Date. 08.11.2002
Time. 12.11 am
Music. None, watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Chapter 10

Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne or any of its characters.

Author's Notes. Well, I'm going to try and write one more chapter before I have to go back to school in the South. That way, I did about a chapter a month or so. The summer is slowly coming to an end. My friends are already leaving for school in a week. So sad.

***IMPORTANT NOTICE*** In the last chapter, Gaea mentions that the day when both worlds end happens in 5 days. I worked it out in my head that night, so its totally wrong. From that point, the destruction begins 4 days instead of 5. Perilous doom is coming!

The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid

Chapter 10. Flying Without Wings

* * *

Sellie quickly learned that riding a flying-dragon was almost as comfortable as being dragged by a horse. Besides Dralion's colossal wing-muscles rippling underneath while beating directly behind her, she sat wedged between the crests on his ridged back. She clung tightly onto Van, but he spoke no words to her. His eyes were set straight ahead, his mouth in a tight grimace. There were so many things that she wanted to say, to scream, to shout, and to cry, but this did not seem like the time.

The down pour of rain had finally stopped, but the dark clouds still held together. The faint smell of electricity hanging in the air, threatening the possibility of thunder and lightning.

Her mind went back over all the information she had just received in her brief visitation in Gaea's secret wooded lair. Her parents were both Draconians… her mother held within her the Power of Atlantis as she did… and now they had to go to the Mystic Moon and rescue her before this Power consumed both their world and this one. But what do I have to do exactly *once* I get there?

Gods… she sighed mentally. My whole life has been a lie. One big fat lie.

There was more deafening silence as they traversed on for another twenty minutes, but suddenly, Van tensed.

"Is that… the Crusade?" he murmured.

"The Crusade? Where?" Sellie asked, scanning the clouds. She could hear the distant engine of the leviship, but she could not see it anywhere.

"There," Van pointed to the left. Sellie followed his finger and saw the Crusade cut through the vaporous gloom and appear before them.

"Dralion, these are our friends," he shouted up to the dragon. "Could you fly closer?"

"Ummm… Dad?" Sellie asked. "Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Yes… why wouldn't I?" Van replied quickly, almost in an exasperated manner. "I'm sure Dralion did not want to carry us the entire way back to Cassia."

"Yeah… but I'm not sure what the guys are going to think when a huge flying-dragon is heading straight towards them." she said matter-of-factly.

* * *

Silence had overcome the bridge of the Crusade for multiple hours now. Allen stood in front of the helm by the windows, his arms firmly across his chest. He remained in this pose for almost the entire trip as members of the crew puttered around him, his eyes vacant as he thought deeply.

Gaddes stood at his post, shooting looks at Allen every now and then. Celena would walk in and out of the bridge room, trying to do something that would occupy her mind with mindless work. At this point, she remained inside the room and leaned against the cushioned bench. She muffled a yawn and shook her head of it. Millerna had also joined the group, but Dryden stayed within his chambers. Rouen sat by her side, glancing up at his mother with worried looks.

A loud beeping emitted from Reeden's station. Allen blinked, but did not move towards the direction of the sound.

"What is it, Reeden?" he simply asked.

"It looks like something is in the area, Boss," he replied, lifting his head from the screen. "Something big."

"Leviship?"

"No… it doesn't look like it… I don't think it's a machine… I think it's alive," he muttered.

There was more silence. "Like a flock of birds?" Allen asked, finally turning around and looking in his direction.

"No… it's bigger than that… and it's just one big thing."

Hmmm… Allen thought. What could it…

"Boss! It's coming this way!" Reeden shouted.

The Knight returned his gaze back to the window and stared ahead. Gaddes, Celena, and a few crew members joined him and watched the skies for any sign of movement.

"Standby for interception!" Reeden announced.

Still, no sight of anything. Silence filled the chamber, the wait driving everyone insane.

"Damn weather makes everything impossible to see," Katz muttered.

Out of the corner of her eye, Celena saw a flash of motion. "There! What was that?" she asked, pointing to her right.

Her question went unreturned as the answer flew directly towards them in clear view. She saw the flash of dark red scales as the massive beast broke through the clouds.

"My gods…" she breathed, bringing her hand to her mouth. "It's a dragon…"

"That's not just a dragon… it's a flying one!" Millerna added.

"I thought those type were extinct," Rouen spoke.

Allen remained silent as his keen blue eyes watched the dragon fly about the Crusade. "Why doesn't he attack us?" he murmured to himself.

"What, Brother?"

He shook his head. "Look, flying-dragons have been known to be very aggressive according to the texts… no matter if we attack first or not," he explained. "This one has made no advance to make an attack towards us. Why?"

"It's carrying someone!" Reeden shouted from his spy-glass. "There! A person! On its back!"

Rouen had a gut instinct as soon as Reeden said there was a person involved. He took the glass away from the Crusade member and took a look for himself. As he peered into it, he took a deep breath and held it. "Gods! It's Sellie!" he exhaled.

"What?" Celena asked in shock. "I don't believe it! I thought we'd be looking for the Myriad."

"If that's Sellie… then where's…"

Allen's last remark was interrupted by a loud rapping on the window. The remaining people on deck turned around to see Van on the outside of the Crusade's front panes, clinging onto the metal panels. His white Draconian wings were folded behind him, but feathers were flying about him. He was waving madly.

Rouen gasped. "Van's got wings?" he asked. Millerna looked sad, but nodded.

Celena rushed to the window and placed her palms against the glass. His face was dismal and full of weariness as he motioned downwards. Then he pushed himself from the ledge and dove towards the ground below. The dragon followed him and disappeared underneath the clouds.

"Van wants us to land," she announced.

"Land? With a flying-dragon around?" Teo asked. "Are you crazy? Those are rumored to be the most dangerous of the species!"

"I think there's something different about *that* one," she quickly snapped back. "Why would Van go flying about with it around? Even that, why would he let his only daughter on its back?"

Allen stared at her and smiled. "I believe you. Prepare to land!"

* * *

Van had already retracted his wings and was helping Sellie dismount Dralion as the Crusade slowly hovered above the desert floor in landing. The large dragon settled himself and lifted his head towards the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. * It has been ages since I have seen the Great Star, * he said, closing his lids and basking in the light. * It feels so warm and wonderful against my scales. *

"Dralion, I'm not sure on how my friends are going to react to you," Van said. "Just to warn you."

* I take thee warning to full extent, cousin, * he replied. * I am aware. *

Sellie remained by Dralion's side as Van went to meet the running crew members. Celena wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Gods, are you alright? Did that bastard do anything to you or Sellie or Hitomi? Why is there a dragon with you? Where is Hitomi?"

Van grimaced at the moment that Hitomi's name left her lips. Celena soon realized her mistake.

She backed off of him and touched his shoulder. "Van, where is Hitomi?" she repeated.

"It was Ashira. Ashira has Hitomi," he said slowly.

"Ashira?" Gaddes asked. "I thought Hitomi got rid of her at Gahwindahn."

"So did I," Van growled. "But Tarn held us captive and she took Hitomi and they disappeared in a bright light. Then he took us to the desert to us behind and die… and…"

"Van," Celena interrupted, glancing behind him. "You've told Sellie everything, haven't you?"

His mouth remained open in mid-sentence, then he slowly nodded. "I had to… she saw… we fell from the Myriad and… I had no other choice."

"How is she taking it?" Millerna asked.

"Fairly well… I guess. She was really quiet up until we found you all." He paused, trying to sort out his next words. "I'm going to need your help, Allen. I need to get Hitomi back, but I can't do it by myself." It was difficult to say that last sentence. His shoulders drooped as he held his head low.

"I will help you, Van," Allen said, his mouth set in a straight line. "For Hitomi's sake."

"I am too," Celena's voice rang in.

"So am I," Gaddes agreed.

A chorus of positive "ayes" joined the group from the remaining members of the Crusade. Van could not help and force a smile as his rescue team continued to grow with full on support. He looked over in Sellie's direction, but the girl had stayed next to Dralion and sat against his foreleg. He also noticed Rouen walking towards her.

"Rouen! Get back here!" Millerna shouted after her son, but Van grabbed her arm.

"Don't worry, he's a friend of ours," he explained.

"You sure pick out the odd ones, don't you, Van?" Celena said, crossing her arms. "I hope that on our flight back to Asturia and Fanelia, you'll be able to clarify some things."

"No, we have to go back to Cassia… I need to get a hold of Tarn and find out about Hitomi's location on the Mystic Moon!" Van spoke quickly.

Celena's arms dropped to her sides. "Wait a minute… Hitomi's on the Mystic Moon? You never said anything about the Mystic Moon!"

"You're not scared, are you?"

She snorted. "Of course not! I just thought that… Hitomi wasn't able to return to her home there."

"So did I… but I'll explain more when we go back onto the ship," Van said.

As the adults spoke of their next action and questioned Van of his wife, Rouen had approached Sellie and the dragon. He stopped about thirty feet away from the creature.

"I've never seen a real dragon before," he whispered.

A loud chuckling broke the silence. * I have never seen many things in my life, dear lad, but still I believe in them, * the dragon said directly to him. * Thee should not dismiss things that they do not really exist. It is an insult. *

"Gods, it can talk?" he gasped, then bowed before the great beast, remembering his studies in different cultures' religions . "Dragonlord, I am sorry. I didn't mean to insult you or anything. I am Rouen Fassa Aston of Asturia. Please see it fit not to condemn me to death."

* Death? Dear boy, do thee think that I will eat thee? * Dralion asked, chuckling. Sellie tried to muffle her slight giggling. * I do not eat the friends of Selmé Rynna. And thee are far too young to be so formal. Thee may call me 'Dralion'. *

Sellie stood from where she was sitting and helped Rouen to his feet. "Rouen, what are you doing here?" she asked.

He coughed. "I've come to rescue you," he said, laughing a bit at the end. "You're my friend, Sellie." He held his breath. "You know I would do anything for you."

Sellie's eyes widened and dropped his hands. Do anything for me? she thought. Is he saying what I think he is saying?

"Rouen! Sellie! We're leaving!"

Sellie sighed at the sound of her father's voice. Rouen had been acting so odd lately… and although she didn't mind her friend's company, she did not know how she would be able to handle this new complication.

That someone actually *liked* her.

Rouen lowered his head and headed back for the Crusade as Van hurried over to her. He briefly looked at the boy, then at his daughter.

"Didn't you hear me, Sellie?" he asked, a touch of annoyance in his voice. "We're leaving. We have a long flight ahead of us and then we still have to go back to Fanelia. We're on a schedule and…"

"I heard you," she replied quietly. She then lifted her face to Dralion's and pet his forearm. "You'll fly behind the Crusade, won't you?"

* Aye, little one. *

"We'll stop just before we reach the Cassian palace to figure out a plan of attack," Van said, placing a hand on top of Sellie's shoulder. She shrugged it off and ran back to the leviship, bursting into tears. Van watched after her, hurt.

"What's with her?" he asked himself aloud.

* I believe that the child is confused, * Dralion mused. * Thee and the Lady have just opened her eyes to a brand new world of possibilities, and now she does not know where she stands in this world. *

Van remained silent, thinking of what he should do. "I am lost too," he spoke. "Hitomi and I had always planned that when the time to tell her had come, that we would sit down like a family and tell her. I hadn't counted on this happening." He clenched his fist. "I should have known better. Hitomi's been a target ever since she was first here."

* How can thee know the future, cousin? It is to remain mysterious and unknown until it becomes the present. True, that thee mate Sees the near future… but it can still be changed. *

Van rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Thank you, Dralion. I'll let you know if any plans change." He returned to the ship.

* Aye, young King. *

* * *

It is amazing to think that you can change a person's entire belief structure and way of life through a simple act of amnesia. I still can sense her actual behavior buried in her new routine of life. If only it were so easy to erase enemies' minds and form them into whatever you want.

I guess that is what happened to the experiment labeled "Dilandau." A kidnapped female child altered with science and magic and transformed into the ultimate soldier. The Sorcerers had said that he was "glitched" and could remember flashbacks of his former life.

Observing the life here on the Mystic Moon is interesting. An ordinary day could perplex any Gaean. Luckily, I only needed to figure out what I needed to learn and know within a few colors in order to make sure that this day would work. Thirteen years stuck in solitary confinement has not slowed me down at all. I thought of plans… I remembered information that I had learned through Zaibach. And, with my newfound power, it makes it so much easier.

The Mystic Moon people are no demons as the legends say, nor are they gods. They are normal humans that have more technology at their fingertips than the richest kings in Gaea have in a lifetime. Even Zaibach is shadowed in their advancement. Their daily lives are so fast-paced, I don't even know how it could be possible to do so many things in one day.

I still can't sense the other half of the Power inside of Hitomi Kanzaki, but I know it is there. Why does it not react when I am near? Shouldn't it? She has shown no change as to sensing the Power within myself… but nevertheless, she could be faking it. Perhaps I should make it known to her about its potential so that when the time comes in the temple, there will be no resistance.

She will no longer stay inside of the tent, so I allow her to scavenge for artifacts or whatever. It was the only profession that I could find that would make it normal to be out in a jungle environment. She seems all eager for it.

I have not received notice from Tarn that his task has been fulfilled with Van. I can only feed her lies so much. What if he figures out where I took her? He only needs to fly in here and touch her or something and she'll get all her memories back.

I took one of those CB radios that I have seen here on the Mystic Moon, or rather… 'Earth', and with my experience with technology working with Zaibach, have managed to link to Tarn on Gaea. It works, somehow, though the distance is so great. I don't understand it.

Gods, I don't know how much long I can last her with this sweetness that is oozing out of that whore. Sekhmet always said that I had so much anger towards her. I do not know why that's so wrong.

Oh great, she's asking me another question about herself. I somehow got a glimpse into her life from when she lived here on Earth, almost reading her mind, so I answer almost as truthfully as I can. She said that when she was sleeping, she kept on getting flashes of something. It sounded like Gaea. I told her that it was probably nothing. I need to figure something out so that she will not remember Gaea at all.

I could not believe my luck when she didn't know what Gaea was. The Sorcerers used the selective memory technique on some test subjects, maybe this is what happened to her. Something so significant in her life and its gone within the blink of an eye. I'm glad that most of my work was done for me. According to my research, all I have to do is make sure that she is with me inside of the temple's Sacrificial circle at dawn four days from now.

And then all of the Power of Atlantis will be mine as will the world.

to be continued…

* * *

Whooo! So this chapter and the next one were originally going to be one long one but I decided to cut it into two shorter ones. Sorry this one is so short but maybe that way, I can boost up the reviews! The next chapter will be out maybe before next Friday. It depends on how much I can touch up and how much time I have. I'm leaving to go back to school this week and I need to pack all my clothes… but more importantly, my Escaflowne DVDs!

Chapter title comes from the song "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife. Yes, I have to say that one of my secret pleasures is the category named "pop music." Besides, I love the lyrics to this song.