Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat, DO NOT, own Escaflowne. So filing a lawsuit against me is worthless o.O

A/N: Hullo. Even though I hadn't fulfilled my goal of five reviews, I just couldn't wait to post Chapter 1! If you like it, please give me a hoot (Yep, I said hoot -_-; Blah.) From this chapter forward, I *must* receive some reviews to continue. Being pressed to write is encouraging, hehehe

Chapter 1

"Ugh..." Lina moaned. Smooth, cold floor rested beneath her.

How did I end up here?

Just a moment ago she was ascending from the Earth, wrapped in soft white light and wings that touched the heavens. "Who...why..." Lina's voice echoed off the crumbled stone walls. She sat up, bracing herself. I must find that man, she said under her breath. Lina's eyes were sore and blurry, so she squinted and slumped back against her tender arm, looking ahead. Low and behold a cloaked figure stood before her. His eyes were as solemn and cold as the floor against Lina's skin. She noted the wings protruding from his back.

"You're...the winged one, you...you brought me here, didn't you?" She called for an answer weakly. The candles along the walls were subtly flickering, and Lina could not see that his intricate design of wings were a velvet midnight black. "Yes, young one. You're as beautiful as I was told." He glanced up and down at Lina. Glistening black hair that brushed up against her shoulders, sparkling blue eyes, and porcelain skin; with a tiny waist and long, slender legs to match. "Could you tell me…where I am..." she spoke softly, her glittering eyes big as the moon. The man, whose face was unseen, chuckled.

"Right now we are within the deeper chambers of Lord Dilandau's guymelef, the Vione, near the hangers. But please do not worry now. You will do great good." He offered a hand, which she politely took into her own. The man's distant, ruby eyes scanned hers briefly, searching for some unknown power. "Ah. I can feel strong warmth and heat ebbing through you. I am quite pleased." He grinned widely, his soft, shadowy fingers rubbing against her dainty ones. Lina smiled quirkily and laughed. "Pleased? With what?" He loosened his grip from her hand, taking a step forward, and turned to glimpse at her over his shoulder; his face and tattoo visible. She studied his gentle, slender features admiringly. Lean face; cold, wine eyes; and a brusque mop of shimmering white-blue tresses.

[Wink.]

His stare sent a shrill of goose bumps along the back of Lina's neck.

Without a word, they linked hands. His own warmth felt comforting against her skin as he led down a path that deepened vastly in shadow, and unfortunately, lowered in temperature. A trickle of nerves panged along her spine briskly, and she wrapped her freezing arms about her chest. The nameless stranger noticed Lina shivering. "Cold, are you?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "Very much so," She laughed lightly, startled by his sudden outburst of words. He smiled, and embraced Lina with his beautiful black cloaks. Inside it was deliciously warm and smelled of his skin. Lina, lost in his generosity, took his arm and closed her eyes, leaning against his side. "Thank you," She whispered. Maybe he hadn't heard, she thought, for he was rather tall and Lina was curled about his waist like a rubber band around a pole. But he stopped. Kissing her forehead gently: "No, thank you. You are the savior of the Zaibach empire." His voice tickled her ear. Slowly nodding in return, even though she had no idea what he was speaking of, Lina strewn a smile athwart her lips.

The two nearly approached their destination, the hangers of the Vione, when she gasped, clutching her chest. Increasingly weak legs crumpled to the floor, and her entire body flung out of control. "DILANDAU ALBATOU!!!!!" The familiar words escaped her mouth. Lina's tongue tasted different with each syllable. "Your fires are flamboyant flesh. I see so many unturned tarot cards, faces. The Mystic Moon glows red against our skies. Dilandau...how could you?" Her eyes brimmed with tears. "Fanelia, Fanelia; such a quaint little town. You destroyed lives, you destroyed hearts. Does it not disturb, corrupt your mind day after night?" A droplet rolled a silver stream down her cheek. "It was my love that burdened you, wasn't it? You couldn't have me. Knowing I was worlds away caused you such great pain. Memories of our childhood together in Fanelia drove you mad. But you destroyed it, against my very will. So I fled you without a word…" Lina's heart walloped in her throat. It was obvious how quickly she'd hurt the stranger. His eyes were terribly somber. He rushed to Lina's side, his arms encircling her breasts. "What are you saying...How do you know this? About Dilandau?" He squinted, scanning her face.

[Blank.] Yielding no expression, she collapsed, memories washing all over and sinking deep into the far, far past. Shaking Lina by the shoulders, Folken ignored the Zaibach soldiers yelling from their dormitories above.

It was the frightening shadow that rose from behind which distracted him. He erupted from Lina's side, his predictable words singeing the air. "DILANDAU! YOU BITCH!" He slammed his fists into the lanky, silver-haired prince, who simply smirked. "Ah, Folken, Folken. I've been meaning to check up on you…Took a bit longer than expected. Watch a porno video before you left?" "Don't play dumb with me! What have you done to her?"

He turned to reply when he spotted Lina. They stared at each other for a long moment.

"This…this is the legendary girl?" He spoke softly. Folken watched grimly, expecting something to happen. "Yes, of course. Her name is Akaguchi, Lina."

Lina...

You've come back.

Why…

Why now?

After so many years of closure…why did you return to me? For sheer pleasure? To torture me for the thousandth time?

"Dilandau," snapped Folken. "She's paralyzed. Look. I don't think she can stand," he pointed.

Lina sighed, pressing her knees close to her chest, completely ignoring the conversation between the two.

Dilandau cleared his throat, pulling his eyes from Lina. He regained his senses, and shoved Folken into a neighboring room, leaving Lina to herself.

After the door shut, Folken's temper fluctuated and emerged in a series of yells. "YOU LITTLE BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? SHE'S GONE INSANE! TALKING ABOUT LOVING Y…"

Dilandau, unusually quiet, sprung his finger to Folken's lips. "How soon you've forgotten the purpose of this girl. Dornkirk's informed us of a legendary child from the Mystic Moon, who will seemingly restore Fanelia and defeat those who sent it up in ruins. Meaning us. You were sent to find her, because somehow, she has highly customized knowledge of the Black Dragon Clan. We need her to guard, rather than expose our information, before she does something drastic." He frowned. "Usually I'd kill such knowledgeable people. But instead, I'll obey Dornkirk's request of converting her to the Zaibach Empire."

Folken puffed out his lower lip and wrinkled his brows.

You've fabricated quite an excuse, Dilandau. Since WHEN do you listen to Dornkirk? I never knew love could cause such lies.

At one point, you'll have to give up.

Admit.

"Heh," he muttered. Dilandau cackled like a dash of silver chimes.

"Don't get your panties in a twist. From Dornkirk's assumption, Akaguchi's somehow known us. But how…?"  He scratched his chin, pretending confusion.

"Perhaps she once lived among us," Folken beamed, gradually revealing Lina's own words. Dilandau felt himself shiver like an unbundled infant. But it wasn't the truth that agitated him. Mainly, Lina's existence plucked the cold, black strings of his heart. Folken crossed his arms and caught sight of Lina's ignorant twitching. He breathed hard.

"Well, she's hyperventilating at the moment. What shall we do with her?" Folken sighed.

"We'll be taking her to a dormitory for now. In the morning we must question her to authenticate Dornkirk's story." Folken nodded, flicking his capes out from behind to swathe his arms. "It is getting a bit chilly. Take Lina to an open space, I've got some business with Dornkirk to attend to."

Dilandau unlatched the door, and let Folken out first before trudging to Lina. His shadow dissolved beyond the corridors in the opposite direction of the hangers. Fear raced from heart to fingertips as Dilandau managed a smile. Lina felt his cold presence and flicked her eyelashes to his face. Something desolate and beautiful enhanced her lovely facial features. Lina pouted softly.

She remembers. I don't think she'll find that little ounce of forgiveness in her heart, especially since…

"Can you stand?" Dilandau gulped, cutting his thoughts in half.

Lina reached for his hand and he stood her upright. She wobbled. "Uh, no…not well, I don't think," Lina whispered. She turned her eyes from him, heaving a sigh.

Feeling a little impatient, Dilandau wrapped his arms around her shoulders like a trembling tree. "Better?" Dilandau whispered, cradling her tightly. Lina closed her eyes and sighed. She could smell the faint scent of his body, which brought back both happy and painful memories. She released herself from his embrace, coldly reminding him that she hadn't returned for his love.

Or so I think…

"Just…just show me to the dormitory."

A/N: ^_^ Don't worry! We'll be getting to a good part soon, just be patient and REVIEW!!! That is, if you wish for me to continue…