Because I don't know what love is

by Dariel

AU Hitomi is an Amazon, taught to hate men. But when she is on her way to fulfill a goddess' wish she finds someone who turns her once well-arranged life upside down. VH of course! COMPLETE

13. Longforgotten promise broken

Hiyaaaaaaaa!!! I'm back!!! u_u Took me a while, I know. I hardly find the time to write during vacation!!! *shakes head* But look, you have a looong chapter!! It's the longest chapter, I've ever written and I thought about making it two chapters. But I dismissed the idea and here you have it!!!! ^_^ Hope you like it!! And if there are any questions (sometimes I write really confusing, it seems ^_^) just ask!!!!!

DISCLAIMER:  I don't own Escaflowne!!!

CHAPTER 13    Long-forgotten promise broken

He saw her standing at the landing-strip, her hands folded. He saw the fear and worry in her beautiful eyes, saw that her lips were moving, trying to tell him something and he heard her. He heard her beg. She wanted him to promise her that he would return. But he couldn't promise it and it hurt. It hurt to leave her like that. He wished with all his heart that he could do it but he couldn't. He didn't know what would await him at the battlefield. He didn't know how Folken would react. It could turn out badly. He could fail. He could...he shook his head violantly. He shouldn't think about that now.

Escaflowne soared high into the night skies. The city underneath him shrunk more and more, only the light of the fires indicating that there were housing estates and the screams faded with every meter he rose higher. Two moons flooded the clouds and the landscape underneath them with a pale white light, causing a gostly atmophere. A cool sensation suddenly ran over Van's skin, causing goosebumps. He looked down and saw that he had flown through a cloud. Escaflowne was high enough. He shouldn't waste any more time. Tugging at the reins, Van made Escaflowne stop soaring and speed off.

When he turned to the horizon, his auburn eyes widened. The sky above a hill range in the distance was burning, yellow and orange lights flickering across the clouds. He was too late, the war had already started. Cursing loudly, Van pulled at the reins and Escaflowne turned to the left. The wind tugged violantly at his raven-black hair when the dragon speed up. It would take ages to reach the battlefield! But he had no time, absolutely no time!

"Faster!" Van yelled against the wind and tugged at the reins. "Faster!"

A jerk suddenly went through the dragon and Van could hear a metal noise. Surprised, he turned around and gasped when two booster appeared, one at each side of the dragon's trunk, iron sparkling in the moonlight. They started to glow a bright blue and Van clutched the reins when they came to life. Escaflowne turned into a ball of blinding white light and shot across the star-sprinkled sky, leaving a trail of the same light behind. Van leaned flatly over the dragon, giving the wind only a small area to attack. His surroundings vanished before his eyes, the orange shimmer in the distance leading the way.

The dragon flew with an incredible speed and the battlefield came closer with every second that passed. Van couldn't believe what powers were sleeping within the dragon. No wonder that Folken wanted to get him at any costs. Nobody would be able to stop him. But that wouldn't happen! Van wouldn't allow it! Never!

His thoughts were suddenly interupted by an orange light which surrounded him. The battlefield!

"Stop!" Van yelled against the wind and pulled the reins hard.

The booster stopped their work at once and Escaflowne slowed down; Van gasped. The clouds around him were burning, a flickering light illuminating them from below. Slowly, Van made Escaflowne sink through the clouds which were hovering above the battlefield. As if they didn't want him to see it, they reluctantly revealed what was beneath them and Van's eyes widened. It was pure chaos.

The plain was on fire, the grass which hadn't been crushed by thousands of feet, burning. Smoke and the penetrating scent of death filled his nostrils while he was watching thousands of people fight and die with glassy auburn eyes. Armors of hundreds of guymelefs sparkled and the clashing of swords and battlecries reached his ears, the light of the fires making him see a scene of horror. Innumerable bodies covered Gaea's surface, their blood soaking the earth. The screams of the wounded who lay between the deads were drowned by all the other noises filling the polluted air.

There was no difference between soldiers of Freid, Asturia, Fanelia and Amazons anymore. They were all of the same kind; soldiers who fought, killed and died. Van gritted his teeth by seeing this useless massacre and cursed his brother for all he was worth. Therefore he would pay, that was for sure! Angrily, the young king pulled at the reins and made Escaflowne sink even more. And then he saw it – the sky was full of flying fortresses and airships. Hundreds of them hovered in the air, attacking from above. One of them was Folken's fortress.

Van grinned. He knew which one. That was probably the only advantage of being Folken's brother, he could feel him. Tugging at the reins, he led Escaflowne down to the fortresses, focusing on a special one ahead. The dragon sped up when he approached the flying rock, the sound of explosions accompanying him. Van didn't slow down, the fortress already towering in front of him. He aimed directly at the bridge and a fire of hatred burned within his eyes. Triggering the mechanism, Escaflowne changed into his humaniod form by the moment he hit the fortress' front.   

....................**.....................

Clouds covered the black sky, the light of the two moons shining faintly through the veil of steam and dust. Hitomi stood quietly at a window of Dryden's airship, looking into the blackness beneath her. She was holding her pendant tightly with her right hand, praying silently to the Gods. She had had a bad feeling when he had left, the not given promise making it even worse. She had wanted to follow him, to help him, but he hadn't allowed it. Stupid man, always wanting to protect her, though she didn't need protection. She could protect herself – and him!

And now, she was sick because of worrying about him. She didn't want to imagine what could happen. He was all alone and his brother had a complete army behind his back. It was damn suicide! She wished she knew what he was doing right now, she wished she knew that he was alright. At the moment, she didn't waste a thought about her teachings and the Amazons who were only a few miles away from her. She burried her pride for a few minutes and just wished he was alright.  

"Van," the green-eyed Amazon whispered. "Please, come back."

She gasped when suddenly her pendant appeared in front of her eyes, swinging from side to side. Colours swirled before her eyes and she heard screams and the clashing of swords, the scent of burned ground filling her nostrils. Sparks flew. She saw two sparkling swords pressed against each other, shaking violantly in the hands of their owners. Her gaze travelled down the length of the swords and before the picture vanished, she saw the crest on one of the swords – the crest of Fanelia. Flesh was sliced. Blood spurted. Blackness.

The Amazon stumbled backwards, pressing her hands against her sweat-covered forehead. Her heart was beating violantly and an unbeliebly nausea was almost overwhelming her, her whole body shaking with fear.

"Van!" she gasped.

Hands steadied her and a pair of concerned brown eyes was looking directly at her.

"Hitomi?" Yukari asked, worried. "Everything alright?"

"No!" Hitomi replied, still fighting with her wildly pounding head. "It's Van! Van is in danger!"

"How do you know?" the red head asked, confused.

Hitomi didn't reply. She broke free from Yukari's grasp and staggered across the bridge. Gabriella and Merle looked up, alarmed. They had sat in a corner of the room, nuzzled against each other and had comforted each other. Like Hitomi, the two girls were worried about Van. They didn't know what would happen, now that the war had started.

"Dryden!" Hitomi said firmly. "We must fly to the battlefield!"

Surprised, the man with the curly brown hair stopped his conversation with Millerna and turned around. "What did you just say?" he asked.

"We must fly to the battlefield!" the Amazon repeated. "Van is in danger!"

"That's not so easy, Hitomi," Dryden replied and pushed his glasses up his nose. "We can't just fly there!"

"But we must!" she insisted. "Van will die!"

"We have the Duke of Freid on board, Hitomi!" Dryden said, louder this time. "We fled from Folken's soldiers! Hundreds of guards died to make it possible and if we now fly to the battlefield, everything had been in vain! You could just put Duke Chid on a silver plate and give him to Folken!"

"But-" Hitomi tried to start.

"And even if the Duke would allow you to fly there," Dryden continued, interupting her. "This is a trading ship! We would stand no chance against an armed airship!"

"Then let me get off the ship!" she said, determined. "I'll go to the battlefield myself!"

Dryden gave a laugh. "You against a whole army?" he asked. "I can't allow that you run into your death! You'll stay here with us!"

"I don't take orders from you!" Hitomi shouted, her old stubbornness breaking through.

"This is my ship!" Dryden replied, as loud as Hitomi.

Hitomi opened her mouth but no words came out. What should she reply? Searching for help, she looked at Millerna who stood beside Dryden and held his hand, an understanding look on her face. It was now completely quiet on the bridge, everyone watching the argue between Hitomi and Dryden.

"Are you really sure that Van will die?" the blond-haired princess asked. "How can you know?"

"I-I...I just know it," the Amazon stuttered, tears brimming in her green eyes.

It was when two comforting arms wrapped around her waist and a warm body was pressed against her back. "It's okay, Hitomi," Yukari whispered soothingly. "You're just worried about him and that's why you think of the worst. Van is strong. He will make it, don't worry."

"But-but I saw that..." Hitomi trailed off when Yukari turned her slowly around, in order to face her.

"Hey, I thought you trust him?" Yukari looked her directly in the eye.

"I do," she whispered. "I do with all my heart."

"Then why do you doubt him? Why do you think he'll fail?" Yukari continued. "You should have faith in him, Hitomi."

"But I-"

"No," the red head said and smiled. "You should rest a bit. Go down to your cabin and take some sleep. You'll need your strength later."

Hitomi was just about to reply when she felt someone tug at both of her arms. Looking down, she met Merle's and Gabriella's bright blue eyes.

"We keep you company," they said and Hitomi could do nothing but smile.

The Amazon nodded slowly and let the two girls drag her from the bridge. Leaving Yukari and the others behind, they entered a narrow hallway and walked down to the quarters. Voices could be heard from behind several doors which were flanking the left side of the hallway. Dark wood shimmered in the pale light of the moons, shining through the windows to the right. A few stars twinkled through holes in the cloud cover, trying unsuccessfully to show the way.

The three of them suddenly stopped, spotting Duke Chid who stood in the hallway and looked out into the night. His blue eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Millerna had told her what had happened back at the palace of Freid. She had told Hitomi that Voris had made it possible for them to flee. The guard had triggered the autodestruction mechanism of the palace, sacrificing his life and had taken several enemies with him. He had been like a father for Chid. It must hurt so much to lose again a dear person. Everything, the little boy had expierienced until now, was grief and pain. But there he stood, so brave and so strong.

"Why don't you cry, Duke Chid?" Gabriella asked quietly and letting go of Hitomi's arm, she walked at his side.

"Because Voris wouldn't want me to cry," the blond-haired boy answered with a smile. "He would be angry with me if I showed weakness because of him."

"But doesn't crying show strength?" Merle asked and also joined his side.

"You think so?" he replied and the cat-girl nodded wildly, making him smile. "Thank you, Merle. You see, Hitomi, we learn something new every day, don't we?"

"Yes, we do," she whispered and the young Duke turned around, a concerned look on his face.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

The Amazon smiled lightly. Somehow, it was impossible for her to lie to him or ignore him. He just looked at her with his honest and innocent eyes and all her intentions of being cold and apathetic were gone. He was really wise for his age but that had cost a high price – his childhood. The little boy would be a great Duke, no doubt. He would return to his city and would rebuilt it. The people would love him for his strength and kindness.

"I'm confused," Hitomi answered, after a brief silence. "I don't know what to do anymore. I doubt but I shouldn't doubt. I'm afraid but I shouldn't be. Events come thick and fast but I'm too slow to catch up. There are lots of ways to go but I don't know which one is the right. What if I'm going the wrong way? What if I'm making mistakes?"

Hitomi didn't know herself anymore. A few weeks ago, she would have laughed out loud if someone had told her that she once would ask a boy who was half as old as she was, for an advice. But things had changed, she had changed. She had said and felt things, she had thought she would never say or feel. She had made decisions after which followed consequences. Consequences which would turn her world upside down. Again, she had to make a decision and this time, it was definite. Two paths and there was no turning back.

"Voris once told me something," Chid suddenly said and turned to the stars, making her snap out of her thoughts. "If I should ever make a decision, if I should ever doubt, I should listen to my heart. It would lead me in the right direction."

She took a deep breath. "Voris was very wise," she replied quietly and Chid nodded. "Thanks for the advice."

"Nevermind," he said and turned back to look at her. "Have faith."

The Amazon smiled widely and bowing, she turned to leave. Chid's mouth was wide open. At least, one time she could surprise him.

"Hitomi, wait for us!" Merle and Gabriella cried, attempting to follow her but she stopped them.

"I want to be alone," she said quietly. "Please."

Unable to reply, the two girls watched the Amazon walk down the hallway and disappear around a corner. She had made a decision, a definite one.     

....................**.....................

"What's the matter, Amano?" Yukari asked and softly caressed his cheek.

The brown-haired guard gave a laugh. "What's the matter?" he repeated quietly. "Good question. Look at the horizon, Yukari. The sky is burning. The war between Freid and Fanelia had started and I haven't noticed anthing!"

"Don't reproach yourself!" Yukari replied firmly. "It's not your fault that-"

"I was a palace guard in Fanelia for years!" he interupted her harshly and turned around to face her. "I served Lord Folken with loyalty and without knowing what he had done! Without noticing that he was planning a war!" 

"And?" the red head asked. "How could you have known? Can you predict the future?"

"No, but..." he exhaled heavily. "But I could have noticed something."

"There was nothing you could have done!" Yukari threw herself against Amano, encircling his waist with her arms. "And now, stop it! I don't need your self-destructive behavior now, okay?! I'm afraid because of this stupid war and you should comfort me! Tell me that everything will turn out well!"

Amano smiled warmly and embraced Yukari, pulling her close to him. "Everything will turn out well," he whispered, stroking softly over her back.  

Millerna smiled, watching the couple but the look didn't last long. A serious expression fell quickly over her face again. Feeling a soft touch on her arm, she turned around and spotted Dryden smiling at her.

"What's going to happen now?" she asked quietly and placed her hand over his one.

"Well, at first we'll bring Duke Chid to the temple in the mountains," Dryden replied and looked out of the window, his glasses reflecting the orange glow of the burning sky. "I guess, the monks are already waiting for us."

"And then?" Millerna whispered.

The merchant smiled sadly. "I don't know," he answered honestly. "I absolutely don't know. I don't know the size of Fanelia's army, I don't know if Freid and Asturia stand a chance, I don't know when this war will end, I don't know what will happen if...if we lose."

Millerna squeezed his hand softly. "I didn't know you were such a pessimist, Dryden," she replied, a weak smile on her lips. "You should have a little more faith in my country, don't you think?"

"You know, I always admired you for your strength," he said and turned to look at her, making the princess blush.

"I'm not strong," she said and looked to the ground which was made of boards. They were worn from all the heavy boots which had walked on them. "I was a coward who ran away from home and from her duties."

"But you returned when your family and your country needed you!" Dryden took both of her hands in his ones and she stiffened. "You returned although you didn't know what would await you!"

Millerna looked up, her eyes glistening and he continued. "You couldn't have known that Eries greets you with open arms!"

"I didn't deserve to be greeted like that," she said and made an attempt to look at the ground again but Dryden stopped her by cupping her chin.

"If she can forgive you," he said and looked her directly in the eye. "So why can't you?"

She didn't reply but stumbled when the ship suddenly jerked violantly. With a yelp she landed in Dryden's arms. The merchant was looking around with worried eyes, watching Yukari and Amano holding each other tightly and his crew members struggling to stand on their feet. Feeling that his stomach was floating within him, he knew that the ship was sinking rapidly. Loose cargo was rolling square across the bridge and gathered in a corner, after crashing against a wall. He placed Millerna on the ground and hastily stumbled to the microphon wich connected the bridge with the different decks.

"What happened?" the captain yelled into the funnel, grabbing the edge of the console firmly.

"We're sinking!" came the muffled reply from the engine-room.

"I can see that!" Dryden shouted, eying the instruments on the console which were freaking out, the slim red hand of the altimeter rotating with an unhealthy speed. "Did someone attack us?"

"No!" the black-haired engineer answered, trying to drown the shouts from his comrades who were trying desperately to turn over a huge level. "The tail unit is stuck! We don't know-"

"What do you mean with it is stuck?" Dryden yelled angrily. "The tail unit doesn't just stick! And why don't you trigger the emergency supply? We'll be crushed if we don't stop sinking like that!"

"We're trying!" the engineer replied. "But the level is stuck!"

"Then why are you talking with me instead of helping to solve the problem?" Dryden's face was bright red and he had shouted so loud that the engineer's ears rang.

"Aye, sir!" the connection was cut.

Dryden turned around and walked back to where Millerna sat, Yukari and Amano now joining her. When he reached them, the princess looked up at him with eyes full of worry. He knew that she was afraid and he also knew that she would never show it. Smiling, he kneeled down and took her hand.

"We have some technical problems but they'll soon fix it," he said and stroked her hand. "No need to worry."

"Technical problems?!" Yukari yelled, an empty box rumbling noisily across the bridge behind her, before bursting to pieces at the wall. "In what kind of pile of scrap did you put us? We're crashing if you haven't noticed yet!!!"

"This is the best ship of my whole fleet!" Dryden replied angrily and glared at the red head who sat beside Millerna. "And we're not crashing because my crew will soon solve the problem!"

"Is that so?" Yukari was just about to rise and strangle Dryden when Amano placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back down.

"Calm down, please!" he begged.

"Aunt Millerna!" a young voice called from the door and stopped Yukari from replying.

Looking up, they spotted Chid running in their direction, Gabriella and Merle at his side. The two girls ran directly in Yukari's arms and hugged her tightly. She felt that they were trembling.

"Are we going to die?" Merle asked, her voice muffled by Yukari's clothing.

"No," Yukari replied and looked up, searching Dryden's eyes. She saw that Duke Chid was sitting in Millerna's lap, the princess holding him in a protective embrace.

"Don't worry, little one," Dryden said, seeing the desperate look on Yukari's face. "My men will soon solve the problem."

They moved up closer and prayed that Dryden would be right. It seemed as if the seconds stretched to hours while they were waiting for the crash to be stopped, the ground coming closer. And suddenly, a jerk went through the airship followed by the howling of the emergency supply which had finally been triggered. The floating stones under the hull of the ship started to glow a bright white. They wouldn't be able to stop the crash but reduce the force of the impact.  

Crunching noises could be heard when the wooden hull brushed over the top of the trees. Everyone on the ship grabbed something which would keep them from falling and prepared for the impact. Wood splintered, trees broke and birds soared terrified when it touched the ground in a flat angle, leaving a huge aisle behind. After meters of sliding, it stopped, stuck between pines and a thick cloud of dust flaoting around it. Apart from the creaking of the trees under the weight of the hull, it was completely quiet around the ship.

Slowly, voices rose over the silence. Coughs could be heard and feet began to stomp over the boards, the crew members starting to check the ship. Dryden was the first to open his eyes, looking worriedly around. Moans and coughs emitted from the pile of bodies, he was lying on and he sighed.

"Anybody hurt?" he asked and could do nothing but smile when Yukari crawled away from under Amano, complaining loudly.

Merle pushed Gabriella's foot out of her face and straightened, looking at a smiling Chid. Millerna dusted the young Duke off and then turned to Dryden.

"Seems we're alright but I should go and look if anybody else is hurt," she suggested and he nodded.

"Captain!" someone suddenly shouted. "Captain! Sabotage! We've been sabotaged!"

Dryden's head snapped up and an exhausted member of his crew stopped in front of him. The young man with sparkling blue eyes was holding an iron something in his right hand and tried to catch his breath. He must have run the whole way from the engine-room up here. They were all completely quiet, waiting for him to speak.

"Sabotage, Ryoga?" Dryden asked carefully and the man nodded wildly.

"Yes, Captain!" he opened his hand and Dryden's eyes widened, spotting the scratched and bend spanner. "We found this sticking between the cogwheels of the tail unit. Someone had put it there."

"But who?" Dryden asked and took the spanner, inspecting it closely. "It's impossible that someone entered the ship during flight and I can't believe that someone of my crew would do something like that! That's of no use to anyone!"

"Hitomi!" Yukari suddenly yelled, jumping to her feet and ran off. "Hitomi!" 

....................**.....................

Raising to her feet, Hitomi coughed and dusted herself off. The landing had been harder than she had expected. If she hadn't fallen into a pile of hay she would have probably hurt herself. She grinned. The others and especially Dryden would kill her if they got to know who had caused the crash. But it was his own fault! If he had let her go, she wouldn't have been forced to sabotage the airship! It had been easier than she had expected it would be. Everything had went well with a little bit help of her pendant and of the more than willing engineer. He had told her everything about the ship. It had been no problem then to force the airship to a landing.

Looking around, the Amazon saw that the horses were slowly calming down. They had neighed like mad when the ship had sunk and now, they were still stomping nervously with their hooves and their snorting filled the air. She spotted Dust in a box to her left. The white stallion hadn't left the ship since they had landed in Freid and she felt really bad. There had happened so much and she had simply forgotten him.

"Hey Dust," she greeted quietly, approaching him. "I'm so sorry that I neglected you! Really! Van is in danger and I must help him and therefore I need your help! Please!"

The horse looked at her with warm brown eyes and nodding his head, he walked towards her. Hitomi smiled and stroked Dust's forehead, brushing his white mane out of his eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear and took the reins. 

She was just about to leave when a snort from behind stopped her. Turning around, she met sparkling reddish-brown eyes. Tarik's eyes. She could do nothing but smile, seeing Van's horse.

"Don't worry, Tarik," Hitomi whispered and petted the muscular neck of the pitch-black stallion. "I'll bring him back!"

Tarik snorted and nodded his head in reply. With a last smile, Hitomi turned away and grabbing Dust's reins, she walked to the exit hatch. The hollow noise of Dust's hooves on the wooden ground and the clinking of horse gear mixed with soft snorts and the scent of fresh hay filled the air. Reaching the hatch, she let go of the reins and grabbed the level at the wall. Tightening her grip around the rough and worn wood, she turned over the level and the hatch opened with a hiss. With a thud, it hit the ground and at once, a cool breeze blew into the ship, ruffling her hair and making her knit her brows. She could smell damp earth and rosin, the shadows of huge trees towering in front of her. Slowly, she reached for Dust's reins.

"Hitomi!"

Her head spun around, her green eyes wide. She hadn't expected to hear that voice now! 

"Thetis!" Hitomi gasped.

Her eyes widened even more when the air began to flimmer in front of her, a bluish light filling the stables. A pleasant warmth surrounded her and she watched in awe the air swirl and the bluish light thicken. Outlines appeared and became clearer. Hitomi saw white fabric which merged into its surroundings, shining blue hair, blue eyes, pale rosy lips and pale skin. The glowing light faded and left Thetis, looking the same like the first time Hitomi had seen her. The Amazon's mouth was wide open and a light smile crossed Thetis' beautiful features.

"What are you doing here?" Hitomi uttered, confused.

"I'm here to help you!" the goddess replied and the smile vanished, her dress swaying lightly.

"But I thought you Gods weren't allowed to help me," the green-eyed girl said, raising a brow.

"There is no time for a detailed explanation!" Thetis replied and took a step in Hitomi's direction. "Just one thing: Something had happened. Something unexpected. Nobody had seen it coming and it changes everything. Someone had entered the events and makes a mess of Destiny. You must hurry! Van is in danger!"

"I know," Hitomi said quietly and tightened the grip around the reins.

"You know?" Thetis replied and smiled again. "That's good to hear. It means you listened to my advice."

"Yes, I did," she whispered and looked to the ground.

"And you know where you'll find him?" the goddess asked and Hitomi nodded lightly.

"In my vision, he was on the battlefield when he..." she trailed off, biting her lips hard. "When it happened. I'll go there and search him with my pendant."

"You learned to use its power," Thetis stated. "Your mother would be proud."

Hitomi looked up, her eyes glistening with tears and Thetis continued.

"I'll cast a spell on you," she explained slowly. "It'll protect you until you reach the battlefield and Dust will be faster. Nobody will see nor harm you. Just call when you want that I break it. Good luck!"

Hitomi nodded and climbed on Dust's back. Grabbing the reins tightly, she looked up and her eyes widened, spotting Yukari who came running down the steps at the other end of the stables.

"Hitomi, wait!" she shouted and ran across the hall.

It was when Thetis raised her arm and they disappeared in a cloud of bluish light. Yukari stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the place where Hitomi had stood, just a few seconds ago. In contrast to Yukari, Hitomi could still see her best friend. With a smile, she watched Yukari looking desperately around. Later, she would thank the redhead for everything. Clicking her tongue, the Amazon made her horse walk through the hatch, leaving a confused Yukari behind. She was surprised when she couldn't hear or smell anything. She had expected that the noises of the night and the scent of the forest would surround her but there was nothing. No howling of wolves, no rustling in the undergrowth, no flapping of owl wings, no shouts of the crew members who were checking if the ship was alright, no scent of damp earth.

"Now go!" she heard Thetis whisper.

Shrugging it off, Hitomi spurred Dust and the horse leaped ahead, disappearing between the dark trunks of the trees. The stallion's hooves caused hollow noises on the damp and leaf-covered ground and it was the only noise she could hear. Glowing eyes appeared between the trunks of the trees and a deer looked up, its ears twitching when Hitomi rode past it but the Amazon noticed nothing of that. She was leaning flat over Dust's neck and stared ahead, urging the horse to gallop even faster. With an incredible speed they nearly flew through the forest, Dust's even but heavy breathing sounding in her ears.

They rushed through the forest, Dust jumping over innumerable obstacles and she couldn't say how long they've been ridden but suddenly she saw an orange light flicker between the trees ahead. The forest wasn't that dense anymore and Hitomi guessed they had reached its end. Slowly, the trees revealed what was situated on the plain behind them. She gasped when they entered what seemed to be a camp of Freid's soldiers. And once again, she couldn't hear anything.

She saw men waving about with their arms, yelling something but she couldn't hear. She saw the wounded laying on the ground, moaning in pain. Fires were cracking, horses snorted, armors rustled but a ghostly silence surrounded her. Dust walked across the camp and nobody seemed to notice her. At least, Thetis' spell worked and this odd silence seemed to be a consequence. The battlefield was near, she could feel it. A strange tickling sensation was crawling through her innards, something which could be described as anticipation or the knowledge that something would happen; something ominous.

Reaching the edge of the little hill range, her breath was caught in her throat and her emerald eyes widened. On the plain beneath her was the battlefield. Swords and armors sparkled in the light of the innumerable fires, burning the ground. Her hands started to shake uncontrollably, floods of memories overwhelming her. She shut her eyes tightly and tried to chase the pictures away which were rushing through her mind. A battlefield. Her mother. A sword. Blood. Her mother's blood. Broken green eyes.

She snapped out of her thoughts when Dust took a few steps ahead, encouraging her to go on. Hitomi took a deep breath and nodded. Dust was right. She should be strong. All that had happened a long time ago and she shouldn't let these memories hunt her and distract her. There was a reason that she was here and she should focus on it. There was a certain arrogant man who needed her help. And she would save his life so that she could be angry at him. She could already see the playful smile that tugged at his lips when she scolded him.

The white stallion walked down the hill at a trot and fell into gallop by reaching the plain. Hitomi's honey-blond hair swayed in the wind when they rode across the battlefield. Thousand of soldiers were fighting around them, guymelefs stomped over the ground, making the earth shake. And once again, she heard nothing. The noises had to be deafening but she couldn't hear it. The Amazon couldn't count over how many dead bodies Dust had already jumped but honestly, she didn't want to know it. She felt numb, seeing all this destruction and death.

She awoke from this daze when she spotted the first Amazon. It was a tall woman who fought against a man with a deep cut on his left cheek. She wore the usual armor and a helmet with swaying feathers, indicating that she was a general. Her left arm was covered with dirt and the armor at her legs was damaged. She must have fought for quite a long time. With a quick motion, she suddenly cut through the flesh of his stomach. Not waiting for him to fall, she jumped ahead and thrusted with her sword after the next soldier. Hitomi was just about to turn away when a dagger came out of no-where and hit her back.

With a scream, Hitomi watched the woman fall to the ground. Obviously dead. She felt an unbelievable pain emitting from her heart and anger rushing through her. Her grip around the reins was so violant that her knuckles stuck out white. Her eyes flickered around and her hands started to shake again when she saw the innumerable bodies of woman cover the ground. Coloured feathers moved in the wind, Amazon blood already cold. She probably didn't know them but they were all Amazons, her sisters.

Amazons! How much had she feared what would happen when she met the Amazons again, when they got to know what she had done! And now, she was on the battlefield and there were Amazons almost everywhere around her, absorbed in fights. Her heart suddenly started to beat violantly within her, sweat covering her forehead. The whole time, she had postponed to think about what she would do when she met them, when she had to justify her doing. She hadn't wanted to think about it. It had hurt and it had scared her. She wasn't prepared! What should she do?

Her thoughts were suddenly interupted and her eyes widened, spotting two familiar faces between the warriors. Two Amazons stood back on back, one of the women had long black hair and the other one had it short. They were holding their swords high, a group of soldiers surrounding them. The woman with the long black hair wore a helmet and the feathers on it indicated the status of a queen.

"Lea! Cassandra!" Hitomi yelled and then tilted her head backwards to look into the dark sky. "Thetis, break the spell! Make me visible!"

Yelping, she threw her hands over her ears when a roaring suddenly filled the air. Her heart was beating like crazy and she was breathing fast, smoke filling her nostrils. The spell was broken. Looking up, she saw Lea and Cassandra still surrounded by the soldiers. Gasping, she retracted her hands from her ears and dismounted Dust without hesitating. Unsheatening her sword, she ran towards the Amazons and a grim expression spread across her face. She wouldn't attack their backs like a coward. She would give them a chance to defend themselves. Even Amazons had a codex.

A battlecry escaped her lips and one of the soldiers swirled around but he had only time to gasp, before Hitomi's sword pierced through not protected skin. It wasn't her fault that he was so slow. Cassandra and Penthesilea had used the moment of surprise and had attacked themselves. Cassandra had thrusted her sword into the chest of the soldier directly in front of her who had made the mistake to look at Hitomi for a brief moment. The Queen had taken after the soldiers to her right, killing them with quick, skilled moves. 

Pulling her sword out of the enemy, Hitomi blocked the thrust of his comrade. He retracted his sword and thrusted at her again. Gritting her teeth, Hitomi dodged the attack and swirled around only to have her sword clash together with the one of the soldier again. Angrily, she leaned against him and pushed him away with all her strength. Too surprised to react, the man could only watch when Hitomi's sword hit him in the chest. With a grunt, he fell to the ground. Looking up, the green-eyed Amazon saw that Lea and Cassandra stood between the bodies of the other soldiers and looked at her with disbelief written across their faces.

"Are you alright?" she asked and slowly sheatened her blood-stained sword.

"Yeah, thanks to you," Lea spoke, walking to her. "What are you doing here, Hitomi?"

"I'm here to help..." Hitomi stopped abruptly and bit her lip.

And there she stood, in front of her Queen and substitute mother as a traitor. Yeah, she was here to help a man. But she couldn't tell her! How could she ever tell Lea that she had betrayed her teachings, that she had betrayed her Queen? She didn't want to imagine how disappointed Lea would be when she got to know what Hitomi had done, she would hate her therefore and the green-eyed Amazon wouldn't be able to bear it. She knew, she wasn't strong enough to cope with Lea's disappointment. The whole time, she had tried to impress her Queen, had wanted Lea to be proud of her. But what had she done? Hitomi had painfully disappointed her. 

"I'm here to fulfill Thetis' wish," Hitomi finally said, without looking at Lea.

She couldn't see the warm smile crossing Lea's features. "I knew I would see you once more," she said quietly. "But it means you're saying goodbye. You won't return home, will you?"

It was like a punch in the face. A look of pure shock spread across Hitomi's face. Return home! By following Van, she had decided for him and against the Amazons. There was no Van and Amazons. That would never work. She had decided without thinking about what she was sacrificing. She would never return home again. She would never see her sisters again, she would never see her tree again, she would never see Lea again. She would leave her whole life behind! It hurt and even more hurt the feelings of guilt which were nagging at the back of her head. She was supposed to be the next Queen! And she was running away like a coward!

"I know that look. Cassandra, would you please leave us alone?" Lea asked, earning a surprised look from the blue-eyed Amazon.

"Of course," Cassandra replied, patting Hitomi on the shoulder before she left for Dust. "I'm glad you're back, Hitomi."

Hitomi shut her eyes tightly. The words were like daggers in her heart, twisting around to increase the pain even more. She wouldn't only disappoint her Queen, she would disappoint all the other Amazons and her friends. They would all hate her.

"Yukari had looked the same way", the Queen interupted her thoughts, "when she had realized that she would have to leave the Amazons if she wanted to stay with...with a man."

Hitomi's head snapped up. She knew? Lea knew what Hitomi had done and still smiled? She wasn't yelling, wasn't accusing, wasn't reproaching her with the fact that she betrayed her sisters? 

"Lea, I...I didn't want to...to -" Hitomi stuttered but the Queen interupted her.

"Don't apologize, Hitomi," Lea said softly. "And please, don't feel guilty. I'm proud of you for what you did!"

"You forgive me?" Hitomi whispered. "But I betrayed everything you ever teached me! I'm a traitor!"

"You listened to your heart! I wish I had had the strength to do that," the Queen replied sadly.

"Lea, what does...?" Hitomi began but was interupted again.

"That means nothing, Hitomi," the grey-eyed woman answered. "I didn't take the opportunity when I had it and I regret it, that's all. But I hope you'll be happy with him."

"Lea," Hitomi breathed. "B-but I can't leave you alone! I-I'm supposed to be the next Queen! Who should-"

"Don't worry about that," Lea softly cut in. "Our time has come, Hitomi. We won't exist any longer. This is the last war the Amazons will fight."

"How can you say something like that?" Hitomi replied in disbelief and she felt the back of her eyes burning.

"It's the truth," the Queen answered and sighed. "Before you go I want you to promise me to take care of Gabriella. I know she followed you on her own and can't return anymore."

"I promise," the young Amazon said quietly, tears brimming in her eyes. "I guess Yukari would want me to tell you that she's doing fine."

Lea smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. I knew she would manage it. Yukari is strong," she stopped and looked down at Hitomi. "Please don't cry 'Tomi. You'll live your life no matter what happens. You're grown up and don't need me anymore. It's time that I let you go your own way."

Grey eyes widened for a brief moment and a sad smile appeared on the Queen's face. "I hadn't thought it would be that easy," she whispered and collapsed to the ground.

Hitomi screamed, spotting the two arrows sticking in Lea's back. The Amazon fell to her knees and turned the black-haired woman around, meeting broken grey eyes. Pictures swirled before her eyes. Grey eyes changed with green ones, black hair with light brown hair, her own voice drowning all the other noises around her. She kept screaming until two arms encircled her waist and dragged her away. Events were repeating themselves.

She still screamed when Cassandra had dragged her behind the remains of a guymelef in order to protect her. Hitomi stopped, Cassandra slapping her hard across the face.

"Stop it, Hitomi!" Cassandra yelled, tears brimming in her eyes. "Accept it, she's dead! Penthesilea wouldn't want you to scream and endanger yourself just because of her!"

But Hitomi wasn't listening. Her eyes were dull and an unbelievable numbness had overwhelmed her.

....................**.....................

Dust covered his view. The cries of his crew filled the air and he felt a cool breeze tickle over his face, coming from the huge hole in the wall of his fortress. Looking down his body, he saw that a thick layer of dirt was covering his dark cloak. Orders were called across the bridge while the cloud of dust slowly faded, something becoming visible. Folken stared with wide brown eyes at Escaflowne who was kneeling at the ground, covering the center of the hole, he had forced into the hull. He had searched for the dragon all these years and now he had finally come to him, brought by his brother.

"Van," Folken whispered and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Escaflowne's visor opened with a hiss and steam came out of it. Out of the corner of his eye, Folken saw that his soldiers unsheatened their swords and started to gather around the white guymelef. With a short motion of his hand, he signaled them to stop.

"Leave the bridge!" he ordered.

The soldiers looked at him in pure confusion. "But My Lord..."

"I said leave!"

Slowly, they all sheatened their swords and retreated from the guymelef. With a last glance at their Lord, they left the bridge. When the last man had exited the room, Folken turned back to Escaflowne. Yes, he wanted to deal with his brother alone. He needed no army around him to help him. Van would be no problem. His brother had had luck the first time they had met and it wouldn't work a second time. Folken would be careful.

"Folken!" Van suddenly yelled from the cockpit and jumped to the ground.

Folken watched his brother raise to his knees and glare at him. Even from this distance, he could see the hatred burn within Van's reddish-brown eyes. Old hatred which had grown with the years and was now forcing its way to the surface. A grim expression on his face, the young King of Fanelia walked towards Folken, the royal sword swaying at his belt and his fists clenched. Folken didn't move when Van approached, just waited for what he would do.

He better should have moved. With an incredible power, Van's fist collided with Folken's jaw, making his head snap to the side.

"You bastard!" Van spat.

Folken moaned and licking his lip, he wasn't surprised to taste blood. That hurt and it was a miracle that Van hadn't broken his jaw.

"Do you feel better now?" Folken asked and rubbed his cheek carefully.

"No!" Van shouted, outraged, earning a chuckle from his brother. "Do you think this is funny? Hundreds of people are dying down there and you laugh?"

"It is necessary!" Folken replied and glared at Van.

"No, it's not!" Van couldn't believe that he was so blind. "This war is useless! Just to get Escaflowne and be King of Fanelia? If that was all you wanted than why didn't you ask? The prophecy chose me to be King, and? I never asked therefore! We could have ruled Fanelia together!"

"I did ask but you refused!" Folken shouted angrily.

"Yeah, because if I had agreed back then you would have killed me nevertheless! Isn't that what Isaac had suggested you to do?" the black-haired youth asked rhetorically, attaching great importance to stressing 'suggested' in a very scornful way. "You could have asked me right after the prophecy had taken place! It would have saved a lot of trouble!"

Folken's eyes flickered for a brief moment. "But Isaac had said that-"

"Folken!" Van screamed, interupting him. "When do you finally see that he's an underhanded traitor?! He filled your mind with his lies and blinded you! Nothing of that would have happened if you hadn't listened to him! Mother and father would be alive! Vargas would be alive! You wouldn't have forced our country, Freid and Asturia into a war!"

"B-but I did it for the good of Fanelia!" Folken stuttered. "I-it was my right! You were just a child and I had to do it..."

"Is that so?" Van asked quietly, seeing the confusion in Folken's eyes. "Do you really think that Fanelia needs hatred, death and destruction? Is this war the ultimate solution? Is it necessary that you soak your hands with blood and plaster your path with dead bodies? Do you think you'll be a good King? Do you think the people will love you for ascending the throne if thousands gave their life?"

"B-but..." Folken stammered but trailed off, his eyes suddenly widening.

An unbelievable pain rushed through his body, knocking him to the ground. He felt as if he was torn to pieces, his head throbbing. A voice rang in his ears, calling his name and his heart ached even more. He wanted to scream, the pain nearly overwhelming him.He had lost something, he could feel it. He had lost someone. Someone, he adored, he respected, he had wanted to protect at any costs. He had lost someone he loved.

"Lea!" he gasped and clutched the ground.

"Lea?" Van asked, confused. "The Queen of the Amazons? What about her?"

But Folken wasn't listening. He was staring at the ground, his eyes wide and his heart beating madly. "She was so right," he whispered, more to himself. "Everything she had said was true! She had wanted to help me but I didn't want to listen to her. I hurt her. I-I never apologized. I didn't even say goodbye."

Van's eyes had widened while Folken had been speaking, realization striking him. "She's the reason why you wanted to prevent the war, why you wanted the royal sword so badly!" he said. "You didn't want her to fight. You wanted to protect her. You..."

"It is all my fault," Folken shook his head. "She's dead and it is all my fault! I never wanted that to happen! I thought it was right that way! I-I only wanted the best for my country! I thought it was the right way! I didn't see...I was so blind."

"Folken..." Van trailed of watching with surprise the lonely tear roll down Folken's cheek, by the moment his brother looked up.

And it was as if a veil was retracted from Folken's eyes and the old sparkle returned, Van had missed so much. The sparkle which made his eyes so incredibly alive, reminding Van of the times when everything had been alright and he had chased butterflies in the gardens of the palace together with his brother. And it seemed as if those thirteen years had never passed, as if this disaster had never destroyed their family but it just seemed to be that way. Their parents were dead and a catastrophe was just about to happen which would bring Gaea death.  

"It's not too late, Van!" Folken said, making Van snap out of his thoughts. He rose from the ground, a strong breeze ruffling his bluish hair and his eyes shining with life. "We can still stop this war before Freid and Asturia lose! They stand no chance against Isaac's army! He said that the soldiers were from an unknown country which is highly advanced! We must..."

Folken's eyes widened, spotting the pair of purple orbs glow in the shadows behind Van. Something silver sparkled.

"No!" he whispered. Without even thinking, Folken took a step ahead and pressed his hands flat against Van's chest, pushing him away with all his strength.

Van was too surprised by Folken's action, the power of the beat making him stumble and fall. With a thud and a groan, he hit the ground, the sound of air being cut and a gasp reaching his ears. Terrified, he looked up and met his brother's eyes, wide in disbelieve. It was completely quiet on the bridge while Van was staring at the sparkling hilt of the dagger which stuck out of Folken's chest. The hilt of the dagger which had been meant for him. With a yell, Van struggled to his feet and caught his brother who was just about to fall. Time seemed to slow down when Van sank to his knees, Folken's black cloak swirling around him. He heard his own heart pound violantly and the blood rush through his veins. With endless fear shining in his eyes, he looked down at his brother who was lying in his arms.

"Insight came late," Folken whispered, a sad smile on his lips. "I hope you can-"

He wasn't able to finish the sentence, his eyes broken and his body limp in Van's arms. The young king cried out in pain, tightening the grip around Folken. It couldn't be! That wasn't happening! He just got his brother back and now, he was losing him again! It was so damn unfair!

He couldn't cry, he couldn't mourn but only hate. He could feel nothing but hate towards the man who had done this, towards the man who was to blame for all the suffer Gaea had to go through. His head swirled around and his auburn eyes pierced the shadows beside Escaflowne. He saw the outlines of a person standing there, heavy robes covering his body. A chuckle escaped from wrinkled lips and Van wanted to ram his sword in Isaac's chest and suffocate the scornful laughter.

"Too bad," Isaac's empty voice echoed across the forsaken bridge. "But I don't need him anymore. Everything goes according to the plan."

"I knew it was you!" Van shouted, digging his fingers into the fabric of Folken's cloak. "It was you the whole time and not Folken! You used him as your puppet! And my parents knew it too! When they told me to stop him, they meant you! They were always talking about you!"

Isaac chuckled again. "And that's why they had to die," he said. "Soon whole Gaea is mine! Everything I need is Escaflowne!"

Heavy fabric rustled and Van saw the traitor flee in the shadows. "You won't get away that easily!" he yelled.

"Van Fanel!" Isaac's voice reveberated from the walls. "See you on the battlefield!"

"Wait!" Van shouted but the advisor was already gone.

Slowly, the young man turned his head back to his dead brother and his eyes saddened at once. He reached with his hand for Folken's face and carefully closed his broken eyes. His features were calm and he looked completely peaceful, as if he was sleeping. What a fallacy! He would never open his eyes again. And no matter how hard Van tried to hate his brother for what he did, to hate him so that he had no reason to mourn, he couldn't do it. He was his brother after all, his family! Folken had done all this with the best of intentions! How could he hate him therefore?   

"I'll take revenge for your death, brother," Van whispered and kissed Folken on the forehead.

Carefully, the raven-haired youth placed the body on the ground and after glancing one last time at his brother, he turned to Escaflowne. A cold smile played on his lips when he scrutinized the white guymelef. At first, he had wondered why Isaac hadn't taken Escaflowne when he had stood beside him but then he had remembered the blood pact. As long as he was alive, nobody else could pilot the guymelef. The traitor wanted Escaflowne? Fine! He would die by attempting! And with this thought, Van walked to Escaflowne, all emotions gone from his features. Stones and parts of the flying fortress were scattered around the guymelef, a layer of dust covering it and the ground. He jumped at the iron knee with no trouble at all and climbed into the cockpit.

Sliding into the seat, the visor shut with a light noise and at once, the scent of metal and old leather surrounded him. With a quick movement, he put his limbs into the devices which made his hands to Escaflowne's hands, his feet to Escaflowne's feet. The pink stone at the guymelef's chest started to glow and beat softly. Van felt the strength of the legendary machine wash through him with every beat, his own blood running through Escaflowne's veins.

Van made the guymelef rise to his feet and turned him around, overlooking the battlefield. The fires were still burning, illuminating the plains with an ominous flickering light. It was the place where Gaea's fate would be decided, a blood-soaked piece of land. But only one more time, blood needed to be shed; the blood of a traitor. And Van would take care of it. It was his task and would end his journey square across Gaea. He would fulfill the beg of his parents, would revenge their death and the one of his brother.

Taking a deep breath, Van jumped through the hole and a nocturnal breeze whistled through the visor. Escaflowe changed into a dragon and his wings catched the wind easily, making the iron beast glide over the clouds. Something to the right caught Van's attention and turning around, he spotted the dark-blue guymelef which had just left the flying fortress and knew that it was Isaac. Growling, Van pulled at the reins and forced the white dragon to turn to the right. Focusing on the fleeing form of Isaac's guymelef, Van guided Escaflowne across the sky, the wind tugging violantly at his hair. He was sure that Isaac knew that he was following closely. Dornkirk's sudden attempt on landing proved him right and he was just about to guide Escaflowne into a nose-dive when something hit him.

The impact was violant, making Van stagger on the dragon's back. The young king tugged feverishly at the reins in order to stop Escaflowne from falling but it was impossible, something pressing him merciless downwards.

"I told you we were not done, Van!" a cold voice echoed from above, making Van look up.

He met red iron. "Dilandau!" he yelled and the silver-haired youth chuckled.

Van tried to wriggle out of Dilandau's grip but it was useless. The albino had clutched the dragon's wings firmly with his iron hands and there was no way that he would let go, before they reached the ground. The battlefield came closer with every second, the noises becoming louder. A few meters above the surface of the planet, Dilandau released his grip. Van tried to prevent the crash but it wasn't enough time anymore. With a hollow noise, Escaflowne hit the ground. Stones and dust were thrown into the air and rained back down onto the ground. Luckily, Van had changed the dragon back into the guymelef so that the heavy armor could protect him from getting hurt. Angrily, he rose to his feet.

"I have no time for that now!" the young man yelled in rage, fearing that he could lose sight of Isaac.

"You won't flee, you bastard!" Dilandau shouted back and before Van could reply, a sword, made of liquid iron, smashed onto him.

Gasping, Van blocked the attack, holding Dilandau's blade between both of Escaflowne's hands. His arms started to shake, his opponent increasing the pressure on the sword. He had to do something or else Dilandau would split him in two. Gathering all his strength, Van bend the sword to the right and forced a surprised Dilandau to his knees. Hastily, Escaflowne took a few steps backwards and Van had just enough time to reach behind the dragon's back and draw his sword, when Dilandau thrusted at him again, growling. Their swords clashed together in a rain of sparks, their blades reflecting the light of the fires. Retracting their swords, they began to thrust at each other.

Van was in rage. Dilandau was wasting his time and Isaac was probably long gone. A cry on his lips, he raised his sword, intending to smash it on Dilandau but the albino had seen what Van had wanted to do and elegantly, he stepped out of the way. Van missed him and stumbled, the power of his own thrust sending him to the ground. Coughing, he rose to his knees again and looked up. Reddish-brown eyes widened by the sight of Dilandau, towering above Escaflowne, sword held high, ready for the last strike. Dilandau's sword sliced through the air and Van threw his one up, closing his eyes to protect them from sparks. He heard that swords clashed together but felt no impact. Surprised, he opened his eyes and his mouth fell open, spotting the grey guymelef whom's pilot had caught Dilandau's sword.

"Leave him to me!" a familiar voice called from out of the cockpit, making Van blink.

"Allen Shezar!" Dilandau yelled angrily. "Why do you always interfere?"

But instead of replying, Allen thrusted at Dilandau and the silver-haired soldier could do nothing but block. Van kneeled there and watched the two fight, confused. What was that about? Why did the knight interfere and why did they know each other. He turned his head away when their swords suddenly clashed together, sparks flying in every direction.

And suddenly, something hit him. Something, he had almost forgotten. Isaac! Rising to his feet, he looked around and searched for the the old man's dark guymelef. His auburn eyes scanned the battlefield, trailing over fallen guymelefs with spears in their chests or lost arms and heads. Heaps of iron, fights still being held between them. And there seemed to be no end. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but sparkling metal, soldiers in close combat and deads. His gaze rested on a guymelef who stood motionlessly on the battlefield, the fires illuminating him from behind. The pilot held his sword high, bowing lightly and Van knew that it was Isaac.

At once, his eyes darkened and unbelievable rage flooded through him. Tightening the grip around his sword, Van closed the distance between himself and the murderer of his brother running, the tip of the sword slicing the ground. A high singing noise could be heard when their swords clashed together with full force.

Hitomi awoke from her numbness with a start, emerald eyes wide.

"Van!" she gasped.

Van thrusted at Isaac again and again, giving vent to his anger. The old man had no time to attack himself, he could only block Van's fierce thrusts. The black-haired youth was in rage and he wouldn't allow his opponent to take a breath. Isaac took a few steps backwards and that motivated Van to increase his attacks even more. He was breathing heavily and his heart was pumping like mad because of all the strain but he didn't slow down. It seemed as if he was getting even stronger. It was when Isaac suddenly stumbled over a fallen guymelef while retreating.

With a swift movement, Van knocked the sword out of his hands. The grey-haired man could only watch when Escaflowne's sword slammed down onto him, cutting his left arm off his torso and slicing directly through the energist. The guymelef fell to the ground, using his intact right arm to lean on. Liquid streamed out of the torso and the visor opened with a metal click. Isaac climbed out of the cockpit and jumped to the ground, looking up at Escaflowne and waiting for Van's reaction. To his surprise, the white guymelef rammed his sword into the ground and knelt down, Van jumping to the ground as well.

Hitomi had clutched her pendant tightly. Sweat was tickling down her temples, her brows knitted in concentration.

"Hitomi, what are you doing?" Cassandra asked, watching the green-eyed girl, confused.

The Amazon didn't reply.

Van walked slowly over to where Isaac stood, unsheatening his sword. Little stones cracked under his boots, screams reaching his ears and the scent of burned ground filling his nostrils. He stopped in front of the old man and glared into his purple eyes.

"You fool!" Isaac said and unsheatened the sword which had been hidden under his robe, the blade sparkling. "You should have crushed me when you had the possibility to!"

"I can't kill you when I need to get a few answers!" Van hissed, tightening the grip around his sword and Isaac chuckled.

"Just ask, King of Fanelia!" he offered, making Van snarl.

"Who are you?" he barked.

The grey-haired man laughed loudly and then bowed deeply. "I thought you would never ask!" he said. "May I introduce myself, I'm Emperor Dornkirk of Zaibach!"

"Zaibach?" Van gasped, his auburn eyes wide. "But that's impossible! The country declined a long time ago!"

"That's correct!" Isaac replied and smiled. "But I built it up again in the shadows of the mountains without anyone noticing it! The people there were confused and lived without any rules! They needed someone who could guide them and I was there to do that! They were willing students and together we gave birth to a new Zaibach!"

"And why did you come to Fanelia as an advisor?" Van asked, totally confused.

"I knew that Zaibach wasn't the only country which needed my help!" the emperor answered and chuckled. "Every country needs my help! Entire Gaea needs a change and new rules! And I'm meant to change the planet! Everything I need is Escaflowne! The dragon will help me to make my dream of a new Gaea, a better Gaea, come true! And that's why I came to Fanelia! I knew I would find the dragon there but your parents felt that I was planning something and I had to get rid of them! Luckily, I got unexpected help from your weak brother!"

"That's not true!" Van yelled. "Folken wasn't weak! He saw that he had made a mistake and he admitted it!"

"But it was too late!" Isaac laughed. "When you die, I'll take Escaflowne and then, entire Gaea will be mine!" he explained, a mad fire burning in his eyes. "I'll end what I begun so long ago! I waited thirteen years and now, the tima had finally come!"

"No!" Van screamed and rose his sword, thrusting at Isaac.

Skilled, the old man blocked the attack and after retreating his sword, he thrusted at Van as well. The noise of their swords clashing together echoed across the plain and mixed with all the other sounds. With a mighty thrust, Van made Isaac stumble and without wasting any time, the young man swirled around and attacked again. The purple-eyed emperor recovered quickly and seeing Van's sword cut through the air in a horizontal motion, he rose his own weapon and stopped the attack. Van gritted his teeth and pressed against Isaac's sword, neither of them wanting to give way. Van saw the sweat on Dornkirk's forehead and the fire burning within his eyes, their arms shaking.

Suddenly, they jumped apart, both men panting heavily. Van had underestimated the old man. He hadn't thought that Isaac could use the sword so well. The age didn't matter. Now, they stood opposite the other one and observed each other like two predators. Slowly, they began to encircle mutually, scrutinizing. Both of them tried to see how exhausted the other one was, wanting to find a weak point while they catched their breath.

Suddenly, Van and Isaac raised their swords with a cry on their lips and trusted at each other, at the same time. Sparks flew when their swords clashed together.

Hitomi gasped and swirled around, her pendant being appearant in her mind. Without hesitating, she hastily mounted Dust. The stallion neighed in protest when she pulled at the reins and spurred him, making him sped off.

Swords slipped along each other and iron pierced through flesh, purple and auburn eyes wide. Van and Isaac froze, tightening the grip around the hilts of their swords. They stared at each other until Van's gaze dropped and seeing his sword stuck in Isaac's chest, he slowly let go of it. The grey-haired man took a step backwards, his eyes still wide in disbelieve. His grey locks were swaying in the chilly breeze and he opened his mouth to say something but everything which came over his lips was a groan. And suddenly, his purple orbs rolled back into his head and he fell to the ground, pulling the sword which he was holding tightly, out of Van's flesh.

The young man clutched his side with a yelp, stumbling backwards. An unbelievable pain emitted from his stomach and washed through his entire body. He looked down at his shaking hands and seeing that they were blood-stained, his world began to spin. His eyes flickered around, his heart beating madly and his breaths coming out fast. Not able to bear his weight anymore, his knees buckled and Van collapsed silently.

"Van!" Hitomi screamed at the top of her lungs, seeing him fall to the ground.

She was too late! She had been warned about it but she was too late! She hadn't prevented it although she had been supposed to! It was all her fault! Hadn't she been so weak, she would have been able to cope with Lea's death. It wouldn't have distracted her from her original task! Hitomi shook her head fiercly, chasing the tears away and looked ahead. 

Oh, how she had hoped. She had hoped with all her heart that it wouldn't be him. That it wouldn't be him who died. When she had seen Van's opponent fall, she had thought that she had misinterpreted her vision, that it was the grey-haired man who was supposed to die. But now that Van also had fallen to the ground...no, it couldn't be! It simply couldn't be! That wouldn't happen! She chased Dust across the uneven ground, seeing that he wasn't moving.

"Van!" she shouted again when she finally reached him, her heart not beating anymore and jumped off her horse' back. "This is all my fault!"

"Hitomi," he replied, surprised. "Why are you here?"

The Amazon dropped to her knees at his side and lifted the upper part of his body, letting his head rest in the nook of her arm. He gritted his teeth and inhaled sharply when she moved him. Alarmed, her gaze flickered along his body and tears sprang to her emerald eyes, when she spotted the blood-soaked part of his shirt, at his left side. Without hesitating, she put her right hand onto the wound, making him flinch.

"You idiot!" she scolded, her voice shaking. "Look what you've done! If you had let me come with you, that would have never happened!"

He smiled up at her, his auburn eyes sparkling and it made her heart melt. "I'm sorry, Hitomi," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

"Sorry for what?" she replied and looked him directly in the eye. "Sorry for calling everything I had been teached into question? Sorry for making me face my past by following you? For giving me orders? For being an arrogant man? For getting yourself injured?"

"I'm sorry that I can't keep my promise," he answered quietly, the cries which were filling the air almost drowning his voice.

"Which promise?" she asked weakly, the wind giving her hair a tug. "You never promised me anything."

"Remember the first night, we stayed together?" Van asked and reached up with his hand to touch her cheek.

Hitomi leaned against his gentle touch and nodded, his fingers staining her face with blood.

"I awoke because you were screaming in your sleep," he explained and kept caressing her cheek. "I was sure you had some nightmare and I tried to calm you and...and I promised that I would protect you."

"That was you?" Hitomi squeaked and sobbed, the tears starting to fall. 

She couldn't believe it! It had been him? The one who had comforted her that night, in whose arms she had felt so secure, had been him?  

Van nodded and wiped her tears away with his thumb, making it only worse. "But I can't keep it anymore," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"No!" Hitomi shook her head, determined. "I won't allow it!"

"You can't do anything to prevent it, Hitomi," Van replied and smiled sadly.

Dammit, she knew it! She felt that he was getting weaker and weaker with every second. With every heartbeat, a wave of warm blood pressed against her hand, the life seeping out of him. He was losing too fast too much blood. The grey-haired man must have cut through an artery and Van's life was literally running through her fingers. And there was nothing she could do! Nothing!

"But I could have prevented it!" Hitomi said shakily. "I was supposed to! I-I had this vision a-and I saw that you were in danger but...Gods, I'm too late! I'm too late!"

"Please don't reproach yourself because of me," Van whispered. "And even if you had been here in time, you wouldn't have been able to prevent it. It is my destiny and you can't change it."

"No no!" Hitomi shook her head again. "Thetis told me that someone had made a mess of Destiny a-and that...that...you aren't supposed to die...you..." she trailed off, seeing him smile lovingly at her. It was as if the sun broke through the clouds after a shower.

"I swear, I'll hate you if you leave me!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

Oh yes, she wished she could hate him with all her heart! It would be so much easier for her! She wouldn't feel that pain and she wouldn't cry if she just hated him! But she couldn't. Seeing him smile at her so warmly although he was in so much pain, all the anger which had built up inside her, faded away and left her weak and vulnerable.

Van chuckled at her words but it ended in a painful coughing. Hitomi turned to look at his wound when she felt that even more blood streamed through her fingers. Something encircled her heart and squeezed it violantly, making her want to scream. It hurt so much to see him like that, to see him die in her arms.

"Hitomi, before I...before I go..." he started to say when he had slightly recovered but she interupted him hastily.

"No!" she shook her head violantly and sniffed, the tears stopping to fall. "You won't go anywhere! You'll stay and tease me and drive me crazy and-" He hushed her by placing his thumb on her lips.

"Please, there is something I want to tell you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper and she nodded slowly, her heart beating like mad in her chest.

Van closed his eyes and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he would say to her. The air streamed out of his lungs and his hand slid slowly down her cheek.

"Van?" Hitomi squeaked and grabbing his hand, she pressed it against her cheek again. "Van, what do you want to tell me? I'm listening!"

He didn't reply and his chest didn't move, no essential air streaming into his lungs again.

"Van!" Hitomi yelled and shook him. "Don't die on me! Oh please, don't leave me!"

She turned around and her green eyes widened, seeing the pool of blood, Van was lying in. Too much blood. She turned back and looked at Van's handsome face. He looked so peaceful, his black eyelashes resting on his cheeks and strands of unruly hair partly covering them. Slowly, she stretched out her hand which was shaking violantly. She reached for his neck, her fears crushing her. It couldn't be! It simply couldn't be! Everything would be alright! Van would be alright! He was strong, he would survive! She wouldn't allow him to die! She touched his neck with her index and middle finger, waiting for his pulse and the seconds stretched.

Nothing.

"No," she whispered. "No!"

She continued to search at his neck. Without success. Her head snapped up and she desperately looked around, hoping to find someone who would help her. But there was nobody. Nobody did even seem to notice her. They were running past her, yelling loudly and holding their swords high into the air.

Hitomi looked down at Van again and her bottom lip started to tremble. Feeling a burning pain in the back of her eyes, the tears gathered. The world around her vanished while she was staring at his calm features. She didn't smell the disgusting scent anymore which was hovering above the battlefield. Her surroundings slowly vanished and the screams faded, sounding like they were coming from far far away. A guymelef exploded and the earth shook but she didn't even blink an eye. And ever so slowly, realization sunk in. He was dead.

Her outcry tore the monotone sound of the war and faded in the nightsky. Hitomi collapsed onto Van's chest, sobs shaking her body. She tightened the embrace around his dead body, digging her fingers into the fabric of his shirt and pulling him close to her. The Amazon rocked softly back and forth, her face burried in his chest while streams of tears were rushing unstoppably down her cheeks, her pain boundless.

....................**.....................

A beautiful white feather lay on a grey rock, somewhere lost on a huge meadow. It was moving softly in the wind when suddenly a strong breeze lifted it into the air and carried it away. The feather began to dance over the meadow, turning and swirling with the wind. It was carried over the neverending expanse of lush green grass which was swaying in the evening wind. The heads of fragile yellow flowers could be seen between the grass, allowing the wind to carry their sweet scent along with the feather. There was an obstacle but the wind blew the feather simply through the legs of the snow-white horse which was grazing peacefully at the meadow.

She sat on a small hill, the grass tickling between her fingers and a warm breeze was ruffling her light-brown hair. She was watching the sun set behind a mountain range, white houses snuggling against the cliffs in front of it. The dying light of the orange fireball was flooding the plain in front of her, the shadows of clouds travelling across it like ghosts. Something on the left suddenly caught her attention and turning around, she spotted the feather swirling around her. She stretched out her arm, catching the white thing in flight and it tickled softly her palm. Her deep green eyes inspected it closely while she was stroking the feather carefully.

"It looks like one of yours," Hitomi whispered and smiled.

....................**.....................

Thanks so much for reviewing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TennyoAngel711: LOL, I'm glad you're happy ^_^ And yes, the kiss: I truly got a 'lil inspiration from FFX!!! I love that game!!! And that kiss!! I was all sighing and such!!! *dreamy eyes* Oh well, yes Dilly is the same ^_^ There is no other way! And at least, Folken saw the light. It was too late but hey, that's Esca! No happy-end for poor Folken!! *sniffs* Didn't like what happened to him in the series!!!! So sad!!! Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you like both stories!!!! ^_^ But *uneasy laughter* now that Van is far from being alright I guess, I'm dead? *ducks*

Infinitis: *blushs* Thankiez!!! Here is more but that thing with Van...*hides behind a corner* ^_^

Night of the Raven: Thanx!!! Here is more!!

farhancharizard: Here you are!! Thankiez!!

Ryuu Angel: Hey girl!!!! Did I ever tell you that I love your long reviews??? Well, I love them!!!! Thanks so much!!! And yup, I'll be eternally grateful for reminding me of Folken and Lea!!!! ^_^ I feel kinda bad for what I did to them *sniffs* LOL, so you like the fluff *grins* I'm glad!! I laughed really hard about Van and the mirror!!! Hot demon!! Definitely!! And look!!!! I can use italics!!! YES!!! FINALLY!!! *kisses her computer and hugs Ryuu* Thanks Ms. Just-ask-and-I-find-a-solution!!!!! What would I do without you??? And LOL, the swimming thing!!! Yes, I also thought about it!! ^_^ Funny!!! Thanks again!!!! *bear hug for Ryuu*

Rani: *blushs hard* Thank you so much!!! And yeah, I noticed that I neglected the details but I hope that it was better this chapter!!! Hope you liked it!!!

Sorrow: *blushs* Thanks!!! Here is more!!!

AFCAMistress: I'm glad you like it!!! And sorry again for taking so long but I'm a little slow at writing *uneasy laughter* Hope the wait was worth it!!! ^_^ Thanks!!!

ellamoony: Thank you!! And yeah, I'm also sometimes stuck and don't know how to continue!!! Hope you get over your writer's block!!!!

SabineballZ: Hallodri!!! Sach ma, bist du irgendwie hellseherisch veranlagt oder was??? Das ist ja nicht mehr normal was du hier alles errätst!!!! *von Ohr zu Ohr grins* Ich sag dir aber nicht was richtig war!!! Ehehe *lacht nervös* Nunja, die Sache mit Van...er ist nicht direkt verletzt und auch nicht von Folken gefangen genommen worden...er ist halt...naja...tot halt. *springt kreischenderweise hinter einen Stuhl und versteckt sich* Tut mir leid!!! :P Vielen lieben dank!!! *knuddel*

CRAZY Dragon: Hi du!!! *grins* Freut mich, dass es dir gefallen hat!! Und hey, nicht verzweifeln, mir passiert so was auch nicht *seufz* Du weißt schon, See, geiler Kerl und der Rest halt *wieder seufz* ^_^ Danke!!!!

Inda: *blushs* Thank you!!!! I'm glad you like it!!! And yup, V+H forever!!!! Here is more!!!

hitomi-chan: Hiyaa!!! Not bad that you didn't review earlier!! I know that reading and then being too lazy and tired to review thing ^_^ *blushs* Glad you liked it!!! And of course, Van has a good heart!! ^_~ Never doubted it!! LOL, your favorite word again!!! ^_^ I don't mind!!! ^_^ Thanks again so much!!!!

snow blossoms:  *blushs like mad* Thankiez!!! And you have a wonderful summer too!!!!!!

hh: ^_^ Thank you!!! Here is more!!!

Scarlet Pheonix: Thanks!!! ^_^

Kim: Hey!!! Glad you like it *blushs* Thankiez!!!! Yup, Fluff rules!!!!! ^_^ And here you have more!! Hope you like it!!!

Athar-Luna: *blushs* Thank you!!! And yeah, I like Folken and Lea as a couple but look, what I did!!!! *feels bad* Man, I killed lots of main caracters!! What's gotten into me??!!! But *bursts into laughter* Allen and 'Legally Blond'!!!! Bwahahaha!!! And yup, Chid is cute!! Simply love the boy!!! And I'm glad you liked the fluff ^_______^ Here you have the next chappy!!!

BorinquenCaramel (Valerie): *blushs* Thanx for the email!!!! Here is more!!!

dark fearie: Thankiez!!! And I'm so sorry that I forgot to email you!!! You asked about the formatting thing and I forgot to email!!!! *tears her hair* I'm so sorry!!! Well I use Microsoft Word and when the chapter is finished I use this "save as webpage" (thanks to Ryuu Angel who told me about it!!!). You know what I mean? And well, then I can upload it and italics and bold appear. Hope I could help you though it was late!!! If you have any more questions just ask!!! Sorry again!!!!

sorcer girl: *blushs* Glad you like it!!! And about Hitomi's thoughts...umm, yeah, sometimes I intended to make them kinda confusing 'cause she's arguing with herself; you know this "should I follow Van or not", for example. I couldn't use italics when I wrote the first chapters and that's why I had no possibility to distinguish between her Amazon thoughts ("I should hate Van!") and well, her girl-in-love thoughts ("I want that he holds me."). Do I make sense??? But maybe there is another reason...English is my second language too!!! ^_^ So well, if there are any questions, just ask!!!

Alia: Thanks!!!!!

night-sting: Hi!!! Not bad that you didn't review the last chapter! And YES, I do like Van!!! Damn cute, the guy!!! ^_______^ And poor you!! A new school year?? Oh well, school starts here in a bit more than a week!!! *cries* I don't want to go there!!! *cries harder* ^_^ Thankiez!!!!

Silver Magiccraft: *blushs* Glad you liked it!!! Thanks!!!!!

Heavens-angel: *blushs like mad* Thank you so much!!!!

Mewtoo12345: Thanks for the email!!!

Pepper-chan: Hi!! What I think about the RPG?? Great idea!!! Though you take romance out *sniffs* Jk!!! ^_^ And yeah, it's a good idea to change the names. Did you finish the town??? I've no idea how this RPG maker works but maybe I can help somehow?

Dealer: *blushs* You like it!!! ^_^ Thankiez!!!

???: *blushs* Thank you!!! Yes, fluff!!! ^_^ And hey, I noticed something about your "name". Here, there is a detective series (books) called "Die drei Fragezeichen" ("The three question marks") LOL, I know I'm stupid but hey!! *uneasy laughter* And about Van...I think I should leave now...

B. Burns: Glad you liked it!!! The story behind Folken and Lea??? Well, they met eleven years ago during a war and fell in love! Yes, the Queen betrayed her teachings too!!! But I explained it in chap 4! And I guess that it's not possible anymore that the Queen gives her to him as a sign of peace...oh well...^_~ Hope you liked it and if there are any questions, just ask!!!!

me: Here is the update!!!!! Thanks!!!

Shirio tenshi ryu: *blushs* Thanks!!!!

Corran Nackatori: Thankiez!!! I'm so glad you like it!! Here is more and you're welcome ^___^

Lunarise: Hallöli!!! An einem Tag?? O_o Wow!!! *rot werd* Ich fühl mich geehrt!!! ^___^ Dankefein!!!!

Spirit0: ^_^ I'm glad you liked it!!! And hey, I'm also fluff addicted!!!! YAY!!! ^_^ Thanks!!

A/N: You know, I could just stop here and leave you hanging...and you know what? I'm gonna do that!!!!! Bwahahahahaha!!! Have a nice day!!!! *toddles*

Dariel ^_____________________^