Author's Note: According to the drama CD "Thought of the Jeture," Jeture is Asturia's dragon god while Escaflowne is Fanelia's dragon god. Respectively, their elements are the sea and the sky.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Tenkuu no Escaflowne," its characters, or its story plot. They belong to their respectable owners and creators.

Memory of Yesterday
Memory XIV: Revival of the World

"No, no, don't put those there. Put them in my sitting room. Yes, send those to the Minister of Finance—but make sure that you receive his seal on all of these documents before you leave his offices. Tell the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Trade and all of the foreign diplomats present in Palas that I will meet them noon tomorrow."

A few more orders were given out before everyone was dismissed. Once all the aides disappeared, as well as the officials and advisors, Millerna allowed herself to ungracefully slouch in her throne and breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Ever since Dryden had gone away from the capital, the Queen of Asturia had been tremendously busy running national affairs during wartime. Fortunately for Millerna and the rest of Asturia, she was more than capable and prepared to handle such responsibilities by herself. But I'll teach that husband of mine to leave me alone with all this work, especially as a woman in my condition, Millerna thought with a tick on her forehead. Just wait until I get my hands on him—he's really going to get it.

A knock came on the door, allowing Millerna enough time to sit straight before a servant entered. "Your Majesty, Princess Eries and Lady Celena are here for afternoon tea," the lady-in-waiting bowed formally. "They wait outside for you."

Is it already time for afternoon tea? Millerna thought wearily. Time surely flies when there is so much to do—and you're physically strained. "Very well, pleased lead them in and send for the servants to begin the setting."

The lady-in-waiting left immediately to follow her queen's orders. In five minutes, she returned with Princess Eries and Celena. In that while, servants had been entering and leaving through another door, preparing for the afternoon tea. Rather quickly, the setting was ready and the three ladies took their seats.

As the three Asturian beauties sat together at a white-clothed table, Eries remarked, "You do not know how much relief I feel, Celena, to see you finally returned to Palas, especially with your brother and the others away at war. I was almost afraid that Allen had taken you onto the Crusade and into the middle of the war. Undoubtedly the battlefield is no proper place for a lady, not to mention how unsafe it is."

"It also must comfort Allen to know that Celena is safe here and surrounded by people he can trust." Millerna smiled at the Schezar as she passed a teacake. "One less thing for him to worry about as he helps our troops on the front."

"As always, I am most grateful to be a guest at the royal palace," Celena gracefully bowed in her seat. After so many months of intense "finishing school" provided by her brother, Princess Eries, and the "finest tutors of all Asturia," the young Schezar could manage that at the very least.

One of the reasons why I hate coming back to the royal palace, Celena frowned. I actually have to use whatever that was traumatized into me. As she elegantly accepted the offered little dessert, Celena could not help but to sigh. "But I feel that I would have been just as safe if I had stayed in Fanelia."

"Please, Celena, you would hardly be safe remaining in Fanelia's capital," Princess Eries quickly dismissed while sipping her tea. "With most, if not all, the guards gone to fight the war, you would have no protection there."

"But then what about Hitomi?"

"Hm?"

"Hitomi, what about her?" Celena firmly repeated her question. "She is still in Fanelia. If I am much safer here, why couldn't Hitomi come with me as well?"

Unfazed by the question, Millerna stated while drinking her tea, "In Fanelia she must remain."

"But why?"

"Unfortunately she is one of the prizes in this war," the queen explained while finishing her slice of cake. She easily cut herself another piece. "Her location must remain covert, thus she must avoid transportation as much as possible, especially without Van's presence. I would have also liked to have seen my dear friend Hitomi. However, now is not the time. I will have plenty of opportunities at the war's end, I'm sure." Millerna sighed. "I just hope that the fighting doesn't last too long."

"Millerna, dear, what in the world is your husband doing? Why is he absent from Palas and the front lines?" Eries demanded as she stirred her cup to cool it. "Should he not be leading our countrymen through the battles? He should be the one in command, not others. After all, he is King."

"One never knows with Dryden, Sister. From what I understand, Dryden was on his way to Zaibach to finish some business there."

"Business, at a time like this?"

"A war isn't run on ideals and strength alone, Sister," Millerna reminded. She herself had learned this lesson from Dryden through their time together and in marriage. "I'm sure whatever my husband is doing is for our benefit, especially in regards to the war." That was one aspect Millerna could appreciate about Dryden at this moment; he always looked ahead, planned ahead, and would do everything and anything it took to be on the right side or get whatever he wanted. And since what he wanted right now was to win the war with as little casualties as possible, Millerna knew that Asturia would suffer no harm from Dryden's actions.

"Yes, but his lacking presence does not instill that same confidence you have in your husband into our people," Eries sniffed as she finally took a sip of her tea. She critically watched her younger sister polish off her second serving of cake and start her second cup of tea. The Asturian princess wanted to say something about propriety, but decided against it. Since Millerna had an appetite when for these last few weeks she had none, Eries did not want to discourage her sister's eating. Millerna needed all her strength if she wanted to continue leading their country with full confidence. Turning her attention elsewhere, Princess Eries then noticed the scar running down Celena's cheek. "Celena, where in the world did you get that? What happened?"

Putting her teacup down, the lady asked, "Pardon?"

"That long scar down your cheek—I have never noticed it before," Eries murmured with wide eyes. "When did you receive something like that? What situation were you in to get that?"

"Oh, this?" Celena put a hand to her right cheek and smiled serenely, a smile that unnerved Eries and Millerna. It was beautiful, as all Celena's smiles were; but a hint of mischief and madness laced itself within all the loveliness. "I just opened my eyes one day and it was here."

"Well, it is a faint scar, so it won't be difficult to disguise," Eries sighed. "Thank goodness for that at least."

"A little bit of make up and a cream face-wash every night should do the trick," Millerna added with a nod.

"Or perhaps a good hat whenever you go out," Eries suggested. "It won't be good for your public image if people see such a large scar running down your lovely face."

Politely Celena ignored all of these suggestions and boldly said while drinking her tea, "As long as Brother, Gaddes, and the other members of the Crusade don't mind seeing my scar, I have no reason to hide it."

"Celena!"

With resolution, young Schezar said, "I beg your pardon, Princess, but this scar is a part of me. Why must I hide something about myself in front of others?" The young lady smiled while eating a forkful of cake. "Besides, it gives me character."

"It isn't proper for a young lady of Asturia to—"

"Sister, it's fine," Millerna said while placing a hand on Eries' arm. "It is as Celena says. If Allen does not mind it, and if she doesn't mind it herself, there is no reason for her to hide it."

Eries bristled at how her younger sister and Celena were so progressive. They defied the traditions of Asturian women, and it bothered the princess to see so much change and liberal thinking in such a short amount of time. Changes should be gradual if they were to happen: not a sudden typhoon as these two ladies pushed for in Asturia's high society. "Well, at the very least, I hope that you can find a man equal to your station that will not mind your appearance," Eries compromised.

"I only hope so, Your Highness," Celena laughed. "A handsome nobleman for our noble House of Schezar."

The princess nodded in approval at the lady's words.

But the queen was no fool. She had heard the fondness in Celena's voice when she had spoken her brother's second-in-command's name. Best not mention anything though, Millerna thought while taking a bite of another slice of cake. Allen already has enough on his plate to worry about—and I'm sure Celena would not appreciate me bringing her more criticism from Sister about being a proper Asturian lady.

So wisely Millerna kept her observations to herself. However, she could not help imagining what an interesting future would come after the second war's end. The possibility of a new romance, the resolution and celebration of an old one, and the prospects of new royalty: indeed, the future had many things to anticipate.

As the hot sun began its steady descent behind the horizon, soldiers returned to the base of operations to rest for the night: either that or exchange shifts on the battlefield. With the change of men, a flurry of messengers entered the King's tents with fresh reports from the front lines. Readily Van read every letter and frowned at the news just brought to him. "The death toll is far too high already," he sighed while tossing the report onto the table.

"The results of war, Highness," a general reminded grimly. "Men will die in conflict, Lord Van. That cannot be helped."

Van frowned at that given fact. He hated hering the continually incoming death reports, especially the deaths of his countrymen. And despite the hostile situation, he took no joy from hearing about his enemies' body counts. "We can reduce the number of casualties as much as possible with proper planning," the king murmured stubbornly. With a little more maturity, he remarked, "Daedalus' forces are almost ensnared within our trap, so we should quickly proceed with those plans. However, remind the group commanders not to rush—that should keep our foes guessing and prevent unnecessary casualties."

Pointing towards the map on the table, Van then announced, "We'll have to mobilize soon. Undoubtedly Basram has discovered our central camp and will once again shift. We'll move south-east of them, except this time closer to their location. That should keep them in check." In check enough to keep them from using that hellish weapon, Van thought with a grimace.

His army had been tasked to keep Basram from using their weapons of mass destruction, the same weapon that had destroyed so many lives during the Great Gaean War. So by remaining close to Basram's commanding center, Van prevented the nation from using its Dragenergist bombs—they would not bomb themselves, after all. According to the Alliance's intelligence, Basram had two Dragenergist bombs ready to use at the most opportune moments. Van hoped that his forces would confiscate them before Basram found a way to use them.

I don't need anymore people dying, the king thought. I can't have any more people leave me.

Leave…had Hitomi left Gaea yet? Surely by now she would have returned to the Mystic Moon with her brother. Yes, after how they had parted, there was no way Hitomi was still waiting for Van in Fanelia's capital. She doesn't even love me anymore…

"Lord Van, General Arzugl has returned from the field."

Looking up, Van nodded, "Please send him in."

"At once."

As the soldier left, Van's thoughts returned to Hitomi. He could not help but to feel the painful ache in his heart; she did not love him. She could not accept his feelings. Even if she denied Lord Hiigo's proposal, that never meant that she was in love with me. I was arrogant and too confident about my place in her heart…a place that is eight rotations too old.

"His Majesty should not have such a forlorn expression during times such as these," General Arzugl commented as he stepped beside his king. "Your mind should remain on task, Lord Van. And your spirits must remain high for the morale of your men."

"A man is allowed sorrow during war," Van replied as he waved for the next set of reports to be laid onto the table.

"But not lovesickness," Arzugl answered while watching his lord critically.

So he knows, Van frowned. Then again, a heartbroken man isn't hard to pick out.

"Lord Fanel, a Cesarian messenger approaches."

"A messenger?" He appreciated this sudden distraction.

"He waves a white flag in peace—and he bears the Prince's arms."

"The Prince?" Accepting the etching his messenger handed him, the king noted that it was the royal arms of Prince Artus. Van wondered why the Prince of Cesario would want to speak behind his father's back. The Fanelian had met Prince Artus during the Great Gaean War, when Van had promised to aid their forces against Zaibach. Artus, an older, wiser, and more experienced royal, treated Van fairly and respectfully: as a prince would a king. Artus embodied all that Cesario stood for: chivalry, justice, and honor. So for him to send a message that Van knew did not have the King's approval was somewhat strange.

Van broke the seal and read the coded message.

Waiting patiently, Arzugl inquired after Van was done, "What does the prince desire?"

"He would like to meet with me alone in two days time—a half-day's journey from our main camps." Van made several marks on the table map and traced movements as he looked from the message to the map. "It could be shorter depending on Basram's movement."

"It sounds suspicious, Lord Van," one of the generals remarked. "Why would the prince send a messenger without the king's arms? And why meet you alone? It is a very dangerous and risky move, Lord Van, one that may cost you your life and the Alliance the war."

"Prince Artus is above treachery, and I hold him to the highest esteem. His word is trustworthy." The king turned to his present aides and ordered, "Prepare to move our camp again—remember to maintain a good distance from Basram but not too far. Have Escaflowne ready to separate from the main forces and relay these messages to our front leaders."

"At once, Your Majesty," they bowed while receiving their orders.

As Van and his men scrambled to have everything prepared, the king allowed his thoughts to wander back to the young woman in possession of his shattered heart.

Three days before Van and his army had departed Fanelia for the battlefield, Mamoru had approached him during the evening. "Van, I want to fight beside you," the Boy from the Mystic Moon had declared with set jade eyes. "Let me go with you in three days. Let me fight for Fanelia!"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"But—"

In no mood to hear Mamoru's reasoning, Van had quickly dictated, "You are to stay safe here at the castle."

"Why won't you let me go with you? Why can't I fight as well? You know that I have the skill!" Indeed, Van would know better than anyone that Mamoru was rather skilled in swordsmanship and combat; the king had taught and tutored the alien boy himself in that regard. "Haven't I proven myself already? Haven't I shown that I can fight too?" The fifteen-year old lad had stood firmly before Van, determined to argue his case and win it. "I want to be able to help. I'm going to go fight with you."

Having needed to blow off some steam from the stressful day, Van had decided to make a deal with Mamoru. "Fine, we'll spar, and that will decide if you go with me or not. If you win, you will come with me under my command. However, if I win, you will remain here without further argument. Is that understood?"

Knowing that was the best offer he would get, Mamoru had immediately agreed with a nod. As Van and Mamoru had drawn their blades, Allen and Gaddes with a few other Crusade members had arrived right then. Mamoru remembered how they had formed a ring around him and Van during their match.

Mamoru had held up his own during his duel against Van—through the rigorous training the king had forced the Boy from the Mystic Moon to endure, easily Mamoru could take on as many men as a seasoned soldier. However, he had no killing intent behind his blade and always had fallen short on his attacks, something Van had quickly taken advantage of. With a swift feint, thrust, parry, and swing Van had overtaken Mamoru and had cut the boy's side open.

With the injury, Mamoru had become useless and burdensome for battle, and Van had made sure that he understood that. "Now stay at the castle by Hitomi's side," Van had ordered while watching Mamoru receiving his stitches in the infirmary. "Stay and protect her until we return."

"That jerk," young Kanzaki growled while remembering the duel. "For someone who plans on being my brother-in-law someday, he sure does cut me open easily." He lightly touched the healing wound on his right side and winced at the aching he felt when he moved. "I'll definitely get that bastard back for this."

After laying on a bed for days and then restricted from strenuous activities for weeks, Mamoru without a doubt felt restless and needed something to do. Since Merle kept an active eye on him and made sure that he did not do something "stupid," the young man settled with walking around the castle—at least he was doing something and moving around. As he did this, he noticed Hitomi sitting by herself in the garden. Walking up to her, he observed the worried expression on her face. "Thinking about someone, Onee-chan?"

She visibly jumped at the sound of his voice. "Oh, Mamoru, I didn't hear you."

"I wouldn't have either if I were you," he said wryly while taking a seat beside Hitomi. He did not need her to tell him what was on her mind. But he wanted to ask her anyway to give her an outlet for her feelings. "How are you doing with Van fighting at the frontlines?"

"It's not my concern."

"Eh?" That was the opposite response of what Mamoru had expected from his sister. Shouldn't a girl say about her boyfriend, "I can't sleep just because I'm so worried," or "I'm all right because I know he'll come back to me"? I mean—Mamoru blanched at the romantic mush his brain generated—why isn't Onee-chan concerned about Van?

"You're not worried about him at all?"

"What Van does from now on doesn't concern me since we'll be returning to Earth," a cheerless voice explained. "We'll be going back home, so even if I wanted to, I can't be with him."

"What are you saying, Onee-chan?" Mamoru demanded frantically. His fingers brushed against his silver ring, reminding him exactly how terribly much his sister was lying. "You love Van, and he loves you—if you want to be together, then you should—"

When Hitomi faced her brother, her weary look immediately silenced him. She appeared heartbroken and lost, almost the same look she had when she did not remember the past. "He only loves the former me, Mamoru. He loves someone that will never come back. And it's the same for me. I only loved the memory of him, the Van from the past. Two people can't be together if they're like that. We can't possibly be together if we're only in love with the memories of our past selves."

Merle, who had been listening to the siblings from above in the branches, jumped down with righteous anger burning in her blue eyes. She had heard enough nonsense. "Are you an idiot?" she screeched. "Why are you still so stupid?"

Hitomi leaned back in surprise. "Merle…"

"Why are you always such an idiot?" the cat woman snarled as she looked down on Hitomi. "Why is it even after so many rotations you still can't understand how much Lord Van loves you?" Tears burst from Merle's eyes. "Why can't you understand at all? Because of you, Lord Van was seriously injured. Because of you, he died a little on the inside every single day!" She grabbed the front of Hitomi's dress and glared. "Everything he does, it's always for you! So why can't you just love him back?"

You care for him a lot, Hitomi thought sympathy. You care about him so much, Merle…But I need you to understand. "Van still feels something for me because we were first loves, Merle. The memory of a first love is different from actually being in love. He doesn't love me for me."

Glowering, the cat spat, "You're stupid."

Feeling guilty and unable to hold himself back any longer, Mamoru blurted out, "I lied!"

Merle and Hitomi looked away from each other and faced the young man. "What?" they both asked out loud.

"I—I haven't been completely h-honest with you, Onee-chan, and everyone else," Mamoru stammered nervously with tears in his eyes. "The truth is…The truth is that Onee-chan can't go back home, to Earth. You can't ever go back to Earth."

"What? Why?"

"Because there, you're dead."

"What?"

I'm dead?

"It was seven years ago, a year after you had come back from Gaea," Mamoru started. "I had a stupid fight with you, and I had wished with all my heart that you would disappear. You got into an accident that day and died in the hospital. I…I was the only with you when you d-di-die…" He choked on his words, aching inside from having to admit it out loud.

"When you died…But—but I saw you disappear into a pillar of light. When everyone thought you were dying, I saw a pillar of light come down and take you away. I wished so much that you wouldn't go and would stay to live on Earth, but I couldn't stop you. Everyone on Earth, they buried you. But I knew…I knew that you were still alive on Gaea. And that's way—that's why I came here to find you." Memories flashed through his mind as he remembered what he learned on Gaea. "And I know now…I know that you can't go back to Earth like I can."

"Hitomi, good job at the track meet! You make us so proud!" her father praised her as they walked through the door.

"Ah," the young teen nodded gratefully as she walked upstairs towards her room. Drained from the athletic event, she told her parents, "I'm going to take a bath now and then a nap. Call me when dinner is ready."

"Hitomi, you should go out. Yukari-chan and Amano-kun called earlier and said that they were going out to karaoke with the rest team." Mrs. Kanzaki smiled, "You should have fun with your friends—young people should go out once in a while, right? Besides, it's a party to celebrate your victory."

"Ah, your mother is right," Mr. Kanzaki agreed readily. "Go get clean and go out. It'll be good for you."

Seeing her parents forcing smiles on their faces, Hitomi felt guilt and pity. They're scared, she realized as she dropped her running bag onto her bedroom floor. As she entered the bathroom and began undressing, she thought, They're scared for me—they're afraid that I'm unhappy about living on Earth. When she had first returned from Gaea, her mother and close friends had taken notice how the little things of life no longer interested Hitomi anymore; and how could they? She had spent over six months on another planet fighting for her life almost every single day. So of course she could not regard her life on Earth the same way as she had before.

Everyone is trying very hard to support me.

While she soaked in her warm bath, Hitomi thought about the change in her younger brother. She had noticed that eight-year old Mamoru no longer participated in family outings, always saying that he wanted to play at a friend's house. Hitomi could see him standing at the very edge of the crowd, almost separated from everyone else. Okaa-san and Otou-san have been so worried about me that they haven't seen how much Mamoru has changed. They pushed him aside…and it's all because of me.

As she put on her pale yellow sundress and her white sandals, Hitomi tried thinking of ways to fix the unfairness her little brother faced. Maybe if I pretend to be happier, then everyone will pay attention to Mamoru a little more. I guess going out would be a good start for that. Clean and pretty, Hitomi descended the stairs and walked out the door, shouting, "Okaa-san, I'm going out now."

"Okay, have fun."

Two steps away from the front door, she heard crashing from the living room. "Why does Onee-chan get to go out?" Hitomi heard Mamoru's voice shout. "Didn't you say that I couldn't go play at Shinji-kun's house because we had something to do? So why is she going out?"

"Mamoru—"

Mamoru dashed outside, past Hitomi and into the town. "Mamoru!" their mother called after him from the doorway.

"I'll get him," Hitomi said as she went after her little brother. As she started her run, she noticed Yukari and Amano walking towards her front gate.

"Hitomi!" her best friend yelled. "Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back," Hitomi promised.

"But the party—"

"I'll be back!"

She ran as fast as she could down the sidewalk, trying her best not to lose sight of her eight-year old brother. "Mamoru, wait!" Hitomi had some difficulty running after him because of her sandals, but fortunately he had to stop at the crosswalk's red light. Finally catching up to him, she stood alongside him, laughing lightly, "You know, you're faster than you look. I've been training two years, and I think you can outrun me if you really tried. Ha, just imagine! You'll be a superstar in junior high and high school! I bet you're really popular right now in elementary school aren't you?" When the little boy did not reply, Hitomi asked gently, "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you and Okaa-san fighting?"

When she reached out to him, Mamoru swatted her hand away. "Leave me alone."

"Ne, talk to me," Hitomi begged playfully while hugging her little brother. "You know you can tell Onee-chan anything!"

"Stop it! Don't touch me!" he snapped while shoving her away. His face darkened with a scowl and his eyes wet with tears, the boy shouted at his sister, "It's all your fault! It's Onee-chan's fault! No matter what I do, no one looks at me! Even when I want to do something, I can't because of you! Otou-san and Okaa-san only care about Onee-chan. They don't care about me at all. I hate you. I hate you!"

"Mamoru…"

Closing his eyes, he screamed with all his might and will, "I wish you would just disappear!"

Without another word, he ran deeper into the town, leaving Hitomi to sigh. I'm sorry, Mamoru. I didn't know that you felt that way. I should have noticed sooner.

While the sixteen-year old decided what to do, a shiver ran down her spine as she received a vision. In slow motion she saw her little brother running into the busy street, not seeing the speeding truck. Mamoru's clothes told her that this would happen soon, since she had seen him wearing the same red shirt and blue baseball hat only moments before. He would freeze in mid-step from panic and face the headlights and the blaring horn and—Hitomi gasped at the horrific premonition.

"No…I won't let that happen," she panted while trying to catch her breath. Hitomi wrapped her arms around herself to control her shivering. Despite the weather being the middle of a sweltering summer, her body felt like ice. "No matter what, I won't let you die. I'll save you, Mamoru."

With set determination, Hitomi ran towards where her brother disappeared to. She ran through the town, looking right and left to spot any signs of Mamoru. Who knows when it'll happen? Hitomi fretted. At any intersection it could happen. I need to find him!

She continued her search while running at top speed. At one point, she tripped on her sandals and scraped her knees; but she ignored the blood oozing down her leg, kicked off her broken sandals, and ran barefoot down the sidewalk. "Mamoru!" Hitomi shouted. "Mamoru!"

And then, just up ahead, she saw her brother crossing the street.

"Mamoru!"

Her brother stopped to turn at the call of his name.

Hitomi could see the truck speeding towards him.

"Go faster!" She screamed at herself as she propelled herself forward. "Faster!"

Leaping into the street, Hitomi pushed the frozen Mamoru out of the way.

The last image she saw was her baby brother reaching out to her with tears in his eyes.

"Onee-chan!"

"Onee-chan! Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"

Who is calling me?

Hitomi could only see darkness, but she heard a number of sounds around her. There was the bustling of metal and cloth, the stamping of rubber soles against tiled floor, and the frantic cries of someone's heart. "Onee-chan! Please open your eyes!"

Straining against the cold taking over her body and the pain that threatened to dominate her senses, Hitomi concentrated on that familiar voice. "Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"

That's Mamoru…so he's all right. Her heart sighed in relief as she made this realization. I made it in the end. I saved him…

"Onee-chan!"

I'm about to go…I can feel it.

A tear slid down her bloody face and her swollen lips beneath the oxygen mask moved silently with her dearest wish. No one but Mamoru saw this; and no one but him understood the words his sister had just recited.

I want to see Van again. I want to see him before it's too late…

"No…Don't go, Onee-chan!" the eight-year old boy shouted as he pushed a medic aside. "Can you hear me? Onee-chan, come back! Don't die! Don't give up on me!" Grabbing one of her icy hands, Mamoru begged, "Stay here, Onee-chan! Don't leave, don't leave me here alone!"

But already her heart sought someplace further than the present—and Mamoru could hear her desires reverberate through his own heart.

Van, where are you? I want to see you…I want to be with you one last time…

"Her pulse is weakening!" a nurse announced. "We're losing her!"

Another nurse fearfully looked up at the doctor beside her. "Sensei, her breathing has stopped!"

No, you can't do this to me, Mamoru cried. I didn't mean it! I didn't mean it! Don't go! "Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"

"Someone get this boy out of here!" the doctor shouted angrily as he motioned another nurse to Mamoru. He then turned to the nearest assistant, "Get the charge ready! And quickly stop that bleeding! We'll have to go into surgery immediately."

"Onee-chan!" the little boy yelled while being pulled out of the room. As he was dragged away, his hands pulled off the silver ring on Hitomi's finger. While he fiercely gripped the ring in his fist, Mamoru's pulse accelerated as he could still feel Hitomi's desires, her final wishes.

Van, I want to see you! Please, let me see him one last time!

A pillar of light then descended from the heavens and upon Hitomi, the beam invisible to everyone else but Mamoru. As the young lady rose into the light, Mamoru reached out towards her while begging her not to leave. "Onee-chan! Onee-chan, don't go! Don't leave!"

Stay with me!

As she traveled towards her beloved, Hitomi felt a tug and a pull; her body was thrown out of the light and forced her to crash in the middle of the woods on Gaea. As everything went black, only one thought carried through her mind.

Van…

I remember it all. I remember what happened. I died…

Uselessly Hitomi tried fighting back the tears springing forth. "After I left Earth, I came here. I hit my head, and I lost my memories…and that's why I've been searching for my identity all this time."

And she had traveled all over Gaea in desperation. And through traveling she had met Van once again; she had fallen in love with the man that had befriended her, that had cared for her as they journeyed from Freid to Fanelia. She had completely lost her memories of Van and their love but in the end still fell for him, and only him.

Hitomi could not stop her tears from spilling down her cheeks at her realization.

"I still love him…" Even without my past, I still fell in love with Van. She cried into her hands. "I loved him so much that I cheated death just to see him one more time, to be with him." The sound of her voice from eight years ago rang through her mind.

"I promise, even when I'm old. I'll never forget."

Van, I remember now—I remember it all…Oh, please forgive me for breaking my promise to you. I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry that I forgot.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Hitomi turned to her brother and grabbed his hand. "Come on!" She leapt to her feet, dragging Mamoru behind her as she ran inside. "I need your help with something."

"Where are you going?" Merle called after them.

"To the main temple!"

"Why?"

"To make a love confession!" Hitomi shouted as she and Mamoru disappeared from sight.

Merle scrunched her nose in confusion. "A love confession?"

Please, Hitomi begged the powers above as she raced across the castle. Please don't let it be too late!