Disclaimer: Don't own Escaflowneâ (It's getting rather boring to always write this --;)
Here another long awaited chapter of one of my stories. ENJOYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Chapter 18: Darkness falls"What do you mean?" Van couldn't believe his ears. Hitomi banished? For what? What reason could there be that the Clan banished his last living member? (And if you thought that was crazy, listen to the reasons eg)
"That what I mean Van. The symbol on my hand is the sign of banishment in my clan. Once I leave this temple I will never be able to return again. In the years when my people still lived on Gaia, banishment was the most terrible thing you could imagine, far more worse then death. If someone would have worn this sign, they would have been shunned, not a single one of the Clan would have talked with such a person. Even the own family-members would have rather seen one of their own blood die instead of him or her being banished. It is a disgrace and although not banished themselves, knowing that someone from that specific family was banished had nearly the same effect as the banishment itself."
Van was stunned. In his country, banishment meant to most people a new chance to start life somewhere anew and was considered much better than death. But here, within these very walls and all over Gaia, this banishment sounded so much more badly then he had ever thought it could. It meant total isolation from those people who where your friend, your family, your own flesh and blood. And even those would see someone of their own kin rather dead than banished? It made no sense.
Van gently cupped Hitomi's chin and drew her face to his. New tears sparkled in them, threatening to be released and the hurt and betrayal was evident in those eyes that should have never gone through the pain they had. They should be sparkling with happiness and laughter just like in old time, seeming so far away; but not sparkle with tears.
"Why?" Such a simple word and it meant so much right now. It made those tear filed eyes sadden even more, spilling their moisture slowly down the face.
Hitomi looked away, eyes a little distant:
"They had many reasons. For one, I did not hold to the rules in the temple like I should have when I was here, but that is the slightest problems they had about me. It wouldn't have mattered so much if my will to fight against that what I though was wrong hadn't gotten so strong in their eyes. Then there were those dreams I told you about; the ones in which I saw what happened outside of the temple walls, for they taught me I should never keep information about any visions I have to myself and always report them so that if needed, actions could be taken against them. What made them really angry was my sudden disappearance from the temple and my sudden return and then especially in the company of you and the others. But even that they would have maybe still understood and nothing would have come of it. But"
"But what Hitomi?"
"Wellâ how am I going to explain this? You maybe remember Sheik calling me Revered Sister?" Hitomi asked gently and Van nodded before she continued.
"That title is one of a high ranking priestess. In the early days of Gaia, when myâ the people of Liocorna still lived with the other races on Gaia, it was custom for all children from ten to fifteen to enter into the temple as a novice and learn the things they needed to know about the history of their Clan. They also learned the use of the power they had in themselves to a certain degree. At the end, they undertook a test and after it they could decide, to either leave the temple to make something out of their lives or stay and go into priesthood. There were many ranks, some for special areas of research and such things and one of the highest ranks was that of the Revered Brothers and Sisters. The stood under the five magus, which were directly under the High One."
"The High One? But aren't there nine of them? Do they still live?"
Hitomi shook her head:
"No, but their spirits remain to be summoned if advise is needed. Only the High One, the five Magus and some of the Revered Brothers and Sisters were aloud to visit them. The high One was always the highest Priest in the Temple and the rank itself allowed him to age slower then normal people would, extending their lives to nearly 300 or 400 years. After they had decided, who would be successor after them the body would breath it's last but the spirit would still have access to the world of living."
Van looked thoughtful:
"I think I understand, what you explained to me, but it do not quite know what that has to do with you beingâ banned."
"Well, as I said, as a Revered Daughter, you are a priestess of high rankingâ and as that you have to âtake part in aâ ceremony, in which you have to take a sort of â vowâ ofâ wellâ virginity"
Van's eyes widened as realisation dawned on him and with it came the memories of previous nights he had been together with Hitomi. And Hitomi had told them or they had found out somehow. But did something like that really lead to such a hard punishment, especially if you did it out of love? Hitomi's words soon interrupted his thoughts.
"I never had wanted to make such a vow, but they persisted and eventually made me do it with the threat of never releasing me from the temple grounds if I didn't. And that was one thing I would have never endured for the rest of my life for it would have meant of never having a chance to see you again. It would have been the most gravest punishment of all, even worse than the banishment now."
"But it still doesn't fully make sense! I mean, it would have meant there would be no one after your death left from the Clan." Van stated bewildered. This was making less and less sense. To Van surprise Hitomi laughed although it was bitter and the look she gave him was of utter disgust andâ horror?
"That is the same thing I once questioned myself! I questioned myself who will come after me? and what is their intention? .
Until I found it out.
I found an old and dusty book in the library one day and studied it without telling Sheik, for it was a book that once only a Magus was allowed to use or the High One himself. There were many complicated rituals explained in detail and what they did if performed rightly. And when I came to the Prosperity Ritual I couldn't look at the book any longer and hid it away."
Hitomi shuddered and drew her arms tightly around herself pushing her body closer to Van's as if seeking warmth and comfort which he gladly gave as she slowly continued, despair in her voice.
"The Prosperity Ritual can only be performed on women who have entered the priesthood or have been unable to produce children the. It allows them to be become pregnant without breaking the virginity vow they made. It is complicated and the woman on whom it has been performed must be looked after carefully for ten days after performing it. If it wasn't a priestess, it had to be through the whole time of her pregnancy and it was much harder for them to bear it - but it never once failed in the history of the Clan. It can be performed up to five times on the same person and after that, she can bear no more children ever in her whole life. The Clan did this rather often for such a complicated spell before they went to the Mystic Moon, since they did not want their people to grow less already and saw the only way in using it. A member of the Liocorna Clan was never allowed to be together with a person who was not of their race. They feared of what might come of it, especially if through that the power of a Lior and a Draconian was combined. So they tried to live as isolated as they could and as far as I know it never happened that someone of the Clan got together with another person not of the Clan on Gaia. Of course they couldn't do that anymore when they returned to the Mystic Moon and they soon found out that the first and rarely the third child born into a family of a Lior and a normal human were still pure blooded although they could not explain why. So the history was given to those children carrying the blood in themselves, but with time, most of them forgot and since there hadn't been many left in the beginning"
"âThey still got less and less until in the end your family was the last to remember." Van concluded. Hitomi only nodded in response and went on.
"The moment I had found out about that ritual, I knew they would want to perform it on me one day, when they thought it was time. I saw the truth of my knowledge when they called me to them once again, talking about different things and how it went with my studies for they were always eager to know how good I was with my powers and other such things. And when I looked them into their faces that time, I saw the eager glimmer in their eyes, saw how they wanted to bring the Clan back to it's former way. And I was to be the tool of it all. Only then did I fully realise that they did not think about my feelings, how they just ignored them as if they were the wishes of a small child that would soon outgrow his antics through schooling and educating. It was also the first time I realised that I had to get away from there as soon as I could without them stopping me"
"Oh Hitomi" Van sighed as he held her tightly in his embrace. She sobbed quietly into his shoulder, tears coming to her eyes that she thought she didn't have anymore.
They remained that way for some time again, not speaking, just comforting. They welcomed the silence around them that was sometimes broken by the silent song of the whales from the outside. As time passed, Hitomi calmed down. Van felt that she wanted to tell him something more, so he gently asked if she liked to continue. She nodded and hiccupped a little.
"You know, that weren't all the reason why they banned me"
She trailed of once again and Van noticed a slight blush on her cheeks. It made him feel strange inside, as if something inside of him wanted to tell him it knew what Hitomi meant, but he could not understand what it said. Van wondered what Hitomi could have done more to make them even further enraged, but he could not grab the answer.
"Go on"
Hitomi's blush was still evident on her cheeks and she had started to fiddle around with the hem of her skirt, not looking at him.
"Wellâ You could say it has to do with another Vision I had shortly before I met you again"
"And what of it? What was the vision about?"
"Emmâ Wellâ The vision itself was about that one night in the cave we've spend togetherâand it was also about the consequences it would bring with it"
"The consequences? You mean the banishment?"
"No. I meanâ Well"
Hitomi slowly took one of Van's hands in hers and held it over her abdomen.
"Concentrate you energy on your hand and what you feel with it. It should be easier if you close your eyes"
Van closed his eyes and did as Hitomi told him. At first he only felt the fabric of Hitomi's clothes under his hand, but slowly he started to feel the energy surrounding her. It was her life-energy her body was emanating like a steady flowing river. And then he also felt something else, something strange. It felt like a smaller wave of energy, almost not there and very faint, but it was there nevertheless. And it felt as if it was growing, slowly but steadily. It was familiar, almost like Hitomi's and yet different, as if something else was present in it. He knew it, for it felt almost likeâhis?!?
Van's eyes snapped open in sudden understanding (took him long enough!). He stared at first in disbelieve at Hitomi, her eyes not quite meeting his. If she had, she would have seen the huge grin of joy spread across his face before he drew her face to his and kissed her. She returned the kiss slowly, her body pressing closer to his. When they broke the kiss Van's flaming gaze met hers.
"This is the best gift you could ever give me, Hitomi. I love you."
She took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "I love you, too. Come, we better go meet the others now. We're almost at the surface."
They both got up from the bed still holding hands. Hitomi lead the way as they travelled once again through the many corridors of the temple until they stood once again in front of the library. Hitomi slowly opened the door and they both entered, looking for the others. Merle had seated herself by Millerna and Celena and the three seemed to be in a deep conversation. Allen was sitting at the same table as Dryden while Sheik seemed to be explaining something out of a book that lay before them. A big and very empty looking plate on the table confirmed that Sheik had given their friends also something to eat.
Merle was the first to spot Van and Hitomi walking towards them and before anyone could comprehend, she had already jumped up from her position and right onto Van and Hitomi nearly making them both fall to the floor.
"There you two are. I was already getting worried what you two where up to! What did you two do all the time you were gone?"
"Sleep. Just sleep and eat", Hitomi answered before Van could say anything. He was quick enough to understand that she didn't want to tell the rest all of what had transpired between them and he was glad for it.
"And it seems that your sleep was very restful. You both look much better then before you came here", Sheik said in his soft voice and came over to them. "And I think you will want to show them the gardens. We should have resurfaced during the time you needed from you chamber to the library. Come, I will go with you."
Sheik's eyes showed a spark of wonder when Hitomi averted her eyes, unable to look at him. As if sensing what was wrong his gaze flickered to her left hand and saw the sign burned onto her skin. An unreadable looked crossed his features as he also averted his eyes from her and from Van. Van's hand turned into fists in anger at that damnable Clan, which had treated Hitomi so cruel. He felt a hand touch gently his and he took it, giving it a slight squeeze. Hitomi squeezed back thankfully and they led the others down the halls of the temple. They hadn't seemed to notice the silent conversation going on between the three and just wandered after them some steppes away, chatting about this and that.
"Why did they do it?" A voice quietly asked beside Hitomi and she and Van turned their heads to see Sheik beside them again, eyes staring straight ahead. She sighed and also turned her eyes back to the front.
"Because of many things. Did you never wonder?"
"If you mean about you not telling about any Visions for the last three months you where here, then I can only say that I think I know what they were about, if you had any that is. And about the bookâ Of course I noticed after some time that it had been moved and that only person could have looked in it, but I at first did not look what was in it. Only when you had already disappeared and then I still was not quite sure what you had all read from the book. But yet again I think I know what you mean. Did they want you to do it?"
"They never said it while I was here the first time, but they would have probably offered me a bargain in the end about it, so I could have stayed in the temple. But gladly it was already to late."
"Ahâ I see. And so, everything fits into place and yet it doesn't."
"What do you mean?" Van asked confused.
"I mean to say, that they should not forget the prophecy they have made themselves. For if they wanted it to become true, they should have seen it all coming and should have let fate flow the way it should, but alas their cowardice must have blinded them wholly. What? Are you looking so dumbfounded, because I really said something like that? Me who always spoke so high of our wise and honourable leaders? sigh I have seen many people come and go and I have seen time pass and people change and not always for good. Time has made the nine High once anxious to return the Clan to its former power, for they think it will be the only way to save Gaia from any drastic changes which could occur if something else happened. They did not spend one thought on the consequences it would have, if they really did something disastrous like that, for they are blinded by there own light. They have already forgotten the hunts the humans did on our people and the sorrow it inflicted on families and friends alike. Also, they do not seem to remember that it where those hunts and the rule not to use the given powers against them that brought upon us the darkness once and has brought it upon us again this time.
Only when Dragon and Unicorn unite; will both worlds be free again.
They said so themselves and yet they have tried everything themselves to stop the prophecy from becoming true without even noticing it." Sheik's gaze shifted to Van and Hitomi again, a smirk on his lips and laughter dancing in his eyes. "But it seems that all their plans to go against fate have not helped and I cannot say that I'm sad about it. I just hope that you two will be happy. You'll both have to be strong, for the final battle will probably soon take place."
Sheik turned away from them again before they could reply anything, although they wouldn't have known what to say anyway. So they kept silent, walking along the vast halls with their friends behind them. As they kept walking Van noticed the light from the stones and the candles seemed to grow less and less, but it was soon replaced by another source of light and Van began to make out the streams of light peeking through windows. Small they were at first, almost to small and much to high to see anything through them before they began to get bigger, giving the walls a warm and gentle glow. Soon they were big (and low) enough to look through them, feeling the rays of the sun warming face and skin, although they still could not make out much of the outside.
Then they suddenly went down a steep flight of stairs and a great Portal that swung silently outwards. The sun blinded them as they stepped through, shielding their eyes with their hands. When the friends lowered them after a while again they where stunned by the sight they beheld.
A garden with lush green grass, shimmering ponds, trees - some full with blossoms and others with ripe fruits – and many other little things spread about before them. Colourful birds flew through the treetops and little animals swished through the grass while glittering fish swam in the water. Wondering, they let themselves be led through the seemingly enchanted garden. Van heard muffled giggle beside him and turned so see Hitomi look at him with laughter and adoration in her eyes.
She smiled sweetly at him: "Just like a little child. How cute."
"Ah, so I'm a little child now. Well, if that's the way things are"
With one swift movement he scooped Hitomi up in his arms and spread his wings, carrying her into the sky. She let out a small shriek by his sudden movement but had to giggle into his shoulder at the wonderful feeling of Van's arms around her and the air going through her hair. The others only stared dumbfounded after them as the two spiralled through the air.
"Did I miss something or can anyone tell me what is up with those two?" Merle asked in disbelieve, her eyes glued to her two friends in the sky like the rest of them.
Dryden corrected his glasses: "I have no clue, but I think they're going to be okay. Let's just leave them alone again for a while."
The others nodded in agreement, but they still stayed in the same position for at least five minutes before walking on, still following the patient waiting Sheik, a smile on his lips.
In the air Van and Hitomi let themselves drift with the currents, enjoying the warmth of each other's embrace. Hitomi rested her head on Van's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"It's so beautiful up here"
"âAnd so peaceful." Van finished her sentence. "And where now is this "Ancient" you talked about earlier?"
"They're right down their, see?"
Hitomi pointed something out with her finger and Van's eyes followed the direction. The first thing he saw were two huge lumps at the end of the shore of the island the temple was build on. He thought them for some sort of rocks covered with moss and other things, but when he looked closer, he saw one of them looking at him! It really looked at him with one of his big black and shiny eyes at least as big as he was. Hitomi told him he could fly closer and he did finally seeing the truth. Those two weren't just big rocks but the heads of an enormous two-headed tortoise. On it's back lay the garden and the temple right in its centre. Now Van finally understood how the island had avoided of being found and Hitomi's explanation also made sense now. What were also stunning were the outer walls of the temple. They seemed to almost blend in with the endless dark blue of the water and the lighter blue of the sky.
Van was still to stunned for words when he finally landed back on the ground with Hitomi in his arms. They were now nearer to the two heads where also the others stood, gaping as well.
"Stunningâ absolutely, stunning" Dryden repeated over and over again. "I would have never thought, I would see so much wondrous things in just one day." He turned to Hitomi. "I always thought there were some unsolved secrets around you, but I never imagined them to be soâ soâ big!"
The others had to chuckle at that, especially since they had never seen Dryden so dumbfounded in the first place, but the things he had seen must have had taken a toll on him as all of them. Finally they spread out a little and inspected the garden. Many wondrous flowers showed themselves and what some of them lacked in colours, they made it up again with they scent. Merle asked Sheik where the birds and other animals were, when the temple was under water, but he just winked and said it would be up to he imagination to find out.
After another two hours of staying in the garden, it was finally time to go and say good buy to all those wondrous things, and to Sheik. They all thanked him very much for his help and support and Celina even wanted to hug him, but he objected with a laugh, since it wouldn't bring much of her falling through him.
Hitomi had regained most of her strength by that time and was able to open a small portal through which they could go through in twos. Millerna and Dryden went through first, with Celena and Allen right behind them.
"Don't take to long!" Merle shouted after Van and Hitomi before also stepping though the portal, vanishing out of sight. They both turned a last time to Sheik, who gave them a gentle smile, his hands folded inside the sleeves of his robes as ever. "Take care you two. Maybe it will be over soon and the people of this world may finally go to there normal life again. And maybe your children will find a way back here once day. I would really like to see them one day."
Hitomi smiled sadly and only nodded. Words of a final farewell would not come find their way past her lips as she almost clung to Van for support. He laid an arm around her shoulders and gave a short nod towards Sheik, also unable to say anything. Finally, they both turned around and also headed through the portal.
There was only a brief moment of dizziness before they were able to emerge at the other end, but the sight that greeted them wasn't welcoming. The first thing they saw were the unconsciousness bodies of their friends laying on the ground and then the many men dressed in green samurai-armour surrounding them. Van made a grab for his sword but Hitomi squeezed his arm tightly, eyes wide and almost fearful. He glanced at her and then at the parting Samurais as they made way for a dark figure. As Van looked closer, he saw that it was not a person in black but only the shadow, a shadow walking. The place where the eyes normally were, were blacker then black, shimmering hideously. Before he could comprehend what was happening to him, Van felt the world go dark around him and he two last words he heard before he lost consciousness came from the shadow, the voice which had been in his dreams.
"Found you."
Chapter end.
Ha aren't I mean to give such a cliff hanger again. gets drowned in rotten tomatoes Okay, okay. I'm sorry for the long wait AGAIN, but school is really taking a toll on me and since I've always been one to read a lot and play on the PC or the GameCube, it always takes some time before I manage to finish a chapter or story. I wrote my first story always at school, which is why it didn't take me so long to update then AND the chapters where shorter then. But since it's not possible to write so much at school anymore, since may timetable are totally different (and upside down) since I was in 11th grade (I'm in 12th grade now) It was always difficult, to find the right time for writingâ So again, sorry and I hope you'll forgive me if the next chapter will also take a while to be finished.
CIAO!