In the Wreckage

DISCLAIMER: "The Vision of Escaflowne" is not and never will be mine. Otherwise, Folken and Eries would have been together.

NOTE: Here is the second chapter of this short story. I'm sorry for the delay. I've been extremely busy but I hoped to post this before the year ends. Again, extremely cheesy but that was intentional.

I know I mentioned that this story was only to have two chapters and in my original plan, it would end here. But I got an idea for a third (and final chapter.) I'm still deciding on whether I will post it. The way things are in this one, the short story can pretty much end here as well. So would anyone be interested in a third (and relatively lighter and brighter) chapter? Or should I just wrap it up here?

(And if I do post the last chapter, I plan to do it on Valentine's Day 2012 because I think it would be rather appropriate.)

Please let me know. I would really appreciate any feedback.

Belated Merry Christmas and advanced Happy New Year to everyone!

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Surely this was some kind of vision.

Princess Eries Aston was fairly sure that she wasn't dreaming.

And yet…

It was so hard to believe what she was seeing before her – this person she was seeing walking towards her, across the lake, under the moonlight.

But could it really be him? She needed to know. So she waited, rooted to the spot in the middle of the shallow water, her gaze intent upon the approaching figure.

He seemed real enough though the light of the moon and the mystic atmosphere in Fanelia could have been deceiving her. At least he wasn't floating over the lake but walking through it, just as she had, and she could hear the soft swish of the water against his steps.

For his part, Folken still wasn't sure what drew him to her so powerfully. He only followed where his feet led him, though he felt that a greater force was at work. But he did not feel the manipulative strings of Zaibach's destiny machine. No, he was not being controlled by anyone this time.

In a few more strides, he stood before her silently, his gaze meeting hers. Folken could not think of anything to say, to ask or explain what was happening. He hardly understood it himself. The details of how they had ended up there didn't really matter.

Besides, they didn't need too many words. In the past, they had often been able to communicate to each other by exchanging subtle glances. Skillful diplomats as they were, they hardly betrayed emotions on their faces. But between them, they had always shared a strange connection.

But the intensity of emotions in their gazes at that moment was greater than any they had ever shown each other in the length of their acquaintance. They were both far away from rigid and oppressive structures and for the first time they were free to be completely honest with one another.

Yet Eries still had some doubts about his presence and she raised a hand shakily towards him, reaching out to check if he was real. To put her at ease, Folken took her hand gently in his real one and raised it reverently to his lips.

A sigh of relief escaped from Eries and it was only then the princess noticed that she had been holding her breath.

"So then," she managed to speak, "you are no ghost."

He shook his head with a small smile.

The expression of utter joy that illuminated her face made him feel a swelling in his chest. But he knew that this happiness would be short-lived and as painful as it was going to be, he decided that now was as good a moment as any to tell her the truth about his condition.

"I am not a ghost yet," he said gravely, "but I soon will be."

She looked at him in puzzlement so he let go of her hand and quickly opened his shirt. She stared at him in surprise but before she could say anything, two large, black wings emerged from his back.

Folken looked at her sadly and watched as her expression turned from confusion to painful realization. He never had to explain much to her. She knew enough from a glance and she gasped, her expression turning to horror and despair.

"Why?" she asked sorrowfully.

"Punishment," was all he answered. It was enough for her to understand.

"How much longer?" she whispered with a quivering lip, fearing what he would say next.

"Not long," he replied gravely.

She turned away sharply and looked down. He could see that she had begun to clench her fists and tremble slightly. But after some struggle, she composed herself and looked back at him, her eyes shining.

Eries Aston was never prone to excesses of emotion. And even now, when she was so severely shaken and singularly heartbroken, all her grief and despair were concentrated in a single tear that rolled down her cheek.

Folken caught it in an instant, raising his good hand to her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Seeing her thus, Folken could hardly suppress his emotions. His eyes grew moist as well.

"I am grateful to you," he said earnestly.

"For what?" she whispered back, looking at him questioningly.

"After all that I've done, I am not worth anyone's tears," he answered sadly, "especially yours."

She shook her head obstinately.

"Let's not argue anymore," Eries whispered back, "we've already wasted so much time."

Again, they exchanged glances that were more expressive than the most passionate declarations of love ever uttered. In other circumstances, this would have been the happiest time of their lives. And undoubtedly, they both felt happy about learning that the feelings they had long kept hidden were reciprocated. But unfortunately, their bliss was tainted by his curse.

"My dearest Eries," he told her softly.

He had never dared address her in such intimate terms before. But now was hardly the time for formalities and he was no longer afraid of what was to come. He already knew.

But never had he felt the cruelty of Fate more acutely than at this moment, when he finally found something to live for but had very little time left to live.

Suddenly, the past ten years seemed like a colossal waste and he found himself nearly choked with regret and remorse for all his foolishness.

"Folken."

The sound of her voice brought him back from his dark thoughts and to his surprise she had raised both hands to his face.

"We still have some time," she told him with a smile, "and now that we both know how precious it is we cannot afford to waste a single moment."

He stared at her in wonder. For though her expression was still deeply sad, there was a light in her eyes that almost seemed like hope.

"You're absolutely right," he told her, returning her smile, "as you always are."

And with this, he took her cue, and pulled her into his arms. Then, without a moment's hesitation, he leaned down and captured her lips in his.

She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, returning the kiss with equal ardor.

With Eries in his arms, Folken had never felt more alive and he now realized that he could at least be grateful for this opportunity, however brief, to be with her. This must compensate for the years that he had squandered in folly.

For her part, she was determined to find a way to overcome this hurdle. Now that she could finally be with the one she loved, Eries was not about to let any power snatch him away from her.

Their story had only just begun. And she staunchly refused to let it end so soon.