Vision of Escaflowne:
Silent Attack

Chapter Nine - Draconian's Pledge

Van concentrated on the black objects that were approaching rapidly, alerted to his presence.  His Escaflowne's rocket engine had taken him here at the most a few seconds.  As he approached, he slowed down his speed and stifled a gasp at the Crusade, who was limping in the air with a deep wound to its side like an animal being carved up.  Van saw Allen battling in the air with the other guymelefs, trying to keep them away from his beloved ship.  He noted that Allen had made improvements to his guymelef, enabling it to fly in the air.  He also noted that the Peridians' guymelefs were air combat capable, which meant he had to go air on air.

"All right then," Van grimly muttered to himself as he pulled slightly on one of Escaflowne's levers and out dropped his sword.  He let himself immerse in the battle, not so much as to damage himself like he did when he had merged with his Escaflowne, but enough so that he could control the dragon's actions.

Van set his jaw and dived after a guymelef that was making passes against the injured ship.  He brought his claw up, the one that held his sword, and sliced the unsuspecting guymelef in half, killing the soldier inside.  He then swooped up and soared high into the air, the night thermals lifting him clear up into the air.  He flew into the path of the moon's light then dived down again, this time clipping a guymelef on the head and he tightened his claw and sailed upwards again-with the guymelef struggling beneath his grip.

Van dropped the lone guymelef hard onto the ground, damaging it, but not destroying it.  I'll come back later and we will have someone to answer to our questions, Van thought as he swooped back down again for another kill.  He suddenly felt something prickle on the back of his neck and glanced up to see two guymelefs, plunging down at a rapid rate dropping like stones at him.  He struggled to stabilize himself as the guymelefs grabbed his wings, forcing him down.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a lone guymelef approach the gaping wound where to his dismay he saw East, Hitomi, and Merle hanging on for their lives.  "No!" Van cried out as he saw the guymelef hit the ship hard, rocking it and Hitomi lost her grip and begun a plunge downward into the abyss.  "Hitomi!" Van yelled as he tried to get his dragon out of the grip of his captors but he glanced up to his only escape route and saw sharp liquid metal claws, ready to cut him up if he did anything.  "Hitomi!" Van cried out again, this time in desperation as he saw that he wasn't able to do anything to save the girl he loved.

Then he saw her…the Draconian.

                                    *                      *                      *

Joy filled her as she saw Van arrive on Escaflowne.  Hitomi watched as he made air raided kills by diving like a falcon or eagle for its kill then soar high up again, ready for his next kill.  But on his third try she watched as two enemy guymelefs pounce on him, trapping him within their barricade.  The ship then rocked and she felt her grip on Merle's hand slip.

Hitomi cried out as she felt herself fall, a long free fall.  "Help!" she cried out and she heard Merle's anguished cry.  She saw Allen, struggling to get away from his captors as they tried to distract him.  She saw Escaflowne, struggling like an animal, Van desperately trying for some way to abandon his guymelef and to jump after her to save her.

Then she saw her…the Draconian, no East Rali, a warrior of the Atlantis, plunging down after her.  She saw her blue-white wings erupt from her back, and a vision flashed as East reached down to her.

Two young girls stood together in the face of Atlantis burning.  One had gray hair with red eyes, while the other had shimmery light blue hair and hauntingly dark blue eyes.  The girl with red eyes had yellow-white wings, while the dark blue-eyed girl had light blue-white wings.  A small boy was between them, the crest of the kingdom of Fanelia written in the stars.

"East…" Hitomi trailed off as East grabbed her hand, then reached out and enfolded her in a protective embrace.  She felt herself rising again the soft flap of East's wings sending out bits of bluish-silvery feathers.  She watched as East flew towards where Merle had a shocked look written all over her face.  East knelt down and picked her up.  Hitomi watched as she flew towards one of the spots on the Crusade and they set down gently, dropping her and Merle to the floor as she straightened again, her tall imposing form told anyone that saw her that she wasn’t messing around.

Hitomi stifled a cry as she saw the enemy guymelefs leave Van and Allen and came towards her, ready to kill her.  "Van…Allen," Hitomi watched as both the Scherazade and Escaflowne limped towards them, still ready to fight.

"Stop," East held up a hand and everyone stopped, including Van and Allen.  "Do you know who you are messing with?"

"Yeah, the bitch that King Abira messes around with…stupid Draconian bitch," one of the guymelefs replied, a young voice, no more than his late teens Hitomi assumed.

"I am Lieutenant-Delmi East Rali, daughter of Caeli, heir to the Atlantis throne.  This is one bitch you don't want to mess with," East said in a very deadly quiet voice that spoke volumes.  Hitomi noted that East's wings were flickering in a gesture that suggested anger and someone who was not in the mood to joke.

"Says who," the same Peridian guymelef replied.

"Die," East shot back and Hitomi recoiled a bit as she saw East's eyes flare up with intense power and some kind of energy ball shot out of her hand and towards the guymelef, promptly blowing it up.  Hitomi saw the other enemy guymelefs retreat a few feet, aware at their opponent.

"Return to your master, Princess Scina.  Tell her that I issue a challenge and will be ready to face her at the Wandering Earth when the dark creatures move," East commanded and Hitomi watched as the enemy guymelefs meekly flew away.

The ship suddenly rocked as the Crusade flew up and towards a flat plain then landed none too gently.  Hitomi glanced up at East, a newfound respect for the girl, or woman, or whatever she was.

                                    *                      *                      *

Van couldn't believe his eyes as he saw East take out a single guymelef with whatever the bright object she threw at him.  He landed his Escaflowne gently onto the ground then ran a swift check to see if it received any damages.  Thankfully none were too serious.  Hopping down from his perch he ran towards the Crusade, where East was flying down with Hitomi and Merle in her arms.

As soon as they set foot onto the ground Van ran over and embraced Hitomi, hugging her tightly.  "I'm sorry…" he whispered into her ear, "I couldn't save you."

"Its okay Van…I love you," Hitomi replied and Van nodded then released her just as Merle jumped her way into his arms and licked him on the cheek like she always used to do.

"Are you guys okay?" Van asked, as Merle released him the stood next to him.  He glanced over to see Allen walking towards them, the rest of the crew milling behind him, all of them eyeing East carefully.

"Yes, we're fine, East saved us," Hitomi replied and Van turned his gaze to the Draconian.  She looked regal and held an aura of power and loyalty around her.

"Thank you East," Van replied, then glanced at Allen who had cleared his throat.

"East…" Allen started then trailed off.

"Yes, Knight of Caeli, you were honored in my father's name," East replied and Van saw shock written over the knight's face.

"King Van de Fanel," East suddenly addressed him and Van raised an eyebrow as East bowed down to him, her wings forming a cloak of sorts around her black bodysuit, "I lied about something…I am your blood relation, I am part of your Draconian blood.  I am your mother's sister.  Now I ask of you; let me serve Fanelia and serve you as your knight."

Van stood there, rooted with shock. This warrior was part of his bloodline?  She was an heir to Atlantis?  She was his…aunt?  He blinked a bit, trying to keep his composure in light of the recent events.  First there was the Wandering Earth problem, then the problem with Chamber's betrayal, then the Peridians, and now, this, a long lost relative.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Allen and most of the crew of the Crusade blink a bit, still wary of the Draconian warrior.  He darted a swift glance to Hitomi and Merle and saw that both of them had passive looks.  Looking past Hitomi and Merle he saw Gyei in the shadows near the gaping hole in the Crusade; his knight nodded an assurance to him.  Returning his gaze to East who was still bowed before him he cleared his throat softly, "Lieutenant-Delmi East Rali…if you wish to become a knight of Fanelia, then stand up follow your king unto death."

He watched with solemn eyes as East stood up, loyalty and pride in her eyes.  She saluted him in a way that he had never seen before but felt familiar with it.

"The Draconian salute…" Gyei whispered loudly, and Van glanced at him.  He saw distrust and wariness in his most loyal knight's eyes and realized that Gyei didn't know that he was a Draconian also.  He would have to talk to him later before they moved out.

Van nodded his assent to East then turned to Allen, "We'll need to repair the Crusade as fast as we can, before the Peridians decide to send along a task force to decimate us."

"The crew can handle the repairs, but we'll need to get a message to Asturia, maybe even Freid," Allen replied, one of his white gloved hands resting on his chin.

"No…not Freid," Van murmured then turned to face Allen, "Allen, can you swiftly get a message to Asturia once the Crusade is repaired?  Tell them to prepare their forces.  I have a feeling that the Wandering Earth is just about ready to become active, and if it is enemy guymelefs the Wandering Earth is spitting out, then I don't want Asturia to fall defenseless and unprepared."

"What about you?" Allen asked.

"I'll take Escaflowne, and head to Fanelia.  Hopefully I can get the situation with Chambers under control and meet you near the Wandering Earth.  We must stop this at all costs.  We can't let Gaia be dragged into another war," Van explained.

Allen nodded and Van turned to Hitomi and Merle.  "I need you two to stay with Allen-"

"No way!" Merle and Hitomi both protested at the same time.

Van shook his head; "I can't have you two getting hurt in the midst of all this.  Chambers might be dangerous and who knows if he has an army raised against Fanelia.  If anything happens…"

He trailed off as he watched the two women he loved with all his heart, one as a sister, and the other as his true love, looked subdued at his unfinished words.  He realized that they understood his dilemma, they understood him more than he gave them credit for.

"Please…Van…be careful.  I sense something very wrong within Fanelia," Hitomi warned, then stopped as Gaddes approached with a harried look on his face.

"Boss, bad news.  First, the Crusade took some deep hits, and we can't repair it without Asturia's facilities and a whole lot of money.  Second," Gaddes hesitated for a minute then plowed on, "we've got a big problem…really big."

Van frown grew deeper as he heard Gaddes' report.

                                    *                      *                      *

Allen sighed softly as a light breeze blew over him, ruffling his long blonde hair.  He tucked a few strands away from his eyes and leaned against the hull of what was once his precious Crusade.  The ship had served well with him for over 8 years, and now, it had to meet a fate like this.

He had taken Gaddes' advice into consideration for sacking the ship for anything vital and building something small out of the parts that would be able to fly to Asturia to rally up an army.  And now, the Crusade looked like an animal with no skin, just bones…one of his hands tightened into a fist as he glanced up at the clear night sky.  It had taken his men a day to rebuild something small…something that would be able to transport his men, Hitomi, and Merle.

"Boss?" Gaddes' voice interrupted his musings and he turned around to face his second-in-command.  "Preparations have been completed…um…what do you want to call this ship?"

Allen gazed back at the stars and noticed the faint glow of the Mystic Moon in the half-moon sky.  "Mystic Moon," he replied a bit forlornly then glanced back at Gaddes, "tell the others to get aboard.  We'll need the fastest speed to Asturia, so we can help Van when he arrives at the Wandering Earth."

"Yes sir," Gaddes replied then headed off in the direction of their new ship, half the size of the Crusade, but still equipped with the speed of the former ship.

Allen walked towards his new ship, the Mystic Moon, which had barely enough room to fit his Scherazade within, then stopped for a second and glanced back at the husk of the Crusade.  "So long…old friend," he whispered to his former ship before turning back around and walking towards the Mystic Moon.  He knew that Van had already gone ahead, and if everything were okay with his kingdom, then they would rendezvous with the Asturian Army near the Wandering Earth to stop this new evil.

                                    *                      *                      *

East sat near the tail-backbone of the dragon-mode Escaflowne, trying to hard to avoid Gyei's constant gaze at her.  Ever since she had revealed herself as a Draconian, he had regarded her with suspicion, but the odd thing was that Gyei didn't regard Van with the same suspicion, leaving her with puzzlement over the matter.  She furrowed her brow and stared silently at a part of Escaflowne's tail, the wind whipping her light blue hair behind her.  It was the twisted history that made Draconians evil, but it was also the twisted Draconians themselves that made history speak for itself.

She closed her eyes to meditate, and immediately fell into a trance-like state.  Breathing evenly, she felt her psychic world expand deep into her own past.  It was something she didn't like to do, but she knew, somehow, it was vital in the near future.

"Brother…why do you have to go?  You know that they hate us," she said, as her only family left was her older brother, since her sister had married off to the Kingdom of Fanelia.

"I'm sorry East…but I have to try to reason with them, even if I have to sell my soul to the Darkness that consumes them.  Please try to understand East," her brother replied, his long light blue hair blowing against the wind on which the hill they stood upon was being ravaged by a freak storm.

"Brother…no, don't!  I can see-"

"East!" her brother cut her off sharply, "don't tell me what to do!  Your prophecies are just mere child's play!  I can see my own future and I don't care if the Darkness consumes me!  I can't let them see us like devils anymore.  We aren't the devils that our people were.  We've repented!"  With that, he ran off, leaving her in the harsh wind and rain, thunder rumbling overhead.

"Brother!" East shouted against the howling wind then quieted as her brother's lanky form vanished into the distance.  "Have we really repented…" she whispered monotonously.

East snapped out of her trance as she felt the Escaflowne touch down in front of the Palace of Fanelia.  She hopped off and the back of her skin immediately prickled with a sense of danger.  It was a trap…and Van had fallen straight into it, she could sense it.  She had to warn him to get out before…

"Milord-" she started before a soft mellow voice interrupted her.

"Welcome back Lord Van, we've been expecting you," the mellow voice greeted.

East suddenly found her throat all dry and she couldn't utter a single word as she stared at the man, standing in front of the doors to the Palace, a feral smile on his lips.

A man with light blue hair like her…"Brother."

                                    *                      *                      *

"Milord!  A ship approaches from the southern banks near Perid quadrant!  It looks to be like the Crusade!" a page burst into the throne room where Dryden and Millernia were sitting in, hearing a report made by one of their scouts they sent to the Wandering Earth.

Millernia immediately stood up, "The Crusade?"  Her heart leapt with joy and relief with the news.  They were safe…they had made it back from the Wandering Earth and didn't even get hurt.

"Yes your highness…shall I tell them to come to you?"

"No that won't be necessary, we need to talk to them.  Both of you are dismissed," Dryden suddenly spoke up, then took his wife's hand and led her from the throne room, towards the docking yard where the Crusade was supposed to land.

When they arrived Millernia didn't see the Crusade…she saw a small ship almost like the Crusade, except-

"King Dryden, Queen Millernia," Allen greeted as he stepped off from the small ship, bowing down.

Millernia noticed that Allen looked haggard, and exhausted.  Beyond him she could see that the rest of his crew looked just about the same.  Hitomi and Merle also looked beat.  Had they gone into battle with the darkness spreading across the Wandering Earth?

"Your Highness," Allen addressed Dryden, "we need to raise an army to go against the Peridians and the darkness coming out of the Wandering Earth.  Van has already gone back to Fanelia to stop a coup d'etat lead by Chambers, one of his advisors.  When he is done suppressing it, he will meet us by the Wandering Earth with his army."

"The Peridians?  They've attacked?" Millernia gasped in surprise.  The war had begun again and she couldn't prevent it.

Allen nodded gravely, "The Peridians are somehow connected to the Wandering Earth; I don't know how, but Hitomi said she had an inkling.  They attacked us without warning when we were returning to Asturia…" he trailed off as Dryden and Millernia looked slightly confused and realized that they didn't know the whole story.

"Your Highnesses, we were about to return to you when we discovered that Chambers was going to start a coup, and went to Perid to find Van.  When we had got there, Van was just about to leave and we had started to piece together the complicated puzzle the King of Perid had given us when they started to attack without warning.  The Crusade-" Hitomi shot a glance at Allen and saw that he didn't have any expression on his face, "the Crusade was destroyed in the process and we got here as soon as we could by salvaging the parts, forming the sister ship, the Mystic Moon."

"Oh Allen…I'm so sorry about your ship…" Millernia commented softly then stepped back slightly as Dryden made a noise in the back of his throat.

"We can't worry about the ship now…we have to prepare for an assault on the Peridians and gather a force that is great enough to repel the threat at the Wandering Earth," Dryden spoke curtly, but Allen heard a hint of compassion in the King's voice.  "Allen Schezar…will you lead this army?"

"As my lord commands, I will," Allen replied, bowing a bit then glanced at Hitomi and Merle who were standing a bit off to the side.  "Hitomi, Merle," he addressed the two girls, no, women, "you two will stay with the Queen.  I can't have you going into battle…and I think Van would agree with me."

"Allen…" Allen saw fire blazing within Hitomi's eyes and recoiled a bit, "I will go with you.  Van will need my help and…" she looked a bit worried, "I don't want any of my visions to come true if I'm not there to prevent it."

"I'm going too Allen.  You can't make me stay," Merle chimed in and Allen sighed then turned back to Dryden and Millernia for help.  He cared for the two of them, Hitomi especially and he didn't want them hurt or anything.

"Merle and Hitomi can stay with me when we attack.  I will need their assistance to treat the wounded during the battle," Millernia said and Allen's eyes widened a few inches.  She was going into the battle also?  Did Dryden allow it?  He shot a quick look at Dryden and saw that indeed he didn't allow it, but Allen knew that Dryden would always have a few people around to spirit his wife away if any sort of danger arose during the battle.

"I…understand," Allen said after a few minutes of pause then faced Dryden and saluted with his sword, "As a Knight of Caeli, I will defeat this evil that is amassing."

                                    *                      *                      *

Chapter Ten - Blood Calls to Blood

Van frowned as he heard East whisper "Brother…" to the man with blue hair…who in actuality looked a lot like her.  Which could have meant that Letkus Astian, one of his advisors, was her brother and his…uncle?  He shook his head slightly.  This was getting out of hand…

"My Lord, you are back from your journey early.  Did any of the other kingdoms want to ally with us?" Letkus asked, his mellow voice composed and calm.  Too calm for Van's liking as he walked up towards Letkus then past him as he entered into his castle and made a beeline to the Council room where he suspected all of the Council members would be waiting for him.  Chambers' rebellion had gone too far.

He sensed that East and Gyei were following him and felt hatred pouring off of East, directed at Letkus.  If Letkus was her brother…and his uncle…he didn't show any sign of it.

Van narrowed his eyes as he walked, no he was stalking by now, towards the wooden doors to the Council room and pushed it open, letting the doors slam into the walls as he saw all eleven Council members sitting in their seats…with the exception of Chambers.  Wait…his mind started to register that the Council members weren’t the ones the peasants elected…  His eyes narrowed into slits as he saw Chambers sitting at the head of the table, languidly swirling around a glass of wine as he was talking to a few of the senators next to him.  That seat was supposed to be his…the royal seat…

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Letkus take his seat and signal Chambers.

"Ah…King Van.  So good to see that you are well and back from your journey," Chambers started in a smooth voice, and Van noticed that his eyes seemed to be hungry…hungry for what?

"Chambers what is the meaning of this?" Van started, trying to control his anger as his right hand clenched into a fist.

"Why Lord Van…the meaning of what?" Chambers feigned innocence then let loose a wicked grin that he did not like, "you see…my Lord, you have lost power and favor during your absence-"

"You instigated a rebellion behind my back Chambers.  You and the Peridians are overthrowing Fanelia.  For what?  For conquest?  For your own gain?" Van shot back, his rage now controlling him, but he didn't care.  He had worked hard to rebuild his country and now some fool would come and take that from him?  "Guards…arrest Gerowyn Chambers on the charges of treason, rebellion, and injustice," Van commanded in a loud voice.

No one made a move.

Van looked around and saw that some of the guards remained where they were while others had smirks on their faces.  He realized that Chambers killed all of his loyal guards and replaced them with his own Peridian guards, people that were loyal to Chambers only.

"You see Lord Van…you've lost power," Chambers sneered then waved a hand at the guards, "arrest the King and his two knights."

Van put a hand to the pommel of his sword but didn't draw it out.  He caught Gyei's eye and shook his head as the guards loyal to Chambers surrounded them, their swords drawn and ready to use if necessary.

"Take them to the dungeons," Chambers ordered.

"Leave the girl here," Letkus suddenly spoke up and Van gave a sideways look at East.  She looked about ready to explode with anger, but Van shook his head.  You have to be calm…he thought silently, hoping that with her powers she would be able to read what he thought.

"King Van…" Chambers suddenly called out as they were being led out, "do you know why I took over Fanelia?"

Van just only glared at him.

"For Escaflowne, my dear King."

                                    *                      *                      *

East watched with wary eyes as Van and Gyei were led out then glanced back to where the twelve Council members were sitting, all who were leering at her, except her brother and Chambers.  She knew that she could easily kill all the guards in the room and maybe some of the senators but she would have to be wary of her brother.

"Guards and Council members, leave us," Chambers suddenly ordered and East saw that some of them hesitated, but then complied with the order.

She watched as they all filed out, some grumbling in the process.  When the doors shut behind them she shot her glare back at Chambers and her brother.  "What do you want," she seethed as she tried to break the chains the guards had put on her before them left.

"Don't bother East, you won't be able to get them off," her brother said, rising out of his seat and walking towards her.  "They're made of a special metal that I found in the remnants of Atlantis."

"You've turned traitor Alseides Caeli," East said sadly, looking deep into her brother's eyes to see if anything of her brother remained instead of the cool look she got.

"Alseides Caeli is dead.  I am now Letkus Astian," her brother said in an icy cool voice then suddenly grabbed her by the chin and lifted her up slightly.

East felt her air supply cut off and she struggled silently, all the while glaring at the demon that was her brother.  She felt inner rage building within her and channeled that power to her hands, which were bounded together.

"So pretty…yet so vulnerable," Letkus purred and East intensified her glare.

"You are a demon.  Alseides Caeli would never-"

"He is dead.  As will you be," Letkus replied and started to squeeze her neck.

East saw white spots that turned gray then black and she struggled within his vise-like grasp.  She had to get out.  She had to stop her brother from causing any more damage to the kingdom of Fanelia.  Suddenly, East had a vision…

There were two conquerors of Gaia…she could see their faces so clearly now.  Scina Abira was the female conqueror and her brother, no…the Traitor was the male conqueror.

East shook her head slightly as the vision ended and she felt her hands tearing apart the bonds that held her tight.  They suddenly broke and East flipped herself from Letkus' grasp, kicking him in the chest in the process.

She landed lightly then glanced up at Letkus whose face was a mask of fury.

"You little bitch…" he seethed then charged at her, his sword drawn.

East ducked underneath a swipe and kicked him in the groin area then back flipped to a wall where a few swords where hanging for decoration purposes.  East pulled one out and held it in an en guarde position, her feet drawn back, her stance ready and poised for any attack.

She parried an attack that would have taken her head off and retaliated with a lighting quick kick.  Before the kick was finished she thrusted with one hand, aiming her sword for Letkus' right arm and managed to draw a long gash before she rolled out of the way.

She stopped as she crouched lightly on the balls of her feet, and watched him warily as he examined the wound then turned his glare on her.  East narrowed her eyes as she saw that his eyes were a glowing blue color.  He was going to power into his ki-battle mode and she knew that he was very dangerous when in that mode.

She held up her sword and watched as he ran towards her, one hand held out a white ki-ball forming.  He shot the ki-ball at her and East powered up her own, intercepting his with a fiery explosion.  She suddenly held up her sword as Letkus took advantage of the explosion and slashed at her.

East ducked and parried then flipped onto a wall and spread open her wings as she took flight into the high ceiling of the Council room.  She fired two ki-balls at Letkus who was still on the ground and watched as they impacted where he was.

"You fight very well…still haven't lost that touch since we last talked," he suddenly spoke from behind and she spun around surprised.

She watched with horrified eyes as Letkus slammed a ki-ball into her chest, sending her to the ground.  The last thing she saw was her brother's evil, twisted face, laughing at her.  Then all was black as she fell into unconsciousness.

                                    *                      *                      *

Chambers watched the battle going on with earnest interest.  She was a beauty to behold, even prettier than the Princess of Perid was.  East Rali…he rolled the name around his head.  It was a weird name, but why did that matter since she was so sensual, and a terrific fighter, he shrugged slightly.

She was perfect, in his opinion, perfect to be his queen when he ruled Fanelia.  Now they've only need to convince her, and he had a feeling that it wouldn't be too hard.  Her brother was already doing quick work on his fighting skills to break her and he only need to brainwash her.

He smiled as she was knocked out and snapped a finger to a guard that had hid in the shadows.  "Get the other prisoners and bring them to me outside the castle."

The guard nodded and Chambers watched as Letkus resheathed his sword and sat down at the other end of the Council table.  He watched his second-in-command with an appraising eye.  "You're still the same with your combat skills…but fighting your sister, I didn't think you had the guts to do it," he tried not to meet his fiery blue-glowing gaze.

"Alseides Caeli is dead.  I'm not fighting my sister; I am just fighting a ghost that should be dead," Letkus said in a calm controlled voice as his eyes returned to their normal color.

Chambers nodded sagely then stood up and motioned to a guard to pick up East Rali's limp body.  "Take her outside along with the other prisoners.  We will demonstrate the might of the kingdom of Perid with Escaflowne as a present to me."

"Sire," the guard replied then picked up the warrior's limp body and left the room.

Chambers turned back to Letkus, "You are of blood with the King, I presume."

"Sire," Letkus nodded curtly as he stood up, now the cool and composed council member that had supported him for a long time.

"I've heard that Dilandau, when the Zaibach Empire was still alive, tried to activate Escaflowne and wasn't successful.  Then Lord Folken Strategos tried and was successful.  Later, it was revealed that only people of blood to the Fanel line are able to activate Escaflowne-"

"And you want me to, since the others might not be so willing," Letkus finished for him then laughed lightly, "do not concern yourself my friend.  King Van and I share the same blood.  Fanelia will have a new ruler…you."

Chambers nodded then swished his cloak around him as he walked out of the council room, an evil smile on his face.  Now with King Van as his prisoner, Escaflowne his, he would be able to conquer Perid and then the whole planet.

                                    *                      *                      *

Van sat on a wooden bench that was a bit rotten, his head hung low.  How could he have been so foolish?  Walking in there and demanding that Chambers return the throne to him when he didn't think about his loyal followers being wiped out already.  If only…he sighed irritably and clenched his hands into fists.

"You are of a special bloodline, my Lord.  The Draconians are smart, and very good at escaping," Gyei suddenly spoke up across from Van and he glanced up to see his knight, looking at him.

"Don't forget, I'm half human," Van snorted lightly then looked at Gyei, his head tilted a bit, "how did you know I was Draconian?"

"I knew since your mother gave birth to you.  But I had turned a blind eye on it because of the rumors.  When East arrived, I recognized her from her similarity to your mother.  I knew then and there that my soul was sold to become your knight and protect you from making mistakes like your ancestors did," Gyei replied softly and Van nodded fractionally.

"Then…why hostility-"

"It wasn't hostility, milord.  I apologize.  It was unease.  Your mother was serene and pure, unlike the other Draconians…but East…she seemed to be like the hostile Draconians and I was suspicious of her," Gyei rubbed his brow, a sign that he was embarrassed, "but now…she is a knight like me.  And all knights have their own code, regardless of their backgrounds or past actions."

Van nodded as he remembered Balgus teaching him the Knight's Code when he was younger.  He opened his mouth to speak when the clomping footsteps of a guard coming towards their cell stopped him.  He watched as the guard unlocked the cell door and then gruffly pointed a sword at them.

"Move it.  Lord Chambers wants to see you guys," the guard ordered and Van slowly got up, glaring at the guard.

He walked out, sensing Gyei behind him, ready to defend him if anything happened.  As he walked past the guard, Van gave a long look at the guard and saw slight hints of sorrow within the guard's eyes and realized that Chambers had killed the guard's family just to turn him.

"Peace," Van whispered softly to the guard that had opened their cell door before catching another guard's eye who motioned them to follow him.

                                    *                      *                      *

Hitomi glanced through the viewport of the ship, Mystic Moon, watching as the ground whizzed by them.  Allen was headed towards Fanelia to see if Van was able to scrounge up an army while the rest of the fleet, commanded by Dryden was headed towards the Wandering Earth.  She felt that something was wrong but couldn't pinpoint it.  She had a feeling that they were wrong about the male conqueror and she didn’t know who it was.

"Hitomi?" Merle's voice spoke up beside her and she jumped slightly in surprise.

"Merle…you scared me," she replied then saw that the cat-girl looked anxious, "what's wrong?"

"I'm worried about Lord Van.  I know that East and Gyei will protect him, but…"

Hitomi enfolded the cat-girl in a hug, "Don't worry Merle.  Have faith in Van.  If it comforts you, I'm also worried, but I try to follow my instincts, and they tell me that Van will be all right."

"Thanks Hitomi," Merle replied as Hitomi let go of her then glanced once more out of the viewport.

She suddenly felt a tightening of her heart and doubled over in pain as flashes of a black thing whizzed before her eyes.  There was something familiar about the black thing, yet it was so foreign…and evil.

Hitomi barely heard the concerned voices of Millernia, Allen and Merle as she clutched her head, trying not to give into the pain.  In the midst of it, she saw Escaflowne, one white…the other black.  Van! She silently cried out in desperation.

                                    *                      *                      *

Van watched with narrowed eyes as he stood in front of his Escaflowne, which was surrounded by heavily armed guards.  Peasants and crowds of people gathered around, some hushed some crying, some silent.  He and Gyei were forced to kneel and watch as first a guard came out with an unconscious East and threw her next to them…then Letkus came out, his two clawed arms raised outward in a pose of victory.  Now…Van gritted his teeth in anger as Chambers came out himself.

"Traitor," he growled as Chambers passed by then felt a stinging blow to his right temple as Chambers hit him with the pommel of his sword…the royal sword that he had taken from him when they were escorted to the cells.

"My Lord!" Gyei said, looking at him in concern as he struggled against his bonds.

"Its all right Gyei," Van replied tersely as he felt something drip down the side of his face and tasted a bit of a coppery taste in his mouth.  Blood…he thought silently as Chambers walked on then stopped as he approached Escaflowne.  He handed the royal sword to a guard who accepted it with shaking hands.

"For those in oppression, today is a great day!  Escaflowne will now become the symbol of Perid.  No more of oppression by the Fanel line.  And in celebration of this," Chambers gestured widely with a hand towards the dormant Escaflowne which was in its standing-mode, "Escaflowne will be opened and a new ruler will take over."

Van watched the crowd…some of them seemed to fear Chambers, while others were angry.  He realized that Chambers didn't have full control of Fanelia, and most of the peasants were loyal to him and opposed Chambers' tyranny.

"No!  Brother don't!" East suddenly shouted as she pulled against her restraints.

Van watched with horrified eyes as Letkus walked up some stairs and towards Escaflowne's drag-energist heart.  He realized what Letkus was going to do.  "Don't!  You'll kill yourself!" he shouted, hoping to at least knock some sense into Chambers' subordinate, but found his words unable to reach his ears.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion as he saw Letkus placing his hand on Escaflowne's drag-energist heart.  Energy splayed out in different directions as Escaflowne began to glow.  He felt a gnawing pain erupt around his heart…then suddenly become full-blown.  Time sped up and Van collapsed onto the ground, his hands clawing at his heart as he felt like it was being squeezed so hard that it would burst.  The pain spread all over his body and he felt phantom fires racing up and down his veins, trying to tear him apart.  He vaguely noticed that some of the guards were racing to help him, East and Gyei unbounded and kneeling over him.  His vision was hazy as the pain intensified and he tasted a copper liquid in his mouth.  I'm bleeding…internally…he realized as he felt his connection to Escaflowne being split apart…into two.

The pain suddenly lessened and Van found his throat raw and realized that he had screamed his pain out.  But he didn't care.  He focused on keeping his breathing even and noticed the concerned shouts from his knights and some of the guards that had abandoned their posts.

"Lord Van!"

"My King!"

"Milord!"

"Lord Van, are you all right?"

Van pushed away their concerns and stood up on shaky legs as he tried to steady his haggard breathing.  He felt dizzy, but managed to stand on his feet then glanced up and his eyes widened a few inches in shock.

There were two Escaflownes.

One pure white.  One liquid black.

One good.  One evil.

                                    *                      *                      *

East also watched with horrified eyes as two Escaflownes stood next to each other.  She realized that the evil within her brother…no, just like he said, Alseides was dead.  The devil that was formerly her brother had created the Black Escaflowne, the evil version of Escaflowne that was part of the Ispano guymelef.

She stood up slowly and watched as Letkus walked towards Chambers, a smug look on his face.  She balled a hand into a fist and glanced around, trying to see if there was anything she could do to stop that madman.  She knew that some of the guards were loyal to King Van, but they were few in numbers and the guards that were holding her weapons and also Gyei's and Van's swords were loyal to Perid and Chambers.  Damn…not good, she thought silently as she felt Van getting up, with obvious pain, behind her.

"Milord.  Don't move; you're injured," East held up a hand to stop him.  She knew the terrible affects his internal wounds were when merging with an Ispano guymelef…it had happened to her father before he died from it.

"Its nothing I can handle.  Move out of the way, East," Van's voice sounded weak, but East heard determination within that weak voice and complied.

"Lord Van!" Gyei whispered out in concern.

"Leave him, Gyei.  He is a warrior and a brave king.  We'll need to support him as back cover," she replied, then suddenly glanced around as the peasants started to clear out.  She grinned slightly as Allen came flying down from the Mystic Moon, his Scherazade ready for battle.  Impeccable timing as always, Knight of Caeli, she thought wiry as her grin faltered and she glanced back to where Van was standing, glaring at both Chambers and Letkus.

                                    *                      *                      *

Out of the corner of his eyes, Van saw the Scherazade, landing near the two Escaflownes, its sword drawn out and ready to take down any guymelefs.  "Surrender now Chambers," Allen ordered.

Van turned his gaze back on Chambers who had a look of contempt on his face.  He didn't trust whatever Chambers had up his sleeve…plus he was still weak by Escaflowne's cloning.  It was as if there were two different forces pulling at his soul and mind, trying to defeat each other for control of him.

"Why, Allen Schezar…you are in no position to issue that order," Chambers drawled lightly, "I am king now."

"No you aren't, Chambers," Van replied curtly then stepped forward and stared down as much as he could since Chambers was a bit taller than him, "you are a traitor, a spy, and a murderer.  You kill so many people of Fanelia that you dare call yourself a king of the people?"

"Its what all conquerors do," Chambers shrugged then smiled evilly at Van, "and it's now that my conquest is complete."

Van saw a glint of metal in Chambers' hand then watched as it flew from his hand and towards him.  He knew that in his weakened state, he wouldn't be able to move fast enough, and even if he spread his wings out, he still wouldn't get off the ground as fast as someone like East would.

Suddenly a dark shadow stepped in front of Van and he heard the sickening stab of a sword into flesh.  In a flash, Van realized that Gyei had stepped in front of him to take the blow, and now the sword point was completely through his back.  Gyei…Van thought as he watched with horror filled eyes as his knight fell to the ground, the sword's hilt stuck through his chest.

It was then that the peasants and soldiers surged upon the platform they were on, all bent on getting revenge for their country being forcefully taken away.  But Van didn't care as he knelt down next to Gyei, who had placed one hand on the hilt of the sword, a calm expression on his face.  His breath was coming in ragged, and Van noticed that his eyes were slightly glazed over, a sign that he was going to die.

"Gyei…" Van grasped his knight, his friend's hand that was on the hilt.

"Its okay Lord Van…I knew that this day was going to come soon…" he smiled a bit, a trickle of blood flowing from his mouth, "I just didn't know it was going…to happen so soon."  He coughed a bit as he laughed, then hissed in pain.

"Gyei, don't-" Van swallowed past a painful lump rising in his throat.  Gyei was his knight, his protector, and his friend since Balgus had died so long ago.

"Don't worry…my King.  Just," Gyei struggled with his words and Van could feel through his hand holding onto Gyei's that he was weakening…fast, "just…try to stay alive.  H-…Hitomi…needs you…"

Van watched with blurry eyes as he saw Gyei smile then close his eyes.  A small rattling breath escaped his lips and he felt Gyei's hand in his go limp.  Van let go and watched as the hand fell limply to the ground.  Gyei…thank you my friend…he thought silently as he stared at Gyei's calm face, a face of death.  He didn't even care about the commotion around him as guards, soldiers, peasants, and even a few of Chambers' loyal guards rushed to arrest Chambers.

Gyei was dead…and someone would pay for it.

                                    *                      *                      *

Hitomi watched from the viewport of the Mystic Moon as Gyei was talking to Van, all the while a pool of blood forming around him.  She suddenly felt as if her heart had constricted and she glanced around wildly as the room suddenly became dark.

She watched as the Death card spun around a few times then dissolved forming a moving picture.  She saw a raging battlefield with guymelefs parts strewn about along with human ones.  Fires blazed through the area consuming everything.  Then suddenly a liquid shadow moved into the view followed by another…

Hitomi suddenly snapped out of her trance as she took another look down where Gyei was laying and felt his life force drain away with her abilities.  The Death card…that's what it meant…someone would die, and a liquid shadow…  She glanced quickly to where the Black Escaflowne was standing…no, it had turned into a dragon, a black, liquid-like dragon and was flying away at top speed, but…

"No!  East!  It will kill you!" Hitomi shouted vainly as she watched East fly towards the liquid Black Escaflowne.

                                    *                      *                      *

East faintly heard Hitomi's warning as she flew towards the Black Escaflowne, where her brother was flying it, in dragon-mode.  She flicked her wings and rose higher, catching a night-thermal that sent her soaring up and far.  As she rose above the Black Escaflowne, East held out a hand and shot off two ki balls down where Letkus was piloting.

"Not good enough dear sister!" Letkus looked at her then held up a hand and fired off a ki-disk and East tipped her wings to avoid the energy disk.  She then folded her wings close to her and dived down at Letkus, her eyes focused on Black Escaflowne's head and the controls for controlling it in dragon-mode.

"You are getting slow and weak, East Rali!  Die!" Letkus shouted and East glanced behind her to see one of Black Escaflowne's claws suddenly merge into a liquid form of metal then change into a net.  She tried to pull out of her dive, but it was too late.

East saw the liquid black net fall on top of her then the net covered her eyes and everything turned black.  She felt a pulse through the liquid thing and realized that it was part of the Wandering Earth problem…and it was going to squeeze her until her bones were crushed and she was dead.  She struggled within its deadly grasp and tried to free a hand out so she could fire a ki-blast, but the thing kept squeezing her like a predator snake-dragon in the woods of Asturia.

"NO!!" she yelled as she could feel her life force draining away…

                                    *                      *                      *

Allen narrowed his eyes as he slashed downward with his sword, cutting the black liquid net that was holding East.  He caught her limp form in his left hand then glanced up as the Black Escaflowne flew high above and away…

"No!  Let me go!" East stirred in his hand as he flew down and gently set her to the ground then popped open the hatch to his Scherazade and hopped out.  He ran over to the Atlantean knight and shook her shoulder.

"East…wake up," Allen shook her a bit.  He watched as her eyes fluttered open and recoiled slightly as they were a fiery glowing red color.  "What the…"

"I have to go back," East suddenly sat up, her voice set and angry.

"No," Allen said forcefully as he placed a gloved hand on her shoulder, and turned the red glowing eyes towards him.  He had never seen such a thing like that, and frowned.  How did her dark blue eyes suddenly turn a fiery red all of the sudden?  And who was that person that she was chasing in Black Escaflowne?

"Please move, Allen Schezar.  I am a Knight, not to be coddled by you or anyone else.  My brother must pay for his crimes of turning against my family," East replied and Allen's eyes widened a few centimeters in surprise.

Then that meant…Letkus Astian; the one that activated a double Escaflowne…was her brother?  He shook his head slightly; "He is your brother?"

"My brother is dead, Letkus Astian, the demon, now possesses my brother's body," East replied curtly, but Allen could see that her eyes were softening to their dark blue color.  She was beginning to regain control of her inner calm and he removed his hand from her shoulder.  He watched as she wiped a few of the liquid black thing from her clothes and arms and realized that even though she was a tough nut to crack…there were still times where she was a vulnerable girl…no, woman.

"You're staring…might I ask what?" East spoke up and Allen blinked in surprise.  He cleared his throat and then glanced over to where Van stood, Hitomi comforting him.  Gyei's body was nowhere to be found…and neither was Merle.

Gyei…Allen thought with sadness…you were loyal to the end to your king…just like any other knight should.  Even though he didn't know Van's knight very well, he knew that in his own way, he was going to miss a fellow knight that had honored their Code with fulfilling the utmost sacrifice to a king.

                                    *                      *                      *

Hitomi felt safe and secure with Van's arms around her, but she also felt empty…she knew that Van must be suffering for Gyei's death, but she couldn't do a thing to help him.  I must be the rock that he anchors on…she thought to herself as she watched him looking around.  She noticed that the various peasants and soldiers were trudging up to him, some bleeding in places, others a triumphant look on their faces.  But where was Merle?  She knew that the cat-girl and Gyei had a special friendship and wondered if she had gone off to cry out her sorrow alone.

"King Van!  We've caught the traitor!" one of the peasants shouted and Hitomi let go of Van as he stepped forward to where Chambers was held by three heavily armed guards.

"Ha!  One insignificant king and his country…" Chambers sneered then spit at Van's feet and Hitomi watched with worry for Van's reaction.  She could feel his rage right now, but she reached deeper into his rage and felt pity for Chambers…a pity that he didn't really have when she first met him.  He had changed a whole lot, she realized, but he was still the Van she knew, except more mature.

"Milord!  What should we do with this traitor?" the same peasant asked, and Hitomi noticed that there was a hunger to kill in the peasant's eyes, along with some of the others in the crowd that was growing.

"Kill him!"

"Hang him!"

"Throw him to the brig!"

"Do to him what he would have done to us!"

She watched with growing dread as the crowd started to get rowdy and a few of the bolder peasants poked Chambers with sharp spears or pitchforks.  "No…they shouldn't be like this…" she whispered, horrified.

"Chambers must have been torturing them so badly when Van was gone…" Allen spoke up beside her and she glanced at him, surprised to see him supporting East who looked a bit weak, but was regaining her strength quickly.

"Stop it," Van suddenly spoke, his voice quiet, but it sounded like thunder through the crowd as they quieted down.  "Chambers isn't the only one that should pay…but we will not deal with him just yet.  His fate will be decided after we deal with the Wandering Earth.  Put him in the brig."

"But milord-" a few people protested and Van cut them off sharply with a chop of his hand.

"I know he killed my knight…your knight.  But we have to think things through.  But, if we don't stop the Black Escaflowne, who knows what might happen to Gaia…and Fanelia," Van replied and Hitomi watched as he looked at Chambers, "I feel pity for you, Chambers…pity that you followed your own ambitions.  And now…look at what has happened."

She saw him turn around and walk towards them, his eyes focused on a goal, but she sensed something was wrong…but elusive.  He turned around at the last moment and said in a loud clear voice, "Those that want to come with me to the Wandering Earth take over the Peridian-Fanelian guymelefs that Chambers brought with him.  We will stop this evil that is getting ready to spread."

Hitomi watched as the people of Fanelia cheered then some of them rushed off to the Peridian-Fanelian guymelefs that were on the sides of the platform they were on.  "Van…" she whispered as he walked past them, touching her briefly on the arm and giving her a faint smile.

"Don't worry Hitomi," he replied and Hitomi nodded, but she still sensed something wrong.  It suddenly hit her as she watched him climb up Escaflowne.  His breathing was erratic and there were signs of pain and suffering hidden deep in his eyes.  It was as if something was pulling him apart…

"No…its too dangerous for him," she whispered as she glanced at Escaflowne worriedly.  She knew that she was also connected to Escaflowne, but not as heavily as Van was…  Would it kill him?

"He'll survive, don't worry Hitomi," East placed a hand on her shoulder, "his soul is much stronger with you around."

Hitomi nodded numbly but she still couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom for the upcoming battle.

                                    *                      *                      *

Chapter Eleven - Revival of the Alseides/Black Escaflowne

East steadied her feet as gripped the side of Escaflowne's cockpit as Van flew it towards where the Wandering Earth collected in dragon-mode, a small fleet of Peridian-Fanelian guymelefs following behind them in air-attack mode.  The Mystic Moon flew beside them and she could faintly make out the image of Hitomi and Queen Millernia standing by the viewport.

Merle had not come along and she knew that Van didn't want to leave her behind, but he also knew that it was for the best not to get her involved into the upcoming battle.  East watched as Van piloted the Escaflowne with great skill, riding into the thermals that lifted the dragon higher into the sky and faster.  She had heard that Escaflowne could go into a turbo-charge mode, flying even faster, but she didn't know if it was possible with the Ispano guymelef cut in half.

Glancing at Hitomi who had pressed her hands against the glass of the Mystic Moon's viewport, she noticed a faint pink glow surrounding her.  That same pink glow was also coming from Escaflowne's drag-energist heart and Van's chest where he kept her pendant.  She realized that Hitomi was trying to heal Van through her abilities, trying to help him ease his pain and she smiled faintly.  They were perfect for each other and they showed it too, even though it was sometimes subtly.

There was once someone like Van for her, but he had died when the Draconians were persecuted and wiped out.  Marine loved the sea, and hence his name.  He was peaceful, not like the other war-faring Draconians and he had tamed her wild spirit.  It was him that first caught her, and quite by chance when she was younger, she tested out her wings and fell…

She snapped out of her trance as she felt something evil around her and realized that they were approaching where the Wandering Earth collected.  Marine was gone, but she would fulfill his promise…a promise that she would kill his murderer…

"Looks like trouble found us first,” Allen suddenly pulled up next to them in his Scherazade and East glanced out towards where the Wandering Earth was…a giant crater-hole in the ground where inky looking guymelefs were climbing out.

“Allen, tell your forces to try to hold off the front line guymelefs.  My men are few in number, so they’ll have to take a back guard.  Also, East, get to Hitomi and tell her to try to locate the source of darkness that is coming from the Wandering Earth.  If we could destroy that point, then maybe we can stop the evil from emerging,” Van ordered and East nodded.

“Yes milord,” she replied then spread open her wings and caught a night-thermal that shot her high above the Scherazade and Escaflowne.  She flew towards the Mystic Moon, which was hanging around the back of the Fanelian Army, ready to take in any injured.  Hitomi…she thought to the girl as she closed her eyes and concentrated.  She knew that she could send messages to others like herself through telepathic communication, but it was rare for her.  Hitomi…pinpoint the evil…we’ll need to destroy it.

She felt Hitomi’s reassurance and then opened her eyes…just in time as she saw a massive ki-ball flying towards her from the ground. East swerved around it and glanced down to where the ki-ball flew from and saw an evil looking guymelef with sharp spikes and black liquid dripping over it.  Scina…she thought to herself as she narrowed her eyes.  She drew out her sword, its serrated edge glistening dully in the full light of the Mystic Moon hanging overhead.

“Lets see if you are as good as Marine, East Caeli Rali!” Scina shouted to her and she gritted her teeth as the memories of the day Marine died came back to her, full force.

She saw the Princess standing above the dying body of Marine, a wicked grin on her face…Princess Scina’s sword plunged down upon his body, making him involuntarily jerk up and then down…East watched with horrified eyes as the Princess wiped blood from her sword then turn around and walk away.

She snapped out of the flashback as she tipped her wings and plunged straight down to where Scina stood, in her guymelef which she knew was named the Crosswind…one of the first Ispano guymelefs to be made.  “I am better than Marine…and I will avenge the death of my husband,” she whispered harshly as she pointed her sword downwards, plunging to the ground like a bullet.

                                    *                      *                      *

Van watched as East flew towards a liquid black guymelef, her sword drawn out.  He knew that she would be able to defend herself from a guymelef attack with her special powers…her abilities to fire a white energy ball.  He wondered if that was one of the powers Atlantis was able to give to the Draconians before they were wiped out.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck prickled and her shifted Escaflowne to the side as a black blur flew between him and the Scherazade.  “What the…” he faintly heard Allen comment then glanced up to see the Black Escaflowne, hovering above him, its form eclipsing the moonlight.

“Allen!  Take care of my men!  Tell them to hold the line!  I have some unfinished business to attend to,” Van yelled to Allen before taking Escaflowne into a dive.

He glanced behind him to see Black Escaflowne following him and turned the harness that allowed him to control Escaflowne in its dragon mode, reverting it back to its

‘melef form.  Van drew out his sword and held it in front of him, ready for battle as he saw the Black Escaflowne land in front of him, a few feet away, in its ‘melef form.

            “Why did you do it Astian?” he asked as he brought up his sword in a defensive position.

            “The Draconians have been persecuted to this day!  We must rise up and take back what was ours!  We are the creators of Gaia, we are the ones that should rule it!  It is you, a half breed that stands in our way!” Astian replied then yelled a battle cry and charged at him.

            Van barely blocked the force of the blow, and cranked him arms upward as he pushed Astian back.  He then ducked and slashed at his hip, determined to injure, but not kill one of his former advisors, his uncle, one of his own blood.  “It was because the Draconians destroyed everything.  That’s why they were persecuted,” he replied, gritting his teeth in pain as Astian scored a flesh wound on Escaflowne’s left arm.

            The gnawing pain in the back of his head suddenly exploded as he cut along Astian’s shoulder.  He realized that his connection with Escaflowne was also within Black Escaflowne and whatever damage he can do to Astian, was also done to himself, except double the amount since he was also bonded to Escaflowne.  I have to keep on fighting…I have to merge Escaflowne back together or else just destroy the two of them.  There can’t be a light and a dark…there has to be one or nothing, he realized as he stepped back a little and felt blood running from the corner of his mouth.

            At this rate, he knew that he would die from the double wounds he received from Black Escaflowne and Escaflowne, but he couldn’t back out of the battle mode now…not with himself bonded to his guymelef so deeply.  Deeper than when he was fighting the Peridian guymelefs that had attacked the Crusade.  He had gone back to the level of pain he once knew so long ago when he almost defeated Dilandau.

            “What’s the matter, King Van?  The pain too much?” Astian taunted then cut along Black Escaflowne’s arm and Van winced as fire spread through his own left arm.

            “Shut up,” he growled then charged at Astian, swinging his sword like a halberd.  He knew that he had to survive, for Hitomi’s sake…he couldn’t let Black Escaflowne’s connection with him get in the way.

                                                *                      *                      *

Allen jabbed the end of his sword into the stomach of one of the liquid guymelefs then pulled it out swiftly.  He watched with a disgusted eye as the guymelef disintegrated into a puddle then glanced at the others who were engaged in combat with the other liquid guymelefs.  So far, they were doing well, holding back the advancing force that was trying to pour out of the Wandering Earth, but Allen wondered if they would be able to hold on much longer.

When Van and East had left for their own battles, Allen had received word that some of the other kingdoms found out what was going on and decided to send some of their army in, trying to help Asturia and Fanelia.  He had taken charge and ordered all of them to hold the position around the Wandering Earth and not to let any of the evil black guymelefs out of the perimeter they had set around.

He glanced towards the mountains that were surrounding the Wandering Earth and saw the Mystic Moon, partially hidden between two peaks.  They didn’t seem to be receiving any damage and he breathed a sigh of relief.  He didn’t want to have to face Dryden or Van if their beloveds were injured in some way.  It would be tough to face two kings from different nations.

Speaking of Van…Allen thought then glanced towards the Wandering Earth where he saw Escaflowne battling the Black version of itself.  He noted that Escaflowne was faltering a bit and didn’t seem to hold up too well.  Was it because of the liquid evil that was coming out of the Wandering Earth?  No…he watched as Escaflowne faltered again under a sword swing that he knew Van could have easily blocked.  Suddenly the realization hit him like a storm…Van’s blood-bond with Escaflowne was within both the Escaflownes, not just the white one, but also within the black one.  He realized that everything Van did damage to the Black Escaflowne he was doing damage to himself.

Then why was he going on?  He knew that Van would want to protect his kingdom and Hitomi from any harm, but at the cost of his life?  He would do it…he almost did it before during the Gaia War three years ago, a voice in Allen’s head spoke and he nodded almost imperceptibly to himself.  He knew that he had to help Van…but how could he without injuring Black Escaflowne and ultimately, injuring the young king himself?

Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck prickled and he swung around and parried just in time as a group of liquid guymelefs charged from behind, all bent on take him down.  He flew high above them then dived down in a classic plunge of suicide; except he stopped cold as he hovered mere inches from the ground.  Looking up, he saw one of the guymelefs suddenly burst apart into two halves as it was sliced through from head to its watery feet.  Allen then spun around and brought his sword around to block an attack from his back.  He jammed his elbow at the face of the one of the guymelefs and smashed its faceplate in.

Allen froze has he heard the faint cry of a dying man inside of the guymelef’s faceplate that he had just smashed.  There were Gaians in there…he realized as he deactivated Scherazade’s floating ability and stepped back a little.  He frowned as he took a good look at his remained opponents.  They were hovering in the air like Zaibach’s guymelefs…the Peridians!  He realized that the Peridians were the ones covered in the liquid black things, and were somehow taken over by the evil aura the liquid gave off.

“This is Allen Schezar to attack fleet.  Do not destroy the guymelefs, only disable it.  There are soldiers in the guymelefs we’ve been fighting and we need to keep them alive,” he spoke into a general broadcast to the rest of the Gaian Army.

“What?  Are you sure-“

“Schezar!  What are you trying to do?”

“They’ll kill us!  We can’t show them any mercy!”

Allen shook his head even though he knew no one would be able to see him to that, “The main enemy is the liquid black thing that have been covering the Peridian guymelefs.  We can’t go around slaughtering soldiers like we did in the Gaia War those years ago.  Or have you forgotten about that ever since Zaibach had cast their Zone of Absolute Fortune on you.”

He heard silence on the open channels and smiled grimly as he knew he had struck a nerve within the soldiers.  The new soldiers that had taken up guymelef training knew about what had happen during the last few hours of the Gaia War, and the veterans were now reminded of the shame of their actions that had killed thousands of lives from different kingdoms.  Allen also felt a pang of shame since he knew that it was himself that had wanted to fight Van and he had let that cloud his senses…but he also knew that it was for justice as he was trying to protect his sister Celena.

It was also Hitomi who had saved the two of them from meeting their Makers and now he had to repay the debt that he had owed to her and Van…but how could he with Black Escaflowne’s blood-bond to Van?  He frowned as he gaze focused on the Mystic Moon.  Then suddenly the air around his second ship exploded into a bright blaze of blue-white fireworks.  No!  Millernia!  Hitomi!  Allen thought with anguish as he saw the Mystic Moon flying towards the gaping hold of the Wandering Earth at a rapid rate, its tail end burning up in flames.

“No!” Allen yelled then made a move to stop the ship.

That’s when they attacked.

                                    *                      *                      *

Hitomi could feel Van’s pain within her, even though it was faint.  She knew that she had a special connection with Escaflowne and with Van, but even this was too much.  The pain inside of her was like someone gnawing at her, occasionally hurting her, but just gnawing at her like a terrible cough that she couldn’t get out.

“Hitomi?  Can you help me bandage this patient?” Millernia called out, her voice a bit strained and Hitomi jumped at the sound of her voice.

“Oh…sorry Millernia,” she apologized then went over to where the Queen was and helped her.  She studied Millernia’s face and saw a haunted look on her face.  “What’s wrong?” Hitomi asked as she finished the last wrapping around and quickly tied the end into a knot.

“I’m…its nothing,” Millernia looked away for a few seconds then glanced back to her and Hitomi saw her eyes were tear streaked.  “I’m afraid, Hitomi.  I’m afraid that this evil is worst that Zaibach.  I mean, look at all the patients that have been shipped to the Mystic Moon…some of them I know.  Some of them were the best guymelef pilots around Gaia.  And right now-“

“You wonder if Allen is going to be next,” Hitomi finished for her then reached out and gripped her shoulder, “Allen won’t fall.  I’ll see to that.”  She gave the Queen a small smile then suddenly squeezed her eyes tightly closed and hissed a bit as she felt the pain explode again.  It was worst than the last one and she reached deep into it to feel where it came from.  Van…she silently pleaded as she saw that the pain was coming from Van’s left hip.  She saw a small river of blood flowing from an unknown source and within that blood the black liquid thing was also mingled within.

“No…” she hissed out loud then stumbled to her feet and cracked open an eye to watch the battle between Escaflowne and Black Escaflowne.  Indeed there was a massive gash along Black Escaflowne’s left hip and Escaflowne was now stumbling back…slightly disoriented.

“Hitomi!” Millernia’s voice seemed so far away as she retreated deep into herself.  She had to stop this evil…she had to take away this evil.  You can do it…a soft, but familiar voice echoed in her mind and she reached deep into her mind.  She felt a tendril of light; a warm bathing light that was in the deepest corners of her mind.  I have to let the light out, she thought to herself as she guided the tendril through the battlefield her mind’s eye watching the various slaughtering that was going on.  She saw a liquid guymelef being cut down by one of Cesario’s guymelefs and then that same guymelef decapitated by another of the liquid black guymelefs.

She tried to ignore what was going on in the battlefield and guided the tendril close to the Wandering Earth.  She felt the tendril hesitate, as it knew that this was a source of pure evil and it was very scared.  Don’t worry little one…she whispered in her mind to the tendril of light as she directed it towards Black Escaflowne and Escaflowne.  There is your target…Escaflowne will lend you its support…she whispered then watched with her mind’s eye as the tendril crept forward towards Black Escaflowne.

Suddenly the tendril slammed back into her mind and she felt dizzy.  The whole room aboard the Mystic Moon started to spin and she felt heat radiating around her.  The last thing she saw before collapsing was the black hole of the Wandering Earth rushing up to claim her within its grasp.

                                    *                      *                      *

East tipped her wings at an angle and dived towards Scina who was within the Crosswind.  “Die!” she yelled as she pointed her sword in a stance that she had learned a long time ago in ancient Japan, when Draconians were allowed there.  She was an expert at a right-handed sword fighting, but she preferred to use her left hand and this was her Shiki Air stance.

“You think a pathetic attack like the Shiki Gatotsu stance would work on me?” Scina’s echoey voice bounced from her faceplate as East dove out of the way of her Crosswind’s sword.  She caught the end of a dragon-wind and rose high above Scina’s ‘melef again.

“Marine taught me how to fight!  But you killed him…you bloodthirsty murderer!” East felt her voice choke up at the last part then angrily swiped at her tears and gripped her sword until her knuckles were white.  She was grateful that Van had stopped by the armory to pick up her belongings before they had set out to meet Allen Schezar and the crew of the Crusade.  The sword that she was holding belonged to her husband and it was made from the rare crystals only found at the bottom of the sea that once surrounded Atlantis.

“Oh…I’m so sorry,” Scina taunted and East narrowed her eyes fractionally.  She held up and hand and powered up a ki-ball that was a bright yellow orange color.  She shot it towards the Crosswind then dived towards it, folding her wings near her as she followed on the tail of her ki-ball that she had sent.  As the ki-ball impacted, Scina lifted up her left wing and banked towards the Crosswind’s unprotected neck.  She positioned her sword in an arc and then at the last moment fired up a ki-ball with her hand that was holding the sword and channeled it to the Crosswind’s neck.

East flew back as the resulting explosion nicked a deep gash in the left side of the Crosswind’s shoulder and neck.  She smiled grimly then turned at the sound of an explosion.  With horrified eyes, East watched as the Mystic Moon plunged from its hiding place behind the mountains and towards the gaping hole of the Wandering Earth.  She faint saw someone fall from the back of the Mystic Moon’s burning end and realized that it was Hitomi, somehow unconscious.  She immediately realized that her brother, in Black Escaflowne, had fired a ki-ball to destroy what the one thing Van held dear to him.

Hitomi must have been interfering and attempting to cut off Van’s connection with Black Escaflowne…she thought to herself as she tipped her wings towards the Wandering Earth.

“Will you?  Will you leave me?” Scina’s frozen cold voice suddenly spoke up and she looked behind her to see the Crosswind, its eyes mysteriously glowing red, holding up its wicked looking sword, “You are willing to leave an opponent behind your back.  If you do that, I’ll have to slice you up just like I did Marine.”

East tensed at her comment, feeling the familiar rage burning through her veins as she dug up the hatred that had been dwelling in her for a long time.

“Marine cried like a weakling that he was when I slowly killed him.  He was stupid and naïve enough to leave me for dead on that seashore.  I slowly killed him, watching as every drop of blood flowed into the sea…watching as his life slowly ebbed away.  He was a stupid fool…”

“Shut up you bitch,” East growled, as she turned towards Scina, aware that her rage had completely controlled her, but she didn’t care.  She knew that her eyes were glowing a red color, a sign that she was extremely angry and that her anger had completely consumed her.  “Just shut up and die,” she whispered in a deadly cold voice as she prepared her sword, the tips of her wings flickering in anger.  She yelled a war cry as she plunged down towards the Crosswind who seemed to have smiled in pleasure.  In the back of her mind she thought, I’m sorry Hitomi…but…miracles do happen.

“Finally I meet the real Lieutenant-Delmi East Caeli Rali,” Scina’s laugh was one of pure evil.