The songs of the forest in sweet harmony
We give the gift of our song to the fairy
Dancing a spiral we sing unaware
The fairy night wings our songs fill the air
-Lyrics to 'Fairy Night Song' performed by several artists
Elements of Great Design Part 49
"I cannot believe that there are still people who have not evacuated their homes when they are this close to the darkness," Quatre muttered under his breath as he pulled his veil around his face against the gust of air that had picked up specks of sand from the road that Sand Rock carried him along. Frowning deeply, he watched a handful of children play in the streets as though there were no looming blackness that had drastically grown over the last three days.
The hidden town of Cleyra, also known as the city of Illusion, was protected not by walls like most cities and kingdoms, but by a powerful sand storm that flanked the land of lush greenery on all corners. It was because of that magical shell that the people were able to carry on in peace while Strangers would never have known to walk through the blast of dirt that completely hid the residences within. [1]
A fix of human gifted, elves and other mystic beings resided primarily in the land that in and of itself was absolutely mesmerizing in its beauty and surprises.
Every structure from gazebos that housed shimmering pools of water and the quaint homes of the Cleyraians was built within the sides and branches of massive trees that seemed to climb up into the infinite heavens. Stairs wrapping the trunks of those great plants paved the way to the shops, the heart of the town as well as the castle of glistening, blue glass that bowed in the shape of a bell in the highest peaks.
Finally closing his mouth that had been open since he and the Alliance had set foot into the enchanting realm, Heero shook his head and breathed, "Just when I am certain I have seen every wonder there is for Gaia to offer... This place is absolutely remarkable." Riding close beside the Fighter, Duo smiled and hummed in agreement as he also took in the seemingly endless amount of interesting things to see.
Completely clearing the mirage storm that had parted to them, the team led their horses around the base of the largest tree that served as the base of the castle.
Stretching his head up towards the shimmering palace, Trowa frowned deeply, "It would not sit right with me if we stay the night and leave without speaking to the Sovereign here to insist that they have their people leave. Perhaps a handful of Strangers forewarning of the danger might be just the thing to convince them that their lives really are in danger."
"It could not hurt," Quatre stated. "I know first-hand how proud gifted creatures and humans can be. No doubt they are certain that together they would be strong enough to hold off Mariemaia." He finished his thought with a frustrated sigh and shook his head.
Anna was still too bewildered by the beauty around them to make much use of her voice up until then. Breaking from her distracted state, she looked to her 'brothers' and commented, "I agree that we should say something. But if they have stayed here this long, it would be best to not get our hopes up that anything we have to share will sway them."
She bit her lip and stared up at the incredibly high tops of the tree, adding, "Besides, we likely would not be taken in very openly since we are not originally of this land." Walking alongside ShenLong, Wufei let out a low grunt of agreement.
Ever one of the protective nature when it came to defending the defenseless, Heero replied, "It could not hurt to at least try."
Spying the start of the winding staircase carved into the edge of the trunk, he gestured to it and announced, "And there is no time like the present for that." Lightly tapping Wing's side with his heels, the soldier gripped his reins as he was carried up the first series of steps with the rest of his team not far behind.
On their way upward, the warriors observed the many mystics around that paused to stop and watch them pass in keen interest while keeping a safe distance at the same time. While the youngsters playing and running around went on in their activities without pause, the adults came to stop whatever it was they had been doing to outright stare at their passing guests.
Though there was by no means a feeling of being threatened by those onlookers, it was still a bit unnerving for the lot to have so many eyes on them.
"Ever get the feeling you were being watched..." Duo snorted under his breath, "...except that whoever was watching was not so subtle about it?" His own cobalt eyes running over their surroundings to be on alert for any sign the natives might move to harm them, Heero only let out a low snort of agreement.
Swallowing roughly, Winner piped up, "It is a little strange how there was no resistance to our arrival. Hopefully we are not willingly walking right into something nasty that is being saved for us."
Anna tightened the grip that she'd already had on her bow at her side as she replied with a huff, "And good luck to us fending off an army of gifted that outnumber us a couple of hundreds of thousands to our six."
Biting her lip, she felt her heart lurch when another handful of gleeful kids bounded down the stairs in complete obliviousness to their guests. "Let us just hope and pray it does not come to that," she whispered, "I am not convinced that I would be able to put innocent children at risk."
Not one of the Keepers, nor their Life and Death counterparts were thrilled with the prospect of having to make that kind of a decision. But then with so many other lives counting on their completing the task of retrieving the Elemental Stones to end Mariemaia's reign... sadly such a sacrifice might be unavoidable.
With that in mind, the remainder of the climb to the tree top was made in somber silence.
Once Wing's hooves touched the top of the stretch, the members of the travelers openly gaped in having the full view of the majestic palace.
From the ground, the actual sight of the castle did not do it justice in just how remarkable the blue glass and silver arches of the structure actually were. From the unique curved shapes to its glow, it was otherworldly... not to mention more than fitting for a land of gifted and magical creatures.
Two tall, muscular guards covered in gold armor from head-to-toe stood at the closed doors beyond the short walk across leaves and solid branch.
Each armed with long staffs that they held upright beside them, their smiles between the metal slits of their helmets could be made out as the new arrivals approached. "Welcome, Alliance" the two spoke in one, ringing voice. "Queen Iria has been expecting you."
Blinking widely, the wolf and the riders exchanged surprised expressions. Duo was the first to break the quiet with a widely grinned, "Well, if we are walking into a trap, at least it's a friendly one."
With a bit of hesitance, the team dismounted their steeds and began to walk through the glass doors that opened to them when they stepped towards the entrance. Their steps slow, measured and timed perfectly, they walked close enough in a line that their shoulders nearly brushed as they made their way through the dazzling corridors of the palace.
Curved pillars of brilliant ivory served as the support for the walls and ceiling that continuously dazzled with countless, twinkling sparkles. Fountains that had hopping balls of water that rose from the pools that they came from instead of cascading down were only a few of the incredible pieces of living décor throughout the hallways.
One thing, however, remained the same from the world just outside. Any mystic or human that the Alliance passed by came to abruptly break from whatever it was they had been in the middle of to stare openly at them.
Even though they had been granted entrance without a single showing of trouble, hands tightened all the more around the hilts and grips of their weapons.
Following the straightest stretch that was soon lined with guards at either side, the Keepers and their brothers watched in surprise as those protectors fell to a knee with lowered heads at their appearance. Confused by the gesture as they were, Heero and the others never paused for a moment until they reached the double doors at the end of the walkway.
If the interior of the castle that they had seen was not captivating enough, the throne room that was opened to the Alliance had their hearts seizing in their chests at the sheer sight of it.
There was such a brilliant warmth that emanated from the gold-flaked walls that had been painted in ornate, abstract details to the deep red carpet that stretched ahead of them to the platform of the tiny throne at the furthest end of the room.
And sitting in that small, exalted seat was a beautiful fairy that Yuy knew he could have easily fit into the palm of his hand. "Queen Iria, I presume," he greeted. A crystal crown sitting at the top of her head of shoulder-length, wavy blonde hair, the dainty creature smiled warmly and stood so that the hem her sleeveless gown of white could touch the floor beneath her.
Transparent wings opened to flutter so that the fey was lifted into the air and she hovered before her guests, telling them, "I have been awaiting this meeting for some time now."
Bowing her head first to the wolf and following the line of faces, she grinned widely, "Earth. Fire. Air. Water. Life and Death. It has been almost a century since Cleyra has been graced by your presence. That this meeting is taking place while I am serving as Queen is an honor of which I can never begin to convey... even in Gaia's darkest of days."
Once again blinking in surprise, the team eyed each other. Slowly but surely, the iron grips that they'd had on their weapons loosened and fell away completely as their tense postures eased for the first time since their arrival into the enchanted land.
Green eyes brightening, the fairy offered, "I will see you all to the best of rooms for you to make yourselves comfortable in now that night is nearly upon us. Time is not on our side, but we have enough to see that you all are fed and rested after you have traveled so far."
Focusing back onto the four-legged member of the group, she smirked, "As for this loose end, I may have a way of tightening it during your stay." That said, she raised her right hand to snap her fingers together. At the echoing sound, the wolf arched his back high with a low howl of shock at the sensation coursing through him.
Anna hardly had a second to react beyond her falling back and the startled cry that broke from her when her wide eyes watched her lover take on his true form. Equally stunned, her brothers looked on in just as much surprise before Quatre managed to bring himself around enough to produce and drape the Monk's robe around the shoulders that were emerging beyond a thick coat of black fur.
Whimpering as tears rolled down her face, the redheaded archer's breath came out in a shaky huff that was cut off when her hand slapped over her mouth. His muscles working and adjusting to their return, Wufei pulled his clothes around himself as he carefully straightened himself onto shaking legs when his wife threw her arms around him in a fierce embrace that he returned tenfold.
Between their soft kisses, the reunited couple laughed through their tears and they raised their hands to marvel at having them pressed against one another again. And Anna, who had originally been the most uncertain to whether or not coming to the enchanting land was the right thing, spun to the shimmering eyes watching them and insisted, "We're staying."
Laughter and fervent nods answered.
* * * * * *
Three days and three nights.
That was how long the Fighters of the White Fang rebellion continued to wait for the siege from the dark army just north of them. For them, the first day and night brought relief to them for the knowledge that those who could not defend themselves had a good amount of time to get away.
During the second, further reassurance came along with the start of fatigue in their anxious wait.
By the third night, that fatigue was giving way to exhaustion and paranoia that began to erode away at the core of their souls.
Fighting his exhaustion, Trent wearily walked around the ranks that he was responsible for leading.
Those newer recruits huddled in the shrubbery were faring the best, the anticipation of finally meeting their enemy for the first time keeping the spirits up to a contented high. It was the seasoned White Fang that the officer was most concerned about, and so he spent the most time checking in with those individuals.
In reaching a man-dug trench of five such rebels, Quinze offered a brave smile and descended into the hole with them. "How is it going, men?" he asked in a friendly greeting, sure to keep his voice as bright as possible. The hollowness in the campfire-lit eyes that fell on him was enough to have his own nerve falter for a moment.
"When are they going to finally come and put us out of our misery, sir?" Jeffrey, only twenty-five in physical years and an experienced Fighter from Paramecia who had seen it all from the start of the war, asked in little more than a flat whisper. The hand that seemed to have been gripping his blade since the first night of their wait was trembling as he shook his head, "I do not know how much more I will be able to take of just sitting here."
Such was the growing mentality of those who had already been tested by fire time and time again.
Biting his lip, the young man's lover, David wrapped an arm around his shaking shoulders and urged softly, "Shhh. If you continue to think that way, you have already allowed those damned monsters to win. Try to find some sense of peace that good will overcome this fight, my heart." Leaning in, he pressed a soft kiss against his partner's temple.
His shoulders slumping as he took in the tender moment between the two, Trent released a deep sigh over the way his own heart twisted in missing Relena.
It had only been days that they had been parted, but it may as well have been a lifetime in light of the odds that were stacked against his survival now. And yet, he still thanked the Creator for allowing his Queen and soul mate the time to see herself to safety.
What was most unsettling was the awareness that Jeffrey's fading courage was a rampant condition through the whole of their force. As David had insisted, such a thing would only guarantee their demise in the wake of an army that knew they were stronger... an army that knew they would win when they came up against their resistance.
Not about to have his charges sink any deeper than they already were, the Conerian soldier reached into the purse hung from his armored waist and removed a paper-wrapped treat that he had been using as a means of distraction for such a situation.
Carefully unfolding the flaps of the casing, he revealed a thick bar of sweet berries that had been fused together with chocolate. It was a rare and exotic treat from the few lands that knew how to harvest and produce the candy.
At the sight of the snack, the five pairs of eyes watching grew. Grinning, Quinze broke off a decent sized chunk to fill each hand that stretched out to him.
It was not much, but any kind of reminder of life beyond the war worked miracles on the spirit of the rebels. Already, the very same lot that were so miserable and lost only a second before now had smiles on their faces as they ate away at their offerings.
"All of this will soon be behind us and we will be reunited with the rest of our camp," Trent reassured with a smile. Eyeing the packs at their feet, he asked, "How are you on supplies? Anything that I can look into getting for you?"
Briar, who had only come of the rightful age to become a Fighter of eighteen the year before, shrugged, "No, sir. We have enough rations to get us through the next couple days... if we are still waiting out here that long." Wincing when a sharp gust of cold air shot through the hole, he shivered and grinned sheepishly, "Although a couple of extra blankets would be most appreciated if there are any to be spared."
Nodding, Quinze smirked, "I know where I can get my hands on some. I will return with them before nightfall." he made sure to make eye contact with each young man and ordered, "In the meantime, I want all of you to adjust your watch shifts so that you all may get more sleep when it is your down time. You all look like something Abaddon had drug through his Hell. That is unacceptable of anyone under my command."
Their backs straightening, the soldiers saluted smartly at the appealing demand and responded as one, "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
With a wink, the officer gathered up his own backpack that he had set aside and crawled out of the trench to move to the next. It was all the same for the last day, a special delivery of some kind for every handful of warriors.
A fresh pair of boots to replace ones falling apart, a few blankets, fresh water from the stream to make up for the stale drops in the canteens... whatever could make life in the encampment more bearable was bestowed. Every complaint was heard and seen to. Each worry was addressed and handled without ridicule.
It was the very least that could be done. Maybe it was not the most flattering job for a Fighter of rank, to play an errand boy. However, Trent took it on with a true appreciation that he was able to be of any assistance to his men.
Daylight had nearly faded away completely when Quinze spotted a familiar brown cloak that was walking amongst the foliage near the edge of the encampment. Picking up his pace, he made his way to his King's side as he greeted, "Good evening, Your Highness. I do hope that you are on your way to a safe place to hide for the night before you only have the torches to lead you."
The tall, handsome royal stopped to turn and grin at his Fighter. "You still sometimes struggle to call me by my name, even when you and my sister have begun courting," he snickered quietly. "You are a family friend, Trent. It is perfectly fine for you to break tradition and simply address me as Zechs."
Biting his lip, the officer gave two quick bows of his head and stammered, "S-Sorry, Sire- Zechs." At his slip, he chuckled and shook his head. "To be honest, yes, it does feel odd to forgo your title. But if it pleases you more, I will make the extra effort to get past that."
Pleased with that, Merquise nodded with a small smile. "As for my being out in the open like this," he began, "I needed to get out of that damned hole in the ground to stretch my legs even if for a short walk. While I appreciate your concern, there's no need for alarm as I am well aware of the danger that we could fall under attack at any moment." It was the soldier's turn to grin and nod at that.
Gesturing to the trenches and bushes behind them, the King asked, "How are your charges fairing?"
A sigh escaped Trent as he shrugged, "They are tired, frustrated, scared, wanting all of this to be over. All things to be expected, but I am working on improving their morale as best I can with what little I have to give." He smirked, "Those chocolate bars that you had brought as part of your supplies from Coneria have been a big help. Not many of the Fighters or rebels have had the joy of such a treat before."
Patting his friend's shoulder, Zechs praised, "I have heard nothing but good things about you and your efforts, not that it comes as any surprise to me. Firion was wise in choosing to make you one of his officers." The grin on his face spreading, he went on, "And as far as a suitor to my sister, I could not be happier than to see her with you."
Not one to be terribly comfortable with such compliments, Quinze ducked his head to hide the blush that had set in. Staring at the ground, he replied quietly, "That coming from you means more than I could ever-" The sound of a distant, booming horn from the north vibrated the air, cutting off his words and bringing his face to snap back up with wide eyes.
Just as the King and the Fighter had frozen, so had everything in the wood, as if all life present had collectively held their breaths in wait. Though the startling bellow was alarming, those horns had sounded time and time again over the last few days... yet another form of torment from the monsters looming in the not so far distance.
The seconds wound on without another noise to be picked up by the ears that were straining to gather. And those seconds rolled into minutes. Finally, the soldiers released the air that they had been holding and quietly resumed their almost silent conversations.
Eyes narrowed, Trent growled lowly as he stared towards the north. "Bastards," he hissed in an uncharacteristic break from his calm. Shaking his head, he snapped, "That is the one thing about their little game that gets under my skin the most. Using a battle cry like that when they know how on edge we already are... there is no limit to their cruelty."
Zechs sympathized and patted the soldier's arm, reassuring, "Perhaps tomorrow we might get to see-"
Stomp.
That clanging, solid thud of a boom was unlike anything that had risen up in the last days or nights. And yet it was chillingly familiar from past experiences.
Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.
Armored feet, marching together in the distance. And the pauses between them were shortening.
"They're coming," Quinze breathed, his skin paling. The wait had come to an end.
One way or another, the mental and physical anguish would be over very soon... be that through surviving the night... or by dying before the morn at the end of all suffering.
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page