Date. 02.17.2002
Time. 8.00 pm
Music. None, watching American Beauty as I type
Chapter 1
Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne or any of the characters. However, I do own all the characters that I created so don't take them please.
Author's Notes. Alright, after careful consideration… and me not having much work to do, I decided to start working Parvulus de Crepuscid tonight. The small excerpt I put up at the end of Rota Fortunae will come up at the second chapter, I believe.
And on with the show!
The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid
Chapter 1. Heaven and Earth
* * *
He raced through the tropical forest, his simple loincloth clinging to his legs with the sticky dew from the still-wet leaves. His heart pounded uncontrollably within his small chest. Finding a larger section of bushes, he ducked down and crawled in, grabbing his tail to hide as well. Soon, he could hear other footsteps pursuing his direction.
"Brim! Where the hell are you?!"
He couldn't hide his giggles as he hid from his older sister, Mara. Being only seven, he could still hide himself very well in small little nooks and crannies.
It was a beautiful summer mid-morning and there was no way that he was going to do work around the village.
He held his breath as her bare feet stopped directly in front of his location. He stared at her at the bracelets banded on her left ankle, signifying the family group she belonged to. He had the same bracelets on his own leg. Luckily, she must have not spot him and moved on.
"C'mon, Brim! Mama's getting mad!" Mara's voice shouted into the bushes. "You were supposed to bring in the fishing nets with Papa! And now Mama is taking it out on me! Where are you?!"
Her voice was growing distant… she was walking away from the bushes.
Brim's golden eyes peaked between the leaves, making sure it was really alright for him to leave. He couldn't see her long, fair blonde hair anywhere. He poked his own scruffy head out from the brush, grinning like a fool.
And someone attacked him from behind.
The sharp rocks on the ground jutted into his palm pads as he landed, his assailant on top of him. He coughed and wheezed from the dust kicked up, and shoved the furry body aside.
"What was that for, Breana?!" he cried, rubbing his sore hand.
He glared angrily at his best friend's smirking face. The same blonde hair and golden brown fur that everyone in the tribe had.
"Whatcha doin' Brim?" she purred, her tail twitching.
"I'm hiding from Mara," he said. "I want to go out and play."
Her ears perked up. "Quick! She's coming back!" Breana lunged forward and knocked Brim back into the bushes, her small body pinning him down. He began to protest, but she kneed him in the side.
"Shhhhh!" she hissed, then looked out for Mara.
She could hear the older cat-girl growling and muttering under her breath. "He's in so much trouble. This isn't my fault that he's gone…"
Brim snorted. Breana brought down her hand on his nose and mouth, grinning evilly at him. As soon as Mara was out of sight, he shoved her off of him again, Breana laughing hysterically. He crossed his stripped arms across his bare chest.
"So what do you want to do?" he asked.
Breana wiped away her tears. "Well… you can't be seen down at the beach because of the fishers, right?"
Brim nodded.
"Then let's go play at the ruins!" She said cheerfully, standing up and straightening her thin sundress.
"Isn't that place haunted or something?" he asked. "Mama said that no one should go to the ruins. Something happened a long time ago and now that place is forbidden."
"Geez, you wuss," she replied. "You never do anything exciting, do you?"
Brim looked down at the ground. "No," he pouted. "But Mama…"
"Don't give me that! We're going!" She grabbed the end of his tail and pulled him towards the hidden bay area, opposite of where the village and main beach were. The crystalline water sparkled in the sun, catching every ray of its light. Sea gulls flew overhead, crying out for food from the two cat-children.
"Your mama never told you about what really happened here?" Breana eyed him suspiciously.
"No," he replied. "She just said that I shouldn't go to the ruins. Something… evil… is there."
"Have you ever been curious of what was there?"
He looked at her. "Of course I have!"
Breana sighed. "My mama told me that 13 rotations ago, some people came from the main land. They flew here on these huge floating metal boats. There was some sort of small war here… right here on this beach, actually." She paused and looked out at the ocean. "Mama didn't know much of what happened, just stories from when the people came to the village to tend to some of the wounded. But she remembers seeing a light…" she pointing to the top of the cliff. "…coming from the temple that used to be there. One of the people… a young female human… stayed at the village and told Mama what happened. And you know what she said?"
"What?"
"That she locked away something up there in the temple… so that Gaea won't be plagued with hatred anymore… and that it may never be opened."
Brim looked at her for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Weeeeeeoooooo! Breana, you sure make up the best stories!"
"I don't make up stories! I tell the truth!"
" 'Floating metal boats!' 'Light from the temple!'" he said. "I bet its just unstable or something. Now I really want to see this place!" He ran up on all fours to the large stone steps built into the side of the cliff.
Breana snorted and followed after him. "Brim! Wait up!"
The two cat-children chased after each other along the stone stairs, laughing and pouncing on the other. They pretended that the epic war that took place rotations ago was still in effect, make-believing that the warriors raced along these same steps. Within a quarter of a hour, they arrived at the top and could not believe what they saw.
Stone blocks had crumbled to dust over the years, remaining in piles of where they once stood. Many of the columns had toppled over, cracked in several places as they lay on the ground. The vines from the tropical forest below had overtaken most of the ruins, making it a perfect place to play for an entire day.
"Whoa…" was all that escaped from Brim's lips. He cautiously entered the temple, remembering that it was a holy and blessed place of worship to the Goddess of Gaea. Breana followed after him, her golden eyes large and taking in everything. It seemed too quiet for the middle of the day… they couldn't hear the sea gulls screaming anymore, nor could they hear the ocean waves meeting the shore.
They picked their way to what seemed to be the center of the temple ruins. A large portion of the original wall remained intact, a faint design drawn by the cat-people's ancestors of the Lady that represented some mystical place called "Atlantis." Brim was aware of this temple for a long time, but his mother never told him to visit it. Why would she deny him his own beliefs?
His sharp eyes spotted the fine detail of the woman upon the wall. She was obviously much older than he, but still a young adult. Her hair was too short for a female, though. All the cat-women in his tribe would only cut their hair in grief and mourning.
His eye was then drawn to the large, pink gemstone that was centered in her chest. It seemed to be her necklace in the painting, but this was real. Someone had placed this stone in the wall.
"Pretty…" he heard Breana murmur beside him. She crept forward, approaching it as if it were alive. A pile of the stone bricks lay next to the wall, a convenience to her as she climbed it with ease. Her fingers trailed over the smooth exterior as they made their way to the edge and began to pry it from the wall
"Breana, I don't know if you should…" Brim cautioned her.
"It's not doing much use to be up here, is it?" she replied, pulling harder. "This could help out everyone in the village for trade."
"Yeah, but…"
His heart leapt from its position in his chest to his throat. The stone was too heavy for Breana to handle as it fell to the hard ground. Time seemed to go much more slower until the exact moment it touched the floor.
And shattered.
An unearthly scream escaped from the broken stone, just as a blinding light filled the ruins. Brim and Breana both hid their eyes, not being able to take in the brightness. The light glowed a bright pink color, almost the same hue as the stone itself. Within a minute, it faded away to nothing.
Brim's eyes adjusted as the light retreated, and he gasped to what he saw.
A female human was lying on the floor in the exact place where the stone was destroyed. She was clearly nude, but two large feathery wings covered most of her body. Her skin was scratched all over. Some were scars, others were fresh. Her blonde hair was matted, no longer having a gleam.
Breana scrambled down from where she stood on the pile and joined Brim by his side. They stared at this human, confused, scared, and not knowing what to do. He decided to be brave and approach her, just to see if she was alive.
Her body was so still, a pale complexion overcoming her. He leaned in closer, taking silent steps until his nose was merely inches from hers. He sniffed her and shrugged his shoulders. At that moment, her eyes flew open, revealing her bloodshot sapphire eyes. She focused on the two children, growling at them and standing to her feet. Brim and Breana screamed loudly, running as fast as they could to get away from the demon.
* * *
She looked after the two cat-children as she climbed awkwardly to her feet. When was the last time that she used her own feet? Where had she been all this time? How long? It seemed only momentary and eternally at the same time.
She needed answers.
She looked down at her forearms, at the many cuts across her wrists. Why was she put in that place… that *hell*… what had she done…
Looking down at her wrists again, she remembered everything… the light… the battle… the Power of Atlantis… that whore…
That whore put me there! In my prison! She took everything away… she ruined everything!
She clenched her hand into a fist, feeling her portion of the Power flow within her veins. No, she didn't get everything. Not all of it. I have some. Enough to keep me alive.
What to do now, she thought. Zaibach is probably gone. I could rebuild the army, but that would take time. Besides, I *am* my own army now. But what am I going to do about that bitch that put me away?
Her strength was coming back, much faster than she thought it would. She knew what she needed… to get the ultimate revenge on the one she hated… she just hoped it was still in the same place…
With those thoughts in her mind to keep her going, Ashira spread her wings and took to the air.
to be continued…
* * *
Weeeeeeooooooo! I'm sorry it took so long to come out with the first chapter and I'm REALLY sorry its so short… but more is to come… oh yes… more is to come. Chapter title is what I believe to be a Cowboy Bebop song. I'm not exactly sure but there's a song on the Knockin' on Heaven's Door soundtrack called… crap, its either Fingers or Powder. But I swear in the chorus, they're chanting "heaven and earth." if not, it's a cool title and they should be saying it! Hopefully, I'll have more time to work on the next chapter… where we introduce more new characters. And the comebacks of our favorites. Wooo hoooo!
Time. 8.00 pm
Music. None, watching American Beauty as I type
Chapter 1
Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne or any of the characters. However, I do own all the characters that I created so don't take them please.
Author's Notes. Alright, after careful consideration… and me not having much work to do, I decided to start working Parvulus de Crepuscid tonight. The small excerpt I put up at the end of Rota Fortunae will come up at the second chapter, I believe.
And on with the show!
The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid
Chapter 1. Heaven and Earth
* * *
He raced through the tropical forest, his simple loincloth clinging to his legs with the sticky dew from the still-wet leaves. His heart pounded uncontrollably within his small chest. Finding a larger section of bushes, he ducked down and crawled in, grabbing his tail to hide as well. Soon, he could hear other footsteps pursuing his direction.
"Brim! Where the hell are you?!"
He couldn't hide his giggles as he hid from his older sister, Mara. Being only seven, he could still hide himself very well in small little nooks and crannies.
It was a beautiful summer mid-morning and there was no way that he was going to do work around the village.
He held his breath as her bare feet stopped directly in front of his location. He stared at her at the bracelets banded on her left ankle, signifying the family group she belonged to. He had the same bracelets on his own leg. Luckily, she must have not spot him and moved on.
"C'mon, Brim! Mama's getting mad!" Mara's voice shouted into the bushes. "You were supposed to bring in the fishing nets with Papa! And now Mama is taking it out on me! Where are you?!"
Her voice was growing distant… she was walking away from the bushes.
Brim's golden eyes peaked between the leaves, making sure it was really alright for him to leave. He couldn't see her long, fair blonde hair anywhere. He poked his own scruffy head out from the brush, grinning like a fool.
And someone attacked him from behind.
The sharp rocks on the ground jutted into his palm pads as he landed, his assailant on top of him. He coughed and wheezed from the dust kicked up, and shoved the furry body aside.
"What was that for, Breana?!" he cried, rubbing his sore hand.
He glared angrily at his best friend's smirking face. The same blonde hair and golden brown fur that everyone in the tribe had.
"Whatcha doin' Brim?" she purred, her tail twitching.
"I'm hiding from Mara," he said. "I want to go out and play."
Her ears perked up. "Quick! She's coming back!" Breana lunged forward and knocked Brim back into the bushes, her small body pinning him down. He began to protest, but she kneed him in the side.
"Shhhhh!" she hissed, then looked out for Mara.
She could hear the older cat-girl growling and muttering under her breath. "He's in so much trouble. This isn't my fault that he's gone…"
Brim snorted. Breana brought down her hand on his nose and mouth, grinning evilly at him. As soon as Mara was out of sight, he shoved her off of him again, Breana laughing hysterically. He crossed his stripped arms across his bare chest.
"So what do you want to do?" he asked.
Breana wiped away her tears. "Well… you can't be seen down at the beach because of the fishers, right?"
Brim nodded.
"Then let's go play at the ruins!" She said cheerfully, standing up and straightening her thin sundress.
"Isn't that place haunted or something?" he asked. "Mama said that no one should go to the ruins. Something happened a long time ago and now that place is forbidden."
"Geez, you wuss," she replied. "You never do anything exciting, do you?"
Brim looked down at the ground. "No," he pouted. "But Mama…"
"Don't give me that! We're going!" She grabbed the end of his tail and pulled him towards the hidden bay area, opposite of where the village and main beach were. The crystalline water sparkled in the sun, catching every ray of its light. Sea gulls flew overhead, crying out for food from the two cat-children.
"Your mama never told you about what really happened here?" Breana eyed him suspiciously.
"No," he replied. "She just said that I shouldn't go to the ruins. Something… evil… is there."
"Have you ever been curious of what was there?"
He looked at her. "Of course I have!"
Breana sighed. "My mama told me that 13 rotations ago, some people came from the main land. They flew here on these huge floating metal boats. There was some sort of small war here… right here on this beach, actually." She paused and looked out at the ocean. "Mama didn't know much of what happened, just stories from when the people came to the village to tend to some of the wounded. But she remembers seeing a light…" she pointing to the top of the cliff. "…coming from the temple that used to be there. One of the people… a young female human… stayed at the village and told Mama what happened. And you know what she said?"
"What?"
"That she locked away something up there in the temple… so that Gaea won't be plagued with hatred anymore… and that it may never be opened."
Brim looked at her for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Weeeeeeoooooo! Breana, you sure make up the best stories!"
"I don't make up stories! I tell the truth!"
" 'Floating metal boats!' 'Light from the temple!'" he said. "I bet its just unstable or something. Now I really want to see this place!" He ran up on all fours to the large stone steps built into the side of the cliff.
Breana snorted and followed after him. "Brim! Wait up!"
The two cat-children chased after each other along the stone stairs, laughing and pouncing on the other. They pretended that the epic war that took place rotations ago was still in effect, make-believing that the warriors raced along these same steps. Within a quarter of a hour, they arrived at the top and could not believe what they saw.
Stone blocks had crumbled to dust over the years, remaining in piles of where they once stood. Many of the columns had toppled over, cracked in several places as they lay on the ground. The vines from the tropical forest below had overtaken most of the ruins, making it a perfect place to play for an entire day.
"Whoa…" was all that escaped from Brim's lips. He cautiously entered the temple, remembering that it was a holy and blessed place of worship to the Goddess of Gaea. Breana followed after him, her golden eyes large and taking in everything. It seemed too quiet for the middle of the day… they couldn't hear the sea gulls screaming anymore, nor could they hear the ocean waves meeting the shore.
They picked their way to what seemed to be the center of the temple ruins. A large portion of the original wall remained intact, a faint design drawn by the cat-people's ancestors of the Lady that represented some mystical place called "Atlantis." Brim was aware of this temple for a long time, but his mother never told him to visit it. Why would she deny him his own beliefs?
His sharp eyes spotted the fine detail of the woman upon the wall. She was obviously much older than he, but still a young adult. Her hair was too short for a female, though. All the cat-women in his tribe would only cut their hair in grief and mourning.
His eye was then drawn to the large, pink gemstone that was centered in her chest. It seemed to be her necklace in the painting, but this was real. Someone had placed this stone in the wall.
"Pretty…" he heard Breana murmur beside him. She crept forward, approaching it as if it were alive. A pile of the stone bricks lay next to the wall, a convenience to her as she climbed it with ease. Her fingers trailed over the smooth exterior as they made their way to the edge and began to pry it from the wall
"Breana, I don't know if you should…" Brim cautioned her.
"It's not doing much use to be up here, is it?" she replied, pulling harder. "This could help out everyone in the village for trade."
"Yeah, but…"
His heart leapt from its position in his chest to his throat. The stone was too heavy for Breana to handle as it fell to the hard ground. Time seemed to go much more slower until the exact moment it touched the floor.
And shattered.
An unearthly scream escaped from the broken stone, just as a blinding light filled the ruins. Brim and Breana both hid their eyes, not being able to take in the brightness. The light glowed a bright pink color, almost the same hue as the stone itself. Within a minute, it faded away to nothing.
Brim's eyes adjusted as the light retreated, and he gasped to what he saw.
A female human was lying on the floor in the exact place where the stone was destroyed. She was clearly nude, but two large feathery wings covered most of her body. Her skin was scratched all over. Some were scars, others were fresh. Her blonde hair was matted, no longer having a gleam.
Breana scrambled down from where she stood on the pile and joined Brim by his side. They stared at this human, confused, scared, and not knowing what to do. He decided to be brave and approach her, just to see if she was alive.
Her body was so still, a pale complexion overcoming her. He leaned in closer, taking silent steps until his nose was merely inches from hers. He sniffed her and shrugged his shoulders. At that moment, her eyes flew open, revealing her bloodshot sapphire eyes. She focused on the two children, growling at them and standing to her feet. Brim and Breana screamed loudly, running as fast as they could to get away from the demon.
* * *
She looked after the two cat-children as she climbed awkwardly to her feet. When was the last time that she used her own feet? Where had she been all this time? How long? It seemed only momentary and eternally at the same time.
She needed answers.
She looked down at her forearms, at the many cuts across her wrists. Why was she put in that place… that *hell*… what had she done…
Looking down at her wrists again, she remembered everything… the light… the battle… the Power of Atlantis… that whore…
That whore put me there! In my prison! She took everything away… she ruined everything!
She clenched her hand into a fist, feeling her portion of the Power flow within her veins. No, she didn't get everything. Not all of it. I have some. Enough to keep me alive.
What to do now, she thought. Zaibach is probably gone. I could rebuild the army, but that would take time. Besides, I *am* my own army now. But what am I going to do about that bitch that put me away?
Her strength was coming back, much faster than she thought it would. She knew what she needed… to get the ultimate revenge on the one she hated… she just hoped it was still in the same place…
With those thoughts in her mind to keep her going, Ashira spread her wings and took to the air.
to be continued…
* * *
Weeeeeeooooooo! I'm sorry it took so long to come out with the first chapter and I'm REALLY sorry its so short… but more is to come… oh yes… more is to come. Chapter title is what I believe to be a Cowboy Bebop song. I'm not exactly sure but there's a song on the Knockin' on Heaven's Door soundtrack called… crap, its either Fingers or Powder. But I swear in the chorus, they're chanting "heaven and earth." if not, it's a cool title and they should be saying it! Hopefully, I'll have more time to work on the next chapter… where we introduce more new characters. And the comebacks of our favorites. Wooo hoooo!
