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 13: Return to Etheria
Mysterious crimson eyes observed the beam of light pensively as it slowly faded into the dark fabric of night. Dilandau narrowed his eyes in irritation. The Judge had escaped him, again.
"Do not worry, General Dilandau," an unnaturally smooth voice spoke to him from behind. "Henceforth, we will have no more trouble from the Guardian."
Without turning around, Dilandau said in a stern tone, "For your sake, I hope we will not. By the way, Aerez, what did you adulterate that arrow tip with?"
"A poison that no mortal can cure."
Dilandau frowned as he spun around to face the old sorcerer. "You've forgotten, old man," he spoke, "that he is no mortal."
The sorcerer remained confident as he replied, "Indeed, he is not. But even an Etherian can not be saved from death once he has been poisoned with Neiro." At length, the sorcerer decided to continue, "There is, however, one item that could nullify the poison."
"What is that?"
"The purity waters of Illian Lake in the heart of old Etheria."
Dilandau looked up into the dark, star-speckled sky and said in a steady tone, "Then that is where they will go."
"Yes, that is the reason why they went to Etheria, but it will not be easy to reach the enchanted lake. The Dragons of Ezra guard the Forest of Illusion, which surrounds the lake on all sides. It will take them more than a day to traverse it unhindered, which is impossible in itself. Besides, the young Etherian will not live more than two more nights before his life is fully drained from his body. Their efforts to save him are futile."
Aerez then turned and began to depart but before he could do so Dilandau spoke up in a suspicious tone, "You seem to know a lot about this strange poison and Etheria."
Aerez gave him a mysterious smile while saying, "It is our purpose to know."
Dilandau watched his retreating back darkly. He had been dubious of their intentions for a long while; however, there was little evidence to support his suspicion to others or to himself. For the moment, Dilandau reluctantly reclined to accept their aide, but he would keep close watch on the sorcerers' moves should it turn treacherous.
Turning to his men, he gazed critically at their conditions and their numbers. He brought with him only twenty men, but had he even brought all thirty, it would not have been enough to confront the armies of Etheria. That was the reason why he did not immediately pursue them into the light. They must regroup and develop a strategy to capture the Judge without being detected by the great powers of that race. Folken will know what to do, he thought. Then a smirk-like frown appeared on his face as he continued to think, Wouldn't he be delighted to know the man he believed to be his brother is born of the very race that supposedly killed his sibling so long ago?
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"Brother," the voice of a young child rang faintly in his feverish mind. Van spun around in the darkness in search for the source of that familiar sound.
"Brother." The unseen child called out again. Turning his attention to his left, Van could faintly make out the silhouette of a young boy—no older then five—standing alone against the background of a setting sun. The child's face could not be discerned but his innocent voice could be heard clearly.
"Brother, where are you?" the five-year-old called again in a tone now filled with distress.
Surprised at the peculiarity of this mysterious scene, Van approached the child slowly. He analysed the dark features on the small boy, desperately trying to make out the details of his face but to no avail. All he could see was the outline of someone he deeply felt he once knew.
The lonely boy began to cry. The haunting sounds of his sorrow reverberated throughout the dark expanse of Van's troubled dream.
Quiet mumbling escaped between his pale lips, immediately catching Hitomi's attention. Her features were sad and worrisome as she wiped his sweat-covered face with a damp towel. The dismal light of a small lantern revealed his pain-stricken features as the heightening fever and nightmare continued to torment his exhausted body and soul. His groaning became louder as the tempo of his fever picked up. Withholding tears that threatened to betray her, Hitomi reached out with an unsteady hand to pull away the perspiration-drenched locks of hair from his closed eyes. She maintained her composure despite the fear that immediately rose to her mind upon touching his ice-cold skin. Observing his laborious breathing, sweat-covered body, and ashen complexion, Hitomi could hardly believe that this weakened individual was the bold and handsome young man who saved her only hours earlier. Allowing her gaze to fall to his side, she noticed the discolouration around the wound had spread to half his mid-section. The poison was moving fast through his body. The quicker it was spreading, the faster he was dying.
"Oh, Van," she whispered tearfully. "If I hadn't asked you to turn back—." She laid her head beside his while her hand covered Van's trembling palms. "Van…my dear, gentle Van…where would I be without you?" Tears drifted down her cheeks. "I would certainly not be alive right now." She buried her face into his soft ebony hair while whispering, "Why? Why is this happening to you and me?"
A painful moan escaped from between his lips as if in answer to the grievances she whispered into his ears. Opening her eyes, she looked at his face despairingly. "Van," she cried softly, "please do not leave me, not like this. I need a chance…a chance to tell you—." She closed her eyes while tears finally escaped from its prison down her cheeks.
As the young maiden cried without truly being heard, outside the sounds of footsteps accompanied the rattling of a two-horse-drawn carriage invaded the calm Etherian night. The full celestial face of an incredibly grand moon followed them along their arduous journey. On all sides, a sea of rich-green grasses flowed and ebbed beneath the pale heavenly light.
Their appearance portrayed tranquility of companionship but at the same time gave a sense of forlornness like an old man travelling alone on a dusty road of life. They knew not what the future held, and their destinies were imprisonments to a dark, secluded path. Ahead of them laid not glory but death. Behind them laid not memories but nightmares. They were born of a fate meant to serve and not be served. Life was given to them for a purpose, and to this dark purpose they must fulfill. Such was the curse that befell these two innocent hearts and those who would sacrifice their lives for them.
"What kind of place is this?" Theo asked bewilderingly. He scanned the unfamiliar landscape with curious, and fearful, eyes.
"This is the far western grasslands of Etheria," Allen responded in an emotionless tone. "The Miroko people live here."
"Hey," Cade finally spoke up after having kept silent since their arrival to this mysterious land, "you haven't explained to us why we're here? And what is this Etheria place you constantly speak of?"
"Etheria is the land in which you now traverse. Its soil is the home of both myself and Van." Allen turned to scan the horizon before continuing, "In the heart of Illusion Forest resides a lake with waters which could remedy the poison that now permeates through Van. It is the only antidote to a Neiro poisoning. That is the reason why I have taken you all here." Turning to the other men with a pretentious smirk, he said, "You mortals should be honoured to have the privilege of seeing Etheria."
"Why do you call us that?" Theo asked. "You're a mortal, too."
"Humph!" Allen said indignantly, "Hardly. I am born of a far superior blood than yours, mortal."
"Tell me," Rad said carefully, "what…who are Etherians? I have never heard of such people before."
"I would be surprise if you did hear of us," Allen spoke contentiously. "For your ignorant minds, I will explain."
"Why you arrogant bast—," but Rad motioned Sythe to remain silent. It would be foolish to rile a stranger they knew not about. If his first encounter with Van had taught him something then it was to be wary of people from this mysterious world, who seemed to hold incredible power and skill.
"My people have existed since the dawn of the ninth Succession," Allen explained in a more somber voice, "which came about little under a million turn ago."
"Succession? Turn?"
Allen gave an exasperated sigh. "Succession is an event which occurs every one millionth-turn." Giving Theo a glance, he said, "A turn is equivalent to one hundred mortal revolutions, or years as you call it."
Sythe whistled loudly. "Wow, your people are old."
"Our bloodline has existed in the fabric of this universe for some time, but it seems," Allen became quieter as he continued, "our time may soon come to an end."
"Why is that?" Rad asked solemnly, very interested in the history of these mysterious people.
"The time for the tenth Succession draws near. Fate will soon choose another people to succeed us in Guardianship." Looking directly at Rad with a flicker of hatred in his bright blue eyes, Allen spoke, "They will be the new power to rule the Universe."
Unaware of the other man's undertone, Rad asked, "Then what will happen to your people?"
Allen looked ahead with a saddened expression. He replied frankly, almost bitterly, "We cease to exist."
"You mean," Arik asked incredulously, "you all will die?"
"It is as simple as that."
"That's horrible!" the young boy cried out.
Allen turned to look at him, at first in surprise, then with an expression they could not read.
"Is there no stopping this Succession?"
He looked at Sythe for a moment. Their questions rather surprised him. At length, he shook his head dejectedly. "I had once believed that there was a way," Allen said, "but now I know that fate could never be stopped."
"Does all this," Rad began, "involve—."
"She is at the heart of this," Allen answered before Rad could finish, "but she is not the only one." Looking at the other men he continued, "You all are here for some purpose as well. As do I. Our encounters were not mere coincidences. You must realize that nothing happens in fate without purpose." Looking toward the carriage rumbling beside him, and to the two individuals within, he said gravely, "To what purpose we serve, I wish I knew."
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"So he is from Etheria."
"I saw the wings myself," Dilandau said as he observed the other man's face closely. "Folken, he is not—."
"Please, Dilandau," Folken interrupted with a tired sigh, "do not bring up that argument again."
"Very well," the younger man conceded, "but there is still the matter at hand. The sorcerers claim they know of a gateway to Etheria, but once there the journey will be far more treacherous. Should our identities be revealed, our fates would be sealed in their hands."
Folken remained in thoughtful silence. His eyes narrowed in deep concentration as he strategized their next move. Every step was critical. The lives of his men, and that of this world, were at stake.
Returning his attention to his friend, Folken said, "Prepare the men to leave at first light."
Dilandau nodded solemnly. Just as he was to depart, Folken said, "And tell them this may be the last time they will see home."
Dilandau hesitated momentarily upon hearing this last statement but soon departed from the tent. Folken turned a sorrowful face to the far corner of his desk where a small picture of an adolescent was placed. He whispered, "Soon you will know who you are, my brother."
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No matter where he would run, no matter how hard he tried to ignore the sounds of that child's crying, Van found he could not escape this nightmare.
The events unfolding before his subconscious was unfamiliar to his current memories but familiar to the basal instincts of his soul. Deep within the very essence of his life, Van felt the stir of recognition.
Realizing that his attempts to escape were futile, Van decided to take a stand against his fears and see this vision to the end. Whatever path Destiny was taking him, he became aware that it must traverse through this dream.
Standing within the shadows, Van watched the events of a life long forgotten revealed to him one image after another, each scene bringing him closer to understanding his fate and his destiny. However, as the nightmare continued on, he began to regret witnessing it. He soon realized that this dream was leading him to answer one haunting question, which he tried to evade for so long.
Van witnessed the child mature into a young man of around sixteen, whose features he still could not clearly distinguish. The young man was holding a meeting with seven elderly men and women inside a round hut, warmed by a good-size fire at its center. The conversation, though he could not hear, did not appear to be a pleasant one. Whatever was the subject of debate it was a very controversial issue. He felt the matter of discussion held great significance for the future to which he was heading; hence, he became increasingly irritated that he could not hear what they were saying.
All but the young man's face could be seen through the soft rosy hue of the burning flames. The elderly men and women, Van noticed, held a certain amused yet fearful expression on their faces. Although deemed unwise, they were clearly impressed by the courage this adolescent was displaying, but they were simultaneously frightened by the consequences to which his actions would bring. Van scanned the room with mild interest until he came upon the face of one woman. Her uncommonly bright blue eyes, in contrast to the blinded or dulled grey pupils of her companions, immediately caught and held his attention. He noticed this strangely mysterious old woman was intently observing the face of the young man as he angrily defended his opinions. Her expression was unlike the others; she was neither amused nor frightened. Her face held the appearance of a deep understanding that extended beyond the boundaries of this small hut. She watched the young man with wise eyes filled with sorrow and regret. Her peculiar composure interested Van. He felt she knew something the others in this room did not. Then to his utter astonishment, the old woman turned and looked directly at him. Can she see me? he thought in surprise. She couldn't possibly. This is…this is only a dream. Isn't it?
He watched as she spoke words he could not hear before becoming silent once again. The others began their arguments once more but she held her peace. Van observed as this strange old woman, with unnaturally clear blue eyes, continued to look at him while a single translucent tear drifted down her cheek. He felt…he knew…she had cried for him.
His skin felt increasingly cold with each passing moment. Hitomi watched him with mounting despair. Although she was strong, although she was gentle-hearted, under the continual oppression of misery and utter desolation, Hitomi eventually felt the dark side of her nature. For the first time, she felt a rage that threatened the very sanity of her soul. She was angry at this fate, which delivered them nothing but grief; she was angry at the strange men who had cruelly inflicted this wound on the one she loved most; and she was angry at herself for being incapable of helping Van. Balling her hands into tight fists within the crimson fabric of his shirt, which she still possessed, Hitomi let loose the raging tears. But they did little to ease the frustration and the despair that ate up her heart.
How much longer, she thought in aggravation. She looked at Van's frightfully pale face in trepidation. He will not make it. Van…he will not live. "No," she gasped. "No!" she cried. "NO!" she screamed. Her control. Her steady composure. All was gone.
But her release of emotions was drowned out by another unnatural cry just outside the carriage. A horrid shriek of such decibels snapped Hitomi out of her momentary breakdown. Running quickly to the small window on the left side of the carriage, Hitomi immediately saw looming into view the colossal stature of a magnificent black dragon several stories tall, silhouetted by the silvery leaves of massive trees that stood guard at the gates of Illusion Forest.
"What the world!" someone exclaimed.
Allen narrowed his eyes and drew his silver sword. He knew that a battle against this beast would be suicidal, but at present that was all they could do…must do.
Hitomi stood petrified beside the small window, ignorant of the rosy light that escaped from within Van's pocket. From the light, the shadow of an old woman appeared. Her light blue eyes pierced through the darkness like stars. A strange sensation of being watched caused Hitomi to turn around. She gasped in fear at the unexpected visitor before her. The stranger spoke gently upon seeing the apprehension in the young woman's green eyes.
"Fear not what guards the gates to the ancient heart of Etheria," the stranger spoke in riddles. "Remove from present the conflict and thou shall remove the pain." With those strange words, the mysterious woman vanished along with the light.
"What?" Hitomi was utterly confused. Looking out the window again, she repeated the words aloud while her attention was cast upon the dragon and then at her companions. She studied the scene, recalled the mysterious words again and again, desperately trying to understand the meaning those two phrases meant. Slowly, she began to see the connection, the intertwined threads of fate among all those present in the scene. Could it be possible, she thought apprehensively. "Well, it's worth a try.
"Allen," she called out, "re-sheath your sword."
"What?" the older man looked at her in utter shock. "The hell I would!"
"Trust me," she pleaded. For Van, she thought determinedly.
He hesitated. The dragon began to recoil for an attack.
"Hurry, Allen! You must remove the conflict or the dragon will strike."
"Remove the conflict?" he whispered in puzzlement. Looking into her innocent, determined eyes, he finally acquiesced and re-sheathed his sword.
The dragon sprung toward them at breathtaking speed. His large, armour plated jaws opened wide like two massive doors corralled by rows of glistening white daggers. The creature snapped his jaws shut just inches before her face, causing a deafening sound to race through the forest. Hitomi did not flinch. She remained still with her green eyes gazing directly into the dragon's garnet pupils. Jet streams of hot hair escaped through the creature's flaring nostrils, stirring up her short honey-coloured hair. Hitomi remained calm.
The alert maroon eyes of the incredible creature flickered from side-to-side as it analysed her doleful features. The large, bottomless pupils dilated and shrunk as if to focus on the cursed soul hiding within those emerald pools. Moments passed but she did not fidget. Her gaze remained calm and steady despite the horrific creature that stood only inches before her. Although his eyes were frightful they did not belie any ill intentions. Contradictorily, Hitomi found them to be quite serene and beautiful.
Having satisfied his curiosity, the mystical creature gave a gentle puff of warm air through Hitomi's hair almost in playfulness. She took this as his approval of her. The dragon raised his head toward the brightening sky and let out a loud bugle; a sound that words could never truly capture. It was an unnatural musical tone unlike any she ever heard. The melodies had a wild nature to it, yet comforting. It was a sound that elicited cries from all their soul to be free of its mortal restraints. While the dragon sang, she felt neither repression by Fates nor grievances from Destiny. She felt happy and content. However, like every joy, it must come to an end. And so the song of this beautiful creature slowly died away into the awakening horizon where the faint rosy hue of early dawn slowly emerged.
The dragon turned his immense head, covered with glistening black scales, toward her. He gazed at her briefly for the last time before spreading his grand wings into the sky. A single flap brought about a surge of whirlwind around the travellers as the dragon ascended into the lavender fabric of heaven, an indication that dawn was soon to break. She watched, almost in silent mourning, as the mystical creature flew into the blushing clouds. His large, dark form could still be seen slithering through Heaven's mist toward the towering silver trees in the Forest of Illusion. The dragon landed gently, despite his size, at the very edge of the enchanted woods. He folded his majestic wings around his body and quickly faded into the forest background of shadows and light.
An unfamiliar voice whispered within her head of a name to which she spoke aloud, "Enra."
She quickly noticed the astonished gazes the men were giving her. Without responding to their questioning looks, however, she simply said, "Let us move on."
As the carriage began to lurch forward, Hitomi returned to her vigil beside Van. During the brief time that passed in the presence of Enra, leader of the dragons of Ezra, the poison had spread to consume all of Van's lower body up to the lower half of his heaving chest. It was a horrid sight to behold, and a most grievous one. Hitomi realized that had Enra not appeared when he did she would have been lost in the chaos of her grief. However, after she looked into the dragon's eyes so full of strength and perseverance, Hitomi knew that she must remain strong if she was to save Van.
The size of the dragon had disguised the actual distance they were from the Forest of Illusion. It took them another three hours before they finally reached the yawning path leading into the heart of these mysterious woods. By this time, the sun had fully emerged from the earth. The trail was faintly distinguishable but obviously little travelled. Moss-covered boulders emerged here-and-there along the sides of the path while long, elegant vines fitted with small silver leaves hung down from the lower branches of the towering trees, forming a spectacular canopy above the trail. Due to the dense foliages from the ancient trees high above, little of heaven's light was able to penetrate deep into the woods. Once and awhile, a broken patch within the canopy would open to the sky. As a result, bars of light criss-crossing the trail would illuminate their difficult path deep into the heart of this enchanted forest.
The men briefly hesitated at the yawning mouth of the forest, whose dark opening gave a foreboding chill up their backs. Swallowing her fears, Hitomi urged them on. As the carriage rattled along the uneven trail, Hitomi leaned out one of the windows and looked around. She immediately noticed, upon entering the woods, an incredibly large black tree standing alone among its silver friends. Its warped branches appeared strange and its trunks seemed to be covered in familiar shiny scales. Looking up toward its leafless top, she had thought she glimpsed a pair of crimson eyes watching her as she passed. A thought rose into her mind and she gave the false tree a gratified smile.
The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful but within that beauty Hitomi caught glimpses of its fierce nature. Strange shadowy forms streaked across the dark skirts of this forest, just at the edge of the trail. The name is befitting of this strange place, Hitomi thought; for behind the allure belies a dark, untamed nature. Speaking aloud, she informed the men of her thoughts. "I believe," she said cautiously, "we should at all attempts remain on this singular path." Turning toward the shadows that continually stalked them from all sides of the trail, she continued, "I do not wish to know what would happen should we stray off it."
Just as she finished speaking, a swarm of voices began to speak in low, almost inaudible whispers all around them. Together they sounded like the gentle humming from a hummingbird's wings, or the quiet buzzing of a bumblebee. The mysterious voices seemed to have no origin. The whispers were projected throughout the region as if it was the very forest itself that was speaking. The strangely haunting event frightened them a great deal, especially Arik. He clung to Sythe like he was a part of the other man's arm. His lips were pale and trembling in fear. Landen noticed his younger friend's apprehension and came up beside him to bring comfort and security to the young boy with his presence. Theo also huddled close the group.
Hitomi strained to make out what theses bodiless entities were saying but soon relented to accept them as merely an irritating décor of the forest.
The scene, they soon realized, remained constant no matter how deep they travelled into the forest. Simple bars of sunlight, which escaped through the thick foliages above, provided the only illumination to guide them on this path. However, as the day grew older and the beams of light shifted, a new fear began to creep into their minds. What would happen to them when night falls? When these heavenly lights were no longer present to protect them?
Hitomi was not the only person to notice the strange shadows following them. Allen had been cautious of their presence immediately upon entering the forest. The Forest of Illusion was a cursed forest inhabited by strange creatures, which had been rumoured to prey on unsuspecting souls who happened to encroach upon their domain. No one had ever seen these creatures save their shadowy silhouettes lurking within the skirts of the forest. The Dragons of Ezra guarded this forest from without as well as from within. They were the enforcers of Illusion's law that kept these unnatural creatures from invading the bright valleys and plains bordering this strange realm.
It is peculiar, as one would think, for the heart of old Etheria to have fallen to such a dismal fate. What was the old Etheria like? Were this dark, miserable forest and its sinister offspring the remnant of a once barbaric world? Or was this dark forest monument of Etheria's changing nature into a world of corruption and cruelty? However, while the dragons remained present Etheria would be guarded from her dark heart. But Succession was coming. Its eminent presence in the very near future was slowly silencing the songs these dragons were singing.
The changing light of pale yellow to bloody red signalled the death of another day. As the sunlight began to retreat from the forest, the creatures slowly advanced. The small group of travellers increased their pace unconsciously as fear began to take hold along with the night.
Allen drew out his sword when he noticed how far these creatures of darkness have encroached upon them. Turning to the others he yelled, "We must reach the Lake of Illian quickly before the last light disappears."
Turning to Sythe, he asked, "Do you know how to drive a horse?"
Sythe shook his head. "I'm afraid I've never even touched one before."
"Damn!" Allen exclaimed while watching the creatures approach even closer.
"I do." He turned to look at Landen. The young man of eighteen spoke in a serious tone. "One of my foster homes was a horse ranch. I know how to drive a horse."
"Do you know how to do so with a drawn carriage?"
He nodded solemnly. His grey eyes shone determinedly from beneath locks of smoke-blue colour hair.
"Fine. Then this is what we will do," Allen said.
The loud rumbling of a carriage mingled with the rapid pounding of galloping horses rang throughout the dark forest. The light had long disappeared. Chasing after them and growling ferociously were the night creatures stalking them earlier. Indeed, it was only the light illuminating the path that kept them at bay. Now that this barrier was gone, they were free to invade.
Rad, Arik, Theo, Sythe and Amano were huddling together with Hitomi and Van within the rumbling carriage. Rad and Sythe each took the responsibility to guard the two windows on the sides of the gig while Amano saw to the back door. Allen in the meantime was riding in front with Landen, who was driving the two horses along the dark path. The forest floor was almost completely dark, except for the faint illuminating light from the strange glowing silver leaves of the giant trees. Despite this light, Landen found it extremely difficult to manuever the carriage.
Hitomi looked at the back of the carriage in fear as the sinister sounds appeared to come closer. These hideous monsters were closing in on them. A cold chill ran through her. Turning her ashen-white face to Van, she noticed the jolting of the carriage along the uneven ground was antagonizing Van's wound, from which blood was beginning to flow at a greater rate. His handsome face contorted in pain with each rattle of the carriage. Upon seeing his condition, Hitomi's fear quickly vanished. She stood up and reached over for his sword. Taking hold of the golden hilt of Van's magnificent blade, Hitomi unsheathed it. Gripping the deadly weapon with both hands, she turned to face her enemies. The unnatural growl grew louder with each passing moment.
Theo and Arik hugged the bench side, trying to get as far away from the carriage walls as possible. Sythe and Rad picked up some metal bars, which were spare spokes for the carriage wheels. The three readied themselves for the inevitable attack. Allen guarded Landen and the carriage from the outside with his silver sword.
The atmosphere was tense and filled with cold fear. They were all waiting for the one single attack that would catalyze the chains of horrific events thereafter.
A hideous roar rose from within the pack of shadows pursuing them. Its blood-curdling cry froze all their hearts in terror. Allen immediately noticed the creatures changing position until they were surrounding the carriage from all sides. His brows furrowed in distress when it dawned on him what was happening. The loud cry was a command to attack. They were maneuvering for an ambush. Just at a glance, Allen knew they were completely outnumbered. Had it even been nine fully armed, skilful soldiers—and not two armed with one skilful soldier—they would still be in jeopardy. It appeared that this might be the very end for them all.
Allen noticed one creature was about to pounce on him. He faced the unknown courageously, determined to fight and upkeep his words to Gaia as well as to protect these individuals that had managed to capture his respect.
The creature launched at him. Its hideous white fangs stood in contrast to its featureless dark body like snow on a dark ground. Strong, sharp claws reached out toward his body bent on inflicting serious damage. Allen used his sword to block the claws while his hand punched the gaping jaw aside. And so the nightmarish battle began.
From within, Hitomi and the others could hear the cries of their two friends as they fought against these unnatural beasts. A loud thud sounded from above. Hitomi's attention snapped to the roof of the carriage. The ripping sounds of claws against the carriage's soft, leather top caused her heart to beat faster. Her grip on the sword tightened. Soon she saw a rip in the fabric, which widened quickly to reveal a featureless face with white fangs snarling down at her. From the sides, she heard Rad and Sythe fighting off the ones trying to enter through the windows. The thudding sounds of metal bars on flesh resounded in her ears but her focus was on the one threatening her from above.
At first, as with natural instincts, she was afraid. Never had she seen such phenomenally sinister beasts as these before. They were like a solid shadow fitted with pearl fangs and sharp claws. No pairs of eyes could be seen. No conscience or soul could be sensed. These creatures were born from the very darkness of Etheria itself. However, natural instincts come with many layers. The first instinct is fear. The second is survival. And this was what Hitomi felt next.
A hot burning emotion erupted from deep within her soul like lava overflowing from the mouth of a volcano. She would not die here. Hitomi cried out in rage as she thrusted Van's sword directly into the snarling jaw of the dark creature. It retreated with an ear-splitting howl of pain when the sword ripped through its mandible. Breathing heavily, Hitomi withdrew the blade to find a strange type of blackish-red liquid staining the sword's face. It was the creature's blood. A kind of overwhelming relief bubbled to the top of her soul upon the realization that these beasts were not immortal. They could be defeated.
Allen tried to protect Landen as well as he could but, despite his incredible swordsmanship, he was quickly overwhelmed. Landen reached forward for the handle of a whip attached to the front of their seats. He had not taken it up before because Landen hated to use such terrible things on these horses. His gentle nature harboured a strong love for animals. Grabbing the whip, he used it as a weapon to protect himself and the poor horses running in front. Those unrelenting dark creatures were attacking all and everything in their path. Landen knew that should the horses be injured then they would all be doomed.
A creature launched at Landen from the side unexpectedly. It lashed out with its mighty claws and drew blood across his left cheek and neck. Landen cried out in pain, which immediately caught Allen's attention. Spinning around quickly, Allen ran the beast through with his stained sword.
"Landen!" he cried when he noticed the trail of blood on the younger man's face.
"I'm fine," Landen quickly assured him. "Just a graze."
While his attention was occupied, another beast attacked from behind. Upon Landen's warning cry, Allen spun around to face the attacker. He managed to slay the creature but not without consequence. Four crimson lines were left behind across Allen's chest where the beast's claws made contact.
They all fought valiantly, but it was inevitable to conclude that this group would not survive till dawn. However, the Fates intervened; for it seemed that their destinies would not end in this dismal forest but on a desolate battlefield of another kind, at another time. They were tired from the constant onslaught but as their strengths weakened the attack remained unabated. Hitomi was beginning to fear that this would be the end. Just as the swords became heavy and the metal bars appeared hopeless, the raging invasion subsided as quickly as it developed; for at this moment, the horses had taken them into the realm of Illian Lake at the heart of Illusion Forest.
A mysterious aura radiated brilliantly from the lake's water to bathe the surrounding land in pale blue light. It was this light that saved them. They watched in astonishment when the shadow creatures dissipated like wisps of smoke back into the darkness from whence they came. The mystical light was similar to a heavenly wind blown against these creatures of the night. The weary travellers let out sighs of relief but quickly took in breaths of wonder upon sight of this new realm hidden within the surrounding darkness.
A curtain of silver vines oscillated to and fro upon the cool night wind on the far side of this magnificent lake, whose incredible crystalline water lapped hungrily at the shores of fine sand. The faint beige hue of the sandy shore was illuminated by the pale aura emanating from the depths of Illian Lake. Once in awhile, from beneath the surface of these mysterious waters, erupted puffs of energy like small fireworks of dazzling white. A calm silence occupied the atmosphere despite the continual whispers of bodiless voices. The dense canopy of trees no longer hid the clouds in this realm. The wide-open sky with its celestial moon surveyed this enchanted region, casting upon the radiant surface its own image. At the very center of this mysterious body of water hovered a beautiful crystal slab.
Illian Lake was named after the great Gyra who created it. A Gyra to an Etherian is equivalent to a Goddess in mortal terms. To the Etherians, Gyra Illian was the greatest goddess to have existed in the eighth Succession. She was both a Guardian and a prophet. Rumour had it that she predicted the coming of both the ninth and tenth Succession. The phrase for which Eos always ended her visions on—"The end will lead to infinity but Infinity will signal the end"—was the prediction this Gyra made millennia ago. Her people had failed to decipher its meaning, and so they all vanished. However, this phrase would continually be passed onto each successor until its mystery could be solved. Gyra foresaw the birth of two souls upon which the two parts of this phrase were personified. One was the harbinger of the end while the other the saviour from it. Could the tenth Succession be the final Succession? That even Illian could not predict. But so long as her prophetic phrase remain unresolved, Succession would continue on its merciless cycle, bringing death to the succeeded and a dismal future to the successor. Upon her death, a visitor heard her whisper, "Sacrifice it all for the sake of all." It appeared that she was speaking to someone other than the visitor, but no one was present. Over time, her prophecy had faded into a legend and nothing more. However, when Eos mysteriously appeared from the far northern hemisphere of Etheria, Illian's prophecy was reawakened. The Fates had deemed it time.
Hitomi took a cautious step forward onto the velvety sand. The others followed close behind her. Once they reached the edge of the lapping waves, they stopped. Allen spoke softly from behind her.
"Van must be placed at the heart of the lake where the powers of Illian is most strongest, and we must do so before dawn."
"Why before dawn?" Cade asked.
Allen gave him a solemn look before answering, "Because that is all the time Van has left to live."
"All right," Rad said somberly, "Allen, you and I will pull Van out."
Allen shook his head negatively. "I'm afraid it is not that easy. The enchanted water of this lake cannot be touched just by anyone."
"What do you mean?" Cade asked.
Allen frowned worriedly before replying, "Illian Lake harbours the remaining true powers of old Etheria during a time when her powers were purest. Hence, in order to touch her powers, the individual's heart must also be pure."
"What if it is not?"
"Then you lose your soul and become the darkness."
"So those creatures," Hitomi spoke quietly while her gaze remained on the distant crystal, "were individuals with tainted hearts that had touched this water?"
"Yes," Allen said solemnly, "they were once Etherians, but now they are nothing more than mindless beasts."
"That's horrible!" Arik exclaimed.
"Then what about Van?" Landen asked.
Allen looked at Van while answering, "He will not be harmed."
Rad remained in thoughtful silence for a moment before asking, "But aren't you and Van both Etherians?"
Allen nodded gravely. "We are, but Van is different. He comes from a unique bloodline whose origin is from this very place. The water of Illian will not harm its own child."
The men gave him puzzled looks but he ventured no further into explanation. Hitomi remained silent.
They looked at the water's edge hesitantly, each questioning the pureness of their own hearts and the risks of carrying out this plan to save Van. Everyone was dubious and fearful. Everyone but Hitomi.
Her gentle, mournful gaze fell upon Van's pale face. The fatal poison had now reached the lower part of his neck. There were only two more hours before the breaking of dawn. They were wasting precious time hesitating.
If she questioned her heart now then it would be as if she killed Van herself. Closing her eyes, Hitomi listened to the placid thumping of her beating heart; each rhythm signifying the vehement love she felt for him. No, there was no question in her heart. She loved him.
Hitomi bent down and slipped off her sneakers without a word. Her friends immediately protested, Amano most strongly of all, but upon her response they became silent. Allen carefully placed Van's body into the water. Immediately, rivulets of white light from beneath the surface snaked toward the young man's body, slowly surrounding him in a ring of pure energy. The light illuminated Van's face and exposed how truly unwell he really looked. The darkness had hid his pain but the light had revealed the truth.
Hitomi stood at the edge of the water. Her eyes never left Van's face. Her emerald pupils reflected the lake's pure power as well as her own, strong and determined strength. Quietly, Hitomi whispered to Allen, "Should I not return, then tell Van…" Tears rose to her eyes and she faltered in her speech. "Tell him…"
Allen interrupted, "I will not…because you will be there to tell him." She looked deep into his eyes with a mournful expression before a faint smile gradually spread across her lips. Amano listened in silence. She turned to the lake. Slowly, without caution, without hesitation, and with only resolve in her sad heart, Hitomi stepped into the water.
Instantly, a surge of energy coursed painfully through her body. She clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut in endurance. Sythe took a step forward when he saw the pain on her face but Allen stopped him.
"If you touch her now then both of you will die."
Sythe let out a despairing sigh as he continued to watch Hitomi struggle alone.
She could feel this strange power invade every fiber of her being until it reached her chest, where it wrapped her heart in a burning membrane. For just the breath of a second, Hitomi's heart stopped beating. A strange, tranquil sensation invaded her soul beckoning her to release her hold on this miserable life. But Hitomi kept Van's face strongly in her mind and heart. The thought of leaving him only made her fight harder against this power, and hold stronger onto the cursed life she shared with him. Perhaps it was a test; perhaps her strength prevailed; whatever it might have been, the mysterious power instantly vanished and she was free.
Hitomi gasped for breath as if she was withholding it for some time. She looked wonderingly at herself to find that she was still alive. Looking at her friends, she gave a triumphant smile.
Theo and Arik let out a cry of joy. They urged her on.
Hitomi dove into the cool, incredibly clear water. Turning around, she grabbed a hold of Van's right arm and began to pull him out to the center of the lake, marked by a slab of glowing crystal. She need not worried about Van sinking; for it seemed the water made sure that he was kept buoyant.
The lake was vast, and the distance to its center great. Hitomi owed her physical stamina to the long hours of running on the track each evening. She never would have guessed that simple gym class would later be used to save the life of someone dear to her.
"Please hang on Van," she whispered to him. "We're almost there."
It took Hitomi more than an hour to get from the shore to the crystal slab with Van dragged unconscious over the water's surface. She heaved Van onto the structure with all her might, just mere minutes before the dawn broke through the surface of the earth. Immediately, a beautiful beam of light exploded from the sky onto the crystal slab submerging Van in a warm glow. His body began to sink into the crystal until he was completely encased within it. Then the crystal began to glow a strange crimson colour from which Van's cry of pain could be heard.
"Van!" Hitomi gasped helplessly. She watched with much apprehension as the lakes water began to seep into the vesicle until the entire crystal chamber was filled. Four crystal points from each corner of the slab protruded forth into the chamber, piercing Van's arms and legs. This elicited more cries of pain from him.
"Van!" Hitomi cried in anguish as she began to swim toward him. However, a barrier of water rising to surround him on all sides stopped her. Helpless and watching with much trepidation, Hitomi witnessed his revival.
The crystal protrusions began to withdraw the poison from Van's body into the neutralizing water of Illian Lake. Gradually, as more of the poison was removed, the water immediately surrounding him turned grey then black. The dark blood covering most of his body began to retreat back toward the wound from whence it originated. Once all the poison had been removed, the wound on his side began to heal magically. As well, the dark water filled with the poison slowly cleared. Within half an hour, Van was freed of the poison.
The dim light of a single candle lit the dark room in which two lonely individuals occupied; one tormented in sleep the other while awake. It had been over nineteen hours since Van's joyous recovery but he was still physically very weak. The day had come and gone. Now night claimed these souls once again. It was fortunate Theo found this small hut on the other side of the lake; for the sky was weeping tonight, although it should rejoice. The pitter-patter of rain provided a tranquil rhythm to the inclusive silence.
The haunting light of the single flame lit up Hitomi's solemn face while she sat at Van's bedside busily mending his red shirt. He will be needing it, she thought. Stopping briefly, she gave an affectionate glance at his slumbering face. Reaching out with one gentle hand, Hitomi pushed aside a soft lock of ebony hair from his closed eyes. Sighing aloud, she thought depressingly, I will miss the touch of your face Van…once you've awakened.
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"Why?" a familiar voice asked him through the darkness as the image of the young man and the hut faded away into the night.
Van searched desperately for the individual but to no avail.
Again, the familiar female voice asked him, "Why?"
Why? Van thought bewilderingly. Why what?
"Why do you choose this path, Van?" Now the question was more direct.
"Who are you?" he demanded. But no one answered. "Damnit! Who are you? Why do you continue to haunt me so?" Still no one answered.
Suddenly, an expected wind raged around him, pulling at his clothes, his hair. Its razor sharp claws raked painfully across his face and bare chest. Van faltered to his knees in pain. Struggling to see through this mysterious force, he saw with narrowed eyes the appearance of a young man. The stranger's features were hidden, but Van knew he was being scrutinized by this newcomer. Growling in rage, Van struggled to his feet and glared at the dark individual challengingly.
The stranger remained motionless while the wind howled and growled around them. Then to Van's astonishment, a pair of wings the colour of a moonless night exploded out from the individual's back. Its beautifully daunting size spread out against a now lavender background of a fading sun, whose fiery tip barely peeked over the edge of the darkening horizon.
Van was stunned. Black wings, for an Etherian, meant death. What was the symbolic meaning to this? He must find out. Van took an unsteady step forward but to his surprise and distress, the ground disappeared. He began to fall. Looking up, he saw the individual remained a top observing his descent. Frowning in anger, Van called forth his wings. A forceful release from between his shoulder blades signalled the awakening of his greatest heritage. However, things were not as he had expected. Van immediately noticed, to his horror, that the wings now unfolding from his very back was also pitch black.
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Author's note:
Finally, I've managed to complete another chapter. I believe this will become a trend from now on. I'll be posting a new chapter once a month, earlier if I possibly can. However, the two weeks deadline just isn't enough time for me to complete a new chapter. I'm terribly sorry but I do hope you'll be patient with me, and continue to read the story. I will be out of the country all this month so I won't have time to start writing Chapter 14. I'll try to get that done and out in the month of August. I believe Chapter 14 will mark the turning point of the story from which things will begin to come together for the big finale.
You've probably noticed there are a lot of mysterious appearances in this chapter. However, all these characters have appeared before. Can you guess where and who they are? Also, the nightmares Van was having while he was poisoned are significant to events hereafter. And if you haven't already figured out, one of the nightmares was a vision into the events in the prologue…hmmm, I wonder why? Oh, and I haven't forgotten the fact that Van was banished from Etheria. That issue will be dealt with in the next chapter.
Next: Chapter 14: "Tears of Infinity"
Cosmos 2004