Both Are Infinite: Book One

by Thiriel

Almost a year!!!!! BRI Book I has finally been finished =) Thousand thanks to all my supporters! Hope you continue to read the sequel, and get more people to read Book I!

6. Angelus of War

Gaea Regained WOWWWWW! I'm totally spoiled with all your wonderful comments!!!!! Thanks so much for complimenting my vocabulary etc., but right now, I don't think I know enough words to describe my joy! Glad you liked the mythological allusions - yep, I guess they're pretty educational. I'm most happy that you found the characters believable - they're what makes any story great. Please journey on with me, and spread the news as well - I really want more people to know about 'Both are Infinite'. Thank you. Btw, since this chapter is soooooooo long, I probably won't update for a while - sorry. For now, enjoy the flight (

VI. Angelus of War

There is a history in all men's lives, Figuring the nature of the times deceased; The which observed, a man may prophecy, With a near aim, of the main chance of things As yet not come to life, which in their seeds And weak beginnings lie intreasured. Such things become the hatch and brood of time. Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part I

Even the Universe may have a finite existence. But this is a theory of astrophysics. While constants may be calculated in equations and scrawled across the sky, eternity retains its full mystery and flame within the soul. The greatest struggle of such star-sprinkled soul is to reconcile immortal Love with mortal life, to overcome unfathomable time and fate, to use destiny yet rise above it. In the process of this war, tears and blood will be shed, but they are a confirmation that Eros still lives, always coming into being. ....

The dense mass of grey clouds above Fanelia parted momentarily and allowed the entrance of the sunpillar. If shot down straight and bright, laying the two figures down gently before retreating behind the cloud curtains.

Just a minute ago, Van and Hitomi had beheld Seraphine's goddess-like face, uttering the strange instructions. Now, the royal tombs stand before them, white beneath the dark morning sky. Van knelt on the ground and kissed the grass of his homeland. "Thank goodness we're back in Fanelia."

"Van, is this the place you call the Empyrean?"

"Yes. You've been here, remember?"

"I do. It seems so long ago."

Van let out a weary sigh. "That thing Seraphine just said about Atlantis coming to us, the Tree of Life and Death, and the dragon and phoenix. What do you suppose it all means?"

"I'm not sure. But I do remember something about dragon and phoenix. Hmmm." Hitomi paused pensively. "Oh, yes, I was in Akrotiri then suddenly I had this vision. Remember, it was the time I called out to you just before we were in that dream where we got separated? Well, it was the first time I saw Aleph, and he called for a dragon and phoenix. They flew down and grabbed me. Other than this, I don't know anything else."

"Well, don't worry about it. Like she said, we just have to remember. When Atlantis comes, if it does, we'll think of something then. Now," he stood up with a sombre expression. "We really must get going. Escaflowne is not here anymore. And can you hear that noise coming from the direction of the castle? Sounds like a lot of people are gathered there and.groaning in pain. C'mon." He pulled Hitomi up.

"Actually, Van, if you don't mind, I'd like to.talk to Folken, alone please," she gestured towards to the tomb and smiled shyly.

"Oh.okay.sure. I'll go ahead. Just follow the path and you'll reach the garden." Van curiously watched her approach the tomb and then he departed, leaving her to her privacy among the peerless verdure of the dell.

Anxiety engulfed Van as he ran down the garden path, frightened of seeing his beloved Fanelia ruined again among ashes of beauty and dreams. He reached the castle garden and though the sight did not devastate his soul, it daunted him. On the ground, stretched as far as the garden can allow, lay rows upon rows of wounded soldiers, bleeding, groaning and fighting for their lives. Nurses wove in and out carrying medicine and provisions. Crouched among the patients was Selena, busy bandaging the arm of a wounded.

Van stood wide-eyed and speechless, a thousand questions invaded his mind. Something about the sight of dying soldiers seems familiar but contemptuously petrifying. In dismay, he walked over to Selena and stood next to her, noticing that her usual royal attire of grand dresses has been reduced to boyish pants and sleeveless shirt. She looked up; her face was tortured with many bruises and cuts, but her eyes were full of hope and gratitude upon seeing him. "Van?" she asked wretchedly. "Is it really you?" Sympathetically, he opened his arms and she fell into him, sobbing and wailing.

"Selena, tell me what happened. What are you doing in Fanelia? Why are there so many wounded soldiers? And why are you hurt so badly?"

"Van, thank the heavens you're here. As long as you're back, everything will be okay. Brother and the others are still looking for the place where the pillar of light landed. Aris!" she waved to a handmaiden. "Go tell Queen Millerna and King Allen that King Van is in the garden!" She turned back to him with wistful eyes. "Look, Van, brother will explain everything to you. For now, just stay here with me." She held him tight and despite his uncertainty about whether or not she still loved him, Van hugged back. The wounded soldiers gazed up at them in admiration, as if they presented a beacon shining amid a sea of blood.

At that moment, Hitomi also stepped into the garden, shocked by the wounded, but more shocked by the sight of Van embracing another girl. Somewhat indignant and suspicious, she approached them quietly. Selena was the first to notice the strangely dressed girl. "You must be Hitomi." This announcement sent Van to quickly unwind his arms from Selena's waist and to stand awkwardly between the two young women.

"Hitomi! Um.um.I'm not, I mean.this is.this is."

"Selena Schezar."

"You're Allen's little sister?" Hitomi smiled ambiguously.

Selena winced a bit and curtsied, her gentleness bringing Van some relief. "I'm so very glad to meet you, Lady Hitomi. I've looked forward to this moment for a long time. Brother and Van have told me wonderful things about you. Welcome back to Gaea."

Before Hitomi could make a reply, a group of people entered the garden. Van turned nervously to behold Allen, Millerna, and a number of lords approaching. "Van!" Allen called out, his voice mixed with pain. Van sadly noticed that Allen's right arm was badly injured, all bound up in bandages. Millerna, like Selena, looked exhausted and hurt.

"Van, good thing you're back," Allen said. "Now we can get down to some serious planning. Is that," he looked pass Van, "is that Hitomi I see?" Her presence offered him some joy and surprise, though none of the old emotions remain. Millerna is by his side - thanks to Hitomi.

Hitomi went up to them and gave them both a quick hug before returning to Van's side. Then Nestor and Merle came, the latter yelling for Van at the top of her lungs, and finally leaping onto him, then onto Hitomi, giving her a friendly lick.

The joy of reunion seemed uncomfortable and inappropriate at a time of crisis, so Van hastily broke off Merle's remarks and anxiously inquired after Orion's whereabouts.

"Here I am," a deep and heavy voice resonated from the door to the castle. Everyone turned around and saw a bearded, dishevelled young man approaching them with heavy steps. The red shirt that he borrowed from Van nearly hung in shreds from his thin, beaten body, overburdened with bows, arrows, sword and daggers. His bright eyes were obscured by a mixture of fatigue and misery, his cheeks sunken in hunger. Without a word, he walked up to Van and enveloped him in his arms. In that instant, all of Orion's physical injuries and mental pains entered Van and he felt them with acuteness and reality. He gripped Orion tight.

Noticing everyone's heart-warming gaze, Orion released Van from his arms and chuckled awkwardly. "You know, Van, this shirt of yours is awfully itchy, the pants are too tight. Why ever do you wear them all the time?" Intermittent laughter sounded. Then Orion noticed the stranger, and instinctively he knew Hitomi, as if he had always known her. He approached her as a gentleman would and held her hand. "Welcome back to Fanelia, Lady Hitomi." He slowly knelt down on one knee with a painful groan and kissed her hand. "I'm sorry that you have to see me in such a bad condition."

He is Van's best friend? Hitomi asked herself in half sympathy, half astonishment. She glanced over at Van and noticed an expression at once tragic and hopeful, perhaps how he looks at she herself sometimes. The Love that she sees in him, the Love for his family, friends, for her and for Orion seems so inexplicable in its unconquerable power that its very existence is beyond Earth and Gaea. How can such a Love not be destined? What did Folken mean when he said it rises above destiny?

"Van, let's go," Allen said. "We should call a meeting right away."

"Of course, Allen. But before we do so, I need you, Millerna, Selena, Merle," he then nodded to Hitomi and Orion, "to come with me to the dell. It'll only take a minute but it's very important to me. Nestor, take the lords into the conference room and set up everything before we return. Go." Van solemnly resumed his royal position. During the war, Hitomi never had a chance to see Van giving orders and exerting his authority in court. Given his growing influence in Gaea, she imagined that he must be very wise and majestic as a king, or the Triumvir, as he had once informed her modestly.

The train of lords departed and Van led his groups towards the dell. Along the way, he enigmatically asked to borrow one of Orion's daggers. The group formed a semi-circle in front of the royal tombs, and he grabbed Orion to stand in the middle. Without hesitation, Van unsheathed the dagger, raised Orion's right hand and dashed the blade across his palm. Orion's scream was followed by gasps from the crowd. "What in hell? Van Fanel, I'll get you for this! That really hurts! Why."

While Orion babbled and cursed on, Van looked straight at him with unfaltering eyes of starlit calm. Then he cut his own palm. Hitomi let out a screech. In the whirling emotion of the moment, Van held his bleeding right hand against Orion's and pressed the wounds together. "Your blood, my blood, our blood." Silent shock waved through the group. Hitomi came a little closer and saw Orion's eyes reveal their impeccable blue.

"Orion, you can have a family now, and a last name. We're brothers, and you're a Fanel, just like me." He turned to everyone else. "With all of you here as witnesses, and in the presence of the royal dead, I, Van Fanel, king of Fanelia, hereby bestow the title of Grand Duke upon Orion Fanel." This was beyond what Hitomi expected. She knew this must be related to Aleph's informing them that Orion had been Van's little brother in the past life. It transcended friendship. She immediately reached in her bag for a handkerchief and went up to Van, but he took it and dressed Orion's wound.

The group headed back to the castle and for a while, no one said anything. Merle pondered whether she would have to treat Orion in a brotherly way. Selena thought of the implication of Orion's new status. And Allen, though perhaps unconsciously bitter that his own friendship with Van always had a grudging edge, was content with a glimpse into what that bruised, withdrawn and often angry young boy was capable of in the struggle to attain unconditional friendship.

As they reached the castle, Orion suddenly asked, "So now that my blood is mixed with draconian blood, does that mean I can fly?" Everyone smirked, even Van, except Orion himself. Silence was the only way not to betray the moment.

"Van, Orion," Allen turned around and said, "we must hurry to the conference room."

"Right," Van nodded then turned to Hitomi, holding her hand. "Hitomi, I have to go now. Selena and Merle can show you to your quarters, okay?"

"No, Van, I want to come with you, if it's okay. Maybe I can be of some use. Please, I don't want you to bear the burden alone."

Van hesitated and glanced at Allen and Millerna. They nodded. Selena and Merle returned to help the wounded while the rest rushed into the elongated room, populated with agitated lords, flinging out high theories regarding the present situation.

Hitomi followed them in timidly, for she has never been inside a political gathering. She stayed close to her friends and surveyed the unknown faces before them. Among the lords, she recognized the ever so debonair Dryden.

Van stood at the head of the table, and raised his palm - bandaged now - solemnly into the air. The lords addressed him reverently as "King Van" then quieted into their chairs.

He began to speak with a heavy, ancient tone: "My lords, as you are undoubtedly aware, I have for the past." he glanced at Nestor, uncertain if the passage of time on Gaea has been the same as on Serenus; Nestor fingered three. "Yes, for the past three days, during which Orion and King Allen have governed Fanelia, I have been.occupied with matters of a personal nature, pertaining to Lady Hitomi here," he gestured towards her. "It was she who won the Destiny War, therefore I ask you to treat her with the utmost respect. As to the details of my leave, please let them remain personal." Hitomi blinked hard - she had never heard Van talk in such a serious manner nor has she thought that he's consecrate her as the victor of the war. As far as she's concerned, another war may yet start because of her.

"I understand that during my absence, a grave disaster involving Asturia has erupted. Now, I need someone to inform me of the details and of our present situation. Allen, what happened to Asturia?" Van sat down with crossed arms.

Allen stood up and walked about as he explained. "Three days ago, strange guymelefs appeared in Palas. They're not Zaibach ones. These were more powerful, swifter and accompanied with flying objects never before seen on Gaea. It was a sneak attack. Our harbour, warehouses, outposts were all destroyed. Some people managed to escape to the mountains and come here, but the royal family was barricaded inside the castle. Our military front was penetrated. I was not able to get to Scherazade and help them. We later confirmed that General Firasu is dead, so Orion is now the commander of both Asturian and Fanelian armies." Allen turned to look at the young man sitting next to Van. "He answered our distress call, and within hours, Escaflowne appeared with the Fanelian troops. We thought it was you, Van. But thank the gods that Orion came in time. Some soldiers were just about to take us.I."

"The same thing that happened to Fanelia and Freid five years ago has happened to our homeland," Millerna added.

A heavy gloom was cast over the room and no one dared to breathe very loud. Finally, Van asked, "Is everyone in the royal family here in Fanelia?" Millerna nodded.

"Good.at least we have that much." He did not know how to proceed yet there seemed no other choice. "Nestor, what of our present predicament?"

The old advisor stumbled to the king's side. "Your Majesty, Commander Orion has made ample provisions regarding the alteration of Fanelia in order to accommodate the people of Asturia."

"Yes," Orion interrupted. "I've evacuated Fidell and made it a military training ground. The hospital there is still in use, but the main hall of the castle is also a medical station. The citizens are all in Palladium. Van, I know you didn't want to enlarge the army, but in the present state, we need better defence. Two countries depend on us."

Van supported his chin with his hands and closed his eyes. "You needn't justify your actions. Nestor, continue."

"All the citizens have been alerted and provided for. Our allies have all sent reinforcements and supplies. Fanelia is well prepared but obviously overpopulated. Zaibach has volunteered to provide new melefs, mobile transporters and drag-energists. And of course, the cost.the Alliance will allot more, but so far, the fifty million gidaru has been provided mainly by Lord Dryden."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Dryden cut in casually, "there's plenty more where that came from. My old man left me a substantial inheritance. But keep in mind, even Gaea has her limit of gold."

Van opened his eyes insipidly and gave Dryden a "thank you" nod, then stood up pensively. "You've all done a tremendous job. The people will thank you, as I certainly do. However, the central problem remains: who did this? And why Asturia? If it's not Zaibach this time, it means we have a new opponent, potentially more dangerous."

"Actually, Van," Allen said with a feeble chuckle, "You'd be shocked to hear that unlike the Destiny War which involved only countries from Valasia, we're looking at a world-wide disaster this time. Asopia and Etolia have also reported similar encounters. The delegates are on their way here now."

"What!" Van nearly yelled. "It's not just Asturia? What could they possibly want with a continent like Asopia with only agricultural countries? And Etolia is full of guildsmen and artists unconcerned with politics. Does anyone have any idea who is behind this?"

"Apparently, it's someone who's against the monarchy," Allen said bitterly. "All the countries that were attacked have monarchical systems."

"And milord," Nestor added, "When we contacted our allies, one country did not respond.Basram.a republic."

"President Basante? What does he want? Allen, he's part of the Triumvirate, can we actually further our plans without him?"

"It seems we have no choice. He's not responded to any of our messages. And due to the uncertainty of the situation, I dare not send someone to investigate."

Van heaved a near inaudible sigh, coupled with a severe frown. "It appears to me that Fanelia's situation is stable for the time being. Yet out of experience of the previous war, we must take precaution and propose plans, should the future prove to be more catastrophic than expected. Nestor, Lord Kailan, please arrange for a Gaean Alliance meeting this evening. We'll discuss what to do with Basram then. In the meantime, would all of you please return to your former duties. I will accompany King Allen and Commander Orion to inspect the grounds and perform some military manoeuvres." Van nodded as a final gesture, then everyone got up to exit as wearily as they had entered. Someone passed by Van and whispered, "Looks like the Year of the Emerald Star is a bad year indeed."

"Van, Escaflowne is up front," Orion said with a voice unusually weak for him. "I'll wait for you down there." He exited with Millerna.

Allen tapped Van on the shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Van, regarding the incident with Selena a few colors ago, I.can we just forget our past differences and fight side by side again?"

"Just like old times?" Van held out his hand and Allen shook it, lightly due to Van's wound.

They went out into the hall and found Hitomi waiting for Van. As Allen went ahead, Van remained with her. "I have to go handle some military business and personally oversee my people. It's too chaotic out there so I want you to stay in the castle. Merle and Selena can keep you company, okay?"

"Van, the situation sounds really frightening. Please be careful." They hesitated for a moment then embraced. As she watched him run down the hall, she felt an upsurge of emotions, eerily reminiscent of the Destiny War. ....

While Hitomi lay her things out in the chamber located next to Van's, Merle pranced around, clarifying a few questions.

"It's simple, Gaea is really not that big. Valasia is the continent where Fanelia, Asturia and all the other places you've been to are, except for Asgard of course, that's the continent to the north. Asopia is to the east, and Etolia to the west. To tell the truth, I've never been to those continents, they seem like pretty boring places. I can't understand why anyone would want to conquer them. Nice clothes!" Merle picked up Hitomi's skirt and snickered.

"Merle! Must you always dig through my things?"

"Meow! Old habits die hard!"

Hitomi rolled her eyes. "So, Merle," she relaxed into the chair, "any love interests?"

"Oh, well, since you took Lord Van, I've had to look elsewhere, but nope, no luck! Must be the curse of the Mystic Moon! However, I've thought of a family," her voice suddenly became serious. "See, there's this little cat girl, one of my students, and she's an orphan like me. She's called Vianne, and I.I want to adopt her and raise her on my own." A glimmer shone in Merle's eyes, and Hitomi saw that she's grown up.

"Of course, I'd have to ask Lord Van's permission. I've mentioned Vianne to him but I haven't told him about the adoption part. We are going to be living under his roof after all."

"I'm sure he'll encourage you! The child will bring you much love. Van seems like he'd like children."

"Yeah.like the children he'll have with you!" Merle laughed out loud as Hitomi shaded to mauve. "Well, I have to get back to my chores. And NO, you cannot help! Lord Van commands us to let you rest. Besides, he may need you later so you'd better stay in one place where he can find you." Merle ran out on all fours, leaving Hitomi to stay reluctantly.

She turned to her bag and dumped everything onto the bed. These are my only connection with home. She separated the items carefully and picked up a few which strung a cord in her heart: a photograph of her family, another of Yukari, Jason and her in front of the pyramids; the Twin Souls card from the Ra-Maat deck, and the gold, broken piece of relic she dug up in Akrotiri. It seemed so long ago that she was doing archaeology and she was surprised that the relic remained with her all this time. The Mediterranean air faded like the heat of summer and along with it, the connection she had with Yukari and Jason. Are you safe beneath the Ionian sky, under the protection of the ancient gods? May it be so. Hitomi put the four items into her pocket. She also put on her watch, which had resumed ticking once they returned to Gaea. She then proceeded to the door. In relief, she found no guard blocking her way, so she walked down the hall.

The reconstructed castle was rustic with its walls of stone framed with wooden beams. She felt protected. She went a little further and came across the door with the Fanelian dragon crest carved into it. This is must be the royal chamber. She gingerly turned the knob and found it was not locked. With a slight creak, the door flowed open and she tiptoed into Van's room.

It was a double chamber, two rooms connected with an arch in the middle. The front room was a study, consisting of two armchairs and a table for the sitting area, and a large desk and bookcases near the two window. Hitomi frowned curiously at the oddly shaped wooden shield hanging above the desk. The inner room had a large futon, with two pillows and a white quilt. Next to the futon was a small stand with a single box on it. She tried to open it but it was locked. A humble closet stood in one corner. Along one wall stretched a long cabinet, on top of which sat a shiny sword she had never seen Van use, and a large golden box. She curiously opened the box and found the royal crown inside. The bedchamber led to a balcony, providing the perfect view of Fanelia. "This is Van's home," she whispered to herself as she leaned on the railing. His presence is soothing. There is the bed he sleeps in, the chair he sits in, the objects he owns, the floor he treads on - everything is fever to her blood.

She returned to the study area and sat down at Van's desk. In front of her lay a thick book, book marked, but from the layer of dust on it, she deduced he has not read it for a while. She blew away the dust and read the title, Ways of Warriors, Codes of Kings. She opened it and saw that next to the Fanelian text was Van's marginalia, small ideas he jotted down as he studied the book. Her fingers touched his handwriting, at once poetic and unrestrained, flying off the pages with beautiful wings. His handwriting defines him, she mused. Can it be that inside these books are traces of Van's mind? She went over to the bookcases and let her fingers trail over the book spines: Encyclopaedia of the History of Gaea, The Royal History of Fanelia, The Philosophy of Being, Myth and the Art of Mysticism, Kurlaeo, The Collected Poetry of Aureus, The Book of Five Rings, Secrets of the Mystic Moon. She paused and smiled on the last one. These words, these books once entered Van's mind, and now they entered hers. Through them, she saw a part of him that he would not bother to reveal. The Van she sees is a true king.

A gentle knock came from the door. Hitomi feared that if someone should find her alone in Van's room there might be some embarrassment, so she kept silent and still. The knock came again, followed by a soft voice, "Lady Hitomi? It's me, Selena. I've brought you some soup."

The moment Hitomi opened the door and saw Selena's peaceful face, she recognized Selena's unmistakable resemblance to Allen. The Schezar charm, she thought. "Selena, you don't have to address me as Lady."

"Alright, just Hitomi then. It's much more intimate. Here, the kitchen just stewed a big pot of soup," she set the tray on the table. "Brother and the others are not used to the exotic taste of Fanelian food, but I quite like it. I hope you will too."

Hitomi sat down in the armchair and carefully observed Selena, her refined motion, rainbow smile and diamond eyes. Hitomi could not refrain from asking. "Selena, is it hard.living with memories of Dilandau?"

She set the plate down and sat next to Hitomi. "It's certainly a different life than most people's. At first it was very painful but brother and Millerna made it better for me. I think about Dilandau sometimes," a sad smile appeared. "I feel his loneliness acutely because it was my loneliness all along. He felt my presence the way I feel his. But it's well repressed, I assure you."

"You know, Selena, you saved us somehow. That last day on the battlefield, I saw that Van and Allen stopped fighting because you appeared."

"It was brother's love that called me back. In truth, Hitomi, we all live under the shadow of the darkness within. There is always a demon waiting to burst free. Of course, some people have greater self-control, or simply lesser demons."

"I understand. I suppose Van's kind of like that."

"He was, not anymore. Perhaps the future holds great challenges for him, and it will be hard for him to control himself but I know he'll come through."

"Yes, I believe so too. He's already been through so much at such a young age."

"We all have, fair or unfair. It just happened." She sighed. "I think Van's pain is greater than mine and I admire him deeply for it. On Gaea, there is a myth surrounding Van. His power is daunting whether or not he acknowledges it. He is more than a political leader. Yet for some reason, no one ever kneels down before him as they do before other kings. And brother never treats him with the same fear and reverence he treated King Aston. I think perhaps it is because people intuitively feel warmth when they're around Van, a glow, so it becomes unnecessary to treat him with formality. The warmth is familiar because it's the warmth of love that doesn't need to be spoken, and everyone feels it. You gave him that, Hitomi."

"Selena," Hitomi patted her hand, "I'm so glad Van has a friend like you."

'Well." Selena stood up and walked over to the window. "I feel I must disclose something. It would be wrong of me to withhold. Or perhaps Van has already told you.about me?" Hitomi shook her head in confusion. "You see, for the past few years, ever since I first saw Fanelia during the reconstruction, I've.loved him." Hitomi gasped but continued to listen in stillness.

"I thought he could be my everything. Three colors ago, brother and I came here and in our foolishness we pushed Van over the edge. He went into a coma. Oh Hitomi," she suddenly sat down and held Hitomi's hands. "How wrong of me! I didn't even understand him, nor had I the slightest idea of just how infinite his love for you is! But don't you worry, I care about him only as a friend now. I just needed to tell you that part of my past. I've learned that I cannot hold wind inside a net."

Sisterly warmth overcame Hitomi, akin to what she feels with Yukari. Instinctively, she embraced Selena. "I have a feeling we're going to be very good friends."

"I hope so, Hitomi. Everyone was right, you are easy to talk to. Um." Selena's gracefulness suddenly faded into shyness. "Before I go, can I ask a favor of you?"

"Sure, as long as it's within my ability."

"You see, brother has told me of your visionary powers. I was wondering if.if you could do a reading for me. It's very important.'

"Oh Selena, I really can't. I've given up fortune telling. And I must say that destiny is a very obscure thing right now, and we shouldn't try to tamper with fate. But would you mind telling me what it's about? Perhaps it'll be better just talking about it."

Selena withdrew further back into the chair and blushed somewhat. "Essentially, it's about Orion. It's no secret around here that he's liked me for a long time, but I hurt him because I did not return the feeling. Lately, well, ever since Van's coma, I've gotten to know him better. As you can probably tell, he's very different from Van. He's usually more cheerful than he is today. I just.I'm ashamed that I ever treated him badly. Now I'm so confused."

"It's okay," Hitomi laid a hand on her shoulder. "I was in a similar situation with Allen and Van, I'm sure you've heard. But in the end, I saw clearly, even though the process caused everyone much pain. Perhaps you're beginning to see clearly. Orion hung on for you just as Van did for me, right?"

"Yes, but what if I cannot make him happy? I believe in love and hope, Hitomi, I really do. You and Van are living proof of Love's greatness. But I bear a heavy history of blood and hatred, how can I deserve and give love? This is why I wanted you to use the cards and tell me if my path is right."

"Selena, you don't need cards to tell you what is already in your heart! You feel what is right; you just have to recognize it. And if Orion thinks you're worthy of love, then there can be no doubt. If your love is true, it will overcome all blood and hatred, past or future. Look, I know love, of any kind, can bring great strife but we have to hang on. My best friend Yukari, she.she used to say that 'all's fair in love and war'. I thought it was funny at the time because I never agreed with it. All's not fair in love and war. We don't know why some people have love, others don't or why some people lose wars. Both are difficult and dangerous. But they can be intertwined - a war in the name of love, a love fighting for peace. Right now, with your personal situation and the political situation, love and war are mingled together, so naturally it's confusing, for all of us. Here," Hitomi reached in her pocket and took out the card. "I want you to have this as a good luck charm."

"No, Hitomi, I couldn't."

"No, I insist. It's the card of Twin Souls. It symbolizes Love. You'll come through."

"Thank you, I." she stood up. "I'm overwhelmed. You've helped me a lot, perhaps more than the cards would. I will think some more and become clearer. But..I should get going, Millerna and Eries may need my help with the patients."

As Selena headed towards the door, Hitomi suddenly remembered something. "Wait! I have one last question, it's somewhat weird, but I really have to ask you. If you have memories of Dilandau, does this mean you know everything he knew?"

"Apparently. Brother has even tested my skill with the sword."

"Well, do you remember, when you were in Zaibach, was there ever a girl named Nerya?"

"Nerya? That name is not familiar, though it has a ring somehow. Let me think. There weren't that many females working for Dornkirk." Selena cast her eyes down in thought. "Is she someone you knew? What does she look like?"

"Well, I didn't know her. She was someone Lord Folken knew. I only saw her in a vision. She had really long black hair, tied back, she wore very bright purple earrings in the shape of teardrops, and she had on a silver armour."

"Hmm.wait, I think.heavens, this is so long ago, right after I was taken to Zaibach. I believe you are talking about the young woman who sometimes came to talk to Jajuka, my caretaker at the time. My memory of her is very vague, I don't even remember her name. But I do recall her knowing mine and giving me flowers. That's about all I can tell you."

"Thank you. I just needed to."

"Can it be that even our Lord Folken experienced Love? I never knew he cared about any women other than Naria and Eriya. They loved him so."

"Yes. Don't forget what won the Destiny War."

Selena pressed the card against her heart. "I'll never forget." After she exited softly, Hitomi drank the soup then rested in the armchair and dreamed. ....

Escaflowne gleamed with the passions of past wars, marring the white cliffs of Fanelia. Van looked at it and leapt up to touch the bleeding, pumping heart. For the first time in five years, he re-entered the pilot seat and felt himself regressing into darkness. He quickly changed Escaflowne into its dragon form. Orion and Allen jumped in. Beating its red fabric wings with might, the god ascended above the wind and headed down the valley.

In the open air, Van noticed that the soothing forest scent of Fanelia had been replaced by a nauseating tang of mortality. He flew close to the ground so he could see the people. Citizens waved to him, asking for his help. Children ran along the canal, smiling at him. He pulled Escaflowne into the high sky and the sight of the people diminished. A drop of water fell onto his hand - he looked up at the clouds but it was not raining. He then realized that he had shed a tear.

They landed in the middle of Fidell's military base, surrounded by soldiers' tents. Fanelian and Asturian guymelefs were engaged in practice. Most of the civilian houses were used for storage. The trees were cut, leaving the landscape rather bare and grey, with dust blown everywhere by the piercing wind. The Fanelian and Asturian flags waved above the central square.

As soon as everyone noticed Escaflowne, the various captains gathered their units in the central area.

Van kneeled Escaflowne down and stood on its knee. "Soldiers of Asturia and Fanelia," he shouted, "I have but one thing to say to those among you who are hero worshippers or hero aspirers - I am no hero, neither are you, nor will we ever be. There is no true victor in war. Those of you who fought in the Destiny War but five years ago know what I mean. I still have nightmares sometimes. We are here, at this very moment, with these weapons in our hands, not for war, but for the love of our homelands, our friends, our families. These swords will not shed blood unless we are pushed to the very edge. What I mean to say is," he stopped to take a breath, "I will do everything in my power to make sure that you and our people never see the darkness of a battlefield. Let Escaflowne be a god of protection, not of war. Now."

"Your Majesties!" Everyone's attention was suddenly directed to a messenger, running hither at full speed, yelling frantically. "General Orion, an urgent message from Lord Nestor. New intelligence about the crisis." Van hastily jumped down and grabbed the scroll: "Zaibach air patrol has spotted suspicious flying objects circling the sky above Asgard, in the vicinity of the Mystic Valley. Long range sensors of the floating fortress kept visual contact and traced the trail of the flying objects back to a military base, set on an island in Oceanus Procellarum, off the coast of Asgard. President Menulf of Zaibach asks if they should send in cloaked guymelefs to investigate." Van scrunched the message in his fist.

Allen stepped forth. "No, no guymelefs. That's too aggressive, even if they are cloaked. We can't risk being discovered. It would mean immediate war. Go, go with that message."

"Ay, sir," the page ran off, leaving the two kings and one general standing in a triangle, with the army looking on.

"Asgard, huh?" Van said, gingerly touching his pendant. "Looks like somebody not only wants to get rid of kings but wants the power of Atlantis revived. But why would they set base in Oceanus Procellarum, the Ocean of Storms? It's too dangerous for our troops to go there."

"Van," Orion said, "I have an idea. I've talked about this with Allen already."

"But I don't quite agree," Allen cut in.

"It'll come in handy now. Just listen. I've arranged for the wolf pack to lead me into the dragons' nest. I plan to communicate with the dragons and enlist their help."

"What!" Van actually felt like laughing. "You'll be killed. No one can tame dragons."

"Not tame them, but talk to them. Look, they didn't kill me when I was a baby, abandoned in the middle of their territory. During the fifteen years that I've lived in the forest, my guardian and I could communicate with them. All you have to do is look into their eyes and have a strong message in your mind. I didn't get killed then, I won't get killed now. I can do it again. I'll get the dragons to fly to the island. A lot of dragons inhabit the islands around that part. They'll never be suspected as.well, as spies. They're intelligent animals, they'll be of help."

"But." Van sighed. "At least let me come with you."

"No, you and Allen have to stay here. You said you were going to train some of the young soldiers. Don't worry."

"Orion, we'll think of another way to get to the island. This is a little."

"Farfetched?" Allen suggested.

"Yes. Besides, I can't let you take such a risk. Why is it that you never listen to me?"

"Because I'm your brother, not your servant," he winked at Van, then jumped onto a horse and galloped towards the forest beyond.

"Orion!" Van started to chase after him but Allen held him back. "Don't, Van! Just believe in him."

When the dust of the road dispersed, Orion was no longer in sight. The memory of Folken disappearing into the same forest haunted Van as he stood, fixing his gaze on Orion's direction. Eventually, after Allen gave the captains some orders, Van mingled himself among the crowd of young, amateur fighters. Each was someone's son, friend, and lover.

Before long, a trio of dragons soared up from the far end of the forest. Their shadows trailed over Fanelian Valley as they flew northward to the ocean. Van paced around impatiently until Orion returned, even more dishevelled than before. "Are you alright?"

'Yeah. Whew! I told you it'd work. They're on their mission. But I tell you, dragon drool.yuck!" a few nearby soldiers laughed. "Not pleasant at all to be near those big mouths. Now I really need a shave and a shower!"

Van's tension melted among the surrounding laughter and for a mere second, he cheated himself into believing that nothing worse will happen.

For the ensuing few hours, Van, Allen and Orion participated in training soldiers, overseeing formations, and drawing up potential battle plans. Meanwhile, Hitomi slumbered on in Van's armchair, dreaming of some future splendour. But not even dream stuff can mould, in any imaginary shape, the form or substance of the war to come, a war so lifeless that mere death seems a hope. ....

As the veiled sun approached the horizon, everyone got ready to return to the castle for the alliance meeting. Unexpectedly, the dragons' shadows were cast over them again. From the ground, they could spy, in between the large mass of three dragons, a smaller patch of darkness, clutched by dragon claws. Swiftly the dragons dived to the surface, driving back the crowd of daunted soldiers. The dragons came near Orion and Van and set down before them a grotesque, tenebrous lump of a creature, bleeding and lifeless.

After the dragons departed, everyone closed in around the strange beast lying on the ground, hellish and otherworldly in its appearance. It had the beak of an eagle, scaly wings, a long tail and the body of a large, carnivorous mammal. The soldiers murmured in fright and poked at it with spears to make sure that it was dead. Van went up to it head on and laid a hand on its bird-like head. "What do you suppose it is?"

"Hmmm.." Orion played with his beard. "Sure is ugly. But the dragons must have had a reason for bringing this.this.this.thing."

"Check to see is it's carrying a mark of any kind," Allen suggested.

"Captain Galas!" Orion yelled for his soldier. "Get your men to flip the thing over so we can see better."

"Ay, sir!" A group of twenty or so men was needed to push the creature onto its back. The captain then leapt upon its stomach and discovered a tag around the animal's neck. "Sir, Your Majesty, there's something written on this."

As soon as Van saw the tag, he jumped down nervously. "Commander Strom," a stout warrior answered Van's call. "Go to the castle immediately and get Lady Hitomi here. Go!"

"Van, what is it?" Orion asked.

"The message." Van said with a tremour. "It's written in Atlantean. That's why I need Hitomi here to read it. I don't have a good feeling about this."

For the next few moments, Van stood shivering inside. With his eyes shut, he attempted to listen to the long, sad moans of the gust, and in very human desperation, he imagined the wind to be forming a whirlpool and sending him a message from some alien world. The message replaced his blood and filled him, pumping his heart until he distilled meaning from its torrent - the images of his entire life suddenly flooded him like a battalion of shadows. The images from the past few colors were most violet: Selena and Allen, the Numen, Hitomi, his family, Valorick and Hermione, Serenus, Cyprus, the forest and waterfall, Myst, Freya, Seraphine.

"Van?" Hitomi's gentle voice called back his soul. "Are you okay? You're sweating really badly."

"I'm.I'm fine." He nodded "thank you" to the warrior who brought Hitomi.

"Is that." she stared with horror at the beast on the ground. "Is that what I think it is?"

"You know what that is? Is it an animal from the Mystic Moon?"

"Well, not exactly, you can only see them in picture books. It's called a griffin, a creature from mythology. Not very friendly, I gather. What's it doing here?"

Van picked her up and jumped onto the body. "Don't worry, it's dead. Here, there's a message but it's written in Atlantean, so I need you to read it."

"Atlantean? Okay, I'll try." She approached and held the griffin's metal tag in her hands. Her eyes closed for a second but when she opened them again, a blank terror was present. She covered her gasping mouth with her hands. "Oh, Van."

"What is it, Hitomi? What's wrong? Tell me what the tag said."

Her cold hands reached out for his and she whispered into his ear with a trembling murmur. "The front side.it said. 'Protector of the Fireans'. That's probably the griffin's role. But the back.the back," Van stroked her arms. "It read. 'Vannius.I want vengeance.'" Hitomi collapsed backward, but Allen who was standing behind her, caught her in his arms and took her to the ground.

Van stood motionless upon the griffin and started to snicker, something he has never done before. "I knew it! I knew it!" he screamed.

"Are you alright, Van?" Orion asked with concern. "You're scaring me. You look like you're about to go crazy."

Van ignored him and turned to the perplexed and noiseless soldiers standing beneath. "My warriors! Don't fret about a thing. We have to go now. Keep up the effort. We'll keep you informed." He then jumped down, picked Hitomi up and flew off in Escaflowne. Allen and Orion watched him dazedly before saddling their horses, confused at why they were not informed of the message's content. I bet it has something to do with Gaea's past, Orion thought. ....

After returning to the castle, which was already decorated with torches and flags of the Alliance, Orion took Allen's advice and went for a speedy shower, shaved then put on his official warrior's uniform. The grave matter at hand and the setting of an alliance meeting necessitated formality on his part as a general.

He proceeded to the world conference hall, a circular room, at least five times larger than the one used in the morning. The hallway was peopled with representatives from all the countries, conversing with one another in the serious and knowing tones that politicians are capable of. Nestor stood at the door and greeted everyone as they went inside. As Orion passed by, his military attire drew some respectful, some resentful glances, but he marched on without acknowledging anything. As soon as he explored the circular conference room and found no Van, he went down the hall to the arboretum that Van designed for study and leisure. Orion noiselessly pushed open the stained glass door and poked his head inside. The trees, flowerpots and greenery blocked his line of sight. But once he pushed aside the willow branches that partly veil the entrance, he saw Van standing in the far corner, wearing a kingly outfit, conversing with an unusual looking person.

Van had his eyes cast down pensively, with one hand supporting his chin and he nodded frequently in agreement with whatever his companion was eagerly explaining. The person was fascinatingly queer - it had a white, almost translucent body, and its hair and clothing seemed to glow with the same paleness. It was alien in its height and thinness, as if gravity had no effect on it. Van, who is taller than most men, was still much shorter in comparison to the pinpointed, sky-reaching height of his companion. Then Orion remembered - this is what certain Etolians are said to look like. He must be one of the poets or philosophers from Etolia. A creature all light. His luminous whiteness of body reflected his purity of mind.

"That's Lord Oneseme from Etolia," a soft voice suddenly informed Orion. He turned around nervously and saw Millerna smiling at him and he came back out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

"Yeah, I figured he looks like an Etolian. I've never seen one in real life. But do you mean he's the Oneseme, as in the great philosopher?"

"Yes, he's the one. Are you acquainted with his work?"

"I've studied his theories on time and space. I hope I can talk to him after the meeting."

"Wow, Orion, I'm impressed. His works were never translated which means you read them in the original. I never knew you could understand Poetics. Very few people can."

"Well, it's a very intriguing language. In fact, it was Lord Dryden who lent me the books on Poetics. That reminds me," he grinned sheepishly, "I still have to return them."

"You know," Millerna smiled enigmatically, "I understand that Selena is also studying the language. Maybe you two can have a conversation."

Orion's mind immediately shrunk upon that name. In flustered embarrassment, he quickly excused himself and paced to the conference room. "Orion." Millerna said to herself as Allen came up and kissed her on the cheek.

"What about Orion?"

"Oh, nothing. Just the whole business with Selena."

"Ah.I see. Young hearts and unattained love. We've all been there, now haven't we?" he put his arm around her and they walked down the hall slowly.

"Yes, I suppose we have, but we came through. Oh Allen, so much has happened in such a short time. You are the only light. Everything else is darkness. Asturia attacked, and the baby." she winced.

"It's okay, my love. Don't think about that now," he whispered into her hair and stroked her back. She placed her hand on her stomach and shed a few tears before recomposing herself and said in a bleeding voice that she was well enough to go. ....

The evening wind trembled against the glass floor windows of the world conference room, and the trees rustled. But inside, the heat was oppressive. Everywhere was a tumult and a chaos: politician, sitting and standing, chatted vivaciously, while servants weaved in and out bringing refreshment. In the background, the noises of the citizens outside could be heard. The castle became circus-like. It also smelled like anxiety, if anxiety could have a scent.

Orion sat at his prearranged seat at the circular table, and stealthily threw scrunched up paper balls into the hollow space at the centre of the huge table. He ceased and adjusted his posture as the lords gradually resumed their positions. Even with everyone in place, the room looked without order.

Shortly, Van entered with Lord Oneseme, accompanied by Nestor, Allen, Millerna and Dryden. The grand entrance doors were closed behind them. Van, looking unusually authoritative in his formal attire, cleared his throat and commenced the meeting. "Members of the Alliance, friends, let me begin by apologizing for the short notice given for this evening's conference. But it is imperative that we meet to discuss the recent occurrences. Most of you will have already noticed that no representative from Basram is present at the moment. After several failed attempts to contact President Basante, we have reason to believe that Basram is connected with the assault on our allies. Furthermore, this afternoon, we received intelligence that the enemy has stationed a military base on an island in Oceanus Procellarum, and has sent flying machines to investigate the Mystic Valley. I fear that this conflict may also involve the power of Atlantis, much like the Destiny War." A frightened murmur rose like a hot wave over the room.

As people glared at each other and whispered frantically, Van stood silently, feeling the hammering pulses in his burning temples. He remembered what Lord Oneseme has just told him: "If Time is opening up, at first it will open up for you only. To contain it, you must let yourself be pulled by its gravity and you must enter its circle." He weighed and considered clearly before resolving not to tell anyone about the Fireans or about his past life unless the situation cannot be contained.

Then the meeting shot to its heights. Many people stood up in a blaze and clamoured for answers no one could give. Most cheered for the suggestion that Basram should be banished from the Alliance. All the simultaneous shouting, lamenting and slamming of the table was hell to the ears. A miniature war erupted and the politicians accused each other of siding with the enemy. The timid-looking delegate from Freid scurried to Van's side and whispered that Duke Freid will support King Allen and King Van no matter what, then escaped from the conference room in fright. Some people, with a bellicose temperament, jumped on the table and yelled for war. Their argument was that severe crime deserves severe punishment.

Orion remained stiff against the back of his seat the whole time. He looked up at Van who stood beside him, and thought that Van's grief bordered on insanity. Allen and Dryden were relentlessly trying to pacify the many stomping and burning lords who seem to have completely forgotten the whole purpose of the meeting.

"Silence, everyone!" a strong female voice rose above the noise. They all turned to look at Queen Millerna who stood alone by the window. Then, as sons listen to their mother, they all sat down reverently.

"Look at you all, fighting and screaming. The Alliance was formed for peace and dignity, not war and chaos. It was my own country that was destroyed, but no, vengeance is not my answer. Has death and the Destiny War taught you nothing? I've been standing here for the past few minutes, watching the citizens down there. They've built a bonfire by the canal, right in front of the castle, and they're chanting by the fire. Do you know what they're saying? 'War kills love and buries life.' Don't you see, the people of Fanelia and Asturia have once suffered the loss of their countries, what they want is not the satisfaction of sticking a sword into their enemy's body. They want their home. Cannot you with all your knowledge and experience understand such basic love?" She heaved a soft sigh and returned to her view.

An awkward silence took over, and indeed they could hear the faint chant of the men, women and children whose voices sounded like a chorus of angels.

Finally, the delegate from Daedalus spoke. "Wise words, Your Majesty. Of course war is not the optimal choice. So far we've only engaged in defensive manoeuvres. But it may be that defence is not enough. The situation may worsen if we don't do something fast." Everyone muttered and nodded in agreement.

He continued: "Even if we carry out the intermediary steps like rescinding Basram's membership in the Alliance, war will still lie at the end of the path. It's only a matter of time."

The atmosphere was heavy with uncertainty or perhaps with the irrepressible knowledge that they're about to face war. Millerna walked over to Allen, and then looked at Van whose eyes appeared hollow. "Van, what do you think?" she asked.

"Yeah, let King Van decide," someone called out. "He's the triumvir after all."

Van blinked then leaned against the table and hung his head in exhaustion. Everyone scrutinized him; their gaze descended on him. He felt like they had handed fate over to him but instead of him possessing the fate, it possessed him. In his hands, this fate felt liquid, ungraspable, formless, an infinite misgiving. In that moment, he hated his own power, his authority. What is great about greatness anyways? It felt alien to him, distant like his days as the carefree little prince roaming the garden with his brother.

"At this moment," he eventually said in a husky voice, "none of us can think clearly. I make a decision now because I have to. First, because Basram has willingly withdrawn from the Alliance, the Triumvirate can be dismissed, therefore I am no longer the triumvir, so no one needs to give me any superior authority. Secondly, I propose that economic sanctions be imposed on Basram. And lastly, yes, Zaibach may continue with developing military weapons. As to the declaration of war and if I may add, the slaughtering of innocent people, I need time." He sank down into his chair. Everyone voted in favor of his proposals then resumed their tumultuous discussions as before.

The doors of the conference hall were opened. Orion was the first to storm out. In one minute, the train of lords abandoned the room with heavy steps, heading to whatever unrestful nights that await them. After the servants cleared the room, the lights were turned off. Allen was ready to follow everyone out, but he paused at the doorway and saw Van still standing across the dark room. His solid figure was silhouetted against the open window he stood by, brooding on Fanelia, hands behind his back like some old, erudite king.

"You shouldn't fight it, you know," Allen said from the doorway then slowly approached him.

"Huh?" Van swung his head around in confusion. But he quickly comprehended Allen's meaning so returned to his meditation.

The two monarchs stood side by side, two small figures beneath the infinite sky. Van finally made a reply, "But I do fight it. I have to."

"I didn't understand your weariness before, Van. Now being a ruler myself, I know all the pain and burden you feel. But don't forget, it is our duty, our responsibility to our country, to the people."

Van pushed open the windows and leaned forward on the sill, his chin in his hands. "I know all that. It's just that.I've sacrificed my life for this. I bear the weary load. I give it my everything. What more can they ask of me?" then Van looked up. "I even gave up the woman I love." His eyes reflected a dying flame.

In that instant, Allen saw an anger in Van that he has never noticed before. It was an anger greater than that involved in revenge or loss. It was anger at the overwhelming, unjust and straining life imposed upon him. His burden is heavier than that of any other king, and even in times of peace, he will be fighting.

"But she's here now," Allen placed a hand on his shoulder.

Van seemed not to have heard. An inscrutable, implacable force of possible farewells hovered over him. He straightened his back and cracked his knuckles. "Allen, does good leadership necessitate ruthlessness?"

Allen was somewhat struck by the question. They've discussed politics before but not philosophy and morality. Van shrouds his ideals so carefully that no one ever gets to see the spark of inspiration and the painstaking process behind the many political actions he has carried out. He denies his capability as a political theorist as much as he shrugs off his incredible authority. Only on a battlefield does Van let his ideals fight beside him in visible view. But this was already a battlefield.

"Sometimes, Van, what we have to do is not what we want to do, but I'm sure you already know that painfully. Perhaps it's not so much as ruthlessness as it's firmness or assertiveness. To keep order we must root out evil." Allen never asserted his ideas, at least not in front of Van. But he was not giving advice - he wanted to change Van, to save him from his own gentleness.

Van nonchalantly picked at the wood of the windowpane. "Good and evil are not such separate, distinct polar ends as people suppose. Everyone thinks I'm too young to understand that. Folken's the perfect example, isn't he? I keep wishing.wishing that I could distil some good from evil. I guess Hitomi taught me that."

"Van, look I." Allen paused before entering into a more personal domain. "I care about you as a friend. I hate to see you in pain. Perhaps you need to let the world remain imperfect and to see the evil then pluck it out. It's an endless process for any leader."

"I know the world is not perfect. I wouldn't want it to be. The universe would cease to exist without the conflicting forces of good and evil. I just." he suddenly lost his words and went over to stand by the table, his figure hidden in the shadows.

"Of course it's a great responsibility but Van, you can't deny the power you have. You can change the world. Triumvir or not, you're the pillar of Gaea. Most people would abuse such a power but you don't."

"Because I don't want it," he retorted bitterly. "I don't know how to change the world right now." He lifted his hand to his forehead and felt it burning. "Besides, power is a matter of perspective. Basante doesn't think I deserve my authority, now does he? Power is not some objective reality or universal truth. Yet, in the end, we're all enslaved by it."

Allen sighed, half in admiration, half in the despairing revelation Van's philosophy evoked. "You know how I've always cherished chivalry. Well, lately I fear that chivalry cannot survive in such a world. Perhaps.perhaps.ideals are not reality."

Van suddenly picked up a chair in rage and was ready to slam it on the ground. But he didn't. Allen was relieved to see him put it down slowly, noiselessly. "I'm tired, Allen, really, really tired." Everything about Van seemed brittle at once, his thin body was fragile, his gentle soul vulnerable.

"Get some rest. Go to Hitomi." Allen's voice was solid and reassuring, and such a voice uttering her name gave Van strength to straighten his back and march out with some bravery.

Allen stood by the window and watched him walk away. Then he saw, in that stubborn, aggressive young man, a truly beautiful soul. ....

After Van had taken her to her room a few hours ago, Hitomi slept feverishly but soon woke up in a stupor. She felt strange in the guest quarters, so once again she went to Van's room. She looked in the drawers for candles, and then lit at least ten of them, illuminating the room with dancing light and golden warmth. She afterwards pulled an armchair up to the window and sat gazing up at the Mystic Moon, blue and white in its seeming serenity. The Earth.is it still my home? Her family became so distant and otherworldly, but she dreamed that they have already flown out of Earth and were living in a beautiful planet free of war and sadness, much like Serenus. She herself, however, was very far from the physical paradise. It receded like the Earth, but she knows she will always be the sublunary child of both.

The door suddenly opened and in came Van, with a towel in his hand, wiping his wet hair. Because he had just taken a shower, he was not wearing a shirt. But Hitomi was no longer timid like before. She ran to him and they embraced each other tightly.

"Hitomi, I thought you were sleeping."

"I couldn't, not when I think about what might happen. Did you tell anyone?"

He closed the door. "No. And don't worry; I've managed to postpone the war. As far as they're concerned, the situation is holding. Guess it's up to us to work this out." He held her hand and led her into the bedchamber. Like the weight of a lifeless body, Van dropped onto his futon and lay face down in motionlessness. Hitomi sat down next to him and stroked his hair.

"You know what?" he said insipidly. "Nestor stopped me in the hall just now and reminded me that today's White, 12th Moon. My first reaction was, 'so what?', but then I remembered, it's my birthday. Of course, I told him not to arrange anything, the day is almost over anyways. I'm twenty, can you believe that?"

"I never knew when your birthday was. So, you're eight months, I mean.colors older than I am. Well, happy birthday," she bent down and kissed him on the lips. Then she added shyly, "happy birthday.my love."

Van instantly sat up and held her. "You've never called me that before. It's the best present I've ever gotten. Thank you." He returned a kiss - they no longer felt awkward in physical proximity. She leaned steadily on his chest, firm and smooth. The chain of the pendant was warm from the heat of their bodies. They remained thus in each other's arms for some time. It provided them their sole heaven amid the hell.

Then Van said weakly, "We have to talk about the Fireans." He unwound his arms from her waist and they say side by side on his bed, each staring at the ground.

"Van, if the Fireans are here on Gaea, that means there is a planet called Athlon, where Aleph said they lived."

"Must be. And somehow they came to Gaea. My guess is that Basram is their ally on Gaea, or else they would not have known which countries are ruled by kings. Basante must be getting some advantage. The message, it talked about vengeance."

"I assume it's from Branimir, right?"

"Yeah. This is a vengeance that spans millennia. He has chased Vannius, or rather.me, from the past life to this life. Remember Aleph said that Branimir's vengeance has a personal reason?"

"I somehow feel the reason has something to do with Seraphine."

"I think so too. After all, he did take her with him to Athlon. But she died and reincarnated. Ah." he groaned and rubbed his eyes. "I don't know, I just don't know."

"Neither do I, but I believe Aleph and Folken when they said that we'd come through."

Van drew his knees up to his chest. "He wants me. Asturia was attacked because of me. Now everyone's in danger because some immortal guy wants to kill me for a mistake I made thousands of years ago, and I don't even know what it is!" he bit his lip in self-contempt.

"No, Van, it's not your fault. Branimir was the rebel. You fought for your people then as you do now."

"My people? Heavens, I feel so selfish. Even with my entire burden, my suffering is nothing. There are so many others who are more unfortunate than we are." Hitomi nodded. "The poor, the weak, the sick, the odd, the lonely.what am I, a king, complaining about? So I guess I have to be strong for this. But I don't know, I just.Hitomi," he looked up at her, "I want to be free, free from war, free from evil. I really want to." Like a child, he lay down and curled up, resting his head on her lap. She smoothed back his hair and kissed his forehead. Somewhere deep inside her, she wanted to promise that she'd always be by his side, and bear the burden with him. But she refrained and said something else.

"Van, remember how Folken said 'let Freya's love heal you'? Cyprus told us that she was the Atlantean Goddess of Love and Hope. Well, I thought maybe we should pray to her."

"Pray? But I don't think I know how to do that."

"It's easy. Here, get on your knees and hold my hands." He did as she instructed. "Now, close your eyes and say your prayer in your mind. Tell her your dreams, your fears, your wishes." Amid the flickering candlelight, the two young souls joined together and reached for the Eternal, within and without.

The stillness was abruptly broken by Hitomi's gasp.

"What's wrong? Is it a vision?" he grabbed her by the shoulders.

"No. It's strange, it felt like an upsurge of power through my body, as if a part of me was being awakened. I have no idea what it is."

"So are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I just hope our prayer reached Freya."

"I'm sure it already has," he kissed her on the cheek and lay back down.

"Hey, Van," Hitomi then said, "you look really tired, do you want a massage?"

"A ma-sage? What's that?"

"Here, lie on your stomach." In confusion, Van let her turn him over, but in nervousness, he became even tenser.

But her hands, so tender, coupled with her strong massaging upon his weary shoulders, felt intoxicating. His eyelids drooped under the relaxing spell and the overbearing load of his life was lifted off by her fairy touch. Just as he was about to fall asleep, the bedroom door slammed open, startling them both with a loud bang.

Orion stumbled in, his shirt buttoned all the way down and he held a half-empty bottle of vino in his hand. He stepped onto Van's futon and began bouncing like a little child. Hitomi watched with amusement, though somewhat worried that a hyperactive man would cause greater damage than a child.

"Hail the conquering hero! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!" Orion sang at the top of his voice, then jumped down, grabbed Hitomi and began dancing with her in circles. "Good morning, Hitomi, good morning, my darling!" he sang again. She found it all quite hilarious, whereas Van vexingly pushed Orion away and took his bottle. "You're drunk."

"I.I, the great and undefeated general of Fanelia, cannot be drunk. You.and why.maybe I should be drunk, to celebrate your birthday. The big TWO ZERO!" he jumped onto Van's back but the latter quickly shoved him off.

"Orion, go to bed."

"Bed? It's daylight outside. It's so hot. Give me back my good vino," he snatched the bottle and took a big gulp. "The key.the key.lies in the three. Hey feline!" he yelled towards the door, and in came Merle, very discontented, holding a large shield before her thin body.

"Orion!" she growled, "talk about rude! Letting a girl carry something so heavy."

"Ah.so you do admit I'm a man!" he staggered over and grabbed the shield. "This baby is impenetrable," he threw it at Van. "Well, Fanel, that gives you white, yellow, orange, lilac.four colors in total to get me a nice present for my birthday."

Merle came up and pushed Orion aside. "Lord Van, the present is from the both of us. The steel came from Daedalus, and the designs were hand- carved by Etolian craftsmen. It's supposed to match the sword we gave you last year."

"I like it, thank you, Merle," he bent down and embraced her. "It's magnificent, though I wish you didn't go out of your way to get me something this costly."

Before Merle could reply, Orion cut in between them and tapped on the shield. "This baby ought to have you shining like a dragon.or, no wait, you already do that.maybe it was a cat?" In a frenzy of drunkenness and ludicrous outcries, he sank to the ground but Van caught him by the arms.

"Hitomi, I'm going to take him back to his room. I'll only be a minute," Van said to her and put the shield on the cabinet next to the sword. She nodded.

" 'Night, Hitomi," Merle said then winked, "Don't do anything I won't do!"

Van staggered out with Orion lumped against him, muttering some incoherent song beneath his breath. The noise faded down the hall. Shortly Van returned, more exhausted than before, and saw Hitomi sitting on the bed holding a wooden box.

"What's in here, Van?" she shook the box curiously.

Flushed and personal as he was, he quickly went over and took the box from her. "No-nothing.nothing important."

"You have it under locks, so it must be precious. I shook it and it sounded like a piece of paper. C'mon, show me!" she pulled his arm like a child.

"It's." he rolled his eyes, "Oh, alright!" he reached under the futon and found a key then threw it and the box to her.

Hitomi eagerly turned the key and opened the box to find a small painted portrait of herself in her old high school uniform. "Oh my God! It's me! It looks exactly like me! Uncanny! Did you draw this, Van?"

He lay down on the bed, hands behind his head. "No. You won't believe who did. It was Prince Chid. He said that's how he remembers you from five years ago. He gave it to me as a present, so I can always.remember what you look like."

"I had no idea Prince Chid was such a brilliant artist," Hitomi carefully put the picture back and returned the box to its place on the bed stand. Then she lay down and snuggled up next to Van.

"It's strange to see a picture of myself in that uniform. It seems so long ago. We've been through so much and it's only been what, five years? You know, Orion is."

"Incorrigible?"

"I was going to say intriguing. Especially since he used to your little brother in the past life."

"Well, life, past and present, has been hard for him, as it has been for all of us. He drank because he's anxious about the current crisis. You know, we still haven't figured out how you fit into the past life."

"I have a feeling we will soon," she curled up tighter against him.

"You know, we're lucky, all of us, we're lucky that we all met up. If only times were different. If only times were different."

Then they slept, head against head, with closed eyes gazing on an obscure past, an obscure future, and a seemingly non-existent present locked between the two. Other than their soft breathing, only the ticking of Hitomi's watch could be heard. ....

The same full-orbed moon that has risen tranquilly over Fanelia cast a veil of spectral paleness over Basram. Beneath the universal dark, Basram seemed a white sepulchre, embossed with black trees and modern iron buildings.

In the government headquarters, situated near the heart of the country, President Basante sat by a single oil lamp. On the table before him were piles of golden coins that he diligently counted. His fat hands then searched the dark drawers and took out a small account book. After some difficulty in holding the pen properly, he proceeded to write down the number, with his nose nearly touching the paper. But he suddenly forgot the number, so he put aside the book with a grunt and began counting again.

Basante! A voice unexpectedly rang out to him. Yet there was no one in the shadows. The sonorous, god-like voice came from above, and it was all-present, all-consuming. It shot through Basante's mind like a thunder of booming and forte instruments.

Basante scurried to the ground before the table and knelt down, and bowed, accidentally banging his head against the concrete ground. "My-my Lord Branimir!"

Well?

"I've.I've done as you, as you ordered, Your Grace."

Ah, don't use that word 'grace'. It's perfectly nauseating. Go on.

"Yes, Your.Greatness. We've managed to ravage most of the kingdoms on Gaea. There are yet a few left."

Look no further. You see, Basante, this is the problem with oracles: they're so vague. I was told that he reincarnated and is now a king of a kingdom on Gaea. Now, seeing as how Gaea obviously has more than one kingdom, I've had to resort to the pathetic scheme of attacking them all in order to smoke out my old friend. But, the voice cackled, I've already confirmed it. Those dragons came out of Fanelia and killed one of my darlings.

"Milord, do you mean to say that all this time it was Fanelia? You've been meaning to catch King Van? I thought as such."

Ah.yes. You've done well, Basante. You will have more to do. If you succeed, you will be rewarded. How does.oh.infinite wealth sound?

"Oh, thank you, Lord Branimir!" Basante nodded greedily and banged his head again.

The voice sniggered. You can take the treasures and do whatever you like. A being such as I have no use for wealth. Of course, I cannot give you the power of Atlantis. That's what I want for myself. It's rightfully mine.

"Of course, Lord. You Magnificence deserve the power to transform thought into energy, to create destiny!"

Hell, no! Don't you listen to that old fool Dornkirk. He knew nothing. Neither did Leon Schezar. The true power of Atlantis is greater than that. Understand something, Basante, destiny is not so easy to create. Hmm.as annoying as this is, the power is unleashed not by hate, but by love. I know, I know, but I didn't make up the rules. That goddamn Angelus did. I'm sure you've witnessed the power in the Destiny War. He wins, he always wins, because of her. His will is the key but his will is fuelled by her. Without her, the power is useless. Ah.if only she loved me. Yes.she whose wishes and emotions opens the gate of Time.

"Milord, do you mean to say that we should love our enemy?"

Fool! Have you been listening to me all this time? Let me ask this, what defeats love? You're going to say hate, but no, that is not the right answer. If love is a flame, we are its logs - it burns us but it needs us in order to burn. We either break it, or.if that fails, I have something else for the future.

"What are my orders now, Lord Branimir?"

Sit tight for now. Strengthen your men. I'll carry out my plan first then contact you with further instructions.

The voice died out, leaving Basante kneeling in the shadows. He knuckled his temple in confusion then scampered back to his coins. ....

Early mornings in Fanelia always have a purple tint. Hitomi opened her eyes slowly and inhaled but she did not smell a scent of lavender as she had hoped. The energy surge she felt last night when her and Van prayed still remained in her. She shuffled around uneasily then turned on her side and looked at Van.

He slept tense and straight, with a slight frown. She felt he looked like a dream, a beautiful dream. She did not have to look into his eyes to know that even in sleep his mind is troubled by heavy sentiments, tragedy and heroism. She scrutinized his neck and found it very poetic. Then she lightly touched the pendant hanging over his chest, and she ran her fingers along his thin, sculpture-like collarbones. All his physical greatness serves to conceal the oceanic soul beneath.

She positively began to play with his collarbones. In discomfort, Van woke up but smiled upon seeing her.

"Hey, handsome," she pushed aside the hair draped over his face. "You know, I really like sleeping next to you. It makes me feel like I'm home."

He touched her face sadly then sat up against the wall. "Another day, huh?"

She leaned over and they kissed. Then, suddenly, everything went dark for Hitomi. All around her was blackness, empty and still. Van disappeared. A mist of light descended but the light felt so hot and invasive. It gathered into a single point and stretched up until it became a pillar of light. Through her half-closed eyes, Hitomi saw herself, or an image of her future self being stolen away by the light. She heard herself screaming for Van. Then Escaflowne emerged from the darkness, with Van crying for her. The pillar withdrew into the sky, and Escaflowne chased after it. But suddenly, the dragon heart stopped beating and the fabric wings disappeared. As Escaflowne fell, Van flew up with his own wings and resumed the path of pursuit. But the sky blocked him, something struck him and he plunged with ineffectual wings, straight to the ground. The last image she saw was Van lying motionless in a pool of blood. Her scream filled the room.

"Hitomi! Hitomi!" he clutched and shook her, searching for a glimmer of life in her eyes. When she regained herself, she saw his anxious face, on the brink of tears.

"Oh Van! Thank goodness you're okay!" she cried out then held him in her violently shaking arms.

"Me? I was worried about you. Was it a vision?"

"Oh God!" she shuddered, "It was my worst nightmare. I was taken by the pillar of light, but when you came to chase after me, Escaflowne crashed and you fell, then you.you died!" She buried her face in his arms.

"But you've had these visions before, and they didn't come true, right?"

"Because I was able to stop them. But if I'm taken away, I won't be here to prevent it. This means that when the pillar of light comes, you can't fly after me!"

"What? How do you expect me not to? I have to give it a try. Maybe it'll be different."

"No, you will die! Wherever I get transported to, I'll be okay. We'll figure something out later. I cannot let the vision come true! I need you alive. Fanelia needs you alive. I'd rather be separated from you than have you die!" she yelled with a passion.

"But I'd rather die than be separated from you again!"

"Van, don't be selfish and stubborn," they both stood up furiously and Hitomi walked over to the window.

"How could you say that? If I had been selfish and stubborn enough, I would never have let you go five years ago! On Serenus, you said you'd live in Fanelia from now on, you said that, you said it's your home! So we've both decided that you would stay. Now if some external force is going to separate us, either by distance or death, then by heavens, I won't let it! For all we know, you may be transported to somewhere dangerous, I need to be there to protect you!"

She crossed her arms and stared at the view, and did not answer for a long time. "You know something, Van, I think I was wrong on Serenus when I decided to stay with you. I didn't think it through. I don't really think Fanelia is my home. Earth is."

"What?" he whispered wretchedly. She has never used such a cold tone with him.

"You know why you shouldn't come after me? Because I don't want you to. I want the pillar of light to take me home. I may not have a family anymore, but I still have friends. You shouldn't think you're all I've got."

"Hi-Hitomi?"

"Damn it, Van, damn it all!" she swore for the first time in front of him. "Can't you see that the prophecy is true? The king of Fanelia, part draconian, pilot of the Ispano guymelef, is destined for the winged sorceress from Serenus who opens the portal of Time and moves the heavens! And you know what, that's not me! It's Seraphine! That's probably why Branimir wants to kill you, because he loves her too." She walked up to him and stared at him in the face. "She is your destiny. Defy it if you can, dragon."

Van blinked his dry eyes and everything before him faded to dust. He nodded to himself then turned and proceeded with laboured steps to the door. When he opened it, Orion and Merle, who had been crouching outside the door, fell in on his feet. They expected a furious glare, but all they received from Van before he walked off was a tragic smile.

Merle stormed into the room. "How could you, Hitomi, how could you? You hurt him five years ago, must you do it over and over again? Lord Van loves you so much, can you not see that? He really would rather die! You and your stupid visions!" Merle stumped her foot then ran out in tears.

Hitomi stood like stone and stared at the dust particles floating in the bright morning light. Then, as if in a swoon, she dropped against the wall and glided down to the ground. A sheer, blank abyss consumed her.

Orion walked in and casually squatted down beside her. "You know, Van may be great with people in the public sphere but in his private life, he's not that smart with people, not usually anyways. He's simply too honest to know that you didn't mean a word you just said. Gotta hand it to you, you're great at acting. Sure fooled the two of them," he held out a handkerchief. She looked down and took it to wipe her tears.

Orion continued. "Merle and I are masters at eavesdropping. We heard about the vision. So don't hate yourself. But Merle's right, he would rather die, the same way he'd die for ideals on a battlefield. That's Van for ya!" She still kept her head down. "You have no idea how hard the past five years without you have been for him. He'd like to think that he has a choice, but the choice is really yours. You choose to stay or leave. Because he loves you, he trusts that whatever choice you make is the best one, so he'll accept it the way an old man resigns to death. C'mon," he pulled her up and helped her to an armchair.

"Let him resign to it for now. Don't you worry, Hitomi, I'll be here to save him if he ever needs the help. But eventually, he'll figure his way out and you two will be together again."

Hitomi peered up at Orion, so different from last night. She saw how his clean, gentle and sunny face reminded her of her own brother. That face was like a windswept plain upon which light and shadow danced continually. "Orion," she finally said, "You believe in Van, don't you?"

He grinned. "It's not so much belief as it is innate knowledge." He then kissed her hand and left the room. Alone and cold, she covered her mouth to muffle her convulsive sobs. ....

In the morning, old Nestor had been down by the canal making an updated report on the citizens' well-being and living arrangements. As soon as he received word that King Van is called an emergency meeting, he ran as fast as his aged body could allow. When he arrived panting and aching, all the lords of Fanelia and Asturia have already assembled in the conference room. Van sat expressionless at the head of the table, next to Allen and Millerna. The meeting was to be kept a secret among the governing people of the two countries. Nestor recorded the following details in his daybook:

"White, 13th Moon, Year of the Emerald Star, 5 ADW King Van began the meeting by reiterating the conclusions of yester night's Gaean Alliance meeting: the triumvirate was dissolved, economic sanctions were imposed against Basram, and further weapons development was permitted. The question of war was left unanswered. He now informed us that the enemy that has set base on Oceanus Procellarum is a group called the Fireans, who possess power from Atlantis, and are in league with Basram. While the motive of their belligerence is yet unknown, King Van is certain they will attack Fanelia soon. Therefore, to protect the people of both countries, he has proposed a secret scheme not to be revealed to our allies: the cliffs behind the castle have been tested previously for stability and experts say they could be drilled in case the city should expand. King Van suggests we do drill into the cliffs and create chambers hidden inside where our people may evacuate to in order to be protected from the future attack. Everyone voted in favour of the scheme, though not without uncertainty as to its success." Nestor and his colleagues then commenced the weary business of drawing up plans and hiring workmen. The scheme was coined Operation High Sky.

Allen took one look at Van and offered to supervise the operation while Van took a break. Van neither accepted nor refused, just simply shrugged his shoulders and headed down to the garden.

The line of path he walked was zigzagged, and the onlookers sighed with concern at their king. He stumbled across Merle kneeling beside a little cat girl, lying by the fountain.

"Oh, Lord Van, are you alright?"

"Sure, Merle, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you know.with Hitomi?"

He knelt down next to her and looked at the sleeping child. "And who's this?"

"Oh, this is Vianne. I told you about her in the letter, remember? I've been meaning to tell you.I want to adopt her as my child. I'll raise her on my own, because I really love her. Is it.is it okay with you?"

"You don't need my permission, Merle. The castle will be brighter with a child around," he touched Vianne's cheek.

The child suddenly opened her big, crystal eyes. "The king!" she said in her adorable little voice and giggled.

"Hello, Vianne."

"You know my name!" she got up excitedly and crawled onto his lap and began exploring his face with her tiny hands. "Miss Merle say Lady Hitomi from Mystic Moon, all the way up."

At this time, Hitomi, after pacing around and recalling everything that ever happened with Van, decided to come and apologize. She found him by the fountain but she paused behind the corner and listened to him talk with the little girl.

"King Van," Vianne tucked on his shirt, "tell me about her."

"Well.she's got beautiful green eyes like you. She.she helps us all a lot. I like it when she smiles a lot. She's kind, and.and." Hitomi, leaning against the wall, felt her tears hot on her cheeks.

"Miss Merle tell Vianne you love each other. What's it feel like?"

"Love? Well.I've never really thought about that. I suppose love is not like anything else. It can't be compared. Like what you and Miss Merle share is love."

"So it's the happiest thing in the world?"

"Yes.I suppose it is." Van gently placed the girl on her bed and kissed her forehead.

Hitomi felt she could withhold no longer. In the corner of her mind, she seemed to have heard music, a melodious, angelic silver stream of notes that trickled out from some enchanted vale. She closed her eyes to listen to its sorrowful beauty and took a step out from behind the corner, towards Van.

But the sunpillar shot down with incredible force and hostility, throbbing in its cold blue light. Hitomi was instantly imprisoned by its grasp and she floated up, helpless, horrified and screaming.

Van turned around immediately. White feathers then glided upon the wind that carried away his calls of her name. His feet lifted off the ground.

~ End of Part VI ~



Notes and Points of Interest: The title "Angelus of War" was taken from the poem "The Broken Tower" by Hart Crane; an angelus is the bell announcing the Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary said at morning, noon and sunset. Geography: other than Asgard, the names of the other continents on Gaea were taken from cities in ancient Greece and Rome. Sorry, I really don't know if the original series had names for the continents. Gaean Calendar: most of Book One takes place in the Year of the Emerald Star (it connects with Hitomi's eyes, the color of Fanelia and the green star Van named on Serenus), and it's 5 ADW, which stands for five years After Destiny War, a term Van made up. As far as the months go, I've made some up whereas the others are taken from the Compendium, based on the original series: Jan.- emerald, Feb.- purple, Mar.- rose, Apr.- white, May- yellow, Jun.- orange, Jul.- lilac, Aug.- red, Sep.- brown, Oct.- grey, Nov.- blue, Dec.- green. Orion mentioned his birthday, and it's on Red, 4th Moon (August 4th). Triumvirate: a ruling group of three men in ancient Rome. Guess I should have mentioned this in chapter one, but I didn't have a notes section back then. Also, triumvir doesn't really mean "first among equals", I believe that's what a principate is. Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms) is an actual ocean (the only one) on Earth's Moon Two of the books Hitomi saw in Van's room, "Ways of Warriors, Codes of Kings" and "The Book of Five Rings" are actual ancient Japanese texts on the art of war and swordsmanship. Poetics is just a fictional language I made up (like Atlantean), it has nothing to do with poetry, except the fact it's spoken only by poets, philosophers, men of letters and students. Orion and Selena will speak a few lines of it in a later chapter.