Disclaimer: Escaflowne? Mine? Yeah right.
I just want everyone to know that this ain't a war fic, but rather it revolves more on Van's heritage and his and Hitomi's destinities (hence the title). Also, since this is Van-Hitomi centric, the other characters will only have supporting roles so I'll do no extensive characterization on them. Lastly, please don't get mad at me if I don't post chapters that often, True, I have the story all planned out up to the 3rd sequel/part but writing the individual chapters is a different matter and I still have a lot of other fic ideas. So please bear with me [smiles sweetly]. For comments, suggestions, flames or reviews you can email me at raizenheero@aol.com .
Van looked up from what he was writing when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in."
Merle entered the study and headed to his desk. "Lord Van, the whole Royal Council is waiting for you in the Conference Room."
"Thanks, Merle. I'll be right out. But I need you to do something for me," Van told her as he finished putting his seal on the letter. Handing it to her, he continued, "Please ask someone to deliver this as quickly as possible. It's really very important."
Merle took the letter, her eyes carefully studying Van. Having known each other since they were kids, there was nothing either of them could hide from one another. That was why she knew something was troubling him. Noticing the tired look in his eyes, she asked, "Still didn't sleep well last night?"
Van avoided her gaze as he busied himself in tidying his desk. "I just woke up early, that's all," he replied. He stood up, approached her and ruffled her hair. "I better head to the Conference Room. See you later," he told her before going out of the room.
Merle shook her head, knowing that Van avoided her question once again then looked at the letter in her hand. It was addressed to Dryden Fassa.
"Earth to Hitomi. Come in, Hitomi," Amano said as he and Yukari waved their hands in front of Hitomi's face. After school, Amano met the two girls so they could all hang out together at the mall, just like old times.
Hitomi blinked and saw her friends staring at her. Grinning at them sheepishly, she said, "Sorry. I guess I've been spacing out. So, what were you saying, Amano?" She sat back on her chair and looked at them expectantly as she resumed eating her ice cream float.
Amano and Yukari looked at each other. "Well, I was just asking if you're still talking to that Prince of yours. I guess you spacing out answers my question," Amano replied with a smile.
Hitomi blushed. Upon returning to Earth, she found it necessary (and therapeutic) to tell her adventures in Gaea to Yukari, Amano and her family. And as amazing as it sounded, they actually believed her, even the part of meeting her soulmate, Van. Maybe it was because Amano and Yukari had seen Van and her disappear in a pillar of light. Or maybe because her grandmother had told her family of a similar experience. Or it might just be that knowing how level-headed Hitomi was, they knew she wouldn't just conjure up something as profound as Gaea if she hadn't really seen it. Whatever the reason was, she was glad that they believed her. But since then, they all started teasing her mercilessly about Van, having discovered that they had that 'special link', especially Yukari and Amano.
"He's a King, not a Prince," Hitomi said, feigning haughtiness. The 3 of them laughed. "And yes, we still talk. Actually, we fell into a pattern of talking at night so I won't interfere with his duties and he won't interfere with my studies, though sometimes we couldn't resist checking on each other in the middle of the day." Then suddenly, Hitomi's face became troubled. "But we weren't talking when I spaced out earlier. I'm…worried about him."
"Why, Hitomi? Are you having visions again?" Yukari asked.
Hitomi shook her head. "It's not really that serious. Actually, it's not even concrete, just a feeling. Something is troubling him but he's keeping it from me. And last night, I suddenly woke up when I felt a warm glow on my chest, like when my pendant was glowing, at the same time that I felt Van woke up from a dream that he's been having for 4 nights now. He told me that it was nothing, but I could feel him block me out, not wanting me to feel his worry nor to get a glimpse of what the dream was all about. Something's definitely wrong, I could feel it in my bones, but he doesn't want me to help him."
"Don't worry about it too much, Hitomi. Maybe Van is just dreaming about you and let's just say that he's embarrassed that you'll find out about it," Amano told her. Grinning, he continued, "I sure don't want Yukari seeing my dreams about her."
Yukari slapped his shoulders playfully. "But I have to agree with Amano. You know how guys are. Hormones and hyperactive imagination…" Yukari trailed off suggestively. "And just imagine how hard it is for Van since you two are linked."
Hitomi blushed again and they all laughed. They continued their happy banter but Hitomi was still troubled, though she was careful not to space out again and spoil this day for Amano and Yukari. If only it's that simple. For Van's sake, I hope that Amano and Yukari are right. But I can't shrug off the feeling that something's going to happen real soon.
"Van."
The sound of his name penetrated his slumber, causing his eyes to open. He sat up and glanced around the room. He saw a man wearing a black robe standing by the open window. Instinctively, his hands reached out to the hilt of his sword leaning by the side of his bed. Van stood up then demanded, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The man took one step closer, the moonlight illuminating his features. His long, black hair and fair skin made a startling combination. There was something ethereal about him, as if he was untouched by time, ageless, completely detached from everything tangible in this world. But his lavender eyes were a different matter altogether. They spoke of long years, very long years. It was both eerie and fascinating.
"My name is Aastor. I have come for you, Van Slanzar de Fanel. It's time."
Van eyed him carefully. "Time for what?"
"It's time to fulfill your destiny. Come."
"I don't understand. What destiny? And why should I trust you?"
As a response, Aastor faced the window. Suddenly, black wings sprung forth from his back.
Van was shocked. "Your wings…"
Aastor turned his head to regard him. "If you want to know what your destiny is, come with me." With that, he flew off.
Van hurriedly put on his scabbard and sheathed his sword. He then went to the window to check the direction where Aastor had flown. Draconian or not, he didn't trust him. But he had to know what he was talking about. Coming to a decision, he unfurled his wings and flew off the window.
He found himself walking deep in the woods after landing on the spot where he last saw Aastor. A sweet voice then filled his mind. It was like she was singing to him, calling him, beckoning him to find her. He continued walking, forgetting all about Aastor, drawn to the voice just like the sailors were drawn to the sirens' song.
He entered a clearing and saw a beautiful lake --- The Lake of Lethe, and suddenly, he knew that he was reliving his dream. In the middle of the lake was an inlet where a girl stood, her back against him. Sensing him, she stopped singing and turned around. Their eyes met, her lavender eyes piercing his reddish-brown ones. Seeing her for the 5th time hadn't changed his reaction towards her. She was remarkably beautiful, as enchanting as a wood nymph or a sea sprite.
Smiling at him she said, "You came. I've been waiting for you," in that melodic voice of hers.
"Shahrei," Van said softly.
Shahrei smiled again. "I'm very happy that you remember me, your Majesty."
"What is it that you want? Why do you continuously summon me here?"
"As I said before, it was fate who summoned you, not me. You and I are of the same blood, even of the same destiny. That's why we're here. That's why we belong together." Upon saying so, a shower of feathers glittered by the moonlight as wings sprung forth from her back. She slowly rose and flew towards him, stopping a few feet above him. Still on the air, she offered him a hand then said, "Come. It's time."
As her eyes locked into his, he could feel his control over his body slipping. He slowly reached out to Shahrei's hand even though he didn't intend to. He desperately tried to pull away but to no avail. I can't fight it! Hitomi! his mind cried out.
Their hands were about to touch when suddenly his pendant glowed. Van's hand stilled when he heard someone call his name, causing him to regain control. "Van?"
Van and Shahrei turned their heads to the direction of the voice. "Hitomi?" Van said, shocked, before running towards her and enveloping her in a tight hug. He was so glad to see her again, to hold her for real this time. And of course, she managed to save him once more.
Hitomi hugged him back, also glad to finally see and touch him after a long time. But her gaze settled on the golden-haired girl who finally retracted her wings after landing on the ground. She was watching them with wistful eyes, almost as if she was hurt to see them get affectionate.
Finally, Van pulled away. "How…Why…"
"I don't know. All I know is that I was about to fall asleep when suddenly I heard you call my name then I found myself here," Hitomi answered. "By the way, where are we? And who is she?"
Before Van could answer, Shahrei said, "My name is Shahrei. I'm glad to have finally met you, Seeress from the Mystic Moon. But your job is done here and you're not part of His Majesty's destiny. So leave now."
Hitomi gasped while Van looked at Shahrei angrily. "Who are you to say what my destiny is? You're the one who should leave and never come back. If ever you sing to me again and lure me here, or try to control me in any other way, I swear even if you're a girl I'm going to kill you." Grabbing Hitomi's hand, he said in a softer tone, "Let's head back to the Palace, Hitomi."
They turned around and was about to leave when they saw someone emerged from the woods, heading towards them. "Shahrei is right, Van. The Seeress is not a part of this. Let her go home. You don't need her."
"Aastor. I should have known you're behind all of this," Van remarked coldly. "Hitomi and I are leaving. Get out of our way.
"I thought you want to know what your destiny is. Come with us and you'll know. Come with us and you'll fulfill your destiny."
Van stood in front of Hitomi and took out his sword. "I'm getting tired of all this talk about my destiny. I'm not going anywhere but back to the Palace. Don't you dare try to stop me," Van said in a deadly tone.
Aastor moved aside to let the couple pass. Van, still holding his sword, watched Aastor carefully as he and Hitomi walked passed him. He sheathed his sword then urged Hitomi to start running. After a sidelong glance at Shahrei, he, too, started running away.
They just emerged out of the woods when suddenly they heard Aastor called out, "There's no use running away. Destiny's wings will soon swoop down upon you, Van, whether you like it or not."
Surprised, both of them looked back, checking if Aastor followed them. But there was no one there. It was too dark and they were still looking back that they didn't notice that they were approaching the edge of a cliff. Too late.
"VAN!" Hitomi yelled as she suddenly slipped then plummeted down.
"HITOMI!" Van unfurled his wings and dived after her. Hitomi reached out to him and he grabbed her hand. He hurled her up and held her close, her hands clasped around his neck, his hands holding her by the waist as they flew up.
"Phew, that was a close one," Hitomi commented, breathing in his scent and savoring his warmth. "Thanks," she whispered, looking into his eyes.
Van smiled. "Anytime." Their lips were just millimeters apart when all of a sudden, they felt themselves being enveloped by a harsh gale.
"What the---" Van didn't finish his sentence as his wings struggled against the gale. He tried to fly away but the gale seemed to have surrounded them. The strange thing was, it felt like they were forcefully being separated. Van could feel someone or something pulling him away from Hitomi while Hitomi could feel someone pulling her away from Van. Van held her more tightly then instructed, "No matter what happens, don't let go!"
Hitomi nodded, burying her face at the crook of his neck. Even how hard he tried, no matter where Van flew, they couldn't escape the gale. He was beginning to tire out. Flying in such a harsh condition, not to mention carrying someone with you was really taking its toll on him.
The harsh gale surrounding them then became two mini tornadoes, sucking on each one of them. Their arms were starting to turn numb. "Van! I don't know if I can hold on much longer!"
As if hearing what she just said, the tornadoes grew stronger, sucking and pulling them away more relentlessly. Van's grip on her finally loosened and so did her grip on him. Hitomi felt herself being sucked away and instinctively, she reached out to hold on to him. Unfortunately, she grabbed on to his pendant and as she was being sucked away, the necklace got unclasped from his neck.
Van desperately tried to fly out of the tornado he was in and reached for Hitomi. "HITOMI!"
As soon as the tornado managed to pull Hitomi away from Van, it disappeared, causing her to plummet to the ground. "VAAAAAANNNNNN!"
"HITOMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIII!"
"VAAAANNNNNN!" Hitomi yelled as she opened her eyes and jolted into a sitting position. She was trembling, her whole body covered in cold sweat.
"Hitomi, honey, we heard you screaming. Are you ok?" her Mom asked from outside her door.
Hitomi tried to breathe slowly, also trying to slow down the rapid beating of her heart. "I'm fine, Mom. I just had a bad dream."
"Ok, honey. Try to go back sleep. If you need anything we're just across the hall."
"Thanks, Mom." She closed her eyes, still trying to slow down her heartbeat. At least she was breathing a little bit normally now. "Just a dream. A very, very bad dream but a dream all the same," she whispered. It felt so real though. "I hope I didn't wake Van up." She closed her eyes and focused on him. Strange, she couldn't feel him. It was like their link was being blocked. It was then that she felt something in her hand. She raised her right hand and paled. She had Van's pendant.
A. N. It might take me a longer time to post the next chapter. Having 3 unfinished fics is a pain so I plan on finishing Mix 'N Match first since I'm currently working on its last chapter. Aside from that, the next chapter explains everything about this fic so I have to take time in writing it and make sure that I get all the facts straight. Hope you won't get tired of waiting!