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The large theater erupted in marvelous laughter, catching the attention of the brooding prince who is idle beside the queen. The throne lies above the theater, having it so the queen of vampires herself may enjoy the spectacles. It’s an unusual but important place for the kingdom, as it boosts morale during times of war and uncertainty. He has seen it with his own eyes, the bright smiles his citizens hold even during such gruesome events above surface.
Mikaela can recall many plays that were performed in the theater when he awoke, and it’s most likely more were played before as well. Krul would often talk about them, explaining the tragic twists and turns of the stories being displayed before her eyes. It was evident, to Mikaela at least, that Krul enjoyed these performances more than anything.
For now, these were a pleasant distraction from the mourning that took place not too long ago.
The prince looks down, wondering if it was even appropriate for such events to take place right after a funeral. For such joyous sounds, even Mikaela can feel the mournful atmosphere from the vampires who listen to the singer on stage. Their eyes are in awe, but there’s something of distance between the starry stares and beautiful singing. A collective thought hoping two beloved nobles are laid to rest.
Mikaela raises his head once more, trying to ignore the backache that reaches his neck far too quickly, a harsh pain that he has to deal with often. Especially with the Second Resurrection, he has had increased pain from his wings should be. For all its worth, it’s not something he isn’t used to already. ‘It’s not important right now.’
He glances at the queen by his side, who is smiling in her throne, watching the scene unfold before her eyes. From what he can tell, she is happy and content. That’s what he likes to see, but it feels artificial.
From her perspective, Ferid and Crowley were able to die with a smile on their faces. They were finally able to be free of their immortal torture.
He believes the same, that they were happy when they died. Two horrible people who wanted nothing more than to finally be laid to rest, got their wish granted before the Queen’s eyes. Sinners who got what they had coming for them and smiled the whole time.
He knew Krul wanted the same for herself. To be free of the heaven’s curse, of Shika himself, but it was a childish dream. She was always a child at heart.
Doors swung open as an assemble of soldiers make their way towards the throne.
“My queen, we apologize for interrupting your watch of the performance tonight, but we bring forth urgent news,” Says the Panther of Luminosity, also known as René Simm. Mikaela knows him as a very important asset when it came to upper world operations, which has proved helpful in establishing control of some human civilizations that are still plentiful. He is respected by many, and even Lacus considers him a great friend.
René, along with four vampire guardsmen, kneel before the queen, Mikaela being closest in proximity. Krul takes her eyes off the play and stares at the group. “You have my attention, what is supposedly so urgent I have to halt my study of tonight’s Drama?” she responds, straightening her posture before the informants.
The Panther of Luminosity nods in acknowledgment as he replies bitterly: “A group of elite humans, 3-5 according to reports, have been infiltrating many of our Civil Communities, causing quite the ruckus. They have successfully freed some of our livestock, which has been hard on the recovering vampires from the Battle in Shinjuku,” René looks toward Mikaela briefly, “We may require assistance in removing these pests, as they carry high class weaponry similar to the ones who we fought in the previous battle,” René finishes.
Krul deepens her frown, eyeing the man infront of her before sighing in exhaustion. Mikaela knows these uprisings have been weighing down on Krul, and with the Second Resurrection causing another Seraph being awoken, her plate has been overflowing with responsibility. The prince notices her fatigue more and more everyday, and he believes he should make a stand once again, for her sake.
‘For Yuu…’
“You may rise Panther. I will personally come and handle the livestock along with any additional concerns you have,” Mikaela states. René’s eyes widen before taking back their usual tired position. “We appreciate your help, my prince, but should we really risk your safety for such a trivial matter?” René counters.
Mikaela had no reaction in his face, but deep down he knew he was treading dreadful waters. He can feel Krul’s eyes digging into his already painful back.
No matter, he has to confront Yuu’s friends.
‘Because I must see for myself what he is attempting to leave behind…’
Mikaela retorts, “I am aware of my predicament Panther, but I have personal business in the upper world in conjunction with this unfortunate incident. It would just be more efficient to deal with both matters accordingly.” René swallows his response, bowing his head in return and lifting his body from its stiff position before the chair.
“I understand my prince, you may do as you please. Meet our party at the base point near Shibuya, there we can plan efficiently,” René states before exiting the throne room with his group. The only noise present were the notes of the desperate singer on the theater’s stage, ringing in the prince’s ear before he directs his gaze back at Krul.
“I could have sent Chess’s agency with them, y’know. Their base is closer to Shibuya and far more expendable than you, Mikaela,” Krul spoke, breaking the 30 second silence between the two. Her tone is sarcastic, but her words carry a hint of concern. A concern she has been wallowing in ever since his second awakening.
With his vampire curse, he must live as a blood sucking monster, his remaining humanity trapped in a glass case in his bedroom. With his seraph curse, he must endure the awakening of his true power. For as long as the first is alive, so is the sickness that plagues the sinner’s soul. Yet it isn’t even his pain in the first place, for Mikaela is nothing but a clone of the original, his human body that of a vessel used to house the torture of an angel’s son. Krul knows this, Krul sees this, and Krul will always be concerned about it.
She was there when his limp body arose from the coffin he was placed in. She had raised him herself, with only her deceased big brother as her role model. He grew into a dignified and elegant man, icy towards anyone who dared pry into his true self. But he was also naive, relying on the pessimism of war to humble his selfish desires. Despite his strength, he was a child no different than his original form. Krul knew that, and she cared for him throughout it all. Such a waste of motherly love.
Mikaela, as cold as he usually is, smiles warmly in the queen’s direction. “I am aware Krul, but you must already know the real motive for my involvement,” the prince replied softly, looking away and facing toward the opening that faces the stage. The singing has softened, warning the entranced vampires of the musical’s untimely end.
“Go on then, it’s not that big of a deal anyway. But I’m not going to babysit that human while you’re gone.”
He turns fully toward the vampire queen, offering her his gloved hand. The pink haired takes it, shakily holding onto Mikaela’s hand. He responds somberly, “Don’t worry about Yuu, my queen. He does not plan to come here, not with my situation being so fresh. I trust him.”
The blush ghosts the prince’s cheeks, but the queen didn’t need that to feel the love Mikaela has for Yuichirou.
Krul laughed, loosening her grip on her adopted son. “You truly are a piece of work Mikaela. Go now, before unnecessary damage is done to our precious feeding system,” the queen replies, a fond smile glowing on her face.
‘That smile, she only ever wears it when talking about her brother… It’s truly a beautiful smile..’ The blonde thinks, returning the gesture with a grin of his own. Certainly a rare sight from the cold prince.
‘I want her to be free from the curse, as Ferid and Crowley were. But sometimes I selfishly enjoy our moments together, even if it’s tainted by the first’s torment…’
Mikaela truly was a selfish prince, wanting to feed off the parental love he was gracefully given. Love. Loving someone for selfishness.
He thinks about Yuu.
‘What is he feeling right now? Is he trying to hide his plan while his squadron discusses all the ways they will kill the vampires? What about me? What is he thinking about me?’ The blonde wonders, walking towards the door that exits the throne room.
‘Is he excited to see me again?’
[…] “I would always allow you to take a bite out of my putrid body. It’s tainted, but not for you, Yuu,” […]
Sand and rubble crunch against the prince’s pristine boots. His eyes take note of all the recent destruction and remnants of vampire clothing scattered around the plain. Weaponry buried beneath the ground.
“We were able to send the injured to a safe house in Lest Karr’s district, but the humans have not ceased,” René recounted as he lead Mikaela through the empty battle.
“Only now, have they truly gotten stronger. Shinjuku was merely a glimpse of their power, my prince,” He continues, leading Mikaela towards a battered gas station. Mikaela noticed two pairs of eyes watching them, hiding in some bushes a street away from where the vampires were investigating. Blue eyes stare in their direction, and the sudden rustling only confirmed his senses.
‘They are here.’ The prince swallows his feelings and continues his discussion with René.
Mikaela enters the gas station, only to be greeted by Lacus’s crushing grip on his shoulder. Cans falling from the impact of his movements, the purple haired leaped to greet the blonde.
“Oh my oh my!!! My prince, you have arrived!” Lacus rejoices, widely grinning at the blonde before releasing his hold. He brushes off the remaining dust on Mikaela’s shoulders, as he always does. “Greetings Lacus, I have come to assist in the attacks on Shibuya’s bases,” The prince clarifies, wondering if the purple haired vampire thought a different scenario.
Not uncommon for the delusional.
Lacus lets out a heavy sigh, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I figured as much, old Lumi-Boy over here did not let me know of your arrival. Regardless, I have faith that you have located the human spies,” Lacus muses to the prince. René stares down at his feet, annoyed by his friend’s disrespect of the prince.
He also is annoyed at how easy it was for the prince to join him in the casual conversation. Something royalty should never engage in!
‘They’re closer than I thought…’ René ponders.
The vampire prince follows Lacus towards the back of the gas station, René following in suit.
[The camp was not completely in ruins, but it was clear the humans were powerful. From the perspective of Yuichirou, he reveled in the destruction.]
“Yuu!! Code Red! Code Red! We were spotted!” Yelled Yoichi, making his way to a stiff Yuichirou. The soldier was staring beyond the ruins of cities, clutching a cape pin. Yoichi noticed it was a similar design to the ones of the vampires. He would know that of course, the one who killed his sister left that pin behind.
Yuichirou turned around swiftly, hiding the pin in one of his uniform pockets. Concrete pinching his ankles, he digests the words his comrade had just told him.
“Spotted? It must have been a noble huh, any regular vampire wouldn’t have been able to see you so far away,” Yuichirou says, anger bubbling in his heart. As much as he hated vampires, he did not want to attempt another assault. It was too risky and could rise suspicion from his squad.
The plan him and Mika made was not complex, but it required a lot of calculations, ones Mikaela could easily afford to do. For Yuu, it was much harder. He had to make many pleads towards Guren in order to even step foot near this base, as it was a highly secured area.
But Yuichirou did it.
He waited everyday, hoping for any sign Mika was to come. He must’ve looked like a madman to his team, as they frequently asked him, “what the hell are you doing?”. He couldn’t help but stare out the window of their resting quarters, holding a pin from a vampire’s uniform, sue him dammit. But he didn’t care what they thought of him.
Yoichi took hold of Yuichirou’s hands, shakily grabbing his, tugging lightly and clearing Yuichirou of his thoughts. “We must attack now, or else we’ll be dead meat!” The young boy begged. The pleading look caused a hollow guilt to plague his stomach briefly.
‘It’s almost too easy…’ He pities the boy more than the rest of his squad. More or less because Yoichi is so similar to him, wanting to protect his family and all. The most capable tool for him and Mika’s plan. Yoichi was kind, understanding, and undeniably willing to bend over backwards for Yuichirou. Does it make him a bad person to use his friend this way? Does it make him selfish for giving up so much for something so taboo? Something so sinful?
‘It does. And he is.’
Yuu is a selfish man. A sinful man. One that was deeply in love.
“Does the squad already know?” Yuichirou asks, drawing his blade before the green eyed boy.
“The Clicker wasn’t wasted, they’re probably already over there already!” Yoichi responds.
‘I’m coming for you Mika.’
[1/1]