There and Back Again
SD: YAY! I finally got my teeth put in!
GA1: Good…you actually said it correctly this time. Going around and proclaiming that you got implants wasn't the brightest if ideals.
SD: Oh shush. OK, so I forget the dental part, but this world shouldn't be so damn perverted.
GA1: ……………You don't even have teeth…their just metal posts that stick out of your gums..
SD: …….Shut up…
GA1: ANYWAYS on another note, sorry for taking so long, my fault this time… Hard to find time when I'm down to the last few months of College before I get my Associates in Culinary Arts…urrg…
SD: And whose fault is that?
GA1:………Shut up implant girl.
Disclaimer: Bandai and all those retard old fat men own Escaflowne, that's why we have no second season or what-not with a better ending that doesn't include that damn Hitomi going home……. Stupid woman. If they did you are sure to know we would all be watching it instead of doing this. We do however own our respected characters and the changes in plot line:
Spirit Dancer: Aiko, Shiva
Glass Angel1: Ayane, Fira, Merlin, the Providence Children, Caim and any other character that I must create for the production of this story. (why does this list keep getting longer?)
All rights reserved
Song Disclaimer: Breaking the Habit belongs to Linkin Park and their…whatever you want to call those people. So ya no sue us over its use cause we know we don't own anything but the skin that is attached to us by whatever you call it…. Yea GA1 really needs a vacation.
All rights reserved
Summary:
Not just an ordinary retelling of Escaflowne. Two girls' wish away their lives of family abuse, only to find their wish answered. Destiny plays its hands hard as these two friends find themselves caught up in a war of a world they barely know, only to be torn apart along the way. Will they be able to overcome their trouble pasts, and save this new world for its own destruction? Or will their pasts become its means of destruction?
Category: Action/Adventure/Romance
xVxVxVxVx; same place different point of view
xXxXxXxXx ;scene change
italic; vision
XoX ; Flashback
Chpt. 32 Red Strings of Destiny
The world past by slowly below, the white thin clouds blocked most of the rocky terrain. He leaned heavily against the metal railing on the catwalk. If it broke, he would certainly fall to the doom he felt he deserved. White hair danced over empty red eyes that lay focused on the small red rose in his right hand while it turned slowly. The images of what he had done floated in his mind, knowing he could have damn well prevented it. Fools rush in when wise men wait. Folken hadn't even spared the slightest lecture when he had seen the torn, beaten slayers return to the Vione. A mighty squadron of twenty was now a platoon of six. Or well, by nights end five. Red eyes narrowed at the rose. Guimel was dying; the battered broken boy hadn't the will to live now. Even with the medics' long two-day battle to keep the youth alive, one could not force a cool soul to warm. He turned the rose again as his mind finally decided.
Dilandau Albatou, Zaibach's youngest genius general, was a coward and a damn fool.
He bowed his head down when the breeze blew his hair about again. The only family he had, the family he created, and Dilandau had let slip through his fingers. Those brave soldiers who pledged their undying loyalty and love…he had failed them. How could he face those that were still here? Could he face standing next to the deathbed of one that had been by him for so long and still look into the eyes of the living? Red eyes closed for a moment before he looked at the rose one last time.
"Can you forgive me? I have failed you all; even after all you have done for me. Retina…Huma…Zypi-" His throat squished shut as he fought back tears, red eyes blinking them away quickly. "May all your souls find the rest they deserve, my loyal ones…" The single rose fell down from his hand to the rocky pass below. There were no bodies to honor, nothing but a single rose for a single wish. Red eyes followed the flower until it sank past the clouds. He needed to go back to the medic ward, he needed… no, wanted to be there for them.
"Is that really what you want? To watch another slip helplessly away?" Dilandau's head shot up at the sound of a voice he had sworn he would probably never hear again. Turning sharply to his left, he stood face to face to the dark haired Mysticer. The woman who had remained behind, saving the last of his slayers. Her uniform looked as if it had seen better days; her left arm was wrapped all the way down to her hand. Bangs fell over her face, covering most of those steel gray eyes, which burned into his. Eyes that bore down into his with defiance, wisdom, sorrow and pain. How one could manage such a look was beyond him. The breeze blew the loose black hair with navy tips about her slender face. As it settled back again it seemed to end Dilandau's trance, bringing him back to the reality of questions he hade plummeted Miguel with only days before.
"Ayane, how-"
"I have a gift, Dilandau-sama, a gift I will use at any cost." Her voice said solid and firm tone of voice that left him silenced again in awe. She stepped closer to him with each word. The limp of hers was more noticeable; she kept one hand on the metal railing. She stopped when she was an arm reach away. Grey eyes softened slightly when she raised a hand to touch the aging scar on the side of his face. "A healer can only do so much; the will to be healed is up to the one who is ill. What are visions, warnings, when the one who is warned does not take heed?" She turned her head to one side for a moment. "I told you to stay on the Vione."
"I couldn't let him go. There was no way I could let him escape." His voice held firm, a habit that could never be broken. Built, trained to stand strong in any situation. Grey eyes narrowed into his slightly when his hands formed tight fists. "I didn't have a choice! If I'd let the damn boy go that stupid bitch would-" The words slipped from his lips in anger, but those gray eyes didn't change. "Damn it! I'll make that demon pay for what he's done! I'll-"
SLAP
The sound rang through the hollow hanger, bouncing about the metal walls. Red eyes refocused on the opposite side of the catwalk before he felt the stinging sensation over his scar. Slowly Dilandau turned his head forward again to look at the black haired woman. Ayane's gray eyes seemed focused on her hand, as if in disbelief even of her own action as much as he was. Her hand dropped down slightly in front of her, but her eyes didn't leave it.
"I knew a man once, who broke a mirror with his bare hands because his reflection showed someone he did not want to become. I wonder what that mirror would show now." She raised her hand again; gray eyes looked back into his. Her delicate, cold hand touched the same cheek she had slapped softly, as if afraid to add pressure to the sting still left there. "It is his fault, it is their fault, it is my fault…the circle of blame is a painful game. It is your fault for leaving the Vione. Its Van-dono's for defending himself and the others with him. Placing the blame is easy but deciding how to deal with it so the action does not happen again is harder." Her hand stroked his silver hair out of his eyes. "Who have you become? The soldier who follows of others or makes the decisions based on the want of himself? Are you a man who places the value of other's lives before his own all the time or only when it's convenient for you? In my eyes, I see that young child being faced with the decision that is far beyond his understanding. A child who is fighting in hopes of past promise long broken, blind to the promises of the future."
"I am not blind Ayane, I-"
"To keep Sarran safe, I will be their tool to burn innocent civilizations. To keep my men, I will bring in that man." Ayane continued on. As she spoke she looked to her left hand before looking to her right. "To revenge my people, my country, I will stop them. To save those I care for, I will kill those men. Action and reaction, the unstopping circle of cause and effect. A circle which continues until it revolves around a single means: revenge." Her hand touched the scar on his face again as her steel gray eyes finally met his. "If the bonds were broken, what would stand in front of the mirror? The chained child of responsibility or the soldier of honor?" When did this woman become so good with words? Red eyes could not leave those unjudging eyes, as they seemed to find what he had always tired to hide. Ayane drew him down closer to her when he did not answer. "If the desire for revenge is removed, would you choose the future or the past Dilandau?" Red eyes stared into solemn gray ones in disbelief. For the first time in four months the woman had called him plainly by his name without his title. Her delicate hands pulled his face down closer to hers.
"What will you choose?" The last words were barely a whisper off her lips before they touched his. At first, Dilandau was surprised this was the last he expected from her. His hands settled on her slim waist pulling her closer. How could anyone resist such a kiss? Innocent, unpleading, but ever so yearning. If he was to choose anything, it would be this. The innocents of those whom served him, who he served. The unpleading desire to love freely, but also a well planned distraction. There was a sharp burning on his skin where her hand touched his scar. The realization came too late. Dilandau pushed the young woman away from himself, her hand fell instantly away. Red eyes looked to what he hoped would not mar that porcelain face. Her hands moved up to touch the small scar on her face. The pale pinkness, a scaring blemish on her face. The blemish that fueled his rage towards the young king. Grey eyes still burned into his, the blue pendent necklace around her neck started to glow.
"The knot of Destiny has been severed." Her voice sounded eerie, distant. Her right hand rose up and pointed at him. Those words cut though him, it was like a sword sliding through. Dilandau could feel the pulsing pain as if the invisible sword was real. He pressed down on his stomach to ease the pain, but it didn't help. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground. The only way to keep himself from falling on his face was to use his hands to hold him up. "In order to pick a new path of Fate." His body shook in pain, not just in his stomach any longer but just all over. Red eyes stared down at his hands, and the water spots that landed in perfect small circles around them. Every now and then new ones would appear. A hand lightly touched his right shoulder but he couldn't bring himself to look up. The light breath on his ear seemed to banish the pain. The words that followed though seemed to make his word crash. With them the hand and light breath vanished, he came to recognize the circle drops of water were his tears. It's amazing how three little words could rip away one's foundation. But at the same time, through those tears, Dilandau found that all he could do was smile.
You are free.
XxXxXxXx
They were all here; none could bear to leave for if they did Guimel might be alive when they came back. Viole was curled up in a chair in the room half asleep. He, like the rest, looked out right on the brink of passing out from stress and exhaustion. Miguel was on the floor next to his half asleep partner looking down at the floor or maybe it was the raw skin on his hands. Dallet didn't know and didn't care. Shesta and Gatty were on the floor against the wall opposite of where he sat next to the bed. Shesta look on the verge of slipping into sleep, Gatty on the other hand look slightly more awake. Dallet sat next to the bed holding the hand of his sleeping partner, the mushroom head blond was hooked up to so much machinery to keep him alive it was pathetic. Dallet just felt like pulling the plug just to end the man's misery instead of prolonging it. The brunet closed his hand slightly around his partners. It hurt too much to see him like this, now Dallet understood how Viole felt except he had to be here to watch it happen. He wasn't sure what was worse though, not being there or being there when the ones you care for die. His eyes lids slipped a little, feeling like his strength was finally slipping. Dallet let his headrest on his chest.
"Poor souls…" His head shoot up at the sound of that voice. The voice which came over the com for what he though in that battle would be the last time he would ever hear it, the light voice seemed to have an equal effect on the rest of the room as the energy seemed to pulse back into the tired bodies.
"Ayane!" Viole was the first one to say anything; the curly haired boy was on his feet with his arms wrapped around the frail young woman in the doorway. Shesta and Gatty were slowly rising for they really did lack the energy to stand. How Viole found it not even Dallet knew for his eyes were still heavy. After Viole let her go he could see how battered she too looked, but her gray eyes were hard and determined as she looked onward to the boy on the bed. "Aya, how-"
"Shhhh," she pressed her finger against his lips to stop him. With a small smile she walked past him leaving a questioning Viole at the doorway. Her eyes focused on Guimel alone. "You are now between the strains of that knot." Her voice left her lips but it seemed so distant at the same time. "Torn between life and death, what will you choose? Those red strings have caught you tight. Those words 'let me be next' leave you bound." She stepped past them with each word as she spoke. "But then there are the red strings that bind you to others 'I will never leave a man behind.' 'We will never give up.' Unable to make a choice for you are bound by too many things…" She stopped at the other side of the bed across from Dallet. He could hear Miguel getting to his feet with some difficulty as Ayane took Guimel's other hand in hers. Her eyes softened a bit when she looked at him then to the one on the bed. "If the net of strings are removed can you bare the decision? Could any do so? She does not matter, they do not matter, only you. Make a wise choice-"
"Aya don't!" Miguel's voice suddenly came but the woman did not move. "Dallet, get her away from-"
"For I will sever the knot of Destiny." Ayane whispered under the words of the Dragonslayer as she heard the feet move towards her. She ignored the words that were shouted as her eyes looked down across the bed to the blond girl no one else but only she could see. Blue eyes looked unquestionably before Ayane moved onto look at the brunet the little girl stood next too. He looked at her in shock, worry, regret, but at the same time a hidden gratification he would not let show. With a small smile, Ayane shut out the world.
xXxXxXxXx
Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again
He sat on the silk covered bed, with its black curtains let go so that they were draped over the large four-post bed. Across the room there was a table with empty chairs set alone around it. A top rested a vase of dry red roses, which now looked more like a deep red that was now closer to black, next to it, a bag packed almost to its breaking point. It was a sign of a traveler would leave never to return again for some time. Silver hair fell down over his eyes unrestrained by the golden tiara that once held them back. The dark clothing he wore seemed to him fade into the barely lit room. His eyes scanned over the furniture of the room, over the solid wood dresser that was closed up tight. On top rested a small box, which was opened up with small trinkets set around it. Red eyes moved to the full body mirror, which was covered up by a velvet spread of fabric. Red eyes slipped past it back to his hands resting in his lap holding onto a simple piece of paper folded up and sealed shut with a wax imprint of the Dragonslayer seal. Turning over he looked at the name written on the smooth side, written in simple calligraphy.
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
Because inside I realize
I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't how I got this way
And I know it's not alright
So I am breaking the habit
He turned and set it down onto the soft pillows. For a moment red eyes just stared at the whiteness against the black fabric as his hands moved away form it and down along until his fingertips touched the velvet fabric of small stuffed animal, which rested there. Red eyes looked over the small black thing as its bitty little eyes stared at nothing. Its deep red ribbon stood out against its black velvet fabric. He picked up the small thing and turned back around. The small sad smile looked up at him, and in turn he smiled back before he stood up. Walking past the table he picked up the bag and headed for the door. The metal door slide open but he stopped before exiting to look around the room one last time. The door closed quickly and clicked shut.
Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Then anytime before
I had no options left again
If anyone where to walk past these halls, they would not question his appearance. From far away all one could see would be his silver hair in this poorly lit hall. Slowly, he was in no rush to get anywhere, so for once he would not rush through these cold halls afraid of the looming shadows. Red eyes studied the small teddy bear in his hands, the bag on his back long forgotten. As he walked, he listened to the emptiness of the halls. Vione had been such a lonely world. Each step echoed off the walls, each step sounding more then one person wandered here but no it was only him. He came to a stop slowly in front of a shut door, red eyes studying it for a long time. Should he just keep walking on his own? But, he signed as he looked down at the small bear in his hands its sad smile looking back at him, that path alone would be far too sad. He placed the small bear into the bag and looked back to the door. This decision would have to be of their free will though, he had long decided before he walked through the door.
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
Because inside I realize
I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't how I got this way
And I know it's not alright
So I am breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
The door shut behind him, leaving the dark world separate from the world of light. The sitting room was lit up, on the long couch Viole sat with a set of cards in his hands, Miguel was next to him with his cane resting on the arm rest had his head leaned against the side of the couch looking sadly at a set of cards. Dallet was on the floor with his back to the door, head resting on the table with his hand turned over on his cards. Gatty was sitting in the single chair with Shesta on the floor in front of him legs under the table and head resting on Gatty's leg. It was a sad game of 'go fish'.
I'll paint it on the walls
"I'm leaving." The words left his lips without a thought making all five heads to pop up and look at him. In an instant they were all on their feet, cards forgotten and fallen on the floor. Mouths moved to open but he held up his hand to stop them. "I'm deserting and before you all say anything let me speak."
'Cause I'm the one at fault
"I'm deserting the Zaibach Empire; this is not a game or trick. I will not ask any of you to come with me. I will not ask this of you or anyone for that matter. For so long I have bent my head in dishonor for the desires of this empire but no more."
I'll never fight again.
"Shesta, Gatty I will not beg you to join me for I have made with decision with no regards for Sarran. For thirteen years I have been fighting to save a country that no longer exists, suffering for a people, which died the day our parents were slaughtered. I will not ask you or the rest of the Province ones to join me. I relieve you all of your sworn d-"
And this is how it ends
"We made our decisions a long time ago…" Miguel stopped him suddenly. Five sets of deviant eyes looked unbending into his. Viole nodded his head as his partner spoke to show he agreed with what he said.
I don't know what's worth fighting for
"We swore our loyalty to you, and only you the day you hand picked us to be your Elite." The curly haired brunet smiled widely, showing his normal cheerful self. One of the main reasons why Dilandau had bothered with the man who could smile in the face of any danger and never seemed bothered by it.
Or why I had to scream
"Don't be so surprised. You really think we're just going to sit here and do nothing while you take off on some adventure?" Dallet tilted his head to the side a bit; his medium brown hair fell over his eyes slightly. It Viole was the big joker, Dallet had to be the little one following right behind with some punch line to break whatever silence found when the cruel brunet was absent. "Isn't that right Gatty, Shesta?" All eyes were one the two blonds now who just kept their twin blue eyes on him. The two held their heads high, for once seeming to act the rank they were born into.
But now I have some clarity
"Don't you remember those words?" Shesta smiled suddenly breaking the slight tension in the room. Titling his head to one side where Gatty was standing at. "We are with you, where you go the rest will follow no matter the consequences. Strongest we are standing together…"
To show you what I mean
"We are the weakest when we stand alone." Gatty finished, crossing his arms together. His blue eyes looked over at the others for a moment before they looked back at him. "Besides, what good is it if I let the closest thing to a little brother out of my sight? Who knows what kind of trouble you would get yourself in anyways…" There was a slight playful shrug from him before he slammed Shesta on the back. "Ain't that right?"
I don't know how I got this way
"……Never leave a man behind… Never give up…" The heads of those in front of Dilandau shot to the side to watch the barely healed Guimel wobble out of his room holding onto a metal cane given to him by one of the nurses when he was dismissed from the medical ward. Dilandau's eyes however remained forward unable to look at the Dragonslayer always called Sheep Head. "Those words, you drilled into our hard heads from day one, and yet you expect us to stand aside and left you go? How dare you question us……"
I'll never be alright
"I never questioned any of you…" Red eyes finally turned to met that one eye that wasn't hidden by bandages, the light blue eye seemed different to him more serious then Dilandau had ever known him to be. "If you all just came with me just because I am your commander, what good of a friend…no brother am I by forcing you?"
So I'm
"The same stubborn one I beat at spoons?" Viole shrugged as the rest started to laugh. "Or the one Shesta beat at that all women's contest back at that party last year? Or how about the one Dallet finally out did in a whiskey contest? Or how abou-"
Breaking the Habit
"He gets the picture Voile…… There is no need to keep listing all of those things……" Miguel growled as he smacked his partner on the head before shaking his own. There was a long sigh from him for a moment as he looked back at the red-eyed man before them all. "Are you sure I can't have a new partner?"
Breaking the Habit
"After how well Viole keeps you in line? Na……" Dilandau playfully shrugged, laughter banished the previous tension in the room. They were right, how far could he have gotten without them? Dropping his bag on the floor he crossed his arms. "Alright! You've got ten minutes to pack what you need! Only what you can carry, so Voile that means you can't take your bed!"
"A man!"
GA1: At some point in writing this I thought I was gonna cry.
SD: Yeah…it was pretty depressing…
GA1: ……well, aren't you one to talk…
SD: Hey! Just cause my research paper is on depression doesn't mean I have problems!
GA1: ………wtf? where did that come from?
Edited: 08/06/07