The evening sun shines brightly and the sky glows vibrantly as Mandeza's king leads a small group of soldiers through a dusty trail up a mountainside

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne. If I did I wouldn't have stopped the series where it ends. My writing is purely for the enjoyment of my readers and myself.

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Chapter 15

The bright, red evening sun begins its descend from the blushing sky. Tall wild grasses lazily sway in the cool mountain breeze while loose pebbles and dirt shift under the feet of a small company hiking up the face of the tallest mountain in Mandeza. The view is breathtaking and the air grows crisp as the hikers travel higher into the darkening sky. Birds soar above their heads and the only sound that can be heard is that of the occasional grunt from someone who stumbles or trips. Mandeza's king leads a small group up a dusty mountain trail, his eyes gazing steadily ahead. Beside him Folken walks in silence pausing a moment to look up at the sky as the birds ride swift winds down into the valley below. He studies the terrain before him and follows the trail with his eyes until it reaches the top of the mountain. Releasing a heavy sigh, he unconsciously wipes his forehead with the back of his hand. Turning around he watches Van, Zire, seven guards, and Liliana pass him by in heavy silence.

Everyone is breathing harder and shine with a thin film of sweat despite the cool breeze that blows. The hike up the mountainside is strenuous and even more difficult for Van and Zire who have been forced to walk barefoot, with their wrists bound. Both have been forced to change into thin, simple white robes that hang loosely from their shoulders before this difficult hike began. Zire looks up at Folken as he passes by but Folken does not meet his questioning gaze. Zire grunts and jerks as he bumps into Van who has stumbled and winces at the pain inflicted upon him when his wrists shift against the tight, coarse ropes. Folken has to refrain himself from reaching down and helping his brother who has paused right before him. Zire leans in close to Van and whispers if he's alright. Van nods mutely as his dark curls fall into his eyes. The king glances over his shoulder and barks an order to his guards when he sees that the prisoners have paused in their steps. Van manages to shoot Folken an icy glare before he and Zire are shoved forward by the soldiers behind them. Liliana follows in silence, escorted by two of the king's fiercest guards. Her face is expressionless, her hair swishing and whipping around her head, against her face, and in the air as the breeze teases her glistening skin. Folken resumes his hike falling in step behind the princess, now becoming the tail end of the small and silent group.

As they finally reach the mountain peak a huge structure becomes visible through the clouds. It is an enormous temple with towers that reach high into the sky where they pierce through the clouds and stretch beyond sight. Folken pauses in his steps to take a good long look at the structure before him while the king orders the soldiers to bring the prisoners through the temple's front doors. The king motions for Folken to follow him into the temple while Liliana fights to keep herself from trembling with fear as she too is forced to follow the king inside. Within the temple everyone's eyes take a few moments to readjust as the king removes a medallion that hangs around his neck.

The soldiers lead Van and Zire down six large, marble steps onto a lower platform. They pick up shackles from the floor and release the binds around Van and Zire's wrists only to replace the ropes with heavy chains. The soldiers return to stand behind the king as he lowers his medallion into a carving on a short pillar before him. The carving glows a soft green and the six large steps lower into the platform of which Van and Zire now stand upon. At the same time, flames of fire illuminate the darkness in an orange, yellow glow as torches that hang on every wall and pillar spark to life. The ground trembles and two large marble doors slide open on either side of the lower platform. All eyes turn to stare at two horrendous nightmares that are slowly walking out from the shadows. Van and Zire feel their hearts shudder with momentary horror as they are reintroduced to the monsters that took Liliana away from her home. Liliana gasps and watches on with terror. Folken squints his eyes at the king, his anger rising to the boiling point. The king turns to one of his soldiers and gives him an order while pointing to Van. The soldier responds by stepping forward and pulling out a bow and arrow from behind his back. Folken blinks in confusion.

The soldier steadies his aim and prepares to release the arrow. Liliana glances at Folken with teary eyes. Van looks up to see the arrow pointed directly at him. Zire notices as well. " No!! Folken! Don't let them do this!!" He shouts. The king gives the soldier another command and steps back to give the man more room. Van blinks in horrified realization that his life is about to end. " Folken!!" Zire shouts again, this time more urgently. A low growl suddenly rumbles to life as the creatures begin to pace the outer edges of the platform, aggravated by all the commotion. Folken looks down at Van who stares up at him with unhidden defiance and rising bitterness. " Not a man of your word I see!" Van shouts to Folken. " I take it Fanelia was never a true cause for your blackened soul was it?" He continues as the creatures circle closer, sensing the upcoming carnage that is sure to occur at any moment. Liliana turns to the king, her eyes pleading. " Please! Please don't do this! Let them live!" She begs. The king frowns and with one powerful smack backhands her with such force it knocks her to the ground. Folken blinks in surprise. The king looks back up at the soldier who is staring at him dumbfounded, as are all the others present. The king grits his teeth with anger and yanks Liliana back onto her feet by her hair. She gasps and squeezes her eyes shut, trying to fight the pain her scalp must endure as the king pulls her up. He barks a command to the soldier with the bow and arrow once again. The man nods, turns, and pulls back the bow. " No!" Liliana cries as he lets it fly. But the arrow misses as something deflects it off course. The temple's large, open chamber suddenly reverberates with a shrill echo as Liliana screams in horror and disgust at the soldier who just lost his hands in a spray of blood and a flash of shiny metal. He looks down in disbelief to see his hands, still holding the bow, lying at his feet. Van and Zire watch all the violence unfold before them in shocked silence as Folken masterfully twirls his sword and hacks off the arms and hands of three more soldiers before the remaining guards and the king grab Liliana and place her in front of themselves. Liliana gasps as Folken's sword stops only inches from her face.

The king smirks as he forces her to walk with him back to the entrance of the temple. The remaining soldiers watch in rising terror as the king shoves Liliana outside and pushes a lever to the temple's entrance, shutting everyone else inside with the monsters. Folken doesn't waste time watching the king leave, instead he jumps down onto the lower platform and unchains Zire and Van. Van says nothing as Folken hands him the Fanelian Sword. Zire steps up to them and nods to Folken with approval as the three turn around at the loud roars of the monsters to see them climbing the walls up to the higher platform where the soldiers are hiding. " Well I guess we know where the creatures that took Liliana came from." Zire states as the temple is suddenly filled with the screams of men being ripped apart. " Is the temple entrance the only way out?" Van asks Folken, not particularly wishing to deal with the evil creatures above them. " I don't know." Folken replies while scanning the area for any other way out. " Why didn't those things attack us while we were down here?" Zire asks with confusion. " I believe they are attracted to the smell of blood." Folken replies before pointing to one of the open doors that the creatures had entered through. " We might stand a chance of survival if we go through there." Van and Zire turn around to see what Folken is talking about. " You've got to be kidding." Van states in disbelief. " You think we've got a better chance of surviving if we go directly into those creatures' dens?" Zire asks, his voice breaking. Folken doesn't bother to answer them and starts for one of the open doors. Zire glances at Van who glances up at the higher platform. The two friends return their gazes to Folken in disbelief, neither one of them desiring to follow. Suddenly, Van and Zire jerk in surprise as someone's head plops to the floor at their feet, splattering blood and brain matter all over their white robes. " Hey Folken wait for me!!" Zire shouts as he breaks into a run. Van follows close behind and soon the three friends are inside the temple's inner halls searching for another way out.

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After walking around for an hour the three friends finally give in to defeat. " There's no other way out of here but through the same doors that trap us inside." Folken finally concedes with disappointment. They carefully climb on top of a small ledge right above the monsters' dens. Van shakes his head with disbelief and watches Folken sit down to rest for a few moments. Zire moves to sit down too and Van sighs, leaning on his sword where he stands. " You two do realize that we're going to have to fight those things if we want to get out of here, right?" Van states flatly after watching one of the monsters kick a soldier's head against a pillar as it passes by. Folken nods absent-mindedly. Zire releases a nervous sigh and looks over at Folken. " What's going on in that head of yours, Folken?" Zire asks after a moment of studying his friend's face and body language.

The monsters begin to grow restless and start pawing at the entrance doors. Folken squints. To his right, Van releases a frustrated sigh. Zire remains silent, waiting to see what will happen next. The creatures begin to howl and scratch the entrance doors more urgently. " They're goal wasn't to kill everyone present." Folken states suddenly. " What?" Van asks with one eye on the creatures below. " They were trying to get out of the temple." Folken realizes as he, Van, and Zire continue watching the creatures scratch and pound their bodies against the sealed marble doors. " If that's true then why did they kill all the soldiers?" Zire asks softly. " Because they were in the way." Folken replies calmly. Van looks at Folken in surprise for a moment before returning his gaze to the creatures moaning and growling below them. " So how do we get these monsters back into their quarters so that we can get out of here?" Van asks with frustration, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. Folken frowns in deep thought, scanning the scene below him for a few moments before pointing to the short pillar that still holds the glowing medallion. " That's how." He states with unwavering certainty. " The pillar?" Van asks with a deep frown. " No, Van. The medallion." Folken corrects. " Ohh." Zire and Van reply in sudden understanding.

Folken rises to his feet and takes off the outermost layer of his robe to reveal his bare chest and simple skirt wrap. " What are you doing?" Van asks with a frown. Folken shrugs slightly as his wings burst forth, a light showering of feathers float down to the platform below. " I'm going to retrieve the medallion." Folken replies and leaps down onto the platform below before anyone can argue with him. Van and Zire watch from their hiding place as Folken flies above the short pillar where the medallion glows. Slowly, carefully, he lifts it out from the carving and watches in silence as the creatures collapse to the ground unconscious. All the torches extinguish their flames and the six large marble steps rise up from the lower platform once again. Van and Zire glance at each other with raised eyebrows. Folken lands on the upper platform and lifts a lever that opens the two massive front doors. He turns to look at Van and Zire, who are now scrambling to get down from their perch above the monster den doors.

Once outside the three friends rush back down the mountain as fast as they can, knowing that the king might bring harm to Merle, Meegan, and Liliana if they do not hurry. " Hey Folken?" Zire calls as he catches up with the tall Fanelian. " Yes?" Folken asks as he quickly climbs over a large boulder that juts out from the mountain's face. " How come the monsters passed out when you took the medallion away?" Zire turns to help Van over the same boulder Folken just climbed. " The medallion controls them." Folken states as they continue their descent. " I think that when the king puts the medallion on the pillar it wakes the creatures out of the catatonic state we saw them exhibit once I took it away." " You mean to tell me that you think those creatures are under some kind of spell?" Van asks with a frown. " I wouldn't be surprised if that is exactly what is happening to this entire kingdom." Folken replies. Van frowns even deeper. " Do you think that the king is controlling everyone?" Zire asks with big eyes. Folken shakes his head. " I think the king is too young and inexperienced to have been able to do all this destruction on his own." " So you're saying he has help?" Van suggests. Folken nods as he hops down from one boulder to another one below. " Who?" Zire asks. Folken pauses to turn and look at his brother and friend. " The priestess." He answers simply. Van's eyes widen in sudden realization. " You mean that old woman who slit Liliana's wrist?" Folken nods in confirmation before turning and continuing down the mountain. " Why do I have the bad notion that we're about to face a serious confrontation?" Zire asks to no one in particular.

The castle finally meets their eyes and the three push themselves harder and faster. " What if we're too late?" Zire asks now close to the point of panting. No one bothers to answer him as they quickly cover the space between themselves and the castle grounds.

High above them the sky has grown dark and stars twinkle. The moons rise and shower the land with soft, blue light. The young night welcomes them and the sense of urgency is heightened. " If anything happens to Merle…" Van begins. " She's going to be fine." Folken replies. Van glances at his brother uncertainly. As they get closer to the castle the sound of silence grows more and more deafening. There is no light and everything is covered in the shadow of darkness. " Where is everyone?" Zire whispers. Folken looks around for a few moments before motioning for the others to follow him inside.

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The three friends silently enter the castle and find everyone in the same comatose state as the creatures in the temple. They hurry through the long, silent corridors to the throne room where they find the king, the priestess, Liliana, Meegan, and Merle. The king has a dagger pointed straight against Liliana's throat and smiles at them. " Merle?" Van gasps as he spots her lying unconscious on the floor at the king's feet. Meegan lies still beside her and Van pulls out his sword. " What have you done to our friends?!" He shouts. Folken lays a hand on his shoulder. " Van, wait! Something's not right." " Oh really?!" Van snaps at him. Zire steps forward. " I think Folken's right, Van. Something's wrong. I can smell it." They silently scan the room looking for any other soldiers or warriors who might be waiting to attack them from the shadows. A movement catches their attention and they turn their gaze upon the old priestess. She turns to look at them, an odd glint shining in her eyes. She points an old, crooked finger directly at Van and speaks. " Owa notum sisfia." Her scratchy, low voice sends chills up and down everyone's spine. Van swallows and suddenly grabs his throat, his sword clattering to the floor forgotten. Folken turns just in time to see Van collapse to his knees.

" Van?" Folken bends down beside his brother and Van grabs Folken's arm, bending over with pain. Folken immediately takes Van into his arms and helps lay him down straight on the floor. " Van, what hurts?" Van can only blink, the world begins to twirl and there is a loud ringing in his ears. He reaches for his neck while opening his mouth wide like a fish. Zire bends down beside Folken. " He can't breath." Folken mutters to the wolf-man beside him. The two look up when the king begins to laugh. Without thinking Zire rushes up to the priestess and tries to punch her but his fist is stopped by the king. The king smirks and tries to stab him with the dagger he had against Liliana's throat. Meanwhile, Folken watches in growing anxiety as Van's face begins to pale and his lips begin to turn blue. " Van…be strong. It's going to be alright." He murmurs in a soft voice. Van blinks and gulps, opening his mouth again in a desperate attempt to breath. Folken gently brushes aside a few dark curls that have once again fallen over Van's eyes. A shout catches Folken's attention and he looks up to see Zire trying to fight off both the king and the priestess who each have daggers in their hands. Making a decision Folken gently removes Van's hand from his arm's sleeve and snatches the Fanelian sword that still lies beside his brother. It glistens as Folken twirls it around and charges the priestess who grabs Liliana in the last possible second, throwing her directly at Folken. Liliana gasps as Folken manages to turn the sword away from the princess's heart. Liliana stumbles against his chest, the inertia of the priestess's shove still influencing her body. Folken glances down at her upturned and blushing face for a moment before wrapping an arm around her and twirling around, dodging a fatal stab from the evil old woman. She hisses at him and Folken motions for Liliana to get out of the way. She complies quickly and rushes over to Van's side. Folken glances over at Zire who is still fighting off the king. The priestess shrieks and tries the same spell on Folken that she cast on Van. But Folken reacts faster than she can chant and strikes her with his mechanical arm. She stumbles backwards and gawks at him, stunned that he actually got a hit off. Folken moves to thrust the sword into her heart but she ducks and swipes at his legs, slashing his calf and causing him to move back, one hand instinctively moving down to apply pressure on the open and bleeding wound.

Zire makes his way over to Folken's side and gives him a concerned glance. Folken shakes his head and gets into a ready stance. The king smiles and backs off. The two friends blink. " Now what?" Zire mutters. The priestess walks over to the king's side and laughs as the shadows begin to move. Zire looks around and frowns as soldiers step out of the darkness. Each one carries a huge machete in their hands. " Great." He mutters. Folken squints and takes a deep calming breath. " Let it begin." He states. No sooner do the words leave his mouth than the soldiers rush forward. Folken and Zire find themselves surrounded and begin to fight in earnest. Liliana looks back down at Van and tries to comfort him. Van looks up at her with glossy eyes. " Hold on. Your friends are trying to save you." She whispers softly. Suddenly, she is yanked to the floor and looks up in shock to see that the priestess has stepped over to her when she wasn't paying attention. Liliana begins to struggle as the old woman straddles her stomach and wraps her wrinkled, twisted hands around her neck. Liliana is stunned and nearly gags as the old priestess applies more pressure against her neck. Van watches in horror as the old woman mercilessly squeezes Liliana's throat. The princess reflexively reaches up and tries to remove the hands that are strangling her to death and blinks back unwanted tears as her terror begins to rise.

Folken and Zire, meanwhile, are busy trying to keep themselves in one piece as the soldiers continue to slash and swipe at any body part they can see. One soldier gets too close and loses a leg. He falls and releases his weapon. Zire is quick to pick it up, thankful for a chance to defend himself with something more than his own fists. Folken glances over at Zire, covering his back while he retrieves the weapon. Suddenly, he becomes aware of something tugging on his waist. He looks down, startled, and sees a soldier's hand trying to snatch the medallion that is wrapped around his waist sash. Folken smacks the man in the hand with the flat end of his blade and kicks another soldier in the gut. The medallion dangles precariously and Folken has just enough time to see it swing lose of his waist sash and clatter onto the floor. Immediately one of the soldiers snatches it and hands it to the king who is making his way through the crowd. Folken growls, his teeth grinding in anger. He pushes himself past two or three soldiers and nearly stumbles onto the king's machete. The king ducks a swipe from Folken's sword and tries to slash him in the stomach, but Folken dodges and manages to snag the medallion from the king's clutch. But his victory is short lived as someone bumps into him from behind, causing him to lose his focus for a moment in which time the king swings his machete down and hits Folkn's mechanical hand with such force that he is forced to release the medallion. It falls to the floor once again and the king makes a grab for it, but Folken steps on it and with the flat of his blade smacks the king in the face. The king retaliates by punching Folken in the stomach. Folken doubles over, the wind momentarily knocked out of him. He blinks back his bleary vision just in time to block a fatal blow to the head. The king growls and tries to hack off Folken's good arm, but misses as Zire rams into him from the side. A soldier comes up behind Folken and slashes at the leg he is using to step on the medallion. Folken sees him from the corner of his eye and hops the dangerous machete that missing his legs altogether. Twirling around he impales the soldier in the neck. Zire deflects a blow from the king while barking at Folken to watch the medallion as yet another soldier tries to snatch it up from the floor. Folken ducks a swipe to his head and watches as someone's foot kicks the medallion toward the king. Folken manages to catch it with the tip of his sword and kicks a man in the neck before another soldier rams into him, causing him to hit the medallion with such force that it skids out of the crowd and all the way over to Van's side.

Van opens his eyes when he feels something hard hit his arm. Looking over he sees the shiny gold medallion lying on the floor beside him. The priestess pauses in her strangling the princess to see it lying beside Van. She reaches for it, but Van manages to grab it first. Instantly, he shudders and closes his eyes, his consciousness fading. The red pendant around his neck begins to glow and the medallion within his hand complies. High up in the temple on the mountain a soft pink glow surrounds the unconscious creatures that still lay upon the marble floor. They stir and open their eyes. The temple hums with power and the creatures unfold their massive, hideous wings. Back in the castle the king smirks as he and his guards move in to over power Folken and Zire. The two are overwhelmed and desperately try to avoid getting carved up like raw meat. " INUM!!" The priestess shrieks as she pushes down on Liliana's throat with all her might. Liliana's eyes roll back, her lips turn blue and her hands slip and fall limply to the floor.

The priestess rises, her long stringy hair falling into her face. The old woman turns her attention to Van. She grabs his hand and pulls out her dagger, preparing to cut it off so that she might have the medallion and all its power. Liliana lies silent and still behind her where the priestess had attacked her. Folken and Zire are now pressed against each other's backs trying to defend all their sides. " This is hopeless!!" Zire shouts. Folken remains silent and feels himself start in shock when he gets a short glimpse of Liliana lying still on the ground and the priestess about to use a dagger on Van. But just as quickly as he saw the horrifying developments the soldiers shift and he finds himself once again struggling to fight off the never-ending sea of attackers. Suddenly, the room is filled with screaming. Folken glances to his left and sees men's arms and legs being ripped apart. Folken and Zire turn in unison to see what is happening and just manage to dodge the attack of a monster from the temple. It runs directly for the king and pounces him. The king screams and shrieks as he is overpowered and finally bitten in the neck. The creatures lower their alligator mouths to his body, one taking his neck the other his feet, and pull him apart. The old priestess stares in stunned silence at the gruesome sight of the king and the nightmarish creatures that have ripped him to shreds. Suddenly, Van gasps as he is suddenly able to breath again and he yanks his hand away form the priestess's grip. She turns to look at him with huge eyes. Van frowns and glances down at Liliana who's face now lays in stark contrast to her rich dark hair that is splayed out on the floor under her head. Van looks back up at the old priestess who raises her dagger, a dangerous glint flashes in Van's eyes. Folken and Zire watch in surprise as the soldiers turn in unison and attack the creatures that have killed their king. Folken doesn't waste time to watch the inevitable carnage that is sure to follow and rushes to aid his brother. The priestess struggles against Van. She tries to bite his wrist when he catches her hand that carries the dagger. Van grunts as she grinds her knee into his gut and he manages to shove her off before curling up in pain. Seeing her one chance the priestess moves to stab Van in the back. Raising her hands high above her head she brings the dagger down only has time to gasp in shock as Van turns around and, using the medallion, deflects her thrust causing her to send the dagger into her own stomach. She shrieks and collapses to the ground drowning in her own blood. Instantly, all the soldiers drop their machetes and blink as if coming out of a dream. The creatures are once again engulfed bright pink light and slowly disappear to reveal the bodies of two individuals who lie still upon the ground. Folken skids to a stop beside Liliana, glancing up at Van to make sure he's okay. Van moves to her other side and stares sadly at her pale face. Folken tips Liliana's head back gently, pinches her nose and opens her mouth. Van watches in silence and with wide eyes as his brother proceeds to blow into the princess's mouth. Her chest rises and falls for several moments before she suddenly jerks and begins to gasp. Van looks down at her with awe. Zire looks at Folken and beams. " You did it!" He exclaims. Van looks over at the two individuals who were once the evil creatures that were so horrifying to see. Beside them Merle and Meegan are sitting up, blinking blearily and yawning. He smiles and rises as Merle jumps to her feet and rushes to embrace him. " Oh Van-sama!" I knew you would come!" She exclaims with joy. Folken helps Liliana sit up and watches her carefully as she slowly grows more aware of her surroundings. Zire walks over to the two people still lying silently on the floor. He bends down and frowns. " Hey Folken?" He calls. Folken looks up with raised eyebrows. " You better come look at this." Zire continues while turning one of the bodies over. Leaving Liliana under the care of Van, Merle, and Meegan, Folken walks over to Zire's side and looks down. " What is it?" He asks warily. Zire points to the face of one individual who is still asleep. " This guy has the same face that the king had!" He exclaims. Folken nods and shakes the man awake. " That's because this man is the true king." He explains. " What?" Zire states in shock as the young man before them opens his eyes. " It's alright your majesty. Infum lipian." Folken says gently as the young king groggily looks around. Zire helps the person beside him sit up. " Whose this?" Zire asks as he clothes the individual's nakedness with a cloak that rests on the throne. " She would be his mother." Folken replies very matter-of-factly. Suddenly the castle's darkness melts away as the halls are bright with fire flames on the torches once again.

" What happened that everything suddenly went to our favor?" Zire asks Folken with a frown. Folken to the medallion still in Van's hand. " The medallion." He replies. Zire shakes his head in amazement and grins despite himself. " Amazing." He states. Meegan walks up to them and smiles. " Does this mean we can go home now?" Folken grins sympathetically. " I think that's a good idea." He replies. " Me too." Zire confirms.

Liliana turns to Van. " Are you alright?" She asks with deep concern. Van nods silently and takes her hand, inspecting the place where her wrist was slashed. There is no scar. It's as if it never happened. He then touches her soft throat, his fingertips lightly sliding across the area the priestess had abused. " Are you alright?" He asks with deep sincerity. Liliana blushes and nods silently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without thinking she buries her face against his chest and begins to cry, wrapping her arms around his waist. Van is startled but after a moment carefully embraces her trembling frame within his arms. Merle frowns and crosses her arms. Meegan steps up beside her and smiles knowingly. " Relax Merle. She's just scared." Merle huffs. Zire smiles at the scene while Folken looks on at Van and Liliana's embrace with careful thought. Zire glances at him and smiles even wider. " Are you thinking what I think your thinking?" Zire asks Folken in a conspiratorial tone of voice. Folken just shakes his head and sighs. " Come. Let's help the king get situated." He states while turning the young king who is also staring at the tender show of affection across the room.

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The morning once again returns to the land of Mandesa and everyone is busy helping the king and his honored guests prepare for travel. Folken and Van are given all the support the young king can give to help with the rebuilding project that the brothers are finally able to share with him. The king states that he will send a few of his best men-servants and builders to go with Van and his friends without hesitation. " Wilkia itnaum?" The king asks with a hopeful smile. Van looks at Folken for a translation. " He asks if we would be willing to come back and visit him in the future." Folken explains. Van smiles and nods to the king. " I think we could arrange another visit sometime." Van states. Folken nods in agreement. The king gives them a fantastic smile and that causes Folken and Van to grin despite themselves. As the three men enter the castle courtyard they are met by Liliana who was escorted outside by servant maids only moments before. When she sees them she bows before the king and then before Van. " Liliana." Van states softly. " You don't have to bow before me." Liliana smiles. " But I want to." She states just as softly. Folken glances down at her wrist and is suddenly reminded of the amazing liquid that was poured on her wound. Turning the king he what it was that was used on Liliana's wrist. The king explains that it was the liquid from a plant that only grows in the summer months on the cliffs that overlook Mandeza's green-emerald fields. The king explains that it doesn't work for more than two to three days after it is extracted from the plant, but that everyone in his kingdom uses it afterwards for fighting off mild infections and mosquito bites. Folken asks if they could see the plants and the king complies by leading them to the green-emerald fields himself. As they hike up the soft lush hills of green vegetation and wild flowers, Van and Folken are awed by the beauty they see. " I never knew anything this beautiful could exist." Van mutters in wonder as he takes in the scene before him. " Indeed." Folken replies. They watch in silence as the king plucks two perfect green emeralds and gives one to both Liliana and Van. " Iluma nanooka." The king states sincerely. Both Liliana and Van turn to Folken who is smiling brightly. " What did he say?" Van asks, slightly surprised by the sight of his brother smiling. " He said that these two emeralds are gifts and that they are to a symbol of peace between our three kingdoms." Van and Liliana both nod and smile their thanks to the king who nods to them in understanding. Then the king bends down points to one of the plants that are growing all over this meadow. Folken listens as the king explains how the plants help his people and cuts off one of the stalks to show everyone the same glowing green liquid that healed Lilianan's wrist. Folken is amazed and tells the king so. The king nods and smiles. He bends down again and plucks something off the plant. He rises and hands Folken a small bundle of the plant's most beautiful flowers. " Loala mikela." He states sincerely. " A reminder of our friendship." Folken translates for everyone before they have a chance to ask. Folken smiles his thanks and is surprised when the young king suddenly embraces him tightly. Liliana covers her mouth to hide a giggle while Van smiles his humor. After a moment Folken returns the embrace, even if it is awkward with his mechanical arm and the other arm busy carrying flowers.

The king steps back and nods his thanks again before leading them all back down to the castle where they meet up with Merel, Meegan, and Zire. " You guys ready?" Zire asks with a huge smile as Folken and Van get their first look at just who is coming back with them. They both turn to look at the king in shock. Before them are thirty-to-forty of the king's best builders and soldiers. " Inpa ookam litta." The king states and shrugs as if what he is giving them is no big deal. Liliana smiles and continues down the soft hill to meet up with her friends. Van and Folken follow the king down in a daze and glance at each other in amazement. The young king brushes back his long black hair as he helps some of his servants load a wagon with presents. He completely ignores the protests of his friends and servants alike and smiles in satisfaction when they finally stop and allow him to do as he pleases.

Several moments later everyone is straddled on horses or sitting in a coach and are traveling back through the lush and vivid tropical forests. Van studies the green emerald in his hand and glances up at Folken who is currently studying the flowers on his lap. Merle and Meegan are also studying a flower that Folken had given each of them. Van sighs and looks over to his right where Liliana sits beside him in silence. She looks up

at him and smiles softly. He returns the smile and squeezes her hand gently. Everything's going to be alright. He tells himself with satisfaction. Wait until King Sion sees Liliana! He smiles at the thought of Liliana and King Sion embracing once again. He glances at Liliana again and sighs softly. She deserves to be happy.

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The day is bright and sunny when Van and Folken return to Egzardia bringing Liliana back to her father. Their return is almost as odd as a bazaar because of the strange animals and people they bring with them but everything soon pales in comparison to the immense shock and joy everyone experiences when Liliana stands before her father in perfect health once again. Her soft black hair sways in the wind and her long white gown shimmers in the sun. Her presence seems to be that of an angel and King Sion is shocked stupid. The shock of her return is soon forgotten however and he quickly rises to embrace his only daughter with tears of joy streaming down his cheeks. Van turns to look at Folken who nods to him with a soft smile.

King Sion pulls back to look at Liliana's face and kisses her forehead. " Oh thank you God!" He shouts to the heavens and picks Liliana off her feet, twirling her around in his arms. This brings a smile to everyone's face. Meegan wipes her eyes. " What's wrong?" Merle asks her when she notices the wolf-girls tears. " Oh nothing." Meegan sighs wistfully. " It's just so beautiful see good people finally experiencing happy endings." She explains. Merel nods emphatically. Sion sets his daughter down so that she can embrace her brother, Madric. King Sion turns to Van and embraces the Fanelian king with gusto. " Oh my son! You have given me joy than you could ever imagine!!" HE exclaims. Van smiles and returns the embrace. " Tell me what is you want and it's yours." Sion states after releasing Van from his embrace. Van shakes his head. " All I could ever want I already have." He replies sincerely. " You do realize that according to tradition if a man saves the princess's life or purity, he has the right to take her as his own?" Van blinks and glances at Liliana who is still busy talking to her brother. " You majesty…I…" King Sion smiles and nods in understanding. " Don't worry Van. We'll wait until you're settled in your kingdom before talking of this again." Sion states. Van smiles his thanks and stands back as servants bring a chest rubies and sapphires to the king. Liliana walks up to Van and kisses his cheek softly. " Thank you Van for finding and helping me." She says sincerely. Van smiles at her softly and takes her hand, kissing it gently. " May you always remain safe and beautiful as today, Liliana." He murmurs softly. Liliana smiles and King Sion nods in satisfaction. Folken and Zire glance at each other knowingly. Merle crosses her arms and pouts. " Why does he keep doing that?" She complains. Meegan laughs at her and wraps an arm around her shoulder. Folken steps up to his brother reluctantly as the princess steps away. " I hate to remind you, but if we don't continue on our way we will not reach Austuria before dark." Van nods and turns to say his good-byes.

On their way out, the entire kingdom of Egzardia celebrates. All its people stand outside their homes and beside the main road to throw flower petals and shout their praise to Van and his companions. Zire smiles at the Fanelian brothers. " Well it looks like you two are going to be legends!" Folken and Van glance at each other raised eyebrows and shrug. " The most difficult part of Fanelia's rebirth is about to begin." Folken replies quietly. Zire and Van nod silently. The three friends understand that the road ahead will not be easy and everything they have experienced up to this point has only been a means of preparing them for trials they have not even imagined.

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So ends the first Series of Everlasting Love. The next section of this saga will chronicle the rebuilding of not only Fanelia but the relationships between old and new characters. Stay tuned guys! I'm just getting warmed up! Hitomi will be returning, and new evils will reveal their faces. This story is about to become a real roller coaster ride of emotions and adventure.

Let me know what you guys thought about this first installation. I don't know about you guys but I'm really excited about this next section and I'm the writer!!