Cintamani
Dragon's are real. I've seen two since I woke up in this strange place. One that wanted to eat me, and another that seems to want to protect me. Can I trust it? I don't know, but I've decided to find out.
Part One: Fanelia
Chapter Two: The New King
When he was little, they took his sister away from him. He had lost her for so many years, and though she was there with him now, she was still just as lost to him---At this moment, in her sleep, in her dreams where he couldn't go, or protect her from the horrors of the past. He felt so useless. When these nightmares came, he always knew, and he always sat by her bed and whispered to her, hoping that somewhere deep down she could hear him, and know she wasn't alone.
Sometimes she quieted, and he comforted himself by thinking that he had pulled her back from one of her nightly terrors. That some sweet dream of him was fighting off her demons, and holding her in his comforting arms.
As he stroked the sweat-soaked strands of gold hair from her face, he renewed an old vow. As he took up her scrambling hand, and felt it squeeze back until her nails bit angry, bleeding crescents into his flesh, he made a new promise.
Someday, they both would find peace.
¤ ¤ ¤
Hitomi stared at the glinting pink stone in her hand, cradled innocently against the life-line of her palm. It had appeared after the green dragon had dissolved into nothing, and she had hardly been able to take her eyes off it since. It was curved like a teardrop, no bigger than the end of her ringfinger, but it weighed heavy in her hand, and on her mind.
But only in the sense that it was one more question, one more drop in a swiftly rising sea. Hitomi sighed. Answers were over-rated, she thought, remembering how she and the dragon had flown over the tops of the trees, and she had nearly fallen off his back when she had her first unobstructed view of the pre-dawn sky. There was no mistaking the distant Earth, and the moon looking bone-hard and cold in its dwarfing blue shadow. She was no longer on Earth. And that unexpected answer was the flint to spark another hundred questions. Although the one burning brightest was the most obvious.
Where the hell were they going?
Does it even matter? Where can I go, when I don't even know where I am?
She leaned forward, folding her arms on the back of the dragon's neck and resting her chin upon them. The wind fluttered her short, honey-gold locks back from her face in bursts. The beast's wings caught different currents and rode upon them expertly.
He seems to have a set place in mind...
The trees slowly melted into valleys. Deep ones nestled into walls of stone that were just beginning to glow in dawn's first light. It was a beautiful sight, seeming to be just as virginal and unforgiving as the darkness and forest she had first woke to. But it was all but lost on her. She had given it up for staring into the distance, for it never seemed to move, or even get closer.
It was a good thing she wasn't scared of heights, but was actually rather fond of them. That at least made everything beyond her confusion bearable. Confusion had been a constant pretty much since the moment she opened her eyes to this strange world.
She blinked, lifting her head from the cradle of her arms. The sun had decided to peak from her cave, bringing blindness to the world. It was so bright that it burned spider-silk afterimages on the inside of her eyelids. But that second before the sunlight had stuck her full in the eyes, she could have sworn she had seen something.
"What is that," she whispered, the passing wind so loud that her lips moved seemingly without sound, even for her. She raised a hand to shield her eyes, but was forced to quickly drop it as the dragon lunged without warning into a shallow dive. She clutched at the flesh beneath her with a heart hammering so hard that it felt nearly like it had out-grown her chest, and might even burst through it at any second. Even the roaring wind was dulled to its sudden thumping in her ears. Fond of heights or not, she was definitely NOT fond of falling.
His wings snapped out, and the wind that filled them lifted them up a few feet, then set them at a straight course yet again. Only at a lower altitude, where the sun was no longer burning definite holes in her retinas. Pushing herself bravely up once more, she tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear, though the gesture was useless at the speed they were going.
She could see a city. But a city unlike any she had ever seen with her own eyes. It was a labyrinth of stone roads that had never seen cars, but instead had been worn down by wagons and carts, and the trod of busy feet. The houses themselves were charming in a way that a bed-and-breakfast was, reminding of close friends and the ties of family. They were lined close together like dominoes, and she had the odd thought that while it looked pleasant and friendly rather than crowded like some ghetto, it was a virtual firetrap.
Hitomi shook her head away from such unpleasant thoughts. She had too much too focus on as it was.
It was a relatively large city, though nothing compared to where she was from. But she understood that on the scale of cities like it, it was sprawling and prosperous. And by the valleys she concluded that it was well-guarded.
So this is where we were going? What is this place? And why did it bring me here?
They flew over some gate that reminded her of old castles and forts, complete with a parapet and battlements, and crest-bearing banners snapping in the wind. Hitomi had the impression of startled human faces turned up to them, with the great shadow of wings passing over, but it all went by in a blur. A few seconds later bells began to ring, a continuous rhythm that she knew instantly as a herald. Wherever they were going, some one was either waiting for them, or had just received the news of their arrival. She just didn't know the situation well enough to conclude if this was good or bad.
It wasn't long before people began pouring curiously out of the buildings and houses and alleyways. Not unlike ants, she thought, swarming over a dropped piece of candy. And she so felt like the candy, as every face seemed rapt on her, and they ran, following the shadow of the dragon through the streets. They were shouting, and only snatches of it reached her ears above the rushing wind.
"...Escaflowne!"
"...Dragon King..."
"Returned!"
A Dragon King, she wondered, then looked down at the powerful beast pressing against her thighs. Surely not...
Again, the dragon tilted forward and cut through the wind, sending them into lower and lower altitudes. She watched the growing darkness on the ground, the distance closing smaller and smaller, and anxiety filled her. Then they were low enough to be even with the roofs of some of the taller buildings. So much so that she saw flashes of eager faces peering out of some of the closest windows. And then lower. She leaned into the dragon, feeling a thousand eyes on her as she tucked herself tighter and tighter against its back. The need to hide away from such intense scrutiny was burning every other rational thought from her mind.
They landed with a jerk and sudden backlash of wind, and with one last flutter the huge leathery wings folded down as best they could around her. Exposing more of her compacting form to the curious masses.
"I don't like this," she mumbled, but before she could expand on that sentence in her own head, the pressing crowd parted, and a man stepped from it like a magician tossing aside a curtain. It was clear that he was someone they greatly respected.
And with reason, she decided as she stared at him. He was striking, but not in a handsome way. No, he was huge, nearly twice her delicate height, and even as she looked down at him from her towering seat on the dragon, he made her feel small. Standing beside him she knew she would be overwhelmed merely by his presence.
He was suited in grey armor that in itself was very telling about his personality. It clearly bore the signs of hard battle, a few scratches, a dent to the side that even the hammer had not been able to completely force out. But the flaws were not of poor care or lax attention, but of use. And good use at that. There was a muted shine to the metal that said he cared enough for it to keep it clean.
His hair was nearly the same colour as his armor, maybe a touch duller in its grey. It was long, falling severely past his broad shoulders, but cut short on top so that it spiked and left his harsh face in full view. But the harshness was mostly in its build. And the scars. The most prominent scar cutting wide and long across his left eye, from chin to crown. It spoke loudly of a life of violence and combat, and that seemed harsh, but he looked on her with eyes of such surprise and wonder that she couldn't really fear him. She could only wait and watch for something, anything that would clue her into what was going on. Confusion was becoming so tiresome.
And persistent, she amended as he suddenly dropped to his knees, soon followed by every man, woman, and child in the crowd. With his attention centred meaningfully on her, the large man then bowed his head nearly to the ground.
Holding the subservient position, his commanding voice carried cleanly over the eerie hush of the street: "I, Balgus, General and Steward of Fanelia, officially welcome you. I am yours to command, My Lord."
Hitomi blinked in dumbfounded silence. "Me?"
¤ ¤ ¤
From the shelter of the outlying forest, Gatti observed the new Dragon King's arrival at the capital of Fanelia. He knew this was one of the 'status changes' that all his superiors had been waiting for. It was a chance flinging off his stealth cloak for flight, but he felt this moment called for such measures. After all, it was time to return to make his report, and his Commander did not like to be kept waiting.
¤ ¤ ¤
There was a soft knock at the door, and Dilandau Albatou lifted his forehead from where it rested against the back of his sister's hand. He had fallen asleep for a moment, how unlike him.
For a boy, he was not quite handsome, but beautiful. Something saved his face from being completely feminine, but whatever it was, it wasn't obvious enough to be distinguished from one perfect feature to the next. He was at once symmetrical in his beauty, and full of enhancing contrasts. His fair complexion and longish silver hair was angelic, in brilliant juxtaposition to his devil-red eyes.
His eyes, though, were more suited to his personality. Barely an adult, and he was already known Gaea-over as one of the most bloodthirsty and vicious Generals of the Zaibach Empire, a country known for breeding excellent warriors.
The knock came again, making his crimson eyes narrow. It wasn't as if he hadn't heard it the first time, he'd answer it when he was damn good and ready. And whoever was on the other side had better have a good reason for disturbing him!
He gently disengaged his hand from Celena's then limp fingers. Blood had dried to a chalky brown powder beneath her fingernails, and seeing it he instantly moved to the washbasin and set about rinsing it away with a clean wet cloth. Ruddy rivulets polluted the water in the porcelain bowl, and he made a mental note to have whoever had interrupted him fetch fresh water to refill it.
He was just setting the basin back in its place on the far dresser when the knocking commenced, softer, as if the person was growing more nervous. Others would have been aggravated by the prolonged wait and knocked louder. Anybody who didn't know who they were dealing with, that is.
Dilandau took his time pulling his black and red armor back on, curling and uncurling his fingers to make sure the leather settled into place correctly. Smoothing his hands down his sides, he picked up his sword and sheath and habitually fastened the belt back around his slender waist, shifting it so it hung at his hip for quick access. The last touch was his glinting diadem with its tear-shaped stone.
His scarlet heels clicked against the cold floor as he approached the door. By that time the knocking had long since stopped, but he knew the person had not left, and would not leave. Not until he dismissed them. They could stand there for hours if that was what he wanted. But after the first time, he found such games boring.
Pressing the proper key on the pad, the door slid open with a sudden whoosh, revealing a boy in similar armor, but blue where his was red, and minus the shoulder spikes. His hair was pale brown, almost silvery in its tone, but not quite. Just a hint that said, once upon a time, it might have been blonde. It was cropped short against his ears, though his bangs fell parted and long into his wide blue eyes, framing them rather than hiding them. He was already at attention, no anger on his face that said he was annoyed at being forced to wait so long. In truth, he wasn't.
Gatti was supposed to be out at the edge of Fanelia, keeping an eye on that backwater little village they liked to call the capital. If he was on the Vione, then Dilandau knew that meant only one thing. The Dragon had arrived.
"So he finally makes an appearance. Have you informed the Strategos yet?" He eyed the young soldier before him measuringly, telling Gatti in no uncertain terms that he best weigh his words carefully. And even that might not save him.
"No, Dilandau-sama. I am reporting to you first," he said hesitantly, but honestly.
Dilandau narrowed his eyes, but then swept past the Dragonslayer. The hall was very bright and impersonal compared to the gentle darkness of her room. "Wise choice, Gatti. But I suppose Folken should hear of this as well."
Gatti moved to respectively follow his master, but Dilandau turned back and stilled him with a look. "Guard the door until Jajuka arrives. If anything should happen, I will have your head on a pike. Understood?"
What wasn't said, but Gatti understood perfectly well, was the two little words Dilandau had purposefully left out of his demand. To HER. The Dragonslayer nodded his head sharply. Dropping his hand to the hilt of his sword at ready, he stepped back to stand vigil at the door until the Lady Celena's caretaker arrived. However long that took.
Finding the Strategos was no task. If he wasn't on the bridge, then he was often in his private study. On rare occasion he could be found in the dark, serpentine halls closer to the heart of the Vione. But most did not go seeking him there, for it was common fact that those chambers belonged to the Madoushi and their experiments. And all were wary of the Madoushi. Even Dilandau.
Luckily, he was in his study, so no time was wasted. Upon entering, the General was treated to the not so uncommon sight of his superior staring blankly out one of the Vione's many windows. Though if he ever truly saw the blue sky or the occasional bird winging by was debatable.
Standing, he was tall and commanding, though something about his quietness always grated on the Dragonslayer's nerves. He wore the cloak of the Sorcerers, encompassing ebony cloth that fell in one smooth spill to the floor, making him seem slender and broad, and just generally removed from the realm of so many emotions.
Dilandau could only see the edge of his face, as it was turned away from him, but he knew from memory that it was composed of sharp angles, from chin to jaw to cheekbone. His hair was a combination of long and short, spiked over his forehead, the colour of the sea beneath a summer storm, or the frosty green of fine jade. His eyes were cherry-brown and narrow, shadowed with hints of violet. And just beneath his right eye was a purple teardrop tattoo. Out of place, but perfect in the enigma he chose to shelter himself with.
Off to his side was a small table, a cup of some imported tea sitting full and untouched beside a closed book. Sunlight slanted in from the window and painted paths of blue highlights down his cloak and upturned collar. It sparked off the hoop earrings he wore in his ears, but did little else.
"Folken," Dilandau said blandly, not as a greeting of any kind, but to announce his presence.
"Dilandau," the Strategos responded in the same tone, then turned to the young General. "So Escaflowne has finally returned?"
Dilandau's eyes narrowed. "Yes. We should move into position now, while they are distracted and weak."
"Always so quick to fight, Dilandau."
"It's a wise military maneuver to strike now, and you know it."
Folken shook his head and smiled very small. "Maybe. Or maybe this outsider may prove to be the pivot of our success."
Dilandau was not following the conversation, and did not like it. He liked having to ask questions even less. "How so?"
Folken Lacour de Fanel, glanced at him once, then down at the table. He lifted up the small white cup with its cold tea, but did not drink from it. "Our goal is peace, and if we can achieve that peace without bloodshed, then so be it. Send envoys to Fanelia, we will sway this New King to our cause."
"And if he won't be swayed?"
The Strategos looked up pointedly, placing the cup back on the table and leaving his fingertips to rest along its rim. "Break him. Do whatever it takes." And it was clear by the look in his eyes that he meant it. Folken was a man who definitely believed in the end by any journey.
"With pleasure." Dilandau flashed his teeth in a vicious grin, finally back on ground he knew and understood. He cared nothing for peace, if it wasn't bought with war.
TBC...
Yay, we've reached the end of another chapter. I must say, I haven't written a story like this before. I usually write with my focus on one character in particular, or a small group of characters. But this one is gonna span out through several different characters (while remaining Hitomi-centric of course! ^_^)
Reviewer Response
kmf: Thank you very much! I hope it wasn't too descriptive? Sometimes I try too hard, especially when writing a first chapter! As for where the story is going...I have a few surprises in mind! ^_~ I hope you'll like them!
stdogbert: Thanks! :-D and to answer your questions: a) you'll have to wait and see! *wink* I will be revealing a little of the history behind the White Dragon in the next chapter. b) Well, I've meshed a few parts of the movie into it, but it's based more on the anime. I think a few things are the same, but for the most part this story is completely different. Even a few of the characters have had slight face-lifts. I plan to delve more into the war, and mix in lots of angst and romance, as well as expand on the character of Hitomi. Actually, I'll be expanding on most of the major characters. And the end will definitely be different.
SabineballZ: Thanks! ^_^ Van should show up eventually, and yes I am being vague on purpose! ;-D I will say that I certainly don't plan on Hitomi falling in love with Allen, though he does play a part in this story. I think I'm one of the few people who doesn't completely hate Allen. Actually, he's not too bad as I write him. I think.
Indra: Thank you! I hope you like this part, too!
Ferai: Here's the next chapter. ^_~ Thanks for reviewing, I hope you like this chapter at least as much as the last one!
gothikchick45: Sorry for the confusion. Well, so far the first chapter is based a little on the first episode of the anime. Except Van isn't the one who appears in the beam of light, but a White Dragon. Hitomi gets knocked unconscious, and when she awakes she is on Gaea being held captive by the dragon. She escapes, but gets attacked by another dragon, the green one that we see chasing Van at the beginning of the series. The White Dragon saves her, and that's where we left off. I hope that clears up some of the confusion? ^_^
wayfarer-redemption: Thanks! I will definitely keep that pairing in mind. *nod* :-)
SilverQuick: Wow! Thanks so much!!! *blushes* I was actually worried that I over-described the dragons! I have a tendency to be wordy from time to time. You draw? So do I, though only a little. I don't think I could draw the dragons, I'm not that good! But I'm not so bad with people...er, sometimes. I did draw Dilandau once! :-D A profile of him anyway.
gothikchick45: déjà vu. *puts hands together and bows* Thank you! ^_^
Nemo: *begins to write furiously* ^_~ I hope this chapter is enough to slake some of your curiosity. But not all! :-D Thanks for reading, and definitely thanks for reviewing!
ponchita: hmm, I guess it could be funny. Especially the bit with the dragon. Anyway, thanks for reading! ^_^
Macky: Thank you. Please let me know what you think about this chapter? :-)
Rai Dorian: Ooooh! Outnumbered? Yes. Outdone? NEVER! :-D Thanks for reviewing!!
Massao: Hey, nice to hear from you after so long! ^_^ Yes, the movie was very different from the anime. And the way I understand it, the anime and movie are very different from the manga. I think the woman Allen got pregnant was Princess Marlene? And that didn't work out because she was marrying the Duke of Freid, right? Hmmm. I like the dragons, too. And just a hint, they won't be the only extraordinary creatures to appear in this story! ^_~ No, I haven't visited AIR in a long time, mainly because my own computer modem got fried by lightning, and I only have the school computers to use now. And that is NOT easy. ^_^ Posting up these stories, and the updates to SHT, is actually the first time I've been able to get online in months. It's sad to hear that the round robin has fallen through, after all the work we all put into, too. But maybe it can be picked up and worked on again later? Right now I'm working on getting my modem replaced, but it's gonna have to wait a few more weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to become an active member of the group again, and have a few updates to my IY fics. ^_~ Believe it or not, have been working on them. Thanks for reviewing!
Cole Adams: I will certainly consider that. Thanks for reviewing! ^_^
NeverEndingQuest: Thanks! That is a pretty good pairing, though very challenging to write. Right now I'm setting up all the characters, stage, and background, but soon we'll be moving into the romance parts. I have two pairings now that I've decided on for certain, but I'm gonna take my time with both of them, so be on the look-out! ^_^
Claire: Ah yes, the title definitely has significant meaning within the story, but I don't plan on exploring it until much later. It sort of becomes an undercurrent to the story. I will try to update regularly, not always so easy when I've got my hands in so many different projects. But I really like the outline I've done for this story, so that will help to keep me focused. And I totally agree, there isn't enough! ^_^ Anyway thanks for reviewing! :-)
JaminJellyBean: Thanks so much! Here's the next part!
Divine Discontent: Have I ever mentioned how much I like your ff.net id? I bet you get that a lot! :-D As for the pairing...I don't want to say anything yet, but I think I won't have to soon. One of the two pairings I've decided on doesn't even happen until the last half of the story, but that's the secondary one. The primary one will begin in part one, though I *will* be taking that one slow. Some of you have already caught on to what pairing this is. ^_~ Anywho, Thanks for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter too! :-)
one_mean_rabbit: All will be revealed in good time. ^_~ The dragon, though, does factor throughout the entire story, I will say that much. And to the displeasure of many readers (I know, I know...) I don't plan on any real Allen-bashing. I will be using his character in all seriousness. Heck, some of you might even come to like him. Okay, I won't go that far. ^_^ *thinks hard about the 'any bashing at all' question* Hmm, not sure. I will say that I don't plan on going out of my way to bash any character. No, I think any bashing that happens won't be intentional, or it will be in-line with the story. Sorry about the slowness of action. The first half of Part One is devoted to setting all the players into motion, and establishing the background. I promise it will pick up within a few chapters. Thanks for the good luck, I probably need it! ^_^
SkyeLight2x1: Well, in that case I'm glad you'll like this story, pairing-wise (yes, I'm still trying to be mysterious about it. But I don't know why. ^_^) The dragon is a real dragon, but I can also say that he is a shapeshifter. I go a little more into its history next chapter, so I hope you'll stick around to find out. ^_^ Thanks for reading and reviewing!
I didn't expect this much feedback on this story, a few reviews at most, but I have been pleasantly surprised, and definitely inspired. I'm not too sure about this chapter though, but when am I ever? The curse of low self-confidence. ^_^ So sorry about not getting this out sooner, but I can promise the next chapter quicker, especially if I get the same amount of interest. Okay, that was definitely a weak plea for reviews! I've become such a feedback-addict!
Thanks for reading and reviewing! ^_^
