Yellow, people! Yes, I'm still writing at this ficlet and I want all of you who read to ENJOY! Hey, I'm getting bossy, aren't I? I'm ordering you to like it - you have to like it! *is lacking self-confidence* I couldn't post for awhile because not only did this chapter take forever, but I wasn't allowed to post for awhile. I lost all my reviews for my other story *sobs* It makes me think that I should write for you guys as much as for myself. Thank you ALL, especially those who have read every chapter, even if I don't know you cause you didn't review. Shame on you. Okay I'll shut up now, so you can read.


Chapter 23-
The Battle that Rages Inside Oneself

Keeping his eyes toward the Commander of the Genduta army, Van charged forth, the guymelefs of his three allies close at his heels. Despite his vow to take anyone on, no matter who he was, he was slightly disappointed that he would not do battle with the Commander. However, the enemy guymelefs would not move. They seemed to be waiting for a command. Van admired their stiff loyalty to their King, in spite of Fanelia's head-on charge toward them. However, he would not back down, for his country and for his own people's sake.

He glanced to his right, as guymelefs rushed past him. He realized then that he had stopped in his tracks. After all this, was he afraid? That just was not possible. He willed himself to take one step, knowing in his mind that it would help make following ones easier. Van heaved in a breath, looking toward the horizon once again. The Commander had disappeared. He whipped his head around, Escaflowne mimicking his own actions. Suddenly Van did not feel like he was leader of a country; he felt like he did over a year ago, a lost king hoping to regain something he had lost-a simple soldier in battle. The battlefield seemed to make every man equal in rank, both ally and enemy, noble or commoner. It did not matter to have a title in such an environment. Now that this knowledge had dawned upon him, Van could go without worry, of title or reputation, to the challenge that faced him.

Van rushed forward, meeting one of the enemy guymelefs on his mad dash. Giving a loud cry in his challenger's direction, the man barely had enough time to raise his giant sword to defend himself before Van was upon him. The whine of iron scraping iron rang through the air, and within moments his enemy lay motionless on the sandy ground, its energist hold damaged and the machine never to rise again. Van, sweating profusely, gripped his sword as he leaned forward upon Escaflowne's giant knee. He breathed deeply, the pungent scent of blood filling his nostrils, as he raised himself to his feet. The weapon in Escaflowne's hand helped him to steady himself, and Van glanced around rather dazed.

The shouts of men filled his ears, but he could not decipher any particular voice. In fact, it did not matter to him right then. Finally, standing with his back upright, he searched out the next enemy. Spotting one, he gave another cry, lifting his sword to a mighty height above his head. He dashed in the unsuspecting guymelef's direction, allowing his sword to fall upon the head, cleaving the machine in two. The man inside did not cry out, but died quickly inside the flames that emerged from the explosion. The scrap fell apart at Van's feet, burning the corpse inside. He could not help but stare down upon it, the fire alighting his eyes. Van looked up toward the horizon, where many more guymelefs rushed down.

You're all just damn giant eyesores, Van sneered to himself. I'm not even going to bother dealing with you; I seek someone else. He stood indifferent to the Genduta guymelefs flooding the already crowded plain, as Asturian and Fanelian assault came head on to meet them. Every one of the enemy rushed past him, as if he were not there at all. Feeling a little incensed, Van thought in exasperation, Where was their commander? He whipped his head in all directions until his eyes met the horizon once again, where the last of the enemy guymelefs rained down upon his army. Once the dune was clear, Van spotted the man he had sought.

There stood upon the dune a lone guymelef, different in colouring from the others. A blood red cape hung from its shoulders, almost sparkling as it caught specks of sand from the wind inside its creases. Its whole body was decked with diamonds, which, reflected by the sunlight, blinded Van's eyes momentarily as the guymelef took a step forward. Forcing his eyes to meet the wondrous machine, Van spoke quietly, "This is no ordinary guymelef. The colour is that of the royal family's coat of arms." It had to be Gendas; no one else would be permitted to pilot it other than the king himself.

Smiling secretly to himself, Van knew that if he managed to kill him today, the war would soon be over, as the country was not really fighting for its well-being, but rather for the king's selfishness. Then the kind-hearted Prince Tobias would take the throne and rebuild it into an honourable country once again. Yet, these were only his own idealist thoughts. The Prince, if anyone else, must know the reason for the war as well as his father, and this must be why he chose not to participate. After meeting him at the wedding, Van had quite a good impression of him. He would not be as foolish as his father. With this thought in mind, Van knew what he must do.

Gendas, however, did not inhabit the pilot's seat inside Serenity. At this precise moment, he sat with his own minister, Ladislaus, in the library. Dozens of maps surrounded the candle that burned low on the table, as Ladislaus scrutinized his King's face. He was never quite sure what the man was thinking, and after a long silence, he was still surprised by the words that left his mouth. Gendas rubbed his temples deeply, slowly coming out of his own reverie.

"My soldiers should be arriving back any minute now," he stated, as if Ladislaus had just entered the room himself, "My captain had sent a message a week ago stating that Fanelia was within their sights." The other man nodded, still unsure of what to think of this plan. The King had not told him whether or not the soldiers would simply steal the energists Fanelia had stored, or slay the country's dragons themselves to obtain them. Shaking his head, he figured the latter was impossible, as no one in Genduta had ever seen a dragon before, let alone slain one.

The King must have sensed his confusion, because he answered him quickly, "Fanelia's storehouse of energists is underneath the manor's floor. While I was staying in Fanelia, Van Fanel unknowingly told me so in confidence when I inquired as to what the heavily guarded house was just inside his courtyard." Ladislaus nodded, uninterested. Wars did not affect him; he had no one close to him that it touched. This was one reason why he was minister for Gendas, he did not object to the King's many wars.

However, this present war was affecting him deeply. This pointless war was the first that Prince Tobias was involved with himself. That such a young man like him was involved gave his own conscience a nudge. Ladislaus loved the young Prince, almost as if he were his own son. If he were to die in this war, this damned pointless war... sometimes the supposedly hardened minister would almost break down into tears at the thought. But to say anything to the King, who was Tobias's father by birth, would only bring internal conflict within the country, and Genduta did not need that at such a time.

As Ladislaus let these grave thoughts swim through his mind, the door to the library flew open and a battered man limped inside, clutching his side. The two men sitting at the table turned to face him immediately.

"Your Majesty...!" he managed to say, before exhaustion overtook his body and he fell to the floor. Ladislaus jumped to his feet, quick to help the man to his own feet. The wounds on his body had not been made by the journey; rather, the clotted blood that stained his skin and clothes suggested that they had been made a while ago.

"What happened?!" the King demanded, rising to his feet. "Did you reach Fanelia? Were you able to overpower the people?" With every question, he started doubting the competency of his soldiers. Such a thought in his own mind made him grow angry, though he wasn't sure who he was angry with- the wounded soldier in front of him, or himself. Suddenly, he banged his fist on the table in impatience that had seemed to sneak up on him.

"What the hell went on in Fanelia?!" he positively shouted, as the wounded soldier tried to find his voice once again to answer. Finally, he stood up by himself, with Ladislaus attempting to support him.

"Sir, we were overcome..." he suddenly began to choke, as spurts of blood left his throat, splattering over the floor. Paying no mind to the blood, Gendas prompted the man on. Swallowing, the soldier continued.

"Fanelia was- better prepared than we had expected..." he paused to cough again, but kept going, "A mass of Fanelian soldiers was gathered at the gate. We were unable to get through." Pausing for a breath, he added, "There were only three survivors, myself included. The mission failed, and I apologize." Gendas sighed, then nodded. He addressed his minister.

"Ladislaus, please take this man and his companions to the clinic." The minister nodded, and taking hold of the injured man's arm, he wrapped it across his shoulders and led him out of the library. When their footsteps had died away, the King sat down again, holding his head in his hands.

So, the plan to retrieve Fanelia's energists had failed. Van Fanel was not as naive as he sometimes let on, and he had left his country in the best of hands. This would explain why Fanelia had so many of its allies in the ranks of their army; the best were left in their home country to care for it while their King was away. In spite of the failed plan that was just laid upon him, he chuckled to himself. He would just have to wait until after the war. Even if he were to lose, he could just arrange another raid whenever he built up his forces once again. Then taking Fanelia would not only come to pass, but all of Gaea! The first energists would come from Fanelia, as they possessed the most in Gaea. Then they would come from prominent countries such as Asturia, Freid, and Zaibach. It didn't matter if this war was lost or not! It suddenly dawned upon him that if he were not at war now, the raid would have been successful and Fanelia, and even all of Gaea, would have been his already!

Standing up, he extinguished the lone candle on the table and left the room. In spite of this new knowledge, he would not give up so easily on the war. There was still a chance that Genduta would win. After all, Fanelia had only its meagre soldiers to fight, with a few allies scattered here and there. Yesterday afternoon, his son Tobias had set out with the best of his own soldiers. Whether or not they had met the enemy was still unknown, but if his son came back defeated, he would have to punish the boy. Faye had already failed in her duty toward him as his daughter; to have a son disappoint him was much more than he could take. He expected a message reporting his country's location and position in battle any time now; he had sent a messenger to make sure of it. For now, all the King could do was wait.

Merle was shivering as Hitomi carried her away on her back toward the covered wagon. The poor thing, she thought as she spotted the wagon at last, which was being led away by the old man who drove it. As soon was Van had given the covered wagon leave, he had flicked the reins right away, expecting that Hitomi and Merle would catch up quickly. However, he had not expected that the cat girl would cling to the older girl's back, slowly her down greatly. Hitomi could not see how Merle could shiver, when she herself was sweating up a storm. The wagon seemed to be going at a fast rate, even though it was being pulled by an old, sickly mule.

Finally, Hitomi made it to the wagon and ordered Merle to jump into it. She complied, landing with a thud sprawled on the hard floor. Before they departed over the dune, she glanced back at Van, who had already run off. There was no time to worry over us. Yet she still felt a tug at her heartstrings when she saw the guymelefs, knowing that Escaflowne stood among them. Turning away, she held out her arms to Merle, who gratefully embraced her. Since battle had begun, Merle had not said a word. It made Hitomi nervous not to hear this chatterbox talk; it made the whole world seem silent.

For now, she heard nothing. Like Merle, from outside the wagon there came no sound. A tense silence it was, almost as unnerving as the sounds of battle that would soon follow. Hitomi shut her eyes tightly, hoping against hope that she would hear nothing, or feel nothing. Touch came first. A wind ruffled her hair, caressing her face, neck, and bare shoulders as her shawl fell across Merle's body. Quietly, Hitomi tucked the shawl about the cat girl's chin. Time must have passed by her unknowingly, because sleep had taken Merle and she rested softly on the sandy wooden floor of the wagon. At least she would not have to see anything, Hitomi thought, as if this thought would assure her as much as drifting into sleep had assured Merle.

Hitomi turned her head to look out the back of the wagon, and the hot wind stung her eyes, bringing involuntary tears forward. Her sight had become that of a desert mirage, except she knew deep in her heart that everything was all too real. The wagon climbed a short dune, allowing Hitomi a full view of what would become the battlefield. Thankfully, no one had begun fighting, and in spite of her blurred vision, she confirmed in her mind, designated by its grand features, weaponry, and flowing crimson cape, that Escaflowne was there.

Although hidden somewhat by the other guymelefs and her own poor vision, Hitomi could clearly see him inside. She did not know how she saw him, but everything was clear to her. His ebony hair flowed about in strands as he gave orders that fell upon her deaf ears. He was silent. Why was everyone and everything becoming this way? Was distancing herself from the battle making her world silent? Even the steps the old mule took were fading. She couldn't even hear Merle's steady breathing. No, I can't leave them, she thought, placing her hands on her head. But I can't do anything.

She squeezed her eyes shut and the world seemed to disappear. Usually, she shut her eyes to see what the world would be like, what it would look like; but she was always assured that everything was right there, through hearing. But now there was nothing. Would all her senses leave her? Fear gripped her at this thought. Opening her eyes quickly, she saw that the army had begun moving, but no sound met her ears. Why... What was happening to her? Tears glided down her face, flying through the air as she shook her head, trying in vain to clear her mind. No, this couldn't be...


Yet it was. She had been enveloped inside yet another vision. No, I don't want to go through this again...! Hitomi screamed to herself. I hate having to deal with these alone! God, make it stop! Make it stop! I don't want to see anymore death!

It was to no avail. Even her seeing vision had been erased, as all the material things of this world faded into darkness that was created to house yet another horrible vision. What would it bring to her mind now- a vision of many men's deaths perhaps? Why, she knew that grisly fact already, that men, even someone she loved, would die! She knew that Van could die as well. Why did she need a vision to tell her this harrowing news? And if Van was going to die, she did not want to see it. She had seen many visions of his death. He got into trouble so often, it almost became a regular occurrence. She could not be there for him this time.

But when she was finally given sight again, what appeared in front of her was not Van's death. Though after seeing what would soon appear in front of her, Hitomi almost wished that it had been. Her eyes widened when she saw herself, the first time she had ever done so in her own vision.

The vision Hitomi was dressed in a light blue silk dress, her gloved hands clasped prayer-like in front of her. Time seemed to have passed by her, although it didn't seem she was any older in years; rather, it seemed only events had aged her. Her eyes were closed, and a smile decorated her red lips. Long earrings dangled from her ears, and an elaborate necklace decked her breast. Her hair was a bit longer as well. An invisible wind lifted the ends of her dress, and she finally looked up. Even her eyes had lost their youth. Hitomi stared at herself; is this really me?

Her other self turned around, as she was the only figure in the darkness. However, she didn't seem frightened of her surroundings, and Hitomi knew she could see something that she herself could not. But still, she squinted to see what the girl had turned around to see. The other Hitomi moved her lips, but sound could not be heard in this vision. Now, the vision Hitomi extended her arms to someone inside the shadows.

Suddenly, Hitomi smiled. This must be a vision of the future. For once, it was actually predicting something favourable. No more death, no more sorrow. The figure in the shadows must be Van... was it too much to hope that she could be his queen someday? Once that thought entered her mind, she was seized by a deep desire. Would Van marry me? Would he? She thought these words over and over, as she watched the man emerge to embrace 'her'. This man was not Van.

Hitomi watched with fascination as she saw him take her other self in his arms, holding her momentarily before he began placing kisses down her slender neck. She could think of nothing, nothing to say or do about this; all she could think was... this man was not Van. He was taller, and he did not possess the raven hair that her love did. He had a lean build like Van, however; she could tell as he held her in his strong arms. He was murmuring things which made no sense to her, but Hitomi's vision self smiled at him, unable to take her eyes from his face. Now though, he uttered one thing that Hitomi could easily read on his lips,

I love you. Hitomi held her hand to her mouth, unable to believe what she saw. This could not be the future; there just couldn't be any way she would love anyone other than Van. But the worst was yet to come though. The other Hitomi turned to him, placing her hands on his face, slowly, tantalizingly, tilting her own head upward before she touched her cool lips to his.

No! That's not me! Hitomi was unable to close her eyes to this vision. The couple in front of her shared their kiss for a long period of time, and all the while, Hitomi was screaming inside her mind. I would never do that! Emitting a scream from her lips, Hitomi was surprised to actually hear it echo through the emptiness, shattering her other self and the man with her like glass. Confused, Hitomi whipped her head around to see what else this torturous vision would show her. The shards of glass that remained lay upon the dark floor, and Hitomi, suddenly overcome with a sudden pain in her side, crawled over to them, not even knowing why she was doing so.

Sitting on her legs beside the pieces, Hitomi reached over and picked one of them up. Her reflection wasn't inside it, but she continued to gaze into it. An image flashed inside the piece - it was Escaflowne! The once proud machine was in ruins, and a trail of blood ran from the cockpit. But before she knew it, the image had disappeared and Hitomi fell backward onto the floor.


"OWWWW!" Merle complained, when Hitomi fell onto her as she slept. What was that idiot doing, falling down on her like that? The cat girl lifted her hand, and let it fall, her claws drawing blood from Hitomi's arm. The older girl jumped up with a yelp, clutching her arm delicately.

"Serves you right!" Merle said, ruffling up her fur. Hitomi looked from the angry Merle to outside the wagon, where voices could now be heard, shouting orders, and pain filled cries mingled with battle cries. When Hitomi did not answer her, Merle's angry look faded away and she gazed at Hitomi with concern.

"What is it?" she asked. Hitomi shook her head, finally answering. "I can't stay here, Merle. I can't wait for things to happen. I have to be there for him!" And upon saying so, the determined girl jumped from the wagon, landing softly on her feet. Merle gaped after her, as she disappeared following the wagon tracks back to the battlefield.

"Hitomi!! Are you crazy??!!" Merle cried out after her, cupping her hands to her mouth to carry her voice toward the departing Hitomi. "Come back Hitomi! Come back!" But Hitomi would not come back. Never again would she be separated from events that would determine the outcome of her loved ones. To do so would be to leave her own life empty - of everything she had ever known. She would rather die than let that happen!

But her mind still wandered. Even though it was only a vision, she felt like a traitor. She had been shamelessly holding the stranger like her lover. No, that must be a fluke, she told herself. Her visions were losing their merit. If that was the case, she should not be out here, running toward the battle without even knowing why. But she couldn't stop her spontaneous behaviour; therefore, she kept going forward without hesitation.


Van advanced to the dune, meeting the King's sword upon his own with an ear-splitting crash. The man inside was prepared, raising his weapon to catch Van's sword blade deep in his hilt. Their arms quivered with the force they exerted, both intent on knocking his opponent to the ground and finishing him quickly. It would not be easy, though, since they were equally matched in strength.

For several minutes, their weapons remained locked together. Suddenly, an image came to Van of everyone in Fanelia, who were counting on their king to keep peace. He thought of people long dead: his parents; Vargas, his mentor; Folken, his brother; every one of them depended on him to conserve the world they had worked so hard to create - the world he lived in. And suddenly, Hitomi came to his mind. She had gone through so much for him, and he had given her nothing. Not even an expression of gratitude. Yet, for him it was so hard to express this simple feeling he held inside. But, the least he could do was give her a world of peace, and a future. This thought lent new strength to his limbs, and he cried out, running the blade of Escaflowne's sword along his opponent's, forcing his backward.

In this sudden burst of strength that had caught him unprepared, Tobias was unable to keep the King of Fanelia pinned with the force of his own sword, and he was overpowered. Serenity sailed backward, landing hard on its back.

Escaflowne towered over the Prince inside his guymelef. "Surrender, Gendas, and perhaps in the future, I will be able to forgive you." The Fanelian King gave his ultimatum slowly, as if trying to hold back something... his anger perhaps?

Tobias had never seen anyone do such a thing. He gazed up at the bright sky, squinting his eyes both because of the sun and in frustration. Despite the fact that he often ordered his opponents in combat to fight him to their fullest potential, his father had threatened each of them further if they injured him in any way. As he pondered this, a recent memory suddenly flooded his mind.

"Ladislaus! Give me all you've got!" he slowly drew his sword designed for duelling. His guardian blanched, replying, "But, Prince, I can't-" Tobias sighed loudly.

"I am not a child anymore! I turned seventeen a few days ago!" he continued arguing his cause, "There are some rulers who assume the throne at half my age! I demand that you use all the power you have against me!" Raising his sword horizontally and positioning it sidelong with his chest, he assumed a deadly serious look. Ladislaus was unnerved by this look, but the young man would not be deterred.

"If you are worried about my father's reaction, I swear I will take the entire blame. So cast away titles, and show me your experience with a sword so that I may learn." Tobias's features once again settled into that determined look from before. Glancing from side to side, Ladislaus suddenly cried out and charged forward. He had done so quickly, so as not to prolong the suspense of weighing the consequences. However, he had caught the young man off guard, who only half believed that he would do such a thing. Upon contact, Tobias was knocked to the mat, lying with his sword arm spread wide, and the sword itself had spun far out of his reach.

Ladislaus stood over the Prince's fallen form, holding the tip of his sword to his neck. Gazing up at the older man, he smiled. "Thank you, Ladislaus. I now know I still have quite a distance to go." His guardian nodded, removing the sword from his charge's neck, and extended his hand to help him to his feet.

"I am glad to be of assistance, Prince." Tobias sheathed his sword, and gave him a grateful look. "Nothing of this shall be told to the King. Let me make that clear here and now." They had parted in confidence of this secret.

That was two years ago. Since then, the Prince of Genduta had trained. Trained hard and long. When inquired by his father what he did with his time, he sometimes replied that he studied geography, which was partly true. He would not be ignorant of other countries like his ancestors. He also did not want his father to know that he often fought duels with ruffians in the streets of the capital. But as a result, he had become the best swordsman in his own land. His father had assumed it was only the genes passed down in the family, but Tobias didn't believe it for a minute.

Now here he was, meeting his match in Van Fanel. His sister's murderer. It was so hard to believe, but who else could he point his finger to? The logic of it was strikingly simple inside his mind, but when he thought of his sister Faye's sweet face, as she joined him at every duel he took place in inside the palace, a cold anger washed over him, targeted directly at the King of Fanelia. She was the only one apart from Ladislaus he felt he could get close to, confide in. This same cold anger filled him once again, much the same as it had when he saw her open casket the first time.

The Fanelian King's sword remained pointed at Serenity's neck. In a slight second, Tobias could see Van Fanel's face and, similar to the glowering of the desert sun, he seemed to be glowering as well. At this, he could stand it no longer. Gritting his teeth, his clenched the sword in Serenity's giant hand tightly.

"DIE, FANELIA!!!!" he shouted in a sudden rush of insanity. With a huge grunt of effort, he flung out his sword arm at the King. Escaflowne's sword escaped its grip, darting through the air until it stuck fast into the sand.

Van stared at his now empty hand in amazement. He had gone from having Gendas at his mercy to being weaponless. What could he do without a weapon? He did not have time to think of the consequence, as Serenity raised itself heavily to its feet, brandishing its own weapon. Without a second thought, Serenity rained down blow after blow upon Escaflowne. Van cringed, his body violently shaking as Escaflowne was severely beaten. Several long gashes formed on the armour, each that was also inflicted upon his body. He could not stop the bleeding from so many places, but tried in vain to run and fetch his sword, or defend himself against the blows. But Gendas was too fast for him, and no break was made for him in the onslaught of blows.

Yet he didn't want to just allow himself to be beaten. Standing up to full height, he punched outward with Escaflowne's bare fists. Van felt his own fists bleeding when his enemy's sword cut his knuckles as he struck out. For fifteen minutes, it continued this way, and in spite of his struggle to fight back, Van knew he was losing. Without his sword, he could not fight back properly. Taking one more vain punch, he sank to one knee in exhaustion. No, he said to himself, sweat mingled with blood running down his neck, I can't die here... can't let everyone down... not now... But without warning, Escaflowne's chest cockpit steamed open and ejected Van's beaten body from his seat, onto the hot sand at its feet.

From his height at the seat of his guymelef, Tobias saw the body of Van Fanel fall to the sand. Had it been that easy to kill him? There was no way that he could be dead. He stared down at the still body below him, when suddenly it stirred. He was still alive! Not for long, Tobias thought. His small figure tried to raise himself up, but could not manage it. Staring hard down at the fallen King, Tobias raised the giant foot of Serenity, casting a large shadow over Van's body. This would all end here...

Hitomi raced up the dune, often tripping over the unsteady ground. It may already be too late, but I will never turn back. She reached the top of the dune, and gasped at the sight. She had seen casualties in the Destiny War, but the sight always never failed to shock her. Swallowing her fear, she skirted as far as she could around the battlefield. Cries and sounds of weapons clashing rang in her ears, yet she ignored them as best as she could and concentrated on finding Van.

It was not hard. The rest of the guymelefs had purposely put space between themselves and two guymelefs that fought in the distance. One of the melefs was definitely Escaflowne, and the other one was dark blue in colour, and Hitomi recognized the crest on its chest. It was the same one that had been emblazoned on the dagger that Faye had killed herself with! That meant that Van was fighting the King of Genduta himself! Hitomi, suspecting the worst, was filled with a new determination and set off in their direction.

As she came closer to the two fighting machines, Hitomi noticed that Escaflowne had lost its sword. Was Van defenseless? At least she knew her vision had some significance. Van fought back bravely though he had no sword, but Hitomi knew he was losing to his enemy. It was good that she had come, although she had no idea how she would save him. She had no weapon, nor a guymelef. But I just want to be there for him.

Then something shocking happened. Escaflowne's cockpit opened up, steam rising out of the opening. She watched as Van's body was thrust out of his seat, and he lay unmoving upon the sand. He was at his opponent's mercy. Hitomi willed herself to go faster, sweat running down her face from both fear and the heat. She was so distressed that she did not notice that Van's enemy had lifted his guymelef's foot in preparation to crush him.

Finally reaching him, Hitomi spread her arms wide as she stood in front of Van's fallen body. He looked up, feeling her presence. "Hitomi, no..." he tried to protest, but she would not move. Finally, he crawled over toward her and touched her ankle gently. When he touched her, she suddenly looked up, trembling. The guymelef's shadow covered the two of them.

"Please, don't..." she squeaked, her arms that were held out to her sides shaking in fear. But the fear only served to make her strong under the circumstance. "I know I'm being selfish, but..." That was as much as she could manage.

Tobias gazed upon the small girl's figure, wonder arisen in his eyes. She had come to defend Van Fanel from him, all alone. After she finished speaking, she bowed her head, as if waiting to die. Serenity's foot remained above her, but he could not bring himself to crush her. Instead, he shifted his guymelef's foot, then let it thunder to the ground.

Hitomi felt the ground rumble beneath her, and she fell backward to the ground. The guymelef had barely missed them, its giant foot inches away from where they lay. Then a young man's voice called out, "Soldiers! To me! Retreat for now!" Waving his sword high, he pointed toward the horizon. Answering calls met Hitomi's ears as the remaining foot soldiers and guymelefs of Genduta abandoned their opponents and followed their Commander, doing so without hesitation as they had hit a stalemate long before. Hitomi felt her eyes sting as she watched them go. Feeling Van dragging himself to her side, she turned around and embraced him. For now, words would not be exchanged between them, for staring death in the face had made such communication impossible.

Commander Tobias arrived back to the capital, his exhausted soldiers glad to arrive. He did not give them an explanation, and they did not expect one. That was good because he did not wish to explain himself. What had happened back there... he thought to himself. Did I lose control of myself? He lagged behind his soldiers, who rushed into the arms of their families. He tried to ignore the weeping of women as he made his way to his own home.

What awaited him there was not a loving wife; rather, an angry father. He spotted King Gendas in conversation with Hidram. For some reason, he did not wish to speak with him. But the King caught sight of his son out of the corner of his eye. Excusing himself hastily, he marched up to his son, who continued to avoid his gaze. Raising his hand swiftly, he struck Tobias sharply across his face. The young man did not flinch, he only continued to gaze at the floor.

"You simple, mindless idiot! Hidram has just informed me that you had Van Fanel at your mercy. Why did you not kill him then? This war could have been over today! Explain yourself!" Gendas seemed to tower over the sullen young man in his rage. Finally, Tobias looked up at his father.

"There was a woman there..." he began, his eyes slightly cloudy from memory, "I couldn't kill her too, father. I just couldn't!" he defended himself. Gendas sighed heavily. "Why, son? It would have saved a vast amount of lives." Tobias pondered the actions he had taken on the battlefield. She had just appeared from nowhere, but somehow, he just couldn't control what he felt right then, or the words that left his mouth.

"Father, I fell in love with her at that moment." he said, wonder at his uncovered emotions in his eyes.

**


Ah haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What have we got HERE? I usually don't demand reviews that often, but here's one case that I really wish you would. After all, it took me forever and a day to write - just tell me what you think!