Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Three Souls, Three Paths ❯ Chapter One: The Unavoidable ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter One: The Unavoidable

Emma stood on the edge of the soccer field tapping her foot with her arms
crossed. Her sapphire blue eyes arrowed as she looked at her watch. Once again Myranda
was late. That is the last time I leave my equipment in her locker, she thought bitterly.
Now because of her friend's tardiness she would be late for her soccer practice.

Already she could hear her coach yelling at her, saying something along the lines
of "What kind of role model are you being?! You're in grade eleven for crying out loud!
If you keep this up you're off the team!" Emma sighed and looked back at her watch.
Practice was to start in only three short minutes

"Hey Emma!" Myranda shouted as she ran up to her friend.

"You're late." She said rather bluntly. Myranda hung her head low, making it
seem like she was upset.

"I'm so sorry.I really didn't mean to. Here's your bag." She held out the navy
blue gym bag. Emma snatched it out of her hand and opened it diligently. She pulled out
the shin guards and cleats, putting them on in a hurry. Emma then ran out to join her
teammates. As she ran she stopped and turned to Myranda.

"Don't worry 'Randa, I still love you!" she shouted and flashed a toothy grin to
her friend.

Myranda sighed and sat down on the bleachers. Her mind wandered to the bizarre
dream she had of the raven-haired boy the night before. For some reason she couldn't get
her mind off the dream and focus on the senior girls' soccer team. She was supposed to
be making notes of any players who looked like they were slacking off. It was her job as
team manager to do so.

Myranda found herself laughing at the irony that she was the team manger and
was barely able to make it on time for the practices. A soft breeze sent a few wisps of her
bright red hair astray from the ponytail they had been tied in. Lazily she tucked them
behind her ear; she would fix it later.

"Hello sexy." A sultry voice spoke into her ear. Myranda turned around only to be
ambushed by her friend Brodie. Desperately Myranda tried to keep her balance while
trying to pry her friend off.

"Brodie.! I'm gonna fall.!" Myranda said, laughing wildly.

"So, you'll cushion my fall!" she replied in an overly cheerful tone.

"Oh Brodie!" Myranda said in a sarcastic tone. "We can't do this here. Let's go to
the washroom!" Myranda suggested, grinning wickedly. She enjoyed playing these
naughty games with her friends; there was nothing they wouldn't do to freak people out
in public. Brodie let go and stepped away.

"Are you ashamed to show your feelings for me in public?" Brodie asked in a
heartbroken voice, playing along. "Cuz if you are, I.I.think I might have to leave you
and even then I wont know what I'll do. You complete me." Myranda shook her head
slightly as she wondered how she always became friends with the weirdest people.

"Brodie, you have a boyfriend." Brodie lowered her eyes silently and began to
coil a lock of her chestnut brown hair around her slender finger. Myranda looked at her
friend; something wasn't right. "Brodie, what are you hiding?"

"Tyler and I..well we.."she bit her lip, not wanting to finish her sentence.

"Oh Brodie." Myranda walked up to her friend and embraced her. "What
happened?"

"Well it's kind of embarrassing.um.he said there was too much sex in the
relationship and we should see other people."

Myranda suppressed a laugh and asked in a mocking tone, "Do you want me to
kill him?"

Brodie broke the embrace an said in a humorous tone, "No, that's my job." She
replied with a slight grin. "So how's the practice going?" Brodie asked, changing the
subject.

"Emma's mad at me. I was almost late."

"And she blamed you? Your teacher, Mr. Curk, always goes on and on. Me and
her had him last semester. He really doesn't know when to shut up."


After their coach had put the girls on both the senior and junior soccer teams
through numerous drills she then had them play a quick scrimmage against each other;
the seniors against the juniors. Both teams were given five minutes to make plays and
decide who would play and who would be subs.

"Let's show the juniors what were made of!" one girl shouted.

"Don't let it get to your head Steph. We have to out smart them." Emma said. "I'll
play forward center right." When time was up, both teams got into position. The juniors
had won the coin toss so the seniors had to go the defensive first.

It didn't take long for the senior girls to get control of the ball. About ten minutes
into the game Emma got a clear breakaway. She ran as fast as her legs would take her
down the field. When she went to kick the ball into the net her vision began to darken and
her heartbeat slowed. Sudden an image appeared in front of her; a boy clad in strange
armour stood before her. Unable to stop, she ran through him and slowly began to stop
running. Soon everything around her became pitch black.


Emma's eyes were shut loosely. As a soft breeze ruffled her hair she lifted up her
face and let the hot air caress her skin. Her eyebrows knitted together and she opened her
eyes. To her horror she could see a city in flames. Her heartbeat quickened as the flames
grew higher and drew nearer. As she looked closely at the city in flames she could see
amongst the chaos what looked to be metal giants helping the fire become greater.

She found herself surrounded by darkness once again. However this time she
could hear voices. Some were familiar, other were completely alien to her.

"I won't fail like my brother."she heard an angry young males voice say.

"Ahhh..! The Leprechauns are after me!" Emma recognized the voice; it was
Brodie.

".As a knight of Asturia... Allen Schezar. You're our guest in this fort. To
protect you as the owner of this fort... ...as a knight... ...no, as a man, I must do it."an
older man's voice echoed. Where are these voices coming from? Emma wondered.

"You're wearing strange clothes. Where are you from?" another man's voice
spoke. Emma almost had an urge to talk back but before she could utter the reply another
voice sounded in the darkness.

"Well then, shall we go? You there carry Allen's bags." This time it was a woman
who spoke. Her voice was overly cheerful and made Emma feel sick.

"Doesn't he sorta look like Johnny Depp from the movie Arizona Dream?" It was
Myranda's voice who spoke this time.

"Just don't get too familiar with Lord Van. I don't want foreigners like you taking
liberties with him." The voice was young and childish.

"Who are you!?" Emma shouted in frustration to the mysterious voices.

"Hey Emma!" Emma turned to see Brodie standing in the distance waving to her.
She smiled and felt relieved. I'm not alone here! She began to walk towards her friend
but stopped suddenly as she saw a strangely clocked man grab Brodie and drag her way.

"Brodie!" She shouted and broke into a desperate run but stopped when the
darkness consumed her friend. "Brodie."

"Emma.." She turned on her heel to see Myranda behind her. She then began to
run to her friend, fearful that the same thing would happen to her. When she was only a
couple of strides away the ground began to quake. The space between Emma and
Myranda separated, pulling the friends apart.

"Myranda!" Emma shouted as she stood at the edge of the newly sprouted cliff.
She felt scared and frustrated. What was going on? Then without warning the ground
under Myranda broke apart. Emma's eyes widened in fear as she watched her friend fall
to her death, or what could have been her death. A man fell after her. Emma couldn't get
a look at whom it was. As he fell he sprouted glorious white wings and caught hold of
Myranda, saving her. Darkness once again consumed Emma.


"Emma.can you hear me?" Emma squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Why is that
voice so familiar? She wondered. Am I still dreaming? Finally she opened her eyes and
noticed she was in the nurse's office. She tried to sit up but was stopped. "You shouldn't
try and get up just yet." She turned her head to see her crush standing by.

"A-Andrew" she stuttered. I must be dreaming!

"You passed out on the field."

"How.how long was I out?" She asked, a slight blush crept to her cheeks. He's
so much hotter up close.I just hope I don't say anything stupid.

"About an hour I'd say." He answered. Emma kept her eyes on him. He was the
epitome of perfection. His eyes were as blue as the ocean, his platinum blond hair was
unruly and was asking to be tamed. His body was well built but not too muscular. He was
just perfect. "You're a pretty good player Emma." He knows my name? Emma looked
away from Andrew; her cheeks turning a bright red colour.

"Um thanks but I'll never be as good as you." She slapped herself mentally. I
must sound like some groupie!


"So Emma what happened between you and Andrew? Did you guys get it on?"
Myranda asked while giving a suggestive look as she, Emma and Brodie walked home
from school.

"Myranda! Who do you take me for? I don't just make out with a guy I just met-"

"Did you forget about Kevin at Sandra's party? You talked to him for ten minutes
and made out for forty!" Brodie said, elbowing Emma in the side.

"I was drunk. At least I'm not as bad as you Brodie." Brodie looked at her friends
confused.

"What'd I do?"

"Maybe you should rephrase that to 'Who did I do?', Brodie." Myranda said in a
matter-of-fact way.

"Who.?" Brodie repeated. "Oh! Ya, well I'm Brodie! I'm allowed to do that."
Emma and Myranda just shook their heads and continued walking ahead of the their
friend. "Hey! Don't walk too fast! You know I can't run in my hooker boots!"

"Well then don't wear them!" Emma shouted over her shoulder. Brodie sighed
heavily and tried to catch up to her friends without tripping.

"But they look so good with the kilt." Brodie said, pouting her lower lip. "Oh!
Guess what I heard."

"What?" Myranda asked.

"Andrew's leaving."

"What!?" Emma exclaimed. No, he can't be.

"Ya, apparently his dad's business got moved to Europe or America or something.
He's leaving in a in a couple of days." Emma stopped walking. "Emma?"

"I'll see you guys later okay." Emma mumbled and began running back towards
the school.

"What is she doing?" Brodie wondered out loud.

"She's finally getting the nerve to do something she always wanted to do. She
said that she always wanted to play a one on one with Andrew before he graduated in
June. But since he's moving in just a few days she can't be a meek little baby anymore.
I've always told her to take what she wants and now she's finally following my advice."
Myranda explained.

"Wanna go watch?" Brodie asked with a wicked grin.

"Of course."


Emma ran to the back of the school. Please don't be gone yet! Her mind screamed
as she rounded the corner. She looked around and walking away from the field was
Andrew with his soccer ball tucked firmly under his arm. Okay Emma, you can do this.
Wait, no you can't. Yes you can! She gathered every last drop of courage she had and
called his name. "Andrew!" she shouted.

"Oh hey Em." Emma felt her knees turn to jelly. He called me Em! He gave me a
nickname! "What're you doing here? I thought you left with your friends."

"Um Andrew..God this is gonna sound so stupid."

"What is it?" he asked, grinning slightly.

"If it's not too much trouble could you.would you.um would you."the pit of
her stomach knotted with nerves. She had never felt like this before in her life.

"Would I.?"

"Wouldyouplayaoneononegameofsoccerwithme?" she blurted out quickly. She
looked down at the ground, awaiting his rejection

"Sure." Her head snapped up surprised at his reply and blushed deeply as he
smiled sweetly at her.


"Hey look! It's Emma and Andrew!" Brodie shouted.

"You don't need to shout. I'm standing right beside you." Myranda and Brodie
walked towards the field to watch. "Hey you go sit on the bleachers, I'm gonna go turn
on the lights." With that said, Myranda jogged over to the equipment shed and turned the
power on.

Emma came to a halt when the lights turned on. She looked to the bleachers and
saw Brodie and Myranda standing and waving. Emma waved back smiled. "Go get him
Emma! Fuck him hard too!" Emma shook her head sadly. Only you Brodie would say
that, only you.

"You two shut the fuck up!" Emma shouted back suppressing a laugh. Of course
by saying that, she only provoked the hooting and hollering. Ignoring the hoots and
hollers, she dribbled the ball back to centre field. Andrew stood on the defensive within
the six-yard box, waiting for Emma to try and score on him.

Emma focused on the game; it was still tied 0-0. She began to dribble the ball
down the field. As she approached the eighteen-yard box a dazzling pillar of light
descended from the sky above. Dazed by the brightness of the light, Emma continued to
run.

When the light disappeared it left a boy standing in the field. Emma recognized
him and figured she was dreaming so she didn't bother to stop. By doing so, she smacked
right into a boy clad in the strange armour. Shocked and stunned she fell backwards. No
way.he's real.

"Emma!" Brodie and Myranda shouted in sync and dashed down to the field.

"Are you all right?" Myranda asked, helping her friend to her feet. She then
looked at the boy who her friend had run into. It can't be!

"Myranda, what's wrong?" Brodie asked, noticing the stunned look on her
friend's face.

"He.he's the guy from my dream."

"Wait, from your dream?" Emma question. "I had a dream about him this
afternoon."

"Huh? You both had a dream about him?" Brodie asked confused. "You know,
now that you mention it, he kinda looks familiar.like I've seen him before." The boy
in the armour eyed all three girls and raised an eyebrow. They all had a dream about me?
What a weird place this is.

"What sort of demons are you?" He demanded in a cold tone.

"Demons? We're not demons." Myranda said, correcting the stranger.

"Emma!" Andrew shouted as he ran up and joined the other girls. "Are you
alright?" He asked, eyeing the strange boy.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Myranda asked cautiously.

"I am Van of Fanelia. Now you best leave. A dragon is coming. So unless you
want to be eaten by a dragon, leave."

"Dragon? You've got to be kidding-" Brodie began.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Van said, his voice was so cold and serious. As
soon as he finished speaking a portal like opening appeared before them. Out of the portal
came a large and grotesque dragon.

"Holy shit.He wasn't joking."Brodie mumbled.

"Come on, let's get the fuck out of here!" Emma yelled grabbing Brodie and
Andrew's hand. Myranda however wanted to stay. Something told her she should.

"Come on Myranda!" Brodie shouted and began to drag her friend by the arm.
They ran until they reached a local park, which was just a few blocks away from their
school.

"This is just so weird." Myranda muttered between breaths.

"What's going on?" Andrew asked, feeling like he was being left out of
something.

"I wish I knew exactly." Emma said leaning and leaned against one of the beams
supporting the swing set. "All I know is that this afternoon I had a dream and that guy
was in it-" The ground trembled. The group of teens turned and to their horror they saw
the dragon. It had followed them somehow.

"Hey! Over here!" Van shouted, trying to get the dragon to attack him.

"I think we should start running again." Emma whispered to her friends. They all
nodded and agreed.

The dragon looked at the playground and prepared to breathe fire. Within seconds
the playground was in flames. "Will that guy be alright fighting that thing?" Brodie asked
aloud. Emma watched carefully as Van tried to cut and slash the dragon. Her eyes then
widened as she saw within her mind the dragon penetrating Van with its tail.

"No.he's.he's gonna die." Emma then ran towards the fighting. "Look out
above!" She shouted as she saw the Dragon's tail raise up in the air. She quickly covered
her eyes, fearing that Van hadn't moved out of the way in time. She only opened her eyes
when she heard the beast scream and feel it fall to the ground.

Van had cut open the dragon causing the green coloured blood to spray about
everywhere. Carefully he removed a pink crystal like stone for its chest. When the object
had been removed, the dragon's body and blood all disappeared.

"Are.are you alright?" Myranda asked as she approached Van.

"I don't need women to worry about me and I didn't need any of your friend's
help. But if it's thanks she want then she can come to my castle but don't get all cocky
about it." Emma glared daggers at Van.

"Why you good for nothing bastard!" Emma shouted at him. Brodie held her
back. "If it weren't for me you would have been dead! I only helped because I really
didn't want to see anyone die. God, the least YOU could do is say thank you!" Myranda
walked up to Van so that they were almost face-to-face.

"I really hate guys like you. You're so egotistical. And this is what I think of guys
like you." Myranda raised her hand and slapped him forcefully across the face. She then
walked over to Emma who was being comforted by Brodie and Andrew. "It's alright hun.
I slapped him good for ya."

"Thanks Myranda." Emma paused and noticed something strange. He pendent
began to glow. "What the-!?" Before she could finish speaking a pillar of light surround
her and her friends. It was only seconds later that they all felt themselves being lifted
from the ground.

However not everyone was being lifted. Andrew was still standing on the ground.
He reached to Emma who had her hand out stretched and trying to grasp his. But it was a
useless attempt. The light soon vanished and all that was left was just Andrew.


Emma sat up in the meadow of tall grass. What happened? She wondered.
Where's Myranda?! And Brodie?! She jumped to her feet, fear sinking in. Nothing
looked familiar. How'd did I get in this meadow? Am I dreaming again? Her mind filled
with questions that begged for answers. Her heart felt at ease though when she turned
around and found her friends. "Where are we?" she asked, hoping one of them had the
answer.

"I'd say we're near the village of Urthas." Van answered as he gazed up at the
night sky.

"Urth-what?" Brodie asked, wondering if she too was dreaming. Nothing seemed
to be making sense.

"Where are we exactly? Where'd you take us?" Myranda asked in a demanding
tone.

"Myranda."Emma said, tapping her friend on the shoulder.

"Not now Emma." Myranda whispered.

"No Myranda you should really see this."

"What is it?" she asked annoyed. All she wanted was some answers out of Van
since he seemed to know "everything". Emma said nothing and just pointed up at the
sky. "What the fuck?! How'd-what the? But how can we be-If that's Earth then where the
hell are we?"

"Earth? Is that what you people call the cursed place?" Van asked.

"Cursed place?" Emma repeated, hoping for an explanation from Van.

"We call it the Mystic Moon."

"So if we're not on the 'Mystic Moon' then where are we?" Emma asked.

"This is Gaea."