"Halt!"
The huge congregation of soldiers and Draconians came to a stop. Two miles ahead of them, the capital city of Zaibach loomed out of the deepening dusk. Lights sprang up all over the city, further illuminating it in the dim light.
"We'll camp here for the night and continue on tomorrow morning," Folken informed the generals. They nodded and went to spread the word throughout the crowd. Folken looked over at Adrina, who was mounted beside him on her own horse. "Tomorrow is it. The day of glory or the day of destruction, we'll find out soon enough which."
They dismounted and walked to the carriage Van, Hitomi and Golan were traveling in. They were just climbing out as they approached. Neither Van nor Hitomi said anything as they exited the carriage and Adrina assumed they had had another fight. Ever since Hitomi had insisted on coming along and bringing Golan, she and Van had got into countless fights. They were all the same. Van would beg Hitomi to go back to Fanelia and she would refuse, stating that Golan was a Draconian and could help them destroy Zeus. They would argue and it would end with Hitomi staying and both of them angry at each other.
Van and Folken went off with Allen to discuss their attack while the tents were being erected. Folken and Adrina's tent was put up and the women went inside to wait for dinner. Golan played cheerfully on the floor as Adrina and Hitomi talked.
"Van and I had another fight," Hitomi divulged.
"I kind of figured," Adrina said.
"He just doesn't get it," Hitomi complained, "Golan and I won't be any safer in Fanelia. If the Draconians don't destroy Zeus, Fanelia is as good as gone."
"You're right," Adrina agreed, "Van just thinks of Fanelia as a safe haven."
"I know," Hitomi sighed, "I hate fighting with him but he won't let it go. I just feel like strangling him!"
Adrina laughed. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel the same way about Folken."
Hitomi smiled, but the smile quickly turned to a frown. "Today, Van suggested I take Golan and go back to earth. The sad thing is, for a split second, I almost agreed. I wanted to leave it all behind and take my son to safety. I felt so ashamed." Hitomi looked up at Adrina and there were tears in the younger woman's eyes. "Adrina, do you think we'll win? Do you think you and the others can destroy Zeus?"
"I honestly don't know," Adrina answered truthfully, "I want to believe we can do it but realistically I just don't know."
Hitomi nodded solemnly. "I don't want to admit it, but I'm afraid."
"I am too," Adrina confessed, "everyone is but the only way to conquer the fear is to confront it."
Outside, the dinner bell rang and they went out to get their meal. They were met by Van and Folken and sat down to eat together. After their dinner was finished, the two couples went their separate ways. When they parted, Van and Hitomi were speaking with each other, which was good. Folken and Adrina went to their tent to retire for the night.
"Folken," Adrina started, "what do you think our chances for success are?"
Folken looked over at the woman lying next to him. "I would say we have a fairly decent chance."
"In other words," Adrina interpreted forlornly, "we're all going to die."
"Adrina," Folken started, "I thought you had faith in your plan."
"I did," Adrina replied, "I do, it's just...There's a very real chance that none of us are going to survive this. I've already lost you twice, I can't even think of losing you when I could prevent it."
Folken wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her forehead. "Rina love, if we fail, it's not your fault."
"I just keep thinking that there is more I can do," Adrina told him.
"There is nothing more anyone can do," Folken assured, "all that could be done has been. All we can do now is execute the plan and hope it works."
"I don't want this to be the last time I fall asleep in your arms," Adrina said.
Folken made no reply and Adrina decided to get some sleep. She closed her eyes and fell into a fitful slumber.
The next morning, everyone was awakened a few hours after dawn. Breakfast was made, the tents were taken down and the wagons packed for what most assumed was the last time. The entire congregation was somber as they prepared for the final leg of their journey.
As Adrina looked around the camp at the Draconians, she wished she had convinced everyone to make the children stay behind. In Fanelia, Adrina had told the Draconians that their children should stay behind. They had refused to leave them for the same reason Hitomi had refused to leave Golan. They were Draconians as well and could help destroy the Zeus. While none of the children were quite as young as Golan, many were only a few years old. These young children played happily with their siblings or other Draconian children, blissfully unaware that they were marching to their doom.
The wagons were loaded and the host started towards the capital city of Zaibach. Adrina rode at the front of the procession with Folken, Allen and a few of the generals. Everyone was silent as they approached their destination and each person was lost in their own thoughts of sorrow and fear.
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"They are approaching the capital, my Lords," Chenley informed as he bowed before the sorcerers, "they will be here in a little over and hour."
"Good," the lead sorcerer sneered, "Let them come. Naria! Eriya!"
The two cats appeared out of the shadows and bowed. "Yes, my Lord?"
"Take your guymelefs and meet them," the sorcerer ordered, "I want their entire melef unit wiped out. I don't want to deal with it when they get here. Do not harm the Draconians."
"Yes my Lord," the sisters agreed in unison and disappeared back into the shadows.
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"What's that?"
Adrina squinted against the midday sun and followed the blonde King's finger to the direction he was pointing. Two shimmering specs had left the capital and were now rocketing towards them at super speed.
"Guymelefs," Folken answered.
"Naria and Eriya," Adrina added.
"Bring the melef units to the front," Folken told the generals, "and stop the congregation. We're under attack."
The generals nodded and rode through the people to the guymelefs. Already, the Draconians were beginning to panic and cry our in surprise. Adrina and Folken rode over to the carriage and dismounted just as Van emerged from it.
"What's going on?" he demanded.
"Naria and Eriya are closing in fast from the capital." Folken pointed over the barren land to the two guymelefs. Without a word, Van darted past Adrina, mounted her horse and took off towards the back of the congregation.
"Van!" Adrina called. She turned to Folken. "What is he doing?"
"I don't know." Folken mounted his own horse and hurried after his brother.
"M'lady."
Adrina turned and was face to face with a Draconian woman clutching her young daughter. "M'lady, what do we do?"
Adrina stared at the woman blankly for a moment, then hurried over to the wagon the woman had come from. She flipped up the driver's seat and pressed a button concealed underneath. Two poles shot down from under the wagon and embedded themselves into the ground, making it impossible for the wagon to move.
"Take your family and crawl under the wagon," Adrina instructed, "those poles in the ground will keep the wagon from moving in case the horses get spooked. Don't come out until the enemy guymelefs are dealt with."
The woman nodded and quickly ushered her children under the wagon. Adrina turned her attention to the congregation.
"Listen up everyone!" Adrina shouted, "We are under attack! To protect yourselves and your families, flip up the driver's seat of your wagon. Underneath is a button on the right hand side. Press it and two poles will secure the wagon so it won't move. Once this is done, climb under your wagon and don't come our until the threat has passed!"
Adrina knew that only those close to her had heard her instructions, so she made her way through the crowd repeating her instructions and helping the Draconians. She was soon joined by Hitomi and a few Draconians. Together, they managed to make sure the wagons were secure and the Draconians were safely underneath them. Once she was satisfied everyone was safe, Adrina and Hitomi headed back towards the carriage. The few Draconians who had helped them were already ducked under wagons.
Just as Hitomi and Adrina reached the carriage, the enemy guymelefs roared close overhead. Both women dropped to the ground and tried to shield the wailing Golan from the stirred up dust. The twin guymelefs flew over the wagons and swooped down on the melef units, disabling a few with their razor sharp claws. They then ascended into the sky and circled the congregation, preparing for another attack.
From her position on the ground, Adrina saw a very familiar shadow slide over her and Hitomi. She looked up but her vision was blinded by the light of the sun. She heard a crash above her and something big hit the dirt on the other side of the carriage. Adrina jumped up and ran around the carriage. Naria's guymelef lay in the dirt where it had fallen. The shadow passed over again and Adrina stared open-mouthed at what landed in front of her. Standing tall and proud, backlit by the sun, was Escaflowne.
The legend stated that only the King of Fanelia could pilot Escaflowne but because of the bond he had forged with it, Escaflowne only answered to Van. Adrina had not seen Escaflowne in action since the war with Zaibach and the sight of it took her breath away.
As she looked on, Naria's guymelef tried to stand. Escaflowne kicked at it but Naria's guymelef grabbed Escaflowne's foot and yanked on it, sending the white guymelef to the ground. Naria was up a second later and perched over Escaflowne threateningly, her claws raised for a strike. Without warning, another guymelef rammed into Naria, sending her guymelef sprawling. Adrian was shocked to see that the new guymelef was Sherezade.
When they left Fanelia, there were two wagons being pulled by guymelefs towards the back of the group. One Allen had brought from Asturia and the other Van ordered to be brought along. No one had ever been told what the wagons held but now Adrina knew that they had transported the two legendary guymelefs.
Adrina watched as Sherezade tangled with Naria while Escaflowne stood up. The white melef had barely regained it's feet when Eriya descended out of the sky and attacked it. The two comrades fought the sisters expertly and Adrina looked on in awe. It was almost like at dream to see the two fighting side by side again.
A crash behind her had Adrina spinning around. One of the guymelefs fell to the ground for apparently no reason. Next to it, another did the same. Adrina watched as the air rippled and the outline of a guymelef appeared vaguely. Adrina realized that Zaibach guymelefs using stealth cloaks had snuck up on them while they prepared for the attack by Naria and Eriya.
Another guymelef fell, this one landing dangerously close to a few of the wagons. Knowing that if a guymelef did land on a wagon, it would be crushed along with those under it, Adrina took off towards the battle.
"Lead them away from the wagons!" Adrina screamed as she approached, "Lead them away from the wagons!"
The guymelef pilots seemed to hear her and began to lead the invisible guymelefs away from the unarmed Draconians. Adrina stopped running and tried to catch her breath as the melef units defended against the Zaibach giants.
"Adrina, what are you doing out here in the open?"
Adrina looked up to see Folken mounted on his horse next to her.
"I...had to...tell the melefs...to stay away...from the wagons," Adrina managed through her breathlessness.
"You should be hiding somewhere where you'll be safe," Folken chided. He pulled her onto his horse and rode through the wagons back to the carriage. "Go into the carriage and wait until the threat has passed."
Adrina slipped off the horse and climbed into the carriage, pulling the door shut behind her. Hitomi and Golan were there as well. Hitomi was cradling her son gently and looking out the window at the battle between the twins and Van and Allen. Adrina joined her at the window and stared out as the guymelefs attacked and defended.
As they watched, the battle escalated. The twins had obviously trained more with their guymelefs and were giving the two men a workout. The melefs struck and defended with almost super speed. Eriya lunged at Allen but he was too fast. He rammed Sherezade's sword through the head of Eriya's guymelef. Sparks flew as the melef was incapacitated. Sherezade removed it's sword and the gold guymelef began to fall.
Adrina and Hitomi looked up, stunned, as the guymelef began to fall right towards them. Adrina snapped out of it first and grabbed Hitomi's arm
"Go!" she shouted. Hitomi seemed not to understand for a second, then realization dawned on her face and she dashed to the door. The two women scrambled out of the carriage and ran as fast as they could away from it. Not a second after they had gotten safely away, the gold guymelef landed on the carriage, crushing it to pieces.
The women coughed as the dust from the fallen guymelef surrounded them. When it cleared they could see that the battle continued and the odds were in favor of the men. Despite her almost impending doom, Naria fought still and perhaps with even more skill than before her sister fell.
Adrina looked over the fallen gold guymelef and seeing no signs of life, they turned their backs to it to watch the fight. Neither woman saw the control chamber open or the gold twin emerge. In fact, they weren't aware of Eriya's presence until she crept up behind them and grabbed Hitomi. The younger woman screamed and Adrina turned just in time to see Eriya dig her claws into Hitomi's neck. Eriya released her and stepped back. Blood spurted from the open hole in her throat and Hitomi and her baby fell to the ground.
"Hitomi!"
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi jumped as Adrina touched her arm. She had the glazed look and distant gaze that Adrina recognized all too well.
"Hitomi, what is it?" Adrina prodded, "what did you see?"
"Eriya..." Hitomi trailed off. Her face was pale and she was shaking.
"Eriya?" Adrina turned and was surprised to see the golden haired twin sneaking up on them. She stopped when she realized she had been spotted.
Adrina wasted no time drawing her sword. "I should've known you weren't dead."
"Do you think I'd let that blond haired sissy boy beat me?" Eriya sneered.
"No," Adrina admitted, "but you would've been better off if you had stayed in your guymelef until we were gone."
"And why is that?" Eriya laughed, "Are you going to kill me?"
"It seems as though I don't have a choice," Adrina stated.
"Foolish girl," Eriya taunted, "You can't kill me!"
"I admit, it seems to be quite difficult," Adrina said, "you are like a roach. Unfortunately for you, I'm the exterminator."
Eriya threw back her head and laughed. "Let's see what you've got, Queen Adrina."
Eriya sprinted across the short distance between them and lunged at Adrina. Adrina sidestepped and Eriya flew past her, stumbling slightly. She regained her balance and spun around, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Adrina stood motionless, her sword held in front of her. Without a word, the two females charged at each other. Sparks flew as Adrina's sword collided with Eriya's mechanical arm. Eriya swung her arm out, causing Adrina to take a few steps back.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to beat me," Eriya smirked.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to stay alive," Adrina shot back.
Eriya charged Adrina again and swung with her claws. Adrina blocked with her sword and sliced open the cat woman's cheek. Eriya shrieked and stepped back. Adrina could see the anger and hatred burning in her crimson eyes as Eriya glared at her.
"You'll pay for that," Eriya vowed. She swung at Adrina again, who instinctively used her sword to block. Unfortunately, that's what Eriya wanted. The force of the blow knocked the sword from Adrina's hand and sent it clattering to the ground about ten feet away. Before she could even think of retrieving it, Eriya pounced on her and knocked her to the ground. The cat woman perched on Adrina's chest, pining her to the dirt.
"Looks like I win again," Eriya announced and raised her mechanical arm. The six-inch claws sprang out with a metallic scrape.
Adrina began feeling around on the ground for something she could use as a weapon to defend herself. Her hand closed over a large rock and she swung her arm with full force towards Eriya. The rock smashed into the feline's head and she flew off of Adrina.
Wasting no time, Adrina rolled across the ground to her sword. Her hand closed around the hilt and she rolled over onto her back. Her eyes widened as she saw Eriya in the air above her. The golden haired woman landed hard on Adrina. Suddenly, her eyes went wide and she gasped as her eyes looked down. Adrina was confused and followed Eriya's gaze. She was shocked to find her sword was jammed into Eriya's chest. As she watched, bright red blood oozed around the sword and fell onto Adrina.
When the hot drops hit Adrina, she snapped out of her stupor. She pushed Eriya off of her and withdrew her sword as she got to her feet. The cat woman fell to the ground and covered the wound with her good hand. The blood pumped out anyway and seeped through her fingers. Adrina looked down at the sword in her hand and with disgust, flung it to the dirt.
"Naria," Eriya whispered hoarsely and turned her head so she could see the battle. Adrina followed suit and saw Escaflowne's sword was stuck into the silver guymelef's control chamber. The sword was withdrawn and the guymelef crashed to the ground.
"Naria," Eriya repeated. She looked back at Adrina, her eyes glazed. "Please. Please bring my sister to me so we don't have to die alone."
Adrina nodded and ran over to where Naria's guymelef lay. Van had exited the Escaflowne and was opening the control chamber of the silver melef.
"Van!" Adrina called, "Van, get her out of there!"
"What?" Van looked down at Adrina like she was crazy. "Why?"
"Eriya's dying," Adrina informed, "she doesn't want to die alone!"
Van stared down at her for a second, then scooped the injured Naria out of the melef and climbed down. Adrina could see that Naria's wound was much worse than Eriya's and she didn't protest as Van took her to her sister. He laid the silver twin in the dirt next to her gold counterpart.
"Naria," Eriya entwined her fingers with her sister.
"Eriya," Naria murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Finally, we can rest," Eriya said, "no more fighting."
"And we can see Mama and Papa again," Naria added weakly.
Eriya smiled and looked up at Adrina. "Please, tell Lord Folken we're sorry for everything. Our minds were clouded, but we see clearly now. Will you tell him?"
"Yes," Adrina replied, tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked up at Hitomi, who had joined her and Van from the place she had hidden when Eriya attacked. She too had tears in her eyes.
"Hold on to me, Naru-Naru," Eriya instructed, "We don't want to be separated it the afterlife."
"I am, Belle-Belle," Naria promised.
Both sisters closed their eyes and died at the exact same moment. Adrina bowed her head and said a prayer for the twins as tears poured from her eyes. She didn't know how long she sat there, mourning their passing but the next thing she knew, someone was calling her name. She looked up and saw Folken standing next to her.
"Adrina," Folken said. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"Folken, I'm so sorry," Adrina cried.
"Sssh, love, it's all right," he comforted.
"I...I killed her!" Adrina stammered, "I killed Eriya!"
"It's all right," Folken soothed, "It was unavoidable. She would've killed you if she could have."
Adrina took a deep breath and slowed her tears. She pulled back slightly and looked up at Folken. "They wanted me to tell you that they were sorry for everything."
Folken nodded and a single tear rolled down his own cheek. He wiped it away quickly and turned to a few soldiers standing behind him. "Wrap their bodies in blankets and load them into the wagon. Do not separate them."
The soldiers nodded and hurried off to the supply wagons. They returned a few minutes later with some blankets. They carefully wrapped the twins' bodies in the blankets and carried them back to the wagons.
Once they were gone, Folken turned to Adrina. "We should get moving again."
Adrina nodded numbly and turned to where her horse was being held by a soldier. She walked over to him and stopped when she saw her sword lying in the dirt. She bent and picked it up. The end was still wet with Eriya's blood. She closed her eyes for a second, then wiped the blood on a cloth she took from her pocket. When the sword was clean, she sheathed it and dropped the cloth to the ground.
The wagons were loaded and mobilized again. Allen decided to stay in Sherezade in case they were attacked and Van thought it best to pilot Escaflowne as well. Since the carriage had been destroyed, Hitomi and Golan were riding in a wagon with the other Draconians. As soon as everyone was settled and ready, the procession started off towards the capital city once again.
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I thought this was going to be the last chapter, but I wanted to end this one with the deaths of Naria and Eriya. The names that they call each other right before they die are the names they were given at birth before Folken renamed them. I just had to add Escaflowne into this chapter. I mean, come on, what's an Escaflowne fic without Escaflowne? Sherezade was there just to even the odds with Naria and Eriya. The next chapter is the last one (except for a short epilogue) and is pretty short. The showdown with the sorcerers and Zeus! Dun dun dun! Will our heroes survive it? Or will they all fall before the mighty Zeus? Read and find out!!!
The huge congregation of soldiers and Draconians came to a stop. Two miles ahead of them, the capital city of Zaibach loomed out of the deepening dusk. Lights sprang up all over the city, further illuminating it in the dim light.
"We'll camp here for the night and continue on tomorrow morning," Folken informed the generals. They nodded and went to spread the word throughout the crowd. Folken looked over at Adrina, who was mounted beside him on her own horse. "Tomorrow is it. The day of glory or the day of destruction, we'll find out soon enough which."
They dismounted and walked to the carriage Van, Hitomi and Golan were traveling in. They were just climbing out as they approached. Neither Van nor Hitomi said anything as they exited the carriage and Adrina assumed they had had another fight. Ever since Hitomi had insisted on coming along and bringing Golan, she and Van had got into countless fights. They were all the same. Van would beg Hitomi to go back to Fanelia and she would refuse, stating that Golan was a Draconian and could help them destroy Zeus. They would argue and it would end with Hitomi staying and both of them angry at each other.
Van and Folken went off with Allen to discuss their attack while the tents were being erected. Folken and Adrina's tent was put up and the women went inside to wait for dinner. Golan played cheerfully on the floor as Adrina and Hitomi talked.
"Van and I had another fight," Hitomi divulged.
"I kind of figured," Adrina said.
"He just doesn't get it," Hitomi complained, "Golan and I won't be any safer in Fanelia. If the Draconians don't destroy Zeus, Fanelia is as good as gone."
"You're right," Adrina agreed, "Van just thinks of Fanelia as a safe haven."
"I know," Hitomi sighed, "I hate fighting with him but he won't let it go. I just feel like strangling him!"
Adrina laughed. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel the same way about Folken."
Hitomi smiled, but the smile quickly turned to a frown. "Today, Van suggested I take Golan and go back to earth. The sad thing is, for a split second, I almost agreed. I wanted to leave it all behind and take my son to safety. I felt so ashamed." Hitomi looked up at Adrina and there were tears in the younger woman's eyes. "Adrina, do you think we'll win? Do you think you and the others can destroy Zeus?"
"I honestly don't know," Adrina answered truthfully, "I want to believe we can do it but realistically I just don't know."
Hitomi nodded solemnly. "I don't want to admit it, but I'm afraid."
"I am too," Adrina confessed, "everyone is but the only way to conquer the fear is to confront it."
Outside, the dinner bell rang and they went out to get their meal. They were met by Van and Folken and sat down to eat together. After their dinner was finished, the two couples went their separate ways. When they parted, Van and Hitomi were speaking with each other, which was good. Folken and Adrina went to their tent to retire for the night.
"Folken," Adrina started, "what do you think our chances for success are?"
Folken looked over at the woman lying next to him. "I would say we have a fairly decent chance."
"In other words," Adrina interpreted forlornly, "we're all going to die."
"Adrina," Folken started, "I thought you had faith in your plan."
"I did," Adrina replied, "I do, it's just...There's a very real chance that none of us are going to survive this. I've already lost you twice, I can't even think of losing you when I could prevent it."
Folken wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her forehead. "Rina love, if we fail, it's not your fault."
"I just keep thinking that there is more I can do," Adrina told him.
"There is nothing more anyone can do," Folken assured, "all that could be done has been. All we can do now is execute the plan and hope it works."
"I don't want this to be the last time I fall asleep in your arms," Adrina said.
Folken made no reply and Adrina decided to get some sleep. She closed her eyes and fell into a fitful slumber.
The next morning, everyone was awakened a few hours after dawn. Breakfast was made, the tents were taken down and the wagons packed for what most assumed was the last time. The entire congregation was somber as they prepared for the final leg of their journey.
As Adrina looked around the camp at the Draconians, she wished she had convinced everyone to make the children stay behind. In Fanelia, Adrina had told the Draconians that their children should stay behind. They had refused to leave them for the same reason Hitomi had refused to leave Golan. They were Draconians as well and could help destroy the Zeus. While none of the children were quite as young as Golan, many were only a few years old. These young children played happily with their siblings or other Draconian children, blissfully unaware that they were marching to their doom.
The wagons were loaded and the host started towards the capital city of Zaibach. Adrina rode at the front of the procession with Folken, Allen and a few of the generals. Everyone was silent as they approached their destination and each person was lost in their own thoughts of sorrow and fear.
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"They are approaching the capital, my Lords," Chenley informed as he bowed before the sorcerers, "they will be here in a little over and hour."
"Good," the lead sorcerer sneered, "Let them come. Naria! Eriya!"
The two cats appeared out of the shadows and bowed. "Yes, my Lord?"
"Take your guymelefs and meet them," the sorcerer ordered, "I want their entire melef unit wiped out. I don't want to deal with it when they get here. Do not harm the Draconians."
"Yes my Lord," the sisters agreed in unison and disappeared back into the shadows.
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"What's that?"
Adrina squinted against the midday sun and followed the blonde King's finger to the direction he was pointing. Two shimmering specs had left the capital and were now rocketing towards them at super speed.
"Guymelefs," Folken answered.
"Naria and Eriya," Adrina added.
"Bring the melef units to the front," Folken told the generals, "and stop the congregation. We're under attack."
The generals nodded and rode through the people to the guymelefs. Already, the Draconians were beginning to panic and cry our in surprise. Adrina and Folken rode over to the carriage and dismounted just as Van emerged from it.
"What's going on?" he demanded.
"Naria and Eriya are closing in fast from the capital." Folken pointed over the barren land to the two guymelefs. Without a word, Van darted past Adrina, mounted her horse and took off towards the back of the congregation.
"Van!" Adrina called. She turned to Folken. "What is he doing?"
"I don't know." Folken mounted his own horse and hurried after his brother.
"M'lady."
Adrina turned and was face to face with a Draconian woman clutching her young daughter. "M'lady, what do we do?"
Adrina stared at the woman blankly for a moment, then hurried over to the wagon the woman had come from. She flipped up the driver's seat and pressed a button concealed underneath. Two poles shot down from under the wagon and embedded themselves into the ground, making it impossible for the wagon to move.
"Take your family and crawl under the wagon," Adrina instructed, "those poles in the ground will keep the wagon from moving in case the horses get spooked. Don't come out until the enemy guymelefs are dealt with."
The woman nodded and quickly ushered her children under the wagon. Adrina turned her attention to the congregation.
"Listen up everyone!" Adrina shouted, "We are under attack! To protect yourselves and your families, flip up the driver's seat of your wagon. Underneath is a button on the right hand side. Press it and two poles will secure the wagon so it won't move. Once this is done, climb under your wagon and don't come our until the threat has passed!"
Adrina knew that only those close to her had heard her instructions, so she made her way through the crowd repeating her instructions and helping the Draconians. She was soon joined by Hitomi and a few Draconians. Together, they managed to make sure the wagons were secure and the Draconians were safely underneath them. Once she was satisfied everyone was safe, Adrina and Hitomi headed back towards the carriage. The few Draconians who had helped them were already ducked under wagons.
Just as Hitomi and Adrina reached the carriage, the enemy guymelefs roared close overhead. Both women dropped to the ground and tried to shield the wailing Golan from the stirred up dust. The twin guymelefs flew over the wagons and swooped down on the melef units, disabling a few with their razor sharp claws. They then ascended into the sky and circled the congregation, preparing for another attack.
From her position on the ground, Adrina saw a very familiar shadow slide over her and Hitomi. She looked up but her vision was blinded by the light of the sun. She heard a crash above her and something big hit the dirt on the other side of the carriage. Adrina jumped up and ran around the carriage. Naria's guymelef lay in the dirt where it had fallen. The shadow passed over again and Adrina stared open-mouthed at what landed in front of her. Standing tall and proud, backlit by the sun, was Escaflowne.
The legend stated that only the King of Fanelia could pilot Escaflowne but because of the bond he had forged with it, Escaflowne only answered to Van. Adrina had not seen Escaflowne in action since the war with Zaibach and the sight of it took her breath away.
As she looked on, Naria's guymelef tried to stand. Escaflowne kicked at it but Naria's guymelef grabbed Escaflowne's foot and yanked on it, sending the white guymelef to the ground. Naria was up a second later and perched over Escaflowne threateningly, her claws raised for a strike. Without warning, another guymelef rammed into Naria, sending her guymelef sprawling. Adrian was shocked to see that the new guymelef was Sherezade.
When they left Fanelia, there were two wagons being pulled by guymelefs towards the back of the group. One Allen had brought from Asturia and the other Van ordered to be brought along. No one had ever been told what the wagons held but now Adrina knew that they had transported the two legendary guymelefs.
Adrina watched as Sherezade tangled with Naria while Escaflowne stood up. The white melef had barely regained it's feet when Eriya descended out of the sky and attacked it. The two comrades fought the sisters expertly and Adrina looked on in awe. It was almost like at dream to see the two fighting side by side again.
A crash behind her had Adrina spinning around. One of the guymelefs fell to the ground for apparently no reason. Next to it, another did the same. Adrina watched as the air rippled and the outline of a guymelef appeared vaguely. Adrina realized that Zaibach guymelefs using stealth cloaks had snuck up on them while they prepared for the attack by Naria and Eriya.
Another guymelef fell, this one landing dangerously close to a few of the wagons. Knowing that if a guymelef did land on a wagon, it would be crushed along with those under it, Adrina took off towards the battle.
"Lead them away from the wagons!" Adrina screamed as she approached, "Lead them away from the wagons!"
The guymelef pilots seemed to hear her and began to lead the invisible guymelefs away from the unarmed Draconians. Adrina stopped running and tried to catch her breath as the melef units defended against the Zaibach giants.
"Adrina, what are you doing out here in the open?"
Adrina looked up to see Folken mounted on his horse next to her.
"I...had to...tell the melefs...to stay away...from the wagons," Adrina managed through her breathlessness.
"You should be hiding somewhere where you'll be safe," Folken chided. He pulled her onto his horse and rode through the wagons back to the carriage. "Go into the carriage and wait until the threat has passed."
Adrina slipped off the horse and climbed into the carriage, pulling the door shut behind her. Hitomi and Golan were there as well. Hitomi was cradling her son gently and looking out the window at the battle between the twins and Van and Allen. Adrina joined her at the window and stared out as the guymelefs attacked and defended.
As they watched, the battle escalated. The twins had obviously trained more with their guymelefs and were giving the two men a workout. The melefs struck and defended with almost super speed. Eriya lunged at Allen but he was too fast. He rammed Sherezade's sword through the head of Eriya's guymelef. Sparks flew as the melef was incapacitated. Sherezade removed it's sword and the gold guymelef began to fall.
Adrina and Hitomi looked up, stunned, as the guymelef began to fall right towards them. Adrina snapped out of it first and grabbed Hitomi's arm
"Go!" she shouted. Hitomi seemed not to understand for a second, then realization dawned on her face and she dashed to the door. The two women scrambled out of the carriage and ran as fast as they could away from it. Not a second after they had gotten safely away, the gold guymelef landed on the carriage, crushing it to pieces.
The women coughed as the dust from the fallen guymelef surrounded them. When it cleared they could see that the battle continued and the odds were in favor of the men. Despite her almost impending doom, Naria fought still and perhaps with even more skill than before her sister fell.
Adrina looked over the fallen gold guymelef and seeing no signs of life, they turned their backs to it to watch the fight. Neither woman saw the control chamber open or the gold twin emerge. In fact, they weren't aware of Eriya's presence until she crept up behind them and grabbed Hitomi. The younger woman screamed and Adrina turned just in time to see Eriya dig her claws into Hitomi's neck. Eriya released her and stepped back. Blood spurted from the open hole in her throat and Hitomi and her baby fell to the ground.
"Hitomi!"
"Hitomi?"
Hitomi jumped as Adrina touched her arm. She had the glazed look and distant gaze that Adrina recognized all too well.
"Hitomi, what is it?" Adrina prodded, "what did you see?"
"Eriya..." Hitomi trailed off. Her face was pale and she was shaking.
"Eriya?" Adrina turned and was surprised to see the golden haired twin sneaking up on them. She stopped when she realized she had been spotted.
Adrina wasted no time drawing her sword. "I should've known you weren't dead."
"Do you think I'd let that blond haired sissy boy beat me?" Eriya sneered.
"No," Adrina admitted, "but you would've been better off if you had stayed in your guymelef until we were gone."
"And why is that?" Eriya laughed, "Are you going to kill me?"
"It seems as though I don't have a choice," Adrina stated.
"Foolish girl," Eriya taunted, "You can't kill me!"
"I admit, it seems to be quite difficult," Adrina said, "you are like a roach. Unfortunately for you, I'm the exterminator."
Eriya threw back her head and laughed. "Let's see what you've got, Queen Adrina."
Eriya sprinted across the short distance between them and lunged at Adrina. Adrina sidestepped and Eriya flew past her, stumbling slightly. She regained her balance and spun around, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Adrina stood motionless, her sword held in front of her. Without a word, the two females charged at each other. Sparks flew as Adrina's sword collided with Eriya's mechanical arm. Eriya swung her arm out, causing Adrina to take a few steps back.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to beat me," Eriya smirked.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to stay alive," Adrina shot back.
Eriya charged Adrina again and swung with her claws. Adrina blocked with her sword and sliced open the cat woman's cheek. Eriya shrieked and stepped back. Adrina could see the anger and hatred burning in her crimson eyes as Eriya glared at her.
"You'll pay for that," Eriya vowed. She swung at Adrina again, who instinctively used her sword to block. Unfortunately, that's what Eriya wanted. The force of the blow knocked the sword from Adrina's hand and sent it clattering to the ground about ten feet away. Before she could even think of retrieving it, Eriya pounced on her and knocked her to the ground. The cat woman perched on Adrina's chest, pining her to the dirt.
"Looks like I win again," Eriya announced and raised her mechanical arm. The six-inch claws sprang out with a metallic scrape.
Adrina began feeling around on the ground for something she could use as a weapon to defend herself. Her hand closed over a large rock and she swung her arm with full force towards Eriya. The rock smashed into the feline's head and she flew off of Adrina.
Wasting no time, Adrina rolled across the ground to her sword. Her hand closed around the hilt and she rolled over onto her back. Her eyes widened as she saw Eriya in the air above her. The golden haired woman landed hard on Adrina. Suddenly, her eyes went wide and she gasped as her eyes looked down. Adrina was confused and followed Eriya's gaze. She was shocked to find her sword was jammed into Eriya's chest. As she watched, bright red blood oozed around the sword and fell onto Adrina.
When the hot drops hit Adrina, she snapped out of her stupor. She pushed Eriya off of her and withdrew her sword as she got to her feet. The cat woman fell to the ground and covered the wound with her good hand. The blood pumped out anyway and seeped through her fingers. Adrina looked down at the sword in her hand and with disgust, flung it to the dirt.
"Naria," Eriya whispered hoarsely and turned her head so she could see the battle. Adrina followed suit and saw Escaflowne's sword was stuck into the silver guymelef's control chamber. The sword was withdrawn and the guymelef crashed to the ground.
"Naria," Eriya repeated. She looked back at Adrina, her eyes glazed. "Please. Please bring my sister to me so we don't have to die alone."
Adrina nodded and ran over to where Naria's guymelef lay. Van had exited the Escaflowne and was opening the control chamber of the silver melef.
"Van!" Adrina called, "Van, get her out of there!"
"What?" Van looked down at Adrina like she was crazy. "Why?"
"Eriya's dying," Adrina informed, "she doesn't want to die alone!"
Van stared down at her for a second, then scooped the injured Naria out of the melef and climbed down. Adrina could see that Naria's wound was much worse than Eriya's and she didn't protest as Van took her to her sister. He laid the silver twin in the dirt next to her gold counterpart.
"Naria," Eriya entwined her fingers with her sister.
"Eriya," Naria murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Finally, we can rest," Eriya said, "no more fighting."
"And we can see Mama and Papa again," Naria added weakly.
Eriya smiled and looked up at Adrina. "Please, tell Lord Folken we're sorry for everything. Our minds were clouded, but we see clearly now. Will you tell him?"
"Yes," Adrina replied, tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked up at Hitomi, who had joined her and Van from the place she had hidden when Eriya attacked. She too had tears in her eyes.
"Hold on to me, Naru-Naru," Eriya instructed, "We don't want to be separated it the afterlife."
"I am, Belle-Belle," Naria promised.
Both sisters closed their eyes and died at the exact same moment. Adrina bowed her head and said a prayer for the twins as tears poured from her eyes. She didn't know how long she sat there, mourning their passing but the next thing she knew, someone was calling her name. She looked up and saw Folken standing next to her.
"Adrina," Folken said. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"Folken, I'm so sorry," Adrina cried.
"Sssh, love, it's all right," he comforted.
"I...I killed her!" Adrina stammered, "I killed Eriya!"
"It's all right," Folken soothed, "It was unavoidable. She would've killed you if she could have."
Adrina took a deep breath and slowed her tears. She pulled back slightly and looked up at Folken. "They wanted me to tell you that they were sorry for everything."
Folken nodded and a single tear rolled down his own cheek. He wiped it away quickly and turned to a few soldiers standing behind him. "Wrap their bodies in blankets and load them into the wagon. Do not separate them."
The soldiers nodded and hurried off to the supply wagons. They returned a few minutes later with some blankets. They carefully wrapped the twins' bodies in the blankets and carried them back to the wagons.
Once they were gone, Folken turned to Adrina. "We should get moving again."
Adrina nodded numbly and turned to where her horse was being held by a soldier. She walked over to him and stopped when she saw her sword lying in the dirt. She bent and picked it up. The end was still wet with Eriya's blood. She closed her eyes for a second, then wiped the blood on a cloth she took from her pocket. When the sword was clean, she sheathed it and dropped the cloth to the ground.
The wagons were loaded and mobilized again. Allen decided to stay in Sherezade in case they were attacked and Van thought it best to pilot Escaflowne as well. Since the carriage had been destroyed, Hitomi and Golan were riding in a wagon with the other Draconians. As soon as everyone was settled and ready, the procession started off towards the capital city once again.
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I thought this was going to be the last chapter, but I wanted to end this one with the deaths of Naria and Eriya. The names that they call each other right before they die are the names they were given at birth before Folken renamed them. I just had to add Escaflowne into this chapter. I mean, come on, what's an Escaflowne fic without Escaflowne? Sherezade was there just to even the odds with Naria and Eriya. The next chapter is the last one (except for a short epilogue) and is pretty short. The showdown with the sorcerers and Zeus! Dun dun dun! Will our heroes survive it? Or will they all fall before the mighty Zeus? Read and find out!!!