Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Between Worlds ❯ Chapter 3: Domino Effect ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 3

Domino Effect

"What the hell does that mean?!" Van's shout could be heard echoing in the outside corridor, making people walking by stop what they were doing in surprise.

"Please, quiet down Father," said Balin, trying to placate his father, although he too was troubled.

"We deserve an explanation, Balin. No one has any right to exclude us from that type of decision." Although his eyes were still flaring, his voice had quieted down.

"I agree with you, Father. Please do explain, Sir Allen." Distress was plain in the boy's voice and the knight Ambassador frowned slightly.

"Allen does as he pleases, Lord Van. It is his choice," echoed a feminine voice from the corner of the room.

"Merle, you stay out of it. Allen has absolutely no right to decide to wander off on some silly mission, that could end up killing him, without any notice and, or authorization!" The king didn't even turn his head to the feline woman sitting in the corner of the room. His eyes focused on the man sitting next to him. With his long golden hair the color of bright sunshine and deep blue eyes he had a shocking natural beauty.

The cat woman brushed back a strand of her long pale pink hair disapprovingly and opened her mouth to give a snappy retort, but Balin caught her eye and vigorously shook his head. This was something between his father and Allen; there could be no interference from her. She shut her mouth reluctantly and pursed her lips, knitting her brow together.

"Majesty, this isn't just a 'silly mission'! It is vital to the future of Fanelia! Which I might remind you is your responsibility and your kingdom, none of which is mine!" Allen's blue eyes flashed, but he maintained his temper, somewhat.

"Allen, you are becoming paranoid! There is no basis to think that anyone or anything will be trying to attack Fanelia in the near future. I know that Fanelia is my kingdom and my responsibility. And I know that you care for it just as much as I do." His dark vienna-hued eyes softened in acknowledging the fact.

"But I won't stand for having a friend of mine go on some suicide mission for my country without any real basis." His jaw tightened stubbornly, his eyes smoldering again.

Allen frowned. "Balin, Merle, please leave so that I can talk to the King alone," he said, not bothering to spare a look at them. Merle was about the open her mouth again, but Balin elbowed her sharply in the ribs and pushed her out of the room. The door shut with a deliberate click behind them. Merle whirled around and glared at the young prince.

"Balin, what in Heaven's name did you do that for?!"

"Merle, you know how Father is. He really wouldn't have liked it if you had insisted on remaining. And do not dare deny that you were going to insist on tarrying. I know you too well for that." His flame red eyes so like Van's were grave and Merle groaned in frustration. A gust of a sigh blew through her pink lips and she shoved an arm through his, still fuming. They started to make their way down the corridor, basking in the warm sunlight.

"I know, I know. But I still can't believe the gall of Lord Van!" Balin couldn't resist a smile and decided to change the subject before his companion could scratch his eyes out, literally.

"Have I informed you about the events of yesterday?"

"No. What happened yesterday? I haven't even seen your mother and I just arrived an hour ago. She's usually right there to greet me. There just has to be something very important going on." Balin nodded in agreement, but didn't elaborate upon her statements further, pausing lengthily before continuing.

"So, you didn't hear about Samuri? I suppose I will have to explain, then." He sighed resignedly.

"Who's Samuri? What a strange name." She arched a fine pink eyebrow.

"It is quite similar to Mother's, I think. And her origin is exactly the same." It took a moment for what he said to sink into Merle's brain.

"You can't mean that she came from the Mystic Moon?!" Shock was clearly written upon her face.

"So, you did know Mother came from there?" Balin looked at her sharply, only feeling slightly betrayed.

"Well, yes. Don't you?" She stared guiltily downward before looking at him again, knowing the answer.

"I do now." His face was impassive; showing no emotion and it made his honorary godmother wonder just what had happened in her absence. Usually, she could read him like a book, but not today.

"What were you saying before, Balin?" Merle began the flow of conversation after the long pause.

"I was going to tell you about Samuri," Balin replied, returning to his normal self, to Merle's silent relief.

"Oh, yes. Who is this girl, I'm assuming she is a girl?" She smiled, lightening the mood considerably.

"Yes, she's a girl, I think. I was practicing on the roof and I slipped off." Merle groaned and he had to grin. The light caught the mischievous quirk in the curve and Merle noticed a strong resemblance between father and son.

"I can't believe how much you are like your father. And Hitomi actually lets you do it."

"Yes, well under protest, but still she gives me permission. As I was saying, I slipped off the roof and- I suppose you know about how my mother arrived on Gaea." Balin glanced pointedly at the cat woman.

"Of course. Hitomi explained everything back then. She was altogether too talkative, in my opinion."

"I assumed as much. Did she tell you about that strange light? The one that brought her here to Gaea."

"Are you saying that this girl, Samuri, was brought by that light?"

"Yes. It would be better if she, herself, explained everything to you. Here's her room." He stopped before a door in the bright hallway.

"Figures that you would lead me here and not tell me a thing. And we bards are supposed to collect information from all around the Four Corners of the known world. I must be losing my touch." She sniffed indignantly and knocked on the door. Hitomi's voice reverberated through the thick heavy wooden door. "Come in." Balin opened the door for his aunt and then let himself in. He felt his jaw slacken at the site that beheld him.

Samuri's eyes widened a fraction when she saw the feline-like woman enter the room. The fact that the woman had pink hair shocked her even more so, but no surprise other than the widening of eyes registered on her face. Her Aunt Hitomi seemed to be perfectly at ease with this strange occurrence, so she simply accepted it. No point in making such a big deal, she told herself.

Balin's jaw dropped at the fact that Samuri was sitting on the floor, hip to hip with his mother, as if they had been best friends forever. This girl confused him more and more the longer he knew her.

Hitomi smiled and stood to greet her longtime friend. Merle automatically returned the warm embrace that received from the Queen of Fanelia. They had both competed for one man's affections and even though Hitomi had won in the end, they were still very friendly. Hitomi had even felt it just to make Merle the godmother of her son at his birth. This had been a break of tradition, in sorts and had brought the two rivals even closer together. Even further, they had dubbed her the official Bard of Court, by way of her birthright, giving her way to travel anywhere at anytime to collect information for the country.

Beast people were not usually treated with such respect as Van and Hitomi had given her and though Merle resented this in a way, she also appreciated it. Very few people accepted her as an equal in Fanelia. She had loved Van in the way that a woman could love a man, but that was gone now. Merle accepted his love for Hitomi a long time ago and moved on. She could love Hitomi after accepting it, something she had wanted to do for a long time. She would still love Van, in a sisterly way, but she'd moved on and fell in love with another…

"So, what is with all the commotion?" Merle pulled back, out of the friendly hug and flipped her hair over her back. Hitomi leaned back and smiled, thinking a secret.

"Nothing much. I'd like you to meet my best friend's daughter, Samuri." She beckoned Samuri forward. Samuri stood shyly, avoiding eye contact with anyone, and took a step towards Merle.

"Um… It's nice to meet you." Samuri finally chanced a glance up at Merle's face. Merle's slender eyebrows rose in a look of slight surprise and quick calculation.

Those are definitely interesting eyes. I don't think I've ever seen that color before. Silver. Hmm…

"It is certainly nice to meet another girl from the Mystic Moon." This remark was made with absolute passiveness from Merle. It was almost a test of sorts, this assessment of hers. Samuri knew it and became slightly flustered, more than her normal calm self.

"Uh, yes. I suppose so…" She trailed off, but didn't look away from Merle's eyes in submission. This seemingly insignificant action gained vast approval from Merle. She smiled a smug smile and held out her hand to Samuri in acceptance. Samuri took it.

"Samuri, this is my godmother, Merle. Merle, this is Samuri." Balin lost his shocked look and remembered his manners.

"Well, was there a purpose for this little intrusion? I was catching up on some lost details and explaining some important things," said Hitomi, all business.

"Not quite, Hitomi. Balin said that he would like me to meet his new friend."

"I don't consider Balin as a friend, Lady Merle." Samuri managed to keep a straight face at the look of outrage on Balin's face, but her eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Then what do you consider me?!" demanded Balin, obviously taking Samuri seriously, became angry.

"A mere nuisance." Samuri's silver eyes widened in absolute innocence.

"A- a what?!" he stuttered incredulously, taken aback by the Earth girl's insolence.

"A nuisance that doesn't go away. Happy, now?" Samuri pretended annoyance.

"I am NOT a-"

"Ahem. I think I'd better interrupt this little love fest, before it breaks out into another war. I'm not sure I would be able to say that Fanelia would come out so triumphant this time." Merle's eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter at Hitomi's light teasing remark. Both Balin and Samuri glared at Hitomi for a moment. Samuri was the first to actually crack a smile.

"You know Hitomi, they almost sound like you and Van. Especially when you two were younger." Both Hitomi and Merle chuckled at the cat woman's remark.

"Huh?" Samuri thoughtfully lifted an eyebrow, not quite understanding.

"Merle, you must be jesting. I have never acted as childish as Mother and Father." Hitomi feigned offense at her son's implication.

"Disrespect that I get from the younger generation, these days. Tsk, tsk." She put on a stuffy, disapproving look that fooled no one. "I have to talk to Samuri, still. We sort of got off track. Your interruption isn't helping. Merle can stay, but I don't think that Balin-"

"Hitomi, I know for a fact that you have not told Balin anything about- well, you know. It is high time he learn." Merle rested her slender hand on Hitomi's forearm and Hitomi gave her an ambiguous look. Balin looked pleased that someone was finally standing up for him. Samuri just looked thoughtful.

"Aunt Hitomi, if it's that important Balin should stay. The king would probably like to hear this too," she said, glancing pointed at Balin and he immediately stood, leaving to fetch his father. "I'm sure that he needs to know whatever you need to tell. You were saying something about visions." Samuri furrowed her forehead just slightly, not at all thinking of her minute victory of outsmarting Balin.

"All right. Getting back to the real reason I decided to talk to you, Samuri. Right before Balin and Van woke us up, did you have a strange vision? Something about falling."

"How did you know?"

"I was falling too, then feathers fell all around me and then I saw Van's face waking me up."

"That's what happened to me. What do you think?"

"I don't know, I just remember talking to you and then all of a sudden we were falling."

"Oh, okay." So she doesn't remember the pendant. Why not? I remember it just fine. That bird flew in and we both touched the pendant and it started glowing. It's like when Mom tried to give the pendant to me. It started glowing and I was here, instead of at home. This is so weird.

"I have a feeling that the mysterious light appearing again after all these years means something. And another Mystic Moonling visiting Gaea. And us having visions. These are all signs. Something is going to happen. I'm not quite sure what, though."

"Do you mean the first time you came, Aunt Hitomi? How do you know that they're signs? I don't understand how those are all connected," said Samuri confusedly.

"Remember how I told you about the Great Gaea War? Well, it occurred after I appeared here. Everyone took it as superstition that if they ever saw that light again, it meant bad luck and misfortune. Of course, they did have reason to believe that. Fanelia was burned to the ground soon after that incident. And also, I haven't had visions in the longest of time. It just doesn't fit, I mean suddenly all these things occur and they're not supposed to be connected? That's not right. This all leads to something, something bad. I'm just not sure right now. My visions have always been pretty specific before. They warned me about some danger, but that last one was so vague…" Hitomi trailed off thoughtfully.

"Hitomi, does this mean that Gaea is in danger of another Great War?" asked Merle, horrified.

"I'm not sure. I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I'm not in control of the premonitions that I get. I can't just force it to come to me," said Hitomi apologetically.

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I know that it's not your fault, Hitomi. I was just- thinking aloud."

Samuri sat on the wide stone windowsill, thinking hard. There were so many strange things that were going on. She'd had daydreams of weird things and certainly pretty odd dreams, but dreams were supposed to be indecipherable. Excluding those strange things, that were fairly normal to everyone at one point or another (she hoped), she was pretty sure she'd never had something as odd as a… premonition she'd had with Balin's mother. Well, excusing that one time yesterday in biology class, but… that wouldn't count. Would it?

And what was up with her weird vibes from Balin? She knew that she was growing up and getting strange feelings from guys around her school that happened to be very cute, but Balin… The first time she'd seen him she had been in shock over his fall from the sky, so she'd barely noticed his good looks (though they were nothing compared to his heartbreakingly handsome father). And when she'd gotten over her surprise over a boy falling from the sky, she'd been offended by his rudeness.

No one in her school was ever rude to her. The popular kids had been a little upset that she hadn't wanted to join their little clique, but they hadn't done much but stop inviting her to all those stupid college parties that she wouldn't have gone to anyway. Samuri preferred her best friends' company over the chattering, giggling, gossiping, and back-stabbing company of the popular kids. But she'd never told any of the kids that. She had just ignored them. Balin had come as a huge shock.

One of the hottest guys she'd ever met and he turned out to be the jerk of the century. Under that 'I'm a prince and I'm so polite' exterior was a real pain in the ass and she, somehow, got to see it all the time. The only other person that had ever really bugged her was her brother and even he had barely did it anymore. And he hadn't been so damn cute when doing it. Samuri barely withheld a grumble of annoyance at her raging hormones that would have been heard and noted by the adults behind her. Sure, there was something about him that made her trust him, but he was so annoyingly arrogant sometimes that she couldn't help teasing Balin a little when she got the chance. Not only did he look adorable when he was indignant, but it was the only way she could keep him in check for presumptuousness. And it was the only way she could keep herself in check from running him down when he walked through the door.

Samuri sighed in frustration and looked out the window at a looming clock tower, chiming ten o' clock outside, over the industrious capital.

Boom... Boom... Boom…

Three strikes to signal ten a.m. in the morning. The tolls rung clearly through the bright morning air. And suddenly… it was too bright. The sunshine was overwhelming, choking her, burning her. She couldn't breathe. The loud booms echoed in her head.

And there were flames. They were the source of the unbearable heat. And… and… she was in the middle of it all! She couldn't get out of the inferno, the burning and heat. The acrid smell of ashes and fire… and that unmistakable stench of scorching flesh. All she could see were the yellow and red flames; she couldn't breathe… She knew that she was going to die.

A piercing scream sliced through the air and she heard it in the corner of her consciousness. It was a moment before the realization hit her. It was she. She was the one who was screaming…

Hitomi and Merle's conversation had continued without Samuri at first, going into serious matters that had nothing to do with her, so they had thought she had just had nothing to say. And Hitomi was the first to notice that Samuri was stock silent. She held up a hand to Merle and pointed slowly to Samuri, her eyes narrowing. Merle glanced at the rigid body of Samuri staring out at the window and her feline eyes widened. She stood to rush over to the girl, but Hitomi quickly caught her arm and held her back.

"Samuri?" asked Hitomi hesitantly, approaching the girl cautiously. The air around Samuri was flaring up and each step that Hitomi took toward her the heat increased. The source of the immense heat was apparently Samuri.

Merle could hear Samuri gasping for air as she moved slowly closer, following Hitomi's lead. It was as if Samuri couldn't breathe. The gasps were getting louder and drops of perspiration were dripping down the girl's forehead. Her pale cheeks were becoming more and more flushed by the second. As they were just a few steps away from Samuri, the air becoming hotter and hotter, Samuri suddenly let out a shriek of pain. The air around Samuri turned a burning flame red and the once placid air around her became a tornado of motion. The shutters to the single window that she had been sitting near slammed shut, while Hitomi and Merle were blown away from her, hitting the hard, stone floor several feet away.

Unnoticed by all, a sliver of silver and glowing vermilion slipped off the neck of the queen to the ground, clattering noiselessly on the stones beside its owner.

"What's happening?!" asked Merle, forced to shout over the howling hot winds that whirled around them. Their gazes were both fixed upon the now darkened figure against the burning red air. Samuri's outline was blurred with the rising heat.

"I don't know!" Hitomi shouted back. "But I hope that it stops soon! I think it's going to break the door if it doesn't! Whatever it is!"

"What can we do?! We have to stop it! We cannot simply escape this and release it into the rest of the palace!"

"I don't know! Maybe we should try to get closer again!"

"That's not such a good idea. It's getting worse!" Merle was right. The heat was slowly increasing and the air was getting so thick that it was hard to see. She could feel her face beginning to blister. Luckily, her thick, pink fur was covering the rest of her showing skin. Hitomi, however, wasn't as fortunate. The queen curled herself up and covered her face with her arms to shield her vulnerable skin from the immense heat.

"We're in major trouble!" shouted Hitomi from her shrunken position, her voice muffled. Merle quickly copied Hitomi in shielding her face and prayed that Hitomi would be wrong.

~*~*~

Strolling down the large, stone corridor, humming slightly, the Crown Prince and heir to the Fanelian throne was in no rush to find his father, who had not been in his study. And it was such a pleasant day, why should he hurry for no particular reason? A small, cool breeze touched off the spring-like day perfectly. The flowers were blooming and everyone in sight was enjoying the impeccably clear day. Courtiers were viewing the gardens out in the courtyard and servants were in no particular bustle to finish their chores, teasing and flirting playfully with each other.

He was only mildly bored, thinking absently of Samuri.

The clock tower out in the city of Fanelia, chimed the ten o'clock bells.

Boom... Boom... Boom…

Balin paused to listen for the last two remaining bells. But… they weren't chiming. What was happening? There were always five chimes for ten o'clock, unless… Unless there was something terribly wrong.

His vision blurred for a moment. Suddenly, he could see bright yellow and orange flames swirling around him. The heat was intense and his face was burning. And a dark silhouette of a familiar figure appeared in the midst of the flames. It was blurred by the rising heat, making a mirage type texture to it. He could hardly breathe; the air was so thick with smoke and fire. And suddenly he was back. He gasped at the suddenness and knew…

He had to hurry. Without checking to see if the coast was clear, he began to sprint down the hallway, footsteps echoing in his path. Frightened maids and courtiers jumped out of the way as he ran past. Balin didn't stop to make amends, knowing there was no time. Something was happening… and he needed his father there to make it right.

~*~*~

"… 'n' rainfall has fallen a full twenty-percent in de whole of the kingdom from last season, sire. Desperate need fer water in some of the southern regions of the realm has arisen. Many farmers fear that t'will be a drought on its way, come summer. There be something indefinably amiss, Majesty. We canna explain it. Last season, crops were thrivin' and the weather was perfect wit' rain every week. But, now, there be not a cloud in the sky for weeks, even months! We shall starve if there be no solution to this soon…" the farmer representative trailed off and looked pleadingly at his overlords. The Fanelian Ambassador, Allen Schezar, narrowed his eyes pensively on the aging peasant, remaining silent. The rest of the High Council had been dismissed for the rest of the day. His Royal Majesty, Van de' Fanel, who had been paying the utmost attention to the representative, stroked his bearded chin concertedly and sighed.

"I'm not quite sure what I'll be able to do about an incoming drought, Priam, but your people will certainly not starve while I reign. The capital will send supplies and such until they are unnecessary. Until then and after, I suggest that a water ration order be declared. Your people know what to do when droughts appear."

"As ye' will, sire. But, from the signs, this drought t'will be far worse than any of de others. All but the wealthiest of farmers have already begun rationing water and conditions're currently worse than even the Rimmia Drought seven seasons ago," replied Priam, worriedly scratching his stubble-covered chin. There were bags under his eyes and creases in his face that had not been there a matter of weeks ago. Van frowned inwardly and glanced toward Allen who lifted a perfectly sculpted eyebrow and slowly shook his blonde head. His trusted friend and ambassador's actions said that he knew even less what should be done than Van did, which did not help the matter.

"I don't know what more I can do as of this moment, but-" The king was abruptly cut off when the door burst open and Balin appeared, panting breathlessly beside it. Both he and Allen started out of their chairs for the alarmed boy.

"Balin, what the-" Allen began to say, his hands gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

"Father! Allen! There is something terribly wrong…" Balin fought for breath. "Mother… Samuri… We have to-" And then, a scene flashed across Van's vision, blocking all sight and sound from his consciousness. Out of the darkness and silence, a scream filled his ears, piercing and terrible. Orange and red filled his mind. Flames licked at his clothes and unbearable heat bore down upon him. A dark shape was writhing with pain and… the pendant circling his neck was glowing. Everything had disappeared after the flash and Van blinked to clear his vision.

"Balin, they're in trouble. We'd better get to them quickly. Allen, you'd better come with us. Priam, I'm sorry but I must cut this meeting short. I promise that we will continue this later." Allen nodded curtly in response and bolted out the door, Balin and Van at his heels.

As they rushed down the halls, brushing aside assortments of people, all Balin could remember later was the flash of long golden hair and smooth dark hair running alongside each other, racing to reach the guest wing. The moment that they had hit the corridor, a blast of hot air brushed Balin's cheeks. His eyes widened in surprise as he realized that the source of the tremendous heat seemed to be Samuri's room. It was growing slowly, the temperature rising degree by degree. A shimmer in the air was beginning to form in the corridor around them.

Allen reached the door first and he grabbed the metal doorknob trying to rush in before thinking. Balin cringed in horror and stared as the brass in the knob burned a deep red with the knight's hand still grasping it. In that fraction of a second after the handle had turned color, Allen released it and jumped back with a loud shout. He cradled his hand to his chest and Balin noted the quick burst of gray smoke that resulted from the knight's impetuous action.

"Allen!" his father gasped, panting and still out of breath. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, but how are we supposed to get in?! We'll never be able to open that blasted door." A growl of frustration escaped his lips.

Frowning, Balin searched his mind for any ideas. A magnetic pull appeared and tugged at his mind, urging him to enter the room and quickly. But Balin hadn't the slightest clue of what to do. The pull increased, pounding in his temples. It was getting harder to breath correctly. Balin gently massaged his head, thinking hard.

"Balin, is something wrong?" He turned towards his father, who was looking concerned. And Van rested his non-injured hand on his son's shoulder.

As soon as Van's hand came into contact with Balin's shoulder the pull in his head magnified and they were all suddenly inside Samuri's room. Van blinked in surprise, as did Balin and Allen, but they had no time to comment. Samuri had then released another blast of hot air, tossing both Balin and his father back against the stone wall. Grunting in pain, they crumpled to the floor.

The heat was a thousand times hotter than outside and Balin could feel his face beginning to crack and burn. The roar of air expanding from the heat was deafening and he could hardly breathe.

"Balin!" He heard his father's voice, apparently shouting, beside him and he turned around in response. Talking was about impossible as sound had little air to vibrate on and the roar was increasing. But he could see his father's mouth move and motioning towards the curled figures of his mother, Merle, and Allen. He then, tucked into a tight ball, too, covering his face and bare skin. Balin understood and was just about to follow, when a bright blue light shone from the corner of the dark, red room, catching his attention. It began to grow and its immense power bore down upon his consciousness.

Then suddenly, though the heat wasn't a fraction less, he could find the strength to stand. The blue light intensified and he reached out his hand to bring it closer. To his surprise, it obliged. The glowing light inched closer and closer to him, slicing slowly through the thin hot air. He held up his hand and the light shot straight into his palm. Blue light breezed through him and the heat was gone.

And so was everything else.

The room and his parents and Merle had all disappeared, their figures fading into the warring lights. There was only Samuri left, standing in the source of the heat. And she was in pain, though she seemed to be frozen in an unmoving place. He could see it in her eyes, though. They were dilated and he could hear her soul screaming for help in the pools of silvery light. Balin didn't know why or how, but he knew instinctively what to do. It was as if the blue light was guiding his movements. Balin stood and went to her, the healing light following him.

"Samuri!" he tried to say, but his words were lost when they hit the reddish glow that had encircled her. Samuri, he yelled in his mind with all his might. And it seemed that she could hear him, as he saw that her face contorted with what seemed to be an answer to his call.

Balin… her mind voice trailed off as if falling down an endless precipice and he could tell that she was burning up inside the heart of the flames that she had somehow created. He struggled nearer, though the screaming winds had begun to try slowing him down. The bright red and blue lights flickered back and forth on the interface between them, neither gaining an inch.

Samuri! Do not lose hope! But he knew that he was losing her. Desperate now, he flung out his hands, trying to reach her. His protecting blue light flew from his hands, straight into the hot aura, straight at Samuri. His eyes widened in surprise.

The shock of the air blasted through him as the glowing blue orb hit the red aura. It seemed that the earth beneath them rocked with commotion as it contacted and the two lights went out in a bright flash. All feeling of hot or cold disappeared. There was suddenly nothing. Balin couldn't see or feel or hear anything and he could feel panic rise like a thick poisonous bile in his throat. Help, he thought, glancing frantically around in the darkness. Samuri? Are you there? Please… someone… answer me.

His mind's voice echoed strangely in the void. No one was there and fear burned his eyes as furious tears welled up. What had happened?! It wasn't supposed to be like this! He didn't know how he knew it, but he did. He wasn't supposed to be alone! But suddenly, he could hear rhythmic panting breath, as if someone were running. Running desperately away from something. Balin whirled around, but there was nothing but blackness. The short gasps were getting louder as if someone was getting closer. Samuri?!

Balin! He could hear Samuri's voice pierce through the nothing. Panic and fear knitted firmly into it. No! No! No, don't let it get me! Balin, help! Help me! The panting breath continued and he could hear her heartbeat run faster as she suddenly appeared in front of him, breathing hard and looking behind her shoulder as if something were following her. She ran straight into him and let out a scream of pure fear as she turned to face him. When he saw her face, he almost cried out himself. Her skin had gone paler than a sheet and a cold sweat dripped down her wrinkled forehead. Her silver eyes had widened so much that they had taken almost half of her face.

Quickly and instinctively, he enclosed his arms around her, as he'd seen his father do so many times to his mother. Protecting her from her fears and from the world. It seemed so natural. He had never thought so before, but with Samuri it was so simple and easy. She sobbed dry tears against his chest and her breathing started to slow, her heart beating in tune with his. Rightness was all that could have described that moment for him. But all good things came to an end and it was to quickly enough.

A mist appeared out of nowhere, apparently following Samuri's tracks. It covered everything, sweeping the darkness away, as if trying to smother them. Samuri whimpered immediately and he clutched her tightly to him as he looked up and about. A thick batch of opaque fog enclosed them and a dark form appeared behind Samuri, stalking closer and closer. Stay away from her! Balin yelled, protectively tightening his hold around Samuri. He couldn't seem to move his legs to run away, so he would have to stay and fight. But the dark form didn't seem to care what Balin did and it soon reached its destination: Samuri.

The black form engulfed Samuri and Balin, who remained unaffected; she cried out in what seemed to be immense pain and collapsed in Balin's arms. With her heavy deadweight suddenly bearing down his arms, he felt himself being pulled to the floor. Struggling, he sat carefully and held Samuri close to him as he looked desperately around him, the darkness was closing in again. Samuri had passed out, her eyes rolling towards the back of her head and she moaned in pain. A flash of white light suddenly jolted through her and she screamed. Balin flinched and clutched her closer to him, praying to the Fates to keep her safe, because there was nothing else he could do.

~*~*~

The screaming of the hot winds had come to an abrupt halt and the temperature level dropped back to normal. Hitomi gasped as she felt the winds stop pounding at her and scrambled to her feet. Then her heart stopped as she saw the column of white light that had formed in the middle of the room. And in the center of it were Samuri and her beloved son.

"Balin…" Hitomi heard herself whisper and held out her hand as if to bring him closer to her. She felt her heart lurch in her chest, and she wasn't sure if it could take the strain. A comforting familiar weight settled onto her shoulder as Van placed his hand there and. But she knew that she couldn't interfere with whatever was about to take place. She could feel a great stirring in the spirits of the land and the elements, though she had long left the art of foretelling and foresight in her past.

Her best friend's daughter and her son seemed to float off the floor, a foot apart from one another; their eyes closed and in between them shone two glowing orbs. One red and one blue. The light suddenly intensified and Samuri's eyes flew wide open. Hitomi heard Merle and Van gasp in surprise, and the crease in her forehead deepened. The deep silver pools of her iris had consumed her pupils. The strands of her hair twisted around her head forming a dark halo. And she didn't seem to be there completely. Out of Samuri's mouth came her voice that wasn't her voice and demanded attention, echoing in a mystical way about the room. The sheer power of the girl's voice was frightening and the white light expanded and deepened.

The Dragon's Shadow Has Long Since Faded from the Land

Awaiting the One Who Can Awaken It Again

Evil Lurks in the Darkness, Victory at Hand

The Chosen Must Fight

Though the One Has Long Forsaken It

Anew Is In Sight

He Must Hold Fast to the Sword of Fate

To Win Back the Light

The light flashed off for a moment, and a glimpse of Samuri in pain was revealed. It seemed that Samuri was struggling with something, her face contorted and her muscles tensed. But then the light returned and she continued in the prophetic tone.

Separate They May Be

But Its Shadow Is Alone

Twinned Eyes to See

And in the End to Atone

The Rent Will Be Sealed

Samuri's clear silver eyes seemed to take in the four of the original adventurers: the knight, the bard, the angel, and the Earthling. The ones that helped end the Great Gaean War.

Forever, For Eternity…

And with those words still echoing ominously, the light went out with a bang, as if suddenly extinguished like water to a flame. Samuri and Balin seemed to drop slowly, giving Allen and Van enough time to rush forward and catch them before they hit the floor. The room seemed to return to normal, the shutters creaking slowly open and a slight breeze entering through it as the fourth and then the fifth bell chimed, the twitters of the birds continuing as though nothing had ever happened.

Boom… Boom…

Hitomi looked from her unconscious son supported in her husband's arms and her best friend's daughter in Allen's arms and sighed. The sound was shared by Merle as she plopped on the ground again. "Well, Merle, you know what this means." Hitomi smiled wearily at the cat woman and took a place beside her friend, as they stared at the two men before them, carefully lay the two teenagers on the floor.

"The light's appearance marks another battle and the clock strikes three for the vision of the end," the cat bard quoted prettily. "Can't even remember which story that's from, it's so old. But, do you think that we'll be able to survive this one?" The queen hesitated, still staring at her husband checking her son's pulse. She knew that both of the children were all right.

"I really don't think that it's up to us anymore. We had our chance and now the future of this world and who knows how many other is up to them."

The cat woman nodded in assent. "The new generation. So be it. Our future lies in the hands of the new generation."

Standard Disclaimer: don't own the original ppl/story, probably never will, but pls don't take my characters! They r very near and dear to my heart!

* Author's Notes *

hola everyone!

This is a bit of a doozie, too. And exactly a page longer than the last, don't worry it's not going to be a trend. Anyhoo, lots of stuff has happened. It's a bit on the way out there side, but I go for it *grin*. Merle and Allen enter the scene again and a bunch of odd stuff happens in consequence. If u think this chapter was mind-boggling, wait 'till the next one!

-w.r