A/N: right i no i sed i wouldnt update but i got annoyed with myself since ive wrote up to chapter 12 now...please review...btw this chapter is like 5000+ words so i rekon u get a cup of tea or suming
Chapter 8 I will kill for you! I will die for you!
It had started to rain as soon as Zaron left, light at first but it got heavier and heavier. The rain did not stop, not even a hint of getting lighter for several days. Marth had stayed out of concern for his sister, who had not left her room. It was clear things were wrong because of the rain. Maids crossing the courtyard had often said they saw her standing on her balcony getting soaking wet.
Allen was back on his feet but spent most of his time arguing with Marth.
"Tell me what you know Schezar." Marth had Allen by the collar.
"Look I don't know anything honestly. She hasn't said a word." He let go of Allen and sighed.
"What does 'Butterfly' mean? He called her 'Little Butterfly' I've never heard it before." Their conversation could be heard outside in the hallway, Allen knew this and before he said anything he opened the door, the usual suspects listening in. Allen sighed and turned to Marth.
"The only thing I can think of is a butterfly tattoo she has." Marth looked confused and surprised.
"A butterfly tattoo… I… When did she? Where? How do you? I don't know what to say." Marth was lost for words; all this of a 'Butterfly tattoo' was news to him. Allen kept his head down as Marth tried to figure out what was going on.
Then Marth's eyes widened as a telepathic conversation he was having revealed the answers he wanted, he headed for the door.
"Marth where are you going?"
"To get some answers. I'm going to kill that sick bastard!" Marth walked out of the room and stormed off down the hall.
"What was all that about?" Van had come in just as Marth stormed out. He had been with Hitomi as she told him about her dream.
"Nothing. He'll be back soon." And sure enough he came back his arm dripping with blood. He looked towards Allen who had sat down.
"You knew that Karn and Narnia were here didn't you? Why didn't you say anything?" Marth was not impressed.
"You ran off before I could say anything." Marth scowled.
"Fine you talk to her." Marth looked at his mangled arm. "Let's see you get past Narnia."
"Emperor Marth, would you like that seeing too?" Millerna had taken a liking to the mysterious man that was Marth. He looked back down at his arm.
"It could so with a little clean up." Millerna smiled.
"Follow me then." Millerna led the way, Marth holding his arm left; as well as a few other people that had been in the room.
"Well I better see how she is." Allen stood and was about to leave when Hitomi stopped him.
"I don't think you should Allen." Hitomi was stood next to Van, holding his hand. She did not really want to say that she knew about his past but Van said she would have to soon.
"Hitomi had a dream or something when out with Karia. We know what happened between you and Zaron. How he nearly killed you." Allen sat back down.
"I'm the only one that has a chance of getting past those wolfs of hers Van. What do you suggest? Leave her alone till the rivers flood. The rain won't stop till she's got over what ever Zaron told her."
"That won't be necessary." Everyone turned. Kari was stood in the hallway looking as beautiful as ever; though it was clear she had not slept well for the days she had returned to the castle.
"Kari are you… are you OK now?" Chid had arrived, he had been kept busy with all sorts of things in the castle since the search was arranged. Marth and Millerna had returned; he had a bandage round his wounded arm and was not happy to see Karn and Narnia behind Kari taking up the width of the hall.
Narnia leaped forward as Kari fainted catching her on her back. Millerna in doctor mode stepped forward to see too Kari only to have Narnia growl and bear her teeth.
"Narnia!" Marth snapped, but Narnia ignored Marth and growled louder looking more vicious.
"Narnia, she's only trying to help Kari, she won't hurt her." Allen had crouched down to be at Narnia's level; he spoke with a calming tone and Narnia stopped growling. Karn had lain down by this time, board with is mates actions. Chid was kept back by the man who had taken Boris's job – know one asked for his name. Millerna took a quick look at Kari.
"She's just exhausted. I doubt she's been getting enough sleep." Marth – even with his badly mauled arm – picked Kari up and took her back to her room, keeping his eye on Narnia of course. Everyone noticed the rain stopping and relief came over them. Kari seemed fine.
That night Karn slept on the floor by Kari's door and Narnia lay at the end of her treasured masters' bed, keeping her safe. Or so everyone thought.
Kari woke unable to breathe and grabbed at the hand over her mouth and nose. She struggled at the force which stopped her breaths, until whomever it was sat on her chest and uncovered her nose. Kari thankfully took in a deep breath but was still restricted from the person on her chest.
Kari was unable to see who was sat on her, but smelt the familiar sent of blood. She tried to focus her eyes in the dimly lit room only the moons coming to her aid. Her eye saw something in the corner of the room, the white fur of Karn and Narnia.
"I'm afraid they won't be coming to your aid, Kari." That voice filled Kari with fear and she kicked wildly in an attempt to get away from the evil of Zaron, he had come to for fill Kari's punishment. As Kari struggled Zaron tried to keep her still and quiet as possible. In a desperate effort Zaron grabbed her wrists and pinned her down lying on top of her; whispering in her ear.
"I hear one peep out of you and everyone you care about; will end up like those wolfs over there and that little brat that had the sword. Not mentioning your punishment will be far worse." Zaron slowly raised himself and even though it was dark Kari felt his gaze and knew he was grinning evilly. "Hmmm… Maybe we should do this somewhere else." Zaron took one hand away from Kari's wrist, she was too scared to move and he knew this. Kari closed her eyes and winced as she felt a large stabbing pain in her leg as Zaron injected her with some unknown drugs.
After a few moments her whole body felt heavy like led and she could barely keep her eyes open.
The whole castle was awoken the next day, to a very loud very high pitched scream. The castle guards went running to the source of the scream - Kari's room.
Marth and Allen were some of the first to arrive; blood making its way out from under the door greeted them. Marth and Allen looked at each other, nodded then Marth readied himself and rammed into the door taking it from its hinges.
As the door opened a rancid stench wafted through the hall. Everyone covered their noses at the smell travelled.
"Hay Schezar you should come and see this." Marth shouted from within his voice muffled from holding his nose. As Allen stepped into the room, he saw what he had expected. Karn and Narnia were dead in heaps on the floor, flies already inhabiting the corpses. The others came in shortly after; Van told Merle and Hitomi to keep back.
Van walked in the room and saw the too wolfs but something else court his eye on the window frame. A dagger with a note, it was not addressed to anyone in particular so he read though it quickly.
"Hay you two, he left a note." Marth snatched the note out of Vans hands; read it then cursed in some odd language (most likely Zandrion), shoved the note into Allen's hands and stormed off once again.
Allen was unable to read the note till later that day because of guards and other officials that drifted in and out of Kari's room one finding the syringe.
"Looks like he drugged the princess to get her out of the castle. Killed those things to get to her. Doesn't look like she put up much of a fight, so he probably drugged her soon as he killed those two." The general made his report and left. Everyone was surprised he had called her a 'Princess' since she seemed to have many titles, the most common Hitomi heard was that she was a 'Goddess'. The general must have known who he was dealing with.
"What's the note say Allen?" Millerna had asked the one thing everyone wanted to know.
"I-I don't know." Allen read the note out loud.
"Spiders got the Butterfly and made his web round Freid. Kill the spider to save the butterfly."
They all stood there thinking. The spider was Zaron, the butterfly Kari. What did he mean by 'his web'? As they thought a young soldier came running.
"Sir! Sir! There's unknown Guymelefs surrounding Freid. Sir!"
"How Many?" Van had been thinking, People risked their lives for the Zandrions and feared the Draconians. Why was he bothered about Kari? There was something about her, was it because she was Fanelian?
"A good two thousand on the northern front. Sir." The soldier held his last words, till Chid asked what he held from them. "The leader of these Guymelefs; is the red Melef of Zaibach Sir. The one that killed thousands Sir."
"No!" Everyone turned to Allen his worst nightmare had come true. "Dilandau!" Allen had dreaded this moment since Serena had been taken. The return of Dilandau. Allen told his story.
Hope had grown thinner with each passing day Serena was gone. Kari had said that if Dilandau ever re-surfaced the chance of getting Serena back was extremely slim. Allen had done his best to keep Dilandau from re-surfacing, keeping Serena away from Violence and fire – which, was hard to do at the castle and she was not happy so she lived with Kari in Quintez till Allen quit the Knights Caeli and joined them. Very few people knew about Serena's past and he had wanted it to stay that way, but news spread fast in Quintez, so they moved her to the small cottage where Allen spent a good part of his life in. When taking her there; they were attacked and Serena was taken. Kari had flown after them but she was attacked and injured and they got away.
"Karia can fly?" Van and the others were surprised.
"Erm… Yer. I never asked how she did it, since she doesn't have any wings." Allen answered
Hitomi had gone in search for answers. She was determined to get some and straight for once. She knocked on Allen's door and got no answer. She was sure he was in his room. She had asked San and Yan. She knocked again and tried the door, it was open.
Hitomi walked slowly into the room closing the door behind her.
"Allen?" Hitomi walked round the room, "Allen?"
"Hitomi!" Hitomi spun round. Allen looked like he just had come from a shower, thankfully Hitomi thought he wore trousers and had a towel round his neck. "Is there something you want Hitomi?" Allen pushed back his wet hair from his face only to have it fall down again. Hitomi noticed the scar Allen had received when protecting her two years back, she had been so worried for his life when it happened, but saw he had several more on his torso and arms now.
"Allen how did you get so many scars?" Allen thought a moment then answered plainly.
"Training with Kari." Allen smiled as if that was a good thing "So you wanted something?" He did not want to take this conversation any further.
"Oh…Yes… I wanted to ask…" Hitomi was cut off by a soldier barging through the door.
"Sir. The Guymelefs on the Northern front are advancing!" Allen removed the towel from his neck. "Your requested Sir."
"I'm-I'm sorry Hitomi we'll have to finish this later." Allen grabbed a shirt and ran out following the soldier."
"We didn't even start anything." Hitomi mumbled to her self getting frustrated that she was not getting anywhere.
Allen followed the man to the Guymelef hold, there were several men and Van stood round a table. Chid was still too young to pilot a Guymelef so was unable to fight in the oncoming attack.
"Allen what do you plan to do?" One of the men asked.
"I had planed to try and get Scheazade here but with those Melefs led by Dilandau advancing already I'll have to use one of your Melefs. That is if you have one spare." The men looked at each other unsure.
"The workings of our Guymelefs are very different compared to the elaborate ones of Scherazade." The men were worried for Allen Van could tell.
"I'm sure Allen could work them. He didn't always pilot Scherazade, and besides I doubt he would want to miss out on all the fun." Van grinned.
The men went through the procedures, depending on if Marth arrived in time with backup, the plan changed. It was simple but well thought out, Protect the castle and Freid; as much as possible. First wall, second and third, evacuate the castle if second wall is broken. Have some Melefs and men on other perimeters just in case. This tactic had worked before they hoped it would work again.
The soldiers put off an attack as much as possible waiting last moment before the invaders began moving towards towns and were seen as a definite threat. They did not really want to do anything without Zaibachs backup, But in the end they had no choice.
Hitomi, Merle, Millerna and Chid remained at the castle as Van and Allen moved out. Hitomi begged them not to go to wait for Marth; she had a horrible felling the signs were everywhere. No backup, Kari asking Van not to use blood pack, her disappearance. Allen piloting a Guymelef he had never really piloted before. Everything was driving her mad. But there was nothing she could do they had left, for the battle.
As they arrived they noticed the dark cloud that hung over the invading army. How the air seemed dense and overpowering – A great storm was coming, ready to wash away the souls of the dead and clean the land of blood, and any evidence that a battle had raged.
The army from Freid looked small compared to the apposing one. The Melefs looked new, with a range of different weapons, swords, clubs, liquid metal/ Crima Claws, flamethrowers, and any weapon a Melef could use. They did not seem to have a chance.
"How on Gaea did he manage to get such a vast army?" Van along with most men in the Army were lost for words.
"Beats me. Those Melefs are top of the range, well most of them are." Allen and Van alike could not make sense of things, how could Zaron make an army of so many without anyone noticing?
"They don't seem to have any markings so I doubt they're stolen."
The Melefs started to advance towards the army Van led. Allen was to keep back, he had had a few runs the borrowed Guymelef and was pretty good but not as good as he was in Scheazade, Van had said it was probably best he was not in Scheazade anyway because it would have been too easy for Zaron to pick him out. Allen made a point of reminding Van that Zaron hated Draconians more than he hated himself.
The heavens roared and lighting crashed, the storm had begun; along with the battle. Soon the rain would fall. The Battle raged and men fell beneath blade, claw and flame. The land was on fire, the sky full of black cloud and smoke. The battle ground was lit with the occasional flash of lighting and filled with cries from men who fell or charged. There was loss from both sides but Freid held strong.
Allen had been hit a few times but that was expected.
"Allen!" Van looked back Allen was surrounded and had taken a bad hit. Van finished off the soldier he had been fighting and went to assist Allen. He made quick work of the surrounding men and looked down at his fallen friend. Allens Melef had lost its legs and its main arm.
"You look a little legless."
"Wouldn't be the first time." Allen clambered out of the wrecked Melef.
"You better get out of here it's not safe." Van closed Escflownes visor, turned and went to carry on fighting. There were few Melefs from Freid left, but plenty of opposing Guymelefs. They had come from the Easterly front and now outnumbered Freid greatly. To make matters worse a ship was coming up from the horizon.
"Hay Schezar, up here!" Allen looked up.
"Gaddess!" The Crusade and crew had arrived. They lowered a ladder for Allen.
"Hay Schezar we miss much of the fun?" All the men cheered as they saw their old boss again. "Scheazades ready to go Sir if you're going to go out there, looks like they could do with your help." Allen looked out on to the Battle field. Van was face to face with Alsedies the red Guymelef of Dilandau.
To Van nothing else mattered. He had figured out that Zaron had destroyed Fanelia. That Karis many secrets would never be told. That Zaron would destroy everything he had left unless he was stopped, but he had to go through Dilandau first. He did not care that Dilandau was a victim in Zaibachs experiments, that inside that bastard was Allens little sister; who he had met before and liked, she was a mouse trapped within a monster; and that mouse would never been seen again. Allen would understand.
Van readied himself and watched as Dilandau laughed and created two large metal spires.
"I've been waiting for my revenge Van." Dilandau licked his lips "Mmmm this is going to be fun… get ready lord Van YOUR GOING TO DIE!" Dilandau charged aggressively, Van blocked but was pushed backwards. Dilandau backed off and the metal spires turned back to liquid metal and trickled back into the Alseides. Van along with everyone in the Crusade knew what was coming. Gaddess sent orders to Kio and the Crusade started rising to miss the oncoming flame attack. Van would wait till the last moment to doge the attack or grin and bear it.
Beyond the battle still raged the unknown ship coming ever closer warning of a horrible defeat.
"BURN!" Dilandau aimed and fired the flamethrower of Alseides. All that could be heard was Dilandau's mad laughter as he swung his arms wildly following Van as he ran to get Dilandau from behind.
Everyone watched from the safety of the Crusade as others were caught in the Flames, Listening to their faint screams.
Suddenly the flames stopped, the laughter replaced with a cry. Van turned back. Dilandau had lost his main arm. How?
"What the fuck?" Dilandau spun round looking for his opponent, he noticed many other Melefs fall under invisible attacks. It did not take him long to figure out what was going on. "Zaibachs Stealth Cloaks? Lord Zaron will not be pleased" Dilandau commented through gritted teeth. Van concentrated he could see the Guymelefs like before there was not many but Zarons men could not handle the invisible giants.
"Van!" Van turned- Nothing- He blinked and a Melef appeared in front of him, it was nothing special, the visor opened – Marth. "Van take Kari to the Crusade, I'll handle Dilandau." Van in return opened Escaflownes visor and looked down at the chained Kari in the hand of Marths Melef.
"Right." Van transformed Escaflowne into its legendary white dragon form and Marth carefully handed Kari over. Van noticed a few of Zarons men get thrown away as this transaction went on, he could not be bothered to see how many men were on the look out and decided to get going for he was vulnerable In the air. Van looked back and caught Marth disappear.
Van flew fast though slowing to doge several attacks; mainly those from Dilandau, he could hear angry yells from the hot headed pyromaniac. His lost arm stopped him from flying and made his aim off.
Van looked down at the dormant Kari; he noticed the bruising on her neck and the signs of a needle puncture 'strangled, drugged, and chained.' He thought 'The only way to keep her from doing any harm to Zaron and contacting her brother.' In some strange way Van felt himself feeling sorryfor Kari, he realised he had no idea what she went through.
The Crusade was a distance away moving out of range. As Van landed Gaddess took Kari and Merle leaped onto him knocking him down.
"Oh Lord Van, your ok." Merle licked (kissed) Van on the cheek.
"Erm… Is she ok?" Ryden as well as a few other crew members were crowded round the chained Princess.
"Van! Surly the battles not over." Allen walked out a side door then noticed Kari on the floor. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you all going to stand there or is someone going to pick that lock?" He walked over to view the battle ground and stood by Vans side.
"That ship from Zaibach then?"
"Yer. He's using the Stealth Cloaks"
"Erm…Schezar… We can't pick this lock, it's full of some weird Zandrion magic it's all glowy and stuff." Allen took one last glance at the falling Dilandau, he knew in his heart this would be his last encounter. Marth would finish him off. Van stayed and watched the battle he had no intension of rejoining the battle. He was to stay and stand with Merle watching.
Zarons army was falling, Dilandau was going wild.
"You think this is Funny HAY? You think you can defeat ME?" Every now and again Dilandau got lucky and hit someone but they were toying with him. Hitting him not to damage just to annoy.
Hitomi came walking in with Millerna just as Allen bent down and tore off the front of Karis dress an inch or two above the knee.
"Allen!" Millerna was completely shocked. He on the other hand did not hear her or chose not to for her lent over Kari and pulled out a small key from a white lace garter she wore on he left leg. Hitomi noticed that this key glowed like the blade that belonged to the mysterious extending staff.
"Here." Allen straightened himself and threw the Skelenton key at Gaddess. "That should open it." Allen was about to go back to Vans side when Millerna stopped him stepping over Kari.
"Allen, how did you know she had that on her? And how could you just… But in such a place… Allen you're a gentleman." Chuckles and held in laughter came from the crew at the statement 'gentleman'.
"Hay. Don't worry Princess. Kays like one of the guys. She won't mind." Teo answered.
"Yer well… Better Schezar did it than one of us." Ort laughed "She would probably break our necks if we ever touched her."
"Your necks maybe. She don't mind me round, we go back even before she met Schezar. Why you think he gave me the key?" Allen laughed under his breath at his friends' argument. Hitomi had gone to stand by Van; her head was rested on his shoulder, his head resting lightly on hers. Merle still clung to his arm. She hated him out of her sight.
As Ort and Gaddess argued Allen Pulled Millerna to one side.
"Is there something wrong?" He avoided using her name or the term 'Princess'
"Yes there is Allen. I don't care how much like the 'guys' Kari is, but she still is a woman and what you did… it's not like you."
"I don't see what all the fuss is about."
"Well you… in front of them…and" Poor Millerna had lost the ability to form sentences.
"Is that what you're worried about? Look there's no need, that lot's seen her in less than that." Allen indicated to the crew and began walking their way when he saw Kari was still chained.
"Wait." Millerna grabbed him by the arm. "What do you mean by that? When?" Allen smiled awkwardly. Why couldn't she just drop it?
He sighed, "Back when she stayed at the Castle. A long time ago." Millerna was confused though she understood that he meant his castle on the border. "When we were together." She let go of his arm. She had never known.
"You two were lovers?" Now Allen was lost for words. He thought she had known. "Just forget it." Millerna ran off to her quarters.
"Ah-Ha! Got it open." Ryden shouted. The argument between Gaddess and Ort was only stopped when a large cry came from the battle field and Hitomi gasped.
Everyone ran to the edge of the Crusade.
Marths men were coming out of Stealth-mode. The battle had been won. Dilandau was dead. Allen's eyes flickered from Kari to everyone stood watching the battle field. He slowly made his way towards the others. They parted to let him through. Hitomi and Merle had been the ones to gasp at the sight of Marth giving his final blow.
The Crusade began moving backwards towards the wreck. Allen looked down; it was hard to guess what he was thinking.
"What's going on?" The crew turned. Kari had awoken and stood; they parted making a path that led to Allen.
Kari walked with all her grace and beauty towards her friend; she took up her place next to him. Neither said a word.
Millerna had decided it would be best to apologise and made her way back to the large chamber. Millerna walked out and saw the parted men and the path that led to Kari and the blonde ex-Knight she so adored. She watched as Kari slowly reached for Allens hand by her side, he took it. Tears formed in her eyes as their fingers locked together, everyone noted this action and at first thought they were having a telepathic conversation but then realised there was no need; for they knew each other too well and they could read each other like books.
As the ship moved closer Marth came out of hiding.
He looked up at Allen and shot him an evil glare. He had known about Dilandau and now stared at Allen with his cold eyes for his even colder heart would never warm for him. His glare turned to a small smile intended for Kari.
"You better go to him. He's been so worried." Allen did not take his eyes off the wreck of Alseides. Everyone could tell he hated Marth, not just for killing his sister but he would now take Kari away as well – news had travelled of Kari's departure.
Kari did not say a word but looked at her beloved rogue with eyes that said 'I know how u feel,' and 'I'll always love you.' She smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He did not move nor say another word.
She stepped off the edge and hovered in the air still holding his hand. Everyone was amazed by this ability; they had never seen her fly before; though they stayed silent. Kari slowly drifted away then finally let go of Allen's hand, smiled lovingly at him and made her way towards her brother.
As Hitomi watched Kari a vision struck her, a flash hit Kari in the chest piercing the Heart, her eyes widened and she just stood there; blood flowing from her chest. Hitomi staggered as the vision ended.
"Hitomi?" She fell into Vans arms "Hitomi?" Hitomi was shaking all over.
"Kari she's…She's…She's going to die." This caught everyone's attention.
"What? How?"
"Impossible."
"Kay can't die."
The crew talked among themselves in disbelief.
Marth had come out of his Melef and jumped down as Kari landed. She ran towards her brother, her twin, and was greeted with open arms. Marth lifted her and spun her around, which fell into an embrace. The crusade was only a few feet off the ground now making for a soft lading.
Though the dark clouds covered the sky blocking the light, something flickered in the corner of Allen's eye. Van and Hitomi noticed it as well. Kari had her back to the wreck of the Alseides. They spoke, happy to be together
"I've done it Kari…I've finally killed him." Marth patted the sword at his side. "Right through the heart, you should have seen his face. It's over, it's finally over." Marth Held Kari by the shoulders. Smiling down at his beloved sister. She was so dear to him everyone knew. He had been in Zaibach when Zaron had destroyed Zandria, the Elders the only ones to tell him that Kari was the only survivor. When he had left for Zaibach he made it snow every year just over her cottage in the middle of summer to say 'I'm fine and thinking of you.'
"Kari because of this I thought…maybe…maybe we could…" He stopped mind-sentence and looked beyond his sister – he thought he had seen something moving.
The others on the Crusade noticed this as well. Allen's blood ran cold. He jumped the last few feet to the ground. Scrambled to his feet. And ran shouting towards them. Kari noticed him jumping down. She looked at her brother, a look of confusion on his face. Kari slowly turned to see what was behind her.
"GET DOWN!"
Kari was suddenly twisted and pushed to the ground. As she fell everything seemed to move in slow motion. She saw the spike of metal flying through the air. She saw her brother twist to doge it. She saw it pierce his chest. Go flying through the other side past Allen. She saw the blood flowing from the small hole like a fast flowing stream. She saw his eyes and the look of his face. He fell to the ground flat on his back. She was sure she heard him whisper "bastard" as he fell.
"MARTH!" Kari crawled over to where her brother laid, his eyes open, he was still, and he was dead.
In the last moments of life Dilandau had aimed his remaining arm at Kari firing that sharp, thin, spike she had seen. He had aimed for her heart but Marth was slightly taller than her but it still struck his.
Dilandau cursed at his failure to hit Kari and took his last breath. The rain fell.
Allen looked up at the one person he most likely truly loved. She wept over her brother, as the rain fell. Everyone on the Crusade watched the rain fall; they watched it wash away the death and the pain of the battle. Marth was right… 'It was over'.
Just about everyone expected it and it came. A pillar of light to take Kari and her brother away. As the light covered them she looked up with such saddened eyes put her hands over her heart and reached out for Allen. He did the same but with one hand.
Then she was gone. The rain still fell.
A/N: please no flames... u no wat forget it flame all u like...sorry to any Marth and or Dilandau fans
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or anything to do with it. But i do own Kari n a few other ppl that turn up like poker n maria(the list is very long ish) so plz dont use them wiv out asking (y ne one would i have no idea)