Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Identity ❯ Scattering Souls ( Prologue )

Authors Notes: Hello! This is an AU fanfic which I have been thinking of writing for awhile. :p I've moved this story onto my new account rather than on the other one I share with Numair (since I am pretty sure that no one takes that account seriously…). To the few people who read this thanks for reading and hopefully you'll like the new home! :D

I'm also keeping the story posted under the joint name (i.e. Mullet-Revolution) cause I don't want to loose the wonderful reviews (pathetic creature, aren't I?). However, I'll only be updating it under my own account from now on… just to let you know…. Thanks to Numair and Michelle for reading this. J

Disclaimer. Tenkuu no Escaflowne is not mine, this is a fanfic. I've only thought of some weird characters to add to the mix, that's it. (although it would be nice…)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*

Prologue: Scattering Souls

Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Peoples ideals of how they view the world and the various aspects of it vary widely, however certain qualities about something make it worthwhile and special in people's hearts. Far from what the norm of what many consider to be normal, there existed a world in the sky, hidden away from prying eyes, bathed in the light of two moons.

The world held various wonders, each different region differing in various ways from the other. Will power created the world, a place where the mistakes of some could be fixed. The planet was lovingly called Gaea.

While perfection cannot be stated specifically, there existed a country upon this planet by the name of Kanza. Lush forests in ripe shades of green with multitudes of different trees surrounded the small country. Throughout the forests, rivers ran rapidly, proving nourishment to those who sought outs its bounties. Wild life was held with high respect, people and the animals living with mutual respect towards each other. While the country itself was small and far from perfect, the people of the land cherished it and worshipped their king lovingly.

The king was young, however had proved himself to hold a mature knowledge of how politics and interaction towards others should be handled. On his shoulders he held the dignity and pride in which his ancestors carried from when they acquired the throne some hundred and fifty years before.

Despite it's beauty the country of Kanza's history was that of blood, revenge, and constant war. Different powers were always in a constant struggle to obtain power and rule over the land, fighting and killing those who opposed them. The young kings great-great grandfather defeated the enemies and declared that the nation would be run in a pacifist fashion.

The young king Democles always had a fairly easy life. From an early age he had been trained in the ways of chivalry and battle, also educated with important worldly affairs. Democles had a quick mind, always sharp to catch the point, smarter than many other lads his age. Quick to laugh, his brown eyes always seemed to be laughing at the world. At the age of seventeen he inherited the throne upon his Father's passing, in the few years since then proving himself an honest and just king.

A year after becoming king, Democles met and fell in love with a peasant girl named Ranya. The girl's family was highly respected throughout the kingdom, the people joyous that their king found love and would produce an heir. For two years the couple simply enjoyed each other's company, however were overjoyed upon discovering the arrival of their first child. The kingdom rejoiced with the news, but an enemy attack soon forced their attention elsewhere, fearing that their happiness which they had enjoyed after a bleak history would soon be destroyed.

"I must travel to Lexing to arrange a peace treaty, perhaps seeking what they want in peaceable terms instead of forcing us to go to war," sighed Democles, wrapping his arm around his wife and they made their way towards the entrance of the castle as he headed out.

"I understand. Perhaps upon your arrival home you will bear good news that will bring more hope to the country," smiled Ranya, looking up to her husband with her emerald eyes shining with tears of sadness at the thought of him leaving.

"I am sure that the birth of our child will strengthen that hope much more than a stupid treaty," replied Democles, stopping by the door and placing his hand upon his wives stomach. "I hate leaving you now with you in the last rotation of the moon for this pregnancy."

"The child will be okay, Kanza will have an heir and we will finally have our first child," Ranya grinned placing her hand upon her husbands. With her other hand she reached up and tussled up Democles sandy colored lockes. Smiling, Democles bent forward and placed a kiss upon his wife's lips, holding her for a few minutes until his advisor informed him that it was time to leave.

Democles mounted his horse and looked back at the castle for the last glimpse of his wife he would have for a week. Her dark brown hair swaying slightly in the wind, a smile lit her face up as she waved goodbye to her husband, her hand upon her stomach.

~~~~~~~~~

The group of Kanza men sat huddled around a fire, trying to gather the faint warmth that it radiated. They had been away for a week and were finally heading home. The King of Lexing had been unwilling to agree to a peace treaty, warning Democles that unless he wanted blood shed that he would forfeit rule of his country to him. The young king had of course declined, appalled by the bluntness of Lexing and his warning.

Shortly after the band of Kanza soldiers had left forces from Lexing quickly attacked Lexing there. They had escaped the battle with their numbers heavily decreased; only the king and ten men having escaped. They had found shelter within woods between Lexing and Kanza, hoping that they could get back to Kanza before an attack was issued directly against the capital.

"Be on guard," growled the captain of the guard, his ears picking up the faint cracking of twigs in the distance. Democles stood and unsheathed his sword, tiredness and anger reflecting in his eyes. The air quickly tensed as the men stood on guard, awaiting the next attack.

"It's only me!" yelled Fadil, appearing from the darkness, his hands held above his head and fake surrender.

"You idiot, what are you doing sneaking around here? What news of the enemy positions?" snapped Democles, quickly running up to his friend and punching him on the arm. Sighing, Fadil quickly sobered up looking at the king with sad eyes.

"They move swifting in our direction," replied the knight, looking back in the direction from which he appeared minutes before. "I met a messenger seeking you out on the road, King Democles… news of Ranya…"

Quickly the king tensed with the new information, "What is it man? Did she have the child? What is it?"

His shoulders slumping, Fadil mumbled, "The child is a girl. The princess is reported to be healthy and have the same eye color as the mother."

Smiling, Democles quickly grabbed his friend in a hug and laughed. He had a daughter! "And what of Ranya?" he quickly inquired.

"I regret to inform you that she died shortly after the child birth…"

Democles stood smiling for a minute, trying to grasp what his friend had just informed him. His wife, dead? "Do not joke about such matters Fadil! How is she really?"

A tear slipped down the soldier's cheek as he looked away from the king. The various men huddled around the fire felt sorrow rise in their chest as they looked at their king.

"Dead…" Democles whispered looking down to the ground, his hands starting to shake. Fadil placed his hand upon his friends shoulder only to be quickly knocked away. "Leave me be for a minute!" With that, Democles walked slowly into the surrounding darkness, the group looking in the direction with fear and concern written across their face.

At dawn the king appeared once more holding a document that he handed to Fadil.

"I want you to ride quickly back to the kingdom. I have spotted the Lexing forces quickly approaching; there will be a fight within the hour. I want you to take care of my daughter… Hitomi…"

"What are you talking about your highness?!" gasped the soldier as the king pushed him towards his horse.

"My daughter had her mother's eyes, Hitomi is a perfect name," smiled the king, his eyes brimming with tears which threatened to once more fall down. "In the letter I have explained all that I want to happen. Hitomi must be hidden away from Lexing until she can ascend the throne at age sixteen."
"King Democles…"

"I had arranged with the king of Cesario that if I had a daughter that she would be married to his son. Please raise Hitomi for me until she comes to age," whispered the king.

"What do you mean?" gulped Fadil, looking at his king with concern.

"Once Lexing kills me they will want my heir. Do not let them discover her until the time is right, promise me," said the Democles grabbing Fadil's arm.

"I promise your highness…"

"I thank you," smiled Democles as he slapped the horse that bound away quickly. Fadil grabbed onto the horses reins and looked back at the king who unsheathed his sword once more, ready to face a hero's death as the Lexing forces came charging.