A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I was suffering from Writer Blockosis. ^^; Pathetic eh? Well anyways, here's the sixth chapter. Happy reading! ^^
Disclaimer: How many times do I have to say this! I don't own Escaflowne, so don't rub it in!
"Hm," sighed Hitomi. The emerald-eyed seer stretched on her bedroom balcony, over looking the kingdom of Fanelia. A small smile slipped onto her lips as she looked up at the clear blue sky. The sun shined and no clouds where seen from miles around. It was such a beautiful day. Nothing could possibly go wrong right?
Hitomi exited from her bedroom, wearing her school uniform, in search of Ellen. She had questions that needed to be answered, and the young girl knew that the raven-haired healer was the person who could answer them.
As Hitomi turned at the end of the hallway, a sudden screech made her stop dead her in tracks. Turning around to see whatever made that noise, she was suddenly blinded by a blur of pink and was knocked onto the floor.
"Hitomi!" yelled Merle. The pink haired cat girl practically pounced on the unsuspecting Hitomi. She purred as she licked Hitomi in the face. "Merle!" cried Hitomi, "Get off me!"
Slowly, the cat girl got off her victim, with a big smile plastered over her face. "It's so good to see you again Hitomi," said the cat girl, "Lord Van told me you were back."
Hitomi couldn't help but smile. It had been two years, but Merle hadn't changed much. She still had the same pink hair, which was now longer and tied into a ponytail. "It's nice to see you too Merle," smiled Hitomi, "But please, next time, would you be careful of your greetings. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Oh poo," said Merle, waving her hand, "You're no fun. Anyways, I'm not here to just see you. Lord Van asked me to bring you to the main hall. He said it was something important." Hitomi nodded her head as she followed Merle toward the main hall.
"You know what Hitomi," said Merle, "Even after two years, you still look like maid." Hitomi narrowed her eyes angrily. "Why you little--"
"Good morning Hitomi," said Ellen. At an intersection between the halls, the two girls met up with Ellen and Aria. The redheaded commander yawned. "Good morning? Please. I feel like I have a hang-over," said Aria, "Van better have a good reason for getting me up so early."
Ellen gave Aria a stern glare before turning toward Hitomi. "Van asked us this morning to go to the main hall," said Ellen, "He said it was important. And I think I know what it is."
Aria sighed, "I just hope it isn't it. I don't want any more bad news." The four girls continued down the hall toward the main hall, where Van awaited their arrival, with a certain guest. Some how, thought Hitomi, I have a feeling that it is going to be bad news.
Pushing past the enormous door, the four girls entered the main hall. Talking with Van in the center of the room was a tall, blonde, and rather handsome young man. His golden blonde hair was long and shining. His blue eyes turned as the four girls entered the room.
Allen Schezar smiled at the sight of Hitomi. "Hitomi, it's good to see you're back," said Allen, "Van told me you were back." The blonde girl smiled, "It's so nice to see you Allen."
"Lord Van, why exactly did you request us being here," said Aria, quickly getting to the point, "I don't think it was just meant for a meeting with blondie." She cocked her head toward Allen's direction.
"Aria, I think you should be a little nicer to Allen," said Van, "He is my guest." The redhead grumbled. "Who is he anyways?" asked Aria.
"I am Allen Schezar, Knight of Caeli," answered Allen, extending his hand toward Aria. For a brief moment, Aria looked as if she had just seen a ghost. Then she recovered. She crossed her arms and closed her eyes. Hitomi noticed that the side of Aria's mouth twitched slightly. It was a tense moment between Allen and Aria.
"Ahem," interrupted Ellen, "I think it would be wise to let us know why," she glanced at Aria, "Sir Allen is here in Fanelia." Hitomi nodded in agreement.
"I've come to ask Fanelia and the Escaflowne to aid Austuria against an enemy," answered Allen darkly, "We think they are from Zaibach. They attacked once before, in Palace, and we think they might attack again, and we would need all the help we can get."
Ellen's eyes suddenly narrowed. "What where they, and how many?" questioned the raven head. Allen sighed, "They were of only one black guymelef. Similar to the ones Zaibach once used, but without a stealth cloak."
"A Demonic Knight," answered Ellen gravely, "And you're right, they are from Zaibach." Hitomi sighed. They attack Austuria as well, thought the girl.
"Van told me Fanelia was also attacked by these things," said Allen, "What exactly are they miss--?"
"Ellen. Ellen Hart. And this," she turned to Aria, "Is Arianna Keel." Ellen looked extremely uncomfortable. "The black guymelef that attack Palace is called the Demonic Knights. They were summoned from the Shadows and usually travel in packs of four or five. It's very unusual for them to attack by one," said Ellen, "So that one must have been a seeker."
"A seeker?" asked Hitomi, "Of what? Could they be after something in Austuria?" Ellen, with an extremely nervous look nodded. "They must be after......" But she didn't finish.
She put her hand to her mouth and looked at Aria. "You don't think that it could be it, could it?" questioned Ellen. Aria grunted in return, her navy blue eyes opened. "I doubt it," said Aria, "But you never know, it could be it."
"It could be what?" questioned Van. Ellen turned to Hitomi for a second, their eyes locking, and then Hitomi understood. "It could be one of the Seven Lights," answered Hitomi.
"I'm not sure I understand," said Allen, "I've never heard such a thing existed in Palace." Aria smirked. "It could be disguised and if it really is one of the crystals, we need to find it before she does," answered Aria. The blonde Knight now looked completely confused. Seeing this, Hitomi whispered, "I'll explain later."
"So now we head to Palace," said Ellen, "And I think it would be good if we went with Allen's crew. It could go a lot faster." At the hear of this, Aria looked as if she just chocked on something. "What?" said the redhead, "There is no way in hell am I going anywhere with him." She pointed toward Allen.
Hitomi, Van and Ellen looked skeptically at Aria's behavior. "And why not?" said the healer, "This may be where our quest begins Arianna. And if one of the lights is in Palace, it's our duty to find it. Besides what are you afraid of?" Ellen smirked.
Aria looked as if she was going to explode for a minute. "Fine!" she shouted. She turned toward Allen, her finger pointed at him. Her face was blotchy and red from anger. "And you," she said, "I've got you numbered Schezar. I don't like you or your type. So don't mess with me or that pretty blonde hair of yours is going to be cut short," she grabbed the handle of her sword, "I swear, if you even cross the line just a little, you'd wish you'd never have met me Schezar." And she quickly stormed out of the room.
"She doesn't seem to like you very much Allen," said Hitomi as she watch a certain redhead storm out of the room, "I wonder why." Both Ellen and Van shrugged. "Who knows. Arianna has always had a bad temper," answered Ellen.
"But it is good we have a place to start looking," Ellen said to Hitomi, "It just may be the place where our journey begins."
In a cold dark room, a young girl sat on a black throne. She wore a black velvet dress, and her hair was dark black and reached to her chest. The young girl was not older than 13 years of age. Her eyes seemed cold and stoic. Though she was quite beautiful, she seem very dark.
In the young girl's hand was a beautiful golden mirror. The young girl looked into the mirror and slowly, the image of the crew of the Crusaders, getting set up for a trip back to Palace, appeared.
Slowly, that image faded and the face of a certain blonde, emerald-eyed girl appeared. The black haired girl smirked. "Everything is going so well," said the girl, "It's a good thing they don't know how weak I really am or the first thing they'll do is come and kill me." She laughed. A cold, heartless laugh.
"Ravel," said the girl. A cloaked figure appeared fromt the shadows of the room. "Yes my Mistress?" said the cloaked figure. "I'm leaving the business of these people to you. Don't disappoint me Ravel. I need all the energy I can get. So I'll need that crystal from Austuria. And remember Ravel," said the young girl, "I want the girl too. I want you to do everything in your power to bring her to our side. Understand Ravel?"
"Yes Mistress," answered Lord Ravel bowing, "I will do everything in my power to make you strong again. And the girl will be on our side. I promise you that."
"I hope so Ravel," said the little girl, "Remember, I will be watching you. I will see if you really are worthy." The cloaked man nodded, "Thank you for this oppertunity to prove myself Mistress. I will not let you down."
TBC
-_- I think I did really bad for this chapter. A whole lot of nonsense. Really sorry. Writing it was sorta forced. Anyways, hope you liked it anyways. The girl that was mentioned, the one Ravel is suppose to bring over to their side, it's not who you think it is. Trust me. Send in the reviews! I love reviews! *turns chibi and bounces around the room with Kumagoro on her head*
Thank you ALL for the reviews! I gotta write this fast since it's almost 3:00 AM and I really hate writing HTML. Oh yeah, please note to read the author's note. It is very very important. Later y'all! ^^ *hugs Kumagoro and waves*
