Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Beyond the Moon ❯ Ascendancy ( Chapter 19 )

Hmm... Didn't give people a chance to respond on the last chapter, but oh well. Reviews have been lacking lately. *shrug* I'm considering raising the rating to R now, but I need to know if that will affect too many people's ability to access/read. I'd like any feedback available. With the last chapter we reached 82 pages and 50,000 words; longest of any of my stories ever written. All hail!

Beyond the Moon

Nineteen

Merle knocked at the door again, raising one eyebrow at her husband. Gaddess shrugged his shoulders, climbing down the stone stairway to peer into one of the lower windows.

"It doesn't look like there's anyone here," he announced, covering his view to reduce the polarity of the window.

"Gaddess, go put the horses away. I'm going to invite myself in and take a look around. One of the servants should at least be answering," Merle replied, indicating to the two animals eating down the front lawn. She opened the door, peering inside, as Gaddess took the two horses by the reins and led them around to the back of the enormous house.

The cat woman let herself in, slowly closing the door behind her. The house was eerily quiet; not a sound could be heard, even to her refined hearing. Merle walked down the finely-furnished entrance hallway, taking the left wing. She peered into each room, finding nothing but made beds and more silence. Merle stopped halfway down the hallway, sighing and putting her hand to her chin. If I were a Schezar, where would I be? she wondered, continuing on her search.

Merle paused at the kitchen, pushing the door open slightly. She was greeted with a small, soft light, which appeared to be from a tiny candle on the far counter. Raising an eyebrow, she walked into the kitchen.

Merle let out a gasp. Sitting at his usual table was Jajuka, one leg propped up on the table, the other hanging loosely at his side. His head was bowed, his usually long, radiant, curly mane stuck in a mangy mop around his face. One of his massive paws drummed on the table, his claws clicking in regular intervals on the wooden surface.

"Jajuka?" Merle asked quietly, walking further into the room. The beast man ignored her, his body unmoving beside his consistent drumming on the table. "Jajuka, where is everyone?"

"Gone," he replied, his voice flat. Jajuka raised his gaze, his face expressionless.

"What do you mean, gone? Van and Hitomi should still be here, at least," Merle argued. Jajuka shook his head.

"Nope. Left two days ago for Palas." Merle furrowed her brow, looking around the room.

"What about Allen?" she pressed. The dog man responded with yet another negative nod.

"Nope. Gone after Dilandau." Merle raised her eyebrows in surprise, sitting down across from the sullen Jajuka.

"Dilandau? What about Celena?"

"Gone." The cat woman put her hand on his, stopping his incessant drumming.

"Just what do you mean by Dilandau? I thought he was dead, or gone, or whatever," Merle insisted. Jajuka merely shook his head again and pulled his hand away, setting it down in the fold of his shirt.

"Dilandau left. He and Celena are no longer one," the dog man replied cryptically. Merle let out a frustrated growl.

"Okay, tell me exactly what happened," she said, turning her chair to be more comfortable. It was at that moment that Gaddess' call echoed from down the hall.

"Merle?! Where are you?"

"Kitchen!" she called back irritably, leaning forward on the table despite her restricting dress. Jajuka raised his gaze again, rubbing one arm across his glazed eyes. Gaddess came bursting into the room at that moment, looking awkwardly around the dimly-lit kitchen.

"Whoa, what's going on here?" he asked, his teal hair turning a lime color in the candlelight. Merle glanced up, then back at Jajuka.

"The night before last," the dog man began, sighing, "after Van and Hitomi left, Dilandau took off. He and Celena must have separated in the night, because her crying woke me up. I told Allen, and he left after Dilandau. I left Celena for a few moments to get a wink of sleep, and when I woke up, she was gone too." Jajuka paused, lowering his eyes to the floor.

"What about the servants?" Gaddess pried.

"In the right wing. There's nothing to cook, no beds to make, no laundry to do. I told them all to go away," Jajuka replied sourly. Merle raised her eyebrows, giving Gaddess a knowing look.

"Van and Hitomi went back to Palas, correct?" the cat girl verified. Jajuka nodded. "Okay. Stay here, Jajuka, and try not to look so... Sick. Turn on a few lights, for goodness sake," Merle scolded. She took Gaddess by the arm and led him into the hall, closing the kitchen door.

"To Palas?" he asked. Merle nodded.

"Dilandau most likely went after Van; Allen after Dilandau, and Celena after Allen. They must be in Palas by now," she replied. With that, the two quickly left the house. The sun sat directly above them in the sky, giving the day a pleasant warmth as they trotted off down the road toward Palas.

***

I took a seat at the table just to the left of Chid, who sat at the head. The room looked brighter, as if more of the various torches lined along the high, stone walls were lit. Sitting on the other end of the table - which had been significantly shortened, leading me to believe that it had originally been composed of two smaller wooden tables - were Dilandau and Celena. The former glared incessantly at the Duke, who waited patiently for the appetizers to arrive. Celena, on the other hand, was blushing immensely, for reasons I had no idea of. She twiddled her fingers, glancing down every once in a while, causing the red on her face to grow.

I coughed, diverting everyone's attention to myself. I sighed, growling on the inside over the immense tension Dilandau's harsh gaze was causing.

"So, Celena," I asked, attempting small talk, "what brought you here?" The white-haired woman glanced up at me, smiling brightly.

"Dilandau, of course," Celena replied quickly. The albino raised his eyes at the sound of his name, and looked over at the woman beside him. I raised one eyebrow, watching the exchange curiously. Rather than glaring at her, or issuing some kind of reprimand to her, I noticed a soft plush to Dilandau's usually pale cheeks. My surprise increased as she looked back at him, her blush spreading even further.

It was then that a servant opened the off-door, bringing out two large plates of steaming... fried... things. I sighed, preparing myself for another chew-and-eat-without-tasting session. Chid remained silent for the most part, obviously off in his own world. Not wanting to disturb him, I decided to return to my bird observation session.

The pair across the table seemed to be completely ignoring their food, focusing more on each other. Dilandau tried his best to avoid looking at Celena, but failed miserably. Every time he would reach for one of the bizarre fried foods (if you could call it that), her hand would accidentally land on the same one. They would then blush, pull away, and try again not to catch each other's glances. It was like being in junior high all over again.

I watched with increasing curiosity as the main course arrived. It looked fairly much like roasted ham, and I could feel my mouth watering as I cut off a large slice for myself. As I ate the scrumptious, pink meat, I continued my watching. Dilandau had accidentally bumped Celena in the eye with his elbow in the rush to get to the ham-like meal, and now tried his best to make amends without appearing too obvious. He glanced around nervously, poking her in the ribs to stop her from crying. I unconsciously leaned in as he lowered his hand below the table, earning himself a giant smile from the girl beside him. I ducked under the table momentarily holding the façade of picking up a fallen wiping-cloth, and saw them holding hands, fingers intertwined with one another. I smiled faintly, before bumping my head on the table on my way up.

Thoroughly through with the two, I turned back to Chid. He seemed to be in a daze, picking at his untouched food with his fork. "Duke Chid," I asked, waving my hand. His eyes instantly focused on me, a look of surprise on his face.

"Oh Hitomi, please accept my apologies. I've just been feeling a little lost," he said with assurance, giving me a smile. I nodded, watching as the meal was gradually taken away. Chid seemed to daze out once again, so I instead tapped my finger on the table. Without warning, the Duke stood up, catching the attention of the juvenile-like couple.

"If you will please excuse us, now, I have some matters to discuss with Lady Hitomi in private," he said, his voice suddenly becoming deep and authoritative. Dilandau stood back up, giving him a death glare, his hand finding the sword at his hand.

The albino jerked suddenly as Celena touched his arm. He instantly dropped his hand from his hilt, turning on his heel and striding out of the hall. Celena remained, nodding respectfully. "Thank you for the meal, and for your hospitality," she said quietly, smiling and trotting after the retreating Dilandau.

The Duke sat back down, looking slightly quizzical. I smiled. "To be young and in love," I said quietly, laughing to myself. It was hypocritical to say it, but it was so true. Chid raised one eyebrow at me. I shook my head. "Nevermind. Let's get down to business."

I leaned back in my chair, watching Chid for a moment, who remained silent. "I can't just... contact the power. It's not a living thing that you can just communicate with," I declared at last, sitting forward against the table in a very un-ladylike way. The Duke sighed, closing his eyes. "I don't want to be involved. Last time I tried to help, to change fate, it backfired on me." And this time neither Varie nor Grandmother will save me this time, I added silently.

"Like when you read my fortune?" Chid asked quietly, his eyes raising. He wore a solemn expression, one tinged with regret. I nodded slowly. "I don't want you to go through that again, Hitomi," he said honestly, refusing to meet my gaze.

"I don't know if I can save the world this time," I confessed. I sank back into my chair, covering my face with my hands. "I don't know what to do!"

A comforting hand landed on my shoulder. I refused to look up. I couldn't help the world, not this time. I didn't want to be a part of it again! I would only bring horrible fates, all results of my anxiety.

My anxiety. I slowly raised my eyes, brushing away the tears I hadn't realized had appeared with one hand. I'm no longer a naive fifteen-year-old freshman, I told myself. I'd grown, I'd matured...

"I have to face the reality," I said suddenly, earning myself a wide-eyed look from the worried Duke. "I have to really grow up." I slowly stood, looking down at Chid and smiling slightly. "I'm going to do a reading."

"Are you sure, Hitomi?" he replied suddenly. I nodded. "I don't want you to do anything you don't want to..."

"Don't worry," I responded quickly, smiling. "It's been eight long years, Prince Chid." I turned, striding slowly out of the hall, before looking back. "I'll try my best."

***

Van swayed precariously, his head tilting with each slap of the waves against the horse's slowly moving feet. "Can't we go any faster?" he moaned, leaning forward on the creature's bare back. It ignored him, plodding along at an irritatingly slow speed.

"If we do, there will be too many splashes, too loud. Look, we're getting closer," Allen said, pointing up. Sure enough, the plateau had risen to its highest point above them, and traveled in a straight line ahead. On its farthest edge, it dipped suddenly down into the water below.

"I can hear the falls," Van replied suddenly, halting the horse. He strained his ears, listening. "I do!" He quickly jerked on the animal's reins, causing the surprised horse to jump out of the water. Before Allen could utter a response, the king shouted, kneeing the creature in the ribs and sending it soaring across the beach toward the steep slope.

"Vaaaaan!" Allen cried as they swung up the hill, losing momentum as the terrified animal scratched and slipped on various rocks jutting out of the seemingly grassy hill. The knight held in a cry as the horse's legs coiled up beneath them, the beast leaping up higher, grabbing onto the grass and stones with its feet. It clambered up, its movements become slightly more controlled as Van urged it on.

They ascended slowly, the horse breaking into a pounding, irregular trot-lope and hopping like a deer despite its two heavy riders up the slope. Van held roughly onto the mane, Allen clutching at Van's coat with wide eyes. The animal tripped suddenly, almost sending the knight flying before it could regain its balance and continue up at an even more feverish pace.

Without warning, the two riders lurched forward. Van let out a howl as his nose came into painful contact with the stallion's whither, Allen clutching onto the beast with his knees to prevent from falling off for a second time. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves standing on the far edge of an immense, grassy plain.

With one terrified look at the long fall down, Van urged the horse away from the steep hill. Sweat dripped down the creature's neck and shoulders, joined by small beads from both the exhausted riders' foreheads. Van raised his eyes and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Look! It's a castle! Think that's where Hitomi is?" he asked eagerly, pointing to the stone building standing off in the distance. The grass rippled in a light breeze, drawing Allen out of the awe at his near-death experience.

"Shall we go take a look?" the knight replied. Van nodded, turning the exhausted horse towards the high cliffs. A small forested area rippled down the rocky mountain, forming a semi-circle around the hidden side of the stone castle. The horse, upon resistance to anything beyond an excruciatingly slow trot, finally meandered down to a casual walk. The sun still sat high in the sky, but had begun to wane past noon. The two riders sat in silence as the breeze began to pick up, causing the vast expanses of lush, green grass to ripple like emerald waves in front of them. Of course, with each companion being lost in his own thoughts, they ignored the beauty of the gradually clearing sapphire sky or the distant chatter of the white-capped waves.

***

Hitomi walked back slowly to her room, making sure to avoid anyone - not like she saw anyone beside Zuga - on her way. She quickly closed the door behind her, collapsing on the bed in a heap.

Damnit Van! Where are you?! She buried her head in the quilt, holding it closely around herself. Squeezing her eyes closed, Hitomi took her pendant in her fingers, trying at least to dowse for him. But to no avail; he was awake and moving, and couldn't be easily disturbed.

Letting out a sigh, Hitomi heaved herself up off the bed. She walked into the washroom, examining it before calling for Zuga. The servant woman rushed in after a few minutes, allowing Hitomi to request a hot bath. The doppelganger disappeared, and the brunette allowed herself some time to comb through her unruly hair and pick at her gown. What a disaster this is turning out to be, she thought with an exasperated sigh. Maybe I should have just stayed at home.

Hitomi suddenly jerked out of her thoughts, eyes wide. It had been at least a month before she arrived to Gaea that her 'anxiety' about Van, about everything, had really escalated. When Ayaka read her novel, her reaction had triggered all those old feelings, all her pain and joy and sorrow from her many adventures. She missed Merle's stupid possessiveness, Allen's knightly stature, and Van's... Van. The touch of his raven hair, the smell of grass and wilderness and everything wonderful and beautiful... That was Gaea.

Anxiety. Hitomi sat down on the floor, bringing her knees up to her chest. Fate. She crossed her arms over her legs, burying her face in them. Wishes. Destiny. That was what made up Atlantis...

"The key to everything," she murmured quietly, looking up in shocked realization. Suddenly, the door opened, allowing Zuga to walk in carrying an unnatural load of four full buckets of water. Hitomi jumped up to help, but the servant woman shook her hand and took each bucket, dumping them into the tub. She merely smiled and left, leaving a stunned Hitomi in her wake.

She shrugged, gratefully stripping down and climbing into the warm waters. The small lapping waves enveloped her, caressing her dry skin and soothing her tired nerves. Her brown hair floated in the water about her shoulders, and she carefully ran her fingers through it before applying some of the strange hair soap provided to her the night before.

A sudden low hum caused Hitomi to jump, sending the soap flying from her hands and into the water. Looking around for the source of the sound, she was suddenly enveloped in darkness.

Not another vision, she groaned, looking frantically around the black void. "What is it?!" she cried, scrambling to her feet. She seemed to be floating, but standing on solid ground at the same time. Hitomi jumped back as she felt a whiff of air go past her face.

A small, black feather drifted by, settling on the unseen ground below her feet. Hitomi picked up the object, furrowing her brow. "A black feather," she murmured. It was so familiar... it couldn't be Van's...

"Folken?" Hitomi asked meekly, looking around for the supposed source. "Folken! Is that you?!" she cried, dropping the feather in her haste.

"Calm down, Hitomi," came a deep, reassuring voice. Hitomi's eyes widened. "Yes, it's me."

Hitomi picked up the feather once more, clutching it in her hands as a long, white shadow appeared before her. Long, wing shaped silhouettes spread across the invisible ground, little black feathers flying about her. A tall figure appeared, still enveloped in darkness and only visible by the chalky shadows that almost reached her feet along an unseen plane. Hitomi took an automatic step back as a light appeared, making a head of spiky silvery-blue hair visible in the blackness. Red pupils peered out from beneath a black shadow, two long, normal arms extending towards her. Hitomi resisted the urge to collapse in a dead faint as Folken looked up at her, his eyes deep and ruby in a welcoming presence. Slowly he unfurled his black wings, sending a breeze of feathers flying about her awestruck face.

"Hitomi," he said, his voice deep and emotional, "I bring you the answers."