Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Behind Enemy Lines ❯ Life Goes On; Life Begins Anew ( Chapter 13 )

Behind Enemy Lines

By: rainjewel

Chapter Twelve: Life Goes On; Life Begins Anew

"…And there's a memory of a window

Looking through I see you

Searching for something

I could never give you

And there's someone who understands you

More than I do

A sadness I can't erase

All alone on your face..."

~ "God of Wine" by Third Eye Blind

~*~

Five days went by.

Van prowled the Fanelian Royal Grounds endlessly, waiting for Hitomi to wake up. He didn't eat, he didn't sleep, and he didn't speak to anyone. Wordlessly he stripped thorns from roses for Celena, watching her carefully to see any change in her behavior. He didn't see any, but Celena felt a change. Dilandau had simply disappeared. There was no presence, no subtle feeling, just an emptiness. It was as if he had never existed.

Merle played at being nursemaid. She was becoming increasingly interested in the medical field and spent her free time badgering the doctor with questions. Other than that, she perched at Hitomi's bedside or the window, watching Van pace. Occasionally he would pick a flower, rob it of its petals, and then crush the bloom underneath his boots.

Van never said a word. He cancelled all meetings, postponed the construction of a Fanelian military, and wouldn't speak to his advisors. However, he did write one letter. The addressee was Princess Millerna. Despite all the conceptions of the princess being flakier than a bowl of cereal, Van liked her…sometimes. Millerna did have brains, and she was a good confidant.

In his letter, Van had simply told Millerna that Allen and Gaddes had disappeared and the Schezar Manor had burned to the ground. He didn't worry about someone going to check out his makeshift graves, because Dilandau had revealed earlier that he had dug up the bodies and burned them too.

***

"You did what?"

"I wasn't satisfied with getting rid of Allen's possessions only. I had to get to the root of the problem."

"That's…that's horrible."

"Oh no, it was actually quite amusing. You should have seen how fast Allen went up in flames! He must have had about three pounds of hair spray in those golden locks of his. It was hysterical!"

"You are officially screwed up."

"And you wouldn't have me any other way, right?"

"I should have never said that. All you do is use it against me."

"Pigeon, stop bitching and come here and kiss me."

***

Van had stopped writing when he remembered that. Later, when he was able, he had returned to the letter and wrote that he was now taking care of Celena, who had somehow managed to escape the flames. Van had also told Millerna about Hitomi, and asked that she not reveal this information to anyone. Not until he sent word.

He had sent the letter a few days ago. Millerna still had yet to reply. Not that it really mattered to him.

It was the sixth day now, and Hitomi had been unconscious for almost a full week. The doctor said it was nothing, the girl was probably still in shock. Van didn't care how long Hitomi slept, just as long as she was all right. Though sometimes he told himself he didn't care. Van jumped back and forth from feeling elated and thoroughly pissed. Hitomi had put him through hell. But still…

He was walking through the garden, looking at some yellow daffodils, when the scream came.

"VAN-SAMA!" Merle cried. Van turned just in time to see the catgirl springing down from the balcony window and onto the grass, pounding the grass with her paws.

???

Van raised his eyebrows as the girl skidded to a stop a few feet in front of him.

Merle panted for a moment then said, "Hitomi's awake!"

He was running before she had finished.

As he reached the door, Van halted abruptly. Suddenly he felt weird. What was he going to say? What was he going to do once he crossed the threshold and saw Hitomi once more? What was she going to think of him? What did he think of her?

"Well come on, go in," Celena said. Van jumped and saw the golden girl a little to his left. He was still amazed with her spooky habit of sneaking up on people. He wondered if it was a little "Dilandau" residue, or if it was something she had known long before the kidnapping. Hadn't he known how to sneak around the castle to steal cookies from the kitchen and/or sneak into Folken's room late at night, simply to be comforted by his big brother's deep, sleepy breathing?

"What should I say?" Van asked Celena, his voice hoarse and raspy. It was the first time he had spoken in days.

"How am I supposed to know? I've never met her," Celena replied. Van smiled, but was troubled. Celena was sometimes so mature he felt he was living with his mother, but at other times he swore a three-year-old had more sense than the girl did.

Oh well. I'll dwell on that later. There's no point in standing out here like a big lump of lard. Besides, he furrowed his brows, I shouldn't have to worry about what to say to her. She's the one who broke it off with me. I'm the one whose made the sacrifices.

Resolute, Van pulled open the door and stepped inside, letting it swing shut on its own. He stood there in silence, shaking with nervousness and rage while begging Hitomi to say something. He looked at the floor.

"Van?" Hitomi asked. Her voice sounded just as he remembered it. Van breathed in, trying to capture her scent. Sandalwood and rain; the same as well.

He still didn't reply.

"Van, look at me," Hitomi pleaded. "What's wrong?"

"Why," Van shuddered, "Why have you come back?"

He looked up, accusing. Hitomi was sitting up with a blanket loosely draped on her shoulders. She was wearing one of Celena's nightdresses. It was too big. Her hair was a little longer, but nothing too noticeable. Her eyes were shocked by his expression. Van fought to hold his anger.

"I…I realized I loved you," she answered.

"I thought you realized that here on Gaea," Van asked. His tone was abrasive, but his anger was ebbing. It took too much to sustain a good rage.

"Van," Hitomi said, "Don't be like this. I hate this tough attitude of yours! I thought I had cracked that shell when I left! That's…" she lowered her eyes, "…that's my fault, I suppose. I left."

"What are you saying?" Van replied, "Are you saying that maybe it was wrong to finally open my heart to you and then leave? No Hitomi, that wasn't wrong. What was wrong was to completely abandon me when I needed you the most!"

Hitomi began to cry. "I know…I'm sorry. Oh, your mother was right! Everything's my fault! It's my fault that you're this way, that Kevin's dead!" She stopped speaking and began sobbing hysterically.

"What?" Van didn't understand this at all. Who in the hell was Kevin? His mother?

Slowly Van walked over to where Hitomi sat and put his arms around her, feeling guilty. She leaned on him and cried into his throat. He wanted to tell her that everything was not her fault, but his throat was too thick to speak.

~*~

"Dilandau-sama? Dilandau-sama, are…are you alright?"

Dilandau slowly blinked his eyes, coming out of a strange darkness. What am I supposed to be paying attention too? Huh? Who's this guy? Wha-ah!

The general toppled out of his chair. He caught himself with a hand and bounced up into a standing position. Furiously Dilandau looked around him. He was in a rather nicely furnished bedroom, sitting (before he had fallen out of a chair) at a large polished desk. He ran a hand over his armor, feeling strength flowing into his fingers from the leather.

What in the hell is going on here? Why am I not on the Vione? Where in the hell's Chesta?

"Who are you?" Dilandau bellowed at the young man standing in front of him.

"Uh…Leitken, sir," said the lad.

"Where in the hell's Chesta? Why are you here?" Dilandau asked. Surely his blonde slayer could tell him what was going on.

Leitken struggled to remember his lines. "Uh, forgive me Dilandau-sama, but he died."

"WHAT?"

Dilandau's slap rang through the room. Leitken stumbled. Viole had told him once of how one of his commander's blows could knock a man unconscious if he wasn't prepared for it. Roll with it, he had said, rolling's the ticket. Leitken did this now, feeling the synapses in his brain short-circuit.

Dilandau hefted him up off the ground, armor and all. "What did you say?" he hissed.

"You were battling the Dragon during the Great War, Dilandau-sama," Leitken sputtered, "All the Dragonslayers were killed, but you survived with only a head injury. It was very serious; you were unconscious for many colors. Don't you remember?"

Dilandau didn't have time to consider slapping the boy's impertinence. That would go on the back burner of his mind for right now. What was this kid talking about? Could this be true? He racked his brains, but he the last thing he could remember was leaving the Vione to fight the Dragon. It was the time Folken was gone, right? That's it, Dilandau realized, Because the pussy was in Freid.

"What's the date?" he screamed. "And when did I wake up?"

"Today is Red, 2nd moon," Leitken wheezed, fighting for air. "You woke up…you woke up this morning. I was coming to deliver a message from Emperor Adelphos."

"Emperor Adelphos?" Dilandau asked, lowering the soldier so that the boy could breathe, "When did he become the emperor?"

Leitken breathed deeply. "Folken-sama assassinated Emperor Dornkirk after he had switched sides. The Vione crashed in the Bay of Palas, and after that he joined forces with the Allies. When Zaibach lost the war Adelphos was chosen to lead."

"Hmm," he murmured. Dilandau didn't think Folken had had it in him. So, Zaibach had lost the Great War. That is, if this boy was correct. He flicked his fingers and released Leitken, causing the violet-haired soldier to fall back. "Leave me the parchment," was all he said.

"Yes sir!" said Leitken. He handed the parchment to Dilandau like it was made of gold and bowed deeply. Then the boy rose, turned smartly, and left the room. Dilandau followed his movements with his eyes, making sure the door locked. When the mechanical "click" was heard, he fell to the floor.

Dilandau lay on the ground for quite some time. His mind was going a mile a minute and he couldn't slow it down. The Dragonslayers dead? Dilandau steeled himself. He felt an unacceptable ache in his chest as the reality of their deaths hit. He reeled for a minute, then pulled himself together. The Great War was over, okay. The Dragonslayers were dead, semi-okay. He had been unconscious for 10 colors? Not okay.

Something about that didn't fit right. 10 colors? He felt his head, feeling for a bump or scar or something. There wasn't one. Dilandau knew that his memory wasn't faulty, for it was his memory after all. But he also knew that one could not base a conclusion off a simple hunch. That was illogical and could lead to problems in the future.

So Dilandau stretched a hand, picked up the parchment from Adelphos, and unrolled it. He tried to read it slowly, but his hyperactive mind wouldn't slow down. When he finished, he stood up and scratched his head. Adelphos wanted him to come to the throne room. He said he wanted to "talk" about Dilandau's new duties.

Dilandau sighed with resignation. Dazed with shock, he decided to not even think about what could have possibly happened during the time that he was unconscious. He wouldn't think of the improbability of his situation. He wouldn't let anything faze him. Obviously he was on active duty, and these were personal matters that he would investigate-deal with-later. A soldier did not mix personal problems with work.

Comforted by his logical thinking, Dilandau walked out of his room with his head held high. Leitken stood outside his room.

"What are you doing out here?" Dilandau asked darkly.

"I thought you would like an escort to the throne room, sir," Leitken replied.

Dilandau raised a hand to slap the boy, but held back. "In the future Leitken, do not think. You are a lowly soldier that is under the command of many. Let those higher up do the thinking for you. Also, wondering if I would like an escort is an insult, for it implies that I do not know my way around the capital of my homeland. Understand?"

"Yes sir!" Leitken said. His eyes were transfixed on Dilandau's hand.

"Then lets go," Dilandau replied, stepping forward. He walked briskly towards the throne room. He was in the General's wing of the capital, where all the high-ranking army officials resided when on active duty. It took him only a few minutes to get to the throne room.

Instead of stopping when he reached the grand doors that led to the inside, Dilandau plowed right on through. Behind him he heard the protesting cries of the guards, but they stopped when Leitken whispered, "That's Dilandau Albatou."

The official throne room of Zaibach was not a display of wealth. Zaibach was a military country, and made most of its money by providing protection for smaller kingdoms and selling technology…occasionally. No, the throne room of Zaibach was simply a large, steeled room with a random Zaibach flag or banner hanging from the wall. The throne itself was a large chair carved of black stone with many symbols and sayings from the Ancient Times.

Dornkirk had never used this throne. He was forever in the laboratory, and people only saw him on the photoscreen. Dilandau wasn't sure if he'd ever seen the man in person.

When the commander burst through the door, Adelphos looked at him with something close to happiness and a great deal of terror. Dilandau appreciated that. The emperor shooed away a few sorcerers that had been chattering in his ears and the robed men scurried back to their holes.

Filthy rats. Conniving together so that they can control the throne, I see. Didn't lose anything time there. Oh, just you wait, assholes. Dilandau threw them a bone-chilling look. He was shocked to see that he didn't recognize a single one of them, but he didn't let on. Briefly he dropped on one knee, bowing before Adelphos before standing up once again. He never was one for obeying authority.

"Your Majesty…" he said, leaving room for Adelphos to say something. The man remained silent. "…I hear that I have been summoned here so that we can discuss my new role in the Zaibach military. What do you want?"

"Welcome Dilandau," Adelphos said. "How are you feeling?"

Dilandau's face grew hard. "Fine."

"That's good. I was worried that all those colors spent in…a coma would have hindered your…your…" Adelphos searched for a word.

"You will never have to worry about that," Dilandau said through gritted teeth. How dare Adelphos doubt his abilities? He could feel his aggravation growing.

Adelphos laughed nervously. "Yes well…I need you to rebuild Zaibach's military."

"Rebuild Zaibach's military?" Dilandau blinked, feeling a mysterious sense of déjà vu. There was no way he could take such a job. "I train specialists. Get someone else."

"I can't. I am the only surviving general of the Great War. Almost every important Zaibach officer is dead, along with most of the Madoushi," Adelphos replied.

Dilandau folded his arms and dug his heels in. "Where are your underlings?"

"Dead. Like your Dragonslayers." Adelphos' mouth twitched. Dilandau fumed. Low blow, you bastard.

"Ah, my Dragonslayers. You will need another regiment like them. I can provide you with one," Dilandau argued.

Adelphos narrowed his eyes. "And why would I need a specialty group such as that if I don't even have an army?"

"To provide protection to your growing army, of course. While the military regroups, I can take care of things temporarily with my men. It would be easy for a country to invade and throw over the crown since we are currently defenseless. I will provide you with personal protection. That way you are always protected. No matter what," Dilandau said with a smirk. He could get what he wanted, and Adelphos could gain protection from everyone who had their eye on the fragile throne.

"Yes, yes!" Adelphos said with shining eyes. He was ecstatic. This way Zaibach could keep Dilandau happy and well…he could always take a couple of veterans and make 'em generals. After all, he could always step in and fix things. And if he couldn't, he could make Dilandau do it (though he disliked that prospect; ordering Dilandau to do things wasn't a pretty sight). He hadn't wanted to become emperor, but he was the best candidate around.

"So then," Dilandau said, "We have reached an agreement." He didn't bother to make the sentence a question.

"Yes. You may construct a new regiment at once, and in the same manner you did with the first Dragonslayers. So," Adelphos looked down piercingly. "What are you going to call this batch?"

"Dragonslayers," Dilandau replied, meeting his gaze.

"Why? We aren't after the dragon anymore. Fanelia is peaceful," Adelphos said. In the back of the throne room he could feel the Madoushi tense.

"Zaibach may no longer quest after the Dragon, but that doesn't mean that I don't. I have a score that I must settle," Dilandau said. He ran finger down the right side of his face. Before the new emperor could respond, he turned smartly on his heels and left the room.

The Madoushi crept up towards Adelphos. They were pleased with the success of Dilandau's brainwashing.

"He doesn't remember anything, does he? Will it last?" Adelphos asked. One of the young men stepped forward.

"It's permanent," he said, trying to keep the smug smirk off his face.

Adelphos was suddenly struck with the image of a golden-haired girl standing in a beautiful garden. In her hand was a snail. He asked, "What about…the previous problems we had with…the girl?"

"That won't be a problem. He won't ever remember any Celena Schezar, and he won't be bothered by her either," said the sorcerer.

Adelphos nodded, feeling sick to his stomach.

~*~

Three weeks passed. Hitomi regained her health little by little. Van tried to regain his love for her little by little, but he could only feel himself growing more distant. He knew something was missing, and he knew it had a name…he just wouldn't give it one. Instead he was a delight to be around, and Hitomi doted on him and he smiled and laughed, seemingly full of love. Van realized that his heart was simply too bruised to love someone so completely again.

Dilandau passed his time training his new Dragonslayers. He didn't really think of them as Dragonslayers-they were more like Fleaslayers. None of them could come close to the worst Dragonslayers of the first regiment. But that would change in time, and if it didn't…well, there were lots of people in Zaibach. His birthday passed unnoticed, and Dilandau was glad for it. At night he would lie awake and think about the blank spaces in his memory, but he didn't worry about it. Occasionally a word or sight would remind of him of something long forgotten, something important, but he couldn't place it.

Damn something's.

Merle grew more disgruntled with every passing minute. She had made her amends with Hitomi towards the end of the Great War. She had given her Van-sama over to Hitomi that day on the roof; he had gone to the Mystic Moon and reclaimed his beloved. But Hitomi had gone straight back to her planet the minute the war was over and she had to commit to the Fanelian King. Merle had seen the torture Van had gone through when Hitomi had tossed him aside. The catgirl hated Hitomi more than water.

Celena, on the other hand, seemed to mature everyday. Rapidly her knowledge increased and she loved to debate with Van's advisors on political issues. Sometimes she would be found in the research labs (Van had vowed to pull Fanelia out of her medieval ways and she had agreed…though she came kicking and screaming). Celena was good with technology. However Van found her more than once sitting in the flower gardens with her face in her hands, weeping for Dilandau. And once when he was walking to Folken's grave, he saw her sitting against the temple's steps, and he decided not to visit his brother that day.

One day a letter arrived from Asturia. It was from Princess Millerna. The envelope was a bright yellow and the parchment was scented like strawberries. Merle sniffed it and almost fell over.

Dearest Van,

Hello! I received your letter and was quite horrified. The Manor has burned down and Allen and Gaddes have disappeared? Not to worry, they're probably off throwing around their testosterone-inflated egos and belittling the female race with all their nonsense about chivalry. Chivalry, as you well know, is a just a way to keep women from recognizing their power and rights! I swear, the entire male race is simply a large infestation of germs that oppress women with their male-chauvinistic views, slobbering all the way. Henceforth, I have become Asturia's first queen (I did tell you that I'm queen, right?) to come to power without a husband. As far as I'm concerned, fuck the male race (do excuse my language). What Asturia needs is estrogen! And I'm here to provide it!

Anyway, what was I going to say? Oh yes-that darling sister of Allen's. Her name is Celena correct? No offense to you, but I worry for her growing up in a male-dominated society like Fanelia. She needs to be with strong and powerful women. Think about it, a man has controlled her for ten years of her life, and what an abominable display of testosterone he was. She needs to realize that she has rights and the freedom to make choices for herself! To do whatever she wants and not have to think about society's biased views! Do be a darling, and send her to me, please. Also tell Hitomi that she can come over here any time she wishes. She was always such a headstrong and independent individual and I think she would be just the "push" Asturia needs to get with the times. Oh, she'll be such a good influence on you as well!

Oh, I have to go! Eries has passed out once again…I think she's having trouble adjusting to her newfound freedom. That and she's never worn pants before. Or maybe it's because she can finally breathe since I've burned all the corsets. I can't tell you how uncomfortable those things are! Ta ta!

Love,

Millerna

P.S.~ If you here from Dryden, do tell me. I think he's gone into hiding.

Van couldn't believe his ears-eyes. Millerna, a feminist? He had known that she was something of a "tomboy" by Asturia's standards, but Gods! This was a little extreme.

Well, he thought, all the power to you.

Van showed the letter to Hitomi, Celena, and Merle, expecting them to find it amusing. They all agreed with it. Terrified, Van spent the rest of his day in the throne room, "chatting" with his advisors, who were all men. Females, they decided, could be a frightening lot. He promptly appointed two women advisors the next day.

~*~

rainjewel: Millerna the feminist! Tell me, who saw that one coming?

Dilandau: Jeez, she's scarier than I am.

Hitomi: I wouldn't go that far.

Van: I would.

Celena: You're just scared because some female finally decided to take charge of her rights and cram them down your sexist throat!

Millerna, rainjewel, Merle, and Hitomi: You go girl!

Allen: Now ladies, everyone knows that a man's duty is to protect women, the weaker sex. You shouldn't rebel against us; we're here to protect you. Women need to be taken care of, and that's why men are here.

Merle: Oh yeah? Well protect and take care of this! *goes into major clawing frenzy*

Allen: Ah! Not my hair! My face! My beautiful complexion! *runs away*

Van: Uh, can't we all just play nice? I mean Allen has a poin-AH!

Hitomi: *Starts whacking Van on the head with a hammer* Don't side with Allen just because he has balls! God, all you men think alike.

Van: Well if you're going to nail my-OW!-butt you might as well attack-OW!-Dilandau too! Remember, he was-OW!-the one "oppressing" Celena. OW!

rainjewel: Now why would we do that? Dilandau's the one with female soldiers and no equality issues. Besides, it's not like he had a choice in controlling Celena.

Millerna: Besides, he burned all of my corsets for me.

Dilandau: If only you had still been in them when I lit the torch.

People with XX chromosomes: WHAT?

Dilandau:Uh, is that a war I hear? Gotta go! *runs*

rainjewel: Until next time. *chases after Dilandau*