Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, or the song "Prayer" from Disturbed.
A/N: This story is getting good! I love it!! Well, I am starting to veer into the V/H direction soon and when I do, it'll never go back! And I hope that you will soon begin to accept Inhestia, she is really a good character that has too many decisions that she doesn't want to make. And thank you hime-chan for giving me such a grand review, I was starting to wonder if anyone cared about my story anymore, or if they liked it. Or even if it provoked anyone's minds into thinking. Well, in any case, I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the other ones. Enjoy Everyone!
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Chapter XVI: Reappearances from the Past
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Inhestia walked down the corridors of Fanellia castle. Everything was as good as normal and she smiled at that. Nobody probably knew what had happened two nights ago so she didn't have to explain anything. They wouldn't understand anyway, they would most likely think she was a mere whore trying to seduce their kind king. Still very hot from the bath she recently took, she hugged herself, trying to keep that nice warmth.
The garden was sweet-smelling and therapeutic, combating with her warm scent of honey and cinnamon. Keeping her bare feet on the path, she made her way to the tree where the king usually sat. He was there now, eyes closed, reveling in the scent of the outdoors. In her long white dress, she seemed like the ghost of death willing to take him away. The sleeves long and belled out at the shoulders like a sorceress' robes. The neck was a low V shape. A Violet corset was tied delicately as a decoration from under her breasts and down to the beginning of her hips.
"She's gone" he said calmly. She gave him a worried expression.
"Where did she go? I could send the priests out to find her for you." she said. He shook his head and smiled in spite of the situation.
"She went to Asturia. There's no need in getting her." he said. Looking to her, he gave her a kind smile. "When she's ready, she'll come back."
There was something different in his eyes. He seemed older, calm, and relaxed. It was like he'd just come to some big epiphany.
"Are you alright? You seem different." she asked, carefully watching the expression and changes on his face. Leaning softly back against the tree, he sighed in relaxation.
"I'm perfectly fine. I haven't changed. Here, come sit with me. The grass is nice." he said as he pat the spot next to him. She looked to the spot and back to him. Gently, she eased herself to sit next to him. The grass around her began to soften and wilt from her hot heat.
"Um, I just took a bath. Sorry." she said. He shrugged and leaned back into the tree. She looked down to her lap and sighed. A lone leaf, smaller than the palm of her hand, floated to rest on her smooth shoulder. As it landed, it turned into a floppy page of green and soon became a dead yellow. As it fell to the ground, it was a brown color.
"How have you been lately?" he asked with a kind smile.
"Van, you only saw me two nights ago." she said quietly. He looked to her with a raised eyebrow. She looked to her lap at his investigating gaze and fiddled her thumbs. Giving up, he shrugged and laid back against the tree.
"You seem fidgety. Why are you so suddenly nervous around me?" he asked.
"I act the same as I have before I assure you." she said, looking up to the limbs of the tree they rest against.
"Not to seem rude but I don't really remember it all." He looked to her, his ruby eyes giving her a piercing gaze. It wasn't an angry one, or a blaming one, just a forceful gaze to stress his point. "And you know that too. I can tell. You seemed to give me a piteous look all that morning when you came into your room."
"Have you been talking to him?" she asked, looking to him. He nodded. "So he told you the rest of the prophecy, what will happen to us and Gaea."
"Briefly. He told me that the Dune Prince must be kept pure and safe at all costs until the Seeress is born. So you'll be awaiting his birth there? In Garolesh?" he asked.
"Yes. It's important that I protect him at all costs, if Gaea is ever to survive." she said. He softly pulled her in for a hug. She laid her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. His large hands rubbed up and down her back soothingly. She wondered if her heat was hurting him but he didn't flinch.
"No matter what happens between us, we'll always be friends right?" he asked. She nodded her head and smiled to herself.
"Yes. We'll always be friends."
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The chamber was dark. A red glow flickered around it, like a candle. It was dome shaped, weird inscriptions carved into the top. A circle was drawn out with a glowing green niter. There was a woman in the middle of the circle. Long iron chains hung from the ceiling. Her arms were tied in them, the rest of the chain securely fastened around her waist. Her head was bowed down, long silver hair falling over her eyes. They were bright red and wide open in a trance. Her soft trembling lips muttered out in her foreign tongue. She hung in this position nude, her body painted with a few ornate designs.
At the edges of the drawn circle were six pots, filled with a sort of herb, a drug. The soft and sensual smoke of the hallucinogens floated easily to her, in a sort of magical and perfect curved route.
Suddenly, she shook up and screeched. An orange hooded priest calmly walked in, followed by a yellow cloaked one. After a bit of screaming, she fell back into the hypnotized position. Her lips were slightly parted and soulless red eyes gazed out into blackness.
"What have you seen?" asked the orange robed one, his voice slow and strong. Eerily, she turned her head to them, eyes lifeless.
Touches of old bornes Darkness
Touches of new gives the Light
Son of stars gentle to his Brother
Misguided lives the daughter of Sight
The man in yellow robes wrote the words she chanted on fine parchment. "That is the missing piece that holds this prophecy together. We have found the lost scripture of Marne." he said and looked to the orange one. "Kinas, what must we do now? Arnin isn't here to guide us and the Keeper of the Moons and Sun isn't to be here until the Dune Prince is born."
Kinas bowed his head in thought, arms tucked regally into his sleeves. "There is no other way. Prepare the pyres. We must deliver the Keeper here. Our rule cannot simply be bounced off from one man to another." He looked to the woman and sighed. "And undo Faslien. She must be tired and she is our only oracle."
"Yes Lord Kinas." said the yellow one. He gave Kinas the parchment and with a bow. " Nimarn!" he said and waved his hand to the top of the chains where they hung in air. They suddenly slackened and she fell in a heap in the middle of the floor. He moved over to the middle of the room, careful not to smear the symbols on the floor. Untying her from the chains, he held his breath. The strong and appetizing aroma of the hallucinogens was starting to affect him, making him dizzy and light headed. Picking her up, she remained wide eyed, her body limp in his arms.
"Inhestia..." she moaned. He made his way back to the edge of the room and to the door.
"She will be alright now. There is no need to worry." he said, stroking her long and silky silver hair.
"If she isn't away from Fanellia before this fortnight, Mondrael shall slay her." she said in a monotonous and entranced voice.
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The carriage treads along, the passenger tired and weary. Palas was half a day away and she left yesterday morning. Sighing impatiently, she looked out the window. They were currently passing a small country side, probably one of Asturia's border towns. Her soft sandy hair blew gently in the wind as she looked upon the scenery. It was fairly boring to her and she wanted to get to Allen.
Laying back on the bench, she closed her eyes. "I wonder what Van's doing?" she breathed. Blinking, she gave an angry groan and rolled angrily to her side. "Why should I care about that bastard anyway!? He's probably having fun screwing every woman he sees." she said. Taking in a deep breath, she drifted off to sleep.
The air was sweet and fresh, her favorite scent of cut grass and pine needles. Opening her emerald eyes, she spied a ranch. It was small and quaint, just a barn and a corral in front. A blue-haired angel stood behind the gate, pulling out the horse she knew as North Star. It whinnied and looked to her in remembrance. The handsome man looked over to the figure in question and smiled, waving his hand.
"Hitomi! Come on!" he said as he waved her over. She giggled and ran over to him. Jumping over the wooden post fence, she made her way over to him.
"Eriol! You're in my dreams again." she said and hugged him. "But I like it. It makes me feel loved."
"You are loved Hitomi." he said with a simple smile.
"I know you do." she said happily. He looked down to her and shook his head.
"You'll never know how much he loves you." he said sadly and rubbed North Star's muzzle. "But listen, I can't stay long. I have to remind you that you must return by last fortnight or else all of Gaea is doomed. Do you understand?" he asked.
"So I now have a Cinderella thing going on right?" she asked with a smirk. He shook his head and frowned.
"This is nothing to kid around about with. This is serious. Everything is depending on you and your love for Van." he said, earning a scowl from her.
"I don't love that bastard and I'm tired of... I just don't want to be used like he did, that's all." she said angrily. Everything started to turn black around them and her time was running out.
"There are so many things you don't understand." he whispered in pity.
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Inhestia laid on her violet settee. Her chest was pressed into the arm and she folded her arms at the top of it, resting her head on them. Her clothing was reduced to a long, white, semi see-thru nightgown, showing her brassier and underwear. Her long ebony hair pooled over her shoulders and ran down to her backside. Her tan face was set in thought.
'Everything is so weird. Van seems to be calmer now, and Mondrael... is the past. There's no use in thinking of him now. That was all long-ago and my future is with Arnin.'
She looked down to the soft violet fabric that served as a carpeting for her. In truth, she didn't love Mondrael anymore. He was an infatuation of the past and she had to protect the future. The babe growing within her wasn't Van's, it was his, the handsome archer, sworn to protect her life. And this child was the child of darkness, of the Dunes.
There was a rustling of footsteps behind her. "Van?" she asked calmly. Silence. There were more footsteps and then they stopped. It couldn't be anyone else and she just ignored it and continued with her thinking. Something had to be done about Hitomi and her disappearance. Van needed to be with his love and...
The settee sank under human weight behind her. She sighed and rolled her eyes. He obviously didn't want to talk for some reason unknown to her so she just let him do as he pleased. His hand moved slowly up her back and parted her hair, revealing her warm and creamy skin. She sighed in annoyance and buried her face into her arms. The rest of her hair was pulled to the side and a pair of soft lips traveled from the middle of her back to her shoulder, moving in to the crook of her neck.
She shook in startlement and turned around. A pair of beautiful garnet eyes looked to her lovingly and kind. His warm hand caressed her cheek, his thumb rubbing her cheek like one would with a strip of soft leather. "Inhestia..." he sighed. Her own red eyes looked to him in fear. Obviously something was wrong. He had died during the great destruction and she never had reincarnated him.
"Why don't you answer me my love?" he asked. He nuzzled his head against the side of hers and smiled. "I've come back Hess. Now we can be together again." She held him, shocked at his appearance. He was dead. He never had a body to go to. How was he here?
"Mondrael, you're dead. You died a long time ago." she said in a monotone manner. He pulled away and looked to her, studying her expression. He gave her the same look Van did when he had told her he didn't remember two nights ago. His face relaxed ad he gave her a small smile.
"I came back for you. I love you." he said. He looked into her eyes and she shivered. They were the same alright but there was something different about them. She couldn't quite place it but it wasn't normal. Brushing his lips against hers, she felt the same warmth, the same taste as before. The same as Van's as well. The taste made her stomach queasy. He was her friend and she didn't want to be enjoying in the feel of his mirror image.
She sighed in relief as his lips finally departed from hers to her neck. His hands brushed against her shoulder, slipping the thin strap of her dress off. Shrugging him off of her, she shook her head. "Mondrael... I don't desire you this way." she whispered.
He frowned to her. A glint of ice blue anger flashed in his eyes and he shook. "But you'd rather give yourself to that bastard Arnin." he said. She sighed and looked to his chest. Grabbing her shoulders, he forced her attention to her. "Inhestia look at me when I'm talking to you!" he said angrily.
Inhestia gasped. He never spoke to her so angrily before, and never did he command her. That was something nobody did to her. "Your father is dead. You don't have to obey him and please him anymore. You can do what you desire." He placed her hand to his face. "You're free to do as you wish." he said quietly.
"Mondrael, you... I ... I desire Arnin now." she said in a hushed voice. He blinked and glared at her.
"How could you desire a man you never even met? Has your father brainwashed you so easily?" he asked, his brows furrowing at an increasing rate.
"My father has done nothing to this matter. I've met Arnin the day Atlantis was destroyed. He saved me Mondrael. He cares for me, a lot." she said in a soft voice.
"I care for you too. I came from the dead to see you again. Do I have to walk on water to prove my love and loyalty to you?" he asked pleadingly. She nodded and smiled.
"I know you do, but I don't care for you as I used to anymore. I've had to grow up. We could never be together and I liked father's arrangement. I'm sorry." He glared to her with fury and angry betrayal in his eyes. She shuddered at his glare and backed a bit away from him. Something about him nudged at her brain, warning her to stay away. As she moved away from the settee, he followed her, rage apparently in him.
In a quick move, he forced her back to the wall, firmly pressing her arms back. "Mondrael please! What's wrong with you?" she screamed as he continued to glare hatred to her.
"Didn't you understand it was me who saved you from the man in the alley? That I watched over you and made sure Nakami took care of your body? How I kept her alive when she could have died and ruined your body beyond repair under her coma?" he demanded, tears streaming down his angry face. She just pressed herself farther against the wall in attempt to get away from him.
"But you continue to prefer Arnin over me! Even though he never watched over you, took care of you, nor gave up an afterlife in heaven for you!" he continued, his watery eyes consumed with everything in relation to pure hate glaring it at her. "Oh Mondrael... I'm so sorry." she murmured. Slowly, yet surely, he disappeared, a few tears left at where he stood.
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Warm sunlight shone into the carriage as she rose from her sleep. It was a long ride, two days straight, and the driver still managed to stay awake and able to drive. She looked outside and smiled. Elegant countryside manors streamed by them. Each one had the family crest placed somewhere on their domain. Deep inside, she knew that this was probably where Allen's manor was. She remembered Van telling her about how he refused to live in the palace and desired to remain at home to care for his sister. And now he had a wife to care for as well, with a child too.
Her heart sank at this. But she made up her mind. She'd march up those steps and demand him to take her back. With his last romances with other women, going around his marriage to Eries would be a snap. Yes, she'd pluck him for her own like a thief in a neighbors garden. Smiling at this, she pulled out a mirror to ready herself.
The wonders she did with a brush and lipstick. Her hair was now in it's silky waves on her shoulders and shined with the smallest light from the sun. And she turned her plain lips into a succulent scarlet that would shame the reddest rose. Smoothing out the wrinkles of her fair blue dress, she admired the goddess that gazed back at her through that mere sheet of glass and foil.
"This is your chance Hitomi. You'll finally have the one who desired you the most. Forget about that bastard Van. He can rot in hell. It's your turn to shine." said the lovely woman. Hitomi smiled proudly. Yes, she could do this. She was beautiful enough, many people told her that. And a few of Van's advisors would complement her on the way she held herself, so polite and regally, like a queen. She could do this.
The carriage wound off of the main road into a side road. The gardens here were lovely, all different colors and shades of the rainbow, even a bright green flower here and there. It was a touchable paradise, she was following the rainbow. The gold was at the end of it. Fruit trees began to emerge, what looked like pears were glossy and untarnished, making her want to grab one and devour it. No, she wouldn't be greedy and take one for herself.
This place was perfect for a heavenly knight to live in, it was heaven itself. Even the gardeners seemed happy in their nice wool clothing joyfully brushed with the blessed land. And their large hats to dull the sun's unintentional pulsating heat. Everything was aglow and she smiled to herself. 'What a lovely place to live.' she thought as her eyes drank in the view. 'It doesn't seem like a war has ever hit this place at all.'
Soon, they started to turn on a small cul-de-sac that turned back to where they came. At this spot lay the grandest mansion she had ever laid eyes on. It was large with plenty of well sculpted and fancy windows. Its red tile flooring at the inner patio gave it a charming look offsetting the nice cream white of the walls.
She carriage shifted a bit and soon the driver came to the door. Opening it, he held out his hand. She lightly grasped it and slid gracefully off of the seat and out of the carriage. Giving him a kind nod and a bright smile, she excused him and started to walk up to the entrance.
"You are ready Hitomi, you can do this." she said to herself as she marched on. Climbing the small steps, her mouth twisted into a grin. She hadn't seen Allen since she first left Gaea. How would he be now? Would he look different? Was he still the same as before? The thrill of it all quickened her pace. Van was the only person she had seen since she came back and she realized how secluded she was being.
The front doors opened and a tall blond figure stood. His long hair was tied back at the nape and flowed to his rear. His characteristic Caeli uniform was replaced with a masculine white shirt and black pants with a long navy blue duster. But his trusty coral hilted sword of Caeli was at his side, something she knew would never go away. He had trusted this sword with his life and it guarded him well.
Azure eyes squinted at her nearing figure, head tilted to the side in confused investigation. "What brings a lovely lady such as yourself here on this beautiful day?" he asked, returning to a straight posture. He seemed not to recognize her at first. It was a bit disappointing but she excused it with her sudden burst in curves.
"To visit an old friend Allen, who seems to have forgotten me." she said in amusement. He neared her and cocked his head again in confusion.
"I'm afraid I don't know you. May you please introduce yourself?" he asked.
"It's me, Hitomi." she said with a pleasant smile. He blinked and looked to her shocked.
"H-Hitomi? You're actually here? When did you get back? How did you get back? How are you?" he stuttered in excitement. Before she could answer any of the questions, he pulled her into a giant hug, something unlike him. Pulling away from her, he studied her. "Look at you! You've really blossomed since you left. I bet that Van will faint once he sees you. You're gorgeous." he said.
"I'm so glad to see you too Allen. We have much to discuss about. You've really changed. You aren't a knight of Caeli anymore?" she asked happily.
"Yes, I still am. But I am taking a small holiday from a knight's work. Come in! I don't was such a lovely flower to wilt from the sun." he said as he took her hand and led her inside.
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A/N: I know this is taking so long to update but I really needed to get into the flow to be able to describe Hitomi's carriage ride, the prophesizing of Faslien, and Inhestia's feelings of nervousness towards Van, and the visiting of Mondrael. Well, I hope you liked this chapter. I really tried to pay attention to detail, and I know this is getting confusing. But I just want you all to think about it and when you all get it, you'll feel my pat on your back, saying a job well done! Well, I will be going more into The time Hitomi spends at Asturia and Van's epiphany, cause I know you all are like "how come he's all quiet and peaceful after getting laid?" That's not why but it will be explained soon. And Faslien's part in this will be displayed. Don't forget to review! Bye!
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A/N: This story is getting good! I love it!! Well, I am starting to veer into the V/H direction soon and when I do, it'll never go back! And I hope that you will soon begin to accept Inhestia, she is really a good character that has too many decisions that she doesn't want to make. And thank you hime-chan for giving me such a grand review, I was starting to wonder if anyone cared about my story anymore, or if they liked it. Or even if it provoked anyone's minds into thinking. Well, in any case, I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the other ones. Enjoy Everyone!
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Chapter XVI: Reappearances from the Past
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Inhestia walked down the corridors of Fanellia castle. Everything was as good as normal and she smiled at that. Nobody probably knew what had happened two nights ago so she didn't have to explain anything. They wouldn't understand anyway, they would most likely think she was a mere whore trying to seduce their kind king. Still very hot from the bath she recently took, she hugged herself, trying to keep that nice warmth.
The garden was sweet-smelling and therapeutic, combating with her warm scent of honey and cinnamon. Keeping her bare feet on the path, she made her way to the tree where the king usually sat. He was there now, eyes closed, reveling in the scent of the outdoors. In her long white dress, she seemed like the ghost of death willing to take him away. The sleeves long and belled out at the shoulders like a sorceress' robes. The neck was a low V shape. A Violet corset was tied delicately as a decoration from under her breasts and down to the beginning of her hips.
"She's gone" he said calmly. She gave him a worried expression.
"Where did she go? I could send the priests out to find her for you." she said. He shook his head and smiled in spite of the situation.
"She went to Asturia. There's no need in getting her." he said. Looking to her, he gave her a kind smile. "When she's ready, she'll come back."
There was something different in his eyes. He seemed older, calm, and relaxed. It was like he'd just come to some big epiphany.
"Are you alright? You seem different." she asked, carefully watching the expression and changes on his face. Leaning softly back against the tree, he sighed in relaxation.
"I'm perfectly fine. I haven't changed. Here, come sit with me. The grass is nice." he said as he pat the spot next to him. She looked to the spot and back to him. Gently, she eased herself to sit next to him. The grass around her began to soften and wilt from her hot heat.
"Um, I just took a bath. Sorry." she said. He shrugged and leaned back into the tree. She looked down to her lap and sighed. A lone leaf, smaller than the palm of her hand, floated to rest on her smooth shoulder. As it landed, it turned into a floppy page of green and soon became a dead yellow. As it fell to the ground, it was a brown color.
"How have you been lately?" he asked with a kind smile.
"Van, you only saw me two nights ago." she said quietly. He looked to her with a raised eyebrow. She looked to her lap at his investigating gaze and fiddled her thumbs. Giving up, he shrugged and laid back against the tree.
"You seem fidgety. Why are you so suddenly nervous around me?" he asked.
"I act the same as I have before I assure you." she said, looking up to the limbs of the tree they rest against.
"Not to seem rude but I don't really remember it all." He looked to her, his ruby eyes giving her a piercing gaze. It wasn't an angry one, or a blaming one, just a forceful gaze to stress his point. "And you know that too. I can tell. You seemed to give me a piteous look all that morning when you came into your room."
"Have you been talking to him?" she asked, looking to him. He nodded. "So he told you the rest of the prophecy, what will happen to us and Gaea."
"Briefly. He told me that the Dune Prince must be kept pure and safe at all costs until the Seeress is born. So you'll be awaiting his birth there? In Garolesh?" he asked.
"Yes. It's important that I protect him at all costs, if Gaea is ever to survive." she said. He softly pulled her in for a hug. She laid her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. His large hands rubbed up and down her back soothingly. She wondered if her heat was hurting him but he didn't flinch.
"No matter what happens between us, we'll always be friends right?" he asked. She nodded her head and smiled to herself.
"Yes. We'll always be friends."
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The chamber was dark. A red glow flickered around it, like a candle. It was dome shaped, weird inscriptions carved into the top. A circle was drawn out with a glowing green niter. There was a woman in the middle of the circle. Long iron chains hung from the ceiling. Her arms were tied in them, the rest of the chain securely fastened around her waist. Her head was bowed down, long silver hair falling over her eyes. They were bright red and wide open in a trance. Her soft trembling lips muttered out in her foreign tongue. She hung in this position nude, her body painted with a few ornate designs.
At the edges of the drawn circle were six pots, filled with a sort of herb, a drug. The soft and sensual smoke of the hallucinogens floated easily to her, in a sort of magical and perfect curved route.
Suddenly, she shook up and screeched. An orange hooded priest calmly walked in, followed by a yellow cloaked one. After a bit of screaming, she fell back into the hypnotized position. Her lips were slightly parted and soulless red eyes gazed out into blackness.
"What have you seen?" asked the orange robed one, his voice slow and strong. Eerily, she turned her head to them, eyes lifeless.
Touches of old bornes Darkness
Touches of new gives the Light
Son of stars gentle to his Brother
Misguided lives the daughter of Sight
The man in yellow robes wrote the words she chanted on fine parchment. "That is the missing piece that holds this prophecy together. We have found the lost scripture of Marne." he said and looked to the orange one. "Kinas, what must we do now? Arnin isn't here to guide us and the Keeper of the Moons and Sun isn't to be here until the Dune Prince is born."
Kinas bowed his head in thought, arms tucked regally into his sleeves. "There is no other way. Prepare the pyres. We must deliver the Keeper here. Our rule cannot simply be bounced off from one man to another." He looked to the woman and sighed. "And undo Faslien. She must be tired and she is our only oracle."
"Yes Lord Kinas." said the yellow one. He gave Kinas the parchment and with a bow. " Nimarn!" he said and waved his hand to the top of the chains where they hung in air. They suddenly slackened and she fell in a heap in the middle of the floor. He moved over to the middle of the room, careful not to smear the symbols on the floor. Untying her from the chains, he held his breath. The strong and appetizing aroma of the hallucinogens was starting to affect him, making him dizzy and light headed. Picking her up, she remained wide eyed, her body limp in his arms.
"Inhestia..." she moaned. He made his way back to the edge of the room and to the door.
"She will be alright now. There is no need to worry." he said, stroking her long and silky silver hair.
"If she isn't away from Fanellia before this fortnight, Mondrael shall slay her." she said in a monotonous and entranced voice.
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The carriage treads along, the passenger tired and weary. Palas was half a day away and she left yesterday morning. Sighing impatiently, she looked out the window. They were currently passing a small country side, probably one of Asturia's border towns. Her soft sandy hair blew gently in the wind as she looked upon the scenery. It was fairly boring to her and she wanted to get to Allen.
Laying back on the bench, she closed her eyes. "I wonder what Van's doing?" she breathed. Blinking, she gave an angry groan and rolled angrily to her side. "Why should I care about that bastard anyway!? He's probably having fun screwing every woman he sees." she said. Taking in a deep breath, she drifted off to sleep.
The air was sweet and fresh, her favorite scent of cut grass and pine needles. Opening her emerald eyes, she spied a ranch. It was small and quaint, just a barn and a corral in front. A blue-haired angel stood behind the gate, pulling out the horse she knew as North Star. It whinnied and looked to her in remembrance. The handsome man looked over to the figure in question and smiled, waving his hand.
"Hitomi! Come on!" he said as he waved her over. She giggled and ran over to him. Jumping over the wooden post fence, she made her way over to him.
"Eriol! You're in my dreams again." she said and hugged him. "But I like it. It makes me feel loved."
"You are loved Hitomi." he said with a simple smile.
"I know you do." she said happily. He looked down to her and shook his head.
"You'll never know how much he loves you." he said sadly and rubbed North Star's muzzle. "But listen, I can't stay long. I have to remind you that you must return by last fortnight or else all of Gaea is doomed. Do you understand?" he asked.
"So I now have a Cinderella thing going on right?" she asked with a smirk. He shook his head and frowned.
"This is nothing to kid around about with. This is serious. Everything is depending on you and your love for Van." he said, earning a scowl from her.
"I don't love that bastard and I'm tired of... I just don't want to be used like he did, that's all." she said angrily. Everything started to turn black around them and her time was running out.
"There are so many things you don't understand." he whispered in pity.
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Inhestia laid on her violet settee. Her chest was pressed into the arm and she folded her arms at the top of it, resting her head on them. Her clothing was reduced to a long, white, semi see-thru nightgown, showing her brassier and underwear. Her long ebony hair pooled over her shoulders and ran down to her backside. Her tan face was set in thought.
'Everything is so weird. Van seems to be calmer now, and Mondrael... is the past. There's no use in thinking of him now. That was all long-ago and my future is with Arnin.'
She looked down to the soft violet fabric that served as a carpeting for her. In truth, she didn't love Mondrael anymore. He was an infatuation of the past and she had to protect the future. The babe growing within her wasn't Van's, it was his, the handsome archer, sworn to protect her life. And this child was the child of darkness, of the Dunes.
There was a rustling of footsteps behind her. "Van?" she asked calmly. Silence. There were more footsteps and then they stopped. It couldn't be anyone else and she just ignored it and continued with her thinking. Something had to be done about Hitomi and her disappearance. Van needed to be with his love and...
The settee sank under human weight behind her. She sighed and rolled her eyes. He obviously didn't want to talk for some reason unknown to her so she just let him do as he pleased. His hand moved slowly up her back and parted her hair, revealing her warm and creamy skin. She sighed in annoyance and buried her face into her arms. The rest of her hair was pulled to the side and a pair of soft lips traveled from the middle of her back to her shoulder, moving in to the crook of her neck.
She shook in startlement and turned around. A pair of beautiful garnet eyes looked to her lovingly and kind. His warm hand caressed her cheek, his thumb rubbing her cheek like one would with a strip of soft leather. "Inhestia..." he sighed. Her own red eyes looked to him in fear. Obviously something was wrong. He had died during the great destruction and she never had reincarnated him.
"Why don't you answer me my love?" he asked. He nuzzled his head against the side of hers and smiled. "I've come back Hess. Now we can be together again." She held him, shocked at his appearance. He was dead. He never had a body to go to. How was he here?
"Mondrael, you're dead. You died a long time ago." she said in a monotone manner. He pulled away and looked to her, studying her expression. He gave her the same look Van did when he had told her he didn't remember two nights ago. His face relaxed ad he gave her a small smile.
"I came back for you. I love you." he said. He looked into her eyes and she shivered. They were the same alright but there was something different about them. She couldn't quite place it but it wasn't normal. Brushing his lips against hers, she felt the same warmth, the same taste as before. The same as Van's as well. The taste made her stomach queasy. He was her friend and she didn't want to be enjoying in the feel of his mirror image.
She sighed in relief as his lips finally departed from hers to her neck. His hands brushed against her shoulder, slipping the thin strap of her dress off. Shrugging him off of her, she shook her head. "Mondrael... I don't desire you this way." she whispered.
He frowned to her. A glint of ice blue anger flashed in his eyes and he shook. "But you'd rather give yourself to that bastard Arnin." he said. She sighed and looked to his chest. Grabbing her shoulders, he forced her attention to her. "Inhestia look at me when I'm talking to you!" he said angrily.
Inhestia gasped. He never spoke to her so angrily before, and never did he command her. That was something nobody did to her. "Your father is dead. You don't have to obey him and please him anymore. You can do what you desire." He placed her hand to his face. "You're free to do as you wish." he said quietly.
"Mondrael, you... I ... I desire Arnin now." she said in a hushed voice. He blinked and glared at her.
"How could you desire a man you never even met? Has your father brainwashed you so easily?" he asked, his brows furrowing at an increasing rate.
"My father has done nothing to this matter. I've met Arnin the day Atlantis was destroyed. He saved me Mondrael. He cares for me, a lot." she said in a soft voice.
"I care for you too. I came from the dead to see you again. Do I have to walk on water to prove my love and loyalty to you?" he asked pleadingly. She nodded and smiled.
"I know you do, but I don't care for you as I used to anymore. I've had to grow up. We could never be together and I liked father's arrangement. I'm sorry." He glared to her with fury and angry betrayal in his eyes. She shuddered at his glare and backed a bit away from him. Something about him nudged at her brain, warning her to stay away. As she moved away from the settee, he followed her, rage apparently in him.
In a quick move, he forced her back to the wall, firmly pressing her arms back. "Mondrael please! What's wrong with you?" she screamed as he continued to glare hatred to her.
"Didn't you understand it was me who saved you from the man in the alley? That I watched over you and made sure Nakami took care of your body? How I kept her alive when she could have died and ruined your body beyond repair under her coma?" he demanded, tears streaming down his angry face. She just pressed herself farther against the wall in attempt to get away from him.
"But you continue to prefer Arnin over me! Even though he never watched over you, took care of you, nor gave up an afterlife in heaven for you!" he continued, his watery eyes consumed with everything in relation to pure hate glaring it at her. "Oh Mondrael... I'm so sorry." she murmured. Slowly, yet surely, he disappeared, a few tears left at where he stood.
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Warm sunlight shone into the carriage as she rose from her sleep. It was a long ride, two days straight, and the driver still managed to stay awake and able to drive. She looked outside and smiled. Elegant countryside manors streamed by them. Each one had the family crest placed somewhere on their domain. Deep inside, she knew that this was probably where Allen's manor was. She remembered Van telling her about how he refused to live in the palace and desired to remain at home to care for his sister. And now he had a wife to care for as well, with a child too.
Her heart sank at this. But she made up her mind. She'd march up those steps and demand him to take her back. With his last romances with other women, going around his marriage to Eries would be a snap. Yes, she'd pluck him for her own like a thief in a neighbors garden. Smiling at this, she pulled out a mirror to ready herself.
The wonders she did with a brush and lipstick. Her hair was now in it's silky waves on her shoulders and shined with the smallest light from the sun. And she turned her plain lips into a succulent scarlet that would shame the reddest rose. Smoothing out the wrinkles of her fair blue dress, she admired the goddess that gazed back at her through that mere sheet of glass and foil.
"This is your chance Hitomi. You'll finally have the one who desired you the most. Forget about that bastard Van. He can rot in hell. It's your turn to shine." said the lovely woman. Hitomi smiled proudly. Yes, she could do this. She was beautiful enough, many people told her that. And a few of Van's advisors would complement her on the way she held herself, so polite and regally, like a queen. She could do this.
The carriage wound off of the main road into a side road. The gardens here were lovely, all different colors and shades of the rainbow, even a bright green flower here and there. It was a touchable paradise, she was following the rainbow. The gold was at the end of it. Fruit trees began to emerge, what looked like pears were glossy and untarnished, making her want to grab one and devour it. No, she wouldn't be greedy and take one for herself.
This place was perfect for a heavenly knight to live in, it was heaven itself. Even the gardeners seemed happy in their nice wool clothing joyfully brushed with the blessed land. And their large hats to dull the sun's unintentional pulsating heat. Everything was aglow and she smiled to herself. 'What a lovely place to live.' she thought as her eyes drank in the view. 'It doesn't seem like a war has ever hit this place at all.'
Soon, they started to turn on a small cul-de-sac that turned back to where they came. At this spot lay the grandest mansion she had ever laid eyes on. It was large with plenty of well sculpted and fancy windows. Its red tile flooring at the inner patio gave it a charming look offsetting the nice cream white of the walls.
She carriage shifted a bit and soon the driver came to the door. Opening it, he held out his hand. She lightly grasped it and slid gracefully off of the seat and out of the carriage. Giving him a kind nod and a bright smile, she excused him and started to walk up to the entrance.
"You are ready Hitomi, you can do this." she said to herself as she marched on. Climbing the small steps, her mouth twisted into a grin. She hadn't seen Allen since she first left Gaea. How would he be now? Would he look different? Was he still the same as before? The thrill of it all quickened her pace. Van was the only person she had seen since she came back and she realized how secluded she was being.
The front doors opened and a tall blond figure stood. His long hair was tied back at the nape and flowed to his rear. His characteristic Caeli uniform was replaced with a masculine white shirt and black pants with a long navy blue duster. But his trusty coral hilted sword of Caeli was at his side, something she knew would never go away. He had trusted this sword with his life and it guarded him well.
Azure eyes squinted at her nearing figure, head tilted to the side in confused investigation. "What brings a lovely lady such as yourself here on this beautiful day?" he asked, returning to a straight posture. He seemed not to recognize her at first. It was a bit disappointing but she excused it with her sudden burst in curves.
"To visit an old friend Allen, who seems to have forgotten me." she said in amusement. He neared her and cocked his head again in confusion.
"I'm afraid I don't know you. May you please introduce yourself?" he asked.
"It's me, Hitomi." she said with a pleasant smile. He blinked and looked to her shocked.
"H-Hitomi? You're actually here? When did you get back? How did you get back? How are you?" he stuttered in excitement. Before she could answer any of the questions, he pulled her into a giant hug, something unlike him. Pulling away from her, he studied her. "Look at you! You've really blossomed since you left. I bet that Van will faint once he sees you. You're gorgeous." he said.
"I'm so glad to see you too Allen. We have much to discuss about. You've really changed. You aren't a knight of Caeli anymore?" she asked happily.
"Yes, I still am. But I am taking a small holiday from a knight's work. Come in! I don't was such a lovely flower to wilt from the sun." he said as he took her hand and led her inside.
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A/N: I know this is taking so long to update but I really needed to get into the flow to be able to describe Hitomi's carriage ride, the prophesizing of Faslien, and Inhestia's feelings of nervousness towards Van, and the visiting of Mondrael. Well, I hope you liked this chapter. I really tried to pay attention to detail, and I know this is getting confusing. But I just want you all to think about it and when you all get it, you'll feel my pat on your back, saying a job well done! Well, I will be going more into The time Hitomi spends at Asturia and Van's epiphany, cause I know you all are like "how come he's all quiet and peaceful after getting laid?" That's not why but it will be explained soon. And Faslien's part in this will be displayed. Don't forget to review! Bye!
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