Hello, all. Did you have a happy Christmas? I'm sorry I'm writing this so
late. My mother is on warpath, due to the many expensive Escaflowne gifts
my father bought me, which is why this chapter is so late. We are low on
money, way in debt, blah, blah, and here you've got the three fifteen
dollar OSTs and the two new DVDs, not to mention a How to Draw book, and
then stuff on SATs (I'm only in 8th, for pete's sake!) and geometry. . .and
books on latin, a Japanese to English dictionary, and a new backpack (heck,
I needed that!) Okay. . .I shouldn't be telling you this. My mom has a
kind of 'grudge' or something against the Japanese, because they invaded
her homeland when she was young and, like, shot people. *Sigh*
Her policy on anger is: "When angry, get the entire house clean and then criticize its inhabitants to kingdom come." Can't blame her. I am pretty spoiled. ^_^
You know that one song Mystic Eyes? Is he saying 'All right, baby,' or 'All *night*, baby'? *Sweatdrop* I mean, he does sound REALLY sexy when he goes on. 'day by day.' WAAAAAAAAH!!! It isn't fair! I'm NEVER going to get a guy like THAT!!!! Of course, then you'll say.but DragonSun, you're too young for that.or maybe, those of you who've seen him, will say.but DragonSun, he's so UGLY.! -_-'
A Hate so Deep
[pic]
"I don't think I understand very well," Hitomi said softly, as the girl clasped her hands together. "You're saying that. . .the Dragon. . .Van. . .Van and the Dragon. . .the Dragon is Ryuu? But. . .then. . .how. . . ?"
"I don't really remember. . ." the girl said. "There was only a blur of grief, and anger. . .I think he died, Lady Hitomi. He must have left me, to make me so angry. . ."
"Make you so angry?" Hitomi asked.
"Haven't you figured it out yet, Lady Hitomi?" the girl turned those deep purple eyes on her. "Myself and this monster, as like Ryuu and your Lord Van's Dragon, we are one and the same. . ."
"But-"
"Something happened. I was angry, terribly angry. . .that is all I can remember, anger. I hated him for leaving me, betraying me. Ryuu was always loyal, though, so I still don't understand. . ." she closed her eyes, much to Hitomi's relief. "I don't understand why. He loved me, as I him. . .and yet, something happened. A whirl of sadness and suddenly, I was no more. . .the monster lived. . ."
"Do you think. . ."
"I believe it is still hidden in the depths of my memory. Unfortunately, I also believe my memory is no longer as retentive as it was, say, two thousand years ago."
"Two thousand-" Hitomi squeaked.
"We have existed for a long time, this creature and I. Close your eyes, Lady Hitomi, and hold out your hands. I will transfer the memory to you, as I cannot tell you this time."
Hitomi gulped and closed her eyes obediently.
*******
"M'llei. . .please don't do this," Gwen begged. M'llei swirled around in her wedding dress. It was white, with a silverish tinge to match her hair.
"My, are these bells always so heavy?"
"You'll need to get used to-hey! I just said, please don't do this! You can't throw your life away for me. As the daughter of a Warrior, I will face this challenge by myself-"
M'llei-G'eneth, now-rubbed ochre onto her eyelids and made faces are herself in the mirror.
"Oh, shush, Gwe-M'llei," she said carelessly. "I think I'm going to enjoy this. You're dismissed. Go see Ryuu. Shoo!"
*******
"I can't let her do this," Gwen said, more to herself than to Ryuu. "M'llei can't do this for me!"
"Gwen. . ." Ryuu said softly.
"I'm going to kill him!" she said, turning to Ryuu. The cold triumph in her eyes shocked him. The anger. The pride. There was too much pride, too much anger. She had gotten the better part of the deal. Why couldn't she be satisfied?!
Honor, he grumbled. It was always the issue with a Warrior. Or with a Warrior's daughter, in this case.
"Don't do that, Gwen," he said, clasping her hands. "You'll understand that I'll have no choice but to stop you."
"Ryuu-" she said angrily, "Don't you understand? If I do this, M'llei will be free-"
"If you do this, you'll be dead!" he said, even more angrily. She stopped, surprised, and glanced at him. Ryuu, who had never raised a hard word to her before. "Gwen. . .Hime. . ." he said apologetically, "I. . .As a soldier of my Lord. . .I cannot allow you to. . ."
Not even love could bind his loyalty. Was it truly love? His love was for his sword, for his Lord and for none other-
"Ryuu. . ." she whispered. "Please. . ."
"M'llei Hime," he said simply. "I live for your orders."
They held each other for a long, long time. Before she finally tore herself out of his embrace and dashed down the corridor.
She was crying before she knew it.
"You should be happy!" Lord Givar sneeringly told her. "You're best friend is going to receive a high, high honor!"
"Go jump in a well!" she snapped at him, wiping hastily at her eyes.
"I won't need to, at the rate those tears are coming," Givar smirked. G'eneth gritted her teeth, continuing to run.
Run.
Pant.
Run.
She must keep going at all costs. Keep going. Run far away with Ryuu. That was it. She was going to run. But first. . .
She would have her revenge.
******
"Hitomi. . ." Van murmured. He stared at his fiancee's sleeping face. There was darkness about her aura. The bright, smiling Hitomi had gone. The sullen, complaining Hitomi had appeared in her place. A thought occurred to him.
:Hitomi. . .: he whispered lovingly. :Can you hear me, Hitomi?:
******
Curses! Guaneth shrieked. Their link!
******
:Van. . .: Hitomi thought, almost unconsciously. It was at that moment that she felt him brushing across the corners of her imprisoned spirit.
"Van!" she shouted, leaping up and banging at the walls of her invisible cage. "Van! I'm here! I can hear you! Van!!"
******
:Hitomi.:
******
:Van!:
******
It was at that time that two minds linked, connected, and held.
******
The wedding came swiftly. Noon arrived. G'eneth found herself standing in the courtyard with M'llei. Her friend was resplendent, her eyes aglow, face shining with excitement. It was, of course her first marriage!
"M'llei. . ."
"Don't you worry!" M'llei said, winking at her. "I'm gonna be just fine!"
"G'eneth Evange. Yves de N'sayen. Approach."
It was her hated lord, standing there with a book of vows, looking as smug as ever. He smirked at M'llei, and was surprised when she grinned right back and gave a small curtsy.
G'eneth tightened her hold on the small dagger.
"G'eneth Evange, you have so lawfully agreed to this marriage, without any bribery or force?"
"I have."
Liar! thought G'eneth spitefully, sending her thought straight at the Lord.
"Yves de N'sayen, you have so lawfully agreed to this marriage, without any briber or force?"
"I have," he tightened his grip on M'llei's hand. He wasn't that bad looking. Perhaps a bit pudgy here and there, but he would do, M'llei thought, eyeing him.
"By the brethren of the sea and sky, here I bind thee. Watch, kindred spirits. Obey, ghosts of misfortune. Do not cause this binding any woe. By the dragons of the sun and moon . . ." the Lord droned on.
G'eneth prepared to spring into a run that would take her to the Lord. She tensed and wiped her sweaty hand on her robe, readjusting her grip on the dagger.
"By the goddesses of Fire and Light. . ."
G'eneth gave an inhuman yell as she broke into a run. The ceremony was abruptly cut off. Two guards pushed in front of the Lord. She slew them easily, whispering "I am sorry," in turn. They sank to the ground at her feet.
"My Lord," she shouted, so all could hear. "You had forced me into a marriage I did not want, to agree to pay off a debt for a war that I did not initiate! My Lord, it is time for you to pay for these sins! You have gone back on your word!"
So saying, she changed her grip again and lunged. Someone, face in shadows, stepped out in front of her.
She gasped. A searing pain in her stomach. Blood spurting. A sword. Hands. A face, blurring now.
Ryuu.
"Ryuu. . ." she choked. "Of course. . ."
His loyalty was his love. He loved his Lord. He would have protected his Lord with his life, true love or not.
"G'eneth. . ." he whispered brokenly. "G'eneth. . ." He sank down with her, his hands covered in her blood, trying to stopper the wound he had caused. Tears were running openly down his face. His sword had long fallen from his nerveless grasp. He buried his head in her shoulder and wept.
"You. . ." she coughed blood. "Traitor!!" she snarled, trying to push him away but too weak to do it, and not really sure she wanted to.
The blood wouldn't stop. Her vision became more and more blurry. She knew she was dying. She wasn't going to kill him. The dagger was still in her hand, but she wasn't going to kill him. She didn't have the heart. She loved him, as he her, but his loyalty was too strong, and hers too weak. And yet, she wanted him to suffer. He would live after, regretting it so.
Part of her wanted to end it for him too. He would be spared.
"I never thought. . ." she murmured, her eyes tight and limp hands wrapped around his shaking back. "Ryuu. . ."
"G'eneth. . ." he looked at her. The pain in his eyes was too much for her to bear. She looked away, at her wound. Still the redness was rushing away from her. She felt strangely light-headed. Anger welled up. Fury. He had betrayed her! He, who said he loved her and he, who had said he lived for her orders!
"I trusted you," she hissed. "Maybe even loved you! How could you do this to me? How?"
"G'eneth-I-"
The blood wasn't going to stop. She knew it wasn't going stop. She was dying. He knew it, she knew. Everyone else knew it.
M'llei was screaming and couldn't stop.
It was drowned out, the sound of her screaming. All G'eneth could see was the unshaven face before her, those sorrowing dark eyes. All she could feel was his arms tightening around her, all she could hear, his voice, murmuring in a soft, choked voice:
"Gwen . . .I-I didn't. . .Gwen. . .please don't leave me, Gwen! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
She hated him. She hated him, and she wanted him to die. The pain was leaving her. She was weakening.
"Curse you!" she howled, with her final strength. "I will forever seek your doom! Curse you!"
It went dark. Her last memory was his stricken face.
Ryuu. . .
Blackness. . .
********
Ryuu. :Van.:
G'eneth? :Hitomi?:
It's me! Oh, Ryuu, it's me! :It's me! Oh, Van, it's me!:
I don't understand. :I don't understand.:
CURSE YOU, RYUU!!!! Guaneth shrieked. She woke with a snap. His face. Curse his face. Curse his memory! Curse him! Curse him!
"Hitomi?"
It was that young Lord. Van. She'd better play the sweetheart again. Once he was sleeping, he would die. She would avenge herself. She would get to rest.
Free.
"Van!" she gasped. "It's very difficult for me to sleep, you know, if you're always calling me."
"I heard other names," he said. "Hitomi. . .who's this G'eneth? Who's Ryuu?"
"I was dreaming," Guaneth lied. "These are people I know from my homeland. From. . .Earth. They were my mother's relatives, who died when I was in the second grade."
"Oh." He looked at her suspiciously, but didn't say anything.
There was a pause.
"Hitomi. . ." he said softly, not looking at her. "What happened to us?"
"What do you mean?" she opened Hitomi's big emeralds wide and thrust her chest forward, acting sullen again.
"I don't seem to know you anymore. Please be honest with me. . .was this all an act? Are you now only showing your true colors after we've been engaged? Is that it, Hitomi?"
He was heartbroken. Guaneth snickered to herself.
"Van, how could you even think-" she said, grabbing his arm and staring deep into his eyes, trying to look pitiful and shocked. "I-I thought-oh, Van!"
She bent into his arms, supposedly weak.
Almost automatically, he wrapped them around her. Guaneth stiffened.
His arms tightening around her. Gwen! I-I didn't. . .Gwen. . .please don't leave me. . .I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
"Hitomi? Are you okay?"
His arms tightening around her. Gwen! I-I didn't. . .Gwen. . .please don't leave me. . .I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't die, G'eneth! Don't die! I've made a horrible mistake, Gwen. Please. . .don't die, Gwen!
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. . ." Guaneth felt wetness at the corners of her eyes. She wiped it away, cursing at herself. "It's just that. . .G'eneth died. . .and then Ryuu killed himself. . ."
************
"I think the Lord proclaimed Ryuu a hero. He bestowed upon him titles and land, and offered him a dozen beautiful girls to marry. Ryuu would have none of it. In the end, he killed himself, using the same sword with which he had killed me. They found him in the morning, slain, a fist clenched around one of the bells that I used to wear."
"Oh. . ." Hitomi's hand went to her throat in dismay.
"Our time is over. It is now up to you and Lord Fanel to carry on, and be the couple we could not be. Ryuu and I. . .we were never meant to be anything more than friends."
"That's not true!" Hitomi cried. "Destiny may or may not have paired you together, but you can conquer fate! Love is stronger than anything! Love alone will conquer!"
"Then you must understand, that before that day, Ryuu's love was truly only serving his Lord. He did love me, but when he had to choose, loyalty prevailed. Had I only been more loyal, this might not have happened."
"But Van and I would have never met."
"Yes, that is true. We shaped history." G'eneth nodded. "Afterwards, Ryuu realized that loyalty was not enough. I think it was just as he stabbed me, that he realized that it wasn't serving his Lord that mattered most. He gave up the struggle. I think he wanted to join me. But for the curse I laid on the both of us, we might have also been reunited in Death."
"But. . ."
"We never met. I spent my days trying different solutions to escaping my death. Somehow, a man with wings. . .a Draconian, called me out of the depths, and summoned Ryuu as well. His spell went wrong. Chaos struck. I took over his body, Ryuu instantly found another as well. We battled. Ryuu controlled a young pilot of a giant known as Escaflowne. The world was destroyed, taking with it the race of the Draconians."
"And you've always been battling since. . ."
"Since perhaps before the age of recorded history on Earth, and on Gaea." G'eneth smiled sadly. "But this is our fate. Your own fate, perhaps, will not be so sorrowful. I must help you leave your prison."
"How?"
"I believe my own self is having regrets. At the time she attempts to kill Lord Fanel again, you will rise up to defend him against her. At that time, all we can do is hope."
"If I fail?" Hitomi said softly, suddenly afraid to ask, afraid to know.
She thought of Van, his smile, his laughter, his gently assuring voice, the fury with which he would defend his kingdom and her, the Dragon he possessed and futilely attempted to tame, his faults, his goodness, Van's wings, Van's love. . .
. . .She thought of Van's people, and Van's land, and Gaea as it was, of Ariel, Merla, Gaddis, Celena and all the others. . .
. . .She thought of her own family back on earth, Yukari, Amano. . .
. . .She thought long of Ryuu and G'eneth's star-crossed and never- meant-to-be romance, and wondered, if she and Van were truly also meant for each other, seeing that they never would have met had not Sora summoned her there in the first place, disrupting time and magic. . .
She couldn't fail him. Didn't want to fail him. She wanted to stay with him for eternity, always and never ever disappoint him.
Van. . .
"Then your love was also never meant to be, like Ryuu's and mine. However, Lady Hitomi," and G'eneth's smile was no longer sad, "as you yourself said, love alone will conquer. Understand that this may be true, believe in it, and have faith in Lord Fanel's love for you, faith in your love for him."
***********
"Mistress!" Wyera called, into the air. "Mistress!"
Blast her. Where is she? I must accomplish my task. I must destroy Van Fanel! Suddenly. . .I don't think she ever intended to help me. Still, I won't give up.
"Mistress!" she howled. "MISTRESS!!" She was sitting in her own rooms. "MISTRESS!" She whirled on the servant who was anxiously trying to brush her great lengths of violet hair. "Get out, dammit! Get out!"
The servant scurried. Wyera returned to the black glass mirror.
"MISTRESS!!!!"
What do you want, mortal? Guaneth demanded from a great distance away. Her black form shifted and whirled in the black glass, her yellow eyes glowing purple then yellow, purple and yellow.
Please, O Great Mistress. I request permission to goad the Northern Tribes into attacking Fanelia.
I'd like you to wait a month. Wait until I've killed Hitomi.
Very well.
********
Fool, thought Guaneth scornfully. Van had long since left her, Merla had given her a spoonful of medicine (quite very bitter, much to her disgust) and she was supposed to be sleeping. What an insolent fool. She does not know anything.
***********
Van was sharpening Escaflowne's sword. He had had it removed from the forest shrine and brought to the palace, to be rehabilitated and prepared for battle.
"Gaddis. . ." Van said quietly. "Whoever that is in Hitomi's body. . ."
"Wha. . .?" said Gaddis, dropping his gloves on the ground and treading on them in surprise as the King stepped up from behind him. "You gave me fright, Van! What did you say?"
". . .it's not Hitomi."
Uh-oh. . .Van's starting to realize something's wrong. . .not in the original story plan. . .but. . .heh, needed some dramatic finish to a chapter! ^_^
Until now. . .boy, I'm siiiiiiick and tired. Time to sleeeeep. . .ahhhhhhh. . .ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz. . .*the snoring fades away*
REVIEW! REVIEW! REBLEEP!!!
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! TIME TO WAKE UP! BLEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!
AW, SHUDDUP, YA STUPID ALARM CLOCK! *bangs the alarm clock*
Alarm clock: Bllleeeeeooooooowwwwwwwwppp. . .bleeeeeeeeeeoooouuuucheeeep. . .
I'm sorry if this chapter sucked. I figured if I waited another seven months ya'd all pick up and leave. ^_^' So. . .i wrote a crappy chapter. . .chapter twelve. . .?
Her policy on anger is: "When angry, get the entire house clean and then criticize its inhabitants to kingdom come." Can't blame her. I am pretty spoiled. ^_^
You know that one song Mystic Eyes? Is he saying 'All right, baby,' or 'All *night*, baby'? *Sweatdrop* I mean, he does sound REALLY sexy when he goes on. 'day by day.' WAAAAAAAAH!!! It isn't fair! I'm NEVER going to get a guy like THAT!!!! Of course, then you'll say.but DragonSun, you're too young for that.or maybe, those of you who've seen him, will say.but DragonSun, he's so UGLY.! -_-'
A Hate so Deep
[pic]
"I don't think I understand very well," Hitomi said softly, as the girl clasped her hands together. "You're saying that. . .the Dragon. . .Van. . .Van and the Dragon. . .the Dragon is Ryuu? But. . .then. . .how. . . ?"
"I don't really remember. . ." the girl said. "There was only a blur of grief, and anger. . .I think he died, Lady Hitomi. He must have left me, to make me so angry. . ."
"Make you so angry?" Hitomi asked.
"Haven't you figured it out yet, Lady Hitomi?" the girl turned those deep purple eyes on her. "Myself and this monster, as like Ryuu and your Lord Van's Dragon, we are one and the same. . ."
"But-"
"Something happened. I was angry, terribly angry. . .that is all I can remember, anger. I hated him for leaving me, betraying me. Ryuu was always loyal, though, so I still don't understand. . ." she closed her eyes, much to Hitomi's relief. "I don't understand why. He loved me, as I him. . .and yet, something happened. A whirl of sadness and suddenly, I was no more. . .the monster lived. . ."
"Do you think. . ."
"I believe it is still hidden in the depths of my memory. Unfortunately, I also believe my memory is no longer as retentive as it was, say, two thousand years ago."
"Two thousand-" Hitomi squeaked.
"We have existed for a long time, this creature and I. Close your eyes, Lady Hitomi, and hold out your hands. I will transfer the memory to you, as I cannot tell you this time."
Hitomi gulped and closed her eyes obediently.
*******
"M'llei. . .please don't do this," Gwen begged. M'llei swirled around in her wedding dress. It was white, with a silverish tinge to match her hair.
"My, are these bells always so heavy?"
"You'll need to get used to-hey! I just said, please don't do this! You can't throw your life away for me. As the daughter of a Warrior, I will face this challenge by myself-"
M'llei-G'eneth, now-rubbed ochre onto her eyelids and made faces are herself in the mirror.
"Oh, shush, Gwe-M'llei," she said carelessly. "I think I'm going to enjoy this. You're dismissed. Go see Ryuu. Shoo!"
*******
"I can't let her do this," Gwen said, more to herself than to Ryuu. "M'llei can't do this for me!"
"Gwen. . ." Ryuu said softly.
"I'm going to kill him!" she said, turning to Ryuu. The cold triumph in her eyes shocked him. The anger. The pride. There was too much pride, too much anger. She had gotten the better part of the deal. Why couldn't she be satisfied?!
Honor, he grumbled. It was always the issue with a Warrior. Or with a Warrior's daughter, in this case.
"Don't do that, Gwen," he said, clasping her hands. "You'll understand that I'll have no choice but to stop you."
"Ryuu-" she said angrily, "Don't you understand? If I do this, M'llei will be free-"
"If you do this, you'll be dead!" he said, even more angrily. She stopped, surprised, and glanced at him. Ryuu, who had never raised a hard word to her before. "Gwen. . .Hime. . ." he said apologetically, "I. . .As a soldier of my Lord. . .I cannot allow you to. . ."
Not even love could bind his loyalty. Was it truly love? His love was for his sword, for his Lord and for none other-
"Ryuu. . ." she whispered. "Please. . ."
"M'llei Hime," he said simply. "I live for your orders."
They held each other for a long, long time. Before she finally tore herself out of his embrace and dashed down the corridor.
She was crying before she knew it.
"You should be happy!" Lord Givar sneeringly told her. "You're best friend is going to receive a high, high honor!"
"Go jump in a well!" she snapped at him, wiping hastily at her eyes.
"I won't need to, at the rate those tears are coming," Givar smirked. G'eneth gritted her teeth, continuing to run.
Run.
Pant.
Run.
She must keep going at all costs. Keep going. Run far away with Ryuu. That was it. She was going to run. But first. . .
She would have her revenge.
******
"Hitomi. . ." Van murmured. He stared at his fiancee's sleeping face. There was darkness about her aura. The bright, smiling Hitomi had gone. The sullen, complaining Hitomi had appeared in her place. A thought occurred to him.
:Hitomi. . .: he whispered lovingly. :Can you hear me, Hitomi?:
******
Curses! Guaneth shrieked. Their link!
******
:Van. . .: Hitomi thought, almost unconsciously. It was at that moment that she felt him brushing across the corners of her imprisoned spirit.
"Van!" she shouted, leaping up and banging at the walls of her invisible cage. "Van! I'm here! I can hear you! Van!!"
******
:Hitomi.:
******
:Van!:
******
It was at that time that two minds linked, connected, and held.
******
The wedding came swiftly. Noon arrived. G'eneth found herself standing in the courtyard with M'llei. Her friend was resplendent, her eyes aglow, face shining with excitement. It was, of course her first marriage!
"M'llei. . ."
"Don't you worry!" M'llei said, winking at her. "I'm gonna be just fine!"
"G'eneth Evange. Yves de N'sayen. Approach."
It was her hated lord, standing there with a book of vows, looking as smug as ever. He smirked at M'llei, and was surprised when she grinned right back and gave a small curtsy.
G'eneth tightened her hold on the small dagger.
"G'eneth Evange, you have so lawfully agreed to this marriage, without any bribery or force?"
"I have."
Liar! thought G'eneth spitefully, sending her thought straight at the Lord.
"Yves de N'sayen, you have so lawfully agreed to this marriage, without any briber or force?"
"I have," he tightened his grip on M'llei's hand. He wasn't that bad looking. Perhaps a bit pudgy here and there, but he would do, M'llei thought, eyeing him.
"By the brethren of the sea and sky, here I bind thee. Watch, kindred spirits. Obey, ghosts of misfortune. Do not cause this binding any woe. By the dragons of the sun and moon . . ." the Lord droned on.
G'eneth prepared to spring into a run that would take her to the Lord. She tensed and wiped her sweaty hand on her robe, readjusting her grip on the dagger.
"By the goddesses of Fire and Light. . ."
G'eneth gave an inhuman yell as she broke into a run. The ceremony was abruptly cut off. Two guards pushed in front of the Lord. She slew them easily, whispering "I am sorry," in turn. They sank to the ground at her feet.
"My Lord," she shouted, so all could hear. "You had forced me into a marriage I did not want, to agree to pay off a debt for a war that I did not initiate! My Lord, it is time for you to pay for these sins! You have gone back on your word!"
So saying, she changed her grip again and lunged. Someone, face in shadows, stepped out in front of her.
She gasped. A searing pain in her stomach. Blood spurting. A sword. Hands. A face, blurring now.
Ryuu.
"Ryuu. . ." she choked. "Of course. . ."
His loyalty was his love. He loved his Lord. He would have protected his Lord with his life, true love or not.
"G'eneth. . ." he whispered brokenly. "G'eneth. . ." He sank down with her, his hands covered in her blood, trying to stopper the wound he had caused. Tears were running openly down his face. His sword had long fallen from his nerveless grasp. He buried his head in her shoulder and wept.
"You. . ." she coughed blood. "Traitor!!" she snarled, trying to push him away but too weak to do it, and not really sure she wanted to.
The blood wouldn't stop. Her vision became more and more blurry. She knew she was dying. She wasn't going to kill him. The dagger was still in her hand, but she wasn't going to kill him. She didn't have the heart. She loved him, as he her, but his loyalty was too strong, and hers too weak. And yet, she wanted him to suffer. He would live after, regretting it so.
Part of her wanted to end it for him too. He would be spared.
"I never thought. . ." she murmured, her eyes tight and limp hands wrapped around his shaking back. "Ryuu. . ."
"G'eneth. . ." he looked at her. The pain in his eyes was too much for her to bear. She looked away, at her wound. Still the redness was rushing away from her. She felt strangely light-headed. Anger welled up. Fury. He had betrayed her! He, who said he loved her and he, who had said he lived for her orders!
"I trusted you," she hissed. "Maybe even loved you! How could you do this to me? How?"
"G'eneth-I-"
The blood wasn't going to stop. She knew it wasn't going stop. She was dying. He knew it, she knew. Everyone else knew it.
M'llei was screaming and couldn't stop.
It was drowned out, the sound of her screaming. All G'eneth could see was the unshaven face before her, those sorrowing dark eyes. All she could feel was his arms tightening around her, all she could hear, his voice, murmuring in a soft, choked voice:
"Gwen . . .I-I didn't. . .Gwen. . .please don't leave me, Gwen! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
She hated him. She hated him, and she wanted him to die. The pain was leaving her. She was weakening.
"Curse you!" she howled, with her final strength. "I will forever seek your doom! Curse you!"
It went dark. Her last memory was his stricken face.
Ryuu. . .
Blackness. . .
********
Ryuu. :Van.:
G'eneth? :Hitomi?:
It's me! Oh, Ryuu, it's me! :It's me! Oh, Van, it's me!:
I don't understand. :I don't understand.:
CURSE YOU, RYUU!!!! Guaneth shrieked. She woke with a snap. His face. Curse his face. Curse his memory! Curse him! Curse him!
"Hitomi?"
It was that young Lord. Van. She'd better play the sweetheart again. Once he was sleeping, he would die. She would avenge herself. She would get to rest.
Free.
"Van!" she gasped. "It's very difficult for me to sleep, you know, if you're always calling me."
"I heard other names," he said. "Hitomi. . .who's this G'eneth? Who's Ryuu?"
"I was dreaming," Guaneth lied. "These are people I know from my homeland. From. . .Earth. They were my mother's relatives, who died when I was in the second grade."
"Oh." He looked at her suspiciously, but didn't say anything.
There was a pause.
"Hitomi. . ." he said softly, not looking at her. "What happened to us?"
"What do you mean?" she opened Hitomi's big emeralds wide and thrust her chest forward, acting sullen again.
"I don't seem to know you anymore. Please be honest with me. . .was this all an act? Are you now only showing your true colors after we've been engaged? Is that it, Hitomi?"
He was heartbroken. Guaneth snickered to herself.
"Van, how could you even think-" she said, grabbing his arm and staring deep into his eyes, trying to look pitiful and shocked. "I-I thought-oh, Van!"
She bent into his arms, supposedly weak.
Almost automatically, he wrapped them around her. Guaneth stiffened.
His arms tightening around her. Gwen! I-I didn't. . .Gwen. . .please don't leave me. . .I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
"Hitomi? Are you okay?"
His arms tightening around her. Gwen! I-I didn't. . .Gwen. . .please don't leave me. . .I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't die, G'eneth! Don't die! I've made a horrible mistake, Gwen. Please. . .don't die, Gwen!
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. . ." Guaneth felt wetness at the corners of her eyes. She wiped it away, cursing at herself. "It's just that. . .G'eneth died. . .and then Ryuu killed himself. . ."
************
"I think the Lord proclaimed Ryuu a hero. He bestowed upon him titles and land, and offered him a dozen beautiful girls to marry. Ryuu would have none of it. In the end, he killed himself, using the same sword with which he had killed me. They found him in the morning, slain, a fist clenched around one of the bells that I used to wear."
"Oh. . ." Hitomi's hand went to her throat in dismay.
"Our time is over. It is now up to you and Lord Fanel to carry on, and be the couple we could not be. Ryuu and I. . .we were never meant to be anything more than friends."
"That's not true!" Hitomi cried. "Destiny may or may not have paired you together, but you can conquer fate! Love is stronger than anything! Love alone will conquer!"
"Then you must understand, that before that day, Ryuu's love was truly only serving his Lord. He did love me, but when he had to choose, loyalty prevailed. Had I only been more loyal, this might not have happened."
"But Van and I would have never met."
"Yes, that is true. We shaped history." G'eneth nodded. "Afterwards, Ryuu realized that loyalty was not enough. I think it was just as he stabbed me, that he realized that it wasn't serving his Lord that mattered most. He gave up the struggle. I think he wanted to join me. But for the curse I laid on the both of us, we might have also been reunited in Death."
"But. . ."
"We never met. I spent my days trying different solutions to escaping my death. Somehow, a man with wings. . .a Draconian, called me out of the depths, and summoned Ryuu as well. His spell went wrong. Chaos struck. I took over his body, Ryuu instantly found another as well. We battled. Ryuu controlled a young pilot of a giant known as Escaflowne. The world was destroyed, taking with it the race of the Draconians."
"And you've always been battling since. . ."
"Since perhaps before the age of recorded history on Earth, and on Gaea." G'eneth smiled sadly. "But this is our fate. Your own fate, perhaps, will not be so sorrowful. I must help you leave your prison."
"How?"
"I believe my own self is having regrets. At the time she attempts to kill Lord Fanel again, you will rise up to defend him against her. At that time, all we can do is hope."
"If I fail?" Hitomi said softly, suddenly afraid to ask, afraid to know.
She thought of Van, his smile, his laughter, his gently assuring voice, the fury with which he would defend his kingdom and her, the Dragon he possessed and futilely attempted to tame, his faults, his goodness, Van's wings, Van's love. . .
. . .She thought of Van's people, and Van's land, and Gaea as it was, of Ariel, Merla, Gaddis, Celena and all the others. . .
. . .She thought of her own family back on earth, Yukari, Amano. . .
. . .She thought long of Ryuu and G'eneth's star-crossed and never- meant-to-be romance, and wondered, if she and Van were truly also meant for each other, seeing that they never would have met had not Sora summoned her there in the first place, disrupting time and magic. . .
She couldn't fail him. Didn't want to fail him. She wanted to stay with him for eternity, always and never ever disappoint him.
Van. . .
"Then your love was also never meant to be, like Ryuu's and mine. However, Lady Hitomi," and G'eneth's smile was no longer sad, "as you yourself said, love alone will conquer. Understand that this may be true, believe in it, and have faith in Lord Fanel's love for you, faith in your love for him."
***********
"Mistress!" Wyera called, into the air. "Mistress!"
Blast her. Where is she? I must accomplish my task. I must destroy Van Fanel! Suddenly. . .I don't think she ever intended to help me. Still, I won't give up.
"Mistress!" she howled. "MISTRESS!!" She was sitting in her own rooms. "MISTRESS!" She whirled on the servant who was anxiously trying to brush her great lengths of violet hair. "Get out, dammit! Get out!"
The servant scurried. Wyera returned to the black glass mirror.
"MISTRESS!!!!"
What do you want, mortal? Guaneth demanded from a great distance away. Her black form shifted and whirled in the black glass, her yellow eyes glowing purple then yellow, purple and yellow.
Please, O Great Mistress. I request permission to goad the Northern Tribes into attacking Fanelia.
I'd like you to wait a month. Wait until I've killed Hitomi.
Very well.
********
Fool, thought Guaneth scornfully. Van had long since left her, Merla had given her a spoonful of medicine (quite very bitter, much to her disgust) and she was supposed to be sleeping. What an insolent fool. She does not know anything.
***********
Van was sharpening Escaflowne's sword. He had had it removed from the forest shrine and brought to the palace, to be rehabilitated and prepared for battle.
"Gaddis. . ." Van said quietly. "Whoever that is in Hitomi's body. . ."
"Wha. . .?" said Gaddis, dropping his gloves on the ground and treading on them in surprise as the King stepped up from behind him. "You gave me fright, Van! What did you say?"
". . .it's not Hitomi."
Uh-oh. . .Van's starting to realize something's wrong. . .not in the original story plan. . .but. . .heh, needed some dramatic finish to a chapter! ^_^
Until now. . .boy, I'm siiiiiiick and tired. Time to sleeeeep. . .ahhhhhhh. . .ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz. . .*the snoring fades away*
REVIEW! REVIEW! REBLEEP!!!
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! TIME TO WAKE UP! BLEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!
AW, SHUDDUP, YA STUPID ALARM CLOCK! *bangs the alarm clock*
Alarm clock: Bllleeeeeooooooowwwwwwwwppp. . .bleeeeeeeeeeoooouuuucheeeep. . .
I'm sorry if this chapter sucked. I figured if I waited another seven months ya'd all pick up and leave. ^_^' So. . .i wrote a crappy chapter. . .chapter twelve. . .?