The pillar of light disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Allen's mind raced, and the gash in his leg pounded. Celena was gone. Hitomi and Van were gone. The deck of the Mercury was torn to shreds and set ablaze by the Zaibach guymelefs. The smoke from the fire was quickly singeing the inside of his nose. They were still under attack. He tried to put weight on his leg and screamed as a bolt of pain shot up through it, making his stomach turn. Allen looked up in time to see a melef tendril sliced in two in front of his face. Gaddes stood before him holding Allen's sword, shouting something he couldn't make out. His head swam.
Celena was gone.
For a year now the only thing that had occupied his time and his mind was making sure she was safe.
Celena was gone.
He felt arms pull up under his own. Gaddes was still fending off incoming attacks from the two remaining melefs. He turned his head to see Daniel lifting him up. He pulled one of Allen's arms around his own neck and the three of them began fighting their way back towards the upper deck and the helm.
"Allen! Can you steer?" Gaddes was shouting at him again. Daniel had pulled Allen to a position in front of the helm. "We have to get out of here, we can't beat them like this!"
Allen nodded.
The leviship lurched to the right, nearly throwing all three off their feet. The rigging that held the right levistone in place had caught fire and snapped, allowing the levistone to swing against the side of the ship.
"Daniel! Hurry and start the propellers, I'll cover Allen." Gaddes deflected another tendril as he shouted.
Daniel made sure Allen was secure at the helm, then rushed out of sight.
Allen was still in shock, but he held onto the helm, and turned a sharp left when the propellers whirred the ship into motion. He had to hang all of his weight onto the helm to counter the levistone pull to the right.
One of the melefs let out another blast of fire at the deck of the ship but just missed as the Mercury sped off through the trees.
Allen didn't know where he was taking them; "away" was his only thought. He kept the ship from colliding with any trees, but aside from that, he had no intended direction. It was difficult to hold himself up in front of the helm, and it was becoming more difficult every moment. He realized he was not feeling the throbbing in his leg anymore, but it was only because he couldn't feel his leg at all. It had gone numb below the knee. Sweat was beading on his forehead and dripping into his eyes, but he was unable to wipe it away. His vision was becoming blurry.
Just a little farther.
There was no way he could rescue Celena if they were caught as well.
Just a little farther.
He couldn't force his hands to grip the helm any longer. The last thing he saw was Gaddes running for the helm as he hit the ground.
Dilandau stood in front of a long mirror in a cold stone room. His arm was bandaged, but other than that he was completely naked. 'She' was completely naked. Dilandau stared at the female body with disgust and disbelief. He had not wanted to believe that vile man, Allen Schezar, but he had been right. If Dilandau had just taken a moment to do something other than escape, he might have noticed.
He had been given temporary quarters upon discharge from the medical ward until they could verify that he was who he said he was. His body was not the only thing Allen Schezar had been right about.
Dornkirk had been defeated, and by Van and that Kanzaki wretch no less. Dilandau clawed absently at the skin on his chest. 'Her' chest. "Celena," he growled under his breath. He couldn't believe that any of it was true, but he could see it with his own eyes.
When he found out about Dornkirk and Zaibach's defeat he had not been able to control himself. He screamed at the nurses who were tending to his wounds, and threw jars and whatever other supplies he could get his hands on at the general who was now in charge. Even the sorcerers who made him who he was were nowhere to be found. If he was, in fact, Dilandau, the general agreed to reinstate his post. He would be granted a new regimen of dragonslayers and begin training them for the good of Zaibach. He could even be "enhanced" if he wanted to be. Dilandau didn't know what that meant. If by "enhanced" they meant he could return to the body he had, he would take it in an instant.
He picked up a cup from a small side table near the mirror and hurled it at the glass with a yell. He did not want to have anything to do with 'Celena.'
Hitomi found herself in an empty space. It was dark, and she couldn't see anything in the distance, but the air was still. She turned around and there, before her, was Escaflowne, in all its glory. There was a hum in the air, and Hitomi could feel an urgency of purpose, but she couldn't understand what it meant. The hum seemed to originate from Escaflowne. The energist on Escaflowne's chest pulsed, and Hitomi's pendant pulsed in time with it. The hum and the pulse increased together, and Hitomi's heartbeat quickened. Then...
Hitomi awoke in a four post bed in a small room. It took her several moments to recognize the stone walls and wardrobe. She was in her own room in the castle in Fanelia. She had little memory of how she got there, or how long she had been asleep.
There was a small cat-eared person curled up at the end of the bed.
"Merle?" she said quietly.
The cat-girl's ears perked up at the sound of Hitomi's voice. She bolted upright and leaped to Hitomi's side.
"Hitomi! You're awake! How do you feel? What happened?"
Hitomi was happy to once again be in the company of the precocious cat. It felt almost like the trials they had faced might all have been just a dream. She rubbed her face to dispel the fatigue she could still feel.
"I'm okay, Merle. How did I get here? When did I get here? The last thing I remember, Van and I found ourselves in the woods outside of the city."
Merle looked concerned. "You were found with Lord Van two days ago. The scouts on the wall saw the pillar of light and knew you must have returned. When they found you, you had fainted and Van was carrying you out of the woods. We thought something terrible must have happened to you…"
"I've been asleep for two days?" Hitomi was shocked. She still couldn't shake the fatigue, despite having slept for so long already.
"Yes. The healer checked you, but couldn't find anything wrong."
"Where's Van?" asked Hitomi.
"Doing official stuff… I'm so glad you're awake Hitomi. I have to go let someone know."
Merle bounded off of the bed and out the window. She had looked mildly disgruntled at the mention of Van.
Hitomi spent the next couple of hours dozing in and out of sleep. She still felt drained and it bothered her that she did not know why. It was possible that her intense concentration for the last few days of the scout mission had taken more of a toll than she had realized, but she didn't think that would account for sleeping two whole days. She couldn't keep her eyes open for very long.
The wrongness surrounded her. She could feel it in her bones. An ominous light, fluorescent in nature, illuminated her surroundings. She heard screams in the distance, not like on the battlefield, but horrendous screams of pain and anguish. The walls were hard. She had seen walls like these before.. Where… cement. They were earth-like walls. They were not the stone walls of Gaea she had become accustomed to. The screams rang out down the hall in front of her. The wrongness was inside her head; it wouldn't let her concentrate. So much wrongness… there was something unnatural here, something that didn't belong, and it surrounded Hitomi like a fog. The anguished screams multiplied and became varied and...
"Hitomi!"
Van was gripping Hitomi's shoulders, his face distorted in concern.
"Van," said Hitomi, waking from the nightmare. She looked up into his anxious face. "I'm alright. It was just a dream…"
"It's not just a dream if it's you, are you okay?"
"I'm okay…" Van didn't look like he believed her, but he let go, and allowed her to sit up.
"I'm sorry, I would have come sooner but someone-" Van shot a harsh look at Merle behind him "-didn't come straight to let me know you were awake."
Merle stuck her tongue out at Van in response.
"Merle..." said Hitomi, giving Merle an inquisitive look.
"What? We're not speaking right now," said Merle, as if it was a complete explanation.
Van dismissed everyone else from the room and he and Hitomi were left alone. Van looked down at her from the side of the bed.
"I was really afraid when you didn't wake up," he said. "It's not the first time you've fainted but… two days." He was sitting on the edge of the bed, gripping the edge with white knuckles.
Hitomi reached out and wrapped her hand around his. "I'm okay." She wasn't completely confident about her words. She still couldn't shake the fatigue, but she didn't want to worry Van with something so small. Van squeezed her hand tightly in return.
"I sent a letter to Millerna as soon as we arrived. I haven't heard a response yet. Are you able to sense anything of Allen, Gaddes, or Daniel?"
Hitomi cringed at the mention of Daniel's name. She liked Daniel. She had felt comfortable and calm around him, why did he have to go and ruin that? She didn't think it was the time to discuss such things with Van.
"I haven't tried," she said. "But I couldn't sense them when we first arrived in the woods…"
Van looked pensive.
"Van, the woods… they were so wrong. I really don't know how to describe it. You remember I told you about the animals that felt wrong?"
"Yes, but you didn't think much of it. Did it get worse?"
"Right before the melefs attacked it got really strong, like it was screaming in my head. I could tell they were humans in the guymelefs, but they also weren't. They were wrong somehow, just really really wrong, so much that it hurt."
"They came up on us so fast," said Van, shifting his weight on the bed next to Hitomi. "You had no warning?"
"I… No. Not enough. It all happened so fast, like they came out of nowhere." She wasn't lying, entirely. The melefs really had seemed to appear all of a sudden, but if she hadn't been distracted they may have had just enough time. She could feel her failure eating at her insides, but she didn't think it was something she could confide in Van about.
"Well, rest a little more. Then we have to find our way back to Asturia. I have no doubt that was Zaibach. I need to be there when the Asturian council decides what to do about it." Van stroked Hitomi's head with a worried look on his face, then got up and left Hitomi to herself.
Hitomi couldn't sleep after Van left. She had too many thoughts about the attack, and what this meant for Gaia. What was that wrongness that she had felt? She was worried about Allen. The gash in his leg had seemed deep, and they had no way of knowing what happened to the rest of the group after they transported away. She did not want to think about the possibilities. Hitomi decided to walk to try to clear her mind.
As she walked she tried to focus on seeing around her with her vision. She could feel people moving about through the palace. There was a general feeling of unrest. She guessed they were picking up on Van's agitation. Hitomi was almost able to walk with her eyes closed. She could feel her proximity to physical objects in her space. She walked slowly, and aimlessly, but with confidence. Something called to her through the palace. She couldn't quite tell what it was, but there was a feeling of necessity to her direction. She weaved her way through the palace, not really knowing where she was going until she found herself in front of a large, ornate door. It was the entrance to the temple of Escaflowne.
There were not many people around, so she lightly pressed on the door and it began to swing inwards.
Escaflowne stood in the middle of the room, illuminated by a single skylight in the roof of the sanctuary. Hitomi slipped in through the large door and silently closed it behind her.
The room was completely still. None of the sounds from the palace were able to penetrate into this sanctuary. The only air that seemed to move was from Hitomi's breath. Hitomi had visited the temple shortly after her return to Gaia, but there was something about it now that was more reverent, more important, more alive. Memory of a dream flashed across Hitomi's mind, and she almost expected to hear the room hum, but the room remained silent. There was no energist in the guymelef's chest. Her pendant did not pulse, but her heart beat did. Despite the lack of energist or ominous hum, Hitomi still had the feeling there was something more than just a machine standing before her. Hitomi's heart beat faster as she slowly moved forward, reaching out to the ancient Ispano creation. What are you?
Her hand was poised inches from the metal surface when the temple door was thrust open, breaking her trance. Light and sound flooded Hitomi's senses from the open doorway.
"Hitomi, I'm glad I found you," said Van. "The staff said you might be here."
Hitomi was still reorienting herself to Van's sudden presence. The spell of the temple had been broken, but Hitomi's mind was still trying to understand what she had felt alone in the room with the Dragon.
"What is it?" she managed.
"I've tied things up here. You, Merle, and I will be getting on a transport leviship this afternoon that is carrying goods bound for Palas by way of Cesario."
"Another leviship…" Hitomi was becoming increasingly tired of the things. She looked up at Escaflowne. "It would be so much quicker…"
"I know," said Van. "But you know why I can't."
Hitomi nodded, knowing there would be no way to convince him. "Merle, is coming with us this time?"
"I wouldn't survive her fury if I left her behind again. She's coming."
Hitomi smiled at that. At least some things never changed.
They walked together to the exit of the temple. Before stepping through the door though, Hitomi looked back into the center, into the empty face of Escaflowne. The melef stood alone, in silence, bathed in the light from the skylight, inanimate. Nothing moved in the sacred room, but Hitomi had a distinct feeling that Escaflowne was returning her gaze.
Van, Merle, and Hitomi boarded the leviship that afternoon. Hitomi carried nothing with her, for all she owned was left on the Mercury when it was attacked. Van carried only his sword. Merle was in high spirits, and seemed to have forgiven Van for leaving her behind the last time. She chattered away about the palace gossip and the various kinds of innocent trouble she had gotten herself into while they were away. Hitomi could barely listen. Her mind was still clouded with fatigue, and with worry for the plight of Allen, Daniel, and Gaddes. They had heard nothing of what happened to them. Hitomi kept stretching her mind, hoping to sense something that might assuage her fears.
She knew Allen was gravely injured. She had seen it before going over the side of the leviship. Her insides twisted at the thought she wouldn't allow to surface. Gaddes had been there, fending off the melefs. There had been no sign of Daniel though.
Hitomi had more time than she desired to ponder what Daniel had said. She didn't dislike him, and they had spent a good deal of time together. He was respectful, and supportive of her efforts to increase her powers. He didn't push her or expect anything of her the way Van did. She was surprised, and still confused by his confession though. She couldn't quite fathom what someone like him would see in her. Perhaps his interest in her when he asked her to dance in Fanelia had already been more than just his fascination with the Girl from the Mystic Moon. She didn't know how she felt about it, but the thought that he may not have survived the attack still made her feel ill.
The trip to Cesario was completely uneventful, and left Hitomi feeling restless. She spent her days pushing her abilities and trying to successfully teleport at least short distances at will. She tried to remember what the teleportation to fanelia had felt like, or what had been in her mind at that moment, but it all happened so fast that the details escaped her.
She felt responsible for what happened to the Mercury. If she had maintained better concentration she would have known sooner, could have warned Van sooner. Perhaps Allen wouldn't have been injured if she had only understood her dream sooner. They depended on her for her power, and she had failed them.
Van mostly left her to herself to practice. She was sure he was as worried about the rest of the crew as she was. He watched her though. He was never far away, her stalwart guard. He sat and bantered with Merle, but he always had an eye on her.
Hitomi remained in this state for the three days until they finally reached Cesario. They were to be anchored at Cesario as more cargo and a few more passengers were loaded overnight, then it was on to Palas.
Van, Hitomi, and Merle left the leviship to check the marketplace for possible supplies, and to stretch their legs on land.
The marketplace wasn't crowded, but it was still busy. Hitomi found herself uncomfortable surrounded by so many people after the last few days. She was still maintaining her sight beyond her eyes, and the crowds of people were becoming overwhelming. She could feel every one of them, but they seemed at times to be almost blending into each other. She tried to differentiate them, but it took intense focus. She began to feel somewhat faint and felt her knees giving way.
Van was there in an instant. "Hitomi!"
His arm was around her, and her focus on the crowds was broken. Her focus was on him instead. She began to regain herself. "I'm alright."
"What happened?" asked Van as he helped her stand upright.
"Hitomiii!" Merle had continued ahead, but ran back when she noticed she was not being followed.
"It's okay… I was just a little overwhelmed, that's all. I'm fine." She still didn't feel fine. The fatigue she couldn't shake had only increased.
"Are you sure? Millerna should have a look at you when we get to Palas." Van placed his palm on Hitomi's forehead to check her temperature. "Maybe we should return to the ship now."
They turned to go back to the port when they heard a familiar voice behind them.
"Van! Hitomi! What a fortuitous meeting!"
The three turned and were greeted by warm handshakes from a tall curly haired man in glasses. Dryden still carried with him an atmosphere that was larger than life. He was on his own, and still wore the clothes of a poor traveller, but with the way the eyes of the marketplace followed him one would think he was royalty.
Van lit up at the presence of the noble merchant. "Dryden! What a surprise, what are you doing in Cesario?"
"I'm chartering a cargo ship to Palas with some new treasures I would like to present to Millerna. Treasures of historical value, mind you, no mere baubles to impress a princess," he said as he turned to greet Hitomi. His grin spread from ear to ear, but it faltered when he noticed the pallor of Hitomi's face. "Ah, but something is amiss." He took her hand, and bent to kiss it. "Our living legend doesn't seem to be well. What has befallen my friends? I would think Hitomi's return to Gaea would be joyous."
"We have a lot of catching up to do. At the moment we were returning to our own cargo ship bound for Palas." The arm with which Van was helping steady Hitomi tightened around her just a little. "Hitomi needs to rest."
"I know a quiet inn not far from here. Perhaps a good drink, and the quiet of the ground might help. Cargo ships are notorious for their engine noise." He beckoned for them to follow him.
Van was reticent, but there wasn't a good reason to turn the merchant down, so they followed.
The inn was indeed quiet and warm. Van had to admit that it was probably a good idea for Hitomi to rest here. Merle grabbed the menu the moment they sat down. It wasn't often she got to enjoy food outside of the palace of Fanelia.
"Order anything you like. In truth, I know of this inn because I own it. You are welcome to anything you desire while you are here." He signaled the staff to take their orders.
Hitomi was happy to have something cool to drink. The crisp liquid cleared some of the fog in her head.
"Thank you, Dryden, for your hospitality. We are again in your debt," said Van as he leaned over to check on Hitomi.
"Nonsense! All of Gaea is in your debt! Allow me to do my small part to repay you. All I ask is to know what new trouble plagues you, if I may be so bold." Dryden levelled his gaze at Van. His tone was jovial and friendly, but it was also clear he knew that their troubles were also Gaea's troubles, and likely wouldn't take a refusal kindly.
Van paused for a moment to weigh his options, but decided on once again trusting Dryden. He would eventually hold great power in Asturia, afterall, and it would be in Van's best interest to remain on his good side. Hitomi could feel that it still made him uneasy, though.
The inn was not crowded, but Van glanced around to ensure there would be no prying ears, nonetheless.
"It's all right my Lord Fanel, the lips in my inn will remain sealed."
Van told Dryden of their suspicions of Zaibach, and of the recent attacks at Holdenton, on the Zephyr as they crossed the Asturian Bay, and the most recent attack on the Mercury at the border of Zaibach.
"You believe Zaibach is again amassing for war?" asked Dryden. "That could spell disaster for Gaea, not a one of the countries I have visited have recovered from the last one."
"That is why we must stop them before it gets to that point."
"I must be honest myself. I do not only bring artifacts for Princess Millerna. I also carry information I have collected through my travels that may also be of importance for you." Dryden's face had become more serious. He leaned forward candidly. "Basram, beyond being unprepared for another full scale war, seems on the verge of waging its own fight with Egzardia. They accuse them of stealing Basram children."
"For what purpose?" asked Van.
"No one seems to have any ideas," Dryden shook his head. "But that hasn't eased diplomatic tensions between the two countries."
"Fanelia has also seen an increase in missing children. We recently restricted passage in and out of Fanelia after dark."
"You and Basram, aren't the only ones. I encountered similar stories in Daedalus and Egzardia. None of them have yet turned their suspicions on Zaibach. Even Freid hasn't escaped scrutiny. Basram is wary of Freid's refusal to investigate Egzardia, while Egzardia is furious with Freid for standing by while they are threatened by Basram. I do not envy Chid at the moment. Gaea is in a precarious position even without the prospect of Zaibach." Dryden heaved a sigh and sat back in his seat.
"Perhaps some of these rumors have already reach Asturia," said Van. "That would explain why the council was so unwilling to believe the attacks could have been Zaibach."
"Everybody wants the peace to remain," said Dryden. "But in their fear that it could all start again, they turn their distrust on their neighbors."
Hitomi had been trying to follow the conversation, but her head still felt heavy. She didn't quite have a headache, but there was a pulsing in her skull that was distracting. She felt a warmth on her chest, and instinctively reached for her pendant. All at once the walls seemed to close in around her until she was engulfed by darkness.
The pulsing in her head increased, and now she could see that her pendent also pulsed. The emptiness around her was oppressive. She gasped for breath, but it felt she had a weight on her chest preventing her from inhaling fully. The pulse of the pendant increased along with the pressure on her chest. It felt almost as if the pendent was pulling her breath out of her. In the distance, out of the darkness, she thought she could see a large shape moving towards her. It moved quickly, and as it did the pulse quickened, but the pressure on her chest released and she found herself gulping air. She could just make out the shape of Escaflowne, in dragon form…