| When Hitomi awakens, Van tells her that they are on the planet Gaea. They begin to make way for Fanelia, the nation that Van is from. When they reach their destination, they are greeted with a joyous group of people. Hitomi then discovers that because Van slew the Earth Dragon he has passed some sort of trial and will now be crowned king of Fanelia. The four great Samurai of the nation, led by Vargus (Van's teacher), reveal that Van proved worthy by overcoming the ritual known as the Dragon Hunt. Hitomi is very blatantly introduced to Merle, a beast girl who is obviously very fond of Van. She then proceeds to tell Hitomi to stay away from him. During the ceremony for Van's crowning, a grouped of cloaked Guymelefs begin to annihilate Fanelia with blunt force. Soldiers from Fanelia try to defend their nation under the leadership of the four Samurai, but they can't deflect the attacks. An evacuation is soon ordered for the nation. Vargus orders Van to take Hitomi in Escaflowne, a large white Guymelef, and flee. Van refuses at first, but decides to listen to Vargus in the end. The two new friends race to a dark room and he energizes Escaflowne by dripping his own blood into the pink energist in the chest. Van is ready for a fight, but can't see the attackers. Hitomi realizes that she can pinpoint the enemies' locations by using her pendant. This is to no avail as the army is beaten and the villains kill Vargus. Hitomi takes this bad and lets a scream loose. The citizens of Fanelia have retreated to the mountains, and are able to see a blue column of light in their smoldering homes...
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