LOVE DEFIES ALL ODDS
By Seiyo
Chapter
11
Inside
one of the caverns in Akuma’s place, the struggling Botan was shoved into a
corner by a beast. She cringed as she landed hard on the floor, her back hitting
the cavern wall. The beast drew near her and reached out a hand, but she quickly
moved away.
“Touchy,
eh? Lucky you… if Akuma didn’t have any plans for you, I would already be
able to do what I want,” he took a greedy look at her, “Anyway, it won’t
be long ’til we get rid of those friends of yours and then I’ll be asking
Akuma for you as my prize,” he turned and left.
I’m sorry Koenma… if only I had done what
you told me. Botan took a deep breath and
bit her lip to hold back tears. You’ve
got to be strong Botan. You’ve got to get out of here and help them out there.
Just hang in there, you can make it. She tried to loosen the ropes that
bound her hands behind her. Her feet were also tied up and a cloth covered her
mouth. She wiggled in
her place trying to move herself nearer to the wall. When she’d done that, she
proceeded to search for jagged parts of the wall and scoured the ropes against
it, hoping that the friction would wear the ropes out. After some minutes, her
hands were already sore and wounds were starting to form on her wrists due to
all the rubbing. Out of the cavern entrance, the elderly man, Shinichi came in.
When he saw what she was doing, he dashed to her, “Stop that, you’d get
yourself hurt,” he held her hand to stop her from inflicting more wounds to
her self.
Hastily,
he freed her hands then removed the cover from her mouth.
“Why
are you doing this?” Botan immediately asked Shinichi who was then loosening
the ropes at her feet.
“Doing
what?” he glanced at her
“Helping
me, that’s what,” Botan answered, massaging her sore wrists and ankles.
Sitting
in front of her, Shinichi replied, “I’m doing what I have to do.”
“I
don’t understand,” Botan looked at her with a confused expression, “Did
Akuma order you to do this?”
“No,”
he shook his head making Botan even more confused, “I only follow the real
queen. I did this because she gave me a sign,” He reached out and tugged
Botan’s necklace with the crystal attached to it, “You are the chosen
one.”
“What
do you mean? How did I become the chosen one?” she moved her head sideways and
told him, “this is all too confusing.”
“I
will explain,” Shinichi moved to face her, “Queen Suisho was the only Queen
that I believed in. She had ruled well during our time and made wise decisions,
but I didn’t quite approve of her locking up Akuma. For me, it would be better
for her to be dead. So when Queen Suisho had died and her throne was given to
someone else, I left my service and went to look for the sphere. I have decided
to end Akuma’s life before she’s set free and her greed and jealousy gets
the best of her. I managed to use my power to keep my strength from
deteriorating so I’d live longer to find her, but when I finally did, I
didn’t have enough power to destroy her myself and so, she ruled over me,”
he paused and took a good look at her, “And you, you are the answer to all
that is happening here. When Queen Suisho was still alive, I was not only her
loyal subject but was also her friend and confidante and we both knew each
other’s feelings and opinions. Just before she took her last breath, she had
told me that I shouldn’t worry about Akuma, that when the time comes, she
would find someone to stop Akuma’s evil plans. She showed me one of her most
precious belongings, a crystal given to her by his beloved father. Through all
the years, it lent her all the strength and courage she needed. And when she
passed away, the crystal glowed with an inner light. That crystal… is the same
crystal that you’re wearing around your neck right now…” when he finished,
he stood up and offered his hand to Botan whose eyes were wide and gleaming.
With his aid, she picked herself up.
“You
loved her didn’t you…” it was more of a statement than a question.
“Yes,”
Shinichi confirmed Botan’s suspicion, “and I’m doing all of these for her.
Even if she had reassured me about Akuma, I had to make sure. Now we must go.”
He led Botan out of the cavern; they were already near the opening of the cave
when a beast came from behind them.
“Where
do you think you’re going?” the beast spoke harshly as it charged at them.
Shinichi
quickly took a sword and raised it forward, stopping the beast in its tracks.
“You
traitor!” the beast shouted fiercely at Shinichi then attacked. Shinichi tried
to defend both of them but his old age had made him weaker through the years.
The beast lashed at him with its claws.
“No…
you must leave now,” He gazed at her face.
“B-but
what about you?” Botan’s eyes were wide with fear.
“My
time has come and there’s nothing that could stop it… Now, go! Please, you
must stop her and save your friends… I have done all that I have to do… My
spirit will guide you, and so will Suisho’s… Leave me now and do what you
are chosen for…” Shinichi’s voiced trailed of with the wind. Botan shed a
tear and headed towards the cave entrance.
Just
before going out, she looked back and said, “I won’t let you down
Shinichi… I’ll finish what you came here for…”