The Plot Deepens
[pic]
Van grabbed his Sword and ran. I hope I'm not too late. I hope I'm not too late. Gods—
He threw Hitomi's door open and took in the scene.
A man in a dark costume had Hitomi and had pinned her arms behind her back. She struggled like a thing gone mad, but to no avail. Her shift was torn down past her shoulder, revealing quite a lot of bare skin. Another black clad man raised a sword above his head, about to bring it down upon the girl.
Van didn't think. He just moved, unfurling his wings and smashing the right wing into the man holding the sword. The blade flew into the air. Using his own Sword, Van knocked it away from Hitomi. The other man released her and drew his own weapon. Hitomi fell to the ground in a sobbing heap, curled into a ball.
The man didn't advance on the young King, instead, he turned on Hitomi, trying to strike her defenseless form.
"Damn coward!" Van snarled, and was on him in a flash.
Just as he did, at least twelve other men dropped from the ceiling. Oh shit, Van thought. "Hitomi, get behind me," he snapped, and Hitomi did, shivering. He made sure his wings hid her from view, touching her face gently with the tip of one to reassure her.
Van struggled to keep a cool head.
Dodge…
Parry…
Thrust…
Thrust…
Duck…
Parry…
Dodge…
Thrust…
Dodge…
Kill…
Blood…
Destroy them…
No…
Yes!
This isn't the answer…
Kill them!
Kill them?
Yesss…now…they tried to hurt Hitomi…
They…Hitomi…
They must die!
They must die.
Yesss…kill them.
Blood…
Van's eyes went from gray to red. He no longer restrained himself, and released the blade in a flying spin. What the Sword missed, his wings got, and even then, he used his fists, and feet. He didn't care what he hit. He struck out and severed someone's head neatly, punched backward with his foot and felt it impact with someone's solar plexus. Dimly he could hear Hitomi, crying his name.
Crying his name…
No! He must destroy…
Yes…destroy…
But Hitomi…
Van shuddered hugely, but kept fighting. The Dragon Blade began to glow, glow brighter and brighter until it illuminated the room. The blood on its blade began to vanish, and with each stroke and each death, the Sword glowed brighter and the blood was absorbed into it. Not only that, but the light, whatever warrior it hit, would destroy the warrior.
"Van! They're all dead! Please…come back…oh god…Van…"
Hitomi…
You called…?
I'm coming back now…
Hitomi…
He came to himself with a jerk, his wings retracted and all around him the men lay dead. Hitomi had risen, her hair and face a sodden mess, but otherwise, she was unharmed.
"Damn—I did that?" Van gasped, then he dropped his Sword and collapsed besides the dead men.
Hitomi knelt by him. "Van…thank you…"
Van grinned back at her. His gaze sobered. "What were they trying to do?"
"Well…they were going to kill me…" Her tone told Van she wasn't finished yet.
"But then they said they would have some 'fun' with me…I fought them, Van, but I wasn't strong enough…"
Van sat up, grunting slightly with the effort, and folded her into his arms. "That's the second attempt on your life," he muttered.
"I know…" Hitomi whispered.
"It bothers me. Who would want to kill you so badly?"
Hitomi didn't answer. Van looked down at her, and saw that she had fallen asleep. Gods, he wanted to do the same. And he did, settling back comfortably amongst the slain and the bloodied tiles, and closed his eyes…
His last thought was that they were going to have to get some new tiles.
*************
"Van! Wake up! Van!"
Van moaned and covered his ears. "Go 'way…"
"Van—"
"Let me sleep, will you!"
"Van, it's serious!"
Van opened one eye. "Gaddis, you're disturbing my beauty sleep."
"It's not funny," Gaddis said, quite seriously. "Firstly, you're so gashed and scratched you look hardly human. Secondly, Hitomi's out like a light and I can't get her to wake up. Thirdly, I want to know why there are so many dead warriors lying around. Fourthly, you need to order some new tiles. Fifthly—"
"Okay, I get the point, Gaddis," Van sat up and winced as he looked himself over. In the darkness of the night before he hadn't noticed, or felt, for that matter, the wounds inflicted by the attempted assassins. He laughed. "I'm ripped up."
"Yes. Not only that, but the servants found a heck of a lot of feathers lying around and of course they recognized the worth and who the feathers originated from…"
Van was fully awake now. "What?!"
"Well, they don't know the feathers are from you, but still, I'd be careful," Gaddis said.
"So now they think…"
"That the Draconians are the cause of the attacks, yes," Gaddis finished.
"Oh shit," Van muttered. "But first we check on Hitomi."
He crawled, rather painfully, over to where the sleeping girl lay. "Hitomi…hey, Hitomi…" he whispered, gently touching her lips with his fingers. She stirred, mumbling something, then her eyes opened.
"Van…"
**************
"Now we know for sure that someone's trying to kill you," Van said.
Hitomi smiled a bit and let him wrap his arms around her. "Thanks…I think…"
"And we also know that someone has been spreading lies about Fanelia because there will be a war soon. Hopefully Elvrn can prevent that war."
"Hopefully," Celena said. She grinned. "Elvrn's got it in him."
"The Kemana incident," Van added.
"Yeah…Throw those two warriors, Qual and Ner, in the mix and what have you got?"
"A real Chinese puzzle," Hitomi said, then laughed. When no one joined her, she said quickly, "it's an earth thing."
"Oh," Van said.
Celena turned to her brother, then turned back. She flushed and looked away quickly, remarking to Gaddis, "Whenever I turn my back they lock lips. It's not right."
"They've missed a lot of each other these past years," Gaddis said. "Let them be."
Van and Hitomi both had their eyes closed, but they flushed and broke apart.
"That Qual isn't going to betray any information about the woman he serves, and Ner is still recuperating."
"Tough," Celena winked.
"Yes. We can still have some time together, right, Hitomi?" Van said, into his lover's hair.
Hitomi's flushed deepened, but she nodded. "You can count on it. Three o'clock, remember?"
"How about at dusk? Okay? Good. Then it's a promise. Celena, see to it that Lady Hitomi is armed with a wooden sword," Van said, and both he and Hitomi laughed.
******************
"Ready to lose, Van?" Hitomi said.
"Oh, I'm quite ready. Are you?"
Hitomi laughed as she charged. The wooden swords hit with a dull clang and parted, met and parted.
"You're pretty good," Van grinned.
"You're going easy on me," Hitomi pouted.
"Hard?" Van said.
"I can handle it," Hitomi replied.
"If you say so," Van said reluctantly. He increased his attacks gradually, until he disarmed her. "You lost, Hitomi."
Hitomi laughed, and ran from him. "Only if you can catch me! And no wings, it's cheating!"
She ran from him, and he followed.
Hitomi was going purposely slow, because she wanted him to catch her. And he did, knocking her to the ground. They rolled and rolled, laughing and kissing.
They finally reached the bottom of the hill, the swordfight long forgotten.
Darkness fell.
Van pinned Hitomi down and kissed her.
When she made no protest he deepened the kiss and…
***************
"They've been gone for an awfully long time," Ariel said worriedly.
"Huh? Oh, Van and Hitomi?" Celena shrugged. "Van won't let any harm come to her, so stop worrying."
"It's not that—I'm worried that Hitomi will do something to Van!" Ariel cried.
"What, seduce him?" Celena said randomly.
Both girls' eyes got wide as gold coins.
"Seduce him?!" they gasped in unison
"Oh gods, what if they're out there having—" Ariel shrieked, then blushed.
"Oh, it doesn't bear thinking of!" Celena covered her red face.
"We have to go and save Van," Ariel said, after an awkward pause.
"From what? His lady-love?"
"Hitomi can't get—get—" Ariel couldn't finish, instead, she made a horrible choking noise that resembled a strangled laugh.
"Pregnant? Oh, gods!!" Celena laughed nervously.
"Can she?" Ariel asked anxiously.
"There's—there's always the chance that—that she could, of course…"
"Van's not an idiot—"
"Since when isn't he?" Celena said.
"Oh, hell!" Ariel closed her eyes, her face growing redder with embarrassment.
"We shouldn't be worrying about them like a couple of old women," Celena said reasonably. "It's their own fault if she—if she—"
Both dissolved into giggles.
****************
Van and Hitomi returned slightly after midnight, laughing about something.
"You took me on a wonderful ride—" Hitomi laughed. "The wind blowing in my face, and all that. But it was rather bumpy."
"My wings were acting strangely," Van admitted. "They were jerking around—I think I've overused them, carrying you and flying."
"If I had my own wings I'd fly with you, and save you the trouble of having to carry me," Hitomi said, quite seriously. "You need to rest more, Van—I'm worried about you. First the Destiny War, then two years of helping rebuild Fanelia, and then the Kemana incident, plus the two attempted assassinations, along with the stress of it all—not to mention carrying me around," she added ruefully, "maybe it's bad for you?"
"Hah!" Van gave a derisive laugh. "I can handle it."
"That was a beautiful lake, though," Hitomi said dreamily.
:Senesheyal,: Van supplied.
:It has a beautiful name, too,: Hitomi smiled.
"I'm posting guards by your room—"
"Oh, Van, don't do that—let me…" she flushed, "let me stay with you…"
"I snore," Van muttered.
"I don't think you do," Hitomi said.
"Okay, then."
As they neared Van's bedroom, they met up with Celena and Ariel, who, upon seeing them, began to giggle and redden.
It was Celena who asked the question.
"Y-you didn't—er—you didn't have—um…you didn't make…uh…did you?"
The young King and Hitomi caught drift of what she was trying to stutter.
"No!" Van yelled. He unconsciously leapt away from Hitomi, who was blushing furiously. The couple began protesting.
"Well…we came awfully close to—er—yeah…but then Van thought…" Hitomi mumbled.
"We didn't even come close to each other—" Van shook his head.
"Now that's a lie! You two can't keep your lips off of each other for a second!" Celena giggled.
"She's got you there," Hitomi smiled.
"What do you mean, just me? You're part of the—come here!" Van growled, pulling her into his embrace and kissing her.
"I rest my case," Celena said, and folded her arms.
****************
"Qual?" Ner asked weakly.
"Hey," Qual smiled at her. She tried to sit up, but he pushed her back down.
"Qual—where are we? What are we doing here—you didn't talk, did you?"
"Calm down. We're with friends now."
"How do you know—how do you—"
"I don't know, Ner. But the King of Fanelia has been kind to us, and I intend to return his friendship."
"The King of Fanelia?" Ner asked. Qual nodded. "Van Slanzar de Fanel," she said, after a pause. "Should be seventeen. He played a major role in the Destiny War, along with the Seeress of the Mystic Moon, Kanzaki Hitomi. The two are currently separated."
"Nearly correct, my dear Guarde. Hitomi's returned. She's with Van, and they seem very much in love."
"Ahhh…" Ner released her breath in a sigh. "Then you must tell them."
"But—"
"The High Priestess sent us to Van, to warn him! We must tell them our message."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Get them now, and tell them what we've been told to say."
*******************
"Van Fanel, I must speak with you," Qual said.
"Oh?" Van nodded.
"I've conferred with my Guarde, and we have agreed to inform you of our mission."
"Talk."
"The High Priestess warns you of another war. She also adds that you should send for the Seeress, but that you've already accomplished."
"Couldn't you just tell me her name?" Van was almost begging.
"Sor—Sorry," Qual corrected hastily.
Van was certain he had been about to say something else.
"She speaks of the God of War being reawakened, though, she added, fear not, for the Dragon within will only emerge in situations desperate."
Van made a mental note of that.
"Anything more?"
"Love alone will conquer," Qual said. "That is all."
Love alone will conquer…
"Thank you, Qual. If I may, where will you go, once your companion has recovered?"
"North. The High Priestess knows of your plight, and the lies. We will do our best to disperse them."
Van sighed. "That's one burden lifted."
Hitomi stumbled into the room, her eyes white and unfocused. "Van—vision—" she gasped, and Van was up immediately, lending her the support of his arms.
"What is it?"
"War—" Hitomi choked out. "Suffering, pain—oh, Van! Fanelia was burning, again!"
"No…"
"And…I saw you—carrying someone in your arms…sad…flames—flames came and swallowed you up—then I realized—it was me in your arms—"
Van eased her down beside him. "Hitomi…"
"I was dead—an arrow, there's an assassin in the castle—trying to get you—not me—I took the arrow for you—and—"
Hitomi whimpered and fainted.
"You'd better go," Van said urgently to Qual. "Get Merla."
******************
Dragon beware…
The whisper lurked in Van's mind.
Dragon beware…
He knew then.
Sora!
Sora—
*It is I…what I am about to do might pain you…*
What are you—
*The Dragon within must be contained…I will warn you now that if you even try to go inside the Escaflowne it will be reawakened…*
No!
*What?*
Sora, the Dragon has saved myself and Hitomi several times. I believe it is a necessary component if we are to defeat the enemy…
*My Dragon Lord, you are wrong…*
How so, Sora?
*Hitomi was forced to go Within the last time, to save you. Other times you regained control by yourself, but by then you were used to it—*
Do you see what I am saying, Sora? Eventually, I will know how to control it.
*You will never be able to.*
Never?
*The Dragon is wild, battle-hungry, O Dragon Lord.*
Why do you call me the Dragon Lord?
*That is what you are, Van Fanel.*
Oh…why can't I keep the Dragon?
*Van Fanel. I sent you a message: Love alone will conquer—even death, Dragon Lord. Even death.*
I cannot fight in this war?
*You must fight, my Dragon Lord.*
What is your point, Sora? Van growled.
*The Seeress is the key. I cannot tell you, for that would divert the flow of fate.*
Sora—wait!
*Yes?*
I have a question.
*Go on.*
I want…to ask Hitomi to marry me. Is now the time?
*Van, Dragon Lord, High King of Fanelia, Brother to my former master, that is an answer you must determine for yourself. If Hitomi were to die, as her vision said—*
How did you—
*I know these things, you forget.*
Keep going, then.
*If Hitomi were to die, in this war…or if you were to die…*
I see.
*Yet, if your enemies found out, they could use your engagement to their advantage. The choice is entirely yours, my Dragon Lord.*
I'll do it.
*Your choice. Though I warn you…perhaps waiting is better…*
Sora—
But she was gone, and Van was left with a massive headache. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and went to check on Hitomi.
I should ask her…
You have no ring.
But I love her!
Perhaps it is too soon…
I'll wait…I guess…
Van noticed that she had opened her eyes. "Hitomi…" he said softly.
"Van?"
"Yes."
Van was suddenly aware of another presence in the room, flitting in the shadows. So the assassin is here… he thought. :Hitomi—do not move. Don't worry,: he sent. She paled visibly, and lay back, seeming to wilt. Van rose, as if to leave, walking closer to the wall as he did. Calmly, Van snatched his Sword from the sheathe and sliced at what looked like a shadow.
There was an unearthly wail.
Hitomi screamed.
Van looked back instinctively at her—nothing was wrong.
"Van—behind you!" she cried, and pointed.
Van turned, and saw the dark creature coming for him, its spear raised. He let out a yell, and swung down with the Dragon Blade, impaling the creature. Not a creature, but a human, garbed in black.
"You sonuvabitch, Van Fanel—and your damn Seeress—" the human gasped out. A male voice. Van grabbed him by the throat and slammed him up against the wall.
"Who are you working for. Spill it—now!"
"I'm dying—what have I got to lose? I'm not telling you!"
"We could save you," Van lied smoothly.
He thought the voice of the man lightened with hope. "Really—"
"Yes. But we won't, unless you tell us all."
"Okay—okay—I'll—cough—talk! Mistress said to try and kill the Seeress—but her other self said to kill you—Mistress decided both of ya should go—"
"Other self?"
"I dunno—she's got this weird, double person—personality…"
"Keep talking. Who is your Mistress?"
"I—am—ugh…" a bubble of blood formed on his lips but he wiped it away with a trembling hand. "I dunno her name—I am a mercenary—I hire myself out—I thought I was good stuff…"
"Is that all you know?" Van demanded, in a voice that sunk dangerously low.
"Yes—now, keep me from dying—"
There was a strange light in Van's eyes, reminiscent of the Dragon, red, dark, and angry. "You would have murdered her. Myself, I don't care for. You're a damn fool, whoever you are. Try to murder Hitomi, try to get away with it? I don't think so."
"Van—" Hitomi tried to interrupt.
Van ignored her and raised his Sword high.
"Van, no!" Hitomi yelled, throwing herself out of bed, and grabbing his arm. The light vanished from his eyes, and he shuddered. Van fell to all fours, shaking with uncontrollable sobs. The mercenary eyed him warily, and Hitomi knelt by the shuddering, weeping form that was Van. "Van…it's alright…" she touched his arm tentatively. Van looked up, his eyes gray, and tears running down his face.
"I couldn't control it—one moment I was in control and then the Dragon came—and I lost it completely—I can't control this thing that's inside of me—I'm afraid of it—coward, coward, coward…" he dissolved into tears again.
"Van…" Hitomi had never seen this side of him before. Never.
"Hitomi! Van—what in the hell?!" Gaddis slammed the door open and saw the sobbing King curled on his side in one corner, Hitomi trying in vain to get him to calm down, and a wounded man, dying, sitting on the ground.
"See to this man," Hitomi said quickly, pointing to the mercenary. "I need to talk to Van."
Gaddis nodded.
"Van, you can tell me what's wrong. Okay? Please, just come out of there—"
Van smiled weakly. "You're always so caring, so wonderful…"
"Van—"
"I've killed men before, possessed by this—but they were armed men, Hitomi—this man was helpless, and the Dragon was going to—" Van closed his eyes, but instead of holding him, Hitomi allowed him to hold her.
"Guilt."
Van nodded. "Yes—so much…I…talked with Sora, Hitomi. I don't know whether she's dead or alive, but she talked to me. She told me that sooner or later I will lose total control of this Dragon and become a 'killing- machine.'"
"Oh, Van—"
"I didn't believe her. This is solid proof."
"Van, you've conquered the odds before, you can do it again!" Hitomi said angrily. "You can't give up just because some damn Seeress tells you to!'
"Which damn Seeress are you referring to?"
"Not me!" Hitomi snapped.
"I would never call you a damn Seeress, Hitomi," Van whispered tenderly.
"Are we over it, then? You can do it, Van."
"I can," Van said softly. He smiled, quaveringly. "I can."
Ner and Qual came running. "Majesty—we heard!" Ner said, anxiously.
"It's just Van," Van said quietly.
"Van, then. Please, allow us to go to the Northern tribes after Elvrn."
"How did you—"
"The High Priestess informed us. The two are—closely related…shall we say?"
"Oh…" Van wondered what they meant.
"Young Seeress," Ner knelt in front of a bewildered Hitomi.
"Hitomi," Hitomi corrected.
"Seeress. My lady, a war is coming soon. It is not Van's fault. It never was."
"I wouldn't believe it if anyone told me it was his fault!" Hitomi said indignantly and returned the grateful smile that Van gave her.
"That is good. The enemy seeks to tear you apart, if not by death, then by jealousy."
"We see," Van answered for both himself and Hitomi.
"Good. Then we must go now, to the Northern Tribes. Qual is of that area; they will trust him."
*****************
It was just after dark. Hitomi stood alone on Van's balcony, staring at Earth.
Van came softly, flying, actually, beating the air quietly with his wings, so she wouldn't hear him. He alighted slowly beside her.
"Oh! Van, what are you doing here?"
"Two reasons. One, I've come to check on you. Two…" Van trailed off, flushing.
"Two?"
Van reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Hitomi gasped; she was beginning to understand. Van went down on one knee, in traditional style, as his father had to his mother, his grandfather to his grandmother, and so on.
"Hitomi Kanzaki, it would be a wonderful thing…if…you would honor me by being my wife, and ruling beside me as Queen of Fanelia."
Hitomi stared at him, stunned. "I was waiting. But that assassin worried me. In case one of us dies…I want you to know that I'll always love you." She continued to stare. Van's hope slowly began to melt away. You fool, he thought, if she says no…
Then she smiled.
A beautiful smile.
"Oh, Van, yes, yes, yes, a million times, yes! I'd marry you even if you were a beggar on the streets!" she exclaimed.
Van whooped and caught her up in his arms, carefully sliding the ring up her finger. She kissed him, and he grinned, swooping up into the air.
She's going to marry me!
****************
Ner watched from afar with a silly smile plastered on her face. She flushed as she noticed she wasn't alone.
"It's a good thing he proposed, right, Ner?" Qual asked.
"It will be harder for the enemy to tear them apart if they are engaged," Ner answered.
"You'd like something like that to happen to you?" Qual said bluntly.
Ner tensed. "Why would I? My sword is my life."
"Hah!" Qual snorted.
"Hah," Ner matched his snort with her own. They stared at each other for seconds, then laughed.
*****************
So, Van's finally asked her. And she said yes, Folken thought, with a smile. My brother always had good taste. 'Folken-sama!' Eriya called, her fur glinting in the silvery moonlight. 'Eriya,' Folken greeted her with a tender smile.
'Guess what? Nariya met someone, who we used to know, when we were Alive,' Eriya said, and grinned.
'Oh?'
'He used to be one of your soldiers—I don't know his name, though.'
'So our Nariya has finally found romance,' Folken said.
'Yes!'
*****************
Van grinned at his fiancee's sleeping form. Soon, he thought.
*****************
Gaddis saw Van up and about roughly an hour before dawn.
"Van—what? I thought you weren't a morning person," he said. Van grinned, practically bouncing with happiness. "Things change, Gaddis! Where are my advisors?"
"Asleep."
Van seemed to deflate. "Why?"
"Van, it's five in the morning."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"What are you doing up, then?" Van asked.
"Celena worries me." Van could tell Gaddis didn't want to talk about it.
"I see."
The King walked off, a slight skip to his step. "I could use breakfast," he said.
"Van has been acting strange…"
*****************
Gaddis' questions were answered when Hitomi came down the great hall at about six in the morning. She was smiling, and on her hand a golden band flashed.
"Oh, I get it now! You're engaged, aren't you?"
Hitomi's answer was a joyful nod.
"Now I understand why Van was so happy."
****************
"Morning, love," Van said, as Hitomi came into the dining room. "Here, have one."
He put a brownish fruit on her plate.
"What's that?"
"Gale. A bug."
Hitomi gagged.
"I'm just kidding!" Van laughed. "It's called agnes' tongue. You peel the brown skin off. See?"
He demonstrated with hers. She smiled at him. "Thanks."
"VAN!" Ariel came running. Van tried to throw himself under the table, but she grabbed him. "Gaddis told me! Gaddis told me! This is WONDERFUL!"
Van kissed Hitomi lightly as he pushed the cat-girl from him. "Yes, it is!"
Celena entered the room, her eyes foggy with sleep. "What's going on?"
"You're looking at the future queen of Fanelia, Hitomi Kanzaki de Fanel."
Celena beamed.
YESSS! They're engaged! YAHOO! YAHOO! (Sister: she's hyper.) Next chapter, coming soon!
[pic]
Van grabbed his Sword and ran. I hope I'm not too late. I hope I'm not too late. Gods—
He threw Hitomi's door open and took in the scene.
A man in a dark costume had Hitomi and had pinned her arms behind her back. She struggled like a thing gone mad, but to no avail. Her shift was torn down past her shoulder, revealing quite a lot of bare skin. Another black clad man raised a sword above his head, about to bring it down upon the girl.
Van didn't think. He just moved, unfurling his wings and smashing the right wing into the man holding the sword. The blade flew into the air. Using his own Sword, Van knocked it away from Hitomi. The other man released her and drew his own weapon. Hitomi fell to the ground in a sobbing heap, curled into a ball.
The man didn't advance on the young King, instead, he turned on Hitomi, trying to strike her defenseless form.
"Damn coward!" Van snarled, and was on him in a flash.
Just as he did, at least twelve other men dropped from the ceiling. Oh shit, Van thought. "Hitomi, get behind me," he snapped, and Hitomi did, shivering. He made sure his wings hid her from view, touching her face gently with the tip of one to reassure her.
Van struggled to keep a cool head.
Dodge…
Parry…
Thrust…
Thrust…
Duck…
Parry…
Dodge…
Thrust…
Dodge…
Kill…
Blood…
Destroy them…
No…
Yes!
This isn't the answer…
Kill them!
Kill them?
Yesss…now…they tried to hurt Hitomi…
They…Hitomi…
They must die!
They must die.
Yesss…kill them.
Blood…
Van's eyes went from gray to red. He no longer restrained himself, and released the blade in a flying spin. What the Sword missed, his wings got, and even then, he used his fists, and feet. He didn't care what he hit. He struck out and severed someone's head neatly, punched backward with his foot and felt it impact with someone's solar plexus. Dimly he could hear Hitomi, crying his name.
Crying his name…
No! He must destroy…
Yes…destroy…
But Hitomi…
Van shuddered hugely, but kept fighting. The Dragon Blade began to glow, glow brighter and brighter until it illuminated the room. The blood on its blade began to vanish, and with each stroke and each death, the Sword glowed brighter and the blood was absorbed into it. Not only that, but the light, whatever warrior it hit, would destroy the warrior.
"Van! They're all dead! Please…come back…oh god…Van…"
Hitomi…
You called…?
I'm coming back now…
Hitomi…
He came to himself with a jerk, his wings retracted and all around him the men lay dead. Hitomi had risen, her hair and face a sodden mess, but otherwise, she was unharmed.
"Damn—I did that?" Van gasped, then he dropped his Sword and collapsed besides the dead men.
Hitomi knelt by him. "Van…thank you…"
Van grinned back at her. His gaze sobered. "What were they trying to do?"
"Well…they were going to kill me…" Her tone told Van she wasn't finished yet.
"But then they said they would have some 'fun' with me…I fought them, Van, but I wasn't strong enough…"
Van sat up, grunting slightly with the effort, and folded her into his arms. "That's the second attempt on your life," he muttered.
"I know…" Hitomi whispered.
"It bothers me. Who would want to kill you so badly?"
Hitomi didn't answer. Van looked down at her, and saw that she had fallen asleep. Gods, he wanted to do the same. And he did, settling back comfortably amongst the slain and the bloodied tiles, and closed his eyes…
His last thought was that they were going to have to get some new tiles.
*************
"Van! Wake up! Van!"
Van moaned and covered his ears. "Go 'way…"
"Van—"
"Let me sleep, will you!"
"Van, it's serious!"
Van opened one eye. "Gaddis, you're disturbing my beauty sleep."
"It's not funny," Gaddis said, quite seriously. "Firstly, you're so gashed and scratched you look hardly human. Secondly, Hitomi's out like a light and I can't get her to wake up. Thirdly, I want to know why there are so many dead warriors lying around. Fourthly, you need to order some new tiles. Fifthly—"
"Okay, I get the point, Gaddis," Van sat up and winced as he looked himself over. In the darkness of the night before he hadn't noticed, or felt, for that matter, the wounds inflicted by the attempted assassins. He laughed. "I'm ripped up."
"Yes. Not only that, but the servants found a heck of a lot of feathers lying around and of course they recognized the worth and who the feathers originated from…"
Van was fully awake now. "What?!"
"Well, they don't know the feathers are from you, but still, I'd be careful," Gaddis said.
"So now they think…"
"That the Draconians are the cause of the attacks, yes," Gaddis finished.
"Oh shit," Van muttered. "But first we check on Hitomi."
He crawled, rather painfully, over to where the sleeping girl lay. "Hitomi…hey, Hitomi…" he whispered, gently touching her lips with his fingers. She stirred, mumbling something, then her eyes opened.
"Van…"
**************
"Now we know for sure that someone's trying to kill you," Van said.
Hitomi smiled a bit and let him wrap his arms around her. "Thanks…I think…"
"And we also know that someone has been spreading lies about Fanelia because there will be a war soon. Hopefully Elvrn can prevent that war."
"Hopefully," Celena said. She grinned. "Elvrn's got it in him."
"The Kemana incident," Van added.
"Yeah…Throw those two warriors, Qual and Ner, in the mix and what have you got?"
"A real Chinese puzzle," Hitomi said, then laughed. When no one joined her, she said quickly, "it's an earth thing."
"Oh," Van said.
Celena turned to her brother, then turned back. She flushed and looked away quickly, remarking to Gaddis, "Whenever I turn my back they lock lips. It's not right."
"They've missed a lot of each other these past years," Gaddis said. "Let them be."
Van and Hitomi both had their eyes closed, but they flushed and broke apart.
"That Qual isn't going to betray any information about the woman he serves, and Ner is still recuperating."
"Tough," Celena winked.
"Yes. We can still have some time together, right, Hitomi?" Van said, into his lover's hair.
Hitomi's flushed deepened, but she nodded. "You can count on it. Three o'clock, remember?"
"How about at dusk? Okay? Good. Then it's a promise. Celena, see to it that Lady Hitomi is armed with a wooden sword," Van said, and both he and Hitomi laughed.
******************
"Ready to lose, Van?" Hitomi said.
"Oh, I'm quite ready. Are you?"
Hitomi laughed as she charged. The wooden swords hit with a dull clang and parted, met and parted.
"You're pretty good," Van grinned.
"You're going easy on me," Hitomi pouted.
"Hard?" Van said.
"I can handle it," Hitomi replied.
"If you say so," Van said reluctantly. He increased his attacks gradually, until he disarmed her. "You lost, Hitomi."
Hitomi laughed, and ran from him. "Only if you can catch me! And no wings, it's cheating!"
She ran from him, and he followed.
Hitomi was going purposely slow, because she wanted him to catch her. And he did, knocking her to the ground. They rolled and rolled, laughing and kissing.
They finally reached the bottom of the hill, the swordfight long forgotten.
Darkness fell.
Van pinned Hitomi down and kissed her.
When she made no protest he deepened the kiss and…
***************
"They've been gone for an awfully long time," Ariel said worriedly.
"Huh? Oh, Van and Hitomi?" Celena shrugged. "Van won't let any harm come to her, so stop worrying."
"It's not that—I'm worried that Hitomi will do something to Van!" Ariel cried.
"What, seduce him?" Celena said randomly.
Both girls' eyes got wide as gold coins.
"Seduce him?!" they gasped in unison
"Oh gods, what if they're out there having—" Ariel shrieked, then blushed.
"Oh, it doesn't bear thinking of!" Celena covered her red face.
"We have to go and save Van," Ariel said, after an awkward pause.
"From what? His lady-love?"
"Hitomi can't get—get—" Ariel couldn't finish, instead, she made a horrible choking noise that resembled a strangled laugh.
"Pregnant? Oh, gods!!" Celena laughed nervously.
"Can she?" Ariel asked anxiously.
"There's—there's always the chance that—that she could, of course…"
"Van's not an idiot—"
"Since when isn't he?" Celena said.
"Oh, hell!" Ariel closed her eyes, her face growing redder with embarrassment.
"We shouldn't be worrying about them like a couple of old women," Celena said reasonably. "It's their own fault if she—if she—"
Both dissolved into giggles.
****************
Van and Hitomi returned slightly after midnight, laughing about something.
"You took me on a wonderful ride—" Hitomi laughed. "The wind blowing in my face, and all that. But it was rather bumpy."
"My wings were acting strangely," Van admitted. "They were jerking around—I think I've overused them, carrying you and flying."
"If I had my own wings I'd fly with you, and save you the trouble of having to carry me," Hitomi said, quite seriously. "You need to rest more, Van—I'm worried about you. First the Destiny War, then two years of helping rebuild Fanelia, and then the Kemana incident, plus the two attempted assassinations, along with the stress of it all—not to mention carrying me around," she added ruefully, "maybe it's bad for you?"
"Hah!" Van gave a derisive laugh. "I can handle it."
"That was a beautiful lake, though," Hitomi said dreamily.
:Senesheyal,: Van supplied.
:It has a beautiful name, too,: Hitomi smiled.
"I'm posting guards by your room—"
"Oh, Van, don't do that—let me…" she flushed, "let me stay with you…"
"I snore," Van muttered.
"I don't think you do," Hitomi said.
"Okay, then."
As they neared Van's bedroom, they met up with Celena and Ariel, who, upon seeing them, began to giggle and redden.
It was Celena who asked the question.
"Y-you didn't—er—you didn't have—um…you didn't make…uh…did you?"
The young King and Hitomi caught drift of what she was trying to stutter.
"No!" Van yelled. He unconsciously leapt away from Hitomi, who was blushing furiously. The couple began protesting.
"Well…we came awfully close to—er—yeah…but then Van thought…" Hitomi mumbled.
"We didn't even come close to each other—" Van shook his head.
"Now that's a lie! You two can't keep your lips off of each other for a second!" Celena giggled.
"She's got you there," Hitomi smiled.
"What do you mean, just me? You're part of the—come here!" Van growled, pulling her into his embrace and kissing her.
"I rest my case," Celena said, and folded her arms.
****************
"Qual?" Ner asked weakly.
"Hey," Qual smiled at her. She tried to sit up, but he pushed her back down.
"Qual—where are we? What are we doing here—you didn't talk, did you?"
"Calm down. We're with friends now."
"How do you know—how do you—"
"I don't know, Ner. But the King of Fanelia has been kind to us, and I intend to return his friendship."
"The King of Fanelia?" Ner asked. Qual nodded. "Van Slanzar de Fanel," she said, after a pause. "Should be seventeen. He played a major role in the Destiny War, along with the Seeress of the Mystic Moon, Kanzaki Hitomi. The two are currently separated."
"Nearly correct, my dear Guarde. Hitomi's returned. She's with Van, and they seem very much in love."
"Ahhh…" Ner released her breath in a sigh. "Then you must tell them."
"But—"
"The High Priestess sent us to Van, to warn him! We must tell them our message."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Get them now, and tell them what we've been told to say."
*******************
"Van Fanel, I must speak with you," Qual said.
"Oh?" Van nodded.
"I've conferred with my Guarde, and we have agreed to inform you of our mission."
"Talk."
"The High Priestess warns you of another war. She also adds that you should send for the Seeress, but that you've already accomplished."
"Couldn't you just tell me her name?" Van was almost begging.
"Sor—Sorry," Qual corrected hastily.
Van was certain he had been about to say something else.
"She speaks of the God of War being reawakened, though, she added, fear not, for the Dragon within will only emerge in situations desperate."
Van made a mental note of that.
"Anything more?"
"Love alone will conquer," Qual said. "That is all."
Love alone will conquer…
"Thank you, Qual. If I may, where will you go, once your companion has recovered?"
"North. The High Priestess knows of your plight, and the lies. We will do our best to disperse them."
Van sighed. "That's one burden lifted."
Hitomi stumbled into the room, her eyes white and unfocused. "Van—vision—" she gasped, and Van was up immediately, lending her the support of his arms.
"What is it?"
"War—" Hitomi choked out. "Suffering, pain—oh, Van! Fanelia was burning, again!"
"No…"
"And…I saw you—carrying someone in your arms…sad…flames—flames came and swallowed you up—then I realized—it was me in your arms—"
Van eased her down beside him. "Hitomi…"
"I was dead—an arrow, there's an assassin in the castle—trying to get you—not me—I took the arrow for you—and—"
Hitomi whimpered and fainted.
"You'd better go," Van said urgently to Qual. "Get Merla."
******************
Dragon beware…
The whisper lurked in Van's mind.
Dragon beware…
He knew then.
Sora!
Sora—
*It is I…what I am about to do might pain you…*
What are you—
*The Dragon within must be contained…I will warn you now that if you even try to go inside the Escaflowne it will be reawakened…*
No!
*What?*
Sora, the Dragon has saved myself and Hitomi several times. I believe it is a necessary component if we are to defeat the enemy…
*My Dragon Lord, you are wrong…*
How so, Sora?
*Hitomi was forced to go Within the last time, to save you. Other times you regained control by yourself, but by then you were used to it—*
Do you see what I am saying, Sora? Eventually, I will know how to control it.
*You will never be able to.*
Never?
*The Dragon is wild, battle-hungry, O Dragon Lord.*
Why do you call me the Dragon Lord?
*That is what you are, Van Fanel.*
Oh…why can't I keep the Dragon?
*Van Fanel. I sent you a message: Love alone will conquer—even death, Dragon Lord. Even death.*
I cannot fight in this war?
*You must fight, my Dragon Lord.*
What is your point, Sora? Van growled.
*The Seeress is the key. I cannot tell you, for that would divert the flow of fate.*
Sora—wait!
*Yes?*
I have a question.
*Go on.*
I want…to ask Hitomi to marry me. Is now the time?
*Van, Dragon Lord, High King of Fanelia, Brother to my former master, that is an answer you must determine for yourself. If Hitomi were to die, as her vision said—*
How did you—
*I know these things, you forget.*
Keep going, then.
*If Hitomi were to die, in this war…or if you were to die…*
I see.
*Yet, if your enemies found out, they could use your engagement to their advantage. The choice is entirely yours, my Dragon Lord.*
I'll do it.
*Your choice. Though I warn you…perhaps waiting is better…*
Sora—
But she was gone, and Van was left with a massive headache. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and went to check on Hitomi.
I should ask her…
You have no ring.
But I love her!
Perhaps it is too soon…
I'll wait…I guess…
Van noticed that she had opened her eyes. "Hitomi…" he said softly.
"Van?"
"Yes."
Van was suddenly aware of another presence in the room, flitting in the shadows. So the assassin is here… he thought. :Hitomi—do not move. Don't worry,: he sent. She paled visibly, and lay back, seeming to wilt. Van rose, as if to leave, walking closer to the wall as he did. Calmly, Van snatched his Sword from the sheathe and sliced at what looked like a shadow.
There was an unearthly wail.
Hitomi screamed.
Van looked back instinctively at her—nothing was wrong.
"Van—behind you!" she cried, and pointed.
Van turned, and saw the dark creature coming for him, its spear raised. He let out a yell, and swung down with the Dragon Blade, impaling the creature. Not a creature, but a human, garbed in black.
"You sonuvabitch, Van Fanel—and your damn Seeress—" the human gasped out. A male voice. Van grabbed him by the throat and slammed him up against the wall.
"Who are you working for. Spill it—now!"
"I'm dying—what have I got to lose? I'm not telling you!"
"We could save you," Van lied smoothly.
He thought the voice of the man lightened with hope. "Really—"
"Yes. But we won't, unless you tell us all."
"Okay—okay—I'll—cough—talk! Mistress said to try and kill the Seeress—but her other self said to kill you—Mistress decided both of ya should go—"
"Other self?"
"I dunno—she's got this weird, double person—personality…"
"Keep talking. Who is your Mistress?"
"I—am—ugh…" a bubble of blood formed on his lips but he wiped it away with a trembling hand. "I dunno her name—I am a mercenary—I hire myself out—I thought I was good stuff…"
"Is that all you know?" Van demanded, in a voice that sunk dangerously low.
"Yes—now, keep me from dying—"
There was a strange light in Van's eyes, reminiscent of the Dragon, red, dark, and angry. "You would have murdered her. Myself, I don't care for. You're a damn fool, whoever you are. Try to murder Hitomi, try to get away with it? I don't think so."
"Van—" Hitomi tried to interrupt.
Van ignored her and raised his Sword high.
"Van, no!" Hitomi yelled, throwing herself out of bed, and grabbing his arm. The light vanished from his eyes, and he shuddered. Van fell to all fours, shaking with uncontrollable sobs. The mercenary eyed him warily, and Hitomi knelt by the shuddering, weeping form that was Van. "Van…it's alright…" she touched his arm tentatively. Van looked up, his eyes gray, and tears running down his face.
"I couldn't control it—one moment I was in control and then the Dragon came—and I lost it completely—I can't control this thing that's inside of me—I'm afraid of it—coward, coward, coward…" he dissolved into tears again.
"Van…" Hitomi had never seen this side of him before. Never.
"Hitomi! Van—what in the hell?!" Gaddis slammed the door open and saw the sobbing King curled on his side in one corner, Hitomi trying in vain to get him to calm down, and a wounded man, dying, sitting on the ground.
"See to this man," Hitomi said quickly, pointing to the mercenary. "I need to talk to Van."
Gaddis nodded.
"Van, you can tell me what's wrong. Okay? Please, just come out of there—"
Van smiled weakly. "You're always so caring, so wonderful…"
"Van—"
"I've killed men before, possessed by this—but they were armed men, Hitomi—this man was helpless, and the Dragon was going to—" Van closed his eyes, but instead of holding him, Hitomi allowed him to hold her.
"Guilt."
Van nodded. "Yes—so much…I…talked with Sora, Hitomi. I don't know whether she's dead or alive, but she talked to me. She told me that sooner or later I will lose total control of this Dragon and become a 'killing- machine.'"
"Oh, Van—"
"I didn't believe her. This is solid proof."
"Van, you've conquered the odds before, you can do it again!" Hitomi said angrily. "You can't give up just because some damn Seeress tells you to!'
"Which damn Seeress are you referring to?"
"Not me!" Hitomi snapped.
"I would never call you a damn Seeress, Hitomi," Van whispered tenderly.
"Are we over it, then? You can do it, Van."
"I can," Van said softly. He smiled, quaveringly. "I can."
Ner and Qual came running. "Majesty—we heard!" Ner said, anxiously.
"It's just Van," Van said quietly.
"Van, then. Please, allow us to go to the Northern tribes after Elvrn."
"How did you—"
"The High Priestess informed us. The two are—closely related…shall we say?"
"Oh…" Van wondered what they meant.
"Young Seeress," Ner knelt in front of a bewildered Hitomi.
"Hitomi," Hitomi corrected.
"Seeress. My lady, a war is coming soon. It is not Van's fault. It never was."
"I wouldn't believe it if anyone told me it was his fault!" Hitomi said indignantly and returned the grateful smile that Van gave her.
"That is good. The enemy seeks to tear you apart, if not by death, then by jealousy."
"We see," Van answered for both himself and Hitomi.
"Good. Then we must go now, to the Northern Tribes. Qual is of that area; they will trust him."
*****************
It was just after dark. Hitomi stood alone on Van's balcony, staring at Earth.
Van came softly, flying, actually, beating the air quietly with his wings, so she wouldn't hear him. He alighted slowly beside her.
"Oh! Van, what are you doing here?"
"Two reasons. One, I've come to check on you. Two…" Van trailed off, flushing.
"Two?"
Van reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Hitomi gasped; she was beginning to understand. Van went down on one knee, in traditional style, as his father had to his mother, his grandfather to his grandmother, and so on.
"Hitomi Kanzaki, it would be a wonderful thing…if…you would honor me by being my wife, and ruling beside me as Queen of Fanelia."
Hitomi stared at him, stunned. "I was waiting. But that assassin worried me. In case one of us dies…I want you to know that I'll always love you." She continued to stare. Van's hope slowly began to melt away. You fool, he thought, if she says no…
Then she smiled.
A beautiful smile.
"Oh, Van, yes, yes, yes, a million times, yes! I'd marry you even if you were a beggar on the streets!" she exclaimed.
Van whooped and caught her up in his arms, carefully sliding the ring up her finger. She kissed him, and he grinned, swooping up into the air.
She's going to marry me!
****************
Ner watched from afar with a silly smile plastered on her face. She flushed as she noticed she wasn't alone.
"It's a good thing he proposed, right, Ner?" Qual asked.
"It will be harder for the enemy to tear them apart if they are engaged," Ner answered.
"You'd like something like that to happen to you?" Qual said bluntly.
Ner tensed. "Why would I? My sword is my life."
"Hah!" Qual snorted.
"Hah," Ner matched his snort with her own. They stared at each other for seconds, then laughed.
*****************
So, Van's finally asked her. And she said yes, Folken thought, with a smile. My brother always had good taste. 'Folken-sama!' Eriya called, her fur glinting in the silvery moonlight. 'Eriya,' Folken greeted her with a tender smile.
'Guess what? Nariya met someone, who we used to know, when we were Alive,' Eriya said, and grinned.
'Oh?'
'He used to be one of your soldiers—I don't know his name, though.'
'So our Nariya has finally found romance,' Folken said.
'Yes!'
*****************
Van grinned at his fiancee's sleeping form. Soon, he thought.
*****************
Gaddis saw Van up and about roughly an hour before dawn.
"Van—what? I thought you weren't a morning person," he said. Van grinned, practically bouncing with happiness. "Things change, Gaddis! Where are my advisors?"
"Asleep."
Van seemed to deflate. "Why?"
"Van, it's five in the morning."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"What are you doing up, then?" Van asked.
"Celena worries me." Van could tell Gaddis didn't want to talk about it.
"I see."
The King walked off, a slight skip to his step. "I could use breakfast," he said.
"Van has been acting strange…"
*****************
Gaddis' questions were answered when Hitomi came down the great hall at about six in the morning. She was smiling, and on her hand a golden band flashed.
"Oh, I get it now! You're engaged, aren't you?"
Hitomi's answer was a joyful nod.
"Now I understand why Van was so happy."
****************
"Morning, love," Van said, as Hitomi came into the dining room. "Here, have one."
He put a brownish fruit on her plate.
"What's that?"
"Gale. A bug."
Hitomi gagged.
"I'm just kidding!" Van laughed. "It's called agnes' tongue. You peel the brown skin off. See?"
He demonstrated with hers. She smiled at him. "Thanks."
"VAN!" Ariel came running. Van tried to throw himself under the table, but she grabbed him. "Gaddis told me! Gaddis told me! This is WONDERFUL!"
Van kissed Hitomi lightly as he pushed the cat-girl from him. "Yes, it is!"
Celena entered the room, her eyes foggy with sleep. "What's going on?"
"You're looking at the future queen of Fanelia, Hitomi Kanzaki de Fanel."
Celena beamed.
YESSS! They're engaged! YAHOO! YAHOO! (Sister: she's hyper.) Next chapter, coming soon!