This is the first chapter of my story. I really hope you like it. English is not my native language, so please, if you see some mistakes, tell me!! Take care!!! Oh and by the way, I should post a chapter per week, maybe two if I have enough time. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne's characters…

'inner talk' ¯ Dream sequence ¯ "talking to others"



1 Chapter 1 : The Dream

2 Dilandau was dreaming, fast asleep in his luxurious bed…

¯ He was in the middle of a small pond, the crystal clear water going up to his belly button. The fresh water was washing against his well muscled abs, and it felt really good. He looked around him, and saw something on the shore behind him. He approached, walking slowly on the sandy bottom. A girl was standing at the shore, wearing only black cloak. Her face was pale, and was surrounded by her ebony hair. Her eyes were closed, a sad look on her face. She lifted her head a little, and a voice echoed through Dilandau's mind: 'Please, help me…' ¯

Dilandau woke up, sweat covering his face. His chin long hair was in a total disarray, and his heart was racing.

"Man, I wonder what that meant…"

~*~*~*~

Folken entered Dilandau's throne room right after breakfast. Dilandau was sitting on his throne, still thinking about the dream he had that night. His mind raced back when he heard Folken's footsteps.

"What do you want Strategos?"

"I have a favour to ask of you. When I went to Asturia, I found someone, a girl."

"So what?"

"I've decided she will become a Dragon slayer."

"WHAT!!!???!!! A girl, in my Dragon slayers!!??!!"

"Don't act like a stupid teenager. You are to train her to become better than she is. You'll have to decide if you make her one of your slayers. If you decide not to, I'll keep her in my army. Is that understood?"

"Yes Folken. I'll see if she's as good as you claim her to be."

Folken left Dilandau with a smirk, knowing the commander will appreciate the girl's talents.

Dilandau sat back on his chair, grumping a little at what Folken said. He was waiting for the girl to arrive, for he knew Folken always brought with him the people he wants Dilandau to meet. He just came in first to make sure Dilandau wouldn't kill them. Even if Dilandau haven't killed any visitors since a while.

He was starting to wonder how good she would be in fighting, for he didn't want a lousy girl he would have to show everything to. He suddenly heard something. 'Please, help me…' The voice was the same than in his dream. At that very moment, the doors opened. Dalet entered the throne room, followed by two Zaibach guards. Dilandau could see someone was behind them, but the guards were on the way, so he couldn't really see her. Dalet approached a step forward.

"Dilandau-sama, here is the new fighter Folken-sama brought to you."

At these words, the two guards stepped aside, revealing the person behind them. The girl was all clad in a tight black uniform, with high boots going up to her knees. She had black hair that went past her shoulders. 'Just like the girl in my dream!' Dilandau looked at her a little shocked, wanting to see if she really was the one from his dream.

Dilandau stepped down from his throne, and walked past Dalet, 'til he was in front of her. He wanted so much to know more about her, but he couldn't act all soft in front of everyone.

"So, little girl, you are the one who's gonna become a Dragon slayer, ne?"

"Folken-sama told me so."

"What's your identification?"

"My name is Ombre and I'm 17 years old, general."

"Good, good, you know how to respect authority. However, you shall call me Dilandau-sama, like all y Dragon slayers do."

"Yes Dilandau-sama."

Dilandau smiled, looking into her hazelnut eyes. He was pleased to see she was respectful, and not some brat. He didn't wanted to hurt her for nothing, scaring her away before he could know why she looked so much like the girl in his dream. And besides, he haven't used violence on his slayers since three months, for they were all respectful towards him.

"Dalet, take her to the slayer's dorms, and show her the way around the base."

"Yes Dilandau-sama."

They left the room, leaving Dilandau alone with his thoughts. 'She looks so much like her, and that voice: please help me…' He paced through the room, unable to come up with and answer to his questions. Dilandau knew he had to talk to the girl, but not now.

Now he had to train her into a Dragon slayer.