Disclaimer: I son not own Escaflowne. My writing is purely for the enjoyment of my readers and myself.
Legends of Gaea: Chapter 5
Van twisted his sword deeper into the ground and released yet another sigh. The second group of travelers hadn't arrived yet and it had been a little over an hour now. Van shifted around on the grass where he sat and glanced around. He took notice that several of his fellow group members were also feeling uneasy about their comrades strange tardiness.
Van remembered looking back and watching Neftoo-Mish pull Folken to his side as everyone parted ways. Folken looked as if he wanted to say something, but Van's apparent indifference made him think otherwise. Van swallowed a lump in his throat at the thought that perhaps the other group would not return. He would never see his brother again…
Stop it! Van chastized himself. Folken knows how to take care of himself. He's done a pretty good job of doing it all his life…without any regard to how his survival, at any cost, might hurt others. Van reminded himself and with a huff he rose to his feet, yanking the Fanelian sword out of the ground and stalked over to the lake.
Zire watched Van from a few feet away and glanced over at Boaz who was snoring softly on the grass. Well, at least not everyone is worried yet. He mused and made his way over to the lake as well.
Van was busy taking off his leather boots when Zire arrived beside him. " Mind if I join you?" He asked.
Van shook his head, not even bothering to look up and dipped his tired feet into the cool, fresh water. Zire made himself comfortable and laiddown on his belly, allowing one paw to drop into the water with a gentle plop.
For several moments neither wolf-man nor Draconian spoke and both simply listened to the constant roar of the waterfall spilling out of the mountain into the lake before them. Van gazed at the water and his eyes followed a current that spilled into a river at the opposite end of the lake. The ground on both sides of the river had been cut away with time. He sighed wearily.
" Don't worry Van." Zire encouraged him, swaying his paw in the water.
Van nodded, gently kicking his feet in the water.
" They'll come. You'll see." Zire stated, more for himself than for Van.
Van nodded again and laid back with his hands folded behind his head for support. " I wonder what they're doing right now?" Van wondered as he gazed up at the fluffy clouds above.
Folken…don't you break your promise to me.
Deep under ground, Folken stilled as a strange sensation filled his being. It was a tugging of emotions upon his heart and one thought entered his mind...Van.
Folken coughed as someone accidentally kicked up dirt into the air.
" Well, we're definitely not going to be able to dig our way out that's for sure!" Someone muttered.
Folken rubbed his irritated eyes and blinked hard a few times to clear his vision. Around him everyone was standing, equally frustrated. They had been walking for almost two hours now and found yet another dead end and digging only found more dirt. The situation was beginning to look hopeless. And suddenly the light flickered and grew dimmer than what it was. Folken watched as another torch light died, leaving them now with only one. Neftoo-Mish huffed and threw his useless torch to the ground.
" Well, I'd be lying if I said we'll make it out of here today. We're almost out of light." He stated in agitation as he walked up to Folken.
" We will find a way out, Neftoo." Folken states confidently.
" How will we be able to find our way in the dark?" Neftoo-Mish asked him skeptically, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Folken didn't answer as he took the burning torch from a wolf-man nearby and started walking back the way they had come.
" Folken…" Neftoo-Mish called after him.
" We have to keep going." Folken called back over his shoulder. Neftoo watched him for a few moments before sighing and starting after him.
" Come on. You heard the man." He called to the others, motioning for them to follow their lead. He turned to see Folken's retreating form diminishing up ahead. " Hey Folken! Wait up! We're coming!" He called out.
Van… Folken paused in his steps as that funny feeling pulled at his heart again. He must be concerned. Folken realized as he picked up the pace, a growing urgency spurring him onward. I will return to you Van…I promise.
Van opened his eyes and felt the pendant on his chest glowing gently. He looked at it in confusion. For a moment he thought he could almost hear Folken telling him not to worry.
Van shook his head and sat up again, being careful not to disturb Zire who was napping beside him. He glanced up at the sky and suddenly realized that he had been sleeping too. The sun is preparing to set! How long have we been sleeping here? Where is the other group?! He wondered with concern.
Van pulled his feet out of the water and glanced around to see most of his group members were up and about chatting, looking at the dragon skin they found, or resting their feet. Van looked back at Zire. What should we do? He wondered. What could be taking the other group so long?
At length he decided to walk around and pulled out his sword in the process. Maybe a little sword practice will release some tension. He hoped.
Back underground the lost group was growing more desperate, now down to only one torch, it was apparent that it too would soon die out. And they seemed to be going around in circles unable find a way out.
Neftoo-Mish eyed the dying torch with weary eyes. Behind him Mizook shivered. Many of the others in their group were beginning to show signs of weariness and agitation as well. Folken stopped as they walked right up to another dead end.
" This is crazy." Neftoo-Mish muttered under his breath.
Folken turned and looked at everyone with sympathy. He could fly out of this mess with no problem, but no one else could.
Even if he could carry one or two individuals up with him he would not be able to save everyone present and his wings would soon grow tired. He tried to think of other possibilities. He mulled over their predicament when the torch in Neftoo-Mish's paws finally sputtered and died leaving everyone in complete darkness.
For several moments no one uttered a sound, the darkness creating an eerie sense of finality. The seconds ticked by and still no one made a sound but fear could be felt hanging thick in the air, almost suffocating. It reached out to everyone present with cold, icy fingers that clamped down hard upon the soul.
Finally, a muffled whimper was heard and then another and another until there was a soft chorus of whimpers from those fearing they would never see family or friends, or feel the sun, or see the beauty of their world again. Folken gulped, sliding down against the dirt wall and licking his suddenly dry lips as the magnitude of their hopelessness hit him. He knew he could never leave them behind. If there was no way out for his companions, then he would stay and perish with them.
Then, just when the situation seemed too overwhelming, Folken looked up and saw a small blue light descending towards him. At first, he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination but when the little blue light grew to be the size of his fist he sat up straight.
Folken watched in awe as the blue light came to hover right in front of his face. " Wha-what's that?" Mizook asked from where he sat, directly across from Folken's lighted face.
Folken blinked and stared in astonishment as the tunnel was suddenly filled with hundreds of glowing blue balls of light. Everyone stared in wonder. Folken watched as the blue light before him landed in his open hand to reveal a tiny figure staring up at him. And suddenly he was reminded of a story his mother shared when he and Van were younger. Folken remembered as if his mother had just spoken to them yesterday...
... Little Van stared out the window of his bedroom, his cherub face scrunched up in deep thought. Folken paused from his studies and looked at him.
" What's wrong, Van?" He asked softly, setting his studies aside and coming to sit on the large windowsill beside him.
Van looked up at Folken and pointed to the flowers and bushes outside. " Why is everything wet outside in the morning?"
Folken thought about that for a moment. " Well, everything is wet because the morning dew is sprinkled on everything."
Van looked back outside the window. " But why?" He asked again.
" Because…well, because…umm" Folken scratched his head and stumbled for an explanation that would make sense to his little brother.
Soft laughter from the doorway filled the room. Both Folken and Van looked up to see their mother, Varie walking towards them.
" Every morning the ground and all plants need water." She said smiling.
" But how does the water fall on everything?" Van asked.
" That's simple my love." Varie smiled as she kissed each of her sons on the forehead in greeting. " Little creatures from the underground rivers awaken at night and create the water droplets that will replenish the ground and all the plants."
Folken chuckled softly. Varie nudged him playfully. " Why Folken! Don't tell me you don't believe." She smiled, gently ruffling his sea-blue hair.
" Mother…little creatures underground?" Folken stated skeptically. He smiled as Varie kissed his cheek
" Mother, what are the creatures called?" Van asked.
She smiled down at him. " They are called-"
" - water sprites." Folken murmured. " Mother was speaking the truth."
The little water sprite smiled up at him and walked up and down the length of his hand with tiny feet.
" What are these things?" Neftoo-Mish asked softly as a ball of blue light settled upon his head.
Folken rose slowly and looked down at him. " Come with me." He said quietly.
Neftoo-Mish followed him down the tunnel, watching Folken scratch the walls with his mechanical hand as they passed. And he realized that they were markings to prevent them from getting lost.
The water sprite floated in the air before them and then landed on Folken's hand again. " Do you hear something?" Folken asks Neftoo-Mish softly.
Neftoo-Mish frowned. " Like what, Folken?"
The little sprite in Folken's hand began to jump up and down excitedly. Folken picked up his pace, nearly running, and Neftoo-Mish hurried after him.
" I know I hear something." Folken said and Neftoo-Mish gasped as he too heared a small rumbling sound.
They stopped for a moment and analyzed the sound coming from the other end of the tunnel. Folken smiled. The sound of rushing water could be clearly heard.
" Is that sound what I think it is?" Neftoo-Mish asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
The two hurried after the sprite, which took to the air again. It led them to a section of tunnel they had never seen before. And as they followed the sprite Folken realized that the ground was getting higher and finally they come to a stop. The water sprite had brought them to an underground river.
They watched as the sprite dove into the water over and over again coming to fly circles around their heads in a blur.
" I think we've just found our way out." Folken said with a smile.
Neftoo-Mish nodded and the two hurried back to get the others.
" Do you really think the river will get us out?" He asked while they retraced their steps.
" If the water is traveling in a constant current that means that the water can get out. And if the water can get out, so can we." Folken explained picking up the pace.
" But we don't know where the current will deposit us." Neftoo-Mish worried.
" One problem at a time, friend. Once we're out in the open we'll worry about that. For now let's focus on getting everyone out safely." Folken replied.
Van resheathed his sword and marched over to Zire with purpose. "Zire, wake up." He said, shaking the sleeping wolf-man awake.
" Hmm? Wha—"
" I'm going to go look for the other group and I want you to come with me." Van explained as Zire sits up.
" But Van, what if the other group arrives when we aren't here?"
Van was already putting on his boots. Zire sighed, realizing that the king had already made up his mind.
" Okay, okay. I'll go with you, but promise me we'll return quickly. Like, before it gets dark."
Van nodded. " Of course, Zire. Let's get moving. The night will be here soon."
" Right. Let me go tell the others what we'll be doing." Zire replied and rose to his feet.
Van waited for him all the while hoping for the safety of his lost friends and brother.
Folken, where are you? He wondered with concern and blinked back bitter tears. Taking a deep breath he raised his chin defiantly.
NO! I'm not going to cry for him and I won't give up hope. I…can't.
" Folken, be careful." Neftoo-Mish warned as Folken prepared to enter into the underground river.
" Don't worry, Neftoo. I'm certain this river will bring us out safely." Folken reassured him as he submerged himself in the water all the way up to his neck.
The current was stronger than it looked and before anyone could say anything else, Folken was swept away. He did his best to keep his head above water and struggled with the extra weight of his mechanical arm which threatened to drag his head under. Folken clenchds his teeth, shivering as the cold water seeped into every fiber of his clothes. He glanced up ahead and gasped in surprise when he noticed that the current suddenly went underground.
Without much time left to think, he took a deep breath and prepared to submerge himself completely. And as he traveled into the water's depths and felt bubbles tingle past his skin. He opened his eyes and saw a water sprite float into view. It swam up and out of the river and Folken decided to follow it.
As he reached the surface his eyes registered light. It streamed down like fingers of golden satin and touched his face. But just before he was able to break the surface the current picked up and he was sucked out of the darkness into the light with so much force that he nearly lost his breath.
He felt himself pulled and thrown out into the air where the sound of rushing water hit his ears only seconds before he plummeted into a large body of settled water. Folken twisted his body around and swam towards the light, breaking the surface and finally gasping in as much air as his lungs could carry.
Van jerked in surprise at the sudden sound of a tremendous splash and of someone sputtering and gasping behind him. He spn around to see Folken's head bobbing in the water.
" Folken?" Van squeaked in disbelief.
Folken didn't answer, still coughing and breathing in large gulps of air.
" Where…how…" Van tried to figure out how in Gaea his brother ended up in the lake.
Folken finally swam close enough for Van to reach down and help him climb out. For Folken this proved to be the most difficult part of his journey thus far and he winced as Van, unintentionally, lifted him too hard, bruising the already tense and sore muscles under his left armpit.
Folken bit back a gasp and clawed the ground with his mechanical hand in an effort to help himself climb out. Once he was safely on solid ground again he caught his breath while Zire and the rest of the group members ran over to help.
" What happened?!" He asked in surprise.
Van kneeled down and stared at his brother questioningly. " Where are the others?"
Folken didn't answer, instead he turned his head to look back at the waterfall. Van and everyone crowded around followed his gaze just in time to see their lost comrades shoot out of the mountainside within the waterfall.
" …!" Van's jaw dropped in astonishment and he looked back at Folken with wide eyes.
" I made a promise to you, Van." Folken stated softly. " I intend to keep that promise."
Van opened and shut his mouth, completely at a loss for words. He searched Folken's gaze while everyone else around them moved to help those in the lake get out.
Folken jumped as something brushed his arm inside his sleeve. He reached into the sleeve and pulled out something that glowed a bright blue.
Van looked down and gasped in surprise as Folken opened his hand to reveal a water sprite.
"…what…what is it?" Van whispered.
" A water sprite, Van." Folken replied gently.
Van looked up at him in wonder and reached out to touch the little creature, but in a flash the water sprite flew out of Folken's hand and into the lake never to be seen again. Van stared at the water for several moments, not noticing the small smile on Folken's pale face.
That night the reunited travelers ate fried fish around a campfire, talking and joking with each other about their adventures while apart earlier that day.
At one end, where the shadows were more abundant, Folken sat quietly watching the fire, his gaze far away. On the other side Van walked to the fire and picked up his spear, plunging a fish at its tip, into the flames. He smiled at the jokes being tossed back and forth about who was the biggest baby while lost underground and the unfortunate luck Mizook had with dragons.
Van scanned the faces around the flames and glanced beyond the fire, noticing Folken. Folken's face was twisted into an expression of pain. Van glanced away for a moment. And when he looked back Folken's eyes were closed.
Van took in a steadying breath, finally deciding to go see if he was okay. " You don't look so good." Van began as Folken opened his eyes at the sound of his voice. " Your not use to this much activity are you?" It was more of a statement than a question.
Folken blinked and his face once again fell into a neutral expression.
Van paused a moment from turning his fish to look down at him. Folken picked up a spear and brought his fish up into the flames. The brothers remained silent, listening to the soft chuckles and sporadic bursts of laughter that peppered the evening's conversations.
" I'm planning to stay at the village for one day. During that time we'll pack up and prepare to travel." Van stated rigidly.
Folken nodded. " What kingdom do you have in mind?" He asked.
Both brothers kept their gazes on the flames.
" I'm not sure yet." Van sighed, suddenly exhausted.
Folken sensed this decided to drop the subject for the moment, not having the energy to deal with any more planning.
" We can talk about it at a later time." He stated with a weary voice.
Van peered at him from behind his bangs. " You should get some rest. We're going to travel back to the village by following the river instead of crossing the plain again." He said and pulled his fish out of fire.
Folken nodded while Van took a bite of fish and studied Folken's face for a few moments. Folken felt Van's gaze and tried to ignore it. Van glanced down at the metal arm resting on Folken's lap before getting back to his feet and rejoining the rest of the group, now roaring with laughter at Mizook's expense.
Folken watched Van with weary eyes and lost his appetite. He quietly rose to his feet and sighed as his muscles protested. Folken gave his fish to a thankful wolf-man before finding a quiet patch of grass a few feet away. He made quick work of preparing his bed for the night and sleep came to him quickly.
The night wore on and finally everyone began to turn in for night. Van helped to keep the fire going. It would serve as warmth and scare off predators while they slept.
Zire and Neftoo took the first shift.
" Make sure you two get some rest yourselves." Van told them around a huge yawn.
The wolf-men nodded and shooed him away. Van smiled and lifted his hands in defense. " Okay! Okay. I'm going."
He took out his blankets from the sac on his horse's back, patting the animal goodnight, and quietly made his way past several sleeping forms. But as Van walked up to Folken he paused to look at him for a moment.
Folken laid flat on his back, probably unable to find any other comfortable position with his mechanical arm. Van studied him and noticed that even in sleep, he seemed worried. Van's gaze traveled down to Folken's chest where the wool blankets had slid down. Biting his lip Van looked around to see if anyone was watching. Then, slowly, quietly he knelt down and lifted the blanket up around Folken's neck. Folken didn't move, his left arm laying over his stomach, and the mechanical arm hidden within the blanket's folds. Satisfied Van rose quietly and continued on his way.
Late in the night Folken stirred and suddenly jerked awake. His brow was covered in sweat and he kicked off the blankets feeling suffocated. His heart pounded wildly in his chest and he moaned softly when he tried to move his mechanical arm.
Wearily he made his way to the edge of camp where he disappeared amongst the trees. The night was perfect and he paused to gaze up at the Mystic moon. It glowed back at him, brilliant and glorious in its blue, heavenly light. With a heavy sigh he continued walking until he reached a small clearing.
He shuddered suddenly as a wave of fire hot pain shot up his spine from his mechanical arm. He gulped as another wave hit him and he made his way over to the stump of a nearby tree to sit and wait for the inevitable.
Just calm down…relax… Folken told himself as more waves of pain began to throb. He squirmed uncomfortably and released a whimper as the pain increased. Closing his eyes he gritted his teeth.
Every single night! He thought to himself, wiping his brow irritably as he began to shiver.
Folken remembered how terrified he was the first time this happened. Dornkirk had told him that he would have to learn to deal with it.
"After all," the old man had said. " it's a small price to pay for a second chance in life."
Folken winced at the thought of ever believing anything that monster had to say. Folken had cried himself to sleep every night for the first year, terrified, knowing the pain would come. Now he had grown use to it. Even expected it. He learned to use the painful, waking hours to think of new solutions for Ziabach's conquests.
A cold wind brushed through the trees and Folken shivered again. He cursed himself for not having the presence of mind to bring a blanket with him.
Well, he'd have to do without one then. Folken rested the back of his head against the tree trunk and sighed, closing his eyes.
" Master Folken?" A gentle and familiar voice whispers to him from the depths of his most treasured memories...
" Master Folken, what troubles you?" Eriya asked him softy.
" …Phantom pain…" Folken managed to whisper, shuddering from another wave that elicited a moan from his parted lips.
"Let us help you." Nariya whispered to him as she and Eriya carefully climbed onto his bed.
Folken groaned as they gently rolled him onto his stomach and began to knead his back. He gritted his teeth for the first few moments, squirming around until the pain slowly ebbed away. Finally, he released a sigh and relaxed under their practiced touch. His ears registered the soft song of consistent purring and he closed his eyes. It was moments like this when he would be the most grateful for their friendship and kindness.
Folken opened his eyes and felt tears trickle down his cheeks.
I have no right to mourn their deaths. I am the cause of their deaths. He reminded himself.
With great effort Folken forced himself to think about other things. Such what needed to be done once he and Van reached the village in the morning. He picked up a stick and began to scratch out a list of things to do before his eyes grew heavy and sleep claimed his consciousness again.
" Hey Folken? Wake up. Are you okay? Folken?" Folken's eyelids fluttered open and he looked up to see Zire smiling down at him.
" Why did you wander out here?" He asked while wrapping a warm wool blanket around Folken's shoulders.
Folken yawned and with Zire's help, rose to his feet. The sky was already showing signs of dawn and the two made their way back to camp where everyone was already up and packing.
Van looked up to see Zire helping an exhausted Folken back into their midst. Van walked up to him.
" Are you alright?" He asked, slightly concerned.
Folken nodded. " I'm fine."
Van frowned, believing a word, but continued on his way. Zire helped Folken pack up and soon the group was on its way once again.
They traveled in the early light of dawn through the quiet trees of the forest, soft fingers of light filtering through the leafy canopies and spotting the ground. A gentle mist blanketed most of the ground and dew clung to the leaves and grass blades as the travelers continued in silence.
The river beside them cascaded over rocks and fallen branches, leading them back to the village. Folken felst himself grow sleepy and his grip on the reins slipped.
Zire hurried to his side in a heartbeat and grabbed him, effectively stopping his fall off the horse's back. Folken jolted awake. Zire looked at him with concern and Neftoo-Mish rode up to Folken's other side to help him sit upright again.
They remained beside him for the rest of the trip and woke him two more times. Folken cursed himself for being so weak, but was thankful that Van was in the front and couldn't see what was going on.
Just another hour Folken…you can stay awake for another hour. He teod himself wearily.
Van sighed as he looked ahead. Merle would be happy to see him. Her smile, her soft purring, and her giddy mannerisms always uplifted him. She was like a sister he never had and Van's heart warmed at the thought of being reunited with her again.
Above the travelers, the sky brightened and the sun smiled down on them, showering the forest with light. Van sighed and touched his pendant. His mind remembered his last moments with Hitomi.
Be well Hitomi…be happy. He told her softly and smiled as he imagined her answering in kind.
