Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, but if anyone is willing to sell, name the price.

For Every Dream

Chapter 3: One Mans Death to a Worlds Ashes

A small womanly figure was still in the gentle breeze. She was indeed a sight to be remembered, not only did her bright, almost fluorescent pink hair separate her from everything else, but her entire body was covered in lustrous orange fur. She was on her haunches, crouched down on all fours like a cat. It was only natural seeing that she was a true cat woman.

Her sapphire blue eyes were focused on another lone figure standing in the glade. The boy, no, the man, seemed to be locked in a trance. Slowly, with her natural cat grace, she came to him.

"Lord Van, you don't need her. Get over her soon, and when you do, you'll know where to find me." She could help it, for she had been in love with her 'Lord Van' all of her life.

"Merle," he came out of his trance, and his expression became kind, but there was still exasperation present. "You know I love you, but not in that way. And you should know better then anyone that I won't just be able to get over her. It's been five years now and I haven't gotten over her. What makes you think that I will now?" There was so much pain and sorrow in his voice that it brought tears to her eyes. She could see the devotion and love he had for Hitomi over powering everything else, and she could feel her rage grow within her, burning to be released.

"I don't know. Maybe that you would realize that you're throwing your life away on a worthless witch from the cursed moon! Hitomi is never coming back! If you knew what was best for everyone then you would get over that stupid-"

"Don't say it Merle." Van's voice went cold and hard. Merle looked up into his chocolate brown eyes and saw that the brotherly affection he had for her was gone, and was replaced by a look of cruelty that was meant for her and her alone. "Leave."

"Yes Lord Van." She took on last look at him, and ran. She ran to her room where she sat down and cried. "I shouldn't have said those things, I really shouldn't have. Oh, he'll never forgive me for this! And what was I talking about? Why did I have to be in love with him? Hitomi is the only one who deserves him, and she's the only one that he'll ever love! Why is this happening to me of all people?!" Just as Merle had lain down on her bed to cry herself to sleep, there came a knock at her door.

"Merle may I come in? It's me Millerna." The Queen of Austuria, Millerna Aston, who remarried her husband, Dryden, a year after their first failed marriage.

"Of course you're Majesty." Merle tried to speak normally, but was unsuccessful due to her incessant sniffles.

Millerna opened the door and stepped in. "Merle, what is it? What's wrong?" Millerna never thought that she would see the brave and strong Merle cry, but there she was with red puffy eyes and tear streaked fur.

"I said some terrible things to Lord Van and he got mad and sent me away. I feel so awful!" Merle looked up and Millerna could see the pure anguish in her eyes.

"Oh Merle, you insulted Hitomi didn't you?" From the guilty look on her face, Millerna guessed that she was right. "Well I'm sorry about what happened but when it involves Van and Hitomi there's nothing that anyone can do to help. Oh yes, the reason I came barging in here is that, well, I have news."

"News?" Merle looked up her curiosity getting the best of her.

"Yes, news. Dryden found a prophesy."

"A prophesy? Good or bad?"

"I'll let you decide for yourself. Many would consider it good news, and many others would consider it the end of all Gaea, which it could very possibly be. Please come with me Merle, you need to see this."

"Of course you're Majesty." Merle gracefully got on to her feet and gently shook her hair. Millerna smiled kindly at Merle then gestured to the door. They walked in silence through the hallways and passages of the Fanalian Palace, both with heavy thoughts weighing down their minds. Finally Merle spoke.

"Can you tell me anything about the prophesy? Anything at all?"

"Merle," Millerna hesitated, but when she saw the fear and pain she gave in. "It has to do with the Dragon."

"The Dragon? But that's Lord Van!" Merle's eyes were started to fill with tears.

"Yes Merle, it has to do with Van. I can't tell you anymore, because some of it would be better to read for yourself, and other parts, we don't understand." They continued to walk in silence until they reached the Royal guest chambers. They entered and saw Dryden at his desk pondering over a piece of paper. Dryden looked up at them and his puzzled expression grew light, then it grew sad.

"Merle, good, you're here. Please come and read this. Maybe you will understand more of it then we do."

"That is not likely Dryden, you are the scholar. But I will try." Merle took the paper and sat down on the edge of the bed and began to read. The prophesy read:

The true protector of the people, the one who will remain pure through the bloodshed, will fall to his doom. Only one can retrieve him from the dark of his dying soul, the only one to save him, may never know of his decent to death. The death of this man will reduce the world to ashes, as the unknown enemy rises. The Mistress must know, or all will fall.

"Reduce the world to ashes?" Merle looked up in confusion and fear. "Who is the 'unknown enemy'? Who is this 'Mistress'? It states plainly that Lord Van will die without this Mis-" A look of understanding and pain came over Merle. "The prophesy is already being fulfilled. Lord Van is dying, and none of us saw it. This 'Mistress' can only be one person. The only person to bring him back from his depression." Merle cast her eyes down and tears slowly rolled off her face.

Dryden and Millerna looked at each other as Merle's words sank in. The only person whom the 'Mistress' could be was the one person that Merle would never wish to see again.

"Hitomi." The name escaped Millerna's lips, and Merle looked up. To the Austurian Royal's complete and utter amazement, they saw a look of determination on her face.

"Yes, it is Hitomi." Merle paused for a moment as if looking for the right words. "We all know what has to be done, and I will be the one to do it." Merle saw Millerna start to protest, but she held up her paw to silence her. "Yes, I know, but I need to reconcile myself to her. Lord Van's heart will always belong to her, and Hitomi really is a nice girl. Maybe one day I'll find someone that I can have something like what Lord Van and Hitomi have." Merles features flickered with pain, but then the determination was back. "It has to be me to go." As the last word left her mouth, a beam of pink light descended and surrounded Merle. Moments later the light was gone, and so was Merle.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviews. I'm so glad that you like my story and please keep reviewing. You guys are the best.

Next chapter Merle is on Earth. Hehehehehe.

Demonic Angel