Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne and its characters.
Author: licoricefactory
Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry for the late update! I would like to say that I was busy but that would be a flat out lie. I was just honestly a bit lazy to write recently. Anyways, I promise that I will the next chapter will be out probably by next week. I've got more time on my hands now since it's already my summer vacation. Sorry for the mistakes in grammar, spelling and the like. I don't really have a beta and I'm not intending to have one either.
Pairing: Dilandau/Hitomi
Previous Chapter:
Hitomi felt her legs starting to strain due to the long walk that she and the other prisoners had to undergo. A dome-shaped structure made of the heaviest metal loomed overhead. Outside the entrance to the structure were soldiers wearing blue and black armors that stood like stone statues. They didn't even seem to be breathing. Even their eyes were unblinking.
The prisoners were led towards a back door. Screaming, shouting and boisterous laughter could faintly be heard on the other side of the walls. The soldiers leading them stopped in front of a metal door consequently making the captives halt as well.
Chapter 4
It was one of the hottest days of the year in Zaibach, a refreshing change from the harsh winters that plague the country majority of the year. The sun was burning brightly in the sky, causing beads of sweat to materialize on the people's skin but they didn't even notice. The anticipation for the event that was about to take place was hanging heavily in the air and the sheer expectancy of having to witness a great show caused a great deal of excitement. Men, women, old and young filled every available space in the bleachers of the Zaibach Dome, the biggest venue in all of the country where the citizens can convene as one.
Majority of the bleachers in the Dome were filled with lowly peasants, farmers, artisans, laborers and their families who were all rejoicing for the fact that they were finally given the chance to lay off from work even if it's just for a single day. On the other hand, the seats situated in the front were occupied by pompous lords, arrogant ladies donning their finest frocks seeking the attention of the prince and the dreadful sorcerers dressed in black robes. For just a single day, civilians both of high and low statuses came together for the annual executions held in partial celebration of the Emperor's 45th birthday.
A sound of a blaring trumpet was heard throughout the stadium which immediately caused the raucous laughter and shouting to cease.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Celena Albatou."
At the sound of her name being announced, the majestic double doors leading to the podium reserved for the royal family opened. A young woman gracefully emerged out of the doors. The sunlight reflected off of her short light blond tresses making it shimmer as if it's silver. Her beautiful azure eyes surveyed the scene lying before her. Folding the skirt of her blue dress, Celena then proceeded to lower herself onto the seat particularly set aside for her.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Dilandau Albatou."
A simultaneous sigh escaped the lips of the single, and even married, ladies present in the event as the prince walked out of the double doors donning his usual red Dragonslayer uniform. Dilandau smirked as he watched the women immediately fix their hair, bat their eyelashes tantalizingly and lower their bodices exposing indecent amounts of cleavage in hopes of impressing the prince famously known for his Casanova antics.
"His Royal Majesty, Emperor Adelphos Albatou."
The crowd immediately erupted in a deafening cheer in a form of acknowledgement of their beloved Emperor's presence. Adelphos immediately silenced the crowd with a raise of his arms.
In a booming voice, the emperor made his announcement. "Fellow citizens of Zaibach: For the past ten years of my rule, you have been continuously supportive of me and my family and for that, I am sincerely thankful. I am gracious for the fact that you are joining me once again in this fine day in order to celebrate my 45th rotation." He paused for a moment, waiting for the crowd's applause to die down.
"There is no doubt in my mind that most of you are present not only to join me celebrate but to witness the executions that take place annually. This year, we have been given the chance to rid Gaea of pathetic men and women hailing from the Kingdom of Kanza, a kingdom whose ruler refuses to ally itself with Zaibach. On this glorious day, we are gathered here to send the message all throughout Gaea that those who oppose Zaibach will not be tolerated and will be met with an iron fist. With that, let the show begin!"
A deafening roar once again erupted from the raucous crowd. Most of the citizens have now risen in order to give a standing ovation in honor of the Emperor's speech.
Dilandau was ecstatic. He could feel that feeling of anticipation crawling through his veins and in just a few more minutes, that feeling will be satisfied. Though he tried to maintain a stoic façade, his eyes shone brighter than normal due to the blood bath that will once again occur.
In the middle of the arena, a lone object stood covered in a black piece of cloth. Just then, the unmistakable sound of metal doors opening from the very bottom of the Dome was heard. Three pitiful figures emerged together with a man practically the size of a giant. The gigantic man led the three Kanzans towards the center of the arena, letting them stand before the object covered in a piece of cloth.
Dilandau watched in sheer anticipation as the cloth was untied revealing a guillotine whose blade shone brightly. Three elite Dragonslayers then came forward as the prisoners started struggling. First up, the head of an old woman was placed in a circular hole. The silver haired youth's scarlet gaze was transfixed at the sight of the blade descending upon the old woman's head. Crimson liquid flowed out of the woman's decapitated head, her eyes immediately being devoid of life and meaning.
Dilandau uncharacteristically snorted earning his older sister's attention. Celena turned her head to the side and looked questioningly at the silver haired boy. "What are you laughing at, little brother?"
"Come on, Celena. She's old enough to die. Give or take a year and one would find her dead of old age if she wasn't executed here." Dilandau explained.
"Dilandau, don't you even feel a single hint of remorse?"
"Of course not. What do you take me for? A bloody weakling?"
"You're a beast, Dilandau." Celena retorted.
The other two captives were executed in the same way before the giant metal doors opened, leading three more prisoners to their painful demise. Men and women sitting at the bleachers were cheering on, glad to be entertained during this national holiday.
"More, more, more!" The crowd continuously chanted, screaming their hearts out.
The three prisoners were once again led to the middle where three Dragonslayers were waiting with a whip in hand. The whips looked deadly, with sharp thorns adorning the surface.
Serves these people right. Zaibach's just doing Gaea the favor of ridding it of these infidels. Dilandau inwardly thought as his unwavering gaze regarded things in a slow motion, focusing on the continuous rise and falls of the whips. The pointed thorns painfully scraped the gradually reddening flesh off of their backs, exposing wounds where skin should have been. Deep lacerations materialized on their skin, slowly torturing and sucking the life out of them due to excessive blood loss. His ears were met by the sweet sounds of the anguished cries of the prisoners as the whips connected against their backs with resounding snaps.
When the prisoners finally lost their hold on their lives, the Dragonslayers then proceeded to carry them out of the arena for their bodies to be burned. The last part of the executions was about to take place when the metal door opened and out came a young teenage girl followed by a little boy clinging to her waist.
Hitomi felt her little brother tugging at the obi tied around her kimono. She can feel the fear radiating off of him but she can't deny the fact that she was scared as well. They did not have an idea of what was happening beyond the metal doors. Six of her people have already gone out and have not yet returned. She and her brother were the last ones standing behind the doors.
Hitomi meekly tapped the shoulder of the man guarding her and her brother. "Excuse me mister but what exactly is happening?" She asked with perfect manners that only a proper princess could do.
"It's none of your business, little girl. You and that little crybaby of a brother that you have are up next anyway. You're bound to know soon enough what lies beyond these doors." The man, who resembled a mole with his small gold-rimmed glasses and black whiskers, retorted.
Hitomi placed both her hands on her hips and glared at the man. "I demand to know what happened, mister. " She stated in a bratty voice clearly dripping with annoyance directed towards the man. Now my spoiled-princess side is coming out. Hitomi inwardly thought.
"Who died and made you the boss around here, little girl? Don't pull that 'I'm-higher-than-thou' act on me because it just won't work." The Mole-man stated while examining his dirty fingernails.
"What if I give you this? Will you provide me information then?" Hitomi pulled a pouch full of gidaru and waved it in front of the man with a tiny smirk gracing her lovely face.
"How much does the bag contain?"
"A hundred gidaru."
"You sneaky little devil."
"Do we have a deal then, mister?"
"Deal. Call me Mister Mole by the way." The Mole Man replied while giving the princess a handshake. "About that piece of information that you wanted…" The Mole Man started. "Well, how do I say this…"
"Stop stalling Mister Mole!" Mamoru huffed in annoyance.
"Well…you're about to die. There, I said it." He stated nonchalantly.
"What!?" The princess and the prince simultaneously yelled in shock.
"Well, they're feeding the two of you to a beast."
"You're kidding right, Mister Mole?" The princess asked with nervous laughter.
"Nope."
Just then, the door opened. The giant man then pulled the struggling siblings out into the open.
The sunlight greeted the siblings' eyes and lightly burned their skin. The princess and the prince turned their heads all around and noticed thousands of people whose eyes were upon them. The men, women and even the children were laughing and shouting, seemingly waiting for something. Just then, the barred gates on the other side of the arena slid up and something dangerous came forth.
A creature with slanted yellow eyes, sharp black claws and scaly green skin emerged. It unleashed an animalistic growl, eliciting fear within their hearts. The siblings' feet were rooted to the spot as the long pink muscle emerged from the dragon's mouth, licking its teeth in hunger and anticipation. This seems familiar. Hitomi inwardly realized. Just like in my dream.
The creature growled and Hitomi's senses finally kicked in. She pulled on Mamoru's hand and hurriedly dragged him towards the other side of the arena and away from the dragon. The dragon pursued them around the arena like a predator hunting its prey. As the princess and her brother hid at the sidelines behind the dragon, the creature then turned its head side to side seemingly searching for its lost meal. As the creature heard the whimpers of one of its prey, the creature's sharp slanted eyes met their target, causing the dragon to advance towards its destination. Crouching on the ground, Hitomi and Mamoru helplessly watched as the dragon's pointed tail descended towards them. Oddly enough, the blow never came.
Emperor Adelphos was intently watching as the dragon pursued the honey brown haired girl and boy. Curiosity getting the better of him, he strained his gaze to see the faces of the two captives panting heavily from both fear and exhaustion. His eyes widened as he took in the profile of the two. The same honey colored hair, those green eyes, those clothes, could they be…? The emperor inwardly wondered.
"Dilandau, stop the execution at once!" The emperor ordered.
Startled of his father's sudden outburst, Dilandau implored, "What!? Father, are you out of your mind?"
"Just do it, Dilandau!"
Damn you, Father. Dilandau growled and hesitantly rose out of his seat. He jumped down from the elevated podium towards the ground of the arena. In one swift movement, he maimed the dragon's tail that was preparing to strike the prisoners then struck the heart of the dragon with his sword causing blue liquid to gush out of the creature's body. The stench of the liquid was pungent but then it quickly evaporated into thin air.
Dilandau walked towards the two crouched figures on the sidelines. As the honey brown haired girl lifted her head, Dilandau was startled as his scarlet eyes met with those of familiar emerald orbs filled with fright.
A/N: I know that it seems a bit confusing as to why the emperor stopped the executions but you'll just have to read the next chapter to find out. I've also got a new DH story out, it's called Salvation and I hope that you guys would read and review it as well. Anyways, please review!