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 VI
Dreams, life, and destiny
Van woke up the next morning with his mouth dry. The well-lightened room was spinning around him and he felt the need to be sick. He stayed motionless, his back pinned to his still made bed. He had shoved his cape to the ground but was wearing his white shirt and royal blue pants from the previous evening. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the growing muscles of his torso. He brought an unsteady arm to his face, trying to hide his eyes from the midday sun. He remembered vaguely the events of the day before and grunted.
When the room slowed down its whirling, he slowly sat up on his bed. He moaned and immediately brought his hands to his head, brushing his hair with his fingers, vainly wishing it would brush away his nasty headache as well. He looked up at the window and realized the sun was high and warm. It was probably close to noon.
He fumbled to the bathing room, hoping he wouldn't get sick on the way. Approaching his bath, he took off his shirt and dropped his pants. He entered the water and almost cried out, holding back a shocked yell and sending water flying over the room as his leg splashed back out of the tub. The water was cold.
"Of course it's cold! It's been waiting for me for the past six hours!" he thought angrily, remembering that Lyla prepared it early every morning, at his request.
He thought about his alternatives. He really needed a bath, he smelled and felt awful. He could ask for another warm bath but he was way too stubborn to admit he had been drinking too much and had just gotten out of bed. He didn't want anyone to know. Therefore, he tried once more to enter the chilly water, more slowly than before. He grimaced when he bent down to sit. When he got accustomed to the temperature of the liquid, he brought his shoulders under the water, trying to relax. Goosebumps appeared all over his naked body and he decided to quicken his cleaning.
Rubbing himself harder than usual, recollections of the night before started invading his mind. He remembered dancing with Merle, talking with Lyle, drinking too much…but why? When he was all washed up, he hastily got out of the tub. He regretted it immediately. Feeling the nausea returning, he dashed to the urn resting on a large desk near the bathing room door and emptied his stomach. Van was surprised to feel a little better afterward. He wiped out his mouth and sat on the floor for a while.
When he felt steady enough to walk, he dressed with clean clothes and headed out the bathing room door and into his room. He considered his options and decided to go back to bed, not feeling too well. He cried out to his guards who were posted on the other side of the large double doors of his chambers. He brought his hand up to his head as he did so, his cry intensifying his pain. When the guards got to his bed, he was already laying in it. The bowed on one knee and awaited his orders.
"Send Marlin." he faintly said, not opening his eyes.
The two guards gave each other a worried look and headed out the door. A few minutes later, his Majesty's private Healer entered the room. He smiled as he rapidly recognized the smell of alcohol and hangover. He walked to the bed, not remembering that the young King had ever been drunk before.
"Nasty feeling isn't it?" he said softly, knowing the King must've had the worst headache.
"Make it go away…" Van ordered, weakly.
Marlin laughed and grinned. "I would if I could, but time is the only good remedy for the kind of sickness you're suffering from…"
Van's eyes slowly opened and he glared at the man in front of him.
"My Lord, I can give you this potion for you to breathe. It shall bring you sleep and it will help you recover from your headache."
The Healer took out a small bottle from one of his many pockets and took away the wrapping around it, bringing Van's head up with his hand under his neck. He advanced the bottle and when Van took one sniff from the thing, his head went limp and fell backwards in the healer's hand. Marlin brought the King's head back on the pillow and put the bottle away. He went to the windows and closed each curtain tightly.
He looked back at the young sleeping figure and smiled. Heading back to the doors, he noticed a piece of wood laying on the carpet next to the bed. He bent down slowly, his back not allowing a faster movement. He reached for the wood and took it in his hands. His brows knitted together and than lifted as he admired the traits of a beautiful young woman.
"I see…" he said aloud, gazing back at his King. He put the shadowgraph on the table next to the bed and left the room, leaving a sick Van to his dreams.
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The Healer closed the doors behind him and warned the guards that King Van was not to be disturbed. He then decided, since he was already on the right floor, to go and take a look at his new patient from yesterday: the sister of Allen Schezar, Knight Caeli. He neared the doors to her chambers and knocked softly. He heard a masculine voice answer him.
"Come in." It said through the door.
Marlin entered slowly and approached the bed. Celena was laying in it, her eyes wide open, not sleepy at all. Her tall, handsome brother was leaning against the window and watching with hard eyes the one who dared to interrupt his sister's convalescence. He smiled when he recognized the Healer and got to his feet, standing straight and welcoming him.
"Good morning to you two." Marlin smiled at them. They looked so much different yet so alike at the same time.
"Good morning." The siblings answered together.
"How are you feeling today?" he asked Celena, putting a hand on her forehead, feeling for any sign of fever that would indicate infection.
"Fine! That's what I was telling my brother actually!"
"Celena…" Allen started, but decided to stay quiet.
"Good… may I?" Marlin asked, unfolding the heavy sheets of the bed, uncovering her nightgown that reached her knees. He then lifted her gown upwards, revealing long soft legs. He scrutinized her bandages. Celena had been severely hit on the side of her stomach. She saw Allen's surprise as he noticed she had suffered from a similar injury he had, months ago in Fried.
"Perfect! No indication what so ever of infection or fever! You'll be recovering fast young Lady. Thanks to the King and your brother's quick reaction, you might not even bear a scar!" Marlin said, bringing her gown back down to her knees.
He lifted the sheets back to their original place and nodded his head to both of them before leaving the room.
Celena waited until he had closed the doors before looking back at her brother.
"See! I told you I was fine!" she smiled.
"Celena…" Allen came close to the bed and bent on his knees, taking her soft hand in his gloved one. He gazed at her deep blue eyes, her silver blond hair, and her gentle composure. "Please Celena, no more! I won't withstand living without you. Please promise you won't fight with anyone else but Gadeth or me. Please." Allen begged.
"Allen! You're depressing! I was perfectly fine until you got in my way! I could've beat the guy if you hadn't interfered!"
"Maybe. Even so, I do not wish to tempt an unhappy fate and lose you…again."
Celena frowned and sighed her resignation. She knew Allen had been alone for such a long time. She understood well his fears and agreed to his demands. Allen's face lit up and he reached for her soft cheek, caressing it a while before bringing his face close to hers, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before rising to his feet.
"Thank you Celena." he whispered. "I'll be off to see Van now, fetch for me if you need anything, you have two guards at your doors."
"Don't worry, Allen. I'll try to rest this afternoon." Celena answered smiling.
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Allen walked out of the room and gently closed the doors. He smiled at the guards and headed for Van's chambers. When he arrived he nodded to the huge men posted each side of the double doors to the King's chambers and moved his fist upward in a motion to knock on the door. The man standing on his left rose his arm and stopped Allen's in mid motion, with his strong hand.
"My apologies, Sir Allen, but the King is not to be disturbed."
Allen cocked a brow and asked the watchman why.
"It is the Royal Healer's instructions."
Allen's jaw dropped, hoping nothing too serious had happened to his friend. "I understand, but if you could only let me see him a second, just to make sure he doesn't need anything, I promise then to disappear…"
The guards looked at each other and then nodded negatively.
"We're sorry, Sir Allen. We must not disobey the Healer's orders."
Allen frowned but was pleased to see Van's Royal Army so devoted and obedient. He smiled to them and walked along the extended corridors, wondering what could possibly be wrong with his friend. When he turned the corner, the sight of the lovely chambermaid from the previous evening averted his thoughts.
She was gloriously leaning against one of the large windowsills, the afternoon sun glowing through her lustrous silver-blue hair. Her shirt followed the curves of her breast and her skirt seemed to float all around her. She was sweetly talking with Lyle, the man Allen had learned was the King's youngest advisor. He had met Lyle at the dining table the night before and had enjoyed his company. He smirked at the chance to be presented to the young lady and walked directly towards them.
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Van stirred in his large bed. His room was dark. The sun was high in the sky outside but the long verdant drapes of his windows and doors to his balcony prevented the shining rays from disturbing his slumber. He turned his head from side to side, his brows knitted together, his teeth clenched. He dreamed.
Soundtrack : A Girl in Gaea Movie Soundtrack
Song : Invasion of Torushina
He was running. Running as fast as he could through a field in Fanelia's valleys. It was night and he was wearing his combat armor, holding his sword tight in his hand. He was searching it, hunting it. He needed it. To become a man, to become King.
He had had trouble understanding the ritual as a child, but he was the only heir to the throne and despite his beliefs and convictions, he was going to make his father proud. He did not enjoy what he was to do, nor did he believe it was right. Killing dragons was cruel and was such a challenge to a young lad as himself. He wished with all his might that he could be liberated from such a fate.
It was at that moment that he felt his body becoming lighter, and as he saw the glow of it's eyes watching him from the dark obscurity, he felt himself being hoisted away in a brilliant blue light. He closed his eyes from the rush and when the feeling slowed down, he opened his eyes to feel his feet gently landing on the solid ground. When he turned to scrutinize the unfamiliar surroundings, he was thrown backwards by a female running into him. A woman probably his age, only wearing some kind of weird shirt and short, very short pants. He pushed her away, annoyed that he didn't know where he was, and that some commoner had touched his royal person.
Hitomi.
The images from the past rushed in his head and slowed down only as he felt the girl's hand on his face, slapping him hard for his arrogance.
"I was scared, really scared!" her soft but firm voice resonated in his ears. He looked down to the drag-energist he had obtained only minutes ago from his dragon slaying.
Hitomi.
The images rushed again, as he found himself fighting in Escaflowne, trying to save Fanelia from burning to the ground. She was there, the only one remaining, crying and caring for his country as much as he was.
Hitomi.
The images rushed once more, and he was on the Vione, Folken's floating Fortress. He had been captured trying to save her and Allen's men in the Crusade. He heard battling behind the door of his cell, and was surprised by the crew who had came to save him. He went to get Escaflowne in the hangar and as Dilandau lurked from the smoke behind him, her sweet voice called to him, warning him of the danger, saving his life once again as he turned to face Dilandau's blow.
Hitomi.
The images rushed again, he was speaking with his brother Folken, on a bridge in Asturia's Capital, Palas. She came running behind him, yelling his name. He turned as she pushed him back, sending both of them flying to the ground just in time to avoid a huge metal claw pointed on the spot where he was standing, causing an immense hole in the wooden bridge.
The feel of her, so close.
Her breath on his neck.
So close.
Hitomi.
The images rushed anew, this time he was going to save her. Geckos had kidnapped her in the palace of Asturia and he would find her no matter what. He jumped in Escaflowne and with Merle's help, quickly found their underwater vessel and tore the hatch open, unveiling her scared, but relieved face underneath.
Hitomi.
Soundtrack : A Girl in Gaea Movie Soundtrack
Song : Tree of Hearts
The images rushed once again, she was falling, falling in a fissure produced by Gaea's tremble. They had spotted a dragon graveyard and had decided to terminate Zaibach's plans for the drag-energists there. Feelings not felt in so long stirred up his chest. Fear and anxiety quickened his heartbeat and shivers covered his body. Without hesitation, he threw his shirt off and jumped from Escaflowne. He unfurled his resplendent milky wings for the first time in years and caught her extended hand with his gloved one. Relief filled his soul.
Hitomi.
The images rushed again. He felt his heart melt at the sight of her stare upon his wings. She…liked them. She said she thought of them as beautiful. He smiled. For the first time, in such a long time. A true smile, from the heart.
Hitomi.
The images rushed once more. The voice of the man echoed in his mind.
"The prisoner is dead!"
They had been imprisoned in Fried by its young ruler. She had been the first to be interrogated by Plactu. He felt the ice stream in his veins as he ran to the room where she was held. He could not lose her. He refused to lose her. Princess Millerna was trying to reanimate her but was tiring. He put his hands on her chest, concentrating on his own heartbeat. Live. Live. Live.
Hitomi.
The images rushed again, Back in Asturia. The burning. The hurt. The anger. The jealousy. Of course she would go for the other rather than him. The knight was handsome, had a way with women. He, how ever, did not. The kiss. The rain. The solitude. The feelings battled in his heart.
What was going on?
Why did it concern him so?
Who was she to him?
Hitomi.
The images rushed once more, Asturia again. Folken had joined the alliance. He was talking with her after her training, near the fountain. The hurt again, the doubts. The mistrust.
Why?
Why did he feel this way?
Hitomi.
The images rushed again, The emptiness. The isolation. He was laying on the roof of the windmill in Asturia, watching the moons in the sky. She had left, gone back to her world. He had only wanted to protect her, and she had left. He felt yearning. Need he never felt before.
What was it?
Why?
He cared…how much he wasn't sure, but he cared.
Hitomi.
The images rushed once again. The last battle. Protecting her was the only thing on his mind. Crush Zaibach. Save her. Sudden pain. Folken. Gone. Fighting against the enemy, he felt his brother's death ran over him and he cried.
"No. NNOOOOOOO!"
Then, her gentle voice calling to him. Summoning him to her. He felt the warm, caressing feeling of her cry and the need to fight faded away. He brought Escaflowne to flight mode and directed it towards her.
Hitomi.
The images rushed again. This time, he was holding her, in Fanelia. The war was over. She was leaving. Sadness and happiness dwelt his soul. Even so, things were clear now.
Thank you.
Hitomi.
The images rushed one more time, bringing him to a few nights ago. The look on her face as he was whisked away to his world, leaving her behind to her own world. She looked terrified.
Why?
It was her choice!
Why?
He felt her hard grip giving way to the pull of the blue pillar of light. For the first time, he remembered. Remembered her hard cry.
"NNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! VVAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!"
Darkness surrounded him. Van could see nothing now. He felt the coldness around him and put his hands into fists. Not a sound could be heard.
"Where am I?" he asked aloud.
"Vaaann". a very low, unrecognizable cry from far away barely reached his ears.
"Who said that??" Van scrutinized his surroundings but still could not see a thing.
"Van help me!" the voice said. Van identified it this time.
"Hitomi! Hitomi! Where are you??" he started walking in front of him but stopped, not seeing where he was going.
"I don't want to hurt you!" she shouted.
Van frowned, annoyed that he wasn't able to see her.
"Hitomi, keep..." he was cut off by the most frightful, dreadful scream he had ever heard, sending a quiver down his spine.
"VVVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNN!!!"
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Van sat up straight on his bed, his body dripping with sweat, his breathing hard as if he had run a thousand miles. He brought his shaky hand up to his forehead to wipe off the sweat that was coming down one of his brow.
"What was that?" he thought, already slightly forgetting the dream.
He turned his head to the night table and saw her shadowgraph.
"Hitomi!" Van shouted.
He sprang out of the bed and dashed to the double doors to the balcony. He nearly tore the doors open and walked outside. He fell to his knees as he stared at the moons. The sun was lower now in the horizon.
"Hitomi!" Van shouted "Hiiiitooommiiiiii, Please! Please don't deny me!" he yelled out.
He focused his mind on the Mystic Moon, on the one he loved living on it. She was not responding. She was ignoring his summoning.
"I won't give up on you." he said softly, closing his eyes shut, concentrating on her traits.
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"So dear brother… how did everything go?"
Shitarr grinned as he heard the familiar voice in his head. He was sitting in the Basram Royal carriage, rolling comfortably out of the Fanelian borders towards Basram. Four Basram sentinels escorted him. Each on large horses, riding on the four corners of the carriage. He was sitting neatly in the middle of the seat, watching distantly the scenery passing by them. He was not surprised to hear the telepathic call of his twin. He knew she would be eager to know how it went. Being obliged to stay behind, out of the fun, was always arduous for her. She needed action. She needed to move. She could never stay in place for very long.
"Fine, Kyara, perfectly fine. Lyle and Lyla are responding and it is only a matter of time before they speak with the dragon King." Shitarr sent her his message with his mind.
"I told you they would never agree to join us… They still believe they can fight destiny…pathetic." The feminine voice-thought replied.
"I know, but I wanted to give them a chance to cooperate willingly. Their fate seems to be to participate against their wills… too bad." Shitarr thought.
He heard her small laughter and grinned.
"You sentimental bastard!" She thought back.
"I know… I know, but now fate is under way, nothing will interrupt destiny's evolution. Nothing!"
Shitarr displayed a hateful smile and closed his eyes, lost in his thoughts of power and domination.
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Lyla was staring at the wooden floor as she was slowly pacing next to her brother. They were walking in one of the many corridors of the castle. The royal festivities were over and Lyle had been occupied the entire morning, helping the other members of the council in thanking and saluting the many guests as they left, one by one. The king was unexpectedly ill and could not do so himself. This was the first opportunity of the day she could talk with him about the past events concerning the Tomes. She shot side-glances to the tall man walking next to her. His features seemed tired. She could tell he hadn't slept at all, and the sophisticated and snobbish attitude he had had to adopt in front of all the royalty from the other countries had worn him out. Worst of all, he seemed preoccupied. Which meant what she suspected was probably taking place.
"Are you all right brother?" she asked softly, taking his strong hand in hers.
He looked down at her and smiled sweetly.
"Yes, Lyla, do not worry, I am exhausted from the past events, but the worst is yet to come…" his smile saddened.
"Lyle! What are we to do? How can we prevent this?" Lyla asked slightly alarmed.
"I wonder… We do not know enough to start worrying…Shitarr doesn't seem to have found any of the other Tomes either… Time has gone by since the last time I've seen him. His anger has only rooted more forcefully."
"I know, I felt it, too… He is so miserable!"
"Lyla…maybe we should speak with the King…"
She stopped abruptly and looked up into his deep sapphire eyes.
"NO! What if we trigger the wrong fate?! We should stay away from him and the seeress?! If we reunite them, it could mean the end of Gaea! Can't you see?"
"Lyla, I disagree…" Lyle started softly, gently stroking her long, curly hair.
"We knew the fates of the Ebony and Scarlet twins, it was written in the first tome and their destinies have occurred. But we know nothing of our fates in all this. The Silver and Ivory twins are involved in the Tomes of Augury but this does not necessarily mean we will bring Gaea to its doom."
"Oh, Come on, Lyle! You read the texts! If we participate in getting them together, we're tampering with the balance and we might open the gate!"
"Now we don't know that! Not until we read all of the four Tomes! And besides, I highly doubt we could even keep them apart!"
Lyla pouted. She knew Lyle was right. The dragon King and seeress from the Mystic Moon were destined to meet, and they had. They were destined to save each other, in more than one way, and they had… It was only a matter of time before…
"We must speak with the King." Lyle uttered, taking her from her thoughts.
"Oh Lyle…" she sang sadly, leaning against the windowsill. The sun shone through her silver-blue hair. Lyle stared at her fondly. She cared for this world, she was going to live up to her fate. She was strong.
"Lyla, I believe in us, and I believe in them."
"I do too… but I am apprehensive about what is to come, my mind is usually so clear, but lately fog has gathered and I wonder why…"
"Shitarr!" they hissed together, understanding that he had now much more power than they could imagine. He had probably been the one clouding their psychic powers.
"Lyle, promise me, that no matter what happens, you wont tell King Van about Varie, He is already too angry with our kind. We will also need to ponder what to say and what to keep from him until the time is right." Lyla pleaded, anguish in her voice.
Lyle frowned and acquiesced.
Lyla smiled, still unsure with their decision, but glad one was made. She looked over his shoulder and saw the tall blond man from before walking directly toward them. Watching his heavenly features and cerulean eyes brought a blush to her tanned cheeks.
Lyle knitted his brows at the sight of his sister and followed her gaze. He smiled and greeted the one approaching them.
"Sir Allen, nice to see you today. I noticed you didn't leave with most of the other guests this morning."
"The King and Queen of Asturia will be leaving the day after tomorrow, but I do not know if I will be accompanying them. My sister might not be ready to make the trip so we'll be staying for a while longer." the Knight Caeli answered, smiling back at him. He then looked down to Lyla and smiled the most captivating smile… in her opinion.
"Good day, Lady?" Allen said softly, taking her hand in his, bending and gently brushing her bare skin with his lips.
"Lyla, Lyla Nabear." she answered, blushing anew.
Lyle grinned at the sight. It had been ages since Lyla had responded to a man's advances, and there had been many man to cross her path. The knight gazed into her perplexing purple eyes, losing himself in their depths.
Lyle cleared his throat, purposefully breaking the charm.
"Lyla, I must go to the council and prepare our next gathering. I give you the rest of the afternoon off. Lord Van won't be needing you anyway." He then turned to Allen. "I am quite confident I can count on you to please my sister with your presence till dinner is served?"
Allen gaped, as he understood the relationship between the two, glad he wasn't in competition with Lyle. He smiled the widest white-toothed grin Lyla had ever seen.
"I should be able to entertain her till then…" he said smoothly, extending his arm towards the woman.
Lyla wasn't sure if she should be flattered or offended by the blond man's confidence. She slowly locked her arm in his and her apprehensions lifted at the sight of his smiling eyes.
"Perfect. See you then, Sir Allen!" Lyle nodded to both of them and left.
Allen turned to the beautiful maid holding his arm. "My name is Allen Schezar, Knight Caeli of Asturia." he declared.
"I know…" Lyla replied simply, smiling.
Allen smiled back.
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Merle begged Van's men guarding his chambers for quite a while before screaming at them and leaving.
"How could they refuse? Refuse me!" Merle sulked. "I gotta know what's wrong with Lord Van! He probably needs me!" she thought, genuinely believing herself. A smile crept to her face. "I have other ways… I'm a cat after all!"
She looked behind her and spotted the guards at the far end of the corridor, still standing in front of the king's room. They weren't looking in her direction so she quickly entered the room to her right. It was dark, but she knew it was a small bedroom.
She grinned at the thought. Small bedroom. Two enormous King size beds. Long, tall bedposts at each corner, reaching high towards the ceiling. The ceiling was at least 12 feet high and a large bronze chandelier hung loosely in the middle of the room. Two double door closets on one wall, one large dresser and one mirror on the other. There was a wooden door to an adjacent bathing room and large glass ones to the balcony. This was considered small. Merle smiled wickedly.
She advanced easily in the dark, her bright blue eyes having no trouble at all seeing in the gloomy chamber. She reached the doors to the balcony and opened them. The cool air of the night crept inside and a small breeze traveled through her pink, shoulder-length hair. She looked at the moons in the sky and breathed in the fresh air. She put one hand on the railing and looked towards Van's balcony. The glass doors were wide open, the dark curtains were waving a little in the draft. No light was burning. Perhaps he was asleep.
Three other balconies, each at about 15 feet from each other, separated Van's windows from hers. She smiled and jumped on the heavy stoned railing and sprang high in the air, softly landing on the next balcony, sending her short yellow dress flying. She did the same again with naturalness, as if it wasn't the first time she had snooped around and snuck into the King's chambers. She jumped one last time before setting foot on the large railing of Van's balcony. She gently slipped down from her perch and looked down at her oldest friend.
"Oh Lord Van…" she whispered softly, bending down on him.
Van was laying on the stone floor of his balcony, in almost fetal position. He had drifted to sleep, his pale face stained with his tears. His long arms were around his waist in an attempt to keep himself warm. He had not waken with Merle's arrival, did not even stir. She put a hand on his back and sighed, looking back at the twin moons in the sky.
"I don't even recognize him anymore!" she thought to herself, her own eyes watering. "Hitomi! Do something!"
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Merle saw the sun rise many times over Fanelia, its warmth increasing with every day passing by. It had been over a week now since Fanelia's festivities. Van wasn't feeling better. Merle sat on a bench near the widow of her room. She had no balcony, but a large window that overlooked the city. Her elbows were resting on the widow sill, her hands cupping her face. She was gazing into the distance, not watching anything in particular. Memories of the past day haunted her mind.
"What is it Lord Van?" she finally took it upon herself to ask. Obviously, he was not going to say anything on his own.
He had spent the past days brooding in his chambers, only coming out to eat and attend his meetings. His face was pale and indifferent. He had refused to see anyone, even her, which hurt her deeply. Allen had tried to talk to him and had been coldly pushed away. Allen also seemed hurt at first, but seemed to have figured out what was happening, for he did not argue further and appeared to understand him. Allen did not attempt to talk with Van again.
Well, she refused to give up on her friend. She had to know what was troubling him. Van hadn't been himself since that fateful night back on the Mystic Moon. She had to help him…somehow.
"I don't want to talk about it, Merle…" Van answered weakly. He had just come out of the conference room, out from an other boring meeting. He was hurrying back to his chambers, to his only retreat. Merle had been waiting for him outside, waiting for his meeting to end. She ran on all fours to keep up with his hasty pace.
"Lord Van! Lord Van, wait!! Please speak with me!"
"Merle…LEAVE ME ALONE!" Van spat out angrily.
Merle stopped dead in her tracks, tears filling her eyes. She watched Van's form leaving. She stayed there crying. Soon her sadness hit rock bottom, which caused it to be replaced with anger. She hurried to him on all fours, standing in front of him, her arms stretched out sideways in an effort to stop him. Van halted and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Merle! I'm warning you…" he did not finish his phrase as the loud sound of her hand colliding with his cheek echoed in his ears. He brought a hand to his reddening cheek, his eyes full of surprise as he, for the first time that week, took a good look at his friend.
She was sobbing in front of him, her hand still in the air. A moment passed before she could say anything. Van regained his composure.
"How dare you, Merle! I don't recognize you at all!" He stated, offended. She had never done anything like this before.
Merle's brows furrowed.
"You don't recognize me??" she managed through her sobs. "YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE ME???" She shouted.
Van took a step back, not used to seeing Merle's claws and fangs come out when she was with him.
"LORD VAN! What's with you?!" she inquired, trying to calm her cries.
"Merle, Leave me alone, I don't want to discuss it with you, not with anyone!" With that, Van carefully walked pass her, feeling moodier by the minute.
Merle turned to see him go. "Fine! Go to your hole! Go bury yourself in self-pity! I don't care! You want to be sad, FINE!" she screamed at him. When she noticed it had no effect on him she screamed again. "Let her go Lord Van! She's gone… GONE!"
Van ceased walking, his head coming down, and his chin almost against his chest. She saw his hands curl into fists. She calmed down and came closer to him. She lifted her hand to his shoulder, but stopped in mid air.
"Lord Van?" she questioned softly.
She heard him sigh deeply.
"I don't want to let her go Merle." he finally whispered.
"Lord Van… tell me what happened." she said softly, resting her hand on his shoulder now. She felt him quivering and her heart throbbed. He was suffering so much. She was ready to claw Hitomi to pieces for hurting her Lord Van in such a way, even if she was her friend.
They walked silently to Van's chambers. He did not look at the guards on each side of his doors as he slowly opened one. Merle stayed in the corridor, certain that Van wouldn't let her in. To her surprise, Van did not close the door behind him as he disappeared in his rooms. Merle's heart jumped in her chest. He was inviting her in! He was finally going to talk! At last! She was going to be able to help!
She entered the dark room cautiously. It was midday but his heavy curtains were closed, casting a depressing atmosphere over the place. She spotted Van laying on his bed, on top of his covers. She glided to him, not wanting him to tire of her before she could get started on helping him.
"Lord Van…" she inquired, after several minutes of silence.
And then it all came out. The desire to see her again, the track field, the thunderstorm, their closeness at one time, the distance. What he had intended to do, why he had gone. The way she had welcomed him, the way she had rejected him. The nightmares, coming and going every night since that fateful night with her. And the way he was trying hard to contact her every minute he had alone, without succeeding.
"She's not responding. She's refusing to answer me… I don't get it. I just don't get it!" Van concluded.
"And you really think she called out to you when you left her?" Merle asked, haltingly, emotion blocking her voice in her throat.
"Yes. Every night I hear it louder and clearer. She called out my name when I left, almost as if…. Almost as if she had had a change of heart…about us."
Merle thought of what she was going to say next. It was going to be painful for him, especially coming from her.
"Maybe Lord Van, just maybe, your mind has imagined this to help you deal with the hurt… Maybe in order to give you false hope so you can feel better…"
Van, who had been staring at the ceiling the whole time, met her gaze and briefly smiled.
"I don't think so Merle…. I know I heard right."
"If that were so… she would be responding Lord Van… She's not…"
Van let out a sharp pained breath. "I know, I know! That's why I don't understand…."
Merle's thoughts were disturbed as a small bird came down and landed on her windowsill, jumping lightly towards her left elbow. She looked down at it and licked her lips.
"Better not stay here little one…" she said softly to it, causing the bird to fly away. She watched it go, leaping over the city, heading far far away over the canyon's valley…
Merle felt a hand on her shoulder. She yelped and swiftly turned around, claws instinctively reaching out for the intruder. Her paws met with a familiar red shirt. Her gaze reached a smiling Van' face.
"Lord Van? How did you get here? I mean… How come I didn't hear you enter??"
Van smirked. "You seemed lost in your thoughts Merle, and I came in very quietly…" he said sheepishly.
"Well, I'm glad you're here, Lord Van… You seem to be feeling better." she said, noticing that the dark bags under his eyes had decreased since the day before, showing he had finally slept.
"I am feeling better, thank you." he replied, exhibiting his white-toothed grin.
This brought a smile to Merle's face. She was happy he was trying to cope with his loss. She recognized the signs. The same from when he had lost his father, his brother, then his mother, and now Hitomi. He was acting like Van again. Strong.
She didn't need to ask him. She knew what he was thinking this time. Instead of sulking, he had decided to move on. Not forget, and perhaps, still try to understand. But he was going to put his energy in Fanelia, taking his mind off his worries. The same way he had dealt with her departure the last time. And she was going to help him deal with it, too. She knew just how.
"Lord Van, I was thinking of going riding. Would you like to come? The weather is warm… We could bring lunch and perhaps have a picnic."
"I wish I could, Merle, but Lyle has called a meeting with me and says it's very important. I was going there when I saw you sitting on the bench from your open bedroom door…"
"It's okay, Lord Van!" Merle answered, glad he was at least keeping himself busy. "Maybe later!" she added.
Van smiled to her and agreed.
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Van entered the conference room and was surprised to see the room entirely empty. Only Lyle was standing next to the window. His tall square back was turned to him. You could admire the long, silver-violet braid journeying down his back to his waist. Lyle turned and brushed away a long straight hair that reached his chin, only to have it fall back to it's original place. Van smiled to him and turned his gaze to the round table and was even more surprised to see his chambermaid Lyla comfortably sitting in one of the cushioned chairs.
"What is the meaning of this?" Van asked, looking back at Lyle and pointing towards Lyla. Although he didn't particularly care, maids and servants were not allowed to sit where the royalty and high figures usually did.
"We needed to talk to you in private, my Lord," Lyle answered smoothly.
"Am I to understand there is no council meeting then?" Van inquired.
"There will be one, in about half an hour, but we must inform you of something first." Lyla's sweet voice echoed in the large room.
Van raised an eyebrow and looked from one to the other, questioningly.
"Do you recall a man from Basram speaking of the Tomes of Augury the night of the ball?" Lyle carefully asked.
Van flinched. That was one night he absolutely wished to forget.
"Yes, that is one of the few memories I still have of the evening." he answered blushing, realizing that he may have had said too much and that they would find out about him being drunk that evening. But they did not catch on, for Lyla continued.
"There are many tales and legends about the four Tomes, recounting Atlantis's story."
"Gaea knows of the story of Atlantis. The treasure sword of Fried tells the story quit vividly, if my memory serves me well." Van turned his gaze to the side as recollections of his adventures with Allen and his crew, with Hitomi and Merle invaded his mind.
"It is true, your Highness, that the treasure sword, when used, projects Atlantean writing and explains the horrors the people of Atlantis went through…" started Lyla.
"But it is only one point of view…" finished Lyle.
"The treasure sword showed us what the ancients wanted Gaea to learn in an attempt to prevent a similar fate for this planet." Lyla continued.
"But some Atlanteans, still blinded by lust and power, recorded precise instructions in a hand written manuscript on how to revive the power of Atlantis and the Draconians from ashes." Lyle said.
"The manuscript was hand written to make sure that the elders of Atlantis would not feel any magic used in the making of other legacies, like they used on the treasure sword. The Atlanteans wished peace for Gaea, wished that their errors and fate would never repeat themselves. If they had known that someone was trying to reanimate such pain and destiny, they would have stopped them immediately. Someone realized that by using old forms of communication, writing and reading, they could pass on the way to accomplish their rebirth on Gaea without anyone knowing…" Lyla continued.
"Through the Tomes of Augury." Van concluded, pulling up a chair and sitting at the large wooded table.
"Yes." Lyle agreed.
"The legends say that the manuscript was sent to Gaea when Atlantis vanished from existence. It was sent with the power of one's will, as was all that was sent and created on Gaea. Protected by sorcery, the book was indestructible. When the Atlanteans found out about the book, they had only enough time and power to divide the volume in four, sealing its contents and sending them to the four corners of the planet. Sacrificing themselves, the ones known as the Ebony and Scarlet twins swore to hide away the Tomes and protect them as long as they would live." Lyle added.
"Legends also say that the four Tomes separately will do no harm. All four Tomes must be reunited in order to understand their meaning completely. But we have been recently perceiving a dark force which is searching for this power and we already know that the time for the rebirth is near. It is said that when the two moons meet and unite, if the elements are in place, there is nothing to stop Atlantis's horrible fate from happening on Gaea.
"What do you mean when the Moons unite? And how do you know all this??" the King questioned, amazed by their knowledge of history.
"When Gaea was born, millennia ago, the moons were on each end of the sky. Through the centuries, they have come closer, and now you can see them touching, the Mystic Moon almost completely hiding behind the other. Their speed seems to be exponential. The closer they get to each other, the more forceful their attraction is and their speed accelerated. When the Mystic Moon is hidden directly behind the smaller, it will be possible to initiate the ceremony of redemption." Lyle answered the first question.
"Lord Van, when we first met, we told you we were from a distant country, raised by monks. Do you remember?" Lyla asked.
Van simply nodded.
"We were raised by an occult clergy, along with other children who had lost their parents. We have decided to become, as our mentors, priest and priestess. We wished to be the best and we were, by far, the best students and we were honored by being introduced to more powerful magic. Our mentor entrusted us with the most mystical magic even he could not master. We, on the contrary, did easily. With that, we were given access to an infinite knowledge in the many libraries of the mansion. The down part of this story is that there were two others who were just as good as us, if not better. They followed the same path we did, and when they were given access to the libraries, they somehow found out about the Tomes of Augury." Lyla explained.
"We all knew that the power of our wishes was very strong. Shitarr and his sister Kyara used it with eyes and hearts blinded with wild anger and need for revenge for the awful past they had experienced before coming to the mansion. They left the mansion in search of the Tomes, and they found the first." Lyle added.
"WHAT?" Van jumped from his chair. "You mean to tell me that THAT man, who was sitting at MY table, is plotting the end of Gaea?"
Lyla and Lyla looked at each other with saddened expressions.
"When we heard of this, we decided to leave the mansion and find the two to try to talk them out of their horrible plans. When we found them, they showed us the first Tome. They tricked us into helping them translate the Atlantean writing, saying that they would try and find a way do destroy the Tomes, that with the power of our wishes combined, we could do it." Lyle sighed.
"We were naive back then…" Lyla whispered softly.
"So what did you learn?" asked Van, anticipation clearly showing in his voice.
"It is a long and fastidious work to translate and understanding its meaning was not easy. We believe that the message in the first Tome shows us the different elements that must be put in place in order for the ceremony to take place." stated Lyle.
"It is said that two keepers, one who is the last of his clan, the other a seeress from afar, will unveil the gate to the power, using the key. The guardian of the power is needed for the ceremony to work, for he will unleash the power. It is also said that the three will be led by four Guides known as the Silver and Ivory twins." explained Lyla.
"We figured out that the last of his clan is you, Lord Van. Knowing of your origins, it is easy to understand, and it would be rather logical that a Draconian is given the power to reawaken his ancestors' power." said Lyle.
"The seeress from afar, we understood only recently, is the girl from the Mystic Moon, the one you called Hitomi. The power of Atlantis is strong in her and she has come to Gaea to fulfil her destiny with you." Lyla proceeded.
"But she left! She went home months ago!" Van gasped "How could she be the one? She's not on Gaea anymore!"
"That is the fate of the Guides, to reunite the elements for the ceremony to take place…" Lyla answered.
"And who are these Guides?" Van demanded, anger now slowly filling his voice.
Lyle looked down to his sister who was still sitting neatly on one of the chairs on the other side of the table. She looked back at him in silence. Van felt as if they were communicating in a nonverbal way, wondering when they would respond.
"Well?" he demanded, losing patience.
"When we learned our heritage, our fate, we decided to come to Fanelia to prevent it, but it seems destiny has many ways of influencing our ways… We meant to protect the second Tome, following the footsteps of the Ebony twins, but it seems no one can escape their destiny…" Lyla softly declared.
"YOU??" Van uttered "You are the Guides???"
"The Sliver twins that are said to guide the elements, but we are not alone… The Ivory twins, Shitarr and his sister Kyara as well…" Lyle said affirmatively.
Van fell back on his chair. Lyle and Lyla's story had begun as some distant dream, but now, he was forced to acknowledge that the facts were getting close to him, to his world, and that perhaps he would be obliged to do something about it. He could not ignore the problem.
"So what are you going to do? Hitomi is on her planet, far away. If you want the ceremony to take place, she'll have to be here. Are you going up there to bring her here?" he asked, wondering how they were going to bring Hitomi, against her will, to Gaea.
"We do not want for the ceremony to take place!" Lyle answered shocked.
"We do not want to wake the power of Atlantis! In fact, if the girl from the Mystic Moon could stay as far as possible from you, it would be wonderful! It would be the best way to stop doom from coming down on Gaea…" Lyle added.
Van displayed a worried look, then hesitation, and then anger.
"You're suggesting I never see Hitomi again." he stated angrily.
"My Lord, we understand what you feel for her, but your union would bring disaster to the planet… As long as she is on her own planet, Gaea is safe." Lyla said softly.
Lyle crossed his arms to his chest and added: "I wouldn't be worried about not seeing her again. The Ivory twins wish for this gathering with all their might and will be sure to bring the girl to you…"
Van opened his eyes wide. "How?" he asked.
Lyle shrugged. It was not important.
"King Van, we need to find out about the other elements: the key, the guardian, the place where the ceremony must take place and what the ceremony is to be. We need to discover all that to make sure to take as many elements away from Shitarr and Kyara as possible. We must prevent the horrors of Atlantis from happening on Gaea. We must!"
Van suddenly felt doubtful of Lyle. He had trusted him from the moment they had met, but did not know what to do now. What if Lyle and Lyla were to use the information HE would help them to attain to revive the power of Atlantis? The twins seemed to read his mind as they both warmly smiled to him.
"You must not fear us, My Lord. In fact, we have as much apprehension as you do for what is to come. But we must absolutely stop Shitarr and Kyara. Gaea's future depends on us."
Van shuttered. Not again.
"So now I know why you two showed up and demanded asylum in Fanelia…"
"Lord Van, the council will be arriving any minute now… I must leave, and you have to decided on what to inform them and what actions should be taken…" Lyla said rising from her seat.
Van rose as well. Lyla bowed and shot a look at her brother before leaving the conference room. Van turned to the window and Lyle awaited his orders.
"I am very confused Lyle. I have many questions still to ask you…" Van paused when he heard one of his advisors entering the room. The old man curtsied and took his seat around the table. He was soon joined by other members slowly entering the room, softly chatting among themselves, wondering what this unusual meeting was going to be about.
Lyle did not take his gaze off the King as he saluted all who entered his conference room. When the King looked back at him he answered him with his mind. He did not have to hide that power from his Majesty anymore.
"All in due time my Lord, all in due time. Have faith, we shall be victorious."
Van was stunned to hear Lyle's voice in his head, but figured there were going to be many surprises ahead.
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