The Order of Lucard

Chapter 4

                                                               House Alucard

Haden and Morvius went to the barracks for training. Haden picked up a sword while Morvius chose two thin daggers that are light in his hands, his eyes glinted mesmerized at the blade which has a light curve, from the hilt towards the tip. He turned to Haden with a slight nod, before turning around and heading for the right door.Haden moved to the left door.

The order has special training for young boys who wants to join the ranks, they get divided in to assassins and knights. Always separated from one another as not to learn the secret abilities passed down from generation to generation. When missions are given it is always a knight and an assassin who works together. One  with brains and one who has brute strength. The barracks  moves in an upward spiral, the knights start from the ground working their way upwards, while the assassins work their way downwards.

Haden was smiling, he always wanted to be a knight for his country, but he always thought Ayame would still be by his side. He missed her. A tear slowly rolled down his cheek. "No!"He wiped it away angrily. "Ayame would not see me weak!"He lifted his broadsword, walking down where all the trainee's go before ascending on the tower. He wasn't listening his mind drifting once again. "I will save her by being the the top of my class, her father would have to send me and Morvius for this mission.

Morvius climbed the stairs slowly, he didn't really want to be here. He would rather be in the library with his books. He really wanted to continue the reading of The History and Epic tales of Lucianus Alucard, he felt there was a hidden clue, although he does not know what it might be. He looked at his training officer and gave him a small smile, he already learned what is needed from him to be an assassin. He knew that his coronation into the assassin hood can't be far gone. His thoughts traveled to Ayame, his gaze slowly going down.

King Corvus was still in his chambers with his hand in his hair. He knew it would have been dangerous to raise a girl in the family, but what was he suppose to do? His son was ill since birth, his wife died at child birth. He hated this thing he calls a daughter. He closed his eyes, he is the only one except her two guards that knows Zexal is a girl. He exhaled a sigh. "The order must stay neutral always."He stood up, he smiled. "Yes! That will be the perfect plan."

Haden was breathing hard, his training officer was nodding in an approving way. "Haden you will get your coronation into the guard soon if you keep up with your hard work."He looked up triumphantly, wiping sweat from his face.Haden couldn't wait for his coronation, if he passes and reached the top of the tower his face will shine with the warmth of the sun, then all will know he is a hero. King Corvus was standing on a small balcony overlooking the training area, he prefers assassins over the knights in the order. Due to the simple fact that the order's assassins question no one. He watched Haden, turning around abruptly he walked away to the assassin's training area.

Morvius got a chilled feeling, making his hair stand on end. Someone is definitely watching him. He tilted his head slightly to see that King Corvus is watching. His thoughts are racing, he never liked this man.  He felt the kings eyes following his movements, he had to get out of here. He has to catch air, he felt a touch on his shoulder bringing him back to reality. His breathing grew calm, his officer gave him a pat. "We are all nervous when we know it is time to descend into the darkness to become nothing more than shadows."Morvius nodded noticing the king was no longer there. His officer let him go, he walked with haste. "I need to find Haden as soon as possible."

King Corvus returned to his private chambers. It always fascinated him how his father disappeared and reappeared. When he killed him he discovered all the hidden passages that leads from the kings chambers to all over the castle, even where the order does it meetings. He smiled, yes all the passages except one who doesn't want to open for him. He never gave it much thought due to having a lot of other passages to play with. He stroked his face,  smiling in thought. "It will be the perfect plan. I shall take them under my wing, train them to cast emotions aside and then I'll send them to kill their most precious princess. "

Morvius found Haden waiting for him at the barracks entrance. "Whoa Morv why do you look so pale?" Haden took a close look at his friend, his eyes had dark circles around them and it seems he had been pierced with small wounds. He can't imagine what his friend is going through at his training, he doesn't look like the kid he was before Ayame got kidnapped he was worried. Morvius said nothing, grabbed his arm dragging him to the shadows. "Haden I think the king is watching us. We must be careful." Haden brushed his hand through his hair. "Morv, I really think you are getting more paranoid. I really think the king "-lowering his voice to a whisper- "has her best interest at heart."Haden sounded hopeful. It sounded like he said that to himself over and over to believe that King Corvus is a good man. Morvius shook his head angrily. "No Haden, I think you are wrong, "-he took out the material he scraped from Ayame's kidnappers, fiddling it in his fingers- "She has been taken to the kingdom of fire."He lowered his gaze not expecting Haden to say anything. He heard a loud crack his eyes shot up in time to see Hadens broken hand, blood dripping from the wall and his knuckles. Morvius was shocked, then again Haden always had a temper. Haden let out a sigh. "The order must be neutral always, he will not have her interest at heart he never has." Morvius nodded, Haden looked at him. "I will go to the infirmary, see you later." With that he left Morvius alone in the shadows, it sent a shiver down Morvius spine.

Morvius found himself at the library door, he gave the keeper a nod turning down the aisle he found the book. He stopped in front of the shelf, someone placed the book out of reach, he stretched his hand almost reaching it. His fingers almost closed around the black ribbon bookmark, the next moment he found himself on his bottom the book fell from the top opening at the back displaying the Alucard bloodline, he crept closer touching the pages carefully. His finger traced from Lucianus towards King Corvus, next to his name Bane, Morvius didn't know the king had a brother, he traced his finger over Bane again. It felt somewhat familiar, he saw under Bane was a line which was not visible to the naked eye, he saw the outline of a name. It was scratched out his curiosity got the better of him, he quickly went to the keeper asking for charcoal. The keeper arched his eyebrow,giving him a small piece, he hungrily took it running back to the book. He lightly applied the charcoal to name that was scratched, his eyes widened.

King Corvus knew he'd find Morvius in the library, he saw the boy sitting by the candlelight his hands tracing the back of the book. The King recognized the book immediately in three great strides he grabbed him by the scruff, the light flickered the king looked down at the name he revealed on the family tree. His face grew pale, anger fueling his blood he closed the book with his free hand, dragging Morvius in the other.

Morvius felt his body tremble while King Corvus dragged him from the library, the king knew he knows the truth now. Morvius closed his eyes he had to get himself out of this situation but to do that will make him a traitor and he can not have that, the king is mad beyond repair this time. He gasped for air as the king threw him on the dungeon floor. He opened his eyes, they were in the torture chamber. The King was snarling at him, "You! You should not have this book in the first place!"Morvius saw saliva flying. Yes he is beyond forgiveness now.  He moved towards Morvius. "Well now my little assassin, I am going to give your initiation early"Morvius didn't like the smile on the king's face, he couldn't move. The left door opened. "You called for me my King?"The king picked Morvius up. "Ah Vladicus my friend, I'll be needing your assistance."The man smiled darkly at Morvius "Oh?"   King Corvus placed the book on the table, Morvius did not move an inch.

Vladicus turned his full attention towards Morvius. "What is it you wish for me to do King Corvus?" his smile unwavering. King Corvus span around, Morvius saw the glint in his eyes. "Cut out his tongue!" Morvius swallowed back a scream as Vladicus reached for him.

                                                                             House Ignitus

Ayame was getting used to Igni's presence, every morning he will come wake her up, so they can practice sword fighting before the guards know where they are, they didn't like her to spend to much time around him. She felt so at ease around him, yet she knew it was wrong. Here she is in the fire kingdom as a prisoner alone but not yet defeated, so it could not hurt to have a frenemy. She gave out a long sigh. It would not be fair to Igni, it really feels like he cared. She hugged her shoulders, but can she truly  trust him? What will he do when he finds out Zexal is a ghost and she is the true heir to Alucard? A hard pound on her door startled her back to reality. Now she was afraid for this is not her and Igni's secret code.

Igni woke up later than usual blinking his eyes he stared at the ceiling, he wasn't feeling very well. His thoughts traveled towards Zexal his face cracks a small smile, he got dressed immediately, he doesn't know why he feels so excited every time he went to Zexal. He ran down the hall way coming to a abrupt stop, he saw the guards dragging Zexal from his room. He watched Zexal struggle a bit. He slid back against the wall, he remembered vaguely his father sent a letter to King Alucard, this must be news. He had to find some courage to get himself of the floor, in the one hand he wants Zexal to stay and in the other he only wishes him well.

Ayame was struggling against the guards, she couldn't make it to easy for them. She knew they would come for her only when there was news or no news. She was not in the mood for the fire king. He thought he had everything figured out, one can not make an Alucard bend the knee for the order must be neutral always. The guards dragged her through the doors, throwing her in front of King Ignitus, she slowly raised her head keeping her eyes darted on the ground, he will not scare her today. She stood fast.

King Ignitus watched as the boy raised himself off the ground. The boy seemed unfazed on whats happening. "Your father doesn't value your life, Prince Zexal."King Ignitus studied the boys face to see if it betrayed any emotion, shocked he saw him smiling his small body shaking with laughter. Igni slowly crept in to the throne room just in time to hear Zexal's reply "I told you fire king, my father will never bend the knee. The Order must stay neutral always."Zexal's body is still shaking  with his fit of laughter. Igni couldn't help but feel semi relief to the whole ordeal working out in his favour.

King Ignitus narrowed his eyes. "Well brat of Alucard, you shall then remain here as your father can't save you nor the order can come for you."His smile grew wicked. "You will continue your training along side Prince Igni and join the Firemation, my noble army."Zexal bit his tongue if he opened his mouth his sentence would not be any better than he has it at the moment, at least Prince Igni is a friendly face among the wolves in the fire country. Zexal bowed his head to the king. "As you wish -he bowed- my lord." King Ignitus waved his hand dismissing everyone, Igni crept as quietly as he could from the throne room with a big smile on his face, the king rested his chin ons his hand. "This is not going according to his plan." He sat there for a few seconds, his head jerked up. "Yes that is it!"His hands clapped  together, that will take some fine planning. War is coming for you King Alucard, what will you do?"King Ignitus started humming to himself, on his way to his study.

Igni couldn't hide his happiness he ran to Zexal's room. He didn't bother knocking and pushed open the door stopping in his tracks when he saw Zexal's face, tears were streaming down. Igni's heart ached, he knew Zexal will be broken. "I am sorry Zexal.." He dropped his face down to the ground all he can do is try to make his stay comfortable. Zexal wiped furiously away at his tears, looking at Igni with a solemn expression. "Do not apologize to me prince of fire for it is not your fault." Igni felt guilty, he never wanted to be friends with the enemy but now they have grown over these few months, he hoped close as brothers would be.

Igni saw Zexal turning away from him, giving him the signal he wanted to be alone. Before Igni could stop himself, he climbed on to the bed to give Zexal a hug placing his chin on his head. "It will be alright, I will not let anything happen to you."Igni closed his eyes not loosening his embrace.  Zexal was in utmost shock, yet it felt better than the loneliness, before he could react the tears fell freely across his face.