~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or it's characters!~
~Sorry, guys for taking so long, but I just moved into my dorm room and things have been hectic so I've had little time to type. I hope to finish this story soon so I can pay more attention to my upcoming studies. Anyway here's the chapter you been waiting for and I hope you enjoy! Remember to review after!~
~Also, thank you for the recent reviews! *sheds a tear* I feel loved again!~
The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 27 ~ Darkest Hour
~~~ Dusty Plain ~~~
The world seemed to tense as the warriors felt the power radiating off of the planet. Cracks swept through the earth pounding through the rough soil. Each of the fighters knew what was happening, but they wish desperately that it wasn't. Nembus stumbled and collided with Sian knocking them both to the ground. Van clutched his daughter as Folken and Merle hung on to the king. Shakaku and Escaflowne roared at the shock waves angered with their presence. Dust and soil shifted knocking Nazomi onto her rear as Tsuno took to the air with Zaado avoiding the earthquake altogether. As the two angels rose into the sky they both took note of the sensation singing in their blood. Neither needed to speak to know what was happening…
As quickly as the rumble started it stopped letting everyone relax quickly. The guardians quietly got to their feet staring off into different directions. Silently the two male elders drifted to the ground next to their female counterpart. Shakaku snarled dragon like with her eyes slightly glowing. Next to the scarlet female her mate had his wings strained with his blood sizzling. Sian blushed slightly as she realized she and the wind warrior were in a sort of intimate position and roughly pushed Nembus off of her as the others came to surround their king. Blushing slightly the braided fighter made her way to her king's side.
The world was quiet and the gentle breeze swept through the people announcing the end of the quakes. The sky brightened slightly feeling refresh from the sudden pressure of the land. Zaado glanced towards one of the horizons asking, "Was that the end of it?"
Shakaku ruffled her wings, as she angrily hissed, "No, the power is still here. That was only the beginning!"
A silence fell on them as they stared off into the distance…
The forest maiden scowled as she felt her anger swell. The idea of her queen dying flashed in her head. Silver eyes glinted darkly as a past darkness shadowed her eyes. Remembrances of the years of darkness she once had clung to her skin wrapping her into the evil veil. The depths of the dark abyss she once knew rushed on her threatening to swallow her into its rage. She had seen people murdered before her eyes countless times… most of those bloody incidents though had come from her own hand. The intensity of those moments when she had slain her enemy was nothing compared to what she was feeling right now. Her mind bent at the thought of her dear friend, Hitomi, dying.
Sian snapped out of the dark bellows seconds before she submitted to the shadows of her past. She could not allow herself to fall into that realm of darkness again… especially not now… She was leader… She had to be strong…
Sian brought out her bow in a tight fist catching the attention of her companions. If she was going to use her anger let it not be in cold blood, but in defense. The group of warriors stared at the lead fighter seeing determination mixed with tears. Pale fingers clenched the gold and silver bow as the maiden growled; "We have already wasted too much time with our mourning. Lady Hitomi needs us and as her guardians we must fly to her."
The brunette warrior turned to the royal family and advisor, "Now, Lord Van, I want you, Princess Iris, and Lady Merle to return to Fanelia where it will be safe."
Tenderly the king gave the infant to the cat-girl and stared firmly into the guardian's silver eyes, "No…"
Sian flinched at his negative response, but got no chance to speak as Van continued, "I want Iris and Merle to be sent to Fanelia, but I'm going with all of you."
"You can't be serious" interjected Tsuno, "You will be defenseless against the demons."
Van's rubies built with fires as he whispered firmly, "I don't care. I won't abandon Hitomi."
A quick uproar of disapproval came from the other warriors going over how royals should not be involved in battle. Van and Sian ignored them as they stared at each other. The forest maiden understood the king's dilemma. He wanted to help the person he loved most. He didn't care if he had to fight with bare fists; he was going to help no matter what. Sian understood that feeling… to sacrifice yourself for the one you love… she knew that feeling far too well…
"Alright" the maiden whispered to everyone's shock, "You can come, Van."
The guardians stared at their leader in awe while Sian moved to Shakaku saying, "I need you to send Merle and Princess Iris to Fanelia."
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Hitomi felt her world of consciousness slipping away. Her body was constantly wracked with pressure and torturous pain. Her eyes remained closed as she endured every second of the destruction on her nerves. Fire singed her veins and unseen thunder pounded in her ears. Electricity danced in her organs and her flesh seemed to curl. Her soul was becoming so small in her senses as she drained of every ounce of power.
Yet… that torture that was flung onto her body was small compared to the emotionally war going on her heart… She knew she had to do this… She had been graced with that amount of knowledge,… but she wished that her love ones would not have to suffer… She was the true guardian of this world and should not need her love ones to suffer in her stead…
She would die for this world if she had to… she knew that… If she had to she would die for her friends… she knew that… She would die for her family; if she had to… she knew that, too… But what locked her in a state of grief and chaos was decided which one was more important… Her people or her family… Driven into the fight of her life the seeress had fought for what many have tried to grasp in knowledge. Now she seemed to have chosen her decision and could not turn back now… She just wish it would be the right way…
~~~ Fanelia ~~~
Mamoru blinked several times bringing the present world he stood in suddenly rushing back to his senses. As the view of the table returned the young bow gasped for breath. It wasn't because of exhaustion that made him in desperate need for oxygen. No, it was the intensity of everything he had seen. His sister was in peril and their friends were headed head first into a hopeless battle. Bringing his hand over his face he expelled a breath of air sighing heavily. What was he to do?…
Absolutely nothing…
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Hitomi grabbed both of her little brother's shoulders and stared hard into his eyes. Sternly she whispered to her younger sibling, "If you are going to watch over Fanelia while I am gone, Mamoru, you must promise me something extremely important."
"Sure, Hito" the boy whispered unsure, "I'll do whatever you ask."
Her pale fingers clutched his shoulders tightly almost to the point of pain making it obvious that she deathly serious. Emeralds were shadowed with foreboding fear as the seeress quietly whispered, "You must never go into battle. Neither you nor Fanelia. It is important you all stay out of the fray."
"Why?" the youth asked fearfully, "What do you know, Hitomi?"
She hung her head as she whispered, "The battle with Dornkirk shall be the worse Gaea has ever seen. Lives are going to fall. I know they will. If you bring Fanelia or yourself in it you shall all most likely perish."
"Hitomi" the boy insisted, but was cut off by his sister's serious tone.
"No, Mamoru!" she whispered firmly, "The ones who will be going into battle will have abilities to fight against these demons. Fanelia citizens have no powers to fight and are at a disadvantage against Dornkirk."
"But I have powers, Hitomi" Mamoru near shouted, "I can help. I am of royal blood like you!"
Smiling softly the seeress brushed aside some of her brother's bangs quietly whispering, "I know, Mamo, but your powers haven't developed yet. You still are not ready for battle."
"What if I become ready while you're away, Hitomi?!" he asked desperately. He didn't want to see his sister go into battle without him. She was the only thing left he had of a family. All their relatives had perished in the Sacrifice. Even when some of them had been brought back to Gaea it was mostly the ones they knew nothing about. In short his family had been his parents along with Hitomi. Now their family had been cut to small number leaving only him and his sibling. He couldn't lose her… It would destroy him…
"What if I learn how to use my powers before the battle, Hitomi?!" he asked again more forceful.
The brunette woman shook her head slowly as she blinked back a few stray tears to say tenderly, "You cannot leave Fanelia, Mamo. This country needs a leader during this crucial time. If you leave, Fanelia will go into chaos. You must stay and rule until Van or I return."
"But Hito" the younger brother nearly whined in his old way.
Tenderly she wrapped her fingers around his head tangling them in his thick chocolate strains. She forced him to look her straight in the eye as she whispered, "You cannot join the battle, Mamoru. Please don't or more will perish! Please I cannot let more lives die… Please, Mamo…"
The boy stared at his sister painfully feeling that he would lose her to this war. With tears leaking he fiercely took her in a bear hug which she gladly returned as he whispered in her ear, "I promise, Hito… I won't go into battle… and neither will Fanelia…"
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
She had asked this of him just before she had left on this journey. It had been hard for him to promise such a tragic vow, but in the end he had relented. Now he was feeling the burden of that promise. He so wished he could go out into the battle to help his sister, but he could feel the chains of his words pulling him back. Poor prince, he could never go against his word when it dealt with his family.
Bringing his hand away from his eyes he saw the rest of the group was also awakening from the vision they had last seen. Each of them glanced at one another unable to believe that all this was happening. Allen glanced at the miniature male version of Hitomi asking politely, "What do we do?"
Yukari quickly rose from her chair with a fiery look as if she was ready to take on an entire army. With her eyes sparking she near shouted, "We go to the Mystic Valley and help of course?"
"Agreed" the blonde king of Freid, declared as he too got up from his seat, "We can take the Crusade."
Mamoru raised a hand silently as he shook his head tiredly, "No. No one shall leave."
Everyone turned to the prince in surprise unable to believe that he didn't want to leave to go save his own sister.
"Why?" Millerina asked bluntly with sorrow in her eyes, "Hitomi needs us."
"And she made me promise not to let anyone leave to go fight" he replied quietly with pain in his voice, "I vowed to not enter the battle and I also to keep everyone else out of it."
"So no one would get hurt…" Celena muttered dramatically with a hint of sadness in her words, "She's going to die isn't she, Mamo…"
The prince closed his eyes weakly as he whispered softly, "I pray she doesn't… I can't bare to lose her, too…"
Suddenly the room filled with an aqua glowed that enveloped the chamber. Everyone started and turned on the shaft of blue that appeared on the far side of the room. Slowly a figure appeared in the mist of the pillar gradually walking out from the center of its glory. There in tears that continued to stream from her face stood Merle with the princess tucked away in her bronze arms…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Dornkirk closed his eyes as he felt the gauge of power flashing in his mind. He could feel how drained the seeress was and knew that she was drawing close to the end of her powers. Every second that he consumed her powers he felt sweet ecstasy. Her essence was like honey, but beyond sweeter. It was warm to the touch and filled empty holes in his wracked form. Her whole bottle of power seemed to never end and yet the emperor could measure exactly how much she had left.
Hitomi felt like she was adrift in a sea of turmoil. Her nerves were just at the point lower than numbness so she could feel every bit of the pain that flared through her. Her pores were throbbing powerfully striking down to the marrow of her bones. Her spine tore backwards and her flesh stretched. Every joint in her framework popped in excruciating measures. Screams tore from her throat hurting the inner walls of her esophagus. Inhaling was an agonizing job as each single intact of oxygen was met with a sharp pain to her lungs. Her ribs seemed to poke at the large organs trying to make her lungs collapse. Blood seared through her veins and she thought at any minute she would burst into flames from the heat. Her fingers creaked like old wood as they weakly struggled against the grasp of her enemy.
Every moment she could feel the draining of her life force. The small energy that remained in the shell of her flesh was quickly being sapped away into the abyss of the Zaibach emperor. On reflect the seeress strained to hold on to the bit of energy she had left struggling to survive. Her mind screamed at her telling her she would most die anyway, but her heart pushed to live. She would not give up without a fight…
However, the voice of her heart grew fainter as the anguish on her physical body became more intense. Her eyes flew open as the pain reached her brain. Her head could feel the penetration of her consciousness and knew soon she would black out. The stabbing torture that rain down on her skull was like no migraine she had ever experienced. It was like a headache that tore apart the brain from the inside out. Steam rolled through her memory and singed the thinking part of her intelligence. Abruptly the world broke apart and shattered driving her into depths of subconscious…
She flew through the whirl of images seeing things in a split second… sort of like the expression her life flashed before her eyes…
She saw her self as a little girl running through the dandelions…
She saw her mother rocking her to sleep…
Her dog racing from her down the stairs…
Coming home from her first day of the fifth grade…
Her father hugging her and saying 'good morning'…
Playing checkers with her younger brother…
Meeting Yukari…
Becoming the best girl on the track team…
Having a crush on Amano…
Her last thought was that of first running into Van… She could see herself plainly running down the track and then colliding into the raven royal. As they both fell she caught a glimpse of what he looked like in the past. His red rubies were vibrant with stubborn demeanor and his ebony locks fell over them constantly. He was lean and too lanky. Skin was a deep tan that showed off his roughness to life. The armor he wore in the scene gleamed with prestige and rank. He was so cute back then…
Then suddenly everything stopped…
Smirking as another wave of delicious energy passed to him he suddenly let go of the woman's cheeks. The scarlet light abruptly faded and the seeress stood now on her own accord. Hitomi's eyes were dull and hazy like glass and her hair seemed to drip with sweat. Her green attire clung to her body from sweat and tears as if she had jumped into a lake with her clothes on. Paler then even the whitest milk and thin like sheets the woman looked incredibly weak.
For only a heartbeat her legs held out allowing her to remain standing, but after she heard the soft thud of her heart her knees buckled. In slow motion she fell to her knees clapping up dust and sparks to swirl around her. The wind turned to a breeze and played with her making her unsteady. Inhaling a small amount of air the woman fell to the side as her eyelids fluttered. With a loud thud the seeress collapsed to the ground breathing hard. It had taken everything she had to just stand up for so long.
Weakly the seeress looked up at the emperor who loomed over her from the corner of her eye. Licking her chap lips the angel queen whispered hoarsely, "Why did you stop?"
The emperor said nothing as he came to kneel beside his captive. His eyes momentarily looked up his cloaked followers nodding at them. Hitomi could not even turn her head as she heard them shuffle, but she was able to see a pair of boots walk out of her line of vision. Coughing a bit the seeress tried to compose herself once more to ask, "Why did you stop?"
His hand went towards her brow and she stiffened as he brushed aside a few strains. His touch felt oddly affectionate and at the same time a threat to her life. Smirking with shadows in his eyes the man quietly whispered, "We are waiting for your friends to arrive."
She stiffened at this and quickly coughed, "No! They are no concern! I am what you want, Dornkirk!"
Grinning the man slowly rose with his clothes rustling, "Maybe so, seeress, but I have much more planned for your death."
Hitomi's emeralds widened with fear for her friends as she asked timidly, "What?"
The emperor stared off at the horizon knowing the group would soon arrive. He had not felt the powers of their approach so he knew they had yet to make their way here. Smirking a toothy grinned that revealed his fangs the man hissed, "When they arrive I shall kill them before your eyes."
Weakly the woman tried to rise. Sadly she could only shuffle a bit with a flop of her tired limbs. Desperately she cried from her spot upon the ground, "Please, leave them alone! I am your concern not them!"
His boots crunched down on the brittle soil as he stepped closer to her body. Her eyes were fatigue and could barely follow his hand as he went for her neck. She tensed as his hand grew ever closer to strangle her and she squeezed her eyes shut. He, however, diverted from her pale throat and brushed back her collar. Her mind screamed out as she thought he might rape her, but her fears were quickly silenced as she felt his fingers curl around the red pendant. With a sharp tug the fragile chain of the stone broke and fell into his palm.
Standing the man opened his hand and looked down at the precious stone. The blood drop gleamed with powers hidden within. The seeress fumbled to rest on her elbows and looked up at the ruler. His eyes of blood fell on the woman as he smirked. She stared up at him feeling a shadow pass over her. Something about the way he was looking at her sent a chill down her spine.
The man slowly began to speak as if he had a long story to tale… a tale that sent Hitomi into another idea of her present situation…
~~~ Dusty Plain ~~~
Sian stood at the head of the group with her bow ready as Van stood directly next to her with his sword gleaming in the setting sun. Behind them were the five other Draconians each with their weapons gleaming, save Folken who had yet to show what his weapon was. Just behind them stood the dragon couple with their weapons loosely held in their hands. The wind swept around them swirling the dust at their ankles and fluttered their clothes. Strains of hair flowed with the gentle breeze in a beautiful array as the red woman of scales stepped forward. Passing the other guardians Shakaku came to stand directly beside Sian on the opposite side of the king.
Without looking at the dragon's direction the forest maiden commanded, "Do it, Shakaku."
Closing her eyes the red guardian whispered, "As you command."
In seconds the whole group had disappeared from the dusty plain possibly never to be seen again in that land…
~~~ Fanelia ~~~
Mamoru leaned back into his large chair disappearing into the corner of his mind. Softly he whispered, "Is there nothing I can do?"
Drifting deeper into the blackness of thought something sprung into his soul… a warm glow…
~~~ Vision ~~~
"Awake, young one" came the rich voice, "You're time has come."
Mamoru twirled around, "Who's that?"
The young ruler gasped as he saw a figure of glowing gold standing before him. Warmth radiated from the being, as he stood tall with a smile. Mamoru stared at him in wonder never before seeing someone like this. Sparks of gold twirled around the man prince as he took in the glorious display. Mamoru suddenly felt his knees go weak as he realized who stood before him. Blinking back a few tears the prince whispered joyously, "Joutei…"
"My child" the mighty being spoke, "It is time that your destiny in this war be fulfilled."
Mamoru chocked his head slightly, "My destiny?"
"Yes, young one" the immortal proclaimed, "You have a special gift, which I have bestowed upon you. It is needed in this war."
The prince was unable to tear away his eyes from the great being, "You mean my gift to see through the eyes of others."
"Yes, but you have more than that" Joutei spoke broadly, "you have also the ability to let other people see what you see through people's eyes. That gift shall help my children of angels tremendously."
"Children of angels?" the royal inquired, "You mean the Draconians?"
"The Draconians have spent centuries hidden away exiled by their own greed and haughtiness of power" Joutei spoke softly with a twinge of sorrow for his children, "After their long years of suffering during the Persecution they finally cried out for forgiveness. I forgave them for they are my children, but their sorrow would not end so quickly. As punishment they were forced to hide away for centuries waiting for the day when they could return into the opening with peace."
"Now their time has come to fully take peace" lifting a golden hand to stretch out and point in Mamoru's direction Joutei spoke proudly, "You, my child, will bring forth such with your gift."
"My gift…" the prince whispers not understanding.
The gold hand curls into a fist creating several large sparks to streak from the fingers, "It is with this gift that Gaea shall see the Draconians in their dire hour and see the true hearts of the angels. Let all of Gaea see through the eyes of the Angel."
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
Mamoru let out a shuddered breath as he found himself back in the large council chamber. His hands wiped down his face as he felt the beads of flesh grasp his fingertips. Thunder pounded in his eardrums as he listened to his heart throbbing. The young prince gulped in the heavy air swallowing what little oxygen he could gain.
Glancing at the rest of the group he noticed how they were all staring at him in concern. He must have looked like he had been in trance like his sister usually did when a vision struck her.
No matter…
He shouldn't be mulling over things as such when he now had a way of helping his dear sister… He needed to do as Joutei had commanded. He had to show all of Gaea what was happening… so the Draconians would no longer live in fear…
Mamoru closed his eyes making everyone around the table suddenly tense up from his strange behavior. The young prince had no idea what he was doing, but he could feel the warmth of Joutei guiding him. He knew he had to release his powers on the world. Flowing powers disperse from his hands and slowly edged throughout the castle in a whirl. The strains of energy were invisible to the eye, but it the blackness of his mind Mamoru watched his powers travel.
~~~ Gaea ~~~
The invisible mist swirled through the castle corridors enveloping the inner realm held inside the gray rock to become stolen into its powers. All who came into contact with the unseen strains of mist were soon frozen as their eyesight was taken over. In a heartbeat they soon began to see all that Mamoru allowed them to witness… the battlefield…
As time progress so did the mist. As all halls and chambers became filled with the mist, the powers of our prince began to stretch. No obstacle could barricade the invisible powers and soon the mist rolled out of the castle overtaking every small corner with its being. The invisible strains swelled mysteriously and ran off into all directions taking down all the rest of the Gaeans.
In a few seconds all of Fanelia was covered…
In a few minutes the entire central hemisphere was covered…
In ten minutes half of Gaea was taken…
It took only a half hour for the entire globe to be taken…
And then came chaos…
Would you not panic when you thought you where in one place only to be wrenched away and suddenly seeing a battle out of nowhere? Let just say that's just scrapping off the surface. Several people nearly went into strokes or heart attacks because of the abrupt change. Fortunately Joutei was prepared and kept those people from serious harm.
As all of Gaea went into a worldwide panic Joutei sent down a wave of understanding relaxing their souls as the battle unfold… so all could see… and understand… what was happening that day…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
His fist locked around the pendant as he began, "Before your friends arrive, seeress, I want to tell you a story."
Coughing loudly the Angel chuckled weakly; "Sorry, but I don't like fairy tales anymore."
Dornkirk's jaw locked with anger as he growled, "This is not something you should laugh at. For it concerns you."
Hitomi became quite with her eyes locked on the man looming above her. What did he mean by that?…
His eyes grew distant as he spoke in a low mysterious tone, "Many centuries ago just about two decades before the Persecution Queen Iris gave birth to a small baby girl, Princess Rachelle."
"Wonderful story" the seeress hoarsely chuckled, "Never heard such a surprising ending."
Abruptly after her words were spoken the emperor grabbed hold of her throat cutting off her oxygen she so badly needed. Automatically her lips began to turn blue for she was already lacking her intake of air.
~~~ Between Dimensions ~~~
Sian felt the world rush by in a flurry of colors, which could never be deciphered, into certain shades. The wind was everywhere in a chaos of currents beating them from all sides. There was a heat that burned their skin, but it was just below the point of actually physical damage. It was an odd sensation to say the least…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
"At the time this happened" the emperor whispered turning his back to the fallen female and letting go of her throat, "There was another royal hoping to achieve the throne. He was the brother of Queen Iris, your distant uncle."
"My uncle?" Hitomi whispered hoarsely not really talking to the dark emperor, but more to herself.
Dornkirk slightly nodded as he continued quietly, "Yes, your uncle. He was the only other living heir to the throne and was the twin of Iris. In that point of time it was more often for a boy to take the throne of any nation, but it was shock to dozens of countries as the first set of twins were ever born to the throne in centuries. Let me inform you that it caused a bit of commotion in the Draconian Kingdom, however most of Gaea never knew of this situation because the Draconians were prone to keep to themselves because they thought themselves superior to all other creatures."
The rays of the sun barely penetrated the dark sky as the setting of the golden orb began to take place. Dornkirk seemed not to have noticed this for he continued without loosing the rhythm of his words, "When the twins were born it had to be decided who should take the throne after the present King and Queen should die. There was a split of opinions in the country leaving the decision up to the royal family. It was decided that because the daughter had been the first to emerge from the mother's womb that she would take the throne though it was very rare for a female to become first heir."
Turning slightly to check for the approaching forces the man glanced at the horizon before continuing, "As the twin grew older the boy of the two became very bitter towards his sister. He desired the throne with a passion and hated his sister for taking away his goal. Years went by and the two grew older and finally the day came when the two rulers before the children finally died out. The throne became empty and soon Iris became the new queen already with a husband at her side. This only made the prince more infuriated to see his sibling in the place where he should be."
His eyes grew dark with fury, "The twin brother spent several years hoping that his sister would die and even went to the extreme of sending assassins to kill them both, but his plans never succeeded. In a short while after her inheritance of the throne Princess Rachelle was born. In a state of fury the twin brother went to his sister in private and demanded the throne or she would lose both her husband and her daughter."
Depths of inner emotions began to play in the man's words…
"Iris was not scared of her brother" he whispered darkly, "She had long since anticipated this and was ready for this day to come. Before anything could be done she took the pendant of our people and stole his powers on the spot knowing no good would come from him. He was shocked by her boldness to do something like this and was unable to stop her until she had taken a large amount of his powers. Desperately he escaped and fled the kingdom knowing that her guards would soon seek him out.
"Several years went by and gradually the man created a plan. He began to go to each country all of Gaea and told all who had hearing how the Draconians had become powerful and were proclaiming themselves gods. In a matter of months all of Gaea was in a panic fear. Driven by their paranoia the citizens of multiply countries began to demand that their rulers do something to keep the Draconians under control.
"As all this was occurring the once-prince had gone to the country of Zaibach, the leading military factor back then, and had persuaded the king there that he could be n excellent advisor since he knew everything about the Draconians. Never did the ruler know that his most trusted advisor was the same creature he was fighting against."
Dornkirk's face suddenly became hidden as the sun fully set leaving only the red sparks flying about from the glowing lava at their feet to illuminate the land, "Soon several nations had come together along with Zaibach to wipe out the entire Draconian race to ensure that they would not become more powerful than them and destroy all of Gaea. Most of the countries involved in the war were humans with a scant percentage of the others being random species of sorts."
"Humans are so gullible and paranoid" the emperor chuckled darkly…
~~~ Between Dimensions ~~~
Van felt like he was falling in tumble with no way of telling what direction was up or down. His senses were jumble and disoriented making him unable to decipher even the smallest thing. His veins burned with fire and his eyes throbbed. Somehow he felt as if the experience would not last much longer though…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Hitomi breathed hard as she tried to remain conscious. She knew she was no longer in danger of such a situation, but if she wasn't careful she might actually black out. Quietly she continued to listen still feeling some dark dread inch into her heart as Dornkirk hiss, "A day came when the Zaibach ruler was killed in battle. With no heir to the throne a will left the Draconian prince as the next successor. In a short time the whole country of Zaibach was thrown into the bloodlust of the prince charging the Draconians at full force with dozens of countries backing them up."
Slowly the man turned around facing the seeress with darkness plaguing his back. In a low voice of sinister hisses the emperor whispered, "You know the rest of the war's history."
Hitomi blinked twice before whispering the question that had been on the tip of her tongue throughout his story telling, "What was the prince's name?…"
Smirking in the illumination of scarlet sparks the Zaibach warrior snarled, "Issac…"
Her emeralds snapped wide as she gasped, "YOU!"
~~~ Between Dimensions ~~~
There was a brilliant flash of light that swallowed up the traveling warriors only to toss them into the dimension they had sought for…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
The black group brought their arms over their eyes as a white light stronger than the sun's powerful rays hit their pupils. Dornkirk and Hitomi didn't have their eyes directed at the illumination so they barely flinch at the blow. As the light faded it left a small crowd of fighters with heated eyes.
The demons and angels stood on either side with the dragon couple as the back ups for the Draconians. The wind flew strong as Hitomi weakly turned her head from her enemy to see her guardians and husband standing fifty yards away from the four demons. Her emeralds slowly counted off the two sides and noticed quickly that her followers outnumbered the demons by two to one.
Sian caught sight of her fallen queen instantly. Seeing her mistress broken on the ground sent the warrior in a sudden rage. With a loud warrior cry the woman charged straight for the four lower demons with her bow ready. Hitomi stiffened as she saw the demons ready energy comets and desperately tried to call out to her dear friend. Unfortunately, because she was still weak from her ordeal her cry came out in a small croak.
"Sian!" the seeress hoarsely whispered, "Look out!"
So blinded by her anger was the forest maiden that she went against her training and flew head on at her enemies though knowing the great danger. Purplish orbs flew out at the woman and crashed into her tone form. Her cry was loud bringing the other warriors of her league to sound their own warrior cries. In a pounding thunder the two sides rush each other and the battle began…
Hitomi clumsily rose onto her elbows and faced the battle scene. She watched as the guardians paired off going at individual demons while Sian and Van bolted towards her and Dornkirk with Folken close behind. Unfortunately for the three the fourth demon stood before them blocking their path to them. The seeress felt her heart throb with guilt as she saw the people fight. She so painfully wished her friends and family did not have to get involve.
Weakly the Angel turned to look at the Zaibach emperor and begged, "Please, stop this! You don't need them!"
Dornkirk quickly snapped around and hissed darkly, "Do not command me, seeress!"
His fist suddenly grew tighter on the pendant as he lifted it before his face. Hitomi watched him warily continue to put pressure on the pendant and was going to ask him to stop when she felt her heart suddenly ache. Her hand grasped her shirt material that laid just over the organ and desperately tightened her hold on it, as the anguish grew worse. Her eyes squeezed shut and new sweat bore on her face. Dornkirk chuckle lowly as he let his grip falter on the precious stone. The moment his grip slacked Hitomi's heart eased. Gasping for air the seeress stared down at the ground.
Her emeralds slowly crawled up the man's black form before resting on his face that was pulled into a wicked grin. Hoarsely she whispered, "What did you do?"
Tenderly the man twirled the stone between his fingers letting the chain of the necklace twist and untwist from his palm. His reddish brown eyes gazed at the blood drop fondly saying, "Strange, isn't it?… This little stone is the key to everything."
"What do you mean?" Hitomi asked confused, "The stone is nothing more than a tool for our people. It is no better than a sword on the battlefield."
Dornkirk's eyes gleamed with secret knowledge as he whispered mysteriously, "You are wrong."
~~~ Nazomi & Zaado ~~~
The blonde warrior flew hard through the air in a dive bringing her shockren into her right hand. Whipping the weapon like a frisbee the shockren raced true aiming directly at the blonde demon known as Kaosu. The cloaked fighter grinned just before knocking the sharp item away. The blow threw the weapon off course and made it embed into the earth. Nazomi growled as she continued downwards bringing her golden emblem to shine on her brow. Her hair fluttered over her brow violently as she finished her descent. Her fist came down towards the demon's chin, but he expertly ducked and brought his own fist into her abs. She soared over his shoulder flipping once and then crashed into the ground on her back gasping for air. Clutching her stomach she coughed violently.
Turning slowly the demon produced his ebony sword while smirking, "Never let your defenses down."
Snapping her eyes open the woman glared at her opponent still sprawled down on the earth. Baring her teeth she snarled frustrated as he strode towards her.
Suddenly Zaado landed between the two and swung his mighty ax at the demon. Kaosu hissed at the swipe and jumped back narrowly missing the attack. The demon brought his sword back and placed his other palm into the air gathering dark energy. In a wail a black orb flew straight at the giant sending a dark hue over the area they stood. The Ice Guardian quickly brought his blade to deflect the orb just as the two met and clasped thunder.
~~~ Dragon Couple ~~~
Shakaku lithe her whip into a twirl of red flames and swiped it at Dilandau. The dragonslayer sidestepped and brought his blade up catching the very end of her weapon. Her long whip twirled around the dark sword tangling making the demon man smirk.
"Sorry" Dilandau mocked, "But I am a part of fire. Your flames do not frighten me."
The woman narrowed her golden eyes on the man as his arm shifted. Seconds later he threw back his sword making the whole whip come straight into his direction. Shakaku was pulled along with it, but she had anticipated this and had pushed off moments before she would have been launched at the man. Dilandau's smirk widened as he cried, "I am a dragonslayer! Fitting that my title should be that for I shall slay you, dragon!"
"I doubt that!" the red female cried as she flipped with her whip trailing in a spiral. The whole act was awing and distracting. Perfect for the woman to send her heel into the man's face without him having a chance to dodge! Crashing hard into the dirt Dilandau groaned. Landing nimbly back on her feet the woman flicked her wrist bringing her whip back to her side as Dilandau rose back onto his feet. His hand grimly wiped away the blood that dripped from his cut lip.
His eyes gleamed murder as he hissed, "You shall pay for that!"
Dilandau was about to charge the female when something from behind pulled him back. Angrily the demon turned around snarling at the white figure. Escaflowne growled dangerously as his eyes narrowed, "Don't touch my mate!"
With little effort the legend tossed the man over his hip and slammed him into the ground. Dilandau was quick though and heaved both of his palms at the ground and struck the dragon hard in the chin with his feet.
~~~ Tsuno & Nembus ~~~
The two guardians crossed in front of each other as they rushed Kusari at full speed. The demon man smirked just as they thrust their weapons forward. In an impressive flip with a half twist the man jumped over them and swung his sword back around. Nembus was already in mid-spin when he did this and was able to bring his own sword to block the demon's. Suddenly occupied with holding the Wind Guardian's sword from cutting into him Kusari was unable to block the end of Tsuno's staff from hitting him in the ribs.
Huffing at the strike the demon stumbled back into a standing position glaring at his two opponents. Howling a cry the cloaked man brought both of his palms' heels together and gathered his power in the center. Thinking they could stop him before he unleashed his attack the two guardians rushed him, but too late…
With a triumphant yell the blast soared from the demon's palms hitting both men square in the chest!
~~~ Van, Sian, & Folken ~~~
Van's sword came down furiously as he tried to get past the demon. Unfortunately the being knocked the blade away causing the young king to stagger back. In a rage Sian rushed past her companion and swung her bow in a flurry of swipes… each of which the demon blocked expertly. The brunette woman yelled her cry as she brought down her blade in a strong blow. The unknown demon smirked as he dodged the blow altogether making Sian lose her footing as she followed through with the attack. With perfect timing the stranger brought his elbow into the back of the green guardian's head. Sian groaned as her face met dirt. Luckily the woman wasn't knocked out and was able to pull herself from her landing when her opponent's heel came down towards her spine. Swiftly the female launched herself off the ground flipping in a double twist over the fighter's head.
The demon turned to see both leaders come stand shoulder to shoulder with the other cloaked individual just behind them. Sian and Van tensed as they saw the figure flex his legs. Growling Van readied his sword. The poor dragon king glanced over at his wife seeing her clutch her chest painfully making his jaw lock. He had to get to her, but this blasted demon was keeping him away. His rubies seared with anger as his fists tightened… only to soon relax when he felt his brother's hand on his shoulder.
Van looked over his shoulder and noticed a determine look in his brother's eyes. Quietly the king whispered, "Folken?"
The older sibling didn't even look at his brother as he whispered both to Van and Sian, "When you get a chance make for Hitomi as fast as you can."
"We can't" snorted the forest maiden, "We continue to be block by this demon!"
"Keep your eyes searching for an opening" Folken commented coolly still watching their opponent, "One will come I promise."
Van glanced towards the demon before turning back to his brother, "What about you?"
Folken glanced sidelong at his sibling before quietly whispering, "Don't worry. Just get to your wife, Van. I'll clear the way for as long as possible. Do not slack or we will lose any chance we have."
Sian looked over at the two royals and whispered sternly, "Are you sure you can handle this demon? I feel I might be the better candidate to fight him."
Both men looked at her oddly as Van asked, "Why's that?"
The green woman brought her eyes back on their opponent and whispered, "His fighting style is somewhat familiar."
"So?" Folken commented bluntly, "I know his fighting as well. It is called Necedah."
"No, no!" she whispered harshly, "I don't mean his technique. I mean his personal style. I've seen it somewhere before, but I don't remember where."
Turning back Folken whispered firmly, "Go, Sian. Don't worry. As leader you should protect Van because you're the best fighter here."
Sian gave him a long side glance before sighing, "I guess you're right, but I don't like this. Something… is off… about all this…"
"Agreed" Folken whispered lowly before getting into his fighting position. His eyes narrowed dangerously on the figure before them as he quickly shouted, "NOW!"
~~~ Hitomi & Dornkirk ~~~
The emperor smirked darkly as he saw the guardians were unable to reach their fallen queen. His eyes showed victory as he turned back to the seeress the pendant still in his possession. Hitomi tried again to push off the ground, but she fell weakly to her belly gasping for air. Her energy was being stretched to its very limits for her to even stay conscious. She shouldn't be pushing herself at the moment.
Dornkirk sneered as he grabbed a fistful of her hair and came down to one knee. Her emeralds squeeze shut from the pain he caused and she winced desperately as he brought her face closer to him. He shook her as he brought the red drop to her face and growled, "This is more than just a sword on a battlefield, seeress. It holds every strain of power our people have ever held before our gifts were stolen from us."
Hitomi said nothing as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at the stone. Dornkirk growled lowly as he continued, "This holds everything that our people have ever held in their blood and hold powers that once dwelt within individual Draconians. In short, seeress, you have every gift our people have ever possessed…"
Her emeralds slowly grew wide as Hitomi realized the true depths of his words. He snarled as he whispered, "You had the speed of the Forest Guardian. You had the control of the air currents of the Wind Guardian. You had the illusions of the Sand Guardian and so much more."
"Why do you say 'had'?" Hitomi commented weakly.
"Because" Dornkirk commented with amusement, "you are too weak to call upon any of these skills right now and never will because soon I shall kill you. Besides a good amount of your energy has leaked into my soul."
Hitomi snarled as she fought to escape his painful hold, but she was far too weak to even hope such. Even her hands could not reach up to his locked fist encircling her hair. His eyes glowed red as he whispered darkly, "Do have no idea why you are suffering so?"
The seeress growled angrily in frustration at her weakness and snapped, "Only because of you!"
Dornkirk chuckled quietly before whispering, "In a strange way, seeress, you could never be more on target."
She narrowed her eyes as she choked, "What do you mean?"
"This" the emperor proclaimed as he once again shoved the pendant in her face, "is the source of your suffering!"
"What?" the Angel replied hoarsely, "What are you saying?"
"Years ago" the man whispered darkly, "when I was known as Prince Issac I went to an oracle and asked of my future. She said I was to never take the throne of my people, but still had a chance at controlling Gaea. There was a small factor though that caused part of the future unable to be read. She said something important would happen in the distant future that could cause drastic consequences. It was this that would either bring forth my rise into power or my downfall… She did, however, express that someone from the royal line of Draconians would determine my fate. That royal would either destroy me or die trying."
Dornkirk growled slightly as he snarled wildly, "I decided I had to act fast. I had only a small chance. I took my most trusted sorceresses and decided to place a curse on the pendant kept by the royal family. Through hard work and beating out information from different oracles I was able to craft a spell that would outdo any known curse. I one day took the pendant from my sister and brought it to my men. Careful they embedded a curse that would only activate when the person who determined my future would use it. It was decided my executioner would one day be someone of the royal line so they would fall to claim the ancient stone probably in the future. I knew sooner or later this person would use the pendant and when they did the curse would resonate."
His fingers held the stone lightly as it twirled in his possession, "You see, the curse would cause the stone and person to merge. And so has it begun with you, seeress… You decide my fate today…"
"So" the seeress coughed, "Your curse has seemed to backfire. The merge has only made me more powerful, Dornkirk."
"No" he commented sharply, "You don't understand. Yes, the two of you merged together, but it was not the stone that merged with you. You merged with the stone."
Hitomi tried to look the man better in the face, but resorted to just ask because of her weakness, "What are you talking about?"
His hand cupped the pendant as he placed it before her face, "There are two different kinds of known merges in this world. One is when two beings combine to create a new single being. Usually it morphs the two persons or items into a completely different creation with both mental attributes of the past two. It is sort of like a crude fusion. It is very favorable and doubles powers by ten folds. However, the second merge is extremely different and far more dire. The second merge is when one being envelops another. It is similar to when a person eats a piece of fruit. When that person takes in that fruit they gather the energy that fruit produces and gain more from it while remaining like they are. They take the powers, but do not lose themselves in the other. Two beings can merge together, but when they fuse one will remain as if the other was never there."
His eyes locked with the seeress as he hissed, "Have you not wondered why your powers have been draining?"
Hitomi stared expressionless at him as she whispered quietly, "I have been merging into the pendant… not with it…"
His thumb twirled the small jewel in his palm as he proclaimed, "Yes… Since the Sacrifice you have been slowly merging into the stone. It had been extremely slow at first, but after several uses of it lately the curse has awaken at full strength and has been sapping your life force."
The stone fell from his hand and hung limp from his fingers. The reflection in the eye of the blood drop shone and played before the angel's eyes. She could see her face in the scarlet gleam and knew what he said was true. She could feel the power swirling in the cage of the red stone droning with her own life force.
~~~ Vision ~~~
Her eyes blinked as she saw herself standing within the red… She could see herself pounding against the walls of the red chamber desperate to escape. She fought until her knuckles bled and her energy gave out. In seconds she collapsed letting the pendant claim the rest of her…
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
~~~ Folken, Sian, & Van ~~~
The Spirit Guardian plowed forward with his hands swaying at either side. His eyes glowed momentarily as the emblem of the angels began to swell on his brow in silver. He shook back the cloak to reveal his two gaudlents. His bands began to glow strangely as he called upon his weapon. In a silver flow a sort of light came from one of the slits on the gaudlents. The strip of color grew long and sleek that slowly curved as it protruded farther from its base. A point formed at the tip of the silver light and narrowed as the formation continue to lengthen. Suddenly the silver glowed stopped its growth and flashed once. Left behind was an incredible blade protruding from either of Folken's wristbands that curved just past his hands. It was like a curved sword with a wide and thin blade.
Folken leapt into the air with his arms spread so that all could see the impressive blades. The demon below scowled at the show and tensed up. As the two began to grow closer to each other the stranger picked up his sword. Folken shouted as he turned his left hand so the palm of it faced him and brought the sharp edge of his blade at the sword. The two weapons locked for a few mere seconds as Folken swung his other blade at the demon. The stranger was surprisingly limber as he bent over backwards so he stood with his back perfectly parallel with the ground.
Never did the two see the other two fighters racing past them. Sian and Van flung their feet against the dark earth struggling to get by the demon while he was distracted. The two leaders flew by with their eyes set on the pair ahead. Dornkirk turned around sharply causing his cloak to swirl darkly about his body. Van growled as he saw how weak his wife was. This man would pay for all the hurt he had caused.
The thought could not be played through though it seemed… Behind them the demon had pinned Folken to the ground with little effort. The poor royal groaned as he felt the bruises in his ribs. Leaning over him with a foot on either side the demon stood glaring down at his prey. His eyes glowed red as the stranger turned to stare after the two escapees. A smirk crawled its way over the scaly face of the demon as he hissed to himself, "You won't get away that easily."
Folken tried to stop the stranger before he could leave him, but the demon was already running after the two leaders and gaining fast. Leaping high into the air neither Van nor Sian noticed the danger behind them. The demon's two palms glowed black as he gathered a duo of swirling orbs. Howling as they were released the comets flew straight at our heroes slamming hard into their backs. The leaders cried out at the searing pain and crashed into the ground still a good twenty yards away from their goal.
Hitomi gasped as she saw her love ones injured, "No, Sian… Van…"
His fangs became visible as the dark emperor smirked, "Watch, seeress… Already your Ring of Guardians has begun to fall. Soon all will suffer and you will follow…"
Slowly her emerald eyes gazed over the battlefield watching her companions fall in slow motion. Tsuno slide into the ground as his trident slipped from his fingers. Nembus soon followed as his blade clattered to the ground mere moments before the guardian collapsed next to it. Escaflowne caught Shakaku as she stumbled back falling into his arms, but the white dragon was too badly hurt and was unable to stop their descent into the ground. Nazomi was faced down on the ground with Zaado inches away with his ax's blade embedded nearby in the harsh black earth.
Hitomi watched in anguish as she saw the final three people she loved most also fall. Folken charged the demon from behind hoping to catch his unguarded back, but this unknown demon somehow caught wind of the approaching attack and swiftly turned around with a comet ready. The demon plunged the orb hard at the royal's chest. The poor guardian howled in anguish as the comet seared through his clothes and smashed into his chest knocking him backwards. With a loud rumble the royal tumbled into the cracked ground stirring up the dust before coming to a halt and stopping limp.
Van weakly rose to his feet rushing the demon's back now yelling, "Brother!"
His cry tipped off the demon, sadly, and with an easy twist the stranger tossed another orb at the other sibling. The king never got a chance at revenge as he flew head over heels and became still. Sian angrily got to her feet, a little unsteady. Her hair that now was falling out of its braid was a mess as her glowing silver jewels glared at the demon. In a hoarse, but yet demanding tone the maiden shouted, "Who are you?!"
The demon smirked darkly as if something about her question made him greatly amused. His clawed hand slowly ran over his face before clutching the black rim of his hood. With dramatically slowness the obstacle fell down revealing the face of someone that caused Sian to pale with shock. Even Hitomi who laid on the ground gasped in horror as she saw someone she did not expect.
There standing a few feet away from the forest warrior was a young woman. Her skin was pale and covered in ebony patches of scales, but behind those dragon flecks one could easily see the flawless formation of flesh. Her eyes were of emeralds no less greener than the richest grass and sparkled like pure diamonds in the sunlight. Her hair fell down her back and disappeared into the inner sanctum of her cloak, but it nearly matched the material perfectly for it was a silky chocolate. She was beautiful, yet dark…
Sian's fingers relaxed and her bow slipped from her hand as her face grew another shade of white. Stepping back once the warrior felt her whole body go numb. Quietly the woman whispered, "No, it can't be…"
Hitomi stared wide-eyed at the woman unable to speak. With tears twinkling in her eyes Sian voice grew louder as she shouted in anguish, "NO! IT CAN'T BE!"
The stranger turned slightly to the maiden of the forest with the darkest smirk one had ever saw and whispered, "But it is true…"
Dramatically the demon queen brought her palm up and formed a small current of black energy. Sian was still in shock with her silver eyes distant unable to see anything, but the figure before her. In seconds a dark beam flung from the demon female's palm flying straight at the maiden of the forest. The glow of darkness surged forward washing over the pale fighter's face, as her eyes were distant and hurt. In the fraction of a second that came before the connection of the black energy with herself Sian numbly whispered, "But how?…"
The impact with the blast was thunderous and Hitomi's eyes grew wide as she saw the results in slow motion. Sian was flying backwards with her head hung back and her feet trailing behind her. In the aftereffects of white light she floated. Her hair was nearly completely undone from her braid and was tearing apart at the splits. Her clothes were incinerating in mid air and barely covering a part of the woman's modesty. Her eyes were closed shut and her mouth was open in a small cry of silence. Blood streaked her black and blue skin while more cuts were formed all over her flesh.
With a deafening crash the guardian slid through the dirt and stopped several feet away from the fallen Fanelian King. The dust swirled over the two figures that laid unconscious as Hitomi stared at them in tears. Slowly the seeress gazed lifted to hang on the woman in disbelief. Weakly the seeress whispered, "Queen Iris…"
~Well??? What did you think? Did you think the last demon would be her?! Probably not. What a good twist, huh?~
~Anyway, what's going on? Why is Queen Iris there and on the dark side??? And what about Hitomi's life force being sucked into the pendant by her ancient uncle, Dornkirk??? Woah, things are getting worse and worse for the group as all of Judgment and Gaea watch this battle. Things turn rougher as the battle plays out in chapter 28: Truth. Coming soon (hopefully)!~
~Sorry, guys for taking so long, but I just moved into my dorm room and things have been hectic so I've had little time to type. I hope to finish this story soon so I can pay more attention to my upcoming studies. Anyway here's the chapter you been waiting for and I hope you enjoy! Remember to review after!~
~Also, thank you for the recent reviews! *sheds a tear* I feel loved again!~
The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel_Wings
Chapter 27 ~ Darkest Hour
~~~ Dusty Plain ~~~
The world seemed to tense as the warriors felt the power radiating off of the planet. Cracks swept through the earth pounding through the rough soil. Each of the fighters knew what was happening, but they wish desperately that it wasn't. Nembus stumbled and collided with Sian knocking them both to the ground. Van clutched his daughter as Folken and Merle hung on to the king. Shakaku and Escaflowne roared at the shock waves angered with their presence. Dust and soil shifted knocking Nazomi onto her rear as Tsuno took to the air with Zaado avoiding the earthquake altogether. As the two angels rose into the sky they both took note of the sensation singing in their blood. Neither needed to speak to know what was happening…
As quickly as the rumble started it stopped letting everyone relax quickly. The guardians quietly got to their feet staring off into different directions. Silently the two male elders drifted to the ground next to their female counterpart. Shakaku snarled dragon like with her eyes slightly glowing. Next to the scarlet female her mate had his wings strained with his blood sizzling. Sian blushed slightly as she realized she and the wind warrior were in a sort of intimate position and roughly pushed Nembus off of her as the others came to surround their king. Blushing slightly the braided fighter made her way to her king's side.
The world was quiet and the gentle breeze swept through the people announcing the end of the quakes. The sky brightened slightly feeling refresh from the sudden pressure of the land. Zaado glanced towards one of the horizons asking, "Was that the end of it?"
Shakaku ruffled her wings, as she angrily hissed, "No, the power is still here. That was only the beginning!"
A silence fell on them as they stared off into the distance…
The forest maiden scowled as she felt her anger swell. The idea of her queen dying flashed in her head. Silver eyes glinted darkly as a past darkness shadowed her eyes. Remembrances of the years of darkness she once had clung to her skin wrapping her into the evil veil. The depths of the dark abyss she once knew rushed on her threatening to swallow her into its rage. She had seen people murdered before her eyes countless times… most of those bloody incidents though had come from her own hand. The intensity of those moments when she had slain her enemy was nothing compared to what she was feeling right now. Her mind bent at the thought of her dear friend, Hitomi, dying.
Sian snapped out of the dark bellows seconds before she submitted to the shadows of her past. She could not allow herself to fall into that realm of darkness again… especially not now… She was leader… She had to be strong…
Sian brought out her bow in a tight fist catching the attention of her companions. If she was going to use her anger let it not be in cold blood, but in defense. The group of warriors stared at the lead fighter seeing determination mixed with tears. Pale fingers clenched the gold and silver bow as the maiden growled; "We have already wasted too much time with our mourning. Lady Hitomi needs us and as her guardians we must fly to her."
The brunette warrior turned to the royal family and advisor, "Now, Lord Van, I want you, Princess Iris, and Lady Merle to return to Fanelia where it will be safe."
Tenderly the king gave the infant to the cat-girl and stared firmly into the guardian's silver eyes, "No…"
Sian flinched at his negative response, but got no chance to speak as Van continued, "I want Iris and Merle to be sent to Fanelia, but I'm going with all of you."
"You can't be serious" interjected Tsuno, "You will be defenseless against the demons."
Van's rubies built with fires as he whispered firmly, "I don't care. I won't abandon Hitomi."
A quick uproar of disapproval came from the other warriors going over how royals should not be involved in battle. Van and Sian ignored them as they stared at each other. The forest maiden understood the king's dilemma. He wanted to help the person he loved most. He didn't care if he had to fight with bare fists; he was going to help no matter what. Sian understood that feeling… to sacrifice yourself for the one you love… she knew that feeling far too well…
"Alright" the maiden whispered to everyone's shock, "You can come, Van."
The guardians stared at their leader in awe while Sian moved to Shakaku saying, "I need you to send Merle and Princess Iris to Fanelia."
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Hitomi felt her world of consciousness slipping away. Her body was constantly wracked with pressure and torturous pain. Her eyes remained closed as she endured every second of the destruction on her nerves. Fire singed her veins and unseen thunder pounded in her ears. Electricity danced in her organs and her flesh seemed to curl. Her soul was becoming so small in her senses as she drained of every ounce of power.
Yet… that torture that was flung onto her body was small compared to the emotionally war going on her heart… She knew she had to do this… She had been graced with that amount of knowledge,… but she wished that her love ones would not have to suffer… She was the true guardian of this world and should not need her love ones to suffer in her stead…
She would die for this world if she had to… she knew that… If she had to she would die for her friends… she knew that… She would die for her family; if she had to… she knew that, too… But what locked her in a state of grief and chaos was decided which one was more important… Her people or her family… Driven into the fight of her life the seeress had fought for what many have tried to grasp in knowledge. Now she seemed to have chosen her decision and could not turn back now… She just wish it would be the right way…
~~~ Fanelia ~~~
Mamoru blinked several times bringing the present world he stood in suddenly rushing back to his senses. As the view of the table returned the young bow gasped for breath. It wasn't because of exhaustion that made him in desperate need for oxygen. No, it was the intensity of everything he had seen. His sister was in peril and their friends were headed head first into a hopeless battle. Bringing his hand over his face he expelled a breath of air sighing heavily. What was he to do?…
Absolutely nothing…
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Hitomi grabbed both of her little brother's shoulders and stared hard into his eyes. Sternly she whispered to her younger sibling, "If you are going to watch over Fanelia while I am gone, Mamoru, you must promise me something extremely important."
"Sure, Hito" the boy whispered unsure, "I'll do whatever you ask."
Her pale fingers clutched his shoulders tightly almost to the point of pain making it obvious that she deathly serious. Emeralds were shadowed with foreboding fear as the seeress quietly whispered, "You must never go into battle. Neither you nor Fanelia. It is important you all stay out of the fray."
"Why?" the youth asked fearfully, "What do you know, Hitomi?"
She hung her head as she whispered, "The battle with Dornkirk shall be the worse Gaea has ever seen. Lives are going to fall. I know they will. If you bring Fanelia or yourself in it you shall all most likely perish."
"Hitomi" the boy insisted, but was cut off by his sister's serious tone.
"No, Mamoru!" she whispered firmly, "The ones who will be going into battle will have abilities to fight against these demons. Fanelia citizens have no powers to fight and are at a disadvantage against Dornkirk."
"But I have powers, Hitomi" Mamoru near shouted, "I can help. I am of royal blood like you!"
Smiling softly the seeress brushed aside some of her brother's bangs quietly whispering, "I know, Mamo, but your powers haven't developed yet. You still are not ready for battle."
"What if I become ready while you're away, Hitomi?!" he asked desperately. He didn't want to see his sister go into battle without him. She was the only thing left he had of a family. All their relatives had perished in the Sacrifice. Even when some of them had been brought back to Gaea it was mostly the ones they knew nothing about. In short his family had been his parents along with Hitomi. Now their family had been cut to small number leaving only him and his sibling. He couldn't lose her… It would destroy him…
"What if I learn how to use my powers before the battle, Hitomi?!" he asked again more forceful.
The brunette woman shook her head slowly as she blinked back a few stray tears to say tenderly, "You cannot leave Fanelia, Mamo. This country needs a leader during this crucial time. If you leave, Fanelia will go into chaos. You must stay and rule until Van or I return."
"But Hito" the younger brother nearly whined in his old way.
Tenderly she wrapped her fingers around his head tangling them in his thick chocolate strains. She forced him to look her straight in the eye as she whispered, "You cannot join the battle, Mamoru. Please don't or more will perish! Please I cannot let more lives die… Please, Mamo…"
The boy stared at his sister painfully feeling that he would lose her to this war. With tears leaking he fiercely took her in a bear hug which she gladly returned as he whispered in her ear, "I promise, Hito… I won't go into battle… and neither will Fanelia…"
~~~ End of Flashback ~~~
She had asked this of him just before she had left on this journey. It had been hard for him to promise such a tragic vow, but in the end he had relented. Now he was feeling the burden of that promise. He so wished he could go out into the battle to help his sister, but he could feel the chains of his words pulling him back. Poor prince, he could never go against his word when it dealt with his family.
Bringing his hand away from his eyes he saw the rest of the group was also awakening from the vision they had last seen. Each of them glanced at one another unable to believe that all this was happening. Allen glanced at the miniature male version of Hitomi asking politely, "What do we do?"
Yukari quickly rose from her chair with a fiery look as if she was ready to take on an entire army. With her eyes sparking she near shouted, "We go to the Mystic Valley and help of course?"
"Agreed" the blonde king of Freid, declared as he too got up from his seat, "We can take the Crusade."
Mamoru raised a hand silently as he shook his head tiredly, "No. No one shall leave."
Everyone turned to the prince in surprise unable to believe that he didn't want to leave to go save his own sister.
"Why?" Millerina asked bluntly with sorrow in her eyes, "Hitomi needs us."
"And she made me promise not to let anyone leave to go fight" he replied quietly with pain in his voice, "I vowed to not enter the battle and I also to keep everyone else out of it."
"So no one would get hurt…" Celena muttered dramatically with a hint of sadness in her words, "She's going to die isn't she, Mamo…"
The prince closed his eyes weakly as he whispered softly, "I pray she doesn't… I can't bare to lose her, too…"
Suddenly the room filled with an aqua glowed that enveloped the chamber. Everyone started and turned on the shaft of blue that appeared on the far side of the room. Slowly a figure appeared in the mist of the pillar gradually walking out from the center of its glory. There in tears that continued to stream from her face stood Merle with the princess tucked away in her bronze arms…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Dornkirk closed his eyes as he felt the gauge of power flashing in his mind. He could feel how drained the seeress was and knew that she was drawing close to the end of her powers. Every second that he consumed her powers he felt sweet ecstasy. Her essence was like honey, but beyond sweeter. It was warm to the touch and filled empty holes in his wracked form. Her whole bottle of power seemed to never end and yet the emperor could measure exactly how much she had left.
Hitomi felt like she was adrift in a sea of turmoil. Her nerves were just at the point lower than numbness so she could feel every bit of the pain that flared through her. Her pores were throbbing powerfully striking down to the marrow of her bones. Her spine tore backwards and her flesh stretched. Every joint in her framework popped in excruciating measures. Screams tore from her throat hurting the inner walls of her esophagus. Inhaling was an agonizing job as each single intact of oxygen was met with a sharp pain to her lungs. Her ribs seemed to poke at the large organs trying to make her lungs collapse. Blood seared through her veins and she thought at any minute she would burst into flames from the heat. Her fingers creaked like old wood as they weakly struggled against the grasp of her enemy.
Every moment she could feel the draining of her life force. The small energy that remained in the shell of her flesh was quickly being sapped away into the abyss of the Zaibach emperor. On reflect the seeress strained to hold on to the bit of energy she had left struggling to survive. Her mind screamed at her telling her she would most die anyway, but her heart pushed to live. She would not give up without a fight…
However, the voice of her heart grew fainter as the anguish on her physical body became more intense. Her eyes flew open as the pain reached her brain. Her head could feel the penetration of her consciousness and knew soon she would black out. The stabbing torture that rain down on her skull was like no migraine she had ever experienced. It was like a headache that tore apart the brain from the inside out. Steam rolled through her memory and singed the thinking part of her intelligence. Abruptly the world broke apart and shattered driving her into depths of subconscious…
She flew through the whirl of images seeing things in a split second… sort of like the expression her life flashed before her eyes…
She saw her self as a little girl running through the dandelions…
She saw her mother rocking her to sleep…
Her dog racing from her down the stairs…
Coming home from her first day of the fifth grade…
Her father hugging her and saying 'good morning'…
Playing checkers with her younger brother…
Meeting Yukari…
Becoming the best girl on the track team…
Having a crush on Amano…
Her last thought was that of first running into Van… She could see herself plainly running down the track and then colliding into the raven royal. As they both fell she caught a glimpse of what he looked like in the past. His red rubies were vibrant with stubborn demeanor and his ebony locks fell over them constantly. He was lean and too lanky. Skin was a deep tan that showed off his roughness to life. The armor he wore in the scene gleamed with prestige and rank. He was so cute back then…
Then suddenly everything stopped…
Smirking as another wave of delicious energy passed to him he suddenly let go of the woman's cheeks. The scarlet light abruptly faded and the seeress stood now on her own accord. Hitomi's eyes were dull and hazy like glass and her hair seemed to drip with sweat. Her green attire clung to her body from sweat and tears as if she had jumped into a lake with her clothes on. Paler then even the whitest milk and thin like sheets the woman looked incredibly weak.
For only a heartbeat her legs held out allowing her to remain standing, but after she heard the soft thud of her heart her knees buckled. In slow motion she fell to her knees clapping up dust and sparks to swirl around her. The wind turned to a breeze and played with her making her unsteady. Inhaling a small amount of air the woman fell to the side as her eyelids fluttered. With a loud thud the seeress collapsed to the ground breathing hard. It had taken everything she had to just stand up for so long.
Weakly the seeress looked up at the emperor who loomed over her from the corner of her eye. Licking her chap lips the angel queen whispered hoarsely, "Why did you stop?"
The emperor said nothing as he came to kneel beside his captive. His eyes momentarily looked up his cloaked followers nodding at them. Hitomi could not even turn her head as she heard them shuffle, but she was able to see a pair of boots walk out of her line of vision. Coughing a bit the seeress tried to compose herself once more to ask, "Why did you stop?"
His hand went towards her brow and she stiffened as he brushed aside a few strains. His touch felt oddly affectionate and at the same time a threat to her life. Smirking with shadows in his eyes the man quietly whispered, "We are waiting for your friends to arrive."
She stiffened at this and quickly coughed, "No! They are no concern! I am what you want, Dornkirk!"
Grinning the man slowly rose with his clothes rustling, "Maybe so, seeress, but I have much more planned for your death."
Hitomi's emeralds widened with fear for her friends as she asked timidly, "What?"
The emperor stared off at the horizon knowing the group would soon arrive. He had not felt the powers of their approach so he knew they had yet to make their way here. Smirking a toothy grinned that revealed his fangs the man hissed, "When they arrive I shall kill them before your eyes."
Weakly the woman tried to rise. Sadly she could only shuffle a bit with a flop of her tired limbs. Desperately she cried from her spot upon the ground, "Please, leave them alone! I am your concern not them!"
His boots crunched down on the brittle soil as he stepped closer to her body. Her eyes were fatigue and could barely follow his hand as he went for her neck. She tensed as his hand grew ever closer to strangle her and she squeezed her eyes shut. He, however, diverted from her pale throat and brushed back her collar. Her mind screamed out as she thought he might rape her, but her fears were quickly silenced as she felt his fingers curl around the red pendant. With a sharp tug the fragile chain of the stone broke and fell into his palm.
Standing the man opened his hand and looked down at the precious stone. The blood drop gleamed with powers hidden within. The seeress fumbled to rest on her elbows and looked up at the ruler. His eyes of blood fell on the woman as he smirked. She stared up at him feeling a shadow pass over her. Something about the way he was looking at her sent a chill down her spine.
The man slowly began to speak as if he had a long story to tale… a tale that sent Hitomi into another idea of her present situation…
~~~ Dusty Plain ~~~
Sian stood at the head of the group with her bow ready as Van stood directly next to her with his sword gleaming in the setting sun. Behind them were the five other Draconians each with their weapons gleaming, save Folken who had yet to show what his weapon was. Just behind them stood the dragon couple with their weapons loosely held in their hands. The wind swept around them swirling the dust at their ankles and fluttered their clothes. Strains of hair flowed with the gentle breeze in a beautiful array as the red woman of scales stepped forward. Passing the other guardians Shakaku came to stand directly beside Sian on the opposite side of the king.
Without looking at the dragon's direction the forest maiden commanded, "Do it, Shakaku."
Closing her eyes the red guardian whispered, "As you command."
In seconds the whole group had disappeared from the dusty plain possibly never to be seen again in that land…
~~~ Fanelia ~~~
Mamoru leaned back into his large chair disappearing into the corner of his mind. Softly he whispered, "Is there nothing I can do?"
Drifting deeper into the blackness of thought something sprung into his soul… a warm glow…
~~~ Vision ~~~
"Awake, young one" came the rich voice, "You're time has come."
Mamoru twirled around, "Who's that?"
The young ruler gasped as he saw a figure of glowing gold standing before him. Warmth radiated from the being, as he stood tall with a smile. Mamoru stared at him in wonder never before seeing someone like this. Sparks of gold twirled around the man prince as he took in the glorious display. Mamoru suddenly felt his knees go weak as he realized who stood before him. Blinking back a few tears the prince whispered joyously, "Joutei…"
"My child" the mighty being spoke, "It is time that your destiny in this war be fulfilled."
Mamoru chocked his head slightly, "My destiny?"
"Yes, young one" the immortal proclaimed, "You have a special gift, which I have bestowed upon you. It is needed in this war."
The prince was unable to tear away his eyes from the great being, "You mean my gift to see through the eyes of others."
"Yes, but you have more than that" Joutei spoke broadly, "you have also the ability to let other people see what you see through people's eyes. That gift shall help my children of angels tremendously."
"Children of angels?" the royal inquired, "You mean the Draconians?"
"The Draconians have spent centuries hidden away exiled by their own greed and haughtiness of power" Joutei spoke softly with a twinge of sorrow for his children, "After their long years of suffering during the Persecution they finally cried out for forgiveness. I forgave them for they are my children, but their sorrow would not end so quickly. As punishment they were forced to hide away for centuries waiting for the day when they could return into the opening with peace."
"Now their time has come to fully take peace" lifting a golden hand to stretch out and point in Mamoru's direction Joutei spoke proudly, "You, my child, will bring forth such with your gift."
"My gift…" the prince whispers not understanding.
The gold hand curls into a fist creating several large sparks to streak from the fingers, "It is with this gift that Gaea shall see the Draconians in their dire hour and see the true hearts of the angels. Let all of Gaea see through the eyes of the Angel."
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
Mamoru let out a shuddered breath as he found himself back in the large council chamber. His hands wiped down his face as he felt the beads of flesh grasp his fingertips. Thunder pounded in his eardrums as he listened to his heart throbbing. The young prince gulped in the heavy air swallowing what little oxygen he could gain.
Glancing at the rest of the group he noticed how they were all staring at him in concern. He must have looked like he had been in trance like his sister usually did when a vision struck her.
No matter…
He shouldn't be mulling over things as such when he now had a way of helping his dear sister… He needed to do as Joutei had commanded. He had to show all of Gaea what was happening… so the Draconians would no longer live in fear…
Mamoru closed his eyes making everyone around the table suddenly tense up from his strange behavior. The young prince had no idea what he was doing, but he could feel the warmth of Joutei guiding him. He knew he had to release his powers on the world. Flowing powers disperse from his hands and slowly edged throughout the castle in a whirl. The strains of energy were invisible to the eye, but it the blackness of his mind Mamoru watched his powers travel.
~~~ Gaea ~~~
The invisible mist swirled through the castle corridors enveloping the inner realm held inside the gray rock to become stolen into its powers. All who came into contact with the unseen strains of mist were soon frozen as their eyesight was taken over. In a heartbeat they soon began to see all that Mamoru allowed them to witness… the battlefield…
As time progress so did the mist. As all halls and chambers became filled with the mist, the powers of our prince began to stretch. No obstacle could barricade the invisible powers and soon the mist rolled out of the castle overtaking every small corner with its being. The invisible strains swelled mysteriously and ran off into all directions taking down all the rest of the Gaeans.
In a few seconds all of Fanelia was covered…
In a few minutes the entire central hemisphere was covered…
In ten minutes half of Gaea was taken…
It took only a half hour for the entire globe to be taken…
And then came chaos…
Would you not panic when you thought you where in one place only to be wrenched away and suddenly seeing a battle out of nowhere? Let just say that's just scrapping off the surface. Several people nearly went into strokes or heart attacks because of the abrupt change. Fortunately Joutei was prepared and kept those people from serious harm.
As all of Gaea went into a worldwide panic Joutei sent down a wave of understanding relaxing their souls as the battle unfold… so all could see… and understand… what was happening that day…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
His fist locked around the pendant as he began, "Before your friends arrive, seeress, I want to tell you a story."
Coughing loudly the Angel chuckled weakly; "Sorry, but I don't like fairy tales anymore."
Dornkirk's jaw locked with anger as he growled, "This is not something you should laugh at. For it concerns you."
Hitomi became quite with her eyes locked on the man looming above her. What did he mean by that?…
His eyes grew distant as he spoke in a low mysterious tone, "Many centuries ago just about two decades before the Persecution Queen Iris gave birth to a small baby girl, Princess Rachelle."
"Wonderful story" the seeress hoarsely chuckled, "Never heard such a surprising ending."
Abruptly after her words were spoken the emperor grabbed hold of her throat cutting off her oxygen she so badly needed. Automatically her lips began to turn blue for she was already lacking her intake of air.
~~~ Between Dimensions ~~~
Sian felt the world rush by in a flurry of colors, which could never be deciphered, into certain shades. The wind was everywhere in a chaos of currents beating them from all sides. There was a heat that burned their skin, but it was just below the point of actually physical damage. It was an odd sensation to say the least…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
"At the time this happened" the emperor whispered turning his back to the fallen female and letting go of her throat, "There was another royal hoping to achieve the throne. He was the brother of Queen Iris, your distant uncle."
"My uncle?" Hitomi whispered hoarsely not really talking to the dark emperor, but more to herself.
Dornkirk slightly nodded as he continued quietly, "Yes, your uncle. He was the only other living heir to the throne and was the twin of Iris. In that point of time it was more often for a boy to take the throne of any nation, but it was shock to dozens of countries as the first set of twins were ever born to the throne in centuries. Let me inform you that it caused a bit of commotion in the Draconian Kingdom, however most of Gaea never knew of this situation because the Draconians were prone to keep to themselves because they thought themselves superior to all other creatures."
The rays of the sun barely penetrated the dark sky as the setting of the golden orb began to take place. Dornkirk seemed not to have noticed this for he continued without loosing the rhythm of his words, "When the twins were born it had to be decided who should take the throne after the present King and Queen should die. There was a split of opinions in the country leaving the decision up to the royal family. It was decided that because the daughter had been the first to emerge from the mother's womb that she would take the throne though it was very rare for a female to become first heir."
Turning slightly to check for the approaching forces the man glanced at the horizon before continuing, "As the twin grew older the boy of the two became very bitter towards his sister. He desired the throne with a passion and hated his sister for taking away his goal. Years went by and the two grew older and finally the day came when the two rulers before the children finally died out. The throne became empty and soon Iris became the new queen already with a husband at her side. This only made the prince more infuriated to see his sibling in the place where he should be."
His eyes grew dark with fury, "The twin brother spent several years hoping that his sister would die and even went to the extreme of sending assassins to kill them both, but his plans never succeeded. In a short while after her inheritance of the throne Princess Rachelle was born. In a state of fury the twin brother went to his sister in private and demanded the throne or she would lose both her husband and her daughter."
Depths of inner emotions began to play in the man's words…
"Iris was not scared of her brother" he whispered darkly, "She had long since anticipated this and was ready for this day to come. Before anything could be done she took the pendant of our people and stole his powers on the spot knowing no good would come from him. He was shocked by her boldness to do something like this and was unable to stop her until she had taken a large amount of his powers. Desperately he escaped and fled the kingdom knowing that her guards would soon seek him out.
"Several years went by and gradually the man created a plan. He began to go to each country all of Gaea and told all who had hearing how the Draconians had become powerful and were proclaiming themselves gods. In a matter of months all of Gaea was in a panic fear. Driven by their paranoia the citizens of multiply countries began to demand that their rulers do something to keep the Draconians under control.
"As all this was occurring the once-prince had gone to the country of Zaibach, the leading military factor back then, and had persuaded the king there that he could be n excellent advisor since he knew everything about the Draconians. Never did the ruler know that his most trusted advisor was the same creature he was fighting against."
Dornkirk's face suddenly became hidden as the sun fully set leaving only the red sparks flying about from the glowing lava at their feet to illuminate the land, "Soon several nations had come together along with Zaibach to wipe out the entire Draconian race to ensure that they would not become more powerful than them and destroy all of Gaea. Most of the countries involved in the war were humans with a scant percentage of the others being random species of sorts."
"Humans are so gullible and paranoid" the emperor chuckled darkly…
~~~ Between Dimensions ~~~
Van felt like he was falling in tumble with no way of telling what direction was up or down. His senses were jumble and disoriented making him unable to decipher even the smallest thing. His veins burned with fire and his eyes throbbed. Somehow he felt as if the experience would not last much longer though…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Hitomi breathed hard as she tried to remain conscious. She knew she was no longer in danger of such a situation, but if she wasn't careful she might actually black out. Quietly she continued to listen still feeling some dark dread inch into her heart as Dornkirk hiss, "A day came when the Zaibach ruler was killed in battle. With no heir to the throne a will left the Draconian prince as the next successor. In a short time the whole country of Zaibach was thrown into the bloodlust of the prince charging the Draconians at full force with dozens of countries backing them up."
Slowly the man turned around facing the seeress with darkness plaguing his back. In a low voice of sinister hisses the emperor whispered, "You know the rest of the war's history."
Hitomi blinked twice before whispering the question that had been on the tip of her tongue throughout his story telling, "What was the prince's name?…"
Smirking in the illumination of scarlet sparks the Zaibach warrior snarled, "Issac…"
Her emeralds snapped wide as she gasped, "YOU!"
~~~ Between Dimensions ~~~
There was a brilliant flash of light that swallowed up the traveling warriors only to toss them into the dimension they had sought for…
~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
The black group brought their arms over their eyes as a white light stronger than the sun's powerful rays hit their pupils. Dornkirk and Hitomi didn't have their eyes directed at the illumination so they barely flinch at the blow. As the light faded it left a small crowd of fighters with heated eyes.
The demons and angels stood on either side with the dragon couple as the back ups for the Draconians. The wind flew strong as Hitomi weakly turned her head from her enemy to see her guardians and husband standing fifty yards away from the four demons. Her emeralds slowly counted off the two sides and noticed quickly that her followers outnumbered the demons by two to one.
Sian caught sight of her fallen queen instantly. Seeing her mistress broken on the ground sent the warrior in a sudden rage. With a loud warrior cry the woman charged straight for the four lower demons with her bow ready. Hitomi stiffened as she saw the demons ready energy comets and desperately tried to call out to her dear friend. Unfortunately, because she was still weak from her ordeal her cry came out in a small croak.
"Sian!" the seeress hoarsely whispered, "Look out!"
So blinded by her anger was the forest maiden that she went against her training and flew head on at her enemies though knowing the great danger. Purplish orbs flew out at the woman and crashed into her tone form. Her cry was loud bringing the other warriors of her league to sound their own warrior cries. In a pounding thunder the two sides rush each other and the battle began…
Hitomi clumsily rose onto her elbows and faced the battle scene. She watched as the guardians paired off going at individual demons while Sian and Van bolted towards her and Dornkirk with Folken close behind. Unfortunately for the three the fourth demon stood before them blocking their path to them. The seeress felt her heart throb with guilt as she saw the people fight. She so painfully wished her friends and family did not have to get involve.
Weakly the Angel turned to look at the Zaibach emperor and begged, "Please, stop this! You don't need them!"
Dornkirk quickly snapped around and hissed darkly, "Do not command me, seeress!"
His fist suddenly grew tighter on the pendant as he lifted it before his face. Hitomi watched him warily continue to put pressure on the pendant and was going to ask him to stop when she felt her heart suddenly ache. Her hand grasped her shirt material that laid just over the organ and desperately tightened her hold on it, as the anguish grew worse. Her eyes squeezed shut and new sweat bore on her face. Dornkirk chuckle lowly as he let his grip falter on the precious stone. The moment his grip slacked Hitomi's heart eased. Gasping for air the seeress stared down at the ground.
Her emeralds slowly crawled up the man's black form before resting on his face that was pulled into a wicked grin. Hoarsely she whispered, "What did you do?"
Tenderly the man twirled the stone between his fingers letting the chain of the necklace twist and untwist from his palm. His reddish brown eyes gazed at the blood drop fondly saying, "Strange, isn't it?… This little stone is the key to everything."
"What do you mean?" Hitomi asked confused, "The stone is nothing more than a tool for our people. It is no better than a sword on the battlefield."
Dornkirk's eyes gleamed with secret knowledge as he whispered mysteriously, "You are wrong."
~~~ Nazomi & Zaado ~~~
The blonde warrior flew hard through the air in a dive bringing her shockren into her right hand. Whipping the weapon like a frisbee the shockren raced true aiming directly at the blonde demon known as Kaosu. The cloaked fighter grinned just before knocking the sharp item away. The blow threw the weapon off course and made it embed into the earth. Nazomi growled as she continued downwards bringing her golden emblem to shine on her brow. Her hair fluttered over her brow violently as she finished her descent. Her fist came down towards the demon's chin, but he expertly ducked and brought his own fist into her abs. She soared over his shoulder flipping once and then crashed into the ground on her back gasping for air. Clutching her stomach she coughed violently.
Turning slowly the demon produced his ebony sword while smirking, "Never let your defenses down."
Snapping her eyes open the woman glared at her opponent still sprawled down on the earth. Baring her teeth she snarled frustrated as he strode towards her.
Suddenly Zaado landed between the two and swung his mighty ax at the demon. Kaosu hissed at the swipe and jumped back narrowly missing the attack. The demon brought his sword back and placed his other palm into the air gathering dark energy. In a wail a black orb flew straight at the giant sending a dark hue over the area they stood. The Ice Guardian quickly brought his blade to deflect the orb just as the two met and clasped thunder.
~~~ Dragon Couple ~~~
Shakaku lithe her whip into a twirl of red flames and swiped it at Dilandau. The dragonslayer sidestepped and brought his blade up catching the very end of her weapon. Her long whip twirled around the dark sword tangling making the demon man smirk.
"Sorry" Dilandau mocked, "But I am a part of fire. Your flames do not frighten me."
The woman narrowed her golden eyes on the man as his arm shifted. Seconds later he threw back his sword making the whole whip come straight into his direction. Shakaku was pulled along with it, but she had anticipated this and had pushed off moments before she would have been launched at the man. Dilandau's smirk widened as he cried, "I am a dragonslayer! Fitting that my title should be that for I shall slay you, dragon!"
"I doubt that!" the red female cried as she flipped with her whip trailing in a spiral. The whole act was awing and distracting. Perfect for the woman to send her heel into the man's face without him having a chance to dodge! Crashing hard into the dirt Dilandau groaned. Landing nimbly back on her feet the woman flicked her wrist bringing her whip back to her side as Dilandau rose back onto his feet. His hand grimly wiped away the blood that dripped from his cut lip.
His eyes gleamed murder as he hissed, "You shall pay for that!"
Dilandau was about to charge the female when something from behind pulled him back. Angrily the demon turned around snarling at the white figure. Escaflowne growled dangerously as his eyes narrowed, "Don't touch my mate!"
With little effort the legend tossed the man over his hip and slammed him into the ground. Dilandau was quick though and heaved both of his palms at the ground and struck the dragon hard in the chin with his feet.
~~~ Tsuno & Nembus ~~~
The two guardians crossed in front of each other as they rushed Kusari at full speed. The demon man smirked just as they thrust their weapons forward. In an impressive flip with a half twist the man jumped over them and swung his sword back around. Nembus was already in mid-spin when he did this and was able to bring his own sword to block the demon's. Suddenly occupied with holding the Wind Guardian's sword from cutting into him Kusari was unable to block the end of Tsuno's staff from hitting him in the ribs.
Huffing at the strike the demon stumbled back into a standing position glaring at his two opponents. Howling a cry the cloaked man brought both of his palms' heels together and gathered his power in the center. Thinking they could stop him before he unleashed his attack the two guardians rushed him, but too late…
With a triumphant yell the blast soared from the demon's palms hitting both men square in the chest!
~~~ Van, Sian, & Folken ~~~
Van's sword came down furiously as he tried to get past the demon. Unfortunately the being knocked the blade away causing the young king to stagger back. In a rage Sian rushed past her companion and swung her bow in a flurry of swipes… each of which the demon blocked expertly. The brunette woman yelled her cry as she brought down her blade in a strong blow. The unknown demon smirked as he dodged the blow altogether making Sian lose her footing as she followed through with the attack. With perfect timing the stranger brought his elbow into the back of the green guardian's head. Sian groaned as her face met dirt. Luckily the woman wasn't knocked out and was able to pull herself from her landing when her opponent's heel came down towards her spine. Swiftly the female launched herself off the ground flipping in a double twist over the fighter's head.
The demon turned to see both leaders come stand shoulder to shoulder with the other cloaked individual just behind them. Sian and Van tensed as they saw the figure flex his legs. Growling Van readied his sword. The poor dragon king glanced over at his wife seeing her clutch her chest painfully making his jaw lock. He had to get to her, but this blasted demon was keeping him away. His rubies seared with anger as his fists tightened… only to soon relax when he felt his brother's hand on his shoulder.
Van looked over his shoulder and noticed a determine look in his brother's eyes. Quietly the king whispered, "Folken?"
The older sibling didn't even look at his brother as he whispered both to Van and Sian, "When you get a chance make for Hitomi as fast as you can."
"We can't" snorted the forest maiden, "We continue to be block by this demon!"
"Keep your eyes searching for an opening" Folken commented coolly still watching their opponent, "One will come I promise."
Van glanced towards the demon before turning back to his brother, "What about you?"
Folken glanced sidelong at his sibling before quietly whispering, "Don't worry. Just get to your wife, Van. I'll clear the way for as long as possible. Do not slack or we will lose any chance we have."
Sian looked over at the two royals and whispered sternly, "Are you sure you can handle this demon? I feel I might be the better candidate to fight him."
Both men looked at her oddly as Van asked, "Why's that?"
The green woman brought her eyes back on their opponent and whispered, "His fighting style is somewhat familiar."
"So?" Folken commented bluntly, "I know his fighting as well. It is called Necedah."
"No, no!" she whispered harshly, "I don't mean his technique. I mean his personal style. I've seen it somewhere before, but I don't remember where."
Turning back Folken whispered firmly, "Go, Sian. Don't worry. As leader you should protect Van because you're the best fighter here."
Sian gave him a long side glance before sighing, "I guess you're right, but I don't like this. Something… is off… about all this…"
"Agreed" Folken whispered lowly before getting into his fighting position. His eyes narrowed dangerously on the figure before them as he quickly shouted, "NOW!"
~~~ Hitomi & Dornkirk ~~~
The emperor smirked darkly as he saw the guardians were unable to reach their fallen queen. His eyes showed victory as he turned back to the seeress the pendant still in his possession. Hitomi tried again to push off the ground, but she fell weakly to her belly gasping for air. Her energy was being stretched to its very limits for her to even stay conscious. She shouldn't be pushing herself at the moment.
Dornkirk sneered as he grabbed a fistful of her hair and came down to one knee. Her emeralds squeeze shut from the pain he caused and she winced desperately as he brought her face closer to him. He shook her as he brought the red drop to her face and growled, "This is more than just a sword on a battlefield, seeress. It holds every strain of power our people have ever held before our gifts were stolen from us."
Hitomi said nothing as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at the stone. Dornkirk growled lowly as he continued, "This holds everything that our people have ever held in their blood and hold powers that once dwelt within individual Draconians. In short, seeress, you have every gift our people have ever possessed…"
Her emeralds slowly grew wide as Hitomi realized the true depths of his words. He snarled as he whispered, "You had the speed of the Forest Guardian. You had the control of the air currents of the Wind Guardian. You had the illusions of the Sand Guardian and so much more."
"Why do you say 'had'?" Hitomi commented weakly.
"Because" Dornkirk commented with amusement, "you are too weak to call upon any of these skills right now and never will because soon I shall kill you. Besides a good amount of your energy has leaked into my soul."
Hitomi snarled as she fought to escape his painful hold, but she was far too weak to even hope such. Even her hands could not reach up to his locked fist encircling her hair. His eyes glowed red as he whispered darkly, "Do have no idea why you are suffering so?"
The seeress growled angrily in frustration at her weakness and snapped, "Only because of you!"
Dornkirk chuckled quietly before whispering, "In a strange way, seeress, you could never be more on target."
She narrowed her eyes as she choked, "What do you mean?"
"This" the emperor proclaimed as he once again shoved the pendant in her face, "is the source of your suffering!"
"What?" the Angel replied hoarsely, "What are you saying?"
"Years ago" the man whispered darkly, "when I was known as Prince Issac I went to an oracle and asked of my future. She said I was to never take the throne of my people, but still had a chance at controlling Gaea. There was a small factor though that caused part of the future unable to be read. She said something important would happen in the distant future that could cause drastic consequences. It was this that would either bring forth my rise into power or my downfall… She did, however, express that someone from the royal line of Draconians would determine my fate. That royal would either destroy me or die trying."
Dornkirk growled slightly as he snarled wildly, "I decided I had to act fast. I had only a small chance. I took my most trusted sorceresses and decided to place a curse on the pendant kept by the royal family. Through hard work and beating out information from different oracles I was able to craft a spell that would outdo any known curse. I one day took the pendant from my sister and brought it to my men. Careful they embedded a curse that would only activate when the person who determined my future would use it. It was decided my executioner would one day be someone of the royal line so they would fall to claim the ancient stone probably in the future. I knew sooner or later this person would use the pendant and when they did the curse would resonate."
His fingers held the stone lightly as it twirled in his possession, "You see, the curse would cause the stone and person to merge. And so has it begun with you, seeress… You decide my fate today…"
"So" the seeress coughed, "Your curse has seemed to backfire. The merge has only made me more powerful, Dornkirk."
"No" he commented sharply, "You don't understand. Yes, the two of you merged together, but it was not the stone that merged with you. You merged with the stone."
Hitomi tried to look the man better in the face, but resorted to just ask because of her weakness, "What are you talking about?"
His hand cupped the pendant as he placed it before her face, "There are two different kinds of known merges in this world. One is when two beings combine to create a new single being. Usually it morphs the two persons or items into a completely different creation with both mental attributes of the past two. It is sort of like a crude fusion. It is very favorable and doubles powers by ten folds. However, the second merge is extremely different and far more dire. The second merge is when one being envelops another. It is similar to when a person eats a piece of fruit. When that person takes in that fruit they gather the energy that fruit produces and gain more from it while remaining like they are. They take the powers, but do not lose themselves in the other. Two beings can merge together, but when they fuse one will remain as if the other was never there."
His eyes locked with the seeress as he hissed, "Have you not wondered why your powers have been draining?"
Hitomi stared expressionless at him as she whispered quietly, "I have been merging into the pendant… not with it…"
His thumb twirled the small jewel in his palm as he proclaimed, "Yes… Since the Sacrifice you have been slowly merging into the stone. It had been extremely slow at first, but after several uses of it lately the curse has awaken at full strength and has been sapping your life force."
The stone fell from his hand and hung limp from his fingers. The reflection in the eye of the blood drop shone and played before the angel's eyes. She could see her face in the scarlet gleam and knew what he said was true. She could feel the power swirling in the cage of the red stone droning with her own life force.
~~~ Vision ~~~
Her eyes blinked as she saw herself standing within the red… She could see herself pounding against the walls of the red chamber desperate to escape. She fought until her knuckles bled and her energy gave out. In seconds she collapsed letting the pendant claim the rest of her…
~~~ End of Vision ~~~
~~~ Folken, Sian, & Van ~~~
The Spirit Guardian plowed forward with his hands swaying at either side. His eyes glowed momentarily as the emblem of the angels began to swell on his brow in silver. He shook back the cloak to reveal his two gaudlents. His bands began to glow strangely as he called upon his weapon. In a silver flow a sort of light came from one of the slits on the gaudlents. The strip of color grew long and sleek that slowly curved as it protruded farther from its base. A point formed at the tip of the silver light and narrowed as the formation continue to lengthen. Suddenly the silver glowed stopped its growth and flashed once. Left behind was an incredible blade protruding from either of Folken's wristbands that curved just past his hands. It was like a curved sword with a wide and thin blade.
Folken leapt into the air with his arms spread so that all could see the impressive blades. The demon below scowled at the show and tensed up. As the two began to grow closer to each other the stranger picked up his sword. Folken shouted as he turned his left hand so the palm of it faced him and brought the sharp edge of his blade at the sword. The two weapons locked for a few mere seconds as Folken swung his other blade at the demon. The stranger was surprisingly limber as he bent over backwards so he stood with his back perfectly parallel with the ground.
Never did the two see the other two fighters racing past them. Sian and Van flung their feet against the dark earth struggling to get by the demon while he was distracted. The two leaders flew by with their eyes set on the pair ahead. Dornkirk turned around sharply causing his cloak to swirl darkly about his body. Van growled as he saw how weak his wife was. This man would pay for all the hurt he had caused.
The thought could not be played through though it seemed… Behind them the demon had pinned Folken to the ground with little effort. The poor royal groaned as he felt the bruises in his ribs. Leaning over him with a foot on either side the demon stood glaring down at his prey. His eyes glowed red as the stranger turned to stare after the two escapees. A smirk crawled its way over the scaly face of the demon as he hissed to himself, "You won't get away that easily."
Folken tried to stop the stranger before he could leave him, but the demon was already running after the two leaders and gaining fast. Leaping high into the air neither Van nor Sian noticed the danger behind them. The demon's two palms glowed black as he gathered a duo of swirling orbs. Howling as they were released the comets flew straight at our heroes slamming hard into their backs. The leaders cried out at the searing pain and crashed into the ground still a good twenty yards away from their goal.
Hitomi gasped as she saw her love ones injured, "No, Sian… Van…"
His fangs became visible as the dark emperor smirked, "Watch, seeress… Already your Ring of Guardians has begun to fall. Soon all will suffer and you will follow…"
Slowly her emerald eyes gazed over the battlefield watching her companions fall in slow motion. Tsuno slide into the ground as his trident slipped from his fingers. Nembus soon followed as his blade clattered to the ground mere moments before the guardian collapsed next to it. Escaflowne caught Shakaku as she stumbled back falling into his arms, but the white dragon was too badly hurt and was unable to stop their descent into the ground. Nazomi was faced down on the ground with Zaado inches away with his ax's blade embedded nearby in the harsh black earth.
Hitomi watched in anguish as she saw the final three people she loved most also fall. Folken charged the demon from behind hoping to catch his unguarded back, but this unknown demon somehow caught wind of the approaching attack and swiftly turned around with a comet ready. The demon plunged the orb hard at the royal's chest. The poor guardian howled in anguish as the comet seared through his clothes and smashed into his chest knocking him backwards. With a loud rumble the royal tumbled into the cracked ground stirring up the dust before coming to a halt and stopping limp.
Van weakly rose to his feet rushing the demon's back now yelling, "Brother!"
His cry tipped off the demon, sadly, and with an easy twist the stranger tossed another orb at the other sibling. The king never got a chance at revenge as he flew head over heels and became still. Sian angrily got to her feet, a little unsteady. Her hair that now was falling out of its braid was a mess as her glowing silver jewels glared at the demon. In a hoarse, but yet demanding tone the maiden shouted, "Who are you?!"
The demon smirked darkly as if something about her question made him greatly amused. His clawed hand slowly ran over his face before clutching the black rim of his hood. With dramatically slowness the obstacle fell down revealing the face of someone that caused Sian to pale with shock. Even Hitomi who laid on the ground gasped in horror as she saw someone she did not expect.
There standing a few feet away from the forest warrior was a young woman. Her skin was pale and covered in ebony patches of scales, but behind those dragon flecks one could easily see the flawless formation of flesh. Her eyes were of emeralds no less greener than the richest grass and sparkled like pure diamonds in the sunlight. Her hair fell down her back and disappeared into the inner sanctum of her cloak, but it nearly matched the material perfectly for it was a silky chocolate. She was beautiful, yet dark…
Sian's fingers relaxed and her bow slipped from her hand as her face grew another shade of white. Stepping back once the warrior felt her whole body go numb. Quietly the woman whispered, "No, it can't be…"
Hitomi stared wide-eyed at the woman unable to speak. With tears twinkling in her eyes Sian voice grew louder as she shouted in anguish, "NO! IT CAN'T BE!"
The stranger turned slightly to the maiden of the forest with the darkest smirk one had ever saw and whispered, "But it is true…"
Dramatically the demon queen brought her palm up and formed a small current of black energy. Sian was still in shock with her silver eyes distant unable to see anything, but the figure before her. In seconds a dark beam flung from the demon female's palm flying straight at the maiden of the forest. The glow of darkness surged forward washing over the pale fighter's face, as her eyes were distant and hurt. In the fraction of a second that came before the connection of the black energy with herself Sian numbly whispered, "But how?…"
The impact with the blast was thunderous and Hitomi's eyes grew wide as she saw the results in slow motion. Sian was flying backwards with her head hung back and her feet trailing behind her. In the aftereffects of white light she floated. Her hair was nearly completely undone from her braid and was tearing apart at the splits. Her clothes were incinerating in mid air and barely covering a part of the woman's modesty. Her eyes were closed shut and her mouth was open in a small cry of silence. Blood streaked her black and blue skin while more cuts were formed all over her flesh.
With a deafening crash the guardian slid through the dirt and stopped several feet away from the fallen Fanelian King. The dust swirled over the two figures that laid unconscious as Hitomi stared at them in tears. Slowly the seeress gazed lifted to hang on the woman in disbelief. Weakly the seeress whispered, "Queen Iris…"
~Well??? What did you think? Did you think the last demon would be her?! Probably not. What a good twist, huh?~
~Anyway, what's going on? Why is Queen Iris there and on the dark side??? And what about Hitomi's life force being sucked into the pendant by her ancient uncle, Dornkirk??? Woah, things are getting worse and worse for the group as all of Judgment and Gaea watch this battle. Things turn rougher as the battle plays out in chapter 28: Truth. Coming soon (hopefully)!~