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A/N HEY!!! Guess what? ^^ We're moved in!! The place is nice and big and the computers are up and the internet is here now. Everything is better now. So I decided that since I now finally have free time I shall sit and write for all you wonderful reviewers ^^ I know I'm late but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Sailor Hope
Screaming.
It wasn't a lot really. In fact the screams didn't even last that long. But the pain wouldn't go away. No, not the pain. It was there, lingering in her soul. Taunting her. Laughing. Mocking. Snickering at her inability to do anything.
Hitomi grabbed her chest as she collapsed. Van following suit clutching his head, eyes shut.
"Hitomi!!"
Trisha ripped away from Michael and flung herself towards her friend.
"Van! Hitomi!" Caleb's smile faded as he rushed to the young king.
Everyone quickly circled the couple as their faces contorted with pain. Van's eyes were the first to snap open.
His breathing was heavy and sweat was beginning to trickle down his temples.
"No."
He ignored everyone and quickly spun around towards Hitomi who was still clutching her chest, tears slowly sliding down her cheek.
"Hitomi! No! Open your eyes Hitomi!!!"
Van pulled Hitomi away from Trisha and pulled her against his chest.
"Don't look," he whispered, "Open your eyes Hitomi, don't look."
Hitomi's eyes burst open but she was still pushing against her chest, pushing at the pain.
"She wanted us to see that," Hitomi whispered in shock as she struggled to keep her eyes open
Van grit his teeth in anger and hugged Hitomi tighter.
And the pain went away.
It just up and disappeared.
Hitomi let her hand fall against Van's chest as she took a deep breathe free from the sharp stabbing that had been plauging her a minute ago.
"What's going on you two?" Darice demanded from her perch at Jason's side.
"Surlina just sent us a message," Van growled out
"What?" Jason questioned, though he had a pretty good idea of what she had let them see.
"She's winning," Hitomi let out in a shaky voice, "She's winning"
*~~*
Allen threw himself against the tree, his chest heaving as he fought for air. Gaddes, Shara and Merle pulled up behind him.
Glancing at them over his shoulder he made sure they were still alive before looking up at the sky. A sky that was now a sickly gray with black clouds piled here and there. The rain hit his face with a sharp sting and he turned back to the little group.
A few of the surviving soldiers and his crew had ran off in the opposite direction. But as soon as the soldiers trapped in the web of electricity had fallen everyone had run. Allen had had to drag Merle for the first mile or so. She had refused to leave Van or Hitomi, not with that woman.
Allen couldn't explain it but he knew. He knew that that wasn't Van. And that was NOT Hitomi.
"What happened back there?! I thought you said those two were friends?"
Gaddes still panting from the run turned away and Merle buried her face in her hands. Allen looked up at Shara and found he couldn't say a thing.
He just didn't know what to say.
*~~*
Surlina smiled as Van and Hitomi sat against a tree waiting for orders. Once again she gazed out across the bodies littering the grass.
All the power was right there in her hands. She just didn't know what to do first. At first she had thought that taking down Fanelia first would be the best.
A wonderful country that had bloosomed from a run down farmland to the biggest gem on Gaia.
But that didn't seem to be enough. No that wouldn't get her message acrossed.
Fried had seemed a good choice. The merchant paradise of the planet. The second richest country besides Fanelia. Peaceful and beautiful.
But still not good enough.
Asturia was a staple of this pathetic world. The neautral place to go when problems started to come up. The place where the first woman doctor had come from. But it still wasn't going to let the people know what she wanted them to know.
She wanted the people to know that nothing could stop her. She wanted the people's hopes to crash and burn. She wanted them to see that no rescue was coming.
That's why she had finally decided to take down the brawn of Gaia. The country that could normally wipe out all enemies. The country led by the man feared all across Gaia. The man known for his unstable temper and destructive tendencies.
His only weakness being the few friends he had picked up in Asturia, Fried, Fanelia and Liara. And she already had most of them out of the way which would only make him angrier, likely clouding his thoughts. Yes she would take down the strong hand of this pitiful planet.
Zaibach would be the first to fall.
*~~*
"There has to be something we can do!" Caleb growled out clenching his fists, "We can't just sit here and do nothing!!"
"Actually Caleb that's exactly what we have to do," Jason sighed to his brother
"We do know one thing," Van started his head in his hands, "This world holds no rules for us. There's got to be a way to we can use that."
"Broke physical boundaries you never thought possible, didn't you?"
Van looked up at Soren and nodded.
"Happened to all of us too. But trust me when I say we've wracked our brains for ideas on how to use that for years." Michael said with a tired voice, "But if you guys have any ideas we are definitely up for hearing them."
Silence.
"There has to be something!" Caleb hit the table in frustration, "She can't control everything!"
"Well as far as we know, she can."
*~~*
Surlina smiled as she materalized in front of the Zaibach palace.
"AAAHHHHH!!!!"
A woman dropped her basket as Van and Hitomi swirled into view and stepped up to Surlina's side.
The crowd began to scatter drawing attention to the palace guards. A few of the black armored soldiers leaned over and squinted down at the trio.
"It's his majesty Lord Van and the Lady Hitomi!!! Open up the gates!!!"
Surlina's lips twisted up with an evil smirk as the large black gates swung open. This was what she had expected to happen.
"Go tell Dilandu-sama!!!"
One of the guards slid down his ladder and sprinted off towards the palace doors. Surlina folded her arms acrossed her chest and started forward.
This was unfolding beautifully.
Van and Hitomi flanked her sides and followed Surlina in through the open palace doors. Within seconds the same guard who had rushed in to let Dilandu know of their arrival appeared before, them his chest heaving.
"Lord Dilandu will see you now," he choked out stepping out of the way
A servant girl walked up and bowed to Van, "Please follow me your majesty."
Van turned to Surlina, she nodded and Van took lead, following the servant to the throne room.
The large throne room doors were jerked open and Van stepped through looking around the room curiously.
"Van!!! I should kill you!!!"
Van's head snapped up at the source of the voice. An angry Dilandu sat in his throne his glare practically burning a hole inside the raven king's head. Hitomi stepped up next to Van.
Without Surlina's orders.
Surlina narrowed her eyes at the couple but brushed it off for now.
"When were you planning on telling me that you were going to go traipsing off into the forest!!! Without any guard!! Aston just told me a while ago! I could kill you!" he roared jumping off the throne and marching up to the couple chucking the slipping crown off to the side.
He was wearing a wine red long sleeved shirt and black leather pants with knee high mud boots. His silver hair fell over his blood red eyes as he glared at the two through the strands.
But then he blinked.
"Since when do you guys wear black?" He demanded crossing his arms, "I can't say that it's a bad change but- Who the hell are you?!"
Surlina smiled at the young tempermental king.
"Surlina my lord."
"And why are you in my castle?!"
"To say hello, my lord. It's my first day outside, for quite some time now."
Dilandu glared at the women, " I don't care, that doesn't tell me why you're in MY castle!!"
Surlina's smile faded and her eyes narrowed at the silver haired monarch. Turning to the window Surlina took a deep breathe and let her smirk come back as she watched the sun sink beneathe the hills.
"Van dear won't you greet his majesty."
Dilandu's face twisted with confusion. Something wasn't right, he could feel it. Turning his red eyes back towards his raven haired friend his hand instinctively went to his sword when he saw the evil smile resting on the king's lips.
"Hitomi, it's getting dark. Would you be a darling and give us some light."
Hitomi nodded and marched out of the throne room.
"Van?" Dilandu asked, still gripping his sword
"You keep saying my name," Van said still smiling, "As if you were a friend."
Dilandu growled and unsheathed his sword. Something was definitely wrong.
"FIRE!!!! Hurry!! Get Water!!!"
Dilandu spun towards a window as he caught a glimpse of something red floating near his view.
That was his mistake.
Dilandu went flying into his throne, the impact was so hard that it sent him and the heavy metal chair back a few feet.
Dilandu closed his eyes in attempts to control his rising temper. He brought his hand up to his face and winced when he touched the nice lengthy cut resting there on his cheek.
Moving his fingers into view he glared at the blood smothering his fingers.
"Van, you'd better start talking. Now."
Van knelt down in front of Dilandu still smiling like an idiot.
"And now you're ordering me around."
"Only because I was insane enough to call you a friend are you still living. So explain."
Van lifted his hand up and spread his fingers, stretching them out in front of Dilandu's face.
"You're in the way."
"The way?" Dilandu growled
Black electricty began to dance across Van's fingers. Dilandu's eyes widened for a second as he watched the electricity jump from finger to finger. Quickly getting a hold of himself he shoved Van away and jumped to his feet.
"This isn't amusing and if you were hoping I'd take it as a joke, you're wrong. Get up Van! Now!!!"
Van folded his arms over his bent knee and looked up at Dilandu, tilting his head. Just then Hitomi walked back in smiling, her hair a little ruffled.
"Some light," she announced bowing to Surlina.
"Thank you Hitomi. Now just wait a minute here while Van takes care of his majesty."
Dilandu turned his glare to Hitomi and felt like he wanted to stumble. Those were her emeralds, but there was something missing.
"And since when do you take orders from old ladies Fanel?!?"
"Old lady? Dilandu you really should be more polite."
Dilandu froze. His sword slipped a little as the voice finally sunk in. He knew that voice. There was something in the way the lady was scolding him. Something that just seemed to sound so familiar.
Shifting his glare once more he settled his eyes on the old lady. He hadn't really looked at her until now.
"Kimi," Dilandu stated in shock. He blinked a few times to make sure he was seeing right.
"You're dead!"
Surlina laughed, "Then you're seeing ghosts, Van take care of him we have things to do."
Dilandu turned his eyes back to Van just in time to see it coming. The electricity shot out of Van's hands and wrapped around Dilandu's neck.
Van pulled back and and Dilandu fell forward the electricity now acting as a rope burning his skin.
Faster than lightening the electricity flooded over his skin and Dilandu cried out in rage as he lost control of his body.
"What are you doing?! Are YOU INSANE!?! LET ME GO RIGHT NOW FANEL OR I SWEAR I'LL RIP YOU TO SHREDS!!!"
"You shouldn't say such hurtful things," Surlina scolded shaking her head.
Dilandu stared up into Van's eyes and felt his throat dry up. He was in trouble.
"Now, why don't you take a break," Van laughed jerking the electricity up and over.
Dilandu braced himself for the impact as soon as his body left the ground. Within seconds he crashed into the nearest wall.
Biting his lip to hold back any sounds he hit the ground with a thud.
*~~*
Hitomi shot up from the couch. Next to her Van leaned back breathing hard.
"Dilandu." Hitomi whispered curling her fingers into her palm
"She's in Zaibach," Van ground out between grit teeth
The room was pitch black with Caleb and Soren stretched out on the carpet in the living room. The moon was shining through the windows.
The group had decided to call it a night after about an hour or two of brainstorming and frustration.
Hitomi winced as the pain once again hit her chest. Surlina was sending her a portion of Dilandu's pain. Just enough to let her know that her friends were losing.
Closing her eyes Hitomi leaned back against the couch and tried to steady her breathing. The cold sting crawled up to her shoulders and Hitomi wiggled. Van saw her shift out of the corner of his eye and knew she was filling the knife-like stabs just like he was.
Reaching out he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her agaisnt his chest. Kissing the top of her head he grabbed his blanket that had slipped to the floor and fanned it out, letting it float down on top of her.
"I love you Hitomi"
The pain stopped. Hitomi blinked for a second but was too tired to wonder why it just kept mysteriously vanishing. So she let it go and leaned against his chest. Van sighed as the pain faded and he felt Hitomi relax.
"Love you too Van"
Van smiled and settled into the corner of the couch.
Soren smiled as he listened to the two settle back down for the night. Maybe things weren't as hopeless as everyone thought. Those two had survived; their love had survived.
Maybe, just maybe they could stop Surlina.
*~~*
Surlina frowned leaning back in the Zaibach throne. Those cursed creatures had stopped her once again. Hitomi and Van walked in and knelt in front of her.
Looking down at her servants she sighed and smiled. It was okay, they wouldn't figure anything out anyway. Turning to look out the window she chuckled as the sound of crackling fire reached her ears.
Standing up she walked over to the window and looked out. The village was on fire and buildings were crumbling. Beams were giving way and breaking and people were running for the woods screaming. Word would soon get out to the other countries and then they would move on.
"The soldier is on his way," Hitomi announced rising to her feet.
"Countries as far as Niteria will know of what you've done." Van finished standing next to Hitomi.
"Good," Surlina grinned down at the burning village, "Now get someone to put out this fire. Wouldn't want to burn the woods down now would we?"
"No lady, I'll see to it." Hitomi said bowing and leaving
"Now Van dear, what did you do with that lovely young king of ours?"
"Chained in the dungeon, my lady."
"Good, leave him there, we'll be leaving soon so go help Hitomi put out that fire."
*~~*
Allen pulled on his reigns, slowing his horse down. The group skidded to a halt behind the blonde haired knight.
Allen slid off his horse and sniffed the air again.
They had managed to find some stray horses running away from the battle on their way through the forest. By the time they had found the horses though and regained their bearings they had discovered they were way off course.
They had headed in the opposite direction of Asturia. So the next biggest kingdom to warn was Zaibach.
Which would lead them to right about now. Traveling through the forest hoping they could somehow get to Dilandu in time to get help.
"Sir?" Gaddes called out jumping off his horse.
"Don't you smell that?" Allen called back
Shara let her head fall back, letting out a sigh she gripped her reigns.
"It's smoke, and by smell of it I wouldn't say that wood is the only thing burning."
Merle sniffed and reeled back in disgust sending her horse back a few steps.
"It's coming from Zaibach," she whispered in defeat
Allen jumped back up on his horse and kicked it into a gallop. The four started out again, racing through the forest.
It didn't take long for the tiny escape group to reach Zaibach. They pulled through the trees and skidded to a halt.
There weren't in front of the town but they didn't need to be. They could see the smoke billowing off the houses from where they were.
"We're too late," Shara whispered in horror as she looked out over at the damage in the distance.
"Dilandu," Merle whispered her horse whinying as the smoke got thicker, "Allen! We have to go get Dilandu!"
Allen smirked, he doubted the king needed any help. Not to mention he wasn't sure the silver haired warrior would appreciate their help. Might be more than his pride could handle.
But he was a friend, as much as Dilandu ever growled at the word, they were friends. And this wasn't a normal attack.
"Gaddes take Shara to Asturia, Merle and I will meet up-"
"Excuse me?"
Allen shifted in his seat and turned to Shara, "You've done more than enough and we'll be forever grateful. We're going to get a friend, I can't ask you to come with us."
"Then don't." Shara shot back raising her eyebrows in challenge
"We don't know if we're coming back," he offered
"It's called life."
Allen smiled at the woman and turned his horse back towards the burning village.
"Then let's go pay Dilandu a visit."
"And pray he won't try and disembowl us for even thinking of rescuing him," Gaddes laughed.
Shara leaned over to Merle, "Are you sure he's a friend of yours?"
Merle giggled, "Yep!"
Shara straightened back up and just shook her head.
A/N Sorry it's kinda short but I hope you all enjoyed!!! I'll try and work on everything a little more as soon as I finish my Final coming up. Thanks for being so patient!!!! Have a great day everyone!!!
Sailor Hope
A/N HEY!!! Guess what? ^^ We're moved in!! The place is nice and big and the computers are up and the internet is here now. Everything is better now. So I decided that since I now finally have free time I shall sit and write for all you wonderful reviewers ^^ I know I'm late but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Sailor Hope
Screaming.
It wasn't a lot really. In fact the screams didn't even last that long. But the pain wouldn't go away. No, not the pain. It was there, lingering in her soul. Taunting her. Laughing. Mocking. Snickering at her inability to do anything.
Hitomi grabbed her chest as she collapsed. Van following suit clutching his head, eyes shut.
"Hitomi!!"
Trisha ripped away from Michael and flung herself towards her friend.
"Van! Hitomi!" Caleb's smile faded as he rushed to the young king.
Everyone quickly circled the couple as their faces contorted with pain. Van's eyes were the first to snap open.
His breathing was heavy and sweat was beginning to trickle down his temples.
"No."
He ignored everyone and quickly spun around towards Hitomi who was still clutching her chest, tears slowly sliding down her cheek.
"Hitomi! No! Open your eyes Hitomi!!!"
Van pulled Hitomi away from Trisha and pulled her against his chest.
"Don't look," he whispered, "Open your eyes Hitomi, don't look."
Hitomi's eyes burst open but she was still pushing against her chest, pushing at the pain.
"She wanted us to see that," Hitomi whispered in shock as she struggled to keep her eyes open
Van grit his teeth in anger and hugged Hitomi tighter.
And the pain went away.
It just up and disappeared.
Hitomi let her hand fall against Van's chest as she took a deep breathe free from the sharp stabbing that had been plauging her a minute ago.
"What's going on you two?" Darice demanded from her perch at Jason's side.
"Surlina just sent us a message," Van growled out
"What?" Jason questioned, though he had a pretty good idea of what she had let them see.
"She's winning," Hitomi let out in a shaky voice, "She's winning"
*~~*
Allen threw himself against the tree, his chest heaving as he fought for air. Gaddes, Shara and Merle pulled up behind him.
Glancing at them over his shoulder he made sure they were still alive before looking up at the sky. A sky that was now a sickly gray with black clouds piled here and there. The rain hit his face with a sharp sting and he turned back to the little group.
A few of the surviving soldiers and his crew had ran off in the opposite direction. But as soon as the soldiers trapped in the web of electricity had fallen everyone had run. Allen had had to drag Merle for the first mile or so. She had refused to leave Van or Hitomi, not with that woman.
Allen couldn't explain it but he knew. He knew that that wasn't Van. And that was NOT Hitomi.
"What happened back there?! I thought you said those two were friends?"
Gaddes still panting from the run turned away and Merle buried her face in her hands. Allen looked up at Shara and found he couldn't say a thing.
He just didn't know what to say.
*~~*
Surlina smiled as Van and Hitomi sat against a tree waiting for orders. Once again she gazed out across the bodies littering the grass.
All the power was right there in her hands. She just didn't know what to do first. At first she had thought that taking down Fanelia first would be the best.
A wonderful country that had bloosomed from a run down farmland to the biggest gem on Gaia.
But that didn't seem to be enough. No that wouldn't get her message acrossed.
Fried had seemed a good choice. The merchant paradise of the planet. The second richest country besides Fanelia. Peaceful and beautiful.
But still not good enough.
Asturia was a staple of this pathetic world. The neautral place to go when problems started to come up. The place where the first woman doctor had come from. But it still wasn't going to let the people know what she wanted them to know.
She wanted the people to know that nothing could stop her. She wanted the people's hopes to crash and burn. She wanted them to see that no rescue was coming.
That's why she had finally decided to take down the brawn of Gaia. The country that could normally wipe out all enemies. The country led by the man feared all across Gaia. The man known for his unstable temper and destructive tendencies.
His only weakness being the few friends he had picked up in Asturia, Fried, Fanelia and Liara. And she already had most of them out of the way which would only make him angrier, likely clouding his thoughts. Yes she would take down the strong hand of this pitiful planet.
Zaibach would be the first to fall.
*~~*
"There has to be something we can do!" Caleb growled out clenching his fists, "We can't just sit here and do nothing!!"
"Actually Caleb that's exactly what we have to do," Jason sighed to his brother
"We do know one thing," Van started his head in his hands, "This world holds no rules for us. There's got to be a way to we can use that."
"Broke physical boundaries you never thought possible, didn't you?"
Van looked up at Soren and nodded.
"Happened to all of us too. But trust me when I say we've wracked our brains for ideas on how to use that for years." Michael said with a tired voice, "But if you guys have any ideas we are definitely up for hearing them."
Silence.
"There has to be something!" Caleb hit the table in frustration, "She can't control everything!"
"Well as far as we know, she can."
*~~*
Surlina smiled as she materalized in front of the Zaibach palace.
"AAAHHHHH!!!!"
A woman dropped her basket as Van and Hitomi swirled into view and stepped up to Surlina's side.
The crowd began to scatter drawing attention to the palace guards. A few of the black armored soldiers leaned over and squinted down at the trio.
"It's his majesty Lord Van and the Lady Hitomi!!! Open up the gates!!!"
Surlina's lips twisted up with an evil smirk as the large black gates swung open. This was what she had expected to happen.
"Go tell Dilandu-sama!!!"
One of the guards slid down his ladder and sprinted off towards the palace doors. Surlina folded her arms acrossed her chest and started forward.
This was unfolding beautifully.
Van and Hitomi flanked her sides and followed Surlina in through the open palace doors. Within seconds the same guard who had rushed in to let Dilandu know of their arrival appeared before, them his chest heaving.
"Lord Dilandu will see you now," he choked out stepping out of the way
A servant girl walked up and bowed to Van, "Please follow me your majesty."
Van turned to Surlina, she nodded and Van took lead, following the servant to the throne room.
The large throne room doors were jerked open and Van stepped through looking around the room curiously.
"Van!!! I should kill you!!!"
Van's head snapped up at the source of the voice. An angry Dilandu sat in his throne his glare practically burning a hole inside the raven king's head. Hitomi stepped up next to Van.
Without Surlina's orders.
Surlina narrowed her eyes at the couple but brushed it off for now.
"When were you planning on telling me that you were going to go traipsing off into the forest!!! Without any guard!! Aston just told me a while ago! I could kill you!" he roared jumping off the throne and marching up to the couple chucking the slipping crown off to the side.
He was wearing a wine red long sleeved shirt and black leather pants with knee high mud boots. His silver hair fell over his blood red eyes as he glared at the two through the strands.
But then he blinked.
"Since when do you guys wear black?" He demanded crossing his arms, "I can't say that it's a bad change but- Who the hell are you?!"
Surlina smiled at the young tempermental king.
"Surlina my lord."
"And why are you in my castle?!"
"To say hello, my lord. It's my first day outside, for quite some time now."
Dilandu glared at the women, " I don't care, that doesn't tell me why you're in MY castle!!"
Surlina's smile faded and her eyes narrowed at the silver haired monarch. Turning to the window Surlina took a deep breathe and let her smirk come back as she watched the sun sink beneathe the hills.
"Van dear won't you greet his majesty."
Dilandu's face twisted with confusion. Something wasn't right, he could feel it. Turning his red eyes back towards his raven haired friend his hand instinctively went to his sword when he saw the evil smile resting on the king's lips.
"Hitomi, it's getting dark. Would you be a darling and give us some light."
Hitomi nodded and marched out of the throne room.
"Van?" Dilandu asked, still gripping his sword
"You keep saying my name," Van said still smiling, "As if you were a friend."
Dilandu growled and unsheathed his sword. Something was definitely wrong.
"FIRE!!!! Hurry!! Get Water!!!"
Dilandu spun towards a window as he caught a glimpse of something red floating near his view.
That was his mistake.
Dilandu went flying into his throne, the impact was so hard that it sent him and the heavy metal chair back a few feet.
Dilandu closed his eyes in attempts to control his rising temper. He brought his hand up to his face and winced when he touched the nice lengthy cut resting there on his cheek.
Moving his fingers into view he glared at the blood smothering his fingers.
"Van, you'd better start talking. Now."
Van knelt down in front of Dilandu still smiling like an idiot.
"And now you're ordering me around."
"Only because I was insane enough to call you a friend are you still living. So explain."
Van lifted his hand up and spread his fingers, stretching them out in front of Dilandu's face.
"You're in the way."
"The way?" Dilandu growled
Black electricty began to dance across Van's fingers. Dilandu's eyes widened for a second as he watched the electricity jump from finger to finger. Quickly getting a hold of himself he shoved Van away and jumped to his feet.
"This isn't amusing and if you were hoping I'd take it as a joke, you're wrong. Get up Van! Now!!!"
Van folded his arms over his bent knee and looked up at Dilandu, tilting his head. Just then Hitomi walked back in smiling, her hair a little ruffled.
"Some light," she announced bowing to Surlina.
"Thank you Hitomi. Now just wait a minute here while Van takes care of his majesty."
Dilandu turned his glare to Hitomi and felt like he wanted to stumble. Those were her emeralds, but there was something missing.
"And since when do you take orders from old ladies Fanel?!?"
"Old lady? Dilandu you really should be more polite."
Dilandu froze. His sword slipped a little as the voice finally sunk in. He knew that voice. There was something in the way the lady was scolding him. Something that just seemed to sound so familiar.
Shifting his glare once more he settled his eyes on the old lady. He hadn't really looked at her until now.
"Kimi," Dilandu stated in shock. He blinked a few times to make sure he was seeing right.
"You're dead!"
Surlina laughed, "Then you're seeing ghosts, Van take care of him we have things to do."
Dilandu turned his eyes back to Van just in time to see it coming. The electricity shot out of Van's hands and wrapped around Dilandu's neck.
Van pulled back and and Dilandu fell forward the electricity now acting as a rope burning his skin.
Faster than lightening the electricity flooded over his skin and Dilandu cried out in rage as he lost control of his body.
"What are you doing?! Are YOU INSANE!?! LET ME GO RIGHT NOW FANEL OR I SWEAR I'LL RIP YOU TO SHREDS!!!"
"You shouldn't say such hurtful things," Surlina scolded shaking her head.
Dilandu stared up into Van's eyes and felt his throat dry up. He was in trouble.
"Now, why don't you take a break," Van laughed jerking the electricity up and over.
Dilandu braced himself for the impact as soon as his body left the ground. Within seconds he crashed into the nearest wall.
Biting his lip to hold back any sounds he hit the ground with a thud.
*~~*
Hitomi shot up from the couch. Next to her Van leaned back breathing hard.
"Dilandu." Hitomi whispered curling her fingers into her palm
"She's in Zaibach," Van ground out between grit teeth
The room was pitch black with Caleb and Soren stretched out on the carpet in the living room. The moon was shining through the windows.
The group had decided to call it a night after about an hour or two of brainstorming and frustration.
Hitomi winced as the pain once again hit her chest. Surlina was sending her a portion of Dilandu's pain. Just enough to let her know that her friends were losing.
Closing her eyes Hitomi leaned back against the couch and tried to steady her breathing. The cold sting crawled up to her shoulders and Hitomi wiggled. Van saw her shift out of the corner of his eye and knew she was filling the knife-like stabs just like he was.
Reaching out he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her agaisnt his chest. Kissing the top of her head he grabbed his blanket that had slipped to the floor and fanned it out, letting it float down on top of her.
"I love you Hitomi"
The pain stopped. Hitomi blinked for a second but was too tired to wonder why it just kept mysteriously vanishing. So she let it go and leaned against his chest. Van sighed as the pain faded and he felt Hitomi relax.
"Love you too Van"
Van smiled and settled into the corner of the couch.
Soren smiled as he listened to the two settle back down for the night. Maybe things weren't as hopeless as everyone thought. Those two had survived; their love had survived.
Maybe, just maybe they could stop Surlina.
*~~*
Surlina frowned leaning back in the Zaibach throne. Those cursed creatures had stopped her once again. Hitomi and Van walked in and knelt in front of her.
Looking down at her servants she sighed and smiled. It was okay, they wouldn't figure anything out anyway. Turning to look out the window she chuckled as the sound of crackling fire reached her ears.
Standing up she walked over to the window and looked out. The village was on fire and buildings were crumbling. Beams were giving way and breaking and people were running for the woods screaming. Word would soon get out to the other countries and then they would move on.
"The soldier is on his way," Hitomi announced rising to her feet.
"Countries as far as Niteria will know of what you've done." Van finished standing next to Hitomi.
"Good," Surlina grinned down at the burning village, "Now get someone to put out this fire. Wouldn't want to burn the woods down now would we?"
"No lady, I'll see to it." Hitomi said bowing and leaving
"Now Van dear, what did you do with that lovely young king of ours?"
"Chained in the dungeon, my lady."
"Good, leave him there, we'll be leaving soon so go help Hitomi put out that fire."
*~~*
Allen pulled on his reigns, slowing his horse down. The group skidded to a halt behind the blonde haired knight.
Allen slid off his horse and sniffed the air again.
They had managed to find some stray horses running away from the battle on their way through the forest. By the time they had found the horses though and regained their bearings they had discovered they were way off course.
They had headed in the opposite direction of Asturia. So the next biggest kingdom to warn was Zaibach.
Which would lead them to right about now. Traveling through the forest hoping they could somehow get to Dilandu in time to get help.
"Sir?" Gaddes called out jumping off his horse.
"Don't you smell that?" Allen called back
Shara let her head fall back, letting out a sigh she gripped her reigns.
"It's smoke, and by smell of it I wouldn't say that wood is the only thing burning."
Merle sniffed and reeled back in disgust sending her horse back a few steps.
"It's coming from Zaibach," she whispered in defeat
Allen jumped back up on his horse and kicked it into a gallop. The four started out again, racing through the forest.
It didn't take long for the tiny escape group to reach Zaibach. They pulled through the trees and skidded to a halt.
There weren't in front of the town but they didn't need to be. They could see the smoke billowing off the houses from where they were.
"We're too late," Shara whispered in horror as she looked out over at the damage in the distance.
"Dilandu," Merle whispered her horse whinying as the smoke got thicker, "Allen! We have to go get Dilandu!"
Allen smirked, he doubted the king needed any help. Not to mention he wasn't sure the silver haired warrior would appreciate their help. Might be more than his pride could handle.
But he was a friend, as much as Dilandu ever growled at the word, they were friends. And this wasn't a normal attack.
"Gaddes take Shara to Asturia, Merle and I will meet up-"
"Excuse me?"
Allen shifted in his seat and turned to Shara, "You've done more than enough and we'll be forever grateful. We're going to get a friend, I can't ask you to come with us."
"Then don't." Shara shot back raising her eyebrows in challenge
"We don't know if we're coming back," he offered
"It's called life."
Allen smiled at the woman and turned his horse back towards the burning village.
"Then let's go pay Dilandu a visit."
"And pray he won't try and disembowl us for even thinking of rescuing him," Gaddes laughed.
Shara leaned over to Merle, "Are you sure he's a friend of yours?"
Merle giggled, "Yep!"
Shara straightened back up and just shook her head.
A/N Sorry it's kinda short but I hope you all enjoyed!!! I'll try and work on everything a little more as soon as I finish my Final coming up. Thanks for being so patient!!!! Have a great day everyone!!!
Sailor Hope