Chapter Text
17:00 January 11th, 2018: Vers' Hypergate
A dream…
Everything began with a dream.
A dream of peace, coexistence and innocence. A vision that was brought about by his naïve teachings that triggered curiosity and wonders bubbling inside the girl. Then in 1999, war broke out and the event known as Heaven's Fall occurred causing destruction, mayhem and brought millions to their death. This sow the seeds of war.
But it fueled something else in another. Heaven's Fall was the beginning, the push to foster that dream.
Their worlds colliding was a spell to disaster. They should have never met…he should never have existed.
It was his existence that encouraged her eagerness to venture to Earth. It was that dream which compelled her forward. Her vision of that beautiful blue planet were too vast. It only grew stronger as the years passed.
She could not be stop.
Earth, the heavenly blue she dreamed of, will once again be plunged into the depths of greed and corruption. War will start. It was inevitable. The peace is loss and reality and dreams begun merging as the hands of time once again aligned.
The signal of the second war started with Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia's assassination.
The day his world fell apart.
He had killed a man in her name.
Let there be justice, even if the Heavens fall.
From then on, events spiral out of control and he was submerged by the dream. He had changed himself in his fervour to make her dream reality! Dreams and reality, reality and dreams. He had loss himself in its flow and he doesn't know how to escape!
The depths of her dream were too vast that he continuously sank deeper into its beauty. Before he realized it, he had ventured too far that his world merged with her dream.
And now he was dreaming… a nightmare. Only a nightmare. But the dream is so intense that he can't discern where it ends… And where reality begins…
He has to wake up!
If he doesn't break free of this prison—he fear he will never escape…
Therefore, to end this continuing nightmare…
He'll return to reality now!
19:00 Same day: Imperial Palace of Vers
When did her world began?
With the Vers Empire?
With her birth?
No, the answer was simple.
Aldnoah.
The mysterious power that revolutionized the world. It was the manifestation of greed, a cancer of corruption. The source for all Versian racism and ethnocentrism. The start of conflicts that breed hatred and superiority. It created worth in a person as it make others succumb to fear and hunger. In its pure form it is oppression that cultivated the Martian hierarchy. It had the power to split worlds. Caused wars, destruction and mayhem. A power that could only destroy.
It was utterly filthy in her eyes.
She was the ruler of such a power.
The lilac hair woman gaze at the Vers Nobility; Counts, Dukes, Duchesses gathered spectacularly inside the center of Martian supremacy. The grand throne room of the Vers Empire was filled with extravagance. The golden lights from the crystal chandeliers, the buzzing of maids and the aroma of the food created a sense of celebration, joy and security inside the palace's walls. The place was brimming with life and energy making the atmosphere carefree as the Aristocracy of Vers filled into the throne room greeting their Empress.
She never described the scene as warm or pleasant. She was too used to the politics and deception to believe in her monarch. The Nobility can never be trusted. Her government did not run on honesty or ideals after all. It was all about control, manipulation, deceit and a power that governed human fear, greed or both. It all comes down to Aldnoah.
Without its power, she was nothing. She understood this, accepted it. The power to control was flowing inside her body. It made people worship her. This was how she now sat on the pinnacle of power with the blood she despised since her childhood. All because of her inherited bloodline, all because of Aldnoah.
She never wished for such a thing. She only desired one thing.
Her cursed bloodline granted her one thing she was grateful for. It allowed her to meet him. She sat silently on her throne as she searched yearningly to be greeted by the one she loved. However, no matter how much her eyes wondered and scanned the large chamber for a glimpse of his presence, it all seemed futile. He was nowhere in sight. Her bubble of rising hope burst in her face to be replaced with the remains of disappointment. She had hoped he would come and not constantly caged himself in his castle. After all, this was all for him! She had practice her self-restraints for weeks just for this day seeing as no mattered how much she hated the Aristocracy of her nation, their vain attempts at pleasing her and their previous treatments of her circumstances, that in the end it doesn't matter because she would do anything for the man she loved. Especially, if it was his birthday!
Today was the day. Today will be the day she would confess. She had waited long enough! She was eighteen, now a legal adult and a woman by right. He can't make any more excuses to delay their wedding! She was his fiancé, even though it was just a convenience title for the war and held no meaning to him, still, she was his fiancé. She loves him. Did she not prove herself for years? She knew he loved no other but that woman. But she wouldn't relent.
Two years ago she'd gave him up if it meant his happiness, she was patient, waited for him, silently watched him and was utterly devoted as she remained by his side witnessing his beautiful dedication to the woman he loved. But that stupid woman had refused him! Her naïve and ignorant half-sister had refuse everything that she had ever wanted! Her half-sister who was born with everything, who was sheltered from everything and who was loved by everyone had abandoned—forsake the man whose only crime was unconditional loyalty and devotion to the one he treasured most. He gave up everything to make that stupid woman's dreams come true and that woman pointed a gun to his face!
That was the last straw. She had waited long enough. Just recalling that moment and the events of the war only fueled her anger and frustrated her more. Her dear, beloved half-sister had left the man she loved in shards, broken and lifeless. It breaks her heart to witness his deterioration during the end of the war. This only made her determination burn to life—she would never give him up to anyone, again.
In her moments of suppress anger that further her determination, the Empress finally noticed the strange silence in the room. Before it was filled with meaningless pleasantries and hidden politics, but now it was completely inaudible as the grave. The tension in the atmosphere was strong. It was all directed at the man with locks of brown hair, with crimson eyes gazing unchallenged and a presence that stands firm.
She immediately knew who had arrived.
She watched the man in a regal black and red decorated military uniform stride with confidence towards her, face blank as ever. He stopped with the appropriate distance near the steps to her throne and kneel with his right knee touching the ground, right hand clenched over his heart, back straight and head bow in greetings. The posture was as precise as everything he did. She knew this man. Known him for three years. And in those three years, he was always a cold calculated machine.
She gracefully lifted her right hand, "You may rise, Archduke Inaho Kaizuka."
"Thank you, Empress Lemrina Vers Envers." He replied without missing a beat in that monotonous voice before standing and straightening himself. He didn't bother with the pleasantries like her other guests and for that she was grateful.
The room immediately burst into whispers. It was obvious who the target was. After all it was a rare occurrence for the expressionless man to attend any social gatherings in the Nobility, no matter how many invitations came his way. This only left the man as enigmatic for many in the Aristocrats desiring to use him to advance in the hierarchy. They have no hope of gathering information seeing as data about Inaho Kaizuka's weaknesses were rare and inexistence. Even for her after knowing him for three years, the man was still a mystery. All she knew was that the man exhibits a lack of emotion and thus, his emotional detachment benefited his piloting skills and logical judgements resulting in his tactical savant.
And therefore, the Vers Nobility viewed him as a threat. For them, Inaho Kaizuka was a phantom who one day appeared and stole one of the most esteem position in the Empire. Being an Archduke in the Vers Empire, means honor, privilege and supremacy second to the throne. It was an uproar when he took the position with disapprovals from many debating his age, background and experiences. However, the man was quite capable of proving otherwise seeing as he took the position by storm with his tactical wits, genius skills in piloting as well as improving a variety of Martian Kataphrakts to the fact that he was very knowledgeable about Earth. There was no room for arguments, especially since he had the backing from her and the Savior of Vers.
Of course, not a soul knew he was a Terran. It would be uttered chaos if they discovered that not one, but two individuals of Terran descent held two of the three positions of an Archduke in an Empire filled with discrimination and racism towards anything not Martian. It was absolutely ridiculous and she sought to change the corruption within the system. However, the vicissitudes were slow in a system that had lasted for decades.
"I am glad you have join us, Archduke Kaizuka." Like always she was the first to speak.
"It was an invitation from Your Majesty. I cannot refuse." The man was as blunt as ever.
The whispers became louder.
"Such disrespect!"
"Her Majesty is too lenient with him."
"He is still a child."
"He should learn to hold his tongue."
"Her Majesty should insure punishment!"
Similar comments were made to be purposely heard but the man did not seemed slightly faze. Like her, he was also by Slaine's side during the war. She did not know what to make of him. After all these years Lemrina still didn't know the man's exact relationship to her beloved Slaine Saazbaum Troyard. Speaking of the man… where was he? Where was her main guest of honor?!
"Archduke Kaizuka what a surprise for you to grace us with your presence!" A voice was heard as a man in his late forties having long, wavy golden hair and sharp violet eyes appeared.
Lemrina narrowed her eyes slightly at the man in the extravagant attire. She did not like this man. He was always trying to control and manipulate her. Typical inside the royal family, after all he was her uncle. Thankfully he wasn't blessed with the late Emperor's blood seeing as he was Emperor Rayregalia Vers Rayvers' adopted son.
One thing she learned at a young age was that family could never be trusted.
"Archduke Ashton Vers Crowell." Kaizuka acknowledged the man. She could see the Archduke easing into a smile of fake pleasantries. It was obvious to her how the man felt about Kaizuka. A dead giveaway from how much he wanted Kaizuka to be strip of his land and title at every opportunities given.
"If you will forgive my rudeness, but you must have tremendous loads on your hands to have refuse an old man's invitation. However, it is understandable to abandon your duties for The Empress. After all, you are quite young and close in age…"
She clench her hands together. The insinuating man! How she wanted to tear him a part and strip him of his title! How dare he disrespect her honor right in her presence and in these crowds! But right now she doesn't have the means and influences to tear him from power seeing as he was her uncle, held the population's trust and manages to maintain a stainless image. He also held most of the Nobility's supports. He had a strong leash on the Empire and Lemrina immediately noticed his influences in her two years on the throne. She hated that even now she was powerless like an insect in the man's web.
"I am only here out of obligation. With an invitation from The Crown, It is my duty to be present." Kaizuka ended in a voice that betrayed nothing. His posture and expression were completely compose and devoid of human characteristics that would give away annoyance, irritation or anger at the elder's obvious taunts.
Lemrina felt a sense of satisfaction. The man's manipulation were not working on Kaizuka. The brunet didn't seemed concern or even fazed. It was obviously angering the elder man.
"…I have heard some astonishing news… They must be true in which, Archduke Kaizuka has been given the honor by The Empress herself, to manage the resources send by Earth. Not only that, but oversee the trading agreements between both planets."
The room was blasted with noise and mutters.
"Quite a burden for one so young." The man ended in a smirk.
This was not good as Lemrina realized what her uncle was after. He had use her; utilizing the special day she planned for Slaine and her power to bring about the entire Aristocracy to get his filthy hands on—
"Do you not all agree?" The man announced as he faced the crowds.
The whispering intensified.
"Empress Lemrina to give such a responsibility to one so young!"
"Archduke Kaizuka is still inexperienced dealing with both Versian and Terran affairs. Do you all not think it would relief Lord Kaizuka's mind if Her Majesty were to give the responsibility to Archduke Crowell?"
"That would be more sensible. Archduke Crowell is more experienced with such affairs."
"Why must we have trade agreements when Earth is ours after the war?"
The crowds began muttering their convictions.
Lemrina wanted to scream. It was clear her uncle planned this and his supporters were obviously making a point and influencing others in the room. Her uncle was questioning her authority and judgment! He had implied she was playing favourite due to her gender and age! Thus, indicating that her judgements and decisions were clouded and unwise. This only made her seemed foolish as an unsuitable ruler! No one would take her seriously again! And he had cleverly planted a seed of doubt in the Nobility. This situation was turning in his favour!
"I have taken these responsibilities onto myself for the last two years. There is no consequences thus far in my competency. If problems arises in my negligence, I will hand the position to Archduke Crowell. Is this satisfactory?" Kaizuka's calm answer spread throughout the room overpowering the reasoning of multiple others. He had crushed them. Because everyone knew that Inaho Kaizuka never made mistakes. His calculations were always precise and his ability to solve them were even faster.
Lemrina let out a small breath of relief. Kaizuka have saved both Earth and her from within her uncle's clutches. She noticed that her uncle haven't relented and immediately spoke before he could utter a word.
"Everyone, today I have gather you all for celebration. Politics and complications aside, today is for enjoyment and to ease the mind of such stress. Let us rejoice on this glorious day!" She gave her best smile with open arms.
She felt the atmosphere ease into light chatters and laughs. The tension of the air that could be cut with a butter knife was gone. Thankfully it didn't escalated. She saw her uncle's frustrated frown as he was surrounded with his people. Her mood never felt better. Serve the man right for ruining her day. Speaking of her day… Where was Slaine? He couldn't possibly refuse a Royal Invitation. Kaizuka who was known to never attend anything fun or socially appeasing made an appearance so where was the man she was waiting for? Her patience could only withstand so much!
Then something strange caught her eyes. A low rank soldier—which is unusual in a place that only allowed individuals with at least a title of Baron to enter—was whispering something into Kaizuka's ear.
She witnessed his face for the first time changed with anxiety, but it instantly switched back into its regular blank state. Yet, it was there nonetheless... Now the only thing that remained was the tension in his body. Something must have happened for a man such as Kaizuka to lose control--something serious.
The man's red eyes glance at her for just a moment making their eyes connect. Eyes that held something strange, which he quickly broke as he signaled her to come to room C-5. She detected that Eddelrittuo noticed Kaizuka's distress and they immediately excused themselves. Her handmaiden stroll her to one of the many conference rooms in the palace. Once they saw the golden engraving for 'Conference 5' they entered.
Inside the room was Kaizuka and Harklight. The atmosphere was strain. Kaizuka betrayed nothing, but Harklight express worry, anxiety and unease. The man was becoming more nervous by the seconds and Lemrina knew something was amiss. Harklight was not a man who would show such obvious distress even when on the battlefield.
She clench her hands together. "Tell me what's going on." She dropped the formal speech of the Aristocracy. She was among people she trusted.
Eddelrittuo beside her could feel the cold unease in the air and fidget nervously.
Harklight didn't even look up and remained quiet. He was entirely absorb in whatever caught his interest on the white tile floor. The man did not move. This only intensifies her fear. The Count never acted so… so out of sort before.
"Please Inaho tell us!"
Lemrina noticed that the stress was getting to Eddelrittuo to the extent that she had forgotten to address Kaizuka by his official title.
"It's an emergency that was not accounted for." Kaizuka calm statement was out of place with the mood inside the room. He then press the controls on the large screen. It showed a security video of a fighter unit advancing to an operational Hypergate. This could only spell trouble.
"At 17:00, a Hypergate was access." Kaizuka got straight to the source of the problem.
"W-what? Why?" Eddelrittuo asked in shock.
"Why wasn't I notify till now? What is the security doing?!" Lemrina questioned in a frustrated tone. This wasn't her day. She needed to hurry back… What if Slaine had already arrived? She needs to greet him! It's been weeks since she saw him and worries consumed her with her last visit... He wasn't himself…
"I was just informed of this situation moments ago. The Intel reported that the entire staff was given holiday leave."
"What! That's preposterous! Who would do such a thing? That is clearly a security breech." The Empress said in disbelief. How could the security guarding the Hypergate be so lax? How could Vers' military, trained soldiers, the strongest be so…unbelievably stupid?! If they were like this how did Vers even won the war against Earth?!
"This is possible as today is a National Holiday on Mars; the birth of Slaine Saazbaum Troyard, the Savior of Vers. I have deduce that the staffs would have no suspicion since their Savior gave them the holiday. It seemed Troy—"
"Wait! Slaine? Why… Why would he do that?"
"Please do not interrupt again Empress. I'll thoroughly explain if given a chance. " The man stated in a chilling demeanor contained within the monotone of his voice. The situation must be affecting him more than he lets on. But right now she cared for none of that as Slaine was involved.
"As I elucidated before, moments ago I was informed that Troyard was the sole person responsible for such negligence of the Hypergate as the staffs reported that Troyard's subordinates will be assigned to their station while he'll oversee to all problems. As a matter of fact, he also gave his subordinates the holiday. In the end, he deceived both parties and his objectives were met."
"What...objectives?" Her voice sounded hollow. She felt afraid. Frightened to know the outcome. She didn't want to know! The video made it clear.
"Lord Slaine opened the Hypergate and escaped to Earth with a fighter unit! The Tharsis is missing..." Harklight finished as he sat despairingly on one of the seats, covering his face to hide his distress.
"What? That doesn't seemed so bad! I thought it was serious." Eddelrittuo's voice let out cheerfully.
Surprisingly, it was Kaizuka who reacted most strongly to the comment.
"Eddelrittuo, do you not comprehend the consequences of going against military protocols, a Royal Invitation, deceiving personnels, escaping to Earth using a fighter unit without permission, in possession of a machine of war and not informing the Empress of such activities? Troyard has broken more than ten regulations that will have him bypass the Court Martial process in Vers' Judiciary and straight to the Death Sentence." Kaizuka's voice was even, not giving anything away like he was reciting a list. But Lemrina could feel the harshness in those words. The cold demand he was emitting.
The man didn't let the poor girl speak as he answered, "It's called 'Desertion'. Troyard, the 'Savior of Vers' for unknown reasons made himself a 'Deserter' of the Empire." Kaizuka's chilling words pierced everyone in the room.
The seriousness of the situation finally sank in.
Slaine… Why Slaine? Lemrina could only cover her face with both hands similar to Harklight as tears began flowing down her cheeks. This was supposed to be the day she would finally be happy. It was supposed to end happily…
"What? No! That doesn't make sense! Why would Slaine betray Vers? That impossible!" Eddelrittuo screamed in denial.
"That's right. I'm sure he has an explanation to his actions. I'll bring Lord Slaine back." Harklight suddenly said in a much more resolve tone. There was determination in his eyes.
"Yes! That's right! Slaine must have a reason." Lemrina convinced herself. There was no way he would abandon Vers… Forsake everything he has achieved.
"I doubt the Nobility will listen to such causes. He will certainly be allocated to be executed." A cold voice of logic injected.
"But—" Harklight was interrupted before he could begin his argument.
"Instead, I will go."
All eyes remain on Kaizuka.
"I'll bring him back in secrecy seeing as I am a better candidate to take such a mission. After all, I govern Earth's trade agreements. Suspicion will diminish if I were the one to travel. Earth will view my presence less of a threat than a Count with unknown intentions trespassing on their lands. It would only make the relationship between the two planets more strains. Conditions on Earth are adverse... Hostility is on the horizon and it is wise not to implant anymore fear and anxiety within the people. Humans become desperate when they are pushed too far. The potential of detrimental outcomes are plausible."
"Then I'll come with you." Harklight was not yielding.
"No. You must stay by Her Majesty and inform me of the situation here. I require someone trustworthy to retain an eye on Archduke Crowell. In no circumstances is he to know about Troyard's disappearance. If Martians learn about their Savior's sudden desertion, there will be disarray within the population and order would be loss, this can destroy the fragile system we have accomplished. Currently our priority is to protect the peace. And if Mars becomes disordered it will fuel undesirable elements on Earth; a domino effect will occur if Troyard's desertion is known. No matter the adversary we must find Troyard and guard this secret. "
"Then what about the staffs of the Hypergate and the missing fighter unit as well as Slaine's subordinates? They will surely get suspicious! Not to mention my Royal Invitation…"
"Your Majesty while awaiting your arrival, Harklight and I have taken care of those elements. All I require of you is the announcement of Troyard's unofficial arrival due to illness and his leave. Fortunately, he has a record of remaining for long periods of time in his Landing Castle and villa. No one will suspect anything for a few months. Please remain calm and delay anyone who desire a meeting."
"Alright… But Kaizuka, you must promise me that you'll bring him home safe and sound" was all she could manage. She felt more weak and helpless than she did years ago. She could do nothing to help Slaine… Even when she controlled the supreme power known as Aldnoah.
"I trust you, Kaizuka." Harklight declared, eyes nervous and body tense. Lemrina thought his actions were strange, but she reasoned Harklight must be in distress similar to her. The man also cared deeply for Slaine, maybe to an extent that was abnormal.
"Tell Slaine he's causing a lot of problems so he must come back!" Eddelrittuo forced out while trying to keep her tears back. Lemrina knew of her handmaiden's crush on her beloved.
She long realized the one thing they all had in common, everyone in this room seemed to hold strong feelings for Slaine Saazbaum Troyard.
However, the crimson eyes man might be different. She did not know his motive. But she could only place her trust in him. After all, he had proven himself to be loyal to the Empire. There was something in the Empire the man protected fearlessly. Lemrina could trust in that, right?
The man known as Inaho Kaizuka only nodded.
Inaho recognized that Earth could not withstand another war.
Because Earth was dying.
War will erupt if Slaine Saazbaum Troyard becomes a known absconder.
Two Worlds will perish and Inaho thinks he doesn't mind as he should.
He has changed... But he doesn't wish to stop. No, he mustn't stop.
In order to fulfill that man's dreams, he must change.
Therefore, he needs to confirm if Slaine still wished to hold on to the Vers Empire, to Earth, to everything that reminded the blond of her...
Or perhaps the blond wanted to extinguish it all?
Whatever Slaine wishes, Inaho will fulfill.
If it's Slaine's desire to erase everything so that the blond could find solace, Inaho will gladly grant it.
...even if it means the destruction of both planets.
He couldn't stop now.
He shall not stop.
All he desired is Slaine's happiness.
That is his solace.