~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters!~
~I can't believe I'm on my 27th chapter! I didn't really expected to have
this story go this long!~
~Here's another chapter completed that I hope you will enjoy!~
~Always review after you read!~










The Fate of Two Worlds
By Angel_Wings

Chapter 27 ~ Ultimate Sacrifice

~Dark Fortress~
Kusari stared at his victim with eyes of blue ice as his hand clenched the
black weapon. He was about to once again force the 'Angel' to follow his
demands, but a faint glow from the red stone of ancient blood caused the
officer to freeze. His frozen pools turned on the teardrop and when he saw
its glow begin to brighten he felt his plans crumbled. She was going to do
it! She was going to bring her people back!

"BLAST!" the dark angel shouted as the red light began to consume the room.
Hitomi's lifted her head to the blue sphere causing the aqua light to wash
over her bloody face serenely. Brunette locks lifted in a mysterious wind
as the angel woman closed her eyes. White feathers pulled away from her
glowing wings and circled the two soul occupants of the vast throne room.
This was it..... The time had arrived for the girl to finally fulfill her
true destiny......

The man wearing the black uniform glared at the woman as a red light began
to surround her, protecting her..... He hadn't thought about this reaction
that the seeress would give! He thought she would grow more suicidal or
depressed. His blue orbs stared at her with interest. He had lost her to
the powers, but he could still use her blood to clone another. With a sneer
the shadowy man even began to think this was better anyway. The Draconian
race would finally return to Gaea,...... then he could enslave them, too!
The possibilities were endless! Smirking the dark man waited for the
seeress to finish the job so he might continue with his plans.

Sweat poured off of the 'Angel's brow and her forest green eyes squeezed
shut tighter. She was lost in the power once again for the final time.....


~Vision~
Hitomi saw the ancient door that contained the awesome powers of Atlantis.
The wooden frame was tearing apart as the powers tried to escape its
holdings. For several moments the seeress stared at the bulging door as
images flashed over the wood while thinking of all she cared for.... Her
people..... her family..... her friends..... Van...... This was for
them..... They no longer needed her..... She had become a murder.... A
killer..... A being who destroyed in cold blood..... Her life no longer
held importance......

Without any more hesitation the seeress pulled open the ancient door
releasing the great swell of red energy. Once the door opened the light of
crimson surged out in a thunder pushing the ancient door completely open
and striking the brunette angel sharply. Hitomi gave a small cry as she was
tossed aside by the power and landed sharply on the white floor.

Emerald eyes that sparkled with life widened as she the light filled the
vast whiteness. It was beautiful!....The light stuck through the area in
the forms of billions of red beams, sort of like what happens in a light
show. Once the light had exited its container it twisted and swirled in the
air in hundreds of graceful designs. The girl smiled sadly as the red
illumination reflected in her ebony pupils. It was beautiful.... yet
deadly.....

As the 'Angel' watched the powers swirled she thought, 'This is it..... I
have gone through so much to finally reach this moment..... There's no
turning back from here..... I can only pray that I am able to complete my
true task....."

Just as the thoughts left her mind suddenly the light fell from the sky in
a twinkling rain and formed a red liquid on the white ground. Without
warning the power swam towards the seeress in tiny rivers of crimson and
swirled around her ankles. Fear ran through the girl as she watched the
liquid creep up her feet and make its way up her pale legs. It reminded her
of a previous vision from many years ago. The one where she had confronted
a doopleganger and had been overcome by a silver goo that had suffocated
her nearly to death. The same was happening here.... except this time the
liquid was a scarlet of death.....

There was little time left the 'Angel' knew. Hitomi didn't have the
strength to fight her attacker and to complete her task within the same
time limit unfortunately. Closing her eyes of green depths the girl lifted
her pale hands to the white sky as her white wings stretched out to their
full length. Clenching her teeth together the girl decided she would just
have to hope she could finish her duty before death stole her soul away.
With a small cry the 'Angel of Gaea' took hold of the strong powers of her
people and started her task.

In the blink of an eye Hitomi found herself in front of a set of golden
gates. The twisted pair of metal doors was decorated in diamonds and was at
least three stories high and about ten feet wide. Though the girl barely
understood where she was Hitomi now stood at the gates of Heaven.
Stretching her hands to the golden gate red light streak from the seeress's
red palms. The red light swirled like smoke as it stretched towards the
gleaming metal. Once the scarlet gas brushed up against the gates they
became chains and latched themselves onto the gold metal. Already sweat
brimmed the angel woman's brow, but she ignored it. She had to do this! She
had to complete her destiny! The red liquid that was trying to kill her had
reached her hips and still continuing its attacks on the frail body of the
seeress. The sands of time were against her, but she had to do this before
she died!

The Power of Atlantis roared angrily and a wind picked up like a hurricane
causing the seeress's golden locks and torn clothes to flutter in the rage
of air. The girl glared at the gates as she struggled to open the beautiful
passage, but it wouldn't budge. She was so weak from the tortures on her
physical body that she could barely open the metal doors. Hitomi frowned
not willing to give up. If she had been able to open the ancient door
containing the great powers of her people than she could surely open the
golden gates of Heaven!

The girl silently prayed as she struggled with the stubborn metal doors,
"Joutei, please help me....."

Suddenly new energy flowed through the angel's veins and with a loud growl
Hitomi opened the glorious gates. Once the doors opened billions of white
glowing spirits were released out into the world around her. The red chains
crumbled away to the ground and the girl hunched over weakly as the crimsom
liquid flowed over her chest. Hitomi began to sink into the ground and the
liquid crept over her body faster. Although her end was near the girl let
loose her senses and felt the billions of souls that soared through the
white sky as a sort of reward to herself. She enjoyed seeing her people
being able to enjoy their lives and felt her guilty conscious for their
death fade away. Hitomi smiled at what she had done and was finally
swallowed completely into the liquid.....


~Ancient Temple~
Merle sniffed as her tears continued to fall over her bronze cheeks. While
she clung to her foster~brother's chest she mumbled his name sadly over and
over. Her heart was still burning with sadness. Her eyes were closed so she
did not notice that her king was beginning to glow a brilliant white. While
the light intensified the angel began to be healed. The blood was washed
away and his wounds closed shut. His leg that had been twisted was reset
and his skin grew warm. The heart within his body began to beat catching
the attention of a young cat whose ear laid against his chest.

The cat~girl felt her mind stop as she heard the steady drumming of her
brother's heart. Chocolate eyes snapped open as Merle pulled away from
Van's chest. Her eyes that sparkled in tears widen as she saw her love one
shining brightly. The light grew so bright that for a mere fraction of a
second the cat was blinded by it....

Upon opening her eyes she saw something that brought more chocolate tears
to her sparkling jewels. The man of raven locks slowly opened his rubies
and rose to a sitting position as his dear sister watched with joy. Merle's
tears continued to slide down her bronze fur as she realized her dear
family was alive once more. Van turned towards his foster~sister and
whispered slightly confused, "Merle?...."

With a squeal of glee the cat~girl threw herself against her brother's
chest and brought her furry arms around his tan neck as she sobbed, "Oh,
Lord Van~sama your back......"

Automatically the king understood her tears and brought a tan hand to pet
the girl's pink hair while whispering tenderly, "It's alright, Merle.....
I'm alive......"

Merle pulled away from her dear king's neck so she could look into his
eyes, "But Lord Van~sama.... how could you be alive?......"

The king had no words to answer this question for he knew little of the
present situation, but if he did have an answer it would have been cut off
when a blinding light filled the area.....


~Battlefield~
Allen fought along side of his son, Prince Chid, as the two warriors
watched each other's back. The hansom knight was a little surprised at how
well the boy was doing in the battle. He was making mistakes, but he was
well advanced for his age. Smiling the knight couldn't help, but think,
'Must be in the blood.....'

Just as the thought appeared in the man's head of flowing sunshine a white
light froze all fighters from their fray and swallowed up the
battlefield.....


~Crusade~
What happened?! No one could tell..... For in the matter of a heartbeat a
light of a pearly glow had suddenly overwhelmed the area shocking the three
occupants who stood in the door frame of the docking bay's entrance. Celena
rose her arm over her lavender eyes as the light took her on. Both the
queen and the officer squeezed their eyes shut as they too brought up their
arms to shield themselves from the light. An unknown wind raged for the
moment of the light and the three figures' hair and clothes fluttered at
the force of air.

As soon as the light and wind had come it disappeared and caused Celena to
remove her arm so she might see what had resulted from the mysterious
event. The woman's rosy lips gaped open as her eyes took in the surprising
scene.

Standing as far as her eyes could see were thousands of angels! Winged
people of all shapes and sizes stood within the battlefield shocking the
warriors. It was something no one had ever witness in hundreds of years....
and it was spectacular..... Beautiful glowing wings illuminated the area
with their brightness. Only for a few seconds after their appearance did
glowing snow stars sparkled the air around the Draconians before fading
away with the roaring wind.

The two armies froze as their eyes came to rest on the Draconains
cluttering the area of the burning field. A woman of long brown locks
wearing stiff blue pants and a pink shirt stood close to the entrance of
the docking bay. Turning to the golden danger, the beautiful lady glared at
the fires that surrounded her people. With a flick of her pale hand the
fires smothered and disappeared from view. All of the fighters gaped at the
sudden extinguish of the golden flames. What had just happened?!.......
Before any of the warriors could act the lady brought her hand to sky and a
white light formed around her palm. Without warning all of the metal giants
were locked down to the ground as white chains took hold of their bodies.
The battlefield became decorated with the chains looking like a large
spider web as the giants were restrained. Their limbs of armor were frozen
and were no longer given the ability to move. For a few moments the
fighters struggled to escape the clutches, but the more they tried to break
their shackles the tighter they held.

The angel woman who obviously held some sort of power brought her hand back
to her side before turning to her four comrades nearby. The group of four
consisted of a young woman, a young man, a small boy, and a middle-aged
man. The young woman was around Hitomi's age and had long red hair while
she wore a cream uniform identical to the seeress's. This young girl stood
next to the young man of long brown hair that surrounded his hansom face.
He was a little older than the red head woman and wore a uniform similar to
the girl's. Near them stood the middle age man as he held the young boy to
his chest. He had brunette locks of his own that matched the powerful angel
woman's and wore rough blue pants with a white shirt and brown leather
jacket. The small boy's head of brunette strains was held tightly to this
man's chest. The child was probably around Prince Chid's age and wore a
pair of blue overalls with a red shirt. His mahogany bangs fell over
chocolate eyes that looked at the world around him with curiosity.

The first woman of long mahogany strains glanced towards the sky with
sorrowful eyes of green depths. She knew what had just occurred and it sent
dread into her heart. In fact all of the Draconians present knew what the
situation was. Once they had entered into the heavens they had been
informed of the present and even given memories of their past history and
home world. Each angel glanced around at their lands with a deep swell of
sadness for they knew what the price was for their return..... the death of
their princess.....

The red head girl stepped towards the brunette woman with a worried face as
she asked, "Do you think Hitomi is alright?"

The three human beings that stood nearby started at the mention of their
dear friend's name causing Millerina to step forward just as the angel
woman responded, "I don't know, Yukari, but I am afraid we must fear the
worse....."

"Excuse me" the blonde queen asked catching the attention of the five
angels, "But what are you saying about Hitomi?"

The older angel woman stepped forward to stand before the large multitude
of winged beings as the leader. With a curious voice the maiden asked,
"Pardon my rudeness, but who are you?"

The young queen blinked a few times in confusion before saying, "I am Queen
Millerina of Austuria and a personal friend of the seeress, Hitomi
Kazanki."

Emerald jewels grew a bit wide at the name, "You are Millerina?"

The blonde maiden frowned, "Yes..... why are you surprised?"

Coming forward the lead angel reached her hand out to the royal as she
said, "Sorry, its just that I heard great things from my daughter about
you."

Taking the pale hand in a friendly handshake Millerina asked, "Your
daughter?....."

Nodding the kind woman of white wings said, "Yes.... you see my daughter is
the friend you speak of, Hitomi Kazanki."

The two blonde women and the young officer stared at the lady in awe as
their mouths hung open. This was Hitomi's mother?!..... But how?!.....
Hadn't she died on the Mystic Moon when it was destroyed?!..... The mother
gave a sad smile to the friends of her daughter. This wasn't going to be
easy to explain, but before the woman had a chance the second maiden of
blonde hair stepped forward with a fearful face, "What did you say about
Hitomi? Is she in trouble?"

Hitomi's mother sadly brought her eyes of emeralds to the sky once more as
her face filled with distress. Her gentle voice whispered a painful truth,
"I believe my daughter is in great danger.... and soon might even die....."


None noticed the sudden red glow that came from inside the large docking
bay. A loud roar filled the air and all eyes began to turn towards the
bellows of the Crusade. Before one's view could focus on the being inside
though the large white dragon, Escaflowne, crashed through the entrance of
the hanger and soared into the air. With graceful strokes of his leathery
wings the legend flew towards the cliffs while his energist burned
brightly. The sudden rush of air caused the people's clothes and hair to
flutter just as the armored dragon flew through.

Millerina turned her eyes of sparkling blue aqua to the sky and once they
focused on the white legend she whispered, "Escaflowne?....."

Hitomi's mother stared at the fantasy beast as he flew towards the ancient
temple that now stood in ruins. Her heart filled with joy as she said
quietly, "It seems the Dragon King is alive and well....."


~Ancient Temple~
Van and Merle stared at the glowing white crowd in utter shock. Billions
upon billions of angels stood in the mess of guymelef warriors which were
restrained by a form of web. Neither could comprehend what was occurring
and neither were willing to start guessing because they might of been there
for awhile if they tried.

As the young king stared at the sudden change of scenes his thoughts began
to roam about his beloved. Where was she? What had happened? Glancing at
the fields again the royal thought, 'Surely this is Hitomi's work....'

Desperate to find his love the raven headed royal released his senses to
her. At first there was no sign of the seeress anywhere and that scared the
king greatly. Only if she was dead would he not be able to sense her. She
couldn't be dead! Calming the dread entering his soul the king took a deep
breathe and once again tried to sense her. After several moments the man
picked up a faint presence of his love. Turning his fiery jewels of his
eyes to the blue sky he spotted the dark fortress of Zaibach. She was
there..... and she was hurt..... the sense of awareness he got from her was
nearly undetectable for it was slowly fading away.....

With a determined look the royal stood and glared at his enemy's vessel. If
they had harmed her they would surely feel his wrath! Clenching his fist by
his side he said to Merle, "I have to go save Hitomi....."

The young cat~girl looked up at her brother with a tiny frown, "I thought
Hitomi was here....."

The king frowned as he shook his raven locks, "No.... She's gone to
confront Kusari..... I have to go after her......"

Desperately Merle wanted to protest, but knew she couldn't stop him. With
tears in her chocolate eyes she said, "Bring her back to us, Lord
Van~sama......"

Smiling down at his young sister the raven king replied, "Don't worry I--"

His words were cut off as a roar pierced the air catching the two
relatives' attentions. Upon looking up into the sky the king and cat caught
sight of a white dragon dressed in shining armor. Its red and gold reins
fluttered in the air as the beast began to descend from the blue sky. Van
smiled at his comrade and nodded to him as Escaflowne landed beside him and
his foster~sister. Glancing at the cat~girl the angel man repeated, "Don't
worry. Escaflowne and I will bring her back to us..... You need to get back
to the Crusade."

Merle nodded happily to her brother as he turned to mount his dragon
causing her hot pink locks to bounce. Once on the back of snowy scales the
raven haired man took hold of the beautiful reins into his tan palms. Van
gave a smile to his cat friend showing her everything would be alright
before lifting off into the clouds with his dragon. While he rose to the
heavens the young royal only hoped that it was true..... That everything
would be alright......

Fires of determination sparked in the king's eyes of rubies as the dark
fortress came into view he wouldn't let Hitomi down. He vowed always to
protect her and he would. Then once this horrible mess was over they would
go back to Fanelia and be wed. She would be his queen and he would be her
king. After a year or two they would bring forth a heir. Years later their
children would have children and they would become grandparents. They would
grow old together and would live a peaceful life back in their beautiful
kingdom while overseeing the Fanelians and Draconians dwelling there. That
was their future that they both desired..... and he refused to have it
shattered by Kusari!.....

With a roar Escaflowne sped towards the dark fortress from a sharp kick
from his master while the young cat~girl raced back to the Crusade.....


~Dark Fortress~
The red glow faded away and Hitomi went limp against the metal clamps that
held her. The sparkle of life that had finally returned to her eyes began
to fade away as her breathes became short and shallow. Dull brunette locks
fell over her eyes as her skin grew an unhealthy pale. Even though she was
on the brink of death she was able to hold to the fabric of life a little
longer. She had to..... She could feel him coming to her..... She only
wished for a final goodbye before she finished eternity in Hell.... To have
a finally peace before her sins punished her in the afterlife.....

Dark eyes of cold ice glared at the girl with open rage. He was glad that
his plans could still be fulfilled, but he still wish there was more he
could do to the seeress before her death. A wicked idea came to his
sinister mind and his eyes glinted evilly. Pressing a button on his black
guadlent the metal clutches opened and released the dying woman. Weakly the
frail girl fell to her knees and would have fallen over if her hands had
not stopped her. The checkerboard marble danced before her eyes as her
strength was being sucked away. There was little time left....

Pulling out a sword from an ebony scarab the dark angel growled, "Let me do
one last thing for you, Kazanki, before you die so that even when you burn
in the pits of Hell you will always remember my name!"

Hitomi slowly turned her green eyes to the dark angel just before the
silver blade came down in a hiss. A deafening scream rang through the dark
bellows of the vessel as the metal met flesh.....


Van heard the terrible scream and it made his blood run cold. He knew that
voice and he wished he hadn't heard it for it was his beloved's and the
worst fears ran through his mind as he raced through the shadowy hallways.
Escaflowne had been left in the opening docking bay and was easily
distracting the guards there while the young royal went in search of his
fiancé. Sadly though upon hearing the scream the king feared he was too
late.

Using his senses as a guide he raced to his love with all his strength. The
corridors' twists and turns finally led him to a large set of ebony metal
doors that were latched closed. Ignoring the fact to slow down Van burst
open the doors without bothering with the latches and ran into the dark
room. Once inside the raven king stopped just as he stepped in. Standing
within a spotlight of blue illumination stood Kusari as he hovered over a
bloody body. At the sudden opening of the metal doors the dark angel had
lifted his eyes to the royal as he held a small glass tube containing red
liquid in one hand and his sword held another. The poor king felt his heart
drop as he noticed the familiar clothes and brown hair of his lover. Once
the blood ran before the royal's eyes rage filled his soul as the king took
hold of his sword in a clench fist. The man had tortured his love! Kuari
surely would pay for what he had done Van would see to that!

With a warrior cry the young king rushed the officer of black uniform. The
sudden appearance of the king shocked the man of silver hair and he barely
was able to move out of the attack in time. Luckily because of the
commander lateness to evade the sword the point of the blade hit the glass
tube causing it to fall to the floor with a crash. Blood and glass sprayed
everywhere it could reach as the medical tool hit the stone floor and
shattered.

Kusari snapped his eyes of ice to the king in anger as he shouted, "Blast
you, Fanel! Now I must retrieve more of the seeress's blood!"

The famed king stepped between the officer and his beloved as he watched
his adversary closely. He had no idea why Kusari wanted Hitomi's blood, but
whatever the reason Van would not allow him to get it. Clenching his teeth
together the young warrior growled, "I will not let you harm, Hitomi, any
longer! If you want her you'll have to kill me!"

The angel of darkness readied his sword and held it towards the royal,
"I'll be more than glad to do just that!"


Meanwhile elsewhere in the corridors of the dark fortress Escaflowne was
chasing several soldiers. The men shouted loudly for help as they tried to
escape the frightening beast. The white dragon was rather luckily he could
fit through the small halls for if he hadn't been able to the chase would
have been over a long time ago.

Rounding a curve the entrance of the main control room came into view. The
fleeing men doubled their efforts as they tried to reach the doorway.
Escaflowne's jaw snapped onto one of the men's legs and lifted him into the
air while the legend continued to pursue the guards. The victim of the rows
of daggers howled in pain, but his cry was soon silenced as the mighty
beast released the man and threw him against the wall killing him
instantly. Trumpeting a roar the dragon raced faster after his prey.

The lead man of the group of soldiers finally reached the doorway and
quickly began to press buttons on a panel nearby. One by one the scared
beings ran through the doorway just a few feet before the white monster.
Soon a mechanical sound was heard as the officer by the panels pressed the
last button. With a screech the metal door went into emergency close and
slammed shut just before the dragon was going to rage into the large room.

The metal door bulged inward as the beast collided into it. The soldiers
working at the panel turned their eyes along with the new guards' to the
door watching it bulge again with a crash when Escaflowne tried to break it
open. It was obvious the entrance wouldn't hold....

Roaring loudly a set of claws ripped through the metal slab creating
several terrifying rips through the dark material. A glowing green orb
stared through one of the torn openings glaring at the recoiling men. No
door would hold back this monster from his food! Thunder and bending metal
crashed through the eardrums of those frighten beings as the dragon plowed
through the door. The men pulled forth their swords, but they knew the
creature's hide was tougher than their blades therefore their weapons were
useless. The large skull of snow white scales rose while its glowing green
circles glared down at its victims. Huge white claws ripped open the rest
of the door so its entire body could enter the room. While the beast
squeezed through the small entrance one of the soldiers leapt forward and
brought his sword down on the creature's neck. The men gaped as the sharp
metal of the blade snapped in two once it met the beast's scales. The
courageous man stared at his broken weapon in shock. He had heard of such
instances occurring, but he had never seen it happen with his own eyes.....
until now.....

The man was so indulged in inspecting his sword that he never saw a claw
fly through the air and hit him across the room. The other occupants of the
room hurried out of the propelled body's path just as the being crashed
into a panel. Blue electricity sparked from the metal surface causing dials
and screens to flash. Soon an explosion followed and flames began to fly
through the small area. The soldiers glanced around the room in horror.
Their only exit was the entrance...... which was now blocked by the
legendary white monster....


Van brought his sword in a swift diagonal cut, but it was deflected by the
dark angel's blade. Gold sparks flew from the impact of the two metals
giving the scene a spectacular effect. Kusari pushed away his enemy's
weapon and brought his own sword down on the royal. The king easily dodged
the attack by sidestepping causing the blade to go pass the angel of raven
locks and forced the dark angel to leave his back unprotected. The hansom
royal brought down his elbow into the officer's back and the man crashed to
the ground. Van went to strike the commander in a vertical cut, but the man
rolled away just in time to escape the blow. The metal weapon struck the
marble stone causing a ringing sound. The royal snapped his head around
towards his adversary causing his ebony locks to swirl. Kusari quickly got
to his feet and was able to block another attack from the white dragon.

The bloody form that laid on the marble floor only fifty feet away from the
growing fray was quiet and very still. Hitomi's soul was drifting away from
her body as she watched her rescuer fight the evil being. A small smile
formed on her lips as she watched her beloved fight for her. More than
anything she wished that she would be able to stay in the blessed world and
live her life with her fiancé, but she could tell from her growing weakness
that it was impossible....

The two men's swords locked together in an 'X' formation while they glared
at one another through the crossed metal. The dark angel smirked as a idea
formed in his shadowy mind and growled, "I am a little surprised,
Fanel,.... that you care for this murder....."

The king's eyes burned with fire as he shouted, "Do not insult her like
that!"

A sneer twisted over Kusari's pale face as he said, "Oh, but its true....
She killed her own sister...."

Van frowned in confusion, "What?..... You lie! Hitomi has no sister!"

The dark angel gave an ugly smirk as he replied, "You are only half right,
Fanel..... I created a clone of Kazanki.... a dark half..... and once
introduced to her other self Kazanki killed her in cold blood!"

The young royal's eyes went wide. Hitomi had killed?! His heart began to
ache for his love. He knew the seeress would never do such a thing unless
it was absolutely necessary. She must have been going through a lot of
grief. Hitomi had always mentioned she valued all forms of life, from the
smallest bug to the largest creature. All had been appreciated by his
beloved, but to imagine the sorrow she had for the kill was unimaginable.
It pained his heart just to think of it....

Hitomi noticed her beloved's silence and she felt the worse. He despised
her now! Tears formed in her twinkling emeralds as she felt a new wave of
sadness hit her. The seeress closed her eyes tight and began to loosen her
grip on her life. She no longer needed to say goodbye....

With a warrior's cry Van brought his sword through the air and struck his
enemy's sword hard. The young royal refused to have his mind played with by
this killer. What right did he have to talk about his beloved?! The king's
rage only fueled the man's energy to kill this angel!

The two angel men went into a frenzy of attacks. The king went on a furious
offensive nature while the commander was forced to be on the defense.
Gleaming metal shined in the blue glow as the weapons danced in the
spotlight. The fight grew vicious and the clanging of metal rang through
the room as it echoed through the darkness. Sweat drenched both of the
fighters' brows and matted their bangs to their foreheads.

No one, but Kusari noticed a sudden motion in the darkness. Glancing
towards the shadows the commander smirked. Turning to his opponent he let
his sword go to his side. Van stared at him in confusion, but kept his
weapon ready for a surprise. The dark angel smiled victoriously and said,
"I want you to met a dear friend of mine, Fanel..... Meet Akimbo....."

Without warning a dark form burst from the black void towards the shocked
king. It leathery wings sprang out as the being glided towards it victim.
The beast blocked out the blue rain of light and caused a shadow to appear
over the royal. Van glared at the demon as it swooped down in an attack.
The king waited until he could feel the gargoyle's foul breathe washed over
his face before bringing up his sword. The sound of metal ripping through
flesh seared the observer's eardrums as he watched his pet fall over the
king.

For several moments nothing moved within the ghastly chamber. The officer's
eyes watched his demon's limp body carefully as the dark being began to
shudder. A small glimmer of triumph fell on Kusari as he thought his beast
was alive, but the glimmer soon was stomped to nothing as the royal pulled
out from under the dead carcass. The dark man growled as he saw the young
king smirk in victory.

Before one could blink the dragon king raced towards the dark angel and
knocked him over causing his weapon to fly into the darkness. Van stood
over Kusari with his sword looming before the twisted pale face. The
officer sat back on his hands with his legs bent as he glanced from the
weapon to the king. His silvery bangs fell over his evil eyes as he stared
at the Fanelian. The dark angel smirked at the royal and said, "You
wouldn't kill me, Fanel..... Your heart is just as pure as Kazanki's...."

Van froze for only a second before thrusting the cold weapon into the
killer's chest. The man's eyes of ice grew wide as death grasped his life.
Kusari stared at the man in shock and would have spoken, but the royal cut
him to it.

"Yes, my heart is pure just like Hitomi's...." the king growled, "And
that's why I have killed you..... to keep you from hurting the
innocent....."

Blood dripped from the murder's mouth as the man of raven hair pulled the
sword from the pale flesh covered in black clothing. With a 'thud' Kusari
fell back onto the marble. Red liquid began to slip from the wound and
trail down the man's demon~like clothes before meeting the floor in a dark
pool. Eyes of sharp ice grew dull as death claimed the man body and dragged
his evil soul to the fires of Hell.

Van turned away from the corpse disgusted. War had become something he no
longer enjoyed and seeing another dead body just brought back terrible
memories from the 'Great War'.

The royal quickly turned to the frail form of his lover and rushed to her
side while dropping his sword to the floor. The metal blade made a soft
clatter as Van knelt beside the seeress and took her bloody body in his tan
arms. Her rich blood soaked his red shirt, but he didn't care. All he cared
about was her and felt his heart break when his eyes scanned over her
battered form. His felt his soul ache and he cradled his beloved close to
his chest.

Once Hitomi's head fell on his shoulder Van felt something poke him in his
side. The royal pulled her body back a little to see what had jabbed him.
Rubies grew wide as the man saw a small nub of bloody feathers appear
before his eyes. Bringing the seeress's up more he was able to see that
there were two nubs protruding from the girl's pale back. Van felt his soul
scream out for the woman in his arms. That killer had cut off Hitomi's
beautiful wings! Rage filled in the man's soul as he clutched the woman
closed to his heart.

His hands ran through mahogany hair stained in blood as tears sparked in
the man's eyes of fire. The soul in his body was pouring out cries of
sorrow as his strong palms caressed his angel's pale skin softly. Tan
fingers danced over the skin of bruises and gashes, and smeared more blood
on the girl's clothes. Van stared down at his beloved's face and upon
seeing her closed eyes the man felt his fears become a reality. She
couldn't be dead!!!! Cupping one of the seeress's pale cheeks in a gloved
hand the man placed his cheek to her crown. Squeezing his eyes of fire shut
he wept openly letting the twinkling drops of crystal water to fall.

Never did the royal noticed that his tears had fallen onto the girl's face.
First, one tear..... then two.... after three tears had splashed onto the
angel's face her green eyes fluttered open. Her soul grasped the very last
of her life and clung to it for a moment..... What was going on?..... Who
held her?.... Weakly she recognize the strains of ebony hair as her
beloved's and gave a painful whisper, "Van?......"

That single word was like the most glorious gift to the royal at that
moment. Never before had his name ever sounded more precious. Quickly the
man lifted his head from his fiancé's crown so he might look into her eyes
that he had missed so much. His thumb caressed her cheek as he stared down
into her sparkling emeralds. He smiled happily through his many tears and
whispered, "I am so glad your okay, Hitomi...."

The woman's eyes sparkled with joy to see her love once again, but they
soon dimmed as she turned her head away and tears began to form. Quietly
the girl said, "Don't look at me, Van.... You deserve better....."

The king frowned, "What are you talking about?"

Hitomi couldn't look into his eyes so she focused on the marble floor,
"I've become something horrible, Van..... I don't wish to darken your life
with my sins....."

The royal felt his heart tear for her. She was still grieving for what she
had done earlier. Looking deep into those green depths Van replied, "Hitomi
whatever you did, you did to help others.... When you killed your dark self
you did it to protect others from her evil.... Hitomi, I don't care what
you did..... I care only for you.... and I completely understand what you
did was for good reason..... and I want you..... no one else..... Look into
my eyes, Hitomi....."

Listening to his command the young woman turned her face to her angel
unable to deny him and saw the affection in his eyes. Her heart beat a
little stronger upon looking at her beloved's soul. Love poured forth from
his gaze as he whispered, "I love you, Hitomi Kazanki, and that will never
change....."

Tears of bliss poured from the angel woman's eyes as she weakly brought a
hand to her lover's face. Her low voice whispered, "I love you, too,
Van......"

Suddenly a shadow passed over the girl's eyes and she realized her time was
over as her thread of life began to tear away. Looking into her love's eyes
one last time she whispered, "But it doesn't matter now...."

Van felt his heart constrict at the words and he quickly asked, "What are
you saying?"

The 'Angel' did her best to get her vocal cords to work as her soul began
to fade, "I'm dying, Van....."

The royal's heart seemed to crack as he held the girl's head in his glove.
His rich voice nearly cracked as he refused to accept the truth, "No....."

Slowly the girl whispered, "Promise, Van, that your heart will not darken
with my death like my was when you died...."

"Hitomi....." the king proclaimed, "You will not die..... Your wounds will
heal again like they have done before--...."

The words fell short as he saw the girl shake her head slightly. Her voice
sounded so faint.... so far..... as she spoke, "No, Van..... I don't know
why, but they won't heal..... Even the pendant can not help me now for I
am to weak to even open the seal again....."

The girl stared into her lover's eyes as her voice drifted, "You must go,
Van.... Go on with your life and live it to the fullest..... I am lost to
you.... please go before--"

Darkness filled her emeralds as her voice faded from existence. Her pale
hand covered in blood fell away from her beloved's tan cheek to the floor
as her life finally ended. Her eyelids slid shut and her frail body went
limp in his strong arms. It had happened..... Princess Hitomi Kazanki of
the royal family of the Draconians..... had died.......

Van couldn't believe it. Only moments before it seemed his life had been
fixed only to be shattered once again..... He had returned to his only
desire and yet it was stolen from him again..... His gloved fingers dug
into his beloved's body as tears threaten to spill. His teeth clenched
together as his heart gave a silent scream. The head of raven locks turned
to the broken window and his fire eyes closed as the blue light of the
floating sphere washed over his face. With deep pain that had dug into his
soul the man cried, "HITOMI!!!!!!!!!!"


While the white dragon cried for his beloved another white legend was
destroying the control room of the dark fortress. The beast crashed through
the remaining dark panels causing more flames to erupt. It would only be a
matter of time before the fires reached the inside of the ship where the
generators dwelled and caused the ship to explode. Once the last of the
soldiers were killed in the small room the fantasy creature turned to one
of the large glass windows. Smoke and fire flowed around the beast, but he
barely noticed. With a roar the creature crashed through the glass window
and flew into the air. In a sharp dive the dragon turned to the Crusade to
escape the dark vessel.

One might have thought the beast was cruel for leaving his master, but the
instincts of the animal within the dragon screamed at him to escape the
grave of the dark fortress, for soon it would plunge towards the ground in
a fatal crash. Plus he trusted his master.... The king would leave once
ready.....


Van clutched Hitomi's body close to his bloody shirt as the first wave of
flames entered the room. The shadowy walls were finally revealed by the
sudden light of the golden flames and screamed as the area swelled with the
heat. The royal felt the heat, but barely noticed for all of his feelings
had been destroyed with his beloved's death. Pink feathers soaked in blood
laid around the man as he looked up at his surroundings. He wanted to
die.... to die with his love,..... but her death wish kept him from
suicide..... Though not all her words escaped her lips he knew what she
wanted.... She wanted him to live just like he had wanted her to live when
he was dying.....

Though she had gone against his wishes he decided to honor her wish and
leave the ship, but he did not know how long he could respect that
wish..... Taking the woman in his arms he stood and looked up at the broken
window. Moments later a pair of glowing white wings burst from the man's
back. With a sad face the man gave a finally glance at his beloved's face
before rising towards the opening....


Dryden pulled at his controls as hard as he could, but they refused to
move. Angrily the king began to press buttons, but nothing seemed to hold
any life. Finally the man forced himself to pull an emergency lever that
would open the door for the metal chest of his guymelef. With a hiss of
steam the window opened and the man stepped into the sunlight. The glow
from the sun highlighted his features and caused his glasses to gleam as he
turned his eyes to the sky. With a gasp the royal noticed the dark fortress
falling from the sky in a fit of flames and smoke. At first he felt like
jumping up and down to see their enemy's vessel coming to an end, but when
he noticed the direction the ship was falling he felt his heart crush. It
was heading straight for the battlefield......














~Oh great! Now I killed Hitomi and you guys are going to maul me! Sorry,
but the next chapter I'm sure you will love! Please keep reading!~
~Alright I'll admit that I wasn't going to stop right here, but I think the
next chapter would be too short and this one too long so I decided to stop
early! Sorry for all you aggravated readers! I'll tell you what I'll post
the next chapter tomorrow! So check tomorrow's list for updates!~
~Hope you enjoyed this chapter, even though I killed Hitomi! Please review
and thanks for reading!!!!!~