Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne and its characters.
Author: licoricefactory
Author's Note: This is my first ever fanfiction. This story takes place in Gaea but it is definitely an AU. Read and Review!
Pairing: Dilandau/Hitomi
Japanese words
Sama: Lord
Hai: Yes
Oneechan: Older sister
Kun: a term of endearment; a way to call a boy
Hime: Princess; Her Highness
Chapter 1
A boy with gleaming silver hair was pacing around in his throne room while anxiously waiting for his father's command to attack the Kingdom of Kanza. Bloodlust is definitely evident in his eyes that are as red as the color of the crimson blood he so longingly craves for. He can just imagine in his mind's eye the look of pure horror and dread on the citizens of Kanza's faces when he plunges his sword deep into their guts and twists the blade until blood flows out of their bodies leaving them dead. Just the thought of it makes his red eyes twinkle in delight and his anticipation increase.
At only 17 rotations old, Dilandau Albatou, was assigned by his father, Emperor Adelphos, to be the commander of the Dragonslayers, the most elite military force in Zaibach. Despite the fact that he's young, he is a good fighter who commands attention, respect and absolute loyalty. Being the prince, he is also next in line to the throne of the empire giving him unlimited amount of power over the Zaibachians.
Not to mention the fact that he is one of the most beautiful men in all of Zaibach. Silky silver hair that sits atop his head never going in disarray, commanding red eyes, beautiful pale skin and light pink lips grace his handsome feautures. It's as if he's an angel descended from the heavens above but in reality, he is the absolute opposite: a devil who mericilessly kills without a second thought, without a hint of guilt or self-disgust.
A knock was heard on the door and Dilandau's head immediately perked up.
"Enter!"
The door to the room slowly opened as a young soldier in a blue and black armor stepped inside his commander's room. Obviously cowering in fear, he bowed down to his leader and kept his face as neutral as possible, opened the scoll in his trembling hands and read from the parchment:
Permission to attack the Kingdom of Kanza.
Do not destroy everything.
This will only serve as a warning to that pathetic excuse of a king to never turn down an offer from Zaibach.
Remember Dilandau, do not get carried away.
-Emperor Adelphos
The dragonslayer folded the piece of parchment back and waited for his leader to address him.
"Gatti, inform the other Dragonslayers to get down to the guymelef hanger and prepare themselves for the upcoming battle." Dilandau commanded.
The young soldier did not move from his spot seemingly waiting for more orders from his commander.
"What are you waiting for, leave!" Dilandau yelled.
The boy was trembling with fear and answered, "Hai, Dilandau-Sama." Gatti made a hasty bow and immediately left the throne room thankful that he did not receive a backhand to the cheek. Being the second-in-command, Gatti was always the one who needed to face the Dilandau's wrath. Pathetic. Dilandau silently thought.
As soon as the light brown haired boy left the throne room, Dilandau started to cackle maniacally and murmured quietly under his breath, "You're going down, King Ryuu. Let the games begin."
It was a perfectly peaceful morning in the Kingdom of Kanza. The sun has just risen an hour ago in the near horizon painting the sky with a mixuture of red, orange and yellow hues. It was truly a captivating sight and the birds flying in the horizon were singing beautiful songs. Standing tall at the middle of the prosperous country was the palace made of white marble. It was not only a symbol of beauty and prosperity but power as well.
In the royal gardens of the palace were a girl and her little brother playing together. Sounds of childish laughter can be heard all throughout the area and the servants passing by cannot help but smile at the sight of the princess and prince having fun.
Hitomi Kanzaki, being the eldest child of King Ryuu, was known as the precious treasure of the Kingdom of Kanza where she is well loved by the people. Her rich honey brown hair cascades down to her waist further highlighting her natural beauty. With smooth alabaster skin, Hitomi Hime looks very much like an innocent and naive child. Her emerald green eyes give a sparkle of childlike innocence and charm. Being only 15 rotations old, Hitomi Hime was just starting to develop subtle curves since she has always been a late bloomer compared to the other Kanza girls her age but no one can deny the fact that she definitely possesses an angelic beauty.
Her little brother, Mamoru, was only 7 rotations old with the same honey colored hair and green eyes as his older sister. It was definitely evident that Hitomi and him were siblings since they both took after their mother who died after giving birth to the prince. Mamoru, despite the fact that he's younger, is the next in line to the throne of Kanza since it was part of the kingdom's customs that the ruler be a male.
The little prince was yelling, "7, 6, 5, 4,3, 2,1! Ready or not 'Tomi, here I come!"
Hitomi was hiding behind a rose bush in the royal gardens while silently giggling to herself.
After about five miets, the little prince was already exhausted looking for his older sister. He even cheated and asked the palace guards and servants if they have seen his oneechan. He has never been good with playing hide and seek and he always ended giving up on the game. Seeing that Mamoru has already quit searching for her, Hitomi stealthily crept out of the bush and walked towards his unsuspecting brother.
The princess crouched behind his brother. "Boo," she whispered in his ear and Mamoru jumped in surprise.
Whirling around and clutching his hands to his chest, Mamoru glared daggers at his sister. "Oneechan, don't sneak up on me like that again!"
Hitomi tried to stifle her giggles but found that it was very hard seeing that his brother's face has already turned as red as a tomato.
"I'm sorry, Mamoru-kun but you're just so adorable when you're angry!" Hitomi said while still trying to contain her laughter.
The little boy countered, "You're sorry!? But you don't look so-" His words were cut off in mid-sentence as a loud explosion was heard ruining the tranquil atmosphere of the kingdom. Screams of people pierced the air making the hair at the back of the siblings necks' stand.
"It's Zaibach!"
"Run for your lives!"
"Hide in a safe place! Take the women and the childred to a refuge area!"
"Hurry, the houses are burning down!"
Upon hearing the screams, Hitomi's senses kicked in and she immediately ran with her little brother back to the palace. The occupants of the palace were clearly in a state of panic as soldiers rushed out to defend the city. Hitomi and Mamoru heard their father yelling and shouting commands to the guards.
"Tell all the foot soldiers to defend the city walls! Take all the women and the children to a refuge area! Prepare the guymelefs for battle!" The king yelled seething with anger.
"Hai, Ryuu-Sama." The palace guard immediately obeyed and ran out of the palace deliver the king's orders.
"Damn those Zaibach scums." The king murmured angrily under his breath. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his children approaching him obviously looking scared of everything that's happening around them.
"Hitomi, take your brother with you! Get out of the castle now!" The king commanded.
"But father, how about-"
"Hitomi Iris Kanzaki, I repeat, take your brother with you and flee the castle now!"
Hearing his father's tone of authority, she then complied since it was obvious that there was no room for argument at a time like this. Hitomi tugged at her brother's hand and started running out of the palace and seeking a safe place where they can hide. Hitomi vowed to protect Mamoru at all costs and silently prayed to the gods that their father will make it out alive.
"Dragonslayers, stealth cloaks!" Lord Dilandau yelled over his guymelef's intercom. All at once, the guymelefs became invisible to the naked eye. Ever since his father overthrew Isaac Dornkirk from the position of emperor, the technology on Zaibach definitely improved. Guymelefs were mass produced, weapons for war were upgraded and overall, the empire's military strength increased.
Six blue Alseides units were being led by the sole red Oreides. Upon spotting the merchant country of Kanza, the invisible guymelefs flew downwards creating a loud thud on the ground. The landing made the ground tremble as the guymelefs disabled their stealth cloaks clearly revealing the fact that they're from Zaibach.
"It's a Zaibach attack!"
Screams were heard all over the city. Men, children and women alike were running for safety. Dilandau laughed with glee. He can definitely smell the fear in these pathetic people and he can't wait to burn their houses down. He didn't even care about his father's orders for now as long as he gets to satisfy his thirst for blood.
"Gatti, Chesta, Miguel, activate flame throwers!" He bellowed over his intercom.
This was definitely his favorite part, burning down the houses of the civilians. Just the sight of fire made his adrenaline pump through his veins.
"Viole, Dallet, Guimel, take on the Kanza guymelefs!"
"Hai, Dilandau-Sama." The dragonslayers all replied in unison.
The commander of the Dragonslayers jumped off of the guymelef cockpit as he engaged in physical combat with the foot soldiers from Kanza.
"Is that all you've got?" Dilandau bellowed and laughed maniacally as he effortlessly deflected a blow from a Kanza soldier.
He spun around and plunged his sword's blade deep into the man's gut. The soldier's eyes widened and he fell to the floor clutching his bleeding stomach. Dilandau licked his lips and watched the body fall to the ground as if transfixed by the signt of it.
Dilandau re-entered the red Oreades and began advancing towards the palace. As of now, a quarter of the city was already burning and a number of citizens have already died from the surprise Zaibach attack. What was supposed to be a normal day for the citizens turned out to be a day no one will ever forget in the history of Kanza.
Suddenly, a stoic voice was heard from the intercom, "Dilandau, retreat back to the floating fortress. Take a couple of Kanza's citizens and bring them back to the fortress for captivity. I told you to not get carried away but you obviously didn't listen."
"Yes, Father." Dilandau replied over the intercom while inwardly growling with annoyance over the fact that his fun was cut short.
"Dragonslayers, take two citizens each and bring them back to the fortress! The emperor relayed orders to retreat and draw back from the attack!"
"Hai, Dilandau-Sama."
The princess and prince of Kanza were running for their lives as they quickly fled from the palace. As they passed by the once beautiful city, Hitomi felt like she was about to vomit upon the sight of the countless number of lifeless and bloody bodies sprawled on the ground. The smell of human flesh burning made her stomach twist into knots and tears started burning at the corner of her eyes but she refused to let them flow knowing that she needed to get herself and her little brother away from danger.
Hitomi saw a red and a number of blue guymelefs destroying the city. His brother's small hand clung to her desperately as she led them down the streets. The guymelefs were fast approaching the street they were in and when she spotted a small tavern that was still intact, she immediately dragged her brother with her and went inside.
Hitomi and Mamoru immediately hid themselves upon finding a small cupboard under the stairs.
"O-Oneechan," Mamoru stuttered "I-I'm scared."
Hitomi looked down at her little brother who was already crying out of fear and clumped her hand over his mouth to stifle the sound. He should not be seeing the sight of war. He's only a child. She thought.
"Mamoru, calm down. Please stop crying or else they'll hear us." Hitomi silently whispered to Mamoru.
The door to the tavern suddenly swung open creating a loud bang. Hitomi had to hold her breath while silently praying to the gods that whoever it was would not find them.
Apparently, a light brown haired dragonslayer heard Mamoru's cries. He stopped moving and surveyed the area trying to hear any sound. There it was again! Someone's crying! He thought.
The soldier made his way towards the cupboard and pushed it open. What he saw made his heart ache: A teenage girl trying to protect his little brother. No time for pity now, Gatti! It's either you take them back to the fortress or Dilandau will feed your head to the dogs.
Gatti made his way towards the pair and pulled them to their feet.
"Where are you taking us?" Hitomi inquired.
"I'm taking you back to Zaibach. Just comply and no one will get hurt." Gatti answered.
Hitomi and Mamoru were led out of the tavern. Once outside, the dragonslayer jumped inside his cockpit and a crima claw shot out of the guymelef wrapping itself on the siblings' bodies.
A/N: So what do you guys think? Should I continue this story or not? Review!