Disclaimer: I still really don't own Escaflowne.
I am alive and finishing this story, I want to thank all those who continually wrote me and got focused back on this story. I apologize for the four year delay and I'm back!
So enjoy the final chapter!
Last time…
We find all our heroes trapped inside Shevonie's maze. They've been split up into pairs, all except for Hitomi, and are frantically searching for each other.
Hitomi screeched to a stop and felt a sudden sadness, a heavy ache in her heart. Intense sorrow swept through her body and she felt tears come unbidden.
'One by one'
Shevonie's words crept up into Hitomi's mind and at once she knew. She knew it was happening.
Dryden began to shake Yukari.
"Yukari," he whispered as tears flowed freely down his face hitting the woman's cold face, "Yuka just move"
The others watched in silence not exactly sure how to comfort the man. Strangers, as they knew they were, they all felt helpless to comfort the grieving Dryden. So they just let Dryden cry on his fallen friend whispering to himself over and over again.
No one was exactly sure how long they stood there watching the horrible scene but as Van watched on he felt his throat dry up. He even felt his eyesight fading. Reaching up to touch his eyes he didn't feel any tears.
Frowning again he blinked rapidly. Still, he was sure his eyes were dry and fading, for the longer he stared at Yukari the more she seemed to fade from his sight. Stiffening he felt Alex step up next to him.
"Van?" he whispered, "Are my eyes going bad?"
Van's frown deepened, that meant Alex saw it too, that it wasn't just his eyes. Taking a step forward Van was a little slow, Dilandau beat him to Dryden's side. And all at once Van's stomach hit the floor.
It all happened so fast that no one was really sure what actually happened.
Dilandau reached out to touch Yukari's head and seconds before his fingers met hair Dryden jerked up gasping, "There's a pulse! Small, but it's there!" In that same instance Yukari's eyes shot open.
Turning her head Yukari screamed out in agony, "DRYDEN!!"
Then she was gone.
Dryden jumped to his feet, his attitude completely changed. Rage swarmed his features.
"Yukari!! Yukari!!" Dryden called out, "Yuka where are you!!"
The group quickly backed up against each other, everyone alert and on edge. For minutes there was only silence as everyone stood back-to-back searching their surroundings for what surely had to be Shevonie. Then, just as quickly as Yukari's disappearance, a sound filled the hallways. Everyone heard it at the same time for they all felt each other stiffen. It was a low deep growl, almost out of earshot but just enough to let the group know they weren't alone.
"One down you insects, I'll just keep this red head to myself for a while. I might even keep her alive, just barely, maybe long enough for you to watch her die"
Shevonie's sickening harpy like laugh filled the halls.
"SHEVONIE!!" Dilandau cried out full of rage, "GIVE HER BACK!!"
The groups' only response was more laughter. Clenching his fists Dilandau screamed in pure anger drowning out the woman's laugh. Next to him Van clenched his fingers so hard blood began to roll down his palms. Dryden stood still as stone and let his tears continue to travel down his hardened face. Alex just swallowed his frustration and clutched to his sword. Millerna reached out and touched Dryden's shoulder, gripping his shirt she looked up at his angry face.
"Dryden?"
Dryden jerked back, pulled from his trance, he slowly turned his gaze down to Millerna's grief stricken face. Silently he reached down and picked Millerna back up.
"No Dryden, it's ok.."
Dryden shook his head, "No arguing." With that he turned to face the group, "Let's get moving that growling is getting louder. We should put some distance between us."
Van, who had been listening to the noise for a few minutes now, nodded. He couldn't make out what kind of animal it was but then again this was Shevonie's maze so it very well could be a creation of her own mind.
"We need to find the others," he said, "And quickly. Dryden you take the lead, Alex you stay in the middle. Dilandau you and I will take up the rear." With that the soft hiss of metal against leather filled everyone's ears as Van pulled his sword from its sheath. Following suit Dilandau drew his own sword and walked up to his brother's side.
Dryden nodded and took the lead heading away from the growling emanating behind them, Millerna quiet in his arms. Alex bowed to Van and fell into step just behind Dryden. It took about five seconds before Alex realized Dilandau and Van weren't following him. Turning around Alex saw the brothers with their backs to the group. Van must have heard him stop because he turned his head just slightly.
"Alex I gave you an order, now get moving, this isn't the time for arguing."
"Van?"
"Shut up, we won't be too far behind, now march!!" Dilandau didn't even bother to face Alex. Alex just smiled at the angry command, at least Dilandau wasn't broken, good to know.
Wordlessly Alex turned around and quickly fell back into step behind Dryden and Millerna.
The growl was very loud now, loud enough to fill up the area and drown out their voices. The deep animal noise was bouncing off the walls and smashing into their ears. So the brothers spread out and blocked the hallway, pretty sure this monster was about to turn the corner. Alex, Dryden, and Millerna weren't moving very fast but they were out of earshot now.
"Van…" Dilandau started.
"Don't, we'll talk later. You're not injured too bad are you?"
"No," Dilandau said shaking his head, "But…"Dilandau turned his head to face his brother, "Van, how can…"
Van snapped his head around a frown plastered to his face, "We are Fanels, we do not give up. Snap out of it Dilandau!!"
Dilandau didn't seem to register Van's words. His eyes remained still, staring far off into the distance. Lowering his sword for a second Van stepped up to his brother's side and grabbed his shoulder.
"Dilandau," he almost whispered, "You have not failed."
Dilandau's head snapped up at this and he opened his mouth but Van stopped him, "Listen to me brother. Not a single day of my life have you failed me. Or Merle. Or anyone for that matter. Never once. So stop carrying that burden, it's not yours to bear."
Dilandau stared at Van so long Van began to wonder if he had even heard him. But without a word Dilandau turned back to face the hallway raising his sword slowly. Van smirked to himself, and stepped back to the other side of the hallway raising his sword high, ready to meet whatever Shevonie had to throw at them.
Folken and Merle turned another corner and sighed in frustration. The halls just kept coming; it was like the maze never ended. And worse yet, they still hadn't found anyone.
Merle still wasn't speaking to Folken and Folken had decided not to push the issue, considering the circumstances. He could have it out with his siblings once this whole nightmare was over.
However, much to his surprise Merle was the one to break the silence.
"Folken, since this maze seems to go on forever while don't you tell me about your research."
"Research?"
Merle raised one of her eyebrows at him, in a look similar to something Van would do. Folding her arms over her chest she stared at him like he was crazy.
"You know, about Shevonie? Did you find anything we didn't already know about this stupid curse?"
Folken turned away from his sister and continued walking down the hall.
"Nothing really, it's not like there were a lot of sources or material to reference on this particular subject. I went over my old journals, accounts from friends and family at the time but I couldn't find anything we didn't already know. The only thing we really know is what Van overhead the day before you – you, well that's all we know really."
"Refresh my memory."
Folken rolled his eyes but obliged, "Well she said that the only way we were ever to be human again was if someone fell in love and sacrificed themselves for one of us. Which she obviously thought would never happen or else she would have come up with something a little more creative. Also, while in her arrogant little rant she said that Alex was the only one who could kill her and take away all the damage."
Merle flinched at Alex's name, "Which probably won't happen anytime soon."
Folken stopped and turned around to his sister, his eyes softening.
"Merle-"
"Save it Folken, I don't want to hear it right now."
Sighing heavily Folken continued on his way.
"Just for the record-"
"FOLKEN!"
"No, you know what!" Folken spun around to a stop again, "You need to hear it! You may not like me but when have I lied to you? WHEN? Never! And I'm telling you I was manipulated by Shevonie too, it wasn't Alex. That morning in the tower, it wasn't Alex!!"
Merle marched past Folken tears already lining her eyes, "It doesn't matter anymore Folken."
"What do you mean it doesn't matter anymore?!" he shouted after her.
"If what you say is true then I'll never get my Alex back, he'll always be whatever Shevonie wants him to be. If he can't fight it then he's gone!"
Allen grabbed Charles shoulder, "Did you hear that?"
"I did indeed, that sounded like the Mistress Merle."
"Exactly, which way do you think it came from?"
Charles stopped for a minute, "I think it came from the right."
"That would be my best guess, let's hurry!"
And with that the two men took off running down the hall to the right. They ran for a good five minutes before Allen started to wonder if he'd actually heard a voice. Or if in their desperation he and Charles simply heard what they wanted to hear. But just as he was about to turn to Charles he heard Merle again, this time her voice was stronger.
"-then he's gone!"
That was definitely Merle's voice.
"You're infuriating Merle!"
"You weren't there! You didn't see him kill Dilandau! You didn't –"
Merle's voice cracked.
Allen and Charles came to another intersection and skidded to a halt. Spinning to the left they smiled when they saw two of the Fanel siblings.
"Boy are we glad to see you guys," Allen called
Merle and Folken both spun around and Merle quickly reached up to wipe away the tears from her eyes.
"Charles!" she said running up and hugging the butler.
"Miss Merle, it's good to see you too."
Folken walked up and shook Allen's hand, "Glad to see you both alive. Have you run into anyone, anything, yet?"
"Besides walls? No. We've been waiting for something to pop out but so far nothing yet. And you're the first group we've even heard," Allen said turning to Merle and Charles, "Ready guys? We need to keep moving."
Merle nodded. Charles grabbed her arm and smiled down at her.
"You'll see Merle, Van will have this mess cleared up in no time. Now let's get walking, the more ground we cover the faster we find the others."
Merle smiled up at Charles and clutched his arm, and together the four began marching forward.
Hitomi stopped and took a deep breath. This maze was going on and on and on. It was driving her nuts and with Shevonie dropping in every half an hour or so to taunt her she was reaching the end of her patience.
She hated feeling helpless and useless.
Screaming in frustration she turned around towards the wall and threw all her strength into her leg. With a vicious swipe she aimed up and hit the wall.
The force sent her flying backwards onto her back.
Hitomi lay there for a minute, her face in the grass and dirt and reviewed what had just happened. Gasping she jumped to her feet. Quickly walking over to the wall she raised her hand and reached out towards the wall. She gasped again when her hand stopped, pushing again she smiled when her hand refused to go through the grassy structure. Flesh and bone met wood and grass, and refused to push through.
Bringing her hand up to her face she stared at the fingers and realized she couldn't see through them. There was skin there, not insubstantial mist.
"But I-I don't understand," she whispered to herself.
What had happened? Nothing had changed? Had it? Had somebody defeated Shevonie?
That couldn't be it, because if they had then his maze would have disappeared, right?
Hitomi's face twisted with frustration again, what was Shevonie doing?
"I won't play your games!!" she cried out in rage, "I won't be your little puppet Shevonie! Do you hear me! I won't do this!"
Van faltered for a second, "Dilandau did you hear that?"
Dilandau nodded grimly, "Yea, it sounded like Hitomi"
Lowering his sword Van began looking around frantically, "Which direc"
But Van didn't have time to finish his question for he was cut off by an earth shattering howl. The sound ripped through the air and Dilandau tensed next to his brother.
"I think it's finally here."
Van gripped his hilt tightly, torn between the beast about to round the corner and the need to find Hitomi, Van felt helpless.
Dilandau seemed to sense his brother's anguish, "We'll find her Van. We just have to deal with this thing first, but we'll find her."
Van nodded mutely, his brother was right. First things first, if they didn't stop this thing it would reach the others and most likely Hitomi.
That was when the beast rounded the corner.
Dryden picked up the pace when he heard the growl rip through the maze. That was definitely something he didn't want to come face to face with.
"Dryden, do you think-"
"Millerna," Dryden didn't let her finish that thought, "Don't worry. Those two will be just fine, if anyone can handle whatever Shevonie decides to dish out, it's those Fanel brothers. We need to focus on finding the others and getting out of here."
"He's right, so let's not get too worried yet," Alex offered up, "Those two have enough anger to fuel several fights. I wouldn't worry about them."
Millerna just laid her head back against Dryden's chest and tried to distract herself.
Which, of course, didn't work. For right as she closed her eyes a wretched scream filled her ears.
Van jerked his sword free of the creature's arm as it let out a piercing scream.
Dilandau picked himself up off the ground and came to stand by his brother.
"Well this is different," he said rubbing his face with the back of his free hand.
Van actually smirked at that, "That's one way of putting it."
The creature in front of them was licking its wound and growling. It was by far the most hideous creature either of the brothers had ever seen. It was scaly yet it had a full head of mangled hair. It had the tail of a lion and legs of a wild cat. They couldn't quite figure out what it's face was a mix of but it was a horrible mess of skin and scales.
It was something straight out of their nightmares.
But thankfully, they could still make it bleed.
"Any ideas?" Van asked catching his breathe.
"Stab it again?"
"Real original."
"You got anything better?" Dilandau shot back.
Van wished with all his might that he did.
The creature let out another howl and straightened itself up again. Only this time it looked angrier than before.
"I think we just pissed it off"
Van shoved his brother, "You think?"
Dilandau smiled evilly at this, "Good, I like it when they get irritated"
Van smirked at the sound of his brother's voice, now that sounded like the warrior he once knew.
And with a battle cry Dilandau rushed forward towards the creature.
Hitomi ignored her body's cry for more oxygen and kept running. Dashing right and jumping left she just focused on running. She had to get to the others and fast. She just hoped they figured it out or she reached them in time.
Because from what she could hear it sounded like they might be preoccupied at the moment.
"Dryden!"
Dryden froze mid step and turned to his right. "Allen!" he cried out in surprise as his friend came running up from the hall to his right.
Allen, Merle, Charles, and Folken came skidding to a halt in front of the others.
Allen reached out and grabbed Dryden's shoulder leaning forward to catch his breath.
"Man am I glad to see you," Allen said in between gasps for air.
Dryden was smiling as well, "I'm glad to see you too, boy am I glad."
"Have you found anybody else?" Merle asked, looking around the group, "Has anybody heard from Van or Hitomi, have you seen Dilandau?" she continued
At that Dryden, Millerna, and Alex got quiet.
Finally Alex stepped forward, "Merle we found Dilandau and he's fine now. He managed to break free, so he's fine."
Merle visibly sighed with relief, "Well then where is he?"
Alex opened his mouth to respond just as another loud growl ripped through the air, silencing anything Alex had meant to say.
Merle spun towards the sound, "No"
"Wait, what was that?" Allen asked turning towards the noise
"We're not exactly sure, but we were told not to stick around and find out," Millerna answered
"Merle!!"
Everyone turned at the sound of Alex's voice. Merle was already half way down the hall, heading towards the growling, with Alex right on her tail.
"Merle! Come back!" Folken was the next to take off as he sprinted after his sister.
"Oh man," Allen said standing up straight, "here we go again."
"Wait, Allen"
Allen turned around to face Dryden, "What's wrong Dryden?"
Dryden looked his friend in the eye and pondered whether he should tell him the truth or not. Another growl ripped through the silence and Dryden shook his head, this was definitely not the time.
"Nothing, sorry, let's go."
Millerna looked up at Dryden, her eyes sad, and leaned into his chest wrapping her arm around him.
"Later" Millerna whispered up to Dryden.
Dryden just kept walking as everyone turned around and headed after Merle, Alex, and Folken. Back in the direction they had just been fleeing.
Dilandau flew into the wall with a sickening crunch and slid to the ground with a moan; a few seconds later Van followed.
"Ugh!" Van coughed as his back slammed into the wall and all the air his lungs possessed flew out of him like a gust of wind.
Sliding down next to his brother he wiped his forearm across his eyes. Both men were covered in bruises and blood. Their arms and chests were covered with tiny little claw marks and they were having trouble breathing regularly.
"So" Dilandau managed between clenched teethe, "Any bright ideas now?"
Van just shook his head while breathing ragged; shaking his head he tried to clear his vision as the sweat slithered down his forehead.
"Didn't think so," Dilandau grunted pushing himself to his feet.
Van shoved himself up next to Dilandau, "At least," Van took in a deep and painful breathe, wincing at the sharp stab in his ribs, "it looks as tired as we do"
Dilandau smirked, "There is that"
Turning to face each other they brought their swords up and knocked them against each other.
"We can still take it," Van stated
Dilandau laughed, "We haven't had a fight this good in centuries! Of course we can take it!"
Smirking the brothers turned to face the creature again. It was stretching its claws and breathing as heavy as the men. Though it was bleeding from several stab wounds the creature showed no sign of collapse.
So gathering up their energy Van and Dilandau charged the creature again.
Van took the lead this time and jumped into the air bringing his sword down on the creature's arm. The creature didn't move fast enough and Van's sword met its mark. Close behind Dilandau took advantage of the distraction and slid around behind the beast. Reaching up he quickly threw his sword into the creatures back. However the beast was catching on and deftly reached around to grab Dilandau's sword.
"Van watch it!"
Van looked up to see the beast lifting Dilandau into the air over its head, heading straight for Van. Van pulled his sword free and jumped out of the way as Dilandau came crashing down next to him.
Dilandau coughed painfully and dirt went flying around his face. Pulling himself up off the ground he staggered to his feet.
"Thanks for the help bro," he coughed again, holding his ribs and leaning on his sword.
Van laughed, "What did you want me to do, catch you?"
"Well you might ha- Van look out!!"
Van jumped to the side as the beast's claws sliced through the air Van had occupied only seconds ago. Howling in frustration the beast dropped to all fours and charged the two.
Van ran over and pulled Dilandau up straight.
"Move!"
Dilandau didn't bother to argue, instead he headed to the left and Van dashed right. The beast skidded to a stop and tried to focus on the two. It obviously decided Van was a weaker target because it turned right and merely slashed its tail in Dilandau's direction.
Dilandau cut the end of the creature's tail off with a quick flick of his wrist.
"I always did hate you getting all the attention," Dilandau laughed as the creature turned to face Dilandau
Van laughed back, "It's a gift!"
"It's about time I got some respect around here," Dilandau said smirking as he waved his sword tauntingly in the beast's face.
Van just smirked at his brother's antics and jumped onto the creature's back.
"Glory hog!" Dilandau called out moving in on the beast.
Van slammed his sword into the creature's shoulder and the thing let out a deafening screech. Dilandau faltered and tried to cover his ears.
"Whoa!" he cried out looking up to make sure Van was still hanging on.
Van was shaking his head and blinking his eyes, "Wow! This thing sounds like a banshee!"
Dilandau, satisfied with Van's condition lunged forward and buried his sword hilt deep in the beast's chest. It let out another shriek, this one shook the walls and Van had to protect his ears this time. So pulling his sword free he jumped from the beast's back and clamped his hands over his ears.
"Dilandau! Back up!!" Van called out over the howl
Dilandau jerked his sword free and ran around towards Van. Together the two backed up as the creature continued to howl, enraged.
"Does that thing look like it's dying to you?" Dilandau asked leaning towards Van.
"No, it doesn't," Van replied in amazement.
"Well, crap," Dilandau said standing up straight again
"Yea, crap."
"Well it's been fun brother," Dilandau said with a hardened smile
Van turned towards Dilandau, "I don't plan on going out just yet."
"I was suggesting we end this, not the other way around."
Van smirked and once again the brothers charged the beast as it
reared its head to charge.
Merle heard the beast howl in rage and felt her body shiver with fear. Why? Why must her brothers try and save the world?
Why couldn't they have just run? For once why couldn't they try to save themselves?
"MERLE!!"
"Merle come back!"
Merle ignored Alex and Folken as they yelled behind her. Making another left she heard the fight drawing in closer with every step. She had to make it there, she had to help, she just couldn't let her brothers die again.
She wouldn't let them die again, not this time.
Allen felt his lungs contract painfully, this was just entirely too much running for one day. He was keeping pace with Dryden who was trying not to jostle the woman in his arms but he could still see Merle and Alex up ahead.
"So does anyone have a plan for when we actually get to this fight?" he called out through his panting.
Charles shook his head and Dryden was too focused to answer. So facing forward Allen tried to come up with something, and quick.
'Man, where is Hitomi? She was always quick on her feet.' Allen thought to himself as they made another left.
The sounds were closer now and Allen knew they were all running out of time, someone had to think of something and they had to think of it now.
Hitomi felt her legs shaking against the pressure with each leap she made. Ignoring the pain she blinked away the sweat and slid right. Slamming into a wall she ignored the pain that shot through her shoulder and rattled down her spine.
She could hear the fight now. She could hear Van's voice and-
"Wait, is that?"
Listening in she tried to quiet her breathing. She thought for sure she could hear Dilandau's voice, but he was with Shevonie wasn't he?
Well if he was there then that meant that things were definitely not going well. From the sounds of it Van was outnumbered, 2 to 1.
"Hold on Van, I'm coming"
Van felt his nose crunch as the creature plowed his clawed fist square into his face. The pain shot up through his nose and into his skull, with a sharp crack his head snapped sideways.
"Hey!"
The creature turned at the call and was greeted with the end of Dilandau's sword. With a heave Dilandau shoved the blade in farther. The beast, irritated now, turned from Van and let him fall to the ground.
Van gasped for air as soon as the creature let go of his throat. Coughing as a mix of blood and oxygen filled his throat he hunched forward on his knees. He could hear Dilandau taunting the creature and tried to use his distraction wisely. Spitting to the side he let his head fall backwards as he tried to take in more oxygen. His eyes were blurred and his breathing was labored. Van felt his arms shake slightly from the overuse. He had to get to his feet, he knew he had to stand up but his body refused to budge as it struggled for precious oxygen.
"VAN! LOOK OUT!"
Van's head flew forward at the sound of Dilandau's voice, apparently the creature just couldn't be tempted by Dilandau. Its real target was Van and it would not be deterred.
Van saw the claws heading for his chest but he knew he couldn't move in time. He wouldn't even be able to shove himself to his feet in time, much less move out of the way.
"Dilandau! NO!"
Van heard Merle's cry but couldn't turn his head, his body was frozen as he watched Dilandau's back come into view.
With a sickening crunch the beast's claws sunk into Dilandau's stomach. Dilandau's head whipped backwards with the force of the impact and Van saw the pain take over his face.
For a second Dilandau hovered in the air on the end of the beast's hand. Then with a deep growl the beast shook Dilandau off. Dilandau's body crumpled limply in front of Van.
"DILANDAU!!"
Van ignored his sister's cries and slowly rose to his feet. This was not going to happen again, not again.
"I won't let you do this again Shevonie!" he cried out in rage, "Not again!"
With a strength Van didn't think he still had in him he threw himself over Dilandau and straight at the creature's head. Swiftly pulling his sword in front of him and he sliced sideways and a howl of his own. The beast's head rolled off its shoulders and bounced towards the wall.
With a hearty kick Van sent the body flying backwards a good 5 feet.
Dirt and dust flew up into the air blocking everyone's view for a minute. But slowly, the dust settled and silenced settled over the battered group. Van turned around trying to focus on his breathing, trying to calm it down so he could think straight. It was all he could hear though, the deafening inhale and exhale, it was thundering through his head. The blood pounded in his ears and he had to blink to clear his vision. But once he calmed his chest down and his head stopped pounding enough that he could see he looked down.
Dropping his sword he stood completely still, frozen in horror when his eyes landed on a sobbing Merle. Who was clutching to Dilandau and pressing her hands against his open and bleeding chest.
"Come on Dilandau, come on. Hang in there," she whispered as the tears streaked down her cheeks, "Hang in there."
Hitomi skid around another corner and felt her whole body flood with relief as she saw the hallway full of people.
Leaning against the wall she let her shaky body slide to the ground, "Oh thank goodness."
She took a few minutes but was just regaining control of her body when she finally tuned in on the sobs coming from the end of the hall. Finally scanning the area she found a decapitated hideous looking creature. There was blood, grass, and dust everywhere. Hitomi thought she just might hurl when her brain registered the sobs as Merle's.
Squinting she saw Merle on her knees holding someone. From where she was all she could see were legs, a bruised and bloodied chest and …silver hair.
"Oh no," she whispered.
Allen flew into the wall just in front of Dryden. His legs just weren't going to take any more orders, or abuse. So clutching the wall for support he took in the situation.
Van was frozen solid and Merle was crying her heart out. She was clutching Dilandau and all Allen could make out was blood and dirt.
His heart sank as he watched Van finally unfreeze and collapse next to his brother's body.
"Dilandau," Charles gasped in horror just as he burst over towards the Fanels.
Folken was standing behind his sister looking down at Dilandau in horror, just shaking his head and whispering "Dilandau"
Millerna gasped and buried her face into Dryden's shirt, clutching the fabric. But the one Allen was stuck on was Alex; the man looked broken.
His legs were shaking and his head was bent. Tears fell shamelessly from his face and Allen watched as his whole body slammed into the wall and fell to the ground.
"This isn't happening again," he whispered, "Not again"
Clenching his fists Alex threw all his anger into his arms as he smashed his fists into the ground.
"NOT AGAIN!"
Allen didn't know where to go, he didn't know who to help. Scanning the area he realized the only ones not present were Hitomi and Yukari. He definitely didn't like that, so turning from the Fanels he focused on Dryden.
"Dryden, I don't want to rush these guys. Maybe you should leave Millerna here and we can go look for the girls."
Dryden's face constricted with pain and Allen felt his stomach drop. He watched as Dryden's face twisted with a kind of agony he hadn't seen in years. Dryden tried to keep his face firm but he knew what Allen was seeing and he couldn't stop it. He was seeing the same anger and pain he had seen the day Dryden had walked out of surgery to a hysterical Hitomi and very shaken Allen. The day Yukari had almost died.
"No," Allen whispered, "Dryden tell me you haven't found the girls yet."
Dryden closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "I haven't found Hitomi yet but we met up with Yukari a while back."
"A while back!" Allen snapped, "What do you mean! Why didn't you say anything!?"
"Allen calm down, I think she's alive"
Allen saw red, "You think she's alive! You think!! Dryden what happened?!"
Finally bending down Dryden gave his arms a rest and set Millerna up against the wall.
"She met up with Dilandau before he broke free from Shevonie. He-he hurt her pretty bad Allen, but it isn't over, Shevonie took her. I had her- I had her in my arms and then the next minute she was gone. But just before she disappeared she had a pulse so-"
"She had a pulse? Meaning at one point her pulse stopped?!" Allen was yelling now
"Allen calm down, we'll find her."
"You bet we will! Starting now, I'm going to find Hitomi! Right now! Stay here if you like but this ends now!"
Allen spun on his heels and froze, squinting he tried to make out the tiny shape in the distance, just at the end of the hallway in front of them.
"Wait, Dryden do you see that?"
Dryden walked up next to him and squinted into the distance as well.
"I think- I think it's Hitomi"
"HITOMI!"
Allen burst into a sprint and dashed past the Fanels.
Van thought he heard Allen scream Hitomi's name but his mind was too far gone to distinguish it right now.
"Van," Dilandau croaked out "Van I-" Dilandau curled up and began to cough up blood.
Merle turned her red eyes up to Van, pleading with him to do something. Van just started back, he couldn't do anything, Dilandau was dying, again.
"Van" Dilandau managed once the coughing had stopped.
"Shhh Dilandau, just rest," Merle whispered in between tears, "Just rest."
Dilandau smiled up at his sister, "I'm sorry I hurt you Merle, so sorry."
Merle just squeezed her lips shut as more tears streamed down her face.
"Listen to Alex," he croaked again falling into another coughing fit.
Merle glanced up at Van with a look of confusion, as if to say 'Did I just hear that right?'
"Listen to Alex, we didn't know, we had no idea. It wasn't his fault Merle, it wasn't his fault"
Dilandau's breathing was slowing down.
"Dilandau but-"
"Shevonie's more powerful than we ever- ever cough imagined, it wasn't his fault Merle."
Merle just closed her eyes and hugged Dilandau close, "I don't care Dilandau, just don't die on me again, ok?" she whispered
Dilandau looked over Merle's shoulder at Van, "Go get Hitomi"
Van reached out and grabbed his brother's shoulder, "I won't let you die, not this time."
Dilandau smiled at this, "I don't see how we have much choice."
Slamming his fist into the ground Van growled, this just wasn't happening, it couldn't be happening again.
"Van"
Van spun at the closeness of the voice.
"Hitomi," he breathed out in a whisper and despite all his anger he felt his body relax as soon as he locked gazes with her. Every muscles released it's tension, even breathing became easier.
Hitomi was standing next to Van smiling and leaning against Allen's shoulder. It took a minute but his brain finally registered that Hitomi was leaning against Allen's shoulder.
"Hitomi! You're-"
"Yea I know," she said smiling brighter.
Slowly kneeling down next to Van Hitomi reached out and brushed some dirt off of a wound in Dilandau's shoulder. The bruised warrior started to reopen his eyes.
"Dilandau? Dilandau you still with us?"
Dilandau finally managed to open his eyes and tried to smile at Hitomi, he was sure it only came out in a grimace though, "Oh good, they found you"
Hitomi smiled back at him, "Dilandau I need you to listen to me, listen to me carefully. This isn't real."
Dilandau blinked back at her, "I hate to burst your bubble but- but this is as real as it gets."
Hitomi shook her head, "No, it's not, look."
Hitomi shook her hand in front of his face and then grabbed his wrist. Pulling his arm up she lifted it to his eyes and then set it back down on the ground.
"How did you?"
"Because this isn't real! None of this is real!" she said louder this time.
"Hitomi I'm not following you, how can this not be real?" Van asked in confusion, "I'm bleeding, I feel the pain, Dilandau feels the pain, Hitomi he's-he's dy-" Van couldn't finish the sentence so he just stopped and turned to look at his love.
Merle lifted her head and looked over at Hitomi, "Hitomi what do you want us to do?"
"You have to concentrate. This isn't real, this is all in our minds. Focus and you can stand up. Your wounds aren't real, they can only hurt you if you allow yourself to believe their real. This is all just a mind game! That's what Shevonie does, isn't it? She specializes in manipulating minds, well that's what she's doing now. How else could I have my body back?"
Dryden helped Millerna to her feet and they hobbled over to the group.
"It makes some sense, not a lot but it's worth a shot guys. I mean how else would Yukari have been alive after-"
Dryden didn't finish but most of the group got the point.
"Wait, what happened to Yukari?" Hitomi asked spinning towards Dryden
"Yukari was hurt pretty bad Hito-chan, she should have been dead and for a minute she was. But then all of a sudden she jumped to life in my arms."
"Then where is she?"
"With Shevonie," Alex answered making his way over to the group, "Shevonie took her."
"Well how do we get her back?" Hitomi shot out
"Your guess is as good as mine, but you seem to be figuring things out faster than we are," Alex replied
"Hitomi, I don't understand, Dilandau is still bleeding. His pulse is fading; I can feel it. How do we stop it!?" Merle cried
Hitomi shook her head, "I don't know, hold on. Think. This is our minds, if you kill us here then it's as good as in the real world. But we should be able to take control of the situation here. Concentrate on your wounds disappearing, mind over matter."
"Come on Dilandau, do as the lady says. Concentrate on your wounds healing," Charles encouraged
Dilandau scoffed, "You realize this is nuts," he finished with a cough
"Just do it Dilandau," Van ordered, "At least try, it's the only thing that makes any sense right now."
So with the last of his energy Dilandau closed his eyes and focused on the gaping hole in his stomach. He could feel the pain gripping his body and didn't see how this couldn't be real but he would try, if Hitomi believed it he would try for her.
So he relaxed in concentration; he could feel unconsciousness creeping up on him though. He could feel his body growing cold and knew he was running out of time. So picturing the wound in his mind he focused on the ends healing and the bleeding stopping. He pictured the skin growing back and the bruises fading.
He heard his sister gasp but kept his eyes closed and his brain focused. He could feel some warmth spreading through his arms and he wasn't sure if he was deluding himself but he was going to take advantage of whatever strength he could get.
"Dilandau, keep going," Van whispered
Dilandau didn't argue he simply focused until the skin met and the wound closed. As soon as it closed he felt his blood, warm and strong, running through his body.
His eyes snapped open and he came face to face with a smiling Hitomi.
"Told ya," she said with a grin
Looking down at his chest, he found perfectly unmarred skin where there had been a gaping hole just seconds ago.
Looking back towards Hitomi he shifted his eyes over to Van, "I don't think I can deal with much more of this. This doesn't make any sense."
"Of course it doesn't you fool, you never were the smart one."
The entire group turned at the voice, every body frozen for a split second as they registered the owner of THAT voice.
"Hello everyone, enjoying your stay?"
Everyone jumped to their feet shoving Hitomi, Merle, and Millerna to the back. Hitomi clutched Van's arm trying to see Shevonie but Van held her safely up against his back.
He wasn't about to let her do any more damage, especially to Hitomi.
"Hey Shevonie, come to actually do the work this time? Or did you have another pet for us to decapitate?"
Shevonie hissed at Dilandau.
"I'm scared, deep down inside, I promise," he smirked back stepping up next to Van.
Van was standing still, his eyes wide open as he glared over at Shevonie, but his mind was elsewhere for a moment. Folken looked down at his brother and watched in amazement as the rips and gashes slowly faded from his skin, the blood slowly disappearing.
Blinking, Van refocused his eyes back on Shevonie, "Well this is interesting"
Shevonie didn't seem to think so, she growled this time.
"So you figured out my little game, it doesn't matter. Like little Hitomi told you, if you die here, you die in the real world."
"IF, we die here you slime bag!" Merle called out from behind Alex
That was a mistake though, because this drew Shevonie's attention towards Alex.
"There you are dear, how are you feeling?"
Alex pushed Merle completely behind his back, shielding her from view.
"I'd feel a lot better if you were dead, now where is the other girl! Where is Yukari?"
Shevonie sighed dramatically and looked down at her nails like she bored with the whole situation.
"She's around her somewhere," she said in an exasperated tone.
"Give her back!" Allen demanded, "Right now!"
Shevonie narrowed her eyes at the blonde, "Or what blondie? You'll hit me? I doubt it."
Allen moved to march towards her but Dilandau held his arm out and shook his head, "It won't do any good, Alex is the only one who can do any damage."
At that Shevonie threw her head back and laughed, a shrill high pitched kind of laugh.
"That's such a wonderful little twist isn't it? Only my handsome Alex can solve your problems, the only thing is, he's not physically able."
Hitomi's eyes widened at Shevonie's words. She shot her head to the left, down towards Alex.
Alex didn't look but his demeanor immediately changed. Quickly pushing Merle over and behind Dilandau he stepped away from the group, his stance, almost inviting.
"Alex-" Merle started
"Shh," he commanded before taking another step forward, "Shevonie what if I told you I was willing to make a deal with you?"
Shevonie stepped forward, intrigued, distracted by his sudden change, "I'm listening"
"What if I told you I would willingly come with you, anywhere you want," Alex walked even closer, a smile now on his face, "Forever."
Shevonie's face lit up, "Yes"
"Just let the Fanels go, let them and their friends leave. Promise never again to harm them and I'll come with you."
"ALEX NO!"
Dilandau grabbed Merle before she bolted forward, "Merle, stay back."
Alex glanced over his shoulder at the princess, 'I love you' he mouthed. Merle felt her chest squeeze painfully as she watched him turn back towards Shevonie.
"Agreed" she said cheerfully
"I mean it Shevonie, you leave the Fanels and everyone they love, alone. Forever."
"Done," Shevonie replied instantly her grin splitting her face from ear to ear.
Slowly the walls began to swirl and all heads twisted and turned as the world began to fade. Alex looked up at the fading sky and his face filled with panic. He obviously hadn't planned on this.
It was almost too late.
Hitomi couldn't stop the smile as her earlier words echoed through her head, "mind over matter."
There bodies limits didn't apply here.
Quickly reaching out his hand Alex smiled at Shevonie. Shevonie wrapped her fingers around his hand and Alex pulled her forward with a quick jerk.
Just as the walls began to swirl out of view Shevonie cried out. All eyes were glued to the pair as Alex stood still, his back to the group hugging Shevonie.
Shevonie looked up at Alex, her face flooding with pain.
"But-" the rest of her words failed to make it out as the pain wracked her body. Alex let go of her waist and let her body fall to the ground.
Hitomi looked down at Shevonie and her eyes stopped at the dagger plunged hilt deep into her heart.
That was when the whole world swirled out of view and everything went black.
Van bolted up into a sitting position. His breathing was coming in quick bursts but he scanned the area, looking for his family, searching for Hitomi.
There was a groan and Van twisted to the right just as Dilandau sat up in the grass, his sword at his feet.
"Van?" he said clutching his head, "My head is killing me!" he leaned forward resting his forehead on his knees.
Van took in his surroundings and felt his heart leap in his chest. He was outside his castle, near the lists. Exactly where he had been right when Shevonie attacked.
Alex popped up next to Van on his left, "Did I get hit with a brick?" he groaned.
Van actually felt joy when he saw the man, reaching out he grabbed Alex's shoulder, "Thank you Alex."
And with that he was off and bounding towards his castle.
Leaving Alex dizzy, in pain, and grinning like there was no tomorrow.
The first thing Yukari felt was the cold stone against her cheek. Gasping she shook her body awake. Pushing herself up she rolled back into a sitting position.
Shaking her head she found that wasn't the best thing to do as the hallway spun viciously.
"Whoa! Is my head splitting or what?"
Looking around she blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
Because it looked like she was in the Fanel castle, right in the hallway she had been in before Shevonie attacked.
Dilandau burst through the front door behind his brother, Alex close on his heels. There were a few in the front room and more were shuffling in from hallways, rooms, and the kitchen.
Dilandau couldn't help but smile as he saw his sister walk in holding her head.
"Does anyone else have the worst headache in the world?"
Dilandau laughed and all eyes shot towards the silver haired prince.
"Who cares!" he said laughing.
Before Merle realized what was happening her brother had her in his arms spinning her up in the air.
"Dilandau! I'm going to be sick!"
Dilandau just continued to laugh as he slowly brought his sister down into a bear hug.
Dryden pulled Millerna up to her feet, "Thanks," she said leaning against his side.
"Come on, I think I hear the celebration"
Millerna smiled and walked with him to the front room.
Charles fell back into a chair as he watched Dilandau spin his sister around in the air. He couldn't help but laugh himself at the sudden joy that swept over his body, that swept over the room.
Shevonie was dead, and the Fanels were alive.
Closing his eyes Charles kept on grinning.
Allen stumbled into the front room, still holding his aching head.
"This is the worst vacation ever," he stated coming to stand next to Dryden and Millerna.
Dryden sighed and leaned against the cold castle wall, "I agree, I think I'm going to need a vacation after this vacation."
"I think we all need a vacation," Folken cut in, "A long, long vacation."
Allen nodded and scanned the room. He saw Dilandau, Alex, Merle, Charles, Dryden, Millerna, Folken. Van had stopped long enough to take tally before running off. This had Allen's hair standing on end. Now as he took tally he realized Yukari was missing, and so was Hitomi. He tried to stay calm, Van was sure to find Hitomi, the two girls probably just hadn't made it down yet.
Van burst up the stairs and around the corner. Sliding to a stop he reached out and grabbed Yukari's shoulders before he plowed into her.
"Are you alright?"
Yukari nodded, "A little dizzy, splitting headache, but other than that I'm good, you?"
"Have you seen Hitomi?"
Yukari frowned, "I thought she was with you?"
"She's not downstairs with the others, where did you last see her?"
"In the library, she came to get me right before Shevonie attacked."
"Go downstairs, the others are waiting."
"No, I'm coming with you to find Hitomi."
"Go get the others and tell them to come upstairs"
Yukari conceded, Dryden and Allen would be worried sick. So Yukari headed down the stairs while Van sprinted down the hallway towards his library.
Dilandau set his sister on her feet and turned towards the door, where he knew Alex was hiding in the shadows.
Pulling Merle over he pushed her in front of him, to face Alex.
"Dilandau," she growled
"Listen to him sister, he is a good man," then leaning in to whisper in her ear he said, "I know you still love him and avoid him because you would never betray me. Go Merle, I've forgiven him and will hold nothing against you."
Merle spun towards Dilandau and looked him full in the face, "Honestly?"
Dilandau smiled gently, a kind smile he reserved only for his sister.
"You are the best sister a brother could ask for. Now go to your fiancé. Besides, how could I be mad? He just killed Shevonie, he's saved your family. We've judged him too harshly. Now go."
Merle decided she didn't need to hear that again and turn around to jump into Alex's arms.
Alex opened his arms wide as he saw his blonde wonder turn towards him. Wrapping Merle in his arms he sighed in contentment as she sank into his chest crying.
Looking up at Dilandau, Alex grinned, "Thank you"
Dilandau nodded, and Alex grinned, he knew he wasn't going to get another thank you or word of praise out of the prince right now.
But he didn't care, Merle was all the thanks he wanted.
Yukari slid down the last step and into the front room.
"Yukari!"
Spinning at the voice she smiled as Allen rammed into her full force.
"Allen!" she laughed, "Allen it's a little hard to breathe"
"You'll be ok," he said chuckling
"I believe you need to share"
"Dryden!" Yukari cried, pulling out of Allen's arms and falling into Dryden's
"Yukari you've got to stop disappearing on us, we can only take so much"
Yukari just laughed and pulled back; reaching out for Allen she pulled both into a group hug.
The men laughed and squeezed Yukari, lifting her up in joy.
Millerna watched from the wall and couldn't help but smile. The happiness was just falling of the three friends and flowing over to her. So sitting down on the floor she just smiled and watched the reunion.
Dilandau turned around and watched Yukari fly down the stairs.
"Yukari!"
The blonde man, Allen, rushed forward and wrapped Yukari in a hug. Before long their doctor friend, Dryden, joined in and the three were laughing and smiling and hugging.
Dilandau felt his chest tighten as he watched the red haired woman. He tried to force away the images, but pictures of her battered body flooded his mind. He knew it wasn't real, that it hadn't been real but he still felt the guilt sweep through his body.
He only let it reign for a few minutes before firmly smothering the guilt. Pulling himself up straight he started towards the three. This was a new life, this was his second chance, he wasn't going to waste it. So marching over he waited for the three friends to stop jumping up and down. When they finally calmed down he folded his arms over his chest.
"Woman," he growled
The three friends spun to face Dilandau, Yukari front and center.
She stood there frozen.
"Me?"
"Yes you"
"What?" she managed
Dilandau stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her away from the others, and slowly his lips crept up into a small smile.
"You are a wonderful woman," he whispered
Yukari's eyes widened and she smiled as Dilandau leaned forward his lips touching hers.
Van kicked his library door open.
"Hitomi!" he called out
Silence.
"Hitomi!" he called out again as he scanned the library.
"Van"
Looking down towards the couch he found Hitomi on the floor. Sudden relief swarmed his body and rushed over. He stopped just short of her leg though, her skin was as transparent as the air.
"Hitomi," he whispered collapsing to his knees.
Reaching out Hitomi looked at her hand in confusion.
"I guess it didn't work," she whispered back her tears stinging the back of her eyes
"No, it had to work, it has to work. I don't understand," his voice cracked with pain, "She's dead, we're all here. Everybody's fine, I don't understand."
Van reached out and wanted to cry in frustration when he realized he wouldn't touch anything. Curling his fingers back into his palm he hit the stone floor in anger.
"Don't be upset Van, it's ok. Shevonie's dead it's all better now."
"No it's not! Look at you! Why aren't you human again!"
Hitomi shook her head, "I don't know," she said sitting up, "I have a horrible head ache though. Whoa!"
Van let his head drop forward, all this had been in vain. It was all useless if Hitomi wasn't released.
Released.
When Shevonie died it released the Fanels…maybe.
"Van what are you thinking?"
Jumping to his feet Van reached down and grabbed a dagger from his boot. Turning around he fled the library and headed for the third floor entrance.
It took Hitomi a minute to register the dagger but once she did she realized what he was doing.
"Van!"
Van kicked the wall as hard as he could three times and slipped through before it was even halfway open.
He wasn't sure how he got to the room, he couldn't remember the turns but he somehow made it to his hidden room.
To where Hitomi's frozen body stood, a perfect statue of ice.
"Van don't do this"
Van turned around to see Hitomi standing behind him, her eyes pleading.
"Please, Van, what if it doesn't work."
"It doesn't matter, I'm not letting you sacrifice your life for mine, this isn't right."
"Van –"
But Van wouldn't listen, reaching over he sliced his dagger across the tip of his pointer finger and let the blood fall on Hitomi's frozen shoulder.
"I, Van Slaznar de Fanel, love Hitomi Kanzaki, free her from her cage and let those cursed live once again."
Hitomi gasped as she felt an invisible force pull and tug at her arms and legs.
"Van what's happening?"
"Just let go Hitomi, let it push you"
Hitomi looked up into his deep garnet eyes. His beautiful orbs softened and he gave her a knee buckling smile.
"Trust me Hitomi"
Hitomi closed her eyes and let the force push her forward. She slammed into her body and the world went once again black.
Van dropped his dagger and went to stand in front of his love.
"Come on Hitomi, come on."
Slowly the ice started to melt. Van smiled as it slithered down her hair and then over her eyes. It passed her mouth and her head shot backwards with a snap, her mouth opening wide with a gasp as she sucked in a lungful of air. The ice continued on down her neck, rolling over her shoulders, and down her sides.
Hitomi blinked and focused in on Van.
"Van?" Hitomi was nervous, he could hear it in her voice.
Van steeled himself for the worst and looked down at his feet.
But there was no ice snaking up his ankles.
Looking back up he met Hitomi's emeralds, "We're free," he whispered
Hitomi broke out into a grin, "We're really free?"
Van nodded and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her forward just as the ice cracked off and hit the stone floor.
There was a deafening rip and the two looked down as a bright light exploded from beneath the stones.
The light rushed up and enveloped the two before flooding the room. Van clung to Hitomi pushing her head down on his shoulder, keeping her as close as possible; he wasn't going to lose her now. Definitely not now.
But the light faded after a few minutes and Van opened his eyes. Hitomi was still in his arms, warm and breathing.
And the room was warm, not a single icicle in sight.
Hitomi opened her eyes and looked around. She steeled herself for a minute, waiting for something else to happen.
But when several more minutes passed and still nothing moved, Hitomi bent her head back to look up at Van.
Van was grinning like she'd never seen before, his face was absolutely beaming.
"I love you Hitomi Kanzaki," he said, barely able to contain his happiness, "More than you'll ever know."
Hitomi smiled back, squeezing his chest tighter, "I love you too Van, I love you too."
And with that Van leaned down capturing her lips in a long awaited kiss.
Wrapping his arms around her even tighter Van smiled against her lips. She was real, she was flesh and bone, and so was he.
He felt his whole body relax, he'd finally come home.
It's taken me YEARS and I apologize profusely and ask for your forgiveness. However, I'm overjoyed to finally present you with this 10,000+ words long final chapter to Souls of the Past. Please forgive me and my neglect and I hope you all enjoyed it.
If you love this, I recommend Lynn Kurland, she is an amazing author and the direct inspiration for this story. I didn't copy exactly but it's extremely similar in the beginning.
Now I'm off to finish my other stories and start some new ones!
But don't worry, up next: Epilogue
I wouldn't just leave the story like that