Bright lights pulsed, a dull static vibration emanating from a screen, leaching out into the room. The wrinkled face of an old man appeared, and looked out though the screen into the dark. His eyes came to rest on a lone man standing before him.
"How long until you reach your destination?" the man on the screen asked, his voice low and deep.
"By tonight, Your Majesty," he replied.
"And the Dragon?"
"Dilandau's Dragon Slayers will take care of him."
A pause permeated the stale air. The old man's lips twitched into a frown.
"I feel another presence. Another power. Be on guard. The price of failure will cost us dearly. Remember your promise."
"Yes, Emperor Dornkirk."
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The honey-haired girl dozed periodically as she watched hoards of trees rush by her line of sight. It hypnotized her. Sharp greens and deep browns melted together with the scent of pine and dirt. The smell of the forest. Her companion looked down at her as she closed her eyes again. He shook his head fondly.
"Not long now," he said, bringing his gaze up to the skyline. It was almost evening. He hoped not to spend another night out in the wild.
The wind's direction changed, sweeping up and across Van's face. Escaflowne's wings rocked under the turbulence. Van pulled at the controls to compensate. A pair of green eyes sprung open.
"Van, bring Escaflowne down." Her voice was steady and controlled.
"Why?" he asked, his eyes searching the sky.
"They've found us," she said as she stood. "We're an open target up here."
He brought Escaflowne down into a dive. Hitomi's hands came up to cover her face, protecting herself from the tree branches that grazed her. She found herself falling against Van's chest. Escaflowne landed, extremities crunching the forest floor.
"Climb down. Hide yourself." Van's jaw tightened as he scanned the terrain around him. Hitomi nodded and quickly found her way down to the ground. She stepped away as Escaflowne shifted back to its humanoid form. Her ears began to ring. She pressed her hands her ears to dull the sound.
"On your right," she cried.
A line of silver shot through the trees. Escaflowne leaned away from the attack, sword flying up to meet the strike. The long metallic bolt deflected as it hit Escaflowne's sword, path turning to crash into the surrounding trees. Hitomi picked up her skirts and ran to avoid the trees falling around her.
Enemy guymelefs began to appear one by one, weaving through trees as they advanced. The red guymelef was last to appear, taking calculated steps towards Escaflowne.
"Well now, shall I start off the festivities?" a sinister voice asked. Flames poured from the red guymelef's hands. "Face me, Van Fanel."
Hitomi retreated to the edge of a slow flowing stream. The end of her dress dipped into the water as the forest lit up, engulfed by flames. Guymelefs encircled Escaflowne and the red guymelef. Escaflowne and the red guymelef exchanged blows. She felt helpless as she watched the match unfold. The situation looked bleak. They were toying with him. They had him surrounded. How could he escape? It was one against many. Hitomi's fingers found their way to the teardrop pendant at her throat. They needed help. Her pendant glowed faintly. The rose jewel on Escaflowne's chest pulsed softly.
Above, the sound of propellers gyrated. Hitomi looked up to see the underside of the airship Crusade passing over them. She watched with wide eyes as Scheherazade dropped from the sky, knees bending as it landed.
"Allen?"
Scheherazade drew its blade and engaged the enemy, breaking the circle of guymelefs. Sweeping blows crashed into Ziabach guymelefs. Soon, Scheherazade and Escaflowne stood back to back.
"I made it in time," the Knight Caeli said as another enemy guymelef rushed them.
"Flank him." A shrill voice came from the red guymelef. The silver-haired pilot growled. "Dragon, time to die!" Dilandau screamed, crimson claw thrusting towards Escaflowne. Escaflowne parried the attack, blade piercing the red guymelef's cockpit.
A gasp caught in Allen's throat as Scheherazade turned, ear trained to the sound of metal cutting through metal. Two enemy guymelefs flanked Scheherazade, one taking the opportunity to strike. A crima claw jutted into Scheherazade, passing through Allen's side.
"Protect Lord Dilandau," a Dragon Slayer cried as Escaflowne withdrew his blade. The red guymelef staggered back, its pilot crying out.
Escaflowne fell back to Scheherazade's side. "Allen!" Van yelled. He became panicked at the silence. "Say something!" Scheherazade dropped to its knees, cockpit opening. Allen half-dangled from the cockpit, hand clasped to his side. Blood flowed freely through his fingers.
The Dragon Slayers gathered around their lord. "Let's regroup. Lord Dilandau needs a medic."
"The mission, you idiots! The mission!" A string of profanities were spat out between clenched teeth. The Dragon Slayers bore their lord's guymelef away from the battle, lifting him into the sky, ignoring his angry protests.
Hitomi ran to Allen's side, climbing up the kneeling guymelef to reach him. She pulled his arm around her shoulder to steady him, the features of her face pinched.
"Hitomi," Allen said weakly.
"Don't speak," she replied, her eyes grave as she pressed a hand to the wound.
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"Great Sea Dragon, give me strength." The short prayer came from a pair of pale lips. Allen was laid out on a wooden table, his breathing erratic. An arm reached up, grasping at the air. Celena grabbed her brother's hand, her knuckles white as she lowered their hands to rest on his chest. His eyes met hers for a moment before he closed them. A groan followed.
"I can't control the bleeding," Hitomi bit out as she continued to hold pressure to the wound. She caught Gaddess' gaze as the other crew-members bustled in and out of the room. "He needs a healer."
Gaddess nodded grimly, looking faint as he took in the blood saturating the bandages. He pointed at Pyle, who entered the room with his arms full of linen. "Pyle send out a distress signal. It's his only chance."
"Katz is already on it," Pyle replied as he helped Hitomi add bulk to the dressing.
As if on cue, Katz collided into the door-frame, panting. "We're being hailed. Gaddess-"
"I'm coming." Gaddess followed the giant man down the hall. They reached the bridge. Gaddess grasped the ship's intercom with a fist.
"Identify yourself and state your situation," a voice demanded through the intercom.
"This is Gaddess, second in command of the Crusade. We need-"
"Gaddess? Is that really you?" the distinctively feminine voice asked. "What's wrong? Where's Allen?"
"Princess?" The second in command shared a relieved smile with Katz before he continued, "It's Allen. He's badly hurt. He needs a medic."
"I'm on my way." A loud click sounded.
Gaddess heaved a sigh before turning once more to Katz. "We need to get the cargo bay open to prepare for Princess Millerna's arrival." The words felt strange for him to say, however grateful he was.
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Millerna worked quickly once she laid eyes on her patient. She inspected the wound critically, unflinching at the sight of the open cavity draining sanguineous fluid. Allen cried out as gloved fingers explored the wound further. She grimaced, then replaced the bandages.
"Is there no one else?" Millerna asked quietly, brow knitted.
"No one, Your Majesty," Gaddess answered.
"I can make do with what instruments I have, but..." she paused. "I've never done this before. Only read about it in my medical books." Her violet eyes quivered as she spoke.
Celena, who clung to Hitomi's shoulder, addressed the princess, tears pouring down her cheeks. "Please, only you can save him. Please, I beg you."
Millerna looked at her patient and felt an unwanted emotion warm her face. She pushed the thought away, exhaling slowly. A level head and steady hand were both required for the task at hand. "I don't have anaesthetic. You will have to hold him down." She pulled off her bloodied gloves and began rummaging through the suitcase she brought with her. "Celena, I have to ask you to leave."
Celena stepped forward and touched her brother's arm. Hitomi wrapped her hand around her elbow, thumb stroking her forearm gently. "Come," the green-eyed girl led Celena away. She nodded to Van and Merle to follow. Hitomi noticed the blood on the prince's hands and compared them to her own. They looked the same.
They waited in the hall for what felt like years. Celena hadn't stopped crying into Hitomi's shoulder since they sat down. The honey-haired girl numbly looked at the doorway, not wanting to think to carefully about the future. Allen's screams roared throughout the Crusade. Further down the hall, Van stole a glance at Hitomi and Celena, his eyes red-rimmed and weary. Merle clutched Van's arm, her ears low.
"He has to make it. Right, Lord Van?" the cat-girl asked, wincing as another agonizing scream echoed off the walls. When the screaming stopped at last, everyone stood in anticipation. Celena held a hand to her mouth, not trusting herself to keep quiet. Princess Millerna appeared, pulling the surgical mask down as she approached. "He's lost a lot of blood." She began to sway. "For now all we can do is-"
Hitomi and Celena stepped forward to catch the princess as her knees buckled. They eased her down to the floor. "Thank-you, princess." Celena managed a watery smile.
Celena sat with her brother, not leaving his side even when they arrived at their destination. She walked alongside the makeshift stretcher the crew had constructed for him as they transported them to their new quarters. Hitomi remained close by, holding Celena's hand when she thought her friend would cry again.
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The sunrise was a bittersweet mixture of cool blues and pale yellows. Hitomi covered a yawn with a hand. Celena slept next to her brother, his hand tucked neatly inside hers. As she stretched, Hitomi saw Van walk by the doorway from her vantage point along the wall of the room. She stood and walked out into the corridor. The wood floor squeaked when she paused. Fanalia's prince looked back, expression guarded.
"You're awake," he said. "Is Allen..?"
"Breathing. Celena's still asleep," she answered as she straightened her skirts. "Where are you going?"
"The duke requested to speak with me." Van toyed with the sword at his side absently, black hair spilling over his features as he glanced down.
"I see," she paused, then added. "I should-"
"You can come with me if you'd like," he interrupted, looking up at her.
Van appeared surprised when she walked to stand beside him, following the corridor alongside him wordlessly. He cleared his throat and led the way. Their path cut through pockets of outdoor rock gardens and water features. Hitomi caught glimpses of gold and white fish swimming just below the water's surface, tails shimmering as they moved. They eventually reached a large wooden building. A group of monks robed in bright fabric hurried past them. Van announced himself to the guards. They let them inside after bowing stiffly. Smoke and fragrance tickled their nostrils as they entered. Millerna knelt in front of the throne. She motioned for them to approach. Van made eye contact with the Duke of Freid. They exchanged nods. The duke appeared to be nearing his middle years, his dark moustache and beard perfectly sculpted. He wore brilliant blue robes tied with a red sash. A gold helmet sat on his brow, red plume flowing down from the top. His keen brown eyes followed Van and Hitomi as they walked together and knelt next to Millerna.
"Welcome, Prince Van Fanel of Fanalia." His voice was clear and authoritative. "Please accept my condolences for the fate that has befallen your country. I extend my hospitality to you and yours during this difficult time."
"Thank-you. I won't forget your kindness." Van inclined his head. "We don't plan on staying long. I fear I have brought Ziabach to your borders."
The duke closed his eyes momentarily. "Do not worry. Escaflowne is not the only thing Ziabach seeks here."
Hitomi inhaled sharply, a terrifying possibility settling in. "It's only a legend..." she uttered under her breath. Van and Millerna looked at her with quizzical expressions.
"I will not speak further," the duke said, taking an interest in the green-eyed girl. "My Lady, your name, if you would."
"Hitomi," she answered.
"Just Hitomi." Millerna smirked. "Though I believe there's something more to her." A finger grazed her chin. "There has to be."
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Hitomi returned to Allen's sleeping quarters. She found the siblings awake. Celena's eyes remained reddened, despite the smile plastered on her face. She sat cross-legged behind her brother, who half-sat as she gently pulled a comb through his long golden hair. Allen flinched slightly at each stroke of the comb, but he looked at peace, content to endure his sister's tenderness.
"Millerna promised she would stop by later, in the afternoon. If needed, she told me that she could come sooner," Hitomi said, taking a seat across from the siblings.
Allen nodded and reached for the clean white shirt beside him. He pushed an arm through one sleeve, pausing to brace himself before threading the next arm through the other sleeve. Celena huffed audibly and set the comb down.
"Allow me." She helped her brother don the shirt, coming around to face him, fingers working at the buttons.
"Celena." Allen smiled in defeat.
"Yes?" His sister hummed.
"Nothing."
Hitomi rose and turned to leave. Allen needed rest. Celena's presence seemed exhausting enough.
"Hitomi?" Celena followed her and wrapped her arms around her waist, cheek resting against the top of her shoulder. "I'm happy that you're safe. Don't leave without me next time. No excuses."
"I know," Hitomi replied, waiting patiently for Celena to release her. She couldn't let on that she had missed her.
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Millerna entered the room with a tray of food. She sat it down on a low-lying table.
"Princess," her patient greeted her.
"I thought Celena was with you," Millerna said, as she looked around the room.
"I encouraged her to go out and get some air," Allen replied. He sat up slowly, leaning towards his injured side.
"Please, you don't have to get up. Let me see your dressing." She knelt beside him and began unbuttoning his shirt. "Do you feel feverish?" she asked.
"Only weak," he admitted, then added, "and sore."
"Good," she said before catching herself. "I mean, it's good that you don't have a fever." She flushed. "Your dressing looks fine."
"Princess-"
"Please, how many times must I tell you? Call me Millerna," she said abruptly. "You don't have to be so cold towards me." She paused, thoughtful. "If I wasn't on that ship you could have-"
"I would have died," Allen said, somber expression tightening his features. His blue eyes searched her face. "Thank-you, princess."
"Allen-"
The Knight Caeli caught one of her hands in his. "Princess...No, Millerna. Please, you have to understand. I am not the one meant for you."
Tears welled up in those soft violet eyes. "You're rejecting me?"
"Yes," he replied, expression unchanged. "You must release me from your thoughts."
"You have feelings for someone else, don't you?" Millerna's mouth quaked.
There was a slight nod. "Perhaps one day. When my ghosts are properly laid to rest."
"Ghosts, Allen?" she scoffed, a hand reaching up to rub her eyes. "You sound ridiculous."
"I am ridiculous." He drew in a measured breath.
"Tell me then, which one haunts you the most?" she asked, her smile dry.
"Your sister, Marlene," he replied, his voice so low she scarcely heard him.
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Hitomi found herself wandering through Fried's royal gardens. The hedges, bushes, and flowerbeds were laid out in patterns unfamiliar to her. In Fanalia and Asturia, most things were left to grow where they sprouted. Here, everything was laid out in perfectly arched circles and straight lines. The hedges were long rectangles lining the courtyard. In the center of the garden stood a large tree, soaking up the afternoon sun. Flowerbeds formed small circles and semi-circles around the tree's base, splashes of color tussled by the wind. She had spotted Celena earlier walking with a certain tall dark-haired man, and wished that she hadn't. Celena went a painful shade of red before meekly waving at her. Now she could no longer claim innocence if Allen began asking questions.
"Hitomi."
She looked ahead and saw Van with his arm raised in greeting. Merle was with him, her tail slightly puffed, arms crossed. She joined them, standing close to the trimmed hedges.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Merle asked with a leer.
"Merle." Van shot her a stern look.
"Not really," Hitomi replied.
"Isn't it enough that she stole you away?" Merle continued with a flat sigh.
Van ignored her. "Hitomi, there's something I need to ask you," he began. He scratched the back of his neck with a hand. "About what the duke was talking about."
Hitomi went rigid. "I don't want to speak of it."
"But whatever it was that he was referring to, Ziabach wants it. Hitomi, I need to know. I want to stop them." Van's brow furrowed.
Merle placed her hands on her hips, tail twitching dangerously behind her. "Don't be stingy. Tell Lord Van what he wants to know."
Hitomi glared at her.
"Merle, that's enough," Van barked at her. Merle cowered, ears dipping low.
"You don't have to be so touchy. Both of you." the cat-girl said, recovering quickly. "I'm leaving. But that doesn't mean that this is over." She pointed at Hitomi threateningly before scampering off.
Van squared his shoulders and looked at Hitomi with unwavering resolve. His eyes were a startlingly rich brown, pairing well with his tanned skin. She shied back a few steps then stopped. With each step back she took, he took two steps forward. A frown creased her face.
"I didn't think it could still exist," Hitomi said when Merle was out of sight. She continued, "The duke, he must have the key."
"The key for what?" Van asked.
"But that would not help Ziabach. Unless..." She trailed off then met Van's gaze. "Unless they've found it already."
"Found what?" He curled his hand into a fist.
"The power of Atlantis. The ancient device of legend. Some say the Draconians destroyed it near the end of the war. Others say it lies dormant, hidden on Gaea. Secret. No one knows for sure."
"And they need the key?"
"Like I said, no one knows for sure if it even exists, Van." She paused, taking in a breath. "There are those who believe that Fried guards the key, and has for many generations."
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Millerna tossed a cascade of golden curls over her shoulder before entering the throne room. She approached her brother-in-law who stood from his throne to greet her.
"You asked for me?"
"You resemble Marlene more each time I see you." The duke smiled then offered her his arm. "Let's take a walk, we have much to discuss."
Her smile was delayed, but she accepted his arm. It was the second time today someone had compared her to her late sister. He led her through the back of the throne room and into a garden. The air smelled sweet, like flowers and fruit. Vines and blossoms ran rampant. In the back, she could make out the beginnings of a white house, built in the Asturian style, covered partly by flowering vines.
"Brother, it's beautiful," she said as she took in the garden appreciatively.
"You like it? That makes me glad. I built this villa when Marlene and I were newlywed." Sadness touched his eyes though his smile remained.
"I miss her too."
He nodded. They stood and admired the villa together, arms linked. "It was my greatest hope that you would stay here in Marlene's villa, but it cannot be." He paused and rested a hand on her wrist. "I have news from Asturia. From your sister. Your father is gravely ill. She requests your return."
"I refuse."
"If it were only that simple." He regarded her with astute eyes. "The line of succession must be secured if the worst were to happen. You know the throne can only fall to you and your husband. I have word that Dryden Fassa is en route to escort you back to Asturia."
A lone tear trailed down her cheek. "No. Not now."
"I regret this. I regret that Chid is not here with me to see you safely off. I regret that our world is at war." He turned to face her, clasping both of her hands in his. "But if you do not go with him, your country will fall to ruins. You will also be caught up in the storm that will hit Fried, and I could not bear that," he paused, then continued, " I loved your sister, Millerna. My heart still yearns for her. We loved each other well. I pray that this match of yours is to your benefit. That you find that unexpected love that I found."
Her tears flowed freely as she answered, "Brother, is this what it means to be born of the blood?" She cried for her loss of control, for the bitterness and hatred that welled up inside her. For if she did not cry, she would surely crumble.
"Yes," he answered, his hands still engulfing hers. "You must be strong. You must endure. The weight of a country is a heavy burden indeed."
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Hitomi sat up, blanket slipping from her shoulders. Beside her, Celena slept. Allen had convinced her that a constant vigil at his bedside was no longer a necessity. Her presence was a comfort to her, especially after waking from a terrible dream.
In that dream, she found herself surrounded by cold iron bars, a pale gaunt face peering in to observe her. His red eyes smoldered like embers and her name ghosted his lips in satisfaction. Shackled, she was taken from her cell and brought before an old man in a dark metal chamber. Yellow vines flowed into his arms as a machine laboured next to him. The man asked her to come closer. He wanted her to betray the location of Atlantis' power, his hand gripping feebly to the hilt of a sword. He told her that if she chose to do so that he would grant her a new pair of wings. She fought against her bonds, crying out defiantly, voice strained. They brought her back to her cell.
In the cell across from hers a woman regarded her with large eyes. Her silver hair flowed down, almost grazing the floor. She mouthed to her, 'Forgive me. I have failed you.'
The image of her haunting face remained burned to her memory. Hitomi felt chilled. She pulled the blanket back up around herself and settled back to bed. Was it all just a dream? Or maybe a vision?
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AN: Hello again. Thanks for tuning in. I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. I know, I know the last two sentences were a little cheesy, but how could I resist? Anyhow, please read and review. I may need encouragement to continue. There has been a tragedy in my family recently. My father-in-law was involved in a trucking accident which will most likely leave him paralyzed. Most of this chapter was written in a hospital waiting room.
oldbrownshoe- Thank-you for your review. I really should have put a warning about Van and Hitomi 'out of character' before the first chapter. You are right. Van and Hitomi are out of character as this fic is AU. Different circumstances led them to different personalities. I only hope I didn't botch them completely. Also, I hope you don't flame me now for the Allen-Marlene thing. Thank-you again for your encouragement.
TBlaze- Thank you so much for kind words. You have been consistently reviewing this fic of mine. Honestly, I could hug you, but I won't because that would be awkward. Just know that I appreciate your support.
Take care everyone!