Info (words I used in this chapter):
Alternation = season
Eos pronounced = "ee-oes"
Neiro = pronounced "near-roe"…the meaning of which will be explained in the story.
"Erithros ayla omness maira." = phrase is pronounced as follows "ee-writh-rose ae-lah-um-ness mare-ah"]…this phrase is found near the end of the chapter. Meaning? Well, it's an incantation I made up in a language I made up .
(author's notes at bottom; basically my apologies for the delay in getting this chapter out.)
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 12: The Unexpected
The dawning sun cast the silhouette of a beautiful rose-coloured pendant upon the far wall. Its shadowy path drifted to and fro across the many faces of Etheria's high court. Golden rays of sunlight reflected off polished marble floors, and elegant décor adorned throughout this splendid room. Adding further to the exquisiteness of this place were beautiful carvings of magnificent white dragons curling up ashen-coloured stone columns aligned along the length of this immense room. Fine, translucent curtains of pale blue danced by grand windows opened to catch the softly scented wind of early summer morning. The beauty of this room was beyond mortal imagination but all this splendour went unnoticed by its many occupants, whose attentions were held by the mesmerizing rhythm of the enchanted pendant, an item that foretold the arrival of Succession.
Amidst the glory and beauty of this magnificent room, situated on the second tower of Laurith, sat an old feeble woman. Her haggard, wrinkled face and ugly expression greatly contrasted the loveliness all around her, from Etheria's proud Royal Court to that of the palace's fine area. Despite her lack of beauty, for which time had stolen, her presence fitted well with the grandeur of her surroundings. Though old, she carried herself with an air of dignity that even those around her could not deny. Indeed, she had every right to be proud for she held the highest position among them, even beyond that of the Queen. Her words were held with the utmost respect because they bespoke of the fate of all Etheria. In her mangled hand, she held the greatest power, the power to foresee the future. Although sightless, she was their medium into destiny. The simple jewel hanging on a thin, delicate strand of silver acted as her eyes and its rhythm voiced the dark events that would soon unfold.
This was the first day of another new Alternation, when the spring rotation leads into the warmth of summer. On this day, the tradition of the Royal Court was to seek the old seer for advice into the coming turn. However, lately their intention for seeing the oracle was to gain insight into Succession and the fate of their world. They knew that every one-millionth turn, the universe would see to a change of Guardianship. Destiny would choose one world and its people to succeed the previous rulers. What decided these events of Succession was a mystery, but one thing was for certain that in the end only one people remained alive. There could never be two worlds and two rulers. Thus, Succession was the evolution of the Universe's destiny. The people of Etheria knew their time was coming. However, things were different this time. This time, those who would be succeeded chose to challenge their fates. They were determined to be the decider of destiny instead of allowing the Fates to decide theirs.
"Proceed Eos," Varie directed.
The old woman nodded. The mysterious pendant in her hand began to swing again as it foretold of a bloody event to unfold within the skirts of Etheria. There were instant murmurs of fear and surprise but these whispers were quickly hushed.
Eos continued, "I see that Succession will come before the next Alternation. However, prior to its arrival, a dark wind shall blow over Etheria with the coming of the Judge and judgement." She paused for a moment as she analysed the images rushing toward her at a frantic pace. Her hands began to shake but she remained calm.
"A heart presently struggles to understand its destiny while another resists it. The threads of fate are now humming to the heartbeat of one soul trapped between the past and the present. The final outcome will be in the hand of this One, whose inevitable decision will either awaken or quail the powers of judgement." The old seer then shut her eyes as she enclosed the glowing pendant in the palm of her hand. Its powerful magic pierced through the cracks between her fingers like spears of light. With a sad sigh, Eos spoke again a familiar phrase that described their fates had they been able to decipher it: "The end will lead to infinity but Infinity will signal the end." Exhaling exhaustedly, she concluded, "And that is all I see."
"Thank you Eos," Varie said quietly as she began to remove herself from the room. Her court and Gaia followed suit. Soon enough, the room was empty save for one individual. Its hollow body echoed with the silence that quickly flooded in.
Eos turned her blind eyes to the warmth of incoming sunlight with the magical pendant still grasped tightly within the palm of her shaking hand. Frowning, she made her thoughts known to the empty room.
"A new event has unfolded that we fell to foresee, " she thought aloud, "which will greatly complicate things. Ah, sisters, I fear destiny is no longer in our hands."
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The land was still covered in a blanket of darkness as he flew swiftly back to her. All the while, he was occupied with only one thought. Van frowned. He could not stop thinking about her, nor could he deafen her voice from his mind. He realized back in those dark passages how he had fallen for Hitomi but it was only at this moment, when her presence could not be removed from his thoughts, did he know how deeply he had fallen. It was futile to deny what his heart had so solidly embrace, and it was equally impossible to ignore the woes this love would bring.
I would be selfish to acknowledge my feelings to her, Van thought, knowing how much pain it will bring to both of us should she feel the same…or how much anguish it will cause me should she not. Van sighed depressingly. But I can no longer refute the fact that I have come to greatly admire and cherish her. Hitomi, if only fate would permit me to tell you how much I love you.
However, knowing that he loved her only brought him more grievances and a much greater dilemma. How was he to protect her? If Infinity was to awaken then Hitomi would die. But to stop Infinity was to kill Hitomi. Either way, Hitomi's destiny would end only in her death. He looked at the dark horizon as if it was the very future approaching him. In anguish, Van flew higher and higher into the sky as if to escape the burden of his fate and his love. Bursting through the clouds, Van screamed out his agony.
At this moment, he was a sight to behold with his massive white wings fully opened behind him above a sea of pallid clouds. Perspiration glistened on his muscular chest like jewels. As the rush of rage subsided, his feelings were overtaken by despair. He folded his wings around his body like a silver cocoon hanging among the stars and bathed in the pale light of a half moon. Gradually, he began to descend with increasing speed away from the heavens and back to Earth.
"Hitomi," Van whispered as tears escape from his closed eyes and drifted in a silver stream upon the wind.
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"Hitomi," a strange voice whispered to her.
Her brows furrowed as a disturbing dream slowly took hold.
"Hitomi." The eerie whisper was heard again.
"It's you," she stated. "What is it that you want from me?" she called out to the darkness. She could hear her question echo throughout the murky void but no reply came back. For a few moments, Hitomi heard nothing but the rapid beating of her own heart. A cold chill ran down her back as fear crept into her mind. She looked wildly about to gather in her surrounding, but there was only a wall of pitch-blackness all around her. The sky was a shade of hazy grey and the ground was a bottomless pit of emptiness. Being alone was bad but being alone in oblivion was far worse; this abysmal atmosphere continually restrained the palpitation of her heart. Her emotions felt faint and her memories seemed so distant. The soothing silence, the tranquil darkness, and the weightless feeling of detachment enticed Hitomi to leave behind all her pains. This invisible power seemed to lure her into a false sense of peace. Hitomi knew that if she stayed here any longer she would lose her soul.
Clutching her head, she screamed, "Leave me alone!"
This time the bodiless entity responded. The faceless voice spoke in a louder tone, "You and I are one, Hitomi. There is nowhere you go that I cannot follow because I am you."
"No you are not! I am not this darkness. I do not have this hatred."
"Do not jest yourself," the entity snapped. "The hate you feel stems from your own emotion against me. You hate me because you fear me, Hitomi. However, you know there is no escape from your destiny. In due time you will become me as I shall become you."
"Never!" Hitomi hissed angrily. "I will never allow you to awaken."
"You are powerless to stop the events of fate."
"Then I will die trying."
"You will die, Hitomi," the entity stated candidly. "And with your death I will be born." Suddenly, Hitomi felt herself being drawn up away from this darkness back to the world of the conscious. However, before she reached the surface of her dreams, she heard the voice whisper faintly, "The future is inevitable."
Tears escaped her eyes as she looked down upon the lightless world of her nightmare. A single droplet of her sorrow fell upon the dark ground, which immediately faded to reveal a barren wasteland illuminated by the fiery red face of a setting sun. Standing alone upon this earth was a single individual with beautiful white wings fanned out behind him. The shadows cast by the sun hid his face but for some strange reason Hitomi felt that she knew him. He lifted his face up to her. She sensed that he was telling her something but no audible sound reached her ears as she continued to climb higher, away from her dream. This individual then drew out his sword, which glistened beautifully in the horrendous light of the dying day. He turned around and began to walk steadily into the fiery celestial face. Hitomi noticed, to her horror, that his wings had now become pitch-black. He had chosen to face his fate when he turned to face the crimson sun.
Hitomi jerked up from her place beside the warm fire. Breathing heavily, she looked about as if searching for that individual in the hopes to stop him but to her disappointment, and perhaps relief, she did not find him. Soft snoring reached her ears from across the fire. Rad and the others were still asleep.
The moon was still high and the night was young but she could not go back to sleep. Sighing sadly, Hitomi decided to take a stroll nearby. The thoughts and images of the nightmare continued to haunt her. Although it was merely a dream, Hitomi knew it foretold of what was to come. Furthermore, she was greatly bewildered by the continual presence of that individual in her dreams. Every time she felt completely lost, he would appear. Who was he? And what role did he play in her fate? Yet, the one thing that really troubled her was the sight of his wings or rather the colour of his wings. White at one moment then black the next. What could it mean? she thought puzzlingly. Then a thought came to her as she pulled out the silvery feather she found earlier. Analysing the mysterious object in her hand, she thought, Could this be one of his? Looking up at the sky she continued to think, But that would mean…he is real.
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"You requested to see me, Lady Gaia?" a male voice spoke up from behind her.
Turning around, Gaia replied calmly, "Yes."
The individual remained quiet, waiting for her to continue. "You are aware of the Trial?" she asked slowly.
He nodded.
"Then you know what is happening in the mortal world right now."
"I do."
Sighing sadly, she said as she turned to face the window, "Infinity will need assistance in the events to come. The Hunter has become too numerous and too powerful; it is futile to fight alone."
"Is that why you have summoned me?" the young man asked.
After a short period of silence, Gaia said, "I would like you to go to the mortal world and protect Infinity until the day destiny will unfold. I know it will not be long."
The visitor was puzzled. "I thought you did not agree with Lady Varie's Trial."
"I don't."
"Then why protect Infinity? Would the Trial not end if Infinity died?"
"The Trial will never end," Gaia returned her solemn gaze on him, "not until judgement is passed." She fell silent as her thoughts drifted to one certain individual. Her expression suddenly became so sad that the young man could not help but feel sympathy for her. After a moment's pause, she continued, "I will protect Infinity because Varie is my sister. Despite the disagreement between us, I will always be by her side…no matter the consequence."
He remained silent. She could see obvious confusion within his azure eyes. Apparently something was troubling him greatly
"Alright," he said slowly, "but how do I find Infinity? No one knows the vessel's mortal identity because the Fates have hidden it."
"I know."
He gave her a long shocked look. "How?!"
She kept quiet.
"Very well," he sighed, "then tell me…who?"
She told him. He nodded, slightly surprise that it happened to be a girl but not completely unexpected. However, after having received this knowledge, he did not immediately turn to leave. She remained silent with her gaze upon his handsome face. He will soon ask, she thought perceptively. Soon enough, he voiced his puzzlement.
"This meeting is not about Infinity is it?"
She smiled.
Giving her a suspicious look, he asked warily, "Tell me what it is that you truly summoned me here for?"
Returning her attention to the beautiful scenery framed by the grand red oak windowpane, Gaia began to explain her true intention; in doing so, she revealed a dark secret, which the Fates had been guarding since the naissance of the Trial.
"So you see," Gaia concluded, "there can never be a trial without judgement…and the trial can never end without its advent."
The young man took a step back, completely stunned by the information just conveyed to him. Looking down at the well-polished wooden floor, he spoke in a shocked voice, "How could this be possible? All this time—what we believed we knew about the Trial—it was only half the truth?"
Looking back up at her as she turned to face him, the visitor spoke again, "So that is the real reason why you have called for me."
"Now that you know the whole truth," Gaia said quietly, "will you still help me?"
He gave her a strong expressive look before asking, "Does he know?"
She shook her head. "But time will unveil the truth to him."
"What happens then?" he asked worriedly.
Looking directly into his eyes, she said, "Fates' Judgement must then decide..."
A knock on the door interrupted her.
"Yes?" she called out.
"A vital message for you, Lady Gaia."
Her brows furrowed in sudden distress. Her heart told her the news would not be a pleasant one.
Turning to the young man, she said urgently, "I fear time will wait for us no longer. You must depart for the mortal world at once. From the powers emitted, you will have no trouble locating them."
Giving her a swift bow, the young man left through another door. However, before he shut it behind him, he heard Gaia whisper to herself, "Dear child, do not leave us yet."
(While the mysterious conversation was carried out in Etheria, many hours had passed in the mortal world and many events had already played out.)
The rain pelted them without mercy; each descending droplet felt like the prick of a needle on her tearstained cheeks. She looked upon his still face with ever heightening distress.
"Van! Wake up Van! Open your eyes!" she cried while she shook him roughly, hoping to bring him back to consciousness. "This can't be happening," she whispered in a torn voice as his skin began to feel cold beneath her gentle touch. "Van," Hitomi said poignantly as she bent down toward his face, "don't leave me."
Earlier…
As she was about to step into the faint light of the small campfire, Hitomi heard the muffled sobbing of a small child hidden somewhere in a nearby bush. Curious as well as anxious to come to the youngling's aid, she walked slowly toward the source of the sound. Carefully and quietly, Hitomi came upon a large shrub a short distance from their camp. She lifted a heavy branch nearest to her to discover Arik hidden away deep within the heart of the bush. Alerted to her presence, the boy turned around with a grief-stricken face soiled by dirt and tears. His dark green eyes portrayed a distraught soul, harbouring a heart shattered by Fates' cruelty.
"Arik?" Hitomi gasped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi-Hitomi," the young boy struggled to speak in-between sobs and hiccups. "I miss him." Another tide of tears swept across his face. "I miss him so much." He flung himself into Hitomi's comforting arms as a cry of misery escaped between his trembling lips. She held him protectively as she would hold her own little brother. Rocking back and forth slowly, she quieted him affectionately while he soaked her shirt with his innocent tears and filled her ears with his anguish.
"Why did he have to go, Hitomi?" Arik sobbed. "Why did Arius have to leave us?"
"Oh Arik," she said in a gentle, compassionate tone. "He has not left you. As long as you keep him in your memories and your heart, he would always be with you."
"I will always remember him," the young boy said in a calmer voice, "but it will not be the same. I will not be able to see him…hear him…talk to him…not ever."
Hitomi remained silent.
"It's all his fault," she suddenly heard Arik whisper angrily.
"Who Arik?"
"Van."
She immediately released the young boy in surprise and looked questioningly into his eyes in the hopes that she had mistakenly heard the accusation. But what she saw broke her heart.
He repeated his allegation: "It's all Van's fault that Arius is dead!"
"No Arik," Hitomi said gently but firmly. "Van is not to blame."
"Yes he is!" Arik exclaimed irately. "He is the warrior; it is his responsibility to protect others. But he didn't. He didn't try hard enough."
Hitomi looked at the young boy sadly. The heart of a child is so vulnerable to darkness because it does not understand. So when grief and despair became unbearable it would metamorphose into blind anger and hatred. However, Hitomi knew Arik's heart was not like this, and she would not allow him to become this.
"Listen to me Arik," she spoke sternly. Grasping both his shoulders, Hitomi forced the young boy to look directly into her eyes. "Van is a soldier, but he is only one. Alone, he could not have protected us all. However, he did try with all his heart; that is more than we could ever ask of a stranger."
Arik looked at Hitomi in surprise when she called Van a stranger. Observing the young boy for a moment longer, she released her grip and sat down beside him. Giving a despondent sigh, Hitomi looked up toward the distant stars twinkling between the branches of the bush. Soon she spoke again, more to herself than to Arik.
"I have forgotten I know Van for only a few days; yet it seemed like I have known him for a lifetime." Giving Arik a brief glance before returning her attention back to the dark sky, Hitomi continued, "You know Arik, you are not the first person to blame Van for Arius' death."
Arik looked at her astonishingly. "Who else blames him?"
"Van," she replied sadly. Arik's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, he blames himself for the same reasons you blame him. The guilt he feels has been devouring his soul for the past hours, and I'm afraid it may consume all of him if he cannot find a way to forgive himself." Turning to the young boy, Hitomi continued, "You must realize, Arik, that the responsibility to protect others comes with a heavy price, repentance; the guilt which follows when a warrior realizes he failed in his mission. It is a far worse punishment than even death."
"I didn't know," the young child whispered, "that he feels that way. He always seemed so…" He paused, at lost for the right word to describe his thought.
"Impassive?"
Arik nodded.
Hitomi smiled gently. "What you see, Arik, is his soldier's face."
"Soldier's face?"
"Yes, the expressionless mask he wears in order to hide his true feelings from others."
"Doesn't it get lonely to always hide?"
Hitomi's expression became very solemn. "It gets very lonely."
Suddenly, soft rustling nearby captured their attention. Hitomi instinctively wrapped her arms around the young boy to protect him from the unseen danger. She could feel Arik tremble in fear. She pulled him tighter toward her. Both their eyes strained to see through the thick foliages in the direction they perceived the sound.
The rustling continued louder and louder, after which footsteps on dry leaves could be heard approaching.
"Hitomi," Arik whispered frightfully.
"Shh, it's okay," Hitomi comforted him. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Just as she spoke, the shadow of a tall male figure stepped into the open. As the curtain of moonlight drifted over the land, it revealed a familiar and welcoming face.
"Amano?"
Arik looked at Hitomi confusedly.
"It's all right Arik," Hitomi said joyously. "He is a friend."
Standing up, Hitomi revealed their presence. "Amano!" she cried out with relief. "I'm so glad to see you!"
Amano's facial expression was pure surprise and much happiness as well as relief to have finally found her. "Hitomi!" he exclaimed. "Thank goodness you're alive!"
He ran toward her and embraced her. His action was so sudden and so unexpected that she stood there dumbfounded.
Letting out a sigh of relief, he whispered into her hair, "I have searched everywhere for you for the past forty-eight hours. I thought…we all thought…oh, Hitomi, you don't know how relieve I am to have finally found you. I thought I had lost you forever."
"Amano," she said emotionally, deeply touched by his sincere concern for her. Just then a faint sound caught her ears. She looked over his shoulder and, to her alarm, saw Van emerged from within the shadows in time to witness a most undesirable scene.
Hitomi saw a myriad of emotions swiftly flash across his handsome face before one settled in his eyes. He narrowed his gaze in obvious anger but the actions that followed betrayed not his inner turmoil.
"Amano," he said flatly, "what are you doing here?"
Letting go of Hitomi, Amano turned around to greet Van with a confused expression. "Van?" A brief pause ensued before he continued, "I should be asking you that question."
Van made no gesture to respond. His coldness did not go unnoticed by Amano. Giving the other man a suspicious look, Amano said carefully, "I have just told Hitomi that I have been searching for her for the past two days, ever since I got news of her kidnapping from her family." His voice held a hint of accusation. Van narrowed his eyes in offense.
"Kidnapping?" Hitomi asked in surprise but she kept her eyes on Van. His attention, however, was attached to his unknowing rival.
"Yes." Amano continued, "Apparently, someone gassed your family to sleep and when your parents woke up, they found you missing. They immediately alerted authority and me." Turning to her, he grasped both her shoulders affectionately while saying, "I enlisted the help of every authority personnel I could find within my power to search for you. The entire city was combed through as well as a large section of the forest but nothing came up. Everyone was becoming quite despondent; some even thought you might already be dead." Looking deep into her eyes, he said, "But I have never given up hope of finding you."
"Amano," she said hesitantly. His obvious affection for her warmed her heart but it also created incomprehensible disturbances that were greatly troubling. "Their belief might have been correct. I would have truly been killed had it not been for Van."
Amano turned to look at the brooding young man questioningly. But Van remained silent. Turning to Hitomi, he said, "What do you mean? You must tell me what is going on. Why are you here in this forest…and with Van?" Looking over her shoulder he added, "And who is that boy?"
"It's a long story," Hitomi sighed exhaustedly.
"And one which we have no time for," Van spoke coolly. "Hitomi," he said in an emotionless tone, "we must continue on."
She nodded silently. Amano looked from one to the other quizzically. He felt there was something that passed between these two but he could not identify it. "You are not going anywhere Hitomi," he said sternly. "Your parents are worried sick about you. They want you to return home."
"I can't Amano," she said sadly.
"What?" Amano said aghast. "Hitomi, I—."
She interrupted him: "I can't go back home, Amano. I will endanger my family if I do. Please understand."
"No, I don't understand. What danger? What is happening to you?"
"We have no time for this foolishness," Van said aggravatingly. His patience, and control, was wearing thin. "I saw them on my way back here. They are not far behind. We must leave now."
"Who?"
She acquiesced. Leaving Amano, Hitomi began to walk toward Van but her action was stopped when Amano captured her hand. She looked back at him in surprise.
"Fine. But I'm coming as well."
"Amano," Hitomi began to argue but he interrupted her.
"I don't want to hear your objections, Hitomi. If you won't allow me to accompany you then I will follow at a distance."
Hitomi frowned worriedly. This was one more life she would endanger, and one she held dear to her heart. Hitomi glanced over to Van for help, but he refused to meet her gaze. A strange, aching feeling crept into her heart upon seeing this strange cold behaviour toward her.
"It is much too dangerous, Amano." She shook her head sadly. "I will not have you be involved in this as well. Life had already been lost. I will not allow anyone else to be endangered as well."
"Then what about them?" He gestured to Van and Arik.
Hitomi looked at Arik then to Van. Her sad gaze, this time, was unavoidable. Van observed her doleful expression with calm, indecipherable eyes. He noticed the questions hidden within those beautiful green spheres but he wilfully ignored them. At the moment, the jealousy polluting his heart had overtaken his sense of mind. Resigning to her anguish and confusion, Hitomi looked away as she answered, "It is too late for them…as it is for me."
Upon hearing her solemn words, Van's gaze intensified. A subtle frown appeared on his face but it went unnoticed.
Returning her attention to Amano, she continued, "But you have a chance to escape this cursed fate, Amano. Please forget me and go home."
"But what about your parents?"
"Tell them…," Hitomi became silent as her gaze fell to the dark ground. For a moment, she could not find the courage to say what had been occupying her mind for so long. The nightmare haunting her fleetingly appeared in her mind. Around them, the cold night wind howled like a lost soul seeking deliverance. Hitomi glanced up at the pale moon briefly, hoping to find comfort in its gentle light. Finally, she continued in a quiet whisper, "Tell them that I am dead."
Van's attention immediately snapped to her face. Unconsciously, he took a step toward her but refrained himself from going any further. However, his gaze never left her face, and the more he looked at her the more his affection grew despite the turmoil in his heart.
"Why are you saying this?" Amano ran his hand through his hair irately, clearly bewildered by her disturbing behaviour. Turning to her in slight anger, he demanded, "Tell me Hitomi, what the hell is going on?!"
"I wish I can," she cried as her hands began to shake by her side, "but I really don't know. I just don't know."
Van could watch her suffer no more. Any feelings of anger or jealousy immediately vanished upon sight of her distress. However, just as he was about reach out to comfort Hitomi, Amano stepped in and held her instead. Van immediately recoiled. He witnessed the scene with a devastated heart. For a minute, he stood mutely aside in surprise and uncertainty. Sadly, he decided to retreat silently back into the shadows of the forest. Arik followed quietly behind him.
Looking over Amano's shoulder, Hitomi saw Van leave. Pulling herself out of his gentle hold, she stepped quickly in Van's direction but her progress was hindered again by the man behind her.
"Hitomi, let me stay with you," he pleaded.
Hitomi gazed at Amano's concerned face for a brief moment before looking in the direction to which Van disappeared. Withholding tears that threatened to reveal her pain, Hitomi remained silent. The expression on her face, however, did not go unnoticed by the young man standing beside her.
Van kept walking headlong into the night, heedless of where he was going. Burdened by the heaviness in his heart and the turmoil in his soul, he paid little attention to the signs of danger that constantly flickered within his well-trained senses. He had completely forgotten the danger he saw approaching them earlier.
Then an unexpected, innocent voice spoke up from behind him. "Why are you running away, Van?"
He stopped. Silence enveloped them for the briefest moment before it was interrupted again.
"Well? Aren't you going to answer?"
He turned around with an angry scowl at Arik. "Leave me alone, Arik. This is not the time to rile me."
"I will not leave," the young boy said stubbornly. His stance further reaffirmed his statement. "I am simply asking you why you're running away?"
"And what would you mean by asking me such an absurd question? There is nothing for me to run away from."
"There is," Arik replied. His eyes, Van found in astonishment, suddenly held a light of wisdom that extended beyond his youthful face. "You're running away from Hitomi."
Van was stunned.
"I just don't understand why you didn't fight for her back there?," Arik continued while his gaze fell sadly to the dark ground, "I know you care about her, even though you try to hide it."
Van kept silent.
Arik continued without restraint, such was a child's innocence and sincerity: "My mother told me once, before she passed away three years ago, that if you truly love something you must fight for it. Nothing is given to you on a silver platter." Turning to Van, he asked openly, "You love Hitomi, don't you?"
Van was caught completely off guard. Scratching his head nervously, he stuttered a response, "Well, I…I…I care for her."
A slow smile spread across the boy's face. "You love Hitomi."
"Oh, and how would you know?" The young man huffed. "You're too young to understand."
"If you didn't, you wouldn't be stammering and acting nervous like you are now."
"Smart-aleck kid," Van mumbled under his breath.
"Hitomi would have fought for you."
Arik's statement immediately captured the young man's full attention. The boy continued hesitantly, "I…I told Hitomi that it was your fault Arius died."
Van listened in disbelief.
"I'm sorry!" Arik immediately blurted out, tears glistened in his eyes. "I know I was wrong for accusing you. I know it wasn't your fault; I was just too upset and…"
"It's all right, Arik," Van said gently as he placed a comforting hand on the boy's shaking shoulder, calming the young lad down.
"I'm sorry Van. Please, please don't be angry."
Smiling, Van replied in a quiet voice, "I am not at all angry."
Arik looked up into the man's eyes. At first fearing to find resentment there, he was surprised to see only compassion…and a great sadness. Hitomi was right. Van had been wearing a soldier's mask, and now that the mask was briefly lifted he saw who this person truly was.
Removing his hand from the boy's shoulder, Van took a step back and gazed broodingly at the stars. After a quiet moment, he asked the young lad beside him, "Do you really think she would have fought for me?"
"I know she would." Arik asked, "Van?"
"Yes?"
"You would fight for Hitomi, too, wouldn't you?"
Without a second's hesitation, Van immediately replied, "I would die for her."
Suddenly, out of the hollow night came a scream, which immediately filled the darkness with fear and anxiety. Arik spun around in terror.
"Hitomi," the words barely escaped Van's paled lips.
Arik began to turn back but a strong hand restrained him from doing so. Looking up questioningly at the young man, he heard Van cry out fleetingly before running ahead: "Stay here."
Arik knew better then to listen to a good advice. He immediately followed a short distance behind.
While he ran with his heart fluttering like a frightened bird within the cages of his chest, mysterious images flooded through his mind, threatening to overcome his own vision. Van had lately become suspicious of a strange connection that possibly linked his mind with Hitomi's. The images, the emotions, all that she felt he could feel as well. And now, the rush of terror, the cold sweat of pain, and the agony of sorrow burned through his heart as they raged in hers. He caught fleeting images of strangulating green vines creeping up her arms, then felt them restrict mercilessly around her slender neck. He could sense her struggle to breathe and feel her life slowly leave her. However, during all this, Van saw something he did not expect. In his mind, he saw her reach out…calling desperately…for him.
"Hitomi!!!" he cried as a pair of magnificent white wings burst through his back to light up the dull, dark night. With a mighty flap, he was airborne, unknowingly leaving a very bewildered young boy behind. Flying with the swiftness of a diving falcon, Van raced against time to save the one he loved. He was like a pure white light streaking across the face of night. The earth and stars were a simple blur of colours against a black background. The only clear image in his vision was that of Hitomi. He must reach her. He must save her.
His anxious eyes soon caught sight of a small clearing surrounded on all sides by chaotic flames of blue magic. To his distress, he saw a figure, completely entangled in sinewy vines standing several feet apart from another entanglement of green. Van knew Hitomi was trapped in one of those deadly cocoons, and he knew just which one. Setting aside all cautions to hide his uncommon heritage, Van dove directly into the ring of fire with his sword unsheathed.
The Hunter's attention was focused on the girl and her companion within the ring of magic; that Van's sudden appearance from the sky took them by complete surprise, and the presence of his wings sent them reeling in shock. The sorcerers frowned. They had not expected to directly confront an Etherian. Had they also known Van's status, a frown would not have sufficed for the greatest powers of Etheria were harboured within its Royal bloodline.
Rad and the other men quickly approached the clearing as well, following Arik. They arrived in time to witness a phenomenal sight. Through the walls of blue flames, these men saw Van quickly land with large, magnificent silvery-white wings fully spread out against the velvet night. The golden face of his sword flashed ferociously in the light of the flames.
Van wasted no time in freeing Hitomi with a single swipe of his sharp blade, releasing her from the strangulating vines. Coughing excessively, Hitomi clung onto him for support while failing to notice the white wings hovering above her; that is until her feet began to lift off from the ground. Sensing something strange was occurring, she looked over Van's shoulder and gasped in disbelief. She wanted to turn and look into Van's eyes in search for answers to questions that now flooded her mind, but his grip inhibited her from doing so. He did not want to see what he feared might be in her eyes. She then noticed the increasingly high altitude they were gaining and her grip on him tightened instinctively.
Van placed his lips near her ear and whispered softly, "Trust me," —a hint of sadness was in his voice.
Just two simple words, they were; yet two words that made all the difference between them. Hitomi slowly closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. She had always trusted him. Van held her tight as he took her away to safety. Suddenly, he felt her stiffen in his arms. Then he heard her voice near his ears, filled with fear and anxiety, call out a name that once again caused the wound in his heart to bleed.
"Amano!" she cried. "Van, where is Amano? You freed him too didn't you?"
"He was captured?" So that other cocoon must have been Amano, Van thought with concern.
"Oh, Van," she said worriedly, "Amano was right beside me. Those vines trapped him as well. We must go back to save him."
"That is out of the question," he said roughly. "I will not endanger you by going back."
"Please Van," she pleaded. "I cannot have another innocent life be taken away because of me."
This time, he turned to look directly into her saddened eyes. What he witnessed there would always haunt his tormented soul. She will not live if another life is lost, he thought sadly. Her innocence and light will forever be shadowed by sorrow.
Letting out a sigh, he acquiesced reluctantly. "I will only free him from the vines," Van said grimly while his eyes looked straight ahead. "The rest will be up to him."
"Thank you, Van," Hitomi said with relief as she held him close, tears drifting unseen from her cheeks.
Not responding to her show of gratitude, Van simply said, "Hang on tight."
Van made a sharp turnaround and flew back toward the enemy. As they approached the ring of flame, Hitomi felt his grip tightened while the muscles on his chest constricted, causing his wings to fold around them. Immediately, they went into a steep dive. His wings protected her from the sharp blades of the passing wind. As they drew near the ground, he opened his wings in time to prevent them from crashing.
Van extended his sword as they drifted by Amano and sliced through the vines restraining the other man. Giving a brief glance back, he noticed Amano watching their retreat just before escaping through a weak area of the wall of fire. Everyone was safe. Looking ahead, he concentrated on getting Hitomi to safety by widening the distance between them and The Hunter. However, before he could fly high enough to escape all their means of attack, he felt a sharp pain pierce through his side. Withholding a cry of agony as a strange burning sensation quickly spread from the unseen wound, Van struggled to reach the protection of a distant hill.
Hitomi could feel Van's muscle tighten strangely beneath her touch. She glanced over at him and quickly noticed a mask of sweat and pain covered his face. Something was terribly wrong.
"Van?"
He did not respond. Focusing all his attention and remaining strength to maintain flight, Van struggled to carry them both to safety. Just as they reached the edge of the tall hill, his strength gave out and they began to plummet to the unforgiving ground below. Gripping him tightly in fear (for them both), Hitomi screamed his name, "Van! We're falling!"
It was enough to bring him momentarily to consciousness in order to open his wings and slowed their fall to a hard landing. Rolling wildly along the length of the rough hill, they came to a stop just at the edge of a calm lake. Hitomi opened her eyes to find herself sprawled out on soft green grass weaving gently in the night wind. She struggled to sit up despite the waves of nausea. Groaning slightly from the scratches and bruises, Hitomi managed to get to her knees before searching wildly around for Van.
She looked to her left. He was not there.
She looked to her right. He was not there.
She spun around toward the lake and cried out in alarm at the sight before her. Van was there, lying on his face at the water's edge. His ebony hair flowed and ebbed with the waves stirred up by the wind. Van's beautiful back was painted with scratches and bruises from the landing, while his face was soiled with mud from the lake. His wings were gone. The water on his left side was slowly becoming adulterated from the oozing crimson liquid that silently escaped through the wound.
Stumbling hastily to her feet, Hitomi rushed over to him and pulled him from the water. Turning him over so his head rested on her lap, she called out his name in urgent distress.
"Van?! Van, can you hear me?" No response. Tears quickly rose to her emerald eyes. "No, please no," she whispered as dark storm clouds gathered above. "Van don't do this to me. Don't be the one to leave me."
As tears drifted down her cheeks, droplets of heaven's sorrow rained down upon them both.
She felt hopeless. There was absolutely nothing she could do to save him. As she held him dearly in her arms, Hitomi could sense his life ebbing slowly from his body. Rocking mechanically back and forth, she held his head close to her heart while the ruthless rain continued to pierce through their clothes, their skins and their pains. If she was uncertain before, had their been a single tinge of doubt, then there was no questioning now. She knew as she held him dying in her arms that there was one man she loved, and he was here. Van.
Splashing sounds of footsteps quickly approached, but she paid no heed to them. If it was The Hunter, then let them come. There was no other way she would rather die then to die with him.
However, it was not her foes that emerged from the curtain of rain but her friends. Rad and the others have been able to track them down after having seen them plummet in the distance. The group of men was in shock to witness the terrible scene of which the rain unveiled. Amano observed them in silence.
"Hitomi," Sythe said gently as he stepped toward her while she continued to rock back and forth with Van held gently in her arms. Upon hearing her name, she looked up at him but her eyes saw nothing, blinded by the pain of her lost and the shadow of her grief. Sythe gasped in shock when he looked into her eyes. He had before never seen anyone so distraught as to the point of insanity.
"Hitomi!" Cade yelled to awaken her from the sorrows which now imprisoned her. "You must snap out of it!"
"Ca-Cade?" she said meekly. "Van, he's dying. Please…please help him." She cried as she placed her face close to Van's, "We must help him! We can't let him die."
Rad kneeled down beside her and took hold of her shoulders gently. "We will but you must calm down."
Hitomi looked at him for a brief moment, then nodded silently but her hold on Van remained.
"Rad look at this!" Cade exclaimed while he observed Van's wound. Rad immediately went over and examined the extent of the injury. He frowned in confusion.
"This is not a deep wound," Rad said in puzzlement, giving a glance back to Van's pale face.
"I agree," Cade said, "but look at this." He pointed to the strange discolouration surrounding the wound. "I have never seen skin turning to this colour before. It is almost black. And look. It seems to be spreading, quite quickly too."
"Strange. What…what did they shoot at him?"
"A Neiro-tip arrow," a strange voice replied from within the shadows.
They immediately spun around to face this unexpected intruder.
Landen, Theo and Sythe instinctively moved to protect Hitomi and Van, while Cade, Rad and Amano stepped forth defensively. Arik hid behind Theo.
"Who's there?" Rad demanded.
A tall shadow slowly appeared from behind the drapery of water. Hitomi strained to catch the face of this individual as he emerged from the darkness of the night. His face was unfamiliar; yet, there was a unique trait to it that she could not help but notice.
The stranger spoke in a low tone, "Van has been poisoned by a dark power."
"Then how do we rid him of this poison?" Sythe questioned cautiously.
He looked away from them and into the sky. "There is only one place which harbours the antidote to the sorcerer's Neiro poison," he answered.
"Where?" Hitomi asked softly, hopefully.
The stranger looked pass the others and directly into her eyes. She gazed back at him fearlessly. He nodded as if assenting to an unspoken agreement. Letting his gaze fall to Van's ashen-coloured face, he replied, "Home."
"And where is this?" she asked.
The stranger pointed a finger to the dark sky. They all looked at him as if he was insane. The young man made no attempt to explain. Instead, he spoke aloud a strange incantation in a language they could not understand: "Erithros ayla omness maira."
Suddenly, a loud explosion sounded above as a large beam of pale blue light shot down at them at an incredible speed. Before any of them had time to react, they were completely enveloped within this strange column of light, which began to lift them up into the sky.
"Huh!" Hitomi gasped in fear while her grip on Van tightened. "What is happening?" Glaring at the stranger, she cried, "Where are you taking us?"
"To Etheria."
She gave him a puzzled look before asking warily, "What is your name?"
For a brief moment, he did not respond. Instead, he gazed at her face with an imperceptible expression before floating over to them.
"Allen Schezar," he spoke charismatically. Glancing down at Van, the stranger said in a most solemn voice, "Van, Etheria has called you home."
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Author's note:
I am terribly sorry for taking so long to complete this chapter. I know I said I would get it out in two weeks after the last chapter was posted but there were many events that occurred in my academic life, which gave me no time to write. Are you ready for the excuses? Well, first I was out of town (and away from my computer) for that weekend; then I became sick for almost a week upon returning; then I had this important meeting I needed to prepare for as well as preparation for this science competition at school. Only after that did I have time to complete this chapter. I worked day and night to get it out. I hope it turned out all right. Please forgive me if there are spelling or grammar mistakes that I might have missed during the 24 hour editing session. ; Well, my schedule has lightened up a bit, so I will definitely try to get the next chapter out in two weeks. Again, so sorry for the delay. Thanks for understanding and for your patience. P.S. you probably didn't expect Allen to appear in this chapter did you?
Next: Chapter 13: "Return to Etheria"
Cosmos 2004