Hikaru

Chapter Four: Captive of the Moonlight

"Hitomi?"

Hitomi looked up. Her eyesight was blurred, but she could make out a shape. As the image made itself clear, she realised it was her mother with an extremely worried expression on her face.

"Oh Hitomi!" Her mother hugged her tight, sighing with much needed relief, "I am so glad you're fine! You fell down the stairs you silly child! Honestly, what am I going to do with you. Stop exhausting yourself with all that practice!"

"Thanks mama…" Hitomi murmured as she got up with some help from her mother. She was in bed, slouching as she looked at her hands. Oh, how she wished Van could emerge from the sky and take her as high as the heavens as he once had. She gave an appreciative smile and told her mother that she would rest and there was no need to worry. Her mother kissed her cheek and left the room, switching off the light. The darkness enveloped her at once.

Alone, she lay there, her head spinning as the seconds passed. This feeling was so familiar. Then, she remembered how her vision was as clear as day… just as it had been four years ago. She undid her plats, placed her hair ties on the counter next to her bed and shut her eyes. A familiar song sounded in her head. It was that of the Fanelia folksong. It was beautiful, subtly powerful, encompassing and gentle, just as Van's touch was. She felt as if he was, indeed touching her.

She wondered how he was doing. The last time she had seen him was on the sea shore, but she could not be sure if it was truly him. She told him she was fine, but really, the pain was acute and even now, continued to drown her.

A beam of light shone at her face from the window. Annoyed, she turned over. The Fanelia folksong sounded again, as she felt her body lift from her bed.

She was too shocked to make a sound… as she was practically floating in mid air! Yet again! She grabbed onto her covers but it was a pathetic attempt to stay on ground. Again, she was defying the laws of gravity!

A feeling tinged with excitement, but complete and utter surprise rendered all over her body… but was she really that surprised, considering how her gift of visions had returned to her that very same day?

Her body followed the beam as its stunning aura surrounded, but seemingly sheltered her. She was part of it now… without thinking twice, she unlatched the window lock and she was off! Off to her wonderful world… off to…

Wait… "Prince Chid!" she thought, "there is a reason I am going back! I have to warn…"

Gaea

"Van De Fanel!"

"What is it, Mericulus?" he replied as his expression gave an annoyed look. Merle was accompanying him on his way to the market place and he really was not in the mood for interruption, especially as he had just found an opportunity to escape from court life.

"We have a surprise for you!"

"Give me a break," Merle replied as her ears flattened.

"I wish they would," said Van as he turned to face two eager little men, one with a hunched back and the other with a thin and tall posture. The first (Mericulus), had the look of a sneaky businessman with his fervent and quick eyes, as if he was keen to suck a customer dry of gold coins.

"May I introduce, the Earl of Kamanyak," the Mericulus said proudly whilst rubbing his hands together. The Earl bowed in his introduction gracefully.

"I have a proposition for you, young yet wise King of Fanelia," the Earl spoke.

"I wish to hear it," Van said dryly. He was never a fan of all this superficial etiquette. Merle hid behind Van, watching from a 'distance.'

"I have seven daughters and three nieces who await you. Your advisor Salvador invited us recently so that you may go through with the arranged meeting. They are from different wives," the Earl said, twisting his mouth in amusement, "So I am most certain you shall find a variety of beauty within each one. I suppose you are indeed an admirer of great beauty."

"Beauty? If any beauty, who can match that of my Draconian mother? Besides, I care more for integrity and dedication to the people of this realm. I also do not know of this, I wish to speak to Salvador before any of the arrangements proceed." Van heard Merle hiss slightly in annoyance. He bowed slightly, grabbed Merle's hand and they continued their journey to the market.

Later

"Absurd behaviour, my lord!" Salvador was hectic. His normal, perfectly uniform appearance had been tattered - his hair petruded out of his hat and his clothes were flapping all over the place as he waved his hands in the air in complete disarray.

"What, Salvador? You expect me to be so superficial and choose a Queen overnight?" Van replied. He did not feel at all in the mood to speak.

"At least meet them, and Fanelia will appreciate your efforts!"

"Diplomats. I care not for you. Where are the faithful samurai of this realm? Do you not remember Balgus? Pah! He died saving the remnants of this kingdom, yet can you not recall yourself cowering as the Zaibach Empire attacked this sacred land? Now, you look for women to keep me distant from the priorities I have as a dutiful King."

"Do not say such things my lord, I truly look for what is best for you! Do you not think that, if I did have the qualities of a fighter, in the practical sense of the word, I would have fought for this kingdom as did Balgus?" Out of breath, Salvador paused. "My lord, yes, I would have. Yet I take this chance, and I fight for it a different way now, in fact, I fight for its future. You need an heir. This is no longer warfare, my lord, but a real chance to ensure the stability of your kingship and the future generations of the Fanelian royal blood line. You think that once you die that the kingdom shall stay as peaceful as it is now? Think, Van De Fanel. Think! The nobles will take opportunity to seize this land right before your eyes as you lie in your deathbed!" He was about to continue with his speech, but Van interrupted.

"Surely! I shall live longer than a mere few years. And still, I am the King. Why must you continue to meddle in my affairs?"

With that, he left the room.