The Dragon and Her Slayer

Six

"Dilandau-sama."

The crimson-eyed albino turned slowly, his eyes narrowed in contempt. The old Zaibach floating fortress was making its journey to the Mystic Moon, looking like a floating rock from the Stone Age. This was the last of all the fortresses; the only one that survived after Fanelia invaded and destroyed the thousands that once roamed the night sky.

"Dilandau Albatou, there is important information that you may want to hear."

Dilandau held his hands behind his back, rocking back slightly on his heels. He smiled then, motioning the young man to continue with a nod.

"There is word that the King of Fanelia, Van Fanel, i…is going on this same mission to find the Dragon… as well."

A ghostly pale hand met his cheek violently, slapping him with full force. Dilandau was enraged at his news. The soldier left the room quickly. Dilandau was left alone with his thoughts and a bottle of wine. He needed a drink…

"That King is going after that damned dragon as well, is he…" Cackling loudly, he continued his small tirade with himself. "There is no possibility that we will not meet, that is for sure. So when I do encounter him, there is only one thing I will do."

Pouring a glass of wine with a shaking hand, he smiled in the dim candlelight.

"Kill him."

~

A shadow slipped silently through the forest, his moccasin boots muffling the soft patter of his footsteps on the cool moss that carpeted the ground. A sword, accompanied by a bow and arrows, was strapped on his back, weighing him down slightly in the darkness. He stopped his running as he met a clearing, where he could only see glorious sky.

"I do not run from my past, my enemies, or my future. Escaflowne, if there is only one thing you can grant me now, send me to the Mystic Moon, to find the Dragon, and to find… Hitomi…"

The small stone he carried in his hand glowed a deep red, and a deep voice answered, surprising him.

"The Wing Goddess…"

He looked above him, where a blue light crackled and came together like hundreds of lightning bolts in a storm. The wind swirled around him, and his body began to lift from the ground, his feet rising only inches from it.

"Escaflowne?" Or is it…Gaea?

The voice surrounded him, yelling, "Save this world, Fanel! Save the Wing Goddess!"

In a flash, Van was in the blue light, traveling to the Mystic Moon.

I'm coming Hitomi…

~

Grabbing a small punch cup, Hitomi poured herself some of the refreshing juice, getting another one for her friend. The after-graduation party was going great, and everyone had come back to enjoy the fun. Soon, though, she would have to start her lecture.

Walking back to Yukari, she noticed a man her age sitting dangerously close to her best friend. She recognized the dark brown hair pulled back into a simple ponytail, the slightly pale skin, and the almost-crimson eyes that donned him. Yep, that was Mikkel, long-time boyfriend of Yukari. He was very nice and courteous, and sometimes reminded Hitomi of someone she once knew, who, when she first met him, wasn't so nice and courteous…

"Hey, Mikkel," Hitomi greeted as she took a seat on the other side of Yukari. She handed her friend the punch and gave a friendly smile.

"You should have told me you wanted drinks, or I would have gotten them," he said, his crystal blue eyes filled with silent apology. His voice was light and worried. Taking one of Yukari's hands in his own, he squeezed gently and lovingly.

For a little background on Mikkel. He came to Hitomi's school in her junior year (of high school), and was in most her classes. He was introduced to Yukari, who immediately liked him, not only for his smashing good looks, but also for his impeccable charm and chivalrous manners. (Hitomi liked him 'cause she could depend on him to 'help' her do some of her trig homework. She got straight A's that year, too.)

The trio remained together and decided to go to the same college together as well, and now they were graduating. Although Yukari and Mikkel went through some separated times because of small quarrels, they spent most of those six years together.

Mikkel is a very loyal person, one of which you can depend on to do the right thing and never the wrong. He has an incredible knack of knowing what people are feeling at the exact moment they feel it. Like having a radar beam installed in your head. Except without the weirdness factor.

They chatted for a while, mostly about nothing important, except for what they were thinking of doing after they left college. You know, what job, what kind of housing… that sort of stuff. Soon enough, it was ten until six, the dreaded hour that Hitomi would have to make her speech.

Walking up to a podium with a lit lamp on the top, the graduate stood ready and poised to give the well-rehearsed speech.

~

Hurry up, Van.

Running through the car-filled streets, King of Fanelia dodged and jumped over cars that stood in his way. Somehow he could feel Hitomi's energy as soon as his boots touched the ground, and that's exactly where he knew he should be going, post haste.

His mind was focusing on memories of Hitomi, using the dousing* method. Flashes of her appeared in his mind as he ran, memories of her stay in Gaea.

~FLASH~

A girl in white, her beautiful skin covered with a most wonderful fabric, walking towards him, up the stairs to the roof, past him. It's not a good idea to get up there, Hitomi. You'll only get hurt… I don't want you to get hurt. I care about you. But since you're going, there's nothing else I can do to stop you. I only hope you learn from him.

~FLASH~

A beaming smile at sunset. Whiskey-colored hair reflecting small bits of red in the sunlight. Emerald eyes filled with the warmth and pleasure she had gathered in her time in this 'new' world.

~FLASH~

Frail, thin arms wrapped instinctively around his neck, wings outstretched and flying, flying high into the velvet sky. The rush of having someone in his arms as he lifted into the night, reveling everything he was. She's not running away, or pointing and laughing at me, at them. Is this a dream?

~FLASH~

A small hint of blush crawled over her face as she gulped back a glass of wine, and how her eyes closed so gently, with her eyelashes resting lightly against her perfect skin, and the wideness of her eyes as she hiccupped. She's so unpredictable.

~FLASH~

The bewildered expression and the pure anger she carried as he told her to help him see the Invisible Enemy. The precise way she walked away from him, stamping her foot to pivot away.

~FLASH~

Her tight embrace as she prepared to leave him to go home. A tear that gently rolled down his tan cheek when she was gone, one that scarred permanently in his heart forever. I love her…

TBC

A/n: Gomen no sai, minna. I didn't mean to take so long. It's been hectic, with SOLs and all this other stuff in school. But I will be dedicating more to the story, don't worry. And what happens, happens.