=^.^= 

Here's chapter four. This chapter gets a bit mushy, but it's got some 
drama thrown in with it. Hope you enjoy! After this there's only the 
epilogue. 

A Fallen Angel Rises Again 
By: Penybright 
[email protected] 

Chapter 4 
The door to the cell opened, allowing in a shaft of bright 
morning sunlight. The two prisoners shielded their eyes from the 
glaring rays. Hitomi and Van were pulled to their feet and ranked 
roughly out of the cell. They were taken to a large arena-like room 
where the guymelefs were held. It was the launch hangar for the 
Vione. Waiting there, with his back turned, was Dilandau. 
"Are you ready to die Van?" he asked, turning around to face 
them. Van was unceremoniously dragged to about the center of the 
room. The soldiers left him there, returning to guard the door. 
Another soldier walked over towards Van, carrying a sword in his 
hand. The soldier tossed the weapon to Van, who caught it with ease. 
A strange look came over Van's features as he looked at the emblem on 
the blade. 
"Draw," Dilandau ordered, unsheathing his sword. Realization 
dawned on Hitomi. 
"No Van, don't," she exclaimed trying to break free. Van 
hesitated, looking at the sword that lay in his palms. 
"I... can't," he mumbled. "I don't think I know how." 
"Fight me now, or she dies!" Dilandau proclaimed, pointing 
his sword at Hitomi. Hitomi's guards drew their swords, the blades 
rasping like a venomous snake as they cleared the sheath. One placed 
the tip of his blade at Hitomi's throat, and the other soldier, at 
her heart. Dilandau smiled evilly, then began to laugh. 
"What will it be Van?" he mocked cruelly. Van looked from the 
sword in his hands to Hitomi, and back to the sword. He closed his 
eyes taking a deep, steadying breath before drawing the blade from 
its sheath. 
"Van, no," Hitomi whispered in dread. Van threw the sheath 
aside, causing a metallic clatter to reverberate through the hangar. 
Dilandau licked his lips in anticipation before he rushed Van, 
striking out with a forceful blow. Van, miraculously caught the blow, 
parrying. 
Although he had no memories, Van's instincts were taking 
over. Dilandau continued to hack away at his opponent, trying to 
breach Van's defenses. Hitomi could tell it wouldn't be long until 
Dilandau did. Van's injuries were impeding him, giving him a 
handicap. Hitomi was amazed that Van had managed to remain standing 
this long. Before Dilandau rushed Van again, he nodded to the guards 
holding Hitomi. The one began to pull his blade across her throat, 
causing Hitomi to shriek in panic stricken pain. Van ran to Hitomi's 
aid, cutting down the soldier. He was then forced to confront 
Dilandau as the other soldier dragged Hitomi towards the launch exit. 
Hitomi looked cautiously out the opening, and balked. The 
earth dropped away miles and miles below where they floated. The 
soldier continued to drag her towards a small door near the edge of 
the large, port opening. 
"Kill her!" Dilandau screeched as Van broke off, running 
towards Hitomi. 
"Hitomi!" Van called as he tried to reach her. The soldier 
drew his sword back, running the cold metal blade through Hitomi's 
side. Hitomi gasped air in sharply with a hiss. Her eyes grew large, 
before drooping slowly closed. The soldier yanked his sword out, and 
Hitomi crumpled to the floor. 
"NO!" Van screamed in a rage, killing the man 
instantly. "Hitomi," he cried, dropping to his knees. The sword slid 
from his hand, clacking to the floor with an unearthly metal ring. 
Van picked up Hitomi's limp form, holding her to him. 
Dilandau raised his sword to strike. Van quickly whirled 
around, knocking the sword from Dilandau's grasp and sending him 
sprawling across the floor. Van turned back to Hitomi, gently picking 
her up again. 
"Hitomi?" 
Hitomi's eyes fluttered open weakly 
"Van?..." 
"It's me," he soothed. "I'm here for you," he said gently, 
trying to ease her mind. Hitomi shuddered, clasping Van's shirt. 
"I feel so... cold," she whispered. Van held her closer, 
trying to envelop her in his warmth. 
"Hitomi, I'm so sorry. If it wasn't for me... I'm sorry," Van 
said in a broken voice. 
"Van stop apologizing," Hitomi reprimanded with a forced 
smile. 
"But I---" 
"Hush," Hitomi whispered, placing a finger over his 
lips. "Van... I..." Hitomi trailed off, out of breath. 
"I know," he smiled. "I do to," he said softly. Van leaned 
forward, bending his face down to Hitomi's. Hitomi gazed into his 
soft, brown orbs hazily, as her vision began to blur. 
Van suddenly jerked his head back violently. Dilandau shoved 
the dagger farther into Van's shoulder, twisting it savagely. Van 
cried out in anguish as fire exploded in his shoulder, searing, 
burning mercilessly. 
"Van?!" Hitomi cried weakly. Dilandau sneered, placing his 
foot on Van's back. He used his foot as leverage, and yanked the 
dagger out. Van fell forward, sliding partially over the edge of the 
hangar floor. Dilandau stabbed Van once more, in the side. Van gasped 
as he felt the cold metal sear through his flesh. Dilandau shoved the 
two roughly over the edge with a vicious kick. 
"Bye-bye Van," he laughed insanely as Hitomi and Van 
plummeted to the ground. 
******************** 
Hitomi clutched to Van with a death grip. Van held onto 
Hitomi tightly, not wanting to let her go. With a painful snap, Van's 
wings exploded forth. He beat them in an upward stroke, slowing their 
descent. As Van's feet touched the ground he toppled to his knees. 
Hitomi remained cradled gently in his arms. 
"Van," she said weakly. "Van?" 
"Hitomi?" Van responded through a haze of pain. 
"Van are you all right?" 
"I'm afraid not," Van replied with a wince. 
"I suppose we're both going to die now..." 
"Hitomi, I'm---" 
"No, don't say it," Hitomi protested feebly. The couple 
looked into each others' eyes, Van once again leaning forward. This 
time though, their kiss was not interrupted. Van and Hitomi were 
locked in their embrace, when they blacked out. 


(c) Penybright