~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters!~
~Sorry, this is a day late! Had a small problem to deal with~
~I really have nothing to say so just go ahead and read, but don't forget to review~
The Fate of Two Worlds: the Sequel
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 14 ~ A Life for a Life
~~~ Sands of Dosha ~~~
Hitomi looked up into the cloudless sky wearily and spotted the torturous ball of gold that hung above their heads. Sighing heavily the seeress took another step forward letting her dark boot sink into the soft golden sand. Her emerald eyes ran over the many dunes that laid before her and the others too tired to think about the dangers of being out here so long. Hitomi went to take another step forward, but her back leg was so deep in the sand and she was too weak to pull it out properly that she lost her balance and stumbled forward. Van was quick to catch and steady her as she regained her footing. On the other side of the young queen was Merle who was doing her best to also lend a hand by taking Hitomi's other arm; however, the young cat-girl was a lot smaller than the seeress and could barely hold her up.
Afterwards Hitomi looked over her shoulder at the rest of the group. The three guardians were presently taking up the rear. Sian was still rather weak from the previous battle so Nembus had to lend her a shoulder as they walked. The whole time the green woman had her good arm wrapped around the armored angel's shoulders she grumbled about having to be helped out and that as a warrior she should just endure the pain, but Nembus refused to listen and continued to aid her. Though Sian grumbled she was very grateful for the help she felt extremely weak and barely could walk through the intense heat without stumbling. The man no longer wore his armor leaving only his dark purple clothes to dress him. His ebony protection had been attracting the heat and brought heavy suffering to the warrior so he finally decided to place the armor in Merle's pack until further notice.
Behind the two good friends lumbered the giant. He no longer wore his fur shirt and had stripped down to some thin cream pants that had been beneath his thick furry ones placing them also in one of the groups' knapsacks for later use. At the moment you could see his large chest that was well defined by strong muscles. Battle scars ran through his tan skin make him look very rustic and rough. In his monstrous hands was the impervious ax that gleamed in the heat like a beautiful, silver ocean. The man fidgeted a lot when he walked. He was not use to wearing so little clothing and it made him a little uneasy. Sadly, no one could offer him a shirt though because of his size. He was at least twice the size of the other males and he surely he couldn't fit in anything the women had leaving him, but his thin pants and furry boots to travel through the endless sand in.
Hitomi gave a weak smile as she turned back around to walking the long trek. She wished they knew where they were going. A bead of sweat slid down from her brow and down her cheek all the way to the tip of her chin before falling to the sand. Hitomi would have wiped her brow, but if she took either of her arms away from the two shoulders she was leaning against she would surely fall over, and then she would never get up.
The young seeress thought back to the day before after the battle against the demon. So much had happened after that incident…
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Sian and Hitomi walked away from the group for a moment letting them make a new campsite. Zaado had left to round up the Draconians he had been protecting and would bring them back so the seeress could send them to Fanelia. There had been a great argument over having to do it at all. Everyone was worried for their queen, but Hitomi refused to leave them there. At Fanelia they would be protected, at least better protected then being here by themselves without their guardian. Van had been the most stubborn of the group refusing to let Hitomi do the task, but finally after a long talk with him Van weakened and allowed it though with a grumble. Now they were waiting for the giant to return with the group and while doing so were making a meal.
The green guardian and young queen glanced at each other from across the campfire waiting for the meal to be prepared. Their eyes spoke their thoughts and silently they decided they needed to have a private conversation. Saying she was restless Hitomi got up from the group and walked away. Van was about to follow when the forest warrior rose and quickly caught up with the royal maiden. The young man's brow furrowed in thought, but he shrugged it off. He could tell Hitomi wanted to talk to Sian alone. Whatever was spoken to her he would most likely hear about later from Hitomi being that they didn't hold secrets from one another. Though he ached for his wife's company he forced himself to stay seated with Nembus and Merle as they roasted some type of animal meat in the center of the ice room's remains.
The guardian and seeress stood at the collapsed tunnel's entrance and sat on some of the rubble. Feeling the cold wind pick up Hitomi wrapped her cloak more tightly around her as she looked up into the sky. Her brunette locks drifted to fall in her eyes making Hitomi have to brush them aside as she watched the gentle snowfall from the heavens. Sian fingered her elegant bow as she studied the object not wanting to look at her queen. Quietly the guardian whispered, "You know what's happening to you, don't you?…"
The seeress sighed softly as she closed her eyes with a bow of her head. Just as low Hitomi whispered, "Yes… I can feel my powers dropping… even after the battle…"
Numbly the 'Angel' looked up from her spot on the rubble at the female warrior and asked, "Sian,… am I… dying?…"
Sian glanced up at her queen for a second before turning back to her bow in thought. As she contemplated over the situation she spoke her thoughts aloud, "It feels like it to me, Hitomi… Though I have no idea how… Merging never caused a person to die from the aftereffects and you didn't get too badly damage in the last fight so I'm stumped on how it's even possible, but the fact is you are dying, Hitomi. Your power level is dropping, though very slowly. If it drops low enough you will die and so far it seems like its not about to stop its descent."
Hitomi stared at the toes of her boots as the wind teased with her cloak, "Could Dornkirk be doing it?"
Starting a little the fighter stared at her queen, "How do you come to that?"
For a moment the seeress did not speak as she herself thought of her theory. It was possible seeing this world was so strange and magically, yet it seemed impossible to Hitomi. Looking at the snowy ground the seeress said, "Since the last time I faced him, when ran into Nembus, I have been hearing Dornkirk's voice in my head… Every so often he will speak to me… A while ago he did in a vision and also before in the ice room… Could he somehow be draining my powers even now?"
The guardian frowned as she stared at her mistress thoughtfully, "I don't see how... Dornkirk may be powerful, but I don't think he can continue to drain your powers without physical contact with you, especially with us so far away from him."
Hitomi nodded with her eyes still on her boots, "Yes, but now what do we do?"
Crossing her arms across her chest Sian said, "Perhaps we should tell the others."
"No" the seeress replied firmly as her eyes snapped up at the guard, "Already they are protective of me using my powers. If they know about this they won't let me do anything."
The guardian knew this was very true and sighed heavily as she bowed her head letting her eyes of silver close, "Maybe, but you have to admit, Hitomi, this is a serious situation we're dealing with. If you are dying, using your powers will only speed up the process. Keeping the others in the dark about this won't help any of us."
"You don't understand, Sian" the queen replied softly, "I have sworn that I would carry this mission out and I will with or without the help of you and the others. My life is far less important than the people of Gaea. I've learned that over the last few years and I have vowed to always protect this world if I could. If I have to I will use my powers."
Jumping up Sian half-cried out, "But, Hitomi, will you think about this?! Are you willing to die now before we have even completed our mission?"
Lifting herself off the rock also the seeress faced her friend, "Don't worry, Sian. I might be willing to die for this world, but I'm not foolish. I won't use my powers unless it's absolutely necessary. If we go into battle before we face Dornkirk then I'll let you are the other guardians handle it. You're not just here to stand around and do nothing. Joutei allowed you to accompany me so that you could protect me."
"Yes, we were sent to protect you, Hitomi" Sian replied sternly, "So maybe it would be best if you returned to Fanelia and wait till we find the other guardians."
The seeress shook her head firmly with her lips pressed in a thin line, "No, I'm needed here. It will take you longer to get to the other guardians without my help and the longer we wait the more Dornkirk can cause trouble. We need to finish this war as soon as possible."
Silence came from the guardian as she stared at her queen sorrowfully, but proudly. Hitomi was a perfect ruler; seeing her people's safety carried out before her own. She was willing to die for them without a moment's hesitation. It made Sian proud to be her guard… and friend…
Hitomi thought perhaps the discussion was closed and turned to leave when Sian spoke quietly, "What about your child?"
Those words made the seeress's feet freeze on the spot. No one could have spoken something more heart squeezing in that moment. Her emeralds stared across the rubble of the ice room at the group sitting around the campfire. Quietly Hitomi whispered without turning around, "I swore to Van that I would not die as long as I carried this child and I plan to carry out that promise. I'll do anything to bring this child into this world alive. I will refrain from using my powers as much as possible, but if I have to… I will consider Gaea before even my child..."
Sian bowed her head knowing the extent Hitomi would go to save Gaea: she would even give up her child to save the people of this world. It was probably the hardest decision a mother could make… Swirling around the seeress faced her guardian with tears streaming down her cheeks, "Promise me, Sian, you will tell no one of this."
The guardian stared at her queen unable to say a word, unwilling to say it. This promise went against everything the guardian was sworn t do. She was to protect her queen and royal family and to take this oath could mean the opposite result in the end. Hitomi's emeralds swirled with tears as she stared at her loyal friend, "Please, Sian, I don't want to keep it from the others, but it's for the best of Gaea."
Again no words came Sian as she stared at her royal friend. Hitomi reminded her so much like Queen Iris from generations ago. Iris had always placed her people first… and now her distant descendant was doing the same. It hurt so much to see so much in the two of them. Taking a step towards her again the seeress pleaded, "Please, Sian… Do this for me…"
Closing her eyes to keep tears from forming the guardian whispered two words, "I promise…"
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
The seeress coughed lightly before bringing her foot up from the sand only to step into the sand once again. The golden orb known as the sun was nearly to the highest point of the sky and with the unbearable heat beating down on them it was hard for them not to notice the time of day. Hitomi felt like she was about to fall over any minute. This type of walking was definitely not healthy for a pregnant woman no matter her age. Hitomi might be still young, but her pregnancy robbed her of her trim body making every step a great effort even with the help of her friends.
As the group made their way down one of the large dunes into the bottom of the valley of two other dunes Hitomi thought of when she had sent the Draconians protected under Zaado to Fanelia. It hadn't been long before the giant had arrived with the group after her talk with Sian. Once back Hitomi got a first hand look at all the fur-covered people standing before her. There were at least thirty in all, possibly more, but the task went without a distress, surprising Hitomi a little. After what had happened last time she was certain it would be a great strain on her, but the procedure went by without a problem. After it was over Hitomi pretended to not be tired from the ordeal, although her body was exhausted, and told the group to pull out the map of Gaea. They needed to decide where to go next. Taking a position in the circle around the parchment the seeress was automatically struck with a vision even before she got a chance to look at the large atlas.
~~~ Vision ~~~
Sand… There was an endless sea of it frozen in monstrous waves that bellowed in a single instant. Torturous heat made the land waver and sweat drench a being's brow. Gentle winds took up the grains and tossed them in the air only to fall back into the golden water like nothing had happened.
On top of one of the dunes stood a figure hidden mostly by the sand storm surrounding him or her. Coming closer Hitomi could make out the being's head, which was near completely covered in wrapped cloths. All that the seeress could make out was the person's eyes… their eyes were a beautiful gold color that gleamed with burning concentration. Was this the next guardian?… Was this the fourth warrior Hitomi was to find?… Before anything more could be discovered about the being the vision disappeared…
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
The image had been extremely short, spanning only a few seconds in length, but it had been enough for Hitomi. She knew where they had to go… the desert…
After much discussion and arguing it had been decided that they would leave at sunrise. Hitomi wanted to leave immediately, but the group was too worried about her condition. She done a great deal that day; She had entered the ice room, fought the demon, and sent off several dozen Draconians to Fanelia. Bringing them to desert would only make her weaker. If Hitomi had not been against five other people in the argument she probably would have won the disagreement easily. The seeress was extremely persuasive with pointing out the importance of leaving out soon as possible, to get the other guardians before it was too late, but with five people against her it was too hard a battle to be won. Unable to go against all of them Hitomi finally agreed to the much relief of the group.
Soon bedrolls were pulled out and everyone was deep in their own worlds of sleep. No one was placed on guard feeling it was unnecessary. All the guardians were well trained in sleeping lightly in case of being attacked in their sleep so none were worried. Sadly though Hitomi was unable to sleep.
~~~ Flashback ~~~
She lay awake looking up at the stars hanging over her head. Van's arms were holding her close allowing their body heat to keep each other warm. The seeress just laid their content in his hold, yet disturbed. Her body felt uneasy. Something was telling her that something was going to happen… something important,… but what was it?…
She often got this feeling just before a vision, but as she lies there no vision came to her. Scowling at the night sky Hitomi grew agitated. The feeling sort of felt like when you needed to sneeze, but couldn't. The sensation of being on the edge about to sneeze drives one insane, just like the sensation of waiting for a vision was driving the seeress insane now.
Trying to forget about the unnerving feeling Hitomi closed her eyes and thought of Joutei. In a silent pray said in her mind the seeress reached out for the immortal being, "Joutei… Where are you?… What's happening to me?… You told me to find the guardians, but what else must I do?…"
Silence came from the starry blackness making Hitomi sad by the reply. After the 'Sacrifice' she would pray to Joutei and though she never heard his voice she could feel he was listening. Just that known fact was enough to content her, but now she wanted more… she wanted a word-for-word reply…
Sighing quietly to herself Hitomi closed her eyes and beckoned the world of slumber. As sleep invaded her mind she whispered just a few more words to her king, "Goodnight, Joutei… Wherever you are rest well…"
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
The memory faded from Hitomi's mind as she heard Zaado gruffly say, "Hold up. Look on the next rise."
The group came to a halt and looked up in the direction the giant had indicated. Numb from exhaustion and heat the seeress tiredly lifted her emeralds to the dune ahead of them along with the rest of the group. On the very top of the next dune were two silhouettes, both on some kind of animal. Hitomi narrowed her eyes against the sun's light and did her best to get a better look at them, but was unable to. Behind her she heard the three guardians speaking.
"Who are they?" Sian asked with pain evident in her voice though she tried to hide it.
"Probably desert nomads" Nembus commented uninterested, "The Dosha Desert is known for them. These are probably just a pair of scouts."
There came a rough grunt from the winter man, "Perhaps it is wise to avoid them then. There could possible be more nearby and if these are raiders then they bring only trouble."
Hitomi frowned in confusion and leaned over to the raven king's ear to ask, "What are raiders?"
The young man did not shift his gaze from the two figures on the rise, "Raiders are known as nomads who never stay in one spot. They constantly travel over the desert looking for stray groups such as ourselves and take whatever they possess from them by force. Usually the victims are left to die in the desert."
The seeress gave a soft nod as she studied the two riders curiously. After a moment she asked the group, "Could they be the next group of Draconians in hiding?"
Behind her the guardians look at each other in thought. It was a possibility, however, Zaado just snorted, "No, I don't sense Draconians here other than ourselves."
Hitomi's brow furrowed in confusion before she released her senses. Softly her powers rolled over the sands to the two beings feeling their essence. Zaado was right. They didn't feel like Draconians. Before Hitomi had never noticed the signatures secretly drawn in a person's essence marking them as a type of species, but now after the merge she was more aware of it. Something told her they were not Draconians,… but then came up the question: If they weren't Draconians, who were they?
As if they were to answer that question the two figures suddenly took their rides and raced down the side of the dune towards them. On seeing this Nembus released Sian allowing her to now lean on Merle for help as he and Zaado circled around to stand in front of the group as proper bodyguards. Van's hold on Hitomi grew slightly tighter making the seeress smile at his protectiveness.
In a few moments the riders were close enough to get a better look at. They rode large pale creatures that looked very much like a miniature giraffe. The beasts had long necks that were longer than a horse, but shorter than a giraffe. Long narrow legs with wide feet made the creatures appear more like camels. Their faces were like wildebeests, but with extremely long pointy ears that continually would swivel around listening for unknown things. On these creature's backs were several packs tied down by ropes. To say the least the rides were a lot stranger than the riders.
Both riders were dressed in cream and yellow wraps that covered their entire bodies. Light brown boots covered their feet with daggers sheathed in pouches on the sides of their shoes. Their faces were concealed mostly under the clothes allowing only their eyes to show. Hitomi gaped as she caught sight of the figures' eyes… Both of them had golden eyes that gleamed with beauty…
Before the seeress could get over the shock the beings took their rides and circled around the group in a slow trot. Nembus and Zaado lifted their weapon into a defensive posture and took opposite sides of the circle to protect the rest of the group. Hitomi carefully watched the two strangers with curiosity as they came to a halt beside each other, their eyes of gold intently studying them.
One of the figures leaned over the side of its beast to bring his or hers head closer to it partner. Soon a muffled female voice spoke from the stranger saying, "They are not of the desert. Just look at their eyes."
Automatically Hitomi felt her friends around her stiffen for what reason she did not, but she merely shrugged it off so she could pay attention to the other stranger's reply. The second figure nodded while looking over each of them in turn. Soon the other spoke, also in a female voice, "Agreed, but who might they be so far out in desert they are and so lightly packed. It is at least three days travel to the edge of Dosha and yet they surely could not have come that far--"
"Pardon!" Nembus interrupted with agitation in your voice, "But do you not know plain Gaean?!"
Hitomi snapped her head around at the guardian in shock. Didn't he hear their words?… Glancing around at the rest of the group she noticed they all had the same look of confusion… Couldn't they understand them???… Turning back around she heard the two mysterious women laugh.
The second lady probably was smirking beneath her wraps as she chuckled, "Look at their faces! Their completely confused!"
"They must not be from near Dosha then" retorted the first female, "for they cannot understand desert talk."
Hitomi frowned lightly before pulling away from Van. Automatically the man reached out for his beloved confused by her actions, but she just shook her head 'no' while she walked to the front of the group between the two male guardians. Carefully the seeress spoke in Gaean, "No, we are not of Dosha as you say."
The two women suddenly snapped their eyes on the brunette royal with shock surprise in their gold jewels. Nembus and Zaado turned around looking at Hitomi also in shock making the seeress guess the others behind her was just as surprise, but for now she ignored this as she stared at the riders.
The two riders narrowed their eyes on the seeress in suspicion. The second woman quietly asked in the foreign tongue, "How do you know desert talk when you say you are not of Dosha?"
Hitomi shook her head not understanding it herself. She had never been to any deserts on Gaea before and there was no possible way she could have learned this strange language… yet here she was listening to it as if she was fluent in the speech. Could their foreign language have originated from the Atlantians?… No, if it had wouldn't the guardians be able to understand it?… Could it possible be her powers then?… She did have the powers of Joutei and didn't the immortal know all the languages in the universe?… Could that vast knowledge have rub off on her?… That was her best guess as any…
Knowing that to explain her knowledge of the language she would have to explain everything since the 'Great War' Hitomi decided to avoid the question for now and asked, "Do you mind speaking in regular Gaean?… My associates are not fluent in your tongue."
The two riders leaned over to each other and whispered so quietly that Hitomi could not here. Their golden eyes remained on the seeress as if they were discussing her in particular. Afterwards the two ladies separated and the second rider nudged her beast forward coming to stand a few feet away from the seeress and male guardians. Nembus and Zaado stiffened at the approach, but Hitomi was at ease. She did not feel threatened by these two for some reason…
Carefully the woman studied the young ruler again as if looking for something she might have missed before asking in Gaean, "Who are you?"
Hitomi hesitated for a moment wondering if it was wise to give out their identities. If they were raiders telling them she was royalty would not be smart at all even they were only two of them, but something inside her told her these were not their enemies…
Trying to not sound boastful the seeress said, "I am Hitomi Kazanki Fanel, Queen of Fanelia and Queen of the Draconians."
This small introduction caused both of the strangers to start and the 'Angel' was sure they were both gaping at her. The rider closest to the seeress quickly asked, "The 'Girl from the Mystic Moon?' The one who brought an end to the war known as the 'Sacrifice?'"
Hitomi gave a soft nod while eyeing both of the women. What would they do now?… The first rider came up to the second and whispered something in the others ear. The second rider, who Hitomi assumed was the higher command, turned back to the seeress and asked, "If you are who you say, then what are you doing so far from your country and with such an odd group with you?"
"Odd?" the seeress asked confused by the description of the travel band.
"Yes, odd" retorted the lead woman, "You have a cat in a desert with two battered men and a severely injured warrior. A feline is not meant for the desert and I don't see how your three, I assume guards, could get so badly injured out here. The raiders haven't been seen in these parts in weeks and sand worms wouldn't have left anything behind when they attack."
Hitomi's brow furrowed in even more confusion as she thought, 'Sand worms?… What are sand worms?…'
Shaking her head clear Hitomi said, "May I just say we are on a mission to find some old friends who are needed?"
The lady nodded before asking suspicious, "You go on this mission with only four guards?"
'Four?…' Hitomi thought with a frown. Turning around the seeress glanced at her husband and smiled at the sight. Van had his arms crossed across his chest with a scowl on his face. They thought he was a guard! Laughing lightly the young queen turned around, "No, that is my husband, Van Fanel, King of Fanelia, but yes we do go on this mission with only three guards."
The woman looked over at the young king sheepishly and said, "My apologies, King Van."
He just merely nodded his forgiveness though still a little angered for being assumed a guard. He could care less if he was called a commoner, but he was very proud of being known as Hitomi's husband and often went to mention that at any opportunity. Being referred to as guard made him think that he was only a friend of Hitomi's, which simply was not true! The whole matter was rather humorous to the seeress causing her to laugh lightly. Van glanced at her and automatically smiled seeing how ridiculous he was acting. In fact being called a guard was far better than the burden of king. Shaking his head with a smile Van turned back to the present and listened to the two arrivals.
Turning back to the seeress the leader asked, "What sort of mission are you traveling on?"
Hitomi opened her mouth to answer, but Nembus quickly cut her off with a growl, "Enough with your questions! I say it's high time you answer a few of ours!"
The two females eyed the armored angel with anger gleaming in their eyes as Hitomi glanced at Nembus with a scowl. Quietly the seeress said in a low voice for only him to hear, "Nembus, I don't think its wise to be so offensive with these women."
The man nodded with his eyes still on the strangers, "I know, Lady Hitomi, but I don't think it is wise to reveal the nature of mission just yet either. In later time perhaps, after we learn more about them."
Hitomi glanced at the riders once before whispering, "Agreed."
Carefully the two nobles turned back to the strangers and Nembus asked, "First of all, who are you?"
The leader glanced at the woman behind her briefly before lifting her chin high and saying, "I am known as Varia. I am the leader of a group of nomads who live in the desert."
Waving her hand behind her at the other rider the lead female said, "This is my good friend, Noi, the healer of our group."
Hitomi glanced at the healer and saw the woman's eyes catch hers. Noi's golden jewels danced as she studied the seeress with curiosity, but said nothing. The 'Angel' nodded to the desert doctor and returned her focus to the leader as she began to introduce the rest of her group.
"This is Nembus, Sian, and Zaado, my bodyguards" Hitomi said with a wave her hands at the three warriors before pointing towards the young cat-girl, "And that is my advisor and sister-in-law, Merle."
The two desert maidens eyed each of the others in turn, but it was Noi who seemed most interested in the guardians. Her eyes narrowed on the ancient fighters with distrust in her eyes as if she didn't believe their story one bit; while Varia seemed to accept everything they said. Varia also seemed to be extremely curious of the guardians with her continuous glances in their directions, which the three warriors never failed to miss.
Hitomi never noticed these glances and stares though as she asked, "What are you doing out here all by yourselves, Varia?"
The woman again glanced at her comrade before answering, "We were out scouting. We saw something blue shoot down from the sky and were curious of what it might be. I usually would have sent another in my stead, but I wanted to be the one discover what was out here."
'Shoot down from the sky?…' Hitomi thought curiously, 'They probably mean the pillar of light.'
Smiling the seeress opened her mouth to explain the details of the pillar of light when a strong pain hit her. Automatically her mouth clamped shut and Hitomi closed her eyes against the agony. Air refused to feel her longs as the seeress fell to her knees clutching her stomach. Startled cries came from her companions and warm arms quickly took hold of her as she nearly fell face forward.
"Hitomi?!" Van's concern cry echoed in her ears, "What's wrong?!"
With her eyes still squeezed shut the angel queen gasped, "It hurts… I think…"
She didn't complete the sentence too fearful of what it could mean. She was only eight moons/ months gone in her pregnancy; surely it wasn't time for her to go into labor! As another jab of pain hit her, Hitomi knew she could not determine that. In her heart she knew what it was. She was going into labor!.
The pain suddenly disappeared and Hitomi slowly opened her eyes finding everyone surrounding her except for the two riders who had remained on their beasts. Looking around the seeress caught sight of the worried expressions and tried to smile, but it was forced. Van and Merle were knelt beside her while the guardians stood in a small circle around her.
"What happened, Hitomi?" Van asked with concern deeply obvious in his voice while his eyes gleamed with worry.
The seeress didn't speak waiting for another contraction. Was she wrong?… Could it be a false alarm?… After several minutes Hitomi sighed happily feeling a lot better. The possibility of going into labor in a desert didn't sit on her shoulders to well. Smiling happily at her husband Hitomi said, "It's alright. I think it was--"
Another stab of pain shot through her making her double over again and making everyone start. Hitomi squeezed her eyes shut again as new sweat beaded her brow. Her fingers clutched her husband's hand as she tried to endure the contraction. Opening her eyes she looked into the rubies of her beloved and said through her anguish, "Van, I--"
Then it was over leaving the poor seeress breathless. Sian quickly knelt in front of her queen and asked, "Hitomi? What happened? Is it the merge?"
Furiously the seeress shook her head making her bangs plaster to her brow when they connected with her sweat, "No, it doesn't feel like that… I think it's the baby…"
Soon everyone became rigid with concern, especially Van. Swiftly the desert leader turned to her companion and said, "Noi, see to her."
The maiden nodded and descended from her beast. The guardians quickly stepped aside to allowed the healer through leaving the king and cat advisor to hold up the seeress. Noi's hand went to the wraps that covered her head and in a single movement pulled them back revealing her face for the first time. The woman had to be in the middle of her thirties. Her sandy blond hair was cut in a similar boyish style that Hitomi use to wear in the 'Great War.' Her skin was a beautiful tan bringing out the gold in her eyes. She definitely could catch the attention of the men.
Kneeling down in front of the seeress Noi wiped Hitomi's brow with her hand as Van and Merle watched intently along with the guardians. The seeress's emerald eyes widened as she saw the healer bring the hand to her face and licked her palm. Carefully Noi stared at the ground in concentration letting the taste of the sweat twirl over her tongue. Hitomi couldn't help, but be a little disgusted by the old technique. She had read stories of this on the Mystic Moon. One story in particular had talked about how a midwife could determine if a woman was going into labor by the taste of her sweat. It was a disgusting technique, but extremely accurate.
Noi looked up at the seeress calculating, "How far are you?"
Being in too much pain to answer Van spoke for his wife, "She's just a few days short of her eighth moon."
"Blast" the healer replied under her breath before turning around to her leader to proclaim, "We have to get her to camp as soon as possible. I'm going to need my herbs for this."
Varia's lips went into a thin line as she asked, "Is she going into labor?"
Running over to her beast Noi began to pull out ropes and large blankets, "Aye, and seeing that she's short one moon it will be a difficult labor. I must have my herbs for this."
The leader looked over at the group for only a moment before saying, "Alright, we'll bring them to our camp, but she surely can't ride or walk there because of the circumstances."
"I know" Noir replied as she began to latch some ropes onto her beast, "I'll make a small carrier out of ropes and blankets to trail behind my Yui which she can lay down in. That's the only way we can get her to the camp."
Varia gave a sharp nod as she wheeled her Yui around, "Agreed. I'll go ahead and prepare some tents for them."
"Of course" Noi replied before bringing one arm across her chest and saying, "May Joutei be with you."
The leader with her face still concealed also took her arm across her chest and repeated, "May Joutei be with you."
With their farewells exchanged Varia kicked her beast hard in the side making it jump into a run. In seconds the woman was over the rise she had first climbed over with Noi before and was gone. Quickly the healer tied ropes and small poles provided in her packs on her Yui and created a small carrier in the shape of a triangle. Spreading the blanket across the three side of the creation she tied down the blanket making a small canopy like item.
Turning around after her work was done Noi studied the group. Glancing at her patient she noticed Hitomi's contraction had ended, but still left the pregnant woman gasping for oxygen. The cat and spouse of the seeress clung to her in deep concern while the warriors shifted nervously on the feet betraying their faceless expressions with obvious concern for their mistress.
Swiftly the healer trotted to the young queen and took one of her arms, with Van holding the other, and helped the seeress over to the canopy. The moment Hitomi got situated on the blanket another contraction came making her jaws lock together. Noi bit her lip in thought as she turned to the others. Glancing at each in turn she noticed Sian cradling her bad arm to her chest. Walking through the rest of them the healer asked, "Can you ride a Yui?"
The guardian gave a small nod in response making the desert maiden smile, "Good, then I want you to ride mine. I'm sure you can handle it even though you are injured, but I need to stay with Lady Hitomi incase anything happens. We need to get there as soon as possible and with you being hurt it might slow us down."
Sian nodded in agreement as she limped over to the strange creature and with a little help from Nembus she mounted the Yui. Seeing that the green warrior would be all right on the ride Noi turned to the others, "Will all of you be alright with jogging behind us? We can't have too many on my Yui at once and with me, Lady Hitomi, and Lady Sian will be pushing our limit."
"How far is your camp?" Zaado asked automatically not really enjoying the fact they would have to run behind this creature. They had already been walking through intense heat for a few hours.
"Not far" Noi replied as she settled in the cot next to Hitomi it's only a few dunes away. It shouldn't take us too long."
Without waiting for someone to reply to her answer the desert healer turned around in the canopy and struck her Yui on the rump causing it to start. With a wild grunt the creature bolted from the group and struck for the dune Varia had recently gone over. Sian gripped the reins tightly in the fist connected with her good arm as her other injured limp laid in her lap. Baring her teeth the green maiden asked, "Is it a straight shot to your camp from her?"
Noi gripped one of the poles of the canopy as she nearly fell out of the cot, "Yes, just keep going east from here and we should reach it before midday."
Glancing over her shoulder the guardian saw her comrade running after them barely keeping up with the quick footed Yui. They wouldn't be able to keep up for long that was for sure. Sian turned her eyes to the sky momentarily to check the time. There was at least an hour before the sun would be directly overhead. An hour… Sian hoped it would not take that long, for there was no way the other could survive running so hard in this heat…
~~~ Mirror Pool ~~~
Dornkirk stood at the edge of the crescent pool that over a year ago Hitomi had stood by. Behind him in a curved line stood his remaining followers each of them concealed beneath their cloaks. Smirking the dark emperor lifted his black palm to the sky where black clouds had begun to swirl and slowly his claw glowed red. Lightning shattered from the sky above and struck the ground making the earth tremble beneath the demons, but they ignored it. The water in the mirror pool slosh around with the earthquake making Dornkirk's image ripple. Soon the shaking grew in intensity as Dornkirk's ebony claw grew brighter with light. It was only a short while later when a streak of lightning came down from the sky ripping open a portal in front of the emperor. A dark hole swirled before the dead man as he sneered happily. His followers stepped forward coming closer to their master waiting to enter into the Mystic Valley.
Dornkirk hesitated for a moment as he felt something happening. For a few moments while the earth began to settle down the emperor listened to his powers. Soon a dark smirk came to his face as he realized what was happening. Looking at the portal in triumph he chuckled, "So… The seeress has gone into labor, has she?… Excellent… Now the first thing I have waited for has occurred… It will only be a matter of time before the guardians are all rounded up and then I can attack…"
Nodding to his demons he leapt into the burning blackness with his followers close behind. As soon as the final demon passed through the portal the hole closed leaving behind no indication that the demons had been there…
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Sian desperately clung to reins as she felt herself totter on the Yui. The creature was not the easiest thing to ride using only one hand. Snorting the Yui topped the final dune separating the group from the village. Making it to the top didn't slow the beast however and as soon as they were there the Yui plunged down the sandy slope towards the camp. The green maiden glanced around at the camp as they lopped in a frenzy. There were dozens of small tents with a few larger ones in the center. Yuis were scattered everywhere amongst the camp either being tied to stakes or being led by their masters. Palm trees shadowed a bit of the pool centered in the desert town, but other then that it was a barren place. There were several dozens of desert folk all covered in wraps. Most of them had their faces revealed, but a scant few hid everything, but their eyes from view.
On the approach of Sian and the others the people quickly began shouting undistinguishable words. Hitomi, who had just gotten over another contraction moments ago, barely heard the shouts and cries too tired from her labor pains to think properly. Noi was doing her best to help the seeress, but without her supplies she could do little, but hold Hitomi's hand. Behind them the rest of the group slowed their run to a stumbling walk down the slope, no longer needing to keep up with the Yui. Van was the only one who continued to race after the Yui. He was extremely concerned about his wife and was not about to let his weariness to keep him from helping her.
Varia suddenly ran out of a large tent towards the approaching party and quickly shouted to the people to give them room. Catching sight of the crowd opening away Sian wheeled the Yui in that direction and quickly trotted it over there. With a snort the beast stumbled to the desert leader and allowed its knees to buckle. Falling to the ground in a sitting position like a camel resting.
Noi was off the canopy in moments helping Hitomi up as well. Just as the seeress got her feet however another contraction came making her fall over. Varia, Sian, and Noi all quickly helped the woman before she could hit the ground and began to walk her to a nearby tent. The crowd watched curiously as the pregnant woman was brought into the healer's tent just as a man with raven hair caught up with them following the women in. Varia came out once again and saw the faces of her people. Quickly she called for food and water to be brought for their guest making several scatter to retrieve the items just as Zaado, Nembus, and Merle came by.
Varia quickly ducked into the tent upon hearing Hitomi's cries of pain and reappeared with Van's arm in her hand. The young king struggled against the leader's hold demanding to stay, but the desert woman simply said, "Your highness, I know that is your wife in there, but that is no place for men right now."
Van frowned angrily and was about to argue when Nembus and Zaado walked up behind him. The giant placed a hand on his king shoulder and said in his regular gruff voice, "Come, King Van, let us do what the lady says."
The young ruler shook off his guard's hand stubbornly and exclaimed, "That's my wife! Blast it! I need to be in there!"
"Calm down, Lord Van" Nembus remarked calmly, "There is a healer in there with Lady Hitomi. Don't worry. She'll be fine."
The White Dragon eyed the tent knowing there was no way he was getting in there, but he so desperately yearned for his wife right then… to be by her side… Bowing his head he nodded in agreement, but refused to leave the tent's entrance to the guardians' dismay.
Smiling one last time Varia entered the tent with Merle tagging along. Van watched his foster-sibling enter with envy, desperately wishing to be in there right then…
~~~ Hours later ~~~
It had been twelve and half-hours since the start of Hitomi labor. Night had fallen on the camp and lanterns were lit to illuminate the desert village. The poor seeress huffed as sweat dribbled down her skin. As soon as she had entered the tent Noi had stripped her of her clothes. Going through labor would be hard enough, but with Hitomi being unused to the extreme temperature it would only make things difficult, so she wrapped the seeress in a thin sheet hoping the change of attire would help. The seeress was then laid down on an array of blankets and pillows just as her contraction finished. Sian, Varia, and Merle did there best to help though none knew what to do. The young cat-girl held Hitomi's hand for comfort as Sian held a cool, wet cloth to Hitomi's brow. Varia and Noi quickly began to mix herbs and spices needing the concoctions desperately.
The angel queen screamed out again as more pain hit. Hitomi's mind reeled in the mist of the pain panicking. It was too soon! She still had a moon to go! If she had this baby know she surely would miscarry, especially in these conditions! Closing her eyes shut Hitomi thought of her child. If she had carried this baby this far she would bring it into this world. She didn't care what happened to her as long as her baby survived. Grunting out in her strain Hitomi opened her eyes to see the healer making her way to her with a cup in one hand. Sian stepped back allowing room for Noi. The beautiful healer took Hitomi's chin in one hand and forcefully opened the seeress's mouth, "You must drink this, Lady Hitomi. It could mean everything for the determination of your child's life and yours."
Her emerald eyes weakly focused on the healer as Hitomi did her best to comply, but she felt so weak… so tired… Noi bit her lip seeing the weakness in the young queen. The healer knew the woman could not be any older than twenty rotations and this was, it seemed, to be her first child. The pregnancy would difficult for her alone because it was her first born, but with her already substantial weaken by her hike and endurance of the day's heat it surely would make the whole ordeal even worse. This serum was the best hope the soon-to-be mother had to survive with her child.
As Hitomi was forced fed with the drink she felt a little bit of senses resurface. The taste of the liquid was very bitter and left a strange aftertaste in her mouth making Hitomi want to gag automatically, but Noi had anticipated this and quickly covered the seeress's mouth. Unable to spew out the bitter serum Hitomi quickly swallowed the substance and began to cough. Noi took away her mouth and again tasted the maiden's sweat.
The healer quickly turned away realizing it was time. Grabbing a small sheet the woman forced Hitomi to bend her knees and positioned herself for the moment. Noi looked up at the seeress's emerald eyes catching her gaze with her golden ones, "now Lady Hitomi, this is going to be extremely difficult, but you must give everything you got. Remember this is your child's life at stake. Understand?"
Hitomi closed her eyes as tears slipped from her eyes and nodded numbly. Noi glanced at the others seeing the worry gazes being exchange. There was nothing left to be done except endure the moment and hope for the best. Turning to the seeress the healer said in a strong voice, "Now, PUSH!"
The seeress locked her jaws and pushed with all the strength she had determined to bring this child into the world. All the troubles of Dornkirk and the future left her mind during those moments of struggle. All that mattered then was to get the child out of her and into safe arms. Gripping the sheets in her hands Hitomi screamed in pain. Her eyes though squeezed incredible tight couldn't hold back the sea of tears. Push… push… That's all Hitomi could do… that's all she had to do… yet the baby felt like it was determined to stay where it was…
Falling back against the pillows Hitomi gasped for air trying to rest a moment. Noi looked up and proclaimed, "Again!"
Stiffening the seeress pushed again with almost the same amount of force as before. Varia, Sian, and Merle held their breath in suspense not daring to breath. Slowly she felt the child within her move, but not quick enough… Screaming again Hitomi pushed with everything she had… still it was not enough…
Weakened beyond what she thought possible the seeress collapsed unable to move… She had given it only two tries and yet she felt she had tried five million times… Hitomi knew labor was difficult, but she never imagined it would be this hard… Neither did Noi… The desert healer had never seen anything like this… She had seen difficult pregnancy, more than most, but she had never encountered one so rough… The patient was in her youth and maybe was a little weak from the hike and having it be her first born, but still it wouldn't be this tough… The woman had barely given any attempts in bringing forth the child and already she was too weak to try again… Noi glanced at the seeress's face hoping the child, plus the mother, would make it.
With a determined voice the healer shouted, "Come now, Lady Hitomi! Push again! Push for your child!"
Hitomi bared her teeth as she hissed in and out breathes of air painfully. Clenching the sheets in her fists the seeress again pushed with all she had, but the force was substantially weaker than before… The effort seemed far too small for the needed amount of force… Gasping for air Hitomi fell back unable to move… It was too soon… If it had been one more moon later she would have had a chance, but it was too soon… The child would die surely now… Too soon…
Noi bit her lip. It was a breech birth. The poor healer knew the only way to save the child now was to cut the mother open and remove the child that way, but it was too risky. Hitomi was too weak to perform the operation. Too much blood would be lost and Hitomi would surely die,… but what of the child?… Noi glanced at the limp form of the angel queen sadly… There was nothing she could do for the child…
Closing her eyes the healer said, "It's a breech birth. I can do nothing for the child."
Sian, Merle, and Varia all gasped in fear and distraught at the determination. Automatically the seeress snapped opened her eyes upon hearing the faint words. Her vision was slurred and the figures standing around her were swirls of color, but that did not matter. Her child… Hitomi couldn't let her only child die… She and Van had created this small life (with the help of Joutei of course) and if it still lived then she would fight to keep it alive. It might be her child, but it was a life of many that she was destined to protect and she would protect it!
Struggling into a sitting position Hitomi braced herself for the pain to come and took a deep breath. Squeezing her eyes shut she screamed with tremendous noise pushing with every ounce of energy remaining in her body! The voices of the other women encouraged her to continue, but they sounded so faint and so far away… Screaming again Hitomi pushed harder determined to get the child out of her. The pain was so horrible and so demanding on her frail body that Hitomi felt she would break soon…
"One More Push, Lady Hitomi!" Noi shouted over the seeress's screams, "PUSH!"
Tears of anguish fell to the sheets marking the torment just as the seeress gave a final push for life…. Then came the screams of another… A child… Hitomi fell onto her back and closed her eyes promptly after giving birth to her first born. Her ears became the only tool of her six senses that could work at the moment and they were filled with her child's cries. Rejoicing came from her friends, but they were so faint… so far… Hitomi knew why… She was dying… She had done the final deed of a mother… She had saved her child by sacrificing her own life so that the child would live…
As Hitomi drifting into the blackness she heard Noi cry out, "It's a girl!"
If Hitomi had had the strength she would have smiled. A girl… It didn't matter about the sex of the child, it only mattered that there was a child… Just as the seeress began to leave the reality of her surroundings Merle's faint voice came to her mind saying, "It's a girl, Hitomi! Don't worry, she's perfectly fine!"
Knowing her daughter would survive the seeress plunged into the blackness with the content feeling of knowing her only child would survive…
~Yes,… yes… I know… That was evil… and now you people are going to maul me… Oh well! I'm glad people can't come through the computer! J Well what did you think about that?! Please Review!!!~
~Next chapter should be out next Sun. or Mon. It would be sooner, but I'm going to be gone a few days during this week making it difficult to write! Sorry!~
~So what's going to happen? Is Hitomi really going to die?! Will Van become a single parent?! What about the guardians? Dornkirk? Gaea? Without Hitomi will Van have to take over the mission by himself?! And what about Hitomi's daughter? What will be her name? Find out in the next chapter! Until then, bye!~
~Sorry, this is a day late! Had a small problem to deal with~
~I really have nothing to say so just go ahead and read, but don't forget to review~
The Fate of Two Worlds: the Sequel
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 14 ~ A Life for a Life
~~~ Sands of Dosha ~~~
Hitomi looked up into the cloudless sky wearily and spotted the torturous ball of gold that hung above their heads. Sighing heavily the seeress took another step forward letting her dark boot sink into the soft golden sand. Her emerald eyes ran over the many dunes that laid before her and the others too tired to think about the dangers of being out here so long. Hitomi went to take another step forward, but her back leg was so deep in the sand and she was too weak to pull it out properly that she lost her balance and stumbled forward. Van was quick to catch and steady her as she regained her footing. On the other side of the young queen was Merle who was doing her best to also lend a hand by taking Hitomi's other arm; however, the young cat-girl was a lot smaller than the seeress and could barely hold her up.
Afterwards Hitomi looked over her shoulder at the rest of the group. The three guardians were presently taking up the rear. Sian was still rather weak from the previous battle so Nembus had to lend her a shoulder as they walked. The whole time the green woman had her good arm wrapped around the armored angel's shoulders she grumbled about having to be helped out and that as a warrior she should just endure the pain, but Nembus refused to listen and continued to aid her. Though Sian grumbled she was very grateful for the help she felt extremely weak and barely could walk through the intense heat without stumbling. The man no longer wore his armor leaving only his dark purple clothes to dress him. His ebony protection had been attracting the heat and brought heavy suffering to the warrior so he finally decided to place the armor in Merle's pack until further notice.
Behind the two good friends lumbered the giant. He no longer wore his fur shirt and had stripped down to some thin cream pants that had been beneath his thick furry ones placing them also in one of the groups' knapsacks for later use. At the moment you could see his large chest that was well defined by strong muscles. Battle scars ran through his tan skin make him look very rustic and rough. In his monstrous hands was the impervious ax that gleamed in the heat like a beautiful, silver ocean. The man fidgeted a lot when he walked. He was not use to wearing so little clothing and it made him a little uneasy. Sadly, no one could offer him a shirt though because of his size. He was at least twice the size of the other males and he surely he couldn't fit in anything the women had leaving him, but his thin pants and furry boots to travel through the endless sand in.
Hitomi gave a weak smile as she turned back around to walking the long trek. She wished they knew where they were going. A bead of sweat slid down from her brow and down her cheek all the way to the tip of her chin before falling to the sand. Hitomi would have wiped her brow, but if she took either of her arms away from the two shoulders she was leaning against she would surely fall over, and then she would never get up.
The young seeress thought back to the day before after the battle against the demon. So much had happened after that incident…
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Sian and Hitomi walked away from the group for a moment letting them make a new campsite. Zaado had left to round up the Draconians he had been protecting and would bring them back so the seeress could send them to Fanelia. There had been a great argument over having to do it at all. Everyone was worried for their queen, but Hitomi refused to leave them there. At Fanelia they would be protected, at least better protected then being here by themselves without their guardian. Van had been the most stubborn of the group refusing to let Hitomi do the task, but finally after a long talk with him Van weakened and allowed it though with a grumble. Now they were waiting for the giant to return with the group and while doing so were making a meal.
The green guardian and young queen glanced at each other from across the campfire waiting for the meal to be prepared. Their eyes spoke their thoughts and silently they decided they needed to have a private conversation. Saying she was restless Hitomi got up from the group and walked away. Van was about to follow when the forest warrior rose and quickly caught up with the royal maiden. The young man's brow furrowed in thought, but he shrugged it off. He could tell Hitomi wanted to talk to Sian alone. Whatever was spoken to her he would most likely hear about later from Hitomi being that they didn't hold secrets from one another. Though he ached for his wife's company he forced himself to stay seated with Nembus and Merle as they roasted some type of animal meat in the center of the ice room's remains.
The guardian and seeress stood at the collapsed tunnel's entrance and sat on some of the rubble. Feeling the cold wind pick up Hitomi wrapped her cloak more tightly around her as she looked up into the sky. Her brunette locks drifted to fall in her eyes making Hitomi have to brush them aside as she watched the gentle snowfall from the heavens. Sian fingered her elegant bow as she studied the object not wanting to look at her queen. Quietly the guardian whispered, "You know what's happening to you, don't you?…"
The seeress sighed softly as she closed her eyes with a bow of her head. Just as low Hitomi whispered, "Yes… I can feel my powers dropping… even after the battle…"
Numbly the 'Angel' looked up from her spot on the rubble at the female warrior and asked, "Sian,… am I… dying?…"
Sian glanced up at her queen for a second before turning back to her bow in thought. As she contemplated over the situation she spoke her thoughts aloud, "It feels like it to me, Hitomi… Though I have no idea how… Merging never caused a person to die from the aftereffects and you didn't get too badly damage in the last fight so I'm stumped on how it's even possible, but the fact is you are dying, Hitomi. Your power level is dropping, though very slowly. If it drops low enough you will die and so far it seems like its not about to stop its descent."
Hitomi stared at the toes of her boots as the wind teased with her cloak, "Could Dornkirk be doing it?"
Starting a little the fighter stared at her queen, "How do you come to that?"
For a moment the seeress did not speak as she herself thought of her theory. It was possible seeing this world was so strange and magically, yet it seemed impossible to Hitomi. Looking at the snowy ground the seeress said, "Since the last time I faced him, when ran into Nembus, I have been hearing Dornkirk's voice in my head… Every so often he will speak to me… A while ago he did in a vision and also before in the ice room… Could he somehow be draining my powers even now?"
The guardian frowned as she stared at her mistress thoughtfully, "I don't see how... Dornkirk may be powerful, but I don't think he can continue to drain your powers without physical contact with you, especially with us so far away from him."
Hitomi nodded with her eyes still on her boots, "Yes, but now what do we do?"
Crossing her arms across her chest Sian said, "Perhaps we should tell the others."
"No" the seeress replied firmly as her eyes snapped up at the guard, "Already they are protective of me using my powers. If they know about this they won't let me do anything."
The guardian knew this was very true and sighed heavily as she bowed her head letting her eyes of silver close, "Maybe, but you have to admit, Hitomi, this is a serious situation we're dealing with. If you are dying, using your powers will only speed up the process. Keeping the others in the dark about this won't help any of us."
"You don't understand, Sian" the queen replied softly, "I have sworn that I would carry this mission out and I will with or without the help of you and the others. My life is far less important than the people of Gaea. I've learned that over the last few years and I have vowed to always protect this world if I could. If I have to I will use my powers."
Jumping up Sian half-cried out, "But, Hitomi, will you think about this?! Are you willing to die now before we have even completed our mission?"
Lifting herself off the rock also the seeress faced her friend, "Don't worry, Sian. I might be willing to die for this world, but I'm not foolish. I won't use my powers unless it's absolutely necessary. If we go into battle before we face Dornkirk then I'll let you are the other guardians handle it. You're not just here to stand around and do nothing. Joutei allowed you to accompany me so that you could protect me."
"Yes, we were sent to protect you, Hitomi" Sian replied sternly, "So maybe it would be best if you returned to Fanelia and wait till we find the other guardians."
The seeress shook her head firmly with her lips pressed in a thin line, "No, I'm needed here. It will take you longer to get to the other guardians without my help and the longer we wait the more Dornkirk can cause trouble. We need to finish this war as soon as possible."
Silence came from the guardian as she stared at her queen sorrowfully, but proudly. Hitomi was a perfect ruler; seeing her people's safety carried out before her own. She was willing to die for them without a moment's hesitation. It made Sian proud to be her guard… and friend…
Hitomi thought perhaps the discussion was closed and turned to leave when Sian spoke quietly, "What about your child?"
Those words made the seeress's feet freeze on the spot. No one could have spoken something more heart squeezing in that moment. Her emeralds stared across the rubble of the ice room at the group sitting around the campfire. Quietly Hitomi whispered without turning around, "I swore to Van that I would not die as long as I carried this child and I plan to carry out that promise. I'll do anything to bring this child into this world alive. I will refrain from using my powers as much as possible, but if I have to… I will consider Gaea before even my child..."
Sian bowed her head knowing the extent Hitomi would go to save Gaea: she would even give up her child to save the people of this world. It was probably the hardest decision a mother could make… Swirling around the seeress faced her guardian with tears streaming down her cheeks, "Promise me, Sian, you will tell no one of this."
The guardian stared at her queen unable to say a word, unwilling to say it. This promise went against everything the guardian was sworn t do. She was to protect her queen and royal family and to take this oath could mean the opposite result in the end. Hitomi's emeralds swirled with tears as she stared at her loyal friend, "Please, Sian, I don't want to keep it from the others, but it's for the best of Gaea."
Again no words came Sian as she stared at her royal friend. Hitomi reminded her so much like Queen Iris from generations ago. Iris had always placed her people first… and now her distant descendant was doing the same. It hurt so much to see so much in the two of them. Taking a step towards her again the seeress pleaded, "Please, Sian… Do this for me…"
Closing her eyes to keep tears from forming the guardian whispered two words, "I promise…"
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
The seeress coughed lightly before bringing her foot up from the sand only to step into the sand once again. The golden orb known as the sun was nearly to the highest point of the sky and with the unbearable heat beating down on them it was hard for them not to notice the time of day. Hitomi felt like she was about to fall over any minute. This type of walking was definitely not healthy for a pregnant woman no matter her age. Hitomi might be still young, but her pregnancy robbed her of her trim body making every step a great effort even with the help of her friends.
As the group made their way down one of the large dunes into the bottom of the valley of two other dunes Hitomi thought of when she had sent the Draconians protected under Zaado to Fanelia. It hadn't been long before the giant had arrived with the group after her talk with Sian. Once back Hitomi got a first hand look at all the fur-covered people standing before her. There were at least thirty in all, possibly more, but the task went without a distress, surprising Hitomi a little. After what had happened last time she was certain it would be a great strain on her, but the procedure went by without a problem. After it was over Hitomi pretended to not be tired from the ordeal, although her body was exhausted, and told the group to pull out the map of Gaea. They needed to decide where to go next. Taking a position in the circle around the parchment the seeress was automatically struck with a vision even before she got a chance to look at the large atlas.
~~~ Vision ~~~
Sand… There was an endless sea of it frozen in monstrous waves that bellowed in a single instant. Torturous heat made the land waver and sweat drench a being's brow. Gentle winds took up the grains and tossed them in the air only to fall back into the golden water like nothing had happened.
On top of one of the dunes stood a figure hidden mostly by the sand storm surrounding him or her. Coming closer Hitomi could make out the being's head, which was near completely covered in wrapped cloths. All that the seeress could make out was the person's eyes… their eyes were a beautiful gold color that gleamed with burning concentration. Was this the next guardian?… Was this the fourth warrior Hitomi was to find?… Before anything more could be discovered about the being the vision disappeared…
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
The image had been extremely short, spanning only a few seconds in length, but it had been enough for Hitomi. She knew where they had to go… the desert…
After much discussion and arguing it had been decided that they would leave at sunrise. Hitomi wanted to leave immediately, but the group was too worried about her condition. She done a great deal that day; She had entered the ice room, fought the demon, and sent off several dozen Draconians to Fanelia. Bringing them to desert would only make her weaker. If Hitomi had not been against five other people in the argument she probably would have won the disagreement easily. The seeress was extremely persuasive with pointing out the importance of leaving out soon as possible, to get the other guardians before it was too late, but with five people against her it was too hard a battle to be won. Unable to go against all of them Hitomi finally agreed to the much relief of the group.
Soon bedrolls were pulled out and everyone was deep in their own worlds of sleep. No one was placed on guard feeling it was unnecessary. All the guardians were well trained in sleeping lightly in case of being attacked in their sleep so none were worried. Sadly though Hitomi was unable to sleep.
~~~ Flashback ~~~
She lay awake looking up at the stars hanging over her head. Van's arms were holding her close allowing their body heat to keep each other warm. The seeress just laid their content in his hold, yet disturbed. Her body felt uneasy. Something was telling her that something was going to happen… something important,… but what was it?…
She often got this feeling just before a vision, but as she lies there no vision came to her. Scowling at the night sky Hitomi grew agitated. The feeling sort of felt like when you needed to sneeze, but couldn't. The sensation of being on the edge about to sneeze drives one insane, just like the sensation of waiting for a vision was driving the seeress insane now.
Trying to forget about the unnerving feeling Hitomi closed her eyes and thought of Joutei. In a silent pray said in her mind the seeress reached out for the immortal being, "Joutei… Where are you?… What's happening to me?… You told me to find the guardians, but what else must I do?…"
Silence came from the starry blackness making Hitomi sad by the reply. After the 'Sacrifice' she would pray to Joutei and though she never heard his voice she could feel he was listening. Just that known fact was enough to content her, but now she wanted more… she wanted a word-for-word reply…
Sighing quietly to herself Hitomi closed her eyes and beckoned the world of slumber. As sleep invaded her mind she whispered just a few more words to her king, "Goodnight, Joutei… Wherever you are rest well…"
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
The memory faded from Hitomi's mind as she heard Zaado gruffly say, "Hold up. Look on the next rise."
The group came to a halt and looked up in the direction the giant had indicated. Numb from exhaustion and heat the seeress tiredly lifted her emeralds to the dune ahead of them along with the rest of the group. On the very top of the next dune were two silhouettes, both on some kind of animal. Hitomi narrowed her eyes against the sun's light and did her best to get a better look at them, but was unable to. Behind her she heard the three guardians speaking.
"Who are they?" Sian asked with pain evident in her voice though she tried to hide it.
"Probably desert nomads" Nembus commented uninterested, "The Dosha Desert is known for them. These are probably just a pair of scouts."
There came a rough grunt from the winter man, "Perhaps it is wise to avoid them then. There could possible be more nearby and if these are raiders then they bring only trouble."
Hitomi frowned in confusion and leaned over to the raven king's ear to ask, "What are raiders?"
The young man did not shift his gaze from the two figures on the rise, "Raiders are known as nomads who never stay in one spot. They constantly travel over the desert looking for stray groups such as ourselves and take whatever they possess from them by force. Usually the victims are left to die in the desert."
The seeress gave a soft nod as she studied the two riders curiously. After a moment she asked the group, "Could they be the next group of Draconians in hiding?"
Behind her the guardians look at each other in thought. It was a possibility, however, Zaado just snorted, "No, I don't sense Draconians here other than ourselves."
Hitomi's brow furrowed in confusion before she released her senses. Softly her powers rolled over the sands to the two beings feeling their essence. Zaado was right. They didn't feel like Draconians. Before Hitomi had never noticed the signatures secretly drawn in a person's essence marking them as a type of species, but now after the merge she was more aware of it. Something told her they were not Draconians,… but then came up the question: If they weren't Draconians, who were they?
As if they were to answer that question the two figures suddenly took their rides and raced down the side of the dune towards them. On seeing this Nembus released Sian allowing her to now lean on Merle for help as he and Zaado circled around to stand in front of the group as proper bodyguards. Van's hold on Hitomi grew slightly tighter making the seeress smile at his protectiveness.
In a few moments the riders were close enough to get a better look at. They rode large pale creatures that looked very much like a miniature giraffe. The beasts had long necks that were longer than a horse, but shorter than a giraffe. Long narrow legs with wide feet made the creatures appear more like camels. Their faces were like wildebeests, but with extremely long pointy ears that continually would swivel around listening for unknown things. On these creature's backs were several packs tied down by ropes. To say the least the rides were a lot stranger than the riders.
Both riders were dressed in cream and yellow wraps that covered their entire bodies. Light brown boots covered their feet with daggers sheathed in pouches on the sides of their shoes. Their faces were concealed mostly under the clothes allowing only their eyes to show. Hitomi gaped as she caught sight of the figures' eyes… Both of them had golden eyes that gleamed with beauty…
Before the seeress could get over the shock the beings took their rides and circled around the group in a slow trot. Nembus and Zaado lifted their weapon into a defensive posture and took opposite sides of the circle to protect the rest of the group. Hitomi carefully watched the two strangers with curiosity as they came to a halt beside each other, their eyes of gold intently studying them.
One of the figures leaned over the side of its beast to bring his or hers head closer to it partner. Soon a muffled female voice spoke from the stranger saying, "They are not of the desert. Just look at their eyes."
Automatically Hitomi felt her friends around her stiffen for what reason she did not, but she merely shrugged it off so she could pay attention to the other stranger's reply. The second figure nodded while looking over each of them in turn. Soon the other spoke, also in a female voice, "Agreed, but who might they be so far out in desert they are and so lightly packed. It is at least three days travel to the edge of Dosha and yet they surely could not have come that far--"
"Pardon!" Nembus interrupted with agitation in your voice, "But do you not know plain Gaean?!"
Hitomi snapped her head around at the guardian in shock. Didn't he hear their words?… Glancing around at the rest of the group she noticed they all had the same look of confusion… Couldn't they understand them???… Turning back around she heard the two mysterious women laugh.
The second lady probably was smirking beneath her wraps as she chuckled, "Look at their faces! Their completely confused!"
"They must not be from near Dosha then" retorted the first female, "for they cannot understand desert talk."
Hitomi frowned lightly before pulling away from Van. Automatically the man reached out for his beloved confused by her actions, but she just shook her head 'no' while she walked to the front of the group between the two male guardians. Carefully the seeress spoke in Gaean, "No, we are not of Dosha as you say."
The two women suddenly snapped their eyes on the brunette royal with shock surprise in their gold jewels. Nembus and Zaado turned around looking at Hitomi also in shock making the seeress guess the others behind her was just as surprise, but for now she ignored this as she stared at the riders.
The two riders narrowed their eyes on the seeress in suspicion. The second woman quietly asked in the foreign tongue, "How do you know desert talk when you say you are not of Dosha?"
Hitomi shook her head not understanding it herself. She had never been to any deserts on Gaea before and there was no possible way she could have learned this strange language… yet here she was listening to it as if she was fluent in the speech. Could their foreign language have originated from the Atlantians?… No, if it had wouldn't the guardians be able to understand it?… Could it possible be her powers then?… She did have the powers of Joutei and didn't the immortal know all the languages in the universe?… Could that vast knowledge have rub off on her?… That was her best guess as any…
Knowing that to explain her knowledge of the language she would have to explain everything since the 'Great War' Hitomi decided to avoid the question for now and asked, "Do you mind speaking in regular Gaean?… My associates are not fluent in your tongue."
The two riders leaned over to each other and whispered so quietly that Hitomi could not here. Their golden eyes remained on the seeress as if they were discussing her in particular. Afterwards the two ladies separated and the second rider nudged her beast forward coming to stand a few feet away from the seeress and male guardians. Nembus and Zaado stiffened at the approach, but Hitomi was at ease. She did not feel threatened by these two for some reason…
Carefully the woman studied the young ruler again as if looking for something she might have missed before asking in Gaean, "Who are you?"
Hitomi hesitated for a moment wondering if it was wise to give out their identities. If they were raiders telling them she was royalty would not be smart at all even they were only two of them, but something inside her told her these were not their enemies…
Trying to not sound boastful the seeress said, "I am Hitomi Kazanki Fanel, Queen of Fanelia and Queen of the Draconians."
This small introduction caused both of the strangers to start and the 'Angel' was sure they were both gaping at her. The rider closest to the seeress quickly asked, "The 'Girl from the Mystic Moon?' The one who brought an end to the war known as the 'Sacrifice?'"
Hitomi gave a soft nod while eyeing both of the women. What would they do now?… The first rider came up to the second and whispered something in the others ear. The second rider, who Hitomi assumed was the higher command, turned back to the seeress and asked, "If you are who you say, then what are you doing so far from your country and with such an odd group with you?"
"Odd?" the seeress asked confused by the description of the travel band.
"Yes, odd" retorted the lead woman, "You have a cat in a desert with two battered men and a severely injured warrior. A feline is not meant for the desert and I don't see how your three, I assume guards, could get so badly injured out here. The raiders haven't been seen in these parts in weeks and sand worms wouldn't have left anything behind when they attack."
Hitomi's brow furrowed in even more confusion as she thought, 'Sand worms?… What are sand worms?…'
Shaking her head clear Hitomi said, "May I just say we are on a mission to find some old friends who are needed?"
The lady nodded before asking suspicious, "You go on this mission with only four guards?"
'Four?…' Hitomi thought with a frown. Turning around the seeress glanced at her husband and smiled at the sight. Van had his arms crossed across his chest with a scowl on his face. They thought he was a guard! Laughing lightly the young queen turned around, "No, that is my husband, Van Fanel, King of Fanelia, but yes we do go on this mission with only three guards."
The woman looked over at the young king sheepishly and said, "My apologies, King Van."
He just merely nodded his forgiveness though still a little angered for being assumed a guard. He could care less if he was called a commoner, but he was very proud of being known as Hitomi's husband and often went to mention that at any opportunity. Being referred to as guard made him think that he was only a friend of Hitomi's, which simply was not true! The whole matter was rather humorous to the seeress causing her to laugh lightly. Van glanced at her and automatically smiled seeing how ridiculous he was acting. In fact being called a guard was far better than the burden of king. Shaking his head with a smile Van turned back to the present and listened to the two arrivals.
Turning back to the seeress the leader asked, "What sort of mission are you traveling on?"
Hitomi opened her mouth to answer, but Nembus quickly cut her off with a growl, "Enough with your questions! I say it's high time you answer a few of ours!"
The two females eyed the armored angel with anger gleaming in their eyes as Hitomi glanced at Nembus with a scowl. Quietly the seeress said in a low voice for only him to hear, "Nembus, I don't think its wise to be so offensive with these women."
The man nodded with his eyes still on the strangers, "I know, Lady Hitomi, but I don't think it is wise to reveal the nature of mission just yet either. In later time perhaps, after we learn more about them."
Hitomi glanced at the riders once before whispering, "Agreed."
Carefully the two nobles turned back to the strangers and Nembus asked, "First of all, who are you?"
The leader glanced at the woman behind her briefly before lifting her chin high and saying, "I am known as Varia. I am the leader of a group of nomads who live in the desert."
Waving her hand behind her at the other rider the lead female said, "This is my good friend, Noi, the healer of our group."
Hitomi glanced at the healer and saw the woman's eyes catch hers. Noi's golden jewels danced as she studied the seeress with curiosity, but said nothing. The 'Angel' nodded to the desert doctor and returned her focus to the leader as she began to introduce the rest of her group.
"This is Nembus, Sian, and Zaado, my bodyguards" Hitomi said with a wave her hands at the three warriors before pointing towards the young cat-girl, "And that is my advisor and sister-in-law, Merle."
The two desert maidens eyed each of the others in turn, but it was Noi who seemed most interested in the guardians. Her eyes narrowed on the ancient fighters with distrust in her eyes as if she didn't believe their story one bit; while Varia seemed to accept everything they said. Varia also seemed to be extremely curious of the guardians with her continuous glances in their directions, which the three warriors never failed to miss.
Hitomi never noticed these glances and stares though as she asked, "What are you doing out here all by yourselves, Varia?"
The woman again glanced at her comrade before answering, "We were out scouting. We saw something blue shoot down from the sky and were curious of what it might be. I usually would have sent another in my stead, but I wanted to be the one discover what was out here."
'Shoot down from the sky?…' Hitomi thought curiously, 'They probably mean the pillar of light.'
Smiling the seeress opened her mouth to explain the details of the pillar of light when a strong pain hit her. Automatically her mouth clamped shut and Hitomi closed her eyes against the agony. Air refused to feel her longs as the seeress fell to her knees clutching her stomach. Startled cries came from her companions and warm arms quickly took hold of her as she nearly fell face forward.
"Hitomi?!" Van's concern cry echoed in her ears, "What's wrong?!"
With her eyes still squeezed shut the angel queen gasped, "It hurts… I think…"
She didn't complete the sentence too fearful of what it could mean. She was only eight moons/ months gone in her pregnancy; surely it wasn't time for her to go into labor! As another jab of pain hit her, Hitomi knew she could not determine that. In her heart she knew what it was. She was going into labor!.
The pain suddenly disappeared and Hitomi slowly opened her eyes finding everyone surrounding her except for the two riders who had remained on their beasts. Looking around the seeress caught sight of the worried expressions and tried to smile, but it was forced. Van and Merle were knelt beside her while the guardians stood in a small circle around her.
"What happened, Hitomi?" Van asked with concern deeply obvious in his voice while his eyes gleamed with worry.
The seeress didn't speak waiting for another contraction. Was she wrong?… Could it be a false alarm?… After several minutes Hitomi sighed happily feeling a lot better. The possibility of going into labor in a desert didn't sit on her shoulders to well. Smiling happily at her husband Hitomi said, "It's alright. I think it was--"
Another stab of pain shot through her making her double over again and making everyone start. Hitomi squeezed her eyes shut again as new sweat beaded her brow. Her fingers clutched her husband's hand as she tried to endure the contraction. Opening her eyes she looked into the rubies of her beloved and said through her anguish, "Van, I--"
Then it was over leaving the poor seeress breathless. Sian quickly knelt in front of her queen and asked, "Hitomi? What happened? Is it the merge?"
Furiously the seeress shook her head making her bangs plaster to her brow when they connected with her sweat, "No, it doesn't feel like that… I think it's the baby…"
Soon everyone became rigid with concern, especially Van. Swiftly the desert leader turned to her companion and said, "Noi, see to her."
The maiden nodded and descended from her beast. The guardians quickly stepped aside to allowed the healer through leaving the king and cat advisor to hold up the seeress. Noi's hand went to the wraps that covered her head and in a single movement pulled them back revealing her face for the first time. The woman had to be in the middle of her thirties. Her sandy blond hair was cut in a similar boyish style that Hitomi use to wear in the 'Great War.' Her skin was a beautiful tan bringing out the gold in her eyes. She definitely could catch the attention of the men.
Kneeling down in front of the seeress Noi wiped Hitomi's brow with her hand as Van and Merle watched intently along with the guardians. The seeress's emerald eyes widened as she saw the healer bring the hand to her face and licked her palm. Carefully Noi stared at the ground in concentration letting the taste of the sweat twirl over her tongue. Hitomi couldn't help, but be a little disgusted by the old technique. She had read stories of this on the Mystic Moon. One story in particular had talked about how a midwife could determine if a woman was going into labor by the taste of her sweat. It was a disgusting technique, but extremely accurate.
Noi looked up at the seeress calculating, "How far are you?"
Being in too much pain to answer Van spoke for his wife, "She's just a few days short of her eighth moon."
"Blast" the healer replied under her breath before turning around to her leader to proclaim, "We have to get her to camp as soon as possible. I'm going to need my herbs for this."
Varia's lips went into a thin line as she asked, "Is she going into labor?"
Running over to her beast Noi began to pull out ropes and large blankets, "Aye, and seeing that she's short one moon it will be a difficult labor. I must have my herbs for this."
The leader looked over at the group for only a moment before saying, "Alright, we'll bring them to our camp, but she surely can't ride or walk there because of the circumstances."
"I know" Noir replied as she began to latch some ropes onto her beast, "I'll make a small carrier out of ropes and blankets to trail behind my Yui which she can lay down in. That's the only way we can get her to the camp."
Varia gave a sharp nod as she wheeled her Yui around, "Agreed. I'll go ahead and prepare some tents for them."
"Of course" Noi replied before bringing one arm across her chest and saying, "May Joutei be with you."
The leader with her face still concealed also took her arm across her chest and repeated, "May Joutei be with you."
With their farewells exchanged Varia kicked her beast hard in the side making it jump into a run. In seconds the woman was over the rise she had first climbed over with Noi before and was gone. Quickly the healer tied ropes and small poles provided in her packs on her Yui and created a small carrier in the shape of a triangle. Spreading the blanket across the three side of the creation she tied down the blanket making a small canopy like item.
Turning around after her work was done Noi studied the group. Glancing at her patient she noticed Hitomi's contraction had ended, but still left the pregnant woman gasping for oxygen. The cat and spouse of the seeress clung to her in deep concern while the warriors shifted nervously on the feet betraying their faceless expressions with obvious concern for their mistress.
Swiftly the healer trotted to the young queen and took one of her arms, with Van holding the other, and helped the seeress over to the canopy. The moment Hitomi got situated on the blanket another contraction came making her jaws lock together. Noi bit her lip in thought as she turned to the others. Glancing at each in turn she noticed Sian cradling her bad arm to her chest. Walking through the rest of them the healer asked, "Can you ride a Yui?"
The guardian gave a small nod in response making the desert maiden smile, "Good, then I want you to ride mine. I'm sure you can handle it even though you are injured, but I need to stay with Lady Hitomi incase anything happens. We need to get there as soon as possible and with you being hurt it might slow us down."
Sian nodded in agreement as she limped over to the strange creature and with a little help from Nembus she mounted the Yui. Seeing that the green warrior would be all right on the ride Noi turned to the others, "Will all of you be alright with jogging behind us? We can't have too many on my Yui at once and with me, Lady Hitomi, and Lady Sian will be pushing our limit."
"How far is your camp?" Zaado asked automatically not really enjoying the fact they would have to run behind this creature. They had already been walking through intense heat for a few hours.
"Not far" Noi replied as she settled in the cot next to Hitomi it's only a few dunes away. It shouldn't take us too long."
Without waiting for someone to reply to her answer the desert healer turned around in the canopy and struck her Yui on the rump causing it to start. With a wild grunt the creature bolted from the group and struck for the dune Varia had recently gone over. Sian gripped the reins tightly in the fist connected with her good arm as her other injured limp laid in her lap. Baring her teeth the green maiden asked, "Is it a straight shot to your camp from her?"
Noi gripped one of the poles of the canopy as she nearly fell out of the cot, "Yes, just keep going east from here and we should reach it before midday."
Glancing over her shoulder the guardian saw her comrade running after them barely keeping up with the quick footed Yui. They wouldn't be able to keep up for long that was for sure. Sian turned her eyes to the sky momentarily to check the time. There was at least an hour before the sun would be directly overhead. An hour… Sian hoped it would not take that long, for there was no way the other could survive running so hard in this heat…
~~~ Mirror Pool ~~~
Dornkirk stood at the edge of the crescent pool that over a year ago Hitomi had stood by. Behind him in a curved line stood his remaining followers each of them concealed beneath their cloaks. Smirking the dark emperor lifted his black palm to the sky where black clouds had begun to swirl and slowly his claw glowed red. Lightning shattered from the sky above and struck the ground making the earth tremble beneath the demons, but they ignored it. The water in the mirror pool slosh around with the earthquake making Dornkirk's image ripple. Soon the shaking grew in intensity as Dornkirk's ebony claw grew brighter with light. It was only a short while later when a streak of lightning came down from the sky ripping open a portal in front of the emperor. A dark hole swirled before the dead man as he sneered happily. His followers stepped forward coming closer to their master waiting to enter into the Mystic Valley.
Dornkirk hesitated for a moment as he felt something happening. For a few moments while the earth began to settle down the emperor listened to his powers. Soon a dark smirk came to his face as he realized what was happening. Looking at the portal in triumph he chuckled, "So… The seeress has gone into labor, has she?… Excellent… Now the first thing I have waited for has occurred… It will only be a matter of time before the guardians are all rounded up and then I can attack…"
Nodding to his demons he leapt into the burning blackness with his followers close behind. As soon as the final demon passed through the portal the hole closed leaving behind no indication that the demons had been there…
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Sian desperately clung to reins as she felt herself totter on the Yui. The creature was not the easiest thing to ride using only one hand. Snorting the Yui topped the final dune separating the group from the village. Making it to the top didn't slow the beast however and as soon as they were there the Yui plunged down the sandy slope towards the camp. The green maiden glanced around at the camp as they lopped in a frenzy. There were dozens of small tents with a few larger ones in the center. Yuis were scattered everywhere amongst the camp either being tied to stakes or being led by their masters. Palm trees shadowed a bit of the pool centered in the desert town, but other then that it was a barren place. There were several dozens of desert folk all covered in wraps. Most of them had their faces revealed, but a scant few hid everything, but their eyes from view.
On the approach of Sian and the others the people quickly began shouting undistinguishable words. Hitomi, who had just gotten over another contraction moments ago, barely heard the shouts and cries too tired from her labor pains to think properly. Noi was doing her best to help the seeress, but without her supplies she could do little, but hold Hitomi's hand. Behind them the rest of the group slowed their run to a stumbling walk down the slope, no longer needing to keep up with the Yui. Van was the only one who continued to race after the Yui. He was extremely concerned about his wife and was not about to let his weariness to keep him from helping her.
Varia suddenly ran out of a large tent towards the approaching party and quickly shouted to the people to give them room. Catching sight of the crowd opening away Sian wheeled the Yui in that direction and quickly trotted it over there. With a snort the beast stumbled to the desert leader and allowed its knees to buckle. Falling to the ground in a sitting position like a camel resting.
Noi was off the canopy in moments helping Hitomi up as well. Just as the seeress got her feet however another contraction came making her fall over. Varia, Sian, and Noi all quickly helped the woman before she could hit the ground and began to walk her to a nearby tent. The crowd watched curiously as the pregnant woman was brought into the healer's tent just as a man with raven hair caught up with them following the women in. Varia came out once again and saw the faces of her people. Quickly she called for food and water to be brought for their guest making several scatter to retrieve the items just as Zaado, Nembus, and Merle came by.
Varia quickly ducked into the tent upon hearing Hitomi's cries of pain and reappeared with Van's arm in her hand. The young king struggled against the leader's hold demanding to stay, but the desert woman simply said, "Your highness, I know that is your wife in there, but that is no place for men right now."
Van frowned angrily and was about to argue when Nembus and Zaado walked up behind him. The giant placed a hand on his king shoulder and said in his regular gruff voice, "Come, King Van, let us do what the lady says."
The young ruler shook off his guard's hand stubbornly and exclaimed, "That's my wife! Blast it! I need to be in there!"
"Calm down, Lord Van" Nembus remarked calmly, "There is a healer in there with Lady Hitomi. Don't worry. She'll be fine."
The White Dragon eyed the tent knowing there was no way he was getting in there, but he so desperately yearned for his wife right then… to be by her side… Bowing his head he nodded in agreement, but refused to leave the tent's entrance to the guardians' dismay.
Smiling one last time Varia entered the tent with Merle tagging along. Van watched his foster-sibling enter with envy, desperately wishing to be in there right then…
~~~ Hours later ~~~
It had been twelve and half-hours since the start of Hitomi labor. Night had fallen on the camp and lanterns were lit to illuminate the desert village. The poor seeress huffed as sweat dribbled down her skin. As soon as she had entered the tent Noi had stripped her of her clothes. Going through labor would be hard enough, but with Hitomi being unused to the extreme temperature it would only make things difficult, so she wrapped the seeress in a thin sheet hoping the change of attire would help. The seeress was then laid down on an array of blankets and pillows just as her contraction finished. Sian, Varia, and Merle did there best to help though none knew what to do. The young cat-girl held Hitomi's hand for comfort as Sian held a cool, wet cloth to Hitomi's brow. Varia and Noi quickly began to mix herbs and spices needing the concoctions desperately.
The angel queen screamed out again as more pain hit. Hitomi's mind reeled in the mist of the pain panicking. It was too soon! She still had a moon to go! If she had this baby know she surely would miscarry, especially in these conditions! Closing her eyes shut Hitomi thought of her child. If she had carried this baby this far she would bring it into this world. She didn't care what happened to her as long as her baby survived. Grunting out in her strain Hitomi opened her eyes to see the healer making her way to her with a cup in one hand. Sian stepped back allowing room for Noi. The beautiful healer took Hitomi's chin in one hand and forcefully opened the seeress's mouth, "You must drink this, Lady Hitomi. It could mean everything for the determination of your child's life and yours."
Her emerald eyes weakly focused on the healer as Hitomi did her best to comply, but she felt so weak… so tired… Noi bit her lip seeing the weakness in the young queen. The healer knew the woman could not be any older than twenty rotations and this was, it seemed, to be her first child. The pregnancy would difficult for her alone because it was her first born, but with her already substantial weaken by her hike and endurance of the day's heat it surely would make the whole ordeal even worse. This serum was the best hope the soon-to-be mother had to survive with her child.
As Hitomi was forced fed with the drink she felt a little bit of senses resurface. The taste of the liquid was very bitter and left a strange aftertaste in her mouth making Hitomi want to gag automatically, but Noi had anticipated this and quickly covered the seeress's mouth. Unable to spew out the bitter serum Hitomi quickly swallowed the substance and began to cough. Noi took away her mouth and again tasted the maiden's sweat.
The healer quickly turned away realizing it was time. Grabbing a small sheet the woman forced Hitomi to bend her knees and positioned herself for the moment. Noi looked up at the seeress's emerald eyes catching her gaze with her golden ones, "now Lady Hitomi, this is going to be extremely difficult, but you must give everything you got. Remember this is your child's life at stake. Understand?"
Hitomi closed her eyes as tears slipped from her eyes and nodded numbly. Noi glanced at the others seeing the worry gazes being exchange. There was nothing left to be done except endure the moment and hope for the best. Turning to the seeress the healer said in a strong voice, "Now, PUSH!"
The seeress locked her jaws and pushed with all the strength she had determined to bring this child into the world. All the troubles of Dornkirk and the future left her mind during those moments of struggle. All that mattered then was to get the child out of her and into safe arms. Gripping the sheets in her hands Hitomi screamed in pain. Her eyes though squeezed incredible tight couldn't hold back the sea of tears. Push… push… That's all Hitomi could do… that's all she had to do… yet the baby felt like it was determined to stay where it was…
Falling back against the pillows Hitomi gasped for air trying to rest a moment. Noi looked up and proclaimed, "Again!"
Stiffening the seeress pushed again with almost the same amount of force as before. Varia, Sian, and Merle held their breath in suspense not daring to breath. Slowly she felt the child within her move, but not quick enough… Screaming again Hitomi pushed with everything she had… still it was not enough…
Weakened beyond what she thought possible the seeress collapsed unable to move… She had given it only two tries and yet she felt she had tried five million times… Hitomi knew labor was difficult, but she never imagined it would be this hard… Neither did Noi… The desert healer had never seen anything like this… She had seen difficult pregnancy, more than most, but she had never encountered one so rough… The patient was in her youth and maybe was a little weak from the hike and having it be her first born, but still it wouldn't be this tough… The woman had barely given any attempts in bringing forth the child and already she was too weak to try again… Noi glanced at the seeress's face hoping the child, plus the mother, would make it.
With a determined voice the healer shouted, "Come now, Lady Hitomi! Push again! Push for your child!"
Hitomi bared her teeth as she hissed in and out breathes of air painfully. Clenching the sheets in her fists the seeress again pushed with all she had, but the force was substantially weaker than before… The effort seemed far too small for the needed amount of force… Gasping for air Hitomi fell back unable to move… It was too soon… If it had been one more moon later she would have had a chance, but it was too soon… The child would die surely now… Too soon…
Noi bit her lip. It was a breech birth. The poor healer knew the only way to save the child now was to cut the mother open and remove the child that way, but it was too risky. Hitomi was too weak to perform the operation. Too much blood would be lost and Hitomi would surely die,… but what of the child?… Noi glanced at the limp form of the angel queen sadly… There was nothing she could do for the child…
Closing her eyes the healer said, "It's a breech birth. I can do nothing for the child."
Sian, Merle, and Varia all gasped in fear and distraught at the determination. Automatically the seeress snapped opened her eyes upon hearing the faint words. Her vision was slurred and the figures standing around her were swirls of color, but that did not matter. Her child… Hitomi couldn't let her only child die… She and Van had created this small life (with the help of Joutei of course) and if it still lived then she would fight to keep it alive. It might be her child, but it was a life of many that she was destined to protect and she would protect it!
Struggling into a sitting position Hitomi braced herself for the pain to come and took a deep breath. Squeezing her eyes shut she screamed with tremendous noise pushing with every ounce of energy remaining in her body! The voices of the other women encouraged her to continue, but they sounded so faint and so far away… Screaming again Hitomi pushed harder determined to get the child out of her. The pain was so horrible and so demanding on her frail body that Hitomi felt she would break soon…
"One More Push, Lady Hitomi!" Noi shouted over the seeress's screams, "PUSH!"
Tears of anguish fell to the sheets marking the torment just as the seeress gave a final push for life…. Then came the screams of another… A child… Hitomi fell onto her back and closed her eyes promptly after giving birth to her first born. Her ears became the only tool of her six senses that could work at the moment and they were filled with her child's cries. Rejoicing came from her friends, but they were so faint… so far… Hitomi knew why… She was dying… She had done the final deed of a mother… She had saved her child by sacrificing her own life so that the child would live…
As Hitomi drifting into the blackness she heard Noi cry out, "It's a girl!"
If Hitomi had had the strength she would have smiled. A girl… It didn't matter about the sex of the child, it only mattered that there was a child… Just as the seeress began to leave the reality of her surroundings Merle's faint voice came to her mind saying, "It's a girl, Hitomi! Don't worry, she's perfectly fine!"
Knowing her daughter would survive the seeress plunged into the blackness with the content feeling of knowing her only child would survive…
~Yes,… yes… I know… That was evil… and now you people are going to maul me… Oh well! I'm glad people can't come through the computer! J Well what did you think about that?! Please Review!!!~
~Next chapter should be out next Sun. or Mon. It would be sooner, but I'm going to be gone a few days during this week making it difficult to write! Sorry!~
~So what's going to happen? Is Hitomi really going to die?! Will Van become a single parent?! What about the guardians? Dornkirk? Gaea? Without Hitomi will Van have to take over the mission by himself?! And what about Hitomi's daughter? What will be her name? Find out in the next chapter! Until then, bye!~