A/N: Wow. My fifth chapter already. o_O Amazing. Didn't really think I'd get so many reviews for my fic. ^^ I'm so happy you all like it! Sorry I didn't update soon. I was kinda lazy. ^^;;;

Disclaimer: Me no own Escaflowne. If I did, I'd be rich and the series would continue forever!




Wings of Destiny: Book One

Spirits of Atlantis




Chapter V

Thoughts and Doubts




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Hitomi crashed on to the bed as she looked toward the ceiling. "It is the only way to stop Apocalypse." Hitomi's emerald eyes closed as she thought about those words that Ellen had said.

Apocalypse. The end of everything. Is that what's going to happen? thought Hitomi. The blonde girl sighed with heavy troubles in her mind. "Two years and I just had to come back for this," muttered Hitomi, "Perfect timing."

"It was destiny Hitomi," came a voice. Hitomi suddenly opened her eyes and sat up. Standing at her bedroom door was Ellen. The raven-haired girl smiled. "I'm sorry if I intruded your thoughts," she said apologetically, "I tend to do that often."

Hitomi shook her head. "It's okay," she answered, "I wasn't really asleep anyways. Too much things in my head. What brings you here?"

"Nothing really," said Ellen as she sat down beside Hitomi, "You just seemed troubled. You keep asking yourself why this has to happen to you."

Hitomi looked skeptically at her. "How do you--?". Ellen smiled. "How do I know this?" answered Ellen, "I'm a seer, a sorceress, witch, whatever you call it. I was given the responsibility to make sure everything doesn't go wrong."

"But you seem to know exactly what we want to say," said Hitomi. Ellen sighed. "I have a nasty habit of prying into people's minds. Mind reading," said Ellen.

The emerald-eyed girl widened her eyes in surprise. "You mean you can read my thoughts?" said a very shocked Hitomi. Ellen laughed, "Yes. I happened to be able to."

"Can you do it to anyone?" asked Hitomi. The raven-haired girl shook her head. "Not everyone," she answered, "Many people can block minds. Like Aria. She blocks her mind when she feels I'm prying."

"But, how do you do it?" questioned Hitomi. The raven-haired sorceress smiled lightly. "It's one of the thing I'll be teaching you," she answered.

"Teach me? I'm not sure I understand," said the blonde. Ellen sighed lightly. "Remember how I told you are the seer?" Hitomi nodded, "Well, there are things you must learn Hitomi, they'll help in our quest for the Seven Lights."

"Is that one of the reasons you gave me this Tarot deck?" asked Hitomi. She pulled out the deck of Tarot cards and looked at them. They've cost so much trouble in the past, thought the girl.

"But they will come in handy soon," said Ellen suddenly. Hitomi was a little shocked at first, then remembered how the raven head can read thoughts. She smiled and nodded.

Ellen lifted herself from the bed as she walked toward the door. "I think you should go to sleep," she said, "I'll answer the rest of your questions tomorrow."

"Aren't you going to bed?" asked Hitomi lightly. Ellen shook her head. "The sword of the Escaflowne was broken. I should got fix it."

Hitomi looked puzzled for a moment. "Shouldn't you let the Fanelians do that?" said Hitomi. Suddenly, Ellen's face darkened. "The sword was broken by magic. Black magic. So it will need someone experienced to fix it." She turned toward Hitomi and smiled. "Now go to sleep," she said, "We'll be very busy tomorrow."

Hitomi nodded. Ellen closed the door and left. Hitomi laid down on the bed as she slowly drifted into a dreamless sleep.

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Darkness swept over the skies like the black wings of a raven. Twin blue moons hung in the night sky and shined through windows of many rooms. A figure crossed through the darkness of the halls. As they stopped to peer at the twin moons in the sky, the light shined on their fire red hair and navy blue eyes.

Aria turned as she continued to walk down the hall. Her gaze kept toward the floor. The redhead turned at the end of the hall and entered the chamber where the Espano guymelef, the Escaflowne, was held.

Bent on one knee, the Escaflowne stood as if it was stoned in time. Though it had not been moved in two years, it's metal still shined and it's jewels glimmered. It's cracked sword placed in front, and Ellen stood before it.

The redheaded girl smiled as she noticed her raven-haired friend looking solemnly at the Escaflowne. The ice blue eyes of Ellen Hart peered at the mighty and powerful guymelef. "Do you think Vengeance's army is already that powerful, or is Van losing his touch?" said the young healer.

"He's just not prepared," answered Aria. She walked to Ellen's side and looked up at the Escaflowne. "If it was my first time going up against the Demonic Knights," said the girl, "I would probably lose too," she suddenly let out a laugh, "But I did lose didn't I."

Aria chuckled harshly, "You'd think it would take Vengeance a lot longer to build up her army," she paused, "Do you think she's already gotten her Demon corps together?"

"To follow the prophecy," answered Ellen, "I would answer that she has already found the child of innocence and they have already released the dark ones from the Shadows." The raven-haired healer sighed heavily. "I just wish it wasn't so soon in the process," said Ellen sadly, "I wish we had more time to prepare for everything."

"Well, we can't do anything to change the past," said Aria, "What's done is done. We need to focus on our part Ellen. We just need to follow the necessary steps. We have almost everything figured out Ellen."

The healer bent down, placed her hand above the broken sword of the Escaflowne. A soft blue light enveloped the sword and the broken parts slowly began to mend back together. As the blue light dimmed, it was apparent that the sword was fixed. Ellen gently brushed her hand across the gleaming sword, sighing heavily.

"Any news you can give me Ellen," said Aria, "Good news would be preferred. You first tell me Vengeance has escaped the Shadows, and then you tell me the Demonic Knights are going to attack Fanelia. Any good news, any at all?"

"Jamaline should be in Austuria by now," said Ellen, "She said she would be. Though I'm not sure that's good news," she smirked, "You know how much trouble she can be." She pulled open her blue handbag, pulled out a small bottle containing water and a beautifully carved wooden bowl.

Aria grunted. "Yeah, James is a lot of trouble," said the redhead disapprovingly, "She's such a child. I'm not sure she'll ever grow up. That stupid merchant." She shook her head as she crossed her arms.

As Aria spoke, Ellen placed the bowl on the floor and poured in the crystal clear water. She dipped her fingers into the water and muttered softly, "Corceva calos evril." Suddenly, the water began to glow a soft blue light.

Ellen picked up the bowl as the light dimmed. She looked into the water and then her eyes narrowed. "What is it?" questioned Aria, "You seemed troubled. What the hell is going on now?"

The young healer sighed, "A messenger with a ship will arrive tomorrow morning," answered Ellen, "They will bring the news of another attack." Aria looked puzzled. "An attack?" she asked, "On whom?"

Ellen's blue eyes looked on sadly into the pool of water. Images formed on the water. They were the images of people fighting, buildings burning, and four Demonic Knights crushing everything. "Austuria," answered Ellen, "The messenger will seek for help from Van. He will seek help that may save the city of Palace."




TBC

Was the Austuria part a little bit predictable? Oh well, what's done is done. Anyways, now that you know the messenger is from Austuria, I think that literally gives away who he is. -_-; Aria is not going to like him. She's not going to like him one bit. You'll see why soon enough. Hope you liked the chapter! ^^ The Corceva calos evril part was a spell if anyone noticed. It enabled Ellen to see images of the present or the future. How or why? Ask me and I'll tell you. ^^ Read + review everybody! Your reviews really help.

Thanx to GWingAngel, ShadowedAbyss, and Sereneblaze for reviewing my fic! ^^

And a very happy Arigato to STC, Isy Okolo, FritzyLuna, Atashi Komatsu, and Anata! Your continues reviews are so helpful. They encourage me to write.

I love getting reviews! *bounces around the room in a chibi way* NO NA DA! ^^; I'm reading way too much Gravitation stuff. I'm starting to sound like Ryuichi-chan. -_- That is not a good sign.