Disclaimer: Vision of Escaflowne and its characters and likeliness is copyrighted to its respective company(ies). But the characters I created and this story is copyrighted to me.
Rating: PG-13
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FATES' JUDGEMENT
By Cosmos
Chapter 11: Battle at Cummerson Forest
Part III: Innocence Lost
Alas, it is inevitable that I should come to this. I know the risks of travelling down these paths of memory—the pains it will rekindle—but I must accept them. I know I can never run from my fate, and I will never win against it. All I can do is try to understand it.
We had been walking through those disturbingly dark tunnels for more than four hours. The silence, the darkness, the damp and intrusive enclosure of those rough stonewalls began to break through our barriers of sanity. They had been hacking away at our endurances since the very beginning, and soon those lifeless entities would enter the very core of all our souls; thus driving us mad. Rad knew this. Sythe did as well. And I…I was not fearful. The darkness could not attack one that was like its own. I have lived with these shadows since the days of my births. My destiny, my fate, it is my darkness…
"I don't remember the passage being this long," Arik said a short distance ahead. The uneasiness in his young voice could not be mistaken. The fear growing inside him was also a reflection of the anxiety in all their souls.
"Stay calm, Arik," the sound of Cade's composed tone assured the young boy. "We'll reach the window soon."
"Arik," a gentle feminine voice was suddenly heard behind them. "I haven't asked you how you found this place. So why don't you tell me now how you and your friends discovered these tunnels?"
"Well," Arik began with nervousness still in his youthful tone, "it was serendipitous that we found these passages. You see, I sort of got lost and stumbled onto the waterfall where…" As his attention became distracted by the recollection of a happier time, he soon forgot about the silence and the darkness. Such is the mind of a young child. The lively sound of his voice along with the joyful tale he told soon brought to ease all their minds by diverting their concentrations from the danger within and without.
A smile crept to his lips, unseen through the blackness of the lightless passage. Hitomi, Van thought, you asked that question intentionally, didn't you? Your gentleness never ceases to amaze me. He looked through the darkness, seeing nothing of course but sensing everything. He could feel her presence close to him. Surprisingly, her essence felt like a ray of sunshine; a breath of fresh air that lightened his spirit and sprung hope into the shadows of his heart. He frowned. Why was he feeling this way?
Am I, Van thought with concern, in love with her? That simple thought brought such a rush of emotions, a flood of warmth, an influx of turmoil in his heart, which all confirmed what he feared.
Van sighed. Hitomi, what have you done to me?
He was glad for the darkness, which hid the joy and the fear battling within his burdened soul. He felt contentment, of course, for knowing he love her, but he also felt anguish for loving her. This novel emotion that unfolded within his heart without his consciousness had certainly made things gravely difficult for him. Now two conflicting doors opened before him when before there was only one. He was faced with the promise he made to his mother and also the one he made to Hitomi. Van knew full well what the consequence would be with the awakening of Infinity. Succession. One of two worlds would cease to exist; one of two peoples would die; and certainly one innocent soul would forfeit her life regardless of the final outcome of Judgement.
And here I am, Van thought disgustedly, acting as Death himself, leading the very woman I love to her demise. A solitary tear crept to the lower lid of his eye. He was indeed thankful for this darkness.
Would he sacrifice the lives of so many for the one he cherished above all else? Or would he see his mission, and his promise, to the bitter end? Van would soon realize his heart could never be at peace while these two questions remained ever present in his future.
Van clenched his fists and screamed his frustration in silence. Why? he thought in aggravation. Why have I given my heart to her so easily, so quickly, and so unreservedly? At what point did I fall to this weakness? Van ran his hand through his unruly hair in agitation. He knew the answer. When I acknowledged it to be so.
All the while, this inner battle went unnoticed and unseen within the enclosing darkness of these passages.
No, Van thought resolutely, I am a Prince of Etheria first and foremost. My obligations to the survival of my people's future must be my only focus. I must set aside these weak emotions…and see this to the end. Hitomi, I am…I am sorry. It is fortunate that you do not know and do not feel the same. This is one pain only I must endure.
"Look," Rad's voice reached his ears. "Ahead."
They looked toward the front and, to their immensurable joy, saw the welcoming beams of noon perforate through the wall of darkness. Increasing their paces, they quickly approached a large opening in the passage wall where years of erosion had caused the rock face to crumble away. Beneath their feet, and the rock slab they stood on, the raging waters of the fall gushed forth from an opening deep within the face of the magnificent mountain. The breathtaking scenery spread out before their eyes like a painting. The soft mist from the waterfall framed the image of grey stonewalls on one side and a splendid forest on the other with the sparkling river fading into the distant horizon from which hung the brilliant sun. It all felt like a dream, but a dream soon to be turned into a nightmare.
A strange whistling sound suddenly caught Van's sensitive ears. He knew instantly that only one thing could make such a sound, a flying arrow. He yelled to the others, "Get down!" But his warning came too late. Fortunately, the arrow missed its mark and glinted off the rock face mere centimeters from Cade's face. Van spun around in the direction from whence the arrow came. His well-trained eyes immediately caught sight of an archer hidden within the brushes at the water's edge below them. He narrowed his eyes in anger. They were closer then I calculated, he thought. Damn them! Then his acute observation picked up the presence of an individual he never noticed before. A new Hunter. These two men locked eyes briefly before the man turned aside to give orders to his men. However, within that fleeting exchange, Van caught sight of something quite confusing. He saw within that Hunter a soul full of chaos and confliction, yet orderly at the same time. Brash emotions livened with the hunger for battle was well balanced and controlled by unbreakable loyalty and determination. Van's brow creased with worry. Here was a man to look out for.
"Van, watch out!" But the warning came too late. He spun around only to feel the deadly face of a sharp arrow gaze the flesh of his upper left arm. Letting out a yell of pain, he instinctively grabbed his arm. Fool! He cursed himself for allowing his attention to be diverted. Apparently, The Hunter had completely surrounded the entire area below. Arrows were now let loose from all directions toward the small exposed group. In the suddenness of the attack, they were caught completely off guard and were now in disarray. Van knew if he did not act immediately their futures would end here.
"Rad!" he yelled, "Lead the group on, quickly! We must get out of this opening and back into the passages!"
Rad nodded. He turned around and led the band across the narrow rock slab, which stretched the width of the raging fall. The restricted space of the bridge compounded with the net of flying arrows made their progress across dreadfully slow. Since the rope bound them to each other, their passage across had to be in the order to which they tied themselves. This meant Arius would be the last to cross. But Van never intended to leave him behind.
"Arius!" he cried out to the adolescent, "When we cross, stay low to the rock and try to go as quickly as you can. Pay attention to your footing and not the arrows. I will cover you as well as I can." As he said this, Van pulled out his sword.
"But how—." Arius was about to ask when suddenly an arrow whizzed toward them. Van immediately chopped the incoming arrow in half with his sword. His amazingly swift reflex left the young lad speechless. The older man turned to him with a scowl as he barked out, "Let's go!"
They stepped onto the narrow rock slab simultaneously with Arius just slightly behind Van. By now, most of the others had made it across and were safely hidden within the dark passage. Van looked ahead and noticed, to his distress, Hitomi was only two-thirds across. Her progress was hindered due to the other men before her. From the side, Van saw two arrows flying swiftly toward her. Taking several quick steps forward, he reached out with the blade of his sword and diced the arrows just before they reached her. She turned around with a horrific look in her eyes but quickly regained her composure and continued on. Despite the situation, Van could not help but admire her strength and courage. However, when Van went to save Hitomi, he left his back dangerously exposed. In this moment of battle, the slightest weakness was quickly seized.
"Take aim," Dilandau ordered an archer near him. "Eliminate the Judge's Guardian."
The archer complied as he drew back the string of his bow. He narrowed his eyes and took careful aim, pointing the deadly tip of his arrow right at Van's exposed back. At this distance, concealed by the thick foliages, while his prey was preoccupied and exposed, The Hunter knew he could not miss. The arrow would fly straight and true. Taking one last moment to measure his target, the archer released the taut string and listened excitedly to its vibration near his ear. The archer's eyes grew wider and wider as his weapon rapidly ate up the distance between it and the target. Yes, the arrow would meet its mark indeed. Then suddenly, unexpectedly, Dilandau watched as someone intercepted the path between his soldier's arrow and the target.
He saw it coming from the periphery of his view, the fearsome metallic glint of its sharp face flying silently toward Van. While shouting out a warning, he instinctively raced toward his friend in an attempt to block the weapon's deadly path. But in doing so, he made himself its victim.
Upon hearing the warning, Van spun around in time only to see the pain-stricken face of the youth before him at the very edge of the rock slab, the arrow lodged solidly within his shoulder. Then everything became still and silent in Van's mind. Although the arrows were still flying and their friends' shocked cry rang loudly through the atmosphere, all Van could focus on was the distressed expression in his young companion's aqua-blue eyes. So full of laughter before, these gentle windows now held only fear and pain. And it seemed, all their pains were directed at him.
Then the scene resumed.
Van watched in horror as his companion gradually slipped over the edge and down the waterfall.
"Aarrriiuuus!!!" he cried as he reached out a desperate hand toward the youth. But Arius was gone.
The rope between them hissed as the length of its body was dragged down over the edge along with Arius. Van immediately grabbed the line with both hands. He gritted his teeth in pain when the slithering cord burned into his palms, but he did not let go. His grip, in fact, tightened even further. Van braced himself for the weight soon to be laid upon the line; yet, despite his preparation he still found himself dragged halfway over the edge of the rock bridge. Regardless of his precarious situation, Van kept his hold on the line.
He looked down through pain-filled eyes to see Arius dangling dangerously just above the fall. The thin cord was the only thing standing between life and certain death in the tumultuous water far below.
"Arius," he managed to call out between tightly clenched teeth. "Can you climb back up?"
"I will try," Arius responded weakly. His shirt was soaked with blood. Arius grabbed the cord and began to heft himself up, but the pain was too much for him when he took hold of the rope with his injured arm. Crying out in agony, he let go of his lifeline and fell back down. The force of his second fall pulled Van even further over the edge.
"Van! Arius!" Hitomi cried out fearfully.
Upon hearing her voice, Van turned his head and shouted, "Keep going, Hitomi!"
"But—."
"Go!"
Realizing that she was of little help to them both, Hitomi acquiesced reluctantly. However, the length of cord between Van and herself only permitted her to reach the very edge of the other side but not into the passage where the walls could provide shelter from the arrows. Van noticed this.
Damn! he thought. I must get Arius quickly.
Biting back the pain in his palms, Van strained hard to haul Arius up, one hand after another. The rope soon became soaked with the blood that oozed between his grips. Slowly, agonizingly slow, Arius began to ascend closer and closer. All the while Van struggled to dodge the arrows that continued to fly toward them.
"Hang on Arius," Van said as he looked down at the lad. He could clearly see how much blood the adolescent had lost. You saved my life, Arius, he thought, and I will save yours.
Unexpectedly, a familiar voice whispered deep within his mind: "Sometimes Van, there are things we desire, things we love, that we can never have."
What?!
Just then, a rogue arrow flew straight toward them. Van watched in horror as the arrow struck Arius from behind, piercing him through the heart. In reflex, Arius raised his eyes up toward him while his body went stiff in pain and death. Feeling utterly helpless, and completely hopeless, all he could do was hold onto the rope and watched as his companion die. Van saw the pain that washed over his eyes and the darkness that finally claimed them.
"Arius," he whispered in devastation. Holding back the grief that threatened to overcome him, Van continued to tow Arius up. He was determined to save his companion, one way or another. If I am unable to save your life, Van thought, then I will save your mortal body. However, even this final, honourable intention was thwarted by fate.
While he strained to retrieve Arius' body, another arrow flew by and severed the rope between them. Van stumbled back by the sudden release. He quickly regained his balance and rushed to the edge again.
"NOO!" he yelled as he witnessed Arius' limp body plummet from the extreme height down the fall to disappear into the mists and foams of the raging rapids below. His grip on the edge tightened as absolute fury boiled to the surface of his entire soul. Droplets of blood oozed from between his fingers and descended down the fall. He suddenly snapped his gaze toward the silver-haired Hunter standing below. Within this cold garnet glare, Van vowed vengeance.
Dilandau watched the whole event unfold with an expressionless face. How unfortunate, he thought regretfully. Then he caught sight of Van's enraged eyes. He returned the fierce look with a calm gaze, undeterred by the hatred burning within his opponent's glare. There should be no anger or hatred, he thought to Van. Casualties are an inevitable part of any battle, and grief comes as a result of it.
He then frowned sternly. "You know what needs to be done," he spoke aloud, "if you wish to end further bloodshed." Dilandau observed the young man retreat back into the darkness of the mountain along with the girl. So that is your answer, he thought. Admirable but foolish. Turning back to his men, he ordered in a tired voice, "Let us move on."
He lingered by the edge of the river while his soldiers gathered their things to begin the arduous pursuit once again. Looking out across the mist-covered water, Dilandau contemplated on the tragic event that unfolded on this sad morning. His thoughts of the present soon led to questions of the future. Shortly, however, he was interrupted by the sound of his men with their gears trudging on ahead. He returned his gaze to the raging rapids once again. After awhile, Dilandau removed the beautiful red rose pinned to his uniform and threw it into the river before walking silently away.
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Hitomi looked worriedly over to Van. The mysterious orange light of a small fire danced chaotically on his somber face. Ever since they lost Arius this morning, the atmosphere within the group had been silent and sad. But no one took it harder than Van. He had not spoken a single word during their five-hour trek through the passage, and even after they emerged. Hitomi tried to speak to him once but the cold, soulless stare so full of hatred and anger made her retreat in fear. But she would not withdraw from him any further.
Van needed her. Although he would never admit it, she knew he needed comfort and protection from the sorrows and horrors in his heart. Presently she was sitting beside him, observing his gloomy eyes gazing absently into the raging flames, whose fury reflected his own crimson pupils. Van and she were the only ones still awake. The other men had fallen asleep some hours ago having drowned their hearts in their tears. Van, however, did not cry. Perhaps that was what made his grief all the greater.
Determined to help him, Hitomi reached out with one hand and took hold of his. Startled, Van looked down at her. His soul quickly became immersed in her gentle emerald eyes. Her gaze was full of compassion and concern. For a brief moment, Van felt his heart lighten but the thought of this morning's tragedy quickly darkened it again. Turning roughly away, he tried to remove his hand from hers but he found, to his surprise, unable to do so. Her grip on his hand remained strong. She would not allow him to be lost in his misery.
"Van," she whispered, her voice was soft and gentle but sad: "You mustn't do this to yourself. You tried to save Arius; you did all that could be done."
"Was it all?" he asked edgily. "He saved my life, Hitomi, but I…I couldn't even save his. I couldn't even hold onto his body when I had already lost his soul. He was only fifteen, Hitomi. How could I have let him die so young?"
She laid her head on his shoulder sadly. Tears crept to her eyes but Hitomi withheld them. She must be strong for him.
"You cannot protect everyone alone, Van," she whispered. "Our destinies are our own; you can never protect any of us from it."
Van was startled into silence.
"Perhaps it was fated that Arius should meet us…and to die at that fall. Or perhaps it was truly a fault of ours. These questions would always haunt you and me, but they could never be answered."
"Then what would you have me do? Forget what had happened? Ignore this pain and guilt?"
She sighed sadly. "Never ignore what your heart feels, Van, but do not allow your misery to control your fate." She fell silent, and Van could not think of a response to her comments. After a long period of peace between them, although their souls were far from tranquility, Hitomi spoke again.
"If there was to be blame, then it should be on me."
Van was about to speak but her continuance barred his doing so. "Arius did not die because you failed to save him. He died because he was caught up in my fate. Had it not been for me, The Hunter would not have attacked him, or any of them." She gestured to the men sleeping around the fire.
"Hitomi—," Van attempted to console her while regretting his own selfish feelings.
"Don't Van," Hitomi interrupted him gently, knowing what he was about to say. "Do not try to deny for me what has befallen us all. If I continually excuse myself from all this wretchedness then I would be crueller than those who are hunting me." She paused briefly before continuing with a sad smile. "I am not blaming myself, entirely, if that is what you fear, Van. But I cannot go without knowing that I am a part of this tragedy. I do regret, however, to ever come across you and the others."
"Hitomi."
She looked up into his eyes. Her expression was so captivating, so beautiful, that Van began to fear for the safety of his heart's resolution.
"I care for you so much, Van." He stared at her in surprise. "And for the others, too," she added. He felt the sudden leap in his soul take a downfall. "I don't want to see anyone else die because of their involvement with me."
"You are blaming yourself."
"No," she said, "I am acknowledging my responsibility. I told you, Van, I will not hide behind a reason or an excuse. In order for me to truly understand this cursed fate, I must accept my part in it."
Hitomi, he thought as he gazed down at her mournful face. Despite her grievances, her eyes continued to hold the brilliance and strength that he had come to greatly admire in this woman. He caressed her cheek gently with the back of one hand. Why must you make my task all the more difficult? Her startled eyes quickly sought out his.
As he thought of the responsibility his mother had entrusted to him, Van whispered aloud absentmindedly, "I don't know if I can…"
"Van?" Hitomi was confused by his gesture and the words he just spoke.
"Nothing," he shook his head solemnly. I must remove myself from her presence before I completely succumb to her enchantment. He stood up abruptly and turned to look at her again. His expression was unlike any one she had ever seen on his face. The coldness and aloofness were completely replaced with expressions of grief and affection. His character was ever changing, and it had greatly confused her.
Turning away, he said softly, "Try to get some sleep, Hitomi. Our journey is not over yet."
"But Van, where are you going?"
"There is something I must do."
"Let me come with you, Van."
"No," he said as he glanced back at her. "I must do this alone. Don't worry; I will return shortly. You will be safe with these men."
"Van?" Hitomi whispered as she watched his receding back disappear into the night. "Why must you always leave?" She sat there in hesitation. Part of her wanted to follow him but another part cautioned her to stay where it was safe. In the end, something in her heart bade her to be with him. Standing up quickly, Hitomi followed him.
She walked for about five minutes hoping to catch up to him but he was nowhere in sight. She had lost time in her hesitation and now he was too far ahead for her to follow. Very much disappointed, Hitomi was about to turn back when a soft rustle to her left caught her attention. At first, she feared it might be The Hunter but listening silently for a minute more she began to think otherwise. If it were they then she would have been attacked by now. Curious, Hitomi followed the sound.
She found herself entering a very small clearing deep within the woods. Everything was completely dark, preventing her from seeing the individual nearby. He did not notice her presence either. However, ever slowly, the faint edge of the splendid celestial body revealed itself from behind the drifting clouds, casting down a curtain of pale light.
Suddenly, Hitomi heard a strange sound. She immediately looked in the direction from whence it came. As the curtain of moonlight raced across the forest, it revealed a splash of white some distance from where she stood. Hitomi was in awe of the sight but the celestial light was too dim to allow her to distinguish any details. Adrenalin rushing, she watched as the speckle of white began to drift up into the dark sky. Hitomi immediately raced over to the white object escaping into the heavens. However, the unusual entity disappeared behind the clouds just as she reached the spot it occupied only moments before.
Breathing heavily, Hitomi kept her eyes to the sky in the hopes that she might catch sight of it again but to no avail. It was gone. What was that? she thought bewilderingly. Hitomi turned around and began to head back in disappointment. Just as she was about to leave, something silvery by her feet caught her attention. Bending down, she picked up a large, beautiful, snowy-white feather. Its soft frills tickled her palm gently. Hitomi gazed at it in wonder. It was the same as the one she saw at Amano's home days before. She fell into deep contemplation as she returned her gaze back to the dark sky hiding the owner of this magnificent feather.
Flying swiftly on a current of wind, Van headed toward the waterfall. Beneath him, the dark earth passed by in a blur of shadows while above him the grey clouds followed close behind. He kept his eyes ahead but his mind was preoccupied with many thoughts, all of which converged on one individual, Hitomi.
Van thought back to what Hitomi told him just before he left. She was unlike any woman he had ever met. Despite all that she went through, all that she witnessed, Hitomi still remained as gentle and strong as ever. There were no signs of hatred or anger in her voice when she spoke except sorrow. She did not fall into the trap of self-pity nor did she distance herself from her miseries in order to escape its pains. She acknowledged them full-heartedly just as she accepted her responsibility in all this. But what he found most admirable in Hitomi was the fact that she courageously faced her destiny in order to understand and overcome it. Recalling how he felt and acted, Van could not deny how much greater Hitomi was to him. Shortly, his thoughts were interrupted upon sight of the mountain.
It did not take him long to reach the waterfall, the very last place Arius saw in this world. Gliding down low over the water's surface, Van began his search for the body of an individual he had come to regard dearly. Following the length of the river, Van's observant eyes scanned the entire area quickly. He knew Arius' body would drift to the shore somewhere downstream. He just had to keep searching. The night was still young; there was time.
Van's perseverance was soon rewarded when he caught sight of the adolescence's lifeless body upon the bank continually being pounded by the rapid waves of the rushing river. Landing silently by the shore, he bent down and pulled his lifeless companion from the cold water. Turning him over, Van noticed that Arius' eyes were still open. The spark of life was completely gone, replaced by the fathomless look of death. Reaching out with one hand, Van pulled Arius' lids down over his eyes. Wordlessly, he heaved the heavy body over his shoulder and walked back upstream to a beautiful little clearing he noticed on his way here. There he buried Arius and so kept his promise of saving him. Van stood mutely beside the grave for some moments. So many things went through his mind; so many thoughts he wished to speak aloud. However, he knew there was nothing he could say that would ease these feelings of loss and grief. In the end, all he whispered were these simple words:
"When we meet again, I will ask for your forgiveness. But, until then, I will keep my silence as you will always keep yours."
Van fell silent again. He was now able to lay Arius to rest; there was nothing more for him to do here. Slowly, he turned and was about to walk away when something floating by the shore caught his eyes. Van strolled over and bent down to pick up a red rose, still fresh and undamaged despite being in the turbulent water for so long. Wondering how this flower could have fallen into the river, Van took it back to the grave. Dropping to one knee, he planted the blossom on Arius' grave. He then stood up and left.
Behind him, a soft breeze swept across the small clearing, stirring up silent pieces of forest debris. Amidst this mysterious night wind a gentle voice whispered, "Thank you, Van."
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Author's note:
Well, that concludes Chapter 11 but they are not out of the forest just yet. I'm afraid I don't have chapter 12 completed yet, but I will get it done in two weeks. Considering that this may be a trend (and the fact that my spare time has become increasingly far and few in-between), I have changed my posting of new chapters to every two weeks, instead of every week. Hopefully that will give me enough time to catch up with my writing. Sorry, but please do be patient with me. I would like to write faster but I want each chapter I post to be written to the best of my capability, and that needs time with editing and re-editing. You can't imagine how many times and how many things I have changed with the chapters that have been posted. Writing about fate is very much like fate itself; it's always changing and unpredictable.
And thanks always to those who reviewed this story. I very much appreciate your comments; they are a part of my inspiration. Thank you!
Next: Chapter 12: "The Unexpected"
Cosmos 2004