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Chapter 4: Clear as the Future
The great wooden doors burst open with a rough grinding shove. Dryden and his assistants ignored it, keeping their attention on the device infront of them, as they mumbled and spoke amongst each other. But Millerna's head snapped up at the sound of the opening doors.
Seeing the man who had entered, her face instantly lit up with sunlight, as if it was a habit she couldn't control.
"Allen!" she said, standing to greet him.
The knight bowed and grinned pleasantly, appearing calm and casual, though there appeared to be sweat on his forehead. "Millerna, Dryden. I came as soon as I could." Behind Allen, Gaddes, and two other crewmen from the Crusade greeted the princess politely. Dryden was still ignoring the commotion.
"We're glad you could make it here so fast," Millerna said. "We're going to need your help."
"It's true then, that Hitomi is here…? What happened?" he said, confused. "Where is she?"
Millerna told him what they knew.
"Queldonan?!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, in a small village not far from the coast. Although, that was a while ago, and we're not positive she's still there. That's why we're going to try to contact her."
"Then…" the knight regarded the strange energist device in the center of the room, and paused as he took it all in. "Then how did you find out she was here?"
"Van told us. He flew in through our bedroom window last night," the princess replied.
"He— Wait… He did what?!"
"Yeah, I know," Dryden said smoothly, standing back from the device and turning to Allen and Millerna.
"Pretty crazy kid, eh? Jumping in on us like that." His eyes gleamed over his glasses. "Who knows what we might have been doing in there."
"Dryden!!!" Millerna blushed with furious embarrassment.
Gaddes chuckled, and Allen smothered a grin in a very knightly fashion.
"Hey, I'm just sayin," Dryden smirked. "The guy's either incredibly bold… or incredibly innocent."
An assistant cleared his throat, "The device appears to be operational, Dryden. Though we cannot be certain…"
"Don't worry. It'll work. Nice job guys, you can go. I can probably take it from here." The small group of scientists and mechanics made their way to the door. "Wait, Yuto, stay here, I might need you."
"What is that thing…?" Gaddes whispered to Allen.
"Alright gentlemen… Princess…" Dryden announced, a proud tone in his fluid voice. "Seems we're ready to give this a try."
The tension in the room was rising with anticipation. And everybody seemed to be getting the strange feeling that this was all crucially important… far more important than it seemed… somehow.
"Somebody want to go get Van?"
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…
…
The two of them stood there. As if born for that moment.
A dream…?
Or a vision…
That short haired girl from the Mystic Moon and a draconian boy were facing each other. Surrounded by the thickest darkness, they glowed with light. The boy's black hair hung in soft disarray across his face. His white wings spread out firmly against the darkness, and his almost hidden eyes held something reckless behind them. The girl's skin was pale… and vulnerable. Her open face looked a little frail, but she held herself with a steady strength.
Urgently, the boy swung forward, two steps toward the girl, and their bodies collided as he wrapped his arms, his shoulders around her, pressing her tightly into his chest.
The girl was stunned. Too shocked to move.
The boy's grip was strong. The only thing gentle about him was how he then pulled back, and cradled her head in his two hands, lifting her face as he lowered his to her.
Hungrily, they soaked each other's gaze for everlasting moments. The boy's black hair shaded his dark, piercing eyes. The girl opened her mouth as if to speak, but no sound came. The boy took it, closing the small space left between them and smothering her lips with his mouth. He kissed her. And his movement, his energy was wild and fierce… driven by a passion withheld for too long. His breath slowly grew desperate, and heaving like a beast.
The girl responded with the same intense pressure, the same energy. Her hands trembled as she lifted her arms up behind him to clutch his back. Her palms clasped his shoulders tightly, her fingers digging into his brown skin, his muscles.
Anyone could see she was completely surrendered, helpless. Helpless to do anything but respond to her desire, and cling to him.
Silent and unseen, deliciously slow liquid metal slithered its fingers around her waist from behind. Sharply, she gasped. The boy cried out in alarm. More trails of it snaked around her wrists and quickly enveloped her legs. In a panic, her muscles struggled against it, but with a firm tug, it ripped her from the boy, and she was pulled away, shouting in desperate fear.
He was after her in an instant. He shot through the darkness, impossibly quick, his wings beating strong with his fury. At the sound of his wings, and the panicked screams of the girl, the darkness curled back to reveal some obscure surroundings. Images flashed below them — scenes of forests on fire, empty bodies scattering the ground, and enormous buildings crumbling with a defiant, rumbling roar.
"Yes… yes…!" came a Voice in the air. "Let it all fall into ruin! Let it bend… and twist under your desire… until it all Breaks into Chaos."
"Master!"
"What?!" the Voice growled sharply. His concentration broken, his eyes adjusted back to his surroundings with difficulty.
"We've located her. She does appear to be alone. And an unnatural sandstorm has already begun causing damage in the area."
"Hah! Perfect. I knew it was true. Send out the Lightning ship, and tell the captain to remain in his stealth cloak until my command." There was a smile of satisfaction. "This will be easy."
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Van could feel the active energist even before he entered the room, and saw it clamped firmly on top of a mechanism that sat on a tiny round table. He eyed the strange mechanism, trying to decipher the function of all the cords, dials and handles tangled around the device, and dangling from the table.
"Alright, my research swears this'll work, so let's give it a shot. Van…" Dryden said. "What's the name of Hitomi's town?"
"Chanta Desey."
Dryden calibrated a dial into careful position, flipped a few switches and put his palm over the energist. It sprung into life and started to hum.
"Good," Dryden said. "It resonates with human energy. Some stronger than others," he mused. "But we can't connect unless Hitomi holds her energist too."
Dryden held his hand there, and closed his eyes. But it was hardly a moment before he chuckled, and shook his head.
"Van," he beckoned. "You try."
Van came and held his hand firmly over the glowing stone. He closed his eyes, and reached for Hitomi in the way she had shown him how to sense his enemies. The glow and the hum jumped into a stronger tone, and an indicator on the device blinked its tiny blue light.
"It's connected!" said Dryden. "Hitomi," he called, leaning in closer to the device. "Hitomi. Can you hear this?"
A moment passed. Another. Nothing.
"Hitomi. If you can hear this, it's Dryden. Please respond."
Then out of the device came a muffled string of noises, low and obscure. Then nothing. Then more strange sounds and hums. Low, mumbling syllables. They were impossible to understand. Inside his stomach, the King of Fanelia felt suddenly sick, and filled with dread to think of what might have happened to Hitomi by now, and who, instead, might be holding her energist. He hoped that perhaps they had just connected to the wrong one.
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Across the ocean, Hitomi was not holding her energist. Countless times after she'd sent her letter, Hitomi had cradled the dragon heart in her hands and begged with it for ages.
"Please, please! Send me to Fanelia. Oh, please!" she whispered. "Take me to Van…"
The energist glowed somtimes… but didn't seem to do anything else.
"Stupid thing!" she growled, jamming it back in her coat pocket. "Tossing me down a well in the desert! Gimme a break!"
Frustrated, she would forget about it for the rest of the day. Today was one of those days. She didn't even notice the strange sound coming from the pocket. Of course, she couldn't hear it at first, it was so quiet, but then all of a sudden it grew in intensity, and she felt it's vibration against her clothes.
"Huh? What's this…?" she held it close as it faintly glowed and quivered in her hands. "I've never heard it hum like that before."
"Hitomi… If… hear this… Dryden. Please respond."
"Dryden!" she exclaimed with shock and delight, holding the energist closer. The voice came out of it rough and broken, but it was definitely there. "Dryden! Is that really you?!" she waited. "Hello… Dryden… Are you there?"
Clearly this time, she heard, "Hitomi if you're there, hold the energist as close as you can, so it will pick up the vibration of your voice."
Back in Pallas, Millerna had her hands clenched in a fist to her chest, Allen's eyes were locked to the device, and Dryden was about to give up. Then, still muffled and distant, but stronger now, a voice rang joyfully into the little room.
"I hear you! It's Hitomi! Can you hear me now?" Her words sounded like they were spoken through ten layers of fabric stuffed in a box, and it was very faint. But it was the most wonderful thing Van had heard in a long time.
"Hitomi!!" Millerna was ecstatic.
"Yes, we can now," Dryden responded. "Good to hear you, Hitomi. It's been a long time."
"Oh, Dryden is that really you?!"
"You bet," he chuckled.
"And did I hear Millerna, too?"
"Yes, she's here."
Millerna gushed. "Oh Hitomi, I thought I'd never get to talk to you again! I'm so happy! We're all here! We've all come to talk to you, and everyone is so happy."
"Oh, Millerna…! I'm so glad…" Hitomi's voice filled the room. "Is Van with you?"
Van opened his mouth as a few of the others glanced at him, with knowing grins. His throat had gone dry from thrill, and it was a moment before he could speak, his eyes wide and alive. "Yes." He answered, his voice low. But Hitomi heard it — as close to her as though his breath was on her skin. "I'm here," he said.
Hitomi shivered. Then there came a muffled bang as someone thumped their hands on the table to lean forward and speak into the stone. "Hitomi!" said the masculine voice, loud with concern. "Are you alright?! Are you in a safe place?" It's Allen. Hitomi smiled.
"Yes. Yes, I'm okay. Rhuk was… so kind to me. He even arranged a place in the town for me to stay for a while. But then he had to go…"
"Hitomi," the knight said severely. "Queldonan is a dangerous place for a girl like you to be alone. Try to keep yourself hidden. Where is the place you are staying?"
"I don't know exactly. My room is behind… its attached to some kind of bakery near the town square. I can see a big fountain with a statue of a horse…"
"Good. Center Square is well patrolled. Whatever you do, don't wander off. Listen, Hitomi…" She listened to Allen's voice, with watering eyes. "We're coming to find you, but it will take some time. We will try to contact you again in five days, but if for some reason you don't hear from us by then, try to wait out by the fountain every day around noon. We need to leave the leviship in the harbour, but somebody will come find you. Alright? We'll come get you. I promise."
Her voice was shaking. "Okay…"
"Hitomi." That was Van. Her heart rushed at the sound. "We'll be there soon. So, just… hang on."
Millerna watched Van. He was almost going to say more, but obviously wanted to throw everyone else out of the room before he did.
Dryden chimed calmly, "Yep, don't worry little lady. We're on our way. Sit tight and don't let the locals bite."
"Be careful Hitomi!" said Millerna.
"We have to pack this thing up now," continued Dryden. "So we can carry it onto the Crusade and get goin'. But if you need to talk, just hold your energist again and try to call us. Not sure it'll work for ya, but you can try."
"Okay. I'll do my best."
"That's my girl."
There was a final chorus of 'goodbyes' and encouraging words. And then they were gone.
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A few hours later, The King of Fanelia was standing out on the edge of the grand veranda of Pallas. At the foot of the castle, the veranda courtyard overlooked the harbour, and the enormous landing platforms where Allen's leviship prepared for departure. The morning sun sent sharp, dazzling flecks over the water, and a glowing shine across the bay.
"Won't be long now," said a voice beside Van. "I just had to arrange for a few supplies they need before such a long journey."
"Thank you, Dryden," he answered, still gazing out over the harbour below.
"Glad I can help," the merchant man replied. He approached the railing, resting his hands on it and looking out over the water. "Everything going alright in Fanelia?"
"Yes," Van said proudly. "We've been very fortunate."
"Mmh."
After a moment, Van spoke again. "How's Millerna?"
Dryden chuckled softly. "Stubborn and fleeting as ever," he replied. "I mean, just because I married her doesn't mean I've actually won her." He ran one hand back through his hair. "Seems her mind still dances back to her old life, those old dreams. Guess a bird that's always been free has a tough time settling down."
"I'm… sorry to hear that."
"Nah, don't be," Dryden said, smiling and scratching his neck. "She'll come around."
Van's hands were in fists, resting at his side, but after a moment they tensed, and he responded.
"What if… what if she doesn't? If she can't let go of her old life…" he said slowly. "What will you do if… she leaves you again?"
Dryden smirked, and slid his eyes over to look at Van. "Something on your mind you wanna talk about?"
Black hair fell over Van's dark eyes as he turned his head away. "No. Forget it."
"You sure? You look like you have the world on your back."
Suddenly, Van lurched forward, staggering. "GAH!" He shouted as something heavy pounced on him from behind and latched onto his back.
"Lord VAAAN!!!! I got you Lord Van! You almost fell over!"
Van reached around his neck. "You're getting a little — …" he grunted, plopping the cat on the ground. "… big for that, Merle."
He hid his grin well, but Merle knew, and she cackled, leaping up to perch on the railing.
"How did you get here so fast?" he asked her.
"I saw you leaving last night, Lord Van. But it took me a long time to catch up with you! What's happening, Lord Van? Why did you leave in such a hurry?"
"A certain somebody," Dryden said in his liquid voice, "has returned from the Mystic Moon."
"WHAT?!" she screeched. "Hitomi came back?!! Where is she??"
"Far away," said Van, looking straight out over the water.
"But we can go get her, right?"
Dryden grinned. "You bet your damn cat claws we can."
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"Is that her?" whispered a dark figure, as he peered around the shaded corner.
"Must be," said his companion. "She's obviously not from around here."
Days had passed, and Hitomi was half-perched on the edge of the fountain, in the middle of the town square, waiting. People were rushing past and chatting everywhere around her, so she felt relatively safe, assuming no one would try anything stupid with so many people around.
"Mm…" a tongue flicked out to lick his lips. "Let's snatch her then."
"Shut up," his companion hissed. "Not yet. We wait for the command."
"What, why?"
"I dunno. It has to be the 'Perfect Timing', or some crap."
"That's absurd. Besides, I want to have some fun with her first."
"You will stay here until the order, or I will slit your goddamn neck. I'm not gonna let the captain roast my ass for lettin you disobey orders."
"Aw, come on. We're gonna have to snag the lady any minute, anyway. We should be as close as possible. Don't want her slippin away, right? Let's go have some fun. You know you want to."
Like an alarm, the danger flashed into Van's mind. Someone's there… Someone's… Hurry… "Hurry!!" he shouted, losing control as his unsteady heartbeat pounded with growing dread.
We're not going to make it…
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(SUSPENSE!!!! O_O…)
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bonus: author's ramblings.
okay. i wouldn't be writing this is i didn't love escaflowne, in its original story, (never gets old!) …(even, like, 20 years later…xD) and none of us would be reading fanfics if we didn't feel the same. after escaflowne's 'what-the-fuck-it-can't-end-like-that' ending… i do whatever i can to continue based on my obsession with the story of the TV series. one thing i liked was how it twisted around so many different characters, and their history, and hovered on seemingly meaningless parts of plot… which made it feel natural. and how hitomi didn't even realize until near the end, how she felt about Van… (neither did I… ._.)
the most important thing i want to tell you is, to me at least, Escaflowne was not a little sci-fi shojo drama where characters fluttered around having significant and over-dramatic experiences with each other. There were deep emotions and powerful truths of destruction and love, darkness and beauty, and i like to think they affected other people as much as they affected me. all those random highschool dramas and seductive occult romances make lots of us drool, but that overly lush romance loses its power when there is no waiting, no struggle, and people lose respect for the bonds between characters.
so hopefully you know how i feel. if not, i don't mind if you ditch this story for an instantly satisfying soap opera fluff-fest. ^_^ but if you stick around instead, you'll be glad you did. i promise.
special gratefulness to Yoko & Hajime for the music of escaflowne, including the film. that soul-piercing score is what legends are made of.
-Kaldhi