Thank you to everyone reviewing

Driving home in a snow storm I got some REALLY good ideas for this story that will tie them in I think. So needless to say its not over with yet! This chapter was just a wrrite out I had started before those ideas but I figured I should finish it, I implemented a couple of the things I need in it to make it work my ideas to build.

So does anyone like Orinia yet? Or heck at all! :) I started her out the way I did and now I dont know shes becoming slowly who I had hoped at least. A little better than I imagined too. Im trying to let the new character I introduced in this fanfic to grow with ya maybe Im not accomplishing that.

Zeyran dont know if you guys like her, I think sometimes she needs to be darker and less woman but I dont know; we will see!

Dilandau I didnt want too crazy I kinda wanted some devious rationalization about his, now that he is one person.

Anyways hope you dont mind this Chapter! Again it was half way done when I thought of some ideas to put in that I think will heighten this story so I didnt want to ditch it right away

Dryden entered the meeting chambers; he didn't want to address all the concerns that were piling up. He missed the days he was a man with no concerns on his mind except where the next profit to be made was, and even then it wasn't really a concern. He had become a king, and his ruling over the last five years was easy, he now faced a war. A war that to his understanding was built on prophecies and myths nothing that had any grounds.

His concern was more that Van hadn't showed up with his military yesterday, and come dawn today reports of Ziabach closing in, by tomorrow, left him unsure of things to come. Austria had called for other allied countries and nations aide, and they were responding swiftly. They were growing in force at least, a force that might be able to stand up to this war.

What would happen after this, if they won? Would they retreat again and come later on in the future like this time? What would end this completely? He didn't want to just think about tomorrow, last time he had done that it ended up like this. He needed to think further ahead, to a point where there would never be another threat to Gaea again.

"Fanelia's army has been spotted half a day's march; they should be here by this eve your majesty."

Dryden let his first sigh of relief come, one that was long overdue since coming back to Austria. Freid's people came here, they were over their capacity, but the city was holding its own. Austrians opened their doors to the Duchy's people with open arms, it was a small thing to be grateful for in this time, but he was proud to be the King of such a giving nation.

"What is our course of action when Zaibach arrives King Dryden." Chid sat at the end of the long table with large open questioning eyes.

"We have all of the Oistos in place, the walls are being reinforced as we speak, and we are still presented with the problem that they still might hold the power of their stealth cloaks." Dryden rubbed his chin uncertainly. (NOTE: Oistos is large wooden military equipment that shoots large spears)

"We have lined the outer perimeters away from the castle with oil, when they reach near the city we will prevent them from crossing with a wall of flames Sir." His military commander Gaddess stood addressing that concern with confidence. It was a good plan, but Dryden didn't know if their stealth cloaks could be rendered useless with flames. He bit back a curse, why they hadn't learned more about the technology when they had a chance filled him with regrettable anger.

"Sire, if we may inquire, why are the attacking, what do they want." Dryden met Gaddess's gaze.

"It's all speculation at this point Gaddess but what we do know is that we are going to be at war. The reasons we don't know, but even if we did know them would that help us?"

To tell his commander that they were fighting over things he wasn't even certain were real would just be pointless. Sending them on a search for this power that they didn't know existed or having them put their faith in something that wasn't there seemed pointless. The knowledge he wanted them to fight for was to keep their nation safe.

"Sire, Commander Allen Schezar of Fanelia has arrive and requesting to speak with you."

Gaddess lifted his head, and gave Dryden a look. "May I accompany you M'Lord"

Dryden nodded and Gaddess accompanied down the hall following the solider to Allen. Gaddess couldn't help but feel relieved that Allen was here. If anyone knew how to win a battle it was Allen.

"One more time!" Orinia lounged at her opponent.

He shifted away, trying to avoid Orinia's viscous attacks. She was pushing, she never showed this much anger when they fenced. Maybe when Storius would banter her did she ever show this much force, but even then he didn't think it could compare. He tried to thwart her off in many defensive stances, but she still came at his with force, wearing his body down.

Their blades met over and over, the attacking coming faster, her face seemed zone. Sweat beaded down his face, he was actually not sure this was sparring anymore. He turned and ran up the stairs; they had left the sparring ground and now entered the side hall. He was running out of room to back away, he wasn't sure if he lowered his blade in surrender that she would stop.

She pushed, her thoughts told her to keep pushing. Her body quivered in anger, she was trying to get rid of it. Storius's brother was the only person around who could even come close to a worthy opponent. She pushed, He doesn't love you she gritted her teeth and tried to reach disarm him, but he grazed by with evading her attack. Why did you leave Storius, I don't know what to do again her attack went in to his open left side, but he evaded by jumping from the balcony. She leaned over and followed him down, without taking into consideration they weren't even in the sparring yard anymore.

You go off to battle, run away from here, leaving me with this she wasn't even sure if her thought was meant for Van or Storius anymore. The two seemed to blend anymore with her thoughts. She couldn't tell who she was directing her out lashes at anymore, but they were there.

"Orinia!!!" She stopped, he sounded exhausted and pleading.

She stood over him, she had him pinned, she stepped back realizing she needed to catch her breath.

"What is wrong with you!" Korin stood gasping for air.

"Im sorry Korin, Im really sorry I just got carried away." She looked at him trying not to show her shock.

"I'd say, don't take your anger on Storius out on me." He put a hand on her shoulder and she looked at him confused.

She knew she was angry with him, why she couldn't figure it out. How would Korin know?

"Im sorry Korin but I think you're mistaken." She stood and made her way back to the sparring yard.

"Am I? Aside from the fact I see and know things, let's just base it off the assumption that you just screamed at me, and I quote –And you're not here Storius-"He couldn't help the smart tone that he portrayed his reenactment of her with. It must run in his family she thought sourly.

She didn't recall yelling, she recalled thinking yes, she was so angry. So many people looked to her for answers, answers she didn't have. She had no one to talk to; Storius was always there to talk to. His advice might have been with sarcasm and teasing 90 percent of the time, but at least he was there. Her dad was wrong she couldn't handle this; she wasn't as strong as she should be.

"Orinia, I think I know you pretty well. You're just as blind to things as Storius." Korin looked at her with a smirk.

"Even when you try to sound wise, you simply can't help you sarcasm can you Korin? If there wasn't an age difference I would say you and Storius were twins." She smiled, trying to push away all her thoughts from earlier.

"Well, even so, I wish you spend less time denying it, and more time seeing it." Korin shrugged, he might be witty and charming like his brother, with fewer women, but he believed they should be together.

"Storius's twisted infatuation with how many marks he can place above his bed; are hardly grounds for you to be basing your judgments of us on." Orinia couldn't ever understand his need to have so many uncommitted encounters.

"Yes he is afraid of commitment, but he wouldn't be under the right circumstances." Korin turning, with that over confident sly smirk she had seen many times over the past two years.

Orinia wasn't sure what he was getting at anymore, this wasn't the first time she had been accusing of finding Storius her interest, but it wasn't true, it couldn't be any more misleading. Even Korin was a Storius making in the future, idle gossip wasn't his thing unless it benefited his future encounters with fleeting women. A new woman crushing on one of the siblings would pursue a potential encounter for their women loving ways, so they loved to listen but never gossip like this.

"Korin, you and your brothers have your ways, and I have mine. Two different worlds for such idle gossip wouldn't you agree?"Orinia cleaned her face with the towel hanging off of the weapon rack.

"Ah, yes, we love women. In fact we think highly of them, but don't you think we meet so many because we are looking for one in particular?" He could sell trinkets that he just bought double for what he paid back to the trinket dealer. He was so a protégé of Storius.

Orinia wanted to put him in his place; she was notorious for that when it came to Storius. He was always out of line, his words and actions were fleeting, and she would always put him in his place – until he found new ways to bait her. She went to tell him when the high toned yelling voice wrecked through her thoughts.

"Orinia!!" Merle waving from across the way.

Orinia even turned to face her, letting her know she had her attention, but Merle persisted to let Orinia know she was coming, Orinia winced this girl would never have manners.

"Oriniaaaa!" Merle carry her tuned until she slid in front of Orinia.

"I'm so glad we know when you're around Merle, Everyone within a 100 yard radius knows. She said with a sigh.

Merle only smiled back.

"So, what is it that you need Merle." She was almost at eye levels with Merle, Merle was awfully short for a Maometis (Greek word for living beast)

"Oh yes, um… Oh! Lord Van sent a Cretean with this Parchament." Merle handed the weathered paper in front of her.

She didn't say anything when Merle handed it to her. The only news she would received in this time, could only be bad news. He should have arrived in Austria yesterday eve. She wasn't sure if her heart stopped.

"Thank you Merle she said quickly taking the parchment." She glanced at Korin, whatever was in that parchment would know about his happenings, and that's why Korin was with Orinia a lot more as of late. She felt the same pain too, she just wasn't sure if it was more for Van or Storius now.

Merle stood defiant she wanted to know here, so she might as well know now then later in front of council.

Orinia,

We have lost a day travel, we should be in Austria the morn you receive this.

We have found Hitomi, she is by my side, and well,

She is this Tsuni, tell Kelta to figure out more about the powers of the Tsuni,

I need to know all; I might send her to Fanelia to be safe from Austria,

I will notify you once in Asturia of my intentions, Rentra shouldn't know,

Do not send word to his country, This is of the most importance,

Van

His hand writing so choppy and un-neat until his name signed. The V so elegantly placed with refined curves.

"She's coming here." She was sure if she was disappointed or honored. She looked at Merle and then at Korin.

Merle's ears flattened. "Rentra's still here! How are we going to hide her?" She hissed.

Orinia wasn't sure where she stood on Hitomi and this power, but she knew Van didn't know Rentra was here, otherwise he wouldn't send her. They would have to hide her.

"She can be just another royal coming to Fanelia to visit, somewhere exotic." She adjusted herself with confidence they could pull this off. She had seen painting of this Savior, she defiantly didn't look Fanelian, or Gaean for that matter. She might not be able to teach Merle how to be a royal but she could teach a civil individual from the Mystic Moon she was sure. I will turn her into the Queen that she should be Orinia almost choked. She didn't realize it, why would she feel so overjoyed about Hitomi coming, which would mean Van would be with his savior.

Merle nodded, that was a fine plan. Keep the person right under his nose, because that would be the last place he would look. Orinia really was cunning; she never gave Orinia enough credit she thought.

"I'm going to my post M'Lady, remember what's important." And that look again after he bowed out. Orinia scowled at that look.

The bowl he stared at intently started to illuminate and a small fog appeared at the rim. Dilandau winded away the fog with a wave of his hand, Zeyran smiled back in reflection from the bowl.

"Is she there?" Dilandau grinned back, Zeyran never disappointed him. She was deadly and always giving him what he needed over the last 3 years.

"She will be Dilandau, a little doppelganger told me she would, she is with the Fanelian king."

"And what of Rentra?" Dilandau spat the name, as if it was bile to his mouth.

"Ah, but putty in my hands." He couldn't tell if his anger peaked higher, or his lust for vengeance peaked. He would suffer at her hands; it's too bad he would enjoy it before he did. Not everything could be perfect, but in the end he would have his power.

"Where is Fanel?" He looked back at the bowl his curiosity got the better of him, he was sure he was in Austria but seems how he had Hitomi, he might leave Austria to fend for itself. This could be interesting he thought slyly already playing out getting Austria to aide him in desertion of their ally.

"He is almost to Austria, where you should be already." She scowled, he might not take it from anyone else, but he did let her challenge him. He considered her his equal.

"Well at least his death will be at my hands, and sooner than I expected." Other malicious thoughts danced in his head.

"At least Seiz is keeping you well." Her hiss almost made Dilandau grin, she was so possessive.

"And here Zeyran I thought you shared my heart in blackness."

She smirked; she knew why he needed her, and her protégé. Without their poison he would be that sniveling child. Any other person would die from their blood and lips, in truth they were killing someone, just not him. Her life was melded thanatos (greek word for immortal.), weaving his with it. Their life never waned, or grew. It simple stayed, nothing changed, and with that came a dark magic.

Very rarely were there Quartz men, as it was always the men of a country and nation who had power. The Quartz used their perfection to weave into that power, all the wars of Gaea started with Quartz obtaining her man, and then with it power, with the expectation of the Great Gaea War. That was because of a mystic moon foreigner, came to a planet with his scientific ways, out of the realm of possibility to change something not even Quartz could touch. Fate.

Men were never needed to obtain power. Rarely was there ever a queen leading a powerful nation or country that could change the shift of power in the world. But she made Dilandau one, it was necessary.

Zeyran waved over the bowl, and the contact was lost. She was growing restless here. Rentra also made her skin crawl, and she wasn't sure when she would be able to complete her task. Rentra wasn't the mole she wished he was. He interacted a lot with Orinia, and Kelta. Merle was always watching him. One of those three would know he had changed if they wanted to execute her plan, now the Tsuni was coming and she still wasn't within grasp of those bracelets.

She needed a distraction, a good one too.

Van watched her in the skies, Hitomi on the back of that large white dragon. He could see better with the height of Escaflowne, and he wanted to fly with her, but his place was with Storius talking tactics as they marked to Asturia. Last night was dancing in his head, keeping a short grin on his face the better part of the day.

It all happen, it was so shocking. He never thought he could be so absorbed in one person, but he didn't even know anything but her until the sun rose.

"Sire, if I knew one woman could do this to you, I would have defiantly fought with council to NOT wed you off, you are about as useless as a blind marksman." Storius rolled his eyes seeing van from the open cock pit of Escaflowne.

Van shook his head and looked down at Storius.

"Austria is but hours away, my mind is wondering on the sight we will be seeing before too long." His voice a sudden level of seriousness.

"Right, and the large white beast holding a green eyed beauty has nothing to do with this concentration you have found suddenly?" Van saw the sly smirk Orinia was always raving about. He never admitted it to her, but she was right – he just couldn't help how entertaining she was fighting with Van about if he did or didn't have one.

He didn't respond, he wasn't sure how without blushing. What was he 18 again? He was a man and she was a woman. This shouldn't be embarrassing, but it was.

"You don't have to defend yourself Van in quietness, you waited too long for her, who cares about customs." Storius glanced up to him. How did Storius always manage to figure out what Van was feeling before he felt it? That was bothering him. Van had enjoyed Hitomi; to the most he thought any woman and man could enjoy one another. But he always thought of Hitomi as his queen, and customs call for different ways before marriage.

Gah he thought, there was enough of this. He had a war to win, a war that meant protecting Hitomi. Too many people wanted this power he witnessed, he couldn't believe. She became one with the dragon above, and she could control Gymelufs. She had a power to heal, one he never thought possible, and her visions – they seemed to still be there to. She really was a power for fighting over, but that's not why he wanted her.

He couldn't let her be in any sort of harm, so he would need to concentrate on the battle ahead for the time being. He could always tell her he wasn't going to let her go this time. Hopefully Dryden has made all the preparations. He almost wanted to scold himself for not arriving on time but that would lead to him regretting being with Hitomi and that wasn't the case. He was going to send Hitomi to Fanelia with escorts once they were in Austria, he was set on it. She was stubborn, but she wouldn't be anywhere near Dilandau's hands if he could help it.

"Storius I want to see your best." Van said encouraging him.

"I could say the same for you your majesty." A sly smile slid across his face.

Hitomi could see the borders of Austria and further a large white city far off in the distance. They would be there in the next few hours. She couldn't help but feel excited to see Mellerna, Dryden and Chid again, but she did wish the circumstances were different.

"There is a battle on the horizon." Serantisan's tone was firm, Hitomi could feel her strength in her heart, the courage she had was comforting to Hitomi.

Hitomi knew Serantisan's real name, but she still preferred to use the name she could pronounce.

"I know all this because of me." She couldn't help but feel a regrettable sense of Déjà vu.

"Not because Tsuni, for, your kind has been enslaved for too long." Serantisan glided smoothly with the wind, Hitomi couldn't help but feel relaxed.

Interesting wording, Hitomi never heard enslaved. She heard many other terms for the reasoning of her powers, but never with the term enslaved mentioned with it. She sighed, there was so much she didn't know and wasn't sure she even wanted to know.

She felt her mind wandering, back to last night with Van. She could feel the heat growing in her cheeks. Never would she of thought her experience with being an adult could make her feel that alive. Her transition into it was bitter, and alone. Then she never thought she would be that easy to become one in one night either. She wasn't sure where this made her stand with Van. It was unnerving, she was always so unwavering in her love and faith in him and she still was. She just thought of what this meant for them.

She looked down to see the large white Gymeluf at the front line of the marching army. He was Van, and though Gaea might not have a term for it, but she was his in her own term. It all felt new and exciting under all the worry and concern she had.

"Hold on!" Serantisan bellowed spiraling down

Hitomi broke from her dreaming daze and held Serantisan tightly, pressing herself against her tightly.

A thundering explosion rattled her ears, and she could feel the searing heat of it as the distance was right above them. Hitomi felt Serantisan lurch back upwards and Hitomi looked ahead. Two Gymelufs flew at them, both not slowly or altering course they were coming for them.

Serantisan hurled herself towards them with increasing spread her jaws open ready to attack.

Van stared about at the noise, the dragon hurling towards the two Gymelufs that tried to shoot them out of the air. His fists clenched and he jumped from the cock pit as Escaflowne changed form with his thought. He ran up the length forming back of the Gymeluf, grabbing the straps Escaflown took to the sky. Serantisan reach the two grabbing the first her jaws locked into its shoulder. He saw the small form of Hitomi pressed again her neck holding on while the dragon flailed about in the air with the Gymeluf.

Van pressed harder to increase Escanflowne's speed, without adjusting his surroundings her just saw her. He felt Escaflowne jolt and pulling from some force holding them from behind. He turned Escaflowne with him to the Gymeluf holding his tail, drawing his blade to meet the opponents sparks flying from the force of the blades meeting. The Gymeluf released his hold as he battle back against Van. Escaflowne's increased in speed as the Gymeluf struggled to evade Vans attacks.

Van got the upper hand, forcing Escaflowne's tail to knock him off guard, thrusting his blade into the metal armor. Without checking to see if his opponent was out of the fight he pulled his blade and turned to Hitomi. Serantisan battled alone, Hitomi no longer dangling helplessly from her neck. His eyes scanned the ground searching as he headed to the battle. She must be merged with the dragon, he hoped.

He meet the now arriving third Gymeluf, Serantisan seemed to be handling her own with the other two, one locked in her jaw and the other was falling with black smoke erupting from its underneath. He couldn't help but smile, the dragon was Hitomi and she was handling her own. He met the third with a renewed energy of hope, his strides quick and perfect. He dropped the third with ease; the Gymeluf struggled to keep up, ending in a fault of quickness and a blade to the chest.

"You haven't lost it Van." Her voice was soothing; he met the dragons green eyes.

Van scanned the horizon before rubbing his head "This is going to take some getting used to." He gave Hitomi a quick glance.

"How do you do it?" He glanced at her as they made their way back down to the marching Fanelian army.

"I don't know, before I could picture her moves before she did them, like I was telling her what to do and I was doing it again, but this time I was doing them." She looked at Van, he wasn't sure if she understood anymore than him.

When the landed Storius looked be grudgingly at them.

"How about you get me some action down here?" He smirked, of course he wanted to join the battle. Storius wasn't one to sit idly by while everyone else did what he had trained for all his life. Storius was expecting scouts, however he didn't expect them to be flying, it was a bit disappointing even with his Gymeluf he wouldn't be able to do anything.

It was different, the feel of a Gymeluf. His country never used weapons like the Gymeluf; their beliefs were strength and will of the body. It took a large adjustment to like the metal armor, but when he felt his first spar with the weapon – he was easily impressed. To the hell with his country and their dishonor – he was Fanelian now.

Van smirked at Storius then let his attention go to the bright blue light that was coming from Serantisan's chest forming into the small form of Hitomi. Van held out his hand to her, and without asking she grabbed his hand and climbed onto the back of Escaflowne without haste as if knowing what he was asking.

Storius smirked as they took to the skies, his thoughts wandered to Orinia who took away that. She was going to be upset, he could see how Van clearly the presences of Hitomi changed him, and there was no way Orinia could bring that to Van. He felt bitter, why he wasn't sure. Orinia was remarkable and he always thought highly of her, and envied Van for having such a strong woman's heart. She was a good friend to him, and he didn't want to see her hurt, but there was no avoiding it anymore – she would have to face the truth now. He wished he could save her from that heartbreak, but why?

He shook off the thought as he watched Escanflowne climb higher into the sky.