Hemisphere
By: Sanctus-seira
An Escaflowne fanfiction.
Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter Two: Colors
A wise man once said that we are the weavers of our own dreams. Given the needle and thread, we, with the skill of our craft and the nimbleness of our fingers, reveal our innermost desires and unconscious thoughts in wonderfully-sewn images. The nicest part about dreams is that we are the only ones who can see them, thus the reason why many revel in the clandestine portraits produced by their own creativity and imagination.
However, this quintessential characteristic is at the same time the very reason why other people hate them.
Dreams do have a rude way of waking you up at the most unlikely moments through a sudden jolt or an unwelcome jerk. Upon waking, the pieces of what was once a coherent vision would scatter and disappear into the farthest depths of your grey matter like shards of a broken mirror, only to be found later when an unexpected event triggers its awakening.
After all, the mirror reflects the illusion of a spirit.
The sun had just set when Hitomi finally opened her eyes again. There was no one inside the room with her, contrary to what she had originally thought. Perhaps they had just stepped out for some fresh air?
The red of her darkness subsided, and she could see the clarity of her vision slowly returning. Carefully, she tried to sit up, wary of the weakness in her stomach and of her bones. She was successful, although the effort exhausted her slightly. After a few more moments she decided to get up and try walking.
Like a calf in its first breathing moments, she had a hard time standing up. Her right knee was weak, and she couldn't feel her left leg at all. For a while she tried the techniques she learned back in her days with her high school track team. When she finally succeeded in restoring some feeling into her legs, she was able to stand.
She decided to go out and explore. She wanted to run.
And run she did.
She took one step outside and looked at her surroundings. A single glance at the simple houses and the few content folk walking side by side made her realize where she was. No wonder she felt so at ease! Wanting some evidence to prove her correct, she looked up in the sky. There it was, the Mystic Moon, looking down on her with all its glory.
"Adom," she whispered. The name came from her lips as easily as a native's did when speaking his native tongue. Her heart leaped. She turned to her right, saw no one was there, and went in that direction, knowing full well where it would lead to: the mountain peaks. And gathering all the vigor she had left within her, Hitomi ran.
"When you run, it's as if someone's chasing you," Kaji told her. "Or it's as if you're running after something you're afraid to lose."
"How do you think so?" Hitomi asked.
"I see it in your eyes," he replied. "There's always that faraway look in them."
"That's the second time someone told me that," she smirked, quite thoughtful.
"Really? Who else did?"
"Yukari. She told me the other day."
"Well, it's true... And whenever I see that in your eyes, I always ask myself if I'm enough for you."
"Nonsense!" Hitomi exclaimed. "Why do you ask yourself that question?"
"Actually, Hitomi, it does make a little sense," Kaji frowned. The knot on his forehead, which she adored about him, appeared. "You don't seem satisfied with what you've attained. Athletic prowess, worldwide acclaim, vast wealth, and of course love – they never seem to be enough. For you, I don't know if this world will ever be enough."
"Kaji…"
"I love you, Hitomi," he whispered, clasping tightly both her hands in his. "But I'm worried that it might not be enough."
The pieces of what was once a coherent vision then scattered and disappeared into the farthest depths of her grey matter like shards of broken mirror…
She thought she could never run like the wind within her lifetime, but it seemed that she was doing so at that very moment. For the longest time, running like the wind had been her only goal, her single motivation for joining the track team. It had been her dream since childhood, first starting out from the desire to escape the punishments her parents would give her after misbehaving.
But now, she had a different motivation for running.
Run away from everything… Run away from everyone. Just you… Nothing will harm you.
It was as if at that very instant, the entire world was helping her, carrying her off her feet.
In a blur, she sped past the world – an unimportant part of her that could pass her by without her noticing. As she ran, the conversation from not too long ago rang in her mind. Thoughts and memories of her life in the Mystic Moon engulfed her, rendering her oblivious to all that was round her. Like a camera set on slow motion, she saw images of her family and friends, loved ones and mere acquaintances – people who have made an impact in her life no matter how big or small. There they were, just within her grasp. She reached out, only to find out that they were actually intangible.
She stopped, panting for breath. She wasn't sure exactly where she was, but hell, she was tired. She fell to her knees, one hand over her breast and another steadying herself as she tried desperately to calm her breathing. Her feet were tired, and her legs were sore. Worse comes to worst she'd be stuck in bed the whole day tomorrow out of fatigue.
"Kaji," she whispered in between breaths. When she lifted her eyes to survey her surroundings, it only took a moment for her to realize where she was. She was back at the cliff where she had bid goodbye to Van a decade ago, where she, on a pair of snow white wings, left for the Mystic Moon.
Hitomi closed her eyes and bit her lip pensively.
In front of her, the sun set, its brilliance disappearing behind the mountains of Gaea.
"I'm sorry…"
"A dream," he whispered. "Indeed things are more complicated than they actually seem."
He watched and listened, thankful that his skills of stealth had never really left him even after the long ten years. Casually leaning on the trunk of a large, shady tree, he gazed intently at her panting form. He was like a predator studying his prey, waiting for the right moment to emerge from his hiding place and attack.
Trying to break his own ice, Van shook his head quite vigorously. Having already been tempered by the black, messy locks that partially hid them from view, his scarlet gaze softened a little more at the sight of her still form. He cupped his face in both his hands and sighed softly.
He looked up to see Hitomi shift her position so that she was now lying flat on her back. She looked straight up at the sky and smiled weakly. Not quite understanding his own hesitance, he scratched his head exasperatedly and hunched his back even further in incensed frustration.
"And there's also Gaea to think about."
He had said that last statement a tad bit too loud, however, because an instant later, Hitomi suddenly sat up, alert.
"Who's there?" she called out.
He suddenly felt like killing himself for such carelessness.
"Who's there?" she repeated. "Answer me!"
Slightly incensed at the thought of someone watching her during her most unguarded moments but more fearful of the possibility of an attacker, Hitomi raised her brows and steadied herself. Instincts told her to prepare, just in case, and that was what she did. However doubt reigned in her when she realized that she wasn't going to be able to defend herself effectively. After not having had any solid food for three days, how would she be able to deliver a straight punch?
Instantly, Hitomi heard the sound of movement. Her whole body turned towards its direction. Looking up at the sky, only a few rays of the sun permeated the land. And just as the Mystic Moon's soft luster began to shed its own light on the fast darkening cliff, a figure began to emerge from a tree some feet away.
Unwittingly, Hitomi stepped back.
The figure was tall and dignified. It was unrecognizable. Hitomi squinted to get a clearer view, but the area where the figure stood was too dark for her to identify who it was.
"Step into the light," she called out.
And the figure obliged, head hunched low. It walked slowly, stopping under the spot where the moon's beams shone brightest. The minute it looked up, Hitomi instantly recognized who the figure was.
"Someday, we will meet again."
Their gazes were locked with one another. Neither knew who was supposed to speak first, nor what they were supposed to say. For a long while, they just stood still…
Surprise was written all over Hitomi's face during the first few minutes of silence, but finally, her face began to soften and her eyes began to sparkle. Van, whose face was clearly illuminated by the Mystic Moon's glow, was hesitant to approach her, unsure of how she would react to this first meeting. He knew that sooner or later, one of them would have to break the ice, but his feet were immobile. He couldn't move, no matter how much he wanted to.
Across him Hitomi began to quiver slightly, her slim form drawing in slow, heavy breaths. And if she saw him clearly, he couldn't do the same; she was against the light.
Suddenly Hitomi drew in a sharp gasp and ran towards him. She pressed herself to him in a tight embrace, a string of tears falling down her cheeks.
"Finally, a familiar face," she whispered shakily.
Van was stunned by the gesture. An embrace was the least he expected of Hitomi, the woman he had not seen in the past ten years. And without stopping to think about what he was about to do, Van wrapped his arms around her, returning the embrace with as much fervor as hers. He felt the tears, hot against his own cool neck, and held her silently.
"I want to be with you always…"
He sighed as Reason and Emotion fought a war in him, the subject being the woman he held in his arms at that very moment.
Reason told him that he should not welcome Hitomi, mindful of the possible consequences her presence might bring. Dryden's words about the reason for the Wing Goddess's descent rang like a mantra in his mind; too bothered after hearing them the first time, they had always lingered in the depths of his consciousness, surfacing whenever he thought about Hitomi and her possible return. The pendant hung loosely around his neck at that very instant, the coolness of the gem against his flesh being a painful reminder of the last decade's war.
However Emotion spoke otherwise. Despite the hundreds of arguments Reason gave in order to convince him that he was not doing the right thing, Emotion only gave him one, something Van knew deep in his heart that no argument would ever refute.
But things are more complicated than they actually seem…
Memories of their time together flashed in his brain like real-life enactments. Scenes from past events played before him, and he felt himself once more reliving the raw emotions. He held her tightly and saw once more the war's red, the sky's blue and night's black. It was upon seeing his vision's white that Emotion won the internal battle and calmed him. It was then that a single, coherent thought filled his brain: It would be wonderful if he could only claim her as his own.
Reason conceded. Van understood.
And at that very moment, his internal war ceased, a feeling of contentedness subduing his entire being.
At least, for now…
Four days after the King's sudden departure, Nathaniel was on the brink of desperation. There was no response from the King about their inquiries, and all messengers they had sent to Adom to ask him to come home had all been sent back, alone. All the messengers were able to do was to assure Nathaniel of his safety, and nothing else. The king gave strict orders that they keep secret all that they saw and heard while at Adom, and such was the loyalty of the men to their King that no amount of goading from the Royal Adviser could make them talk. All three men he had sent had all given him the same single, nonsensical statement from the monarch, which only prompted Nathaniel to worry more about the King and the country's state of affairs.
Of course, Ruhm was of no help either. Van's word was the law at Adom, and no one dared question his judgement. He was, after all, the Dragon they so revered.
"Sometimes I just can't help but think he's already given up on this country," Nathaniel whispered spitefully.
Suddenly he wanted to curse Van. When he came back, he would slap him senseless and burn him to the stake, not before making him promise that he would never ever leave Fanelia without telling them why. He wanted to scold the young King for leaving him and the rest of the Royal Advisers alone to run Fanelia as if nothing were happening, while he was probably off gallivanting at Adom.
He tried to ignore it, but there was still a lingering feeling of guilt inside of him for having to think ill of his King. However, frustration was the more dominant feeling at that moment and he couldn't help but feel the way he did.
He would do his penance later.
Nathaniel looked out of the window of his study and cursed. The sun had set hours ago, and the night was starless. They were probably going to be in for some rains in the next few days, another change in the seasons. The night was as dark as the prospects of the King returning that same night, or the next morning for that matter. No one, except himself, knew what was on Van's mind and when he was going to come home.
"Damn it, Van. You'll be dead once I'm through with you," he grumbled.
There was a knock on the door, and Nathaniel yelled for it to be opened. In walked two handmaids and the Lady Desteria, a member of the family of Fassa, whose most prominent member was Dryden, the wealthiest Fassa and the former financier of the rebel group Abaharaki. The lady stopped in front of his desk and curtsied politely. Nathaniel nodded in acknowledgement and asked her to sit herself comfortably.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit my lady?" he asked.
"I would just like to ask if you have any more news about the King," Desteria replied, her smooth, cool voice as piercing as the black of her gaze.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but my answer is still the same."
"Indeed, that is regretful. But are you sure your messengers do not have anything to share?"
"I have tried and exhausted so much effort in making them speak of what had happened in Adom, however they have been sworn to secrecy by the young King and their loyalty to him is far too great," Nathaniel explained. "I do not want to torture them just so that I would know what has happened to Van."
"I understand."
"Rest assured, my lady, you will be informed as soon as we have received news from the King," Nathaniel said. "Your concern for him is most appreciated."
"Of course," she replied. "He is one of my cousin's most valued friends."
"We're sorry that Lord Dryden and the Lady Millerna were not able to stay longer and see the King's arrival."
"They both feel the same way. That is why my cousin let me stay here to bear him news," she said. Sensing that Nathaniel had nothing else to tell her, nor did he have the will to carry on a longer conversation, Lady Desteria stood up and curtsied. "I must get going now, Lord Nathaniel.
It is late, and I must get some sleep."
"Have a good rest then my lady," was his response, also standing up out of courtesy.
"Thank you once again."
"You're most welcome."
Lady Desteria exited the study with her two handmaids and retreated to her chamber. Minutes later, Nathaniel decided that he should do the same.
He couldn't sleep. He was more restless than he had been in the past four days. A voice inside him was telling him that something was about to happen, and that he should stay awake in case something did happen.
Suddenly he heard the sound of hushed voices and the rustle of feet from the corridor outside. His curiosity was instantly perked. Taking his robe and wrapping it around his night garments, he stepped outside his room and into the vast corridor of the Fanelian palace's east wing. Guards shielded three people from his view: two females, one shorter than the other, and one male, with a strangely familiar build. The man and the guards were ushering the two women to a room he recognized to be Merle's.
Nathaniel frowned.
He watched as the two female figures slipped inside Merle's room, leaving the man alone with the guards. As soon as their door closed the guards bowed to the man and left, instantly giving away his identity. Nathaniel clenched his fists and raised a brow. Right after the guards had disappeared down the corridor, he walked towards the man who was about to disappear behind the door to his quarters and gave him a hard punch.
The man, of course, was able to deflect it.
"Nathaniel, what is it?" was the response.
"Van, you owe me an explanation, and I am not letting you sleep until you give me one," Nathaniel threatened, clutching the King by his collar.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Notes:
Okay, so the chapter turned out to be slightly different from the teaser I had included in the previous chapter. (And so to avoid that I will no longer be providing teasers… it's embarrassing if you don't live up to your word.) What I had originally had in mind was totally different from what I ended up writing, but I like it much better this way. I have finally introduced Van's conflicting Reason and Emotion, which will probably end up being the main conflict of this story if I don't get to think of something better. I do intend to keep this story as simple as possible, and early on you may rule out major wars and expeditions from the plot. I have no intention of writing anything as huge as that. And just to tell you, I have already thought of the perfect ending for this story, which of course I will not reveal to you all lest you strangle me to death. I think I will be strangled anyway once this story's done… a lot of you might not like it. ;p
Also, I'd like to plug my website, s1mon3blogspotcom (replace the underscores with the proper tags, or just click the link at my author's page), which you can turn to for a better-formatted version of this story just in case ruins my story's formatting yet AGAIN. Please, please, I'd like to clarify that the Chapter 1 you've read was not the Chapter 1 I wrote in terms of line spacing and italics. RUINED the first chapter, and I highly suggest visiting s1mon3blogspotcom for the better-written one. I know will also kill this chapter's formatting, so you may choose to visit that place instead of reading the fanfic here at if you want. I'll be posting all the chapters there anyway, complete with longer notes, better formatting and more random babble. You can leave comments there if you like, which is similar to leaving reviews at Nifty! :D
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed the story! I hope you liked this first chapter. I'm looking forward to your reviews (and to other people's as well). Your most honest feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! I will begin work on the third chapter as soon as possible.