GAIA: Tales After The War of Destiny A Vision of Escaflowne Fanfiction by Derry [email protected] (Email the author!) Disclaimer: Characters that you don't recognize are my creation but the rest are owned by Sunrise, TV Tokyo and the creator of The Vision of Escaflowne. Kami-sama, Esukafuroune to Kawamori Shouji tame ni arigatou gozaimashita! To the readers: otanoshimi ni! For those who have read this before, note that I have made some slight changes in the story. Phrases in between square brackets like this [ ] are expressed as thoughts. Flashbacks are in between these brackets << >> . ********** Reliving Moments [Breathe deeply] he advised to himself, his eyes closed, feeling the wind caress his cheek. He gripped the sword before him in both hands, feeling its familiar contour like a man caressing his lover. The blade glinted brightly in the moonlight, his shadow cast darkly over the stones of the castle in Pallas. He inhaled slowly and felt the two bright moons shine on him. He moved one foot from one merlon* to the next, on top of the battlements, moving the ball of his feet slowly and expertly, as he swung the sword from one way to the next. He made quick slashing motions, hearing the air whistle as the sharp blade cut the wind as it blew gently, waving the flags in the wind. "It's been a while, Van," a quiet voice commented, standing beside one of the shadowed pillars. It was Allen. Van opened his eyes slowly, and stood up, releasing the tension in his legs, arms and torso. He jumped down adeptly and walked to the blond man. "Can't sleep either?" he replied wryly. Allen moved away from the shadows and shook his head, his hair covering a part of his face. He gave Van a small smile. "You, too, I see. Still practice everyday, Van?" Van shrugged. "It keeps me calm." He sighed, and sheathed his sword loudly. "Kingly business is not as easy as I thought," Van said dryly but smiled. "Makes me feel as if I'm older than I really am." Allen chuckled and shook his head in merriment. "To think if things had gone differently, I would be like you now. That is one of the things I don't regret." "Marlene, you mean?" Van asked shrewdly. "Or Millerna?" The knight stared back at him, his eyes betraying a wistful but content look. "Truth? Both, I think. Sometimes I wonder if I had chosen to do the other..." Allen broke off and glanced at the two moons, his eyes unreadable. Van also looked at the Visionary Moon where he knew a girl with short hair and green eyes lived and went on with her life as he did. [Hitomi. I wonder what you are thinking now?] Van thought with a tinge of sadness and longing. He had not spoken with her for a while now and he felt the strain of time over his heart. Allen turned to him with a tired smile and said, "Want to practice? It's been a while since we fought-for real or not." Van grinned, although it really wasn't funny at all. The last time they fought, they were in their own guymelefs, Allen in Scherazade, and he in Escaflowne. That time, both of them were ready to slice each other to bits, throwing their friendship to hell. Only Serena's shout of "Oniisama!" to Allen, and Hitomi's cry to Van stopped them from killing each other off. Van shrugged. "Why not?" Van admitted to himself that since he saw the knight again, he had wondered what it would be like to fight Allen. The blond knight was certainly someone worthy to fight with-their last combat proved that. With Valgus now gone, modesty aside, he and Allen were probably the best on Gaia. He unsheathed his sword, and cast the scabbard away to the side. Allen, who was still in his day clothes, also slid his sword out of his scabbard with a flourish. Both stood ready, their stances similar. "Ready?" Van challenged, his face expressionless. He focused his thoughts on his sword and body, willing it to become one. Allen did not move except to say, "Likewise." For a long moment, they both stood there, watching each other, hearing the wind as it blew sharply at their clothes. Van felt his shirt flap against the wind. With a shout, Van lunged for Allen. He was fighting the knight in offensive and this time, he wanted to get the upper hand. Lunge. Swing. Block. Swing. Twist. Parry. Step back. Lunge again. It went on without sound except for the swish of their blades as they passed. The wind, the clash of their swords, and their heavy breathing broke the eerie silence. Sweat beaded in their foreheads as they circled each other, seeking for an opening, a chance, to hit the other opponent. "You have improved a lot since the last time, Van! I'm very impressed," Allen breathed out in a slight pant, as he tried to parry Van's sword. He stepped back and raised his own, aiming for Van's shoulder. "Well, I damn hope so," breathed Van with a savage smile, blocking Allen and trying again for another swing. "I didn't practice all these years for nothing, you know." "Then, we've been doing the same thing! I have to keep in shape now that you are getting better!" Allen yelled. Van began to feel desperate, and heard a warning bell in his head. He winced as the knight saw him leave an opening as he swung his sword a little too wide. Allen took his chance and lunged, aiming his sword for Van's throat with a cry. Van desperately parried the attack, calling to mind the lessons his teacher had taught him. He realized as they broke off that if he had been a millisecond late, his head would have been rolling on the floor now. However, Allen's tactic had put the knight on the defensive. Allen was stepping back slowly, one after the other. "Come on, Van! Fight back!" shouted Allen, as the blond man swung again. Van gritted his teeth. [Damn, but he's still as good as ever!] he said in admiration. He was not one to be blind to another man's skill-he knew a master when he fought one. He parried and lunged, forcing himself to exert his body to the limits. Allen was on the defensive; Van could hear Allen's loud breathing as the knight tried to turn tables. But Van saw his moment and with a cry, he gave all of himself to the last stroke. A sword flew in the air and skidded over the stones. Van watched the knight as Allen began to chuckle. "What's so funny?" Van demanded, still holding the poised sword in his hands. Allen laughed outright and said, "It's been a long time since I lost my sword in a fight!" Van stared at the man strangely as if he'd gone mad. [And I always wondered how Serena could have been Dilandau] Van thought wryly. He straightened, sheathed his sword and went over to the one that fell. He picked it up, turned it and handed it over to his comrade. "Thank you," Allen said simply and sheathed the sword back. "What? No payback?" Van said with a smile. Allen smiled and said, "I was hoping to keep some of my pride intact, you know." Van smiled at the comment and felt strangely happy. "That's quite a compliment from a man who lost." Allen gave him a look. "I'm not stupid enough or sulky enough to be bitter about it!" The two laughed boisterously at the remark until tears came to their eyes. They walked over to the battlements of the palace and leaned over a merlon for balance. After a while, their laughter subsided as they watched, mesmerized, as the moons began to circle the wide dark bowl of the sky. Allen suddenly turned to him. "Van, how's Hitomi?" he asked quietly. Van did not turn to look at the man but continued to watch the moon where Hitomi lived. He smiled wistfully and said, "She's fine, she tells me." "Do you speak to each other often?" Van shrugged slightly and said, "From time to time, when we can. She's busy now and so am I but things have been fine for her these days." Van grinned at the knight and said, "She even told me she misses Merle." Allen grunted. "And to think they didn't always get along." "Yeah..." Van saw the knight lean his arms over the stone. His long blond hair covered the side of his face, his expression only Van could guess. "Does she... did she say anything for me?" Van stared at the man, not knowing how the knight still felt for Hitomi. Before Van and Hitomi had realized that they had developed a bond, the knight and Hitomi had shared something together too. Van and Hitomi never really talked about it-it wasn't necessary. They both knew without saying it outright that they loved each other. But what the knight still felt for the girl from the Visionary Moon was a mystery to him. However, Allen had asked him a question. He felt compelled to answer. "She says she misses all of us and that she wished to see all of us again. Serena too." Van tilted his head, as he heard something and stood abruptly. He looked back and said, "Merle. I know you are there." Van heard a cat's purr as an annoyed Merle came out of the shadows. "Miaow! How did you know?!" Van laughed as Allen looked at the two of them in surprise. "You still wonder about that, Merle?" Van joked. Merle walked to the two of them and gave Allen a look that made him laugh. She gave an innocent look to Van. "Um.... You learned that from... listening to a lot of cows?" Allen chuckled and said, "Merle, as you grow, you get too smart for your own good-or Van's. Merle raised her chin. "I'm not a child anymore, you know! I've grown a LOT, if you've noticed." She stuck a pose that made one of Allen's eyebrows rise in amusement. "Merle!" Van reprimanded, his eyes widening. "Be nice." Sometimes he wondered if the cat-gi--woman--actually knew what she was saying-[or doing, for that matter. She's still the same feisty Merle I grew up with all right] he thought. "What's this? I was not even included in this small reunion?" Millerna's voice interrupted. Allen went to the Queen, saying, "Millerna-ojou! Shouldn't you be resting now? Why are you alone?" Van came near with Merle beside him, and greeted Millerna formally. Millerna gave him a look. "Really, Van. I think we're past all that formality already. Anyway, Dryden is still talking to Cerin and I decided he could handle that on his own. I wanted to take a breath of fresh air, after what happened today." She turned to Allen. "And you worry too much. I'm not Serena, Allen. Also, I'm not alone." She gave a look behind her. They all saw two guards not far behind her. Van couldn't help but smile though. The queen was radiant; her face was glowing with health and happiness. She was obviously happy about her condition and even now, when her life was in danger the most, her mien was something that brightened the dark night. [Are all women like this when they're pregnant? I wonder what Hitomi would look like...] He suddenly broke off the direction of his thoughts and blushed. Merle poked him in the ribs. "I know what you're thinking!" Van gave her a sharp look. However, the other two had heard. Millerna laughed and said, "Is this your first time to see a pregnant woman?" Van blushed harder. "No, of course not! In Fanelia, I see a lot of women with your condition. I just don't see it often. I mean, when your busy trying to rebuild a country, you don't usually encounter women with your condition..." he finished lamely. Merle couldn't keep her laughter. "Oh, he's seen pregnant women, for sure, Millerna-ojou. It's Hito-" Van clamped a hand over the young cat-woman's mouth in horror. Van was blushing furiously. He said, "Don't mind her." Allen and Millerna laughed. When they finally calmed down, the queen turned to Van and said quietly, "Van. You've changed. You've changed a lot." Merle seemed ready to claw him. He let her go and gave a small smile to Millerna. "I guess I did, didn't I?" "I know what you mean, Millerna-ojou. He's not so serious anymore like before," Allen commented with a smile. "The last time, war had always preoccupied your thoughts." "It's because of Hitomi, I bet," replied the light-haired queen mischievously. ----------------- Meanwhile, in the Visionary Moon, Hitomi Kanzaki was in her room, studying for a test. She suddenly sneezed and sniffed, as a wind stirred the curtains of her window. [And it's not even the time of the year!] she thought. She looked out her window and thought [Are they talking about me?]. [Van...] ----------------- "Well, I better go. It's getting late." Millerna turned and waved at them. "Tomorrow then? At the arena? You two are going to participate in the tournaments tomorrow!" "Tomorrow!" Merle shouted in reassurance as the queen left. Van exchanged looks with Allen. "You think this is a good idea? After yesterday, they'll surely attempt something again." Allen's face was expressionless and his eyes looked far away. "Worried about Serena, Allen?" Van asked, knowing what the knight was thinking deeply about. He knew that Allen worried for his sister's safety and Van understood what he felt. In a way, that was one of the things that both of them shared: a lost sibling and the emotions that went with it. What made their situations different was that Folken had died, and Serena lived. Allen turned to him and sighed. "She's the only family I have left. These attempts on her life, even going so far as to travel to Fanelia to kill her can be quite stressful." Van laid a hand on the cold stone and swung himself on it. He sat, laid his sword between his legs, leaning the hilt on his shoulder. The cold wind rippled his shirt as his hair swayed across his vision. He knew well what Allen was going through and even admired him for his strength. Merle looked at him to Allen then back. With her arms akimbo, she scolded, "Cerin vowed to protect your sister, Allen. A blood vow. That convinced me he'll do anything just to make sure your sister will be ok." Allen remained silent, his face troubled. Van tried to reassure his friend. "I admit that I don't share Merle's sentiment. I don't really trust him all that much either Allen and I know what you mean by being cautious. Merle here will always be with them and she'll make sure nothing happens." He gave Merle a look and she nodded. Van had to admit that Cerin's vow had unnerved him, especially when the knight-to-be had replied that the vow was from Atlantis. Before they could ask him about that remark, Cerin had snapped out of his reverie and excused himself to clean his wound, even as Millerna offered to do it. However, before he had left, Van spied the Cerin's face: what the young man said had obviously unnerved himself too. Allen smiled gratefully at the cat-woman and Van at their attempts to reassure him. He asked the cat-woman, "Why do you trust him so much, Merle?" [Why does Millerna?] he wondered. "Why don't you?" countered Merle. "Don't you feel that there's something he's keeping?" Allen asked, his face lost in thought. Merle answered, "Everyone is entitled to their own secrets." She glanced at Van strangely, a look he couldn't interpret. "But if Dryden-ou and Millerna-ojou's lives are at stake, that is sometimes hard to have with you," Allen asserted. Van quietly said, "You think Cerin has something up his sleeve for tomorrow, Allen? Suddenly, Merle, her ears peeking out of her shoulder-length pink hair which framed her face, gave both of them a look. "We'll just have to see, won't we?" * * * "Baytoru has arrived, sir." Kiel looked up from his desk indifferently. "Where is he now?" "He's still downstairs, sir." The man eye's flitted back and forth nervously from Kiel, who sat behind the desk, to the cloaked one beside him. "And the rest?" Kiel prompted. The man gulped a lodge in his throat. "They are storing them in the warehouse with the ones we brought." The man paused then added, "Their conditions are a lot better than expected, sir." It was a while before Kiel spoke. "Tell Baytoru that I'll meet him after he is done with the guymelefs. You may go." The man saluted and left. Kiel turned to the cloaked one beside him. He didn't appreciate the creature's smell at all and would rather not deal with him. However, prejudices didn't matter or amount to much in such cases. "And so now, the traitor has a bodyguard?" "Yessss," hissed the creature. Under the cloak, Kiel heard the sound of scales rubbing each other. He tried not to shudder. "What else do you have?" demanded Kiel. He stood up and walked over to the counter where all kinds of liquor were arrayed with glasses next to them. He picked one decanter up and poured himself a glass. He smelled the aroma that wafted up to his nose and sighed in pleasure. [A lot better than him] he grunted in his mind. "Although unconventional, the King of Fanelia isss joining the tournamentsss, and ssso will the knight." The creature's tongue flitted in and out of his mouth. Its eyes glinted. "The new bodyguard too?" "Yesss, however, he will only join one." Kiel's dark brows came together in thought. [Who is this Cerin Argas? Why does his name sound familiar?] The name nagged his mind but the memory remained elusive. However, Kiel was not one to let go of any detail. The presence of the man named Argas and also the familiar ring to it was too much of a coincidence to him. He needed to know more. "Histia, find any information about this man who is protecting the traitor. His name rings quite a bell." Kiel trained a hard look at the creature. "You might know him too. Find everything you can and watch him. Report back to me in three days and by that time I expect you to go with the plan." "Yessss." The creature retreated in the darkness. Before Kiel could blink, the creature had gone out of the window, like a shadow in the night. Kiel felt unnerved but did not care for the moment. He stared at the darkness outside, seeing the two moons cast a beam of soft light in his room. [One more variable...] he thought idly. [Death is on my side and my luck has never left me.] He swallowed the drink and threw the glass to the wall. It crashed into many fragments. He felt a nick in his cheek as one of the pieces flew towards him. "It won't now," he muttered. * * * Serena Schezar yawned widely as she stood by the tall window overlooking the gardens. Her light blue dress, which complimented her figure, shone in the early warm sun. From where she stood, she saw everyone hurry back and forth, all of them carrying something. The palace was alive, and the events of yesterday were forgotten. Everyone was happy and dressed for the tournaments that would start in a while, where her brother and his friend, Van Fanel, would join. She smiled in anticipation at the coming event and waited for Cerin Argas to arrive. Serena's face grew slightly troubled at the thought of the young knight- to- be. She somehow knew she had met him before but the memory would not come. She didn't feel worried that she didn't remember or know how they might have known each other but she guessed it had something to do with her past. Her memories as Dilanadau remained empty despite the five years that have passed since the end of the war. Oddly enough, she remembered her childhood and also the wolf-man named Jajuka who had protected her after she had been taken. But for the rest of the years in between those pleasant times, she couldn't remember much. Nightmares would come then disappear when she woke, feeling only a trail of sweat. She knew that she had done deeds that had taken a lot of lives; whenever she thought of it, she felt herself get depressed and lost. A sudden knock jolted Serena out of her thoughts. She turned to door. "Come in!" "It's me, Cerin Argas, Lady Schezar," said the voice as Cerin came in slowly, peeking in before stepping within the room. Serena smiled at him. "Come on in. I've been waiting for you. And call me Serena." Cerin Argas came in and closed the door behind him. He stopped in his tracks half way across the room. Part of his short black hair covered a side of his face, his dark eyes unfathomable. He wore a plain white shirt under a black tunic, loosely wearing a plain gray overcoat. His gray breeches were tucked in knee-high black boots, and his sword swung at his hip. "I'm sorry if I kept you waiting. I had to check on Lord Balthos for a while," he said. "That's okay," she replied quietly, her smile showing her concern. "How is he?" The young man smiled at her thoughtfulness. "He's better but the wound was deep. He lost a lot of blood." "Oh." Serena didn't know what to say as she watched him. "So... this is our first day together," she said. "We'll get along, I hope." He smiled at her and said, "I hope so too." There was a long silence. [He really reminds me of someone... but who?] She realized she was starting to stare, and blushed. She cleared her throat. "Do you want anything before we go?" "No. No, thank you," Cerin replied formally. Serena changed the direction of her thoughts, knowing it was for now a dead end. She walked up to him and said, "Well, let's go then." Together, they exited the room and walked along the corridors of the palace. They saw some people walk by and to some, Cerin greeted. Serena tried to ignore the meaningful looks the men gave to them and felt her cheeks turn hot. Cerin glanced at her sideways and said with a smile, "Don't mind them. They just don't see me with a beautiful girl often." The young man chuckled suddenly. "Actually, they never saw me with one." Serena stared at Cerin in surprise. "Never?" "Never." Serena frowned. "Well... That is kind of weird, you know." She clamped her mouth shut and realized in horror what she just said. Cerin raised an eyebrow at her. "Why is that?" Serena knew she couldn't back out of the situation. She sighed and decided to tell the truth. "Well... From what I've seen and add to what Gades told me, normal guys, at least once in their life go with a girl-or at least try to." Instead of getting angry as she expected him to do, Cerin suddenly laughed. "Well, I guess I'm not normal then. Am I?" "No! No! That's not what I meant!" Serena felt her blushing cheeks become hotter. [What did I put myself into?] she reprimanded herself. Cerin glanced at her and said, "No? Then what did you mean?" "I... well... I meant..." stuttered Serena. She gripped the folds of her skirt. [What am I going to say? Isn't that what I meant even if I didn't really mean anything mean about it? I should ask Allen what I should do in times like this.] She had a sudden vision of her brother looking at her wide-eyed after asking him how to handle a man. [I guess not.] Cerin chuckled at her obvious dilemma. As they turned a corner towards the main hall, he said, "Don't worry about it. Many people think that I'm different- and that's putting it lightly." Serena was saved from replying when they reached the main hall that led to the arena. They walked across the open courtyard, passing a gushing fountain. After a while, they reached the entrance, went up a flight of stairs and arrived where the rest of the group was. "Serena!" exclaimed Millerna joyfully. She stood up from her seat, which was next to Dryden's, and gave her a quick hug. "Your brother is next." Serena looked at the balcony around her. The usual colors of blue and gold hung as a shade for the pregnant queen. Dryden sat slightly slouched in his seat, watching the two swordsmen below fight each other. Two tall chairs were set up near the railing and a number of guards also stood nearby, their eyes focused forward. Two young ladies-in-waiting stood a little behind Millerna-ojou, and Dryden's mouse-man sat near the King, ready to do his bidding. A hand tapped Serena lightly at the shoulder. "Do you want to sit here, Serena?" Cerin asked. Serena frowned. "Millerna," she said, looking around. "Where's Merle and Van?" Millerna replied, "Oh. Van is down in the rooms that lead down below and Merle is with him." The queen frowned. "Merle should be back in a minute though." "Serena!" cried Merle behind them. "You want to sit with me?" "Where are you staying?" asked Cerin with a slight frown. Serena saw the cat-woman put both her hands on her hips and said, "Well, I want to see Allen and Van-sama. Sitting here is not all that exciting." She pointed a finger to the crowd, that was roaring as they watched one of the swordsmen fall. They all aaaah-ed. "That's where I want to watch." Dryden who had been listening to their conversation turned to them from his seat. He cast a dubious frown at the cat-woman. "Don't you think that's being very risky, Merle?" "Don't worry. The crowd moves a lot. Whoever wants to throw that silver thingy that Zaibach used to throw at us will have a very hard time targeting, right?" reasoned Merle. She turned to Serena. "Hey, don't you want to watch your brother in a better view?" Serena wasn't sure how to respond. She glanced at Cerin. "Well..." "Don't worry. I can watch with you," Van said as he appeared. He was dressed in armor, just like the one he had worn when he went off to fight with the dragon the first time. He smiled and said, "We won't be too far from you, Millerna. Cerin?" Cerin shrugged. "Whatever Serena wants. I'll be next to her." "Okay then," exclaimed Merle, clapping her hands in delight. "Let's go!" Serena walked behind Van and Merle, with Cerin next to her. They reached the highest tier, on the balcony's right where Millerna and Dryden watched on. Serena glanced behind her and saw two guards had followed them. Cerin looked in the direction of her eyes and said, "Everywhere any one of us goes, there are at least two you can see who are watching over us." A stentorian voice cut through all the voices that had suddenly cheered loudly. Serena looked at the arena and saw one of two fighters lend a hand to his opponent to stand up. A stout man had come up to them, dressed in eye-popping colors; he seemed to be a referee of some sort. He grabbed the winner's hand and shouted at the top of his voice (so much so that the veins in his neck looked ready to pop) the man's name. The crowd roared in delight. Coins were thrown in as the winner waved at the crowd. He formally bowed to the King and Queen, who nodded in congratulations. The man bowed to the audience then walked to one side of the arena and bowed again, but this time to a woman. The woman smiled and threw her scarf at him. He tied it to his sword and walked out of the arena. Serena watched all that in awe. "Wow..." she murmured. She glanced around her, and saw Van and Merle sit on the tier. She turned to Cerin who stood watching next to her. He was smiling slightly. "Cerin, do you know who that man was?" she asked. Cerin turned to her at her question then nodded. "Yes. He's with me in the chapter house I stay in. He is going to be knighted tomorrow, after winning today." Serena frowned. "Is that how you become a knight?" Cerin gave her a questioning look. "Hasn't your brother ever explained to you how he became a Heavenly Knight?" Serena shook her head. "We never really got to talk about it." Cerin crossed his arms and frowned in thought. "Well, there are actually several ways. But one way is to prove yourself in the tournaments that occur each year. If you prove your mettle in fighting and you live up to the standards of a Heavenly Knight, you will be either promoted or knighted, depends. Ysia, the one who just won, is a good comrade and friend. He will be knighted, I'm sure." Serena saw Merle turn to them. "I guess it's rare to be knighted, isn't it? There aren't so many Heavenly Knights." Cerin nodded. "That's true. It's quite something to be part of the Heavenly Knights. Allen is one of the best, I heard." Serena saw the Fanelian king turn from where he sat and regarded Cerin thoughtfully. "And you? Don't you want to be one? I learned from Dryden that you are not Asturian born. Is that why you came here to Asturia?" Cerin looked at Van and said, "One of the reasons, yes." "Then aren't you supposed to join the tournaments too to become one?" Merle asked, puzzled. Cerin shook his head. "Lord Balthos and Millerna-ojou had made my case a special one. They said that instead of proving myself in the tournaments, I was to be the one that protected Serena Schezar when she came here. If I failed then, I would not become a knight at all but instead a promoted soldier at best-if not dead. But even if I lived, I don't think any soldier could accept his defeat and would rather die in battle than because of suicide." Merle gasped. "Suicide?" Cerin's statement, delivered so frankly, made Serena think. Was it coincidence that the man that Millerna-ojou would assign to protect her was a man she vaguely remembered from her past? Serena glanced at her guardian's profile thoughtfully. "Why suicide?" Merle asked the young man. "Surely, by living, they can somehow make-up for their failure..." Van interrupted Merle. "It's not as easy as that, Merle. In Cerin's case, Serena's death is not just a failure of a mission. It is also a betrayal of the oath he made. Besides, men who fail do not usually want to live with their regret and remorse." Van looked at Cerin as he said the last words but the latter did not react at all. He continued to watch the crowd. Only his tense body betrayed the emotion Cerin might be feeling. A commotion broke off their conversation. She saw Stout Man come to the middle of the arena again and bow formally to the King and Queen. He waved everyone to quiet down, and slowly, the noise ceased. He shouted, "Lords and Ladies! Next shall be a fight we have not seen for many years. To gain the title as the best swordsman, the winner must fight against Asturia's best swordsman and knight, Allen Schezar!" The crowd cheered wildly. Serena watched her brother step out from one of the large doors, fully dressed in his knightly clothes. He didn't wave at the crowd or look at them but instead went straight towards the balcony. He bowed formally to Millerna-ojou and Dryden-ou. Millerna waved gleefully at the knight and shouted his name. She threw a rose at him. The knight gave a small smile and bowed again. He stood and walked to his opponent. Serena saw the crowd suddenly hush. Allen shook hands with the man Cerin named as Ysia, and say words that only the two can hear. The man Ysia nodded with a smile and both men walked away a few feet from each other, drawing their swords as they did so. Stout Man waved a flag and shouted, "Begin!" With that, Serena saw her brother wait for the man to come. As expected, Ysia rushed towards the blond knight. Allen easily parried Ysia's lunges and thrusts, easily stepping from one foot to the next. "Impressive..." murmured Cerin beside her. His eyes were calm and calculating, watching her brother's movements. Serena looked at Van who had the same look in his face. Crowd didn't cheer as much in fear that they would interfere with the fight that occurred below; they oooh-ed and aaah-ed only at certain moments. There came a point when the two swordsmen locked their swords against each other. For a whole moment, Serena held her breath in anticipation. Merle purred nervously. Van and Cerin seemed to be the only two people who were calm. Allen, his face calm, broke off the contact. His sudden move, Serena saw, had surprised Ysia, making the man pause. Serena saw her brother take advantage of the moment and lunged. His sword slid down against Ysia's blade, twist and hook under the pommel. With a cry Allen jerked his blade up. Ysia's sword flew up and buried itself in the ground with a thud. The crowd roared wildly. She saw a lot of hands exchanged pieces of paper, from the lowest beggar to the richest noble. [Asturia was no merchant country for nothing] thought Serena. She saw Millerna-ojou stand, clap her hands and cry out gleefully. Dryden-ou looked on with a smile that said that he had expected Allen to win from the start. Serena herself was ecstatic, and she saw Merle stand up and cheer. Van and Cerin just smiled and looked on. "The winner! Allen Schezar!!" Stout Man shouted, his arm stretched out to Allen whose face had remained unchanged. Suddenly a voice rose above those in the assembled crowd. "Schezar wins again! Will no one be able to defeat the Heavenly Knight? Is there no one here who can at all?" After a surprised silence, the crowd began to pick up the challenge. Soon, the crowd was shouting. The more rowdy ones began to stomp their feet and call out, "Dare! Dare!" Serena looked nervously at the people that sat around the arena, their voices reaching fever pitch. The crowd had begun to get restless. The possibility of a riot began to escalate. She looked at Cerin who suddenly stood close to her, his dark eyes looking around him and everywhere for trouble. His hand was on his hilt and his face was expressionless. He exchanged glances with Van who stood similarly as Cerin. Merle who still seemed caught up in the shouting, began to jump. "This is getting unusual. Someone, most likely one who was with the man who shouted, is stirring the people up," said Cerin. He looked at the top of the arena and signaled to one of the men there. Merle noticed. "The guards are moving!" Cerin turned to Serena and said, "Stick close to me! Anything might happen!" Serena nodded. At the corner of her eye she saw Millerna stand abruptly. Only parts of the crowd looked at their queen as she shouted, "Quiet down everyone! Quiet down!" Behind Millerna, Dryden stop a captain with a hand. He seemed to be preventing him from something. The guard looked behind him and made a sign to someone who arrived. Van appeared beside Serena, with a calmer Merle beside him. "Cerin, look up!" Serena followed where Van pointed and saw the guards hesitate as a messenger went from one to another. The guards, who had seemed ready to suppress the crowd, remained where they were. "He's making them stay!" Merle exclaimed. "Prevents panic from escalating," Van commented. His eyes were wary. Serena watched her brother, his body tense. He also seemed to feel the unusual wildness in the crowd. The people continued to shout. A sudden movement to her right made her turn. "Cerin!" she shouted. The young man had jumped from where they stood and shouted, "Van! Watch her for me for a minute!" The two soldiers behind them gathered around the three. "What the hell are you doing?" shouted Van. "Cerin, you idiot! Come back!" He moved to follow. Merle held Van back. "Van-sama! Let him go!" "I think I know what he's planning!" cried Serena. "He's going to calm them down by giving them what they want." "Nani?!" shouted Merle in disbelief. Serena gripped her skirts in worry. She watched Cerin as he jumped from one tier to another, pushing people away as he passed. Finally, he landed on the arena, creating a dust cloud around him. "Look, everyone! Someone dares Schezar!" the same voice shouted. There was a loud roar from the people as they watched the young man walk up to Allen. Cerin shouted, "Allen!" Serena watched her brother swivel towards Cerin. The latter walked up to Allen and said something. Allen stepped back in surprise. She saw him mouth, "What?!" "What is Cerin doing down there?" Dryden shouted over the din. Serena looked in surprise at the king and wondered how long he had been standing with them. More guards now surrounded the group. All together, Serena and her companions watched Cerin and Allen as they slowly began to back away from each other. Cerin drew his sword out slowly. "Is that baka** doing what I think he's doing?" Merle said, her mouth agape. They all turned to Van as he said, his arms crossed, "He already is." * * * Careia looked at the blond knight before her. [I damn hope this works!] she thought grimly. She gripped her sword before her, willing the expression in her face to disappear. She concentrated all her thoughts to her sword, and breathed deeply. She looked up. "Allen," she said. One part of her mind told her that the crowd were still shouting but had begun to calm down a little. They began to sit down again. [No backing out now] she reminded herself. "Ready," Allen replied, his face devoid of feeling. "Wait!" shouted Stout Man. "What's yer name?" Careia didn't look at him yet answered. "Argas. Cerin Argas." "I've never seen you before. Where are you from? What shall I tell the people?" he pressed. "Tell them..." Careia paused. "Tell them that I'm from Zaibach." ********** Author's notes: *merlon: If you have the The Vision of Escaflowne For Lovers Only CD, there's a picture there of Van holding a sword against the moon, and he's standing on something, right? Whatever he's standing on-that's what it is. One usually see such things in battlements. **baka: In Japanese, this means "fool," "idiot." Generally, the term is used when one calls another as stupid. If you've watched Evangelion, Asuka always calls Shinji "Baka!" Akane always calls Ranma the same. ********* End of Reliving Moments