Okay, it's been a REAL long time, I know. I may have changed my style of
writing, maybe not. So.this story's wrapping up-(I know, you can cry! ^_^)-
and I figure another three not so long chapters should do it.Once this is
finished, I can dedicate most of my time to Night Singer, then Last
Generation, then The Escaflownes, then Two Different Worlds, etc. As for
DragonSun's Insane Talkshow, that'll just continue as it was, since I don't
find it so difficult to spit out a five-eight page chapter for that.
Besides, that one's fun! Humph. Now, thinking about that, the rest of the
stuff is fun too. Just long. Very long. Very very long.
I'd appreciate it if you could wait roughly two weeks between chapters.
One more thing: I'm cutting Two Different World TEMPORARILY, until I can
finish The Rebel King. Then I'll start working on it again. The same goes
for the Last Generation.
Oh, the previous chapter you could tell I'd just seen the episode of Yu-Gi- Oh! where Kaiba's about to be defeated by Yu-Gi but then he steps on the side of the roof, and then Yu-Gi stops at the last possible moment and starts crying cuz he's scared of himself, poor boy. Kaiba is SOOOO HOT! Well.he ranks seven in my list of hot anime guys.Van's first and Heero's second.
Wyera bowed before a black window, her eyes lowered. A billowing cloud, unable to take shape, floated within the glass, though recently cleaned, could only remain black.
"I thought I took up this contract with you to destroy the Dragon, not to trifle with a petty King's affections and his wife," the voice said. It was neither male or female-just a warped sound that had no semblance to a human's tone.
"Patience, O Mistress," Wyera said softly. "I promise you, the Dragon is part of the bargain. Van Fanel has been possessed by it on several occasions."
"Very well. But understand, child, that my patience can only stretch so far. Once it snaps, I shall destroy you to seek out the Dragon myself with a more capable candidate."
"I understand, O Mistress. It will take some time to penetrate the King of Fanelia's defenses, as you have so seen yourself-"
"I am fading, child! See what I have become, feeding only on mere human miseries? I must have the Dragon, and soon!"
"Yes, Mistress," Wyera, nodded, her head still bowed. "I promise you shall have It soon."
The shadow vanished from the mirror. Wyera gasped, and fell to her hands and knees, shaking uncontrollably. Within moments she had straightened, her eyes no longer mild purple, but a harsh, glowing yellow.
"We shall see Our Purpose served."
******
Van sighed, his head in his hands. Hitomi, nearby, looked at him in concern. "Van? Is something wrong?"
"I'm just tired, Hitomi."
"Do you want to stop? I can tell your advisors to leave you alone for the afternoon," she suggested. Van smiled at her, then shook his head.
"I don't think it'll help. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the better."
"Your majesty!" Siel rushed in, holding a scroll of parchment.
"Siel?" Van looked up.
"It comes from the Northern Tribes," his advisor said. Van took it, interest knocking some of the weariness from his eyes.
"Thank you, Siel. You know what? I think we're all too tired to keep going. Tell everyone in the palace they've got the day off-you too," Van said grandly. He unrolled the parchment as Siel bowed out, murmuring his thanks.
"It's from Elvrn!" he said in amazement. Hitomi looked at him.
"Really?"
"Yes," Van motioned for her to come over. Hitomi knelt beside him, her eyes smiling as he read it aloud.
"Dear Van and Hitomi and Gaddis, if you're there-I'm writing this from the Northern Tribes at the moment, as you should already know. I don't know how many minds I've managed to change, but, (this is a surprise!) a young man and woman found me, saying they were friends of yours, and that they knew my mother! I wasn't sure to trust them or not, until they told me all of their passwords-you don't need to know about those, nor can I tell you, but that isn't the point. The point is that we're accomplishing something. Elvrn."
Van grinned. "That's good. Hitomi, I'm sorry I'm not spending time with you. It's just.well, I want to get to the bottom of this mess."
"I understand, Van," Hitomi said, and kissed him very gently on the forehead. "We'll do it. We've done it before, haven't we?"
"You bet we have. Well, since I gave everyone a day off, I should get a day off, too, right?" Van's grin became cheeky. Hitomi grinned too.
"Guess you should."
"Well, I know a place that's very, very far away from everyone. . ."
*****
"High Priestess," Qual said, kneeling before the screen his High Priestess was standing behind.
"I see you have delivered my message?"
"Yes," Qual whispered.
"The Dragon Lord does not understand," his mistress's voice said, electric with impatience. "The being that inhabits the Princess is a sworn enemy of the Dragon.its argument is not with Van Fanel himself but with his own Guide."
"High Priestess?"
"The Dragon and Guaneth (GWEN-eth) have been enemies since the beginning of time. When the Draconians evolved, they banished both warlords to the far reaches of the netherworld.however, each spirit has found a way to share the souls and minds of certain people-namely, those with Blood for the Dragon, but, as for Guaneth, it simply feeds on one form after another. If and when Wyera fails, she cannot expect mercy from Guaneth."
Qual nodded. "Where should we go next, High Priestess?"
"Take Ner, and continue to aid Elvrn's cause. If you fail, return here and I shall provide the three of you with certain.means.to convince them."
"I have a question, High Priestess."
"Ask."
"During the Destiny War you aided Lord Folken Lacour de Fanel, yet now you aid Lord Van Slanzar de Fanel. Why?"
"I have.my reasons. I have always felt in debt to Folken; after all, it was he who found me after my clan had been destroyed. I will respect his wishes, and continue to protect his brother for the remainder of my life on this Gaea."
"This Gaea?"
"Do you truly believe that only this world exists, my young warrior? If there is a dimension known as the Mystic Moon, then why should there not be other dimensions as well?"
"You're right, High Priestess. I'd better get back to Elvrn now."
"I wish you the best of luck."
******
Wyera paced back and forth in a fury, as her dark assassins stood around her, nervously.
"It didn't work, mortal!" Guaneth raged through Wyera's voice.
"I know it didn't work, you insane beast from the nether Realms!" Wyera shouted, in frustration. "The only good thing going on is we know that the girl was infused with our poison!"
"Insane beast, am I?" Wyera/Guaneth hissed. A moment later, the princess was on the floor, convulsed with pain, her pretty features distorted.
"I'm sorry, Mistress! Please-stop-stop-!"
"That's more like it," Wyera/Guaneth smiled, standing up. "Lord Fanel could not have known the ring he gave his beloved was enchanted!"
"I know, I know-" Wyera panted. "Please, don't start it again. Please!"
Her people looked on, confused and very frightened, as their princess alternately lectured, raged, and pleaded with herself.
"Jebaeb," Wyera/Guaneth commanded. The man came forward, cowering and whining. "You will go and see how the ring has affected our young Lady Hitomi."
"Y-Yes, Ma'am-"
"Ma'am?"
Jebaeb screamed and shuddered, tormented by the same pain Wyera had experienced moments before. He lay on the ground jerking and shrieking.
"O Guaneth, please, Mighty One, Great One, Powerful One! Stop this! I beg you, stop! Stop! Aaaaaaagh!"
"Much better," the spirit within seemed pleased. "Much, much better. Now go, or would you like to experience more pain?"
"No, O Great One. I will go-" he moaned, "I will go!"
******
"Van?"
"Hitomi?"
"I feel.very strange." she said. Van turned and looked at her. She was very pale, with the exception of two bright pink splotches on either cheek. Her green eyes were dull, even her hair was lank. As he watched her, she swayed, then caught herself.
"Do you want to rest?" he asked.
"I.don't know."
"Come on," he said. "Go lie down for a bit. You'll feel better soon."
"It's.weird," she murmured. "I don't feel.like myself."
"Silly," Van couldn't help but admonish her, "when you're ill you never feel like yourself." He kissed her forehead, like he would that of a naughty child. "If you want, you can go see Merla. She might have something to get rid of it."
"You're right," Hitomi sighed. She gave his hand a faint squeeze and walked away. Van shuddered. Her hand had been as clammy as that of the dead.
********
"As I infuse more and more of myself into the soon-to-be Queen, her spirit with weaken. She is fighting me; she is young, she is vital-the fight, when I have conquered her body, will invigorate me more. And my own darkness with overpower her strength, and I will use her body to destroy the Dragon, as I was made to do."
"Yes, Mistress," Wyera whispered. She bowed respectfully to the mirror. "I have but one question, Mistress."
"Ask, human."
"Once you have imbued your dark energies within the young Queen, what will become of me? Will I not get my Lord Fanel, as I have wished, and as I have so bargained with you?"
"Without the Dragon he will be weak," Guaneth purred. "Without the Dragon to Protect his mind, to guard his eternal soul, he will be weak enough for simple enchantments to crush any resistance. I will have my revenge, and you yours, human."
She does not understand, Guaneth thought smugly. She thinks she will get her end of the bargain? Humans were always so easy to manipulate. Throughout the ages, I have inhabited numerous vessels, and, in the end, whether they first gave in willingly, unknowingly, or with resistance, they all perished, and I lived. Oh, I lived.
********
The Dragon within Van stirred, protesting mildly as he and Gaddis faced off. Van shoved it away harshly.
You have had your share of blood, he thought fiercely. You will not take control again. Sir Gaddis is a friend, Dragon. A friend. He must not be harmed.
The Dragon grumbled, complaining, but receded. Van wondered; if It had not have already 'feasted' upon the deaths of the assailants, if Gaddis would still be alive and standing.
"You ready, Van?" Gaddis' voice shook Van out of the strange reverie.
"Ready," Van said. They took their stances. After he made the initial charge, and they were parrying, Van asked a question. "Gaddis-do you remember the Destiny War? My beserker fits?"
"Yes," Gaddis replied. "It's only been a few years.now I'm married and you're getting married. The war is over.it seems like it's been a thousand years."
In more ways than one, Van said to himself. I wonder exactly how long the Dragon has been passed down. Did my father have it? Was it Mother? Grandfather? Huh, I could imagine Mother with the Dragon. Impossible! Well, perhaps not. She was a full-blooded Draconian after all. I'm only half. It makes sense that, with her magic, she would have been able to control the Dragon much more easily.
"Well-" Van grunted as he brought his sword across to deflect a well- aimed slice. "I'm worried about Hitomi. She's.ill. It doesn't seem right. Everything about her. It seems.wrong. It seems to be strongest near her hands.the blackness, the pit.she's not so much Hitomi as she used to be. Something else is growing there, in her place."
Feeding off her life energy, destroyed what remains of her.a parasitic being.like the Dragon feeds off blood, it feeds off life essences.like certain vampires can 'live' entirely off vibrations from a monk's meditations.
"Van? Are you okay? I just disarmed you. Hello? Anyone in there?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, Gaddis. I was just thinking.about Hitomi. You know what I mean. It would.destroy me.if she died. You understand, don't you? It's like the way you feel about Merla, about Chid, about Celena. They mean the world to you. You would give anything in the world at all to protect them."
"I can see where you're going with that," Gaddis sheathed his sword, balancing on one foot as he posed.
"What're you doing?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm glad you two are finally getting married. You could really see it, when you first found her. Though."
"Though?"
"You've only argued three or four times. That's strange. For an unmarried couple; even for a married couple. People.argue. Except for." Gaddis paused, his expression wondering. "Except for angels."
"Gaddis, I'm no angel. You could even say I'm the devil in the flesh who managed to convince an angel to marry him." Van grinned, his current concerns forgotten.
"About her strange 'illness,' Van. Perhaps." Gaddis lowered his voice. "Perhaps she's with child."
"What?!" Van flushed, frowning, and pretended to brush specks of dust from his Dragon Blade. "We've never.I mean.and.anyhow, her symptoms don't match."
"You've looked it up?" Gaddis raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"Oh, shut up," Van griped, throwing a who-cares punch at the knight's head. He missed by at least three feet. "You know I need to be careful about this. If anyone knew about it, they could use both Hitomi and the unborn child as hostages."
"You sound like you believe this war is coming."
"I didn't want to believe, Gaddis. For Hitomi's sake and the sake of my country, I didn't want to believe. I didn't want it to occur. But don't you understand? It's going to happen. One pathetic King of Fanelia isn't going to change anything." Van thrust his own Sword back into its sheath. He glared at his gloves, as if they had offended him in some way. "It's this helplessness. I can't stand it. I don't know where they're going to strike, how, or when. And now Hitomi's ill, with some sort of disease that seems to be eating her very soul."
"I say we get your Magicians to look at it."
"What do you mean?" Van looked up. "You don't think that it's a magically inflicted illness, do you?"
"It could be. We must be careful." Gaddis pulled his own gloves off and replaced them gently within his pocket. "Hitomi is unusually frail, as you should know. I would prefer, having once loved her, that you took the best precautions available."
"Hitomi won't appreciate being treated like an invalid," Van warned. "In fact, she'll hate it."
"It's for her own safety."
"I'll do what she thinks is necessary," Van said slowly. "But if she worsens, I'll call in the Sorcerers."
"Good."
"Brother!" It was Celena, wearing a sky-blue dress styled in the manner of an Asturian princess. It was one of Merla's old dresses, Gaddis could see. He smiled.
"Celena! What are you doing out here?"
"I don't know," Celena said, puzzled. "Oh, that's right! Merla wanted you to know that she's going to check in on Hitomi, because she's worried."
Van bit his lip, glancing at Gaddis.
"I'm going to go in, to stay with her," he said. "Thanks, Celena."
Celena watched his receding back for some time, her mouth twisted into an ironic smirk.
"Any reason for the smile, Celena?" Gaddis said.
Celena gasped, shaking her head. "I'm alright," she said. "I just.wasn't myself, all of a sudden."
Dilandau seems to be replacing her again. I'll need to get Merla to look at her, if that's possible.
*********
"She doesn't have a fever, but her hands are cold, she says she can't seem to focus on anything, and-"
"Merla, you're babbling. Is there something you aren't telling me?" Van asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Oh, Van!" Merla said helplessly. "She's sinking. There isn't anymore Hitomi inside that shell!"
"What do you mean?" Van demanded sharply, grabbing the Healer's hands and forcing her to look at him.
"I can't feel her. Normally, Hitomi would say something like, 'Don't worry about me,' but she didn't say anything! That may some trivial to you, but I feel like something more than an illness is eating at her." Merla couldn't meet his eyes as she said, "Don't worry Van, I'm sure it's really nothing."
"That's what I felt," Van said softly. He looked at his gloved hands. "Do you think I should get the Sorcerers to look at her?"
"What?"
"Gaddis suggested it."
"I see. I guess so," Merla tilted her head, considering. "She wanted to see you, Van."
********
"Van," Hitomi said wearily, as he entered and sat down on a chair beside her, "I'm sorry I'm such a nuisance."
"Don't worry about it. You'll get better soon-"
"Is there something that.you and Merla.aren't telling me?" she asked, weakly. Van squeezed her thin hands.
"We think.someone may have cursed you. That this may be a magical illness of some sort. Don't worry, we'll have you up and about in no time."
"That's great.Van." she whispered, then closed her eyes and fell asleep. Van kissed her cheek, before standing up to go.
*********
Stop fighting me, Mortal!
You will never have me. You will never use me to hurt Van. Never! Hitomi cried.
Yours is a useless struggle! Give in, before I destroy you!
I would rather die!
That could be arranged. the Darkness said, thoughtful. But I'd rather keep you, and use you, and see you suffer.
Hitomi glanced wildly around. Wh-where am I? she demanded, unable to keep the tremor out of her voice.
This is your mind, Mortal. In relatively no time, I have managed to subdue most of your passive defenses. And now, I battle with the spirit of your mind. My only goal, the Darkness continued, cajoling now, is to destroy the Dragon. Please, allow me to use your vessel momentarily, so that I may kill it. I promise, your Van will not be harmed.
Liar! Hitomi shouted, backing away. I'd never let you in. I want you to leave me at once. Do you understand?
For as long as that ring is on your finger, Lady Hitomi, you will not be able to be rid of me!
Wha-so you're saying, as long as Van and I are engaged?
I meant it in a more literal sense, but sure, the Darkness murmured, lazily. My current vessel is boring me. You, your are young and vital. Once I have defeated you, I will be invigorated with your energy, your boundless energy. The Darkness smiled. Hitomi shuddered involuntarily. Your odd 'illness' will vanish like it never was. 'Hitomi' will be gone from your body, and you will be mine for as long as I choose.and your husband is doomed.
No! Hitomi sprinted towards the Darkness. You will never overcome me! Never use me to hurt Van! You may defeat me now, but I'm warning you, I will always be there, to keep you from hurting Van, and to keep you from hurting Fanelia!
There was a blinding flash. Hitomi was thrown back several feet. She landed painfully, rose painfully, stood painfully, but she was standing, a wand of defiance between Guaneth and her goal.
You. Guaneth shrieked. You will die, and now! I will drive your memory from all who once knew you!
Go ahead! Hitomi balled her thin hands into fists and steadied herself for the impact. I warned you already.
This time, the light came, and stayed, and then, was extinguished. Hitomi lay, like a fallen angel, her 'wings' broken.
Van. she whispered. Glowing feathers melted into ashes, and, gradually, dimmed out.
Guaneth settled herself, luxuriously, into Hitomi's place.
Well, well, butterfly, she said, triumphant. It seems that you have lost, and I have won.all that remains now is to kill Van, and part the Dragon from his dead body, so that I may destroy it, and regain my control over this world.
********
"You were out for a long time, you know," Van said, lovingly stroking his fiancee's hair. "Two whole days sleeping."
"Of course," Hitomi said-coldly. She turned away from him. "Van-"
"Yeah?"
"I'm feeling much better now," she continued, with just a touch of arrogance that he had never heard or seen from her. "So perhaps.I can get up?"
"Uh." Van looked at her hesitantly. "I don't know about that, Hitomi."
"Fine!" she seemed to pout for a moment before glaring at him. Not playfully. Not angrily, just glared. Plain hatred.
I don't recall Hitomi ever acting like this before. What have I done wrong? Was it me?
"If that's what you think is best," Van said, after a moment, "I'll not baby you. Go ahead." With a weary sigh, he stood back and let her stand.
*******
Now.
Guaneth/Hitomi rose from her seat on the throne. Van was sleeping, in his own bed, because the female Healer had ordered him-he, the King, being ordered! she thought, with a laugh-that Hitomi was to rest for a few more days, and that he could have no contact with her, for risk that he would catch the 'disease'.
Time to strike.
She/It roamed the quiet corridors, darkened now by night and the absence of bright light. Even the torches lining the walls were burning low. Van was sleeping. Van was helpless. Van would die. And the Dragon would be hers/its once again. She/It had left Wyera, though only momentarily. It had occurred to her/It that the princess would prove useful in later situations, such as during the investigation of the murder of the King of Fanelia. Even afterward, if all went well. No, she/It decided, after a moment. Not if. When all went well.
It was the sleeping King's chamber now, with one lone guard patrolling, quite faithfully, outside, looking starved for sleep, but not going to until his shift was over and he was sure his King was safe. Loyalty such as this made a stir in the abyss of Guaneth's heart. If only, only when It and the Dragon, in previous days, (A/N: *laugh* and when the world was new, at the dawn of time, et cetera, et cetera!!) had had such serious loyalty. This void would have never been created. Never. But now it was time to settle her/Its problems. Now it was time to extract revenge.
Poison was another method of killing, but she/It had realized, with that infernal Healer, Melrina or whatever her name was, prowling around, it was only a matter of time until that would be discovered. Poison showed on the surface. A quick dagger with a quicker hand-well, that would be much, much better. And faster, of course. Other methods had come to mind, such as slow strangling-that, though, would have brought out the Dragon and forced the young King to fight-something she/It didn't want. The crushing of his young love, the Lady Hitomi, had been easier than expected and quite satisfactory. In this way, Guaneth could live on. In this way, Guaneth could have her/Its revenge.
Had the girl fought harder, longer, called upon the powers she did not know existed within her-well, the tide might have turned. Foolish child. She had not bothered to learn the secrets. She did not have the ambition. She did not have the greed necessary to rise. But, somehow, she had risen. She had captivated a King's heart-quite unknowingly, but she had done it anyway. Like a flower, blossoming, but trodden on by 'feet' greater and more powerful than her, and so, in that way, the flower wilted, crumpled, crushed, and dying beneath the grinding foot.
The guard looked up, with surprise.
"Why! Lady Hitomi! Seeress, you aren't supposed to be awake yet!"
"This is a dream," she/It crooned. "You never saw me, not really. You're dreaming. You must wake up, or Lord Van will go unprotected. . ."
She/It waved her arm. The guard fell down, dead-
-dead asleep. She/It could not yet afford to murder. At least, not for a few more minutes. Slowly, pushing the door open, her/Its robes falling about the slender vessel and making gentle swishing noises upon the recently re-tiled floor.
Van slept, almost like an angel, which was rather ironic, seeing what he was. She/It lifted the dagger and crept, more slowly still, toward the sleeping King.
Guaneth trembled. The dagger stroke halted, inches from Van's chest.
No! No! No! Hitomi's spirit was screaming-as if having a tantrum- pounding her fists against the iron cage.
What?! You're alive?! How!?
You won't hurt Van. I'll never let you come near him. Get away! Get away! You may have control over my body, but not my spirit! Not my soul! You will never use me to harm him! Van! Van! Wake up!!
So. . . Guaneth made her way around the imprisoned girl. You survived. Somehow.
To make you happy, you evil bitch-or sonuvabitch, as the case may be- I didn't survive. I'm just here to stop you from destroying the one thing I love most. Sorry to disappoint you and all, Hitomi said, breathing quickly.
You-! Guaneth lunged at her, just as-
Van stirred. "Hitomi?" he asked, his eyes still closed. "Is that you, Hitomi?"
Guaneth cursed under her/Its breath. She touched the King's cheek, careful not to dig her nail into it and wake him, the hatred rising again.
"Dear, beloved Van," she/It whispered. "You don't know how much she loves you, do you? It's probably better you never do. . ."
Van sat upright and glanced wildly around the room. "Hitomi?"
No one was there. . .just a trace of looming shadows and the end-of-summer- sadness of Hitomi. . .
Well? I finally wrote something! ^_^ *cheering* I've been awfully busy and I just really, really would like to apologize again. But I'm writing now! I'm writing! Thankyou! Please, review! Please, tell me you're still reading!
DragonSun Hey, guys-the button's down there! Click! Click!!
Oh, the previous chapter you could tell I'd just seen the episode of Yu-Gi- Oh! where Kaiba's about to be defeated by Yu-Gi but then he steps on the side of the roof, and then Yu-Gi stops at the last possible moment and starts crying cuz he's scared of himself, poor boy. Kaiba is SOOOO HOT! Well.he ranks seven in my list of hot anime guys.Van's first and Heero's second.
Wyera bowed before a black window, her eyes lowered. A billowing cloud, unable to take shape, floated within the glass, though recently cleaned, could only remain black.
"I thought I took up this contract with you to destroy the Dragon, not to trifle with a petty King's affections and his wife," the voice said. It was neither male or female-just a warped sound that had no semblance to a human's tone.
"Patience, O Mistress," Wyera said softly. "I promise you, the Dragon is part of the bargain. Van Fanel has been possessed by it on several occasions."
"Very well. But understand, child, that my patience can only stretch so far. Once it snaps, I shall destroy you to seek out the Dragon myself with a more capable candidate."
"I understand, O Mistress. It will take some time to penetrate the King of Fanelia's defenses, as you have so seen yourself-"
"I am fading, child! See what I have become, feeding only on mere human miseries? I must have the Dragon, and soon!"
"Yes, Mistress," Wyera, nodded, her head still bowed. "I promise you shall have It soon."
The shadow vanished from the mirror. Wyera gasped, and fell to her hands and knees, shaking uncontrollably. Within moments she had straightened, her eyes no longer mild purple, but a harsh, glowing yellow.
"We shall see Our Purpose served."
******
Van sighed, his head in his hands. Hitomi, nearby, looked at him in concern. "Van? Is something wrong?"
"I'm just tired, Hitomi."
"Do you want to stop? I can tell your advisors to leave you alone for the afternoon," she suggested. Van smiled at her, then shook his head.
"I don't think it'll help. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the better."
"Your majesty!" Siel rushed in, holding a scroll of parchment.
"Siel?" Van looked up.
"It comes from the Northern Tribes," his advisor said. Van took it, interest knocking some of the weariness from his eyes.
"Thank you, Siel. You know what? I think we're all too tired to keep going. Tell everyone in the palace they've got the day off-you too," Van said grandly. He unrolled the parchment as Siel bowed out, murmuring his thanks.
"It's from Elvrn!" he said in amazement. Hitomi looked at him.
"Really?"
"Yes," Van motioned for her to come over. Hitomi knelt beside him, her eyes smiling as he read it aloud.
"Dear Van and Hitomi and Gaddis, if you're there-I'm writing this from the Northern Tribes at the moment, as you should already know. I don't know how many minds I've managed to change, but, (this is a surprise!) a young man and woman found me, saying they were friends of yours, and that they knew my mother! I wasn't sure to trust them or not, until they told me all of their passwords-you don't need to know about those, nor can I tell you, but that isn't the point. The point is that we're accomplishing something. Elvrn."
Van grinned. "That's good. Hitomi, I'm sorry I'm not spending time with you. It's just.well, I want to get to the bottom of this mess."
"I understand, Van," Hitomi said, and kissed him very gently on the forehead. "We'll do it. We've done it before, haven't we?"
"You bet we have. Well, since I gave everyone a day off, I should get a day off, too, right?" Van's grin became cheeky. Hitomi grinned too.
"Guess you should."
"Well, I know a place that's very, very far away from everyone. . ."
*****
"High Priestess," Qual said, kneeling before the screen his High Priestess was standing behind.
"I see you have delivered my message?"
"Yes," Qual whispered.
"The Dragon Lord does not understand," his mistress's voice said, electric with impatience. "The being that inhabits the Princess is a sworn enemy of the Dragon.its argument is not with Van Fanel himself but with his own Guide."
"High Priestess?"
"The Dragon and Guaneth (GWEN-eth) have been enemies since the beginning of time. When the Draconians evolved, they banished both warlords to the far reaches of the netherworld.however, each spirit has found a way to share the souls and minds of certain people-namely, those with Blood for the Dragon, but, as for Guaneth, it simply feeds on one form after another. If and when Wyera fails, she cannot expect mercy from Guaneth."
Qual nodded. "Where should we go next, High Priestess?"
"Take Ner, and continue to aid Elvrn's cause. If you fail, return here and I shall provide the three of you with certain.means.to convince them."
"I have a question, High Priestess."
"Ask."
"During the Destiny War you aided Lord Folken Lacour de Fanel, yet now you aid Lord Van Slanzar de Fanel. Why?"
"I have.my reasons. I have always felt in debt to Folken; after all, it was he who found me after my clan had been destroyed. I will respect his wishes, and continue to protect his brother for the remainder of my life on this Gaea."
"This Gaea?"
"Do you truly believe that only this world exists, my young warrior? If there is a dimension known as the Mystic Moon, then why should there not be other dimensions as well?"
"You're right, High Priestess. I'd better get back to Elvrn now."
"I wish you the best of luck."
******
Wyera paced back and forth in a fury, as her dark assassins stood around her, nervously.
"It didn't work, mortal!" Guaneth raged through Wyera's voice.
"I know it didn't work, you insane beast from the nether Realms!" Wyera shouted, in frustration. "The only good thing going on is we know that the girl was infused with our poison!"
"Insane beast, am I?" Wyera/Guaneth hissed. A moment later, the princess was on the floor, convulsed with pain, her pretty features distorted.
"I'm sorry, Mistress! Please-stop-stop-!"
"That's more like it," Wyera/Guaneth smiled, standing up. "Lord Fanel could not have known the ring he gave his beloved was enchanted!"
"I know, I know-" Wyera panted. "Please, don't start it again. Please!"
Her people looked on, confused and very frightened, as their princess alternately lectured, raged, and pleaded with herself.
"Jebaeb," Wyera/Guaneth commanded. The man came forward, cowering and whining. "You will go and see how the ring has affected our young Lady Hitomi."
"Y-Yes, Ma'am-"
"Ma'am?"
Jebaeb screamed and shuddered, tormented by the same pain Wyera had experienced moments before. He lay on the ground jerking and shrieking.
"O Guaneth, please, Mighty One, Great One, Powerful One! Stop this! I beg you, stop! Stop! Aaaaaaagh!"
"Much better," the spirit within seemed pleased. "Much, much better. Now go, or would you like to experience more pain?"
"No, O Great One. I will go-" he moaned, "I will go!"
******
"Van?"
"Hitomi?"
"I feel.very strange." she said. Van turned and looked at her. She was very pale, with the exception of two bright pink splotches on either cheek. Her green eyes were dull, even her hair was lank. As he watched her, she swayed, then caught herself.
"Do you want to rest?" he asked.
"I.don't know."
"Come on," he said. "Go lie down for a bit. You'll feel better soon."
"It's.weird," she murmured. "I don't feel.like myself."
"Silly," Van couldn't help but admonish her, "when you're ill you never feel like yourself." He kissed her forehead, like he would that of a naughty child. "If you want, you can go see Merla. She might have something to get rid of it."
"You're right," Hitomi sighed. She gave his hand a faint squeeze and walked away. Van shuddered. Her hand had been as clammy as that of the dead.
********
"As I infuse more and more of myself into the soon-to-be Queen, her spirit with weaken. She is fighting me; she is young, she is vital-the fight, when I have conquered her body, will invigorate me more. And my own darkness with overpower her strength, and I will use her body to destroy the Dragon, as I was made to do."
"Yes, Mistress," Wyera whispered. She bowed respectfully to the mirror. "I have but one question, Mistress."
"Ask, human."
"Once you have imbued your dark energies within the young Queen, what will become of me? Will I not get my Lord Fanel, as I have wished, and as I have so bargained with you?"
"Without the Dragon he will be weak," Guaneth purred. "Without the Dragon to Protect his mind, to guard his eternal soul, he will be weak enough for simple enchantments to crush any resistance. I will have my revenge, and you yours, human."
She does not understand, Guaneth thought smugly. She thinks she will get her end of the bargain? Humans were always so easy to manipulate. Throughout the ages, I have inhabited numerous vessels, and, in the end, whether they first gave in willingly, unknowingly, or with resistance, they all perished, and I lived. Oh, I lived.
********
The Dragon within Van stirred, protesting mildly as he and Gaddis faced off. Van shoved it away harshly.
You have had your share of blood, he thought fiercely. You will not take control again. Sir Gaddis is a friend, Dragon. A friend. He must not be harmed.
The Dragon grumbled, complaining, but receded. Van wondered; if It had not have already 'feasted' upon the deaths of the assailants, if Gaddis would still be alive and standing.
"You ready, Van?" Gaddis' voice shook Van out of the strange reverie.
"Ready," Van said. They took their stances. After he made the initial charge, and they were parrying, Van asked a question. "Gaddis-do you remember the Destiny War? My beserker fits?"
"Yes," Gaddis replied. "It's only been a few years.now I'm married and you're getting married. The war is over.it seems like it's been a thousand years."
In more ways than one, Van said to himself. I wonder exactly how long the Dragon has been passed down. Did my father have it? Was it Mother? Grandfather? Huh, I could imagine Mother with the Dragon. Impossible! Well, perhaps not. She was a full-blooded Draconian after all. I'm only half. It makes sense that, with her magic, she would have been able to control the Dragon much more easily.
"Well-" Van grunted as he brought his sword across to deflect a well- aimed slice. "I'm worried about Hitomi. She's.ill. It doesn't seem right. Everything about her. It seems.wrong. It seems to be strongest near her hands.the blackness, the pit.she's not so much Hitomi as she used to be. Something else is growing there, in her place."
Feeding off her life energy, destroyed what remains of her.a parasitic being.like the Dragon feeds off blood, it feeds off life essences.like certain vampires can 'live' entirely off vibrations from a monk's meditations.
"Van? Are you okay? I just disarmed you. Hello? Anyone in there?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, Gaddis. I was just thinking.about Hitomi. You know what I mean. It would.destroy me.if she died. You understand, don't you? It's like the way you feel about Merla, about Chid, about Celena. They mean the world to you. You would give anything in the world at all to protect them."
"I can see where you're going with that," Gaddis sheathed his sword, balancing on one foot as he posed.
"What're you doing?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm glad you two are finally getting married. You could really see it, when you first found her. Though."
"Though?"
"You've only argued three or four times. That's strange. For an unmarried couple; even for a married couple. People.argue. Except for." Gaddis paused, his expression wondering. "Except for angels."
"Gaddis, I'm no angel. You could even say I'm the devil in the flesh who managed to convince an angel to marry him." Van grinned, his current concerns forgotten.
"About her strange 'illness,' Van. Perhaps." Gaddis lowered his voice. "Perhaps she's with child."
"What?!" Van flushed, frowning, and pretended to brush specks of dust from his Dragon Blade. "We've never.I mean.and.anyhow, her symptoms don't match."
"You've looked it up?" Gaddis raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"Oh, shut up," Van griped, throwing a who-cares punch at the knight's head. He missed by at least three feet. "You know I need to be careful about this. If anyone knew about it, they could use both Hitomi and the unborn child as hostages."
"You sound like you believe this war is coming."
"I didn't want to believe, Gaddis. For Hitomi's sake and the sake of my country, I didn't want to believe. I didn't want it to occur. But don't you understand? It's going to happen. One pathetic King of Fanelia isn't going to change anything." Van thrust his own Sword back into its sheath. He glared at his gloves, as if they had offended him in some way. "It's this helplessness. I can't stand it. I don't know where they're going to strike, how, or when. And now Hitomi's ill, with some sort of disease that seems to be eating her very soul."
"I say we get your Magicians to look at it."
"What do you mean?" Van looked up. "You don't think that it's a magically inflicted illness, do you?"
"It could be. We must be careful." Gaddis pulled his own gloves off and replaced them gently within his pocket. "Hitomi is unusually frail, as you should know. I would prefer, having once loved her, that you took the best precautions available."
"Hitomi won't appreciate being treated like an invalid," Van warned. "In fact, she'll hate it."
"It's for her own safety."
"I'll do what she thinks is necessary," Van said slowly. "But if she worsens, I'll call in the Sorcerers."
"Good."
"Brother!" It was Celena, wearing a sky-blue dress styled in the manner of an Asturian princess. It was one of Merla's old dresses, Gaddis could see. He smiled.
"Celena! What are you doing out here?"
"I don't know," Celena said, puzzled. "Oh, that's right! Merla wanted you to know that she's going to check in on Hitomi, because she's worried."
Van bit his lip, glancing at Gaddis.
"I'm going to go in, to stay with her," he said. "Thanks, Celena."
Celena watched his receding back for some time, her mouth twisted into an ironic smirk.
"Any reason for the smile, Celena?" Gaddis said.
Celena gasped, shaking her head. "I'm alright," she said. "I just.wasn't myself, all of a sudden."
Dilandau seems to be replacing her again. I'll need to get Merla to look at her, if that's possible.
*********
"She doesn't have a fever, but her hands are cold, she says she can't seem to focus on anything, and-"
"Merla, you're babbling. Is there something you aren't telling me?" Van asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Oh, Van!" Merla said helplessly. "She's sinking. There isn't anymore Hitomi inside that shell!"
"What do you mean?" Van demanded sharply, grabbing the Healer's hands and forcing her to look at him.
"I can't feel her. Normally, Hitomi would say something like, 'Don't worry about me,' but she didn't say anything! That may some trivial to you, but I feel like something more than an illness is eating at her." Merla couldn't meet his eyes as she said, "Don't worry Van, I'm sure it's really nothing."
"That's what I felt," Van said softly. He looked at his gloved hands. "Do you think I should get the Sorcerers to look at her?"
"What?"
"Gaddis suggested it."
"I see. I guess so," Merla tilted her head, considering. "She wanted to see you, Van."
********
"Van," Hitomi said wearily, as he entered and sat down on a chair beside her, "I'm sorry I'm such a nuisance."
"Don't worry about it. You'll get better soon-"
"Is there something that.you and Merla.aren't telling me?" she asked, weakly. Van squeezed her thin hands.
"We think.someone may have cursed you. That this may be a magical illness of some sort. Don't worry, we'll have you up and about in no time."
"That's great.Van." she whispered, then closed her eyes and fell asleep. Van kissed her cheek, before standing up to go.
*********
Stop fighting me, Mortal!
You will never have me. You will never use me to hurt Van. Never! Hitomi cried.
Yours is a useless struggle! Give in, before I destroy you!
I would rather die!
That could be arranged. the Darkness said, thoughtful. But I'd rather keep you, and use you, and see you suffer.
Hitomi glanced wildly around. Wh-where am I? she demanded, unable to keep the tremor out of her voice.
This is your mind, Mortal. In relatively no time, I have managed to subdue most of your passive defenses. And now, I battle with the spirit of your mind. My only goal, the Darkness continued, cajoling now, is to destroy the Dragon. Please, allow me to use your vessel momentarily, so that I may kill it. I promise, your Van will not be harmed.
Liar! Hitomi shouted, backing away. I'd never let you in. I want you to leave me at once. Do you understand?
For as long as that ring is on your finger, Lady Hitomi, you will not be able to be rid of me!
Wha-so you're saying, as long as Van and I are engaged?
I meant it in a more literal sense, but sure, the Darkness murmured, lazily. My current vessel is boring me. You, your are young and vital. Once I have defeated you, I will be invigorated with your energy, your boundless energy. The Darkness smiled. Hitomi shuddered involuntarily. Your odd 'illness' will vanish like it never was. 'Hitomi' will be gone from your body, and you will be mine for as long as I choose.and your husband is doomed.
No! Hitomi sprinted towards the Darkness. You will never overcome me! Never use me to hurt Van! You may defeat me now, but I'm warning you, I will always be there, to keep you from hurting Van, and to keep you from hurting Fanelia!
There was a blinding flash. Hitomi was thrown back several feet. She landed painfully, rose painfully, stood painfully, but she was standing, a wand of defiance between Guaneth and her goal.
You. Guaneth shrieked. You will die, and now! I will drive your memory from all who once knew you!
Go ahead! Hitomi balled her thin hands into fists and steadied herself for the impact. I warned you already.
This time, the light came, and stayed, and then, was extinguished. Hitomi lay, like a fallen angel, her 'wings' broken.
Van. she whispered. Glowing feathers melted into ashes, and, gradually, dimmed out.
Guaneth settled herself, luxuriously, into Hitomi's place.
Well, well, butterfly, she said, triumphant. It seems that you have lost, and I have won.all that remains now is to kill Van, and part the Dragon from his dead body, so that I may destroy it, and regain my control over this world.
********
"You were out for a long time, you know," Van said, lovingly stroking his fiancee's hair. "Two whole days sleeping."
"Of course," Hitomi said-coldly. She turned away from him. "Van-"
"Yeah?"
"I'm feeling much better now," she continued, with just a touch of arrogance that he had never heard or seen from her. "So perhaps.I can get up?"
"Uh." Van looked at her hesitantly. "I don't know about that, Hitomi."
"Fine!" she seemed to pout for a moment before glaring at him. Not playfully. Not angrily, just glared. Plain hatred.
I don't recall Hitomi ever acting like this before. What have I done wrong? Was it me?
"If that's what you think is best," Van said, after a moment, "I'll not baby you. Go ahead." With a weary sigh, he stood back and let her stand.
*******
Now.
Guaneth/Hitomi rose from her seat on the throne. Van was sleeping, in his own bed, because the female Healer had ordered him-he, the King, being ordered! she thought, with a laugh-that Hitomi was to rest for a few more days, and that he could have no contact with her, for risk that he would catch the 'disease'.
Time to strike.
She/It roamed the quiet corridors, darkened now by night and the absence of bright light. Even the torches lining the walls were burning low. Van was sleeping. Van was helpless. Van would die. And the Dragon would be hers/its once again. She/It had left Wyera, though only momentarily. It had occurred to her/It that the princess would prove useful in later situations, such as during the investigation of the murder of the King of Fanelia. Even afterward, if all went well. No, she/It decided, after a moment. Not if. When all went well.
It was the sleeping King's chamber now, with one lone guard patrolling, quite faithfully, outside, looking starved for sleep, but not going to until his shift was over and he was sure his King was safe. Loyalty such as this made a stir in the abyss of Guaneth's heart. If only, only when It and the Dragon, in previous days, (A/N: *laugh* and when the world was new, at the dawn of time, et cetera, et cetera!!) had had such serious loyalty. This void would have never been created. Never. But now it was time to settle her/Its problems. Now it was time to extract revenge.
Poison was another method of killing, but she/It had realized, with that infernal Healer, Melrina or whatever her name was, prowling around, it was only a matter of time until that would be discovered. Poison showed on the surface. A quick dagger with a quicker hand-well, that would be much, much better. And faster, of course. Other methods had come to mind, such as slow strangling-that, though, would have brought out the Dragon and forced the young King to fight-something she/It didn't want. The crushing of his young love, the Lady Hitomi, had been easier than expected and quite satisfactory. In this way, Guaneth could live on. In this way, Guaneth could have her/Its revenge.
Had the girl fought harder, longer, called upon the powers she did not know existed within her-well, the tide might have turned. Foolish child. She had not bothered to learn the secrets. She did not have the ambition. She did not have the greed necessary to rise. But, somehow, she had risen. She had captivated a King's heart-quite unknowingly, but she had done it anyway. Like a flower, blossoming, but trodden on by 'feet' greater and more powerful than her, and so, in that way, the flower wilted, crumpled, crushed, and dying beneath the grinding foot.
The guard looked up, with surprise.
"Why! Lady Hitomi! Seeress, you aren't supposed to be awake yet!"
"This is a dream," she/It crooned. "You never saw me, not really. You're dreaming. You must wake up, or Lord Van will go unprotected. . ."
She/It waved her arm. The guard fell down, dead-
-dead asleep. She/It could not yet afford to murder. At least, not for a few more minutes. Slowly, pushing the door open, her/Its robes falling about the slender vessel and making gentle swishing noises upon the recently re-tiled floor.
Van slept, almost like an angel, which was rather ironic, seeing what he was. She/It lifted the dagger and crept, more slowly still, toward the sleeping King.
Guaneth trembled. The dagger stroke halted, inches from Van's chest.
No! No! No! Hitomi's spirit was screaming-as if having a tantrum- pounding her fists against the iron cage.
What?! You're alive?! How!?
You won't hurt Van. I'll never let you come near him. Get away! Get away! You may have control over my body, but not my spirit! Not my soul! You will never use me to harm him! Van! Van! Wake up!!
So. . . Guaneth made her way around the imprisoned girl. You survived. Somehow.
To make you happy, you evil bitch-or sonuvabitch, as the case may be- I didn't survive. I'm just here to stop you from destroying the one thing I love most. Sorry to disappoint you and all, Hitomi said, breathing quickly.
You-! Guaneth lunged at her, just as-
Van stirred. "Hitomi?" he asked, his eyes still closed. "Is that you, Hitomi?"
Guaneth cursed under her/Its breath. She touched the King's cheek, careful not to dig her nail into it and wake him, the hatred rising again.
"Dear, beloved Van," she/It whispered. "You don't know how much she loves you, do you? It's probably better you never do. . ."
Van sat upright and glanced wildly around the room. "Hitomi?"
No one was there. . .just a trace of looming shadows and the end-of-summer- sadness of Hitomi. . .
Well? I finally wrote something! ^_^ *cheering* I've been awfully busy and I just really, really would like to apologize again. But I'm writing now! I'm writing! Thankyou! Please, review! Please, tell me you're still reading!
DragonSun Hey, guys-the button's down there! Click! Click!!