DragonSun here! Wazzup? How's y'life workin' for ya?
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. I don't own the characters, which is a pity, or the basic plot, but my additives to the plot and characters are my own! And I keep forgetting the damn disclaimer! Argh—it's so annoying! Read it, R&R—please! Here's something stupid. What does R&R mean? Read and Review? Read and Rate? Read and Read? Read and Rave? Someone please tell me. Sorry for delay. Go and read.
Soul Tamer
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Hitomi forced herself to stay calm as she walked through the blackness. In the distance she could hear the sounds of the battle still going on. I must be Within, she thought. This must be what Van was talking about. Van, where are you? She paused, balling her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. It was so cold. Black. Cold. So…empty. The Dragon must be filling his mind. I have to find what's left of Van before it's too late for any part of his personality to be reclaimed. "Van!" she shouted, hearing only echoes of her own frightened voice. A chill that was not part of the coldness settled over her like a dark mist. What if…he's already gone? She broke into a run, yelling his name. Her legs felt numb, and her heart pounded painfully in her chest—slow beats that got steadily slower. I can't stay long, she realized with icy dread. "Van—please! Come back!" Hitomi screamed. Again echoes. Nothing else but the echoes and her footsteps and the darkness and the cold. The unbearable cold. She sank to the heard ground, hugging her knees close to generate some warmth. It would be so easy to stay here…to stop, stop and rest…never have to get up again… Hitomi shook her head. I have to get up. I have to find Van. Get up, Kanzaki. She tried to rise and fell back, the feeling gone from her fingers. She flexed them and winced. Frozen fingers. But at least she could still feel them. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and forced herself to rise. Get up, Kanzaki. Get up!
A dim light somewhere beyond in the darkness encouraged her further. She began to sprint towards that light, and was rewarded by warmth—by light. By Van. "Van?" she called. A black-haired child around nine years old was attacking a beautiful tree with a wooden sword. "Take that! And that! Hah! Die, dragon!" he yelled ferociously. As Hitomi watched, rubbing her ears, an older boy, perhaps sixteen, came and looked at the boy for a long time. Then the older boy spoke. "Killing dragons, Van?" Van turned, panting, and hurriedly hid the sword behind his back. "Ah…no…Folken…I—uh…" "You know that's Mother's favorite tree, right?" Folken said gravely. "Yes…" Van muttered sullenly, knowing he'd been caught. "Well, I won't tell this time," Folken smiled, "but next time you want to have a swordfight, just ask me. I do a pretty good dragon impression." Van's face, angry before, lit up with a grin. "Really?" Folken nodded. "Thanks! You're the best!" Van exclaimed. Folken seems to love Van very much…I wonder why he turned against him… Hitomi wondered as the scene faded. The young Van turned to her; he was the only remnant from the picture. "You again? I told you, I don't want to go back. Leave me alone!" he turned and ran away, vanishing after twenty paces.
"Van!" Hitomi cried, dismayed. Her legs were trembling as she
took a few shaky steps forward, after the boy, and collapsed. Get up! Do it. The fate of this word depends on you. Van's fate depends on you. Do this for Gaea. Do this for…Van. Hitomi shoved herself up again. For Gaea. For Van. Run, Kanzaki. Run. She began to run—forcing her tired, stiff legs to move. She was not going fast enough. The Dragon was demolishing the rest of Van's memories faster than she could run.
She ran. Go, go. Faster. Faster! Run! "Van! Please! Answer me!" she yelled, beginning to panic. "Oh god," she muttered, her breath harsh. Another scene. Folken wore the armor of a Fanelian King—he carried a blade. "Brother!" Van squeaked. He seemed around ten years old. "Brother, why do you have to kill the dragon? I thought we agreed it was cruel!" Folken ruffled his brother's hair fondly, a distant look in his gray eyes. "I need to, if I want to become King, Van," he said kindly. "But—" "You're a great little brother, Van. I love you," Folken said quietly. He slung his sword over his shoulder and walked off. "Brother! Wait! Folken!" Van saw his brother disappear—the road, the path, the courtiers, they all vanished. Van turned. "You! This is your doing, isn't it! I told to you leave. Me. Alone," he snarled, and grew taller, older, as he turned from her. Ran away.
Hitomi snorted in exasperation. Is this the same bloodthirsty Van I know? Sure doesn't seem like him—he doesn't want to fight. Where is he? As if in answer to her question, another image appeared. A twelve-year old child was training with his swordsmaster. The grizzled old man—Balgus—was teaching him a complicated attack. The boy suddenly slumped over his sword, losing all interest. The longsword, Hitomi noticed, was almost as tall as he was. "Balgus," she heard him say, "do you think Folken will ever return? I mean…he's not…he can't be—dead, can he?" "Ah, Prince Van, I have no doubt that Prince Folken will return with the energist and become King. Although, you must realized that it has been two years since he first left," Balgus said, firmly but not unkindly. "Maybe he just couldn't find a dragon! Folken can't be dead. He promised he'd return—he never breaks his promises." Van scrubbed hastily at his eyes and turned his head away, looking into the full sunset. "Prince Van, do you want to end this session early today?" Balgus asked. Van nodded, the red sunlight reflecting off a tear that was beginning to fall. "Yes—yes, thank you, Balgus." Balgus saluted the boy, turned, and left. Van smiled at Hitomi. "You again, huh? Don't give up so easy, do you? I'm not really feeling up to it, not right now, at least." "But Van, you need to come back. Now!" Hitomi nearly shouted. Van's face grew cold—his sad eyes hardened to a crackling intensity. "Never," he said quietly. Melted with the rest of the picture.
Another picture replaced it instantly. Van was slaying the dragon. He was fourteen and lanky—dressed in armor much to large for him. He leveled the blade at the beast's gargantuan head, breathing heavily. Ready. Without warning, the earth-dragon charged with a roar that shook the ground. Hitomi bit her lip as she saw Van dodge a blow from the dragon's claws and slash skillfully at its leathery skin. "Van, look out!" Hitomi cried. The dragon lunged, snapping its teeth. Van sliced upward, nicking the beast's outer skin—drew blood. The dragon was enraged. It bellowed, opened its jaws, and—unleashed flame. Van saw it coming; he threw himself into a defensive position, heaving the shield in front of him. The flames engulfed the youth, and Hitomi could only see a dull outline through the redness. "Van!" she yelled fearfully. To her amazement, Van emerged from the inferno unscathed. He yanked his sword over his head and charged the earth-dragon, shouting, "This is for Folken! Yaaaaaaaaaaah!" Hitomi held her breath. Van carved right through the dragon's scales, through muscle, past bone, into the drag-energist—the heart. The dragon growled, made as if to squash the King beneath its feet, then collapsed. Van cut a circled around the energist and reached in, pulling it out. The moment he did the dragon disintegrated. Van smiled triumphantly. The scene deteriorated.
Hitomi smiled bitterly. She could feel her heart slowing even further, knew if she lingered any longer she'd die, or be sucked up into the Dragon vortex. She would have to leave soon. "Van Slanzar de Fanel!" she shouted. "If you don't come out now I swear I'll never speak to you again!" Not a very large threat, but if she stayed more than a few minutes she would never talk to him again. Hitomi turned and came face to face with the fifteen year-old adolescent she knew. "Hitomi," he said. "Why do you want me to come back? I've told you so many times that I don't want to." "We need you, Van," Hitomi answered softly. "The Escaflowne is destroying everything because you let blood lust consume you." "It's not my fault," Van replied. "I know it isn't, Van," Hitomi murmured. "But you need to regain control, stop the slaughter, so you can kill your brother, rebuild Fanelia." She had said the wrong thing. "No more fighting," Van grated, "I will not kill Folken. I told you. I do not want to return. I will not. You must leave now—I know what is happening. Go." He dissolved, but not before sending her back.
Hitomi lay on the deck of the airship. She shook her head groggily, and tears came to her eyes. "I couldn't save him," she whispered. "You tried, Hitomi," Merla helped her rise. Her eyes were wet too. "W-where are we?" Hitomi asked. "Allen ordered a take-off," Merla explained. "It was getting too dangerous out on the battlefield. Besides, up here, I can shoot," she added, brightening. Hitomi was struck with an idea. Desperate, but it might work. She moved past Merla, to the edge of the deck. "What are you doing?" Merla demanded. "I'm gonna save Van," Hitomi answered determinedly. She looked down. It was a long distance to the battle below. "What do you…Hitomi? Don't jump! Hey!" Hitomi evaded Merla's arms and yelled, "Van, I'm sorry!" She took a deep breath. And jumped. Hitomi screamed as her arm grazed the deck and came away bloody, but she kept falling…falling…
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Van—the Dragon—saw the girl throw herself from the deck with a cry of, "Van, I'm sorry!" I am not Van, he thought. I am the Dragon. I will kill. His normally gray eyes were blood red. His chest heaved as he struggled to defeat the Dragon within him. It was like wildfire in his veins, calling, demanding. Blood. Blood. But the girl—she was important, somehow…he knew her… "NO!" Van shouted. He shuddered violently, ridding himself of the Dragon spirit. "Hitomi!" Van yelled, throwing the cockpit open and leaping out. "Hitomi!" His wings burst from his back, and he beat them desperately. I'm not gonna make it…damn you, Dragon…I won't catch her in time…
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Time made an exception and stood still as the winged King smashed his wings against the air…Hitomi saw him flying fast and low, struggling to get there before she would hit the ground…Van…I'm sorry I did this to you, she thought, closing her eyes and waiting for the end to come. "Hitomi—" he cried. The King beat his wings once more, pinning them close to his body, diving under the girl and swooping up…grabbed her. They were about ten feet from the ground—too close for Van's comfort. He shot up into the sky with Hitomi. "Oh—Hitomi—don't ever—do—a stunt—like that again—thank the gods—you're still alive—" he panted, holding her close to him. Hitomi rested her head on his shoulder. "Van…" she whispered. "Van—I'm glad."
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"What?! He has wings? He's a Draconian?" Dilandau spat. "But that must mean—Folken's his brother—Folken must be a—" The youth's wounds were fast-healing—he was of Dragon blood, wasn't he? Dilandau shuddered violently, images of a boy flashing by his eyes. Schezar? What connection do I, of all people, have with that knight of Caeli? Dilandau shuddered, a half giggle escaping his white lips. It turned into a sobbing cry. His image distorted itself twice, swapping places with a figure of a girl. "What's—happening—" he cried in his voice, "—to me?" his voice changed, and became her voice then wavered back to his voice. Dilandau sank to his knees, shaking his head. "Master, come, I'll get you inside," Hector, ever faithful, pulled him to his feet.
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"Van's a—" Merla exclaimed. "But Draconians are—it's not—I don't believe it!" Allen and Kio, two men that Gaddis had spared from the fight, stood behind her, gaping in awe.
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Gaddis demolished an enemy guymelef and stood staring at the King and the Goddess through his visor. "Well—thanks for telling me, Van. So you're a Draconian. Doesn't surprise me, oh no. Of course I wouldn't be shocked that my friend suddenly revealed himself to be what is considered one of the cursed descent," he said dispassionately. Around him battlers halted and looked up at the sight of the Draconian embracing the girl. Weapons dropped from amazed hands, and as they stared, the sun broke through the clouds, enveloping the two figures in a golden light, high above. Gaddis took advantage of this, and, raising the huge blade of Ianthe, he roared, "Asturia—Freid—Daedalus—Abaharaki—charge!" The tide turned and the enemy was overwhelmed as the allies charged with a mighty mass roar.
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Van descended slowly and alighted atop the Escaflowne. He hesitated, his hand near the energist. "I can't help thinking—" he muttered, "what if I lose it again—what if—" "Van," Hitomi said gently, "you can do it, don't worry." Van shrugged, and touched the energist. The hatch sprang open with a creak. Van leapt in, slamming his hands into the gears. He carefully lifted Hitomi with one of the guymelef's hands and held her gingerly in the mammoth fist. "Okay down there?" he called. Hitomi nodded, smiling at him. Van took a deep breath to steady himself. He couldn't lose control again. Not again. Stay calm, he thought, for Hitomi. She's counting on you. "'Kay! Dragon Form!" he yelled, jerking the guymelef up. Escaflowne left the ground obediently, transforming. With a click of gears, it shifted to a dragon, a beast of ivory steel, clutching the energist in one claw, wings made of Escaflowne's cape. On its ridged back a Draconian stood, grasping the reins, directing the dragon. Behind him was the Tsbasi no Kami, the Goddess of Wings, holding tightly to his waist. The two looked at each other and blushed.
Hitomi gasped as the vision hit her. "Floating fortress is that way," she said, her eyes vacant, and pointed with a trembling finger. "But that's not all…" she shrieked, then her eyes cleared. "Oh, it was terrible, Van!" Hitomi exclaimed. Van smiled lightly at her, but his voice was tight with concern. "What did you see?" "I—don't want to talk about it," Hitomi said, shivering. Van stroked her deep brown hair.
Escaflowne beat its massive wings once and swooped closer.
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"The Dragon is coming, bearing your brother and the Goddess," Sora said in her tinkling voice. Folken nodded. A sudden calm came over him—here was the death he'd been wishing for. But there were still matters to be put to rest. "Eriya," he said. Eriya turned tearful eyes toward him. Folken bent down and kissed her. "Eriya, run away while you can. I'll meet up with you someday. We'll be reunited, you'll see." "But Folken-sama…" "You deserve better," Folken said softly. "I'll miss you. But we'll see each other again. I swear it." "Folken-sama," Eriya sobbed. "Go now," he said. "I order you." Eriya gave him two kisses, one on his lips, the other on his cheek. "I'll always love you," she murmured. "Good bye." She was crying bitterly as she limped from the throne room. "Sora," Folken said kindly, "you may leave too." "No," Sora answered, "I will see your demise with my own eyes." "So it's true, then?" Folken said, but not unhappily. "Very well, Sora."
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:What is he going to do?: Van heard Hitomi's voice in his mind. "Find my brother," he said, "kill him." "You can hear me?!" Hitomi gasped. "It must be—when you went Within, you formed some link," Van said slowly. :That's wonderful, Van! Now I'll always be able to talk to you!: she thought. :And hear me,: Van sent back ruefully. Hitomi giggled. :I'll listen in often!: Van grinned, a grin that faded. He still had one more thing to take care of—Folken.
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The fortress was deserted, all the soldiers on the battlefield. Van drew his Sword from its sheathe. Its tip was stained; he had not cleaned it since the last fight. Hitomi followed behind him. He could sense her feelings, too, unsure and afraid. "It'll be okay," Van told her. Hitomi nodded. Van smiled—cold, furious smile. "I'm going to kill you, Folken." He stalked forward, his grip on the Sword tightening. Van burst into the throne room, Sword in hand, his wings wide and bright in the dim room. "Brother!" Van snarled. Folken turned. In the light from Van's wings, his face could be seen clearly. His face twisted into a diabolical smile. And as he did, his own wings unfurled. They were black—contrasting Van's white ones. Death black. "Don't you remember what happened the last time, brother?" he said.
"Yes, I do," Van snapped. "I never intend for that to happen again." Folken turned his hand palm upward. "Oh. But I do." At once the blue glow surrounded the King. Hitomi watched, horrified. Van smiled, the same, hard, angry smile. "Best you can do, huh." "Oh, no. Quite the contrary. I'm just getting started," Folken smirked. He executed a sharp hit to the left. Van's body went flying, slamming into the wall with a sickening thud and sliding to the ground again. Van raised himself up on one elbow. "I'm not dead yet, as you can see," he muttered. "You will be when I'm through!" Folken said confidently. He jerked his hand to the right. Van smashed into the right wall, falling to the floor. He lay there for a moment, and got up again, wincing with the effort. Blood ran from his nose, there were several bruises on his face, neck, back, and arms. He ached. "I'm going to kill you," he whispered, holding to Sword up. "No, no. I'm going to kill you," Folken hissed. Once again the blue light encompassed the King. Van was hurled at full speed back into the left wall. When he hit the floor he did not rise. "Van!" Hitomi screamed, sprinting across the room to Van. She touched his face. "Oh god, Van, don't do this to me—nothing's broken—why aren't you getting up? Van? Van! Van, please…" She bent over him, a tear falling from her face onto his. She grasped his hand. "Van…oh…god, Van—"
She turned from him, still kneeling, and glared at Folken, who was standing there with an satanic smile plastered on his white face. "Why?" she demanded, tears falling freely. Folken did not reply. His face became whiter. "Why, Folken?" Hitomi yelled. "You loved him so much when he was younger—why do you hate him now?" Van raised his head painfully and coughed. "…Hitomi…" he managed. Hitomi turned back to him, relief spreading across her pale face. "Oh, Van, thank god…" She kissed him quickly. "Silly, isn't it?" Folken spoke, watching Van return the kiss. "I too have loved. Perhaps too much." Van, the flush from Hitomi's kiss disguised by the welts and cuts, said weakly, but angrily, "What the hell do you mean?" "I loved Eriya," Folken said, his voice rising, "and she loved me in return. I loved my family. I loved Fanelia. I even loved you—once. But you ruined it all for me. Once I kill you my sadness will be ended. I can rejoin Eriya and live out the remainder of my life happily with her. Only you stand in the way of my happiness."
"What the devil are you talking about?" Van demanded.
"You idiot!" Hitomi shouted, "you are the cause of Van's unhappiness! Can't you just leave him alone!? Don't you see? You killed his parents, destroyed his country, murdered his friends! You tried to kill him. If it weren't for you, Van would be just fine!"
"Yes, Goddess," Folken murmured. "But I would not. That is why it must end here—now."
Hitomi shielded the King with her body. "Never! Blast away, Folken!" Folken snarled something, but Hitomi didn't hear. "Hitomi," Van rasped. "Hitomi—don't do this. Please." Hitomi ignored him. Folken's hands glowed as he concocted the energy ball. "Fine. I will simply destroy you first," he said. Hitomi closed her eyes, feeling Van's fingertips against her cheek and savoring the moment—knowing it would be her last…this was what she had seen…both their deaths… "I'll—miss…you, Van," she said softly. "You're a…good friend." She hesitated with her words. Van smiled sadly and thought, Miss me, only? Just a friend…huh. Was that the kiss of a friend?
Then something happened.
Dilandau charged through the doorway, his sword held high. "Lord Folken—you tortured me, hurt me—spared my life so you could injure me more—now you shall pay!" Folken quickly used his power to tear Dilandau's right arm off. Dilandau, carried by his want of revenge and his rush, drew a second sword with his remaining arm and ran Folken through. Folken retaliated, though impaled, and stabbed Dilandua. Dilandau fell back, sputtering out his last words. "Take that, you monster… unnnh…" he jerked spasmodically and went limp. Folken sank down, holding the hilt of the sword within him. "Brother!" Van cried, forgetting everything he'd every held against the man, kneeling down beside him.
Folken remembered—he and his younger brother playing in the back of the palace by the stream, the happy shout of a young Van—'Brother! Look!'…and how the boy always came to him, loving, admiring…
Van cradled his elder brother's head. "Brother…" he said, a single tear falling from his eye. "A cry I always cherished," Folken murmured. "Tell my Eriya I loved her…" Eriya—we'll meet again. We love each other. He let out his last breath softly as he eyes closed.
Thus died Folken of Fanelia, Lord of the Dark Dragons, brother to Van.
"No, Lord Dilandau—" Hector yelled brokenly. The dog-man stumbled, blinded by tears, toward the body of his former master. "Dilandau…" Van turned from Folken's body. "What was he to you, that you would mourn his death?" he demanded. Hector clenched his fists. "Not he, King Van from Fanelia. She." Both Van's and Hitomi's heads snapped up. "What?!" Hector nodded, the tears streaming down his furry face. "This is not Dilandau Albatou, but Celena Schezar, sister to Gaddis Schezar." "Gaddis' lost sister?" Van asked incredulously. "But—"
"I promised her I'd protect her—she was my only real companion in the beginning…now I've failed…"
"What do you mean?" Hitomi said.
"Celena was kidnapped when she was around eight years old. We stole her away, and some scientists conducted several experiments on her—turned her into Dilandau, zapping her memory…I promised I'd always be there for her, even at the very end…" Hector gave way to the storm of angry tears within him. "Dark Dragon bastards," he sobbed. "Van!" Gaddis shouted. His voice sounded distant. "They've come to the fortress!" Hitomi realized. Hector wiped his eyes. "The poor knight…his sister is dead…"
"Who's dead?" Merla asked. Never far from Gaddis, she was nocking an arrow to her bow. Van smiled bitterly. "This is Celena Schezar, once Gaddis' sister." "By the gods—" Merla gasped, dropping her arrows. Gaddis shoved her aside and ran to the limp form of Dilandau that lay in a blood of blood. "Celena—this monster is Celena? You're lying!" "Nay, Knight of Caeli, I lie not," Hector said, regaining some composure. "She missed you very much." "No!" Gaddis cried. "This isn't Celena—" Meanwhile, Hitomi leaned over Dilandau, gently easing the knife from the youth's heart. She held her hand over the wound—which had, amazingly and suddenly, stopped bleeding.
Dilandau sat up.
"Damn!" Van cried, noticing. Dilandau rubbed his armor and asked in a female's voice, "Where am I?" "Gods!" Gaddis nearly shouted. It's Celena, I know her voice—it's really her! He grabbed Dilandau's hands and asked him in a low, trembling voice, "Do you remember me, Celena?" Dilandau jerked from him, shaking. He began to giggle and cry at the same time—then—
A light enveloped him, and when it faded, Dilandau Albatou was no more. In his place lay a silvery blonde haired girl in armor much to large for her. Celena Schezar had indeed returned. Gaddis hugged his unconscious sister to him, nearly weeping with joy. "Celena," he murmured, "Celena." Van glanced at Hitomi and smiled. :You did it, Van,: she said. :No...: he corrected softly, :We did it.: She moved closer to him and took his hand—everyone laughed as Van flushed dark red and looked at his boots.
Hey, me again. How are y'all? Um…not much to say. Chapter Five comin' soon: The title tells all—Bittersweet Parting. Don't freak, five ain't the end of it!
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. I don't own the characters, which is a pity, or the basic plot, but my additives to the plot and characters are my own! And I keep forgetting the damn disclaimer! Argh—it's so annoying! Read it, R&R—please! Here's something stupid. What does R&R mean? Read and Review? Read and Rate? Read and Read? Read and Rave? Someone please tell me. Sorry for delay. Go and read.
Soul Tamer
[pic]
Hitomi forced herself to stay calm as she walked through the blackness. In the distance she could hear the sounds of the battle still going on. I must be Within, she thought. This must be what Van was talking about. Van, where are you? She paused, balling her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. It was so cold. Black. Cold. So…empty. The Dragon must be filling his mind. I have to find what's left of Van before it's too late for any part of his personality to be reclaimed. "Van!" she shouted, hearing only echoes of her own frightened voice. A chill that was not part of the coldness settled over her like a dark mist. What if…he's already gone? She broke into a run, yelling his name. Her legs felt numb, and her heart pounded painfully in her chest—slow beats that got steadily slower. I can't stay long, she realized with icy dread. "Van—please! Come back!" Hitomi screamed. Again echoes. Nothing else but the echoes and her footsteps and the darkness and the cold. The unbearable cold. She sank to the heard ground, hugging her knees close to generate some warmth. It would be so easy to stay here…to stop, stop and rest…never have to get up again… Hitomi shook her head. I have to get up. I have to find Van. Get up, Kanzaki. She tried to rise and fell back, the feeling gone from her fingers. She flexed them and winced. Frozen fingers. But at least she could still feel them. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and forced herself to rise. Get up, Kanzaki. Get up!
A dim light somewhere beyond in the darkness encouraged her further. She began to sprint towards that light, and was rewarded by warmth—by light. By Van. "Van?" she called. A black-haired child around nine years old was attacking a beautiful tree with a wooden sword. "Take that! And that! Hah! Die, dragon!" he yelled ferociously. As Hitomi watched, rubbing her ears, an older boy, perhaps sixteen, came and looked at the boy for a long time. Then the older boy spoke. "Killing dragons, Van?" Van turned, panting, and hurriedly hid the sword behind his back. "Ah…no…Folken…I—uh…" "You know that's Mother's favorite tree, right?" Folken said gravely. "Yes…" Van muttered sullenly, knowing he'd been caught. "Well, I won't tell this time," Folken smiled, "but next time you want to have a swordfight, just ask me. I do a pretty good dragon impression." Van's face, angry before, lit up with a grin. "Really?" Folken nodded. "Thanks! You're the best!" Van exclaimed. Folken seems to love Van very much…I wonder why he turned against him… Hitomi wondered as the scene faded. The young Van turned to her; he was the only remnant from the picture. "You again? I told you, I don't want to go back. Leave me alone!" he turned and ran away, vanishing after twenty paces.
"Van!" Hitomi cried, dismayed. Her legs were trembling as she
took a few shaky steps forward, after the boy, and collapsed. Get up! Do it. The fate of this word depends on you. Van's fate depends on you. Do this for Gaea. Do this for…Van. Hitomi shoved herself up again. For Gaea. For Van. Run, Kanzaki. Run. She began to run—forcing her tired, stiff legs to move. She was not going fast enough. The Dragon was demolishing the rest of Van's memories faster than she could run.
She ran. Go, go. Faster. Faster! Run! "Van! Please! Answer me!" she yelled, beginning to panic. "Oh god," she muttered, her breath harsh. Another scene. Folken wore the armor of a Fanelian King—he carried a blade. "Brother!" Van squeaked. He seemed around ten years old. "Brother, why do you have to kill the dragon? I thought we agreed it was cruel!" Folken ruffled his brother's hair fondly, a distant look in his gray eyes. "I need to, if I want to become King, Van," he said kindly. "But—" "You're a great little brother, Van. I love you," Folken said quietly. He slung his sword over his shoulder and walked off. "Brother! Wait! Folken!" Van saw his brother disappear—the road, the path, the courtiers, they all vanished. Van turned. "You! This is your doing, isn't it! I told to you leave. Me. Alone," he snarled, and grew taller, older, as he turned from her. Ran away.
Hitomi snorted in exasperation. Is this the same bloodthirsty Van I know? Sure doesn't seem like him—he doesn't want to fight. Where is he? As if in answer to her question, another image appeared. A twelve-year old child was training with his swordsmaster. The grizzled old man—Balgus—was teaching him a complicated attack. The boy suddenly slumped over his sword, losing all interest. The longsword, Hitomi noticed, was almost as tall as he was. "Balgus," she heard him say, "do you think Folken will ever return? I mean…he's not…he can't be—dead, can he?" "Ah, Prince Van, I have no doubt that Prince Folken will return with the energist and become King. Although, you must realized that it has been two years since he first left," Balgus said, firmly but not unkindly. "Maybe he just couldn't find a dragon! Folken can't be dead. He promised he'd return—he never breaks his promises." Van scrubbed hastily at his eyes and turned his head away, looking into the full sunset. "Prince Van, do you want to end this session early today?" Balgus asked. Van nodded, the red sunlight reflecting off a tear that was beginning to fall. "Yes—yes, thank you, Balgus." Balgus saluted the boy, turned, and left. Van smiled at Hitomi. "You again, huh? Don't give up so easy, do you? I'm not really feeling up to it, not right now, at least." "But Van, you need to come back. Now!" Hitomi nearly shouted. Van's face grew cold—his sad eyes hardened to a crackling intensity. "Never," he said quietly. Melted with the rest of the picture.
Another picture replaced it instantly. Van was slaying the dragon. He was fourteen and lanky—dressed in armor much to large for him. He leveled the blade at the beast's gargantuan head, breathing heavily. Ready. Without warning, the earth-dragon charged with a roar that shook the ground. Hitomi bit her lip as she saw Van dodge a blow from the dragon's claws and slash skillfully at its leathery skin. "Van, look out!" Hitomi cried. The dragon lunged, snapping its teeth. Van sliced upward, nicking the beast's outer skin—drew blood. The dragon was enraged. It bellowed, opened its jaws, and—unleashed flame. Van saw it coming; he threw himself into a defensive position, heaving the shield in front of him. The flames engulfed the youth, and Hitomi could only see a dull outline through the redness. "Van!" she yelled fearfully. To her amazement, Van emerged from the inferno unscathed. He yanked his sword over his head and charged the earth-dragon, shouting, "This is for Folken! Yaaaaaaaaaaah!" Hitomi held her breath. Van carved right through the dragon's scales, through muscle, past bone, into the drag-energist—the heart. The dragon growled, made as if to squash the King beneath its feet, then collapsed. Van cut a circled around the energist and reached in, pulling it out. The moment he did the dragon disintegrated. Van smiled triumphantly. The scene deteriorated.
Hitomi smiled bitterly. She could feel her heart slowing even further, knew if she lingered any longer she'd die, or be sucked up into the Dragon vortex. She would have to leave soon. "Van Slanzar de Fanel!" she shouted. "If you don't come out now I swear I'll never speak to you again!" Not a very large threat, but if she stayed more than a few minutes she would never talk to him again. Hitomi turned and came face to face with the fifteen year-old adolescent she knew. "Hitomi," he said. "Why do you want me to come back? I've told you so many times that I don't want to." "We need you, Van," Hitomi answered softly. "The Escaflowne is destroying everything because you let blood lust consume you." "It's not my fault," Van replied. "I know it isn't, Van," Hitomi murmured. "But you need to regain control, stop the slaughter, so you can kill your brother, rebuild Fanelia." She had said the wrong thing. "No more fighting," Van grated, "I will not kill Folken. I told you. I do not want to return. I will not. You must leave now—I know what is happening. Go." He dissolved, but not before sending her back.
Hitomi lay on the deck of the airship. She shook her head groggily, and tears came to her eyes. "I couldn't save him," she whispered. "You tried, Hitomi," Merla helped her rise. Her eyes were wet too. "W-where are we?" Hitomi asked. "Allen ordered a take-off," Merla explained. "It was getting too dangerous out on the battlefield. Besides, up here, I can shoot," she added, brightening. Hitomi was struck with an idea. Desperate, but it might work. She moved past Merla, to the edge of the deck. "What are you doing?" Merla demanded. "I'm gonna save Van," Hitomi answered determinedly. She looked down. It was a long distance to the battle below. "What do you…Hitomi? Don't jump! Hey!" Hitomi evaded Merla's arms and yelled, "Van, I'm sorry!" She took a deep breath. And jumped. Hitomi screamed as her arm grazed the deck and came away bloody, but she kept falling…falling…
***************
Van—the Dragon—saw the girl throw herself from the deck with a cry of, "Van, I'm sorry!" I am not Van, he thought. I am the Dragon. I will kill. His normally gray eyes were blood red. His chest heaved as he struggled to defeat the Dragon within him. It was like wildfire in his veins, calling, demanding. Blood. Blood. But the girl—she was important, somehow…he knew her… "NO!" Van shouted. He shuddered violently, ridding himself of the Dragon spirit. "Hitomi!" Van yelled, throwing the cockpit open and leaping out. "Hitomi!" His wings burst from his back, and he beat them desperately. I'm not gonna make it…damn you, Dragon…I won't catch her in time…
***************
Time made an exception and stood still as the winged King smashed his wings against the air…Hitomi saw him flying fast and low, struggling to get there before she would hit the ground…Van…I'm sorry I did this to you, she thought, closing her eyes and waiting for the end to come. "Hitomi—" he cried. The King beat his wings once more, pinning them close to his body, diving under the girl and swooping up…grabbed her. They were about ten feet from the ground—too close for Van's comfort. He shot up into the sky with Hitomi. "Oh—Hitomi—don't ever—do—a stunt—like that again—thank the gods—you're still alive—" he panted, holding her close to him. Hitomi rested her head on his shoulder. "Van…" she whispered. "Van—I'm glad."
***************
"What?! He has wings? He's a Draconian?" Dilandau spat. "But that must mean—Folken's his brother—Folken must be a—" The youth's wounds were fast-healing—he was of Dragon blood, wasn't he? Dilandau shuddered violently, images of a boy flashing by his eyes. Schezar? What connection do I, of all people, have with that knight of Caeli? Dilandau shuddered, a half giggle escaping his white lips. It turned into a sobbing cry. His image distorted itself twice, swapping places with a figure of a girl. "What's—happening—" he cried in his voice, "—to me?" his voice changed, and became her voice then wavered back to his voice. Dilandau sank to his knees, shaking his head. "Master, come, I'll get you inside," Hector, ever faithful, pulled him to his feet.
***************
"Van's a—" Merla exclaimed. "But Draconians are—it's not—I don't believe it!" Allen and Kio, two men that Gaddis had spared from the fight, stood behind her, gaping in awe.
**************
Gaddis demolished an enemy guymelef and stood staring at the King and the Goddess through his visor. "Well—thanks for telling me, Van. So you're a Draconian. Doesn't surprise me, oh no. Of course I wouldn't be shocked that my friend suddenly revealed himself to be what is considered one of the cursed descent," he said dispassionately. Around him battlers halted and looked up at the sight of the Draconian embracing the girl. Weapons dropped from amazed hands, and as they stared, the sun broke through the clouds, enveloping the two figures in a golden light, high above. Gaddis took advantage of this, and, raising the huge blade of Ianthe, he roared, "Asturia—Freid—Daedalus—Abaharaki—charge!" The tide turned and the enemy was overwhelmed as the allies charged with a mighty mass roar.
****************
Van descended slowly and alighted atop the Escaflowne. He hesitated, his hand near the energist. "I can't help thinking—" he muttered, "what if I lose it again—what if—" "Van," Hitomi said gently, "you can do it, don't worry." Van shrugged, and touched the energist. The hatch sprang open with a creak. Van leapt in, slamming his hands into the gears. He carefully lifted Hitomi with one of the guymelef's hands and held her gingerly in the mammoth fist. "Okay down there?" he called. Hitomi nodded, smiling at him. Van took a deep breath to steady himself. He couldn't lose control again. Not again. Stay calm, he thought, for Hitomi. She's counting on you. "'Kay! Dragon Form!" he yelled, jerking the guymelef up. Escaflowne left the ground obediently, transforming. With a click of gears, it shifted to a dragon, a beast of ivory steel, clutching the energist in one claw, wings made of Escaflowne's cape. On its ridged back a Draconian stood, grasping the reins, directing the dragon. Behind him was the Tsbasi no Kami, the Goddess of Wings, holding tightly to his waist. The two looked at each other and blushed.
Hitomi gasped as the vision hit her. "Floating fortress is that way," she said, her eyes vacant, and pointed with a trembling finger. "But that's not all…" she shrieked, then her eyes cleared. "Oh, it was terrible, Van!" Hitomi exclaimed. Van smiled lightly at her, but his voice was tight with concern. "What did you see?" "I—don't want to talk about it," Hitomi said, shivering. Van stroked her deep brown hair.
Escaflowne beat its massive wings once and swooped closer.
***************
"The Dragon is coming, bearing your brother and the Goddess," Sora said in her tinkling voice. Folken nodded. A sudden calm came over him—here was the death he'd been wishing for. But there were still matters to be put to rest. "Eriya," he said. Eriya turned tearful eyes toward him. Folken bent down and kissed her. "Eriya, run away while you can. I'll meet up with you someday. We'll be reunited, you'll see." "But Folken-sama…" "You deserve better," Folken said softly. "I'll miss you. But we'll see each other again. I swear it." "Folken-sama," Eriya sobbed. "Go now," he said. "I order you." Eriya gave him two kisses, one on his lips, the other on his cheek. "I'll always love you," she murmured. "Good bye." She was crying bitterly as she limped from the throne room. "Sora," Folken said kindly, "you may leave too." "No," Sora answered, "I will see your demise with my own eyes." "So it's true, then?" Folken said, but not unhappily. "Very well, Sora."
***************
:What is he going to do?: Van heard Hitomi's voice in his mind. "Find my brother," he said, "kill him." "You can hear me?!" Hitomi gasped. "It must be—when you went Within, you formed some link," Van said slowly. :That's wonderful, Van! Now I'll always be able to talk to you!: she thought. :And hear me,: Van sent back ruefully. Hitomi giggled. :I'll listen in often!: Van grinned, a grin that faded. He still had one more thing to take care of—Folken.
***************
The fortress was deserted, all the soldiers on the battlefield. Van drew his Sword from its sheathe. Its tip was stained; he had not cleaned it since the last fight. Hitomi followed behind him. He could sense her feelings, too, unsure and afraid. "It'll be okay," Van told her. Hitomi nodded. Van smiled—cold, furious smile. "I'm going to kill you, Folken." He stalked forward, his grip on the Sword tightening. Van burst into the throne room, Sword in hand, his wings wide and bright in the dim room. "Brother!" Van snarled. Folken turned. In the light from Van's wings, his face could be seen clearly. His face twisted into a diabolical smile. And as he did, his own wings unfurled. They were black—contrasting Van's white ones. Death black. "Don't you remember what happened the last time, brother?" he said.
"Yes, I do," Van snapped. "I never intend for that to happen again." Folken turned his hand palm upward. "Oh. But I do." At once the blue glow surrounded the King. Hitomi watched, horrified. Van smiled, the same, hard, angry smile. "Best you can do, huh." "Oh, no. Quite the contrary. I'm just getting started," Folken smirked. He executed a sharp hit to the left. Van's body went flying, slamming into the wall with a sickening thud and sliding to the ground again. Van raised himself up on one elbow. "I'm not dead yet, as you can see," he muttered. "You will be when I'm through!" Folken said confidently. He jerked his hand to the right. Van smashed into the right wall, falling to the floor. He lay there for a moment, and got up again, wincing with the effort. Blood ran from his nose, there were several bruises on his face, neck, back, and arms. He ached. "I'm going to kill you," he whispered, holding to Sword up. "No, no. I'm going to kill you," Folken hissed. Once again the blue light encompassed the King. Van was hurled at full speed back into the left wall. When he hit the floor he did not rise. "Van!" Hitomi screamed, sprinting across the room to Van. She touched his face. "Oh god, Van, don't do this to me—nothing's broken—why aren't you getting up? Van? Van! Van, please…" She bent over him, a tear falling from her face onto his. She grasped his hand. "Van…oh…god, Van—"
She turned from him, still kneeling, and glared at Folken, who was standing there with an satanic smile plastered on his white face. "Why?" she demanded, tears falling freely. Folken did not reply. His face became whiter. "Why, Folken?" Hitomi yelled. "You loved him so much when he was younger—why do you hate him now?" Van raised his head painfully and coughed. "…Hitomi…" he managed. Hitomi turned back to him, relief spreading across her pale face. "Oh, Van, thank god…" She kissed him quickly. "Silly, isn't it?" Folken spoke, watching Van return the kiss. "I too have loved. Perhaps too much." Van, the flush from Hitomi's kiss disguised by the welts and cuts, said weakly, but angrily, "What the hell do you mean?" "I loved Eriya," Folken said, his voice rising, "and she loved me in return. I loved my family. I loved Fanelia. I even loved you—once. But you ruined it all for me. Once I kill you my sadness will be ended. I can rejoin Eriya and live out the remainder of my life happily with her. Only you stand in the way of my happiness."
"What the devil are you talking about?" Van demanded.
"You idiot!" Hitomi shouted, "you are the cause of Van's unhappiness! Can't you just leave him alone!? Don't you see? You killed his parents, destroyed his country, murdered his friends! You tried to kill him. If it weren't for you, Van would be just fine!"
"Yes, Goddess," Folken murmured. "But I would not. That is why it must end here—now."
Hitomi shielded the King with her body. "Never! Blast away, Folken!" Folken snarled something, but Hitomi didn't hear. "Hitomi," Van rasped. "Hitomi—don't do this. Please." Hitomi ignored him. Folken's hands glowed as he concocted the energy ball. "Fine. I will simply destroy you first," he said. Hitomi closed her eyes, feeling Van's fingertips against her cheek and savoring the moment—knowing it would be her last…this was what she had seen…both their deaths… "I'll—miss…you, Van," she said softly. "You're a…good friend." She hesitated with her words. Van smiled sadly and thought, Miss me, only? Just a friend…huh. Was that the kiss of a friend?
Then something happened.
Dilandau charged through the doorway, his sword held high. "Lord Folken—you tortured me, hurt me—spared my life so you could injure me more—now you shall pay!" Folken quickly used his power to tear Dilandau's right arm off. Dilandau, carried by his want of revenge and his rush, drew a second sword with his remaining arm and ran Folken through. Folken retaliated, though impaled, and stabbed Dilandua. Dilandau fell back, sputtering out his last words. "Take that, you monster… unnnh…" he jerked spasmodically and went limp. Folken sank down, holding the hilt of the sword within him. "Brother!" Van cried, forgetting everything he'd every held against the man, kneeling down beside him.
Folken remembered—he and his younger brother playing in the back of the palace by the stream, the happy shout of a young Van—'Brother! Look!'…and how the boy always came to him, loving, admiring…
Van cradled his elder brother's head. "Brother…" he said, a single tear falling from his eye. "A cry I always cherished," Folken murmured. "Tell my Eriya I loved her…" Eriya—we'll meet again. We love each other. He let out his last breath softly as he eyes closed.
Thus died Folken of Fanelia, Lord of the Dark Dragons, brother to Van.
"No, Lord Dilandau—" Hector yelled brokenly. The dog-man stumbled, blinded by tears, toward the body of his former master. "Dilandau…" Van turned from Folken's body. "What was he to you, that you would mourn his death?" he demanded. Hector clenched his fists. "Not he, King Van from Fanelia. She." Both Van's and Hitomi's heads snapped up. "What?!" Hector nodded, the tears streaming down his furry face. "This is not Dilandau Albatou, but Celena Schezar, sister to Gaddis Schezar." "Gaddis' lost sister?" Van asked incredulously. "But—"
"I promised her I'd protect her—she was my only real companion in the beginning…now I've failed…"
"What do you mean?" Hitomi said.
"Celena was kidnapped when she was around eight years old. We stole her away, and some scientists conducted several experiments on her—turned her into Dilandau, zapping her memory…I promised I'd always be there for her, even at the very end…" Hector gave way to the storm of angry tears within him. "Dark Dragon bastards," he sobbed. "Van!" Gaddis shouted. His voice sounded distant. "They've come to the fortress!" Hitomi realized. Hector wiped his eyes. "The poor knight…his sister is dead…"
"Who's dead?" Merla asked. Never far from Gaddis, she was nocking an arrow to her bow. Van smiled bitterly. "This is Celena Schezar, once Gaddis' sister." "By the gods—" Merla gasped, dropping her arrows. Gaddis shoved her aside and ran to the limp form of Dilandau that lay in a blood of blood. "Celena—this monster is Celena? You're lying!" "Nay, Knight of Caeli, I lie not," Hector said, regaining some composure. "She missed you very much." "No!" Gaddis cried. "This isn't Celena—" Meanwhile, Hitomi leaned over Dilandau, gently easing the knife from the youth's heart. She held her hand over the wound—which had, amazingly and suddenly, stopped bleeding.
Dilandau sat up.
"Damn!" Van cried, noticing. Dilandau rubbed his armor and asked in a female's voice, "Where am I?" "Gods!" Gaddis nearly shouted. It's Celena, I know her voice—it's really her! He grabbed Dilandau's hands and asked him in a low, trembling voice, "Do you remember me, Celena?" Dilandau jerked from him, shaking. He began to giggle and cry at the same time—then—
A light enveloped him, and when it faded, Dilandau Albatou was no more. In his place lay a silvery blonde haired girl in armor much to large for her. Celena Schezar had indeed returned. Gaddis hugged his unconscious sister to him, nearly weeping with joy. "Celena," he murmured, "Celena." Van glanced at Hitomi and smiled. :You did it, Van,: she said. :No...: he corrected softly, :We did it.: She moved closer to him and took his hand—everyone laughed as Van flushed dark red and looked at his boots.
Hey, me again. How are y'all? Um…not much to say. Chapter Five comin' soon: The title tells all—Bittersweet Parting. Don't freak, five ain't the end of it!