Monday
Midnight walked into the training room, finding Hera and Vanessa sparring. Hera used a knife while Vanessa was empty handed. The knight easily blocked and dodged her attacks. The way she flipped and swiftly stepped back away from each swipe, kick and punch. It was crazy, spontaneous and fast. Which was the same style as her father but he would switch to structured and hard to confuse his opponents. Vanessa did the same but Midnight could tell she preferred crazy over structured and still.
Vanessa leaned back, putting both hands on the floor, swinging both feet in the air. She kicked Hera's hand, the silver blade swinging away. Another kick, but it landed on the guard's jaw.
Thud.
That move, Midnight thought as she rubbed a hand on her chin, That was what her father called the Lean Kick.
"Time out," Vanessa said," I can see what you're doing before you do it." Hera raised an eyebrow before she chuckled," You spend more time thinking and seeing the other person's style and plan before striking. You give them no time to rest, unless on the ground of course." Midnight could hear Alfred's voice as she explained it. "It all makes sense now," She said. Vanessa's eyebrows creased as she looked at her. "Your father would tease me on my footing and who was the best fighter." She added," You did the same thing when we fought. I didn't know why I didn't see it before...But that's not the point. As my way of apologizing, I'd been thinking about how Melodia doesn't have a General of Defense."
"You're kidding right?"
"Not at all."
Vanessa rubbed her neck, a little unsure of what to do. "Before I do anything...I need to see where they are...Where's Fantasia?"
----
"Thanks for taking me to them," Vanessa began. Her voice was low with nervousness. Fantasia chuckled," I'd be selfish to not let you get the closure you need." The general, the princess and Tiny walked through the Royal Gardens. They made it to three grave stones. Michael's in front of two very familiar ones. Alfred and Patricia Carey. She kneeled down on the tombstone on the left. His was a dark green marble with words engraved into it that read,
Alfred Roy Carey
June 3, 1955-March 23, 1999
44
Missed 1st Commander of Melodian Defense
Loved father, husband, friend, mentor & joker
"I love doughnuts and my family."
Vanessa chuckled, a tear fell from her cheek before Tiny walked over and cuddled next to her. She looped an arm around him as he sat next to her. She rubbed his head and he purred softly. Patricia's was a pink and white marble, words ingraved into it as well.
Patricia Carey
September 29, 1953-March 23, 1999
42
Missed soldier of the Melodian Defense
Loved friend and wife
"I slayed monsters with a sword, cut a cake with it and gave it to my child. I have no regrets!"
Vanessa closed her eyes as more tears fell, her left hand gripped her sword's hilt. The leather creaked under her tight grip. She brought a hand to her eyes, more tears slipping through her fingers. She'd never felt so empty in her life...They were gone and she only had a sword and slowly reoccurring memories as small piece of them to cherish. She just wanted to hear their voices again...
-----
Vanessa, Fantasia and Tiny were all in the princess's royal room. Tiny laid on the dark, polished wood floor. He watched them with happy eyes as they swayed to the song. The general had her hands on the princess's waist and the princess had her arms looped around the general's neck. Their steps slow but coordinated with the song and with the each other's steps. They swayed in the spacious room, the only illumination was the silver moonlight shining through a window near the bed. The song played from the record player near the window. The familiar, soft chimes of the song was sweet reminder to both the princess and the general.
"Music Box," Vanessa said," My mom would sing this to me when I had nightmares." Fantasia chuckled," I would play it every night when my dad was away on general duty...The one time I forget to play it...he doesn't come back." Before Vanessa could slip out another word, Fantasia laid her head on the night's chest. Hot, silent tears slipped down her cheeks as the general sung," When I am low,
You wash away my tears and take me through the loneliness
And emptiness,"
"Through the darkest night, somehow I survive," Fantasia sung, her voice full of emotion but still soft with fresh sorrow. "Through it all," They sung together, Vanessa letting the brunette of royalty take the lead. Their voices intertwined as they harmonized.
"When you tell me I'm the only one you need," Fantasia sung alone. A small smile came to her face as Vanessa followed behind her," Sweet and tenderly,
And your love,
Breaks away the clouds surrounding me."
"All I have I want to give to thee," They sung together.
