Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Statue de Atlantic ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

Van: Hello, Tennyo's not feeling well right now so she's currently suffering through an increasingly painful sore throat.

Tennyo (from a distance): *waves to authors*

Van: Anyway, this is an idea she's kept buried for a long time. She's had it ever since she laid eyes on the Wings of Victory statue at the Louvre. You know, the one with the armless lady and her wings outstretched? So she decided to typed this up. She really likes the idea so we hope you guys like it too…

Disclaimer: Tennyo does not own Escaflowne. Or Inuyasha for there seems to be some recognizable things from that series as well in here.

The land was surrounded in tongues of blood red and orange. Burning buildings that once carried the pride of Atlantis now crumbled to ruin. Shadowed figures fled across the fire-streaked skies using only their luminous white wings to carry themselves. This once glittering land full of column supported buildings and glistening waters was now nothing more that blood and flames. Atlantis had become nothing more than an endless chasm of destruction. The crossfire was something only a sheer madman would be caught in. In this case, it would be considered thousands of madmen. Golden arrows sped across the landscape, piercing any weak spot that was upon their target. The bodies would fall, like raindrops dousing a fire, except the fire remained. Some of these winged warriors chose the soil of the ground to spill blood, instead of allowing the blood to fall like raindrops. How could these men truly be angels? True, they bared the ethereal like appearance of one. Most had longed hair that fanned out before them, but their hair was streaked with blood. Their radiant wings that stretched out contained an uncountable amount of bloodstains. It was as though God's most beautiful creations had been tainted with saliva of Lucifer himself. Neither God, nor the Devil had a role in this war, only they did. Only these blood cloaked demons, the Draconians did. Yet one Draconian stood out among the rest in the heated battle. He was not tainted with blood, his tanned skin remained free of all stains with the exception of a few cuts and a bit of dirt. Pools of amber mixed with ruby eyed their opponent dangerously as he prepared to strike. The unruly black tresses permitted the winds to go through the strands as he charged forth. The youth, around fifteen or sixteen, held out his sword. He tightly clutched the silver handle encrusted with glossed sapphires. Silver, the Draconian's color clashed with gold, the mortal Atlantian's color. The youth easily dodged any stoke thrown at him, allowing blood to splash upon his white tunic. Yes he did easily triumph over armies for he was a true warrior. Behind this warrior stood a shadowed figure, who walked forward confidently. This man seemed to capture the attention of the youth.

" I've seen that you're skills have improved Van," the figure complimented menacingly, " As I recalled the last time we dueled you lost bitterly to myself."

" I believe that I had only been at the age of twelve back then, and you twenty two. What do you expect, my brother?" the one named Van replied in a most icy voice.

The shadowed man stepped forward to allow the flames to illuminate him. Cold, russet orbs narrowed upon Van with no emotion. His pallid skin, streaked with blood as well as his pale blue hair. Similar to his brother's wings, the feathered appendages extended back. Though unlike Van's tunic, his was a death black and actually shielded with golden armor. He smirked darkly at his brother's reply.

" Well, I suppose I should not expect so much from you," he mocked as they both began circling each other.

" Do not mock me Folken Lacour de Fanel!" then, a dark look came over his own face, " Or should I say Lord Dune de Stratego? You have quite an array of names my brother. Which one will be carved upon your gravestone, the noble name of our family or the name of a traitor?"

" I don't think I'll carve my name, it seems to be such mediocrity upon such a tomb. Instead dear Van, I think I'll write my name, in your blood."

The conversation between the two brothers had ended when both had used their wings to jump back from each other. Swords drawn out as two pairs of eyes were locked in battle, they began to fight. Both blades met at the center causing an array of sparks to fly. Folken or Dune, whatever one wished to call him, was the first to go back. The younger of the brothers took this as an opportunity to take the advantage. Van quickly went up to meet Folken, using his silver blade to send his older brother back. It seemed Folken had found this rather amusing since another smile came across his face.

" What?" Van snapped as he continually swung his blade, " Does my beating you into the ground amuse you?"

" I'm afraid not my brother," with a sharp kick, Folken had knocked Van to the ground, " It's too bad we can't go back now can we Van?"

An unearthly cry came from Van as he felt cold steel go into his shoulder. The pain had come and gone rather quickly. He stared down in disgust at the flesh wound and soon proceeded to regain his fighting stance. The sword was about one or two feet away from him. If he could push Folken away he could easily reach it. Bringing up the non-pinned down hand, Van allowed the hand to strike underneath Folken's right eye. He crawled shortly on the ground before feeling his right hand grip onto something. His sword had secured itself tightly in his hand. In the utmost speed, Van stood up. This automatically told Folken that the battle had resumed, and with a vengeance. The sparks of clashing blades flew once again and it seemed Van had become fiercer, stronger. The aqua-colored aura that had surrounded Van was now a blinding white that sent Folken back. The younger brother placed the blade of his sword at the elder one's throat. Oddly enough, a triumphant smile had crossed Folken's face while Van's held a look of sorrow.

" Why did you betray us Folken!?" Van asked in fury, " You wouldn't have to die! You knew I'd have to kill you so why did you betray your own people!?"

Nothing but a mere chuckle came from Folken's lips, he laughed at death.

" Shut-up!" Van spat, " You laugh at death! You're disgusting."

" Foolish brother, my foolish little brother. I do not laugh at my death. In fact, I laugh at your loss."

" Wha-"

Van stopped at the beginning of his sentence. It felt as though hot, white knives embedded themselves in his back. Van immediately used his winged attachments to dodge the next wave of energy. When he turned to see this spineless attacker, his eyes widened in horror.

" Hi-Hitoshi!?" his voice croaked with a deep hurt in it.

Cold, hazel orbs glared down straight at Van. Glossed, honey, blond hair was held back in a braid that had been loosened by the battle. Her silk outfit was streaked with blood, the blood of slain and herself. Her skin that seemed to glow with some sort of powerful beauty. Around her neck was a rose colored stone on a golden chain which pulsed with a bright glow. She kept on walking forward, never taking her eyes off Van.

" Van…"

Quickly, Van held out his sword in defense, " Hitoshi, why are you doing this!?"

" You are not to be here, we can never be friends. We can never be anything!" the young woman named Hitoshi cried out passionately, " You cannot remain here!"

As she raised her arms, the river of blood that flowed from her wounds increased. Before shooting out the next wave of energy, she flinched in great pain. Another wave shot out at Van, but he made sure to dodge. Feeling the full front of his injuries, he clenched his teeth together. Then flew closer up to Hitoshi, holding her arms down. Their faces were so close.

" You liar! You think I'd sit down and die for you!?" the youth cried out angrily.

Hitoshi's hazel pools glittered at this, " Who said you would die?"

A gasp escaped from Van, his muscles felt stiff as his body froze into place. His eyes slowly became glazed over, but still showed great hurt. What seemed to be patches of dried clay or stone began spreading throughout his body. His eyes never lost sight of Hitoshi who was just looking on.

" Hitoshi…why? How…could…you…"

His body froze and soon his body was completely covered in stone. He looked like a statue. He looked as though he had never been alive, just sculpted.

Hitoshi's bleeding body walked forward, looking on at Van's frozen body. An ivory bleeding met up with solid stone to caress the statue's face. Looking behind, stood Folken.

" It was for my people, but I'm not sure it was right," Hitoshi mumbled sadly.

Folken looked down at this poor human before him, " There is no right or wrong action. Van is not dead is he? You did not kill him."

" I sealed him, he is no longer on this plateau of reality. At least his soul is not," she said this all as she stared into her bloodstained hands, " I am dying. I will die, while he lives."

" My brother shall never die will he?" Folken asked bitterly.

" He will live on, preserved in a statue," Hitoshi's voice slanted down, her time would end.

Folken said nothing. Instead, he disappeared into the heap of fire and chaos. Leaving Hitoshi and the statue that was once Van. A tear strolled down her cheek as she continually looked on at the statue.

" Goodbye Van, you must stay here. But maybe, just maybe, I'll find you in the other world."

The statue could not reply to her words.

" I…will…see…you…som…uh!"

Hitoshi's body collapsed against the solitary statue. Her rose pendent glowed, and then departed. There was no sign of life as two shells lay in the midst of a dying land. A land that no one would ever live in again…

Van: Cliffy? Don't worry, Hitomi and I will be paired up.

Hitomi: Of course. Well, Tennyo probably won't post the two new originals for awhile since no one seems interested and she's already bitten off more than she can chew.

Van: She hopes you enjoyed this prologue of this fic. If you are interested in these two new originals you can find summaries in the Intertwining Path in chapter 3 or just e-mail Tennyo.

Hitomi: For now she'll work on updates, English, and Science^^

Van: Reviews are appreciated and…

Van/Hitomi: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Tennyo: *holds up sign* "Merry Christmas"