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mirimiramiri · 3 months

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We found love...

“Prince Van Fanel. I hereby name you King of Fanelia and present you with the sacred insignia of power.”

A sword, Hitomi thought in wonder as she stretched her neck to peer over the soldiers' heads. She had rather expected that the unfriendly boy, or rather, conceited prince, would take off the oversized helmet and someone would try to force a crown onto this bird's nest of black hair. On the other hand, the Tennō was also presented with the ancient sword of Japan. Apparently a coronation didn't always include a crown.

She discreetly looked around at the warriors among whom she was kneeling. Everything seemed like she was visiting a museum. A museum the size of an entire city.

The men looked like samurai; the rooms in the palace reminded of her grandparents' traditional-style house in the country. At the same time, no one wore a kimono and no one walked around on geta. The people, this prince (or now king) and the unfoundedly jealous girl with cat ears were more reminiscent of extras from a Central European historical drama flick.

If only this was all a set-up, an incredibly elaborate prank at her expense like Hidden Camera. She would laugh it off graciously and hide the fact that she had already begun to doubt her sanity.

Why did I end up here, she asked herself. Why for heaven’s sake? And when can I go home again?

Her gaze wandered to the cloudless sky. She almost hoped to see that ray of light, like from a flying saucer, again. Which beamed her away, back to the sports field, back to Yukari and Amano.

Was it that unfriendly Van‘s fault that she was here? After all, the pink stone from the dragon had started to glow just before she was ripped away from Earth's gravity. Had he done that on purpose? Hardly, as coldly as he had treated her after the nice wolfish grandpa had picked them both up. This rude Van guy clearly wasn't keen on her. At least he let her stay in his castle. But beyond that, he barely seemed interested in her. There were obviously a lot more important things right now, like this humble event at the moment and ruling over a kingdom later.

Van had probably already forgotten about her. On the other hand, he had at least told his fencing master that she had helped him defeat the dragon. That wouldn't have been necessary. Nevertheless she was impressed by his honesty.

She had finally understood that the fight against the dragon was a ritual, the success of which proved him to be a worthy heir to the throne. Was it against the rules to get help? But she was a little flattered by the way Vargas gave her a look of genuine gratitude while the cat girl cuddled the prince almost to the point of unconsciousness.

Hitomi sighed softly. This scar-covered mountain of a man had given her his word of honor to find a way to send her home after the coronation. He looked scary, but spoke gentle and respectful.

She couldn't wait to finally leave all this inexplicable weirdness behind…

Shouts reached her ears, getting louder and louder as the priest reeled off a monotonous speech to the Fanelian royal family tree. People began to turn around and the crowd became restless.

What was going on, Hitomi wondered. In the distance, a thin column of black smoke seemed to rise into the sky. The priest had fallen silent. The new king, Van, had also turned around and appeared to be facing the city gate. She couldn't see the expression on his face beneath the huge helmet and behind the tangle of black strands. But somehow the atmosphere had changed. The crowd was nervous, small children began to cry and were hugged tightly by their mothers and fathers. The ceremony was interrupted and hardly anyone was paying attention to the important event.

Then a fast rider appeared, forcing his way through the crowd and shouting, “We are under attack! The women and children go hide in the mountains, the men should take up arms! We must face the enemy!”

Was this a drill, a show? But no one laughed, rather there were panicked shouts as the men around them jumped up and ran away in different directions. Hitomi stood up but stayed put. What should she do? She often had to make way for a samurai to avoid being run over. Nobody paid any attention to her.

Nor, she noticed, on the newly crowned king. He stood apart, as ordered and uncollected, with the blue sword in his hands. He seemed lost, overwhelmed, and that left a bitter taste of fear on her tongue. Finally he started moving, running as best he could in the ceremonial armor to Vargas.

Hitomi could see the two briefly exchange a few words. Then, to her amazement, they both turned to stare at her for a second. Vargas then ran away and the boy dove towards her. He looked quite frightening in his white armor and flowing cloak.

“You there!” he shouted. “Don’t stand around, come with me.”

“What me?” Hitomi babbled confused as he grabbed her arm rather roughly and dragged her behind him.

“Who else,” he grumbled. There was a slight metallic echo in his voice under the helmet, like a robot. He ruthlessly made his way through people. He paid them no attention, just as they paid him none. Some, soldiers, men of all ages, ran towards the tumult with their swords and lances drawn. The others in the opposite direction. Many carried small children or old people on their backs. Here and there someone was desperately calling out the names of friends or family members.

Hitomi had never seen so much haunted fear on other people's faces. She tore herself away from the boy's grasp and followed him. "What's happening?"

“What does it look like?! My country is being attacked!” As he ran, the boy grabbed the helmet and carelessly threw it away. The useless thing rolled over the cobblestones with a clatter. Then he sprinted to a small pedestal and picked up the stone on display that he had cut from the dragon's carcass.

“Come now, stay close to me!”

Attacked? Hitomi thought, but somehow she still didn't understand. She ran alongside him to the middle of the square. She saw the people who had excitedly attended the ceremony fleeing in all directions. Horrible noises could be heard in the distance and dark smoke, increasing in volume, rose ominously. "You there! Hold this!” the boy suddenly shouted and threw both his new sword and the pink stone at her.

“Hey!” she complained, but caught both deftly. The dragon’s stone, the color of happy bubblegum, pulsed in her hand with a warm energy, as if it were still the heart of this horrible creature. It was scary in a way that's hard to describe, but not the least bit gross. Rather, it felt good in her hand. Just as if it enjoyed the touch of her skin.

The thing and the weapon together were surprisingly heavy and Hitomi panted as she ran, but managed to keep up with the boy. He was already starting to get rid of the annoying armor. To do this, he untied several ribbons. The breastplate and the cloak simply fell to the ground. Underneath he wore the simple red shirt and slim beige trousers again.

Now he looked much less like a king, if not at all.

“My name is Hitomi and not you there!” she snapped at him as he simply snatched the sword out of her hand and strapped it to his belt.

“I have other things to worry about right now!” he hissed back. Nevertheless, he took the time to give her a stressed look. But there was more to it than that…fear coupled with fierce determination. Like yesterday, or was it the day before yesterday, when he killed a real-life mythical creature in front of her eyes.

Side by side they rushed through the gate of the square building in the center of the courtyard. The boy - King Van - made a short, strange hand sign as they sprinted past the stone carving of a woman in warrior's outfit. Maybe a greeting, a small religious gesture that you had to take time for under all circumstances?

They continued through a dark corridor. Hitomi followed her instinct rather than poor vision. Or even the quick breaths in front of her. <-- you can probably omit this. it doesn't flow well and just adds unnecessary context that feels out of place.

Was that a bomb shelter? Then why did only the two of them flee here? Without warning, a vast, semi-subterranean chamber revealed itself before them. It was beautifully decorated, the walls full of colorful, mystical patterns. Partly covered in gold, like a subtle reference to the poor country's long lost wealth.

Hitomi concluded from the excellent condition of the room that it must be an important, possibly sacred place. Fanelia did not appear to be a well situated country, but here they were not stingy with opulent decorations.

Was it a burial chamber?

There were three coffin-shaped boxes standing next to each other back there. But the floor was particularly noticeable. Steep stairs led down to an angular pool. Several circles of metal slid into one another, looking like gears, all coordinated with one another. The colorful mosaic of a mechanical watch. A light shaft provided poor but atmospheric illumination. Countless grains of dust glittered in the few rays of sunlight.

Speechless, as if she were a tourist in the Vatican, Hitomi took it all in. Van, however, was in a hurry. Without thanking her, he grabbed the stone and ran into the middle of the structure. Every step he took, every breath and every heartbeat was clearly audible. It was dead quiet here. The noise from outside was not allowed into this sacred site.

Van pulled out his new sword. Even in the dim light here, the sharp blade shimmered. Then he intentionally cut his thumb. It had to be a deep wound because he was bleeding profusely and a considerable amount ran directly into the grooves of the stone. It disappeared into it like rain between the petals of a rose. Hitomi watched him spellbound. He didn't say a word, seemed absolutely sure of himself and his actions.

Van raised his arm and Hitomi's gaze followed. A huge boulder hung from the ceiling. How strange, it seemed to be held by steel chains but at the same time floating independently. How did that work? What was the structure used for and why did they even flee here?

Then she saw that his actions resulted in something that could only be described in one word:

Magic.

Just a moment ago the energist had been pretty, but dormant.

Nourished by the king's blood, it awoke to new life and shone brightly like a star fallen from heaven in his outstretched hand. Something similar had happened before. Just like in front of Sasuke Inari Shrine, when that light burst from the night sky, her running shoes suddenly just lifted off the ground and she was plucked from the Earth.

Out of nowhere she was startled when the young king began to roar: “I am Van Fanel, King of Fanelia. My blood shall seal the pact with you in the fight against evil, Escaflowne!”

An incantation, Hitomi was amazed, because there was no one here to whom he could speak. The marble ground vibrated slightly under her feet as if a weak earthquake were occurring.

“The moment has come to awaken your spirits again, mighty dragon!”

With that his magic was probably complete, because all of a sudden the colorful circles around him began to rotate. They turned smoothly against each other. As if they had always done it that way and would continue to do so for all eternity.

Hitomi caught her breath. The spectacle was too strange and beautiful. Streams of air rose from the platform, shining like an upside-down waterfall of shooting stars. They enveloped the king's lanky form in his splendor until he faded into the shadow of a human being.

Any average person would have fled by now. Not so the boy. Suddenly wild lightning danced around him, as if he was creating a small thunderstorm. Their origin were the wheels turning ever faster. The electrical discharges were aimed at the large rock on the ceiling. It broke like an egg under pressure. A deafening crack filled the air. The spell was broken, the seal lifted, and a power beyond what Hitomi dared imagine was unleashed.

Freed from its cocoon, an oversized suit of knight's armor emerged into the open. The metal was a brilliant white. It appeared clumsy and light-footed at the same time and landed directly in front of its lord and master. Large blue marbles on the visor looked down at the fragile little humans, like insect eyes. Red and green heraldic symbols made of crystal glittered on the chest and helmet tip. The long purple cloak fluttered as the armor genuflected and bowed.

The boy remained calm as if it was the most normal thing in the world. This despite the fact that the armor - Escaflowne - could easily trample him to death. He hurried towards it, the energist secure in his hand. His arrival was expected by Escaflowne like a savior in an emergency.

It was time for blood and triumph.

The armor had been caged, it’s might restrained for far too long.

Eager to be sent back into battle. To serve the cause.

"So this is Escaflowne, like in my vision," Hitomi murmured.

As in my vision of Escaflowne...

What followed next marked the end of a coronation in flames and the beginning of a long, long journey.

Note: Thanks to wonderful @eireanness to help translate this little snapshot from my ongoing fanfiction. I decided to not use the term "energist" here to often because it is Hitomi'POV and she only learns about them during that mine heist. The title might seem strange, but this was only the introduction to a longer chapter. The last thought of Hitomi really works better in English than in German.

#escaflowne fanfiction #escaflowne #vision of escaflowne #van x hitomi #tenkuu no escaflowne #escaflowne fanart #fanelia #van fanel #hitomi kanzaki

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