Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne!

Chapter 1: Prologue

Memories of a Feather


Gaea. A planet created by the people of Atlantis, a place much like Earth is a magical and wonderful place. Gaea is in an alternate dimension from Earth. Gaea is almost like Earth's twin. However, although people on Earth cannot see Gaea, people on Gaea see both the Moon and Earth in their nightly expanse. On Gaea, the cursed planet Earth is known by the name of the Mystic Moon. The people in Gaea speak in Gaean and are not aware any other language other than their own.
It is Green, 27th Moon and Emerald Aoshi-Kaoru Knight is born into this world of enchantment. Her parents were Aki and Hiko; both were Draconians, the descendants of the ancient winged people of Atlantis who created the planet Gaea by using the power of their will and wishes. Aki and Hiko were also the high priest and priestess of Asturia, and were considered as royalty. They worshiped the Sea Dragon, which was the main religion in Asturia.

Her parents were kind, they were always smiling and they wouldn't leave Emerald's room until she was tucked into her little bed and was fast asleep. Emerald grew up knowing all of the royalty in Gaea from King Goau of Fanelia to Queen Marlene of Asturia. Hiko and Aki traveled the planet, healing the sick, and casting many spells. Aki would teach her daughter healing spells and many different kinds of magic, and Hiko would train Emerald in the martial arts, and also to use swords, staffs, and other weapons. Afterwards Hiko would tell her stories about the Mystic Moon.
"It's a cursed place, my child," he'd say, "Beasts and demons live on the Mystic Moon is what I hear. But I don't really know for sure. No one has ever been there. But if someone has, I'm sure they won't ever find their way back to Gaea."
When Hiko said this, Emerald looked at the sky and stared at the Earth and Moon and wondered what it was really like. She had often imagined that they're were horrible demons lurking around every corner of the planet and that there was no one to protect anyone. She was scared to death about the Mystic Moon.

She loved her father and mother very much, not once was she ever mad at them. Sometimes Emerald helped her mother practice spells and she'd joined her in prayers. They trained her so that one day she could take over when they couldn't anymore. One day Aki told Emerald very important...

~*~*~*~

"You see, Emerald, you are our only child because we were destined to have only you. For you are the one the spirits chose. They chose you when Gaea itself was created," she said.

"I was...chosen?"

Aki nodded.

"Yes, you see, when the priest and priestess of Asturia bring a female Draconian baby into this world, the child is destined to become the Gaea no Miko. Your father and I were chosen to be the priest and priestess of Asturia only so we could bring you into this world so you could be the Gaea no Miko."

Emerald was quite surprised that the spirits of Gaea chose her to be the priestess of the whole planet. She was speechless. Aki opened her angelic wings and smiled softly down at her daughter. Tons of feathers came off her wings and started floating in the air. Aki caught one closed her eyes for a second and then looked at Emerald again.

"Emerald, you don't just become the Gaea no Miko, you must journey to a far away place and prove to the spirits of Gaea you really are the one. Unfortunately, your father and I will not be able to come with you on your quest, but you will have the aid of the sprits of Gaea," Aki walked up to her daughter, opened her hand and placed a feather in Emerald's palm, "But don't you worry my little one, we will always be with you. And you don't have to worry about any quest for now."

Emerald smiled at her mother and gave her a hug.

"Any other things I'm 'destined' to have or be, okaasan?" Emerald giggled.

"Actually yes. There is something else that the fates chose for you."

Emerald blinked, "What is it, mother?"

"They chose the one you will be with forever. You are destined to meet a man that you will stay with forever. A man you will stay by his side no matter what. This will only happen when you are on your journey," Aki walked to the end of the room, picked up a large book and brought it back to Emerald, "This book, is older than you or me, it's older than time itself. This is the book the spirits made when they completed Gaea. It says right here that you will be the Gaea no Miko and that you will be with a strong, compassionate man."

"Wow...so you're telling me I'm going to fall in love and spend an eternity with a man I was destined to meet? And I'll be the Gaea no Miko?"

"Yes, Emerald. This won't happen for a while so just relax and enjoy being a child, my little jewel."

"Okay, mother!" She beamed, while she stuffed the feather into her dress pocket and ran off to play in the garden next to the shrine of the Sea Dragon.

She remembered this entirely well, and she will for years to come...