Draconian Chronicles 3

Draconian Chronicles 3

Part 4: Destruction Commences

Hitomi and Van sat listening intently as Kiseki started her story. "Saino was a High Priestess, like me…she possessed the Pendant of Atlantis. It was the key to our city's defenses and power. We led peaceful lives and lived by the rules. Saino's love, Rhoan, was not of Atlantis…he was not Draconian. The Elders did not agree to Saino's connection with him, let alone her having a love relationship with him.

Saino was known to be a rebel; she did not like to go by the rules and always fought for the lives of those punished to death by their crimes. Our laws were harsh, yet effective. Being a woman born of the royal blood, she was forbidden to see him. Later, she disappeared…elders had discovered something shocking, yet even I don't know what happened."

Hitomi looked down in shame. What could have Saino done so bad that she would run from her homeland? Hitomi didn't know, but she was going to find out. Hitomi stood up and ran from the room.

"Hitomi!" Van cried out and started after her, but Kiseki stopped him.

"Let her go…she needs to be alone to think for a while."

Van sighed in defeat and watched his fiancée exit the building and fly out into the distance.

Kokoro stepped up. "May I offer a meal to soften your moods?"

Kiseki nodded. "That is a fine idea." She turned to Van and the rest. "May I offer you to stay at our residence for the time being?"

Van looked out the window and did not respond. Merle went by his side. Reeko stepped up to the priestess. "That would be fine, thank you."

Folken once again entered Dornkirk's chambers. "We have repaired the engines and are heading for Golaya Sea."

Emperor Dornkirk nodded. "Excellent work. The Angel of Light will sense our approach, so we must act quickly. Prepare the troops and Guymelif units. I want us ready to invade the city as soon as it appears."

Folken frowned. "Appears sire?"

"Of course…why do you think we haven't been able to find it until now?"

Folken thought for a moment and his eyes widened in realization. "Because it was under the sea!"

"Exactly…now if I can work with the little girl, Hitomi, then the city will show itself."

The servant nodded. "We will be ready."

"You had better be Folken. We cannot afford to lose this time. The power of Atlantis must be released!" Emperor Rhoan Dornkirk smiled. And then there will be a family reunion like no other, dear Hitomi…

Hitomi flew to the edge of the city and looked out across the bay…the sky filled with red and oranges as the sun set. She signed and hugged her knees against her chest. It felt so wrong…her grandmother was so gentle and kind…so why?

Tears formed in her eyes and a distinct sound could be heard as they hit the water below the rocks underneath her. She gasped as she saw a reflection in the water, that wasn't hers. It was Saino's! Then the vision began.

Saino sat on the beech, sadly watching the waves come in and out. A man came up behind her and sat besides her. She already knew it was Rhoan, which, right now, only made things worse. She blinked back the tears before the face of the man she loved.

Rhoan looked at her carefully. "What's the matter, love?"

Saino sniffed. "Love…that is the problem. That night…when we…"

Rhoan placed a hand on her shoulder. "What…"

Saino abruptly stood up. "Rhoan, I am with child!"

Rhoan gasped and stood by her side. "Why does this trouble you?" Then he thought for a moment. "The elders?"

Saino nodded and hugged her arms. "If they find out, I will be banished…I will have no where to go to."

Rhoan smiled. "Not true…run away…you can go to the Mystic Moon. I was there once."

She gasped. "You went to the cursed Mystic Moon?"

Rhoan chuckled. "It is not cursed. It is simply another world where different creatures live. You can go there."

Saino shook her head. "I can not leave my home."

Rhoan nodded. "Then fight."

Saino gasped and looked up at Rhoan. "W-what?"

"Fight." He stepped back. "You have the pendant…fight!"

Saino was getting scared…she had never seen this side of him before. "I-I will not!" She stepped back away from him as well.

Rhoan glared at her. "That pendant holds the power! You know how to use it! Then do just that! Use it against your enemies!"

Saino shook her head again more vigorously. "I won't!"

Rhoan stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, making her cry out in pain. "If you won't I will!" He grabbed the pendant from her neck and ripped it off. Shoving her back, she fell to the ground and look up in shock. He grinned. "You always were so naïve!" He accused. Holding up the pendant and began to chant words in ancient Atlantian.

"Rhoan don't!" Saino pleaded.

Rhoan heard nothing from her. He finished his spell and an earthquake like no other began to shake the city. Saino watched it all, helpless on the floor.

Hitomi screamed and broke free of the vision, not wanted to see the death and pain that followed. She understood now…it was Rhoan who had destroyed Atlantis. Her grandmother wasn't evil…it wasn't her fault.

With this new information, Hitomi stood up and made ready to fly back to the city.

"Hitomi!" Someone cried out. Hitomi turned to see Van flying up to her. She smiled. He looked so elegant with his wings extended like that. He landed besides her and took hold of her shoulders. "Are you alright? I thought I felt you in great pain, and then I heard you scream." Van's worried gaze was fixed on her.

Hitomi sighed. "I…saw Rhoan. He took the necklace from Saino and used it to destroy Atlantis. But what I don't understand is how she got to Earth." She growled in frustration. "Nothing's making any sense!"

Van rubbed her tense muscles on her back. "Shhh. It's okay. We'll get it soon enough."

Hitomi nodded and then both she and Van gasped. "It's coming." They said together. Looking up at the seemingly normal sky, it darkened as if a great object was casting its shadow over the city.

Hitomi shivered in the sudden cold. "What's going on?"

Van held her close and wrapped his wings around her as the winds began to pick up. "I don't know."

Hitomi saw flashed of Dornkirk and the Ziaboch Fortress. "They're coming!"

"What!?"

"Ziaboch! They're here!" She pulled away from Van and flew against the winds towards the Elder's chambers. Van flew after her, dodging flying debris as the winds threatened to take Atlantis apart.

Hitomi busted in the Chambers and bowed quickly before the Elders, who thought were seated, were in a small state of panic at the recent turn of events. "Excuse my intrusion." Hitomi said. "But I came to warn you!"

The middle elder nodded. "Of this we know. The attack is from our enemy."

"The Ziaboch Empire will destroy everything! You have to get away!" She pleaded. Van stormed in after her and ran to her side.

"You have to flee!" He said.

The Elder shook his head. "We have no where to go. We must stay and fight. They came and destroyed our home once, we will not stand for it again."

Hitomi shook her head. "It wasn't Ziaboch! That was Rhoan! He now leads the Ziaboch Empire, you cannot face him!"

Van nodded. "She's right. They have armies of guymelifs that will destroy anything that comes in their path."

"Then we will die and be reborn once again. This is what must be done." The Elder said, closing off any further discussion.

Kiseki and Kokoro came in with Merle and Reeko.

"What's going on!?" Reeko asked.

"It has begun?" Kiseki asked, still in a state of calmness. The Elders nodded. Kiseki agreed. "Then we must prepare."

Hitomi couldn't believe what she was hearing…everyone was going to die…she could feel it. I am coming for you, Hitomi.

"What?" She turned around.

Van looked at her strangely. "Hitomi?"

She held her head as the voice invaded her consciousness. I am coming for you…then we can be together again…

"No! No! Go away! Make it stop!" Hitomi screamed, everyone staring at her on shock and fear.

Together…as family…

"NO!!!!" Hitomi's pendant began to glow, and the city began to shake.

The Elders stood up in realization. "Our shield is being brought down!"

Outside of the city, above Golaya Sea, Folken watched in astonishment, as the city emerged from below the city. It was domed at first, and then a city could be seen. People, draconians, could be seen flying towards the tall structures and towers, seeking shelter from the invasion.

Folken smirked. So the Emperor's plan worked. He turned to Dilandau. "Go down and seek out the High Priestess. She will be the one who will be able to open the city's power."

Dilandau nodded. "And a chance to get Van." Then he ran out to get his Dragon Slayers.

Van, Hitomi, Reeko, and Merle all watched in shock as they saw the water around them lower, as the emerged from the sea. "We…we were under the water?" Merle asked in shock.

The Elder turned to Kiseki. "They will be coming for you. Go to the shrine and hide there."

Kiseki nodded and started out, but Kokoro caught her hand. "Sis, wait. Y-you can't leave…what if…they get you?" He was visibly shaken from everything.

Kiseki smiled and gave Kokoro a hug. "Don't worry. The Angel of Light and Protector will guard you. You will be safe. And we will see each other again."

Kiseki left and Kokoro fell to his knees, watching his sister leave, knowing it might be the last time he sees her alive…He began to cry.

Merle felt sorry for the little boy…he was about their age, and she understood how he felt, loosing everyone she knew when Fanelia burned down to the ground. She walked over to the youth and snuggled up against him. "Hey, hey, it'll be alright. Neither Hitomi nor Van will let anything happen to Kiseki or you. You have to be strong." She comforted.

Kokoro looked up with tear filled eyes. "Y-you think so?"

Merle smiled and nodded. "If anyone can so it it's Lord Van."

Kokoro smiled and threw his arms around the little cat girl, crying on her shoulder. She was shocked at first, but hugged back, knowing they both needed the comfort right now.

Reeko joined in and they shared a group hug.

Hitomi watched with a smile, then gasped as the shaking stopped.

Van's ears picked up the familiar sound of the Ziaboch guymelifs in flight mode. "They're here."

The Elder nodded. "They will come here first…we are ready."

Van and Hitomi made their weapons of their own. Hitomi, a large pink light staff, about 6 feet long. Van, a sword of yellow light. Merle did some last minute work on her claws with her nail file, and Reeko took out his small knife.

They were ready for whatever would come next. The battle over freedom and power. Who will win? That question was about to be answered.