The sorcerers, clad in long black cloaks, resembled a group of ravens. In chilly silence they listened to the voices coming from the inside of a heavy wooden door. On the other side the sound of glass shattering was followed by a scream that would make any ordinary person shudder. It echoed in the stone hallways, disrupting the quiet of the very early morning.
"He is still not stable. There's nothing more we can do."
"We have failed. Failed to create a perfect soldier."
"He is the last of the test subjects, the rest of the Dragonslayers were killed. What shall we do with him?"
"Let him fight. He could still prove useful."
"What if he relapses into his original form?"
"Give orders to eliminate him."
**********
The air was heavy and hot, noon sun directly overhead. The harbor came into view, finally. Here the forces of the alliance were assembling, united by the shared will for survival. Even Basram, which has been previously threatening Asturia with it's vast military power, has sent their leviships. Allen mused over how easily common fear can make people forget their differences. Were they really that different in the first place? Van was standing silently to the side, away from the crew. He has not said a word since morning, and generally seemed to be in a very dark mood. That lead to a conclusion that something went wrong between Hitomi and him last night. Allen was past jealousy, beyond caring. Numb.
The gasps of the crew diverted his attention from the raven-haired youth. Above the harbour, the air seemed to move and tremble, like over a flame. A black shape materialized against the brilliant blue of the sky.
"Zaibach floating fortress! "
One after another, like a swarm of black flies, Alseides units dropped onto Rampant.
**********
Hitomi groaned and sat up. The sun shone through the windows and it's rays danced on her face, chasing the sleep away. She felt groggy. Her lip tingled, and she raised her finger to touch it. Recollection of last night's events made her frown.
Allen and Van were gone now. She watched the Crusade leave this morning, and then cried herself to sleep. She felt weak and helpless - just what she despised being. How out of place she felt here, how horrifyingly alone. Suddenly, she was sharply aware of the battle going on somewhere far away. Every sound and every movement was as clear as if she was there.
**********
Van was slicing left and right, in a fit of rage. It seemed she could feel his hot breath and hear the whooshing of the air around Escaflowne's sword. Block, screeching of metal. Quick thrust, and another Zaibach guymelef falls to the ground, hoarse scream of the pilot echoing in her mind. Hitomi squeezed her eyes shut and out her face in her hands. It was horrible. Why was he so cruel? Or was it the bloodthirst of Escaflowne?
Rampant was on fire, and shouts of the civilians mixed with dying cries of the soldiers. Smoke and ash-filled air was bitter sweet and tingled Dilandau's nostrils. It was only in battle that he felt truly alive. He aimed his crima-claw and watched it pierce directly through were the pilot's heart should be. He was the best, after all. Death gave him pleasure, the sensation of power and control. Dilandau inhaled deeply and laughed.
Van's eyes were searching the battlefield as he blocked another hit. Where was it? There! He spotted the red machine impaling one of Knights Caeli. The Asturian guymelef fell to it's knees and then head-first on the ground, landing with a loud thud. Alseides' foot came down and crushed guymelef's back, undoubtedly turning the pilot into a bloody mess of flesh and crushed bones. Shrieking laughter could be heard through the speaker. Van narrowed his eyes, which looked fiery red at the moment and charged towards the Alseides. But right in front of him, Scherazade dropped like a stone on the killer. With a grunt of effort Dilandau pushed Allen's sword back. He hated him, he only knew that. He hated him because he felt confusion creep up on him from the far corners of his mind whenever he saw him. With a shout, Dilandau swung at Scherazade, but Allen jumped out of the way.
"Damn! Hold still, you shit!" Dilandau gritted his teeth and the dance continued between the two.
Escaflowne was back-to-back with Scherazade. Van was fending off two Alseides at once, until he sliced one's head clear off it's shoulder and corrected the odds. From a corner of his eye he saw a guymelef guarding Dilandau's rear. Who would want to protect that maniac? Van couldn't leave his position and go fight him, otherwise Allen would very likely have a liquid metal claw sticking out of his back. Not that this possibilty seemed completely undesirable.
Meanwhile Allen was overpowering Dilandau. He had the advantage of higher experience and stamina. Hit after hit, their blades clashed, and it seemed any minute now Dilandau's trembling hand would give in. He was panting, cool sweat rolling down his back under the stuffy leather uniform. The red Alseides took a couple of staggering steps back as Scherazade raised it's sword high in the air for the final hit. It came crushing down, but stopped a foot away from the guymelef's breastplate. Dilandau saw another sword blocking Allen's right in front of his face. Catching his breath, the general barked at his saviour:
"Who ordered you to inerfere, Jajuka?! I can fight my own battles!"
Van saw the opening and pounced on Dilandau, not giving him time to recover. Dilandau's energy seemed renewed by hate. "Van Fanel!" If words had physical power Van would have been knocked down by the venom in his voice. Their swords clashed, sending sparks flying. Each pressed with all their strength, trying to overpower their opponent. Dilandau suddenly raised his left arm and switched to flamethrower mode. As his liquid sword was replaced by fire, Escaflowne lost it's support and stumbled right into the flames.
Fire. Pain. It was all around him. Van was acutely aware of the smell of burnt hair in the cockpit. He couldn't open his eyes because of the heat, sparks burning his flesh. The feeling of danger in the darkness was overwhelming. But in the confusion one thing stayed true, and he could see a pink pendant swing to his right. Putting blind trust in it, he thrust his blade in that direction, putting all his power into the hit. Van could feel the sword drive through the metal armour, inside machinery and then something soft and small. He could finally open his eyes. A dark blue machine was pierced by Escaflowne's long blade. Right behind it the red giymelef was knocked down on the ground, shaking, the sword tip inches from it's head.
"Ja... Jajuka... " Uncertain, stammering voice escaped Dilandau's lips.
"Lady Celena..." The dog-man coughed up blood. He was twitching in dying convulsions.
"JAJUKA!!!" The shrill scream from the Alseides rolled through the now almost empty battlefield.
Van withdrew his blade. Slowly, the Alseides fell back and hit the ground, raising dust and ashes.
"No. NOOOO!!!" Dilandau gripped his face, his hands wet wih purple slime. He could see the small girl crying, again and again, the girl that was always sad. "Don't leave me alone! Mama! Brother!"
He screamed. Alone... alone... alone... He couldn't stand anymore. His whole body burned and ached, as if someone was tearing his soul out of it. He felt the scar under his hand smooth out and disappear. His mind spiralled into darkness, until it swallowed him.
The bright beam of light engulfed the Alseides and it disappeared into the brilliant white.
The big trade city with a harbor where the ships from all over the world delivered and loaded goods, brought and took people, was no more. The alliance forces were completely outnumbered and quickly destroyed. Thick smoke from the smoldering remains of the buldings where people lived their lives undisturbed just yesterday cradled the battlesight. Scattered on the ground lay corpses and guymelefs, flags and weapons. Comrads and enemies side by side. Having done their job, the Alseides returned to the floating fortress.
*******
Rubbing her temples, Hitomi could feel her own heartbeat. Cool hands felt good on her burning face. She felt as if her head would burst if she saw any more of it. Low, disgusting, stupid. That's all this war was. From what Folken told Dornkirk just wanted to control fate. This was madness. Why didn't anyone understand? Didn't they see how miserable these battles are? Lives thrown away without cause. Zaibach, alliance politicians... even Van! Everyone was blinded by rage and hatred. Except...
Dryden came out to meet the Crusade. He was starting to feel increasingly useless and alienated in the half-empty palace. He was no soldier. As a scrawny, awkward teenager he used to watch the annual royal tournaments, where swordsmen tried their skill against knights Caeli. Impressed by the grace of the fighters and the attention ladies payed them, he tried his best to become a good fencer, but had no passion for it. He soon became satisfied with his natural talents in sciences and languages, and became firmly set in the belief that mind won over muscle. But now his intellect was useless against the brute force of Zaibach.
Crusade landed behind the guymelef yard, raising a cloud of dust. Van jumped out, followed by Allen. The latter gave Dryden a formal bow.
"Is everyone here alright?" Dryden was trying to sound casual, although he felt sulky.
"Yes. We have been fortunate." Allen's voice was seeping with cold formality.
Fortunate my ass, thought Dryden. Those two were the best Asturia had right now, and they knew it. It seemed Allen just loved to rub it in to him every chance he had. No, he was losing it. This war was making him paranoid.
"I will have all status reports by sunset. We will be discussing our further strategy then". Allen nodded and Van just crossed his arms and looked away.
Running always calmed her. When she started a sprint, Hitomi always as if her goal was on the other end of the finish line. Everything else fell away, and all she had to do was reach for it. Life was simple and clear. But not today. She felt like she was running in thick black mist, and there was no finish. What was her goal? Where was her place in this world? She took in quick hungry breaths and splashed water on her face.
The courtyard was empty and the sun was close to the western mountains. It was so quet and peaceful. It never was like this back home. No loud cars, pushing crowds, just you alone with your thoughts. Those thoughts however were interrupted as she raised her head to meet the owner of the shadow that was lying across the stone yard.
"Allen!" He looked tired. There were dirty smudges on his cheeks and his white shirt. "Hitomi." He eyed her attire - a tank top and running shorts, but didn't say anything. He just made his way over to the fountain and washed his face, then took a drink. Hitomi realized she should feel uncomfortable about yesterday, but oddly she didn't. There just seemed to be a mutual understanding, without a need to say anything. She always did understand him better than others. Or so she thought. Always something remained hidden, just out of reach. Maybe he was afraid to show it.
They sat quetly for a while in the warmth of early evening sun.
"Allen, why doesn't anyone realize how stupid this war is? Dornkirk is just one man. So many people don't deserve to die because of him."
"You are right, of course. But he has the ability to control fate, and more importantly, people's minds. They will follow him, because they are hungry for power he has. "
"Hmmm... But power is worthless in the face of a total destruction."
"I guess the people of Atlantis realized that too late, blinded by power. People lose themselves in this war so easily because they are driven by their instincts - whether it's greed or will for survival. "
Hitomi was studying his face as he looked into the distance. Allen seemed to be somewhere else, not really thinking about what he was saying. Maybe he was thinking about his father, and what exactly Leon was seeking when he searched for the Mystic Valley. Was it the same desire to be able to control his own fate and that of others that overwhelmed Dornkirk and drove him mad? Did he wish to get rid of his sorrows? The wind caressed their faces and played with their hair, but held no answers.
Suddenly her vision went dark and she saw something else being whipped by the wind. It was a dark cloak, concealing a long figure. All she could see were the eyes, two glowing red cracks in the darkness. Then the figure pulled out a small dagger and bright red liquid poured out. The last thing she could see were empty, blank blue eyes. Those were... those were...
She could hear herself scream and felt two strong arms shaking her shoulders. Her eyesight focused on the worried face right in front of her. Allen was searching her eyes with genuine concern written all over his face.
"Hitomi? Are you alright?!"
"Assassins... assassins in the castle!" She whispered in a hoarse voice. He paused for a moment and the next thing she knew she was being pulled by one hand towards the main hall. Hitomi knew had to tell him something, but her mind was a mess and all she could do was follow.
A/N: I can't say I'm very happy with this chapter. Isn't it frustrating when you have a pefect picture in your head, but when you out it in words it just isn't the same? Anyway, I have some good ideas for the next chapter, so let's hope it'll be better. Thank you all those who reviewed - Celena, OKI, sky mage(hehe...i've never been threatened to be ripped apart before, WAI!), Mystic Blue, Sarie Sprite, Margot(I can write decent Allen? *sniff* i'm so honored... i'll print this out and hang it on my wall), Polka dot, ying zero(*sigh* if Allen was gay there'd be no point to this, now would there?), Paz, Sarina Fannel - I LOVE YOU PEOPLE.
Suppa Extra Drama(those who watch quite a bit of anime in Japanese know what I'm talking about): We were fooling around in chemistry and made some slime. Mine was blue. ^_^ I named it Allen. Now wasn't that a great story?!
"He is still not stable. There's nothing more we can do."
"We have failed. Failed to create a perfect soldier."
"He is the last of the test subjects, the rest of the Dragonslayers were killed. What shall we do with him?"
"Let him fight. He could still prove useful."
"What if he relapses into his original form?"
"Give orders to eliminate him."
The air was heavy and hot, noon sun directly overhead. The harbor came into view, finally. Here the forces of the alliance were assembling, united by the shared will for survival. Even Basram, which has been previously threatening Asturia with it's vast military power, has sent their leviships. Allen mused over how easily common fear can make people forget their differences. Were they really that different in the first place? Van was standing silently to the side, away from the crew. He has not said a word since morning, and generally seemed to be in a very dark mood. That lead to a conclusion that something went wrong between Hitomi and him last night. Allen was past jealousy, beyond caring. Numb.
The gasps of the crew diverted his attention from the raven-haired youth. Above the harbour, the air seemed to move and tremble, like over a flame. A black shape materialized against the brilliant blue of the sky.
"Zaibach floating fortress! "
One after another, like a swarm of black flies, Alseides units dropped onto Rampant.
Hitomi groaned and sat up. The sun shone through the windows and it's rays danced on her face, chasing the sleep away. She felt groggy. Her lip tingled, and she raised her finger to touch it. Recollection of last night's events made her frown.
Allen and Van were gone now. She watched the Crusade leave this morning, and then cried herself to sleep. She felt weak and helpless - just what she despised being. How out of place she felt here, how horrifyingly alone. Suddenly, she was sharply aware of the battle going on somewhere far away. Every sound and every movement was as clear as if she was there.
Van was slicing left and right, in a fit of rage. It seemed she could feel his hot breath and hear the whooshing of the air around Escaflowne's sword. Block, screeching of metal. Quick thrust, and another Zaibach guymelef falls to the ground, hoarse scream of the pilot echoing in her mind. Hitomi squeezed her eyes shut and out her face in her hands. It was horrible. Why was he so cruel? Or was it the bloodthirst of Escaflowne?
Rampant was on fire, and shouts of the civilians mixed with dying cries of the soldiers. Smoke and ash-filled air was bitter sweet and tingled Dilandau's nostrils. It was only in battle that he felt truly alive. He aimed his crima-claw and watched it pierce directly through were the pilot's heart should be. He was the best, after all. Death gave him pleasure, the sensation of power and control. Dilandau inhaled deeply and laughed.
Van's eyes were searching the battlefield as he blocked another hit. Where was it? There! He spotted the red machine impaling one of Knights Caeli. The Asturian guymelef fell to it's knees and then head-first on the ground, landing with a loud thud. Alseides' foot came down and crushed guymelef's back, undoubtedly turning the pilot into a bloody mess of flesh and crushed bones. Shrieking laughter could be heard through the speaker. Van narrowed his eyes, which looked fiery red at the moment and charged towards the Alseides. But right in front of him, Scherazade dropped like a stone on the killer. With a grunt of effort Dilandau pushed Allen's sword back. He hated him, he only knew that. He hated him because he felt confusion creep up on him from the far corners of his mind whenever he saw him. With a shout, Dilandau swung at Scherazade, but Allen jumped out of the way.
"Damn! Hold still, you shit!" Dilandau gritted his teeth and the dance continued between the two.
Escaflowne was back-to-back with Scherazade. Van was fending off two Alseides at once, until he sliced one's head clear off it's shoulder and corrected the odds. From a corner of his eye he saw a guymelef guarding Dilandau's rear. Who would want to protect that maniac? Van couldn't leave his position and go fight him, otherwise Allen would very likely have a liquid metal claw sticking out of his back. Not that this possibilty seemed completely undesirable.
Meanwhile Allen was overpowering Dilandau. He had the advantage of higher experience and stamina. Hit after hit, their blades clashed, and it seemed any minute now Dilandau's trembling hand would give in. He was panting, cool sweat rolling down his back under the stuffy leather uniform. The red Alseides took a couple of staggering steps back as Scherazade raised it's sword high in the air for the final hit. It came crushing down, but stopped a foot away from the guymelef's breastplate. Dilandau saw another sword blocking Allen's right in front of his face. Catching his breath, the general barked at his saviour:
"Who ordered you to inerfere, Jajuka?! I can fight my own battles!"
Van saw the opening and pounced on Dilandau, not giving him time to recover. Dilandau's energy seemed renewed by hate. "Van Fanel!" If words had physical power Van would have been knocked down by the venom in his voice. Their swords clashed, sending sparks flying. Each pressed with all their strength, trying to overpower their opponent. Dilandau suddenly raised his left arm and switched to flamethrower mode. As his liquid sword was replaced by fire, Escaflowne lost it's support and stumbled right into the flames.
Fire. Pain. It was all around him. Van was acutely aware of the smell of burnt hair in the cockpit. He couldn't open his eyes because of the heat, sparks burning his flesh. The feeling of danger in the darkness was overwhelming. But in the confusion one thing stayed true, and he could see a pink pendant swing to his right. Putting blind trust in it, he thrust his blade in that direction, putting all his power into the hit. Van could feel the sword drive through the metal armour, inside machinery and then something soft and small. He could finally open his eyes. A dark blue machine was pierced by Escaflowne's long blade. Right behind it the red giymelef was knocked down on the ground, shaking, the sword tip inches from it's head.
"Ja... Jajuka... " Uncertain, stammering voice escaped Dilandau's lips.
"Lady Celena..." The dog-man coughed up blood. He was twitching in dying convulsions.
"JAJUKA!!!" The shrill scream from the Alseides rolled through the now almost empty battlefield.
Van withdrew his blade. Slowly, the Alseides fell back and hit the ground, raising dust and ashes.
"No. NOOOO!!!" Dilandau gripped his face, his hands wet wih purple slime. He could see the small girl crying, again and again, the girl that was always sad. "Don't leave me alone! Mama! Brother!"
He screamed. Alone... alone... alone... He couldn't stand anymore. His whole body burned and ached, as if someone was tearing his soul out of it. He felt the scar under his hand smooth out and disappear. His mind spiralled into darkness, until it swallowed him.
The bright beam of light engulfed the Alseides and it disappeared into the brilliant white.
The big trade city with a harbor where the ships from all over the world delivered and loaded goods, brought and took people, was no more. The alliance forces were completely outnumbered and quickly destroyed. Thick smoke from the smoldering remains of the buldings where people lived their lives undisturbed just yesterday cradled the battlesight. Scattered on the ground lay corpses and guymelefs, flags and weapons. Comrads and enemies side by side. Having done their job, the Alseides returned to the floating fortress.
Rubbing her temples, Hitomi could feel her own heartbeat. Cool hands felt good on her burning face. She felt as if her head would burst if she saw any more of it. Low, disgusting, stupid. That's all this war was. From what Folken told Dornkirk just wanted to control fate. This was madness. Why didn't anyone understand? Didn't they see how miserable these battles are? Lives thrown away without cause. Zaibach, alliance politicians... even Van! Everyone was blinded by rage and hatred. Except...
Dryden came out to meet the Crusade. He was starting to feel increasingly useless and alienated in the half-empty palace. He was no soldier. As a scrawny, awkward teenager he used to watch the annual royal tournaments, where swordsmen tried their skill against knights Caeli. Impressed by the grace of the fighters and the attention ladies payed them, he tried his best to become a good fencer, but had no passion for it. He soon became satisfied with his natural talents in sciences and languages, and became firmly set in the belief that mind won over muscle. But now his intellect was useless against the brute force of Zaibach.
Crusade landed behind the guymelef yard, raising a cloud of dust. Van jumped out, followed by Allen. The latter gave Dryden a formal bow.
"Is everyone here alright?" Dryden was trying to sound casual, although he felt sulky.
"Yes. We have been fortunate." Allen's voice was seeping with cold formality.
Fortunate my ass, thought Dryden. Those two were the best Asturia had right now, and they knew it. It seemed Allen just loved to rub it in to him every chance he had. No, he was losing it. This war was making him paranoid.
"I will have all status reports by sunset. We will be discussing our further strategy then". Allen nodded and Van just crossed his arms and looked away.
Running always calmed her. When she started a sprint, Hitomi always as if her goal was on the other end of the finish line. Everything else fell away, and all she had to do was reach for it. Life was simple and clear. But not today. She felt like she was running in thick black mist, and there was no finish. What was her goal? Where was her place in this world? She took in quick hungry breaths and splashed water on her face.
The courtyard was empty and the sun was close to the western mountains. It was so quet and peaceful. It never was like this back home. No loud cars, pushing crowds, just you alone with your thoughts. Those thoughts however were interrupted as she raised her head to meet the owner of the shadow that was lying across the stone yard.
"Allen!" He looked tired. There were dirty smudges on his cheeks and his white shirt. "Hitomi." He eyed her attire - a tank top and running shorts, but didn't say anything. He just made his way over to the fountain and washed his face, then took a drink. Hitomi realized she should feel uncomfortable about yesterday, but oddly she didn't. There just seemed to be a mutual understanding, without a need to say anything. She always did understand him better than others. Or so she thought. Always something remained hidden, just out of reach. Maybe he was afraid to show it.
They sat quetly for a while in the warmth of early evening sun.
"Allen, why doesn't anyone realize how stupid this war is? Dornkirk is just one man. So many people don't deserve to die because of him."
"You are right, of course. But he has the ability to control fate, and more importantly, people's minds. They will follow him, because they are hungry for power he has. "
"Hmmm... But power is worthless in the face of a total destruction."
"I guess the people of Atlantis realized that too late, blinded by power. People lose themselves in this war so easily because they are driven by their instincts - whether it's greed or will for survival. "
Hitomi was studying his face as he looked into the distance. Allen seemed to be somewhere else, not really thinking about what he was saying. Maybe he was thinking about his father, and what exactly Leon was seeking when he searched for the Mystic Valley. Was it the same desire to be able to control his own fate and that of others that overwhelmed Dornkirk and drove him mad? Did he wish to get rid of his sorrows? The wind caressed their faces and played with their hair, but held no answers.
Suddenly her vision went dark and she saw something else being whipped by the wind. It was a dark cloak, concealing a long figure. All she could see were the eyes, two glowing red cracks in the darkness. Then the figure pulled out a small dagger and bright red liquid poured out. The last thing she could see were empty, blank blue eyes. Those were... those were...
She could hear herself scream and felt two strong arms shaking her shoulders. Her eyesight focused on the worried face right in front of her. Allen was searching her eyes with genuine concern written all over his face.
"Hitomi? Are you alright?!"
"Assassins... assassins in the castle!" She whispered in a hoarse voice. He paused for a moment and the next thing she knew she was being pulled by one hand towards the main hall. Hitomi knew had to tell him something, but her mind was a mess and all she could do was follow.
A/N: I can't say I'm very happy with this chapter. Isn't it frustrating when you have a pefect picture in your head, but when you out it in words it just isn't the same? Anyway, I have some good ideas for the next chapter, so let's hope it'll be better. Thank you all those who reviewed - Celena, OKI, sky mage(hehe...i've never been threatened to be ripped apart before, WAI!), Mystic Blue, Sarie Sprite, Margot(I can write decent Allen? *sniff* i'm so honored... i'll print this out and hang it on my wall), Polka dot, ying zero(*sigh* if Allen was gay there'd be no point to this, now would there?), Paz, Sarina Fannel - I LOVE YOU PEOPLE.
Suppa Extra Drama(those who watch quite a bit of anime in Japanese know what I'm talking about): We were fooling around in chemistry and made some slime. Mine was blue. ^_^ I named it Allen. Now wasn't that a great story?!