"You're the one. The one who's helping the Dragon." Leon took a careful step forward, black cape rippling about his tall form.
"You didn't come back for us," she said, leaning away from him. Her eyes quivered uneasily, flinching at his advance. His hand grazed her shoulder. She looked up at him, body rigid, hand gripped to the railing behind her. His hand was warm against her shoulder.
"I can explain. Come with me," he said, his voice quiet. His fingers curled gently around her arm.
She looked down at his hand, her face a marriage of terror and doubt. His presence here was impossible. Unfathomable. "You're with Ziabach," Hitomi said, her nostrils flaring. She jerked her body away from his touch, red pendant catching the light. The ruby stone fell to her chest, pulling a pair of eyes with its sheen.
"That necklace," he said, tone softening with wonder. A hand captured a small pale wrist.
Down the bridge, a group of men rushed towards them. "Hitomi," their tall dark-haired leader called out to the girl. They continued to run, faces grim.
The cloaked man pulled her away, the purchase on her wrist tightening. She fought against him, her limbs thrashing. Her feet dragged against the smooth surface of the bridge. She turned her head and found Gaddess and the remainder of Allen's crew shouting to her. A hiss permeated, shifting her gaze to Escaflowne. The cockpit clicked open, metal popping. Her breath caught. Anticipation and hope bubbled to her face, even as Leon's hold on her strengthened. Escaflowne had heard her. Everything would be alright.
Fanalia's prince emerged from the guymelef, his arm bloodied. Maroon eyes wandered to the honey-haired girl struggling against capture. His jaw line tightened, face obscured by black hair. Blood dripped off his fingertips, rolling down Escaflowne. Van let out a roar as he drew his sword. He leapt from the guymelef, his feet moving into a fighting stance as he landed. Gaddess came to stand beside him, the Crusade's crew close behind him.
Hitomi felt a cold edge against her throat. Her captor pressed her back to his chest, arm enveloping her. "Stand down," Leon ordered, his voice ringing clear. "Surrender yourself, Van Fanel, and no harm will come to her."
Van's mouth twitched into a smirk. He stepped forward, eyes looking past Hitomi to the man holding a knife against her neck.
"Van, wait," Gaddess implored.
Blood flowed from Van's fingers, gliding down his blade. He continued forward, despite Gaddess' protest.
"My apologizes. I did not intend for you to wait this long," a voice behind the cloaked man greeted them. "I was only recently informed of your arrival." Cool footsteps sauntered towards them, a shock of silver hair paired with a red and black uniform appearing from the gloom. The youth trailed a gloved finger down Hitomi's cheek as he passed. Hitomi shook with revulsion, recoiling at the gesture.
"Dilandau," the older man said gruffly.
"Like a moth to its flame." Dilandau chortled, toying with the sword hilt at his side. He drew his weapon slowly, relishing in the sound of his blade stroking its scabbard. Exhaling, his red eyes fell to the dark-haired prince, judging his opponent with an arrogant flair. "Don't worry, Dragon. Your witch is in good hands." A sinister grin uncoiled across his features.
Van growled, the grip on his sword hilt shifting. Gaddess locked eyes with the cloaked man, frowning at the knife glinting with dark intentions. "Van, we need a plan," he said quietly. He looked to Van for suggestions.
His words were ignored. Van rushed the silver-haired youth. A frenzy of steel and rage ensued as their weapons clashed, feet dancing together. Flashes of metal coursed between them as they circled one another, assessing for weakness. Dilandau brought another strike down to his opponent, teeth clenched as Van stepped aside, avoiding the blow. His eyes widened as he pulled back, but it was already too late. He wasn't fast enough. His enemy's blade curled upwards, slicing into a pale cheek. Dilandau howled as he crumbled to the floor, gloved hand grasping his face. He continued to scream as Van walked by him, his sights on the cloaked man.
Leon stepped back, Hitomi ensnared in his arms. The honey-haired girl writhed under his hold, a trickle of blood trailing down her neck. "Do you value her life?" he asked Van. "Come no further." His gaze flickered to his kneeling son.
"My face." Dilandau's hand trembled, held fast to his cheek. Sanguineous fluid pooled between his fingers. "You damaged my beautiful face." He fixated his gaze to the ground, breathing erratic.
Van paused, his weapon at the ready. Hitomi's expression softened when he looked at her, eyes a pair of upturned green pools, distant and thoughtful. "It's fine. I'll be fine," he heard her say. Her arms fell motionless to her sides, her rigid posture unravelling.
"Hitomi," he called to her. Disbelief overtook him. She was giving up.
Gaddess stepped forward, face contorted in disdain. "Enough of this foolishness," he said as he approached the silver-haired youth. He kicked away the sword from Dilandau's hand. It clattered to the level below. Dilandau gave a disgruntled cry, arm reaching hopelessly. Gaddess pulled the youth up by a fistful of his silver hair. He held his sword to his enemy's exposed throat. "Let the girl go or I will end his life."
"F-father," Dilandau whimpered. His captor blinked at him in confusion. Sweat dripped down Dilandau's pale neck as he swallowed audibly.
Steeling himself, Gaddess pushed his captive forward. "The girl," he said forcefully, judging the unknown man with new eyes.
A breath warmed Hitomi's ear. "Forgive me. Things did not go as I had planned." Sturdy hands gripped her shoulders, urging her forward. "We will meet again," Leon said with conviction.
Hitomi stumbled into Van's open arms. Satisfied, Gaddess kicked Dilandau forward, the youth crumpling at the feet of the cloaked man. Leon crouched to collect his son, hands resting on Dilandau's shoulders. Van pulled Hitomi behind Gaddess, finger tracing the small nick under her chin. Hitomi blinked. "Are you okay?" he asked, voice melting into gentleness.
Gaddess turned to Van. "Are you able to pilot Escaflowne?" he asked. "As nice as this visit was, we need to leave."
"Yes," Van replied. He made his way towards Escaflowne, Hitomi close behind him.
Gaddess caught Hitomi's hand in his. "Where do you think you're going, hm?" He smiled down at her. "You're coming with me. If I don't bring you back in one piece, Celena will never forgive me."
Hitomi looked back at Van, finding their hands locked together tightly. He let her hand go reluctantly, his mouth parting briefly, then closing.
"He'll be alright. Come on," Gaddess said, voice bursting with encouragement. He led her away, trailing behind his fellow crew-members.
She stole one last glance at Van as he ascended Escaflowne, her eyes eventually falling to Leon's kneeling form. He perplexed and terrified her. A man who she had fond sentiments for, a man who sided with her enemy. Where would she find her answers now?
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"Lord Van, oh Lord Van," Merle said, her cheeks puffed out fretfully. "Let me help you." She picked through the dressings spread out on Van's cot.
"Merle, I can handle it," Van replied, brow furrowed. "I'm almost done." He wound a roll of linen around his shoulder. He almost dropped the roll as he saw Hitomi's lithe form walk past the doorway.
The Crusade made a steady course towards their rendezvous point with Dryden and Millerna. Allen took the airship through convoluted territory, anticipating the need to use the terrain as cover in case Ziabach sent their guymelefs after them. There was no sign of the enemy so far, to Allen's dismay. It made him worry about potential Ziabach ambushes waiting for them.
Standing next to the blonde knight on the bridge of the Crusade, Gaddess cleared his throat. "Strange, isn't it?"
"More like unnerving," Allen replied with a half-smile. "Van told me that you encountered trouble inside the fortress."
"Yea," Gaddess said, "but nothing we couldn't handle." He looked out the bridge window, lost in thought.
"My brother was there, wasn't he?" the blond asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
A sigh escaped Gaddess. He ruffled the back of his hair with a sour expression. "I have to confess, I'm glad that you stayed aboard the airship. He was there, and I'll leave it at that."
Allen clasped his hand on Gaddess' shoulder. "It's alright. Everyone came back safe. Can you keep an eye on the bridge for me? I need to speak with my sister."
"Of course," Gaddess replied. "She seemed upset when we returned."
"I'll worry about her," Allen said, giving Gaddess' shoulder a squeeze. "You worry about getting us to our destination. And any signs of Ziabach."
"Understood." Gaddess' eyes trailed after him as he left the bridge.
Allen made his way towards the airship's cabins, encountering Hitomi in the hallway. She kept her gaze to the ground, taking short slow strides. He stood in her way intentionally, waiting for her to acknowledge him. She startled when she neared him, her green eyes jumping to his face. Flushing, she stepped aside, hands clasped in front of herself, and looked away. "Allen," she greeted him, voice level. "I'll get our of your way."
Before she could move around him, Allen stopped her, arm extended. "She was worried about you. Afraid to lose you. Don't worry, she won't be upset for long." He smiled. "She never is."
"Right," she replied, regarding the arm in her path.
Allen took a step forward, hand resting against the wall. He leaned towards her, blue eyes peering down at her. "Hitomi," he said, lowering his tone, "I wish you would trust me. You're not alone in this world anymore. Given the opportunity, I would support you. In anything."
Her blush deepened, green eyes timid against his troubled stare. She bit the inside of her lip uneasily. There were things that she could never tell him, or Celena. She would rather die than allow them to discover her Draconian ancestry. If they knew, she was sure they would think differently of her. There was also the matter of the man Dilandau called 'father'. The longer she looked into Allen's face the more he resembled Leon. Was he their father? The one who left them, sending their family into a spiral of upheaval. She dared not tell him her suspicions. If she did, it was only a matter of time before they discovered her connection to him. That he left his family for another woman, Hitomi's grandmother. No, she could never be truly honest with him.
"I mean it, Hitomi." Allen reached out with a hand, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't discount me."
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Two crimson roses fell from outstretched fingers, petals unfurling against the turbulence of their descent. A pale face watched the flowers twirl down to the world below, his eyes guarded. The silver-haired youth took in a hazy breath, as if trying to burn the scent of the roses to his memory. He bit back the tears threatening to break free. Absently, he let his thumb glide down the stem of the lone rose he retained in his fist, unflinching as a thorn pricked his skin. He brought the rose gently to his lips.
"Lord Dilandau," a young man addressed him, black uniform against the setting sun. His remaining Dragon Slayers stood at attention in a neat line. Dilandau let the last rose fall from his grasp. Three roses for three lost souls, may they find their way home.
"Shesta, Miguel, and Guimel," Dilandau said quietly, defeat bitter against his tongue. His forefinger dug into the dressing along his cheek. He trailed an arch from his cheekbone to his jawline, blood imbruing the linen. "Cheek, cheek, cheek."
"Your orders, Sir?" one Dragon Slayer asked, taking a step forward.
Dilandau turned, hand falling away from his face. He regarded them numbly. How calm they were in the face of defeat. In the face of death. It made him want to scream. It made him want to tear their throats out one by one and then throw himself overboard to reunite with the roses. Then, they would all be together again. He pushed those scorching thoughts away, his face ebbing into rage. Van Fanel and his witch would not defeat him. He would crush them both. "Tomorrow we march on Freid. Make the necessary preparations to your guymelefs."
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Dryden and Millerna took their after breakfast coffee outside. A small round table and two chairs were set-up by the lakeside of the town, procured by Dryden's manservant. Elbows resting carefully against the table, Dryden's evergreen eyes skirted the outlying forest, palms against a streaming cup. He smiled when he spotted a deer traversing through the nearby brush. Startled at the sight of humans, the deer bolted away, leaves rustling.
Looking up from her coffee, Millerna asked, "What was that?"
"A deer," Dryden replied.
Millerna leaned back in her seat, surveying the shore. "This place is wasted on me," she admitted. "All I can think about is if everyone is safe." It was a beautiful scene with its rolling green hills teaming with life, brisk air, and gentle waves swelling over a pebbled shore. A place where most found tranquillity.
Dryden sipped his coffee, watching his companion wrap a golden curl around a finger. A gust overtook the white linen tablecloth, causing the princess to jump, coffee in jeopardy. Dryden smoothly reached across the table to rescue her cup. The tablecloth fluttered away with the wind. Training his laughter, he handed the cup back to her. She accepted it, her cheeks red. "Whatever may come, we'll make the best of it and salvage what we can." They both watched the tablecloth sink into the shallows of the lake. "We can't control everything."
Millerna set her coffee down on the bare table. "But we can make choices," she asserted, gaze levelling with his. "I won't sit idly by, especially when there are those who need my help."
He grinned at her openly, a chuckle growing.
"What's so funny?" she asked, brows wrinkling.
"Nothing," he replied, adjusting his glasses. Quelling his amusement, he sighed and feigned remorse. She scrutinized him quietly. He found her intriguing. Yes, she had always been known to have bold opinions, but he found himself surprised at what she chose to be passionate about. He wondered if she had ever considered the benefits of incorporating what she learned studying medicine into how she ruled Asturia as queen. Her talents were as promising as she was beautiful. Even he could appreciate that.
"Dryden look," she said, pointing to the clouds.
The airship Crusade flew overhead, travelling towards town. Dryden nodded mildly, taking another dreg of his coffee. His eyes followed the airship's path as he set his cup down with a sense of finality. "And here I was beginning to worry."
Millerna looked back at him, violet eyes attempting to discern the sincerity of his words.
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"Hot-headed Prince Van," Dryden greeted the dark-haired youth, smile gracing his lips. "It's good to see you relativity unscathed." He gestured to Van's bandaged shoulder.
"Dryden," Van acknowledged him with a nod. Allen and Gaddess trailed behind him.
"How it must feel to be young, rushing into battle with reckless abandon." He crossed his arms as Van approached, sleeves hanging low on his forearms. "Speaking of battles, how did you manage to escape the belly of the beast? Please don't tell me that Escaflowne is in worse shape than you. I couldn't bear it," Dryden said with a sigh.
"Dryden, I'm afraid we don't have time to carry on such a conversation," Allen interjected, expression grim. "We have been fortunate in evading attack thus-far, however to tarry now would be against our interests. We must make haste back to Asturia." He made a tight bow.
Dryden smirked at the fair knight. "I see. I had assumed you had obliterated the floating fortress with your knightly airs alone. I'm very disappointed, Sir Schezar," he said with mock-scorn.
Allen stared at the scholarly man flatly. "Is your fleet ready to continue?" he asked after a long pause.
"Yes, of course," Dryden replied, resisting the urge to shake his head. He turned to Van. "And what of Escaflowne?"
"Escaflowne will need some repairs," Van admitted. "I will see to it when we return."
"I'll take care of it," Dryden told the young prince, lowering his tone. "You've made me realize how lacking my security is. I'm grateful for your actions." He cleared his throat. "And yours too," he said, stealing a glance at Allen and Gaddess.
"Don't mention it," Van said, then continued, "We both know that Ziabach was after Escaflowne."
"Still," Dryden replied. "I did offer you safe passage back to Asturia. I feel partly responsible." He blinked, noting that Van's shoulder wound had bleed through the bandage. "We should have Millerna take a look at that shoulder before we leave. It looks like it needs attention."
"I'm fine," Van responded, bringing a hand up to the bandage. "I can manage."
Dryden eyed the prince, but made no further comment.
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The airship Crusade was back on its course to Asturia. Hitomi wandered through the cargo bay, pausing to examine Scheherazade and Escaflowne. Both guymelefs seemed in need of repair. She winced at the sight of hole through Scheherazade's cockpit. A reminder of their recent encounters with Ziabach. She continued towards the cabin she shared with Celena, hoping that she would find the words to say to her friend, to make things right between them. Celena had been distant since her return from the floating fortress, and Hitomi had been slow to realize why. Allen's words lingered on her mind. No, she wasn't alone anymore. There were others she had to consider now. The thought was foreign to her. She knew now that she had to be more cautious in the future or be doomed to face Celena's hurt expression again.
As she walked down the hall she noticed Van redressing the wound to his shoulder. He sat on his cot, Merle talking over him in hushed tones. Frank blood oozed down his arm. She paused, hand resting on the door-frame. He lifted his hand from his shoulder momentarily, accepting a new bandage from Merle's hands. Hitomi focused on the wound, wondering why the blood looked so fresh. She thought she had seen him change the bandages not long after they joined Dryden's fleet. Maintaining her view, she found no obvious wound. No cut or torn flesh. Only blood that the bandages couldn't staunch. He had other scrapes and bruises on his body which she tallied quietly.
She stepped back, suspicion growing. Turning, she walked back towards the cargo bay, bumping shoulders with Gaddess in her haste. The tall man shied away from her, concern lining his eyes. "Hitomi, are you okay?"
The honey-haired girl ignored him, brushing past him. Gaddess was left alone in the hall, scratching the back of his head. She entered the cargo bay and approached Escaflowne. Gazing up at the ancient guymelef, she inhaled sharply. His wounds matched Van's. She inspected Escaflowne's shoulder, brow furrowed.
Hitomi found herself briskly marching towards Van, who stood in the hall, Merle at his side. "Hitomi," he greeted her, taking a tentative step forward.
She gripped his arm when she neared him, their eyes meeting. "Van, you must take care when piloting Escaflowne."
"What's your problem?" Merle seethed, a growl rolling from her mouth.
Van pulled his arm back with a frown. "Don't you think I know that?" he said with impatience, judging her stern expression.
"That wound is not normal," Hitomi told him, gripping his arm once more. "How many times have you had to change that bandage?"
"You don't have to worry about that." Van glared at her. Merle crinkled her nose at Hitomi with distaste.
"Escaflowne's wounds are the same as yours," she explained.
Van's maroon eyes narrowed. "What?"
Hitomi released his arm. "If you don't repair Escaflowne, your battle wounds," she looked at his shoulder, then continued, "will never heal. The pact you made with him, you should be fearful of it."
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Hitomi woke from a confusing dream, the edges of it clinging to her consciousness. A pair of gold and silver cat-women stood in Palas' harbour, admiring the waves. The golden cat-woman looked back from the ocean and told her to go find him. Then the harbour faded away, the waking world coming into focus. Hitomi heard Celena mutter something in her sleep, the blonde rolling over in her cot. Candlelight touched the doorway from the hall. She rubbed the grit from her eyes. They were perfect strangers to her, the cat-women. Who they referred to, she could not say.
Haggard footsteps pulled her attention to the hall. She sat up from her cot, blanket falling to her waist. A shadow fell across the candlelight, the footsteps ceasing with a muffled cry. Pulling the blanket off her small form, she stepped across the room and into the hall. Van knelt before her, fists balled against the wooden floorboards. He panted hoarsely, arms shaking. She crouched down to his level and slowly extended a hand out to him.
"I couldn't take anymore," he said without looking up. Sweat dripped off his chin. His breathing slowed, eyes on the floor. "I did what I could, but, the pain."
His shoulder was unbandaged, dried blood matting the area. Bruises and scrapes remained on the remainder of his body, Hitomi noted as she retracted her hand. "You have to be careful," she said quietly. "Escaflowne is dangerous."
He pushed himself up with a groan, legs curled underneath him. "But without him, what strength do I have? I have to keep fighting or else..." He looked away.
"You will find a way," she replied.
Van smiled, eyes to the wall. He pressed his palms against his legs. "Escaflowne trapped me," he began, "during the fight."
"I know."
"I couldn't find my way back. Everywhere I looked, darkness barred my path," he told her, expression softening. "Until I heard your voice. Then, he let me go. I don't know how, but," he continued, gaze travelling to her startled green eyes, "you found me and pulled me back. At great risk to yourself."
Hitomi stood and offered a hand to the dark-haired youth. "I will escort you to your room. You don't look like you could make it on your own."
Frowning, he accepted her hand. His hand was warm and tacky against hers. She helped him to his feet. Standing close to him, they walked down the hall. When they reached his cabin, he turned to her. "Again I am in your debt." He did not appear pleased with the idea, his mouth pinched. "Good-night, Hitomi."
She wanted to tell him that he did not owe her anything. She wanted to remind him that he had broke her fall once, and had saved her from Ziabach devils. There was no need for such debt between them. The words stuck to her mouth, moving no further. "Good-night, Van."
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Princess Eries awaited her sister's arrival, hands poised in front of her, shoulders back. The approaching carriage stopped at the palace entrance with a clatter and the shuffling of hoofs. Her younger sister stepped out onto the cobblestone road, accepting the hand of an attendant. She pushed her blonde curls over a shoulder, hand straightening her clothing, black pants and a light rose blouse. Dryden emerged from the carriage behind her. He looked up at Eries and nudged his bride-to-be. Millerna's hands fell to her sides as she greeted her kin, "Hello, sister."
"Millerna," Princess Eries said cooly. She nodded to her sister's companion. "It's good to finally see you again, Dryden."
"It's been quite some time, hasn't it?" Dryden replied, then added, "How is King Aston?"
"Come, we can discuss matters as we walk. He has been eagerly waiting for you to arrive. It was kind of you to send a messenger ahead."
They walked together, keeping up with Eries' curt pace. Dryden discussed the state of affairs with the eldest princess, true to her promise. Ziabach had made a move on Freid's territory while maintaining their posts on Asturia's borders. Eries explained that their army was stretched thin of late, having to defend the Ziabach/Asturia border and the occupied Fanalia/Asturia border. They also had to prepare for potential attacks from the air and sea. King Aston fell ill shortly after Ziabach's first attack on Palas. Fortunately, Ziabach pulled back after the battle, but they still held firm to Asturia's borders. With the state of the country and its king, Asturians all but rioted at the news that Millerna Sara Aston, future Queen of Asturia, was missing. Princess Eries was not able to keep the absence of the younger princess a secret for long. The members of the household staff have always been prone to gossip. Eries kept the matter quiet for as long as she could. She expressed relief when she told Dryden how she discovered clues to her sister's location.
Millerna remained silent, even as they stopped in front of the door to her father's chambers. It seemed to be business as usual for Eries. In King Aston's stead, she managed the country with the help of the council and contained the discord caused by both the impending war against Ziabach and Millerna's disappearance. The perfect role for the perfect princess.
"Please Dryden, go on ahead. He wishes to speak with you first." Princess Eries gestured to the door with a gloved hand.
"Thank-you," Dryden replied before following a palace servant through the doorway.
Millerna held back a sigh. The remaining servants in the hallway dispersed, leaving the sisters alone. She looked at her older sister carefully, taking in her straight blonde hair and humourless expression. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, only to be stopped by Eries' icy stare.
"Don't," she said, taking a step towards Millerna. "I do not wish to hear your excuses or your sorrows."
"Sister," Millerna replied as Eries gripped her shoulders.
"Do you have any idea what your disappearance did to me? Any idea at all?" she asked, a slight tremble to her voice. "I could have lost you, Millerna. Then what would I have done?" Tears bit at the corners of her blue eyes.
"I'm sorry," Millerna said, pulling her sister into an embrace. Eries softened into Millerna's hold, her arms wrapping around her sister's waist in turn.
"I'm glad that you have returned home," Eries replied, voices crackling. She closed her eyes, still holding onto the one person she missed while her country quaked. Her sister.
Dryden soon emerged, inviting the siblings into King Aston's chambers. Millerna approached her father's sickbed with a stiff demeanour, ready to defend herself. When she finally neared him, all notions fell to the wayside. His normally plump cheeks were now gaunt, the pallor of his skin shocking her. He beckoned her with a hand. She took one last step forward, her hand reaching for his. He looked up at his daughter, his hand firmly encircling hers.
"Millerna, my health is failing," he said dryly. "I wish to move your marriage to Dryden Fassa forward quickly. Ziabach could make a move on us any day now." He had always been painfully blunt, even on the best of days, but in the moment, the absence of fondness was jarring.
She forgot about reprimanding him for not sending troops to Freid in their time of need. She forgot about telling him to make Eries his heir, despite her utter refusal to marry. She forgot it all as she looked down at him with lavender eyes. "Yes, father," she said.
"I will arrange it," Eries added, from her post at the end of his bed. Millerna shut her eyes after her sister's words, noting with dread that Eries had returned to her monotonous self.
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AN:
Sorry about the wait everyone. I hope you enjoyed. The next chapter is in the works, meaning that I am plotting it out. Hopefully it won't take me as long as this one did.
Tblaze- Thank-you for your support, as always. Hopefully you enjoyed. There is more to come! I promise!
Footnote: I wanted to mention that I have no idea where the countries in Gaea are in relation to each other. There is a map out there, I saw it once upon a time, but I have no intention to seek it out at this time. If you notice any discrepancies with where I've said the borders lie in this particular story, whether in past chapters or future chapters, please let me know. I will be grateful to you.
As always, please read and review. Reviews keep me going. Thank-you for reading and following. Until next time.
Lest we forget.