Chapter Text
It was dark outside. The moon had hidden away behind the veil of thick clouds rolling in, a storm forming in the distance. The rhythmic sound of the ocean waves lapping against the white sands of the beach, and the mesmerizing thrum of cicadas humming were the only sounds to be heard on this night.
The streets were deserted, bathed in shadows. The occupants of the town turned in for the night. This day had come and gone just as prior days. But this night? It held promise.
Perched near the top of a gentle sloped hill was a small house. A simple house with a stone fence and a family name plate near the entrance. Soft golden light glowed from within an open window on the second floor. A gentle breeze drifted in, stirring the sheer panels, carrying the fresh and salty tang of sea air. A nostalgic scent mingled with the fragrant cherry blossom permeating the air, creating a symphony of fragrance that spoke of new beginnings.
Inside this room, the air was filled with a quiet, pensive energy. The small space was sparsely decorated. A small shelf above a neatly made bed, held a few books and small trinkets. The desk, illuminated by the warm light, was scattered with letters, photographs, and a small bouquet of flowers. The solitary figure sat there, bent over, a pen in hand. She was lost in thought. This moment was a time for reflection, farewells, and the anticipation of what was to come.
That gentle lapping of waves, and the song of the cicadas served as the setting for this quiet moment. The outside world seeming to stop in time as a deference to this significant night. The quiet house on the hill, with the happy golden light playing through the sheer curtains, a silent witness to the intense emotions within, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new life.
Hitomi sat there at the small old desk, photos and small mementos littering the hard surface. Her fingers gingerly traced the edges of one of the old photographs she had pulled out, the faces of her family smiling back at her, frozen forever in that moment of time. A worn old diary, pages yellowed with age, lay open before her. Several pages filled with fond memories, achievements, and the occasional doodle over the years adorned the old pages. Regaining her sense of time, Hitomi looked down at the blotch of ink that had formed on the page, her pen having rested in the same spot too long as she had been lost in thought.
Annoyed at this, she sighed softly, grumbling under her breath as she ripped out the damaged page to start writing once more.
"Was it all just a dream? Or maybe a vision? No. It was real.”
She gently agitated her bottom lip between her teeth, the memories of Gaea flooding through her mind, and onto the paper. She meticulously detailed the experience of having been swept up in the pillar of light for the first time, the intense and overwhelming fear of seeing the Earth looming over her in the sky; so close, yet so far away.
The adventures she had with the sorrowful King who lost his country and became a fugitive of the Zaibach Empire. Having the constant threat of the relentless soldiers following after them. The words poured out, neat handwriting decorating the blank canvas. Emotions haunted her as she recounted the horrors and heartaches of war. How her visions had such a profound effect. There were times she had to convince herself that all of it had been a dream, but reality had a way of striking her, the pains she felt deep down, reaffirming the truth of those experiences.
The rhythmic sound of the pen brushing against the paper brought her a strange comfort. As she reached the end of the war and began to write the story of Escaflowne, her eyes closed lightly. Images of Fanelia’s progress through the years flashing through her mind. She saw the once desolate, incinerated city’s landscape transform, brick by brick, into a once more thriving metropolis. She could smell the fresh scent of the crisp wood and paint mingle with the earthy aroma of newly planted and sprouting fields.
Escaflowne, the majestic dragon Guymelef, and Sky God, knelt in the heart of the royal garden. The once gleaming and pristine white surface, now adorned with vines, a testament to the passage of time.
When I remember standing with you in the gardens, all those years ago, with the slumbering Escaflowne watching over us… A bittersweet memory flashed in her mind, the sorrow of parting, the strong embrace of Van’s arms engulfing her. His scent. The smell of sky and fields. The empty feeling when he let her go, hoisting the drag-energist above his head, it’s eerie glow as the pillar of light was summoned. It was so painful to leave you, Van. But I know now, that I needed to. You wanted me to have the choice. It’s time for me to come home.
She quickly returned to finishing her memoir.
““As of now, the rebuilding of Fanelia is nearly complete. Van has, in his spare time, been teaching me more about the history of the royal family, the relations to other countries. What types of trade Fanelia had done and will be doing in the future. The politics…
With the backing of Asturia and Freid, they have been busy in dealing with other nations. Creating bonds to form stronger alliances. Dryden ha s really been heading the negotiations. His history as a merchant has proven beneficial in these dealings. His knowledge of trade routes has helped Fanelia find the easiest ways to access across the continent.
Oh! Speaking of Dryden. He and Millerna officially married two years after I left. I’m so happy for them. They’re expecting their first born in the next couple of months!””
A small tear fell from her eye, the paper soaking up the small symbol of emotion, forever leaving it’s small stain on the parchment. Thoughts of the graduation she had attend earlier that week entered her thoughts. A day that was fueled purely on adrenaline, excitement, dread.. so many mixed emotions causing her to feel a pang in her gut. A mixture of fear, sadness, and anticipation. Knowing she would soon leave the Earth behind, never to return. Knowing this was her future. On Gaea. With Van.
An anguished Yukari had been crying so hard her makeup was running down her beautiful face. The constant stream of tears had left a stain on Hitomi’s graduation dress. The red head hugging her so hard that she felt her bones would break in this bear-like vice of a hug. “You- You better not ever forget me Hitomi Kanzaki Fanel! If you do I swear to GOD I will find my way to Gaea to kick your ass! Do you understand me?!” Her voice heavy with strong emotion. Hitomi smiled sadly, wrapping her arms around her friend to return the tight embrace, the weight of impending separation weighing heavy on her heart.
A cold breeze drifted through the open window, stirring the curtains once more, carrying with it the scent of the spring-blooms and the scent of rain. Hitomi was stirred out of her reverie, and noticed the glowing white feathers that floated in, drifting lazily on the breeze, before coming to a rest on the desk. She smiled gently, knowing it was a sign. He’s calling me.
”I know Van, I’ll be there soon!”
These last words were the hardest to write. But she knew that it had to be done.
“”Mom, Dad, my friends…
All these beautiful memories of Earth will remain with me. I won’t forget any of you, even when I’m old. Thank you so much for everything.””
With this, she gently closed the diary, running her fingers over the worn leather cover one last time. It was a repository of her heart. Her memoir, a parting gift for the ones she was leaving behind. A promise of the life she was returning to. She would leave with no regrets.
Standing up, she took one final look around the room. This place had been her sanctuary over the years. Small traces of her childhood and teenage memories were here. Packing a photo album and the heirloom her mother left for her inside the never failing duffle bag, she felt a sense of closure. The future awaited her on Gaea. With Van. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. Her heart light with the knowledge that she was finally returning to the world she came to love and felt so close to.
- - - - Hi all! I've been lurking for years, and finally decided to write a fanfic in conjunction with the doujinshi I am in the process of making...it's super slow, and my writing isn't great, but I figure why not? Practicing only helps you get better, right? It also gives me something to do when I don't feel like drawing, and will help keep me slightly on track. Obviously there will be variations from written and comic. In case some parts don't make much sense, the words in "" "" are written. Italics are just thoughts. I had debated using separate fonts entirely, but it just looked so weird to me. Any pointers? Anyways, thank you for checking it out! I have to thank Mirimiramiri a lot cause she has always been a constant source of support and guidance! ^_^ As well as many people in the Escaflowne community!
Miri gave the idea to do some small inserts from the doujinshi, so hopefully it doesn't look too bad! :)
If you want to read the doujinshi, check it out on tapas! https://tapas.io/series/Escaflowne-The-Vision-of-Eternal-Love/