Grant of Power [Chazz]

"My Queen, you have summoned me." His voice, gruff, unfeeling; just like the body it belonged to.

Akane did not face him. Her eyes were still glued to the setting fiery orb. She swore she could hear the faintest clack when his knee hit the ground.

”No need to kneel, sir-er-Chazz.”

It was rare for her to stumble on words, but she finally turned to face him. She was right he had kneeled as he was trained to do many moons ago.

”Your new training begins today sir.” He had no prior briefing for this. What the red lady was about to assign him to do, had been nearly unheard of and completely unthinkable for her. Her expression was dark; a grave weight clenched its firm grasp on her heart.

A small smirk spread across her face, an expression only her guard could give her. They had known each other for a long time.

”We missed you? Don’t you mean you missed me?” Her smile turned cruel. Chazz went on. Always business, never personal anymore, she thought sadly to herself. Chazz asked for a month’s leave.

”Chazz, I would let you go do what you need to do of course, but now is not the time. I need to protect this kingdom just as much as you do.” She paused. ”Speaking of which pushing that group back, you’ve been doing such a fantastic job. But what I’m about to ask you requires you stop all operations on that matter.”

A sad expression returned to her.

”Chazz I’m asking you to take my place as king over the fiery nation.” Her expression was blank, and expecting.

”You always take things so seriously. Of course I’ll keep my Queenship.” She laughed and a sweet smile was the product, but not her usual sweet smile of a mask. No. this one was real. The one she always held for him was real.

”Made you drop your guard!” She laughed again, but this time much more sweet and innocent; much like a child. He looked almost naked to her right now. But she could never keep her mask in front of him anyway. Her face went stern again.

”Chazz, I’m going away for a while. These raging storms will destroy the kingdom, even the island. I know the way to stop them, and only I can do this. I have found a team of people from around Asemon I trust to go with me on this venture. And while I’m gone I trust no one other but you.” Her voice went as soft as his did. ”You know I never heard you make that promise. I wouldn’t let myself hear it, and I won’t hear it now.”

”I can’t take anyone other than myself. The people I speak of, they are only invited, but I am strong I can handle them. But again, only I can finish this. It’s my job to put my life on the line for my people.” She turned away from him, her hair brushed over her shoulder. She faded when he spoke of protecting her. She refused to hear his promise so he would never be bound by it. She couldn’t let herself ensnare him like she did so many other people. If she did that, they would no longer be equal.

She laughed to herself. Where we ever equal? she mused. Yes. We were once. Before our little spar. Yes, we were equal then. She stared out the window at the setting sun once more.

“These risks you take are unnecessary,”

Akane made a sharp turn to face him; her voice was anything but calm.

”Risks that are unnecessary? I am the strongest warrior in this kingdom. It is also my job as queen to protect this kingdom. But you seem to have somehow forgotten my job.”

She moved close enough to kiss him, but her wrath only grew as she growled in his face.

”Chazz, I am about to face a creature of the abyss, a monster, far more powerful than anything I’ve ever been forced to face, and I have to do it alone all the while I don’t even know what it is, what I’m facing. That dark force that I have no idea what it is may drown me and my kingdom, and yet you’re lecturing me. Unnecessary you say? Well if I don’t do it, who will? And if it is not quelled it shall be the harbinger of my kingdom’s doom.”

The mere thought made her crumple before him. At least until he finished and she realized he was playing the royalty game. Pretty pretty words and sweet charismatic orchestras.

”I see. I have let my guard drop too far in front of you, Chazz. When I get back, I will take you down yet again; and put you in your place.” She laughed; but the pain was still clear.

”You say you’re looking out for me as a friend, yet with me recently you’ve been nothing but business. It used to be you and I could finally leave the battle when we were together, but now I see, that is no long the case.” She wrapped her arms tight over her hurting chest. He continued speaking of another of their previous spars, before he leaned into her; again their faces so close she could feel his breath on her lips.

"It might...even dazzle you."

The red lady felt her heart stop for that fleeting moment. He pulled back away from her. She always hated when he used his charm, because it worked so easily on her.

"It's funny I've become so accustomed to be the one riding out and going on an adventure. Whether it be destroying your enemies, or some idiot champion of some neighboring land that challenges me to a duel." Sincerity overrode his charisma when he spoke once more. "This time however I have to watch you go."

Her heart that had been so open now turned cold like the firm tone she took.

”Well now you’ll see how it feels…” Her tone still cold, her pain masked. She was always envious. He got to be the one to go and explore and fight. But it also made her sad because she feared he would not return to her one day. She dreaded that day. Akane wanted to be the one to die first, so she wouldn’t have to bear the pain of his death, and the probable invasion after he passed.