Disclaimer: El-Hazard characters and situations is the
property of AIC / Pioneer LDC, Inc. I am merely using the
characters for the purpose of profit-free entertainment and
make no claim on them.

Vincent Seifert has kindly provided webspace for most of
my fanfics and links to the rest at the following
address:

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/seifertv/kagami/

Contact me at: kagami@jeack.com.au

Vince's response to my comments [on Caryatid] got me thinking
further on this issue, so...

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A World of Dreams
An El-Hazard Fanfic
By Kagami

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"How has it come to this?"

Princess Rune Venus's quiet words resonated in the vast
chamber beneath the palace in Floristica. Londs, her loyal
and faithful chamberlain, approached her slowly. In his
arms were a stack of papers; undoubtedly the latest reports
on the current situation. She did not want to read them.

"Highness, the problem worsens." Londs' voice was harsh
with tension. "Fully six of ten Roshtarians have been lost
in this madness. Neighbouring kingdoms report similar
figures. They have threatened an invasion, if we cannot
resolve the issue. We must end this."

End it? How could she? Rune stared at the central column
dominating the entire chamber. Transparent glass walls
allowed a clear view into the pillar. Within floated the
still figures of Makoto and Ifurita, naked and unconscious.
She could see Makoto's expression: a soft smile in a face
free of concern. His eyes were closed, and he seemed
asleep. Next to him, clasped in a loving embrace, floated
Ifurita. Long strands of white hair veiled her face. Held
tightly between them was the device that had started the
entire situation - the Power Key Staff.

"You know what Dr. Strellbaugh said, Londs." Rune shook
her head, partly out of dismay and partly out of
exasperation. "Stopping the machine might extinguish their
memories or, worse, kill them."

"Highness, he was enslaved by the Rapture eight days ago,
while attempting to contact Makoto. We cannot rely on pure
speculation. All Roshtaria might perish if it continues."
Londs fell silent as a flicker of anguish creased his
normally stony visage. He had liked Makoto. "Let your love
for the kingdom govern your decision. After all, that was
what allowed your return."

Rune shuddered. All her scientists had failed to counter
the increasing numbers of Rapture nodules appearing in El-
Hazard. Or to stop the thousands of willing victims from
making use of them. In desperation, she had used one of the
palace nodules herself to gauge the attractive addiction
and to free the minds of Makoto and Ifurita, locked within
a fantasy world of their own making. She almost had not
come back.

If El-Hazard was magnificence incarnate, then the world of
Rapture was perfection. All your dreams and desires became
real. And Gallus had truly loved her, within...

In the end, it was her love for flawed Roshtaria that had
overcome her desire to stay forever. Even now, five days
after the experience, the memories were a glittering web
waiting to entrance her. Rune fought to banish them, and
they fled, causing a stab of pain, to lurk once more in the
back of her mind.

Rune shook her head once more. Londs was right. Across the
River, the Bugrom were slowly recovering after their
virtual annihilation in the last war. Roshtaria could not
afford weakness now. Makoto... Ifurita... I'm sorry, but I
can't let you dream your life; not when it could destroy us
all. You'll find a means to overcome your problems in the
real world. I hope you'll thank me for this... if you survive.

She turned to Londs. "Unplug them."

---

The End?