Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. I do however, own this fic, its plot,
and all original characters. This is new info for so many of you I'm sure.
Lol.
A/N: Wow. I can't believe I haven't updated this since June. _ I am soooooooooooooo sorry. Please forgive me. This chapter is pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I hope you're still reading. Please review. I'm hoping for 53 before the next update. Thanks!
Chapter 9: When Lovers Collide
** "The one who loves you will kill you." **
Hitomi awoke gasping for breath, sweat running down her face. She looked around to find herself in a tent, with Van in the sleeping back beside her own, breathing softly. It was just a nightmare. She sighed in relief.
What had that crazy fortune-teller meant?
** Flashback **
"The one who loves you will kill you."
** Backflash **
Van loved her. He was going to marry her and make her queen. Not to mention the fact that despite this quest's danger, he was going on it so he could keep her safe. Yes, Van cared for her. It just had to be true.
She sighed, aware of the difficulties that lay ahead. They'd been traveling for several days and were restless and tired. The children squabbled, Akai was ready to beat Keigo into a bloody pulp whenever she had a chance, Van ignored her, as she in turn ignored him, Rhum made fun of the two for their "undeniable love" as they barely spoke, and Shitashii acted extremely hyper. She wanted to patch things up with Van, but she didn't know where to start. She cared about him so much, they just didn't always see eye-to-eye. She supposed a lot of couples felt that way. She brushed back a piece of raven-colored hair, and kissed his forehead softly.
"That's nice." He muttered in his sleep. To her amusement, she could even detect a hint of blush on his cheeks. That was Van, easily embarrassed even when he wasn't awake.
She decided to forgive him for being so hardheaded in Arzas. He was just a boy after all, whether "the mighty king" himself, would admit it or not. "Goodnight. My handsome prince." She whispered, before drifting back asleep beside the one who's blade was destined to be her downfall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Princess Eries sat in court, listening intently to the bearded, bald, over- weight, elderly men debate about trivial matters that did not concern Asturia's well-being. Sometimes, despite her better judgement, she missed the war. When The Destiny War was being fought, something exciting was always going on. Hotheaded old fools were constantly arguing, fair ladies wept over men they loved marching off to battle, rulers tried to preserve the shattering of their alliances still intact.
It had been so much like the plays she had attended with Marlene before she had married Duke Freid. It had been several years, but her heart still wept for her sister who preferred the theater to the battlefield, unlike their father. Marlene had helped cultivate Eries into a decent human being.
Mother had died when she was three, minutes after the birth of Millerna. Marlene had been six at the time and was the most heart-broken. King Aston never spoke of the lovely woman that had been his wife, no one really knew why. All they had known was that he loved his country, but he had loved Therese Gladys Aston ever more.
Millerna and Dryden had split up and Asturia was in turmoil. Who would take the throne? Not her, no, not Princess Eries, for Princess Eries had committed the second highest of all treason. She had murdered the queen of Asturia. Or, at least. that's what everyone believed.
It was all her father's fault. He had never liked her much. She was the middle-child. Not brilliant, like fair Marlene or beautiful, like young Millerna. She was just Eries. The Forgotten Princess.
"I can still remember. That day. Oh mother. Why? Couldn't you have learned to love father? Didn't you try?" Eries whispered softly.
** Flashback **
"Mama, what's wrong? You don't look well." 3-year-old Eries commented quietly.
"I'm afraid I can't be with you much longer, darling."
"Why not?" Eries asked, her eyes widening. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes, darling. I'm going to a place where it's always summer and no one is ever unhappy." She said serenely. "As I have been." She added softly.
"It must be nice. I should think I'd like to go there Mama." Eries replied.
"No darling." Therese said quietly. "This is a journey that mother must make alone."
"Not even Encia?" Eries asked in confusion, speaking of her mother's favorite handmaiden who went everywhere with her. She had been shooed out when Eries came in, fiddling with her apron.
"No dear, not even Encia." Therese whispered softly, tears filling her eyes.
"Don't cry mother, I'm sure Encia won't mind." Eries consoled the 24-year- old blonde who had we a man she held no affection for at 17, had her first child at 18, and had been bound to the throne by the daughters she loved ever since. She looked around and noticed the small cradle holding her new little sister.
"Her name is Millerna." Therese whispered, smiling at the sleeping baby.
"She's pretty." Eries said shyly.
"Yes. She is." Therese agreed without much thought. "Promise me something Eries. Promise me that you'll look after her."
"But Mama, you'll be here to help her." Eries replied in puzzlement.
"Just promise me, Eries!" Therese pleaded, tears rolling down her fair cheeks.
A bit shaken by the tears, Eries complied quickly. "Of course Mama. I'll take care of her. I promise."
"Good." She lay back in bed again. "Then I can rest peacefully."
"That's nice Mama." Eries beamed, still not understanding what was going on.
"I love you Eries." Therese smiled fondly after her formerly youngest daughter.
"I love you too Mother." Eries whispered as her mother fell asleep. When she noticed that her mother's chest was no longer rising and falling, she decided that she was very deeply asleep. The young princess smiled before closing the door softly, not wanting to wake her mother from her eternal sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"God damn it! What do you MEAN Therese is dead?" Kind Aston commanded the maid in hysterics.
"I don't know Sir. It twasn't my fault Sir. She asked me and her handmaiden to take our leave and asked that one," She pointed at Eries accusingly. ".To come in. The young princess came out and I went in to change Milady's linens and she lying there all peaceful-like and I smiled in spite of myself Sir. For she looked grand, she did, just like a princess from one of them fairy tales. I asked her if she'd like a bath to be drawn for her, bust she didn't reply. I asked her again. I went over and tapped her gently, figuring she deeply asleep and asked louder. I took her hand and it was so cold. Lifeless. I was a bit worried so I put my head to her mouth to listen for breaths. There wasn't one.Tweren't any. Lady Therese is dead sire." The maid wept.
"Confound it!" The King yelled in fury. "The last one with her must have been the one who killed the queen of Asturia. And I ask you, WHO is responsible for the death of my beloved wife?!"
The maid pushed Eries forward and everyone stepped backward. Eries, who had just figured out what was going on, was bawling loudly.
"What in hell's name are you blubbering about, girl?!" King Aston screeched at her.
"Mother." Eries whimpered.
"Yes, you horrible little child! You killed your own mother! Guards, take her from my sight!" The guards stepped forward as Eries ran away.
"ERIES! COME BACK!" 6-year-old Marlene called after her as baby Millerna squalled.
Eries ran and ran, through corridors and bedrooms, through attics and dining rooms, until she reached the great hall. She yanked open the huge doors and the mold of Dicha seemed to growl at her menacingly as she ran out and throng the iron gates surrounding the palace. She ran through the grassy fields and found the grove of trees she and her mother had climbed and ran farther in. "MPH!" She crashed into something.
"Princess Eries?" The boy asked quietly. "Princess Eries, are you all right?" Then she saw the boy with long blond hair. He was clad in black leather with a cotton shirt and sash. A sword hung at his waist. He held her awkwardly, yet he held her none the less.
"I. Why.? Mother. She's dead.Did I kill her? I couldn't have. I musn't have. I." Eries muttered in horror, as he stroked her hair. He was holding her, in the fields as she wept onto his shoulder, trying to forget the sight of her mother's lifeless body that would haunt her until the day she laid in her own grave. "I'm sorry," She looked up at him. She recognized him. She was Encina's son. "But I don't know your name."
"My name is Allen." He said quietly. "Allen Schezar."
** Backflash **
Encina had moved back to her parent's home with Allen Selena since she was no longer wanted in Palas. Allen would not return in Princess Eries's life until he became a Knight Caeli twelve years later.
Eries got up. The council stared at her in surprise. "Princess Eries, where are you going?" The head Councilor asked.
"I. I just need to think." She said over her shoulder as she ran out the door. She cried softly, reflecting on her past. She hadn't done it. Why did they blame her? She was crying quietly as she ran into something. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" She complained, rubbing her head in irritation. The figure held her gently and she looked up to herself smiling at the face of Allen Schezar.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dilandau awoke that morning with a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach for the task at hand. He saw Selena peacefully snoring in the bag beside him and quickly dismissed her from his thoughts. He rolled up his bag, shrunk it, and attached it to his belt. He climbed down off the roof, but not before the girl awoke.
"Huh? Dilandau? Where is he?" She wondered aloud, blinking in confusion.
"Miss me?" He climbed back up, grinning at the peeved girl.
"Jerk. I thought you'd been kidnapped or skipped town or something!" She shrieked.
"Not yet girl." Dilandau muttered in annoyance, dealing with her bag as his own. "Igo." He began back down.
"WAIT!" Selena squeaked.
"WHAT NOW?!" Dilandau growled.
"You can't go down like that! You'll scare the poor boy to death!" She proclaimed.
"And what do you intend to do about it?" Dilandau asked impatiently, not seeing what was wrong with how he looked.
"I intend to fix it!" She continued, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her. She walked over to the gutter and filled her cupped hands with rainwater. She rubbed her hands across his face, wiping off the dirk, grime, and his smirk right along with it. She tore off a piece of her dress along the hem and used it to dry his wet face. "Allen won't be happy with me. But he already won't be, so I suppose it won't make much of a difference." She then ran her still damp hands through his silver hair, smoothing down the loose hairs and making sure that his bangs were still curled in that trademark way.
His eyes were wide with surprise. He wanted to say that he could wash his own face, but something stopped him. He loved the feeling of her hands caressing his skin and running through his hair. AUGH! Why was he feeling this way? She was just a worthless female.
"That's much better, but something's still missing. Lemme think." She put her hand to her head and stared at him. Her eyes pierced him like so many arrows. "Aha!" She reached in her pocket and pulled out a circular golden object. It had a red gem inset in the front and looked familiar. He scratched his head and it hit him what was wrong. She had his tiara! She slipped it over his head, binding it in the back. "That's better!" She beamed. "Shall we?"
"Whatever." Dilandau muttered, pushing her aside and heading down.
"HEY!" Rafael called up to them. "Where have you guys been?"
"It's none of your concern." Dilandau muttered nonchalantly.
"Oh well. I'm just glad you're still here! I was afraid the villagers had scared you off!" He climbed up and soon the three of them were lying on top of the roof beneath the deep blue sky.
"I know, you know." Rafael said softly, eyes glued on the clouds above.
"Know what?" Selena asked, trying to hide the dread in her voice.
"Migel. He's dead. Isn't he?" He accused, his amethyst eyes locking with their own.
"How did you know?" Selena asked, waves of sadness washing over her as though she were at the beach.
"Despite what you might think, you're not good at acting. Nor are you experts at keeping your voices low." Selena and Dilandau glanced at each other guiltily. "I just want to know one thing. Why didn't you tell me?" His eyes were filled with pain and sorrow beyond that of a boy his age.
"Because. We loved Migel like a brother, despite what bloody-eyes here might say." She gestured at Dilandau who growled menacingly. She took Rafael aside out of Dilandau's hearing. "Coming here was like watching them die all over again. Do you know how much it hurt him when they all died? They were his friends, his comrades. There's something sacred about comrades, Rafael. He didn't want to see them die all over again. I know it still haunts him in his dreams. Dilandau's. Dilandau's a good man, Rafael, a good man and a great leader. He may not have always chosen his paths wisely, but many of them were chosen for him. He's a good man, Rafael, a good man." She walked away and Rafael stared at her back. They both looked alarm when they heard an anguished cry from nearby. "Huh?" Selena asked, turning around to see what was going on. Dilandau crouched a distance away, rocking back and fourth, eyes dilated. Selena was hit with a torrent of painful memories of her other self who was suffering terribly as Rafael looked on in confusion.
"What's going on?" He muttered, eyes wide in confusion as he watched the respected general, crumble and his lovely lady shriek, covering her ears with her hands. ** A bunch of furry animals scattered as Escaflowne landed on the ground as thunder rumbled in the background. Over a dozen blue Alseides and a single red one landed around Van. "Okay boys. The Dragonhunting ends today!" Dilandau told his slayers. "I'll settle this myself." Van said, trying to assure himself. "Okay Escaflowne, give me your strength." The Mecca's gears started turning. "ATTACK!" Dilandau screamed. Several guymelefs charged at Van, one shooting at him, but he blocked it, he sliced through multiple guymelefs at once. "AAAAAAAAHHHH!" A Dragonslayer with blond curly hair Hitomi later learned to be called Guimel shrieked as Van crushed his guymelef's head, blood spewing everywhere. Van impaled a guymelef coming upon him and struck down the next one with the same persistence. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Gatty screamed in pain as his along with other guymelefs in a bloody mess burst into flames. "Damn he's fast! Stealth cloaks!" Dilandau ordered. The guymelefs donned their stealth cloaks immediately, but Van using the dowsing Hitomi had shown him before, was easily able to see through them. "I can see them. I CAN SEE THEM!" Van cried out excitedly. He sliced through two more guymelefs with ease. Dalet attempted to protect himself with a shield, but to no avail as he to was killed. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Dalet screamed as he met the fate of his comrades. "THIS IS FOR DUKE FREID!" Van proclaimed loudly as Dalet's guymelef burst into bloody flames. "AND THIS IS FOR BALGUS!" He slashed through three more guymelefs as Dilandau watched in horror. "What's going on?" Dilandau wondered aloud. "HE'S CRAZY!" "Lord Dilandau!" Chesta cried out, as he, the last remaining Dragonslayer, died before his master, leaving Dilandau as the last one standing. "GATTY. CHESTA?! DALET?!" Dilandau called for his fallen men. Escaflowne loomed before him menacingly. "Where is he?" Dilandau began to whimper. Merle and Hitomi watched from the sky above. "Lord Van's winning!" Merle proclaimed in excitement. "No. Something's wrong with Escaflowne." Hitomi muttered in disturbance. Escaflowne stepped closer to Dilandau's guymelef as he screamed in terror. "STAY AWAY!" Dilandau screamed as he shot at Van, nicking him and causing blood to run down Van's cheek. "And this is for Fanelia! PREPARE TO DIE!" Van screamed, running forward, intent on spearing Dilandau right then and there. Dilandau's pale face was filled with fear, knowing he was going to die. Suddenly, the blood from Van's cheek filled his guymelef. The whole landscape was covered in blood as ghosts appeared. "Stop." Dalet commanded. "WHAT?!" Van asked in confusion why he wasn't killing Dilandau screaming in agony as he died. "We won't let you kill Dilandau." Gatty told Van. "What?" Van asked again. "Why don't you come with us?" Gatty asked. "Who are you?" Van asked, genuinely frightened. "We won't let you kill the man who commanded us." A Dragonslayer said. "He gave us our glorious guymelefs!" Another proclaimed. "He gave me a guymelef!" Another piped in. The Dragonslayers surrounded Dilandau's guymelef protectively. Van was no longer in Escaflowne, but surrounding by walls of blood. Ghosts soared around him beckoning him. "No. STAY AWAY!" "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Van screamed in terror as Escaflowne fell on its back and the scared to death Dilandau retreated. Everyone watched in horror from the ship above. "What happened to Lord Van?" Merle asked in a frightened tone. "Van." Hitomi said, as she continued to watch the pitch-black Escaflowne lying defeated on the ground. ** ** "General Adelphos, I've come to request permission to take Dilandau home." A sorcerer said to the general.
"A sorcerer asking for permission? Although he's now under my command, you were the ones who gave him to us. What is the reason?" The general replied.
"He's unwell. Lord Folken informed me." The sorcerer answered.
"That demon is ill?!" The general exclaimed in disbelief.
"We'll return him to you once he's recovered." The sorcerer responded, leaving.
Dilandau screamed from the medical table he was bound to. He was surrounded by sorcerers. The men who had created him, but could just as easily destroy him.
"He's becoming unstable!" A sorcerer commented.
"What's causing it?" Asked another.
"The Fate Alteration project wasn't a complete success." Said another.
"No one is to tell Folken. Is that clear?!" Snapped another.
"CHESTA! GATTY! DALET! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Dilandau shrieked.
"It's getting worse. Put him to sleep. We'll have to perform another fate alternation when we get to mainland." A sorcerer said. Dilandau shrieked as he was injected, shrieked as he fell into unconsciousness. **
** "Where am I?" Dilandau asked, as though waking up from a trance.
"You are on the floating fortress of Dilate." Jajuka said calmly.
"Dilate.? Where's Chesta?" Dilandau asked, hoping the last encounter had been a horrible nightmare and he could give his men a verbal lashing for losing to such a pitiful foe.
"He died." Jajuka said gravely.
"And where is Gatty?"
"Dead." Jajuka whispered.
"And Dalet?"
"Dead."
"And Viole?" Dilandau asked in desperation.
"All of them. Dead." Jajuka said in regret.
"Dead. DEAD?!" Dilandau threw the wine at Jajuka, shattering it against his chest and down his beard, he stood up. "So who might you be?"
"My name is Jajuka." Jajuka answered.
"Jajuka.?" Dilandau muttered, the name sounder oddly familiar.
"I am a soldier under your command. I alone." Jajuka reported.
"Alone?" Dilandau muttered in disbelief. He'd gone from fifteen elite soldiers to one dogman?! Didn't those fools trust him?! But after that battle, perhaps this was only just. He screamed and tore off his shirt. He fell to the ground crying. It seemed like second later when he calmed down and got up. "Jajuka. I trust that my new guymelef is ready."
"Yes."
"It's been a while since I last fought. This is going to be fun." Dilandau said, trying to get excited. **
** "I've been looking for you for a long time. VAN!" Van shot at Dilandau, but he blocked.
"DILANDAU!" Van yelled.
"HERE I COME!" Dilandau called out in glee. Dilandau swiped at him, but the young king blocked. "Excellent." Dilandau commented. They fought a bit, Van cutting off both of Dilandau's arms and pinning him against a wall. As he attempted to finish him off, Jajuka's guymelef flew in front of Dilandau's taking the hit and going up in blue flames. "JAJUKA!" Dilandau called out.
"Please, Lord Dilandau! Escape!" Jajuka pleaded. Dilandau could see a picture of that strange little girl walking in some strange gardens with Jajuka and shook his head of the image. "Lord Dilandau! Turn back into Selena! Turn back into that sweet Selena!" He died as his burning guymelef fell to the ground.
"Jajuka." Dilandau murmured in disbelief and horror.
** Flashback **
"Don't be afraid. My name is Jajuka." The dogman told the little girl.
** Backflash **
"What?" Dilandau muttered in confusion.
** Flashback **
Some guards dragged the girl away as she screamed and pleaded. Jajuka was being beaten. "Damn uppity beastman!" A guard cursed.
"JAJUKA!" The little girl screamed.
"Please! Don't take her! SELENA!" Jajuka howled.
** Backflash **
Dilandau's eyes changed from red to purple to red to blue to red again. "Jajuka. Please. Don't leave me all alone." He whispered. It was then that Dilandau vanished and Selena repossessed her body. **
"STAY OUT OF MY HEAD!" Selena shrieked. She saw that Dilandau was in a similar situation and painfully dragged herself over to where he was, sweating madly, she collapsed next to him. She held him gently; stroking his face, knowing his pain was causing horrible memories through the link that they shared. "Dilandau. Shh. It's okay. You don't have to be sad for them. They're going to be all right. You're going to be all right too. There's no need to cry." She whispered, as he stood up, disdain eminent in his expression.
"Rafael. I'm sorry for your loss." He then started leaping between the rooftops quickly, heading away from the two.
"Stupid boy." Selena muttered, rolling her eyes. "He's me, he won't get away like that." She quickly took off after him in the same fashion. She eventually caught up to him, grabbing his collar, catching him off guard and knocking him over onto his back.
"Girl! Why won't you leave me alone?!" Dilandau hissed in fury.
"Because. You're a fool."
"You came all this way just to tell me that?" Dilandau asked in annoyance.
"No. I came to tell you something."
"What? That I'm 'Not a bad person'? Look girl, I don't need to hear this kind of crap from you!"
"Dilandau. I just want to help."
"'Dilandau. I just want to help.'" Dilandau mockingly imitated her. "Do you know how many times I've heard that? Do you know how many times? I've heard that my entire life. No one wants to help. And I don't need help. I'm going to be fine. Just fine. On my own. I don't need you, I don't need Strategos, I don't even need my slayers! I don't care for anyone; I don't need anyone to care for me! That's how it's always been, and how it always will be!" He screamed at her. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"Dilandau." She whispered softly.
"What?" He asked coldly.
"I. I." She stuttered.
"Spit it out girl!" He hissed.
"All right then. I care for you, Dilandau Albatou." She said quietly and serenely, her blue eyes flashing as she gently kissed him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Wow. I feel dizzy." Millerna muttered as she shook herself awake from where Allen had left her. "Where am I?" She looked to see the sun shining in the middle of the sky. "Gosh. It's already noon." Off in the horizon she saw a familiar ship. "Isn't that." No. It couldn't be. Could it?" She stared harder. "Yes. It is! It's Dryden's carrier!" She smiled happily, running towards the docking port.
As it landed, she made herself look presentable, trying to mask her excitement. The doors opened and her ex-husband stepped out. He yawned, not seeing her as he made his way down the ramp.
"Young master! Please be careful! If something was to happen to you, the master would have my head!" Dryden's assistant said warily as he scurried after the young merchant.
"Honestly. Does he pay you to say that?" Dryden asked indignantly. "Honestly. You worry too much." Dryden commented, looking back at the jittery servant. He then promptly tripped, falling down the ramp and landing at Millerna's feet. She couldn't control herself as she laughed at his position.
"Well. Good afternoon to you too, Princess." Dryden grumbled, standing up as the little slave scurried about him in a frenzy of fear and concern.
Stifling her laughter, she regained her composure and smiled at him. "It's nice to see you again Dryden. But tell me, why are you here?"
"Now isn't that friendly? She laughs as me when I trip, I visit and she asks why." Dryden said teasingly.
"I'm sorry. You just looked so funny!" She started to giggle again.
"Whatever. Your father invited me for a few days in hopes that."
".we'd."
".get."
".remarried." Millerna finished.
"Exactly." Dryden commented. "The stubborn old fool is still devastated and frantic over who will take the throne when he dies. Which, I'm sorry for your sake, will probably be soon. He doesn't look that chipper as of late. You know of course that we never produced any heirs."
"Well Dryden, if I was to have a child, I think that I'd notice." Millerna commented sarcastically.
"Marlene, of course, is dead. Chid is left to rule over Freid now that his parents are dead. You once told me that for some God only knows reason, Eries is to never take the throne. Yes, things are looking pretty hopeless for the Aston dynasty."
"It's a shame too." Millerna said quietly. "My family has ruled Asturia for hundreds of generations. It's no wonder that Father's a wreck."
"We could get married, have a kid, then separate again. Then the kid could take the throne." Dryden said hopelessly.
"Dryden." Millerna growled warningly.
"Okay. Okay. It was just an idea." Dryden said in his defense. "Then you have one other option."
"And what would that be?"
"Marry someone else."
"Dryden." Millerna whispered, knowing that he really was thinking in Asturia's best interest, since he had once been her husband.
"I don't know what else you can do." Dryden said, in a rather dejected manner.
"I'm sorry Dryden." Millerna whispered quietly. "They're decent ideas in theory, but I don't think I could go through with any of them." "I'll show you to your room." She was walking up the steps when she tripped, falling backwards, he caught her, cradling her in his arms.
Oh Millerna. I've missed you. If only. If only you'd missed me too. I. Dryden silenced his thoughts, holding her tighter and relishing the close contact with his beloved former bride.
"I think I can stand now Dryden." She whispered softly, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"Uncomfortable, Princess?"
"Yes." She replied meekly.
"We've been much more intimate than this in the past." He commented softly, a twinge of regret in his voice.
"That was then, this is now. Please let me go Dryden." She squirmed anxiously.
"You'll never love me, will you Millerna?" He stated quietly, as more of a statement than a question. Pain reflected in his shaded glasses. "I've never won in anything related to matters of the heart. I doubt I ever will." He laughed coldly.
"Dryden. I."
"Just forget it!" He yelled, dropping her and running inside, leaving her there as she stared at the rapidly fading figure steadily.
"But Dryden." She murmured, her bangs covering her delicately shaped violet eyes. "I think. I think for once. You might have." She then went to the healer to get treatment for the unusual stomach pains she'd experienced as of late.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"All goes well." Kirus said, lighting a candle so you could see his face in the dark room.
"Yes. But I see chaos." Lady Hiraki replied.
"When?" Kirus asked, concern in his deep blue eyes.
"It is coming. Very soon." Lady Hiraki murmured, as the candle went out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mama!" When will we get to Zaibach?! When Mama, when?!" The small girl squealed.
"Hush Kii-Kii." Akai muttered, silencing her young daughter.
"Oh Keigo. You're so big and strong!" Shitashii giggled, hanging on to Keigo's arm as Akai rolled her eyes on how slim the friend pickings were these days.
"So Rhum, you hail from Alkazar, I assume?" Akai asked the wolfman in a bored drawl.
"No, actually. I come from Fanelia. I am a merchant who runs a trade route between Fanelia, Arzas, Zaibach, and Asturia. I make a decent profit, if I do say so myself. I've known Van since he was a runt smaller than this one." He rustled Kii-Kii's hair as she giggled. "We used to call him Skinny Bones and no girls ever liked him because he had no muscles and he snored and." Van shot Rhum a hostile look which shut him up.
"You know if you weren't my friend, I'd kill you." Van commented coolly.
"Well I appreciate that sentiment, your majesty." Rhum said, grinning. "However, I'm not the least bit worried, because. Well, how can I put this delicately? YOU'RE SHORT!" Van immediately tackled Rhum.
"Boys." Akai rolled her eyes, muttering in frustration.
"They NEVER grow up, do they?" Hitomi said more as a statement than a question, observing the two "men" rolling around on the ground, pummeling each other with their fists.
"Grow up!" Akai snarled at them.
"Sorry M'Lady." Van mock bowed. Hitomi jabbed him in the ribs, since his statement was far too accurate. "HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Her glare sent him the message loud and clear.
"Glad, I'M not engaged!" Rhum commented s Van rubbed his sore side. "I'm not tied down to ANY woman!" He put his arm around Akai's shoulder and she jabbed him in the ribs as well. Everyone got a laugh as he cursed the catwoman to hell and back.
"Don't play with fire of you're gonna get burned." She hissed at him, leaving to look after her children. Rhum walked off, muttering about evil deranged catwomen, leaving Van and Hitomi alone. The group had stopped for mid-day meal and was having a minor difficulty, since none of them were very good cooks. But, they'd worry about that later. The sky was blue. The birds were singing. And Van and Hitomi were all alone without another soul in sight and an hour to kill.
"So. Hitomi." Van said, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her near. "Still up for being Fanelia's queen?"
"Yes, of course. It's what I've wanted to be for such a long time. I want to be with you, Van." She said softly.
"I'm glad Hitomi." He replied, tucking a strand of hair back behind her ear and kissing her forehead. "So, what kind of wedding would you like?"
"I want a big, beautiful wedding. I want a white lacey wedding dress. I want you to wear a tuxedo. I want it to be in the spring with lots of flowers and all my friends and family there. I want there to be music and dancing and all kinds of food and." She passionately gushed on for a few minutes, until she figured out he wasn't paying much attention. "VAN! ARE YOU LISTENING?!" She shrieked in annoyance.
"What? Oh. Of course." He smiled at her and she sighed in annoyance. "But what would you say if I asked you to marry me sooner than that?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" She asked in confusion.
"I worry about you Hitomi. I want to keep you safe. I want to marry you. I want you to be mine. Let me keep you safe, Hitomi. Please."
"Do you think I'm a child?" She asked in disdain. "I can take care of myself. I don't need you to walk me along on a leash like a dog! I'm a human being, Van!"
"Hitomi. You need someone to protect you, bad things happen to you. ALL THE TIME. It's very bad for all of those who care about your well-being. I love you Hitomi."
"But Van. What about our big romantic wedding?" She asked desperately.
"Now is not the time for that! You know how my council dislikes you! Hitomi. Some of them want you dead." She could tell from his eyes that he was dead serious. (A/N: No pun intended.)
"Van. Why? Why do they want me dead.? I don't want to die Van. Why didn't you tell me? Why don't you trust me?" She whispered, tears filling her green eyes.
"Hitomi. You should know that I would never let anyone hurt you. You have my word on that. I didn't want you to worry. It wouldn't help." Van explained. He stroked her hair gently, as she pressed her face into his well-defined chest.
"But Van. I'm not ready to rule a country. I'm not ready to have kids. Van. I'm only sixteen!" She was rather upset at this point and Van looked rather concerned.
"Hitomi. I'll make you happy. I don't want to rush you into anything, but we need to do something, before it's too late." His eyes pleaded with her to change her attitude over the whole matter.
"Very well then, Van. You have my hand. And my heart." She said as he kissed her softly. "So, when do you want to get married?"
"There's no time like the present!" Van replied.
"N-Now?" She gasped in disbelief.
"Sure! Why not?" He smiled and took her hand that was cold and sweaty. "Do you, Hitomi Kanzaki, take me, Van Fanel, to be your husband? To have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, 'till death do we part?"
"I d-do. She agreed shakily. "And do you, Van Fanel, take me, Hitomi Kanzaki, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, 'till death do we part?"
"I do." He smiled at her reassuringly. "Then. I take you as my wife. Queen of Fanelia, mother of the next ruler of Fanelia, Hitomi Kanzaki de Fanel." He slipped his signet ring on her finger and she admired the gold band engraved with the Fanelian emblem. "I now pronounce us man and wife, king and queen, forever onward." He took her head his hands and passionately kissed her.
"Way to go Van!" Rhum called to Van, who blushed madly. "So, how does it feel to be queen of Fanelia, Lady Fanel?"
"It feels pretty good." She admitted. "But I say, off with his head!" She gestured at Rhum jokingly, as he scampered away.
"Whatever you say, my queen." He said softly, embracing her.
"Now isn't this sweet?" An unfamiliar voice sneered.
The owner of the voice landed gracefully, staring at them with a fixed glare. It was a catgirl. Her hair was a deep sapphire hue, and her eyes were the brightest, purest green. There was a scar on her right shoulder that they could see for she wore a leather vest with matching leather pants and boots. There was a scabbard on her hip and they could see a weapon of some kind gleaming within. She looked to be about their age, perhaps a bit older, and a stunning green orb hung around her neck, glowing brightly. She was, indeed, a sight to behold. Then she spoke. "My name is Tsuta. I have come for Lady Hitomi." A/N: Ooh! Cliffhanger! Who is Tsuta, and why does she want Hitomi? (The reviewer known as Ivy bases this character off a request, tell me if anything's wrong with her, k Ivy?) This could change our so far, villainous plot, no couldn't it? I just want to tell you that the next couple chapters will be "interesting" to say the least. Keep reading and find out what happens in the next mysterious chapter of, "Winged Destinies"! Thanks for reading, please review! Arigatou and Sayonara! ^_^ ~Trunks Gal~
A/N: Wow. I can't believe I haven't updated this since June. _ I am soooooooooooooo sorry. Please forgive me. This chapter is pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I hope you're still reading. Please review. I'm hoping for 53 before the next update. Thanks!
Chapter 9: When Lovers Collide
** "The one who loves you will kill you." **
Hitomi awoke gasping for breath, sweat running down her face. She looked around to find herself in a tent, with Van in the sleeping back beside her own, breathing softly. It was just a nightmare. She sighed in relief.
What had that crazy fortune-teller meant?
** Flashback **
"The one who loves you will kill you."
** Backflash **
Van loved her. He was going to marry her and make her queen. Not to mention the fact that despite this quest's danger, he was going on it so he could keep her safe. Yes, Van cared for her. It just had to be true.
She sighed, aware of the difficulties that lay ahead. They'd been traveling for several days and were restless and tired. The children squabbled, Akai was ready to beat Keigo into a bloody pulp whenever she had a chance, Van ignored her, as she in turn ignored him, Rhum made fun of the two for their "undeniable love" as they barely spoke, and Shitashii acted extremely hyper. She wanted to patch things up with Van, but she didn't know where to start. She cared about him so much, they just didn't always see eye-to-eye. She supposed a lot of couples felt that way. She brushed back a piece of raven-colored hair, and kissed his forehead softly.
"That's nice." He muttered in his sleep. To her amusement, she could even detect a hint of blush on his cheeks. That was Van, easily embarrassed even when he wasn't awake.
She decided to forgive him for being so hardheaded in Arzas. He was just a boy after all, whether "the mighty king" himself, would admit it or not. "Goodnight. My handsome prince." She whispered, before drifting back asleep beside the one who's blade was destined to be her downfall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Princess Eries sat in court, listening intently to the bearded, bald, over- weight, elderly men debate about trivial matters that did not concern Asturia's well-being. Sometimes, despite her better judgement, she missed the war. When The Destiny War was being fought, something exciting was always going on. Hotheaded old fools were constantly arguing, fair ladies wept over men they loved marching off to battle, rulers tried to preserve the shattering of their alliances still intact.
It had been so much like the plays she had attended with Marlene before she had married Duke Freid. It had been several years, but her heart still wept for her sister who preferred the theater to the battlefield, unlike their father. Marlene had helped cultivate Eries into a decent human being.
Mother had died when she was three, minutes after the birth of Millerna. Marlene had been six at the time and was the most heart-broken. King Aston never spoke of the lovely woman that had been his wife, no one really knew why. All they had known was that he loved his country, but he had loved Therese Gladys Aston ever more.
Millerna and Dryden had split up and Asturia was in turmoil. Who would take the throne? Not her, no, not Princess Eries, for Princess Eries had committed the second highest of all treason. She had murdered the queen of Asturia. Or, at least. that's what everyone believed.
It was all her father's fault. He had never liked her much. She was the middle-child. Not brilliant, like fair Marlene or beautiful, like young Millerna. She was just Eries. The Forgotten Princess.
"I can still remember. That day. Oh mother. Why? Couldn't you have learned to love father? Didn't you try?" Eries whispered softly.
** Flashback **
"Mama, what's wrong? You don't look well." 3-year-old Eries commented quietly.
"I'm afraid I can't be with you much longer, darling."
"Why not?" Eries asked, her eyes widening. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes, darling. I'm going to a place where it's always summer and no one is ever unhappy." She said serenely. "As I have been." She added softly.
"It must be nice. I should think I'd like to go there Mama." Eries replied.
"No darling." Therese said quietly. "This is a journey that mother must make alone."
"Not even Encia?" Eries asked in confusion, speaking of her mother's favorite handmaiden who went everywhere with her. She had been shooed out when Eries came in, fiddling with her apron.
"No dear, not even Encia." Therese whispered softly, tears filling her eyes.
"Don't cry mother, I'm sure Encia won't mind." Eries consoled the 24-year- old blonde who had we a man she held no affection for at 17, had her first child at 18, and had been bound to the throne by the daughters she loved ever since. She looked around and noticed the small cradle holding her new little sister.
"Her name is Millerna." Therese whispered, smiling at the sleeping baby.
"She's pretty." Eries said shyly.
"Yes. She is." Therese agreed without much thought. "Promise me something Eries. Promise me that you'll look after her."
"But Mama, you'll be here to help her." Eries replied in puzzlement.
"Just promise me, Eries!" Therese pleaded, tears rolling down her fair cheeks.
A bit shaken by the tears, Eries complied quickly. "Of course Mama. I'll take care of her. I promise."
"Good." She lay back in bed again. "Then I can rest peacefully."
"That's nice Mama." Eries beamed, still not understanding what was going on.
"I love you Eries." Therese smiled fondly after her formerly youngest daughter.
"I love you too Mother." Eries whispered as her mother fell asleep. When she noticed that her mother's chest was no longer rising and falling, she decided that she was very deeply asleep. The young princess smiled before closing the door softly, not wanting to wake her mother from her eternal sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"God damn it! What do you MEAN Therese is dead?" Kind Aston commanded the maid in hysterics.
"I don't know Sir. It twasn't my fault Sir. She asked me and her handmaiden to take our leave and asked that one," She pointed at Eries accusingly. ".To come in. The young princess came out and I went in to change Milady's linens and she lying there all peaceful-like and I smiled in spite of myself Sir. For she looked grand, she did, just like a princess from one of them fairy tales. I asked her if she'd like a bath to be drawn for her, bust she didn't reply. I asked her again. I went over and tapped her gently, figuring she deeply asleep and asked louder. I took her hand and it was so cold. Lifeless. I was a bit worried so I put my head to her mouth to listen for breaths. There wasn't one.Tweren't any. Lady Therese is dead sire." The maid wept.
"Confound it!" The King yelled in fury. "The last one with her must have been the one who killed the queen of Asturia. And I ask you, WHO is responsible for the death of my beloved wife?!"
The maid pushed Eries forward and everyone stepped backward. Eries, who had just figured out what was going on, was bawling loudly.
"What in hell's name are you blubbering about, girl?!" King Aston screeched at her.
"Mother." Eries whimpered.
"Yes, you horrible little child! You killed your own mother! Guards, take her from my sight!" The guards stepped forward as Eries ran away.
"ERIES! COME BACK!" 6-year-old Marlene called after her as baby Millerna squalled.
Eries ran and ran, through corridors and bedrooms, through attics and dining rooms, until she reached the great hall. She yanked open the huge doors and the mold of Dicha seemed to growl at her menacingly as she ran out and throng the iron gates surrounding the palace. She ran through the grassy fields and found the grove of trees she and her mother had climbed and ran farther in. "MPH!" She crashed into something.
"Princess Eries?" The boy asked quietly. "Princess Eries, are you all right?" Then she saw the boy with long blond hair. He was clad in black leather with a cotton shirt and sash. A sword hung at his waist. He held her awkwardly, yet he held her none the less.
"I. Why.? Mother. She's dead.Did I kill her? I couldn't have. I musn't have. I." Eries muttered in horror, as he stroked her hair. He was holding her, in the fields as she wept onto his shoulder, trying to forget the sight of her mother's lifeless body that would haunt her until the day she laid in her own grave. "I'm sorry," She looked up at him. She recognized him. She was Encina's son. "But I don't know your name."
"My name is Allen." He said quietly. "Allen Schezar."
** Backflash **
Encina had moved back to her parent's home with Allen Selena since she was no longer wanted in Palas. Allen would not return in Princess Eries's life until he became a Knight Caeli twelve years later.
Eries got up. The council stared at her in surprise. "Princess Eries, where are you going?" The head Councilor asked.
"I. I just need to think." She said over her shoulder as she ran out the door. She cried softly, reflecting on her past. She hadn't done it. Why did they blame her? She was crying quietly as she ran into something. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" She complained, rubbing her head in irritation. The figure held her gently and she looked up to herself smiling at the face of Allen Schezar.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dilandau awoke that morning with a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach for the task at hand. He saw Selena peacefully snoring in the bag beside him and quickly dismissed her from his thoughts. He rolled up his bag, shrunk it, and attached it to his belt. He climbed down off the roof, but not before the girl awoke.
"Huh? Dilandau? Where is he?" She wondered aloud, blinking in confusion.
"Miss me?" He climbed back up, grinning at the peeved girl.
"Jerk. I thought you'd been kidnapped or skipped town or something!" She shrieked.
"Not yet girl." Dilandau muttered in annoyance, dealing with her bag as his own. "Igo." He began back down.
"WAIT!" Selena squeaked.
"WHAT NOW?!" Dilandau growled.
"You can't go down like that! You'll scare the poor boy to death!" She proclaimed.
"And what do you intend to do about it?" Dilandau asked impatiently, not seeing what was wrong with how he looked.
"I intend to fix it!" She continued, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her. She walked over to the gutter and filled her cupped hands with rainwater. She rubbed her hands across his face, wiping off the dirk, grime, and his smirk right along with it. She tore off a piece of her dress along the hem and used it to dry his wet face. "Allen won't be happy with me. But he already won't be, so I suppose it won't make much of a difference." She then ran her still damp hands through his silver hair, smoothing down the loose hairs and making sure that his bangs were still curled in that trademark way.
His eyes were wide with surprise. He wanted to say that he could wash his own face, but something stopped him. He loved the feeling of her hands caressing his skin and running through his hair. AUGH! Why was he feeling this way? She was just a worthless female.
"That's much better, but something's still missing. Lemme think." She put her hand to her head and stared at him. Her eyes pierced him like so many arrows. "Aha!" She reached in her pocket and pulled out a circular golden object. It had a red gem inset in the front and looked familiar. He scratched his head and it hit him what was wrong. She had his tiara! She slipped it over his head, binding it in the back. "That's better!" She beamed. "Shall we?"
"Whatever." Dilandau muttered, pushing her aside and heading down.
"HEY!" Rafael called up to them. "Where have you guys been?"
"It's none of your concern." Dilandau muttered nonchalantly.
"Oh well. I'm just glad you're still here! I was afraid the villagers had scared you off!" He climbed up and soon the three of them were lying on top of the roof beneath the deep blue sky.
"I know, you know." Rafael said softly, eyes glued on the clouds above.
"Know what?" Selena asked, trying to hide the dread in her voice.
"Migel. He's dead. Isn't he?" He accused, his amethyst eyes locking with their own.
"How did you know?" Selena asked, waves of sadness washing over her as though she were at the beach.
"Despite what you might think, you're not good at acting. Nor are you experts at keeping your voices low." Selena and Dilandau glanced at each other guiltily. "I just want to know one thing. Why didn't you tell me?" His eyes were filled with pain and sorrow beyond that of a boy his age.
"Because. We loved Migel like a brother, despite what bloody-eyes here might say." She gestured at Dilandau who growled menacingly. She took Rafael aside out of Dilandau's hearing. "Coming here was like watching them die all over again. Do you know how much it hurt him when they all died? They were his friends, his comrades. There's something sacred about comrades, Rafael. He didn't want to see them die all over again. I know it still haunts him in his dreams. Dilandau's. Dilandau's a good man, Rafael, a good man and a great leader. He may not have always chosen his paths wisely, but many of them were chosen for him. He's a good man, Rafael, a good man." She walked away and Rafael stared at her back. They both looked alarm when they heard an anguished cry from nearby. "Huh?" Selena asked, turning around to see what was going on. Dilandau crouched a distance away, rocking back and fourth, eyes dilated. Selena was hit with a torrent of painful memories of her other self who was suffering terribly as Rafael looked on in confusion.
"What's going on?" He muttered, eyes wide in confusion as he watched the respected general, crumble and his lovely lady shriek, covering her ears with her hands. ** A bunch of furry animals scattered as Escaflowne landed on the ground as thunder rumbled in the background. Over a dozen blue Alseides and a single red one landed around Van. "Okay boys. The Dragonhunting ends today!" Dilandau told his slayers. "I'll settle this myself." Van said, trying to assure himself. "Okay Escaflowne, give me your strength." The Mecca's gears started turning. "ATTACK!" Dilandau screamed. Several guymelefs charged at Van, one shooting at him, but he blocked it, he sliced through multiple guymelefs at once. "AAAAAAAAHHHH!" A Dragonslayer with blond curly hair Hitomi later learned to be called Guimel shrieked as Van crushed his guymelef's head, blood spewing everywhere. Van impaled a guymelef coming upon him and struck down the next one with the same persistence. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Gatty screamed in pain as his along with other guymelefs in a bloody mess burst into flames. "Damn he's fast! Stealth cloaks!" Dilandau ordered. The guymelefs donned their stealth cloaks immediately, but Van using the dowsing Hitomi had shown him before, was easily able to see through them. "I can see them. I CAN SEE THEM!" Van cried out excitedly. He sliced through two more guymelefs with ease. Dalet attempted to protect himself with a shield, but to no avail as he to was killed. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Dalet screamed as he met the fate of his comrades. "THIS IS FOR DUKE FREID!" Van proclaimed loudly as Dalet's guymelef burst into bloody flames. "AND THIS IS FOR BALGUS!" He slashed through three more guymelefs as Dilandau watched in horror. "What's going on?" Dilandau wondered aloud. "HE'S CRAZY!" "Lord Dilandau!" Chesta cried out, as he, the last remaining Dragonslayer, died before his master, leaving Dilandau as the last one standing. "GATTY. CHESTA?! DALET?!" Dilandau called for his fallen men. Escaflowne loomed before him menacingly. "Where is he?" Dilandau began to whimper. Merle and Hitomi watched from the sky above. "Lord Van's winning!" Merle proclaimed in excitement. "No. Something's wrong with Escaflowne." Hitomi muttered in disturbance. Escaflowne stepped closer to Dilandau's guymelef as he screamed in terror. "STAY AWAY!" Dilandau screamed as he shot at Van, nicking him and causing blood to run down Van's cheek. "And this is for Fanelia! PREPARE TO DIE!" Van screamed, running forward, intent on spearing Dilandau right then and there. Dilandau's pale face was filled with fear, knowing he was going to die. Suddenly, the blood from Van's cheek filled his guymelef. The whole landscape was covered in blood as ghosts appeared. "Stop." Dalet commanded. "WHAT?!" Van asked in confusion why he wasn't killing Dilandau screaming in agony as he died. "We won't let you kill Dilandau." Gatty told Van. "What?" Van asked again. "Why don't you come with us?" Gatty asked. "Who are you?" Van asked, genuinely frightened. "We won't let you kill the man who commanded us." A Dragonslayer said. "He gave us our glorious guymelefs!" Another proclaimed. "He gave me a guymelef!" Another piped in. The Dragonslayers surrounded Dilandau's guymelef protectively. Van was no longer in Escaflowne, but surrounding by walls of blood. Ghosts soared around him beckoning him. "No. STAY AWAY!" "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Van screamed in terror as Escaflowne fell on its back and the scared to death Dilandau retreated. Everyone watched in horror from the ship above. "What happened to Lord Van?" Merle asked in a frightened tone. "Van." Hitomi said, as she continued to watch the pitch-black Escaflowne lying defeated on the ground. ** ** "General Adelphos, I've come to request permission to take Dilandau home." A sorcerer said to the general.
"A sorcerer asking for permission? Although he's now under my command, you were the ones who gave him to us. What is the reason?" The general replied.
"He's unwell. Lord Folken informed me." The sorcerer answered.
"That demon is ill?!" The general exclaimed in disbelief.
"We'll return him to you once he's recovered." The sorcerer responded, leaving.
Dilandau screamed from the medical table he was bound to. He was surrounded by sorcerers. The men who had created him, but could just as easily destroy him.
"He's becoming unstable!" A sorcerer commented.
"What's causing it?" Asked another.
"The Fate Alteration project wasn't a complete success." Said another.
"No one is to tell Folken. Is that clear?!" Snapped another.
"CHESTA! GATTY! DALET! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Dilandau shrieked.
"It's getting worse. Put him to sleep. We'll have to perform another fate alternation when we get to mainland." A sorcerer said. Dilandau shrieked as he was injected, shrieked as he fell into unconsciousness. **
** "Where am I?" Dilandau asked, as though waking up from a trance.
"You are on the floating fortress of Dilate." Jajuka said calmly.
"Dilate.? Where's Chesta?" Dilandau asked, hoping the last encounter had been a horrible nightmare and he could give his men a verbal lashing for losing to such a pitiful foe.
"He died." Jajuka said gravely.
"And where is Gatty?"
"Dead." Jajuka whispered.
"And Dalet?"
"Dead."
"And Viole?" Dilandau asked in desperation.
"All of them. Dead." Jajuka said in regret.
"Dead. DEAD?!" Dilandau threw the wine at Jajuka, shattering it against his chest and down his beard, he stood up. "So who might you be?"
"My name is Jajuka." Jajuka answered.
"Jajuka.?" Dilandau muttered, the name sounder oddly familiar.
"I am a soldier under your command. I alone." Jajuka reported.
"Alone?" Dilandau muttered in disbelief. He'd gone from fifteen elite soldiers to one dogman?! Didn't those fools trust him?! But after that battle, perhaps this was only just. He screamed and tore off his shirt. He fell to the ground crying. It seemed like second later when he calmed down and got up. "Jajuka. I trust that my new guymelef is ready."
"Yes."
"It's been a while since I last fought. This is going to be fun." Dilandau said, trying to get excited. **
** "I've been looking for you for a long time. VAN!" Van shot at Dilandau, but he blocked.
"DILANDAU!" Van yelled.
"HERE I COME!" Dilandau called out in glee. Dilandau swiped at him, but the young king blocked. "Excellent." Dilandau commented. They fought a bit, Van cutting off both of Dilandau's arms and pinning him against a wall. As he attempted to finish him off, Jajuka's guymelef flew in front of Dilandau's taking the hit and going up in blue flames. "JAJUKA!" Dilandau called out.
"Please, Lord Dilandau! Escape!" Jajuka pleaded. Dilandau could see a picture of that strange little girl walking in some strange gardens with Jajuka and shook his head of the image. "Lord Dilandau! Turn back into Selena! Turn back into that sweet Selena!" He died as his burning guymelef fell to the ground.
"Jajuka." Dilandau murmured in disbelief and horror.
** Flashback **
"Don't be afraid. My name is Jajuka." The dogman told the little girl.
** Backflash **
"What?" Dilandau muttered in confusion.
** Flashback **
Some guards dragged the girl away as she screamed and pleaded. Jajuka was being beaten. "Damn uppity beastman!" A guard cursed.
"JAJUKA!" The little girl screamed.
"Please! Don't take her! SELENA!" Jajuka howled.
** Backflash **
Dilandau's eyes changed from red to purple to red to blue to red again. "Jajuka. Please. Don't leave me all alone." He whispered. It was then that Dilandau vanished and Selena repossessed her body. **
"STAY OUT OF MY HEAD!" Selena shrieked. She saw that Dilandau was in a similar situation and painfully dragged herself over to where he was, sweating madly, she collapsed next to him. She held him gently; stroking his face, knowing his pain was causing horrible memories through the link that they shared. "Dilandau. Shh. It's okay. You don't have to be sad for them. They're going to be all right. You're going to be all right too. There's no need to cry." She whispered, as he stood up, disdain eminent in his expression.
"Rafael. I'm sorry for your loss." He then started leaping between the rooftops quickly, heading away from the two.
"Stupid boy." Selena muttered, rolling her eyes. "He's me, he won't get away like that." She quickly took off after him in the same fashion. She eventually caught up to him, grabbing his collar, catching him off guard and knocking him over onto his back.
"Girl! Why won't you leave me alone?!" Dilandau hissed in fury.
"Because. You're a fool."
"You came all this way just to tell me that?" Dilandau asked in annoyance.
"No. I came to tell you something."
"What? That I'm 'Not a bad person'? Look girl, I don't need to hear this kind of crap from you!"
"Dilandau. I just want to help."
"'Dilandau. I just want to help.'" Dilandau mockingly imitated her. "Do you know how many times I've heard that? Do you know how many times? I've heard that my entire life. No one wants to help. And I don't need help. I'm going to be fine. Just fine. On my own. I don't need you, I don't need Strategos, I don't even need my slayers! I don't care for anyone; I don't need anyone to care for me! That's how it's always been, and how it always will be!" He screamed at her. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"Dilandau." She whispered softly.
"What?" He asked coldly.
"I. I." She stuttered.
"Spit it out girl!" He hissed.
"All right then. I care for you, Dilandau Albatou." She said quietly and serenely, her blue eyes flashing as she gently kissed him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Wow. I feel dizzy." Millerna muttered as she shook herself awake from where Allen had left her. "Where am I?" She looked to see the sun shining in the middle of the sky. "Gosh. It's already noon." Off in the horizon she saw a familiar ship. "Isn't that." No. It couldn't be. Could it?" She stared harder. "Yes. It is! It's Dryden's carrier!" She smiled happily, running towards the docking port.
As it landed, she made herself look presentable, trying to mask her excitement. The doors opened and her ex-husband stepped out. He yawned, not seeing her as he made his way down the ramp.
"Young master! Please be careful! If something was to happen to you, the master would have my head!" Dryden's assistant said warily as he scurried after the young merchant.
"Honestly. Does he pay you to say that?" Dryden asked indignantly. "Honestly. You worry too much." Dryden commented, looking back at the jittery servant. He then promptly tripped, falling down the ramp and landing at Millerna's feet. She couldn't control herself as she laughed at his position.
"Well. Good afternoon to you too, Princess." Dryden grumbled, standing up as the little slave scurried about him in a frenzy of fear and concern.
Stifling her laughter, she regained her composure and smiled at him. "It's nice to see you again Dryden. But tell me, why are you here?"
"Now isn't that friendly? She laughs as me when I trip, I visit and she asks why." Dryden said teasingly.
"I'm sorry. You just looked so funny!" She started to giggle again.
"Whatever. Your father invited me for a few days in hopes that."
".we'd."
".get."
".remarried." Millerna finished.
"Exactly." Dryden commented. "The stubborn old fool is still devastated and frantic over who will take the throne when he dies. Which, I'm sorry for your sake, will probably be soon. He doesn't look that chipper as of late. You know of course that we never produced any heirs."
"Well Dryden, if I was to have a child, I think that I'd notice." Millerna commented sarcastically.
"Marlene, of course, is dead. Chid is left to rule over Freid now that his parents are dead. You once told me that for some God only knows reason, Eries is to never take the throne. Yes, things are looking pretty hopeless for the Aston dynasty."
"It's a shame too." Millerna said quietly. "My family has ruled Asturia for hundreds of generations. It's no wonder that Father's a wreck."
"We could get married, have a kid, then separate again. Then the kid could take the throne." Dryden said hopelessly.
"Dryden." Millerna growled warningly.
"Okay. Okay. It was just an idea." Dryden said in his defense. "Then you have one other option."
"And what would that be?"
"Marry someone else."
"Dryden." Millerna whispered, knowing that he really was thinking in Asturia's best interest, since he had once been her husband.
"I don't know what else you can do." Dryden said, in a rather dejected manner.
"I'm sorry Dryden." Millerna whispered quietly. "They're decent ideas in theory, but I don't think I could go through with any of them." "I'll show you to your room." She was walking up the steps when she tripped, falling backwards, he caught her, cradling her in his arms.
Oh Millerna. I've missed you. If only. If only you'd missed me too. I. Dryden silenced his thoughts, holding her tighter and relishing the close contact with his beloved former bride.
"I think I can stand now Dryden." She whispered softly, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"Uncomfortable, Princess?"
"Yes." She replied meekly.
"We've been much more intimate than this in the past." He commented softly, a twinge of regret in his voice.
"That was then, this is now. Please let me go Dryden." She squirmed anxiously.
"You'll never love me, will you Millerna?" He stated quietly, as more of a statement than a question. Pain reflected in his shaded glasses. "I've never won in anything related to matters of the heart. I doubt I ever will." He laughed coldly.
"Dryden. I."
"Just forget it!" He yelled, dropping her and running inside, leaving her there as she stared at the rapidly fading figure steadily.
"But Dryden." She murmured, her bangs covering her delicately shaped violet eyes. "I think. I think for once. You might have." She then went to the healer to get treatment for the unusual stomach pains she'd experienced as of late.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"All goes well." Kirus said, lighting a candle so you could see his face in the dark room.
"Yes. But I see chaos." Lady Hiraki replied.
"When?" Kirus asked, concern in his deep blue eyes.
"It is coming. Very soon." Lady Hiraki murmured, as the candle went out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mama!" When will we get to Zaibach?! When Mama, when?!" The small girl squealed.
"Hush Kii-Kii." Akai muttered, silencing her young daughter.
"Oh Keigo. You're so big and strong!" Shitashii giggled, hanging on to Keigo's arm as Akai rolled her eyes on how slim the friend pickings were these days.
"So Rhum, you hail from Alkazar, I assume?" Akai asked the wolfman in a bored drawl.
"No, actually. I come from Fanelia. I am a merchant who runs a trade route between Fanelia, Arzas, Zaibach, and Asturia. I make a decent profit, if I do say so myself. I've known Van since he was a runt smaller than this one." He rustled Kii-Kii's hair as she giggled. "We used to call him Skinny Bones and no girls ever liked him because he had no muscles and he snored and." Van shot Rhum a hostile look which shut him up.
"You know if you weren't my friend, I'd kill you." Van commented coolly.
"Well I appreciate that sentiment, your majesty." Rhum said, grinning. "However, I'm not the least bit worried, because. Well, how can I put this delicately? YOU'RE SHORT!" Van immediately tackled Rhum.
"Boys." Akai rolled her eyes, muttering in frustration.
"They NEVER grow up, do they?" Hitomi said more as a statement than a question, observing the two "men" rolling around on the ground, pummeling each other with their fists.
"Grow up!" Akai snarled at them.
"Sorry M'Lady." Van mock bowed. Hitomi jabbed him in the ribs, since his statement was far too accurate. "HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Her glare sent him the message loud and clear.
"Glad, I'M not engaged!" Rhum commented s Van rubbed his sore side. "I'm not tied down to ANY woman!" He put his arm around Akai's shoulder and she jabbed him in the ribs as well. Everyone got a laugh as he cursed the catwoman to hell and back.
"Don't play with fire of you're gonna get burned." She hissed at him, leaving to look after her children. Rhum walked off, muttering about evil deranged catwomen, leaving Van and Hitomi alone. The group had stopped for mid-day meal and was having a minor difficulty, since none of them were very good cooks. But, they'd worry about that later. The sky was blue. The birds were singing. And Van and Hitomi were all alone without another soul in sight and an hour to kill.
"So. Hitomi." Van said, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her near. "Still up for being Fanelia's queen?"
"Yes, of course. It's what I've wanted to be for such a long time. I want to be with you, Van." She said softly.
"I'm glad Hitomi." He replied, tucking a strand of hair back behind her ear and kissing her forehead. "So, what kind of wedding would you like?"
"I want a big, beautiful wedding. I want a white lacey wedding dress. I want you to wear a tuxedo. I want it to be in the spring with lots of flowers and all my friends and family there. I want there to be music and dancing and all kinds of food and." She passionately gushed on for a few minutes, until she figured out he wasn't paying much attention. "VAN! ARE YOU LISTENING?!" She shrieked in annoyance.
"What? Oh. Of course." He smiled at her and she sighed in annoyance. "But what would you say if I asked you to marry me sooner than that?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" She asked in confusion.
"I worry about you Hitomi. I want to keep you safe. I want to marry you. I want you to be mine. Let me keep you safe, Hitomi. Please."
"Do you think I'm a child?" She asked in disdain. "I can take care of myself. I don't need you to walk me along on a leash like a dog! I'm a human being, Van!"
"Hitomi. You need someone to protect you, bad things happen to you. ALL THE TIME. It's very bad for all of those who care about your well-being. I love you Hitomi."
"But Van. What about our big romantic wedding?" She asked desperately.
"Now is not the time for that! You know how my council dislikes you! Hitomi. Some of them want you dead." She could tell from his eyes that he was dead serious. (A/N: No pun intended.)
"Van. Why? Why do they want me dead.? I don't want to die Van. Why didn't you tell me? Why don't you trust me?" She whispered, tears filling her green eyes.
"Hitomi. You should know that I would never let anyone hurt you. You have my word on that. I didn't want you to worry. It wouldn't help." Van explained. He stroked her hair gently, as she pressed her face into his well-defined chest.
"But Van. I'm not ready to rule a country. I'm not ready to have kids. Van. I'm only sixteen!" She was rather upset at this point and Van looked rather concerned.
"Hitomi. I'll make you happy. I don't want to rush you into anything, but we need to do something, before it's too late." His eyes pleaded with her to change her attitude over the whole matter.
"Very well then, Van. You have my hand. And my heart." She said as he kissed her softly. "So, when do you want to get married?"
"There's no time like the present!" Van replied.
"N-Now?" She gasped in disbelief.
"Sure! Why not?" He smiled and took her hand that was cold and sweaty. "Do you, Hitomi Kanzaki, take me, Van Fanel, to be your husband? To have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, 'till death do we part?"
"I d-do. She agreed shakily. "And do you, Van Fanel, take me, Hitomi Kanzaki, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, 'till death do we part?"
"I do." He smiled at her reassuringly. "Then. I take you as my wife. Queen of Fanelia, mother of the next ruler of Fanelia, Hitomi Kanzaki de Fanel." He slipped his signet ring on her finger and she admired the gold band engraved with the Fanelian emblem. "I now pronounce us man and wife, king and queen, forever onward." He took her head his hands and passionately kissed her.
"Way to go Van!" Rhum called to Van, who blushed madly. "So, how does it feel to be queen of Fanelia, Lady Fanel?"
"It feels pretty good." She admitted. "But I say, off with his head!" She gestured at Rhum jokingly, as he scampered away.
"Whatever you say, my queen." He said softly, embracing her.
"Now isn't this sweet?" An unfamiliar voice sneered.
The owner of the voice landed gracefully, staring at them with a fixed glare. It was a catgirl. Her hair was a deep sapphire hue, and her eyes were the brightest, purest green. There was a scar on her right shoulder that they could see for she wore a leather vest with matching leather pants and boots. There was a scabbard on her hip and they could see a weapon of some kind gleaming within. She looked to be about their age, perhaps a bit older, and a stunning green orb hung around her neck, glowing brightly. She was, indeed, a sight to behold. Then she spoke. "My name is Tsuta. I have come for Lady Hitomi." A/N: Ooh! Cliffhanger! Who is Tsuta, and why does she want Hitomi? (The reviewer known as Ivy bases this character off a request, tell me if anything's wrong with her, k Ivy?) This could change our so far, villainous plot, no couldn't it? I just want to tell you that the next couple chapters will be "interesting" to say the least. Keep reading and find out what happens in the next mysterious chapter of, "Winged Destinies"! Thanks for reading, please review! Arigatou and Sayonara! ^_^ ~Trunks Gal~