Episode Eighteen: Family Reunion

Escaflowne: Dreams of Destiny

Previously on Escaflowne: Dreams of Destiny

The battle rages on as Van, Hitomi, Kirei, and Rallin race to stop the Goshem soldiers - and the energy cannons, both visible and hidden - from destroying both themselves and Freid. The first of the cannons and the sets of troops are defeated without too much troubles, but as Escaflowne moves to deliver the fatal blow to the sky-cannon, a small blast knocks Hitomi of Escaflowne and Van races to catch her. And as their hands meet, a bright light engulfs all four of them and they are transported to...

[AN: Long Live Plot-Twists! I know I said that we were nearing the end, but I was inspired and, thus, the final battle and epilogue have (again) been sent FAR, FAR, away. I got the idea while I was reading another fanfiction, and what the author suggested, I thought was interesting, AND I thought of a way to fit it in the story. It might seem kind of late for it though, since I never hinted about it in the beginning (actually, I READ my story, and there are a LOT of details missing that I'd like to be there) so BECAUSE of that, this will end up LONGER. Actually... I'll just use it for my next continuation. But the prequel to "Dreams of Destiny" is still alive and well... that is if you guys still want it. (Oh yeah, and the g/f everyone wants Kirei to have will be in the prequel since I can't fit her in this story.) There's still a plot twist coming though... *Grins* On to Episode 18!]

"Van?" repeated Kirei, looking at his cousin, then shifting his vision to Hitomi. "Hitomi? Do you know where we are?"

Rallin too, was puzzled at the sudden change in scenery. Just a few moments before he had been fighting a Goshem soldier when, in his peripheral vision he saw Hitomi get knocked off. He had also seen what he thought was Van diving after her... but did he have wings? Rallin shook his head. He could ask about that later. But suddenly, during all that, there had been a white light and then...

And then they were here. Wherever that was. He looked towards Fanelia's King and his Lady. They seemed oblivious to all around them, a bright light still between them, and a somewhat soft glow surrounding them. They looked so serious...

Rallin sighed. A few moments later, Kirei did too. They would only recieve answers when Van and Hitomi had recieved theirs.

***

To Van, all he could see was Hitomi, and to Hitomi all she could see was Van. And of course, to both of them, the shining key between them. They were conversing, though it was thought-conversing, a trait they both had discovered they could share with each other.

The last key Van, said Hitomi, her mind sounding hushed. I wonder what this brings now. What it will mean for Gaea. Does this mean my task is done? It doesn't feel done.

No, it doesn't, agreed Van, but I'm sure we will find out. In the meantime... we should probably take this key.

Hitomi blinked. Talking with Van had made her momentarily forget her purpose on Gaea. She was the Keeper of the Keys, after all, and though she had entrusted two of the keys for safekeeping to Van, they were her responsiblity. Nodding to Van, she broke their physical link, pulling her hands away, and brought them into the sphere that contained the last key. The Crystal Key... and what would this one bring?

Speaking aloud, Hitomi turned to Van. "Could I have the other keys for a moment?"

Van passed the necklace the held the Gold and Silver keys, and, like Hitomi, wondered what was to happen now. Hitomi may be the Keeper, but Van and she had worked together as much as anything to gain the other to keys. They were partners, they were companions, and now... they were something more. If Van Fanel had his way, nothing, nothing on Gaea would ever bring them apart. No matter what came with the possession of the three keys, he would always be with Hitomi. The three keys, Prosperity, Serenity, and now... the Crystal Key. What did it mean?

What was to happen?

[Somewhere else where Van, Hitomi, and the others are]

"I think it's time, Mother. Hitomi needs to know what she must do now that she is in possession of the last key."

"Agreed, my son. She also needs to know the meaning of the Crystal Key. And the inscriptions..."

"What are we to do about Brother and the other two? Are they to see..."

"Van will see what Hitomi sees. Their destinies are entwined together, and the will both bring Gaea to peace, despite the fact that Hitomi is the only Keeper."

"And the other two? Kirei, I think, and Rallin? What of them?"

"Kirei is Van's - and your - cousin. A Fanel. And Rallin, he was in a situation much like yours until a short time ago. Were you not paying attention Folken?"

"I was paying attention, mother. But I never expected to be taken to the Mystic Valley years after my death to see my brother and Hitomi again. Does this usually happen?"

"Not really. We were given this, not only because we are related to the Dragon, my son, but because we are Draconians, the descendants of Atlantis. We were, and always will be, the bringers of Destiny." Varie paused, "And as for the other two... they have parts to play as well. They will hear."

"Very well, mother. It will be good to see Van again. It's been five years..."

Varie smiled. "It's time."

Together, mother and son walked to where their visitors awaited them.

***

Moments after she had taken the key, the light around Hitomi and Van had disappeared, and thus took them from where they had been aware of just themselves, to an awareness that made them realize where they were - and who had come with them.

Of course, where they were came up first.

"Van we're in..." Hitomi's voice was filled with awe.

"The Mystic Valley," finished Van, knowing the end of her sentence. "But why? Was it to save us from dying in the blast?"

"Maybe... but there must be another reason. The last time we were here..."

Their conversation was interuppted by Rallin's voice. "You mean we are in the Mystic Valley? The home of the Draconians?" Rallin's voice was filled with disbelief. "Van, Hitomi, you must be kidding."

They looked at each other, then at Rallin, that back at each other. Both were surprised that Rallin had given up with the 'Lord and Lady' (Hitomi thought it was annoying, being as she wasn't used to it, and Van, though he had been a royal all his life, hated protocol and if he didn't have to be addressed, he wouldn't.). Nodding, Hitomi turned to explain.

"We are speaking the truth. These are the ruins of Atlantis, though the last time we were here it was more of an affirmation for us. This time though..."

"What did it bring, Hitomi?" asked Kirei, broken out of his solitary thoughts.

"The last key..." said Van, slowly, "but what happens now..."

"Will be explained, my brother."

Varie and Folken Fanel had just arrived on the scene.

"Any word Allen?" Dryden's voice, though as dry and thoughtful as ever, held a hint of worry in it. It had been over four hours since the Knight Caeli had return from Tourain Valley to give word of a possilbe wipe-out. The entity of the people of Freid's capital had been evacuated at the very borders, and had the enemy advanced, would have been brought to Palas.

"Nothing, Dryden." Allen's voice was full of both anger and impatience. "Not a single thing. I haven't recieved a transmission from either, Kirei, Khristos, or Van since they told me to warn Chid."

"Speaking of that, how is the young Duke?"

"Talking to your wife at the moment. I think Millerna is trying to convince him that it is alright he didn't fight. Speaking of her, should I be calling you Lord and Lady or Your Highness or Majesty, or something to that extent?" The knight grinned. "After all, I would absolutely hate to see Miden's face when he finds out you let soldiers address you by your first name."

"You should be Schezar, but start it when it is just us and I will order your dismissal." Dryden grinned. "What my father thinks is of no mattter right now. All he is is my father, not the master of protocol or anything else."

"Just the same, your Majesty, he WOULD care."

"Schezar..."

"Just kidding Dryden, just kidding." The two men stood, and exited the room, making their way towards Chid's study in the temporary castle.

"Mother!" said Van, starting in surprise.

His surprise was echoed in Hitomi. "Varie?" She sensed a very familiar prescense, and her gaze shifted to the man standing beside Van's mother. His brother. "Folken!" Hitomi smiled, but then a thought occurred to her, making her solemn once again. "Are we dead?"

"Of course not, Hitomi," said Folken, a touch of amusement evident in his voice. "The Mystic Valley is indeed a place for the living, although it does have a sense of other-worldliness of it. It helps people realize their destinies. Like before." With that, he smiled, and turned to the two men that were watching them their mouths open in disbelief. Folken bowed. "Welcome, Kirei Fanel, and - I think this is correct, Rallin Khristos. My name is Folken Lacour de Fanel, and that is my mother, Varie Fanel. There is much to explain. Let us go. We can finish introductions later."

A white beam of light came down from the sky and engulfed the travellers, the guymelefs, and the two Draconian guides.

Sheesh, what a short chapter, right?

I had originally planned to have more in this chapter, but that seemed like a good place to stop, and anyway, as I said in the AN above, I have another plot twist for you - so I hope you don't mind that this will end up a deal longer as a result. So the epilogue that I said would appear a month ago will probably take longer to get out...

This chapter was AMAZINGLY short for me. Not a whole lot happened either, 'cept for the key, and Varie, and Folken, and all. And a small glipse of Dryden, and Allen (since you guys haven't seen them in a while). Hope you don't mind,

Angelic1090
04.15.2001
Happy Easter Sunday!