The clouds grew thicker, and shaded into the darkest colour from above, hovering towards the emerald forest and sloped elevations.
Hitomi lifted her legs closer to her chest and wrapped her arms around for comfort and support. She listened as thunder rumbled calmly in the distance. The risen slope she sat upon provided soothing peace. She leaned back slightly and watched as the heavy clouds slowly drifted closer and closer to her location.
"It's amazing how Fanelia can still look its finest in a raging moment," a familiar voice stepped in.
Hitomi didn't turn around. She smiled, and waited as Allen took a seat beside her.
"Hitomi, I apologize for being so harsh yesterday."
"Don't apologize. I can't say I was any different."
"It's ironic, don't you think?" he began, "How we've all lived up to such a change in result of a loss, at the same time?"
Hitomi nodded. "That wasn't me back there."
"What do you mean?"
A light rumbled danced beyond the hills.
"I could never be so calm in a matter like this. I care for Van in such a way, I wouldn't just shrug it off and assume everything would run smoothly."
"I think what you said was a shocking truth that none of us could except. Believing is a powerful feeling, you know."
She nodded, and sighed. "I suppose you're right." There was a pause. "But after I left, I was surprised at what I said. It wasn't at all what I was feeling! Like a separate part of me that I've never known was taking over…" She shook her head and removed the thought. "So much is happening all of a sudden. Especially with Hallandia. I'm not sure what to think of her trust she's offering. We barely know her, and we're suddenly introduced."
"I understand completely. Verona doesn't trust her at all. But she is a suspicious one."
A thought occurred to her.
"I never realized this until now, but…it was as if he knew this was going to happen."
"Who?" Allen asked blankly.
"Van. That fear in his eyes, and in his tone…" she paused. "Allen, I honestly think he knew about this! He told me I would know when to come back! And I had this dream, or something like one, and I just had this feeling I would return."
"That's very strange," he commented thoughtfully. "We should discuss it with Hallandia once she recovers. She knows more about this than we do."
"Okay," she answered quietly. Another thought entered her mind. "Is Merle watching Ty?"
Allen nodded. "She took him with her to examine Hallandia."
"What's happened to her?" she asked with concern.
"She collapsed. Just as she was leaving the Hall." He turned to the dark clouds, as if there was no need to make eye contact. "I'm concerned about Ty."
"Why is that?"
"After all that Hallandia explained to us, perhaps it's possible that…Ty is the third key."
Hitomi looked at him in shock. "Allen, you know that's impossible!"
"Is it?"
"Well…yes. She clearly said that the third key would have a special power. Stronger than ours!" Her face became gentler. "Ty is an innocent, seven-year-old child. He's just learning to read! There's no way he could have some kind of special ability. Better yet, without me even sensing it?"
"Yes, but can you actually tell me you haven't encountered one or two peculiar incidents that involve him?"
Hitomi hesitated. How could she lie? She knew he was right. Perhaps it was true that he had a special power. She wondered all the time if there was something between his mortal strength and dimensional psychotics. But she didn't want him to be the third key. She didn't want his life to be threatened by a forbidden territory of another world's history.
"Allen, he's not the key," she said sternly, watching the clouds.
There was silence among the two. Water droplets began to rain down on them, and the sleak clouds were directly above their heads.
"We should get inside," Allen said.
Hitomi followed Allen as she lifted herself onto her feet. She swung her long hair behind her broad shoulders. Allen gasped.
"Hitomi! What happened?"
"What?" she asked startled.
His cold hands tapped the side of her neck.
"It's a scar. And it doesn't appear to be some type of accident. When did this happen?"
"I don't know! I have no clue what you're talking about!"
He took her hand and placed it on the rough edge of her neck.
"That," he said, "is what I'm talking about."
Hitomi's eyes widened as she felt the outer grooves. "I don't where that came-" She paused. Her frame stiffened as she remembered. "Back home…when that man in the robes attacked me…he was piercing me with a knife. I think that's why I had blacked out."
Just touching the healed wound, she could once again feel that sharp prick running along her neck, and the blood trickling from the crooked blade.
"We should have Merle take a look at that right away." Allen grasped her wrist and dragged her down the small hillside. Hitomi still had her free hand rubbing against the scar, studying its intricate details. No long after, she suddenly realized it was a type of symbol – a symbol that she had definitely seen during the War of Destiny.
***
Ugh! Sorry for the crappy chapter! I couldn't think of what to write up next!!! And I'll try not to postpone the chapters for so long. Just as soon as my finals are up, be sure to expect a short delay in the postings. Sorry again!! J