Chapter 3: Of Dreams and Reality

Hitomi found herself standing in a clearing on top of a cliff. Below it can be seen such a vast area of forest, thick morning fog accumulating as the sun has yet to rise fully in the sky. Her hair freed from its bun was swaying rhythmically with the morning breeze. Though she noticed she was still in her wedding gown.

"Hitomi," she heard a soft female voice called from behind her. She turned around and came face to face with an ethereal-looking woman wearing a long white robe. The woman's long black hair almost reached the ground. Her eyes a deep shade of brown.

"What is this place? Where am I?" She readily inquired the woman before her.

"You're in Gaea Hitomi. I'm the one who brought you here.....again..... I am Varie....."

"Gaea? I never knew of this place. I don't think I've been here in my entire life."

"Yes you did Hitomi. Your memory of this place and its people lies buried deep in your mind and soul. I summoned you here once more because you will be put to a TEST.....a test that would determine the future of Gaea. You need to remember Hitomi.....for the sake of everyone living in this world....." Her words held great conviction.

"I.....I don't understand....." Confusion was written all over her face.

"You are the PROTECTOR of this world Hitomi. You hold the key of Gaea's life.....or destruction....."

"What if I refuse to be part of all these?"

"It's your decision to make Hitomi....."

As Varie's voice faded away the scene around her suddenly shifted.....

She saw herself inside a car with her friends Yukari and Amano. They were on their way to Yukari's family beach house. But before they could reach their destination, a terrible accident happened.....

They were driving on a steep road. Coming from up ahead of them was a black Porsche with its drunk driver swerving from side to side, going too fast making its way down the road. Amano tried his best to avoid it but to no avail. A loud crashing of metal to metal was all that happened next.....

"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! YUKARIIIIIIIII........ AMANOOOOOO..........

STOP IT PLEASEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!" Heart-wrenching screams escaped Hitomi's lips as she violently tried to reach for her friends .....

Van was sitting on a couch beside his bed where he laid the sleeping form of Hitomi after flying back to his palace. He was physically and mentally exhausted from all the events that happened a while ago. With his hands covering his face and elbows resting on his knees, Van was a picture of a man with a heavy burden laid upon his shoulders. Confusion, anger and fear were all but flooding his mind. He couldn't fully comprehend what had made Hitomi forget about him.....about everything they've shared and had together.

Was this the price he had to pay for letting her go back then? Had he been mistaken all these years? He thought by doing that, he just did the right thing for the both of them, or so he thought. Back then, they were still young and had a lot of growing up to do. He wanted to give her and himself the time to deal with their own responsibilities and obligations in life. Hitomi had matters to face back in her own world and he had Fanelia to rebuild. He thought once all that have been resolved and dealt with they could still find a way to be together. That although they were worlds apart the love they have for one another would never wither even with the passing of time.

Had she chosen to take another path and completely erased him in her memory? No his heart refused to believe that. It just couldn't. Something must have happened to her back in the Mystic Moon. And he would do anything and everything to find that out and made her remember again even if it was the last thing he'd do.

Van was jolted from his feet when he heard Hitomi's sudden screams. He ran quickly to her side to know what was ailing her. She was gripping the sheets of the mattress so tight it was as if her life depended on it, her face tear-stricken.

"Hitomi wake up! Wake up!" Van shouted. "Snap out of it, Hitomi!" He was shaking her hard.

Hitomi's eyes then finally snapped open. Van readily hugged her tight. "It was just a dream Hitomi. All a bad dream," he said, trying his best to comfort her.

"No it was real. It all happened. My friends.....Yukari..... Amano....."

Hitomi was sobbing and trembling so hard that Van didn't know what to do. He had never felt so damn useless in all his existence than now. What made it worse was the fact that she's the most important person in his life who was hurting and suffering.

"What was it all about Hitomi?" He asked with deep concern.

"We-we had an accident.....Yukari and Amano died.....I was the only who survived. It wasn't fair. Why just me? Why?" Hitomi's breathing was ragged; she felt a big lump in her throat, shudders racked her body. She could still clearly see how it all occurred; still felt the terror and pain. Tears of anguish filled her emerald eyes, how she hoped she had died with them. Maybe she wouldn't feel this miserable.....

"Mistress....."

"I know Erisha.....but she needed to go through that..... She had to face her deepest fears.....for it's the only way.....much will come....."

A/n: Thanks to those who took their time to review the past chapters. You never knew how you inspired me.What can you say about this chappie? Good? Not Good? Let me know pls.

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne