Date. 04.29.2002
Time. 7.35 pm
Music. Umm… right now, its "My Sweet Lord" by lovely George Harrison
Chapter 7
Copyright. I do not own any of The Vision of Escaflowne or its characters because I just don't.
Author's Notes. WEEEEEEOOOO. Well, after a huge amount of midterm projects due and tests, my weekend was incredibly empty. My professors gave me no homework except to color in a character that I had designed for my computer art class. But that was using Illustrator and I found it to be a lot of fun. Then I got this really kick ass demo how to make realistic skin tones in Photoshop. Maybe I can make my drawings look pretty now. Hmmm… this chapter is going to be fairly difficult to write. As are all the ones after this so please be patient with me. I'm in art school and I have so much work to do.
The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid
Chapter 7. Let Me Fall
* * *
Sellie gasped loudly as she recognized the great creature before her. She had stopped as soon as she passed through the magical wall and froze. Although red flying-type dragons have disappeared from the face of Gaea, she could remember the legends of these beings.
And what she could remember from her studies, she knew that these types were *not* supposed to be friendly.
She slowly backed away, heading back towards the entrance that she had just walked through. She had expected the strange, cooling experience that she had felt the moment her body moved through the rock, but instead, she bumped into solid stone. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
The dragon had made no move to attack her. Actually, he (she assumed it was a male dragon, for the voice in her head was quite masculine) was settled comfortably on the worn-smooth floor of the cavern. For being under a waterfall, it was extremely dry in the room, though Sellie could still hear the pounding water outside.
She drew her blade from her leg and held it up in front of her. It would not do much damage against him, but at least she had protection.
* I told thee before, Child. Thee have no cause to be frightened of me. I will never hurt thee * the voice entered her mind again. She returned her attention to the dragon.
* Thee can sense it in thee heart that what I say is true. I am to help thee on this part of thee journey. * The dragon extended one of his enormous leathery wings, barely having enough room to do so. * Please forgive me, Child. I have not stretched in many years. *
"Why?" Sellie found herself asking loudly. Somehow, the dragon was right; she did feel oddly calm being close here.
* I have been sleeping in this location ever since the Seventh Age as humans called it. * He yawned loudly, his roar echoing within the walls. Sellie had to hold her ears until he finished.
"The Seventh Age? That was over five thousand years ago!" she exclaimed as she did the math.
* It has been too long since I have last seen the sun * he said wistfully. * But some things are more important. *
"Why have you been sleeping here?" Sellie asked as she began to walk around the dragon. "I mean, you're really big… don't you have some say in it or something?"
* I was not forced to remain in this cave. It was my own choice. Those involved thought it would be better for me to hidden away from those eyes that do not understand. *
"I'm sorry… I still don't really know what you're talking about, Sir… uh… do you have a name?" Sellie sat down on the rock.
* Thee cannot pronounce my true name in thee tongue… but the humans always called me "Dralion." *
"Dralion…" she sounded it out on her tongue. "My name is…"
* I know thee name, Selmé Rynna from the House of Fanel. * Dralion interrupted her. * Or would thee rather call thee Sellie as thee friends and family do? *
Her eyes widened. "How do you know my name?" she asked slowly.
* It is rather sudden of me to introduce thee to what has been remained hidden for so long, little one, * he said. * The time is not right at this moment. However, I will tell thee a story that will come into importance soon. *
He gestured to an area closer to him, but elevated from the rocky floor. Still being wary of her certain situation, Sellie climbed to the spot and looked at the great dragon before her, studying him.
She had only seen drawings and sketches of these magnificent creatures that had been recorded in the texts of the Fanelian library. But no one had come close to the truly awesome experience of being near one. His body was definitely much larger than a land-dragon's, though he did not reach the same mass as the Crusade did. His leathery wings now lay folded on his side, hiding his hind legs underneath. His forearms were visible, each with its own hand-like claw. The dark red scales glimmered as they traveled down his long body, also with horns along the ridge of his back. Two long horns protruded from his temples, along with smaller ones making up the crown. Sellie could see his long, dagger-like teeth emerging from his lips, but still, she did not feel afraid. His eyes told her otherwise. They seemed to be all-knowing and full of wisdom.
* Yes, dear one, I have been alive since the Seventh Age. I have been around for much longer than that, but my story takes place at that specific time.
I was hatched different from all the other dragons of my kind. Thee are aware of the energist hearts that my cousins carrying within themselves? * Sellie nodded. * It is the same for my brothers and sisters, though much larger. However, I was born with two inside me. *
"Two?" she asked. "Is that even possible?"
* I am living proof sitting before thee. * Dralion replied. * It had been prophesized that I would come to be like this by the Wise Woman of Siemmena, a large country located here before Cassia that has long disappeared. Siemmena was a safe haven of creatures of the Magic, such as beast-me and the children who escaped from Atlantis.
At this point, the People of the World lived in harmony, dragon and human alike. I enjoyed the company of the humans as well, although not many dragons would like to admit that. There was one female human that I liked the most. Her name was Aerin. I felt this strange attraction to her and her to I as well. She was a Priestess of the Old Ways in Siemmena, born with a strange ability to sense the future.
I had already seen many centuries by the time she had reached her 21st rotation. Every time I was near her, my twinned hearts would beat rapidly within my breast. It was announced to both Aerin and I by the Wise Woman that we were soul mates, destined to one another. *
"Soul mates?" Sellie asked. "A human and a…"
* Yes, a dragon. We found it odd as well, but the Wise Woman said that it did not matter that there was love between two species. It was more of a spiritual bond between us that would unite us as one. I spent everyday with her, talking, just spending time with her. We could not be away from each other for it would drive us mad.
All around us, times were changing. The People were losing sight of the Old Ways, turning their attention to the future. Chaos began to lash out and attack those who believed in the Magic, Siemmena and people of Ispano being main targets. Allies were needed. Countries such as Fanelia and Austria agreed to aid us. A long and devastating war broke out that divided Gaea in two.
In the end, Siemmena was destroyed and Ispano fled to the Dimensional Gap. The few people that were able to escape survived in the allying countries, Aerin being one of them. They congregated together to plan out what was in stake of their future. The Atlanteans went into hiding, for fear of persecution. The remaining few wanted to protect the people that could make some sort of difference. Therefore, it was decreed that Aerin would be married to the King of Fanelia to ensure her safety.
Aerin and I were heartbroken. We knew that we could never having something more than just being with one another. I told her to go become Queen of the dragon country where she would be protected. However, I knew I would never be allowed to see her again. Fanelia was a country that followed the Dragon God, but would kill live ones.
I retreated to a hidden cave so that I could be alone. Only the Priestesses and the Wise Woman knew where I was. It hurt me so when I did not see her the next day, nor the day after that, nor the day after that. Preparations were being made for her union with the King. One of Aerin's fellow Priestesses told me that the gift that Ispano was giving to Fanelia was a Guymelef, something that they had been creating especially for the King for over a hundred years. It was nearing completion, but needed an energist heart.
Now, Child, thee know that dragons are magical creatures. We can live for many years. But it was very odd for the duration of life that I had already lived was fairly long as it was. The Wise Woman told me that my hearts made me almost immortal. She also told me that the purpose of my twinned hearts was at hand. I knew what I had to do. *
"You gave up one of your hearts for Escaflowne?" Sellie asked.
* It may seem odd, but it was possible. This way, I was able to be closer to Aerin, still being able to protect her. The reaction of my energist heart within the Ispano Guymelef; the bond between the Great Armor and the pilot is a blood connection. But that bond also connected me to the both of them as well. I could feel the King's pulse and heart rhythm each time he sat inside.
Years went by like they were days. Aerin was aware of my presence inside of the Escaflowne and during the nights, she would come into the shrine and simply touch the metal exterior. It was the only way we could be together, but it was still beautiful.
I continued to not age, though I felt so old inside. It was the opposite for Aerin. Her soul was eternal, though her body aged. She had already borne the King two healthy male heirs, whom had grown up to be young men.
War again broke out, this time, directly in Fanelia. A band of rioters from countries all over collected and overthrew the city. My second heart beat rapidly as I could feel the King enter Escaflowne. Once more, I could see all what he could see. And I saw devastation. The city in flames, bodies littering the ground. I searched desperately for Aerin. And I saw her. *
Dralion stopped speaking and twisted his long neck to the side. Sellie looked upon him with hurt inside of her.
* One of the bandits, a woman, came up from behind as Aerin was aiding people to safety. The woman unsheathed her blade and rammed it through her.
I roared, but it did no good. I wasn't there. I was still in my cave near Siemmena. She fell to the ground… I still can see it clearly. The King left Escaflowne, but I could still see through his eyes. He picked her up into his arms… into my arms… and clutched her so tightly. She looked directly into him… to me… and told me that I had to wait for her… she would return to protect Fanelia and Gaea once again… and that after that, we can finally be together. *
Silence loomed inside the cave, the waterfall a dull roar. Sellie fidgeted on the hard cold rock.
"So…" she started, breaking the stillness that unnerved. "Is that why you've stayed in here for all those years?"
* It was my own choice, as well as some help from the Wise Woman. The only time that my Aerin would return was when something threatened all of Gaea that was unnatural. It seemed only right that I should hide away from humans that did not understand. They hunted down my kind… which is why I am the last. *
Sellie shifted, feeling guilt overflow her thoughts. Her father had killed a dragon with the aide of her mother, only because he needed the energist heart inside to prove that he did so. As did every Fanelian King since the first reign.
"You said that you were here to help me 'during my journey'," she said finally. "I mean, I kind of get it how I'm involved in your life. I'm the descendant of Aerin through my father's side of the family. But I'm still not sure of why I'm here."
* Thee came here, seeking answers, didn't thee? *
"I didn't know I had questions."
Dralion changed his position so that one of his front claws was free. * Thee have been asking thee-self recently about what is missing in thee life. Thee feels different. Different from others. *
"Yeah, so?" she said moodily. "I'm thirteen. Its how people my age feel" But Dralion was right.
* Thee _are_ different, Sellie. * he replied. * Thee has always known it. Have thee ever had feelings… intuitions… guesses that are usually correct? Because thee felt it that it were true? *
"Yes, but everyone has those…"
* Have thee ever seen something before it happened? * Dralion interrupted her.
Sellie stopped speaking for a moment. "Once," she answered quietly. "This happened two years ago. I was riding with my father and some of his guards… I could see it so clearly in my mind… and then it happened."
* What? *
"One of the horses tripped and stumbled. He broke on of his legs and threw his rider. Luckily, the guard flew into the brush to the side of the road. But the horse…" she hesitated.
"I can still hear his screams until one of the other guards killed it to stop the pain." She sat thoughtfully. "I did See it somehow before I actually _did_ see it."
Dralion smiled, or what looked like a smile. * Thee has what is the beginning of the Sight, as did Aerin. *
"The Sight?"
* Thee were born with this power, but sometimes, it is dormant until the carrier reaches a certain age, usually teenage years. But it can normally be sensed before the First Seeing occurs. *
"What do you mean, 'sensed'?"
* I can sense whether or not a human has the Sight. * He lifted his great fore claw and held it just in front of Sellie. * I see thee before me, but I cannot See thee at all. It is almost as if thee were walking around in a fog. Thee cannot be sensed. *
Sellie stood up quickly, but did not back away from the scaled claw coming towards her. "What if you made contact? Would you sense me then?" she asked as she softly stroked her own palm against his claw. As so as their skin touched, the pendant flared.
A sharp pain climbed up her spine and settled in her mind. Dralion and the cavern melted away, revealing the Cassian palace. It looked the same.
But it unsettled her to see all the black-clothed soldiers running around, swords drawn and ready to attack.
Her heart panicked. Where was Mom and Dad? It seemed to be that the soldiers did not see her as she raced to find her parents.
She could see numerous guests she recognized from dinner sprinting across the courtyard, pursued by the soldiers. They were cornered and fenced in.
"Mom! Dad!" she cried. She could see a group of the military surrounding something in a closed circle. As she neared, she could see a flash of silver… very similar to the dress that her mother wore to dinner. In fact, it looked exactly…
"MOM!" she screamed, running towards the group. Despite her sudden outburst, the military did not turn around and grab her as well. She peeked in the cracks between the guards' legs and saw another glimpse of silver. One of the soldiers moved aside and Sellie gasped.
Hitomi was on her knees, her silver dress soiled at the hems. One man grasped her hair and had her head pulled back by her hair. He held his sword against her neck, and Sellie saw a fine trickle of blood seeping down her throat.
Van was also held captive, but restrained by three men. The fourth soldier kicked him in the gut and he dropped to his knees, groaning in pain.
Sellie felt her stomach churn. Why… she cried. Why…
Suddenly, the soldiers parted and changed their attention in Sellie's direction. She slowly turned around, fearing of what was behind her.
Someone clad in a black cloak slowly approached the group, the hood drawn up so that no one could see its owner's face. Sellie thought that the being would reach out and grab her, but it made no such movement.
Instead, the shadow person lifted its hand and gave the soldiers the execution signal.
Sellie collapsed as her world turned black and the only sound that resonated was her mother's blood-curdling scream.
* * *
She found herself upon the ground being nudged gently by Dralion. She tried sitting up, but the dragon instinctively forced her back to the floor. It was a good thing too; her head still swam with dizziness. She could faintly hear him calling her name to bring her back to reality.
* Sellie! Are thee alright? What did thee See? *
"What… was… that?" she gasped aloud.
* Thee had a vision… a very powerful one at that. What did thee See? * he repeated.
She coughed loudly. "I'm not sure. It was back at Cassia. I saw… oh gods…" she brought her hand to her mouth. "Mom and Dad! Something happened to them! Or is going to!" She stood to her feet and stumbled to the magical wall. She held up her hand to it. Hopefully, this time she could get through.
* Wait! Child! Do not go out there! It is unsafe for thee! * Dralion's voice echoed within her mind. She did not stop. She could pass through the wall. There was no stopping her.
Sorry, my friend… she thought. Something is going to happen and I want to prevent it.
* * *
Meanwhile…
Hitomi stood alone on the balcony, staring up at the stars and at the Earth. It was amazing. Back in Japan, she and her father went star-gazing, but had trouble since of all the bright lights. She could never imagine how many stars there actually were. She remembered an old tale about each star representing a soul. When a person died, the star's light would fade out. When would her light fade?
She shook her head. She had plenty of good years with Van, Sellie, and her friends.
She sighed and slumped so that her arms hung over the side of the balcony. "What a night," she muttered to herself. She couldn't wait to get back to Fanelia. Maybe coming to this party was a big mistake.
Where was Van anyway? He just wanted to go check up on Sellie, but that shouldn't take that long.
She shivered. Funny, its not that cold out. Sure, its early spring, but it should be a warm night.
She sighed again and retreated back to the guest quarters. No sense in catching a cold just because she was too stubborn to wear something warmer. As she walked back into the Great Ballroom, she saw many of the guests walking out to the courtyard to observe the gardens. She nodded her head in respect as the older ladies shuffled past her, her ears keen to their mutterings about Fanelia's "way-of-life", it being not regal enough. Hitomi shrugged her shoulders. Fanelia was prosperous and she treated her people with equality.
She crept into her and Van's private room and began to untie her corset and shed from the dress. The outfit was suffocating.
Her chamber room door burst open. She barely managed to cover herself once more with the top material. The torchlight flickered reflected Van's fuming features.
"Van! What do you…" she shouted.
"Sellie isn't in her room!" he interrupted rudely as he paced the room. "I've been looking for her and for you."
Hitomi walked quickly to him and placed her hands on his chest to stop him. "Calm down," she said softly. He obeyed, but still was very tense.
"Now, lets think rationally," she continued. "I left her in her room _alone_ at the most 45 minutes ago. She probably is taking a walk to clear her head and…"
"Hitomi, just stop!" he said harshly, pushing her away from him. "I don't know exactly how you were raised on the Mystic Moon, but when someone disappears, you usually worry about them!"
"Excuse me?" she asked quietly. What has come over him?
"Fanelia is one thing. We _live_ there. But, here we are, together in a foreign country and she goes running off into the night once again! And you are so goddamn optimistic about it!"
"Why are you doing this?" Hitomi asked, her words feeling stuck in her throat. "I am as worried about Sellie as you are, Van. There is no need to get angry at me for it."
"You of all people should know how dangerous Gaea is, Hitomi," he continued, not hearing a word she said. "You told me yourself, how it was a big difference from the Mystic Moon."
She glared angrily at him. "You make Earth sound like its paradise," she said coldly. "Well, its not. There's a constant war somewhere in the world, especially when I left." She paused, thinking. "And speaking of when I left, you remember when I returned to Gaea and you found me unconscious wearing angel wings?"
"Yeah, so?" Van replied quickly. "You said you were at a masquerade or something."
"I never told you this, because I never wanted you to know for reasons," she said, tears brimming at the edges of her lashes. "I was a Halloween party, yes, but I was there with a guy who I thought was a friend. He took advantage of me, Van, slipped a drug into my drink, and tried to rape me. The only reason I managed to escape was that the pillar of light saved me." Her voice broke on the last word. There! She had finally spoken those words she had dread. She could not stand to see his look of shock and disgust on his face, so she fled from the room.
She did not have a specific destination to go, only somewhere that could give her fresh air. She needed to breathe and relax her tensed body. She didn't even realize it she was outside until she felt a cool night's breeze on her wet face. She looked around and discovered she was in the courtyard, now abandoned by the party-goers. Where was everyone?
"Hitomi!"
She couldn't face him. Not after she had just told him something she had kept hidden from him for years.
"Hitomi!" His hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her around sharply. Her glistening green eyes stared hard into his.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" he asked softly. There was hurt in his eyes, and she had caused that pain.
"I didn't want to worry you. I was safe," she sighed. "Besides, Naoko told me when I came home that he was put away so he won't harm others."
"But still…" he said. "I wished you had told me."
Instead of letting her go, he drew her into his arms and embraced her tightly. Hitomi buried her face into his shirt and sighed.
"Why did we fight?" she asked quietly.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I was annoyed by Sellie's behavior and I took it out on the wrong person."
"I shouldn't have yelled. I'm worried about her too."
They remained in each others arms in silence for a moment, not wanting to let go. Hitomi listened to Van's heartbeat grow more slow as he calmed down. He kissed the cradle of her neck and closed her eyes.
"So now what?" she asked, not daring to move.
"I don't know… maybe go out looking for her? I'm assuming she went into the forest, but since you can See her, she could be anywhere."
"Alright," Hitomi agreed. "Let me go change my clothes. I can't go anywhere in this gown!"
"I'll be waiting here," he said.
She broke the embrace and walked slowly back towards the palace. Before she entered the doorways, she turned around in mid-step and gave him a gentle smile. She could see him return the gesture with his smirk, but his own smile quickly turned into a face of horror.
Suddenly, she could feel a sharp blade on her throat and a raspy breathing on her skin. "Don't make a sound, Your Highness," the man's voice whispered into her ear.
"Hitomi!" Van shouted desperately, but he too was surrounded by black-clothed soldiers. Three of them grabbed him so that he could not break free.
"Let's go out into the night, shall we, Your Majesties?" the same man that had spoken to Hitomi announced coldly to the group. Van struggled against his captors while Hitomi had no choice but to move.
* * *
Sellie raced through the foliage as fast as she could, her mind processing even more quickly than her feet. She could see the high towers of Cassia ahead of her, but she could also see a leviship sitting outside the gates that she did not recognize when she flew in.
I have to stop that vision from coming true, she thought as she pressed on. If only I can get there in time.
* * *
why didn't i get a vision of this?
i don't know… but i'll get you out of this, love… what's going on?
something's wrong here…
They managed to remain linked together while they were forcefully pushed into the clearing. Hitomi could see out of the corner of her eye many more of the dark dressed soldiers, each with their face covered. She sensed Van's emotions of confusion and anger and tried to help him cool down.
The soldier that held her shoved her down hard so that she knelt in the wet grass. She closed her eyes and winced as she could feel the shock of pain jolt through her bones. The soldier grabbed her hair and pulled her head back so that her throat was exposed. Van was still held a-ways from her. The rest of the soldiers surrounded her in a circle.
"Well, well, what have we here?" a cold voice spoke. Hitomi watched as three more people clad in black cloaks approached her.
"Who… are… you?" she managed to croak out.
The tallest one removed its hood and Tarn's face appeared in the moonlight. "What's wrong, Your Majesty? Not enjoying the festivities?" he replied.
"Tarn?!" Van shouted from his position. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"My part in the deal, dear boy," he said. "I needed to lure the Fanels here and I've done so."
"Deal?" Hitomi whispered. "What do you mean?"
The second tallest figure walked forward, its hood remaining up. "I made a deal with Lord Tarn awhile ago," it spoke, the person beneath the robe hiding its voice so that it could be either male or female. "I was aware of his connection with Fanelia in the upcoming alignment. I promised him that if he would hand over the Fanels, that I would make Cassia more powerful than it could ever be. Once, of course, things went smoothly."
Hitomi's eyes welled with tears as she looked at Tarn. "We trusted you?" she said. "Why?"
He smirked. "I would do anything for my country, My Lady."
Her heart beat rapidly as she turned her attention back to the other cloaked person. "Who are you?" she pleaded.
"Don't you know me, Hitomi?" the person beneath asked. "Can't you… sense me?"
Hitomi's eyes widened at the sound of this. Very few people knew of her ability to have premonitions. It was an infamous title that was given to her, but not many knew of what she could actually do.
And that she couldn't See into this person bothered her as well.
"No, you can't, can you?" the voice snidely remarked. "But I'm also surprised that you don't even remember my voice. You would think that I would make a significant impact in your life."
It raised its gloved hand and slowly drew back its black hood, revealing the face that made Hitomi's heart stop.
"What? Please say you remember me," Ashira grinned.
Hitomi looked at the girl, for in fact, her face remained the same from the day she was entrapped inside the energist jewel at the temple in Gahwindah. She still appeared to be 21. Her once-long golden hair that tumbled to her waist in curls was now cut short and pulled back in a very tight ponytail. Her face was much paler than what she could recall it being, and there were many scars upon her cheeks. Only her piercing blue eyes had remained the same.
She could not find the words that she wanted to say, but apparently, Van could. "Ashira…" he murmured, then grew stronger. "How… how is this possible?"
"Long story, Fanel, that I really don't have the time for at this moment," she replied, then turned her eyes back to Hitomi. "Thank you, Lord Tarn, for assisting me in this task. You will be rewarded shortly after I am done."
"I humbly thank you, My Lady," he bowed, then returned to his place next to the third cloaked figure.
Ashira approached Hitomi and nodded at the soldier to let her go. He quickly obeyed and removed the dagger from her throat and left the two women in the center. Hitomi struggled to stand to her feet, but could not move at all.
"What's wrong, Hitomi?" Ashira asked sweetly. "Having trouble standing?"
She glared at the blonde girl. "What have you done?" she growled.
"Something that you apparently have not been practicing with at all," she replied. "See, I am well aware of our current situation, my dear friend. I know that not only did the Power of Atlantis enter you all those years ago… that it entered me as well. But, since I know that you were the kind of person that would keep this wonderful gift dormant and secret, that you would not know how to use what was given to the fullest extent." She stared hard at Hitomi as the older woman reluctantly rose to her feet. "I feel you fighting me now. That's good, Hitomi. But alas, you are not strong enough to defeat me."
She grasped Hitomi's already outstretched hand. The touch of their skin triggered a bright white light that engulfed them both. The soldiers that surrounded the two shaded their eyes, but Van stared at the glow.
"Hitomi!" he shouted.
But he was too late. As the glow diminished, both Ashira and Hitomi had disappeared.
to be continued…
* * *
Holy crap! That was the hardest chapter I've ever had to write! Why did it take so long? Well, the end of my first year in college is almost at an end. THANK GOD! I miss home so much and I need to go back. Ummm… no idea when the next one will be worked on, but it will be eventually. I'm rather pissed at the moment because I spent a lot of money at ebay like 3 weeks ago on Hitomi's Tarot cards and I still haven't gotten them. I've tried contacting the guy, but he hasn't answered. And besides the fact that I'm mad at everyone here doesn't really help me out at the moment.
Anyhow, I'm not sure how this is all going to work out but hopefully it will. The title is a song from Cirque du Soleil(?). If you have noticed, Quidam and Dralion are both names of different Cirque shows because I'm obsessed.
Time. 7.35 pm
Music. Umm… right now, its "My Sweet Lord" by lovely George Harrison
Chapter 7
Copyright. I do not own any of The Vision of Escaflowne or its characters because I just don't.
Author's Notes. WEEEEEEOOOO. Well, after a huge amount of midterm projects due and tests, my weekend was incredibly empty. My professors gave me no homework except to color in a character that I had designed for my computer art class. But that was using Illustrator and I found it to be a lot of fun. Then I got this really kick ass demo how to make realistic skin tones in Photoshop. Maybe I can make my drawings look pretty now. Hmmm… this chapter is going to be fairly difficult to write. As are all the ones after this so please be patient with me. I'm in art school and I have so much work to do.
The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid
Chapter 7. Let Me Fall
* * *
Sellie gasped loudly as she recognized the great creature before her. She had stopped as soon as she passed through the magical wall and froze. Although red flying-type dragons have disappeared from the face of Gaea, she could remember the legends of these beings.
And what she could remember from her studies, she knew that these types were *not* supposed to be friendly.
She slowly backed away, heading back towards the entrance that she had just walked through. She had expected the strange, cooling experience that she had felt the moment her body moved through the rock, but instead, she bumped into solid stone. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
The dragon had made no move to attack her. Actually, he (she assumed it was a male dragon, for the voice in her head was quite masculine) was settled comfortably on the worn-smooth floor of the cavern. For being under a waterfall, it was extremely dry in the room, though Sellie could still hear the pounding water outside.
She drew her blade from her leg and held it up in front of her. It would not do much damage against him, but at least she had protection.
* I told thee before, Child. Thee have no cause to be frightened of me. I will never hurt thee * the voice entered her mind again. She returned her attention to the dragon.
* Thee can sense it in thee heart that what I say is true. I am to help thee on this part of thee journey. * The dragon extended one of his enormous leathery wings, barely having enough room to do so. * Please forgive me, Child. I have not stretched in many years. *
"Why?" Sellie found herself asking loudly. Somehow, the dragon was right; she did feel oddly calm being close here.
* I have been sleeping in this location ever since the Seventh Age as humans called it. * He yawned loudly, his roar echoing within the walls. Sellie had to hold her ears until he finished.
"The Seventh Age? That was over five thousand years ago!" she exclaimed as she did the math.
* It has been too long since I have last seen the sun * he said wistfully. * But some things are more important. *
"Why have you been sleeping here?" Sellie asked as she began to walk around the dragon. "I mean, you're really big… don't you have some say in it or something?"
* I was not forced to remain in this cave. It was my own choice. Those involved thought it would be better for me to hidden away from those eyes that do not understand. *
"I'm sorry… I still don't really know what you're talking about, Sir… uh… do you have a name?" Sellie sat down on the rock.
* Thee cannot pronounce my true name in thee tongue… but the humans always called me "Dralion." *
"Dralion…" she sounded it out on her tongue. "My name is…"
* I know thee name, Selmé Rynna from the House of Fanel. * Dralion interrupted her. * Or would thee rather call thee Sellie as thee friends and family do? *
Her eyes widened. "How do you know my name?" she asked slowly.
* It is rather sudden of me to introduce thee to what has been remained hidden for so long, little one, * he said. * The time is not right at this moment. However, I will tell thee a story that will come into importance soon. *
He gestured to an area closer to him, but elevated from the rocky floor. Still being wary of her certain situation, Sellie climbed to the spot and looked at the great dragon before her, studying him.
She had only seen drawings and sketches of these magnificent creatures that had been recorded in the texts of the Fanelian library. But no one had come close to the truly awesome experience of being near one. His body was definitely much larger than a land-dragon's, though he did not reach the same mass as the Crusade did. His leathery wings now lay folded on his side, hiding his hind legs underneath. His forearms were visible, each with its own hand-like claw. The dark red scales glimmered as they traveled down his long body, also with horns along the ridge of his back. Two long horns protruded from his temples, along with smaller ones making up the crown. Sellie could see his long, dagger-like teeth emerging from his lips, but still, she did not feel afraid. His eyes told her otherwise. They seemed to be all-knowing and full of wisdom.
* Yes, dear one, I have been alive since the Seventh Age. I have been around for much longer than that, but my story takes place at that specific time.
I was hatched different from all the other dragons of my kind. Thee are aware of the energist hearts that my cousins carrying within themselves? * Sellie nodded. * It is the same for my brothers and sisters, though much larger. However, I was born with two inside me. *
"Two?" she asked. "Is that even possible?"
* I am living proof sitting before thee. * Dralion replied. * It had been prophesized that I would come to be like this by the Wise Woman of Siemmena, a large country located here before Cassia that has long disappeared. Siemmena was a safe haven of creatures of the Magic, such as beast-me and the children who escaped from Atlantis.
At this point, the People of the World lived in harmony, dragon and human alike. I enjoyed the company of the humans as well, although not many dragons would like to admit that. There was one female human that I liked the most. Her name was Aerin. I felt this strange attraction to her and her to I as well. She was a Priestess of the Old Ways in Siemmena, born with a strange ability to sense the future.
I had already seen many centuries by the time she had reached her 21st rotation. Every time I was near her, my twinned hearts would beat rapidly within my breast. It was announced to both Aerin and I by the Wise Woman that we were soul mates, destined to one another. *
"Soul mates?" Sellie asked. "A human and a…"
* Yes, a dragon. We found it odd as well, but the Wise Woman said that it did not matter that there was love between two species. It was more of a spiritual bond between us that would unite us as one. I spent everyday with her, talking, just spending time with her. We could not be away from each other for it would drive us mad.
All around us, times were changing. The People were losing sight of the Old Ways, turning their attention to the future. Chaos began to lash out and attack those who believed in the Magic, Siemmena and people of Ispano being main targets. Allies were needed. Countries such as Fanelia and Austria agreed to aid us. A long and devastating war broke out that divided Gaea in two.
In the end, Siemmena was destroyed and Ispano fled to the Dimensional Gap. The few people that were able to escape survived in the allying countries, Aerin being one of them. They congregated together to plan out what was in stake of their future. The Atlanteans went into hiding, for fear of persecution. The remaining few wanted to protect the people that could make some sort of difference. Therefore, it was decreed that Aerin would be married to the King of Fanelia to ensure her safety.
Aerin and I were heartbroken. We knew that we could never having something more than just being with one another. I told her to go become Queen of the dragon country where she would be protected. However, I knew I would never be allowed to see her again. Fanelia was a country that followed the Dragon God, but would kill live ones.
I retreated to a hidden cave so that I could be alone. Only the Priestesses and the Wise Woman knew where I was. It hurt me so when I did not see her the next day, nor the day after that, nor the day after that. Preparations were being made for her union with the King. One of Aerin's fellow Priestesses told me that the gift that Ispano was giving to Fanelia was a Guymelef, something that they had been creating especially for the King for over a hundred years. It was nearing completion, but needed an energist heart.
Now, Child, thee know that dragons are magical creatures. We can live for many years. But it was very odd for the duration of life that I had already lived was fairly long as it was. The Wise Woman told me that my hearts made me almost immortal. She also told me that the purpose of my twinned hearts was at hand. I knew what I had to do. *
"You gave up one of your hearts for Escaflowne?" Sellie asked.
* It may seem odd, but it was possible. This way, I was able to be closer to Aerin, still being able to protect her. The reaction of my energist heart within the Ispano Guymelef; the bond between the Great Armor and the pilot is a blood connection. But that bond also connected me to the both of them as well. I could feel the King's pulse and heart rhythm each time he sat inside.
Years went by like they were days. Aerin was aware of my presence inside of the Escaflowne and during the nights, she would come into the shrine and simply touch the metal exterior. It was the only way we could be together, but it was still beautiful.
I continued to not age, though I felt so old inside. It was the opposite for Aerin. Her soul was eternal, though her body aged. She had already borne the King two healthy male heirs, whom had grown up to be young men.
War again broke out, this time, directly in Fanelia. A band of rioters from countries all over collected and overthrew the city. My second heart beat rapidly as I could feel the King enter Escaflowne. Once more, I could see all what he could see. And I saw devastation. The city in flames, bodies littering the ground. I searched desperately for Aerin. And I saw her. *
Dralion stopped speaking and twisted his long neck to the side. Sellie looked upon him with hurt inside of her.
* One of the bandits, a woman, came up from behind as Aerin was aiding people to safety. The woman unsheathed her blade and rammed it through her.
I roared, but it did no good. I wasn't there. I was still in my cave near Siemmena. She fell to the ground… I still can see it clearly. The King left Escaflowne, but I could still see through his eyes. He picked her up into his arms… into my arms… and clutched her so tightly. She looked directly into him… to me… and told me that I had to wait for her… she would return to protect Fanelia and Gaea once again… and that after that, we can finally be together. *
Silence loomed inside the cave, the waterfall a dull roar. Sellie fidgeted on the hard cold rock.
"So…" she started, breaking the stillness that unnerved. "Is that why you've stayed in here for all those years?"
* It was my own choice, as well as some help from the Wise Woman. The only time that my Aerin would return was when something threatened all of Gaea that was unnatural. It seemed only right that I should hide away from humans that did not understand. They hunted down my kind… which is why I am the last. *
Sellie shifted, feeling guilt overflow her thoughts. Her father had killed a dragon with the aide of her mother, only because he needed the energist heart inside to prove that he did so. As did every Fanelian King since the first reign.
"You said that you were here to help me 'during my journey'," she said finally. "I mean, I kind of get it how I'm involved in your life. I'm the descendant of Aerin through my father's side of the family. But I'm still not sure of why I'm here."
* Thee came here, seeking answers, didn't thee? *
"I didn't know I had questions."
Dralion changed his position so that one of his front claws was free. * Thee have been asking thee-self recently about what is missing in thee life. Thee feels different. Different from others. *
"Yeah, so?" she said moodily. "I'm thirteen. Its how people my age feel" But Dralion was right.
* Thee _are_ different, Sellie. * he replied. * Thee has always known it. Have thee ever had feelings… intuitions… guesses that are usually correct? Because thee felt it that it were true? *
"Yes, but everyone has those…"
* Have thee ever seen something before it happened? * Dralion interrupted her.
Sellie stopped speaking for a moment. "Once," she answered quietly. "This happened two years ago. I was riding with my father and some of his guards… I could see it so clearly in my mind… and then it happened."
* What? *
"One of the horses tripped and stumbled. He broke on of his legs and threw his rider. Luckily, the guard flew into the brush to the side of the road. But the horse…" she hesitated.
"I can still hear his screams until one of the other guards killed it to stop the pain." She sat thoughtfully. "I did See it somehow before I actually _did_ see it."
Dralion smiled, or what looked like a smile. * Thee has what is the beginning of the Sight, as did Aerin. *
"The Sight?"
* Thee were born with this power, but sometimes, it is dormant until the carrier reaches a certain age, usually teenage years. But it can normally be sensed before the First Seeing occurs. *
"What do you mean, 'sensed'?"
* I can sense whether or not a human has the Sight. * He lifted his great fore claw and held it just in front of Sellie. * I see thee before me, but I cannot See thee at all. It is almost as if thee were walking around in a fog. Thee cannot be sensed. *
Sellie stood up quickly, but did not back away from the scaled claw coming towards her. "What if you made contact? Would you sense me then?" she asked as she softly stroked her own palm against his claw. As so as their skin touched, the pendant flared.
A sharp pain climbed up her spine and settled in her mind. Dralion and the cavern melted away, revealing the Cassian palace. It looked the same.
But it unsettled her to see all the black-clothed soldiers running around, swords drawn and ready to attack.
Her heart panicked. Where was Mom and Dad? It seemed to be that the soldiers did not see her as she raced to find her parents.
She could see numerous guests she recognized from dinner sprinting across the courtyard, pursued by the soldiers. They were cornered and fenced in.
"Mom! Dad!" she cried. She could see a group of the military surrounding something in a closed circle. As she neared, she could see a flash of silver… very similar to the dress that her mother wore to dinner. In fact, it looked exactly…
"MOM!" she screamed, running towards the group. Despite her sudden outburst, the military did not turn around and grab her as well. She peeked in the cracks between the guards' legs and saw another glimpse of silver. One of the soldiers moved aside and Sellie gasped.
Hitomi was on her knees, her silver dress soiled at the hems. One man grasped her hair and had her head pulled back by her hair. He held his sword against her neck, and Sellie saw a fine trickle of blood seeping down her throat.
Van was also held captive, but restrained by three men. The fourth soldier kicked him in the gut and he dropped to his knees, groaning in pain.
Sellie felt her stomach churn. Why… she cried. Why…
Suddenly, the soldiers parted and changed their attention in Sellie's direction. She slowly turned around, fearing of what was behind her.
Someone clad in a black cloak slowly approached the group, the hood drawn up so that no one could see its owner's face. Sellie thought that the being would reach out and grab her, but it made no such movement.
Instead, the shadow person lifted its hand and gave the soldiers the execution signal.
Sellie collapsed as her world turned black and the only sound that resonated was her mother's blood-curdling scream.
* * *
She found herself upon the ground being nudged gently by Dralion. She tried sitting up, but the dragon instinctively forced her back to the floor. It was a good thing too; her head still swam with dizziness. She could faintly hear him calling her name to bring her back to reality.
* Sellie! Are thee alright? What did thee See? *
"What… was… that?" she gasped aloud.
* Thee had a vision… a very powerful one at that. What did thee See? * he repeated.
She coughed loudly. "I'm not sure. It was back at Cassia. I saw… oh gods…" she brought her hand to her mouth. "Mom and Dad! Something happened to them! Or is going to!" She stood to her feet and stumbled to the magical wall. She held up her hand to it. Hopefully, this time she could get through.
* Wait! Child! Do not go out there! It is unsafe for thee! * Dralion's voice echoed within her mind. She did not stop. She could pass through the wall. There was no stopping her.
Sorry, my friend… she thought. Something is going to happen and I want to prevent it.
* * *
Meanwhile…
Hitomi stood alone on the balcony, staring up at the stars and at the Earth. It was amazing. Back in Japan, she and her father went star-gazing, but had trouble since of all the bright lights. She could never imagine how many stars there actually were. She remembered an old tale about each star representing a soul. When a person died, the star's light would fade out. When would her light fade?
She shook her head. She had plenty of good years with Van, Sellie, and her friends.
She sighed and slumped so that her arms hung over the side of the balcony. "What a night," she muttered to herself. She couldn't wait to get back to Fanelia. Maybe coming to this party was a big mistake.
Where was Van anyway? He just wanted to go check up on Sellie, but that shouldn't take that long.
She shivered. Funny, its not that cold out. Sure, its early spring, but it should be a warm night.
She sighed again and retreated back to the guest quarters. No sense in catching a cold just because she was too stubborn to wear something warmer. As she walked back into the Great Ballroom, she saw many of the guests walking out to the courtyard to observe the gardens. She nodded her head in respect as the older ladies shuffled past her, her ears keen to their mutterings about Fanelia's "way-of-life", it being not regal enough. Hitomi shrugged her shoulders. Fanelia was prosperous and she treated her people with equality.
She crept into her and Van's private room and began to untie her corset and shed from the dress. The outfit was suffocating.
Her chamber room door burst open. She barely managed to cover herself once more with the top material. The torchlight flickered reflected Van's fuming features.
"Van! What do you…" she shouted.
"Sellie isn't in her room!" he interrupted rudely as he paced the room. "I've been looking for her and for you."
Hitomi walked quickly to him and placed her hands on his chest to stop him. "Calm down," she said softly. He obeyed, but still was very tense.
"Now, lets think rationally," she continued. "I left her in her room _alone_ at the most 45 minutes ago. She probably is taking a walk to clear her head and…"
"Hitomi, just stop!" he said harshly, pushing her away from him. "I don't know exactly how you were raised on the Mystic Moon, but when someone disappears, you usually worry about them!"
"Excuse me?" she asked quietly. What has come over him?
"Fanelia is one thing. We _live_ there. But, here we are, together in a foreign country and she goes running off into the night once again! And you are so goddamn optimistic about it!"
"Why are you doing this?" Hitomi asked, her words feeling stuck in her throat. "I am as worried about Sellie as you are, Van. There is no need to get angry at me for it."
"You of all people should know how dangerous Gaea is, Hitomi," he continued, not hearing a word she said. "You told me yourself, how it was a big difference from the Mystic Moon."
She glared angrily at him. "You make Earth sound like its paradise," she said coldly. "Well, its not. There's a constant war somewhere in the world, especially when I left." She paused, thinking. "And speaking of when I left, you remember when I returned to Gaea and you found me unconscious wearing angel wings?"
"Yeah, so?" Van replied quickly. "You said you were at a masquerade or something."
"I never told you this, because I never wanted you to know for reasons," she said, tears brimming at the edges of her lashes. "I was a Halloween party, yes, but I was there with a guy who I thought was a friend. He took advantage of me, Van, slipped a drug into my drink, and tried to rape me. The only reason I managed to escape was that the pillar of light saved me." Her voice broke on the last word. There! She had finally spoken those words she had dread. She could not stand to see his look of shock and disgust on his face, so she fled from the room.
She did not have a specific destination to go, only somewhere that could give her fresh air. She needed to breathe and relax her tensed body. She didn't even realize it she was outside until she felt a cool night's breeze on her wet face. She looked around and discovered she was in the courtyard, now abandoned by the party-goers. Where was everyone?
"Hitomi!"
She couldn't face him. Not after she had just told him something she had kept hidden from him for years.
"Hitomi!" His hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her around sharply. Her glistening green eyes stared hard into his.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" he asked softly. There was hurt in his eyes, and she had caused that pain.
"I didn't want to worry you. I was safe," she sighed. "Besides, Naoko told me when I came home that he was put away so he won't harm others."
"But still…" he said. "I wished you had told me."
Instead of letting her go, he drew her into his arms and embraced her tightly. Hitomi buried her face into his shirt and sighed.
"Why did we fight?" she asked quietly.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I was annoyed by Sellie's behavior and I took it out on the wrong person."
"I shouldn't have yelled. I'm worried about her too."
They remained in each others arms in silence for a moment, not wanting to let go. Hitomi listened to Van's heartbeat grow more slow as he calmed down. He kissed the cradle of her neck and closed her eyes.
"So now what?" she asked, not daring to move.
"I don't know… maybe go out looking for her? I'm assuming she went into the forest, but since you can See her, she could be anywhere."
"Alright," Hitomi agreed. "Let me go change my clothes. I can't go anywhere in this gown!"
"I'll be waiting here," he said.
She broke the embrace and walked slowly back towards the palace. Before she entered the doorways, she turned around in mid-step and gave him a gentle smile. She could see him return the gesture with his smirk, but his own smile quickly turned into a face of horror.
Suddenly, she could feel a sharp blade on her throat and a raspy breathing on her skin. "Don't make a sound, Your Highness," the man's voice whispered into her ear.
"Hitomi!" Van shouted desperately, but he too was surrounded by black-clothed soldiers. Three of them grabbed him so that he could not break free.
"Let's go out into the night, shall we, Your Majesties?" the same man that had spoken to Hitomi announced coldly to the group. Van struggled against his captors while Hitomi had no choice but to move.
* * *
Sellie raced through the foliage as fast as she could, her mind processing even more quickly than her feet. She could see the high towers of Cassia ahead of her, but she could also see a leviship sitting outside the gates that she did not recognize when she flew in.
I have to stop that vision from coming true, she thought as she pressed on. If only I can get there in time.
* * *
why didn't i get a vision of this?
i don't know… but i'll get you out of this, love… what's going on?
something's wrong here…
They managed to remain linked together while they were forcefully pushed into the clearing. Hitomi could see out of the corner of her eye many more of the dark dressed soldiers, each with their face covered. She sensed Van's emotions of confusion and anger and tried to help him cool down.
The soldier that held her shoved her down hard so that she knelt in the wet grass. She closed her eyes and winced as she could feel the shock of pain jolt through her bones. The soldier grabbed her hair and pulled her head back so that her throat was exposed. Van was still held a-ways from her. The rest of the soldiers surrounded her in a circle.
"Well, well, what have we here?" a cold voice spoke. Hitomi watched as three more people clad in black cloaks approached her.
"Who… are… you?" she managed to croak out.
The tallest one removed its hood and Tarn's face appeared in the moonlight. "What's wrong, Your Majesty? Not enjoying the festivities?" he replied.
"Tarn?!" Van shouted from his position. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"My part in the deal, dear boy," he said. "I needed to lure the Fanels here and I've done so."
"Deal?" Hitomi whispered. "What do you mean?"
The second tallest figure walked forward, its hood remaining up. "I made a deal with Lord Tarn awhile ago," it spoke, the person beneath the robe hiding its voice so that it could be either male or female. "I was aware of his connection with Fanelia in the upcoming alignment. I promised him that if he would hand over the Fanels, that I would make Cassia more powerful than it could ever be. Once, of course, things went smoothly."
Hitomi's eyes welled with tears as she looked at Tarn. "We trusted you?" she said. "Why?"
He smirked. "I would do anything for my country, My Lady."
Her heart beat rapidly as she turned her attention back to the other cloaked person. "Who are you?" she pleaded.
"Don't you know me, Hitomi?" the person beneath asked. "Can't you… sense me?"
Hitomi's eyes widened at the sound of this. Very few people knew of her ability to have premonitions. It was an infamous title that was given to her, but not many knew of what she could actually do.
And that she couldn't See into this person bothered her as well.
"No, you can't, can you?" the voice snidely remarked. "But I'm also surprised that you don't even remember my voice. You would think that I would make a significant impact in your life."
It raised its gloved hand and slowly drew back its black hood, revealing the face that made Hitomi's heart stop.
"What? Please say you remember me," Ashira grinned.
Hitomi looked at the girl, for in fact, her face remained the same from the day she was entrapped inside the energist jewel at the temple in Gahwindah. She still appeared to be 21. Her once-long golden hair that tumbled to her waist in curls was now cut short and pulled back in a very tight ponytail. Her face was much paler than what she could recall it being, and there were many scars upon her cheeks. Only her piercing blue eyes had remained the same.
She could not find the words that she wanted to say, but apparently, Van could. "Ashira…" he murmured, then grew stronger. "How… how is this possible?"
"Long story, Fanel, that I really don't have the time for at this moment," she replied, then turned her eyes back to Hitomi. "Thank you, Lord Tarn, for assisting me in this task. You will be rewarded shortly after I am done."
"I humbly thank you, My Lady," he bowed, then returned to his place next to the third cloaked figure.
Ashira approached Hitomi and nodded at the soldier to let her go. He quickly obeyed and removed the dagger from her throat and left the two women in the center. Hitomi struggled to stand to her feet, but could not move at all.
"What's wrong, Hitomi?" Ashira asked sweetly. "Having trouble standing?"
She glared at the blonde girl. "What have you done?" she growled.
"Something that you apparently have not been practicing with at all," she replied. "See, I am well aware of our current situation, my dear friend. I know that not only did the Power of Atlantis enter you all those years ago… that it entered me as well. But, since I know that you were the kind of person that would keep this wonderful gift dormant and secret, that you would not know how to use what was given to the fullest extent." She stared hard at Hitomi as the older woman reluctantly rose to her feet. "I feel you fighting me now. That's good, Hitomi. But alas, you are not strong enough to defeat me."
She grasped Hitomi's already outstretched hand. The touch of their skin triggered a bright white light that engulfed them both. The soldiers that surrounded the two shaded their eyes, but Van stared at the glow.
"Hitomi!" he shouted.
But he was too late. As the glow diminished, both Ashira and Hitomi had disappeared.
to be continued…
* * *
Holy crap! That was the hardest chapter I've ever had to write! Why did it take so long? Well, the end of my first year in college is almost at an end. THANK GOD! I miss home so much and I need to go back. Ummm… no idea when the next one will be worked on, but it will be eventually. I'm rather pissed at the moment because I spent a lot of money at ebay like 3 weeks ago on Hitomi's Tarot cards and I still haven't gotten them. I've tried contacting the guy, but he hasn't answered. And besides the fact that I'm mad at everyone here doesn't really help me out at the moment.
Anyhow, I'm not sure how this is all going to work out but hopefully it will. The title is a song from Cirque du Soleil(?). If you have noticed, Quidam and Dralion are both names of different Cirque shows because I'm obsessed.
