Promise 1

Sunlight. Warmth—that will never touch my implacable coldness. I am sick of being cold, so cold... A pristine, handsome man sat lounging by a window, face upturned to the warmth of the summer sun. Slumped from exhaustion and burden. As the golden sunlight play over his silver hair and pale skin, he seemed to be ethereal, a fleeting vision of a god. I am thunder? Why am I so cold?

Without warning, he sat up and blinked, trying to adjust to the dimness of the palace. Another confrontation. Another silent battle, where I do not know how to fight. He wanted out desperately; out of this trap, this tangle of lies that meshed the palace, away from the blows dealt that hurt but left no mark. Court, a battleground, a game that I do not understand how to play. Hide behind my mask, drown a little more in the pool of indifference that lies within. He swiftly changed into his armor, a specially designed...prison, an empty cage that weighs ever so heavily down. I am so sick of it all... Briefly, the world spun around, leaving him slumped against the cool wall. Stop it! You cannot be weak! He roughly shoved any trace of emotions back into the deepest corners of his mind, daring them to emerge under his iron will. His face assumed the familiar mocking half-smile, one so arrogant as to brush off any attack. Once again stood the Rajin Taishakuten, brilliant general of Tentai's armies.

Taishakuten found himself surrounded with bustling courtiers moving in the subtle rhythm that he could never possess. He stood aloof, summoning an air of indifference and cut a path for himself with his eyes, using the ice-coldness within himself as a sword. He stepped into the center aisle and progressed towards the Tentai, every step calculated to show arrogance and contempt for the crowd he just left. "My emperor," he acknowledged, sinking into a bow that was both submissive and dangerously insubordinate. He waited for the word to rise, knowing that he drew all eyes.

"Milord Rajin, rise." Tentai, a weak fool who is only king because of his birth. With his usual careless grace, he rose ... and met the warm, golden eyes of his never before seen commander, King Ashura-ou of the Ashura clan. For a fraction of an instance, he dropped his mask, sinking into the bottomless depth of those pupils...he wanted into slip even further as emotions he had never felt before wash over him. Such beauty and understanding...as if he could see through my mask...I wish to lose myself forever in...He almost stumbled...and regained his composure. Curse myself for being so easily manipulated. I cannot allow to show weakness of any sort. He allowed himself a wary half-smile, bowed to the young princess who dimpled at the courtesy, and insolently nodded —equal to equal — to Ashura-ou, the words of a silent challenge. Fight me. I dare you. Ashura-ou's eyes hardened, but refused to acknowledge the dare. Tentai, of course, had no clue.

"Rajin, we feared we have suffered you to fight monsters!" Tentai attempted to sound noble. Worthless fool. A dottering old coward sitting comfortably on his throne. "You have defeated all the monster tribes! Because of this, we will grant you whatever you wish!" Idiot. Taishakuten glanced at Ashura-ou again, carefully avoiding his eyes. His smile deepened to an arrogant smirk.

"Then I am too pleased to obey," Taishakuten said, staring hard at the spear-straight figure of Ashura-ou. "I wish to ask Ashura-ou for a fighting lesson." He smiled further as he noticed Ashura-oh shocked countenance. Speechless. Do you regret not accepting my challenge?

"Ah....a great idea! Ashura-ou is the best warrior in Tentai, and we've not seen his sword craft for a long time!" Tentai said enthusiastically.

"Ashura-oh, do you accept?" Taishakuten asked. Ashura raised his eyes to meet Taishakuten, who had to steel himself to not flinch. You do not—cannot—mean anything to me.

"If it is Rajin's desire, I have no choice!" Ashura answered. Wisps of smoke curled up from his fist. "I will use..."

One of the twelve Holy Knights unsheathed his sword and offered it hilt-froward to Ashura-ou. "King, a sword..."

"No." From Ashura's hand issued Shurato, gleaming and splendid. The crowd murmured, shocked that he would use Shurato to fight a lowly Taishakuten. Taishakuten merely smiled. You...are my enemy. Yet I wish you are something else.

"En garde!" Taishakuten shouted, charging forward with his sword, glowing with the intense light of lightening. Ashura-ou locked into a blocking stance. The close proximity of him almost made Taishakuten stumble back. "Using Shurato to fight me, you honor me!" Why do I feel so differently around him? Because he seems to understand? IMPOSSIBLE. "Dare I imagine you compare your power to mine?" He broke out of the deadlock and leaped back. Where I can think properly.

"That's enough!" shouted Kisshouten. "Please, my two lords, stop!" Taishakuten nor Ashura paid any attention to her. Clash—Taishakuten whips out in a dazzling arc, and the twelve Holy Knights surrounded Ashura-ou. Twelve Holy Knights

"The demonstration is over," Tentai said, alarmed. "Ashura-oh, stop! Taishakuten, you are not bad! Perhaps in a few years you will be as good as Ashura-oh!" Tentai turned to Ashura. "But never forget, Ashura-oh, Shurato is used only for the defense of the Kingdom. The damage Shurato can do is enormous!" He waved his hand in dismissal. "Everyone, the demonstration is over. You are dismissed. Ashura-oh, you may retire with your twelve Holy Knights."

"Yes, my liege," replied Ashura-oh, bowing. Such a man as he should not bow to one as lowly as the emperor.Tentai rose and left.

"Taishakuten is powerful— to even touch me with a sword," murmured Ashura-ou. Taishakuten approached him.

"You!" challenged a Knight. Taishakuten's eyes narrowed, surprised at the vehemence in that voice. Ashura-ou stared at him.

"The thing I want, I will always get," Taishakuten said coldly. His expression softened. "Please remember me, Ashura-ou," he said, a sad half-smile lingering for an instant. He turned to go, the trademark insolent smirk again in place.

"Let it be!" commanded Ashura-ou. Taishakuten ignored them and walked coolly out of the chamber. "Take no notice of him!" Ashura-ou, deep in thought, marched out, accompanied by his guards. Taishakuten watch their diminishing figures.

Taishakuten has always been the most intriguing character in RG-Veda (also being my favorite). Like Sephiroth of FF7 (my idol of all time), he is mysterious and foreboding. I deciding to portray a different Taishakuten then what the rest of the world believe him to be, my interpretation of Taishakuten... Sorry about the crappy HTML. I design webpages and this isn't typical of me. But I'm too tired to care right now. School's out!

"Promise"

Part One