Hello there!  It's so good to be putting out another chapter for all of you.  So what do you guys think so far?  I wish I knew, but I haven't been getting any reviews to let me know.  I certainly have been getting the readers but not any reviews.  Okay enough of my bullying.  Welcome to another installment of my story Vision of Escaflowne: Homecoming.  I'm steadily moving through the story, I like the progress so far.  This chapter is here to introduce you to the intricacies between the visions that Hitomi and Celestas have had, to Kirok's vision of world domination, and the quest that they must all undertake.  I hope that this doesn't bore you…but if you've been with me so far, I would assume that you're not bored at all.

So enough of my chitchat and on with the show…but of course, can't forget the standard disclaimer.

Disclaimer – I do not, in any way, own Escaflowne, it's characters, themes, plots, etc.  I do, however, own any new characters, themes, plots, etc.  How can you get any more basic than that!?!?

Note: this means = telepathically

         :this means: = someone's thoughts

Chapter Eleven: The Legend of the Immortal

~Gypsy Camp - Next morning~

            The sun shone brightly on the clearing by the river.  Myami had woken up early to run through some exercises.  To her surprise Hitomi, Pristelle, Merle, Millerna and Selena, who had decided to get some exercise as well, followed Myami.  Myami set Merle, Millerna and Selena to do a simple kata and then she took Hitomi and Pristelle with her ankle deep into the river.  Due to their varying levels of skill Myami set the tempo to an intermediate kata.  She had forgotten how much she missed teaching.  Quickly Myami realized that Hitomi and Pristelle were pretty much even as far as expertise and she adjusted by speeding up.

            Merle, Millerna and Selena soon finished their repetitions and took a seat to watch the graceful ballet being performed by the other women.  Their movements were precise, powerful and beautiful to watch. 

            Myami smiled as she realized they had quite an audience.  She had just moved Pristelle and Hitomi into a third series when she realized that not only were the other women watching but in the trees their travel companions were observing as well.  When the kata called for an arm sweep, Myami made a slight gesture to Pristelle and Hitomi, who were standing behind her. 

            Pristelle caught on to the motion and turned to Hitomi.  Hitomi had caught on the motion as well and gave a slight nod to Pristelle when she saw who was in the trees.

            Let's give them a surprise. Myami communicated to the other two.

            Hitomi smiled and continued on as Myami led them to their fourth and final series. I'll tell the others.  We don't want them getting caught in the surprise.

            Once Hitomi had informed Merle, Millerna and Pristelle, she had received slight nods of approval.  Merle had to put a hand in front of her mouth to keep from giggling.  Hitomi then gave a "thumbs up" behind her back to Pristelle and Pristelle whispered out a short shield spell for the women. 

            On the last part of the series, where Myami, Hitomi and Pristelle were supposed to do a high kick, they simultaneously performed a low leg sweep, causing a wall of water to fly up and spray the men hiding in the trees.

            The six women burst into laughter as six very wet and very annoyed males stepped out from behind the trees. 

            "That wasn't very nice." Ryley crossed his arms over his chest.

            Pristelle, almost in tears from all the laughter, just pointed at Ryley and continued giggling, "It may not have been nice, but it sure was entertaining."

            "That," Millerna said, still chuckling as she went to her husband, "should teach you all to spy on others." She began to dry his face with her a portion of her sleeve.

            Hitomi had run up to Van holding her discarded half coat, "Gomen, Van." Hitomi handed the jacket to him so he could dry himself.  After he had dried his face, Hitomi leaned up and kissed him lightly on the mouth, "I couldn't resist when Myami let us in on her practical joke."

            "Oh, don't worry." Van folded the now damp jacket and looked to Hitomi with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "This act will DEFINITELY not go unpunished, right guys?"

            All the other men nodded and slyly grinned at the ladies. 

            "It's not going to be that bad, is it?" Merle asked as she helped dry Tardus' fur.

            Allen scrutinized the ladies and turned to the men, "I don't know.  What you did was pretty unfair.  We were just watching quietly, not wanting to disturb the scene."

            "I know," Dryden caught on and winked to Allen and the guys, "We were just trying to stay out of the way."

            Yil smiled as he realized what was going on.  He turned and walked up to Selena, "I thought we were friends."

            "We are!" Selena held her hands up in indignation, "It was only a joke."  Selena turned to Myami, "Mya-chan!  Tell them it was only a joke!"

            "Yeah, Mya-chan," Tardus added sarcastically, "Was it a joke?"

            Myami smirked merrily and nodded.  She loved the fact that they were all getting along famously.  Noticing the guilty look on the women's faces and the unmistakable look of pending revenge on the men's faces, Myami sought to diffuse the situation, "Of course it was just a joke.  If you guys are looking to blame someone, blame me.  It was solely my influence that made them agree to go along with it."

            Allen winked at the guys and stood toe to toe with Myami, "Well then, you're right." Allen motioned for the men to surround Myami. "We should blame you."  Myami noticed what was happening and slowly began to put some distance between her and the approaching men.  Allen slowly followed her, "It's not fair that the other ladies have to suffer for something that you masterminded."  The men nodded and enclosed the circle. 

Myami's back bumped into Tardus and she found that she could not back up any longer. "Come on guys," Myami held up her hands in surrender, "I swear, it was only a joke.  You know a joke, haha?" She could feel payback coming on.

"Okay then." Allen relaxed his stance and when Myami relaxed hers he nodded to the men behind her, "Then you wouldn't mind if we did this!"

All of a sudden Tardus, Yil and Van grabbed Myami around her arms, her waist and her legs and threw her into the river.  The entire group stood laughing their eyes out as Myami stood up from the river soaked to the bone.

"How did I know something like this was going to happen." Myami muttered to herself as she undid her ponytail and wrung out the water. "Very funny." Myami grunted out loud to the others.  Her comment elicited only more laughter from her companions and Myami couldn't help but smile.  After putting her hair back up, Myami made her way back onto the shore.

Allen handed Myami a towel, "You have to admit that you had that coming."

"Yeah, I know." Myami wiped her face and tried to dry some parts of her clothing.  When she realized that the towel wasn't helping she threw it down where the other discarded towels were and sighed, "I guess all I can do is change my clothes."

"Guess so," Allen smiled warmly at Myami.

Myami looked into Allen's eyes and smiled in return.  Since last night they had come to an understanding and it was nice to know that they were all finally on the same page.  She had been extremely happy that Van and Hitomi had finally gotten things together.  It made everything easier.  She was also surprised at the budding romances between, Merle and Tardus, and, Selena and Yil.  Things were looking up, at least for now.  Myami turned her attention back to Allen.  He wasn't at all bad looking, actually he was very handsome.

Allen stared down at Myami as she smiled at him.  She had gotten a faraway look in her eyes a moment ago and now her mind had returned.  "What were you thinking about?"

"Them," Myami gestured to the talking couples. "I was thinking about how well things are going on between our group.  It seems that everyone has found someone."

"Everyone but us." Allen pointed out.

Myami sighed, "Yeah, everyone but us."  Then with a shrug she gave Allen a large grin, "But that's okay with me.  I'm really much better by myself then with someone.  I'm too overbearing."

Myami began to walk away from the group and towards the gypsy camp.  Allen fell into step with her after he had motioned to the others that it was time to return, "Overbearing, huh?  How so?"

"I'm bossy," Myami stated as she felt herself become comfortable in Allen's company, "Plus I would always want things my way."

Allen pretended to think about that comment, "Well you just described a lot of women.  What makes you any different?"  :She's got a gorgeous smile:

"Well," Myami clasped her arms behind her back and turned to walk backwards while facing him, "Unlike other women, I'm capable of disabling a man and making him unconscious." Myami turned her back to Allen again, then looked over her shoulder. "I'm uncontrollable."  :Maybe he's not so bad after all.:

Allen's laughter followed Myami as she made her way out of the forest.  Allen's laughter soon became a chuckle as the others came up to him. 

"What's so funny, Onii-chan?" Selena stood in front of him.

"Nothing.  Just something Myami said." Allen stepped around his sister and made his way out of the woods leaving a confused group in his wake.  Allen smiled to himself.  :Maybe she's not so bad after all.:

"Now what do you suppose that was all about?" Hitomi asked out loud.

~Eating Area~

            "Garret!" Myami, now in dry clothing, ran up to her friend.  Garret turned around and waved to Myami.  Once she caught up to him, Myami granted Garret with a winning smile, "I've been looking for you everywhere.  Where have you been?"

            Garret pulled Myami close and stared into her deep emerald eyes, "Just the words a man wants to hear from a beautiful woman." Garret kissed the tip of Myami's nose and grinned, "What can I do for you?"

            "I wish you wouldn't do that." Myami said as she stepped out of his embrace, "It's embarrassing."

            Garret sighed, "Embarrassing?  What could be embarrassing about being held by the most charming, enigmatic man in all of Gaea."

            "You will never change." Myami kissed his cheek and then slipped her arm through his.  As they began to walk, Myami picked up the conversation again, "I was wondering if Celestas was awake yet.  I'm interested in finding out what she has to tell all of us."

            "Grandmother isn't awake yet.  It was a long night, if you remember and not everyone is like you.  Up all night and then up again at the break of dawn."

            "Sorry.  It's just that I'm so used to that sort of thing."

            They walked quietly for a time, heading nowhere in particular, just enjoying each other's company.  It was Garret who broke the silence, "Mya-chan, why couldn't you love me?"

            Myami stopped walking, stunned at the question.  After she took a deep breath she began walking again, her arm still intertwined with Garret's, "It's not that I couldn't love you Garret, I did and still do."  Myami sighed thinking of the easiest way to explain her feelings, "I just can't love you the way you want me too."

            "Would that be so bad?" Garret pulled Myami behind one of the huts.  He pushed her against the wall of the hut and placed his hands on either side of her head.  He lowered his forehead to hers, "My heart has always been yours, Mya-chan."

            Myami closed her eyes.  Deep in her heart she knew that what Garret was asking of her was impossible.  She loved him, but she wasn't IN love with him.  "Garret, I…"

            "Shhhh…" Garret whispered to her, "Let me show you how much I love you."  Garret lowered his lips to hers, pouring all the love in his heart into the kiss.

            Hitomi, Van and Allen turned left to take a short cut in between two huts.  They had been talking amiably about seeing Celestas and finding out more about the Legend of Ages and the Legend of the Immortal. 

            "I can't wait to find out more about the visions that we've been having." Hitomi wondered out loud.

            Van placed an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, "We?  Whom else besides Celestas and you are you referring to?"  Van had a hunch that Hitomi knew something.

            "I think Myami is having visions too, but she's not exactly telling." Hitomi confessed.

            "Your sister may not want to worry anyone," Allen offered, "She might just…" Allen stopped as he saw the scene in front of him. 

            "Might just what, Allen-kun?" Hitomi looked up at Allen and then looked to where he was staring.  Van also looked to where Allen and Hitomi were staring and got caught up in the surprise.  There in front of them was what looked like Garret and Myami kissing. 

            Myami closed her eyes as the kiss began and tried her best to feel something for Garret, but when he tried to deepen the kiss, Myami couldn't take it anymore.  Ripping her lips away from his, Myami pushed Garret away, "I'm so sorry, Garret."  Myami brushed some stray hairs off of his face, "I know you love me, but I can't love you back the way you want me too."  Myami looked down and slowly walked away from her friend.

            Garret watched Myami walk away and felt his heart break.  He knew that Myami hadn't meant to hurt him and he comforted himself with the fact that he knew that they would still be friends.  Garret turned sadly in the opposite direction that Myami had walked off in and because he was preoccupied with his own thoughts almost walked into Allen, Hitomi and Van.  "Uh, sorry." Garret offered a small smile, "I didn't think anyone was here.  You didn't happen to uh..um…"

            Hitomi nodded solemnly and embraced Garret, "I'm here if you need someone to talk to."

            "Funny you should say that," Garret released Hitomi and lightly kissed her cheek.  As he began to walk away, "That's exactly what your sister said to me to make me fall in love with her."

            Hitomi, Van and Allen watched as Garret slowly walked away.  "Onee-chan told me he was in love with her." Hitomi said to no one in particular.  "At some point she wished she could have returned his feelings, but she just couldn't."

            "Couldn't or wouldn't?" Allen inquired. 

            "A little bit of both, I guess." Hitomi sat down on a nearby box, "She couldn't because at first she felt as if Garret was loving her out of pity.  Onee-chan, slowly realized that that wasn't the reason."

            Van knelt in front of Hitomi and took her hands in his, "Then what happened?"

            "She wouldn't let herself love him, because she felt that she wasn't worthy of his love." Hitomi said quietly, "Onee-chan told me that Garret's love would be wasted on her because she could never be totally true to him.  She feels that there's something out there calling to her, a kindred spirit, a soul mate, a new adventure, what is calling her she doesn't know."

            Allen ran a hand through his bangs and looked off in the direction Myami had walked to, "She didn't give it a chance."

            Hitomi looked up to Allen, "She did once.  Onee-chan was in love before she met Garret.  When things didn't work out, she said that it was better that she was alone because she's just too…"

            "Overbearing, uncontrollable." Allen finished for Hitomi.

            "How did you know that?" Hitomi raised a brow.

"Something she said." Allen responded.

Hitomi stood and looked into Van's eyes, "I should go and find her.  She might need me."

Van nodded and watched as Hitomi took off in Myami's direction, "What do you think?"  He directed the question to Allen.

"I don't know," Allen answered.  "Myami's a mystery to me.  With Hitomi you can see all of her emotions, but Myami is the exact opposite."

~Island of the Immortal - Sea of Indemnity~

            "Now, is that all you have been able to find?" Kirok questioned his two warriors.

            Chelsea looked up at the screen, "Hai.  The immortal still sleeps."

            "All the treasures and weapons are frozen with the immortal behind the Wall of Time." Tamra finished reporting.

            Kirok rubbed his short beard, "So we can not take any advantage of the Time Treasures.  That is all right.  I want you two to finish the sweep of the island.  Make sure that a sample of the Wall of Time is taken and then have the mages create a magic barrier.  No one is to find this island." 

            Chelsea and Tamra put a fist across their chests and bowed, "Hai, Master Kirok."

            Kirok disappeared off the screen and the two women turned back to their lackeys.  Chelsea smirked, "You heard what he said.  Let's get to work!"

~Yarfan~

            The sun was dipping low in the horizon when the watchtower located airships heading in their direction.  "Ty!  Ty!"  Frol called from the top of the bird's nest, "Tell the elders that outsiders are approaching!"

            Ty looked up to Frol and yelled back, "Alright!"  Ty ran to do the errand after glancing at the black swarm in the sky.  "This doesn't look good." Ty said to himself as he made himself run faster to reach the elder's Grand Hall.

            "Elder Besler," Ty dropped to one knee and bowed to the older man, "I bring news from the northern watchtower.  A large contingent of airships is headed this way."

            Besler turned to his colleagues.  Each man and woman at the table silently nodded to Besler.  Facing the kneeling young man, Besler stood from his seat, "Ty, alert Yelas.  Have him ready the guymelefs.  Tell him that we will be setting up a protective shield."

            "Hai, Elder Besler." Ty rose and bowed again.  Quickly he ran out of the hall's doors to relay the wishes of the elders to Yelas, captain of the guard, for it was truly important if the elders were using white magic instead of the black magic that the island was known for.

            Besler sighed, "The Legend of Ages."

            "It has begun, sooner than we had anticipated." Elder Diarra pointed out. "The Island must have reappeared.  Someone is after the last pages of the Ryujinbito spells."

            Elder Graith nodded in agreement, "That must be what the attack in Astoria was all about.  They must have been after the page in the scepter."

            "Very few people remember the Legend of Ages, let alone the locations of the pages to the last book of spells." Besler thought out loud, "It would seem that someone is trying to revive the Immortal."

            Diarra turned to Elder Sithra, "Doesn't the Legend tell of the Guardians, saviors of Gaea and the Mystic Moon?"

            Sithra thought for a moment and stood, "Yes, but I must consult the old books."

            Besler stood as well and motioned to the others, "Sithra will go and check the old records.  Kwenter will accompany her.  The rest of us will set up that barrier.  We need to buy the Guardians, whoever they are, more time."

~Celestas' hut~

            Myami paced silently in front of Celestas, waiting for the time when Celestas would be ready to tell her story.  She had just finished talking with Hitomi.  Hitomi had had many questions about the situation between Garret and herself and she was more than happy to answer each and every question.  It had felt good to be able to talk to Hitomi.  She had lifted some of the burden that the heartbreak she caused Garret had settled onto her shoulders. 

            Once Myami had explained everything to Hitomi, Hitomi had sent her to Celestas to see if she was ready to talk to them and offer them some answers.  Between the two sisters, their memories were returning rapidly now that they were reunited, but not enough to answer the questions that their mother had said they could answer.  The only thing that they had discovered together was that there was another pendant.  Myami and Hitomi weren't at all surprised. 

At first the memory was vague, but when it finally became clear they had discussed the possibility of that fourth pendant.  They had quickly decided to keep that piece of information to themselves for the time being, at least until they had a larger grasp on everything that was going on.

Myami sighed out loud and peered out of Celestas' window.  She had sent one of the children to find the others to let them know that Celestas would like to meet with all of them, but that had been twenty minutes ago.  She didn't know what could be keeping all of them.  The urgency that Myami had felt since Hitomi had arrived back on Gaea was pulling on her stronger than ever, as if to tell her that time was running out. 

"Myami," Celestas quietly broke through Myami's thoughts, "They will be here soon."

Myami seated herself to Celestas' left on one of the many pillows scattered on the floor of the room, "I hurt Garret today."

"I see." Celestas gave Myami a slight smile, "Is that what has been bothering you?"

"Yes and no.  It is one thing that has been bothering me.  I can't help but feel guilty that I can't return what he has given so freely to me."  Myami pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on the tops of her knees.

Celestas reached out knowingly and lifted Myami's face a bit, "I know that I'm blind, Mya-chan, but there are some things I can see clearly." Myami looked questioningly up at Celestas, "Just like I know you're looking at me like I've just lost my head."

Myami chuckled, "I understand what you mean,"  Myami kissed Celestas palm before looking back down, "I just wish that Garret didn't have to get hurt."

"That's the risk my grandson was willing to take," Celestas tried to explain, "It's the risk everyone is willing to take when it comes to falling in love.  Just like you took that risk with Dorser."

"That's why I wish Garret wouldn't have to feel the pain.  I don't want him to go through what I went through getting over Dorser." Myami closed her eyes, "Hitomi came to me to talk about it and that helped a lot, but the guilt still lingers."

Celestas smiled at her charge's compassion, "The situation between you and Dorser and you and Garret are two totally different scenarios.  I'm sure that the hurt Garret is feeling will be easier to heal.  You are still his friend, where Dorser was not." Celestas sighed, "As for your guilt, that I can not help alleviate, but you have to realize that it is not your fault.  There is a need in your soul that Garret could not fulfill and you were honest with him.  Your honesty is the best gift you could give him and I'm sure he appreciates it."

Myami stood and embraced Celestas.  Placing a kiss on her weathered cheek, Myami whispered, "Arigato, Celestas.  I guess hearing it from more than one person is reinforcing enough.  I'll speak to Garret again before we leave."

"Ahem…" Pristelle coughed loudly to gain Celestas' and Myami's attention, "I hope we're not interrupting."

"No, not at all," Myami disengaged herself from Celestas and turned to the door, "Is everyone here?"

Pristelle nodded as she began ushering in their large group, "Tardus and Garret were chatting for a while."

Myami nodded and went to sit in the window at the back of the room.  She smiled at Van and Hitomi who went to sit side-by-side, hands clasped.  Myami waved to Merle, who was waving at her and currently sitting near Tardus, who just nodded at her.  Selena smiled as Yil and herself entered the room, taking a seat next to Merle and Tardus.  Dryden and Millerna entered next with Dryden choosing to sit against the wall and then pulling Millerna into his lap.  Millerna smiled in greeting to Myami.  Myami chuckled, seeing the way Dryden was irritating Millerna with him moving trying to get comfortable.  Finally Pristelle closed the door to Celestas hut after Garret, Allen and Ryley strode inside.  Ryley waved to Myami and then dragged Pristelle to sit next to Dryden and Millerna.  Allen chose to lean against the wall next to Myami's perch, while Garret chose to stand behind his grandmother.

Celestas could feel the anticipation within the room.  Last night was the clearest of all of her dreams and now she felt that she could offer a better explanation of the Legend of Ages.  "I guess now is the time for my story.  Hopefully it will answer some of the questions that you may have."

The crowded room came alert at Celestas' voice.  Each person, having as many questions as well as worries, sat waiting patiently for Celestas to begin.

"My story starts with the creation of Gaea and it's two moons and the power the Ryujinbito wielded over their lands." Celestas began to weave her tale.

~ The Legend Of Ages ~ (from this point till the end of the tale, and unless indicated, it will be told from the point of view of the characters within the story.)

            "Come on Valtre!" Mydre called out to her brother as they were running home, "Mother will be furious if we aren't there to greet her friend's children."

            Valtre reached out to his older sibling, "Wait for me, Onee-chan!  I can't run as fast as you can!"

            Mydre turned and saw that Valtre was quickly losing speed.  Not wanting to suffer their mother's wrath, Mydre ran back to her brother and scooped him into her arms.  "Hold on tight, kay?"

            "Kay, Onee-chan."

            Mydre smiled lovingly at her younger sibling and regained her fast pace back to their home.

            A lovely woman stood outside a large house.  Holding a hand over her eyes to shield them from the glare of the sun, Trysta was beginning to get worried.  Her friends were due any minute and her children had yet to return from their afternoon excursions.  Trysta felt a hand squeeze her shoulder, it's familiar weight calming her, "I swear, those children of ours have no concept of time."

            Ulstice chuckled, "Children shouldn't have to worry about time.  Don't worry, love, Mydre will make sure that they'll be home in time.  She's forever the punctual one."

            "I know.  It's just that I want them so much to be here for Kylie and Dracon's visit.  They'll be bringing Alger and Hikari.  I guess you could say that I'm just nervous." Trysta smiled lovingly at her husband and stared back out at the horizon.  "Oh, look!"

            Ulstice looked to where his wife was pointing and laughed heartily, "It looks as if the two have been bathing in the mud swamps."

            Trysta gave her husband a scathing glare and ran towards her children, "Goodness, you two.  My friends will be here any minute and you aren't the least bit presentable.  Please hurry and clean up."

            Mydre put down her brother and dragged him by the hand into the house, "We're sorry mother.  We'll hurry, won't we Valtre?"

            "Yes mother, we'll hurry." Valtre smiled and ran ahead of Mydre up the stairs into the bathing room.

            Ulstice led Trysta into the house and sat her down, "See that wasn't so bad.  Now all we have to do is wait for your friends."

            As soon as Ulstice finished speaking, their front door was knocked upon.

~Celestas's point of view~

            "The children grew to be great friends and spent as many of their days together as they could." Celestas reminisced about her dreams. "They were all intelligent and curious things, absorbing as much information their little minds would take.  It was all too soon, when Mydre and Alger had reached their eighteenth birthdays and were given their birthrights.  Four years later Valtre and Hikari would follow in their footsteps."

~ Legend of Ages ~

            Mydre stood quietly on the tree branch.  Wings already spread, she let the wind blow through her dark hair.  Valtre and Hikari would be finishing the birthright ritual any time now, and she had promised them that she would be the first to take them soaring. 

Mydre sighed.  Alger had left last year to train with his father.  Mydre was invited to come along with them, but she declined in order to train with her own father.  She had aspirations to become one of the chosen Guardians of their Utopian Society.  Alger had the same aspirations and when he had asked why they couldn't train together, Mydre just shook her head and gave him the excuse that her father had asked her first. 

That wasn't entirely true.  She could've trained with Alger and his father, even her parents thought it was a good idea.  What had actually happened was that Mydre had fallen in love with Alger and once she had come to terms with her feelings, had decided to ask her father to train her.  Through the years of their friendship, Alger had not once shown any sign that he had any feelings for Mydre.  He had had many girlfriends and before he had left last year he had asked his current girlfriend to marry him. 

Valtre and Hikari walked hand in hand towards Mydre.  They had fallen in love two years ago when they were sixteen.  Now at eighteen, the young couple was the envy of many others.  The two had silently wished that their older siblings would get together, but it wasn't to be.  Alger was engaged and Mydre was too dedicated to becoming a Guardian that she claimed there was no time in her life for romance. 

Valtre looked up to the wings of his sister, "Mydre!!"

Mydre turned, "Congratulations, you two!!" She jumped down from the tree and hugged them, "I'm so excited for you.  So what powers did the Immortal bestow upon you?"

"I'm a seer!" Hikari proclaimed, "Next week, I will begin training with the High Priestess."

"Well I see I was right about you, so how about my little brother?" Mydre ruffled Valtre's hair, which was slightly difficult now that he was 6'3", four inches taller than she was. 

Valtre smiled a knowing smile, "I will be a traveler."

Mydre engulfed Valtre in a large hug, "It's what you've always wanted.  You will have wonderful adventures."

"I know.  I can't wait.  To see different lands, different worlds.  To be able to bring my own seer." Valtre hinted.

Mydre looked from Valtre then to Hikari as the implications of what Valtre said became clear, "You're soul-mated?"

They nodded, large grins adorning their faces.  Mydre laughed merrily, "Come on you two.  Let's go soaring."

~ Celestas' point of view ~

            "It would be two more years before Mydre and Alger would see each other again.  This time they were among the chosen Guardians.  The best-trained fighters and strategists in all of Gaea, the Guardians were appointed to protect officials, treasures, cities, and travelers.  Alger became the Captain of the Guardians, barely beating Mydre for the title.  Mydre had become his second in command, a position she both cherished and hated." Celestas took a deep breath and continued, "Since returning from his training, Alger had broken off his engagement and then began to badger Mydre into spending more time with him.  Mydre couldn't take the fact that now he was single and free for her to pursue.  But she wouldn't do that unless she knew how Alger felt, and as far as she knew Alger thought of her as his partner in crime, his best friend, his sister."

~ Legend of Ages ~

            "Again!" Mydre walked amongst the rows of trainees.  She was putting them through their paces for the day, a duty she didn't normally do, but today she needed to let go of some tension and this was one of the best ways she knew how.

            Alger had been trying to get her to join him and some other high-ranking officers to go to a local tavern.  Last time she had accepted his invitation the other officers had all found excuses not to be there and it ended up being just the two of them.  Mydre was all right with that, until Alger had started hitting on the barmaids.  Now she avoided anything that might lead to those types of situations.

            "Mydre!" Alger called out.  "I have something for you!"

            "Continue four more times and then we're done for the day." Mydre commanded the trainees. 

            "Hai!" They answered and once again began their katas.

            Mydre made her way to Alger, "What is it?"

            Alger handed her a note.  Her name written with Valtre's messy scrawl across the front, "A messenger just brought this in."

            "I wonder what it could be.  He and Hikari just left three weeks ago.  Why not just contact me through the communicators?" Mydre asked no one in particular as she opened up the small note.

            Mydre,

                        I'm sending this note to you in hopes that whatever I write will not be found out.  I couldn't take the chance of using the communicators in case one of the Elders would be listening.  I have discovered the most interesting island.  After traveling to the Mystic Moon last week, we returned and this island appeared right before our eyes. 

                        Hikari had the idea that we should check the Mystic Moon again and we did.  The exact same island, in exactly the same position has appeared there.  Everything is the same, down to the vegetation and cave in the middle of the island. 

                        The old records speak of the Island of the Immortal.  I think I have found that island.  But if this is the Immortal, then who is the being that bestows us with our birthright when we turn eighteen?  The writings within the cave are old and hard to make out.  I know that you have a gift for languages and was hoping that you would take time off to come see Hikari and me. 

                        I have a feeling of foreboding whenever we are on the island, so Hikari and I will meet you in Xespers at the local inn.  Hikari has been getting visions, and not good ones either.  We need your help.  Please tell no one.  We will be waiting for you.

            Valtre

            "So what does it say?" Alger smiled, "How is Valtre and my little sister?"

            Mydre tucked the note into her pocket and smiled back, "Oh nothing, just letting me know that they're both okay and that they visiting Xespers at the moment.  Hikari is fine and she wishes you a fond hello."  Mydre turned away from Alger and began walking towards the gates, "I'm going home for the day.  I have a care package from my mother that she wants me to send to Valtre."

            "Okay." Alger stared at Mydre's retreating form.  Something strange was going on and being someone who could never resist a mystery, Alger followed Mydre to her house.

            Mydre stood in her bedroom, packing a small traveling bag.  She was mentally checking off what she would need for her trip as she strapped her sword to her belt.  Sure that she had everything, Mydre turned to her doorway and walked straight into Alger's chest.

            "What's going on?" Alger held a hand out to Mydre to help her up from the floor, "That doesn't look like a package for Valtre.  It looks like you're going somewhere."

            Mydre glared at Alger and declined using his hand to stand up.  As she dusted herself off, Mydre pushed past Alger into her living room, "I'm not going anywhere.  I'm just bringing this stuff to my mother's, then picking up the package she has to send to Valtre."

            "You're lying," Alger walked up to Mydre and tilted her chin to look into her eyes, "When we were kids, I could always tell you were lying because of the way you held your hands behind your back.  Just like you are right now."

            "We're not children anymore.  Besides I'm not lying and I don't see why I have to explain anything to you right now.  I'm off duty." Mydre freed her chin from his grasp and tried not to sigh at the contact from his warm hand.  Turning she left the house and Alger barely slipped through the opening before Mydre closed the door and locked it.

            "You're right.  We're not children anymore.  So stop acting like a child and tell me what's wrong?" Alger grabbed Mydre's arm and turned her to face him.

            Mydre yanked her arm out of Alger's grasp, "Nothing's wrong Alger.  Look," Mydre ran a hand through her bangs, "I'm just a bit tired.  I'll talk with you in the morning okay."

            Alger looked into Mydre's eyes and nodded slowly.  He watched as Mydre walked in the direction of her parent's home.  He couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something from him.  Alger smirked.  Quietly he followed Mydre again.  He would get to the bottom of this.

            "Valtre, when do you think Mydre will get here?" Hikari cuddled into his embrace as they sat looking out of the window of their room in the inn.

            Valtre rested his chin on top of her head and inhaled Hikari's scent of roses, "She will probably be here tomorrow, assuming that she got our message today."

            "The visions are getting worse." Hikari sighed, "They contradict everything we've been taught about the Immortal.  The Immortal who gave us our birthrights is supposed to be a being of piece, but the Immortal I see destroys everything in it's path."

            "What else have you seen?" Valtre encouraged.  This was the first time Hikari had openly offered the information from these visions.  For the past couple of days since they had discovered the island and the visions had begun, Hikari had only said that the visions spoke of destruction, nothing more.

            "They show the destruction of both Gaea and the Mystic Moon.  They show the cycle of corruption that begins to take over our minds and our lives.  Then the visions end with the two faces of the Immortal looming over me."  Hikari shivered, "It makes my skin crawl."

            "Mydre will help us, love." Valtre pulled Hikari closer, "We'll solve this mystery and hopefully those visions of yours won't come to fruition."

            Hikari's eyes held great sadness.  Her visions were never wrong.

~End Chapter Eleven~

Okay that's it for now folks.  Celesta is still not done telling the story and many more explanations are on the way.  Don't forget about Yarfan, what's going on there?  What else does Kirok have planned?  Stay tuned and don't forget to REVIEW!!! CUZ I LIVE FOR THOSE AND IT'S WHAT KEEPS THIS STORY GOING.  WE STILL HAVE YET TO REACH ONE HUNDRED REVIEWS!!!!

That's a lot of bullying there, but I do so want to hear from all of you.  So please don't forget to REVIEW!!!  Anyway, Chapter Twelve: Things Are Always More Than They Seem is next.

Thanks for reading and thanks especially if you review after this.  I hope you're all enjoying the story as much as I am enjoying writing it.  As always any questions you can direct them to me at jayli123@rocketmail.com.

Till next time.

Ja ne,

Jayli