I do not own escanflowne this is just fanfiction!
So Ok heres 3 Im posting them while I can – I think I have a total of 7 thus far – but Im really not sure how its going! Im my own enemy – I like this story at time and then I feel as if none of it even makes any sense or is the potential for a decent fanfic.
Hitomi sat up. It wasn't as much as a feat anymore – 3 weeks it had been, and she only knew because she would keep track of her meals. She might have lost a day or two – but still her body wouldn't work for 3 weeks. What happen to her? She couldn't ever stay awake long enough to recall her last coherent thought. She dreamed of Van.
She remembered that – his kisses were like a piece of heaven. She had had these dreams countless times over the course of 5 years. If she ever got to see him – she would probably blush at the sight as the way she always seen him in her dreams were beyond words. I wish it was really him. She thought, she said she was in trouble, why she bothered she didn't know – it was just a dream no way to make it to him.
With a little bit of effort she swung her legs to the edge of the bed – she was defiantly well rested, that she could tell – but her body felt like jello. Much effort would take her to get up – but she smelled horrible. When was the last time she had bath – she could remember 3 weeks, but how much longer before that?
A click behind her made her turn uneasily to the sound – if she was quick she would jump back into bed and pretend to be sleeping but she couldn't make her body move as quickly.
"I see your awake – and moving – this is a good sign." The deep voice was approaching – and though it was better illuminated in the room that last time – she still couldn't see past the edges of the bed.
"I demand to know where I am" as confident as she tried to sound – she's sure it didn't accomplish what she was trying to do.
"Hitomi… I think you can trust an old friend." As the deep voice grew a hint of amusement to, a large broad figure came into light.
"Dilanduo…" if her ears didn't hear the sound of her voice she would of thought she mouthed it.
He was taller, and broader than before. His hair once short now grew with length as the silver glistened by the flickering candles at her bedside. His face was narrow – and his scar running the length of it, a dark pink than the ivory color of his rough appearing skin. Fully armored with two large scathed swords at his side, his breastplate bore an etched dragon that seemed to be climbing up to perch itself on his shoulder.
"Ah, yes, I knew you would recognize me." He un-buckled his belt and place the swords in the shadows – out of the light on what might have been a desk if Hitomi's poor sight could see that far.
"How, Wha- I thought-"were the words, she was never speechless, where were her words
"Five years – changes a lot – Look at you, a remarkable woman, your hair longer – your body – defiantly doing you justice." His eyes dance with a sort of glorious satisfaction as her admired her in nothing but a satin gown.
Hitomi became aware and tried to pull the blankets over her as she set on the edge of the bed – but Dilandou came closer and perched himself uncomfortable close to Hitomi.
"It happens with maturity." She tugged but his weight kept the blankets beneath him and not over her.
"Hm, yes well, how are you feeling?" His tone didn't sound concerned – but seeming to be small talk as his attention was elsewhere.
"Like I have been bed ridden for a very long time." She was blunt and gave up on the blanket position herself a little further away.
"Ah, well it happens when you die, and are reborn." He swift stood and she couldn't help but feel relieved before taking in his statement.
"I… what?" Hitomi let her mind race – she didn't remember dying – dreams of dying yes, but the last thing before Van she remembered was – the dragon! The Vision or dream? She wasn't sure as she went to bed and then awoke – or seen the strange encounter with the dragon.
"Yes- you died. To put it frankly –why you ever left this place is beyond me – perhaps no one was smart enough to realize what you really are – or were becoming. I guess that was a benefit to being in Zaibach we defiantly took pride in our ability to harness power. However, none of us seen what you really were, fools they were – even Dornkirk." Her mind tried to go through what he was saying but it was hard – she didn't know what he was talking about – however he spoke to her as if she did.
"I'm not going to pretend I know what you're talking about, so I'm going to ask, what are you talking about?" Hitomi never had a temper but instead of fear she could feel her body working over with a large amount of irritation. Maybe it was his presence – and a part of her began to wonder where her fear was – she was alone – obviously at the hands of a mad man, but yet fear didn't come.
"You are a, Phiniox, Tsuni, Almaci, pick one – there are a dozen other names for you in other tongues I can provide you." His eyes gleamed with hunger – hunger with every term that he threw at her.
"Again with the terms I don't know." More irritation had her body clamped up. She normally was a patient person – perhaps all the sleep had gotten to her.
"There are people, rare people, who have powers beyond your wildest imaginations; you my dear are one of these people. You see – it starts out with visions – their power starting to emerge – with the help of energist their power comes through. It is around their maturing age of 21 – it is said – that their body dies, like a wilting flower that had been picked." Dilandou pulled a dagger from behind his long cape and was staring at it as he explained.
"However with water – these flowers can grow roots – and you my dear – with energists you are able to be reborn. You see – two months after you left I knew you who you were. How you got here – I don't know – but better you came to me because I was tired of searching for a way to come and get you." He slowly started to make his way to her, her body tensed as he fumbled the dagger with glee.
"We found you in a dragon grave yard – your body charred with black and smelt of death – but there you were – a corpse. If I hadn't needed you I would have celebrated your death by bringing your corpse to Van." He was feet away from her – slowly advancing – anger started to boil in the back of her mind. She had a sick feeling of what his dagger was for and she wasn't going to play this game with him.
"So we brought you here – slowly your charred body broke free of its shell – as if you were a butterfly in a cocoon of ash and here you are." He towered over her and bent down forcing her back to the bed as he pressed his hard metal body against her. "For me."
"Get off me!" The ground shook and bellows of roaring echoed from afar. She couldn't hear her own voice over the noise and shaking room. Things fell and in the darkness she could her all sort of clashing and breaking of items all around the room over the bellowing that seemed to come from beneath her.
Dilanduo stepped back and the world started to calm. Hitomi glared at him with fury. If she had fangs she would be bearing them right now – like a caged animal – ready to lash at their enemy.
"Ah, my precious, you are amazing." He was in awe – he just stood there eyeing her petite frame with wonder cackling and rubbing his thin point index finger along his cheek.
She gained her composure after a moment – and felt her body quiver in weakness. She pulled back further into the bed – with what seemed to be more effort than she thought she had. She felt drained – like days of no rest and hunger were affecting her at this very moment. It would make since if she had known she had not spent the last three weeks sleeping, her body was weak and not as strong and surging as a moment ago when Dilandou had her spitting in anger.
Dilandou went towards the edge of the shadow and grabbed his two large swords and equipped them at his sides.
"Sleep – that took a lot out of you – but with rest – and time you will be able to handle your talent." With that he went into the darkness – shutting the door as he left – but his insane cackling could be heard muffled as he left her.
Hitomi's eyes felt heavy. What happen? She knew why she was angry but why wasn't she scared. Her mind raced with way to retrieve his dagger and use it in her defense instead of finding a way to run and seek help. What had gotten into her – she did value her life – which was why putting herself into an unfair battle with Dilandou was a sure fire way to end her. But he needs you for… for what? It was obvious he wasn't ready to kill her – or he could have done that when she was sleeping.
She started to remember his earlier comments when her eyes started to feel heavy and before she could contemplate his comments about her dying she fell asleep.
"Van…" she yawned wishful.
Van stood in the large common room – empty – it was late. It was a long three weeks – he was trying to prepare to leave to find Hitomi – but he didn't know where to look. Kelta had given him riddle after riddle and still he didn't feel he was any closer to knowing what was going on. He had his dreams – he dreamed of her more and more, however his dreams were similar to the last 5 years – and gave him no indication of where she was. He was frustrated to say the least.
The country side was beautiful, even with the charred earth below portraying a ruined city. Fanealia was going to be stronger this time, it would be worthy for its people. He sat below Escanflowne who seemed to gaze with him in thought at the past months. The battles, the war, and then there was her. Hitomi, a young girl who landed in his path, annoyed at first with her and her strange ways. The Mystic Moon, her home, and the place she would be returning to.
"Van!" She came running at full sprint towards him.
He fumbled with the small tool for timing she had handed him, she had instructed him to keep the time, but he couldn't find what little button to push, there were four!
She slowed to him, bending over to catch her breath as he gave her a guilty look.
"I'm sorry Hitomi…" He wanted to do it, but his thoughts brought his mind to his ruined city below.
She straightened and gave him a sly smirk.
"I'll forgive you this once." Her hand brushed his bangs away from his eyes, she truly was beautiful. Why hadn't he seen it before? When her path crossed his that fateful day, he remembered finding her annoying for being a helpful soul in his conquest for his crown. Any other man would have stood and seen her for the entire woman she was becoming.
He grabbed her wrist softly and pulled her closer to him. He wasn't sure what compelled him, but he needed her closer. She would be leaving and it was making a feeling in a gut that he wasn't coping with very well. He tried countless times over the week to put into words what he felt, he wasn't sure why he could never say it. She cared for him – he could see that, but did she love him? She was leaving – back to the Mystic Moon with the promise she would be back – but it seemed empty – like she couldn't.
"Hitomi, remember when I asked you to stay with me." He breathed softly near her ear breathing in her scent.
She closed her eyes, not sure if she could say no if he asked again. She wasn't sure if she could leave now anyways, but there had to be a way back – she had to be with her family until she was old enough to be on her own – Earths rules were different than that of Gaea. She wasn't ready to say goodbye to her family and she wasn't ready to leave Gaea.
"Van… Don't." She pushed him back pulling her composure
The last week they had came to this spot and talked of how beautiful Fanelia will be, how he is going to change things, and the when's and future what if scenarios. It was relaxing to him to have someone to talk to. She would listen and watch him with her Emerald green eyes, always so full of life. He felt like someone important when she looked at him, more than a king.
He could feel his rapid heartbeat becoming slower; it could stop right now because he wasn't sure what he was going to do. She had told him of Mystic Moon ways, but he didn't understand. Sixteen was old enough for any Gaea to become an adult and make their way in the world, more so a King. Why she had to go finish this place she called school, was beyond him. The only part he did understand was her wanting to spend more time with her parents. Explain to them where she had been for the last months, and say her goodbyes.
But he wasn't sure if his mind could wrap the logical he was thinking onto his heart which felt empty and hurt regardless of what his mind told him was right.
"Kings with the responsibilities you have this week shouldn't be wandering around this late, rest is actually a good refresher." A smooth voice interrupted his train of thought
"Allen I don't need a lecture." Van stated sternly he wasn't in the mood for the playboy's humor.
"Ah, well, Van your over reacting – We've had this conversation if she was here – there would have been a pillar of light – someone would of seen it. You sent messengers to as far as Merina and they came back telling you the same. She's not here – she's probably still on the Mystic Moon." Allen wasn't sure if his assertiveness came through – because he had known something that Van didn't but wasn't about to share it. It would send Van leaving everything here to search for Hitomi, but Allen had no responsibilities anymore – he shed them on his search for a cure to Selena.
"You don't even know if this is her in the prophecies Kelta has been throwing at you, you have a castle full of delegates, lords, and kings from other places, and here you sit idly on some notion from a dream you had one night – when it was just probably playing through on your insecurities. Dreams have a funny way of doing that." He spoke from experience.
"You don't have the right to speak of responsibility!" Van shouted he was tired of hearing it from everyone – how he needed to be present and focused on the current situations surrounding the treaties instead of occupied elsewhere.
"My situation has nothing to do with yours Van – my sister disappeared 3 years ago!" Allen was growing very impatient with Van.
"Ah yes, so abandon your command to search for your sister's cure, sounds very familiar to my situation Allen." A bit of irony was all it took to have the previous Knight draw his blade and meet the metal clash with Vans.
"If you weren't so arrogant you would see where my fault lies and where yours will follow, abandoning your country in its time of need on a fool notion could be the biggest regret you ever made." They started at each other with their blades keeping each other in their own space.
"I know Allen!" Van pushed him back and sheathed his sword. He wasn't going to fight with Allen – even if it would help him release his frustrations.
"I will look for her Van – I will find her. Stay – lead your country – get the treaties in order – we need this. There are more evils that lie in the shadows building than we care to recognize and I fear Gaea's Great War wasn't over it was just delayed." Allen turned and began to walk from the common room.
Van stood and stared after Allen. He had a sense of ease – if he could have asked anyone to search for Hitomi – it was Allen.
Allen made his way through the castle, he was leaving port tonight – his crew was ready to fly out as instructed. As he made a steady pace out of the castle he paused for a moment, he sensed he wasn't alone.
"Merle – if you plan to be a stow away – I don't think your absence would go unnoticed around here." Allen smirked – she was there he could hear her shifting quietly in the shadows as he had made his way through the castle.
"Allen you wouldn't be planning to leave if you didn't know something no one else did – for two weeks you sat here while Van did all but beg you to leave – and earlier this evening a messenger came through for you only and now you are packed and ready to go." She came out of the shadow with her ears flat and her tail flicking suspiciously.
Nothing got past her he smiled with thought.
"Your right – and you know as well as I that Van knowing this would not be a benefit to anyone. I received word that a Dragon grave yard along the old Zaibach Empire witnessed something peculiar the night we had the phenomenon. It was said that a red beam of light appeared leaving someone – or something in the crater it created." Allen turned and head to the dock as Merle scampered behind him her ears now perked.
"A red? You really think that it's Hitomi?" She was tired of not knowing anything. None of anything made sense – but her senses told her something was wrong – on her trips to the woodlands the creatures stirred with a sense of unease.
"I think it's the answer to what happen 2 weeks ago that will let us know whether it's Hitomi or not." Allen said flatly walking through the empty streets of the market to the dock.
"Well, Allen good luck, and please – find her." Merle turned and sped away into the shadows back towards the castle.
Allen made way onto the docks – a couple of late ships were docking and unloading. Traders getting their goods ready for the morning bustle.
His Levi ship was at the end of the dock – more massive than traders' ships and re-built in a more modern fashion. He added to it over the years with Gaea's knowledge from the far corners he searched – he found improvements to make along the way. His Levi stone on either side of the ship no longer resembled giant boulders in a pointed oval form, but more a sleek carved ski the length of either side of the ship. The large sleek masts were red in color with a gold dragon on either mast. He supported the Faniliea colors as of a year ago.
After he went looking for his sister and abandoning his title all together – he had nowhere to turn. Van had accepted him into his country and made his Captain of the Guards for his air fleet. However, with the little action Gaea had seen it was mostly repetitive daily training and chores. He formed together his best team for this expedition – Ritern his 1st in command – could maneuver this airship with ease. His formation and tactics were flawless – he had done things with Levi ships only one could hope to achieve.
"Are we ready to departure Captain." Ritern saluted as Allen approached the cock pit.
"We are Ritern, set sail to Zaibach." Allen stood in front of his Gymeluf and admired it. If he wasn't having his crews polished it on a daily basis it would be covered in dust – as it had been 3 years since he used it last. He missed the feel of it – When the Gaea war ended there were still smaller rebellions of straggling Zaibach soldiers that he battled. The skirmishes weren't worthy of a Gymeluf battle – but none the less – he fought.
Selena. He thought with sadness, she had been returned to him for a brief time – however the nightmares and struggles on a daily basis had him seeking help from healers all over Gaea while he fought the smaller skirmishes. He took her to The Temple of Kirner were the monk spiritualist studied had seen her – it was his last attempt. Their methods were that of peculiar talk. They examined Selena – they came to the conclusion that two people cannot reside in one body – it was a conflict unallowed by life itself. Her soul was torn and struggling – however they told Allen that their ritual to cast out a soul, could not guarantee that it would be Selena that would remained.
He tried to come to terms – to ask her – but she was in so much pain – her body was growing weaker from the struggling. He made the decision to go through the ritual and it didn't turn out how he planned. He didn't know the details – but as the monks told him – it was not his sister who remained in the body anymore – she had lost her will and was casted out. He had demanded to see her.
"What do you mean!" Allen roared. He trusted these monks and their methods, they had told him of the outcomes but he had put so much faith in the right outcome he didn't consider that the other would happen.
"We find the being evil – with pure vengeance and negativity – we will leave it to the maker to decide the fate" He was so calm.
"The Maker?! If it's not Selena then he must be destroyed!" He couldn't believe he was saying this – he spent 2 years finding her a cure away from her personal hell and this is how it turned out – Dilandou taking her completely – if he had the willpower he would have been merciful when her struggle started.
"This is not for you to decide" The monk closed his palms together and brought them to his chest. He was long with dark chocolate skin – white markings covered his body in a maze of lines outlining his features. With a single simple red sash tied at the shoulder covered his body from relieving his naked body. He was tall – two heads taller than Allen – with no hair anywhere on his being.
"What am I suppose to do leave and let you handle this?!" Allen was unsure of what the monks were going to do but he was sure they didn't know the power of Dilandou.
"We will teach the being – nurture him – show him the ways of forgiveness and keep the darkness from taking him." The monk bowed and turned as he walked away.
"That's it!" Allen drew his sword and pressed past the monk. What seemed like a clap of thunder sent him flying back to the large temple doors behind him? Stunned for a moment he looked around and say the monk standing at the point he had been knocked back from.
"You must leave Allen Schazar." A bolting blue light came from his hands and surrounded the temple behind him in a blue shield that seemed to be rippling with white light.
He had heard of the powers the monks spent countless decades learning – did he really want to start a war over this. Surely their powers could contain Dilandou so his wrath wouldn't affect Gaea. Maybe this could be his closure – he would be contained and the knowledge of that should be enough of Allen. Sorrow filled his heart – if Dilandou was alive and present in the body that was once his sister – where was Selena? What happen to her?
He sheathed his sword staring blankly at the ground as the sound of the crackling force field almost drowned his question.
"What happen to Selena then?" He wanted to know he had to know.
"Her soul is free to be with the others that no longer walk here on Gaea, she is in rest."
Simple answer and he turned to leave.
Allen's thought came back as the Levi ship gave a small shift away from the dock. What would he find in the crater near Zaibach. Was Hitomi there? His cards were dealt unfairly; he had spent much of his time with his sister trying to find a remedy to her particular situation that didn't turn out the way he wanted after Hitomi left. He confessed a love for her – but she didn't accept it – she had wanted Van – and he should of known. Still he couldn't help but feel jealous – the only woman he had suddenly felt such overwhelming feeling for didn't want him. That had never happen before – he had admired her – and from time to time dreamt of her, but the moment on the bridge – the kiss. It was powerful – altering his every fiber with the need to be with her, now the question remained could he still stand by his act of chivalry when he told her Van loved her and she should be with him?
The room was lit with only the morning sun slowly peaking over the horizon. He stood at the window overlooking the wonderful site of the city below bustling to life. He heard the smaller footsteps approaching. His heard started to pound with excitement at her presence. He turned at looked at the young short haired beauty with emerald green eyes. They were filled with confusion not sparkling not shimmering at the sight of him. He heart instantly felt as if it stopped.
"Allen?" her soft voice started his heart again, warmth filled in him he so badly wanted to grab her and hold her close.
"He loves you, you know." He tore his gaze away from her – why did he say that? Van wasn't any competition to him, he could win Hitomi's heart, but the doubt that he couldn't was more painful.
"Who?" She sounded surprised – did she com here for another reason?
"Van, he loves you." He wasn't sure how he kept his voice calm because his head swirled in fury, why was he throwing her to him!
"Oh…" a whisper, she didn't know, she didn't know but now she did because of him – if he hadn't of said anything he could of made this work?
The moments of silence seemed to be like days – he didn't want her to leave as her presence tore him between a joy and a sorrow he hadn't felt before.
He held and made love to many women – but the feeling behind it was always lust – never had he had such a want or attraction to pull him to someone before. A need to be with him was beyond anything he had ever felt. What happen to him? Four days ago he could look at her without thinking the things he wanted to do to her – the thought of her not being with him was acceptable. He had a fascination with her before yes – as he did with most attractive women – the thought of bedding her danced through his mind from time to time. But now – the need to be with her – and marry her – love her in ways he had never loved a woman before was over powering.
"Do you love him?" He didn't want to ask – but he needed to know. Maybe it would help him get over these unnatural feelings that were almost alien to him.
"I…. do." Her voice choked as he met her gaze – tears were filling in her eyes. She was going to cry and he wasn't going to be able to comfort her – to wrap his arms around her and kiss them away.
"Then go." He didn't mean for it to come out bitter but it did. It was a command of hurt – and thought he tried to not let it show it did – Hitomi would never intentionally hurt him. He had chased her – he perused her, this was his own making all his hurt was his own fault.
She turned and ran from the door – running from the hurt she had caused him, no that he caused himself.
Now he was going to search for her, and he couldn't help but entertain the fact that maybe over 5 years her feelings for Van had changed. He understood women better than he did himself. They were mostly fickle – loving whomever would return their love – wanting to be accepted. Though he shouldn't compare Hitomi to them as she was truly a different soul all together, feelings were what they were. Five years she could have moved on, with her life completely separate on the Mystic Moon – she was a woman now, not a confused teenager going through the motions of love. He was a man coming to her rescue – her knight – and Van was nowhere to be found.
To put that as his motive to finding her would make him seem selfish – it wasn't but he couldn't help but entertain the notion. He still wanted her, after all this time. The women in the course of his five years since she left were tasteless. He had no attraction and bedded his need with pure motion. No feeling, no complete satisfaction, and not one would he leave thinking what it would have been like with Hitomi. It was haunting, unnerving, pushed his ever being in ways that changed him entirely and he didn't like it.
So when he would find her – he would ask her one more time – maybe not right away – but he would find out one more time, if he was really Van she desired.