Chapter 5: Awakening

Hitomi could sense there were people all around her. She was wrapped in darkness but light started to flicker in and out. A cool sensation finally brought her around and she opened her eyes to find herself back in the castle and lying on something soft. A nurse was dabbing her forehead with a cold cloth and the next thing Hitomi saw was Van sitting to her right, looking very anxious.

"Thank heavens you're awake, Hitomi." He said, squeezing her hand.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty." A doctor interrupted. Van nodded in understanding and Hitomi followed his gaze to the left. Every little movement seemed to take a lot of work. The doctor held up his hand. "How many can you see?" He asked Hitomi.

"Three." Hitomi answered.

"What's your name?"

"Hitomi Fanel."

"Do you know where you are?"

"The castle?"

"She seems to have suffered no immediate memory loss. She had a bad shock and has a nasty bump on her head. All she needs is lots of rest, but we will keep a close watch on her." The doctor told Van as he jotted some notes down and walked away.

"What happened, Van?" Hitomi asked weakly. Van pulled a stool over and bent close to her and started stroking her cheek.

"That's what I wanted to ask you, but it would appear that Fanelia was attacked by some force, or some unholy storm. Nothing was left untouched and we've suffered heavy damages and losses. Your hounds raced backed to the castle and after the trainer got them settled they set out to look for you and eventually we found you and Owens."

"Patrick!" Hitomi said in alarm. "Oh God, what happened to Patrick? Where is he?"

"Shhh, relax. He's close by. The doctors have put a cast on his broken leg but he hasn't woken up yet. They say he just needs more time."

Hitomi closed her eyes and tears ran down her face.

"Oh Van! It was awful!" She said before she started sobbing. Van reached down and embraced her while Hitomi cried heavily into his shoulder. Van could only hold her close and wait until she was ready to talk. Her sobs eventually lessened until she became limp in his arms. Van carefully laid her back down and motioned for the doctor to come back. The doctor carefully looked her over and then said, "It's okay, she just fell asleep. She can be moved to a quieter location now, but as soon as she is able to get up, please send for me."

Van nodded in reply, not trusting himself to talk and scooped Hitomi up in her arms and headed out of the packed castle infirmary. Van saw too many hurt people, which brought back painful memories and he suddenly wished more than ever that Hitomi was there to give him strength. But she was one of the injured and Van repeatedly told himself over and over again that she was going to be fine, because just the thought of losing her brought him close to the brink of insanity. He looked back down and tried to read her pale and exhausted face.

"What happened to you out there, Hitomi?"

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Hitomi sat beside the motionless Patrick and searched his face once again for movement. It had been four days since the Storm and he had still not awoken.

Hitomi took his hand in hers and patted it gently. How he reminded her of her own brother back on Earth. She sighed and put it down again. She had been visiting him for the last two days, once the doctors pronounced her well enough to be up and around. She rubbed her side where her hip still ached from the fall. She had a large purple bruise where she had fallen, but it was slowly getting better. Squeezing his hand one last time, she stood up and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on his pale face. A few tears escaped her eyes as she studied his face.

"Come back to us soon, Patrick. Don't give up! Fight! Please..." She said quietly, before she left the room.

She was walking down the hall when a pair of feet caught up with her and fell in beside her own.

"Any change?" Lola asked.

"I'm afraid not, but he doesn't look any worse."

"We have to be strong for him, Hitomi." Lola said as she placed an arm around Hitomi's shoulders. "My father used to say that when people were sick or injured and couldn't wake up, deep down they are still able to hear us."

"Hmmm..." Hitomi sighed in response, "I think I heard that too somewhere." She smiled over at Lola and embraced her. They stood together for a few moments alone before they continued walking.

"Anything happen in the council today?" Lola asked.

"There was some disturbing news. It seems that Fanelia wasn't the only place to have the Storm. Messengers from Asturia, Freid, and all over have reported that they were ravished in the same way we were. This was not an isolated storm, but it seems it happened everywhere at once."

"Are you saying that this is more than a crazy storm?"

"I think so. I don't know what, but whatever it is, I have a terrible feeling about it." Hitomi said.

"You should get some rest." Lola told her as they neared the royal wing. "You need it."

"I wish I could." Hitomi said while rubbing her face in exhaustion, "but my nights have been so restless and nightmares come too often. I can't relax, I want to help the people...but I can't."

"You have done too much already for someone in your condition. It won't do anybody any good if you wear yourself out and make yourself worse. Try a hot bath, read a book, or put away those fabulous presents of yours, they've been piled in a corner for too long!"

"Opps, I should have done that a long time ago. Okay Lola, I'll take your advice. You know where to find me." Hitomi said as she turned a corner.

"I'm coming with you." Lola said, "It's my duty to see to your comforts." When Hitomi started to protest, Lola just put up her hand, cutting off any arguments Hitomi might have had. "Not this time, Hitomi. Let me do my job and you just concentrate on getting well again."

Hitomi had to admire her friend as they walked along together. Lola had changed. She wasn't as shy or quiet anymore. Whether it was time that had changed her or the Storm, she couldn't tell. Sometimes desperate times brought out strength in people.

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Hitomi climbed out of the tub and towelled off before she put on a white nightgown and white housecoat. She sent a servant for a light dinner and sat near the balcony while she ate. It was sunset and the sky was still a blotchy angry red, but Hitomi was looking at the stars and the beautiful moon that still shone throne the darkened sky, although it didn't seem as bright as it used to. When she was done, she started working on her pile of gifts. She put her picture of Mirichu on her dressing table and then put things either on display or in closets or chests for later use.

The final item Hitomi picked up was the small seashell box from the Mystic Fillodam. She opened it up and took out the dull blue dolphin statue and put in on the table beside her side of the bed. It looked cute there.

The bedroom door opened and Van came in, dressed in his travelling clothes. He had been all around town and the castle the last few days, always on his feet. He came to Hitomi and kissed her right away and then held her close. Hitomi sighed and put her head into his neck.

"How are you?" Van asked, not letting go.

"Much better. Lola talked me into a bath and that really helped. Plus, I took it easy all day, like you told me to."

"Me and the doctor, don't forget." Van said pulling away and running his hand down her cheek. "And what do you mean Lola had to talk you into a bath? Don't you live in the tub?"

Hitomi playful punched him in the stomach a few times as Van started to laugh. "Ha ha ha." She said as she crossed her arms and pouted at him. Van hugged her again.

"How are things here?" He asked after a few moments.

"Okay. The castle is crazy with messengers and repair crews and everyone running around. And Patrick still hasn't woken up."

"He'll wake up. He's a strong one and just needs more time." Van said looking into Hitomi's eyes, which had started to glisten. Hitomi took a deep breath and pushed back the tears.

"I know. I know." Hitomi sighed and Van kissed her on the forehead before he got ready for bed. As Hitomi snuggled up to him, he prayed that she would sleep easy tonight. The last few nights had been rough. She had cried herself to sleep a few times, from the thought of Patrick or the memory of the Storm. She told him what had happened to her that day and it still gave her nightmares. Van could understand. They had had some brief, but terrifying encounters with dragons before, but Van couldn't help but be more puzzled. Why had there been a herd of dragons? They were very solitary and it didn't make any sense.

It wasn't too long until Hitomi's breathing became regular and the arm she had flung over his chest went limp. Knowing she was finally asleep, he let himself fall asleep, hoping that they both had peaceful dreams.

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Hitomi was walking through the dark. She couldn't tell if it was a hallway, or outside, but it was dark and she kept walking. She was looking for something important. Words drifted nearby, but they faded quickly.

"...darkness...doom...tower...light...ocean..." the shadows whispered.

It didn't make any sense, yet Hitomi kept searching. Something was missing and she had to find it.

"...Hitomi..." Another distance voice called, but this time, Hitomi recognized the voice. She started running towards it.

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Hitomi and Van slept quietly together while the little dolphin statue beside the bed started to crumble, shedding an outer shell to reveal a bright blue light inside. Hitomi mumbled her sleep...

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Blue light filtered in from the darkness and it lit the way. Hitomi felt more confident. Whatever she needed to find was up ahead. The light increased as she moved forward. A figure appeared in the distance, a girl, but then a darkness crept over Hitomi and held her back. She looked around frantically. Nothing seemed to be there, but she could barely move.

"Hitomi!" A girl in the distance cried. Hitomi struggled and started gaining some distance. A few times she gasped, thinking she had seen dark faces holding her back, but nothing ever stayed visible long enough. Hitomi pulled against the darkness. The girl wasn't moving, just standing there, reaching out for Hitomi.

"...darkness...doom...tower...light...ocean..." the shadows whispered.

The light continued to brighten, and Hitomi kept getting stronger, but the darkness persisted. Finally Hitomi could make out the girl: it was herself.

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Van sensed something amiss when a bright light woke him up. He sat up quickly and scanned the room. He wasn't expecting to find a little dolphin statue glowing beside Hitomi's bed. It was a strange, but beautiful, and familiar, colour blue. Wondering why it hadn't woke Hitomi up, he looked down at her to find her in deep concentration. She was sleeping, but something wasn't right. Van was worried. He reached over to wake her up, but he stopped himself. Something was happening to her. She wasn't in pain or frightened, but she seemed to have that look she used to get when using her pendant.

He had no choice but to watch and wait.

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Hitomi was looking at herself, or at least a fifteen year old self, dressed in her school uniform and with the short haircut.

"Hitomi!" Her younger self cried. "You have to come to me!"

"...darkness...doom...tower...light...ocean..." the shadows whispered.

"I'm trying!" Hitomi called out. It was a battle of wills. Hitomi focused all her strength on inching forward. She could feel the darkness giving away. The blue light around her gained intensity and she found strength in it. Finally, Hitomi broke free and with a sob of joy, rushed into the embrace of her double and the light swelled and enveloped them.

Two Hitomi's, a young lady and a young woman, were floating in a bright, safe place, hugging each other close. The younger one pulled away and took a few steps back and looked into the others eyes.

"You shouldn't have pushed me away."

"I know, but I was scared. So much had happened..."

"Yes, but you need me because Gaea needs you. Don't be afraid, Hitomi. Every mortal has a spiritual side and only some of them are aware of it. I am strong, that's why you were able to read tarot cards, find people, and receive visions. We are very sensitive to people and spirits around us. Don't push me away, Hitomi, we were meant to work together."

"I just thought you were gone because I wasn't needed anymore."

"No, just the opposite. You are needed even more now. The lives of your husband, friends, and countrymen depend on it."

"What do you mean?" Hitomi asked in a panic, but the answer came to her after she voiced it. "The Storm?"

"Yes, and that is only the beginning. I never left you, but I've been held back by that same dark power that held you back."

"I don't understand!"

"You will in time. There is a force helping us and you need to seek them out." At that point the young Hitomi stepped back and stood tall and proud. "Are you ready to merge as one again? We have difficult times ahead of us, but the final choice is yours."

Hitomi felt both joy and sadness at the same time. She was confused for a second, but then she took a deep breath and smiled.

"Come home..." She whispered as she extended her arms. Young Hitomi ran into her arms and they became one again.

The voices in the shadows no longer whispered, and Hitomi heard clearly:

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

A hurricane of images flew past Hitomi's eyes. Understanding dawned on her as a voice called out to her….

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Van watched anxiously as the bright light faded to nothing more than a gentle glow. It had gotten so bright there for a second, that he was forced to cover his eyes. Once the light started to diminish, he carefully watched Hitomi. She was relaxed, but still concentrating. Then, to his surprise, the pendant she wore around her neck started to glow bright, the same way it used to around Escaflowne. Hitomi's face then raced through a mix of emotions; she was curious, then in wonder, and then terrified.

"Hitomi!" Van shouted out, unable to hold it back any longer.

The pink light faded and Hitomi's eyes slowly opened as the light died out.

"It's back." Hitomi whispered.

"What's back? Are you okay? What happened?"

"My visions...my skills...in full. I haven't felt...like this in a long time." Hitomi said breathlessly. Hitomi then looked Van straight in the eyes.

"We have to go to Keshia."

"Keshia?"

"Gaea's dying and only we can save it!"