CHAPTER 4: WARPED HEARTS
sorry if the lyrics to sora is wrong......i got the lyrics from a site a while back so i'm not sure if they are right......it sounds right to me though.....^_^
VAN LAID ON A HARD, BLACK FLOOR WITH HIS EYES CLOSED. HE SLOWLY OPENED THEM AND GLANCED AROUND THE ROOM. IT WAS PITCH BLACK WITH NO ONE AROUND. "HITOMI," HE CALLED OUT RUSHING UP. ALL HE COULD HEAR WAS THE ECHO OF HIS VOICE. HE GOT TO HIS FEET AND CIRCLED AROUND LOOKING. HE COULD HEAR A SOUND COMING FROM BEHIND HIM. IT WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING HE HAD EVER HEARD. HE AUTOMATICALLY RECOGNIZED THE SOUND. IT WAS SOMEONE SINGING......NOT JUST ANYONE...IT WAS HITOMI. HE RAN TOWARDS THE VOICE AND STOPPED AS HE HEARD THE SONG.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
VAN FROZE AS HE LOOKED AT HER. HER BODY WAS GLOWING AND HER HAIR WAS WHISKING THROUGH THE AIR. THE THING THAT SURPRISED HIM THE MOST WAS THE FACT SHE HAD WHITE WINGS EXTENDING FROM HER BACK. "HOW CAN THIS BE?" HE SAID.
"WIN CHENT A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
SI KATIGURA NEUVER
FLORERIA FOR CHESTI
SI ENTINA.........
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
FONTINA BLU CENT
DE CRAVI ESCALETESIMO
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
DE QUANTIAN
LA FINDE REVE......"
VAN STEPPED IN FRONT OF HER AND SAT DOWN ON HIS KNEES STARING AT HER. HER EYES WERE DILATED....AS IF SHE WAS IN A TRANCE.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
VAN LAID HIS HANDS ON HERS WHICH WAS CLUTCHING THE PENDANT. HE WONDERED HOW SHE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IT. A SIGH OF RELIEF CAME FROM HIM AS HE SAW HITOMI'S EYES RETURN TO NORMAL. SHE LOOKED DOWN AT HIM SADLY. "VAN," SHE SAID SOFTLY. "HITOMI," HE SAID BACK. SHE TURNED HER HEAD AWAY FROM HIM. "WHY ARE YOU CRYING?" HE ASKED. TEARS STARTED TO ROLL DOWN HER CHEEK. HE NICKED THEM AWAY WITH HIS THUMB. "I CRY FOR OUR WORLDS," SHE SAID. WHEN SHE SPOKE, IT SOUNDED LIKE MANY VOICES IN UNISON. "H...ITOM..I," HE SAID CONFUSED. HER WINGS STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE, FEATHERS FILLING THE GLOOMY SKY. THE FEATHERS SEEMED TO CONSUME THE DARKNESS, AS WELL AS HITOMI. BEFORE VAN COULD REACT TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THE FEATHERS DEVOURED HIM.
MERLE SAT IN VAN'S ROOM, SLEEPING IN A CHAIR NEAR HIS BED. SHE HADN'T SLEPT THE WHOLE NIGHT. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD CLOSED HER EYES. SHE WAS SNORING LOUDLY WHICH HAD AWAKEN VAN. HE OPENED HIS EYES AND GLANCED OVER AT THE SLEEPING CAT GIRL. HOW IN THE WORLD DID HE GET HERE? DID THEY FIND HIM? WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING ON? JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO WAKE UP MERLE, HE LEAPED OUT OF THE BED AND TOWARDS THE DOOR. MERLE HAD AWAKEN BY THE SOUND OF VAN'S FEET HITTING THE FLOOR. "LORD VAN....YOU'RE AWAKE!!!!!! WAIT.....YOU SHOULDN'T BE OUT OF BED!!" SHE SHOUTED. "MERLE WHERE IS HITOMI???? IS SHE ALRIGHT?" HE ASKED FRANTICALLY. MERLE STEPPED BACK AND LOWERED HER HANDS TO HER SIDES. SHE HUNG HER HEAD DOWN SADLY. "IS SHE ALRIGHT MERLE???" HE ASKED ONCE AGAIN. MERLE HESITATED FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND STARTED TO SPEAK. "MILLERNA WAS UP THE WHOLE NIGHT TRYING TO HEAL HER. SHE GOT THE BEST HEALERS IN GAEA TO COME, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO FOR HER. WHEN WE FOUND YOU BOTH IN THE FOREST SHE WAS ALMOST DEAD....LUCKILY MILLERNA FELT A FAINT PULSE COME FROM HER," SHE SAID. VAN LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "BUT WHEN I FELT FOR A PULSE THERE WAS NOT ONE.....HOW CAN THAT.......?" BEFORE HE COULD FINISH HIS QUESTION A VISION PLAYED IN HIS MIND. IT WAS A RECAP OF THE PENDANT AND RING GLOWING. PERHAPS THEY HAD GIVEN HER ENERGY SOMEHOW....OR MAYBE TRAVELING THROUGH THE LIGHT JUST GAVE HER ENERGY....EITHER WAY THIS WAS STRANGE.
VAN THREW THE DOORS OPEN AND RAN DOWN THE HALLWAY, NEARLY RUNNING INTO JAVIN. "YOU'RE MAJESTY.....YOU SHOULD NOT BE UP," HE SAID. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD AND KEPT WALKING. "I HAVE TO SEE HITOMI," HE YELLED OVER HIS SHOULDER. HE RAN DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AND WALKED RIGHT TO THE DOOR OF THE MEDICAL ROOM. ALLEN STOOD IN THE DOORWAY WITH DRYDEN AND PRINCEC HAME'NE. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN GUARDING THE ROOM FROM INTRUDERS. JUST AS VAN WALKED UP TO THE THREE OF THEM, ALLEN LOOKED AT HIM PUZZLED. "VAN......YOU'RE AWAKE," HE SAID. "YES AND I WANT TO SEE HITOMI," HE SAID. ALLEN SHOOK HIS HEAD AND STEPPED CLOSER TO THE DOOR. "LET ME IN ALLEN," HE SHOUTED. "LET HIM IN ALLEN......HE NEEDS TO BE WITH HER," YELLED MILLERNA. ALLEN GRUNTED AND MOVED OUT OF THE WAY. VAN FIGURED ALLEN WASN'T LETTING ANYONE IN.....JUST FOR HITOMI'S SAFETY. VAN WALKED PASS HIM AND STOPPED IN THE DOORWAY. THEIR WERE HEALERS AND MAGICIANS ALL AROUND THE BED. THE MAGICIANS WERE CHANTING A SPELL INTO THE GLOOMY AIR. THE HEALERS KEPT TAKING BLOOD SAMPLES FROM THE FRAGILE WOMAN AND WIPING BLOOD FROM HER WOUNDS. HE SAW MILLERNA SITTING IN A CHAIR AT THE HEAD OF THE BED. "HOW IS SHE?" ASKED VAN. "I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WILL MAKE IT VAN......I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FOREST," SHE SAID.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" HE ASKED. "WELL.....THE FIRST TIME I FELT FOR A PULSE.....THERE WAS NOT ONE BUT THEN I FELT AGAIN AND THERE WAS A VERY FAINT PULSE......I DON'T UNDERSTAND..," SHE SAID PUZZLED. "I THINK IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PENDANT AND RING," HE SAID. MILLERNA LOOKED AT VAN CONFUSED. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE PENDANT AND RING?" SHE ASKED. VAN PULLED OUT HITOMI'S PENDANT FROM UNDER HIS SHIRT AND HUNG IT IN FRONT OF HIM. "HITOMI'S PENDANT I THINK GAVE HER ENERGY AS WELL AS HER RING....WHEN WE WERE TRANSPORTED BOTH OF THEM STARTED TO GLOW. I THINK THE PENDANT AND RING SOMEHOW OPEN THE GATES TO BOTH WORLDS," HE SAID. HE STARTED TO THINK THAT PERHAPS IT WAS TRUE. MAYBE THEY BOTH WERE GATEWAYS TO GAEA AND EARTH......AND.......SHE COULD SOMEHOW USE THE POWER TO HER ADVANTAGE. HE ONLY KNEW OF A FEW PEOPLE THAT COULD USE SUCH POWER AND MOST OF THEM WERE DEAD.......EXCEPT FOR THE ONES HE HAD NOW DISCOVERED. ONLY HIS PEOPLE COULD DO SUCH A THING......THE DRACONIANS. VAN LOOKED AT HITOMI......NOT KNOWING WHAT TO THINK NOW. SHE COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE A DRACONIAN COULD SHE? NO....IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. YET SOMETHING INSIDE TOLD HIM OTHERWISE.
VAN HAD LEFT HITOMI'S BEDSIDE ONCE HE HAD RECEIVED NEWS FROM ONE OF HIS ADVISORS. IT SEEMED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS THAT NOT EVEN HIS MOST POWERFUL GUIDES COULD HANDLE. OF COURSE WHEN ARRIVING HE DID NOT EXPECT TO GET THE NEWS THAT HE HAD RECEIVED. AT THE TABLE WAS JAVIN, HIS ADVISORS SORO AND GADELL, AND KING LORENZ, AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF HIS FATHER'S. "LORD VAN...IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN," HE SAID STANDING UP TO GREET HIM. HE BOWED DOWN GLANCING AT THE BOY. FROM WHAT HE COULD SEE VAN HAD GROWN UP QUITE WELL. "LORD LORENZ IT IS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AGAIN," VAN SAID BOWING. THE KING SAT BACK DOWN, GRUNTING AS HE SLID HIS WIDE BEHIND BACK IN THE CHAIR. "SO......WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO FANELIA?" HE ASKED. KING LORENZ' JOYFUL LOOK SOON CHANGED INTO ONE OF SERIOUSNESS. "LORD VAN.....YOU ARE A MAN OF REASON SO I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM ABOUT TO TELL YOU," HE SAID. VAN THOUGHT HE MIGHT KNOW WHAT WAS COMING NEXT. "VAN......YOUR KINGDOM HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT AND I DO NOT WISH TO SEE IT PERISH. YET I WAS TALKING WITH CHID A FEW DAYS AGO. HE SAID THAT HE HAS NOT GOTTEN ALL THE HELP HE NEEDS BECAUSE OF CERTAIN MARITAL ISSUES. HE IS NOT WED AND SO THAT BRINGS A PROBLEM TO GAINING HELP FROM NEIGHBORING KINGDOMS," HE SAID.
"WE SUPPORT HIS KINGDOM," VAN SAID. LORENZ SHOOK HIS HEAD. "I KNOW YOU DO YOUR MAJESTY BUT THE ISSUE AT HAND IS NOT THE PROTECTION OF CHID'S COUNTRY......IT IS OF YOURS YOUR MAJESTY. YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW THAT DOES. CHID SAYS THAT YOUR KINGDOM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE ANOTHER ATTACK. OTHER KINGDOMS ONLY SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVING A RULING KING AND QUEEN. AS I CAN SEE....FANELIA ONLY HAS A KING....SO THAT IS THE PROBLEM AT HAND. IF YOU WANT HELP FROM THE OTHERS....YOU MUST PRODUCE A QUEEN SOON BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," HE SAID. VAN WAS ABOUT TO ARGUE WITH THE MAN WHEN HE REALIZED THAT EVERYTHING THE MAN HAD JUST SAID WAS TRUE. "SO......HOW DO YOU PROPOSE I DO THIS? IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN MAKE A QUEEN SUDDENLY APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE. ARE YOU ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL ONLY HELP IF I AM WED?" VAN ASKED ANGRILY. KING LORENZ STOOD UP AND WALKED PASS THE FUMING KIND OF FANELIA. VAN DID NOT LIKE THE FACT HE WAS NOT ANSWERING. "I AM SORRY LORD VAN.........I DO WHAT I MUST TO KEEP MY COUNTRY AND EVERYONE ELSE'S SAFE. IN DOING SO YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKEOVER IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN TO YOU," HE SAID WALKING OUT THE DOOR. VAN SAT BACK IN THE CHAIR AND CLOSED HIS EYES. WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS NOW?
VAN OPENED ONE EYE AS HE HEARD A STACK OF PAPERS HIT THE TABLE IN FRONT OF HIM. SORO STOOD THERE LOOKING AT THE KING. "YOUR MAJESTY…THIS IS A LIST OF MAIDENS FROM ALL PARTS OF GAEA. YOU MUST SELECT A QUEEN IN ONE WEEK OR WE WILL CHOOSE ONE FOR YOU," HE SAID. THIS DID NOT PLEASE VAN AT ALL. AS SOON AS SORO SAT DOWN GADELL STOOD UP. "YOU HAVE NO CHOICE MY LORDSHIP…WE HAVE READ THROUGH EVERY ROYAL DOCUMENT IN THE LIBRARY AND EVERYTHING SHOWS YOU WILL NO HAVE ALL SUPPORT UNTIL YOU ARE WED," HE SAID. "I JUST CAME BACK FROM THE MYSTIC MOON AND YOU ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR MY WEDDING? THIS IS CRAZY. I'VE ONLY BEEN BACK TO FANELIA FOR TWO DAYS AND THEY ARE ALREADY HOWLING ME ABOUT MY MARITAL STATUS? WHAT IGNORANCE THEY HAVE, HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF. JAVIN STOOD UP FROM HIS SEAT AND BOWED, CLEARING HIS THROAT AS HE DID SO. "YOU LORDSHIP I BELIEVE THERE IS A FINE CANIDATE FOR A QUEEN ALREADY HERE…SHE IS A PERFECT CANIDATE YOUR MAJESTY," HE SAID WITH A SMILE. "WHOM DO YOU PROPOSE AS A PERFECT CANIDATE?" ASKED SORO. "WHY MILADY OF COURSE…SHE IS A FINE WOMAN AND WOULD MAKE THE PERFECT WIFE FOR LORD VAN," HE SAID. INSTEAD OF AGREEING WITH HIM VAN GREW ANGRY. "I COULDN'T DO THAT TO HITOMI," HE SHOUTED. THE ADVISORS NODDED IN AGREEMENT. "IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN JAVIN. ONLY THOSE OF ROYAL BLOOD CAN MARRY HIS MAJESTY," SAID GADELL.
THAT WAS NOT WHAT VAN WAS TALKING ABOUT. "THAT'S NOT WHY I WOULD NOT ASK HER GADELL. I COULD NOT DISHONOR HITOMI BY ASKING SUCH A THING OF HER AS BEING MY QUEEN. SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH AND THIS WOULD JUST ADD A HEAVIER BURDEN ON HER SHOULDERS," HE SAID. JAVIN THOUGHT HIS MAJESTY WAS TALKING FOOLISHLY. "SO YOU ARE SAYING YOU WOULD NOT MARRY THE WOMAN?" HE ASKED CURIOUSLY. VAN DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. SORO AND GADELL GLANCED OVER AT VAN. "WOULD YOU LORD VAN…EVEN WITH THE FACT SHE IS NOT OF NOBLE BLOOD OR ANY OTHER MATTER LIKE THAT?" ASKED GADELL. VAN REALLY DID LOVE HITOMI, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE COULD REALLY ASK HER TO MARRY HIM. SHE WOULD ONLY SEE IT AS A LAST MINUTE OPTION. HE DIDN'T WANT HER TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY. VAN NODDED AND SIGHED. "I WOULD MARRY HER…BUT I…," JAVIN INTERRUPTED HIM. "THEN WHY DON'T YOU CHOOSE HER YOUR LORDSHIP?" HE ASKED. "BECAUSE SHE IS NOT OF NOBLE BLOOD YOU BLITHERING IDIOT!" SHOUTED SORO JUMPING OUT OF HIS SEAT. GADELL TUGGED ON SORO'S SLEEVE, SIGNALING HIM TO SIT DOWN. "ONE PROBLEM IS THAT SHE IS FROM ANOTHER WORLD…WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF YOU CHILDREN BE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO PRODUCE? HOW WILL THE CHILDREN ACT AND LOOK? YOU HAVE TO ALSO FACTOR THAT IN YOUR MAJESTY," SAID GADELL. "MY MOTHER WAS NOT OF NOBLE BLOOD AND YET MY FATHER MARRIED HER. WHY CAN I NOT DO THE SAME?" HE ASKED FURIOUSLY. GADELL LOOKED AT SORO PUZZLED. THEY HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT LORD VAN'S MOTHER. "WELL…I GUESS IT WOULD NOT BE MUCH DIFFERENT…YET IT SEEMS TO BE IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN," SAID SORO. "MEANING?" ASKED VAN ANNOYINGLY. "MEANING THAT YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR FATHER WERE FROM THE SAME PLACE YET THEY WERE OF DIFFERENT RACES," HE SAID. VAN COULD SEE HIS POINT. "BUT THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE…IF THEY ACCEPT HER AS QUEEN THAN THE WEDDING COULD PROCEED?" ASKED JAVIN. GADELL AND SORO LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND NODDED. "I SUPPOSE SO YOUR MAJESTY," ANSWERED SORO. THAT WAS ALL VAN NEEDED TO KNOW. VAN DISMISSED HIMSELF FROM THE TABLE AND STARTED OUT OF THE CHAMBERS. AS HE WALKED OUT HE RAN INTO SOMEONE. "LADY KIKEN?" HE SAID THUNDERSTRUCK.
XIKIYA AND DONYA STOOD OUTSIDE THE PALACE CHATTING AMONGST THEMSELVES. BOTH WERE IN A BAD MOOD AND WANTED TO RIP LORD SHINDA TO SHREDS. "IT IS NOT OUR FAULT THE GUYMELEF WOULDN'T WORK!" YELLED XIKIYA. DONYA WAS TOO BUSY TO LISTEN TO HER SISTER'S CONSTANT WHINING. "XIKIYA…DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT…WE WILL REDEEM OURSELVES SOON ENOUGH. ALL WE NEED IS THE PENDANT. LET'S SURPRISE OUR MASTER BY FINDING THE GUYMELEF. WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS AND THOSE BIRDBRAINS WILL GET FRIED," SHE YELLED LAUGHING. XIKIYA LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "AND HOW DO YOU PROPOSE WE GO FIND THIS MYSTICAL GUYMELEF? LORD SHINDA TOOK OUR GUYMELEFS REMEMBER?" SHE SAID. DONYA WAS NOT AT A LOSS. SHE LOOKED DOWN AT THE GROUND AND SIGHED. "I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO GO ON FOOT," SHE SAID. XIKIYA DIDN'T LIKE THAT ANSWER. SHE HATED WALKING!
"LADY KIKEN…I THOUGHT YOU HAD LEFT THE PALACE," VAN SAID IN A SURPRISED VOICE. "OH NO LORD VAN…I'VE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME. JAVIN HAS BEEN KEEPING ME COMPANY. HE TOLD ME TO REMAIN IN THE PALACE DURING THE EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE. I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE WELL," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. VAN GAVE HER AN EMBARRASED SMILE AND STARTED TO LEAVE. HE DIDN'T MAKE IT A FOOT AWAY UNTIL SHE GRABBED HIS ARM. "LORD VAN…I WAS WONDERING…HAVE YOU CHOSEN A CANIDATE YET?" SHE ASKED. WHY WOULD SHE ASK HIM NOW? DID SHE OVERHEAR THEM TALKING IN THE COUNCIL ROOM? VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD. "I AM STILL CONSIDERING SOMEONE RIGHT NOW BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THAT SOMEONE WILL SAY YES," HE SAID. THE GIRL DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO SAY. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER TO BE HAPPY OR ANGRY. "OH…WELL I BETTER BE OFF…PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR ANSWER SOON YOUR LORDSHIP," SHE SAID WALKING AWAY. VAN WATCHED HER WALK AWAY. HE NOTICED A STRANGE AURA AROUND HER. "WHAT IS IT ABOUT THAT GIRL?" HE SAID TO HIMSELF.
MILLERNA SAT BESIDE HITOMI'S BED READING THE RESULTS THE HEALERS HAD GIVEN TO HER. FROM WHAT SHE COULD TELL…IT WAS BETTER NEWS THAN SHE HAD EXPECTED. SHE WAS GLAD THAT HITOMI HAD MADE IT THROUGH THE WORSE PART OF THE NIGHT. VAN HAD SLEPT NEXT TO HER IN A CHAIR THE WHOLE NIGHT. SHE COULD SEE THAT HE TRULY LOVED HER BUT SHE KNEW, AS ALL MEN WERE…HE WAS TOO STUBBORN TO ADMIT IT. HER EYES WERE VERY HEAVY FROM LACK OF SLEEP. SHE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP FOR MANY NIGHTS AFTER ALL THAT HAD HAPPEN. SHE DECIDED THAT SHE NEEDED TO GET SOME SLEEP IF SHE WANTED TO KEEP HELPING HITOMI. SHE GOT UP FROM HER CHAIR AND STARTED OUT OF THE ROOM, UNTIL SHE HEARD AN UNEXPECTED SOUND COME FROM BEHIND HER. SHE TURNED AROUND TO SEE HITOMI SLOWLY WAKING UP. THE GIRL MOANED A LITTLE AND THEN OPENED HER EYES. "MILLERNA," SHE SAID IN A WEAK VOICE. MILLERNA RUSHED OVER TO THE BED AND STARTED SMILING. "YOU'RE AWAKE!" SHE SAID HAPPILY. MILLERNA WAS SO EXCITED THAT KNEW SHE HAD TO GO GET VAN. SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO SINCE HE WAS JUST COMING THROUGH THE DOOR. WHEN HE SAW HITOMI AWAKE IN THE BED, HIS HEART STARTED TO BUST OUT OF HIS CHEST. "HITOMI," HE SAID TO HIMSELF. HE RAN TO HER BEDSIDE AND SAT IN THE CHAIR THAT MILLERNA HAD BEEN IN. HE GRABBED HER HAND AND JUST LOOKED AT HER.
A COUPLE OF HOURS HAD PASSED SINCE SHE HAD AWAKENED. SHE WAS NOW SITTING UP IN BED TALKING WITH VAN ABOUT EVERYTHING SHE HAD EXPERIENCED. VAN TOLD HER ABOUT THE DREAM AND SHE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE VISION SHE HAD WHEN SHE WAS BEING CHASED BY HAWKONIA. BOTH SEEMED STRANGE, YET THEY MADE SOME SENSE CERTAIN ASPECTS. VAN HAD NOT ASKED HER ABOUT HIS MARRIAGE PROPOSAL SINCE IT WAS TOO SOON TO ASK. VAN DIDN'T WANT TO ASK HER YET. SHE SEEMED MUCH BETTER EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW SHE DIDN'T FEEL IT. ONCE SHE WAS BETTER HE WOULD ASK FOR HER HAND IN MARRIAGE. YET FOR SOME REASON HE DIDN'T WANT TO ASK HER. AS MUCH AS HE WANTED TO, SOMETHING HELD HIM BACK.
KIKEN SAT ON HER BED, STARING OUT THE WINDOW AT THE LARGE PLANET THAT HUNG IN THE SKY. SHE HAD BEEN STARING AT IT FOR HOURS AND HOURS. HER EYES SEEMED ALMOST DEAD…HER FACE, BLANK. SHE KEPT CHANTING AS SHE LAY THERE. "WINGS OF WHITE AND FEATHERS OF BLOOD....COVER THE HEART OF THE ONE FROM ABOVE...DEADEN HER SOUL AND STEAL HER YOUTH.....TORMENT HER MIND AND HER HOME REBUKE," SHE SAID. SHE REITERATED THE WORDS OVER AND OVER UNTIL SOMEONE KNOCKED AT THE DOOR. SHE WHIPPED HER HEAD AROUND AND LOOKED AT HER VISITOR. "LADY KIKEN," A VOICE CALLED OUT. SHE GRUNTED AND SAT UP IN BED. "YOU MAY COME IN," SHE YELLED. THE PERSON WHOM STEPPED THROUGH THAT DOOR WAS NOT WHO SHE WAS EXPECTING. "LADY KIKEN.....," SAID THE VOICE AGAIN. KIKEN JUST LOOKED AT HER VISITOR AND SNEERED. "WHAT MIGHT YOU WANT?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI WALKED OVER TO KIKEN'S BED AND GLANCED AT THE GIRL. "I WANTED TO COME AND CHECK ON YOU....JAVIN SAID YOU HAVE BEEN IN YOUR ROOM FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS SO I THOUGHT YOU'D MIGHT LIKE SOME COMPANY," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. KIKEN JUST MOCKED THE GIRL. "PLEASE....WHY WOULD I NEED YOUR PRESENCE......I AM PERFECTLY FINE......AND AREN'T YOU SUPPOSE TO BE IN BED?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD. "JAVIN HELPED ME SNEAK OUT OF MY ROOM. BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT WORRIED ME THAT YOU WERE IN HERE LIKE THIS. I THOUGHT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU DURING THE BATTLE," SHE SAID.
KIKEN NODDED AND LAID AGAINST THE BED. "I'M JUST A VERY RECLUSIVE PERSON.......THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN....IT MEANS A LOT," SHE SAID. "WHY ARE YOU STILL IN HERE ANYWAY IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING?" SHE ASKED. THE GIRL SHOOK HER HEAD AND SHRUGGED HER SMALL SHOULDERS. "I DON'T KNOW.....I HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING WELL," SHE ANSWERED. HITOMI NOTICED THE GIRL'S DISTRAUGHT EYES. "IT'S STRANGE," SHE SAID. "WHAT IS?" ASKED KIKEN. HITOMI LOOKED AT THE GIRL'S FACE A BIT MORE. "YOU REMIND ME OF SOMEONE.......YET I CAN'T PLACE MY FINGER ON IT," SHE SAID STARING. KIKEN'S EYES SEEMED TO CHANGE AT THAT MOMENT. "PERHAPS YOU SHOULD LEAVE MILADY," SHE SAID. HITOMI LOOKED AT HER DUMBFOUNDED. "WHY?" SHE ASKED. "JUST GO," KIKEN SAID STIFFLY. HITOMI TOOK ONE LAST GLANCE AT THE GIRL AND WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM. AS SOON AS THE DOOR SHUT, KIKEN GRABBED HER HEAD IN PAIN. SHE SLAMMED HER BODY AGAINST THE BED, GRUNTING AND SHAKING. "NO.....PLEASE.....I'M SORRY," SHE SAID PAINFULLY. A RED LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK IN HER EYES. SHE ROLLED OFF OF THE BED, LANDING ON HER BACK AS SHE HIT THE FLOOR.
HAME'NE LAID ON THE GROUND, SLEEPING ALONG WITH MERLE. THE BOY HAD BEEN PLAYING THE WHOLE DAY AND WAS NOW TAKING HIS WELL DESERVED REST. HITOMI WALKED INTO THE GARDENS, PASSING THE TWO SLEEPING ANGELS. SHE TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE SLEEPING PRINCE. HE SEEMED SO PEACEFUL. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DISTURB HIM, YET SHE KNEW HE SHOULD BE IN HIS BED. SHE LEANED DOWN AND TOOK THE BOY IN HER ARMS. MERLE AWOKE AS SHE FELT THE BOY'S ARM SLIDE FROM UNDER HER. "HITOMI," MERLE YAWNED. HITOMI SHUSHED THE GIRL AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE PALACE. SHE PASSED JAVIN, WHOM WAS WAITING FOR VAN. "HOW ARE YOU DOING MILADY?" HE WHISPERED. "I AM FINE......I'M GOING TO PUT PRINCE HAME'NE TO BED. LET MILLERNA KNOW WON'T YOU?" SHE ASKED. HE NODDED AND STARTED SMILING. "I SURE WILL MILADY.....WILL WE EXPECT YOU AT DINNER TONIGHT?" HE ASKED. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD. "NOT TONIGHT JAVIN....PERHAPS I WILL SEE YOU AT BREAKFAST," SHE SAID NODDING. HE NODDED BACK AS SHE WALKED TOWARDS THE STAIRCASE. HE WAS CURIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING, SO HE DECIDED TO FOLLOW HER. VAN STEPPED OUT OF THE LIBRARY, NEARLY RUNNING INTO JAVIN. JAVIN QUICKLY SHUSHED HIM AND POINTED AT HITOMI. "I HAVE A PLAN YOUR MAJESTY," HE SAID.
HITOMI LAID THE BOY DOWN ON HIS BED AND PULLED THE BED COVERS OVER HIS LITTLE BODY. SHE WENT TO TURN THE LIGHT OUT WHEN SHE HEARD A LITTLE VOICE. "HITOMI....WILL YOU SING ME A SONG?" HE ASKED. HITOMI SAT DOWN ON THE EDGE OF THE BED AND SIGHED. "WELL I'M NOT A GREAT SINGER....BUT I SUPPOSE I CAN TRY," SHE SAID SMILING. "SING ME A PRETTY SONG," HE SAID HAPPILY. HITOMI SAT THERE FOR A MOMENT AND TRIED TO THINK OF ONE. SHE STARTED TO SING....NOT EXACTLY KNOWING WHAT IT WAS SHE WAS SINGING. LITTLE DID SHE REALIZE VAN AND JAVIN WERE WATCHING FROM THE DOOR.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
VAN AND JAVIN STOOD SMILING AS THEY HEARD THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS COME FROM ESCAPING FROM HER LIPS. VAN WAS IN SHOCK....THE SONG.....IT WAS THE ONE FROM THE DREAM. THE VISION PLAYED IN HIS MIND.......HER SINGING THE SONG.......THE WINGS IN HER BACK......THE FEATHERS......IT WAS ALL COMING BACK AGAIN. THE VISION ENDED AS JAVIN SPOKE TO HIM. "SHE HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL VOICE YOUR MAJESTY......SHE WOULD BE PERFECT," HE SAID WITH A SMILE.
"WIN CHENT A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
SI KATIGURA NEUVER
FLORERIA FOR CHESTI
SI ENTINA.........
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
FONTINA BLU CENT
DE CRAVI ESCALETESIMO
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
DE QUANTIAN
LA FINDE REVE......"
HAME'NE STARTED RUBBING HIS SLEEPY EYES. THE SONG SHE WAS SINGING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. HE LOVED IT......HE WANTED HER TO SING FOREVER.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
HITOMI'S VOICE FADED AS HAME'NE CLOSED HIS EYES. HE LOOKED LIKE AN ANGEL. "GOODNIGHT PRINCE HAME'NE," SHE SAID PLACING A KISS ON HIS FOREHEAD. SHE BLEW THE CANDLE AND SLOWLY WALKED TOWARDS THE DOOR. AS SHE WALKED OUT, JAVIN WAS STANDING THERE. "JAVIN....I THOUGHT YOU WERE MEETING VAN?" SHE SAID SURPRISED. HE SHOOK HIS HEAD. "HIS LORDSHIP DID NOT WISH TO COME FOR DINNER SO I DECIDED TO COME AND SEE IF THE PRINCE WAS ASLEEP," HE SAID. "YEAH.....HE'S ASLEEP....HE'S SUCH A LITTLE ANGEL. OH......DID YOU TELL MILLERNA I PUT HIM IN BED?" SHE ASKED. "NO NOT YET......I WILL GO NOW," HE SAID WALKING AWAY. SHE WATCHED HIM TURN THE CORNER AND SHE WALKED TO THE STAIRCASE. SHE KNEW HE MUST HAVE HEARD HER SING. SHE WAS SO EMBARRASSED. SHE KNEW THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO NOW......SHE REALLY NEEDED SOME FRESH AIR.
VAN SAT KNEELING IN FRONT OF A STATUE OF A WINGED WOMAN, HOLDING A CHILD. VINES AND ROSE PETALS LAID ALL AROUND IT. IT SEEMED THAT NOTHING COULD TOUCH THE SCULPTURE. VAN LAID HIS HANDS DOWN ON A MARBLE HEADSTONE, WIPING AWAY SOME OF THE ROSE PETALS. "MOTHER," HE SAID TEARY EYED. HE MISSED HIS MOTHER SO MUCH. HE WANTED HER TO BE HERE WITH HIM...AS WELL AS HIS FATHER. HE CRAWLED OVER TO ANOTHER HEADSTONE, DUSTING AWAY SOME OF THE VINES. HE SIGHED AS HE READ THE NAME. "FOLKEN....MY BROTHER......I WISH YOU COULD BE HERE," HE SAID. AS HE STARTED TO GET UP HE HEARD SOMEONE WHISTLING AS THEY WALKED THROUGH THE FOREST. HE STOOD UP AND DECIDED TO SEE WHOM IT WAS. HE TURNED AROUND THE CORNER WHERE A BUSH OF WHITE ROSES SAT. HE SAW A HONEY HAIRED GIRL WALKING DOWN THE WOODED PATH. HE WATCHED HER WALK TOWARDS THE SAKURA GARDEN. SHE SAT DOWN IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE TREES AND STARTED LOOKING AROUND. IT SEEMED THAT EACH GARDEN WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE NEXT. SHE WAS STILL HUMMING THE SONG THAT SHE HAD SUNG TO HAME'NE. THE HUMMING CEASED THOUGH AS SHE HEARD VAN APPROACH. "COULD YOU USE SOME COMPANY?" HE ASKED. SHE LOOKED AND SMILED. "OF COURSE," SHE ANSWERED WITH A NOD.
VAN SAT DOWN NEXT TO HER AND LOOKED UP AT THE SKY. THE MYSTIC MOON MANAGED TO LIGHT THE DARK SKY. "HITOMI?" HE ASKED. "YES," SHE ANSWERED CURIOUSLY. HE PAUSED FOR A MOMENT. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WAS READY TO ASK HER. "UM.....I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING," HE SAID WITH A SHAKY VOICE. SHE WONDERED WHAT ON EARTH HE NEEDED TO TELL HER. "WHAT IS IT?" SHE ASKED. VAN MANAGED TO KEEP HIS HANDS FROM SHAKING. "I....WELL....AFTER WE CAME BACK FROM THE MYSTIC MOON....WELL.....MY ADVISORS STARTED HOUNDING ME ABOUT MY STATUS AS KING. AS YOU KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN BUGGING ME ABOUT PICKING A QUEEN AND I'VE JUST BEEN....WELL....LAZY ON THE MATTER," HE SAID. HITOMI NODDED, HER EARS BUZZING AS SHE HEARD HIM TALK. "SO....THE OTHER DAY JAVIN, MY TWO ADVISORS SORO AND GADELL, AND AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF MY FATHER'S KING LORENZ HAD BEEN DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE BEFORE HAND. KING LORENZ TOLD ME WHEN I ARRIVED THAT IT WAS IN FANELIA'S....AS WELL AS OTHER KINGDOMS BEST INTERESTS THAT I WED. WE GAIN MORE SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER COUNTRIES THAT WAY," HE SAID. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THIS CONVERSATION WAS GOING. "LADY KIKEN......WELL.......SHE IS A NICE PERSON YET....I CAN'T SEE MYSELF WITH HER. I DON'T WANT TO LOOK FOR ANYONE....YET IF I DO NOT COME UP WITH A CANDIDATE IN ONE WEEK....MY ADVISORS WILL CHOOSE ONE FOR ME. I DON'T WANT THAT BECAUSE THERE IS SOMEONE I WANT TO ASK YET I AM AFRAID THAT SHE WOULD OBJECT TO MY PROPOSAL," HE SAID. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD. "I'M SURE SHE WOULDN'T. AFTER ALL.....ANY GIRL WOULD BE LUCKY GETTING YOU VAN. YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON.....ONE OF THE BRAVEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN. I'M SURE SHE'LL SAY YES. WHO IS SHE ANYWAY?" SHE ASKED. HE NOTICED HOW HER VOICE HAD STARTED TO SADDEN. SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE HE WAS GOING TO MARRY TO SOMEONE ELSE. IT MADE HER FEEL LIKE HER HEART WAS RIPPING APART.
VAN HESITATED TELLING HER FOR A FEW MOMENTS. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE COULD MUSTER ENOUGH COURAGE TO DO IT. "SHE IS A PERSON I TRULY ADMIRE HITOMI. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL......SMART.......ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET. SHE HAS NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE HER," HE SAID. NOW HITOMI REALLY FELT BAD. WHOEVER SHE WAS.....HE TRULY LOVED HER...THE LUCKY GIRL. "SO.....ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME WHO SHE IS?" SHE ASKED. VAN FINALLY HAD THE COURAGE TO ASK HER. HE NODDED AND GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE. HITOMI FELT HER HEART FREEZE AND A LUMP SWELL IN HER THROAT. COULD HE POSSIBLY MEAN ME? SHE THOUGHT TO HERSELF. HE GRABBED HER HAND AND HELD IT IN HIS AS HE CLEARED HIS THROAT. "HITOMI KANZAKI....WOULD YOU DO ME THE HONOR OF BEING MY QUEEN?" HE ASKED WITH A SMILE. SHE GASPED AS SHE HEARD THOSE WORDS COME FROM HIS MOUTH. HITOMI COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. HE WAS PROPOSING TO HER.....THIS COULDN'T BE HAPPENING. "MARRY YOU?" SHE ASKED WITH A SHAKY VOICE. HE NODDED AND LOOKED INTO HER EMERALD ORBS. SHE FELT HER HEART START TO BEAT AGAIN......EXCEPT IT WAS BEATING FASTER AND FASTER. SHE WAS READY TO YELL YES WHEN A THOUGHT RAN THROUGH HER MIND. "AM I A LAST RESORT?" SHE ASKED. HE LOOKED AT HER SURPRISED. "NO....OF COURSE NOT HITOMI....WELL I MEAN," HE COULD SEE HITOMI WAS NOT VERY HAPPY. "I AM A LAST RESORT. YOU ONLY ASKED ME BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A HURRY TO WED RIGHT? HOW DARE YOU VAN!! HOW LOW DO YOU THINK I AM?" SHE YELLED SLAPPING HIS FACE. SHE RAN FROM THE GARDEN...LEAVING HIM. HE RUBBED HIS SORE FACE. HE KNEW THAT MIGHT HAPPEN. HE WAS GOING TO RUN AFTER HER, BUT HE DIDN'T. HE KNEW SHE NEEDED SOME TIME ALONE. THIS WAS ALL OF A SUDDEN. HE MEANT EVERYTHING HE SAID TO HER....HE HOPED SHE REALIZED THAT.
MERLE WALKED DOWN THE ROAD TOWARDS OLD MR. SEI'S HOME. SHE STOPPED BY THERE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO SEE HIM. HE WAS JUST LIKE MERLE.....A CAT MAN. HE HAD WED A FANELIAN NAMED ARIAN AND THEY BOTH HAD A SON WHOM MERLE HAD GROWN TO LIKE VERY MUCH. SHE HOPED THAT HE WAS IN TOWN. HE LEFT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO HELP WITH THE TRADE SHIPS IN ASTURIA AND OTHER NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. HIS NAME WAS JARIKO. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST HANDSOME GUYS SHE KNEW....BESIDES LORD VAN. SHE FIGURED HE PROBABLY HAD GROWN UP QUITE A BIT SINCE THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM. SHE HOPED HE REMEMBERED HIM. HE WAS ONE OF THE ONLY CAT PEOPLE SHE KNEW BESIDES NARIA AND ERIYA. BEFORE SHE KNEW IT SHE WAS RIGHT AT MR. SEI'S HOUSE. SHE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR THREE TIMES, UNTIL SHE HEARD OLD MR. SEI YELL.
"I'MMA COMMIN!" HE YELLED WALKING TO THE DOOR. WHEN HE OPENED IT, HE WAS AUTOMATICALLY HUGGED BY MERLE. "WHY LADY MERLE.....WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE," HE SAID HAPPILY. "IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU MR. SEI," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. HER EARS WERE PERKED UP AND HER FACE WAS ALL LIT UP. HER SMILE GREW BIGGER AS SHE SAW JARIKO BEHIND HIM. "HEY IS MERLE.....I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S YOU," HE SAID. SHE HUGGED HIM.....NOT WANTING TO LET GO. "I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU GOT BACK YET," SHE SAID. "WELL....OUR TRIP GOT CUT SHORT. WITH ALL THE BAD WEATHER AND STUFF WE WERE SCARED TO SHIP OUT," HE SAID. MR. SEI GRABBED MERLE'S ARM AND LED HER INTO THE HOUSE. "I MUST SHOW YOU SOMETHING," HE SAID. SHE FOLLOWED HIM INTO A ROOM WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF BOOKS. JARIKO STOOD BESIDE HER. MR. SEI LOOKED ON ONE OF THE SHELVES, RUBBING HIS FUZZY CHIN. "LET'S SEE HERE......MAGICIANS.....DRAGONS.....DRACONIANS....ATLANTIS....MYSTIC MOON.......ANGEL OF LIGHT....THAT'S IT," HE SAID PULLING IT OFF THE SHELF. HE FLIPPED IT OPEN AND TURNED THE PAGES TOWARDS HER. "I WAS READING THROUGH THIS THE OTHER DAY....AND REALIZED HOW A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING IN THIS BOOK HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED," HE SAID.
MERLE GLANCED AT THE PAGES. IT SHOWED PICTURES OF A GRAND ANGEL SHOOTING DOWN FROM THE MYSTIC MOON, SURROUNDED BY DRACONIANS AND A KNIGHTED ANGEL. UNDERNEATH THE WINGED PEOPLE WAS THE KINGDOM OF FANELIA. FANELIANS AND DRACONIANS STOOD ALL AROUND THE KINGDOM, STARING UP AT THE SKY. SHE STARTED READING THE TEXT ALOUD. "THE ANGEL OF MERCY....THE DRACONIAN HIGH PRIESTESS SHALL SPRING FOURTH FROM THE HEAVENS. BINDING THE BLOOD OF THE PRIESTESS.....THE ALMIGHTY QUEEN OF THE ANGELS OF GAEA AND THE MYSTIC MOON WITH THE LAST OF THE ROYAL DRACONIANS OF GAEA...SHE UNCOVER THE LOST PAST OF THE ANCIENTS. THE PAST SHALL BECOME THE PRESENT AND ALL OF GAEA AND EARTH WILL BECOME ONE," SHE SAID. JARIKO LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "SO.....IT MEANS THAT THIS QUEEN OF THE DRACONIANS WILL BIND BLOOD WITH THE LAST ROYAL DRACONIAN......THEREFORE ALL THE MEMORIES OF BOTH WORLDS WILL RETURN. WHAT DOES IT MEAN BY BECOME ONE?" SHE ASKED. MR. SEI FLIPPED THE PAGES UNTIL IT LANDED ON A CERTAIN SPINE TINGLING PAGE. MERLE STARTED TO READ AGAIN. "THE ATLANTEANS CREATED A LAND THAT WAS IN THE IMAGE OF THEIR REIGNING KINGDOM. THEY BROUGHT FORTH GAEA....THEIR NEW HOME. MANY STAYED BEHIND....ESCAPING THE FIERY PITS OF HELL WHICH THEIR HOME HAD BECOME. MANY SURVIVED.....SOME DIED. THE DRACONIANS OF THE MYSTIC MOON SOON FORGOT THEIR WINGS AND CREATED A NEW LIFE. ATLANTIS, THE DRACONIANS, EVERYTHING WAS FORGOTTEN," SHE SAID.
JARIKO GLANCED AT ONE OF THE PICTURES. "THE SYMBOL ON THE HEAD OF THAT DRACONIAN......WHAT IS THAT?" HE ASKED. MERLE STARTED TO READ THE TEXT NEXT TO THE PICTURE. "THE SOVEREIGN OF THE DRACONIANS.....THE QUEEN EMERALDES......LOST HER LIFE BY SAVING HER PEOPLE. AS ATLANTIS BURNED TO ITS GRACE AND GLORY....SHE TRADED HER LIFE FOR THE LIVES OF HER PEOPLE. IN ORDER TO SAVE THE PEOPLE THAT REMAINED ON THE MYSTIC MOON SHE GAVE UP HER MEMORIES AND POWER. THE PENDANT OF AURORIA...WHICH HOLDS THE POWER OF THE ATLANTEANS IS ALSO THE HEART OF THE MOST POWERFUL DRAGON OF ALL TIMES........"
"THE DRAGON OF THE MYST," MERLE SAID. SHE HAD TOLD THEM EVERYTHING SHE HAD READ WITH JERIKO AND MR. SEI. LUCKILY JERIKO DECIDED TO COME BACK WITH HER. HE WAS GOING TO HELP OUT ANYWAY HE COULD. "SO....THE ENERGIST OPERATES THE GUYMELEF.....THE GOD OF DEATH..? WELL.....HOW DOES THAT EXPLAIN THE SKIES AND THE WEATHER?" ASKED ALLEN. DRYDEN LOOKED AT THE BOOK. "THE RETURN OF THE SOVEREIGN ON THE 1000TH MOON OF THE CELESTIAL DRAGON WILL TURN THE SKIES OF GAEA TO DARKNESS. THE SOVEREIGN WILL UNLEASH HER POWERS AGAINST THE DEMON OF DEATH... THEREFORE BECOMING HER TRUE SELF......THE TSUBASA NO KAMI," HE READ ALOUD. NOW EVERYONE WAS CONFUSED. "THAT MEANS WHEN SHE USES HER POWERS SHE PRETTY MUCH POWERS UP AND BECOMES HER TRUE SELF......THE GODDESS OF WINGS," SAID MERLE. MERLE GLANCED OVER AT HITOMI WHO WAS SITTING AT THE BACK OF THE GROUP. VAN WAS STANDING NEAR THE DOOR, LOOKING AT HER. SHE WONDERED WHAT WAS GOING ON BETWEEN THOSE TWO. SHE NOTICED HITOMI'S EYES AS THEY BEGAN TO DILATE. SHE KNEW SHE MUST BE HAVING ANOTHER VISION.
A WOMAN WITH LONG, HONEY HAIR FLEW IN THE AIR ABOVE A BURNING CITY. ALL AROUND HER STOOD HER PEOPLE WHOM REMAINED WITH HER UNTIL THE VERY END. "WE WILL NOT GIVE UP. WE HAVE COME THIS FAR. I DID NOT WANT THIS FOR MY PEOPLE. PLEASE SPARE THEM.......FOR THEY HAVE DONE NO WRONG. IT WAS THE MAGICIAN TULARI WHO CAUSED THIS.....WE DID NOT DO THIS. HE WANTED THE POWER OF THE GODS.....NOT US. SPARE THEIR LIVES AND I SHALL GIVE YOU MINE!" SHE SHOUTED TO THE HEAVENS. HITOMI WAS FLOATING RIGHT BESIDE THE WOMAN. A BRIGHT LIGHT APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE WOMAN, FORMING INTO THE FIGURE OF A MALE. A MAN DRESSED IN ROBES WITH LONG WINGS STOOD IN FRONT OF HER. HE EXTENDED HIS HAND OUT TO HER. "IS THAT YOUR WISH?" HE ASKED. SHE NODDED AND GRABBED HIS HAND. "I WANT THEM TO LIVE," SHE SAID. HE NODDED AND LOOKED AROUND HIM. "THIS DAY SHALL RETURN TO OUR ANCESTORS IN YEARS TO COME. YOUR LAST GRANDCHILD WILL CAUSE THIS TO RETURN TO BOTH WORLDS. YET....YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO WARN HER," HE SAID. THE WOMAN NODDED AND TURNED HER FACE AWAY FROM THE MAN. HITOMI GASPED AS SHE SAW THE WOMAN'S FACE. "HOW CAN IT BE?" SHE SAID SHOCKED. A LIGHT ABSORBED THE WINGED PEOPLE AND THE QUEEN....SENDING THEM ALL TO THE GROUND. THEIR WINGS DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR BACKS AND THEIR ROYAL JEWELRY AND CLOTHES DISAPPEARED INTO THE SKY. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THEMSELVES, WRAPPED IT A LONG GARMENT. THEY ALL LOOKED AROUND...WONDERING WHAT THEY WERE DOING HERE.
HITOMI GLANCES AROUND FANELIA. ALL OF IT IS GONE EXCEPT FOR PART OF THE CASTLE. THE BODIES OF HER FALLEN COMRADES LAY EVERYWHERE. HITOMI NOTICES SOMEONE MOVING FROM UNDER A LARGE ROCK. SHE REALIZES IT IS VAN....WHOM IS NEARLY DEAD. SHE RUSHES OVER TO HIM AND PULLS THE ROCK AWAY. HE IS HARDLY BREATHING....YET HE MANAGES TO SPEAK TO HER. "THIS.....COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HITOMI. THE OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD NOT HELP...," HE COULD NOT FINISH. THE BLOOD WAS SHOOTING UP THROUGH HIS ESOPHAGUS. HE STARTED COUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY. HE MANAGES TO STOP CHOKING LONG ENOUGH TO TELL HER SOMETHING ELSE. "THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US THEIR SUPPORT. EVERYONE MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE IF WE HAD.....IF WE HAD UNITED OUR SOULS. ALL OF GAEA WILL SUFFER BECAUSE OF THIS....," HE SAID CLOSING HIS EYES. "NO VAN....DON'T CLOSE THEM...YOU CAN'T DIE," SHE YELLED. "I LOVE YOU HITOMI," HE SAID SLOWLY DRIFTING INTO THE WORLD OF THE DEAD. HITOMI TURNED AROUND AS THE GROUND STARTED TO SHAKE. A LARGE GUYMELEF....THE LARGEST SHE HAD EVER SEEN STOOD IN FRONT OF HER. A SWORD WAS IN ITS HAND. IT THREW IT INTO THE AIR, CAUSING IT TO FALL STRAIGHT INTO HITOMI.
EVERYONE TURNED AROUND AS THEY HERD A THUMP ON THE GROUND. VAN RUSHED OVER TO HITOMI, WHO WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. "HITOMI," HE SAID WORRIED. HE SHOOK HER, HOPING SHE WOULD WAKE UP. SHE OPENED HER EYES AND LOOKED AT HIM. HE WAS SO HAPPY SHE WOKE UP. "VAN," SHE SAID SHAKING HER HEAD. SHE FELT SO DIZZY. "WHAT HAPPENED?" HE ASKED. HITOMI LOOKS UP INTO HIS WORRIED EYES AND SMILES. "VAN?" SHE ASKS. "YES," HE ANSWERS. "I WILL," SHE SAID IN TEARS. VAN LOOKED AT HER SURPRISED AND STARTED SMILING. "WHAT....YOU......WILL?" HE ASKED SHOCKED. "YES I WILL," SHE ANSWERED. VAN WAS SO HAPPY HE WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM STOOD AROUND THEM, WONDERING WHAT IN THE HELL WAS GOING ON. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" ASKED MERLE. HITOMI LOOKED AT EVERYONE AND STARTED SMILING. "YOU'LL KNOW SOON ENOUGH," SHE SAID. SHE NOTICED THE SMILE ON JAVIN'S FACE. "I'M GLAD," HE SAID. ALLEN LOOKED AT HIM STRANGELY. "GLAD ABOUT WHAT?" HE ASKED. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD. "WE'LL TELL EVERYONE TOMORROW," HE SAID.
EVERYONE HAD ALREADY LEFT FOR BED EXCEPT FOR VAN AND HITOMI. THEY STOOD IN THE HALLWAY TALKING. "SO....WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?" HE ASKED. "WELL......I HAD A VISION.....TWO ACTUALLY. THE FIRST ONE WAS OF THE STORY IN THE BOOK AND THE OTHER WAS OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT WED. SO....I HAD.....," SHE WANTED TO TELL HIM THE TRUTH. "VAN....I REALIZED EVERYTHING YOU TOLD ME WAS TRUE," SHE SAID. HE NODDED AND HELD HER HANDS IN HIS. "I MEANT EVERYTHING I GUESS......JUST TO LET YOU KNOW.....MY ADVISORS HAVE SET THE WEDDING IN TWO DAYS. I TOLD THEM YOU ACCEPTED MY PROPOSAL. THEY WANT US WED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID. HITOMI LOOKED AT HIM SURPRISED. "IS THAT ENOUGH TIME TO SET FOR A WEDDING? I MEAN.....CAN YOU PREPARE IT THAT FAST?" SHE ASKED. "OF COURSE I CAN.....I'M A KIN AFTER ALL," HE LAUGHED. HITOMI STARTED GIGGLING UNTIL SHE HEARD SOMEONE CUSSING UNDER THEIR BREATH. SHE GLANCED BEHIN VAN TO SEE LADY KIKEN'S BEDROOM DOOR CRACKED. HER ATTENTION FOCUSED BACK ON VAN AS HE KISSED HER KNUCKLES. "YOU BETTER GET SOME SLEEP....WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ESCORT YOU TO YOUR ROOM?" HE ASKED SMILING. SHE SHOOK HER HEAD. "NO THANKS....I'LL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING," SHE SAID. VAN BOWED DOWN AND STARTED WALKING AWAY. "GOODNIGHT HITOMI," HE SAID WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY. HITOMI WALKED TO KIKEN'S DOOR AS SOON AS SHE SAW VAN GO IN HIS ROOM. SHE PEEPED INTO KIKEN'S ROOM, NOT EXPECTING THE CERTAIN YANK OF HER HAIR THAT SHE RECEIVED. SHE FLEW THROUGH THE DOOR, STARTLING ALLEN WHO WAS JUST WALKING OUT OF HIS ROOM. HE WONDERED WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING ON.
KIKEN DRAGGED HITOMI TO THE WINDOW AND THREW HER ON THE FLOOR. "HOW DARE YOU.........YOU LITTLE BITCH!" SHE SCREAMED. THE GIRL SLAPPED HITOMI'S FACE. HITOMI HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" SHE ASKED CONFUSED. KIKEN LOOKED LIKE THE DEVIL AT THE MOMENT. "HIS LORDSHIP HAD PROPOSED TO YOU AND YOU KEPT HUSH-HUSH ABOUT IT? YOU DIDN'T WANT TO UPSET ME BECAUSE YOU KNEW RIGHT?" SHE ASKED FURIOUSLY. "I JUST ACCEPTED HIS PROPOSAL TONIGHT KIKEN.......I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT EARLIER.....I SWEAR," HITOMI SHOUTED. HITOMI KICKED THE GIRL OFF OF HER AND SCRAMBLED TO HER FEET. THE GIRL WENT RUNNING TOWARDS HITOMI JUST AS ALLEN RUSHED THROUGH THE DOOR. HE HAD HEARD THE TWO GIRLS FROM OUTSIDE AND KNEW HE HAD TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AS HE ENTERED THE ROOM, HE SAW KIKEN PUSHING HITOMI THROUGH THE GLASS WINDOW. "HITOMI!!" HE YELLED FEARFULLY. KIKEN FELL OVER THE SIDE WITH HITOMI. SHE COULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO SHE FELL OVER. "AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" SCREAMED HITOMI AS SHE FELL. ALLEN RUSHED TO THE END OF THE BALCONY. KIKEN HAD PUSHED HITOMI SO HARD THAT IT SENT HER STRAIGHT OVER THE BALCONY. "HITOMI!!!!!!!!!" HE YELLED AGAIN.
VAN HAD BEEN SITTING ON THE ROOF WATCHING THE STARS. HE HEARD ALLEN'S YELLS AND THEN THE BLOODCURDLING SCREAMS FROM HITOMI. HE LEAPED OFF THE ROOF, SHOOTING HIS WINGS OUT. WHEN HE SAW HITOMI FALLING OVER, FEAR TOOK OVER HIS BODY. "HITOMI!!!" HE CALLED OUT AS HE FLEW FOR HER. HITOMI WAS NOT FAR FROM THE GROUND. THE WIND RUSHED UP AS SHE FELL. SHE CLOSED HER EYES AND HELD HER BREATH, WAITING FOR HER TO SMASH INTO THE EARTH. INSTEAD SHE FELT ARMS WRAP AROUND HER, AND FELT THE WIND HIT HER FACE AS SHE WENT INTO THE AIR. HITOMI OPENED HER EYES TO SEE VAN HAD CAUGHT HER. HE LANDED ON THE GROUND, NEAR THE LIFELESS BODY OF LADY KIKEN. HITOMI CLUTCHED HIM TIGHTLY, SOBBING IN HIS CHEST. HE RUBBED HIS NOSE IN HER HONEY HAIR. "IT'S ALRIGHT," HE SAID CALMING HER DOWN. ALLEN CAME RUSHING DOWN, STOPPING AS HE SAW THE BODY OF THE GIRL. HE FELT FOR A PULSE.......UNFORTUNATELY NOT FINDING ONE. "SHE'S DEAD," HE SAID. HITOMI TURNED HER HEAD AROUND TO LOOK AT THE DEAD GIRL. "SHE THOUGHT I HAD LIED TO HER....SHE THOUGHT I HAD ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT AND TRIED TO KILL ME. I TOLD HER I HAD NOT LIED BUT SHE WOULDN'T LISTEN," SHE SAID CRYING.
HITOMI SAT OUTSIDE THE BALCONY ON A LARGE COUCH LIKE SEAT. HE FEET BARELY REACHED THE END OF THE SEAT. SHE WATCHED DOVES FLY THROUGH THE MORNING SKY. THE SUN WAS SLOWLY RISING INTO THE AIR. SHE HAD BEEN STARING INTO THE HEAVENS THE WHOLE NIGHT. SHE COULD NOT SLEEP AFTER WHAT OCCURRED EARLIER THAT NIGHT. VAN AND ALLEN, ALONG WITH JAVIN...CARRIED THE BODY OF LADY KIKEN TO THE INFIRMARY. MILLERNA AS WELL AS DRYDEN COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. AT FIRST MILLERNA THOUGHT HITOMI HAD KILLED THE POOR WOMAN...BUT ALLEN AND VAN TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED. IT HURT HITOMI THINKING ABOUT MILLERNA. SHE ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT SHE KILLED KIKEN.....SHE HAD NO REASON TO. SHE COULDN'T HELP THAT THE SHE WAS A PSYCHO BITCH. SHE WISHED THAT KIKEN HADN'T DIED YET THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO NOW.
SHE LAID BACK A BIT IN THE SEAT AND CLOSED HER EYES. SHE HEARD SOMEONE STEP UP BEHIND HER. SHE OPENED HER EYES AND TURNED HER HEAD TOWARDS THE APPROACHING PERSON. IT WAS MERLE, WHOM LOOKED VERY STRANGE. "HELLO MERLE," HITOMI SAID SOFTLY. THE CAT GIRL'S EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI NODDED AND SAT UP. MERLE SAT RIGHT BESIDE HER. "LORD VAN TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED.....IT'S SAD WHAT HAPPENED TO LADY KIKEN. YET......," SHE TURNED HER HEAD AWAY. "WHAT IS IT MERLE?" ASKED HITOMI CONCERNED. MERLE LOOKED AT THE GIRL ANGRILY. "YET I CAN SEE WHY SHE WAS SO ANGRY......SO......YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY LORD VAN," SHE SAID WITH AN AWKWARD SMILE. HITOMI FELT A CHILL GO DOWN HER SPINE. HITOMI KNEW THAT MERLE WOULD NOT BE PLEASED BY THE NEWS. SHE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A LONG RIVAL OF MERLE'S. SHE WOULD JUST HAVE TO PUT UP WITH MERLE'S ACTIONS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. "WELL.....YES.....I AM....," SHE SAID NERVOUSLY. MERLE'S LOOK CHANGED INTO ONE OF EXCITEMENT.
"SO YOU WILL BE QUEEN? THAT'S AMAZING......WHEN IS THE WEDDING?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI LOOKED AT HER STRANGELY. SINCE WHEN WAS SHE ALL FOR THIS WEDDING. "UM....TOMORROW...," SHE SAID. THE LOOK ONCE AGAIN CHANGED ON MERLE. "TOMORROW," SHE SAID SARCASTICALLY. HITOMI THREW HER LEGS OVER THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND STOOD UP. "THAT REMINDS ME...I'M SUPPOSE TO MEET VAN.....HE NEEDED TO TALK TO ME ABOUT SOMETHING," SHE SAID STRETCHING. MERLE GRABBED HITOMI BY THE ARM AND YANKED HER DOWN UNTIL HER EAR WAS AT THE FELINE'S MOUTH. "DON'T DISSAPOINT HIM ALRIGHT?" SHE SAID WITH AN ANGRY LAUGH. HITOMI NODDED AND YANKED HERSELF FROM THE GIRL. SHE GAVE HER ONE LAST GLANCE AND PROCEEDED TO VAN'S CHAMBERS. HOPEFULLY HE WAS STILL IN THERE.
WHEN HITOMI APPROACHED THE DOOR, SHE COULD HEAR SOMEONE FIGHTING IN THE ROOM. SHE WONDERED WHAT ON EARTH COULD BE GOING ON. "VAN," SHE SAID KNOCKING. IT SEEMED AS IF THE KNOCK CAUSED THE YELLING TO GROW LOUDER. "WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THERE?" SHE SAID TO HERSELF. SHE TURNED THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR AND SLOWLY WALKED IN. THERE SHE SAW VAN AND JAVIN. VAN WAS WEARING A LARGE PIECE OF ARMOR WHICH FROM WHAT HITOMI COULD TELL....WAS TOO HEAVY FOR HIM. JAVIN WAS LAUGHING AS THE YOUNG KING TRIED TO PULL IT OFF. "WHAT WAS ALL THE YELLING ABOUT?" ASKED HITOMI. VAN LOOKED UP EMBARRASSED. HE DIDN'T WANT HITOMI TO SEE HIM IN SUCH A TANGLED MESS RIGHT NOW. HE COULD BARELY SLIP HIS ARM OUT OF THE ARMOR. "VAN IS SUPPOSED TO WEAR THE ROYAL ARMOR THAT ALL OF THE KINGS HAVE HAD TO WEAR.....BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HE WILL BE. HIS MAJESTY IS A BIT TOO WEAK FOR IT," HE SAID LAUGHING. VAN WAS GETTING ANGRIER BY THE MINUTE. "WILL YOU HELP ME OUT OF THIS JAVIN!" HE YELLED FURIOUSLY. JAVIN STOPPED LAUGHING AND RUSHED TO HELP VAN OUT OF IT. HITOMI WOULD HAVE HELPED, BUT SHE WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO KEEP HER LAUGHTER DOWN. VAN DID NOT LOOK AMUSED. THE WOMAN HE WAS GOING TO MARRY TOMORROW WAS LAUGHING AT HIS CERTAIN PROBLEMS. "OH....SO IF I GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF THAT ARMOR.....THAT WOULD BE FUNNY?" HE ASKED. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD AND SAT AT THE END OF HIS BED. "NO....I'M SORRY....BUT YA GOT TO ADMIT...THAT WAS FUNNY," SHE SAID GIGGLING. VAN STARTED CHUCKLING NOW THAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HAD JUST OCCURRED.
"WELL....I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO TALK WITH THE MAIDENS. PERHAPS THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PREPARE A SUIT FOR YOU....BUT YOU HAVE TO WEAR THE CLOAK....YA HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER. IT'S EITHER THE CLOAK OR THE ARMOR WHICH IF YOU WEAR THAT....WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOU TO THE WEDDING ON HORSE.....AND THE WEDDINGS IN THE GARDENS..," HE SAID LAUGHING. HITOMI STARTED LAUGHING ALONG WITH HIM. VAN ROLLED HIS EYES AND SAT BESIDE HITOMI. "SPEAKING OF THE MAIDENS...THEY NEED TO PREPARE A DRESS FOR HITOMI," HE SAID. HITOMI HAD NEARLY FORGOTTEN. HOW COULD SHE GET MARRIED WITHOUT A WEDDING DRESS. "WELL......I'LL TELL THEM RIGHT AWAY....DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING OF YOUR LIKINGS HITOMI? IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC KIND OF LOOK YOU WANT?" ASKED JAVIN. HITOMI SCRATCHED HER HEAD AS SHE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. "WELL....I DON'T WANT ANYTHING.....TOO BIG. LET'S SEE......MAYBE WHITE.....NO THAT'S TOO TRADITIONAL ON EARTH...I NEED SOMETHING......I DON'T KNOW," SHE SAID SHRUGGING. VAN LOOKED AT HER AND SMILED. "GREEN......EMERALD.....SOMETHING THAT MATCHES YOUR EYES........HOW IS THAT?" HE ASKED. HITOMI THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT AND NODDED. "I SUPPOSE SO......BUT A GREEN WEDDING DRESS?" SHE ASKED. VAN NODDED AND STARTED LAUGHING. "WHY NOT....I'VE SEEN WOMEN WEAR STRANGER THINGS AT THEIR WEDDINGS," HE SAID.
"EMERALD IT SHALL BE.....OKAY NOT TOO BIG......AND DO YOU WANT GOLD ON IT?" ASKED JAVIN. "WELL......MAYBE SOME GOLD," SHE SAID. JAVIN NODDED AND RUBBED HIS BRISTLY CHIN. "OH YES.....HOW ABOUT THE RING LORD VAN.......ANY SPECIFICS?" HE ASKED. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD. HITOMI DECIDED TO SAY SOMETHING. "WELL......VAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT MY RING BUT I CAN GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE KIND OF RING I WANT," SHE SAID. VAN NODDED AND LISTENED CAREFULLY. "I DON'T WANT ANYTHING REAL FLASHY......MAYBE A GOLD RING WITH LITTLE FEATHERS ETCHED INTO IT AND A SMALL RUBY IN THE MIDDLE," SHE SAID. VAN LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "WELL IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT," HE SAID SCRATCHING HIS HEAD. HITOMI HAD A REASON FOR WANTING HER RING LIKE THAT. THE FEATHERS WOULD STAND FOR VAN'S WINGS AND THE RUBY WOULD STAND FOR HIS EYES. BOTH WERE TWO THINGS SHE WANTED TO REMEMBER EVERYDAY. "ALSO.....I WOULD LIKE A HEART ETCHED ON THE INSIDE OF THE BAND," SHE SAID. JAVIN LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. SHE REALIZED HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANT BY HEART. SHE STOOD UP AND GRABBED A QUILL PEN AND BOTTLE OF INK FROM VAN'S DRAWER. SHE TOOK OUT A PIECE OF PAPER AND DREW A PICTURE OF A HEART ON IT. "THIS IS A HEART. I WOULD LIKE THIS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RING," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. JAVIN NODDED AND GRABBED THE PIECE OF PAPER FROM HER. "ALRIGHT......I'LL GET THIS DOWN TO THE MAIDENS AND METALWORKER. I'LL TELL YOU WHEN EVERYTHING IS READY," HE SAID BOWING.
AS SOON AS JAVIN WALKED OUT THE DOOR, VAN TURNED STRAIGHT TOWARDS HITOMI. "YOU ARE UNLIKE ANY WOMAN I HAVE EVER SEEN. MOST OF THEM WOULD WANT LARGE DIAMONDS AND GIANT WHITE WEDDING DRESSES. WHY IS IT YOU AREN'T LIKE THAT?" HE ASKED LAUGHING. "WELL.....I'VE NEVER BEEN INTO FLASHY STUFF," SHE SAID. VAN STOOD UP AND WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. SHE KEPT STARING INTO THE MIRROR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD BEEN REALLY CLOSE TO HER IN A SENSE. "IS SOMETHING WRONG?" HE ASKED. HITOMI'S EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. "I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THAT VISION VAN........OF THE LITTLE GIRL. SHE KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS MY FAULT......WHAT IS MY FAULT?" SHE ASKED SADLY. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD AND LAID HIS HEAD ON HER HONEY HAIR. "I DON'T KNOW HITOMI. YOU SHOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE A WEDDING TOMORROW. YOU SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON THAT MORE THAN THE DREAM," HE SAID. HITOMI FELT A CERTAIN UNEASINESS COME OVER HER. "I NEED TO BE ALONE FOR A WHILE VAN. I NEED TO THINK. I'LL SEE YOU LATER ALRIGHT?" SHE SAID WIPING THE TEARS AWAY. VAN NODDED AND STEPPED OUT OF HER WAY. HE WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT HER. WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH HER RIGHT NOW? DID HE SAY SOMETHING THAT UPSET HER? HE JUST WANTED TO KNOW.
HAWKON STOOD OUTSIDE THE INFIRMARY, WAITING FOR THE HEALERS TO LEAVE. HE WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT HAWKONIA. IF HE HADN'T FOUND HER IN THE FOREST THOSE HOURS BEFORE....SHE MIGHT HAVE DIED. SHE HAD NEARLY BLED TO DEATH AND THE WOUND IN HER SIDE LEFT HER IN A LOT OF PAIN. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW SHE WAS ABLE TO FLY BACK HERE. SHINDA TOLD THE HEALERS NOT TO CARE FOR THE GIRL SINCE SHE FAILED HER. HAWKON HAD TO BEG HER TO RECONSIDER AND LUCKILY IT WORKED. HE WAS STARTING TO DESPISE HIS MASTER. HE WANTED TO KILL HER JUST FOR WANTING THE DEATH OF HAWKONIA. IT WAS NOT HER FAULT THE KING STABBED HER. THE BOY ONLY ATTACKED HAWKONIA SINCE SHE HAD SUCCEEDED IN KILLING HITOMI. TO HIS SURPRISE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S.....THE GIRL HAD SURVIVED.
THE HEALERS PASSED HIM AS THEY LEFT THE ROOM. HE WONDERED WHAT HAD TAKEN THEM SO LONG. HE WALKED OVER TO HAWKONIA, WHO WAS WRAPPED IN BANDAGES. "HOW ARE YOU MY LOVE?" HE ASKED WORRIED. SHE TURNED TOWARDS HIM AND FELT TEARS START TO COLLECT IN HER EYES. "I DID NOT SUCCEEDED HAWKON.........THE GIRL IS STILL ALIVE," SHE SAID MOANING. A RUSH OF PAIN WENT UP HER SIDE. HAWKON'S FACE STARTED TO FILL WITH ANGER. "DON'T WORRY HAWKONIA.......I WILL GET THE KING OF FANELIA BACK FOR THIS...EVEN IF IT MEANS SACRIFICING MY OWN LIFE," HE SAID. HAWKONIA LOOKED AT HIM SURPRISED. HE WOULD REALLY DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR HER. "MAKE HIM PAY FOR THE PAIN HE IS MAKING ME SUFFER THROUGH. RIP HIS HEART OUT AND SLASH IT TO BITS," SHE SAID LAUGHING INSANELY. HAWKON NODDED AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE DOOR. "WAIT.....I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING," SHE SAID SLOWLY SITTING UP IN THE BED. SHE GRUNTED A BIT AND SHOOK HER HEAD. "THE KING AND THE MYSTIC MOON GIRL ARE TO BE WED TOMORROW. CRASH THE WEDDING.......THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. CAUSE THEIR DAY OF HAPPINESS TO BE ONE OF SORROW," SHE SAID SMILING. HAWKON NODDED, SMILING AS HE LEFT THE ROOM.
THAT'S THE END OF THIS CHAPTER. WELL A VERY INTERESTING ONE WASN'T IT? WELL IT SEEMS VAN AND HITOMI'S DAY OF BLISS MAY NOT TURN OUT AS ONE. WELL I'M FIXING TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER. REMEMBER.....LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!! ^_^
sorry if the lyrics to sora is wrong......i got the lyrics from a site a while back so i'm not sure if they are right......it sounds right to me though.....^_^
VAN LAID ON A HARD, BLACK FLOOR WITH HIS EYES CLOSED. HE SLOWLY OPENED THEM AND GLANCED AROUND THE ROOM. IT WAS PITCH BLACK WITH NO ONE AROUND. "HITOMI," HE CALLED OUT RUSHING UP. ALL HE COULD HEAR WAS THE ECHO OF HIS VOICE. HE GOT TO HIS FEET AND CIRCLED AROUND LOOKING. HE COULD HEAR A SOUND COMING FROM BEHIND HIM. IT WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING HE HAD EVER HEARD. HE AUTOMATICALLY RECOGNIZED THE SOUND. IT WAS SOMEONE SINGING......NOT JUST ANYONE...IT WAS HITOMI. HE RAN TOWARDS THE VOICE AND STOPPED AS HE HEARD THE SONG.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
VAN FROZE AS HE LOOKED AT HER. HER BODY WAS GLOWING AND HER HAIR WAS WHISKING THROUGH THE AIR. THE THING THAT SURPRISED HIM THE MOST WAS THE FACT SHE HAD WHITE WINGS EXTENDING FROM HER BACK. "HOW CAN THIS BE?" HE SAID.
"WIN CHENT A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
SI KATIGURA NEUVER
FLORERIA FOR CHESTI
SI ENTINA.........
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
FONTINA BLU CENT
DE CRAVI ESCALETESIMO
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
DE QUANTIAN
LA FINDE REVE......"
VAN STEPPED IN FRONT OF HER AND SAT DOWN ON HIS KNEES STARING AT HER. HER EYES WERE DILATED....AS IF SHE WAS IN A TRANCE.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
VAN LAID HIS HANDS ON HERS WHICH WAS CLUTCHING THE PENDANT. HE WONDERED HOW SHE COULD HAVE GOTTEN IT. A SIGH OF RELIEF CAME FROM HIM AS HE SAW HITOMI'S EYES RETURN TO NORMAL. SHE LOOKED DOWN AT HIM SADLY. "VAN," SHE SAID SOFTLY. "HITOMI," HE SAID BACK. SHE TURNED HER HEAD AWAY FROM HIM. "WHY ARE YOU CRYING?" HE ASKED. TEARS STARTED TO ROLL DOWN HER CHEEK. HE NICKED THEM AWAY WITH HIS THUMB. "I CRY FOR OUR WORLDS," SHE SAID. WHEN SHE SPOKE, IT SOUNDED LIKE MANY VOICES IN UNISON. "H...ITOM..I," HE SAID CONFUSED. HER WINGS STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE, FEATHERS FILLING THE GLOOMY SKY. THE FEATHERS SEEMED TO CONSUME THE DARKNESS, AS WELL AS HITOMI. BEFORE VAN COULD REACT TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THE FEATHERS DEVOURED HIM.
MERLE SAT IN VAN'S ROOM, SLEEPING IN A CHAIR NEAR HIS BED. SHE HADN'T SLEPT THE WHOLE NIGHT. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD CLOSED HER EYES. SHE WAS SNORING LOUDLY WHICH HAD AWAKEN VAN. HE OPENED HIS EYES AND GLANCED OVER AT THE SLEEPING CAT GIRL. HOW IN THE WORLD DID HE GET HERE? DID THEY FIND HIM? WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING ON? JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO WAKE UP MERLE, HE LEAPED OUT OF THE BED AND TOWARDS THE DOOR. MERLE HAD AWAKEN BY THE SOUND OF VAN'S FEET HITTING THE FLOOR. "LORD VAN....YOU'RE AWAKE!!!!!! WAIT.....YOU SHOULDN'T BE OUT OF BED!!" SHE SHOUTED. "MERLE WHERE IS HITOMI???? IS SHE ALRIGHT?" HE ASKED FRANTICALLY. MERLE STEPPED BACK AND LOWERED HER HANDS TO HER SIDES. SHE HUNG HER HEAD DOWN SADLY. "IS SHE ALRIGHT MERLE???" HE ASKED ONCE AGAIN. MERLE HESITATED FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND STARTED TO SPEAK. "MILLERNA WAS UP THE WHOLE NIGHT TRYING TO HEAL HER. SHE GOT THE BEST HEALERS IN GAEA TO COME, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO FOR HER. WHEN WE FOUND YOU BOTH IN THE FOREST SHE WAS ALMOST DEAD....LUCKILY MILLERNA FELT A FAINT PULSE COME FROM HER," SHE SAID. VAN LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "BUT WHEN I FELT FOR A PULSE THERE WAS NOT ONE.....HOW CAN THAT.......?" BEFORE HE COULD FINISH HIS QUESTION A VISION PLAYED IN HIS MIND. IT WAS A RECAP OF THE PENDANT AND RING GLOWING. PERHAPS THEY HAD GIVEN HER ENERGY SOMEHOW....OR MAYBE TRAVELING THROUGH THE LIGHT JUST GAVE HER ENERGY....EITHER WAY THIS WAS STRANGE.
VAN THREW THE DOORS OPEN AND RAN DOWN THE HALLWAY, NEARLY RUNNING INTO JAVIN. "YOU'RE MAJESTY.....YOU SHOULD NOT BE UP," HE SAID. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD AND KEPT WALKING. "I HAVE TO SEE HITOMI," HE YELLED OVER HIS SHOULDER. HE RAN DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AND WALKED RIGHT TO THE DOOR OF THE MEDICAL ROOM. ALLEN STOOD IN THE DOORWAY WITH DRYDEN AND PRINCEC HAME'NE. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN GUARDING THE ROOM FROM INTRUDERS. JUST AS VAN WALKED UP TO THE THREE OF THEM, ALLEN LOOKED AT HIM PUZZLED. "VAN......YOU'RE AWAKE," HE SAID. "YES AND I WANT TO SEE HITOMI," HE SAID. ALLEN SHOOK HIS HEAD AND STEPPED CLOSER TO THE DOOR. "LET ME IN ALLEN," HE SHOUTED. "LET HIM IN ALLEN......HE NEEDS TO BE WITH HER," YELLED MILLERNA. ALLEN GRUNTED AND MOVED OUT OF THE WAY. VAN FIGURED ALLEN WASN'T LETTING ANYONE IN.....JUST FOR HITOMI'S SAFETY. VAN WALKED PASS HIM AND STOPPED IN THE DOORWAY. THEIR WERE HEALERS AND MAGICIANS ALL AROUND THE BED. THE MAGICIANS WERE CHANTING A SPELL INTO THE GLOOMY AIR. THE HEALERS KEPT TAKING BLOOD SAMPLES FROM THE FRAGILE WOMAN AND WIPING BLOOD FROM HER WOUNDS. HE SAW MILLERNA SITTING IN A CHAIR AT THE HEAD OF THE BED. "HOW IS SHE?" ASKED VAN. "I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WILL MAKE IT VAN......I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FOREST," SHE SAID.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" HE ASKED. "WELL.....THE FIRST TIME I FELT FOR A PULSE.....THERE WAS NOT ONE BUT THEN I FELT AGAIN AND THERE WAS A VERY FAINT PULSE......I DON'T UNDERSTAND..," SHE SAID PUZZLED. "I THINK IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PENDANT AND RING," HE SAID. MILLERNA LOOKED AT VAN CONFUSED. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE PENDANT AND RING?" SHE ASKED. VAN PULLED OUT HITOMI'S PENDANT FROM UNDER HIS SHIRT AND HUNG IT IN FRONT OF HIM. "HITOMI'S PENDANT I THINK GAVE HER ENERGY AS WELL AS HER RING....WHEN WE WERE TRANSPORTED BOTH OF THEM STARTED TO GLOW. I THINK THE PENDANT AND RING SOMEHOW OPEN THE GATES TO BOTH WORLDS," HE SAID. HE STARTED TO THINK THAT PERHAPS IT WAS TRUE. MAYBE THEY BOTH WERE GATEWAYS TO GAEA AND EARTH......AND.......SHE COULD SOMEHOW USE THE POWER TO HER ADVANTAGE. HE ONLY KNEW OF A FEW PEOPLE THAT COULD USE SUCH POWER AND MOST OF THEM WERE DEAD.......EXCEPT FOR THE ONES HE HAD NOW DISCOVERED. ONLY HIS PEOPLE COULD DO SUCH A THING......THE DRACONIANS. VAN LOOKED AT HITOMI......NOT KNOWING WHAT TO THINK NOW. SHE COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE A DRACONIAN COULD SHE? NO....IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. YET SOMETHING INSIDE TOLD HIM OTHERWISE.
VAN HAD LEFT HITOMI'S BEDSIDE ONCE HE HAD RECEIVED NEWS FROM ONE OF HIS ADVISORS. IT SEEMED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS THAT NOT EVEN HIS MOST POWERFUL GUIDES COULD HANDLE. OF COURSE WHEN ARRIVING HE DID NOT EXPECT TO GET THE NEWS THAT HE HAD RECEIVED. AT THE TABLE WAS JAVIN, HIS ADVISORS SORO AND GADELL, AND KING LORENZ, AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF HIS FATHER'S. "LORD VAN...IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN," HE SAID STANDING UP TO GREET HIM. HE BOWED DOWN GLANCING AT THE BOY. FROM WHAT HE COULD SEE VAN HAD GROWN UP QUITE WELL. "LORD LORENZ IT IS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AGAIN," VAN SAID BOWING. THE KING SAT BACK DOWN, GRUNTING AS HE SLID HIS WIDE BEHIND BACK IN THE CHAIR. "SO......WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO FANELIA?" HE ASKED. KING LORENZ' JOYFUL LOOK SOON CHANGED INTO ONE OF SERIOUSNESS. "LORD VAN.....YOU ARE A MAN OF REASON SO I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM ABOUT TO TELL YOU," HE SAID. VAN THOUGHT HE MIGHT KNOW WHAT WAS COMING NEXT. "VAN......YOUR KINGDOM HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT AND I DO NOT WISH TO SEE IT PERISH. YET I WAS TALKING WITH CHID A FEW DAYS AGO. HE SAID THAT HE HAS NOT GOTTEN ALL THE HELP HE NEEDS BECAUSE OF CERTAIN MARITAL ISSUES. HE IS NOT WED AND SO THAT BRINGS A PROBLEM TO GAINING HELP FROM NEIGHBORING KINGDOMS," HE SAID.
"WE SUPPORT HIS KINGDOM," VAN SAID. LORENZ SHOOK HIS HEAD. "I KNOW YOU DO YOUR MAJESTY BUT THE ISSUE AT HAND IS NOT THE PROTECTION OF CHID'S COUNTRY......IT IS OF YOURS YOUR MAJESTY. YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW THAT DOES. CHID SAYS THAT YOUR KINGDOM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE ANOTHER ATTACK. OTHER KINGDOMS ONLY SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVING A RULING KING AND QUEEN. AS I CAN SEE....FANELIA ONLY HAS A KING....SO THAT IS THE PROBLEM AT HAND. IF YOU WANT HELP FROM THE OTHERS....YOU MUST PRODUCE A QUEEN SOON BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," HE SAID. VAN WAS ABOUT TO ARGUE WITH THE MAN WHEN HE REALIZED THAT EVERYTHING THE MAN HAD JUST SAID WAS TRUE. "SO......HOW DO YOU PROPOSE I DO THIS? IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN MAKE A QUEEN SUDDENLY APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE. ARE YOU ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL ONLY HELP IF I AM WED?" VAN ASKED ANGRILY. KING LORENZ STOOD UP AND WALKED PASS THE FUMING KIND OF FANELIA. VAN DID NOT LIKE THE FACT HE WAS NOT ANSWERING. "I AM SORRY LORD VAN.........I DO WHAT I MUST TO KEEP MY COUNTRY AND EVERYONE ELSE'S SAFE. IN DOING SO YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKEOVER IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN TO YOU," HE SAID WALKING OUT THE DOOR. VAN SAT BACK IN THE CHAIR AND CLOSED HIS EYES. WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS NOW?
VAN OPENED ONE EYE AS HE HEARD A STACK OF PAPERS HIT THE TABLE IN FRONT OF HIM. SORO STOOD THERE LOOKING AT THE KING. "YOUR MAJESTY…THIS IS A LIST OF MAIDENS FROM ALL PARTS OF GAEA. YOU MUST SELECT A QUEEN IN ONE WEEK OR WE WILL CHOOSE ONE FOR YOU," HE SAID. THIS DID NOT PLEASE VAN AT ALL. AS SOON AS SORO SAT DOWN GADELL STOOD UP. "YOU HAVE NO CHOICE MY LORDSHIP…WE HAVE READ THROUGH EVERY ROYAL DOCUMENT IN THE LIBRARY AND EVERYTHING SHOWS YOU WILL NO HAVE ALL SUPPORT UNTIL YOU ARE WED," HE SAID. "I JUST CAME BACK FROM THE MYSTIC MOON AND YOU ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR MY WEDDING? THIS IS CRAZY. I'VE ONLY BEEN BACK TO FANELIA FOR TWO DAYS AND THEY ARE ALREADY HOWLING ME ABOUT MY MARITAL STATUS? WHAT IGNORANCE THEY HAVE, HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF. JAVIN STOOD UP FROM HIS SEAT AND BOWED, CLEARING HIS THROAT AS HE DID SO. "YOU LORDSHIP I BELIEVE THERE IS A FINE CANIDATE FOR A QUEEN ALREADY HERE…SHE IS A PERFECT CANIDATE YOUR MAJESTY," HE SAID WITH A SMILE. "WHOM DO YOU PROPOSE AS A PERFECT CANIDATE?" ASKED SORO. "WHY MILADY OF COURSE…SHE IS A FINE WOMAN AND WOULD MAKE THE PERFECT WIFE FOR LORD VAN," HE SAID. INSTEAD OF AGREEING WITH HIM VAN GREW ANGRY. "I COULDN'T DO THAT TO HITOMI," HE SHOUTED. THE ADVISORS NODDED IN AGREEMENT. "IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN JAVIN. ONLY THOSE OF ROYAL BLOOD CAN MARRY HIS MAJESTY," SAID GADELL.
THAT WAS NOT WHAT VAN WAS TALKING ABOUT. "THAT'S NOT WHY I WOULD NOT ASK HER GADELL. I COULD NOT DISHONOR HITOMI BY ASKING SUCH A THING OF HER AS BEING MY QUEEN. SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH AND THIS WOULD JUST ADD A HEAVIER BURDEN ON HER SHOULDERS," HE SAID. JAVIN THOUGHT HIS MAJESTY WAS TALKING FOOLISHLY. "SO YOU ARE SAYING YOU WOULD NOT MARRY THE WOMAN?" HE ASKED CURIOUSLY. VAN DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. SORO AND GADELL GLANCED OVER AT VAN. "WOULD YOU LORD VAN…EVEN WITH THE FACT SHE IS NOT OF NOBLE BLOOD OR ANY OTHER MATTER LIKE THAT?" ASKED GADELL. VAN REALLY DID LOVE HITOMI, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE COULD REALLY ASK HER TO MARRY HIM. SHE WOULD ONLY SEE IT AS A LAST MINUTE OPTION. HE DIDN'T WANT HER TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY. VAN NODDED AND SIGHED. "I WOULD MARRY HER…BUT I…," JAVIN INTERRUPTED HIM. "THEN WHY DON'T YOU CHOOSE HER YOUR LORDSHIP?" HE ASKED. "BECAUSE SHE IS NOT OF NOBLE BLOOD YOU BLITHERING IDIOT!" SHOUTED SORO JUMPING OUT OF HIS SEAT. GADELL TUGGED ON SORO'S SLEEVE, SIGNALING HIM TO SIT DOWN. "ONE PROBLEM IS THAT SHE IS FROM ANOTHER WORLD…WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF YOU CHILDREN BE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO PRODUCE? HOW WILL THE CHILDREN ACT AND LOOK? YOU HAVE TO ALSO FACTOR THAT IN YOUR MAJESTY," SAID GADELL. "MY MOTHER WAS NOT OF NOBLE BLOOD AND YET MY FATHER MARRIED HER. WHY CAN I NOT DO THE SAME?" HE ASKED FURIOUSLY. GADELL LOOKED AT SORO PUZZLED. THEY HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT LORD VAN'S MOTHER. "WELL…I GUESS IT WOULD NOT BE MUCH DIFFERENT…YET IT SEEMS TO BE IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN," SAID SORO. "MEANING?" ASKED VAN ANNOYINGLY. "MEANING THAT YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR FATHER WERE FROM THE SAME PLACE YET THEY WERE OF DIFFERENT RACES," HE SAID. VAN COULD SEE HIS POINT. "BUT THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE…IF THEY ACCEPT HER AS QUEEN THAN THE WEDDING COULD PROCEED?" ASKED JAVIN. GADELL AND SORO LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND NODDED. "I SUPPOSE SO YOUR MAJESTY," ANSWERED SORO. THAT WAS ALL VAN NEEDED TO KNOW. VAN DISMISSED HIMSELF FROM THE TABLE AND STARTED OUT OF THE CHAMBERS. AS HE WALKED OUT HE RAN INTO SOMEONE. "LADY KIKEN?" HE SAID THUNDERSTRUCK.
XIKIYA AND DONYA STOOD OUTSIDE THE PALACE CHATTING AMONGST THEMSELVES. BOTH WERE IN A BAD MOOD AND WANTED TO RIP LORD SHINDA TO SHREDS. "IT IS NOT OUR FAULT THE GUYMELEF WOULDN'T WORK!" YELLED XIKIYA. DONYA WAS TOO BUSY TO LISTEN TO HER SISTER'S CONSTANT WHINING. "XIKIYA…DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT…WE WILL REDEEM OURSELVES SOON ENOUGH. ALL WE NEED IS THE PENDANT. LET'S SURPRISE OUR MASTER BY FINDING THE GUYMELEF. WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS AND THOSE BIRDBRAINS WILL GET FRIED," SHE YELLED LAUGHING. XIKIYA LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "AND HOW DO YOU PROPOSE WE GO FIND THIS MYSTICAL GUYMELEF? LORD SHINDA TOOK OUR GUYMELEFS REMEMBER?" SHE SAID. DONYA WAS NOT AT A LOSS. SHE LOOKED DOWN AT THE GROUND AND SIGHED. "I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO GO ON FOOT," SHE SAID. XIKIYA DIDN'T LIKE THAT ANSWER. SHE HATED WALKING!
"LADY KIKEN…I THOUGHT YOU HAD LEFT THE PALACE," VAN SAID IN A SURPRISED VOICE. "OH NO LORD VAN…I'VE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME. JAVIN HAS BEEN KEEPING ME COMPANY. HE TOLD ME TO REMAIN IN THE PALACE DURING THE EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE. I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE WELL," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. VAN GAVE HER AN EMBARRASED SMILE AND STARTED TO LEAVE. HE DIDN'T MAKE IT A FOOT AWAY UNTIL SHE GRABBED HIS ARM. "LORD VAN…I WAS WONDERING…HAVE YOU CHOSEN A CANIDATE YET?" SHE ASKED. WHY WOULD SHE ASK HIM NOW? DID SHE OVERHEAR THEM TALKING IN THE COUNCIL ROOM? VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD. "I AM STILL CONSIDERING SOMEONE RIGHT NOW BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THAT SOMEONE WILL SAY YES," HE SAID. THE GIRL DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO SAY. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER TO BE HAPPY OR ANGRY. "OH…WELL I BETTER BE OFF…PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR ANSWER SOON YOUR LORDSHIP," SHE SAID WALKING AWAY. VAN WATCHED HER WALK AWAY. HE NOTICED A STRANGE AURA AROUND HER. "WHAT IS IT ABOUT THAT GIRL?" HE SAID TO HIMSELF.
MILLERNA SAT BESIDE HITOMI'S BED READING THE RESULTS THE HEALERS HAD GIVEN TO HER. FROM WHAT SHE COULD TELL…IT WAS BETTER NEWS THAN SHE HAD EXPECTED. SHE WAS GLAD THAT HITOMI HAD MADE IT THROUGH THE WORSE PART OF THE NIGHT. VAN HAD SLEPT NEXT TO HER IN A CHAIR THE WHOLE NIGHT. SHE COULD SEE THAT HE TRULY LOVED HER BUT SHE KNEW, AS ALL MEN WERE…HE WAS TOO STUBBORN TO ADMIT IT. HER EYES WERE VERY HEAVY FROM LACK OF SLEEP. SHE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP FOR MANY NIGHTS AFTER ALL THAT HAD HAPPEN. SHE DECIDED THAT SHE NEEDED TO GET SOME SLEEP IF SHE WANTED TO KEEP HELPING HITOMI. SHE GOT UP FROM HER CHAIR AND STARTED OUT OF THE ROOM, UNTIL SHE HEARD AN UNEXPECTED SOUND COME FROM BEHIND HER. SHE TURNED AROUND TO SEE HITOMI SLOWLY WAKING UP. THE GIRL MOANED A LITTLE AND THEN OPENED HER EYES. "MILLERNA," SHE SAID IN A WEAK VOICE. MILLERNA RUSHED OVER TO THE BED AND STARTED SMILING. "YOU'RE AWAKE!" SHE SAID HAPPILY. MILLERNA WAS SO EXCITED THAT KNEW SHE HAD TO GO GET VAN. SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO SINCE HE WAS JUST COMING THROUGH THE DOOR. WHEN HE SAW HITOMI AWAKE IN THE BED, HIS HEART STARTED TO BUST OUT OF HIS CHEST. "HITOMI," HE SAID TO HIMSELF. HE RAN TO HER BEDSIDE AND SAT IN THE CHAIR THAT MILLERNA HAD BEEN IN. HE GRABBED HER HAND AND JUST LOOKED AT HER.
A COUPLE OF HOURS HAD PASSED SINCE SHE HAD AWAKENED. SHE WAS NOW SITTING UP IN BED TALKING WITH VAN ABOUT EVERYTHING SHE HAD EXPERIENCED. VAN TOLD HER ABOUT THE DREAM AND SHE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE VISION SHE HAD WHEN SHE WAS BEING CHASED BY HAWKONIA. BOTH SEEMED STRANGE, YET THEY MADE SOME SENSE CERTAIN ASPECTS. VAN HAD NOT ASKED HER ABOUT HIS MARRIAGE PROPOSAL SINCE IT WAS TOO SOON TO ASK. VAN DIDN'T WANT TO ASK HER YET. SHE SEEMED MUCH BETTER EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW SHE DIDN'T FEEL IT. ONCE SHE WAS BETTER HE WOULD ASK FOR HER HAND IN MARRIAGE. YET FOR SOME REASON HE DIDN'T WANT TO ASK HER. AS MUCH AS HE WANTED TO, SOMETHING HELD HIM BACK.
KIKEN SAT ON HER BED, STARING OUT THE WINDOW AT THE LARGE PLANET THAT HUNG IN THE SKY. SHE HAD BEEN STARING AT IT FOR HOURS AND HOURS. HER EYES SEEMED ALMOST DEAD…HER FACE, BLANK. SHE KEPT CHANTING AS SHE LAY THERE. "WINGS OF WHITE AND FEATHERS OF BLOOD....COVER THE HEART OF THE ONE FROM ABOVE...DEADEN HER SOUL AND STEAL HER YOUTH.....TORMENT HER MIND AND HER HOME REBUKE," SHE SAID. SHE REITERATED THE WORDS OVER AND OVER UNTIL SOMEONE KNOCKED AT THE DOOR. SHE WHIPPED HER HEAD AROUND AND LOOKED AT HER VISITOR. "LADY KIKEN," A VOICE CALLED OUT. SHE GRUNTED AND SAT UP IN BED. "YOU MAY COME IN," SHE YELLED. THE PERSON WHOM STEPPED THROUGH THAT DOOR WAS NOT WHO SHE WAS EXPECTING. "LADY KIKEN.....," SAID THE VOICE AGAIN. KIKEN JUST LOOKED AT HER VISITOR AND SNEERED. "WHAT MIGHT YOU WANT?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI WALKED OVER TO KIKEN'S BED AND GLANCED AT THE GIRL. "I WANTED TO COME AND CHECK ON YOU....JAVIN SAID YOU HAVE BEEN IN YOUR ROOM FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS SO I THOUGHT YOU'D MIGHT LIKE SOME COMPANY," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. KIKEN JUST MOCKED THE GIRL. "PLEASE....WHY WOULD I NEED YOUR PRESENCE......I AM PERFECTLY FINE......AND AREN'T YOU SUPPOSE TO BE IN BED?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD. "JAVIN HELPED ME SNEAK OUT OF MY ROOM. BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT WORRIED ME THAT YOU WERE IN HERE LIKE THIS. I THOUGHT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU DURING THE BATTLE," SHE SAID.
KIKEN NODDED AND LAID AGAINST THE BED. "I'M JUST A VERY RECLUSIVE PERSON.......THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN....IT MEANS A LOT," SHE SAID. "WHY ARE YOU STILL IN HERE ANYWAY IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING?" SHE ASKED. THE GIRL SHOOK HER HEAD AND SHRUGGED HER SMALL SHOULDERS. "I DON'T KNOW.....I HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING WELL," SHE ANSWERED. HITOMI NOTICED THE GIRL'S DISTRAUGHT EYES. "IT'S STRANGE," SHE SAID. "WHAT IS?" ASKED KIKEN. HITOMI LOOKED AT THE GIRL'S FACE A BIT MORE. "YOU REMIND ME OF SOMEONE.......YET I CAN'T PLACE MY FINGER ON IT," SHE SAID STARING. KIKEN'S EYES SEEMED TO CHANGE AT THAT MOMENT. "PERHAPS YOU SHOULD LEAVE MILADY," SHE SAID. HITOMI LOOKED AT HER DUMBFOUNDED. "WHY?" SHE ASKED. "JUST GO," KIKEN SAID STIFFLY. HITOMI TOOK ONE LAST GLANCE AT THE GIRL AND WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM. AS SOON AS THE DOOR SHUT, KIKEN GRABBED HER HEAD IN PAIN. SHE SLAMMED HER BODY AGAINST THE BED, GRUNTING AND SHAKING. "NO.....PLEASE.....I'M SORRY," SHE SAID PAINFULLY. A RED LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK IN HER EYES. SHE ROLLED OFF OF THE BED, LANDING ON HER BACK AS SHE HIT THE FLOOR.
HAME'NE LAID ON THE GROUND, SLEEPING ALONG WITH MERLE. THE BOY HAD BEEN PLAYING THE WHOLE DAY AND WAS NOW TAKING HIS WELL DESERVED REST. HITOMI WALKED INTO THE GARDENS, PASSING THE TWO SLEEPING ANGELS. SHE TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE SLEEPING PRINCE. HE SEEMED SO PEACEFUL. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DISTURB HIM, YET SHE KNEW HE SHOULD BE IN HIS BED. SHE LEANED DOWN AND TOOK THE BOY IN HER ARMS. MERLE AWOKE AS SHE FELT THE BOY'S ARM SLIDE FROM UNDER HER. "HITOMI," MERLE YAWNED. HITOMI SHUSHED THE GIRL AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE PALACE. SHE PASSED JAVIN, WHOM WAS WAITING FOR VAN. "HOW ARE YOU DOING MILADY?" HE WHISPERED. "I AM FINE......I'M GOING TO PUT PRINCE HAME'NE TO BED. LET MILLERNA KNOW WON'T YOU?" SHE ASKED. HE NODDED AND STARTED SMILING. "I SURE WILL MILADY.....WILL WE EXPECT YOU AT DINNER TONIGHT?" HE ASKED. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD. "NOT TONIGHT JAVIN....PERHAPS I WILL SEE YOU AT BREAKFAST," SHE SAID NODDING. HE NODDED BACK AS SHE WALKED TOWARDS THE STAIRCASE. HE WAS CURIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING, SO HE DECIDED TO FOLLOW HER. VAN STEPPED OUT OF THE LIBRARY, NEARLY RUNNING INTO JAVIN. JAVIN QUICKLY SHUSHED HIM AND POINTED AT HITOMI. "I HAVE A PLAN YOUR MAJESTY," HE SAID.
HITOMI LAID THE BOY DOWN ON HIS BED AND PULLED THE BED COVERS OVER HIS LITTLE BODY. SHE WENT TO TURN THE LIGHT OUT WHEN SHE HEARD A LITTLE VOICE. "HITOMI....WILL YOU SING ME A SONG?" HE ASKED. HITOMI SAT DOWN ON THE EDGE OF THE BED AND SIGHED. "WELL I'M NOT A GREAT SINGER....BUT I SUPPOSE I CAN TRY," SHE SAID SMILING. "SING ME A PRETTY SONG," HE SAID HAPPILY. HITOMI SAT THERE FOR A MOMENT AND TRIED TO THINK OF ONE. SHE STARTED TO SING....NOT EXACTLY KNOWING WHAT IT WAS SHE WAS SINGING. LITTLE DID SHE REALIZE VAN AND JAVIN WERE WATCHING FROM THE DOOR.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
VAN AND JAVIN STOOD SMILING AS THEY HEARD THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS COME FROM ESCAPING FROM HER LIPS. VAN WAS IN SHOCK....THE SONG.....IT WAS THE ONE FROM THE DREAM. THE VISION PLAYED IN HIS MIND.......HER SINGING THE SONG.......THE WINGS IN HER BACK......THE FEATHERS......IT WAS ALL COMING BACK AGAIN. THE VISION ENDED AS JAVIN SPOKE TO HIM. "SHE HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL VOICE YOUR MAJESTY......SHE WOULD BE PERFECT," HE SAID WITH A SMILE.
"WIN CHENT A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
SI KATIGURA NEUVER
FLORERIA FOR CHESTI
SI ENTINA.........
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
FONTINA BLU CENT
DE CRAVI ESCALETESIMO
LA LA LA LA LA LA.....
DE QUANTIAN
LA FINDE REVE......"
HAME'NE STARTED RUBBING HIS SLEEPY EYES. THE SONG SHE WAS SINGING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. HE LOVED IT......HE WANTED HER TO SING FOREVER.
"WIN DAIN A LOTICA
EN VAI TURI SI LOTA
FIN DEIN A LOLUCA
EN DRAGU A SEI LAIN
FI FA-RU LES SHUTAI AM
EN RIGA-LINT"
HITOMI'S VOICE FADED AS HAME'NE CLOSED HIS EYES. HE LOOKED LIKE AN ANGEL. "GOODNIGHT PRINCE HAME'NE," SHE SAID PLACING A KISS ON HIS FOREHEAD. SHE BLEW THE CANDLE AND SLOWLY WALKED TOWARDS THE DOOR. AS SHE WALKED OUT, JAVIN WAS STANDING THERE. "JAVIN....I THOUGHT YOU WERE MEETING VAN?" SHE SAID SURPRISED. HE SHOOK HIS HEAD. "HIS LORDSHIP DID NOT WISH TO COME FOR DINNER SO I DECIDED TO COME AND SEE IF THE PRINCE WAS ASLEEP," HE SAID. "YEAH.....HE'S ASLEEP....HE'S SUCH A LITTLE ANGEL. OH......DID YOU TELL MILLERNA I PUT HIM IN BED?" SHE ASKED. "NO NOT YET......I WILL GO NOW," HE SAID WALKING AWAY. SHE WATCHED HIM TURN THE CORNER AND SHE WALKED TO THE STAIRCASE. SHE KNEW HE MUST HAVE HEARD HER SING. SHE WAS SO EMBARRASSED. SHE KNEW THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO NOW......SHE REALLY NEEDED SOME FRESH AIR.
VAN SAT KNEELING IN FRONT OF A STATUE OF A WINGED WOMAN, HOLDING A CHILD. VINES AND ROSE PETALS LAID ALL AROUND IT. IT SEEMED THAT NOTHING COULD TOUCH THE SCULPTURE. VAN LAID HIS HANDS DOWN ON A MARBLE HEADSTONE, WIPING AWAY SOME OF THE ROSE PETALS. "MOTHER," HE SAID TEARY EYED. HE MISSED HIS MOTHER SO MUCH. HE WANTED HER TO BE HERE WITH HIM...AS WELL AS HIS FATHER. HE CRAWLED OVER TO ANOTHER HEADSTONE, DUSTING AWAY SOME OF THE VINES. HE SIGHED AS HE READ THE NAME. "FOLKEN....MY BROTHER......I WISH YOU COULD BE HERE," HE SAID. AS HE STARTED TO GET UP HE HEARD SOMEONE WHISTLING AS THEY WALKED THROUGH THE FOREST. HE STOOD UP AND DECIDED TO SEE WHOM IT WAS. HE TURNED AROUND THE CORNER WHERE A BUSH OF WHITE ROSES SAT. HE SAW A HONEY HAIRED GIRL WALKING DOWN THE WOODED PATH. HE WATCHED HER WALK TOWARDS THE SAKURA GARDEN. SHE SAT DOWN IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE TREES AND STARTED LOOKING AROUND. IT SEEMED THAT EACH GARDEN WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE NEXT. SHE WAS STILL HUMMING THE SONG THAT SHE HAD SUNG TO HAME'NE. THE HUMMING CEASED THOUGH AS SHE HEARD VAN APPROACH. "COULD YOU USE SOME COMPANY?" HE ASKED. SHE LOOKED AND SMILED. "OF COURSE," SHE ANSWERED WITH A NOD.
VAN SAT DOWN NEXT TO HER AND LOOKED UP AT THE SKY. THE MYSTIC MOON MANAGED TO LIGHT THE DARK SKY. "HITOMI?" HE ASKED. "YES," SHE ANSWERED CURIOUSLY. HE PAUSED FOR A MOMENT. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WAS READY TO ASK HER. "UM.....I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING," HE SAID WITH A SHAKY VOICE. SHE WONDERED WHAT ON EARTH HE NEEDED TO TELL HER. "WHAT IS IT?" SHE ASKED. VAN MANAGED TO KEEP HIS HANDS FROM SHAKING. "I....WELL....AFTER WE CAME BACK FROM THE MYSTIC MOON....WELL.....MY ADVISORS STARTED HOUNDING ME ABOUT MY STATUS AS KING. AS YOU KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN BUGGING ME ABOUT PICKING A QUEEN AND I'VE JUST BEEN....WELL....LAZY ON THE MATTER," HE SAID. HITOMI NODDED, HER EARS BUZZING AS SHE HEARD HIM TALK. "SO....THE OTHER DAY JAVIN, MY TWO ADVISORS SORO AND GADELL, AND AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF MY FATHER'S KING LORENZ HAD BEEN DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE BEFORE HAND. KING LORENZ TOLD ME WHEN I ARRIVED THAT IT WAS IN FANELIA'S....AS WELL AS OTHER KINGDOMS BEST INTERESTS THAT I WED. WE GAIN MORE SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER COUNTRIES THAT WAY," HE SAID. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THIS CONVERSATION WAS GOING. "LADY KIKEN......WELL.......SHE IS A NICE PERSON YET....I CAN'T SEE MYSELF WITH HER. I DON'T WANT TO LOOK FOR ANYONE....YET IF I DO NOT COME UP WITH A CANDIDATE IN ONE WEEK....MY ADVISORS WILL CHOOSE ONE FOR ME. I DON'T WANT THAT BECAUSE THERE IS SOMEONE I WANT TO ASK YET I AM AFRAID THAT SHE WOULD OBJECT TO MY PROPOSAL," HE SAID. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD. "I'M SURE SHE WOULDN'T. AFTER ALL.....ANY GIRL WOULD BE LUCKY GETTING YOU VAN. YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON.....ONE OF THE BRAVEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN. I'M SURE SHE'LL SAY YES. WHO IS SHE ANYWAY?" SHE ASKED. HE NOTICED HOW HER VOICE HAD STARTED TO SADDEN. SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE HE WAS GOING TO MARRY TO SOMEONE ELSE. IT MADE HER FEEL LIKE HER HEART WAS RIPPING APART.
VAN HESITATED TELLING HER FOR A FEW MOMENTS. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE COULD MUSTER ENOUGH COURAGE TO DO IT. "SHE IS A PERSON I TRULY ADMIRE HITOMI. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL......SMART.......ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET. SHE HAS NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE HER," HE SAID. NOW HITOMI REALLY FELT BAD. WHOEVER SHE WAS.....HE TRULY LOVED HER...THE LUCKY GIRL. "SO.....ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME WHO SHE IS?" SHE ASKED. VAN FINALLY HAD THE COURAGE TO ASK HER. HE NODDED AND GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE. HITOMI FELT HER HEART FREEZE AND A LUMP SWELL IN HER THROAT. COULD HE POSSIBLY MEAN ME? SHE THOUGHT TO HERSELF. HE GRABBED HER HAND AND HELD IT IN HIS AS HE CLEARED HIS THROAT. "HITOMI KANZAKI....WOULD YOU DO ME THE HONOR OF BEING MY QUEEN?" HE ASKED WITH A SMILE. SHE GASPED AS SHE HEARD THOSE WORDS COME FROM HIS MOUTH. HITOMI COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. HE WAS PROPOSING TO HER.....THIS COULDN'T BE HAPPENING. "MARRY YOU?" SHE ASKED WITH A SHAKY VOICE. HE NODDED AND LOOKED INTO HER EMERALD ORBS. SHE FELT HER HEART START TO BEAT AGAIN......EXCEPT IT WAS BEATING FASTER AND FASTER. SHE WAS READY TO YELL YES WHEN A THOUGHT RAN THROUGH HER MIND. "AM I A LAST RESORT?" SHE ASKED. HE LOOKED AT HER SURPRISED. "NO....OF COURSE NOT HITOMI....WELL I MEAN," HE COULD SEE HITOMI WAS NOT VERY HAPPY. "I AM A LAST RESORT. YOU ONLY ASKED ME BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A HURRY TO WED RIGHT? HOW DARE YOU VAN!! HOW LOW DO YOU THINK I AM?" SHE YELLED SLAPPING HIS FACE. SHE RAN FROM THE GARDEN...LEAVING HIM. HE RUBBED HIS SORE FACE. HE KNEW THAT MIGHT HAPPEN. HE WAS GOING TO RUN AFTER HER, BUT HE DIDN'T. HE KNEW SHE NEEDED SOME TIME ALONE. THIS WAS ALL OF A SUDDEN. HE MEANT EVERYTHING HE SAID TO HER....HE HOPED SHE REALIZED THAT.
MERLE WALKED DOWN THE ROAD TOWARDS OLD MR. SEI'S HOME. SHE STOPPED BY THERE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO SEE HIM. HE WAS JUST LIKE MERLE.....A CAT MAN. HE HAD WED A FANELIAN NAMED ARIAN AND THEY BOTH HAD A SON WHOM MERLE HAD GROWN TO LIKE VERY MUCH. SHE HOPED THAT HE WAS IN TOWN. HE LEFT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO HELP WITH THE TRADE SHIPS IN ASTURIA AND OTHER NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. HIS NAME WAS JARIKO. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST HANDSOME GUYS SHE KNEW....BESIDES LORD VAN. SHE FIGURED HE PROBABLY HAD GROWN UP QUITE A BIT SINCE THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM. SHE HOPED HE REMEMBERED HIM. HE WAS ONE OF THE ONLY CAT PEOPLE SHE KNEW BESIDES NARIA AND ERIYA. BEFORE SHE KNEW IT SHE WAS RIGHT AT MR. SEI'S HOUSE. SHE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR THREE TIMES, UNTIL SHE HEARD OLD MR. SEI YELL.
"I'MMA COMMIN!" HE YELLED WALKING TO THE DOOR. WHEN HE OPENED IT, HE WAS AUTOMATICALLY HUGGED BY MERLE. "WHY LADY MERLE.....WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE," HE SAID HAPPILY. "IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU MR. SEI," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. HER EARS WERE PERKED UP AND HER FACE WAS ALL LIT UP. HER SMILE GREW BIGGER AS SHE SAW JARIKO BEHIND HIM. "HEY IS MERLE.....I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S YOU," HE SAID. SHE HUGGED HIM.....NOT WANTING TO LET GO. "I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU GOT BACK YET," SHE SAID. "WELL....OUR TRIP GOT CUT SHORT. WITH ALL THE BAD WEATHER AND STUFF WE WERE SCARED TO SHIP OUT," HE SAID. MR. SEI GRABBED MERLE'S ARM AND LED HER INTO THE HOUSE. "I MUST SHOW YOU SOMETHING," HE SAID. SHE FOLLOWED HIM INTO A ROOM WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF BOOKS. JARIKO STOOD BESIDE HER. MR. SEI LOOKED ON ONE OF THE SHELVES, RUBBING HIS FUZZY CHIN. "LET'S SEE HERE......MAGICIANS.....DRAGONS.....DRACONIANS....ATLANTIS....MYSTIC MOON.......ANGEL OF LIGHT....THAT'S IT," HE SAID PULLING IT OFF THE SHELF. HE FLIPPED IT OPEN AND TURNED THE PAGES TOWARDS HER. "I WAS READING THROUGH THIS THE OTHER DAY....AND REALIZED HOW A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING IN THIS BOOK HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED," HE SAID.
MERLE GLANCED AT THE PAGES. IT SHOWED PICTURES OF A GRAND ANGEL SHOOTING DOWN FROM THE MYSTIC MOON, SURROUNDED BY DRACONIANS AND A KNIGHTED ANGEL. UNDERNEATH THE WINGED PEOPLE WAS THE KINGDOM OF FANELIA. FANELIANS AND DRACONIANS STOOD ALL AROUND THE KINGDOM, STARING UP AT THE SKY. SHE STARTED READING THE TEXT ALOUD. "THE ANGEL OF MERCY....THE DRACONIAN HIGH PRIESTESS SHALL SPRING FOURTH FROM THE HEAVENS. BINDING THE BLOOD OF THE PRIESTESS.....THE ALMIGHTY QUEEN OF THE ANGELS OF GAEA AND THE MYSTIC MOON WITH THE LAST OF THE ROYAL DRACONIANS OF GAEA...SHE UNCOVER THE LOST PAST OF THE ANCIENTS. THE PAST SHALL BECOME THE PRESENT AND ALL OF GAEA AND EARTH WILL BECOME ONE," SHE SAID. JARIKO LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "SO.....IT MEANS THAT THIS QUEEN OF THE DRACONIANS WILL BIND BLOOD WITH THE LAST ROYAL DRACONIAN......THEREFORE ALL THE MEMORIES OF BOTH WORLDS WILL RETURN. WHAT DOES IT MEAN BY BECOME ONE?" SHE ASKED. MR. SEI FLIPPED THE PAGES UNTIL IT LANDED ON A CERTAIN SPINE TINGLING PAGE. MERLE STARTED TO READ AGAIN. "THE ATLANTEANS CREATED A LAND THAT WAS IN THE IMAGE OF THEIR REIGNING KINGDOM. THEY BROUGHT FORTH GAEA....THEIR NEW HOME. MANY STAYED BEHIND....ESCAPING THE FIERY PITS OF HELL WHICH THEIR HOME HAD BECOME. MANY SURVIVED.....SOME DIED. THE DRACONIANS OF THE MYSTIC MOON SOON FORGOT THEIR WINGS AND CREATED A NEW LIFE. ATLANTIS, THE DRACONIANS, EVERYTHING WAS FORGOTTEN," SHE SAID.
JARIKO GLANCED AT ONE OF THE PICTURES. "THE SYMBOL ON THE HEAD OF THAT DRACONIAN......WHAT IS THAT?" HE ASKED. MERLE STARTED TO READ THE TEXT NEXT TO THE PICTURE. "THE SOVEREIGN OF THE DRACONIANS.....THE QUEEN EMERALDES......LOST HER LIFE BY SAVING HER PEOPLE. AS ATLANTIS BURNED TO ITS GRACE AND GLORY....SHE TRADED HER LIFE FOR THE LIVES OF HER PEOPLE. IN ORDER TO SAVE THE PEOPLE THAT REMAINED ON THE MYSTIC MOON SHE GAVE UP HER MEMORIES AND POWER. THE PENDANT OF AURORIA...WHICH HOLDS THE POWER OF THE ATLANTEANS IS ALSO THE HEART OF THE MOST POWERFUL DRAGON OF ALL TIMES........"
"THE DRAGON OF THE MYST," MERLE SAID. SHE HAD TOLD THEM EVERYTHING SHE HAD READ WITH JERIKO AND MR. SEI. LUCKILY JERIKO DECIDED TO COME BACK WITH HER. HE WAS GOING TO HELP OUT ANYWAY HE COULD. "SO....THE ENERGIST OPERATES THE GUYMELEF.....THE GOD OF DEATH..? WELL.....HOW DOES THAT EXPLAIN THE SKIES AND THE WEATHER?" ASKED ALLEN. DRYDEN LOOKED AT THE BOOK. "THE RETURN OF THE SOVEREIGN ON THE 1000TH MOON OF THE CELESTIAL DRAGON WILL TURN THE SKIES OF GAEA TO DARKNESS. THE SOVEREIGN WILL UNLEASH HER POWERS AGAINST THE DEMON OF DEATH... THEREFORE BECOMING HER TRUE SELF......THE TSUBASA NO KAMI," HE READ ALOUD. NOW EVERYONE WAS CONFUSED. "THAT MEANS WHEN SHE USES HER POWERS SHE PRETTY MUCH POWERS UP AND BECOMES HER TRUE SELF......THE GODDESS OF WINGS," SAID MERLE. MERLE GLANCED OVER AT HITOMI WHO WAS SITTING AT THE BACK OF THE GROUP. VAN WAS STANDING NEAR THE DOOR, LOOKING AT HER. SHE WONDERED WHAT WAS GOING ON BETWEEN THOSE TWO. SHE NOTICED HITOMI'S EYES AS THEY BEGAN TO DILATE. SHE KNEW SHE MUST BE HAVING ANOTHER VISION.
A WOMAN WITH LONG, HONEY HAIR FLEW IN THE AIR ABOVE A BURNING CITY. ALL AROUND HER STOOD HER PEOPLE WHOM REMAINED WITH HER UNTIL THE VERY END. "WE WILL NOT GIVE UP. WE HAVE COME THIS FAR. I DID NOT WANT THIS FOR MY PEOPLE. PLEASE SPARE THEM.......FOR THEY HAVE DONE NO WRONG. IT WAS THE MAGICIAN TULARI WHO CAUSED THIS.....WE DID NOT DO THIS. HE WANTED THE POWER OF THE GODS.....NOT US. SPARE THEIR LIVES AND I SHALL GIVE YOU MINE!" SHE SHOUTED TO THE HEAVENS. HITOMI WAS FLOATING RIGHT BESIDE THE WOMAN. A BRIGHT LIGHT APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE WOMAN, FORMING INTO THE FIGURE OF A MALE. A MAN DRESSED IN ROBES WITH LONG WINGS STOOD IN FRONT OF HER. HE EXTENDED HIS HAND OUT TO HER. "IS THAT YOUR WISH?" HE ASKED. SHE NODDED AND GRABBED HIS HAND. "I WANT THEM TO LIVE," SHE SAID. HE NODDED AND LOOKED AROUND HIM. "THIS DAY SHALL RETURN TO OUR ANCESTORS IN YEARS TO COME. YOUR LAST GRANDCHILD WILL CAUSE THIS TO RETURN TO BOTH WORLDS. YET....YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO WARN HER," HE SAID. THE WOMAN NODDED AND TURNED HER FACE AWAY FROM THE MAN. HITOMI GASPED AS SHE SAW THE WOMAN'S FACE. "HOW CAN IT BE?" SHE SAID SHOCKED. A LIGHT ABSORBED THE WINGED PEOPLE AND THE QUEEN....SENDING THEM ALL TO THE GROUND. THEIR WINGS DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR BACKS AND THEIR ROYAL JEWELRY AND CLOTHES DISAPPEARED INTO THE SKY. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THEMSELVES, WRAPPED IT A LONG GARMENT. THEY ALL LOOKED AROUND...WONDERING WHAT THEY WERE DOING HERE.
HITOMI GLANCES AROUND FANELIA. ALL OF IT IS GONE EXCEPT FOR PART OF THE CASTLE. THE BODIES OF HER FALLEN COMRADES LAY EVERYWHERE. HITOMI NOTICES SOMEONE MOVING FROM UNDER A LARGE ROCK. SHE REALIZES IT IS VAN....WHOM IS NEARLY DEAD. SHE RUSHES OVER TO HIM AND PULLS THE ROCK AWAY. HE IS HARDLY BREATHING....YET HE MANAGES TO SPEAK TO HER. "THIS.....COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HITOMI. THE OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD NOT HELP...," HE COULD NOT FINISH. THE BLOOD WAS SHOOTING UP THROUGH HIS ESOPHAGUS. HE STARTED COUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY. HE MANAGES TO STOP CHOKING LONG ENOUGH TO TELL HER SOMETHING ELSE. "THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US THEIR SUPPORT. EVERYONE MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE IF WE HAD.....IF WE HAD UNITED OUR SOULS. ALL OF GAEA WILL SUFFER BECAUSE OF THIS....," HE SAID CLOSING HIS EYES. "NO VAN....DON'T CLOSE THEM...YOU CAN'T DIE," SHE YELLED. "I LOVE YOU HITOMI," HE SAID SLOWLY DRIFTING INTO THE WORLD OF THE DEAD. HITOMI TURNED AROUND AS THE GROUND STARTED TO SHAKE. A LARGE GUYMELEF....THE LARGEST SHE HAD EVER SEEN STOOD IN FRONT OF HER. A SWORD WAS IN ITS HAND. IT THREW IT INTO THE AIR, CAUSING IT TO FALL STRAIGHT INTO HITOMI.
EVERYONE TURNED AROUND AS THEY HERD A THUMP ON THE GROUND. VAN RUSHED OVER TO HITOMI, WHO WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. "HITOMI," HE SAID WORRIED. HE SHOOK HER, HOPING SHE WOULD WAKE UP. SHE OPENED HER EYES AND LOOKED AT HIM. HE WAS SO HAPPY SHE WOKE UP. "VAN," SHE SAID SHAKING HER HEAD. SHE FELT SO DIZZY. "WHAT HAPPENED?" HE ASKED. HITOMI LOOKS UP INTO HIS WORRIED EYES AND SMILES. "VAN?" SHE ASKS. "YES," HE ANSWERS. "I WILL," SHE SAID IN TEARS. VAN LOOKED AT HER SURPRISED AND STARTED SMILING. "WHAT....YOU......WILL?" HE ASKED SHOCKED. "YES I WILL," SHE ANSWERED. VAN WAS SO HAPPY HE WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM STOOD AROUND THEM, WONDERING WHAT IN THE HELL WAS GOING ON. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" ASKED MERLE. HITOMI LOOKED AT EVERYONE AND STARTED SMILING. "YOU'LL KNOW SOON ENOUGH," SHE SAID. SHE NOTICED THE SMILE ON JAVIN'S FACE. "I'M GLAD," HE SAID. ALLEN LOOKED AT HIM STRANGELY. "GLAD ABOUT WHAT?" HE ASKED. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD. "WE'LL TELL EVERYONE TOMORROW," HE SAID.
EVERYONE HAD ALREADY LEFT FOR BED EXCEPT FOR VAN AND HITOMI. THEY STOOD IN THE HALLWAY TALKING. "SO....WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?" HE ASKED. "WELL......I HAD A VISION.....TWO ACTUALLY. THE FIRST ONE WAS OF THE STORY IN THE BOOK AND THE OTHER WAS OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT WED. SO....I HAD.....," SHE WANTED TO TELL HIM THE TRUTH. "VAN....I REALIZED EVERYTHING YOU TOLD ME WAS TRUE," SHE SAID. HE NODDED AND HELD HER HANDS IN HIS. "I MEANT EVERYTHING I GUESS......JUST TO LET YOU KNOW.....MY ADVISORS HAVE SET THE WEDDING IN TWO DAYS. I TOLD THEM YOU ACCEPTED MY PROPOSAL. THEY WANT US WED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID. HITOMI LOOKED AT HIM SURPRISED. "IS THAT ENOUGH TIME TO SET FOR A WEDDING? I MEAN.....CAN YOU PREPARE IT THAT FAST?" SHE ASKED. "OF COURSE I CAN.....I'M A KIN AFTER ALL," HE LAUGHED. HITOMI STARTED GIGGLING UNTIL SHE HEARD SOMEONE CUSSING UNDER THEIR BREATH. SHE GLANCED BEHIN VAN TO SEE LADY KIKEN'S BEDROOM DOOR CRACKED. HER ATTENTION FOCUSED BACK ON VAN AS HE KISSED HER KNUCKLES. "YOU BETTER GET SOME SLEEP....WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ESCORT YOU TO YOUR ROOM?" HE ASKED SMILING. SHE SHOOK HER HEAD. "NO THANKS....I'LL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING," SHE SAID. VAN BOWED DOWN AND STARTED WALKING AWAY. "GOODNIGHT HITOMI," HE SAID WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY. HITOMI WALKED TO KIKEN'S DOOR AS SOON AS SHE SAW VAN GO IN HIS ROOM. SHE PEEPED INTO KIKEN'S ROOM, NOT EXPECTING THE CERTAIN YANK OF HER HAIR THAT SHE RECEIVED. SHE FLEW THROUGH THE DOOR, STARTLING ALLEN WHO WAS JUST WALKING OUT OF HIS ROOM. HE WONDERED WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING ON.
KIKEN DRAGGED HITOMI TO THE WINDOW AND THREW HER ON THE FLOOR. "HOW DARE YOU.........YOU LITTLE BITCH!" SHE SCREAMED. THE GIRL SLAPPED HITOMI'S FACE. HITOMI HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" SHE ASKED CONFUSED. KIKEN LOOKED LIKE THE DEVIL AT THE MOMENT. "HIS LORDSHIP HAD PROPOSED TO YOU AND YOU KEPT HUSH-HUSH ABOUT IT? YOU DIDN'T WANT TO UPSET ME BECAUSE YOU KNEW RIGHT?" SHE ASKED FURIOUSLY. "I JUST ACCEPTED HIS PROPOSAL TONIGHT KIKEN.......I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT EARLIER.....I SWEAR," HITOMI SHOUTED. HITOMI KICKED THE GIRL OFF OF HER AND SCRAMBLED TO HER FEET. THE GIRL WENT RUNNING TOWARDS HITOMI JUST AS ALLEN RUSHED THROUGH THE DOOR. HE HAD HEARD THE TWO GIRLS FROM OUTSIDE AND KNEW HE HAD TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AS HE ENTERED THE ROOM, HE SAW KIKEN PUSHING HITOMI THROUGH THE GLASS WINDOW. "HITOMI!!" HE YELLED FEARFULLY. KIKEN FELL OVER THE SIDE WITH HITOMI. SHE COULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO SHE FELL OVER. "AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" SCREAMED HITOMI AS SHE FELL. ALLEN RUSHED TO THE END OF THE BALCONY. KIKEN HAD PUSHED HITOMI SO HARD THAT IT SENT HER STRAIGHT OVER THE BALCONY. "HITOMI!!!!!!!!!" HE YELLED AGAIN.
VAN HAD BEEN SITTING ON THE ROOF WATCHING THE STARS. HE HEARD ALLEN'S YELLS AND THEN THE BLOODCURDLING SCREAMS FROM HITOMI. HE LEAPED OFF THE ROOF, SHOOTING HIS WINGS OUT. WHEN HE SAW HITOMI FALLING OVER, FEAR TOOK OVER HIS BODY. "HITOMI!!!" HE CALLED OUT AS HE FLEW FOR HER. HITOMI WAS NOT FAR FROM THE GROUND. THE WIND RUSHED UP AS SHE FELL. SHE CLOSED HER EYES AND HELD HER BREATH, WAITING FOR HER TO SMASH INTO THE EARTH. INSTEAD SHE FELT ARMS WRAP AROUND HER, AND FELT THE WIND HIT HER FACE AS SHE WENT INTO THE AIR. HITOMI OPENED HER EYES TO SEE VAN HAD CAUGHT HER. HE LANDED ON THE GROUND, NEAR THE LIFELESS BODY OF LADY KIKEN. HITOMI CLUTCHED HIM TIGHTLY, SOBBING IN HIS CHEST. HE RUBBED HIS NOSE IN HER HONEY HAIR. "IT'S ALRIGHT," HE SAID CALMING HER DOWN. ALLEN CAME RUSHING DOWN, STOPPING AS HE SAW THE BODY OF THE GIRL. HE FELT FOR A PULSE.......UNFORTUNATELY NOT FINDING ONE. "SHE'S DEAD," HE SAID. HITOMI TURNED HER HEAD AROUND TO LOOK AT THE DEAD GIRL. "SHE THOUGHT I HAD LIED TO HER....SHE THOUGHT I HAD ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT AND TRIED TO KILL ME. I TOLD HER I HAD NOT LIED BUT SHE WOULDN'T LISTEN," SHE SAID CRYING.
HITOMI SAT OUTSIDE THE BALCONY ON A LARGE COUCH LIKE SEAT. HE FEET BARELY REACHED THE END OF THE SEAT. SHE WATCHED DOVES FLY THROUGH THE MORNING SKY. THE SUN WAS SLOWLY RISING INTO THE AIR. SHE HAD BEEN STARING INTO THE HEAVENS THE WHOLE NIGHT. SHE COULD NOT SLEEP AFTER WHAT OCCURRED EARLIER THAT NIGHT. VAN AND ALLEN, ALONG WITH JAVIN...CARRIED THE BODY OF LADY KIKEN TO THE INFIRMARY. MILLERNA AS WELL AS DRYDEN COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. AT FIRST MILLERNA THOUGHT HITOMI HAD KILLED THE POOR WOMAN...BUT ALLEN AND VAN TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED. IT HURT HITOMI THINKING ABOUT MILLERNA. SHE ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT SHE KILLED KIKEN.....SHE HAD NO REASON TO. SHE COULDN'T HELP THAT THE SHE WAS A PSYCHO BITCH. SHE WISHED THAT KIKEN HADN'T DIED YET THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO NOW.
SHE LAID BACK A BIT IN THE SEAT AND CLOSED HER EYES. SHE HEARD SOMEONE STEP UP BEHIND HER. SHE OPENED HER EYES AND TURNED HER HEAD TOWARDS THE APPROACHING PERSON. IT WAS MERLE, WHOM LOOKED VERY STRANGE. "HELLO MERLE," HITOMI SAID SOFTLY. THE CAT GIRL'S EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI NODDED AND SAT UP. MERLE SAT RIGHT BESIDE HER. "LORD VAN TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED.....IT'S SAD WHAT HAPPENED TO LADY KIKEN. YET......," SHE TURNED HER HEAD AWAY. "WHAT IS IT MERLE?" ASKED HITOMI CONCERNED. MERLE LOOKED AT THE GIRL ANGRILY. "YET I CAN SEE WHY SHE WAS SO ANGRY......SO......YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY LORD VAN," SHE SAID WITH AN AWKWARD SMILE. HITOMI FELT A CHILL GO DOWN HER SPINE. HITOMI KNEW THAT MERLE WOULD NOT BE PLEASED BY THE NEWS. SHE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A LONG RIVAL OF MERLE'S. SHE WOULD JUST HAVE TO PUT UP WITH MERLE'S ACTIONS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. "WELL.....YES.....I AM....," SHE SAID NERVOUSLY. MERLE'S LOOK CHANGED INTO ONE OF EXCITEMENT.
"SO YOU WILL BE QUEEN? THAT'S AMAZING......WHEN IS THE WEDDING?" SHE ASKED. HITOMI LOOKED AT HER STRANGELY. SINCE WHEN WAS SHE ALL FOR THIS WEDDING. "UM....TOMORROW...," SHE SAID. THE LOOK ONCE AGAIN CHANGED ON MERLE. "TOMORROW," SHE SAID SARCASTICALLY. HITOMI THREW HER LEGS OVER THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND STOOD UP. "THAT REMINDS ME...I'M SUPPOSE TO MEET VAN.....HE NEEDED TO TALK TO ME ABOUT SOMETHING," SHE SAID STRETCHING. MERLE GRABBED HITOMI BY THE ARM AND YANKED HER DOWN UNTIL HER EAR WAS AT THE FELINE'S MOUTH. "DON'T DISSAPOINT HIM ALRIGHT?" SHE SAID WITH AN ANGRY LAUGH. HITOMI NODDED AND YANKED HERSELF FROM THE GIRL. SHE GAVE HER ONE LAST GLANCE AND PROCEEDED TO VAN'S CHAMBERS. HOPEFULLY HE WAS STILL IN THERE.
WHEN HITOMI APPROACHED THE DOOR, SHE COULD HEAR SOMEONE FIGHTING IN THE ROOM. SHE WONDERED WHAT ON EARTH COULD BE GOING ON. "VAN," SHE SAID KNOCKING. IT SEEMED AS IF THE KNOCK CAUSED THE YELLING TO GROW LOUDER. "WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THERE?" SHE SAID TO HERSELF. SHE TURNED THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR AND SLOWLY WALKED IN. THERE SHE SAW VAN AND JAVIN. VAN WAS WEARING A LARGE PIECE OF ARMOR WHICH FROM WHAT HITOMI COULD TELL....WAS TOO HEAVY FOR HIM. JAVIN WAS LAUGHING AS THE YOUNG KING TRIED TO PULL IT OFF. "WHAT WAS ALL THE YELLING ABOUT?" ASKED HITOMI. VAN LOOKED UP EMBARRASSED. HE DIDN'T WANT HITOMI TO SEE HIM IN SUCH A TANGLED MESS RIGHT NOW. HE COULD BARELY SLIP HIS ARM OUT OF THE ARMOR. "VAN IS SUPPOSED TO WEAR THE ROYAL ARMOR THAT ALL OF THE KINGS HAVE HAD TO WEAR.....BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HE WILL BE. HIS MAJESTY IS A BIT TOO WEAK FOR IT," HE SAID LAUGHING. VAN WAS GETTING ANGRIER BY THE MINUTE. "WILL YOU HELP ME OUT OF THIS JAVIN!" HE YELLED FURIOUSLY. JAVIN STOPPED LAUGHING AND RUSHED TO HELP VAN OUT OF IT. HITOMI WOULD HAVE HELPED, BUT SHE WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO KEEP HER LAUGHTER DOWN. VAN DID NOT LOOK AMUSED. THE WOMAN HE WAS GOING TO MARRY TOMORROW WAS LAUGHING AT HIS CERTAIN PROBLEMS. "OH....SO IF I GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF THAT ARMOR.....THAT WOULD BE FUNNY?" HE ASKED. HITOMI SHOOK HER HEAD AND SAT AT THE END OF HIS BED. "NO....I'M SORRY....BUT YA GOT TO ADMIT...THAT WAS FUNNY," SHE SAID GIGGLING. VAN STARTED CHUCKLING NOW THAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HAD JUST OCCURRED.
"WELL....I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO TALK WITH THE MAIDENS. PERHAPS THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PREPARE A SUIT FOR YOU....BUT YOU HAVE TO WEAR THE CLOAK....YA HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER. IT'S EITHER THE CLOAK OR THE ARMOR WHICH IF YOU WEAR THAT....WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOU TO THE WEDDING ON HORSE.....AND THE WEDDINGS IN THE GARDENS..," HE SAID LAUGHING. HITOMI STARTED LAUGHING ALONG WITH HIM. VAN ROLLED HIS EYES AND SAT BESIDE HITOMI. "SPEAKING OF THE MAIDENS...THEY NEED TO PREPARE A DRESS FOR HITOMI," HE SAID. HITOMI HAD NEARLY FORGOTTEN. HOW COULD SHE GET MARRIED WITHOUT A WEDDING DRESS. "WELL......I'LL TELL THEM RIGHT AWAY....DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING OF YOUR LIKINGS HITOMI? IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC KIND OF LOOK YOU WANT?" ASKED JAVIN. HITOMI SCRATCHED HER HEAD AS SHE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. "WELL....I DON'T WANT ANYTHING.....TOO BIG. LET'S SEE......MAYBE WHITE.....NO THAT'S TOO TRADITIONAL ON EARTH...I NEED SOMETHING......I DON'T KNOW," SHE SAID SHRUGGING. VAN LOOKED AT HER AND SMILED. "GREEN......EMERALD.....SOMETHING THAT MATCHES YOUR EYES........HOW IS THAT?" HE ASKED. HITOMI THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT AND NODDED. "I SUPPOSE SO......BUT A GREEN WEDDING DRESS?" SHE ASKED. VAN NODDED AND STARTED LAUGHING. "WHY NOT....I'VE SEEN WOMEN WEAR STRANGER THINGS AT THEIR WEDDINGS," HE SAID.
"EMERALD IT SHALL BE.....OKAY NOT TOO BIG......AND DO YOU WANT GOLD ON IT?" ASKED JAVIN. "WELL......MAYBE SOME GOLD," SHE SAID. JAVIN NODDED AND RUBBED HIS BRISTLY CHIN. "OH YES.....HOW ABOUT THE RING LORD VAN.......ANY SPECIFICS?" HE ASKED. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD. HITOMI DECIDED TO SAY SOMETHING. "WELL......VAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT MY RING BUT I CAN GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE KIND OF RING I WANT," SHE SAID. VAN NODDED AND LISTENED CAREFULLY. "I DON'T WANT ANYTHING REAL FLASHY......MAYBE A GOLD RING WITH LITTLE FEATHERS ETCHED INTO IT AND A SMALL RUBY IN THE MIDDLE," SHE SAID. VAN LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. "WELL IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT," HE SAID SCRATCHING HIS HEAD. HITOMI HAD A REASON FOR WANTING HER RING LIKE THAT. THE FEATHERS WOULD STAND FOR VAN'S WINGS AND THE RUBY WOULD STAND FOR HIS EYES. BOTH WERE TWO THINGS SHE WANTED TO REMEMBER EVERYDAY. "ALSO.....I WOULD LIKE A HEART ETCHED ON THE INSIDE OF THE BAND," SHE SAID. JAVIN LOOKED AT HER CONFUSED. SHE REALIZED HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANT BY HEART. SHE STOOD UP AND GRABBED A QUILL PEN AND BOTTLE OF INK FROM VAN'S DRAWER. SHE TOOK OUT A PIECE OF PAPER AND DREW A PICTURE OF A HEART ON IT. "THIS IS A HEART. I WOULD LIKE THIS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RING," SHE SAID WITH A SMILE. JAVIN NODDED AND GRABBED THE PIECE OF PAPER FROM HER. "ALRIGHT......I'LL GET THIS DOWN TO THE MAIDENS AND METALWORKER. I'LL TELL YOU WHEN EVERYTHING IS READY," HE SAID BOWING.
AS SOON AS JAVIN WALKED OUT THE DOOR, VAN TURNED STRAIGHT TOWARDS HITOMI. "YOU ARE UNLIKE ANY WOMAN I HAVE EVER SEEN. MOST OF THEM WOULD WANT LARGE DIAMONDS AND GIANT WHITE WEDDING DRESSES. WHY IS IT YOU AREN'T LIKE THAT?" HE ASKED LAUGHING. "WELL.....I'VE NEVER BEEN INTO FLASHY STUFF," SHE SAID. VAN STOOD UP AND WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. SHE KEPT STARING INTO THE MIRROR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD BEEN REALLY CLOSE TO HER IN A SENSE. "IS SOMETHING WRONG?" HE ASKED. HITOMI'S EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. "I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THAT VISION VAN........OF THE LITTLE GIRL. SHE KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS MY FAULT......WHAT IS MY FAULT?" SHE ASKED SADLY. VAN SHOOK HIS HEAD AND LAID HIS HEAD ON HER HONEY HAIR. "I DON'T KNOW HITOMI. YOU SHOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE A WEDDING TOMORROW. YOU SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON THAT MORE THAN THE DREAM," HE SAID. HITOMI FELT A CERTAIN UNEASINESS COME OVER HER. "I NEED TO BE ALONE FOR A WHILE VAN. I NEED TO THINK. I'LL SEE YOU LATER ALRIGHT?" SHE SAID WIPING THE TEARS AWAY. VAN NODDED AND STEPPED OUT OF HER WAY. HE WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT HER. WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH HER RIGHT NOW? DID HE SAY SOMETHING THAT UPSET HER? HE JUST WANTED TO KNOW.
HAWKON STOOD OUTSIDE THE INFIRMARY, WAITING FOR THE HEALERS TO LEAVE. HE WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT HAWKONIA. IF HE HADN'T FOUND HER IN THE FOREST THOSE HOURS BEFORE....SHE MIGHT HAVE DIED. SHE HAD NEARLY BLED TO DEATH AND THE WOUND IN HER SIDE LEFT HER IN A LOT OF PAIN. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW SHE WAS ABLE TO FLY BACK HERE. SHINDA TOLD THE HEALERS NOT TO CARE FOR THE GIRL SINCE SHE FAILED HER. HAWKON HAD TO BEG HER TO RECONSIDER AND LUCKILY IT WORKED. HE WAS STARTING TO DESPISE HIS MASTER. HE WANTED TO KILL HER JUST FOR WANTING THE DEATH OF HAWKONIA. IT WAS NOT HER FAULT THE KING STABBED HER. THE BOY ONLY ATTACKED HAWKONIA SINCE SHE HAD SUCCEEDED IN KILLING HITOMI. TO HIS SURPRISE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S.....THE GIRL HAD SURVIVED.
THE HEALERS PASSED HIM AS THEY LEFT THE ROOM. HE WONDERED WHAT HAD TAKEN THEM SO LONG. HE WALKED OVER TO HAWKONIA, WHO WAS WRAPPED IN BANDAGES. "HOW ARE YOU MY LOVE?" HE ASKED WORRIED. SHE TURNED TOWARDS HIM AND FELT TEARS START TO COLLECT IN HER EYES. "I DID NOT SUCCEEDED HAWKON.........THE GIRL IS STILL ALIVE," SHE SAID MOANING. A RUSH OF PAIN WENT UP HER SIDE. HAWKON'S FACE STARTED TO FILL WITH ANGER. "DON'T WORRY HAWKONIA.......I WILL GET THE KING OF FANELIA BACK FOR THIS...EVEN IF IT MEANS SACRIFICING MY OWN LIFE," HE SAID. HAWKONIA LOOKED AT HIM SURPRISED. HE WOULD REALLY DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR HER. "MAKE HIM PAY FOR THE PAIN HE IS MAKING ME SUFFER THROUGH. RIP HIS HEART OUT AND SLASH IT TO BITS," SHE SAID LAUGHING INSANELY. HAWKON NODDED AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE DOOR. "WAIT.....I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING," SHE SAID SLOWLY SITTING UP IN THE BED. SHE GRUNTED A BIT AND SHOOK HER HEAD. "THE KING AND THE MYSTIC MOON GIRL ARE TO BE WED TOMORROW. CRASH THE WEDDING.......THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. CAUSE THEIR DAY OF HAPPINESS TO BE ONE OF SORROW," SHE SAID SMILING. HAWKON NODDED, SMILING AS HE LEFT THE ROOM.
THAT'S THE END OF THIS CHAPTER. WELL A VERY INTERESTING ONE WASN'T IT? WELL IT SEEMS VAN AND HITOMI'S DAY OF BLISS MAY NOT TURN OUT AS ONE. WELL I'M FIXING TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER. REMEMBER.....LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!! ^_^