SEAL OF THE BROTHERS
Was it all just a dream? Or maybe a vision? Another one of my visions had come true. The giants that attacked Fanelia set fire to Allen's castle. The giants flew after us, but Van changed Escaflowne into a dragon and drew them away from us, giving us a chance to escape. But what I did not see in my vision was Lybra flying after the giants. Is she trying to protect Van?
"Come on.if you don't go any faster, we're gonna catch up!" Dilandau mocked as he shot fire from the Crima Claw directly at the mechanical dragon along with the royal pilot. "Try this on for size, Van!" he shouted again, shooting at the young king, but the dragon was lucky enough to evade the blasts as they struck the mountain cliffs around him. But he wasn't fast enough when right wing sparked as it was struck by fire. Van couldn't control the dragon on the wind anymore and shifted the Guymelef back to it's normal fighting self. Escaflowne landed on the ground, as well as Dilandau's units, but they were soon enveloped in the strange cloaks on their backs and they soon vanished into thin air.
"Hidden again.so where are you Dilandau?" He could hear the loud, mechanical feet slamming against the ground, but the fact that they were invisible didn't help him much. Before he knew it, two strong arms overpowered him as the Alcedes threw the cloak to the side and reappeared. "I gotcha Van. You set yourself up as a decoy to let the others escape, huh? Well you know I just can't stand heroics!!" Dilandau screamed, his Melef striking the Escaflowne in the head over and over again. Van was getting a headache from being thrown back and forth like that. "In fact, I hate them!" the youth screamed once more before striking the melef again. Suddenly, the Fanelian defender fell to Dilandau's feet. "He's down already?" {Dilandau, I thought I told you he was to be taken alive!} "I was just having a little fun, Strategos." "Damn you!!!" Dilandau looked back and fell to the ground as an emerald Guymelef flew into him. "Lybra? How dare you strike your master like this?!" "I act on my will now, not yours! And you will not harm Van or take the Escaflowne!" Lybra shouted, raising the Melef's large, slender rapier. The Alcedes shot more fire onto the Jemineye and Lybra was forced to fly into the air. {What do you think you're doing?!} "Relax, I won't kill Lybra now. I just have to punish her for her betrayal. It's the right thing to do, isn't it?" he said as he flew after her. They clashed swords over and over in mid-flight as a large shadow hovered over the two. "What's the Vione doing here? Dilandau, you coward!! Calling upon reinforcements in a one-on-one duel!" Lybra shouted. "The Vione is here to pick up the Escaflowne. It might as well bring you back home once I'm done with you!" Dilandau screamed, grabbing the Jemineye's arm and throwing her to the ground. Alcedes brought the sword to her throat. "You've improved your skills Lybra, but you're still no match for your master." He heard her scream in defeat and simply laughed. "See? I told you I wouldn't harm her," he said through the intercom.
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"I see fire down there!" the soldiers called out, watching the flames sizzle on the ground. No Melefs were in sight. "Is there any Melef wreckage?" Allen asked. "I don't see any." "You don't suppose that Van was.?" Merle asked, on the point of crying. "No. I'm certain that they won't kill Van. They say only the King of Fanelia can operate Escaflowne. Besides, there's no way Lybra would allow that. She's an excellent watchdog." "Don't worry, Hitomi. We'll get him back," Gaddess replied. "Your orders?" "How many men do we have?" Allen asked. "Including me, we've got seven soldiers." "So a frontal assault against the floating fortress would be difficult. Anyway, we have to find them first." "Allen, I think I might be able to find out Van is," Hitomi said. "Well you were right about the attack on the castle." "That's right! And it wasn't a coincidence! I can feel it! Ever since I was a little girl, I was right about my hunches. But now.I can't explain it, but that power's been growing stronger!" she exclaimed, but then silenced when the knight gripped her shoulders. "That may be true, but this is a job for us knights," he said. He then ran his hand through her short hair and smiled that charming smile of his that usually captivates the girl. "You understand." Hitomi was captivated, just as he expected, but she couldn't let him win that easily. Not like that. "Test me then! Please!"
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"I've sent out search and destroy teams. They can't return to their homeland, so there's no reason for us to hide here anymore," Dilandau stated as he and Folken walked through the Guymelef storeroom. Each of the Melefs were leaving the fortress, except for two: Escaflowne and Jemineye. "Lybra has been sent to her quarters. She got knocked out after the fight." "You were too hard on her again." "Well, how else was I going to get her here? You and I both know that Lybra would never come back willingly." Dilandau was intrigued by the short moment of silence before Folken could reply. "We'll wait for your men to report back. Carelessness will not be tolerated." "Always the cautious type I see," he replied just as they stopped in front of the huge white Melef locked in chains. "Anyway, with this in our hands, our future will be secure. Let's just drag the samurai out and destroy the thing." "I cannot allow that," Folken said as he began to slowly take to the stairs. "Not until we fully understand why this is a threat to our future." Within moments, he reached the large crystal of the beautiful imprisoned Guymelef. "Now, tell me Dilandau, do you understand?" he asked as he placed his hand on the large crystal. Dilandau was amazed when it began to resonate at his command and the Melef opened up, throwing Van to the floor. "Him! It's him!!" Dilandau gasped, remembering Van from the day before when he came to the castle before it was burned. "Fanelia's new king."
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LA TEMPERANZA.
LA STELLA.
Hitomi continued to draw more Tarot Cards one by one. Merle was on the verge of falling asleep. This has taken way too long. Allen sat there, waiting patiently for the results. She then opened her eyes and gazed at the final card. "The Fool. A life led in one's own way. Actions flying in the face of common sense. Your father's personality is shown in this card, Allen. Its shadow haunts and destroys your family. The family divided."
"So is she right?" one of the soldiers asked. "How should I know? The Boss never talks about his past," another replied, watching Hitomi as she told her prediction. I'm on the money! His sister's disappearance. His mother's death. He blames his father for it all. "Continue," Allen replied as she paused. What should I do? He looks kinda mad! Was it something I said? But I have to make him believe me.! "Hitomi? Is something wrong?" "No!" she gasped. Damn it! Just spit it out! She then placed her finger on the card that read IL GIUDIZIO. "Justice. The card of judgment. In the near future, you and your father may be reunited. But you dwell on the past and hate him for it." She glanced at the knight. The expression on his face never changed. Was it really something she did say? "A-And.this card here." she began before he gently gripped her hand. "Thank you Hitomi. That's enough," Allen said, motioning for Gaddess to come forward. She was in trouble now. He was motioning him to take her away. "But.But I didn't finish." she stuttered, but then silenced when Allen laid out a map on the table. "Now tell us Hitomi. Where is Van Fanel?"
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Van slowly opened his eyes to a very familiar tune. The room was dark. Only a candle was lit. The darkness helped his eyes take more time to focus as well as his mind. He then caught glimpse of a figure in the corner of the room. "Who's there?!" he gasped, sitting up immediately. The figure turned around and walked forward. He looked very familiar to him. "How do you know that Fanelia song?" He then noticed a table behind him. And laying there was his sword. The man simply stared down at the young king as Van leaped out of the bed and swiftly ripped out the blade from its sheath. "Okay, so how about showing me to my Guymelef?" he demanded. The man laughed as he turned to him again. "Do you think that Zaibach soldiers will give in to such threats? You can't escape from this floating fortress." Van's eyes widened upon hearing this. There was no way this man would let him out alive. "If the only way to live is as one of your pawns, then." he said, bringing his sword to his throat. A loud clash echoed through the room and Van found his sword on the ground. The other man sheathed his sword. "Never throw your life away." He suddenly threw off his cape and slowly took off his vest. White feathers then filled the room. "B-Brother?"
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"Where the hell am I?" Lybra asked. She felt very uncomfortable. "Your room." She raised her eyes and met-his. She then gasped as she looked around. The walls were covered with the stench of death. Shadows of weapons lying on the floor reflected on the walls with the help of a few torches. She found that he feet were not touching the floor. There could only be one solution for this. Chains coiled around her arms held her from the ceiling as she noticed that she was stripped of her armor and sword. All she was left in was her old gray tunic. Lybra has heard of what happens here-the torture room. Soldiers that had disobeyed their commands or were later caught if they betrayed, were tortured to death by their commanding officers. She only knew of how Dilandau treated others, for she has been here far too many times. "Dilandau, you know this is not my room!" "Of course not, but it is one of my favorites. And it will your home for quite sometime, unless you decide to come back to us," the youth said. "You really think I would?" she growled. "Not really." He took a few steps forward, smiling evilly. "I really missed you. And my soldiers probably know that too, since I had to take everything out on them now. Why did you leave me?" "Because I woke up from your vicious slumber. I will not let you abuse me again!" Lybra shouted. "Now, now. That's no way to talk to your master." "I am not your slave! I'm living my own life now! But then again, a freak like you would never understand that!" She then felt something cold against her face as well as something warm. She looked down and saw drops of her own red blood on the ground, Dilandau's sword along the line of the scar on her right cheek. "What did you say, slave!? Take back what you said this instant! I command you!" "A slave only lives to please their master, including their words. I, however, can say whatever I please." "Then say it! Call me 'master' again!"
"It's been a long time, Van. Ten years, is it?" "I'd always believed that you hadn't run away from the Rite of Succession. That you died fighting the dragon. That you didn't turn your back on it and had fought to the very end," he replied calmly. "But I was wrong, wasn't I?!" he then shouted. "Why are you with Zaibach?! Why did you burn Fanelia to the ground?!" Folken couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you laughing?" Van clenched his fists hard, his knuckles turning white. "Don't laugh!!" he shouted, grabbing his shoulder and forcefully turning him around. Something cold and hard then gripped the king's shoulder and brought him close to his brother. Van felt chills in his spine as his brother began to whisper in his ear. "Van, my brother.come with me and serve Dornkirk, Emperor of Zaibach. There we'll set the future back on course." Van gasped as everything began to go black when something sharp pierced into the back of his neck. He then crumpled to the ground at his brother's feet.
"Say it, slave! Say 'I will serve you again, Great Dilandau!' Or else I'll do more than give you scars on your face!" "Never!!" she screamed. She tried to hold back her cries as the sword traveled across the other scar on her face. "I'm impressed that you can be so brave at this time, but bravery alone won't accomplish anything. You are nothing without me, you hear that?! Nothing!!" "Shut up!" she shouted as she swung back on the chains and kicked her former master to the floor. "I will never serve you again! No matter what you do to me, my mind is made up! You have the Escaflowne! Aren't you satisfied?!" "Only bloodshed can satisfy me, Lybra. Well, so does you being my slave. But since I can't get an answer like that out of you, then one simple cry will do." "You keep reaching for things you cannot touch, Dilandau. You should know that I won't call you 'master,' let alone cry." She felt the cold blade against her already open scar once more, but this time digging deeper. More of her warm blood dripped from her wound, but she gave no cry. "Come on, slave! Cry like the little girl you are!" Dilandau shouted, bringing back his sword. Lybra bit her bottom lip as she saw his lower the blade to her right shoulder. This is going to hurt in the morning. she thought to herself. Cold steel ripped through her weak flesh as tears slowly began to form in her eyes- something she did not want to happen. "One cry will satisfy me, Lybra. So save yourself from more pain." "I will endure more pain than to satisfy you," she breathed, trembling from the sword in her shoulder. She felt the blade go through her shoulder. It surely pierced through her muscles, maybe some bone, but she couldn't give in like that. That's enough! Just as her mind requested, the blade began to slowly draw back. But then she noticed his smile of satisfaction. More was to come. Without warning, Dilandau gripped her other shoulder and drove more of the sword into her open wound. When the hilt was against her shoulder, he began to twist the blade slowly. Lybra couldn't take it anymore. This was a battle she was going to lose. Dilandau chuckled seeing the pained expression on her face as he ripped out the sword. He then brought it back once more and slashed her chest. At that moment, she cried for the only person who could help her now. Folken.
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"Do you want to rest?" Allen asked, taking a cloth and wiping Hitomi's forehead. She's been dangling her pendant over the map for a while now, but she was getting nothing. "No, let me keep trying. It would be easier if we had one of Van or Lybra's possessions. You told me all that Lybra had was her armor, sword, and Jemineye, but they're all gone. I just wish we had something of Van's here." "I got something!" Merle exclaimed, holding out her arm with the bandage wrapped around it from the day before. She carefully took it off and placed her hand on Hitomi's, the bandage between the hands. "What else can we do?" "Try to picture him in your mind." Allen placed his hand on top of Merle's as he participated. She then saw flashes of Van and the Escaflowne in her mind. Staring down at the map, her pendant was swirling around a small mountain range on the map. "That's a place where the wandering earth collects," Allen stated. Hitomi looked at him in awe. "The wandering earth?" "Levistones just like the ones this ship uses." "Exactly! It's the perfect place for that floating fortress to hide!" Gaddess exclaimed. Hitomi sighed in relief, but then collapsed in her seat.
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"What a weakling Lybra is, passing out on me like that," Dilandau said, approaching the abandoned Escaflowne. "So this is the threat to the future of the Zaibach Empire, huh? It's just a stupid antique. Not much of a threat." He then approached the large crystal where Folken was able to open the Melef up. "How on earth did Folken know how to work this thing?" he wondered, raising his hand towards the crystal. Suddenly it resonated just as before, only Dilandau felt a mysterious power that began to drive him away.
"Damn him! When will Dilandau ever learn to keep his hands to himself?" Folken grumbled as he walked through the corridor, an unconscious Lybra in his arms. "Why did you have to follow my brother? You knew what was going to happen if you did!" He then felt her limp body beginning to stir in his arms and he pushed himself through a nearby door. Her eyes slowly began to flutter open. "Where.am I?" she asked. "Your real room." "Is that.Folken?" She suddenly collapsed onto her bed, her body trembling from the impact. "Why did you drop me like that?!" "What do you think you're doing here Lybra? Why did you follow Van?" Folken demanded. "Why else? To stop Dilandau!" "I banished you from here for a reason! You've got a lot of nerve coming back here." "I was only trying to protect one of my friends. Where's the harm in that?" "That's not the point! Do you know why I sent you away from here?" Lybra stared at him and noticed a very serious look on his face. Didn't you help me leave for my own safety? Because you actually cared about my well-being? "Do you have an answer?" "No. I don't. Enlighten me." "Because you are a threat to Zaibach's future!!" Lybra couldn't believe what she was hearing. The one that she loved most saw her as a threat! "Folken.you can't be serious." "Believe me, I am serious!" "But I thought you cared about me! Enough to help me escape from this fortress!" Folken turned away, in disgust as Lybra saw it. "All I care about fulfilling the prophecy that Emperor Dornkirk foretold." Lybra was about to break into tears again, but she couldn't do that again. "I was wrong about you. Here I am, thinking that you actually had a heart to help someone else, but all you do is follow orders. How could I be so stupid?" she said to herself. She then noticed the door was wide open. She knew where her Guymelef was. Hopefully she wouldn't run into Dilandau at the wrong time. "Folken Fanel, I hate you!!" she screamed, shoving him out of the way and racing out the door. This is the only way, Lybra. I want you to live your own life and think for yourself. Forget about me and start a new life.
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"Heat the levistones. Cut our levitation and charge the fortress!" Allen commanded as soon as one of the soldiers spotted the fortress beneath the "wandering earth" that he spoke of. "Levitation down to 20!" the soldier stated. "Now furl the sails! Dive!" he ordered. Hitomi watched in shock as the Crusade began to fall, crashing into other levistones along the way. Everyone held onto whatever was close by to keep them from falling back. Hitomi tried to hold her skirt down as she held onto the large globe at the same time. "Anchor!" Allen shouted as they crashed into the fortress itself. Just as ordered, the soldiers fired the anchor, which grasped the nearby fortress. It was able to slow the ship down, but it still swung around and was about to crash. But they had to wait for the levitation or else they would indeed meet their doom. "Levitation restored!" "Cut the tether, then raise the propellers!" Hitomi then heard the propellers rise into place, just as he ordered. She was grateful now that she could stand up again. "Aft mooring anchors! Fire!" On command, two last anchors on the front of the ship latched onto the fortress, finally holding it in place. "Okay, let's board them!" Within moments, Allen and his soldiers were in the hanger of the ship, but he sensed something was wrong. After all the commotion they caused to get here, it was quiet. Surely they would have been detected, but that was a risk he was willing to take. Allen could sense that something was going to happen as soon as they boarded. Sure enough, an army of Zaibach's soldiers charged into the hanger. "Here they come!" "Leave them to me, sir!" Gaddess replied. They were surely outnumbered by probably a hundred, but the soldiers were no match to Allen's expert swordsmanship and his soldiers' craftiness. They slowly fell, but more kept coming. Allen left the hanger and proceeded deeper in the fortress. He had to find Van and Lybra all by himself. As he fended off more soldiers, he eventually halted in front of a corridor leading to a room-the Guymelef storeroom. "Escaflowne!" Suddenly, the sound of charging footsteps came from behind the knight. It was one of Dilandau's officers, but he was no match for him. Allen drew the officer's sword away and grabbed him from behind, his sword to the throat. "Freeze! If you want to live that is!"
"Oh Allen." Hitomi sighed, her and Merle watching the battle between the soldiers from the sanctuary of the Crusade. Merle stared at Hitomi as she gasped.
Dilandau charged Van from behind, screaming. Hitomi shrieked as the vision faded away with Van slashed to the death.
"What's the matter?" the little cat-girl asked. "I saw it." "Saw what?" "I've gotta go! I've gotta go warn Van!" "Van?! Wait!" she called.
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Van stepped back hearing his door unlock and slowly opened up. There stood an officer, and Van thought for a minute that he was in trouble, but suddenly he collapsed without warning. "So you're still in one piece, I see." "Allen? You came to rescue me?" the young king asked. "We don't have much time. Where's Lybra?" "I don't know. I haven't seen her at all." "I'll take you to the Escaflowne so you can escape. Then I'll stay behind and look for Lybra." "It's too risky, Allen. I'm sure she can find her way out." "You don't know her like I do. We must find her immediately. Let's go."
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It's five, maybe six meters across. Hitomi thought as she gazed at the entrance to the fortress that Allen and his men charged into. The ship was still held in place, but was pushed back farther than before. "Hitomi!" She looked back and saw the cat-girl run up after her. "What in the world do you think you're doing?!" she demanded, but then caught Hitomi's jacket that she threw. "Hold onto that. I'm going to try to jump across. My best long jump is 5.4 meters, so here goes nothing," she said as she knelt to the ground in the traditional track stance back home. "Are you crazy?! You can't jump across that!" Merle screamed. "Don't you see how far away it is?! If you fall, you're gonna die! You're gonna wind up flat as a pancake!" Hitomi pushed off the ground and dashed quickly to edge of the Crusade. "Are you listening to me?! Hey!" But Hitomi ignored the cat. She needed to focus on the jump. Within seconds, she approached the edge and, just as she was trained to do, leaped into the air. Merle stopped dead in her tracks, watching her fly through the air. She was certain that Hitomi wouldn't make it. It was too far away. Suddenly Hitomi fell-onto the fortress. "I made it!!" she cried, looking back at the stunned cat-girl. She then picked herself up and dashed into the fortress. "S-She's some kinda freak." was all Merle could say.
I've got to hurry! I've gotta warn him! Allen took care of the soldiers, so she was glad there was no obstacles to tackle as she ran. Of course she had no idea as of where to go, so she dashed into every corridor she could find. Suddenly she halted, seeing smoke in the room in front of her. And through the smoke-Van. "There he is!" Suddenly he stopped. "Lybra?! Where have you been!!" he demanded. Hitomi walked up closer and sure enough, there she was, approaching her Guymelef. She turned around and the two gasped. "Oh my God. Lybra, what have they done to you?!" Van asked, his eyes not leaving the bloody scars on her face and body. "Nevermind that. We've got to get out of here, right away!" "Lybra! Van!" Hitomi entered the room as the two turned around and gazed up. Among the smoke was Folken. "Brother!" Van shouted. "Brother? That's Van's brother?!" she exclaimed, gazing up at him. Without a doubt, she could tell the resemblance. It was no lie. They both are of the same blood. Folken stared at the king and reached into his cloak. Lybra approached Van, ready to take whatever he was going to throw at him. Suddenly, Van caught his own sword, but couldn't get to Folken, since he left without a word. Something caught Hitomi's eyes to the left of her. Among the smoke, she could hear a sword being pulled out. Footsteps slowly grew louder as she could make out a distinct figure within the smoke-it was him. "Van! Behind you!" she screamed. "Dilandau!" Lybra cried, ripping out her sword, but collapsed to the ground. She was too weak to even stand up due her wound not being treated. "No.I've got to stop him.Van!"
Clash!
"I should've killed you when I had the chance!" Dilandau shouted at Van as he brought back his sword again. Van was able to push him back, giving him enough time to bring out his own sword. "I hate your guts!" he shouted again as the blades clashed. "I hate you! I can't stand you!" Suddenly, Van's sword slashed up. The room went silent as strands of white hair and red blood fell to Dilandau's feet. Lybra was amazed. Her wish has finally come true. Dilandau brought his hand to his right cheek and slowly traced a gash from his hair, across his cheek, and above his jaw. Lybra found the courage to stand up as she approached the youth, who collapsed to the ground in hysterics. "Looks like Van did you a favor. I hope it hurts!" she cried before kicking him in the face, causing him to fall on his back. "How.dare you.do that.slave." "For the last time, I am not your slave!! I no longer do as you say!!" "Lybra.you mean.?!" "Let's leave already," Lybra said, approaching the Jemineye. The Melef sensed her blood without her even touching it, considering it was all over her body. "No! I'm not finish yet! Lybra, you're one of them?! And you've been spying on us?!" Van shouted as she loaded herself into the Guymelef. "I told you, now is not the time. We've got to hurry!" Van wasn't getting anything out of her, but he knew she wouldn't avoid that so easily once they've escaped. "Hitomi! This way!" "Coming!"
Allen lost track of how many soldiers he has fought by now. They just kept coming. Suddenly, as the last soldier fell to the ground, he heard loud crashes. He looked up and saw a brilliant white Guymelef, with Hitomi in it's hand. "Allen! Let's get out of here!" Van called. "Where's Lybra?" "Right behind us!" Hitomi replied. "Gaddess, fall back!" he ordered. "Okay, bums! The operation's over! Let's move out!" Gaddess ordered the rest of the six soldiers. Within moments, everyone was loaded into the Crusade. Van and Hitomi approached the soldiers just as Merle leapt into his arms, giving him a cat kiss. "Thank goodness! I was so worried about you!" she sobbed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Don't cry. It's okay now," Van said, running his hand through her short pink hair. "I was trying to save you guys, but you wound up saving me again." "We have Hitomi to thank," Allen said. "I see." Hitomi smiled, waiting for him to thank her for his life. He simply turned away. "Thanks." Hitomi huffed. "Set course for Palas, capital of Asturia!" Allen ordered. "Allen.!" Everyone looked back just as Lybra collapsed to the floor. Her blood was still running from her body. "Lybra! What has happened to you?!" he cried, running to her side. "Don't tell me.Dilandau did this?!" "Who else?" she breathed. "Allen. Step away." Merle let go of Van as he stepped toward Lybra. She knew the expression on his face all too well-he was pissed off. "Lybra, explain yourself." "Later," she grumbled. He then knelt down and lifted her head up by her long, teal hair. "Not later. Now!" he demanded. "You're sided with Zaibach, aren't you?" "Van." Hitomi said. "Quiet! I want answers from her!" he snapped back. Merle backed away, knowing not to get in his way when he's feeling anger like this. "You were spying on us, right?" "Yes, I'm a spy. More like.I was," she replied. Van slapped her and threw her down to the ground again. "You're the reason why we all had to go through all this trouble! I bet you even helped arrange the attack on Allen's castle!" "Now just wait a minute there!" Allen stepped in. "Allen, I'd back off if I were you," Merle squeaked. Lybra stared away from Van. He had every right to hate her. After all, she was a part of Zaibach. It didn't matter if he hated her at all. She's had hundreds of people hate her because of her alliance. Van stood up in a huff, still looking down at Lybra. "You traitor!" he shouted, kicking her in the stomach. She coughed up more blood. It hurt, but he was no Dilandau. This pain she could at least tolerate. "Van, stop it!" Hitomi cried, running up to him and grabbing his arm, but he simply swatted her away. "Stay out of this, Hitomi! I have to give this traitor a lesson!" "Wait! Lord Van!" Merle cried, running to help Hitomi. The two girls tried to hold him off, but he continued to push them aside and attack the fallen Lybra. "You're no better than Folken!" "Folken." she softly replied before he kicked her one last time, eventually passing out. Allen took the initiative and brought out his sword, striking Van in the back of the head with the hilt. Van collapsed next to her. "Sorry to do that, your Majesty, but you're wrong about Lybra. Gaddess, take Van to his room. You two," he said, looking at Merle and Hitomi as he picked up Lybra. "Help me take Lybra to the treatment room. We'll get the whole story straightened from there."
Was it all just a dream? Or maybe a vision? Another one of my visions had come true. The giants that attacked Fanelia set fire to Allen's castle. The giants flew after us, but Van changed Escaflowne into a dragon and drew them away from us, giving us a chance to escape. But what I did not see in my vision was Lybra flying after the giants. Is she trying to protect Van?
"Come on.if you don't go any faster, we're gonna catch up!" Dilandau mocked as he shot fire from the Crima Claw directly at the mechanical dragon along with the royal pilot. "Try this on for size, Van!" he shouted again, shooting at the young king, but the dragon was lucky enough to evade the blasts as they struck the mountain cliffs around him. But he wasn't fast enough when right wing sparked as it was struck by fire. Van couldn't control the dragon on the wind anymore and shifted the Guymelef back to it's normal fighting self. Escaflowne landed on the ground, as well as Dilandau's units, but they were soon enveloped in the strange cloaks on their backs and they soon vanished into thin air.
"Hidden again.so where are you Dilandau?" He could hear the loud, mechanical feet slamming against the ground, but the fact that they were invisible didn't help him much. Before he knew it, two strong arms overpowered him as the Alcedes threw the cloak to the side and reappeared. "I gotcha Van. You set yourself up as a decoy to let the others escape, huh? Well you know I just can't stand heroics!!" Dilandau screamed, his Melef striking the Escaflowne in the head over and over again. Van was getting a headache from being thrown back and forth like that. "In fact, I hate them!" the youth screamed once more before striking the melef again. Suddenly, the Fanelian defender fell to Dilandau's feet. "He's down already?" {Dilandau, I thought I told you he was to be taken alive!} "I was just having a little fun, Strategos." "Damn you!!!" Dilandau looked back and fell to the ground as an emerald Guymelef flew into him. "Lybra? How dare you strike your master like this?!" "I act on my will now, not yours! And you will not harm Van or take the Escaflowne!" Lybra shouted, raising the Melef's large, slender rapier. The Alcedes shot more fire onto the Jemineye and Lybra was forced to fly into the air. {What do you think you're doing?!} "Relax, I won't kill Lybra now. I just have to punish her for her betrayal. It's the right thing to do, isn't it?" he said as he flew after her. They clashed swords over and over in mid-flight as a large shadow hovered over the two. "What's the Vione doing here? Dilandau, you coward!! Calling upon reinforcements in a one-on-one duel!" Lybra shouted. "The Vione is here to pick up the Escaflowne. It might as well bring you back home once I'm done with you!" Dilandau screamed, grabbing the Jemineye's arm and throwing her to the ground. Alcedes brought the sword to her throat. "You've improved your skills Lybra, but you're still no match for your master." He heard her scream in defeat and simply laughed. "See? I told you I wouldn't harm her," he said through the intercom.
**********
"I see fire down there!" the soldiers called out, watching the flames sizzle on the ground. No Melefs were in sight. "Is there any Melef wreckage?" Allen asked. "I don't see any." "You don't suppose that Van was.?" Merle asked, on the point of crying. "No. I'm certain that they won't kill Van. They say only the King of Fanelia can operate Escaflowne. Besides, there's no way Lybra would allow that. She's an excellent watchdog." "Don't worry, Hitomi. We'll get him back," Gaddess replied. "Your orders?" "How many men do we have?" Allen asked. "Including me, we've got seven soldiers." "So a frontal assault against the floating fortress would be difficult. Anyway, we have to find them first." "Allen, I think I might be able to find out Van is," Hitomi said. "Well you were right about the attack on the castle." "That's right! And it wasn't a coincidence! I can feel it! Ever since I was a little girl, I was right about my hunches. But now.I can't explain it, but that power's been growing stronger!" she exclaimed, but then silenced when the knight gripped her shoulders. "That may be true, but this is a job for us knights," he said. He then ran his hand through her short hair and smiled that charming smile of his that usually captivates the girl. "You understand." Hitomi was captivated, just as he expected, but she couldn't let him win that easily. Not like that. "Test me then! Please!"
**********
"I've sent out search and destroy teams. They can't return to their homeland, so there's no reason for us to hide here anymore," Dilandau stated as he and Folken walked through the Guymelef storeroom. Each of the Melefs were leaving the fortress, except for two: Escaflowne and Jemineye. "Lybra has been sent to her quarters. She got knocked out after the fight." "You were too hard on her again." "Well, how else was I going to get her here? You and I both know that Lybra would never come back willingly." Dilandau was intrigued by the short moment of silence before Folken could reply. "We'll wait for your men to report back. Carelessness will not be tolerated." "Always the cautious type I see," he replied just as they stopped in front of the huge white Melef locked in chains. "Anyway, with this in our hands, our future will be secure. Let's just drag the samurai out and destroy the thing." "I cannot allow that," Folken said as he began to slowly take to the stairs. "Not until we fully understand why this is a threat to our future." Within moments, he reached the large crystal of the beautiful imprisoned Guymelef. "Now, tell me Dilandau, do you understand?" he asked as he placed his hand on the large crystal. Dilandau was amazed when it began to resonate at his command and the Melef opened up, throwing Van to the floor. "Him! It's him!!" Dilandau gasped, remembering Van from the day before when he came to the castle before it was burned. "Fanelia's new king."
**********
LA TEMPERANZA.
LA STELLA.
Hitomi continued to draw more Tarot Cards one by one. Merle was on the verge of falling asleep. This has taken way too long. Allen sat there, waiting patiently for the results. She then opened her eyes and gazed at the final card. "The Fool. A life led in one's own way. Actions flying in the face of common sense. Your father's personality is shown in this card, Allen. Its shadow haunts and destroys your family. The family divided."
"So is she right?" one of the soldiers asked. "How should I know? The Boss never talks about his past," another replied, watching Hitomi as she told her prediction. I'm on the money! His sister's disappearance. His mother's death. He blames his father for it all. "Continue," Allen replied as she paused. What should I do? He looks kinda mad! Was it something I said? But I have to make him believe me.! "Hitomi? Is something wrong?" "No!" she gasped. Damn it! Just spit it out! She then placed her finger on the card that read IL GIUDIZIO. "Justice. The card of judgment. In the near future, you and your father may be reunited. But you dwell on the past and hate him for it." She glanced at the knight. The expression on his face never changed. Was it really something she did say? "A-And.this card here." she began before he gently gripped her hand. "Thank you Hitomi. That's enough," Allen said, motioning for Gaddess to come forward. She was in trouble now. He was motioning him to take her away. "But.But I didn't finish." she stuttered, but then silenced when Allen laid out a map on the table. "Now tell us Hitomi. Where is Van Fanel?"
**********
Van slowly opened his eyes to a very familiar tune. The room was dark. Only a candle was lit. The darkness helped his eyes take more time to focus as well as his mind. He then caught glimpse of a figure in the corner of the room. "Who's there?!" he gasped, sitting up immediately. The figure turned around and walked forward. He looked very familiar to him. "How do you know that Fanelia song?" He then noticed a table behind him. And laying there was his sword. The man simply stared down at the young king as Van leaped out of the bed and swiftly ripped out the blade from its sheath. "Okay, so how about showing me to my Guymelef?" he demanded. The man laughed as he turned to him again. "Do you think that Zaibach soldiers will give in to such threats? You can't escape from this floating fortress." Van's eyes widened upon hearing this. There was no way this man would let him out alive. "If the only way to live is as one of your pawns, then." he said, bringing his sword to his throat. A loud clash echoed through the room and Van found his sword on the ground. The other man sheathed his sword. "Never throw your life away." He suddenly threw off his cape and slowly took off his vest. White feathers then filled the room. "B-Brother?"
**********
"Where the hell am I?" Lybra asked. She felt very uncomfortable. "Your room." She raised her eyes and met-his. She then gasped as she looked around. The walls were covered with the stench of death. Shadows of weapons lying on the floor reflected on the walls with the help of a few torches. She found that he feet were not touching the floor. There could only be one solution for this. Chains coiled around her arms held her from the ceiling as she noticed that she was stripped of her armor and sword. All she was left in was her old gray tunic. Lybra has heard of what happens here-the torture room. Soldiers that had disobeyed their commands or were later caught if they betrayed, were tortured to death by their commanding officers. She only knew of how Dilandau treated others, for she has been here far too many times. "Dilandau, you know this is not my room!" "Of course not, but it is one of my favorites. And it will your home for quite sometime, unless you decide to come back to us," the youth said. "You really think I would?" she growled. "Not really." He took a few steps forward, smiling evilly. "I really missed you. And my soldiers probably know that too, since I had to take everything out on them now. Why did you leave me?" "Because I woke up from your vicious slumber. I will not let you abuse me again!" Lybra shouted. "Now, now. That's no way to talk to your master." "I am not your slave! I'm living my own life now! But then again, a freak like you would never understand that!" She then felt something cold against her face as well as something warm. She looked down and saw drops of her own red blood on the ground, Dilandau's sword along the line of the scar on her right cheek. "What did you say, slave!? Take back what you said this instant! I command you!" "A slave only lives to please their master, including their words. I, however, can say whatever I please." "Then say it! Call me 'master' again!"
"It's been a long time, Van. Ten years, is it?" "I'd always believed that you hadn't run away from the Rite of Succession. That you died fighting the dragon. That you didn't turn your back on it and had fought to the very end," he replied calmly. "But I was wrong, wasn't I?!" he then shouted. "Why are you with Zaibach?! Why did you burn Fanelia to the ground?!" Folken couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you laughing?" Van clenched his fists hard, his knuckles turning white. "Don't laugh!!" he shouted, grabbing his shoulder and forcefully turning him around. Something cold and hard then gripped the king's shoulder and brought him close to his brother. Van felt chills in his spine as his brother began to whisper in his ear. "Van, my brother.come with me and serve Dornkirk, Emperor of Zaibach. There we'll set the future back on course." Van gasped as everything began to go black when something sharp pierced into the back of his neck. He then crumpled to the ground at his brother's feet.
"Say it, slave! Say 'I will serve you again, Great Dilandau!' Or else I'll do more than give you scars on your face!" "Never!!" she screamed. She tried to hold back her cries as the sword traveled across the other scar on her face. "I'm impressed that you can be so brave at this time, but bravery alone won't accomplish anything. You are nothing without me, you hear that?! Nothing!!" "Shut up!" she shouted as she swung back on the chains and kicked her former master to the floor. "I will never serve you again! No matter what you do to me, my mind is made up! You have the Escaflowne! Aren't you satisfied?!" "Only bloodshed can satisfy me, Lybra. Well, so does you being my slave. But since I can't get an answer like that out of you, then one simple cry will do." "You keep reaching for things you cannot touch, Dilandau. You should know that I won't call you 'master,' let alone cry." She felt the cold blade against her already open scar once more, but this time digging deeper. More of her warm blood dripped from her wound, but she gave no cry. "Come on, slave! Cry like the little girl you are!" Dilandau shouted, bringing back his sword. Lybra bit her bottom lip as she saw his lower the blade to her right shoulder. This is going to hurt in the morning. she thought to herself. Cold steel ripped through her weak flesh as tears slowly began to form in her eyes- something she did not want to happen. "One cry will satisfy me, Lybra. So save yourself from more pain." "I will endure more pain than to satisfy you," she breathed, trembling from the sword in her shoulder. She felt the blade go through her shoulder. It surely pierced through her muscles, maybe some bone, but she couldn't give in like that. That's enough! Just as her mind requested, the blade began to slowly draw back. But then she noticed his smile of satisfaction. More was to come. Without warning, Dilandau gripped her other shoulder and drove more of the sword into her open wound. When the hilt was against her shoulder, he began to twist the blade slowly. Lybra couldn't take it anymore. This was a battle she was going to lose. Dilandau chuckled seeing the pained expression on her face as he ripped out the sword. He then brought it back once more and slashed her chest. At that moment, she cried for the only person who could help her now. Folken.
**********
"Do you want to rest?" Allen asked, taking a cloth and wiping Hitomi's forehead. She's been dangling her pendant over the map for a while now, but she was getting nothing. "No, let me keep trying. It would be easier if we had one of Van or Lybra's possessions. You told me all that Lybra had was her armor, sword, and Jemineye, but they're all gone. I just wish we had something of Van's here." "I got something!" Merle exclaimed, holding out her arm with the bandage wrapped around it from the day before. She carefully took it off and placed her hand on Hitomi's, the bandage between the hands. "What else can we do?" "Try to picture him in your mind." Allen placed his hand on top of Merle's as he participated. She then saw flashes of Van and the Escaflowne in her mind. Staring down at the map, her pendant was swirling around a small mountain range on the map. "That's a place where the wandering earth collects," Allen stated. Hitomi looked at him in awe. "The wandering earth?" "Levistones just like the ones this ship uses." "Exactly! It's the perfect place for that floating fortress to hide!" Gaddess exclaimed. Hitomi sighed in relief, but then collapsed in her seat.
**********
"What a weakling Lybra is, passing out on me like that," Dilandau said, approaching the abandoned Escaflowne. "So this is the threat to the future of the Zaibach Empire, huh? It's just a stupid antique. Not much of a threat." He then approached the large crystal where Folken was able to open the Melef up. "How on earth did Folken know how to work this thing?" he wondered, raising his hand towards the crystal. Suddenly it resonated just as before, only Dilandau felt a mysterious power that began to drive him away.
"Damn him! When will Dilandau ever learn to keep his hands to himself?" Folken grumbled as he walked through the corridor, an unconscious Lybra in his arms. "Why did you have to follow my brother? You knew what was going to happen if you did!" He then felt her limp body beginning to stir in his arms and he pushed himself through a nearby door. Her eyes slowly began to flutter open. "Where.am I?" she asked. "Your real room." "Is that.Folken?" She suddenly collapsed onto her bed, her body trembling from the impact. "Why did you drop me like that?!" "What do you think you're doing here Lybra? Why did you follow Van?" Folken demanded. "Why else? To stop Dilandau!" "I banished you from here for a reason! You've got a lot of nerve coming back here." "I was only trying to protect one of my friends. Where's the harm in that?" "That's not the point! Do you know why I sent you away from here?" Lybra stared at him and noticed a very serious look on his face. Didn't you help me leave for my own safety? Because you actually cared about my well-being? "Do you have an answer?" "No. I don't. Enlighten me." "Because you are a threat to Zaibach's future!!" Lybra couldn't believe what she was hearing. The one that she loved most saw her as a threat! "Folken.you can't be serious." "Believe me, I am serious!" "But I thought you cared about me! Enough to help me escape from this fortress!" Folken turned away, in disgust as Lybra saw it. "All I care about fulfilling the prophecy that Emperor Dornkirk foretold." Lybra was about to break into tears again, but she couldn't do that again. "I was wrong about you. Here I am, thinking that you actually had a heart to help someone else, but all you do is follow orders. How could I be so stupid?" she said to herself. She then noticed the door was wide open. She knew where her Guymelef was. Hopefully she wouldn't run into Dilandau at the wrong time. "Folken Fanel, I hate you!!" she screamed, shoving him out of the way and racing out the door. This is the only way, Lybra. I want you to live your own life and think for yourself. Forget about me and start a new life.
**********
"Heat the levistones. Cut our levitation and charge the fortress!" Allen commanded as soon as one of the soldiers spotted the fortress beneath the "wandering earth" that he spoke of. "Levitation down to 20!" the soldier stated. "Now furl the sails! Dive!" he ordered. Hitomi watched in shock as the Crusade began to fall, crashing into other levistones along the way. Everyone held onto whatever was close by to keep them from falling back. Hitomi tried to hold her skirt down as she held onto the large globe at the same time. "Anchor!" Allen shouted as they crashed into the fortress itself. Just as ordered, the soldiers fired the anchor, which grasped the nearby fortress. It was able to slow the ship down, but it still swung around and was about to crash. But they had to wait for the levitation or else they would indeed meet their doom. "Levitation restored!" "Cut the tether, then raise the propellers!" Hitomi then heard the propellers rise into place, just as he ordered. She was grateful now that she could stand up again. "Aft mooring anchors! Fire!" On command, two last anchors on the front of the ship latched onto the fortress, finally holding it in place. "Okay, let's board them!" Within moments, Allen and his soldiers were in the hanger of the ship, but he sensed something was wrong. After all the commotion they caused to get here, it was quiet. Surely they would have been detected, but that was a risk he was willing to take. Allen could sense that something was going to happen as soon as they boarded. Sure enough, an army of Zaibach's soldiers charged into the hanger. "Here they come!" "Leave them to me, sir!" Gaddess replied. They were surely outnumbered by probably a hundred, but the soldiers were no match to Allen's expert swordsmanship and his soldiers' craftiness. They slowly fell, but more kept coming. Allen left the hanger and proceeded deeper in the fortress. He had to find Van and Lybra all by himself. As he fended off more soldiers, he eventually halted in front of a corridor leading to a room-the Guymelef storeroom. "Escaflowne!" Suddenly, the sound of charging footsteps came from behind the knight. It was one of Dilandau's officers, but he was no match for him. Allen drew the officer's sword away and grabbed him from behind, his sword to the throat. "Freeze! If you want to live that is!"
"Oh Allen." Hitomi sighed, her and Merle watching the battle between the soldiers from the sanctuary of the Crusade. Merle stared at Hitomi as she gasped.
Dilandau charged Van from behind, screaming. Hitomi shrieked as the vision faded away with Van slashed to the death.
"What's the matter?" the little cat-girl asked. "I saw it." "Saw what?" "I've gotta go! I've gotta go warn Van!" "Van?! Wait!" she called.
**********
Van stepped back hearing his door unlock and slowly opened up. There stood an officer, and Van thought for a minute that he was in trouble, but suddenly he collapsed without warning. "So you're still in one piece, I see." "Allen? You came to rescue me?" the young king asked. "We don't have much time. Where's Lybra?" "I don't know. I haven't seen her at all." "I'll take you to the Escaflowne so you can escape. Then I'll stay behind and look for Lybra." "It's too risky, Allen. I'm sure she can find her way out." "You don't know her like I do. We must find her immediately. Let's go."
**********
It's five, maybe six meters across. Hitomi thought as she gazed at the entrance to the fortress that Allen and his men charged into. The ship was still held in place, but was pushed back farther than before. "Hitomi!" She looked back and saw the cat-girl run up after her. "What in the world do you think you're doing?!" she demanded, but then caught Hitomi's jacket that she threw. "Hold onto that. I'm going to try to jump across. My best long jump is 5.4 meters, so here goes nothing," she said as she knelt to the ground in the traditional track stance back home. "Are you crazy?! You can't jump across that!" Merle screamed. "Don't you see how far away it is?! If you fall, you're gonna die! You're gonna wind up flat as a pancake!" Hitomi pushed off the ground and dashed quickly to edge of the Crusade. "Are you listening to me?! Hey!" But Hitomi ignored the cat. She needed to focus on the jump. Within seconds, she approached the edge and, just as she was trained to do, leaped into the air. Merle stopped dead in her tracks, watching her fly through the air. She was certain that Hitomi wouldn't make it. It was too far away. Suddenly Hitomi fell-onto the fortress. "I made it!!" she cried, looking back at the stunned cat-girl. She then picked herself up and dashed into the fortress. "S-She's some kinda freak." was all Merle could say.
I've got to hurry! I've gotta warn him! Allen took care of the soldiers, so she was glad there was no obstacles to tackle as she ran. Of course she had no idea as of where to go, so she dashed into every corridor she could find. Suddenly she halted, seeing smoke in the room in front of her. And through the smoke-Van. "There he is!" Suddenly he stopped. "Lybra?! Where have you been!!" he demanded. Hitomi walked up closer and sure enough, there she was, approaching her Guymelef. She turned around and the two gasped. "Oh my God. Lybra, what have they done to you?!" Van asked, his eyes not leaving the bloody scars on her face and body. "Nevermind that. We've got to get out of here, right away!" "Lybra! Van!" Hitomi entered the room as the two turned around and gazed up. Among the smoke was Folken. "Brother!" Van shouted. "Brother? That's Van's brother?!" she exclaimed, gazing up at him. Without a doubt, she could tell the resemblance. It was no lie. They both are of the same blood. Folken stared at the king and reached into his cloak. Lybra approached Van, ready to take whatever he was going to throw at him. Suddenly, Van caught his own sword, but couldn't get to Folken, since he left without a word. Something caught Hitomi's eyes to the left of her. Among the smoke, she could hear a sword being pulled out. Footsteps slowly grew louder as she could make out a distinct figure within the smoke-it was him. "Van! Behind you!" she screamed. "Dilandau!" Lybra cried, ripping out her sword, but collapsed to the ground. She was too weak to even stand up due her wound not being treated. "No.I've got to stop him.Van!"
Clash!
"I should've killed you when I had the chance!" Dilandau shouted at Van as he brought back his sword again. Van was able to push him back, giving him enough time to bring out his own sword. "I hate your guts!" he shouted again as the blades clashed. "I hate you! I can't stand you!" Suddenly, Van's sword slashed up. The room went silent as strands of white hair and red blood fell to Dilandau's feet. Lybra was amazed. Her wish has finally come true. Dilandau brought his hand to his right cheek and slowly traced a gash from his hair, across his cheek, and above his jaw. Lybra found the courage to stand up as she approached the youth, who collapsed to the ground in hysterics. "Looks like Van did you a favor. I hope it hurts!" she cried before kicking him in the face, causing him to fall on his back. "How.dare you.do that.slave." "For the last time, I am not your slave!! I no longer do as you say!!" "Lybra.you mean.?!" "Let's leave already," Lybra said, approaching the Jemineye. The Melef sensed her blood without her even touching it, considering it was all over her body. "No! I'm not finish yet! Lybra, you're one of them?! And you've been spying on us?!" Van shouted as she loaded herself into the Guymelef. "I told you, now is not the time. We've got to hurry!" Van wasn't getting anything out of her, but he knew she wouldn't avoid that so easily once they've escaped. "Hitomi! This way!" "Coming!"
Allen lost track of how many soldiers he has fought by now. They just kept coming. Suddenly, as the last soldier fell to the ground, he heard loud crashes. He looked up and saw a brilliant white Guymelef, with Hitomi in it's hand. "Allen! Let's get out of here!" Van called. "Where's Lybra?" "Right behind us!" Hitomi replied. "Gaddess, fall back!" he ordered. "Okay, bums! The operation's over! Let's move out!" Gaddess ordered the rest of the six soldiers. Within moments, everyone was loaded into the Crusade. Van and Hitomi approached the soldiers just as Merle leapt into his arms, giving him a cat kiss. "Thank goodness! I was so worried about you!" she sobbed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Don't cry. It's okay now," Van said, running his hand through her short pink hair. "I was trying to save you guys, but you wound up saving me again." "We have Hitomi to thank," Allen said. "I see." Hitomi smiled, waiting for him to thank her for his life. He simply turned away. "Thanks." Hitomi huffed. "Set course for Palas, capital of Asturia!" Allen ordered. "Allen.!" Everyone looked back just as Lybra collapsed to the floor. Her blood was still running from her body. "Lybra! What has happened to you?!" he cried, running to her side. "Don't tell me.Dilandau did this?!" "Who else?" she breathed. "Allen. Step away." Merle let go of Van as he stepped toward Lybra. She knew the expression on his face all too well-he was pissed off. "Lybra, explain yourself." "Later," she grumbled. He then knelt down and lifted her head up by her long, teal hair. "Not later. Now!" he demanded. "You're sided with Zaibach, aren't you?" "Van." Hitomi said. "Quiet! I want answers from her!" he snapped back. Merle backed away, knowing not to get in his way when he's feeling anger like this. "You were spying on us, right?" "Yes, I'm a spy. More like.I was," she replied. Van slapped her and threw her down to the ground again. "You're the reason why we all had to go through all this trouble! I bet you even helped arrange the attack on Allen's castle!" "Now just wait a minute there!" Allen stepped in. "Allen, I'd back off if I were you," Merle squeaked. Lybra stared away from Van. He had every right to hate her. After all, she was a part of Zaibach. It didn't matter if he hated her at all. She's had hundreds of people hate her because of her alliance. Van stood up in a huff, still looking down at Lybra. "You traitor!" he shouted, kicking her in the stomach. She coughed up more blood. It hurt, but he was no Dilandau. This pain she could at least tolerate. "Van, stop it!" Hitomi cried, running up to him and grabbing his arm, but he simply swatted her away. "Stay out of this, Hitomi! I have to give this traitor a lesson!" "Wait! Lord Van!" Merle cried, running to help Hitomi. The two girls tried to hold him off, but he continued to push them aside and attack the fallen Lybra. "You're no better than Folken!" "Folken." she softly replied before he kicked her one last time, eventually passing out. Allen took the initiative and brought out his sword, striking Van in the back of the head with the hilt. Van collapsed next to her. "Sorry to do that, your Majesty, but you're wrong about Lybra. Gaddess, take Van to his room. You two," he said, looking at Merle and Hitomi as he picked up Lybra. "Help me take Lybra to the treatment room. We'll get the whole story straightened from there."