Chapter 7
Dedicated to: Alia, Jenny, shy_girl, Karmen Hellfire Albatau, Gina, Sailor Hope, aoao, escalflownefan101, sum1, and Sarina Fannel
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of its characters.
It was the fifth day of her stay at *home*, except, it didn't feel like home anymore. It was like living in a dream, in the past. Aleister was beginning to worry her, he made such licentious remarks, but she felt more annoyed than uneasy. The dreaded feeling loneliness seemed to have found her again, and there was no Celena to cheer her up.
Margaret was always sparring in the courtyard. The girl had really changed over the years. When Deré was four years old, Margaret had been her baby-sitter. When she was six, Margaret had took her to school. When she was eleven, Margaret had played with her; always Margaret, frail and cautious Margaret. Who would have expected the girl to become a talented swordsman. But she looked so strong now, with her long blond hair in two braids, and her large cinnamon eyes squinting with concentration; she had will and determination, reminding Deré of the dragonslayers.
When will they come back for me, if they're coming at all. Her worst fear right now was to be left here. Even though she loved these people dearly, especially Aunt Lydia who was ever so tender and caring, Deré wanted to go back, back to her master. They were her family now, this is the past and they are the present. She had already decided. This afternoon she would write a letter for Aunt Lydia, explaining herself, and secretly she would leave in search for Dilandau-sama and Celena.
Walking cautiously down the stairs, Deré was careful not to alert anyone. Aunt Lydia was taking a nap in her room, Margaret was out jogging, but Aleister was nowhere to be found. Deré put the letter on the counter; it was sealed in a lavender envelope with golden ink that read, for my dear ones. She hoped that they would understand.
A single tear slipped from her eye as she gazed at the picture on the counter. It was all five of them standing in front of a beautiful willow tree. It had been the middle of spring just before Venice left for the army.
"Such a lovely picture, isn't it?" His voice startling her as he reached out and caught the teardrop before it rolled from her cheeks, "and where are you going Deré, and without saying goodbye."
"Just to take a walk, stroll near the harbor," she tried to reply in a nonchalant tone.
"Really, shall I join you then? I miss our walks together." He smiled, an innocent smile that Deré knew was hiding something. Without waiting for a reply, Aleister lead her out of the house.
***
Twin figures in black were perched on the rooftop of an inn; one had a sad look upon her face and the other an indescribable expression. They were gazing towards the west where a forest of golden maple trees stood on a carpet of fallen leaves. They would be leaving today, back to the Vione, everything was packed and the supplies were ready.
But Celena suggested that they linger a while more, just to watch the setting sun cast rays of pink and yellow, spreading a warm orange glow over the city,. Yeah right, thought Dilandau, I know what she's thinking and she can just forget it, because there is NO way, absolutely NO WAY that I'm going to get that stupid girl! She should consider herself lucky. If I hadn't chosen to SPARE her, she would be DEAD! MORE THAN DEAD! The more he thought about it, the more bitter he became, unconsciously gripping and ungripping the hilt of his sword.
"Dilandau, stop that or you'll draw unnecessary attention to yourself. And besides, if you're so worked up about it, just go and get her."
GET HER?! GET HER?! I don't want to GET HER, he though defiantly. He was feeling more than bitterness now; he was so mad that the only thing he could do to calm down was imagine himself tearing the blasted town apart, burning it and everyone here to a crisp, especially that BASTARD Aleister.
Suddenly Dilandau stiffened as he saw a familiar looking silver-haired girl walking with a tall blond male. His eyes blazed with furry as Aleister put an arm around Deré, oh yes, he would go down there now and slice up his pretty face. Just as Dilandau drew his sword, Celena placed a firm hold on his shoulder.
"What do you want?!" His voice was a sharp snarl, restraint clearly slipping.
She answered in a steady voice, "Wait."
And as Celena predicted, Deré shrugged him off and faced the man, "Aleister, you have to understand, I don't love you anymore!"
"Don't love me?" he snorted, "what do you mean, you don't love me?" A few girls turned their heads to stare at him, his voice capturing their attention,
Dilandau's nerves were threatening to explode, HOW DARE HE ACT SO ARROGANT?! SHE OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T LOVE HIM, HOW COULD SHE, WHEN SHE LOVES . . . he paused, thinking about exactly where the trail of thought was heading.
With desperation, Deré tried again to explain, "It's the past now, Aleister. I know there was a time when we had something together, but it's gone now, it's too far away. I don't love you and you shouldn't make me. Please try to understand."
"Try to understand?" he laughed again, this time causing girls to giggle and point as if Deré was out of her mind.
Aleister then spoke with a detectable annoyance, "Deré my dear, I think you've mistaken—"
"I HAVE NOT MISTAKEN!" She shrieked with anger, why didn't he get it?!
Appalled by her behavior, Aleister had a look of disbelief on his face, who does she think she is, to disappear for three and a half years and return to reject him. Well, no matter, she didn't have a choice, they were betrothed! There was nothing she could do based on that fact, and to prove it he pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her hard. She struggled, trying to break away from him and make things clear.
Dilandau snapped out of his trance just in time to see Deré struggling against Aleister, her face evidently upset. This made him stand up immediately, yet feeling *much* better. Ha! She doesn't care for the blond fool, she's *mine* and she knows it. Dilandau grinned and landed elegantly on the street below, followed closely by Celena.
The crowd scattered, terrified to see the bloodthirsty general and his long thin sword. Women screamed and shops closed. Soon there were only the four of them left on the street.
"Dilandau-sama", Deré tried to cry out in a muffled voice, he hadn't left yet! There was a viciousness gleam of hatred radiating from his eyes and a disturbing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His vision intently locked on Aleister.
This man is going to suffer, oh yes, I'll make him suffer until he begs for mercy. No one touches her except me.
Finally, Deré managed to detach herself from the blond. Just as she stepped away, Dilandau attacked. It was a teasing turn of the wrist, a flick, but it caught Aleister's long glossy hair. Golden strands fell to the ground as the cold metal of the sword missed his face by a centimeter.
A sinister laugh escaped the general's lips; he would play with this fool, who was nothing more than a silly pretty-boy. He struck again, this time marring Aleister's face; a long scar ran from his forehead to his left cheek. Fear, I can taste his fear, his fear of me, my sword, and my power. He will die.
Aleister raised a quivering hand up to touch his once beautiful complexion. As the blood trickled down his fingers, he screamed and rushed frantically at Dilandau. But he was no match against the skillful warrior, with only one kick in the stomach Aleister collapsed, groaning. The cold steal of the sword was about to make another blow but stopped when Deré let out a cry.
"Dilandau-sama, please stop this!" She ran to stand between her master and fiancé. Dilandau hesitated and glared at her.
"Please Dilandau-sama, I beg you, spare him!" But his anger was too great to control, and he pushed the girl out of the way to continue his assault.
She couldn't just stand there and watch him kill, no, she couldn't do that. Even though Deré had little affection left towards Aleister it was wrong to watch him die. She had to stop her master. When Dilandau pushed her away, she watched in horror as red incisions ruined Aleister's fair, creamy skin.
"Celena! Please, stop him!" she pleaded the girl to do something, anything, but Celena wouldn't move. Having no choice, Deré found herself sandwiched between the two men once more.
"Dilandau-sama, I will not let you be like this!"
"GET OUT OF MY WAY YOU STILLY GIRL OR I'LL KILL YOU TOO!" And he meant it, Dilandau had had enough. Never had he felt so frustrated, he was trying to help the damned girl and here she was trying to stop him! Well *fine*, he didn't care anymore. If she wants to die, that's just *fine* with him! Ruthlessly he turned to Deré, but not before giving the blond another kick.
Even though his force was not harsh enough to kill, he hurt her enough to draw blood. WHY--CAN'T —I—JUST—KILL—HER?! He screamed mentally in irritation. It was as if sometimes was holding him back and would not allow him to slash deep enough to do any vital damage. She cried out in excruciating pain. She was burning, burning in white hot fire. She screamed over and over again until her throat was raw; it hurt, it hurt so much.
Celena remained unmoving as Dilandau took his anger out on Aleister. Although Deré begged her to stop him, she could not. A long time ago Celena had promised herself to let her counterpart do as he pleased. She would not get in his way; it was almost a sense of loyalty. Interfering was not something Celena felt was right; whatever Dilandau chose to do was his choice and his regret. She was not going to take responsibility. To her, a silent spectator was far better off than an intrusive fool.
But it was different when Deré was involved, she was someone close, very close, Deré was her best friend. Celena reached for her sword and in a commanding tone of voice, demanded him to stop, "That's enough."
There was a moment of surprise as he paused, as if to consider that Celena, of all people was commanding him. She never commanded him, she couldn't. It only made him angrier, his rage was overpowering; there was no restrain anymore and he unleashed his full strength. Even though a voice inside was screaming for him to stop, he couldn't and didn't; instead, he surrendered to the overwhelming impulse to slaughter and destroy.
Just as she fell to the ground, unconscious, Deré faintly heard the contact of steal against steal. There was a strong voice that said, "That's enough." But the rest was all a blur, and then there was whiteness, alleviated, undisturbed whiteness . . .
***
As the sun disappeared into the horizon, a clash of swords could be heard in the city of Gallardias. It was a stimulating battle between water and fire. They were a female and a male, both with silver hair and porcelain skin. Dilandau and Celena, both among the most skillful and experienced warriors in all of Gaea—it would be a thrilling battle.
The ocean roared in her sea-blue eyes and hell blazed in his. They attacked one another incessantly over and over again, each matching the other's moves. For an unknowing observer, it would seem as if the battle would last forever, but upon closer inspection, one could see that Celena was tiring. Her breathing slowly quickened as beads of sweat appeared upon her brow. Each of his blows was becoming harder to deflect as she felt herself gradually weakening.
Where does he draw his strength? Where does it come from? His attacks are so powerful, so forceful, it's unbelievable. During practice, it is not like this. This sudden burst of energy and ability is overpowering! I can't continue on like this! Soon, the girl would loose her defense, much less attack.
Leaping into the air, she tried to escape; except, Dilandau was too fast for her and grabbed her ankle, pulling her back down. She attempted the escape three more times and failed thrice, the third time almost tripping. Gasping, she retreated against a wall, but didn't have time to catch her breath as he striked again, missing her by millimeters.
"This is foolish, we train together, practice together. Do you think I don't know your movements Celena? You can only last for so long; I can predict everything you do. After all, you are *my* soldier."
He grinned vilely; her limitation fueled him, made him gleeful. What was she thinking? To challenge him? Ha! She was loosing, a single flaw would result in bloodshed. Barely able to hold her position, Celena glanced at Deré who was unconscious three meters away. This has to end! We must take her back to the Vione, to Lord Folken! She gritted her teeth in pain as blood oozed from her right shoulder; he had taken advantage of her lost focus. Gashes and cuts appeared here and there as Celena struggled to hold back tears of pain. She would fall soon, very soon.
Somewhere in the distance, galloping hooves could be heard. A blond haired woman rode swiftly on a horse-like creature. She was seeking them; her senses told her where they were. Two golden braids danced in the wind as she urged the creature to run faster; the unusual heaviness in the air was almost palpable.
Both warriors were heaving with exhaustion. Over the past few minutes, she had pitifully managed to slash his arm. However, it only resulted with more pain for herself. Finally, Celena couldn't take it anymore. She felt defeated; her body was tired and her spirit was broken. As she leaned on a wall for support, there was a sudden flash of gold and silver.
Cinnamon eyes challenged crimson. Golden braided tresses swayed with the wind as the girl took on her stance. Her delicate sword was held at an angle that reflected the moonlight, giving her an angelic touch in appearance and aura. Margaret knew that she was nothing compared to the girl in black armor, but even so, he had hurt her brother and Deré.
Dilandau stopped, took one look at the girl and experienced the sensation of getting angry all over again. Celena forgotten, he immediately turned to the woman before him, the same woman who had sent those men to kill them the other night.
She was quick and she was agile; her movement was light and her eyes never left the opponent. Margaret was smart; those years of training had finally paid off. She knew that attacking would cause her to loose, because her sensei had always taught her that a carefully set up resistance could easily be more effective than a series of savage attacks.
He was confused. She didn't threaten or intimidate; instead, she resembled a spring. No matter how hard he hit her, she always bounced back. If only Celena hadn't worn him out, or this pathetic doll of a female would have been long dead! It annoyed him to a degree that he felt like dropping his sword altogether and engaging in hand to hand combat instead. But this trail of thought was interrupted by Celena's sharp cry, "DERÉ! DERÉ!"
Celena sobbed at the bloody girl in her arms, Deré . . . that self-centered bastard doesn't realize what he's done. I'm so sorry, so sorry.
***
She was coughing up blood. The red goo was so thick in her throat that she could barely breathe. Gripping the sheets that covered her bandaged body, Deré sat up, gasping for air. "Lie down. You've lost a considerable amount of blood."
Who? What? Where am I? Pain, my head is throbbing; not just my head, everywhere. God, what happened . . . She was so tired, her vision was blurry and she felt lightheaded. Perhaps it was a good idea to lie down; she would worry about things later. That was Lord Folken wasn't it? Yes it was, his smooth monotonous voice is comforting. She had had a bad dream: there was Dilandau-sama, and Celena, and even Margaret. They were all fighting and she had desperately wanted to call out, to stop them, but she couldn't move as a chilling cold invaded her. Like being engulfed in a river of snowy water, she was frozen beyond movement or speech.
Folken gently placed a hand on the girl's forehead. She had a dangerously high fever. The injuries had all been dealt with and there was no severe damage except to her soul. The girl would surely remember this day for her life entire life. It would be forever imprinted in her mind, as even with the best of care, he knew there would be scars. It was really a shame, because in his eyes the girl was so beautiful, so flawless, but this was the price for loving and being loved by a dark prince such as Dilandau. He brought nothing but pain and suffering to those he hates and cherishes; it is naturally his way. Deré was marked now. He had managed to make him his, physically and mentally. Even if one day, she managed to forget, to free herself, a part of her will always belong to him.
Folken stayed by Deré's side and watched over the girl. When she had fallen asleep once more, he drew the blankets snuggly up to her chin. It had been so close. If he had arrived any later, she would have . . . would have . . . he couldn't say it; it was too fearful a thought. This girl strangely meant a lot to him, and he felt a great sense of protectiveness over her. Maybe it was how she treated him as a person, as an equal and more. Maybe it was because of her kindness and the way she cared about him, showed interest in him, asking about his likes and dislikes, trying to understand his past and childhood. Her love and concern touched him in a way. How foolish Dilandau is. Foolish boy, and he knows it too.
***
Dilandau had barged into Celena's room. The girl, resting in bed, had just finished treating her wounds after a hot shower. He was searching for Deré, but Celena knew that Folken had taken the broken girl to an isolated room where she could recover in peace; Folken's private room that even Celena hadn't laid eyes upon. Refusing to reveal Deré's destination, Celena ended up having a big argument with Dilandau.
They screamed at one another:
"SHUT-UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE!"
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO CAME TO *MY* ROOM!"
"I CAME TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. AND AS I AM YOUR SUPERIOR, YOU ARE TO ANSWER!"
"WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO HURT HER!"
"I WAS NOT! I—I WAS, SHE GOT IN MY WAY! IT'S HER OWN FAULT!"
"YOU ARE SUCH A SELFISH, CARELESS, ARROGANT BASTARD!"
"F*** YOU CELENA, JUST TELL ME WHERE THE HELL SHE IS!"
"OBVIOUSLY, LORD FOLKEN DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE HER, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT YOU'RE THE ONE WHO WAS GONNA KILL HER!"
"I CAN'T FIND FOLKEN. DAMMIT, YOU BETTER TELL ME RIGHT NOW, I KNOW YOU KNOW WHERE SHE IS!"
"HELLO? I AM TIRED, PISSED, AND HUNGRY. I JUST SPENT 45 MINUTES FIGHTING WITH *YOU*! GET THE HELL OUT AND LEAVE ME ALONE!"
He started to walk towards her, ready to strangle her, but Celena was just as furious, "WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?! YOU ALMOST KILLED DERÉ! IF IT WASN'T FOR LORD FOLKEN SHOWING UP SHE WOULD BE DEAD! I WOULD BE DEAD! AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU!"
"Stop . . . SHUT-UP! SHUT-UP! ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
He fell to the ground shaking. Is it . . . really my fault? Why, why did I do it? WHY?! I didn't want to, I knew it was wrong. But I couldn't help it, couldn't control it. Why? Why do I even care? Why is there this guilt? I shouldn't be feeling anything but SATISFACTION! She's just a damned girl that I was playing with. Just a weak, useless object . . . that I . . . that I need. Why is there this painful ache in my heart, if I even have a heart. If I even have a conscience, why do I feel so horrible . . .
O4o86 *~
A/N: talk about a bad chapter . . . mumbles unsatisfactorily to herself . . .