Chapter 1: Visions of Blue

The royal library in the castle of Fanelia was quiet as usual, during those few hours before dusk. All students and scholars whom had special permission to access the library had already made their way back to their homes or inns in the city of Fanelia. Besides the librarians who cared for the books, one other person remained in library. She was sitting near the back at an old, wooden table, which was covered with books and sheets of papers. The reader carefully turned a page of the old text she was reading. She gently smoothed out the page before she leaned forward and started reading. Her bright, green eyes only left the text in order to jot down a few notes on some loose parchment. Occasionally, she would tuck a stray strand of medium length, brown hair behind her ear that had fallen into her eyes.

Hitomi Fanel, Queen of Fanelia, was so involved in her work that she didn't notice the librarian organizing the bookshelf behind her. The old librarian chuckled to himself as he moved away, silent except for his plain brown robe swishing between his legs. The librarians loved how their new Queen spent so much time in their library. That particular librarian could remember the first time she came wondering in, staring in awe at the immense collection of books. Right away, she had refused all special treatment. She wanted to be treated like all the others who had permission to use the library. However, she seemed to get so caught up in her reading that she would stay later than normally allowed. The librarians didn't mind. They were so happy to have her there that they let her get away with it. At first it was strange to see royalty act that way, but she was from the Phantom Moon and not born into a royal family. Lately, the Queen had been spending long hours reading old volumes of Fanelian history, traditions, and folklore. Some believed it was just for the purpose of getting to know the country she now called home. Others believed she was researching.

The librarians looked up as footsteps broke the silence of the library. They watched as a lovely young lady with long, black hair, make her way to the back where the queen was reading. No one stopped her, for she was as much of a regular as the Queen.

"Hitomi?" asked the shy young lady as she stood in front of the table.

"Hmm?" Hitomi said as she looked up from her reading. It seemed to take a second for her to snap out of her trance. "Oh, sorry Lola. You caught me deep in thought. How are you?"

"Well, thank you. How's it going?"

"Good, good. I found lots of great stuff today, but boy, am I getting stiff!" Hitomi said as she leaned back in her chair and stretched. Hitomi started to yawn. "So, what brings you down here?"

"I came to get you. It is almost time for the evening meal." Lola replied in her soft voice.

"What! It's time already? I feel like I just started. Sorry you had to come fetch me again, Lola." The Queen said with a sigh. She closed the book and smiled up at her young friend. "Oh well. I did find what I was looking for though. Soon I can meet with the festival committee and things can get started."

"That's great!" Lola replied. Hitomi stood up and organized her notes. A librarian came over and bowed quickly before Hitomi.

"Will Her Majesty be reading this volume again tomorrow?"

"Yes, please. I only need a bit more time to finish it off. I should be in again tomorrow around the same time. Thank you, Henry."

The librarian bowed again. "My pleasure, Your Majesty."

Hitomi and Lola exited the library and walked up the spiralling stairs to the main level. Fanelian libraries had always been built below ground, as a means of protection from fire, extreme weather, and a possible invading army. That's how all the books survived the destruction of Fanelia years ago. Hitomi and Lola pushed open a large, wooden door and entered a main hallway. They headed in the direction of the informal dining hall, where dinner with family, friends, visitors, and advisors were held. The formal dining hall was only for big, special occasions, which were not that often.

The large windows facing the gardens showed an almost sunless sky, set in an array of blues. It was nearing the end of winter, so nights were still cold. Lights were turned on in all the hallways and extra logs were thrown on the fires. Hitomi and Lola were wearing long sleeved dresses of a thick material to keep warm.

Time seemed to stop as they passed by one of the large, ornamental mirrors. As Hitomi glanced into it, she was surprised to see that her reflection was not her own. Starring back at her was an older woman whose age only showed in the wisdom of her eyes and the frown on her face. She had beautiful skin and blue swirls painted on her face. She had long blue hair and was wearing a shimmering blue and green dress, or was it a robe. Hitomi tried to say something but she couldn't. The mysterious woman was looking directly at her, studying her. Then, the woman pointed towards Hitomi's feet.

Time resumed its normal flow and Hitomi noticed that there was some dust hanging on to the bottom of her dress. She shook it out as she continued to walk, looking forward to the warmth of the fire.

Hitomi glanced over and admired her young companion. Lola had become a wonderful friend and a beautiful lady. Hitomi remembered when she first met her, down in the underground Zaibach headquarters. Hitomi had been kidnapped by Dilandau and the sorcerer Kilimbod and fell ill while captured. Lola had been a slave at that time and they made her nurse Hitomi back to health. Lola had been a scared, reclusive, lonely girl at that time. Hitomi was the only one who had shown her any kindness, and after Hitomi was rescued, Lola made her way back to her home village. Unfortunately, Lola found nothing and learned her family was gone, so she made her way to Fanelia to seek out Hitomi. Fortunately, she arrived in the nick of time to help Hitomi defeat Kilimbod. Now, she was a Lady in Waiting for the Queen, but Hitomi only thought of her as a friend. Both Hitomi and Lola had adjusted to living in the castle. Hitomi had grown up on Earth, and Lola in a small village inside Zaibach, and both had been very unfamiliar with castle life.

Hitomi quickly stopped off to wash her hands and then they were almost there. When Hitomi and Lola stepped into the dining room, the guests already seated at the table all stood and gave a small bow to Hitomi. She thanked them and they all sat down. Hitomi and Lola sat beside each other while the chair at the front of the table remained empty. Servants came out and set food and wine before them and everyone started eating.

"People are going to start to say their Queen is like a mole, always underground in the library." Said a soft, deep voice.

Hitomi looked up and glared across the table at a handsome man with long, blond hair in a green and brown uniform of Fanelia.

"Ha ha Allen, very funny." Hitomi muttered between mouthfuls.

"Allen, be nice." Lola scolded. Allen Schezar was General of the armies of Fanelia and close friend and advisor to the King and Queen. Hitomi smiled inwardly at how much Allen had changed over the years. He was still the brilliant swordsman and demanding leader that made him great, but a lot of inner turmoil he used to carry was finally gone. During the Destiny War he had learned about his past, found his missing sister, and discovered a lot about himself. He was now able to relax and kid around every now and then. Allen picked up his wineglass and toasted Hitomi and then winked at Lola. She blushed and fixed her eyes on her plate. Ever since Lola arrived, Allen had fallen for her and they could be seen every now and then walking together or dancing at parties. Hitomi was happy to see her friends happy.

"I am not like a mole, Allen." Hitomi said, getting Allen's attention. "I am doing some serious research and I have to be in the library to do that."

"Oh yes, your research." An older man said who was sitting next to Allen. Lord Finkbone was a trusted advisor. He was a tall man, in his late thirties, and had short, brown hair. He ended up being a valuable counsellor to Hitomi. He taught her about all the court decorum and the duties of each member. He also was there if she needed to talk. He had a great ear and sometimes was a father figure for Hitomi. "How is that going, my dear?" Lord Finkbone finished.

"It is practically complete!" Hitomi said excitedly. "Once I organize my notes a little better, I'll be able to meet with the festival committee and plans can get underway."

"That's wonderful!" Lord Finkbone said. "Would you care to indulge us with a little hint of what you are planning?"

"Well... it was going to be a surprise, but I think I can." Hitomi started but was interrupted as the doors flew open and a cat girl came bounding in. The cat girl ran up to the table and stood in front of the empty chair in front of Hitomi. The girl was breathing hard and was bowing.

"Sorry...for...being...late." She said between breaths.

"That's okay, Merle." Hitomi said. Merle looked up and smiled at Hitomi and sat down. She said hello to the others as food was put in front of her. Merle was the childhood companion of King Van. They had grown up together and Merle lived and worked in the castle with him. Merle also turned out to be a good friend to Hitomi. Merle was an advisor and worked a lot with the citizens' counsel.

"So, what task were you off running?" Hitomi asked.

"Oh, I was on my way home when I decided to visit Celena. I lost track of time and had to run back to the castle."

"I lost track of time in the library, too. How is Celena?"

"Well. She's working hard and taking good care of those kids. She was asking about you." Merle finished. Celena was the long lost sister of Allen Schezar. After the Destiny War she had started working in the town orphanage, wanting to somehow repay the people for all the horrible things her alternate personality had done. The important thing was that she found the peace and tranquility her soul needed in the orphanage. She loved being with the children.

"I should go down soon. It's been a while since I've seen Celena and Hanna." Hitomi said thoughtfully.

"You arrived just in time, Lady Merle." Lord Finkbone began. "The Queen was just about to tell us what she has been planning all along." Everyone around the table seemed to quiet down so they could hear what Hitomi had to say.

"Well, keep in mind that nothing is final yet and still only worked out in my notes, but my plan is to organize a yearly festival for Fanelia. I thought it could be held on the day when Fanelia was first declared an independent country. I plan to have tradition music, dancing, food, games, sporting events, and then a ball where all walks of people are allowed to attend."

Hitomi watched as people started talking enthusiastically. Secretly, she had been really nervous that no one would like the idea and that there wouldn't be any festival.

"That's a wonderful idea, Your Majesty." Lord Finkbone said.

"It's a great way to inspire national pride and give the people something to look forward to." An advisor down the table said.

"That's right!" Hitomi said, getting excited. "I was also reading that long ago a similar type of sports tournament occurred, and I was hoping to revive it. Anyone would be allowed to compete, in their own age division of course, and then the winner, say of the sword fight would be rewarded with some sort of prize, or even better, a job in the castle or training in knighthood. It would be motivation for the people to play more sports or to practice harder at whatever skill they may have."

"I guess you will need a committee to put this together. According to what you told us, the festival would take place in about four months." Said Lord Finkbone.

"That's right. I already have a few people in mind, but I'd appreciate your suggestions on who you think should also be on the committee."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"Let me help too, Hitomi!" Merle said, her black and orange tail twitching back and forth in excitement. "I know some townspeople who would be a big help."

"Excellent. How about we get together after dinner and put a list together. Then we can send out messages and have our first meeting in a few days."

"Sounds good to me." Merle said before attacking her second helping of duck.

"Hmmm, sounds like the boys will be practicing parade drills for the next little while." Allen said thoughtfully.

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Hitomi sighed and put down her book. She could barely keep her eyes opened, so she surrendered it to the nightstand. She slipped out of bed and made a mental note to wash her face before she crawled into bed at night. She wet her face and washed it. She glanced up into the mirror above the basin and Hitomi was startled to see blue swirls on her face. But it wasn't her face, it was the face of someone with long blue hair and deep blue eyes. Hitomi leaned closer to the mirror and the strange reflection did too. Suddenly, it was gone, and Hitomi blinked a few times trying to remember what she had been thinking about. She gave up and ran back to the warmth of her own blankets. It wasn't too long until she was deep asleep...

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Hitomi was running through the castle, chasing a mysterious blue-haired intruder. The person was fast and Hitomi was having trouble keeping up. She followed the stranger outside, but she was no longer in Fanelia. Hitomi slowed and came to stop. She found herself on a cliff and the sea could be seen far below, crashing into the rocks. It was night, but the sky was bright with a million stars, and the moon and earth seemed to glow even brighter. Hitomi caught sight of the stranger. She was standing behind a large, circular rock. No, it wasn't a rock, it was a small, raised pool.

This is a dream, but it's not, Hitomi thought.

She calmly walked towards the pool until she was on the opposite side from the stranger.

"Why have you brought me here?" Hitomi asked.

"We summoned your essence here, Hitomi Fanel, we needed to see you."

"We?" Hitomi asked, puzzled. But as she said it, there were now several women, who looked and dressed the same, standing around the pool, as if they had been there the whole time.

"To see me?" Hitomi continued, and then she remembered. "You...you have been watching me all day. Do you wish me harm?"

"No, Hitomi. The final day is drawing near and you have been chosen to bear a great burden. The future holds many challenges and dangers, but you must stay strong and always listen to your heart. The fate of the world depends on it." The mysterious speaker put up her hand, cutting off Hitomi's questions. "We can not say any more, and you will not remember this, but part of you will. We will watch over you until you come to us. Until then..."

Hitomi felt herself being gently pushed away, but as things started to fade she hear chanting in the wind.

When the sky blazes crimson
And the dragons flee
Moonlight glows dim
Darkness will soon reign

Three must find the Ivory Tower
Lost in a far world
Three must enter
A link must be forged

Wolf with the sacred light
Dragon of noble birth
Ocean's heart
Destiny calls you forth

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Hitomi awoke when a familiar presence crawled into bed beside her. An arm was wrapped around her waist and a gentle kiss was placed in the crook of her neck. Hitomi sighed in content as she rolled on to her other side, into the arms of her husband.

"Your back. I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." She said, wrapping her own arms around him.

"We had a strong wind home. I missed you." He said.

"Oh Van, I missed you too." Hitomi snuggled up closer to Van, relieved to have him back in her arms. Van Fanel, King of Fanelia, sighed as recent memories flooded back to him. The first time he had realized he loved Hitomi, his trip back to Earth, their first kiss, their engagement, their wedding, and their first night together as husband and wife. Van never dreamt of ever feeling complete again, especially after the death of his parents, the destruction of his homeland, and the death of his lost brother. The only thing that had kept him going was the responsibility he had to his people and then his desire to spend the rest of his life with Hitomi. How one woman could heal him so much was beyond his understanding.

Hitomi's giggle brought him out of his reverence. "Something funny?" He asked as he smiled at the sound of her giggle.

"Sorry Van, but you looked so serious staring out the window like that. Not exactly your best bedroom eyes."

"Oh really? How about these?" Van asked, raising himself up to look straight down at Hitomi. He gazed at her while lifting his eyebrows up and down in a playful, yet seductive manner. Hitomi was about to laugh again, but then she could see that Van wasn't kidding around anymore. She could feel her heart beat faster and her skin warm and as she was about to say something, Van's lips pressed on to hers. The kiss was deep and Hitomi let her words fall away as she gladly welcomed the kiss.

Later that night, Hitomi was cuddled up to Van and he had his arm wrapped around her. "What was Keshia like? Did you make a trade agreement?" Hitomi asked.

"Keshia was quite the place, Hitomi." Van said in his deep, yet quiet voice. Hitomi watched as he pushed a few long strands of his wild black hair out of his face as he recalled the memories. "Keshia is actually one big island with a giant mountain in the middle. It is very tropical and warm and very beautiful. And yes, we did strike an agreement. It will take a while for the details to be relayed back and forth, but soon Fanelia will be one of the few countries allowed to trade with Keshia."

"It's strange how suddenly the Keshians send a message wanting to meet with you? Is that how they always do it?"

"I asked them that myself. They said they don't like to travel to the cooler climates, and after being to Keshia I can understand why, but they also mentioned that they didn't have permission from their Mystics."

"Mystics? I thought you said you were going to meet with the King and Queen."

"I did, but I was also privileged to meet a Mystic. Actually, from what I learned, the Mystics are the final authority on Keshia. They guide the King and Queen with their wisdom and skills."

"Skills?"

"I'm not positive, but apparently they read the stars and they know what to do."

"Hmmm..." Hitomi mumbled. She immediately thought back to when she used to read Tarot Cards. She had been very good at reading them and they aided her during the Destiny War, but she had learned something more important. She learned that life couldn't be lived by the cards, but that people had to make their own choices and believe in themselves and those they loved. She had given up the cards soon after the war. Now she wondered what the Keshians were really like.

"Oh!" Said Van suddenly, "I can't believe I almost forgot, but the people themselves are the most interesting part."

"How so?"

"They look just like you and me, except they all have long blue hair. The blue is a light colour, the same colour as the shallow water over there. And they all have blue eyes. I asked around and no one has ever had brown or green eyes, always blue eyes and blue hair. Oh, and very pale skin."

"Wow. I think I'd like to see Keshia and meet the people someday."

"You will. They told us they'd like to meet you one day and show you around."

"Me? They wanted to meet me?"

"Of course, Miss Modest. You tend to forget you are quite famous on Gaea. They have even heard the stories all the way in Keshia."

"Celebrity has its perks, I guess."

"However, I also invited them to see Fanelia. I invited them to come in the summer, so the temperature change won't be too much for them. Right around the Dragon's Moon."

"Perfect!" said Hitomi. "They'll be just in time to see the festival."

"Great!" Said Van, but then he stopped. "Wait, what festival?"

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The bonfire blazed brightly in the dark night. The heat was great, but the eight figures around it stood motionless, except for the movement of their lips. Their chanting couldn't be heard over the roar of the fire, but magic started to gather around the sacred ground. They stood atop an outcropping of rock on a great mountain. Far below them, twinkling lights in the towns could be seen and the stars were reflected in the ocean.

A mystical wind blew around the eight, causing their great robes to move and whip around them. Together, the eight slowly raised their arms above their heads. The fire blazed and the wind picked up strength. All their hoods were blown back to reveal tattooed faces of women with long, blue hair, and glowing blue eyes. Then, the wind decreased and the fire diminished into soft blue flames. Everyone stood still, hands raised, eyes glowing and staring up in to the starry sky. Time passed and soon the fire grew back to its normal strength and the wind vanished all together. A collective sigh of relief came from the women and when they opened their eyes, they were no longer glowing.

"The time is near." One spoke as she looked at the others. "We have read the stars and now have our instructions. The Wolf will come to us soon and we must help her learn and grow, no matter what the price. The fate of the world lies in her hands." She looked heavenly again and then back to the eyes of her fellows.

"May the hands of fate and destiny guide her journey."

The speaker motioned towards the bonfire and it was extinguished. She turned and began the descent down the slope. The others followed close behind.