~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters!~
~This chapter has some fluff so all those who hate it BEWARE!~
~Sorry this chapter took so long to come out, but I've been a bit busy and
this chapter took a while because it is the longest one so far! So its
length should make up for the long time of waiting for updates!~
~If you people were beginning to think my chapters were growing shorter
well here's an extra long chapter!~
~Hope you enjoy this chapter~





The Fate of Two Worlds
By Angel Wings

Chapter 17 ~ Teach Me To Fly....

~Crusade~
Van just stared at the bare back of his fiancé unable to think. His future
wife stared into space.... lost in thought. The mind within his head just
couldn't register what laid before his very eyes. How was this possible?
Although his world was know for the impossible he just couldn't believe
this event was even possible. What could cause this action of imagination
to become reality?

A sudden roaring noise brought the man's eyes to the vast blue sky. The
royal king looked up to see the guymelefs returning from battle showing
they had destroyed every demon that had haunted the sky,....... but all he
could think about was the question. What was going on? This was making no
sense.....

Hitomi was thinking the same thing. How did she heal like that? It was pure fantasy for this to
occur.......What had caused this dream-like event to occur in the physical
world? Could it have been the pendant? With a pale hand the seeress took
the chain of the necklace and brought the stone to her face. The red
teardrop was glowing a faint red as it stared back at the young woman.
Perhaps.... perhaps the pendant had heal her. If it did, then did it do so
by free will?....Even if did heal her why hadn't it worked earlier when she
needed it?.....

With a frustrated sigh the girl released the gold chain and let the drop of
blood land softly against her chest. All these mysterious were beginning to
tire her out. Every time she figured out the answer to the last question,
two more questions would appear. She wanted answers! Her frustration was
growing unbearable! She wished only for the answers so her soul might
finally have peace from this torturous mysteries!

Slowly the brunette girl rose from her lovers arms with a little help from
her fiancé and cat friend as Dryden and Allen rushed over.

The knight made it there first and with an exhausted voice asked, "Are all
of you alright?"

Van gave a small nod, "Yes, it appears we are......"He gave a small glance
towards Hitomi as did Merle, but Hitomi remained silent. Her thoughts were
still racking her brain and she could not think of the present.

"Well that's good" replied the blonde man with a smile just as the fellow
king walked up to the group.

"Van," said Dryden, "I thought.....I thought......"

"Speak, King Dryden" asked the young raven head boy as he stared at the
shocked royal.

The older king turned his eyes to something behind the guymelefs as he
spoke, "I thought I saw you on top of a dragon during the battle....."

The words hung in the air for several moments. All eyes turned to the large
white dragon who had begun to walk over to them. His glowing green eyes
watching the group with interest. Not even half of them could believe what
they were seeing. A metal machine had turned into a legendary being of
flesh and bone. Also no beast of its kind had ever been tamed before and
yet here stood one that served his master with great loyalty. The truth
caused several mouths to hang open.

Slowly the young brunette seeress began to surface from her deep thoughts
and her mind began to register the huge beast that laid in front of her.
Hitomi's emerald eyes sparkled at the sight of the legendary creature. He
was beautiful.......His scales sparkled in the sunlight from the billion of
tiny jewels embedded in his skin. A pair of white leathery wings rose in a
majestic arch off the creature's back. White armor with gold emblems were
strapped over the creature in several places showing power. A glowing red
orb rested on his chest plate of armor in a beautiful decoration. Oh, he
was the most wonderful thing the girl had ever seen.

She had dreamed of a world like this......It had creatures from all her old
fairy tale books and held lands of beautiful landscapes. To see the dragon
so close was like living a dream...... and what a wonderful dream it was...

Hitomi's thoughts were broken as she heard a deep voice begin to speak.

"How did happen, Van?" asked the hansom knight.

"I'm not really sure, how he changed, Allen....." the boy king replied, "It
kinda just.......happened......"

The older king gave a little snort, "You know very well, Van, that in our
world things don't just happen......especially in a situation like this..."

A small groan from behind the group caused all eyes to turn to the dragon.
The large white lizard let out a louder groan as his energist began to
glow. The light radiating from the large jewel filled the area and shined
into the eyes of everyone in the room. Gasps of wonders filled the large
room at the sudden bright glow.

Hitomi watched in awe as the dragon began to stiffen. The dragon's head
grew lower to the floor as his green glowing eyes began to grow dim.
Leathery wings spread in a familiar pose as the leathery skin became cloth.
The tail that had held such life fell dead to the ground as the white armor
melted over the beast's glittering scales becoming cold steel. Its claws
and teeth of dragon bone became metal. Soon Escaflowne was no longer the
dragon it had first become, but the cold giant it had once been. The
glowing light from its energist slowly faded from the red orb leaving only
the sun as a light source. A silence fell on the room.....

Now, what had happened? Everything the group had ever understood was
becoming more and more difficult to believe. Why were things becoming more
confusing for them?

No one moved as all eyes watched the metal dragon. Not a word was spoken as
the young angel king took a few steps towards the legendary dragon. Van had
felt so much closer to Escaflowne since the transformation and now.......
The young king couldn't believe he had just lost his comrade.... his battle
partner.....Van stared up at the now lifeless skull of his comrade. His tan
hand fell on the glowing energist the dragon's claw now hold. The jewel
gave a small glow from the touch of its owner. The ruby eyes of the king
searched for any life left within the beast, but the search was in vain for
the dragon was a cold machine once again. Van released his senses in a
final hope that his friend might still live. When no life force radiated
from the object he squeezed his eyes shut and hung his head.

He had lost him......


~Dark Fortress~
The shadowy form of the commander sat in the throne of black thorns. His
pale fingers clenched the metal arm rests as he watched the blue sphere
floating in the mist of the large room. Images of the past battle played
over and over across the blue globe's surface. Kusari watched the seeress
be battered over and over, enjoying it more each time. The anger in his
blood slowly began to fade away as he watched the seeress bleeding on the
metal floor of the Crusade. He replayed the image of the seeress being
beaten by the leader of the demons as a way of helping his rage of revenge
that stirred in his veins. His boiling blood had begun to simmer at the
first images of the wounded seeress began to play.

His burning obsession for revenge was taking over the man. It was slowly
consuming him and destroying his soul. Every fiber in his being burned to
have revenge against the witch from the Mystic Moon. Now she was the cause
of two deaths......his father.....and now his only brother.....Oh, what
rage seared through his body when he discovered the seeress was at ease,
but a great joy swept through his soul when he saw the demon attack her. He
almost felt at peace when he saw her lay in a pool of deep red blood.

Dilandau stood in the shadows watching his commander watching the scene
replay once again. The dragon slayer was rather enjoying the images, but he
was uneasy..... For some reason Kusari was waiting for something. Dilandau
knew he had to be waiting for something for he made no new arrangements....
made no move what so ever towards the group..... More than anything else
the slayer hated to waste time. He could be killing or slaughtering
villages when he stood there waiting amongst the darkness. He at least
wanted to know what they were waiting for! He knew better though. His
commander had jumped over the edge.....his actions were unpredictable
now.....His obsession for revenge had grown so out of control the last few
days that it was driving him insane.....He didn't want to provoke this
deadly man. Dilandau rather enjoyed his life and wasn't ready for it to end
quite yet. Angrily the soldier snarled as the image of the seeress began to
play again.

The two lone men didn't even noticed that the large blue skylight that hung
over head had suddenly grown dim. A small 'thud' was heard from the glass,
but it was so low that neither of the men had heard. A small crack appeared
on the smooth blue surface and soon the sound of cracking glass began to
ring throughout the room. Both men's attentions were suddenly taken by the
noise and as their eyes turn to the ceiling they were able to see the blue
skylight beginning to break. Another louder 'thud' was heard from above and
the cracks grew. Kusari rose from his seat slowly as the cracks of blue
glass began to spread.

With a loud crash the glass shattered and a dark shadow fell through the
falling shards of blue glass. The scene of the large creature plunging
through the twinkling pieces of blue glass was breath taking. The beast's
black skin caused the shattering blue glass to shine more brightly against
its dark hue. It was like the creature was falling through a rain of
twinkling blue stars.....

The large beast of black leathery skin smashed onto the floor and slid a
few feet as shards clattered to the floor around the limp form. The
commander smiled at the arrival at the creature while the slayer tried to
fall deeper into the shadows. Dark red blood created a small pool as the
dark being bleed on the marble surface. Groaning in pain the demon rose to
his hands and feet. His head limply rose up and his glowing eyes turned up
to the shadow man. The devil tail withdrew and went between the creature's
legs like a scared dog. A small whimpered passed the creature's lips as the
man came closer to the demon. Its dark ears went down as the man's hand
came down to lay on the dark being's head.

"My child of darkness returns......." the commander's voice was dark and
cold as his hand slowly caressed the head of dark leathery skin. The
gargoyle was a little surprised by how kind his controller was acting. This
being's soul was far darker than his.....so why was he so gentle to him?

As if as an answer to the demon's question the man struck the beast across
the face. The former leader of the demons slid across the hard floor
causing blood to smear over the surface of the marble. With a low growl the
demon rose on to all fours and turned towards the man. He wanted to strike
the man, but his powers were far too great for the demon to even consider
in a challenge.

With wary eyes of glowing red the creature watched the man slowly walked
over to him.

Kusari's eyes of ice blue glared down at the inferior being, "You are weak
my demon..... You are mine and you will forever obey me....."

Glowing red eyes glanced at a iron chain clenched in the man's fists. Claws
dug out of the demon's digits as he stared at the collar. He refused to be
this being's........pet!....... The beast snarled at the metal chain and
slowly got lower to the ground showing he would pounce on the man if he so
much as came an inch closer.

The shadow man merely smiled at the creature's reaction and raised his
hand. A streak of blue energy raced through the air hitting the dark
creature at full force. The demon reared his head in a fit of howls as pain
seared through his body. As the blue bolts ran over its leathery skin the
beast heard a small laugh in the back of his mind.....

"Do you not remember my first warning?......" the voice hissed. The energy
grew intensity causing the pain to cut through the beast harder. The
demon's air in its lungs sizzled like fire and his blood was at great heat.
His ears filled with the unbearable sound of hissing heat as the blue
electricity ran through every fiber of its body.

Slowly the energy left the demon's muscles leaving the being numb. With a
deep moan the beast fell to the ground in a heap. Kusari got down on one
knee as he brought the chain around the demon's dark neck. The glowing eyes
stared in misery as the iron collar was lashed around his skin. Had he sunk
so low that he allowed this monster to control him? Even if he had the
strength to fight this being he would never had done it. This being was not
someone you challenged.......the demon had finally figured this out and he
dared not cross this demon's path. As the chain clamped around the dark
neck Kusari smiled a grin that could only be known as evil itself.

The dark man stared into the glowing red eyes of his new personal demon, "I
can feel your anger for the seeress.......you want revenge......"

The demon growled angrily at the mention of the being. His anger was unable
to be measured. The being who had left scars across his body would pay for
her actions. He vowed to end her life even if it took his very soul.

"Don't you worry, my demon......" the dark whisper hung in the air, "For I
promise you this......You will be allowed to return the gifts that the
seeress gave you......"

A pale hand ran over one of the bloody wounds marked over the creature's
dark body. As Kusari took back his hand he noticed the blood smeared on his
palm. His fingers rubbed against one another enjoying the feel of the dark
liquid.

"All in good time, my dear Akuma......." he whispered as he stared at the
blood, "All in good time....."


~Crusade~
The sky had darken and now a million twinkling lights decorated the vast
atmosphere. The Crusade was still several hours away from the next marker
and it was for the best. Everyone was tired and needed rest from the last
battle. For fear of more attacks the Crusade went to silent running,
leaving the sails as their only source of motion. The generators had been
shut down because they were quite loud and could be easily detected. The
metal ship was to stay above the clouds in hope of keeping hidden. Only a
minimal amount of the crew was awake watching over the ship. Leaving the
corridors virtually empty. Only one person prowled the halls late that
night.......

Quietly the youngraven head king walked down the steel hall. His sword was
held in one hand as he made his way to a small metal door. He was only
dressed in his familiar cream pants and boots. Sleep had been a goal he
could not achieve tonight. So many thoughts were running through his mind
that he couldn't sleep. After several hours of tossing and turning the
young royal finally gave up on the impossible and rose from his soft bed.
Knowing no one, but a few crew men would be awake he strapped on his sword
and decided to practice his sword handling skills.

As he grew closer to the stairway's door he passed another door that held a
small window. The young king hesitated his steps at this door and peered
through the glass. Inside the room behind the window stood the docking bay.
Only a few emergency lights were on inside leaving barely enough light to
see anything in the room. His ruby eyes slowly scanned the room and fell on
a familiar metal dragon. It laid lifeless in the shadows. Only the small
crystal of its energist showed any signs of life for it glowed a soft red
in the darkness.

Placing a palm against the glass the young man whispered, "Sleep well, old
friend......"

With a final glance at the legendary dragon Van turned and open the door
leading to the spiral staircase. As he walked up the steps he thought of
his love sleeping peacefully in her room. He almost went to wake her for he
had a craving for her presence, but he forced himself to pass by her bed
chamber without a second glance. She needed her sleep and he did not want
to deprive her of that.

Soon he came to stand before a wall that held a small ladder leading to a
square door overhead. With tan hands the man took hold of the rungs and
slowly made his way up the short ladder. Van pushed opened the small double
doors and lifted himself onto the roof. As he exited out of the ship he
found himself in the mist of dozens of poles holding several large sails.
Stars sparkled across the sky in a beautiful background. The light from the
moon seemed much brighter since they were closer to it. With a warm smile
the boy king walked out amongst the ropes and poles looking for an adequate
place to practice. He didn't want to cut any important lines by accident.

He decided the best place to go was the bow of the ship since there were
less ropes in that area. Slowly he made his way across the metal roof as a
gentle wind lifted his hair. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed
deep. The smell of the wind was sweet tonight. Was the wind better at this
altitude? Perhaps.....

The young king suddenly froze as he heard a gentle voice carry on the wind.
He couldn't understand the words, but he didn't need to. There was someone
here and that was all that mattered. With silent steps the man ran behind a
wide wooden pole. If it was an invader he wanted to be careful. His hand
clenched the hilt of his blade as he edged around the wood looking for the
speaker.

As he rounded around the wood the words became clearer and he began to hear
a distinct melody in the words......a familiar melody...... His eyes widen
a little as the song filled his ears...


"I don't know.....
What words I can say.....
The wind has a way.....
To talk to me....."


The voice was like bells and the man felt a longing to know who the speaker
was..... Although in his heart he already knew who it was.......

Slowly he brought his eyes around the wood and spotted a vision of pure
beauty......

There laying on her back was his beloved. She was wearing a pair of purple
shorts and a white shirt along with a pair of weird shoes covering her
feet. Her hands rested behind her head as she stared into the vast sky of
stars. The beautiful moonlight ran over her milky skin causing her beauty
to glow. Her lips sung a song that carried on the gentle wind. The soft
locks of brunette hair lifted and fell with the sweet wind in a moonlight
dance.

Oh, how beautiful she was as she laid there. To Van he could find no other
that could ever take the position as his queen. Again he found himself
wondering if he was worthy of her beauty. Was anyone worthy of her?......
Probably not......surely he was not the one worthy of her presence..... The
craving that dwelled in his soul all night intensified and the man could no
longer deny the hunger for her presence. Slowly the man came out of his
hiding and began to make his way to the divine goddess......

Hitomi stared into the stars thinking of nothing except about the beauty of
the glowing gas in the sky. Sleep had been impossible to achieve tonight.
Her mind would simple not stop running. So many mysteries were strangling
her mind that she couldn't let her mind even have a moments rest. Finding
that she would never get any sleep she decided to do what she always did
when she got in a situation like this. She got out of bed and pulled on her
track clothes. Through much search she found her way to the roof and
proceeded to take a run around the hundreds of quiet ropes.

The running always caused her mind to leave behind the world around her,
but tonight it didn't work like it always did...... She was able to ignore
her duties as the royal heir for the duration of the run, but she found
herself thinking she was going too slow. There was no thrill in the race
anymore. Even if she had broken her best record she knew she would not be
satisfied. The young girl pushed herself for over an hour trying as hard as
she could to run faster.......to find the way her heart would pump at her
speed......., but she could not find it......

After several laps left her breathless she fell onto the metal roof and
looked up into the sky. Why could she not find that thrill? Why did her
blood not sing when she raced harder? Had she lost that joy of the race?

"There had to be something that had caused this change" she thought, "I was
fine until I came to Gaea.......Perhaps my riding on a horse made me see a
true thrill on its back......and since I'm far slower than any horse
perhaps my soul longs for another ride and no more races........"

Shining emeralds stared up at the billion of glowing eyes in the dark night
and found herself thinking of her mother......All her teenage life Hitomi
had been very independent. She never needed the support of her parents.....
though she always got it. Whenever she had a problem she was willing to fix
it on her own,............but her parents were always right there with her.
Yet, now when this was the moment when she knew her parents could not help
her why was she so frighten? Was it because she knew she would be alone?...
Was she ready to face her destiny without her parents to back her up?......

A small flashback of an old memory played through the young girl's mind as
she thought of the questions......


~Flashback~
A young woman with a long ponytail of brunette locks held a large cardboard
box in her pale arms. The woman stood in the mist of small room decorated
with light blue wallpaper. The only furniture in the room was a small twin
bed and tiny set of drawers. The woman looked around the room with forest
green eyes and smiled.

"Hitomi!" the woman cried over her shoulder, "Come see your new room!"

As the young lady placed the box on the bare mattress of the bed a small
girl walked in. She was only about five years old and wore a pair of blue
jean overalls. Her tiny green eyes stared around the room at her new home.
Her hair was set in a pair of braids and the two bounced around whenever
the girl walked. A tiny pale hand began to play with one of these braids as
she made her way to her mother.

"Momma......" the girl said, "I don't wanna move here......I liked our old
house....."

The woman gave a small sigh at the old argument before picking up her young
daughter and brought her to a large window. With a bit of skill the woman
opened the window with one hand and sat on the sill with her offspring in
her lap.

"Now, Hitomi" the lady began, "You know very well we needed more room. Your
brother is getting to big to stay in me and your dad's room and plus
daddy's got a better job in this city. Plus now were only a few minutes
away from your grandmother."

The young girl looked outside the window to see a beautiful green yard of
red, orange, and yellow leaves. Fall was here and so was a new school year.

"I know, Momma" the girl whispered sadly, "But I miss all the kid's from
school....."

A motherly hand wiped away a tear and held the child close, "You'll meet
new friends in kindergarten, sweetie. Preschool is a lot smaller than
elementary. You'll have tons of friends."

The girl's eyes caught sight of several birds flying into the vast blue sky
and felt she needed to say something....

"Momma....." the girl spoke with a voice that could have been know as
mature, "I wish I could fly....."

"Why do you say that, Hitomi?" asked the mother with a small smile.

A pale finger pointed to the tiny dots floating towards the horizon,
"Because I dreamed I could fly one night.....and it was the most wonderful
feeling....."

Red lips drew close to the girl's ear as the mother spoke, "If you believe
in it and wish upon a star........perhaps you will fly, Hitomi.......
Perhaps one day you fly along side angels in the heavens......"

The young girl watched as the birds finally disappeared into the clouds,
"That's what I want.....I want to fly with angels......"
~End of Flashback~


Just as the memory left the girl's mind a flock of birds flew overhead
bringing a soft smile to the seeress's pale lips. "Now I can fly......."

Without even thinking the girl began to sing.....she began to sing the song
Van had sung her the other night when he had proposed. Her voice sang the
melody of the music Celena had played for her on the ocarina in the blonde
woman's dream. Her thoughts were lost in the music and the wind cradled the
notes tenderly.

That's when she finally noticed his presence. Her mind had been so busy
thinking of old memories and songs that she had ignored her senses for that
small period of time......, but now she felt for her senses and had
discovered him and nothing else could bring her more joy having him there
at that moment.

Slowly the words came to a halt as the last verse was sung and the brunette
girl lifted from her position to a stand. Van stood only inches away with
his sword at his side. A warm tan hand fell on a pale cheek caressing it
affectionately. Hitomi's green eyes slid shut at his touch. She didn't care
why he came. All that matter was that he was here......with her......
forever......

A pair of protective arms wound around her and opening her eyes she placed
her hands on his chest feeling his heartbeat. Van buried his nose in her
soft hair and breathed in her scent. He wanted to hold her there for
eternity.....possible longer......

"Oh, you don't know how badly I wanted to see you tonight....." he
whispered into her locks of brown hair.

The young seeress let out a small sigh of pure bliss as she rested her head
against her lover's chest, "I know how you feel.....Sometimes I would just
die to have you hold me like this...."

A small hue of red flushed Van's cheeks. Even though he had changed over
the year he still had his moments when he got embarrassed. His chin came to
rest on the top of the girl's head as he closed his eyes. The wind lifted
their locks and in the moonlight they looked so happy. Smiles of pure love
played on their lips. Their happiness was something that could not be
bought or won.......it was something that could only be given by one you
love.......

He glanced down at her with a warm smile, "So what are you doing up here?"

Hitomi pulled away a little so she could look into his ruby eyes, "I
couldn't sleep so I came out here to run a bit.......but it didn't help..."

The young brunette girl withdrew from his arms and walked towards the edge
of the roof. The wind lifted her locks causing them to flow majestically.
The moonlight played over her pale skin making her look even more
beautiful.

Van walked over to stand at her side and saw her staring at the clouds that
the Crusade flew over. Hitomi seemed lost in thought as she spoke, "I
always could run and feel a great thrill run through my blood,......but....
tonight......I couldn't get that sense of adrenaline......I felt no
thrill......"

"What do you think is wrong?" he asked as he wound an arm around the
seeress's shoulders.

Hitomi laid her head on the boy king's shoulder and her eyes of emerald
green closed shut, "I'm not sure.....but I think I know how I can find that
thrill again......could you help me, Van?"

His fire eyes closed shut as he whispered, "Hitomi,.......you know very
well I would do anything for you....."

Green eyes opened along with fire as she turned to face him, "Then, Van,...
please teach me to fly....."

Van stared at her a little surprised, "What do you mean 'teach you to
fly'?"

The royal was confused by the question. Didn't she already know how to fly?

His fiancé's eyes sparkled with hope, "Van, I wish to fly......I have
wings, but I don't know how to use them......I've never had wings before
and so I never had the chance to learn.......please show me......"

The young king stared into the eyes of his beloved. How could he refuse
her? Why would he refuse her? His tan fingers placed a few stray locks of
brunette hair behind a pale ear as he whispered, "I would feel honor to
teach you how to fly, Hitomi......"

Her green eyes twinkled even brighter as Hitomi whispered, "Thank you, my
king....."

Van leaned down and as he drew close he whispered, "You're welcome, my
queen....."

Their lips met for several moments as they held each other close. As they
withdrew from their lover's arms Van released his pearly white wings.
Dozens of glowing stray feathers littered the air around the two of them
causing Hitomi's breath to lock in her throat. Each time he did that she
couldn't breath. It was just so beautiful that it took away the breath her
lungs.....and in the night with the dark sky the feathers look fifty times
more magical......

Van took Hitomi's hand and began the lesson, "First you must learn to
unfurl your wings easier than how you did it last time."

Hitomi shook with her eagerness and gave a small nod, "How do I do that?"

The angel look deep into the seeress eyes, "Close your eyes......"

Slowly the girl's eyelids fell and she could only listen to his voice. The
boy king closed his eyes as well and let his senses flow through the air
and surround them. The two beings now stood in a form of bubble. They were
unaware about the world around them. There was no wind..... no sound......
even the senses of awareness of the other people on the ship became dead
air.....They could not smell.....touch.....hear......taste......see.......
anything except within in their small area of seclusion........

"You must free your mind....." the royal whispered as he slowly circled her
with his eyes still closed, "You must leave behind all burdens......all
responsibilities......everything......leave it behind.........think of
nothing else except bringing your wings out.....bring them out, Hitomi.....
you can do it........"

Hitomi let out a deep breath and let her mind empty every thought that
formed within its hold. The thoughts of everything that laid heavy on her
shoulders fell away and the huge weight finally lifted from her mind. She
felt a swell of peace absorb her as she thought of wings...... wings of
pure white....... An image of feathers glowing in the darkness emerged in
her mind.

"Hitomi....." her lover's voice called from within the depths of her mind,
"Take all your thought and emotions into your body.....and place it in your
heart until it's about to burst.....let it flow to your back until it ready
to rip you apart....."

The seeress's brow began to brim with sweat as she tried hard to
concentrate. She began to feel a large surge of power swell in her soul.
With a little effort she forced it to compress and form into a center of
force. It began to flow like a river to her back and began to tear at the
marrow of her soul. The sensation caused the girl's skin to tingle. It
wanted to be released......it begged to surge out!.....

"Let it go, Hitomi.......release it......"

With a loud cry the girl reared back straining. In that moment of strain
white wings bursted from the seeress's back and glowed against the dark
sky. Shreds of material fell to the metal roof and slid off over the edge
into the air. Her shirt was torn apart at the back, but not enough to
remove it off of the brunette girl. For several moments Hitomi strained
with the power flowing through her blood as the angel wings pierced out of
the back trying desperately to emerge all the way. As soon as the wings
reached their full length the strain on the girl's body left and she fell
to her knees. Her breathing was ragged as her lungs screamed for air.

Van opened his eyes staring at the wings of beauty arched out of his
beloved's back. Although the wings were probably the beautiful things in
the world the king could only think they looked dull against his lover's
beauty. Those feathery wings only intensified her magnificence.

Hitomi opened her eyes and turned her head a little to catch sight of her
wings. Oh, how radiant they were. They shined like stars and glowed like a
moon stone spoken in fairy tales. A pale hand ran over the soft feathers
and Hitomi could have sworn those feathers were the softest thing she ever
felt. Oh, it was like a dream to see such indescribable object of beauty
emitting from her back. It had to be dream.......

How could people believe that these angel wings were curses? They were the
most wonderful gift one could ask for. They were a blessing.....not a
curse.....To think that people ran away when they saw these graceful wings
made Hitomi want to laugh. Oh, this was a heritage she would one day show
to the world as a treasure.......not a terror.....

Van took Hitomi in his arms, "You did it, my love....."

A few crystal tears of joy slipped from Hitomi's emeralds as she looked up
into her fiancé's eyes, "I can't believe it......its like.....a dream....
I've always wanted to have wings..... and now....." Her voice was unable to
finish the sentence for she was still at awe at the precious gift that
emerged from her back through the holes of her shirt.

Slowly the young royal made his way behind his lover, "Now lets teach you
how to use them....."

Van brought his lips to her ear and began to whisper instructions, "Close
your eyes....."

Emerald jewels slid shut at the command and her mind focused on his rich
voice that she always loved to hear.

"Feel the wind brush against your wings....."the voice whispered tenderly.
Hitomi concentrated on the feel of the wind. The gentle breeze that swept
over the metal ship was gentle. It caressed her wings urging them to float
along with the wind. She wanted to fly..... the wind was begging her to fly
with it.......

"Slowly beat your wings with the flow of the currents of air......"

Both pair of wings slowly began to beat with the rhythm of the air. The
wind seemed to pick and tried to force the seeress off the roof, but she
wasn't ready and fought against the force of wind. Van's warm arms came to
rest on Hitomi's shoulders as he continued to speak to her.

"Don't fight it.....let yourself go with the wind.....float along with the
currents....."

Hitomi took a deep breath and ceased to fight the force allowing it pull
herself off the roof. She felt her feet leave the platform of metal and
begin to rise higher. She was not use to this and began to panic when she
felt she had nothing to turn to if she fell. His gentle breath brushed past
her ear as he whispered, "I'm right here, Hitomi.....I won't let you
fall......Trust me...."

Those words brought her panic down and she placed her faith in her beloved.
She knew he would let nothing happen to her.....

They were rising higher now........so high that Hitomi had lost track of
where they had come from. Even with her eyes closed she had been able to
judge their distance, but she had gotten lost in the moment and couldn't
even tell which way was up now. It really made no difference for the
experience was just so undescribable that it took her breath away.

Her blood was singing as her heart began to pound. The speed sent chills of
joy over her body as they soared higher. The air was growing thin as they
went higher into the atmosphere, but neither seemed to noticed. Their blood
was perfect for this altitude so it caused them no mind. The life of
worries and problems faded away from her mind no longer did it haunt her...
Her mind was set only on the thrill of the moment.....the thrill she had
been searching for earlier had finally found.....

She was so lost in the moment she almost didn't hear her king say "Open
your eyes, my love...."

Slowly she open her eyes to the most spectacular sight she had ever seen...
They were rising through clouds which in the moonlight turned a hue of
purple. Glittering stars said hello as they watched the two angels fly by.
The full moon seemed to had grown and now seem to be watching over the
flyers using its light as a guide. The small form of the Crusade laid
beneath them lost in the clouds.

Van now flew along side of her holding her hand for comfort as they flew.
His heart bursted with joy as he saw her face light up. He had always
wanted to share this with someone.... share the joy of flying......he never
would have dreamed he could share it with his wife....... it made the
experience hundred times more thrilling.....

Hitomi didn't know what to think or say......she was flying......flying
over the world....... it had been something she could only dream about back
on the Mystic Moon...... yet here she was on Gaea......living her most
desired dream......

She turned to Van who smiled at her, "Thank you, Van.....you have no idea
how much this means to me......" A few tears fell from her emerald eyes
falling to the sleeping world below. As the teardrops fell they looked like
tiny twinkling stars falling from the heavens, but neither of the two
lovers noticed for they were too busy looking into each other's eyes. This
was their moment..... a moment that would forever leave an imprint in their
minds....they didn't want to forget.....

Van squeezed his love's hand a bit remembering he hadn't quite finished the
lesson. "Now feel the wind glide over your wings.....don't beat your wings
all the time or you'll tire quickly.....glide with them......" he whispered
affectionately.

Hitomi followed his words carefully by beating her wings only so often.
Soon they began working on turns and dives which the seeress easily
mastered. She couldn't be it......she was living her most desired
dream!.....

The brunette woman flew through the sky with such ease that it surprised
Van. She had learned so quickly..... No one had ever learned in one day to
fly.....at least no draconian he ever knew of.....

Soon Hitomi released her lover's hand plunging into the clouds. She banked
her wings a little and dove right through one of the soft fluffy cloud. The
mist of the purplish cloud washed over her body tingling it. As she
emerged from the other side she could see the Crusade more closely. A few
lights from within the belly of the ship poured out and it made the seeress
think of how much it looked like the cities on the Mystic Moon at night
when billion of lights would twinkle in the darkness. Her wings stretched
and lifted at an up draft. Again she soar through the same small cloud
causing it evaporate at her disturbance.

Van smiled as she again appeared before him. He brought his wings back
making him halt as Hitomi stopped in front of him. She smiled playful at
her love and tapped his shoulder, "You're it....."

With a laugh Hitomi raced for the moon leaving behind a smiling king. There
was never a dull moment with his love. Giving a little shake of the head
the king laughed, "You better watch out.Hitomi, because I am the Lord of
the skies here......"

Beating his wings quickly the angel man took off after his lover who was
already created a bit of distance between the two of them.

The two chased each other across the stars, past the moon, and through the
clouds..... They didn't care who would win they just enjoyed the chase.
Hitomi would be a step ahead each time Van went to catch her. She would
dodge with ease while he would be left dumbstruck. He was surprise to see
her mastering flying in only a hour after lessons. He smiled as he told
himself that she was special after all....so he shouldn't be too
surprised.....

Hitomi caught sight of Van gaining on her through the corner of her eye so
she plunged through a tunnel of clouds. On seeing this the angel king
banked after her and enter the passage. Their flight through the path
caused air to rush around their flying forms as they passed and made the
clouds spiral in a dance. As Hitomi bursted from the other end the clouds
changed shape from her rush of air and almost closed on the king. The young
royal laughed as the clouds nearly swallowed him, but barely missed. His
fire eyes glanced back at the clouds watching them collide and swirl in
beautiful patterns. He turned his eyes back and focused on his angel. She
was diving towards the Crusade at incredible speed.

Van gave a small chuckle as he dove after her, "You won't escape me,
Hitomi!"


A crew member stood at the helm driving the ship through the infinite sea
of clouds. He was growing quite bored at watching only white fluffy mist
and was beginning to wish for something to happen to wake him up. You can
just imagine how high he jumped when a white blurred streaked past the
large window before him.

"Did.....did you see that?!" he asked a crew men nearby as helmsman stared
out at through the glass.

The other man, who stood at a control panel, looked over at the man at the
helm, "See what?"

"I.....I think I saw a woman with white wings!" the shaken man exclaimed as
his hands clenched the wheel before him.

The other man who was a few years older laughed heartily, "Oh, Please,
Shuiman! You couldn't have possible seen that! I heard only two draconians
live now and they are asleep in their quarters right now!"
The older crew member only laughed harder, "I think you've been working too
hard!"

Suddenly another white blur rushed pass the window causing both men to
jump. The younger crew man stuttered, "Did you just see that?!"

The older man did not answer, but rushed to the edge of the window along
with the younger man and placed their faces to the glass. With shock eyes
they watch a pair of angels disappear into the cover of the purple clouds.
They shook with utter shock as the last hint of the angels' wings
disappeared beneath the clouds.

The older man turned to the younger, "Was that King Van of Fanelia and the
Seeress from the Mystic Moon?!"

The younger man stared out of the window where the angels had last been
seen, "It had to be!"


Hitomi continued to dive through the clouds enjoying the effect it was
having on her. The blood within her veins was running faster with
adrenaline. Her mind was floating in her head from the rush. Her hands
played along the wind enjoying the feel of rushing air washing over them.
The brown locks of her hair and track clothes flapped in the wind showing
off her increasing speed. The glowing white wings of angels were position
in a downward dive as she plummet through the mists. Soon the sight of the
world of Gaea appeared before her eyes, but she didn't stop her descendent.
She only increased her speed as she spiraled downwards.

Van flapped his wings a little harder trying to catch up with his love. She
was growing closer to the planet. It didn't frighten him when he noticed
her increase in speed. He had complete faith in her abilities and only
attempted to catch her. The chase was still on.....

The young seeress turned her head getting a better view of her chaser. He
was still a ways away, but inch by inch he was gaining. She was a little
surprised to see that he hadn't caught her already. She had just learned to
fly while he had years of experience. Perhaps it was the fact he didn't get
to fly much. He mostly flew only as an emergency since so many people were
edgy around Draconians.

Her emerald eyes turned back to the world beneath her. The ground was
rushing up to meet her and would soon crash into her if she didn't lift,
but she made no move to change direction. As the ground became closer she
began to see different features of the globe. She noticed she was headed
for a plain containing hundreds of white dots. Unsure of what the forms
could be she continued towards the green plain.

Soon the world became only a mile away and she knew she had to rise or
crash. With a turn of her wings she flew towards the planet's dark horizon.
At this sudden turn she had only been about fifty feet above the ground and
because of her great speed a rush of air caused dust and dirt to rise in a
great cloud. Van, who had become closer to his target, flew through the
cloud just as it thinned and caused another cloud of dust and dirt to rise.

The seeress glanced again over her shoulders and spotted her king closer
than before. With a laugh she increased her speed and soared over the hilly
plain of green grass. As the girl flew over the blades of green she spotted
the white forms she had seen from overhead. It was a herd of white
horses.......no.....a herd of white unicorns...... Dust kicked up from
their heels as the mystical creatures raced across the plain. Whether they
ran for fear of the girl or for just for travel was unknown, but to the
girl it made no difference. It was spectacular to see these creatures so
close up. She slowed her speed, no longer thinking of the chase, and glided
over the beasts. The lead stallion reared his head at the sight of the
angel and neighed loudly. Their spiral horns glowed in the moonlight as the
herd increased their speed a bit. Hitomi noticed several foals running
along with mares and smiled. She lowered herself a few feet more letting
her get close enough to one of the unicorns to touch it. The young mare
neighed softly as a gentle hand stroke her nose. Usually the mare would
have raced away from a stranger, but something about her didn't make the
unicorn fear her......

Hitomi's emerald eyes turned up towards to the horizon and spotted a river.
The lead stallion gave a long neigh at the sight of water and slowed down
to stop at the water. As the beautiful horses of spiral horns waded through
the water Hitomi banked to the left and continued downstream. The young
seeress glanced back at the mystical creatures seeing them leap through the
water sending up several sparkling droplets into the air. They looked like
they were jumping through glittering stars. As the unicorns emerged on the
other side of the bank their coats shined with water causing the moon's
light to shine brightly over their backs. They looked even more beautiful
as the glow emitted from the wet coat. The mare which Hitomi had petted
spotted the angel woman leaving and reared neighing almost like she was
saying goodbye.

The angel woman turned her head back around and continued down the path of
water. Looking down into the water she stared at her reflection. Emerald
eyes stared back at the young girl. Wings of glowing feathers beat several
times gaining speed. Hitomi stared down at herself noticing how different
she looked. Yes, she wore her old clothes and still held the same short
hair style, but the angel wings made her look completely different and she
was. Now she held wings of pure fantasy and soared through the sky like a
bird.

A pale hand reached down to the water and ran its fingers through the
surface of the water disturbing the image. The ripples followed the fingers
in beautiful arches as Hitomi sped down the river. The gentle flow of the
water running past her fingertips was soothing and caused the young seeress
to let out a sigh.

As she took her hand away from the water a new image appeared. Soaring just
a few feet above her was her future husband. Careful to avoid her wings,
Van slowly descended and wrapped his warm arms around her as he came to fly
directly over her. He buried his face in her hair and whispered into her
pale ear, "I caught you......"

He kissed her temple tenderly as Hitomi's eyes slid shut at his touch. Both
of the lovers looked down at their reflection and stared into their lover's
eyes within the reflection. Their wings carefully beat as a single unite.
When his wings would rise, her wings would rise. If her wings would fall,
his would fall. They flew silently over the water's surface in that gentle
embrace enjoying every moment of the other's company.

They didn't even noticed they had reached the end of the river where a
large lake laid. Thousands of fire flies flew over the mirror of the
water's surface. It looked like a million stars was dancing around them.
Soon the two came to a stop in the center of the lake as Hitomi turned in
her lover's hold. Their feet laid only a few inches above the surface of
the water making it look like the two were standing on water.

Van stared into his woman's eyes of green emeralds as he held her close to
his bare chest. His tan fingers brushed through her hair removing a few
tangles that had come from the flight. A smile appeared on Hitomi's face as
she looked up into the face of her true love. Her pale arms wound around
his strong neck as she spoke, "Van......"

He didn't answered, but pressed his lips against hers. Hitomi hungrily
responded to his affection. His hands of tan skin ran up and down her back
softly stroking it. Her pale fingers pulled his neck closer forcing the
kiss to deepen. Their skin tingled with passion as they continued to taste
each other's souls. Each kiss seemed to bring forth more pleasure than the
one before. Deep emotions within their souls would surface and they clung
to their lover during the embrace. For what seemed like eternity they
stayed like that......two angels with glowing white wings kissing in the
moonlight above a mirror of water while a million stars flew around them...

Finally the need for air forced them to pull apart. They were both
breathing hard as they stared into one another's eyes. Van, careful to be
seen unnoticed, dug into the pocket of his pants and revealed a small white
silk cloth. The young king brought the cloth in front of the young seeress
as she stared down at it in curiosity. Hitomi glanced up at Van, who
smiled, and slowly took the item from his hands. Again she glanced into her
lover's eyes before her pale fingers began to open the cloth. A surprised
gasp came from the brunette angel when she saw the object shining in the
moonlight in the mist of the white fabric. Van took the ring from the cloth
and by coming to stand behind her shoulder placed the ring on her wedding
finger. The beautiful girl looked at the sparkling ring in awe as her
husband-to-be wound his arms around her.

The ring was exactly what she had told him to get. It was a sliver band
with gold etched feathers all around the metal. The only added item to the
ring was tiny diamonds placed within the outline of gold feathers. It
caused the gold outlined feathers to appear like real feathers.

Hitomi smiled playfully at her royal love, "I thought I told you I didn't
want diamonds..."

The young king began to kiss her temple as he whispered between kisses, "I
know, but you deserve the greatest treasures in the world.......I had to
make the ring worthy to rest on your finger....."

The young girl brought a hand to her lover's cheek bringing his face
towards hers, "Thank you....."

Again their faces grew close in a kiss as their wings kept them suspended
over the mirror of the lake's surface. Neither noticed that a forest in
the mist of a mystical fog stood at the edge of the water's bank. Within
the cast sky, the giant metal ship, the Crusade, had begun to descend from
the clouds. They had finally arrived at the forest of the dead warriors
known as the 'Spirit Trees'........





~Sorry again about taking so long to get out this next chapter. I had
writer's block a few days and couldn't write. Then I couldn't seem to get
to the end. It just kept getting longer.....and longer.....and longer.....
which I'm sure your all glad for!~
~I created this chapter because I really was getting aggravated with
several stories. They write about Hitomi already knowing how to fly even
though she never had wings before so I made sure to include a chapter where
Hitomi learns to fly. Perhaps she learned pretty fast, but its in her blood
and she has the instincts of a true flyer~
~I hope you guys really enjoyed this chapter because I put a lot of time
and effort into this chapter. Especially because I was a little unsure how
to give the flying lessons since I don't know how to fly myself.~
~Akuma means "demon" in Japanese if you wanted to know!~
~Alright people tell me what you think! Please R&R!~
~I promise the next chapter will be out as soon as possible. Probably it
will be out Fri. Afternoon! Thanks for reading!~