Born Of The Moon
Chapter XV
Echoes Unreal
Before I knew what emotions were running through me, I had Van in my arms and was kissing him. The thing was . . . I couldn't feel any resistance on his part . . .
Then a memory hit me once again. The words spoken from Anastasia's heart . . .
i" I can't believe that you don't hate me for marrying Van. I thought you'd be resentful towards me and never speak to me. I was nervous earlier when I first met you. Now I know why Van loved you so much. He still does too. You're a wonderful person from what I can see."i
"No!" I yelled, pulling myself away from him. It wasn't just the fact of that memory smacking me; It hurt to think about it! It caused real pain. "What am I doing?!" I cried, holding my head on either side with my hands. I closed my watering eyes tightly, trying to sort out exactly what had just happened. "V-Van . . . I'm sorry! There's something wrong inside my head!" My head was swimming in a newfound pain. Wave after wave was hitting my system. It was much worse than any hangover headache I had ever had. Come to think of it, even any vision I've had. Was this some sort of aftereffect of that root smell?
The pain began to subside and I let my hands fall to the ground limply. Van seemed to be worried.
"Hitomi . . . why did . . . you . . ." He couldn't even find it in him to finish his sentence. This man, once a killer, couldn't even finish an emotion-struck phrase. Did it surprise him that much?
"Folken did something to my emotions. It's a spell. It's still inside of me . . . and I can't make it go away until it wears off. It was this root potion, and--"
"What?! Why did you go back?! He tried to kill you, Hitomi!" His anger flared at me.
"Because, Van! It was my choice to make and so I did!"
He paused, unsure of himself once again. I took the opportunity to ask him the one question I needed to have answered. "Van, why didn't you push me away when I did that?"
As if pathetic fallacy was against me, a clap of thunder cracked outside the stable.
"I . . . I don't know exactly." Shame was painted all over his face. "I guess old feelings came back to me in an instant and . . . and I got too caught up in the moment."
His eyes pleaded to me for something. "Please, don't tell Anastasia. If I lost her, I don't know what I'd do. After you left, I gained her in your place and the heartache was healed somewhat. Please, Hitomi . . ."
I was shaking my head in a confused manner. "Why are you so scared what I tell her, Van? It was my doing, not yours. Therefore, the fault is mine. If anything, I should be asking for your forgiveness. And I promise you now, a guilty conscious won't make me go running to her to spill everything." I couldn't look him in the eye for the most part when I spoke. I was embarrassed and ashamed by my actions.
"And for that, I thank you very much." He turned his attention to the blood-covered sword. "Tell me, what happened?"
I took in a very deep breath and stared at the sword in fear. "It's Folken's blood. He tried to attack me, but because he left me alone in his cottage with the opened potion on the table across the room from me, I was affected by its fumes. As I breathed it in as I slept, my deepest, forbidden emotions were let out. I almost killed him, and I think it's very apparent what I did to you. Now I ask for your forgiveness."
His arms were crossed against his chest as he leaned up against one of the wooden beams supporting the stable. "Why wouldn't I forgive you for something as simple as that? You've saved my life countless times. I owe you more than I can probably give."
I ran up to him with a burst of new emotions and hugged him, crying once again. "Thank you, Van. I'm just so lost right now, I don't know what I'd do if you abandoned me. I think . . . I'm pretty sure I've figured out what's been going on." A shiver traveled its way up my spine. "But I think I'd rather explain it some place warmer and dryer."
"Ok, come on, I'll get you some dry . . ." He trailed off as he noticed the blood on my shirt.
" ... and clean clothes. Then we can all talk about this."
Van was relatively silent along the walk to the castle. I still felt responsible for his uneasiness.
"Van, I'm sorry."
"I told you, it's okay. You don't have to worry about it." He replied in a flat-toned voice.
Anastasia was half-shocked when she saw me. "Oh my goodness! Here, come with me. We'll get you cleaned up."
She took my hand and pulled me down the hall. I gave Van a reassuring look before we turned a corner.
"So what happened to you? Where did you go after you left the castle?" She interrogated as she mended the wound I had received. It was about two centimeters in depth along my waist on the right side. I couldn't remember how or when it had happened. "Who were you attacked by? A pack of thugs looking for some money?"
"Not even close. It was . . . Folken Fanel."
Her dabbing on my wound stopped. "F-Folken? Van's older brother? Folken Lacour?"
I slowly nodded. I knew it must've hurt her to hear. Her mending continued once again moments later. "I find that impossible to believe. It pains me to say this, but what would your motives be for . . . lying . . . about this particular situation?" Her voice trailed off. "If any."
"Motives?" I asked in a solemn voice. "The only reason I could see myself lying in this situation would be so that Van could have some kind of peace knowing that Folken got what he deserved for hurting him, but that would involve more pain in the present on Van's part."
"It would." She sighed heavily. "I'm sorry for even asking."
"Don't worry about it."
I held up my arms as she secured a bandage around my waist. "There. It should be healed in about two weeks at the most, I'd imagine."
I lowered my arms and picked up my new, clean shirt. I readjusted my bra with my back to Anastasia and pulled the cotton shirt over my head. It provided instant heat and I was glad for it. I crossed my arms and sat down in a cushioned chair behind me. I kept my gaze averted without realizing it. Keeping this secret to myself was harder than I thought. I just had to quit thinking about it.
"Is there something on your mind, Hitomi? Feel free to talk." Anastasia spoke from across the room as she was putting away the items she had used on my wound.
"Oh no, not really. I've just been thinking about things that have been going on lately. Just how they've affected me and my decisions. I'm just wondering what good will come out of any of this."
"Oh." She seemed to agree with my statement by the tone of her voice. Then there was a light knock at the door.
"Can I come in?" A sweet young woman's voice asked.
"Yes Merle, you may."
The cat woman waltzed in with a sad expression on her face. "Lord Van has told me what's been going on. He said he will be joining us in a few moments. How are you feeling, Hitomi?"
I kept my gaze set on the floor. "Better than before."
Van entered the room as silent as the air. I hadn't sensed his presence and he scared me as his hands came down on my shoulders.
"How are you feeling?"
I looked up behind myself to meet his gaze. His eyes spoke his worry to me. "A lot better than before."
"Are you ready to explain to us what's going on?" Merle asked. "From what Van has told me, it sounds complicated."
"Yeah . . ." Van took a seat beside Anastasia and I suddenly had everyone's attention. "Well . . . I don't quite know where to start, actually . . ."
"Could you start off from when you arrived here? Who brought you?" Anastasia asked.
"Folken summoned me through a dream and a vision. He said if I wished to return to Gaea, to be at the track field the night of the next full moon. One of my good friends came with me to see me off. He was the one person who believed my story and just seeing the column of light inspired that belief farther. I really miss him . . ." I glanced up from my staring space on the floor to see everyone with a raised eyebrow in my direction. I straightened up, blushing furiously. "I'm sorry, I went off topic! Anyways, Folken . . . I don't really know how to explain this . . ."
"Please, try." Van coaxed.
"Well . . . on earth there's this disease called Multiple personality syndrome. It's basically when a person has a bunch of personalities stuck inside their head." I could tell my explanation wasn't getting through to them judging by the lost looks on all of their faces. "Okay, I'll use Folken as an example. For the first fifteen years of his life he was known as the king to be- Folken Lacour De Fanel. After his inauguration failed, he took on his alter-ego, Strategos Folken. Make sense?"
They all proceeded to nod this time. I sighed in thanks. "There's one thing in this situation that doesn't seem to add up, however. It seems as though no matter which personality is in control, the other remembers what happened while the alternate was in control. That's usually never the case, but if it is, usually only one remembers what the other did. This is just getting
confusing . . ." I rested my head in one hand and sighed heavily. "I don't know what else to tell you."
Anastasia took a seat beside me and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You've given us a considerable amount of knowledge tonight, Hitomi. I think we're all grateful for that."
Van agreed with her. "It's obvious that the medical research if well advanced compared to what it's reached here on Gaea."
"It's not as great as you think. There's so many illnesses we have yet to find cures for . . ."
Merle took on the task of breaking the thick atmosphere. "In any case, Hitomi, you look like you're about to pass out. I think we should leave you to rest. The three of us need our sleep as well. I think we'll need to for whatever's to come tomorrow."
The bed in my room was the comfiest I had ever been in. It felt like I was in a large box filled with hundreds and hundreds of feathers. I had slept peacefully for a good portion of the night. Unfortunately, Yuhan didn't come to visit me in my dreams, nor could I find it in myself to reach him. It upset me somewhat, but I guessed that my mind needed the rest.
I couldn't remember what, but something had caused me to open my eyes. I didn't have a bad dream, I hadn't heard anything and I hadn't sensed anything. Nothing seemed to be moving around me in my room. As I sat up, I felt a presence attempting to speak with me. It was overwhelming.
"Yuhan . . . ?"
i"Come to me . . . "i His voice echoed through my mind.
"Where are you?" I whispered back.
i"Follow my voice. You will see . . . "i
I didn't question him for a single moment. I needed to talk to him. I needed someone beyond my friends here to speak to right now.
~*~
AIE sorry for taking a freakin eternity with this chapter. Here it is in all its glory! I'll more than likely be posting another as well! This story is about two chapters from being finished! I'm possibly hoping to break the 200 reviews record with this story so come on! Please keep them flowing! Good Night!!
*Elemental Angel*
