Chapter Sixteen: Tormented Souls

Van soared quickly towards Godeshen without think of anything but Hitomi. The sun was setting and Godeshen was just visible to him. Would they be expecting him? Probably, Van assumed, but he was ready for what ever they tried to throw at him. He would fight his hardest for Hitomi, and he would kill who ever harmed her. He hoped that nothing had happened to her for his sake and for theirs.

Godeshen Tower

"Reed, the white dragon is approaching the gates. What do you suggest we do?" a solider said facing a screen with Reed's image on it.

"Do nothing, just let the white dragon enter. I'll dismount the Phantom Slayers at once to greet him. It would be a good chance for them to practice" Reed said as the screen went blank and the man was left to watch what would happen soon.

The Halls of Godeshen Palace

"Where could those boys be, especially when I need them the most?" Reed said walking calmly down the hall. Reed continued to walk down the hall until he bumped into one of the guards. "You there? Find Shin and Dilandau and send them out into the field. Tell them that our guest has arrived."

The man immediately ran down the hall in search of the two which he was looking for. He had an idea of where Shin was and he was heading there now. Shin had appeared to be obsessed with the girl from the Mystic Moon, but why? There were much more attractive women than he that he could have, but he chooses to dawdle over her.

Reed was becoming worried that Hitomi would use his fascination against him and destroy them all. Maybe that's how she stopped the last war? He never knew what actually happen to stop the last war. All he knew is that she had something to do with it.

Sorcerers Laboratory

"She done."

"It worked."

"I hope master Shin is pleased with our work."

The sorcerers were discussing what they had just done to Hitomi. They chose an ancient technique that was used by rulers long ago to control whom ever they wanted. The sorcerers were certain that it would still work today like it work long ago.

"So is she done yet?" Shin said appearing from the darkness startling the four sorcerers. They looked at each other and nodded there heads at each other then at Shin. "So when can I test her out?."

"As soon as she awakens my lord."

"Yes as soon as the sedative wears off she'll awaken."

"Yes if you want her up now we can" the last one was cut of by Shin as he raised his hand to silence them from their constant chattering. They always seemed to repeat each other and that go on his nerves. All he wanted for them to do was to give him one straight answer. Shin let out a loud sigh as he looked at the freakish bunch of short black caped men.

Hitomi moaned as she was suddenly awoken by strange voices. He eyes slowly open to see a bright piercing light that hurt her eyes. Her arm hurt too like it was burned by something. Hitomi raised her armed and looked at a strange marking on her arm. What was going on? Where was she?

Godeshen Gate

Van found it strange that they just let him fly into Godeshen without a fight. Something was up and he had a eerie feeling that something bad was going to happen.

The sun was about to set into the ground and that meant it would be dark soon. Darkness was the best time to fight, at least for Van. He was good at seeing in the dark and sensing danger. When Hitomi taught him how to use the pendant in his mind, to find the invisible soldiers, he has been practicing constantly to perfect the technique.

A group of newer looking guymelefs formed a wall surrounding a certain building. That's where Hitomi must be, Van though as he landed only a few meters in front of them. He turned Escaflowne back into it's original form and grabbed the sword.

Van found it strange that non of them were attacking him? He was unquestionably out numbered by five of them. Van looked at the bunch of them in question. One of the guymelefs stood out amongst the rest. It was the red guymelef, Dilandau's guymelef.

Where was the black guymelef? Where was Shin? Was this an ambush? Van quickly looked around for any sight of Shin or any indication of an ambush. When Van turned back to the other guymelefs he noticed two indistinct figures walking closer to him.

"Come out Van! I have someone here that wants to say hello" Shin yelled at Van from the ground. Van recognized Hitomi and Shin as the grew closer. This was definitely a trap, but what choice does he have?

Van dismounted Escaflowne with his sword in his hand. Van stood less then ten meters away. Hitomi looked at him blankly, but other then her eyes she looked normal and unharmed.

"What do you want Shin?" Van asked in pure anger. Shin just smiled and looked at Hitomi. He signaled her to go to Van. Hitomi only hesitated for a moment then she ran to Van.

"I only wish to return what belongs to you" Shin said as he once again looked at Hitomi. Van pushed Hitomi behind himself to shield her from harm.

"Did he hurt you Hitomi? Are you alright?" Van asked only sparing a slight glance her way. When he looked are her he saw tears running down her face, but other than that she looked emotionless. "Hitomi?"

"Hitomi dear. Show Van how much you've missed him!" Shin yelled at Hitomi. Hate suddenly filled her face as she pulled out a sword and swung it cutting Van's arm. That was a close call Van thought as he looked at Hitomi. She hesitated for a moment letting him get away. If she hadn't his whole arm would be gone.

"Hitomi?" Van questioned as she swung at him again and again. Van continued to doge her attacks but what would happen when he grew tired. Would he have to kill her? Was she even Hitomi?

"There's no point in trying to talk to her my dear boy. She has no memories and only follows my command" Shin said as he laughed. Van let out a loud yell as he charged towards Shin. Shin easily moved out of the way pulling out his own sword.

"V-Van r-run" Hitomi said as if she was forcing the words from her mouth. Van turned around and looked at Hitomi. Shin took that opportunity to attack him but he was stopped, but by who?

Hitomi stood in front of Shin as tears poured down her face. "You- you are only suppose to obey me! Drop your sword now!" Shin said and Hitomi did as he commanded.

"Hitomi" Van said with hope in his voice. "You must fight him Hitomi. Don't let his control you!"

"Who is Hitomi?" Hitomi said as she turned around to look at Van once again with blank eyes. "I am not she who you speak of. I am a slave to master Shin. I do what ever master Shin says. You, I don't know who you are."

Van felt like his heart was smashed into a million pieces. He would kill Shin for this!

Shin put his hand on Hitomi shoulders and smiled devilishly at Van. He loved the look on his face and wish to make it last. Shin moved Hitomi face so that it was facing himself then he leaned forward and kissed Hitomi. There was no response to the kiss but there was a definite response in Van's face. "You bastard!" Van yelled as he charged towards the two.

Van tore Hitomi from Shin arms and cut Shin on his cheek. "My you are fast when your made" Shin said wiping the blood from his cheek and licking it from his hand. "Play times over. Lets finish this now."

Shin signaled his men to attack them as he walked away. Van grabbed Hitomi by the wrist and ran towards Escaflowne. They were to far to make it to Escaflowne in time. There were suddenly surrounded by the group of guymelefs with the red guymelef standing in front of them.

This can't be it! Van said holding Hitomi close to him. Her eyes were still blank as he looked into them. "Hitomi? I-I love you" Van said as the guymelefs closed in around them. This would be the end for them… It can't end like this…

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* I'm sorry for leaving things at such a cliff hanger, but hey that's what I'm good at! It just keeps getting better and better! Poor Hitomi! How can I be so cruel to her! *Sniff* Well I hope you guys like this chapter as much as I had writing it!! And again thanks for all the awesome reviews! See you in the next chapter!!!!!