Disclaimer: I forgot my disclaimer on chapter 3 so this is for 3 and 4. I don't own Escaflowne or the characters.
Chapter 4: Delivered from the Hands of Demons
Now on a Zaibach floating fortress, Hitomi's eyes began to flutter open to a dimly lit room lit only by small torches that hung on the metal walls. She reached up grabbing the back of her head.
"My, My, the Princess has awakened" Hitomis eyes widened in horror at the sound of that voice it was critically familiar. She sat up from the cot and scanned the room frantically
"Looking for me?" The voice asked. Hitomi watched as a figure appeared slowly from the shadows
"Dilandau!" She breathed in fear. Hitomi jumped back and pressed herself against the wall in the corner as he approached her.
"What do you want!" She shrieked. Dilandau smiled taking pleasure from her fear. He stopped directly in front of her touching her face.
"Don't touch me!" She barked turning her head trying to pull away from him. He grabbed her face violently and glared into her eyes
"You are in no position to give orders!" He growled.
"They'll come for me" she whispered a tear falling down her face.
"I'm counting on it" he smirked
"They will come for you, the Dragon shall Definitely come, and you will be the cause of they're demise" he laughed.
"No!" She shouted
"Van will beat you just like before" Her eyes now filling with hate. Dilandau raised his hand and brought it down striking her face with great force sending her crashing back down onto the cot. She sat holding her face looking away from him.
"I highly doubt that girl, not when I have you. No he will do exactly what I want" Dilandau sat next to her he could see her body tense up.
"Do you know what I plan to do?" Hitomi sat in silence till he grabbed her throat bruising her neck
"Answer me!" He yelled tightening his grip
"W..W..What?" She chocked out.
"Funny you should ask that" he replied releasing her.
"Folken will hand Van over to me and I will kill him slowly making sure he will feel the pain I have felt" Dilandau ran his fingers through her hair and leaned in towards her ear.
"And I shall let you watch while you await the same fate" he grinned evilly.
"I've heard those words from you before, but you have always failed" she breathed angrily Dilandau leaped up from the cot charging at the table that set in the room picking up a bottle and growling vengefully as he threw it in her direction. Hitomi dodged it letting it hit the wall behind her
"Because of you!" He spouted pointing at her.
"What?" She breathed
"I failed because of you. Every time you have saved his miserable life. I think I hate you almost as much as I hate him" he muttered coldly.
"How, how did you see us?" He screamed angrily. Hitomi hid her face that now held a steady flow of tears as she began to breathe harder
"I'll never tell you" she replied her voice shaky. Dilandau clenched his fist in frustration his eyes wide and twitching. He let out a yell and grabbed her arm violently yanking her off the cot and tossed her with great force into the chair at the end of the table. He pinned her down and brought his face near hers to the point where she could feel his every breath
"Tell me! I have to know!" He struck he hard again and a yelp escaped her lips.
"Tell me!"
She sat without a word.
"Agggguuhh!" He yelled striking a third time. He lifted her off the chair and hurled her into the wall. Dilandau quickly pulled her up with one hand holding her against the wall a few inches off the ground. His other hand began raising preparing to strike her down. His teeth grinding together
"I'll teach you, you little brat. He brought his hand down with all he had in him, but he was stopped by a metal claw grasping tightly to his arm and tossing him across the room letting Hitomi fall to the floor
"What do you think you are doing Dilandau!" The man said sternly. Dilandau stood to his feet brushing off his suit
"I was just having a little fun Stratigoes" he said smiling at Hitomi's tear filled eyes.
"I told you she was not to be harmed" Folken growled glaring.
"I didn't do any permanent damage to her at least not physical anyways" he laughed.
"Get out, get out now!" Folken commanded. Dilandau sneered as he closed the door behind him. Folken turned to Hitomi's quivering form huddled on the floor.
"I apologize for Dilandau" he said his voice holding little to no emotion. He received no reply. Folken slipped his hand onto her shoulder and leaned her back so he could see her face, but her eyes were tightly closed refusing to look at him.
"I can see why my brother is so taken with you" he whispered.
"I suppose you are hungry child"
"No" she whispered.
"Don't make this any harder on yourself" he said his voice growing harder. She pulled out of his hold and turned her back to him.
"Suit yourself" he muttered leaving the room
"I shall be back shortly for my brother is coming and I will need you to take your place in his capture" The door behind Hitomi locked and she relaxed her tense muscles. She began weeping uncontrollably her heart pouring out all her pain. How would she get out of this one?
----------------------------------------------------
Van's silhouette could be seen standing in front of the windows of the crusade. He was standing quietly starring at Hitomi pendant. He couldn't stand it his wanted to cry out. He couldn't deny it; he was loosing a pointless battle in his soul. When he found her this time he would tell her every thing. He sighed inwardly and put the necklace around his neck it hurt so much to love someone as strongly as he did. Allen grasped his shoulder.
"We'll find her" he comforted.
"I know but what will they do to her before we get there" he said sadly and angrily. Van walked away exiting off the bridge on his way to the cargo bay he walked over to a small iron ladder that stretched up to the ceiling. He began to climb making his way to the top. Van opened the hatch and pulled his body through it. He looked around he was now on the roof of the crusade starring out over a vast sky that was brightening with the mornings new sun. He sat down near the edge and began to think hard on his mixed emotions. Van's thoughts were quickly interrupted by a loud clatter from behind him. He jumped in surprise, as the Crusade was slightly jarred. He stood and turned to find a familiar guymelef standing tall and powerful above him he knew this red guymelef it was the Alsidies
"Dilandau!" He growled reaching down to unsheathe his sword. It stood motionless for a few moments
"Dilandau come and fight me!" Van yelled trying to get a reply. The mechanisms in the guymelef began to creek loudly and the energist dulled its glow. A large cloud of steam burst forth from the Alsidies chest and spilt over the deck floors. Van tightened this grip on his sword as the steam faded away. The chest cavity began to open loudly revealing Dilandau who leaped out landing with a thud on the Iron deck.
"Where is she?" Van demanded to know. Dilandau smirked and drew his sword
"She really is a stubborn girl, she reminds me of you. A bad quality I'm afraid!" He laughed.
"If you hurt her so help me I'll…" Van was interrupted.
"Remember I have the girl so I wouldn't make any threats or rash decisions unless you are prepared for her to pay the consequences!" He muttered vengefully.
"She really has a high tolerance to pain that girl. If my memory serves me right she only cried out once or twice" Dilandau taunted with a sick and twisted smile. Van clutched his sword tighter and his eyes hardened on his target.
"You'll pay if you've hurt her! Arrrrrrrruuuuughhhhh!" Van yelled lunging at Dilandau with his sword. Dilandau brought up his sword blocking the attack with difficulty having underestimated the power and force in which Van attacked. Dilandau stepped back from Van and smirked
"I could almost taste her fear!" He spouted charging at Van
"Taste my steel you bastard" he screamed. Van charged back lunging his sword forward meeting Dilandau with a mighty clash. Allen quickly appeared from the hatch three of his men following
"Van!" He yelled. Dilandau saw them out of the corner of his eye, and pushed Van away sheathing his sword while sprinting full speed for his guymelef. Climbing inside he yelled back at them.
"This is not over!" He closed the chest plate and fled, leaving Van and the others in his wake.
------------------------------------------------------------
"Dilandau!" Came an echoing yell. Dilandau jumped off his guymelef and faced Folken.
"You disobeyed direct orders!" Folken growled.
"I was just going out for a breather Stratigos" he smirked.
"I told you to leave them alone; you could have ruined everything" Folken said angrily. Dilandau walked away heading for the nearest exit ignoring Folken's calls.
----------------------------------------------------------
Asland lay silently on the dew covered ground looking up at the sun.
"Where is she?" He asked himself
"She was supposed to meet me hours ago" He tapped his claw on a stone with impatients. Asland stood abruptly and let his wings spread out letting the wind catch beneath them lifting him up. He began to fly east towards the castle. He flew low and diminished his size as small as possible hoping not to be seen. He approached the castle and landed just outside the west wall. He peeked around the corner, but jolted back at the sight of guards.
"Did you hear about lady Hitomi?" One of them asked. Asland leaned forward listening intently to every thing he had to say. I was told she was taken prisoner by Zaibach" the oldest answered. The man nodded
"Yes and from inside the castle how they managed that I don't know"
"Last I heard the floating fortress was headed north east and…" The rest of the words became a blur as Asland took off in the direction indicated flying as fast as his wings could carry him, fire burning in his eyes. He hated this world it was merciless and had no kindness even for the innocent. The enemy Hitomi had talked to him about, the people she most feared were now in possession of her. He beat his wings even harder in hopes to move faster as he let a tear slid down his cold scales in fear that he could not save her.
Hitomi was huddled in one of the dark corners of the room. She had her arms wrapped around her sides, holding them gently as she breathed short light breaths. She attempted to inhale deeper but she clenched teeth as her body tensed in pain. Her side was throbbing were she had violently struck a chairs arm rail. Her heart quickly started to pound as the sound of footsteps became loud outside her door before coming to a halt, and the door began to open. Hitomi closed her eyes tight not wanting to see who was entering
"It is time to prepare for Vans arrival" Folken said emotionless
"P…Please don't do this" she sobbed causing an unbearable pain to sweep through her. Folken walked towards her carrying a small tray. He knelt down beside her picking up a syringe from the tray, then grasped her forearm.
"What is that?" She exclaimed in alarm trying to pull away. Folken pinned her down and pulled her arm to him sticking the needle into her, pushing it's contents into her veins.
"This is reassurance that you do not cause any problems" he replied sternly. His face began to blur and her muscles relaxed preventing her from struggling
"What's happ…happening…?" She never finished her question, for a sickening blackness dragged her into a drug induced darkness.
"Zaibach floating fortress spotted!" Reeden announced enthusiastically. Van positioned himself next himself next to Allen looking at the large ship growing larger with each passing moment as it came closer
"Are we ready?" Allen asked. Kevin approached them
"As ready as we'll ever be" Allen nodded
"Prepare to board them" the men clutched tightly to their swords as the ship-neared connection. A large jolt caused them to stumble as their platform landed in the back entrance of the Vione
"Let's board them!" Allen yelled. They split up taking out the few guards that filled the hanger making they're way through the clashing swords into the twisting halls of the fortress. More soldiers began to attack almost overwhelming the small group of rebels, but their skills were better giving them the advantage. Van stormed in room after room scanning them frantically for Hitomi. He ran down a dead end heading for the door that lay at the very end. Allen quickly caught up to Van reached the door and slammed into it twisting the handle.
"It's locked!" He spouted
"Shall I suggest the direct approach" Allen replied with a smile. Van nodded and they both charged ramming the door with enough force to send it crashing down onto the floor. Van peered in and his eyes scanned the room over and stopped on the dainty figure sprawled across a cot.
"Hitomi!" He shouted running up to her with Allen following close behind. Van leaned over her and his anger rose up within him at the sight of her mangled figure. He turned her over so that he could see her. A pained expression crossed his face. He brushed the bangs off her tear streaked cheeks revealing a large bruise covering the majority of the right side of her face.
"I'll kill them!" Van growled. Allen slid his arms under her limp body and lifted her up into his gentle hold.
"No Van, we'll kill them" Allen replied
"Their coming commander" Gaddes yelled from the halls. Van gripped his sword and breathed in deep. Allen and Van exited the room in time to see Dilandau and some of the Zaibach soldiers blocked the end of the halls. Dilandau smirked
"So I see you have found your sleeping princess" he spoke with pleasure in his voice.
"Gaddes" Allen whispered
"Yes Commander?"
"Take Hitomi, and protect her" Allen ordered transferring Hitomi into Gaddes's arms.
"Yes Sir" Allen pulled his sword and charged with the others.
"How nice of you to come to your own funeral Van!" Dilandau spat. Van growled and attacked vengefully.
"I'll make you pay what you did!" Van screamed knocking Dilandau back against the wall. Their swords clashed repeatedly till Dilandau caught Van off guard and slashed his forearm, but Van appeared unstunned by this and he continued to fight. His anger building causing a rush of adrenaline that began to over power Dilandau who retreated for a flight of stairs
"No you don't" Van yelled chasing after him. Allen pulled his sword from the lifeless body of another Zaibach soldier. He looked up to see Van disappear up the staircase, and then looked back to see guards coming more than they could deal with all at once.
"Everyone to the roof!" He shouted running for the only place in which to escape. The others cut through the last of the guards taking them down like they were only practice dumbies. Kevin brought his sword down heavily onto the last guard's chest sending him to the ground in a heap. He turned and followed the others, being trailed closely by the mob of soldiers. The crew burst out the roofs door locking it tightly.
"Gaddes put Hitomi down and grab your sword" Allen yelled. Gaddes laid Hitomi gently by some crates. He looked up to see the others fighting not only Dilandau but also his fifteen Dragonslayers who had awaited them at the top. Gaddes unsheathed his sword and attacked the nearest soldier. A loud clatter was against the deck. Dilandau stepped back away from Vans sword.
"It's over Dilandau!" Van growled angrily.
"No I don't think so, I believe it has just begun" Dilandau smirked and ran away running behind the stacks of crates that lay on the deck. Van quickly followed but stopped dead in his tracks.
"No!" He breathed. Dilandau appeared out from behind the crates holding up Hitomi's limp body in his arms, his right hand holding his dagger to her neck pressing it down.
"Don't move" he smirked backing up to the edge of the fortress roof. Several men started approaching slowly but they were all still several yards away. Dilandau pressed the knife harder against her throat
"I said don't move!" He growled. Dilandau studied his situation through quickly. There were to many of them their eyes focused on him they would not let him escape. Dilandau concentration was interrupted by an almost unnoticeable stir from Hitomi he looked over the side and smiled
"Even angel's fall" Dilandau spouted, his facial expression changing to the unreadable. Van stood motionless not understanding his enemies intentions. Dilandau slowly removed his dagger and lifted Hitomi up by the arm.
"Let's see just how many lives this Mystic moon brat has" he laughed. Dilandau turned and yanked her forward causing her to topple over the edge and plummet towards the ground below. Allen abruptly left his battle with one of the dragon slayers rushing over towards the other side of the fortress roof. Dilandau and his men used this time to escape. The others were to preoccupied with Hitomi to notice them exiting down the stairs closing the doors tightly and locking it. Asland was swiftly approaching the craft that was positioned in front of him when he saw something fall from the roof. He adjusted his eyes and focused on the falling object.
"Hitomi" he exclaimed forcing himself into a dive. It seemed he fell forever before he started to fall faster closing the gap that was between them quickly. Hitomi neared the ground and Asland stretched out his claws as far as he could, grasping her tightly and protectively. Asland pulled back out stretched his wings trying to recover from his dive. He caught an updraft in time to pull away from the ground, but not before slightly clipping a large bolder that stood tall on the ground. He flew straight up beating his wings hard cutting through the air like a knife. His eyes set upon his destination, the floating fortress. Van ran with all he had towards the edge. He couldn't let her fall, even if it meant that all should know his secret. He grasped his shirt and was preparing to tear it off, when a mighty roar thundered through the air and a dragon appeared flying up from the side of the Vione landing violently on the fortress's deck jarring the others as it shook the vione. Van skidded to a stop at the sight of the enormous beast; it was larger than any he had ever seen. His eyes shifted to Hitomi who was lying still and lifeless in its hand.
"Hitomi?" He breathed. Van unsheathed his sword and look at the others everyone was together the ten knights and the crew of the Crusade. They were all around Van with their swords drawn mumbling, and gasping at the dragon. Asland looked away from the men that stood yards away in front of him. Hitomi laid in his hands mangled and pale. His eyes looked back at the Knights his eyes seemed to be on fire as his anger bailed and he began to growl.
"Commander what do we do!" Gaddes exclaimed.
"We fight, watch yourselves and try to reach Hitomi!" Allen shouted. Aslands eyes grew colder
"Stupid, insolent humans" he grumbled to himself. Battle cries echoed through the men causing Asland to jump back jarring Hitomi into consciousness. She looked up at Asland and them to her companions who were charging them with their swords drawn.
"No stop!" She screamed falling out of his hands and hitting the ground with a thud.
"Please stop!"
Van and Allen stopped abruptly the others almost running into each other.
"Don't hurt him" she pleaded. Hitomi pulled herself up, but her world began to spin out of control. She threw her head into her hands.
"Van!" She cried a she began to stagger before blacking out and hitting the deck hard.
"Hitomi!" Van yelled running to her side. Van was startled by Aslands face nearing him. He watch as his eyes softened as he looked at Hitomi, he kissed her back gently before letting the wind catch his wings pulling him of the ship. He turned and began to fly away as fast as the wind would carry him.
"What the hell just happened" Allen spouted confused and surprised.
"Can you believe the size of the thing!" Reedem exclaimed. Van was kneeling over Hitomi gathered her in his arms. He stood holding her tightly watching as the Crusade rose into view
"Need a lift!" Kio shouted from the ramp. Allen smiled and ran aboard followed by the others.
"Get us out of here Kio" Allen commanded
"My pleasure commander" he replied smiling. Van sat in a corner of the bridge cradling Hitomi in his arms
"What's going on Hitomi?" He whispered. Allen walked over sitting himself next to him. Van almost glared as Kevin followed Allen's movements positioning himself on the other side Van.
"Is she alright" Kevin asked getting his first good look at her. Van tightened His grip around her body.
"I think that she will be fine" he muttered emotionless. Kevin ran his finger through her hair not noticing Van's look of disapproval
"I think you're right she's a tuff kid, I give her credit for that" he said with a smile
"But…" he continued.
"She doesn't deserve to be thrown into the middle of this war. She was raised in such a different world from this, and war so rarely entered her thoughts"
"How would you know so much about her and her world you've known her for barely two days" Van spouted. Kevin raised an eyebrow at Van's hostile voice and smiled
"I know, believe me I know" he whispered sternly. Kevin starred at Van intensely It was obvious he cared for the girl with each passing moment he become more obvious about it, his stone faced emotions seemed to shatter around her. Kevin sighed while getting up and walking away. Van opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it leaning back and laying his head against the wall, and closing his yes
"Allen what do you think he means?"
"I have no Idea" he replied running his hand back through his hair. Allen looked over to a window starring across the sky. They were almost home.
AN: pleaaaaase review I need support. chapter five will be up in a few days goodnight peeps!
Dragon Heart
