Chapter 2 - Prophecy

'Merle, I am sorry but could you have my horse returned to its stable… I need to go somewhere else' stated the young king.  

'Sure.' She replied to the lad in front of her. 'Be careful, Lord Van' as she gave him a hug.

'Don't worry, I am just going to do some thinking on my own…'

Van went to a secluded area in the castle. The area where only a few were allowed—The Shrine of Escaflowne. There, his father, the former king of Fanelia lies. There are also two tombs beside it… one for his mother and one for his brother. Simply put, it was his whole family. Only, the two tombs were empty—his brother, the supposed king never returned from the Dragon-slaying ritual. For the Fanelians he died. For Van though, he betrayed his own kingdom. His mother mysteriously disappeared, many speculated that she went out searching for her lost son. The truth however, will be known soon. Whenever he is feeling lonely, he goes here, trying to make sense out of things that are occurring in his life, hoping to find answers to his many questions. Just is the case now. From his pocket he took out something round and shiny as if it was a jewel. It is a drag-energist. It could only be obtained from the hearts of the dragon and be held by the King of Fanelia. For it holds the key—the key to activate the Hispano Guymelif Escaflowne. He held it in his hand and stared at it. He then saw a white feather falling from above blown by the wind. He was used to seeing feathers as he bears them, but he was the only person inside and he sure did not bring out his wings. He followed it until it reached an old wall. He noticed there were something encrypted on it. He touched the ruin and began reading it. It was the same ruin Balgus saw. The same set of words—the Prophecy of Fanelia. Then the letters alighted and he was engulfed by the light…before he could surmise as to what is happening—

OUCH!

Two bodies that collided are now on the sidewalk. Both of them feeling the impact of the collision.

'What the—Where am I?' Van felt his head as he tried to get up. Then he saw another person right beside him, also trying to figure out what just happened.

'Hey, you lady! Watch where you are going!'

'This sure is not my day…hmm…falling for the second time! And I call myself an athlete!' Hitomi was talking to herself. She has already gotten her balance and managed to stand up. She has no idea someone was talking to her…

'Hey! Are you even listening, woman!' Van patted Hitomi's shoulder with force—enough to get her attention.

'How dare you!' Hitomi was both furious and surprised.

'You should have been looking on where you're heading!'

'What? Excuse me, sir, as far as I am concerned it takes TWO unaware and unprepared people to collide. What kind of a man are you? The least you could have done was say Sorry! And how am I supposed to know that you would actually appearing out of the blue?' Hitomi sure was raging that she did not realizing what she just said.

'Appeared out of the blue?' Van's attention was captured by Hitomi's last sentence. Only then did he bother to look at his surroundings. It sure looks different—entirely different from any place he has ever been.

'Hey, where am I?' he inquired.

'why? Don't tell me you're lost?' she wanted to laugh at him for she thinks he deserved it for being so arrogant.

'Just tell me where the heck I am, will you?' he insisted.

'Why should I? you got yourself here on your own, go figure it yourself!' she turned her back on him and went towards the gate.

'Hey, wait!' He grabbed Hitomi's arm

SLAP!

'First of all, I have a name—its Hitomi. I don't know what planet you came from but I surely suggest you try acquiring some manners! You don't treat other people like as if they are your servants! Who do you think you are, a king!!!'

Van was shocked by what Hitomi did to him. Somehow, he felt bad for how he had been acting.

'Hitomi' a woman' s voice surfaced. It was Hitomi's mom. at her back is Balgus. Apparently, they had overheard the encounter between the two youngsters.

'It looks like, they have finally met' Balgus whispered to the woman in front of him, grinning, the latter nodded.

'Why don't you freshen up first, honey, while I get some tea for our visitors.'

'okay' Hitomi obediently agreed to her mother who then turned her attention to the two men.

'Please take a seat first. I would just get some tea'

'Thank you, milady' Balgus said.

Van was quiet. He was observing his surroundings when his vision fixed into the stairways, not because of the ornaments but because of the person who was treading it. That person is the only person who has ever slapped him, but he did not feel any bit of angst towards her…

'Ehem…'

'Yes, Balgus? You were saying something?'

'No, I was just about to. So, do you plan on telling me what just happened?'

'That was nothing… just had some misunderstanding…'

'Oh, I see. Some misunderstanding it was, getting yourself slapped.' He was beginning to laugh.

'it's not funny.'

Moments later, both Hitomi and her mom arrived and they all drank tea. The two adults explained to the two youngsters the situation—the prophecy of Fanelia. Although Van could not recall his family telling him about it… he admitted that he has heard of it from her mother once. Hitomi was quiet most of the time limiting her words to yes and okay.

'we would be returning here, after two years to accompany Lady Hitomi back to Fanelia… by then we could start the preparations for the wedding.'

'I thought they would be wed when they both reach 18?'

'Yes, milady. However, all women who are to be queen must be learn things on being a Queen for it is not an easy task. Especially with her case, she is not familiar with the traditions and customs of our land…'

'I understand.' Hitomi answered instead of her mother.

'in two years then.' Balgus stated. He then looked at Van as if signaling something.

'In behalf of my people, I would like to thank you for your kindness.' Van kneeled down in front of the two women who were quite surprised by his actions.

'And…'

He looked at Hitomi directly gazing at her emerald eyes. 'I am sorry for the rudeness I have shown you.'

'it's alright.' She smiled at her.

Van stood up. They were ready to leave.

'Nice to meet you, Van Fanel' she extended her right hand offering the young king a hand shake to which he gladly obliged.

'Same here, Hitomi Kanzaki.' As their hands touched, they saw traces of people flashing before them. They could not figure out what those are except that there is a pillar of light… and there were people… the number uncertain… then they saw two small figures floating in the air as if flying… one bore wings the other did not…

Then everthing disappeared. Both the energist and pendant shone. Next thing they knew, Van and Balgus were transported to back to Fanelia leaving Hitomi and her mother behind in their home.