Prince of Tennis: The Storyteller
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Title: The Storyteller
Author:
relinquished972
Pairings/Characters: All, in due time
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis
Summary: The Nameless City lives in a waking slumber in the absence of its source of life. The Seishun Empire is collapsing and the presiding Council of Nine is searching for the legendary Storyteller, their only saviour.
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The Storyteller
By Relinquished
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The Nameless City lived as if in slumber in the absence of its source of life. A blanket of grey shrouded its walls and the sun’s ashen light illuminated the immense towers of the castle in the centre. The tolling bell sounded in the misty morning, marking the noon of yet another day.
On the streets stirred the only signs of life. A city of people dressed in earthen, muted colours, shuffling about their lives, in no hurry to get anywhere. There was noise, the noise of vehicles and animals, children and adults, but there was no sense of liveliness or vibrancy. It was a city living in a waking slumber, breathing in everyday as if in a dream.
Deep within the inner chambers of the looming castle, the Council of Nine sat in conference. It had been three days and nights since the session had begun, but it had not yet adjourned. None had entered bar the Nine and none had left. Council had had longer sessions before and all knew it was wise to leave an enchanter’s work to enchanters.
In the centre of the Council Chamber was a mahogany table, carved in the shape of the full moon, polished to a gleam. Nine seats were placed around it, each of the same make as the table they surrounded, each once occupied by the enchanter whose name was carved in gold on the table in front. The light from the lamps hung on the walls flickered and released scentless fumes, never fading or running out in the three days since they had first been lit.
The atmosphere was tense within the Chamber as the deep and urgent voice of the semi-transparent hologram filled it.
“There have been further sightings of bloodhawks[1] on the Eastern border.”
“I will see to it,” a new voice spoke up.
Green eyes stared intently at the hologram as long fingers laced together in front of an ageless face. Oishi Syuichiroh, Third of the Nine, inclined his head as the hologram made a slight bow in his direction.
“I will station my men to await your orders, Master Oishi.”
Oishi leaned forward in his seat and brushed the map spread out on the table, his eyes darkening. A small figurine of a hawk, blood red in colour, appeared on the map, right over the mountain ranges that marked the border between their Empire, Seishun, and the next.
“Is there anything else, Yanagi?”
“No, that is the whole borderline report,” the hologram replied. “I will report to Master Fuji if anything else happens.”
“Report to Momoshiro, Yanagi,” Master Fuji Syusuke, Second of the Nine, interrupted softly. His honey-coloured hair almost covered his eyes as he sat back in the seat opposite Oishi. “I will not be able to be contacted once Council is adjourned.”
“Yes, Master Fuji.” Yanagi’s form disappeared from sight.
“Jackal’s bloodhawks have finally appeared,” Fuji mused. He pressed the tips of his fingers together, looking pensive. “It is almost an open declaration of war from him.”
“I thought the peace treaty[2] prevented him from doing that,” the youngest of the Council, Echizen Ryoma, said.
“Whatever the peace treaty said before doesn’t matter now that he has released the bloodhawks.”
Echizen glared at the older man as he was corrected. The Prince of the Nameless City was young and arrogant, never respecting his superiors until they showed him, once and for all, that they deserved it. Only one of the Council had ever done that.
Fuji was slight of build, but deceivingly strong. His sharp mind and intellect bested all of the Council, earning himself the title of Master Prodigy. He was sitting to the left of the Council Leader, the First, who remained silent and stern. Each member of the Council shifted in his seat restlessly, watching the map in front of them. They ranged in appearance, height and build, but they all shared the same ageless look about them, creating an aura mystery and wisdom.
Next to Oishi sat the Fourth, Kikumaru Eiji, whose dark red hair caught the light from the lamps as he moved. The Fifth sat next to Fuji, contrasting to the Second’s slightness by his tall, lanky appearance. Inui Sadaharu was already keeping records of what he had heard and was passing the papers to Oishi. Kawamura Takashi, the Sixth, was fingering the figurine of a soldier in front of him, his large hands almost dwarfing the small object. Across from him sat the Seventh, Kaidoh Kaoru, who sat back and folded his arms with a glare. The Eighth was Momoshiro Takeshi, who had clenched his fists and looked ready to break the nearest object as his violet eyes narrowed. Echizen sat across from him, a low growl issuing from his throat.
“We need to hurry our search,” Oishi said seriously. “If war is upon us . . .”
“Kawamura and Momoshiro have just returned to us,” Inui added. “Kaidoh and I will go this time.”
“No.” The order came from the head of the table as the First spoke. “Fuji and I are going this time. The rest of you will stay behind to receive reports.”
The First of the Nine, Head of the Council, Tezuka Kunimitsu exchanged looks with the Second. Fuji nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly, his eyes serious. The others looked slightly surprised. The First and Second rarely ever left the castle stronghold as they held the most power and were in charge of protecting the city. Usually they would take it in turns from the Third and Fourth onwards to leave the castle.
“Are you sure, Tezuka?” Oishi asked worriedly. “With war upon us, you cannot possibly think to leave the city unprotected . . .”
“The city will be fine.” Tezuka glanced at the map. “For now, the bloodhawks will remain in the mountains. Rikkaidai’s army will take several months to cross the sea, provided that they stop for provisions at Turn Cape and a further two months at least to cross the Jyousei Plains. We will, at best, be gone for three months.”
“Will you be successful?” Echizen asked.
That was the question hanging on the Council’s minds. So far, none of the searches had proved successful this time round. The Council had protected the Seishun Empire and the Nameless City for millennia on end. Their first and foremost task, aside from protecting the Empire, was to instate Storytellers, the ones who were chosen to save the Empire in times of the greatest need.
“We will see,” Fuji said gravely. His clear blue eyes glowed in the light. “The White Phoenix watches us.”
He named his patron goddess, the White Phoenix Gwenhwyfar[3]. Tezuka nodded in agreement as he turned his attention back to the map. The miniature fleet settled in the ocean had inched forward ever so slightly, indicating that the real fleet had just travelled another mile across the ocean.
“Rikkaidai approaches,” he said. “Inui, keep a close eye on their movements in case they decide to rally Jyousei Shounan. I would not put it past Yukimura to gather as large an army as he can before advancing on us. If they do, Kikumaru and Kawamura will set out for Fudomine to call upon their allegiance to us.”
“Tachibana is not unreasonable,” Momoshiro noted.
“He proved that, when he let you off for trying to tup his sister,” Kaidoh pointed out dryly. “This also proves that he is a remarkable man.”
“At which point, Oishi, I will ask for a report as to how successful this is.” Tezuka frowned. “We may need to replan if it doesn’t work out.”
“It should not be a problem,” Fuji reassured him. “Tachibana is still in your debt for assisting him to the throne.”
“All right, that’s my instructions for the next few months.” Tezuka stood and placed his hands on the table. “We will contact you regularly while we are gone. Do not attempt to contact us unless it is absolutely necessary. Adjourned.”
†††
Around the castle, the news had spread like wildfire. The First and Second of the Council were leaving. It had not happened in the lifetimes of anyone in the whole Empire, which was startling news in itself. The City without the First and Second was like a warrior with no armour or weapons. A dead warrior. Not that they didn’t respect or trust the de facto leader, the Third. It was just that his power could not possibly compare to Tezuka’s or Fuji’s, who were the centres to the City’s defence. Oishi was the Records Keeper and Ambassador, who had little experience on the military field.
“How long has it been, Fuji, since you last left?” Kikumaru asked his friend, watching as the Second prepared himself. “Not since the turn of the era, surely. Tezuka has gone out before, but you’ve always stayed.”
“If I recall correctly, the last time was when Tezuka instated the first King of this dynasty at the Third Turn of the Eras[4],” Fuji replied with a small smile. “I remember, because the Church of St Rudolf was destroyed then.”
“Anyway,” Kikumaru said quickly, handing Fuji his dagger. “Are you sure your skills haven’t rusted since then?”
“I’m fitter than you are.”
“Fuji!”
The Second only laughed as he tucked the dagger into his belt and reached for a small knife, which he tucked into his boot. Kikumaru jumped to his feet and wrapped his travelling cloak around his shoulders for him, fastening the clasp securely. Fuji then picked up his pack from the bed and shouldered it.
“Be careful, Fuji,” Kikumaru told him. Fuji was shorter than him by half a head, but he latched onto the other’s neck just the same. “What am I saying? You are the Second, of course you’re going to be all right.”
“Take care of yourself,” Fuji told him likewise. “And of the others, the younger ones especially. Momoshiro, Kaidoh and Echizen have not half the experience nor the patience you and the others do. Keep the Prince in line.”
“Will do.” The Fourth let him go. There came a soft knock at the door.
“It’s time, Fuji.”
It was Tezuka. The Second turned and clasped his friend on the shoulder.
“I’ll see you soon.”
†††
Onto Part Two and Notes