Chapter Ten: Hopeless

Road to Fenalia

Van was on his way back to Fenalia on horse back. He only hoped that Fenalia was safe from any attack. When they rebuild Fenalia it was better built for war situations. It was just a precaution and the citizens felt much safer that way. There were only a few guymelefs left in Fenalia but of course the enemy must know of this. That's why their attacking so quickly.

Why did all of this have to happen when Hitomi came back? He just wanted to see her and be with her once again, but not like this. He wanted this fairy tale to end with a happy ending. God, all he ever wanted in his life now, was to be happy with Hitomi.

Palace

Hitomi's wounds were healing pretty quickly with the help of Merle's constant care. Allen came in often to talk to her about how life has been sin she was gone. He and his sister who was Dilandau were living happily. Hitomi really didn't get the girl guy Dilandau situation. Allen seemed to enjoy talking about his sister, and it only reminded her of her family and friends back home.

When Allen had finally left Hitomi to be by herself she noticed her stack of tarot card on the night stand. That brought up the dream she had about Varie. Her heart was confused once again, but what about? What choice couldn't she make? She though about it for a long time thinking about little things but nothing that was major.

Hitomi moved out of her bed at sat on a chair that was near the window. For some reason she was drawn to the window. She looked up at the Earth then it hit her. That's it she though like she finally found out a million year old question. "I must decide whether or not I want to go home to Earth or stay here on Gaea with Van" Hitomi said with dread in her voice. She couldn't do it! She can't choose between Van and her family and friends.

Outside of Palace

"Now is the time Reed. They are totally unprepared for our attack" Shin said from his guymelef. They were on one of Dornkirk's old floating fortresses, hovering just outside of Palace waiting to make their attack.

"Shin we should wait for the ground forces to be here. Well have a better chance that way" Reed said trying to knock some sense into Shin. Shin frowned at Reed in a playful way.

"Don't you have confidence in us Reed? You say these are our best men? Have more faith in us dear Reed" Shin said with a glimmer of insanity in his eyes. He wanted to kill and soon. He couldn't wait for the others to come. They were too slow, and anyways they would win no matter what so what if they loose a couple of men? They can be replaced.

Tredu came walking in the room in a rather slow calm pace. "The ground forces are in place and are ready to attack when you give the word."

Shin smirked and looked down at the unsuspecting country. This would be fun killing people, unprepared innocent people. Shin longed to kill anyone but everyone, it felt so good to see the terror in peoples eyes. Shin gave a quick glance at Reed and mounted into his black guymelef. With out so much as a word Shin descended onto Palace and Reed gave out the word that they would follow Shin into battle.

Reed looked down at Shin decent upon Palace. "This boy, he doesn't think. We may need to bring in someone with a little more control, but he may learn. Well see how he is after this battle" Reed said mostly to himself as he finally saw Shin on the ground. "Back Shin up and take out the palace immediately."

Palace: Main Chambers

Allen was sitting at the table with most of his crew from the Crusade. One of the guards came bursting into the room breathing heavily, like he had ran around the palace a dozen time. "What is it?" Allen asked looking surprised.

"Their attack has begun at the east wall" he said suddenly standing in a upright position.

"Prepare Scherazade and the other guymelefs. Gaddes you prepare the Crusade just in case we need a quick way out, and take Hitomi and Merle with you. Their most likely to try and kill Hitomi again" Allen said taking command as he usually did. Allen put his head in his hands "They knew we would be unprepared. We must hit them with all we have."

Allen was soon the only one left in the room. The others were doing as he had asked. Van you better get back here as soon as you can, Allen thought as he got up from the table. He left the room to go fight in Scherazade.

Palace: East Wall

Shin broke threw the wall with no problem and was now entering the city. People were yelling and running for their lives. Good thing to do since Shin didn't fell like letting anyone live especially that Hitomi girl. If she got away she might become an announce, but Shin wouldn't mind a little challenge. She was only a little girl, what could she really do?

In seconds the city was burning and smoke was all around them acting like a cloak. Shin continued to smash down buildings making his way towards the palace. The men behind him split of to take out certain parts of Palace. Divide and concur is what Reed told him.

The way Shin felt he could take out this whole city in less than an hour. For some reason he wanted to go to the palace and kill that Hitomi girl personally. Reed made her sound like a terrible threat. Somehow she and a king had stopped the last war. How Shin couldn't think of.

Fenalia

Van entered his castle to talk to Jarakan who was in charge while Van was out. He burst into the main chambers to see him talking to a bunch of what looked like Asturian nights. "My Lord" Jarakan said rising from the throne.

"I'm here to warn you of a new enemy. We should be prepare for what is to come. I need to retrieve Escaflowne and head back to Palace. They could be attacked at anytime now" Van said throwing a questioning look at the knights.

"Lord I'm sorry to tell you this, but Palace at this time is being attacked. That's what these knights are here for. They are requesting help to protect Asturia" Jarakan said. Van eyes went wide.

"Not this fast. It's all happening to fast. I must get to Palace to help them" Van said running to the back where Escaflowne was. Jarakan shouted after him.

"By the time you get there they may be gone or even dead" Jarakan said trying to protect Van from possible battle. Jarakan had known Van for a long time now and didn't wish for him to be hurt. He was the last king of Fenalia.

Fenalia: Forest Behind

Van had retrieved the drag energist from the throne room and was now standing at the foot of Escaflowne. Van wondered what his brother must think of this situation, but Van had no time what to assume. He stepped onto Escaflowne and place the energist into Escaflowne's heart. It started to glow for a few seconds then it opened it main chamber to allow Van to enter. Van hesitated but eventually went into Escaflowne.

Van changed Escaflowne into the dragon so he could fly to Palace. It was much faster to fly and he didn't plan on wasting any more time. He had to get to Palace and quickly, if he had any hope of defeating the enemy and saving his friends he would fly like the wind.