Hey again!! Only four weeks and then are summer holidays!!! But it seems
that I won't go out of town u_u Me and my friends were pretty lazy and
didn't look after a holiday cottage. And now, there are only the expensive
ones left *sighs* But maybe we get some last-minute flight. On with the
story!!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Escaflowne.
~...words...~ - Italics
CHAPTER 11 It's you!
"It's an honour to meet you, King of Fanelia," Duke Chid said and smiled widely.
"Likewise," Van replied and bowed.
They were still in the throne hall of Freid's palace. After everyone had gotten over the shock of Van's revelation, the Duke had ordered the guards to return to their positions. Van still stood at the bottom of the stairway and the others were waiting behind him. Allen was glaring at him.
"It was said you were dead," the Duke said and tilted his head curiously to the side.
"You see, I'm not," Van replied.
"I see," Chid said and smiled. "And you're here to claim Escaflowne?" Van nodded.
"Yes, I must stop Folken," he said and his voice was like ice again. "This war is absolutely useless! Nobody profits from it! There will only be deads, wounded, widows and orphans. Gaea doesn't need blood soaking the land and dead bodies covering her surface. I can stop Folken but I need Escaflowne!"
Everyone in the room watched in awe when Van dropped to his knees. His head was lowered to the ground, his black strands hiding his eyes and his fists were clenched violantly. His pride had always been the most important thing in his life. He had lost everything, everything except his pride and he had kept it like a treasure. Nobody had been able to break it. Nobody, not even his brother. But at this moment, it didn't matter. The only thing which was important, was to stop this madness! To stop Folken! Suddenly, his head snapped up and he looked at the young Duke with hard eyes.
"I beg you, Duke!" he said with firm voice and the words reveberated from the walls. "Please, give me Escaflowne!"
The Duke looked at him with an unreadable look on his face but then smiled warmly and gave a light nod with his head. "Voris," he said quietly and the huge mountain of muscles who had watched behind him the whole time, took a step ahead.
"Yes, Duke Chid?" he said and bowed, folding his hands in front of his chest.
"Please, bring me the sword," Chid said.
"But Duke Chid!" Everyone turned to face Allen who hadn't been able to keep quite anymore. Eries was trying to calm the knight but without success. "You can't trust them! You-"
"I don't think that you're in the position to judge Duke Chid's decisions, Allen Shezar!" Voris' mighty voice echoed through the hall. "King Aston sent you to help and not to assume the Duke's duties! It is his decision and if he trusts them, then let it be!"
It seemed as if Allen wanted to reply but he decided that it was better to keep quiet. He lowered his head to the ground and placed his left fist on his chest. "I'm sorry, Duke Chid," he apologized. "I didn't want to doubt your decision."
Chid smiled. "It's okay," he said and turning to Voris, he added, "The sword, Voris."
Voris nodded and with a last look at Allen, he walked off. Van had watched everything with a half-opened mouth. He followed Voris with his eyes until the man disappeared behind a huge door. Honestly, he didn't want to meet this man at night.
"You can rise," a friendly voice then said and Van's head turned around. He looked directly in the Duke's sparkling blue eyes. "It's not necessary that you kneel in front of me, King of Fanelia."
That boy could cheer up everyone. Only by seeing the bright smile on the Duke's face, Van's eyes softened. The people of Freid could be happy to have such a wonderful Duke. Van smiled lightly and shifted his position until he was kneeling on his left leg, leaning at his raised right knee. A form to show someone respect. Van's reddish-brown eyes were now in level with Chid's ones.
"I can see that you found a sanctuary with the Novadi," Chid said and looked at Van, especially at the bluish tatoos at his arms. "If you're alive then Queen Varie must be alive, too. She fleed together with you, didn't she?"
Van's eyes saddened. "Yes, she fleed with me," he answered quietly. "But she died, some time ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry," the Duke said. "It's hard to loose your family. I know this feeling. My mother died when I was a baby and my father died because of an incurable disease, a few months ago. But my grandfather, the King of Asturia, sent my aunts and Allen Shezar with his crew to help me. It's a good feeling to know that you're not alone. And I see you have also a lot of friends who help you."
A small smile crept upon Van's features. "Yes," he said warmly. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them."
The little boy was just about to say something when the sound of a heavy door opening, interupted him.
"Ah, Voris!" he exclaimed happily and ran towards his guard.
He took the mighty sword which Voris held in his hands, in his tiny little ones. Proudly, he brought it to Van. The young man inspected the sword and saw that it wasn't a usual one. The hilt was decorated with dragons and there were big notches in the grey blade which wasn't sparkling. The whole sword looked like an oversized key.
"This is the Sword of Freid," Chid explained, seeing Van inspect the blade curiously. "It had been built to protect Escaflowne until you come to call for him. Escaflowne is hidden in the catacombs under the city. The entrance is locked and this sword is the key. I was told to give it only to the one who has the royal sword of Fanelia. And now, he arrived and my duty is full- filled. It is your's."
And with that the Duke gave the sword to a surprised Van who took it with slightly shaking hands. This was the key! The key to Escaflowne! He would stop Folken!
"But you should rest before you go there," the Duke said and Van looked up. "It's late and I think you're pretty exhausted from your long journey. You'll need all your strength if you want to get Escaflowne."
"Why?" Van raised his brows in surprise.
"A guardian is protecting Escaflowne," Chid answered seriously. "He doesn't care if you're the King of Fanelia or not. He only tests if you're worth to get Escaflowne, if you have a pure heart. That's why I beg you to rest the night."
"Of course, Duke," Van replied and Chid smiled happily.
"Thank you," he said. "You'll be lead to your rooms. You can go now."
Van bowed and rose from the ground. He turned around and looked at his friends with a smile on his face. It vanished when his eyes met Hitomi's ones. Hitomi jerked when she saw his features harden by the sight of her. There was nothing left of the warm look with which he had often looked at her. She wondered what had happened to him. He was acting so strange since they had travelled on Dryden's ship. She would find out the reasons.
....................**.....................
She strolled quietly through the hallways of Freid's palace. It was late at night and she just couldn't sleep. A certain someone was keeping her awake. Stupid Van. She had thought about him the whole time and now she couldn't sleep. She wanted to hurt him therefore. But at first, she had to find him. But it was really unlikely that he was awake at this time of day or better night. She cried out in frustration and ruffled her hair. Why her? Why her? Why did all this happen to her? She sighed. She surrendered. It had been Thetis' choice and there was nothing she could do to change that. She was only-
"Ouch!" she exclaimed and rubbed her nose, sitting at the ground. A sudden impact had made her stumble backwards and fall. "Stupid wall!"
"Well, actually I'm anything but a wall," a soft voice said and Hitomi's head jerked up.
Her eyes widened by the moment, they met sparkling blue ones. Allen Shezar, Knight Caeli of Asturia, was standing in front of her and smiled down at her. He stretched out his hand in order to help her stand up. Angrily she pushed his hand away and rose elegantly from the cold floor.
"I don't need your help," she hissed and glared at him.
"I'm sorry if I offended you in any way," the knight said and bowed, making Hitomi look at him suspiciously.
She wasn't used to this kind of behavior. She was used to a more than impolite Van. He simply would have shrugged, called her a crosspatch and walked off, without turning around to look at her. And to be honest, she would have liked that a lot more than being treatened like one of the princesses she hated so much.
"But tell me, what are you doing here, in the middle of the night?" he asked and looked at her with his intense blue eyes, still smiling. "A lady like you should be in her bed."
"It's none of your business what I'm doing here!" she barked.
"You're absolutely different from the women I met up to now, you know?" he said.
Of course, she was different! She was an Amazon! But he didn't know. Nobody in the palace knew about it. They had decided that it would be better to keep it a secret. They didn't know how the Duke would react if he got to know that Hitomi and Gabriella were Amazons. Amazons like the ones who stood together with Folken's army at the border to his country. It wasn't good to tell him that his enemies were in his palace though Hitomi and Gabriella had nothing to do with it. They hadn't even known that their sisters were about to fight against Freid. And Gabriella still didn't know it. It was better this way.
"If you excuse me, but I have something to settle," She glared at him one last time and then walked off, feeling Allen's eyes at her back. Maybe she should go outside and cool down. She couldn't know that someone else had the same idea.
She found him that night at the pond, in the gardens of Freid's palace. It was quite dark and a chilly breeze was rustling through the trees around her. He was standing there and watched the reflection of the stars and the two moons at the surface of the water. Her heart had skipped a beat when she had spotted the figure at the pond. She had known it was him. He had been cold and unfriendly towards her the whole day. She wanted to know why. He hadn't even talked a word with her! And she had to admit that she liked him more when he teased her. She had decided to ask him and she had decided to ask him now.
"Hey Van," Hitomi said quietly when she reached his side but he didn't reply. He just kept staring at the pond. "Van, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," he answered flatly.
"You're lying," the Amazon said and turned towards him, studying his profile. "You're not the Van anymore I met in the forest. No teasing, no arguing. Please, tell me what is wrong."
"You really want to know?" he asked.
"Yeah, and maybe I can help you," Hitomi replied softly.
"Hah, you want to help me?" Hitomi jerked when he spoke. His voice was cold and bitter. "That's funny!"
"Van..." she whispered.
"And you know why?" He turned around to face her, his eyes sending shivers down her spine. "Because of you! You are the reason why something is wrong with me! You and only you!"
"Me?" she asked, confused. "But why, Van?"
"Oh stop it, Hitomi!" he said angrily. "I can't stand this stupid game anymore!"
"Which game?" Hitomi took a step away from him. He scared her. What did he mean?
"Which game?" he repeated, his eyes sparkling dangerously. "You're playing with my feelings the whole time! One time you kiss me and the next time you slap me! One time you let me hold you and the next time you act like you were made of ice! One time you care for me and the next time you don't give a damn about me!"
"I-I don't play with your feelings!" she shouted, her voice trembling. "I- I..."
"You what?" he interupted her stuttering. "You don't play with me? Well then, tell me what you're doing with me! Tell me why you act this way!"
"I-I..." The words just didn't want to come out of her mouth. Why was it so hard to form the words by seeing him so angry? But then again, what should she say? To form the words, she needed to have them on her mind! But there was nothing on her mind. She didn't know what to reply. Why did she act like she act? She didn't know! And why did it hurt so much to see this sadness and bitterness in his eyes?
"Do you feel anything towards me?" he asked quietly, looking her directly in the eye.
"I don't know," she whispered and looked to the ground. She couldn't bear his intense gaze. She was afraid that he would look into her soul and find something. Something that scared her. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" he asked, his voice ominously low. She liked his voice but at the moment, it was scaring her, causing goosebumps on her skin. "Why not? Is it so difficult to say if you love me or not? It would make it a lot easier for me!"
"I don't know because...because..." she stuttered.
"Dammit, just tell me, Hitomi!" Van yelled impatiently.
"Because I don't know what love is, okay?!" she shouted and tears started to form in her eyes.
Why couldn't he try to understand her situation? Was it so hard to accept it? Couldn't he just give her the time she needed to sort out her feelings? Why did he want to know it now? Why was he making it so hard for her? She would tell him everything if she knew it herself! But she didn't know it! She didn't know what she felt for him! It was all so confusing! She had been teached to hate him, she simply had to hate him but...but she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to hate him, she just couldn't. Was it love? Was it love, she felt for him? But how could she say that she loved him when she didn't know what love was? She hadn't been teached about this! She didn't know it!
"I don't know it!" she said with shaking voice. "I'm an Amazon, Van! I was teached to hate men, to hate you and not to fall for you! You were the first alive man I ever saw in my life! I was confused. I didn't know how to act around you and all these new feelings started to torture me! You can't imagine how afraid I was! I didn't know what these feelings were! They scared me, okay?! Everytime you were near me I just...just freaked out! I did all these crazy things! I risked my life for you so often! And you know what? As an Amazon I'm not allowed to do that! Hell, I even kissed you! And you know what else? I'm gonna be punished therefore! Amazons aren't allowed to kiss men just like that! When they find out I'll be punished. I'll be banned from Skythia for my entire life! I'm not worth being called an Amazon anymore! I'm a traitor! You turned my whole world upside down, without even letting me a little bit time to take a breath! I never felt all these feelings I feel around you! They are new for me! Nobody ever told me about them. They only said that men could confuse you and make you weak! Well they were right! Dammit, they were right!" She had screamed the last words.
"Hitomi..." he trailed off when he saw the tears sparkle in her eyes and her fists shaking.
"I don't know what to feel anymore," she continued and her voice was trembling. "And as if this isn't enough already, I got to know that my sisters are going to fight against Freid together with your brother! You know what it is what I'm searching for? Escaflowne! A goddess asked me to find Escaflowne! What am I supposed to do? I feel as if I'm swimming in the middle of a river full of crocodiles. Escaflowne is at one side of the river and my sisters are at the other side. I must hurry and decide on which side I want to leave the river before the crocodiles reach me but at the moment, it seems that the crocodiles will eat me! Can you understand me? I can't just ignore a goddess' wish but I can't abandon my sisters either! Oh and not to forget, you're still there, distracting me whenever you have the possibility to do so! These feelings I feel towards you, are complicating everything even more!"
"Hitomi, please..." Van took a step in her direction but she retreated hastily.
"No!" she said. "Don't touch me! Don't even come near me! I don't want these feelings to continue torturing me. I need to be alone."
With a last look at him she turned around and disappeared in the darkness of the forest. Van looked to the ground and clenched his fists violantly.
"What have I done?" he whispered to himself.
"Well, I would say you acted like a complete idiot," a calm voice suddenly said, making Van jerk. "I'm sorry to say that, Your Highness, but I'm just honest."
Yukari leaned casually at a trunk of a huge tree and looked at him. Her hands were crossed in front of her chest and her red hair sparkled in the moonlight. He was sure she had heard everything. Of course, she had heard everything or she wouldn't call him an idiot! Slowly, he turned away.
"I know," he said shortly. "But..."
"But what?" Yukari asked and walked to him.
"Nothing," he said and looked at the pond. "It's not your problem, Yukari."
"The hell it is!" Yukari replied. "My best friend is going to make the hardest decision in her entire life! I think it's really much of my business! And you know what? You shouldn't have said that! It only makes everything more complicated."
"I know, okay!" Van said. "It's really difficult to talk with her!"
"But she likes you, Van," Yukari whispered. "Hitomi likes you very much. I know it."
"Oh, really?" Van replied angrily. "I just wished that she..."
"...that she would show it?" Yukari asked and Van nodded lightly, making her sigh. "Van, you must understand her. She is an Amazon!"
"Yeah, I know that too, okay?!" Van shouted angrily. "I hear it every time!"
"But then, you must understand her!" Yukari said again. "She has a law to follow! Her teachings forbid her to love you! She was teached that way from birth on! It's not easy for her!"
"And what about me?" Van yelled. "Do you think it is easy for me? Do you think it is easy for me when she is near me? When she looks at me? Gods, everything I want to do is hold her! Only hold her! But she just..." He snorted. "Sometimes, she allows me to be close to her but then, she pushs me away! Am I asking too much?"
Yukari shook her head sadly. "But she can't just give everything up! She really-"
"What about you?" he interupted her.
"What about me?" Yukari raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"I thought you were an Amazon, too?" he explained. "But you left everything behind to be with Amano!"
"I'm different, Van," Yukari said and smiled. "Hitomi is so much stronger and so much prouder than I am. The teachings mean a lot to her. They are the basic of her world. You can't just force her to break them. I see it different. I think that rules were made to be broken but Hitomi doesn't agree with that. And there is another point which makes it really hard for her to confess her feelings to you."
Van looked up when she paused. "What is it?" he asked.
"Did she ever tell you about her relatives?" Yukari asked back, instead of answering and Van shook his head. "Well Van, Queen Penthesilea is her aunt. Hitomi is the Queen's niece, the Queen's only relative and that makes her a princess, Van. She will be Queen of the Amazons when Penthesilea dies or retires."
Van's auburn eyes widened and his mouth fell open in disbelieve, hearing Yukari's words. That was impossible! It couldn't be! She couldn't be...it was...it made everything only more complicated! A princess! Gods, he was such an idiot! But he couldn't have known that, could he? She must hate him now. He had demanded of her to give up all that for him, without letting her time to think about it. He had demanded of her to betray the teachings in which she believed, he had demanded of her to tear down the pillars which supported her world with her own bare hands.
"You see Van, it's a lot more difficult than you expected it was," Yukari said and looked at him.
Van turned away and looked at the pond again. A big, glittering fish broke through the surface of the water and fell back with a loud splash. Small waves emitted from where it had hit the surface and ran across it in concentric circles, making the stars dance on the pond.
"And what should I do now?" Van finally asked after a long silence.
"If you really love her, you let her time to decide," Yukari said but didn't wait for him to reply. With a last smile, the young woman turned around and left him behind, the noises of the night surrounding him.
....................**.....................
Hitomi sat at a stairway, somewhere lost in the palace of Freid. She was hugging her legs and her head was burried in her knees, her eyes wide open. She wasn't crying. She couldn't cry anymore because there were no more tears left. She couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that she had told him everything! It had been on her mind for so long and she had wanted to give vent to her feelings. But she had never had the courage to let everything go. But earlier, when he had yelled at her...she hadn't been able to hold it back anymore. She had been so angry! Angry at him because he didn't want to understand her! Why was he so damn stubborn?
"Why are you so damn stubborn?" Hitomi shrieked and was on her feet in less than a second. She was desperately searching for her sword.
"Calm down, Hitomi," Hitomi interupted her doing and looked up. Her eyes widened at once.
"Amano?" she uttered, staring at the brown-haired man who sat at the stairs beside her. "What are you doing here?"
"Let's say I couldn't sleep," he said and smiled up at her. "Hitomi, Van isn't the only one who is stubborn. Both of you are horribly obstinate. You make it really hard for yourselves, you know?"
"W-what do you mean?" the Amazon asked, stuttering. Did he hear what she just said? Did she say it out loud?
"You know exactly what I mean, Hitomi," Amano said and turned away, tapping with his hand on the place beside him. "Sit down." Hitomi hesitated.
"I won't bite," Amano said, grinning.
Hitomi snorted and sat down beside Amano.
"Did Yukari sent you?" she asked angrily but he just smiled.
"You're angry," he stated simply.
"Yeah, I'm angry!" she snarled and looked ahead. "But that's none of your business!"
"Why are you angry?" Amano asked, ignoring the dangerous sparkle in her eyes when she glared at him.
"I said it's-"
"I know what you said, I'm not deaf," he replied calmly and Hitomi blinked surprised. "But why do you refuse to talk to me? I'm offering you my help. Everyone needs to talk, even you! So please, take off your mask of indifference and tell me what is wrong!"
Hitomi stared at Amano, a look of pure disbelieve on her face. Nobody had ever dared to talk to her like that! Nobody, except Van, of course. But he was right. She needed to tell someone what was bothering her and even more did she want to tell it someone. She wanted to know what was wrong with her and what she could do!
"He doesn't understand me!" she blurted out. "He thinks that I'm playing with him! Everything is all easy for him! But for me it's not easy! It's the complete contrary! I-"
"Did you ever consider to understand him?" Amano interupted her quietly.
"Huh?" Hitomi turned to look at him.
"Did you ever try to understand that it is really hard for him to be around you?" Amano said. "Hitomi, he likes you and he wants to be with you. He wants to touch you, to hold you. But your behavior...it's only natural that he thinks you're playing with him. He's hurt, Hitomi."
"But what am I supposed to do?" she screamed.
"Answer his question," Amano replied calmly. "Tell him if you love him or not."
"But-but I can't just answer this question when I don't know this feeling," Hitomi stuttered. "I-I..."
"Does a tingling feeling rush through your body when you're near him?" he suddenly asked and she nodded slowly, surprised.
"Yeah," she whispered.
"Does the world around you vanish when you look into his eyes?" he continued, his eyes focused on a spot somewhere far in the distance. "Do your knees feel weak? Do you want to rest against him and listen to his heart beat?"
Hitomi remained silent and fresh tears started to form in her eyes.
"Do you want him to embrace you, to hold you tight?" he asked. "Do you feel secure then? Do you enjoy the warmth of his body, surrounding you, penetrating you? Do you like the feeling of his skin under your fingertips? Do you like his voice whisper in your ear and his breath tickle over your face? Do you get goosebumps then? Does an indescribable feeling rush through your entire body? Do you want it to last forever?"
She bit her lower lip violantly.
"Are you jealous when he is talking to other women, when Merle clings to him? Do you feel that incredible urge to protect him? You don't want him to suffer. You want him to smile and you never get tired of that smile." He paused. "Do you trust him, Hitomi? Do you trust him with all your heart? Would you give your life for him, without even hesitating? Do you feel all this and a lot more for him?"
The Amazon shut her eyes tightly and the tears tickled unstoppably down her cheeks. She was showing weakness. She was showing weakness in the presence of a man. It didn't matter. She nodded.
"This is love, Hitomi," Amano said. "This is love."
"B-but I'm not allowed to feel that-" she stuttered, her voice trembling.
"No, Hitomi!" he interupted her. "Just one time, just for two minutes, forget that you are an Amazon! Forget it! Forget that there are teachings, that there are laws, forget the voices in your head. Just be yourself, be a woman and listen to your heart. It'll lead you."
Her heart would lead her. These were Thetis' words. Had the goddess known it? Had she known that Hitomi would have to decide between her sisters and Van? Had she already known it when they had met, the first time? Had she meant that Hitomi's heart would lead her now? Did it mean that she should listen to this pure voice from deep within her?
"I hope I could help you a little bit," Amano suddenly said.
Hitomi looked up at him but he just smiled. With a light nod of his head, he rose from the step and walked away.
"Thank you," she whispered.
....................**.....................
He hadn't slept very well, that night. He had woken up early in the morning and hadn't been able to fall asleep again. Quietly, he had left his room. Nobody was awake and he didn't want to change that. Merle would only be worried. He could get Escaflowne and return before they even noticed that he was gone. It couldn't be that difficult. And he didn't want to meet Hitomi. He had thought about Yukari's advise and she was right. He had been terribly selfish. He hadn't even wasted a thought about what she felt. He would give her time. He would let her decide. And if she decided against him...His eyes saddened. He would accept it.
Van passed innumerable doors and corners, until he finally reached an old and stony spiral staircase. One of the maids had told him the way. Down there, at the bottom of the staircase, began the catacombs. A huge system of tunnels and chambers, built by an ancient folk which had lived here, a long time ago. They had burried her deads down there but today, it wasn't used anymore. It was a perfect place to hide Escaflowne. His father had planned everything. A smile on his face, Van walked down the stairs. He would make him proud.
It smelled of dampness and mould and the flickering light of torches made it seem as if the shadows were alive, following him down the stairs. A cold breeze was coming from down there, making him shudder. His eyes reddish- brown eyes widened when he reached the huge hall which awaited him at the bottom of the staircase. When he looked around, he spotted a figure leaning at the wall under a torch. He narrowed his eyes but couldn't see who or what it was. He remembered that Duke Chid had spoken of a guardian who watched over Escaflowne. Maybe this was the one. But he didn't look very threatening. Van wouldn't have any problems to get rid of the guard.
"Don't be conceited about me being here, understood?" an all too familiar voice snarled and Van's eyes widened.
"Hitomi?" he asked.
"Of course, it's me!" she said and pushed herself off the wall. "Who else is so stupid to come down here? Except of you, of course!"
He couldn't believe it was her! Why was she here? He had thought she would leave or something like that. Maybe going back to her Amazon sisters but not waiting for him in the catacombs under Freid! Did it mean she had decided for him? He looked her up and down when he approached but it was really her. She wore her usual clothing together with her cloak. Her bow and quiver were attached to her back and her sword hung at her belt. She had crossed her arms in front of her chest while her right foot was tapping impatiently the dusty ground. Van couldn't hide the grin which started to appear on his face, making his auburn eyes sparkle.
"I said don't be conceited about me being here!" she repeated angrily. "So stop grinning like that! I'm not here because of you!" Sticking her nose in the air, she turned away.
Van only grinned wider. "So?" he said suspiciously, his brows raised in amusement and Hitomi's head spun around.
"Yes!" she hissed. "I'm here because I was asked to. Thetis asked me to search Escaflowne and to help him. And well, I found him and that's why I'm here and not because of you!"
"You already said that," he replied calmly. "But I really don't know where you got this idea from. I never claimed that you were here because of me, did I?"
An unbelievable heat rushed into Hitomi's cheeks, making them glow a deep red. She should just shut up and never say a word again. But looking at him, she saw that he was waiting for her response. His sword was in the sheat at his belt and he was holding the Sword of Freid in his left hand. A light grin was lying on his features and his eyes sparkled intensely in the light of the torchs. He looked adorable. His black strands were shading his face and his skin seemed even darker in the dim light...She slapped herself mentally. Now was really the wrong time to let these thoughts carry her away. Stop staring at him, Hitomi, and say something!
"You don't take me serious!" she snarled. How imaginative!
"Me?" Van said, placing his right hand on his heart and pretended to be hurt. "Never!"
She wasn't able to stop the grin which appeared on her face. He was impossible. She was impossible. Amano was right, they were both obstinate. She had found someone who was a match for her. Someone who was able to bear her. There was only one problem. Someone had to do the first step.
"I'm sorry about earlier," they suddenly said in unison, breaking the silence. Looking at each other, they smiled.
"Let's talk about that later, okay?" Van suggested. "At first, we should find Escaflowne."
"Okay, if you then please open the door?" Hitomi pointed at the stony door in front of her. "I don't want to stay the winter here!"
"As you wish," Van bowed and walked slowly to the door.
He stretched out his hand and touched the cold stone with his fingertips. He ran his fingers along the outlines of one of the innumerable stony dragons which crawled across the door. The material was raw and old. Several crevices decorated the door, letting it seem really brittle. But it wasn't. Van was sure nothing could open these doors, nothing apart from the Sword of Freid. His gaze rested on a huge slit in the middle of the doors. He grinned. It was made for the sword.
"You sure I should do that?" Van asked, looking at Hitomi over his shoulder. "Maybe there is something behind..."
"Just do it, Van!" Hitomi yelled angrily.
A scratching noise could be heard when Van put the sword into the slit. It vanished into the stone to the hilt. Van let go and took a step back. He looked at the door and then at Hitomi. She nodded and he took a deep breath. He grabbed the hilt of the sword firmly and turned it around. It was easier than he had expected it would be. He heard a light click and at once, the stone vibrated. The small stones on the ground started to jump and dust came out of the crevices at the door. The doors opened with a hiss and Van jumped backwards, unsheating his sword.
He didn't know what would await him behind the doors, but he was pretty disappointed when it was only a hallway. He sheatened his sword and looked at Hitomi. She nodded and joined his side. And together they entered the catacombs. It was cold and a steady breeze blew through the tunnels. There was no noise apart from the sound of their footsteps which echoed along the path, advising whatever was awaiting them about their arrival.
Hitomi looked around, frowning. A dim light was illuminating the hallway, coming from the walls. They were glowing a bright white-blue light but it seemed to have no source.
"What is it?" Hitomi whispered, still staring at the walls.
"Maybe fluorescent stones," Van replied and turned towards her. "They're reflecting the light and intensify it somehow."
"It's beautiful," Hitomi said and smiled.
"Yeah, it is," he replied, watching her profile but she didn't notice. "Let's go. We shouldn't waste any more time."
They continued their walk through the giant tunnel and Hitomi kept inspecting the walls. Who created such a huge tunnel? They must have needed decades to dig it. She suddenly stopped, spotting something strange at the wall. Four deep and long crevices. But that wasn't what made her frown. An earthquake could have created them. What made her eyes widen was that they were parallel. Hitomi strechted out her hand and ran her fingers along the notches. It seemed like trails of claws. Huge claws. What on Gaea had such claws?
"Oh, perfect!" Van's voice made her jerk.
Hitomi looked up and saw what he meant. The tunnel, they had followed, seperated into three ones, directly in front of them.
"And what now?" Van asked. "Which tunnel should we take?"
"I..." Hitomi said but trailed off.
"Does every tunnel lead to Escaflowne?" he mused and eyed the tunnels intensely, trying to foresee where they lead. "We'll get lost, that's for sure."
"I have an idea, Van," The young man turned to look at Htomi and frowned.
Van watched her grab her pendant and close her eyes. Gods, she was beautiful. He loved the vertical wrinkle which always appeared on her forehead when she frowned. He loved the way her hair fell into her face, he loved the sparkle in her eyes when she told him that she hated him, he loved it when she blushed when he was near her, he loved the sound of her voice, he loved her strength, he loved her pride. He loved her.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. "This way," she said and pointed at the left tunnel. "We must go this way."
Turning around, she found Van looking at her intensely, making her blush. Had he watched her the whole time? What was he thinking when he looked at her? Did he have the same thoughts she had when she was looking at him? Did his knees feel weak? Did he feel as if the ground was cut from under his feet, as if he was drowning? He suddenly realized that he was staring at her and blushed lightly.
"Well then, let's go!" he said hastily and giving her a lop-sided grin, he turned around and entered the left tunnel.
"Why do you believe me?" she asked, reaching his side and looked to the ground. "Maybe this is the wrong way and we'll never find Escaflowne and..."
"I trust you," he said softly.
Hitomi blushed a deep red and looked up, meeting his sparkling auburn eyes. How she loved these eyes. She wanted to drown within them. Should she tell him what she felt for him? Could she risk it? She would never be able to return home to her sisters. But did she want to return? She would have to live her life without him. She would have to forget him.
"Van, I..." she started to say but was interupted by a loud and deep growl, coming from deep within the catacombs.
Both of them looked ahead and slowly unsheatened their swords.
"Looks like someone is awaiting us," Van said and started to walk slowly in the direction where the growl had come from, Hitomi following him.
They walked in silence. No growl. The only noise which could be heard, was the hollow sound of their footsteps and the steady sound of their breaths. It was too silent. After a while, they reached a huge hall where three tunnels met. It was so high that they couldn't even see the ceiling. The ground was stirred up and the walls were scratched. Something had been here. Something huge. They looked carefully around but couldn't spot anything. Whatever it had been, it was gone.
"Van, look!" Hitomi said and tugged at his arm, pointing at the other side of the hall. "A portal!"
Van looked up and saw a small portal at the other side of the hall. The frame was decorated with ancient symbols, the creators of the catacombs had left. He was sure that he would find Escaflowne there. They crossed the hall slowly until Hitomi suddenly stopped, dead in her tracks, grabbing Van's arm.
"Do you hear that?" she asked in a whisper.
Van pricked his ears but heard nothing. He didn't hear the sound of calm breaths coming from above but Hitomi heard it. Goosebumps crawled over her skin and she looked slowly up, tightening the grip around Van's arm. The beating of her heart increased and her breaths came out faster. She knew that something was there but honestly, she didn't want to know what it was. Narrowing her eyes, she pierced the darkness above her. She gasped when her eyes locked with a pair of glowing yellow ones. She heard a quiet snarl and saw a huge muzzle, equiped with daggerlike teeth, open. Without hesitating, she threw herself against Van by the moment, a jet of fire escaped the muzzle and hit the spot where they had stood, burning the ground black.
Hastily, they jumped to their feet and watched a giant grey dragon fall from the ceiling. The earth shook when he landed on the ground, his claws digging deep in the ground. Leathery wings unfolded and a pointed tail swung dangerously from side to side. The muscular legs of the dragon were as thick as the trunks of hundred years old trees. They carried his huge, scale-covered torso. His yellow eyes lay deep in his scull and two swung horns grew from the back of his head. When he opened his muzzle, a deep growl escaped his throat and his chest started to glow a deep red.
"Problem," Van said and Hitomi nodded, jumping apart when the next jet of fire aimed at them.
Hitomi wiped the sweat off her forehead. It was a little bit too hot for her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the dragon come in her direction. A huge claw aimed at her and she made a back flip. Landing elegantly on her feet, she raised her sword and stabbed the claw which had sliced the ground in front of her. Sparks flew when her sword slid down the horn scales which covered the dragon's fingers. She cried out in frustration and jumped aside, the other claw trying to slice her.
Meanwhile, Van tried not get speared by the dragon's tail. The young man thrusted desperately after the dragon, in vain. The scales were so thick that his sword couldn't cut through them. He didn't even leave scratchs! How should they beat him? Van glanced at Hitomi who was dodging the dragon's muzzle, snapping at her. He was inattentive for a few seconds. Mistake. He heard that something very fast cut through the air but he had no time to react. The tail pressed the air painfully out of Van's lungs, hitting him square on the chest. Van flew a few meters through the air and slid over the ground after he had hit it. He coughed and shook his head, trying to chase away the stars which were dancing before his eyes.
"Van!" Hitomi screamed. "Everything alright?"
She wanted to run to him but the dragon didn't allow it. She snorted angrily. His chest and his belly were the only parts of the dragon which weren't protected by scales. But he knew it too! She cried out and raised her sword when the tail of the dragon suddenly crashed down on her. The impact was so hard that the sword was knocked out of her hands and she was forced to her knees. The dragon opened his mouth and Van saw that his chest was already starting to glow again. Hitomi would have no chance. He raised his arm and threw his sword with all his strength at the dragon. It hit his heel and sliced through the sensitive flesh.
The dragon cried out in pain and his head swirled around, an angry growl escaping his throat. Van's eyes widened in shock when the dragon opened his mouth. A jet of fire shot in Van's direction and he quickly jumped out of the way. He could feel the heat on his skin and heard the fire crackle close to his ear when he rolled over the ground. The dragon turned away from Hitomi and concentrated on his new target. Van. The young man jumped back, long bent teeth making a snap at him. The dragon took one step after another in Van's direction while he was trying not to get sliced.
"Watch out!" he heard Hitomi shout.
His head snapped up, just in time to see a pointed tail aiming at him. Without thinking, he pushed himself off the ground and jumped ahead. It was when the dragon's tail split the earth at the place where Van had stood, a second ago. Van's hands were the first to touch the ground. He rolled over his shoulder, decreasing the impact and was quickly on his feet again. He looked up and froze, by the moment he met glowing yellow eyes. The dragon exhaled and hot breath tickled over Van's skin, causing goosebumps. Seeing the dragon open his mouth, Van shielded his head with his arms and ducked, closing his eyes tightly. He wouldn't stand a chance to survive this hell.
Suddenly, he heard a high singing noise which made him look up. He saw three arrows hitting the dragon, within the blink of an eye. They hit him in the side of his neck, near his ear. The dragon threw his head back and screamed in pain, making Van jerk. The scream was so loud that it hurt. Van noticed that the dragon's chest wasn't protected by horn scales. A sword could easily cut through the pale leathery skin.
He didn't waste any time and raised his sword. Everything he had to do to get Escaflowne, was to stab it into the exposed chest of the dragon. Nothing more. But seeing these yellow eyes so full of sadness, he just couldn't do it. The sense of life of this dragon was to watch over Escaflowne until the day, the one came who was able to kill him. But Van wouldn't be the one. He just couldn't kill this dragon. He felt as if he would kill some dear friend. He couldn't do it. He couldn't!
"Van!" Hitomi's voice rang in his ears.
"I'm sorry."
Van's eyes softened and he let his sword slowly sink. He took two steps back and watched the dragon pull the arrows out of the flesh of his neck, thin trails of blood running over his scales. The dragon bent down and looked Van directly in the eye, his head on level with him. The young man could smell the dragon's strong, old scent and felt the heat of his body. He didn't move. He just stared into the yellow depths in front of him. He had failed. He wasn't worth to get Escaflowne. He wasn't able to kill this dragon how should he be able to stop his own brother? He was weak. He could never rule a country. Why did Destiny choose him? Why not Folken? All that wouldn't have happened if Destiny had chosen Folken! His parents would be alive. Vargas and Riad would be alive. There would be no war between Fanelia and Freid. Why had he been chosen?
He blinked. What was that? A soft touch had made him snap out of his thoughts. Van's auburn eyes widened, seeing that the dragon had touched his arm with the tip of his mighty muzzle. The eyes of the dragon sparkled intensely, making him look like he was...like he was smiling. Bowing, the dragon took a step back and closed his eyes. Van gasped when the dragon suddenly crumbled into dust. Scales fell from his body, muscles followed until his bones were the only thing left of him. Both of them jerked when the huge skeleton hit the ground with a hollow noise. Van stared at the place where the dragon had stood, a few seconds ago. A thick layer of dust covered now the ground.
"Was it some kind of spell?" Hitomi asked in a whisper.
"Do you see that, too?" Van said, ignoring her question.
He didn't wait for her to reply but walked straight in the direction of the pink glowing, coming from under the layer of dust. Determined, he stepped into the remains of the dragon, his feet sinking into the dust to the ankles. Van kneeled slowly down beside the intense light and dug his right hand into the ash of the dragon. His fingers closed around something round and warm. Reddish-brown eyes widened when he pulled his hand back. A pink glowing stone lay in his palm.
"An energist!" he breathed.
"It was a test," Hitomi stated when she reached his side.
"Do you mean the dragon?" Van asked, looking up at her and she nodded.
"I think it was the right decision to spare the dragon's life," she replied. "It proved that you have a pure heart and that you're worth to get Escaflowne - although I highly doubt that a jerk like you can have a pure heart." She smirked.
"Surprised, huh?" Van said and grinned. "I bet you thought I would die."
Surprised, he watched the smile on her face vanish and her green eyes harden. "Don't you dare to ever do that again!" she snarled angrily and clenched her fists, trying to stop them from shaking.
Van smiled warmly. "I'm sorry, Hitomi," he whispered.
Taking a step ahead, he stretched out his hand and touched her cheek. She jerked lightly when his fingers came in contact with her skin. It was still an unfamiliar feeling but more than anything else did she want to get used to it. Her clenched fists relaxed when he stroked her cheek tenderly, his eyes smiling. She wanted to leave everything behind. She wanted to forget the teachings and wanted to be with him. She wanted to reach up and pull his head down to her. She wanted to feel his warmth, wanted his breath to tickle over her face, wanted to taste him, wanted to be the only thing on his mind. But every time she was so close to him and had these thoughts, she saw Amazons everywhere around her, glaring at her, accusing her, hating her.
Van saw the struggling emotions within the depths of her emerald eyes. He pulled his hand away from her soft skin and with a last smile, he turned away not wanting to force her to anything. Hitomi opened her mouth, wanting him to stay, to continue. But she shut it slowly before the words could be formed. She was afraid. She was afraid of what would happen if she let her feelings take control over her. But on the other hand did she want to know it. She wanted to know what would happen if she took the step in his direction. But now was not the right time to argue about it. She took a deep breath. There was a war to stop.
After Van had picked up his sword, they walked through the portal, the dragon had guarded and reached a huge cave. A mysterious light without a visible source was illuminating it. She could see a long suspension bridge lead to a platform, in the middle of the cave. It was surrounded by nothing. The abyss was pitch-black and seemed to have no bottom. Van didn't hesitate and stepped on the bridge, which started to swing dangerously, at once. Hitomi gulped and followed him. A cold breeze was coming from deep down, making her shiver. But it wasn't as bad as she had imagined it would be. Placing carefully one foot after another and focusing her eyes on Van's back, she reached the platform without any problems.
And what now? There was nothing at the platform, apart from the colourful pattern which covered the ground. She had at least expected some kind of hint which would lead them to Escaflowne. But there was absolutely nothing. She snorted. She didn't want to believe that the whole way here had been in vain!
"And were is Escaflowne?" Van asked and looked around, slightly annoyed.
And as if it had heard his question, the energist started to glow. The light was so bright that they had to shut their eyes so that they wouldn't become blind. By the moment the light died down, the earth started to shake lightly and stones began to fall from the ceiling. Both of them looked up and saw a huge stony sphere, attached to the ceiling. With a loud crack, the sphere broke open and something fell out of it. Something giant and white. Van and Hitomi jumped backwards when a huge gyumelef landed on the ground before them while the earth continued to shake.
"Escaflowne!" Van said in awe and ran to the white giant who kneeled in front of him.
One metal arm leaned on a raised metal knee, the other arm was leaning on the ground. A bright green stone glowed at each shoulder and a pink one stuck out of his chest, at the place where the heart was. Escaflowne's white armor sparkled in the light which was illuminating the cave and a huge blue and red cape fell from his broad shoulders to the ground. Van stretched out his hand and touched the cold metal. Finally, he had found Escaflowne! He would make the suffering end. He would stop his brother.
A small smile crossed his features, remembering that his father had often stood in front of Escaflowne like that. He had just looked at the guymelef, a smile on his face. Van had hidden behind a pillar and had watched his father. He had always wanted to be like his father and pilot Escaflowne. Who could have known that this wish claimed so many sacrafices? Taking a deep breath, he climbed up the guymelef's leg. When he reached Escaflowne's knee, he pulled a dagger out of his boot and ran his thumb along the blade.
"What are you doing?" Hitomi shouted up to him.
"I'm going to make the blood pact," he replied and let the blood drip from his thumb onto the energist. "Escaflowne must be bind to his pilot by a blood pact. It was always this way and it always will be."
And with that, he immersed his right arm together with the energist to the pink stone at Escaflowne's chest. His arms vanished into it as if the stone was made of water. It felt as if a cold wind was tickling over his skin. When he pulled his arm out of the stone, the energist was gone. At once, the pink stone started to beat and the earth began skaking. Hitomi stared at the guymelef with wide eyes. She didn't notice that her pendant had begun glowing as well. With every new heartbeat, the shaking of the earth increased. Van turned hastily around.
"Hitomi!" he shouted. "Hurry up, we must leave!"
The earth shook violantly. Huge stones broke from the walls around them and fell to the ground. Hitomi struggled to stand on her feet, staggering from one side to another. Suddenly, she heard a deep growl come from under the earth and the shaking increased even more. Deep crevices started to appear, running across the ground. They crossed each other and created a chaotic pattern. Hitomi watched in shock when the clod on which she stood, slowly sunk. Acting on impuls, she wanted to jump off the clod but it was already too late. A high scream escaped her lips when the clod slipped and she fell into the darkness of the abyss behind her.
Her mouth was open and her eyes were wide, watching the precipice becoming smaller and smaller with every meter she fell. She heard Van scream her name. She saw little stones falling together with her. She saw darkness surrounding her. Her heart was beating madly against her ribcage and thousands of thoughts were swirling through her mind while she heard her own voice scream. She was falling! But this abyss wasn't boundless. Soon she would reach the bottom. She-she would die! She would die! Suddenly, the screaming stopped, her heartbeat slowed down and she became unbelievable numb. She would die and there was nothing she could do.
Would it hurt? Would she feel anything when she hit the ground? She wondered how long she would fall. She wondered what would await her. Would there be something or would everything come to an end? Would she loose consciousness during her fall so that she wouldn't feel anything when she hit the ground? The wind tugged her hair violantly, making it swirl all around her and she felt unbelievable light. She wanted to close her eyes. She wanted to accept her fate.
It was when she heard laughter. It was her own voice. It was the voice she had had when she had been a child. A flash suddenly blinded her and the smiling face of her mother appeared before her eyes. Trees were surrounding her, a light breeze making their leaves rustle. The air was glimmering because of heat. Hitomi gasped.
"Mom?" she whispered.
~"Hitomi," her mother said softly and her bright green eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "Stop tugging at my hair, please!"
"But it's so much fun!" Hitomi's young voice replied, giggling.~
Slowly, Hitomi stretched out her hand, trying to touch the face of her mother. It vanished before she could even reach it and was replaced by the face of a certain red-head. Yukari sat at a riverbank and watched some birds swim along the river. She sighed deeply and rested her head on her knees.
~"Did you ever want to know how the world is like, beyond the river, Hitomi?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know," Hitomi replied and sighed.
"I bet it's fantastic!" Yukari exclaimed. "There are so many different people! I so want to see all that! I can hardly await that I turn eighteen!" She added after a brief silence, "Are you afraid?"
Hitomi didn't reply. She stared at the plains beyond the river, lost in her own thoughts.~
The image vanished again and tears started to form in Hitomi's eyes. It were memories! Yukari. She would never see her again! She would never see Lea again. She would never see her Amazon sisters again. Skythia. The trees. A sunrise. The ocean. She would never see anything like that again. Tears poured out of her eyes but they had no chance to touch her cheeks. The wind teared them harshly away from her eyes. And suddenly, a new flash of white light blinded her.
~"Hitomi!" everyone around her cheered. They were saying her name over and over again and applauded. There were dozens of Amazons around her, smiling at her.
"Hitomi," a familiar voice then said beside her and all the voices around her died down. Hitomi turned around and spotted Lea standing in front of her. The Queen's grey eyes sparkled intensely.
"I'm very proud of you, Hitomi," she said. "Today, you proved that you truly are Thaleia's daughter. Like her did you win the archery competition. I think she is proud of you, too - from where ever she is watching you."
"Thank you, Lea," Hitomi whispered.~
The tears kept falling. Lea. She would miss her. She would miss everyone of them. They had been always there for her. They were her familiy, after her mother had died. Her mother. Would she see her again? Would she see her mother again? Was she awaiting her? And suddenly, a voice was echoing through her mind. His voice.
~"I said this way!" Van yelled angrily and pointed at the path to his right.
"But I want to go that way!" Hitomi shouted back and pointed at the other path.
"Why can't you just listen to me one damn time?" Van asked and ran a hand through his raven-black hair, ruffling it in frustration.
"Because I don't trust you!" she answered. "Who knows where you're leading me and what you're going to do with me!"
"What the hell should I do with you?" Van spread his arms. "I couldn't even sell you as a slave because no man with common sense would buy you!"
"I hate you!" she screamed, outraged.
"I hate you more!" he said, turning around and walked away.~
Hitomi shut her eyes tightly. Stupid Van. She wanted to tell him so much. She wanted to tell him that she would like to kill him, because of making her fall in love with him. She wanted to tell him how much she liked his smile, how much she liked it when he held her, how much she cared. She wanted to thank him for making her feel this way. But she wouldn't be able to do this. She wished she had had the courage to tell him earlier about her feelings. But now, it was too late.
She opened her eyes again which were filled with tears and gasped. In the distance right above her, she saw a bright white light. It filled her whole body with a pleasant warmth. It felt as if she was standing on a wide field after a shower and the sun was caressing her, while a warm breeze blew over her skin, carrying the fresh scent of drying blades of grass. She had heard a lot about it. The old Amazons had talked about it on their death-beds. Before you die, you see a beautiful white light in front of you. It is warm and takes away all your pain and fear. It is the portal to what comes after you died. Could this be the special light? Was she almost dead? She felt no fear anymore. Somehow, this light soothed her. There was no need to fear, she knew it. She watched in awe the light becoming brighter and larger which every second that passed. A tickling feeling rose in her stomach and rushed through her whole body.
A black spot within the light suddenly caught her attention. It grew very fast and the outlines became clearer. She would have clasped her hands over her mouth if she hadn't been so surprised. It was a person! A person with huge wings! She could clearly see it against the white background. And this person was flying in her direction, carried by mighty wing strokes. Was it some guide who would bring her somewhere else? She had heard about it. Her mother had told her about them to take away the fear of death. They were called angels and guarded the portal to the heavens. Did this angel come here to take her there?
During her wondering, he had come so close that she could almost see his face. It was a man. His bare upper torse was glowing in the white light. Black hair was swirling around his head, shading his eyes. He stretched out his hand and without hesitating, she grasped it. She knew she could trust him. His hold was tight but not violant and his skin was wonderful warm. It caused a pleasant warmth to spread through her entire body, making her feel secure. Slowly, he pulled her up and pure white feathers danced around her. Her gaze never left his face when suddenly the wind blew his unruly hair out of it. Sparkling reddish-brown eyes were smiling at her and the time stopped for the wing stroke of a butterfly.
Her breath was caught in her throat and her heart stopped beating, emerald eyes wide. She could do nothing but stare at him, stare at Van. The angel was Van! The same Van, she had met at that fateful day in the Tessalian forest. The same Van who had teased her the whole time, who had made her furious, who had made her do crazy things, who had turned her world upside down, who had caused strange feelings within her, who had made her doubt the teachings, who had made her weak. Her Van!
She felt one of his arms support her back and the other one slid under the hollows of her knees, pressing her closer to him. She gasped when he stopped their fall with two mighty wing strokes and acting on instinct, she flung her arms around his neck.
"Don't worry, I won't drop you," he said softly and his voice caused goosebumps on her skin.
She could smell his warm scent and felt her cheeks getting red. Her eyes wide, she stared at Van's profile, still not able to believe that it was him. Tightening the hold on her, he soared up, back to the platform. Hitomi felt his muscles tense with every wing stroke. She wanted to stretch out her hand and touch his wings, wanted to feel his feathers but she didn't dare to do it, fearing that everything was just a dream.
Van flew the whole way up, she had fallen down and Hitomi was listening to the soothing sound of his wings cutting through the air. But it only lasted a few seconds. Van flew carefully over the edge and landed softly on the ground. Almost reluctantly, he let go of her and she placed her feet on the ground. Slowly, she removed her hands from behind his neck and took a step back, her knees weak. She looked at his wings, his beautiful wings. It wasn't a dream. It was real. Everything was real. He was a Draconian.
"It's you!" she said, suddenly realizing the extent of it. "You are the dragon!"
By hearing her words, his smile vanished and his eyes hardened. Sadly, he turned away from her intense gaze. His beautiful wings which had been lifted majestically above his head, sunk limp to the ground and disappeared in a swirl of feathers. The white glow which had surrounded him, vanished together with them. Hitomi blinked.
"Where are...where...?" she uttered, confused.
"They are gone," Van answered flatly. "I don't need them anymore."
He didn't look at her and turned away. He walked to his shirt which he had taken off before he had rescued her. Picking it up, he said flatly, "Come on, we should return to the palace. The others are waiting."
....................**.....................
van lover: ^_^ Thankiez!!!
TennyoAngel711: LOL, I'm glad you liked it. And YES, Van really should have said that to Allen in the series! But noooo, Mr. I-won-the-contest-in- hiding-feelings rather watchs Allen taking Hitomi away from him *snorts*
hitomi-chan: *blushs* Thank you ^_^ Yes, the moment was really perfect and that's why I had to put Dryden in. Hehe. Imagine what could have happened if nobody had interupted them ^_~ Lol, secret...well, I have some kind of creative phase between 10 and 12 PM. The ideas sometimes seem to crush me. And I know what you mean with the goofy grin in connexion with fluff ^_____^
athena reloaded: *blushs like mad* Thanks!!!! I'm learning English at school for eight years now. And to answer your question, I'm using Microsoft Word. But I'm not satisfied with it because I can't use Italics *grumbles*
I-Wuv-Muffins: *grins* I'm glad you like it!! Thanks!!!
fireangel: Ieks! *grabs fire-extinguisher platinum model* Hehe. ^_~ Yeah, I know what you said about cliffies and I'm sorry. But I really had to stop there. I would have never stopped if I had continued ^_^ But I guess the end of this chapter wasn't even better...*hides behind chair*
CRAZY Dragon: Hihi, freut mich, dass es dir gefallen hat. Und jep, warten ist echt besser als platzen. ^_^
Aylee the Dragon (too lazy to log in): *blushs the deepest red possible* Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! And awwwww, a Van plushie!!! *nuzzles Van plushie* My Van!! *glares at Hitomi plushie and nuzzles Van plushie again* My Van!!! ^___^ I hope I could answer some of your questions! You see, Van is a Draconian! I love his wings!!! *sighs dreamily and nuzzles Van plushie again* And Hitomi will have her big scene later, don't worry ^_~
Inda: Thanks!!
GJDGHJDGHJG: LOL, Thankiez!!!!
SabineballZ: Jap, der gute alte Dryden ^_^ Hehe. Aber nagut, ich hoffe, dass es dir wieder gefallen hat. War diesmal nich soooo aufregend aber naja, sie brauchten mal 'ne Aussprache.
Celidh of Unicorn's Forest: *blushs* Thank you!!!!
ponchita: Thanks!
~Rani~: *isn't able to stop blushing* Thank you!! I hope you liked it!!
Suki: ^____^ Thanks! And yeah, Hitomi and her pride...it's difficult. But I think this chapter was a big hint ^_~
???: Lol, not that bad. And hey, Hitomi is an Amazon! I simply have to make her fight, don't you think?! ^_~
Love Witch: Hey Queen of FLUFF!!! I'm sorry that it wasn't that fluffy but I try to improve ^_^ Thankiez!!!
Athar-Luna: *blushs like there is no tomorrow* Thank you!! I'm glad you liked the fluffiness ^_^ And hey, I love Millerna and Dryden together!! Dryden is so cool!
B. Burns: Lol, and did you like the good old-fashioned trouble and the spectacular rescue? I so laughed when I read your review because it was exactly what I wanted to write! Only the fluff is missing, huh? ^_~
Infinitis: Thanks! I'm glad you like the long chapters ^_^
Silver Magiccraft: *grins* Thank you!!!
Aeka-himme: Lol, stupid finger! *blushs* You liked it! Hehe. But hey, you carved 10 notches into your desk! *one-woman-symphony-orchestra starts to play monumental music* We have a winner! *grabs Aeka's wrist and holds her arm high into the air* Aeka-himme!!!!! ^_~ I think more then 10 notches aren't possible *counts her fingers* Nope, more then 10 aren't possible n_n *suddenly spots the Van-shaped cookie* AWWWW, A VAN-COOKIE!!!! MY VAN- COOKIE!!! And it has red sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles!!! Cute!!! I can't eat it. *nuzzles Van-cookie* I'll preserve it and put it into a shrine ^_^ THANKIEZ!!!!!!!!!!!
hhhhh: Thanks!!!
Nix (onlyme701@yahoo.com): ^_^ Actually, I try not to write cliffhangers but then I just have to stop otherwise the chapter would never end ^_^ And I hope the chapter answered your question about Van being so cold.
Ryuu Angel: o_O Wow, you read from 5 PM till 1 AM??? *blushs* I do feel honoured!!!! Thanks!!
=) : Dankefein!!! Und jep, du solltest auf jeden Fall die ersten Kapitel lesen! Sie haben sich nämlich schon geküsst!!!! Hah! Siehste! In Kapitel 7 war das ^_~ Ich hoffe ich hab die richtige schnulzige Mischung getroffen ^_________^
Scarlet Pheonix: ^_^ Thanks!!
A/N: Yes, I admit it, I love this scene where Van rescues Hitomi and shows her his wings, the first time. I saw the episode on tv again, two weeks ago. I LOVE IT!!!! So yeah, I simply had to put it in my story ^______^
Just to say, I don't hate Allen, okay? Or at least, not the whole time ^_^ I really would like to put some Allen-Hitomi-Van twist in my story but I couldn't make her fall for Allen! She needed 10 whole chapters to realize that it is NOT hate she feels towards Van!!!! So falling for Allen just like that *snaps her fingers* would be a little bit unreal, you know what I mean? Plus I have so many else to put in the story that this kind of twist would be too much for my poor little brain ^_^ Haha. So yeah, I hope you can forgive me that this is a sweet little romance without any rivalry or better to say, without lots of rivalry (Van is so cute when he is jealous, isn't he?! ^_~)
Okay then, don't forget to review, okay? ^_^
Till next chapter,
Dariel
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Escaflowne.
~...words...~ - Italics
CHAPTER 11 It's you!
"It's an honour to meet you, King of Fanelia," Duke Chid said and smiled widely.
"Likewise," Van replied and bowed.
They were still in the throne hall of Freid's palace. After everyone had gotten over the shock of Van's revelation, the Duke had ordered the guards to return to their positions. Van still stood at the bottom of the stairway and the others were waiting behind him. Allen was glaring at him.
"It was said you were dead," the Duke said and tilted his head curiously to the side.
"You see, I'm not," Van replied.
"I see," Chid said and smiled. "And you're here to claim Escaflowne?" Van nodded.
"Yes, I must stop Folken," he said and his voice was like ice again. "This war is absolutely useless! Nobody profits from it! There will only be deads, wounded, widows and orphans. Gaea doesn't need blood soaking the land and dead bodies covering her surface. I can stop Folken but I need Escaflowne!"
Everyone in the room watched in awe when Van dropped to his knees. His head was lowered to the ground, his black strands hiding his eyes and his fists were clenched violantly. His pride had always been the most important thing in his life. He had lost everything, everything except his pride and he had kept it like a treasure. Nobody had been able to break it. Nobody, not even his brother. But at this moment, it didn't matter. The only thing which was important, was to stop this madness! To stop Folken! Suddenly, his head snapped up and he looked at the young Duke with hard eyes.
"I beg you, Duke!" he said with firm voice and the words reveberated from the walls. "Please, give me Escaflowne!"
The Duke looked at him with an unreadable look on his face but then smiled warmly and gave a light nod with his head. "Voris," he said quietly and the huge mountain of muscles who had watched behind him the whole time, took a step ahead.
"Yes, Duke Chid?" he said and bowed, folding his hands in front of his chest.
"Please, bring me the sword," Chid said.
"But Duke Chid!" Everyone turned to face Allen who hadn't been able to keep quite anymore. Eries was trying to calm the knight but without success. "You can't trust them! You-"
"I don't think that you're in the position to judge Duke Chid's decisions, Allen Shezar!" Voris' mighty voice echoed through the hall. "King Aston sent you to help and not to assume the Duke's duties! It is his decision and if he trusts them, then let it be!"
It seemed as if Allen wanted to reply but he decided that it was better to keep quiet. He lowered his head to the ground and placed his left fist on his chest. "I'm sorry, Duke Chid," he apologized. "I didn't want to doubt your decision."
Chid smiled. "It's okay," he said and turning to Voris, he added, "The sword, Voris."
Voris nodded and with a last look at Allen, he walked off. Van had watched everything with a half-opened mouth. He followed Voris with his eyes until the man disappeared behind a huge door. Honestly, he didn't want to meet this man at night.
"You can rise," a friendly voice then said and Van's head turned around. He looked directly in the Duke's sparkling blue eyes. "It's not necessary that you kneel in front of me, King of Fanelia."
That boy could cheer up everyone. Only by seeing the bright smile on the Duke's face, Van's eyes softened. The people of Freid could be happy to have such a wonderful Duke. Van smiled lightly and shifted his position until he was kneeling on his left leg, leaning at his raised right knee. A form to show someone respect. Van's reddish-brown eyes were now in level with Chid's ones.
"I can see that you found a sanctuary with the Novadi," Chid said and looked at Van, especially at the bluish tatoos at his arms. "If you're alive then Queen Varie must be alive, too. She fleed together with you, didn't she?"
Van's eyes saddened. "Yes, she fleed with me," he answered quietly. "But she died, some time ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry," the Duke said. "It's hard to loose your family. I know this feeling. My mother died when I was a baby and my father died because of an incurable disease, a few months ago. But my grandfather, the King of Asturia, sent my aunts and Allen Shezar with his crew to help me. It's a good feeling to know that you're not alone. And I see you have also a lot of friends who help you."
A small smile crept upon Van's features. "Yes," he said warmly. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them."
The little boy was just about to say something when the sound of a heavy door opening, interupted him.
"Ah, Voris!" he exclaimed happily and ran towards his guard.
He took the mighty sword which Voris held in his hands, in his tiny little ones. Proudly, he brought it to Van. The young man inspected the sword and saw that it wasn't a usual one. The hilt was decorated with dragons and there were big notches in the grey blade which wasn't sparkling. The whole sword looked like an oversized key.
"This is the Sword of Freid," Chid explained, seeing Van inspect the blade curiously. "It had been built to protect Escaflowne until you come to call for him. Escaflowne is hidden in the catacombs under the city. The entrance is locked and this sword is the key. I was told to give it only to the one who has the royal sword of Fanelia. And now, he arrived and my duty is full- filled. It is your's."
And with that the Duke gave the sword to a surprised Van who took it with slightly shaking hands. This was the key! The key to Escaflowne! He would stop Folken!
"But you should rest before you go there," the Duke said and Van looked up. "It's late and I think you're pretty exhausted from your long journey. You'll need all your strength if you want to get Escaflowne."
"Why?" Van raised his brows in surprise.
"A guardian is protecting Escaflowne," Chid answered seriously. "He doesn't care if you're the King of Fanelia or not. He only tests if you're worth to get Escaflowne, if you have a pure heart. That's why I beg you to rest the night."
"Of course, Duke," Van replied and Chid smiled happily.
"Thank you," he said. "You'll be lead to your rooms. You can go now."
Van bowed and rose from the ground. He turned around and looked at his friends with a smile on his face. It vanished when his eyes met Hitomi's ones. Hitomi jerked when she saw his features harden by the sight of her. There was nothing left of the warm look with which he had often looked at her. She wondered what had happened to him. He was acting so strange since they had travelled on Dryden's ship. She would find out the reasons.
....................**.....................
She strolled quietly through the hallways of Freid's palace. It was late at night and she just couldn't sleep. A certain someone was keeping her awake. Stupid Van. She had thought about him the whole time and now she couldn't sleep. She wanted to hurt him therefore. But at first, she had to find him. But it was really unlikely that he was awake at this time of day or better night. She cried out in frustration and ruffled her hair. Why her? Why her? Why did all this happen to her? She sighed. She surrendered. It had been Thetis' choice and there was nothing she could do to change that. She was only-
"Ouch!" she exclaimed and rubbed her nose, sitting at the ground. A sudden impact had made her stumble backwards and fall. "Stupid wall!"
"Well, actually I'm anything but a wall," a soft voice said and Hitomi's head jerked up.
Her eyes widened by the moment, they met sparkling blue ones. Allen Shezar, Knight Caeli of Asturia, was standing in front of her and smiled down at her. He stretched out his hand in order to help her stand up. Angrily she pushed his hand away and rose elegantly from the cold floor.
"I don't need your help," she hissed and glared at him.
"I'm sorry if I offended you in any way," the knight said and bowed, making Hitomi look at him suspiciously.
She wasn't used to this kind of behavior. She was used to a more than impolite Van. He simply would have shrugged, called her a crosspatch and walked off, without turning around to look at her. And to be honest, she would have liked that a lot more than being treatened like one of the princesses she hated so much.
"But tell me, what are you doing here, in the middle of the night?" he asked and looked at her with his intense blue eyes, still smiling. "A lady like you should be in her bed."
"It's none of your business what I'm doing here!" she barked.
"You're absolutely different from the women I met up to now, you know?" he said.
Of course, she was different! She was an Amazon! But he didn't know. Nobody in the palace knew about it. They had decided that it would be better to keep it a secret. They didn't know how the Duke would react if he got to know that Hitomi and Gabriella were Amazons. Amazons like the ones who stood together with Folken's army at the border to his country. It wasn't good to tell him that his enemies were in his palace though Hitomi and Gabriella had nothing to do with it. They hadn't even known that their sisters were about to fight against Freid. And Gabriella still didn't know it. It was better this way.
"If you excuse me, but I have something to settle," She glared at him one last time and then walked off, feeling Allen's eyes at her back. Maybe she should go outside and cool down. She couldn't know that someone else had the same idea.
She found him that night at the pond, in the gardens of Freid's palace. It was quite dark and a chilly breeze was rustling through the trees around her. He was standing there and watched the reflection of the stars and the two moons at the surface of the water. Her heart had skipped a beat when she had spotted the figure at the pond. She had known it was him. He had been cold and unfriendly towards her the whole day. She wanted to know why. He hadn't even talked a word with her! And she had to admit that she liked him more when he teased her. She had decided to ask him and she had decided to ask him now.
"Hey Van," Hitomi said quietly when she reached his side but he didn't reply. He just kept staring at the pond. "Van, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," he answered flatly.
"You're lying," the Amazon said and turned towards him, studying his profile. "You're not the Van anymore I met in the forest. No teasing, no arguing. Please, tell me what is wrong."
"You really want to know?" he asked.
"Yeah, and maybe I can help you," Hitomi replied softly.
"Hah, you want to help me?" Hitomi jerked when he spoke. His voice was cold and bitter. "That's funny!"
"Van..." she whispered.
"And you know why?" He turned around to face her, his eyes sending shivers down her spine. "Because of you! You are the reason why something is wrong with me! You and only you!"
"Me?" she asked, confused. "But why, Van?"
"Oh stop it, Hitomi!" he said angrily. "I can't stand this stupid game anymore!"
"Which game?" Hitomi took a step away from him. He scared her. What did he mean?
"Which game?" he repeated, his eyes sparkling dangerously. "You're playing with my feelings the whole time! One time you kiss me and the next time you slap me! One time you let me hold you and the next time you act like you were made of ice! One time you care for me and the next time you don't give a damn about me!"
"I-I don't play with your feelings!" she shouted, her voice trembling. "I- I..."
"You what?" he interupted her stuttering. "You don't play with me? Well then, tell me what you're doing with me! Tell me why you act this way!"
"I-I..." The words just didn't want to come out of her mouth. Why was it so hard to form the words by seeing him so angry? But then again, what should she say? To form the words, she needed to have them on her mind! But there was nothing on her mind. She didn't know what to reply. Why did she act like she act? She didn't know! And why did it hurt so much to see this sadness and bitterness in his eyes?
"Do you feel anything towards me?" he asked quietly, looking her directly in the eye.
"I don't know," she whispered and looked to the ground. She couldn't bear his intense gaze. She was afraid that he would look into her soul and find something. Something that scared her. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" he asked, his voice ominously low. She liked his voice but at the moment, it was scaring her, causing goosebumps on her skin. "Why not? Is it so difficult to say if you love me or not? It would make it a lot easier for me!"
"I don't know because...because..." she stuttered.
"Dammit, just tell me, Hitomi!" Van yelled impatiently.
"Because I don't know what love is, okay?!" she shouted and tears started to form in her eyes.
Why couldn't he try to understand her situation? Was it so hard to accept it? Couldn't he just give her the time she needed to sort out her feelings? Why did he want to know it now? Why was he making it so hard for her? She would tell him everything if she knew it herself! But she didn't know it! She didn't know what she felt for him! It was all so confusing! She had been teached to hate him, she simply had to hate him but...but she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to hate him, she just couldn't. Was it love? Was it love, she felt for him? But how could she say that she loved him when she didn't know what love was? She hadn't been teached about this! She didn't know it!
"I don't know it!" she said with shaking voice. "I'm an Amazon, Van! I was teached to hate men, to hate you and not to fall for you! You were the first alive man I ever saw in my life! I was confused. I didn't know how to act around you and all these new feelings started to torture me! You can't imagine how afraid I was! I didn't know what these feelings were! They scared me, okay?! Everytime you were near me I just...just freaked out! I did all these crazy things! I risked my life for you so often! And you know what? As an Amazon I'm not allowed to do that! Hell, I even kissed you! And you know what else? I'm gonna be punished therefore! Amazons aren't allowed to kiss men just like that! When they find out I'll be punished. I'll be banned from Skythia for my entire life! I'm not worth being called an Amazon anymore! I'm a traitor! You turned my whole world upside down, without even letting me a little bit time to take a breath! I never felt all these feelings I feel around you! They are new for me! Nobody ever told me about them. They only said that men could confuse you and make you weak! Well they were right! Dammit, they were right!" She had screamed the last words.
"Hitomi..." he trailed off when he saw the tears sparkle in her eyes and her fists shaking.
"I don't know what to feel anymore," she continued and her voice was trembling. "And as if this isn't enough already, I got to know that my sisters are going to fight against Freid together with your brother! You know what it is what I'm searching for? Escaflowne! A goddess asked me to find Escaflowne! What am I supposed to do? I feel as if I'm swimming in the middle of a river full of crocodiles. Escaflowne is at one side of the river and my sisters are at the other side. I must hurry and decide on which side I want to leave the river before the crocodiles reach me but at the moment, it seems that the crocodiles will eat me! Can you understand me? I can't just ignore a goddess' wish but I can't abandon my sisters either! Oh and not to forget, you're still there, distracting me whenever you have the possibility to do so! These feelings I feel towards you, are complicating everything even more!"
"Hitomi, please..." Van took a step in her direction but she retreated hastily.
"No!" she said. "Don't touch me! Don't even come near me! I don't want these feelings to continue torturing me. I need to be alone."
With a last look at him she turned around and disappeared in the darkness of the forest. Van looked to the ground and clenched his fists violantly.
"What have I done?" he whispered to himself.
"Well, I would say you acted like a complete idiot," a calm voice suddenly said, making Van jerk. "I'm sorry to say that, Your Highness, but I'm just honest."
Yukari leaned casually at a trunk of a huge tree and looked at him. Her hands were crossed in front of her chest and her red hair sparkled in the moonlight. He was sure she had heard everything. Of course, she had heard everything or she wouldn't call him an idiot! Slowly, he turned away.
"I know," he said shortly. "But..."
"But what?" Yukari asked and walked to him.
"Nothing," he said and looked at the pond. "It's not your problem, Yukari."
"The hell it is!" Yukari replied. "My best friend is going to make the hardest decision in her entire life! I think it's really much of my business! And you know what? You shouldn't have said that! It only makes everything more complicated."
"I know, okay!" Van said. "It's really difficult to talk with her!"
"But she likes you, Van," Yukari whispered. "Hitomi likes you very much. I know it."
"Oh, really?" Van replied angrily. "I just wished that she..."
"...that she would show it?" Yukari asked and Van nodded lightly, making her sigh. "Van, you must understand her. She is an Amazon!"
"Yeah, I know that too, okay?!" Van shouted angrily. "I hear it every time!"
"But then, you must understand her!" Yukari said again. "She has a law to follow! Her teachings forbid her to love you! She was teached that way from birth on! It's not easy for her!"
"And what about me?" Van yelled. "Do you think it is easy for me? Do you think it is easy for me when she is near me? When she looks at me? Gods, everything I want to do is hold her! Only hold her! But she just..." He snorted. "Sometimes, she allows me to be close to her but then, she pushs me away! Am I asking too much?"
Yukari shook her head sadly. "But she can't just give everything up! She really-"
"What about you?" he interupted her.
"What about me?" Yukari raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"I thought you were an Amazon, too?" he explained. "But you left everything behind to be with Amano!"
"I'm different, Van," Yukari said and smiled. "Hitomi is so much stronger and so much prouder than I am. The teachings mean a lot to her. They are the basic of her world. You can't just force her to break them. I see it different. I think that rules were made to be broken but Hitomi doesn't agree with that. And there is another point which makes it really hard for her to confess her feelings to you."
Van looked up when she paused. "What is it?" he asked.
"Did she ever tell you about her relatives?" Yukari asked back, instead of answering and Van shook his head. "Well Van, Queen Penthesilea is her aunt. Hitomi is the Queen's niece, the Queen's only relative and that makes her a princess, Van. She will be Queen of the Amazons when Penthesilea dies or retires."
Van's auburn eyes widened and his mouth fell open in disbelieve, hearing Yukari's words. That was impossible! It couldn't be! She couldn't be...it was...it made everything only more complicated! A princess! Gods, he was such an idiot! But he couldn't have known that, could he? She must hate him now. He had demanded of her to give up all that for him, without letting her time to think about it. He had demanded of her to betray the teachings in which she believed, he had demanded of her to tear down the pillars which supported her world with her own bare hands.
"You see Van, it's a lot more difficult than you expected it was," Yukari said and looked at him.
Van turned away and looked at the pond again. A big, glittering fish broke through the surface of the water and fell back with a loud splash. Small waves emitted from where it had hit the surface and ran across it in concentric circles, making the stars dance on the pond.
"And what should I do now?" Van finally asked after a long silence.
"If you really love her, you let her time to decide," Yukari said but didn't wait for him to reply. With a last smile, the young woman turned around and left him behind, the noises of the night surrounding him.
....................**.....................
Hitomi sat at a stairway, somewhere lost in the palace of Freid. She was hugging her legs and her head was burried in her knees, her eyes wide open. She wasn't crying. She couldn't cry anymore because there were no more tears left. She couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that she had told him everything! It had been on her mind for so long and she had wanted to give vent to her feelings. But she had never had the courage to let everything go. But earlier, when he had yelled at her...she hadn't been able to hold it back anymore. She had been so angry! Angry at him because he didn't want to understand her! Why was he so damn stubborn?
"Why are you so damn stubborn?" Hitomi shrieked and was on her feet in less than a second. She was desperately searching for her sword.
"Calm down, Hitomi," Hitomi interupted her doing and looked up. Her eyes widened at once.
"Amano?" she uttered, staring at the brown-haired man who sat at the stairs beside her. "What are you doing here?"
"Let's say I couldn't sleep," he said and smiled up at her. "Hitomi, Van isn't the only one who is stubborn. Both of you are horribly obstinate. You make it really hard for yourselves, you know?"
"W-what do you mean?" the Amazon asked, stuttering. Did he hear what she just said? Did she say it out loud?
"You know exactly what I mean, Hitomi," Amano said and turned away, tapping with his hand on the place beside him. "Sit down." Hitomi hesitated.
"I won't bite," Amano said, grinning.
Hitomi snorted and sat down beside Amano.
"Did Yukari sent you?" she asked angrily but he just smiled.
"You're angry," he stated simply.
"Yeah, I'm angry!" she snarled and looked ahead. "But that's none of your business!"
"Why are you angry?" Amano asked, ignoring the dangerous sparkle in her eyes when she glared at him.
"I said it's-"
"I know what you said, I'm not deaf," he replied calmly and Hitomi blinked surprised. "But why do you refuse to talk to me? I'm offering you my help. Everyone needs to talk, even you! So please, take off your mask of indifference and tell me what is wrong!"
Hitomi stared at Amano, a look of pure disbelieve on her face. Nobody had ever dared to talk to her like that! Nobody, except Van, of course. But he was right. She needed to tell someone what was bothering her and even more did she want to tell it someone. She wanted to know what was wrong with her and what she could do!
"He doesn't understand me!" she blurted out. "He thinks that I'm playing with him! Everything is all easy for him! But for me it's not easy! It's the complete contrary! I-"
"Did you ever consider to understand him?" Amano interupted her quietly.
"Huh?" Hitomi turned to look at him.
"Did you ever try to understand that it is really hard for him to be around you?" Amano said. "Hitomi, he likes you and he wants to be with you. He wants to touch you, to hold you. But your behavior...it's only natural that he thinks you're playing with him. He's hurt, Hitomi."
"But what am I supposed to do?" she screamed.
"Answer his question," Amano replied calmly. "Tell him if you love him or not."
"But-but I can't just answer this question when I don't know this feeling," Hitomi stuttered. "I-I..."
"Does a tingling feeling rush through your body when you're near him?" he suddenly asked and she nodded slowly, surprised.
"Yeah," she whispered.
"Does the world around you vanish when you look into his eyes?" he continued, his eyes focused on a spot somewhere far in the distance. "Do your knees feel weak? Do you want to rest against him and listen to his heart beat?"
Hitomi remained silent and fresh tears started to form in her eyes.
"Do you want him to embrace you, to hold you tight?" he asked. "Do you feel secure then? Do you enjoy the warmth of his body, surrounding you, penetrating you? Do you like the feeling of his skin under your fingertips? Do you like his voice whisper in your ear and his breath tickle over your face? Do you get goosebumps then? Does an indescribable feeling rush through your entire body? Do you want it to last forever?"
She bit her lower lip violantly.
"Are you jealous when he is talking to other women, when Merle clings to him? Do you feel that incredible urge to protect him? You don't want him to suffer. You want him to smile and you never get tired of that smile." He paused. "Do you trust him, Hitomi? Do you trust him with all your heart? Would you give your life for him, without even hesitating? Do you feel all this and a lot more for him?"
The Amazon shut her eyes tightly and the tears tickled unstoppably down her cheeks. She was showing weakness. She was showing weakness in the presence of a man. It didn't matter. She nodded.
"This is love, Hitomi," Amano said. "This is love."
"B-but I'm not allowed to feel that-" she stuttered, her voice trembling.
"No, Hitomi!" he interupted her. "Just one time, just for two minutes, forget that you are an Amazon! Forget it! Forget that there are teachings, that there are laws, forget the voices in your head. Just be yourself, be a woman and listen to your heart. It'll lead you."
Her heart would lead her. These were Thetis' words. Had the goddess known it? Had she known that Hitomi would have to decide between her sisters and Van? Had she already known it when they had met, the first time? Had she meant that Hitomi's heart would lead her now? Did it mean that she should listen to this pure voice from deep within her?
"I hope I could help you a little bit," Amano suddenly said.
Hitomi looked up at him but he just smiled. With a light nod of his head, he rose from the step and walked away.
"Thank you," she whispered.
....................**.....................
He hadn't slept very well, that night. He had woken up early in the morning and hadn't been able to fall asleep again. Quietly, he had left his room. Nobody was awake and he didn't want to change that. Merle would only be worried. He could get Escaflowne and return before they even noticed that he was gone. It couldn't be that difficult. And he didn't want to meet Hitomi. He had thought about Yukari's advise and she was right. He had been terribly selfish. He hadn't even wasted a thought about what she felt. He would give her time. He would let her decide. And if she decided against him...His eyes saddened. He would accept it.
Van passed innumerable doors and corners, until he finally reached an old and stony spiral staircase. One of the maids had told him the way. Down there, at the bottom of the staircase, began the catacombs. A huge system of tunnels and chambers, built by an ancient folk which had lived here, a long time ago. They had burried her deads down there but today, it wasn't used anymore. It was a perfect place to hide Escaflowne. His father had planned everything. A smile on his face, Van walked down the stairs. He would make him proud.
It smelled of dampness and mould and the flickering light of torches made it seem as if the shadows were alive, following him down the stairs. A cold breeze was coming from down there, making him shudder. His eyes reddish- brown eyes widened when he reached the huge hall which awaited him at the bottom of the staircase. When he looked around, he spotted a figure leaning at the wall under a torch. He narrowed his eyes but couldn't see who or what it was. He remembered that Duke Chid had spoken of a guardian who watched over Escaflowne. Maybe this was the one. But he didn't look very threatening. Van wouldn't have any problems to get rid of the guard.
"Don't be conceited about me being here, understood?" an all too familiar voice snarled and Van's eyes widened.
"Hitomi?" he asked.
"Of course, it's me!" she said and pushed herself off the wall. "Who else is so stupid to come down here? Except of you, of course!"
He couldn't believe it was her! Why was she here? He had thought she would leave or something like that. Maybe going back to her Amazon sisters but not waiting for him in the catacombs under Freid! Did it mean she had decided for him? He looked her up and down when he approached but it was really her. She wore her usual clothing together with her cloak. Her bow and quiver were attached to her back and her sword hung at her belt. She had crossed her arms in front of her chest while her right foot was tapping impatiently the dusty ground. Van couldn't hide the grin which started to appear on his face, making his auburn eyes sparkle.
"I said don't be conceited about me being here!" she repeated angrily. "So stop grinning like that! I'm not here because of you!" Sticking her nose in the air, she turned away.
Van only grinned wider. "So?" he said suspiciously, his brows raised in amusement and Hitomi's head spun around.
"Yes!" she hissed. "I'm here because I was asked to. Thetis asked me to search Escaflowne and to help him. And well, I found him and that's why I'm here and not because of you!"
"You already said that," he replied calmly. "But I really don't know where you got this idea from. I never claimed that you were here because of me, did I?"
An unbelievable heat rushed into Hitomi's cheeks, making them glow a deep red. She should just shut up and never say a word again. But looking at him, she saw that he was waiting for her response. His sword was in the sheat at his belt and he was holding the Sword of Freid in his left hand. A light grin was lying on his features and his eyes sparkled intensely in the light of the torchs. He looked adorable. His black strands were shading his face and his skin seemed even darker in the dim light...She slapped herself mentally. Now was really the wrong time to let these thoughts carry her away. Stop staring at him, Hitomi, and say something!
"You don't take me serious!" she snarled. How imaginative!
"Me?" Van said, placing his right hand on his heart and pretended to be hurt. "Never!"
She wasn't able to stop the grin which appeared on her face. He was impossible. She was impossible. Amano was right, they were both obstinate. She had found someone who was a match for her. Someone who was able to bear her. There was only one problem. Someone had to do the first step.
"I'm sorry about earlier," they suddenly said in unison, breaking the silence. Looking at each other, they smiled.
"Let's talk about that later, okay?" Van suggested. "At first, we should find Escaflowne."
"Okay, if you then please open the door?" Hitomi pointed at the stony door in front of her. "I don't want to stay the winter here!"
"As you wish," Van bowed and walked slowly to the door.
He stretched out his hand and touched the cold stone with his fingertips. He ran his fingers along the outlines of one of the innumerable stony dragons which crawled across the door. The material was raw and old. Several crevices decorated the door, letting it seem really brittle. But it wasn't. Van was sure nothing could open these doors, nothing apart from the Sword of Freid. His gaze rested on a huge slit in the middle of the doors. He grinned. It was made for the sword.
"You sure I should do that?" Van asked, looking at Hitomi over his shoulder. "Maybe there is something behind..."
"Just do it, Van!" Hitomi yelled angrily.
A scratching noise could be heard when Van put the sword into the slit. It vanished into the stone to the hilt. Van let go and took a step back. He looked at the door and then at Hitomi. She nodded and he took a deep breath. He grabbed the hilt of the sword firmly and turned it around. It was easier than he had expected it would be. He heard a light click and at once, the stone vibrated. The small stones on the ground started to jump and dust came out of the crevices at the door. The doors opened with a hiss and Van jumped backwards, unsheating his sword.
He didn't know what would await him behind the doors, but he was pretty disappointed when it was only a hallway. He sheatened his sword and looked at Hitomi. She nodded and joined his side. And together they entered the catacombs. It was cold and a steady breeze blew through the tunnels. There was no noise apart from the sound of their footsteps which echoed along the path, advising whatever was awaiting them about their arrival.
Hitomi looked around, frowning. A dim light was illuminating the hallway, coming from the walls. They were glowing a bright white-blue light but it seemed to have no source.
"What is it?" Hitomi whispered, still staring at the walls.
"Maybe fluorescent stones," Van replied and turned towards her. "They're reflecting the light and intensify it somehow."
"It's beautiful," Hitomi said and smiled.
"Yeah, it is," he replied, watching her profile but she didn't notice. "Let's go. We shouldn't waste any more time."
They continued their walk through the giant tunnel and Hitomi kept inspecting the walls. Who created such a huge tunnel? They must have needed decades to dig it. She suddenly stopped, spotting something strange at the wall. Four deep and long crevices. But that wasn't what made her frown. An earthquake could have created them. What made her eyes widen was that they were parallel. Hitomi strechted out her hand and ran her fingers along the notches. It seemed like trails of claws. Huge claws. What on Gaea had such claws?
"Oh, perfect!" Van's voice made her jerk.
Hitomi looked up and saw what he meant. The tunnel, they had followed, seperated into three ones, directly in front of them.
"And what now?" Van asked. "Which tunnel should we take?"
"I..." Hitomi said but trailed off.
"Does every tunnel lead to Escaflowne?" he mused and eyed the tunnels intensely, trying to foresee where they lead. "We'll get lost, that's for sure."
"I have an idea, Van," The young man turned to look at Htomi and frowned.
Van watched her grab her pendant and close her eyes. Gods, she was beautiful. He loved the vertical wrinkle which always appeared on her forehead when she frowned. He loved the way her hair fell into her face, he loved the sparkle in her eyes when she told him that she hated him, he loved it when she blushed when he was near her, he loved the sound of her voice, he loved her strength, he loved her pride. He loved her.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. "This way," she said and pointed at the left tunnel. "We must go this way."
Turning around, she found Van looking at her intensely, making her blush. Had he watched her the whole time? What was he thinking when he looked at her? Did he have the same thoughts she had when she was looking at him? Did his knees feel weak? Did he feel as if the ground was cut from under his feet, as if he was drowning? He suddenly realized that he was staring at her and blushed lightly.
"Well then, let's go!" he said hastily and giving her a lop-sided grin, he turned around and entered the left tunnel.
"Why do you believe me?" she asked, reaching his side and looked to the ground. "Maybe this is the wrong way and we'll never find Escaflowne and..."
"I trust you," he said softly.
Hitomi blushed a deep red and looked up, meeting his sparkling auburn eyes. How she loved these eyes. She wanted to drown within them. Should she tell him what she felt for him? Could she risk it? She would never be able to return home to her sisters. But did she want to return? She would have to live her life without him. She would have to forget him.
"Van, I..." she started to say but was interupted by a loud and deep growl, coming from deep within the catacombs.
Both of them looked ahead and slowly unsheatened their swords.
"Looks like someone is awaiting us," Van said and started to walk slowly in the direction where the growl had come from, Hitomi following him.
They walked in silence. No growl. The only noise which could be heard, was the hollow sound of their footsteps and the steady sound of their breaths. It was too silent. After a while, they reached a huge hall where three tunnels met. It was so high that they couldn't even see the ceiling. The ground was stirred up and the walls were scratched. Something had been here. Something huge. They looked carefully around but couldn't spot anything. Whatever it had been, it was gone.
"Van, look!" Hitomi said and tugged at his arm, pointing at the other side of the hall. "A portal!"
Van looked up and saw a small portal at the other side of the hall. The frame was decorated with ancient symbols, the creators of the catacombs had left. He was sure that he would find Escaflowne there. They crossed the hall slowly until Hitomi suddenly stopped, dead in her tracks, grabbing Van's arm.
"Do you hear that?" she asked in a whisper.
Van pricked his ears but heard nothing. He didn't hear the sound of calm breaths coming from above but Hitomi heard it. Goosebumps crawled over her skin and she looked slowly up, tightening the grip around Van's arm. The beating of her heart increased and her breaths came out faster. She knew that something was there but honestly, she didn't want to know what it was. Narrowing her eyes, she pierced the darkness above her. She gasped when her eyes locked with a pair of glowing yellow ones. She heard a quiet snarl and saw a huge muzzle, equiped with daggerlike teeth, open. Without hesitating, she threw herself against Van by the moment, a jet of fire escaped the muzzle and hit the spot where they had stood, burning the ground black.
Hastily, they jumped to their feet and watched a giant grey dragon fall from the ceiling. The earth shook when he landed on the ground, his claws digging deep in the ground. Leathery wings unfolded and a pointed tail swung dangerously from side to side. The muscular legs of the dragon were as thick as the trunks of hundred years old trees. They carried his huge, scale-covered torso. His yellow eyes lay deep in his scull and two swung horns grew from the back of his head. When he opened his muzzle, a deep growl escaped his throat and his chest started to glow a deep red.
"Problem," Van said and Hitomi nodded, jumping apart when the next jet of fire aimed at them.
Hitomi wiped the sweat off her forehead. It was a little bit too hot for her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the dragon come in her direction. A huge claw aimed at her and she made a back flip. Landing elegantly on her feet, she raised her sword and stabbed the claw which had sliced the ground in front of her. Sparks flew when her sword slid down the horn scales which covered the dragon's fingers. She cried out in frustration and jumped aside, the other claw trying to slice her.
Meanwhile, Van tried not get speared by the dragon's tail. The young man thrusted desperately after the dragon, in vain. The scales were so thick that his sword couldn't cut through them. He didn't even leave scratchs! How should they beat him? Van glanced at Hitomi who was dodging the dragon's muzzle, snapping at her. He was inattentive for a few seconds. Mistake. He heard that something very fast cut through the air but he had no time to react. The tail pressed the air painfully out of Van's lungs, hitting him square on the chest. Van flew a few meters through the air and slid over the ground after he had hit it. He coughed and shook his head, trying to chase away the stars which were dancing before his eyes.
"Van!" Hitomi screamed. "Everything alright?"
She wanted to run to him but the dragon didn't allow it. She snorted angrily. His chest and his belly were the only parts of the dragon which weren't protected by scales. But he knew it too! She cried out and raised her sword when the tail of the dragon suddenly crashed down on her. The impact was so hard that the sword was knocked out of her hands and she was forced to her knees. The dragon opened his mouth and Van saw that his chest was already starting to glow again. Hitomi would have no chance. He raised his arm and threw his sword with all his strength at the dragon. It hit his heel and sliced through the sensitive flesh.
The dragon cried out in pain and his head swirled around, an angry growl escaping his throat. Van's eyes widened in shock when the dragon opened his mouth. A jet of fire shot in Van's direction and he quickly jumped out of the way. He could feel the heat on his skin and heard the fire crackle close to his ear when he rolled over the ground. The dragon turned away from Hitomi and concentrated on his new target. Van. The young man jumped back, long bent teeth making a snap at him. The dragon took one step after another in Van's direction while he was trying not to get sliced.
"Watch out!" he heard Hitomi shout.
His head snapped up, just in time to see a pointed tail aiming at him. Without thinking, he pushed himself off the ground and jumped ahead. It was when the dragon's tail split the earth at the place where Van had stood, a second ago. Van's hands were the first to touch the ground. He rolled over his shoulder, decreasing the impact and was quickly on his feet again. He looked up and froze, by the moment he met glowing yellow eyes. The dragon exhaled and hot breath tickled over Van's skin, causing goosebumps. Seeing the dragon open his mouth, Van shielded his head with his arms and ducked, closing his eyes tightly. He wouldn't stand a chance to survive this hell.
Suddenly, he heard a high singing noise which made him look up. He saw three arrows hitting the dragon, within the blink of an eye. They hit him in the side of his neck, near his ear. The dragon threw his head back and screamed in pain, making Van jerk. The scream was so loud that it hurt. Van noticed that the dragon's chest wasn't protected by horn scales. A sword could easily cut through the pale leathery skin.
He didn't waste any time and raised his sword. Everything he had to do to get Escaflowne, was to stab it into the exposed chest of the dragon. Nothing more. But seeing these yellow eyes so full of sadness, he just couldn't do it. The sense of life of this dragon was to watch over Escaflowne until the day, the one came who was able to kill him. But Van wouldn't be the one. He just couldn't kill this dragon. He felt as if he would kill some dear friend. He couldn't do it. He couldn't!
"Van!" Hitomi's voice rang in his ears.
"I'm sorry."
Van's eyes softened and he let his sword slowly sink. He took two steps back and watched the dragon pull the arrows out of the flesh of his neck, thin trails of blood running over his scales. The dragon bent down and looked Van directly in the eye, his head on level with him. The young man could smell the dragon's strong, old scent and felt the heat of his body. He didn't move. He just stared into the yellow depths in front of him. He had failed. He wasn't worth to get Escaflowne. He wasn't able to kill this dragon how should he be able to stop his own brother? He was weak. He could never rule a country. Why did Destiny choose him? Why not Folken? All that wouldn't have happened if Destiny had chosen Folken! His parents would be alive. Vargas and Riad would be alive. There would be no war between Fanelia and Freid. Why had he been chosen?
He blinked. What was that? A soft touch had made him snap out of his thoughts. Van's auburn eyes widened, seeing that the dragon had touched his arm with the tip of his mighty muzzle. The eyes of the dragon sparkled intensely, making him look like he was...like he was smiling. Bowing, the dragon took a step back and closed his eyes. Van gasped when the dragon suddenly crumbled into dust. Scales fell from his body, muscles followed until his bones were the only thing left of him. Both of them jerked when the huge skeleton hit the ground with a hollow noise. Van stared at the place where the dragon had stood, a few seconds ago. A thick layer of dust covered now the ground.
"Was it some kind of spell?" Hitomi asked in a whisper.
"Do you see that, too?" Van said, ignoring her question.
He didn't wait for her to reply but walked straight in the direction of the pink glowing, coming from under the layer of dust. Determined, he stepped into the remains of the dragon, his feet sinking into the dust to the ankles. Van kneeled slowly down beside the intense light and dug his right hand into the ash of the dragon. His fingers closed around something round and warm. Reddish-brown eyes widened when he pulled his hand back. A pink glowing stone lay in his palm.
"An energist!" he breathed.
"It was a test," Hitomi stated when she reached his side.
"Do you mean the dragon?" Van asked, looking up at her and she nodded.
"I think it was the right decision to spare the dragon's life," she replied. "It proved that you have a pure heart and that you're worth to get Escaflowne - although I highly doubt that a jerk like you can have a pure heart." She smirked.
"Surprised, huh?" Van said and grinned. "I bet you thought I would die."
Surprised, he watched the smile on her face vanish and her green eyes harden. "Don't you dare to ever do that again!" she snarled angrily and clenched her fists, trying to stop them from shaking.
Van smiled warmly. "I'm sorry, Hitomi," he whispered.
Taking a step ahead, he stretched out his hand and touched her cheek. She jerked lightly when his fingers came in contact with her skin. It was still an unfamiliar feeling but more than anything else did she want to get used to it. Her clenched fists relaxed when he stroked her cheek tenderly, his eyes smiling. She wanted to leave everything behind. She wanted to forget the teachings and wanted to be with him. She wanted to reach up and pull his head down to her. She wanted to feel his warmth, wanted his breath to tickle over her face, wanted to taste him, wanted to be the only thing on his mind. But every time she was so close to him and had these thoughts, she saw Amazons everywhere around her, glaring at her, accusing her, hating her.
Van saw the struggling emotions within the depths of her emerald eyes. He pulled his hand away from her soft skin and with a last smile, he turned away not wanting to force her to anything. Hitomi opened her mouth, wanting him to stay, to continue. But she shut it slowly before the words could be formed. She was afraid. She was afraid of what would happen if she let her feelings take control over her. But on the other hand did she want to know it. She wanted to know what would happen if she took the step in his direction. But now was not the right time to argue about it. She took a deep breath. There was a war to stop.
After Van had picked up his sword, they walked through the portal, the dragon had guarded and reached a huge cave. A mysterious light without a visible source was illuminating it. She could see a long suspension bridge lead to a platform, in the middle of the cave. It was surrounded by nothing. The abyss was pitch-black and seemed to have no bottom. Van didn't hesitate and stepped on the bridge, which started to swing dangerously, at once. Hitomi gulped and followed him. A cold breeze was coming from deep down, making her shiver. But it wasn't as bad as she had imagined it would be. Placing carefully one foot after another and focusing her eyes on Van's back, she reached the platform without any problems.
And what now? There was nothing at the platform, apart from the colourful pattern which covered the ground. She had at least expected some kind of hint which would lead them to Escaflowne. But there was absolutely nothing. She snorted. She didn't want to believe that the whole way here had been in vain!
"And were is Escaflowne?" Van asked and looked around, slightly annoyed.
And as if it had heard his question, the energist started to glow. The light was so bright that they had to shut their eyes so that they wouldn't become blind. By the moment the light died down, the earth started to shake lightly and stones began to fall from the ceiling. Both of them looked up and saw a huge stony sphere, attached to the ceiling. With a loud crack, the sphere broke open and something fell out of it. Something giant and white. Van and Hitomi jumped backwards when a huge gyumelef landed on the ground before them while the earth continued to shake.
"Escaflowne!" Van said in awe and ran to the white giant who kneeled in front of him.
One metal arm leaned on a raised metal knee, the other arm was leaning on the ground. A bright green stone glowed at each shoulder and a pink one stuck out of his chest, at the place where the heart was. Escaflowne's white armor sparkled in the light which was illuminating the cave and a huge blue and red cape fell from his broad shoulders to the ground. Van stretched out his hand and touched the cold metal. Finally, he had found Escaflowne! He would make the suffering end. He would stop his brother.
A small smile crossed his features, remembering that his father had often stood in front of Escaflowne like that. He had just looked at the guymelef, a smile on his face. Van had hidden behind a pillar and had watched his father. He had always wanted to be like his father and pilot Escaflowne. Who could have known that this wish claimed so many sacrafices? Taking a deep breath, he climbed up the guymelef's leg. When he reached Escaflowne's knee, he pulled a dagger out of his boot and ran his thumb along the blade.
"What are you doing?" Hitomi shouted up to him.
"I'm going to make the blood pact," he replied and let the blood drip from his thumb onto the energist. "Escaflowne must be bind to his pilot by a blood pact. It was always this way and it always will be."
And with that, he immersed his right arm together with the energist to the pink stone at Escaflowne's chest. His arms vanished into it as if the stone was made of water. It felt as if a cold wind was tickling over his skin. When he pulled his arm out of the stone, the energist was gone. At once, the pink stone started to beat and the earth began skaking. Hitomi stared at the guymelef with wide eyes. She didn't notice that her pendant had begun glowing as well. With every new heartbeat, the shaking of the earth increased. Van turned hastily around.
"Hitomi!" he shouted. "Hurry up, we must leave!"
The earth shook violantly. Huge stones broke from the walls around them and fell to the ground. Hitomi struggled to stand on her feet, staggering from one side to another. Suddenly, she heard a deep growl come from under the earth and the shaking increased even more. Deep crevices started to appear, running across the ground. They crossed each other and created a chaotic pattern. Hitomi watched in shock when the clod on which she stood, slowly sunk. Acting on impuls, she wanted to jump off the clod but it was already too late. A high scream escaped her lips when the clod slipped and she fell into the darkness of the abyss behind her.
Her mouth was open and her eyes were wide, watching the precipice becoming smaller and smaller with every meter she fell. She heard Van scream her name. She saw little stones falling together with her. She saw darkness surrounding her. Her heart was beating madly against her ribcage and thousands of thoughts were swirling through her mind while she heard her own voice scream. She was falling! But this abyss wasn't boundless. Soon she would reach the bottom. She-she would die! She would die! Suddenly, the screaming stopped, her heartbeat slowed down and she became unbelievable numb. She would die and there was nothing she could do.
Would it hurt? Would she feel anything when she hit the ground? She wondered how long she would fall. She wondered what would await her. Would there be something or would everything come to an end? Would she loose consciousness during her fall so that she wouldn't feel anything when she hit the ground? The wind tugged her hair violantly, making it swirl all around her and she felt unbelievable light. She wanted to close her eyes. She wanted to accept her fate.
It was when she heard laughter. It was her own voice. It was the voice she had had when she had been a child. A flash suddenly blinded her and the smiling face of her mother appeared before her eyes. Trees were surrounding her, a light breeze making their leaves rustle. The air was glimmering because of heat. Hitomi gasped.
"Mom?" she whispered.
~"Hitomi," her mother said softly and her bright green eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "Stop tugging at my hair, please!"
"But it's so much fun!" Hitomi's young voice replied, giggling.~
Slowly, Hitomi stretched out her hand, trying to touch the face of her mother. It vanished before she could even reach it and was replaced by the face of a certain red-head. Yukari sat at a riverbank and watched some birds swim along the river. She sighed deeply and rested her head on her knees.
~"Did you ever want to know how the world is like, beyond the river, Hitomi?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know," Hitomi replied and sighed.
"I bet it's fantastic!" Yukari exclaimed. "There are so many different people! I so want to see all that! I can hardly await that I turn eighteen!" She added after a brief silence, "Are you afraid?"
Hitomi didn't reply. She stared at the plains beyond the river, lost in her own thoughts.~
The image vanished again and tears started to form in Hitomi's eyes. It were memories! Yukari. She would never see her again! She would never see Lea again. She would never see her Amazon sisters again. Skythia. The trees. A sunrise. The ocean. She would never see anything like that again. Tears poured out of her eyes but they had no chance to touch her cheeks. The wind teared them harshly away from her eyes. And suddenly, a new flash of white light blinded her.
~"Hitomi!" everyone around her cheered. They were saying her name over and over again and applauded. There were dozens of Amazons around her, smiling at her.
"Hitomi," a familiar voice then said beside her and all the voices around her died down. Hitomi turned around and spotted Lea standing in front of her. The Queen's grey eyes sparkled intensely.
"I'm very proud of you, Hitomi," she said. "Today, you proved that you truly are Thaleia's daughter. Like her did you win the archery competition. I think she is proud of you, too - from where ever she is watching you."
"Thank you, Lea," Hitomi whispered.~
The tears kept falling. Lea. She would miss her. She would miss everyone of them. They had been always there for her. They were her familiy, after her mother had died. Her mother. Would she see her again? Would she see her mother again? Was she awaiting her? And suddenly, a voice was echoing through her mind. His voice.
~"I said this way!" Van yelled angrily and pointed at the path to his right.
"But I want to go that way!" Hitomi shouted back and pointed at the other path.
"Why can't you just listen to me one damn time?" Van asked and ran a hand through his raven-black hair, ruffling it in frustration.
"Because I don't trust you!" she answered. "Who knows where you're leading me and what you're going to do with me!"
"What the hell should I do with you?" Van spread his arms. "I couldn't even sell you as a slave because no man with common sense would buy you!"
"I hate you!" she screamed, outraged.
"I hate you more!" he said, turning around and walked away.~
Hitomi shut her eyes tightly. Stupid Van. She wanted to tell him so much. She wanted to tell him that she would like to kill him, because of making her fall in love with him. She wanted to tell him how much she liked his smile, how much she liked it when he held her, how much she cared. She wanted to thank him for making her feel this way. But she wouldn't be able to do this. She wished she had had the courage to tell him earlier about her feelings. But now, it was too late.
She opened her eyes again which were filled with tears and gasped. In the distance right above her, she saw a bright white light. It filled her whole body with a pleasant warmth. It felt as if she was standing on a wide field after a shower and the sun was caressing her, while a warm breeze blew over her skin, carrying the fresh scent of drying blades of grass. She had heard a lot about it. The old Amazons had talked about it on their death-beds. Before you die, you see a beautiful white light in front of you. It is warm and takes away all your pain and fear. It is the portal to what comes after you died. Could this be the special light? Was she almost dead? She felt no fear anymore. Somehow, this light soothed her. There was no need to fear, she knew it. She watched in awe the light becoming brighter and larger which every second that passed. A tickling feeling rose in her stomach and rushed through her whole body.
A black spot within the light suddenly caught her attention. It grew very fast and the outlines became clearer. She would have clasped her hands over her mouth if she hadn't been so surprised. It was a person! A person with huge wings! She could clearly see it against the white background. And this person was flying in her direction, carried by mighty wing strokes. Was it some guide who would bring her somewhere else? She had heard about it. Her mother had told her about them to take away the fear of death. They were called angels and guarded the portal to the heavens. Did this angel come here to take her there?
During her wondering, he had come so close that she could almost see his face. It was a man. His bare upper torse was glowing in the white light. Black hair was swirling around his head, shading his eyes. He stretched out his hand and without hesitating, she grasped it. She knew she could trust him. His hold was tight but not violant and his skin was wonderful warm. It caused a pleasant warmth to spread through her entire body, making her feel secure. Slowly, he pulled her up and pure white feathers danced around her. Her gaze never left his face when suddenly the wind blew his unruly hair out of it. Sparkling reddish-brown eyes were smiling at her and the time stopped for the wing stroke of a butterfly.
Her breath was caught in her throat and her heart stopped beating, emerald eyes wide. She could do nothing but stare at him, stare at Van. The angel was Van! The same Van, she had met at that fateful day in the Tessalian forest. The same Van who had teased her the whole time, who had made her furious, who had made her do crazy things, who had turned her world upside down, who had caused strange feelings within her, who had made her doubt the teachings, who had made her weak. Her Van!
She felt one of his arms support her back and the other one slid under the hollows of her knees, pressing her closer to him. She gasped when he stopped their fall with two mighty wing strokes and acting on instinct, she flung her arms around his neck.
"Don't worry, I won't drop you," he said softly and his voice caused goosebumps on her skin.
She could smell his warm scent and felt her cheeks getting red. Her eyes wide, she stared at Van's profile, still not able to believe that it was him. Tightening the hold on her, he soared up, back to the platform. Hitomi felt his muscles tense with every wing stroke. She wanted to stretch out her hand and touch his wings, wanted to feel his feathers but she didn't dare to do it, fearing that everything was just a dream.
Van flew the whole way up, she had fallen down and Hitomi was listening to the soothing sound of his wings cutting through the air. But it only lasted a few seconds. Van flew carefully over the edge and landed softly on the ground. Almost reluctantly, he let go of her and she placed her feet on the ground. Slowly, she removed her hands from behind his neck and took a step back, her knees weak. She looked at his wings, his beautiful wings. It wasn't a dream. It was real. Everything was real. He was a Draconian.
"It's you!" she said, suddenly realizing the extent of it. "You are the dragon!"
By hearing her words, his smile vanished and his eyes hardened. Sadly, he turned away from her intense gaze. His beautiful wings which had been lifted majestically above his head, sunk limp to the ground and disappeared in a swirl of feathers. The white glow which had surrounded him, vanished together with them. Hitomi blinked.
"Where are...where...?" she uttered, confused.
"They are gone," Van answered flatly. "I don't need them anymore."
He didn't look at her and turned away. He walked to his shirt which he had taken off before he had rescued her. Picking it up, he said flatly, "Come on, we should return to the palace. The others are waiting."
....................**.....................
van lover: ^_^ Thankiez!!!
TennyoAngel711: LOL, I'm glad you liked it. And YES, Van really should have said that to Allen in the series! But noooo, Mr. I-won-the-contest-in- hiding-feelings rather watchs Allen taking Hitomi away from him *snorts*
hitomi-chan: *blushs* Thank you ^_^ Yes, the moment was really perfect and that's why I had to put Dryden in. Hehe. Imagine what could have happened if nobody had interupted them ^_~ Lol, secret...well, I have some kind of creative phase between 10 and 12 PM. The ideas sometimes seem to crush me. And I know what you mean with the goofy grin in connexion with fluff ^_____^
athena reloaded: *blushs like mad* Thanks!!!! I'm learning English at school for eight years now. And to answer your question, I'm using Microsoft Word. But I'm not satisfied with it because I can't use Italics *grumbles*
I-Wuv-Muffins: *grins* I'm glad you like it!! Thanks!!!
fireangel: Ieks! *grabs fire-extinguisher platinum model* Hehe. ^_~ Yeah, I know what you said about cliffies and I'm sorry. But I really had to stop there. I would have never stopped if I had continued ^_^ But I guess the end of this chapter wasn't even better...*hides behind chair*
CRAZY Dragon: Hihi, freut mich, dass es dir gefallen hat. Und jep, warten ist echt besser als platzen. ^_^
Aylee the Dragon (too lazy to log in): *blushs the deepest red possible* Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! And awwwww, a Van plushie!!! *nuzzles Van plushie* My Van!! *glares at Hitomi plushie and nuzzles Van plushie again* My Van!!! ^___^ I hope I could answer some of your questions! You see, Van is a Draconian! I love his wings!!! *sighs dreamily and nuzzles Van plushie again* And Hitomi will have her big scene later, don't worry ^_~
Inda: Thanks!!
GJDGHJDGHJG: LOL, Thankiez!!!!
SabineballZ: Jap, der gute alte Dryden ^_^ Hehe. Aber nagut, ich hoffe, dass es dir wieder gefallen hat. War diesmal nich soooo aufregend aber naja, sie brauchten mal 'ne Aussprache.
Celidh of Unicorn's Forest: *blushs* Thank you!!!!
ponchita: Thanks!
~Rani~: *isn't able to stop blushing* Thank you!! I hope you liked it!!
Suki: ^____^ Thanks! And yeah, Hitomi and her pride...it's difficult. But I think this chapter was a big hint ^_~
???: Lol, not that bad. And hey, Hitomi is an Amazon! I simply have to make her fight, don't you think?! ^_~
Love Witch: Hey Queen of FLUFF!!! I'm sorry that it wasn't that fluffy but I try to improve ^_^ Thankiez!!!
Athar-Luna: *blushs like there is no tomorrow* Thank you!! I'm glad you liked the fluffiness ^_^ And hey, I love Millerna and Dryden together!! Dryden is so cool!
B. Burns: Lol, and did you like the good old-fashioned trouble and the spectacular rescue? I so laughed when I read your review because it was exactly what I wanted to write! Only the fluff is missing, huh? ^_~
Infinitis: Thanks! I'm glad you like the long chapters ^_^
Silver Magiccraft: *grins* Thank you!!!
Aeka-himme: Lol, stupid finger! *blushs* You liked it! Hehe. But hey, you carved 10 notches into your desk! *one-woman-symphony-orchestra starts to play monumental music* We have a winner! *grabs Aeka's wrist and holds her arm high into the air* Aeka-himme!!!!! ^_~ I think more then 10 notches aren't possible *counts her fingers* Nope, more then 10 aren't possible n_n *suddenly spots the Van-shaped cookie* AWWWW, A VAN-COOKIE!!!! MY VAN- COOKIE!!! And it has red sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles!!! Cute!!! I can't eat it. *nuzzles Van-cookie* I'll preserve it and put it into a shrine ^_^ THANKIEZ!!!!!!!!!!!
hhhhh: Thanks!!!
Nix (onlyme701@yahoo.com): ^_^ Actually, I try not to write cliffhangers but then I just have to stop otherwise the chapter would never end ^_^ And I hope the chapter answered your question about Van being so cold.
Ryuu Angel: o_O Wow, you read from 5 PM till 1 AM??? *blushs* I do feel honoured!!!! Thanks!!
=) : Dankefein!!! Und jep, du solltest auf jeden Fall die ersten Kapitel lesen! Sie haben sich nämlich schon geküsst!!!! Hah! Siehste! In Kapitel 7 war das ^_~ Ich hoffe ich hab die richtige schnulzige Mischung getroffen ^_________^
Scarlet Pheonix: ^_^ Thanks!!
A/N: Yes, I admit it, I love this scene where Van rescues Hitomi and shows her his wings, the first time. I saw the episode on tv again, two weeks ago. I LOVE IT!!!! So yeah, I simply had to put it in my story ^______^
Just to say, I don't hate Allen, okay? Or at least, not the whole time ^_^ I really would like to put some Allen-Hitomi-Van twist in my story but I couldn't make her fall for Allen! She needed 10 whole chapters to realize that it is NOT hate she feels towards Van!!!! So falling for Allen just like that *snaps her fingers* would be a little bit unreal, you know what I mean? Plus I have so many else to put in the story that this kind of twist would be too much for my poor little brain ^_^ Haha. So yeah, I hope you can forgive me that this is a sweet little romance without any rivalry or better to say, without lots of rivalry (Van is so cute when he is jealous, isn't he?! ^_~)
Okay then, don't forget to review, okay? ^_^
Till next chapter,
Dariel