Boo! Sorry it took so long... but alas! The life of an on caller is never easy! Between wedding planning and work, Miss Rugby hasn't had much time for her real hobbies! Well, here's Chapter 2! Hope the story starts to pick up for you guys:) Thanks for the reviews!!
00
The Vision of Escaflowne
'Her Majesty, Gaea'
Chapter 2: Out of the Element
00
"Lord Van, are you listening, majesty?"
At his advisor's stern tone, his head shot up and he turned to find the council and Allen watching him with curious eyes. He quickly straightened himself in the chair, and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry," He said, "I'm afraid the situation at hand is taking it's toll on me. Please do not mistake my silence for any lack of concern."
Allen nodded his head slowly, contemplating the young king's words, before leaning back in his own chair. "Indeed, my liege, this news is alarming." He answered, diplomatically. "Which is why I must express the King and Queen's concerns as well as their wishes for me and my men to escort you to Asturia's capital. My King does not wish for any harm to befall you on his behalf."
Van nodded his head as Allen continued. The young king wished that the upcoming visit with Asturia's king could be one of the informal nature, however recent events had left matters that needed to be discussed. Many of the surrounding cities had been attacked, it seemed, by the remanents of the Zaibach Empire. Some as close as Fanelia's own borders. The news was alarming, especially since Van's own kingdom had just been recently restored.
Despite the fact that the safety of his kingdom had been threatened, Van found it extremely difficult to concentrate on the matters at hand. He had felt this strange feeling in his chest since the day before and it had not subsided at all. When he woke up this morning and realized the feeling had grown stronger from the night before, he found all this thoughts wandering more and more to the green eyed girl from the Mystic Moon.
It had been so long since he had last seen her face, and this knowledge is what caused most of his anxiety. His body constantly felt on edge and his stomach continued to twist unmercifully. Van did not need the pendant to realize that something was very wrong. However his acquired instincts had failed him, as did his mind when he tried to reach her. His ears returned to the conversation between himself and Allen Schezar, ignoring the pointed looks from his advisors.
"Allen.." Van interrupted, raising his right hand in a halting gesture.
Allen folded his hands over the table, awaiting the response.
"I understand King Dryden and Queen Millerna's concerns. These times, It seems, do call for extra precautions we had hoped we would never need again-" Van stopped as he felt a sudden chill run up his spine, but quickly cleared his throat to continue. "But my main concern is my people. The news of my leaving Fanelia will no doubt reach the ears of those we are concerned with, and they may use this opportunity to throw my kingdom into chaos. The protection your king is offering, I feel, will be better served in my country."
The advisor's whispered amongst themselves at the Fanelian King's words while Allen smiled expectantly. "I have a solution for this concern as well, your majesty. My men will stay here at the gates of your kingdom and protect it as they have done for Asturia. I will escort you myself to the palace, and will place my next in command, Gaddes, in charge of my men. As such your kingdom's protection will be increased, as well as your own. This will discourage and attacks in your absence.
Again, Van heard the various mutterings of the advisors seated around him. Van nodded his head slowly, and smiled. "Very well, Knight of Caeli. I will leave with you in two night's time to Pallas. In the mean time you and your men may stay at my palace. It would be inconvenient for you to leave, only to return in a days time."
Allen agreed, and stood up from the table, only to fall in a graceful bow. "As you wish, my liege. I will send word to Gaddes to send the men here. I will also send word to Asturia of the decision we have arrived to." He stood up from his bow, and turned to ask permission to leave, but was stopped by Van.
"Allen," Van began, his voice returning to it's normal tone. "Before you go, I was wondering if I could perhaps have a word with you in private."
As if on cue, Van's advisors rose from their seats and swiftly exited the room. Allen looked up as he retrieved his sword from a handmaiden, and strapped it onto his body. "As you wish," He said, his own voice becoming more casual.
Van reached out to the handmaiden to retrieve the heavy black cloak before turning to Allen, and signaling him to the darkening outdoors. Allen followed him with no questions, and the two walked in silence.
Fanelia was normally a warm country, save for a few short months between the old and new year. In these months, the weather could change drastically within moments. Van noted the chilly air that rushed past his cheeks and the dark clouds that loomed in the distant east, and found he was extremely grateful for the heavy cloak around his shoulders. Another cold season would hit Fanelia soon, it seemed.
After a few short minutes, Allen spoke up. "Van, I'm afraid it has been too long since my last visit to Fanelia." He said regretfully, turning his clear blue eyes to the king beside him. The King himself was proof enough to Allen at how long it had been. The lanky teenager had grown taller, without a doubt. His head was held high in a manner only kings could manage, and his body had filled more into that of a young man. His face and soft eyes remained the same, Allen noticed, and after seeing Folken Fanel a couple times during the war, he realized that there was no question that Van resembled his mother.
Van nodded, with a ghost of a smile over his lips. "It has been." he agreed. "But it seems that life is becoming more and more complicated as time goes on. As it turns out, I have lost touch with a great many people I once knew." A thoughtful expression melted across his features, and Allen took notice of his friend's expression.
"I have a feeling you want to speak with me of something important," Allen observed. Van's pace slowed down to a stop, and the King sighed.
"Yes, there has been something on my mind lately. Something I was hoping you could reassure me on..."
Allen's eyebrow arched as he noticed that something was indeed troubling his companion. "I shall do my best, Van." he answered truthfully. Van nodded again, and sighed dramatically as his frustration with his inability to express himself set in.
"As a man, Allen... as someone who probably has more experience with matters such as these..." Van began, ignoring the semi-amused expression on the man next to him. "How would you explain the actions of someone close who suddenly does not wish to see or speak with you? What reasons could possible be behind it?"
Allen frowned, and turned to Van completely. "Is this about my absence for the past few years?" He asked cautiously. Van hastily shook his head, and a dusty blush appeared on his cheeks.
"No, no... Allen. I meant... in regards to a woman..."
Allen's face lightened in recognition, and found himself fairly surprised that the king had come to him for advice. For a second, Allen found himself wondering what woman, other than Hitomi, Van could possibly be smitten by. However as he noticed the stained color on the young man's cheeks and the longing that burned in his eyes, it dawned in him that this was about Hitomi.
"You have not been able to reach her, I imagine..?" Allen asked. His voice was gentle and he tread into the unknown waters that was the connection of Van and Hitomi. When Van did not answer, and continued to stare at the ground pointedly, Allen shook his head with a faint "aaahh.." on his lips. "For how long, Van?" He found himself asking.
"2 months." Van answered. He looked up at Allen, ignoring the look of surprise that masked his features. "I'm worried. I'm worried that she may be hurt, or sick. I hate not knowing if she's okay, but I can't reach her anymore!" He continued, his voice rising with his emotions.
"Van," Allen interrupted, "Maybe, like ourselves, Hitomi has just found herself occupied with unexpected issues that she needs time to sort through. After all, was it not so hard for us, two men of the same planet, to lose touch... with my duties to Asturia and yours to your country?"
Van looked away sheepishly, and quietly digested Allen's words. He understood what the knight was telling him, but he could not shake the nagging feeling in his heart that something was wrong.
Allen smiled kindly before turning towards the clouds that rushed into Fanelia's sky. "Don't doubt Hitomi's kindness or loyalty, Van. She promised you that she'd never forget you. I know she will not. As a King you must stay strong, and what better way to test your strength than this? Just believe in her, and I'm sure things will be alright."
Van agreed with a jerk of his head. Although Allen's words were slightly different from Merle's, the message was the same. He had to have faith in her. He could not doubt her now... not when their friendship was put to the test.
Allen watched as Van's posture relaxed, and he laughed good humoredly. Reaching up, he rest a reassuring hand on the king's back. "Hang in there, majesty!" He said with a smile. "Any more worrying and Hitomi will find herself stuck with a gray old man!"
Van snorted, glaring at the knight from the corner of his eyes, and unwittingly brought a hand up to the pendant that hung around his neck. Van's eyes widened slightly as Allen laughter slowly changed to a ringing. Before he could question the sound or the sudden warmth emitting from the object in his hand, a powerful blow ran through him, and the King fell to his knees. He gasped for breath as the chill ran though him, and he was no longer aware of Fanelia or Allen, who was calling for help.
His eyes were wide, and unseeing as a burst of images ran frantically through his mind. His heart pounded in his chest as he registered the ache in his body. He could barely make out the images in his mind, but he could feel it.
The fire.
The fear.
The pain.
The suffering.
And finally, a pair of frightened green eyes.
Van heard a piercing scream echo around him, and couldn't tell if it was the vision or his own voice he heard. His chest tightened painfully, and he closed his eyes as he was hit with a wave of lightheadedness.
Slowly he began to hear voices around him. His eyes snapped open, and he saw Allen staring at him with worried eyes. "Van!" Allen cried, and shook his shoulders in an attempt to revive the king. Drawing in a shaky breath, Van reached up to place his hand on his chest..
"Allen..?" Van rasped. His voice trembled from the weakness he suddenly felt, and upon realizing what he saw in his vision, he pushed himself into a sitting position and grabbed Allen's arm in fear.
"Van, what happened..?" Allen demanded. He looked away briefly to wave Van's knights over. The footsteps indicated their arrive, but Van paid them no mind.
"Allen.. I saw it! Hitomi... Hitomi's in danger!" He pushed himself onto his knees, and shakily tried to get back onto his feet. Allen quickly reached over to assist the king, and noticed Van's difficulty standing. Van pushed Allen's hand away, and put a hand on his sheathed sword. "I have to find her... I have to get to her!"
Allen opened his mouth to inquire into the situation further, but was interrupted by a feline shout from behind.
"Van-sama!! Van-sama!!"
Both Van and Allen turned to the source, and found the pink haired cat girl sprinting to them on all fours. She sprung onto her legs, and stopped in front of them as fought to catch her breath. Van noticed the fear in her eyes, and grabbed her shoulders.
"What's happened, Merle?!" He asked, his voice strangely firmer than it had been since the war. Merle still fought with her body, however, and coughed as she continued to try to catch her breath. She pointed one shaky finger to the sky.
"The... The Mystic Moon!" She gasped between breaths.
Van and Allen quickly turned around and shot their eyes to the sky, and both found themselves gaping in surprise.
"What's happened...?"
Van's eyes were wide in fear, and found himself stunned speechless. His heart pounded in his ears and he repeated his words.
"What's happened..?!"
There in the sky, the Mystic Moon had turned black.
00
There was a loud buzz that invaded her consciousness, Hitomi realized, that refused to let her drift off to sleep. Between the choking dust that invaded her lungs, the thumping drums in her head and the cold water that danced on her body, she found all she could do was open her eyes. The shadows around her form slowly took shape, and the buzzing finally began to sound more like human shouts.
'Where..?'
'The Zaibach Guymelefs!!'
Hitomi's body jerked as she forced herself to sit up, and gasped in surprise at the burning sensation on her head and leg. She tried to ignore this, and looked around the grounds groggily. Her eyes found Yukari clutching Akio's trembling hand while Amano was watching her from his position in front of her, busy with wrapping her injured leg. He tied the final knot, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hitomi.. You're awake!"
Yukari and Akio quickly turned at his words, and crawled over to where she sat. "Oh, Thank God!" Yukari cried, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "I was so worried about you! We have to get outta here, Hitomi, and we have to find somewhere safe!"
Hitomi strained her mind the best she could in an effort to collect the scattered memories of the moments before she blacked out. She vaguely remembered the Guymelef causing a great explosion, and shoving her brother beneath her as flaming pieces of the ferris wheel crashed atop the crowd. She
couldn't remember much beyond that, but figured the injuries she had sustained must have been the result of the explosion. From the look of the frantic people dashing in the rain around them, Hitomi could tell that not much time had passed.
"Is everyone alright?"
Amano nodded, though he and Yukari did look a little worse for wear. Their faces where chalked with ash and scratches and Yukari looked ready to pass out. Akio seemed not to have much damage to himself other than the ash that littered his own face.
"That big thing by the ferris wheel made some kind of announcement about a minute before you woke up," Amano explained. He reached down, and tugged Hitomi to her feet as Yukari and Akio rose to their own. "I'm not sure what it said, though. It wasn't any language I heard of..."
"It kinda sounds European.." Yukari added, though she and her boyfriend both knew it was not any European language they knew. "But they've been destroying buildings since then. Oh, Hitomi! I'm worried! What are those things?!"
Hitomi realized she felt a little off, and sway precariously on her feet. Yukari and Amano reached to steady her. She closed her eyes against the dizziness she felt, and tried to focus on what the reasons could be for the attack. She groaned, and suddenly wished she had been conscious long enough to hear the announcement.
"Hitomi, you hit your head when you shielded Akio. I think you may have a mild concussion..."
Hitomi made note of Amano's cleverly worded warning, and mentally cursed the situation she was in. She knew deep down it would somehow be her fault if anything were to happen to Akio, Yukari, or Amano. She knew she had to get them to safety.. and she had to find out what the Gaean machines wanted.
"We have to get out of here... Those machines. They're dangerous... and we wont be safe by staying here!" Hitomi said.
Amano nodded his head, and looked to Yukari for any objection. Although Yukari was frightened, she managed to agree.
Hitomi took the moment to look around, and felt the dread rise in her throat at the sight of the fire and smoke surrounding the grounds. One Guymelef seemed to be scanning the buildings for something, while the other waited nearby. Upon the departure of the first machine, the second wasted no time in burning the building.
'What are they looking for..?' Hitomi wondered. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Amano as he pushed his soaked hair out of his eyes.
"Which way, Hitomi?"
"I need to get Akio home. I promised mom I'd take care of him today, and that is something I don't want to mess up on. You guys should be safe there as well."
Yukari nodded, her eyes noticeably braver than before.
"My home is too far. Hitomi's is the closest!"
"Ok. Let's go."
Hitomi's eye kept dashing to the side of her vision, watching the machines carefully as they made their way out of the school grounds. It was without a doubt going to be a long shot to get home without being detected, but she had to try. Her home was about 4 blocks from the college, and her hopes rose with that knowledge.
"Hitomi, do you know what those things are..?" Akio asked, finally voicing his suspicions. His hands were shaking slightly, but he continued to follow his sister and her friends as they made their way out of the campus.
"Yes." she answered. She stopped at the corner of the school gates, rubbing the pelting rain from her eyes, before making a quick left in the direction of one of the cities many train stops. "They are dangerous. The world I found myself in 3 years ago was at war. Bloodthirsty men piloted these machines. They should not be here."
Yukari watched Hitomi with disbelieving eyes. "I didn't want to think you were telling the truth when you told me that.." she said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you."
"It doesn't matter, Yukari." Hitomi said. "What matters is that we get out of here."
"And we find Okaasan and Otousan." Akio added.
Akio rarely missed an opportunity to tease his sister about the story she told their parents 3 years ago. However, seeing the destruction caused by these mysterious machine had changed his view on his sister's disappearance completely.
The four continued to run down the street, determined to get out of harms way. Hitomi fought desperately to cling onto her consciousness as she ran. She had never suffered from a concussion before, but knew that her body was being deeply affected by it.
"Hitomi!" Yukari shouted, "Let's take the road behind the Supashii Market. It's quicker!"
They dashed around the corner of the market, on continued the jog. Hitomi found her breaths becoming more labored as she fought her weariness. Closing her eyes briefly, she tried as hard as she could to reach Van. She had not been able to reach him without his help since giving him the pendant, but her mind brushed that knowledge aside. Her heart fluttered in anxiety, but she could not sense his spirit. Hitomi's mind reeled as she cursed bitterly. How would she be able to send an army of Guymelefs home by herself if she could not even reach Van?
"Almost there!" Akio shouted.
Hitomi's mind suddenly pounded again, and she reached out, and yanked her brother backward. Yukari and Amano stopped as well, and turned to give Hitomi a questioning glance as a loud crash was heard followed by a rumble deep in the ground.
Yukari cried out as her heel slipped on the wet cement, and she fell to the ground. Amano rushed to help his girlfriend up while Hitomi shook her head in anger.
The Black Guymelef had appeared.
"Damn it!" Amano swore, and he pushed the girls behind him with a fluid sweep of his arm. Pushing her wet bangs from her face, Hitomi ignored Amano's protection and stood beside him.
"Hitomi, what should we do..?" Yukari asked fearfully, and grasped her friend's pale hand within her own.
'I.. I dont know!" Hitomi answered. Her voice shoot with anger, fear, and frustration, and she felt tears burning the space behind her eyes as she found herself at loss of what to do. She needed to find a way to get rid of the Guymelef without risking her friend's lives. And what worried her more was the knowledge that her parents were peacefully unaware of the situation less than 50 feet away.
'I have to get them out of here before my mom and dad get hurt as well.. but how..?!'
The Black Guymelef suddenly made a loud screeching noise, followed by a deep voice.
"Kanzaki Hitomi... seeress of the Mystic Moon."
Hitomi glared at the machine. She was determined to find out why they were on Earth.
"What do you want?!" Hitomi shouted, taking a few shaky steps forward.
"Hitomi!" Amano began, and reached to pull his companion back. Hitomi easily dodged his hand, and continued to walk ahead.
"Amano... how does she speak that language..?" Yukari asked while watching her friend in amazement. Amano shook his head in confusion.
The Guymelef's pilot spoke again, causing the ground to tremble once more. "You will come with us, seeress. Do as we ask and no harm will befall your loved ones."
Hitomi sent the Guymelef a poisonous glare, and rose her voice again. "You don't belong here on Earth! Go Away! Go back to Gaea and leave my home alone!" She cried angrily.
"We aren't here to play games, seeress." The voice repeated. As if to further prove it's point, the Guymelef raised it's claw once again, and and thrust it into a neighboring home. There was a loud crash, and the home seemed to instantly crumble.
Yukari shrieked, while Amano and Akio stared in disbelief. Hitomi felt her jaw drop and her eyes dashed over to her own home.
"Stop it!" she screamed.
The Guymelef stopped it's assault briefly, and Hitomi cringed as the pilot let out a sadistic laugh that echoed about her throbbing head. She was faintly aware of the darkness that clouded her peripheral vision, but continued her fight to cling onto her consciousness
"I will ask you once again, Seeress. Come with me, or I will destroy more of what you care for. Or do you still think I'm joking? I can assure I am VERY serious."
Hitomi closed her eyes, and clenched her fists. What was she supposed to do?
Go with them..?
Let them destroy Earth?
What did they want?
'Van..' Hitomi thought as she wrapped her arms around herself shakily. 'I don't know what to do... what should I do..?'
A rush of air suddenly rushed through her body, and she felt a strange presence around her.
'It will be alright, my child..'
Hitomi's eyes shot open at the strange voice, and a strangled gasp escaped her lips at the sight in front of her. "Where... am I..?" She murmured.
Her feet seemed to rest atop a great white cloud, and below her she could see a green and blue planet twirl in it's natural rotation. The Planet below her looked somewhat familiar, Hitomi realized, and she found herself identifying it as Gaea. She began to wonder if she had indeed lost consciousness and now floated among a dream.
"What's happening..?"
'It will be alright, my child.' The voice cooed gently, and the cool wind caressed Hitomi's body in a soothing gesture. Hitomi closed her eyes again, and reached for the source of the voice that invaded her thoughts.
"Who are you..?"
'I am what has lay dormant for years. A voice has called me, and I'm afraid I must inconvenience you... But do not be frightened. I will guide you home...'
Hitomi felt the honesty in the kind words that whispered around her, and she closed her eyes.
'Everything will be alright...' Hitomi whispered. 'And I will protect them...'
She opened her eyes once more, and was not surprised to see the Guymelef towering over her.
"Well?" the man commanded.
Hitomi turned around and met Amano and Yukari's frightened gazes, and felt a small smile glide across her lips. Akio, however, was the first to notice that something significant was about to happen.
"Oneesan!" he demanded. "What are you going to do?"
Hitomi smiled at him sadly, and turned back to her friends. "Yukari, Amano... please. The moment I leave you MUST get away, and protect my brother."
"Hitomi, what are you planning..?" Yukari asked. She rushed over to Hitomi, and gave her the fiercest stare she could muster. Hitomi looked pointedly at the Guymelef, and clenched her fist subconsciously.
"All this thing wants is for me to go with it, and they'll leave Earth alone. I don't know how, but I'll find a way to seal it in Gaea so it doesn't come back." Hitomi turned to face the Guymelef once more. "I wont let them harm anyone if I can help it!"
"Hitomi, that's crazy!" Yukari gasped, and threw her arms around her friend. "It wont matter if they have you or not! If they want to harm us they will! Nothing you can do will change that! I dont want to see you hurt for no reason! Please, Hitomi!"
"Yukari.."
Hitomi sighed, and reached up to unclasp Yukari's hands from around her. She looked at her friend's tear stained and rain soaked face, and smiled."It will be ok... We'll all be ok.." she whispered.
"Hitomi.."
Hitomi suddenly ran forward, stopping in front of the Guymelef. The rain continued to beat down upon her body, but she raised her chin high and glared at the machine defiantly. "I will go with you on the condition that you will not harm the planet any further!" She shouted.
The Guymelef made no sound, but reached over and grabbed her drenched body from the ground. It seemed to study her for a moment before a mellow laugh began to emit from beneath the suit of armor. Hitomi's heart pounded in her chest.
"What's so funny?!" She demanded. Cold panic pulsed throughout her body, and she found herself struggling within the powerful metal arms as she realised her mistake. Her head continued to pound painfully and her vision swam in front of her. She slammed her arms down on the armor. "Answer me!"
The man hidden in the Guymelef continued to laugh, and raised it's left arm again. Hitomi struggled against the powerful arm that held her hostage as she recognized the Crima take shape. "What are you doing! I said not to harm anyone!" She cried. The Guymelef turned slightly, and she watched as it took aim near her home. "STOP!" She screamed, struggling harder as the laughter continued. She heard Amano struggling with Akio as the young boy also realized what was happening.
Hitomi's mind suddenly went blank as she watched the events transpire in front of her. She watched as the great arm slashed toward the building, cutting in half not only her own home, but every single one that surrounded it. She watched as the fire erupted from the claw, and torched what was left of the crumbling buildings. And sadly, she found that all she could do was stare.
"No..." she began, her eyes suddenly blurred with the tears that began to gather there. She shook her head in disbelief and her hand came over her mouth. "No... No..!"
"Akio, Yukari!" Amano cried out. "We have to get out of here!"
Hitomi gasped as she suddenly felt the pain in her chest again. Her skin tingled as though it was on fire, and felt the bile rise in her throat as she realised that she may be feeling a ghost of what her parents were feeling at the moment.
Why? Why had the voice lied to her? WHY?
Hitomi's eyes shut, and she tried to fight against the intruding sound that was laughter of the man in the Zaibach armor. Her blood boiled despite the despair she felt, and she felt the angry tears burn a searing trail down the sides of her cheeks. The laughter refused to stop, and Hitomi noticed a very odd sensation strike her core. Something in her mind clicked, and she let out a blood curdling scream.
It ripped through the raining skies, and before she could realize what was happening her body was enveloped in a heavenly blue glow.
"What the hell..?!" The pilot shouted as he watched the burst of light. The light traveled from his captive's body, and surrounded his suit of armor as well. "You.. you bitch! What are you doing..?!" He hollered.
Amano, Yukari, and Akio found themselves stunned speechless at the events.
Hitomi's ears continued to ring with the sound of her own tortured scream, when suddenly she felt weightless. She slowly became conscious of the startled voices around her, but as she felt herself floating through nothing, she found that none of it mattered. A sweet song filled her ears, and she could almost hear the strange voice reassure her again.
All thoughts left her mind and she suddenly realized how incredibly tired she was. 'Am I dead..?' she wondered, paying no attention to the odd concept that she could hear her own thoughts echoing around her. She felt a soft caress around her shoulders, and the sweet voice filled her ears again.
'Do not be frightened...' It repeated serenely. '...I will guide you home...'
Hitomi could feel her body shaking as her mind was filled with thoughts of her parents.
'Why..? Why didn't you save them..?' She demanded. The voice did not answer, and Hitomi's ears were once again filled with the sweet song.
Akio... Amano... Yukari... were they alright?
Hitomi's mind was suddenly tugged from her current thoughts, and she realised she was falling.
She wasn't sure how long she had been falling, or where she was falling from, but as she opened her eyes she found herself staring up at a dark sky. Blinking wearily, she watched as some surrounding night birds screeched their disapproval at her intrusion before settling back into their branches.
She pushed herself up into a sitting position with weak arms, despite the painful protests of her head and body, and glanced around herself. A cough suddenly erupted from her mouth, and she realized that her body was still very wet and very cold.
'Where am I..?' She wondered. As she pushed herself into a standing position, she let out a strangled cry as a sharp pain shot up her leg, and she grabbed onto a nearby tree for support. Her head swayed dangerously, so she closed her eyes to recover. "I guess I didn't have time to notice this before.." she muttered, and dimly remember Amano's warning.
'I think you have a mild concussion...'
Hitomi groaned as her vision blurred again, but tried her best to take a few steps forward. Her instincts told her she needed to find help and she needed to get out of the cold, so she continued to grasp the nearby trees and rocks for aid. After being successful for the few steps, Hitomi found herself unable to continue as the corners of her vision darkened. She let out a shuddering sigh, and dropped her head against the tree trunk.
Suddenly she heard a rustle in the foliage ahead of her, and she gripped the tree trunk tighter. The sound of boots crushing against dry leaves immediately stopped, and Hitomi realized she had been detected.
"Hey! You there! Identify yourself!" A loud voice commanded, and the faint click and hum of metal sliding against metal echoed around them. Hitomi recognized the sound, and immediately related it to the noise Van's sword would make when being unsheathed-
Her mind finally clicked.
'Sword..?'
"Answer me or pay the consequences, intruder!" The voice repeated.
Hitomi took in a tortured breath, and forced her body to raise her head. As her eyes fell upon her visitor her heart skipped a beat. The man in front of her had different clothing than she had remembered him wearing. They certainly had less patches and looked far more like a knight's attire than before. But there was no mistaking that familiar dark hair and clear blue eyes...
"Gaddes..?" she rasped.
Upon hearing his name, Gaddes squinted through the darkness in an effort to see the person addressing him. His eyes dawned recognition, and the sword clumsily dropped from his fingers from the shock of the moment. "Lady Hitomi!" He gasped.
Hitomi wanted to laugh. The joy of knowing she had managed to return to Gaea rushed through her body instantly, and she let go of the tree, intending to reach the man in front of her. At that same moment, however, all the events from earlier caught up with her and she felt her mind go blank. She barely had a second to realize what was happening when her eyes were consumed by darkness. "Gaddes... Van..." She breathed, and she fell to the ground.
"Lady Hitomi!" Gaddes shouted, and rushed forward to her still body. He turned her onto her back, and quickly brought a hand to her neck to feel for her pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief upon finding the steady beat of her heart. Gaddes gathered the girl in his arms, and rushed over to where his horse waited. He spared the girl a glance, and noticed she was soaked through her clothes. Her face was pale and clammy, and he found himself wondering how long Hitomi had been wandering there. Shaking his head, he pushed his questions aside, and knew whatever the reasons were for her appearance, he HAD to get her to Fanelia's palace.
He reached his horse not long after, and with some clever maneuvering, managed to get Hitomi on before climbing on as well. A quick adjustment was made as he propped Hitomi's limp body against himself. Kicking the steed, he set off towards the camp site.
It wasn't long before he stopped in front of Pyle, who was busy snoring by an empty barrel of alcohol.
"Hey!" He shouted. His horse kicked it's own feet in the dirt as if to emphasize her rider's words. "Get up, you lazy dog!"
Pyle opened his eyes groggily, and grunted at his sergeant with sleep hindered eyes. "Ehh... C'mon boss! You know we've been drinkin'..." He slurred, tipping his head drunkenly. His eyes, however, instantly recognized the look in his superiors, and he sobered up quickly.
"What's happened, Sergeant?"
"I've come across a very valuable package. Send the boss's owl ahead with word not to leave Fanelia's castle. Let them know I'm on my way!"
"Yessir!" Pyle said, and saluted clumsily.
As Pyle ran off, Gaddes kicked the horse's ribs once again and snapped the reigns. One arm was wrapped securely around Hitomi's body while the other kept firm grip on reigns, and the horse took off with increased speed. The young sergeant sent Hitomi a worried glance and frowned.
'I don't know how you got here, little miss. And I certainly don't know what's happened to you. But whatever it is, the king is going to murder whoever harmed you..!'
00
00
Ahhh.. I much more relieved now that I got to finish Chapter 2. I have 3 and 4 on paper so as soon as I type those up I'll get them to you. Thanks for reading. I'm extremely grateful for the reviews you give, so please please continue to review Miss Rugby's work! Thank you! We'll see you in chapter 3! Ja, matta ne!
Peace!