A.n.- A long over due update, I am sure. I hope you enjoy this and I also hope that my style hasn't changed to dramatically. Please, let me know you're thoughts - I would greatly appreciate any sort of criticism that could be offered.

Dedication - To all those who reviewed, but most especially to Litschi for giving a reason to continue this story. If not for the comments and e-mails, chances are I would not of had the energy to complete this story. This chapter and the future ones are dedication to you, thank you so much for all your words of encouragement.

Drowning.

Before she had been lost in the clouds, nothing could touch her when she was up, up, up...floating beyond them and their petty problems, floating beyond the memories and a life that had turned to ashes on her tongue.

When she'd crashed down from her lofty perch above, the impact had shattered her. The price of escaping reality was to finally be caged by it apparently. The months had passed and Hitomi was close to getting a certificate of sanity.

Not that it mattered, she wasn't going to be here to receive it. But she would be free, free of these white rooms and their long white lab coats, their fake concern and kindness. All of that paled, however, when one examined just where this favor was being granted from.

The ground that they'd told her was firm had turned into quicksand beneith her feet. Already she was drowning, drowning in the future that she would help him forge.

Her breath hitched in her throat, excitement rushing the beat of her heart as her mind wrapped around that thought. So many broken promises, shattered beneath her feet over the years...when one actually gave the time to think about it, what was one more really?

And besides, it wasn't as though she could bear to parted from him now anyway. Dilandau had become the drug kept her tethered to reality now. There were only days left now, until she would grant his most fevered desire above all else. That she would call down the Pillar of Light and take him to that world where the moon hangs against the Earth in the sky.

It was he that had figured it all out, not that that was surprising in the least however. If nothing else, Dilandau was clever. More so then perhaps she had ever given him credit for. But then, the greatest genius is often birthed by the greatest insanity.

She was the one who could call the Light, but a piece of Gaea, or more specifically, a piece of Atlantis was required. An Energist. Even now she could recall the cold, soothing relief when he had said that. After all, had she not left her Grandmother's pendent safely around the neck of that boy King in that world far away?

She felt foolish now, for never realizing, never thinking even for a second, that their could of been others. How could Newton of been the only one to travel to that world? How could they think that Shizar's father to be the only one to send back a piece of that forgotten world?

It was a slim opportunity, she had thought then. After all, who was to say that even if such a thing had happened that the precious stone would still be here or even be found. She had forgotten that along with being clever, Dilandau was also a very resourceful man. And rather good at delegating as well. But then, to of become a General of the Elite Dragon Slayers one would have to be that and many more things.

He, well more specifically the computer whiz Chesta, had found what they needed. A sword in a museum, and to add an even sharper slap of irony, that said museum was here in Tokyo. When she'd seen the picture, she'd known at once that it was the Engerist he sought. It was beautiful, in a mocking and cruel way.

The two handed base was solid silver, with deep blue leather around the grip. The guard was long and curved up at the end facing the blade, shaped into lines of fire curling up. Like a Katana, it was double bladed and made of a kind of an ore that specialists still had yet to identify. The blade was black as obsidian, seeming to leach away all the light around it that it touched. And there, as big as the palm of her hand, was the shining pink Energist glittering just between the guards. The only decoration on the blade.

Ancient chinest calligrify was engraved into the blade at the base. It read, "The Bringer of Death". Dilandau had smirked over her way when that had been discovered, he'd claimed he'd found the perfect weapon. After all, he was about to bring death to hundreds of thousands, two of which her heart still burned and wept for even now.

Dilandau had found the lock to match his Key into. The door could now be opened, just as he had told her it would be. One would almost think that Dilandau had a gift for prophecy.

Even now she could recall perfectly the pure triumph that had burned in those eyes, searing her strait down to her soul. Red the color of blood, of war, of carnage and revenge...all those things flashed deep inside of her, and she knew then that is was Lucifer she was about to unleash upon that unsuspecting world.

She wished only that the Good Spirits would forgive her this failing, for her sheer inability to do anything but bow before this Demi God's will. Never in her life had she felt so weak as she did at this moment, so morally bankrupt that she would allow this dark future to pass.

But how could she do anything less? In mere days that blade of chaos would by pressed into her palms and he would stare at her with those branding eyes, and she would crumble beneath that gaze and do what she swore in her heart to never do.

It was hard to pay attention in group, to spout out her 'feelings' and try to give comfort to those who broke down. What was the point? What was the point in anything anymore? After all, it wasn't like she was going to be here much longer anyway.

Hitomi licked her lips, eyes flickering from the floor to the clock and back again. Time it seemed was against her even, for every minute that passed seemed to go far too fast. A single glance to her left, had he been there with her as he typically was, would have confirmed that the same of not true for Dilandau. But then, he was the one that was thirsting for revenge. Hitomi only hungered for an unfeeling shell to crawl into and disappear for a lifetime or two.

The day passed as a blur, Hitomi feeling as though she was packed in styrofoam penutes as she walked from room to room, stared at a tray of tasteless gruel and then Dr. Miroku and before she new it night had fallen and she was laying in her bed already changed into her white t-shirt and pants. The Shikoku Emblem rested heavy on her heart as she picked absently at it with her finger.

Eyes of fire flashed before her minds eye. Alit with the flame of insanity that Hitomi knew could never be quenched, but she felt was held back only the barest of threads. He was waiting, waiting to unleash all that rage and unsatisfied hunger on a much more unsuspecting world then the one she currently stood upon.

Gaea.

Of course, she knew his plans for that world. It wasn't as though he'd even made the most slightest of efforts to conceal it. Nor the part that she had to play in this little drama of his. After the Light was called and she had returned him to a world he could understand, she would be his Pet Seer. His secret weapon, and in his heart of hearts, his most dear dagger to stab in the heart of his two most hated foes.

That world slept so peacefully, no idea of the bloody vengeance that would soon rain down upon them. And it was she, that would deliver those hundreds of thousands of people to that fate. The blood that would soon stain his hands was already wet upon her own as well. She would unleash this demon and her only prayer was that Van, Allen, Merle...were dead and gone already. So they would be spared the retribution that she knew Dilandau fantasied about every day, every hour, every moment that passed. It was all he breathed for now.

Hitomi rolled onto her side, hands going up to cover her ears as she squeezed her eyes shut tight. No point in thinking about it, no point in worrying over what was no longer in her hands to control. The blame fell upon her for being to weak, as was so often the case. She forced her breath to even out, blocking out the faded memories of her friend's smiling faces.

Another unremarkable day down.

Another day closer to Gaea.

Another day to try and find the strength to refuse him knowing that she would fail.

A world of silver clouds, fog obscuring her vision beyond the emerald grass at her feet. An invisible wind lifted her honey hair off her shoulders, the sweet scent of cherry blossoms caressed her face. An infinite peace stole over her, a release that she had never felt before in her life.

White fabric as sheer as gossamer hung down to her ankles, her bare toes twisted and turned against the soft blades of grass beneath them. The dress clung to her every curve, long bell sleeves fell to her knees, the neckline was a square cut that only gave the suggestion of what lay beneath.

A child-like smile came over her face, laughter bubbled up inside of her no reason at all. She spread her arms wide and turned in a circle, emerald eyes closed as she drank in her surrounds. There was not a single sound, only the sweet smell of flowers and grass, no voices no fear. Only her and this place.

Her eyes opened just as the fog began to lift, the innocent smile froze on her face as she saw a shadow just beyond the fading mist. Breath caught in her throat, the smile slowly slipping off her face as she strained her eyes to see the figure that marched its way toward her.

Rebellious spikes swayed in the breeze, broad shoulders and tan skin became known. The fear that had curled her belly now climbed a treacherous path up her throat and through her limbs. Frozen with terror she could not make her legs obey and was forced to wait as the figure marched closer, already knowing who'd she see.

The fog had lifted now and he was a mere ten paces away now. He was older now, no longer the fiery youth that had slayed a dragon before her eyes. No, what stood before her was a man of regal bearing. His eyes were sharper now then before, the angles of his face filled out and matured. Wild hair had grown longer and passed his shoulders, he wore a black tunicembroidered with silver on the edges. Leather pants, a sword in blue sheath at his hip and a simple pair of boots completed his attire. Over his shoulders, rippling with the phantom breeze, was a cape that looked to of been spun of pure gold.

He'd grown into his figure, no longer all arms and legs. No, she had stopped seeing the boy and saw now the man that he had become, a King that ruled over his country with benevolence. The good and pure, it oozed out of every pore. Guilt swept her up in a ruthless wave, her betrayal ripping her heart in two as she saw his eyes light up with love and joy. Eyes the color of faded rose petals that seemed to be starved and were now feasting upon her visage.

His arms reached out to her, "Hitomi..."

A thousand feelings he poured into her name, a thousand longings and wishes upon every star in the sky.

Hitomi stumbled backward, unable to bear what she saw in his eyes, unable to say a single word, her tongue was useless and heavy in her mouth, she wrapped her arms around herself. Tears threatened to pour down her cheeks, but still she could not find it in herself to look away. The intensity in his eyes froze her to the spot.

In mere seconds he had closed the distance between them, arms wrapping around her tight as he buried his face into her hair. He breathed deep through his nose, savoring a long forgotten scent.

"Hitomi..."

Hitomi bit her lip, closing her eyes to feel the tears at last make their tracks over her cheeks. She delved deep into the dark guilt that plagued her hear, drew on the helpless anger and hatred she had bottled inside her for so long for strength.

She broke his grip on her, shoving with both hands against his chest and stumbling backwards. Her legs felt weak and slipper beneath her, nearly sending her sprawling down. She caught her balance awkwardly, every fiber of her being screaming for escape as she forced her gaze to meet his.

Confusion filled those expressive eyes, hurt welling up inside them. She thought the pain would slay her on the spot.

"I'm so sorry."

She meant it, she was. Her betrayal was not preplanned, though she knew better then the hold her breath for forgiveness. Once he knew what she had done, he never would.

The swirling fog returned almost as though summoned and though he seemed to be running to grab her, he never go so much as an inch closer. They were drifting apart, as though the ground beneath them had cracked open and was fast separating.

Tears burned even as her knees gave out.

Goddess forgive her, cradle her damned soul for what she would do...

Hitomi awoke as though someone had slapped her, a hand was clamped tight over her mouth, arms like bands of steel held her arms down.

"Shhhh..."

The command was softly given, but Hitomi's strained ears had no trouble identifying the source. The scream that had begun to build in her throat shrank away instantly.

Her eyes were already adjusted to the dark, through the silver moonlight she could make out his white hair and skin so pale it seemed to glow in the blue light.

He lifted his hand slowly after he was sure she wouldn't cry out, inclined his head toward the door. Hitomi nodded and sat up, reaching under her bed to tug on a pair of tennis shoes. His hands circled around her wrist and he rushed her quietly through the door. The hallways were brightly lit and burned her eyes.

He tugged her along relentlessly, blind and scrubbing her face Hitomi's one goal was not to trip over her feet.

He pulled her into a broom closet and shut the door quietly behind him.

Vaan...

Hitomi bit her lip to keep the tears back. It was only a dream, nothing more. But still her heart ached, her soul crying out. It was different thinking about what she was going to do; Merle, Allen, Vaan...they had all faded into the background of her memory. They hadn't been real to her any more then the singers in Hollywood were. Distant and unreachable, in that way she had been able to endure what she would do.

But now...now she knew. He was real, and dream or not, premonition or fantasy - they still had become real again. Her friends, her companions, her first love, the danger they had shared and the Empire that together they had brought to kneel. And here she was, delivering their most hated foe through their backdoor. It was enough to make her stomach churn.

Fiery eyes captured hers, narrowed in suspicion at her but at the same time glowing with excitement and anticipation.

"Its time, Hitomi." His voice hushed, triumph wavering through the three words.

Ice settled in her veins as comprehending ripped through her mind. Now?

"But I thought...the full moon - "

He waved away her words, lifting the black trash bag out of the can and pulling a lab coat and a nurses uniform from underneath.

"We're leaving now. Get dressed." He thrust the uniform into her hands.

Numb Hitomi turned her back to him and changed quickly, infinitely grateful and she had gone to sleep in a bra. Dilandau had yet to press her for favors of the intimate kind, content for the moment with simply kissing and caressing her body. A fact that Hitomi was grateful for. She had a sinking feeling, however, that he was only waiting until he could have an extended amount of time alone.

By the time she turned he was dressed and even had a black wig to cover his silver hair. It was short and shaggy, with his pale skin and red eyes it seemed almost silly to her to see him that way. It didn't suit him, at all. She found herself missing the way his silver hair framed his face.

The nurses uniform was simple, just a pair of white pants and a shapeless shirt. His was much the same, though he pulled the outfit off with more finesse then her. He turned slightly, reaching into his old pants to press something into her hands.

"Try not to lose him, you'll need them where were going."

The familiar cardboard box of her cards felt like a hundred pound weight in her hand. She stared at them dumbly, surprised he had thought to even search and grab them. But then, she supposed, it was her clairvoyance that he truly wanted anyway. She would be his secret weapon in this other world, she would be his scythe to cut down a path for him. The thought pained her more then it should of. She slipped them wordlessly in her pocket, feeling as though the weight was going to pull her down into the center of the Earth. A preferable alternative.

He pulled her into the brightly lit hallway. Her heart pounded so loud in her chest she was sure they were going to be caught. But they encountered no one, not a single night guard or nurse. Even the security guard at the exit was not sitting at the screens. He used an I.D. card to unlock the door; a smirk of irony crossed Hitomi's lips as she caught a glimpse of Dr. Miroku's unsmiling face staring at her from the glossy surface.

It was almost as though the Gods themselves had arranged their escape. No alarm bells rang, no shouted words, nothing...they were like ghost making their escape. They exited the building without a single backward glance, Hitomi's hungry eyes taking in the pristine immaculate gardens that surrounded Shikoku Asylum. The grass was perfectly mowed, not a single thing out of place. Not one stray leaf or muddy foot print to be found. Neither one spared a single glance backward as they walked away ast a measured, calm pace.

They walked their way down the black asphalt road and through the the once again gaurdless gates. This time Dilandau slipped inside the small glass box and pressed the red button to open the gates for them.

Hand in hand they walked down the streets, the silence stretching between them. Hitomi fidgeted with her uniform jacket, picking at loose strings before finally letting out an exasperated breath and stopping cold.

Dilandau seemed to notice only at the last moment, when he realized he was pulling at her arm but not getting anywhere. Annoyed question marks danced in his eyes, his mouth set in a grim line that told her he was anything but in the mood to indulge her.

Hitomi squared her shoulders. Too bad.

"Where are we going?"she asked flatly, the adrenaline had finally slowed enough for her mind to think clearly.

"Where do you think we're going, Kanzaki? We're going home." He replied, punctuating his sentance with a rough pull on her arm.

"I thought we had days to go."It was a statement, not a plea. Though her heart begged to differ.

"Plans change, I'm tired of waiting. Sick of that place and this stupid world, I would think you would be too."

"I'm not going to Gaea with you."

"Of course you are."

"No, I'm not. I'll call the light for you, as I've little choice in the matter but I'm not going." Hysteria was threatening to break lose, her voice going shrill on last word.

Dilandau stopped, his eyes narrowing at her as he took in her far too pale face and her trembling lips.

"Come too far to be having second thoughts now. If I have to drag you by you're pretty hair, you're coming. Besides," He leaned closed, lips caressing her ear, "you don't really want me to leave without you. Admit it, Hi-To-Mi...you need me."

He silenced her with that. Dilandau hailed a cab, gave the driver curt directions to the Java House. Hitomi felt her heart still. Of course, why hadn't she realized that before? The Java House was but a stone throw away from the High School's track. The place where it had all began, both her journey to Gaea and so near where she had first had the vision of the silver haired man's return.

After all she had told him, of course he would think this place would be the prime place to begun. Perhaps it was sacred ground, some sort of phycic nexus that linked Gaea to Earth. Who knew, honestly. Fate rarely explained its ironies

Dilandau paid the toll, where he'd managed to get money she didn't know or even dare to ask. Dilandau had his ways, if nothing else she should be long familiar with that. And she'd long ago found out that some things it was just better not to know the answer and simply go with the flow. He kept a firm grip on her wrist, as though worried she'd bolt at any moment. He was right to be concerned.

The seven of them were waiting for them when they arrived. Under the spot light she could see them, dressed simply in black jeans and wife beaters, all black. Each wore a long a jacket, the fact that they were all wearing the same kind of clothes struck Hitomi as more then a little odd, but then they were a unit before. They'd all worn matching armor and underneath the same as well. It shouldn't surprise her...but it did.

A question nagged at he back of her mind, formless as smoke when she reached for it. Something about them, about this place, the thousand different coincidences that raged through these last few months to culminate at this final moment was nearly more then she could bear.

Dallet tossed his dark hair out from his eye, holding the self named 'Bringer of Death' blade out to his Lord without so much as word. Dilandau didn't release her as he took it. He held it up, admiring the weight, the sleek beauty, the sharpness of the curved blade, with an expert eye.

He turned to Hitomi.

"Don't let me down, Hi-To-Mi"he separated the syllables, a promise woven into it.

He pressed the blade slowly into her hands, his eyes burning strait down to her soul.

The moment was here, the time for stalling had come to an end. The world was encased in sound proof glass the instant her fingers wrapped around the hilt. Sweat dripped down off her brow, down her back and between her breasts as her breath came in quick sudden gasps. Light seemed to fill her mind as her hands tightened almost painfully on the hilt.

The energist pulsed like the heart beat of the Dragon it had once rested inside of. It throbbed almost painfully down her arm to her chest. She raised the sword high above her head, feeling the warmth of the pink light encase her. In that moment the world around her seemed to fall away, there was nothing except her and the frantic beat of the Energist.

Moments passed, and nothing happened. She opened her eyes slowly, half expected to see a blue-black velvet spun sky with diamonds thrown like silver dust against it, the Earth cradling against the moon.

There was nothing but the same moon that she had seen every night since she was a child though. She turned her head slowly, to meet the blood-red gaze of Dilandau. His once soldiers were standing at silent attention, but even she could see the impatience that rested in their eyes. That impatience was amplified a hundred on their master's face.

Rage was quickly coming into his features, an anger that she knew he would not contain. It hadn't worked! Why didn't it work? Why? A frantic fear thrummed through her veins to settle deep inside he her heart as she faltered and let the sword fall to the ground. Despite her desire to never return, even she had never anticipated the idea that it wouldn't work!

All at once, it happened.

A blinding white hot light, much like a helicopter spot light, fell upon them. The light was warm, comforting embrace. Dilandau was at her side almost instantly and as were his once soldiers. Hitomi moved as though to step away from them all only to have his arm snake around her waist and crush her against his chest. The swords hilt dug almost painfully between them, but he seemed not to even noticed.

That strange feeling of vertigo swept through her as she felt her feet slowly begin to lift off the ground. And then, she was rising, up higher...higher...and higher until the track was just a speck on the ground.

Hitomi shut her eyes tight, a single tear escaping as she buried her face against his collarbone. It was as though they were on a roller coaster that was slowly picking up speed and now were plunging head-first down the hell. Her stomach seemed to drop to be left behind and before she knew it the muffled, womb like safety of the light abandoned them and there was only darkness to be found.

The hooting of an owl made itself known, the light scurrying of nocturnal creatures and the oh so soft feeling of grass beneath her shoes. Slowly Hitomi opened her eyes and let her gaze find itself upward.

Up above the sky so high, like a diamond in the sky, the planet Earth hung with its only moon adjoined.

Gaea.

The last thing Hitomi knew was the bruising force of Dilandau's lips on hers before the darkness finally took her. Oblivion exploded in her mind as the circuits shorted out at the sight she had never wanted to see again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~6 Months Later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rage.

It was the only emotion that Hitomi now relished. It was at least more formidable then the numbness that dominated her every moment. Well, every moment that He wasn't there anyway. Even now, he had the power to steal all of her breath away, make everything around them fall away into an unimportant, dull background noise. He fascinated her at every turn, and try as she might to resist if only to seek forgiveness in the light for her transgressions, she failed at every opportunity.

It had been six long months since her return to the the Sleeping World of Gaea. The going had been slow at first, she hadn't even thought that Dilandau had a plan beyond revenge. But he did, of course.

She had been so sure his only goal was the blood for those that killed his life her and ripped him down from his seat of authority. A thought which now made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She had greatly underestimated him there. While the blood and cries of agony from two men were vastly important to him, it was not his only prerogative for being on Gaea. No, his purpose was complete and utter domination.

A feat that she had laughed at him about, at first. How did he possibly think that he would take over the world with seven men? And him with the only sword to boot, the entire idea was more then ridiculous, it was complete and utter lunacy. And in a rare moment of complete indifference, she had told him so.

Even now she remembered the blinding rage that had flashed in those eyes before cooling with a look of amusement. His tolerance for her had grown since she had granted his wish, however. There was little times that he ever seemed to loose his temper when it came to her. His possessiveness had increased however, even now she was not allowed alone with any male save his Dragon Slayers, and that was only because they were well aware of the penalties of touching that which belonged to Dilandau Albatou.

"Do you really have that low an opinion of me, Kanzaki? I can have and do whatever I please, and will. This world will kneel at my feet, you will see."

His words rang through her mind, doing little to settle the raging inferno that threatened to consume her entire existence. Why, why, why...yes, time had flowed differently on Gaea. Vaan was 25 now, but still lived and breathed .Why? It wasn't fair, Gods no it wasn't fair...

How long would it be now until he knew she was here? How long until words of the Imperial Order began to reach his ears? How long until he put two and two together and found her presence, found that the Leader of the Order was none other then his most vigorous enemy? Could she bear to see the betrayal in his eyes? The pain? The anger? It would kill her, she was sure to see that in his eyes. The pain alone that she had seen in the dream that wasn't a dream had nearly crippled her.

He would attempt to rescue her, perhaps if she was still that important to him. If only for the powers of her visions, she decided, he would try. And that alone would be his undoing, for then he would die before her eyes. Or worse, maybe he would succeed and would kill Dilandau instead. The idea was nearly laughable. She'd watched him train nearly every day now. He was truly superhuman now when it came to the sword, he was what the name implied: The Bringer of Death.

He had started smaller then she had expected any way. From what Chesta had been able to tell them they had landed near a small, unimportant Kingdom by the name of Rowan. Named the great Wizard that had founded it, Rowan was a Kingdom of utter peace, famous mainly for its rich sculptures and its resolute demand to be left completely alone. It was surrounded completely by towering walls with guards at the posts, merchants and travels were allowed only for long enough to rest or sell their goods and had to be on their way. No one was allowed to disturb the peace, those who dared to were rarely heard from again.

Once again, fate had dealt them a favorable hand. It was here in Rowan that Hitomi witnessed on the outside for the first time, just how remarkably persuasive a man like Dilandau could be.

He made friends with several of the local armory and apothecaries first, him and his men except for whichever was left to guard her mingled and felt out the people here and there. They soon learned that while on the outside, Rowan was a model Kingdom - on the inside it was much different.

Streets were kept swept on a daily bases, immaculate surroundings were a must even for the most lowly of farmer. Manners were a complex ritual, said to be a way to keep anyone from being offended but as the slightest slip up or rush of the ritual was then regarded as an insult it merely created more ways for it to happen.

No one, save the Rowan Guard was allowed to carry weapons of any kind, the penalties for failing at any of these things were swift and harsh. There was no stealing in the Kingdom of Rowan, because the price of thievery was the loss of said persons hand. Murder was also almost none existent.

The penalties for that ranged to decapitation with your head on a pike outside the kingdom for all to see, hanging, or the worst of them all: a week in the stocks with only a glass of water a day and thirty lashes every night. On the seventh day in the center of the city you were laid down on a wooden table with a spiked spit above you. Your stomach was cut open just enough to reach a hand in and pull out part of your small intestine. It was then pulled up and wrapped once around the spikes, then the executioner when turn the spit and thus slowly pull out the internal organ. Most died before it got out too far. Those that didn't were ended with slit throat.

Needless to say, violence or any other kind of civil disobedience did not happen in the Kingdom of Rowan. And when it did, it was only under extraordinary circumstances.

Most of the people were cowed already, all feared resistance or mutiny of any kind. This was how things had been for generations, they were not going to change. Dilandau, however, smelled opportunity. They ended up being allowed to stay longer then the standard week, each of them worming their way into different occupations. They were all well liked by all, even with the Kingdoms usual thoughts of superiority to all who did not reside there. Rowans', as a rule, found all who were not of Rowan inferior.

It wasn't long before Dilandau became friends with most of the guards, gaining the ears of those in power. It was in those ears that Dilandau then whispered thoughts of anarchy, of how their King had been doing them wrong. Selfishly hording their gold, ordering injustices for those that were the most patriotic. Looking back, Hitomi couldn't help but feel it was all accomplished with the most pathetic and pitiful of ease.

No, it didn't take long at all until those he whispered to began to grow angry and restless. And now, a mere six months later, that King had been assassinated along with his only heir. The people all but begged Dilandau to take command, so sure that this outsider was the only way to keep their Kingdom from falling into anarchy. Of course, he graciously agreed to save them from their plight.

Now, though Rowan had only a small army, Dilandau had gained a valuable ally. Less then a year and already he was gathering forces. His eyes were already set on the neighboring Kingdom of Kelton. The Keltons had been a long time rival of Rowan for as long as anyone remembered. War had been more then four generations ago, it was tenuous peace that they existed on now. Trade was their only contact.

Hitomi knew, as she stared out her window to the city below, that it would not be long until Dilandau swallowed Kelton as well. Then another, and another until...his forces would be something to reckon with.

Gaea would bleed red, the sky would be aglow with the cleansing fire of his rule. All who opposed him would be cut down, and then, at long last, he would savor the sweet taste of the vengeance he had waited so long to extract.

The sun was setting in the sky, colors of red and orange mixed together in a way that made the sky seem already an inferno

Hitomi bowed her head, a single tear of frustration escaping her emerald eye. A thousand sorrows, a thousand broken promises contained within.

End Chapter

A.n.- Thoughts? Comments?