Chapter 12: Fate



"What the fuck . . .?"Ian muttered as he and the rest of the group stared at the Escaflowne confused. Then, out of the middle of nowhere, a pillar of light descended from the sky and enveloped the Escaflowne and Hitomi. As Hitomi's began to left from the ground Allen ran towards the light after her. Millerna tried to stop him but it was too late. The light disappeared and there was no trace of Van, Hitomi, Allen or the Escaflowne.

"L-lord Van . . .? Where did he go . . .?" Merle wondered aloud.

"Probably to the Mystic Moon . . ." Iris muttered in a low voice.

"Why do you say that?" Iris was caught completely off guard by Merle's response. She didn't think the cat actually heard her.

"Well Hitomi said that before she came to Gaea a pillar of light brought her here." Merle looked back up to the sky with tear filled eyes.



Millerna and Iris stood in the hanger of the Crusade, staring off into nothingness. Iris was bored out of her mind. She didn't want to be there but Millerna had insisted she needed her emotional support. "Staring out there won't do them any good." startled, both girls turned around quickly to see Dryden standing there. Iris quickly looked away. She still wasn't over the kiss. Every time she looked or thought of Dryden that little memory always went into play in her mind. "We're going back to Zenada like originally planned. Gaddes has agreed." Millerna took great offence by his words.

"You're just going to abandon Allen and the others? I won't let you!" Iris couldn't believe that Millerna actually had a bit of attitude in her. In all the time she had known her, never had Iris seen Millerna get so angry before.

"Listen, there's no way to tell where they went. It's just a waste of time flying around in circles."

"Waste of time! Dryden you're such a-!"

"Merchant? You're right princess. Those Ziabach fools are serious about destroying Gaea. I'm going to try to stop them but I'll do it my way. Don't worry princess, they'll be back." *can he just leave? Or could Millerna leave? Just make one of them go away! Wait, why don't both of them leave?* Iris eyebrows knitted together as she tried to figure out her thoughts. Why was she wishing only one of them away? And why did she want Millerna to leave more so than Dryden? *God, where's Mel when you need her?*

Dryden took notice of how detached Iris seemed. She hadn't said a word which for some reason felt odd to him. Was she even listening? He had to get her attention somehow. *Perhaps I could send Millerna away.* he however dismissed the thought. "You know, I think everyone's wishes are connected somehow." Iris looked towards Dryden and watched him leave. She felt somewhat relieved that he was gone. She sighed inwardly but it was short lived. Dryden stoped and looked over his shoulder right at Iris.

"I'd like to believe that mine might get across someday." When Dryden was gone, Millerna turned to Iris who looked to be as stiff as a board.

"Iris? Iris? Are you alright?" she snapped out of her trance like state and looked at Millerna. "Iris, what's the matter? You can tell me." Iris remained silent for a moment or two then left. Millerna stood there dumbfounded. Her friend's strange behaviour raised questions. "She's one strange princess . . ."



Melody sat quietly in their room with Merle crying into her pillow. "There, there Merle, they'll com back . . ." Melody said as she rubbed Merle's back for comfort.

"I only want Lord Van back! I don't care what happens to Hitomi or Allen. Damn that Hitomi!" she spat bitterly. Melody sighed but still rubbed Merle's back. How did she end up in that position? *because Millerna was paranoid that Reeden wouldn't see them and she had to drag Iris along because she's "her" friend.* she sighed again and looked to the old wooden door. *Iris sure has been gone for a quiet a while. I wonder what's taking so-*

Iris walked into their room and let herself fall backwards onto her bed. *Why does being a teenager have to be so fucking complicated?*

"Iris, what's wrong? Millerna boring you to death?" Melody asked with a hint of amusement.

"No . . .but she has in the past with all her obsessions with fashion, jewellery and of course Allen."

"So what is it this time?"

"I dunno. Honestly I don't know! And it's really bugging me!" pulled at her hair with both hands in an attempt to release some frustration. Melody stopped rubbing Merle's back and walked over to Iris.

"Well who does it involve?" she asked as she sat down.

"Who do you think?"

"Millerna?" Iris arched an eyebrow and shook her head no. "Um . . .me?" Iris didn't reply. "Dryden?"

"Bingo."

"So what's wrong? Did he come on to you? Did he hurt? He did! That's it! I'm gonna kick his fucking ass-"

"Mel!" Iris shouted before Melody could carry on. "He didn't hurt me. It's okay." Melody looked at her friend unsure. She knew and sense there was something wrong. Everything wasn't 'okay' as Iris had said.

"Well then what's wrong with Dryden?"

"It's not so much what's wrong with him, it's what's wrong with me. Every time I see or think of him the whole kissing incident pops into my head. What really bugs me I guess is he fact that I don't know what's going on in his head. What does he think of me now? Does he think I'm an easy lay? And what does he have planned once we arrive in Zenada?"

"Iris, I don't think he's gonna think you're an easy lay just because you had a tongue war with him." she laughed softly at her friend's assumption. Her laughing stopped though. "Wait, we're going to Zenada? Why? Are they giving up on Hitomi and the others?"

"No, or at least I don't think so. Well Dryden said that it was pointless to fly around in circles looking for them when we don't know where they went." Melody thought about it and it did seem to make sense to go back to Zenada.

"But that light was the same light that brought me here. They probably went to Er-The Mystic Moon." Iris looked at Melody with a firm glare. "What?"

"You idiot, that was in your dream." Iris said while winking at her.

"It was?" she wondered at why Iris was denying that it was reality. But then it hit her when she remembered who else was in the room, Merle. "oh ya! Sorry, I just forgot!"

"Of course you did you idiot." Iris muttered.

"What was that? I couldn't here you Iris!" Melody said in a playful tone.

"I didn't say anything!" Iris replied in an 'innocent' voice. Their fun was short lived however as a knock sounded from the door. "Come in!" Iris shouted and sat up right. The door opened slowly and in came Ian, unfortunately fir Iris. "What do you want?" she asked him bitterly.

"I just came to inform you that we should reach Zenada by tomorrow night."



A/N: I know it's a bit short but I'm not allowed on the computer as much b/c I'm not doing so well in math and my parents aren't too happy -_-; So hoped you enjoyed! And please review.