CHAPTER TWO

: HOSTAGE:

Dilandau's white teeth peered from beneath his taut, malicious grin as he sauntered casually through the corridors, covered in a disturbing, sheer black paint, leaking into the interminable walls as though shadows, stealthily fluttering in an eerie, ominous dance. Features transforming into a stoic, solemn glare he bypassed Chesta's signal for him to enter the bedchambers.

" Lord Dilandau?" He questioned hesitantly, directing his gentle gaze to the rugged youth. " Something the matter?"

Teeth clenching behind his lips, he averted his gaze to the side, warily studying the staircase. " Mind your damn business, Chesta." He spat sternly.

" Tie her up." He ordered coarsely, upon entering the enormous room, cluttered with two circular mirrors hung on the wall, opposite the other, a window, perpendicular from the king size bed, allowing the ample sunlight to peer into the obscured area.

" But…"

" Do as I say, and tie her up!" He exclaimed gruffly, the sneer, beheld within his slanted eyes, threatened, mocked and insisted the fair haired youth to defy him. Challenging him.

" Yes, Lord Dilandau," He murmured, scooping the girl within his arms, before laying her tentatively atop the bed, heeding her fragile state. Slowly he slipped his hands from beneath her thighs and back, allowing her lithe frame to sink into the confinements of the bed, before he unbuckled a small bag beside his waist, pulling a long pair of ropes from inside. Chesta gently looped the sturdy ropes around her ankles and wrists, propping her body against the bed post, in a slumped manner as her body slouched forward, the binds restraining her from plummeting completely forward. Absently he fumbled with the stray strands of hair swaying beside her lips, twiddling the silky tress between his forefingers in an almost captivated state.

Dilandau slumped against the rigged door frame, arms intertwined partially affront his armored chest, the sheer, protective gear embroiled with an intricate, looped design, meeting near the center. Irritably he vaguely listened to Chesta, as he murmured soft reassurances to that girl………..Van's whore……..

That boy disgusted him. How could he speak to her as though she were a companion?

Ridiculous……….

Grimacing he pushed his lean body away from the door, unable to contain his inner rage as the dragon slayer soothed the girl with comforting words, even in her unconscious state. He had better things to do then listen to such repulsive………words.

Concentrate, Fanel. Think of Hitomi.

Van cautiously slipped his sword from its sheath, belligerence twisting his charming, nonchalant features into an engrossed snarl. Left foot skidding forth against the slick marble, he swiftly stumbled back against the wall. The entrance door slid open, the soft click of the handle being turned, signaling Van of their arrival, as the rugged man, entered the room, sauntering to the center with his arms, nonchalantly placed behind his head.

"Where'd that damn kid go?" He muttered apathetically scanning the upper floor with slanted eyes, concealed beneath his rugged bangs. Chesta exhaled sharply, eyes shut as he calmly descended the stairs, his melancholy expression betraying his solemn, secluded words.

" She's in Lord Dilandau's room,"

" The moon girl?" He insisted, arching a brow, amused as the fair haired slayer shifted uncomfortably beneath the man's stern gaze. Faintly nodding he walked hesitantly past Dallet, halting a few feet from behind him as he tilted his head slightly over his shoulder.

" Lord Dilandau wishes to speak with you, Dallet."

" About?" He inquired irritably, eyebrows raised in curiosity. Smiling softly, Chesta resumed his stride forward, exiting the castle. Dallet grumbled angrily beneath his breath, cursing vulgarly as he studied Chesta, mounting his horse and heading into the village. Reluctantly he headed towards the second floor.

Just a little longer…….have to know Hitomi's situation first……Then I'll slay those bastards for touching her…

Dilandau's and Dallet's gruff voices intermingled throughout the long, narrow corridors, Dallet absently implying Van's companions whereabouts. Annoyance shattered across his tainted eyes, resembling the blood he interminably craved, desired, lusted for. He loathed petty beings, who could not defend themselves.

That woman, had been so easy to slaughter……

The crease of his mouth arched upward, his cheek protruding slightly as an impish, pleasurable grin tattered his taut, pale lips. Indeed, killing her was quite enjoyable……..the whimpers, sobs and ear piercing screeches of the slaughtered aroused his lust for more, tantalizing him, beckoning him to kill, to quench the thrill, excitement and bliss he received from their pain…….suffrage he loathed to behold upon them. They were all blessed……..to be embraced by the ominous lurks of death by his bare hands….unmercifully invoked upon them.

A true honor, indeed……..

" Dilandau, Sir?" Dallet questioned, with a moments pause as he studied the widening smirk on the boy's face, vanishing as he averted his attention to the slayer with an almost angered:

" What!?"

" You were saying something of the girl," He exclaimed " The one known as, Hitomi?"

" Guard the room she's in. My room. Understand?" He scoffed, stray strands of his hair flushing forward before he hastily descended the stairs with vigorous shouts towards the soldiers who began to enter the castle.

Dallet hurriedly rushed down the stairs, pausing halfway as he watched the elaborate scene.

" If you ever disobey my orders again," He bellowed, intently tracking each soldiers gaze with his before it flooded back to the lieutenants, wavering eyes.

" I shall behead you and your men with my own sword. Have I made myself clear!?" Dallet internally winced as the boy's husky voice screeched in an almost insane tone, corresponding with his flustered cheeks, gritted teeth and abnormally wide eyes, dilated, allowing a minor, visible glimpse of his crimson eyes, flaring with an inner rage.

" Yes, of course, Lord Dilandau. Forgive my impudence, as well as my soldiers." He exclaimed with a tentative bow, before dismissing himself, accompanied by the throng of armored men, clamoring wistfully towards the exit with murmured whispers, gossiping immediately with meek, hesitant glimpse towards Dilandau.

" Good……" He murmured inaudibly, eyes lowering into a luminous slant as he chuckled wryly.

Let them fear me………..

Van clenched the drapery impulsively as Dilandau's lean, muscular figure dispersed into an unknown portion of the prodigious castle, whilst Dallet, grimacing with irritation, exited the building with a boorish signal of his retreat toward the area in which Dilandau situated in.

Now's my chance………. Feet sweeping across the floor, he slowly ascended the stairs, eyes remaining in the direction of the west section of the castle.

My God…….

Chesta affirmed the stifling pheromone as the decaying stench, besetting near the decomposing bodies, sprawled abnormally across the ground. Few slumped against cottages, as other bodies remained clutched against trees and stallions, neighing with a intermingled gurgle, unaware of the massacre, bestowed upon the innocent woman, men and………

Dear God……..children too…….

Turning his head away from the horrifying slaughter, he stiffly dismounted the white steed, grinding its feet into the ground as it contentedly nestled its feet into the damp mud. Dilandau had done this? How could a young boy, not even a man, be capable of destroying so many lives without a mere mournful thought? True, he had endured similar suffrage; but why must he inflict the same pain he himself despised, on others?

Children no less……. Chesta thought, clenching his fists beside his hips as he shut his eyes, blocking the disoriented bodies of such, innocent children. He'd only wished he held the strength and endurance to confront Dilandau……but something about that boy……nerved him…….his presence was almost unsettling. A sudden, unwelcoming churning developed near his stomach as swift flicks of the dead bodies fluttered past his eyes. He couldn't………….he wouldn't be able to look into their bland, pale faces without releasing the bodily fluids swirling inside his stomach as he swiftly mounted the horse.

Dallet will have to do it……….I just can't….

Hitomi murmured softly, wrinkles forming across her forehead as a searing throbbing, vibrated past her temples.

Where was she?

Drearily she blinked sluggishly, unable to find her energy as she shifted against her legs, tucked beneath her.

How long had she been unconscious?

Where was Van? Was it all a dream? Did Dilandau capture her and take her hostage?

Groaning she shut her eyes, knitting her brows near the center, palliating the ache with the simple motion of her eyebrows.

Did he..!? Alarmed she quickly addressed her attire. Buttons in place, skirt firmly drawled over her thighs, minor wrinkles slashing near her slouched hips. Exhaling sharply with relief she slumped back against the bedpost, moving uncomfortable against the wood. So then she was kidnapped…….

How could she have let herself get into this mess? Eyes widening she screeched and plummeted forward, the binds restraining her body from jolting off the bed as her eyes went completely black.

" You bastard! Where's Hitomi?!" Van's voice was familiar though hazy and mumbled slightly, sizzling through her ears in a vague vibration as swords clanked affront her eyes with a vibrant blot of light as the sword connected in the center.

" Oh? You mean that whore of yours?" Dilandau's voice was evident, tone nipped in a mocking manner.

" She's dead." A moment glimpse of Van's horrified features skimmed past her eyes before diverse scenes began to soar past her eyes. Van's body jolting back; Dilandau's sword hanging beside his rigged body, covered in distinct blood.

" Now you can join her in hell….." Dilandau chuckled. Feathers fluttered about his body, falling atop his battered form, slouched against a wall. His bangs shielded his eyes, his arms limply sprawled beside his hips as he remained motionless. A twitch parted his lips as he spoke in an apologetic, weary tone.

" Forgive me…….Hitomi…."

The visions began to hastily sweep away, the black hue leaking from her eyes in an unnoticeable transformation as she blinked several times.

A vision?

Van's fate was to be defeated and killed by Dilandau? Saving her? Shaking her head she shut her eyes tightly.

I can't…….I won't let that happen to him. Not after all he's done for me……..

Van's turned his head left and right.

Shit…which way do I go?

" I don't have time to waste……I have to find Hitomi before Dilandau senses me."

Frustrated he jerked at the circular handle, thrusting the door back with no avail as it remained securely shut.

Damn it………

Quickly he rushed down the hallways, forming sharp corners ever few five hundred meters as he dashed to the right, entering another corridor. He'd never be able to find her! This place was like a labyrinth! Dashing forward his sword clanked loudly against his hip. He doubted Dilandau would be able to hear it, for God's sake he was about a mile away from the main staircase! No-one downstairs would be able to hear him.

Not even that sadistic, pyromaniac… Van thought , accompanied by a bitter, gruff chuckle.

Dallet awoke, opened his eyes as the horse, carrying him sturdily on its back, halted near the castle. He'd just come back from cleaning Dilandau's mess, after Chesta…..

The wimp……

He thought with a boorish laugh.

……. had informed him that he would be unable to do Dilandau's orders, after returning with a pale complexion, lips puckered before he hurriedly ran affront the forest and coughed up supper. Dallet's nose wrinkled slightly near the middle as the trembled, gushing sounds coming from Chesta's mouth fiddled back into his memory. He'd been generous enough, and headed towards the village to accomplish the weaker slayers unfinished job. One way or the other, he would most likely end up doing it. That, or confront Dilandau. Something he would never wish to resort to after his outburst that evening.

Dormant, he once again slumped forward against the horse, tired from a day's work.

Dilandau sat in the leather, armchair, his fingers tapping tentatively against the armrest as he scanned the main room, connected with the entrance door.

Where are those insolent fools!? They should've been here by now!

Bypassing this factor he shifted his eyes towards the certain window he'd been keeping his eye on. He could tell Van was no longer behind it, the once tall, lean, black shadow looming behind it vanished.

So, he's gone looking for the moon girl?

His plan was working marvelously. He'd wait for the perfect moment, and head upstairs, and stand near his bedchambers. Van would probably hear him and suspect that girl to be inside. Why else would he stand there, right? Once he knew Van was there, he'd stay there awhile.

Its fun playing with you, Fanel………

Smirking he arose from the armchair, moving away from the seat before he headed to the second floor.

Van sighed heavily, strands of his dark hair sticking to his damp, flustered cheeks. He'd been walking around for what felt like hours, and still no Hitomi! Sluggishly he slid down the wall, falling firmly to the marbled floors, legs sprawled affront him as he drearily looked at the painting, hanging on the wall ahead.

Odd……resembles Allen……hn…..that arrogant womanizer!

True Allen was a conservative, well dressed and composed man. But no matter how well mannered he was, he loathed women, admirably. Unfortunately, it seemed he had his eye on Hitomi at the moment. But Van only hoped it was blind love. For he himself was drawn to the green eyed girl. Smiling, he vaguely reminisced their first encounter. Her odd attire, and his accusation of her being the enemy. Chuckling inwardly, he arched his head back against the cool wall, sighing as he shut his eyes. They'd grown so attached over the past couple of months…..yet it felt as though an eternity had flown by.

Eyes snapping open he leapt up and dashed down the hall, peering his head out to the side before quickly shuffling behind a wooden, small table with a vase filled with diverse flowers.

Dilandau……

Narrowing his eyes into a keen slant, he gingerly studied him, carefully watching as he paced slowly affront a black door, arms placed behind his back, as he seemed to be pondering over something.

Was Hitomi in that room? Was that where she was held captive?

Why else would he be standing there?

Moving further behind the table his knee accidentally smacked into one the legs of the table, creating an uproar as the petite furniture bumped against the wall, creating a vague indent.

Good job, Fanel………why not just jump out and tell the whole damn world you're here!

He chastened himself. Thankfully, the heavens had been magnanimous to him as the maniacal youth seemed to not notice, continuing to swerve affront the door before he leant against it.

Dilandau smirked. How more easier could it get? Did Fanel truly believe he hadn't took heed of his presence!? Dear God! He had better chances of just confronting him. He chuckled wryly as he spotted the dark haired youth, hidden behind a wooden table from afar. Crossing his arms over his chest he tapped his right fingers against his left arm.

" Van won't be coming for you, so just die willingly." Dilandau stated coarsely, directing his crude words to Hitomi who he knew, well aware by now, was awake.

" I'd rather die, than have to hear your voice!"

Grinning impishly at her retort he laughed bitterly. " Ah, so Van's whore has a temper?"

" You won't get away with this!" She shouted. " Van will come, I know he will!"

Van was suppose to be in here wasn't he? Unless he did leave the castle and I didn't see him……

Shaking her head she ignored the dreadful thought.

If Van is here and finds me, he'll end up fighting Dilandau to the death……….

" Just like my visions…." She murmured aloud, absently.

I can't let that happen…..I have to do something………but what can I do?

" What if I told you, I would make a bargain with you?"

Silence flooded into the room as she awaited his answer. Impatiently she continued in a wary voice.

"…….in return you leave Van alone, and unharmed."

" Now why would I do that?" He asked with a smirk. Looking at the door firmly she bit her lower lip.

" You know of my powers…..?"

" What of it?" He snapped, though seemingly interested as his tone indicated her to continue.

" If I help you in battles, with my visions of the future……you would be unstoppable…immortal…."

Eyes shifting to the side he arched a delicate brow tentatively.

" But in exchange……you---"

" Yes I know, retched wench," He began before raising his voice slightly, mocking her recent phrase.

" Leave Van alone and unharmed." Ignoring his mockery of her voice she glared momentarily at the door before pursing her lips into an annoyed pout.

" Do we have a deal then?"

" I'll think about it. So don't get your damn hopes up." He retorted sternly before his footsteps rung throughout the room as he walked away, signaling his retreat.

Please be alright Van……..

" This time……you can't rescue me……" She whispered solemnly.

Van furrowed his brows. What on earth was that about? Not only was Dilandau a psychotic muderer, but now he seemed to be talking and arguing with himself!

Unless……….unless Hitomi, or someone is in there…….

And he was going to find out.

A/N: I know my story is confusing but its basically set up in the same time line as Escaflowne did. Same attitudes…..personalities. But I'm kind of doing a " What if…" story. There really is not a specific point where this takes places, just know that is does take place in the same time Escaflowne does. You can pick any section out of the anime and plop this on in there and pretend this is what really happened. A place you the reader think it'd best fit. So…yeah . Hopefully that made sense. ^_^

All in all; Review!