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

FATES' JUDGEMENT

By Cosmos

Chapter 15: Eos

The land was covered with a crimson sheet, washed gently by the tears of a dismal grey sky. The cold, tense atmosphere rang with cries of both struggling and dying men. A pair of garnet eyes witnessed the outbreak of an incredible battle between two fractions struggling for one purpose: the right to exist. Winged warriors with blazoning swords rushed to protect their positions against dark, stealthy hooded soldiers supported by a power they had never before encountered.

The battle continued on as he watched high above them.

A frown appeared on his face. He knew these people. His concerned eyes scanned the horrific scene before two individuals caught his attention. He saw a woman with long ebony hair and beautiful snow-white wings stand defiantly in front of the blood-dripping tip of her opponent's sword, which was held by a familiar young man with short aquamarine hair and a flowing black cloak. Recognition created a fear that instantly froze his heart. Just as the man was about to charge, he hollered out "Stop brother!" He was immediately startled by his own outburst. Why did I call him brother?

As if he heard the cry, the man stopped and turned to face the source of the voice, which approached nearer by the second. Before long, he found himself standing with opened wings between these two opposing individuals. He looked at them with pained eyes, witnessing the confused look of one and the grievance of the other.

"Why do you fight?" he heard himself asked.

They did not reply.

"This shouldn't happen," he said. "This must end. This struggle must cease!"

"Then stop it," the woman finally spoke. "It is in your power to end their pain."

He looked at her in ambivalence. Clenching his fist tightly by his side, he dropped his gaze to the ground. "I cannot," he whispered almost inaudibly. "It is not my right to choose."

"It is your fate," the man stated impassively.

"It cannot!" he cried out in frustration, "be my fate to decide who should die and who should live. Besides," he continued despondently, "my decision will be her death. I will not—."

"But you have no choice."

He gave a bitter laugh. "How ironic," he spat, "that I should decide when I am given no choices."

"Van." A familiar voice interceded between the arguing individuals.

He instantly froze. Van looked up slowly to find her standing right before him. Why is she here? he thought, bewilderingly.

"Hitomi?"

She smiled warmly as she slowly approached him. The man and woman remained still as they watched the scene unfold in silence. Van held up his hand to halt her approach as he cried out in distress, "No Hitomi! Don't come any closer!"

Her joyful expression suddenly became sad. Her beautiful emerald eyes searched deep within his soul for answers but what she saw only confused her more. Tears drifted down her cheeks as she whispered, "Why Van?"

He had no answers for her. He could not tell her. He could not burden her with his own pain. Van simply backed away until he felt the cold stone railing against his back. He could retreat no more. "Please Hitomi," he pleaded, "stay away from me. Do not come near me."

"Why Van?" she whispered again as Hitomi shortened the distance between them even more. Van knew he could not run away from her anymore. It was inevitable what shall happen. He allowed silent tears to burn its way down his cheeks as he felt her gentle arms wrap itself around his neck and slowly drew his face closer to hers.

"Hitomi, for your sake—," he managed to whisper before she interrupted him.

"I love you, Van."

He felt her lips on his as she closed the distance between them. He kissed her passionately, desperately, and fearfully. Van wrapped his arms around Hitomi's body tightly afraid of what might happen should he let go.

Then suddenly, Van felt her lips grow cold and her movements began to still. His heart stopped in trepidation. He forced himself to open his eyes. Van gave a grief stricken cry when he saw her pale face rest against his chest. Her body drooped lifelessly against his. Her eyes eternally closed.

"Hitomi!!!" he screamed as he tightened his arms around her cold form while dropping to his knees. Burying his face into the crook of her neck, Van cried out his anguish. "Why must you love me? Why couldn't you have hated me? Why Hitomi? Why?

"You cannot die. I will not let you die." He growled in an angrily determined voice, "I will do whatever it takes to change this!" He wrapped his white wings around her motionless form. "Whatever it takes…because I love you, Hitomi." Caught up in his anguish, Van did not notice the colour of night washed across his white wings making them pitch black.

"Huh!" he jerked up from the cold ground, covered in sweat and shaking uncontrollably. Running his trembling hand through his hair, Van let out a sigh. Turning his gaze to the beautiful woman he loved sleeping soundly beside him, he thought, Was it simply a dream? Oh god! Hitomi, I wish I knew for certain. He looked out into the dark forest with solemn eyes. But I fear…

He stood up silently. Bending down, he gathered Hitomi in his arms and took her into the cabin. Once he had her placed comfortably into bed, Van gave one longing look at her before he turned and left. It was a mistake, he thought painfully as he closed the door behind him and walked away. It was a mistake to have kissed her last night and to have allowed her to stay. Shaking his head, he averred, "If I want to save her then I must not love her." He thought: In order to save love I must sacrifice love. Laughing bitterly within, he thought briefly before fading into the darkness, Life is an irony and fate is its sadistic remark.

Hitomi woke to distinct sounds of horses, men's voices, and the jostling of equipments. Her fuzzy mind remained ignorant to the change in surrounding but she quickly became enlightened by the images of last night flooding in. Instinctively, she gingerly placed her fingers on her lips, reminiscing of Van's sweet kiss. Looking around, Hitomi soon realized she was in her cabin. Was it real? she thought skeptically. Did we really…kiss? Did he truly allow me to sleep beside him that night? Letting out a sigh, Hitomi reluctantly got out of bed. But then how did I end up here? she wondered just as she stepped outside. However, any doubts of their exchange the night before was quickly dashed away when she saw the single silver-white feather lying in front of the doorway.

Van.

Hitomi scanned the purple twilight-lit campground for Van but he was nowhere to be seen. Rad and the other men were busily packing what little belongings they had into the carriage while Allen rigged the horses. Hitomi watched their actions in puzzlement. What is going on?

"Ah, so you've finally awakened," Allen said as he approached her, having completed his task.

"What's happening Allen?"

Allen's comforting expression became serious. "We are escaping from this place."

"What? How? Why now?" The questions streamed out of her astonished mouth.

Allen explained patiently, "Van told me when the first ray of light hits the tree tops, a path will be revealed that will enable us to leave Illusion Forest. With the light, the creatures will not attack."

"Speaking of Van," Hitomi said as she gazed around, "where is he? Does he know we are leaving?"

"He does. He and I had planned this yesterday."

"Then why isn't he here?"

Allen observed Hitomi briefly. He noticed the distressed and sad expression in her emerald eyes, despite her efforts to hide them from him. "Do not worry about him, Hitomi," Allen said as he walked away to finish with the packing. "He will come when he chooses."

"But what if the path is no longer lit? The creatures—."

"Van is immune to the powers of Illusion. He is far safer here than us, I assure you."

Hitomi was left alone, standing idly by the cabin to watch the men finish their work. There was not much she could do. Besides, she had too much on her mind to enable her to do any chores effectively.

Soon enough, the first ray of light peeped over the treetops. Allen immediately signalled for Landen to get the horses going. The carriage rattled and shook as they started on their way at a galloping pace. The trail was long and daylight was short. They must move quickly if they were to escape unscathed. Hitomi sat by the window, glancing worriedly back at the lake, still in search of Van. Since she woke till their departure, Hitomi had yet to see hide or hair of that young man. He had chosen to re-enter the shadows and leave that way.

Knowing her concern for Van, Allen placed a comforting hand on Hitomi's shoulder. Startled, she turned to look at him. The knight stated, "He will come."

She meekly nodded before turning her attention toward the haunting beauty of these cursed woods. Hitomi could see the snarling shadows of those nameless creatures lurking at the edge of the light. Images of their hideous fangs and bone-chilling cries made her shrank back slightly. On the ground, a large shadow loomed into her view. Surprised, Hitomi looked up and her expression immediately softened.

Van did come. He flew above them with mighty wings that glistened like snow in the early morning lights. His fine muscles rippled with each wing beat. Van's face was solemn and tense as he observed their surrounding cautiously. There was no need to hide his wings from these individuals any longer. They had already seen them before.

Feeling her gaze upon him, Van glanced down briefly before turning away again. It was only an ephemeral moment in time but so much was conveyed within that quick eye contact that a thousand words could never express.

She saw immediately the turmoil within his soul as well as the affection that lay just beneath the surface. With her soft gaze still on Van, Hitomi thought, What did that kiss mean to you Van?

The ruby pendant around her neck began to pulsate mysteriously. Varie reached up to hold the gem in her hand. Her expression was that of utter astonishment. Grasping her fingers around the cold crimson stone, her dark garnet eyes looked out beyond the mist-covered land toward the darkening horizon. A cold wind swept across the terrace upon which she stood, picking up a cascade of fine ebony hair and ruffled feathers.

There was a chill this twilight. She could feel it in her soul. Varie closed her eyes and faced the silent wind. She realized some time ago that it would soon arrive to meet her, the inevitable future she had tried so hard to avoid.

She felt her sister's presence appear nearby. Gaia had always remained close by her side. Opening her eyes, Varie spoke, "A new power has appeared in Etheria."

Gaia gazed out into the kingdom while she listened to her sister with a heavy heart. After a short silence, she told Varie, "As another will soon awaken."

He held the worn picture in his hands as if he was holding pieces of gold treasure. The faded image of the young man peered out at him with gentle burgundy eyes so full of life and laughter; yet dark ebony bangs shadowed the twinkle within giving a covert appearance of sorrow masked by happiness.

Gazing in melancholy at the remnant of a long lost past, Folken recalled the last moments he had with his younger brother on the night before the elder's council:

flashback

"This is foolish, Esca!" he admonished. "The elder's will certainly reject your proposal to lead a group of men in search of the Judge. It's a wild goose chase that will put too many lives at risk."

"Then what would you have me do, brother?!" Escaflowne asked angrily. "Would you have me accept my fate as a farmer's son to slave away in the field with the knowledge that I may never live to harvest my crop?"

"At least you lived," Folken said.

"So that is it," said Escaflowne in a falsely calm tone. "To live. That is the only purpose to life? Accept all the crap you're handed and be content because you're alive?!" Turning around, he glared at his brother through raging garnet eyes. "You may accept this pathetic fate but I will not. I will not stand idly by to watch some twisted power wipe out the future of our beloved world. We were given life but we will choose our death."

He watched helplessly as his younger sibling departed, leaving behind angry words for him to remember many years after.

end flashback

"Escaflowne," Folken whispered his dear brother's name. Giving a sad sigh, he continued to speak to the lonely air: "In the end, you did not choose your time of death."

flashback

"Folken!" Dilandau rushed in hollering his name in distress.

"What is it?!"

"It is Escaflowne! Something has happened to him!"

"My brother?" Folken bolted immediately out of the cottage following closely behind Dilandau. He was led to the small shrine erected for the Goddess Gaia, protector of their village. Folken pushed roughly through the horde of people surrounding the front entrance only to stop in terrified shock at the scene before him.

"Escaflowne! Brother!" he cried as he rushed toward the body of his younger sibling, lying motionless at the foot of Gaia's stone statue. Gathering Escaflowne into his arms, Folken shook the young man hard with the hopes that he might revive him. But his brother was gone. He realized this the moment he touched Escaflowne's cold, lifeless body; yet he refused to acknowledge the loss. His brother was all he had left. Their parents' had long departed when a devastating disease ransacked their village. However, now, even his brother left him.

Pulling Escaflowne's limp body tight against his torn heart, Folken allowed his tears to wash over his younger brother's face with eyes and lips that would never laugh again.

Escaflowne was buried the day after, near the graves of their parents. No one was ever able to determine how he died. His soul just simply faded away. Standing over the freshly covered tomb, Folken whispered with burning eyes, "Wait for me brother. I will join you and our parents soon." Looking up into the reddening sunset, he continued, "Once I have fulfilled your last wish."

end flashback

"Soon brother," Folken whispered as the candle within his tent began to flicker and die. "We will meet again."

They had managed to escape from Illusion Forest just before the last rays of light slipped beneath the darkening horizon. Presently, the sleeping heaven found these lost travelers camping beneath an old Ria tree, with its yawning arms and overflowing canopy of silvery green leaves.

Hitomi remained awake to observe the shadows of the campfire dance across the faces of her sleeping companions: Amano, Rad, Scythe, Landen, Arik, Theo, and Cade. To her concern, Allen and Van were missing from the serene picture. Looking up at the distant stars, twinkling merrily in the dark velvet night sky, Hitomi whispered, "Arius…wherever you are," her gaze returned to the sleeping youths, "please watch over them. Protect them."

Then she fell silent once again. The lonely dance of the flames flicker to and fro within intense green eyes that watched it so forlornly. Unexpectedly, sounds of angry voices drifted through the darkness to her attentive ears. Turning her curious attention to this strange new noise, Hitomi decided to investigate.

She followed the sounds to a distant field with sweeping grasses and wildflowers. The field shimmered like waves in an ocean when the wind swept its invisible hands over the region. Within these waves of grass, Hitomi saw two dark figures arguing passionately, evidently oblivious to her presence. Deciding to listen in, despite the feelings of guilt, Hitomi slunk down into the ocean of greenery. From her position, she could hear the argument very clearly.

"So you haven't told her," she heard Allen speak in a rather agitated tone.

"No," Van replied bluntly.

"Why didn't you, Van? She has every right to know about her fate."

"It will not be her fate," Van said in rage, "if I have anything to do with it."

Hitomi heard Allen sigh sadly. "You know you cannot change her destiny."

"As a matter-of-fact, I can and I will," Van stated defiantly.

"Oh?" Allen asked with a raised eyebrow. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"By killing the one you swore to protect."

"Judgement?" Allen whispered the name in astonishment.

"Precisely."

Allen fell silent for a good length of time. His grave blue eyes remained fixed to Van's determined face. Van studied his rival's features carefully. He could detect sorrow, regret, and sympathy within that thoughtful look Allen was giving him. Van did not expect to see these emotions, which appeared to be aimed at him. He voiced his surprise,

"Why do you look at me thus?"

Silence. Allen closed his eyes as a painful expression washed over his face. "Do you know what you have just declared Van?" he finally asked.

Confused, Van responded, "What do you mean?"

Opening his eyes again, Allen said, "You haven't figured it out have you?"

Van remained puzzled.

Sighing, the older man turned away in a gesture that indicated he was about to depart with his secret. However, before he left, Allen said over his shoulder, "Our fates are all linked, Van. The death of one will have a disastrous repercussion to those remaining alive, especially when that death is the key to all existence.

"Hitomi's death may maintain life to Etheria, Van," Allen continued.

A small gasp escaped from between trembling lips. The subtle sound was lost within the soft rustling of the field.

"But that of Judgement may very well end it all. What will you choose Van? The one you love, or the world you are responsible to protect? Your home and people?"

Van listened gravely while he watched Allen's retreating back fade into the darkness. Allen walked away with his gaze at the dark future awaiting them all just beyond the horizon.

Van lingered behind in that silent, lonely field for much longer. Allen's last words rang loudly in his ears. The world I am responsible to protect, he thought miserably. Have I betrayed them? Have I betrayed you, mother? Looking up at the distant heaven, he let out a sad sigh. A single tear drifted down his cheek to be lost within the dark weaving blades of grasses below. But I have made my decision.

"Hitomi," he whispered her name with such endearment that made the listener's heart skip a beat. "I will do all that is within my power to protect you. It might have started out differently but I will make sure it will not end that way." As to my Etheria, I hope she will forgive me, but I cannot let this innocent girl die. We have lived long; must we selfishly sacrifice her life so that we live longer?

In anguish, he grabbed the hilt of his sword and pulled out the naked blade. Its sinister face shone beneath the starlit sky. Letting out his frustration with an angry cry, Van chopped up the air around him in a maddening dance. Hitomi watched with an aching heart that yearned to soothe his pain. Exhausted in both body and soul, Van stabbed his sword into the soft ground and let out a frustrated scream. His heart was torn between the love for one woman and that of his world.

Hitomi clutched her hands to her heart. A strange, painful anguish quickly swept through her soul. Was this her emotion?

Falling to his knees, Van whispered in frustration, "Hitomi why? Why must this happen to us?" He buried his face in his hands in sorrow and defeat. Unexpectedly, a pair of gentle arms wrapped themselves around his shoulders from behind. Van immediately stiffened in alarm as his head jerked up.

"Shh, it's alright," a gentle voice soothed.

Van clenched his fists tightly by his side while he closed his eyes against the tumultuous emotions stirring deep within him. He could feel her breath against his bare neck as she whispered comforting words to him. Unconsciously, he leaned back against her as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Everything will be all right Van."

"Hitomi," he spoke her name in an emotionally restraint voice. "Wha-what are you doing here?"

She did not respond.

A sudden thought brought fear into his heart. He spun around and grabbed her by the shoulders. He asked, "Did you…were you listening to—."

She nodded.

Van allowed his hands to slide down from her shoulders, along the length of her arms before withdrawing them back to his sides again. He looked away almost in shame.

"So you know."

Looking at the dark ground between their bodies, Hitomi whispered forlornly, "I only know that I will die."

He snapped his gaze to her face, but her features were hidden by the shadows of the night. Reaching out, he pulled her into his arms. She let out a gasp of surprise. Holding her close, Van placed his chin on top of her head while he whispered, "You will not die."

"But, Van," she whispered against his chest while her arms returned his embrace, "Allen said it was my destiny."

"Screw what he said," Van responded angrily. "You will not die!" He lifted her face up to him with a gentle hand on her chin. "I will not let you die," he said as he looked deeply into her eyes. She knew the sincerity of his words, and she could see at this moment the affection within his heart. However, sadly, there was something else that she knew, which she decided to disclose to him now.

"Actually, Van," she said slowly, "I had known of my destiny long before I overheard your conversation with Allen."

She watched as his eyes widened in surprise. Hitomi continued in a calm, solemn voice: "I have dreamt of it many times before. Someone…someone tells me that I will die so that it may awaken." Shaking her head, she said, "I do not know what that means but I know…I will die."

Infinity, Van thought angrily. Tightening his arms around her even further, he whispered, "She will not awaken. I promise you that."

"She?" Hitomi asked. Her eyes searched deep within his guarded crimson gaze. "So this voice within my dream has a name?"

Letting go of her, Van took a step back with averted gaze. Hitomi decided it was time he told her what all this meant: The Hunter, her dreams, her prophesied death, and this entity living within her.

"Van," Hitomi spoke in a stern, determined voice; one which he had not heard her use before. It immediately commanded his attention. "You must tell me everything, Van. Tell me who this entity is; tell me why I am being hunted," then she added in a quieter tone, "and tell me why you have been avoiding me."

He looked at her hesitantly.

"Do not leave me in the dark, Van," she cried. "Do not torture me this way."

He winced at her words. Letting out a breath of exhaustion and defeat, he gave in…to the first two demands.

"Alright, Hitomi," he said, "I will explain to you why I am here, and why I have been searching for you.

The power that resides within your body, the force that demands to be awakened, does have a name. Her name is Infinity. She is the one I was sent to protect."

He explained everything to her: the trial, Succession and the fates of their worlds, her destiny to be the bringer of Infinity and the death of so many lives. He explained his mission and the selfish reason why he sought her out in the first place.

While he spoke, Van kept his gaze to the ground. He did not want to see the anger and hatred he expected to be visible in her eyes. It was natural to be angry at the treachery he was telling her. After all, he had started out to protect her intending only to sacrifice her for his Kingdom's survival. However, an unexpected thing happened that changed everything; she managed to enter his heart.

When he finally concluded, the windswept field was all that they heard. Neither spoke. Neither moved. The moment seemed so fragile all of a sudden, like porcelain hanging on a thin delicate thread. Their emotions were sitting on thin ice. One quick movement, one false step could plunge them both into anguish.

She felt hollow. All the emotions she expected to feel surprisingly did not awaken in her heart. Perhaps it was shock that made her feel so empty, or perhaps it was simple acceptance. Hitomi watched his hands tighten into an anxious grip. She could sense fear in him, and guilt. She reached out and covered his trembling hands within her own.

He looked up into mesmerizing emerald eyes that portrayed nothing but serenity. He was unsure whether this placid expression on her face was a greater thing to fear than had it been anger or hatred. He could not discern what she truly felt at this moment.

Suddenly, she smiled at him. He was stunned.

"You did not tell me why you changed your mind, Van," Hitomi asked unexpectedly. "Why did you decide for me to live?"

He remained silent. She could see the battle that raged within his ambivalent soul. At length, he spoke, "Because something unexpected happened." He stood up and said as he looked down at her, "Let us leave it at that."

She watched him leave without another word. Looking up at the sky, she thought, Why won't you tell me Van? You hesitate to voice what I can see so clearly in your eyes.

The hot midday sun shone mercilessly down upon the bizarre filled with people bustling about with their daily businesses. Merchants from various shops advertised their goods with booming, lively voices, while children laughed and played around the legs of their mothers.

An old, haggard woman dressed in a simple dark blue gown beneath a light grey cloak strolled slowly through the bizarre. Her interest did not lie with the merchandises being presented in front of her by enthusiastic sellers and traders. She was searching for something of greater value, something that breathed and moved on two feet.

Had a passerby been more observant, he would have noticed the dirt that clung to the hem of her cloak and gown, or the dust which covered her shoes and outfit. This old woman had evidently been travelling over a relatively long distance to reach this small village at this particular time. She had foreseen the arrival of a youth on this day, which she must encounter and converse with. It was fated you see.

It did not take her long to spot the individual she was searching for. Despite the exhaustion in his eyes and the patched shirt, his regal disposition stood out among the humble crowd that buzzed around him. Smiling to herself, the mysterious old woman slipped back into the crowd but not before she also noticed the young woman standing close by his side. Her smile quickly faded. All the pieces have gathered here in Etheria, she thought sadly. It will not be long then. She disappeared into the crowd to wait for the moment when they would encounter, she and the young man.

He frowned at the horde of people pushing and shoving around him. "I don't know why we should be here," he voiced his agitation.

"We must get supplies, Van," Allen explained patiently.

"Why couldn't you just—," but Van stopped when he sensed a pair of powerful eyes watching him. Scanning the crowd quickly, Van frowned when he felt the presence disappear.

"What's wrong, Van?" Rad asked.

"Nothing," he mumbled a response. However, Scythe and Rad noticed that Van kept closer to Hitomi's side from that point on. Something definitely had disturbed him, they thought.

"This is so awesome!" Theo and Arik chimed.

"I agree," Cade said. "I have never been to a market like this one before." Landen nodded in agreement.

"It is so lively and beautiful," Hitomi said quietly. Van glanced down at her briefly before turning away. He scowled to himself as he recalled the conversation he had with Allen earlier:

flashback

"We should head back to the mortal world," Van said.

"No," Allen disagreed. "I believe it would be better if we remain here."

"Have you forgotten, Allen, that I have been banished from Etheria? My presence here would put us in great danger."

"Only if the Queen finds you."

Van remained silent at the mention of his mother.

"Besides," Allen continued, "The Hunter will have a harder time finding Hitomi here. Banished or not, Etheria is still your home, Van. Its powers are still in your blood. By staying in our world, we have an edge over them."

What Allen spoke made sense. Sighing, Van acquiesced.

end flashback

Van watched Hitomi as she looked at the array of flowers presented at a floral shop. Her eyes widened at the varieties, especially at particular plants that could never be found in her world. While he watched her, Van thought, Will this be our fate Hitomi, to continually run and hide from place-to-place until we can no longer avoid our destiny?

Hitomi soon noticed how far behind she and Van were from the others. She turned to him and motioned him to quickly catch up before running ahead. Van walked steadily onward. However, he stopped in front of a particular flower that caught his eyes. A few moments later, he followed the others out of the bizarre while putting something into his pant pocket.

As they rested beneath the shades of several large trees near a small babbling brook, Van decided to take a stroll around, particularly to scan the area for any possible hidden dangers. Looking back, he felt comfortable to put Hitomi's security within the able hands of Allen and the others. Besides, he won't leave her for long.

It was along a particular stretch of unused path some distance from the others that Van began to feel the same presence he noticed back at the bizarre. Halting in his stroll, Van stood still while his senses reached out around him. Suddenly, he ran off in a leftward direction. Quickly, he found himself approaching a barren patch of land surrounded by a beautiful field of wildflowers. That's strange, he thought as he stepped onto the dead land. Why does nothing grow here when life evidently flourishes adjacent to it?

"Many have asked that," someone spoke up from behind him. Van spun around to find himself face-to-face with a strange old woman, whose white pupils indicated she was blind. Her presence here was a complete surprise, and he completely forgot she answered to his thoughts.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

She smiled as she walked passed him without faltering or reaching out to study the environment with her hands. Van quickly noticed how she knew the exact position of each stone as she walked around them. It was clear that she could not see; yet it was also certain that she could.

"My name is Eos, young Prince," she spoke in a kind voice as she sat down upon a smooth boulder near the center of the lifeless land. The warm breeze blew around her, lifting up her frail grey hair. She was old and unadorned but there was a certain beauty about this woman. Her voice alone denoted the strength that the old spirit possessed.

"How do you—?" Van gasped in astonishment.

"I have been waiting a long time to meet you. Come," she patted a spot near her, "sit down."

Van hesitated. He was highly suspicious of this strange individual. He could sense a great power in her.

She noticed his doubt and gave a light laughter. "Do not worry. I have not come to harm you, Van, or the young woman that accompanies you."

"What do you know about her? What is it that you want with me?"

Clucking her tongue like a mother would to her son, Eos said, "Always so demanding, always so rash and angry. You must be careful with your emotions, young man. Should they mediate your decisions then you will create great pain."

Van listened silently. Taking a deep breath, he tried to regain his composure. Slowly, he approached the old woman and sat down beside her. Nothing was exchanged between them for a short time. They simply allowed the tranquil sounds of the land to bring peace to their hearts before speaking again.

"Tell me," Van said in a calmer tone, "were you the one I sensed at the bizarre?"

Eos chuckled warmly. "It appears you have trained well. Your powers are quite strong. Yes, that was I. I have travelled a long ways to meet you, Lord Van."

"How did you know I would be here?"

"I had foreseen it."

Looking at her, Van asked, "Why do you wish to see me, Eos?"

"I do not wish it," she responded. "I must. Our encounter had been fated."

"But it was your decision to come here. It was not a coincidence. It cannot be fate."

"Oh but it is. Fate is not a coincidence, young Lord. Fate is the result of our active decisions. We choose what the outcome of our lives will be."

"Humph!" Van scoffed. "Had that been true, then I would not be here right now."

"Are you certain?"

Van was confused. Standing up, he started to walk away while saying, "You speak nonsense, old woman. I have no time to hear your irrational chatter."

"It is irrational," she said to him, "because you do not understand it." Her smiling expression gradually became sadder as she continued. "My sister had once told me of a young man she talked to a long time ago who vowed to protect a world he deeply loved. He averred to defy a Goddess and go against fate. It was his decision that brought you here. It was his decision that has given you the fate you now lead."

"What?" Van cried out in surprise. "How is it that someone else's decision created my fate?"

"Because it was also your choice."

"This is insane. You're not making any sense."

He turned to leave. However, before he stepped out of the clearing, he heard her say, "Remember, young Prince. Your decision now will also affect what your fate will be later."

So decide wisely, she thought as she heard his footsteps fade away. Sora. Angerona. Sisters, I fear what the outcome will be. I sense a great defiance in him. This succession will not end the way we predict it would. Looking through the darkness of her blinded vision, the picture of the beautiful field around her gradually appeared in her mind. A strange smile appeared on her face suddenly. Perhaps it will end for a better beginning.

His meeting with Eos had left Van rather disturbed. This was twice he encountered a woman who knew him, but he was certain neither of them had met him before. Who were they?

Night had already fallen, and he could hear his companion's gentle breathing nearby. Closing his eyes, he tried to erase his mind of these restless thoughts and get some sleep. However, Eos' words would not be pushed aside so easily. Within his unguarded slumbering mind, it crept back in and warped his dream into one of revelation:

He saw that young man, again, arguing with his elders in that old hut. Van could hear the wild wind howl just outside, reflecting the heated debate unfolding within. Van stepped closer to the young stranger. The shadows on his face gradually withdrew as he approached closer. Van narrowed his eyes suspiciously. There was something very familiar about this man's appearance. However, just as Van was about to glimpse his face, the stranger turned abruptly for the door and left in agitation.

Something deep within urgently tugged at his mind to follow. Van decided to listen to this feeling and left the hut. In his heart, Van held a great desire to see this stranger's face. He had a feeling that that young man held the answers to all his questions. As he left, Van failed to sense a pair of strong sky-blue eyes following him out of the building.

The night was dark. Not a star or moon was in the sky. He followed silently behind the silhouette of the young man walking toward a strange temple set some distance from the hut. The stranger's pace was rushed and filled with anger. Van soon saw him stop in front of a beautifully curved stone statue, whose face was strikingly familiar.

"Gaia?" Van said in surprise. However, his startled gasp went unnoticed by the young man standing forlornly in front of the sculpture. What is he doing? Van thought in bewilderment. Unexpectedly, he saw a strange light erupt from the figurine, engulfing the stranger and himself within its warm embrace. Blinking his eyes several times, Van noticed that they were now standing over a cliff. This is Elya Ridge, Van thought surprisingly. It overlooks the great castle of Laurith in Etheria.

His surprise was soon forgotten, however, when he heard the stranger speak to his aunt, Gaia. However, Van failed to see the young man's face because his back was to him. Nevertheless, he could clearly hear the words they exchanged. He was astounded by what he heard. This young mortal spoke of Succession without knowing of it. The young man's spirited words echoed his own thoughts and desire. He realized then how similar their goals were. This young man was fighting against fate to save his world, while he was fighting against his destiny to save the woman he cared deeply for. Both were willing to give up everything for what they loved.

Just then, Van saw Gaia fade away. He turned to look at the young man but, to his surprise, saw the individual crumble lifelessly to the ground. The scenery around them returned to what it once was. A passerby noticed the night-cloaked body at the foot of Gaia's statue and ran off to alert the others. Soon a crowd collected around the temple entrance but none dared to approach the motionless young man, who lay facedown against the merciless ground.

Suddenly, an older man with short aquamarine hair bolted through the crowd as he cried out, "Escaflowne! Brother!"

The name and voice struck Van like lightning.

Folken?

Van watched as Folken embraced his younger brother's limp body while he cried out his anguish. His shuddering sobs shook his entire body. Van watched sympathetically. So that is his brother, he thought. But why am I seeing this? I do not need to know about my enemy's past. It will change nothing between us.

Van returned his attention to the brothers. He watched as Folken gathered Escaflowne in his arms and stood up. Turning around, he walked by Van without noticing his presence, as if he was not there. His face was plastered with an emotionless mask but his burgundy eyes foretold the devastation that shadowed his heart. Just as Folken walked by, Van glanced down at the lifeless face of his brother. He took a sharp intake of breath when he saw Escaflowne's face. It was the mirror image of his own.

"It was his decision that has given you the fate you now lead...because it was also your choice." Eos' words reverberated throughout his dazed mind.

Author's note:

Hi everyone! Just a note to clear something up from one of the reviews I received. Folken is not an Etherian. He is a mortal like Hitomi. That's why Van encountered him in the mortal world before the sorcerers' transported The Hunter to Etheria in pursuit of Hitomi. Remember, I mentioned that Varie has only one son, and that is Van. If you were confused before as to why Folken called Van his brother then this chapter partially answers for it. But just a clue, looks aren't everything.

Another chapter done! Phew! I had a small window of opportunity to write (about one weekend) so I pounced on it. I really want to finish this story. I have a good idea of how it will end. I have only 20 chapters planned, so that means only five more chapters to go.

Again, I had very little time to edit this chapter, so please excuse mistakes I had missed.

Thanks always for those who took the time to review. Please, I always love to hear from you.

Next: Chapter 16: "Revelation"

Cosmos 2004