Hikaru

Chapter Eight: The Fortune Teller's Return

Van disappeared into the lush forests that were situated around Fanelia. He had been careful to make his way through the crowds of people in the ball so that he dodged the eyes of potential followers, though he could not help being spotted by a few confused ladies-in-waiting. However, he was far too swift for anyone to catch up, well apart from Allen, of course, who had recently polished his skills one could almost assume that he had become as skilled and fast as Balgus had been.

He gave a deep long sigh… finally he was free from the confines of the palace. Though he cared much for his kingdom, he saw himself as more of a soldier rather than a King, especially when that King had to find a suitor (as it was most troublesome). Drawing his sword slowly, he heard the metal slide out of its sheath. Once drawn, he pulled it into the air, turning the blade from one angle to another and sweeping it around him in a very disciplined and streamlined manner. Though he had, become sick of war long ago, after the long battle against Zaibach, he found that sword fighting as an art was very soothing. It could help him take his mind off things. He even, at times in training, felt he was merged with Escaflowne again… it frightened him, but then, when he reflected on the moments when he rode the awakened Guymelef in its dragon form with Hitomi's arms clasped around his waist, he was content again.

After an hour or so, he allowed himself to collapse on the floor, not out of physical exhaustion, but rather because of his overwhelming emotional pain. Indeed, he missed Hitomi more than ever. Thinking of love, his attention turned to the subject of marriage. Even if his advisors were to tell him that his negotiations/associations with these potential wives could remain purely diplomatic and could be halted if he could not find a suitor he liked, he knew that they would keep bugging him to make a decision upon one of the girls put forward.

As he sat, he looked up, watching the luminous Mystic Moon hang in the sky. Whenever he did so, his heart would become clouded in a gentle sadness. However, he was always sad when Hitomi was not there. Sometimes he could see Hitomi looking over him, but this was not enough. Alas, he needed her prescience, he needed her touch…

There would often be occasions where he felt regret for letting her go… and in these brief, yet overpoweringly haunting moments, he would drown… plunge into a contemptuous misery that he could not express unless he was alone, for the sake of his subjects and especially for Merle.

He pulled off the pendant that Hitomi had given him and his eyes were transfixed by the item, though very small, had contained great power. He almost felt tempted to wish her back, even with the terrifying, dreadful images of the destruction of Atlantis running by the back of his mind. Was he that selfish? How could he think that? Did his mother's ancestors die in vain? His fist tightened around the pink gem and the gold chain that dangled from it and closed his eyes. He let his body fall onto the ground and lay there to rest…

"Sir!" cried a voice urgently, "Sir!"

Van Slanzar De Fanel shot up from his position immediately. A little man that reminded him of Mr. Mole came hurrying towards him.

"What is it?" Van asked, lost in the disconcerted character's erratic movements.

"Sir!" he cried wastefully, "I must ask you for help! Please! Quickly! A girl!"

"A girl? What?" Van was confused.

"Follow me!" he said and ran off deeper into the forest. Van followed, catching up with the man almost immediately. "There is a girl… in the forest! She's hurt badly!"

Author's Note: I just realised how I made a really stupid mistake! Apologies! I kept writing "Duchy of Chid" rather than "Duchy of Fried"! Forgive me! I'll make those changes at some point (To each chapter)

By the way, a very random note: Does anyone know if there will be an Escaflowne sequel? It tore my heart up when they separated, and how that they would think of each other, though not actually be in each other's physical prescience. Do you suppose that they could have visited each other whenever they wanted? (I.e. when Van appeared on the shore?) Could they use the power of their wishes to see each other? I'm very curious to what people think and whether there are any plans from Bandai to make a sequel.

Coming Up:

Chapter Ten: Reunited At Last