~ Remember I don't own Escaflowne! ~


~ I hope you guys enjoy this long chapter that you have waited forever for. This is the second to last chapter of the sequel. Enjoy! ~


~ I'm really SORRY that this is late! Please forgive me! ~












The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel_Wings





Chapter 30 ~ In the Blink of an Eye



~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
The golden ray dimmed and slowly the new soldier stood alone with no powers illuminating his body. The entire group stood still in a shock hush unable to stir. Their eyes were locked on the ruler as he began to shift towards the scarlet dome. In a compelling impression the man strode forward with his leathery cape barely fluttering. Closely the guardians' heads turned with the armored sovereign without sparing a moment to blink. His claw-like boots sunk into the frail earth surfacing small crunching sounds as he walked. His eyes never turned away from his destination, as he grew firmer in each stride.



~~~ Within the Dome ~~~
Hitomi shuddered out an aching breath of air as she felt her rib poke at her organs. Wincing at the sharp intake of oxygen the seeress guessed that a few of her ribs had been broken and were dangerously close to puncturing her lungs and heart. Closing her eyes to lock out the destructive view that made her dizzy she concentrated on her breathing. Making each intake and exhale as shallow as possible helped Hitomi avoid the excoriating pain that followed each breath.


What was going to happen now?


She nearly chuckled at the question, but only gave a raw cough instead; she had asked that question several times throughout her battle and yet again she was facing the query. It was almost like the blasted question was a curse to follow her for eternity.


Again she tried to laugh, but the act caused her to cough until blood painted the ground. Groaning she settled herself against the floor of the world as she continue to watch her breathing. With each heartbeat she felt herself settled deeper and deeper into the earth. It was as if she was dying and the ground was already trying to bury her.


A thunderclap roared in her ears knocking her back from the blackness that nearly had swallowed her. Her eyes lazily opened seeing only a nebulous landscape that could not be cleared. If she weren't careful she would fall becoming unconscious and then the battle would be over.


But wasn't it already over…


She bit her lip as a wave of torment hit her heart; the pendant was fighting her again. There was no hope that she would rise off of the ground now. What energy she seized went to the need to use the oxygen in the air. She could barely move her eyelids and her very fingers were stale of movement. Chapped lips plastered with blood shuddered now and again, but only when air moved through them. Her eyelids grew heavy and faintly the emeralds rolled into the back of her head as her world spun.


She was losing to the darkness. It wouldn't be much longer before it took over and claimed her awareness. Her flesh shook as she felt a deep cold shadow her although the bearing heat of her surroundings seared her skin. The shadow of death was creeping over her.


"Do not fall to it, my child; hold on a little longer…"


Hitomi winced, so small none noticed, upon hearing the encouragement. Unable to speak from lack of energy the seeress muttered in her mind, "I hold no strength left to do so. Let me sleep."


"If you sleep than mortality will slip you into the clutches of the afterlife" persisted Joutei, "You must hold on a few more moments than you may rest."


"But I am so tired" her mind spoke in a slur as if she were drunk; "I have no desire to wake. Let me be. So tired I am… so tired…"


"AWAKEN!" thundered the mighty god snapping open the seeress's eyes.


"As Guardian of Gaea you must hold!" roared the immortal bringing the angel woman back to the domain of reality. Hitomi shuddered in abrupt fear of the God wondering why he was being so fierce now. She groaned as her pain returned upon reaching consciousness and her eyes rolled back into her head. Softly the immortal spoke soothing her, "Sadly your flesh is weak, but your spirit is willing. So let it is. I shall help you, my young one. I will give you this miracle so you may complete your task."


As his voice faded off in the back of her mind Hitomi suddenly felt a swell of energy rushing over her body. Warmth came to her lips and she realized Joutei was giving her a breath from his own lungs so that she may have strength. He was renewing part of her vigor!


Slowly she opened her eyes revealing the land once again to her, but this time she could make out every part of the landscape. She could see every spray of lava and every curl of steam hissing from the underground chasms. More importantly she could see her husband emerging through the wall of the dome…


"Van…"




~~~ The Wall ~~~
His hand shoved into the fury of the sphere demanding entrance. Red sparks flew at the sudden contact and hissed as they sailed through the heated atmosphere. Wails like those from banshees screeched from the friction and a bright glow erupted between his armored palm and the energy wall. A ghost fire swirled over his arm and past his body in a glorious display. The red flames of transparency consumed the dragon king in a monstrous scene taking all of the man into its center. His ebony hair trembled excitedly as the wind ran over him.


Behind him stood the seven chosen warriors of Gaea as witnesses to what was occurring. The rigid world became blazed in a new warmth as the powers of two beings clashed. Ash swirled in huge clouds swarming past the fighters. Their hair rose quietly as the eight figures waited silently.


Van grunted as he pushed his palm deeper into the electric skin of the wall insisting penetration. Through the transparency of the dome the royal could see his beloved lying upon the ground. Her face was contorted in pain and it sent a rage through him. He had to get to her, but this blasted wall was holding him back. Sudden glory was produced from his efforts as shattered rays of light streaked from his hand and glared over the land.




~~~ Hitomi ~~~
The young queen felt new energy flowing through her veins bringing her back to the physical realm. Her hands ran through the soft dirt as she placed her palms beneath her. Slowly she lifted from the ground bringing her into a kneeling position. The wind ran over her body licking at her open wounds. Her eyes squeezed shut as she winced from the stinging sensation the air caused. Though she had been given more energy her injuries were still there burning with pain. Hissing out a breath Hitomi opened her eyes to see the young Fanelian king emerging from the wall a few yards away.


As the flow of energy deserted the man Van turned his eyes to the fallen queen. Hitomi sucked in a gasp as she noticed how hansom her husband looked in his attire. He looked incredibly regal and powerful at that moment as he wore the pearl metal. The king stared at her for only a moment before quickly rushing over to her.


"Van" the woman called quietly with her eyes shining, "You came…"


Sliding to his knees before her the man pulled her into a fierce hug. Crushing her protectively to his chest the man shoved his nose into her hair inhaling her scent, as he shuddered, "How could I not I can't let you fight all alone."


The king flinched, as he smelt the blood reek his nostrils. Closing his eyes he whispered in distraught, "I can't believe you're still alive after all that."


Hitomi smiled at the pride that came from her spouse's voice. Tenderly she whispered, "I'm not sure how I have survived either…"


Scowling the woman pulled out of the man arms stating firmly, "But that doesn't matter right now. We need to be worrying about the present."


Van nodded slightly saying, "Do you have any ideas how to finish this, Hitomi?"


Gradually her eyes left the raven head to stare up at the emperor above in the sky. She could see him scowling down at them as he gathered more of his powers to strike down upon them. Her emeralds swirled with distant hope as she whispered; "I need to get closer to Dornkirk to do what I have planned."


The king's rubies locked on her intently, "Which is?"


"I am going to reverse the curse on the pendant so it falls onto Dornkirk" she replied in a subdued voice while never taking her eyes off the Zaibach ruler, "It won't take long for the curse to take effect and then it will be over."


Hitomi didn't dare to even think of the bond between her and their enemy at that moment. She didn't want to hope that she might survive through this for she could not be certain. In her hands she held a pair of die about to gamble with her own life. Would she get the lucky seven she needed to remain on this planet or would she be caught in the stare of the snake's eyes? She wasn't certain and she didn't like to wish for things. To wish was to hope and she had suffered already through the denial of the gifts from her hope.


Her emeralds suddenly caught his rubies as she realized he knew. Sadly she stared into his deep fires that molted in his eyes realizing he knew that she was gambling her life. Without saying a word Van told her with his eyes that he understood though it frightened him to think he might still lose her. Tenderly he nodded his head to her signaling he was ready. A few tears escape from her as she broke into a small sob and roughly captured his lips in a final kiss. They hungrily devoured each other's lips feeling a dark foreboding shadow over their fates as if they knew they wouldn't get a moment like this again.


Hitomi cried a few last tears as she wrenched her lips from his and turned away for fear she might try to kiss him again. Tearfully she grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet.


It was time…


Coming to stand a few feet before her the young king pulled out his sword and said, "I'll go ahead and cover you. I'll try to go slow."


The seeress stared at the Zaibach emperor in determination, "Go as fast as you must. Don't worry about me. I'll be able to keep up."


Van glanced at her before nodding solemnly. Quietly he turned back around as she turned to stare at the back of his head. Her heart was sinking faster and faster… She could almost assure herself she would not survive this. Clutching the broken chained pendant in her fingers the maiden sadly thought, 'I'm sorry, Van…'


Seconds later they were off racing across the black plain straight for the center of the dome.




~~~ Guardians ~~~
Sian bowed her head and closed her eyes letting a few more tears to stray from her silver jewels. Her silky hair wrapped in a braid danced solemnly behind the guardian as her dirty armor gleamed. In a shuddered whispered of hope and prayer the forest maiden said lowly, "May Joutei be with you."





~~~ Fanelia Royals ~~~
Van sped across the field with Hitomi trying to keep up a few feet behind him. The seeress scowled as she stumbled over some elevated dirt. Catching herself was easy, but she was slowly distancing herself from her protector. Heaving heavily with her lungs burning the seeress flung herself harder after the king determined to not let him slow down or to let her get left behind. Time was important…


The royal king scowled knowing his wife was struggling to keep up. He was already going slower than he normally did which made his heart drop. On any other day Hitomi could easily outrace him on foot. Being that she had been in track for most of her school years had given Hitomi a wonderful edge for speed, which she greatly enjoyed. More than a dozen times the two of them had raced out in the backs of the castle grounds. Each time Van knew he would always fail to win though he tried as hard as he could. It wasn't that he was slow, not at all for he was very quick on his feet; it was just the fact that he was going against a champion. Hitomi was like a deer when she ran. Her steps were quiet and swift with her smooth muscles flexing in graceful sweeps when she ran. For two years she had run for the sake of escaping her past and it had left its mark on her by pushing her into extreme velocity she could not escape. Now seeing her lagging behind considerably it told the raven headed warrior that his wife had been hurt fairly worse than he had presumed.


Ignoring the tear in his heart the man strove harder to remind himself he had to protect her. If she got hurt-- Squeezing his eyes shut for a bare second the king firmly cried in his mind. He would not think of what would happen if she got hurt. He needed to pay attention to the present.


Abruptly a streak of scarlet power thundered down at the pair just as Van opened his eyes. Frantically the man brought up his sword a heartbeat before the ray hit. The power crackled as it crashed into the blade shattering energy into a thousand smaller streaks that leapt away from the couple.


Without stopping the king continued forward smacking aside any of the bolts that came their way. Behind him the seeress clutched the red stone within her joined palms feeling the heat of its light warming her hands. In her heart she slowly began to work her powers into forming the curse's reversal.




~~~ Dornkirk ~~~
The dark demon scowled down at the approaching couple. With his eyes deadly glowing scarlet the man growled, "So they dare to challenge me… Well, then by all means let me welcome them to the battle properly."


Baring his fangs the man rolled back his head and arched his back. Red energy washed over his body as he open up a new seal within his powers. A glow, bright enough to pierce through dimensions, erupted from the man's chest. Snake like flames ripped from the light wrapping around the being in a great hiss. Scales and skin merged as one forming a single layer over flesh and bone. Sinister horns of ebony, curving like that of a rams, broke out of his skull tearing up the black skin. His nose pulled forward forming him a sort of muzzle just as the demon man roared to the blood sky. His brown hair became long falling between his wings as the strands turned stringy dipping into a black tint. The stone chiseled chest of the emperor bulged and drew forward rippling with strength. Wings of leather and feathers stretched several yards longer than before growing more fleshy than feathery. His pants ripped and his boots became shreds as his legs swelled with new physique and his feet became dragon limbs. What was left of his pants was just enough to keep the ruler's modesty with long strips dangling over his lower body. As his other hand formed into an ebony claw the Zaibach ruler ripped open some of the material of his pants allowing a long barbed tail to uncoil. Red coal eyes gleamed as the newly transformed leader dropped from the sky crashing into the ground by landing on his feet.


Hitomi and Van abruptly stopped, as they became suddenly face with their adversary unable to tear their eyes away from the monster. As they stared at the emperor it was as if Dornkirk doubled in size while he bared his sharp fangs at his prey. Growling darkly in the back of his throat the demon rumbled, "I hope you enjoy my new form, Dragon and Seeress, for this will be the last thing you see before you are brought to the afterlife!"


The green-eyed queen swallowed as she stared up the ruler. Now feeling a new swell of fear grip her from the sight of him, Hitomi began to wonder if she was able to finish this war. Although she knew what she had to do she still doubted her ability.


As she was staring up at their opponent the dragon king swirled around and shouted over the noise of the world, "I'll keep his attention while you do what you need to."


Biting her lip she nodded trying to keep the fear out of her eyes so he would not see her doubt. Hitomi was not sure if her husband had seen her fear gleaming in her eyes, but she was sure that he had seen her determination to try and fight. Responding back with a nod the man swirled around and raised his sword.


"Come now, Dornkirk" the king roared, "Let see if your new body improved anything."


The demon king grinned wickedly showing off his fangs, "So you wish to be the first to see death do you?"


Grunting Van rushed the demon king with his sword hissing expectedly. Roaring Dornkirk swung one of his mighty claws at the angel ruler, but the king ducked and rolled under the demon's legs coming to stand behind him. Growling the Zaibach leader ripped around with a sudden blade in his hand. Swirling around at the same moment Van brought up his own weapon launching both metals to lock together.


Behind them Hitomi quickly put her palms together as if in prayer with the stone in the center of them and the gold chain intertwined through her fingers. With her eyes closed the woman opened up the realm locked away in her heart.





~~~ Vision ~~~
Hitomi stood on a sheer drop that was a perfect ten-foot circle. The depth below past the edge could not be measured and the bottom could not be seen for it was pure darkness below. It was strange to the seeress to see monster flames erupting all around her coming directly from the same darkness where no light shone. Light was coming from darkness? Dark clouds swirled above with constant lightning streaking and crashing throughout the great void so that you could feel the crackling of electricity tingling your skin. Along with the display of perils came the swirls of blood red power that ran throughout the vastness crashing into other tall edifices, like that, which Hitomi stood upon, breaking them apart and collapsing several.


Scowling with beads of sweat dripping down her skull the maiden knew that this was her life force. Some how the pedestals were symbolically of her life force while the red swirls were relative to the power of the pendant. Above was her own power while below was that of Joutei's. All three forces were suffocating her with destruction. Each source of power was trying to claim dominance while ignoring the destruction they caused.


Locking her jaw together the seeress lifted her hands revealing the pendant in her palms. Giving a final glint the pendant began to glow a soft scarlet. Hitomi's face tensed as the angel closed her eyes and felt her muscles being pulled. In several gasps the woman proclaimed, "My name is Hitomi Kazanki Fanel, heir to the throne of the Draconians. I am wife to King Van of Fanelia. I am the Eighth Guardian of Gaea and the Sacred Champion of Joutei."


Abruptly as she said those words a flowing gown of glowing white formed over her body flapping wildly with the weather. Her hands turned a shade of pink as within them the stone of the angels began to illuminate. Warmth ran down her spine and swelled into her pores. Ignoring the urge to shudder from the sensation the maiden lifted her hands higher as if giving a gift to the heavens.


"I wield the Stone of the Angels" she began to raise voice louder to hear her own words, "I have brought countries to their knees and demons back to the depths of shadows!"


Her hair flew back revealing her pale face that was a sudden rosy flush, "I am pleading for my prayer to be answered!"


Her joints began to sear with fire as she felt the powerful forces ramming into her from all sides. Even though her eyes were closed she knew that the three powers were growing fiercer and were destroying the realm she laid in.


"I beg for salvation!" Hitomi cried desperately, "Joutei save us! Take this curse and cast it upon our oppressor!"




~~~ Another Realm ~~~
Millerina slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a great multitude of people shouting and hollering. Blinking the royal tried to recall how she had gotten there. She had no memory of the place she stood in and for a brief second she thought it to be a dream, but a quick jab from an elbow that had accidentally gotten to close to her side forced her to realize it was all real. Scanning about the crowded area the woman began to wonder where her husband and friends were. Had they also been brought here? Lifting her eyes upward she flinched upon seeing a white sky that had no end.


Where was she?!


Around her people were in a panic, pushing each other and screaming demands. They wanted the same answers to the questions Millerina was crying in her mind.


Where were they?


Why were they here?


How did they get there?


No one could grasp the answers though for too many voices were crying at once making a jumble of vocals that held no point of definition. Panic had already seized the crowd causing some of them to plow right through and over others beginning hysteria. There was no order to the assembly and before one could stop it people were fighting amongst themselves.


Fists began to swing as people accused others for their presence. Accusations were shouted and soon brother was against brother.


Fortunately to the people a figure emerged from the horde and slowly floated into the air. His hair fluttered softly as a small emblem of the Draconians burned on his brow. Covered in glowing white attire of perfect pressed long sleeve shirt with a flowing tunic and pants alone made him look like an angel, but the white wings stretching from his back gave the needed conclusion to his image. Quietly his feet lifted higher bringing him several yards above the many heads that crowded the wide vastness. Gradually his eyes opened revealing beautiful chocolate orbs that gleamed with child-like innocence and adult wisdom.


Though he had risen to a point where all could see him no one had taken noticed during the mass fray. With no emotion in his face the figure, which was only a few years short of adulthood, spoke in a whisper that bounced against the edges of the realm so that it boomed like a megaphone.


"Peace" he whispered startling everyone, "Do not let your fists stray any more."


A freakish silence followed his words bringing everyone to turn their eyes to the youth. Among them a golden haired royal gasped in astonishment at the individual, "Mamoru!"


Bringing his arms to spread out in comfort the prince spoke softly, "Do not fear for I am the one who has brought you here."


Shock silence still held strong over the crowd unable to bring in a single question to be voiced. Mamoru smiled faintly as he continued tenderly, "I am Prince Mamoru Kazanki, present ruler of Fanelia. As some of you have heard demons have appeared on our side of Gaea killing hundreds of innocents."


Bowing his head sadly the youth whispered sorrowfully, "Unfortunately, my sister, Queen Hitomi Fanel, Draconian Heir and Ruler of Fanelia, was called upon the God Joutei to stop these demons. For the last week my sister has left the country in my hands as she battles this new enemy."


"Why have you brought us here?" came from somewhere amidst the people quieting the young ruler momentarily.


Another voice, that of a female, screeched, "Are we dead?"


"No, of course not!" Mamoru quickly replied, "You are--"


"Why did you do this to us?!" interrupted another voice that almost literally dripped with suspicion, "What gave you the right to do this?!"


More cries followed and again the vastness became consumed by the numberless voices. Poor Mamoru shook his head distraughtly before loudly shouting, "SILENCE!"


A wall of stillness formed as again the horde grew quiet to focus back on the ruler. Shaking a bit of his bangs out of the way the ruler frowned at the people below him. Angered by their automatic accusations the royal snapped, "If you wish to understand what is going on I suggest you clamp shut that hole in the middle of your faces so I may speak!"


Millerina inwardly smiled as she saw the entire crowd flinch at the young man's words. Maybe that had not been the best way of speaking to the group, but it sure had made them quiet.


"Now" the prince returned back to his calm self as he continued, "As I was saying I was left in charge of Fanelia and a few hours ago I was visited by Joutei, the God of All, who told me to show all of Gaea what is going on today."


Bringing his hands to wave at the multitude the youth proclaimed, "You are all the people of Gaea. There is not a single person of Gaea who is not accounted for here. The only ones who do not fall under this rule are my sister, her companions, and the demons."


Closing his eyes thoughtfully the youth softly spoke, "Today all of Gaea will watch the fate of Gaea be handled by my sister, Queen of the Draconians, and you shall see truth."


Finishing his words the royal brought his palm to his face, flat and parallel to the ground. Delicately Mamoru blew a white dust out of his hand that could only be perceived as a sort of magic or power as it floated down over the heads of the people. In seconds each individual was sedated by the power of the dust and fell into a slumber. When they opened their eyes they each flew into a whirl of images and sound that told the story of this adventure from beginning to the present. In a matter of seconds the entire tale up to that current moment was completely laid out to each Gaean and each understood it.


Next the people were faced with a display of what was happening within the Mystic Valley. Many gaped as the final chapter of the new war began to unfold…




~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Dornkirk fell onto all fours arching his back like a wild dog. Roaring like the great monster he was the ruler charged the King of Angels. Van snorted as he felt the tremors of the demon's footfalls wobbled his knees. The wild devil hissed out a breath of steam and took a lengthy jump at the man. Instinctively the dragon knight lifted his hand and released a white globe. With a great shrill the attack connected with the Zaibach creature and Dornkirk collided with the ground as he howled in agony. Black blood dripped from the fleshy gash opening at the animal's side. Bringing his limbs back under him with his muscles rippling powerfully the Zaibach ruler bared his fangs. Van tried to cover up his shock at the unspoken power that had mysteriously left his hand as he lifted his sword and scowled at his opponent.


Growling darkly the demon ruler glared deadly at the king, "So you do have some sort of ability, do you, Dragon? Something that came from the angels? Or is it from those blasted lizards?"


Van just tensed up at the slow approach of the emperor. Coming about twenty yards away from his prey the demon leader hissed, "No matter, you still have no chance of defeating me."


"You won't mind if I challenge that theory, will you?" the armored king taunted dangerously.


Dornkirk gave an intimidating roar as Van charged forward with his blade high. Violently the emperor clamped his jaws over the blade locking it between his teeth. Growling in frustration the young king pulled and tugged at his sword hoping to dislodge it, but Dornkirk was determined to keep the weapon. The dragon knight felt his mind gasp as he heard the sound of metal cracking. Upon catching wind that he was actually breaking the great sword the demon ruler began to put even more pressure on the divine metal. Frantically the wielder tried to help the weapon escape its death, but to the king's horror he felt the hilt move only after he heard a brilliant shattering. So taken by surprise was he by the breaking of his sword that the king fell backwards with the broken end still grasped tightly in his fist. After finding himself sitting on the ground the man brought the remains of his weapon to his face. Anguish surfaced to his mind as he saw his blade had been reduced to a small point that swept from an angled shard embedded in the glorious hilt of the legend weapon.


Van suddenly looked past the broken sword back at his opponent in time to see the other part of his weapon fall in a downpour of scattered remnants from the monster's jaws. Dornkirk licked the dribble of blood that came from the cuts on his lips.


"It was foolish to snap that twig of a weapon in my mouth" hissed the demon as his cuts stung from the touch of his tongue, "but at least you no longer have your precious sword."


Furiously Van threw the blade far off into the edge of the battlefield. The glint of the weapon shined in the distance as it found a home in the black ground.


"I do not need mortal weapons to defeat you!" raged the king angrily, "I will face you with my own powers!"


Dornkirk's black lips twisted into a demonic smirk as he jeered, "Do you truly think you stand a chance against me with your weak powers?"


Giving a great bellow of sinister laughter the demon mocked, "Even your wife could not defeat me! And she was thought to be the most powerful being upon this planet!"


Bringing his head up and lifting his chin higher the demon took on a regal stature, "But I have proven that theory wrong!"


Van locked his teeth together as his anger hit a new level. He hated to hear such slander about his wife! A new wind began to form hitting the back of the ruler. Dornkirk lowered his head as his eyes narrowed on the royal. Now what?


The male Draconian's eyes gleamed a soft red as he growled, "Don't speak of Hitomi like that!"


With a shout a sudden attack erupted from a flung up palm. A pearl orb sailed through the air easily and struck the demon creature hard in the face. Howling from being off guard Dornkirk reared with his claws swinging dangerously. Van quickly back out of reach of the sharp weapons smirking.


Round two was on…




~~~ Vision ~~~
Hitomi didn't know how she arrived in this new plane, but at the moment she was really too occupied with what she saw to really think about it. She was standing in ankle deep crystal clear water encased in a perfect circle of cream granite creating a pool of seventy feet across. The liquid was strangely warm, but perfectly still like a mirror or a reflection. Along the edge of the pool upon the stone surface were eight arches of graceful design that reminded the seeress of Atlantis. Draped over the arches and down the pillars that lifted them were hundreds of green vines dotted with fine pearl flowers that Hitomi could not identify, but their fragrance was sweet like roses. Beyond each arch Hitomi could see a rainfall of sparkling drops that she thought to be rain, but there was no sound of the weather or the hint of cloud for the world was black beyond the pool and the droplets sparkled without the use of light. Stranger still was the fact that the entire area of granite was nicely illuminated, but there seem to be no sign of the source. Hitomi gasped as she suddenly realized it was the flowers that produce the light. The flowers were light bulbs glowing over the water.


Slowly turning around to gaze over the splendorous scene the maiden wondered out loud, "Where am I now?"


"You are standing in the center of the mirror pool" commented a soft female voice. Hitomi quickly swirled around with her hair whipping behind her.


"Who's there?" the seeress called nervously.


"My name is not really important" the voice replied velvety, "For many have my name."


Turning 180 degrees toward what Hitomi thought to be the direction of the speaker the seeress asked, "And what might that be?"


"It is a name that has been passed countless times down my ancestral bloodline and has been so kindly bestowed upon myself as well" the voice spoke from what seemed to be a different spot than before.


"My name is Iris" claimed the voice gently, "But I am neither your grandmother nor the great queen who created the Mystic Moon, Hitomi Fanel."


The Angel stopped her search for the speaker as she confusedly whispered, "How do you know me?"


"Because" said the voice louder than before and directly behind the seeress causing the queen to frantically swivel around to catch sight of the spokesperson. Hitomi shucked in a breath of air as she became transfixed by the vision of a goddess before her. Smiling fondly the unknown woman replied, "It is because I am your relative, milady."


Quickly the seeress took in the splendor of the Draconian female before her. The woman had to be around her mid twenties with pale skin like cream and shinning long ebony locks that come to her back. She wore a long flimsy pearl knee-long gown that had a transparent over skirt. While her feet were bare her ankles bore a pair of golden bracelets with chimes that clinked together. Like her ankles her wrists also were adorned with identical bracelets while long see through sleeves draped her unscarred arms. The glorious dress dipped at the neck to expose a delicate gold hoop that cradled another circle that held the Royal Emblem of the Draconians.


Probably the most distinct aspect of her attire though was the long staff held delicately in her right hand. The item was long and slender with a round tip for its base. Along the entire surface of the staff were etchings of symbols, markings, and ancient writings almost too faint to see until you were looking directly at it. The top curved into a delicate two-foot diameter circle that enclosed the design of an angel. Swirling around the royal emblem were several links that embraced small golden chimes.


Smiling quietly the woman stepped completely through one of the archways. As she stepped fully into the light she seemed to sparkle. Her reddish-brown eyes stared fondly at the seeress and for a moment the young queen thought she saw the maiden's eyes flicker to green.


Hitomi stared at the maiden dumbfounded at the lady's beauty. Finally realizing she had her mouth hanging open Hitomi quickly went to ask a question in hope of playing off her awkwardness.


"What do you mean exactly when you say you are my relative?" the seeress asked frantically just before she had the sudden desire to hit herself. What kind of a question was that?!


The goddess-like woman merely laughed at the nervous queen. Covering her mouth apologetically the lady called Iris spoke softly, "I am one of your descendants, milady."


"Descendants?" Hitomi questioned confused, "How can you be my descendant? I mean you look older than me."


Bowing her head carefully as if she was made of delicate glass the pearl maiden waved the end of her staff in a circle pointing at the surrounding area. In a very prideful voice the woman replied, "This place is an intersection between time. Past, present, and even future can be in attendance here at once. Though I am from the distant future I am able to exist here because of the powers woven into this realm."


Glancing at the arches momentarily the seeress inquired, "Who created this place?"


"Joutei" the woman responded as she stood on the very edge of the granite meeting the water, "It was created upon the request of a Draconian Queen."


Hitomi cocked her head curiously, "Why?"


Carefully the woman looked down at the water her eyes completely transfixed on the glimmering surface. Softly she took her staff in both hands and delicately touched the water making it ripple. Hitomi watched intensely as she saw the surface began to change. Warm glows of several different shades swelled on the surface and swirled mysteriously. Gradually images began to appear, but they were very fuzzy and deformed. In a few seconds the designs and pictures were gone leaving plain water again. Hitomi scowled and continued to stare hoping the images might reappear, but they did not.


"This is a place of remembrance and warning" Iris finally replied awakening Hitomi from her gaze on the pool.

Looking up Hitomi noticed a distant look on the maiden. The pearl maiden stared down at the water as she replied softly, "The queen who asked for this place wished for all to remember the past, to love the present, and be wary of the future. Thus the three time flows were brought together in this intersection."


The seeress scowled at the riddle, but remained quiet as the woman came onto one knee at the edge of the granite. Mysteriously the waters seemed to shift beneath the surface as the goddess brought her hand to hover over the pool. Softly a glow formed in the water in several shades and hues. The colors swirled mysteriously to and for within the pond before gradually forming an image. Hitomi gasped as she her own face appeared in the colors; however, it was not her reflection that she saw, but an earlier image of herself during the Great War when her hair had been shortest. Curling her hand away from the watery picture the woman known Iris looked up through her eyelashes at her ancestor.


"You see, Lady Hitomi" the woman's whisper floated across the water, "the royal who created this realm had been through a great many ordeals much like yourself and felt a need for all to remember the toils of the past… to remember what our people went through while seeing what we have become during the present. Also she desired to be wary of the future for all you do now in the present will result in which of the futures we go."


Next Iris stood up and quietly ran the bottom of her staff through the image of the seeress making the waters curl. Hitomi nearly lifted her eyes off the spot, but caught herself as she noticed a new image forming. The fresh picture was that of Hitomi again, but this time it showed her entire body covered in blood sprawled upon the black dirt of the Mystic Valley.


"My word" the seeress whispered as she flung her hand over her mouth, "Is this the present? Am I dead?"


The pearl woman bowed her head and closed her eyes before whispered sorrowfully, "No, milady, you are still alive though barely. This is one of the futures that will come to pass soon."


Hitomi snapped her head up and stared at the woman, "Come to pass? I thought the future is not written yet?"


Iris nodded now with opened eyes, "Yes, Queen Hitomi, that is correct the future is not written, but so far this future has become more pronounce with each second. Every time I call upon the near future of you this has appeared. If you are not carefully this will occur."


Hitomi looked down at the glassy image fearfully. Could it be true? Was she to die today? If the future was not written then there was a way of changing this.


Looking up to the woman again the seeress scowled. Looking carefully about the Angel asked, "Why was I brought here?"


"Wise you are" smiled Iris, "You understand you were brought here for a purpose. Joutei was right about you. Although he always is right."


"What was the reason upon bringing me here?" Hitomi repeated feeling urgency claim her patience.


"The reason you were brought here was to show you what would happen" claimed the goddess, "Joutei has told me to show this because he wants to make sure you understand the dire circumstances upon what you are doing right now. Every thing you are hoping to accomplish is on the edge of a sword. If you stray, but a little from your present course great perils will fall not only on you, but also on the rest of Gaea."


Again a scowl appeared on the beautiful queen's face, "So is it right for me to assume that if I continue to reverse the curse on the pendant then I will live."


Sadly Iris shook her head, "No, there is still little chance for your survival up to this point, but you already knew that."


Hitomi bowed her head staring down at the image of herself, "Yes, I knew I would probably die and I am still willing to accept it for I am responsible for my people."


Looking up again with tears in her eyes the angel queen whispered, "Besides I would do anything Joutei told me to do and this what he has asked of me, to destroy Dornkirk."


"So be it, Queen Hitomi" Iris spoke louder than ever signifying the end of their meeting, "I will send you back to realm you once stood in before you came here. I bid you hope and prayer that Joutei protects you."


Twirling her staff as if it was the weight of a feather the goddess brought its emblem to point at the water. Staring encouragingly into the seeress's eyes the pearl maiden whispered, "Good luck…"


Abruptly the mirror pool erupted into hundreds of fountains as the water sprayed upward by unseen powers. Hitomi quickly stepped back surprised by the warm sprays and suddenly felt her footfall into empty space behind her. The seeress frantically swung her arms forward to catch her balance, but she already had begun to fall. In a heartbeat Hitomi felt the warm water slap against her back. Crying out in surprise the water filled her mouth and the queen caught one last glance of the goddess. She saw the woman just stare at her as the water rolled over her head and in a flash the mirror pool was blanketed over the seeress driving her into the mysteriously appearing black depths. Fearing to drown Hitomi hysterically whipped her hands through the water hoping to bring her back to the surface, but she just sunk deeper. Soon the darkness swallowed her and the realm was no more…




~~~ Other Realm ~~~
Hitomi snapped open her eyes gasping for the air that suddenly surrounded her. She no longer felt the warm currents pressing against her body and her eyes revealed she was back where she had been before. She was back standing on the giant pillar within the turbulence of powers.


Scowling the maiden tried to figure out why in the name of Joutei she had been sent to that realm moments ago. It had served no real purpose except double-checking to see if she was willing to die for Gaea. Strange...


Hitomi flinched awake suddenly as she saw the lightning streak in her direction narrowly missing her personal pedestal. Swallowing her fear the woman turn back around to glare at the perils around her. She needed to stop thinking about past moments and more on what was to be done. She knew what was to be done…


Holding the pendant high in her two hands the seeress felt for the curse laying in her soul. The swell of darkness within her breast caught the attention of the queen as she played with it carefully checking to see how it would react to her. The slimy power clutched her soul unwilling to give up on the sweet life force it was consuming. Hitomi shuddered as she pulled on the parasite feeling its clutches tear through her flesh. The power withered in her grasp trying to desperately escape her hold. When it realized it could not be dislodged from her hands it started to attack more fiercely. Frantically it slapped hundred of tentacles over her heart squeezing it mercilessly. The royal cried out as the anguish ripped through her rib cage. Involuntarily she et go of the creation and she felt the pain of its attacks ease off of her body and gradually become a dull throb.


Clutching the pendant closer to her heart Hitomi heaved for air. This was not going to be easy. The curse was going to kick and scream the entire time she would try to pull it from her life force. It would grow only more painfully the more she tried, but she saw no other way. Gritting her teeth she once again grabbed for the parasite ready to endure whatever it lashed out with. The second she claimed a hold on the power the creation began to writher and squeeze the seeress's life force. Grunting the maiden pulled as hard as she could unwilling to give up…





~~~ Mystic Valley ~~~
Dornkirk twisted his body in mid-air and landed roughly on all fours growling daringly. Van ignored the threat and plowed forward with his fists glowing white. Seconds before he became in striking reach the young king leapt into the air and open one of his palms. Instantly a ray of pearl glow streaked from his hand at the great demon. The Zaibach creature growled furiously as he dodged the attack. Van quickly landed and raced forward throwing more streaks of light at his opponent. Dornkirk was quick in his larger former showing how his mass had done nothing to his speed.


As a ray barely grazed his hindquarters the demon ruler growled darkly, "Two can play this game."


Coming to a sliding halt Dornkirk threw up his head with his jaw gaping. Van threw himself against the ground a fraction of a second before a great scarlet beam shot out of the rows of fangs.


As soon as the beam dispelled Van was up again, but unfortunately while he had waited out the attack Dornkirk had twisted around bringing his lethal tail to the front of the battle. The instant Van looked up at the demon he caught sight of the blur too late. A pounding sensation ran through the left side of the king's face and struck hard against the nerves collected in the ruler's upper skull. Blackness swam in his vision although Van knew his eyes were open. He felt the ground flip over him several times and sharp rocks scratch his face. After rolling to a stop the ruler felt his head begin to settle down into a throb.


The young royal's vision began to clear gradually and soon he could see his helmet laying several feet away. The white piece of armor had been dented inward and blood was smeared on the metal appearing like rose petals on milk. Tenderly the dragon knight tried to rise onto his elbows, but his head swirled with a new wave of pain causing Van to groan.


"Lucky shot" the king murmured under his breath while he forced himself to his knees. He felt his senses spin, but he drove himself to rise. Wincing slightly from a sudden jab in his skull the royal wavered on his hands and knees.


"This was too easy" Dornkirk's voice hissed darkly nearby, "I had hoped for a better fight from you, Dragon."


Van grinded his teeth together as he strained his body to placed a foot flat on the ground, "I'm not out of this fight yet, Dornkirk."


"Oh, to me you are" growled the Zaibach ruler, "You can barely get up off the ground let alone fight me."


The king bit his lower lip to keep from groaning as he fully rose into a stand. His sight wavered a second more before Van was able to focus on the demon monster. Hissing out a breath of air the king growled, "I will not stop until I'm dead, Dornkirk!"


Lowering his head to narrow his glowing red orbs on the royal angel the demon snarled, "If that is your wish, then I can spare a few more minutes on you."


Roaring loudly the beast raced forward with his feet pounding thunder into the air. Van felt himself sway to one side, but he quickly caught himself before he could fall. Dornkirk had hit him pretty hard in the head. He probably had a concussion for all he knew. Van staggered a couple of feet forward towards his rival.


The poor king felt his heart slow on sight of the great monster. There was just no way for him to take on Dornkirk properly now and the Zaibach demon knew it.


The ground shook violently and the air bore the musk of the fighters. Van fought against his weak body forcing himself to remain standing as his knees fidgeted. The young king knew that if he didn't think of something quick he would be slaughtered in a few moments. Like a bull with it's head down the demon ruler charged forward snorting out long hissed from his enlarged nostrils. As his feet stomped heavily into the earth the creature whipped its tail madly behind him in anxiety of the approaching moment.


Weakly Van bent his knees hoping they wouldn't buckle. As Dornkirk finally arrived to gorge his horns through the king's belly the white knight made a feebly attempt to flip over the monster only to land squarely behind the demon's neck. The moment Van had landed he grabbed hold of the demon's horns seconds before Dornkirk began to buck like a wild horse. The monster roared and snorted twisting his body into great deformity to throw off the unasked for rider. Van desperately pressed his knees into the creature's neck in hope of cutting off the blood flow to the creature's brain or at least to keep himself from falling off.


Unfortunately, when Dornkirk felt the danger of lacking blood flow the man resorted to his smarts to fix the problem. Coming into a sudden still stance the demon whipped his barbed tail at his unsuspecting prey. It was by sure luck that the ruler rose in his seat causing the spiked limb to miss his neck and shoot through the royal's shoulder. Ripping the pearl armor completely and piercing through his chest pointed upward the tail's barbs had narrowly missed the king's organs. Van howled in pain and frantically grasped the limb just behind the barbs. Too late for anything to be done the king cried out as he felt the stabbing limb lift him from Dornkirk's neck and hurl backwards. Flesh ripped sickeningly as the barbs retreated from the man's back through which they had first come through sending the kind flying. Van screamed out as he collided with black ground and rolled violently through the dust. Each lurch sent blood spraying and pain through his body. Finally the ruler came to a halt only to curl into a fetal position of pain.


Dornkirk sneered at the crumpled king and turned his attention back to his true prey. The seeress stood silently with her hands clamped together in the sign of prayer with her eyes squeezed tightly shut. The demon scowled as he noticed her face was strained and beaded with sweat. What was she attempting?


Growling lowly in the back of his throat the demon started forward like a wild cat on the prowl. Slowly he strode to the queen with his fangs drooling in anticipation of her sweet flesh. Behind him Van struggled to rise still clutching his bleeding shoulder. His boots slid awkwardly through the brittle earth as the king frantically called out to his wife in danger.


"HITOMI!" he shouted frantically hoping to wake her to the peril, "LOOK OUT, HITOMI!"


It was too late for the plea to reach the queen, however, for the demon leader had already gone into a great lunge for the seeress's throat. As Dornkirk sailed through the air his jaws gaped open revealing the true depths of his throat and the gleam of his fangs. His claws stretched forward sharply reaching for the young queen, but he suddenly felt himself fall short as an invisible force caught him a few feet in front of the maiden. Dornkirk snorted in confusion glancing everywhere for the source of his sudden stop only to turn his eyes to the seeress who had suddenly revealed her emerald orbs. They stayed like that for several moments before the Angel finally spoke in a very low and intimidating tone.


"This ends here and now, Dornkirk" she stated firmly still with clamped hands, "For centuries my people have felt the grip of your suffering all because of your grudge for power. Now because of it I was call upon to finish what you started, but even what happens here goes far beyond your first moment of existence."


Narrowing her emeralds stonily on him she grounded, "What happens here is a result of the Draconians turning away from Joutei. It was because they forgot him that Joutei brought us into this misery, but now it is time to repent of our ways and thus I end the strife you yourself have produce, Dornkirk, by Joutei's wish! I end this by the command of the God of All so we might finally return to him!"


Suddenly a black ghost-like ooze shot from the woman's chest making the seeress scream and throw open her hands letting the pendant slip from her fingertips. In that same moment the ooze lurched forward and dove into the great gaping jaws of the demon ruler going into the very center of the leader's being. As the exchange completed Hitomi closed her eyes and felt everything rush together and fall into place in a single heartbeat…


Dornkirk screeched as he felt the curse cling to his soul and begin to swell. The phantom curse twisted through the nerves and wrapped itself around the soul of the Zaibach ruler. The demon king twisted in agony as the power erupted inside him and ripped through his flesh. Before long his entire body combusted and flung across the valley spraying black ooze and blood.


Hitomi felt her mind swim as a thousand images raced through her head. Images of when she was child were first to pass only to later let scenes of her teenage life flow through. Sudden array of pictures from both the "Great War" and the "Sacrifice" erupted before letting the entire last week replay in her memory.




~~~ Images ~~~
A young girl about four with golden brown hair raced through a field of daises…


The same girl at age eight climbing up at small tree…


Cashing a dog…


Wailing a goodbye in her grandfather's arms…


Moving into a new house…


Sleeping beneath her rainbow covers…


Meeting Yukari…


Trying out for the track team…


Making a D- on a quiz…


Winning Track State Championship…


Having a Crush on Amano…


Slamming into Van on the track field…


Meeting Allen…


Fighting with Merle…


Becoming a rival with Millerina…


Acting as a mother to Chid…


Leaping across an eight meters drop to reach Van…


Falling down the chasm and being saved by her angel…


Slapping Van in the barn…


Kissing Allen…


Being kidnapped by the cat twins…


Facing Folken in the temple with Van and dragons…


Going to Dornkirk to stop his fate alterations…


Saying Goodbye…


Returning…


Finding the Book of Angels…


Meeting Jasper…


Fighting Kaosu and Kusari…


Destruction of the Mystic Moon…


Finding the way…


Proclaiming and confessing love…


First True Love's Kiss…


Heading out…


Battling the gargoyles…


Drifting through the mysterious forest…


Standing up against Sian…


Learning a legend…


Waking a legend…


Finally arriving in the Mystic Valley…


Van's death…


Her anger to Kusari…


Battling Akuma, the gargoyle, within the flying fortress…


Bringing back the people of the Mystic Moon…


Her death…


Her return…


Van and her marriage…


A year of peace…


A new war…


Sian's village destroyed…


Death of her parents…


A secret meeting…


Heading to the mountains…


Realizing their enemies' identities…


Gaining a new ally…


Heading to ice…


Race away from the white wolf beast…


Nearly losing Van…


Meeting Zaado…


Hall of Mirrors…


Face off between Hitomi and demon


Reaching the desert…


Varia and Noi…


Birth of Iris…


Fray with the sandworms…


Finding Nazomi…


Captured by Ski…


Final battle with Ana…


Meeting Tsuno, Shakaku, and Escaflowne…


Going into the Realm of the Dead…


Returning with Folken to find Iris captured…




Suddenly there was a flash and new faces appeared…




Sian was racing through the treetops at age five…


Zaado was cutting down small timbers…


Tsuno was netting fish…


Nembus was growing accustom to a family…


Nazomi was pulling the full pail out of the deep well…


Sian, now older, was watching her village burn down from the tallest tree…


Zaado trudged through the blizzard feebly…


Tsuno cried bitter tears as he watched the sun rise over the cold waters of the black sea…


Nembus cradled his father's body in the mist of the destruction of his village…


Nazomi trudged through the desert while blood dripped from her hands…


At the age of a teenager, Sian stood in the flash of lightning dressed in rags caked with war paint and mud…


Zaado was carving caverns into the side of the bluff…


Tsuno was drifting through the crowd of people on the docks and piers…


Nembus stood in the heat of the flames watching the soldiers wither to ash…


Nazomi stood between Zaado and Tsuno in new attire as Queen Iris presented each of them with his or her personal weapon…


Sian and Nembus stared at each other beneath the treetops…


The fight between the five guardians within the palace…
Sian disappeared into the forest with her group of Draconians building villages nearby…
Zaado walked through the passages passing by several other occupants of his underground village…
Tsuno stood next to the helm as the sun rolled over the waves that crashed against the Apparition…
Nembus glanced over his shoulder momentarily before entering into the bellows of the mountain…
Nazomi rode her Yui roughly as her group of nomads topped another rise and glanced down to see if there was an adequate spot to camp…
There was one last scene as each of the warriors stood in their pearl armor with their faces grim and covered in black blood…

There came yet another flash as one last life was shown…

Van cried over his parents' graves at age ten with his loyal advisor and trainer, Balgus, mourned behind him…


The royal armor was dressed upon him announcing him king…


All of Fanelia burned while he escaped in Escaflowne with Hitomi in hand…


He fought Allen for the first time…


He came to Austuria meeting Millerina and Chid…


Battle upon battle, guymelef against guymelef…


The finale fray in the Great War…


Saying goodbye to Hitomi…


Spending two years rebuilding Fanelia and dreaming of Hitomi…


Overjoyed at her returned…


Saddened by her lose of her people…


Their first kiss…


Excited by their engagement…


Deciding on a journey…


Escaflowne's transformation …


Looking for the way to the valley…


Discovering of their engagement…


Arrival of disaster…


His death…


His reawakening…


His fight with Akuma and Kusari…


Holding Hitomi as she died…


Mourning terribly over her body as the flames beat closer…


Burying his beloved…


Saying goodbye over her grave…


He stood gaping as Hitomi floating back down to him alive…


Racing to her…


Kiss of welcome…


Marriage…


Honeymoon…


Ruling together…


Falling off the bed at the announcement of her pregnancy…


Watching over her as the weeks passed…


Rebuilding the society of angels and Gaeans…


Searching for her body under the glass house rubble…


Discovering an old enemy's return…


Meeting of secrecy…


Finding Nembus…


Being saved by Zaado…


Nazomi delivering Iris…


Being Tsuno's captives…


Meeting Shakaku and Escaflowne…


Trying to protect Iris and Merle when Dornkirk and the demons attacked…


Screaming out to Hitomi as she left to face Dornkirk, alone…


Trying to penetrate the dome…


Protecting his wife…


Fighting Dornkirk…




There came about another flash of light…



Hundred of faces flowed into view staring at her quietly while a great light erupted behind them… A single face overthrew the others floating to the very heart of the array of images. It was the woman Hitomi had met in the vision of the mirror pool. Iris smiled warmly as she whispered, "Thank you…"



*Flash*



The rock pillar beneath her feet creaked and swayed as the storm blazed. Abruptly a streak of lightning crashed into the side of the large pinnacle. The energy bolt ripped through the layers of stone and erupted out of the opposite side of the pedestal. Hitomi's eyes widened as she saw the rock beneath her feet crumbled to dust and chunks. Her hands whipped forward to grab for some invisible object before she was sucked into the darkness, but she failed miserably and she dove into the descending rubble…



There was a final moment as the light swam in the seeress's sight before she crashed back into reality…



The pendant that held such great power glowed brightly as it sailed through the air. As it flew silently the surroundings caught on the surface of the stone gleaming with the reflections of the people and the illumination. Sparks glittered beneath the surface as the world went in slow moment. Shockingly the stone finally met the earth and for the moment when the two surfaces met the oxygen was sucked out of the world as the pendant shattered to a billion fragments spraying everywhere.


And in that same exact moment a light within the emeralds of the seeress dimmed seconds before she crumpled lifeless to the ground.


Last, the great red walls that had bordered the battlefield fell to the ground with a loud thunder allowing the eight impatient warriors entrance. Frantically the fighters raced forward screaming.


"LADY HITOMI!" Sian screeched desperately as she stumbled over the land towards her queen. Close behind came her fellow guardians.


Van was much closer though and even though he had to nearly crawl to her limp form he was the first to arrive beside the Angel. No longer caring about his bloody shoulder the king grabbed his wife who was presently faced down on the ground and turned her over. Wincing from his injured shoulder the king dragged her into his lap with his whole body tensing in anguish. His hand swept over her brow frantically revealing her eyes from beneath her bangs. Her emeralds were wide open, but they were dim like a put out fire.


"Hitomi!" he shouted fearfully in her face, "Hitomi, wake up!"


Nothing result from his attempts and he felt his tears emerge from his eyes as he began to shake her, "Wake up, Hitomi!"


Nothing still…


Her face was pale like a ghost, but relaxed as if she was merely resting. Her eyes that always sparkled so bright and glorious were so dim and distant. Being splattered in black and red blood did nothing to help her appearance.


The king began to panic and turned desperately to the arriving warriors pleading with his eyes for help. Gradually the fighters slowed down forming a semicircle around the two royals. He couldn't lose her.


Nazomi pushed forward through the others and came to the king's side. Her hand swiftly went to the girl's neck checking for a pulse while the other fighters waited tensely. The desert maiden bit her lip as the minutes ticked away without a single beat. The guardians shifted nervously as their eyes never left the queen's figure. Van stared down at his wife's pale face waiting desperately for any signal of life from his beloved. The desert maiden's eyes grew shiny as her tears swelled. Pulling away slowly the healer hung her head down causing several of the group's eyes to close with emotional pain.


The world hung in silence as the reality begun to sink into everyone's mind. The guardians hung their heads and began to cry out for their ruler. Van sobbed like a small child as he clutched his bloody wife to his chest. Though victory had been achieved a failure had emerged among the group. It was a failure that none of them had ever been willing to accept, but they were forced to do otherwise.


Sian's knees buckled and she fell to the ground kneeling before her two rulers. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "No, Hitomi…"


Anguish ripped through the land as all felt the death of the great queen unable to truly accept her disappearance from this world. Heaven slowly emerged as the storm clouds rolled away, but it did nothing for the misery felt in the valley. It was over, but the tears would never end.


Slowly the green maiden lifted her hand and stretched her fingers towards the seeress's face. Van watched numbly as the warrior closed the woman's eyes letting the finally respect of death commence. Fresh tears emerged as the warriors found themselves realizing the true enormity of the lady's death.


Nembus dropped his sword and covered his face with a dirty metal glove. Tsuno leaned against his trydant as he vainly held back a shuddered sob. The giant, Zaado, hung his head as a few tears slipped from his eyes. Nazomi wailed painfully against her hand as she tried to muffle her own cries. The entire world cried out and all of Judgment mourned for the great ruler who had died that day as they watched the scene.


Hitomi had been like a mother figure to the guardians while the world had looked upon her as a destined savior to relieve them of the chaos. She had suffered when no one had done anything for her. She had gone out of her way to save another when her life was on the line. She had been a heroine…


Van and Sian just cried silently as the maiden withdrew her hand from the young queen. Just as the maiden pulled her hand back to her side she suddenly noticed something green in front of her. Sian's eyes grew wide as she looked down to see a small stem untwisting from the black earth. Slowly the plant unraveled and stood seven-inches high catching the attention of the rest of the group. Silence fell on all spectators as they saw a small bud form on the green plant. Gradually the pearl bud opened revealing a perfect white flower as it stretched into full bloom.


"How did?" Sian whispered as she saw the plant begin to sparkle with some mysterious unknown illumination. Her fingers involuntarily reached out for the glowing petals drawn by its mystery. As her fingertips came to barely brush up against the flower's surface three more stems were produced from the ground. Yanking her hand back Sian stared in awe along with the others as these new plants, too, bloomed perfect flowers. The maiden's silver jewels glowed with the reflecting light of the flowers as a dozen more stems grew from the same spot.


Nembus took a step back as grass sleepily towered from the ground. Sparkles floated into a growing breeze as the tiny sparks flowed beautifully from the flowers. The guardians gaped as more vegetation swarmed from where they stood stretching out over the battlefield. Like a green wave the plants washed over the bloodstained earth soaking up the red and black liquid. Water bubbled in the lava and overflowed into rivers and streams. Slowly Sian stood watching as the land of darkness transformed back into a glorious paradise it had once been. The dead bodies of the demons became entangled by plants and were gradually swallowed into the ground. Moments later a herd of unicorns topped a nearby hill with an array of birds flying overhead. Soon the sun rose over the horizon sending a golden glow over the land as the final touches of the land settled.


The white sparkles flew everywhere as the wind swirled. The guardians were standing there gaping when they each began to glow. Looking down at themselves the angels and dragons watched in splendor as their clothes slowly transformed from their armor into royal attire. Nazomi stared down at her desert garments that only leaders wore. Tsuno lifted his hands as he realized he was back in the uniform of a captain. The outfit of a ruler was adorned on Zaado as Nembus wore the armor of a knight. Shakaku and Escaflowne were draped in the royal garments of bodyguards with silk robes. Last, Sian was dressed in the cape of a royal with the armor of a warrior.


The green maiden lifted her tear filled eyes to the heavens and watched as the sky swirled with beautiful colors. Warm winds blew from the north and the noise of a thousand ghost cheers lifted to the groups' ears. Sian's hair blew majestically as she whispered, "Thank you, Joutei…"


Van closed his eyes painfully as he lifted his wife to be cradled more comfortable against his shoulder. His fingers wound into her stiff hair. Quietly the man whispered in the dead woman's ear, "Goodbye, my love…"























~ So it's finally over. The chronicles of Hitomi Kazanki have ended. *grabs a box of tissues* Here you might need these. Anyway I will be writing an epilogue shortly and hope to have it posted before Christmas. The final chapter of my long story will soon arrive --- Chapter 31: Arise of a New Queen ~