~ Vision of Escaflowne ~
Author's Note : I can't get enough of Escaflowne ! The BGMs are good ( I encourage every Escaflowne fan to get their hands on the music files ! ) and I really love the story plot … well, this is just a fanfiction of my pure own madness and characters do not belong to me.
" Van ? Where are you ? "
It was the end of school and everyone had already gone home for the day. The school grounds were deserted as Hitomi walked alone towards the running track.
" Van ? "
Hitomi gave another look around and sighed.
[ Where IS he ? ]
Feeling a little tired, she sat down gingerly on the spectators' stand and placed her chin onto her palms. As she gazed at the empty worn-out running track, she remembered the very first time when Van had appeared into her life … wearing a weird armour, armed with battle weapons and sending a dragon after Amano, Yukari and herself. The late afternoon sun cast soft rays at her as her eyes portrayed emotions when she remembered the second time Van had came for her.
[ He CAME for me … he flew Escaflowne to pick me up … back to Gaea … ]
Hitomi smiled a little as she visualised Escaflowne on the running track. The wind blew gently at her, and she lightly touched her hair and closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze.
" Hitomi ! Gomen ~ I was asked to stay behind by Soujirou-sensei to settle more administrative matters. I know you're angry but it's REALLY not my fault. "
As Hitomi stood up and turned around to the voice addressing her, her eyes fell onto a running form whom she had decided to give her heart to for the rest of her life.
" Van ! Mouuu … one more time and that's it … you're going to treat me to ice cream. "
" Hai ~ hai ~ wakatta desu yo ! Ikuzo ? "
" Um. "
Van was now a student in Hitomi's high school and both had been transported back to Gaea not too long ago. Hitomi felt a little guilty since they did not bade a proper farewell but Van reassured her that everyone will understand.
" Van ? I know it sounds stupid but are you used to this lifestyle ? "
" Of course. For your information, I spent my WHOLE life like this. "
Hitomi gazed at Van who was busily slurping up his ramen. They had entered a ramen shop and Hitomi was patiently waiting for hers to come.
[ It still feels strange to see Van acting just like … me. I keep thinking that he's still from Gaea and wouldn't understand half of the things here. However, it is convenient for us. ]
" Hitomi, are you still unused to this ? "
" Sukoshi … but I think it won't take me too long to adjust to seeing the new you. "
Van said nothing but merely smiled. Hitomi couldn't help but smile back. Van's smile was always reassuring, always comforting, always loving …
" TEMPURA RAMEN ! "
" Hai ! "
Hitomi cheerfully took the bowl of piping hot ramen from the chef and gazed deliciously at the crispy looking prawns. Van smirked for a while and made a sneak attack at snatching one of her prawns over.
" Van ! "
Hitomi quickly smacked his hands and narrowed her eyes dangerously. Van immediately sprouted an imaginery halo over his head and he proceeded to eat his ramen as though nothing had happened.
" Vaaaannnn ? "
" Yes Hitomi ? "
" Aren't you going to apologise ? "
" No … "
Van smirked again as he sipped from his bowl. Hitomi smiled mischievously as she grabbed the chance to dig at his sides with 2 fingers. Van almost spurted out the contents from his mouth and he turned around in a defensive position, with some soup still dribbling down his mouth.
" Hahahahahaha ! Van … hahahahaha ! You look so funny ! Hahaha ~ "
" Why you … "
Van tried tickling her as well but Hitomi was faster and she leapt down her seat to escape from his fingers. Van sighed and he propped his chin on one hand, smiling at her. Hitomi smiled and Van was grateful to the Gods that he was by his loved one's side everyday, seeing her smile, touching her skin, even being able to hold a normal conversation.
**
" Hitomi, I'll call you at night. "
" Okay, you take care when you're on your way home. "
" I will. "
Van pulled Hitomi closer to him as he pecked her a farewell kiss on her forehead. Hitomi always loved the feeling of his closeness whenever he hugged her close to him. She was still afraid … wondering when this long sweet dream would end … whether the Gods would destroy this long-awaited union both of them had craved for … how would she deal with it if it happens ?
" Tadaima. "
Hitomi pulled off her shoes as she stepped into her house.
" Okaeri Hitomi. Your father bought supper so if you're hungry, there's some on the dinner table. Help yourself to it before it turns cold. "
" Hai, Okasan. "
Hitomi walked into the kitchen and seeing that it was sushi, she gave a little shout of joy and sat down noisily to tuck in. As she was busy eating, her mother walked into the kitchen and sat down beside her, smiling.
" Nani desu yo Okasan ? "
" Nothing really … but who's the boy who's been seeing my daughter home recently ? "
Hitomi turned as bright red as the red octopus she was about to eat and she turned away comically and became pretty tongue-tied.
" Ano … he's … well … you know … a friend … a classmate ! Yes, he's my classmate ! "
" You let your classmate kiss you goodnight ? "
" YOU SAW ?!! "
Hitomi sprang up from her seat with such force, the chair flipped over and crashed onto the ground. Hitomi sheepishly picked up the chair again, her face still reddening.
" What's happening downstairs ?! "
" Nothing Otosan ! It's just an accident ! "
" Don't go around destroying stuffs. "
There was an intangible murmur from Hitomi's father as he returned to his room. Hitomi's mother gave a small chuckle as Hitomi sat back down and glared at her.
" Okasan … it's not very nice of you to peek … "
" I wasn't ! I was going to let the cat out when I saw it. "
Hitomi remained silent as she continued glaring at her mother. Hitomi's mother turned slightly serious as she clasped her daughter's hand earnestly. Hitomi was a little surprised as she looked at her mother with a curious tilt of her head.
" Hitomi, I'm glad that you've been much more happier than you've ever been these few months. I know something must have happened to you and although you did not say a thing, Okasan knows that you must have had been through quite a lot. However, you cannot divulge those matters to me or your father isn't it ? "
Hitomi looked on silently at her mother, wondering why her mother knew. It wasn't really astonishing since after Hitomi's grandmother travelled to Gaea, the women borned after her were tinted with a " gift " spiritually. Hitomi presumed that her high level of spiritual-ness was attributed to her grandmother. It shouldn't be surprising if her mother knew something was fishy around here too.
" That boy … I could sense that he isn't just a simple boy-next-door right ? He had this aura around him … a special one … "
Hitomi nodded in agreement. It was the only thing she could do since she couldn't tell her mother all about Gaea and her adventures … and Van … she wanted to but … something seemed to be holding her back.
" Hitomi, whatever that happens in the future, nobody REALLY knows for sure. I know that you had a very wide-spread reputation of being an accurate tarot-card fortune teller but Hitomi, the Gods gave you this gift to help others and to divert disaster. I can see that you have had not abuse this special ability and probably … your reward came in the form of that special boy. "
Hitomi blinked her eyes twice. She had never reasoned this to herself. Indeed, why did Van return to her ? Why did Van remember her since he was borned ? It seemed almost like a miracle. Could her mother be right ?
" Well now Hitomi, I shan't keep you up. Finish the sushi, throw the wrappers and retire to bed as soon as you're done with homework all right ? "
" H … hai … "
" Hitomi, remember that Okasan and Otosan will always be here for you. "
" Hai. "
Hitomi washed the cutlery almost in a daze, her mind was working hard … analysing her mother's words. It made a lot of sense to her … why didn't she consult her in the first place ? However, it seemed pretty out-of-the-world to ask why a guy from Gaea came to see her in the first place. She seriously suspected her mother knew that Van was from Gaea. Grandmother must have mentioned it before to her.
[ Oh well, we'll see what happens in the future. Like Okasan said, no one REALLY knows what will happen. My readings may not always be 100% accurate. It wasn't a good thing to look into the future all the time as well. ]
Hitomi gave a yawn as she trooped upstairs to her room. At this point, the telephone rang.
" I'll get it !! "
Hitomi ran into her bedroom and grabbed the receiver.
" Van ? "
" You knew ? "
Van exclaimed in an incredulous voice, making Hitomi smile exasperatingly.
" I miss you. "
" Already ? We just parted almost half an hour ago only. "
" I didn't get to see you for years. "
Hitomi remained silent as Van reminded her of the situation now. Van was still Van wasn't it ? He wasn't a Fanelian anymore … he was an Earthling like her.
[ Heck ! He even knows how to use the telephone ! ]
" Hitomi ?? "
" H … Hai ! "
" Are you spaced-off again ? "
" Not really. To be honest, it's almost unreal that you're here with me. "
" Do you really want me to be in Gaea instead ? "
" NO !! But give me some time to adjust to your presence here. You're so comfortable with everything here, it's almost uncanny. "
" Okay, I get your point. I'll try to act as Fanelian as I can. In fact, I could since I still have the King's memories. "
" I know. Hey Van, do you know about yesterday's match between our school and … "
**
It was the start of another History lesson and Hitomi leafed through her textbook to see what would be taught in this session. She could hear Van scuffling his feet behind her and she turned around. Van was twirling his pen and reading a particular paragraph.
" Hey Van, do you understand much about Japan's history ? "
" Unfortunately … no … "
" I think we're going to be taught about it today when the sensei comes in. "
" Is it really difficult ? "
" I don't really think so … "
" Attention ! "
Hitomi quickly stood up and bowed to the teacher who had walked in. As the class settled in for the lesson, the teacher launched into a monotonous voice on the many civil wars that happened in the Meiji Era.
Halfway through the lesson while everyone was feverishly writing some notes, the teacher came to a particular section on war fighting and strategies. As she was talking, Hitomi could sense Van tense up considerably. Soon, he was fidgeting about. Hitomi tried to cast a sideway glance behind but couldn't. Suddenly, she was seized by a vision of the burning Fanelia, the newly crowned King who had to flee his destroyed homeland, the death of Balgus, her screams which activated her pendant …
Van's seat scrapped loudly as he stood up abruptly and the teacher stopped at the interruption while the class turned around. Hitomi was breathing heavily as she wondered why she was hit by the horrible visions again. She then realised that Van had stumbled out of the classroom, oblivious to the teacher's commands.
[ Van … could he be seeing these visions ? I suppose I could see it because our connection is so strong … ]
Hitomi was very worried … so worried that she did something unlike her. She stood up, apologised to the teacher, bowed and walked out of the classroom quickly. Yukari gasped inwardly as Hitomi closed the door behind her.
[ What IS going on with Hitomi these days ? ]
**
" Van ? "
Hitomi was faced with an empty corridor … realising that Van had already left the storey. She closed her eyes and went into a deep concentration. Her pendant was ticking in the blackness … she could visualise Van's smiling face in the dark …
[ The gym ! ]
Hitomi sprinted towards the gym and opened the door quickly. Sitting there in the middle of the indoor basketball court with his back facing her was Van …
" Van ? "
" … H … Hitomi … ? "
" Van … are you all right ? "
" Not really. "
Hitomi walked up towards the sitting Van and knelt in front of him. His eyes were fixated onto the floor and he refused to look at Hitomi.
" Van … look at me. "
Slowly, Van raised his eyes at her. Hitomi simply could not get enough of his eyes. She remembered all those times they had shared, and it was his eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul, through her fears, through her doubts and straight into her heart. She had remembered clearly the time when he had returned to her riding on Escaflowne, stretching out his hand, asking her to return to him … and when she grabbed his hand and was pulled towards him … the look in his eyes were totally captivating and pure … full of open lovingness …
" Van … I saw what you saw. "
" The horrible visions of Fanelia huh. "
" Yes, do you see them when you were a kid ? "
" I saw them all through my life. "
" Are you scared ? "
" No, but it twists my heart like a knife. After absorbing my past life into my body, I felt truly whole. All those flashbacks were filled up and termed memories and experiences. I could feel them in my bones. I even remembered the excruciating pain when those Zaibach scientists tried to experiment on Escaflowne. I am truly Van Fanel from Gaea … he lives in me … but the price I must pay for such emotions and wholeness … would be to experience his pain and sorrow. They were intense … but I know I can defeat them. I … I just need more time. "
" I see … "
" It's all worth it. "
" Doshite ? "
" Because I am still with you. "
" Van … am I … am I really worth it ? "
" Of course you silly. The endless times I waited for you … I hoped to see you again … I wondered day after day when we would meet again. I wanted to spread my wings and fly to see you but it was pretty impossible. Escaflowne could probably lead me to see you again but … I do not want to activate such a Guymelef in case it brought back more disasters. We had the long-desired peace on Gaea and I definitely did not want to break it again. I believe there were people who crave for the strength of Escaflowne … it was not worth taking the risk just to satisfy my own selfish wish of seeing you again. "
Hitomi nodded silently as she hugged Van. Van kissed her forehead as he brought her head onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her.
" I remembered clearly as I fell from the skies with Escaflowne. I remembered my subjects were shouting my name, hoping for me to revive. I couldn't … I was just so tired. Defeating the enemy was just so difficult, it had sapped me entirely of my life force. It was probably because my spirit wasn't willing anymore. My last vision of Gaea was you … Hitomi … I saw your smile and I whispered your name just as I hit the cold waves of the sea. As I spiralled down, I vaguely saw Escaflowne land a short while after me. With all my remaining strength and I believed … with my last breath … I wished really hard … I think I've never wished for anything THAT hard. I wanted to see you again … I want to be by your side all the time. Let me see her again … let me touch her face … see her smile … "
Hitomi felt her eyes water as Van narrated his last moments again in great detail. He had never really went into this subject and she never dared to bring it up.
" There was this warm ray of shining light as your pendant started to shine under the water. I remembered everything was red but it wasn't piercing to the eye. Escaflowne seemed to look deep into my eyes, it seemed to be communicating to me. As I weakly held the pendant in my hand, I imagined the Mystic Moon and … I guess that was the end … "
Van breathed out shakily as he fingered the pendant that Hitomi was wearing.
" I never knew death would be so soft and merciful. There wasn't much pain from all the injuries I suffered. I only knew that I could not see you again … and that I was not going to recover from this. My only last bet was to put all my wishes into this pendant. "
Hitomi clasped her hands over his and kissed it gently. She snuggled out of his embrace and wiped her eyes dry.
" Van … I'm glad you told me all that. I'm glad that you're coming to terms with yourself. Like I always insisted, you would always be my special person in my heart. No one comes even close. If I were you, I'd gladly have done the same. I think we're so bonded that no one could ever cut our connection … spiritually, mentally or physically. "
Van nodded and smiled gratefully, still holding hands with Hitomi. She looked determinedly at Van and seemed to be making up her mind on something.
" Van, I know I owe you a lot for doing so much to me. I believe no one in this world would love me as much as you do and no one would love you in this world as much as I do. Van, we'll always be together forever won't we ? "
" Hai … "
" I'll have no more doubts from now on Van. "
Hitomi stood up and offered her hand towards Van. To Van, she looked like the angel he had always thought she was. He took it and stood up quickly, hugging her close. At this point, Hitomi realised that Van was slowly changing …
" Van … ? "
2 beautiful white wings sprouted soundlessly and seemed to brighten up the entire gym. Hitomi almost gasped aloud in surprise as she stared at the cursed wings which Van had used to hide in shame.
" I remembered that you liked them … "
" Van ! "
She hugged him closer and they kissed each other on the lips, slowly and lovingly.