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 16: Revelation
"I sense her," one of the dark hooded sorcerers whispered as he looked purposefully about him. "She is near."
Hitomi looked over at Van's brooding form, highlighted by the mysterious shadows of the small campfire. She was deeply worried about him. Since two nights ago, Van seemed more remote and quiet. His eyes now held a deeper shade of grief and solemnity. She had tried to approach him on various occasions, but he would brush her away. Each time, he became more distant; each time, he drifted further into the recesses of his troubles; and each time, her heart ached for him more.
She was confused by his actions, warm at times then so cold at others. She still remembered the kiss they shared and the enigmatic light in his eyes when he looked at her; yet was it all imagined? Was it a misunderstanding on her part? She sighed silently. Why do you confuse me so, Van?
Hitomi let her gaze fall back on the flames, whose merry dance mocked her grave mood. Relapsing into her own dilemmas and sorrows, she recalled her last conversation with Van and the notion of her foretold death. Her grip tightened instinctively upon that thought. Fear rose in her as well as despair. How could words ever describe the feelings that surged through a heart awaiting its own death? How could anyone comprehend the dread, the misery, and the loneliness this knowledge brought upon her? No one. No one knew of the storm that raged within her heart.
She had longed to cry out in anguish. She had longed to scream out the pain. But she could not. Looking about her, seeing the weary faces of her companions, Hitomi knew better than to burden them further with her own troubles. So she kept her silence and allowed her suffering to grow ever greater within the walls of her soul…until they could hold it back no longer.
Unbeknownst to her, the young man's gaze shifted over to her clenched fists before resting upon her brooding eyes. An apprehensive frown appeared on his face. He watched as she got to her feet and noiselessly left the camp. He remained motionless but his senses followed her every move until her quiet footsteps faded into the darkness of the surrounding forest. Only then did Van turn his head and gazed in her direction. The moonlit night glared back at him sardonically.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he looked at the soft ground recently soaked by the gentle summer rain. The imprints of her small feet remained behind in the space where she once occupied. Looking at the indentations, Van felt a strange emotion overcome him. He felt as if he was watching the remnants of a past memory. She was here now but soon she would be gone.
The light of ambivalence danced within the dark recesses of his heart once again. So much dissonance; so many contradictions. Life and death. Right and wrong. To act or to ask for pardon. Which would he choose?
Van decided to follow her.
As he left the encampment, Allen opened his eyes from his resting place on the other side and watched as the young man headed after the girl. Closing his eyes again he sighed aloud, "Have you foreknowledge of this outcome, my Lady?"
Van could hear the gentle weeping of a forlorn heart calling quietly through the tranquil night. He clenched his fists as his steps quickened. Van finally found Hitomi curled up alone on a jagged rock at the edge of a calm lake with the full face of the twin moons shining brilliantly behind her. The warm night wind swirled around her, picking up her short hair and throwing her bangs into her tearstained eyes. Standing deep within the shadows, he watched each drop of tear hit the serene surface of the vast lake, causing unwanted ripples in its smooth face.
She was crying silently, trying to withhold the sounds of her grief as she withheld the pains in her heart. He frowned. How long had she been doing this? Letting out her sorrows gently, soundlessly, into the night. He closed his eyes in distraught as he leaned back against the hard, abrasive trunk of a tree and listened to her tears deep into the hours of darkness; each droplet of her pain was a drop of blood from his heart.
Mournful crimson eyes glowed from the fabric of utter night as it gazed at her with an unwavering expression that conveyed great suffering. A dark fire burned beneath the garnet shaded pupils, fiercely spirited and loyal.
She narrowed her eyes cautiously. "Who are you?" she asked. A cold gust of wind exploded from the darkness in answer to her question. She shielded herself with large white wings, while her silky ebony hair blew wildly about her. Lowering her arms from her eyes, she looked out toward the dark wall once again. The lighted outline of a young man stood before her and, as she watched, a pair of white wings exploded from his back in a shower of silver feathers. She was astounded. He is a royal Etherian! Soon, however, her surprise changed to fear and sorrow as she witnessed his transformation. The beauty of his silver wings gradually became adulterated with the bleakness of a desolate darkness, but his eyes remained unchanged…always so sad.
"Huh!" she gasped as she jerked up from bed. A curtain of moonlight streamed through the large windows on her right, casting part of her face in dull light. Perspiration glittered against her forehead as she struggled to control her labourious breathing. "That dream again," she whispered, covering part of her face within a trembling hand. "What could be the purpose of it?"
She threw back the covers and stepped out onto the cool terrace. She surveyed her sleeping kingdom while her thoughts returned to her dream again and again. "Those eyes," she thought aloud, "so familiar…so much suffering…" She fell silent. The image of his startling black wings surfaced to the forefront of her thoughts. A crease of concern and wonder appeared between her gentle brows. "Could it mean…?" Her hands gripped tightly on the cold metal railing as the thought finished itself in her mind. Her heart suddenly became overwhelmingly heavy and a dull aching unexpectedly appeared. A single tear escaped to be captured by the invisible hands of a passing wind. Soon her cheeks felt strangely cold. She raised a hand to her face and stiffened in surprise when she felt the river of sorrow drifting quietly down. "Why…why am I crying? It was only…," her voice felt tight, "only a dream…why am I…?"
The incomprehensible pain was unbearable. She slumped onto her knees and buried her face in her hands, despite her restraint. The indifferent moon watched her small trembling body silently as she cried late into the night for a young man she could no longer remember but could never truly forget.
"Aerez," Folken spoke in an impassive voice, "how much farther is she?"
The old man glanced over at the young leader. His gaze remained on Folken's solemn profile for a split second before turning away. He answered in a low voice that held great depths of mystery and power.
"Only an hour's travel east, Lord Folken."
Folken nodded gravely, his eyes ever searching the distant horizon. Aerez continued to watch the younger man standing at the periphery of his vision. A sympathetic expression appeared within the aged sapphire pupils. Must it always be this way? he thought silently.
He heard Folken let out an almost inaudible sigh, followed by the whisper of a word, "Brother."
Aerez frowned. Poor souls, he continued to think. Never have I witnessed such suffering. How did this Succession become this way? Where did we go wrong? Closing his eyes, he thought, Things have not turned out as the Fates foretold.
Dawn would soon appear in less than two hours but blood would be shed long before then.
They sat about the campfire unaware of the impending danger. A quiet conversation was held among the small band of desolate individuals to pass the time, and help them forget the troubles in their struggling souls.
Van watched Hitomi as she listened with a smile on her face to Arik's re-telling of a mis-adventure Rad had with a bear on a camping trip with his father. Arik, however, failed to mention that this camping trip was the last happy memory Rad ever had. A few weeks after, his family underwent a horrific incident that landed him out on the street, divested of his inheritance, to grieve for his lost parents and siblings.
Hitomi's ebullient laughter captured Van's attention and lifted his burdened soul, but it was also his greatest distraction. Fortunately, Van's well-trained senses caught the sounds of danger in the nick of time.
Van bolted onto his feet and dashed toward Hitomi, shoving her forcefully aside. The group watched in shock as the two rolled heavily on the ground. Allen's eyes widened in horror upon sight of the deadly arrow lodged deep within the trunk right behind Hitomi. Without allowing a split second's hesitation, Allen got to his feet with sword unsheathed as he shouted,
"Take cover! We're under attack!"
Just as he finished saying the last word, a net of arrows whistled out from within the distant brushes toward the small band. Immediately, Sythe and Landen grabbed Arik before making a mad dash for the safety of the dark woods. The rest of the men scattered for the nearest cover. By now, Van had already dragged Hitomi to safety behind a large old tree nearest to them. As the arrows flew all around them, landing in resounding thuds against the thick trunk, Van held Hitomi close to him with his body protectively placed between her and their enemies.
He observed their situation carefully before letting out a growl of anger. Hitomi looked up to see a raging flame of hatred burned in his garnet gaze. They could not retreat further until the rain of arrows ceased. However, being a warrior and knowing the strategies of war, Van knew the arrows were merely providing cover for the soldiers surreptitiously approaching them from all around. Looking about him, he hoped that they were not completely cut off from any possible escape. As if in mockery to his thoughts, a ring of blue flames burst up all around them, sealing them in a tight circle, and effectively killing off Van's last hope.
"Dammit!" he exclaimed in frustration.
"Van," Hitomi said fearfully, "what will we do?"
His lips set in a thin, grim line as he looked at her, concern and anger conflicting in his eyes. He pulled her closer to him as he whispered, "Don't worry, Hitomi, I'll get you to safety. We'll fly."
She shook her head and to his dismay said, "No, we need to protect the others first." He watched in astonishment as she gazed out to their companions hiding and dodging behind brushes or tree trunks nearby. Her expression hardened upon site of Arik clinging onto Sythe with tears in his young eyes.
They are caught like this because of me, she thought. "If I can lead them away," she spoke aloud.
Van frowned knowing what she was thinking. His grip on her tightened as he growled, "Don't even think it."
"But Van."
"I will not allow you to endanger yourself," he said sternly. The expression in his eyes was affectionate but unyielding. She smiled inwardly at his concern for her; yet she still argued against him.
"But the others…"
"I will think of something," he interrupted her as he returned his gaze to the battle at hand. She fell silent. Her heart cried out to him for always fighting alone.
Quickly re-analysing their new dire situation, Van decided that there was only one way to escape. He looked over at Allen near them and shouted for the older man's attention. Allen turned around and frowned when he saw the signal Van was giving with his hands. It was a soldier's way of speaking when his voice could not be in use or of use.
She will know you are here, Allen thought grimly. However, he is right. It is the only way to save the others.
Allen stood up from where he was crouching beside Rad with a dark expression in his eyes.
"What are you doing, Allen?" Rad shouted in surprise. "Get down or you'll be hit."
Allen ignored his companion's cry. Turning to Van, he saw the white wings of royal Etherian blood emerge from the man's back. He caught the younger man's gaze and nodded. Van emerged from his refuge with wings fully spread out behind him and his sword unsheathed by his side. A powerful aura surrounded his entire being.
"Van!" Hitomi cried out as she tried to hold him back. He shook her hand off his arm as he glanced down at her briefly. "When I give you the word, you and the others escape."
"But what about—."
He bent down and pulled her face close to his, whispering, "We will meet again." Then he swiftly let her go and stepped out onto the incoming arrows.
"Van!" Hitomi cried as she tried to run after him but a pair of strong arms held her back. She turned to find Allen restraining her. "Allen, we must stop him."
Allen remained silent as he continued to watch his Prince walk to the centre of the ring of fire that surrounded them. I hope your sacrifice for these mortals is worth it, he thought gravely. Allen glanced at Rad and the others around him briefly. His expression became sympathetic and gentler. Sighing, he returned his attention to Van. I will protect them until you return. You have my word.
With a tight grip on his sword, Van strode determinedly toward the open centre of the circle. The arrows flying toward him burst into flames as they hit an energy shield he called up to protect himself. However, he could feel his strength weakening as his powers clashed unseen with the sorcerers' dark magic. But he was in Etheria, his home. Its powers coursed through his blood like molten lava, giving him greater strength and allowing him to overpower the sorcerers for the moment. Once he reached the dead centre of the circle of power created by the sorcerers, Van closed his eyes and concentrated. His body grew brighter and brighter until he appeared only as a white silhouette in the middle of the night. He stabbed the tip of his sword into the ground with all his might and channelled his energy down its length into the shadowy soil. Van raised his wings to hover above him like he was about to take off as he continued to channel his powers.
The onlookers watched as four rivers of light flowed outward along the ground from his sword. The light left blazing trails of power all around them in a particular pattern that included eight specific focal points at the circumference of the circle. Once the Insignia of Draconus was drawn, marvellous silver flames engulfed the sorcerers' own fire, illuminating the entire night with pure white light.
Allen watched with concern when he noticed the perspiration drifting down Van's face and body. He saw too the slight tremor in the young man's grip on the hilt of his sword. He is using too much power. If he does not call them soon, he will die.
Hitomi watched in amazement but the telltale signs of fatigue and pain on Van's face did not go unnoticed.
Van could sense his strength leaving him at an incredible rate. He knew he must complete the insignia soon before he was completely out of energy and life. Sensing that the last river of light had finally completed the pattern, Van folded his wings around him like a cocoon and commanded with his mind the awakening of Etheria's greatest power.
Suddenly a series of loud roars erupted from within the raging silver flames. The arrows ceased because the soldiers were frozen in terror by the unnatural sound. Both sides watched apprehensively as the fire contorted and warped into the forms of eight white dragon-like creatures with fierce crimson eyes and flaming silver wings. These phenomenal animals are the immortal Sentinels of Evern, the eternal protectors of Etheria. Summoning these giant flaming beasts required tremendous power that only the royal bloodline possessed. No opponent of Etheria had ever withstood this type of adversary. However, calling forth these magical creatures was a risk in itself. If the summoner did not die during the process of summoning, then he would certainly die when the Sentinels claim him for Evern.
The creatures immediately lifted into the air with a mighty wing-flap. They tore down the night with the light emanating via the flames erupting from their incredible bodies like solar flares. Their earth shattering roars deafened the individuals below them, foes and allies alike. Swooping down on the hunters lying hidden within the receding shadows of the forest like hawks, the Sentinels attacked with beams of energy bursting from their gaping jaws.
"Escape now!" someone shouted.
Hitomi awoke from her stunned state-of-mind to find Van looking over at her from within the Draconus insignia. Again, he shouted for them to escape. Allen quickly grabbed Hitomi's wrist and dragged her away.
Turning to the other men, he cried frustratingly, "You heard him! Get going!"
"But what about Van?!" Cade yelled.
"He will keep The Hunter at bay. We must escape while we can before the Sentinels turn on us as well."
"What?!" Landen cried as he ran alongside Allen. "You mean he can't control those things?"
Allen remained silent.
"Allen," Hitomi spoke up, "Van will be alright won't he?"
Allen glanced back at the girl he was hauling behind him. "I don't know," he responded sincerely.
"Stop!" she called out to him as she dug her feet into the ground. He and the others halted.
"What the hell are you doing?" Allen shouted angrily. "We can't stop. We have to escape now."
"No, I will not leave Van behind to fight alone," she yelled. "We must go back to help him."
"That is impossible. Once the Sentinels are summoned then the fate of the summoner is now in their claws."
"No," Hitomi breathed in fear. "You don't mean…" She swiftly turned around and started to run back, but Allen grabbed her wrist and prevented her from doing so. She struggled against his grip, helplessly. "Van!" she cried as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Let me go, Allen! Van, hang on!"
"Listen to me, Hitomi!" Allen yelled angrily as he yanked at her arm hard. She jerked forward slightly by the force. She turned her attention to him with a furious expression in her eyes. "Van did this to save you and your mortal friends. Do not let his sacrifice be a waste by getting yourself killed."
"Sacrifice?" Hitomi whispered. Her body began to shudder in fear and grief. "Van," she whispered his name sadly.
Allen sighed as he stepped toward the trembling girl. "Don't worry too much about him, Hitomi."
She looked up in surprise.
"His fate is far too great to end here." Turning around, he said, as he held tight onto her wrist. "We must get going." As Allen led the small group as far away from their enemy and the site of battle as possible, he could not help but acknowledge a small sense of fear and doubt of Van's return. Sighing, he recalled his conversation with Lady Gaia and the oath he gave her to protect Judgement. He frowned. It could not be helped now.
He could see through the eyes of these hideous creatures the battle that unfolded around him. Their rage and lust for blood coursed through his body in nauseous waves of burning desire. As the fight wore on, Van grew weaker and weaker. He struggled to maintain the Sentinels' presence in the real world until all The Hunters were gone but he knew he was risking his own life to do so. Through their eyes, Van saw a single sorcerer built a powerful barrier to protect Folken and the white-haired stranger he met during the fight that killed Arius. Upon seeing him, Van became enraged and his anger fuelled the beasts with greater power.
However, the vengeance against Dilandau only brought Van greater jeopardy; for soon the rage and desire for blood of the unnatural creatures and his own became a blurry line. Van soon found himself uncertain whether this lust for pain and hatred was his own or that of the Sentinels. The ambiguity between his soul and that of the beasts gradually woke him to a new kind of fear; the fear of losing his humanity.
Van continued to watch, his eyes began to glow red like the Sentinels', as the sorcerers put in place powerful barriers to protect their remaining men. Surprisingly, the powers of these mortal individuals were strong enough to withstand the attacks of Evern's powers. Van noticed that two sorcerers were opening a fire door to allow their people to escape. Angrily, Van commanded the creatures to attack more fiercely but in turn at the cost of his own strength. His vision began to waver and his mind slowly slipped into unconsciousness. Just as he felt his vision leave him completely, Van saw Folken look up straight into the eyes of one of the Sentinels, and directly at him. Then the Hunter stepped through the portal and escaped with his men. Van uttered, "Folken," before darkness completely claimed his mind.
The battle was over. The Hunters managed to escape, most of them. However, the sorcerers now learned more about the Etherian they were fighting against. He had royal blood.
With their task completed, the Sentinels now returned to claim their prize. The eight mighty creatures approached Van's unconscious form from all sides. Their jaws opened, revealing jagged rows of sharp teeth. Snarls and growls erupted from their gaping mouths as their blood red eyes focused on the motionless young man.
When the creatures were a few feet from Van, a misty blue vapour appeared at his side from which emerged a tall feminine figure hidden beneath a dark cloak that shimmered like the night sky. The beasts halted in their approach. The mysterious stranger spoke in a calm, commanding tone, "He shall not be claimed by Evern. His life has already been sealed by the Fates, and they determined that his thread shall not end here."
The creatures hesitated briefly. The hunger for blood continued to burn in their eyes, and fury of this intrusion gradually surfaced. They had worked for a price, and now this stranger was standing in their way to claim that prize. The creatures gave a low rumble in response and some even openly roared out their anger at her. However, the woman remained intractable, standing determinedly between Van and death. A powerful aura began to surround her. It was a strange, ancient power unlike any this land had ever beheld, but it was one that the Sentinels instantly recognized. Taking a step back in submission, the eight bowed low to the woman and dissipated into the night as thin strands of dying flames. The figure turned around and gazed down at Van with a gentle expression in her bright azure eyes. Immediately, she disappeared as she came, in the misty vapour, but this time she took Van with her.
"Dammit!" Dilandau shouted. "Why didn't you tell us he has such power?!"
Aerez looked steadily into Dilandau's furious eyes, and calmly replied, "We did not know."
"You did not know?!" Dilandau continued in vehemence, "You did not know? You are suppose to be sorcerers, dammit! Can't you sense his powers?" The young man whirled around irritably. "I've lost ten men out there," he said in a low voice. "Can you even comprehend the significance of that? Ten lives…ten." He sighed as he slumped down in a nearby chair erected in the main tent. "Ten lives," he whispered vacantly into the air. Then reducing his voice to barely a murmur, he said, "How many more must we lose before all this ends?" It was a question he recently found himself asking more frequently. Dilandau placed his face into his hand as he leaned exhaustively against one of the armrests. His eyes were closed but the grim expression on his face could not be hidden.
The head sorcerer continued to gaze at the young man empathetically. After a few moments of silence, Aerez turned and left. Stepping outside, he looked up toward the brightening sky and thought, Each time, it is the same. So many lives are lost, and so much pain comes as a result of it. Succession...why does it even exist? Why does death even exist? Why must life be born only to end?
The half old day found Hitomi sitting forlornly beneath a tree surrounded by her companions who were slumbering exhaustively. Though tired herself, she could not welcome sleep. Her heart ached more than her muscles, and her mind was in greater turmoil than her appearance.
The sound of his voice telling them to run, the look in his eyes as he gazed out at her from between the feathers of his wings, all these painful images of him kept appearing in her thoughts and drowning her soul in pain. The tears were at the gateway of her eyes but she refused to let them flow. What good would they do now? He was gone. Sacrificed himself for her safety when ironically she was the one to be sacrificed. He never did tell her why he chose for her to live.
Lost in her misery, while her companions were trapped in their dreams, the small group did not realize that a new foe was advancing on them. A small, but resounding, snap of a dry twig caught her attention. Hitomi looked about her fearfully but no signs of movement could be seen. Looking to her left, she noticed that Allen's eyes were open and alert, although he made no movement. However, his hand subtly reached for the hilt of his sword lying immediate to him.
Allen looked up and caught Hitomi's eyes. She understood his expression clearly. He then looked toward his left when he noticed a slight rustling in the near bushes. Allen tensed his muscles, gripped his sword tightly, and waited. Soon enough, a tall form emerged from the trees, flanked on each side by a strange cape. The thick undergrowth cast shadows that hid the details of the intruder's features.
Suddenly, Allen jumped up and brought his sword toward the mid-section of the unseen foe. A loud clang of steel against steel broke the tense atmosphere like a thunderclap. Allen dodged the silvery blade sweeping toward his chest before glancing over at his companions and shouted for them to run. Amano, Rad and the other men had awoken by the initial sound of battle. Hitomi grabbed Arik's arm and pulled him quickly to his feet. The men, with Hitomi and young Arik running protectively between them, rushed toward the other side of the forest.
Allen returned his attention toward his foe. Their battle dance quickly brought the intruder into the light, and his identity was something Allen did not expect.
The stranger was a young Etherian knight. From his beige uniform, Allen determined that this soldier was part of the elite battalion under the Queen's command, which he once led before taking his oath with Gaia. The supposed capes behind the younger man were wings the colour of evergreen.
"Sir Allen?!" the young knight exclaimed when he got a chance to view Allen's features in the light. "What are you doing here?" The surprise of encountering his former commanding officer made the soldier hesitate briefly. This slight opening was enough for Allen to slip through.
Despite his emotions, Allen charged at the man and punched him in the stomach with the hilt of his sword. The force knocked him unconscious almost immediately.
"I'm sorry," Allen whispered hastily. He then turned around and began to race toward the others. However, he was not given a chance to go very far before two pairs of steel blades were crossed against his throat. They were surrounded. Fifteen highly skilled men of the Queen's Charge stood around them with blazoned swords. Their beige uniform shone in the late noon light.
Allen frowned before dropping his sword to the ground. There was no escaping this time. She sensed his power, Allen thought. That's why they are here. They are seeking him.
"Sir Allen," a knight about his age stepped forward. The dark blue band running down the length of his left arm signified his high rank. "I am surprised and, I must say, rather disappointed to find you in this situation. You were the highest ranking commander of the Charge, but…why…why have you assisted in this criminal act?"
Allen looked at his former acquaintance solemnly. His expression remained impassive and unreadable. However, the tone with which he answered was soft and perhaps regretful.
"I have my orders," was his short reply.
The other man gave him a long look before turning away without another word. With a motion of his hand, Allen was ordered into custody. Drudging along reluctantly, Allen soon approached the others, being held within a large carriage with thick metal bars and dusty wooden flooring. His shoulder slumped upon sight of their captivity. It appeared that their journey was about to come to an end. The carriage door was opened and Allen was allowed to enter graciously. They might be enemies but Etherians were not cruel hearted.
"Allen," Amano said as he saw the knight enter and sat down beside Landen.
"Oh no," Theo cried, "he's caught, too. Now no one will save us."
"You forget," Arik spoke up quietly beside him, "Van is still out there."
The confidence and hope in his young voice caught all their attention. Rad looked at the boy with a gloomy expression.
"Where are they taking us?" Amano asked dejectedly.
"To the Queen," Allen said grimly. "All who break the law must face the Queen for the passing of penalty."
"But we haven't done anything," Cade said.
"Just by being here, you have."
"What?" Scythe asked incredulously.
"Mortals are banned from ever entering Etheria," Allen spoke as he looked at the passing environment. The carriage rattled noisily along, drawn by a team of four beautiful black steeds. Leaning his head against the cold, unyielding steel bars, Allen said, "And I was the one who brought you here."
"What is the penalty?" Theo asked uneasily.
Allen kept silent.
A brief flash of blinding light ripped across his shadowy vision. Startled, his eyes shifted rapidly beneath heavy lids framed with dark lashes. The light flashed again and again at increasing frequency until he became completely overwhelmed by it. Stunned, Van's eyes flew open. The incoming rush of twilights' tranquil darkness soothed his vision. Slowly, he began to adjust his sight to take in a familiar but unexpected scene.
Van gasped as he jerked up in bed, throwing aside the cover simultaneously. "How did I get here? Why am I here?"
Van had awoken to a luxurious room with a beautiful vaulted ceiling the colour of ivory, elaborately curved with intricate designs. Two tall windows, framed with flowing translucent silk curtains the colour of the ocean depths, occupied the whole right wall. An elegant, opened glass doorway between the windows led to a serene terrace from which a beautiful floral garden could be seen. An impressive mahogany door stood to his left.
Hesitantly, Van stood up from the grand bed with its silky midnight-blue cover and beige pillows. His uncertain feet touched the cool marble floor painted with silver swirls against a dark background. He slowly headed toward the terrace unsteadily like a newborn taking his first steps. Awakening to this room and the painful memories it roused to the surface overwhelmed his weak body.
He grasped the cool, metal railing of the terrace tightly, leaning his full body weight against it. The cool evening air brushed against his bare arms and chest, helping to calm his stressful soul. Closing his eyes, Van took in a deep, trembling breath.
Opening them again, he took in the view, from the enchanting garden to the twinkling lights of distant villages. A slight sparkle of contentment, but mixed with sorrow, lit up his garnet eyes. A single tear drifted down his cheek as he whispered into the night,
"I'm home."
Van was so preoccupied with the precious sights and sounds of his room and Kingdom that he failed to notice the presence of another standing close behind him, until she spoke up with a gentle voice.
"Welcome back, Van."
Startled, Van whirled around to face his aunt. Briefly, they gazed at each other. Van was at lost for words, so Gaia decided to speak first. She walked pass him and touched the railing delicately with her hands. As she spoke, she watched the horizon brighten as day approached.
"Laurith has not been the same without you around, my dear nephew."
"Aunt Gaia," he whispered still in shock.
She turned to him and smiled warmly. Her eyes skimmed his face, analyzing his handsome features.
"So, Van, have you returned to meet your destiny?"
"My destiny?" Van said in surprise and confusion. "No, Aunt, I did not choose to come here. Things…events have occurred that brought me here. I…" Van turned away from her before continuing, "I shouldn't be here."
"So it was not your choice then," his Aunt spoke in the same calm, tranquil voice he had always heard from her.
He turned and gave her questioning look.
"Then the Fates must have decided for you to be here."
"Look," Van said, anger rising in him, "I am not suppose to be here. I don't know how I got here but I will be leaving now. I have somewhere I must be…something I must take care of."
"You mean someone you must care for," his aunt said knowingly.
Van fell in silent astonishment.
"You know that Succession is drawing near, Van." She paused briefly. "The One will soon decide our fates."
Van frowned, frustration clearly written upon his face and despondency shown in his eyes.
"However," she continued, "the verdict has already been determined."
"What?"
"Judgement has already decided," Gaia spoke, ignoring his exclamation. She turned to him, an indiscernible expression rested in her eyes. "Even the Fates were not able to foretell this outcome. It appears that a human heart harbours greater chaos than even the Universe. The path it takes changes and turns unexpectedly."
"What do you mean?"
"It is time, Van, for you to know of your true destiny and fate."
He felt her intense gaze upon his face. Her unusually bright azure eyes penetrated through his barrier and into his soul. She was analyzing his every feature, from his heart to his moral beliefs. She was judging him.
After a few moments of silence, Gaia returned her attention to the dawn-covered land once again. Gently, like a warm summer breeze, she spoke.
"I have been watching you since the day you came to my shrine harbouring a heart full of spirit and courage but burdened with anger and frustration."
"Shrine?" Van was bewildered.
"You had asked me to help you," Gaia continued unaffected by his confused outburst, "to protect something you held dear to your heart." She turned to him. "You had asked me to help you save your mortal world."
"My…my mortal world?"
"I understand now," Folken said from where he sat behind a small table erected at the far end of the tent. "Aerez."
The old sorcerer gave him his full attention.
"We are in Etheria," Folken continued when he felt the elder man's eyes on him, "where the Trial was first born. This is Goddess Varie's domain."
Dilandau looked up upon hearing the name of the Trial's creator.
"It was once believed that the child would always return to the place it was born. Perhaps we should meet the Judge there."
"What are you getting at Folken?" Dilandau asked cautiously.
Aerez remained silent with a grave expression.
"The legendary palace of Etheria, Laurith, is where she is heading," Folken spoke calmly, surly. "Whether she knows it or not, it is where destiny pulls her to." Looking up from the picture he held in his hand, he said darkly, "We will meet the Judge there. This war will end where it began." Then looking down at the picture in his grip, he thought silently, I will see you there, brother.
The next day…
The early lights of dawn pierced through his darkness and awoken him. He threw the blankets back and stepped outside his tent. Around him, some of his men had already begun to pack for the long arduous journey ahead. Many of them realized there might only be a few more sunrises left to see. Folken looked at the distant horizon painted by the colours of the waking day. Closing his eyes, an unexpected expression of serenity appeared on his face as he thought, Soon…soon, I will finally find my sleep.
Author's note:
Hi everyone! Another chapter done! Phew! So this means only three or four more chapters to go (depends on whether I decide to have a twentieth chapter or the epilogue there instead). Well, a few things happened in this chapter. If your confused about what Gaia is beginning to reveal to Van, don't worry. The next chapter will explain everything and make all the clues come together in one big picture. As you can tell from the title of Chapter 17, the epic battle is next. Things are winding to a closure now. I wonder how this will end…he-he-he!
It's Christmas, so feel generous and please drop me a review. Thanks always to those who took the time to leave one.
Happy holidays to you all!!!!! Stay safe!!!
Next: Chapter 17: "Battle for Existence: Succession"
Cosmos 2004 >