Disclaimer: I don't own Esca, let me finish my fic before you sue me! I beg of you!!!

A/N: Thanks for all the positive reviews, I'm sorry about the whole "stopping" thing, I was just really frustrated (and I still am) about all the fics I'm writing… I really need to drop some… I'm actually somewhat glad this one's almost over, it makes life easier… Enjoy the second to last chapter, the epilogue is next! Enjoy and review!

Chapter 14: Truths Revealed

"So, Nurei, how 'bout we get married? It would be great… We could do it tomorrow; it wouldn't have to be a big thing… Maybe it'll even snow for us… What do you say?" Idaku, Nurei's partner since day one, and recent lover, brought the idea out in the open for the first time. He waited for a response and was frustrated when he wasn't getting any kind of life sign…

"Nurei? Helloooooooo! Anybody home?" He waved his hand in front of her face, but all her received was a blank stare.

"Are you OK?" Idaku asked, slightly worried.

"I must go." Nurei whispered solemnly.

"What are you talking about?" Idaku was more than slightly worried at this point.

"I am being called. The planets have aligned on this eve of the New Year. Gaea's fate hangs in the balance. I am one of the chosen ones, I must go." She leapt off the balcony they were on as Idaku looked on in horror. To his amazement, she landed daintily on two feet and started walking off into the forest.

What the heck's going on around here? He wondered to himself.

When in Rome… He leaped off the balcony, silently praying for the gods to take his soul quickly when he was smashed like a pancake on the ground. To his amazement, he didn't die and was actually able to walk.

This is weird… But, I gotta go after her… No time for thinking now… He sprinted off into the blackness, chasing after the girl he loved.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Hitomi had been wandering through the dense underbrush following Varona-Hime. It had been like this for hours and it was almost midnight. Where was the Princess going?

"Varona, are we almost there? It's getting late and we should probably head back…"

"Lady Hitomi… You of all people should understand… Why do you not have this feeling? We are being summoned; do you not realize it? We shall not return." Hitomi's emerald eyes reflected uncertainty and Varona sighed in frustration.

"Please Hitomi. Trust me. Come." She dashed off into the wilderness once more.

"Why do I feel like I'm being led on a wild goose chase?" Hitomi wondered aloud.

"Guess I better follow her… I wasn't in track for nothing…" She dashed off after the princess. She only knew she was going the right way by the glimpses she caught of her golden locks under the moonbeams.

I have a bad feeling about this… They suddenly emerged into an open clearing, bathed in the reflection of the moons. Varona was staring up at the Earth. In wonder, Hitomi supposed, but maybe there was more to it than that, she'd never know. But no, she wasn't looking at the Earth; she was looking… at Gaea! How could that be possible, she thought she was ON Gaea… What the heck was going on?

"Hitomi… Do you ever wonder about destiny?"

"I used to… All the time… But if I learned anything on Gaea, I've learned that there is no such thing as pre-determined fate… We control our own future…" Hitomi whispered, curious at what the Princess was getting at.

"Hitomi… Each of us has a purpose in life… Hitomi… Mine was to be the bride of Prince Alesto Raberte de Nuvar… I was to be Queen of Nuvaria someday and have children and grandchildren that I could tell my tales to when I was old and wrinkled. Why can't I just have what destiny once foretold?" Her blue eyes seemed to look right through Hitomi, chilling her to the bone.

"I…" Suddenly, Nurei emerged from the woods, a strange catman with dark green hair following her reluctantly.

"Nurei. You came." Varona gave her that same blank gaze she'd given Hitomi.

"Yes. You were called as well, Princess?" Asked Nurei, surprising Idaku that she was speaking.

"Yes. Hitomi has also been summoned. It is almost time." Varona spoke solemnly.

"WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON?!" Idaku demanded in frustration.

"I have no idea. Ask the zombies." Hitomi commented.

"For some reason, I have also been 'summoned,' but I'm not in some kind of hypnotic trance like those two…"


"This is weird…" Idaku commented, scratching his head in puzzlement.

"Tell me about it." Hitomi replied, relieved she had someone who made sense to talk to.

"What's going to happen now?"

"I… don't know…" Hitomi muttered, biting her nail.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

His mind was on fire. Burning. It hurt so much. Flames. In his head. Why wouldn't they leave him alone? Van suddenly descended from the column of blue light. Darn that thing. It was such a painful means of transportation. How could Hitomi stand it? But, he was somewhere to say the least. All he could see around him were thousands of trees. It was very late at night. Near midnight, he guessed. It was a pretty night. As Merle would say, "Nights were prettiest in Fanelia," and he had to agree with her, but the moon was exquisite, all three of them… What? Three? That means he must have made it! He was in Varo! Everyone knew that only the dream planet of Varo had THREE moons. Gaea, The Mystic Moon, and The Mystic Moon's child. He then noticed four illuminated figures and walked over to where they stood. Then, one of the figures turned around, her light brown hair twirling about her face, emerald eyes sparkling, her lips curved into a smile.

"Hitomi?"

"Van… I'm glad you're here Van…" She whispered, a blush creeping to her cheeks.

"You know… When I was 5 years old, my parents both died and my brother vanished. I became the ruler of a great country before most children are ready to learn their ABCs. I had two friends until I was 15. An orphaned catgirl my bodyguard, Balgus, found in Irini just after I became an orphan myself. And Balgus, who trained me, gave me advice, and was my rolemodel. I trained for 10 years to become a warrior, so I could someday battle with my father's guymelef. Escaflowne. On my 15th birthday, I was sent out to the cheers of my entire country to slay a dragon to become king. The dragon disappeared in a blue pillar of light and I followed. I landed on the Mystic Moon, crashing into a girl. I slew the dragon and the girl and I were taken back to Gaea. We traveled to my country and I was crowned. My guardian since I was born, one of the three master swordsman of Gaea, was slaughtered in an instant by an Alseides. I traveled around the entire planet after Fanelia was destroyed by Zaibach; I saw the ocean for the very first time. I met people I never thought I'd meet. I made lifelong friends and had adventures I'll remember on my deathbed. I escaped my council for over half a year. They wanted me to marry, against my will, of course. I came home to find my country in ruins, but my people rebuilding for a better future. You taught me something Hitomi. Just because I was king, didn't mean I couldn't feel. I tried to cut myself off from everyone before you came into my life. What you did to me, I'll never know. But I'm glad you did it. You left. I missed you Hitomi. I wished every day for your return. Now we're together again…"

"Hitomi… I promised you… I promised I'd never let you go… Hitomi… I always keep my word…" He looked at her. The seriousness of his words reflected in his soulful amber eyes. He got down on one knee, holding her hand. She knew what was coming. Was she ready for it? Her breath came in gasps as she looked at his face full of determination.

"Hitomi… Will you marry me?"

For a minute, she couldn't breathe. This was what she always wanted… Wasn't it? She knew right then, what her answer would be.

"Yes, Van, I will be your wife…"

"Are you sure Hitomi? It's a lot of responsibility…" He looked at her uncertainly.

"Van… Fanelia is a beautiful country… I would be proud to rule it by your side." Hitomi said sweetly, as they hugged each other tightly.

"You know, I hate to ruin 'the moment' and all, but shouldn't we be concerned about that bright light descending upon us from out of nowhere? Just a thought…" Idaku ducked into the bushes, trying to pull Nurei with him to no avail.

"Hitomi… What's going on?" Van whispered as they stared up in horror as the light descended.

"I… don't know…" She said quietly, trying to hide the fear in her voice.


"Hitomi, the time has come… Say your goodbyes…" Varona whispered emotionlessly, fixing her gaze on the light.

"What? Goodbyes?" Van looked at Hitomi in confusion.

"I…" The light's passenger landed. It was a lady clothed in sky blue robes. She had a silver tiara with similar blue gems encircling her forehead. Her hair, lips, eyes, and even her skin were a tint of blue. She was beautiful, deadly beautiful. She smiled, blue fangs evident.

"W-Who a-are y-you?" Hitomi stuttered, her eyes widening in fright.

"I am I. As you are you. Names are not important. They do not make us who we are. What I am is what matters." The woman whispered, her eyes like ice, freezing all about her.

"Yeah, I know WHAT you are! Gorgeous!" Idaku whistled in appreciation. Nurei was still in a sort of trance, but she knew when to slug her boyfriend and she did. (A/N: Sorry, Couldn't resist… ^_~)

Then, the ground shook as flames erupted from it. A girl around their age emerged from the flames. She was cloaked in black. She threw back her hood and crimson eyes peeked out from behind her dark locks.

"Man… I've died and gone to babe heaven…" Idaku muttered, before going unconscious.

"Pig…" Nurei murmured, rolling her eyes, she obviously was beginning to regain her senses.

"I WON'T LET YOU TAKE HITOMI! I'VE WORKED TOO HARD ON HER CASE!" The dark haired woman protested, her eyes filled with hatred directed at the woman.

"Silence, fool…" The second woman shut up instantly.

"It is the first hour of the New Year when the children of Atlantis and the beastpeople witness Gaea's savior's ascension." The blue woman said softly, her eyes boring holes into her audience.

"Umm… Excuse me Lady… But, maybe I shouldn't be here… I'm not a Draconian…" Hitomi whispered in slight embarrassment.

"Hitomi Kanzaki… You are indeed a child of Atlantis. You are the Granddaughter of Yuri Vero, of one of the last families of Atlantis descent. You have as much right to be here as anyone." The woman explained calmly.

"I-I'm a draconian?" She whispered in shock, her eyes widening.

The woman ignored her.

"The three of you were guided to Varo by fate as all maiden candidates are. One of the three maidens present here tonight shall save Gaea as a sacrifice to the gods. It is a great honor that I am here to present."

Suddenly, Queen Lilona came running screaming towards the group. She caught everyone off guard, Hitomi in particular, and grabbed a hold of her, pressing a dagger to her neck.

"I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN! I KNOW THE LEGEND! MY MOTHER TOLD ME AND HER MOTHER TOLD HER AS HER MOTHER TOLD HER! I KNOW HOW YOU SPIRIT AWAY DRACONIAN WOMEN FOR YOUR DAMN GODS! I'M HERE TO SEE THAT YOU TAKE THE RIGHT GIRL! IT'S OBVIOUSLY THIS WENCH! SHE'S JUST A WORTHLESS PIECE OF TRASH! IT'S BETWEEN HER PITIFUL "LOVE" AND MY ENTIRE KINGDOM! IF YOU DARE CHOOSE MY DAUGHTER I SHALL KILL HER!" Hitomi looked at everyone around her, the fear reflected in her eyes.

"Let her go…" Van tried to control the urge to strangle the woman who dare mess with the girl he loved.

"If you dare harm Hitomi… I'll…"

"Lilona. You are not my mother. I have always known it. I saw it in my dreams. I was found on your doorstep and you took me in since you and Varon could never have children of your own. You raised me as your daughter and for that, I am grateful to you. No matter what anyone says, you will always be my mother." Varona spoke up.

"Then… Who is your REAL mother?" Hitomi gasped, having trouble talking with the pressure of the knife.

"Hitomi… I am a descendant of the house of Vero. Not Varo as my 'mother' would like to believe. Hitomi, Yuri Vero is my Grandmother. You are my sister." Varona whispered, her blue eyes staring into Hitomi's soul.

"M-My sister…?" Hitomi whispered in disbelief. This was too much for one night.

"Yes… Your late-grandmother knew it was meant for Varona to live on Gaea, unlike you Hitomi, and her will sent Varona from her cradle and onto King Varo and Queen Lilona's doorstep." The woman spoke up.


An old man suddenly hobbled out, supported by a crutch.

"Damn woman runs off in the middle of the night shrieking, scaring the blazes out of me. Damn lights wake me from a good night's rest. My daughter and her bizarre friend spirited away into the damn forest. Why am I cursed so?" King Varon wandered upon the scene.

"So what the hell is going on? I have the right to know. And Lilona, is being an assassin new for you or is it a hobby I just neglected to notice?"

"Varon…" Lilona whispered, her face becoming the color of milk.

"Lilona… Let the girl go…" The Queen dropped the girl and Varon glared at her.

"Varona… You are the maiden of Gaea… You are the chosen one…" The blue woman told her.

"What the hell is she talking about?" Varon whined in annoyance.

"Father… I have to go… I love you and Mother as my own parents. Please don't cry for me." Varona hugged her adopted father in grief.

"Varona… You were always my daughter; I don't care what anyone says. And I will always love you." Varon whispered, hugging her back.

"Varona, it is time to go." The woman whispered, reaching out her hand.

"Varona… I… I mean… We'll miss you… Don't forget us, k?" Hitomi hugged her sister, regretting that she never knew.

"I will miss you… All of you… You'll live on in my heart…" Varona said softly, as she gave them all a final wave before taking the woman's hand and vanishing with the light into the heavens above.

"Goodbye all!" Shiva said brightly.

"Oh yes, and Hitomi…" Shiva said, catching the girl's interest.

"Hang onto Van! He's a keeper!" She winked at the blushing girl before descending among her sisterhood once more.

The weeping caretakers. The stunned catpeople. And the couple that found that love never dies. They stood there, watching the light fade away. It was finally over.

A/N: Well, that's the end of the story! All that's left is the epilogue! It'll be up before my vacation! REVIEW! PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR AND GUMDROPS AND WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP?! Ja matta ne! ^_^

~Trunks Gal~