Thank you to everyone who reviewed! You guys are so nice! I tried to reply to everyone who wasn't anonymous, so if I missed you, I'm very sorry!

And now: Rutilus's story.

Law is the power that ties together every being and element that lives. Law creates the true core of life and leads those chosen to their respective ends. It defines the essence of paths in a world of many opportunities. To stray from such concrete discretions that Law willingly or unwillingly provides will befall tragic event to those foolish individuals; elements and creatures alike.

And thus the story of Escaflowne and Rutilus Flumen is told…

When a world is created, an accepted order is born along with it. Before the existence of man or animal, there came to rule the Bonds of four elemental spirits:

Wind, Water, Land, and Fire.

Together, working side by side, the great powers depict the natural decree of predator versus prey, sustained the expected flow of regulation, and work together in their own separated domains.

Wind, shy and quiet, ruled the sky with a somewhat lack of concern. Even though his territory was greater than all of the elementals, the disinterest in duties often made him seem less powerful than the rest of them. He had no concern for what befell those around him and was greatly content in riding his streams in peace. Though he refused to show himself fully to the other elementals, it is said that he was normally pint sized and translucent--- obviously to hide from the others so he would not be called to his duties. When fully shown, though, Wind was a rather large figure; happily hefty and always smiling good-naturedly.

Water, being a spirit of freedom, refused to match to a certain form. When she was forced to immerge from her streams, it is written that she had a graceful golden beauty that could not be compared. She was the precious jewel of the four elementals in both looks and power. Fierce and domineering, she repudiated the world around it, only wishing to exist for herself. She was notorious for having a temper, but could also be revered as kind and gentle when not provoked. Water's calm, yet dangerous; seas took over the second largest section of this new world. She was the strongest of all the elementals in both authority and wisdom.

Well defined as straightforwardly jealous and angry, Land ruled her soil with an iron fist; which she also horded over the others. Her looks were just as stern as her personality. With pointed and jagged edges, her appearance reflected her hatred and distain that resided within her. Land's true talent was in quick manipulation and deceitful trickery; being that she didn't have much of the power. The only other elemental she seemed to care for, other than herself, was Fire. Her strong attachment to the blazing element also spurred on her resentment for Water; being that Water and Fire, in the future, will become natural enemies. Also, Water's beauty and power was something that Land greatly lacked. Therefore, that also spurred on a huge animosity for the liquid element.

Fire was a contained passion. Easily good humored, he was one of strong benevolence and severe loyalty. It was only when his flames ran high, did his true form ever show. He is told to have been dressed in white robes that hung off his tall frame like wings and be the true definition of divinity. With all his looks and charm, there were still flaws to Fire's reign: he could not travel without the need of something else to help him stay alive and burn. Therefore, he lacked territory to rule. Beseeching to the other elementals of his quandary, Land, some say in order to win his affection, gave a part of herself in the form of volcanic lava; thus entrusting a damaging, but life-giving power to him.

Even through Land's aggressive characteristics, the elemental powers were created to work together in building a utopia on this new world that Law had given them to govern.

But… there were two who could not co-exist no matter how Law had tried to define them in unity---

Water and Fire.

Fire was a constant threat by Water, and Water by Fire. Water drowned any natural flame that he tried to spread through the lands while Fire, by heating the water element, continually killed Water; evaporating her diluted vapors and slowly forcing her to die in the heavens.

Thus, the problem grew into a fierce hatred; a bitterness that Land and Wind could not settle.

A severe jealousy came over Land at the lack of attention given to her by Fire. Though she constantly was sincere and reassuring to him, her annoyance for Water grew more and more as her beloved Fire filled their conversations with talk about Water and her accursed streams.

Water, knowing Land was in league with Fire, had turned to Wind to complain of Fire's hostile blaze and how his intense flames killed her each time they met. Unlike Land's sympathy to Fire's complaining; however, Wind just shrugged his shoulders at her and eventually pretended to not listen; successfully stopping Water from relying on him to gossip to.

As the centuries rolled past, the animosity of the two elementals grew to the brink of disaster. Water, using the reluctant streams of Wind, discovered the power of whirlwind destruction. Thus, she successfully invaded Fire's mountainous property and damaged the outsides of his mountainous home. Fire, on the other hand, ran his volcanic material to her nearby rivers and transformed their clean purity to black muck.

It was during this time that Law had begun the call to the elements to create life and cultivate the world. Water immediately refused to work with Fire's incompetent flames while he retaliated by evaporating and polluting more of her streams.

The calling to create life was apparent however, and refusing Law was impossible.

So Land began to devise a design to reunite the two elements once again. She figured once Fire forgot his troubles with Water, she would be in the spotlight of his affections. And with the unification of their powers, Land was positive the elements could cultivate this new world.

But before she could activate her plans successfully, she needed Wind's assistance. He was obviously sick of the spats between the two because he quickly agreed to Land's plans almost as soon as she asked him.

And so, Land asked Fire and Water separately for assistance in the making of living beings, without letting either know that both were going to have a hand at a new foundation.

Fire was to erupt into volcanic material and to use the Wind's guidance to spread far into the woodlands of Land. He would then burn the plantation of life in hope of creating a new bacterium, one of intelligence and reasonable thought.

Water was to use the Wind to twirl into the air with her whirlwind and hit the Land at her fierce speed; expectantly mixing the three elements to infuse a new rebirth. With any luck, out of the clash, a new species will emerge from the impact.

Both swiftly approved of the plans, smirking that the rival element would not be in participation of this momentous occasion.

Unfortunate for them, it was too late when they discovered Land's scheme. Water's hurricane and Fire's volcanic eruption hit together with Land and Wind in-between creating the detonation needed to ignite the small life-form. The expansion of the explosion spread through the entire planet; creating the intelligent life the new world had wished for.

Unfortunately for Land, her plan backfired immensely.

Hurt by the trickery and feeling resentment for working with Fire, Water became the first to break from the elemental world. Independent by nature, she left her watery territory in an angry rage and joined a boundless field that lie next to the cultivation of men. There she created a river, one that, after the manifestation of her powerful element, shined a bright golden hue. But her life was soon spent as she felt herself evaporating to the heavens above. With a desperate cry for help, Wind at last came to her aid. With one last burst of elemental strength, she made one last creational pact; constructing the process of water rebirth; which today is known as precipitation. That way, Water would continue to live on in the never ending age without the protection of elemental magic.

Fire, too in a seething fury at the deception of Land, soon broke from the power after Water, refusing to work with the remaining elements ever again. Though Fire wished to travel, he could not leave his territory without the risk of going out. Latching onto one of the particles that had landed in his volcanic roots, Fire decided to make his life with the life-line that grew from a separate bacterium. Using this particle, Fire blessed the animal that could withstand his intense heat and flames. Having finally found his true appearance within the white creature, the spirit gave a powerful shell to shield the strange life from harm. Upon the new creation, he also bestowed his most powerful weapon of all:

The authority to ignite his flame at will.

Land, hoping to rekindle Fire's attention and kindness, gave blessings on his beast, conforming the pale fire-lizard into a creature of destruction and beauty; tied to the fate of the new world. Land gave the creature intelligence and strength as well as she bestowed the power of rebirth through the ashes of the lizard's first flame. This way Fire would last till her own lands were no more. He accepted her gifts with gratefulness, but soon traveled south; away from her northern resting ground and lived in mountain caverns next to the new world's molten heat he had been so acquainted with as an elemental. This too was near the cultivation of man.

And ironically, close to Water's location as well.

As Wind gazed upon Fire's crawling white beast, he decided to break from his normal nonchalance and give a gift as well. His gift was the wings of flight, so that his skies were open for Fire to explore the world; something that Fire had truly lacked from the very beginning of time.

With two elementals missing from the Bonds, Wind also decided to break from the elemental control as well; content in journeying the new world alone.

Land, in all her anger, became the only elemental left since the beginning of time. She could not withstand the full responsibility of elemental control and was forced to break and sink into her soils of the new world along with the rest of them. Blaming Water for her lost elemental world and her chance for Fire's love, she cursed them both to hate each other forever. She illegally enforced Law to abide to her will and created a complete rift between Water and Fire…

Her words were as followed: Water and Fire shall never come together in harmony. Wherever they meet, tragedy will follow.

And so the age of elementals passed, making way for the times of animals and men.

Time passed and the age was soon forgotten by most men and animals alike.

Taking her natural brother, the river used the wind to flow through the lands.

And taking his benefactor, the fire-lizard used the soil to survive; living forever from his ashes.

And from these elemental powers, born unto to the new world of Gaea, came forth RutilusFlumen, the golden river of Water and Escaflowne, the mighty white winged lizard of Fire…

I never knew of my true self. My memories of the Elemental Ages had long disappeared in the wake of the dominion of mankind. They ruled the new world now. Law had made the small insignificant creatures--- we elementals had made so long ago--- the dictators.

And where were we? The most powerful forces of old?

Separated and never to know one another again.

That is until… well… I'll get to that part later.

From what I can gather about my missing memory, all four of us, Land, Fire, Wind, and Water, lost our memories when we separated from our true elemental forms. Once divided from such divinity, Law gradually takes away the memories of having the power, so that we could step aside for our "human betters".

And here I was one of them, not a remembrance of ever even being apart of such greatness.

I remember quite a few things from when I was the river. Of course, my meeting Escaflowne is still clear in my mind, but before him, I had a deep feeling of isolation. There was no other like me. None other that could reason the way I did.

I had nothing or no one. I was the only one of my kind in existence and I didn't know why I was this way or what had made me; just that I was. Such knowledge drove me to the brink of madness.

And so, for comfort, I allowed those in need of shelter and nourishment to stay with me; to live in my streams and drink from my waves. It was my only way to cure my loneliness.

My only way to get rid of the insane seclusion.

Still, it did not thoroughly quench my thirst for companionship. Though, having little ones to take care of helped immensely.

After several centuries, there arose, by the new world's human dictators, a problem.

Those insignificant flesh covered mortals began taking their beautiful planet and destroying it with battle. Believing themselves to be the dominate species, the humans raged against one another with only destruction and death in their minds and hearts.

And in doing so, these insignificant worms infected my unblemished waters with their contaminating blood, mangled bodies, and disgusting mouths.

These acts of crime against their plentiful world manifested a deep hatred inside me for these so called "new dictators". And it was this rage, this--- power--- that forced me to take action. By using the different oils that seeped into my streams through the inhabitants that lived in me, I created a poison for the humans. Whenever one approached my glittering form, I mixed together the toxic in my waves and gave it to them to infect themselves and their young ones.

Keep in your mind that I had no recollection of who I had been. I had no idea that I was destroying the very creation that I, myself, had made. I was blindly repaying these creatures for their cruelty to my world.

My home.

They may have ruled the new world, but I remained a force not to be controlled by the likes of such a pitiful life form.

Now, when I think back to my behavior in those centuries of being the golden river, I am surprised at how much has changed. Where am I now? In the hands of the very organisms I despised and killed. And now, I am at the mercy of those which are still tearing up my world and being used in the war no less! Oh, the bitter irony!

And still time waned onward; my only comfort being the creatures that resided within my care. I gave them nourishment and love. I remember clearly a beautiful purple flower that had decided to drink and grow from my current. I fell in love with the color of its exclusive petals. The flower's leaves left an alluring mint smell whenever the wind whistled past the sky.

And it is because of this flower that my opinion towards humans changed immaculately.

After my poison had killed a fair few of the humans off this world, they learned to stay away from my streams. Some of the more roguish still would visit me from time to time though; daring each other to drink from my flow. But I had become more powerful as the centuries had passed. Though our memories had left, I still remained the closest link to the elemental world. I still retained some of my natural abilities; though I didn't understand why or how. And because of this, I was able to utilize my strength and update my poison, so that it was now deadly to touch as well as ingest. I picked up my waves on any human that dared approached me and began poisoning on the spot.

And yet, one day while the sun still rose in the sky, a small female mortal came to me. She was obviously lost from her humans as I judged her torn apparel and tangled brown hair. I felt the burn of my hatred spring to life in me.

But… as I got ready to mix my poison together, she surprised me by suddenly running closer. My waters ran faster with warning as she closed the space between us and stopped at the very edge of my bank. But there… there the little child picked up my favorite purple flower from off the ground. I watched in amazement as the small toddler cuddled the purple petals to her chest, inhaling the mint flavor I loved so very, very much.

Such innocence filled the child's face.

The child had such contentment with the beauty of nature.

Had I been killing such purity? Killing those that cared and worshiped the world as I did?

It was there that I promised her. I promised everyone that I would stop my poison. That more mortals needed individuals like her. Those that appreciated the land and its beauty.

As I watched her play with the petals of my beloved plant, I felt a harmless jealously come over my heart. Oh, how I wished to touch the petals too. Wished to hold the flower and cuddle it to my heart as this little wholesome baby did.

But I could do nothing. I could feel nothing.

For I was a river… and water has no sense of touch.

The child was eventually found by her family and taken away from me with haste. My reputation of being a cursed river had preceded me more than I could imagine.

But I will never forget her impact on my existence. Because of this innocent child, my animosity towards the humans came to an end. My poisonous waters ran clean for all to come, and I forgave all who polluted me--- in memory of that sweet little girl.

Humans were welcome to my streams once more.

Though, I had scared the humans away for so long, many refused my offer. Though I tried to make myself more pleasing to the eye and incising to taste, they still rejected my extended olive branch.

It was not long after the incident with the child when I had that fateful day. That blessed day when I first laid eyes on him…

My love--- my white dragon---

I remember every day of our time together. Every conversation we have ever had. And I am sure, even after all these years of being apart. The day I met him was when my true life began, and I know, without a doubt, he feels the same as I.

He was flying overhead in the bright sky; searching for humans who had invaded his territory. Now that I know it was humans who had brought us together, I would have treated them with more kindness; for I would never have met him if they had not entered his domain and stirred him to leave it.

I remember feeling his presence even before he was in sight. It was as though something within me that had been dormant all these years, sprung to life unexpectedly; filling my soul with strange warmth. Recognition, as well as an excitement, burst forth from my heart--- and I knew--- I just knew there was something--- someone who was coming that was just like me. That knew about the world like I did.

I glittered even more vibrantly in the sun to attract this mysterious being my way.

The presence grew stronger as I successfully caught his notice.

And there the presence was… in the distance; flying over the land like a fierce white dove…

A beautiful dragon.

As he came closer, I remember studying his entire profile in wonderment. He was completely white; almost a silver shine. He had a silver-white mane which ran down his neck and puddle seductively on his muscled back, and, in the oncoming breeze that seemed to follow him everywhere, the hairs shimmered attractively in the sunlight. His stretched, thick neck curved lightly at the top where his powerfully, soft eyes peeped out through a long charming snout. His back legs pulsed with muscles as he landed, elegant outstretched wings beating against the soil below, to my side. His size was immaculate, and made even the tallest of trees in the meadow look like tiny shrubs.

He gazed at me; his sharp, intelligent eyes seeming to memorize my flow.

And then he spoke, his voice sounding as though the mightiest mountain could talk.

'I know you. I don't know how, but I do.'

I was speechless.

What do I say in reply? Should I try to impress him?

'And I know you.' I answered back without thinking.

Wow… that sounded smart

He looked thoughtful for a second and then curved his snout into a teasing grin. 'If you know me, who am I?'

I was taken back for only a second at his upfront behavior.

Was he… joking with me? But… we just met!

Two can play at this game! I thought smirking.

'Hmm…' I started mused lightheartedly, gathering all my knowledge to come up with a successful comeback. 'Obviously, judging by your appearance, you are of reptilian accordance in the order of Squamata. You might possibly reside in the family Phrynosomatidae, which I hear are delicate, earless, side-blotched, and quite unintelligent, or Gekkonidae, which I think the name speaks for itself.'

He stamped his foot and snorted in amusement. 'Are you calling me a gecko?' He asked humorously, his eyes shinning with mirth.

'I say what I see.' I answered back in mock innocence. 'You wanted to know.'

His eyes grew slightly serious as he straightened his back. Raising his body into his hind legs, the dragon threw out his wings as he proclaimed broadly, 'Escaflowne, the white dragon of the Silius mountain range, at your service. Never before have I seen such a spirit as yours. You astound me, oh shinny one, with your golden wit and quickness.'

'Well, Escaflowne, white lizard of something or another,' I teased. 'If you have never seen me before, how do you know you know me?'

He landed with a sigh, thudding harshly back onto the grassy plants. 'I know I know you because… I…' he faltered a bit. '… just… know.'

I rustled my waves in laughter. 'You just… know?'

He looked thoughtful and then smiled slightly, 'I just can't remember where I know you.' His legs muscles shifted beautifully as he came closer to my bank. Shaking his magnificent head, his voice rumbled powerfully as he confessed. 'There is something about you that drew me in, but I can't figure it out.'

I forced my waters to shimmer the brightest of gold as I answered, 'No one can resist my shinny disposition.'

He laughed audibly, his chuckles coming from deep within his belly. A smoky cloud drifted coolly from his slit nostrils. I felt a proud swell in my heart at making him laugh. 'Please,' Escaflowne said, after his laughter had subsided. 'Tell me what your name is so that I might return tomorrow for a visit. A polite introduction deserves one in return.'

'You call your introduction 'polite'?' I answered mockingly and felt a tiny shimmer of delight at his wanting to return tomorrow. 'Trying to intimidate me by raising your back legs and roaring out your name? I say that hardly deserves a reply.' I paused for dramatic effect as he lowered his head to the ground in teasing shame. 'But… I guess I can spare you just this once if indeed it will enable you to visit again.' I said prissily as he whipped his head up in hope.

Gathering my waters together, I used the natural breezes around to whirlpool my golden streams. Whipping attractively like a snake, I gathered my strength into a high tidal wave. 'I AM RUTILUS FLUMEN,' I roared as powerfully as I could; throwing my wave forward and letting it roll downstream for special effect. 'THE GOLDEN RIVER OF THE ARZAZ PASTURE...'

There was a slight pause in which both of us didn't move an inch, excepting my surging surf.

And suddenly, without warning, Escaflowne exploded with laughter. He laughed so hard he flopped on the ground beside my banks. 'You're crazy!' he snorted through his hysterical flailing; flattening the once tall blades of grass into squashed jelly. 'You call that a polite introduction? That was even more intimidating than mine!'

'And I see it worked so well at intimidating you.' I answered back sarcastically as I continued to watch him roll on the ground. This just made him laugh harder.

It was several moments before he could talk again.

'I can't help it.' Escaflowne gasped as he continued to snicker, rolling back onto his belly and stretching his legs out in front of him. Blades of grass were sticking to his mane and face where he had turned over on the grass. 'That was probably about the funniest introduction attempt I have ever witnessed.'

'What was so funny about it!?' I cried out indignantly, trying to settle my golden waves down.

He snorted again. 'All I could think when you made that wave was 'is she going to splash me or something?''

'And what if I do?' I growled challengingly, as I stirred my whirl pool again.

'Then I'll say, 'thanks for the bath!' He replied smirked.

Yet, an instant shadow covered him as his eyes grew large in surprise. Suddenly, bigger than he could ever be, a huge golden flood surged from out of my river and landed right on top of his head saturating him from head to tail.

It was an understatement to say he was drenched.

'You're welcome.' I started nonchalantly as my spilled water made its way back into the river.

The white dragon's eyes gleamed with humor as he shook off his now thoroughly soaked coat. 'I must say you surprised me there. But you know what?' There was a challenging look in his eye.

'What?' I asked daringly.

And, quite unexpectedly, he leaped forward into my river with an engulfing splash!

I was in shock.

He just jumped into me. He really just jumped into me!!!

He swam, folding his beautiful wings to his body and gliding through the waves like a true Poseidon. I watched him awestricken as he used the water's undercurrent to speedily steady himself.

It was… amazing.

When Escaflowne resurfaced, only his head was visible; sticking out of my golden brook. And there I found an annoying look of triumph in his eye. 'Hold on one moment.' He said as he climbed, dripping wet, out of me and onto the grassy shore. He turned his white neck and said smiling. 'I have to dry myself.'

I felt confusion at his meaning as I curiously watched him turning away so that his tail faced me.

And the only thing I knew next was fire.

'I never talked to anyone like this before.' He confessed the next day, smiling brightly. 'Actually…' He paused and looked thoughtful. 'You are the only one I have ever communicated to who can talk back. That's why I feel I know you.'

'I feel the same way about you.' I said without thinking and suddenly felt nervous at my honesty. 'I mean… I know what you are talking about.' I cleared quickly before he noticed my change in color at my embarrassment.

And on and on our conversations continued.

He began coming to see me day after day. And as the weeks progressed of his continual visitation, I grew more and more blissful.

My secluded bitter self made way for a completely different personality that I never knew resided within me.

I had finally found a companion.

A friend.

YAY! The introduction to Rutilus and Escaflowne is FINALLY complete! Though the story of their love is way far from over. I have a lot to cover when it comes to them two.

Man, this story is going to be long! That's so exciting! I'll probably be writing on this all new year and then some. Go me!

Read and review and tell me whatcha think.

And a special thank you to those who have reviewed since the beginning! I know I don't give you enough credit!

Next update will be here shortly. College is starting up again, but I will update whenever I can!

Blue…