Chapter 13 ~ In Dreams
Hitomi went down to the village. Things were already shaping up fast. By the time she got there, most of the people were packed and ready to go. Hitomi made her way to the orphanage. A little girl was hanging by the front of the building.
"Hey there little girl, are you all packed for the big trip?" Hitomi asked warmly.
"Almost. Everyone is hurrying in there. It's too stuffy for me, and I'll just get in the way, so I decided to wait out here." The little girl told her.
"I'm sure the Protectors are looking for you. Come on, there's plenty you can do. I'm sure of it! Give me your hand?" Hitomi asked her, lending the little girl her firm hand.
The little girl took it, and smiled up at Hitomi. "Why do we have to leave?" the little girl asked.
"Well, there's some bad people coming here. They want to harm us, and I want to make sure that no people will be harmed." Hitomi told her.
"Why? Did we harm them?" the little girl asked innocently.
"No, they're just mean. Come on, let's go talk to your Protectors. I'm sure they miss you." Hitomi told the little girl.
"But I don't want to leave here." The little girl protested.
"Honey, you don't want the bad people to get you do you? Come on, it will be like a big adventure!" Hitomi told her.
The little girl smiled. She liked that. She and Hitomi stepped inside.
"Oh, Breanna! I was looking for you! We're getting ready to leave! Hurry up and grab your stuff." The nun told her as she walked in with Hitomi.
The little girl looked up at Hitomi.
"Come on, don't be shy. Go join your friends and don't be scared. Everyone in the city is going to be there." Hitomi told her, and hugged the little girl.
"Thank you very much miss. I won't forget you!" the little girl said.
Hitomi smiled. Children were so sweet.
"Milady, shouldn't you be going to a shelter?" the nun asked Hitomi.
"No. I want to see you guys underway first. This orphanage is the first to evacuate. Are you ready to go?" Hitomi asked her.'
"Just a few more minutes, and we'll be all done." The nun told her.
"Please hurry. Our spies informed us that we have only a few more hours before the troops arrive. Let me help you." Hitomi said and picked up some stuff off the floor.
"No milady, it wouldn't be right. We are done anyway look." The nun directed her attention behind her. There, Hitomi saw two long lines of children looking curiously around them.
"Very well, let's go." She directed them towards the checkpoint, where they got more food, water and medical provisions. Hitomi watched the children exit the city. She sighed, content with her work. At least they won't be harmed.
~~~~
"Oh Lord Van, I found her this way!" Merle told him crying.
Van looked at the bed in which Hitomi lay. She was still, and her muscles were tense. She didn't look asleep. She looked more like she was in a trance.
"How long?" he asked bewildered.
"I have no idea. What do we do?" Merle asked.
"Call the physician that's what." Van told her irritated.
"Gotcha." Merle said.
After Merle dashed out the door like a mad furry, Van pulled up a chair and sat by Hitomi's bedside, gently stroking her forehead.
"Oh Hitomi, what's wrong with you?" he asked concerned. Silence engulfed the room. Was this another one of Wazir's ploys to destroy them? Was she poisoned? Or did she just fall ill? Van spied a batch of freshly baked cookies on her nightstand. He picked one up, and was about to take a bite out of it, when he smelled something peculiar. He brought the cookie to his nose, and inhaled. Oh no! This was, no! It couldn't be. It HAD to be something else. Not this! He hoped the physician would be able to tell him what was wrong with Hitomi. Meanwhile, he put the cookies back. They were definitely a part of the big picture.
~~~~
The courier approached Hitomi.
"Milady, may I have a word with you?" he asked.
"Yes, of course! Have you reached the battlefield? Are there any survivors?" Hitomi asked.
"I have reached the battle field. Milady, I regret to inform you that there were no survivors. The whole army was slain." He told her gently.
Hitomi took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, no, I don't believe you. You're lying. Van had to survive. He had to. You're lying, I don't believe you!" she told him taking another step back.
"I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry, but I saw his body. He is dead. Just like the rest of the warriors. Milady, I am terribly sorry." The man said.
Hitomi screamed; a piercing scream that echoed throughout the whole city. In a moment, Hitomi ran past the courier. She ran through the empty streets, tears spilling on her cheeks. Hitomi ran and ran and ran. There was no limit to her pain. Her heart was tore to pieces. Dead he had said. Dead. Just like that. No, it wasn't true. Her Van didn't die. He didn't stop fighting with life. Van always managed to succeed. He didn't give up. Van was too stubborn to die. He didn't. It was impossible. No, they had spent so little time together. No, it wasn't fair. Hitomi stopped by the river.
"No, he isn't dead! He isn't dead!" she screamed at the reflection. Hitomi collapsed there, not able to express her pain. She just looked at the wavering water. No one killed her one and only love and got away with it. No one! She would drive those rascals out of her city. Out of her country. She would pulverise them. They will be ashes! Scattered ashes when she will be done with them. Hitomi got up, a steely look on her face. Pain, determination and hate were engraved in her tired features. Hitomi walked back up to the troops, with the wind blowing past her, gently. Her features were stony and cold. Her gaze was pure ice. "Get a move on!" she ordered them, her voice loud, clear and deadly.
~~~~
"She's perfectly fine. No poisonings, nothing." The doctor told Van.
"Then what's wrong with her?" Van asked.
"I have no idea. I would say she's in a trance, and I wouldn't suggest forcing her out of it!" the doctor said.
Just then, Hitomi moaned. A moan full of pain. Her face tensed up, and she lifted her hand hopelessly. Another more powerful sob followed. Tears started streaming down her cheeks.
"Ssh, it's ok Hitomi! Is she in pain?" Van asked alarmed, taking her in his arms and stroking her hair gently.
"Well, she appears as if she's in some sort of dream. I guess she's experiencing the emotion there." The doctor observed.
"Oh no, Hitomi, I'm right here, ssh, calm down, you're going to be fine. Please, please stop fretting, calm down." Van whispered gently, holding her in his arms and gently stroking her face. "Doctor, I found these. You think they might have something to do with her illness?" Van asked handing him a cookie.
The doctor took it, and smelt it. He then took a small bite of it, and immediately spat it out.
"Oh no, these cookies are saturated with Dreaming." He told Van.
Van looked up alarmed. He found a half-eaten cookie in her room. Did this mean that Hitomi was in The Dreaming? "Oh no, curses!" he swore.
"Were any of them eaten?" the doctor asked seriously.
"Yes, one of them. Oh no, Hitomi is in The Dreaming all alone. She is without a guide! Call my council here immediately!" Van barked at Merle.
"Did you want to test her as a queen?" the doctor asked.
"No, the council agreed against it. They found her mature and responsible enough, so they decided to skip the test. They thought that her originality might help her in difficult situations. All except Wazir though." Van observed.
"Milord, this is a very serious matter. These cookies have enough dreaming in them to make fear become reality. She is in there without a guide. You do realise that she might be lost forever." The doctor told him.
"No, I refuse to believe that. Can't we give her a guide now?" Van asked.
"No, I'm sorry, it's too late. She has begun her challenge, and nothing will help her now. She's the only one that can get herself out of it. All we can do is pray." The doctor said.
"No, no, she can't die! Hitomi, please don't die!" Van begged, kissing her lightly on the cheek. The Dreaming was an old Gaean test by which unacceptable queens were tested. They, and a guide would drink a life freezing substance. They would then enter the dream-world passage, and the queen would have to pass a test proving to everyone that she can handle diplomatic matters, and can stay loyal to the people. The guide would then bring her out when the challenge finished, and testify to everyone that she indeed passed. If there was no guide, the chances to be lost in the dream-world passage were great. No person that ever dared go alone ever came back. They all died, when they started to believe THAT reality, since it made their worst fears true. Van gulped. Hitomi was up against impossible odds, and on top of that, she didn't know it wasn't real. To Hitomi, The Dreaming was Gaea. Van felt desperation overwhelm him. There had to be something they could do. She couldn't die! She just couldn't.
"Milord, you know very well that anyone that entered The Dreaming without a guide, and without knowing they were up against a challenge never made it out. I'm sorry, but she's up against odds of 1/200." He told him.
"No, you aren't right. She's going to make those odds. You don't know Hitomi. When she puts her mind to something, she will accomplish it. You can't doom her so soon." Van told him, desperation registering in his voice and gaze.
"Milord, I wouldn't suggest getting your hopes up. Not even a Phantom Moon woman can stand up against those odds," the doctor said and left.
Soon after, Wazir entered the chamber.
"You wanted to see me milord?" he asked innocently.
"You b@$t@rd. You selfish leach! You baked those cookies with Dreaming in them, and now she's almost dying!" Van said, jumping for his throat.
"Milord, I have no idea what you are talking about!" Wazir told him heaving under the sudden attack.
"You @$$hole. I can feel your rat breath for miles away. You can stop hiding. I know it was you. How could you? How could you do that? We agreed against it. She didn't need to be put through all that suffering! How could you!" Van asked disgusted, letting go of him.
"Well, since you're so proud of your Phantom Moon sleaze, I decided to put her to the test! If she's so great that you refused the greatest royalty, she would no doubt make it through The Dreaming ALONE." Wazir said mockingly. As soon as he said it though, he regretted it. He plunged back into the wall, meeting the iron fist of his king.
"Never utter a word about her you worthless dog! Guards, take him away. Wazir will be sleeping in the dungeon. He is only to have water until I decide on what to do with him!" Van ordered the guards. The guards complied to his wishes, and dragged the unconscious Wazir out of the room.
Van took a seat beside Hitomi, holding her hand.
"Come on, I know you can make it!" he whispered, gently stroking her forehead.
~~~~
"The barbarians are within rage! Hide!" the spy whispered to them.
Hitomi looked out from behind the rock, with an iron glare. Now they were in for it. The hunters will become the hunted. All of a sudden, she spied a little child in the middle of the road, stumbling along looking very confused. Hitomi turned pale. She thought that the whole city was evacuated. Yet that little child was just sitting in the middle of the road. Hitomi got up.
"What are you doing milady?" the commander asked grabbing her hand.
"I have to go rescue that child!" she told him and pointed at the youngster.
"No, it's too dangerous!" the man said.
"I'm dead either way. Now unhand me, and proceed with the plan." Hitomi told him and deserted her hide out. The life of that child was more precious than her own.
She quickly made her way to the boy.
"Hello there, why aren't you with the rest of the people in the mountains?" Hitomi asked.
"I got lost, can you help me find my way?" the boy asked.
"Sure, come with me, what's your name?" Hitomi asked.
"Josh." The little boy said. However, when he tried to take a step, he fell down. "I was trying to keep up with the others when I fell. I think I scraped my knee." He said.
"Come on, I'll carry you." Hitomi said.
"Thank you." Josh said quietly. Hitomi bent over to pick him up. However, when she finally succeeded in picking him in her arms and heading towards the hiding place, she found herself starring in the eyes of a black stallion. Hitomi gasped. No, she had been too long! The army was here! She looked up at the rider of the horse.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" a satanic voice said from above her.
Hitomi was silent. She was now face to face with the barbarian army. She didn't know what to do. Hitomi looked around her. She could make a run for it towards the forest, but she was sure she wouldn't make it far. Not with the wounded child in her arms.
"Well, cat's got your tongue?" the wolf man asked.
"Who are you?" Hitomi asked, pretending to be innocent. She hoped the others would act on the plan. She could see that she was dead either way. Hitomi's mind was fast at work, trying to find a way she could save the frightened child in her arms.
"We, are the Shanji Clan, here to conquer the majestic country of Fanelia." The man said getting down from his horse.
"Fanelia will never be conquered!" Hitomi yelled proudly.
"And why is that?" the man asked mockingly.
Hitomi didn't answer him. She had made up her mind, and began to run down the street. She knew how she could get the child out of there safely. The river! The river would carry the child safely out of the city. He could then navigate to one of its muddier banks, get caught in the mud and come out of the cold water. All before the river floods, and its waters become impossible to cross. That wasn't scheduled until night time, but the water was already at a high elevation.
"Can you swim?" she asked the child as she was hurrying through the deserted streets.
"Yes, very well." He told her.
Hitomi ran harder, compelled to get that child out of there as fast as possible. This child had to survive, it didn't matter if she didn't. Without Van, she had no future anyway. "Soon, we'll be together soon, Van." She thought.
"After her!" the wolf man yelled. He began to run after Hitomi, in a blind rage screaming profane words and with his sword unsheathed.
Hitomi could feel him hot on her trail. She pushed herself to go even faster.
"Come on Kanzaki! You can do it!" she said mentally.
Hitomi could see the river. It was only a few meters ahead of her. She would make it. All of a sudden, she tripped, and fell forwards. Hitomi felt her breath give out on her. With a last supreme effort, she pushed the child out of her arms, and with her last bit of strength, she aimed for the river.
The child landed with a splash in the cold water.
"Good luck Josh! Tell them about what happened here! Tell the world! And keep under water until they can't see you, so they won't shoot you with their arrows!" Hitomi screamed.
By this time, the wolf man had reached her. Hitomi made no effort to pick herself off the dusty ground. She was drained of all energy. At least she knew the child would be safe. That was all that mattered. The children of this world had to be protected at all costs.
"You little wench! Why did you do that?" the man asked coming up to her.
"So everyone can find out about how a half beaten army squished you like bugs!" Hitomi told him breathing heavily.
"Oh yeah? And how do you plan to do that?" the man asked picking her up by her hair.
Hitomi winced, but did not say anything. "Listen." She whispered hoarsely. The sounds of log cutting and rocks falling echoed in the distance. "You're trapped here. There's no way out. The river will flood so much tonight, trying to get out through that way will prove deadly. You will all die here, a worse death than that of our army. Than that of my husband." She told him in a deadly low voice.
"Oh yeah, well you're going to be the first one of us to go!" he said showing her his sword.
"I served my purpose. I welcome the death. It will be bliss after being through all this pain!" she told him smiling.
The man laughed ruefully. He was indeed a brute. Even though the woman was pretty, she had proved how dangerous she could be. It was best for this wench to die. Still, she would have made one feisty warrior. She had the heart for it. He looked at her soiled face. She was starring at him with those deep green eyes; so mysterious, yet so rebellious. It was a pity he had to kill her.
"What are you afraid to do it?" she asked, smiling. It was a very tired and worn out smile.
"Never! This is your last moment, my pretty!" he told her.
Hitomi looked at him boldly. Her heart was already dead. It died right along with Van. The blade shined in the sunlight. All Hitomi saw was its glister, and then she felt the pain pierce her like a hot spear. She looked down, to see the sword through her belly. Hitomi looked down fascinated. It didn't hurt as much as she had expected. When the man removed the sword, rivers of blood poured out of the wound. Hitomi looked at him absently. Then, with the last bit of strength she could muster, she screamed.
"I loved, but love was denied to me. I Hitomi Fanel, queen of Fanelia leave behind one rule. You, the people of Fanelia are never to give up. That's how you'll always win!" she screamed and then crumbled to the floor.
"That was the queen?" the wolf man asked in surprise. He could have held her for ransom, had he known who she was. However, he had killed her, giving the people of Fanelia what they wanted. Another reason to destroy his army. First the kind, now the queen. It had been a most interesting day in the history of slaying. He put his sword back in his sheath, and returned to his army. There was nothing they could do now.
~~~~
Hitomi went limp in Van's arms. As soon as he discovered that, Van felt for a pulse. There was none. Hitomi was still.
"No, Hitomi, don't do this to me! You can't be dead! You can't you hear me? It was just a test! Just a test! Come back Hitomi! Come back, I need you! Hitomi!" Van screamed. He hugged her, he tried to revive her. Nothing worked. "No, Hitomi, you can't die! I love you too much! Hitomi! Hitomi please don't die!" Van said, tears running down his cheeks. He didn't care. She couldn't be dead. She just couldn't. It was a stupid test. Hitomi didn't know how to fail. She couldn't fail. No, he refused to believe that. Van was hugging her and crying softly now. No, how could he let her go? His heart was breaking to pieces. He felt the pain spread through his body. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. So fine and exquisite. It was like a million hot spears just went through him. He felt his heart beat, one beat, two beats, three. Why did his heart have to go on, when Hitomi's was still? Why? Why? Why? He wouldn't loose her to a stupid test. No, he didn't know how to give up. "Come back to me Hitomi!" Van said and kissed her ever soft rosy lips.
(A/N: Ha! You all thought I was going to end it there! Well I didn't! Here's the rest!!!)
~~~~
Hitomi was lying in the dust of the street. She felt her own blood pour out of her cut. Hitomi felt like she was bathing in it. Slowly, she placed her hand on the wound. She felt the warm blood escape through her fingers. With each drop that poured from the wound, Hitomi felt her life force weakening. She took a look up into the sky. "I guess this is the last time I'll see the sunset," Hitomi whispered. The sky was coloured with shades of red. Hitomi closed her eyes, ready to settle into the peaceful slumber of death, when she heard the words.
"I love you. It was all a test Hitomi. I agree, a very mean test, but it wasn't my doing. Please don't leave me. I need you more than anything. I love you." She then felt his lips against hers. So soft, and gentle, so full of life. Hitomi didn't want to die anymore. Somewhere out there was Van, and he was waiting for her. The Van that she wanted to spend her whole life with. The Van whom she loved, but thought dead. All of a sudden, reality started to crumble. Pieces of the sky were falling, the buildings were shattering. All of a sudden, Hitomi found herself in a black swirling void. She sat up, her previous wound gone.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"Don't worry. I will help you out of this." A spirit appeared to her.
"Varie?" Hitomi asked confused.
"Yes, now come with me my child! My son will explain everything to you. Let's just get you out of here. Give me your hand!" Varie's spirit said.
Hitomi gave her hand to Varie. The spirit guided her towards a lighted exit.
~~~~
Hitomi inhaled a deep breath, and opened her eyes in surprise. She found herself in her room. Hitomi suddenly became aware that Van was kissing her. She felt herself get warm at his touch. His mouth covering hers, Hitomi felt the need to kiss him back. A hungry desperate kiss she had been longing for. Her hands reached behind his neck, and drew him in closer. When they ran out of oxygen, the kiss ended. Hitomi felt the whole fire of their kiss linger in her mouth and go down her throat. She smiled through tears at Van's amazed look.
"Oh Van! You're not dead! It's so good to see you again!" Hitomi said and sat up to hug him fiercely.
"You made it! You made it! Hitomi, you're phenomenal. It's so good to have you here. God, I was afraid you were dead, when you screamed, and then went limp. I love you, oh my god, I'm never letting you go!" He said and placed hot kisses all over her face.
"Van, I was dead! It was you, through your love that brought me back. Thank you!" she told him. "I don't ever want to let go of you, but I learned an important lesson. There's more to just marrying you. I must learn the works of your system." She told him.
"I will gladly teach you later, right now, I would just like to hug you, and keep you close to me." Van told her, and hugged her.
"I love you too. Van, were you crying?" Hitomi asked him as she kissed him softly.
"No," he told her grinning. He knew she knew he was lying.
"You were too! I can feel it on your face," she said tipping him over and giving him a little kiss on his cheek. "Yup, it's salty!" she decreed laughing. Just being there with him was enough for her. She never thought life could be so sweet. All Hitomi wanted to do was hold him tight. Her angel was there, alive and well, and so was she. Hitomi breathed in the cool air of the afternoon. It never smelt so good.
"Oh god, I'm so glad you're safe and well. Merle was crying her eyes off when she found you." Van told her.
"Speaking of which, come in guys!" Hitomi called at the door. She had heard the muffled sounds outside her door and figured they had company.
The door opened, and Merle came running towards Hitomi. "Oh you're all right! See, I told you she was going to be all right!" she called at the people standing at the door.
The rest of the council came in. Hitomi recognised Leto as one on them. She broke Van's embrace and walked towards him.
"I would like to thank you for your help." She told him.
"What for?" the man asked.
"Your support helped me air my ideas and pass my challenge. I guess now I qualify to be queen of Fanelia." She told him.
"You always did my child." Leto told her. He was very surprised. She was indeed some woman. She had made it through the challenge alive, AND without a guide. If there was anyone his king should marry, it was she. This mysterious green eyed woman from the Phantom Moon.
~~~~
Later that night, Van watched Hitomi sleep in his arms. She had made it, and deserved a good rest. Van had refused to let her sleep alone. He never wanted her out of his sight. Whenever he let her go, something bad always happened. Thus, he figured that nothing could harm her as long as he was with her. Hitomi had let him stay, and now he watched her sleep peacefully. Van sighed, happy that it was all over. He would never let go of her. She was the only woman for him, ever.
"You know, I'm never letting you go. Whenever I don't watch you, you get in trouble." He told her softly.
"It was just the way fate worked. I would never want to leave your arms, Van Fanel. I'm yours forever. Together, we will always win. You're the other half of my soul." Hitomi told him sleepily.
"As you are mine." Van said kissing her softly. "Now sleep, you need it my love." Van whispered.
"How about a lullaby? After all, I almost died! You think that qualifies for illness?" Hitomi asked mischievously.
"Well, ok. This is a song my mother used to sing to me." Van said.
He began to sing in the night, his voice echoing clearly thought the halls. It was a truly majestic song. Hitomi felt the music fill her heart and warm her in a way no other music did.
You're the bravest of hearts, you're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the place I call home
You can say it's all right, but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even you face the night afraid and alone
That's why I'll be there
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
You can sleep in my arms, you don't have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name
Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing up above
You've given me your love
When your smile like the sun that shines through the pain
That's why I'll be there
She didn't know whether it was Van's singing, or the words, but she felt herself ready to fall into a peaceful slumber, with her guardian angel watching over her.
"Twisted as our fates were, I'm glad you're with me tonight. My love for you can never die out. Remember that." Hitomi told him softly.
Van kissed her passionately, the desire burning inside him. Hitomi didn't resist him. She responded in the same wonderful way to his kiss. The fire spreading through her body, Hitomi pressed herself harder against Van's chest. He slowly wrapped his hands against her back, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. Hitomi playfully tugged at his hair, never breaking the kiss however.
Otherwise engaged, the sound of Van's lullaby remained in the darkest corners of the castle.
You've given me your love
When your smile like the sun that shines through the pain
That's why I'll be there
The words were heard, before fading into nothingness. Two figured surrounded by the velvet cloak of night, and an unbreakable circle of love were all that remained.