' ' ' ' ' ' ' 'Moonchild: Tsubasa no Kami' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
My mind floats in and out of misery. I suppose I am hardly even here, hardly even alive. Being here in this place has made me forget what happiness was. My lord can think of only sadness and my mind is overcome with his grief and his loss. In the beginning all I could think of was my moonchild. My Celena. How lovely it would be to see her face. How wonderful it would be to run my hand across her smooth skin, feel her silky hair once again. Folken never touches me. I have come to love him though. I do not believe it to be genuine love, but it is a love all the same. I pity this powerful monster. I am resigned to my fate and him.
I imagine he feels some attachment to me. I give him his answers. I am his adviser, the one he turns to. And I have not failed him yet. He kills millions, my love. He does not think twice of his murders. Oh, his crimes. He lives in hell because he wants it. I watch him, this deranged man. He no longer knows what he truly wants. He wishes for his pain to end, but by doing so he increases it tenfold. Not many understand him and his ways. Why he does these things. I have looked into his past and now understand. He has a vision. What he thinks is best for the world. And he plans to accomplish it. Even though it is not his fate. His is a fate undefined because he has changed it so. I envy him. I would never go against my fate.
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Celena sighed and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. The sun was high in the sky, informing the young girl it was either noon or soon to be. She picked up her things and moved to sit beneath a tree in the shade and observe her work. She had poured sand she had found in Sora's cabinet all along the barriers of the village. It had been one of their first lessons, a protecting spell so to speak. Celena smiled at the memory. She had been picking wild flowers when Sora had approached her. They hardly ever had lessons in the day so Celena had been caught off guard. Sora hadn't said a word, but simply had taken one of her picked flowers and laid it on the ground.
"Do you know how to make something disappear Celena?" she had asked, not looking at her but focusing on the flower.
"You can't", she had replied with finality. "There is always something left over when doing magic. You can't make something completely go away"
Sora nodded. "But, you can always create the illusion that something that is there, isn't. Our work is full of deceit Celena. To protect yourself, sometimes you must trick others"
Sora had then taken a small vile from inside the folds of her dress and lightly poured the contents around the small flower. Sora moved her hands to her chest, Celena's eyes following them. Sora looked up at her. "Can you see your flower now?"
Celena had returned her eyes to where the flower had been. Her eyes widened in curiosity. It had vanished. "It's still there Celena, and you would be able to see it if you had stayed focused on it. The sand is ground from a stone that is known to trick the eye. This spell does not rely on the moon as most of the others have. It is used for protection"
Sora finally looked her straight in the eye. Celena had understood that one day she would need to know this.
Celena took a long drink from her water pouch. She hoped no Zaibach troops would come back this way any time soon hoping to claim their supposed conquered land. Her barrier would make the village permanently invisible to a wandering stranger in the forest, but it could not protect her village from attack. No, the spell was certainly not powerful enough for that. She new of a shielding spell, but it could only cover a certain amount of space and she could only hold it up for so long. She had decided it would be best to use the least amount of her energy. Her home would be safe for the meantime.
"Celena!" The blonde girl turned her head to see Cato running towards her, accompanied by her three younger sisters. A bright smile spread across Celena's face in greeting. "Celena, Celena, what are you doing sitting out here in this hot sun? You and your delicate skin will burn redder than a rose by afternoon time!" Celena's childhood friend perched one hand on her hip, and waggled one finger with the other. Celena shook her head in mirth; Cato of course knew exactly what she had been doing. Celena couldn't help but enjoy the friendly teasing; she received very little of it lately.
Cato's three sisters eyed her with curiosity, the youngest two too shy to say anything to her. The eldest, maybe about 8 years of age, ran up beside Cato. "Did you make us safe?"
Celena nodded. Even it wasn't entirely true, she didn't want to worry anyone. "Are you finished?" Cato asked, serious for the moment in case she was intruding on Celena's work. Celena nodded her head.
"Good! Now, Emyr give me that basket and we'll start setting things out. Yes, yes, thank you for carrying it all this way. Anyway, as you can see Celly, I brought us a picnic. It is just too beautiful a day to waste, don't you think? Oh, and I brought you a sun hat, goodness knows how hot your face will be if you venture out from under this tree again-"
Celena merely nodded as a sunhat was placed on her head and a basket of food began to be set out beside her. Cato was naturally talkative, which was fine with Celena who hardly spoke and preferred to listen. Cato waved her sisters away, sending them off to play while she got the picnic ready. Celena couldn't help but grin; Cato was doing this all simply to brighten her spirits. Cato made a decorative set up of cloth laid out with cheese and fruit on top. She began sprinkling herbs around the dishes artfully, Celena entertained by watching her movements. Cato picked a berry from one of the cloths and popped into her mouth, the red juice staining her fingers. The red reminded Celena of a certain crimson-eyed man and she blushed. How was it her thoughts still turned to him even after the soldiers were long gone?
"Do you miss her?"
Celena looked up at Cato to find the brunette's expression suddenly serious. Celena realized she meant Sora. She nodded her head. She did miss her mentor. Terribly.
Cato sighed. "Everyone is depending on you now Celena. You won't have Sora to help you out of trouble" Cato reached for Celena's wrist and held it.
"I wish she hadn't left so soon. I know she has taught you, but.... you've never been put under this sort of pressure before, it was always just practice, I assume anyway...."
Celena looked down over the picnic as the berries' juice began to run down over the cheese. Was she prepared enough to take all this responsibility? She hadn't felt doubt until now...she had trusted that Sora had taught her well.
"The villagers will all be watching you, trying to see when you will slip up, not reach their standards, when you finally make a mistake" Cato was looking into her eyes. "I am awed by your courage. I think I would break under such pressure"
Celena nodded. "Even if I do make mistakes.... the moon will always aid me to right them. It certainly hasn't let me down yet" Celena gave her friend a light smile. "You are safe. And I will be fine"
Cato smiled appreciatively. She had wanted to make sure her friend was dealing with her situation well. She laughed lightly. "The moon will always be your friend Celena"
She cleared her throat and ate another berry, smiling mischievously. "So tell me...Who is this 'Dilandau'?"
Celena choked on the piece of cheese she was eating. "Wh-what?!" Cato laughed whole-heartedly while Celena stared at her in absolute shock and horror. "Remember when I came to keep you company the other night? And I slept in your hut?" Cato asked, still giggling. Celena nodded numbly. "You talk in your sleep", Cato managed to make out before going into another fit of giggles.
"I-...I didn't, did I? Oh no,...what did I say Cato?!" , Celena questioned desperately, looking more horrified than ever. Cato keeled over laughing. "Cato! CATO! What did I say?!"
Celena scrambled on top of her slightly hysterical friend holding her wrists down. Cato was the only person she'd ever been able to hold such a close relationship with; she was also the only person she would have spoken with above a normal talking voice.
"CATO!"
"Alright! Alright!" Cato snorted one last time before looking up at her friend.
"You said-"Cato then leaned up and whispered in Celena's ear.
Celena made a slight shriek of horror. "No, no, I couldn't have, I didn't! Did I really?"
Cato laughed. "No, not really. You just mumbled his name a few times. I just wanted to see how you'd react"
"Cato! You- you-"
"Tell me when you think of a good insult, right now I want to know who this mystery man of your dreams is"
"Well, he, uh...-"Celena blushed scarlet.
"You two are soooo weird"
Cato and Celena looked up to see Cato's three little sisters were back. Celena then realized she had Cato's wrists pinned to the ground and she was still half on top of her. "Oh", she muttered and sat up again, becoming redder than she was before.
Cato laughed at Celena's discomfort then turned to her siblings. "You got bored did you?"
When her sisters nodded she turned back to Celena. "Well, what do you think Celly? Lunch is ready?" Celena nodded her head and the three girls began to eat the berries and cheese in handfuls.
"See, aren't they just little monsters?" Cato asked, smiling. Celena just smiled back and ate another red berry wondering what the 'man of her dreams' might be doing right now.
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I eyed him with curiosity. He had an arrogant air to him, constantly giving a smug smirk if not reprimanding his soldiers for making any small mistakes. His hair was platinum blonde, almost white. His eyes were blood red and seeing into him I could tell he loved the thrill of slaughter. What strange taste in men my child had.
Folken-sama had brought me along with him for addressing Dilandau's small army. I was glad. There was something about this man. He was bloodthirsty, much like Folken. But there was something else. Something else to him. He was so much more alive. I could tell he could be changed. That one day he would leave this life of slaughter behind, change himself. Start afresh. And never look back. This was the difference between him and my lord. Dilandau had life. Folken had only death.
"What is the purpose of this meeting Folken-sama?" Dilandau asked in his same arrogant manner, his men neatly filed behind him.
"To inform you of your purpose", Folken answered. He stood in front of his throne and I saw his back stiffen from Dilandau's tone. He demanded respect.
"Our purpose?" Dilandau's troops seemed to bristle with curiosity at this, looking expectantly up at my lord. Such power hungry soldiers.
"I have a special job for you". Folken smirked slightly at this, always an indication that he was pleased with himself.
"Does this involve the Dragon Armor?" Dilandau asked.
A smirk was his only reply. The formal conversation continued in this manner, but I tuned out the words, already knowing what they spoke of. My lord had taken a great interest in the Dragon Armor, Escaflowne. An obsession. In his hands he could destroy the world with it, rid himself and the planet of their pain. Of course, there was one other who stood in his way. My lord's younger brother, the person to be blamed for my Lord's pain. The fate of this world was not set, but even so I knew the possibilities. The Dragon Armor choosing Van was one of them. I was omniscient in regards to knowledge of the Dragon Armors. They were things I had always known, but had thought little of until my stay with Folken. I knew how they worked. How they thrived off demon blood. How Escaflowne, like myself, lived by the moon.
I thought back to my making of the moonstone and almost laughed at my ignorance. How I didn't realize what I was regenerating at the time. How I had so easily assumed it was entirely my creation. And now my Celena had it. My darling Celena.
"We'll be in charge of capturing the Tsubasa no Kami? That's it?"
Dilandau's sneering voice drew me from my reverie, reminding me of my main worry.
"Not only that. When the time comes though, you will be in charge of this task. Am I understood?"
There was a chorus of "Yes, Folken-sama" and the obnoxious albino accompanied by his charges were dismissed. I watched the boy go, suddenly interested. He seemed to be upset about something. And not something small. Maybe he missed my moonchild like I did?
I would have delved deeper into the matter, but he had already left the room, leaving me to scold myself for trying to make a connection with the boy. Folken looked at me pointedly, then began to walk away. Ah yes, he wanted me to find the Tsubasa no Kami. The keeper of Escaflowne. I smiled bitterly. I already knew exactly where she was. And the only way to rid her of the danger she was now in, I would have to remove the moonstone. Send it far away.
I looked to the sky to see my moon. And my moon's twin. Perfect.
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A/N: I took sooo long to update this. I'm so lazy, I know, and I had a bit of writer's block I suppose you could say. Anyway, this story is, thankfully, still alive. And yes, I have decided that Hitomi isn't the original Tusbasa no Kami, or at least isn't the true Tsubasa no Kami. I always got that feeling from the movie, that she wasn't meant to get thrown in with this crazy messed world. Also, if you've ever noticed, whenever Escaflowne is "alive", it always becomes dark. Completely out of the blue. And when it is no longer "alive" it becomes day again. I really wanted to have an explanation for that, hence saying that Escaflowne lives by the moon.
Thanks to Sand 3, Bloody Mary, Sakura Shinguji-Albatou, and Mistress of Darkness for reviewing! I love it.
My mind floats in and out of misery. I suppose I am hardly even here, hardly even alive. Being here in this place has made me forget what happiness was. My lord can think of only sadness and my mind is overcome with his grief and his loss. In the beginning all I could think of was my moonchild. My Celena. How lovely it would be to see her face. How wonderful it would be to run my hand across her smooth skin, feel her silky hair once again. Folken never touches me. I have come to love him though. I do not believe it to be genuine love, but it is a love all the same. I pity this powerful monster. I am resigned to my fate and him.
I imagine he feels some attachment to me. I give him his answers. I am his adviser, the one he turns to. And I have not failed him yet. He kills millions, my love. He does not think twice of his murders. Oh, his crimes. He lives in hell because he wants it. I watch him, this deranged man. He no longer knows what he truly wants. He wishes for his pain to end, but by doing so he increases it tenfold. Not many understand him and his ways. Why he does these things. I have looked into his past and now understand. He has a vision. What he thinks is best for the world. And he plans to accomplish it. Even though it is not his fate. His is a fate undefined because he has changed it so. I envy him. I would never go against my fate.
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Celena sighed and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. The sun was high in the sky, informing the young girl it was either noon or soon to be. She picked up her things and moved to sit beneath a tree in the shade and observe her work. She had poured sand she had found in Sora's cabinet all along the barriers of the village. It had been one of their first lessons, a protecting spell so to speak. Celena smiled at the memory. She had been picking wild flowers when Sora had approached her. They hardly ever had lessons in the day so Celena had been caught off guard. Sora hadn't said a word, but simply had taken one of her picked flowers and laid it on the ground.
"Do you know how to make something disappear Celena?" she had asked, not looking at her but focusing on the flower.
"You can't", she had replied with finality. "There is always something left over when doing magic. You can't make something completely go away"
Sora nodded. "But, you can always create the illusion that something that is there, isn't. Our work is full of deceit Celena. To protect yourself, sometimes you must trick others"
Sora had then taken a small vile from inside the folds of her dress and lightly poured the contents around the small flower. Sora moved her hands to her chest, Celena's eyes following them. Sora looked up at her. "Can you see your flower now?"
Celena had returned her eyes to where the flower had been. Her eyes widened in curiosity. It had vanished. "It's still there Celena, and you would be able to see it if you had stayed focused on it. The sand is ground from a stone that is known to trick the eye. This spell does not rely on the moon as most of the others have. It is used for protection"
Sora finally looked her straight in the eye. Celena had understood that one day she would need to know this.
Celena took a long drink from her water pouch. She hoped no Zaibach troops would come back this way any time soon hoping to claim their supposed conquered land. Her barrier would make the village permanently invisible to a wandering stranger in the forest, but it could not protect her village from attack. No, the spell was certainly not powerful enough for that. She new of a shielding spell, but it could only cover a certain amount of space and she could only hold it up for so long. She had decided it would be best to use the least amount of her energy. Her home would be safe for the meantime.
"Celena!" The blonde girl turned her head to see Cato running towards her, accompanied by her three younger sisters. A bright smile spread across Celena's face in greeting. "Celena, Celena, what are you doing sitting out here in this hot sun? You and your delicate skin will burn redder than a rose by afternoon time!" Celena's childhood friend perched one hand on her hip, and waggled one finger with the other. Celena shook her head in mirth; Cato of course knew exactly what she had been doing. Celena couldn't help but enjoy the friendly teasing; she received very little of it lately.
Cato's three sisters eyed her with curiosity, the youngest two too shy to say anything to her. The eldest, maybe about 8 years of age, ran up beside Cato. "Did you make us safe?"
Celena nodded. Even it wasn't entirely true, she didn't want to worry anyone. "Are you finished?" Cato asked, serious for the moment in case she was intruding on Celena's work. Celena nodded her head.
"Good! Now, Emyr give me that basket and we'll start setting things out. Yes, yes, thank you for carrying it all this way. Anyway, as you can see Celly, I brought us a picnic. It is just too beautiful a day to waste, don't you think? Oh, and I brought you a sun hat, goodness knows how hot your face will be if you venture out from under this tree again-"
Celena merely nodded as a sunhat was placed on her head and a basket of food began to be set out beside her. Cato was naturally talkative, which was fine with Celena who hardly spoke and preferred to listen. Cato waved her sisters away, sending them off to play while she got the picnic ready. Celena couldn't help but grin; Cato was doing this all simply to brighten her spirits. Cato made a decorative set up of cloth laid out with cheese and fruit on top. She began sprinkling herbs around the dishes artfully, Celena entertained by watching her movements. Cato picked a berry from one of the cloths and popped into her mouth, the red juice staining her fingers. The red reminded Celena of a certain crimson-eyed man and she blushed. How was it her thoughts still turned to him even after the soldiers were long gone?
"Do you miss her?"
Celena looked up at Cato to find the brunette's expression suddenly serious. Celena realized she meant Sora. She nodded her head. She did miss her mentor. Terribly.
Cato sighed. "Everyone is depending on you now Celena. You won't have Sora to help you out of trouble" Cato reached for Celena's wrist and held it.
"I wish she hadn't left so soon. I know she has taught you, but.... you've never been put under this sort of pressure before, it was always just practice, I assume anyway...."
Celena looked down over the picnic as the berries' juice began to run down over the cheese. Was she prepared enough to take all this responsibility? She hadn't felt doubt until now...she had trusted that Sora had taught her well.
"The villagers will all be watching you, trying to see when you will slip up, not reach their standards, when you finally make a mistake" Cato was looking into her eyes. "I am awed by your courage. I think I would break under such pressure"
Celena nodded. "Even if I do make mistakes.... the moon will always aid me to right them. It certainly hasn't let me down yet" Celena gave her friend a light smile. "You are safe. And I will be fine"
Cato smiled appreciatively. She had wanted to make sure her friend was dealing with her situation well. She laughed lightly. "The moon will always be your friend Celena"
She cleared her throat and ate another berry, smiling mischievously. "So tell me...Who is this 'Dilandau'?"
Celena choked on the piece of cheese she was eating. "Wh-what?!" Cato laughed whole-heartedly while Celena stared at her in absolute shock and horror. "Remember when I came to keep you company the other night? And I slept in your hut?" Cato asked, still giggling. Celena nodded numbly. "You talk in your sleep", Cato managed to make out before going into another fit of giggles.
"I-...I didn't, did I? Oh no,...what did I say Cato?!" , Celena questioned desperately, looking more horrified than ever. Cato keeled over laughing. "Cato! CATO! What did I say?!"
Celena scrambled on top of her slightly hysterical friend holding her wrists down. Cato was the only person she'd ever been able to hold such a close relationship with; she was also the only person she would have spoken with above a normal talking voice.
"CATO!"
"Alright! Alright!" Cato snorted one last time before looking up at her friend.
"You said-"Cato then leaned up and whispered in Celena's ear.
Celena made a slight shriek of horror. "No, no, I couldn't have, I didn't! Did I really?"
Cato laughed. "No, not really. You just mumbled his name a few times. I just wanted to see how you'd react"
"Cato! You- you-"
"Tell me when you think of a good insult, right now I want to know who this mystery man of your dreams is"
"Well, he, uh...-"Celena blushed scarlet.
"You two are soooo weird"
Cato and Celena looked up to see Cato's three little sisters were back. Celena then realized she had Cato's wrists pinned to the ground and she was still half on top of her. "Oh", she muttered and sat up again, becoming redder than she was before.
Cato laughed at Celena's discomfort then turned to her siblings. "You got bored did you?"
When her sisters nodded she turned back to Celena. "Well, what do you think Celly? Lunch is ready?" Celena nodded her head and the three girls began to eat the berries and cheese in handfuls.
"See, aren't they just little monsters?" Cato asked, smiling. Celena just smiled back and ate another red berry wondering what the 'man of her dreams' might be doing right now.
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I eyed him with curiosity. He had an arrogant air to him, constantly giving a smug smirk if not reprimanding his soldiers for making any small mistakes. His hair was platinum blonde, almost white. His eyes were blood red and seeing into him I could tell he loved the thrill of slaughter. What strange taste in men my child had.
Folken-sama had brought me along with him for addressing Dilandau's small army. I was glad. There was something about this man. He was bloodthirsty, much like Folken. But there was something else. Something else to him. He was so much more alive. I could tell he could be changed. That one day he would leave this life of slaughter behind, change himself. Start afresh. And never look back. This was the difference between him and my lord. Dilandau had life. Folken had only death.
"What is the purpose of this meeting Folken-sama?" Dilandau asked in his same arrogant manner, his men neatly filed behind him.
"To inform you of your purpose", Folken answered. He stood in front of his throne and I saw his back stiffen from Dilandau's tone. He demanded respect.
"Our purpose?" Dilandau's troops seemed to bristle with curiosity at this, looking expectantly up at my lord. Such power hungry soldiers.
"I have a special job for you". Folken smirked slightly at this, always an indication that he was pleased with himself.
"Does this involve the Dragon Armor?" Dilandau asked.
A smirk was his only reply. The formal conversation continued in this manner, but I tuned out the words, already knowing what they spoke of. My lord had taken a great interest in the Dragon Armor, Escaflowne. An obsession. In his hands he could destroy the world with it, rid himself and the planet of their pain. Of course, there was one other who stood in his way. My lord's younger brother, the person to be blamed for my Lord's pain. The fate of this world was not set, but even so I knew the possibilities. The Dragon Armor choosing Van was one of them. I was omniscient in regards to knowledge of the Dragon Armors. They were things I had always known, but had thought little of until my stay with Folken. I knew how they worked. How they thrived off demon blood. How Escaflowne, like myself, lived by the moon.
I thought back to my making of the moonstone and almost laughed at my ignorance. How I didn't realize what I was regenerating at the time. How I had so easily assumed it was entirely my creation. And now my Celena had it. My darling Celena.
"We'll be in charge of capturing the Tsubasa no Kami? That's it?"
Dilandau's sneering voice drew me from my reverie, reminding me of my main worry.
"Not only that. When the time comes though, you will be in charge of this task. Am I understood?"
There was a chorus of "Yes, Folken-sama" and the obnoxious albino accompanied by his charges were dismissed. I watched the boy go, suddenly interested. He seemed to be upset about something. And not something small. Maybe he missed my moonchild like I did?
I would have delved deeper into the matter, but he had already left the room, leaving me to scold myself for trying to make a connection with the boy. Folken looked at me pointedly, then began to walk away. Ah yes, he wanted me to find the Tsubasa no Kami. The keeper of Escaflowne. I smiled bitterly. I already knew exactly where she was. And the only way to rid her of the danger she was now in, I would have to remove the moonstone. Send it far away.
I looked to the sky to see my moon. And my moon's twin. Perfect.
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A/N: I took sooo long to update this. I'm so lazy, I know, and I had a bit of writer's block I suppose you could say. Anyway, this story is, thankfully, still alive. And yes, I have decided that Hitomi isn't the original Tusbasa no Kami, or at least isn't the true Tsubasa no Kami. I always got that feeling from the movie, that she wasn't meant to get thrown in with this crazy messed world. Also, if you've ever noticed, whenever Escaflowne is "alive", it always becomes dark. Completely out of the blue. And when it is no longer "alive" it becomes day again. I really wanted to have an explanation for that, hence saying that Escaflowne lives by the moon.
Thanks to Sand 3, Bloody Mary, Sakura Shinguji-Albatou, and Mistress of Darkness for reviewing! I love it.