Apocalyptic Fate

Chapter 2: Heir to the Future, Part 2

A piercing wail burst forth, deafening the ears of those present, but this cry was of life and not the destruction of the future. The proud King of Fanelia and now proud father held his newborn son gently, admiring the wrinkled red face and the tiny limbs. His loving wife, queen and mother lay tiredly on the birthing bed, her face pale but happy, small trickles of sweat glistening at her temples.

"My son, our son," Van whispered reverently as the baby emitted a small burping cry. He couldn't believe such joy was possible yet he was feeling it and looking at his wife's face he could tell she felt the same.

"What are you going to name him, love?" Hitomi asked softly, admiring the scene her two loves made in the soft candlelight.

"I think…Folken," he replied a look of profound sorrow entering his eyes.

"That's wonderful, Van," the woman told him, a bittersweet happiness seizing her heart. It seemed as though he had finally reconciled his feelings of anger towards his deceased brother, now he could only look to the future.

He was about to say more but terrible, yet familiar, wind burst through the room. A deep, soulless shriek flowed around, pain running fiery across their exposed flesh. Instinctively Van shielded little Folken from the wind and blinding light. And then all motion ceased small slivers of iridescence suspended in the air. With a keening moan time started hesitantly and the agony faded to a dull throb, and then that too was gone.

The king and queen stared in horrified fascination as a familiar, yet nevertheless strange, figure manifested. The glowing being that had haunted their memories since their reunion was back, crystal wings and all. Her multicolored eyes surveyed the scene impassively before she glided over to the paralyzed king.

"The triggers have not all be set," the woman announced, voice echoing from antiquity. Ever so gently she took little Folken away from his father, cradling him in her gloved embrace. Hitomi remembered the pain the being's flesh created against her own and was glad she had graced their small son with such preventative measures.

"You will be king, you shall carry the seed of Destiny inside as will all your descendents, untill as such time as my second calling," the woman told the newborn, her voice compassionate and cold at the same time. "Only those that bear my gift shall rule. Only those who are king shall have the silver wings." Gently she placed her burning lips upon the baby's brow. The child's scream was horrible to hear, but the parents were unable to rescue their offspring.

With an exultant cry the winged being held the child aloft above her head. A resounding gasp sounded throughout the deathly quiet room at the sight of the small silver wings expanding from the infant's shoulders.

"I have marked him and his heirs," she told Van and Hitomi, addressing them for the first time since her arrival. "Only those bearing my gift will rule this country, only those will have my blessing and that of the Atlanteans. If anyone else rises to power the future is doomed."

She placed the weeping child in their arms and vanished in a brilliant agony.

Her will had been proclaimed and it would be followed. Only those bearing the gift of sliver wings would rule Fanelia.

End Chapter 2: Heir to the Future, Part 2

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I would appreciate it if many, many people reviewed. As a warning this is the last time any original Escaflowne characters will be seen, the rest is placed near the apocalypse, which is like a thousand years in the future, so they're most likely dead. If they're not then they're either vampires or immortal, which they aren't. Anyway REVIEW and I'll get the next one out as soon as I have deemed I have received enough to be worthwhile.