Date. July 14, 2001
Time. 2.25 pm
Music. None, the stupid speakers aren't working
Chapter 8
Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne, but I made a really cool shirt so I own that.
Author's Notes. Okay, sue me (don't really), I lied. I said I wouldn't have anything new up until the end of July. I didn't realize I would be home between my trips for like three days. That's enough to post another chapter, methinks. So here's the next one. And to those of you who asked about why Van and Co. didn't ask Hitomi what was wrong with her the night she returned to Gaea, the answer is: I'm an idiot and didn't include it. I apologize on the behalf of the stupidness in jigglykat's brain. Oops. I did say that I will be making some changes and revisions so that will be one of them. Thank you for catching that for me. Keep on truckin'!
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 8. The Sky Falls
* * *
Memories of destruction flashed within Van's mind as he stared out across the courtyard. He could see the beginnings of a blaze on one of the larger buildings. However, he could not tell which if it was part of the castle or simply a storage unit. One of the leviships released a fleet of Guymelefs upon the palace. He quickly scanned the skies. The others remained in their current positions. Let's see... three over by the Great Hall, four in the sky, a few more... Maybe twelve total? "And I gave the Imperial Guard leave because of the festivities. Not even half would be in Fanelia," he growled. Would that even be enough?
"I'm so sorry," he heard Hitomi whisper by his side. "This is all my fault." She sank to her knees.
He bent down next to her. "No, it's not," he declared. He pulled her to her feet and into the room. "C'mon, I need to find you some place safe."
He poked his head out the hall and took a quick glance. No soldiers yet. He dragged her to one of the less-traveled hallways.
Two sentries rounded the corner, gasping for air. "My Lord!" one spoke. "Those leviships... they just appeared over the palace... we never saw them enter... and then they started blasting from above..."
"I believe you, Aidyen," Van held up his hand to cease his talking. "What of the soldiers that didn't go away for the holiday?"
The other sentry spoke up: "There's only a third in the area. But they've already wiped out the guards' Guymelef unit."
Van clenched his teeth. That's what was burning, he thought grimly. "Round up as many soldiers possible," he commanded. "I'll have to re-activate Escaflowne, then."
"And you have me and Scherazade, too," a deep voice piped up from behind him.
Van pivoted and saw Allen, followed by Celena, Millerna, Merle, and a panic-stricken Palos. The knight gave him a boyish grin.
"Just like old times, Your Majesty?" he smirked.
Van nodded in agreement. Yes, he thought. Another war has begun because of me. He glanced at Hitomi and gave a deep sigh.
"I want you to wear this now," he spoke softly to her, grasping the pendant and pulling it over his head.
"But I gave it to you for protection!" she protested, eyeing him as he placed it around her neck.
"I know," he said. "I want you to be protected." He gave her a quick grin. "Besides, I'll take it back from you when I return."
"Merle!" he shouted over the ruckus. "Take Hitomi and the girls down to the dungeon. Palos, you go with them, too."
The cat-woman bowed her head and took Hitomi's hand away from Van's. She lingered a bit, hoping that she could still reach out and touch his fingers.
"Celena and Palos, help Millerna down the stairs!" Merle ordered as she grasped a lit torch. "It's not safe for her to travel down these old narrow steps."
"Why are we going to the dungeon?" Hitomi asked as the small group descended the spiral stone staircase.
"When Fanelia was being re-built," Merle began, keeping her hand along the mildewed walls for balance. "Lord Van noticed that the dungeon was the only thing that remained intact because it was deep underground and protected by the mountain. It's the safest place to be."
Hitomi could hear the sounds of battle above the ground as they walked deeper into darkness, comforted only by a weakly lit torch. "Be safe, Van."
* * *
Van's heart leapt to his throat as he saw the devastation that lay before him. Brave soldiers, those who decided to stay within the palace walls and protect Fanelia, now lay crumpled, broken, and ripped apart. These bastards are ruthless, he thought, glancing upon a young man whom he had spoke to a few days ago, his eyes staring blankly into space. His stomach had been ripped open by a blade. A gruesome way to die. He told me he had a newborn daughter. He named her Avayla after his great-grandmother. You have honored her deeply, Ravin. I will make sure that your wife and Avayla are taken care of. Van closed the soldier's eyes so that he may rest in eternal slumber.
"Van!" Allen shouted. "I can get some of my men on the Crusade but it won't do much help if they're only on foot!"
"Right," Van agreed. "Go get Scherazade. I'll get Escaflowne."
Allen bowed and left the young king in the empty courtyard. Or was it empty? Van could sense that something was not right. Those Guymelef units couldn't have gone far away. Where are they?
He heard a lone set of footsteps stomping across the stone ground. Could it be Allen? he wondered. No, this man's hair was short. Van tucked behind some fallen debris and watched silently.
The man was dressed in black armor with some sort of crest upon his chest; Van couldn't get a decent look. He didn't have a sword; maybe he was a messenger of some sort, he thought, wondering if he should take this man out. His hand went to his scabbard.
"Why don't you come out where I can see you?" the man shouted loudly into the night.
Van sucked in his breath. Had he seen me?
His question was answered when a giant Guymelef unveiled before his eyes, appearing out of nowhere. They stole that invisible cloak technology from Zaibach? he speculated.
"That's better," the man continued. "I hate talking into open air. What's wrong?"
"I don't know," the pilot inside the Melef answered. "There must be a malfunction somewhere and I can't move. And it must be connected to the radio transmitter, too. I could barely get that call for help out."
"We'll bring you another one," the messenger replied. The pilot hopped out of the cockpit and sat on the entry door, his feet dangling over 20 feet of ground below him.
"Damn, look at this place!" he said with a loud snorting laugh. "Too bad we have to destroy it again. It looks so different than what it looked like seven years ago. This guy did a really great job from the last time I was here..."
The last time? What does he mean by 'the last time'?
"...I think that attack was more fun. We got to destroy the city as well. We didn't have to stay just inside the palace walls."
"That's what Lady Ashira wants!" the messenger snapped. "All she wants is the object. And that means you have to find the King. He's got it."
The pilot grumbled and climbed out of the Guymelef. His landing on the ground made a loud "plop" that echoed throughout the empty square. Van let them walk a-ways before he emerged from his hiding place.
"They're from Zaibach?" he murmured in astonishment. "Ashira's from Zaibach?"
* * *
Hitomi's hand reached instinctively to her pendant around her neck. It felt good to have the old feel of the cool stone on her chest again. The flame from the torch had brightened a little, giving a ghostly glow bouncing off the stone walls.
"My gods," Palos whispered. "This is no place for a lady."
"It doesn't bother me," Celena quipped as she helped Millerna around the puddles of murky water. "Does it bother you, My Lady?"
The Queen huffed loudly. "I don't care where it is. Just as long as it's safe for my baby."
"What about you, Merle?" she asked in the same overly-sweetened tone.
The cat-woman turned around. "Lord Van and I used to go on adventures down here when his parents weren't around. I know these tunnels better than anyone."
"Hitomi? What do you..."
"Alright! I get the point!" Palos interrupted rudely. Celena replied with a barely audible chuckle that only Hitomi could hear.
They came across an intersection of paths, one to the right, the left, and straight ahead. Merle paused and brought a finger to her lips.
"Now what way?" the Chief Advisor asked.
"I can't remember..." Merle drifted off, trying to recall which way she had always traveled.
"Some folks go off to right!" a man's voice, heavily accented, uttered. Hitomi saw in the corner of her eye three grimy prisoners clutching the bars. The one who spoke gave her a toothless grin. "Others go to the left."
Celena stepped forward. "Which way is the right way?" she asked sweetly.
The prisoner beamed. "What a nice set of fresh meat you got there, missy," he said. He looked around at the others. "Nah, except that one. That one's already taken." He pointed a rotting finger at Millerna.
"That's no way to treat a Queen, sir," Celena said with a chuckle. "But perhaps one of us could be enough to supply your... needs."
The prisoner looked at his other two cellmates and laughed maniacally. "You could do quite nicely. I like them girls that have a lot of spunk."
Celena inched closer and battered her eyelashes. "Come closer. Let me show you how 'spunky' I can be." She gestured to him with her finger.
The man leaned in, puckering up his peeling lips for a kiss. Instead, Celena kneed him in the crotch.
Howls of pain echoed throughout the dungeon, followed by laughter as the other two inmates sniggered at their companion's "pleasurement." Celena stood triumphantly.
"Dear gods," Palos muttered as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Let me find out where we need to go," Hitomi said. She removed the pendant and held it out with one hand, eyes closed. Please, she urged in her mind. Tell us which way to go.
Her mental image of the pendant hung still for a moment, then gave a slight twitch. She concentrated harder. Finally, the salmon stone swung to the right.
"That way," she said successfully, pointing down the long passage. Celena bowed her and grabbed her hand.
"You're everything Van told me about," she said smiling.
Hitomi returned her smile, but grasped her head, collapsing in pain. The others gathered around her as she lay on the dingy ground. She knew that they called her name in fear, but she had no power to cease their concerns with a reply. Besides, she needed to focus on what this vision showed her.
She could see Van in the courtyard, sword drawn and anger shining in his eyes. She called his name, but he didn't hear her. Or was it because he couldn't hear her? She saw Scherazade in the distance, fighting with another Guymelef she didn't recognize. Van was battling with foot soldiers on the ground. Why hasn't he got Escaflowne yet? she wondered. She heard a muffled rumbling noise behind her but Van didn't seem to notice the sound. She whirled around, seeing that one of the leviships had lowered to the ground. A young woman stood in the entry doorway. No, wait. It was that girl that slapped me. Ashira, was it? The other Draconian. A maddening gleam escaped her eye as she unveiled a wicked dagger from her sheath. Van still looked in the other direction, unaware of what stood behind him. Ashira grasped the blade and threw it hard at him. She screamed his name for him to turn around, but he remained unaffected. She watched in horror as the dagger found its way into Van's back, directly between his shoulder blades. He made no sound, only a sudden gasp escaped his lips as he fell to the ground. Hitomi rushed to his side, crying onto his still face.
"No," she whispered. "No, I can't let that happen."
"Let what happen?" Palos, hearing her voice. The ground shook above them, sending debris and dust raining on the small group.
Hitomi rose to her feet and began to sprint back the way they entered the dungeon.
"Hitomi! Where are you going?!" Merle cried.
"I have to go back!" she shouted back. "I have to go save Van!"
"But you'll get yourself killed!" Celena said. She started to run after the girl, but a weak spot in the ceiling gave away, blocking the space between Hitomi and the others.
"Hitomi," Millerna murmured, clutching her belly.
I don't care what happens to me, Hitomi thought as she leapt up each step. I can't let what I saw in that vision. I need to change what I saw.
* * *
Confident that the area was uninhabited by Zaibach soldiers, Van headed towards the gardens where the sleeping dragon resided. I promised Folken that I would never use it again, he thought grimly. I'm sorry, brother, but Fanelia needs Escaflowne.
"Van!" He heard a bloodcurdling scream from the shadows of a destroyed building. He couldn't see much; smoke and dust filled the air, making it murky. He could hear the sobs of a young woman.
"Kyia!" he shouted as he finally recognized who it was that called his name. She sat besides a fallen pillar, hunched over a trapped object and crying. As he inched closer, he could see the elderly old man pinned by the massive marble block.
"My gods, Eli," he breathed. "What happened?"
Eli grimaced in pain as he tried to speak. "Those Guymelefs came over here and started to destroy the building..." Kyia spoke between sobs. "The ceiling fell on everybody inside... they were either dying or dead. We managed to escape with some others, but this pillar fell on Father and... I had to stop and help him. But those cowards left us behind." She spat on the ground as she said the last sentence.
"I think my lungs are crushed, My Lord," Eli managed to croak out. "There's no point on wasting time on me."
"What are you saying, Father?!" Kyia cried. "I'm not leaving you!"
"My little angel... you have made my life so wonderful. There is nothing left..." He turned to Van. "My Lord, will you watch her for my last request?"
Van nodded, his face expressionless. "I will, Eli. You have my word."
He smiled. "Kyia..." His last word faded into nothingness as he shut his eyes, his smile left on his face of peace.
"Father! Father, no!" the young girl screamed, then hid her face into Van's chest. He put his arms around her to comfort her. He remembered the night that his father had died. Then, he was only five, not old enough to fully understand what had taken place.
"Van!" he heard a male voice cry out. Allen ran up to where he sat with the servant girl. "Some of the noblemen have left in their leviships. But those Guymelefs are letting them leave..."
"They don't want them, they want me," Van interrupted. "It's Zaibach. Ashira and Sekhmet are from Zaibach."
"Zaibach?" Allen asked, confused. "There is no more Zaibach, we got rid of them all."
"Obviously not," Van said bluntly. "Perhaps they were just waiting for something."
Allen's once-sparkling blue eyes grew hard and cold. "Do you think they'll take Celena away from me again?"
Van stared down at Kyia, who ceased her noisy cries to muffled sobs. "I don't know. I overheard some soldiers talking about me. They want some 'object' from me, but I have no clue what they want..."
"Really, Van? Because you should. You really should."
Some type of ship appeared from behind, lowering itself to the ground. As Van looked up, he realized what it was he saw; a floating fortress, removing its invisibility cloak.
Ashira stood in the doorway, light illuminating her from behind. Her eyes, filled with hate and anger, stared wildly at him.
"I love this kingdom," she said, gleefully. "It's stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, inside a mountain valley with only one way of escaping, so easy to destroy."
Van's anger flared. "Why are you doing this? What do you want?"
"You destroyed my life long ago!" she screamed. "My father and mother were killed in the Great War under your command, and I was held hostage by Zaibach. But they realized what I was and used me. I wanted to take everything you loved so dearly away from you, like your kingdom. But when you didn't want me, someone exactly like you, I took your kingdom the more...interesting...way. Now all I want is the object and we can all go about our lives."
"What object? I have nothing!" Van shouted, full of rage. Just wait until I get my hands around that bitch...
"Fool! I wanted to see you suffer, like me!" she screamed. She pulled out a long bladed dagger, curved to a point. "I want what's mine!"
"Van!" another softer, more familiar name called. He turned to see Hitomi standing in the rubble. His heart eased when he saw her, but tensed what he saw dangling about her neck. The pendant.
Ashira saw it, too, gleaming brightly in the setting sun. "She's got it! Grab her!"
A Zaibach Guymelef retreated from its unseen hiding place and leapt forward, knocking Van to the side. He winced as he landed hard on the stone floor, tasting blood as he had bit his lip from sudden impact. The Guymelef shot a liquid Crima Claw at Hitomi. She remained stunned, unable of moving as she watched the metal wrap itself around her body. She was harshly pulled off the ground as the Guymelef sprung into the air and began to ascend higher.
Ashira cackled insanely. "Good! I still get to make you suffer! Thanks a lot!" The floating fortress withdrew to its invisibility cloak once more, disappearing from their views. Along with Hitomi.
Van stared into the sky, unable to see anything. Pain shot threw his body as he struggled to get up.
"Hitomi..." he whispered.
to be continued...
* * *
I'm sorry to leave you all like this, but I am leaving at 4 am tomorrow morning and I really need to finish packing. I'll be back around July 22, so hopefully I'll have a few more chapters up a couple days following that. Ciao!
Time. 2.25 pm
Music. None, the stupid speakers aren't working
Chapter 8
Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne, but I made a really cool shirt so I own that.
Author's Notes. Okay, sue me (don't really), I lied. I said I wouldn't have anything new up until the end of July. I didn't realize I would be home between my trips for like three days. That's enough to post another chapter, methinks. So here's the next one. And to those of you who asked about why Van and Co. didn't ask Hitomi what was wrong with her the night she returned to Gaea, the answer is: I'm an idiot and didn't include it. I apologize on the behalf of the stupidness in jigglykat's brain. Oops. I did say that I will be making some changes and revisions so that will be one of them. Thank you for catching that for me. Keep on truckin'!
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 8. The Sky Falls
* * *
Memories of destruction flashed within Van's mind as he stared out across the courtyard. He could see the beginnings of a blaze on one of the larger buildings. However, he could not tell which if it was part of the castle or simply a storage unit. One of the leviships released a fleet of Guymelefs upon the palace. He quickly scanned the skies. The others remained in their current positions. Let's see... three over by the Great Hall, four in the sky, a few more... Maybe twelve total? "And I gave the Imperial Guard leave because of the festivities. Not even half would be in Fanelia," he growled. Would that even be enough?
"I'm so sorry," he heard Hitomi whisper by his side. "This is all my fault." She sank to her knees.
He bent down next to her. "No, it's not," he declared. He pulled her to her feet and into the room. "C'mon, I need to find you some place safe."
He poked his head out the hall and took a quick glance. No soldiers yet. He dragged her to one of the less-traveled hallways.
Two sentries rounded the corner, gasping for air. "My Lord!" one spoke. "Those leviships... they just appeared over the palace... we never saw them enter... and then they started blasting from above..."
"I believe you, Aidyen," Van held up his hand to cease his talking. "What of the soldiers that didn't go away for the holiday?"
The other sentry spoke up: "There's only a third in the area. But they've already wiped out the guards' Guymelef unit."
Van clenched his teeth. That's what was burning, he thought grimly. "Round up as many soldiers possible," he commanded. "I'll have to re-activate Escaflowne, then."
"And you have me and Scherazade, too," a deep voice piped up from behind him.
Van pivoted and saw Allen, followed by Celena, Millerna, Merle, and a panic-stricken Palos. The knight gave him a boyish grin.
"Just like old times, Your Majesty?" he smirked.
Van nodded in agreement. Yes, he thought. Another war has begun because of me. He glanced at Hitomi and gave a deep sigh.
"I want you to wear this now," he spoke softly to her, grasping the pendant and pulling it over his head.
"But I gave it to you for protection!" she protested, eyeing him as he placed it around her neck.
"I know," he said. "I want you to be protected." He gave her a quick grin. "Besides, I'll take it back from you when I return."
"Merle!" he shouted over the ruckus. "Take Hitomi and the girls down to the dungeon. Palos, you go with them, too."
The cat-woman bowed her head and took Hitomi's hand away from Van's. She lingered a bit, hoping that she could still reach out and touch his fingers.
"Celena and Palos, help Millerna down the stairs!" Merle ordered as she grasped a lit torch. "It's not safe for her to travel down these old narrow steps."
"Why are we going to the dungeon?" Hitomi asked as the small group descended the spiral stone staircase.
"When Fanelia was being re-built," Merle began, keeping her hand along the mildewed walls for balance. "Lord Van noticed that the dungeon was the only thing that remained intact because it was deep underground and protected by the mountain. It's the safest place to be."
Hitomi could hear the sounds of battle above the ground as they walked deeper into darkness, comforted only by a weakly lit torch. "Be safe, Van."
* * *
Van's heart leapt to his throat as he saw the devastation that lay before him. Brave soldiers, those who decided to stay within the palace walls and protect Fanelia, now lay crumpled, broken, and ripped apart. These bastards are ruthless, he thought, glancing upon a young man whom he had spoke to a few days ago, his eyes staring blankly into space. His stomach had been ripped open by a blade. A gruesome way to die. He told me he had a newborn daughter. He named her Avayla after his great-grandmother. You have honored her deeply, Ravin. I will make sure that your wife and Avayla are taken care of. Van closed the soldier's eyes so that he may rest in eternal slumber.
"Van!" Allen shouted. "I can get some of my men on the Crusade but it won't do much help if they're only on foot!"
"Right," Van agreed. "Go get Scherazade. I'll get Escaflowne."
Allen bowed and left the young king in the empty courtyard. Or was it empty? Van could sense that something was not right. Those Guymelef units couldn't have gone far away. Where are they?
He heard a lone set of footsteps stomping across the stone ground. Could it be Allen? he wondered. No, this man's hair was short. Van tucked behind some fallen debris and watched silently.
The man was dressed in black armor with some sort of crest upon his chest; Van couldn't get a decent look. He didn't have a sword; maybe he was a messenger of some sort, he thought, wondering if he should take this man out. His hand went to his scabbard.
"Why don't you come out where I can see you?" the man shouted loudly into the night.
Van sucked in his breath. Had he seen me?
His question was answered when a giant Guymelef unveiled before his eyes, appearing out of nowhere. They stole that invisible cloak technology from Zaibach? he speculated.
"That's better," the man continued. "I hate talking into open air. What's wrong?"
"I don't know," the pilot inside the Melef answered. "There must be a malfunction somewhere and I can't move. And it must be connected to the radio transmitter, too. I could barely get that call for help out."
"We'll bring you another one," the messenger replied. The pilot hopped out of the cockpit and sat on the entry door, his feet dangling over 20 feet of ground below him.
"Damn, look at this place!" he said with a loud snorting laugh. "Too bad we have to destroy it again. It looks so different than what it looked like seven years ago. This guy did a really great job from the last time I was here..."
The last time? What does he mean by 'the last time'?
"...I think that attack was more fun. We got to destroy the city as well. We didn't have to stay just inside the palace walls."
"That's what Lady Ashira wants!" the messenger snapped. "All she wants is the object. And that means you have to find the King. He's got it."
The pilot grumbled and climbed out of the Guymelef. His landing on the ground made a loud "plop" that echoed throughout the empty square. Van let them walk a-ways before he emerged from his hiding place.
"They're from Zaibach?" he murmured in astonishment. "Ashira's from Zaibach?"
* * *
Hitomi's hand reached instinctively to her pendant around her neck. It felt good to have the old feel of the cool stone on her chest again. The flame from the torch had brightened a little, giving a ghostly glow bouncing off the stone walls.
"My gods," Palos whispered. "This is no place for a lady."
"It doesn't bother me," Celena quipped as she helped Millerna around the puddles of murky water. "Does it bother you, My Lady?"
The Queen huffed loudly. "I don't care where it is. Just as long as it's safe for my baby."
"What about you, Merle?" she asked in the same overly-sweetened tone.
The cat-woman turned around. "Lord Van and I used to go on adventures down here when his parents weren't around. I know these tunnels better than anyone."
"Hitomi? What do you..."
"Alright! I get the point!" Palos interrupted rudely. Celena replied with a barely audible chuckle that only Hitomi could hear.
They came across an intersection of paths, one to the right, the left, and straight ahead. Merle paused and brought a finger to her lips.
"Now what way?" the Chief Advisor asked.
"I can't remember..." Merle drifted off, trying to recall which way she had always traveled.
"Some folks go off to right!" a man's voice, heavily accented, uttered. Hitomi saw in the corner of her eye three grimy prisoners clutching the bars. The one who spoke gave her a toothless grin. "Others go to the left."
Celena stepped forward. "Which way is the right way?" she asked sweetly.
The prisoner beamed. "What a nice set of fresh meat you got there, missy," he said. He looked around at the others. "Nah, except that one. That one's already taken." He pointed a rotting finger at Millerna.
"That's no way to treat a Queen, sir," Celena said with a chuckle. "But perhaps one of us could be enough to supply your... needs."
The prisoner looked at his other two cellmates and laughed maniacally. "You could do quite nicely. I like them girls that have a lot of spunk."
Celena inched closer and battered her eyelashes. "Come closer. Let me show you how 'spunky' I can be." She gestured to him with her finger.
The man leaned in, puckering up his peeling lips for a kiss. Instead, Celena kneed him in the crotch.
Howls of pain echoed throughout the dungeon, followed by laughter as the other two inmates sniggered at their companion's "pleasurement." Celena stood triumphantly.
"Dear gods," Palos muttered as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Let me find out where we need to go," Hitomi said. She removed the pendant and held it out with one hand, eyes closed. Please, she urged in her mind. Tell us which way to go.
Her mental image of the pendant hung still for a moment, then gave a slight twitch. She concentrated harder. Finally, the salmon stone swung to the right.
"That way," she said successfully, pointing down the long passage. Celena bowed her and grabbed her hand.
"You're everything Van told me about," she said smiling.
Hitomi returned her smile, but grasped her head, collapsing in pain. The others gathered around her as she lay on the dingy ground. She knew that they called her name in fear, but she had no power to cease their concerns with a reply. Besides, she needed to focus on what this vision showed her.
She could see Van in the courtyard, sword drawn and anger shining in his eyes. She called his name, but he didn't hear her. Or was it because he couldn't hear her? She saw Scherazade in the distance, fighting with another Guymelef she didn't recognize. Van was battling with foot soldiers on the ground. Why hasn't he got Escaflowne yet? she wondered. She heard a muffled rumbling noise behind her but Van didn't seem to notice the sound. She whirled around, seeing that one of the leviships had lowered to the ground. A young woman stood in the entry doorway. No, wait. It was that girl that slapped me. Ashira, was it? The other Draconian. A maddening gleam escaped her eye as she unveiled a wicked dagger from her sheath. Van still looked in the other direction, unaware of what stood behind him. Ashira grasped the blade and threw it hard at him. She screamed his name for him to turn around, but he remained unaffected. She watched in horror as the dagger found its way into Van's back, directly between his shoulder blades. He made no sound, only a sudden gasp escaped his lips as he fell to the ground. Hitomi rushed to his side, crying onto his still face.
"No," she whispered. "No, I can't let that happen."
"Let what happen?" Palos, hearing her voice. The ground shook above them, sending debris and dust raining on the small group.
Hitomi rose to her feet and began to sprint back the way they entered the dungeon.
"Hitomi! Where are you going?!" Merle cried.
"I have to go back!" she shouted back. "I have to go save Van!"
"But you'll get yourself killed!" Celena said. She started to run after the girl, but a weak spot in the ceiling gave away, blocking the space between Hitomi and the others.
"Hitomi," Millerna murmured, clutching her belly.
I don't care what happens to me, Hitomi thought as she leapt up each step. I can't let what I saw in that vision. I need to change what I saw.
* * *
Confident that the area was uninhabited by Zaibach soldiers, Van headed towards the gardens where the sleeping dragon resided. I promised Folken that I would never use it again, he thought grimly. I'm sorry, brother, but Fanelia needs Escaflowne.
"Van!" He heard a bloodcurdling scream from the shadows of a destroyed building. He couldn't see much; smoke and dust filled the air, making it murky. He could hear the sobs of a young woman.
"Kyia!" he shouted as he finally recognized who it was that called his name. She sat besides a fallen pillar, hunched over a trapped object and crying. As he inched closer, he could see the elderly old man pinned by the massive marble block.
"My gods, Eli," he breathed. "What happened?"
Eli grimaced in pain as he tried to speak. "Those Guymelefs came over here and started to destroy the building..." Kyia spoke between sobs. "The ceiling fell on everybody inside... they were either dying or dead. We managed to escape with some others, but this pillar fell on Father and... I had to stop and help him. But those cowards left us behind." She spat on the ground as she said the last sentence.
"I think my lungs are crushed, My Lord," Eli managed to croak out. "There's no point on wasting time on me."
"What are you saying, Father?!" Kyia cried. "I'm not leaving you!"
"My little angel... you have made my life so wonderful. There is nothing left..." He turned to Van. "My Lord, will you watch her for my last request?"
Van nodded, his face expressionless. "I will, Eli. You have my word."
He smiled. "Kyia..." His last word faded into nothingness as he shut his eyes, his smile left on his face of peace.
"Father! Father, no!" the young girl screamed, then hid her face into Van's chest. He put his arms around her to comfort her. He remembered the night that his father had died. Then, he was only five, not old enough to fully understand what had taken place.
"Van!" he heard a male voice cry out. Allen ran up to where he sat with the servant girl. "Some of the noblemen have left in their leviships. But those Guymelefs are letting them leave..."
"They don't want them, they want me," Van interrupted. "It's Zaibach. Ashira and Sekhmet are from Zaibach."
"Zaibach?" Allen asked, confused. "There is no more Zaibach, we got rid of them all."
"Obviously not," Van said bluntly. "Perhaps they were just waiting for something."
Allen's once-sparkling blue eyes grew hard and cold. "Do you think they'll take Celena away from me again?"
Van stared down at Kyia, who ceased her noisy cries to muffled sobs. "I don't know. I overheard some soldiers talking about me. They want some 'object' from me, but I have no clue what they want..."
"Really, Van? Because you should. You really should."
Some type of ship appeared from behind, lowering itself to the ground. As Van looked up, he realized what it was he saw; a floating fortress, removing its invisibility cloak.
Ashira stood in the doorway, light illuminating her from behind. Her eyes, filled with hate and anger, stared wildly at him.
"I love this kingdom," she said, gleefully. "It's stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, inside a mountain valley with only one way of escaping, so easy to destroy."
Van's anger flared. "Why are you doing this? What do you want?"
"You destroyed my life long ago!" she screamed. "My father and mother were killed in the Great War under your command, and I was held hostage by Zaibach. But they realized what I was and used me. I wanted to take everything you loved so dearly away from you, like your kingdom. But when you didn't want me, someone exactly like you, I took your kingdom the more...interesting...way. Now all I want is the object and we can all go about our lives."
"What object? I have nothing!" Van shouted, full of rage. Just wait until I get my hands around that bitch...
"Fool! I wanted to see you suffer, like me!" she screamed. She pulled out a long bladed dagger, curved to a point. "I want what's mine!"
"Van!" another softer, more familiar name called. He turned to see Hitomi standing in the rubble. His heart eased when he saw her, but tensed what he saw dangling about her neck. The pendant.
Ashira saw it, too, gleaming brightly in the setting sun. "She's got it! Grab her!"
A Zaibach Guymelef retreated from its unseen hiding place and leapt forward, knocking Van to the side. He winced as he landed hard on the stone floor, tasting blood as he had bit his lip from sudden impact. The Guymelef shot a liquid Crima Claw at Hitomi. She remained stunned, unable of moving as she watched the metal wrap itself around her body. She was harshly pulled off the ground as the Guymelef sprung into the air and began to ascend higher.
Ashira cackled insanely. "Good! I still get to make you suffer! Thanks a lot!" The floating fortress withdrew to its invisibility cloak once more, disappearing from their views. Along with Hitomi.
Van stared into the sky, unable to see anything. Pain shot threw his body as he struggled to get up.
"Hitomi..." he whispered.
to be continued...
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I'm sorry to leave you all like this, but I am leaving at 4 am tomorrow morning and I really need to finish packing. I'll be back around July 22, so hopefully I'll have a few more chapters up a couple days following that. Ciao!