"Hitomi,
may I see the three keys?" Varie asked this softly.
"There is something to explain, but I must see the keys,
before I can tell you. She held the keys, looking at them, her
lips moving silently. She was reciting something. And then she
blinked, and looked up again. "Everyone, including you
Folken, please look."
Suddenly from
the keys a bright light shot out from the trio of keys, turning
into a silver circle that hung in the air before them.
What was it
going to show them?
***
Hikeshi Barruchi
sat sullenly alone in his chamber on the floating foretress. He
had failed. Miserably and quickly at that. Despite his skill, his
strategy, his firepower, and his soldiers
He had still
failed.
And he would not
fail again. He HAD to be sure of that, what Adelphus had said
came out blaringly clear. And cruel. When Hikeshi had become Clan
Leader it had been at the cost of, as Adelphus had put it, the supposed
betrayal of Goshem's finest Clan. He remembered their
conversation.
:: Flashback
::
"Are you
CERTAIN Barruchi?" Adelphus' voice was wry. "Rallin
Khristos and his Warriors are by far the most powerful and
tactful of all the Clans."
"But my
Lord General, they have FAILED. They did not obtain either of the
keys, and they did not destroy the Keeper. Their actions prove
that the are traitorous!"
"Ah
so?" said Adelphus questioningly. "Do explain."
"General,
if they are truly the most powerful and tactful, why would they
have not succeeded? In any case, they should
be punished for failing."
"Perhaps
that is true..." Adelphus paused. "Very well. Your
admission does ring true. Summon Khristos' clan here at once.
Rallin himself will be dismissed, or become a lesser soldier.
Hikeshi Barruchi, you will become lead clan leader. But be
warned. Should you fail me..."
"I won't
fail." said Hikeshi hotly.
:: End
Flashback ::
But he had
broken that promise. He, a son of one of the greatest
warrior-families of Goshem, and at one point Zaibach, had failed.
But he would
make up for that.
He would have to
if he wanted to salvage his honour.
***
"What is
that?" The silver light had widened, and now showed a
picture of what looked like a circular disc - three slots in it,
and ornamented with Atlantean writing. At least, it looked
like Atlantean writing to Hitomi. Something about prosperity, and
then serenity and then... "And what does the writing
mean?"
"You
recognise the writing Hitomi?" Van sounded surprised.
"I didn't know you could read Atlantean."
"You know
it then? What does it mean Van? The last time I read it was when
we all got warped here and you and Allen disappeared, but this
doesn't look the same."
"I
recognise it, but I don't understand it. Just something about the
keys. Brother, mother, can you explain?"
"Yes.
This," said Varie, gesturing towards the circular disc,
"is the Gateway."
"Gateway?"
asked Hitomi. "Does this mean we have to use the keys to
open it and go somewhere else?"
"You do use
the keys to open it Hitomi," explained Folken, "but the
Gate way doesn't really let you GO anywhere. As the keys brought
you away from battles victorious, THESE keys, when put together,
will bring the three elements to Gaea that each represents."
"Is that
what the words mean then, brother?"
"Yes. The
writing says 'Gold for prosperity, to keep Gaea in good health',
'Silver for serenity, to keep Gaea serene and at peace with each
other' and 'Crystal for harmony, to keep Gaea out of conflict,
and to bring all factors together in outcomes that will bind and
keep all at peace.' Once you turn the keys in their designated
slots, these elements will spread across Gaea, and according to
Fate, bring it to a long period a peace."
"That's
wonderful! How do we find the gateway?"
"We're not
sure. Maybe you found the other keys. In any case, it will appear
to you when the time comes. As the Keeper, Hitomi, it's your duty
to unlock the gateway. You must use the keys."
"Then what
is our roll?" Rallin's voice was still serious - in fact,
neither of the rest of them were sure if they had heard it in any
other tone. "Varie, you said that we all had rolls. We know
that Hitomi is the Keeper, and know we know what she will do in
the final battle. But what about the rest of us. What are we to
do?"
"You, fit
your name, Raven. Determined and mysterious. Your roles as the
Raven, Eagle, and Dragon are to head off the people whom seek to
harm the Keeper - Hitomi. If either she or the keys are destroyed
while she is unlocking the gateway... horrible events may
occur."
"Mother,
you said that I-"
"You have a
special mission. Though the gods did not realize it at first, you
are bound to Hitomi in a way that both of you affect the
fate of Gaea. My son... you will protect her as you always have.
You alone will be the only other to help open the gateway. As the
Dragon in the last war, you were a large part of why the outcome
changed so drastically so many times. Hitomi was too. And because
of that you must..."
"We
know," said Van.
"We will
succeed. For the sake of all of the people in this world. We will
not fail."
"And we
will not let them." Kirei spoke stubbornly. "With my
duty as a Fanel, I will not allow the King or the Keeper to fall.
No matter what."
"And
I," said Rallin, more serious than before, "as a knight
of Gaea - I will ensure that we will reach that peace."
"Gods go
with you then, brother, Hitomi, my friends."
Van, Kirei, and
Rallin were engulfed in the beam of light, sent back to their
melefs. Hitomi lingered for a moment.
"What is
it?"
"Hitomi,"
said Folken quietly, "if you choose to open the
gateway-"
"Of course
I will open the gateway! Why wouldn't I?"
"Hitomi,
please. Just listen." Folken paused. "If you open the
gateway, the path between our world and yours will be blocked off
for as long as the peace lasts. You will never be able to return
home, and no one will be able to travel there from here. It is
part of the crystal key. Outside influences bring conflict - you
saw what Dornkirk brought upon Gaea last time, and he was
from a different world. This means-"
"It doesn't
matter. I may think about it but - I can't sacrifice peace for
many people just for my sake."
"Hitomi,"
said Varie, handing the keys back to her, "we wanted to tell
you alone. We can't force you to, you can't, be pressured
into a choice you don't want to make. Whatever it is, I'm sure it
will be the right choice. Gods go with you. We will be
watching."
Hitomi was swept
up and sent to where the others were before she could say a
goodbye.
***
They were back
in Tourain Valley only a few minutes later. Van looked at Hitomi.
"Did they
say anything else to you? About what we could to find it?"
Hitomi only
shook her head, thinking about finding the gateway, remembering
Varie's words. It will appear when the time comes. But
what about the rest? What she and Folken had said. About the
gateway closing. Hitomi remembered Varie's last words. Whatever
it is, I'm sure it will be the right choice.
But what was the
right choice?
What was she to
choose?
Hello
Everyone!
I know I
just posted the other chapter yesterday, but I REALLY REALLY
wanted to finish this one, so... Here we are! Another day,
another chapter. For once, I only changed my title like twice,
and at a glance... 'Escaflowne: Dreams of Destiny' will probably
only be 25 chapters. Well, I already told you I was planning to
have an episode or two between the last key, and the last battle,
but I changed my mind. I'm probably going to have Van, Hitomi and
company actually LOOK for the gateway, since we've been in Freid
for quite a while, and I would like to have the battle in
somewhere else.
The next
few chapters will definetly be
devoted to Van/Hitomi mostly, with maybe a few glances at Kirei
or Rallin. Which means... I might actually get a good chance to
stick some fluff in there! And also... does everyone remember
Van's "question"? I think it appeared at 14, and
anyway, I'm dying to find an appropriate time for him to... ask
the question.
When we
get to that, I MIGHT have something else to ask you, but we're
not there yet, and anyway, if I ask it'll spoil the story. As you
know, my next Esca-fic will be a prelude to this series, though I
DO hope I can write another continuation. The prelude will be
called Separate Paths. It WILL
be focused on KIREI and RALLIN,
so I hope you'll read it. Sincerely. A lot of people wanted to
know about their collective pasts in their reviews, so, this is
how I tell it. It probably won't be as long as this was though.
And about their ages - I didn't realize I only made Kirei (and
thus, Rallin) 3 years older than Van in the beginning. I didn't
mean to. He is now TWENTY-FIVE years old, (it's easier for me to
keep track in the timeline).
That's
about all for now, and Episode 20 will be out soon,
Angelic1090
04.16.2001
PS: Thanks to Faye_Valentine00, Ayanami_chan, ~Oki~, and
BabySnowAngel who I found out reviewed the last chapter an hour
or so after I posted it. You guys are amazing! (And made me
REALLY happy!)
PPS:
~Oki~ Hope you had a happy sweet sixteen!