Leviathan's Daughter
GoldenEagle
Author's Note: Hey, first I'd like to point out two exceptional fics I've come across that aren't getting much attention. Raymei's "Escaflowne- A Reborn Vision" is spectacular and is a must read. I want to thank her so much for her encouragement, along with GoldenDragon's. Another fic that's really good is Babyshampoo's "Escaflowne the Continuation". That story kicks ass. Oh, also, the "Worlds of Blue an White" series.... By Croik... That rocks... Anyways, on with the story (sorry, I'm tired and babbling).
This installment is the longest so far, but I think you guys will enjoy the second chapter. We get to see some more of Folken. Plus, after these chapters, I believe the plot will start picking up and will ultimately leave to the finale. After all, we still have to honor that prophecy of Perseph's, huh?
Chapter Thirty-Five
"No-" Persephone threw the fabric down. "-I-" Threw a glare at Millerna. "-won't!" She gave a final, immature stomp of her foot before turning to storm out.
"Oh, no you don't, you little heathen..." Millerna muttered in an enraged whisper as she grabbed the girl by the arm. "I will not let you blow our cover because of your stupid pride!" She screamed.
"And I won't wear a dress. After all, I'm being brought along to fight if there is need, and how can I fight in fifty yards worth of fabric?!" Persephone replied, just as hotly. But, for once, the princess was going to get her way with this girl.
"Get it on, right now..." She growled, shoving the girl onto the nearby bed. Two, flaming crimson eyes met hers and an angry, animal sound emitted from Persephone before she gave in, throwing a mental temper tantrum as she squeezed into the dress.
***************
Hitomi couldn't help but find herself rolling on the ground with laughter as she saw Persephone in the delicate, lace dress which bellowed around her. Millerna gave her a sharp glare. "What are you laughing about?"
Hitomi, who was already in an uncomfortable, fancy dress, sat up, her skirts puffing out around her as she sat on the floor. Tears were streaming down her smiling face as she spoke. "You think she is supposed to look inconspicuous in that? You might as well have place a hat on Escaflowne and claimed him your brother! God, Persephone stands out more in that dress than she would if she traveled naked!" Millerna blushed at the girl's unlady like words before huffing past the two of them, both seemingly breaking into joyous laughter as she left. "Go change." Hitomi said through blurry eyes from the tears that had formed. The pleasant face of the woman before her was still painted with a joyful smile. The look was beautiful on the warrior, but somehow out of place at the same time. Like it drew its gorgeous expression by being some sort of miracle. The proof of a heart painted on the face of the heartless.
*******************
Allen turned in his saddle at the gentle beat of hoof beats, galloping up behind him. "I almost thought that you decided not to come, Lady Persephone." He said as she slowed next to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Millerna give a snort of indignance and toss her head back, her nose lifted high. Hitomi sat next to her in the carriage and merely gave a small wave to Persephone before she leaned back, ready for a long ride.
"Yeah, well, I had some wardrobe problems." She said plainly. Allen smiled as he looked her over, seated comfortably on her speckled mare, a pair of khaki pants and another one of his shirts on. Her hair was tied back, only a few strands falling forward to give her harsh features a softer look. Without the shimmering, crimson mass back, the locks fell to her shoulders.
Persephone took a deep breath in, enjoying the open air once more of the forest. Van brought his horse up to the two quietly, keeping quiet, his scabbard at his side. On top of the worn carriage sat Gadeth, and inside were Hitomi and Millerna. Merle had been left back on the ship, considered a bit too much trouble and mischief for the group to handle right now. They had avoided bringing any other men, knowing the larger their group was, the more conspicuous it would be.
Persephone contemplated why the two other ladies had been brought. Most likely Millerna had weaseled herself into the entire thing, thinking that, since she was royalty, it was only common to come along. As for Hitomi, Persephone knew full well why she came. She had heard the rumors of her "powers" to see the unseen. Plus, the girl seemed to calm Van down quite a bit, somehow. A small, ghost of a smile reached Persephone's lips in realization. Van and Hitomi. The Draconian King, and the fated Old Worlder. What a wonderful, tragic couple.
After traveling on the deserted, dust roads for a few hours, Persephone brought her horse closer to Van's. The boy looked up at her tiredly, as if he didn't think he could handle whatever she had to say right now. "So, Van, how do you feel?"
"Like I've been riding a horse for the last three hours." He said dully. Persephone frowned at his lack of emotion.
"So..." After a few more moments of silence, Persephone pulled away from Van. She would never break the boundary between the two of them. His hate for Zaibach ran much deeper than she thought. It bothered her that she couldn't even reach out to *his* brother, couldn't even make a connection to the young, Fanalian King. Perhaps it were better that way.
It was only about an hour later that the road they took intercepted with two more, much busier paths. It was obvious by the "traffic" that they were nearing the outskirts of Virdania and the festival that was to come. Persephone let out a tired sigh. 'Time to confront your past, child...'
Chapter Thirty-Six
Grey eyes observed the preperations of Virdania's festival without the least bit of interest. There had been rumors among certain social groups in the Zaibach empire that the king of Mirama might be meeting in secret with the main force behind the rebel troops this very night to discuss the country shielding and protecting this guerrilla power. He had stopped all rumors immediately, before any of them could reach people such as Dillandau or Emperor Dornkirk. Besides, the man only had one wish. He stepped into the newly lit light of the fires, the sun not fully down yet. A blue, tear shaped mark was the only imperfection visible on his face in the dimming daylight. All Folken wanted was one more chance. One more chance with his brother. Together, he was sure they could set Zaibach straight...
**************
"You've lost her again, Allen." Millerna said in an aggravated growl.
"I didn't lose her. She's not a child. She can watch after herself." Allen replied curtly back, his eyes staring deep into the raging heart of a fire, the sky already dark above them. The princess only gave a disbelieving look before clattering off to go talk to Gadeth, who was seated not too far away, telling some stories of his "feats" to a group of beautiful young virgins. As for Hitomi and Van, they had long ago gone off, at Hitomi's urgings, to look at all the merchant's carts and such.
Beyond the fire Allen sat before, people danced and there could be heard laughter of happy couples. Folk music was played vigorously on fiddles and harps and guitars. The knight shifted uncomfortably. "I should have been more specific." He muttered. "What if I pass King Sedrick by?" He asked himself out loud.
"Oh, come on, Allen. Quit being such a worry wart. You know you won't miss him." The knight turned his head to see who it was, but bolted up at the sight of her. He stared into her eyes, his shining with a strange aurora. She was beautiful. She was beautiful.
****************
Hitomi was pulling Van from cart to cart, and the young Fanalian king wore a smile as he took in the simple joy she received from small, unimportant objects of Gaea. He didn't really noticed the set of grey eyes set upon him, calculating and reading his every move.
Folken moved forward to approach them, knowing that, if push came to shove, he could disappear into the crowd around them. He stepped forward from the tree and shadows he hid behind, gathering his courage to approach his brother when something caught his eye. A flash of color, flaming and beautiful. His concentration on the business at hand was completely erased as he turned and saw her, in the clearing beyond. His heart skipped, shuttered, and then fell. What... Who...
*Who was with her?*
*************
Allen was struck silent at her beauty. She had traded in her riding clothes for a simple, black dress, falling right below her knees. The neck was low cut, and she wore her hair up, yet scattered wildly over her head. One copper piece fell over her scarred eye, hiding it from most of the onlookers. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, a nervous and reluctant smile flashing across her face momentarily.
And she was nervous. Somehow she felt she had taken a wrong step, ended up in the wrong situation-
"Would you like to dance?" The knight asked cordially as he bowed. He looked up, still bowed down, and offered out a hand. Persephone hesitated before taking it, a fast beat filtering through the music, and the Heavenly Knight spun her around in a glorious dance beneath the star light.
**************
He saw the man offer his hand. Looking closer, he did recognize the form as a Schezar. Allen Schezar, to be more precise. There was a slight pause from Persephone before she hesitantly took his hand and the knight pulled her out among the music. A bit of jealous rage flashed through Folken and he started forward, ready to take her from him, perhaps take the impostor's place. She was his, and his alone. He had almost reached the clearing when he froze at what he saw. The world stopped. His heart stopped.
****************
Persephone laughed a real, childish laugh as Allen spun her faster and faster to the increasing beat of the music. She was dizzy, but ecstatic with an innocent joy she hadn't felt in a very long time. The music's beat grew so quick that the notes melted together in Persephone's ears into one loud scream of beat and dance, and she let it speak to her, draw her further into this ecstasy. Then, despite the music, despite the joy she had just felt, her world suddenly stopped, along with the beat of her heart. Her eyes were closed and she didn't know what to do at first, unresponding, as she felt Allen's lips over hers, a kiss that somehow seemed to destroy her with a final, devestating blow.
****************
Folken Strategos stared on as his lover's eyes stayed closed as she kissed another man. He suddenly felt broken, battered. As if he had been slowly rusted through. Had she not received his letter? Did she not have faith in him that, one day, they would be together again? Or did she just not care? Folken shuttered from the mortal blow and turned his eyes away, pushing away tears that threatened to spill from him. No. No, he would not cry for her. He turned and crashed almost blindly from the crowds of people, all thoughts of his brother and the future hope for Zaibach gone. He gritted his teeth. He would not cry over her. He wouldn't cry.
The tears spilt out, despite his efforts.
*****************
Allen's mouth still covered her own, his kiss long and soft, gentle, coaxing her to respond. Her lips refused to answer for the first few seconds, along with her body, so she just stood, him holding her in his arms. Though his lips and tongue and hands urged her to reply, she didn't move. And then, with a steady building of realization of what was truly happening, stiffness creeped into Persephone and with a sharp cry, Persephone placed her hand on his chest and pushed away. Her eyes were sealed shut as tears threatened to fall forth. She wouldn't look at the knight, her head to the side. "Persephone..." His soft fingers touched her face questioningly.
She jerked away, stumbling backwards. She finally looked up at him from a lowered head. The paleness found even in her eyes made her complexion look even white as she stared up at him for a few seconds. "Don't..." She gasped for breath, a horrible feeling of betrayal and heart break falling over her. Allen took a step towards her, but she backed up more, shaking her head vigorously as she clenched her fists. "Don't... Don't ever do that again, Allen, do you hear me?" She said in a low, tearful whisper. A hurt look crossed his face and he didn't respond.
"Persephone..."
As he took another step forward, his hands reaching out for her, she turned and ran, bolting away from Allen. As she did so, pushing her way through the crowd, she looked to the stars and sobbed loudly as she hid among the shadows of the forest, her back to a tree.
What had she done? What had she done? She certainly had an attraction to Allen Schezar, a strange, new type of attraction. She felt that she could love him, if she knew him better. God, he was her friend! She should have kissed the knight back, should have responded to his hurt looks. But she hadn't. Why? Because, she didn't have the heart to love again. She had given her heart to a prince far away, one she would never see again. Persephone's tears came harder as she curled up against the tree, her shoulders shaking. Despite the fact that she had finally found a group of people that she felt she could maybe belong to, she felt more alone than she had ever before. Her world was falling apart, crashing to the ground. All because of that one, stupid man she had left behind to find her fate. If it wasn't for him, she could fall in love with Allen. Without him, she could look at herself and not have to ask what was so wrong with her to keep him away. And, without him... She would be nothing.
"I hate you." She hissed to the dark, sobs tearing through her chest. "I hate you."
Author's Notes: Hate it, love it? As I said above, things start picking up from here. I'm not even gonna tell you how many pages you've read if you've made it this far. It give me a headache to think about it... Egh.... But, please read and review!
GoldenEagle
Author's Note: Hey, first I'd like to point out two exceptional fics I've come across that aren't getting much attention. Raymei's "Escaflowne- A Reborn Vision" is spectacular and is a must read. I want to thank her so much for her encouragement, along with GoldenDragon's. Another fic that's really good is Babyshampoo's "Escaflowne the Continuation". That story kicks ass. Oh, also, the "Worlds of Blue an White" series.... By Croik... That rocks... Anyways, on with the story (sorry, I'm tired and babbling).
This installment is the longest so far, but I think you guys will enjoy the second chapter. We get to see some more of Folken. Plus, after these chapters, I believe the plot will start picking up and will ultimately leave to the finale. After all, we still have to honor that prophecy of Perseph's, huh?
Chapter Thirty-Five
"No-" Persephone threw the fabric down. "-I-" Threw a glare at Millerna. "-won't!" She gave a final, immature stomp of her foot before turning to storm out.
"Oh, no you don't, you little heathen..." Millerna muttered in an enraged whisper as she grabbed the girl by the arm. "I will not let you blow our cover because of your stupid pride!" She screamed.
"And I won't wear a dress. After all, I'm being brought along to fight if there is need, and how can I fight in fifty yards worth of fabric?!" Persephone replied, just as hotly. But, for once, the princess was going to get her way with this girl.
"Get it on, right now..." She growled, shoving the girl onto the nearby bed. Two, flaming crimson eyes met hers and an angry, animal sound emitted from Persephone before she gave in, throwing a mental temper tantrum as she squeezed into the dress.
***************
Hitomi couldn't help but find herself rolling on the ground with laughter as she saw Persephone in the delicate, lace dress which bellowed around her. Millerna gave her a sharp glare. "What are you laughing about?"
Hitomi, who was already in an uncomfortable, fancy dress, sat up, her skirts puffing out around her as she sat on the floor. Tears were streaming down her smiling face as she spoke. "You think she is supposed to look inconspicuous in that? You might as well have place a hat on Escaflowne and claimed him your brother! God, Persephone stands out more in that dress than she would if she traveled naked!" Millerna blushed at the girl's unlady like words before huffing past the two of them, both seemingly breaking into joyous laughter as she left. "Go change." Hitomi said through blurry eyes from the tears that had formed. The pleasant face of the woman before her was still painted with a joyful smile. The look was beautiful on the warrior, but somehow out of place at the same time. Like it drew its gorgeous expression by being some sort of miracle. The proof of a heart painted on the face of the heartless.
*******************
Allen turned in his saddle at the gentle beat of hoof beats, galloping up behind him. "I almost thought that you decided not to come, Lady Persephone." He said as she slowed next to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Millerna give a snort of indignance and toss her head back, her nose lifted high. Hitomi sat next to her in the carriage and merely gave a small wave to Persephone before she leaned back, ready for a long ride.
"Yeah, well, I had some wardrobe problems." She said plainly. Allen smiled as he looked her over, seated comfortably on her speckled mare, a pair of khaki pants and another one of his shirts on. Her hair was tied back, only a few strands falling forward to give her harsh features a softer look. Without the shimmering, crimson mass back, the locks fell to her shoulders.
Persephone took a deep breath in, enjoying the open air once more of the forest. Van brought his horse up to the two quietly, keeping quiet, his scabbard at his side. On top of the worn carriage sat Gadeth, and inside were Hitomi and Millerna. Merle had been left back on the ship, considered a bit too much trouble and mischief for the group to handle right now. They had avoided bringing any other men, knowing the larger their group was, the more conspicuous it would be.
Persephone contemplated why the two other ladies had been brought. Most likely Millerna had weaseled herself into the entire thing, thinking that, since she was royalty, it was only common to come along. As for Hitomi, Persephone knew full well why she came. She had heard the rumors of her "powers" to see the unseen. Plus, the girl seemed to calm Van down quite a bit, somehow. A small, ghost of a smile reached Persephone's lips in realization. Van and Hitomi. The Draconian King, and the fated Old Worlder. What a wonderful, tragic couple.
After traveling on the deserted, dust roads for a few hours, Persephone brought her horse closer to Van's. The boy looked up at her tiredly, as if he didn't think he could handle whatever she had to say right now. "So, Van, how do you feel?"
"Like I've been riding a horse for the last three hours." He said dully. Persephone frowned at his lack of emotion.
"So..." After a few more moments of silence, Persephone pulled away from Van. She would never break the boundary between the two of them. His hate for Zaibach ran much deeper than she thought. It bothered her that she couldn't even reach out to *his* brother, couldn't even make a connection to the young, Fanalian King. Perhaps it were better that way.
It was only about an hour later that the road they took intercepted with two more, much busier paths. It was obvious by the "traffic" that they were nearing the outskirts of Virdania and the festival that was to come. Persephone let out a tired sigh. 'Time to confront your past, child...'
Chapter Thirty-Six
Grey eyes observed the preperations of Virdania's festival without the least bit of interest. There had been rumors among certain social groups in the Zaibach empire that the king of Mirama might be meeting in secret with the main force behind the rebel troops this very night to discuss the country shielding and protecting this guerrilla power. He had stopped all rumors immediately, before any of them could reach people such as Dillandau or Emperor Dornkirk. Besides, the man only had one wish. He stepped into the newly lit light of the fires, the sun not fully down yet. A blue, tear shaped mark was the only imperfection visible on his face in the dimming daylight. All Folken wanted was one more chance. One more chance with his brother. Together, he was sure they could set Zaibach straight...
**************
"You've lost her again, Allen." Millerna said in an aggravated growl.
"I didn't lose her. She's not a child. She can watch after herself." Allen replied curtly back, his eyes staring deep into the raging heart of a fire, the sky already dark above them. The princess only gave a disbelieving look before clattering off to go talk to Gadeth, who was seated not too far away, telling some stories of his "feats" to a group of beautiful young virgins. As for Hitomi and Van, they had long ago gone off, at Hitomi's urgings, to look at all the merchant's carts and such.
Beyond the fire Allen sat before, people danced and there could be heard laughter of happy couples. Folk music was played vigorously on fiddles and harps and guitars. The knight shifted uncomfortably. "I should have been more specific." He muttered. "What if I pass King Sedrick by?" He asked himself out loud.
"Oh, come on, Allen. Quit being such a worry wart. You know you won't miss him." The knight turned his head to see who it was, but bolted up at the sight of her. He stared into her eyes, his shining with a strange aurora. She was beautiful. She was beautiful.
****************
Hitomi was pulling Van from cart to cart, and the young Fanalian king wore a smile as he took in the simple joy she received from small, unimportant objects of Gaea. He didn't really noticed the set of grey eyes set upon him, calculating and reading his every move.
Folken moved forward to approach them, knowing that, if push came to shove, he could disappear into the crowd around them. He stepped forward from the tree and shadows he hid behind, gathering his courage to approach his brother when something caught his eye. A flash of color, flaming and beautiful. His concentration on the business at hand was completely erased as he turned and saw her, in the clearing beyond. His heart skipped, shuttered, and then fell. What... Who...
*Who was with her?*
*************
Allen was struck silent at her beauty. She had traded in her riding clothes for a simple, black dress, falling right below her knees. The neck was low cut, and she wore her hair up, yet scattered wildly over her head. One copper piece fell over her scarred eye, hiding it from most of the onlookers. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, a nervous and reluctant smile flashing across her face momentarily.
And she was nervous. Somehow she felt she had taken a wrong step, ended up in the wrong situation-
"Would you like to dance?" The knight asked cordially as he bowed. He looked up, still bowed down, and offered out a hand. Persephone hesitated before taking it, a fast beat filtering through the music, and the Heavenly Knight spun her around in a glorious dance beneath the star light.
**************
He saw the man offer his hand. Looking closer, he did recognize the form as a Schezar. Allen Schezar, to be more precise. There was a slight pause from Persephone before she hesitantly took his hand and the knight pulled her out among the music. A bit of jealous rage flashed through Folken and he started forward, ready to take her from him, perhaps take the impostor's place. She was his, and his alone. He had almost reached the clearing when he froze at what he saw. The world stopped. His heart stopped.
****************
Persephone laughed a real, childish laugh as Allen spun her faster and faster to the increasing beat of the music. She was dizzy, but ecstatic with an innocent joy she hadn't felt in a very long time. The music's beat grew so quick that the notes melted together in Persephone's ears into one loud scream of beat and dance, and she let it speak to her, draw her further into this ecstasy. Then, despite the music, despite the joy she had just felt, her world suddenly stopped, along with the beat of her heart. Her eyes were closed and she didn't know what to do at first, unresponding, as she felt Allen's lips over hers, a kiss that somehow seemed to destroy her with a final, devestating blow.
****************
Folken Strategos stared on as his lover's eyes stayed closed as she kissed another man. He suddenly felt broken, battered. As if he had been slowly rusted through. Had she not received his letter? Did she not have faith in him that, one day, they would be together again? Or did she just not care? Folken shuttered from the mortal blow and turned his eyes away, pushing away tears that threatened to spill from him. No. No, he would not cry for her. He turned and crashed almost blindly from the crowds of people, all thoughts of his brother and the future hope for Zaibach gone. He gritted his teeth. He would not cry over her. He wouldn't cry.
The tears spilt out, despite his efforts.
*****************
Allen's mouth still covered her own, his kiss long and soft, gentle, coaxing her to respond. Her lips refused to answer for the first few seconds, along with her body, so she just stood, him holding her in his arms. Though his lips and tongue and hands urged her to reply, she didn't move. And then, with a steady building of realization of what was truly happening, stiffness creeped into Persephone and with a sharp cry, Persephone placed her hand on his chest and pushed away. Her eyes were sealed shut as tears threatened to fall forth. She wouldn't look at the knight, her head to the side. "Persephone..." His soft fingers touched her face questioningly.
She jerked away, stumbling backwards. She finally looked up at him from a lowered head. The paleness found even in her eyes made her complexion look even white as she stared up at him for a few seconds. "Don't..." She gasped for breath, a horrible feeling of betrayal and heart break falling over her. Allen took a step towards her, but she backed up more, shaking her head vigorously as she clenched her fists. "Don't... Don't ever do that again, Allen, do you hear me?" She said in a low, tearful whisper. A hurt look crossed his face and he didn't respond.
"Persephone..."
As he took another step forward, his hands reaching out for her, she turned and ran, bolting away from Allen. As she did so, pushing her way through the crowd, she looked to the stars and sobbed loudly as she hid among the shadows of the forest, her back to a tree.
What had she done? What had she done? She certainly had an attraction to Allen Schezar, a strange, new type of attraction. She felt that she could love him, if she knew him better. God, he was her friend! She should have kissed the knight back, should have responded to his hurt looks. But she hadn't. Why? Because, she didn't have the heart to love again. She had given her heart to a prince far away, one she would never see again. Persephone's tears came harder as she curled up against the tree, her shoulders shaking. Despite the fact that she had finally found a group of people that she felt she could maybe belong to, she felt more alone than she had ever before. Her world was falling apart, crashing to the ground. All because of that one, stupid man she had left behind to find her fate. If it wasn't for him, she could fall in love with Allen. Without him, she could look at herself and not have to ask what was so wrong with her to keep him away. And, without him... She would be nothing.
"I hate you." She hissed to the dark, sobs tearing through her chest. "I hate you."
Author's Notes: Hate it, love it? As I said above, things start picking up from here. I'm not even gonna tell you how many pages you've read if you've made it this far. It give me a headache to think about it... Egh.... But, please read and review!