"Has there been any progress in the search?" Dornkirk leaned back in his chair.
"We have just received a report that the king and the girl escaped out the window of her cell. There were no ships in the area to intercept them, nor was the Escaflowne spotted outside. We also found this in her cell," the messenger held up the item to Dornkirk, "Shall we conduct a search for them, My Lord?"
Dornkirk smiled broadly and laughed, "That will not be necessary. We have exactly what we need."
Why, how nice of you to leave me your pendant, Maiden, how very nice indeed. Once Folken brings back the other girl, we can try to resurrect the war god ourselves..

Millerna struggled against the firm grip of one particular man, and she held back her tears. Tears show fear.... She met Allen's blue eyes, and gave him a questioning look. She looked over at Gaddess, who was holding off several men, and his crew were quite busy as well. Suddenly an idea came to her. No...I couldn't.....
Millerna gave a knowing look to Gaddess, and his brown eyes widened. He opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. She then met Allen's eyes, and with no more hesitation, she wrenched her hand out of the man's grip with a new given strength, grabbed Gatsu by the shoulder, and kissed him deeply. His pale eyes widened slightly, but slowly he relaxed, and she could feel his lips curling up into a malicious smile. A tear trickled down her face, and she met Allen's oustounded eyes. Go Gaddess... Set him free and leave. She felt Gatsu start to grow impatient, and she deepened the kiss, the feeling of disgust growing in her.

“Van…?” Hitomi shook the youth slightly. She laid him down and put her cheek to his lips. Well, he’s still breathing, that’s good.
She untied his jacket from his waist and laid it over him. She stood up and rubbed her hands over her arms, Man, it’s chilly She looked around. Maybe I should try to build a fire…Hmmmm
She went in search of the necessary materials and was able to locate everything except for the flint. Damn, that’s going to make things hard. I have no idea what flint looks like on this planet…Maybe if I just get a few stones and hit them together that might work….
She sat down and began to work. I don’t get it. I’ve never seen him act like that before. Not to say that I didn’t like it of course… I don’t know, maybe he just seemed…well…unlike his usual self. I mean he didn’t seem serious or grumpy like he normally is. In fact, he was almost charming! Can you believe that? Charming?! Charming, and bold and forward…she felt her cheeks blush once more. Oh well, even if it was just because of the seriousness of the situation, I’ll take it for what it was, wonderful…
After spending what seemed like hours at this task with no success she fell back onto the grass, Stupid stones! Argh! It can’t be that hard to build a damn fire. Course…maybe this is good luck in disguise. I’m not sure how far we are from the Vione. We might still be close enough to attract their attention with a campfire. Well I guess it’s time for plan B.
Walking back over to Van she slipped off the T-shirt he’d given her. She folded up the shirt and put it underneath his head. Taking off his jacket, she settled down on top of him, laying the jacket over them. I hope he doesn’t flip out when he wakes up. I just don’t know what else to do to keep us warm. Course with the way he was acting earlier, he may not mind, she nuzzled her face into the nape of his neck, I know I sure don’t… she sighed running her fingers over the taught, bronze skin of his chest.

[OOC: looks like someone's going to get a nice surprise when he wakes up ^^]

Escaflowne paused halfway down Hitomi’s neck. The barrage of angry insults from his host body has reached their peak. He had managed to ignore them and only pay attention to the person he felt mattered the most: Hitomi. But there was something the youth said that went too far, something that set his own anger ablaze.

’You can’t just use her like this’

Use her? I? Use her?
HOW DARE YOU! He thundered enraged, How dare your try to turn my love for her into something cheap and tawdry! You ignorant little punk! How could you possibly understand MY feelings when you can’t even sort out your own!? Could you ever know what it’s like to pine for your only love for ten thousand years? To be trapped in that hideous metal husk, never alive nor dead, just existing and to know that the only time you could ever feel like you were truly alive is when she’s near? And THEN to top it all off have to hear her call out YOUR name; look in YOUR eyes; touch YOUR lips! She will never love me. Her love has always been and always shall be for you. I accepted that fact long ago, even though my own feelings cannot change. What I did tonight, I did for the both of you. To strengthen your relationship and bring you even closer. She trusts you now implicitly and her feelings for you are even warmer and dearer than they once were. And trust me, you will face my wrath if you attempt to undo anything that I’ve done tonight. If you do you’ll only cause her pain, and that I will NOT have, even if it is out of mere ignorance. She needs you now more than ever for she is truly alone. Gaea is her home now and will be until her death. She has foreseen this, as have I. She hasn’t told you of this out of fear that it might upset you or that you might nor care, but I have proven to her tonight that you do care and you BETTER keep doing that yourself! I implore you to be there for her now and always. And if I’ve stolen a few kisses in your name, that will be trivial compared to joy she will show you later.
Now I shall depart, for I’ve done what I said I’d do. You are both safe and I will rest until needed again. When you wake, you will have control over your body once more. ‘Til next we meet, Your Majesty…
Escaflowne felt a queasiness overtake him and he dropped to his knees as his wings blew off his back, Good timing, looks like my power has run out.. “Van!?” Hitomi cried alarmed, “What is it what’s wrong?”
“Oh,” he smiled gently at her, “It’s nothing…I’m…Flying takes a lot out of me,” he lied.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Van..if it means anything to you,” she felt herself blush when she knelt beside him, “I like your wings. I think they’re beautiful.” Escaflowne laughed softly, “I think you’re in the minority with that opinion…Ohh,” he fell forward onto the grass.
“Van!” she picked him up in her arms.
“Freid.. It’s a country not too far from here. Just through these woods and over that mountain. Prince Chid is King Aston’s grandson. It is a neutral country; they should help us if we go there. Hopefully we’ll meet up with Allen and the others there too,” he swallowed hard, “And…now…I think I need…to get some…sleep. We should both…go to sleep. We’ll start off in the morning…Hitomi…” he looked up at her,” I…”
“Yes, Van?” she leaned forward concerned, “What is it?”
“I…”
He fell asleep before he could finish his sentence.

[OOC: He's all yours now, Kywraith ^_~]

Merle had no sense of time. it could have been minutes or hours she wasn’t sure. only small glimpses of reality had told her of being shaken, yelled at, moved. Drowned out sirens and voices, running people, pounding feet. Nothing was real until she herd the words trickle through “The prisoners had escaped.”
Those few words were all it took.
Those words were the key.

Merle was up and at the door before she realized that it wasn’t a door anymore, the ground wasn’t a mat anymore, she wasn’t bleeding anymore. Her arm was bandaged and she has been ‘sleeping’ on a bed.
Turning to where the door actually was she tested it. Locked.
I guess it was too good to be true.
But Van-sama and Hitomi are safe. Van-sama is not dead, Van-sama is free.
With that, Merle moved back to the bed and waited.

[OOC: I'm doing running commentary from a few posts back...bear with me.]

What are you...? Hitomi...Hitomi.
Van felt his heart swell as Hitomi looked into Escaflowne's eyes, hiseyes, as she whispered his name. He had never imagined it would feel this way. Hitomi...
But he couldn't touch her. No, this was Escaflowne touching her, touching her face--and Van most definitely didn't like it. He felt his jealousy twist in him, coiling tighter and tighter as Escaflowne's thoughts of love and wholeness filled his mind. Lay OFF! he found himself thinking viciously.
His heart burned as her green eyes, filled with her tears, came to rest on his face. And then suddenly Escaflowne kissed her cheek, almost kissing her mouth, almost teasing her with his lips.
Van was comletely unprepared for the shock that went throught him. First that Escaflowne would have the...the audacity to do such a thing in his body, and then how Hitomi responded to it. She didn't recoil, didn't back off--no she almost seemed to like--
And then Escaflown'e thoughts slammed into his consciousness.
She's so soft? So warm?! Of course she is! She's Hitomi! And you can't even think about her like that! Especially not about her--!!! He couldn't continue that train of thought, embarassment stopped him short. If he'd had a body he was sure his face would be flaming. Suddenly he roared silently at Escaflowne,You. Are. NOT going to do ANYTHING to Hitomi! You want her? Well YOU CAN"T HAVE HER! She's--!!!
What was she? Was she...? No! No! Stop thinking about that! She'd never--
The knowledge of the oncoming guards hit him like a splash of cold water. What was Escaflowne going to do now? It would be useless for them to have come all this way and then just--
No.
He'd just caught the bare vestiges of one of Escaflowne's thoughts.
No way. Escaflowne wouldn't do it--not here, not now, not like this!
Just as Van's rage swelled in him again the truth of it came to him. It was the only way out.
<> Van gritted his insubstantial teeth as Hitomi gasped at the vast emptiness beneath her. This is the only way! he said to himself, trying to dispace the cold dread in his heart.
She trusted him, but her eyes were wide and frightened. Van wanted to take her in his arms...And then Escaflowne did the unthinkable--he kissed her. Long, hard, passionately, he kissed her. Van blocked out the barrage of thoughts and feelings that assailed him. He curled into himself, deeper and deeper, turning away from it, not willing to accept it. Hitomi... He tried to reassure himself that she thought it was himshe was kissing, but it didn't seem to work. It just didn't seem to matter.
Escaflowne pushed her off the fortress. Van felt a moment of panic strike him like lightening, and then Escaflowne leaped off into the abyss himself. Van felt an odd sense of cold resignition pass through him.
And here it comes...what should never have been. What she should never be forced to see.
He felt the familliar itchy feeling in his shoulder blades and then the sudden release of what lay beneath.
Escaflowne arrowed his body at Hitomi's falling form. He dove, the wind screaming by, but Escaflowne's only thought was to get to Hitomi. Van barely felt his anger as Escaflowne approached her, hand outstreched.
She'll see it now... he thought, oddly impassively. But her face didn't change...she didn't look repulsed or horrified.
Van's mind was still reeling from the relief of saving her and her apparant acceptance of the wings when they landed. Then Escaflowne's thoughts hit him full force again, and they weren't of a tame nature. Van once again felt a hard rush of jealousy and anger. When Escaflowne bent to her and kissed her deeply, it increased tenfold. She was pressed against him now, her skin flushed, opening to him like some sort of exotic flower. Van's control suddenly broke.
GET OFF HER NOW! GET OFF! GET OFF! YOU CAN"T JUST USE HER LIKE THIS! IT"S WRONG! GET OFF!
Escaflowne only began kissing her throat.
Van's rage moved past a point where he could feel it. It moved past the hot, burning anger and became so molten that it...became hard and cold.
Escaflowne, he thought very clearly, his thoughts burning like black ice, You will not touch her like this any longer. You will not.

The free fall was terrifying. She looked everywhere for him, but could see nothing. Where is he? Where did he go? He said he was right behind me... Did..did he lie to me?

"Believe in me..."

Her eyes brimmed with tears, "Van! Help me! HELP ME!" she cried.
There came no answer.
She looked up at the earth and the moon in the sky, This will be the last time I see them in the sky...

This is it... This is the end.

Her eyes narrowed as she saw something flying toward her. It's small silhouette becoming bigger and bigger. The moonlight cast a soft white glow on its wings. What is that? A bird? The figure flew closer and she gasped, It's not a bird! It's a man! A man with wings! Her mind went back to her dream. The castle falling out from beneath her. The man who caught her. "Hitomi..."
He flew beneath her and reached up, catching her neatly in his arms. The his face moved toward the moonlight and became visible...
Hitomi's eyes widened, "Van..." It was Van. He's the one from my dream...
His hair whipped at his face as he smiled, "I told you I was right behind you. Hold on."
He swooped down to a wooded area below. He extended his wings catching a small updraft and then landed softly on the ground. He set her gently down and held her close to his bare chest. His wings protectively encircled them. Looking down at her he asked, "Are you alright?"
Hitomi nodded and blushed when she looked up at him. She felt herself trembling from head to foot and it wasn't from the cold chill of the night air.
The dream didn't end here. How much did I truly see? How much was my imagination?
He traced a finger tenderly down her face. He leaned toward her.
"Hitomi.." his lips touched hers once more. This time not forcefully, but softly, almost sensually. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he deepened the kiss even more. Her body flushed. She'd never felt warmth like this before. I don't want him to stop...ever. His lips moved away and he began kissing her neck. She looked up at the earth once more, Is this fate?

Escaflowne clutched her to him, never wanting to let go. He felt his heartbeat slow, his nerves settle, After all these years, finally to be able to hold her again like this...Maiden...Yuri...
He pulled back and took her face gently in his hands, "Nothing will ever come between us again, Hitomi. I swear it."
"Van..." Escaflowne saw her blush against his touch, "Then you forgive me?"
"What could you have done that needs forgiving?" he asked with an incredulous smile on his face.
"Well...Because I told Dornkirk that Escaflowne and I wouldn't help him, he said that you had to die too, " he saw tears begin to cloud her eyes once more, "He said...He said that if I had agreed, you would have lived," the tears spilled down her cheeks, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn't know he was going to kill you. If-If I had I would have-"
She stopped in mid-sentence as she felt his lips on her face. They tenderly traced the path of her tears on one cheek up to her eyes and then down the other cheek. They moved away from her cheek and hung dangerously over her own lips, "Van..."
He's never touched me like this before... My heart's pounding. I never knew how wonderful it would feel...Oh, God, please kiss me...Van... When he whispered she could feel his breath on her lips, "Hitomi, I'm only going to say this once. You did do the right thing. I'm not angry with you at all. It doesn't matter how much trouble you get me into," he smiled, "I'll never hold it against you..."
He blinked his eyes a few times, I'm too close. I have to pull back right now. She's too warm, too soft. That piece of clothing...I've never seen anything like it before. How it makes her breasts so alluring... Oh...I...I want her... No! If I take her now I'm no better than that man I killed. This is not the time or the place... He felt a strong objection slam into the back of his mind. Also not good to try it with an audience either. He pulled back, his demeanor changing immediately to one more formal, "Are you hurt? Can you walk?" He began to shrug off his jacket.
"Um.." Hitomi cleared her throat, "Yes, I can. I'm not hurt that badly."
He pulled off his shirt, "Here put that on," he tossed it to her and pulled his jacket back on, "Good," he stood her up, "Come on, this way."
He took her hand and silently made his way to the entrance of the cellblock. He reached for the handle and froze. Images from the other side of the door flashed in his mind. There were men coming towards them on the other side of the door.
"Van!" Hitomi gasped, "We can't go that way."
Escaflowne gave a small sigh of relief, Good she saw it too, then I won't have to blow my cover after all. "What did you see?" he asked in mock ignorance.
"They’re at least ten men coming this way. What do we do?!"
"Well," he replied almost nonchalantly, "We can't go that way then."
"What!? How are supposed to get out? That's the only door!"
"What makes you think we're going to use a door?" he winked at her and took her hand. They ran back to her cell. Escaflowne ran to the far wall of the cell, "Excuse me," he shoved the remains of the guard out of the way and grabbed the bars on the window. Lifting himself up, he peered outside. Sheer rock face.. That cloud cover might be nice... Yeah, this will work nicely... He grasped the bars firmly and took a deep breath. He gritted his teeth and growled as he pulled the bars apart, far enough apart for one person to crawl through. Once finished, he hopped down and brushed the dust from his jacket. He held out his hand to her, "Come here, I'll lift you up."
Hitomi gave him her hand, but when she looked out side the window she cried, "Van, are you crazy! There's nothing outside but clouds! Where are we going to go?"
He answered her rather innocently, "We're going down through the clouds."
"You mean we're going to jump?"
"Yes."
"Van, I hate to tell you this, but a drop from this height will kill us. You know, as in, MAKE US DEAD!"
He pulled her down from the window and looked into her eyes. His gazed shown a dire seriousness, "Hitomi, do you trust me?"
There was a banging on the steel door. Hitomi could hear shouting coming from the other side.
"Hitomi! Do you trust me?!"
Her breath caught in her throat, "Yes...I do." Van...
He seized her arms and pulled her forward to him. Her head fell back as his mouth closed over hers in a passionate and forceful kiss. They wrapped their arms around each other in one blissful moment....

"Then believe in me..."

The guards burst through the door. Escaflowne grabbed the keys to the cell and locked it, "Sorry Gentlemen, perhaps another day," he smiled as he removed his jacket. Tying it around his waist, he ran back to the window and lifted Hitomi onto the ledge, "I'm right behind you," He put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her out and then followed.
He never let her leave his sight, Only one shot at this...will they work? Almost like an answer to a reflex he felt something push out from his back. He smiled as he saw feathers fly past him, "Yes!"

*Searching around eagerly for his victim, he saw something quite unusual and suspicious looking* Hmm... someone's on the roof.. interesting *Grinning, his eyes followed the figure running into the inside corridors of the Vione* Gatcha... Vaaa~n.. *Over the commlink he alerted all the soldiers that the Fanelian king is sneaking around the Vione* Your not getting away from me THAT easily.. *Jumping out of his guymelef, and ignoring the fact it was in the middle of the docking bay, he pulled out his sword and ran out of the room and into the corridors.* I'm coming for you VAAAN!

*Pressing a button on a watch-like device on his hand, he vanished. All that could be heard was the sound of footsteps* Heh... I should thank those crazy Scientists for this nifty little gadget. Your not the only one with tricks up your sleeves, Van. *Smirking at this new game of cat and mouse, he moved through the first floor searching for the "mouse". He searched, but saw no sign of the King and cursed* He went for the prison cells.. he's probably searching them now. Tough luck for him there's only one entrance out of the prison. *Over the commlink he yelled out the location of the King and told the soldiers to block the entrance out of the Prison* Hitomi will be his downfall, what a pathetic king

An uncharacteristic emotion passed over Nariya's face. She stared down at what her simple words had done to the kit, her navy eyes dark and unreadable.
Merle. She said her name was Merle. Nariya suddenly jerked her eyes away from the form on the floor. Her sister's gaze was curious.
Nariya wiped all expression from her face. She stood up instinctively, not really sure what she planned to do. She cares about her Van the same way... Nariya viciously silenced the thought. Stop this! You can't get attached to the enemy.
The kit's tears were wet on her face, and made luminous trails down her cheeks in the dim light. Nariya suddenly jumped quicky and soundlessly to the ground in irritation. She didn't look at Eriya.
The kit's back was to her. Nariya slowly crept forward until she was right behind her. From here she could see the kit's shoulders shaking uncontrollably, almost shivering. Her pain was almost palpable.
Nariya made a sudden strangled sound and rage flooded her mind. She landed in front of the kit and grabbed her shoulders hard. She shook her. "Don't do it to yourself!" Nariya hissed in her face. "Don't do it for him! Wake up!"

Hitomi! Hitomi! Van couldn't stop thinking her name. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but he knew for certain that Hitomi was in trouble. His body was rushing to get to her with an urgency that spurned Van's worries into full fledged dread. And Escaflowne's hurried thoughts made him feel more than slightly on edge.
What? He's in the cell as well? What is he doing to you? And then a darker, more powerful undercurrent of thought rose to the surface of his mind: I"LL KILL HIM.
Van felt a black rage twist deeply in him, even more strongly than before. When he was on the battlefield he had felt bloodlust--but it wasn't like this. Nothing was like this.
Go Escaflowne! Get to her NOW. Do everything you have to!
It was as if the world narrowed down to a single point;: Get to Hitomi. And both he and Escaflowne agreed on that point unanimously. As Escaflowne ran down the halls it seemed oddly as if he and Van ran together, both striving for the same goal, united in their anger.
The guard was an obstacle. Get rid of it.
And then he did.
Van was jerked out of his single-minded rage for a moment of shock as Escaflowne used some sort of invisible power to strangle the man. But it was gone too quickly for him to really focus on what had been done--because now he was in the cell, and he could almost see her--
He heard Hitomi crying.
What are you doing to her? The meaning crashed in upon him almost instantly.
Get away from her you FUCK!
Once again he felt a wave of Escaflowne's rage, stronger than anything else he had felt thus far, but it was dwarfed under the sheer power of his own emotion. I almost lost her once. I will not. Lose her. Again. Ever!
It all became a dark red blur.
The man was run through with a sword.
Van would have grinned viciously if he'd had a mouth. Suddenly he felt another odd surge from Escaflowne--but this time it was not rage. It was something beyond that--something Van had only brushed at once or twice. And it was deep and twisted and frightening. He had never felt anything so mindless and animalistic--but some part of him was liking it, loving it, even, and Van suddenly recoiled. Balgus! Is this what--
The guard was lifted up and crushed in invisible hands. Escaflowne dropped him to the floor and Van knew what was coming next. Leave him! He's dead! He'll die in minutes! But to no avail. Escaflowne brought the sword down hard and it was done.
Escaflowne...
His thoughts were only for Hitomi. Van fought a wild urge to try and make himself heard as Escaflowne bent to untie her. Her screams at his touch were devastating. He wanted to touch her gently--reassure her--
As Hitomi threw her arms about his neck he felt a deep dread fall away from him, but his relief was tinged with jealousy. And then suddenly it hit him.
Escaflowne had let Hitomi refer to him as Van.
What?
At the words that came out of Escaflowne's lips, Van felt an icy certainty settle over his heart. And even Hitomi's soft words could not dislodge it.
He's going to keep my body.

Gaddess!
He didn't have time for relief or worry. This was his only chance. And by God he'd make it count.
Allen kicked hard at Gatsu with all his strength. The blow landed hard between Gatsu's legs. The feel of the impact was solid and very, very satisfying. Allen felt a vicious smile pull at his lips as Gatsu's face twisted and tightened in shock. But he wasn't stupid. As Allen's other foot came up, Gatsu, clutching himself and trying to draw his sword, threw himself out of the way. Damn!
Gaddess and his men were trying to spearhead a way through to them. Millerna was still in the hands of one of the brutes. They had to get her out of here! Allen strained at his bonds. "Millerna!"
Through the crash of metal on metal and the grunts and gutteral sounds of men in battle, Allen heard Gatsu mutter, "Not finished with you just yet..." His eyes were flat and full of rage. He drew his sword.
Allen threw a look at Millerna--can't let him take you hostage!--and then met Gatsu's pale-eyed glare. He faced the mercenary as he came towards him.
Allen smiled grimly. "You'll never beat me, Gatsu. You'll never even come close. And you know it."

He could feel the beginnings of fatigue in his muscles, but he pressed onward. He wasn’t sure just how long his host’s body could go before giving out. It was a risk he’d have to take.
One more floor to go…
He rounded the corner of the corridor and came face to face with a great steel door. Off to the side stood a console attended by one guard. Escaflowne approached swiftly.
“Excuse me, Sir, I have been given orders to escort the girl down to the Zaibach main fortress.”
“Oh?” the guard looked at him quizzically, “I have seen no such orders.”
“There has not been time to get them in writing,” he replied evenly.
The guard rose from his seat and approached. He leaned down and looked at the youth closely for a time. He then drew back and remarked, “I haven’t seen you here before.”
I’m getting the feeling he doesn’t believe me…Escaflowne didn’t let the remark phase him. He kept his face deathly calm and collected, “I’ve just been transferred here, Sir.”
“How long ago?”
“Two weeks, Sir.”
“From where?”
O.K., That’s it, I’ve had it. “Sir, permission to speak freely.”
“Granted.”
“My orders were to bring the girl down immediately. This interrogation is preventing me from carrying out those orders immediately.”
The guard smirked and put his hands on his hips, “You seem pretty eager to get in there, Boy.”
Escaflowne looked him straight in the eye, “I am eager to serve my country to the best of my ability, Sir.”
The guard paused for a moment. This is it, the moment of truth, Escaflowne thought, Will he believe me? Or will I have to kill him?
The guard reached down and removed the keys from his belt and walked over to the door, “She’s the last cell on the right, there’s a guard inside whom has keys to it,” he said opening the door.
Escaflowne moved towards the door. He turned his head to wall and saw something flying at his head. He turned around just in time to catch the guard’s club in his hand.
“There hasn’t been a crew rotation in two months,” the guard smiled devilishly, “You’re the King of Fanelia.”
Escaflowne returned the man’s evil smile with one of his own, “Not exactly.”
He crushed the guard’s club in his hand. The guard looked on in surprise when the youth yanked the remnants out of his hand and cast it aside. The guard turned, but was suddenly stopped by a crushing sensation he felt around his neck. He dropped to his knees and reached for his neck. Choking and gagging his looked up at the youth. The guard could see the youth’s hand outstretched and slowly closing.
He’s choking me…without even touching me. Who…Who is he?
The guard fell dead on the floor. Escaflowne stooped down to pick up the dropped keys, “Sometimes being smart, makes you nothing but dead.” He unlocked the door and stepped inside.

He could hear her crying softly, it made his heart ache acutely inside his chest, Maiden, I’m here… The sound of ripping clothes brought his thoughts back. He heard the guard laughing softly as he spoke, “You’ll be crying harder soon enough, but they won’t be tears of sadness but those of joy. Tell me, have you ever been with a man before, little girl? How small and dainty you are…you remind me of my daughter…”

[OOC: YUCK! *Shudders*]

Escaflowne’s eyes went wide with horror and rage,MONSTER! HOW DARE HE!!

“Engineering! What’s going on down there? Are you able to fix the problem?” The commander hollered into the communicator.
“We haven’t been able to yet, Sir. The energists inside this main reactor seem to be resonating.”
“Why are they doing that?”
“We’re not sure, Sir.”
“Well figure it out! Fast! The reactor is almost up to ninety percent!”
“Yes, Sir!”

He convulsed with anger once more and slowly unsheathed his sword. He could hear the man begin shrugging his clothes off. Moving along the wall of cells he reached the end and slowly peeked around the side. Hitomi lay on the stone floor, her jacket and shirt gone. Pieces of her shirt had been used to make bonds. Her hands were tied behind her, her eyes were blindfolded, and her mouth gagged. Her bra and skirt, although torn, still remained intact.
Hitomi…I’ll never let him hurt you…
The guard dropped his shirt on the floor exposing his bare chest. He regarded the girl with wolfish eyes, “So, let’s begin…”
“Yes, let’s,” spoke a cold voice from outside the cell. The guard never got to open his mouth to ask whom the voice belonged to. He saw an object coming towards him. It reflected the moonlight as it flew into the cell. The object flew end over end until it connected with the guard's chest, driving him back into the stone wall. He looked down to his horror to see the hilt of a sword protruding from his chest.
He looked up dazed, “Who…?” The guard was then seized by a force. It pulled him forward. He began to shriek as he was pulled over the hilt of the sword.
Escaflowne’s blood surged in his veins. A crazed look had entered his eyes and a smile crept over his face, Yes! Yes! Squirm! Scream!
He pulled the guard over the sword and lifted him up in the air and began to twist his hands together. As he twisted them, he could hear the man’s bones cracking. He screamed for awhile longer until he grew hoarse and then fell silent. He fell and landed in a twisted heap on the floor. Escaflowne entered the cell and advanced towards the man. He yanked his sword out of the wall and looked down at the man. A renewed rush of anger ran through him. He lifted up the sword and stared into the man’s still open and blinking eyes.
Feel agony…..and pain….fear…and then… “AHHHH!!!!” He brought the sword down on the man’s neck. His head softly rolled a few inches away.
Escaflowne jerked backward as the floor beneath them shook violently.

“Sir!” one of the bridge officers cried.
“Yes…I know. How many men were down there?”
“Thirty-two, Sir. Sir…”
“Yes?”
“The second main reactor is up to sixty percent….”

“Hitomi!” he cried dropping the sword and running over to her. He knelt beside her, but when he touched her she started to scream.
“NO! DON’T TOUCH ME!” she cried when he removed her gag, “DON’T YOU DARE! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!”
“But Hitomi, it’s me. It’s Van!” he removed her blindfold.
“I don’t believe you!” she covered her face and started to cry.
Why would she not believe me? His mind went back to her thoughts he had heard, ‘I deserve this.…He hates me.’ She must think he hates her for saying ‘No’ to Dornkirk.
He got up and ran over to the lamp that was left in the corner of the cell and brought it back. He held the lamp up to his face, “Look, it’s me. See?”
Hitomi uncovered her eyes, “Van…? It…It is you.”
He set the lantern down and she threw her arms around his neck, “You came for me,” she whispered.
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, “I’ll always be there for you, Hitomi. Always.”

[OOC: X_X]

Yukari just stood there stupidly. She still wasn't sure whether to trust him or not. She let out a deep melancholy sigh. If only Amano was here. He'd know what to do and.... She let her thoughts trail of. Part of her wanted to leave with her new acquaintance and see this "castle" and the other part of her didn't know what to think anymore. As nervous as she was, she once again let her thoughts take off and they lead her home. Castle.... Yukari's sight became a blur once more while recalling a memory of how her mom used to tell bedtime stories when Hitomi came over for a sleepover when they were little, and how Hitomi's eyes would open wide with curiosity about what would happen next. She quickly shook the mental picture of the two of them cuddled up in front of the fire from her head and wiped her blurry eyes. Why am I remembering this now??? Hitomi has been gone for a while now but somehow..... Every since Hitomi disappeared Yukari found it hard to think about Hitomi or even remember past memories. The only person she could confide in was Amano, and now... he too was gone. Stop it! She told herself over again and again. This won't help now! She realized she was in company and tried to snap out of it. "Umm...." her lower lip trembled a bit. She bit down hard on it wishing it would stop. " I...." Her throat cracked. She cleared it and started again. "What did you say you used to fly again? What castle?" There I've made up my mind. I'm going to accompany him. The only problem is......where is he taking me exactly???

Escaflowne froze in mid-stride. Images of Hitomi began to flash in his mind, her face being hit, her clothes being torn, her thoughts of despair.
I deserve this...
It's all my fault...
He hates me....
"Maiden," he whispered hoarsely. His whole body shook with rage. His hear pounded in his ears and he ground his teeth, He will pay...he will pay dearly.

"Commander!" cried an engineer on the bridge of the Vione.
"What is it?" the commander approached the engineer's station, "What's the problem?"
"Activity in one of the main reactors is approaching seventy percent."
"Damn," the commander cursed as he looked at the display panel," if it gets much past that it'll go critical. Send a team down there and get it under control."
"Aye, sir!"
"Great," the commander muttered to himself, "first one of our prisoners escapes and then this? What next?"

He broke into a run, making his way through the crowded corridors, virtually undetected with the aid of his uniform. I'm coming, Maiden...

She struggled against the bonds that held her to the table in vain.
"Let me go! Let me go! No!!" she cried thrashing her head back and forth. Her head came to rest and turned to the side, "Van..." The youth lay on a table next to her. He turned his head and looked at her, his eyes full of anger and disdain, "You betrayed me.."
Hitomi took a shallow breath as tears began to fill her eyes, "I thought I was doing the right thing. I did it because I wanted to save this world. I did it because I love you.."
Van's eyes hardened, his voice venomous, "And this is how you show your love? By killing me?"
His words tore through her tore threw her like daggers, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she sobbed, "I didn't know! I didn't know he was going to hurt you too. Van....please forgive me...please...
Van rolled his eyes, "Forgive you? You're so worthless."
Van...
"You deserve all of this..
I...
"I hate you...."

A pair of clothes slammed down on her head, jolting her awake, "Wha?!" she looked up from her spot on the floor. A guard loomed over. She could see him sneering in the lamplight from the lantern he had brought inside her cell, "Beggin' his forgiveness, eh? Well, we'll see just how generous His Majesty feels in the morning. I brought ya a gift. Some special clothes to wear tomorrow.
A wave of anger rose suddenly insider her, "Take your damn clothes and shove them up your ass!" her eyes widened in surprise at her harsh words. The guard's sneer suddenly left his face. He set the lantern and leaned in close to her, so close she could feel his breath on her cheek, "What did you say?"
I'm not going to let him intimidate me, "You heard me," her voice was cold. The guard pressed his face into her cheek, Hitomi swore she felt him smiling, "Am I gonna have to dress you?"
She suddenly felt the back of his hand strike her face. She fell over dazed. He picked her up by her shirtfront and struck her again. She hit the ground hard and held her face. She looked up to see the guard remove his jacket, "I don't mind...because before you dress, you have to undress..."
Hitomi's eyes widened, realizing the true meaning of his words. The look in his eyes and the smile on his face; he could only mean one thing....
She cried out as he grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him, "Scream all you like, there's no one to rescue you now...not even your king..."

[OOC: Buuuuuu! Get him, Esca-kun!]

Escaflowne sighed in mild irritation as he attempted to dress himself in a closet too small for even the smallest of brooms, Damn, this uniform's going to be a bit snug. I must have misjudged the boy's size, thought he was a bit bigger. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers I suppose. I didn't expect His Majesty's chest to be so broad for a young man of his age. Course this should be an asset later on when he becomes a man...for many reasons...
He had felt some intensely negative feelings stabbing at the back of his mind, like in itch that seemed impossible to scratch. Perhaps complimenting the young king might pacify him somehow. He didn't need such conflict right now; he had to focus all his strength on saving his mistress. Only she mattered, nothing else. Nevertheless the emotions continued to assault his concentration. Anger, insecurity...and...jealousy? It didn't take him long to identify the source, Hitomi. A rakish smile spread across his features in spite of himself, Ahhh. Looks like someone is feeling a wee bit threatened. How funny, Your Majesty...I didn't know how much you cared. He sheathed his new weapon and looked up, Well, knowing that should make the reunion all the more sweet, shan't it?

Gaddess was stealthily moving down the corridors with a small band of men when he heard a scream. That sounded like Millerna, he thought. But what would she be doing down here?

“The room is just up ahead,” he warned his men. “Get ready.” He cringed as one of them tripped, dropping their sword noisily on the ground. “Look where you’re going!” he hissed.

He poked his head around the corner. Seeing a small band of men guarding a door he assumed it was the right place. One was walking towards them, probably looking for the source of the noise. He turned around to give his men quick instructions. “Remember, we want to get Allen and Millerna out of the way as fast as possible. Then if we have time we can inflict some damage on those lumbering idiots. Got it?” A quick nod from everyone assured him that they understood. He turned back around and raised his hand. One… two… three…

They surged around the corner knocking the first guy flat on his back. The others around the door brought their weapons up at the first sight of the small mob. They put up a good fight, for idiots. Gaddess was the first to reach the door. A sword being swung at his head temporarily stalled him. Deflecting it, he threw the wielder into a wall, rendering him unconscious. Turning his attention back to the door he kicked it open. It took his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the lack of light in the cell.

Millerna… Allen…

Merle went mute. Executed?
They’re gunna kill Van-sama?
They’re gunna…………… She was trembling. Van-sama, caught? How did he…
They’re gunna…
Van-sama can’t die…

I’ll die.

Merle’s mind was a void, nothing but white noise and momentary flashes of wetness on her cheeks. Her mind raced and went nowhere; a terrible cycle of self-loathing and fear had begun. She had failed to protect Hitomi for him. She had failed to protect HIM. Somehow, she knew it was her fault… all her fault. It wasn’t Zaibach... it was her. She promised herself she would protect him. She vowed on Fanalia’s ashes she would keep him safe. She told him…
she failed…

Her audience could hear none of her thoughts, feel none of her emotions. All they saw was a kit in the fetal position, trembling, with tears poring down her cheeks – unchecked. There was a terrible vacant look in her eyes.

V a n – s a m a…

Groggily opening her left eye, Millerna felt a pair of lips resting on her own. But instead of the kind blue eyes that she expected, icy light eyes were glaring down maliciously at her. Her situation dawning on her, Millerna screamed and pushed Gatsu off her. About to slap him, Millerna's violet eyes widened as Gatsu grabbed her wrist roughly and kissed her deeply. Wrenching out of his grasp, Millerna sobbed and fell back. Grinning, he grabbed her blonde hair, and dragged her over to where Allen was fighting his bonds. Placing them a mere couple of centimetres apart, Gatsu signalled for the other thuggish man who was standing in the corner to control the princess. Gatsu slid out his dagger and traced the flat side along Allen's nose. Smiling, he whispered quietly "Shall we have more fun?" Luminous tears trailed down Millerna's face, an utter look of terror and violation on her face.
"You leech!" she blurted out loud, and Gatsu whirled around. About to strike her, he stopped when a noise was heard. Millerna's gaze fell to Jasta, who was still unconcious.
"It's coming from outside" the man grunted. Gatsu's lip curled slightly, and for a moment he was off guard.

It was the strangest experience he had ever had. His arms and his legs were moving without his violition and yet he could still faintly feel them. It was as if he had been pushed back, like he'd taken a co-pilot's seat in a guymelef.
But he could hear him.
He could hear Escaflowne's thoughts. Van listened, and the more he did the more he became convinced that Escaflowne must have lived before, somewhere, somehow, and that it wasn't god-like at all. It's--his--thoughts were not at all like an omnipotent being's. He had emotions and undercurrents to his thoughts, and they seemed disturbingly familliar when it came to one thing:
Hitomi.
Van wasn't sure just what this strange being wanted from Hitomi, but he definitely didn't appreciate the tone of thought it employed when it thought of her. You'd think that referring to her as 'the maiden' all the time would make it seem more formal...but no, it seems like this being knows Hitomi intimately. Has it been poking around in her thoughts or something? Been entering her dreams or something? Or even... Van suddenly remembered Hitomi telling him about the feeling of arms around her shoulders when Escaflowne talked to her. What if it had been...more than that?
If Van had control of his body he was sure that he would be red as a tomato, and not just from embarrassment.
He'd better keep his non-substantial hands off of her! he thought angrily.
Just then Escaflowne's thoughts turned to posing the hapless soldier as Van. Van felt another irritating brush of admiration. It's a good plan...but I don't know how bad the repercussions will be for this soldier. He may be executed by his own men... But rescuing Hitomi was what really mattered. Even though with each passing moment Van was beginning to feel more and more apprehensive.
...What will happen when she discovers that her mystical knight has finally come for her?

Why does she keep starring at me like that? he thought to himself. It doesn’t look like she’s afraid of me. So why? Folken tossed the thought aside when he heard her speak. Where shall I take her indeed? I can’t take her back to the Vione in case that other girl is there. It is possible that they know each other. “Well, I could show you what we would use to fly. My guymelef is just over there,” he said pointing off into the forest. Folken realised that he could keep her on the middle floors, away from the prison cells. That way she wouldn’t have any contact with the other female. “And if you wish, I could take you to my castle. It isn’t to far from here,” he continued softly.

Yukari hesitated at his Folken's question. Flying??? Like an airplane? She didn't know how to answer his question nor was she sure she wanted to trust him. Not wanting to, she found herself staring into his eyes. There was something about him that made her worries seem small. Why though? I usually don’t give strangers a second thought but.... part of me wants to trust him. "Do you mean on an airplane? And if so, where would you be taking me?" she asked with no qualm. Even though she had always been the diffident type something was unusual about the way she felt at ease around this perplexing stranger.

He made his way silenly through the shaft. The sound of voices guided him to a grate on the floor of the shaft. Two young men were visible through the grate.
"We need to be on alert. The prisoner has escaped with his guymelef," said the taller one. "Do you know how they escaped?" asked the other.
"I'm not sure how, but if we don't find them, Lord Dilandau will have our heads. I've never seen him so angry before.
Escaflowne smiled darkly, Trust me, Boys, Lord Dilandau is the least of your problems right now...
"Well, hold this position for now. I'll come back to relieve you," the taller boy turned and left, Escaflowne listened as his footsteps grew fainter until they could no longer be heard. He silently lifted the grate and moved it to the side. He's right below me, this should go smoothly...
He straddled the grate and then dropped effortlessly through. He landed on top of the man, hitting him full force in the back of the head with both his fists. The young man feel to the ground, never knowing what hit him. Escaflowne gathered the young man up, Now, he thought as he gazed down at his victim, Time to turn you into a king...

"I thank you, Your Majesty. I swear no harm will come to you or the maiden."
A soft pink light formed in front of the youth and moved slowly toward him. He raised his head and braced himself as the light surrounded him.
Escaflowne could feel the youth's muscles tighten instinctively, "You must not resist. Relax,"
The young king leaned against the wall of the shaft and closed his eyes.
Escaflowne sensed the youth's heartbeat slowing, the tension leaving his muscles, "Good."
He enveloped the youth in the light and entered his body. Van, swooned and fell to the floor of the shaft...
Escaflowne opened his eyes and slowly stood. The pain of the youth's injuries hit him full force and he sank to his knees, Hold on...I can't let his pain receptors force me out,.I can't... The pain slowly subsided and he tried to stand again this time with success.
Now.. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate, an image of Hitomi flashed in his mind. She's eight floors above and to the right.. He straightened with determination, I'll never let them take you away from me...never.

*As he finally got up to the fortress, after a grueling flight for what seemed like HOURS, he stepped into the docking bay and pulled the Escaflowne in, dragging it along the ground until it was safe of the closing hatch* Damn, where the hell are my Dragon Slayers?! I'm supposed to be commanding people around to do these types of labor! *Releasing his crema claws off the huge load, he called over the commlink to some minor soldiers to report to Dornkirk of the Escaflowne and Fanelia King's capture. Stepping over to a hanger he noticed a weird light shining off the walls, he turned his guymelef around quickly to glimpse the white guymelef glowing in a pinkish white hue.*

Oh shit! WTF is this stuff?! Grrr!! *Swearing profusely, he yelled to some other soldiers to get in their guymelefs and help him subdue the piece of junk err... antique. Unfortunately, by the time the soldiers had gotten into their guymelefs and were running over to aid him, the Escaflowne vanished from sight* -_- Don't tell me this thing has a cloaking device. *Snarling visciously because of the really long travel to the Vione and then the sudden disappearance of the damn thing he had carried all that long way, he shot out a couple of crema claws into the air, but nothing came in contact with them and he retracted them back* This. is. not. happening. *Screaming with rage* I just brought this stupid thing in and it decides to disappear?!?!?! I wasn't told that it could do that!! *Seething with anger and looking around for something to hurt, he thought of something* It may have vanished into thin air, but it probably is still around SOMEWHERE. The Vione is waaaay to high up for an energist to have enough power to do something like that little trick. It's power would probably be all but depleted and then it really WOULD plummet to the ground. *Giggling insanely at his brilliance, he pulled down a heat sensitive scope in the guymelef's cockpit and looked around vigorously* Where are you Vaaaa~~n... I know your somewhere around heeee~~re....

[OOC: Ok, so Escaflowne is now talking to people? I thought it did like "thoughtspeech" or something along those lines. @_@ I'm confoosed.]

"Little one," Nariya said from the shadows, "you are in a floating fortress." The kit jumped and looked around, trying to pinpoint the origin of the sound. Nariya slowly stood up. She leaped soundlessly down several platforms and landed in a smooth, liquid crouch. Her eyes were trained on the kit's face. "Your Van-sama is currently being taken to a cell in the bowels of this fortress."
She looked up at her sister in the dim light. Then she looked back to the kit. Her voice became even and impassive.
"He will be executed at dawn."

Ow… why does everything feel so fuzzy.
Why is the bed so hard.
Why is it so dark.
Oh. I remember now… wait… Merle bolted upright. She was quick to her feet, but was almost as quick to fall back down again. Damn… can’t stay straight… can’t think straight… so groggy… so sleepy… sooooooo sleepy…. soooo…..
VAN-SAMA! Memories came flooding back and Merle couldn’t help but utter a small gasp. Hitomi! Where is Hitomi!?! Van-sama won’t… Van-sama! VAN-SAMA!
There was fire, fire and… Grasping her arm Merle’s hand came back with bits of dried blood.
In a near inaudible whisper Merle asked “where am I? Where is Van-sama?”
To say the least, she was surprised when her questions were answered.

Eriya hadn’t returned to her sister, for she was on a bit of a mission.
Dornkirk, this was not part of the understanding… Folken will be very displeased.
Slipping through the shadows Eriya entered the training room unseen.
Curious as to the darkness and the dark lump in the centre of the matted floor the gold twin stayed on high alert. The shifting of air currents above alerted her to another presence. “Nariya, is this the kit?” a silent nod affirmed her suspicion. odd, why have we possession of the little one. Nariya must be growing soft. Leaping onto the nearest platform Eriya made her way upwards, sister in tail.

Reaching the uppermost platform Eriya relayed the information she had discovered to her sister.
“We must find Lord-Folken.”

Then there was a stirring below.

Van blinked once or twice. His head was pounding and his body was a mass of aches, but he was damn sure he wasn't delusional. This must be Escaflowne, he thought. I recognize the voice from that strange dream. His mind was trying vainly to race, but it only seemed to be making his headache worse. Van narrowed his eyes, looking about a little suspiciously. He was about to ask where he was when his ears registered the faint hum of large engines. He was on a Zaibach floating fortress.
And he suddenly remembered that Hitomi was here too.
Van clenched his fists. They're going to execute her? Van's breath caught in his chest at the very thought.
I won't let it happen! I will do whatever is in my power to protect her. Even if it means trusting an entity I can't see.
There is no other choice.
He suddenly remembered the sight of Merle in the arms of the silver cat-girl. Merle...and Millerna and Eries...and Allen--what had happened to them? He felt like screaming. Instead he forced his expression to be totally and utterly blank.
He knew he could not help them all.
The young King of Fanalia stood up, his dark eyes hard and determined. "If using my body is the best way it can be done, then do it." Van set his jaw, quelling his doubts.
"I'm ready."

He had been listening to the exchange between Dornkirk and the maiden while en route to the Vione.
Things are looking worse by the minute. I must intercede. I must stop him before he destroys this entire planet. I just hope I'm powerful enough at this point to get them out of here...
He watched closely as the Oreades entered the hanger. The two guymelefs came to a slow stop and he was immediately released from the Oreades' crema claw.
Now!
He powered up his energist to full strength until he and the king were enveloped entirely in a pinkish light. He smiled as he listened to the Oreades pilot screaming out orders as he and the king vanished into thin air.
Poor, kid, he smirked, all that work for nothing...
He materialized the king in an airshaft just outside the hanger. Now to wake him up.. He pressurized the air around the king's face and struck him with what felt like several quick slaps to the face. The king's eyes flew open and he fell back against the wall stunned.
"Listen, Your Majesty, I don't have much time to explain. Things have taken a turn for the worse. Dornkirk is planning on executing the maiden tomorrow at dawn, and if you're not careful, you'll have your own spot next to her. Now I can get you both out of here, but this will require something significant from you. I'll need to use your body as a vessel. You'll remain aware of what's going on, and we'll be able to hear each other's thoughts. However all physical control of your body during that time will belong to me. I apologize for the forwardness of this request, but as I've said before the two of you must not die, and I swear that no harm will come to you when I'm in control. So what do you say, Your Majesty? Will you let me in?"

[OOC: Whew! lotta posting. I need a break @_@]

The messenger looked back up at Dornkirk, "Do you really intend to kill him, my Lord?"
"He will die regardless. If I let him live now, it would only be for a short time, for he would eventually oppose me later. It is best that he dies now and be remembered as an inexperienced and immature monarch who couldn't ride the winds of change, than to be remembered later as a martyr of a so-called noble cause."

The long walk to Dornkirk's audience chamber seemed to take hours. Hitomi steeled herself and tried to prepare mentally for the encounter, What does he want with me? I'll never tell him where Van is, nor will I give up Escaflowne, that's for sure. But why would he want to see me alone? Why am I so important?
The doors slid apart and the young guard pushed her roughly inside, "Hey! Watch it, Jerk!" Hitomi spun around and spat, "You don't know whom you're dealing with!"
"Indeed he does not," an elderly man's voice floated down from a high platform.
Hitomi turned around and gazed up at the figure on the platform. It was almost impossible to see him behind the gigantic telescope that hung in front of him from the high ceiling.
She felt her stomach tighten, Dornkirk...
"Bring her closer to me," Dornkirk extended a bony arm toward her. The guard immediately seized her by the arm and dragged her protesting form up several more steps, "How interesting...That face..."
Hitomi wrapped her arms around herself in an effort to remain cool. She took a deep breath, "What do you want with me?"
"I admire those who want to get down to business, but before that, my dear, I have a little story to tell you. A story about a god, trapped inside the body of an Ispano white guymelef."
Hitomi's eyes went wide, "Escaflowne?"
"Yes, Escaflowne. He is an immense power source, sealed into a guymelef body by the Ispano and sent to Gaea to be a gift to a great general. But during transport, there was an accident, and part of the energist used to power him, broke away and traveled to the Visionary Moon, where it was found by you."
"Me? How could I have found it? I've never seen an energist in my life until now."
"In all of your present life, yes. You've come to this world before, Miss Kanzaki, as another person with a different name."
Yuri, she thought. That's who she is. She was me.
A wish and a duty called you here the first time. Your duty to return to Escaflowne his heart. It is said in the ancient Ispano texts that whoever possess the dragon's heart, even a shard, will command his undying loyalty and love. You possess that shard, Miss Kanzaki. It dangles from the pendant around your neck. You control Escaflowne. You are his mistress. His will bends only for you."
I'm his mistress? her cheeks blushed, I command his loyalty. His love?
"To control such a powerful resource is a great gift, and must be handled effectively. I have a vision of my own for this planet and its people and you can help me realize that vision."
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to build a machine. A great machine that will bring everyone sublime happiness. Poverty, war, disease, they are too big a part of life on this world. But once I build this machine, all that will change. Everyone will see their hopes and dreams actualized."
"And how do Escaflowne and I fit into this picture?"
"You will be our guardians, keeping all threats at bay. You and Escaflowne will maintain the peace and keep order on Gaea."
Hitomi took all this information in. Escaflowne and I...guardians? It sounds so noble and wonderful. Her thoughts were quickly swept away with the ashes of Fanelia. Once again, she saw it burn before her eyes. She saw Merle's tears and Van's despair. Then another thought occurred to her, "Lord Dornkirk, your vision does sound wonderful, but might I ask one question?"
"Certainly."
"What's the price of sublime happiness?"
"I don't follow."
"Oh come on. There's a trade off in everything. Nothing is ever free. Tell me, what do the people have to do to be happy? What will happen to all the countries? What about those who will disagree with your plans? What about them?"
"Once the machine is built, all countries will be dissolved into one."
Hitomi regarded the old man with a grim expression, "Into one...Empire.." Her thoughts turned to Dai. It's happening again, Dai. All the things you were fighting against have returned. I saw the determination in your eyes; it moved me then as it does right now. I won't let them destroy what you fought so hard to create, Dai. I won't let them win...ever.
"I see," she placed her hands behind her back and looked up at Dornkirk with a new look of resolve, "It does sound like a wonderful offer, Lord Dornkirk, but I'm afraid I'm already currently employed as a guardian."
His eyes and voice hardened at these words, "Oh?"
"Yes. I'm a guardian of Fanelia, of Asturia, of all the countries that you wish to destroy. What you're doing is wrong. One man doesn't decide the fate of the world, the people do. It's their choice to make and yours together. I won't allow you to destroy what others have fought so hard to create. I saw so many lives destroyed when Fanelia burned. Happiness, even sublime happiness is not worth destroying countless lives! I won't let you! I won't let you hurt anyone else. If Escaflowne must bend to a will he bend to the one that wishes to defeat you!"
Dornkirk leaned back in his chair and sighed, "I had feared this would be your reaction. You have grown too close to that boy to be of any use to me. He has limited your vision," his voice then took on a colder an unfeeling dimension, "If I cannot consider you an ally, Miss Kanzaki, I must consider you a threat, and if it is possible to do to me all that you say you will, you must be a significant threat. Which means...I can no longer let you live."
Hitomi's blood ran cold, "You-you're going to kill me?"
"Yes to neutralize the threat you present to me. It is the only cause of action you leave me with. Unless, you've had a change of heart and you wish to join me? What shall it be? Do you choose life? Or death?
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. No sound could she hear except for her heart pounding in her ears. Her thoughts drifted to different people, her parents, Yukari, Amano, Allen and then Van. I'm sorry, Van. I wanted to be there for you. To protect you and make you happy. All I've ever wanted was to see you smile again, like you did before your home was destroyed. You were always so serious... I can't be with you, the way I wanted to. I said I'd give my life for this world, but I didn't think it'd be like this...
She opened her mouth to speak, "I choose...to die."
"I see," He turned to the guard, "Take her back to the Vione." The guard nodded and took her arm. Her knees felt weak and she was barely able to maintain her balance.
Another guard entered the chamber to speak, "Lord Dornkirk, Lord Dilandau has just returned with the Escaflowne and the King of Fanelia."
Hitomi felt her heart stop, He didn't get away?
"What a turn of good fortune for us. Take Escaflowne and have it dismantled and prepare a place for the young king next to the maiden. They'll die together tomorrow at dawn."
Hitomi yanked hard against the guard's hold and cried at a feverish pitch, "You can't! You can't do that! What has he done?!! What has he done!!!!?"
"He poses just as great a threat to me as you and the guymelef. All three of your fates are intertwined. What a pity, had you answer been different, you might have saved his life..."
That last comment shattered what was left of her control, "NO!!!!! NO!!!!!" she screamed as she was dragged from the chamber, "HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING!!!!!! HE HASN'T!!!! PLEASE DON'T HURT HIM!!! PLEASE!!!!!"
She was tossed unceremoniously back into her cell. When the guard left her, she curled up into a ball on the stone floor and sobbed violently. "It's all my fault! "she choked, "all mine... Van! Somebody help me!"

[OOC: Dornkirk's rendition of the story is a little distorted, Escaflowne will give you a more accurate version.]