Day of the Dragon

Chapter 4: Chaos of the Flame

With each passing cloud, Van felt he was drawing closer to the next armor. Sohnar, God of Speed, had been defeated at the hands of him and Escaflowne, but their were still two more to go. Hitomi's life lay in Ajuk's hands, and Van couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Van still felt the sting that Sohnar gave him when his sword had struck at Escaflowne's chest. He had barely escaped Sohnar, so fighting a stronger armor would mean the end for him. As these thoughts passed by, Van fell into slumber.

Van awoke with a start. Realizing where he was, Van calmed down.

"How long have I been out?" Van asked sleepily.

"Van, who may want to see this." bellowed a horrified Escaflowne.

Looking forward, Van's eye gazed upon a city. But this city was in flames. Buildings burned like a thousand suns, and flames burst from every house. Remembering the destruction of his home country, Van slammed his fist at Escaflowne's back. Rage consumed him. The fire that burned in his eyes were greater than that of the city.

"Take us down, Escaflowne." ordered Van. "The next armor is there, I know

it is."

Escaflowne landed at a safe distance from the city. Van entered Escaflowne's body then they entered the ruins. Chaos was everywhere. People were running screaming all about. There was nothing they could do but run. Van saw in horror as innocent people were massacred by the flames. He wished he could just close his eyes, but he had a mission. Bravely, Van moved on.

About ten minutes afterward Van caught a glimpse of the next armor. Escaflowne quickened his pace. Then they came to a dead end. Van turned Escaflowne around, thinking that it may have been a trick of the eyes. But as soon as Escaflowne made his first step, flames hailed upon them from above. Van had not felt such heat since his final bout with Diladeu. And before them was an armor, almost identical to Diladeu's armor with the exception of the flamethrowers that was in the place of its hands. Escaflowne unsheathed its sword and charged at the armor. Then they were again attacked by a torrent of fire from behind. And low and behold another armor stood there, exactly identical to the other.

"Van, these are the twin armors of fire, Banfiza of the Flame and Korment the Destroyer." said Escaflowne. "They must be the two final armors!"

"This is even worse than Sohnar." remarked Van. "How do we kill them? They can summon fire at will!"

"We must find a way!" exclaimed Escaflowne.

"It seems Sohnar did not slay Escaflowne." said Banfiza.

"Pitiful wretch, can't even slay a weakling armor such as Escalfowne." uttered Korment.

"Ajuk would love to see you two roasted by our flames!"

Escaflowne charged at Banfiza, but Korment shot fire from his hands. While Escaflowne was under submission from the flames, Banfiza landed a series of punishing blows. Subdued by the seemingly perfect assault, Escaflowne lay on the ground. Escaflowne then stood up and knelt on one knee.

"Van? Van, are you alright?" asked Escaflowne.

"I'm alright, but I can't move my arms." responded Van. "But I have an idea. Escaflowne, can you create and fissure large enough to engulf one of them in earth?"

"I can try." said Escaflowne.

Taking his sword in hand, Escaflowne thrust it into the ground before him. The earth in front of Escaflowne gave way and the collapsing reached Banfiza and he fell into the newly created fissure.

"Brother!" exclaimed Korment. "You bastards! You will pay!"

Korment released another torrent of flames at Escaflowne, but Escaflowne turned around and shielded itself from the fire with his arms. Walking slowly to Korment, Escaflowne took his sword back in his hand.

"This cannot be the power of Escaflowne! I don't believe it!" exclaimed Korment.

Escaflowne sliced at Korment's arms with his sword, and surely Korment was relinquished of his arms. Korment slowly backed away, but Escaflowne thrust his sword into Korment's heart. Korment vanished in a burst of flames and in his place were two stones, each looking like a dragon. When fitted together, they formed a circle where the dragons seemed to be biting each other's tail. Also there were two more shards that fitted perfectly with the shard taken from Sohnar. Putting these away, Van reentered Escaflowne and they took off into the sky. The people of the city waved goodbye to their saviors, and Van waved back.

Now they were off to find Ajuk, whose location seems to remain a mystery. But in Van's mind, nothing could stop him from saving Hitomi, not even death itself.

To be continued...