Van and Hitomi boarded the Crusade.
"I have an announcement to make," Van said. "We are going to put an end to this war. It's a risky plan. All the people that don't want to go, and feel they don't want to put their lives on the line can leave now." Van told the whole crew.
"Lord Van, who do you think we are? We've been through too much to abandon you now. We're all going, is that right you guys?" the first mate asked.
"Yeah! We're not letting you take all the credit!" the other shipmen laughed.
Van smiled. They could do this. He was certain of it. Motaro was going down!
"Hey, this is my ship, are you trying to cause a mutiny?" Allen asked joyously coming up behind them.
"No, only we need to go stop the war. I was giving them a choice," Van explained.
"I see. Now let's get going," Allen told them.
"Allen, are you sure about this?" Hitomi asked, knowing he was still recovering from his accident.
"You're not going anywhere without me." Allen told them.
"Brother, do not forget about me," Celena said coming up to him.
"Sis, are you sure you're up to this?" Allen asked.
"Yes, I have to confront my fears." Celena said quietly.
"I hope you're not forgetting about us!" Merle and Gaddes said in unison.
"No, no, how could we forget about you?" Hitomi asked.
"Good, I'm glad, now let's go." Merle jumped. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"We're going back to the Mystic Valley." Hitomi informed them.
Everyone gasped in surprise.
"Why?" Allen asked.
"Because that is where we will find the Power of Atlantis." Van told him.
"We must unlock it before Motaro gets to it." Hitomi finished.
"Motaro? Who's Motaro?" Gaddes asked.
"Motaro is the newly installed emperor of Zaibach. It's a long story, come on, we'll fill you in." Hitomi told everyone.
They all went into the mess hall, after setting the course for the Mystic Valley.
"How can we be sure it's still there? After all it disappeared eight years ago," Merle observed.
"It's there," Hitomi told her. "Eight years ago Van only got us out of it. The Mystic Valley is in the same place as before," she assured them all.
"So, you were going to tell us about this Motaro person," Gaddes began.
"Yes. Motaro is the new emperor of Zaibach. He wants the true power of Atlantis, which is to turn wishes into fate. He wants to remodel the whole universe in his own image. He's a monster." Hitomi briefly told them.
She then proceeded on explaining in detail her encounter with him, although she let out the part where he slapped her. Everyone was in awe. They could not believe it was happening again.
"And so, the only place where I think that we shall be able to get a clue on where to find this locked power, is the Mystic Valley. After all, it was the final resting place for the Atlanteeans." Hitomi concluded.
"Well, we'll just have to find out now won't we?" Merle asked. "If any one can do it, it's the two of you," she said pointing to Hitomi and Van.
Everyone scattered about, each with their own questions. Hitomi felt the need to go to the cargo area, where Escaflowne was. Somehow, she felt herself drawn to that place. As she got closer and closer to the mecha, Hitomi felt the pendant grow brighter and brighter. Hitomi closed her eyes, letting that mystical light engulf her.
"Hitomi, it's nice to see you again," a woman's voice sounded behind her.
Hitomi opened her eyes, and found herself to be in a completely blank place. It was surrounded with light. Varie stood behind her.
"Varie, what's wrong now? I haven't used the power of my wishes," Hitomi said remembering her last encounter.
"Yes, I know. I brought you here to tell you to believe in your powers, and to let your soul guide you. What you are about to experience defies all logic. You must let your soul guide your being." Varie told her.
"Yes, I know, I can feel it too. I can somehow feel the power call out to me." Hitomi said.
"Yes, it's a calling only a true descendant can feel. All you need to do is listen to it."
"What about Motaro? I can feel he's on our trail." Hitomi asked.
"Motaro will get what he deserves, don't worry, fate has a way of paying everyone back. The only reason he wanted the key was because he could not hear the call of the power. He is blind without it, though still dangerous." Varie told her.
"Thank you Varie, " Hitomi said not knowing what else to ask.
"You're welcome. I will always be with you Hitomi. Take care of my son, and my grandchildren. The power of your love is the greatest bond of all. Although my son might be stubborn sometimes, he loves you very much. Never forget that." Varie said.
"I won't, because I love him equally as much," Hitomi said.
"I know, take care," Varie told her.
"Hitomi! Hitomi wake up!" Van said shaking her.
"Hmm? What?" Hitomi asked as awakened from a dream.
"You, I found you on the floor beside Escaflowne, are you ok?" Van asked.
"Yes, perfectly fine. I was speaking to Varie," Hitomi said.
"Oh, what did she have to say?" Van asked.
"She told me to believe in our love." Hitomi told him.
"Hey Merle, am I the only one that is worried about this?" Gaddes asked the cat woman.
"No, I don't like it either, but it's Hitomi's wish." Merle said gloomily.
"What if this Power of Atlantis proves to destroy the whole planet?" Gaddes asked.
"It won't. Hitomi won't let it. She'd rather die than let the power destroy the planet." Merle said confidently.
"I'm not so sure, I mean after all, she was captured by that Motaro person. What if he erased her memory like he did with Celena?" Gaddes asked.
"It's a possibility, but I don't think so. Somehow, Van would know if Hitomi isn't the same." Merle told him.
"I don't like it. Not one bit. A lot of people are going to get hurt." Gaddes stated.
"Not if we can prevent this impeding event. Don't worry, everything will be all right," Merle said confidently.
"I just don't want others to get hurt." Gaddes said. "I just don't want you to get hurt," he whispered under his breath. Quickly after saying that Gaddes got up and left.
"Gaddes, wait! Come back!" Merle called after him.
Gaddes didn't turn around. He just kept on walking, his cheeks hot and red.
Merle was speechless. Did she hear him right? Or did she imagine it. Merle sighed herself. It was something she thought about, but never dared hope, or was she over reacting?
Allen was watching the scenery slowly change. He could feel slight pain from his burns, but it wasn't so bad. It had been nearly a week since he got burned. To be more precise, it had been four days. Somehow, his wounds healed. It could have been Millerna's medicines, but he could remember distinctly that it had been someone else who had nursed his wounds. It couldn't have been Hitomi, and through his blurred memory, Allen guessed it had been Princess Astrid. Somehow she must have tapped into his mind and helped him recover faster. Allen sighed, removing a lock of blond hair from his face. So much had happened since Hitomi got back. In a little less than a month, Gaea was plunged into war again, and this time, it wasn't he who would be her protector. Hitomi had chosen. It was Van whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Allen never really got a chance to examine the feelings he had for Hitomi. All he knew was that she made him feel calm and safe. But was that love? Allen doubted it more and more by the second. At one point in time, he had felt love. However, it was denied to him. Why did Marlene have to die? Allen wondered. He had truly loved her, but now she left him, and he was denied his son. Marlene, Allen thought. I miss you so.
"We all miss someone," he heard a soft voice behind him.
Allen turned around to face Princess Astrid.
"Don't you know that you shouldn't be invading people's privacy?" Allen asked smiling.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. The feelings coming from you were too strong." she said and turned around to leave.
"Don't go," Allen stammered. "I wanted to thank you for nursing my wounds when I was injured." Allen told her.
"It was no problem. I wanted to be of help. Plus, you were seriously wounded." she said stopping in the doorway.
"Nevertheless, you helped make me better. Thank you Princess," Allen bowed.
"No need to bow. I was glad to do it." Astrid smiled.
"So, do you think we will succeed in stopping the war?" Allen asked.
"Fate has a way of working out," Astrid smiled again, only this time it was a melancholic smile.
Allen looked at her face, and saw that she was far away, deep in thought. Right there and then Princess Astrid looked very beautiful. Almost like you could see all the way to her soul.
"Princess, we've all been hurt by life, but just because things don't work out in the first place, doesn't mean we have to stop trying. You're beautiful when you smile, and maybe you should do it more often," Allen whispered in her ear and left.
He walked away, throwing a quick glance at the princess. She looked eerie like standing in the doorway, with light outlining her figure. Allen could see that his words shocked her. He left before she could reply.
"Marlene," he thought "I, I loved you."
A few hours later, everyone gathered back at the mess hall.
"We're going to be approaching the Mystic Valley soon. What's the plan?" Allen asked glancing at Hitomi.
"First we must open a gateway. Then we must send search parties to look for clues that might help us find the place where the power is locked. How 'bout we split up in groups of two?" Hitomi suggested.
"Very well, who goes with who?" Allen asked.
"Well, I could go with Merle," Gaddes suggested.
"What makes you think I want to go with you?" Merle jumped up.
"Well it's not fair that we leave the ladies unprotected. So I say we each have a lady as a companion," Gaddes suggested, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Sure. That's fine with all of us?" Allen asked.
Everyone agreed in unison. They decided who went with whom. Van and Hitomi were a group, then Gaddes and Merle, then Allen was going to go with Princess Astrid and Celena. Apparently, his sister was determined to go.
"We're here boss!" the first mate announced.
Hitomi looked out the window. They had truly arrived at the same place where they entered the Mystic Valley eight years ago. She sighed, saying a small prayer for good luck.