Chapter 3: Questions In The Night

The dark was enveloping Hitomi. She lay still in her lumpy bed, with the sheets pulled up right to her neck. Hitomi had never been afraid of the dark. Fear. What does fear mean to me? Flying? But I have never been in a plane. Maybe I have stage fright... I was in a play when I was five. No! That's just foolish. Well, then what?

For many moments, Hitomi pondered on fear. Why did I block it out? Another light appeared - a soft orange glow. It was Merle.

"Hey, Hitomi!"

"Well, what are you Merle? My nine lives, or maybe it's my inner- kitty?"

"Oh Hitomi! I'm nothing stereotypical like that!" She said, hopping up on the bed as Hitomi sat up to greet her. "I'm your curiosity."

"Well I'm glad that isn't stereotypical!" Hitomi exclaimed sarcastically.

"I AM trying to help, you know."

"I'm sorry Merle. What is your hint."

"I don't have one. But I do have a thought-provoking question that may lead you to discover your fear." Merle waited for Hitomi to think about this for a moment. When Hitomi nodded, she continued. "What is different about your birthday parties and everyone else's?"

"That's your question?!"

"Yes."

"Hmmm." Hitomi thought aloud. "Decorations, guests, presents, cake, gift bags, family... candles!" Merle's face lit up. "I never have candles on my cake, to tell how old I am."

"That's right! Good job. What is very specific about that fact?"

"She won't get it. I'll ask my question." From the corner a bright pink glow formed and in stepped Milerna. "Hi Hitomi," she called girlishly, waving and sauntering over to the bed.

"Hi Milerna. What are you doing here?"

"I unfortunately, am your jealousy. I am here to ask you a question that will make the candle thing, make more sense."

"Okay. I'm ready." said Hitomi.

"Alright. So you don't have candles on your birthday cake. My question is, has it always been this way?

"Yes... no wait." Hitomi remembered, suddenly, going through old photo albums. She recalled seeing a picture of her fourth birthday party. She was blowing out four tall candles. "I had them before. A long time ago.

"When did it stop?" asked Merle.

"Shhh." Hushed Milerna.

"Oh Hush this, Milerna, who is going to enforce these stupid 'rules' anyway?"

"Ummmm... when I was five!" Hitomi exclaimed excitedly, as if it were all coming together suddenly.

"Yep!" Merle said.

"So my fear has something to do with that, huh?"

"We have to go now," said Merle.

"Yes. But there will be others. Don't worry." said Milerna.

"Good bye."

"Good bye Hitomi," they said together, as they sadly faded away. But Hitomi wasn't left in the darkness for long, when a great blue light came. At first Hitomi thought Van was coming back, but she realized this shade of blue was much darker. Five of the Dragon Slayers strode in and moved to Hitomi. They did not sit down. They stood obediently at attention. They had the glow, Hitomi observed.

They were ghosts.

Hitomi knew that Van had killed them. She looked at their faces for the first time. They seemed normal and friendly. Each of them had emotions and thoughts, strengths and weaknesses. They were human. She couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if she had gone to Gaia and run into them instead.

Chesta spoke, his voice whispery. "Hello, Hitomi... we are your belief."

"When we died," said Gatti, "you no longer believed in FATE and destiny."

Dalet said, "we're not sure whether or not that is a good thing, Hitomi." Hitomi smiled shyly. "Hitomi. We are not the only ones who have died, are we?"

As he said this, Folken entered, a white light surrounding him, a normal arm, white wings. Jajuka, too, came with the same Dragon Slayer light. The Duke of Freid, in a golden colour. Zongi, Balgus, Dornkirk, Naria and Eyria. Everyone.

"The final vision is coming, Hitomi." said Folken.

"Yes. He is here... waiting." Said Jajuka. "Discover your fear, Hitomi, and in turn find yourself."

"Well... what can I say?" asked Hitomi.

"Let go, Hitomi. Say what your fear is, for now you know. Say it and let go." said Miguel.

"It's... fire."said Hitomi.

"Why?" they all asked.

"I don't know. I haven't figured that out yet? Why?" The photograph came back to her mind. A cake with four candles. A banner that read "Happy Birthday Hitomi." A big stuffed bear.

The bear! It was her favorite. But she had not had it in so many years. Where did it go? Suddenly, something opened up inside Hitomi's head. Her eyes widened and she gasped.

"A fire." She uttered at last. The photo showed a place she did not recognize at home. It was her old house. The one that burned down. "There was a fire. My house burned down. We hardly made it out alive. That was my trauma."

The visions shook their heads sadly. They began to mutter things. "She remembers,"... "but not everything,"... "why is she still blocking it out?"

"Stop it!" Said Hitomi! They were silent. "Well?" she asked impatiently.

"We are dead. We have no hints for you." they said.

They began to fade away, just fade.

"No! Come back!" Hitomi called. But they did not. They faded and left her alone again. In the dark, moonless room.