A/N: You like me, you really really like me. Well, maybe not me, but I'm really happy that you guys like my fic. ^^ I'm really glad you are enjoying it. It makes me so proud *sniff*.
Disclaimer: Escaflowne is in no shape or form mine. I don't own it okay?
"Van! Behind you!" shouted Hitomi. The blonde girl raced toward the Escaflowne. As Van turned around, he saw that a pair of metal Crim Claw was coming quickly toward him. And there was not place for him to run.
Suddenly, Van was pushed onto the ground with fierce force. The Escaflowne fell onto the floor with a hard stump. "What happened?" questioned Van. As sudden as he was pushed, he realized what happened as he saw the Crim Claw that was meant for him, tightly dodged into the leg of Aileron.
"Aria are you okay?" shouted Hitomi. Aileron suddenly cut off the Crim Claw and quickly drove its sword into the black guymelef, cutting it in half. Inside the injured red guymelef, Aria gasped for air.
Slowly, the Escaflowne lifted itself from the ground. As another Crim Claw was shot at Van, he dodged it and slashed a large gash in the enemy, and it burned into flames. Weakly, Aileron steadied itself. Though it was damaged very badly, it continued to fend off the remaining four guymelefs.
"Hitomi! What the hell are you doing here!?" shouted Van. Hitomi avoided the crumpling building and the fires, she knew well enough not to get too close to a battle. "I ran here to warn you!" she shouted back.
"Well, it seems that we're both fine Hitomi, so go back to the castle. It's not safe here," said Aria as Aileron clashed metal with two of the black guymelefs. Van fended the other two from advancing as fire continued to rise.
"Aria, I want you to go with Hitomi," Van called, "Aileron is damaged badly, you won't last much longer! And I can take care of myself." But instead of listening to him, both Aria and Hitomi stayed. "I'm staying!" shouted Aria and Hitomi in union
Aileron was able to obliterate another one of the black guymelefs. Suddenly, the other unleashed its Crim Claw shot toward Aileron and cut of the broken leg. With its last might, Aria threw the sword toward the enemy and it drove into the head of the black guymelef. Then Aileron fell to the floor in a loud thump.
"Aria, are you all right?" shouted Van. Escaflowne clashed swords with the remaining two guymelefs, destroying one in the process. "I'm just fine. Just fine!" called Aria.
The remaining battle continued on as the Escaflowne and the black guymelef continued to fight. They were put into a stance as their swords were pressed together. "I will complete my mission," said a dark voice from the guymelef.
"What?" said Van incredulously. Metal clashed as the black guymelefs drove its sword toward Van. I'm losing my grip, thought Van as he felt his sword shake with force. Then, with one mighty blow, the Escaflowne's sword cracked into half and fell onto the floor.
"Van! NO!" shouted Hitomi. The black guymelef raised its sword into the air. "Prepare to die," it said. And its sword started coming toward Van.
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" thundered a voice. The black guymelef suddenly froze in position, it's blade inches from the Escaflowne. Slowly, it turned gray and crumpled into dust.
"That will be quite enough," said the voice once more. Behind the crumpled guymelef stood a black hooded figure. In their hand carried a blue handbag. Its other hand was position in the direction where the last black guymelef once stood.
It's the person that warned me about Van, thought Hitomi. With a wave of their hand the fire that burned, dimmed, then disappeared. Both Aria and Van got out of their guymelefs and turned toward the hooded figure.
The black hooded figure then pulled off their hood, reveling a black haired girl. She dropped her bag onto the ground and brushed the cape behind her shoulders.
The girl looked around the same age as Aria. She looked serious and attentive. Her hair was raven black and barely touch her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep ice blue and were sharp. She work black boots and pants, and her top resembled Aria's, except it was dark blue and it didn't have open sleeves.
Aria looked at the raven-haired girl with a smile on her face. "Ellen, what took you so long. I though you'd never get here," said the redhead.
"You're never patient are you Arianna?" said the black haired girl. To Hitomi, her voice hinted the slightest of a British accent and it was the same voice that called to her when she was on Earth.
Aria grinned, "I'm never patient Ellen, you should know that." Van jumped off the Escaflowne and walked toward the girl. Aria followed and so did Hitomi.
"Thank you for destroying that guymelef and saving my life," said Van, "But, how did you do it?" The raven hair girl smiled a little. "I think you know the answer," she answered extending her hand, "My name is Ellen Hart."
"My pleasure," said Van as he shook her hand, "But I'm not sure I understand. How did you destroy that guymelef?" Ellen sighed heavily. "You know the answer, I know you do," answered Ellen. Van stilled looked puzzled.
It was her that spoke to me on Earth, thought Hitomi, She was the one that brought me back to Gaea. I'm sure of it.
Then Hitomi spoke up. "It's magic isn't it," said Hitomi meekly. Ellen grinned as she picked up her bag. "Yes, you could call it that. But I much more prefer to call it Sorcery," she turned to Hitomi, "It's nice to see that you got here safely Hitomi."
Confused, Van looked to Ellen for an answer. But before he could ask, Ellen answered, "The answer to your question is that I was the one that brought Hitomi back to Gaea."
"But how do you know me?" asked Hitomi. Ellen turned toward Hitomi. Her ice blue eyes pierced through her soul. "I'll explain everything later," answered Ellen, "But right now, I suggest we head back toward the castle. I'm sure the Fanelian people must be worried."
When they had arrived back at the castle, the people of Fanelian rejoiced over the defeat of the enemy. Ellen had asked Van not to mention her, or what she did. Then the raven hair girl requested that she would be able to speak with him, Hitomi, and Aria. Alone.
And now, Van, Hitomi and Aria waited patiently for Ellen to say whatever she needed to say. They sat around the table in the royal court, where usually, conference of the royal council was held here.
Ellen quietly placed her blue bag onto the table and removed her black cape. "Before I explain everything," said Ellen, "I'd like to give Hitomi something." She opened her blue bag, reached in, and pulled out a deck of tarot cards. She handed the cards to Hitomi. "You'll need them soon," said raven haired girl.
Hitomi took the cards and looked at them carefully. They look just like the tarot cards I had, thought the blonde girl.
Carefully, Ellen placed her hands on the table as she looked at the three figures in front of her. "I think we should begin with a question," she looked around, "Anyone?"
"How do you know Hitomi and Aria?" questioned Van. His ruby eyes focusing on Ellen. Both the Ellen and Aria smiled a little. "Ellen and I are from the same pack. Our past goes back a long time," answered Aria, "She used to be a Shadow Rider." Van looked surprised to learn that Ellen was a Shadow Rider. He then recovered and nodded in understanding. "What exactly is a Shadow Rider?" asked a very puzzled Hitomi.
"The Shadow Riders are a clan of the warriors, seers and healers," answered Ellen, "Our past dealt very much with the Atlantians and we're considered deadly and dangerous. We were the only humans that could control the Shadow Stallions, like Magnus. We are the carriers of the past of the ancients."
"Past of the ancients?" muttered Van, "What do you mean? And how do you know Hitomi?" The boy seemed very impatient now. Van wanted an answer, and quick as possible.
Aria and Ellen stared at each other for a moment. Then, sighing heavily, Ellen answered, "I'm sure you've heard of the Legend of the Key, I presume." Van nodded, but Hitomi shook her head. Ellen smiled at Hitomi. "Once again Hitomi, you also know the story," said Ellen, "It may not be as accurate as ours, but it is close enough. You're friend on Earth, Eriko, told you that story."
Suddenly Hitomi remembered. "My project is base on the island of Atlantis," The blonde girl nodded, though she wondered how the black haired girl could have known about it.
"But that was just a legend," said Van, "It couldn't possibly be true." Ellen looked as if she was looking out into space. Then she closed her eyes, sighing heavily. "I only wish it was just a legend," said the raven head faintly, "But it is far from just a legend.
A lot of people don't know the story as it actually is. The Shadow clan is probably the only ones that know the true story. Many people believe that the Fate Alteration machine destroyed Atlantis. But back then, they called it the Destiny Machine.
Gaea was originated from Earth, or the Mystic Moon as many refer to it. A war had raged between the Gods, Angels and Humans on Earth. War, death and hatred consumed the world. The Atlantians fought along side of the Gods, and with their help, had created the Seven Lights.
These Lights were the most powerful force in the universe. They gave their possessor infinite power. Separately, they were powerful on their own. But together, they would give its possessor the power to destroy, or create.
The Goddess of Vengeance, wanting the world to be her own, she summoned the Seven Lights together, unleashing the Darkness and evading the universe in darkness. She was set on destroying the universe and creating one of her own.
Nothing could stop the Darkness. All seemed to be the end. Until that is the Angels decided to step in. With the power of the Angels and the Gods, they created something that would be able to seal the Darkness and the Seven Lights so that they would not be able to be used again.
That is how the Key was born. It was a light that would be able to cast the Darkness back into the Shadows, and separate the Seven Lights back into seven parts.
After the Darkness was sealed back into the Shadows, the Key changed the Seven Lights into seven crystals. Each reflected a colour of the rainbow. Each of the crystals held their own power, and only the Key could merge the seven powers back together again.
But Vengeance was still determined to make a world of her own. She persuaded the Atlantians to create a machine that would be able to alter fate and the past, so she could create her own world. But the power was too strong, Atlantis was consumed, and Gaea was born with its last change of fate. Vengeance had created her world, but cast herself into the Shadows in the process.
Before she was sealed away into the Shadows, Vengeance promised that she would return one day and that she will claim the Earth, and Gaea."
Ellen opened her eyes as she waited for reactions from her audience. Van was thinking very hard, Aria sat patiently knowing that Ellen was not yet finished, and Hitomi carefully thought about the story Ellen just told, and the myth Eriko told of. The Seven Lights, thought the young girl, The power to create or destroy.
"There was a prophecy wasn't there?" asked Hitomi, "There was a prophecy that said of the return of the Darkness. Am I right?" Ellen nodded lightly. "After Vengeance was sealed away," said Ellen, "A Seer was over come with a vision that predicted the return of Vengeance, and the War of all wars." She paused, then repeated the ancient Prophecy.
"Three millenniums of a turn, will bring about the Darkness once more. The ultimate battle between Light and Darkness will determine the fate of the universe. A child shall open the Gate and unleash the Darkness. A Dragon shall reign in the battlefield. Sister of four shall recover the Key. And a Seer shall seek for Peace of life.
One shall be sacrificed. One shall conquer all in battle. One shall bring the Seven Lights back into One. And all will be determined. The Key will create a destiny of us all. As it's holder will determine the fate of the universe. Three millenniums shall bring back the Darkness. And Vengeance will seek for its possessor."
Aria sighed. "Zaibach already knows about the Prophecy of Death," said the redhead, "So they must be trying to make it come true." Both Van and Hitomi looked confused at this. "But why would they want to do that?" questioned Van.
"To gain the universe," answered Ellen darkly. Ellen sighed. "We need to complete the prophecy and find the Key before them," said the raven-haired girl, "It is the only way to stop Apocalypse."
"But what do you mean by we?" asked Hitomi. Aria gave a small smirk. "It means the four of us," stated Aria. Van looked quite confused. "Why the four of us?" questioned Van.
"It is because we all play a part in the Prophecy," answered Ellen, "We, Arianna and I, are two of the four Element Gods," she laughed at Hitomi and Van's shocked faces, "Hard to believe I know. But let me continue. Hitomi is the Seer, and Van is the Dragon."
Van looked completely shocked for a moment. "What?" said the young King incredulously. Aria laughed, "Don't be so shocked. You played a part in the Great War didn't you? Well, that was only the beginning. And now this is the last battle."
"I know this must be very difficult for you to understand, but if you don't follow the Prophecy, I'm not sure what will happened," said Ellen, "More will be explained along the way. The last war was only the beginning. Now, Vengeance has escaped from the Shadows and it seeks for the Key and the Seven Lights. And she seeks for what she wants."
TBC
I know that was a lot of explaining, but it had to be done. Gomen! The next chapter will be more adventurous. I promise! Anyways, dear readers, think carefully about Eriko's little project and the story Ellen told. It is very important in my fic. Just to let you know, Ellen is 19 and Aria is 20. I dunno why, but I just need to say that. ^^; An old ally will appear in the next Chapter! The first person that guesses right shall be in my fic! ^^ Plz read + review everyone! The more reviews, the faster I write.
I'd like to thank Angelblood and ryonomiko for reading my fic! ^^
And a big thanx to STC, FritzyLuna, Isy Okolo, Atashi Komatsu, and Anata! Your reviews are a BIG encouragement. ^^
