Now silly me figured out how to do notes *is very dense at times -_-' * heh. Anyways dancegoddess I am very sure a few chapters will come out before six months is up hee hee ^.^ I'm on a role tee hee.
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--Hearts of Ice-
--Chapter 4: Mysterious Belongings-
"What's going on?" Milerna shouted at the two slumped against the wall. At a quick glance one would have reacted in the way she did. Milerna tore across the control room and grabbed Allen around the waist and pulled him up. Through her fit of rage she didn't realise that Allen was now unconscious and too heavy for her as his body slumped to the floor besides the shaking Hitomi. Milerna stared at Hitomi who looked a little worse for wear. She was staring at the floor her eyes wide and her arms wrapped over her shoulders as her bottom lip trembled slightly. The sound of feet pattering up the step ladder followed by a head appearing in the gap in the floor followed by another. Merle ran past Yukari and bounded to Hitomi's side. She looked at the unconscious Allen to Hitomi's side and the worried Milerna tending to him. Yukari ran to Hitomi and put her hands on her shoulders and shook her.
"Hitomi…Hitomi can you hear me? Hitomi…" Hitomi's eyes began to water slightly as her lips moved slowly but no sound emerged. Merle watched Hitomi's lips as they moved again. Slowly she watched the silent words then Hitomi's head bowed and her eyes closed as her body became loose as she slipped into unconsciousness. Merle's eyes were wide as she stared at Hitomi. Yukari checked Hitomi's pulse then shook her head.
"She's out cold…" Yukari looked at Merle whose eyes had began to water and were fixed upon Hitomi. She moved one hand to Hitomi's face and wiped a tear from her cheek. Yukari watched her silently as Milerna raised her head and looked to Merle. Merle bowed her head.
"Van-sama…" Merle wiped her eyes. "…he can't be…he's…he's dead…" Merle wept into her hands as Yukari sat watching Milerna walked to her and placed a hand on her back. Yukari didn't feel it was her place to question and got to her feet. She walked to the stepladders and took one look back at Merle and Milerna then slowly headed down into the lower deck.
She took a deep breath then shook her head.
"Poor Merle…" She looked up the stepladder as she heard Merle's weeps muffle as she cried in Milerna's arms. She bowed her head then walked down the creaky corridor. She wondered what had happened up there and what all that white light was. Yukari continued to walk through the corridors hoping she could find the exit of the caravan only she was getting increasingly lost. She opened doors and peered into the empty rooms, small draughty bedrooms, small storage rooms, dinning rooms… She continued to walk when she heard a small noise coming from one of the rooms. She felt an urge to investigate in the hopes of finding her way either off the caravan or to the control room again. She listened on the door of each room down the corridor for the sound. It was a muffled clinking noise and a slight creak of wood as though someone was walking around. Yukari stopped at one door and took a deep breath before silently opening the door. Her eyes on the floor she saw the wooden flooring with wooden shavings spread around. She slowly looked up as she laid her eyes on a small bedroom, which was covered in sculptures of strange dragon like creatures. The sculptures were very distorted and some bared blood upon the surface. The room had an eerie feel to it as she looked around it slowly. She looked towards the sound of the noise and found some red armour by the foot of the bed. She heard some scraping and looked further up the empty bed. Wood shavings were scattered all along it and by the window at the end of the room she found the source of the noise. A tall, quite skinny man stood in the window scraping away at a piece of wood. Yukari watched the man as he carved away at the wood, the wind from the outside blowing his hair slightly. He wore a white vest and loose black trousers. Yukari stepped into the room a little more tilting her head slightly as she wondered who it was. She took one step too far as the floorboards beneath her creaked loudly. She looked to her foot then felt an arm wrap firmly around her waist from behind and a sword held to her neck. Looking at the window she realised the man who was there was now threatening to kill her. She was speechless as she heard a familiar voice speak into her ear coldly.
"What do you think you are doing here?" Yukari stuttered out of fear as she searched for the right words to say.
"I um…I was looking for the exit and…well I got lost…" There was silence for a moment as her words lingered.
"You shouldn't leave this caravan alone, we are not in your world anymore…this is not a safe place…" She could feel him smirk behind her as he loosened his grip on her. He pulled the knife from her neck then pushed her to the floor. He walked around her then sat on the bed and leaned against the wall. Yukari rubbed her neck then slowly got to her feet. She looked at the man through squinted eyes then realised who he was. Dilandau…of course. She wondered why it took her so long to realise it. He looked much kinder now he looked more relaxed she had a very strange feeling he liked to be on his own. She walked to one of the statues and picked it up, she ran her finger over the dragon like figures twisted wings. She watched him out the corner of her eye as she saw him watching her finger run over the statue. She smiled then put it down and leaned against the wall looking at him. His face remained fixed on the statue as Yukari watched him. She kneeled down to the height of the statue and watched as his eyes slowly met hers. He scowled at her then looked away.
"Why don't you get lost? Your not wanted here!" Yukari smirked and walked across to him innocently.
"Oooo I don't know about that…" She plonked herself next to him and smiled as she kicked her feet out then looked at him. He scowled at her and pointed at the door.
"LEAVE!!" Yukari's eyes widened as he glared at her. She bowed hr head and nodded.
"I can see I'm not wanted here then…" She sniffled and rubbed her nose as she got to her feet and slowly walked to the door. She turned round to look at him as he glared harder at her. She looked at the nearby statue grabbed it and ran out the door slamming it behind her. Dilandau leapt to his feet and stormed after her.
"Why you little!!" He stormed through the door and started in the direction she had gone in and SMACK! Dilandau's face had met the floor very hard and to his side a giggling Yukari. Dilandau smacked his hand onto the floor and pushed himself up. His cold eyes glared at her. Yukari smiled back to him and held out his statue.
"Its very beautiful…" Dilandau knocked the statue from her hands and pinned her against the wall as he held a dagger to her neck again. Yukari just smiled to him as he pushed the cool blade firmly against her neck. His eyes pierced through her yet she kept her smile. She kept her eyes in contact with his all the time as she smiled kindly too him. He slowly began to loosen his grip as he kept his eyes in contact with hers.
"I should kill you…" Yukari watched his eyes carefully and smiled more.
"But you can't…right?" Dilandau backed away from her and walked to the statue. He put his dagger away and picked the statue up.
"You know your quite brave…for a girl that is…" He got to his feet with the statue in his arms. He headed back to his room and as he passed her he looked at her.
"Wait here…I'll take you back to the control room…they'll be wondering where you've gotten too don't want to give them the wrong idea now…" He smirked as his evil glare returned. She watched him disappear into his room. A few shuffling noises could be heard from inside then he emerged. He was slipping on a small red over coat over his white vest. Yukari smiled as she stood away from the wall and waited for him to lead the way. He looked at her with cold eyes and walked in the direction back to the control room his hands in his pockets. Yukari followed him closely as she inspected their surroundings.
"You sure like to make those strange statues don't you?" Yukari had to break the silence. Dilandau continued to walk as though he hadn't heard her. She sighed and looked to the floor as she walked. Dilandau then looked ahead and stopped in his tracks. Yukari nearly bumped into him and looked up to see what was wrong. He was standing side wards on, his head bowed in her direction. She titled her head slightly wondering what he was thinking.
"I don't make them…" He opened his eyes slowly. "I mutilate them…" He glanced at her and smirked as he got the reaction he knew he would get. Yukari was in slight shock at his disgusting nature. Her face widened as she held her hand to her mouth. He watched her, smirking at her reaction. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"What do you do that for?!!" She half shouted at him as she stamped her foot and looked sternly at him clenching her fists. His eyes widened only slightly as he again smirked and lifted his head up and closed his eyes placing one hand on his hip.
"Well it gets my anger out that's for sure." He opened his eyes gave her a brief look then continued walking. She stood staring at him for a moment then hurried after him. She wondered, why would someone mutilate a statue? There was silence as the two walked which Yukari hated especially with so many questions running round her head.
"Where did they come from?" He stopped again and turned to look at her slowly.
"What's with all the questions?" Yukari shrugged.
"I'm just curious…besides they are nice statues." Dilandau sighed and turned his back on her continuing to walk. Silence fell upon the two again as they walked.
"I found them, a while back now, in a small forest to the west of here…" Yukari was slightly taken a back by the fact that he had spoken to her something that made sense.
"They were part of a movement, each one has a significance." He stopped again but only turned his head to one side.
"Do you know why you are here?" Yukari stood still holding her hands against her chest and shook her head. Dilandau faced forwards again and bowed his head.
"I see…well…have you noticed anything strange recently ignoring all that has happened since we found you?" Yukari stood in silence as she looked at the floor. She shook her head and looked to him.
"I don't know what you mean…" He nodded then continued to walk. She followed him now in complete silence. Her head bowed and watching his feet as they moved back and forth. It was not long till they reached the stepladders to the control room. Dilandau climbed up first then leaned against the nearest wall, as he looked Milerna and Merle. Milerna was now calmly talking to Merle in a low voice as Merle was nodding and had calmed down. Yukari made her way into the room and looked over at them. She smiled then stepped to them.
"Is…is everything alright?" Merle jumped a little quite startled as she had not heard them arrive, nodding slightly she gave Yukari a smile. Milerna smiled a little then looked over at Dilandau who was standing in the shadows of the room. She got to her feet and keeping her eyes on Dilandau leaned to Yukari.
"Where did you two disappear to?" Yukari looked at her and then at Dilandau.
"I got lost…" She bowed her head a little "I thought it were best to leave you and Merle alone so you could talk and well I got lost." She smiled to Milerna as she turned her back and walked to Hitomi's still unconscious body. She now was lying flat down with a small cushion for her head and a very tatty blanket over her. Yukari kneeled beside her and took her hand.
"Poor Hitomi…" Merle sat besides Yukari and looked at Hitomi as well. Milerna however still had her eyes on Dilandau. She was not totally convinced about Yukari's story regardless of it being the truth. She knew something that Yukari didn't and she made a bet with herself that Dilandau knew what she knew as well. Merle had begun to explain how she had met Van and about their lives, and when Hitomi first arrived. Milerna walked towards Dilandau who was glaring at the floor. She slipped into the shadows beside him and looked at him sternly.
"What happened down there, Dilandau?" He kept his eyes on the floor and dug his hands into his pockets as he thinned his eyes out.
"She was lost! I brought her back here because she invaded my privacy!" Milerna could sense the anger in his voice even though he kept his voice low. Milerna leaned against the wall as well and looked over at Yukari and Merle as the both were deep in conversation.
"Did she see them?"
"See what?!"
"Your little collection?" Dilandau closed his eyes and smirked a little.
"What does it matter if she did?" Milerna's look strengthened as she glared at him.
"Did she touch them?" Dilandau's smirk grew as he slowly opened his eyes and barely spoke his next words.
"I don't believe a word that crack pot Allen say's, perfect things should be destroyed and there is no other way I plan to live!" He stood fully upright and climbed down the stepladders.
"I'm going to tell the others we are coming…" Milerna stood in slight shock her eyes slightly wide and her mouth open. She shook her head and stared down the stepladders.
"You fool…" She thought out loud. She looked over at Yukari and Merle and noticed Merle had begun to cry again. She smacked her head and ran over as she saved Yukari from being suffocated.
After having calmed Merle down again Milerna and Merle had secured Allen onto the back of a Grimali, a large magestical looking beast which had a relatively small head compared to the size of its body, and Hitomi to another. Yukari climbed onto the one with Hitomi on and Milerna climbed onto the one holding Allen. Merle thought for a while, and after a lot of shouting from Milerna about them needing to hurry up she choose to ride with Yukari and Hitomi. When ready the five of them set off for their base. The Grimali despite their huge quite plump postures ran at very high speeds, their hinds legs being that bit longer and more powerful than the front ones they generally ran on their hind legs. Although it was almost pitch black Yukari still looked around amazed at the scenery. She had never been to Gaea before; she had only heard its name that one time in Hitomi's dream. She had never believed in its true existence. She stared in silence at the wondrous surroundings. So this is Gaea… She watched as the dark trees whizzed past her view and the hazy horizons slipped behind the treetops. This magical world hidden under a blanket of darkness ever watched by its sea of stars. She wished she could see the world but the blackness disallowed her to view so far. It had not been a long journey but Yukari had drifted off into a heavy sleep. Milerna and Merle dared not to wake her and carried her, Hitomi and Allen to their rooms. Dilandau was nowhere to be seen as the night lived on.
Hitomi lay still on her back in her room. The pendent had been placed around her neck and shone brightly in the darkness. Her thoughts had been restless as she constantly relived that moment Van had changed into Allen. Why? How? She didn't understand. Her eyes opened widely as she finally came around. She lay still for a while then felt a sharp pain in her head. She slowly sat upright and held her throbbing head. She rubbed it, as she was completely oblivious to the pair of eyes glaring through the darkness at her. Hitomi sighed.
"I don't understand…what's going on?"
"That's what I'd like to know as well…" Hitomi froze and looked up the occupant of her room was now leaning on their hands at the bottom of her bed and staring at her. Hitomi grabbed the covers and pulled them as she covered herself and hunched up at the top of the bed slightly from fear. The figure lit a candle as a new face was illuminated. The light flickered as the person set the candle down on a small table. Hitomi watched them closely.
"Who…who are you?" The figure stepped into the candlelight to reveal a quite short young girl. The girl had short dark hair to just below her shoulders and wore a very unusual coat, which flared out at the bottom on top of what looked like knee high socks and a short skirt. The colours were unknown to Hitomi due to the candle limited light. The girl remained still.
"My name is of no concern to you, in the morning you shan't remember me anyway…" The girl smirked a little and walked closer to Hitomi. Her eyes had fixed themselves upon the pendent.
"I have been watching you for some time now…Hitomi Kanzaki! I admit I was impressed with your so-called 'powers'. But now I am far less convinced…" She stood opposite Hitomi the flames light flickering distorted shadows across her face.
"Goddess of Wings you may be but that can never save him now…" Hitomi felt a little worried as the girl kept her eyes fixed upon her pendent.
"What are you here for?" The girl smirked and watched the pendent closely.
"I am here for answers. I want to know what happened back there..." Her eyes thinned out. "…and I have a rising suspicion of a certain object you posses." Hitomi was more confused than ever and shook her head.
"I don't know what you want from me." The girl leaned closer to Hitomi and grinned.
"Van…he came to you didn't he…" Hitomi stared at the girl wide eyed. How did she know? She bowed her head and closed her eyes.
"…Van…I miss him so much…" She shook her head. She didn't want to tell anyone what had happened back there in the caravan. She saw Van die with her own two eyes there was no chance he could still be alive.
"…but he is calling to you Hitomi that much I know is certain…" Hitomi glared at the girl.
"Leave me alone…I don't want this…please…leave me alone…" Tears began to fall down Hitomi's cheeks. Every day she relived that day she lost him that sorrowful day when her heart split in two. It was true Van had reappeared to her but there was no guarantee that meant he was still alive. The thoughts kept running through her head. Van's dead. The girl watched as Hitomi sat letting her thoughts destroy her.
"Eniko that's enough!!" Hitomi looked up the flame burned still spreading its light to the room. The girl had vanished. Eniko? Was that who she was?
"Rest now Goddess of Wings you shall need your strength for tomorrow. Gaea is ever changing and very unforgiving. Sleep well my child." With that the candle flickered and self-extinguished and Hitomi although she tried to fight it found herself forced into a deep sleep.
"Rest oh chosen one rest until night and day become united, let the will in your heart become all that guides you and you shall find the one whom brings you that happiness you desire, the happiness you burn for…"
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Very sorry to have a chapter focused pretty much on Dilandau and Yukari but it is all relevant ^.^ hee hee see you in the next chapter
mystik dreamer
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--Hearts of Ice-
--Chapter 4: Mysterious Belongings-
"What's going on?" Milerna shouted at the two slumped against the wall. At a quick glance one would have reacted in the way she did. Milerna tore across the control room and grabbed Allen around the waist and pulled him up. Through her fit of rage she didn't realise that Allen was now unconscious and too heavy for her as his body slumped to the floor besides the shaking Hitomi. Milerna stared at Hitomi who looked a little worse for wear. She was staring at the floor her eyes wide and her arms wrapped over her shoulders as her bottom lip trembled slightly. The sound of feet pattering up the step ladder followed by a head appearing in the gap in the floor followed by another. Merle ran past Yukari and bounded to Hitomi's side. She looked at the unconscious Allen to Hitomi's side and the worried Milerna tending to him. Yukari ran to Hitomi and put her hands on her shoulders and shook her.
"Hitomi…Hitomi can you hear me? Hitomi…" Hitomi's eyes began to water slightly as her lips moved slowly but no sound emerged. Merle watched Hitomi's lips as they moved again. Slowly she watched the silent words then Hitomi's head bowed and her eyes closed as her body became loose as she slipped into unconsciousness. Merle's eyes were wide as she stared at Hitomi. Yukari checked Hitomi's pulse then shook her head.
"She's out cold…" Yukari looked at Merle whose eyes had began to water and were fixed upon Hitomi. She moved one hand to Hitomi's face and wiped a tear from her cheek. Yukari watched her silently as Milerna raised her head and looked to Merle. Merle bowed her head.
"Van-sama…" Merle wiped her eyes. "…he can't be…he's…he's dead…" Merle wept into her hands as Yukari sat watching Milerna walked to her and placed a hand on her back. Yukari didn't feel it was her place to question and got to her feet. She walked to the stepladders and took one look back at Merle and Milerna then slowly headed down into the lower deck.
She took a deep breath then shook her head.
"Poor Merle…" She looked up the stepladder as she heard Merle's weeps muffle as she cried in Milerna's arms. She bowed her head then walked down the creaky corridor. She wondered what had happened up there and what all that white light was. Yukari continued to walk through the corridors hoping she could find the exit of the caravan only she was getting increasingly lost. She opened doors and peered into the empty rooms, small draughty bedrooms, small storage rooms, dinning rooms… She continued to walk when she heard a small noise coming from one of the rooms. She felt an urge to investigate in the hopes of finding her way either off the caravan or to the control room again. She listened on the door of each room down the corridor for the sound. It was a muffled clinking noise and a slight creak of wood as though someone was walking around. Yukari stopped at one door and took a deep breath before silently opening the door. Her eyes on the floor she saw the wooden flooring with wooden shavings spread around. She slowly looked up as she laid her eyes on a small bedroom, which was covered in sculptures of strange dragon like creatures. The sculptures were very distorted and some bared blood upon the surface. The room had an eerie feel to it as she looked around it slowly. She looked towards the sound of the noise and found some red armour by the foot of the bed. She heard some scraping and looked further up the empty bed. Wood shavings were scattered all along it and by the window at the end of the room she found the source of the noise. A tall, quite skinny man stood in the window scraping away at a piece of wood. Yukari watched the man as he carved away at the wood, the wind from the outside blowing his hair slightly. He wore a white vest and loose black trousers. Yukari stepped into the room a little more tilting her head slightly as she wondered who it was. She took one step too far as the floorboards beneath her creaked loudly. She looked to her foot then felt an arm wrap firmly around her waist from behind and a sword held to her neck. Looking at the window she realised the man who was there was now threatening to kill her. She was speechless as she heard a familiar voice speak into her ear coldly.
"What do you think you are doing here?" Yukari stuttered out of fear as she searched for the right words to say.
"I um…I was looking for the exit and…well I got lost…" There was silence for a moment as her words lingered.
"You shouldn't leave this caravan alone, we are not in your world anymore…this is not a safe place…" She could feel him smirk behind her as he loosened his grip on her. He pulled the knife from her neck then pushed her to the floor. He walked around her then sat on the bed and leaned against the wall. Yukari rubbed her neck then slowly got to her feet. She looked at the man through squinted eyes then realised who he was. Dilandau…of course. She wondered why it took her so long to realise it. He looked much kinder now he looked more relaxed she had a very strange feeling he liked to be on his own. She walked to one of the statues and picked it up, she ran her finger over the dragon like figures twisted wings. She watched him out the corner of her eye as she saw him watching her finger run over the statue. She smiled then put it down and leaned against the wall looking at him. His face remained fixed on the statue as Yukari watched him. She kneeled down to the height of the statue and watched as his eyes slowly met hers. He scowled at her then looked away.
"Why don't you get lost? Your not wanted here!" Yukari smirked and walked across to him innocently.
"Oooo I don't know about that…" She plonked herself next to him and smiled as she kicked her feet out then looked at him. He scowled at her and pointed at the door.
"LEAVE!!" Yukari's eyes widened as he glared at her. She bowed hr head and nodded.
"I can see I'm not wanted here then…" She sniffled and rubbed her nose as she got to her feet and slowly walked to the door. She turned round to look at him as he glared harder at her. She looked at the nearby statue grabbed it and ran out the door slamming it behind her. Dilandau leapt to his feet and stormed after her.
"Why you little!!" He stormed through the door and started in the direction she had gone in and SMACK! Dilandau's face had met the floor very hard and to his side a giggling Yukari. Dilandau smacked his hand onto the floor and pushed himself up. His cold eyes glared at her. Yukari smiled back to him and held out his statue.
"Its very beautiful…" Dilandau knocked the statue from her hands and pinned her against the wall as he held a dagger to her neck again. Yukari just smiled to him as he pushed the cool blade firmly against her neck. His eyes pierced through her yet she kept her smile. She kept her eyes in contact with his all the time as she smiled kindly too him. He slowly began to loosen his grip as he kept his eyes in contact with hers.
"I should kill you…" Yukari watched his eyes carefully and smiled more.
"But you can't…right?" Dilandau backed away from her and walked to the statue. He put his dagger away and picked the statue up.
"You know your quite brave…for a girl that is…" He got to his feet with the statue in his arms. He headed back to his room and as he passed her he looked at her.
"Wait here…I'll take you back to the control room…they'll be wondering where you've gotten too don't want to give them the wrong idea now…" He smirked as his evil glare returned. She watched him disappear into his room. A few shuffling noises could be heard from inside then he emerged. He was slipping on a small red over coat over his white vest. Yukari smiled as she stood away from the wall and waited for him to lead the way. He looked at her with cold eyes and walked in the direction back to the control room his hands in his pockets. Yukari followed him closely as she inspected their surroundings.
"You sure like to make those strange statues don't you?" Yukari had to break the silence. Dilandau continued to walk as though he hadn't heard her. She sighed and looked to the floor as she walked. Dilandau then looked ahead and stopped in his tracks. Yukari nearly bumped into him and looked up to see what was wrong. He was standing side wards on, his head bowed in her direction. She titled her head slightly wondering what he was thinking.
"I don't make them…" He opened his eyes slowly. "I mutilate them…" He glanced at her and smirked as he got the reaction he knew he would get. Yukari was in slight shock at his disgusting nature. Her face widened as she held her hand to her mouth. He watched her, smirking at her reaction. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"What do you do that for?!!" She half shouted at him as she stamped her foot and looked sternly at him clenching her fists. His eyes widened only slightly as he again smirked and lifted his head up and closed his eyes placing one hand on his hip.
"Well it gets my anger out that's for sure." He opened his eyes gave her a brief look then continued walking. She stood staring at him for a moment then hurried after him. She wondered, why would someone mutilate a statue? There was silence as the two walked which Yukari hated especially with so many questions running round her head.
"Where did they come from?" He stopped again and turned to look at her slowly.
"What's with all the questions?" Yukari shrugged.
"I'm just curious…besides they are nice statues." Dilandau sighed and turned his back on her continuing to walk. Silence fell upon the two again as they walked.
"I found them, a while back now, in a small forest to the west of here…" Yukari was slightly taken a back by the fact that he had spoken to her something that made sense.
"They were part of a movement, each one has a significance." He stopped again but only turned his head to one side.
"Do you know why you are here?" Yukari stood still holding her hands against her chest and shook her head. Dilandau faced forwards again and bowed his head.
"I see…well…have you noticed anything strange recently ignoring all that has happened since we found you?" Yukari stood in silence as she looked at the floor. She shook her head and looked to him.
"I don't know what you mean…" He nodded then continued to walk. She followed him now in complete silence. Her head bowed and watching his feet as they moved back and forth. It was not long till they reached the stepladders to the control room. Dilandau climbed up first then leaned against the nearest wall, as he looked Milerna and Merle. Milerna was now calmly talking to Merle in a low voice as Merle was nodding and had calmed down. Yukari made her way into the room and looked over at them. She smiled then stepped to them.
"Is…is everything alright?" Merle jumped a little quite startled as she had not heard them arrive, nodding slightly she gave Yukari a smile. Milerna smiled a little then looked over at Dilandau who was standing in the shadows of the room. She got to her feet and keeping her eyes on Dilandau leaned to Yukari.
"Where did you two disappear to?" Yukari looked at her and then at Dilandau.
"I got lost…" She bowed her head a little "I thought it were best to leave you and Merle alone so you could talk and well I got lost." She smiled to Milerna as she turned her back and walked to Hitomi's still unconscious body. She now was lying flat down with a small cushion for her head and a very tatty blanket over her. Yukari kneeled beside her and took her hand.
"Poor Hitomi…" Merle sat besides Yukari and looked at Hitomi as well. Milerna however still had her eyes on Dilandau. She was not totally convinced about Yukari's story regardless of it being the truth. She knew something that Yukari didn't and she made a bet with herself that Dilandau knew what she knew as well. Merle had begun to explain how she had met Van and about their lives, and when Hitomi first arrived. Milerna walked towards Dilandau who was glaring at the floor. She slipped into the shadows beside him and looked at him sternly.
"What happened down there, Dilandau?" He kept his eyes on the floor and dug his hands into his pockets as he thinned his eyes out.
"She was lost! I brought her back here because she invaded my privacy!" Milerna could sense the anger in his voice even though he kept his voice low. Milerna leaned against the wall as well and looked over at Yukari and Merle as the both were deep in conversation.
"Did she see them?"
"See what?!"
"Your little collection?" Dilandau closed his eyes and smirked a little.
"What does it matter if she did?" Milerna's look strengthened as she glared at him.
"Did she touch them?" Dilandau's smirk grew as he slowly opened his eyes and barely spoke his next words.
"I don't believe a word that crack pot Allen say's, perfect things should be destroyed and there is no other way I plan to live!" He stood fully upright and climbed down the stepladders.
"I'm going to tell the others we are coming…" Milerna stood in slight shock her eyes slightly wide and her mouth open. She shook her head and stared down the stepladders.
"You fool…" She thought out loud. She looked over at Yukari and Merle and noticed Merle had begun to cry again. She smacked her head and ran over as she saved Yukari from being suffocated.
After having calmed Merle down again Milerna and Merle had secured Allen onto the back of a Grimali, a large magestical looking beast which had a relatively small head compared to the size of its body, and Hitomi to another. Yukari climbed onto the one with Hitomi on and Milerna climbed onto the one holding Allen. Merle thought for a while, and after a lot of shouting from Milerna about them needing to hurry up she choose to ride with Yukari and Hitomi. When ready the five of them set off for their base. The Grimali despite their huge quite plump postures ran at very high speeds, their hinds legs being that bit longer and more powerful than the front ones they generally ran on their hind legs. Although it was almost pitch black Yukari still looked around amazed at the scenery. She had never been to Gaea before; she had only heard its name that one time in Hitomi's dream. She had never believed in its true existence. She stared in silence at the wondrous surroundings. So this is Gaea… She watched as the dark trees whizzed past her view and the hazy horizons slipped behind the treetops. This magical world hidden under a blanket of darkness ever watched by its sea of stars. She wished she could see the world but the blackness disallowed her to view so far. It had not been a long journey but Yukari had drifted off into a heavy sleep. Milerna and Merle dared not to wake her and carried her, Hitomi and Allen to their rooms. Dilandau was nowhere to be seen as the night lived on.
Hitomi lay still on her back in her room. The pendent had been placed around her neck and shone brightly in the darkness. Her thoughts had been restless as she constantly relived that moment Van had changed into Allen. Why? How? She didn't understand. Her eyes opened widely as she finally came around. She lay still for a while then felt a sharp pain in her head. She slowly sat upright and held her throbbing head. She rubbed it, as she was completely oblivious to the pair of eyes glaring through the darkness at her. Hitomi sighed.
"I don't understand…what's going on?"
"That's what I'd like to know as well…" Hitomi froze and looked up the occupant of her room was now leaning on their hands at the bottom of her bed and staring at her. Hitomi grabbed the covers and pulled them as she covered herself and hunched up at the top of the bed slightly from fear. The figure lit a candle as a new face was illuminated. The light flickered as the person set the candle down on a small table. Hitomi watched them closely.
"Who…who are you?" The figure stepped into the candlelight to reveal a quite short young girl. The girl had short dark hair to just below her shoulders and wore a very unusual coat, which flared out at the bottom on top of what looked like knee high socks and a short skirt. The colours were unknown to Hitomi due to the candle limited light. The girl remained still.
"My name is of no concern to you, in the morning you shan't remember me anyway…" The girl smirked a little and walked closer to Hitomi. Her eyes had fixed themselves upon the pendent.
"I have been watching you for some time now…Hitomi Kanzaki! I admit I was impressed with your so-called 'powers'. But now I am far less convinced…" She stood opposite Hitomi the flames light flickering distorted shadows across her face.
"Goddess of Wings you may be but that can never save him now…" Hitomi felt a little worried as the girl kept her eyes fixed upon her pendent.
"What are you here for?" The girl smirked and watched the pendent closely.
"I am here for answers. I want to know what happened back there..." Her eyes thinned out. "…and I have a rising suspicion of a certain object you posses." Hitomi was more confused than ever and shook her head.
"I don't know what you want from me." The girl leaned closer to Hitomi and grinned.
"Van…he came to you didn't he…" Hitomi stared at the girl wide eyed. How did she know? She bowed her head and closed her eyes.
"…Van…I miss him so much…" She shook her head. She didn't want to tell anyone what had happened back there in the caravan. She saw Van die with her own two eyes there was no chance he could still be alive.
"…but he is calling to you Hitomi that much I know is certain…" Hitomi glared at the girl.
"Leave me alone…I don't want this…please…leave me alone…" Tears began to fall down Hitomi's cheeks. Every day she relived that day she lost him that sorrowful day when her heart split in two. It was true Van had reappeared to her but there was no guarantee that meant he was still alive. The thoughts kept running through her head. Van's dead. The girl watched as Hitomi sat letting her thoughts destroy her.
"Eniko that's enough!!" Hitomi looked up the flame burned still spreading its light to the room. The girl had vanished. Eniko? Was that who she was?
"Rest now Goddess of Wings you shall need your strength for tomorrow. Gaea is ever changing and very unforgiving. Sleep well my child." With that the candle flickered and self-extinguished and Hitomi although she tried to fight it found herself forced into a deep sleep.
"Rest oh chosen one rest until night and day become united, let the will in your heart become all that guides you and you shall find the one whom brings you that happiness you desire, the happiness you burn for…"
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Very sorry to have a chapter focused pretty much on Dilandau and Yukari but it is all relevant ^.^ hee hee see you in the next chapter
mystik dreamer
