Act Ten: The Emperor of Zen

The wind blew softly that night as Ariana lingered on one of the bridges in the emperor’s main garden. After talking with Missy for another hour, the Princess of Hope had fallen asleep but her friend on the other hand was having a much more difficult time resting. It was here that the Crimson Knight found her staring into the water below her eyes fraught with worry.

“And I thought I was the only one awake” he said gently as he walked over to her, “What’s wrong sweetie?” he added as he placed his strong hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

“I’m just concerned. Takuto” she began carefully, “Everything is all wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“This treaty. I do not feel right about it. I feel very uneasy.”

“We all do. Even his highness.”

“You’re actually siding with him?”

“Huh?”

“You told me a long time ago that you don’t trust royals” she looked at him directly.

“I know, but I have changed my opinion of them since he became emperor. Jinto is a good man and he does what is best for the people of Zai. That’s what he’s doing now” Takuto moved over to the other side of her as she looked down into the water once more, “Besides; the Knights of Light are all going to be there, the Knights of Hope. We’ll make sure that nothing goes wrong.”

“If only we really knew” she replied as the wind blew through her bangs slightly, “If only there was a way, an actual way to discover the truth behind it all” she moved from the water and towards the gazebo with her back to him, “I’ve been trying for the last hour or so to get in touch with my brother again.”

“You mean like you did the other night in Fali?” he said nodding, “I must say I really did think that you had gone crazy or something. But you really were talking to him weren’t you?”

“Yes. He told me he’s doing everything he can to help, although he didn’t give many details. I’ve always had a strong connection with Tony. Perhaps because we are so close in age. I wish he was here now. Right beside me. I know I have all of you Takuto but sometimes a girl just needs her big brother you know.”

“I don’t really understand but” he began, “Perhaps it’s because you miss your family. Perhaps” he paused, “You want to go home.”

She looked back at him in surprise as he sighed.

“You know maybe it’s a bit unfair asking you to stay here with me. I love you, don’t get me wrong but I am asking you to give up something precious.”

“Something I am willing to give up actually” she replied seriously as he stared back at her, “Takuto, I was undecided before. Before I lost you, before you lost your memory. After I got you back I was no longer undecided” she walked up to him and placed her arms around his neck, “I knew after that that I cannot live without you. A world without you would be incomplete. My life without you would mean nothing. I would be lost, alone, and forever sad. I am certain of this with no hesitation. Yes, I love my family. Yes, I will miss them. All of them. My father and mother. Dominic. Maria. Alex. And Tony. I will miss my friends, Missy and Jasmine when they finally go home. But I also know that they love me enough to understand my decision. I know because they loved me enough to send me back here knowing my feelings about you.”

“Ariana” he looked deep into her brown eyes, “Are you sure?”

She leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her and they continued to kiss passionately until she finally pulled away.

“I have never been more sure about anything my entire life” she answered, “I want to be married to you Takuto. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I am sure” she nodded.

He smiled and embraced her tightly as in the distance Takeru watched them with a sad expression and a heavy sigh. As he shook his head he walked away leaving them to their own fate.

(Next Scene)

The rain continued to pour hard when the carriages of Zen arrived at the palace gates. Kinnosuke along with several upper guards were sent to greet the Emperor of Zen and his party. They led the large group to the throne room where Jinto along with the Knights of Light, Knights of Hope, Knights of Truth, and the Emperor of Zurca along with his advisors all waited. The party from Zen bowed their heads in politeness as their young emperor lowered his head to Jinto. Jinto bowed his head as Takuto and Mikado stared a bit angrily as the Black Knight of the Knights of Night stood next to his emperor.

“Welcome to our fair city” Jinto began, “Shall we begin?”

The treaty was signed within moments and soon after everyone was shown to their respective rooms. The Knights of Light retreated to the archives where Ariana and Master Manzo were waiting. All was described to the two of them in great detail so by the time they all broke for bedtime most was understood but there was a still great foreboding in Ariana’s mind. Missy was now situated with her own knights and the Emperor of Zurca so she found herself alone in her room pondering and wondering. With a silent sigh she stood from her bed once more intent on going to the emperor’s garden.

(Intermission)

As she walked to her favorite spot she heard an unfamiliar sound coming from it. It sounded a lot like a harp and as she approached the bridge she could see across from it, under Jinto’s favorite tree something or rather someone unfamiliar. He was bent over the harp like instrument and was playing it with a very delicate looking bow. From what she could tell he himself was rather delicate and looked almost angel like with his white blond hair hanging over the instrument and his long eyelashes shielding his baby blue eyes from view. His robes were very fancy and bronze in color with a jade sash across his chest. However they didn’t seem to fit his frail body. Ariana took soft steps across the grass as she neared him and then cleared her throat.

“Excuse me?” she began.

He stopped playing and looked up allowing her to see his beautiful eyes immediately.

“I’m sorry” he said softly with a gentle smile, “Did I wake you?”

“No” she shook her head.

“Good. I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I just felt the need to play.”

“Well it was very beautiful. Your playing I mean.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”

“But you do know that you are trespassing don’t you?” she added seriously.

“Hmm?”

“This is the emperor’s garden. It’s off limits to anyone else.”

“But you are here” he pointed out.

“Well yes, but I am an exception.”

“Oh I see” he nodded understanding, “You must be the Princess of Light.”

“Huh?” she looked at him quizzically.

“You can’t be the other one, the Princess of Hope I mean. She has curly blond hair. Yours is brown and straight.”

“Wait, how did you know about that?”

“The Princess of Night told me.”

“Jasmine?” she said slowly, “You’ve met Jasmine?”

“Several times” he nodded, “She’s told me all about her friends. The Princess of Hope’s name is Missy. And that would make you Ariana. But I am getting a little ahead of myself” he replied after a pause, “It is impolite for a gentleman to not introduce himself to a lady beforehand.”

“I already know who you are” she said abruptly, “I mean, my knights already described you to me. You’re the Emperor of Zen aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Forgive me for asking this, but how old are you?”

“I am fourteen and a half. I was thirteen when I became emperor.”

“Thirteen?”

“Mhm.”

“Are you ill?” she replied confused.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m sorry, its just you look so frail and your robes are falling off.”

“The robes don’t actually fit me because of the fact that I am so young. But in answer to your question I am of poor health at the moment. I have been rather sickly since I was born. It is why I appear so pale to you” she looked at him sympathetically with many questions in her mind which he seemed to already guess, “You might wonder I suppose why they would choose an emperor who could die any day, but I do not have an answer for you. I do not have an answer myself. However I decided with my remaining days that I would do what I could for my country and for the country of Zen.”

“Is that what this peace treaty is all about? Doing something good?”

“Don’t you think it’s good? For the four countries to be at peace?”

“Yes, but” she began to protest.

“You seem troubled. You seem very troubled about this decision.”

“Well, yes I am very troubled. I feel very uneasy about this” she shifted a little as she spoke not daring to take her eyes off of his.

“Why? Is it because I am the emperor of an enemy country?”

“Well, quite frankly, yes. I don’t know you and I don’t know what you’re about. And to be honest no matter how you look I don’t trust you.”

“That’s fair.”

“In fact I probably should be going” she turned around, “You should leave too. You don’t belong in here.”

“Would it help if you knew my real name?” he asked so she would turn back around.

“Real name?”

“Every emperor has a real name” he nodded as he stood, “Even me.”

“All right” she nodded staring back into his clear eyes, “It might help a little.”

“My name is Kyoya.”

“Kyoya?” she said slowly.

“That’s right. Now you know my name and I know yours. I am Kyoya and you are Ariana. Don’t hesitate to use it, my real name.”

“I think I will just stick to your majesty” she shook her head making his face fall slightly as they heard heavy feet coming from behind him.

“Your majesty” Nico replied as he approached, “You shouldn’t be out here. I have searched for you everywhere” he added not failing to notice the look of hatred he was receiving from Ariana.

“I am fine Nico” Kyoya insisted, “I was just playing a bit of music and I bumped into the Princess of Light, Ariana here.”

“Just the same” he said looking at the angry girl directly, “We are in enemy territory.”

“You shouldn’t think that way Nico” Kyoya replied chiding him, “We’re allies now.”

“Not all of us” Nico shook his head as he steered him away from the frowning girl, “And don’t hold such venom towards me Princess of Light” he spat with a frown of his own.

“I have every reason to think ill of you” she through back.

“Is that so?” he eyed her with his green eyes flashing.

“Ariana!” Mikado cried out as he ran over, “You shouldn’t be here” he added taking her arm and staring furiously at the Black Knight, “Come on back to bed.”

Reluctantly the girl followed him away from the garden as Nico continued to steer the Emperor of Zen back to his room.

“You shouldn’t be consorting with the Princess of Light you know” he said angrily.

“Relax Nico” Kyoya replied gently, “She’s harmless. She’s just a little girl.”

“She’s a lot stronger then you think.”

“Maybe. But if you keep your head she will be easily dealt with. Just remember who gave you your power and who you owe allegiance to.”

“Of course, Master” he bowed his head.

“Never forget that Nico. And don’t look back. The past is the past. We have a brand new future awaiting us. Revenge is not necessary” he finished moving past him as the Black Knight shook his head not entirely certain that it was something he could do.

(Next Scene)

“Mikado” Ariana said stopping him in his tracks, “Are you angry with me?”

“No” he shook his head, “I knew it was all innocent. But still wandering around this time of night with them around, it’s dangerous.”

“I know. But no one told me that Nico was here” she added with a frown.

“It’s something we didn’t want to tell you just so you wouldn’t worry. I know now we should have. But please Ariana don’t wander without one of us until they leave.”

“I promise I won’t. Mikado, could you do it?”

“Could I do what?” he asked a bit distracted as she looked at him questionly, “Oh. Actually no.”

“No?” she replied surprised.

“For some reason I can’t. It makes me think that maybe Riku’s around. But I haven’t seen him and I don’t get the feeling that he is. But if he isn’t around how come I can't read the Emperor of Zen’s mind?”

“Is it completely blocked off?”

“That’s just it. During the signing I could read it perfectly and it seemed like he had no ill intentions. But now I couldn’t read anything, that entire time in the garden, nothing. I don’t know. Maybe my ability hasn’t come back all the way.”

“I don’t trust him” she shook her head.

“You don’t?” he looked at her a bit surprised himself now of her assessment.

“No. I didn’t trust this whole thing and when I met him I knew my instincts weren’t wrong. He may look sickly and he may be young but there is something about this guy that scares me. No, Mikado I don’t trust him one bit and I still don’t believe that signing that treaty was the right thing to do. I really have a bad feeling and if I don’t find the answer soon to why I am going to go crazy.”

(Next Scene)

The Princess of Truth paced the floor of her prison staring at the green light bars that held her in. She looked sadly on the wall at a large tapestry that resembled the one in The Palace of Zai.

“Oh Princess of Light” she said slowly, “Hear me soon, or the powers of F.H.T.L will never come. He is getting stronger with each passing day. Hear my prayer Ariana” she placed her hands together. Find the answer and then you will be able at last to find me.”

(Curtain)

To be continued…

Authors Note: Okay everyone! That’s it for Book Five. I will be back sometime next year with Book Six! The final installment of Princess of Light! See you then!!!

Next Book: Unity of Peace