao Calle Realm, so that couldn't possibly work.

Unless…

"Oh shit…" I muttered out loud, "But if that's what I think happened, than he's already-"

My computer screen went blank.

"What the…?" I started clicking the mouse desperately. That didn't work, so I pounded random keys on the keyboard.

What was going on? How come the power was out? Was it a short? I continued to attempt to regenerate the computer.

"That won't work Princess…" a voice echoed.

My head perked up, and I whipped around at the voice that seemed to be all around me, "Who's there?" I demanded, my eyes finding nothing but darkness.

"You should've chose to leave this place while you could. But it doesn't matter, saved me the trouble of looking for you." The voice paused, "You are useful to us…"

"Show yourself." I growled, standing up readying myself for an attack. I wobbled a bit on my injured leg, but ignored it.

A blurry-ghost like image appeared in front of me, just floating in the air. He was much taller than I and barely resembled a human form. He had huge dark eyes and a mustache that was long and thin, hanging off his face. His arms were touching and his kimono nearly touched the ground, even though he was floating several feet above me, "Who are you?" I gasped, my eyes slanting dangerously at the intruder.

"I…Princess…" he quickly gestured with his hands, proving he knew Nether magic a good deal more than I, "Am here to introduce you to your new life."

"What are you talking about?"

As soon as those words left my mouth, dozens and dozens of armor clad gray soldiers surrounded me. I recognized them.

Ancient Dynasty Soldiers, which had long been extinct for hundreds of years.

Or so I had thought.

I was too late. They were already here, and now, there was nothing I could do about it.

"Yessss…" the spirit hissed, "Your new life with the Dynasty, serving Master Talpa."

I eyed the soldiers, who were closing in on me fast, too many for me to take. There was no escaping this…

"You think I would serve your Master, get real." I sneered.

"You'll see it my way, I can guarantee it." The spirit floated above me.

"Is that a money back guarantee?" I turned around and realized that I was done in.

I cried out as it hit, like a blazing bolt of lightening striking a dry pine. It tore through my spine and I couldn't think straight. All I could feel was pain…an odd pain…like my mind and my body were being taken over, like if I couldn't control what was happening…

Like I was losing my body to him.

--

to be continued…