As Sure as the Dawn
Chapter 28
An Escaflowne fan fiction by:
Emilykn@attglobal.net
Okay, this is getting too long, this and a couple more chapters and that's
it! I refuse to keep this nonsense going! But there WILL be more, you know,
a transition story and possibly an epilogue of sorts. Who knows? On with
the fic! The pace is picking up rapidly!!!!!!
Van cursed as he climbed into Escaflowne and activated his stealth cloak, he could see the smoke from the smoldering fields and it only fueled his anger. "I'll kill you Dilandau, Allen's made it quiet clear he will allow it, no matter how much it will hurt him." Van murmured and took off at a run with Hitomi riding on his shoulder. "Van, how do you get your wings to. you know, come out?" Hitomi asked, fingering her new silken gown. "Just concentrate on it, think about yourself with wings and flying." He suggested, not realizing how much actually went through his mind when he flew. "Okay, that sound's easy enough." * * * Dilandau's army sat on the far edge of a large field separating them from Fanelia. Spendil and Dasuko watched from their melefs at the front of the line with Van, followed by what appeared to be the frontline troupes. It was a stand off, it wouldn't be long and the victor would be determined, but at least Van had had ample warning to prepare. Dasuko cringed and pressed on, taking up her position where she would swing out to the left while Spendil swung right and Van attacked from the center.
Dilandau was bold and sent out the first attack, sitting back to watch. Van saw the melefs coming a sliced through on after another. "So, Folken's been giving them tech." Dilandau grinned, "Wonderful, this should be fun." He chuckled lightly Van wiped out the first attack effortlessly, a few got past him and were taken down by his other troupes, Dasuko and Spendil were doing splendidly, keeping out of notice while they set the trap. Hitomi jumped down and landed effortlessly, her sword at her side and a dagger hidden under the folds of her gown. Surprisingly enough she'd floated down with out her wings.
"Attack now! All of you!" Dilandau ordered and followed them. The melef in the middle had to be Van's it was the only option and when he saw Hitomi land on the ground nearby he knew for sure. Dilandau charged Van straight on and took out his cloak, knowing where it would be. He knew his own stealth cloak would be of no help against the king and decided it better now to even try it. The air around Van seemed to waver as his cover dissipated. Dilandau's troupes worked quickly and skillfully but Van had them out numbered, they were backed off towards the forests where they were forced to split up, but Van and Dilandau were still in the middle of the field, Hitomi stayed behind, waiting for her move. Dasuko hemmed in Dilandau's troupes and dropped her stealth cloak before diving into the battle. She swiped her sword quickly through the control chamber of the closest Zaibach 'melef, it melted quickly into a pile of hot liquid metal. One after another went down under her sword as she heard Dilandau curse over the Com system. "Damn you! What the hell to you think you're doing?!" He bellowed as Spendil and her apparently took down their own soldiers. Spendil was the first to reply, "Treason, aiding the enemy, rebelling, saving Gaea, take your pick!" Dasuko saw his sword slice through another melef, taking out the energist. "We won't take this any more!" She added. Most of Dilandau's troupes had fallen now, along with a majority of the Fanelian melefs as well. Spendil was caught off guard by a guymelef that came at him from behind, a crima-claw speared through his energist and he quickly sprang from his melef, watching as it overheated and boiling liquid metal poured from it. "Damn" He reached for his sword and ducked into the forests, knowing he was safer under the cover of the foliage than in the open. Dasuko was shocked as she watched Spendil escape; she was so thrown off that she didn't notice as a crima-claw sword pierced through her control chamber. She cried out in pain and Spendil watched in horror as her melef melted. "Oh no." He fell to his knees, unaware of the soldier that approached him from behind. "No, Dasuko, no." He looked at the sword in his hand and before he could even gather the courage to join her the task was done for him as two arrows were shot through his rib cage. He collapsed to the ground and felt the arrows snap beneath his weight as darkness enveloped him.
Van sprung back and landed hard a hundred yards away. He and Dilandau were the only two melefs left standing. He was about to charge when he spotted something that he didn't expect. "No." He whispered in shock.
Dilandau grinned, on the battlefield before him stood Hitomi, the perfect target. He took aim and watched as she was held captive by his crima-claw, the liquid metal holding her. Hitomi cringed as the cool metal touched her skin but didn't panic. 'It's okay Van, I've got this under control.' 'But.' 'No!' Van stopped, shocked at the strength of her voice. Dilandau cackled insanely and tightened his hold on Hitomi. "Vaaan" He taunted, "Come on, isn't this something you want?" Hitomi gasped for breath, frightened by the sudden pain that washed over her Van felt in and did the best he could to give every appearance of being all right. It didn't work as Dilandau's grip tightened. He fell to his knees and gasped for breath, feeling Hitomi's ribs snapping. "Hitomi! Whatever you're planning do it now!" He demanded. Hitomi didn't feel the pain; her mind was elsewhere. 'Flying, wings, power, Fanelia, my kingdom, Van, my king, my husband, I have to fly, I have to win.' Van heard her thoughts and was in awe as her silver wings sprouted from her shoulder blades. She looked up at Dilandau's control chamber and knew he was staring at her in shock. She took advantage of that and sent a wave of magic through the melef, not knowing how she did it other than wanting too. Dilandau dropped her and she hovered before him. She grinned and landed on Van's shoulder. "Sorry Dilandau, you won't be destroying Fanelia, I won't allow it." With those words, a silver light surrounded Dilandau's melef as it fell to the ground. Dilandau scrambled from his melef and watched in horror as it was crushed like a tin can. "I also won't allow you to torment Allen any longer." She added, hoping she was strong enough to fulfill this, for Allen and for the safety of Fanelia. Dilandau shuddered and felt a sharp pain travel through his entire nervous system. He cried out in anguish and gripped his silver hair, kneeling on the battlefield, he trembled and there was flash of light as another figure appeared beside him, both were unconscious. Van was taken back, had that just happened? Had Hitomi just separated them? No way! But he had the proof right in front of him. Van felt a sharp pain go through him and watched in disbelief as Hitomi fell, he grabbed her just before she reached the ground and carefully laid her next to the unconscious pair already there. 'HITOMI!' He bellowed inwardly but got no reply as he jumped from his melef, not caring as he heard his ankle snap when he hit the ground hard. "HITOMI! What's wrong?!" He screamed and cradled her. 'Van?' "Hitomi, are you all right? You can make yourself better can't you? I mean you have powers and." 'Van. the baby.' Tears poured over her cheek and Van knew what she was saying. "Oh God, no Hitomi! No! You can fix this!" Tears filled his eyes as she slowly shook her head 'no' and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't fix it Van." She cried, "I can do anything but save a life that's already lost, I can't." She sobbed. "I can't bring my baby back." "Hitomi, I'm sorry." Van lifted her and winced as he stood, noticing his injuries from the battle and jumping from his melef. Hitomi laid her hand over his heart and he felt warmth come from her and spread through out his body. The pain and wounds disappeared as if the never existed She drew her wings in and watched as Van's breath grew more even. He lifted her and set her in the palm of his melef, ignoring as hard as he could the red stains on her gown and his clothes. He climbed into the control chamber and lifted Dilandau and Celena from the ground where they lay. Sorrowfully he trudged back to Fanelia walking through what was left of some of his greatest men and melefs, mingled with what had once been the glorious Dragon Slayers. Hitomi fell asleep, her energy stripped from her along with her child. They got back inside the palace grounds and he left Dilandau to the guards and Celena in Allen's arms. Allen took in Hitomi's state and as it processed in his mind he realized what had happened. Yukari and James just stood back as they watched Van carry his wife to their room. Van closed the door behind him and let a sob break his lips and the silence. He cried as he laid her on the bed and changed her out of her gown and set it aside before gracing her with a soft nightgown. Van could hardly bite back the tears as he watched her sleep and carefully invaded her dreams. She sat rocking a small bundle in the corner of their room. Tara sat at her feet, playing with a puzzle. Van smiled at this, hoping she took it as an encouragement but suddenly a pleasant dream turned into a nightmare as Dilandau appeared out of no where and ripped the child from her arms. She sobbed as he disappeared again, her child with him. Van couldn't stand aside any longer. He ran to her and embraced her. Tara quietly snuggled up between them and they cried together. The dream ended and Van drew back from Hitomi. "Oh, Hitomi, I'm so sorry." He sobbed and kissed her forehead, falling asleep next to her.
A/N: Okay, sad chapter, no one really wins either way, kind of like my history lesson today. major naval battle of WW1. similar in that way. Anyways, I don't like this chapter, but I'll post it anyway.
Van cursed as he climbed into Escaflowne and activated his stealth cloak, he could see the smoke from the smoldering fields and it only fueled his anger. "I'll kill you Dilandau, Allen's made it quiet clear he will allow it, no matter how much it will hurt him." Van murmured and took off at a run with Hitomi riding on his shoulder. "Van, how do you get your wings to. you know, come out?" Hitomi asked, fingering her new silken gown. "Just concentrate on it, think about yourself with wings and flying." He suggested, not realizing how much actually went through his mind when he flew. "Okay, that sound's easy enough." * * * Dilandau's army sat on the far edge of a large field separating them from Fanelia. Spendil and Dasuko watched from their melefs at the front of the line with Van, followed by what appeared to be the frontline troupes. It was a stand off, it wouldn't be long and the victor would be determined, but at least Van had had ample warning to prepare. Dasuko cringed and pressed on, taking up her position where she would swing out to the left while Spendil swung right and Van attacked from the center.
Dilandau was bold and sent out the first attack, sitting back to watch. Van saw the melefs coming a sliced through on after another. "So, Folken's been giving them tech." Dilandau grinned, "Wonderful, this should be fun." He chuckled lightly Van wiped out the first attack effortlessly, a few got past him and were taken down by his other troupes, Dasuko and Spendil were doing splendidly, keeping out of notice while they set the trap. Hitomi jumped down and landed effortlessly, her sword at her side and a dagger hidden under the folds of her gown. Surprisingly enough she'd floated down with out her wings.
"Attack now! All of you!" Dilandau ordered and followed them. The melef in the middle had to be Van's it was the only option and when he saw Hitomi land on the ground nearby he knew for sure. Dilandau charged Van straight on and took out his cloak, knowing where it would be. He knew his own stealth cloak would be of no help against the king and decided it better now to even try it. The air around Van seemed to waver as his cover dissipated. Dilandau's troupes worked quickly and skillfully but Van had them out numbered, they were backed off towards the forests where they were forced to split up, but Van and Dilandau were still in the middle of the field, Hitomi stayed behind, waiting for her move. Dasuko hemmed in Dilandau's troupes and dropped her stealth cloak before diving into the battle. She swiped her sword quickly through the control chamber of the closest Zaibach 'melef, it melted quickly into a pile of hot liquid metal. One after another went down under her sword as she heard Dilandau curse over the Com system. "Damn you! What the hell to you think you're doing?!" He bellowed as Spendil and her apparently took down their own soldiers. Spendil was the first to reply, "Treason, aiding the enemy, rebelling, saving Gaea, take your pick!" Dasuko saw his sword slice through another melef, taking out the energist. "We won't take this any more!" She added. Most of Dilandau's troupes had fallen now, along with a majority of the Fanelian melefs as well. Spendil was caught off guard by a guymelef that came at him from behind, a crima-claw speared through his energist and he quickly sprang from his melef, watching as it overheated and boiling liquid metal poured from it. "Damn" He reached for his sword and ducked into the forests, knowing he was safer under the cover of the foliage than in the open. Dasuko was shocked as she watched Spendil escape; she was so thrown off that she didn't notice as a crima-claw sword pierced through her control chamber. She cried out in pain and Spendil watched in horror as her melef melted. "Oh no." He fell to his knees, unaware of the soldier that approached him from behind. "No, Dasuko, no." He looked at the sword in his hand and before he could even gather the courage to join her the task was done for him as two arrows were shot through his rib cage. He collapsed to the ground and felt the arrows snap beneath his weight as darkness enveloped him.
Van sprung back and landed hard a hundred yards away. He and Dilandau were the only two melefs left standing. He was about to charge when he spotted something that he didn't expect. "No." He whispered in shock.
Dilandau grinned, on the battlefield before him stood Hitomi, the perfect target. He took aim and watched as she was held captive by his crima-claw, the liquid metal holding her. Hitomi cringed as the cool metal touched her skin but didn't panic. 'It's okay Van, I've got this under control.' 'But.' 'No!' Van stopped, shocked at the strength of her voice. Dilandau cackled insanely and tightened his hold on Hitomi. "Vaaan" He taunted, "Come on, isn't this something you want?" Hitomi gasped for breath, frightened by the sudden pain that washed over her Van felt in and did the best he could to give every appearance of being all right. It didn't work as Dilandau's grip tightened. He fell to his knees and gasped for breath, feeling Hitomi's ribs snapping. "Hitomi! Whatever you're planning do it now!" He demanded. Hitomi didn't feel the pain; her mind was elsewhere. 'Flying, wings, power, Fanelia, my kingdom, Van, my king, my husband, I have to fly, I have to win.' Van heard her thoughts and was in awe as her silver wings sprouted from her shoulder blades. She looked up at Dilandau's control chamber and knew he was staring at her in shock. She took advantage of that and sent a wave of magic through the melef, not knowing how she did it other than wanting too. Dilandau dropped her and she hovered before him. She grinned and landed on Van's shoulder. "Sorry Dilandau, you won't be destroying Fanelia, I won't allow it." With those words, a silver light surrounded Dilandau's melef as it fell to the ground. Dilandau scrambled from his melef and watched in horror as it was crushed like a tin can. "I also won't allow you to torment Allen any longer." She added, hoping she was strong enough to fulfill this, for Allen and for the safety of Fanelia. Dilandau shuddered and felt a sharp pain travel through his entire nervous system. He cried out in anguish and gripped his silver hair, kneeling on the battlefield, he trembled and there was flash of light as another figure appeared beside him, both were unconscious. Van was taken back, had that just happened? Had Hitomi just separated them? No way! But he had the proof right in front of him. Van felt a sharp pain go through him and watched in disbelief as Hitomi fell, he grabbed her just before she reached the ground and carefully laid her next to the unconscious pair already there. 'HITOMI!' He bellowed inwardly but got no reply as he jumped from his melef, not caring as he heard his ankle snap when he hit the ground hard. "HITOMI! What's wrong?!" He screamed and cradled her. 'Van?' "Hitomi, are you all right? You can make yourself better can't you? I mean you have powers and." 'Van. the baby.' Tears poured over her cheek and Van knew what she was saying. "Oh God, no Hitomi! No! You can fix this!" Tears filled his eyes as she slowly shook her head 'no' and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't fix it Van." She cried, "I can do anything but save a life that's already lost, I can't." She sobbed. "I can't bring my baby back." "Hitomi, I'm sorry." Van lifted her and winced as he stood, noticing his injuries from the battle and jumping from his melef. Hitomi laid her hand over his heart and he felt warmth come from her and spread through out his body. The pain and wounds disappeared as if the never existed She drew her wings in and watched as Van's breath grew more even. He lifted her and set her in the palm of his melef, ignoring as hard as he could the red stains on her gown and his clothes. He climbed into the control chamber and lifted Dilandau and Celena from the ground where they lay. Sorrowfully he trudged back to Fanelia walking through what was left of some of his greatest men and melefs, mingled with what had once been the glorious Dragon Slayers. Hitomi fell asleep, her energy stripped from her along with her child. They got back inside the palace grounds and he left Dilandau to the guards and Celena in Allen's arms. Allen took in Hitomi's state and as it processed in his mind he realized what had happened. Yukari and James just stood back as they watched Van carry his wife to their room. Van closed the door behind him and let a sob break his lips and the silence. He cried as he laid her on the bed and changed her out of her gown and set it aside before gracing her with a soft nightgown. Van could hardly bite back the tears as he watched her sleep and carefully invaded her dreams. She sat rocking a small bundle in the corner of their room. Tara sat at her feet, playing with a puzzle. Van smiled at this, hoping she took it as an encouragement but suddenly a pleasant dream turned into a nightmare as Dilandau appeared out of no where and ripped the child from her arms. She sobbed as he disappeared again, her child with him. Van couldn't stand aside any longer. He ran to her and embraced her. Tara quietly snuggled up between them and they cried together. The dream ended and Van drew back from Hitomi. "Oh, Hitomi, I'm so sorry." He sobbed and kissed her forehead, falling asleep next to her.
A/N: Okay, sad chapter, no one really wins either way, kind of like my history lesson today. major naval battle of WW1. similar in that way. Anyways, I don't like this chapter, but I'll post it anyway.
