~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters!~
~This chapter is completely focused on one person, Hitomi!!!! So if any of
you were growing aggravated when I kept switching scenes you need not worry
for as far I see this chapter as I begin to type it I see only Hitomi
acting out in this scene. All other characters will be ignored during this
chapter~
~Hope you enjoy this chapter! Please remember to always review after you
read!!!!~
The Fate of Two Worlds
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 26 ~ Cry of A Lone Soul
~Dark Fortress~
Within the shower of blue shower of illumination was a lone figure. An
angel of glorious white wings stood in the light. Her two pale arms were
above her head with her brunette locks bowed weakly between the limbs.
Glowing white wings were limp and brushed against the gray marble floor.
Her knees were bent as her body appeared to nearly fall over causing the
toes of her brown boots to run along the stone surface. If you looked
carefully you would have seen the dark metal holding the girl in this
awkward position. Black chains and locks dressed her ankles and wrists
keeping her from achieving movement.
Upon studying the angel woman better you would have seen she was in bad
condition. The glowing wings that were so brilliant had somewhat dulled and
were pink in several places where blood had spilled over the pearly
feathers. Though her clothes had been ripped before, her outfit was now
barely able to cover her modesty. The very fabric had been torn apart so
badly that it barely hung to the girl's frail frame as she laid limp
against her confines. Teeth marks, gashes, claw marks, scratches, and deep
cuts dripped in blood and trailed over her pale skin that was decorated in
bruises. Checking her face you would have seen a black eye and blood
pouring from her nose. Her bangs were matted by the stinking liquid
slipping from the reopened gash on her forehead. The back of her brunette
head was soaked in the blood from another wound.
The most outstanding feature of the seeress at the time, though, was her
eyes. Those eyes had been the most expressive attribute of the 'Angel' all
her life, yet they were now blank. They no longer held sparkle or
expression. When her love had died the life within them had died,...... but
now not even the barest hint of a twinkle could be found. Nothing was left
in her green depths to acknowledge her existence. The soul..... the
hope..... the love..... All of it had died...... Nothing was left for the
woman to keep her going......
Hark! What is that sound?..... Could that be the sound of dripping
blood?..... No..... Open your ears...... Are those words I hear?......
Listen to the words silently flowing in the air...... Can you hear
them?..... If not listen closely.....
"I don't know.....
What words I can say.....
The wind has a way.....
To talk to me....."
A song! That's what we hear!..... A very familiar song....
"Flowers sleep....
A silent lullaby.....
I pray for reply.....
I'm ready....."
Who's voice is it that sings this beautiful song?......
"Quiet..... day......
Calms.....me....
Oh, Serenity!....
Someone....please....
Tell.....me.....
Ohhhh, what is it they say?......
Maybe I will know some day......"
Could it be our wounded angel that sings this sad tune?......
"I don't know.....
What words I can say.....
The wind has a way.....
To talk to me....."
The melody..... the melody sounds very sad...... It sounds as if a soul is crying.....
"Flowers sleep....
A silent lullaby.....
I pray for reply.....
I'm ready....."
Oh, how sad the melody sounds as we listen to the sweet song being sung by
the seeress. Though her life is gone and her heart has died the angel still
holds grief within her soul. Her gentle voice began the song over as her
eyes stared down at the marble floor stained in red smears. For over an
hour her voice filled with pain had sung the song and continued even when
her throat had become raw and dry. She barely noticed her physically pain
during her time of song for it was the previous hours her body had been
truly tortured.....
~Flashback~
Hitomi was tossed to the floor, onto her back. Before she could rise the
demon was on her. His dark claws dug into her shoulders drawing blood. The
angel woman screamed in pain causing the beast only to deepen his sharp
weapons into her flesh. Roaring the beast bit his victim's arm causing her
to wail. Emerald tears slipped from her eyes as she squeezed her eyelids
shut from the great pain. The dark liquid ran through the creature's mouth
and he growled with desire for more of the drink, but he did not deepen his
hold on her limb. He did not wish to end the girl's life,..... only torture
her...... That would satisfy his longing for revenge far better than
killing her.......
Removing his daggers from the woman he took hold of her blue shirt in his
teeth. Hitomi beat her fist against the demon's face, but it barely
flinched and began to swing his prey back and forth like a rag doll. The
girl brought her hands to her head and did her best to protect her face
with her bleeding limbs. Without warning the woman's blue shirt ripped at
where the beast's teeth clenched the material and the seeress flew across
the room only to land within the sharp blue glass that was scattered across
the floor. Scratched again ran over her skin as the sharp material cut into
her pale flesh.
With what little strength Hitomi had, the angel rose to her hands and
knees, but she had barely lifted herself from the floor when suddenly the
demon landed on her and slammed her back against the marble. The woman
cried out as pain flared through her body. Just when she had settled on the
floor Akuma began to viciously rack his black claws through her wings.
Blood tore through the glowing feathers making them turn to a sickening
pink. The girl struggled desperately to turn over and attack her enemy, but
the sheer weight of the beast kept her from moving. After several moments
of short work on the girl's blessed gifts the demon took one of the pearly
objects in between his rows of red stained teeth and lifted the girl from
the floor.
Hitomi could barely move and her mind felt like it was numb. Subconsciously
the seeress knew exactly what was going on, but the enormous pain kept her
brain from working. Her limbs dragged against the marble surface and ran
through smears of her blood that had been left on the floor. Emerald depths
stared down at the red liquid and barely realize the blood was her own.
Before any other thought could enter the battered angel's head Akuma threw
the bloody form across the floor causing her to slam again into the hard
surface of gray stone.
While this gross display was shown a single being watched with growing
interest. Kusari again occupied the area where the shadows dwells and
watched with sharp blue eyes the seeress be torn apart by his special
demon. His twisted smile seem to darken even the black void that surrounded
him. He felt such joy in watching the disturbing scene though many would
have gagged from the episode. The man was a glacier of emotions and nothing
seemed to change them except when something 'hit home'...... like his
brother's death......
The dark angel noticed Akuma prowling towards the limp form of his captive
and decided it was time to question her. The commander's eyes darken as he
stepped into the blue light causing the aqua glow to illuminate his silver
locks in a summer sky highlight. Akuma lifted his red glowing coals to his
master and halted his approach on the seeress. A growl formed in the
beast's throat as he watched his controller go towards his victim. He was
not done with her! He was not ready to let her go just yet!
Akuma stretched his leathery wings in the shower of blue and growled a
little to catch a small glance from Kusari. The officer frowned at his pet
and glared at him. He dared his demon to confront him. He would get more
than he bargained for if he challenged his decision. Small sparks of blue
electricity sprang forth from the angel man's arm swirling around his pale
skin. It was only a warning and the beast, upon seeing the dark power,
backed down. His ears and wings laid against his leathery skin and his
growl was lowered. Kusari smiled at how well he had trained his demon and
then turned back to his plans.
Ice blue eyes glared down at the head of golden brown locks as the girl
coughed several times. Her bangs shadowed her eyes that laid closed so she
had no idea the commander knelt beside her. Perhaps she could use her
powers to sense the man, but the pain surged through her nerves so badly
that her senses were numb to everything around her. She could barely
comprehend her own self let alone anyone else's.
Hitomi gave a weak cry when the dark angel took hold of her hair in a
clench fist and lifted her face to his. She winced at the new pain causing
her eyes to squeeze shut tighter. The captain of the large vessel growled
with annoyance that her eyes would not look upon his face. With the back of
his hand he struck the angel across the face. The seeress weakly opened her
eyes to her captor and stared at him. Sneering at his prey Kusari hissed,
"Will you now use your powers to help me, Kazanki?..... If you do you will
be relieved of this torture...... I might even allow you to join me in my
quest for domination over this world..... Say your answer!"
The poor girl was weak and distraught by the actions inflicted on her body,
but she still held a fraction of her mind together. Just enough to answer
the dark soul that held her. With what little energy she had Hitomi spit in
the man's pale face. Kusari recoiled at the wet salvia and growled at her.
The seeress stared at him weakly and hissed, "Go to Hell!....."
Angrily the dark angel released the girl's golden locks causing her to fall
to the floor again in a heap. The man stood to his feet and towered over
the hurt woman as she tried once more to rise to her hands and knees.
Kusari glared down at her with piercing blue eyes as he growled, "Fine....
Suffer until you are begging for me to ease your pain....... Then perhaps
you will finally agree to my demands......"
Turning towards his gargoyle the dark man nodded. Akuma stretched his wings
making him look extremely sinister. The demon snarled showing off blood
stained daggers as he began to walk towards his victim again. Kusari
glanced down at the woman one last before disappearing again into the
darkness, "Until then I will allow Akuma to finish playing with you....."
The seeress looked up at the commander in time to see him disappear into
the darkness once again. With wide eyes she turned to the dark figure that
was making his way to her. His red coals burned into her like he was trying
to kill her with his dark stare. He grew closer and Hitomi could feel his
foul breathe washing over her. So close...... Without thinking the woman
lash out with one of her brown boots hitting the beast in the face. The
force of the blow caused the creature's head to swing away from his victim.
In a rage the beast turned his eyes of glowing red back at the angel.
Hitomi felt her heart drop as she saw the anger swirling in those sparkling
jewels..... She had only made the demon madder!
The seeress struggled to escape Akuma, but before she got very far the
demon swung his tail at the brunette woman. The arrowhead of the long tail
made contact with the angel's face and she fell hard onto the floor. Hitomi
winced at the bruise that formed around one of her emeralds. It would
surely become a black eye. The girl tried to turn around to face her
attacker again, but before she had a chance the beast slammed a heavy claw
against the back of the seeress's head. Hitomi fell to the ground as her
vision grew fuzzy. Blood began to pour from a new wound that had been
created at the back of the girl's brown locks. The 'Angel' felt the
vibrations of the demon's steps growing closer to her just before she
blacked out.....
~End of Flashback~
After Hitomi had awaken she had found herself within the dark chains of the
large throne room's center. Her head hurt and her vision was still
disoriented. Even with her physical pain and horrible grief the girl could
still function like a normal human being. Tears spilled from her eyes as
images of her dead lover flashed in her head. Without thinking the angel
began to sing the song her fiancé had first introduced her to several
nights ago. As the words played in the air Hitomi remembered all the times
she had spent in his company, from the year of the 'Great War' to her
recent return to Gaea. Her heart cried out as she thought of the good times
they had spent together. More than anything at that moment she wished that
he could once again hold her in his arms..... to tell her he was right
there and that all would be alright...... She just wanted him......
As she longed for her beloved she thought of her venture in the 'Spirit
Trees'. Folken's words played in her mind once more......
"Hear me out" he interrupted her thoughts, "Once there you will take on a
great task, but on doing so you might have to make the ultimate
sacrifice......"
Her emerald eyes became full of worry and she pleaded to the dead man,
"Like what?"
His jaw clenched in anger. He was forbidden to tell her. More than anything
he wanted to help his brother's future wife, but his tongue would not work.
His duty was only to warn her of the consequences. To show her that she had
a choice although it might be the wrong one......
"I cannot say...." he growled angrily. His eyes held flames as the girl
looked into his eyes, "I am forbidden to speak of it....."
"Who forbids it?" Hitomi asked hotly, "I'm growing quite tired of being
given half answers. What is the purpose of you warning me?"
Folken was surprised to see such fire within the woman before him. She had
always been strong willed, but she had grown more determined since last he
saw her...
The man hung his head sadly as he realized this was going to be harder than
he thought it would be, "You have to confront Kusari and stop him, Hitomi,
but be careful for his mind is now sick and he has gone insane with
revenge. If you confront him you will be alone. My brother will not be able
to help you during that moment."
Her face turned to confusion. Why would Van not be able to help her? She
knew her love would never abandon her in the hour of her greatest trial.
Would he be hurt...... or killed? No, she would never believe that.
Hitomi's teeth clenched together in rage as she glared at the man before
her. Never before had her anger ever gotten the best of her until now. All
she was getting from this encounter with Folken was more questions and
confusion. She wanted answers and no one would give her any!
"Please Folken I have to know....." she begged trying to lower her anger,
"What's is the task that lays in my future and what is going to happen to
Van?"
The man of older years looked down at the girl and proceeded to walk
backwards into the fog. He had to leave before his tongue grew loose and
spoke against the will of his master. The fog began to surge back into the
area disturbing both their sights. Hitomi desperately called out to the
disappearing form, "Wait! Folken!"
"You must confront Kusari, Hitomi" the man's voice echoed, "No one can stop
him, but you.....It won't be easy and you have two choices....I pray to
Joutei that you make the right decision....."
Bitterly the seeress whispered to the dark world surrounding her, "Was this
what you meant, Folken?! Was my 'ultimate sacrifice' to let Van die as I
complete my task?!"
Bowing her head her golden brown bangs fell over her closed eyes as she let
new tears fall down her cheeks. Her heart ached and her voice echoed her
pain, "If that is what the sacrifice was then I would turn back the clock
and give my life for his...... I no longer care about my task.... I want
Van back more than the world itself..... I gave up my family..... my
friends..... and my home just to be with him once again....."
Turning her eyes towards the ceiling the blue light washed over her face
giving her a serene look as her emeralds sparked in anger, "And yet when I
sacrificed my life on the Mystic Moon for him I was again deprived of my
joy..... He was taken away from me like a stolen treasure....."
Her voice grew louder as she shouted angrily, "Is my destiny always to be
shrouded in misery, Folken?! Will I never find peace in my heart again?! If
not then what do I fight for?! My people are dead..... my family and
friends lost..... my lover gone.... Surely Kusari will die in this battle
from Allen and the others,..... but yet I am to suffer like a disposable
soul..... If that is the way people are treated than I no longer wish to be
part in this great task I was to achieve....."
Her emerald jewels slowly fell to the floor once more as a single tear
slipped down her pale cheek, "Let me finally be relieved of my tortures,
Folken, and allow me to join my beloved in the afterlife..... Nothing is
left for me here..... Please, grant me that......"
Silence fell on the room and Hitomi felt the last of her existence finally
crumble away. Depression had once again taken hold of her and if she could
she would have committed suicide by now. Only the holds on her motions kept
her from her death wish.
Without warning a long black snake flew through the air and struck the
seeress sharply in her battered back making the girl scream in anguish.
Quickly the dark snake was pulled back into the edge of the shadows. A long
gash had been opened on the girl's back from the swift blow and blood ran
from the new wound. Hitomi's eyes squeezed shut in pain as she bit her
lower lip trying to endure the agony.
Again the snake flew through the air hitting the girl in between her
shoulder blades making another long gash run across her back. The angel
woman gasped as her body reeled in the new wave of pain.
The seeress could not see, but behind her the shadowy form of Kusari now
stood within the circle of blue light as he held a long black whip in his
two cold palms. His pale hands clenched the dark object as he glared at the
girl's bloody back. With a surge of anger the dark angel swung the weapon
at the female's pale form. The woman screamed as more terrible pain was
inflicted by the long whip. Hitomi's head hung between her pale arms as her
emeralds continued to be squeezed shut.
The dark commander began a series of marking on the woman's back by cutting
criss~crossed red gashes across her pale skin as her terrifying screams
filled the dark corners of the room. The angel woman struggled to stay
conscious as pain washed over her. She didn't want to pass out again. She
wished to meet death with open eyes like the strong person she was. This
wasn't easy though for our angel had lost a great deal of blood and with
the new pain it was only worsening her condition. Hitomi would surely slip
into unconsciousness soon if the blows didn't let up.
While the 'Angel' was continued to be attacked by the dark snake~like
weapon Akuma watched from the shadows. His glowing red coals could
distinctly been seen through the darkness, but Hitomi was in no condition
to notice the glowing orbs of crimson. The beast sneered as his master
swung the whip hard bringing forth another red gash. Akuma had finished
with the seeress. All he had desired was her to be tortured and once he had
done a great amount of damage to the woman, so much that she was at the
edge of death, that he decided he had satisfied his lust for revenge.
Turning away from her unconscious form the demon allowed his master to
decide the angel woman's fate. Whatever he chose the demon would support.
If he wanted to end her life or torture her until she followed him it
didn't matter. His emotions and desires had been fulfilled and Akuma was
complete. He would allow fate to decide the seeress's destiny.....
Hitomi's mind began to hover at the border of light and darkness...... She
was at the edge of her unconciousness..... Only a few more blows would
bring her to cross the line and enter her into the void of blackness......
And though she waited for the next blow to crash down on her body..... none
came..... Weakly the seeress opened her green pools and saw the dark face
of Kusari looming before her..... Before Hitomi could take action the
commander of black uniform punched her hard in the face..... The girl's
head hung down causing her brown locks to fall over her closed eyes as she
winced. Slowly the 'Angel' lifted her green jewels to her captor as he
began to circle her....
His eyes of cold ice watched her carefully as he began to hiss, "Look what
you have become, Kazanki..... You have become a weak royal who has embraced
her dark side and become the murder that has always shadowed her heart...."
The woman bowed her head sadly, but did not speak for she felt guilty. She
felt as if his words held some truth within their meaning..... and why
should she deny the truth?..... She 'was' a murder......
The man snorted in disgust for the seeress, "I should expect no less from a
being who has descended from a line of murders!"
Hitomi did not lift her eyes from her view of the marble floor as she
whispered in a weak voice, "What do you mean?...."
"You murdered your own people, Kazanki!" the dark angel growled angrily as
he continued to circle his victim. The woman's face harden in rage at his
response.
Glaring at her captor she hissed, "You seem to forget, Kusari, that Kaosu,
your own brother, was the one who destroyed the Mystic Moon and sent
billions of our people to their graves!"
Kusari halted in front of the girl and lifted his chin a little higher as
he growled, "Perhaps..... but you did not save your people!"
The angel woman's eyes sparked in hatred for the man as she cried, "I did
everything I could, but I was powerless to stop Kaosu! If I could I would
have gladly given my life for my people!"
Kusari slapped the woman across the face causing her head to snap away from
him for a second before slowly turning back to his glaring ice blue orbs.
The man voice held anger as he hissed, "You say those words, but when you
have the chance you do nothing!"
Hitomi weakly glared at the man with pain filled pools of emerald green,
"Lies! There was nothing I could have done! I have finally accepted that
truth!"
The dark angel loomed over her like death as he shouted in agitation, "I do
not speak about the moment of the Mystic Moon's destruction! I speak of the
moment we stand in now!"
The woman frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Kusari sneered evilly at her stupidity. How ill educated could a royal be?!
Bringing his face close to the angel's pale face dripping in blood he
growled, "I tell you that you are a murder just like your ancestors! You
all are unwilling to sacrifice yourself for your own people!"
Again the girl glared at her captor in rage. Had he not heard her words?!
Did she not proclaim that she would have given her life for her people?!
Was the man deaf?! With a voice of anger Hitomi growled, "Again you speak
lies! I told you already I did what I could!"
"NO!!!!" the man shouted in the girl's face causing her to flinch slightly
from the sudden outburst, "If you had done everything you could than our
people would still be alive! You are a murder just like your dead
ancestors!"
The angel woman shook her head slowly in disbelief as she whispered, "Again
with your lies.... Are so blinded by your hatred that you can not see me
and my relatives are innocent of what you accuse us of?......"
The dark angel glared at her as he hissed, "I am not the one blinded,
Kazanki.... You are the one who can not see past your own inferior
knowledge!......"
The woman sighed heavily as she grew agitated, "Why must you speak in
riddles?! Can you not speak in plain speech?! Tell me what you mean!"
Taking hold of the seeress's slim neck of pale skin in one of his cold
hands the man growled, "I'll tell you what I mean, Kazanki!..... You have
everything you need to save your people from the afterlife yet you do
nothing! Even your ancestors did not attempt to bring back our kind! They
let them dwell within the land of the dead without remorse!"
Hitomi again frowned at her holder in confusion as she said, "I still do
not understand...."
The commander glared at her as he growled, "Both you and Queen Iris had the
chance to use the pendant to bring back the dead once you entered the
Mystic Valley.... Upon entrance into this area all sources of powers are
nearly doubled..... Theoretically the pendant would be powerful enough to
even bring back lost souls from the afterlife!"
Emerald eyes grew wide as she realized what he was suggesting. Could it be
true?..... Did the ancient stone of blood have enough power now?!...... If
so she could bring back everyone from the Mystic Moon..... and even.....
"Van....." Hitomi whispered as joyous tears fell from her eyes. That was
her task. It wasn't to destroy Kusari! Her task was to bring back her
people into the land of the living.... so they could once again return to
their homelands!......
The emotions..... the fire..... the energy..... the very life that had been
smothered by her depression finally swelled in her soul again as she
realized the possibilities of the stone now gave her. She could finally be
rejoined with her family.... her friends..... her people...... and most
importantly she could once again see her beloved.....
Then suddenly the burden of grief that had so easily fallen away again fell
onto her shoulders like a pile of bricks. Hitomi remembered something
important Folken had said.....
"Once there you will take on a great task, but on doing so you might have
to make the ultimate sacrifice......"
"The ultimate sacrifice....." the angel woman whispered sadly as those
words played back in her mind. Thoughts ran through her brain as she
finally understood the true meaning of the words. The ultimate sacrifice
that was demanded on her to complete her task...... was to die in bringing
back her people from the dead...... Hitomi hung her head down as she
thought of the situation. She had barely been able to control the powers of
Atlantis the last two times and then the stone hadn't even been at this
heighten level of strength. Then at both times she had been in top
condition! There was no possible way she would live through the ordeal
during this moment when she was already so close to death......
Again Hitomi remembered the words of Folken that he had spoken in the
'Trees of Spirits'......
"You must confront Kusari, Hitomi" the man's voice echoed, "No one can stop
him, but you..... It won't be easy and you have two choices....I pray to
Joutei that you make the right decision....."
Two choices..... two paths..... The angel woman stood before two roads that
held the future..... She could go one way..... She could forget her people
and die from torture...... She would finally be rejoined by her beloved and
her love ones and finally be at peace...... Or she could go down the other
road..... She could sacrifice being with them to allow them to live
again...... They could go on with their lives while she went to the realm
of the dead and be separated from them for longer...... Until they died
once again and came back to the afterlife she would be alone.....
Two roads..... Two outcomes..... Which one?..... Tears slipped down the
girl's cheek as she made her decision..... A crystal drop of saltwater fell
onto the smooth surface of the red teardrop and glowed faintly as Hitomi
walked done the path she chose..... She chose to give the ultimate
sacrifice..... She would die for her people..... and for Van.....
~Sorry this chapter was kinda short, but I can't go past this moment! It's
a perfect spot for a cliffhanger!~
~Alright! I guess you see Van's gunna come back! Do you know what's gunna
happen next? I bet you don't!~
~Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I know a lot of you are excited because
Van's coming back! Please review and tell me what you think!~
~Next chapter should be out shortly, but once again I need those reviews!
So hurry up and send me your opinions! I've really enjoyed your reviews so
far!!!! Thanks!~
~This chapter is completely focused on one person, Hitomi!!!! So if any of
you were growing aggravated when I kept switching scenes you need not worry
for as far I see this chapter as I begin to type it I see only Hitomi
acting out in this scene. All other characters will be ignored during this
chapter~
~Hope you enjoy this chapter! Please remember to always review after you
read!!!!~
The Fate of Two Worlds
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 26 ~ Cry of A Lone Soul
~Dark Fortress~
Within the shower of blue shower of illumination was a lone figure. An
angel of glorious white wings stood in the light. Her two pale arms were
above her head with her brunette locks bowed weakly between the limbs.
Glowing white wings were limp and brushed against the gray marble floor.
Her knees were bent as her body appeared to nearly fall over causing the
toes of her brown boots to run along the stone surface. If you looked
carefully you would have seen the dark metal holding the girl in this
awkward position. Black chains and locks dressed her ankles and wrists
keeping her from achieving movement.
Upon studying the angel woman better you would have seen she was in bad
condition. The glowing wings that were so brilliant had somewhat dulled and
were pink in several places where blood had spilled over the pearly
feathers. Though her clothes had been ripped before, her outfit was now
barely able to cover her modesty. The very fabric had been torn apart so
badly that it barely hung to the girl's frail frame as she laid limp
against her confines. Teeth marks, gashes, claw marks, scratches, and deep
cuts dripped in blood and trailed over her pale skin that was decorated in
bruises. Checking her face you would have seen a black eye and blood
pouring from her nose. Her bangs were matted by the stinking liquid
slipping from the reopened gash on her forehead. The back of her brunette
head was soaked in the blood from another wound.
The most outstanding feature of the seeress at the time, though, was her
eyes. Those eyes had been the most expressive attribute of the 'Angel' all
her life, yet they were now blank. They no longer held sparkle or
expression. When her love had died the life within them had died,...... but
now not even the barest hint of a twinkle could be found. Nothing was left
in her green depths to acknowledge her existence. The soul..... the
hope..... the love..... All of it had died...... Nothing was left for the
woman to keep her going......
Hark! What is that sound?..... Could that be the sound of dripping
blood?..... No..... Open your ears...... Are those words I hear?......
Listen to the words silently flowing in the air...... Can you hear
them?..... If not listen closely.....
"I don't know.....
What words I can say.....
The wind has a way.....
To talk to me....."
A song! That's what we hear!..... A very familiar song....
"Flowers sleep....
A silent lullaby.....
I pray for reply.....
I'm ready....."
Who's voice is it that sings this beautiful song?......
"Quiet..... day......
Calms.....me....
Oh, Serenity!....
Someone....please....
Tell.....me.....
Ohhhh, what is it they say?......
Maybe I will know some day......"
Could it be our wounded angel that sings this sad tune?......
"I don't know.....
What words I can say.....
The wind has a way.....
To talk to me....."
The melody..... the melody sounds very sad...... It sounds as if a soul is crying.....
"Flowers sleep....
A silent lullaby.....
I pray for reply.....
I'm ready....."
Oh, how sad the melody sounds as we listen to the sweet song being sung by
the seeress. Though her life is gone and her heart has died the angel still
holds grief within her soul. Her gentle voice began the song over as her
eyes stared down at the marble floor stained in red smears. For over an
hour her voice filled with pain had sung the song and continued even when
her throat had become raw and dry. She barely noticed her physically pain
during her time of song for it was the previous hours her body had been
truly tortured.....
~Flashback~
Hitomi was tossed to the floor, onto her back. Before she could rise the
demon was on her. His dark claws dug into her shoulders drawing blood. The
angel woman screamed in pain causing the beast only to deepen his sharp
weapons into her flesh. Roaring the beast bit his victim's arm causing her
to wail. Emerald tears slipped from her eyes as she squeezed her eyelids
shut from the great pain. The dark liquid ran through the creature's mouth
and he growled with desire for more of the drink, but he did not deepen his
hold on her limb. He did not wish to end the girl's life,..... only torture
her...... That would satisfy his longing for revenge far better than
killing her.......
Removing his daggers from the woman he took hold of her blue shirt in his
teeth. Hitomi beat her fist against the demon's face, but it barely
flinched and began to swing his prey back and forth like a rag doll. The
girl brought her hands to her head and did her best to protect her face
with her bleeding limbs. Without warning the woman's blue shirt ripped at
where the beast's teeth clenched the material and the seeress flew across
the room only to land within the sharp blue glass that was scattered across
the floor. Scratched again ran over her skin as the sharp material cut into
her pale flesh.
With what little strength Hitomi had, the angel rose to her hands and
knees, but she had barely lifted herself from the floor when suddenly the
demon landed on her and slammed her back against the marble. The woman
cried out as pain flared through her body. Just when she had settled on the
floor Akuma began to viciously rack his black claws through her wings.
Blood tore through the glowing feathers making them turn to a sickening
pink. The girl struggled desperately to turn over and attack her enemy, but
the sheer weight of the beast kept her from moving. After several moments
of short work on the girl's blessed gifts the demon took one of the pearly
objects in between his rows of red stained teeth and lifted the girl from
the floor.
Hitomi could barely move and her mind felt like it was numb. Subconsciously
the seeress knew exactly what was going on, but the enormous pain kept her
brain from working. Her limbs dragged against the marble surface and ran
through smears of her blood that had been left on the floor. Emerald depths
stared down at the red liquid and barely realize the blood was her own.
Before any other thought could enter the battered angel's head Akuma threw
the bloody form across the floor causing her to slam again into the hard
surface of gray stone.
While this gross display was shown a single being watched with growing
interest. Kusari again occupied the area where the shadows dwells and
watched with sharp blue eyes the seeress be torn apart by his special
demon. His twisted smile seem to darken even the black void that surrounded
him. He felt such joy in watching the disturbing scene though many would
have gagged from the episode. The man was a glacier of emotions and nothing
seemed to change them except when something 'hit home'...... like his
brother's death......
The dark angel noticed Akuma prowling towards the limp form of his captive
and decided it was time to question her. The commander's eyes darken as he
stepped into the blue light causing the aqua glow to illuminate his silver
locks in a summer sky highlight. Akuma lifted his red glowing coals to his
master and halted his approach on the seeress. A growl formed in the
beast's throat as he watched his controller go towards his victim. He was
not done with her! He was not ready to let her go just yet!
Akuma stretched his leathery wings in the shower of blue and growled a
little to catch a small glance from Kusari. The officer frowned at his pet
and glared at him. He dared his demon to confront him. He would get more
than he bargained for if he challenged his decision. Small sparks of blue
electricity sprang forth from the angel man's arm swirling around his pale
skin. It was only a warning and the beast, upon seeing the dark power,
backed down. His ears and wings laid against his leathery skin and his
growl was lowered. Kusari smiled at how well he had trained his demon and
then turned back to his plans.
Ice blue eyes glared down at the head of golden brown locks as the girl
coughed several times. Her bangs shadowed her eyes that laid closed so she
had no idea the commander knelt beside her. Perhaps she could use her
powers to sense the man, but the pain surged through her nerves so badly
that her senses were numb to everything around her. She could barely
comprehend her own self let alone anyone else's.
Hitomi gave a weak cry when the dark angel took hold of her hair in a
clench fist and lifted her face to his. She winced at the new pain causing
her eyes to squeeze shut tighter. The captain of the large vessel growled
with annoyance that her eyes would not look upon his face. With the back of
his hand he struck the angel across the face. The seeress weakly opened her
eyes to her captor and stared at him. Sneering at his prey Kusari hissed,
"Will you now use your powers to help me, Kazanki?..... If you do you will
be relieved of this torture...... I might even allow you to join me in my
quest for domination over this world..... Say your answer!"
The poor girl was weak and distraught by the actions inflicted on her body,
but she still held a fraction of her mind together. Just enough to answer
the dark soul that held her. With what little energy she had Hitomi spit in
the man's pale face. Kusari recoiled at the wet salvia and growled at her.
The seeress stared at him weakly and hissed, "Go to Hell!....."
Angrily the dark angel released the girl's golden locks causing her to fall
to the floor again in a heap. The man stood to his feet and towered over
the hurt woman as she tried once more to rise to her hands and knees.
Kusari glared down at her with piercing blue eyes as he growled, "Fine....
Suffer until you are begging for me to ease your pain....... Then perhaps
you will finally agree to my demands......"
Turning towards his gargoyle the dark man nodded. Akuma stretched his wings
making him look extremely sinister. The demon snarled showing off blood
stained daggers as he began to walk towards his victim again. Kusari
glanced down at the woman one last before disappearing again into the
darkness, "Until then I will allow Akuma to finish playing with you....."
The seeress looked up at the commander in time to see him disappear into
the darkness once again. With wide eyes she turned to the dark figure that
was making his way to her. His red coals burned into her like he was trying
to kill her with his dark stare. He grew closer and Hitomi could feel his
foul breathe washing over her. So close...... Without thinking the woman
lash out with one of her brown boots hitting the beast in the face. The
force of the blow caused the creature's head to swing away from his victim.
In a rage the beast turned his eyes of glowing red back at the angel.
Hitomi felt her heart drop as she saw the anger swirling in those sparkling
jewels..... She had only made the demon madder!
The seeress struggled to escape Akuma, but before she got very far the
demon swung his tail at the brunette woman. The arrowhead of the long tail
made contact with the angel's face and she fell hard onto the floor. Hitomi
winced at the bruise that formed around one of her emeralds. It would
surely become a black eye. The girl tried to turn around to face her
attacker again, but before she had a chance the beast slammed a heavy claw
against the back of the seeress's head. Hitomi fell to the ground as her
vision grew fuzzy. Blood began to pour from a new wound that had been
created at the back of the girl's brown locks. The 'Angel' felt the
vibrations of the demon's steps growing closer to her just before she
blacked out.....
~End of Flashback~
After Hitomi had awaken she had found herself within the dark chains of the
large throne room's center. Her head hurt and her vision was still
disoriented. Even with her physical pain and horrible grief the girl could
still function like a normal human being. Tears spilled from her eyes as
images of her dead lover flashed in her head. Without thinking the angel
began to sing the song her fiancé had first introduced her to several
nights ago. As the words played in the air Hitomi remembered all the times
she had spent in his company, from the year of the 'Great War' to her
recent return to Gaea. Her heart cried out as she thought of the good times
they had spent together. More than anything at that moment she wished that
he could once again hold her in his arms..... to tell her he was right
there and that all would be alright...... She just wanted him......
As she longed for her beloved she thought of her venture in the 'Spirit
Trees'. Folken's words played in her mind once more......
"Hear me out" he interrupted her thoughts, "Once there you will take on a
great task, but on doing so you might have to make the ultimate
sacrifice......"
Her emerald eyes became full of worry and she pleaded to the dead man,
"Like what?"
His jaw clenched in anger. He was forbidden to tell her. More than anything
he wanted to help his brother's future wife, but his tongue would not work.
His duty was only to warn her of the consequences. To show her that she had
a choice although it might be the wrong one......
"I cannot say...." he growled angrily. His eyes held flames as the girl
looked into his eyes, "I am forbidden to speak of it....."
"Who forbids it?" Hitomi asked hotly, "I'm growing quite tired of being
given half answers. What is the purpose of you warning me?"
Folken was surprised to see such fire within the woman before him. She had
always been strong willed, but she had grown more determined since last he
saw her...
The man hung his head sadly as he realized this was going to be harder than
he thought it would be, "You have to confront Kusari and stop him, Hitomi,
but be careful for his mind is now sick and he has gone insane with
revenge. If you confront him you will be alone. My brother will not be able
to help you during that moment."
Her face turned to confusion. Why would Van not be able to help her? She
knew her love would never abandon her in the hour of her greatest trial.
Would he be hurt...... or killed? No, she would never believe that.
Hitomi's teeth clenched together in rage as she glared at the man before
her. Never before had her anger ever gotten the best of her until now. All
she was getting from this encounter with Folken was more questions and
confusion. She wanted answers and no one would give her any!
"Please Folken I have to know....." she begged trying to lower her anger,
"What's is the task that lays in my future and what is going to happen to
Van?"
The man of older years looked down at the girl and proceeded to walk
backwards into the fog. He had to leave before his tongue grew loose and
spoke against the will of his master. The fog began to surge back into the
area disturbing both their sights. Hitomi desperately called out to the
disappearing form, "Wait! Folken!"
"You must confront Kusari, Hitomi" the man's voice echoed, "No one can stop
him, but you.....It won't be easy and you have two choices....I pray to
Joutei that you make the right decision....."
Bitterly the seeress whispered to the dark world surrounding her, "Was this
what you meant, Folken?! Was my 'ultimate sacrifice' to let Van die as I
complete my task?!"
Bowing her head her golden brown bangs fell over her closed eyes as she let
new tears fall down her cheeks. Her heart ached and her voice echoed her
pain, "If that is what the sacrifice was then I would turn back the clock
and give my life for his...... I no longer care about my task.... I want
Van back more than the world itself..... I gave up my family..... my
friends..... and my home just to be with him once again....."
Turning her eyes towards the ceiling the blue light washed over her face
giving her a serene look as her emeralds sparked in anger, "And yet when I
sacrificed my life on the Mystic Moon for him I was again deprived of my
joy..... He was taken away from me like a stolen treasure....."
Her voice grew louder as she shouted angrily, "Is my destiny always to be
shrouded in misery, Folken?! Will I never find peace in my heart again?! If
not then what do I fight for?! My people are dead..... my family and
friends lost..... my lover gone.... Surely Kusari will die in this battle
from Allen and the others,..... but yet I am to suffer like a disposable
soul..... If that is the way people are treated than I no longer wish to be
part in this great task I was to achieve....."
Her emerald jewels slowly fell to the floor once more as a single tear
slipped down her pale cheek, "Let me finally be relieved of my tortures,
Folken, and allow me to join my beloved in the afterlife..... Nothing is
left for me here..... Please, grant me that......"
Silence fell on the room and Hitomi felt the last of her existence finally
crumble away. Depression had once again taken hold of her and if she could
she would have committed suicide by now. Only the holds on her motions kept
her from her death wish.
Without warning a long black snake flew through the air and struck the
seeress sharply in her battered back making the girl scream in anguish.
Quickly the dark snake was pulled back into the edge of the shadows. A long
gash had been opened on the girl's back from the swift blow and blood ran
from the new wound. Hitomi's eyes squeezed shut in pain as she bit her
lower lip trying to endure the agony.
Again the snake flew through the air hitting the girl in between her
shoulder blades making another long gash run across her back. The angel
woman gasped as her body reeled in the new wave of pain.
The seeress could not see, but behind her the shadowy form of Kusari now
stood within the circle of blue light as he held a long black whip in his
two cold palms. His pale hands clenched the dark object as he glared at the
girl's bloody back. With a surge of anger the dark angel swung the weapon
at the female's pale form. The woman screamed as more terrible pain was
inflicted by the long whip. Hitomi's head hung between her pale arms as her
emeralds continued to be squeezed shut.
The dark commander began a series of marking on the woman's back by cutting
criss~crossed red gashes across her pale skin as her terrifying screams
filled the dark corners of the room. The angel woman struggled to stay
conscious as pain washed over her. She didn't want to pass out again. She
wished to meet death with open eyes like the strong person she was. This
wasn't easy though for our angel had lost a great deal of blood and with
the new pain it was only worsening her condition. Hitomi would surely slip
into unconsciousness soon if the blows didn't let up.
While the 'Angel' was continued to be attacked by the dark snake~like
weapon Akuma watched from the shadows. His glowing red coals could
distinctly been seen through the darkness, but Hitomi was in no condition
to notice the glowing orbs of crimson. The beast sneered as his master
swung the whip hard bringing forth another red gash. Akuma had finished
with the seeress. All he had desired was her to be tortured and once he had
done a great amount of damage to the woman, so much that she was at the
edge of death, that he decided he had satisfied his lust for revenge.
Turning away from her unconscious form the demon allowed his master to
decide the angel woman's fate. Whatever he chose the demon would support.
If he wanted to end her life or torture her until she followed him it
didn't matter. His emotions and desires had been fulfilled and Akuma was
complete. He would allow fate to decide the seeress's destiny.....
Hitomi's mind began to hover at the border of light and darkness...... She
was at the edge of her unconciousness..... Only a few more blows would
bring her to cross the line and enter her into the void of blackness......
And though she waited for the next blow to crash down on her body..... none
came..... Weakly the seeress opened her green pools and saw the dark face
of Kusari looming before her..... Before Hitomi could take action the
commander of black uniform punched her hard in the face..... The girl's
head hung down causing her brown locks to fall over her closed eyes as she
winced. Slowly the 'Angel' lifted her green jewels to her captor as he
began to circle her....
His eyes of cold ice watched her carefully as he began to hiss, "Look what
you have become, Kazanki..... You have become a weak royal who has embraced
her dark side and become the murder that has always shadowed her heart...."
The woman bowed her head sadly, but did not speak for she felt guilty. She
felt as if his words held some truth within their meaning..... and why
should she deny the truth?..... She 'was' a murder......
The man snorted in disgust for the seeress, "I should expect no less from a
being who has descended from a line of murders!"
Hitomi did not lift her eyes from her view of the marble floor as she
whispered in a weak voice, "What do you mean?...."
"You murdered your own people, Kazanki!" the dark angel growled angrily as
he continued to circle his victim. The woman's face harden in rage at his
response.
Glaring at her captor she hissed, "You seem to forget, Kusari, that Kaosu,
your own brother, was the one who destroyed the Mystic Moon and sent
billions of our people to their graves!"
Kusari halted in front of the girl and lifted his chin a little higher as
he growled, "Perhaps..... but you did not save your people!"
The angel woman's eyes sparked in hatred for the man as she cried, "I did
everything I could, but I was powerless to stop Kaosu! If I could I would
have gladly given my life for my people!"
Kusari slapped the woman across the face causing her head to snap away from
him for a second before slowly turning back to his glaring ice blue orbs.
The man voice held anger as he hissed, "You say those words, but when you
have the chance you do nothing!"
Hitomi weakly glared at the man with pain filled pools of emerald green,
"Lies! There was nothing I could have done! I have finally accepted that
truth!"
The dark angel loomed over her like death as he shouted in agitation, "I do
not speak about the moment of the Mystic Moon's destruction! I speak of the
moment we stand in now!"
The woman frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Kusari sneered evilly at her stupidity. How ill educated could a royal be?!
Bringing his face close to the angel's pale face dripping in blood he
growled, "I tell you that you are a murder just like your ancestors! You
all are unwilling to sacrifice yourself for your own people!"
Again the girl glared at her captor in rage. Had he not heard her words?!
Did she not proclaim that she would have given her life for her people?!
Was the man deaf?! With a voice of anger Hitomi growled, "Again you speak
lies! I told you already I did what I could!"
"NO!!!!" the man shouted in the girl's face causing her to flinch slightly
from the sudden outburst, "If you had done everything you could than our
people would still be alive! You are a murder just like your dead
ancestors!"
The angel woman shook her head slowly in disbelief as she whispered, "Again
with your lies.... Are so blinded by your hatred that you can not see me
and my relatives are innocent of what you accuse us of?......"
The dark angel glared at her as he hissed, "I am not the one blinded,
Kazanki.... You are the one who can not see past your own inferior
knowledge!......"
The woman sighed heavily as she grew agitated, "Why must you speak in
riddles?! Can you not speak in plain speech?! Tell me what you mean!"
Taking hold of the seeress's slim neck of pale skin in one of his cold
hands the man growled, "I'll tell you what I mean, Kazanki!..... You have
everything you need to save your people from the afterlife yet you do
nothing! Even your ancestors did not attempt to bring back our kind! They
let them dwell within the land of the dead without remorse!"
Hitomi again frowned at her holder in confusion as she said, "I still do
not understand...."
The commander glared at her as he growled, "Both you and Queen Iris had the
chance to use the pendant to bring back the dead once you entered the
Mystic Valley.... Upon entrance into this area all sources of powers are
nearly doubled..... Theoretically the pendant would be powerful enough to
even bring back lost souls from the afterlife!"
Emerald eyes grew wide as she realized what he was suggesting. Could it be
true?..... Did the ancient stone of blood have enough power now?!...... If
so she could bring back everyone from the Mystic Moon..... and even.....
"Van....." Hitomi whispered as joyous tears fell from her eyes. That was
her task. It wasn't to destroy Kusari! Her task was to bring back her
people into the land of the living.... so they could once again return to
their homelands!......
The emotions..... the fire..... the energy..... the very life that had been
smothered by her depression finally swelled in her soul again as she
realized the possibilities of the stone now gave her. She could finally be
rejoined with her family.... her friends..... her people...... and most
importantly she could once again see her beloved.....
Then suddenly the burden of grief that had so easily fallen away again fell
onto her shoulders like a pile of bricks. Hitomi remembered something
important Folken had said.....
"Once there you will take on a great task, but on doing so you might have
to make the ultimate sacrifice......"
"The ultimate sacrifice....." the angel woman whispered sadly as those
words played back in her mind. Thoughts ran through her brain as she
finally understood the true meaning of the words. The ultimate sacrifice
that was demanded on her to complete her task...... was to die in bringing
back her people from the dead...... Hitomi hung her head down as she
thought of the situation. She had barely been able to control the powers of
Atlantis the last two times and then the stone hadn't even been at this
heighten level of strength. Then at both times she had been in top
condition! There was no possible way she would live through the ordeal
during this moment when she was already so close to death......
Again Hitomi remembered the words of Folken that he had spoken in the
'Trees of Spirits'......
"You must confront Kusari, Hitomi" the man's voice echoed, "No one can stop
him, but you..... It won't be easy and you have two choices....I pray to
Joutei that you make the right decision....."
Two choices..... two paths..... The angel woman stood before two roads that
held the future..... She could go one way..... She could forget her people
and die from torture...... She would finally be rejoined by her beloved and
her love ones and finally be at peace...... Or she could go down the other
road..... She could sacrifice being with them to allow them to live
again...... They could go on with their lives while she went to the realm
of the dead and be separated from them for longer...... Until they died
once again and came back to the afterlife she would be alone.....
Two roads..... Two outcomes..... Which one?..... Tears slipped down the
girl's cheek as she made her decision..... A crystal drop of saltwater fell
onto the smooth surface of the red teardrop and glowed faintly as Hitomi
walked done the path she chose..... She chose to give the ultimate
sacrifice..... She would die for her people..... and for Van.....
~Sorry this chapter was kinda short, but I can't go past this moment! It's
a perfect spot for a cliffhanger!~
~Alright! I guess you see Van's gunna come back! Do you know what's gunna
happen next? I bet you don't!~
~Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I know a lot of you are excited because
Van's coming back! Please review and tell me what you think!~
~Next chapter should be out shortly, but once again I need those reviews!
So hurry up and send me your opinions! I've really enjoyed your reviews so
far!!!! Thanks!~
