Another Vision of Escaflowne

Another Vision of Escaflowne

Disclaimer: Usual disclaimers apply regarding Tenkuu no Escaflowne. The following is an Original Escaflowne fanfiction / fanart. The story, new characters and events are our own creation. Any resemblance with any other fanwork is purely coincidental.

Author : Celena

Editor: Bellsandy

Illustrator: Bellsandy

~~ Delight in the Experience : http://bellsandi.tripod.com/AVE/index.html ~~

~~ Immerse yourself in the Experience : here ~~

Episode II

The Irony

The clouds were slowly hiding the bright sun over Hitomi's high school. Although you still could see the azure of the sky, you could tell a shower would be falling before the night. As Amano and Yukari were stretched on the verdant grass of the schoolyard, Hitomi was sitting beside them, her back reposing on the trunk of a tree, eating her lunch while studying a textbook for one of her exams. She and Yukari had not spoken since that morning on the track, and Yukari was starting to become quite curious about what was on Hitomi's mind to have her be so joyful this day when she looked like a wreck the evening before.

"Hey Hitomi…." Yukari started, almost inaudible.

"I knew it!" exclaimed Hitomi with a grin, putting her book aside. "I knew you wouldn't last the day without asking me!!"

"Ask you what?" demanded Amano who had not yet heard of his beloved Yukari's and good friend Hitomi's morning together.

Hitomi started to laugh and added:

"You mean to tell me Yukari held her tongue this long without telling you?"

"Tell me what??" shrugged Amano a little annoyed and glaring at Yukari with questioning eyes. Yukari just smiled at him which made things worst and as he lifted his chest while laying on his elbows he shouted: "Will somebody tell me what's with you two?"

"It's okay, don't panic Amano." said Yukari, sitting up and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I just wasn't sure if Hitomi would want to talk about it, after last night, I didn't want to ruin things again…"

Amano cocked his head to the side and watched Hitomi questioningly. Hitomi smiled at him, and then at Yukari and reached for both their hands which obliged Amano to sit up as well.

"My good friends," she started "Thank you for last night…"

"Hitomi…" whispered Yukari.

"I…I needed that, I really did. The truth is, I was lying to myself. I believed that there was a possibility of sharing something… unique with Van but I was deceiving myself. He cares about me of course, but not in the same way."

Then she smiled. "It doesn't take a fortune-teller to see that."

"Hitomi… are you sure he doesn't feel the same?" asked Amano. "Why would he be coming to see you so often lately?"

"It's as I said yesterday." began Hitomi. "He has a lot of work, it's just too many duties for such a young and inexperienced King, he doesn't have time for anything other than his obligations, it's easy for us to think of each other and communicate while we're doing something else…"

"I still don't understand how you two do it…" remarked Yukari in amazement.

"It's not that hard… really, we focus our thoughts on each other, preferably at the same time, then we're together… either I'm there if I'm the one that wanted to see him first, or he appears to me here if he's the first to think of me. Although we don't travel physically, we still see each other, the one that summoned in the environment the other is in."

"Whoa, this stuff is too much." sulked Amano. "And you think a bond like that doesn't mean anything??"

"Well, I think that the power of Atlantis, as I spoke of this before, is very strong in my family and in his draconian bloodline… I really don't know why though, but I would think that that is what's keeping the bond living…"

"But didn't you once say that the power of Atlantis was the power of wishes and so both you and Van's wishes are keeping the link alive? Which would mean that it really is his wish, to be seeing you. Doesn't that mean anything?" questioned Yukari.

Hitomi opened her mouth to respond than closed it. She opened it again, and again closed it. "Stop tormenting me!" she scolded as she thought of no rational explanation and caught Yukari in a headlock and started to mess up her hair.

"Hey, cut it out!!" yelled an unlucky Yukari. "Amano! Save me!" she cried out laughing.

"Sorry, I'm not sure I should get involved in a chick's fight, I wouldn't want to get hurt or anything…" he responded.

"Oh is that so?" roared Yukari as she was escaping Hitomi's grasp. "Would you care to repeat that, if you dare?"

Hitomi giggled at the scene but did not interfere.

"Sorry again, I would rather not" answered Amano, his eyes closed and arms crossed. "Wouldn't be good for my health."

"I thought so…" added Yukari smiling, pinching him hard on the arm.

Amano's face turned blue but he resisted the envy to cry out.

"Anyway, I'm pretty sure that once things get into place in Fanelia, Van will be coming a lot less" frowned Hitomi, bringing the two sweethearts back to reality.

"Hitomi…" whispered Amano.

Then Hitomi plastered a giant smile on her face and added: "That's why I'm going to ask Van to reduce our meetings as of now. No need to have me keeping my hopes up for nothing, and besides, he shouldn't mind."

It was Yukari's turn to whisper Hitomi's name. "You're very brave Hitomi." she added for her friend to hear.

"I'll be okay, I've put a lot of thought into this and it's the right thing to do." replied a very convinced and by so convincing Hitomi.

"You know what's best Hitomi" added Amano. He was about to add something else but the school bell rung announcing the end of lunchtime.

The three friends waved good-bye to each other and separated for their afternoon classes. Hitomi was smiling brightly. The decision had been hard, but it was made, and she would live with it. She would not regret it as her track team captain had warned her. Her heart would be swollen for a time, but she would be alright. She believed in herself, and with her past experiences, she knew that was all that mattered.

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The day was going well for the people of Fanelia, the city was busy under the mellow sun's rays. At the castle, the new High General was inspecting his new army of Samurais at the King's request. He knew well the King's fears of war and understood that the last time Fanelia was celebrating, the county had burned to the ground. He could comprehend one's apprehension after working so hard in bringing every Fanelian subject together again. He recognized the King's need to feel his people and guests safe, even if the Great War was over and the Zaibach Empire dismantled.

"General Gushen." said a young but firm voice behind him.

"Milord." he responded, turning around and kneeling, instantly recognizing his King.

"You may rise General. Tell me the status of your troops." the King ordered.

Gushen obeyed and followed the King as he was walking by his newly assembled army. Hundreds of men were standing in rows with pride as their King was scrutinizing them. "They lack experience for most of them are pretty young, but their courage and strength should honor Fanelia greatly. Since there is no threat to Fanelia at this point, I am sure that the other Generals and I will have the time necessary to train them into fine combatants."

"I see…" the King turned and stared at his High General. Gushen reminded him very much of his once very trusted Balgus. Gushen was wise and well known throughout the land for his incredible victories against different opponents. Balgus had spoken of him once, saying it was disappointing not to have his dear friend by his side, to serve Fanelia's kingdom. Something about being too much alike to get along being continually side by side.

"Well done General, I am very pleased with this news, I am also very happy that immerse you accepted my offer and decided to honor Fanelia by agreeing to be it's army's High General." Van smiled sincerely and headed for the Royal gardens.

"The honor is mine My Lord." Gushen replied, bowing at his King's leave. As he watch him go, he thought of his past, the way King Goau had very much wanted him to join his forces. Balgus had once asked him, even before Van's birth, to join Fanelia, as he was to leave for an unknown period of time, but Gushen had refused. He was not ready to be rooted just yet. When the new young King had asked for his assistance two months ago, he felt the time had come to settle in the capital, and serve and protect the one Balgus had been so devotedly attached to.

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As Van entered the Gardens, he followed the small stoned path traversing the many different varieties of exotic flowers and plants. He didn't bother to halt at the sumptuous lagoon in the middle of the grounds. He continued his way through the sanctuary and passed by the shrine. Soon in front of him, was a small clearing, trees were surrounding it and their branches almost entirely screened the sky. A veil of vines covering an enormous statue rested at the far end of the miniature meadow.

Soundtrack : Original soundtrack one

Song : Eyes

He headed to his left and opened a low brass fence that was protecting a tremendous monument of stone with small steps on the front. He kneeled in front of it. On a column was engraved the names of his departed ancestors, including Van's respected father Goau, his beloved mother Varie and his missed brother Folken. The young King brought his hands together and began to pray. Sitting on his legs, he closed his eyes and meditated upon his lost family.

"Father, Mother, Brother, do you acknowledge what I have completed? Are you content with what the people of Fanelia has accomplished in such a short period? I am proud of our people. They are strong and love our country. We finally did it… Fanelia is grand once again, and I am presently putting and army together that will never fall against an enemy. I hope never to have to send our men to battle, but if it is necessary… Fanelia will never go through that again, never again."

Van bit his lower lip and opened his eyes.

"Mother, I am troubled with something, I don't know what to do, I've never been clever with matters of…" Van thought of the right choice of words and continued, "… the heart, and I note my lack in capacity of communicating with others when sentiments are involved… except with Merle who's been with me forever."

Van grinned and pursued his thoughts.

"I know she cares for me as deeply as I do for her, even if we never worded our feelings, I perceive they are true but… I don't know how… I just don't know how!"

Van looked up to the trees around him, waiting for an answer. A vision of Hitomi smiling suddenly hit him and it disappeared just as fast.

"Right" he said aloud.

Van brought his hands to his forehead, then to his lips and touched the large stone with the tip of his fingers before standing and turning to his right. Van approached the hidden shape and started to stroke away the many vines and leafs and revealed the knee of the giant structure. Promptly, Van had cleared the entire surface.

He backed away and observed the sleeping guardian. He held his breath as he put his gloved hand up to feel the smooth alloy.

"I'll ask her to tomorrow's ball."

Lifting his gaze to meet Escaflowne's, he suddenly remembered to breathe. "No! Not nervous at all!" he thought to himself grinning. "I've got to do this in person though…" he turned around and headed for the castle.

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It was the middle of the afternoon, Van knew Hitomi would finish her classes soon and she would be heading to the tracks for practice, he could meet with her there. Entering the castle, he met his chambermaid.

"Lyla, good, I must speak with you..."

"Your Highness," greeted Lyla, bowing.

"I will be absent this evening, important matters to attend to. Please give my apologies to Merle and the others. I shall be back before morning" he said quickly.

"My lord?!" questioned a perplexed Lyla, lifting her head.

"No questions, tell everyone not to worry," he retorted.

"As you wish," replied the maid.

Van smiled at her and left once again for the gardens. Being careful not to encounter Merle, he made it to the Lagoon without problems. At that point, the rest of the gardens were forbidden and reserved to the Royal house.

"Which basically means me…" thought Van sarcastically.

Arriving at Escaflowne, Van stood impressed by the magnificence of his melef. He surrounded the defender and reached his hand behind some leafs camouflaging a drag-energist. He glared at the rose stone and brought it up high above his head. He concentrated on Hitomi, her short honey colored hair, her sea green eyes, her fantastic smile, her devoted personality, and suddenly, a bright pillar of light enveloped him and took him off to the heavens, leaving nothing but a blue sparkling and glittering trail behind him.

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