The Legend of Liocorna
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of it's characters! (Just think of me owning Van! It would be to good to be true... *sigh*)
And another chapter or all of those who read this story, which I am grateful for. THANX A LOT! *bows before crowd* Hope you ENJOYYYY this chapter! R&R!
Chapter 10: The forgotten Clan of Liocorna
"Was that Unicorn real or just an illusion? Do you know something about it? Dryden?!?"
"Huh?" Dryden looked up from one of his BIG books which he kept in the giant library of the Asturian Castle. It was only about half an hour after the attack in which a Unicorn had saved Palas from total destruction, nearly killing all of the enemy then disappearing again. Right now, everyone (meaning Millerna, Eries, Allen, Van, Merle and all of the Crusado Crew) was leaning over Dryden's desk he was sitting at making him nearly fall over with his chair in shock since he hadn't noticed them coming. (~ that man is deaf when it comes to reading a book just like me *g* ~) Van had been the one to ask and he repeated his question: "Oh come on Dryden, I know you heard me! Was that unicorn real and do you know something about his sudden appearance in the middle of a battle-field in Palas or don't you?"
Dryden gulped: "Maybe I could tell you something about it, Van. But it would be very nice of you all to leave me some room to breath and move."
Dryden got up after his request had been granted and walked around his book shelves murmuring under his breath. He came to a section with very old looking books and many scrolls of parchment. He crammed about a little, his head disappearing into the pile of scrolls. The loud "AHA!" coming from under the pile made them all jump as Dryden came forth again with two scrolls. The seemed very old and looked as if they would crumble apart any moment. He strode to his desk again and carefully unwrapped one of the rolls, which was so long it fell over the desk and touched the floor. It was written in an odd language at the beginning and the rest was... "That's the same kind of writing we saw in the mystic Valley and that Diary!" gasped Van, staring shocked at the scroll as if it would start to talk on it's own accord any moment.
Dryden pushed his glasses up his nose with his middle finger. "Yes it is. It is the same writing because it was written by a Draconian! They where the only ones, who wrote something about all this. Now be quiet for a moment so I can read this through again."
Silence followed for sometime while Dryden studied the scroll, nose barely an inch away from the paper and throwing words into the room like "interesting" or "I must have forgotten...". It was unnerving as everyone wanted answers to their questions and Dryden didn't help with reading the paper about a docent times until he finally lifted his head again and turned to face the other awaiting stares. He leaned against his desk and started: "Well it seems like we may have found a hint to the ancient Liocorna Clan through that Unicorn of yours."
Van and the others looked irritated at him, wandering what he meant until Van spoke up again, looking very thoughtful all of a sudden: "Liocorna... It seems to ring a bell inside my head. I think my mother mentioned it once or twice before she left. Something about probably needing the help of that Clan soon and hoping for the last members of them to survive it."
Dryden nodded: "It is no wonder for your mother to have know something about them and their destiny. The Liors, so where the members of the Liocorna Clan called by others, mostly had something to do with the Draconians. If I have read this thing right, the Draconians only managed to become so powerful through the help of the Liors. They gave them some of their magical power resources when they had asked them for it. They also helped create those pendants, like the one you are wearing Van."
Millerna interrupted: "But who are they and what has that to do with the Unicorn?"
"One thing at a time my dear. When the people of the Liocorna Clan noticed how the Draconians used the given power to change it so they could have the gift of creating things through their wishes and such, they warned them but fell on deaf ears. Yes, the Draconians even started hunting after them. But even after all this the Liors still helped the Draconians create Gaia when the time had come for they had foreseen the destruction of Atlantis and also went with them to Gaia so they could hold everything in balance there.
But now to the Clan itself... The Liors seemed to have been very powerful people and may have already existed before Atlantis was created. Some of them where probably so powerful, that they could have destroyed great parts of Gaia, even whole countries with no effort or risking their own lives through the amount of power set loose. The clan mostly kept to themselves and they had never been many of them, maybe not even half as much people as the inhabitants of Asturia. They wandered around Gaia, to see if they could make things that were wrong, right and keep up the old myths and legends. They were normally not one of the type, who would just fight like that or do something with their power if it was not totally necessary for Gaia and it's people. When the hunting for the Draconians started it also included them. Those who got caught most times didn't even try to defend themselves against the angry mob, but let them murder them, for they did not wish to fight or maybe even harm those men. They thought it would bring no good for Gaia. They never seemed to consider what would happen to Gaia if they where extinguished like it almost happened to the Draconians. Only a handful may have realised this, for the Clan disappeared without a trace, not leaving a mere hint for the after-world of what happened to them.
And this is where the Unicorn fits in. For the day the Liocorna Clan seemed to have disappeared from the face of Gaia, the Unicorns also did so. No one knew why this happened, because before the missing of the Clan there had been some sightings of Unicorns and they even showed themselves sometimes to man kind. They were also believed to have strong mystical powers and strange abilities. But with the vanishing of the Liocorna Clan the Unicorns where also gone and no one ever saw a trace of them again. It seems that they had something to do or in common with the Liors and followed them to where-ever they left. And since a Unicorn appeared on the field today and the strange light spears smashed the enemy it could be very true, that the Liors have returned or at least one of them. Even what Van has told us about a barrier appearing around Fanelia and Dragons attacking the enemy makes sense since the Liors seemed to get along with animals and the Draconians also had once a very strong bond towards the Dragons. It would only make sense if we think in that way."
There was silence for some time as everyone took in the great amount of information Dryden had given them. It was very confusing. No one of them had ever heard of that Clan and it's history seemed to have a thin red line of misfortune. If Dryden had told them right, the Liors had been mistreated by man kind and even Draconians, who did not listen to them and killed them even after they had done nothing wrong. Finally Allen spoke up: "But there is one thing that still bothers me... If as you have said, Dryden, that someone of that Clan has returned... then why after so long? And if they hate fighting and killing, why has the or the Unicorn attacked that enemy with such force? He even killed nearly the whole army that attacked Palas and in Fanelia he did it through the Dragons!"
Dryden sighted and seemed to think for a proper answer: "I am not entirely sure. Of course there is no real prove that it was one of the Liocorna Clan, the Unicorn could have done it on it's own accord or it was also an illusion by a very powerful creature. Or..."
"...Or that enemy and especially it's leader is so powerful and cruel that they think only one of their Clan can stop him from destroying Gaia"
Everyone's attention turned to Van as he voiced out that last thought. He seemed in deep concentration trying to find an answer to that mystery. And it was no wonder that his head was swimming, since there suddenly seemed to resurface a long lost memory from his mother.
**** flashback ****
His mother had been sitting in the garden one evening, when Van had been about four years old and he had run to here with tear stricken face: "Mommy, Folken told me that we killed all those white horses with the shimmering horns. But that is so cruel!"
His mother had laughed her genuine laugh, confusing Van and making him cry even more. She had picked him up into her arms cradling him on her lap: "Now now, calm down Van. You probably mean the Unicorns, don't you? *sigh* It is true that they were hunted and killed, but that is a long time ago. No one knows for sure if they are still hiding somewhere on this planet or have gone to the another sacred place where no other mortal can go."
Van's mother had wiped his tears away and had then pointed at the stars shinning above in the cloudless sky: "An old Legend says, that the stars resemble those of them who are dead, because they are one with them. You could say, they have the power and holy magic of the stars."
"Will they come back one day?"
"I am sure, they will appear soon, for they are needed once more. Gaia is calling out to them, pleading for help and aid. And that is a call, that they will not be left unnoticed by them. Promise me Van that if you ever meet one of them and if it gives you it's trust you will protect it with all the power you have got. For your powers combined with his may save Gaia from it's doom one day."
*** flashback end ***
Van was tossed out of his memory trip by Merle's eager voice: " And what is that strange writing at the top of the scroll Dryden? I have never seen such a language and it does not look like from the Draconians. And what is it with the second scroll you got out?"
Van looked over to Dryden who still leaned casual against his desk as if he had no care in this world and was adjusting his glasses again: "Well, the writing you are all seeing is the one the Liors used when they exchanged thing under themselves. But this is merely a double from the original, which was burned a long time ago. It is something about an old legend that once was given from one clan member to the next. The one who wrote this also translated this prophecy as best as he could. Out came this:
+ We seemed to have vanished, we seem to have lost control,
but one will always remain, to save from peril,
so Gaia will once again breath.
Beware, the one who seeks the dark and was banished from the clan may return,
Thus we will return to stop from total destruction,
but we may not make it alone,
only when Dragon and Unicorn unite,
will both worlds be free again. +
And that is all he translated. He wrote that there have been more lines to this legend, but they were forgotten and went into more detail about the peril and the two creatures. And I personally think the time for this prophecy has come."
There was silence once again as everyone contemplated Dryden's statement and deep inside Van knew he was right. And once again Allen let out his doubt: "Are you sure. It sounds very mysterious and there was never mentioned when this prophecy will come true. It could have already happened or we are lucky and it will never come true."
"As good as it would be for us all Allen, I really doubt it would never happen. There is one thing we can do to find out. We can look at this second scroll, for the one who wrote this all tells, that the real prophecy will show when the time has come."
"But didn't you just say that the Original was destroyed!"
"I'm sorry Millerna, hone, if I didn't express myself right. Yes the writing of the prophecy was destroyed, only the writing. With it came a painting. It is on this second scroll. I was in wonder when I opened it once, for it only seemed to exist out of silver flecks, but let us see if something has changed."
And with that Dryden took the second paper and unrolled it. Everybody gasped as the picture was revealed, you could even see on Dryden's face astonishment, something you didn't see often.
The picture didn't show silver flecks. On it was a beautiful looking Unicorn like the one they saw earlier, standing on his hind heels head held high. But this one also had two misty wings coming out of it's back. It was standing on a lush green hill, stars twinkling in the sky. But the background also showed burning ruins of some place and a temple standing nearby. From the ruins came a shadow blacker then the night making it's way towards the Unicorn, which horn was pointing towards it. In the sky was a sign in form of a glistening star with a little bluish pebble in it. The whole painting sparkled and glowed with it's own light.
There daze was broken when a soldier burst through the door coming to a screeching halt in front of them. He was panting heavily as if he had run the whole way from the palace walls to them. After regaining his breath the soldier finally spoke: "I am sorry to have interrupt something important, but we have discovered a cloaked figure making its way from the forest to the city walls. What shall we do your highnesses?"
While the others stared blankly at the soldier Van nearly fell over in shock.. How could he have forgotten?!? "Hitomi..." He whispered silently as everyone's attention now turned towards him but before anyone could asked he dashed already out of the room through the castle halls out through the castle gates and down the streets. He came across the figure the man had reported about at the destroyed gate where the unicorn had stood. The person stumbled and would have fallen to the ground if Van hadn't quickly stepped forward and grab her carefully around the waist.
"Van? ...Is... that... you?" It was only a soft whisper and Van heard the pain within them.
"Yes it's me Hitomi. Everything is going to be fine. What happened to you?" Only now had he noticed the long and sometimes deep wounds on her arms and probably on her legs also. She didn't answer his question but leaned her head against his shoulder letting out a ragged breath.
"Freid...attack.. four days.. must hurry..Temple" Those where the last word she whispered into his hair before she passed out and he gently picked her up and carried her back to the castle, back to the astonished faces of her friends.
Chapter end
Few... Just made it in time! I'm of to Italy to my parents in about an hour or so, but don't worry, my Dad has a PC with Internet there so I'll try to keep on writing for you guys. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! CIAO!
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of it's characters! (Just think of me owning Van! It would be to good to be true... *sigh*)
And another chapter or all of those who read this story, which I am grateful for. THANX A LOT! *bows before crowd* Hope you ENJOYYYY this chapter! R&R!
Chapter 10: The forgotten Clan of Liocorna
"Was that Unicorn real or just an illusion? Do you know something about it? Dryden?!?"
"Huh?" Dryden looked up from one of his BIG books which he kept in the giant library of the Asturian Castle. It was only about half an hour after the attack in which a Unicorn had saved Palas from total destruction, nearly killing all of the enemy then disappearing again. Right now, everyone (meaning Millerna, Eries, Allen, Van, Merle and all of the Crusado Crew) was leaning over Dryden's desk he was sitting at making him nearly fall over with his chair in shock since he hadn't noticed them coming. (~ that man is deaf when it comes to reading a book just like me *g* ~) Van had been the one to ask and he repeated his question: "Oh come on Dryden, I know you heard me! Was that unicorn real and do you know something about his sudden appearance in the middle of a battle-field in Palas or don't you?"
Dryden gulped: "Maybe I could tell you something about it, Van. But it would be very nice of you all to leave me some room to breath and move."
Dryden got up after his request had been granted and walked around his book shelves murmuring under his breath. He came to a section with very old looking books and many scrolls of parchment. He crammed about a little, his head disappearing into the pile of scrolls. The loud "AHA!" coming from under the pile made them all jump as Dryden came forth again with two scrolls. The seemed very old and looked as if they would crumble apart any moment. He strode to his desk again and carefully unwrapped one of the rolls, which was so long it fell over the desk and touched the floor. It was written in an odd language at the beginning and the rest was... "That's the same kind of writing we saw in the mystic Valley and that Diary!" gasped Van, staring shocked at the scroll as if it would start to talk on it's own accord any moment.
Dryden pushed his glasses up his nose with his middle finger. "Yes it is. It is the same writing because it was written by a Draconian! They where the only ones, who wrote something about all this. Now be quiet for a moment so I can read this through again."
Silence followed for sometime while Dryden studied the scroll, nose barely an inch away from the paper and throwing words into the room like "interesting" or "I must have forgotten...". It was unnerving as everyone wanted answers to their questions and Dryden didn't help with reading the paper about a docent times until he finally lifted his head again and turned to face the other awaiting stares. He leaned against his desk and started: "Well it seems like we may have found a hint to the ancient Liocorna Clan through that Unicorn of yours."
Van and the others looked irritated at him, wandering what he meant until Van spoke up again, looking very thoughtful all of a sudden: "Liocorna... It seems to ring a bell inside my head. I think my mother mentioned it once or twice before she left. Something about probably needing the help of that Clan soon and hoping for the last members of them to survive it."
Dryden nodded: "It is no wonder for your mother to have know something about them and their destiny. The Liors, so where the members of the Liocorna Clan called by others, mostly had something to do with the Draconians. If I have read this thing right, the Draconians only managed to become so powerful through the help of the Liors. They gave them some of their magical power resources when they had asked them for it. They also helped create those pendants, like the one you are wearing Van."
Millerna interrupted: "But who are they and what has that to do with the Unicorn?"
"One thing at a time my dear. When the people of the Liocorna Clan noticed how the Draconians used the given power to change it so they could have the gift of creating things through their wishes and such, they warned them but fell on deaf ears. Yes, the Draconians even started hunting after them. But even after all this the Liors still helped the Draconians create Gaia when the time had come for they had foreseen the destruction of Atlantis and also went with them to Gaia so they could hold everything in balance there.
But now to the Clan itself... The Liors seemed to have been very powerful people and may have already existed before Atlantis was created. Some of them where probably so powerful, that they could have destroyed great parts of Gaia, even whole countries with no effort or risking their own lives through the amount of power set loose. The clan mostly kept to themselves and they had never been many of them, maybe not even half as much people as the inhabitants of Asturia. They wandered around Gaia, to see if they could make things that were wrong, right and keep up the old myths and legends. They were normally not one of the type, who would just fight like that or do something with their power if it was not totally necessary for Gaia and it's people. When the hunting for the Draconians started it also included them. Those who got caught most times didn't even try to defend themselves against the angry mob, but let them murder them, for they did not wish to fight or maybe even harm those men. They thought it would bring no good for Gaia. They never seemed to consider what would happen to Gaia if they where extinguished like it almost happened to the Draconians. Only a handful may have realised this, for the Clan disappeared without a trace, not leaving a mere hint for the after-world of what happened to them.
And this is where the Unicorn fits in. For the day the Liocorna Clan seemed to have disappeared from the face of Gaia, the Unicorns also did so. No one knew why this happened, because before the missing of the Clan there had been some sightings of Unicorns and they even showed themselves sometimes to man kind. They were also believed to have strong mystical powers and strange abilities. But with the vanishing of the Liocorna Clan the Unicorns where also gone and no one ever saw a trace of them again. It seems that they had something to do or in common with the Liors and followed them to where-ever they left. And since a Unicorn appeared on the field today and the strange light spears smashed the enemy it could be very true, that the Liors have returned or at least one of them. Even what Van has told us about a barrier appearing around Fanelia and Dragons attacking the enemy makes sense since the Liors seemed to get along with animals and the Draconians also had once a very strong bond towards the Dragons. It would only make sense if we think in that way."
There was silence for some time as everyone took in the great amount of information Dryden had given them. It was very confusing. No one of them had ever heard of that Clan and it's history seemed to have a thin red line of misfortune. If Dryden had told them right, the Liors had been mistreated by man kind and even Draconians, who did not listen to them and killed them even after they had done nothing wrong. Finally Allen spoke up: "But there is one thing that still bothers me... If as you have said, Dryden, that someone of that Clan has returned... then why after so long? And if they hate fighting and killing, why has the or the Unicorn attacked that enemy with such force? He even killed nearly the whole army that attacked Palas and in Fanelia he did it through the Dragons!"
Dryden sighted and seemed to think for a proper answer: "I am not entirely sure. Of course there is no real prove that it was one of the Liocorna Clan, the Unicorn could have done it on it's own accord or it was also an illusion by a very powerful creature. Or..."
"...Or that enemy and especially it's leader is so powerful and cruel that they think only one of their Clan can stop him from destroying Gaia"
Everyone's attention turned to Van as he voiced out that last thought. He seemed in deep concentration trying to find an answer to that mystery. And it was no wonder that his head was swimming, since there suddenly seemed to resurface a long lost memory from his mother.
**** flashback ****
His mother had been sitting in the garden one evening, when Van had been about four years old and he had run to here with tear stricken face: "Mommy, Folken told me that we killed all those white horses with the shimmering horns. But that is so cruel!"
His mother had laughed her genuine laugh, confusing Van and making him cry even more. She had picked him up into her arms cradling him on her lap: "Now now, calm down Van. You probably mean the Unicorns, don't you? *sigh* It is true that they were hunted and killed, but that is a long time ago. No one knows for sure if they are still hiding somewhere on this planet or have gone to the another sacred place where no other mortal can go."
Van's mother had wiped his tears away and had then pointed at the stars shinning above in the cloudless sky: "An old Legend says, that the stars resemble those of them who are dead, because they are one with them. You could say, they have the power and holy magic of the stars."
"Will they come back one day?"
"I am sure, they will appear soon, for they are needed once more. Gaia is calling out to them, pleading for help and aid. And that is a call, that they will not be left unnoticed by them. Promise me Van that if you ever meet one of them and if it gives you it's trust you will protect it with all the power you have got. For your powers combined with his may save Gaia from it's doom one day."
*** flashback end ***
Van was tossed out of his memory trip by Merle's eager voice: " And what is that strange writing at the top of the scroll Dryden? I have never seen such a language and it does not look like from the Draconians. And what is it with the second scroll you got out?"
Van looked over to Dryden who still leaned casual against his desk as if he had no care in this world and was adjusting his glasses again: "Well, the writing you are all seeing is the one the Liors used when they exchanged thing under themselves. But this is merely a double from the original, which was burned a long time ago. It is something about an old legend that once was given from one clan member to the next. The one who wrote this also translated this prophecy as best as he could. Out came this:
+ We seemed to have vanished, we seem to have lost control,
but one will always remain, to save from peril,
so Gaia will once again breath.
Beware, the one who seeks the dark and was banished from the clan may return,
Thus we will return to stop from total destruction,
but we may not make it alone,
only when Dragon and Unicorn unite,
will both worlds be free again. +
And that is all he translated. He wrote that there have been more lines to this legend, but they were forgotten and went into more detail about the peril and the two creatures. And I personally think the time for this prophecy has come."
There was silence once again as everyone contemplated Dryden's statement and deep inside Van knew he was right. And once again Allen let out his doubt: "Are you sure. It sounds very mysterious and there was never mentioned when this prophecy will come true. It could have already happened or we are lucky and it will never come true."
"As good as it would be for us all Allen, I really doubt it would never happen. There is one thing we can do to find out. We can look at this second scroll, for the one who wrote this all tells, that the real prophecy will show when the time has come."
"But didn't you just say that the Original was destroyed!"
"I'm sorry Millerna, hone, if I didn't express myself right. Yes the writing of the prophecy was destroyed, only the writing. With it came a painting. It is on this second scroll. I was in wonder when I opened it once, for it only seemed to exist out of silver flecks, but let us see if something has changed."
And with that Dryden took the second paper and unrolled it. Everybody gasped as the picture was revealed, you could even see on Dryden's face astonishment, something you didn't see often.
The picture didn't show silver flecks. On it was a beautiful looking Unicorn like the one they saw earlier, standing on his hind heels head held high. But this one also had two misty wings coming out of it's back. It was standing on a lush green hill, stars twinkling in the sky. But the background also showed burning ruins of some place and a temple standing nearby. From the ruins came a shadow blacker then the night making it's way towards the Unicorn, which horn was pointing towards it. In the sky was a sign in form of a glistening star with a little bluish pebble in it. The whole painting sparkled and glowed with it's own light.
There daze was broken when a soldier burst through the door coming to a screeching halt in front of them. He was panting heavily as if he had run the whole way from the palace walls to them. After regaining his breath the soldier finally spoke: "I am sorry to have interrupt something important, but we have discovered a cloaked figure making its way from the forest to the city walls. What shall we do your highnesses?"
While the others stared blankly at the soldier Van nearly fell over in shock.. How could he have forgotten?!? "Hitomi..." He whispered silently as everyone's attention now turned towards him but before anyone could asked he dashed already out of the room through the castle halls out through the castle gates and down the streets. He came across the figure the man had reported about at the destroyed gate where the unicorn had stood. The person stumbled and would have fallen to the ground if Van hadn't quickly stepped forward and grab her carefully around the waist.
"Van? ...Is... that... you?" It was only a soft whisper and Van heard the pain within them.
"Yes it's me Hitomi. Everything is going to be fine. What happened to you?" Only now had he noticed the long and sometimes deep wounds on her arms and probably on her legs also. She didn't answer his question but leaned her head against his shoulder letting out a ragged breath.
"Freid...attack.. four days.. must hurry..Temple" Those where the last word she whispered into his hair before she passed out and he gently picked her up and carried her back to the castle, back to the astonished faces of her friends.
Chapter end
Few... Just made it in time! I'm of to Italy to my parents in about an hour or so, but don't worry, my Dad has a PC with Internet there so I'll try to keep on writing for you guys. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! CIAO!