Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Journey of Fire and Shadow ❯ Part Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Onward!

PART THREE of JOURNEY OF FIRE AND SHADOW by Feye Morgan

A silver-haired boy lay crumped on the ground; strange crimson uniform stained dark with what was unmistakably dried blood. Surrounding him, the ravages of war had churned the landscape to ruin. Broken guymelef wreckages lay strewn on the ground, leaking sickly blue transmission fluid mixed with suspicious red liquids.

Suddenly, a beam of light lit up the dark battlefield, depositing eight figures dressed in armor.

Dilandau Albatou scanned his surroundings, looking to see if their arrival had drawn any unwanted attention. But the battlefield was deserted...for now.

Dilandau breathed deeply. It was so nice to be alive again.

A white glint caught the boy's eye. Slowly, Dilandau walked over to the silver-haired soldier lying on the ground. His Dragonslayers followed, eyes opeing wide as they realized whom it was lying dead before them.

"D-Dilandau-sama..." Shesta gasped.

Dilandau knelt down and touched his corpse. Immediately, it vanished, leaving no hint that it had ever existed.

"Strange," Dilandau frowned.

Dilandau stood abruptly. "Dragonslayers, for until Van Fanel is dead that is what you still are, we cannot walk around in these uniforms. We would be recognized immediately. Search around; find any inconspicuous uniforms that we can use. Preferably -not- from Zaibach."

As Dilandau himself rummaged through ash and metal, he pondered what to do.

~Looks like Zaibach lost the war~ he thought, noting the massive numbers of Zaibach dead.

The largest obstacle was not finding Van. Finding the Dragon would be easy enough. But Dilandau had no intention of dying soon after Fanel himself was dead. He had to kill Van, and escape with his life. That led to the question of where to go. What would he do with himself after Van was eliminated? He could not hide forever. Nor could they conceal themselves among a crowd for long. Dilandau had taught his Dragonslayers to be too proud. They would stick out like a sore thumb amongst common folk. Frustrated and annoyed, Dilandau ran his fingers through his hair.

"Dilandau-sama!" Refina hissed softly. Her tone told him something was not right.

"Refina?"

The Dragonslayer pointed at the sky. Following with his eyes, Dilandau frowned. A small speck of light that was almost certainly a flying guymelef shone in the distance. It was getting brighter.

~A Zaibach guymelef? No, Zaibach was defeated. Then that leaves...~

Dilandau searched frantically for a katina, or even a dagger. He swooped down, snatching up a bloodied sword from a half-buried scabbard. He turned to behold the Escaflowne shooting towards them.

"Vaaaaaannn..."

Gatti gasped. "Look Dilandau-sama! Asturian 'melefs approaching from the south!"

Dilandau gritted his teeth.

~Curse you, Fanelia. You brought reinforcements with you to investigate~

Dilandau took up attack stance. Apparently, however, the albino's soldiers had something else in mind. Dilandau had only a brief glimpse of a red-haired Dragonslayer swinging something that looked suspiciously like a rock at his head, before all went black.

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

Van Fanel transformed the Escaflowne into fighting mode just before he hit the ground with a jarring thud.

*So. Zaibach soldiers came to investigate as well?*

Van frowned. They looked very familiar. The seven of them were standing close to Dilandau's body. Van smiled grimly at the memory of his katina slicing into his archenemy, of the pale soldier's gasp of pain, of the thick crimson pool spreading beneath his broken form.

*At last, my people have been avenged. I hope the afterlife is very painful for you, Dilandau Albatou*

Van drew Escaflowne's sword. Opposite him, and on the other side of the Zaibach soldiers, his Asturian allies drew close.

Van glanced between them and Dilandau.

*Their uniforms. That's where I've seen them before. Those are some of his Dragonslayers. But, didn't I kill them?*

Van shrugged mentally. So what if he had? Perhaps there had been more. Perhaps these were the last of them, come to find their leader.

*Congratulations. You found him. Soon, you will join him*

Van smiled grimly. He pointed Escaflowne's sword at them.

"Surrender, or be sentenced to death on the spot!" Van yelled. Van half-expected the seven soldiers to actually fight, but instead they remained silent, defiant nonetheless. One of them, a small blonde boy, knelt down by Dilandau and placed his fingers on the silver-haired soldier's throat, presumably checking for a pulse. Van snorted. There was no way Dilandau could have survived the wound he had given him.

"Your captain is dead. Surrender yourselves, NOW!"

The blonde whispered something to a red-haired Dragonslayer. Her expression flickered...with what? Pain, remorse? Or was that relief?

Van shook his head, banishing the thought. It did not matter. When he looked up again, the Asturian soldiers were binding the Dragonslayers. Guymelefs scooped them up in huge metalic hands, and waited for Van's signal.

Casting one last triumphant look at the broken figure on the battlefield, Van Fanel switched Escaflowne to Dragon mode, and headed for the Crusade.

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

~Whoever hit me is going to visit the underworld a second time, and very very soon~

Dilandau's first thoughts upon waking were shattered by a splitting headache as he attempted to stand.

~Ouchohgodouch!~ Dilandau lay in a rather uncomfortable position for a couple minutes, while the throbbing in his head receeded.

~Never mind. I won't kill them. Just maim them. Slowly~

"Shesta? Gatti?" Dilandau called out. Slowly he raised his head.

~Where are they?~

Dilandau looked frantically around until his eyes caught sight of a smoothed out patch of dirt at his feet. There was writing there...

"Please forgive us, Dilandau-sama."

~Curses! They gave themselves up! Shesta! Gatti! Viole! I'm going to skin you alive!~


Dilandau tugged at his hair in frustration. After all they had gone through together, after finally being reunited, they had to go and get themselves captured.

~Escaflowne~

Dilandau paused.

~That's why. There was no where to go, they knew they wouldn't be killed on the spot, but that I would, so they made it seem like I was dead~

Dilandau almost smiled. Those fools were so loyal that they would willingly die for him, as they had already shown.

~And if I don't hurry, they'll die for me again~

Dilandau studied the area where the Asturian guymelefs had been.

~Tsk tsk. So sloppy~

The Asturians had left a track so plain that a child could follow it, even in the chaotic aftermath of the battle. Dilandau thought regretfully of his armor. He could certainly not go in that, and there was no time to search for alternative armor. Dilandau slipped out of his crimson suit, feeling much too vulnerable in only a thin sleeveless lavender tunic and ebon leather pants.

~There's no help for it. I'll have to set out like this. Conspicuious, there's no doubt, but this pretty red uniform would attract WAY more attention~

Carefully, Dilandau arranged his uniform on the ground to look like a body.

~If Van flies over again soon, hopefully he won't notice the difference~

Dilandau fingered the tiara at his brow.

~Nope. No way I'm leaving this. I'll just hide it later~

Dilandau had no clue why, but he was very attatched to that particular piece of jewelry.

The ruby-eyed albino set his jaw determinedly.

~I never leave my soldiers behind~

He directed one last glance at his discarded uniform, and began to walk south.

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

Dilandau watched the Crusade from behind the ruins of a Zaibach guymelef. It had taken him hours to track the Asturians this far. He had been terrified that he would be too late. Fortunately, however, the Crusade seemed to have been damaged. One of its levistones was missing, as well as a sail. They had only just salvaged a levistone from the wreckage of another ship, and were now attempting to attatch it to the Crusade.

Dilandau squinted, trying to find any sign of his Dragonslayers. The guymelefs had come here, that was for sure, but had they dropped their prisoners off, despite the damage the ship had sustained, or had they gone on, looking for other transport? The albino gritted his teeth. He did not like waiting. Too many things could happen while one sat by idly.

~Show me some sign! Anything!~

As if in answer to his prayers, a familiar figure dressed in a blood-red shirt emerged from inside the ship.

~Van~

The king paused, as if sensing that something was not quite right. Dilandau ducked his head behind the guymelef, not even daring to breathe, even though he was a safe distance away from the Crusade. He felt Fanel's eyes pass over...

Dilandau risked a peak at Van. He sighed with relief. The king was now talking with Allen Schezar. Dilandau watched Allen interestedly. Allen, ironically enough, was the entire reason Dilandau was alive.

~He's in for a rude awakening if he ever tries to 'take me back'~

Dilandau shook his head. Allen would never be convinced that his sister was truly Dilandau himself.

~But Allen's inability to see me as one single person could definitely help me. After all, he would never try to kill me, now that he knows~

Dilandau blinked, and ducked down. Van was heading his way, walking with Allen Schezar. Apparently they wanted to exchange words alone.

Dilandau grinned evilly. He loved eavesdropping. He perked his ears and listened closely.

"...beam of light?" Allen asked.

"Hai. They looked very familiar. I think they are the last of Albatou's Dragonslayers."

There silence for a moment. Dilandau strained to hear. Finally! Word on his friends!

"Why did you kill him?" Allen's voice was bitter. Van snorted with disgust.

"The man was a monster, Allen! He killed thousands of people without remorse! Hell, he even LIKED killing! He destroyed my country, Allen!"

Dilandau winced. He was not proud of what he had done. Not after walking the shadowy realm of the underworld. He could still hear ghosts whispering to him sometimes. Their feathery touches chilled his mind. Dilandau shook himself.

"He was my sister you baka!" Allen snarled.

Dilandau stifled a laugh. The situation was highly amusing.

"How the heck was I supposed to know that? Besides, your sister was probably lost anyhow. Zaibach killed her when they created Dilandau."

"I won't believe that."

Silence.

~Come on. Come on! Talk about the Dragonslayers!~

"I ordered the prisoners be held in the hangar deck of the Crusade," Van said, changing the subject. "I hope that's alright with you."

Allen said nothing.

"Allen," Van said, his voice softer, "I'm sorry about your sister. I really am. If I had known, perhaps I wouldn't have killed him."

A pause.

"You would have."

"Nani?"

"You like war too much, Van. Hitomi was right." Dilandau heard Allen's footsteps receeding. Van sighed.

~Maybe I could just jump out now and...~ Dilandau toyed with the thought for a moment.

~No, I couldn't. I'm too far away to surprise him. The crew would be alerted, and any hope of saving my Dragonslayers would vanish~

"First to Palas," he heard Van say. The king was talking to himself. "At Palas those soldiers will be tried and executed, and all remnants of Dilandau's legacy will be wiped out at last."

~You wish~

Dilandau heard Van's footsteps fade. He waited several moments, and then poked his silvery head up. His heart clenched. The Crusade was almost fixed.

~Somehow I have to get on that ship!~

But how? Even without his armor, his face was well known, especially by the men of the Crusade. Dilandau leaned back against the wreckage and closed his eyes.

Immediately, an image began to form in his mind. Mist swirled, laughing, taunting. A darker shape formed beyond. It came closer. Dilandau -knew- that shape.

~Folken. You again? Is this a vision?~

|Dilandau. I may speak with you only briefly. You and your soldiers amuse the Lord of the Underworld. Never have so many escaped his realm, and all at once as well. He is, therefore, willing to indulge me in my desire to help you|

~Folken...~

|It is true that if you try to enter the Crusade as you are now, you will be caught and most likely killed. But, have you forgotten that you can change your appearance?|

~Wha-? Folken, I already have! Look! My hair is all mussed up, my armor is gone, and my face is smudged with ash! This is as good as it gets~

|Think, Dilandau! Remember, once you looked much different...|

Dilandau blinked mentally.

~Serena? You mean, I can change my appearance?~

Folken nodded. |I must leave you now, Dilandau. Good fortune be with you|

~Wait! How do I change? Folken!~

Folken faded away without answering, and Dilandau opened his eyes.

~Good fortune my foot. This is -not- going to be pleasant. Curse you Fanel! Curse you madoushi! This is all YOUR fault!~

Swearing under his breath, Dilandau concentrated.

~How the hell am I supposed to know what I look like as a girl? Grrrr...~

Dilandau furrowed his brow, seeking some forgotten memory.

~I must have looked into a mirror when I was little...~

Slowly, fragments came back to him. Golden hair with a hint of the silver to come, wide blue eyes, inquisitive expression...

~Umm...ok...now what? Er...go Serena!~

Nothing happened.

~GRRRRRR~

Dilandau clenched his fists tightly. He HATED not being in control, not knowing what to do.

In a fit of anger, Dilandau concentrated on the mental image of the girl, and flung it towards himself.

~Whoa!~

Dilandau felt a sudden jerk in his stomach. His entire body was flaring with pain. Pain, so much pain. He bit his lip hard, drawing blood. Suddenly, it was gone. Dilandau licked the salty blood from his mouth, glad that it was over.

~What the?!? OMYGOD!~

Dilandau's body was significantly smaller, his hands delicate, his legs thinner. And...why the heck was his shirt sticking out like that?

Dilandau put a hand to his face. His scar...it was gone...

~OMYGOD! It actually -worked-!~

Dilandau was a girl.

Sounds of bustle and preparation roused Dilandau from his thoughts. (AN: I'm still describing Dilandau as a 'he', just to make the point that he hasn't really changed at all. He just looks different)

~The Crusade! It's preparing to take off!~

He looked down at his attire.

~Girls don't dress like this in Asturia. Hmm...~

To his left, Dilandau spotted a banner lying in the dirt. He crawled over to it, attempting to adjust to his new form. The banner was a light blue. An emblem was embroidered on one side, but the other side was plain.

~This should do nicely~

Dilandau wrapped the cloth around himself, effectively concealing his odd dress, and hiding his salvaged katina and his tiara beneath. He took several deep breaths.

~I can't believe I'm actually doing this~

Dilandau walked out from behind the guymelef, trying to appear disoriented and lost. He succeeded quite well, mostly from the fact that he hadn't mastered his limbs, and was tripping over his own feet.

"Hey! You!" One of the crewmen had spotted him.

Dilandau looked up with what he hoped was a relieved and frightened expression. Pitching his voice as high as he could, he shouted to the crewman.

"Help me!"

"Miss? Oi! Gaddess! C'mere! There's a girl out on the battlefield!"

A dark-haired man in a green uniform came out of the Crusade. He looked at Dilandau with surprise.

"Miss? What are you doing out here?"

Dilandau thought fast.

"M-my papa! H-he was out there! H-he never came back!"
Dilandau forced tears into his eyes.

~If any of my Dragonslayers are watching this, I -will- hurt them. Severely~

"Aw, geez Sarge! We should take her with us. Miss? Where are you from?"

"P-Palas," Dilandau stammered.

The man named Gaddess smiled at Dilandau. "Well missy, you're in luck. We're going straight there. Why don't you come on board, and we'll take you home, ok?"

Dilandau nodded and limped forward.

~I can't BELIEVE I just DID that! Argh!~

While Gaddess escorted him to a "nice, safe compartment" on the Crusade, Dilandau thought up ingenious, slow, and painful ways to kill every single madoushi.

"Now, little lady, you just stay here, and I'll come and get you when we've arrived, ok?" Gaddess smiled warmly at Dilandau. Dilandau felt sick.

Mentally kicking himself, Dilandau forced a hopefully genuine-looking beam back at the soldier. Apparently it worked. Reassured that the mysterious girl was safe, he resumed his duties elsewhere.

Imediately, Dilandau shed the banner, and concentrated as hard as he could on his -normal- form. The transformation was much less painful this time.

~Perhaps it's because I'm the most used to this image~

Dilandau sighed with relief. He vowed to himself that he would NEVER EVER turn into a girl again. (AN: he won't. I swear. That's the last time he changes for his entire life. Don't hurt me, k?)

~I like being a boy, I like being a boy...~

Gaddess would certainly miss the 'sweet little girl', but that was no problem of his. Dilandau was inside the ship, and that's all that mattered.

Careful not to make a sound, Dilandau opened the compartment door, and checked the hallways. All was clear. Dilandau smiled grimly.

He spent the next hour or so exploring the Crusade. He was never seen once. Dilandau had spent much of his life hiding in shadows and roaming the Vione undetected. The Crusade was a piece of cake; especially with most of the crew much too busy making sure the ship was holding together to patrol the halls. At one point, Dilandau spotted an unused maintenance uniform lying on the ground. Knowing that he would look much less conspicuous while wearing a crewman's attire, he donned the uniform over his tunic and pants. At another point, he managed to steal a pair of glasses. He knocked out the lenses, as they made his eyes hurt when he put them on. Looking at his reflection in his sword, he was amazed at how much of a difference the thick-lensed spectacles made to his appearance.

~Perfect~

Smiling smugly, Dilandau fingered the hilt of his sword.

He managed to steal seven more uniforms. He planned to have the Dragonslayers discard their armor and slip out with the rest of the crew. From there, well, he would figure that out once his friends were safe.

~Van~

As Dilandau searched for the hangar, his mind wandered to the boy-king. Van Fanel. The cause of so much of his suffering. True, Zaibach's madoushi carried much of the blame, but it was Van who scarred his perfect face, Van who mercilessly slaughtered his only friends in the world, Van who killed Jajuka.

It was all Van's fault. And Van would pay. Oh yes, Fanel would pay dearly for his crimes.

Dilandau was paying so much attention to deciding exactly -how- his enemy would pay, that he didn't look where he was going. As a result, when he turned the corner, he ran smack into none other than the object of his musings. Van Fanel.

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