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
I can feel
That it's time for me to face it, can I take it?
Though this might just be the end
Of the life I held so dear,
But I won't run; there's no turning back from here.
Stand my ground, I won't give in.
No more denying, I got to face it.
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside.
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
-Within Temptation -"Stand My Ground"
Chapter 17: Battle for Existence: Succession
Dawn swept over the land like a tide of beautifully blended colours. The veil of a new day gradually draped over the two individuals standing on an isolated terrace on the eastern face of a magnificent ivory palace.
The morning's light was bright but somehow felt forlorn. Ironically, watching the sun's slow rebirth this time felt like witnessing its many deaths. There was no warmth. There was no joy. This new day only reminded them of what little precious time they had left to live.
"I do not understand," the young man asked, his expression was dark and gloomy. "You speak of things that I have never done, places that I have never been, and a request that I never made." He gave a frustrated grumble before continuing, "Why, Aunt Gaia, are you telling me these lies?"
Gaia's expression softened to a sympathetic gaze. Deep within her brilliant azure eyes, the sparkle of hidden tears could be seen if one looked carefully enough. Despite her calm appearance and the reserved look on her face, Gaia felt all the anguish anyone in her position could possibly feel. Unlike Varie, she remembered her nephew all too well, but she also knew of what fate shall befall on him. Looking into his rebellious eyes at this instant, she found her answer. The outcome of Succession had already been decided.
She broke their gazes and looked out over the waking land. She could feel Van's confused expression burning into her. She closed her eyes in grievance. She had told him about her meeting with Escaflowne many turns ago, hoping that he would remember but, alas, he refused to. During her narration, Gaia focused on his face, trying to analyze his reaction to all that was being conveyed to him. She saw his eyes flicker with recognition but denial quickly overcame it. A frown appeared on her lovely features. She must make him understand. He must comprehend the reason for his resolution. At the moment, she saw that the decision was based on uncertainty. Should he come to regret his choice, he would suffer greatly. It was enough that he underwent all this pain but to make him endure it for all eternity was inhumane. She knew she could not extinguish all his suffering but she was determined to alleviate some of it.
The Fates had determined for him one verdict but she wanted to give him the liberty to decide for himself. Despite her powers, she could not eliminate fate's interference completely. With pain in her heart, Gaia knew that he could not escape his destiny entirely.
Opening her eyes again, she asked softly, "Do you believe they are lies?"
He hesitated. The many dreams that haunted him these past months resurfaced. They told him that these were not fallacies but the painful truth. He fisted his hands and looked to the side. Frustration and sorrow swept across his tired face.
She gave him a sideways glance filled with anguish. It greatly pained her to enlighten him with these unwanted knowledge, but he must know. She settled her gaze on the rising sun once again.
"It was I who chose you," she said sadly.
He remained motionless, but his heart was in turmoil.
"Although then, you held within your heart a great love for one world, you also harboured a determination to find a justified resolution. It was this aspect of your soul that decided me. I have placed all my hope in you to choose what is right." She looked at him. His face was turned to the ground with shoulders slumped.
"I do not regret it. I know you will do the right thing, but…"
He looked up at her.
"Do you regret?"
Van did not respond but the expression in his steady gaze told her more than words ever could convey. He then turned away and leaned heavily on the cold railing. He let his head fall forward, his drooping bangs covering the grievous expression in his eyes.
"Why did you have me reborn as an Etherian?" he asked.
"Your decision will decide the fate of two worlds, Van, Etheria and the mortal world," she responded. "I gave you a chance to witness both, to experience both, to live in both."
Van sighed heavily. "So that is why he called me 'brother,'" Van whispered almost inaudibly. "Because I am…was…a long time ago." A lengthy pause ensued while he contemplated on all the events that had happened in recent months. The conversations and advices from his mysterious meetings with Angerona and Eos rose to the forefront of his mind. It all makes sense now.
Gaia's eyes widened in surprise when she noticed a sparkling tear drift silently down his motionless face.
"Van," she whispered compassionately.
"Whatever I decide," he spoke in a voice filled with indescribable grievance, "I will bring sadness to the world." He began to tremble as sorrow overwhelmed him. "Must I choose between my two hearts?"
Gaia remained silent as she watched him cry openly now. His body shook with each wracking sob. She approached his drooping form and embraced him comfortingly. Van allowed all the pain he withheld for so long flow freely from his soul and heart. His grief was endless, and he knew no matter how hard or long he cried it would never cease.
"Is there no way for me to protect those I love?" he choked out. In his anguish, he felt anger. Hatred against the Fates and his destiny built up inside of him.
Gaia could feel it as well, emanating from his being in uncontrollable waves.
Suddenly, he shoved his aunt back while spinning around to face her simultaneously. Fury burned in his eyes as well as rebellion.
"I will change this!" he shouted in rage. "I will not let the Fates have their ways! I will not be their Judgement!"
Gaia watched him with a solemn expression.
It was close to late evening when they finally arrived in Laurith. Allen looked upon the looming palace with a heavy heart. He glanced at the others sadly. There was nothing he could do now. He had vowed to protect them for Van but he failed miserably.
His gaze fell on Hitomi. The poor girl had not spoken a single word since their capture. Her face was indiscernible. He could not tell whether she was afraid or simply gave up and accepted the inevitable fate. Allen frowned. She was so young, about his sister's age. She looked so innocent and kind-hearted. How could the Fates choose such a gentle soul to destroy?
"Halt!" one of soldiers ahead called out.
They had arrived.
Hitomi lifted her head slightly upon hearing the metal lock clicked open and the squeaking iron-bar door pulled aside. She heard a voice tell them to get out. Mechanically, she followed the others as they filed out of one prison into another. She felt a hand grip her arm gently. Surprised, Hitomi looked down to see Arik's childish eyes look up at her in fear and confusion. For his sake, Hitomi smiled comfortingly and wrapped an arm around the young boy.
The day was dying as quickly as it was reborn. A curtain of crimson light fell upon the land, forebodingly.
They drudged warily after their capturers. All hope felt lost. Their black shadows stretched ominously before them as they turned their faces away from the dying light and headed toward the magnificently daunting palace. Deep within, they knew she was waiting for them.
The walk was short; yet to those who head for death, it felt like an eternity. Soon enough…too soon…they found themselves facing a grand door made of the darkest, lustrous wood ever seen. Its face was hard and cold. One of the Charges grasped the doorknob and pushed the door open. The barrier slipped smoothly aside at an excruciatingly slow pace.
An unforgiving atmosphere hung in the air within the immense throne room. They walked in slowly, depressingly. Hitomi gathered her strength and looked up. The scene opened before her. Magnificent, heavy curtains of deep evergreen hung on both sides of the room in rivulets from where lofty windows occupied. On the right, the windows revealed a lavender scene of a beautiful ancient fountain. On the left, the dying light of the sun streamed through, crossing the path of a long, velvet red carpet leading to the throne. Following this crimson trail, Hitomi looked up into the serene face of Etheria's Queen.
She was a beautiful sight to behold. Her slender figure was framed by the lavish chair upon which she sat. Its gold trimmings outlined her long ebony hair that flowed behind her. A pair of magnificent white wings unfurled slightly behind her to complete a picture that mortals could find only in their imaginations. Her face was calm, emotionless, but her garnet eyes burned with fury.
Those eyes, Hitomi found, looked so familiar. They reminded her of another.
They all stopped before the Queen. The commanding officer stepped forward and gave his Majesty a bow before speaking.
"We have captured the intruding mortals, Queen Varie," he said in a strong voice, "and we have also seized the one involved in bringing them here."
Allen's eyes remained on the ground but he could feel Varie's piercing gaze shifted to him.
The officer fell silent, awaiting his Queen's order, but Varie did not speak immediately. A resolute hush disseminated throughout the room. Varie's eyes shifted coldly from one to the other before a frown appeared on her face.
"He is not here," she spoke.
"Your Majesty?"
"The one who summoned Evern," she spoke in an icy tone. "He is not here."
The commander looked at the small group in confusion before he turned and bowed his head. "Please forgive us," he said. "We thought perhaps he had died during the summoning."
"He is still alive."
"Then we will go out again and search for the missing one."
"There is no need," another woman's voice spoke up from the entryway.
Varie's attention shifted to the far back of the room. Her eyes landed on her sister's gentle gaze. The expression on her face demanded Gaia of an explanation.
Gaia strolled into the room gracefully, unaffected by her sister's commanding stare. "There is no need to search for him," she repeated.
"Then you know where he is?" Varie asked.
"Indeed," Gaia responded, her gaze steadily countered Varie's. "He is here."
"Here?"
"In this very palace."
A round of surprised utterance swept among the soldiers and the prisoners. Hitomi heard Allen intake a sharp breath as he whispered, "He is here?" Hitomi was unsure as to whom Allen was referring to.
"How is that possible?" Varie cried out indignantly. "I would have sensed him."
"Yes you would," Gaia said, "if I had not protected him."
"Sister?!" Varie exclaimed in shock, "Why?"
Gaia did not respond.
"Bring him to me immediately!" Varie demanded. "The book of Allora has his name written in it. He is not to return to Etheria. His presence here is against the ancient law."
"Very well," Gaia said. She turned toward the doorway and called out, "Van."
Varie's grip on her seat tightened unnoticeably. The familiarity of the name struck her like lightning.
Van? Hitomi thought, a light of hope filled her heart.
"Van, you have a choice." Gaia's strong voice carried easily across the vast room to the individual standing within the shadowy doorway. "You are aware of what awaits you in this room. You can either accept your destiny and enter, or deny your fate and run from it. Which will you choose?"
A lengthy silence pursued as the hidden individual contemplated his future. Was it possible to change it?
Closing his eyes before opening them again, Van took a determined step inside. The light from within the room lit up the lower half of his face but his eyes remained in the shadows. From the other side, they heard the Queen gasp in astonishment. His glowing garnet eyes captured her attention from within the darkness. They were the same pair of eyes that haunted her nights.
Van stepped entirely into the light. His face was grim and pale, but the expression in his gaze was strong and persevering. He looked directly into his mother's eyes, but he knew, from the blank features in them, she did not remember him.
"I am the one you want," he said in a low tone, skilfully hiding the sorrow deep within. "I was the one who summoned Evern."
"Who are you?" Varie asked slowly. She stood up and began to approach him. "How did you come to possess the power to summon the eternal Sentinels?"
Van stayed his ground as he responded, "I can only say that I am one whom has been banished from his home."
Varie halted in mid-stride. "Yes, you have been exiled." She added aside, "Although I cannot remember..."
Scrutinizing the young man's gloomy features, Varie continued, "Tell me, young man, why did you choose to return."
Van lowered his gaze. "It was fated," he responded.
Varie's expression was utter astonishment. "You are not Infinity," she said slowly, her brows creased in concern. Looking over at Hitomi, however, she continued, "But I see that Infinity has been brought here as well."
Van scowled.
Varie turned around and spoke her thoughts aloud. "Why is this happening now? Mortals have never stepped upon this land before but now…right before Succession…the unthinkable becomes reality."
"The Hunter is approaching," Gaia suddenly spoke up from the side. Her words caught all their attention. "They, too, have arrived in Etheria, and they are coming to Laurith."
Varie wavered a bit as all this overwhelmed her. "It was never meant to be this way. Succession was never to have come here."
Van stepped forward and announced in a determined tone, "Allow me to fight for you mothe-Queen Varie."
Varie turned to look at him. Her expression was sad and lost.
"You know the penalty for returning."
"I do. It is death." He held her gaze as he continued, "So let me die fighting for you."
Van, Hitomi whispered in sadness as she listened to their conversation silently. Tears slowly crept to her eyes but she forced them away.
Varie fell quiet, contemplating his offer. "Very well," she agreed. "But the others…"
"They shall remain with me," Van stated emphatically.
She raised an eyebrow to his audacious declaration but said nothing. Without another word, Varie exited the room. There was much to think about and a lot to fear for.
"You are dismissed," Gaia ordered the Queen's Charge. "They are now honoured guests here at Laurith."
The soldiers bowed respectfully before departing as well, leaving the small band and Gaia alone in the vast room. Everything happened so fast that, overwhelmed, no one said anything. Allen looked over at Van and caught the younger man's gaze. He was taken aback by the look he saw in the other individual's features. Van looked so haggard and so sad. Unexpectedly, the younger man broke their gaze and walked quietly out the room. Hitomi's voice called after him but he did not acknowledge it. The shadows of the hall engulfed his drooping form and shielded him from their sight.
"Van," Hitomi whispered, her voice sounded on the brink of tears.
Gaia glanced over at her. A sympathetic expression fell across her face. She could see clearly the affection the young girl had for her nephew, and she knew the sadness this would bring to them both.
Several days of preparation had come and gone. The moons hung high in the midnight sky as the palace slumbered in a restless sleep. Tomorrow would be the day of battle. The clock ticked away the hours of their lives like the passing seasons. And he watched it all from the tallest tower.
His dark crimson eyes swept across his beloved kingdom like a hawk, taking everything in with a heavy heart. The Hunter was carrying the concluding battle to his home. The final days, he knew, would bring great sorrow to his two worlds. If only he could change this fate. His hands clenched tightly before unravelling again. His shoulders sagged under the burden of his destiny. Van allowed his head to fall onto his chest as he leaned forward on the railing. How did I ever think I could defeat fate? he thought in despair. I knew, tears slipped down his eyes, there is no escaping it.
In his mind, Allen's words surfaced: 'Fate has evidently fooled us all.'
He closed his eyes as he rethought his destiny and who he truly was. He was neither Escaflowne; he was neither Van; he had been all along, Fates' Judgement.
'It is Judgement who is the verdict.' Allen once told him. 'This person's final decision will decide where the future shall lie.'
"And where death shall reign," he whispered in horror. How could I decide? How could I, he thought grievously, hopelessly, choose who will die and who will live?
"Van," a gentle voice whispered from behind him. He stiffened in response. He knew immediately who it was. He could hear her approach from the side until he saw her beautiful features at the corner of his vision. Despite everything, Hitomi's composure remained ever outwardly calm and cheerful. But Van knew otherwise.
"Hitomi, I…," he began to say but the sentence was lost to him.
Silence fell between them. There was so much they wanted to tell each other but neither could find the courage nor the words to convey them.
However, at length, Hitomi spoke up.
"There is a lot going on that I do not understand," she said. Van turned to look at her but saw that her attention was on the twin moons floating in front of them. She continued, "And I have a feeling I will never know." She sighed forlornly. "But tell me one thing Van." Hitomi turned to look at him with a pleading expression. "Do you love me?"
He was taken aback by her direct question. His gaze remained steady on her lovely face but he was inwardly trembling. At length, Van turned away before saying.
"You do not know what you have asked of me," he said despondently.
Hitomi's heart sagged.
He sighed aloud before continuing, "I will not lie to you, Hitomi. I have come to care for you too much to do so. Therefore, I will not answer you."
Hitomi turned away from him sadly.
"But know one thing," he added. "That you have stolen from me something no one else has ever taken. And I do not regret it."
They were inundated with an unsettling calm once again before Hitomi said, "Will you leave for battle tomorrow?"
"Yes," he whispered after a brief pause.
"Why must you fight?" she asked. "This has nothing to do with you. It is all because of me."
"Hitomi," he whispered as he turned to her.
"Van," she cried, unexpectedly throwing her arms around him protectively. "Let me die."
His eyes widened in shock.
"Please Van," she cried into his chest. Her tears soaked his crimson shirt. "I cannot stand to see others sacrifice their lives for me. Let me go. Let me end all this misery. Please…"
Van closed his eyes and pulled her closer to him. His body shook with sorrow as he held her tight. Tears streamed down his face and onto her soft hair.
"Hitomi," he sobbed. "Can't…can't you see? You need to live. You need to live for me."
"But I can't," she cried. "I can't go through life without you."
"Dearest Hitomi," he said affectionately. "I want…I want nothing more than to be with you."
"Then don't leave me," she whispered. "Let us stay like this forever."
"If only the Fates would allow me."
"The Fates cannot control our hearts, Van," she said into his chest. "If we choose to, we can be together."
"I…I must tell you something, Hitomi." He pulled slightly away from her and looked deeply into her eyes. "You were never the key to Succession."
Her eyes widened.
"You were never the decider of peoples' lives."
"What?"
"It is I. It has been me all along."
"I…I don't understand Van. You…you told me I was…"
"You are Infinity but…I am Judgement. I am the verdict that shall be passed."
"But I saw…I saw my death," Hitomi said.
"Only if Infinity is awakened by Judgement…by me."
"Then Van…"
"No," he said, his voice and expression were intractable. "I have told you. I want you to live."
"But…but what will happen to you?"
He did not answer her. His steady gaze delved deep into her emerald eyes. Unexpectedly, he pulled her back into his embrace and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
"We have only twenty men remaining," Dilandau stated. "How do you expect us to make a direct offence against a powerful army of thousands?"
"By having an equal number of soldiers of our own," Folken responded nonchalantly.
"You have gone crazy," Dilandau said.
"Indeed I have not. Aerez, you have told me that you can conjure up the lost souls of Eldron from the last Succession right?"
"Yes, I can."
"Wha-what are these lost souls?" Dilandau asked warily.
"They are soldiers that have been killed in the last battle for succession."
"What?!" Dilandau exclaimed, nearly toppling backward from his chair. "You…you are going to use dead men to fight for us?"
Folken nodded.
Dilandau scowled in anger. "That is unacceptable. Those men have died painfully in battle. It is improper to wake them and have them undergo the same ordeal again."
Folken looked at him with an impassive expression. "Do you wish to give up then?"
Dilandau remained silent but he let out a gruff remark before settling back into his chair, clearly indicating that he did not agree with this plan.
"You said so yourself, Dilandau, that we have only twenty men. If there was another way, do you not think I would not take it instead?"
"I just hope you know what you are doing," his silver-haired companion said in a low disapproving voice, "because I certainly do not sit comfortably with this." Dilandau stood up and headed out of the main tent mumbling all the while, "…to disturb the sleep of the dead. It is not right."
He was the last to go to bed and the first to awaken. Van stood alone upon a large terrace outside of the main hall. He watched the yellow and orange light outline the far distant horizon solemnly. The day was about to break.
He closed his eyes worriedly. Something did not feel right. Van could sense a strange power filter through the land like thin strands of miasmas. Looking out once again, he could not help but have an unsettling feeling deep within the pit of his stomach.
"You can sense it, too," a soft voice spoke from behind him. "An unnatural power has awakened."
Startled, Van spun around to face his mother. Surprise and sorrow wrenched at his heart upon sight of her. She stepped onto the terrace and stood beside him. Her solemn garnet gaze surveyed her kingdom. The gentle morning winds played unnoticeably with her magnificent white wings. She said nothing more as Van continued to watch her. At length, she addressed him without redirecting her attention.
"Why have you chosen to fight for Etheria, young man? Is it for the glory? Or for the thrill of battle?"
He looked away before responding. "It is for neither."
"Perhaps, then, you decided to fight because you believe you have a greater chance of escaping death upon the battlefield than my punishment?"
"I do not fear death," he stated emphatically, "and I would be a fool to believe I could escape it in this fight."
"Then why?"
He remained silent for a moment, looking deep within his heart for the reason. Quietly, he said, "For a love."
Varie turned her attention to him. She analyzed his profile gravely. His presence, his face, his essence, every aspect of this young man gnawed at her heart, seeming to poke and prod at a memory hidden deep within the recesses of her mind. A familial sense of attachment drew her to him. The longer she looked at him, the more she felt of being on the verge of discovering something great or recovering something invaluable. But the hidden memories would not surface. She slowly reached out with a trembling hand to this mysterious stranger but quickly retracted it back to her side. Without another word, Varie abruptly left. Behind her receding back, the young man hung his head in grief.
It was now a few hours after dawn, and the Etherian soldiers were ready to leave for battle. Hitomi stood quietly aside, watching his regal form astride a large black steed. He wore a strange armour the colour of an ocean's depth outlined by thin silver strands of a peculiar metal. The same silver metal was formed into a beautiful insignia on the front of his breastplate. It appeared to be in the shape of a dragon's head. It was the symbol of Etheria. His loyal sword hung by his side.
The black steed danced spiritedly beneath his rider, whom sat calmly with a blank expression on his face. However, Van's eyes told a different story. The early gentle morning wind blew his wild bangs tauntingly in front of his austere gaze. Unexpectedly, Hitomi saw his attention shifted to her. Van looked at her solemnly, affectionately. However, the underlying expression within those dark pupils tugged at her heart painfully. Through his eyes, it appeared as if he was saying his goodbye.
The other men began to file out. Allen, with Gaia's intervention, was allowed to join the troops as well. Van lingered behind a little. Giving Hitomi one last glance, he abruptly spurred his horse into a light gallop and rode off, never once looking back.
Van and Allen made their encampment about a half-day's ride from the palace. The main bulk of troops continued on into the unknown horizon to confront The Hunter, hoping that they might be stopped before coming to this last barricade. Van had wanted to join that front group of soldiers but the commanding officer turned down his request. How ironic that the Crown Prince was refused of his demand, but then few here remember who he was.
It was late evening when Allen decided to join his Prince by a campfire built some distance from the others. A small smirk played on his lips as he approached the brooding young man. As usual, Van preferred the confines of solitude to company. However, it was understandable because he carried within his heart knowledge that truly isolated him from the rest of humanity.
Allen sat down, and for a brief moment, wondered why he was here. Looking over to the young man, he suddenly found in alarm that he did not recognize him. Van saw Allen's momentary look of fear and surprise. He voiced his concern.
"Allen, is everything all right?"
The older man did not reply immediately. However, the lapse of memory soon passed and Allen recognized the figure sitting in front of him again. The Knight gave his companion a distraught frown as he spoke.
"I am now," he said, "but for a second there I...I couldn't remember who you are."
Van's eyes narrowed anxiously.
Allen nodded as he continued, "Alantia's powers are...my memories of you are fading quickly."
It had been two days since they arrived at their site of encampment—two long, anxious days of waiting and fearing. However, they needed not wait for long. About early morning on the third day, Van awoke to sharp sounds of exclamations. Dashing out of his tent, he looked about him confusedly. He grabbed a soldier rushing pass him by the arm and demanded, "What is going on here?"
"They lost," the young Charge cried in panic before heading off toward the main tent.
"You don't mean…"
"I'm afraid so," a sullen voice spoke up from behind him.
Van turned around and saw Allen supporting a very injured soldier on his left shoulder. The young man, about Van's age, was extremely pale. His uniform was soaked with blood and his left wing dragged brokenly on the ground.
Van's eyes widened in horror.
"He is the only messenger," Allen said as he looked down at the battered young man, "who made it here alive." Looking up at Van, he informed him grimly that the front line was broken. "The Hunter is now heading straight for us. Apparently, they used some kind of dark sorcery to call up an army of the dead to aid them."
"The…the dead?" Van gasped. Suddenly, he felt gravely ill.
"From what I was able to understand, The Hunter now has a legion of thousands. They are soldiers of Eldron, brought back to life by those damn sorcerers."
Van's hands clenched white by his sides. His eyes burned with fury. "How could they?" he growled. "How could they stoop so low?"
"They are desperate men, Van."
"They are a disgrace!"
Allen sighed. "Do not blame them. They are doing only what is necessary to protect their home. No one wants to die."
Van gave his companion a stunned look. However, their conversation was cut short when shouts came from the other side of the encampment. Leaving Allen with the injured soldier, Van dashed toward the commotion. He observed the near horizon, wide eyes filled with horror. A frayed line of troops, those remaining alive from the battalion dispatched days ago, was desperately fighting to hold back the invaders but, as he witnessed, they were being easily overcome. One after another, he saw his men fall.
"Van." A hand clamped forcefully down on his shoulder. He spun around to face Allen. The older man pulled out his sword as he nodded toward the impeding danger. "I guess we will be fighting after all."
Van did not respond. Instead, he freed his beautiful sword from its scabbard and, along with the remaining men, took a stand against the incoming foes. They stood their grounds in the face of death.
"I guess this is as good a time as any for confession, don't you think?" Allen said half-heartedly as he glared out at the approaching battle.
Van gave him a questioning look.
His companion continued, "Lady Gaia was the one who sent me to protect Judgement."
Van was not surprised.
"From your expression," Allen said as he gave him a brief glance, "you have already figured that out. Then you know—."
Van nodded grimly.
"I am sorry," Allen whispered. "Such a burden should not be placed on your shoulders alone. Whatever happens, even if I don't remember you at the end of all this," Allen turned and held out his hand to his companion, "know that you will always have my loyalty and my friendship."
Van shook Allen's hand mutually.
"Now," Allen said lightly, although his face was grim, "let us go kick their butts."
The two men charged ahead just as the frontline came into view. Van finally saw the true nature of their enemies. Fear instantly struck him upon sight of their ghastly appearance. The revived soldiers of Eldron were clad in the very clothing of which they died. Their blood-encrusted grey and white armour shone dully in the early morning sun. Upon their pale, ghostly faces rested lifeless eyes, whose misty pupils could no longer see. They drudged headlong into battle as mere puppets on a string with neither a will nor a soul.
Van confronted one of the undead warriors with a clash of his steel blade. Surprisingly strong, the soldier forced his sword back before instantly swiping at his midsection. Jumping back out of his foe's reach, Van sidestepped quickly and whirled around from the side with his blade rushing toward the enemy's chest. His opponent amazingly flipped out of harm's way. Van was stunned. These revived men moved and fought as if they were alive.
Rushing forward, Van brought his sword heavily against the other man's. He shoved his opponent forward forcefully. The soldier staggered back unsteadily with his arms flailing helplessly around him to regain balance. Taking this opportunity, Van thrusted his sword into his opponent's chest. However, nothing happened. There was no blood. Confused, Van hesitated. At this instant, the soldier recovered his equilibrium and reached at Van with his sword. Van cried out in pain as he staggered back holding his left arm. His sword remained implanted in his opponent's body. The undead soldier grasped his lifeless hand around the blade and easily pulled it out of his chest. He threw Van's blade to the ground before resuming his attack. Weaponless, Van could only dodge the blows that were sent to him. The foe thrusted his sword straight for Van's abdomen but missed. The Etherian did a forward flip over his opponent's head, landing heavily on his feet. Quickly, Van rolled on the ground to dodge another attack by another soldier from the side, and grabbed his sword as he simultaneously passed by. He could hear his opponent approach him quickly from behind with sword pointing straight for his back. Surreptitiously, Van whirled to the side just as the blade pierced the back of his shirt and ripped it apart. Continuing his motion, Van did a three-sixty turn with his arm stretched out and sword raised. Instantly, he decapitated his opponent. A flood of bright energy was immediately released from the body, which slumped heavily onto the ground. Staring at the fallen corpse in surprise, Van realized he found their weakness. The only way to kill these undead was to pierce their heads, which was the source of the controlling dark power. However, as he stared at the body—while breathing laboriously and clutching his arm in pain—Van could not help but felt nauseous of the sight. He had fought in many battles before but the horrors he witnessed now was incomparable. However, he had little time to contemplate further before he raised his blade to block an attack from another soldier.
Around him, the horrendous sounds of war rang deafeningly. The cries of the dying hummed horrifically in his ears as he fought against opponents after opponents. He had now become numb to the pain in his injured arm as he focused on staying alive. His clothing had become tattered from the many attacks it was subjected to. Perspiration drifted uncontrollable down his face. However, during his fights, something peculiar constantly nagged the back of his consciousness. Van narrowed his eyes in uncertainty. Something was missing. No…someone was missing.
The Hunter! he suddenly thought. They are not here! Looking around him, it finally dawned on Van that the men he and the others had been fighting were the revived soldiers of Eldron. The living army was nowhere to be seen. Then the dread of another realization hit him like lightning.
"Dammit!" Van cried out angrily as he shoved his current opponent away forcefully. Quickly defeating his foe, he turned around and ran off for the palace. In mid-stride, Van willed his wings to appear. In a burst of silver feathers, the royal Etherian took off at a speedy pace. From the distance, Allen saw Van flew away. He frowned with speculation before unfurling his pale blue wings and followed close behind.
"Van!" he called when he got close enough. "Where the hell are you going?"
"To Laurith," Van shouted over his shoulder. "This attack was simply a decoy. The Hunter is at the palace."
Allen gasped in shock and terror. Quickly, the two men flew toward the palace. Their bodies looked like streaks of colours across the darkening sky.
The lower tip of the sun just touched the dark horizon when they reached the palace. Van took in the appalling scene with grim eyes. At the palace gate, forced open by their enemies, the Queen's Charge fought desperately against Eldron's revived soldiers while the bodies of their comrades littered around them. On the palace steps were another bloody scuffle leading into the building itself.
"Mother! Hitomi!" Van shouted as he scanned the ground and palace for them.
"Check the castle," Allen shouted. "I'll cover the grounds outside."
Van acquiesced. He flew on ahead while Allen descended to the crimson land below. As he flew high above, Van witnessed the result of Succession with pain-filled eyes. The once beautiful palace grounds, with gardens of various blooms, were now covered in a blanket of red. The ancient fountain of old Etheria spurted water choked with blood of the fallen.
A streak of white from a distant tower caught his attention. He veered toward it. As he approached, he could make out two figures confronting each other on the grand marble terrace. His heart sank with dread when he recognized them. It was his mother and Folken.
She glared at him with flaming crimson eyes, filled with determination and spirit. He returned her fierce look with, surprisingly, a calm gaze. Unlike her, Folken did not feel hatred or rage; he did not enter this war due to that. He was fighting this battle to simply fulfill his brother's last wish, and protect their world. Nothing more.
She, on the other hand, saw him as a personification of Fates' injustice. His invasion of her kingdom signified the unfair verdict of Succession. With narrowed, vengeful eyes, Varie called upon her powers. Within her opened palm, the energy of Etheria gathered in increasing strength.
Folken tightened the grip on his sword. Without a word, he charged forcefully toward her just as she raised her hand to release her attack.
"Brother, stop!" a voice cried out from the distance. But it was too late.
The momentum Folken created inhibited him from stopping his blade as it sped toward the Etherian ruler; as well, Varie had already released her powerful attack. The outcome was inevitable.
Unexpectedly, a shadow interceded between them and took the attacks upon himself.
The loud clang of a sword hitting cold, hard marble rang amazingly clear through the tense atmosphere. Folken stepped back in surprise and horror, within his trembling grip laid the bloodied blade of his sword. From the other side, Varie went deathly pale.
Van stood between them with shattered wings, the colour of night. A river of red flowed from his deep wound on the side of his abdomen. Perspiration, mingled with blood, drifted down the sides of his face and between his eyes from his forehead. Despite his injury, Van remained on his feet.
Looking over at Folken, he smiled sadly before painfully uttering, "Dear…brother."
Folken's eyes widened upon hearing the words of endearment.
"Please…stop…" Van grimaced in pain before continuing. "We…must not…fight…any longer." Turning to Varie, he said, "Mother."
Varie gasped in surprise.
"I am…sorry."
Varie watched as tears drifted down his despairing face.
"I have betrayed you."
Varie was stunned by his words.
"But I cannot choose…" However, Van began to waver weakly as his strength quickly left him in a crimson river. His vision began to blur just as he felt himself tumble to the ground. However, he never felt the impact of the hard, unyielding surface before a pair of frail arms stopped his descent.
An angelic voice cried out to him tearfully. On his knees, leaning heavily into the angel's arms, Van opened his weighty eyelids and gazed upon the face of his beloved.
From within the shadows of the corridor, Hitomi had managed to find her way here in time to witness the man she loved fall to the ground. Rushing out she had prevented his complete descent.
"Hitomi," he whispered weakly.
"Van," she sobbed, tears flow freely from her emerald eyes.
He raised a shaking hand to her face and gently wiped the tears away only to find more coming to replace them.
Varie and Folken watched the two tragic figures in abject despair.
From his position, Van looked out to the battle that tore apart his home. The bleeding light of the dying day blanketed his kingdom in a sad hue of crimson. The wails and moans of struggling and dying men haunted his ears.
In the end, it all comes to this? he thought dejectedly.
"Why?" Hitomi cried as she held his head against her chest. He wrapped his weak arms around her trembling form protectively, comfortingly, lovingly. He could feel her tears continue to rain down upon him.
"I had hoped," he whispered sadly to her, "that I would be able to prevent all this." His face contorted in pain as another wave hit his weak body. As the throbbing eased away, he continued, "But I was a fool…to have hoped...that I could change our fates."
"Van," she whispered his name affectionately. "Of all our struggles…will it end this way?"
He sighed sadly.
"So she will be free after all."
"No," he spoke determinedly, "Infinity will never be free." Van's gaze fell upon his sword lying silently behind her. Reaching out, he took hold of the hilt.
Folken watched, wondering what Van was doing?
Closing his eyes, Van flipped the sword around and cried, as he plunged it toward them, "You will live Hitomi!"
Her eyes flew open. Her body stiffened. She could feel the cold blade rested against her side, its hilt pressing in-between her right arm and her chest. Soon, a tide of warm, sticky liquid soaked through her clothing and onto her skin.
"I will always," he whispered into her ears, "love…"
But the agony was too great and he could bear it no longer. She felt him shudder in pain before falling limp within her arms. The phrase was left unfinished upon his cold lips.
"VAAANN!!!!!" she screamed as her grip tightened on him.
Allen, Rad, Amano, and the others arrived in time to witness a most tragic scene. They saw Hitomi sitting in a pool of blood with Van's motionless body embraced tightly within her arms. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed out his name in agony. From behind her, they could see the golden hilt of Van's sword stick out from beneath her arm.
"No," Arik gasped before turning around and buried his face into Cade's shirt, his hands gripping tightly on the fabric. "Van." The name soon became lost in his innocent tears.
"This can't be happening."
"Oh Van," Allen whispered.
Amano felt tears drift down his face. Indeed, Van was a greater man than he could ever be.
Folken dropped his sword and fell onto his knees. His face was haggard and pale as he buried them in his trembling hands.
From a balcony above them, Gaia watched with pain-filled eyes. A single tear slipped down her face. "You have decided."
Suddenly, Hitomi reached behind her and drew the sword out of Van's body. Letting go of him, Hitomi raised the sword in front of her with the crimson tip pointed directly at her heart. Allen yelled out while immediately rushing toward her. Just before she could plunge the blade into her own heart, a strong hand gripped her wrist.
"No!" Hitomi cried. "Let me die!"
Allen rustled the weapon away from her hands and threw the sword across the terrace.
She buried her face into Van's lifeless chest as she continued to scream. "Let me die! Please, be merciful and let me die with him!" She sobbed uncontrollably. "Van," she cried. "How could you?! How could you leave me, Van? How could you think that I would be able to live without you?!" She grabbed his shoulder and shook him as she screamed her agony. "Idiot! I did not ask you to die for me!" Her voice faltered to a quiet sob as she continued, "I wanted for you to be with me. I love you…Van."
Her heart-wrenching cries reverberated throughout the now silent land. All sounds of battle ceased as swords were dropped onto the bloodstained ground. Within their hearts, they felt her pain. It was then that the people of Etheria decided. Succession was complete.
Author's note:
HOLD the flying chairs, sharp objects, and the onions! Refrain yourselves from the temptation of seriously injuring this author, please! Remember, I still have two more chapters…anything can happen in two chapters. Yeah, I know this chapter is just sad. Believe me, I felt my heart wrench when I wrote this but I had planned for this moment for quite awhile. However, if you have already figured out an important underlying aspect of this story, then you would not be in so much despair. If you haven't, then hold on till the Epilogue. It will be revealed then. I won't say anymore or else I'll give away too much of the final "twist" to this story. Despite how this chapter turned out, I do hope you will continue to read it until the very end…if you want to alleviate your heartache, you will. Anyway, so you now know how Succession concludes. Do you agree with Van's decision? And has anyone figured out the true nature to the characters: Angerona, Eos, and Sora in this story? I just wanted to know if my underlying tones had been conveyed properly to you readers about them. Do tell me your comments! One more thing…a certain secret about Gaia will be revealed in the next chapter. And YES, I have completed the story…the last two chapters will be posted over the next two weeks.
Next: Chapter 18: "Reflect"
Cosmos 2004-2005