Grant of Power [Chazz]

Her wit was just as quick as his, this was no battle, but a duel of the mind. He couldn't help but notice how graceful she was, and her dress was almost bewitching to the eyes. He lifted his hand only slowly almost if to brush her hair over her ear.

Quickly retracting it he smiled and looked directly into her eyes, "if I hadn't what would you have done to me?".

He was playing a dangerous game, she had a fiery temper and he knew the throne room wouldn't be able to handle another one of their spars. Yet, he gambled. "That dress suites you too well Akane, have the years dulled the edge of your sword?",he bore a devilish grin.

This bout of theirs had come to a stalemate neither was giving ground, but the words each had spoken had hit their mark. The twister of emotions filled the room and Chazz grabbed Akane and pulled her close, "Even if we did fight again I would never harm you."

His emotions took over and he leaned in and kissed her cheek.................*The gates to the throne room opened and a lone soldier ran it, panting.*

"My Queen he panted", running up the steps to Akane he knelt and then stood up to salute Chazz. The moment was over and Chazz wished so dearly it was not. "Catch your breathe before you keel over soldier," Chazz commanded as he approached the soldier.

"My Lord, its the Astrapi. They have attacked a caravan moving many precious fossil stones to the capitol." Chazz contemplated the soldiers words, yet this was impossible the Astrapi didn't have the numbers to launch a full assault on an armored caravan like this. "Soldier", his voice boomed through the throne room. "An entire Company of soldiers guarded that caravan, and with the pokemon guardians they were trained with that should not be possible." The soldier looked even more grim. "My lord the precious metals they have been mining in there fortress, they have hired a mercenary army to fight with them. These soldiers my lord are lead by one Illum the Dread." The name as spoke it filled Chazz with rage. He knew he should have killed his old master all those years ago, a mistake he would fix shortly.

"Report to the Generals soldier and leave us at once, and soldier good work,' the soldier was stunned at the praise he received and he bowed and left the throne room. The room went quiet, Chazz knew what he had done. He kissed the queen and if it weren't for the news he had just heard he would have done it again. He looked back to Lady Akane her face was bright red and if it were any other time he would have giggled. Yet, the cold truth was their Illum had returned.


"Akane, Illum the Dread is my master he taught me how to fight. He's one of the deadliest and most cruel warrior ever to set foot in Asemon. I have beaten him before. I am the one who sent him into exile.DAMN!!", Chazz clenched his fist in fury. "I should have ended him that day, Kindness has betrayed me yet again."

Chazz paced back and forth. "Akane I wish I could do something to help you on your journey, but this will require my full attention." His face became calm again and his demeanor cool Chazz spoke in a quiet tone, "And so it begins."

Shocked, a feeling Chazz had never felt before. Akane the fiery queen, had knelt. Chazz quickly picked her up, he knew he had wronged her for too long he had played with her emotions because of his own failing. In the sweetest voice he could give, "Akane you kneel to no one, bow to no one, submit yourself to no one." He hugged her she meant everything to him.

"We live a cruel life, one where we can't choose our heart's desire. We owe our people, our kingdom our strength, for they need it most of all." Chazz's voice became soft, "one day we will get to choose what the heart wants, I promise. I will not die till I see that day."

"Do not worry yourself with Illum, he is my problem," Chazz pulled back and winked.

He didn't show it he couldn't, but the days events had left him drained. He hated parades yet the morale boost for which they gave the city was paramount to its happiness. Looking out the sun was making its final decent. A soothing breeze crept from the balcony into the room. Chazz walked to the balcony and leaned against the nearest pillar. The wind flowed through his hair and brought it to life. It flowed in the air like tumbling waves calmly soothing the sea.

He reached down pulled out his dagger and an apple and began carving into it. Surgically removing piece after peace silently devouring each one. After a few pieces he spoke.

"It's quite ironic isn't it?" He laughed then continued speaking. "We both want the other to be safe yet your going on a quest for which you might not return. And I am about to face down a foe from my past who could actually kill me. Now if that isn't irony I don't know what is." He was obviously joking but there was truth in it.

The apple by that time was just a core. He tossed it to the discard pile and looked over the remaining fruit. He used his dagger to stab a strawberry. He held his dagger up so that Akane could see it.

"Well?", he said without looking Akane. "Are you going to join me? This is the last time either of us get to relax for a long while, and you know as well as I there is no one i'd rather spend it with. Here and now we relax." He turned his head toward Akane and winked. "Tomorrow all hell breaks loose." Chazz smiled and then turned back toward the sunset. His thoughts turned of them both leaving, she on her noble quest, and he riding off to war.