I DO NOT OWN ESCANFLOWNE
However Thank you for the feed back! And the correct spelling! I thought I was spelling it right !
Well – I hope this story is making sense – or at least flowing together correctly that makes everyone understand. If Im repeating the story of things to much its because I don't know how to get other characters to figure it out without it being rexplained and yes – if each time you've heard a different alter explanation there is a reason, Im not doing it because Im changing it each time its re-explained haha.
Van sat at the crowning seat overlooking the many faces in the room. Many different nations and countries set next to each other – some obviously uncomfortable with their neighbor and others seemed to be holding conversations. A few new faces, which to him was always a good sign. In order to maintain a peaceful world – Van had to reconnect all the nations and countries. Nations were large than countries – holding more cities and villages within their boundaries. Countries, like Fanelia, held their respective capital and then border line villages extended along it. Fanelia was the largest country represented in these treaties.
"Order has been called to the discussion of Gaea's Treaty." Three loud pounds from the flag bearer holding the Fanelia flag on the far wall called out and the crowd hushed.
Van stood and everyone centered their attention on him.
"Welcome to Fanelia. It is an honor to have you here, ensuring the future of Gaea and your people." Van bowed and then set in his chair as a speaker came forward to start the negotiations of new and renewal of old.
"New members are Duchess Mograse from the country Karenia south of Austria, Lord Froek from the country Lenria, King Rentra Al'dan Portace representing the Nation Cimedian." Van's head shifted to the rising King taking his acknowledgement. Why hadn't he known Cimedian would be here today, he had looked over the letters with their seals, the list all of this. Was it an over sight?
He was a lean man, humble looking. Built well, even below his fancy garb for traditional purposes today, he seemed to hold himself with honor. He looked trained to fight Van accessed and might be more than a pompous King soaking up the riches his life was born to and pretending to rule a Nation. He wouldn't appear to be a Ziabach leader by any means. He remembered what Kelta had told him – his country was recovering. They had their own war with Zaibach before it became Zaibach. His following in commands took his military and used it against his country in his father's rule. Leaving not much to govern and rule when he assumed the thrown.
Through all of that they managed to fight and Zaibach backed off to become its own when Dornkirk took over. They worried less about the land they once wanted to rule their own and over ran another smaller – less militarized nation to becoming their nation so he had been told. It was tragic really.
"Our trade market is prosperous we would be able to open trades West along the land to Austria and further more Fied, South to Meridain who sits to the furthest of us all. East we would be able to go as far as Karenia. As we sit to be the farthest county north we would supply all the way to Fanelia." King Rentra stood as he was being addressed as to what he would bring to the treaty.
"Lenria sits further than Karenia why would your trade end there?" Lord Froek stood in offense – Lenria was a primitive land as Lord Froek displayed in his attire. Almost native, their body's bored lots of piercings and colored tattoos, it was a sign of greatness in his region. They had little access to modern building tools, and stone, their lands were full with forests and wild life. They lived by the land – and some looked down upon them as the stature or their need here was of little importance.
"The trades we bring to market are that of little importance to your culture Lord Froek if I may speak frank." King Rentra seemed to be apologetic; he obviously wasn't trying to be rude, just unaware that Lord Froek would gain offense.
Lord Froek eyed him for a moment – he seemed ambitious, more so in the sense he didn't want his country to be belittled because their civilization and ways of living were far simpler than that of these foreigners. But King Rentra was probably right, he nodded, anything they were willing to provide was of materialistic nature that his country had no use for.
The negations went on like this for quite some time, Van listen occasionally offered more help to a country in need, improving relationships and strengthening bonds. After a day's worth of deliberating it was time to feast, the treaty was signed, all new guests signed in agreement with what was placed in stone. The weeks following up to this point had been worth it, and now to enjoy the last night before all the royalty would depart back to their respective countries.
Van was in his chambers getting dressed in the Fanelia ball attire, his thoughts to Allen when a knock came.
"Your Majesty, King Rentra Al'dan Portace here to see you M'lord." The young servant girl bowed deeply.
"Let him in." and he finished buttoning his red vest but couldn't help to wonder why.
"Your Highness." King Rentra bowed in honor and Van mimicked as well.
"What can I do for you King Rentra?" Van eyed him he had changed into more simple attire for this evening's ball.
"Rentra, you can call me Rentra Sire."
"Rentra, you can call me Van" He was glad there was someone else here who didn't like the formalities.
"You have quiet the accomplishment Van, the treaty is a monument all its own. You are so young to accomplish so much." Rentra said absent mindedly as he walked to the balcony to admire the moons in the sky.
"If I may speak frankly, as you know war is something that can change a country, nation and man all at one time. I never want anyone to experience that again." Van walked to stand beside him and look up as well.
"Yes, you are in no shape to hold any war, with the military shambles you are in. You spent a lot of your efforts revitalizing your city, leaving you defenseless." Rentra's obvious statement was insulting to say the least.
"Excuse me?" Van turned with a stern look.
"Zaibach is putting pressure on us all and you know it Van, Asturia's military, Fied's, yours, none of you hold the grounds to wage a war. However unlike your countries so worried of its economy and people, I built my military before I built anything else." His tone was obvious one of scared resentment for his Nation's past.
"The attacks on towns, villages and small countries are pushing to a war, and from my understanding Zaibach has a new leader. You're too busy bringing the rest of Gaea to peace to notice and that will be your falling again. None of these countries said they would aide in battle, we have all written our names on a piece of paper saying we will be nice to one another and share our trades." Rentra spat, his bluntness through Van off guard. He had never met him before this day so maybe this is how he was on a normal basis.
"We are not aligning countries for a war Rentra – we are doing that to prevent one. Im not promising people to honor their countries lives for bloodshed, which defeats the purpose of a treaty." Van was growing angry, why was he having this conversation with Rentra.
"You might not be as stern on your outlook when you know what I know. Dilandau is leading the Ziabach Empire now – growing in forces. Their numbers reside on the other side of the Korkica Mountians. Their empire didn't vanish over night like some say – they moved to recover their footing and wait to be strong enough to pursue a war they could win. Weeks before this they found the one tool they had waited so long to obtain, one that caused the separation of those who follow Cimedian and ones who now follow Ziabach." King Rentra turned and faced Van.
"Cimedian – do you know why we were always the peacekeepers of Gaea. Simple, we had the Tsuni. Tsuni are people born of rarity – they control energy – the energy of Gaea. They will her in a way protecting it from others that may do harm. We are an old country Van Fanel, and we hold a lot of the secrets Gaea posses. They have our Tsuni Van." Rentra glared with definite anger.
"Before Zaibach became Zaibach, my Great Grand Father had a Tsuni at his side. She instructed him of the land – what and how to proceed. Cimedian's great smiths and scientist created the first Glymeluf it is said. Harnessing the power of a drag-energist and creating a metal being that was the strength of 50 men. The Tsuni shunned this creation, saying it would be the start and end too many over lapping wars to come, it must be destroyed. The creatures from the land poured and raged war – the city split – some defending with the giant machines and scientist who invented them – others wanting to kill them and destroy as the Tsuni willed." Rentra turned and looked out the window to the garden at the furthest corner where Escanflowne sat.
"The Tsuni fled the city – leaving the king – it was said the Ispano found her – and took her in, where she sought refuge. The creatures of Gaea fled with her leaving Cimedian to its turmoil it had created. Later it was learned that the Ispano delivered a Glymeluf to the last known Draconian heir to be. You seen your great nation didn't always have Escanflowne, no it was given to your mother when she was with child, your brother Folken. The Ispano told your mother it was a gift from the Tsuni, her soul was forged into the iron that created Escanflowne, in hope her battle with the Glymeluf's would be through the hands of the race that created Gaea. The irony huh?" Rentra turn and gave Van him a smirk.
"So your precious Tsuni gave me a suit of armor that she tried to wage a war to keep from being used, makes no sense Rentra. Furthermore, I don't know why these matters have anything to do with me." Van waited for a response, Rentra took his time when Van didn't get an answer he figured he would press him with another question. Maybe one Rentra was more willing to answer.
"What exactly does a Tsuni do?" Van tried to have Kelta explain but his were myth pulled from unsure stories in his books.
"Only one reborn and lives for one hundred years, if she should die early it is still one hundred years from her rebirth until another is reborn. They are Gaea's protectors. They will the energy that comes from Gaea, in all life – Strongest in the form of Drag-Energists. They always resided with the Ruler of Cimedian, as Cimedian has the Ful'kors. The Orb of dreams, in other words, your history says we have a large blue orb that lights our city, and it's true. An ancient artifact from Atlantis, it allowed the Tsuni to see further into the future that her own will would allow."
"Why do you keep saying reborn and rebirth, aren't they just born." Van was confused at his wording.
"No, see a Tsuni lives hibernated in another form until 21 years of maturity; her powers show her potential up to that point. A Tsuni is always a female. It is said she is born by dying, being reborn, her old skin sets a flame, shedding any old sins and doubt, and she is reborn into that of a Tsuni – flawless." Rentra fiddled with a ring on his left index finger.
"Why are you telling me this, and what does this have to do with me?" He was starting to lose sight of how this conversation started in the first place so again he pressed the question. Rentra would be a mind to pick for Kelta that's for sure.
"I want to know about your Savior of Gae, for she is my Tsuni." Rentra had a hint of possession in his tone that sent fury in Vans eyes.
Hitomi sat in her room with Grato. He looked at her quizzically seeming to fumble for a way to explain to her who she was, how she came to be here, and what was going on.
"Izs zsuppozed to be here." After all that sitting and waiting for him to answer her, this is the best her could come up with. He fumbled through his coat looking for something that seemed to be with him. Pulling out a small blue gem attached to a metallic circle he placed it before her on the floor. She watched as his fingers rotated the gem in the circular metal holding and it illuminated with a hum.
The room seemed to instantly go black – she felt as if she wasn't in the room anymore – she could hear her thoughts – see her body – but she couldn't feel it. A vision? She touched the stone to receive a vision, of blackness. She shook her head and slowly the surrounding began to lighten and forms took shape.
It was a quaint room, nothing but a bed side a table and primitive made rocker she assumed. Cozy – if she lived in a cabin this is what she thought a room would look like. The wood lapped together to form the wall and the hard splintered flooring again proved her theory.
"Sister, it has been 60 years since the making of this and I knew it would receive you in your time of need. I have foreseen the troubles that you have encountered. Your rebirth is far more difficult than I can imagine."
She turned to see the sound of the soft almost whisper like voice. Her voice reminded her of her mother, there seemed to be so much care in her tone. She was a taller than Hitomi, and thin, very thin, but not in a way that Hitomi would have found sickly. Her skin was very white - almost snow white. Hitomi had read books and seen enough movies on earth to easily compare this woman to an Elf. However her ears were round but her features were so beautiful and greek-like. She had a symbol marked on her forehead that resembled Hitomi's new found symbol. Her hair was long – it reminded her of Allen's beautiful golden blonde hair, even her color matched.
"I sent Grato head with this message in search of you – giving him the answers he would need to find you. Sister over 60 years ago, young in my age, the Nation Cimedian fell to a horrible path unwilling to change their ways for the greater good of Gaea. My will was as such to flee to the Ispano were my visions showed me the path that has been and will be yours. I had this great race construct Escanflowne pure in my will and indestructible to my soul. You must not let Cimedian and Zaibach absorb into your perception, for they are a country trying to harness the power of Gaea. You are my sister, reborn to protect Gaea, it is a fate that which I cannot see your end.
This may seem confusing to you – but in due time it will make sense, I do not have much time within this relic, please find your way free now – before you absorb the hate casted onto you by those of wrong doing. Take a spare piece of my soul, as it may help you in your time of need."
When she blinked she was back in front of Grato, still readjusting to the jumping of visions - The light disappeared and the gem shattered opening to a small necklace resembling the one her grandmother had given her, except blue in color. She pulled the necklace from the stone and stared at it with tears welling in her eyes. Van.
Grato gathered the pieces of the broken relic and placed them in a small satchel at his side.
"We move." He said grabbing her hand and striding out the door. His long legs made large stride down the corridors and she scrambled to keep up. They were heading back to the dungeon, she didn't want to go there, the dragon wanted to kill her! She heard clamoring down the hall, voices shouting. Soldiers? There wasn't a one in sight this entire time.
"Who are they Gato." She stated at a dead run while he effortless strides turning into the corridors.
"They come to testz you becaze he szaid zo." He was focus if he picked up his strides she wouldn't be able to keep up that's for sure.
He swung the heavy door open so hard it splintered into large chunks of wood, but at this point trying to cover their tracks seemed impossible the soldiers knew where they were heading as their voices become distinctly clearer. She fumbled down the stairs taking two at a time and if she could count in this frenzied state she would say Grato was taking those 5 at a time.
He left her at the bottom of the stairs as he disappeared ahead in the dark while she caught her breath. Probably to open that large door, she remembered the smell and the dragon that would be in the cage to her right. Serantisan she thought, if she could free her – if she could see. The clank of metal and the light started to pour in, she didn't see her tail or form anywhere in the cage. Grato came swiftly back at her side and saw her staring and looking.
A large lock the thickness of her wrists bolted the cage door shut – even if she did have the key the bars looked so heavy and the door along the size of a building how would she ever open it. Grato jumped onto the large bolt and bent the lock around – twisting the heavy metal until it snapped and fell to the ground leaving a heavy indention in the concrete.
She couldn't speak just marveled at his unnatural strength; he grabbed her hand and made way down to the opening of the large bay. She could hear the guards yelling in the spiral stair way, cursing as they tried to fumble in the dark. She looked forward to see blue, the sky – the white clouds, freedom. But as she neared the large bay she realized she was in a floating fortress. This was no castle, this was a floating fortress! What was Grato going to do, Jump?
He paused at the edge looking back as if expecting someone to come from out of thin are and pull them to safety. The guards appeared in the door way of the spiral stairs pointing at her and her attempted rescuer. She wasn't sure what to do; she clung to his cap and prayed for help. Help.
The screams caused her to open her eyes; Serantisan blew her gate open and was picking off the guards tossing them into cages with the brute force of her tail. The dragons roared in her success of punishing them and threw themselves in a fit of fury at the cages. She couldn't count how many guards she tossed like mice being played with by a cat but there were no more coming down the stairs. Serantisan turned and ran towards her and Grato, Hitomi hadn't played this part threw her mind – the last time she saw Serantisan she was a fit of fury – and she didn't look any better at this point.
"Jump on" she roared and Hitomi glued to Grato as his arm wrapped her around him sprang in the air, at least 30 feet on the massive dragons back as the dived out of the fortress. The wind was like stinging bees as they fell with tremendous force to the blurry land below. She heard the whip of wind as her chest collided into a dead stop against Serantisan's hard scaled back knocking the breath out of her. The wind didn't sting against her in sheer force anymore but rather a calming breeze through her hair as the land below became further away from her. She coughed and sat up regaining her composure – her chest throbbed – it was going to be bruised.
The land below looks like a pit of doom – the land black and charred – layered into great canyons, surrounded by an endless mountain in all directions. Large floating fortresses hover not far from the ground and she could see the masses of Glymelufs below. It was an army, an enormous force beyond the likes she had ever seen.
Fear ripped through her, she had to stop this – they would control everything – if she wasn't careful. She glanced down at her necklace – she again was here for a war – and all she could think about was seeing Van.