Adrina woke up and was surprised to find it was dark. As they traveled, she had dozed off after the events of the last day and night. She sat up from the soft ground and saw Eriya's melef sitting next to her. She looked around for Folken and tried to figure out where she was. She recognized her surroundings immediately. Folken had brought them to Fanelia.

Adrina heard a soft voice and saw Folken standing in front of the colorful mural he, Adrina, Van and Merle had painted on the castle when they were children. She stood up quickly and walked over to him, but he didn't seem to hear or see her.

"Will somebody tell me why my wishes never come true?" Folken pleaded.

"Oh, Folken."

He turned around and saw Adrina standing there, tears glistening in her eyes. His facial expression changed from sorrow to acceptance. "Rina," Folken started and pulled her into his arms, "that's not true. My most important wish did come true. You're here with me, aren't you?"

Adrina's tears began to fall when she heard Folken use the nickname she hadn't heard in years. She had been so afraid that he would be furious with her after she released Van, Merle and Hitomi, but his tender embrace told otherwise.

Folken gently turned her face up so she was looking at him and wiped the tears off of her cheeks. "Don't cry Rina. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything that I've put you through."

"Folken," Adrina murmured, "none of it matters. All that matters is that we're safe."

"And we're together," Folken added. Before she could react, he leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against hers. Adrina's eyes went wide and she stared up at him in shock. A smile traced his lips and she couldn't help but smile back. He lowered his lips to hers again and this time she returned the kiss whole-heartedly under the light of the moon.

A sudden noise in the nearby rubble had the two of them pulling apart. Adrina reached fro her sword and cursed herself when she remembered she had left it in the windmill. She had no idea how she was going to do it, but she knew that she would die protecting Folken if she had to. She stepped in front of him and squinted into the darkness in hopes of catching a glimpse of whatever had made the noise. She was surprised when she felt Folken's left hand close around her wrist and pull her back. He pulled her next to him and looked down at her.

"What is it?" Adrina asked.

"I don't know," Folken replied.

"Then why did you pull me back?" Adrina demanded.

"You're unarmed," Folken reminded.

"It is my duty to protect you," Adrina stated.

"Not anymore," Folken told her.

They both fell silent as another sound drew their attention. In the pale moonlight, they could just make out dark moving shapes. They were man-sized; maybe a little bigger and there was at least five of them. Adrina felt the fear spread through her body as the shapes came closer, revealing glowing red eyes. Adrina looked around frantically for anything she could use as a weapon. Suddenly, the figures stopped moving.

"Folken?" One of the figures called. The voice was familiar.

"Yes?" Folken answered.

The figures stepped out of the shadows and Adrina recognized them immediately.

"Rahm!" she exclaimed as the fear left her.

"Hello Adrina," Rahm greeted, "I never thought I'd see the two of you here together again."

"Things have changed," Folken informed, "I am no longer loyal to Zaibach."

"That's good to hear," Rahm commented, "so, what brings you to Fanelia?"

"I was hoping to send word to Van to meet me here," Folken told him.

"No problem," Rahm assured, "I can send someone to Asturia right now."

"I would be very grateful," Folken said.

Rahm turned to the four wolf men behind him. "Go back to the pace and send the messenger to Asturia. The message is for Van Fanel. His brother Folken is waiting for him in Fanelia."

The wolf men nodded and ran off into the shadows. After they had disappeared into the darkness, Rahm turned back to Folken and Adrina. "Where are you two staying tonight?"

"I hadn't really thought about it," Folken admitted, "We'll probably just stay here and wait for Van."

"He won't be here before dawn," Rahm assured, "why don't you come back to the cave? It's warm and we've got food. You can sleep for the rest of the night and I'll wake you up before dawn so you can come back here and wait for Van."

"What do you think?" Folken asked Adrina.

"Whatever you want to do," Adrina allowed.

Folken looked back at Rahm. "We accept your offer with gratitude."

"Good," Rahm smiled, "let's go."

The three of them made their way out of Fanelia and down the road. After a few minutes, they left the main road and headed down a steep hill. When they reached the bottom, they were in front of a huge cave mouth that was partially covered by bushes. Rahm pushed the bushes aside and motioned for them to enter. They did and were almost immediately swallowed in darkness.

"Just a second," Rahm's voice echoed off the cave walls. A moment later the cavern was illuminated in light as the wolf man lit a large torch. "This way."

Rahm led them down a corridor that Y-ed off to the left. He continued on to the right. They came to several other choices like the first one. Adrina realized that if you didn't know where you were going, you could easily get lost in the labyrinth. The passed another fork in the path and finally emerged into a large cavern illuminated by torches along the wall. Rahm walked into the center of the room and motioned for Folken and Adrina to do the same. Once they had joined him, he stepped on a lighter spot on the ground. The rock depressed and the ground began to move. Adrina looked down and saw that they were on a platform that descended into a well-lit and lively room. The platform stopped as it reached the ground and the four of them stepped off. Once they were clear of the platform, it rose back into the ceiling.

"Welcome to Bornal," Rahm greeted, "The underground city of the wolves."

Many wolf people were in the room, minding their own business. They went about happily and chatted as they performed their tasks. Adrina recognized a few of them from visits they made to Fanelia for various reasons. Four wolf men approached them as they stood by the platform.

"Did the messenger go already?" Rahm asked.

"Yes," one of them answered, "he left as soon as we finished telling him the message."

"Good," Rahm said, "I have another task for you. Could you show our guests to a room where they can rest and get them something to eat?"

"Of course," the wolf man nodded.

"Actually," Folken started, "I'd like to talk with you for a bit before I rest."

"All right," Rahm agreed.

"Goodnight Adrina," Folken called as he and Rahm headed into a room.

"Goodnight Folken," Adrian said and followed the wolf man to a nearby room. The room was small, but would serve as a place for Adrina to rest. A bed rested against the far wall and Adrina sat down on it while the wolf went to get her some food. He returned a minute later with a big bowl of stew. Adrina thanked him and ate the stew hungrily. When she was finished, she set the bowl next to the bed and fell asleep.

Adrina was awakened a few hours later by Folken calling to her.

"Rina, wake up."

Adrina opened her eyes and saw Folken sitting next to her. She smiled. "Good morning."

"Good morning," Folken repeated. He bent down and kissed her forehead. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," Adrina answered with a blush.

"Good," Folken said, "It's almost dawn. Van will be meeting us shortly."

Adrina sat up and Folken moved form the bed. She pushed off the blankets and stood up, slipping her feet into her shoes. She ran her fingers through her hair and then followed Folken out into the almost deserted main chamber. Rahm was waiting for them.

"Ready?" he asked cheerfully. Folken nodded and Rahm led them out of the caves. He followed them to Fanelia and waited with them as the sun rose beautifully over the mountains.

"It's been a long time since I've seen a Fanelian sunrise," Adrina commented. She sat down on a broken stone.

"Too long," Folken agreed and took a seat next to Adrina. Rahm chose to stand in front of them.

The sun cleared the mountains and began to climb in the sky as the three of them waited for Van. This was the first time Adrina had seen the destruction of Fanelia in the light and she tried not to stare. She didn't want Folken to see her surveying the damage he had helped cause.

The morning progressed and Folken began to whistle the lullaby. The sound was soothing and Adrina forgot about the destruction around her.

"Do you think he'll come?" Rahm asked finally, silencing Folken's tune.

"He'll come," Folken replied matter-of-factly, "it's Van, remember?"

Rahm nodded. "All this, even though you understand each other so well?" He looked up in the sky. "There he is."

Adrina and Folken looked up. Flying over the mountains was Escaflowne. They both rose and stood near Rahm as Van approached. HE flew over them and Adrina saw Hitomi was with him. He circled around and descended in front of them, landing on the unbroken stone. He did not look pleased.

"Well hello," Rahm called to Hitomi, "I thought you'd still be with Van." He turned to leave. "I understand you may be a little worried, but don't be. I'm not getting involved. Van, Folken, Adrina, I'll see you later."

"Thank you Rahm," Folken said.

"Bye!" Adrina called and waved. She turned back around. The tension in the air was palpable as Van glared at Folken.

"Are you alone?" Van demanded.

"Do you honestly thing that I would lay a trap for my own brother?" Folken inquired.

Van's face twisted in rage and he jumped down from Escaflowne. Hitomi called to him as he hit the ground and drew his sword. "You're no brother of mine!"

Adrina moved protectively in front of Folken in case Van decided to attack, but he didn't move.

"Look!" Van ordered, "Look at what happened to the homeland you abandoned. This green land protected by dragons is in ruins!"

"Van stop it!" Adrina pleaded.

"Do you hate me?" Folken asked, "Me, Folken, your only brother?"

Van brought his sword up. "You will pay for your crimes with this royal sword!"

"No!" Adrina shouted, "You won't hurt him! I won't let you!"

Suddenly, a pile of rubble in between Van and Folken exploded, throwing debris in every direction. Adrina took a step back as the stone rained down around her and Folken. She squinted through the thick dust and tried to see if Van was okay. She gasped when she saw a dragon emerge into the dust. It turned to Van and Hitomi and roared. Van pushed Hitomi back, who turned and screamed. Another dragon lumbered up behind them. Van grabbed Hitomi's hand and they ran towards an enclosed frame of what used to be a building.

"Folken!" Adrina cried, "You've got to help them!"

"Violence will only make the situation worse," Folken told her, "Van must let go of the anger in his heart or the dragons won't leave."

Adrina's eyes held concern for Van and Hitomi. She didn't know if Van could let go of his anger. He blamed Folken for everything.

"Drop your sword Van," Folken spoke, "Let go of the rage in your heart and the dragons will go away."

Adrina knew there was no way Van could hear him and didn't know why Folken had spoken to him. She was surprised to hear Van shouting a second later.

"Where are you? Do you really think I'll fall for that?" There was a short pause, then, "Folken! Show yourself right now!"

"Fighting solves nothing," Folken said in the same quiet voice as before. Adrina didn't know how Van had heard him. "Yes, I failed to slay the dragon as part of the right to become King."

"Folken," Adrina started and grabbed a hold of his left hand. She gasped as the scenery changed. She was standing in the Fanelian forest, still clutching Folken's hand. In front of them was a dragon and a teenaged boy. Adrina recognized the boy immediately as Folken. He was covered in dragon blood and panting hard. The dragon appeared to be dying. As she watched, the dragon's eye began to close. When he saw this, young Folken began to relax.

Without warning, the dragon's eye flew open and he lunged at Folken, snapping off his right arm. Adrina screamed and tried to run to him, but Folken held her hand tightly, preventing her from leaving his side. Young Folken fell to the ground as blood gushed out of the wound. The dragon loomed over him and he looked up into the gaping jaws of the monster. Adrina's sobs racked her body as she stared on helplessly.

"I was ready to die," Folken started, "but..."

The dragon turned and retreated, leaving young Folken lying in a pool of his own blood. "Am I going to live?" He rolled over onto his back. "No, not with a wound like this." With his left hand, he reached into his shirt and pulled out a purple heart pendant surrounded by a dragon. Adrina gasped when she saw it.

"I'm so sorry Adrina," he murmured as he clutched the necklace in his fist, "I promised I'd meet you by the tree, but I'm going to break that promise."

"Folken!" Adrina screamed as the boy lost consciousness, "NO!"

She felt a squeeze on her hand and look up at Folken. His face was emotionless, but his eyes were sad. The scene began to change and Adrina turned her tear stained face to the image in front of her. It was Folken and he was lying on a steel table, unconscious. He was covered up to his neck by a white sheet.

"Noble of the land protected by dragons," a voice spoke.

Adrina recognized the voice as Emperor Dornkirk. She felt anger rise up in her, but it was drowned out by the sorrow she felt after seeing what had happened to Folken. On the table, young Folken opened his eyes.

"Who's there?" he called weakly.

"My name is Dornkirk," the voice continued, "he who intends to control destiny with the power of Atlantis."

"With the power of Atlantis?" Folken repeated. He brought his left arm up to shield his eyes from the intense light burning down on him.

"You escaped death because of the power of Atlantis that flows within you," Dornkirk informed, "Join me and let us create a world free of war."

"What?" Folken asked and sat up. The sheet slid down, revealing Folken's bare chest and the hideous bone arm attached to his right shoulder. He brought his right hand up and his eyes widened with fear and repulsion.

"NO!" he screamed as the scene faded. The sound of his anguished cry broke her heart and Adrina felt as if she would pass out. She began to sway. Folken released her hand and wrapped his left arm around her waist to steady her. She turned and buried her face in his chest.

"Since then," Folken informed, "I've learned the ways of science under Dornkirk's tutelage. I've become a sorcerer of the Zaibach Empire. I did it all for an ideal future."

"I see," Van yelled, "Is that why you sold your soul and country to Zaibach?"

"Stop it Van!" Adrina screamed, "Just stop it! Didn't you see? Didn't you see what he went through? How can you condemn him?" She looked up and saw they were back in Fanelia. She didn't know if Van had heard her, but he said no more. Adrina took a shuddering breath and forced her tears to stop. She wiped them away and gazed up at Folken. He looked down at her but said nothing. The look in his eyes threatened to cause the tears to return so she hugged him tightly and closed her eyes.

"Come on," Folken told her. He untangled himself from her embrace and led her up some nearby stairs. He stopped and ducked into the wreckage alongside the stairs, pulling Adrina with him. A second later, Hitomi ran by up the stairs. A dragon wailed and a shadow soared over the stairs. A slight tremor was felt and Adrina saw the dragon had landed in front of Hitomi. She looked up at Folken and he motioned for her to stay quiet. She nodded as Hitomi began to back down the stairs slowly. When she was parallel to their hiding place, Folken reached out and pulled Hitomi into the hiding place with them. He put his hand over her mouth and she began to struggle. She calmed down when she saw Adrina standing next to her. She tensed up again as the dragon stopped right next to them and looked in.

Adrina was torn between retreating further into the wreckage or throwing herself in front of Folken. He released Hitomi and slowly grabbed Adrina's hand. She looked up at him and as if reading her thoughts, he shook his head. She nodded and a second later the dragon left them alone. Relieved, Hitomi fell to her knees.

"Are you okay?" Adrina asked and knelt down next to her. Hitomi nodded.

"Come on," Folken urged. The two women followed him out of the hiding place and into the sunlight. Neither dragon was anywhere to be seen, but they could be heard close by. Hitomi ran towards the sound and stopped as she reached a ledge. Adrina and Folken hurried behind.

Below where they stood, one of the dragons had Van cornered against a wall. He held his sword threateningly towards the dragon.

"Van!" Hitomi shouted.

Without a word, Folken pulled his shirt off and jumped into the air.

"Folken!" Adrina called. Folken leapt out over the dragon and as they watched, Folken's wings emerged from his back. Adrina gasped and covered her mouth. Both wings were jet black.

Folken glided down and landed between the dragon and his brother.

"Brother!" Van murmured, "But you..."

"Put down your sword Van!" Folken ordered. "Put it down. Put it down!"

Van dropped the sword and almost immediately, the dragons began to leave.

"Van," Folken started, "You're anger and fear drew the dragons to you. Just as a drop of water causes ripples in a pond, where there is anger and fear, you will also find conflict. I will change the fate of man. To create a new world, free of anger and fear."

"A world free of war?" Van asked.

"I wanted nothing more than to lift the burden of being King from your shoulders," Folken told Van. He bent and picked up Van's sword. "Your gentleness made me want to build a kinder Fanelia, and there was nothing more I wanted in the world than to see that new country with you, Adrina and Merle. However..." Folken shoved the sword into the ground, "Dornkirk's methods, no, our methods, placed little value on human life. Those methods were wrong. I realize that now."

As they talked, Hitomi and Adrina found a way down to where the brothers were talking. They stopped just short of them to allow Folken to finish his conversation with Van.

"Van," Folken urged, "Come with me and together we will defeat Dornkirk."

"Look brother," Van said, "Your wings!"

A slight breeze began to blow, carrying a few of the ebony feathers towards the women. Adrina reached up and snatched one of the feathers out of the air and cradled it in her hand. Black. She knew what it meant when a draconian's wings darkened and she closed her eyes. No! She pleaded, not now! Not now after everything is finally okay again! She opened her eyes when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Hitomi questioned.

"What?" Adrina said, "Yeah, I'm fine."

The women looked over as the brothers joined them.

"We're going back to Asturia," Van informed, "all of us."

The four of them made their way up to where Folken had leapt from the ledge. He picked up his shirt and put it back on as his wings disappeared. Adrina still clutched the black feather in her hand and Folken saw it. He pulled her hand open, allowing the breeze to carry the feather away. Adrina looked up at him, her eyes holding the question she longed to ask. He shook his head and followed Van over to Escaflowne. The four of them climbed onto the white dragon and flew off in the direction of Asturia.