1 Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Escaflowne
The Scepter of the Dragons
Chapter 18: A soul is restored
By Coolchick1500
Hitomi went back into the castle and started packing her things. She stuffed her duffel with clothes, etc. Van and Hitomi ditched the private lunch. Though she didn't think it was the best idea, they had to tell the council. Larson, who was informed by Van earlier, had Jenkins pick out some men. (Larson's getting lazy). Before Hitomi headed down to the dining room, she stopped at the infirmary. She talked to Marina, and told her of everything. She asked Marina if she would come to Canzaraka. Marina didn't want to leave, but she was needed. No one else knew how to do everything. Marina told Hitomi that she would come with them. Hitomi thanked her and left to go to lunch. She walked into the room and took her seat.
"Lord Van has told us that you are leaving for a few days," Guyho said.
"Yes, I am" Hitomi said.
"Why? To help the wolf-men? It's a waste of time," Aklen said.
"How dare you?! You have no right to say such things," Hitomi said.
"However, something positive is coming out of this" Aklen said.
"And what would that be?" Hitomi asked.
"I don't have to take orders from you until you get back" Aklen said.
Hitomi stood up from her chair. "Aklen, I know you don't like me. And I don't care. You have no right to treat me with such disrespect" Hitomi said.
"Why? Because you'll be queen soon" Aklen sneered.
"No, because I'm a person just like you. And the wolf men, they're living beings as well. You cannot have such a disrespect for living creatures," Hitomi said.
"Watch me" Aklen said.
You could hear the echo of a slap throughout the castle. "I wasn't lying when I said I'd do that again," Hitomi said.
Before she had the chance to sit down, Aklen grabbed her wrist. Van stood up, drew his sword, and put it against Aklen's neck. Larson, who was also standing by this time, had his sword pointed at Aklen's throat. "You better watch yourself, you little tramp. The first time you mess up, I'll be here. And you'll be gone" Aklen said.
Yukari, who had seen enough, went over to Aklen. She put a hand on his shoulder and asked him to stand up. He did so, and released Hitomi. Yukari then proceeded to punch him in the jaw. "You do that again, and I'll hand you over to Van, Larson, and Amano" Yukari hissed.
She composed herself before going back and taking her seat. Merle ran into the room. "Sorry I'm late," She said. "Why's everyone standing?"
She saw Aklen on the floor. "Now what he do?" Merle asked.
"I'm the last person you want to attack" Hitomi said.
"You just better watch your step" Aklen said.
"And you watch yours. I'm not afraid of you and I don't plan on becoming afraid of you anytime soon" Hitomi said.
"Larson, lock Aklen up for assault on Hitomi" Van ordered.
"Gladly" Larson said.
He pulled Aklen up to his feet and drug him out of the room. "Are you okay?" Van asked.
"I'm fine" Hitomi replied.
"I missed something. What is it?" Merle demanded.
"Aklen started with his mouth again and Hitomi slapped him. I turn he grabs Hitomi's wrist. Yukari goes over to the jerk and punches him in the jaw" Amano explained.
"Yukari, you are my new best friend" Merle said.
Yukari smiled. "That asshole deserved it" Yukari said.
"I think everyone here will agree with you on that" Merle said.
Lunch continued without Aklen. After lunch, Hitomi continued packing. She got this nagging feeling. Though she didn't know what it was, she had to find out. It had something to do with everything around her. But what could it be? She walked down to the dungeon. "Well, well, it's the Mystic Moon bitch"
She picked up on the voice and walked to the area that held Dilandau. He was bound in chains to the wall. "Why Dilandau? Why do you put so many people through the torment and the pain?" Hitomi asked.
"It's who I am, my dear" Dilandau said.
Picking the lock with a hairpin, she entered the cell. She walked over to him. "Get out of here. You don't belong here," Dilandau said.
"I'm here to help Celena" Hitomi said simply.
"That sniveling little twit? She's weak. She doesn't belong in this world" Dilandau sneered.
"You don't get the decide that. She's a real person. You're not. You're a creation from Zaibach" Hitomi said.
"Maybe, but if I wasn't real person, then why am I here?" Dilandau demanded.
"You're real. That I won't deny. But you think of nothing but bloodshed. No other person is like that," Hitomi said.
"Lady Hitomi, what are you doing down here?" Jenkins asked.
"Nothing that concerns you" Hitomi said.
"Get your future queen out of here before she hurts herself" Dilandau said.
"I'm not afraid of pain. I've seen too much of it not to be. I'm here to help Celena" Hitomi said.
"Lady Hitomi, I implore you, please leave now" Jenkins said.
"I'm not leaving. Get out of here. I'll handle this" Hitomi said.
"If I leave, you know where I'll go" Jenkins said.
"Go and tell Van where I am. I'm not afraid of him or his wrath" Hitomi said.
Jenkins left. Hitomi knelt down and looked at Dilandau. She placed her right hand on his forehead. Within seconds, Dilandau was slumbering. She entered his mind.
~Dilandau's Mind~
All she saw was darkness. It covered everything. Nothing was bright or brilliant. She walked around, not sure where she was walking. After what seemed like forever, she saw a spotlight of white light. As she got closer, she saw a young woman her age sitting in the light. "Celena?" Hitomi asked.
Celena looked up. She was terrified. "Who are you?" Celena asked.
"My name is Hitomi Kanzaki" Hitomi replied.
"You're my brother's friend. The seer from the Mystic Moon, aren't you?" Celena asked.
"Yes. I'm here to help you. I want to help you regain your life" Hitomi said.
"How? Dilandau's too strong. He's overpowering" Celena said.
"This is your mind. He has no control in your mind. You can do what you please" Hitomi told the girl.
"I've tried to look around. But he's confined me to this light. I can't step out of it" Celena said.
Celena stood up and walked toward the end of the light. Only a foot away, streams of fire shot up from the ground. Celena backed up. "You can stop that. You can fight back. It's your life, your body, and your mind. You can take control," Hitomi said.
~Out of Celena's mind~
Van had been alerted to Hitomi's outlandish action. He walked down to Dilandau's cell. He saw Hitomi connection to Dilandau. He reached for her shoulder, and as soon as he touched it, an electric shock went through his body. He ordered someone to go get Marina. "She can't be reached. She's in a coma-like state. She can only awaken when she's ready to awaken. She has to do that herself. No one else can bother her," Marina said.
"What could happen?" Van said.
"The worst? If she's entered Dilandau's mind, she vulnerable. She has no one to protect her. She has to protect herself. Anything that Dilandau does to Hitomi's body in his mind will also occur to her physically. If he kills her in his mind, she dies here as well" Marina said.
Van closed his eyes, trying to hold back his tears.
~Dilandau's mind~
"I…I can't" Celena said.
"You must if you're to defeat Dilandau" Hitomi said.
Hitomi took the girl's wrist and pulled on it. As Celena stepped closer to the edge of the light, the flames shot up again. Celena pulled back, but Hitomi didn't deter. She kept pulling Celena closer to the flames. "Celena, this is your mind. Use that to your advantage. You can make the flames disappear. Wish them away" Hitomi said.
Celena closed her eyes. Seconds later the flames were gone. Vanished. As if they weren't even there to begin with. They stepped out of the light. "I never actually think you'd pull it off," Dilandau said, walking in the darkness.
"Anything is possible" Hitomi stated.
Dilandau drew his sword and touched Hitomi's neck. The tip slid down her face. "I wonder what would happen if I scarred your face. It would be a pity. You're so pretty. I wonder if Van would ever look at you the same way," Dilandau said.
"He loves me for me, not the way I look. There's more to a person than just looks. There's personality, and brains. How you look at your life, and how you treat others. That's why Van fell in love with me" Hitomi said.
Dilandau slashed the outside of her upper right arm. Blood oozed out of the wound.
~The real world~
Hitomi's right arm was cut, and blood slid down the rest of her arm. "I have to reach her," Van said.
"You can't. Only a person with metaphysical abilities can enter they're minds now" Marina said.
Van ran out of the room in search for Hitomi's grandmother. Once found, Van explained the situation to her. He told her that he wanted her to help him enter Hitomi and Dilandau's mind. She agreed and they walked, quickly, back to Dilandau's cell.
~Dilandau's mind~
Hitomi had been beaten and thrown around. She landed on the floor. Celena just stood and watched as her newfound friend was being slowly killed by her other half. A bright light appeared in the darkness. Hitomi's grandmother (getting sick of this, I'll call her…Lillian) and Van walked up to them. "One more move, Fanel, and I'll kill her" Dilandau said. He put his sword her Hitomi's throat.
Hitomi kicked Dilandau in the back of the knee. He fell, giving Van enough time to reach the pair, take the sword from Dilandau and help Hitomi to her feet. "You've lost. Give Celena back her life" Hitomi demanded.
"Never" Dillandau hissed.
"If what you say is true Hitomi, I can make him give it back to me" Celena said.
"Control your own destiny, child. Don't allow someone else to do so," Lillian said.
Hitomi took Celena's hand. A flash of light took them back to the real world.
~Real world~
Hitomi opened her eyes. As did Van and Lillian. Dilandau's body was changing forms. It became more feminine. His/her hair became longer and blonder. It wasn't as white. Celena opened her blue (is that the color of her eyes? If it isn't could someone please tell me what they are) eyes. "Thank you Hitomi" Celena said.
Hitomi smiled weakly before falling over. Van caught her head and held her in his arms. "She's exhausted from the ordeal. Let her rest" Marina said.
"Will she be okay?" Van asked.
Marina checked the seer's pulse. "Her pulse is very weak. She needs rest. That's all she needs. She'll be fine in a few hours," Marina said.
Van stood up with Hitomi still in his arms. He walked back to his room. He laid her on the soft silk sheets. They had been changed earlier. The sky blue sheets were perfect for the room. The color didn't clash. Though the rest of the room décor was dark, the sheets gave some brightness to the room. "Van…" Hitomi said.
"Hitomi, don't. Sleep. Rest. Save your strength. You'll be okay," Van said.
Van moved some of Hitomi's hair out of her face. Her hair had been pulled back earlier. In the couple of weeks she had been on Gaea, it had gotten considerably longer. He pulled on the hair tie that held her ponytail. "Don't" Hitomi said, moving her head.
"You'll feel better," Van said.
Hitomi moved her hand up to try and stop him. It didn't work. She was too weak and he was too strong. He pulled her hair out of the ponytail. Her bangs, which were too long to leave down and too short to be in the ponytail was held back with clips. Van removed them as well. He picked Hitomi's head up and moved her hair around. "That feels better" Hitomi mumbled.
"I told you so," Van said.
He saw a faint smile on his beloved's lips. "It's close to three in the afternoon. Why don't I stay here? I have no meetings today," Van said.
"I would like it if you stayed" Hitomi said.
Van climbed into bed next to Hitomi. Holding her in his arms, he saw how pale she was. "Are you still going tomorrow?" Van asked.
"Yeah. I have to" Hitomi said.
"Why don't I go with you?" Van asked.
"No. Stay here and take care of Fanelia. Her people need someone right now," Hitomi said.
"Yeah, you. I'll gladly take your place tomorrow," Van said.
"I don't know how to run the country," Hitomi said.
"That's what the idiotic council is for. Larson is here. Besides I saw some of your display during the attack a few days ago. You'd do fine," Van said.
"It's too hard," Hitomi said.
"Don't make excuses. Though, there is some truth to that statement, it does get easier with time" Van said.
"I…" Hitomi was cut off by Van's index finger. Placed on top of her lips, she quieted down.
"No more talk. Just sleep" Van told his lover.
Hitomi closed her eyes. Sleep came easy to her. Hours later she was awakened by a noise at the door. She looked over at Van. He was sleeping soundly, and lightly snoring. Her body wasn't weak from the ordeal. She had regained most of her energy from sleeping. She looked out the window. The sun was low in the sky, showing signs that it was setting. She pulled the covers back and got up to open the door. She opened the door and nothing was there. No sign of a person. She didn't pay it any attention. She closed the door. "Who was that?" Van asked from the bed.
"No one" Hitomi replied.
"Are you feeling better?"
Hitomi ran her fingers through her hair. "Much better actually"
Hitomi walked over to the balcony door and opened it. She stepped out onto the concrete. Her eyes wandered into the distance. The sky had turned into a deep pink almost red. She had the strangest feeling that something would happen. And soon. It nagged at her mind. She pushed it back in her mind, but didn't completely dismiss it. She knew if she did, something disastrous would happen. Hitomi's intuition never steered her wrong. "I know that look. It means trouble is near" Van said.
"I don't know what it is, but it's big. Something bad is gonna happen" Hitomi said.
Van walked over and put a cover around Hitomi. It was chilly out and Hitomi's dress offered her little warmth. "Why don't we go back inside?" Van asked.
"I can't," She said ingenuously.
"You have to. You have a big day tomorrow. The more rest you receive, the better off your will be" Van said.
He picked her up and headed back to the room. Though Hitomi disapproved of Van's action, she didn't fight back. Van laid her back on the bed. She closed her eyes and went back off to sleep. Dreams again plagued her sleep. However, it wasn't one of Hitomi's normal visions.
~Vision/Dream~
1.1 Hitomi was walking down what she could only guess were the streets of Fanelia. She was walking along side Van. The came to the town square. They encountered a little girl. She was no more than seven or eight. "Mommy, daddy, can I go play?" The little girl asked.
1.2
1.3 Hitomi smiled at the little girl. "Elizabeth, if you keep out of trouble this time, you can go play with your friends" Van replied.
1.4
1.5 "Dad I told you, I didn't start the fight. Some boy did" Elizabeth said walking off. "I'm going to go play with Neroma. At least SHE knows I'm not lying" She continued.
"Van, she is telling the truth. You just don't want to admit that YOUR daughter wants to play and learn how to fight with swords rather than being a princess" Hitomi said.
"I never had a problem with her learning the sword. I just don't see why she goes around with an attitude she's too small for," Van said.
"Van I love you and Elizabeth, but honey, look who her parents are. You had the same attitude when you were her age. And don't deny it Merle said it's true. I was the same way, also when I was her age. I was always tuff and determined. I was seen as a tomboy. I was a girl, but I liked what the boys liked. I hated people who only looked in mirrors. I wanted to play sport. She does too. Besides, maybe she'll grow out of it" Hitomi said.
"If she's anything like you my dear, believe me when I say she won't" Van proved.
"Very funny. Van she's only seven" Hitomi argued.
"Can you believe it's been seven years since we found the scepter?" Van asked.
"No. I had just found out I was pregnant. And who knew Jared was being controlled by a spell" Hitomi said.
"Yeah, and Balcifer really turned out to be…"
~End of Vision/Dream~
Hitomi shot up in bed. "Oh, Hitomi I was just going to wake you. It's almost time for you to go" Van said.
He was standing above her. "Yeah" Hitomi said.
"Another dream?" Van asked.
"Yeah. It was weird though. I saw the future, but it was so peaceful" Hitomi said.
"Then we won?" Van asked.
"Yes" Hitomi said.
She got out of bed and changed into jeans and a short sleeve shirt. All the while, she was think about the last line of her vision. Who was Balcifer? It plagued her mind. After she pulled her hair back and did all of her bathroom stuff, she walked down to the dining hall. "Good morning Lady Hitomi. Are you hungry?" Larson asked.
"No, not really" Hitomi replied.
"You might want to eat something, it's a long trip" Jenkins said.
"That's all right. Do you know how Celena is doing?" Hitomi asked.
"From what I've heard, she slept all through the night. She didn't have any nightmares," Millerna said.
"She doing fine. It seems as though Dilandau is completely out of her mind" Allen said.
"That's good," Hitomi said.
"Hitomi, I ought a hit you upside the head for what you did" Yukari said.
"She's right. It was a rash action" Amano agreed.
"I knew what I was doing. I don't need to hear this from you. It worked. Dilandau is gone. He's not coming back," Hitomi said.
"Why don't you need to hear it and what if he does?" Dryden asked.
"I don't need to hear it because Van's going to get on my case about it sooner or later. Which is why I wanna leave ASAP. If he does come back, I'll just do what I did yesterday" Hitomi said.
"I'll be damned!" Van's voice boomed through the room.
Hitomi cringed. "If Dilandau returns, it is the only way to stop him" Hitomi argued.
"Says who? There's gotta be another way besides entering his mind. Is dangerous. You could've died" Van said.
"Maybe there is another way to stop him; however, we do not know of such a way. I know the risks of mind jumping. My grandmother told me that I could've died when I enter another person's mind when she first started teaching me! This discussion is finished" Hitomi said.
Van walked up to her. "This discussion is far from finished. We will continue this when you get back" He hissed.
"Fine. It doesn't matter. I know what I'm doing" Hitomi said.
"You action from yesterday disproves that statement" Dryden settled.
"I don't know why you're having such a problem with this. I'm still here. I didn't die" Hitomi said.
"It's the fact that you could have. All of the people here love you and care about you" Lillian said.
"I know. But what else could have been done?" Hitomi asked.
"May I speak with you, privately?" Van asked.
Hitomi and Van walked out into the hallway. "I'm not trying to get on your case, but Lillian is right" Van said.
"I know. But I didn't know what else to do. It's my fault that he's back in the first place. I had to fix it" Hitomi said.
"I hate seeing you hurt. I love you so much. Which is why I hate not being with you for the next few days" Van said.
"Tell ya what. When I come back, you can have me all day and all night" Hitomi kissed Van's lips.
Van smiled. He knew what she meant. "okay" Van whispered.
Hitomi walked back into the dining room, took a roll and walked out of the room. Yukari and Amano followed her. The wolf-men were waiting for them. The soldiers coming were doing some last-minute packing. Marina was sitting on the ground, waiting for everyone to come out. Jenkins who came about a minute after them rushed outside. As they were getting ready to head out, Van grabbed Hitomi's wrist. "If I could, I would never let you go" Van said.
"I know. Don't worry. It's only for a few days. I'll be back before you know it. I love you" Hitomi said.
Before she could walk away, Van kissed her. It was cut short by Yukari telling them to get a room, and pulling Hitomi away. Yukari drug Hitomi away, knowing if she let Hitomi go they'd never leave. Hitomi looked back. Don't worry. I'll be fine. Everything will be fine Hitomi thought.
She felt Van's warm smile in her mind. They were off. Off to Canzaraka.
~Chapter 18 is finally finished. I had a little bit of writer's block towards the middle of the chapter. How did you like it? Was it any good? I hope so. I bet a lot of you are asking, who is Balcifer? Don't worry. I plan to reveal that in about another 2 chapters or so. Ne way, next chapter will be interesting. Very interesting results. Though I don't know when I'll be able to get it out. I have several ideas for the next chapter. The problem is what idea to go for. I estimate that my next Sunday, chapter 19 will be out. That's all for now! CYA!~
The Scepter of the Dragons
Chapter 18: A soul is restored
By Coolchick1500
Hitomi went back into the castle and started packing her things. She stuffed her duffel with clothes, etc. Van and Hitomi ditched the private lunch. Though she didn't think it was the best idea, they had to tell the council. Larson, who was informed by Van earlier, had Jenkins pick out some men. (Larson's getting lazy). Before Hitomi headed down to the dining room, she stopped at the infirmary. She talked to Marina, and told her of everything. She asked Marina if she would come to Canzaraka. Marina didn't want to leave, but she was needed. No one else knew how to do everything. Marina told Hitomi that she would come with them. Hitomi thanked her and left to go to lunch. She walked into the room and took her seat.
"Lord Van has told us that you are leaving for a few days," Guyho said.
"Yes, I am" Hitomi said.
"Why? To help the wolf-men? It's a waste of time," Aklen said.
"How dare you?! You have no right to say such things," Hitomi said.
"However, something positive is coming out of this" Aklen said.
"And what would that be?" Hitomi asked.
"I don't have to take orders from you until you get back" Aklen said.
Hitomi stood up from her chair. "Aklen, I know you don't like me. And I don't care. You have no right to treat me with such disrespect" Hitomi said.
"Why? Because you'll be queen soon" Aklen sneered.
"No, because I'm a person just like you. And the wolf men, they're living beings as well. You cannot have such a disrespect for living creatures," Hitomi said.
"Watch me" Aklen said.
You could hear the echo of a slap throughout the castle. "I wasn't lying when I said I'd do that again," Hitomi said.
Before she had the chance to sit down, Aklen grabbed her wrist. Van stood up, drew his sword, and put it against Aklen's neck. Larson, who was also standing by this time, had his sword pointed at Aklen's throat. "You better watch yourself, you little tramp. The first time you mess up, I'll be here. And you'll be gone" Aklen said.
Yukari, who had seen enough, went over to Aklen. She put a hand on his shoulder and asked him to stand up. He did so, and released Hitomi. Yukari then proceeded to punch him in the jaw. "You do that again, and I'll hand you over to Van, Larson, and Amano" Yukari hissed.
She composed herself before going back and taking her seat. Merle ran into the room. "Sorry I'm late," She said. "Why's everyone standing?"
She saw Aklen on the floor. "Now what he do?" Merle asked.
"I'm the last person you want to attack" Hitomi said.
"You just better watch your step" Aklen said.
"And you watch yours. I'm not afraid of you and I don't plan on becoming afraid of you anytime soon" Hitomi said.
"Larson, lock Aklen up for assault on Hitomi" Van ordered.
"Gladly" Larson said.
He pulled Aklen up to his feet and drug him out of the room. "Are you okay?" Van asked.
"I'm fine" Hitomi replied.
"I missed something. What is it?" Merle demanded.
"Aklen started with his mouth again and Hitomi slapped him. I turn he grabs Hitomi's wrist. Yukari goes over to the jerk and punches him in the jaw" Amano explained.
"Yukari, you are my new best friend" Merle said.
Yukari smiled. "That asshole deserved it" Yukari said.
"I think everyone here will agree with you on that" Merle said.
Lunch continued without Aklen. After lunch, Hitomi continued packing. She got this nagging feeling. Though she didn't know what it was, she had to find out. It had something to do with everything around her. But what could it be? She walked down to the dungeon. "Well, well, it's the Mystic Moon bitch"
She picked up on the voice and walked to the area that held Dilandau. He was bound in chains to the wall. "Why Dilandau? Why do you put so many people through the torment and the pain?" Hitomi asked.
"It's who I am, my dear" Dilandau said.
Picking the lock with a hairpin, she entered the cell. She walked over to him. "Get out of here. You don't belong here," Dilandau said.
"I'm here to help Celena" Hitomi said simply.
"That sniveling little twit? She's weak. She doesn't belong in this world" Dilandau sneered.
"You don't get the decide that. She's a real person. You're not. You're a creation from Zaibach" Hitomi said.
"Maybe, but if I wasn't real person, then why am I here?" Dilandau demanded.
"You're real. That I won't deny. But you think of nothing but bloodshed. No other person is like that," Hitomi said.
"Lady Hitomi, what are you doing down here?" Jenkins asked.
"Nothing that concerns you" Hitomi said.
"Get your future queen out of here before she hurts herself" Dilandau said.
"I'm not afraid of pain. I've seen too much of it not to be. I'm here to help Celena" Hitomi said.
"Lady Hitomi, I implore you, please leave now" Jenkins said.
"I'm not leaving. Get out of here. I'll handle this" Hitomi said.
"If I leave, you know where I'll go" Jenkins said.
"Go and tell Van where I am. I'm not afraid of him or his wrath" Hitomi said.
Jenkins left. Hitomi knelt down and looked at Dilandau. She placed her right hand on his forehead. Within seconds, Dilandau was slumbering. She entered his mind.
~Dilandau's Mind~
All she saw was darkness. It covered everything. Nothing was bright or brilliant. She walked around, not sure where she was walking. After what seemed like forever, she saw a spotlight of white light. As she got closer, she saw a young woman her age sitting in the light. "Celena?" Hitomi asked.
Celena looked up. She was terrified. "Who are you?" Celena asked.
"My name is Hitomi Kanzaki" Hitomi replied.
"You're my brother's friend. The seer from the Mystic Moon, aren't you?" Celena asked.
"Yes. I'm here to help you. I want to help you regain your life" Hitomi said.
"How? Dilandau's too strong. He's overpowering" Celena said.
"This is your mind. He has no control in your mind. You can do what you please" Hitomi told the girl.
"I've tried to look around. But he's confined me to this light. I can't step out of it" Celena said.
Celena stood up and walked toward the end of the light. Only a foot away, streams of fire shot up from the ground. Celena backed up. "You can stop that. You can fight back. It's your life, your body, and your mind. You can take control," Hitomi said.
~Out of Celena's mind~
Van had been alerted to Hitomi's outlandish action. He walked down to Dilandau's cell. He saw Hitomi connection to Dilandau. He reached for her shoulder, and as soon as he touched it, an electric shock went through his body. He ordered someone to go get Marina. "She can't be reached. She's in a coma-like state. She can only awaken when she's ready to awaken. She has to do that herself. No one else can bother her," Marina said.
"What could happen?" Van said.
"The worst? If she's entered Dilandau's mind, she vulnerable. She has no one to protect her. She has to protect herself. Anything that Dilandau does to Hitomi's body in his mind will also occur to her physically. If he kills her in his mind, she dies here as well" Marina said.
Van closed his eyes, trying to hold back his tears.
~Dilandau's mind~
"I…I can't" Celena said.
"You must if you're to defeat Dilandau" Hitomi said.
Hitomi took the girl's wrist and pulled on it. As Celena stepped closer to the edge of the light, the flames shot up again. Celena pulled back, but Hitomi didn't deter. She kept pulling Celena closer to the flames. "Celena, this is your mind. Use that to your advantage. You can make the flames disappear. Wish them away" Hitomi said.
Celena closed her eyes. Seconds later the flames were gone. Vanished. As if they weren't even there to begin with. They stepped out of the light. "I never actually think you'd pull it off," Dilandau said, walking in the darkness.
"Anything is possible" Hitomi stated.
Dilandau drew his sword and touched Hitomi's neck. The tip slid down her face. "I wonder what would happen if I scarred your face. It would be a pity. You're so pretty. I wonder if Van would ever look at you the same way," Dilandau said.
"He loves me for me, not the way I look. There's more to a person than just looks. There's personality, and brains. How you look at your life, and how you treat others. That's why Van fell in love with me" Hitomi said.
Dilandau slashed the outside of her upper right arm. Blood oozed out of the wound.
~The real world~
Hitomi's right arm was cut, and blood slid down the rest of her arm. "I have to reach her," Van said.
"You can't. Only a person with metaphysical abilities can enter they're minds now" Marina said.
Van ran out of the room in search for Hitomi's grandmother. Once found, Van explained the situation to her. He told her that he wanted her to help him enter Hitomi and Dilandau's mind. She agreed and they walked, quickly, back to Dilandau's cell.
~Dilandau's mind~
Hitomi had been beaten and thrown around. She landed on the floor. Celena just stood and watched as her newfound friend was being slowly killed by her other half. A bright light appeared in the darkness. Hitomi's grandmother (getting sick of this, I'll call her…Lillian) and Van walked up to them. "One more move, Fanel, and I'll kill her" Dilandau said. He put his sword her Hitomi's throat.
Hitomi kicked Dilandau in the back of the knee. He fell, giving Van enough time to reach the pair, take the sword from Dilandau and help Hitomi to her feet. "You've lost. Give Celena back her life" Hitomi demanded.
"Never" Dillandau hissed.
"If what you say is true Hitomi, I can make him give it back to me" Celena said.
"Control your own destiny, child. Don't allow someone else to do so," Lillian said.
Hitomi took Celena's hand. A flash of light took them back to the real world.
~Real world~
Hitomi opened her eyes. As did Van and Lillian. Dilandau's body was changing forms. It became more feminine. His/her hair became longer and blonder. It wasn't as white. Celena opened her blue (is that the color of her eyes? If it isn't could someone please tell me what they are) eyes. "Thank you Hitomi" Celena said.
Hitomi smiled weakly before falling over. Van caught her head and held her in his arms. "She's exhausted from the ordeal. Let her rest" Marina said.
"Will she be okay?" Van asked.
Marina checked the seer's pulse. "Her pulse is very weak. She needs rest. That's all she needs. She'll be fine in a few hours," Marina said.
Van stood up with Hitomi still in his arms. He walked back to his room. He laid her on the soft silk sheets. They had been changed earlier. The sky blue sheets were perfect for the room. The color didn't clash. Though the rest of the room décor was dark, the sheets gave some brightness to the room. "Van…" Hitomi said.
"Hitomi, don't. Sleep. Rest. Save your strength. You'll be okay," Van said.
Van moved some of Hitomi's hair out of her face. Her hair had been pulled back earlier. In the couple of weeks she had been on Gaea, it had gotten considerably longer. He pulled on the hair tie that held her ponytail. "Don't" Hitomi said, moving her head.
"You'll feel better," Van said.
Hitomi moved her hand up to try and stop him. It didn't work. She was too weak and he was too strong. He pulled her hair out of the ponytail. Her bangs, which were too long to leave down and too short to be in the ponytail was held back with clips. Van removed them as well. He picked Hitomi's head up and moved her hair around. "That feels better" Hitomi mumbled.
"I told you so," Van said.
He saw a faint smile on his beloved's lips. "It's close to three in the afternoon. Why don't I stay here? I have no meetings today," Van said.
"I would like it if you stayed" Hitomi said.
Van climbed into bed next to Hitomi. Holding her in his arms, he saw how pale she was. "Are you still going tomorrow?" Van asked.
"Yeah. I have to" Hitomi said.
"Why don't I go with you?" Van asked.
"No. Stay here and take care of Fanelia. Her people need someone right now," Hitomi said.
"Yeah, you. I'll gladly take your place tomorrow," Van said.
"I don't know how to run the country," Hitomi said.
"That's what the idiotic council is for. Larson is here. Besides I saw some of your display during the attack a few days ago. You'd do fine," Van said.
"It's too hard," Hitomi said.
"Don't make excuses. Though, there is some truth to that statement, it does get easier with time" Van said.
"I…" Hitomi was cut off by Van's index finger. Placed on top of her lips, she quieted down.
"No more talk. Just sleep" Van told his lover.
Hitomi closed her eyes. Sleep came easy to her. Hours later she was awakened by a noise at the door. She looked over at Van. He was sleeping soundly, and lightly snoring. Her body wasn't weak from the ordeal. She had regained most of her energy from sleeping. She looked out the window. The sun was low in the sky, showing signs that it was setting. She pulled the covers back and got up to open the door. She opened the door and nothing was there. No sign of a person. She didn't pay it any attention. She closed the door. "Who was that?" Van asked from the bed.
"No one" Hitomi replied.
"Are you feeling better?"
Hitomi ran her fingers through her hair. "Much better actually"
Hitomi walked over to the balcony door and opened it. She stepped out onto the concrete. Her eyes wandered into the distance. The sky had turned into a deep pink almost red. She had the strangest feeling that something would happen. And soon. It nagged at her mind. She pushed it back in her mind, but didn't completely dismiss it. She knew if she did, something disastrous would happen. Hitomi's intuition never steered her wrong. "I know that look. It means trouble is near" Van said.
"I don't know what it is, but it's big. Something bad is gonna happen" Hitomi said.
Van walked over and put a cover around Hitomi. It was chilly out and Hitomi's dress offered her little warmth. "Why don't we go back inside?" Van asked.
"I can't," She said ingenuously.
"You have to. You have a big day tomorrow. The more rest you receive, the better off your will be" Van said.
He picked her up and headed back to the room. Though Hitomi disapproved of Van's action, she didn't fight back. Van laid her back on the bed. She closed her eyes and went back off to sleep. Dreams again plagued her sleep. However, it wasn't one of Hitomi's normal visions.
~Vision/Dream~
1.1 Hitomi was walking down what she could only guess were the streets of Fanelia. She was walking along side Van. The came to the town square. They encountered a little girl. She was no more than seven or eight. "Mommy, daddy, can I go play?" The little girl asked.
1.2
1.3 Hitomi smiled at the little girl. "Elizabeth, if you keep out of trouble this time, you can go play with your friends" Van replied.
1.4
1.5 "Dad I told you, I didn't start the fight. Some boy did" Elizabeth said walking off. "I'm going to go play with Neroma. At least SHE knows I'm not lying" She continued.
"Van, she is telling the truth. You just don't want to admit that YOUR daughter wants to play and learn how to fight with swords rather than being a princess" Hitomi said.
"I never had a problem with her learning the sword. I just don't see why she goes around with an attitude she's too small for," Van said.
"Van I love you and Elizabeth, but honey, look who her parents are. You had the same attitude when you were her age. And don't deny it Merle said it's true. I was the same way, also when I was her age. I was always tuff and determined. I was seen as a tomboy. I was a girl, but I liked what the boys liked. I hated people who only looked in mirrors. I wanted to play sport. She does too. Besides, maybe she'll grow out of it" Hitomi said.
"If she's anything like you my dear, believe me when I say she won't" Van proved.
"Very funny. Van she's only seven" Hitomi argued.
"Can you believe it's been seven years since we found the scepter?" Van asked.
"No. I had just found out I was pregnant. And who knew Jared was being controlled by a spell" Hitomi said.
"Yeah, and Balcifer really turned out to be…"
~End of Vision/Dream~
Hitomi shot up in bed. "Oh, Hitomi I was just going to wake you. It's almost time for you to go" Van said.
He was standing above her. "Yeah" Hitomi said.
"Another dream?" Van asked.
"Yeah. It was weird though. I saw the future, but it was so peaceful" Hitomi said.
"Then we won?" Van asked.
"Yes" Hitomi said.
She got out of bed and changed into jeans and a short sleeve shirt. All the while, she was think about the last line of her vision. Who was Balcifer? It plagued her mind. After she pulled her hair back and did all of her bathroom stuff, she walked down to the dining hall. "Good morning Lady Hitomi. Are you hungry?" Larson asked.
"No, not really" Hitomi replied.
"You might want to eat something, it's a long trip" Jenkins said.
"That's all right. Do you know how Celena is doing?" Hitomi asked.
"From what I've heard, she slept all through the night. She didn't have any nightmares," Millerna said.
"She doing fine. It seems as though Dilandau is completely out of her mind" Allen said.
"That's good," Hitomi said.
"Hitomi, I ought a hit you upside the head for what you did" Yukari said.
"She's right. It was a rash action" Amano agreed.
"I knew what I was doing. I don't need to hear this from you. It worked. Dilandau is gone. He's not coming back," Hitomi said.
"Why don't you need to hear it and what if he does?" Dryden asked.
"I don't need to hear it because Van's going to get on my case about it sooner or later. Which is why I wanna leave ASAP. If he does come back, I'll just do what I did yesterday" Hitomi said.
"I'll be damned!" Van's voice boomed through the room.
Hitomi cringed. "If Dilandau returns, it is the only way to stop him" Hitomi argued.
"Says who? There's gotta be another way besides entering his mind. Is dangerous. You could've died" Van said.
"Maybe there is another way to stop him; however, we do not know of such a way. I know the risks of mind jumping. My grandmother told me that I could've died when I enter another person's mind when she first started teaching me! This discussion is finished" Hitomi said.
Van walked up to her. "This discussion is far from finished. We will continue this when you get back" He hissed.
"Fine. It doesn't matter. I know what I'm doing" Hitomi said.
"You action from yesterday disproves that statement" Dryden settled.
"I don't know why you're having such a problem with this. I'm still here. I didn't die" Hitomi said.
"It's the fact that you could have. All of the people here love you and care about you" Lillian said.
"I know. But what else could have been done?" Hitomi asked.
"May I speak with you, privately?" Van asked.
Hitomi and Van walked out into the hallway. "I'm not trying to get on your case, but Lillian is right" Van said.
"I know. But I didn't know what else to do. It's my fault that he's back in the first place. I had to fix it" Hitomi said.
"I hate seeing you hurt. I love you so much. Which is why I hate not being with you for the next few days" Van said.
"Tell ya what. When I come back, you can have me all day and all night" Hitomi kissed Van's lips.
Van smiled. He knew what she meant. "okay" Van whispered.
Hitomi walked back into the dining room, took a roll and walked out of the room. Yukari and Amano followed her. The wolf-men were waiting for them. The soldiers coming were doing some last-minute packing. Marina was sitting on the ground, waiting for everyone to come out. Jenkins who came about a minute after them rushed outside. As they were getting ready to head out, Van grabbed Hitomi's wrist. "If I could, I would never let you go" Van said.
"I know. Don't worry. It's only for a few days. I'll be back before you know it. I love you" Hitomi said.
Before she could walk away, Van kissed her. It was cut short by Yukari telling them to get a room, and pulling Hitomi away. Yukari drug Hitomi away, knowing if she let Hitomi go they'd never leave. Hitomi looked back. Don't worry. I'll be fine. Everything will be fine Hitomi thought.
She felt Van's warm smile in her mind. They were off. Off to Canzaraka.
~Chapter 18 is finally finished. I had a little bit of writer's block towards the middle of the chapter. How did you like it? Was it any good? I hope so. I bet a lot of you are asking, who is Balcifer? Don't worry. I plan to reveal that in about another 2 chapters or so. Ne way, next chapter will be interesting. Very interesting results. Though I don't know when I'll be able to get it out. I have several ideas for the next chapter. The problem is what idea to go for. I estimate that my next Sunday, chapter 19 will be out. That's all for now! CYA!~