The fancy carriage rolled along as it left the docking place carrying Millerna, Hitomi, Van, Yukari, Gryphen, and Merle. Gaddess, Reeden, and Kyo watched as they left and smiled.
"This is unbelievable" Reeden exclaimed, "Who would have thought that Hitomi would come back?"
"This is going to make the Commander very happy" Kyo added as Gaddess crossed his arms with a satisfied grin.
"Perhaps, but let's not tell him just yet. Let's let him find out on his own" Gaddess replied.
"How come?" Reeden asked curiously.
"It's more fun that way."
They both agreed with a nod and then returned with him back to the Crusade to continue working on repairs.
Meanwhile in the carriage the windows had been opened and Hitomi was pointing out all the areas of interest to Yukari.
"So this is Palas?" Yukari asked her eyes wide as they rode along.
"I can't believe it" Hitomi said as she and Yukari looked around at the city, "It hasn't changed." "
"Did you expect it to?" Millerna asked in a laugh.
"Well not really" Hitomi laughed back as she smiled at Millerna, "But it is wonderful to be back" she took Van's arm and hugged it.
"And it's wonderful to have you back" Millerna added as Merle nodded.
Yukari meanwhile was watching her friend with both happiness and slight jealously. Across from her sat Gryphen and it was clear by his expression he wasn't altogether thrilled about the whole situation either.
"When you stepped from behind like that" Millerna continued, "I was so surprised. I never thought I'd see you this soon Hitomi."
"Thank you Millerna" Hitomi nodded as Yukari sunk into her seat still gazing slightly out the window, "I wish I could say that I am here for fun but in reality" Hitomi suddenly frowned and Van looked at her concerned, "I'm looking for someone."
"Oh?"
"Hitomi" Van said speaking up, "We will deal with all that when we arrive at the palace."
Hitomi nodded slowly and Yukari frowned.
"Now wait just a minute" she interrupted, "Who said she has to do it then?"
"Huh?" Van looked at her confused as Gryphen eyed the girl suspiciously.
"It's very important for her to find him. It's not something she should just forget about until later" she added angrily her eyes flashing.
"Yukari it's okay" Hitomi replied taking her hand gently, "Van is right. Now is not the time" Yukari looked at her with sad eyes, "This is Yukari Uchida" Hitomi said to Millerna directly, "She is my best friend and always looks out for me" she smiled as she patted her hand.
"Well someone has to" Yukari replied frowning at Van who immediately turned his head embarrassed while Merle growled.
"I agree" Millerna said back with a smile, "Everyone needs a best friend that they can depend on. Welcome to my country Yukari. Any friend of Hitomi's is a friend of mine."
"Thank you your majesty" Yukari bowed her head politely.
"Oh no" Millerna shook her head as she brushed her fingers through her long curly blond hair, "If Hitomi calls me by my first name you must as well. I will call you Yukari, and you must call me Millerna."
"Okay then, Millerna" Yukari nodded finally smiling as the carriage arrived at the large palace gates.
(Next Scene)
Once inside the palace walls Millerna led them to the throne room where her older sister The Princess Eries was sitting on the throne discussing events in Palas with the advisors. When Millerna entered she immediately dismissed everyone but a few and stood with a smile as they approached.
"Welcome Van, King of Fanelia" she bowed her head, "We are honored by your visit."
"Thank you your highness" he bowed his head handsomely back as did everyone else, "You're looking extremely well."
"Thank you. I can see you have brought a large company with you."
"Yes my sister" Millerna nodded, "Including someone very special" she pulled Hitomi's arm gently and placed her in the front, "I am sure you remember Hitomi, the girl from the Mystic Moon?"
The remaining advisors who had stayed in the room began to talk amongst themselves some excited and some leery.
"Of course" Eries nodded, "How could anyone forget this little lady, when she was the one who ultimately saved us all."
"Oh really" Hitomi blushed, "You really shouldn't think so much."
"But it's true Hitomi" Millerna replied, "Everyone knows about it, all over Gaia."
"That can't be" Hitomi shook her head.
"I'm afraid it is" Van said stepping forward, "Everyone in Gaia knows about you and your story."
"I couldn't have really had that much of an impact?"
"Oh you don't know how big" he continued, "Your story will someday become legend."
"And in that event" Eries interrupted, "Since you are now visiting us here in Palas it is only proper for us to announce a ball in your honor."
"What?" Hitomi's eyes became wide, "For me?"
"Absolutely" Eries nodded and then turned to the advisors, "Make the arrangements at once" they nodded and began to write the details down.
"No wait" Hitomi started to protest as Eries and the advisors left the room.
"Hitomi" Millerna said with a smile as she pulled her gently back, "It's pointless now. Once my sister sets her mind to something there is no stopping her."
"Oh" Hitomi sighed, "Well I guess it's not that big of a deal."
"Of course not, a ball in your honor. You should be proud."
"Yes you should be" Yukari replied coming forward.
"Yukari?"
"Hitomi they are offering you a ball in your honor for whatever you did. I would take it."
"I guess so."
"I knew I was going to like you Yukari" Millerna smiled but then saw Van eyeing her seriously from the back, "Uh I should have one of my servants escort you to your rooms" she snapped her fingers and two woman servants came over and she gave them their instructions, " I will see you all at supper tonight" she added as they left and then turned to Van and Gryphen who were the only remaining people in the room.
"Well" she began, "Shall we go to my study and discuss?"
"I think that would be a good idea" Van nodded, "Gryphen."
"I know what I have to do sire" Gryphen bowed and departed the room as Van and Millerna entered a small door from the right of the throne room.
(Next Scene)
Merle bounced onto the bed as the servants departed the room and Yukari sat down in the chair by the vanity.
"This place is gorgeous" Yukari observed.
"Yes" Hitomi nodded, "It's a much bigger room then I had last time. I suppose that's because there are two of us now."
"Hitomi" Yukari replied as her friend moved over to the large balcony and looked down below her, "There's something that I have been wondering since we got here."
"What's that?" Hitomi asked as Yukari joined her on the balcony and Merle curled up falling asleep.
"What is it that you did that was so wonderful?"
"Huh?"
"I mean what are they talking about? What did you do that saved all of Gaia?"
"Oh Yukari. I keep trying to tell everyone that I didn't do much. In fact a lot of the time I caused more trouble more than I did good."
"What do you mean?"
Do you remember I told you my reasoning for giving up the tarot cards?"
"Yea."
"A lot of the time when I was here, I would use them to predict the future, and every time one way or another it came true. But then the future that became a reality caused some kind of tragedy. My predictions caused so much pain to so many people. In fact at one point I caused the biggest destruction in Palas. I wasn't a heroin then. I shouldn't be one now."
"But you must have done something in the end to make you become one?"
"It wasn't that heroic" Hitomi shook her head with a frown, "In the end along with Van's older brother Folken, I went to the Emperor of Zaibach to try and get him to stop the war that was causing the world so much pain. Folken lost his life that day along with the Emperor but the tragedy continued until I realized my true feelings about Van."
"Van?"
"Because I was so undecided in my own heart about how I felt, my predictions would always have a horrible outcome."
"What do you mean you were undecided? Because you were still in love with Amano?" Yukari asked her eyes becoming wide.
"Not Amano" Hitomi shook her head, "But someone else. Someone else who said he loved me. Someone who said he wanted to marry me."
"Who?"
"Allen. Allen Schezar."
(Next Scene)
Millerna sat down at her desk, as Van stood still staring out the window at the sunset that had just begun.
"I'm sure you're fully aware why I have come at this time?" Van said seriously to Millerna who stared back at him with a determined look.
"Mhm" she nodded, "I figured you had finally taken up my suggestion to come and discuss the situation."
"Yes, that and a lot of strange circumstances compelled me to come as well."
"Such as?"
"Hitomi's appearance for one. It just seemed too coincidental. I mean I am happy that she is back make no mistake about that" Millerna nodded with a smile, "However it's too simple and not only that her problem."
"Oh yes she mentioned that. What is her problem?"
"Hitomi's younger brother disappeared just recently from their world. He disappeared from the exact same spot where Hitomi and her friend disappeared. He's somewhere here on Gaia. Hitomi is certain of it."
"I see. And you think this all has to do with the feathers."
"It could. I'm not completely sure. But if it does, then maybe this is a lot more complicated then we originally first thought."
"Yes" Millerna nodded, "For this information to come to two individuals as different as we are" she said continuing the conversation, "It is certainly strange indeed."
"I have been looking into it" Van replied, "There must be someone who knows both of us that sent these feathers."
He pulled his out as Millerna pulled hers from the desk.
"But I have yet to figure out who."
"Not only that" Millerna said after as she stared at her feather, "They have to have a great knowledge on the Draconians."
"Exactly what I was thinking" Van nodded as he placed his feather onto the desk next to hers, "Now that Hitomi has arrived, by what means, we don't know, perhaps the person who has brought her here will soon reveal their intentions. I brought her here to Palas because it is a much more secure country then Fanelia."
"I understand. And while she is here you plan on continuing the investigation?"
"Yes, but I think I am going to need some help."
"In that case I have the perfect person who can assist you" she smiled her eyes twinkling.
"If it's who I think it is" Van smiled back, "Then I would be happy for his help."
"I thought you might. Oh there is one other thing about the ball."
"Yes?"
"There are some important people that you must meet. My sister will introduce them to you."
Van nodded as she continued to tell him her reasons why.
(Next Scene)
Several days passed and Van along with Gryphen spent a lot of time looking for clues while Hitomi along with Yukari and Merle remained at the palace with Millerna, who had the girls carefully watched. One afternoon Yukari was leaning against a tree after having read a book on the history of Palas that Millerna had given her and she was completely passed out. Surprisingly enough Merle was nearby also dozing in the warm sun. Hitomi smiled as Millerna came over from inside.
"They are all tired out I see" Millerna observed.
"Yea" Hitomi nodded, "Whenever Yukari reads a book she eventually falls asleep, that is if the book is interesting enough" she added with a grin.
"Well I hope they don't mind me stealing you away for a few moments."
"Huh?"
There's something I want you to see. Just you."
"Okay" Hitomi nodded and then followed Millerna down a very sunny path.
Millerna led her up the path till they came to a huge area filled with many trees and a small pond filled with ducks. In the center of the area stood two women in nurse uniforms and a small toddler who couldn't be any older than one. His blond curls reminded Hitomi of the sun and his big jungle green eyes shone as he ran around the grass.
"Oh what an adorable little boy" Hitomi said with a gentle smile.
"Isn't he? He's a very special boy. And he is so smart too."
Hitomi looked up into her friend's face and saw how calm she had become as she watched the little boy. Then she faced forward once more before speaking again.
"So then" she began as the boy walked towards the flowers, "Is he yours?" Hitomi asked Millerna as they stared at the small boy in the large garden. "
Yes. Mine and Dryden's."
Millerna sighed as they moved away from the garden and headed back down the path.
"I never got the chance to tell him before he departed."
"I'm not really sure Millerna but whatever did happen between you two?"
"He left."
"Just like that?" Hitomi asked incredulously.
"He was unsatisfied. Not with me" she added quickly as Hitomi's eyes became wide, "But with the way things were going in the country. He felt that he couldn't make a difference in the position that he was in. He believed that he wasn't worthy of me anymore. So he left, to rejoin the ranks of the people who would need him the most. I believe he went back to being a merchant."
"But Millerna he has a child and a wife, why would he just abandon you to follow some strange ideal?"
"I believe he thinks it will be the only way that he will be worthy enough for me. Besides I never did tell him about the child. Dryden doesn't even know anything about our son."
"Millerna, he has to know" Hitomi put a hand sympathetically on her shoulder.
"I have thought of telling him so many times" Millerna nodded, "Or finding him but then I realize Dryden is the type of person who does not like to be found. When he is ready to come home, he will."
"I suppose. Does Allen know about this?" she asked so suddenly it even surprised herself.
'He knows that he left but nothing about the child. He has not been around lately. He's been at home tending to Celena. He has spent most of his time helping her with her recovery" Millerna said sadly.
"Oh that's right" Hitomi nodded, "He has Celena back now. I had forgotten about that. Millerna is her recovery going well."
"I really don't know" Millerna shook her head as they arrived back where Yukari and Merle were waiting, "But I think she is doing better. Eries stops by every once and a while to check up on them. I have been far to busy with my own son."
"By the way" Hitomi said with a smile, "What's his name?"
"Calen. He is named after my father."
(Next Scene)
Later that evening Hitomi and Yukari were preparing to get ready for the ball that was scheduled for that night. Hitomi was wearing a beautiful green gown that accentuated her eyes while Yukari was in a bright red.
"These gowns are beautiful" Yukari replied, "I've never been to a fancy ball before."
"Me neither" Hitomi nodded tying the back of her friend's dress with the fancy ribbon, "Too bad Amano's not here to escort you."
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that" Yukari said nervously, "He doesn't like these sorts of things anyway."
"Something wrong?" Hitomi asked noticing her expression.
"No, not at all. I just intend to have a good time tonight."
"Good" Hitomi grinned as a knock was heard on their door, "Come in."
Into the room Van and Gryphen came dressed in very fancy dress attire as well.
"Your escorts have arrived ladies" Van said handsomely holding out his arm for Hitomi, "Yukari you don't mind if you're on Gryphen's arm tonight?"
"Not at all" Yukari replied with a smile as she took the taller man's arm, "If he doesn't mind."
"I don't" Gryphen said as he averted his eyes.
"Well okay. Shall we?" he asked Hitomi who was enthusiastically holding onto his arm.
"Okay" she nodded and he led her out of the room followed closely by Gryphen and Yukari.
Downstairs the ballroom was all a glitter. Candles were lit in every corner of the room and everywhere you looked there were many people dressed up in very fancy attire. Eries and Millerna stood in the front with several of the Knights of Cali as well as five other men dressed up in fancy blue suits. Hitomi and Van moved forward and bowed their heads while Gryphen and Yukari followed suit.
"Everyone!" Eries called, "Our guest of honor has arrived" Van placed Hitomi in front of him while the entire room clapped at her entrance.
Hitomi blushed as she bowed her head and then turned once more to Eries who had moved closer. Merle snuck in from the shadows and stood close to Van and Hitomi as Eries summoned the men in blue forward.
"These are the new members of the Court of Asturia" Eries said proudly as all five of the men bowed, "They've been selected just recently."
"What is the importance of the Court of Asturia?" Van asked interested.
"They will handle everything to do with the countries policies and politics. Since there is no king on the throne as of yet, we will need them."
"I see" Van nodded, turned to Hitomi to whisper something in her ear, and then moved closer to talk with the men individually as he had been requested.
Hitomi meanwhile took Yukari's arm and they began to go about the room stopping to talk to several guests who wanted to talk to the Girl from the Mystic Moon. Finally they arrived out in the courtyard that was full of people as well. The entire courtyard was filled with unfamiliar faces but Hitomi recognized one in particular as he came forward towards many other guests and bowed his long blond hair falling over his baby blue eyes.
"I think I am going to get some punch," Yukari said to Hitomi who was only half listening.
"Okay" she nodded as her friend departed.
From across the courtyard he began to move forward and then caught her eyes. Recognizing her at once he stopped in front of her. His bright baby blue eyes sparkled as the moon hit them while his long blond hair flowed behind him. Hitomi's heart beat somewhat in her chest as she stared back at him.
Hitomi?" Allen replied surprised. "
Allen" Hitomi's eyes softened.
(Next Scene)
The skies were overcast as he moved through the large stone building his long cape brushing against the ground as he walked swiftly down the halls. He entered a set of large doors and stood before a large group of men who were sitting in a coliseum type of setting.
"Our time has come" he replied in a deep voice with a frightening grin, "The key has at last arrived" the man's menacing voice echoed off the walls of the dark building.
(To be continued….)
Authors Note: Hey guys! Thanks for all the great reviews! Another long one for ya! See you all later!
Next time on Draconian Origin:
"I can't believe that you have returned to Gaia" Allen replied with a surprise. "Did you miss me?" Hitomi asked in a teasing voice.
Yukari returns and sees Allen for the first time. "Amano?"
"Yukari this is Allen Schezar" Hitomi said as she introduced them, "Allen this is my best friend Yukari Uchida."
"Why does he look so much like him?" Yukari asked as she brushed her hair. "I was just as surprised as you."
"I need to ask you a favor?" Van replied seriously as Allen stood on the balcony.
"Celena is the one who needs me now" Allen shook his head, "I simply can't just abandon her."
Celena appears in the large living room as Hitomi and Yukari stare back.
"Celena" Allen replied, "This is Hitomi Kanzaki, the Girl from the Mystic Moon."
"I'm fully aware who she is my brother" Celena said in a dreamy voice, "Welcome to our home."
"There is just something about that girl that I don't trust" Van said seriously, "And I never will."
Lady Celena
