The young teen blinked his jade green eyes as his older sister stared back at him the apparent relief and worry in her eyes.
"What?" he replied slowly, "Sis?"
"Yes Ken" she nodded, "It's me."
"Hitomi?" he said his eyes wide now as he shifted a little, "What are you doing here? And where am I?" he added as he looked at his new surroundings.
"You are now in the Palace of Asturia, in the capital city of Palas" Hitomi explained, "I found you on the outskirts of the city. You were lying by a bridge unconscious when I discovered you."
"I was?" he said still a bit confused as he looked up at the ceiling.
"Mhm. I found you lying there" she repeated, "Ken where have you been all this time? I have searched in two places on Gaia and I could never find you."
"Gaia?" he replied slowly, "So we are still on Gaia."
"Still?" she blinked this time, "What do you mean still?"
"I mean I have been in Gaia for over a week now" he finished, "But I wasn't alone."
"What do you mean?" she asked her eyes wide, "Where were you?"
"I was in a place where everyone wanted to protect me" he said as he sat up and pushed a hand through his hair, "No doubt even now they probably are worried about me. You see, I went off on my own without them and sort of ran into trouble."
"Ken" she replied now thoroughly confused herself, "Who are you talking about? You're not making any sense."
"I'm trying to tell you" he said a bit irritated as he looked at her directly, "Hey hold on" he interrupted himself as he realized, "What are you doing on Gaia?"
"Well" she began as they heard the sounds of hurried feet outside the door, "I wonder what is going on?" she replied as she stood up and headed toward the door, "Ken you stay here" she added as she left and he slowly got out of bed to follow her without her knowing it.
(Next Scene)
Hitomi ran down the palace steps as she saw the several soldiers heading toward the courtyard. As she rushed outside she saw Millerna and Van standing on the top steps as in down in the courtyard Allen and the rest of the guards were surrounding a pair of strangers who stood in the center of the chaos.
"Van!" she called as she came over, "Millerna what's going on?"
"Those two creatures" Millerna pointed as Van frowned, "They entered the palace without permission and they are trying to break into the castle itself" she explained, "No one really knows why."
"Huh?" Hitomi looked in the direction and now could clearly see the figures of two beast men creatures.
The tallest one had long brown hair, golden fur with brown stripes, and piercing yellow eyes as he glared at the soldiers holding onto his weapon tightly while the younger who also carried a weapon had pointier ears, bright jungle green eyes, black short hair, and orange fur with black stripes that accentuated his face. They were both wearing tribal clothing with short sleeves. Allen strode to the front with his eyebrows furrowed as the soldiers prepared to advance. He saw their appearance and frowned as he faced them.
"Stand down!" he ordered as the two creatures held up their spears prepared to attack if need be since the soldiers were surrounding them even more.
"We will not!" the tallest one shouted back, "Until we retrieve what we have come for!"
Allen shook his head in response to this and pulled his sword out. Ken ran out of the front doors out of breath and then gasped as what he saw.
"Ken?" Hitomi replied when she saw him, "I told you to stay where you were?"
But he didn't answer. Instead he took one step forward and took a deep breath before responding.
"Stop!" Ken shouted surprising everybody as he leapt forward and down the steps, "Please don't hurt them! They're my friends!" he added as he ran forward and blocked them by holding out his arms.
"Huh?" Allen said his eyes wide as Hitomi and the others ran down.
"Ken?" Hitomi replied surprised, "What are you doing?"
"You can't hurt them," he insisted as the creatures lowered their weapons, "They're my friends" he repeated as he lowered his arms, "They've been taking care of me ever since I came here. They were the ones I ran away from" he turned to the creatures, "I am so sorry Jueno" he replied as he looked up into the tallest creatures eyes as he frowned back.
"Master Ken" he said back in a deep voice, "I told you not to go wandering off. That it was dangerous. Do you have any idea what trouble you caused?"
"I'm sorry" he lowered his head, "I didn't mean to run off, but something told me that if I did I would find someone I know" he turned to Hitomi who looked back at him surprised as Yukari arrived, "You see that girl over there" he pointed, "She is my older sister. The one I told you about. Hitomi."
"Uh" Jueno's eyes suddenly softened at the mention of her name, "I see" he nodded, "That is why. You were searching for the Girl from the Mystic Moon."
"Huh?" Hitomi said as she took a step forward, "You know of me?"
"Of course" Jueno nodded, "Our entire tribe knows about your great deeds for this world. I apologize for starting so much trouble for the palace like we have" he added not taking his eyes off the young girl, "But Master Ken was put under our protection. My brothers and mine" he added and the youngest creature nodded with a smile, "So it was imperative for us to find him."
"Well under those circumstances" Van replied speaking up, "I think we can understand, right Allen?"
"Of course" Allen nodded smiling finally, "And forgive us for making you feel threatened in any way."
"No, no. It was our fault" Jueno shook his head.
"No it was mine" Kentaro said, "I'm so sorry. Hitomi, I really am."
"It's okay now" Hitomi nodded embracing her brother to her chest, "Perhaps your friends would like to stay. That is if it's all right with you Millerna?" she asked the Princess who nodded with a smile of her own.
"It's no problem with me. In fact we would consider them as special guests as well as your brother."
"Thank you but that will not be necessary" Jueno shook his head, "My younger brother and I would not feel comfortable in these types of surroundings."
"I think I understand" Van nodded knowing fully well what he meant.
"Van?" Hitomi replied confused as he stepped forward to address the tall creature.
"You need something more primitive" he said matter of factly, "If that is the case, there is a barn up in the hills that should suit your purpose."
"Is it a large barn?" Jueno asked.
"It's a fairly good size" Van nodded, "It's big enough to hold a guymelef" he added making Ken perk up his ears slightly, "Let's just put it that way."
"That is the perfect size" Jueno nodded, "Thank you very much. Master Ken" he turned to the young teen, "Perhaps it would be best that you stay here with Lady Hitomi and recuperate."
"But" he started.
"It will be all right" he placed his hands on his shoulders, "This is the place for you right now. Bento and I will be fine."
"Besides Ken" Hitomi replied, "You can go and visit him once you're better" she added with a smile.
"I guess" he nodded somberly, "Okay. I am feeling a little bit tired."
"Then we have got to get you back to bed," Hitomi said steering him back towards the steps, "But. Mr. Jueno" she replied, "I really need to talk to you. After I put my brother to bed that is. Will you wait before you and your brother depart from the castle?"
Jueno looked at his younger brother and then turned back to the group and nodded slowly. Hitomi smiled and then led the way in steering her brother while everyone else except for Allen who was leaving on the opposite side with the soldiers.
(Next Scene)
After Ken had been put to sleep with little protest, Hitomi returned to the courtyard with Van, Allen, and Yukari to talk to Jueno and his younger brother Bento some more. A pair of chairs had been placed outside which Yukari and Hitomi sat in at the insistence of the two men. Jueno moved forward as Bento sat on the grass and crossed his legs his orange and black striped tail swishing back and forth.
"What is it you want to talk to us about Lady Hitomi?" he asked.
"Well" Hitomi began, "My brother mentioned to me earlier that you were taking care of him. How long have you been taking care of him and where?"
"Ever since he got here" Jueno began, "My tribe has been looking after him. You see we have been waiting for him."
"Waiting for him?" Hitomi said surprised as Yukari dropped her mouth open a little stunned herself.
"That's right" Bento nodded, "Grandfather said that he is the chosen one."
"Chosen One? Chosen One for what?"
"Mmm" Jueno replied furrowing his eyebrows, "Not something we can tell you just yet. In fact Master Ken is the only one who can tell you."
"Okay, but it sounds like" she began, "I mean are you telling me that is was no mistake that my brother is here on Gaia to begin with?"
"A mistake?" Jueno raised his left eyebrow now the one surprised.
"We don't think so," Bento said with a shake of his head, "Everything that has happened including his appearance has been prophesized."
"I see" Hitomi replied feeling a bit faint as she fell back into her chair.
"Hitomi?" Allen said as he looked at her in concern.
"All this time I thought" she replied a loud, "That Ken had somehow come here by accident."
(Next Scene)
Later that night after Jueno and Bento had gone to the barn alone at their own insistence, Hitomi and Yukari were back in their room. Merle was fast asleep in her spot as Yukari sat on the bed watching her friend who was still standing, moving about the room with a worried expression on her face.
"Hitomi, come to bed" Yukari said, "Come to bed. It doesn't do you any good for you to worry this much."
"I know. Worrying doesn't get you anywhere" Hitomi replied, "But. I can't help it. I am worried. I mean I don't understand anything that's going on. Everything is just getting more and more confusing."
"Maybe. Can't it wait till morning? You get no sleep; you won't feel so well yourself. Maybe I can ease your mind. What is it you're so worried about?" she said looking at her directly.
"Lots of things. Actually it's not so much as worry but more like surprised."
"Surprised?"
"Uh huh. I don't know what to be more surprised about?" Hitomi replied as she paced the floor, "The fact that I found my brother or the fact that he was really supposed to come to Gaia."
"But for what purpose?" Yukari asked.
"I don't know. I really thought that somehow the reason he got here was because of the tarot cards" she added sitting down on the bed, "And the truth is I feel a little guilty."
"Guilty? Why?" Yukari asked looking at her friend surprised.
"I was supposed to be looking for him but the truth is I wasted a lot of my time. I should have been with him tonight not with Van."
"Speaking of which, you never told me what happened?"
"Huh?"
"What happened with Van tonight? You arrived back at the palace and then took off."
"Oh. Not really much. He took me to his favorite place."
"And? Did he say anything to you?"
"Um" Hitomi said trying to remember, "Let's see. He took me to his favorite place. It was really beautiful. You could see all of Palas from that view. Oh wait I remember now. He uh" she blushed slightly, "He told me that he loved me."
Yukari gasped.
"And you waited all this time to tell me?"
"Well so much happened Yukari" Hitomi replied, "I mean before I could even respond back I felt my brother's presence."
"What do you mean felt?"
"You know. I told you. When I am here I can feel things and predict circumstances better than I can back home. It's strange but I felt like he was in trouble."
"Maybe he was. After all you did find him unconscious."
"Maybe" Hitomi nodded as she leaned down onto her side, "But I won't worry about it until morning. Millerna says my brother needs lots of sleep so, I guess" she yawned, "We should get some too."
"Good idea" Yukari nodded as they both climbed under the covers and laid their heads onto their pillows, "But tomorrow I want all the details."
"Okay" Hitomi agreed with a smile as she closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.
(Next Scene)
The next morning Hitomi and Yukari went to visit Ken along with Van and Merle. Ken sat up in bed when he saw the other two strangers in the room. After introducing them to which Merle hid behind Van's arm shyly her tail twitching Hitomi turned once more to her brother.
"Are you feeling any better today?" she asked.
"Yea" he nodded, "It's probably just a little bump on the head anyway. The princess said it wasn't serious. By the way Yukari I'm surprised that you're here."
"I was with Hitomi when she disappeared" Yukari explained with a smile.
"Well now that the two of you have finally been reunited" Van said with a smile of his own, "I'm sure you can rest at ease Hitomi."
"Mhm."
"With that in mind I have to go see Millerna. Something has been stirring in Asturia."
"Stirring?" Hitomi raised an eyebrow as she sat on the bed and Merle moved up close next to her.
"Something big is going on" Van continued with a nod, "That is why Princess Millerna, myself, Allen and the Crusade crew are all meeting in the throne room this morning. Don't worry about anything," he added noticing his expression, "I am sure it's nothing too serious. Merle look after Hitomi okay" he replied as he departed.
"Okay Lord Van" she nodded as he closed the door behind.
"So that's the King of Fanelia huh?" Ken asked.
"Mhm" Hitomi nodded with a gentle smile that made him frown slightly, "That's Van."
"Hitomi. Where are Jueno and Bento?"
"They're up at the barn? Why do you need something?"
"No. I just need to talk to them. Do you think I could go see them?"
"Ken, you're not well" she shook her head.
"I'm fine" he insisted sitting up, "It will only be for an hour or so. I have to talk to them about something important. I promise when I return that I will stay in bed as long as you want me to."
"Well" she hesitated, "I suppose an hour wouldn't be so bad. But as long as you come back."
"I will."
"Okay. But tell me Ken, what is so important?" she added as he jumped up and rushed over to put on his shirt as Merle turned away slightly embarrassed at his bare chest.
"I can't tell you" he shook his head as he slid it on over his head, "Not yet anyway. I'll be back soon."
"Do you know how to get there?" she called as he opened the door.
"Don't worry I'll find it!" he answered back as he disappeared closing the door behind him.
"Hitomi" Yukari replied, "I'm surprised you let him go like that."
"Well, he said it was important and besides Ken has been here for awhile on Gaia. I learned a long time ago that things are not always what they seem in this place and that a person like Ken or I can pick up on things rather quickly."
"Still" Merle said with wide eyes, "Do you think it was okay letting him go alone?"
"I trust him" Hitomi nodded, "He said he would come back."
(Next Scene)
Ken ran through the streets of Asturia and towards the hills where he remembered the King of Fanelia told his friends the barn was located the night before. Sure enough the barn came in eyesight and he rushed toward it. Coming out of the large barn doors Jueno stopped as he saw approach.
"Master Ken?" he replied surprised as Bento came out behind him, "What are you doing here? You should be in bed."
"I'm all right," Ken said a little out of breath, "I just had to know, is it safe?"
"It is as safe as it will always be until you need it Master Ken" the beast man nodded as they led him into the barn.
Ken stood before the large clothed figure that stretched to the ceiling.
"You had to cover it up?" he asked.
"In case anyone came in:" Jueno nodded, "We don't anyone to see it."
"I see" Ken frowned, "Well, I am counting on the two of you to look after it. I got a feeling" he frowned even more as he looked up at it even more, "That I am going to be needing it very soon."
(Next Scene)
As promised Ken returned to the palace and immediately returned to his bed. Meanwhile Van and the others were now in the conference room in deep discussion about the situation going on in Asturia.
"Are you sure?" Van replied surprised as Gaddess finished the report and Allen crossed his arms.
"I'm certain of it" Gaddess nodded, "Zaibach soldiers have been spotted throughout the city of Palas" he explained as Reeden nodded, "I'm sure they weren't invited here were they princess?" he turned to Millerna who frowned.
"Not to my knowledge" she shook her head, "And I am certain that my sister would have told me."
"Not only that" Allen said speaking up, "Those soldiers were not just spotted in Palas recently" he stood and placed his hands behind his back as stared at the huge map that was on the wall behind the large table, "They were here last month and other sources tell me that they have been in all parts of Asturia for at least three months now."
"What's going on?" Van replied furrowing his eyebrows furiously, "What are they planning to do now?"
"We don't know" Allen shook his head as he turned back around to face them, "But we do know that at this moment one of their flying fortresses has been spotted flying on the border of Asturia. So the question is what do we do about them?"
"Well" Van said, "As for the soldiers in the city, if they catch wind that we know they are here, they will try to hide like the cowards they are, so we smoke them out."
"And the opposition coming on the border?" Millerna asked her eyes wide.
"I don't know. What do you think Allen?" Van replied turning to his friend.
"Well I for one will not stand by as Zaibach tries to enter our country with a large group of soldiers without any retaliation. I suggest we send someone out there to confront the intruders. Of course I would volunteer the Crusade crew and myself, but" he shook his head sadly, "I would fear for Celena's safety."
"You know what Allen" Millerna said, "We can easily solve that problem."
"Huh? What do you mean your highness?"
"It's just for a day or so to reach the border. I suggest that you, Van, and the Crusade crew all head in that direction on the Crusade. As for your sister, Hitomi and I can look after her."
"But Celena is afraid of the palace" Allen shook his head, "She would never come here."
"I know. You have told me that before. So Hitomi, the girls, and I will go and stay with her at your place. I have been wanting to visit for sometime anyway. I can get the maids to watch the little prince till I return."
"Princess Millerna" Allen said obviously touched, "You would do that?"
"Mhm. After all our highest priority is to protect Asturia. You all must go to the border. It's the only way."
"I suppose" Van nodded a little bit indifferent about the idea of Hitomi and Merle seeing Celena again, "But if we're going to do it, we'd better do it now" he added standing.
"Mhm" Allen nodded, "Gaddess" he replied to his first mate, "Prepare the Crusade for our mission."
"As you wish Commander" Gaddess nodded leaving the room as Gryphen entered.
"I guess" Van said slowly, "I'll go tell Hitomi what's going on" he added as he too left the room followed by his cousin.
Allen turned to Millerna with a smile as she smiled back.
"I can't thank you enough Princess Millerna" he replied bowing his head.
"Don't mention it Allen" she nodded gracefully.
(Next Scene)
Hitomi sat in silence as Van finished. Merle and Yukari also listened in silence as he stopped.
"I see" she nodded slowly, "It sounds dangerous though."
"We'll be all right" he reassured her, "It's not like I am going alone. And anyway I am taking Escaflowne with me in case I need it."
"But Van, what is Zaibach doing back here?"
"I don't know Hitomi. That is something we all want to know. But don't worry. We'll be back soon. In the meantime you, Merle, and Lady Yukari will be staying at Allen's along with Princess Millerna to look after Celena. Millerna says that your brother should stay here to continue gaining his strength."
"I suppose that is best" she nodded as Merle looked at the king with wide eyes, "When do you leave?"
"This afternoon" he said standing up, "Millerna says the carriage will be waiting. So, Merle" he turned the little cat girl, "Come out into the hall with me. I want to talk to you alone."
"Sure Lord Van" she nodded following him out of the girl's room as Yukari turned to her friend stunned.
"Hitomi what is it?" she asked.
"I understand that there is more than one reason why Allen wants us to take care of Celena," she said slowly.
"Huh?"
"With Zaibach, this will affect her if she ever finds out."
"You know there is still a whole lot I don't understand about the country of Zaibach" Yukari replied, "I especially don't understand what it has to do with Celena Schezar."
"It's hard to explain" Hitomi said back hesitantly as she stood up from the bed.
"Try."
"Not now Yukari" Hitomi shook her head, "Come on. The carriage is waiting for us."
(Next Scene)
"Do you understand Merle?" Van said seriously as he finished asking his request.
"Yes Lord Van" she nodded bowing her head, "I will do as you ask. I will protect Hitomi with my life."
"Good girl" he added with a smile as he patted her head.
(Next Scene)
Ken was told quickly that Hitomi was going to visit with a friend for the night so the young teen quickly departed the palace with Millerna and the other girls as her younger brother watched the carriage pull away from the palace his eyes filled with worry.
"Something" he whispered as he closed the curtains behind him, "Something is wrong."
At the same time the Crusade departed from the docking area. Van stood on the bridge behind Allen as Gaddess gave commands.
"Let's be on your toes men" Allen replied, "We don't know what's going to happen tonight."
(Next Scene)
As the winds picked up around Palas Hitomi, Merle, Millerna, and Yukari sat with Celena in the sitting room quietly listening to the wind howl loudly as it hit the pane of the glass windows. As the wind died down they heard disturbing noises coming from outside. Hitomi rushed to the window and her eyes became wide as she saw the large machines land in the yard.
"I don't believe it" she gasped, "Millerna!" she shouted running back over.
"What's wrong Hitomi?" Millerna asked as she stood.
"We have company!"
"Huh?"
But before Hitomi could answer the front door was blasted open and ten Zaibach soldiers rushed into the room surrounding the girls. They huddled together as Millerna with a frown spoke up.
"What is the meaning of this?" she shouted angrily, "I demand you to explain yourselves!"
"Oh do you?" a droll but familiar voice spoke as a tall teen strode into the room.
Merle's eyes became instantly wide as he appeared and Millerna's mouth dropped slightly open as Hitomi could only remain silent next to Celena who had gone completely white.
"I can't believe it" Millerna gasped at the sight of the man standing before them, "This is physically impossible."
(Next Scene)
Back at the palace Kentaro sat upright in bed, the sweat dripping from his brow as a crash of thunder was heard outside.
"Hitomi" he gasped his eyes wide as he remembered his cold red eyes, "She's in danger."
(To be continued…)
Authors Note:
Next time on Draconian Origin:
"You cannot possibly be here" Hitomi replied shaking her head, "Like Millerna said, how can there be two of you?"
He grinned back at her menacingly.
Ken ran through the palace and down the steps.
"I know she told me to stay put but I don't have much of a choice."
"But Master Ken" Bento protested as he lifted off the sheet, "Jueno will get angry if we take it out."
"I have to" Ken insisted climbing in, "Now is the time to use it."
He ran his fingers through the back of her hair making her spine tighten.
"We have an unidentified object flying our way" Reeden announced.
"Is it one of theirs?" Allen asked.
"It's" Reeden began and then turned pink, "You're not going to believe this Sarge."
"I'm going out in it!" Van announced.
"No Van! It's too dangerous!" Allen shouted.
"What the?" Van glimpsed the sight of the familiar looking object coming his way, "It can't be. Escaflowne?"
A picture of Ken flying in his direction with a determined look on his face.
Two Dragons in the Sky