"What..." Allen started to say. He had expected to see her, but not to see her injured and broken like this. He realized suddenly that he had thought her as indestructable as any Fanelian swordsman, as indestructable as the Citadel and Escaflowne.
Van shook his head helplessly. It was obvious that no one knew, and Van suddenly looked very lost and very young.
"I can't find her...."
Gaddess and Allen looked at each other in shock. They, of few others, knew that Hitomi and Van could speak in each other's minds, that it was this connection that had ended the war on Gaea. He stepped forward and placed a hand on Van's shoulder, exuding a confidence that he did not at all feel.
"She'll find you."
A messenger arrived then, whispering a hurried message to Reyan, who turned to Van. The young king of Fanelia closed his eyes for a moment and stood, releasing Hitomi's hand with an obvious reluctance. Sensitive to the mood in the room, Allen bowed formally when Van looked at him, one hand over his heart.
"Her sleep will be undisturbed, Van. There is no need to worry."
When Van had left, Allen sent Gaddess off too, and told him to release the crew to visit the city. He himself studied Hitomi's face for a moment, then rose to stand at the window.
She was really here. He was pleased for Van and Hitomi, who had spent these last ten years pining for each other, but there were dark thoughts in his mind as well.
The last time she had been here, war had engulfed the entire planet and nearly destroyed them all. He knew that it had been brewing before her arrival, that it had not been her fault, but she herself was an omen somehow, and her visions seemed to accelerate things out of control. And now she was here again.
He couldn't help but wonder what was in store for Gaea this time. |
