Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Sacrosanct ❯ Sudden Developments ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Notes:

Originally I posted this under the title of the story I wrote three years ago, when I was just beginning to make my own standards of what I can consider to be good writing.

And after three long years in the gutters, I've finally managed to rewrite this rundown mill of a story and completely edit it as I see fit. The old story, “Fate Has Its Ways”, is no longer up on this website. I've deleted it and created an entirely different story out of it, different because 1) it has a new plot and 2) its written better, relative to “Fate Has Its Ways”. (I shudder each time I look back at how teeny bopper-ish the story came out to be.)

I'd rather not warn people against spoilers because I'm working on the assumption that people are reading this story because they already know what happened. Either way, this story wouldn't be too much of a spoiler to the series since I've pretty much mixed and mashed lots of elements from the anime and incorporated them into this new plotline. This fanfic is the alternate universe kind grounded in the original, Escaflowne storyline, and I do hope I'll be able to pull this off as seamlessly as possible.

Feedback is most appreciated through a review via or an email at starskyvenus at yahoo dot com, if you prefer the exchange to be more private. I'll try to reply as much as I could, but if I don't, I hope you don't take it against me. Please tell me what exactly you liked or did not like about the story, any changes you feel should be made, constructive criticism etcetera. I'd really appreciate all the help I can get.

By the way, standard disclaimers still, and will always, apply to this kind of fiction.

But just so that you don't go groping about in the dark, here's a little paragraph that summarizes what's going to be in store for this story.

Hitomi Kanzaki is princess of Cesario, and Van Fanel is king of Fanelia. Brought together by a pre-arranged marriage, theirs is a relationship founded and held together by their strong sense of duty toward their countries and the mutual respect they share as childhood friends. But a war among the Alliance countries looms over Gaea like a specter and forces these two unwilling heroes into the forefront. With no choice left but to turn to one another for the strength and will to face their destinies, thus begins a period of individual awakening to the startling realization that perhaps, after all this time, they never really understood their true feelings for each other.

Sacrosanct

By Venusskies

A Retelling of the Escaflowne series

 

Chapter One: Sudden Developments

My headaches are recurring, and they have been ever since I had taken upon myself the duty - or should I say, burden - of sitting through as many council meetings as I could with my husband. No one has asked me to do this, not even my husband. I simply surprised him - and myself - one morning, when I told him over breakfast that I would be joining him henceforth in as many council meetings as heaven would permit. He stared at me, wide-eyed, for a moment or two before fully comprehending what I had said. I had to snap my fingers right in front of his nose for him to return to the same planes of existence I was operating on.

“W-what did you say?” he asked.

“I said, I'd like to join you in all - well probably not all, but majority - of the council meetings you'll be having,” I replied coolly, with the perfect queenly manner I had been trained to exhibit. But in truth, my insides were churning. What would he say? Would he agree? What would he think? How would he react? Although I must say, the initial look on his face, the one he wore moments ago, was exquisite.

He took a deep breath.

And I looked at him squarely, in the eye.

“Women generally aren't interested in political affairs. What made you decide to do this?” was a question I was most prepared to answer. “You know that it isn't your responsibility. And it's not as if I can't handle this on my own…”

“Van, I have faith in you. I know you are capable, competent,” I began, with the lines from my prepared `speech' being systematically projected into the expanse of my subconscious, ready for flawless delivery. “But you can't deny your fatigue. I know how much of a toll this has been taking on you - physically, mentally and emotionally - and I want to help you. I've been thinking that if I attended council meetings and knew more about what was going on, we might be able to divide more jobs between the two of us and be more efficient in handling things.”

Van sliced a piece of his meat ruefully before setting down his utensils. He then looked at me somewhat regretfully, and I frowned.

“Am I getting a `no'?”

“I'm sorry if you feel like you're being dragged into this,” he answered me gently, almost a whisper. My gaze immediately softened.

“We both knew what we were getting into when we got married two years ago, Van,” I replied, smiling to alleviate his worries. “Especially I, who, from conception, was already being trained to fulfill such obligations. Let's just say that although it isn't technically in the job description, it still is a proper undertaking.”

Van smiled broadly and reached out to take my hand, the one that was relaxed over the dessert spoon beside my plate. (Breakfast between the two of us was always an intimate setting; it was easy to reach over and touch the other since the table was neither too large nor too small for the both of us.) He squeezed it gently and said, “Thank you, Hitomi.”

My smile broadened and I returned his gentle squeeze.

“There's no need, Van. We're partners, aren't we? Let's make the most out of it then.”

Partners.

Yes, Van and I were partners, but not in all the aspects that there were to the marital setting. Curious, our set-up is, and so were the circumstances that surrounded our union. On the surface level, it may not seem so. After all, arranged marriages between royals from different kingdoms are common in monarchic systems. I was the only princess of Cesario, even though I wasn't necessarily the heir to the throne. My father, Katsushiro, had two children - me, his daughter, and my younger brother Shigure, his son who took over upon his death two years ago.

Van, meanwhile, was not the only prince of Fanelia, and he wasn't supposed to be heir to the throne either. Owing to the tragic chain of events that happened first to his father Goau, then his brother Folken (the crown prince) and finally his mother Varie, he was left alone to bear the brunt of the burden that is Fanelia. He was but fifteen at that time. The day he reached his eighteenth moon, his advisers pressured him to find a wife and continue the royal bloodline. In one of the more notorious council meetings, they showed him a line from his father's living will, a line that was also present in my own late father's last will and testament. That infamous line read:

That my son, Van Slanzar de Fanel/daughter, Hitomi Kanzaki, be wed to the Cesarian Princess Hitomi Kanzaki /Fanelian Prince Van Slanzar de Fanel as soon as they both come of age.

We were both shocked upon reading this, to say the least.

It was a very unexpected twist of events for two people who had been friends since childhood. Van and I were not, and had never been, childhood sweethearts; there was no mutual understanding during those carefree, innocent years that tied us to a commitment as binding and as grave as a romantic relationship. Perhaps the adults saw something different between the two of us, but for us, there was nothing special aside from the strong bond of friendship that had been forged between us.

Heaven had decided to play a mean trick on the two of us and bring us together like that.

It was written in their wills. Plus, we were royals. How could we have refused, even if we had wanted to?

And so it came to pass. A year after I reached my eighteen moon (I being the younger of the two of us), I packed all my belongings and sailed to Fanelia, a new life ahead of me. The wedding was held at the Fanelian palace with most Gaean royals in attendance, some of which were included in our circle of close friends: Princesses Millerna and Eries Aston of Asturia, the Duke and Duchess Marlene of Freid, Asturian Knight Caeli Allen Schezar and billionaire extraordinaire Dryden Fassa, also of Asturia. It was an elaborate ceremony, with me trying so hard to keep up in a gown whose petticoat was made up of five, six layers and whose train went as long as ten meters. I could remember how pale I seemed to look halfway into the ceremony from the fatigue of carrying the entire gown. Such a pallid disposition remained with me until months after the wedding, a fact that did worry Van quite deeply, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

But it was impossible to hide everything, especially between the two of us. Van and I were very much aware of that. There were numerous issues involved in this arranged marriage that we tried so hard to keep to ourselves, especially those pertaining to our personal feelings.

Though Van had never been romantically linked with anyone in Gaea, I was secretly involved with Allen Schezar before I reached my eighteenth moon - a relationship which we were planning to make public on my formal debut. But when I saw my father's will, my world shattered into pieces. On the night of my formal debut, my brother instead announced my marriage to Van, an event that ultimately destroyed my relationship with Allen.

We have not talked since.

Van was perfectly aware of all these things. How could he not, since I had confided in him a number of my secrets, including this one, in all the summers that we had visited each other? The night before our wedding, he knocked into my room and we talked about the future. It was an awkward beginning, but nevertheless, we were able to straighten things out.

“I'm sorry if you feel like you're being dragged into this,” he also told me that night. It's funny how many times he's told me this for the past two years that I've practically lost count, even though during our childhood and teenage years he could barely utter a sincere apology. Kingship has made him an altogether different man.

“It's okay,” I replied. “I understand.”

We came to an agreement on the more personal aspects of things - on how I would be allowed to keep the room I was staying in and how we wouldn't have to think about children… yet. It was, and still remains, a most delicate part of the relationship. Two years into the marriage and the only times I've seen him shirtless were during his training with master swordsman Balgus. Obviously, pathetic for a husband and a wife, but the hell, I could care less.

No matter how hopelessly teenage I may sound by saying this, I cannot help but admit that I am still hurting over the abrupt end my relationship with Allen has met. What's even more frustrating is the fact that we were never able to achieve some closure on it. And I'm not even certain about what he thinks about me now.

A knock on my door alerted me out of this reminiscent state. I suddenly remembered that I was presently inside my room, still in my sleeping garments, sitting on my bed, and looking out the balcony framed by billowing curtains. The focal point of my gaze was way past the hills and mountains that enclosed Fanelia, a view perfectly clear from this side of the palace. In fact, now that I realized it, I didn't seem to be staring at anything in particular.

My maid from Cesario, Mitsuki, stepped inside my chambers and greeted me with a polite bow. Such was the custom from my home country, one which I acknowledged with a slight nod.

“We must get you ready, Hitomi-sama,” she spoke, employing the honorifics that were exclusive to our native language. “Van-sama is already downstairs, quite busy with some things. His page has informed me that he will soon be joining you for breakfast.”

“I see. We must not keep him waiting then,” I answered, rising from my bed. Two years into our marriage and never had I thought it wise to keep a man like Van, no matter how long I had known him prior to our union, waiting.

 

* * *

 

“Your majesty,” my page called, running towards me. He was holding a medium-sized envelope in his hand. “Master Balgus asked me to deliver this to you.”

I took the envelope silently and unsealed the document it contained. Inside was a correspondence in Balgus' own handwriting, explaining the need for an urgent council meeting as soon as I had my breakfast. Also, he would most appreciate, he wrote, if the queen did not attend just this once.

I frowned and slowly began to pace the inside of my study. What matter could be so pressing for him to explicitly ask for the queen's absence? I must've been pacing my study for far too long for my page interrupted me politely and informed me that my wife was already waiting for me.

Wife, I contemplated. Two years into the marriage and I still can't believe Hitomi is already my wife. I don't know when I'm ever going to get used to this, I told myself. Steadily I walked to the veranda where we always had our breakfast since the morning after our wedding, our meal already prepared and laid out in carts attended by servants.

“Van,” she smiled, standing up in courtesy. I returned her smile and we she proceeded to sit down once more, with me following in suit. I studied her for a while as she arranged her napkin over her lap; her sandy brown hair, now up to her shoulders, was loose and framed her face prettily. Her complexion was quite pale yet rosy, and the ecru dress she wore lent her a healthier setting that had been missing during her first year of staying in Fanelia.

Indeed, Hitomi was a vibrant young woman - an able and willing partner I was so lucky and blessed to receive. She had been nothing but great sport about everything that we had been thrust into, never blaming me or anyone despite her own aggravating losses. Before the marriage, she was one of the greatest friends I had ever had, and the strong bond of friendship we had form was what had enabled us to carry on this far.

I felt quite bad to inform her that she wouldn't be accompanying me this time to the council meeting, as per Balugus' request. And the way she opened her mouth to protest - it was exactly the way I had pictured she would react.

“But why?” she returned, releasing a sigh of exasperation. “I thought that they trusted me by now to know more than simple court etiquette.”

“Hitomi, I'm sure they have good reason for doing this,” I told her. After taking a sip from my juice, I continued, “And don't worry; I will update you on whatever you will miss. Think about it this way: it would be the perfect time to get started on the remodeling plans you were telling me about last week.”

She frowned and turned to her plate, muttering, “Well, the only reason I brought them up with you was because Roberta was incessant about it. And, well, maybe, yes, it might be a good time to start on that guest room.”

For the rest of our meal, my mind was full of questions about the upcoming council meeting. Hitomi might have noticed and chosen to keep quiet, letting me to my thoughts. When we finished, we parted ways with an agreement to meet for lunch, should I be finished by then. I then proceeded to the council chamber after ordering my page to inform Balgus that I was ready.

I was not the first to arrive at the antechamber. Three of the lords were there, conversing in hushed, somewhat urgent tones. My brows knotted slightly; my curiosity and anxiety was increasing at their actions. They bowed in recognition at my arrival and walked with me to the chamber proper. Balgus, plus the other seven council members, were already inside. I sat down, signaling the rest of the council to take their seats as well. Balgus remained standing and nodded to me curtly, opening a folder he brought and laying out its contents in front of all of us already seated.

“Good morning gentlemen,” he greeted. “I trust you all had a good breakfast. My deepest gratitude is yours for being present at such short notice.”

We all nodded and murmured our assent, which he took as the opportunity to distribute some sheets. The header was a drawing of two dragons wrapped around a sword - the Asturian crest! I shot a questioning glance at him before skimming over lines of the document. The look on his face was solemn, and he allowed the four of us some moments to read the text over.

Officers of the 5th Unit of the Asturian Infantry, stationed at the west bank of the Zaibach border, reported unusual military activity… increased fortification of existing military encampments around Zaibach territory… launching of two floating fortresses and their sudden disappearance midair… guymelef test flights…

“Asturia, as we all know, has immense intelligence-gathering capabilities. The copies are yours, gentlemen,” Balgus began, quite dryly.

I was the first to pop him a question.

“What is all this about?”

“This document outlines Zaibach's most recent military activities, giving us further reason to doubt the country's intentions over the past few years. They have been increasingly generous with non-Alliance countries which are isolationist in nature, like Ispano, something that unsettles Alliance states, especially Basram. We know little about Ispano especially, except for the fact that during the ancient times they produced majority of Gaea's most astounding guymelefs, even our very own Escaflowne, and that now they are still resource-laden hence self-sufficient.

“Zaibach, as we all know, is lacking in natural resources despite their advanced technology; they turn to countries like us for food, clothing, and oil to burn. Never had the Alliance countries given it reason to search elsewhere for their needs. This recent move, coupled with their increased military activity, should be disturbing, especially to Fanelia, which is geographically closest to Zaibach than any other Alliance country.”

Silence and a few confused looks greeted him afterward.

“What are you implying then, Master Balgus?” Lord Milton spoke up. “I beg of you a little more bluntness.”

Balgus took a deep breath before answering Lord Milton.

“We must be prepared for a possible attack by Zaibach, my lords. All four of us samurai generals agree on this. The mountains that have shielded us from attacks over the past few centuries will be no match for Zaibach's floating fortresses. But the most important message, gentlemen, is this: regardless of whatever their reasons are for attacking us, regardless whether or not this information is true, we must be prepared nonetheless!” he replied somewhat fiercely.

“Master Balgus, we do agree with your point, but this intelligence on Zaibach is disturbing, to say the least,” young Lord Garlot said as I leaned back into my chair. I took this opportunity to look at my own mentor straight in the eye, my chestnut gaze piercing his. I was perfectly aware of the direction his speech was going to take, and I couldn't help but feel a slight uneasiness at this. “May I inquire, with utmost courtesy, as to who handed you these documents, good Master?”

“General Forsworth,” he said, pausing to return my gaze. “His men were able to retrieve this document.”

Perhaps it was due to the bond between master and pupil, but I sensed the slightest change in the tone of his voice with his last statement. No, there was something more, my gut feeling told me. There was something that the man was not telling us. I needed to speak with Balgus after this meeting was over, alone.

I looked up to meet my master's eyes, and his steely gaze conveyed a message I instantly understood. His eyes promised not just answers to my questions, but more. Much more. My expression suddenly turned grim. I remained silent amidst the arising murmurs.

The voices got louder, and I began to hear arguments beginning to brew within some members of the council. I was still silent, and I could feel Master Balgus' eyes on me. I took a few more minutes to think about everything that I had just heard, and then motioned for the entire council to keep silent. They all obeyed at once.

“Gentlemen, this council will be adjourned indefinitely; that is, until I am able to clarify certain matters with Master Balgus here. For the meantime, I ask you to attend to the fortification of our defenses. It wouldn't hurt to check on our country's security once in a while and see if our military is fit enough to respond to any attacks,” I addressed them. “Lord Dresden, I shall await your most immediate report.”

Everyone nodded and departed from the chamber, leaving me and Master Balgus alone inside.

“Please take a seat Balgus,” I offered, motioning the one to my left. He nodded gratefully and took the offered seat.

“You've been pretty quiet during the meeting, Van,” Master Balgus remarked. I smiled wryly.

“I had my thoughts, and felt that it would be wise to keep them first until I talked with you,” I replied.

My master grinned and chuckled.

“You've definitely changed young man,” he said. “You were very, very different from the lad I first trained so many years ago. Being second in succession back then you were a very brash, impulsive boy. Your eyes blazed with a certain wildness, and your swings were fierce with unbridled strength. But now you're different - so much, that sometimes I look at you and I can't seem to recognize you anymore. Kingship has changed you, to the point that I fear for you.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned, slightly.

“You were but a boy when everything happened, Van. I can't help but wonder how much, exactly, it has affected you, and whether or not you were really able to recover.”

Again, I smiled wryly.

“Don't worry about me Balgus,” I said. “I'm carrying on well; Hitomi's of great help.”

“Yes, she does seem to be a capable queen.”

“She is. I'm glad.”

There was a pregnant pause before Balgus spoke again.

“It wasn't General Forsworth who handed me the information, by the way. But don't worry. He knows I used his name for this meeting. He and his men have been instructed properly.”

“I suspected as much.”

“It was actually Allen Schezar.”

My brows immediately knotted.

“The same Allen Schezar, Knight Caeli of Asturia?”

“Yes, Allen Schezar, the same young man whom I also taught.”

There was another pause.

“Van, perhaps you know why.”

“I have an inkling.”

“Which is why I didn't want the queen to attend this time around.”

“It was great foresight on your part,” I commented dryly. “Even if it comes from Allen, I cannot deny the integrity of the document you've shown us. The Asturian crest looks genuine.”

“I can sense old wounds reopening,” Balgus spoke.

“They have always been open. They have never healed,” was my steely reply.

The older man sighed and leaned back into his chair.

“Sometimes I am torn between my love for my pupils and my duty to my country,” he said to no one in particular.

“You are a Fanelian Samurai General,” I told him softly, turning away slightly.

“Of course, Van. You need not remind me.”

“Then we're clear on that.”

“Always.”

I stood up and walked towards the window across the table. Silently, I looked out of it, gazing aimlessly at the gardens below it - so aimlessly, in fact, that I didn't even notice the unusual darkening of the sky.

“He has vested interests in protecting Fanelia,” I told Balgus, who remained seated at the table.

“Yes, I know he does,” was his simple reply. “But you must not let that awareness cloud your judgment. Allow me to compliment you on the wise decision you made on ordering the council to see to our defenses.”

“It was but protocol,” I answered, denying the unnecessary praise.

“You know, I find the two of you absolutely entertaining,” he said, turning to face me.

I turned around to face him as well and asked, “Why?”

“Your rivalry is just so,” he paused with a small smile, trying to grasp the right word, “childish at times. Its extension to so many aspects of life aside from swordsmanship is absolutely entertaining to behold.”

“Oh don't mock me so,” I replied, folding my arms over my chest, as if proving his point.

“Oh but you must realize that,” Balgus chuckled, also folding his arms over his chest. “The two of you are my most talented pupils, despite your bipolar reasons for taking up the sword.”

“What was his?” I asked him.

“He wanted to become a knight early on. He wanted to prove himself.”

“And what was mine?”

“You simply wanted an outlet for your extra energy. You were such an energetic young lad, Van - always kicking and screaming. Your mother couldn't seem to contain you back then.”

I frowned at the obvious pun he put on my behavior as a terrible toddler. But then, I couldn't really reproach him for that, so I grinned and responded with, “Is that a bad thing?”

He merely chuckled at me, and I laughed as well. This light moment was interrupted by a rumble from outside, the brief shaking of the palace and some screams of surprise. Balgus and I were momentarily startled. Much more alert, we ran out of the council chamber to find ladies still holding on to the walls and various objects for support and some of the men running. There was an ominous smell of burning material hanging in the air. I left Balgus momentarily to retrieve my sword from my study some rooms nearby, and when I rejoined him, Lord Garlot was already with him, his face dripping with sweat and his cheek smeared with streaks of ash.

Another rumble was followed by the sound of collapsing infrastructure. Blood-curling screams from outside the palace were deafening, and my insides were beginning to tremble with anxiety. What was happening? Who was attacking us? Why were they attacking us? Were the people being evacuated in time? Sweat was beginning to trickle down the sides of my head. I wiped them off impatiently.

“What is going on?” I yelled, the noise almost drowning my own voice. “Lord Garlot! What is happening?”

“Your Majesty! Fanelia is under attack!” he cried out breathlessly.

Balgus and I exchanged glances.

“Details, Lord Garlot!” Balgus barked. Around us, people were starting to panic at the news.

“The moment we left the council chamber, we immediately saw to the defenses like you asked. But reports had already come in from the country's eastern border that the soldiers stationed had been attacked. There was no information about the attackers because no one could see them, just giant, metal claws that slashed at people. Infrastructures were crushed into pieces and giant footprints appeared on the ground but still no one could see what was causing them!”

“Metal claws? An invisible enemy?” I repeated, my eyebrows knotted in confusion. “But how?”

“We don't know your majesty, but if any information from the latest meeting was significant enough, they must be the disappearing guymelefs from Zaibach mentioned in the intelligence report,” Lord Garlot replied.

“Where is the enemy headed?” Balgus then asked.

“Towards the palace, right as we speak,” Lord Garlot answered. “They are coming! The rumble and the shaking we felt, it's them - their guymelef's steps. We're trying desperately to defend against them, but it's no use. They will reach the palace, fast.”

Slow and steady - they were going to arrive before we could do anything to stop them. I hated the helplessness of it all.

“What is the extent of the damage?” I asked.

“Heavy, your majesty. Everything in their paths was totally destroyed. We barely had enough time to rescue the women and children.”

“Your majesty, go and retrieve Escaflowne,” Balgus then said, turning to me. “It is time.”

I nodded.

“Prepare the guymelefs,” I ordered. “Make sure that all civilians are evacuated to the mountains. Calm them down; panicked citizens will be harder to handle. And try to hold up our defenses as much as possible until I arrive.”

Balgus and Lord Garlot both nodded, and without further ado, I ran to the shrine where Escaflowne was kept. Lots of people were screaming, the ladies especially, and I merely rushed past them, my breathing heavy and my heart beating erratically. On the staircase down, I met Hitomi, who was running up to find me.

“Van!” she called out, running up to meet me. I reached for her hand, intent on taking her with me down to the shrine. While we were running, I explained what was happening and what I was going to do. She was listening intently, and I turned to look at her to see if she was alright. Her face was flushed from running, and sweat was dripping from the sides of her head. Around her neck she wore a necklace with a rose-colored teardrop-shaped stone for a pendant, which was swinging madly at our frenzied pace. She bore no cuts and wounds, and I breathed in relief.

She was alright, and I needn't worry. At that moment, I vowed to myself that Hitomi, and the rest of the Fanelia, will be kept safe - at any cost, even my life.

When we stopped to catch our breaths, we were already at our destination. The drag energist I had retrieved from the dragon-slaying ritual just a few years ago lay perched on a stone podium, emitting a faint, pink glow. Hitomi paused and stayed put a few meters away from it, watching me walk towards the energist in a trance-like state with eyes that reflected a haze of emotions - anxiety, awe, confusion, and even fear.

What awakened me out of the trance-like state was the unwelcome lurch I felt in the pit of my stomach, one that made me halt abruptly in front of the energist. I felt my heart sink upon the sudden realization that the gigantic machine that lay kept beneath me was actually beckoning me to awaken it, to use it in this battle we were unwillingly thrust into.

I suddenly felt desperate.

Once, my father had told me to try to see the future as a way of gauging the rationality of my decisions. That way, he said, I would become a better prince. I would become a better man.

But at that very moment I couldn't see into the future, no matter how hard I tried. No matter how far I looked, I could only see the blackness of uncertainty and the grayness of the despair I was currently feeling, impaired by my lack of awareness on how to act in such a pressing situation. My country was under attack by enemies we couldn't see. Our soldiers had not been able to defend against them. How then would I be able to?

I shook my head slightly and tried to dispel such thoughts of uncertainty. The tremors were increasing in magnitude; the fighting outside must have come very close to the castle now.

Remember, you are the King of Fanelia now.

I must be strong.

Resolvedly I unsheathed my sword and used it to prick my finger, letting the blood drip onto the dragon's heart. It shone brilliantly, almost blindingly, and I took it into my hand, raising it into the air.

“I am Van Fanel, King of Fanelia,” I spoke in a deep, cool voice, chin held high. “I beseech you, Escaflowne. Awake and lend me your power!”

To be continued…