Disclaimer; I don't own Escaflowne, the place names or the original characters.
Since I always usually write short summaries, I thought I'd write a lengthy summary just as a treat. ^_^ A word of warning; this story is quite dark, and a complete change from my other stories. If I get some reviews, I might write more. ^_^
-Summary-
When they were met for the first time they were just teenagers. Their love had to be post-poned because of the Great Gaean War. After a long struggle the good won, but the damage had already been done. Although as time passed and the emotional cuts healed, the scars were still there, and so they will remain. Fragile hearts bruise easily, especially when someone else is messing with fate. Van was like a cauldron waiting to explode; Hitomi was the psychic from the Mystic Moon. They met again in their twenties, thinking that being more mature, they would understand each other better. Now, seventeen years later, things have changed. Dilandau is in power of Zaibach, and has possession of Escaflowne. With this he rules everything on Gaea, and nothing can happen without his authority. Van is a rogue assassin, determined to reclaim the fabled guymelef that is rightfully his. He also wants to avenge the death of his master, the mighty Knight Caeli Allen Schezar. Only one person can tip the tables, and give one side the upper hand. But will Hitomi help Van, when he wasn't there when she needed him the most?
~~~~~~~~~
13th Grey Moon.
They stood facing one another, both geared for the fight. Thunder shattered the skies and lightning slashed the heavens, illuminating pulsing veins. Sweat trickled down Van's temple, his heart pumping like a raging stampede. Dilandau was cool and ready; controlling the Escaflowne was like using any other guymelef, but with smoother movements. He also added some additions to it, making it even more powerful. It moved faster and swifter than your average machine, and had more punch than a crane. Dilandau was confidant he was going to win.
"Vaaaan… I have you're womaaaan…"
Dilandau sang, taunting his adversary.
"LET HER GO!!"
Van roared. His eyes darted to Hitomi, who was unconscious in the melef hand. He only had an old, rusty and partially broken guymelef to fight with; whereas Dilandau, has the Escaflowne. Once white with green shoulder stones, it now has ruby red shoulder stones and has turned black. It is so different to the Escaflowne Van knew and used. Van found his gaze lingering on Hitomi again, his weakness and source of strength. Thinking of her made him strong, but actually seeing her like this reduced him to almost nothing. He cannot afford that, not now.
Van struck with fierce aggression. CLANG! CHINK! CLANG! They seemed to dance as they fought, spinning and dodging hits at the same time as dealing massive blows to each other. The more they did, the more the strain showed on Van's side; his old, battered melef could not keep up with Dilandau's, never mind match it. With tremendous force, Dilandau sliced through Van's melef arm with surprising ease. It fell to the damp earth with a heavy "clunk". Van stared at it, both in disbelief and fear. How was he supposed to rescue Hitomi now? Dilandau has somehow managed to unlock Escaflowne's hidden powers, but worse still, whatever Dilandau is thinking, Escaflowne acts on it.
But, it is still connected to him, though only just. Van can still feel Escaflowne's slightest movements. Since Dilandau got his hands on it, it instantly changed colour. The sight of Hitomi's limp body made him angry.
Suddenly, it transformed – into a black dragon. Dilandau was holding the reins, with Hitomi lying at his feet in the seat. She was starting to stir. When she was fully awake, she shouted Van's name. Hearing her voice again gave Van the strength he so badly needed. Running, he jumped and tried to slash at Shadow Escaflowne. Success – but the hole rapidly rejoined itself, as though it never even happened. Van was horrified. So was Hitomi. God knows what else it could do.
Beating its wings, Shadow Escaflowne gradually soared higher and higher. Dilandau was deliberately going slowly to taunt Van. He shouted and roared in fury, but mostly at his own failure. Hitomi tried to reach him, though it was clearly impossible since she was already ten-foot above ground. Cackling darkly, Dilandau flew away with her, Van feeling so helpless he wondered if it were a nightmare. The sky was like a navy carpet, sprinkled with bright stars and a full moon. The mountains were dominating and solitary, some capped with snow. Looking up, Dilandau's stature was imposing; not least, because he was so aggressive, but also because of his unpredictability. Suddenly he turned to face her – crimson eyes blazing in a crazed manner, wearing a twisted smile. Hitomi was scared, as she always was when she saw him. Instinctively she put her hands over her middle, to protect what she has left to remind her of Van… grabbing her by the arms, he held her roughly over Shadow Escaflowne. The sharp ridges of the cold mountains were waiting for Hitomi. She could not see much, as the wind made her eyes water. Yet she desperately wanted to keep them open. Any minute now, she would land on them, and die. One… two…
"I'LL FIND YOU!!!" Van yelled.
Three…
DUFF – Hitomi had fallen out of bed and onto the floor. The cold stone slabs were like ice to her warm skin. She lay there for a moment, too in shock to realise it was a dream. It had been reoccurring since that fateful day, but now she dreamt about it more often. Heaving herself off the floor, Hitomi went to the window and opened the curtains. It was a nice day, sunny and bright, fluffy white clouds parading across the watery sky. "Where are you?" She said to no one in particular. Dilandau had held her captive for seventeen, long drawn years. At the bottom of the garden, Hitomi watched as a young girl played blinded-folded hide and seek with the servants. Searching for them with her arms outstretched, she managed to get most of them quite quickly. Then a tall man in black armour came striding over, and immediately the servants cowered in fear. The girl took off her blindfold, and when she saw him, smiled and embraced him with a hug. Sharp, painful tears rolled down Kanzaki's face, but she hastily brushed them away with harsh force.
"He won't bring me down."
4th Yellow Moon, a week later.
In the morning Hitomi was in a rush; she had to find her quickly. Why the girl just left without waking her is a mistake. A major, mistake; especially if it happened here. And Hitomi should know.
"Eisha? Eisha where are you?"
"I'm here mother."
The pink stone hanging round her neck matched the colour of her eyes. Hitomi stroked her daughter's coal-black hair absent mindedly.
"What's wrong?"
"We've got to get back, or else he'll be angry."
"Just give it to him then! I don't understand why you always let him treat you like dirt. I think you deserve better."
Hitomi ushered Eisha towards the fortress. They were out picking herbs; herbs Hitomi needs in order to sleep at night. She worries about what he will do to Eisha if she did not obey him. Like last year, he ordered her to grow her hair and never cut it. He told Eisha it was because long hair suited her better. Hitomi knew the truth; the real reason for this, is so he can yank at it and tear some strands when he gets frustrated. Dilandau never actually did anything to hurt Eisha, but did everything he could to hurt Hitomi. The Fortress loomed into view. Huge and intimidating, it was frightening to look upon. The guards unlocked the gate for them to pass. Whenever any Zaibach soldiers were present, Eisha would cling to her mother for comfort. Hitomi did not blame her. Peering around the corner, Hitomi ventured in first.
"It's clear."
They went in and filled the sink with water. Emptying the basket of herbs, Hitomi washed them and Eisha put them on a dry cloth. They were doing it very quietly, when suddenly there were footsteps coming. Dilandau stroked in, flanked by his councillors. He got Hitomi by the throat and pushed her against the wall. Eisha was screaming for it to stop.
"Is somebody tired? Awww, maybe I should take these herbs away to check for bugs. Don't want you to be sick now, do we?"
Dilandau was vile. Eisha was crying because she feared for her mother's life.
"Clear out the leaves." He ordered his servants, who obediently did as they were told.
"No! Leave her alone she never did anything to hurt you!!"
"Oh she did Eisha, she did." He added as he sauntered out the kitchen.
Hitomi choked and wheezed on the floor, as a shaking Eisha rubbed her back. She was on her hands and knees, staring at the traces of dirt where the herbs were. Their part of the fortress was dark and cold. Dilandau made sure of that. As usual, he threatened to kill her, but never actually did. He was so unpredictable; it would be foolish to ever think he was not serious or he would not do it for real. When she closed the door, Hitomi fell on the cushions with relief. A stunned Eisha stared at her, wondering what to do next. Patting on the edge of the bed, she obediently went and sat down. It was a long while before anything was said.
"Why is he always so… so violent towards you mother? You're always afraid of him, yet he is nice to me?"
Hitomi felt ashamed. She faced her and rested a hand on her shoulder. When she was finally able to look Eisha in the eye, Hitomi wiped her tear stained cheeks dry. Then she looked away again.
"Mother, what's wrong? You can tell me, you know you can."
Delving into her string pouch, she took out a bent and rather tattered feather. The tears threatened to return, as did those painful memories. Hitomi looked up to stop them from falling but it did no good; they fell anyway. Her gaze went back to the white feather she lovingly caressed.
"I'm still waiting."