Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Power ❯ Life of a Boy ( Chapter 2 )

Children of Power

Chapter Two

Life of a Boy

AN: This story is not an Alternate Universe, just an Alternate Plot story. As much as I like Celena, she doesn't exist in this story. I can't have Dilly-sama falling for someone when she exists now can I? All my normal readers know that I'm I solid D/C fan. But I'm also a solid Mi/Di fan. So it's one or the other. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Most of the main events of the series are there, only slightly altered. This chapter happens approximately three weeks after the last one. Enjoy.

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Dilandau-crux

Journal of a Dragon Slayer…aged 14 years, 10 months.

I hadn't really thought I was going to do it but when I did, I felt almost free. They thought I couldn't kill. Well, I'm sorry. I may be logical but I'm not weak.

Those old men - the ones they call "Leaders" - they don't know what they're doing. They're all senile. They honestly think that they can take over this entire planet with only one small country of warriors. It is possible, but they need allies. The plans they have laid are going to lead them to disaster…I can tell you that now. They all think they're never wrong.

They don't listen to me because I was bred as a weapon, a deadly, on-the-brink-of-insanity weapon against any who dare oppose the great Zaibach Empire. They've forgotten that the one the Emperor put in charge of my training was one of his best Strategos. I can out think any of them on a battlefield in seconds.

For as long as I can remember, I've been on the Vione, the flying fortress. I've only been here since I was about six years old but not many people have clear memories of their lives before six, do they? So far, my only friends to date have been the other boys here, my Dragon Slayers. There's supposed to be a competition between us for Captaincy. The boys don't even bother, we all know that no matter what happens, it's mine and that's that. The decision is out tomorrow.

I hate Zaibach…they've taken away everything from me. They had to `break me in' they said. Yeah right, it was more like break my bones. The things they did to me aren't really worth describing. They took my pride when they beat me those nights. The pain was unbearable but I had to bear it. They loved the way I looked at them when they were done having their `fun'. For them it was ecstasy to be able to look in my eyes and see that fear and hate that they had placed there. After everything they had put me through they still came back and looked into my eyes, just for their own sick pleasure. But it was all part of the training.

One day, I killed all of them. I was nine years old. The ones behind it, Emperor Dornkirk and his generals finally sent Strategos here, to continue my training in a more civilized manner. I had been `broken'. After I had killed my `tormentors', I didn't kill again for a while. I felt sick when I thought about it. How stupid of me.

After a while, I stopped bothering with what anyone had to say at all, I did what I wanted to.

Folken Fanel, the new Strategos, was the runaway Fanelian prince that I'd heard so much about from the Slayers. They were more interested in what was going on outside than I was. I was happy just being able to sit around, burn something and train. Strategos said I lived for the sword, he could see it in my eyes. He's never seen me burn something. I love fire. He isn't so bad once you get to know him, though. He's got a well-hidden mean streak.

Apparently, the Leaders are experimenting with the use of guymelefs. As usual, they won't go for your ordinary, top-of-the-line melef; they want to better it. I've heard them talk about `stealth cloaks', `liquid metal' and `boosters'. What they intend to do with those I'm not sure but they can't be planning to use them on something modelled after the fabled Escaflowne.

We've got a lot of free time here on the Vione. Most of the days are spent lazily drifting through training sessions and meals. One thing I've found a liking for is a good book. Reading is one of my favourite past times. I'd never be encouraged to read by anyone other than the Strategos but I think I've gone through almost three-quarters of the library already.

There are, of course, a limited number of topics to choose from in an on-board, military air-ship library. So, recently, I've learned everything from Guymelef theory to Yoga therapy. But that's what they bred me for, to master the Art of War.

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I've just been made captain. The boys are all congratulating me. I don't know why. Simply because I've been given the title of "Lord" doesn't mean there's anything to be happy about. But then again, there's always the fact that I could slap them now.

I'm now even more responsible for their training and really, I'm not sure I want to be. If they screw up, I'm the one who's getting the blame. It's really actually kind of sick. I've got to take the heat for their mistakes.

But they won't screw up. I'll make sure they don't.

We've now been assigned guymelefs…the scientists have finished their experiments and, as usual, we're the guinea pigs. We've all been test subject throughout our lives. Right now, we're at fourteen Dragon Slayers. Thirteen boys and one girl: Refina.

There's really nothing to say about the boys. They're all unique in their own way. Miguel is my second in command, Gatti after him. They're both good. But not as good as I am. I was made for this captaincy. I think if I hadn't gotten it I would have been taken by the sorcerers…for improvement.

Chesta, though gentle in some strange way that really doesn't make much sense when taking into consideration his environment, is a strong fighter. He's like a wolf in sheep's clothing as the saying goes. Dalet is vain. He thinks he looks like a god. Given that he's not hideous - he can never be as handsome as I. Gumiel looks like a sheep. He acts like a sheep, he, like Chesta, is another wolf. These five are the best Slayers I've got.

The others are all very good, but these are the five best. There's no question about it.

Refina is - for better lack of a word - a complete, total and utter bitch. But I guess that's what makes her a good Slayer. She's ruthless and mean but a bit careless. She needs some discipline but I'll get that done. In fact, Miguel is now in charge of that. I can't seem to stand dealing with her attitude first thing in the morning.

We're right now flying over the badlands of Freid. There's a stop Folken has to make somewhere. I'm not sure who or what he expects to see in this Godforsaken place but he seems to need to be here. The generals have said he has full freedom to come here if it gets them a weapon. The only kind of weapons they could find out here are probably Doppelgangers. I, personally, wouldn't touch the thing with a five hundred foot pole, much less stay within twenty feet of it.

I think we're about to land. So far, there's nothing big that's been happening on the outside. Well, maybe one thing. Its interesting too, that it should happen just when Folken announces his sudden need to be in the one place his girlfriend's little sister could have run off to.

Yes, Folken does have a girlfriend - or something like it. God knows how he manages it though. He's a Strategos and she's an Asturian Princess. I found out by accident…the others still don't know. I've been sworn to secrecy and, although I'm not to keen on the guy, he's better than anything I've seen so far and I don't want to risk running into another one of them. He'd flown off in the middle of the knight - yep, flown off - and turned up back here slightly later than he should have. He hadn't known I knew the difference between Asturian silk and Zaibach silk.

So here we are, right where the little princess should be. She's probably dead by now though. It's a long way from Asturia to Freid. I barely believe one of the Slayers could make it without strain. A house-bred princess probably died before she hit the border. Apparently, in a crazy move, she left completely independent of help from a single servant. She's most definitely dead. If she's alive, I bet even Folken would have a hard time recognizing her. If she's alive, I've got more respect for her than anyone else.

After all, every survivor is a Child of Power.

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AN: Ok, I know, not the best representation of Dilandau's frame of mind. I don't care. This isn't a typical Esca story. And, to top it all off, he's younger than he was in the series. It was Bloody Van Fanel that drove him over the edge. He was only frayed at the edges. Remember, this is an Alternate Plot story and Out-of-Characterness is to be expected.

Reviews, comments, suggestions, and critism all welcome. Flames really are pointless but if you want to, go ahead. Thanks for reading ^-^!