~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters! Although I wish I did!~
~Sorry, it's a little late. I got some writer's block around the end of writing this chapter!~
~This chapter has some major fluff so be warned!~
~Please REVIEW!~
The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 15 ~ Wolves Within the Flock
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Another scream came from within the tent causing the young king to stiffen. He glanced at the closed opening yearning, but the two guardians remained planted in front of the entrance. Scowling at the two males for keeping away from his wife, Van continued to pace through the sand. Night had long since fallen on Dosha and lanterns had been placed on poles for illumination as campfires continued to roar. The people who resided there kept at a distance for reasons the three strangers could only demise were orders from Varia. The three nobles had been fed and had quench their thirst with the drink and food brought to them by individuals, but after that the people had stayed away.
Nembus glanced up at his king's pacing before taking a root from his bowl of food. Quietly the man nibbled on the item curiously. He had noticed several of the desert folk enjoying this type of food and seemed to have vast quantities of it. The armored angel knew there was something special about the root, but being kept in the mountains so long had made outside knowledge fuzzy in his mind. Growling in his throat the man raked his mind for the desired information as he watched his king warily.
Next to him sat Zaado in a newly acquired cream tunic provided by one of villagers. The man had his eyes closed as he sat Indian style. His beautiful ax was clutched in his fists ready for anything. He looked to be mediating, but in truth he was resting. The journey had been hard on him and his back was sunburned. Poor Zaado was unused to the extreme heat here in the desert making him probably the worse off of the group.
Van stopped his pacing as he heard the sound of a child screaming. His eyes of fire flew to the tent entrance as he tensed up once again for probably the millionth time that day. Joyous cries came from within making the ruler's heart skip. His child was born… the one he and Hitomi had brought into the world… He took a step forward, but still the guardians blocked him as both stood waiting for entrance. Time past and silence began to form within with only the gurgling of a newborn sounding. There came a few worried voices and soon shouts came. Van grew worried as the shouts became more urgent, but it was when he heard his beloved's name being called that fear took hold of him.
Unable to hold back anymore the dragon king raced at the doorway determined to get in. Nembus and Zaado quickly acted though and grabbed both of the king's arms before he could step in. Van struggled desperately as he growled, "I demand that you let me go!"
"Not until they come for us, your majesty" grunted the giant as he struggled to hold on to his ruler.
Just as the words had been spoken a woman pulled back the flap of the tent causing all three males to freeze. The maiden had long strawberry blonde hair that was wild like a flame. Her tan features and gold eyes automatically made the men assume this was the leader of the group, which was a very true assumption. Varia looked tired and weak as she stood there before the group. Van quickly shrugged off his companions' hold to stand before the leader, "Well?"
The desert maiden smiled wearily, "You have a new daughter, Lord Van."
"A daughter…" the man whispered in awe his eyes fixed on the tent behind the desert ruler.
Varia tensed as she spoke on, "She is fine and well though a little underweight, which can be expected from a child born a moon early."
The Dragon King suddenly turned to the leader and asked in concern, "How is Hitomi?"
The woman before him bit her lip unwilling to say word, but knowing full well it was needed to be said, "The labor was extremely difficult… We almost thought the child was lost…"
Van took a step closer towards the leader his eyes focused on her in concern, "And Hitomi?"
The woman bit her lip before saying, "She's unconscious at the moment… We don't know if she will fair well in the end… A great deal of blood was lost and she was already incredible weak--"
The young king could hear no more of this and swiftly pushed past the woman determined to go to his dear beloved. None of the three individuals stopped the man knowing he needed to go to the one he loved. Van got only three steps into the tent before he halted. Sian, Noi, and Merle turned around at the sudden entrance of the royal. The healer cradled a small infant in her arms, which was only a few minutes old. Small emerald eyes blinked at raven headed figure as Van slowly approached the child. After being cleaned of her mother's blood the infant had been wrapped in a white sheet. Noi smiled warmly at the king with his rubies transfixed on his daughter. His tan hand reached out for the baby without thought. Gurgling happily the girl clutched her father's index finger in her tiny tan fist.
Noi let her smile grow bigger before asking, "Would you like to hold her?"
Van stiffened a little at the idea, but nodded. The young healer stretched her arms out to the king and slowly the man took hold of the precious bundle known as his only heir. The beautiful child was cradled to his chest with such precaution that it made you think the baby was made of glass. Noi watched with pleasure at the happy gaze falling upon the newborn from its father.
Without a word the healer signaled the others to exit the tent and silently the others did just that, leaving the king with his family. Van knew they had left, but he didn't show anything to make it known of his awareness of the change. Slowly he lifted his eyes from the infant to the area around him. His beautiful rubies fell on the silent form of his beloved.
Hitomi laid on the pile of blankets and pillows unconscious. Her hair was matted to her face by her sweat and tears. Her body was wrapped in a lone sheet, but now she was covered in two blankets because of the drop in temperature. Though she was flush from the ordeal Hitomi was pale like milk. Blood stained the lower half of the sheet covering the seeress, but it was mostly the smell that caused Van's senses to reel.
Carefully the young king placed his daughter in a woven basket filled with clean wraps as if it were a cradle. The small child yawned as the new father covered the baby with a small blanket. In seconds his daughter was asleep making the young king smile momentarily. Slowly Van turned back to the bloody heap known as his wife. His heart ached just looking upon her. His hands automatically went for the blankets pulling them from his wife's limp body. Hitomi shook for a moment from the sudden coldness, but soon laid still. Next came the sheet she had been wrapped in. Leaving it on her wouldn't help so he was quick to remove it and then replace the blankets on her nude body.
Van couldn't hold back the blush that came. Just like Hitomi had done when she had stripped Van of his clothes he felt a little guilty leaving her in bare flesh while unconscious. It didn't matter that they were married; it just felt taking advantage of someone special, though neither would have cared if they had known.
Hitomi moaned lightly in her sleep, but remained like she was. Finally feeling the weariness of the day take over his body Van stripped down to his cream pants and left his shirt, boots, and knapsack beside the crude bed. Silently he slipped beneath the thick blankets and wrapped his arms around his beloved wife. Bringing her back into his chest Van nuzzled her neck. As if reacting to his touch Hitomi pushed herself deeper into his tone chest snuggling up into his delicious warmth. Van smiled as his eyes became too tired to keep open. He knew she would live… He knew it… Perhaps his assumption was not well grounded, but it was his heart's assumption. His fingers danced over her pale arms as sleep began to take over him. If she was going to die than his heart would be tearing apart,… but no,… it was at rest right now… meaning she would survive the night… and tomorrow they would be back together… with their firstborn child… their daughter…
~~~ Vision ~~~
Hitomi stood in the Mystic Valley again scanning the horizon in mild interest. It was the same as the last time she had seen it… Green grass… mirroring streams… countless flowers… rays of sun… the ancient temple in ruins…
The seeress stood on the cliff harboring the remains of her people's temple… The one that had held the statues of the guardians and of Queen Iris. Slowly Hitomi entered the desolation of gray stone and marble searching through the rubble with her eyes. In seconds a part of stone caught the angel woman's attention making her walk over to the dusty item. Wary of breaking it Hitomi softly brushed away the access dirt before removing it from the pile. Bringing it fully out of the mound the seeress got a first hand look at the piece. It was a broken part of someone's face, at least that was all Hitomi could make out. All that was left of the face was the lips and chin. Finding nothing of interest the seeress carelessly tossed the item aside letting it break into several more pieces. Turning back to the pile the seeress spotted something gleaming in the dirt. As careful as before Hitomi removed the next fixture finding it was one of golden plates that had been on one of the statues' base. The metal was bent in several places and covered in scratches, but one could still distinguish the ancient writing engraved in it:
'Nazomi… Warrior of the Sand… First amongst the royal guards to die in the 'Final Battle.'
Hitomi stared at the identification plate in thought. This was the guardian in which she was in search of presently. There had to be something here that could give her clue who or where the guardian could be! Hitomi plunged into the rubble digging frantically for some type of item to help her in her mission. In seconds her fingers clasped over a round item and with a triumphed smirk the seeress pulled out her discovery. The moment it was dislodged out of the dirt dust fell away revealing its beauty. It was a perfectly round disc with a hole where the center should have been. The outer edge was very sharp while the inner edge was dull and flat. The circle was as large as a firsbee and as thick as a sword. Was it some sort of weapon?… Glancing over the surface of the stone artifact Hitomi noticed it was rather plain except for two indentions that were cut into the granite on two opposite sides of the circle making it look as if two connecting half-spheres.
Unconsciously her fingers ran over the surface of the weapon feeling the rough texture of its granite. Suddenly a shadow ran over the disc making it known that another was nearby. Startled Hitomi dropped the item and swirled around to face the stranger. Her ears could faintly hear the stone item shatter behind her, but she didn't care about it any longer. Her emeralds focused on the figure before her.
Dornkirk smirked at the seeress as he brought his palms up. Behind him you could see the remaining demons standing by. Hitomi stared at the dark emperor in terror knowing fully well his presence signaled nothing good would occur. Slowly his hands began to glow red and the ground began to shake. The rubble groaned and shifted as a roaring beneath them all grew. Slowly the sky grew dark and thunderclouds rolled in from nowhere. Hitomi fell to her knees from the thunderous quake, but she was quick to return her emeralds back on the dark leader. His eyes glowed red with fire as instantaneously a scarlet sphere engulfed him. Throwing back his head he released an animalistic howl that echoed in the seeress's ears.
Suddenly the ground beneath Hitomi's feet cracked open and black rock pierced out of the earth's wound. Stumbling out of the way the seeress fell backwards onto the back of her hands beside Dornkirk with her eyes transfixed on the creation. With a hiss of steam the ebony charcoal of stone struck towards the sky in twisted spikes. One by the one the raven spears twisted together as they made their ways to the heavens. The central and largest spike made its way in a perfect vertical climb determine to hit the clouds. Reaching a height of one mile the tower of blackness slowed to halt, but continued to shift in shape. Narrower spears warped themselves around the creation before forming a thorny throne at the top of its peak. As the final transformations were completed red lines struck upwards in the black rock from beneath the planet's surface as if the rock was made of molted lava. The ground surrounding the mountain began to turn black with red lines running through the darkness. Soon the whole valley was covered in ebony stone. With a final roar the edifice grew still and silent, but continued to let its scarlet lines glow with power.
Hitomi slowly got to her feet staring at the great structure in awe. It was similar to the dark fortress from so long ago with its twisted spikes striking out in all directions.
"It is grand, isn't it?" hissed Dornkirk with pride, "It is the throne upon which I will sit on the day you will betray your comrades."
The seeress turned towards the man with frown and said in a low voice, "I promise you I will never do such a thing."
He smirked as he glanced away from her to his throne, "Oh, you will and quite easily too if I may say so. They will tell you to take a different path, but you will refuse and go another becoming a traitor."
"Why would I do something like that?" Hitomi asked not believing anything he said.
"Because, oh seeress" he replied with evil intentions dripping in his words, "I will have something you greatly desire… something so important you would do anything to have…"
"I truly doubt you could have anything I want, Dornkirk" she responded coolly.
"Oh, I will…" he said in a distinctively low voice, "I will have it and you will weep to have what I hold. You will go against yourself looking for another alternative, but you are faced with only one choice and thus you weaken. Before long you will come to me begging for what I have turning your back on all who you protect and love."
"Liar!" Hitomi shouted forgetting to remain in control of her emotions, "You lie just as well as your sons, Dornkirk! If not, better!"
Chuckling the emperor walked past the seeress towards his throne, "No, seeress, I only speak truth. Even I was surprised to see a vision of you doing it, but I have overcome the shock and know what must be done."
Hitomi stared at him not knowing what to think. The whole idea of her betraying her friends and family seemed highly improbable, but could it really be possible? Unable to come up with her own answer the seeress stood tall and said, "We'll see what happens, Dornkirk. When I have found the last guardian we will face each other here and then Gaea's fate will be settled."
"No, my seeress" Dornkirk muttered, "Gaea's fate has already been settled…"
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
Hitomi rose from her spot on the bed coming into a sitting position that caused the blankets to shift. The covers began to slip down her nude form, but the seeress quickly caught the blankets before they could show off her bareness. Her face flushed pink as she realized her inappropriate attire. Looking around in a rush Hitomi spotted Van's knapsack on the other side of the bed. Her face grew even redder as she realized the only way she could get to her extra clothes was by running around the bed and digging through it leaving her modesty unchecked.
With no other options to choose from Hitomi quickly scrambled out of bed and dug frantically into the knapsack. As soon as the seeress had escaped from her husband's arms Van automatically reached out for her again before falling back into slumber. Her hands dove into the bottomless holding of the sack searching in blind hope for some of her clothes. As her hands took hold of a bundle the seeress pulled out the attire with a huff. Automatically she recognized it as one of her own outfits and put it on in a rush not even checking it out properly. Before long Hitomi was dressed and sighing happily at her quickness.
Glancing down at her outfit the beautiful maiden gasped. She was wearing chestnut pants with a long sleeved green shirt. Over the forest clothing was another sleeveless emerald green vest. Memory of a prior vision flashed in her mind as she gazed at the foreshadowing attire…
~~~ Flashback of Vision ~~~
As she ran she glanced down at her body and noticed she was no longer heavy in child, but that didn't seem like much since in all her visions she hadn't been pregnant. Presently she wore chestnut pants with dark brown ankle boots. A long sleeve forest green shirt clothed her back only to be covered by another shirt of emerald green that was over her first. It was a rather simple attire for a queen, but at the moment Hitomi was more focused on how it fared. The outfit was nearly ripped to shreds and clung to her body as if it had to for dear life. Blood soaked into the material darken the color of her clothes and its vile stench filled her nostrils. Gashes ran over her pale skin everywhere she looked and she felt very weak and run down as if she had gone through extensive battles before now.
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
The clothing brought a deep feeling of dread in the pit of her stomaching making her sick with fear. Could this mean something?… Would the vision come true like all the others before it?… She hated to assume it would for it shadowed so many disasters of the future.
Suddenly the sound of gurgling filled her ears causing the seeress to glance over her shoulders. Her emeralds glanced at the basket unable to see what it held. Tentatively Hitomi stepped towards the cradle already figuring out what it held. Carefully the mother looked down into the crib with a smile. The small bundle known as her child laughed happily while waving tiny fists at its mother. Hitomi lent her finger to the baby allowing its tiny hand to clasp her slender index finger. Tears began to form in the queen's eyes as she held back the joyful sob. Her daughter… HER daughter… Never before had she ever been graced with a baby brought to the world from her own belly… and now as she looked upon the gift sent from Joutei she wondered how she had been able to live without one of her very own for so long… Just by looking upon her Hitomi knew her life would be blessed from this bundle…
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" came a rich voice from behind making Hitomi start. Swiveling her head around Hitomi smiled at her husband with obvious joy. Van smiled just as warmly before placing a sweet kiss on her brow. The seeress showed off her beauty with a brilliant smile before reaching down into the woven crib and bringing their daughter into her arms. Tenderly Van embraced his wife bringing their daughter with her. Hitomi smiled up into his face overjoyed to be there with him at that moment. Kissing her cheek with a feather touch Van whispered, "You know, we never chose a name."
A laugh like bells filled the air as Hitomi playfully glared at him, "That's because you assumed it was going to be a boy!"
"Well, before the wars boys were known to always be firstborn" he smiled as he extended his fingers to his the small baby who happily sucked on it.
Becoming very serious Hitomi gave a sad smile, "Are you upset it's a girl, Van?"
The young man quickly looked up in surprise, "Of course not, Hitomi. You could have had a son and I wouldn't be happier."
"Good" the seeress said playfully, "Because if you did had a problem I think I would have to hit you in the back of the head to make you a little wiser."
The king chuckled as he brought his wife closer to him, mindful of the precious bundle between them, "Don't you think it's enough that you've slapped me several times before."
A twinkle played in the 'Angel's eyes, "You never did learn to duck."
Van's face twisted in a mischievous smirk as he lowered his mouth to her ear in a low whisper, "Besides, even though we don't have a son we still have a lot of time to bring forth one."
Automatically Hitomi's face flushed pink before she thought of a comeback and she growled in mock annoyance, "Oh please, I just went through hard labor and bore you a beautiful daughter and your already thinking of another!"
Van just laughed as he captured her mouth in an intimate kiss. Hitomi was a little shocked by Van's fierceness, but soon responded just as eagerly. It had been so long since they had been this intimate… the last time had been just before they had discovered Hitomi was pregnant… Slowly her pale fingers twirled in his dark locks crushing his lips against hers… Hungrily he devoured her mouth like a starving animal… However, the moment was shattered as the forgotten infant emptied her lungs with a loud cry voicing the discomfort of being between the two lovers…
Quickly Van and Hitomi separated with the seeress swiftly rocking the babe with a small laugh, "I'm sorry, little angel, for forgetting you were there. Don't worry… I'll never forget again…"
The young king smiled contently as he watched his daughter quiet down and stare up at his wife with her big emerald eyes. Gurgling happily the small creature waved her fists wildly enjoying the attention. Van could not have been happier at that moment. He had dreamed of this day… the day he would have Hitomi forever by his side… the day he would have Hitomi as his queen… the day the two of them would start a family… For nearly three years that had been his only desire… Since when he discovered his love for the beautiful seeress during the 'Great War' his heart had been plagued with that sole obsession… Perhaps his body had its wants and other needs, but it had been that desire that had overpowered the others… Forcing him to see the underlying truth… He was in love with the 'Girl from the Mystic Moon'…
"Van?"
Coming back with a start the distracted man muttered a soft, "Hm?"
Hitomi's bright smile filled his vision as she laughed, "Didn't you hear me?"
Van smiled an apology as he asked, "What?"
Laughing at his distraught the seeress lent a finger to the small infant allowing the tiny hand to curl around her finger. With deep adoration in her emeralds Hitomi said, "I figured out a perfect name for her…"
Coming to stand beside his wife he wrapped an arm around her slim waist, "Like what?"
Hitomi looked up into his rubies her own eyes glittering happily at her cleverness, "Iris…"
Automatically the king caught the connection with the flowery name, "Your grandmother's name…"
Nodding softly the new mother played with her child letting the girl take hold of another finger in her other tiny fist, "Yes, my grandmother was named after Queen Iris. I think it would be perfect to let the name live on… If not in memory of my grandmothers, but in memory of our people…"
Van stared at his wife proudly. She was so brilliant. She never stopped surprising him with her wisdom and strength. Sighing happily the man kissed his wife's temple before whispering in her ear, "Your right… It's a perfect name… Princess Iris Fanel…"
~~~ Fanelia ~~~
'Iris…'
It was a perfect name…
A perfect name for his niece…
Standing in the royal gardens surrounded by the suffocating petals of flowers Mamoru stood gazing at the moon. The youth smiled up at the quiet orb above as he silently cut off his mental connection with his sister. The last couple of days with the appearance of another group of Draconians had showed him something. The feeling that had been there when he had felt the shaft of light coming down before it did with the first group of renegades (after Hitomi's absence) had intensified… It had grown at the time around his disturbing dream nights ago and he had felt it again, fully, when another group of Draconians had arrived in the courtyard.
It had taken him time to figure out what the feeling was. The feeling no longer came and went; it was there constantly, never ending. More frightening he began to see things… not visions or foreshadows,… but he could see through other's eyes… It didn't matter whose… After several encounters with seeing things he began to see a pattern that quickly ensued… Before long he realized what he had… he could see through other's eyes… anyone he chose… It didn't take long for the prince to be able to manipulate the powers he had… He was a smart child and with Hitomi's tips from the past he began to practice… Before long he could enter people's minds and see everything they saw…
But why did he have these powers?… Mamoru could only figure it was what Hitomi had told him about a while back… about that feeling within you… It was the powers born in his blood… his Draconian blood… Like his people before him he had been given a special gift that would ignite in a Draconian around puberty… just like his sister… His sister had been given a rare a precious blessing (though Mamoru did not know of its rarity); Hitomi had been given the gift of her visions… or cruse if you want to call it…
Though both siblings were given these powers naturally Hitomi was different from her brother in a way that no one knew. Hitomi was the first Draconian ever born to have powers that she could not call upon at a whim. Mamoru, like others of their people, could easily turn on and off his powers like a light switch and could direct his powers to see through one person's eyes. Hitomi, at the moment of birth, had her internal switch automatically turned on and became erratic, turning on and off by its own. The poor seeress could neither turn on or off her powers nor direct it to a certain focus, making her powers completely unpredictable… and dangerous... Often Hitomi got to see things no one should have been meant to see, like entire pasts of wars or deaths...
Of course Mamoru knew nothing off this… only that he had a special ability like his sister and was able to use it the way he wanted… It was a dangerous tool in the wrong hands, but being in his mature palms brought not even the glimmer of a shadow…
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Hitomi glanced at the people occupying the large camp as she walked with the 'Forest Guardian' in the late afternoon heat. It had been nearly a week since Princess Iris had been born and for that week there was a constant argument between the traveling angels and cat; Hitomi wanted to leave as soon as possible, but the others knew she was still too weak for travel. Though she had waken with energy after the ordeal her systems were still messed up and wasted of whatever was left of that little energy she had. They all knew it was best to wait, to Hitomi's dismay. Feeling the aching in her limbs didn't help her argument though so finally the seeress gave in.
Everyday Hitomi was watched by her friends: Van, Sian, or Merle. Noi regularly checked on Hitomi for signs of any problems, but had yet to find one. Nembus and Zaado weren't ones for showing concern and often kept from the tent Hitomi and Van occupied leaving them to their privacy. The two males were more concern with the future traveling they would have and presently were with Van to possibly buy a few Yuis for travel in the next days. Merle right then was watching over Iris as Hitomi got some exercise by a small walk. It was just too hot to take the infant out in that heat anyway.
When Van and Hitomi had announced the name of the child there was much rejoicing especially amongst the guardians. The three warriors greatly approved of the name seeing that it was customary that royalty be named after their ancestors and that they had all been fond of Queen Iris (Princess Rachelle's mother).
The queen glanced at the group of people again and gave a tiny frown. Where were the Draconians and the fourth guardian?… For a while Hitomi had begun to suspect these people as those hiding Draconians for some odd reason, but had finally concluded they weren't Draconians… They just didn't feel like Draconians… So then where were they???… Hitomi and the others surely didn't have he time to go searching all of the dunes of Dosha!
None of the desert folk gave any information. Most of them just said there were only rumors of desert angels living out here in Dosha and had also mentioned the Draconians in the sands often disappeared like ghosts with the tracks being lost by constant sandstorms… With no roads or easily seen markers in the dunes it made looking for the Draconians nearly impossible… Sighing the seeress felt her heart sink. How were they going to complete their mission if they couldn't find one of the guardians?…
Hitomi shook off the uncomforting thought and glanced at the desert people again. A few glanced at the two foreign women, but only that. Most seemed uninterested or trying their hardest not to seem interested. Eyeing the folk critically the seeress asked the guardian beside her, "Is it just me or is their something odd about these people?"
Sian gave a short glance at the desert folk before replying, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know…" Hitomi muttered in thought, "There's something about them… that I can't put my finger on…"
Nearby a young girl, no more than five rotations, smiled at the pair before racing after a small creature. Hitomi nearly stopped in mid-step as she watched the young child leave. Gold eyes… She had gold eyes… Glancing at a nearby old woman Hitomi stared at the lady's eyes… Gold eyes also… Turning to another person she met the same thing… gold eyes… gold eyes… gold eyes… Everyone had gold eyes…
"Gold eyes" Hitomi gasped quietly, "Everyone here has gold eyes!"
The brunette warrior just gave a small laugh, more like a chuckle, "You didn't notice, Hitomi?"
"No" the seeress answered as she turned to the guard in confusion, "Should I have?"
Laughing again the angel soldier said, "Well it just that all desert folk have gold eyes."
Hitomi frowned at this and asked like she were a school child that did not believe her teacher, "They do?"
The seeress quickly remembered the day they had met Noi and Varia…
~~~ Memory ~~~
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."
~~~ End of Memory ~~~
"Yes" Sian replied with a playful smile, "It has something to do with the chemicals found in the food they eat called spice. It looks like some kind of root or herb and has a very tangy taste. It's one of the few foods found in the desert and grows in mass quantities out in the dunes. The chemicals go into the blood stream and once they hit the area around the front of the skull the chemicals react with the fluids found inside our eyes causing the eye color to turn a brilliant gold. Of course you must consume a bit of the spice to cause your eye color to change. I've heard if you only eat a small amount the color change is only temporary and can easily disappear after some time if you stop consuming the root. However, if you eat it for a long amount of time, say a few years, the color change becomes permanent."
Glancing back at a few nearby desert folk Hitomi said, "So these people must eat it often."
"Yes" the forest warrior commented, "It is their main source of nourishment and they cook it many ways or so I've heard."
As they continued to walk Hitomi turned to the woman beside her and asked simply, "Where did you learn all this from?"
Sian glanced at her queen a moment before returning her sight ahead of her to say, "When I use to be a royal guard for Queen Iris. Nazomi often spoke of the desert. She used to live there before she became a guard."
Quickly Sian dropped the story living the past of her fellow guardian hidden. Hitomi's brow furrowed at the drop off, but didn't comment on it. Instead she tried another approach; letting her voice grow lower the seeress asked bluntly, "Sian, I must say I know little of your past or the other guardians' history."
Automatically the warrior stiffened, but continued her walk, silent. Again Hitomi tried, not willing to give up.
"There something special about each of you" the seeress asked quietly not allowing her eyes to leave the sight of the guardian, "Isn't there?"
Sian sighed heavily stopping their trek a few feet outside the camp where they could have a bit of privacy, "I cannot truly speak of those times, Hitomi, but I will tell you we will tell you soon our stories."
"Why to keep them from us?" Hitomi asked with hidden annoyance. Information was being held from her again!
The silver-eyed maiden looked at her mistress and said quietly, "No one has told us to keep the information from you or the others, but it is our personal choices that have kept us from speaking. I know very little of the other's pasts, including Nembus's, but I know each of us went through something we never wish to go through again."
Innocently the seeress asked lowly, "What do you mean, Sian?"
The guardian frowned as she ran a hand through her dark locks, "I mean that our histories are plagued with memories we don't like to remember or else we would speak openly of them."
Staring straight into the emerald queen's eyes the guardian said, "I promise you, Hitomi, soon we will tell you of our pasts, but for now be content with what you know."
The seeress could tell Sian didn't want to speak about it from the evident passion in her words. Something had happened to the guardians that had caused them to be chosen guards. Hitomi wondered what had happen to these warriors to cause her ancient grandmother, Queen Iris, to pick them as her chosen soldiers.
Nodding in understanding the seeress allowed the topic to drop and let the guardian relax. The silver jewels of the angel warrior glittered their thanks as Sian smiled at the seeress, however the smile soon left as the guard caught sight of something behind the young queen. Turning around Hitomi saw what was the problem.
Standing behind one of the tents in their own private conversation stood Varia and Noi. The two women were glaring at each other with their identical golden eyes gleaming. Though Hitomi and Sian were out of earshot range they could tell by the women's moving lips they were speaking quite harshly to one another.
Hitomi wasn't really surprised at the sight of the suppose good friends arguing. For the last few days she had seen the two privately arguing several times. Mostly it seemed Noi was upset with Varia and was constantly giving her glares. After the birth of Iris Varia had begun to change dramatically. At first she had been kind and caring, but now her heart had hardened… and just in a few short days… Hitomi had first noticed this when she spotted Varia lurking behind the tents one day as Hitomi took her daily walk for exercise. The desert leader was eyeing the seeress and Merle (who had joined her that day) with venom in her golden jewels, as if the leader's perception had changed about the group. Varia slowly became isolated from Hitomi and the rest of group plus her own desert folk. As time progressed Hitomi noticed Noi was becoming agitated with the leader and noticed concern in the desert maiden's eyes. The whole change of attitude bewildered the seeress.
'Something's going on' Hitomi thought as she eyed the two desert maidens. Never before had the two been in such a heated argument. Noi was throwing up her arms in frustration as she shouted at her leader. Varia's arms were crossed with a plain scowl set on her face. Suddenly the healer shouted something in the leader's face causing Varia to say something and storm off. Noi glared at the retreating form of her best friend before growling a silent curse beneath her breath.
Hitomi automatically went to the ruffled woman wanting to help like she always did, Sian quietly followed. Noi quickly noticed their approach and did her best to beat down the anger in her. Crossing her arms across her chest the woman tried not to sound harsh as she asked, "Can I help you?"
"I was going to ask you that" Hitomi replied sincerely, "Are you okay, Noi?"
The healer fidgeted as she glanced in the direction Varia had left. Turning back around Noi retorted, "I'm just aggravated with her decision."
"Decision?" Sian asked quite curious, "What decision is that?"
Noi's face grew grim with rage as she hissed, "She refuses to pack camp and leave the area."
"Leave?!" Hitomi asked in surprise, "Why do we need to leave?!"
The healer sighed lightly, "I might as well tell you. We haven't spoken this to our group so it best you keep this amongst yourselves. We don't want anyone to panic."
"Panic?" the seeress was becoming a little edgy with the doctor's talk.
"Yes" Noi replied tiredly, "I went on a scouting trip two days ago and found signs of sandworms."
"Sandworms?" Sian asked confused. The guardian had heard Nazomi talking about the creatures before, but forgot a lot about the beasts.
"Sandworms" the healer began, "are giant worm-like creatures about three times the size of a guymelef. They have dozens of rows of teeth the size of a dragon's head. Their skin is like armor with spikes that stick out from between their scales. Those spikes help propel them through the sand letting them travel at extraordinary speed. They are extremely dangerous and are to be avoided at all costs."
"If they're in the area and so large how come we haven't seen them go by?" Hitomi asked confused.
"Sandworms move through the ground," Noi answered as she stared at the horizon of sand, "They can travel through dirt, but sand is easier to travel through. Besides the sand though soft as it is makes a lot of noise in their ears."
Turning back to the two foreigners the healer continued, "You see the sandworms have no eyes and rely on hearing alone to catch their meals. Mostly they just fight each other from opposite hordes and eat their enemies' flesh, but they pick us off first because we're easy targets and our flesh is a delicacy to them."
"Sounds like you have a lot of trouble with them" Sian commented off hand.
Noi nodded, "Some times, but we've learn to chart their migrations and easily avoid most of them. Plus they rarely take on small groups seeing we are barely a mouth full to them, but being such a large group as we are we surely will attract attention of any sandworms nearby."
"How do you know there are sandworms in the area, Noi?" Hitomi asked grimly not liking the idea of those creatures around. Those worms surely didn't sound like the creatures from the Mystic Moon!
The healer again glanced at the horizon disgusted, "I found some of the sand over those dunes in the west in a disarray like an attack had occurred. I check out the area around it and found a chunk of scale buried beneath the sand; it was from a sandworm… I don't understand why they have changed their migration. Usually sandworms don't come around here until another moon or two. Something is attracting them… possibly our large number…"
Silence fell on the three as the thought of the giant monsters attacking the pleasant camp. It would be a disaster, which was easy to be certain about. Possibly no one would escape. Sian angrily asked, "Why won't Varia call for the camp to move then if these creatures are so dangerous?!"
Noi shook her head, "I don't know. She refuses to say and has constantly avoided the subject. She seems to be more interested with you folk."
"Us?" Hitomi and Sian said simultaneously, "What do you mean us?"
The healer lifted her hands in mock defeat, "I don't know why you, but I've seen her watching your group all the time in the shadows for some reason."
The guardian and seeress glanced at each other in confusion. What was going on?
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Dornkirk stood in the mist of the black and red earth enjoying his decorations of the enchanted land. Time was growing close… Although the seeress did not know it… They had barely begun the journey and already they had discovered two of the guardians. Though four remained they would quickly be discovered Dornkirk knew. For now he waited, allowing the powers of Akuma to merge with his own soul, like the powers of Joutei had merged with the seeress.
"Soon seeress…" the man muttered darkly as his minions stood nearby, "Soon seeress we will finally meet for the third time of our lives and then we will part again like twice before,… but this time… I will be the one left to be victor…"
~~~ Desert Tent ~~~
Hitomi checked on Iris as she slept in her tiny crib peacefully. The young seeress rubbed a hand unconsciously over -- surprisingly -- flat stomach. It had shocked Hitomi to see her stomach so flat, but she had learned from Noi that the herb she had eaten during her labor had caused her system to do this to her body… to bring her back to her normal state at a rapid rate,… It was just one of the side effects of the mystic food.
Tiredly the seeress turned the page of the 'Book of Angels,' her fingers jumping over the parchment fearfully. Hitomi was still nervous about holding the enchanted book, but was determined to discover something in its writings. Slowly Hitomi's emerald eyes ran over the pages reading the ancient writing furiously for some form of hidden meaning, but finding none…
There had to be something in here that could help…
Turning a page Hitomi eyes fell on something mysterious. In a beautiful array of art there stood two dragons of beautiful color. One was dark ebony while the other the opposite color, pearl. Both were large, but the darker one was a little bigger in size. The strange thing about it was the dragons' wings were made of black and white feathers…
The seeress thought back to the 'Sacrifice' when Dryden had brought out his scrolls and they had discovered a very similar picture…
~~~ Memory ~~~
The group watched as Dryden began searching through the scrolls. After several moments, Dryden started to become very annoyed at not being able to find what he wanted. As he grabbed one of the few remaining scrolls left he smiled at the emblem on its handles, an angel.
He turned to his friends and held up the scroll, "I found it. It's the scroll of prophecy." At his words everyone immediately gathered around the man. He carefully laid the scroll open on the table. There were dozens of different passages, all prophecies from the Draconian's culture. Beautiful drawings were sketched all over the parchment as illustration to go with the passage. Hitomi stared at a passage' drawings. An angel and a dragon flying together, a white dragon with white angel wings, and a black dragon with black angel wings. Something about the drawing interest Hitomi. They seemed very logical to her in some way, "but how?" she wondered.
~~~ End of Memory ~~~
Glancing at the passage opposite of the page in the 'Book of Angels' the seeress read the words carefully…
"There will be a day when a dragon and an angel will join in union. From their union the angel will bear forth a new creature. A creature of both angel and dragon will be born into the world. She will bear two sons. After several years the dragon will die. The first son will fall to the hand of evil and a shadow will come over him. Thereafter, the angel will die leaving the second son to reign. For the love of his brother the first will shake off the darkness, but die hence after. Again the second will be alone and reign over the Kingdom of Dragons."
Hitomi frowned at the words lost. The words didn't make since, but they were the exact words that had been written on Dryden's scroll…
What did this mean?… Both of the parchments had been the Draconians' writings, but why did they have both of them filled with this story?…
'Strange…' Hitomi thought quietly as she turned the pages again looking for something else to interest her. It didn't take long for the seeress to find the passage Sian had read days ago. Carefully the young angel queen read it again looking for some sort of clue…
"Time will stretch for a rotation in peace over the world of dreams. After a time of slumber the globe will be shaken in an uproar as the eight shadows from the depths of the past will wrench themselves from the bellows of the underworld. Claws of death will try to squeeze the life from the world and take all the essence they can envelop. Oh, 'Angel of Gaea' your time has come to once again give us your aid. Thy 'Ring of Guardians' is your sworn league of protectors. Call to them! Take your people to the haven you have created! Powers envelop you! You face the ultimate terror! Mortality is the terror you face, oh 'Angel' and even now it towers over you! A babe for power! The ground beneath you is harsh and black as a single feather of identical hue falls to the earth announcing death and also proclaiming the time of the 'Rebirth' when life will fall either to darkness or to light for a thousand rotations. Blood already marks the earth and more will fall before the result appears."
The whole thing just sounded like a jumble of words to Hitomi. There was meaning in the riddle she knew, but to her it was still just a disarray of letters put together. Sighing heavily the seeress closed the book not even noticing Van walking into the tent. With her back turned to him Hitomi didn't even realize he was walking to her. With a playful grin the young king walked up behind her and placed his hands delicately over her eyes. Hitomi grinned at the game and innocently asked as if she didn't already know who it was, "Who is it?"
Smiling Van brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, "A man that loves you more than he can ever express… the father of your child…"
Smirking evilly the seeress said, "You know you shouldn't be here, Van, might find out about us."
Shaking his unruly locks Van removed his hands and chuckled, "Nice try, Hitomi."
Still playing along the seeress gasped dramatically, "Oh, Van! I thought you were someone else!"
Laughing Van brought his lips to hers in a tender kiss that was meant to be just a small peck, but ended up to be a few seconds longer. Hitomi smiled contently as she got up from her seat and walked over to their bed. Van smiled mischievously as he followed her. Just as she was about to step into the fixture of pillows and blankets the young king took hold of her shoulders stopping her.
"Wait" he whispered softly in her ear, "Don't go to bed just yet…"
"Van" Hitomi reminded, "I'm still tired from everything going on. I really need some--"
"Shh…" he quieted her as he tenderly took her in his arms letting his hands rub up and down her exposed pale limbs, "Hitomi, I've missed being with you for so long… we've finally got a moment to rest from our duties at home and the mission, and still we've had barely any time to ourselves… Please…"
Energy suddenly engulfed the seeress as she spun around in his arms missing him as much as he had missed her. Finally they were able to hold each other once again with no large stomach forcing them apart. They finally were able to hold each other like before… It felt so good…
"I've missed you, too" she whispered with a small smile, "It's hard not being without you…"
Kissing her cheek he whispered, "I guess you understand how my heart aches… when you leave a room… How it skips a beat… when you return… How it cries sorrow… when you're sick or hurt…"
Laughing lightly Hitomi replied quietly, "You have no idea…"
Hitomi sighed happily in his arms looking up into his sparkling rubies with her gleaming emeralds. Smiling softly Hitomi lifted her face to his meeting him halfway in a passionate kiss. They missed being alone with each other so badly… Quickly they lost themselves as her hands wounded around his neck and his came to hold her waist. It felt so good to forget the troubles of the day and lose themselves in the moment of love they shared… It just felt good to be together…
Pulling away suddenly Van grinned mischievously catching Hitomi's attention automatically. What was he planning?
Tenderly he nuzzled her neck as he whispered, "Didn't we talk about bringing forth a son?…"
Pink coloration flush the seeress cheeks as she growled playfully, "Why you--"
It was too late. His lips caught hers again cutting off her pretend retort. Slowly they fell down onto the bed never losing the kiss…
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Most of the tents were dark, their occupants already lost in their sleep. Only a few were lithe with lamps for the few who were still awake. Only a group of Yuis stood out in the sand around the tents. The moon was high in the starry vastness glowing silently for a figure lurking within the shadows. Carefully the form walked to a nearby tent with the stealth of a leopard. Just as quietly the figure pulled back the tent's canvas glancing in on the occupants. Inside were Sian, Merle, and Noi all sleeping peacefully. Satisfied that they were well under the figure replaced the doorway and continued on, coming to a halt at the next tent's entrance. Again the canvas was pulled back this time to reveal the two male guardians, both deep in slumber. There was a small moment of hesitation at the tent before the figure replaced the canvas again.
Finally the being found its destination: the tent holding the king and queen. Grinning in the shadows the figure pulled back the canvas about an inch open before checking on the occupants. Through the darkness the intruder spotted the couple wrapped in each other's bodies fast asleep. Without a sound the figure ducked into the tent and quietly replaced the canvas so as not to arouse suspension if someone should happen to pass the tent. Quietly the figure stepped towards the royal couple her feet going directly in front of the other in perfect stillness. The sand beneath her feet barely stirred as she made her way to the seeress and White Dragon.
Finally after what seemed like years the intruder made it to the side of the bed. The figure's face was hidden in the darkness, but the intruder could see the couple's faces perfectly from a ray of moonlight sneaking through part of the canvas. Hitomi sighed in her sleep and rolled over coming to lay on her back, Van's arms still tightly wrapped around her. The figure smiled as she slowly reached beneath her clothes to grasp the handle of a dagger. It wasn't long before the silver blade could be seen in the moonlight, glaring down at its target…
Hoarsely the figure whispered, "Sleep for eternity, 'Seeress of the Mystic Moon!"
And the dagger came down…
~ Yep, another evil, heart wrenching, cold sweat, torturous, rage ripping, heart stopping cliffhanger. Sorry, about that! But you know me! I LOVE CLIFFHANGERS!~
~ What's going to happen now? Can't anyone stop the intruder before they kill Hitomi?! Who is the intruder?! Find out in chapter 16: "Whose Who?" ~
~Next chapter should be up next Thurs.or Fri.~
~Sorry, it's a little late. I got some writer's block around the end of writing this chapter!~
~This chapter has some major fluff so be warned!~
~Please REVIEW!~
The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 15 ~ Wolves Within the Flock
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Another scream came from within the tent causing the young king to stiffen. He glanced at the closed opening yearning, but the two guardians remained planted in front of the entrance. Scowling at the two males for keeping away from his wife, Van continued to pace through the sand. Night had long since fallen on Dosha and lanterns had been placed on poles for illumination as campfires continued to roar. The people who resided there kept at a distance for reasons the three strangers could only demise were orders from Varia. The three nobles had been fed and had quench their thirst with the drink and food brought to them by individuals, but after that the people had stayed away.
Nembus glanced up at his king's pacing before taking a root from his bowl of food. Quietly the man nibbled on the item curiously. He had noticed several of the desert folk enjoying this type of food and seemed to have vast quantities of it. The armored angel knew there was something special about the root, but being kept in the mountains so long had made outside knowledge fuzzy in his mind. Growling in his throat the man raked his mind for the desired information as he watched his king warily.
Next to him sat Zaado in a newly acquired cream tunic provided by one of villagers. The man had his eyes closed as he sat Indian style. His beautiful ax was clutched in his fists ready for anything. He looked to be mediating, but in truth he was resting. The journey had been hard on him and his back was sunburned. Poor Zaado was unused to the extreme heat here in the desert making him probably the worse off of the group.
Van stopped his pacing as he heard the sound of a child screaming. His eyes of fire flew to the tent entrance as he tensed up once again for probably the millionth time that day. Joyous cries came from within making the ruler's heart skip. His child was born… the one he and Hitomi had brought into the world… He took a step forward, but still the guardians blocked him as both stood waiting for entrance. Time past and silence began to form within with only the gurgling of a newborn sounding. There came a few worried voices and soon shouts came. Van grew worried as the shouts became more urgent, but it was when he heard his beloved's name being called that fear took hold of him.
Unable to hold back anymore the dragon king raced at the doorway determined to get in. Nembus and Zaado quickly acted though and grabbed both of the king's arms before he could step in. Van struggled desperately as he growled, "I demand that you let me go!"
"Not until they come for us, your majesty" grunted the giant as he struggled to hold on to his ruler.
Just as the words had been spoken a woman pulled back the flap of the tent causing all three males to freeze. The maiden had long strawberry blonde hair that was wild like a flame. Her tan features and gold eyes automatically made the men assume this was the leader of the group, which was a very true assumption. Varia looked tired and weak as she stood there before the group. Van quickly shrugged off his companions' hold to stand before the leader, "Well?"
The desert maiden smiled wearily, "You have a new daughter, Lord Van."
"A daughter…" the man whispered in awe his eyes fixed on the tent behind the desert ruler.
Varia tensed as she spoke on, "She is fine and well though a little underweight, which can be expected from a child born a moon early."
The Dragon King suddenly turned to the leader and asked in concern, "How is Hitomi?"
The woman before him bit her lip unwilling to say word, but knowing full well it was needed to be said, "The labor was extremely difficult… We almost thought the child was lost…"
Van took a step closer towards the leader his eyes focused on her in concern, "And Hitomi?"
The woman bit her lip before saying, "She's unconscious at the moment… We don't know if she will fair well in the end… A great deal of blood was lost and she was already incredible weak--"
The young king could hear no more of this and swiftly pushed past the woman determined to go to his dear beloved. None of the three individuals stopped the man knowing he needed to go to the one he loved. Van got only three steps into the tent before he halted. Sian, Noi, and Merle turned around at the sudden entrance of the royal. The healer cradled a small infant in her arms, which was only a few minutes old. Small emerald eyes blinked at raven headed figure as Van slowly approached the child. After being cleaned of her mother's blood the infant had been wrapped in a white sheet. Noi smiled warmly at the king with his rubies transfixed on his daughter. His tan hand reached out for the baby without thought. Gurgling happily the girl clutched her father's index finger in her tiny tan fist.
Noi let her smile grow bigger before asking, "Would you like to hold her?"
Van stiffened a little at the idea, but nodded. The young healer stretched her arms out to the king and slowly the man took hold of the precious bundle known as his only heir. The beautiful child was cradled to his chest with such precaution that it made you think the baby was made of glass. Noi watched with pleasure at the happy gaze falling upon the newborn from its father.
Without a word the healer signaled the others to exit the tent and silently the others did just that, leaving the king with his family. Van knew they had left, but he didn't show anything to make it known of his awareness of the change. Slowly he lifted his eyes from the infant to the area around him. His beautiful rubies fell on the silent form of his beloved.
Hitomi laid on the pile of blankets and pillows unconscious. Her hair was matted to her face by her sweat and tears. Her body was wrapped in a lone sheet, but now she was covered in two blankets because of the drop in temperature. Though she was flush from the ordeal Hitomi was pale like milk. Blood stained the lower half of the sheet covering the seeress, but it was mostly the smell that caused Van's senses to reel.
Carefully the young king placed his daughter in a woven basket filled with clean wraps as if it were a cradle. The small child yawned as the new father covered the baby with a small blanket. In seconds his daughter was asleep making the young king smile momentarily. Slowly Van turned back to the bloody heap known as his wife. His heart ached just looking upon her. His hands automatically went for the blankets pulling them from his wife's limp body. Hitomi shook for a moment from the sudden coldness, but soon laid still. Next came the sheet she had been wrapped in. Leaving it on her wouldn't help so he was quick to remove it and then replace the blankets on her nude body.
Van couldn't hold back the blush that came. Just like Hitomi had done when she had stripped Van of his clothes he felt a little guilty leaving her in bare flesh while unconscious. It didn't matter that they were married; it just felt taking advantage of someone special, though neither would have cared if they had known.
Hitomi moaned lightly in her sleep, but remained like she was. Finally feeling the weariness of the day take over his body Van stripped down to his cream pants and left his shirt, boots, and knapsack beside the crude bed. Silently he slipped beneath the thick blankets and wrapped his arms around his beloved wife. Bringing her back into his chest Van nuzzled her neck. As if reacting to his touch Hitomi pushed herself deeper into his tone chest snuggling up into his delicious warmth. Van smiled as his eyes became too tired to keep open. He knew she would live… He knew it… Perhaps his assumption was not well grounded, but it was his heart's assumption. His fingers danced over her pale arms as sleep began to take over him. If she was going to die than his heart would be tearing apart,… but no,… it was at rest right now… meaning she would survive the night… and tomorrow they would be back together… with their firstborn child… their daughter…
~~~ Vision ~~~
Hitomi stood in the Mystic Valley again scanning the horizon in mild interest. It was the same as the last time she had seen it… Green grass… mirroring streams… countless flowers… rays of sun… the ancient temple in ruins…
The seeress stood on the cliff harboring the remains of her people's temple… The one that had held the statues of the guardians and of Queen Iris. Slowly Hitomi entered the desolation of gray stone and marble searching through the rubble with her eyes. In seconds a part of stone caught the angel woman's attention making her walk over to the dusty item. Wary of breaking it Hitomi softly brushed away the access dirt before removing it from the pile. Bringing it fully out of the mound the seeress got a first hand look at the piece. It was a broken part of someone's face, at least that was all Hitomi could make out. All that was left of the face was the lips and chin. Finding nothing of interest the seeress carelessly tossed the item aside letting it break into several more pieces. Turning back to the pile the seeress spotted something gleaming in the dirt. As careful as before Hitomi removed the next fixture finding it was one of golden plates that had been on one of the statues' base. The metal was bent in several places and covered in scratches, but one could still distinguish the ancient writing engraved in it:
'Nazomi… Warrior of the Sand… First amongst the royal guards to die in the 'Final Battle.'
Hitomi stared at the identification plate in thought. This was the guardian in which she was in search of presently. There had to be something here that could give her clue who or where the guardian could be! Hitomi plunged into the rubble digging frantically for some type of item to help her in her mission. In seconds her fingers clasped over a round item and with a triumphed smirk the seeress pulled out her discovery. The moment it was dislodged out of the dirt dust fell away revealing its beauty. It was a perfectly round disc with a hole where the center should have been. The outer edge was very sharp while the inner edge was dull and flat. The circle was as large as a firsbee and as thick as a sword. Was it some sort of weapon?… Glancing over the surface of the stone artifact Hitomi noticed it was rather plain except for two indentions that were cut into the granite on two opposite sides of the circle making it look as if two connecting half-spheres.
Unconsciously her fingers ran over the surface of the weapon feeling the rough texture of its granite. Suddenly a shadow ran over the disc making it known that another was nearby. Startled Hitomi dropped the item and swirled around to face the stranger. Her ears could faintly hear the stone item shatter behind her, but she didn't care about it any longer. Her emeralds focused on the figure before her.
Dornkirk smirked at the seeress as he brought his palms up. Behind him you could see the remaining demons standing by. Hitomi stared at the dark emperor in terror knowing fully well his presence signaled nothing good would occur. Slowly his hands began to glow red and the ground began to shake. The rubble groaned and shifted as a roaring beneath them all grew. Slowly the sky grew dark and thunderclouds rolled in from nowhere. Hitomi fell to her knees from the thunderous quake, but she was quick to return her emeralds back on the dark leader. His eyes glowed red with fire as instantaneously a scarlet sphere engulfed him. Throwing back his head he released an animalistic howl that echoed in the seeress's ears.
Suddenly the ground beneath Hitomi's feet cracked open and black rock pierced out of the earth's wound. Stumbling out of the way the seeress fell backwards onto the back of her hands beside Dornkirk with her eyes transfixed on the creation. With a hiss of steam the ebony charcoal of stone struck towards the sky in twisted spikes. One by the one the raven spears twisted together as they made their ways to the heavens. The central and largest spike made its way in a perfect vertical climb determine to hit the clouds. Reaching a height of one mile the tower of blackness slowed to halt, but continued to shift in shape. Narrower spears warped themselves around the creation before forming a thorny throne at the top of its peak. As the final transformations were completed red lines struck upwards in the black rock from beneath the planet's surface as if the rock was made of molted lava. The ground surrounding the mountain began to turn black with red lines running through the darkness. Soon the whole valley was covered in ebony stone. With a final roar the edifice grew still and silent, but continued to let its scarlet lines glow with power.
Hitomi slowly got to her feet staring at the great structure in awe. It was similar to the dark fortress from so long ago with its twisted spikes striking out in all directions.
"It is grand, isn't it?" hissed Dornkirk with pride, "It is the throne upon which I will sit on the day you will betray your comrades."
The seeress turned towards the man with frown and said in a low voice, "I promise you I will never do such a thing."
He smirked as he glanced away from her to his throne, "Oh, you will and quite easily too if I may say so. They will tell you to take a different path, but you will refuse and go another becoming a traitor."
"Why would I do something like that?" Hitomi asked not believing anything he said.
"Because, oh seeress" he replied with evil intentions dripping in his words, "I will have something you greatly desire… something so important you would do anything to have…"
"I truly doubt you could have anything I want, Dornkirk" she responded coolly.
"Oh, I will…" he said in a distinctively low voice, "I will have it and you will weep to have what I hold. You will go against yourself looking for another alternative, but you are faced with only one choice and thus you weaken. Before long you will come to me begging for what I have turning your back on all who you protect and love."
"Liar!" Hitomi shouted forgetting to remain in control of her emotions, "You lie just as well as your sons, Dornkirk! If not, better!"
Chuckling the emperor walked past the seeress towards his throne, "No, seeress, I only speak truth. Even I was surprised to see a vision of you doing it, but I have overcome the shock and know what must be done."
Hitomi stared at him not knowing what to think. The whole idea of her betraying her friends and family seemed highly improbable, but could it really be possible? Unable to come up with her own answer the seeress stood tall and said, "We'll see what happens, Dornkirk. When I have found the last guardian we will face each other here and then Gaea's fate will be settled."
"No, my seeress" Dornkirk muttered, "Gaea's fate has already been settled…"
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
Hitomi rose from her spot on the bed coming into a sitting position that caused the blankets to shift. The covers began to slip down her nude form, but the seeress quickly caught the blankets before they could show off her bareness. Her face flushed pink as she realized her inappropriate attire. Looking around in a rush Hitomi spotted Van's knapsack on the other side of the bed. Her face grew even redder as she realized the only way she could get to her extra clothes was by running around the bed and digging through it leaving her modesty unchecked.
With no other options to choose from Hitomi quickly scrambled out of bed and dug frantically into the knapsack. As soon as the seeress had escaped from her husband's arms Van automatically reached out for her again before falling back into slumber. Her hands dove into the bottomless holding of the sack searching in blind hope for some of her clothes. As her hands took hold of a bundle the seeress pulled out the attire with a huff. Automatically she recognized it as one of her own outfits and put it on in a rush not even checking it out properly. Before long Hitomi was dressed and sighing happily at her quickness.
Glancing down at her outfit the beautiful maiden gasped. She was wearing chestnut pants with a long sleeved green shirt. Over the forest clothing was another sleeveless emerald green vest. Memory of a prior vision flashed in her mind as she gazed at the foreshadowing attire…
~~~ Flashback of Vision ~~~
As she ran she glanced down at her body and noticed she was no longer heavy in child, but that didn't seem like much since in all her visions she hadn't been pregnant. Presently she wore chestnut pants with dark brown ankle boots. A long sleeve forest green shirt clothed her back only to be covered by another shirt of emerald green that was over her first. It was a rather simple attire for a queen, but at the moment Hitomi was more focused on how it fared. The outfit was nearly ripped to shreds and clung to her body as if it had to for dear life. Blood soaked into the material darken the color of her clothes and its vile stench filled her nostrils. Gashes ran over her pale skin everywhere she looked and she felt very weak and run down as if she had gone through extensive battles before now.
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
The clothing brought a deep feeling of dread in the pit of her stomaching making her sick with fear. Could this mean something?… Would the vision come true like all the others before it?… She hated to assume it would for it shadowed so many disasters of the future.
Suddenly the sound of gurgling filled her ears causing the seeress to glance over her shoulders. Her emeralds glanced at the basket unable to see what it held. Tentatively Hitomi stepped towards the cradle already figuring out what it held. Carefully the mother looked down into the crib with a smile. The small bundle known as her child laughed happily while waving tiny fists at its mother. Hitomi lent her finger to the baby allowing its tiny hand to clasp her slender index finger. Tears began to form in the queen's eyes as she held back the joyful sob. Her daughter… HER daughter… Never before had she ever been graced with a baby brought to the world from her own belly… and now as she looked upon the gift sent from Joutei she wondered how she had been able to live without one of her very own for so long… Just by looking upon her Hitomi knew her life would be blessed from this bundle…
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" came a rich voice from behind making Hitomi start. Swiveling her head around Hitomi smiled at her husband with obvious joy. Van smiled just as warmly before placing a sweet kiss on her brow. The seeress showed off her beauty with a brilliant smile before reaching down into the woven crib and bringing their daughter into her arms. Tenderly Van embraced his wife bringing their daughter with her. Hitomi smiled up into his face overjoyed to be there with him at that moment. Kissing her cheek with a feather touch Van whispered, "You know, we never chose a name."
A laugh like bells filled the air as Hitomi playfully glared at him, "That's because you assumed it was going to be a boy!"
"Well, before the wars boys were known to always be firstborn" he smiled as he extended his fingers to his the small baby who happily sucked on it.
Becoming very serious Hitomi gave a sad smile, "Are you upset it's a girl, Van?"
The young man quickly looked up in surprise, "Of course not, Hitomi. You could have had a son and I wouldn't be happier."
"Good" the seeress said playfully, "Because if you did had a problem I think I would have to hit you in the back of the head to make you a little wiser."
The king chuckled as he brought his wife closer to him, mindful of the precious bundle between them, "Don't you think it's enough that you've slapped me several times before."
A twinkle played in the 'Angel's eyes, "You never did learn to duck."
Van's face twisted in a mischievous smirk as he lowered his mouth to her ear in a low whisper, "Besides, even though we don't have a son we still have a lot of time to bring forth one."
Automatically Hitomi's face flushed pink before she thought of a comeback and she growled in mock annoyance, "Oh please, I just went through hard labor and bore you a beautiful daughter and your already thinking of another!"
Van just laughed as he captured her mouth in an intimate kiss. Hitomi was a little shocked by Van's fierceness, but soon responded just as eagerly. It had been so long since they had been this intimate… the last time had been just before they had discovered Hitomi was pregnant… Slowly her pale fingers twirled in his dark locks crushing his lips against hers… Hungrily he devoured her mouth like a starving animal… However, the moment was shattered as the forgotten infant emptied her lungs with a loud cry voicing the discomfort of being between the two lovers…
Quickly Van and Hitomi separated with the seeress swiftly rocking the babe with a small laugh, "I'm sorry, little angel, for forgetting you were there. Don't worry… I'll never forget again…"
The young king smiled contently as he watched his daughter quiet down and stare up at his wife with her big emerald eyes. Gurgling happily the small creature waved her fists wildly enjoying the attention. Van could not have been happier at that moment. He had dreamed of this day… the day he would have Hitomi forever by his side… the day he would have Hitomi as his queen… the day the two of them would start a family… For nearly three years that had been his only desire… Since when he discovered his love for the beautiful seeress during the 'Great War' his heart had been plagued with that sole obsession… Perhaps his body had its wants and other needs, but it had been that desire that had overpowered the others… Forcing him to see the underlying truth… He was in love with the 'Girl from the Mystic Moon'…
"Van?"
Coming back with a start the distracted man muttered a soft, "Hm?"
Hitomi's bright smile filled his vision as she laughed, "Didn't you hear me?"
Van smiled an apology as he asked, "What?"
Laughing at his distraught the seeress lent a finger to the small infant allowing the tiny hand to curl around her finger. With deep adoration in her emeralds Hitomi said, "I figured out a perfect name for her…"
Coming to stand beside his wife he wrapped an arm around her slim waist, "Like what?"
Hitomi looked up into his rubies her own eyes glittering happily at her cleverness, "Iris…"
Automatically the king caught the connection with the flowery name, "Your grandmother's name…"
Nodding softly the new mother played with her child letting the girl take hold of another finger in her other tiny fist, "Yes, my grandmother was named after Queen Iris. I think it would be perfect to let the name live on… If not in memory of my grandmothers, but in memory of our people…"
Van stared at his wife proudly. She was so brilliant. She never stopped surprising him with her wisdom and strength. Sighing happily the man kissed his wife's temple before whispering in her ear, "Your right… It's a perfect name… Princess Iris Fanel…"
~~~ Fanelia ~~~
'Iris…'
It was a perfect name…
A perfect name for his niece…
Standing in the royal gardens surrounded by the suffocating petals of flowers Mamoru stood gazing at the moon. The youth smiled up at the quiet orb above as he silently cut off his mental connection with his sister. The last couple of days with the appearance of another group of Draconians had showed him something. The feeling that had been there when he had felt the shaft of light coming down before it did with the first group of renegades (after Hitomi's absence) had intensified… It had grown at the time around his disturbing dream nights ago and he had felt it again, fully, when another group of Draconians had arrived in the courtyard.
It had taken him time to figure out what the feeling was. The feeling no longer came and went; it was there constantly, never ending. More frightening he began to see things… not visions or foreshadows,… but he could see through other's eyes… It didn't matter whose… After several encounters with seeing things he began to see a pattern that quickly ensued… Before long he realized what he had… he could see through other's eyes… anyone he chose… It didn't take long for the prince to be able to manipulate the powers he had… He was a smart child and with Hitomi's tips from the past he began to practice… Before long he could enter people's minds and see everything they saw…
But why did he have these powers?… Mamoru could only figure it was what Hitomi had told him about a while back… about that feeling within you… It was the powers born in his blood… his Draconian blood… Like his people before him he had been given a special gift that would ignite in a Draconian around puberty… just like his sister… His sister had been given a rare a precious blessing (though Mamoru did not know of its rarity); Hitomi had been given the gift of her visions… or cruse if you want to call it…
Though both siblings were given these powers naturally Hitomi was different from her brother in a way that no one knew. Hitomi was the first Draconian ever born to have powers that she could not call upon at a whim. Mamoru, like others of their people, could easily turn on and off his powers like a light switch and could direct his powers to see through one person's eyes. Hitomi, at the moment of birth, had her internal switch automatically turned on and became erratic, turning on and off by its own. The poor seeress could neither turn on or off her powers nor direct it to a certain focus, making her powers completely unpredictable… and dangerous... Often Hitomi got to see things no one should have been meant to see, like entire pasts of wars or deaths...
Of course Mamoru knew nothing off this… only that he had a special ability like his sister and was able to use it the way he wanted… It was a dangerous tool in the wrong hands, but being in his mature palms brought not even the glimmer of a shadow…
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Hitomi glanced at the people occupying the large camp as she walked with the 'Forest Guardian' in the late afternoon heat. It had been nearly a week since Princess Iris had been born and for that week there was a constant argument between the traveling angels and cat; Hitomi wanted to leave as soon as possible, but the others knew she was still too weak for travel. Though she had waken with energy after the ordeal her systems were still messed up and wasted of whatever was left of that little energy she had. They all knew it was best to wait, to Hitomi's dismay. Feeling the aching in her limbs didn't help her argument though so finally the seeress gave in.
Everyday Hitomi was watched by her friends: Van, Sian, or Merle. Noi regularly checked on Hitomi for signs of any problems, but had yet to find one. Nembus and Zaado weren't ones for showing concern and often kept from the tent Hitomi and Van occupied leaving them to their privacy. The two males were more concern with the future traveling they would have and presently were with Van to possibly buy a few Yuis for travel in the next days. Merle right then was watching over Iris as Hitomi got some exercise by a small walk. It was just too hot to take the infant out in that heat anyway.
When Van and Hitomi had announced the name of the child there was much rejoicing especially amongst the guardians. The three warriors greatly approved of the name seeing that it was customary that royalty be named after their ancestors and that they had all been fond of Queen Iris (Princess Rachelle's mother).
The queen glanced at the group of people again and gave a tiny frown. Where were the Draconians and the fourth guardian?… For a while Hitomi had begun to suspect these people as those hiding Draconians for some odd reason, but had finally concluded they weren't Draconians… They just didn't feel like Draconians… So then where were they???… Hitomi and the others surely didn't have he time to go searching all of the dunes of Dosha!
None of the desert folk gave any information. Most of them just said there were only rumors of desert angels living out here in Dosha and had also mentioned the Draconians in the sands often disappeared like ghosts with the tracks being lost by constant sandstorms… With no roads or easily seen markers in the dunes it made looking for the Draconians nearly impossible… Sighing the seeress felt her heart sink. How were they going to complete their mission if they couldn't find one of the guardians?…
Hitomi shook off the uncomforting thought and glanced at the desert people again. A few glanced at the two foreign women, but only that. Most seemed uninterested or trying their hardest not to seem interested. Eyeing the folk critically the seeress asked the guardian beside her, "Is it just me or is their something odd about these people?"
Sian gave a short glance at the desert folk before replying, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know…" Hitomi muttered in thought, "There's something about them… that I can't put my finger on…"
Nearby a young girl, no more than five rotations, smiled at the pair before racing after a small creature. Hitomi nearly stopped in mid-step as she watched the young child leave. Gold eyes… She had gold eyes… Glancing at a nearby old woman Hitomi stared at the lady's eyes… Gold eyes also… Turning to another person she met the same thing… gold eyes… gold eyes… gold eyes… Everyone had gold eyes…
"Gold eyes" Hitomi gasped quietly, "Everyone here has gold eyes!"
The brunette warrior just gave a small laugh, more like a chuckle, "You didn't notice, Hitomi?"
"No" the seeress answered as she turned to the guard in confusion, "Should I have?"
Laughing again the angel soldier said, "Well it just that all desert folk have gold eyes."
Hitomi frowned at this and asked like she were a school child that did not believe her teacher, "They do?"
The seeress quickly remembered the day they had met Noi and Varia…
~~~ Memory ~~~
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."
~~~ End of Memory ~~~
"Yes" Sian replied with a playful smile, "It has something to do with the chemicals found in the food they eat called spice. It looks like some kind of root or herb and has a very tangy taste. It's one of the few foods found in the desert and grows in mass quantities out in the dunes. The chemicals go into the blood stream and once they hit the area around the front of the skull the chemicals react with the fluids found inside our eyes causing the eye color to turn a brilliant gold. Of course you must consume a bit of the spice to cause your eye color to change. I've heard if you only eat a small amount the color change is only temporary and can easily disappear after some time if you stop consuming the root. However, if you eat it for a long amount of time, say a few years, the color change becomes permanent."
Glancing back at a few nearby desert folk Hitomi said, "So these people must eat it often."
"Yes" the forest warrior commented, "It is their main source of nourishment and they cook it many ways or so I've heard."
As they continued to walk Hitomi turned to the woman beside her and asked simply, "Where did you learn all this from?"
Sian glanced at her queen a moment before returning her sight ahead of her to say, "When I use to be a royal guard for Queen Iris. Nazomi often spoke of the desert. She used to live there before she became a guard."
Quickly Sian dropped the story living the past of her fellow guardian hidden. Hitomi's brow furrowed at the drop off, but didn't comment on it. Instead she tried another approach; letting her voice grow lower the seeress asked bluntly, "Sian, I must say I know little of your past or the other guardians' history."
Automatically the warrior stiffened, but continued her walk, silent. Again Hitomi tried, not willing to give up.
"There something special about each of you" the seeress asked quietly not allowing her eyes to leave the sight of the guardian, "Isn't there?"
Sian sighed heavily stopping their trek a few feet outside the camp where they could have a bit of privacy, "I cannot truly speak of those times, Hitomi, but I will tell you we will tell you soon our stories."
"Why to keep them from us?" Hitomi asked with hidden annoyance. Information was being held from her again!
The silver-eyed maiden looked at her mistress and said quietly, "No one has told us to keep the information from you or the others, but it is our personal choices that have kept us from speaking. I know very little of the other's pasts, including Nembus's, but I know each of us went through something we never wish to go through again."
Innocently the seeress asked lowly, "What do you mean, Sian?"
The guardian frowned as she ran a hand through her dark locks, "I mean that our histories are plagued with memories we don't like to remember or else we would speak openly of them."
Staring straight into the emerald queen's eyes the guardian said, "I promise you, Hitomi, soon we will tell you of our pasts, but for now be content with what you know."
The seeress could tell Sian didn't want to speak about it from the evident passion in her words. Something had happened to the guardians that had caused them to be chosen guards. Hitomi wondered what had happen to these warriors to cause her ancient grandmother, Queen Iris, to pick them as her chosen soldiers.
Nodding in understanding the seeress allowed the topic to drop and let the guardian relax. The silver jewels of the angel warrior glittered their thanks as Sian smiled at the seeress, however the smile soon left as the guard caught sight of something behind the young queen. Turning around Hitomi saw what was the problem.
Standing behind one of the tents in their own private conversation stood Varia and Noi. The two women were glaring at each other with their identical golden eyes gleaming. Though Hitomi and Sian were out of earshot range they could tell by the women's moving lips they were speaking quite harshly to one another.
Hitomi wasn't really surprised at the sight of the suppose good friends arguing. For the last few days she had seen the two privately arguing several times. Mostly it seemed Noi was upset with Varia and was constantly giving her glares. After the birth of Iris Varia had begun to change dramatically. At first she had been kind and caring, but now her heart had hardened… and just in a few short days… Hitomi had first noticed this when she spotted Varia lurking behind the tents one day as Hitomi took her daily walk for exercise. The desert leader was eyeing the seeress and Merle (who had joined her that day) with venom in her golden jewels, as if the leader's perception had changed about the group. Varia slowly became isolated from Hitomi and the rest of group plus her own desert folk. As time progressed Hitomi noticed Noi was becoming agitated with the leader and noticed concern in the desert maiden's eyes. The whole change of attitude bewildered the seeress.
'Something's going on' Hitomi thought as she eyed the two desert maidens. Never before had the two been in such a heated argument. Noi was throwing up her arms in frustration as she shouted at her leader. Varia's arms were crossed with a plain scowl set on her face. Suddenly the healer shouted something in the leader's face causing Varia to say something and storm off. Noi glared at the retreating form of her best friend before growling a silent curse beneath her breath.
Hitomi automatically went to the ruffled woman wanting to help like she always did, Sian quietly followed. Noi quickly noticed their approach and did her best to beat down the anger in her. Crossing her arms across her chest the woman tried not to sound harsh as she asked, "Can I help you?"
"I was going to ask you that" Hitomi replied sincerely, "Are you okay, Noi?"
The healer fidgeted as she glanced in the direction Varia had left. Turning back around Noi retorted, "I'm just aggravated with her decision."
"Decision?" Sian asked quite curious, "What decision is that?"
Noi's face grew grim with rage as she hissed, "She refuses to pack camp and leave the area."
"Leave?!" Hitomi asked in surprise, "Why do we need to leave?!"
The healer sighed lightly, "I might as well tell you. We haven't spoken this to our group so it best you keep this amongst yourselves. We don't want anyone to panic."
"Panic?" the seeress was becoming a little edgy with the doctor's talk.
"Yes" Noi replied tiredly, "I went on a scouting trip two days ago and found signs of sandworms."
"Sandworms?" Sian asked confused. The guardian had heard Nazomi talking about the creatures before, but forgot a lot about the beasts.
"Sandworms" the healer began, "are giant worm-like creatures about three times the size of a guymelef. They have dozens of rows of teeth the size of a dragon's head. Their skin is like armor with spikes that stick out from between their scales. Those spikes help propel them through the sand letting them travel at extraordinary speed. They are extremely dangerous and are to be avoided at all costs."
"If they're in the area and so large how come we haven't seen them go by?" Hitomi asked confused.
"Sandworms move through the ground," Noi answered as she stared at the horizon of sand, "They can travel through dirt, but sand is easier to travel through. Besides the sand though soft as it is makes a lot of noise in their ears."
Turning back to the two foreigners the healer continued, "You see the sandworms have no eyes and rely on hearing alone to catch their meals. Mostly they just fight each other from opposite hordes and eat their enemies' flesh, but they pick us off first because we're easy targets and our flesh is a delicacy to them."
"Sounds like you have a lot of trouble with them" Sian commented off hand.
Noi nodded, "Some times, but we've learn to chart their migrations and easily avoid most of them. Plus they rarely take on small groups seeing we are barely a mouth full to them, but being such a large group as we are we surely will attract attention of any sandworms nearby."
"How do you know there are sandworms in the area, Noi?" Hitomi asked grimly not liking the idea of those creatures around. Those worms surely didn't sound like the creatures from the Mystic Moon!
The healer again glanced at the horizon disgusted, "I found some of the sand over those dunes in the west in a disarray like an attack had occurred. I check out the area around it and found a chunk of scale buried beneath the sand; it was from a sandworm… I don't understand why they have changed their migration. Usually sandworms don't come around here until another moon or two. Something is attracting them… possibly our large number…"
Silence fell on the three as the thought of the giant monsters attacking the pleasant camp. It would be a disaster, which was easy to be certain about. Possibly no one would escape. Sian angrily asked, "Why won't Varia call for the camp to move then if these creatures are so dangerous?!"
Noi shook her head, "I don't know. She refuses to say and has constantly avoided the subject. She seems to be more interested with you folk."
"Us?" Hitomi and Sian said simultaneously, "What do you mean us?"
The healer lifted her hands in mock defeat, "I don't know why you, but I've seen her watching your group all the time in the shadows for some reason."
The guardian and seeress glanced at each other in confusion. What was going on?
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Dornkirk stood in the mist of the black and red earth enjoying his decorations of the enchanted land. Time was growing close… Although the seeress did not know it… They had barely begun the journey and already they had discovered two of the guardians. Though four remained they would quickly be discovered Dornkirk knew. For now he waited, allowing the powers of Akuma to merge with his own soul, like the powers of Joutei had merged with the seeress.
"Soon seeress…" the man muttered darkly as his minions stood nearby, "Soon seeress we will finally meet for the third time of our lives and then we will part again like twice before,… but this time… I will be the one left to be victor…"
~~~ Desert Tent ~~~
Hitomi checked on Iris as she slept in her tiny crib peacefully. The young seeress rubbed a hand unconsciously over -- surprisingly -- flat stomach. It had shocked Hitomi to see her stomach so flat, but she had learned from Noi that the herb she had eaten during her labor had caused her system to do this to her body… to bring her back to her normal state at a rapid rate,… It was just one of the side effects of the mystic food.
Tiredly the seeress turned the page of the 'Book of Angels,' her fingers jumping over the parchment fearfully. Hitomi was still nervous about holding the enchanted book, but was determined to discover something in its writings. Slowly Hitomi's emerald eyes ran over the pages reading the ancient writing furiously for some form of hidden meaning, but finding none…
There had to be something in here that could help…
Turning a page Hitomi eyes fell on something mysterious. In a beautiful array of art there stood two dragons of beautiful color. One was dark ebony while the other the opposite color, pearl. Both were large, but the darker one was a little bigger in size. The strange thing about it was the dragons' wings were made of black and white feathers…
The seeress thought back to the 'Sacrifice' when Dryden had brought out his scrolls and they had discovered a very similar picture…
~~~ Memory ~~~
The group watched as Dryden began searching through the scrolls. After several moments, Dryden started to become very annoyed at not being able to find what he wanted. As he grabbed one of the few remaining scrolls left he smiled at the emblem on its handles, an angel.
He turned to his friends and held up the scroll, "I found it. It's the scroll of prophecy." At his words everyone immediately gathered around the man. He carefully laid the scroll open on the table. There were dozens of different passages, all prophecies from the Draconian's culture. Beautiful drawings were sketched all over the parchment as illustration to go with the passage. Hitomi stared at a passage' drawings. An angel and a dragon flying together, a white dragon with white angel wings, and a black dragon with black angel wings. Something about the drawing interest Hitomi. They seemed very logical to her in some way, "but how?" she wondered.
~~~ End of Memory ~~~
Glancing at the passage opposite of the page in the 'Book of Angels' the seeress read the words carefully…
"There will be a day when a dragon and an angel will join in union. From their union the angel will bear forth a new creature. A creature of both angel and dragon will be born into the world. She will bear two sons. After several years the dragon will die. The first son will fall to the hand of evil and a shadow will come over him. Thereafter, the angel will die leaving the second son to reign. For the love of his brother the first will shake off the darkness, but die hence after. Again the second will be alone and reign over the Kingdom of Dragons."
Hitomi frowned at the words lost. The words didn't make since, but they were the exact words that had been written on Dryden's scroll…
What did this mean?… Both of the parchments had been the Draconians' writings, but why did they have both of them filled with this story?…
'Strange…' Hitomi thought quietly as she turned the pages again looking for something else to interest her. It didn't take long for the seeress to find the passage Sian had read days ago. Carefully the young angel queen read it again looking for some sort of clue…
"Time will stretch for a rotation in peace over the world of dreams. After a time of slumber the globe will be shaken in an uproar as the eight shadows from the depths of the past will wrench themselves from the bellows of the underworld. Claws of death will try to squeeze the life from the world and take all the essence they can envelop. Oh, 'Angel of Gaea' your time has come to once again give us your aid. Thy 'Ring of Guardians' is your sworn league of protectors. Call to them! Take your people to the haven you have created! Powers envelop you! You face the ultimate terror! Mortality is the terror you face, oh 'Angel' and even now it towers over you! A babe for power! The ground beneath you is harsh and black as a single feather of identical hue falls to the earth announcing death and also proclaiming the time of the 'Rebirth' when life will fall either to darkness or to light for a thousand rotations. Blood already marks the earth and more will fall before the result appears."
The whole thing just sounded like a jumble of words to Hitomi. There was meaning in the riddle she knew, but to her it was still just a disarray of letters put together. Sighing heavily the seeress closed the book not even noticing Van walking into the tent. With her back turned to him Hitomi didn't even realize he was walking to her. With a playful grin the young king walked up behind her and placed his hands delicately over her eyes. Hitomi grinned at the game and innocently asked as if she didn't already know who it was, "Who is it?"
Smiling Van brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, "A man that loves you more than he can ever express… the father of your child…"
Smirking evilly the seeress said, "You know you shouldn't be here, Van, might find out about us."
Shaking his unruly locks Van removed his hands and chuckled, "Nice try, Hitomi."
Still playing along the seeress gasped dramatically, "Oh, Van! I thought you were someone else!"
Laughing Van brought his lips to hers in a tender kiss that was meant to be just a small peck, but ended up to be a few seconds longer. Hitomi smiled contently as she got up from her seat and walked over to their bed. Van smiled mischievously as he followed her. Just as she was about to step into the fixture of pillows and blankets the young king took hold of her shoulders stopping her.
"Wait" he whispered softly in her ear, "Don't go to bed just yet…"
"Van" Hitomi reminded, "I'm still tired from everything going on. I really need some--"
"Shh…" he quieted her as he tenderly took her in his arms letting his hands rub up and down her exposed pale limbs, "Hitomi, I've missed being with you for so long… we've finally got a moment to rest from our duties at home and the mission, and still we've had barely any time to ourselves… Please…"
Energy suddenly engulfed the seeress as she spun around in his arms missing him as much as he had missed her. Finally they were able to hold each other once again with no large stomach forcing them apart. They finally were able to hold each other like before… It felt so good…
"I've missed you, too" she whispered with a small smile, "It's hard not being without you…"
Kissing her cheek he whispered, "I guess you understand how my heart aches… when you leave a room… How it skips a beat… when you return… How it cries sorrow… when you're sick or hurt…"
Laughing lightly Hitomi replied quietly, "You have no idea…"
Hitomi sighed happily in his arms looking up into his sparkling rubies with her gleaming emeralds. Smiling softly Hitomi lifted her face to his meeting him halfway in a passionate kiss. They missed being alone with each other so badly… Quickly they lost themselves as her hands wounded around his neck and his came to hold her waist. It felt so good to forget the troubles of the day and lose themselves in the moment of love they shared… It just felt good to be together…
Pulling away suddenly Van grinned mischievously catching Hitomi's attention automatically. What was he planning?
Tenderly he nuzzled her neck as he whispered, "Didn't we talk about bringing forth a son?…"
Pink coloration flush the seeress cheeks as she growled playfully, "Why you--"
It was too late. His lips caught hers again cutting off her pretend retort. Slowly they fell down onto the bed never losing the kiss…
~~~ Desert Camp ~~~
Most of the tents were dark, their occupants already lost in their sleep. Only a few were lithe with lamps for the few who were still awake. Only a group of Yuis stood out in the sand around the tents. The moon was high in the starry vastness glowing silently for a figure lurking within the shadows. Carefully the form walked to a nearby tent with the stealth of a leopard. Just as quietly the figure pulled back the tent's canvas glancing in on the occupants. Inside were Sian, Merle, and Noi all sleeping peacefully. Satisfied that they were well under the figure replaced the doorway and continued on, coming to a halt at the next tent's entrance. Again the canvas was pulled back this time to reveal the two male guardians, both deep in slumber. There was a small moment of hesitation at the tent before the figure replaced the canvas again.
Finally the being found its destination: the tent holding the king and queen. Grinning in the shadows the figure pulled back the canvas about an inch open before checking on the occupants. Through the darkness the intruder spotted the couple wrapped in each other's bodies fast asleep. Without a sound the figure ducked into the tent and quietly replaced the canvas so as not to arouse suspension if someone should happen to pass the tent. Quietly the figure stepped towards the royal couple her feet going directly in front of the other in perfect stillness. The sand beneath her feet barely stirred as she made her way to the seeress and White Dragon.
Finally after what seemed like years the intruder made it to the side of the bed. The figure's face was hidden in the darkness, but the intruder could see the couple's faces perfectly from a ray of moonlight sneaking through part of the canvas. Hitomi sighed in her sleep and rolled over coming to lay on her back, Van's arms still tightly wrapped around her. The figure smiled as she slowly reached beneath her clothes to grasp the handle of a dagger. It wasn't long before the silver blade could be seen in the moonlight, glaring down at its target…
Hoarsely the figure whispered, "Sleep for eternity, 'Seeress of the Mystic Moon!"
And the dagger came down…
~ Yep, another evil, heart wrenching, cold sweat, torturous, rage ripping, heart stopping cliffhanger. Sorry, about that! But you know me! I LOVE CLIFFHANGERS!~
~ What's going to happen now? Can't anyone stop the intruder before they kill Hitomi?! Who is the intruder?! Find out in chapter 16: "Whose Who?" ~
~Next chapter should be up next Thurs.or Fri.~