Ultra Aeaea
DISCLAIMER: The Vision of Escaflowne is not legally mine but the visions of this story are.
Prologue
There's no guarantee that you are ever going to see each other again, the sorceress told them as they reluctantly departed from the luxurious and mystical isle where so much had been revealed.
The owner of the haven smiled sadly at them, understanding the pain of separation and also knowing full well the inevitability of it. It seemed that she had been present at countless other scenes of departure and she was already accustomed to it. The speech she gave was rehearsed and yet there was still a hint of sadness in it, as if she had never really taken any pleasure in reciting it, no matter how many times she already had. Her tone was firm and yet soothing.
But if, by the slimmest of chances, your paths do cross once more, there will be a sign, a distinguishing mark that will ensure that you are meeting the same person you met here tonight.
There is a need for such a mark of recognition because there must be certainty. You may or may not remember each other's faces, but in many cases, memory plays tricks on us all. And sometimes, there are certain things which we choose not to remember.
And you are already acquainted with my policy about names. I trust you have not exchanged names here, and indeed it will do you no good. I will make you forget those names, in any case.
As I have explained before, a name is sometimes the best disguise a person can ever wear. Useless things like that effectively conceal who you really are and since this is a place of absolute truth, we have no use for names here.
But I understand that you will need those names once you venture back into your own worlds. Just as well.
You shall be branded with this small symbol on your left thumb. Don't ask me why it will be placed at this particular spot. I trust that you will understand it all full well once you see it. Don't worry, it isn't some grand tattoo that will be visible to all those who know you. Just a small and simple letter "V" with chains snaking around it. Broken chains, you will notice.
Of course, it has to go very well with my motif of truth being unshackled. You will see it soon.
And once you see that mark, small though it may be, you will know that Fate has decreed for you to meet again. Once you come in contact with one another, the marks will burn, ever so slightly, and yet just enough for you to be reminded.
Do not despair. It has happened to my former guests, in some cases, although again I cannot guarantee that such a meeting will fall under as favorable circumstances as it did here.
What you will do after you realize that, of course, is entirely up to you. The paths you take after that and where they will lead you are not within my power to see or to tell you of. So choose wisely and I can only add that I wish you well.
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NOTE: Just one of those stories which slowly but surely materialized in my head, not letting me get any sleep or rest, gnawing at my consciousness and imposing upon me to write it even if I have so many other stories on hold and so many other things to do. But such is the Muse when something takes her fancy.
Weird beginning, I know, but there is a story that follows. Do let me know how you find it so far, please. :)