Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Memories ❯ The missing Link... ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Lost and Found

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The drawing room was magnificent - the ceiling was very high and had pictures of angels with trumpets; gods and messengers also had their place up there. The room had white walls, and it was lavishly/luxuriously decorated. A while later, Van re-appeared. That was when it happened. He saw her..... and froze.

"Sh- Shiden? Is… is it really you??" His voice trembled with disbelief, with traces of emotion. Although Van was now technically a man, right now he looked like a little boy who was dazed and confused. Hitomi wanted to hold him, but instead her eyes shot across to the girl he called "Shiden". She looks like a supermodel, and all she noticed Van do since they arrived in Fanelia was him staring at her. Could he….? No…..no no no NO!! Hitomi was finding it hard to control her breathing, and just hoped that nobody saw it. Everyone was on edge, waiting to see what would happen between these two, all eyes focused on Shiden.

She too froze on the spot when she turned to face him and saw him properly, then their eyes met; suddenly it clicked, and her eyes widened. "Van?" Tears welled up in darker shades of brilliant emerald, as she said his name again:

"Van!!" And then she ran, running so fast the others thought she might knock him over, and wrapping her arms tightly around him. Would she suffocate Van?

"Where…. Have you been!?" Her voice started to quiver, and she was shaking slightly, holding him even tighter if it were possible.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? ANSWER ME - DAMMIT!!!" She was almost hysterical at this point, both shouting and sobbing; the tears in her eyes were now free flowing with a will pf their own. Shiden buried her head in his neck, her voice now more hysterical than ever. She also hit him a few times in anger, and then surrendered to relief like a wilting flower. Van held his arms around Shiden to comfort her, ignoring the fact that he was being hit; he surprised his friends by taking it in and doing nothing. When Shiden had finished venting out her anger, Van said in a calm, quiet voice;

"Shhhh, it's alright… I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere." His soothing voice seemed to have worked, and she calmed down a little. But she still held onto him as if she were afraid that, is she did let go, she would of lose Van; a feeling Hitomi shared and understood. A feeling Hitomi knew she couldn't keep bottled up much longer. Though for the sake of peace, she didn't have a choice.

The others just stared in disbelief and were gob smacked, to say the least; Allen most of all. Hitomi felt so sorry for this poor woman, her heart went out to her, but…. What about Hitomi? Just as questions like these were working Hitomi into a state - she had a vision.

In a smoke-filled room, dimly lit by a few candles placed here and there, a small group of shadowy figures loomed over something on a table. They were whispering, and Hitomi only heard the shuffling of paper, as their voices were too quiet. Behind them, huge windows showed the full moon, a bad omen for those who believed in oldwives tales. While the full moon's presence was of beauty and serenity, shining alone in the night sky, it represents sorrow, loneliness, an indication of the unhappiness that is to come. Of course, that's if you believed such things. Hitomi didn't, but that fact still crossed her mind continuously. It made her feel worried. And behind the shadowy figures, stood a ghastly thing bigger than a cathedral; it was starting to come into focus, and Hitomi saw enough to know it was a machine with wires and tubes joined everywhere. But, why did it look so familiar?... Her mind nearly, nearly got the conclusion when she was brought back to reality with a flip of a coin.

Van still held Shiden close, then let her go, and stood facing her. Hitomi almost wished she could go back to the vision, instead of having to watch Van like this.

"But where did you go? We couldn't find you anywhere." Van gently placed his hands on Shiden's shoulders, but he seemed oddly concerned about her. Or at least, it seemed odd to Allen, Hitomi, Duo, and Merle. They didn't know what to make of it, so just carried on watching as if it were a play.

Shiden looked at the floor and studied it, as if it would help to make things easier for her. How was she going to tell him? How would she explain what happened? And what would make him believe her anyway? It was a crazy incident, something that brought her close to insanity when she was young, and didn't understand anything. Things were different now; being older and wiser, Shiden had learnt to deal with it the hard way, but at least she's survived, and managed to retain her precious sanity. That, took most of Shiden's life to adapt to, but this can't wait that long. It wasn't easy and there's no way out. She had to tell him, whatever the consequence.

"I…... I wasn't on Gaea."

" What do you mean?" Van wore a puzzled expression, showing his confusion and vulnerability. Hitomi yearned to comfort Van, and felt protective of him against this Shiden, but one look from Allen and duo told her not to do anything rash. How did they know what I feel? Do they even UNDERSTAND, what I feel?

Shiden gulped… took very big breath and let out very long sighs afterwards… Once again she studied the floor for instructions… She hastily wiped dry her eyes, and forcing on a normal expression, began to talk. The whole gang was on tender hooks.

"Remember… when I ran into the forest, and Folken was chasing me? I saw something... a dragon - and it looked straight at me. I thought I was going to die; that my time had come. But then something strange happened to me; the sky suddenly darkened, and this beam of light broke up the sky. Thoughts of a god saving me filled my head, and I was starting to believe in the stories about the ancient deities. I even thought it might have been a shooting star - but I couldn't have been more wrong; the light blinded me, and when I could open my eyes again,

I wasn't in the forest anymore."

Van let his go of Shiden's shoulders, and let his arms hang by his sides. Could… could it be the same thing that happened to Hitomi… that happened to Shiden? Van thought. Seeing his confusion, Shiden went on;

"I remember being surrounded by high walls, surrounded by darkness and by the night. Tall grey beings illuminated some space around me, but did not show anymore than what was in their circles. Rain fell hard and fast. Silence was everywhere. No one was around. My body went numb. I felt seriously isolated from the society, trapped in a ghost world; I was also feeling very cold, very hungry, and very tired. Realising it wasn't Fanelia or neighbouring Asturia, I began to cry. At first I tried to hide it in case any savage animals were nearby. But then I saw a wolf, which was viscously snarling at me, baring its sharp teeth. Suddenly I heard footsteps approaching, so I just stood there, hoping that whatever it was didn't see me. But that was a lie, since this wolf had already discovered me. It turned out to be a woman; she went outside because she heard a strange whimpering noise, and because that "savage animal" was actually her pet. I was backing away from her, but she is a very kind and patient woman, who spoke gentle words and in the end I went to her. She knelt down to my level, and as soon as she saw the dirt on my dress and face, spoke in a very fast way that frightened me; but then she spoke more quietly, and ushered me inside. It was a warm place, and I felt safe. While the woman prepared some food, a man walked into the room and started talking very loudly, scaring me and making me cry again. I was relieved when the woman ran out to see what was going on, because at least I knew she wouldn't harm me. They talked in a strange language, then the man smiled, and didn't look so aggressive anymore, but I hid behind the woman, just in case. The woman went away into another room. I clung to her but she gently pushed me towards the man, who I guess welcomed me with open arms. Reluctantly, I walked to him. A few minutes later she returned with some food, and out it on the table; and even sent out her pet as she noticed I was afraid of it. After eating, she tried talking to me again but I didn't understand anything she said. I stayed with her for the night in her house and out of the storm. Although I fell asleep when I had my fill, she said that all night, she heard me say strange things like Gaea, Van, and Folken. Things familiar that are to me, but unheard of, and alien, to them.

The next day, she kept saying loads of things to me, but I still didn't understand their language, so I instantly thought she might be asking me where my home is, so I said in Fanelia, and she looked at me as though she didn't understand, so she asked again. I stayed with her in the end, and she brought me up as her own. In time, I learnt they couldn't have children of their own, and they were thinking about adoption when they found me. As I grew older, my memory started coming back to me, but only bits at a time. Like I would remember living in a palace surrounded by a huge valley, and my mother would tell me that since I was very young, I was obsessed with forests and would beg to go everyday. They took me whenever they could, but it still wasn't enough; they also said that I'd sometimes talk in Latin, a language that they didn't understand. I feel as though I'm forever in their dept; because one summer, just after I had finished studying at university, they decided to tell me everything; the truth about my past; about who I was; where I was from and how I came to be. I just couldn't believe it, but when I thought about it, everything made perfect.... sense. And they gave me this."

Shiden took something from a pouch that hung loosely on her hip, and produced a beautiful flute, made of amethyst with a green butterfly tassel.

"They said that it belongs to me, and when I said I didn't understand, my mother told me that when she discovered me that night, she also found this flute on me during the storm. So that's when I decided to come here, even though I had no idea how to get back - to Gaea - to find my true family - and to find out where I belong."

Silence. Then she looked at Van, whose tear streaked cheeks reflected the light in the room. He had been crying his heart out like everybody else, and once again, they hugged each other, neither one wanting to let go. Shiden's story had moved everyone's emotions, and Hitomi felt a tinge of jealousy touch her heart as she saw Van hold another woman, but her mind told her to snap out of it, as this was obviously somebody he knows; someone he cares about deeply… But who is she? She shouldn't be thinking bad of this woman, especially in the state Shiden's in, but Hitomi also remembered that, Van has only ever held her once…just, once…

I know it's stupid to think this, but will she end up taking him away from me? Then again, it's not like we were together in the first place…I think I'm beginning to understand, why Merle was so protective of Van when I first came to Gaea; she probably felt threatened by me somehow, and now I'm feeling the very same thing; Van….. please don't forget me……Her heart begged. Duo stood next to her, and having picked up on what she was feeling, offered a friendly smile. Duo's face told her to relax, and that things would work out for the best. It did make her feel better. Was she starting to like Duo more than Van?… Not being able to bear it any longer, she slipped out of the room.

<><><>

In the Schezar household, hours later, the gang went to prepare for the night, and in another room, a certain girl was in deep thought; Celena sat on the stool in front of her dressing table, and stared at herself long and hard in the mirror. She thought to herself: Where have I been, all that time, since I was kidnapped? And what was I like? Why can't I remember anything…but the pain?

The mirror flickered. At first she just thought it was the candles blowing in the wind, then thought it might be something wrong wit her eyes as it flickered again. Suddenly it began flickering rapidly, like watching rain fall onto the window, it creates puddles numerous ripples. Celena felt scared, and got up to run for the door, but then she heard a male voice say;

"Wait." It echoed throughout her room, and she thought it might be her brother, yet she couldn't see him anywhere. It sent chills down her spine.

"Allen? Where are you?" Backing up against a wall, she looked everywhere for him.

"I'm not Allen." Said the voice. "As for where I am, see the mirror."

So she did, and gasped; the face of a man, with black hair and blood red eyes paralysed her with fear, and was rooted to the spot. "Dilandau, why not come out and see me? I have a proposition for you. My dear Celena, say goodbye to this world; you may never see that precious brother of yours again." He laughed, a laugh filled with such evil, Celena was now trembling, and scared for her life. The door, then I can scream for Allen to help me…

"Don't even bother. They can't help you. Tell me where Shiden is, and I may let you see Allen before you go. I'm giving you a chance here girl, so don't lie to me."

"Shiden? Who's Shiden?"

"I'm warning you…" Growing impatient, Celena was in serious danger.

"I really do not know this person, honestly, why don't you ask someone else?"

"Fine. You had your chance wench. Dilandau."

Falling to the floor, Celena clutched her stomach as the painful transformation began once again; she cried, she pleaded, but it wouldn't stop, the pain wouldn't go away. It was useless… the sound of cracking bones told the man in the mirror it was over. Celena had another mirror, a full-length one, and now that started to ripple furiously. A nose, the first tips of hair, a face, then a body, appeared through the mirror's face.

It was the man she saw in her dressing table mirror.

"Welcome back, blood thirst." A wicked smile touched his mouth, as he watched the huddled body at his feet. Stirring, they began to move, opening their eyes, looking around, before lifting their head to find where the voice had come from… Standing, they were horrified when they saw what they were wearing.

"What…..where….am I?" They stared at the man in front of them, and said; "You're not Jajuka…"

"Clever boy. Now tell me, Dilandau, how great is your thirst for blood?"

"Why? What are you going to propose?" He sniggered. Dilandau, is back.

Looking at himself…. "WHAT….?!…" He bellowed.

"Quiet." The man ordered, and as if by magic, Dilandau's "dress" was turned into his traditional red metal armour that he always wore, complete with the pointed shoulder caps.

"Great work. So what do you want? Well? " He crossed his arms over his chest, and waited for a response with a smirk.

"Firstly, I am your Master, scoff as you will, and I have a proposition you cannot refuse; I can bring back ALL the dead so called 'Dragon Slayers' - but first, I want you to do something." His blood red eyes stared through the spiky black hair, and had an eerie resemblance to Folken; except he didn't wrap his arms around himself like a bat. Instead, he stood with a calm and commanding posture.

"Wait - why are you helping me?"

"You will know soon enough."

"Fine." Rolling his eyes. "I, Dilandau Albertau, hereby swear my allegiance to you, Lord Diablos…Wait a minute; how did I know your name?" Puzzled, this only intrigued the mentally disturbed Dilandau further.

"Intrigued?"

"Yes." Dilandau's bloodthirsty irises shone at meeting someone like Folken.

"Now, I want you to do something for me…"

<>Sometime later, in Zaibach<>

"I wonder..... how she's been after all this time? Does she even remember me? Will she…....remember me?" Looking around him, the stranger walked around the room, excercing his legs. It may be day, but the sorcerers felt it was darker than the night about what they've just done; resurrecting the dead, whatever the reason. An experiment never attempted before, they would be made livings news, but also risk getting a death sentence. Now, they are unsure about their actions, and it's too late to reverse the process. Some felt that trying to control one's destiny with the fate alteration engine was a big enough task, both to fulfil and to carry out, and that this time, they have gone too far, too far to turn back. Such is the fate of sorcerers.

"May I ask who the maiden is my Lord? Are you talking about the girl from the Mystic Moon, the one with physic powers?" Asked one of them timidly; after seeing what this man can do, his prowess is not to be questioned by the weak.

Grows suspicious. "What girl from the Mystic Moon? And what can she do with this 'power' of hers?"

"Last time she was here, she sabotaged Emperor Dornkirk's ideal future; she can see the unseen, and knows the past and future." They begin to back away against the wall, but are too afraid to leave without permission. This time, the sorcerers have brought this onto themselves, and can only blame themselves - should they choose to.

(Hmmm) "Interesting...... so she can predict the future?" Walks around the room, one arm folded, the other supporting his chin. "Now if I was to use the girl's physic power, then surely I'll be able to find her a lot faster?" Turns to look at him. "Send out the remaining Dragon Slayers - their objective," A sly smile crosses his lips. "To capture the girl from the Mystic Moon."

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Next up, in chapter 10; a man in Zaibach holds a godforsaken secret within him; Van seems to be drifting away from Hitomi while she's comforted by someone else… And princess Eries has something to celebrate. Here's a snippet;

He seems to be spending so much time with her, I know I shouldn't be, but I feel so jealous of her. I can't stand it… I just can't stand it anymore… Duo's more interested in my welfare than Van; but he's got his hands full right now. I never knew Duo could be so funny; I seem to be spending a lot of time with him, because Van is so pre-occupied with his current affairs…I think……I think I'm falling for Duo, but I love Van - don't I?…