Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of the characters

Chapter8: Battlefields of the mind

"Folken!" Dilandau called. Folken looked up to see Dilandau enter the darkened room.

"Did you succeed" he asked impatiently. Dilandau stopped and reached back through the doorframe grasping to something tightly and pulling it next to him. He used all his might to toss the figure forward sending it crashing to Folken's feet.

"It was simple she gave herself up freely, and I brought home an added bonus that I think you might like" Dilandau smirked.

Folken's eyes narrowed

"What do you mean?" He asked as his anger began to rise.

"We have captured the Atlantean dragon" he replied proudly.

"Well done Dilandau make sure it is chained, tell the Pilots to change course and head for the capital. I wish to speak to the girl alone. Dilandau nodded

"Whatever you say Folken" Hitomi looked up at the silver haired boy as the door closed behind him. Fear coursed through her veins, sending chills down her spine. She gasped as Folken's claw rapped around her arm and pulled her up to face him

"So we meet again" he spoke his voice unreadable.

"What do you want with me?" She asked not really wanting to know the answer.

"Emperor Dornkirk ruler of all Zaibach has requested your presence" he replied his haunting voice holding no emotions no matter the question or answers.

"I won't tell you or him anything, your wasting your time" she spouted

"Who said we wanted to know anything" he spoke a corner smirk appearing across his lips. Hitomi's eyes widened with his words

"I don't understand" she breathed.

"The Emperor says that you have powers, though I have yet to see them. Even Dilandau has spoken of them" he whispered.

"Powers?" She questioned.

"Don't play a fool" he spouted

"You have the power to see through the stealth cloaks I created, some even say you have the power to see into the past and future" Hitomi tore her eyes from him

"No" she breathed.

Folken smiled coldly at her. Hitomi let her mind race in an attempt to find away to divert this conversation

"Why did you do it?" She asked looking up into his eyes changing the subjects, trying to hold back tears.

"Do what?" He responded not understanding her last question.

"Burn Fanelia; abandon your brother" she replied. Folken's eyes narrowed and he was silent, but his grip grew tighter around her arm pulling a yelp from her lips

"You're hurting me!" She gasped trying to pry at his fingers with her own.

"Easy, I wanted the future of Gaea to be at peace" he replied loosening his grasp.

"You'll never bring peace to this world; you'll only cause pain and destruction wherever your feet touch the ground. Zaibach does nothing but kill innocent people, steal away their peace, and destroy the great cities of this world!" She growled at him. Folken's eyes hardened

"Silence!" Hitomi noticed then that she had struck gold, she had found a sensitive area.

"Why? Because I speak what is true?" Folken's anger began to rise his emotionless mask was cracking.

"If you know what is best for you, you will shut your mouth!" He threatened starring into her eyes

"Your afraid" Hitomi whispered. Folken's eyes widened he hadn't expected those words

"You're afraid, afraid of the truth, just as you were ten years ago" she continued with all her courage. Folken's mask seamed to fall and shatter on the floor. An intense anger swept through him like an immense fire surging down his body. He released his grasp almost instantly at her finishing words, raising his arm

"Shut up!" He yelled bringing his hand down with all his vengeance letting it strike her violently causing a cry to escape her as the force of the blow sent her crashing to the ground several feet away. Folken's look of anger switched to surprise as he look down at his hand which stung from the brutal force in which he had connected it to her face. The girl laid in front of him shivering in a fetal position. He was silent in shock he had never struck anyone he abhorred violence. Why had he grown angry there was no logical reason? He hit her in anger why? Why did he he strike the girl? Folken turned and abruptly left the room quickly letting the door close behind him, leaving Hitomi alone on he chilled iron floors letting out a muffled sob.

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Folken stood silent on the bridge watching as the fortress neared the Zaibach capital, and the castle came into view. They had been traveling for hours and he had kept his mind distant thinking through many things.

"Well, well here you are Folken, congratulations on one step closer to becoming like me" Dilandau snickered evilly.

"What ever do you mean?" Folken inquired looking at him sternly.

" Come now Stratigoes, I just came from the room in which I left you with the girl. I was expecting to find you but I found no one but the girl"

"And your point is"

"She wasn't absolutely happy to see me, she was horrified"

"That has nothing to do with me"

"Oh but I'm not finished" Dilandau smiled coldly

"It seems Stratigoes you have no right to tell me not to strike the girl"

Dilandau breathed in the tension emitting from the older man like a sweet fragrance

"I have no idea what your talking about" He replied icily. Dilandau began to walk away but made sure to have the last words

"I have to admit it would have taken me more than one blow to leave such a mark upon ones face" he taunted

"Get out! Get out now!"

Dilandau let out an amused cackle till the door closed and muffled the skin crawling laugh.

"Stratigoes we have received a transmission from the base, we have permission to land" Chesta said bowing

"Very well then bring us in. Alert the Emperor tell him we have found the seeress, and have also apprehended the Atlantean dragon. Tell him I wish to meet with him as soon as possible"

"Yes sir" the soldier replied walking away Folken closed his eyes and let out an inaudible sigh.

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Folken entered the castle slowly. He could see the men trying to move the unconscious best to the training courts right outside the main castle but still within it's walls. The shackles were being prepared to hold the giant down. Dilandau approach casually with a playful smile, dragging next to him a stumbling girl.

"Dornkirk is ready for you; he requests the presence of the girl" He spoke thrusting the girl into Folken's arms. Folken balanced Hitomi and pulled her along with him quickly but gently, not daring to look at her or even breathe a word. He approached a set of large doors that raised at least eleven feet above his head. The two guards bowed to him slightly and then entered the room before him.

"Your Majesty, Lord Folken has arrived and is awaiting"

"Bring him to me" a deep baritone voice rumbled. Both doors were now opening and Folken entered calmly with Hitomi nervously trying to keep up with him.

"Good work Stratigoes, you have brought the girl" Dornkirk praised.

"Thank you your Majesty"

"Bring her to me" he requested. Folken pulled Hitomi forward pushing her to her knees in front of the enormous machine that held the Emperor.

"What is your name child?" He asked coldly.

"Hi...Hitomi...Hitomi Kansaki" she replied shakily

"You have caused many problems for me did you know this?" Hitomi shook her head in a yes her eyes gazing at the floor.

"Why do you resist what we are doing" Hitomi looked up at him and starred into his eyes

"Because it's wrong" she whispered.

"Hmmm. Poor confused child, no matter you'll see things clearly soon enough" He waved his hand as if he were summoning someone. A tall thin man approached quickly caring a goblet in his hands not daring to look up. Dornkirk retrieved the glass and the man backed away. Taking a drink he eyed the girl in silence before continuing.

"Where do you get your power?" Dornkirk asked watching her intensely.

"I have no power" she lied. Dornkirk snorted

"Do not lie to me" His voice made Hitomi tense up

"I shall have your power wheather you give it willingly or make me take it by force" Dornkirk was clearly growing impatient.

"I can't give you what I don't have" she whispered. Folken knelt down and placed his lips by her ear

"Please for your own good tell him, you don't know what you are doing" He whispered urgently

"So be it. Amileos!" Dornkirk boomed. A man dressed in a hooded black robe crossed the floor, his very presence eerie. Folken stood and looked at the man approaching him, Amileos stopped beside Folken and dropped the hood to his back.

"Yes Milord"

"Amileos take the girl, find her power and extract it from her" Dornkirk ordered.

Folken's eyes widened in slight worry though not enough to be noticed. Amileos was head over Dornkirk's sorcerers they had been the same men that gave him his clawed arm, and the ones that made Dilandau a cold blooded killer. They were merciless in their techniques he should know he had been one himself. Amileos was not a man in which you wanted to know none of them were.

"You're Majesty would you let me try once more to get it from her alone" Folken intervened.

"There is no time Stratigoes you of all men should know that. The sooner I posses her power is the sooner we can bring down the dragon, and his group vof rebels. Our perfect future will have then begun" Folken clinched his fist under his cape and nodded. Dornkirk waved his hand and looked away

"Take her away" he spouted. The words came like dagger into her soul what were they going to do. Two ruff hands clasped around her arms and pulled her up dragging her away. Folken was now fighting an inward battle that the Mysterious girl had started within him. He closed his yes at the sound of doors shutting; he could only imagine what they were about to do.

"Is there something-wrong Stratigoes?" Dornkirk's voice echoed pulling him out of his thoughts.

"No your Majesty, I was just thinking" he whispered turning to leave the room.

Folken walked quickly through the halls and paused as Dilandau approached in front of him

"In a hurry?" Dilandau teased.

"It's none of your business!" He growled shoving past him. Dilandau snorted

"A beautiful thing what their going to do to the girl isn't it?" Dilandau smiled letting out a slight laugh

"It doesn't matter to me what happens to the girl" Folken replied continuing to walk away.

"Looks as if you were answering the wrong question Folken" Dilandau shouted over to the disappearing figure. Folken narrowed his eyes his heart beating against his chest rapidly, where was he going? he thought, his mind racing in a million directions the one thing he had control over, his greatest power, his mind was betraying him. He stopped at a door that seemed to stand out from the rest and entered. The room was filled with machines of all shapes and sizes. Tubes and containers filled with chemicals and strange substances. Multiple noise emitted from the objects from humming, to clatters, to bubbling, and steaming. Surgical instruments were scattered about the tables. It looked like a lab many contents which he had never seen, nor could he explain. He crossed the vast room and approached a table, which held a figure in the shadows he did not need to think about who it was. Hitomi laid silent her wrists and ankles were restrained by leather straps that also crossed her waist and shoulders restricting her from movement. Her eyes shot open at the sound of footsteps entering the room and coming towards her. Her face was almost overflowing with a horrified expression, but for some unknown reason a slight relief enveloped her at the sight of the man approaching her.

"What are they going to do?" She whispered hoarsely. Folken's features became more clear and he was now hovering over her.

"Their going to do some experiments to locate the source of your power" Hitomi sighed looking up at machine that was over her then closed her eyes trying to think of something more pleasant.

"He really loved you, you know" she murmured

"Hmmm"

"Van he really loved you. He thought highly of you, he always thought you would return" Folken flinched at her words.

"Folken Fanel died years ago" He said sternly.

"Did he?" She whispered

"You know you don't know as much as you think" he retorted

"Are you sure about that?" Folken narrowed his eyes

"Why do you try so hard?" He asked

"Because I believe that you don't really want this" she replied.

"Oh and sense your such an expert on my intentions, will you mind informing me why I'm here with Zaibach if I don't want this? Why I am who I am?"

"I think that you really don't want the violence or the killing. You hate what you have become and it obviously shows on your exterior. You have been hurt so to prevent further pain you choose to block your emotion behind a mask, which you now wear. You feel responsible to stay with Dornkirk because he saved your life and as Folken Fanel you would have died, so in away you feel Folken Fanel has died. Because Dornkirk gave you life as Stratigoes you had no right to decline his offer, the thought of a world at peace attracts you also in it's own way, but you have been blind to your brutal tactics. You care for Van you cannot deny it. That is why you try so hard to get him to join you, you don't want to see him killed. That is what I see when I look at you" She explained keeping her eyes locked on his, that is till he tore his away

"You know nothing" he denied.

"If I know nothing why do I threaten you?" Folken backed away and left abruptly not saying a word. Moments later five men entered bringing fear into her very soul their very appearance frightening.

"Who are you" she gasped though she didn't really have to ask. The men ignored her question and only talked amongst themselves though she tried to listen she could not understand them. One of them, Amileos, the one who had brought her here earlier was pulling the machine above her down closer to her face and was moving other objects around her as well. His hand reached her neck and he began to place a very thin rod into her. Hitomi started to scream but a hand covered her mouth as the rod was continuing to go deeper. When the hand left her mouth, Hitomi was already in a world of darkness.

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Allen stood at the front of the ship with Van.

"This is the last point on the map and Atlantis is no where to be seen" Gaddes spoke regretfully approaching them.

"What if we had read the map wrong, maybe we've been off coarse the whole time?" Van began in frustration

"I think we may have no choice than to assume Hitomi was wrong" William spoke up leaning against the rail. Allen ran his hand through his golden hair and exhaled heavily.

"But what if she wasn't?" He whispered. The ship slightly began to vibrate.

"What the...Oh my God!" yelled a panicked crewman pointing over the side.

"What is it Alberto?" Kevin shouted running to the shaken man.

"The...the water, it...it's...its" Alberto stuttered. Everyone sprinted to the railing and were now looking over the side, as the ships quaking became more noticeable. The water around them began to glow, and a large light rose up around them forming some kind of bubble or force field. The ship slowly began to sink but the water never washed over them. Quickly the ship sank deeper and deeper into the ocean.

"My God it's real... Atlantis is real" Gaddes gasped in awe as they neared a vast underwater city that was brightly lit and shinning amidst the darkened ocean.

"How is this possible?" Millerna gasped griping onto Allen's arm.

"Lord Van what's happening? Is that Atlantis?" Merle babbled in panic. The ship began to pass through the bubble that surrounded the city and landed gently on the ground. The field around them vanished and they were left starring at the magnificent city of which had beauty that was far greater than anything else the eye could ever behold. The crew set up a ramp and began to exit off the ship.

"It's amazing" Kevin whispered. A slight gust of wind surrounded them, then stopped as quickly as it came.

"I have been waiting for you" a voice rang from behind them. They quickly turned at the sound of the familiar voice and gasped

"Greggory it's you!" Kevin spouted. Greggory stood tall his golden wings spread in full span.

"Its magnificent isn't it, it took seventy-nine years to rebuild, but we did it" he spoke proudly.

"Greggory... Valonia it... how'd you" Oliver inquired. Greggory smiled

"When a messenger came to me and told me Zaibach was on it's way I had the city evacuated, I wanted to tell you, leave something you could understand, but that would risk Zaibach finding the New Atlantis and I could not have done that" He explained.

"Why did you never tell us about this, about you being a draconian?" Kevin continued to question.

"There were to many lives at stake a little over 1,000 Draconian's live here in peace. If word of this ever escaped they would have been endanger just as I would have if I would have revealed I was an accursed one, a destroyer of the Old Atlantis. It was a secret I had to keep safe" he replied.

"You said Atlantis holds the power to destroy Zaibach right?" Van asked.

"Yes"

"We need that power now it's of the greatest importance" Van pleaded.

"I don't understand" Greggory responded.

"Zaibach they have Hitomi and the Dragon Asland. Hitomi gave herself up to the to protect us. Without Atlantis's power we can't even consider an attack on the Zaibach capital" Kevin answered.

Greggory's face fell

"They have her" he whispered scanning the group fully understanding now that she was not there.

"Come!" He said abruptly retracting his wings, walking speedily away.

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The crew looked in awe they're feet beating against the marble floor of a temple which stood tall in the center of the city. Large stone pillars with exquisite carvings lining the inside and outside of the building. In the center of the room was a marble statue of a flying horse much like the one they had seen in the forests with Hitomi. In it's mouth it held a glorious sword made of pure gold.

"The ring do you have it?" Greggory inquired.

"Yes, yes I have" Van answered holding the ring out for Greggory to take. Greggory took the ring and slid it onto his finger then placed his other hand on top of it, and began to move the circle slightly a lining the eight arrows making four diamonds. The statue began to crack and it's wings began to move up and down as the marble fell to the ground revealing the skin, fur, and feathers of a living animal. Greggory moved forward retrieving the sword from Trilies mouth and held it boldly before him

"I stand here just as my ancestors stood here before me, taking the sword of God in hand in hopes to protect my people from those who threaten them and this world. Let's see if I can do the same" he spoke proudly.

"We have to come up with a way to get into Zaibach without them being aware of our presence from miles away" Allen announced

"Ah but I have that already covered" Greggory smiled.

"How?" Came multiple inquiries

"Have you ever heard of underlings" Greggory asked.

"No I don't believe I have" Allen answered

"Neither have I" van whispered

"An underling is an under water ship that can be as enormous in size as it can be small. You take some of those and you will go undetected until you storm the castle"

"That's amazing" Kevin responded

"Indeed it is" Allen agreed

"I shall provide you with three of my fastest ships and you ahead. I will be one hour behind you with an army of six thousand of my men to back you up after Hitomi and Asland have been freed" Greggory explained. Allen nodded and bowed to the King

"You are a valiant King your Majesty. It shall be an honor to have you fight with us"

"Thank you Allen, but the honor is all mine"

"Shall we be off?" Kevin inquired

"We have no time to doddle"

Greggory nodded

"Right this way My friends" The crew fallowed Greggory's lead out of the temple and towards the shipyard.

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Asland slowly opened his eyes and blinked repeatedly trying to drive off the dizziness that was swallowing him. When he fully came to, his memory reinserted it's self and he noticed the heavy iron shackles on his legs and neck

"Hitomi?" He murmured as he looked around the sun was bright, he was outside an enormous castle a dark and dreary one at that.

"This must be Zaibach" he whispered. Asland pulled on his chains trying to uproot them; he let a groan as he pulled harder. Asland stopped and inhaled deeply looking up at the windows that towered over him. He knitted his eyebrows as an ear-piercing cry echoed out of the walls faintly filling the air, but stabbing his sensitive ears. The cries continued on and off and Asland recognized it almost immediately.

"Hitomi!" He roared, pulling his chains once again but without prevail. He almost groaned in his stupidity as a thought coursed through his mind. Asland concentrated and the shackles began to loosen as his body began to grow smaller freeing his limbs. He thought intently on where the screams had come from and crept into the shadows towards his destination.

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Allen rubbed his temple gently with his gloved hand

"What do you think they wanted with her? They wanted her this time and that scares me" Van starred blankly out the window his eyes watching the thousands of under water creatures and plants that past by them as they pressed forward. The underwater life held an untold beauty that very few had seen on Gaea, though at this time he was in no mood to gawk over its untamed majesty. Van glance over at Allen who had just asked a Question to know one in particular.

"I don't understand it either they have wanted Escaflowne from the beginning they could have taken us easily and yet all they wanted was her. It changes everything I thought I knew" he somewhat replied.

"What does she posses or even Asland posses that could be of any importance to the Zaibach Empire?" Van asked himself aloud.

"Commander land mass ahead, I believe we've arrived" Gaddes spouted. Everyone on the three ships approached the windows of the underlings, and watched as they neared the point of no return. The ships soon jarred to a halt as the anchor gripped the ground beneath them

"Contact the other ship tell them to prepare to surface" Allen ordered

"Yes sir" Reeden acknowledged. Van gripped his sword and took his place next to the others at the door at the back of the ship. Waiting impatiently as the ship climbed to the surface. As soon as sunlight beamed through the windows the doors dropped with a crash and the crews poured out onto the shores behind the castle. They tried avoiding detection from the guards till they could take them silently. They were lined up against the back walls they're swords unsheathed their hearts pounding as the adrenaline passed through them like fire

"This is it everyone, stay together and watch each others backs" Allen whispered. Everyone nodded they're ok and Allen gave his signal to move. Van met the first guard in the Castle walls it was only seconds before he shoved the metal of his sword into the body of his enemy with deadly accuracy letting the blood run down the sharp blade only to soak into his leather gloves.

"Van! This way" Allen shouted from the doors off the castle that had been demolished by his men. A lifeless body fell in front of him it's blood becoming one with the ground. Van tried to ignore his surroundings and passed through the clashing swords, cutting through several more opponents on his way to the awaiting Allen. Inside the men ran swiftly their feet barely meeting the ground.

"Van!" A deep voice called from above. Van stopped abruptly to look at the shadowed figure standing one level above them.

"Brother!" He growled.

"Where is she, if you..."

Folken's left arm lifted from beneath his cape and tossed an object in Van's direction. Van extended his hand to catch it. He looked down at his palm, which now held a set of keys. Folken began to back away

"Find the west wing and you shall find her" he spoke before fully entering the darkness.

Dilandau growled inaudibly

"I knew you were a traitor Folken!"

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Dornkirk was looking into the eyepiece of his fate alteration engine when a loud crash shattered the silence.

"Dilandau!" He growled watching the silver haired captain run forward falling to his face in front of him

"Forgive me your Majesty, but the dragon is here" Dilandau spouted

"I have foreseen this" he replied.

"Have you foreseen also Folken's betrayal?" Dilandau looked up and smirked. Dornkirk's anger raised

"What are you implying?"

"I just witnessed Stratigoes helping his brother the dragon; he's playing you as a fool" He answered coldly.

"Messenger!" Dornkirk called. A tall thin man wasted no time in running up to them.

"Yes your Majesty" he answered nervously.

"Find Lord Stratigoes, tell him his presence is requested immediately" The man bowed as he quickly began to back away and exit the room, his feet taking him as fast as they could carry him. The room was left incomplete silence no one uttering a word

Minutes later the doors creaked open as Folken entered

"You summoned me, your Majesty" he asked calmly looking to Dilandau who laid bowing on the floor, but took the time to look over at him with flaming eyes and let his lips mouth a soundless 'traitor' Folken froze at the unexpected word

"Folken deny it and I shall believe you my most trusted servant. I have heard news of you conspiring with the enemy, not to mention your strange behavior towards the seeress child" Dornkirk began.

"I have doubts your Majesty" Folken answered once again calmly

"Doubts what do you mean doubts?" Dornkirk raged

"I have been thinking of our perfect future, who is it perfect for? Gaea, or just you?" He spouted. Dornkirk's face reddened and his blood began to boil.

"I am beginning to see a future and it's Zaibach ruling over a destroyed land!" He growled throwing his cape to the floor.

"Fool, you traitor, I gave you life, I am the future!" The Emperor yelled.

"You are wrong your Majesty!" Folken turned from him to watch a soldier burst through the doors

"The dragon is nearing the Seeress the sorcerers have not finished" he yelled.

"Dilandau stop them! The sorcerers must be allowed to finish they're work. Stop them at all costs" he ordered

"Yes your Majesty" he acknowledged running from the room. Dornkirk turned to confront Folken but was met by an empty space, and an open door

"Curse you Folken Fanel I shall deal with you later" he promised vengefully.

"Socrates tell Amileos to proceed to the final stages of the testing, and make sure they accelerate their work speed" he ordered. Socrates bowed and left leaving the Emperor alone.

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Van held Hitomi's pendant in front of him and tried desperately to concentrate on her face. It was glowing brightly and pulling forward in his hand guiding them through the halls. He could feel here presence where was she, was she near, how far? Is all that he thought of his eyes where sealed but he ran like he was aware of his surroundings. The others kept the soldiers from breaking his thought, though times a sword would clash to close and shatter the image he held.

"Van look out!" Came a yell from behind him. His eyes snapped open and he met the firry eyes of Dilandau who was racing towards him. Van began to unsheathe his sword; the metal screeching as it scraped against the edge of the sword's scabbard. Though Van was fast there was no hope that he could raise the sword with a strong block, Dilandau was barring down to fast. Van expected a hard blow, but instead he heard a thunderous clash and his brother towering protectively in front of him blocking Dilandau's attack. Dilandau's ruby eyes filled with contempt as he hissed

"Coward!" Folken tore his sword apart and attacked vengefully.

"Van the sorcerers have Hitomi save her before it's too late!" He ordered never breaking his gaze from his opponent. A scream filled the halls piercing their ears

"It's already to late Folken" Dilandau cackled

"Van go now to the end of the hall and turn right and follow that hall till you come to the twenty-third door on the left use the keys I gave you" he spoke urgently Van was already running with the others before he finished. He was in a dead sprint his mind racing. Had his brother changed? Dilandau had called him a coward, a traitor. Maybe it was staged, a trap to capture all of them even if it was he couldn't risk it. That scream wasn't a fake he knew unfortunately all to well he had heard her cry many times it wasn't something he could mistaken. He skidded into the sharp turn and halted everyone else almost came crashing into him.

"Oh God" Gaddes breathed as many guards stood down the wide hallways blocking their way to the door. The men charged mercilessly at each other and blood began to stain the floors. Gaddes caught the blow from one man and flipped around to miss another's catching the soldier off guard bringing his sword around and sliding it along the mans neck and down into the others chest. Kevin thrust his sword into another man who let out a gasp as he felt the cold metal sear through his flesh, and darkness consumed him. Van pushed his way through the battling men. Blocking continuous blows from them. A large man brought his sword down powerfully causing Van to take a step back, though he was strong Van was stronger pushing the man back away from him. He impaled his sword into the soldier's chest twisting vengefully and then tearing it from his body. The enemy soldiers were quickly dropping allowing them to move closer to the room, which held Hitomi in an unknown state.

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Asland crept silently through a dark hall it was wide and tall but dark and eerie. He listened intently for any unwanted company while inhaling the air around him hoping to find Hitomi's familiar sent which he did and it was becoming stronger with each passing moment. Strange noises filled his ears and unpleasant aromas attacked his nostrils causing him to approach a strange door where Hitomi's scent seemed strongest. He breathed in deep and rammed the door sending it and the wall around it crashing to the ground. Entering it cautiously he looked around the room it was a horrible and frightening place. His eyes met six men clothed in black starring at him.

"Don't let it near the girl!" Amileos shouted. Asland averted his eyes to the opposite side of the room where the voice had emitted. Asland's anger took mere seconds to overflow and he began to approach the other man who could be seen hovering over Hitomi. Amileos held a scalpel in hand and was moving towards Hitomi's chest where her shirt had been half way opened and lines had been drawn across her body in ink. Her eyes were open barely, and a leather strap now covered her mouth tightly muffling her cries. She was awake they had not even bothered to put her under, they were inhumane monsters. Asland seemed to ignore the others and charged after the man threatening Hitomi at the moment, but a stabbing pain in his side quickly stopped him. He roared in agony and turned to face his attacker whom had already pulled out his sword and was backing away.

"You humans and your swords!" He growled thrusting forward and wrapping his firm jaws around the mans body and pressed them together harder and harder till he had crushed him and he no longer struggled, then he dropped the bloody figure in a crumpled heap. Asland didn't give the others a chance to get the upper hand and savagely tore through three others using his razor sharp claws and fangs to claim their lives. He could taste they're blood it was nauseating, it stained his face and hands. He could feel his heart growing cold as he approached the other, and though the man stood cowering in front of him Asland took no time to pounce on the man killing him instantly. The door on the opposite side of the room began to emit a noise like an unlocking mechanism, it wrenched open and Van, Allen, and several others poured in. They stopped abruptly; Asland stood before them a broken body sprawled in his mouth blood running down his jaw line. The dragon dropped the form and once again tried for Amileos who had proceeded to cut into her, but did not get far when Asland's hand struck him sending him across the room landing on a table of chemicals and fluids, which fell to the groaned shattering.

"Stay away from her!" He raged.

"Hitomi!" Van shouted running to the table undoing the straps that held her down. Allen proceeded to do the same on the opposite side. Van removed the strap from her mouth, which had lost its rosy color, and was now white matching her skin. Her eyes looked at him frightened but relieved yet hurting all at the same time.

"Hitomi?" He whispered

"Can you hear me?"

"Hmmm...Y...Y...Yes" she whispered her voice raspy

"What are these?" Allen inquired examining the tubes that led into her arms and one into the side of her neck.

"It doesn't matter just cut them off and lets get out of here" he spoke bluntly.

"Van no, don't!" Came a shout. Folken ran towards them at full speed, grasping Vans wrist and removing the dagger

"You'll kill her" he protested urgently.

"How do I know your not lying? Why should I trust you?" Van spouted in contempt

"I don't expect you to believe me, nor trust me" he responded his voice impassive.

"But I know the correct way to unhook her so if you don't mind I shall argue about this later"

"I...I...told y...you Folken di...didn't I?" Hitomi breathed in a stutter.

"Yes you did Hitomi, and you were right about everything, It seems you know my heart better than I do and it took a stubborn, strong willed girl to remove the blinders from my eyes" he whispered. Folken's hand brushed across levers and buttons, dialing in codes and passwords his mind in full concentration. The machine above her lifted away and the others went black in complete power shut down the constant humming and cranking of gears was now nothing but silence. He removed the IVs and tubes easily without hurting her greatly.

"Come I know of a secret passage that shall lead you outside the walls down towards the beaches. No one knows of it but me" Folken spoke exiting the room. Van gathered Hitomi in his arms and followed his brother with others following beside and behind him. The arrived in a large bed chamber where Folken was standing by a bookshelf running his fingers across the bindings till stopping and pulling one down. A low cranking noise was heard and the bookcase began to slide to the side revealing a passageway.

"What do we do about Asland?" Kevin whispered

"Don't worry about me. I shall meet you outside after I make my own escape route" he smiled backing away. Kevin nodded and turned to follow the group into the hall letting the bookcase close behind them.

Asland turned towards the window that was positioned at the other side of the room and charge it crashing through it sending shards of glass plummeting to the ground below. He spread his wings and caught an updraft letting him soar over the castle walls and into the sky.

Folken lead his brother through the halls not uttering a word as he ran swiftly cutting through the darkness heading for the glimmering light at the end of the tunnels. The end was growing nearer and you could see the waves rolling over the beach's sand. They were home free for the moment. Hitomi was growing heavy in Van's arms but he didn't slow down, his mind was battling confusion. His brother was helping him escape though for weeks he had been the mind behind all the attacks on him. Why? Hitomi had said something to him about being right, but what? He hated his brother, yet in a way he loved him. He wanted nothing to do with the traitor, but also he longed for his presence. Van came to a halt behind his older sibling who was peering out the tunnel.

"It's clear" he murmured. Kevin stepped forward and pulled a small mirror out of his pocket and faced it towards the sun and slanted it back and forth a few times.

"What are you doing?" Folken asked

"You'll see" he smiled.

The underlings surfaced, water spewing around them

"Let's go" Kevin yelled. The group raced from the cave they're feet pounding into the salty grains with great momentum. They quickly approached the doors that were lowering and releasing a platform that extended out over the water allowing the crew to board the ship to find Greggory standing in front of them

"Your reinforcements have arrived" he smiled waving a hand over towards rows and rows of armed men dressed in armor awaiting orders. The doors closed allowing the ships to once again submerge underwater.

"I have the same amount of troops on two other ships just give them your orders. Allen approached Greggory with an extended hand, which Greggory gladly excepted with a tight grip.

"Thank you your Majesty, your help is irreplaceable and honorable" Greggory nodded and smiled

"Did you succeed in retrieving the girl?" He inquired looking through the faces that stood before him

"Van took her to Millerna in one of the accompanying ships" Allen replied.

"She's all right isn't she?" He questioned with slight worry present in his voice

"We don't know" Allen answered. Greggory's face fell

"I should have known Isaac would have wanted her, he could never refuse a chance to gain such a power" Allen knitted his eyebrows trying to understand what Greggory had just said.

"Who's Isaac?" He inquired

"Isaac is the true name of Dornkirk the Emperor of Zaibach, Isaac Newton if you want to be precise. He once was a Mystic moon dweller just like Hitomi. Isaac was a very powerful and influential man on his world. He was one of the greatest known minds of his time. That is until his want for a peaceful world enveloped him making him believe he could destroy or kill anything or anyone to achieve his goal. Hitomi has the ability to control some of the powers of Atlantis something no other human before her could do. Finding her power and how she is able to use it would be a great asset to Zaibach in this war" he explained.

"So that's what they wanted, it was first Escaflowne that they desired because of it's power, but it was when they discovered Hitomi was even greater an asset they no longer wanted anything to do with us they wanted her" Allen replied his voice revealing comprehension.

"Ready your men your Majesty the final battle will soon begin, and this time we fight to win" Greggory nodded and turned away leaving nothing but silence behind.

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Folken and Van stood a few feet away from Millerna who was hovering over Hitomi.

"My God I don't understand this" she groaned in frustration

"Van I need your help" she spouted. He came forward quickly in worry

"What?" He asked anxiously. Millerna folded a cloth and placed it on Hitomi's neck

"Put as much pressure as you can on the wound" she instructed. Van did as he was told and pressed hard where she had asked.

"What did they do to her brother!" Van spouted in confused anger. Folken approached them picking up a small bottle and pouring a substance in to it.

"What are you doing?" Millerna protested. Folken ignored her and continued to mix different medicines till creating a green liquid

"Give this to her" he said authoritively.

"What?"

"It will reverse the affects of some of the Seldoniate the sorcerers injected into her" he explained

"What's Seldoniate?" She asked

"It's a chemical injected into ones system to prevent any resistance from the victim, it flows through the veins and shuts any unnecessary bodily functions down, allowing the machine you saw Van to locate any abnormality's that are present in the body such as a strange power. They couldn't find any so they gave her two more injections. With that much of the drug flowing through her, the damage done by their experiments won't be what kills her" Millerna retrieved the bottle from him

"I understand" she whispered.

"Van! We have orders from Greggory. We head out in five minutes" Kevin called. Van looked over at Millerna worriedly.

"Van go, I can handle it" She shooed.

"I can help her" Folken assured him. Van though disliking the idea of leaving his brother unwatched, decided to ignore his worries and follow Kevin out of the room and into the bay.

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AN: I'm getting so close to finishing this fic smiles. Pour Hitomi I always seem to pick on her I'm so cruel. I guess I'll go now so I can get to work on the 9th chapter.

bu bye,

Dragon Heart