Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

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Episode #7

(This episode uses a bit of the unmei manga for Escaflowne.)

Hidden Secrets

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Hitomi and Yukari's reunion was a happy and uninterrupted one! Hitomi had explained accordingly about her adventures in Gaea, her and Van being lovers, and about the recent past events. Most of the story puzzled Yukari to the brink of madness, but (miraculously!) she managed to fit it all into her brain and understand what most of it meant!

* * * * *



Another week passed in Astoria, and it was time for Van and his company to return to Fanelia, seeing as how Van had neglected his duties since Hitomi had returned. Frankly, Damen was getting rather angry at the seeress for distracting Van, even though it wasn't really her fault! She couldn't help it if Van was obsessed!

The day Van was to go back to Fanelia, he asked Hitomi if she would return with him, and Yukari if she would like to join them. Yukari looked down at her shoes, feeling very much the intruder to a romance. She wished to be invited, not just asked whether she wanted to go, like she was a third wheel! She saw Hitomi nod her head to Van and then look at her sincerely.

"Yukari...," Hitomi smiled. "You're very welcome to come along, too."

"I'd prefer...," Yukari said humbly, "if I were invited."

Van smiled at her, laughing merrily. "We've got ourselves a genuine Hitomi Junior!"

Hitomi smiled back at him and giggled. "Nope, I'm one of a kind!"

"That you are!" Van said, sweeping her up in a hug and letting her go afterwards. Then, Van looked at Yukari again. "All right! I invite you, Yukari Minsuko, to accompany Hitomi and I back to Fanelia, where you are welcome to stay as long as you so desire."

"Then, good King, I most gratefully accept!" Yukari mocked a curtsy.

The three boarded an airship that Millerna had insisted they back to Fanelia, instead of getting saddle soars on those confounded horses again! Hitomi excused herself and went to the room given to her on the airship. She found that she was very sleepy, even though it was only just after lunch. She thought that it must have been looking after Yukari without much sleep. As she came into her room, she let herself fall onto the bed.

The stuffed mattress beneath her was somewhat hard, un-welcoming. She started to close her eyes. She didn't care that the pillow was cold or that the sheets were clammy against her skin. Her eyes closed on their own will, and she was asleep in seconds.



~*~*~*~*~*~

"Where am I?" Hitomi asked. She was standing in a gigantic room. No, not a room — the gate that Tyreal taken her to before. She had almost forgotten about it.

An image appeared in front of her. It seemed like a ghost: pale-skinned, gray-haired, and glowing eyes that stared at her. The spectre's body was being held by heavy chains bound around its wrists and ankles. The chains clinked loudly as a cool breeze passed over her and the spectre. The spectre pointed at her and she froze instantaneously.

"You!" it said in a moaning voice. "Your body is changing! You are not ready!"

Hitomi looked at him, puzzled. "Ready? Ready for what?"

"Twisted hearts create a new being of power, to fight for the heavens: the Angyst. The protector of the Angyst: her beloved, Knight of Angels, whose weapon is none but Excaliber, Sword of Light. The wheel of fortune turns, then comes the true test," the man said.

"What?" Hitomi replied.

"You are not ready!" The man shook his head, disappointed, and suddenly disappeared. The only sound remaining was of the clinking of his chains one final time. Then, she was alone again.

~*~*~*~*~*~



Hitomi woke up screaming: "A riddle! It's a riddle!" She was grateful when she knew that no one had heard her, or they would have thought she was crazy!

She rushed over to her writing desk, and wrote down what the spectre had said so she didn't forget. However, that was very unlikely!

Hitomi walked to the control room of the ship, where Van and the others were. She came in, and was about to say something when Van cut in and said that they were landing in Fanelia now. Instead, Hitomi walked over to Yukari.

Yukari turned and looked at Hitomi. "Oh, Hitomi, it's beautiful!"

"That's what I said to Van when I first saw it," Hitomi replied with a smile.

The ship landed safely. They looked out the windows: the whole kingdom was there to greet them! In front of all was Van's second advisor, Rom, who Van had trusted and befriended for so many years.

The company of Van, Merle, Damen, Hitomi, and Yukari exited the ship, and stood in a line facing Van's kingdom. Hitomi started blushing: she'd never had so many people looking straight at her before. She looked over at Yukari, and saw that her friend felt the same way.

Van walked to Rom, looking at his friend fondly. Rom cleared his throat. He wanted to hug Van and Van wished the same, but it would be improper in the public eye.

Hitomi and Yukari stared out at the ever-growing forests that bordered Fanelia. The soft green leaves swayed as the wind rushed through the trees playfully. Yukari looked at her uniform, and realized that she had her duffle bag, like Hitomi did.

Yukari turned to Hitomi. "Hitomi? Do you still have your tarot cards and your pendant?"

Hitomi looked back at Yukari in surprise. "No, I don't have my tarot cards. I gave them up a long time ago. And my pendant I gave to Van."

"Hey!" Yukari said slyly as she realized the pendant that was dangling from Hitomi's neck. "That looks a lot like you're pendant to me!"

Hitomi looked down at her new pendant. "Yes, but it's not the same one. I got this one from the bizarre in Astoria."

Van motioned Hitomi over to him, and he put his arm around her waist as she stood beside him. Yukari looked at them. Hitomi had no doubt found her true love. Yukari could sense the warm, abounding feeling circling her friend and the young king. Van would most certainly be the one Hitomi spent the rest of her life with!



* * * * *

A month passed in Fanelia, and Yukari found she was no longer homesick. She loved Gaea very much! She, like Hitomi, wished to live here from now on. Yukari could only pray that she would find someone like Hitomi had...

One day, Van received a letter from Millerna, and he looked it over thoroughly. Hitomi and Yukari walked into the room. He looked at Hitomi and sent the letter flying into the air triumphantly. He jumped up and looked extremely happy. Hitomi picked up the letter off the floor and began to read aloud:



"Dear Van,



I am happy to announce that Allen has decided to come to terms with Hitomi's decision. He believes very strongly that it was a longing for Celena: a most unfortunate recollection and similarity of her long disappearance was stirred by Hitomi's coupling. Celena and Hitomi are so very much alike, after all! Perhaps that is why they are such good, devoted friends, even when they are apart! Absence makes the heart grow fonder, they say! My apologies, Van: I am carrying on again! I must learn to stop doing that!

To the second point. Dryden, the Schezars, and myself wish to graciously ask for the privilege to visit you in beautiful Fanelia for a few days to reacquaint, if that is at all possible.

I anxiously await your reply. Please, give my greetings to Hitomi, Yukari, and Merle.



Your Sincere Friend,

Millerna Sara Aston."

Hitomi looked up in surprise. Normally, she would have broken down, crying in relief, for she still loved Allen as a friend. "This is astounding! I'd have thought that Allen would never recuperate from such a reminder! That he would hate me!"

"Yes," Van replied, smirking. "Isn't it nice to be disappointed?"

"It is," Hitomi sighed.

Yukari seemed did not notice the lovers' joy. She was lost in her own little world of wonder and imagination. The only thing she remembered was a sense of calm rushing over her like the tide over an ocean, then Hitomi falling on top of her.

"Ow!" Yukari grumbled. "That hurt!"

"Gomen nasai!" Hitomi apologized, bowing her head.

"That's all right," Yukari replied, rubbing her head. "I'm feeling a bit tired. Dozo sumimmasen, I think I should go sleep."

Yukari left the room and fell onto her bed. She was very tired! The day was wearing on too slowly for her liking. Her eyes closed, and she slept...

~*~*~*~*~*~

She was in a black abyss. To her ear came the sound of clinking chains. Into view appeared a spectre. It pointed at her and it's eyes held her in her place. It called out and terrified her with each word.

"You must help her — the Angyst! She doubts herself without reason. The Knight of Angels is troubled! You must help the Angyst place the keys in the gate, or all will fall into chaos. He waits for the moment when the Angyst is weakest, and then will strike to turn her to his dark purpose. If that happens, you must stop the Angyst from placing the keys in the gate. Will you do this?"

Yukari stumbled. She was overwhelmed. "Wait, wait! What is the Angyst?! What are these keys?! And this gate?! Who is he?! Information, please!"

"The Angyst is a being who will restore order to Gaea, at a cost to herself. The keys are—!" The spectre disappeared instantly and she was left alone.

"Wait!" she yelled and reached out to the place where the spectre had been. Her hand closed on air.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Yukari awoke and looked around her room. The corners and proportions of the room were swaying back and forth slowly. It was as if she were still dreaming, but she could feel the bed beneath her. The soft covers against her bare legs. She found that her hands were clutched tightly to the covers, and she had to tug to get them to let go of their grip.

"T-that dream...!" Yukari whispered, fear tinting her words.



* * * * *

Van was sitting on his throne. Hitomi was perched on the arm of it. She kissed his cheek and he blushed in response. Damen entered, interrupting whatever they had been wasting their puppy-love time on. He ran up screaming and babbling. Van looked at him in surprise.

"What is it, Damen?" Van asked.

"Attack! We're under attack, my king!" Damen yelled.

Van jumped up and ran to a window. Outside were red-hot tongues of fire, licking at the buildings of Fanelia! Hitomi joined him quickly. Van moved from the window and began to talk to Damen.

"Damen, are all the citizens safe in the mountains?"

"Y-yes, lord!" Damen answered shakily. "Everyone has left."

"Good. Get Escaflowne ready now!"

"Yes, my lord!" Damen began to run off.

Van and Damen suddenly heard a agonizing scream ring through the hall. They looked around and saw flames rise up into the window where Hitomi looked out. The flames hit her face and she cried out in pain! She rushed her hands over her face and the arms of her jacket began to burn! Van ran over and pulled Hitomi to the ground. Hitomi's face wasn't burned, thanks to her quick arm movements, but her arms were bleeding badly and she needed help fast!

Van looked at Damen as he helped his king pick Hitomi up. They ran outside to get Escaflowne! Embers hit the castle, some landing on Hitomi face, and she screamed. None were big enough to burn her, though. They had just reached Escaflowne when Yukari came running up! Damen took Hitomi in his arms while Van entered Escaflowne. Escaflowne picked all three up in its arms, and charged outside.

The carnage was great! Hitomi looked up despite her injuries. She looked at the fire. She cried out as she began to glow immensely! Escaflowne's energyst began to glow, too!

Hitomi yelled out again, and from her chest erupted long, spiked energyst! Van and Damen gasped, Yukari shrieked in untamed horror! .

Damen could only whisper through his hoarse throat. "My Gods! Her body is made of energysts!"

TO BE CONTINUED...