The door to the cell opened, allowing in a shaft of bright morning sunlight. The two prisoners shielded their eyes from the glaring rays. Hitomi and Van were pulled to their feet and ranked roughly out of the cell. They were taken to a large arena-like room where the guymelefs were held. It was the launch hangar for the Vione. Waiting there, with his back turned, was Dilandau.
"Are you ready to die Van?" he asked, turning around to face them. Van was unceremoniously dragged to about the center of the room. The soldiers left him there, returning to guard the door. Another soldier walked over towards Van, carrying a sword in his hand. The soldier tossed the weapon to Van, who caught it with ease. A strange look came over Van's features as he looked at the emblem on the blade.
"Draw," Dilandau ordered, unsheathing his sword. Realization dawned on Hitomi.
"No Van, don't," she exclaimed trying to break free. Van hesitated, looking at the sword that lay in his palms.
"I... can't," he mumbled. "I don't think I know how."
"Fight me now, or she dies!" Dilandau proclaimed, pointing his sword at Hitomi. Hitomi's guards drew their swords, the blades rasping like a venomous snake as they cleared the sheath. One placed the tip of his blade at Hitomi's throat, and the other soldier, at her heart. Dilandau smiled evilly, then began to laugh.
"What will it be Van?" he mocked cruelly. Van looked from the sword in his hands to Hitomi, and back to the sword. He closed his eyes taking a deep, steadying breath before drawing the blade from its sheath.
"Van, no," Hitomi whispered in dread. Van threw the sheath aside, causing a metallic clatter to reverberate through the hangar. Dilandau licked his lips in anticipation before he rushed Van, striking out with a forceful blow. Van, miraculously caught the blow, parrying.
Although he had no memories, Van's instincts were taking over. Dilandau continued to hack away at his opponent, trying to breach Van's defenses. Hitomi could tell it wouldn't be long until Dilandau did. Van's injuries were impeding him, giving him a handicap. Hitomi was amazed that Van had managed to remain standing this long. Before Dilandau rushed Van again, he nodded to the guards holding Hitomi. The one began to pull his blade across her throat, causing Hitomi to shriek in panic stricken pain. Van ran to Hitomi's aid, cutting down the soldier. He was then forced to confront Dilandau as the other soldier dragged Hitomi towards the launch exit.
Hitomi looked cautiously out the opening, and balked. The earth dropped away miles and miles below where they floated. The soldier continued to drag her towards a small door near the edge of the large, port opening.
"Kill her!" Dilandau screeched as Van broke off, running towards Hitomi.
"Hitomi!" Van called as he tried to reach her. The soldier drew his sword back, running the cold metal blade through Hitomi's side. Hitomi gasped air in sharply with a hiss. Her eyes grew large, before drooping slowly closed. The soldier yanked his sword out, and Hitomi crumpled to the floor.
"NO!" Van screamed in a rage, killing the man instantly. "Hitomi," he cried, dropping to his knees. The sword slid from his hand, clacking to the floor with an unearthly metal ring. Van picked up Hitomi's limp form, holding her to him.
Dilandau raised his sword to strike. Van quickly whirled around, knocking the sword from Dilandau's grasp and sending him sprawling across the floor. Van turned back to Hitomi, gently picking her up again.
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi's eyes fluttered open weakly
"Van?..."
"It's me," he soothed. "I'm here for you," he said gently, trying to ease her mind. Hitomi shuddered, clasping Van's shirt.
"I feel so... cold," she whispered. Van held her closer, trying to envelop her in his warmth.
"Hitomi, I'm so sorry. If it wasn't for me... I'm sorry," Van said in a broken voice.
"Van stop apologizing," Hitomi reprimanded with a forced smile.
"But I---"
"Hush," Hitomi whispered, placing a finger over his lips. "Van... I..." Hitomi trailed off, out of breath.
"I know," he smiled. "I do to," he said softly. Van leaned forward, bending his face down to Hitomi's. Hitomi gazed into his soft, brown orbs hazily, as her vision began to blur.
Van suddenly jerked his head back violently. Dilandau shoved the dagger farther into Van's shoulder, twisting it savagely. Van cried out in anguish as fire exploded in his shoulder, searing, burning mercilessly.
"Van?!" Hitomi cried weakly. Dilandau sneered, placing his foot on Van's back. He used his foot as leverage, and yanked the dagger out. Van fell forward, sliding partially over the edge of the hangar floor. Dilandau stabbed Van once more, in the side. Van gasped as he felt the cold metal sear through his flesh. Dilandau shoved the two roughly over the edge with a vicious kick.
"Bye-bye Van," he laughed insanely as Hitomi and Van plummeted to the ground.
********************
Hitomi clutched to Van with a death grip. Van held onto Hitomi tightly, not wanting to let her go. With a painful snap, Van's wings exploded forth. He beat them in an upward stroke, slowing their descent. As Van's feet touched the ground he toppled to his knees. Hitomi remained cradled gently in his arms.
"Van," she said weakly. "Van?"
"Hitomi?" Van responded through a haze of pain.
"Van are you all right?"
"I'm afraid not," Van replied with a wince.
"I suppose we're both going to die now..."
"Hitomi, I'm---"
"No, don't say it," Hitomi protested feebly. The couple looked into each others' eyes, Van once again leaning forward. This time though, their kiss was not interrupted. Van and Hitomi were locked in their embrace, when they blacked out