Elements of the Mind
3
"The magic is quicker than the eye."
A small smile spread across Shakaku's lips. "They know we're here Taishin. They really are the East and West."
Taishin returned her half- hearted smile. "Everything is ready. Shall we introduce ourselves?"
"Yes, I think that now is a good time." She whispered to him. Shakaku stepped out of her hiding place and walked over to where Van stood, Taishin followed. Once they were in front of him they bowed.
Hitomi let out a small gasp when she saw who stood before them. Van wasn't impressed. "Who are you and what do you want." He snapped.
"Your majesty I am Shakaku of the South."
"And I am Taishin of the North, we have traveled a great distance to find you Van of the West and you lady Tenkou of the East."
Van continued to glare at them. "Is that…"
"Wait, my name isn't Tenkou, so you must have the wrong people!" Hitomi said in small voice from behind Van.
Shakaku turned towards her voice and began to slowly walk toward Hitomi. Van held his sword when she tired to get near her. "What do you think you are doing woman?" he sneered. Shakaku paid him no mind and simply pushed the shinning blade back from her neck, took Hitomi's hand and pulled her away from Van.
"What is your name then, if it is not Tenkou?"
"My name is Hitomi. What do you want with me miss? You have plagued my mind for quiet some time now."
"Do you have the feather I gave you Hitomi?"
Hitomi nodded her head.
"Do you?" Shakaku asked again.
"She blind!" Hitomi realized and spoke her answer.
"May I see it?"
"Of course." Hitomi replied before pulling the feather out of her sash and passing it to Shakaku. When the feather was placed in Shakuku's hand a huge gust of wind tore threw the forest and whipped the feather into the air. "No!" Hitomi cried as the feather was carried on the wind, but much to her surprise the run-away feather floated gracefully back into her hand.
"Hitomi, my dear you are Tenkou. Only she could control the wind as you have done. You anxiety towards me, made it impossible for me to grasp the feather, the center of you magic."
"Excuse me, but why do you keep calling her Queen of Heaven?" Van asked.
"Because she is." Taishin replied simply, "As Shakaku is the Angel of Fire."
"I see…That was about as clear as mud." Van muttered. He cast his gaze across the two strangers then up to the sky. The sky was bright orange in the north and black clouds hung in the heavens. "What's going on over there?" Van asked suddenly alarmed.
"What's wrong?" Shakaku demanded.
"The light…the light coming from the north is unnatural, and I have a feeling that something is seriously wrong."
Hitomi who'd been staring dumbly at the feather for the last five minutes let out a small cry and grabbed her head. "Van, your town, it's…it's burning!"
Horror washed over Van's face as her words set in. "No! Not again!" He cried and made a dash for his horse.
"No Van." Taishin advised and grabbed the young king by the shoulder. "You mustn't go. Fanelia is burning, and getting yourself killed is not going to help that."
Van struggled against his grip but failed to free himself. "You don't understand! Just because I am King doesn't mean that I shouldn't share in the same fate as my country."
"Van, your country has met and ill timed demise but the fates have spared you for a reason. You were meant to live. You were meant to fight against the new evil that has awaken in this land and you were fated to fight with us."
"But…but…" Van stuttered with his eyes full of tears for his fallen country, "Alright, you win, I'll fight with you." He bowed his head and walked away from the group and took out his sword. The crest of Fanelia caught the light as Van ran his fingers over it. "It's gone, it's all gone. In the blink of an eye an entire kingdom fell into the golden flames. Thousands of lives snuffed out like a candle in the breeze and there was nothing I could do to help. Nothing. Nothing but watch from afar as my people perished in the blistering heat and suffocating smoke. Nothing. But…I must atone for my carelessness and I will do this by cutting down whoever destroyed my country's peaceful existence. Yes, they will pay." Van silently vowed clenching his fist around his sword and walking out of the clearing into the dark woods.
"Fate is the siren you can't fight."
Hitomi's eyes fluttered open. Someone was stroking her hair and singing softly. She looked up and saw Shakaku's ashen face, she smiled gently.
"Finally you're awake. How do you feel?"
Hitomi sat up and looked around before answering, "I feel alright I guess. How long was I asleep?"
"After your vision you fainted and broke out in a fever. It's around noon now, so you slept for quiet some time."
"I see."
The sun was at its peak in the heavens and its golden rays shone brightly in the forest. The wind swept through the glen rustling the branches and scattering leaves. Occasional one could catch a hint of smoke in the air. Hitomi blanched.
"Hitomi…" Shakaku whispered.
"Yes?"
"I think it's time I hold you about why you were brought here."
* * * * *
Van turned the shinny shell over in his hand. Ever since he'd found it last night he couldn't seem to put it down, for some reason he felt and an unknown power radiate from it. Pocketing the shell he stood up and began to walk back to where he'd left the others. After much deliberation he decided that it would be best to fight with Shakaku, Taishin and Hitomi rather than by himself. He wasn't too sure how they fit into this whole picture but if they where willing to help him, he wasn't going to refuse.
"Something isn't right." Van mused, "Somehow, Taishin and Shakaku knew Fanelia was going to burn and they also knew where to find me. No, something definetly isn't right and I just can't seem to put my finger on it."
Van pushed his way through the thicket until he reached the clearing where he'd left Hitomi. She was sitting across from Shakaku and the two of them were engaged in what looked like a very serious conversation. Taishin was no where to be seen.
* * * * *
"I am not exactly sure how to describe this Hitomi, but I'll do my best." Shakaku began, "A new force has come to Gaea, we're not positive if this force is evil or not but we are fairly certain that its intentions are not good. You see in order to maintain the delicate balance between light and dark a very powerful Mage created four sacred swords. Each of the swords represents one of the four quarters and the elements. For example you are the East and therefor air is your element. Every generation the swords are paced over to the new bearer. However the power of the sword can not be wielded and magic can not be summoned unless the balance of light and dark is throne off. Since I am able to use my magic it can only be assumed that this new power is indeed evil. Do you understand?"
"I still don't understand how this relates to me. I don't have a sword and I certainly don't know how to fight with them."
Hitomi's question seemed to amuse Shakaku because she smiled, "And you think I do? Can't you see that I am blind?"
Hitomi raised an eyebrow at Shakaku and laughed light heatedly. "I can't picture you brandishing a sword but don't let your vision be an excuse. You see far more than you let on."
"Then you understand Hitomi? As one of the bearers of the sacred kitanas you must be prepared to fight enemies that not even your nightmares could have imagined."
"Kitanas?" Hitomi thought for a moment and then she remembered the vision she'd had in the park. The four ornate swords and the smoldering battle field that was littered with bodies. "I think I saw the swords in a vision…"
Shakaku's eye went wide. "Please tell me what you saw!" she cried urgently. Suddenly she let a small gasp then slumped over.
"Shakaku?!" Hitomi cried and shook her shoulders vigorously. "Wake up!"
"What happened Hitomi?" Van asked out of no where. She let out a startled cry at the sound of his voice and spun around to face him.
Her eyes where brimming with tears. "I don't know Van, she was fine one minute. I am scared, is she hurt?"
Van moved Hitomi away from Shakaku before he bent over and felt her wrist. " Her pulse seems normal. It's almost like she's asleep."
"She is." Taishin replied stepping out of the shadows and over to Shakaku's limp form. "She is in a different world, she'll be back soon don't worry. Someone must be dreaming or calling her." He lifted her gently from the ground and walked back into the shadows. "We'll be leaving as soon as she wakes, get ready to move out." He added before disappearing in the darkness.
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Sorry everyone for begin so slow but I was on holidays in Texas! Since I was staying with my grandma, access to a computer wasn't an option…^_^;;; Well, there ya go! Once again thank you to all that reviewed! I luv u guys ^_^ Till next everyone I'm outta here!
^_~
Chi
* I don't own Escaflowne, but I do own my characters!