Date. 11.29.2001
Time. 7.17 pm
Music. I'm watching the Concert of NYC because I never got to see when it first came on.
Chapter 19.
Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne nor any of its characters. Just all the ones that I created.
Author's Notes. I think I want to cry. Not including the epilogue, this is the last installment of Rota Fortunae. It makes me rather sad, not having something to do. I haven't really worked out anything, just some ideas for a sequel. Please, if you have ANY ideas, email me and talk. Perhaps it will hurry out the production of it. But I want to thank everyone that ever reviewed this fic. And a special gratitude to those of you that continued with this story. I hope to see your fics in the future.
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 19. Rota Fortunae
* * *
Sekhmet glanced out the front windows as Ashira raced in front, flying madly towards the temple of Atlantis on the dormant volcano. He sighed in disgust of her actions. Do something first, then think about the consequences later.
He looked down at the beach where the battle raged on in repulsion. He had dispatched the last remaining Alseides units and that still wasn't enough to take on the damn Asturian army. He watched in apathy as another Zaibach soldier fell down as that Caeli Knight stabbed him in the chest.
"That's it," he muttered. "I've had enough."
"Sir?" a young operator asked.
"You heard me," he shouted at him. "Turn around. We're leaving."
"Do you want me to call back the remaining Guymelefs, sir?"
He shook his head. "No, leave them to their deaths," he replied quietly. "It's the life that they chose."
The operator looked around uneasily to his fellow pilots, each one shrugging their shoulders. Do what he says, their faces seemed to read.
"Prepare ship for departure!" he shouted into the microphone, his voice cracking. "Activate invisibility cloak!"
I hope you find what you're looking for, Ashira, he thought as the Zaibach floating fortress disappeared from the view of the outside soldiers. Just don't get killed in the process.
* * *
Celena's heart pounded within her chest as she raced up the vast flight of stairs. Damn you, Van, she cursed. Of course she had to take the hard way. By the time that she arrived to the temple of Atlantis, Hitomi probably would be standing there, smiling and having completed her mission.
But I promised Van that I would help her out… I have to finish what I started.
She ran briskly, skipping steps at a time. She was so relieved in choosing men's breeches rather than the annoying gowns that she usually wore. These were so much more comfortable.
She breathed heavily, slowly inching closer to her destination. The steps led her to the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach below her, curving up the side of the dormant volcano. She glanced down as she ran past, catching glimpses of Scherazade and other familiar Guymelefs that she had seen before in Asturia. Many were already down and destroyed, taking men's lives with them.
May the Sea Dragon protect you, brother, she thought as she continued along her way.
"Where are you going, girlie?" a deep voice growled from behind. Celena whirled around to find a Zaibach soldier, hidden in the rocks. He held a gaping wound at his side, his other arm clutching his drawn sword. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"I have no time for you," she murmured. "Get out of my way."
"Or you'll what? Hit me with that stick of yours?" He let out a gruff laugh. "I'd like to see you try." He began to tap her sword with his own in a playful manner. Celena quickly knocked it away, leaving the soldier stunned.
"Why you little…" he hissed, attacking her even stronger. She blocked his assault, able to withstand his lowered strength due to his injuries. She glared angrily at him, a bead of sweat rolling down the side of her face.
She noticed as she blocked another blow that she was having some trouble seeing her opponent. Why was it getting dark? she wondered. It's the middle of the day. She glanced up the sky quickly, noticing that something was moving in front of the sun, slowly covering it up.
The eclipse, she thought. It's beginning.
"What the hell is going on?" the Zaibach soldier said aloud. He lowered his weapon as he stared at the anomaly. Celena took her chance and knocked him on the back of the head. His body crumbled to the ground.
Shit, she thought. What if something's happened to Hitomi?
She followed the steps up the mountainside once more, continuing her journey.
* * *
"But don't you realize that Gaea will be destroyed?" Hitomi asked.
Ashira snorted. "So what if it does?" she said. "I won't cry about it. And if it doesn't, then I will have the power of Atlantis at my command." She pushed herself off the pillar and walked towards Hitomi, drawing her sword as she came closer. "Let's end this," she smirked.
"No…" Hitomi whispered, taking slow steps backwards.
" 'Fraid so," Ashira hissed. "I've killed you once, I can do it again."
Hitomi glanced down at her watch… 45 more seconds. Could she last these last few moments to allow the prophecy to come true?
"Why do you want to use that sword?" she asked. "Wouldn't you like it a lot more if you killed me by your own hands?"
Ashira raised her eyebrow. "You're serious?"
Hitomi nodded, crossing the great seal upon the old stone floor. She looked up to the darkening sky where the sun gradually lost its flare. The eclipse… this is really happening. I need to stall time.
She released her wings, surprised on how it seemed so simple this time. Her cool green eyes remained fixated on her opponent, holding her hands up. "Here I am," she said.
Ashira tossed aside her sword. "Fine," she shrugged her shoulders. "Have it your way." With those last words, she leapt through the air, wings spread wide. Hitomi remained calm as she landed before her and grasped her neck, tightening her grip with a smirk on her face.
"Too bad your lover boy couldn't be here this time to watch me kill you again," she said, smiling as Hitomi clung to her hands. "But this can't really wait, you know?"
Hitomi closed her eyes in silent prayer: I… I don't think I'll be able to make it… I don't think I'll survive these few seconds… everyone will die because of me… Van… Van, I love you… and I'm sorry… I'm sorry, everyone… it's all my fault… it all ends here…
it doesn't have to end here, hitomi… you can hold on… you will live…
She grinned even harder as Hitomi squirmed under her hold. "You're at the end of the line," she said intensely. "You've come so far only to die here. It all ends here."
Hitomi felt herself fade away from consciousness. Her vision of Ashira's tormented face turned black. She tore at her hands, but the Zaibach soldier's grip held strong. Barely able to focus, she managed to glance at her wrist watch: 10 seconds left…
She began to smile as her torturer continued to choke her.
"Why are you smiling?" Ashira lowered her gaze and glared at her.
"It's… not… over… yet…" she managed to croak out, her calm eyes looking towards heaven.
Ashira looked up as well to see the sun entirely blocked out… a full eclipse. "What the…" she began.
Her sentence was interrupted as a beam of light shot through the small hole in the roof of the temple, hitting the first energist stone embedded into the ground. The angle of the stone directed it to the next one upon the pillar, leaving the first stone glowing brightly.
Ashira watched the energy bounce from energist to energist, illuminating the room as it continued around, connecting to each stone. Her hands remained fastened around Hitomi's neck, although she no longer tightened them, allowing her to breathe and regain consciousness. She saw the beam touching each stone and continuing to the next one, surrounding the two Draconian women in a dome of light.
The last stone knocked the light towards the mural pendant stone, where it resided for a moment. This is exactly how Folken showed me it would happen, Hitomi thought. Except… what happens next?
She stared at the glowing stone, mesmerized by its soft pink hue that bathed the temple room in light. Ashira was caught in its hypnotizing spell as well, and dropped her hands from Hitomi's throat. She took that chance and knocked her aside.
At that moment, the light shot from the wall, hitting Hitomi's pendant stone and consuming her body in light. She no longer felt present inside, as though something else… something bigger than she… had taken over for a instant… She felt her feet leave the floor, floating mere inches above the worn stones.
Ashira stood up, her sapphire blue eyes filled with rage.
"No!" she screamed, lunging forward. "It doesn't end!" She grasped the floating pendant and was overcome by the light that surrounded Hitomi.
As her slender fingers wrapped around the small stone, an unearthly scream tore through the ancient temple, ripping apart the old pillars that held the roof aloft. Bricks came tumbling down and turned to dust as soon as they hit the ground. The dome of light protected all that dwelled inside, including the mural portrait of the Lady of Atlantis and her pendant energist.
But both Ashira and Hitomi did not notice the destruction of the temple about them. Their bodies collapsed to the ground, the soft glow still emitting light from them.
They were both unconscious and unaware that at that moment, Gaea was dying.
* * *
"Shit!"
"What the hell is that?!"
"What's going on?!"
Voices of bewildered soldiers cried out in the heat of the battle. A great tremor had shook the entire island, causing the Guymelefs to lose their footing and topple over. Scalding geysers of hot gas escaped from cracks from the volcano, melting the metal of the armor.
A thick beam of pink light shot through the sky directly from the temple of Atlantis, almost as if it were heading towards the Mystic Moon. Instead, it branched off and spread around the atmosphere of Gaea, surrounding the entire planet. The sun remained hidden, keeping the land dark as nighttime.
Escaflowne, in flight-mode, crashed into another hovering Alseides unit. Van wrapped his legs underneath the bench to hold on to as the Guymelef shuddered from the contact. He found a patch of smooth air and looked at the phenomena. Hitomi…
"Is this what is supposed to happen, Fanel?" Van heard Gaddes shout into the intercom system.
"I thought so…" he murmured, transfixed by the sight. Lightning crashed, raising the electricity level in the air. "But now I'm not so sure…"
"Van!" Allen shouted. "Look at the temple!"
He whipped his head around in the direction of where Hitomi had flown. The beam of light began to pulsate madly, threatening at any moment to explode.
I don't like the looks of that…
Without any warning, some sort of convulsion shook from the beam, spreading out like a shockwave. Van managed to shout for everyone to look out before he intercepted the surge.
Something passed through him, something unnatural. He felt a tingling sensation overwhelm him for a moment, but it passed. Without hesitation, he pulled Escaflowne's reins towards the temple. He had to see Hitomi. Something wasn't right.
But the breast jewel containing the Drag-energist fainted, causing to make Escaflowne sleep and lose its power. It withdrew its wings and fell like a stone in the sky.
"Escaflowne!" Van shouted, pulling the reins but the Guymelef didn't respond. As his last resort, he released his wings, shredding his shirt, and kicked off from where he stood. He flapped a couple times, watching unhappily as his Guymelef landed in the ocean shore break below. He saw other Melef units fall out of the sky as well, their pilots not able to escape from the cockpit.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Crusade slowly descending and crashing into the shore as well. He prayed for those who remained on board that they were all right.
That shockwave… it knocked out everything… something's wrong… this isn't what's supposed to happen…
With a quick flap, he headed towards the flight of stairs leading up to the temple. Where was Celena? And Hitomi?
* * *
"Gods! How many are there of you?!" she cried aloud. "I really don't have time for you now."
"Oooo… this should be fun," the large soldier grunted, raising his sword.
"Please… the whole world is at stake…"
"Does it look like I really… umpf!" he groaned as something large and white landed on top of him. Celena jumped back in surprise before recognizing the familiar shape in the darkness.
"You know, I could have taken him," she said, grinning at her friend.
"What happened? Where's Hitomi?" Van grabbed her shoulders, staring intensely into her eyes.
"There were all these soldiers along the way up the stairs," she replied, becoming more serious. "And Hitomi… she should be at the temple, shouldn't she?"
"Something's wrong… something deactivated all the Guymelefs and the Crusade crashed into the beach… and I don't know if Hitomi is… alright." He looked up the mountainside, longing to be with her.
Celena looked at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are we waiting for, huh?" she asked.
He looked down at her and gave her a quick grin. "Hang on tight ," he said as he dove of the cliff.
* * *
"Where… where am I?!" Ashira's scream echoed in the non-exist room that the two resided in. She spread her wings and took flight, examining her new surroundings. But nothing surrounded them. They were just in… emptiness.
Hitomi, surprised on how calm she had remained, stood where she had appeared. One moment, Ashira had a death grip hold around her neck, the next the power of Atlantis had been released and grabbed her, bringing her here to this alternate plane. Her fingers instinctively went to her pendant, but it was no longer there in this plane.
*you don't need it anymore, hitomi*
She looked up, seeing Ashira still flying about and screeching. Who was that?
*you're done, hitomi. you've fulfilled the prophecy*
She closed her eyes. Are you the power of Atlantis? she asked in her mind.
*ah, yes I am. but you seem confused*
I just thought that it would be an energy inside of me. Not something that was alive.
*gaea is a spirit living inside a planet. therefore, this world is alive, is it not?*
True. But… what exactly are you?
*you mean… you were never told?*
No…
*I shouldn't say that I'm a single… being. we are more of a collective of energies brought together*
What?
*the power of Atlantis isn't really a power. it's the people that have the true power. As soon as Atlantis was to be destroyed, we made our last wish for the creation of Gaea. In those last moments, our wishes required all of our strength and it drew our power as well. this so-called power converted into one energy and was trapped within the limits of Gaea herself, waiting for the right person to come and release me*
Ah, she though. Don't take this the wrong way, but are you going to be present… all the time?
The presence inside of her mind chuckled. *no. you may call on me whenever you would like. but now that the day of revelation is completed, I will go back to sleep until I am needed*
"You!" Hitomi's concentration with the new power inside her was broken by Ashira's accusation. "This is all your fault! We're stuck here because of you!" She hovered above, then dove madly at Hitomi, screaming a battle cry the entire way.
*here, let me help you out*
In an instant, Hitomi lost all control of her body. Something… this force… took her and moved her out of harm's way. Rather, the power of Atlantis teleported her to another area.
Hitomi shook her head, a little dizzy and rushed from the experience. Ashira pivoted in the air and looked at her.
"How… what…" she muttered, utterly confused. Without hesitation, she brought her wings close to her sides and dove again..
Hitomi was moved once more to a different location, leaving Ashira bewildered. She landed on the so-called ground that they were standing one and tore out four of her knives, tossing the first one at Hitomi's head.
Her hands went instinctively up to protect herself from the blow, but the knife never reached her. She looked up to see it floating in mid-air, blade point towards her. She focused on it and it dropped to the ground.
Ashira threw another one, but it stopped just before it reached Hitomi. Without blinking, she deflected and it fell to the floor, joining its brother.
In a rage, Ashira grabbed the rest of her blades and threw them all at once at her. Hitomi casually remained calm as eight more knives flew towards her body. She raised her hand to stop them. "No…" she whispered.
The blades stopped just as the others did, waiting for some sort of signal from their new master. She concentrated on them and moved the knives so that they faced Ashira.
The young woman backed up, fear written on her face. "No, wait, Hitomi… there's been some sort of misunderstanding or something… I didn't really know…"
Hitomi ignored her and released the knives, their sharp points heading rapidly towards Ashira as she screamed in terror.
* * *
Van couldn't help smiling softly as Celena clawed at him when he jumped off the edge. This is the first time I've taken her out, he thought. Of course she's going to be nervous.
"It's all right, Celena," he said. "I won't let you fall."
She snorted in response. "What are you talking about? I'm not afraid," she replied, her voice shaking.
Not believing her, Van held her tighter and flew towards the temple. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the temple of Atlantis for the first time. The walls had toppled over, lying in a pile of dust and debris. An evil- looking beam of light shot from what appeared to be the top of a dome to the heavens and spread around all of Gaea.
He panicked. Where was Hitomi? Why couldn't he feel her presence anymore? He angled his wings and dove between the archway into the entrance.
"What do you think that is?!" Celena shouted over the wailing that escaped from the earth.
"I don't know!" he yelled. Suddenly, he saw her, lying a few feet away from Ashira. They were both still and lifeless, covered by that dome of light.
"Hitomi!" Without a second thought, he flew directly into the dome.
As he passed through it, he felt some sort of energy surge through him, exactly how the shockwave had hit him on Escaflowne. It hadn't stopped him so he continued. But he had lost Celena.
Although she had remained in his arms, she didn't pass through the force field like he did. It set some sort of barrier and didn't allow her inside. Luckily, he had slow a bit in order to land so hitting the wall didn't hurt her that much.
She stood up, quite shaken, and banged her hands on the exterior.
"What happened?!" he shouted at her as his feet touched the ground besides Hitomi's still body.
"I wasn't allowed in…" she replied, and looked around the room. "…because I'm not a Draconian."
He followed her gaze around the room. Ashira's wings were out, as well as Hitomi's. However, Ashira must have landed wrong and her right wing was bent at a wrong angle. He knelt besides Hitomi and stroked her cheek.
"Love?" he whispered, his voice on the verge of cracking. "Time to wake up…" He checked her wrist for any sign of life, but he felt no pulse. He couldn't lose her again. "Hitomi?"
* * *
The knives hovered just in front of Ashira's face as she cowered down and collapsed to the floor. Hitomi remained standing tall, not one flicker of emotion in her eyes.
No! You're not going to kill her!
*why not? all this time, she has caused you nothing but grief. she's killed you once already*
Yes, that's true. But if I kill her, I'm no better.
The energy in her mind sighed. *you are correct, my lady. and wise. I believe that you will be a fine ruler and lady of Atlantis. but may I suggest one thing before you may have control?*
Yes?
*do make sure that she is put away somewhere. far away. for the next time, she would not only be hurting you, but your child as well*
My child?
*yes, dear one. you are with child. and I'd best be going off. can you not hear them calling you from the other side? whenever you need me, just call out and I'll be there*
And with those last words, the presence was gone, leaving Hitomi alone in her mind.
But she wasn't completely alone. She touched her stomach gently and smiled. "I'm pregnant," she said.
* * *
Ten gruesome minutes had gone by, and Van still remained by Hitomi's side, whispering something to her inaudible to Celena. She pressed herself against the light wall, her heart breaking for her friend.
He had buckled and fallen to the floor, lying on his stomach next to her. He held her hand and the other one draped across her chest. He dug his face in her cheek, closing his eyes and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.
A tear trickled down Celena's cheek as she watched him suffer. This was torturing him. He had just gotten her back after what seemed an eternity of patient waiting. And then she was taken and returned. And now, she was gone once more. Fate was cruel.
A faint ray of light hit the temple, growing stronger by each passing moment. But it wasn't like the light being emitted. Celena shielded her eyes as she gazed into the dark atmosphere. The sun had managed to crack through the clouds and disperse them. She could see blue skies beyond the disappearing gloom.
But Van took no notice. He lay besides Hitomi, his wing covering her.
He stirred only when a soft moan escaped from her still lips. He pushed himself up, starring unbelievably down at her. Her eyes fluttered open and looked up at him.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hey," he replied, rubbing his eyes and giving her a grin.
"Umm… haven't we already done this before?" she asked, smiling. "I mean, the last time I died."
"It seems somewhat familiar," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "All that matters is you're alright."
He took her hand and helped her up to her feet, holding her close to him. "I thought I'd lost you again," he said.
She held him tighter. "You'll never lose me," she replied. "Or…" she took his hand and moved it down to her stomach. His gaze followed and his facial features lightened. He looked back at her, his eyes lively and wild.
Someone cleared their throat loudly, causing the couple to turn around and break from their stare. "You know, Ashira can wake up any moment," Celena pointed out.
Hitomi shook her head. "No, she won't be bothering us anymore," she said sullenly.
Van looked at her curiously. "You didn't… kill her, did you?"
"She's stuck…" she murmured. "…in limbo… between here and there." She broke away from their embrace and clutched the pendant that still hung from her neck and closed her eyes. The voice had told her that she didn't need it anymore; but she did. It comforted her like an old friend.
The dome of light that still surrounded them began to shrink, sucking things into the void as it grew smaller. Ashira's body dragged along the ground as the dome withdrew to the still-standing mural of the Lady of Atlantis, taking her into the giant pendant energist. With a bright flash, Van, Hitomi, and Celena were the only ones remaining in the temple shambles.
As she opened her eyes, footsteps clamored up the ancient steps leading to the now-ruins. Van walked up behind her slowly as she returned to his arms. He wrapped his wings around her and kissed her.
"Van," she whispered. "I'm a little tired."
He snorted. "Me too," he replied, chuckling softly. "Let's go home."
* * *
Her fingers held the blade tightly as she huddled on the floor, her wings hiding her. Her once-bright blue eyes were blank and etched with fear and confusion as they shifted wildly, scanning her surroundings.
But there was nothing there.
Her face perspired heavily as she panted, swinging the knife at the air. She continued muttering obscenities, occasionally spouting words that one could recognize:
"…it's not over… it's not over… it's not the end… I'm not staying here… I'm gonna get out… you hear me? I'm gonna get out…"
THE END
* * *
*PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR EPILOQUE*
*sob sob sob* Why?! Why does it have to end?! Wait, it doesn't have to! Please, if you have ANY ideas, email me and talk. Perhaps it will hurry out the production of it. But I want to thank everyone that ever reviewed this fic. And a special gratitude to those of you that continued with this story. I hope to see your fics in the future. Thanks and KEEP SUPPORTING ESCA!!!!!!!!
Time. 7.17 pm
Music. I'm watching the Concert of NYC because I never got to see when it first came on.
Chapter 19.
Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne nor any of its characters. Just all the ones that I created.
Author's Notes. I think I want to cry. Not including the epilogue, this is the last installment of Rota Fortunae. It makes me rather sad, not having something to do. I haven't really worked out anything, just some ideas for a sequel. Please, if you have ANY ideas, email me and talk. Perhaps it will hurry out the production of it. But I want to thank everyone that ever reviewed this fic. And a special gratitude to those of you that continued with this story. I hope to see your fics in the future.
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 19. Rota Fortunae
* * *
Sekhmet glanced out the front windows as Ashira raced in front, flying madly towards the temple of Atlantis on the dormant volcano. He sighed in disgust of her actions. Do something first, then think about the consequences later.
He looked down at the beach where the battle raged on in repulsion. He had dispatched the last remaining Alseides units and that still wasn't enough to take on the damn Asturian army. He watched in apathy as another Zaibach soldier fell down as that Caeli Knight stabbed him in the chest.
"That's it," he muttered. "I've had enough."
"Sir?" a young operator asked.
"You heard me," he shouted at him. "Turn around. We're leaving."
"Do you want me to call back the remaining Guymelefs, sir?"
He shook his head. "No, leave them to their deaths," he replied quietly. "It's the life that they chose."
The operator looked around uneasily to his fellow pilots, each one shrugging their shoulders. Do what he says, their faces seemed to read.
"Prepare ship for departure!" he shouted into the microphone, his voice cracking. "Activate invisibility cloak!"
I hope you find what you're looking for, Ashira, he thought as the Zaibach floating fortress disappeared from the view of the outside soldiers. Just don't get killed in the process.
* * *
Celena's heart pounded within her chest as she raced up the vast flight of stairs. Damn you, Van, she cursed. Of course she had to take the hard way. By the time that she arrived to the temple of Atlantis, Hitomi probably would be standing there, smiling and having completed her mission.
But I promised Van that I would help her out… I have to finish what I started.
She ran briskly, skipping steps at a time. She was so relieved in choosing men's breeches rather than the annoying gowns that she usually wore. These were so much more comfortable.
She breathed heavily, slowly inching closer to her destination. The steps led her to the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach below her, curving up the side of the dormant volcano. She glanced down as she ran past, catching glimpses of Scherazade and other familiar Guymelefs that she had seen before in Asturia. Many were already down and destroyed, taking men's lives with them.
May the Sea Dragon protect you, brother, she thought as she continued along her way.
"Where are you going, girlie?" a deep voice growled from behind. Celena whirled around to find a Zaibach soldier, hidden in the rocks. He held a gaping wound at his side, his other arm clutching his drawn sword. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"I have no time for you," she murmured. "Get out of my way."
"Or you'll what? Hit me with that stick of yours?" He let out a gruff laugh. "I'd like to see you try." He began to tap her sword with his own in a playful manner. Celena quickly knocked it away, leaving the soldier stunned.
"Why you little…" he hissed, attacking her even stronger. She blocked his assault, able to withstand his lowered strength due to his injuries. She glared angrily at him, a bead of sweat rolling down the side of her face.
She noticed as she blocked another blow that she was having some trouble seeing her opponent. Why was it getting dark? she wondered. It's the middle of the day. She glanced up the sky quickly, noticing that something was moving in front of the sun, slowly covering it up.
The eclipse, she thought. It's beginning.
"What the hell is going on?" the Zaibach soldier said aloud. He lowered his weapon as he stared at the anomaly. Celena took her chance and knocked him on the back of the head. His body crumbled to the ground.
Shit, she thought. What if something's happened to Hitomi?
She followed the steps up the mountainside once more, continuing her journey.
* * *
"But don't you realize that Gaea will be destroyed?" Hitomi asked.
Ashira snorted. "So what if it does?" she said. "I won't cry about it. And if it doesn't, then I will have the power of Atlantis at my command." She pushed herself off the pillar and walked towards Hitomi, drawing her sword as she came closer. "Let's end this," she smirked.
"No…" Hitomi whispered, taking slow steps backwards.
" 'Fraid so," Ashira hissed. "I've killed you once, I can do it again."
Hitomi glanced down at her watch… 45 more seconds. Could she last these last few moments to allow the prophecy to come true?
"Why do you want to use that sword?" she asked. "Wouldn't you like it a lot more if you killed me by your own hands?"
Ashira raised her eyebrow. "You're serious?"
Hitomi nodded, crossing the great seal upon the old stone floor. She looked up to the darkening sky where the sun gradually lost its flare. The eclipse… this is really happening. I need to stall time.
She released her wings, surprised on how it seemed so simple this time. Her cool green eyes remained fixated on her opponent, holding her hands up. "Here I am," she said.
Ashira tossed aside her sword. "Fine," she shrugged her shoulders. "Have it your way." With those last words, she leapt through the air, wings spread wide. Hitomi remained calm as she landed before her and grasped her neck, tightening her grip with a smirk on her face.
"Too bad your lover boy couldn't be here this time to watch me kill you again," she said, smiling as Hitomi clung to her hands. "But this can't really wait, you know?"
Hitomi closed her eyes in silent prayer: I… I don't think I'll be able to make it… I don't think I'll survive these few seconds… everyone will die because of me… Van… Van, I love you… and I'm sorry… I'm sorry, everyone… it's all my fault… it all ends here…
it doesn't have to end here, hitomi… you can hold on… you will live…
She grinned even harder as Hitomi squirmed under her hold. "You're at the end of the line," she said intensely. "You've come so far only to die here. It all ends here."
Hitomi felt herself fade away from consciousness. Her vision of Ashira's tormented face turned black. She tore at her hands, but the Zaibach soldier's grip held strong. Barely able to focus, she managed to glance at her wrist watch: 10 seconds left…
She began to smile as her torturer continued to choke her.
"Why are you smiling?" Ashira lowered her gaze and glared at her.
"It's… not… over… yet…" she managed to croak out, her calm eyes looking towards heaven.
Ashira looked up as well to see the sun entirely blocked out… a full eclipse. "What the…" she began.
Her sentence was interrupted as a beam of light shot through the small hole in the roof of the temple, hitting the first energist stone embedded into the ground. The angle of the stone directed it to the next one upon the pillar, leaving the first stone glowing brightly.
Ashira watched the energy bounce from energist to energist, illuminating the room as it continued around, connecting to each stone. Her hands remained fastened around Hitomi's neck, although she no longer tightened them, allowing her to breathe and regain consciousness. She saw the beam touching each stone and continuing to the next one, surrounding the two Draconian women in a dome of light.
The last stone knocked the light towards the mural pendant stone, where it resided for a moment. This is exactly how Folken showed me it would happen, Hitomi thought. Except… what happens next?
She stared at the glowing stone, mesmerized by its soft pink hue that bathed the temple room in light. Ashira was caught in its hypnotizing spell as well, and dropped her hands from Hitomi's throat. She took that chance and knocked her aside.
At that moment, the light shot from the wall, hitting Hitomi's pendant stone and consuming her body in light. She no longer felt present inside, as though something else… something bigger than she… had taken over for a instant… She felt her feet leave the floor, floating mere inches above the worn stones.
Ashira stood up, her sapphire blue eyes filled with rage.
"No!" she screamed, lunging forward. "It doesn't end!" She grasped the floating pendant and was overcome by the light that surrounded Hitomi.
As her slender fingers wrapped around the small stone, an unearthly scream tore through the ancient temple, ripping apart the old pillars that held the roof aloft. Bricks came tumbling down and turned to dust as soon as they hit the ground. The dome of light protected all that dwelled inside, including the mural portrait of the Lady of Atlantis and her pendant energist.
But both Ashira and Hitomi did not notice the destruction of the temple about them. Their bodies collapsed to the ground, the soft glow still emitting light from them.
They were both unconscious and unaware that at that moment, Gaea was dying.
* * *
"Shit!"
"What the hell is that?!"
"What's going on?!"
Voices of bewildered soldiers cried out in the heat of the battle. A great tremor had shook the entire island, causing the Guymelefs to lose their footing and topple over. Scalding geysers of hot gas escaped from cracks from the volcano, melting the metal of the armor.
A thick beam of pink light shot through the sky directly from the temple of Atlantis, almost as if it were heading towards the Mystic Moon. Instead, it branched off and spread around the atmosphere of Gaea, surrounding the entire planet. The sun remained hidden, keeping the land dark as nighttime.
Escaflowne, in flight-mode, crashed into another hovering Alseides unit. Van wrapped his legs underneath the bench to hold on to as the Guymelef shuddered from the contact. He found a patch of smooth air and looked at the phenomena. Hitomi…
"Is this what is supposed to happen, Fanel?" Van heard Gaddes shout into the intercom system.
"I thought so…" he murmured, transfixed by the sight. Lightning crashed, raising the electricity level in the air. "But now I'm not so sure…"
"Van!" Allen shouted. "Look at the temple!"
He whipped his head around in the direction of where Hitomi had flown. The beam of light began to pulsate madly, threatening at any moment to explode.
I don't like the looks of that…
Without any warning, some sort of convulsion shook from the beam, spreading out like a shockwave. Van managed to shout for everyone to look out before he intercepted the surge.
Something passed through him, something unnatural. He felt a tingling sensation overwhelm him for a moment, but it passed. Without hesitation, he pulled Escaflowne's reins towards the temple. He had to see Hitomi. Something wasn't right.
But the breast jewel containing the Drag-energist fainted, causing to make Escaflowne sleep and lose its power. It withdrew its wings and fell like a stone in the sky.
"Escaflowne!" Van shouted, pulling the reins but the Guymelef didn't respond. As his last resort, he released his wings, shredding his shirt, and kicked off from where he stood. He flapped a couple times, watching unhappily as his Guymelef landed in the ocean shore break below. He saw other Melef units fall out of the sky as well, their pilots not able to escape from the cockpit.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Crusade slowly descending and crashing into the shore as well. He prayed for those who remained on board that they were all right.
That shockwave… it knocked out everything… something's wrong… this isn't what's supposed to happen…
With a quick flap, he headed towards the flight of stairs leading up to the temple. Where was Celena? And Hitomi?
* * *
"Gods! How many are there of you?!" she cried aloud. "I really don't have time for you now."
"Oooo… this should be fun," the large soldier grunted, raising his sword.
"Please… the whole world is at stake…"
"Does it look like I really… umpf!" he groaned as something large and white landed on top of him. Celena jumped back in surprise before recognizing the familiar shape in the darkness.
"You know, I could have taken him," she said, grinning at her friend.
"What happened? Where's Hitomi?" Van grabbed her shoulders, staring intensely into her eyes.
"There were all these soldiers along the way up the stairs," she replied, becoming more serious. "And Hitomi… she should be at the temple, shouldn't she?"
"Something's wrong… something deactivated all the Guymelefs and the Crusade crashed into the beach… and I don't know if Hitomi is… alright." He looked up the mountainside, longing to be with her.
Celena looked at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are we waiting for, huh?" she asked.
He looked down at her and gave her a quick grin. "Hang on tight ," he said as he dove of the cliff.
* * *
"Where… where am I?!" Ashira's scream echoed in the non-exist room that the two resided in. She spread her wings and took flight, examining her new surroundings. But nothing surrounded them. They were just in… emptiness.
Hitomi, surprised on how calm she had remained, stood where she had appeared. One moment, Ashira had a death grip hold around her neck, the next the power of Atlantis had been released and grabbed her, bringing her here to this alternate plane. Her fingers instinctively went to her pendant, but it was no longer there in this plane.
*you don't need it anymore, hitomi*
She looked up, seeing Ashira still flying about and screeching. Who was that?
*you're done, hitomi. you've fulfilled the prophecy*
She closed her eyes. Are you the power of Atlantis? she asked in her mind.
*ah, yes I am. but you seem confused*
I just thought that it would be an energy inside of me. Not something that was alive.
*gaea is a spirit living inside a planet. therefore, this world is alive, is it not?*
True. But… what exactly are you?
*you mean… you were never told?*
No…
*I shouldn't say that I'm a single… being. we are more of a collective of energies brought together*
What?
*the power of Atlantis isn't really a power. it's the people that have the true power. As soon as Atlantis was to be destroyed, we made our last wish for the creation of Gaea. In those last moments, our wishes required all of our strength and it drew our power as well. this so-called power converted into one energy and was trapped within the limits of Gaea herself, waiting for the right person to come and release me*
Ah, she though. Don't take this the wrong way, but are you going to be present… all the time?
The presence inside of her mind chuckled. *no. you may call on me whenever you would like. but now that the day of revelation is completed, I will go back to sleep until I am needed*
"You!" Hitomi's concentration with the new power inside her was broken by Ashira's accusation. "This is all your fault! We're stuck here because of you!" She hovered above, then dove madly at Hitomi, screaming a battle cry the entire way.
*here, let me help you out*
In an instant, Hitomi lost all control of her body. Something… this force… took her and moved her out of harm's way. Rather, the power of Atlantis teleported her to another area.
Hitomi shook her head, a little dizzy and rushed from the experience. Ashira pivoted in the air and looked at her.
"How… what…" she muttered, utterly confused. Without hesitation, she brought her wings close to her sides and dove again..
Hitomi was moved once more to a different location, leaving Ashira bewildered. She landed on the so-called ground that they were standing one and tore out four of her knives, tossing the first one at Hitomi's head.
Her hands went instinctively up to protect herself from the blow, but the knife never reached her. She looked up to see it floating in mid-air, blade point towards her. She focused on it and it dropped to the ground.
Ashira threw another one, but it stopped just before it reached Hitomi. Without blinking, she deflected and it fell to the floor, joining its brother.
In a rage, Ashira grabbed the rest of her blades and threw them all at once at her. Hitomi casually remained calm as eight more knives flew towards her body. She raised her hand to stop them. "No…" she whispered.
The blades stopped just as the others did, waiting for some sort of signal from their new master. She concentrated on them and moved the knives so that they faced Ashira.
The young woman backed up, fear written on her face. "No, wait, Hitomi… there's been some sort of misunderstanding or something… I didn't really know…"
Hitomi ignored her and released the knives, their sharp points heading rapidly towards Ashira as she screamed in terror.
* * *
Van couldn't help smiling softly as Celena clawed at him when he jumped off the edge. This is the first time I've taken her out, he thought. Of course she's going to be nervous.
"It's all right, Celena," he said. "I won't let you fall."
She snorted in response. "What are you talking about? I'm not afraid," she replied, her voice shaking.
Not believing her, Van held her tighter and flew towards the temple. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the temple of Atlantis for the first time. The walls had toppled over, lying in a pile of dust and debris. An evil- looking beam of light shot from what appeared to be the top of a dome to the heavens and spread around all of Gaea.
He panicked. Where was Hitomi? Why couldn't he feel her presence anymore? He angled his wings and dove between the archway into the entrance.
"What do you think that is?!" Celena shouted over the wailing that escaped from the earth.
"I don't know!" he yelled. Suddenly, he saw her, lying a few feet away from Ashira. They were both still and lifeless, covered by that dome of light.
"Hitomi!" Without a second thought, he flew directly into the dome.
As he passed through it, he felt some sort of energy surge through him, exactly how the shockwave had hit him on Escaflowne. It hadn't stopped him so he continued. But he had lost Celena.
Although she had remained in his arms, she didn't pass through the force field like he did. It set some sort of barrier and didn't allow her inside. Luckily, he had slow a bit in order to land so hitting the wall didn't hurt her that much.
She stood up, quite shaken, and banged her hands on the exterior.
"What happened?!" he shouted at her as his feet touched the ground besides Hitomi's still body.
"I wasn't allowed in…" she replied, and looked around the room. "…because I'm not a Draconian."
He followed her gaze around the room. Ashira's wings were out, as well as Hitomi's. However, Ashira must have landed wrong and her right wing was bent at a wrong angle. He knelt besides Hitomi and stroked her cheek.
"Love?" he whispered, his voice on the verge of cracking. "Time to wake up…" He checked her wrist for any sign of life, but he felt no pulse. He couldn't lose her again. "Hitomi?"
* * *
The knives hovered just in front of Ashira's face as she cowered down and collapsed to the floor. Hitomi remained standing tall, not one flicker of emotion in her eyes.
No! You're not going to kill her!
*why not? all this time, she has caused you nothing but grief. she's killed you once already*
Yes, that's true. But if I kill her, I'm no better.
The energy in her mind sighed. *you are correct, my lady. and wise. I believe that you will be a fine ruler and lady of Atlantis. but may I suggest one thing before you may have control?*
Yes?
*do make sure that she is put away somewhere. far away. for the next time, she would not only be hurting you, but your child as well*
My child?
*yes, dear one. you are with child. and I'd best be going off. can you not hear them calling you from the other side? whenever you need me, just call out and I'll be there*
And with those last words, the presence was gone, leaving Hitomi alone in her mind.
But she wasn't completely alone. She touched her stomach gently and smiled. "I'm pregnant," she said.
* * *
Ten gruesome minutes had gone by, and Van still remained by Hitomi's side, whispering something to her inaudible to Celena. She pressed herself against the light wall, her heart breaking for her friend.
He had buckled and fallen to the floor, lying on his stomach next to her. He held her hand and the other one draped across her chest. He dug his face in her cheek, closing his eyes and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.
A tear trickled down Celena's cheek as she watched him suffer. This was torturing him. He had just gotten her back after what seemed an eternity of patient waiting. And then she was taken and returned. And now, she was gone once more. Fate was cruel.
A faint ray of light hit the temple, growing stronger by each passing moment. But it wasn't like the light being emitted. Celena shielded her eyes as she gazed into the dark atmosphere. The sun had managed to crack through the clouds and disperse them. She could see blue skies beyond the disappearing gloom.
But Van took no notice. He lay besides Hitomi, his wing covering her.
He stirred only when a soft moan escaped from her still lips. He pushed himself up, starring unbelievably down at her. Her eyes fluttered open and looked up at him.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hey," he replied, rubbing his eyes and giving her a grin.
"Umm… haven't we already done this before?" she asked, smiling. "I mean, the last time I died."
"It seems somewhat familiar," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "All that matters is you're alright."
He took her hand and helped her up to her feet, holding her close to him. "I thought I'd lost you again," he said.
She held him tighter. "You'll never lose me," she replied. "Or…" she took his hand and moved it down to her stomach. His gaze followed and his facial features lightened. He looked back at her, his eyes lively and wild.
Someone cleared their throat loudly, causing the couple to turn around and break from their stare. "You know, Ashira can wake up any moment," Celena pointed out.
Hitomi shook her head. "No, she won't be bothering us anymore," she said sullenly.
Van looked at her curiously. "You didn't… kill her, did you?"
"She's stuck…" she murmured. "…in limbo… between here and there." She broke away from their embrace and clutched the pendant that still hung from her neck and closed her eyes. The voice had told her that she didn't need it anymore; but she did. It comforted her like an old friend.
The dome of light that still surrounded them began to shrink, sucking things into the void as it grew smaller. Ashira's body dragged along the ground as the dome withdrew to the still-standing mural of the Lady of Atlantis, taking her into the giant pendant energist. With a bright flash, Van, Hitomi, and Celena were the only ones remaining in the temple shambles.
As she opened her eyes, footsteps clamored up the ancient steps leading to the now-ruins. Van walked up behind her slowly as she returned to his arms. He wrapped his wings around her and kissed her.
"Van," she whispered. "I'm a little tired."
He snorted. "Me too," he replied, chuckling softly. "Let's go home."
* * *
Her fingers held the blade tightly as she huddled on the floor, her wings hiding her. Her once-bright blue eyes were blank and etched with fear and confusion as they shifted wildly, scanning her surroundings.
But there was nothing there.
Her face perspired heavily as she panted, swinging the knife at the air. She continued muttering obscenities, occasionally spouting words that one could recognize:
"…it's not over… it's not over… it's not the end… I'm not staying here… I'm gonna get out… you hear me? I'm gonna get out…"
THE END
* * *
*PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR EPILOQUE*
*sob sob sob* Why?! Why does it have to end?! Wait, it doesn't have to! Please, if you have ANY ideas, email me and talk. Perhaps it will hurry out the production of it. But I want to thank everyone that ever reviewed this fic. And a special gratitude to those of you that continued with this story. I hope to see your fics in the future. Thanks and KEEP SUPPORTING ESCA!!!!!!!!