Progression of Evil

Chapter 7
Servant of Evil, Reprise

"Are you ready?" The guardmaster asked, glancing over the person in front of him.

Reddish-brown hair topped and framed brown eyes set in a hard face. Red armor covered every inch of the new soldier. "I am, sir."

Nodding, the Red Country's guardmaster stepped aside. "Walk slowly. Teto-ojousama will not want to rush this ceremony, especially after you have worked so hard."

The soldier nodded and began walking through the great wooden doors into the audience chamber, where the newly crowned Red Queen was waiting in her throne, her fiancé standing beside her.

A freak accident of events had left the young Red Princess orphaned after her honored father had succumbed to his terminal illness and her mother lost the will to live and passed on quietly in her sleep. Teto was now Queen, and with her wedding approaching quickly, her stress level was building, and quickly. Her first official duty, however, was this one, to present her new soldier with an honor almost unattainable.

When the armored soldier reached the throne and kneeled, Teto rose fluidly. "Meiko-san," she said easily, and the soldier's head came up. "You have worked so very hard these past months, and now is the time to reward you for that, because your services will be needed. You are kneeled as Sakine Meiko, a runaway from her country, a daughter bent on revenge for the wrongs done to her family, a nameless soldier in my army, which you infiltrated so adroitly that it even took my honored mother by surprise. However, now you will rise simply as Meiko, Commander of the Red Armed Forces, an honor never before bestowed upon an outsider. I trust that you will bear it well."

Commander Meiko, her waist-length hair raggedly chopped so that it lay in messy layers, none of them reaching past her chin, rose and bowed to her Queen. "Thank you, Teto-ojousama."

The queen gave her a grave smile. "I'm sorry to thrust duty upon you so quickly, but Kaito-oujisama of the Blue Kingdom just sent word this morning that he is on his way to meet us. If you haven't heard, Rin-sama of the Yellow Kingdom moved to invade the Green Kingdom."

"But, why?" Meiko's eyes widened. "Why would she do something like this?"

Sighing, the young queen sat in her padded chair again. "Actually, I've been expecting something like this to happen for quite some time, and you should have, too."

"What?"

"You lived under her rule for long enough, Meiko-san. You should know that she is selfish, and has such a temper…" Teto shook her head sadly. "Rumor has it that she's ordered all the maidens with green hair killed."

Something clicked in Meiko's brain. "But hasn't Kaito-oujisama taken…"

"Yes, Meiko-san. It is my belief that our little tyrant harbored a love for Kaito-oujisama, and when she found out that he loved another…"

Meiko stood in outrage. "That's horrible! That's worse than horrible, that's…that's…totally unforgiveable! She has no right!" The girl's face hardened, and suddenly she was totally unrecognizable as the innocent child who had come to them months ago. She truly was the mercenary she was rumored to be. "I will do whatever it takes to stop her, Teto-ojousama. I vowed to see her head roll when I came here, and so it shall be!"

The village of Miyo was in a state of chaos.

Rumors had reached the little border town of the Yellow Army's approach, and the rumors held fast that the person leading the invasion was none other than the Yellow Queen's loyal servant, the boy said to be as wicked as she.

Miku had been sent back to her hometown for her own protection. Once Father and the Green King had caught wind of the brutal treatment of green-haired maidens, they'd ordered her to pack a small bag and prepare for departure. Mikuo had been unexpectedly fierce in his determination to see her safely away, and had only left her side when the village elder assured him Miku would be safe here.

Only, no one predicted that the Yellow Army would not head immediately for the Capital. No one surmised that they would catch on and start raiding small villages, especially the ones on the very edge of the Green King's domain.

Villages like Miyo.

And now, the army was approaching, and Miku had nowhere else to hide.

She wasn't stupid; she knew exactly who the army was after, and she knew that the Yellow Queen would not be satisfied until Miku was dead. The young maid was terrified at the thought of that little blonde girl holding so much hate within her. If the Yellow Queen was so wicked, was Len possibly the same way?

The thought scared Miku more than the thought of the whole Yellow Army coming after her.

It wasn't long before the village sentries spotted the cloud of dust that heralded scads and scads of mounted soldiers. The youngest of them was sent scurrying back to inform the villagers, and Miku found herself shoved into her little house, where a double guard was placed. "Wait!" she protested.

The elder poked his head in. "I'm sorry, Miku-chan, but you must stay here. We will protect you at all costs."

Miku shook her head. No, this was not how it was supposed to work out! She whirled away, her skirt twisting itself in eagerness to follow. She stalked to the little kitchen area and began searching for her teapot for something to calm her down.

"Don't bother, I already brewed it."

Miku froze for a moment, and then slowly turned. There sat Haku, sipping her tea as if she'd been here every day of her life.

"Haku-chan, you scared me half to death!" Miku sighed in relief, and sat at the little dining table, where her teacup was already served and steaming. The white-haired girl smiled slightly. "How did you get in?"

"This is my home village. I know ways in and out other than the norm." Haku now set her cup down and frowned. "So, they're coming for you?"

Slowly, the green-haired girl nodded. "Elder says they'll protect me, but I can't stand to see people die for me. They're brutal, Haku-chan. They kill whoever gets in the way. I heard the story of the girl in Three-Pine Village. They killed her whole village, even her entire family, down to the children, before they murdered her. All because the village was protecting her."

Haku put a comforting hand on Miku's clenched fist. "That won't happen here. We'll get you out."

"How?"

Their answer came late that night, when the girls were all but asleep. Too tense to relax, Miku sat on her bed and stared into nothingness. At some point, Haku had joined her, giving her best friend a comforting hug.

The sound of footsteps and rustling jolted Miku out of her trance, and she was standing in an instant, Haku at her side. They crept toward the back of the house, where a secret back door was usually bolted and hidden. It still was. The girls turned…and a match was lit before their eyes.

Before they could shriek, Len covered their mouths with his hands, thankfully not dropping the match. "Hush! I'm not here to kill you. Let's go!" He walked a step, turned, and reached out his hand for the green-haired maiden.

Miku drew back. "You frightened us!"

"Yeah, most people usually knock or announce their presence before entering a lady's home." Slowly Haku moved in front of Miku, holding a hand behind her to quell any movement or protest.

Still whispering, Len replied, "Well, I'm not exactly supposed to be here. So hurry! They still don't know I've gone."

"What, you wanted to get to her before your men did?" Haku said, her voice hard.

Sighing, Len used the almost-depleted match to light his lantern. "Yeah, I did. They have their orders, and I have mine, but I also have my feelings."

"What?" Miku blinked, confused.

Haku continued, "Your orders. I know your orders! You're the Yellow Queen's servant, the leader of that army coming to attack us. You've come to kill her before they can take away your pleasure."

"No, no!" Len held out his other hand, which was empty. "I carry no weapons. I'm not here to kill Miku-sama, but if you don't come with me, now, she will be murdered!"

The girls didn't move, and Len sighed again. "Listen. Yes, I'm the Queen's servant. I led the army here, on her orders. But I've figured out who she's after, and I don't intend for you to get killed, Miku-sama!" Len took a step toward the hesitant girls. "The army is set to attack on the morrow. I'm supposed to join them, but first I'm going to hide you away. Both of you. I'll hide you where my men won't find you. Then I'll come back for you. But we have to go now!"

Something in his eyes dissolved Miku's uneasiness. She stepped around Haku and took his hand. "Let's go."

The blond boy nodded and led them out of the back door, making sure to bolt it back up when he was finished. Silently he motioned to the girls, who darted with him past the sentry patrols and out of the village. Right to the east…

Suddenly, Haku realized where they were headed. The old oak tree stood a little ways to the east of the village, the oak tree that was the largest and oldest in this area. Haku knew this tree well; she had once prayed fervently at this tree for a friend who would look past her white hair and see the person inside. A few weeks later, she had discovered Miku slumped under this tree. Needless to say, the tree held a special significance for the white-haired girl.

Len took them there, but then softly declared the hiding place was not at the tree but underneath it. "The entrance is a little bit further on."

"Well, if we're close, then there's no hurry." Miku looked around her and then back at the boy. "I'd like to speak with you."

"Oh…" Len blushed slightly, and glanced at Haku, who was on her knees, her hands clasped in front of her, eyes closed and head bowed.

Miku shook her head and took Len's arm. "She'll be like that for awhile." Leading him on, she walked a few yards away, into the cover of the forest, and released him. "I have to come clean to you. I…" she refused to look at him. "Len-san, I…"

Len blinked. "Miku-sama…"

"Oh, drop the –sama. I don't want any formality from you!" Miku clenched her fists, harshly reminded of her false confession at Kaito's ball. "I know who you are. I know what you've come here to do. It's okay, Len-san. It's okay."

Biting his lip, Len shoved his hands in his pockets…and found the little slip of paper. With trembling fingers, he pulled it out and scanned it quickly, before reading more slowly. Do not fail me, Len. You're the only one I can rely on. I love you. – Rin.

Tears stung his sapphire eyes. It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair! He loved Miku. He loved her, and he wanted her to be safe. He wanted her to be alive and well. He wanted to see her again, and love her again. He wanted to touch her…

But Rin was his sister. His twin. The only person in the world who knew everything about him, including that embarrassing birthmark. She'd laughed with him, cried with him, and comforted him when he was scared. He loved her fiercely, and not always in just a brotherly manner. Since she had been chosen to become Queen, they'd become even closer, and Len had promised Rin he'd protect her. He'd promised himself he'd do everything in his power to keep her smiling, forever.

Rin was his sister, and Miku was his love. The question was, which one was more important?

Len all of a sudden found himself on the ground, crying bitterly, his head on Miku's shoulder, his body in her arms. She was comforting him. She was comforting him, and soothing him with her voice.

Then she said something that shocked Len completely out of his thoughts. "You won't have to do it, then. I'll do it myself."

In an instant he sat up, staring at her. "Wh-What?"

"I have the dagger here. I'll do it myself. Then you can tell…tell your sister…that you haven't failed her. You can tell her."

In that moment Len realized his war with himself had not been private at all. He'd told Miku everything. The truth was out, lying there on the ground between them.

"No! No, Miku-san." Len looked down. "I don't want you to die!"

Miku looked away for a moment. "But it's alright. The world will be better without me around."

"Why? You're kind, and good, and—"

"No!" Miku interrupted him. "I'm none of those things. I haven't been honest with you, Len-san. In truth I haven't." And then she told Len everything, all of the deceits, lies, and crimes she had committed. She told him everything that had transpired since she met Haku, and how she'd followed every order, despite her conscience. "This is as much my fault as hers." Her hand reached into the folds of her dress, just as they had almost two years ago, and drew forth the wooden hilt of the dagger.

"Don't! Don't, Miku-san!" Len said, and reached to stop her hands when they rose above her head.

Miku stared at him, and her eyes were blazing. "Take your hands away! I am not going to be halted a second time!"

Len refused to back down, and they fought, Miku pushing the dagger downward, Len trying to hold her back. Miku shoved and pulled her arms down until finally the dagger was between their bodies, the point aimed directly at Miku's heart.

The blond boy was crying again, his hands still vainly tugging at the dagger. "No, no…Miku-san, please! Don't do it, don't leave me!"

She managed to smile at him again, but her eyes were sad, wild, resolved. "I love you," she whispered, and plunged the dagger into herself.

For a full minute, Len froze, watching the body of his beloved fall toward him, watching the light slowly fade from her lovely green eyes, watching her arms go limp and her head tilt forward, before his thoughts kicked into overload and he thought of reacting to the situation before him. His arms caught her and held her, and he ran his hand through her hair for the first and last time. His face was soaked from his tears, and they kept coming like rivers gushing from his eyes.

When he finally felt the dripping of her blood onto him, he rose and dropped her body in horror and brought his blood-covered hands before his eyes, staring at them but not seeing. Then he was running, running, running away from that place, from Miku, from the terrible memories of her expression as the dagger had entered her flesh…

Vaguely Len remembered Haku waiting by the tree, remembered her concerned expression when she took a step toward him, calling out his name. "Len-san?"

He couldn't stop, though. He pushed her roughly aside and kept running, his tears streaking behind him as they left his face, his hands frantically tearing at anything that came in his path, his mind racing, racing. Somehow he got back to his camp and mounted his horse, not caring who saw him or what they thought. He was in the saddle, and now he could fly.

Len never remembered the journey from the village of Miyo all the way across the Green Country back to the Yellow Palace. He only remembered tumbling off his horse as they galloped into the courtyard of the Palace and his feet taking action, carrying him resolutely, if extremely unsteadily, towards the audience chamber. Rin would be receiving requests about now. He didn't care.

He didn't even say hello to the guards as he pushed through the heavy doors and stumbled inside, startling both Rin and the peasant pleading his case. They watched him take a few steps before collapsing, succumbing to the mental and physical fatigue.

"Len? Len!" Rin cried, her skirts flying as she rushed to his side. "Len!"

Slowly he opened his eyes. "It…it is done, my lady…" he smiled, and lost consciousness.

Rin nursed him herself, sending away his blood-stained clothing to be burned. In the meantime, she sent a messenger to the army, telling them to come home, but to come straight through the Green Country, destroying anything in their path. If the Green Army came to defend, the Yellow Army was to engage them and eliminate them.

Len soon recovered physically from his ordeal, but for weeks afterward, he was quieter than usual, and ate less. He lost weight, and his face became slighter gaunter, though it actually made him look more mature.

The sadness that shadowed his eyes would not leave, no matter how hard Rin tried to lift it.

She joked, she giggled, she found things that normally would amuse her twin, and though he would laugh and respond, that shadow clouded his eyes and terrified Rin.

She waited for Len to come and find her, to talk about what was bothering him, but he never did. Instead he continued to perform his daily duties, and he continued having tea every day with her. If she caught him sometimes staring mournfully out the window to the southeast, where the Green Country lay, she didn't say anything, and neither did he.

Then word was sent that the Green Army had made a final stand, and the Yellow Army needed reinforcements. There were more soldiers than previously thought.

"We have no reinforcements to send!" Rin cried, her eyes widening for once in concern for her forces. "Have them call in the roving bands throughout the country, but we have nothing in the form of reinforcements."

"Then they will be decimated, my lady," the messenger said respectfully. "We cannot stand up to them."

Rin flounced back into her chair, thinking quickly. "Have them stand down. Order a retreat. It's cowardly, but I need my army at least somewhat intact when they come home."

"My lady?"

"Take these orders back to the commanding officer: they are to stand down and retreat. Come straight back home. Do not engage the Green Army in battle unless absolutely necessary. Now go."

As soon as the messenger had scampered, Len appeared. Rin sighed. "Oh, I do hope they'll be alright. If the army is defeated, I will lose my grip on the world."

Len bit his lip, but said nothing. Outside, the bells of the church rang loud and strong.

"Oh! It's tea time!" Rin said, turning to him with an energetic grin. He could do nothing but smile at her and serve her in the little tea room, but in the back of his mind, he only thought of the hundreds that would die for the young girl now happily enjoying her snack.