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 IV

The Keeper

It was late, very late. Merle couldn't rest knowing her companion wasn't in the safety of the castle. She gazed at the clear Gaean sky and wished to the stars that he was alright. She pulled on her blanket, closing her eyes for the hundredth time, trying to get some sleep. She didn't see the string of light descending from the Mystic moon and into the royal gardens.

Her ears twitched and she reopened her eyes again, staring at the moons above. A muffled sound coming from the gardens charged her like electricity and she jolted up to her window. She could not see anyone but she knew he was back, she could feel him. She laid her blanket on her shoulder like a cape to protect her from the cool night and jumped down from her second floor window and agilely landed on the roofing of the first floor. She then hopped down to the solid ground and headed for the direction she had heard the cries.

She soon found Van, resting under the dark shades of a tree. Head down, he was sitting, his legs to his chest, his arms around them.

"Lord Van…" she whispered, tears coming to her eyes.

"What did she do to him?" she asked the cool night, approaching him carefully. Van made no movement and she put an arm around him. He was drenched from head to toe and she wondered if he had fallen in a lake or something. He whimpered in silence as Merle put her blanket over the dripping and cold frame of her friend. She put a paw on his hand and he manifested his thanks by holding it tightly.

Merle sat next to Van, put her other arm around his shoulders and rested her head against his arm, trying to see the face he hid between his knees. She sighed and held him close, giving him as much warmth her little body could give.

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A severe rain was falling and the city was silent under its fury. Everyone had gone inside for shelter and was waiting for the downpour to end before going anywhere and continuing with their day. A breeze was gradually rising and the shower was slowly turning into a storm.

Outside Hitomi's high school, every student had disappeared, either gone home or back in the school for refuge. There was only one student who remained in the schoolyard, on the track field, and she was much to dumbfounded to even feel the rain anymore…

" Ohmigosh!" exclaimed Yukari, once she had a good look at the boy in front of Hitomi. She and Amano were still standing under the school's roof.

"What?" asked Amano, trying to see across the rain the two last individuals standing in the middle of the track field, yards away.

"It's HIM!" responded Yukari, her heart skipping a beat.

Amano eyed his love. "Are you sure? How can you see anything trough this rain?"

"It's him alright…" said Yukari lightly, but what is he doing here?"

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"Van…" Hitomi stared at the boy in front of her not believing her eyes. He was at least an inch taller, surprisingly, since she had seen him only months earlier. His unruly coal black hair was drooping over his forehead and shoulders and small glittering drops of rain fell from his cheeks, over his swollen lips. Hundreds of thoughts, questions, hopes, bumped in her head, and she was not able to voice any of them.

It was the same for Van. She was finally in front of him, emerald eyes washing away his ruby ones with an expression he could not define. His words cowered into a deep silence, not knowing what to say and not wanting to trouble the charm. There they stood, both under the deluge, soaking wet, not able to do or say anything.

Surprisingly, Van was the first to smile and had almost to shout to be heard in the rain.

"Maybe we should get to a shelter or something…" he stopped dead in his sentence when Hitomi closed the gap between them and put her arms around his neck, resting her head to his, breathing in his intoxicating scent.

Van, still not used to this type of demonstration of affection, slowly brought his arms around her waist and held her close. Van blushed at the feel of her soft, curved body against his, but immediately broke their embrace when he felt her shivering against him.

"Let's get you somewhere dry." he said softly to her ears, still blushing as he felt the heat of her breath on his neck.

Hitomi wondered why he had said that, she wasn't cold. In fact, the air was warm and she felt like melting in his arms, but Van must had felt her body tremble when she had thought of leaving his arms and had mistook her longing for cold. Hitomi frowned, but surely it was better this way…

She grabbed her jogging suit and shoes and followed Van, wondering where he was taking her. Van didn't know himself. Their feet leading the way, they found themselves up at the shrine where Van had slayed the dragon months ago…They hid under its protection and stayed soundless, listening to the rain and thunder. Hitomi eventually grasped the fact that her cloths were entirely drenched, her white shirt clearly showing her bra and erected peaks underneath, her pink shorts were closely adhering to her butt and legs.

Hitomi blushed and crossed her arms over he breast. Van noticed nothing. Absorbed, he was gazing deeply into the rain, uncomfortable, not knowing where to begin. She put on her coat to cover her top and decided to dry of her shorts before putting on her pants. Van turned to her and smiled. He admired her for a long period before speaking, the sight of her beauty creating a void in his mind.

"I understand my feelings for her, but she didn't use to have this affect on me… what's going on?"

"Hitomi…" he began, "How have you been?" he watched her expression, trying to find a trace of solitude and sadness, which would bring him hope and courage to ask her what he had came for.

"Fine" she started, smiling brightly. "When I came back, I had a lot of work to do, with my school work and all…" she halted, her heart drumming under his intense gaze.

Van grinned, never acknowledging the effect he had on her.

"I'm sure you did really well" he replied, knowing Hitomi was smart and could achieve all she wished.

"What about you?" she asked, trying to delay as much as possible the discussion she had planned for them the night before.

"Things are really great for Fanelia." he replied. "Countries from all around came to lend a helping hand after you left, some brought supplies, some brought materials and tools… all the people of Fanelia soon came back and joined the rebuilding… I wish you could have been there…" he trailed off, looking away in the rain again.

Hitomi bit her lower lip. "Could it be? Does he miss me the same way I miss him?"

Van built up his determination and continued. "The construction went really well, and very rapidly too… actually, we're just about finished and the kingdom has organized festiv…"

Hitomi interrupted him when she heard the fantastic news about Fanelia's fast reconstruction.

"Van that's wonderful news!" she gasped, holding her hands together. "I knew it! I knew when I left that you were going to complete the building, I had no doubt that you were the best one for the job, I'm so proud of you!"

Van flushed hearing all Hitomi's praises. He knew he couldn't have done it alone.

"I was lucky to have the aid of the neighboring countries, and the people of Fanelia responded to my call when I announced through out Gaea the rebuilding of their countries capital… and Merle was a great support when things were getting tough… and there was you… you've always trusted me and it gave me great confidence…"

"Still Van, you have it in you. You're a young King, but you're a great one already." Hitomi stepped closer to him smiling and took his hand in hers, entwining her fingers to his.

Van glanced at their hands, wishing he could glue them together. They sat on the wooden floor of the temple and talked during the entire evening and most of the night. Hitomi thought of her parents once or twice but calculated that Amano and Yukari must have alerted them of Van's arrival. Her mother would not worry, she knew about Van and would probably be happy to know Hitomi was with him. Besides, she enjoyed the intimacy and didn't want to leave his side.

The storm was still strong and it was no time to go out. She preferred to stay with Van in the shrine, where they could talk as long as they wanted. She was apprehensive about the moment when she would have to tell him about her resolution, but tried not to think about it, concentrating on the present time and on Van.

Van was a wreck inside. He was so happy to be here, sitting next to Hitomi, still holding her hand. He had dreamed of this moment, and couldn't find anything else exciting to say than talk about Merle and Fanelia. Although Hitomi looked very interested (which she was), he tried to change the conversation in her direction and have her talk about her world and life. He admired the passion in her eyes when she described the final track meet she had won. Van tried his best to find a way to introduce the festivities and the ball so he could ask her, but couldn't. So they kept on talking and talking and after many hours, silence filled the air and they both concentrated on the weather. Van hated the uncomfortable silence and said the first thing coming to his mind.

"Anyway, at least now that the construction is done, I can get some work done for Fanelia and its people. I'll be busy putting together councils, sentinels for protection, healers, educators, I've been thinking of all I have to do and there is still so much work! I had no idea of all the duties a King could have!"

Hitomi's smile broke as she was reminded of what she had planned to tell him.

"Van…" she began, breaking away from him.

Van noticed her sad appearance and worried he had said something wrong.

"What is it Hitomi? You can tell me." he encouraged her, smiling faintly.

"Van, I'm glad things are going good for both of us, things seem to be falling into place…"

Van did not like AT ALL the tone she had and where the conversation was going, and he felt his heart pound in his chest but remained silent.

"I've been pretty busy myself these past weeks, and I'm in the middle of my final exams…" she turned her head away from him, pretending to be gazing at the rain, and summoned the courage to pursue. "I don't have much time to myself lately and I was thinking perhaps you'd like some free time of your own…"

Van closed his eyes, not wanting to believe what he was hearing. He managed to retain the tears that were now burning his eyes.

"How could this be?" he asked himself "I was so sure…"

Hitomi interrupted his thoughts as she had gained to guts to finish what she had started.

"Don't you think it would be a good idea to see each other a little less now that we know everything is alright? I mean, we both have our lives and it doesn't keep us from being good friends right?" she turned and watched for a reaction and got none. Van was standing, eyes closed, hands sealed into fists to his side, he wouldn't say a word.

"Van?" Hitomi asked, as she stood up herself, not sure of his sentiments to what she had just said.

"I… I have to agree that we both have our lives to live, and I wouldn't want to disturb you in anyway…" he slowly answered her, never opening his eyes.

"Oh Van! You don't disturb me! You could never disturb me!" she came closer to him but he backed away. "Van, please…"

"No, it's okay Hitomi" He looked up to her. "I came here to tell you… the same thing, guess you beat me to it." he added with a sad smile.

" Damn!" thought Hitomi, refraining her tears "and here I was hoping he had come for another reason…"

"Well, I'm glad we agree Van, don't you?" she answered ruefully.

Van hesitated to respond. His heart was burning, his head wanted to explode. The hurt was encircling him and he wanted it to go away. "What if I ask her anyway? What if she says no and it ruins our chances to at least be friends? Could I survive the rejection?"

"Van?" asked Hitomi, gazing at him with her large shining eyes.

"Yeah… right Hitomi, I'm glad too…" he couldn't bare to look at her anymore. His eyes wouldn't be able to hold his tears for much longer and he refused to let Hitomi see him cry. He turned his back to her and started walking into the rain.

"Wait Van! Where are you going?!" Hitomi questioned, scurrying behind him.

"I'll be heading back now…" he started to respond when a small, smooth hand gripped his arm, forcing him to turn to her. His tears were falling freely now but he knew Hitomi wouldn't see them in the storm.

"But why Van? Don't leave so soon, stay for a while, leave in the morning, or at least when the storm stops..." she tried to read his expression but the deluge and darkness made his face impossible to see.

"Please come back inside…" she pleaded "I don't want you to go, not yet!"

Van looked down at her, the streetlight behind him allowing him to treasure his sweet loves features for one last time in his mind. He brought his hands to his neck and slowly took off the pendant he had cherished all this time close to his heart.

"This is yours…" he said mournfully, placing the golden chain around Hitomi's head and letting the pendant settle on her own heart.

Hitomi's eyes had adjusted to the dark and she caught a glimpse of the jewel resting on her coat.

"Van… this… was for you…" she protested but the gloomy look in Vans eyes stopped her in her phrase and she looked down at her shoes, freeing tears she had been able to imprison till now.

The pendant shunned brightly and a pillar of pure blue light descended upon them. Hitomi clung to Vans shirt staring deeply into his eyes. She felt his body slowly lifting in the air but she refused to let go of him. Van stared back, his watery eyes were blazing in her own and she could see in his soul, his solitude, his grief, his hopes shattered by the one he loved so greatly.

Hitomi recognized the love he shared with her and swallowed hard the understanding of her mistake.

"He does love me, he does. This isn't a good-bye. He's leaving forever!"

"Van! Don't go! Please!" she yelled to him as her grip loosened and his body was hoisted away.

He looked down at her and closed his eyes, causing his tears to fall on her open face.

"NOOO!" shouted Hitomi as she watched him disappear in the sky, a glimmering trail washing over her head along with the rain.

Hitomi fell to her knees, desperately sobbing. Covering her face with her hands, she kicked herself mentally to have driven her first love away. She looked up to the sky and cried out his name, but it didn't bring him back. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her hysteria. She slowly lifted herself up and started to walk pathetically back to the shrine where she had left her jogging pants and shoes. The raining darkness around her suddenly became silent and the dark became black. The rain suddenly stopped and Hitomi lifted her head to see the sky. There was none. Her surroundings had disappeared in ink and she could not see an inch in front of her.

"Not now…" she thought as a vision of Van, fighting in Escaflowne appeared beside her. She turned to see the giant guardian combat a jet black Guymelef. The sounds of their swords clinging together made a hard sharp noise but Hitomi didn't seem to hear, as in a trance.

The Guymelef fighting Van had long silver-blue hair combed in a braid that could extend and be used as a whip. The melef used it to trip Escaflowne and the giant came crashing down next to Hitomi, causing her hair to fly from the gust the impact provoked. The swarthy Guymelef pointed its blade to Escaflowne's neck and ordered the King to surrender. Escaflowne's pilot hatched out of it, and glared at the victorious contestant with hatred and anger. The image vanished and a woman's voice called out to her.

"Why?" it asked.

"Who are you?" Hitomi asked back, looking around but seeing no one in the dusk.

"I begged of you not to…Why?" the voice gave as an answer.

"Begged me to not what?" demanded Hitomi, anguish finding her heart.

"My son needs you, you must fulfil your destinies together. You must not reject him…" the soft voice answered.

"Va…Varie?" exclaimed Hitomi, eyes wide as the winged shadow became visible to her. "What's going on?" Hitomi asked her, scrutinizing the image of Vans mother.

"Gaea's faith is yet to become, Hitomi. You are needed. Only the power of your wishes can deliver Gaea and my sons distress"

"Me? Why me?" Hitomi inquired, frowning "What's so special about me?!"

"You are the keeper."

"The keeper?"

Hitomi did not get an answer as another vision came to her, erasing Varie from her sight. Thousands of Draconians were burning, their yells and rotting fumes making her sick to her stomach. High over the dying bodies, up in the air, Escaflowne was in its dragon form with Van on its back. Gazing down, an evil grin of satisfaction lurked on his lips as he saw the Atlanteans flaming below.

Hitomi was abruptly thrown back in reality at the sound of a powerful thunderclap near by. She looked around puzzled, she was sitting in the middle of a puddle, outside the shrine. It was still raining and her pendant was radiating brightly in the night. She looked down at it and clutching it in her hands.

"Yes, take me to Gaea" she said aloud, closing her eyes. She soon was enveloped by light and she was swiftly taken away to the mystical land she missed considerably. Glitters came down as the rain stopped. The clouds rapidly dispersed in the sky, as if they had been waiting all along for this moment to end the soaked Earth's torment.

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