Escaflowne:   Mirrors

Episode 12:  Guiltiness

            The Dolgata River bordered Deidlas along the Ventrag Mountains at its southern edge.  Fanelia was stuck in among those peaks, and the river leaked along its sides isolating it from Asturia and Egzardia.  The branch that forked out at the Deidlas-Fanelia-Egzardia corner was called the Elesteena.  This was where the Pravada crossed.

            "Daddy?"  Ayen asked over the roar of the wind and aerial thrusters.  "Can we stop?"

            Seguir couldn't see her through his helmet piece but glanced back anyway.  "Sure, Ayen!  We'll stop when we get into the Ventrags."

            Ayen balled tightly as the water passed below them.  She was relieved when the shore appeared underneath and the slope of the mountains rose sharply.  The Guymelef came to rest behind the first mountain, its flight boosters folding back into its body as its legs came apart and it kneeled.  Its dark green cape settled down over the ankle and Ayen climbed off.  Seguir was glad to be out of the suit and pulled his arms and legs free of the control receptors, feeling stiff and tired.  The spade-leaf like decorations folded out from the edges of the gangplank and he stepped down the cockpit door, looking tired.  Ayen held Van's sword behind her back as she stood staring at the ground.  Seguir's shoulders sagged.  "Ayen, are you okay?"

            She nodded, but her eyes were welling.  She looked up and met his face, then ran and threw her arms around him.  "Daddy!  I'm sorry!"

            He looked down on her head in surprise.  "Sorry for what?  Ayen?  What's wrong?"

            "This is my fault!  This is all my fault!  You, Van, Trapan, All of it!  If it wasn't for me none of this would have happened!"

            "No!"  Seguir cried.  He pulled her off of him and held her shoulders so that he could stare into her emerald eyes.  "None of this is your fault!  Don't blame yourself for anything!"

            "But if it wasn't for me, we'd all be safe at home!"  Ayen protested.  "Mom died because they came for me!  We're being followed because you saved me!  Trapan showed up because The Eyes are my double!  She is Me and she caused everything!  Even the war!  That means I caused everything."

            "You couldn't help any of that."  Seguir insisted.  "You couldn't control what happened with Dornkirk and the war, so you aren't to blame.  That is just how fate played out, Ayen, you can't blame yourself for it."

            "But – my double!"

            "Did you know The Eyes were your double then?"  Seguir pressed.

            "No."  She admitted.

            "Then how can you say you were responsible?"  He reasoned.  "How can you say you were even involved?  I don't hold you accountable.  You shouldn't either."

            She deviated her eyes from his, doubting, then produced another excuse.  One hand snatched the pendant off her chest.  "But this!  I was stupid and brought Atlantis with me!  Now they'll never stop chasing us!"  He could offer no response to that; it was the truth, and Ayen found his silence convicting.  She tore the change over her hair and pulled out of his grasp. "I'll get rid of it!  I'll take it to the river and throw it in!  Then it'll be gone and all our pain and hardship with it!"

            "Ayen!  Don't!"  Seguir charged up and grabbed her hand.  She stared, startled at him.  He took a deep breath and came a little calmer, pressing the pendant back to her.  "That won't do any good.  They still think we have it and they will continue to hunt us whether we shirk it or not."  He let his hands drop and she held the necklace close to her heart where he'd moved her hands. She watched as he continued, his eyes away from here. "Anyway, something tells me that it will be useful.  It may save our lives, Ayen.  Who can tell?  But we should keep it away from Trapan.  He is dangerous, and Atlantis has great power.  Just hold onto it and trust me on this."

            She could feel her eyes watering again.  To think that she could do nothing right, even when she thought of something that might help them, it ended up being wrong.  AT least she had her father to look after her.  He'd always been there looking out for he welfare even at risk of himself.  She felt incredibly unworthy.  She sniffed as she pulled the chain back over her head.

            Seguir turned his deep green eyes back to look at her.  She was on the verge of tears yet again and he was reminded how hard this mess had been on the fourteen year old girl.  He walked over and put his arms around her, leaning down.  "Hey.  It's all right.  We've got each other and everything will be alright."  He felt better with his daughter in his arms and squeezed her tighter.  "I love you so much."

            She couldn't hold back the tears of stress, love, and guilt any longer.  She broke into sobs and threw her arms around his neck to bury her face into his shoulder.  "I love you too Daddy."

            *                           Escaflowne                           *

            The Crusade was also crossing the Ventrags entering Egzardia territory by midmorning.  Gadess had assured them all that they were well underway, and with a triumphant air, he announced; "they'd have their man by sundown!"  Breakfast, their first meal aboard the Crusade, was of stored reserves and was much less than fancy.  Hitomi picked at her salted meat and hard biscuits sparingly.  She'd spent much of the night troubled over Dilandau, Dryden, as well as her Double, and had spent very little of it sleeping.  Still, even over her private thoughts, she could sense tension in the atmosphere.  The culprits from the night before were in a corner of the room playing with their breakfast more than eating it.  Hakai frisbeed crackers at Suru and Celena, Allen's sister laughing and acting right as rain.  She had no idea what had happened to her mere hours beforehand, and her Suru-sky-blue eyes were lit with a liveliness that seemed well rested and renewed.  Allen was also staring at Celena with a hot cup of tea cooling on a saucer on his knee.  He leaned against the wall looking inward.  Yukari and Amano had been joined at the hip all morning and were chatting brightly with Jiai and Millerna who were seated near Hitomi.  Millerna was about to pop out of her seat in anticipation of their quest.  The knowledge that the Crusade was sharing the same airspace with Dryden had made her incredibly antsy.  Hitomi couldn't believe Allen wasn't noticing, but of course, there were only so many crises a man could handle at a time.  Merle and Koneko were playing marbles again, crawling around on the floor to chase stray ones and laughing loudly without a care in the world.  The two Van doubles were like bookends to the room, each watching the marble game with contentment, Hitomi with tension, and each other with suspicion.  Everyone seemed to be talking to someone, but there was one voice gone unheard since the day before.

            The man of the hour, Daiji Seijitsu, had come up late and eaten nothing.  He'd slept the whole night on the observation deck.  When the other guys pressed him for an explanation he'd just shrugged and turned to the window to stare.  Jiai took a break in the dialogue to express her concern.  "You know, guys, I'm worried about Daiji.  He's been moping around since last night."

            "You're right." Yukari agreed.  "I miss his sense of humor."

            "I hope he doesn't stay this way."  Jiai sighed.  "It was caused by connecting him, I wish now we'd found another way."

            "There wasn't one!"  Millerna assured them.  "Not if we had to find Dryden fast!  He'll be fine as soon as we meet up with him!  I'm sure meeting his double and getting to know him like that will cheer him up!"

            "Meeting you cheered me up!"  Jiai recalled.  "You're probably right."  She smiled a little.  "I'll cross my fingers."

            "Crossing your fingers brings bad luck."  Amano said.

            "No," Yukari corrected him.  "Not if you only cross one hand.  If you cross the other ones, too, it cancels it."

            "It's all superstition anyway."  Amano shrugged. "What if I cross the fingers on two hands and a foot?  Does that count?"

            Yukari eyed him.  "They're called 'toes' on your feet."

            He smirked at her, but they both were fighting smiles.  "Shut up."

            "Okay."

            "How should we act when we meet Dryden?"  Jiai asked. "Is he really important?  Do we need to bow and stuff?"

            "No, no."  Millerna assured. "Don't greet him like that.  He's so laid back, he'd probably shake your hand."

            "Just like Daiji."  Yukari reminded her. "How many times do we have to say that?"

            "I'm sorry!"  Jiai apologized. "I'm just nervous to meet him for some reason!"

            Hitomi eyed Millerna, but said nothing. She stared at the table with her hands in her lap.  She, like the others, had their newest step on the mind, but was considering the big picture. What answers could Dryden give them?  Why there were doubles?  Where the doubles came from?  Who Yukari's double is?   The deal with Haman and Seguir and Hitomi's own double…?  All were good questions, but none were foremost on her mind.  The concern she felt strongest for was her own guilt.  How much of this catastrophe was her own fault?  She began to list: The destruction of Kataphygio, the destruction of Van's new palace, the deaths of her friends, the deaths of the fox tribe and townsfolk, the Zaibachian War, even the more subtle things concerning her.  Celena wouldn't be in this Dilandauic environment and experiencing all this pain if it wasn't for her.  Allen wouldn't be so worried all the time.  Yukari wouldn't be dropping out of life spontaneously and Daiji wouldn't have lost his personality.  She felt teary, her stomach knotting in total disgust for herself.  Think of all that would not have happened if she had never come to Gaea at all!  Suddenly she felt the point in her heart prick, as if the power of Atlantis were flaming up again.  She reached up to grab it, but found nothing there.  Still she knew something was going on.

            Daiji knew it too.  While he was leaning on the window watching the landscape and thinking about Dryden, he felt a sudden pain and swelling in his jaw.  He jumped and threw a hand to it.  It was warm, like he'd been struck.  Then suddenly, he doubled over against the windowsill, his arms folded across his middle.  He felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach.  Daiji was frightened and confused, disillusioned as to how or why he was suddenly in pain.  He felt another strike on his face, and several more generalized blows.  Then he was lobbed in the chest, the wind knocked out of him.  There was a final strike felt on his neck and he passed out.  Everyone was in shock as he suddenly slumped to the floor, unconscious.  Those seated sprang to their feet, seeing no reason for the collapse.  Hitomi's eyes were wide and shaking, her heart on fire.  Jiai and Millerna sprang up, as did Allen.  Everyone came around to see what had happened.  Jiai and Yukari jumped down to the floor near him.  "Daiji!?!  Daiji!?!"

            "Out of the way!"  Millerna bade, she knelt quickly and pulled him over onto his back so that she could check his pulse. 

Yosu watched in astonishment.  "What are you doing?"

            "I'm a studying doctor."  Millerna replied.

            Van stared up at him.  "Didn't you know that?"

            Yosu frowned at his tone.  "It never came up."

            Millerna combed her blonde hair back and put her ear to Daiji's chest.  She didn't have time to revel in the idea of who exactly she was close to, but concentrated on unwelcome sounds.  She could hear nothing wrong and sighed when she lifted her head off.  Jiai put her hand on the queen's arm.  "What is it?"

            "He's fine."  She answered.  "He's just unconscious."

            "Why?"  Yukari asked.

            "I don't know." Millerna answered.  "There should be no reason for him to be as far as I can tell."

            "Did he sleep any last night?"  Amano asked. "Maybe the connection and stuff exhausted him."

            "Could we move him to some place where we can lay him down?"  Millerna asked.  "I don't want to leave him on the floor and by the look of it, he may be out for a little while at least."

            "Of course." Allen agreed.  "There is a lounge across the hall that has some nicer furniture in it.  It will do for now."  He and Amano stepped forward and put one of Daiji's arms each over their shoulders to drag him out.  Jiai followed closely with Millerna and Yukari.  Koneko rushed out too, Merle following her friend.  Hakai grinned.

            "Whoa!  Did you see that!?  He died right there!  It was cool!"

            "Cool?"  Celena asked.

            "Its probably good for him."  Suru said.  "I hope he has a nice nap.  I like Daiji."

            Hitomi couldn't believe what had happened.  Her pendant point still aglow invisibly under her hand she grabbed Van. "I felt it!"

            Van was startled.  "Hitomi?  Felt what?"

            "Just before it happened, I could feel my pendant trying to tell me something!"  She grabbed onto his red tunic with both hands.  "I think I made it happen!  I don't know how, but I had to have done it somehow!  The power of Atlantis did it!"

            "Calm down, Hitomi."  Van bade.  "You don't even have the power of Atlantis with you.  There's no way you could have done anything."

            "But I felt it!"  Hitomi insisted.  "I felt it right here!  On my heart!"

            "Don't get upset."  Van hushed her.  "There's no real damage done.  When Daiji wakes up, he'll tell us what happened and I can promise you that you had nothing to do with it."

            She wanted to believe him, but had convinced herself of her guilt.  How could it not be so?  Look at the evidence.

            Yosu walked over and Van gave him a disapproving look.  The orange haired youth ignored the glare and put his hand on Hitomi's shoulder.  "It'll be okay, Hitomi.  It doesn't matter what happens while we're here, I'm sure that all of us feel the same.  We're glad we could come and help, and we have you to thank for it."  She looked up at him.  "You hear me, thank.  You are not being blamed by anyone but yourself.  Just remember that we all support you."

            She smiled at him. "Thanks, Yosu, I feel better hearing you say that."

            Yosu smiled but Van looked put off, each side of the mirror responding individually to her attentions.

                        *                           Escaflowne                           *

            "None."  Trapan said, his hand on the hilt of his jeweled sword.  "None! None of the advisors."  The stones under his fingers were loosing their luminescence in exhaustion and two of his lackeys were removing the body of the final advisor.  Gambero stepped tentatively back into the light of his lamps.  Trapan noted his arrival, his cheekbone resting on the knuckles of his black gloves.  "Pawn.  How many are above you?"

            "One, sir."  Gambero answered.  "The Common Lord.  Then I am highest ranking official in the Fanelian hierarchy."

            Trapan shrugged slightly as he changed position.  He maneuvered the sword so that it was once again hidden by his black cape.  "Finish him off.  I am due for the master's audience and have no time for more negotiation.  Additionally, I am sick of giving the same speech over and over, and while I hate leaving you, Pawn, of all people in charge of this country, it must be secured before I move to meet the Master at his Haven. Consider yourself chief over this nation."

            "Sir!?"  Gambero cried, disbelieving.

            "Just get to the throne room!  I only use you because I have to!  You will be in charge of keeping the people of this country from opposing us.  I have done the same with the minion at Asturia, only using him because I have to.  Now get moving,  Pawn!  You have no business kneeling here!"

            Gambero jumped up.  "Yes, Yes sir!"

            Trapan stood and threw out one arm.  "Soldiers!  Ready the ship!  The forces are moving and the dragons are gathering!  I need to be airborne within the day and southward by tonight!"

            "Yes sir!"  The posted soldiers saluted.  "We go to obey your orders!"

            "As should happen."  Trapan snuffed smugly.  He moved down off his platform, the cape about his shoulders making him a black ghost in his cavern.  The flames on the torches were snuffed to smoke.

                        *                           Escaflowne                           *

            Gadess opened the door to the lounge where everyone had gathered waiting for Daiji to reawaken.  Nobody was talking.  Allen looked up when his first mate came in.  "Gadess?"

            Van had reclaimed Hitomi, putting his arm around her protectively.  Yosu sat along the opposite wall.  Jiai had fallen asleep on Yukari's shoulder.  Amano checked his watch.  They'd been there two hours.  Millerna had been mindlessly combing through Daiji's bangs, her eyes on nothing, but stopped and turned at the sound of Gadess's voice.

            "Were approaching Fa Xian, now.  We'll head south and try to catch up to him."

            "Thank you, Gadess."  Allen said.  Millerna returned to watching the wall.  "Tell us if you spot anything."

            "Right Boss."  Gadess nodded and ducked out of the thickened silence.  Yosu reached down to the head of his sister who was hugging his leg.  Merle was with her, too, Suru and Celena nearby.  Hakai was tearing up fibers out of the area rug.  Amano checked his watch again.

            Millerna then noticed Daiji's head move in her hand and turned to see his face slowly coming back to life.  She jumped up.  "He's coming to!"  Everyone turned their attention and gathered around, Yukari waking Jiai and Hakai even growing interested.  All were hoping to learn what had happened and if it had anything to do with their mission.  The pain from his "injuries" had long since dulled, but his head was throbbing.  His eyes came open to the halo of faces floating above him.  Millerna's expression was repeated twice because of Jiai who looked concerned and wary.  The doctor spoke first.  "Daiji?"  He blinked to get his eyes into focus.  "Are you alright?"

            "What happened?"  Koneko asked. 

            His aching head settled back into full awareness and he suddenly became alarmed.  He threw himself upright.  "Dryden!!!"  Everyone jumped back.  They were startled by both his behavior and his demand.  The emotion carried over on all of their faces as he grabbed Millerna's shoulder. "Where is he!?  Is he here!?!?"

            Millerna was incapable of answering, her heart and her mind racing and her mouth moving without sound.  Allen answered him instead. "No, we haven't found him yet."

            "Find him NOW!"  Daiji yelled.  "I mean right now!"  He moved to get up but Jiai caught his shoulders.

            "Wait Daiji!  Maybe you should take it easy!"

            "Yes."  Yukari agreed.  "She's right. Why don't you lie back?"

            "I can't!" He said, his tones urgent. "I've got to hurry!  I gotta find him!"  He tried to shove himself to his feet but a cage of hands stopped him.  He looked into the faces of the five girls who were holding him down, his green eyes pleading. "He's in trouble!  He needs my help!"

            "Someone go tell Gadess to increase our pace."  Allen said.

            Amano's head snapped around. "Hakai!"

            "Right!"  The blond jumped off the ground and dashed out the door, invigorated by the pressured atmosphere.

            Hitomi's heart was burning again.  Van's arm came off from around her but his hand stayed on her shoulder.  "What's wrong!?  What did you see?"

            "I didn't see anything!"  Daiji replied.  "I just know!  I know it!  He needs me!"

            "I'm impressed with your enthusiasm, but we're doing all we can."  Allen said.  Daiji gritted his teeth and tried again to force himself up.

            "Let me through!"

            Millerna's eyes were moving violently in the light, water building up walls in front of her lenses. She stood with her hands on his shoulders, her body trembling all over. "Dryden," she tried to repress this hidden emotion, but she couldn't, it was too powerful and spilled over her lashes involuntarily.  She turned her face from Allen.

            Jiai was feeling similarly but more frantic.  Yukari and Hitomi had jumped in to help maintain a brace on him.  Jiai had tears in her eyes and was clinging to one knee. "Daiji!  Please!?!" 

He looked to her, his eyebrows knitted.  He flashed to Millerna and then back to Jiai and spoke to her sincerely, watching the light catch in her turquoise irises.  "I'm sorry.  But I've got no choice."  He shoved himself up to stand.  There was no denying that he was stronger than they were and pulled out of their grip, headed for the door.  Allen jumped up to bar his way, his hand on his sword.

            "Sit back down, Daiji."

            Daiji stopped and frowned at him, then stood down, unable to contend with a sword.  Van stepped up. "Daiji, calm down and tell us what happened."

            "I don't remember."  He answered. "I don't know what happened.  I remember feeling like I got socked in the stomach and the jaw.  I don't know anything I just know what I need to do."

            Suddenly Teo appeared in the door. "Boss!?!"

            Allen jumped and turned. "What?"

            "Come up to the bridge, sir!  We've spotted something!"

            Allen darted out to follow his crewman.  Daiji didn't hesitate to follow.  Soon the whole room cleared, rushing to the bridge to see what had taken place.  When they arrived, Gadess turned quickly from where he was staring out the window. "Things are getting hot out there."

            Allen rushed over. "Is it him?"

            Gadess directed his captain out the window. "What's going on out there?"

            Everyone waited in silence as Allen assessed the scene.  There was a ship stopped dead in the air, skewed a little off a predicted southerly course.  Something seemed very wrong.  Allen stared closely, thinking he was seeing dots floating around.  The noontime sun was making it difficult to tell exactly what they were until a plume of flame shot out the side of the ship.  It took until the sound reached the bridge for everyone to react.  Daiji lurched up.  "What's happening!?!"

            "He's under siege!"  Allen cried.  Another soundwave came through and the captain took control.  He threw his hand out, issuing instructions.  "There're Guymelefs all over his back!  Van!  Go down and get in Escaflowne!  Fly out ahead and clear the space.  If possible, I'll join you for backup!  Kio!  Get us as close as you can!  All who volunteer will be a boarding party!"

            "Right boss!"  Kio cried.

            Van nodded and dashed out.  Merle watched him go. "Lord Van!"

            Allen turned swiftly to Gadess. "I give you control of the bridge!  Take care of it!"

            "Yes sir!"

            The captain then looked to the other twelve.  "Follow me!"  They vacated the cockpit and followed the knight through the halls and down to the loading dock where Van was suiting up.

            Merle ran over to the foot of Escaflowne.  "Be careful Lord Van!"

            Koneko ran over too.  "Yeah!  Don't get your butt kicked!"

            Hitomi watched them from the back of the group where Allen was handing out weapons.  "Who's coming?"

            "Me."  Daiji said straight off. He got a sword tossed to him.

            "Me too."  Millerna announced.

            Yukari stepped up.  "And me."

            "And me."  Amano voiced.  Allen tossed him a sword as well.

            Yukari looked put off.  "Hey!  What about me!?  Don't I get a sword!?"

            Allen had one in his hand waiting for the next male volunteer to speak up.  He was alarmed at Yukari.  "A sword!?"

            "Yeah!"  She shouted. "Do I go in empty handed!?" 

            "Well, a lady shouldn't carry a sword –"

            "We don't have time for this!"  She jumped in and tore it out of his hand.   "Gimme that!"

            Allen was stunned staring until Yosu stepped up and took a sword off the rack behind him.  That redirected his train of thought.  "Er… right.  I'll warn all of you, we're boarding a vessel under attack.  There may be some upsetting scenes, but we're going in to take back what is being stolen.  We need to find Dryden and retake the cockpit. Not necessarily in that order.  Lets make it quick and clean!"

            "Allen!"  Van shouted, Escaflowne moving from its dock.  "I'm off!"

            "Good luck!"

            "Van!?!"  Hitomi cried.  He paused and looked down to her.  She stared up into his face framed in the open grate.  "Van."  She folded her hands under her chin. "Come back to me!"

            "Don't worry, Hitomi!"  Van said. "I have a lot of preciousness to protect here."  With that, he leapt out the open door, the warrior becoming a flying dragon that carried the king off.  The Crusade was inching closer.

            "Celena and Suru are staying."  Allen stated. "Hitomi and Jiai should stay.  Merle and Koneko… stay.  Millerna –" Millerna held her breath. "We may need a doctor.  I don't like it, but she can come."  Her breath released silently. Allen looked to the ship, which was growing very large outside the hanger doors.  "Okay, we board as soon as it gets close enough."

            Hitomi stood frozen watching Dryden's merchant vessel as another plume of flame shot out the side.  The pendant point felt as if it was swelling and glowing. Her eyes, large, green and moving in fear, were windows to the "call to arms" mounting in her mind.  Was there death out there?  Was there pain?  Whose?  Dryden's?  Van's?  She could feel the sting of anxiety running down her nerves.  She was deathly afraid, but horribly compelled to see what was living or dying in the halls of that place.  The idea of staying was unbearable but the danger lying within was daunting.  They were going to leave her behind, but the constant pull of her pendant made her mind up for her.  "Allen!"

            The blond turned, his eyes were blue but steely as if made of something fortified for strength.  She realized again that she had thought that she was in love with him. "What?  What is it Hitomi?"

            "Allen.  I –" She focused back on her intuition. "I'm coming!"

            "Hitomi!?!"  Allen asked critically.

            "No, Hitomi, you should stay here."  Yosu pressed. "You won't do any good coming along and you might get hurt!"

            "You might get hurt!?!"  Koneko cried.  She jumped in and fastened onto her brother's arm.  "Yosu!  I don't want you to go if you're going to get hurt!  Stay here with me!"

            "I've got to go, Neko, I'm sorry."  He answered.

            Celena got much to same look on her face.  "Allen?  Are you going to get hurt too?"

            "Don't worry about me, Celena."  Allen said.  "I'll be back with you before you know it. Just play with Suru and I'll come get you when I can."  There was a jolt and the Crusade quaked about them.  They were very close to boarding distance and a bright white and blue Guymelef had landed on their hull.

            Escaflowne swooped along the damaged roof of the merchant vessel.  This ship was large with several holes in it now and several Maginot parked in an indentation along the side.  He cursed.  "It's the same ones as before!  How did they get ahead of us!?"  He saw three standing still and the leftover one flying around.  It landed on the Crusade.  "No you don't!"  Van steered the dragon down over the surface.  All changing hews a blur as he raced toward his friends.  A yank on the reins and almost unconsciously he switched into battle mode, wielding his sword and his cape.  The heavy purple canvas flew up as he touched down with a bang.  The Maginot turned and Torsion sneered from inside.

            "Well, if it isn't Lord Van the Dragon Tamer?"  She brought up her sword.  "I thought I recognized this ship!  Are the Eyes on it too?"

            Van gritted his teeth and snarled.  "What do you mean?"

            "Your little girlfriend."  Torsion answered. "She's who we really want.  And that thing you're riding in.  Who'd have thought that everything we were sent for would come to us together in one place?"  She brought up the blade and charged in one fluid motion.

            Van raised up his sword and brought it down against her weapon, the blades grinding their sharp edges on each other.  The two helmets of the melefs were close enough to lock eyes.  Van growled through the grate.  "Who are you?  Who were you sent by?  What do you want with us?"

            "My name is not important. Who I was sent by only time will tell, but what we want?  That's easy.  We want to restore world order.  That is an issue even you should understand, Dragon God!"  She threw him off and he transformed back into flight mode in mid-air.  He didn't understand what she meant, but all of this fighting was too hot a situation for him to think.  All he could focus on was getting her away from the Crusade.  It would be in boarding distance in another minute.  As he'd hoped, Torsion's flight boosters shot out of her machine, forming a ring around the shoulders.  She took off after him as he made for the other side of the victim ship.  Glancing back, he saw the gangplank extending from the Crusade's open hatch.

            Hitomi followed closely behind Yosu and Amano, both had their swords held firmly and unsteadily.  Millerna was with her and Yukari came up the back, whipping her blade around at the shadows of the foreign docking bay.  It was very empty and dark, they could hear feet running around them. Allen had the lead, but Daiji quickly strode forward, his sword neglected in its sheath.  He could sense enemy soldiers all around them.  "They're everywhere!"

            Millerna cupped her hands over her mouth.  "Dryden!"

            "Shhh!"  Allen bade her.  "Let's split up.  Yosu Amano and I will head to the bridge.  The rest of you find Dryden!"

            "I'll find him!"  Daiji shouted.

            "How!?"  Yukari demanded.

            "I can!  I just know!"  He shot back.  "Don't ask me how!  Just come on!  He's close and I can feel it!"

            The party broke apart and headed down separate halls.  Allen turned a corner to find crewmen, hired hands, lying heavily wounded in the hall before him.  He suspected that some were already dead.  Two Zaibachian soldiers were at the far end.  They spotted him as he did them, their swords came up.  Allen's face creased.  "Zaibach!"  Amano and Yosu recognized the name and their swords flew up as well, shaking in their novice hands.  "Don't hesitate!"  Allen shouted to them.  "Do whatever you have to!  We're taking this ship back!!!"

            The Zaibachian Commander had one goal in attacking this ship: information.  He and his team had intercepted, invaded, stormed and captured.  The rest of his unit, sent up from Fanelia, was filling the halls like enemy ants in a hill.  They'd murdered whom they could and captured whom they wanted.  The 22-year-old master of the vessel was being held on the ground by two drones who'd pinned him to his knees with his shoulders twisted stiffly.  Virial's lavender eyes narrowed, and Dryden looked up over the rims of his glasses with his pupils set straight and focused on his captor's face.  The Draconian cracked his knuckles.  "I am surprised at how difficult you've made this.  My first impression would be that a cowardly defect like yourself would bow easily to reason.  You are supposed to be so intelligent and yet you hold out against us like a fool." He moved swiftly and drove his knee up into his prisoner's stomach.  Dryden cringed but stifled any cry through clenched teeth.  The captor soldiers tightened their lock on his arms. 

            The merchant took in a new lungful of air and shot his defiant green eyes back up to the bearded face towering over him.  "I've told you before.  You'll get nothing out of me!  Not at the stakes you've set!"

            Virial snarled, his mechanics shifting to impatience.  He'd been dealing with this hassle for longer than it was worth.  "Humans."  He threw a punch at Dryden's face, striking a spot already red from previous battery.  "TALK!"

            Dryden held his tongue, his eye already beginning to swell.  The look being conveyed was not one Virial approved of.  He was of the superior race, Virial said to himself, and he'd beat what he wanted out of this bug.  He punched Dryden's face again, throwing his head to the other side. 

            "TALK!"  Another punch across the face threw Dryden's glasses off, the clatter of their metal body skittering across the floor and a red streak of blood cut by the frames against his cheekbone evidence of the force behind the blow.  Virial kicked him in his ribs and grabbed him up by the robes.  "WHAT IS THE POWER OF ATLANTIS!?!" 

            "I won't –" Dryden winced and tasted blood in his mouth.  "I wont tell you anything!!!"  He shouted into Virial's face, breathing hard, his lungs aching.  Virial'd had enough, clasping his hands together, he pounded down on the back of Dryden's neck.  He was released from the drone's grip and collapsed, senseless before them.  Virial spat on him, but was surprised to hear the unconscious man's voice shouting from the doorway.

            "Get away from him!!!"

            Dryden hadn't spoken, Daiji and the others had arrived.  There was rage on the double's face.  He ran up fast and socked Virial across the face, neglecting his sword and using his own power as a weapon.  Millerna was frozen in the doorway, she'd seen the final words and was staring in shock at the motionless form on the ground.  Virial turned on Daiji, swinging a punch but missing narrowly, the man's head pulling back just in time.  Daiji caught his arm and drove his knee up into Virial's side.  Hitomi was there too, and recalled something Daiji's said back on Earth.  He was a kick boxer.  Virial stumbled away and prepared a rebound, but Daiji's defense was solid.  He dodged every blow, only returning when attacked.  The two soldiers stationed around Dryden rushed in to defend their leader.  Yukari moved past with her weapon.  Millerna stirred.  "D-D-Dryden?"

            Hitomi gasped and looked to the blonde beside her.  She realized with one look that Millerna was having an emotional breakdown and took the initiative.  "Millerna!  You're the doctor!  Hurry and go help him!"

            Millerna blinked for the fist time in what seemed like years, realizing that apart from the cold reality of Dryden's injury, she was the one who would be responsible for treating him.  What if he was dying?  If he were, it would be her fault.  It was up to her to save him. If only she could move from the place where she stood.  She watched very closely and saw a tremor under the green cloak. One shoulder moved shakily and she could see the tan skin of one hand slide out into view.  She didn't will herself, but found herself quickly on the floor by his head.  Her heart froze at the sight of blood running down his face.  "Dryden!?!  DRYDEN!?"

            Her voice stirred him, and with a cringe his eyes came heavily open.  The world was a blur, but he looked up and saw a sixteen-year-old girl with blue eyes and blonde hair bending over him as if it was a mirage.  He frowned a little with a twitch as he studied her.  "M-Millerna?"

            She cried quietly, staring wide-eyed down into his face.  Darkness was taking him again and his green eyes slipped out of focus.  They dropped closed.  She gasped, watching him black out again, her reflexes slowed and she didn't react until he was already gone.  "Dryden!?  DRYDEN!?!"

            Three against two wasn't fair.  Yukari, a novice in all definitions of the word, held off the swords of the soldiers as best she could, her blade whipping up on impulse to block slices, her mind moving too slowly to attack as well as defend.  Daiji threw a punch that sent Virial against the wall.  The commander flashed his hand to his sword, finally taking the fight back into his own arena.  Daiji backed up until he remembered that he, himself, had a sword.  The weapon was awkward for him and he was driven back quickly.  He saw no other option but to retreat.  He needed to get the enemy away from Millerna, Dryden, and Hitomi at any rate.  He blocked a swipe from his opponent. "Yukari!"  The girl looked up quickly, but was distracted by another parry.  Daiji continued backing to the door.  "I'm falling back!  Follow me!"

            "Right!"  She answered.

            He ran backward to the door and Virial pursued.  Yukari dashed out with the two foot soldiers behind her.  Daiji hung in the door to clash blades once more with Virial, and shouted to his comrades.  "Take care of him, Millerna!"  Her head snapped up.  "I'm counting on you!"  With that, the doorway was vacated and the three of them were left alone.

                        *                           Escaflowne                           *

            Allen blazed his way along, picking off soldiers and mowing down armies.  His skilled sword dashed through the halls and blindly advanced.  He didn't know what he was doing.  All he had was a goal, and the knowledge that the allied country of Zaibach had attacked a peaceful voyage without any sort of provocation.  Betrayal was what he had in mind; betrayed again.  There was no way he'd let this sort of violation pass quietly.  He had his mind set on the bridge.  Amano and Yosu had no choice but to follow and defend where they could.  Allen was t heir driving force and behind him, they made it up to the cockpit where they ran into the other three Maginot pilots.  Most of the crew had been slaughtered.  The few who remained cowered below the blade of the 19-year-old Resultant.  Yosu spotted the body of Dryden's right hand, a beast man part rat, shoved aside against the wall.  He pointed  "Allen!  What!?!"

            Allen's eye flitted with barely any interest, training on the black and deep blue-violet of the Zaibachian uniforms.  The front windows were blown in with glass everywhere.  They must have entered through here, and Dryden must have been present.  Resultant sneered at them.  "Yo, Goatboy!  Tank!  Look who's here!"

            "The Knight."  Vector said, his huge frame turning.

            Prestress turned as well, his head moving on his long neck.  "A surprise."

            "Who are you and why are you here!?"  Allen demanded.

            "We're not supposed to tell."  Resultant reported, snidely.  "All we can say is that the natural order is returning.  That and the unification of Gaea.  The rest you'll have to try and pry out of us with your sword."

            "Gladly."  Allen replied.  He held up is blade, just noticing that it was smeared with blood.  His heard flared in its rhythm, then he focused back on the draconian who'd drawn his sword.

            "I like it," Resultant grinned, "this'll be fun."

            Prestress stepped forward and drew his own blade.  "We were instructed to keep our post."

            "Keeping our post will be simple."  Vector announced.  The huge man pulled out an immensely long sword, sized right for his height and breadth.  Amano and Yosu realized suddenly that these two professional soldiers would be their opponents.  In seconds they would be pulled into a true swordfight without any preparation.  It began with Allen's first move.  The knight turned his eyes to Resultant with a hiss.

            "You've violated the peace agreement that has united our countries and ended a terrible war in which many noble figured died.  I'm going to keep you from starting another one."  Allen's brow lowered.  "In the name of Asturia, I have no choice but to fight you."

            "Excuses Excuses!"  Resultant snuffed. "Enguarde!"  He lunged and Allen whacked the point away, triggering a duel-like engagement in which he and Resultant were the only people present.  The younger man was reckless, his form rushed and feverish.   He stabbed and swiped with speed and spontaneity but Allen was not helpless.  The knight was an expert swordsman and once identifying his opponent's fighting style, he adjusted his own hand to match.  The clanging of one blade on another sounded like a warning bell.  Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang.

            Prestress took on Yosu, his grossly slanting eyes and long pointed ears impression less and unmoving.  Yosu threw up his sword and blocked, then tried to swipe but was foiled easily.  Prestress pressed him back against the wall, his sword across Yosu's eyes.  The boy had his sword up straight, holding the impala off, but shaking with the effort.  His arms were already exhausted from the foreign activity.

            The Zaibachian came in closer, his sword pressing harder and his shadow casting across Yosu's face.  The beast man's voice was flat and unvarying.  "Young man, do you want to fight me?"

            Yosu gritted his teeth.  "Yes!"

            "Do you want to kill me?"

            The 16-year-old growled.  "I want to stop you!"

            "Are you going to kill me?"

            Yosu strained against the weapon, frustrated but not frightened.  Still, he shoved against the medal with all he had.  The question hit his conscience.  "No."

            Prestress weakened his guard.  He backed out and let his sword swipe to the side.  Yosu's arms sprang forward, spent, but came up again to clash, this time taking the offensive.  Prestress fought him, but without luster.  The fight was not important anymore.

            Vector was huge, and Amano knew he couldn't handle this kind of task.  This man could crush him like a bug.  The only one among them capable of fighting was Allen, who was busy.  No one was going to save him from this monstrosity.  All he could do was fight it out.  "okay."  He took a deep breath and got into a starting pose he'd seen in a movie somewhere.  "Bring it on!"  Vector didn't deter.  He was truly a juggernaut, a pinnacle of power.  Deep inside, Amano really didn't want him to 'bring it on' and gulped.  "Well, here goes nothing.  YEEEAH!!!"  Amano charged forward, but Vector knocked hi aside and bashed him into the wall.  The 17-year-old staggered against it, his knuckles bloody around the handle of his weapon.  Vector turned toward him again, but something had changed in Amano's approaching, an inner skill had been awakened and a subtle impulse had taken over.  He threw himself off the wall and ducked under the slow-moving giant's sword bearing arm.  The monster was strong, but slow, and couldn't keep up with Amano's quick movements as he snuck around and poked his sword point into him from random angles.

                        *                           Escaflowne                           *

            "Come on, Dragon!"  Torsion called  "Don't hold back!"

            Van growled.  "You think you're invincible don't you!?"

            "If I die, I get no money." Torsion replied.  "And if it goes to fast, I get bored."

            "I'll give you the fight you ask for, but I won't loose."  He answered.

            "Why?"  Torsion asked.  "Because you are a Draconian?"

            "No."  His mind flashed to Hitomi, Merle, and Allen.  "Because I'm not fighting selfishly!"  He rushed forward and scraped his sword along the roof.  It came up and slashed along Torsion's flank but she responded with a similar gash along Van's back.  He flinched in the cockpit, feeling his skin streak open against the seat.  He turned on her and charged, sparks flying.  She moved swiftly but the Dragon and the Armor were one, and moved as one.  Van cut her off and sliced deep into the mechanics of her left shoulder.  Sparks flew as the gears of the arm ground against he metal of his blade.  He tore his weapon out of her and she staggered back.        

            Torsion checked herself.  She could see the sky from the inside of her cockpit, but the gash had missed her physical body by a decent margin, still, it'd been too close for comfort.  As least it was her left and not her right. She clung the sword tighter.  "You haven't won!"

            Van didn't reply, but kept bashing.  She stumbled back, unable to defend and her wounded suit behaving strangely.  They inched back toward the Crusade end of the ship while commotion was happening below in the hanger.  This was where Yukari and Daiji had coaxed the commander and his two soldiers.  They had been joined by three more on the way down and things weren't looking good.  Daiji pulled back, offensive abilities lacking luster.  He glanced to his fellow and noticed a soldier sneaking up behind her "Yu!!"

            Yukari spun around and found the man he'd warned her about.  She threw him off automatically. "thanks Daiji!"

            "Sure!"

            Virial took a threatening pose, his fury wound down into cold efficiency.  "You will die first.  Then I will kill the girl.  For interfering in our business."

            "Uh,"  Daiji pointed his sword at the enemy.  "Dying isn't in my immediate plans, pal!  And you're gonna have to get through me if you want to get to her!  Call your goons off and let's have a one on one!"

            "Things do not work that way."  Virial told him.  "Prepare yourself for the showdown." 

            Yukari let out a scream.  "Ahh!  Daiji!"  He turned and got shoved down, Virial attacking him while he was distracted.    Yukari's upper left arm was wounded.  She'd dropped her sword when she'd grabbed at her injury and now she found herself unarmed and surrounded.  She backed toward the Crusade, which was still docked with the gangplank extended.  Daiji couldn't help her, she could see that he was busy with the leader.  Maybe if she could escape to the Crusade…

            There was motion behind her – then suddenly appeared Gadess, Reeden, Ort and Katz, armed for the defense.  Gadess jumped between the girl and the soldiers.  "Get on board, Yukari!  We'll take care of it!"  She had no objections and retreated swiftly.  Gadess directed his three crewmen.  "Get these five!  I'll go help Daiji!"

            "Right!"  They agreed and charged in with spare weapons ready.  Gadess rushed over to where Daiji was being pressed dangerously near the edge of the hanger, the lands of Egzardia stretched underneath like a steel safety net.  Virial's regulated onslaught was intimidating, as if he was on automatic pilot.  Daiji was relieved to find Gadess suddenly appear with him. The big Gaean had a spare sword pulled and knocked Virial's blade away.  Daiji turned and punched him with his sword-hand.  The commander stumbled to the side, his foot teetering at the edge of the precipice and his sword falling down into the expanse, lost.

            Through all this, the fight in the cockpit raged.  Allen was too skilled for the impulsive Resultant.  The young man was thrown against one of the bulkheads, blood red hair in his eyes.  The young Draconian growled and charged again. "AHHH!!!"

            Allen caught the sword, his eyes a flurry of blue flame.  He twisted his weapon, turning Resultant's hand and slicing a rip in his forearm.  The 19-year-old's blade was slung across the room. The knight kicked his opponent back and he hit against the helmsman's station, causing the ship to jolt and lean to one side.  Everyone on deck staggered against the walls with the quake.  Up top, the shift startled the melefs out of their battle, the bulk of their machines causing them to slide down the slant.  They froze until they could regain t heir balance and cope with the gradient.

            Hitomi fell to the floor in the room where she was alone with Dryden and Millerna.  The Queen screamed in surprise and toppled onto her patient.  Hitomi hit a bookcase and a couple volumes fell on her.  She covered her head for protection as the books landed in her lap.

            Finally, down below, the jolt sent most of the combatants to the floor.  Nothing around them to brace themselves with, Reeden, Katz and Ort tripped and fell against each other.  The soldiers they were fighting fell forward.  One fell on his own blade, gravely wounding himself.  Daiji and Gadess eyed the edge with warning and grabbed a hold of one another to remain standing.  Virial, however, was too close and fell.

            On the deck of the Crusade Yukari gasped and covered her mouth, the bearded young man dropping down to certain death from untold heights.  With books on her lap, Hitomi suddenly felt what would be her pendant leap to life and enflame her.  She threw her hands to it, feeling like it was choking her.  Her eyes were wide and her spine was prickling.  Again her dream of being smashed by Guymelefs came to mind with the image of the rescue woman's death by sword blade.  Escaflowne was forgotten as Torsion saw her commander plummet.  Her brown eyes grew large, being hit by the ends of her blonde hair.  "Virial!?!"  He was going to die and she had to save him.  She jumped into the air, her flight boosters sending out their levitating ring to lift her.  The damage to her left side, however, caused a malfunction in the shoulder extensions and the machine wobbled ungainly in the air.  She panicked and tried to sort out he gyromatics, her eyes darting between her controls and the man dropping, her frenzied hands unable to make her suit fly straight and her left side practically useless.

             Amano darted under Vector's right arm and came around from a different angle.  Mid-attack, the big man stopped cold.  Like Hitomi, his spine tingled up and down his hairless height.  All his awareness was alerted to one point – something was wrong.  He smacked Amano asked, moving faster than before.  "Prestress and Resultant, we need to go now."

            Prestress looked up from his battle with Yosu and locked eyes with his fellow pilot.  The beast-man nodded, then flung Yosu away in the same manner.  The young man dropped his sword on impact with the wall and turned to find Prestress's sharpened point in his face. Yosu took a deep breath.  This was the end.  "Kill me."

            "No."  Prestress stated.  He opened his wings from his back.  Yosu was stirred at the sight, feeling something moving inside of him and his breath coming short. "That would not be even.  You said you did not mean to kill me, so until another day, I will let you live."  The beast man sheathed his sword and took off through the blown in windows.  Vector grabbed Resultant and a pair of broad, powerful wings unfolded from his burly shoulders.  Resultant struggled vainly to continue fighting and stared needles into Allen as he was removed from the cockpit.

            Virial fell down, watching the two s hips move away from him at an awkwardly slow pace.  He wasn't panicked, but felt defeated.  His death was waiting for him if he did not take action, and no one could save him.  He had no choice but to expose himself to the world.  Taking a deep breath of resignation, his secret wings unfolded to catch the wind and thwart his descent on a thermal.  He gained altitude, feeling as if he'd betrayed himself by resorting to these pure white extensions.  Being raised to hide them, punished for revealing them, and raised in the philosophy that his strength was in hiding every emotion or passion underneath layers of perfectly practiced subordination.  Using his wings never felt right.  Feeling himself useless and his uniformity dashed, all he could conceive to do was retreat.  "TAMARAK!!!"

            Van stare4d in shock at the familiar white below. "Draconian!?!"

            The Maginot were parked in an indentation on the far side.  As the three males quickly strapped in, the red energist at the Pegasus melef's chest glowed.  The eyes lit green as well.  The melef came to life, its canvas-feather wings unfolding to carry it over the surface f the ship.  Torsion and Van watched, stupefied as it raced past pilot less and swooped down below Virial.  The man hid his wings again and dropped onto the pegasus's neck, grabbing the reigns and steering it up into the sky.  "Maginot!  Retreat and regroup!  Follow NOW!"

            Torsion shook herself out of her stupor and managed to teeter after him, her heart racing.  The three in the indentation took off and shot out of sight.  Of the soldiers alive in Dryden's ship, those who could jumped overboard, sprouting their own draconian wings near the ground and escaping into Egzardia.  Those of the Crusade were confused, but were conquerors.

*                           Escaflowne                           *

Dusk fell in layers over the gently rolling lands, coating each hill in a slightly darker value extending from the lip of the sun on the horizon.  The Merchant ship hadn't moved short of drifting.  Most of the crew were dead, an unfortunate fact.  Including the proprietor, there were four left.  Now, most of the cleanup was completed, the Crusade was docked snugly in the hanger and its crew were acquainting themselves with the controls of the new ship.  The party had regrouped in a study to patch up their wounds.  Dryden had been awake for while, his condition lasting about as long as Daiji's previous blackout.  This observation had Hitomi's head spinning. That and why this whole fiasco occurred.  Dryden seemed to be in shock, looking glum and staring off into space.  He'd barely said a word. Millerna was still "treating" him, or more like refusing to stop, patting down the scab on his cheek.  Everyone was sitting around, quietly.  Daiji watched in concern, but didn't interfere.  It didn't look like he could help, and he remembered freshly the emotion he himself had felt the night before.

            Van, strangely enough, was talking.  The king was not the type to lecture unless angered.  Maybe it was because of the new knowledge that their enemies were Draconians, he was feeling betrayed or at the very least stunned.  He hadn't been inside to witness all that the others had, either, which might have put him in a fitter mood for talking.  He ranted, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears, his intended target missing the explanation completely.  Hitomi eyed him form her seat.

            " – So that's why we came after you.  We thought you could give us some answers."  He said.  "So what do you think?  Can you tell us anything we don't already know?"  Dryden didn't move, but Millerna left him alone to look at Van.  The king became impatient.  "Dryden!  Wake up!  Are you going to help us!?  Or are you gong to sit there!?"

            Dryden's eyes drifted from the wall, their green dull and lifeless.  They locked with Van's brown ones and startled him with their blandness.  The light reflected as if there was coating of glaze over them.  Millerna stepped back, confused and worried.  What was this?

            Van bid down, sensing something strange.  He hastily interpreted it as weakness.  "So you're going to run away again and take the coward's way out!?  Fine!  We should have left you to take care of those assaulters alone!"

            "Van!?!"  Hitomi cried.

            "After all the trouble we've been through for him – this is how he repays us!  He gets what he deserves!"

            Dryden's face tightened, pinching around his eyes, which had begun to move emotionally under his knitted brow.  He took a shaky breath, then reacted.  Frowning, he shoved himself up and stormed out of the room, leaving everyone staring as the door shut with a pointed clatter.  The party paused in disbelief, puzzling over what had just been exchanged.  Millerna moved from the corner of the room.  Allen watched her cross to the door with a tremor in his heart.  She hastily grabbed the handle and followed the merchant.  "Dryden!"  The door shut behind her with an echo of the previous clack.

            She couldn't see the 22 year old down either hallway, but she felt her heart tugging her.  She found him in the library, seated at a desk against the wall to her right, his back turned to the door.  She felt relieved, but caught herself in the door to watch before entering.  Dryden had his face pressed into one hand, his features cast in shadow and a dark cloud hanging over him.  His other hand reached out blindly for a class of wine.  EH found it sloppily and scooted it over to him, opening one eye to watch the spirits slosh.  He took a deep breath and spoke to it, is voice hollow and dark.

            "Take me away"

            He took the glass in a shot, and flinched at its bite, then returned to his previous position and reached out of the rest of the bottle., tipping the tail end into the cup so that not even half was filled. He sighed again.

            Millerna's eyes widened.  This damply painted picture of gloom stung her deep as she watched her secret love lay his head all the way down and close his eyes against the tabletop.  She hadn't thought of Dryden changing in his absence.  This scenario was like a bad dream, and she couldn't help but feel responsible – If she hadn't been so cold to him while they were together – if she hadn't let him leave – She stepped into the room, gathering resolve to try and speak.  "Dryden?"  He turned his head slightly, but couldn't see her through the long brown hair that was falling over his shoulders.  She stepped a little closer.  "Are you all right?"        

            He turned back to stare at the tabletop, swallowing the lump in his throat.  When he answered, his voice was muffled.  "No, Millerna, I'm not."

            She stopped in her approach and held her breath, her heart breaking.

            "I'm worthless."

            "Dryden –"  She trembled, hearing the ache of his heart in his voice.

            "I'm a worthless person.  I hate myself."

            "No."  She said. "No, what Van said – don't think he meant it, he was just excited!  Don't –"

            "He's right."  He answered. "But I'd figured that out a long time ago.  I was so arrogant back then.  How dare I think so highly of myself. All I am is a valueless coward who runs away form responsibilities he's accepted and the people he's loved." His fist tightened around his bangs.  "What kind of person is that?"

            "Stop!"  Millerna cried.  She rushed up closer and stood behind his chair, not touching or moving him.  She was afraid she might break him.  "Stop talking like that!  Stop now!  I wont hear it!  What happened to you!?  Where is the man I knew from not even a year ago!?  The man who would help anyone who asked!?  The handsome, intelligent, excitable man that was so passionate and sensitive and full of life!?  Where is the man I loved – " She stopped and threw her hands over her mouth.  She'd said it; confessed her feelings straight to him, and not even being prepared.  Fear like ice water flooded her and sent shivers along her nerves.  Her eyes welled and she turned away, running to the opposite wall, but stopping to stay in the room.  She muffled stifled sobs in her hand.

            Dryden's head came slowly up, he words sinking deep into him, and a blizzard of concepts, conclusions and emotions whirring in him. He snapped his head around to look at her, his mouth gaping. "Did…Did you… just say…"

            She bit her lip, waiting for a response, teetering on the edge of a pinnacle of dreams that would be so easy to slip from and fall to her doom.  The reaction that came was not one she had expected.  She heard his head hit the table.

            Spinning around, she saw him with fistfuls of hair clenched on the back of his head and his shoulders shaking mover violently. He cursed into the wood. "Urrrgh!!!  This is all wrong!"

            Millerna felt her hopes dashed, and froze in despair, but stared at him as he clenched his teeth and squeezed tears from his eyes in frustration and loathing.  "Why!?!  What did I do!?!  I'm an idiot!  Idiot!  How could it happen like this!?!"

            "Dryden – " she took choked breaths, fighting her feelings.  "Dryden, what are you saying?"

            "You loved me!"  He turned on her, but his anger was her misconception, he was crying and breathing hard, completely broken.  Staring into her own tearing eyes lowered his tone. "You loved me.  You loved how I was.  I've left to change myself and make  you love me – earn your affection and you loved who I was before!  The only think I ever had that you cared about I've abandoned!  I am a wretched, stupid, worthless human being."

            She swallowed hard, her lip trembling. "You're not.  You are still who you were."

            "How can you say that?"  He asked. "Look at me now."

            She felt a fiver flood over her face, stepped forward and put her arms around his neck, tucking his hair under her chin.  "What have I done to you?"

            "Millerna - !"

            "This is all my fault!  You tried to change for me!  If I'd seen it back then. I wouldn't have let you leave – I would spare you this. I can't stand seeing you hurting, I cant – "

            "Millerna!"  He pulled out of her grip and she dropped to her knees in front of him. He grabbed her shoulders. "Don't you dare blame yourself for anything! Nothing's your fault!"

            "It is!"  She insisted.

            "I can't believe I've hurt you too." He said. "If I'd stayed perhaps we'd both be happy. Now no one is.  If I hadn't tried to improve my worth, you would still love me."

            She gasped, realizing what he thought.  There was still hope left in her.  "I still love you anyway."

            "How can you?"

            "I do."  She said. "I love who you are.  I fell in love with your love.  If you still love me – "  She held her tongue, not wanting to assume too much.

            His broad shoulders sagged and he looked astonished. The fear and sorrow seemed to escape his green eyes as they narrowed enough to regain a shine she recognized. "If?  Millerna – I fell in love with you before I met you.  I loved you more every second we spent together. You're the reason for everything I do nowadays.  You're what's kept me going. There will not be a day of my life that I will not be in love with you."

            She was glowing inside. The girl got up and jumped into his arms, giving him the embrace she'd dreamed about every night and having him return it with more sincerity than she thought she could feel from another human being.  The feeling was mutual. Dryden pressed his face into her neck, confused but undoubtedly heartened.  His path of working for worthiness was incomplete, but unimportant. They were in love with each other and that was a proclaimed truth, however unbelievable it may seem.  And they held each other in that way for a long time.  When they finally came apart, it was so that they could see each other's faces again.

            "So you'll take me back?"  Dryden asked. "Even if I'm a runaway that failed to improve himself and can't defend his ship worth squat?" She smiled, hearing a touch of his humor back.  There was even the hint of a smile on his face.    

            "Like you said, you always get what you want."

            "Ugg!"  He rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "Don't say it like that."

            She grabbed is wrist and beckoned him to stand. "Everyone's probably waiting for us."

            He looked to the door as if they were on the other side.  "You're probably right.  Why did you all come after me anyway?"

            "We thought you could help answer some questions."  She told him.  "And some of us had other reasons."

            "Somebody pinch me."  He said, he stood up and put his arm around her shoulders.  She hugged to his waist.  "Yeah."

            "What do we do now!?"  Van demanded, sitting next to Hitomi with his chin in one fist.  "This was 'the next step' and that obviously didn't work out!  We'll get no further here, where do we go?"

            "I don't know."  Allen admitted. "I don't know what we should do.  That is one of the questions that will go unanswered."

            "I think you all are giving up too easy."  Daiji huffed.  "We just got here."

            "don't pay attention to him."  Van said, critically.  "He's the double."  Daiji's eyes narrowed.

            "How can you be so mean!?"  Jiai demanded.  "This is so childish!"

            "She shouldn't be credited either."  Van stated.  Jiai looked hurt.

            Yukari spoke as a mediator. "Come on, now.  There's no need to judge people.  We're all just tired and frustrated and I'm sure Dryden's the same!  His home was attacked after all!"

            Just then the door opened and everyone shut their mouths to watch Millerna enter.  She came in and looked directly to Hitomi, whose green eyes were searching for a sign.  The queen smiled secretly at her and held the door for the master of the house who followed her in with his head bowed.  To everyone's surprise, when he looked up, he had a big Dryden smile on his face.  "Alright, so where do we start?"

            Van was astonished but Merle and Koneko jumped up from beside him.  "Does that mean you'll help us out!?!"

            "Of course."  He answered as if there was never any doubt.  "Always ready to help.  Anyway I can, I'm at your disposal."

            "Ready for Anything."  Daiji said, warmly, and identical smile on his mirrored face.

To be Continued…