Eyes Closed

Luke Fon Fabre's red hair swayed about in the wind as the he lay down on the lush, green grass of his manor. The air smelt fresh and crisp and the dew felt soothing and cool beneath his hands as he lay below the burning sun. Tear and Natalia lay next to him. Tear's long, brown hair was spread out across the grass as she watched the world fly by. Natalia had her hands behind her shoulder length blonde hair as she thought about the man she loved….Luke's best friend, Guy Gardios. She loved the way he'd always smile….even through a tough time. His crystal blue eyes always sparkled….he had a twinkle in the corner of his right eye that didn't go unnoticed by her. But Guy lived in Mulkuth now….along with Jade and Anise. But soon, she wanted to see those eyes again….and the smile….the blonde spikey hair….everything she loved about Guy. She lifted herself into a sitting position and gazed up at the clear blue sky. "I wonder how the others are…." She spoke softly. Luke and Tear sat up as well and stared at her. "Well…." Began Luke "I imagine Jade and Peony are keeping Guy on his toes" he chuckled a bit "Ahahahaha…..and Anise is probably pestering him, as usual" Natalia smiled when she heard the red head mention Guy's name. It sent a wave of warmth race through her body as if a fire glowed from within her.

Later that night….
Natalia found herself shrouded in darkness. There was no taste to the air….no voices in the place….nothing….a hollow shell of pitch black nothing. "Natalia…." She heard a voice say. She felt a sense of dread streak through her body, causing her to jump and see who was there. She felt a sense of relief wash through her, like the tide gently running across the warm sand. "Guy…." She smiled. But he didn't return the smile.
"Natalia….I don't have much time, so I need you to listen"
"Guy?" Panic now spread through her, etching its way into her heart and soul "G-Guy! What are you talking about"
"I don't have time to explain…just remember these words…."
"Yes?"
"PULL OUT THE SWORD!"

"Natalia…..Natalia…..NATALIA!" She awoke with a start. Her emerald eyes shot open as she saw Luke and Tear leaning over her. "Are you ok?" asked Luke. Natalia sat up in her bed and rubbed her tired eyes. She watched as Luke's expression changed from concerned to a smile. "Yes" she replied "everything's alright"
"Good" replied Tear rubbing her back "I'm glad, but…"
"Yes?"
"Were you dreaming about Guy by any chance?" As Tear spoke. All the colour drained from her face, as if she were a ghost "HOW DO YOU KNOW?" she asked surprised
"Well" Luke said "You were screaming his name at the top of your voice…." At this she blushed, she turned as red as a rose and her stomach felt as if she had butterfly's inside her. She laughed it off. But she still had a feeling of dread in her heart, like somebody had stabbed her and the wound was eternal….she couldn't help but shake the feeling that Guy was trying to tell her something…..

The three friends were walking around the manor garden, the weather was as clear and fresh as the previous day. It seemed as if nothing could dampen their mood. They listened as the birds sang sweetly and the tall trees stood over them, keeping them cool from the blazing ball in the sky. "MASTER LUKE!"
"Huh?" Luke, Tear and Natalia watched as a castle guard dashed up to them, he seemed quite flustered "Master Luke…..Princess Natalia….and Mistress Mysterica too!"
"Did you want anything?" Tear asked impatiently hoping he would get to the point.
"Oh yes….King Ingobert and Duke Fabre request your presence in the throne room immediately!"

Tear, Natalia and Luke stood before the king and Duke Fabre eagerly awaiting for them to say what they wanted. Natalia didn't know why, but her heart burned. Pain wrapped around her heart like string and pulled it, restricting her breathing. Something was off….."I'm sorry to have called you all here in such a hurry, but you will be leaving for Grand Chockma immediately…..but before you leave….there is some…..distressing news you must hear" The king spoke with a soft tone, as if to say something was wrong. Natalia's vision jumped between Luke and Tear, who both looked as confused and concerned as she did. "Why are we going to Grand Chockma? What's wrong?" she asked flustered
"It's about Guy…." Said the Duke, a saddened expression painted all over his face.
"GUY?" exclaimed Luke, his face turning as red as his hair "WHATS THE MATTER? IS HE ALRIGHT?"
"No" said the King, showing sympathy "Gailardia is in a coma, and he won't seem to wake" The three of them stood there gaping, a sharp pain constricted their lungs. "Emperor Peony IX Colonel Jade Curtiss requested your presence. Tear and Natalia are to try and wake him…the Colonel requested you to go as well Luke"

A day later they arrived in Grand Chockma. The three of them hurried towards the castle, eagerly wanting to help Guy. Guy….Natalia was hoping this was all just one big nightmare, and soon she'd wake up and find Guy was alright! She'd grab his arms and dance endlessly with him, telling him he was alright, he was safe. But alas, in reality, she could lose him. No. She couldn't bear to think about that. Suddenly they saw a familiar face walking towards them. His glasses glistened in the sunlight and his shoulder length brown hair was neatly brushed. His expression however was dull. No smile. This didn't look like the cocky colonel Jade they were used to. "Jade!" Luke exclaimed as they stopped before him breathless. "His majesty asked me to meet you" Jade said "he and Anise is with Guy in the hospital, he asked if you would see to him straight away"
"Of course we will" said Tear. So they nervously followed Jade into the palace. As they marched down the corridor Tear remembered how much Guy had grown since she first met him. The first time they had met Guy had been terrified and backed away whenever he saw her. Now they were close friends, and Tear couldn't bear the thought of him being…..dead. Suddenly Jade stopped at the door to the hospital wing. He reached out his hand and slowly turned the door knob. Natalia's breath stopped for a moment with what she saw. The room wasn't that big, it had three white beds either side of the room. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath her feet and the white walls made the room seem colourless and tasteless. But….on the bed nearest them on the right lay the blonde, spikey haired swordsmen. Peony stood next to his bed watching over him, while Anise softly patted down on a cloth on his forehead. The boy just lay there. Eyes closed. Tranquil. Motionless. As Natalia stood in the doorway gaping with her hand to her heart, only one word passed her frozen lips….. "Guy"