Dwellings of the past:

Authors note no da *_^:

Darkchylde's back with her second fic (whether you like it or not). This ones about my fav. Escaflowne character, the pyro boy Dilandau. Why did I write this? Well, I wanted to show how Dilandau was before, and what led him to insanity. This was actually meant to appease myself (I wanted to know more about his childhood).

Now, as most of you _know_, this page looked blank. But some people were smart enough *clapclap* to highlight the thing so they got to read it, but to those who weren't... I fixed it for ya'll.

Oh yeah, before I forget.*Takes a deep breath* All characters are the property of their respective owners. I'm just borrowing them for fun (I'm not gonna hurt them…much) so don't sue me. If you do I won't be able to buy myself any Clamp manga. Oh yeah, comments, criticism's and *gulp* flames please send them : here Well, jaa!

Darkchylde

10/13/99

Dwellings of the past:

Story one: Souls Beginning

In the cold darkness within the Zaibach prison, Jajuka sat alone, a tiny dress clutched in his hand.

Serena...she's gone., the beast-like man buried his face in his hands as the loneliness enveloped him, its icy hands digging deep in his soul.

The fleeting memories of his days with the young Shezard girl flitted through his mind. She had loved him, she had said it to him almost every day as he put her to bed. He knew full well of what they had planned to do with her, yet he felt it was his duty as a soldier to follow his master. He only realized the true evil that Zaibach was attempting, to erase the life of a little girl completely in order to attain Emperor Dornkirk's ideal Future.

He should not have grown to attached, Jajuka mentally berated himself, it was his own fault. But deep in himself, the beast man knew that what he did was right. He had helped Serena hold on to her humanity and individuality as long as they would let him keep her in his care. He had tried to help her escape, and that was the reason why he was here, trapped like the caged animal they said he deserved to be.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the voices that rang out near his cell door.

"Is this the beast man Jajuka's cell?"

"Yes sir!"

"Let him out."

That simple order set Jajuka's fur on end. Had they come here to finally kill him? The thick steel door opened, the bright afternoon sunlight, which poured through the windrows outside blinding him momentarily. As his eyes adjusted, Jajuka bowed his head low as the faint outline of one of the Zaibach Sorcerers came into view.

"Stand soldier.", the mans cold steel tone showed that he was not used to being disobeyed. Jajuka followed his order and the man continued, "We the Zaibach Sorcerers feel that you have been judged wrongly, so we have decided to offer you a chance to redeem yourself in others eyes."

Jajuka nearly snarled. He was used to the manipulations of men with higher positions in the populace. The message was clear to him: We still need you so join us or we'll let the army kill you off.

Jajuka put on a fake smile, one he hoped looked grateful, "Anything sir! I will do anything.", He nearly shuddered in disgust at the sound of his own voice. He sounded like those Zaibach bootlickers.

"Follow me. I will show you what we will have you do.", Jajuka followed him out the cell. As they walked slowly out the Zaibach Dungeon, the sorcerer turned, "I will lead you to your new charge."

Jajuka smiled slowly, they were offering a replacement for Serena, probably to spite him. The sorcerer seems so sure of himself. If his charge proved to be a Zaibach bastard, Jajuka thought, then he would kill him. That would be revenge enough for Serena.

They entered the building in which the Sorcerers quarters and their experiment laboratories were stationed. As he followed the sorcerer, weaving through the building, Jajuka felt he had never saw so much dragon hearts, multi colored liquids and Sorcerers in one place.

They came to the sections that held the rooms and as they reached the end of one corridor, the sorcerer he was following stopped. Three others who were once standing in front of a wooden door moved to greet him.

"How is he?", The sorcerer he had first met asked.

"His disposition has not yet changed.", Another short sorcerer answered.

"He seems to have forgotten everything! He cannot seem to talk and does not recognize any of us! What could have triggered this?"

The tallest one, who had kept silent all the while finnaly spoke up, his voice deep yet the tone soft. Jajuka recognized this one. He was in charge of reporting news to the Emperor, the Stratego Falken. This man held much power for the emperor trusted him, an honor that the man didn't seem to care about. Falken's deep voice rang out through the still corridor, "He is frightened. He feels that he has woken up from a nightmare that has not disappeared after he has awakened. I heard she was a prisoner, so maybe he yet feels her fear of being alone. We must show him comfort. Dornkirk has said that the boy must adjust. His future demands it."

Serena! They are speaking about her!, Jajuka's thoughts raced wildly in his head. Had they changed her into a monster? The sorcerer's gazes shifted to him at his gasp, and he caught the glances they directed at each other. They were hoping he would help them teach the boy.

Falken stepped forward and looked at him sternly, "You will enter now and see your charge Soldier Jajuka. We will be waiting outside."

They opened the door for him and he stepped hesitantly inside. What has happened to her?! these thoughts raced through Jajuka's mind as he walked into the dimly lit room.

It was dark, the only light came from a lamp that hung upon the wall. He followed the light to gaze upon the little figure that sat upon the bed, it's eyes on him.

Jajuka stood frozen in place as those deep purple eyes focused on him, the same shape as Serena's, but that was the only thing that gave the boys former self away. Light gray hair fell down to his shoulders, several stray bangs hung loosely around his face. His skin was deathly pale, almost white and his body was more muscular, as that of a young boy. He still had the same posture thought, and Jajuka sensed the same sort of helplessness he had first felt from Serena when she was first brought in.

The young boy looked up at him, eyes empty, then Jajuka watched fascinated as life seemed to seep into them, making the beautiful purple orbs seem to shine.

"I...I remember you...", The boy who was once Serena whispered, eyes looking at him at a loss, "I don't remember how...but you were nice to me..."

Jajuka felt his heart ache as the boys soft voice seemed to echo in his mind. The voice, a bit deeper and harder then Serena's still held a tone of the young girl's. Jajuka sat down on the bed beside the boy.

"What is your name?", Jajuka asked.

"Di-dilandau.", the boy stumbled over the words, "The dark men said my name is Dilandau. They said I was sick for a long time and I just got better. That's why I don't remember anything.", then Dilandau looked up and smiled, and he looked so like Serena then that Jajuka felt the memories resurfacing, "But I remembered you. I asked for you. Yo-youre Jajuka right? You took care of me. I know because of this.", He took out a circlet from beneath his shirt. It was gold with a tiny violet drop on the middle and Jajuka recognized it quickly. He had given that to Serena after they had cut her hair to comfort her.

"You kept it.", He managed to whisper. He then let his insticts and emotions take over and took the tiny boy into his arms, pressing him against his fur. Dilandau hesitated a moment then buried his face into Jajuka's warm fur. Suddenly a knock at the door made them break away. The sorcerers glided in, black capes trailing. Their feral smiles made Jajuka want to run and take Dilandau with him. As if reading his mind Dilandau hid behind his back.

"Dilandau, do you remember Jajuka?"

Dilandau peeked from behind Jajuka's back, his voice muffled, "Yes. He took care of me."

"Yes, and he will take care of you till you finally become a Zaibach soldier."

Dilandau moved to stand at the edge of the bed, purple eyes shining as he lost all his momentary shyness, "I'm gonna train to be soldier like Jajuka?"

Falken bent on one knee to speak to him at face level, "Would you like that Dilandau?"

Dilandau nodded solemnly, "Yes! Very much."

Falken smiled then stood and put out one of his hands, the other stayed hidden in the cloak, "Come with me then. I will introduce you to your trainer."

Dilandau looked at Jajuka nervously, as if asking for permission. Jajuka nodded and Dilandau took Falken's hand hesitantly and they walked out.

The sorcerers turned on him, "What did he say?"

"Does he remember anything of his past?"

"Does he have emotions?"

Jajuka sighed and answered the questions as truthfully as he can, not leaving out anything. Zaibach sorcerers were said to have the ability to read minds and he didn't want to even test that ability.

The sorcerer whom he had first met smiled at him in approval, "Good work Jajuka. The boy's disposition has improved. And the piece of DNA of the General Decius we had mixed with the child's seems to only be present vaguely in the fact that he wishes to be a soldier. He is too soft and gentle. We will have to see to his education.", then he lowered his voice threatening, "Make no move to remind him of his former self. We both would not have to put Dilandau under the care of just anyone else if you prove not to be worthy.", He let it hang there and turned to leave.

"Here are the directions to yours and Dilandau's quarters, you may move his things there.", The muscular sorcerer nodded as he slipped the paper into his hands.

The short Sorcerer grinned up at him as he also turned to leave, "And he is a beautiful boy, I feel that you will have to work hard to keep the soldiers hands of him yes?"

Jajuka sat down heavily as they left. They had changed Serena into a boy, one who had no idea of his past. His General had said that Serena was to be turned into a Dragonslayer, one that would capture the Dragon that held Zaibachs future on its wings. He had never expected this to be the form they would shift her into. That this young naive boy was to be turned into a killer repulsed him.

Jajuka clenched his fists. Not if he could help it. He would not let Dilandau down as he had let Serena.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dilandau held Falken's hand tightly as he was led through the building. He took in all the sights, hoping to fill his empty mind. Somehow he didn't want his mind idle. That was when the strange girl would come into his head. She seemed so sad, and when he called to her she ran away.

Dilandau felt a strange connection to the girl but he did not tell anyone this. They would think he was crazy.

They finally reached a large training field where hundreds of soldiers were engaged in training. Dilandau watched fascinated. He felt an almost unnatural yearning to be one of them. Licking his lips in anticipation, all thoughts were smothered, only one stood out in his mind. He wanted to be a soldier, something in him screamed for it.

Falken led him to a young man about 27 years of age. The man, apparantly a General by his attire, had beautiful long raven hair and hard voilet eyes that watched them keenly as they approached. Falken held up a hand in greeting.

"Dilandau. This is General Decius. Say hello."

"He-hello sir.", Dilandau was captivated by the man's cold eyes, so like his own.

Then the man smiled, his face seemed to brighten and the ice in his eyes melted as he gazed down at Dilandau, "Why his eyes are exactly like mine.", He tilted Dilandau's chin, taking in the young boys features, "Though that is all that the piece of DNA they had taken from me seems to had added to his looks.", his voice faded into a whisper, "Pretty aren't you."

Dilandau furrowed his brows. This man talked strange.

Falken frowned at Decius, "Did not Emperor Dornkirk warn you against speaking such things infront of the boy?"

Decius merely waved him away, "Yes, yes. I won't tell anyone.", He then bent down and smiled sweetly at Dilandau, "Well, seems like you'll be my student hmm? Frankly, I am honored.", He held out his hand and Dilandau shook it. Dilandau immediately liked this man.

General Decius took a sword from a stand nearby and handed it to Dilandau, "Here, a trainee needs a sword."

As Dilandau held it he smiled at the familiarity of the way it felt on his palm. It felt like an extra arm to him. He drew it from its sheath and took a few practice swings.

Decius laughed loudly as he watched Dilandau, "Seems like you did get something else from me! You seem pretty comfortable with it!"

"Dilandau. Stay here a while,", Falken ordered and walked away after he got a nod in answer. When they were out of hearing Falken voiced his disapproval, "He is not to know anything. The Emperor says he must be treated merely as a gifted pupil. Don't make him stand out."

Decius sighed, "I know that. And I give my word that the boy will be up to you standards and that no harm will come to him. He is after all, of my blood."

Falken nodded. Their eyes then fell upon the young boy who was holding a sword in his hands for the first time, yet was swinging it with the ease of one who held it before. Then as the instincts bred in him took over, despite his true self who fought to remain, the boy's eyes turned blood red, a shadow of the bloody future to come. He and his sword were one.

As Dilandau heard Falken and Decius returning the spell broke and the blood red orbs faded to voilet.

Dilandau's training had begun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Within his machine, Emperor Dornkirk smiled, "The ideal future is nearing." And it was, for the emperor already had the traitor Draconian and the Dragonslayer in his hands. In time, he would start the hunt for the dragon.