Love In Blue Eyes
Part One: Altered Destiny
Chapter 6: I Won't Leave You
The last thing Van remembered was Zander's dark green eyes, and hearing Arra scream. Then in moments, all was darkness. He wasn't exactly sure where he was lying, when his consciousness was regained. The floor was hard and damp, and a putrid smell invaded his nostrils. His head throbbed, where supposedly Zander had hit him, with what he did not know. Opening his eyes seemed like an option, but for some reason Van felt extremely tired and his eye-lids were heavy. Every so often, what he thought must be water would drip from the ceiling, and splash on his arm. It didn't smell like water, and Van didn't want to find out what it really was. Suddenly, he heard a door open somewhere in the room, which seemed somehow high above him. There were muffled voices of what Van thought were possibly two men, and the clank of metal signified they were coming down towards him. "Get up!" he heard one man say, suddenly much closer than before. Then there was lancing pain in his side, and he could feel blood starting to drip down his skin. "Get up!!" they yelled again, as they stabbed him once more. This time it was much harder, and Van cried out in pain. He could hear the other man start to laugh as tears began to form in the corners of his eyes. He grit his teeth together in silent retaliation, but still didn't move nor speak. The first man growled in anger as Van felt him pick his stiff body up. But he wasn't expecting what happened next, as the man thrusted him against the wall. His eyes shot open in pain as his head hit the hard surface with a deafening 'crunch'. Van slid to the ground, his back against the wall, clutching the open wound as his vision started to haze. He could feel the warm blood pouring over his hands and matting his hair into sticky clumps. The two men started laughing again, then walked over to him and grabbed his arms, then dragged him across the ground towards the now visible staircase ahead of them. They stopped at the first step and jerked his arms, motioning him to stand up, or they would pull him up the stairs instead. Van didn't move. His energy was draining fast, and he could barely keep his eyes open. "Stand up you piece of shit!" the one to his left shouted. He had no choice to obey, or he knew he would face even more pain. Dragging his feet in front of him, he stood, though still needing the assitance of the men. His legs felt like jelly, and he trembled violently, but still went on, up the menacingly high staircase. When they reached the top, he almost collapsed, but was thrown through the doorway infront of him by the two. Van closed his eyes as he lay on the ground, excepting the consciousness that was leaving him as the blood from his head and side still poured and his vision swam. But again, he was pulled to his feet by what he thought was a new man by the scruff of his shirt. "Ah yes, King Fanel. Now that you're awake we can continue our conversation. That was very rude of you by fainting like that. It's not proper to do so infront of your superiors." Van recognized the voice almost right away. "Zander." he choked, his throat parched "What do you want with me?" "All I want is for you to tell me where Hitomi Kanzaki is. If you do I will leave you be." he replied in his cold, hissing voice. "Never!" Van shouted back, as he broke into a coughing fit. "Ah ah ah....." he said wagging his finger. "I wouldn't say that." Zander turned, with the swirl of his cloak, to reaveal Arra, hands tied and gagged sitting in the corner of the room with a knife to her throat. "You would kill your own daugher?!" Van yelled, wanting to strangle the man holding him captive. "I would if I had to." The king replied "If it was nessicary." Van's heart wrenched as he saw Arra break into tears after hearing her fathers answer. "Never." he said, is fists clenching in silent rage. He heard his wife's muffled scream, but didn't dare to look.
Zander growled in frustration and thrusted Van to the ground. He tore the younger man's shirt off and unsheathed his small dagger. Pinning Van down, he sliced along his back, letting the blood flow. Van screamed in pain, and writhed about, trying to break free. But Zander held firm, and again he sliced along the exposed skin, this time considerably deeper. Van screamed again and he could see tears streaming down his face. "You will tell me!!" he yelled, this time shoving the dagger into Van's back. He could hear Arra's scream mixed with the younger king's own laments, and he laughed in his enjoyment, hearing the two. Zander signaled the guard holding his daughter to begin to torture her aswell. The man threw the young woman to the ground, and began to do the same as his king, slicing along her now exposed back. "Please stop!!" Van finally screamed, as he heard his wife's pain. "I will tell you!!" Zander shot a deadly glance at the man, who emediately stopped, though he did not draw the dagger from Van's back. The room was silent except for Arra's muffled sobs, and the quiet snickering from the men by the doors. "She's in Asturia, with Allen...." Van whispered, before fainting from loss of blood. Arra began to cry even louder, and her body trembled with pain. "Take him back to his cell." Zander said motioning to the younger king. "Leave my daughter here. I now have all the information I need. My plan will soon be in action. It is almost time....." he trailed off, then started laughing as he walked back to the window and began to survey his country once more.
Hitomi ran downt the stairs, heart pounding wildly. Even now, early morning, she could not shake the vision from her head. It's horrible, vivid pictures still there, and that laughter again. Van was dying, she could sense it. The vision showed her it. His blood spilled on the floor, a woman's scream, and again, the laughter, in all it infinite malice and evil. "Hitomi.....!" Allen's yell floated down after her, and soon she heard him running behind her into the stables in the crisp morning air. "Hitomi!" he grabbed her arm, halting her frantic sprinting "What's wrong? Where are you going?" his clear blue eyes searched hers, hoping to find an answer "I had a vision." she whispered in fear, almost breaking into tears. He breathed in sharply, his grip tightening. "Of what?" he asked, the fear clearly showing in his own voice too. "It's Van. He's in trouble." she replied. Allen let go of her and dashed into the stables. He didn't need to ask anything more. Reapearing, he rode a black stallion, then with a nudge of his heels, he was galloping down the hill. Hitomi spread her wings and flew after him, wind buffeting her hair. She soared higher, bringing the vision back to her, needing to know where Van was. The blood......the laughter.....and then the scream......It was Arra's scream. Hitomi didn't know how, but she could tell it was her. But how did that help? "Maybe Allen will know...." she said to herself, descending towards his small figure racing over the countryside, ever so slowly moving away from Asturia. "Allen!" she called "Stop!" He pulled back on the reins and halted his horse. Hitomi landed gracefully beside him "Where is Arra from?" she asked, suddenly feeling the pull of exhaustion already. "Gerravia." he replied instantly. "It's incredibly close to Fanelia. About five days ride from here." Hitomi's brow furrowed "That's too long." she murmured "We need to get there faster." "We can't." he said "There's no other way." "But Allen!" she yelled, tears glistening in her eyes "If we don't get there soon, Van is going to die! I can't let that happen!" "Hitomi, there's nothing I can do." Allen sighed "We just have to get there as fast as we can. That's all we can do for him." Hitomi bit her lip. He was right. It was a five day ride from where they were. And that was if they didn't stop to rest. "We'll fly there." she said suddenly. "You don't know how long it'll take if we fly. It might be faster." Allen's eyes widened "Hitomi, you can't carry me! I'm too heavy. We'll get nowhere!" But she just ignored him. "I didn't say that I would carry you. You're going to fly with me." She reached over and unsheathed his sword, cutting her wrist. "Hitomi what do you mean? What are you doing.....?" he was interupted as she grabbed his wrist in turn, slicing a gash in it. "Hitomi.....!" Again he was cut off. Hitomi rubbed his wrist across hers, combining their blood, just as Van had done. Then releasing him, she tore some cloth from her dress and wrapped it over his wound. "Allen." she said firmly, eyes locked with his. "Show me the gift I have given you.'' His eyes widened, as he realized what she had done. Closing them slowly, he concentrated hard. Then all at once, he felt his back bone shift and shoulders crack. And the wings came shooting out of his back, tearing his shirt to shreds. Extending them as far as they would go, he took Hitomi's hand in his, then soared into the sky. Bringing her close to him, he whispered "Thank you....." then kissed her pationately, as they circled into the heavenes.
When Van awoke, he couldn't register anything except for the frantic reeling of blurred images passing through his head. It was a while before he realized that his eyes were open, and the images were real. Moaning, he tried to lift his arm, wanting it to cover the still open wound in his skull, but found he had no strength. Not even enough to close his blood encrusted eyelids. Van sighed, a strange rattling noise, like rocks passing through his lungs. Inhaling, a sharp stabbing pain jolted across his chest. Ribs....must be broken.. he though to himself, but wasn't suprised by the fact that even thinking was a slow and sluggish manner, which caused his aching head to throb even more. I can't believe.... I'm...still..alive. It quite baffled Van, to know he was still alive, still breathing, still thinking, after his horrible ordeal. But even that wouldn't last long. There was no one to save him. He would die alone, in his wretched cell. Breathing in the horrible stench, and feeling the strange water constantly drip on his arm. But no...I can't leave Arra alone. She can't die alone like I will. I have to live. But even his will to stay alive, even at his highest potential, couldn't, and wouldn't save him from death. I can't believe it's going to end like this.... Suddenly, he was thrown violently from his thoughts, as images flashed before his eyes. They weren't real. Van couldn't think clearly, the bright colours and shapes were reeling across like a streaming blur. But then it slowed down, and Van realized he wasn't in his cell anymore. "But how is this possible?" he asked himself, and was suprised to find he had the strength to speak. Van's heart almost stopped when he finally knew what was happening "A vision....? Like Hitomi?" Then the images were there again, except he could see them clearly. He was standing on a plateau above a sloping field. The sun was shining so brightly, he had to shield his eyes. But looking off to his right, there was the sun, just above a range of mountains. "Then what is that?" His question was answered almost instantly. The light, which he had first suspected as the sun, was moving towards him, and slowly, two figures were begining to distingush themselves. A woman and a man, Draconians. The white wings were unmistakable. But still, Van couldn't make out who they were. Though at the same time, they might be people he didn't know. And then, all of a sudden, they were clear, and the breath caught in his throat. "Hitomi.....Allen..." They were holding hands, their faces stone with concentration. Hitomi was calling something to him, but it was so faint, he couldn't be sure whether she was saying anything at all. But sure enough, it became clear, like their images "Van! We're here!" And in less than a second, he was hurtled back to the disgusting cell where he'd been moments earlier. Sweat was pouring down his face, and his hands felt damp and clammy. "No wonder Hitomi was always so distraught after visions..." he muttered, trying to ignore his still throbbing head. He sat still for a moment, pondering the vision he had just witnessed, not sure whether to ignore it, or act upon it. If what Hitomi had said was true, somehow her and Allen found out about his incident, and were coming to save him. "But how is that possible?" It didn't make much sense. There was no one in Gerravia who knew what had happened, except for himself, Arra, Zander and the guards. There was no way...unless.... Suddenly, Van was rudely thrown from his thoughts, when the two guards from earlier burst through the dungeon doors. They began to run down the stairs, their faces white with fear, but were stopped when a sword came whizzing through the entrance, embedding itself in the slower man's skull. The now dead body slumped to the ground, knocking the other guard off balance. His arms flailed in the air for a second, searching hopelessly for something to steady himself with, but found nothing, and fell down the rest of the way with a deafening crack when he hit the bottom. Van cringed at the sound, hoping whatever had killed the two wasn't coming for him. Murmured voices on either side of Van's cell confirmed the other prisoners had witnessed the event, and now were stunned with awe. Van peered through the cell bars, hoping to get a glance at whoever was about to step through the doorway, and his heart almost stopped when he caught sight of the emblem on the sword's hilt. It was Allen's sword. A strangled gasp escaped his lips as he staggered backwards, eyes wide with disbelief. "No, no it can't be..." he said, once he had regained his voice. But his thoughts were confirmed when two figures appeared, and began to slowly descend the stairway. "Van....? Van?" It was at least ten seconds before he registered the frantic calling of his name. And when he heard it, he couldn't believe it. Opening his mouth to respond, he was cut off "Van are you here?" It was Allen's voice this time, and it was much closer. Obviously, they had reached the bottom and were now checking all the cells "I..I'm here." Van replied, though he could barely hear himself. There was no way they would've even noticed it "I'm here." he said again, considerably louder this time. There was a woman's gasp, and in a fraction of a second, Hitomi was clutcing the bars of his entrapment, tears spilling down her face. "Van you're alive!" she cried. A moment later, Allen was by her side, and he exhaled deeply with relief when he saw Van's face. "I'm so glad we got here in time." he sighed, smiling. Van smiled back "Thank-you for rescuing me. But the guards you killed have the keys. You'd better get me out of here before they're realized missing." he said, pointing to the dead bodies. Allen nodded, then jogged over, feeling about their jackets for the keys. He found them quickly, then returned to the cell and unlocked it, helping Van to his feet. "You're injured very badly. What did they do to you?" he asked, holding him steady. "It's a long story, but we have to get out of here now." Van replied. Hitomi took his other side, still speechless. Her face was still wet with tears, but their flow had ceased. "Hitomi." Van said suddenly "There are many guards around here. If we're caught, just leave me. I'll be too much of a burden. You and Allen escape, it will be better that way." Hitomi gasped, turning her head to face him eye to eye "What are you talking about?" she whispered "We came here to save you. We will either live together, or die together. I won't leave you behind." "But Hitomi, listen to me...." he was interupted by a yell of suprise by Allen. He cried out in frustration when he spotted Zander and at least twenty guards, blocking the exit. "So, Van deFanel." came his cold, merciless voice which made Van cringe with hate "You thought you'd escape with your friends. It doesn't matter to me whether you or the Knight get away, all I want is the Kanzaki girl. And it seems you have led her into my grasp. Well done." Van yelled in anger, trying to stand on his own, but his body proved much too weak, and he fell back into Allen and Hitomi's arms. Gritting his teeth, he bit back the urge to cry. "Get Hitomi out of here Allen." he hissed "She's the one they want, not me." Allen wavered a moment, looking to Hitomi for help "I can't leave you here Van. That's against my honor as a Knight." he replied, unsheathing his sword carefully "Your honor is bull, Allen." he said harshly "One day, you're going to die because of that." Zander and his men were approaching quickly, their swords at the ready, and still neither of the trio were moving. "Allen, if you truely love Hitomi, you'll do this for her." Van said again, this time shoving him a little. Again he faltered "Just do it Allen!!" he yelled, then the guards were on them.
The Gerravian men wasted no time. While the first wave kept Allen busy, the second and third grabbed Hitomi, tying her hands together and gagging her with cloth firmly tied around her mouth. Van tried to stop them, but to his fury, was barely unable to stand, let alone fight with a heavy metal sword. "We've got the girl!" Zander yelled "Kill the other two and meet me in the hall!" Hitomi struggled in his grasp, wriggling about just enough to lower the gag. "Allen get out of here!" she screamed franticly "Take Van with you!" Allen nodded quickly, hoisting Van up. "Stop it Allen!" Van hissed "We can't leave Hitomi, we have to save her!" Allen firmly grasped his shoulders, looking at him eye to eye "No Van. We have to escape now. All our efforts will be wasted if we're killed. And besides, you are in no condition to fight. We will come back, but not now." Van looked back at him, as if he were about to retort. But again Hitomi yelled "Van please! Leave! Get away!" Van sighed in defeat "Alright, let's move." then with Allen's help, made their way to the exit with the guards not far behind. But to their dismay, the exit was blocked, there was no way they could escape. Van searched his mind for another way out, but there was no other place they could go. Suddenly, he remembered something "Allen, take us to the main hall. The only way we can escape is if we shatter the windows there and you fly us to the ground. There's no other alternative." Without replying, the knight rushed them to the main hall. Luckily, there was no one there except for a few servants cleaning. "Brace yourself!!" Allen yelled, as he sprinted towards the window. Van clamped his eyes shut, forcing all his weight into breaking he glass. He could hear a woman scream, then the glass, splintering under the impact. Then there was nothing but the wailing of wind as they plummeted towards the ground. In a breif second, Van didn't think Allen could carry them, but he was reassured when the wailing subsided to a dull roar. And when he opened his eyes, he saw white feathers floating past him, and the ground was slowly coming to meet them. He almost cried out in joy, but it was caught in his throat as he remembered Hitomi struggling under Zander's grasp. He had no idea what the evil man was going to do with her. But he knew there was nothing they could do now, until he was successfully healed.When they reached ground, he felt Allen's grip loosen on him, and he slumped to the ground in sheer relief. Looking behind him, he saw the knight lying on the grass, his chest rising and falling heavily as he tried hard not to pass out. There were a few gashes in his skin which were steadily weilding blood, staining his shreded white shirt. Van sighed in relief, noticing Allen's wings were gone. The last thing they needed now was more attention then they already had attracted.
Allen sat up, tenderly feeling a wound in his arm. He sighed, tying a shred of his shirt around it to stop the bleeding, then noticed Van lying unconscious beside him
Part One: Altered Destiny
Chapter 6: I Won't Leave You
The last thing Van remembered was Zander's dark green eyes, and hearing Arra scream. Then in moments, all was darkness. He wasn't exactly sure where he was lying, when his consciousness was regained. The floor was hard and damp, and a putrid smell invaded his nostrils. His head throbbed, where supposedly Zander had hit him, with what he did not know. Opening his eyes seemed like an option, but for some reason Van felt extremely tired and his eye-lids were heavy. Every so often, what he thought must be water would drip from the ceiling, and splash on his arm. It didn't smell like water, and Van didn't want to find out what it really was. Suddenly, he heard a door open somewhere in the room, which seemed somehow high above him. There were muffled voices of what Van thought were possibly two men, and the clank of metal signified they were coming down towards him. "Get up!" he heard one man say, suddenly much closer than before. Then there was lancing pain in his side, and he could feel blood starting to drip down his skin. "Get up!!" they yelled again, as they stabbed him once more. This time it was much harder, and Van cried out in pain. He could hear the other man start to laugh as tears began to form in the corners of his eyes. He grit his teeth together in silent retaliation, but still didn't move nor speak. The first man growled in anger as Van felt him pick his stiff body up. But he wasn't expecting what happened next, as the man thrusted him against the wall. His eyes shot open in pain as his head hit the hard surface with a deafening 'crunch'. Van slid to the ground, his back against the wall, clutching the open wound as his vision started to haze. He could feel the warm blood pouring over his hands and matting his hair into sticky clumps. The two men started laughing again, then walked over to him and grabbed his arms, then dragged him across the ground towards the now visible staircase ahead of them. They stopped at the first step and jerked his arms, motioning him to stand up, or they would pull him up the stairs instead. Van didn't move. His energy was draining fast, and he could barely keep his eyes open. "Stand up you piece of shit!" the one to his left shouted. He had no choice to obey, or he knew he would face even more pain. Dragging his feet in front of him, he stood, though still needing the assitance of the men. His legs felt like jelly, and he trembled violently, but still went on, up the menacingly high staircase. When they reached the top, he almost collapsed, but was thrown through the doorway infront of him by the two. Van closed his eyes as he lay on the ground, excepting the consciousness that was leaving him as the blood from his head and side still poured and his vision swam. But again, he was pulled to his feet by what he thought was a new man by the scruff of his shirt. "Ah yes, King Fanel. Now that you're awake we can continue our conversation. That was very rude of you by fainting like that. It's not proper to do so infront of your superiors." Van recognized the voice almost right away. "Zander." he choked, his throat parched "What do you want with me?" "All I want is for you to tell me where Hitomi Kanzaki is. If you do I will leave you be." he replied in his cold, hissing voice. "Never!" Van shouted back, as he broke into a coughing fit. "Ah ah ah....." he said wagging his finger. "I wouldn't say that." Zander turned, with the swirl of his cloak, to reaveal Arra, hands tied and gagged sitting in the corner of the room with a knife to her throat. "You would kill your own daugher?!" Van yelled, wanting to strangle the man holding him captive. "I would if I had to." The king replied "If it was nessicary." Van's heart wrenched as he saw Arra break into tears after hearing her fathers answer. "Never." he said, is fists clenching in silent rage. He heard his wife's muffled scream, but didn't dare to look.
Zander growled in frustration and thrusted Van to the ground. He tore the younger man's shirt off and unsheathed his small dagger. Pinning Van down, he sliced along his back, letting the blood flow. Van screamed in pain, and writhed about, trying to break free. But Zander held firm, and again he sliced along the exposed skin, this time considerably deeper. Van screamed again and he could see tears streaming down his face. "You will tell me!!" he yelled, this time shoving the dagger into Van's back. He could hear Arra's scream mixed with the younger king's own laments, and he laughed in his enjoyment, hearing the two. Zander signaled the guard holding his daughter to begin to torture her aswell. The man threw the young woman to the ground, and began to do the same as his king, slicing along her now exposed back. "Please stop!!" Van finally screamed, as he heard his wife's pain. "I will tell you!!" Zander shot a deadly glance at the man, who emediately stopped, though he did not draw the dagger from Van's back. The room was silent except for Arra's muffled sobs, and the quiet snickering from the men by the doors. "She's in Asturia, with Allen...." Van whispered, before fainting from loss of blood. Arra began to cry even louder, and her body trembled with pain. "Take him back to his cell." Zander said motioning to the younger king. "Leave my daughter here. I now have all the information I need. My plan will soon be in action. It is almost time....." he trailed off, then started laughing as he walked back to the window and began to survey his country once more.
Hitomi ran downt the stairs, heart pounding wildly. Even now, early morning, she could not shake the vision from her head. It's horrible, vivid pictures still there, and that laughter again. Van was dying, she could sense it. The vision showed her it. His blood spilled on the floor, a woman's scream, and again, the laughter, in all it infinite malice and evil. "Hitomi.....!" Allen's yell floated down after her, and soon she heard him running behind her into the stables in the crisp morning air. "Hitomi!" he grabbed her arm, halting her frantic sprinting "What's wrong? Where are you going?" his clear blue eyes searched hers, hoping to find an answer "I had a vision." she whispered in fear, almost breaking into tears. He breathed in sharply, his grip tightening. "Of what?" he asked, the fear clearly showing in his own voice too. "It's Van. He's in trouble." she replied. Allen let go of her and dashed into the stables. He didn't need to ask anything more. Reapearing, he rode a black stallion, then with a nudge of his heels, he was galloping down the hill. Hitomi spread her wings and flew after him, wind buffeting her hair. She soared higher, bringing the vision back to her, needing to know where Van was. The blood......the laughter.....and then the scream......It was Arra's scream. Hitomi didn't know how, but she could tell it was her. But how did that help? "Maybe Allen will know...." she said to herself, descending towards his small figure racing over the countryside, ever so slowly moving away from Asturia. "Allen!" she called "Stop!" He pulled back on the reins and halted his horse. Hitomi landed gracefully beside him "Where is Arra from?" she asked, suddenly feeling the pull of exhaustion already. "Gerravia." he replied instantly. "It's incredibly close to Fanelia. About five days ride from here." Hitomi's brow furrowed "That's too long." she murmured "We need to get there faster." "We can't." he said "There's no other way." "But Allen!" she yelled, tears glistening in her eyes "If we don't get there soon, Van is going to die! I can't let that happen!" "Hitomi, there's nothing I can do." Allen sighed "We just have to get there as fast as we can. That's all we can do for him." Hitomi bit her lip. He was right. It was a five day ride from where they were. And that was if they didn't stop to rest. "We'll fly there." she said suddenly. "You don't know how long it'll take if we fly. It might be faster." Allen's eyes widened "Hitomi, you can't carry me! I'm too heavy. We'll get nowhere!" But she just ignored him. "I didn't say that I would carry you. You're going to fly with me." She reached over and unsheathed his sword, cutting her wrist. "Hitomi what do you mean? What are you doing.....?" he was interupted as she grabbed his wrist in turn, slicing a gash in it. "Hitomi.....!" Again he was cut off. Hitomi rubbed his wrist across hers, combining their blood, just as Van had done. Then releasing him, she tore some cloth from her dress and wrapped it over his wound. "Allen." she said firmly, eyes locked with his. "Show me the gift I have given you.'' His eyes widened, as he realized what she had done. Closing them slowly, he concentrated hard. Then all at once, he felt his back bone shift and shoulders crack. And the wings came shooting out of his back, tearing his shirt to shreds. Extending them as far as they would go, he took Hitomi's hand in his, then soared into the sky. Bringing her close to him, he whispered "Thank you....." then kissed her pationately, as they circled into the heavenes.
When Van awoke, he couldn't register anything except for the frantic reeling of blurred images passing through his head. It was a while before he realized that his eyes were open, and the images were real. Moaning, he tried to lift his arm, wanting it to cover the still open wound in his skull, but found he had no strength. Not even enough to close his blood encrusted eyelids. Van sighed, a strange rattling noise, like rocks passing through his lungs. Inhaling, a sharp stabbing pain jolted across his chest. Ribs....must be broken.. he though to himself, but wasn't suprised by the fact that even thinking was a slow and sluggish manner, which caused his aching head to throb even more. I can't believe.... I'm...still..alive. It quite baffled Van, to know he was still alive, still breathing, still thinking, after his horrible ordeal. But even that wouldn't last long. There was no one to save him. He would die alone, in his wretched cell. Breathing in the horrible stench, and feeling the strange water constantly drip on his arm. But no...I can't leave Arra alone. She can't die alone like I will. I have to live. But even his will to stay alive, even at his highest potential, couldn't, and wouldn't save him from death. I can't believe it's going to end like this.... Suddenly, he was thrown violently from his thoughts, as images flashed before his eyes. They weren't real. Van couldn't think clearly, the bright colours and shapes were reeling across like a streaming blur. But then it slowed down, and Van realized he wasn't in his cell anymore. "But how is this possible?" he asked himself, and was suprised to find he had the strength to speak. Van's heart almost stopped when he finally knew what was happening "A vision....? Like Hitomi?" Then the images were there again, except he could see them clearly. He was standing on a plateau above a sloping field. The sun was shining so brightly, he had to shield his eyes. But looking off to his right, there was the sun, just above a range of mountains. "Then what is that?" His question was answered almost instantly. The light, which he had first suspected as the sun, was moving towards him, and slowly, two figures were begining to distingush themselves. A woman and a man, Draconians. The white wings were unmistakable. But still, Van couldn't make out who they were. Though at the same time, they might be people he didn't know. And then, all of a sudden, they were clear, and the breath caught in his throat. "Hitomi.....Allen..." They were holding hands, their faces stone with concentration. Hitomi was calling something to him, but it was so faint, he couldn't be sure whether she was saying anything at all. But sure enough, it became clear, like their images "Van! We're here!" And in less than a second, he was hurtled back to the disgusting cell where he'd been moments earlier. Sweat was pouring down his face, and his hands felt damp and clammy. "No wonder Hitomi was always so distraught after visions..." he muttered, trying to ignore his still throbbing head. He sat still for a moment, pondering the vision he had just witnessed, not sure whether to ignore it, or act upon it. If what Hitomi had said was true, somehow her and Allen found out about his incident, and were coming to save him. "But how is that possible?" It didn't make much sense. There was no one in Gerravia who knew what had happened, except for himself, Arra, Zander and the guards. There was no way...unless.... Suddenly, Van was rudely thrown from his thoughts, when the two guards from earlier burst through the dungeon doors. They began to run down the stairs, their faces white with fear, but were stopped when a sword came whizzing through the entrance, embedding itself in the slower man's skull. The now dead body slumped to the ground, knocking the other guard off balance. His arms flailed in the air for a second, searching hopelessly for something to steady himself with, but found nothing, and fell down the rest of the way with a deafening crack when he hit the bottom. Van cringed at the sound, hoping whatever had killed the two wasn't coming for him. Murmured voices on either side of Van's cell confirmed the other prisoners had witnessed the event, and now were stunned with awe. Van peered through the cell bars, hoping to get a glance at whoever was about to step through the doorway, and his heart almost stopped when he caught sight of the emblem on the sword's hilt. It was Allen's sword. A strangled gasp escaped his lips as he staggered backwards, eyes wide with disbelief. "No, no it can't be..." he said, once he had regained his voice. But his thoughts were confirmed when two figures appeared, and began to slowly descend the stairway. "Van....? Van?" It was at least ten seconds before he registered the frantic calling of his name. And when he heard it, he couldn't believe it. Opening his mouth to respond, he was cut off "Van are you here?" It was Allen's voice this time, and it was much closer. Obviously, they had reached the bottom and were now checking all the cells "I..I'm here." Van replied, though he could barely hear himself. There was no way they would've even noticed it "I'm here." he said again, considerably louder this time. There was a woman's gasp, and in a fraction of a second, Hitomi was clutcing the bars of his entrapment, tears spilling down her face. "Van you're alive!" she cried. A moment later, Allen was by her side, and he exhaled deeply with relief when he saw Van's face. "I'm so glad we got here in time." he sighed, smiling. Van smiled back "Thank-you for rescuing me. But the guards you killed have the keys. You'd better get me out of here before they're realized missing." he said, pointing to the dead bodies. Allen nodded, then jogged over, feeling about their jackets for the keys. He found them quickly, then returned to the cell and unlocked it, helping Van to his feet. "You're injured very badly. What did they do to you?" he asked, holding him steady. "It's a long story, but we have to get out of here now." Van replied. Hitomi took his other side, still speechless. Her face was still wet with tears, but their flow had ceased. "Hitomi." Van said suddenly "There are many guards around here. If we're caught, just leave me. I'll be too much of a burden. You and Allen escape, it will be better that way." Hitomi gasped, turning her head to face him eye to eye "What are you talking about?" she whispered "We came here to save you. We will either live together, or die together. I won't leave you behind." "But Hitomi, listen to me...." he was interupted by a yell of suprise by Allen. He cried out in frustration when he spotted Zander and at least twenty guards, blocking the exit. "So, Van deFanel." came his cold, merciless voice which made Van cringe with hate "You thought you'd escape with your friends. It doesn't matter to me whether you or the Knight get away, all I want is the Kanzaki girl. And it seems you have led her into my grasp. Well done." Van yelled in anger, trying to stand on his own, but his body proved much too weak, and he fell back into Allen and Hitomi's arms. Gritting his teeth, he bit back the urge to cry. "Get Hitomi out of here Allen." he hissed "She's the one they want, not me." Allen wavered a moment, looking to Hitomi for help "I can't leave you here Van. That's against my honor as a Knight." he replied, unsheathing his sword carefully "Your honor is bull, Allen." he said harshly "One day, you're going to die because of that." Zander and his men were approaching quickly, their swords at the ready, and still neither of the trio were moving. "Allen, if you truely love Hitomi, you'll do this for her." Van said again, this time shoving him a little. Again he faltered "Just do it Allen!!" he yelled, then the guards were on them.
The Gerravian men wasted no time. While the first wave kept Allen busy, the second and third grabbed Hitomi, tying her hands together and gagging her with cloth firmly tied around her mouth. Van tried to stop them, but to his fury, was barely unable to stand, let alone fight with a heavy metal sword. "We've got the girl!" Zander yelled "Kill the other two and meet me in the hall!" Hitomi struggled in his grasp, wriggling about just enough to lower the gag. "Allen get out of here!" she screamed franticly "Take Van with you!" Allen nodded quickly, hoisting Van up. "Stop it Allen!" Van hissed "We can't leave Hitomi, we have to save her!" Allen firmly grasped his shoulders, looking at him eye to eye "No Van. We have to escape now. All our efforts will be wasted if we're killed. And besides, you are in no condition to fight. We will come back, but not now." Van looked back at him, as if he were about to retort. But again Hitomi yelled "Van please! Leave! Get away!" Van sighed in defeat "Alright, let's move." then with Allen's help, made their way to the exit with the guards not far behind. But to their dismay, the exit was blocked, there was no way they could escape. Van searched his mind for another way out, but there was no other place they could go. Suddenly, he remembered something "Allen, take us to the main hall. The only way we can escape is if we shatter the windows there and you fly us to the ground. There's no other alternative." Without replying, the knight rushed them to the main hall. Luckily, there was no one there except for a few servants cleaning. "Brace yourself!!" Allen yelled, as he sprinted towards the window. Van clamped his eyes shut, forcing all his weight into breaking he glass. He could hear a woman scream, then the glass, splintering under the impact. Then there was nothing but the wailing of wind as they plummeted towards the ground. In a breif second, Van didn't think Allen could carry them, but he was reassured when the wailing subsided to a dull roar. And when he opened his eyes, he saw white feathers floating past him, and the ground was slowly coming to meet them. He almost cried out in joy, but it was caught in his throat as he remembered Hitomi struggling under Zander's grasp. He had no idea what the evil man was going to do with her. But he knew there was nothing they could do now, until he was successfully healed.When they reached ground, he felt Allen's grip loosen on him, and he slumped to the ground in sheer relief. Looking behind him, he saw the knight lying on the grass, his chest rising and falling heavily as he tried hard not to pass out. There were a few gashes in his skin which were steadily weilding blood, staining his shreded white shirt. Van sighed in relief, noticing Allen's wings were gone. The last thing they needed now was more attention then they already had attracted.
Allen sat up, tenderly feeling a wound in his arm. He sighed, tying a shred of his shirt around it to stop the bleeding, then noticed Van lying unconscious beside him
