*~Summoner of Escaflowne's Mystic Eyes~*
Chapter 9
Three of Swords- Betrayal.
Was it all just a dream or maybe a vision? ...No it was real...Yobi and I discovered we could read each others' minds. Yobi talked to Celena for some time and I think they may be falling for each other. Merle found rooms for us to stay in but Yobi seems to be unhappy with his. Then Van sent messenger to find Merle....
"What is it now?" asked an irritated Merle.
They messenger watched the cat girl and gulped...~_~*..."The King told me, to request that you meet him outside the catacombs with everyone. He said you would understand what he meant."
"That's all? You made it sound like the end of the world! Tell him we'll see him there at sunset."
"Certainly Lady Merle." came the hasty reply before the messenger sped away from the bad tempered cat girl. He was happy to get away unhurt because Merle had a reputation of threatening to use messengers as scratching posts when they brought bad news or any news. *Why do they always blame the messenger that brings the news!* thought the young man exasperated.
Taking a quick glance around him, the boy, sure that no one was watching, camouflaged himself into the wall. And disappeared from sight.
"Did you tell her?" asked a voice when he arrived at his destination.
"Yes. They will be there at sunset, all of them." replied the youth.
"You have served our cause well and you will be rewarded for it once we have succeeded." another voice informed him.
"But before that time comes you must serve us once again." declared the first voice.
"When they arrive at the catacombs you will meet them. You will lead them to the room and then I suggest you find a way to leave immediately."
"May I ask a question, please?"
"Ask it but we cannot assure you that we will answer it."
"W-what do you plan to do with them?" stuttered the boy.
"It is unwise to let others know your plan when they can destroy it." informed the second voice.
"All you need to know is that you, like us, are the last of your race and those who
are to blame shall soon get what they earned." assured the first.
"Now go. You have much to prepare for." both commanded him.
"As you wish." replied the young man before becoming part of the wall once again and disappearing from sight.
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The old man hobbled through the thick forest. He had lost track of his whereabouts long ago and no longer cared anyway. He looked around him hoping to catch a glance of something he could easily capture and eat or at the very least a stream of water. Unexpectedly he felt something hit him but lost consciousness before he could discover what it was.
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"It was just an old man. No reason to worry!" a sentry could be heard saying.
"He could have been a spy. There is no point in taking chances. You know what will happen if our mission does not succeed."
"Alright then. Let's take him in and see why he is in this area."
The two winged soldiers then carried the crippled man to their makeshift base and placed him in an enchanted chamber.
"Well what are we supposed to do with him now?" asked the second.
"We can keep him here till the next shift starts. Then we'll take him to the leader."
The first then exited the base to resume his watch while the second guarded the crippled man.
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"Merle are you sure Van said here?" asked Hitomi sleepily. It had been a long day and all she wanted to do was go to sleep and maybe think about things for a little while.
"Of course I'm sure, Hitomi!" replied Merle.
"Then why isn't he here yet and besides why would he choose to meet us at the catacombs anyway?"
"How should I know! I know what I heard and that's all."
"Merle are you sure he said he'd meet us as sunset today?" asked Allen gently.
"Yes I'm sure!"
"Alright then. He's probably just running a little late."
At that Yobi exploded, "A little late! We've been here an hour! Besides he's supposed to be a king! Can't he just get rid of whoever's holding him up?"
"Calm down Yobi. Its not that easy, being a king."
"Yeah whatever."replied the young man.
"Sorry I'm late." came a voice from behind the group.
"Lord Van! I was starting to get worried about you! Are you ok?..." began Merle as she licked his face. At times like this Hitomi thought she was more cat than girl.
"I'm fine Merle but we don't have time for this right now. I want to see something and you all need to be there for it." claimed Van as he pried Merle off of him.
*Hmm....something's wrong. He didn't smell or taste like Lord Van usually does....It's probably just something I ate*
"Well are you coming or are you all scared" asked Van, almost mockingly.
"We're coming Van." replied Allen as he watched Van suspiciously.
As they entered the catacombs Merle, Hitomi, Yobi, Celena, and Allen felt an atmosphere of comfort and reassurance around them. They realized that it wasn't scary as people often found it and took comfort in the thought that they were with people who would have been their allies had they been living. The group walked through the silence, often looking around them. In this crypt slept the entire Fanelian royal house. It was their chamber after death, their eternal palace.
Van led the small group farther and farther into the recesses of the crypt. All of them were comfortable except Van who seemed to become more anxious as they walked father away from the entrance and the last of the setting sun's light. Occasionally looking back to assure himself everyone was still present Van continued onward.
Hitomi thought Van was acting very strange. He seemed to be cold and emotionless. Suddenly Van stopped and turned around fully. He waited for Yobi, Celena and Allen to catch up. Hitomi gazed into his eyes as the last ray of the sun grew fainter. In them she did not see love or concern. She saw hate and loathing.
*Yobi stop! Turn around now Yobi!* her mind screamed before they arrived.
*What? Why?*
*Yobi, take Celena and Allen and get out of here. Something's wrong, I can feel it.*
*Don't worry Hitomi. We'll be fine. No one's going to hurt us.*
*You're wrong Yobi. Something is not right.*
*But Van has something to show us. We can't just leave.*
*Yobi TURN AROUND RIGHT NOW! That's not Van. Get those two out of here. I'll tell Merle. It's better to be safe than sorry!*
*Ok ok* he thought grudgingly as he turned to stop Allen and Celena.
However, before they could take another step they heard a piercing scream that filled the catacombs and made many small rocks fall from above them.
Upon seeing Yobi conferring with Allen and Celena, Van became suspicious. What he did next made Merle screech. In front of them stood a person who was not Van. His skin had a grayish blue tint and he was covered in strange markings. His long black hair fell limply in front of his soulless eyes.
A/N: Sorry about the mistake uploading. That's the last time I trust my computer to save something right! Ok well I know I didn't get this out real fast and I'm sorry. I was a little busy failing school this quarter. Tell me do you want to know what's going to happen to everyone? Who or what is Van? Well you'll find out next chapter. I'll try to put more romance in too. Thanks Lily for letting me know I uploaded wrong. It's just not my day. Oh well. Well let me know if it sucks or not. I'mt trying to give my characters more depth but I don't think it's working. Any suggestions are welcome. All flames and complaints go to Shamanic Nuriko cause she got me started. Nuriko....REVIEW!!!!! ok well that's all from me for now! Anything else just check my profile. If you don't find what you're looking for at least you'll get a good laugh out of it. Ta ta!
~IndianBabeIII~
P.S.
If you think the chapters are too short/ slow/ or fast or there's way too much dialogue let me know please! Bye now!
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