Disclaimer: Yadda yadda yadda, don't own Esca…. So on….
Author's Note: For those of you who love Hitomi, this is the chapter for you! So read on and enjoy because (as you know) I don't really like her so this is probably the only chapter that is solely about her. Enjoy!
Sisters till the End
This is dedicated to Pablo/Cecil because he is such an awesome writer and he has inspired me to go farther. Thank you Pablo/Cecil for your awesome story and your awesome talent!
Chapter Ten: Blood Pact
A slender figure stood in front of a small group of people hidden by the shadows of the night. Filtering moonlight accented the figure's feminine build and sandy brown hair. Emerald green eyes seemed to pierce through the surrounding darkness and pick out the hiding shadows, their depths paralyzing and ripping them apart piece by piece. Such fire and hate lingering in one woman's eyes could never be suppressed nor bypassed by any other. For no one could ever be Queen Hitomi Fanel of Fanellia.
She stood string, the leader of a small, sometimes backwards, country, ready to unite enemies under her rule. The task before her was vast and seemingly impossible. Death or destruction was imminent. Lives would be crushed and shattered but one thing kept her choice of action as steady as a rock. Her love for her lost husband and his dream fueled the fire in her eyes and stirred the passion in her soul. "I have brought you here," she started, her voice strong, even and holding the feeling of suppressed anger. That last element was what made the shadows pay attention to the woman. "For one reason. You have come interested in that reason. Therefore I will reveal it to you; under one condition."
"And that would be?" Snarled a voice.
Hitomi shifted her gaze over to the voice's owner and fixed him with a nasty look. "The condition is you swear your allegiance to me right now, on this very ground. Those who don't can leave now. Those who will step forward and bear the fruits of your allegiance." A pause passed before a couple of shadows took form in the darkness and steadily came into the light. The first to take form was a tall, slender figure with light skin, gentle blue eyes, waist length red hair pulled into a ponytail with a few strands to emphasize her soft, lovely face. Long pointed ears with a variety of earrings told Hitomi that she was not of a known country.
"I, Solaris, last known Naiad, hereby swear allegiance to Queen Hitomi Fanel of Fanellia by blood pact," Solaris said smoothly, taking out a dagger from her skirt and slitting her palm open. Clenching her hand so the blood fell more freely, she stepped forward and took the Fanellian sword that Hitomi held and opened her hand allowing the blood to hit the cold sword blade. "Let my blood deal my pact and let my blood flow freely by death of this sword if I turn away." Hitomi nodded and the next shadow stepped forward.
An extremely tall woman with a wiry frame, long blonde hair in a braid, and blue eyes stepped up. Hitomi recognized her right away. The girl drew out a small dagger. "I, Riel HeartSeeker, daughter of Injii HeartSeeker, hereby swear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Hitomi Fanel of Blessed Fanellia," Riel said, slitting her palm open and doing the same action as Solaris had. "By death will I turn away from my country." Riel slipped back into the darkness and another shadow stepped forward.
A considerably short girl stepped forward, considering that the others had been over five foot seven Hitomi guessed. The girl was rather built like a boy with short black hair, brown eyes and a pointed face. There was a scar underneath her right eye. "I am Issa and by death I swear to remain loyal to Queen Hitomi Fanel of Fanellia," Issa said, slicing open her palm and bleeding onto the sword. She stepped back as another took her place.
A medium height girl with a small build and strong legs took Issa's place. Long mahogany hair was pulled back from her face, giving full view of big green eyes and a long scar on her left arm. The girl looked at Hitomi with a mixture of distrust and pirde in her eyes. "I, Valkerie, swear allegiance to Queen Hitomi," she said slowly, as if she thought each word over. She sliced her hand and let her blood drip onto the sword. A searing pain shot through Hitomi's head as she watched Valkerie turn away. Something wasn't right about that girl.
The last shadow took form in front of Hitomi. She was as tall as Solaris with a curving body, amethyst eyes, black hair that contrasted with her medium skin. "I am an assassin by trade," she said, her voice cold. "I do not swear allegiance."
"Then swear it until my reason is fulfilled. As I said, come forth and swear your allegiance and bear the fruits of your labor," Hitomi said, matching the girl's tone. With a disgusted nod, the girl slit her palm. "With this blood I, Chase, swear temporary allegiance to Queen Hitomi Fanel of Fanellia," Chase said as her blood hit the cold blade. "I honor my words." Hitomi nodded and Chase walked back to the now visible line. Hitomi looked at her five soldiers and gave a small smile.
When she had first come to Gaea she had suffered visions and slight ESP, not to the point where she could read people's minds. After she had left Gaea her powers weakened, however, upon returning and staying they had flourished and were now very great. Visions still plagued her at unwanted times but her ESP had grown to where she could tell when someone was hiding something. It just so happened that the majority of her soldiers had something about them. "Now, you have agreed to my condition, you will want to know my reason for calling you all here," she started. "First, you have all heard of the rumor that the Second has arrived.
"This coincides with my reason. You see, my late husband, King Van Fanel, wanted Gaea to be pure; he wanted the evil that plagued the planet to be eradicated. He is gone now but his dream will come alive. That is why I have called you here. You have sworn your allegiance to me therefore you are obliged to carry out my husband's dream."
"What about the 'fruits of our labor'?" Chase demanded.
Hitomi's eyes looked at Chase. She had been the one to speak out earlier. A daring girl, she thought. "I will pay you each three thousand silver coins when and if you finish my task. After that you may request to be released from your sworn allegiance and I will honor your request."
"How do we know you won't deny it?" Solaris asked.
"Her Majesty does not dare lie!" Riel burst, turning on Solaris, fire raging in her eyes. "She honors every request!"
"Riel is correct," Hitomi said smoothly. "If you ask to be released a week after the task is finished I will honor my words and release you. If you wait longer then your request will not be honored unless I see it fit. I am nothing but unfair."
Solaris crossed her arms and nodded. "As your reputation perceives you."
"What about this… dream," Valkerie said. "What does it entail?"
"As a Knight of Heaven I would think you would speak to Her Majesty in a proper tone," Riel said icily. "You are a Knight, aren't you?"
Hitomi quirked her eyebrow at Riel; the girl had quite a defensive personality. "It is simple enough for a group of your talents. I want you to find the Second, capture him, and bring him to me. After that, you will guard him against the other forces that will be seeking him. Once he grants my wish you will be paid."
"And if he doesn't grant it?" Valkerie pressed.
"I should think he would, if we have the right leverage," Hitomi said. "I have information that he was with the assassin Zorya Aradia Belok. Chances are he formed a bond with her, no matter how small; he will try to save her. Find her and take her captive."
All of the soldiers smiled. "Very well," Solaris said. "We shall get started right away."
Author's Note: There ya go, a Hitomi chapter! Every story has to have one in there! Well I hope you enjoyed it. Review and more pretty chapters come up!
~The Shadow That Takes Form as a Kat~
~~ShadowKat~~