Akatsuki Chapter Thirty-Nine
Title: Akatsuki
Genre: AU/Fantasy
Rating : PG-13
Disclaimer: I made the poster from images I got from flickr, heavily influenced by an original, final fantasy/kingdom hearts/legend of Mana but the plot and characterization are my own hard work. The Idols are Johhnys but because they've engraved an irreplaceable position in my heart so I based my characters on them and yeah used their names...the end.
Warning: Some angst, fantasy violence and major chara!death.
Note: Summaries are different for each Arc.
~Arc Four -Two of A Kind~
Summary:
Amongst the velvety richness of the sky, a storm is brewing, shrouding the growing turmoil below in ever growing darkness. The rushing tides of revolution carry with it the pieces of betrayal, greed and death, snuffing any glimmer of hope in its wake. Two flames have been ignited, hidden from the world but will their light and warmth be enough to protect their crumbling nations? Or will they burn it all to ashes as they pit themselves against each other?
Note: The final chapters will be Yuto-centric again but the story has evolved a bit and it would be better to understand what happens next if seen from various point of views. Also I apologize for going on an unannounced hiatus. Have been busy trying to get my life in order. For people still following, you guys mean the world to me <3
Chapter 39 - The Road Down
Kaede sighed, looking up from the scroll she had been working on. She watched the young King as he paced around the Tactical Map, seemingly engrossed in a serious discussion with his newly appointed advisor.
The kingdom’s most significant prisoner had just disappeared from the castle dungeons a few days back and Yuto had been surprisingly unbothered by it.
“We have more important things to do,” he had said, tone very nonchalant.
She put down her quill and got to her feet, approaching the two young men by the table in the center of the hall. She could hear the relatively young advisor, Totsuka speaking in his soft yet firm tone.
“That would affect our trade routes with Leirion and Sanca my liege,”
“Hmm, there must be some other way then,”
“My Lord, I’m done going through the petitions, is there anything else you would like me to do?” she spoke up. Yuto blinked at her, as if trying to remember something and then he smiled.
“Totsu, we will continue this after dinner,”
“Yes my liege,”
Leaving behind his advisor, Yuto held out his arm for Kaede and then silently motioned her to walk with him as he lead her out of the hall and into the gardens.
“I’m sorry for making you do my paperwork,” he apologized with a sheepish smile. She shook her head, flustered.
“Assisting you is part of my duty sire,” she responded firmly.
“I just want to get as much work done as possible in the shortest period of time you know,”
“You have been busy sire, it’s been barely a week but you’ve selected a new council, strengthened the kingdom’s defense, you’ve increased the employment rate... you’ve come up with jobs I didn’t think existed… oh and not to mention… all of this,”
She gestured to the lush overgrowth of roses in deep red and an enchanting blue covering the grounds. The flowers had taken to grow like weeds by the roadside all over the kingdom, thanks to the crystal infused water running underground. The air was crisp, lands more fertile and people healthier than ever.
It’s like the crystal had the power to heal and repair… just like Yuto.
Kaede frowned as Yuto came to a sudden stop, eyes upon the starry sky and a serious look upon his face.
“I am not really a good person Kaede,”
“What do you mean?”
“The Kingdom is celebrating, the end of their sufferings… prosperity being delivered to their doorstep… quite a haven I’ve created huh?”
Kaede nodded obediently. It was true. Akatsuki has never experienced such luxury before.
“There is a catch you know,”
“A catch?”
“I’m not doing this just for the sake of my people Kaede. It’s all for a greater purpose.”
The girl felt a shiver run down her spine at the way Yuto looked at her. His face was the usual calm, a smile playing on his lips; eyes a glint with energy yet something about him seemed almost menacing.
The winged broach on his collar glowed slightly.
“I need everyone to be happy enough to be accepting of my plans you see,”
“Pe…plans?”
Yuto playfully flicked her forehead.
“I thought you would have caught on, considering you grew up under my mother,”
Kaede blinked up at him, feeling a lump in her throat.
“It’s always been the same plan from the start… ever wondered why both Akatsuki and Valian have been so bent on invading each other?”
Kaede felt the world spin as it all came to focus.
Yuto turned his back to her so she wouldn’t see the pain in his eyes that came with the words.
“We have to conquer Valian, before they conquer us.”
~*~
“How long have we been walking?” Yuma asked, a slight whine to his voice
“Since our last stop or since we started?” Daiki sighed back, trudging along in the large dim corridor. He looked and saw the small group of boys leading them. There had been more, a lot more living in makeshift camps in the area right under Kikuchi-san’s shop but Fuma had picked these select 4 to accompany them.
The journey to this ‘intersection’ was supposed to be 4 hours on foot but Yuma had asked for too many stops and now they were way over that time. Daiki wasn’t complaining, as eager as he was to see Ryosuke and set things straight, he was terrified.
If Ryosuke rejects him, refuses to forgive him… then what?
They could see light up ahead.
“Here we are: the second intersection!”
It seemed as if they had arrived at the crossroads of some ancient highway. The square area was lit up by torches. The way ahead was barred by boulders, the path on right forked into two and the one on the left felt like an ongoing tunnel, eerily dark.
“We go right,”
“What’s on the left?”
“We don’t know but there is a draft and it always snuffs out our torches so it’s impossible to see where it leads,”
‘Daiki’
He stopped dead in his tracks; it had been like a whisper in his ear.
“Daiki what’s wrong?” Yuma asked concerned at the way his friend was staring into space, bewildered.
The little sprite gave him a reassuring nod and pointed to the path on the left.
‘You can’t do this alone,’
“I don’t have time to go exploring,” he spoke in a hushed voice, anxiety creasing his features.
‘You are already too late… your best chances are down this road… please trust me… Ryosuke will know if you approach him through
the other path and he will be prepared…you won’t be,’
“Um… Daiki… are you alright?” Yuma asked. The boy seemed to be silently interacting with something they couldn’t see.
Daiki took in a deep breath and began following the tiny creature into the tunnel. With each step forward, the firestone lamps by his sides came to life and they did so in succession as he continued down the road, drawn in by a light breeze.
He heard what was obviously awestruck silence but soon there was scuffling of feet and heavy panting before Yuma was abreast with him.
“Don’t leave me behind idiot!” the younger exclaimed.
Daiki smiled at him; turning around to notice how confused Fuma and his boys were at the way the lamps were reacting to him.
The sprite stopped again and flew down to where there was a manhole cover on the ground. She pointed at it and Daiki, with Yuma’s help removed it to reveal a dark hole.
“What is this?” Daiki exclaimed as the sprite beamed at him.
‘A shortcut!’
“There is no way I’m going in there!”
“Who are you talking to Daiki?” Yuma finally asked obviously freaked out. Daiki sighed as the little creature made a pleading face.
‘There isn’t much time Daiki… wait… let me show you something then,’
Daiki blinked as the creature came forward and placed its tiny hands upon his forehead. In an instant, there was a flash and he was falling through darkness. He flailed in the empty space, felt the rush of wind in his ears before it all came to a sudden stop and he was gently lowered onto soft grass.
~*~