~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters!~
~The BIG explanation is in this chapter so read and find out how Hitomi is
alive again! Hope you enjoy it!~
~Always remember to review after you read!~










The Fate of Two Worlds
By Angel_Wings

Chapter 30 ~ Glimpse Into Heaven

~Heaven~
The seeress felt a little groggy from the trip and was a little unfocus as
she discovered she was laying down on a cold surface. With shaky movements
the girl lifted to a sitting position. Holding her forehead in one of her
pale palms the angel woman tried to clear her head before she opened her
eyes. Her other hand meanwhile ran over the cool surface she laid on. It
was hard and held several indentions..... possible in some form of a
pattern.....

Feeling that she was alright Hitomi slowly opened her eyes and gasped at
the sight. Standing all around her were billions of angels. The seeress
pale hands flew to her mouth as she stared at the crowd that formed a
circle around her. The beings of all age, shape, and size watched her with
slightly amused faces. They all wore long white robes that were bright as
the stars and were trailed in gold trimmings. Golden auras swirled around
their heads which seemed to be their halos. Emerald eyes turned every which
way in awe as she glanced at the multitude. This was heaven?.....

Without thinking the seeress glanced downwards and noticed she was sitting
upon a floor made of gold bricks. They shone brightly and gleamed in an
unknown light, but what really startled the girl was what she was wearing.
She wore a long white dress threaded with gold trimmings. On her nimble
feet were a pair of golden leather sandals that wounded its crisscrossed
strips up her legs nearly to her knees. Gleaming in the light were two
guadlents that decorated her slim wrists and a tiara that crowned her head.

There was no blood..... no gashes..... no cuts..... All had disappeared
from her body..... Strange.... yet logically..... In fact her wings were
renewed and arched from her back like they has never been dislocated from
her pale skin....

Staring at her audience she asked with a timid voice, "Am I in heaven?...."

"Yes, young one....." came a reply. It sounded as if the answer came from
the sky or possibly floated with the wind. Automatically the seeress perked
up from the reply she got. It was the voice of the being that had been with
her early. That made her feel a little more comfortable to have someone she
sort of knew to be nearby,..... but where was he?.....

As though the mysterious being had heard the question the voice called out,
"I am here, young one.... Please come to me and I will tell all....."

Slowly the girl rose to her feet with butterflies dancing in her stomach.
Somehow she was nervous about meeting this person. He sounded important.
Perhaps he was the person who brought people to Heaven or Hell, sort of
like a guide into death... or perhaps he was a special guardian of
Heaven.... or even a judge on entries.... Whoever he was he knew something
important that seemed vital for the 'Angel's future, so she decided it was
best to confront whomever it was that called upon her.....

Glancing at the crowd that cluttered her view around her Hitomi wondered
which way the being was. She could not exactly sense him. He seemed to be
everywhere at once.... like his presence was bouncing on the atmosphere....
perhaps it was an echo.....

The seeress opened her mouth to ask the direction to go, but before she
could utter a word the crowd slowly withdrew and made a path through the
angels. Glumping down the lump in her throat Hitomi took her first steps
down the golden road. All eyes were on her as the girl began to walked
through the opening blushing from the attention. Never before had she been
in such a situation where everyone was watching her every move. Doing her
best to not cower beneath their gazes Hitomi raised her chin a little
higher so she could look at the road of endless gold bricks ahead.

The infinite crowd of angels smiled at the woman as she passed and several
even gave a small bow or nod of their head in recognition of the lady
confusing Hitomi. Why did they respect her so?..... Was she not a horrible
person that had murdered in cold blood?..... Wasn't she an intruder to this
beautiful world of peace?..... It confused the 'Angel' deeply and she
almost stopped to ask the burning questions in her soul, but the idea of
keeping the unknown being waiting caused her feet to keep moving.

Hitomi wished she could better study the land around her for she often
wondered what Heaven looked like, but the angels surrounding her completely
blocked out whatever laid behind them. Several times while walking the girl
tried to stand a little higher so she might peer over the crowd of heads,
but only in vain attempts. Shaking her head in a bit of frustration the
seeress continued down the gleaming road of gold.

About a hundred feet away from the angel girl Hitomi could see the end of
the large crowd. Something laid past them and she knew that was where the
being was.... there at the very end he would be.... waiting.... for her....
Hitomi felt her blood run a little faster as she realized she was growing
closer to the end. The nervous flutter within her pores almost made her
turn around and run, but something kept her going.... as though this
mysterious figure held some hold over her actions..... She couldn't help,
but wonder who laid at the end of the path.... Who would it be?.... Would
she know him?..... Or would he be a complete stranger?..... Those questions
only made her increase her speed a bit.... She wanted to know who it
was.... Only another reason that kept her pushing onwards....

As the 'Angel' passed the crowd she spotted movement in the corner of her
eye. Turning her head to the left whilst still proceeding down the lane the
seeress smiled broadly. There standing a mist the crowd was Queen Iris in
her long dress and golden aura. The old royal's eyes sparkled with pride as
she saw the girl spot her. Hitomi wanted to race over to her distant
relative and hug her tightly, but when the queen shook her head the girl
backed down and continued down the road.

For some reason this moment was very important and whoever laid at the end
of this golden road was just as important..... Hitomi could tell this from
the royal's actions,.... but still those annoying questions burned in the
angel woman's soul. Who was it?.... Did she know him?.... Was he a
stranger?.... With determination the girl's steps sped up....

Again the seeress forced her emeralds to stare at the end of the path that
laid only fifty feet away now. Each step seemed like a hundred and the girl
felt as though she would never reach the end. Perhaps this was Hell.... and
that she was to be tortured by having to walk down this road for all
eternity.... never to stop..... and to be stared at by hundreds as if they
were watching her.... waiting for her to make a mistake....

Quickly shoving away the absurd idea the girl smile to comfort herself from
the gnawing nervousness her body held. Again there was motion in the crowd
catching Hitomi's eye. Turning her head ever so slightly the girl spotted
something that brought tears to her eyes. There standing a mist the crowd
hands tightly held together were her two grandparents. Both had tears in
their eyes as they smiled proudly at their grandchild. Hitomi felt the
water run down her cheeks and more than anything she wanted to run to her
grandmother. When she had been only a child Hitomi would always go to her
grandmother when she was upset. Right now she wished she could fall into
her grandmother's lap and just break down letting her salty tears soak into
her relative's clothes,..... but Hitomi knew this was not the time.
Sniffing back the tears the girl turned her face back towards the end of
the golden road and forced herself to go a little faster....

Finally the angels fell away and Hitomi was able to see the world around
her. With gasp the seeress turn in a complete circle indulging in the
glorious view that her laid at her post. Tears streamed from her eyes as
she saw a world of unbelievable paradise. In the distance was a sea of
crystal clear water and gentle waves that rolled over the surface. Clouds
of golden lining dazzled the bluish-white sky. Dozens of golden brick roads
ran through the land and lead off into the endless horizon. Hills of
infinite blades of green, green grass flowed over hundreds of hills that
held golden mansions. The world was like its own jewel.... like a diamond
that sparkled and glimmered..... It almost seemed to unreal..... It even
looked as delicate as a cloud.....

Turning ever so slowly to what stood opposite of the angel crowd the girl's
emerald eyes went wide. The splendor that laid before her feet was too
much.... Falling to her knees the seeress's pale hands flew over her mouth
in awe as tears poured forth in a waterfall...... for standing before her
on a huge golden throne of incredible height was a glowing gold being.....
The immortal that sat upon the golden chair of specially designed metal was
of glowing gold....

Staring with watery emerald eyes Hitomi whispered, "Are.... are you,
Joutei?....."

Though the seeress could not see for sure since the being glowed so
brightly she could have sworn the golden form smiled at her as he said, "I
have many names, young one...."

The girl was speechless at the wonder that stood before her. He was
monstrous and was of swirling gold light that was so bright that you could
even distinguish his physical features beneath the glow. Past the intense
illumination the angel could make out the body of a human man wearing a
white robe, but it barely distinguishable because of the glow.....
Physically the god stood before the seeress, but in all other senses he was
everywhere... Within the depths of her mind Hitomi could feel the being's
endless presence that stretched force in all directions..... His presence
was everywhere, but the actual awareness the girl perceived from the being
was center to this figure.... His voice echoed force and sounded like it
came from all corners of the universe..... The warmth of love he showed to
his children from Gaea clung to the air and swirled around their bodies
forever reminding them that he was there for them..... He cared for them
and loved them like a father for his children..... and those emotions were
forever etched in his creations' diverse minds...... All of this was rolled
into this one moment.... drowning the woman in the waves of awareness that
flowed around her.... causing intense emotions to spring forth tears that
streamed down her pale skin....The whole experience in the afterlife of
Heaven was too much for the girl.... Hitomi cried openly barely trying to
hold back her sobs....

The god smiled down at the destined child. This had occurred multiple times
before him when a new soul was brought before his presence.... and each
time after billions of years of seeing this scene over and over he
cherished the moment..... for it was when his children would glorify him
and honor him with their love for him.... A father always cherished the
moment when his child would declare their love for their parent....

Seeing the girl had not quieted her cries the god continued his reply, "I
have many names, young one..... I am called the Vine and the Branches....
the King of kings.... the Lord of lords.... the Resurrection..... the
Judge.... the Advocate..... My names are endless and spoken on all
tongues,.... but your people call me Joutei....."

The seeress stared at the figure unable to speak, move, or think... even
the tears that fell from her emeralds were involuntary..... She felt like
time had stopped and the happiness that washed over her was paradise. Just
to be in the presence of Joutei was an extreme blessing,.... but to be
kneeling at his feet was an even greater reward..... She had no words,....
no actions,.... no thoughts that could help her in this moment..... yet she
found her own way to confronting the god.....

Bowing her head letting her brown locks to fall around her face Hitomi
closed her eyes of deep emerald depths to whisper, "I am at your mercy, my
Lord...." Though this was her moment of peace and love she felt the
overwhelming pressure of guilt weighing down on her body.... and she
couldn't help, but remember that she didn't belong.... didn't deserve to be
there....

The great being rose from his throne of gold and looked down upon his
child. With the deep fatherly love the holy one replied, "Arise, young
one.... for there is much to tell you this hour...."

Following the command of her god the seeress rose from her position, but
did not lift her eyes to the holy one. She couldn't. She felt ashamed for
the sins she had done and felt unworthy to be in this one's presence. To
look upon his face with her eyes just didn't seemed right.... She just
couldn't bring herself to look at the God....

Glancing towards the crowd of angels Joutei nodded for them to leave.
Smiling proudly at the Creator the audience slowly withdrew from the center
where the great throne laid. They knew from the beginning of the appearance
of the princess that they would not be allowed to stay. This was a private
moment which they were not allowed to oversee. It was not that the
information was confidential, but it was best to let the God and new entry
to Heaven to have their moment together without their annoying presence
shadowing their conversation. Turning to the 'Angel' the Joutei proclaimed,
"Do not cast down your eyes, young one.... for if you were not meant to be
here than you would not be standing before me now....."

Slowly the woman lifted her emeralds to the being, but her eyes betrayed
the feelings that burned within their ebony centers..... shame..... With a
voice dripping in guilt the lady asked, "But why am I here, my God?.... Why
do am I not burning in Hell for my sins?..... And why do the occupants of
this world not shun me?...."

"Those are very simple questions, young one...." came the voice that
swelled with power, "You are welcomed to this paradise because you repented
of your sins....."

The girl looked up at the being with a small hint of confusion, "Because I
repented I am allowed to enter through the golden gates of Heaven?....."

Nodding the being replied, "Yes, young one..... Your heart became
impure,.... but you confess your sins and repented from those dark ways
therefore you are a new person.... Reborn with a clean slate like some call
it.... All life other than myself makes mistakes,.... but only I can give
eternal forgiveness.... which I have given you.... thus I allowed you to
live your afterlife here.... in my presence....."

Glancing at the direction the angels had left the immortal continued, "The
souls here do not shun you, young one, because you have done a great deed
which in their eyes has washed away all your sins.... You have given your
life for your people....."

Tears sparking her emeralds the 'Angel' felt her world slowly come back
together. Joyfully the maiden of brunette locks replied, "I thank you for
your mercy....."

"You are welcome, young one," said the being as he sighed contently, "but
there is other things to discuss...."

Walking back to his throne the God sat on the gold chair that dazzled in
his light. As he grew comfortable on his personal seat the Heavenly King
said, "You might wish to sit.... for there is a great deal to tell....."

Listening to the lord's advice Hitomi went to sit on the ground of gold
bricks. Before she had gotten a chance to sit a cloud flew down from the
skies to offer its seat to the 'Angel'. The seeress smiled as she sat on a
fluff of swirling gold and white mist and listened to her God explain all
that was needed to be told. Staring across the land of Heaven as he watched
his children the being spoke with a deep voice, "My child, you wish to know
what has occurred in the last stretch of days....."

"Yes..." the girl said quietly as she laid comfortable on the golden tinted
cloud. The white mist swirled around her slim body conforming to the shape
of her figure comfortably. Staring up at the being the seeress's opened her
ears to the God awaiting the tale....


"After creating the world of Gaea and the occupants of the large globe I
watched my children with careful eyes. During the year of persecution of
your people the royal called on my name, but I told them until they
repented from their wicked ways would I finally bless them again with my
grace. No, I did not promise their powers for that was what started their
denial of me in the beginning. I did promise that I would forgive their
many sins if they would proclaimed my name and repented of their past
deeds.

Many years later Queen Rachelle called to me after the great creation and
asked me to forgive her people for what had happened in their history. I
showed mercy to the child and checked the Mystic Moon. I saw my people had
great remorse for their deeds and wanted to repent, but some still held
dark hearts..... so I could not grant her the wish..... I did however tell
the royal child that I promised for a day to come when the children of
angels would again be blessed to live in honor once more,..... but only
after several hundred years. Before that day would come a royal child would
be born on the foreign world and be extremely powerful...."

Hitomi couldn't help, but interrupt the story when she heard this last
sentence, "I am that royal you promised....."

"Yes...." proclaimed the Holy One with pride for the angel before him, "You
are the being I spoke of.... Once you were born the prophecy became
reality.... and slowly destiny began to unfold,..... but the demon of Hell
tried to intervene as he often tries to do to all my plans..... Your people
know him as Akuma... or the devil..."

The angel upon the cloud gasped at the name and sat up suddenly causing the
gold mist to shift with her body. Her pale face framed in silky locks of
mahogany coloration was consorted in a rage of emotions which were
extremely hard to decipher. With a surprised voice the seeress exclaimed,
"But Akuma was a gargoyle!!!!"

The being shook his head of light slightly, "No,.... the person you speak
of is not the same person I speak of.... The gargoyle was only named after
the dark demon because of the likeness he had to the true Akuma.....
Anyway..... Akuma darkened the heart of a man named Issac, also known as
Dorkink, and thus the man began to follow Akuma.... Fortunately he failed
because you intervened, young one,.... several years ago during the 'Great
War'....., but it was not the end of the fight..... Dorkink had two sons
and thus they took on the task of their father.... plus they did it for
revenge as you very well know...."

Bitterly the lady replied while looking down at the gleaming bricks, "All
too well...."

Glancing at the young woman before continuing the gold figure said, "After
you learned of your true destiny you followed me.... though you didn't
specifically understood you were following me, you still did.... for I am
can see into your heart.... and your heart was of a follower.... For the
people and for your kindness I decided to protect you..... Laying my hand
upon you I caused you to heal rapidly....."

The woman frowned as she stared up at her creator and asked, "But I did not
heal when I confronted Kusari..... Why was that?"

The being watched a pair of angels fly off into the horizon as he spoke,
"Your heart became dark like one of your sinful ancestors. I grew angry
with your change and I withdrew my hand from you.... and so your healing
process slowed tremendously....."

Turning to the seeress again the God replied, "However your heart became
pure again and you repented of your darkness by giving your life to your
people. That is why I will give you something I have given to a selective
few..... I will give you the gift of life....."

Before anything else could be said the girl had jumped off her cloud and
stood a little closer to the tall giant of golden light, "Are you saying I
can return?..... Return to Gaea?!"

The huge being smiled with a slow nod, "Yes, young one..... I have decided
to give you life again."

Hitomi felt like jumping up and down and flying in circles. She was going
back.... back to her friends.... her family,.... but most importantly to
him.... Tears streamed down her face as she felt newfound happiness
surround her. Sadly however the dance of joy was short-lived because the
golden figure said with a strong voice, "But be warned..... If you should
return I will take away my protection and you will live a life just like
any normal mortal...."

The beautiful maiden stared up at her creator a little confused. Why would
he want to do that?.... Knowing of her confusion the immortal proclaimed,
"I would give you it again, but I wish for you to live a normal life....
besides it is a small price to pay for your return, is it not?"

Smiling warmly at her heavenly father the woman replied, "It is a small
price to pay for my return.... Although I greatly enjoy being here, my
Lord.... I feel I have not finished my life back on my home world...."

Nodding the god chuckled, "I can understand..... I also warn you of
something though, young one...."

Turning eyes of sparkling emerald tears to the being the girl asked
quietly, "Yes, my lord?"

Watching the area of Heaven again like he had done for hundreds of
generations the God said, "If you return you will again be the 'Angel' and
the guardian of Gaea until your death."

Hitomi frowned at the ultimate being, "What do you mean guardian?"

The swirling golden form studied an area for several moments before turning
to his child and answering, "You will be the protector who will hold the
title beneath my own. There will be no other god other than myself, young
one, but you will hold great abilities of the strongest Draconians that
lived. It will take time to learn to use your powers, but you will use
them. I will always watch over Gaea, but you will be my personal aid to
protecting this world. To let you show all that you honored by your God..."

New tears of pride and honor filled the angel woman's eyes as she
whispered, "I would be most honored to take that position, my lord...."

Smiling the being replied, "I had a feeling you would be happy to take on
the duty of being the guardian...."

"Joutei.... I have a question....." the young seeress said timidly for she
felt incredible small compared to the immortal that sat before her....

Giving his daughter an encouraging smile the fiery form replied, "Speak thy
question, young one...."

Hitomi gave a small frown and forgot the question that had settled on her
conscious only to bring life to another one, "Why do you call me 'young
one'?...."

Sighing contently the god replied, "It is very simple, young one. I have
lived since the beginning and you have lived only for the tiniest fraction
of the years I have spent in existence.... You are the newest soul to enter
into the gates of Heaven and thus I have come to call you 'young one'....
Of course I name all newcomers by the name 'young one' for none can ever
have as many years as I...."

"Amazing...." the girl spoke with awe.... It was a wonder to learn all of
this information about life..... Suddenly the old question that had been
pushed aside to the back of the seeress's mind pushed forward to be heard.
With growing curiosity the lady asked, "Why did you show me those visions
that I saw during the past week of my mortal life?"

With such unimaginable knowledge the god spoke quietly, "Because.... a day
will come when you will have to interpret your visions that I send you...."

Hitomi frowned at this answer. It sounded as if some destiny laid out on
the horizon for her,.... but hadn't she completed her destiny?.....
Strange..... With a hint of confusion the girl asked, "May I ask what is
the day you speak of, my Lord?"

The fiery immortal stared at the young woman contemplating whether or not
he should give her the confidential information.... Most the information
for the last days had been hidden from her so she might not choose a
selfish path.... for if she knew that she was to die.... Would she still
have done it?.... If she knew her path was already chosen for her would she
had gladly accepted?.... Many consequences could have occurred differently
if she had only died for honor and glory.... That was why that knowledge
was never told....

After several moments the man of golden light decided it was best not to
talk of it yet, for that day would not be arriving soon and a few words
could change the future. It would be a number of months before the time
came for the 'Guardian of Gaea' to appear to protect the globe. Smiling
with fondness of his special child he knew what was to come after her
return to the mortal world. It was best to not let her mind be bothered by
these future matters and allow her to have a time of peaceful freedom. With
a gentle shake of his glowing head the god replied, "I cannot tell you of
this yet, but when the time is right I will appear to you again and than
you will know."

The woman wanted to protest against her Holy King, but a swift wave from a
glowing hand she withdrew from the idea. Slowly a light began to glow
behind the seeress showing their time together was up and that Hitomi was
to return. The light became a circle of gold electricity that sparked over
the center. Within the circle of golden light an image began to appear from
the darkness dwelling in the hole. The angel slowly turned once she felt
the power emerge behind her. Emerald eyes reflected the golden glow as her
orbs took in the sight. There within the circle of energy was the face of
her beloved. He had tears in his eyes and dust clung to his ebony bangs.
The fire that had swirled in his rubies was dim and she could tell from his
blank expression on his royal face that he was grieving for her.

Hitomi's pale fingers involuntary reached out for the image of her love.
Once the tips of her pale digits brushed against the image the picture
rippled like water disturbing the hansom sight of the figure for several
moments before the image became refocused. Silent tears sprang from the
girl's forest green depths as longing grew in a whisper, "Van....."

"My young one....." call Joutei disturbing the thoughts of the maiden.
Turning to the Draconian's god the woman did her best to listen to the
words spoken to her as her body desperately wanted to return. With a voice
that told that time was low the immortal said, "Once you return to the land
of the living there be a time of peace that will shadow over the globe. The
Draconian race will flourish tremendously. Economically and politically
speaking all will be well within their kingdom and along with foreign
cultures. Enjoy your time, young one.... for you will have this time of
peace to rejoin with your love ones and grow with your mate.... Use your
time wisely for peace never lasts forever.... Go.... and remember..... I am
always by your side....."

Before another word could be spoken power gripped the angel woman and
tossed her through the golden portal.... tossing her back to the mortal
realm....

Blackness again surround the seeress, but this time she found herself
healed and in a heavenly robe as she flew upwards..... The hurricane winds
tugged at her clothes and feathers and caused her hair to whip through the
darkness. The air was so powerful that she nearly had to close her eyes
against the wind. Several feathers were plucked from her glowing wings that
were her guide through the tunnel. The individual pearly objects of
softness floated back towards Heaven, but the seeress did not noticed....
for her mind was somewhere else.... As the rush of air roared in her ears
Hitomi felt something was missing.... like something had been left
behind....

The angel's eyes grew wide as a sudden thought flashed in her mind. With
all the power she had the maiden called out for the immortal god once more,
"JOUTEI!!!"

"Yes, young one?...." asked the presence in her pale ear showing he was
everywhere she went. All she needed was to whisper his name for he had
never left her side.... Hitomi's emeralds reflected a growing light in the
distance showing their time was limited.

Quickly the girl shouted over the roar of the air with the wind nearly
stealing her words from her lips, "What of my grandparents? Why are they
not returning with me to mortal realm?"

Smiling proudly at such a wise question the god replied, "I only allowed
beings that had been on the Mystic Moon on the time of its destruction to
return.... at least all those who were sent to heaven.... The ones who were
exiled to the fires of Hell will remain there for they do not deserve
another chance at life.... All who died before the destruction of your
foster home world must remain in the afterlife..... for it how it should
be.... In time young one you will understand my reasons for all,.... but
until then have faith in me....."

Nodding against the invisible force of wind the woman said with emotions
playing in her voice, "I have complete faith in you, Joutei.... and I thank
you for this chance of returning...."

The air whipped the girl's silky locks as the light grew bright just as the
immortal whispered, "Goodbye, young one.... Never forget I am always with
you...."

The light washed over the maiden's face and you could see a smile and tears
running over her pale face as she whispered back to her lord, "I'll never
forget.... goodbye, Joutei...."

With that final farewell the illumination took over the path of death and
consumed the soul retreating from the afterlife. In time that soul would
return and stay within the realm of the dead and live behind the golden
gates,.... but not today....
~End of Flashback~









~Okay I know this was a short chapter, but there was little I could put in
here. Sorry for this being late, but I was extremely busy the day before
and didn't get back from Pineville until really late so please understand.~
~Next chapter will be the final chapter of 'The Fate of Two Worlds'. It's
the epilogue, although that's not what I am going to call it. It should be
up Wed. Or Thurs.~
~Please review!~