Cephiro; a mystical world in trouble, governed by the laws of the will and the potentiality of enchantments.

The Powers of the Pillar; immutable evidence that the strength of the mind and heart can hold sway over all.

An uncertain destiny that must be ignited; for the future to awaken and despair dispelled.

A Magic Knight and foreign Commander; who both may hold the key to Cephiro's salvation.

Standard disclaimers apply. I don't claim ownership of Magic Knight Rayearth. The ladies at Clamp do. I'm just using the characters for this fan fiction and for the enjoyment of Rayearth fans everywhere. The plot, magic and any original characters that appear are the property of the author. © Eternal Sailor Crystal 2006-2007.


Fire and Shadow: the Pillar's Destiny

Chapter 1: A Mage's Dark Dreams

Master Mage Clef awoke, a strangled cry escaping from his lips. He raised one trembling hand; erasing the droplets of sweat that had fallen into his eyes. Ever since the demise of the last Pillar: Princess Emerald, the Master Mage had been plagued with horrific nightmares. The latest episode came surging to the front of his exhausted mind.

Using the Mages discipline that had been instilled into him since his early childhood, Clef strived to banish the images to the back of his subconscious mind. But he failed in his attempt to utilize the tranquility of his chosen path and the horror within his dreams began to haunt him once again.


Dream Sequence:

Screams of pain, and bleak terror echoed within the recesses of his thoughts. Fire and ash filtered into the once pristine skies of Cephiro. The lands quaked and rumbled; disintegrating into nothingness, falling into the expansive void.

Malevolent creatures roamed the ruined landscape; devouring those unfortunate enough to linger within their reach. Immense earth quakes cascaded throughout the lands; reaching the crystalline structure that comprised the last, finite sanctuary that the beleaguered people of Cephiro had fled to.

A vast explosion: and Cephiro; the land of the heart, vanished into the ether; never to be reborn in the light of hope and regeneration; unless a new Pillar was chosen. The eternal sands within the Clock of Chronos were finally abandoning Cephiro.

The final dissolution of Cephiro was now very, tragically real. One last representation entered his roiling thoughts: that of a golden and silver dragon intertwined, casting their light and grace upon Cephiro.


Clef finally managed to dispel the hold his dreams had upon him. Calling upon his Ethereal Gift; Clef summoned his Mage's Staff. The ashen white stave levitated across the bedchamber and into his waiting fingers. With a whispered spell, the jewel affixed to the top gleamed with an innate radiance; the somnolent sorcery stirring from dormancy. Clef interweaved his spiritual élan with that of the gem and sent his thoughts into the entirety of Cephiro Castle.

He saw myriad images. Mokona pursuing Primera the Fairy in a never ending chase. Primera's angry shouts and sarcastic retorts made Clef smile with amusement. At this early hour, Lantis was brooding within the communal gardens, songbirds filling the air with their sweet melodies, flew by. Lafarga patrolling the corridors. Ascot the young summoner; conversing with some of his bestial companions.

Clef directed the powers of his mind upwards; towards the highest point of the citadel; where the Coronet of the Pillar was confined. A strange energy field was emanating from the Coronet. In all of the years of his long existence, Clef had never heard of such an occurrence.

The crystal clear, shielding waters that protected the Pillar's crown from malicious intentions awoke with an intense fury. The form of the golden Coronet rippled and wavered for a moment, before its structure stabilized. Clef had glimpsed something rather peculiar and disturbing. Two coronets had occupied the Altar of the Crown. Such a thing had never happened before. Only the strongest mind could hold governance over Cephiro. That was the oldest, most immutable law that had proven to be true since Cephiro's creation.

A loud, frantic knocking interrupted his soul's sojourn. Clef voiced his permission to enter his private quarters. The door was flung open with such force, it rattled within its frame. Umi and Fuu: the Magic Knights of Water and Wind ran into the room. That was when Clef knew that something was very wrong.

'Clef.' Umi whispered softly. 'Hikaru is missing. Her bed hasn't been slept in. We've searched the whole castle and there's no sign of her anywhere.'

Clef launched a telepathic call upon the mystical winds that permeated the castle. He cared for all the Magic Knights deeply and the inexplicable disappearance of the Fire Knight caused him grave concern. The matter of the unusual activities of the Proof of the Pillar was placed aside; a problem to be pondered over later; when there was ample time and opportunity.


Secluded Hot spring

Hikaru slowly awoke, her senses becoming more alert as her body stirred to full wakefulness. A chilling wind caressed her soft skin; causing her to shiver involuntarily. The young girl felt confused for a slight moment, suddenly remembering where she was and who was lying on the sweet, fragrant grass beside her.

She shifted her slender form, her damask eyes regarding the slumbering Eagle nestled against her slender body. His arm rested around her slim waist; cradling her against his muscular body. His white and green cloak covered both of them; keeping most of the cold, early morning breezes away from them. Carefully, Hikaru moved, sitting up, keeping her movements precise and controlled; not wanting to wake the Autozam Commander.

The teenager disengaged herself from the confining circle of Eagle's arms. Moving on silent feet, she picked up her clothes, dropping them in an untidy tumble atop the mossy bank. She was about to enter the shimmering, gently steaming waters, when she glimpsed her reflection. What she saw made her heart hammer frantically within her chest.

A golden dragon had appeared on her right arm. The mystifying image encircled her entire arm, marring the soft skin of her neck. The mark ended below her right ear. It seemed to radiate light and energy. A golden solar insignia glinted from underneath scarlet bangs. Her sorceries seemed to have increased in strength. Hikaru could feel the radiant light of her fire magic burning deep within the core of her spirit. As well as something that had not been there previously.

What has happened to me? Hikaru thought. These marks weren't there yesterday. Where did they come from?

Dismissing that train of thought Hikaru turned her head slightly; her crimson gaze falling on the still slumbering Eagle Vision. She blushed as her mind vividly recalled the events of the prior hours. He too, bore replicas of the symbols that now adorned her form. A mysterious power was being exuded by them.

She entered the soothingly warm waters of the spring and began to cleanse herself of the dirt and diminutive stones and twigs that were entangled within her long, scarlet hair; when a roar; followed by a pillar of unearthly, disembodied fire erupted within the clearing. Eagle awoke rather abruptly, reaching for a weapon that was concealed within his military clothing. His brown eyes searched the confines of the hidden grove until he glimpsed Hikaru standing within the hot spring.

A being began to materialize within the dancing fires; rapidly taking shape and form. Hikaru felt a fleeting touch within her thoughts and realized who it was within the flames.

'Rayearth!' The Magic Knight gasped with a sense of astonishment.

The Rune God regarded his Knight with burning eyes; no fathomable emotion within the depths of his gaze.


If you want to know what happens next, you know the drill. I know this is rather short; I will be adding extra material to this when I upload the next chapter. See you all in Chapter 2!