Hitomi and Van stood in a small clearing outside her home. All around them neatly tended headstones sat in straight rows.

"Take off your ring." Hitomi said to van. He looked at her curiously, but complied. She took off her pendent and slipped the ring onto the chain.

"Do you remember how I taught you to do this Van?" Hitomi asked in a calm steady voice.

"Yes, I think so, I just need to focus my mind right?" he asked to make certain.

"Yes, but clear your mind of all uncertainty. Your fear will make bad things happen." Van took a deep breath then released it slowly.

"Okay, I'm ready." Hitomi held up the chain with the pendent and the ring. Van grasp her other hand and the pendent. Both began to call Escaflowne in their minds. Slowly a red glow seeped out from between their fingers, surrounding them.

~~~~~@ @~~~~~



Somewhere ,in a holy temple of Fanelia , the people were surprised to see a bright beam of light come from the heavens. They all whispered uncertainly among themselves . Had their Queen come back? Or maybe it was a bad omen.

Merle looked out her window to see the light flash. In her hand she held the dark tidings of Folken's kidnapping. She hoped that that light meant Folken was almost home.


~~~~~@ @~~~~~


The light slowly receded form around Van and Hitomi. Van looked up, and there, arrived in a beam of light was the Escaflowne in dragon form. Hitomi's breath caught in awe. She had almost forgot about how truly beautiful it could be. In her mind she remembered how Van had come for her on earth after ash went back the first time. She had missed him so.

Van watched as the Escaflowne transformed and slowly touched the ground. He reached a shaking hand out to touch the cool white surface of it's leg.

Somehow in the fading light of the sun, it looked less like a machine and more like a living, breathing Reaper of Souls.


~~~~~~@ @~~~~~


Allen looked at the 13 melfs with flight capabilities. The warriors that piloted the Guymelfs stood in attention in fount of their crafts. They all would lay down their lives for Van or the young prince they had just been informed of.

"Ah the brashness of youth." Allen sighed. "You all have your orders. I want Kael to be my second in command. I will be detouring in Austria to pick up my own Guymelf. Follow his orders while I'm away. I'll be catching up to you soon." With one last salute Allen climbed aboard the little speeder Airship. 13 Guymelfs took to the skies and he permitted himself to smile....'Ah, yes, the brashness of youth....'


~~~~~~@ @~~~~~~


Van helped Hitomi aboard the Escaflowne, it was a tight squeeze, but Chid and Ren were also aboard. They had waited a say, preparing food and such for the flight. Hitomi had also brought a change of clothes for her son. Her mothers heart wanting to do what she could. They were all armed to the teeth as the saying goes, with swords and daggers.

The course laid out before time would have them arriving at the beast kings strong hold with the cover of darkness. Van lifted Escaflowne high in the air as they headed cast, toward their destiny.


~~~~~@ @~~~~~


Folken awoke to hear insane laughter outside his cell. He reached out to hold onto his mysterious guardian angel. The door creaked open slowly and the light seeped into the dark hole in the wall.

"In two days time your time will come, key." The monster told the small boy. Something was different this time, the boy didn't cower in fear like before.

"Aren't you afraid, Dragon Child?" he screamed at the small boy. Folken just shook his head.

"He can't hear me or see me. SO don't worry about being afraid of him." The angelic man with the black wings said softly.

"I guess being in the dark has addled your brain. No bother. Nothing in the ancient text said this required a lad of sound mind." Here he cackled again sending shivers up Folken's spin.

"It's time for you to try on your robes for the unlocking. Here put these on. I'll be back with your food." He walked off mumbling under his breath about the neem to put fear in "his" key. Folken started to numbly put on the robe, but his guardian stopped him. He pointed to the door. It had shut, but hadn't latched.

"Come, you don't have much time." Folekn hurried to the door and pushed it gently, opening it just enough for himself to pass through. It didn't creek 'Thank the Gods'

With as much speed as he could manage and not alert the Beast King, Folken ran down the corridor. Up ahead the Angel waited for him. Taking Folken's hand, he lead him down one dark hall and another. In the distants Folken could hear the sound of enraged curses. He quickened his pace. The corridor he now found himself in was so dark he couldn't see at all. All Folken could do was hold tightly to the hand pulling him.

"Okay, we have to go up these stairs. I'm going to carry you." Folken felt himself gently floating up the stairs as the sounds of screaming got closer to their corridor.

Placed on his feet again, Folken was pulled to ward a large door. Outside was the wide, flat, roof of the castle. Folken was so tired form all the running he almost couldn't stand. But he managed to hide behind some boxes before he collapsed. The black winged Angel stood watch over his small namesake.

"Van, please get here soon...."


~~~~~@ @~~~~~


He couldn't find him. He had lost his key.

"NO!!! The cards had said...." No he had to get the key back. He had to become the God of Fate. That was the only way to get his revenge. He could here the dragon child's running footsteps echoing up ahead. He increased his pace. Stumbling blindly he managed to find the corridor. Pitch black.
He listened for a sound of footsteps. There were none. Blindly he stumbled forward, falling twice, he finally found the wall. Cackling to himself, he felt along it until he found the stairs.

"I've got you now, my little key!"





End of chapter.


A/N SOOOOOOOOOOOOO...what do you think??Do you all know who the Angel is?? No??? Yes??? Well please r&r if you liked it. I only have 2 more chapters to go.