Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness Falls ❯ Chapter 7: The Prophecy ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7~~The Prophecy

Author's Note:

Caerné: So many reviews. I love sarcasm. It's so fun.

Mdnite Prncez: **sigh** So much fun indeed.

Caerné: Anyways, Feye Morgan, this chappie should answer a whole bunch of insistent questions and demands. In theory, anyway.

Mdnite Prncez: Yeah, we love you and more people should follow your example and review. It makes us really happy. And it makes us work faster too.

Caerné: I can think of some times where it doesn't.

Mdnite Prncez: Yeah, well now is not one of them. So hush. Zippa da lippa. We don't want a repeat of last time do we?

Caerné: **smiles and pulls out a pillow from behind her back** Ha! Give me your worst! I am ready for round two!

Mdnite Prncez: **sigh** Just read the chappie, peeps. Now, as for you. We still need to talk about you putting up those un-cleared chapters.

Caerné: Un-cleared? I am co-author! I can put them up too!

Mdnite Prncez: Grrrrr! Fine! Just don't do it again.

Caerné: **stupid grin** Okay! Stop reading this and read the chapter!

Mdnite Prncez: And review too… pretty please with a cherry and caramel on top.

Caerné: Yes, review damnit so MP will stop whining.

Warning: This chapter contains some rather graphic scenes in the beginning.

Gaea~~Three years later

He stumbled forward tripping over those who had fallen before him. He clutched his stomach, trying to hold in what was left of it. Before him, a man no older than 18 sliced through yet another of his comrades. Black blood dripped from the end of his katana and clung to his armor. His blood red eyes shone with glee as he eviscerated yet another foe. His platinum hair fell in clumps, soaked with sweat and spattered with blood. His sword cut through another, removing the creature's arm and then its screaming head. More blood sprayed the man but he didn't seem to notice. He had moved on. An angered and fierce cry rose from the watcher's twisted lips as the red-eyed devil slaughtered yet another of his comrades. He raised his bulky and ill-sculpted sword and charged. The man saw him coming and turned to face him with a devilish smirk.

"I've been waiting," he said, his voice rising and falling in a singsong cadence. The creature came closer and readied to strike. The man smiled. Like lightening, he severed the creature's arm that had held his scimitar. The creature screamed in pain. The man laughed and slowly drew his katana along the creature's throat. Black blood spilled out as the creature fell to the ground. The man stood over the creature, enjoying every moment as the blood slowly drained form its mutilated body and gave its last ragged gasp of life.

"Dilandau-baka! Stop playing around! We still have more over here!" a raven-haired man yelled out from across the body-littered clearing. Five snarling creatures were attacking him and he was hard pressed to hold them back. A few feet away, more men fought creatures of their own.

"Aw, is poor Van-sama having trouble?" Dilandau said with a gleeful smirk.

"Oh, shut-up and help me, damnit!" Van cried out as he ducked a well-placed blow that if had been successful would have made him a few inches shorter.

Dilandau laughed and charged at the creatures. He took one's head off and quickly sliced another's stomach open, spilling its intestines over the muddy ground. He slit its throat and left it to die. Van had finished off all but one of the creatures and was working on the one that was still alive. The lone survivor dropped to its knees and began to beg for its pathetic life. Van was startled by the creature's sudden change and paused.

Dilandau raised his sword and slashed through the creature's throat. Blood spattered onto both men, adding to the sticky collection. "What are the chances that ugly thing wouldn't come back and kill us?" he paused. "I'd say zero." He finished off.

He turned and viewed the clearing before him. Bodies covered almost every inch of the muddy soil. Black slimy goo covered all that was once green. The rest of the men were finishing off the few creatures left.

"Time to do some cleaning," Dilandau smiled sinisterly. This was perhaps his favorite part of the battle besides the killing, the bloodshed, and the death. The other men had already begun to drag the bodies into a large pile. A man with long blond hair glided up to the two with another man, who had short ruffled black hair, sauntering up close behind.

"I see you two are still alive," the blonde said.

"Obviously! You know, Blondie, you're good at stating the obvious," Dilandau sneered. The blonde could get on his nerves just by breathing. He couldn't stand the thought they were remotely related and preferred not to think about it.

"What's wrong, Dilandau-san? Not kill enough of them?" the blonde snapped back as he flipped his hair behind his shoulder.

"By the Gods! Why must I be related to such a Pansy? Why?" Dilandau groaned, as he looked towards the two moons hangings silkily above. Shaking his balled up fists at the heavens, he gave a frustrated cry and stalked off toward the waiting pile.

"Why do you do that, Allen-kun? He's not fully stable as is," Van asked in disapproving tone. Shaking his head at the older man Van spoke again. "You're still bitter, aren't you? It's been 3 years! Give it up. She's gone."

"You can give up hope, Van-kun. I can't afford to. I wouldn't have much else to live for if I gave up on my hope," Allen replied coldly. Van shrugged and watched as Dilandau lit the bodies on fire and stood mesmerized by the flickering flames. "Gaddes-kun?"

"Yeah, Boss?" the black-haired man answered.

"Go and check on all the wounded and the dead. I want a full body count," Allen ordered.

"Sure, Boss." Gaddes turned and walked toward where the wounded men were being treated.

"She's not in there, is she, Van-kun?" Allen asked softly as he watched Dilandau.

Van shrugged. He didn't know but he suspected Serena was gone when it had first happened.

"I know I should give up, but I…," he stuttered as he put his head in his hands. "I just can't. I don't know why, but I feel she's out there somewhere and if I look hard enough, I'll find her."

Van patted Allen on the shoulder; it was the only way he knew how to comfort the depressed man. He knew what it was like to be away from the one you care about more than anything else in the world but he at least knew she was alive. He knew his Hitomi was alive. She was living her life to the fullest of her capabilities. She was with family and friends, laughing and smiling. Van looked up towards the Mystic Moon; Earth was what she had called it, her home.

'Hitomi-chan…how are you now? I still remember everything about you. Your smile, the way you laughed, the way your hair shines in the morning sun, the way your lips looked so kissable when you smiled at me, how your voice sounded like a chorus of birds in song…'

"Oh, dear Gods! Dilandau-baka, don't hurt him!" Allen cried out as he ran towards the silver haired man who happened to be beating the snot out of one of his men.

Hearing the blonde shout brought Van out of his fond memories.

"Allen-kun, what's wrong?" he asked as he was brought back to reality. Following the fading voice Van saw the knight dart off towards the insane pyromaniac and his commander Gaddes.

"I should have known," he muttered to himself and the wind, as he shook his head in denial. He then followed to knight to see what all the commotion was about. Upon arrival, he found Gaddes rolling on the ground in hysterical laughter. Dilandau stood with his arms crossed over his chest near a crumpled up figure of one of Allen's other men, Rezo. Allen was yelling at the silver haired pyro, flailing his arms around. Van glanced at the silent blood loving man. Dilandau was looking at Van with a smile tugging slyly at the corner of his mouth. One more glance at each other then to the flailing tornado and both Van and Dilandau busted up laughing. This caused Gaddes who had already been laughing hysterically to laugh even harder, and Allen who had been the one that was being laughed at, to cross his arms over his chest and puff up like a spoiled child who didn't get what he wanted while he stuck his nose in the air.

After the laughter subsided and the flames from the burning bodies had died down into a small smoldering mass, they gathered themselves up. They then helped bring the wounded back to the palace where they met up with King Dryden Fassa of Asturia and Prince Folken Fanel of Fanelia, older brother to King Van.

"I assume the battle went well," Dryden said as the group of four walked into the conference room.

"Yes, the battle went well, not too many of our men were killed, many however were injured. But for a battle of the circumstances we had found ourselves in, I would say that it went very well," Van announced.

"I see," Dryden began. "Well, I have good news and bad news. Good news on the home front as well as news on what it as you had just fought."

"What is this good news you speak of?" Allen asked his king.

"Well, first of all Millerna is with child. There will soon be an heir for Asturia," he said with a giant smile on his unshaven face.

"Congratulations!" Gaddes said bringing himself into the conversation.

"Arigatou," Dryden responded.

"What this other good new you speak of?" Dilandau asked to bring the situation back to where he thought it should go.

"We have discovered what exactly you were all fighting as well as where they come from. In addition to that, we also found a prophecy on how to get rid of the so called uglies," Folken said as he set the book he had been reading down to answer the former member of Ziabach's question.

"Alright, go on," Dilandau demanded.

"Well, to begin with the creatures are called orcs. They come from Middle Earth, which is the un-traveled area on Gaea to the west of Fanelia. The land that they come from specifically is called Mordor. There are other countries in Middle Earth and it holds more power and magic than anything known on Gaea. There is a story about Middle Earth written by a Bilbo Baggins. It tells of an ancient evil named Sauron. He sought the ring of power with which he created and lost. The ring could be used to rule over all," Folken said.

"A fellow ship of nine: an elf, a dwarf, two men, an Istari, and four creatures called hobbits was created. They set out for their journey but it broke for reasons we do not have time to explain and two hobbits were left to destroy the ring. The King of Gondor, who was among the fellowship, returned home to led his people to victory. The hobbit named Frodo Baggins destroyed the ring and Sauron was defeated," Dryden said summarizing a five hundred-page book.

Folken nodded and continued, "But an evil in Mordor has risen again and he is after conquest once again. This time, he does not need a ring to rule and we cannot defeat him."

He paused for a second and then went on, "However, there are people who can. There is a prophecy that tells us who can help us. The prophecy is as follows…

'Day turns to night

Yet the moon shadowed from light

Three slayers shall cure all

The Seeress

The Empathic

The Power

Three shall restore the land

And the sun will shine again'

This prophecy tells us that we need to find the slayers; they would be the only ones able to rid our planet of these orcs. Not mentioned in the prophecy, but mentioned in another book was the slayers are from the Mystic Moon, which we because of Lady Hitomi, we know it as Earth," Folken finished.

"What's a slayer?" Gaddes asked.

"The slayers are the Chosen Ones. They are sent to the world to live and die protecting those who cannot protect themselves. They fight against vampires, demons, and apocalypses. They are always women. Why, I do not know. I do not know how they are chosen. No one does, in fact. Or at least, no where is it written how," Dryden finished as he slammed the book he was holding shut.

"What's a vampire?" Dilandau asked.

"A vampire is a human that has been turned into a blood-sucking demon. They are created by other vampires draining the victim's blood and the victim drinks the blood of the vampire," Folken explained.

"That's disgusting!" Merle cried out, revealing her hiding spot behind a dark pillar.

"Merle-chan!" Van cried out. "You're not supposed to be here."

"You can't keep me away from matters of importance, Van-sama," Merle said, coming out to join the group. Van sighed, there was just no convincing this cat-girl.

"I have a question!" Merle said, excitedly. "Where are the slayers?"

Folken smiled. "As far as I can tell, they're located wherever the Hellmouth can be found. It used to be in a place called Sunnydale, California. But it moved for reasons unknown to Merideth, California."

"Hitomi's in Merideth!" Van stated. "I went to get her 6 months ago and she was gone. Her friend Yukari said her family sent her to California to live with her cousin soon after she came back from Gaea three years ago. She also said that Hitomi hasn't contacted her family since she left even though they've tried to reach her. They're letters always come back unopened."

"So, what does this all mean?" Allen asked with confusion clearly written in his large blue orbs.

"It means we have to go to that blasted planet in the sky, you moron," Dilandau said as if it was the clearest thing to understand.

"Yes, Dilandau-san is correct, Van-kun you will have to use Hitomi's pendant and send a few representatives to the Mystic Moon and return with these slayers." Dryden said.

"When do we leave, Oniichan?" Van asked his older brother Folken.

"You leave in two days. Be ready," Folken said.

"Who's going, besides me and Van-sama?" Merle asked.

Van sighed but knew it was useless to try and talk her out of it. "Folken, Dilandau, Allen, and Gaddes are coming with us, since I assume Dryden will be returning to Asturia and Millerna, right?"

Dryden nodded and bid the group goodnight since he would be leaving in the morning. None of the others protested.

"We leave in two days," Van repeated. The others left the conference room to go their separate ways. Dilandau went to his room to brood and drink another bottle of vino before passing out on his bed. Merle went off to bed as did Gaddes and Allen. Van felt fatigued but he knew he couldn't sleep, not while Hitomi was in Merideth and he couldn't be sure she was safe. He wandered to his favorite place when he needed to think, the roof. He sat there staring at moon and its sister wondering where she was and what she was doing. He stayed there until the sun came up and he could barely walk because of exhaustion. He wandered to his bed and dreamt of the one person that had filled his thoughts for the past 3 years.

Daybreak brought nervousness and anticipation for the next day at midnight. The day went by fast and it wasn't till nightfall that Merle could see her love. She met him in one of the gardens that had just recently been rebuilt. Under the shade of a massive and protective willow tree, she sat with him. He was a cat like Merle. He had tan fur with black stripes and white on his chest and muzzle. He had gleaming blue eyes with gold flecks. Merle smiled lovingly at him.

"I leave tomorrow," she purred into his green tunic.

"I know, love," he said as he stroked her hair. "Be careful and come back to me."

"You know I will. I couldn't leave you, Damon," she whispered as he held her closer.

"I worry. That place is cursed. I don't want you getting hurt." He kissed her lightly on her head, rubbing her back.

"I know. But we have to go! Gaea depends on us," she said as she looked into his eyes. "Besides we need to bring Hitomi back with us. Van has been getting more and more depressed lately and I don't know how much longer he'll last with out her."

"And I can't bear the thought of being with out you, but I suppose I'll live." He shifted a little and stared into Merle's eyes, smiling. "I suppose sacrifices must be made."

He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. Merle responded by leaning forward into the kiss. She slowly began to apply pressure to her lover's lips. Damon took the tender moment one-step farther and he nibbled on her bottom lip asking for permission. She gave in to Damon's request and opened her mouth slightly. Her mouth was soon invaded by his soft, probing tongue. Unable to resist she let out a low moan as she felt something rub her thigh. The thick fur of Damon's tail softly brushed up and down against her leg. The passionate moment was soon ended by the pesky need for oxygen. Merle smiled at Damon as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Don't ever leave me after this Merle-koi, I'd die if you ever left me. I'd kill myself if you ever disappeared. Aishiteru, Merle-chan," He whispered to her huskily.

"Aishiteru, Damon-koi," she whispered back to the cat-man she loved with all her heart.

The two broke apart for the night and returned to their respective rooms. Both slept well that night knowing that the other was safe.

Morning dawned and the tension and anxiety of those making the trip to the cursed moon increased. They were all restless and kept getting in each others way. The time seemed to crawl along like a snail, leaving a slimy trail of boredom, aggravation, and nervousness. Soon it was time to leave to the departure point. It had been decided that they would leave in the forest where it would be less likely any of the citizens would see them leave and mistake it for a demonic omen.

They all arrived at the departure point and Van pulled out the pendant Hitomi had entrusted to him. He looked at the pendant and then brought it up to his lips giving it a small kiss before he sent a prayer to the powers to be.

"Please bring us to Merideth, brings us to the slayers and bring us to Hitomi," he begged.

Closing his eyes he concentrated as Hitomi had taught him so long ago. He smiled as he remembered her. The blue light shot down out of the sky and engulfed them all. It lifted all six off the ground and whisked them into the sky. The light disappeared and nothing remained of the six who once stood in the clearing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Earth*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~

Hitomi sat on her bed. Papers, books, and notebooks lay open and strewn around her. Her last final was tomorrow and graduation was the day after.

"Argh! I hate history! Why did I choose this freakin' class?" Hitomi cried out to no one in particular.

"Because Alex was, that's why," Hitomi replied to her own question. The two had found that they had a lot in common and had become as close as sisters. But so came the competitive nature. Both were on a never-ending quest to out do the other at something, whether it be the attentions of boys, grades, or slaying. The competition never ceased. Serena opted out of the competition but chose to remain on the sidelines as a referee. Even as good of friends as they were, slips can still happen and somebody had to be there to break them-up before too much blood was spilled.

"Me and my competitive nature." Hitomi got up off the bed and strode over to her dresser where her stereo sat. She turned on the radio to a local college radio station and noticed the wooden box she had placed and forgotten about. A thin layer of dust covered the top of everything on the dresser except the box. Hitomi failed to notice this and lightly ran her fingertips over the carved angel wings. Hitomi gasped in surprise and pulled her hand away as the box emitted a faint white glow. The glow got brighter and brighter until it drowned out the form of the box. A sudden, final burst of light filled the room and then vanished. The keyhole that had disappeared so long ago was back. Hitomi reached out to turn the key and open the box, but then realized the key wasn't there. She picked up the box and shoved it unceremoniously into her backpack. She grabbed her keys and helmet and then raced out the door for her dark blue Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle with bag in tow.

"Willow, please still be at the shop," she thought aloud. She raced through the streets, ignoring stop signs and blowing through red lights. Twice, she nearly became another statistic. Twice, she somehow forced her motorcycle out of danger by gunning it or quick maneuvering. She arrived at Willow's shop in half the time it would normally take her. She parked her motorcycle and ran inside.

"Willow! Willow, are you here?" Hitomi ran to the back room, throwing open the door, and running into Serena, knocking her to the floor.

"Holy, Schnickys! Where's the fire?" Serena said as she got up and dusted herself off.

"Where's Willow?" Hitomi asked, ignoring the question.

"I am right here. What's wrong?" Willow asked as she appeared in the doorway.

"You know the box I showed you?"

"The one with the pretty carvings? Yeah, What about it?" Willow said as she carried a cardboard shipping box with supplies and potion ingredients to the front of the store.

"Well, it started to glow and it got brighter and brighter. The light exploded then disappeared and the keyhole was back. I didn't know what to do, so I came here and brought it with me," Hitomi finished. She pulled the box out of her bag and handed it to Willow. Willow took the box and traced her finger over the keyhole.

"No key? Strange," Willow whispered to herself. "I wonder…"

She shook her head and placed the box on the table they used for late night information hunting. "I don't know. Maybe it means something's coming."

"What's coming?" Alex asked. Hitomi jumped in surprise being that she already was a little anxious by the events of that afternoon.

"What's wrong with you, Tommy Girl?" Alex asked.

"Nothing. Just the box I got in Japan has it's keyhole back." Hitomi motioned toward the table where the box sat.

Alex went to the box and picked it up to examine it. She froze with it in her hands and a distant void spread across her face. "He's coming."

Author's Note (The Rematch)-

Caerné: Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't hurt us. The LotR explanation was short, but if we went into detail explaining all three books and the Hobbit, that would take forever and I don't have the attention---Hey, all! Review!

Mdnite Prncez: Yeah, review. We'll work on her attention span later. >mumbles to self< Not bloody likely that there is going to be a success there though.

Caerné: What was that?

Mdnite Prncez: Nothing. Anyway, review. Or I'll sick Caerné on you and not only is her bark nasty but she has a mean bite too. <Mumbles to self again> Damn, she didn't have to bite me so hard.

Caerné: Yeah, so review. Bye, all!

Mdnite Prncez: Ja Ne Minna-chan!