Disclaimer (Applies to whole story) - I do not own Escaflowne or any of the characters. I make no money from writing this and I'm broke so suing me would be a waste of your time. Thanks muchly.

This story contains SPOILERS for Escaflowne (The series) If you do not want to have the ending ruined for you then please do not read this story.

Seeing Red

Chapter 1 - Fear

"Dilandau."

That's what they called him. It was his name, and he knew no other. He had guessed it wasn't a regular name, since it sounded foreign even to his young ears. It was probably because he was Special. They called him that too: The "Special Child." As far as he knew, he wasn't special at all. All he did was go to visit Them every week or so, and the rest of the time they had let him play in a room with some toys and books. Often Jajuka came to see him, and allowed him to practice fencing with a small sword. He liked Jajuka, but he wondered why the huge kindly soldier would bother to see him. When he asked Them about Jajuka, they just smiled and said that Jajuka looked after him because he was Special. It would have helped were it not for the fact that "special" was such a vague word!

After a while, he gave up thinking too much about it. There was plenty to do to pass the time, and he didn't like to dwell on things that worried him. If he worried he ended up asking questions, and They didn't like him asking questions. He was afraid of Them - The Sorcerers. That's what other people called Them sometimes. The little six year old boy had no idea what a Sorcerer was, but he knew his nightmares were worse after he went to see Them, even though he never remembered anything afterwards. The gaps in his memory were just some of the things he wished he could stop worrying about.

"Dilandau, wake up."

"I'm awake!"

The small boy opened his eyes and stared into the slightly blurred but recognisable face of Jajuka, his golden furry nose not six inches from Dilandau's own. He squinted and rubbed his eyes, annoyed at the lack of focus.

"Jajuka! What are you doing here!" He snapped grumpily, still partially in the dark with his thoughts.

"It's a big day for you, Dilandau. You are going to a new place."

Dilandau sat up violently.

"What?"

He was surprised. He had been staying in the same building for as long as he could remember, and though he knew he must have come from somewhere else, this seemed like the only place he ever knew - the few corridors and rooms he saw daily, the same servants and guards, and of course the Sorcerers who came to meet him. Although he was not usually scared of anything, anything unknown was inclined to make him feel nervous. His small hand instinctively reached out and grasped Jajuka's arm, twining in his thick fur.

"Why, Jajuka? Why can't I stay here?" His voice was pleading. He didn't want to be worried anymore.

Jajuka as always just smiled at him with infinite patience. He sat down on the bed beside Dilandau and pulled him into a hug.

"Dilandau, you have been here alone for too long."

"I'm not alone Jajuka - You've been with me!"

Dilandau's insistence and obvious surprise at his statement made Jajuka smile again. He spoke slowly and carefully, being careful to not show how he really felt. He felt he had failed Dilandau by leaving him like this, and taking him away from the only means of comfort he had; but he was helpless in the face of the Sorcerers orders, and they wanted him trained.

"You know that there are times when I can't be here, Dilandau. Then you will have to find others to support you, people to trust. Today you will meet other boys who also need people they can trust."

"I don't need anyone else! I just need you!" Dilandau clung fiercely to Jajuka, his grip surprisingly strong for such a young boy. Jajuka slowly but firmly removed his hands, and placed them in his own massive ones. They sat and looked at each other for a long time: Dilandau with sadness and resignation, Jajuka with regret. Finally he stood, and when Dilandau rose with him he picked him up and set him on the floor.

"Get dressed now, Dilandau. We will leave shortly."

He left the room without looking back, leaving Dilandau alone in the middle of the small room that had been his home for the past three months, though to him it was six years. He stood for one brief moment, thinking of memories just out of reach, and events yet to come. Then boyish excitement took over, and he went scrabbling for his clothes. He was thin - no matter how much they tried, he wouldn't eat enough to gain weight. They had eventually reasoned it was just his natural shape, and since he was obviously not lacking in strength they had stopped worrying about it. His pale skin and hair made the standard blue shirt and black trousers seem even darker than they should be. As an afterthought he tucked a dagger, a gift from the Sorcerers, into his boot. The blood-stone in the hilt matched the colour of his eyes, the silver blade, his hair. Now fully dressed, he strode out of the room with all the dignity he could muster. He wasn't going to let them know he was afraid!

Jajuka was waiting for him in the corridor. He nodded approval at Dilandau's choice of clothing - he looked good; powerful and assertive despite his age. His eyes wandered down and found the dagger, the red stone in the hilt just visible above the rim of Dilandau's right boot. Surprised, he raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Dilandau was grateful; he didn't want to explain that he felt he needed a weapon to make him less afraid.

"Let's go, it is this way."

He offered his hand, but Dilandau met his eyes and shook his head slightly but not unkindly, his eyes flickering towards the doors in an unspoken request. Jajuka understood - he wanted to seem independent. Gesturing an "After you" as one would to a King, Jajuka fell in step behind Dilandau as he walked towards the big double doors at the end of the long main corridor. Dilandau had never once seen what was beyond those doors, though he knew they were the exit to the building he lived in. Usually the guards stopped him and politely turned him back, today they opened the doors and waved him through, stopping only to sneer at Jajuka, who curled his upper lip in reply, showing his impressive teeth. There was no love lost between the guards and the regular soldiers.

Dilandau stared all around him as they walked through numerous passages and halls, the lavish wall hangings and decorations in some rooms contrasting with the obviously functional military posts and facilities. He had never seen so many people before - guards always marching by, servants running errands, and people he assumed to be either rich or important because of their flowing robes and serious faces. Many of them glanced at him, most with surprise and some with fear, to Dilandau's puzzlement. What was there to fear about him? He wasn't naive enough to assume it was because of his dagger - the guards in the corridor's were sporting several. Dropping back a few steps as they walked, he matched paces with Jajuka and tapped his arm to get his attention.

"Jajuka, why do they stare at me? Are they afraid?"

Jajuka knew he had to be careful in his answer. He couldn't possibly reveal the truth to Dilandau, but the boy was too clever to be satisfied with something unrealistic. He decided to opt for part of the truth, the nicest part if you will.

"It is because of your eyes and hair, Dilandau. They are an unusual colour, even here. Don't worry about those people, they will get used to it soon enough."

"I didn't know my eyes were an odd colour. What's a normal colour, If not red?"

Jajuka was inwardly relieved. Dilandau had become sidetracked already - from the fear to the colour of his eyes in about five seconds.

"Just like any normal little boy…"

He felt a pang of guilt. Why hadn't he stopped them? He knew of course that he had tried everything he could to stop them, and they had in turn beaten him unconscious. If he hadn't grovelled and scraped before his Commander, he would never have been allowed to look after Dilandau now.

"I don't suppose you have seen that many people's eyes, have you Dilandau? Most humans have blue, green or brown eyes. Beast People sometimes have golden eyes as well as human eye colours."

"Like yours, Jajuka?"

"Yes." Jajuka tilted his head so Dilandau could see his eyes. "They are the main colours. Any other colours are quite rare."

"So why are my eyes red then, Jajuka?"

"You are what is called an albino. It's where your hair and skin are very pale, and your eyes are red. It's just like saying someone else has brown hair and blue eyes really, but there are a lot fewer albino people around."

"Oh. Okay."

Dilandau shrugged and almost instantaneously found something else new and interesting to occupy his attention. Jajuka let him wander slightly ahead once more, his own steps slow and automatic as he became lost in thought.

They stopped at the end of a particularly fancy corridor. The doors here were huge and ornate, the deep purple panels outlined in silver and gold. Three guards flanked each side of the door, their faces grim and tense. Dilandau stared up at them nervously, and slowly moved closer to Jajuka. Jajuka kept his face a mask of calm, but he was just as nervous as Dilandau was. He had no way of knowing what was about to happen.

"I am Jajuka, Guardian and Mentor of Dilandau Albatou." he said formally, addressing the guard closest to him on his left, who wore the golden badge of Captain on his dark blue tunic. "He was to be brought here at this time to begin his training."

The guard Captain looked at him with disdain. It wasn't a soldier's job to look after children - In his opinion such a task was for women and men with no honour.

"Very well. They are expecting you." he said curtly, gesturing to the guards nearest the doors to open them.

Jajuka gave Dilandau a reassuring smile as the huge doors slowly moved apart.

"I am with you now, Dilandau."

Dilandau nodded, stubbornly keeping his eyes fixed on the doors. As the gap between them grew wider, the two figures walked closer, suddenly desperate to find out what waited for them. They almost squeezed through side by side, with barely inches to spare. The doors shut swiftly after them with a dull thud.

The room was by far the biggest Dilandau had ever seen. It seemed to be made entirely of a dark grey stone, with pillars around the edges supporting the weight of a balcony above. The walls to either side of him were almost completely hidden in the darkness beneath the balcony, but he could just make out tall shadowy figures stationed between the dim lamps. On the wall furthest from him, a huge luxurious tapestry hung, depicting the symbol of the Zaibach Empire. In front of this tapestry stood something out of his nightmares. A black-robed Sorcerer, one of Them; his cold eyes and aged appearance making him more like a living skeleton than a man. Dilandau recognised him as one of those who checked on him most often. He didn't like the almost hungry look in the Sorcerer's eyes, and involuntarily took a step back, bumping into Jajuka.

Jajuka placed a hand on Dilandau's shoulder to reassure him, then stepped to the side and executed a deep bow. This caused Dilandau to remember his manners and bow also, though he felt vulnerable and rose almost immediately. Jajuka however, remained on his knees. Dilandau was surprised. He hadn't expected a powerful soldier like Jajuka to be submissive to anyone. It was almost like Jajuka was as afraid of the Sorcerer as he was!

"My Lord, I have brought you Dilandau Albatou, as you commanded." Jajuka's voice was steady, rehearsed.

The Sorcerer in the centre of the room fixed Dilandau with a look that made his stomach churn. He cursed himself for feeling so terrified. Why did he hate this man so much? Why was he afraid of him? He was just a creepy old man! Even though he was trembling slightly, he matched the Sorcerers look, glaring at him through angry red eyes.

"You have done well, Jajuka. You are dismissed."

"Yes, my Lord."

Jajuka rose, bowed again and turned to leave. As he walked past Dilandau he mouthed "I will always protect you. You will never be alone, Dilandau." He got almost to the doors before Dilandau realised this might be the last time he saw Jajuka for a good while. He turned to watch him leave, but Jajuka didn't look back, and all too soon the doors shut behind him; leaving Dilandau alone in a room with the man he was afraid of most.

"Dilandau." The Sorcerers voice was sharp and commanding. Dilandau whirled around and glared at him again, torn between wanting to cry at Jajuka's departure and shout at the man who caused it.

"You are Special, Dilandau. Our greatest work. You will make a fine soldier."

"What are you talking about?"

Dilandau was getting agitated. He wanted Jajuka back! What did the Sorcerer mean, "greatest work?" He thought of all the times he had sparred with Jajuka. So they wanted him to fight. That's why a soldier had been allowed to look after him. But why him? What was it all for?

"We chose you, Dilandau. You will become one of the finest warriors in the Kingdom of Zaibach. With you we will finally achieve our goals!"

The Sorcerer's eyes were gleaming greedily now, and he started towards Dilandau. Terrified but not fully understanding why, Dilandau retreated and tripped, falling on his back. Before he could rise, the Sorcerer's face loomed over him, and he let out a scream of fear and rage, lunging forward and grabbing for the dagger in his boot. His hands closed over the cold silver hilt and he swept it upward in a vicious arc, straight for the Sorcerer's jaw. Before his blow could connect, his hand was seized in a deathly grip and another hand clamped round his throat, lifting him clean off the floor.

"We made you well, Dilandau. I see you will make a fine Captain."

The Sorcerer's voice was perfectly level, as if nothing had happened; but Dilandau saw the surprise and anger in his eyes and knew he was in serious trouble. He tried to struggle, but the hand only squeezed tighter and he began to cough, suddenly unable to breathe.

"You will obey us without question Dilandau, or you will suffer. A soldier has to do as they are commanded. Remember that! We made you what you are today: without us you are nothing!"

After what seemed like an age, the Sorcerer flung him roughly to the floor, and Dilandau lay there for several minutes on the cold stone, wheezing and gasping for breath. Finally he realised that the Sorcerer was still there, watching him, and got shakily to his feet, picking up the dagger that lay by his side. He thought the Sorcerer would take it from him, but instead he smiled smugly at Dilandau .

"You are strong, your fate has been altered in your favour."

Dilandau was about to ask what that was supposed to mean, but the Sorcerer surprised him by shouting upwards, towards the balcony.

"Do you see? Insolence will not be tolerated in the Zaibach Army! Remember that, servants of the Empire!"

A loud chorus of voices erupted from above. To Dilandau's surprise they sounded very young:

"Yes, my Lord!"

"But look well on Dilandau Albatou! He fought me, even though he fears me. This is a leader you can be proud of!"

Dilandau was thoroughly confused. He looked at the Sorcerer for a clue, but got none. The man was smiling as he looked to the balcony, at people Dilandau couldn't see.

"Come down here before me!" He commanded.

"Yes, my Lord!"

The voices shouted again, the echoes bouncing eerily in the chamber. Dilandau heard the noise of many feet scraping stone, as the unseen watchers filed down the stairs. He turned around to see, and blinked in surprise as a row of children lined up silently behind him. They were all boys, and none could be much older than he was! Some looked like they could even be younger. All were dressed in the same clothes as he was, blue shirt, black trousers and boots; but none were armed.

Turning this way and that, he looked at the Sorcerer and the children in confusion. The Sorcerer was still smiling. The other boys were looking at him strangely too. He realised with a start that they were afraid of him! Looking at himself, he realised why. He was bruised and cut from where the Sorcerer threw him across the room, and he guessed he also had marks from where he had been grabbed. Plus in his hand he still held the dagger, and he remembered they would have seen him try to attack the Sorcerer. Scowling with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, he put the dagger back in his boot as confidently as he could, and was frustrated when the expressions on the boys did not change. One of them, a short boy with fair hair, was gulping and staring right at him, like a rabbit caught in a trap.

"What are you looking at?" He snapped, furious that his eyes were filling with tears and he was still sore and short of breath. He must look weak! The fair-haired boy visibly trembled and looked to the Sorcerer as if for help. The man said nothing, just inclined his head as if to give the boy permission to talk.

"Your e-eyes… they are… l-like a demons eyes." he stammered, and then looked at the floor. The other boys looked at each other and nodded agreement. They seemed to forget that the Sorcerer was there for a moment, as if their fair haired companions voice had been the key to break their silence. Dilandau stood there alone in the vast room, and caught snatches of murmurs from the boys in front of him.

"Did you see what he did?"

"He nearly cut his face clean off!"

"He' a devil! Just look at how pale he is - and those eyes!"

"I bet he kills people for the Sorcerers! He is made from magic!"

Dilandau once again looked at the Sorcerer, but he just smirked and said nothing. Dilandau instinctively felt for the dagger in his boot, his anger building. Never taking his eyes off the man, he drew the dagger slowly up to his side, his free hand unconsciously rubbing his bruised neck. The Sorcerer did nothing, just watched as Dilandau brandished his dagger and turned back to face the crowd of chattering boys. One of them called out:

"Hey, are you a demon or what?"

And Dilandau saw nothing but red. Before anyone knew what was happening his crimson eyes were staring just centimetres from a pair of blue terrified ones, and his dagger was at the boy's throat. He wiped his face, unknowingly smearing the blood, dust and sweat into a red mask down his cheek, and snarled into the face of a frightened and crying six year old.

"Never call me a demon again! I am not a demon! I'm not! Got it!"

His hands were shaking with rage, and all of a sudden he was aware of the now deathly silence in the cavernous room.

"I-I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

The boy's voice was something between a choked sob and a whisper, but it carried far in the silence, bringing Dilandau out of his cloud of hate. It was as if he was seeing things clearly for the first time. Staggering back, he lowered the dagger and stared once more at the boys, who had moved quietly to comfort the one he had threatened. They looked at him again, but this time with respect as well as fear. Another spoke up.

"Yeah, we're sorry."

The others joined in, all apologising to him. The fair haired boy who had first said he had demon eyes said something briefly to the others and then walked forward until he was only a few feet from Dilandau. Then to Dilandau's surprise he knelt at his feet.

"My Lord told us that we would have a new Captain. My name is Gatti. It would be an honour if you would lead us." He looked up at the Sorcerer, as if just realising Dilandau might not be who he had meant." That is, if you are going to be our Captain. They said we needed one, so we could begin our training as a unit."

The Sorcerer nodded.

"Dilandau Albatou is your Captain. You will all be trained to be soldiers of Zaibach, and you will remember well the lessons you have learnt this day."

All the boys behind Gatti knelt too, and placed their left hands over their chests.

"We are loyal to Zaibach, now and forever!" They chanted.

The Sorcerer nodded.

"It is well. I am sure you will make us proud. Now, tell your Captain your names."

The boys looked as one into their battered Captain's ruby eyes.

"I'm Chesta."

"Dallet."

"Migel."

"Viole."

"Guimel, my Lord."

The list went on, until some fourteen boys besides Gatti had introduced themselves to Dilandau. As the last name died away, they all looked At Dilandau expectantly, as if he could do something with their names now that he knew them. Dilandau couldn't help it. He smiled, and walking quickly towards Gatti, grabbed him roughly by the arms and pulled him to his feet.

"Stand up!" He said, half-laughing, half frustrated with them. They looked so serious! In the shock he had forgotten a lot of what had just passed between them. The other boys hurriedly stood up and saluted.

"Yes, Sir!"

The Sorcerer then addressed Dilandau directly.

"Take good care of them, Dilandau. As their leader you are responsible for them."

"Yes, my Lord." he said softly. He didn't know what else to do.

Several minutes later, as Dilandau and the group of boys filed out of the room, forever after known as the Dragonslayers; the lone Sorcerer spoke into the silence once more.

"They will serve us well. Fate is on our side now. Dilandau is perfect for our plans."

Dark cloaked figures came into the light from the walls.

"He is a strong one. It will be work to keep him in line."

"What if he lapses?"

"He won't." The lead Sorcerer said. "He has a purpose and emotional grounding. He will die for us, and kill for us as we wish."

That night, the first night with his Dragonslayers, was in his memory one of the happiest of Dilandau's life. Having never been with boys his own age, it was fascinating and fun, and his status as their Captain did not bother him because in his short existence he hadn't known any different. He soon forgot about the pain of his injuries, and his fellow Slayers were too in awe of him to mention the blood and bruises that covered his pale face. They were amazed at his demonstrated skill with the sword and begged him to teach them, a promise he made gladly, proud to be seen as someone strong. Later they all went to their new quarters and he found a set of new clothes - a uniform, waiting for him, which he looked at for a long time. It was red, to match his dagger. He never knew about that night as he slept in his new room, when the faint sounds of the others in the rooms nearby were murmuring to him in his dreams, tears for Jajuka and a life he didn't remember stained his cheeks and deepened the red in his eyes.

-

The memories were so vivid they stayed with him even as he awoke. For a few seconds he was still a boy again, a six year old in Zaibach with the Dragonslayers. Then he remembered his Slayers were dead: murdered by Van Fanel. He sat up, startled, as memories rushed upon him like a wave - Van, Escaflowne, Allen, the battles between them - The deaths. But no memory could explain to him where he was, or what had happened to him. His life felt like it had just stopped all of a sudden.

"Where am I? What the hell happened to me? What's going on!"

He sat very still, thinking. The last thing he remembered, the last thing for certain, was fighting Van and Allen in his new Oreades. He had been winning too, he was sure of it! Jajuka had been there too, helping him -

"Wait a minute- Jajuka?… But when he came to see me before the battle, I didn't even recognise him! Now I know he looked after me before I started my training. How come I didn't know who he was, and why didn't he mention it at the time? I should have known Jajuka! How did those memories just come back now? Why did I forget in the first place? AAGH! This is giving me a headache!"

Frustrated, he swung his legs to the side and confirmed he was in a bed of some sort. It was fairly comfortable, but the floor was cold stone, and he was barefoot. Grimacing, he stood up and swore under his breath when his legs buckled. He grabbed onto the bedpost and tried to stop his limbs from shaking.

"What the hell happened to me? Am I drugged?"

"You really shouldn't try to get up. You've been asleep for several days. We were really worried about you, when you suddenly collapsed after the memorial service."

The sudden voice made him jump, and he looked up as a small light from a lamp flared near his face. His eyes narrowed in surprise and anger as he saw who had spoken.

"Allen Schezar!" he hissed.

"Celena, are you alright?"

-

Author Notes:

Yes, the title is lame. I'll probably change it later on.

Apologies for the cliff-hanger, but I'd go on forever if I didn't find an evil place to stop...

I haven't watched Escaflowne enough times to be considered an expert so be gentle with canon errors please, except when they are obviously used as a plot device in which case it's supposed to be like that.

Please Review - I respect and encourage opinion and constructive criticism.