Disclaimer: I do own Escaflowne!!! ^-^ *holds up papers written in really
bad cursive saying 'Eva Maverx legally (something something) owns
Escaflowne. Signed R.P.P.T.C.D.S.L.T a.k.a. Really Powerfull People That
Can Do Stuff Like That* Hahahaha!!! *suddenly lil red dots of light begin
to a appear on her forehead and on the paper* Ehehehehehe......*looks at
paper than her* Ehe he.....o.o hehe.....*runs off just after the snipers
begin to shoot tearing the paper to shreads and the place where she once
stood* Okay okay I don't own Escaflowne!! Mommy!!! O_O -------- Really bad
humor again *sweatdrops trying to ignore the various objects hitting her*
-_- I should just give up....
~font~ = past things said or memories
'font'= thoughts
(font)=author's note and lil things that I just HAVE to say o.o
Chapter 7
Sighing as he sat next to the bed Van stared at the pale girl who had been lying motionless for about three hours. Blinking he looked out the window as he continued to hold her left hand and rub it with his thumb in circles.
Blinking out of his trance he turned to the door as a knock came from the other side of it. "Come in," He called back.
Soon after that Allen's head appeared from the outside of the door. Closing the door silently he walked to Van.
"How is she?" Allen eyed Hitomi's thin body lying on the bed.
"Good. She's making progress." Van said with a deep sigh, forcing a smile but got a smirk.
The truth was he didn't have a clue. She showed no signs of getting worse or better. Allen smiled a bit then kneeled next to Hitomi's side.
"Van." Allen said not breaking his gaze from Hitomi. "Have you noticed how much Hitomi has changed?"
Van then looked at her. He really hadn't had time where he could just look at her. Ever since they attacked the floating fortress there wasn't a free second where he could just look at her, to see how much she had changed.
She looked older than before. But........how did she get like that?
'That machine she was in probably did it to her.' He wasn't really mad. He liked her this way, not that he didn't like her before. Van snapped back to his senses when Allen stood back up and walked to the door.
"Tell me when she wakes up." he called while walking down the hall.
He watched the door for a second then pulled a chair up to the bedside, sat down in and held on to Hitomi's hand tightly. Lying his head down on her bed, he felt tired and was soon asleep.
Only was he awakened when Merle bounded in telling him lunch was ready. He refused to leave making Merle leave. But she came back with Allen. They got him out of the room by dragging, Van struggling but gave up finally.
The moment the door clicked shut Hitomi's eyes snapped open. Jolting up in bed she looked around.
"Where am I?"
Holding her head the last thing she remembered was falling. Shaking her head aggravated she growled and looked back up.
The black ring upon her hand was glowing more than usual. Pushing the sheets back she stood up and winced she a little when she bent her side.
Looking down a questionable look came on her face seeing the wound that was bandaged.
Gritting her teeth she tore the bandages off her side and saw a slightly bloody scar that was now exposed on her side from the torn dress.
Walking to the door she creaked it open slightly just enough to poke her head out and look around.
After making sure no one was coming she carefully walked from the room geting a slow pace.
As she made a turn in to another room a certain decoration caught her attention that was hanging on the wall. It was something pretty much every castle would have. Two swords crossed over one in other on the flag of Asturia.
She thought for a moment her deep green eyes never leaving them. Her brow kneaded as she reached up, gripped one sword by it's handle and yanked it off. Holding it up she looked at her reflection in the blade.
"Just incase I run in to Van." She whispered then lowered the sword to her side and continued walking.
'How am I going to get back to Zaibach? This place is probably crawling with guards so I can't escape unnoticed. Damnit!' She growled in frustration and continued to walk to the halls.
"Dilandou......."
She whispered and stopped before tilting her head down as her bangs covered her eyes. Her body shuddered as she began to cry.
How was she going to get back to him?
Snapping her head back up she wiped her eyes dry and clenched her fists. She wouldn't cry. Not now. She would get back to Dilandou no matter what. And kill Van.
She whirled around when footsteps echoed behind her in the halls. Looking around franticly she spotted Van turning a corner and coming down the hall to her.
He hadn't seen her yet. Quickly looking around she couldn't find any place to run and turned back just to Van's face.
He blinked curiously at her.
"Hitomi what are you doing up?"
"Uh....."
Hitomi's eyes kept glancing around while she stuttered. Frowning Van looked over her and his eyes caught the sword in her hand.
"What are you doing with that sword??"
"For protection." She answered confidently since it was the truth. He gave her an odd look than sighed and shook his head.
"You still shouldn't be up Hitomi. Your wounds haven't healed yet." Grabbing her arms gently he began to lead her back to her room.
Her mind raced before she stopped abruptly. "No. I have to find.........uh.....Merle!" She said the first name that came to her mind. She looked up to see Van's face looking skeptical.
Hitomi continued. "She came in......telling me that when I woke up she wanted to talk to me about something."
"Alright, I'll help you find her."
"No!" She shouted without thinking than chuckled. "That's alright, you don't have to help me, I'll go find her myself." Slowly Hitomi began to back away to the corner.
Before Van could say anything she ran around the corner giving a hurried "Bye!"
Growling Hitomi kept running and scowled herself over and over in her head.
'Idiot! Why didn't I kill him back there?! Something was holding me back. What?!'
Shaking her head violently she clenched her fists and held the sword in front of her as she saw the first pair of guards standing by a door.
With quick swipes of her swords she dissarmed them and killed them before they knew what was happening.
Standing over one she picked up a pair of keys from one of their belts and then stared at the blood running down her sword.
Her eyes narrowed and she gritted her teeth while clenching her fists.
'You'll die Fanel. Next time....I won't be held back!'
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
Sighing Van ran a hand through his hair before he turned around and ran into someone. Wincing he looked up.
"Merle?"
Blinking the cat girl look up from rubbing her butt and gasped.
"Lord Van!"
Standing up she helped Van up to his feet and looked around him curiously. Van watched her for a moment.
"Whats wrong Merle?"
After she looked around the hall she turned back to him and he saw the worry etched on her face.
"Lord Van have you seen Hitomi? She's not in her room!"
"I bumped in to her just a bit ago. She's looking for you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, she said you wanted to talk to her about something."
The look on Merle's face confused him. It had worry on it all over again along with confusion.
"But I couldn't of."
"What??"
"I haven't even seen her today."
Gasping Van, without thought, took off in the direction Hitomi went leaving Merle to yell behind him.
"Lord Van! Where are you going?!"
Ignoring her he kept running thinking over and over what Merle had said.
'She hadn't even seen Hitomi today. So she couldn't of said she wanted to talk to her!! That means.........'
Going by a window he heard a scream of pain that was quickly cut off. Grimacing he slowly looked out the window and felt his throat tighten.
Outside and below him Hitomi gave a quick jerk to pull her sword from the guards body that went limp and hit the floor with a thud.
She must of sensed eyes on her because her head snapped up at him.
For a moment her eyes widened but than they narrowed in hate. They looked almost glazed over before she jerked her head to the side and ran out the gates.
Van watched for a few seconds than looked around.
'No ones watching......'
Hesitantly he jumped up on the window sill, slipped off his shirt than sprout his white wings with a slight grunt of pain.
Again looking around he jumped off than glided down over Hitomi.
She gasped when she saw the shadow of Van and ran faster before she came to an abrupt halt and glared up at Van.
He landed and let his wings disappear, barely having to to block a blow from Hitomi.
Grunting he did his best just to hold her at bay.
'Damnit.....'
His eyes raced around him, looking for any object that could be used to help. He caught sight of a broken wood spear to is side.
'Okay...'
Glancing back at Hitomi he rolled to the broken spear and held is sword in front of him to block any attack. Reaching Van grabbed the spear than knelt and jumped just to miss Hitomi's sword.
Getting to his feet and blocked her sword again and locked them. Then holding the sword with one hand he gripped the spear and swung it at her feet.
Hitomi gasped when she felt her feet pulled out from underneath her than the impact of the ground on her back.
Wincing she was about to get back up when a sharp pain hit her on the back of her head and everything went black as she collapsed. Van panted above her and dropped the spear on the ground.
Sighing Van fell to his knees and looked at the unconscious girl.
"What is going on??"
Shaking his head in frustration he stood up and walked to Hitomi. Bending down he carefully picked her up in his arms than shifted her a little before walking back to the castle.
What he didn't notice was someone hiding in the shade of tree.
Slinking out they reached out to catch two strands of long light brown hair, that we're caught on a tree's branch.
Satisfied they went back to the protection of the shadows and disappeared.
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
"Lord Van what happened to Hitomi??"
Going around in circles Merle fretted about the two as Van carried Hitomi back to her room.
"I'm not sure really. It was like she was a different person."
'Like that time in the flying fortress....'
Puzzled over the matter he sighed than gently laid the body back on the bed. As he pulled the covers over her Van turned around when he heard the door open.
In the door way stood Millerna and Dryden.
Millerna with a worried expression walked to the bedside. "Is Hitomi all right? What happened?"
Van gave a shrug. "I would like to know that myself."
Silent on the other side of the room Dryden watched them for a few moments, scratching his chin and taking in minor details till he noticed something.
"What a sec....."
Frowning he walked to the bed, knelt down than took Hitomi's hand and stared at silver ring. The others watched him stare at it intently and finger it for a bit than stand up and scratch at his head.
"Dryden?"
Millerna put a hand on his shoulder that he seemed to ignore before he turned to her. "Millerna can I look in your library?"
The question gave her a puzzled look but she nodded.
"Yes..."
Quickly Dryden walked out of the room in a stride leaving the others curious. Turning back to them Millerna said "I'll go see what he's up to. Merle, Van can you to watch over Hitomi till we get back?"
They both nodded to her, she smiled than left to follow Dryden.
A soft weak moan came from the bed capturing both their attention. Merle scampered to the bed side just as Hitomi's eyes opened.
"Hitomi you're awake!"
She squealed and latched her arms around the teen's neck. Hitomi, baffled at Merle's sudden show of attention but still happy for it smiled lightly.
"Hey Merle..."
Letting go of her friend's neck Merle knelt by the side of the bed.
"Are you alright? Do you feel well? Is there anything thing you need? What ha-"
Van set a hand on her head to motion for her to stop talking, which she did, than he looked back to Hitomi who chuckled weakly.
"I'm fine Merle, thanks."
The two exchanged relieved sighs which was followed by a heavy silence from the three. After all the running around they were finally able to sit still. Van had so many questions before but now, that everything was quiet and calm he couldn't think of anything to say.
Merle was the opposite.
She had been so curious about what had happened the day Hitomi disappeared. And she wanted answers now that she was back.
"Hitomi what made you run away to Zaibach?"
Another silence fell as the two looked at the stiff girl. Hitomi stared at the ceiling as she thought back to that day.
'What really did happen? It was so strange........almost a blur...'
Groaning she gripped her hair as she recalled a bright light, wind, the pain.......
Eyes.
Red eyes.
Her own eyes went wide as she remembered, image perfect of the girl she had seen. Pale blonde hair, red eyes and wings.
'Was she an angel or draconian?'
'What did she do to me??'
Placing a hand on her chest she could almost still feel when it had merged with her. But for some odd reason it almost felt like it had been missing and was just now returning to her again.
"Hitomi?"
Looking to the side she saw the concerned red/brown eyes of Van. Smiling at him she touched his tan cheek with her finger tips.
He reached up and took her hand and smiled back at her.
Merle worked on ignore the two love birds and tried to continue with her questions. "Hitomi why do you look so different? You look older."
This time Hitomi turned her gaze to Merle.
"I am, kinda. You see..." she took a few moments to sit up against her pillows. "When I was captured by Zaibach, after I ran away Dornkirk made me become his seer."
She scowled when she remembered that. "He threatened to attack Asturia if I didn't agree to it. Than Folken..." By mentioning his name she saw Van visibly stiffen and growl lowly, so she took his hand and continued. "Wanted to run some tests."
Rubbing her temples with her other hand she vaguely could recall what happened.
"I don't remember what really happened but I got in this weird machine than fell asleep, or something like that. I woke up a few hours later and I was like this."
She motioned to her hair.
"Folken said that they had tried to amplify my powers to their uses but it gave strange side effects. Which was my body aging two years."
Merle looked her over. "I thought you looked older. So you're seventeen now, right?"
"Well he said I'm still fifteen but my body is older actually. So I'm guessing, maybe, that in the next two years I won't grow at all."
To her side she saw Merle playing with her long hair.
"You acutally look like a girl now Hitomi, with your long hair that is."
"Hey!"
Merle snickered and avoided and pillow thrown at her before she hopped on the end of the bed.
Just than the door was shoved open and Dryden strode in quickly, followed by Millerna who was carrying a few books. He motioned Van to move aside than he sat by the end of the bed and took Hitomi's hand again.
He looked over it again a few times and pawed through the books, taking one than putting it back in Millerna's arms and taking another one.
Finally he looked up to Hitomi who was puzzled at this actions.
"Hitomi try to take the ring off."
She gave him a look for a moment than reached up and pulled at the ring. She was surprised when it didn't budge and she tried again but it didn't move.
Merle trotted up to her side.
"Is it too tight or something?"
Shaking her head Hitomi tried again. "No, it's fine but it just won't...." Grimacing she pulled harder.
Watching this carefully Dryden grabbed another book and skimmed through a few pages. "And it shouldn't come off......"
All heads turned to him as he stood up slowly, rubbing his forehead before looking Hitomi straight in the eye. For a few moments he was quiet, trying to choose his words carefully before he stood up.
"That ring has a cerse stone on it."
Van looked at the black stone than back at Dryden. "Cerse? I've never heard of that...." "And you shouldn't of."
Dryden pushed his glasses back up his nose and thought for a few moments before continuing. "Cerse stones are very rare and are dug up only in the mountain range near Zaibach's western borders."
Walking around the room, mostly in circles he thought carefully.
"Hitomi have you noticed anything strange about your behavior or do you have times where you can't remember what happened? Almost like select amnesia?"
"A few times....yes.....but what-?"
"Also, from what I hear from Van and Allen........has Dilandou been acting a different ways towards you?"
"Uh......yes..."
Stopping Dryden turned the the curious faces and took a deep breath before sighing.
"Dryden what are you getting at any ways?" Van was becoming slightly annoyed at all the questions and no answers.
"From what.......I've heard and read and from what you have told me......it seems our Hitomi...has two different personalities."
Stiffening Hitomi shook her head lightly before looking back up. "Two? Different personalities?"
Dryden nodded and pulled a chair from the nearby desk and sat down, leaning over. "You see the cerse stone has not been used very many times. It is a strange stone that no one knows very much about. But, what few know is that the stone, in a way is alive almost..."
"Alive?" Millerna questioned and sat on the edge of the bed. "Is that possible?"
"Yes it is. They are much like drag energistes. They once were the living heart of race that died out. What Zaibach as figured out to do is alter these stones to fit their purpose."
"Which is.....?" Merle flicked her tail in annoyance.
Sighing Dryden leaned back. "It's hard to explain....... You see....if you get someone to wear this stone, in anyway than that stone will in a way posses them. The stone creates a personality of it's own in the wearer's body. What Zaibach was able to do with Hitomi's is alter it so the stone will create a personality for their own liking. This personality will be able to over through the normal one, usually, in an when the body is in an unconscious state."
Looking directly in Hitomi's eyes Dryden spoke mostly on to her.
"You have another person living inside of you. She has her own feelings, thoughts and emotions. And from what I hear.........she loves Dilandou. And chances are Zaibach will want 'her' back. She is exactly like you, and at the same time she's not. She can do everything you can do."
"So....." Van spoke softly. "They'll want her because she can predict the future like Hitomi..."
"Right."
"But why can't I get the ring off?"
"Who put the ring on you first?"
"Dilandou....."
"Only he can take it off. Whoever put the stone on first is the only person who can take it off."
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
End of Part 7
Gomen for those who thought this chapter was boring cause it kinda is stating the obvious. Well that wasn't really as long as I probably promised it would be, but than again I didn't update in like forever so I won't be surprised if I dun get any reviews, eheheh. Oh well, those who DID read it I hope you liked. Ja ne!
Eva Maverx
~font~ = past things said or memories
'font'= thoughts
(font)=author's note and lil things that I just HAVE to say o.o
Chapter 7
Sighing as he sat next to the bed Van stared at the pale girl who had been lying motionless for about three hours. Blinking he looked out the window as he continued to hold her left hand and rub it with his thumb in circles.
Blinking out of his trance he turned to the door as a knock came from the other side of it. "Come in," He called back.
Soon after that Allen's head appeared from the outside of the door. Closing the door silently he walked to Van.
"How is she?" Allen eyed Hitomi's thin body lying on the bed.
"Good. She's making progress." Van said with a deep sigh, forcing a smile but got a smirk.
The truth was he didn't have a clue. She showed no signs of getting worse or better. Allen smiled a bit then kneeled next to Hitomi's side.
"Van." Allen said not breaking his gaze from Hitomi. "Have you noticed how much Hitomi has changed?"
Van then looked at her. He really hadn't had time where he could just look at her. Ever since they attacked the floating fortress there wasn't a free second where he could just look at her, to see how much she had changed.
She looked older than before. But........how did she get like that?
'That machine she was in probably did it to her.' He wasn't really mad. He liked her this way, not that he didn't like her before. Van snapped back to his senses when Allen stood back up and walked to the door.
"Tell me when she wakes up." he called while walking down the hall.
He watched the door for a second then pulled a chair up to the bedside, sat down in and held on to Hitomi's hand tightly. Lying his head down on her bed, he felt tired and was soon asleep.
Only was he awakened when Merle bounded in telling him lunch was ready. He refused to leave making Merle leave. But she came back with Allen. They got him out of the room by dragging, Van struggling but gave up finally.
The moment the door clicked shut Hitomi's eyes snapped open. Jolting up in bed she looked around.
"Where am I?"
Holding her head the last thing she remembered was falling. Shaking her head aggravated she growled and looked back up.
The black ring upon her hand was glowing more than usual. Pushing the sheets back she stood up and winced she a little when she bent her side.
Looking down a questionable look came on her face seeing the wound that was bandaged.
Gritting her teeth she tore the bandages off her side and saw a slightly bloody scar that was now exposed on her side from the torn dress.
Walking to the door she creaked it open slightly just enough to poke her head out and look around.
After making sure no one was coming she carefully walked from the room geting a slow pace.
As she made a turn in to another room a certain decoration caught her attention that was hanging on the wall. It was something pretty much every castle would have. Two swords crossed over one in other on the flag of Asturia.
She thought for a moment her deep green eyes never leaving them. Her brow kneaded as she reached up, gripped one sword by it's handle and yanked it off. Holding it up she looked at her reflection in the blade.
"Just incase I run in to Van." She whispered then lowered the sword to her side and continued walking.
'How am I going to get back to Zaibach? This place is probably crawling with guards so I can't escape unnoticed. Damnit!' She growled in frustration and continued to walk to the halls.
"Dilandou......."
She whispered and stopped before tilting her head down as her bangs covered her eyes. Her body shuddered as she began to cry.
How was she going to get back to him?
Snapping her head back up she wiped her eyes dry and clenched her fists. She wouldn't cry. Not now. She would get back to Dilandou no matter what. And kill Van.
She whirled around when footsteps echoed behind her in the halls. Looking around franticly she spotted Van turning a corner and coming down the hall to her.
He hadn't seen her yet. Quickly looking around she couldn't find any place to run and turned back just to Van's face.
He blinked curiously at her.
"Hitomi what are you doing up?"
"Uh....."
Hitomi's eyes kept glancing around while she stuttered. Frowning Van looked over her and his eyes caught the sword in her hand.
"What are you doing with that sword??"
"For protection." She answered confidently since it was the truth. He gave her an odd look than sighed and shook his head.
"You still shouldn't be up Hitomi. Your wounds haven't healed yet." Grabbing her arms gently he began to lead her back to her room.
Her mind raced before she stopped abruptly. "No. I have to find.........uh.....Merle!" She said the first name that came to her mind. She looked up to see Van's face looking skeptical.
Hitomi continued. "She came in......telling me that when I woke up she wanted to talk to me about something."
"Alright, I'll help you find her."
"No!" She shouted without thinking than chuckled. "That's alright, you don't have to help me, I'll go find her myself." Slowly Hitomi began to back away to the corner.
Before Van could say anything she ran around the corner giving a hurried "Bye!"
Growling Hitomi kept running and scowled herself over and over in her head.
'Idiot! Why didn't I kill him back there?! Something was holding me back. What?!'
Shaking her head violently she clenched her fists and held the sword in front of her as she saw the first pair of guards standing by a door.
With quick swipes of her swords she dissarmed them and killed them before they knew what was happening.
Standing over one she picked up a pair of keys from one of their belts and then stared at the blood running down her sword.
Her eyes narrowed and she gritted her teeth while clenching her fists.
'You'll die Fanel. Next time....I won't be held back!'
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
Sighing Van ran a hand through his hair before he turned around and ran into someone. Wincing he looked up.
"Merle?"
Blinking the cat girl look up from rubbing her butt and gasped.
"Lord Van!"
Standing up she helped Van up to his feet and looked around him curiously. Van watched her for a moment.
"Whats wrong Merle?"
After she looked around the hall she turned back to him and he saw the worry etched on her face.
"Lord Van have you seen Hitomi? She's not in her room!"
"I bumped in to her just a bit ago. She's looking for you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, she said you wanted to talk to her about something."
The look on Merle's face confused him. It had worry on it all over again along with confusion.
"But I couldn't of."
"What??"
"I haven't even seen her today."
Gasping Van, without thought, took off in the direction Hitomi went leaving Merle to yell behind him.
"Lord Van! Where are you going?!"
Ignoring her he kept running thinking over and over what Merle had said.
'She hadn't even seen Hitomi today. So she couldn't of said she wanted to talk to her!! That means.........'
Going by a window he heard a scream of pain that was quickly cut off. Grimacing he slowly looked out the window and felt his throat tighten.
Outside and below him Hitomi gave a quick jerk to pull her sword from the guards body that went limp and hit the floor with a thud.
She must of sensed eyes on her because her head snapped up at him.
For a moment her eyes widened but than they narrowed in hate. They looked almost glazed over before she jerked her head to the side and ran out the gates.
Van watched for a few seconds than looked around.
'No ones watching......'
Hesitantly he jumped up on the window sill, slipped off his shirt than sprout his white wings with a slight grunt of pain.
Again looking around he jumped off than glided down over Hitomi.
She gasped when she saw the shadow of Van and ran faster before she came to an abrupt halt and glared up at Van.
He landed and let his wings disappear, barely having to to block a blow from Hitomi.
Grunting he did his best just to hold her at bay.
'Damnit.....'
His eyes raced around him, looking for any object that could be used to help. He caught sight of a broken wood spear to is side.
'Okay...'
Glancing back at Hitomi he rolled to the broken spear and held is sword in front of him to block any attack. Reaching Van grabbed the spear than knelt and jumped just to miss Hitomi's sword.
Getting to his feet and blocked her sword again and locked them. Then holding the sword with one hand he gripped the spear and swung it at her feet.
Hitomi gasped when she felt her feet pulled out from underneath her than the impact of the ground on her back.
Wincing she was about to get back up when a sharp pain hit her on the back of her head and everything went black as she collapsed. Van panted above her and dropped the spear on the ground.
Sighing Van fell to his knees and looked at the unconscious girl.
"What is going on??"
Shaking his head in frustration he stood up and walked to Hitomi. Bending down he carefully picked her up in his arms than shifted her a little before walking back to the castle.
What he didn't notice was someone hiding in the shade of tree.
Slinking out they reached out to catch two strands of long light brown hair, that we're caught on a tree's branch.
Satisfied they went back to the protection of the shadows and disappeared.
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
"Lord Van what happened to Hitomi??"
Going around in circles Merle fretted about the two as Van carried Hitomi back to her room.
"I'm not sure really. It was like she was a different person."
'Like that time in the flying fortress....'
Puzzled over the matter he sighed than gently laid the body back on the bed. As he pulled the covers over her Van turned around when he heard the door open.
In the door way stood Millerna and Dryden.
Millerna with a worried expression walked to the bedside. "Is Hitomi all right? What happened?"
Van gave a shrug. "I would like to know that myself."
Silent on the other side of the room Dryden watched them for a few moments, scratching his chin and taking in minor details till he noticed something.
"What a sec....."
Frowning he walked to the bed, knelt down than took Hitomi's hand and stared at silver ring. The others watched him stare at it intently and finger it for a bit than stand up and scratch at his head.
"Dryden?"
Millerna put a hand on his shoulder that he seemed to ignore before he turned to her. "Millerna can I look in your library?"
The question gave her a puzzled look but she nodded.
"Yes..."
Quickly Dryden walked out of the room in a stride leaving the others curious. Turning back to them Millerna said "I'll go see what he's up to. Merle, Van can you to watch over Hitomi till we get back?"
They both nodded to her, she smiled than left to follow Dryden.
A soft weak moan came from the bed capturing both their attention. Merle scampered to the bed side just as Hitomi's eyes opened.
"Hitomi you're awake!"
She squealed and latched her arms around the teen's neck. Hitomi, baffled at Merle's sudden show of attention but still happy for it smiled lightly.
"Hey Merle..."
Letting go of her friend's neck Merle knelt by the side of the bed.
"Are you alright? Do you feel well? Is there anything thing you need? What ha-"
Van set a hand on her head to motion for her to stop talking, which she did, than he looked back to Hitomi who chuckled weakly.
"I'm fine Merle, thanks."
The two exchanged relieved sighs which was followed by a heavy silence from the three. After all the running around they were finally able to sit still. Van had so many questions before but now, that everything was quiet and calm he couldn't think of anything to say.
Merle was the opposite.
She had been so curious about what had happened the day Hitomi disappeared. And she wanted answers now that she was back.
"Hitomi what made you run away to Zaibach?"
Another silence fell as the two looked at the stiff girl. Hitomi stared at the ceiling as she thought back to that day.
'What really did happen? It was so strange........almost a blur...'
Groaning she gripped her hair as she recalled a bright light, wind, the pain.......
Eyes.
Red eyes.
Her own eyes went wide as she remembered, image perfect of the girl she had seen. Pale blonde hair, red eyes and wings.
'Was she an angel or draconian?'
'What did she do to me??'
Placing a hand on her chest she could almost still feel when it had merged with her. But for some odd reason it almost felt like it had been missing and was just now returning to her again.
"Hitomi?"
Looking to the side she saw the concerned red/brown eyes of Van. Smiling at him she touched his tan cheek with her finger tips.
He reached up and took her hand and smiled back at her.
Merle worked on ignore the two love birds and tried to continue with her questions. "Hitomi why do you look so different? You look older."
This time Hitomi turned her gaze to Merle.
"I am, kinda. You see..." she took a few moments to sit up against her pillows. "When I was captured by Zaibach, after I ran away Dornkirk made me become his seer."
She scowled when she remembered that. "He threatened to attack Asturia if I didn't agree to it. Than Folken..." By mentioning his name she saw Van visibly stiffen and growl lowly, so she took his hand and continued. "Wanted to run some tests."
Rubbing her temples with her other hand she vaguely could recall what happened.
"I don't remember what really happened but I got in this weird machine than fell asleep, or something like that. I woke up a few hours later and I was like this."
She motioned to her hair.
"Folken said that they had tried to amplify my powers to their uses but it gave strange side effects. Which was my body aging two years."
Merle looked her over. "I thought you looked older. So you're seventeen now, right?"
"Well he said I'm still fifteen but my body is older actually. So I'm guessing, maybe, that in the next two years I won't grow at all."
To her side she saw Merle playing with her long hair.
"You acutally look like a girl now Hitomi, with your long hair that is."
"Hey!"
Merle snickered and avoided and pillow thrown at her before she hopped on the end of the bed.
Just than the door was shoved open and Dryden strode in quickly, followed by Millerna who was carrying a few books. He motioned Van to move aside than he sat by the end of the bed and took Hitomi's hand again.
He looked over it again a few times and pawed through the books, taking one than putting it back in Millerna's arms and taking another one.
Finally he looked up to Hitomi who was puzzled at this actions.
"Hitomi try to take the ring off."
She gave him a look for a moment than reached up and pulled at the ring. She was surprised when it didn't budge and she tried again but it didn't move.
Merle trotted up to her side.
"Is it too tight or something?"
Shaking her head Hitomi tried again. "No, it's fine but it just won't...." Grimacing she pulled harder.
Watching this carefully Dryden grabbed another book and skimmed through a few pages. "And it shouldn't come off......"
All heads turned to him as he stood up slowly, rubbing his forehead before looking Hitomi straight in the eye. For a few moments he was quiet, trying to choose his words carefully before he stood up.
"That ring has a cerse stone on it."
Van looked at the black stone than back at Dryden. "Cerse? I've never heard of that...." "And you shouldn't of."
Dryden pushed his glasses back up his nose and thought for a few moments before continuing. "Cerse stones are very rare and are dug up only in the mountain range near Zaibach's western borders."
Walking around the room, mostly in circles he thought carefully.
"Hitomi have you noticed anything strange about your behavior or do you have times where you can't remember what happened? Almost like select amnesia?"
"A few times....yes.....but what-?"
"Also, from what I hear from Van and Allen........has Dilandou been acting a different ways towards you?"
"Uh......yes..."
Stopping Dryden turned the the curious faces and took a deep breath before sighing.
"Dryden what are you getting at any ways?" Van was becoming slightly annoyed at all the questions and no answers.
"From what.......I've heard and read and from what you have told me......it seems our Hitomi...has two different personalities."
Stiffening Hitomi shook her head lightly before looking back up. "Two? Different personalities?"
Dryden nodded and pulled a chair from the nearby desk and sat down, leaning over. "You see the cerse stone has not been used very many times. It is a strange stone that no one knows very much about. But, what few know is that the stone, in a way is alive almost..."
"Alive?" Millerna questioned and sat on the edge of the bed. "Is that possible?"
"Yes it is. They are much like drag energistes. They once were the living heart of race that died out. What Zaibach as figured out to do is alter these stones to fit their purpose."
"Which is.....?" Merle flicked her tail in annoyance.
Sighing Dryden leaned back. "It's hard to explain....... You see....if you get someone to wear this stone, in anyway than that stone will in a way posses them. The stone creates a personality of it's own in the wearer's body. What Zaibach was able to do with Hitomi's is alter it so the stone will create a personality for their own liking. This personality will be able to over through the normal one, usually, in an when the body is in an unconscious state."
Looking directly in Hitomi's eyes Dryden spoke mostly on to her.
"You have another person living inside of you. She has her own feelings, thoughts and emotions. And from what I hear.........she loves Dilandou. And chances are Zaibach will want 'her' back. She is exactly like you, and at the same time she's not. She can do everything you can do."
"So....." Van spoke softly. "They'll want her because she can predict the future like Hitomi..."
"Right."
"But why can't I get the ring off?"
"Who put the ring on you first?"
"Dilandou....."
"Only he can take it off. Whoever put the stone on first is the only person who can take it off."
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
End of Part 7
Gomen for those who thought this chapter was boring cause it kinda is stating the obvious. Well that wasn't really as long as I probably promised it would be, but than again I didn't update in like forever so I won't be surprised if I dun get any reviews, eheheh. Oh well, those who DID read it I hope you liked. Ja ne!
Eva Maverx
