Took me a while. This chapter's actually been done for quite some time. Since hits are going well, I figured I'd post it. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3: The Ultimate Betrayal

One week later…

Umi heard the heavy front door swing shut as her father left. It was midday; he was due to convene with the other Lords, but she didn't care what politicians had to say. They had no power over anything…

Six days since Eagle had visited Cephiro. His visit was brief. He left as her father summoned a sorcerer to the manor to confirm Eagle's claims. Eagle hadn't stayed long enough to hear the verdict; he already knew. The sorcerer confirmed, just as the three after him had: the crystal contained part of Clef's soul. Measures had been taken to invoke the spirit fragment, but it only continued to glow faintly, a pale, sickly reddish shade.

Since the verdict, Umi sat in her room, curled up on her bed, arms and legs wrapped around her pillow, all shades drawn throughout the day. She hadn't eaten the meals delivered, her favorite dishes. She wouldn't react to her mother's touch, nor her father's voice. None of his words penetrated the fog in her brain, only his tone. He was consoling, but it was useless. Yet Umi hadn't cried a single tear. That scared her the most, so she let her thoughts fade until they were consumed by fog, unable to think about her doubts. Had she really loved Clef at all? She had been beyond happiness when she found him after the execution. She still remembered the utter devastation that destroyed her world when the trapdoor opened under his feet and the rope snapped tight. But did she really love him?

She hardly recognized Eagle when his ship landed. Autozam suited him far better than his Cephirian status. His eyes were kind and honest; there was no hard line or shade of deceit when he addressed her father. She could tell by the stiffness in his shoulders that he knew she was beside her father, but he wouldn't bring himself to look her in the eye. His first officer, however, had no trouble scowling at her.

Recalling those memories slowly stirred activity in the back of her brain. What appeared to be random images flashed through her mind: Clef's funeral; a pearly skinned woman with a black veil, floating above her; Lantis moving on top; Ferio pushing his own dagger into her hand, pressing the point to his chest. She shook her head but the thoughts wouldn't be silenced.

'It's not your fault you know. You are who and what you are. You were just simply born that way, you accept it and make most you can with it…'

With what? Umi thought. What am I that I can use? The first image that flashed through her mind stole the wind from her lungs and made her heart pause. Lantis moving rhythmically over her. She froze, as though holding still would give the memory time to leave, then realization to wash over her; that never happened. It was only a dream that she gave herself to Lantis, then only in Clef's wake. But that would never have happened anyway! Lantis was faithful to Hikaru and despite her reputation, Umi had never surrendered her body to any man! 'Death before Dishonor,' was the first, and most important lesson her mother had taught her. Never give what is not disserved; until she grew old enough for Clef, there had never been any man she deemed worthy.

She swallowed. Is that it? My reputation? She slowly buried her face in her pillow and clutched it tight to her body. My reputation as a whore? Is that what I am?

Sandara watched Umi's expression from the dark corner on the room. Maybe there was something to you after all… she thought. Oh well.

Ryuuzaki's carriage stopped in the circular drive in front of Lord Yeeshe's manor. The footman opened the door and stood at attention. Ryuuzaki slowly climbed from the carriage and nodded to the footman as he passed. The footman closed the door and jumped on the back as the carriage drove away. Ryuuzaki paused at the foot of the stone stair and looked up the three story manor. Blue battlements with gold symbols hung from the barristers and all windows were dark, blocked from prying eyes.

The small wooden door in the grander gate opened and a servant popped out. He bowed hastily to Ryuuzaki and gestured for him to move inside. Ryuuzaki tucked his chin and subtly straightened his back before sweeping past the servant.

The entrance hall was just as dreary as the outside stones. The left wall was blackened from the fireplace at the base and the master stair on the right lethargically stretched and yawned onto the second floor balcony. The stair resumed on the left side of the second balcony and narrowed gradually until it connected with the third floor. More of the blue battlements hung from the walls and from the balconies, brushing the air just above where a man's head would be.

The servant appeared at Ryuuzaki's side with a torch, and stepped in front of him, walking toward the back. Ryuuzaki followed tentatively. Something was off. The medieval interior of Lord Yeeshe's home had never seemed so foreboding before. Perhaps it was simply because none of the warm light outside was allowed through the windows. Yes, that was it.

The servant lead Ryuuzaki through the labyrinth-like kitchen and out through a back door into the servant gardens. Beds of herbs stood desolate, yet flowering. The gravel underfoot crunched quietly under their boots and swiftly ran out. The servant turned right sharply and disappeared up to the waist in undergrowth. Ryuuzaki waved his hand and the shrubs parted before him, closing behind him. The vegetation parted for him until he emerged behind the servant in a wide clearing, lined with cadets from the Academy and soldiers from the Public Protection Headquarters. He stopped and gazed at each of them and each face he saw seemed as surprised as he was. They shifted uneasily and looked at each other, occasionally glancing at the center of the clearing.

Sixteen men sat around a wide wooden table; only one chair was empty and Ryuuzaki took a seat there. He looked around the table and only three of the Lords met his eyes, the others pretended not to notice him.

Rajin and a man with wild hair, Lord Yeeshe, were quietly discussing on the opposite side of the table. They didn't stop until Ryuuzaki cleared his throat.

Yeeshe found something about his fingernails to preoccupy himself with while Rajin slowly turned toward Ryuuzaki. "Glad you could join us Ryuuzaki," he said coolly.

Ryuuzaki's eyes narrowed. Something was definitely off. He'd never arrived less than half an hour early for any of the Reformation meetings. Yet all the Lords were already seated and through at least one glass of wine each. The presence of the guards didn't ease his nerves either, and from the looks on their faces, they hadn't expected him.

"My apologies," he said lowly. "I didn't realize I was late."

Rajin's eyes twinkled before he swallowed, obviously checking himself from saying something particularly delicious. "Understandable," he said at length. "Such trivial matters do not impede the bigger picture."

Ryuuzaki sat up straight and tall, his frosty eyes glowed as his magic snapped around his hands. He managed to curl the electricity back into his fingers, but it only succeeded in brightening the glacial glow in his eyes. Surely Rajin hadn't dared…

"The bigger picture," Ryuuzaki repeated drolly. "Perhaps we should begin our discussion on how to shape this… bigger picture. I would rather not be away from my daughter any more than necessary."

Rajin nodded, but the gleam was coming back into his eyes. Ryuuzaki was finding it more and more difficult to control the electricity in his fingers. "Let's get on with it," Rajin said, the words rumbling in his throat.

This seemed to signal the soldiers around them, although they hesitated, they drew in closer together.

"Pay no mind to the guards," Rajin said. "They're merely here to secure our safety. I would recommend that you ignore their presence."

Ryuuzaki ignored all the other Lords and locked eyes with Rajin. "What is this bigger picture? I think we should discuss it." Ryuuzaki enunciated every syllable as he spoke.

The hungry gleam in Rajin's eyes was blatantly obvious. He leaned back in his chair and let his wrists lazily rest on the chair arms. "Cephiro is moving toward a new era. The Pillar System has disintegrated and the Guru will withdraw 'officially' within days. The people are ready to take matters into their own hands.

"The government will be reshaped. The riots proved the lack of competency within the monarchy. Such a system holds no real power, and a weak king will not be respected or revered in the wider arena. Cephiro must find its place amongst our neighboring worlds. And, with a little thanks to you, we now have a powerful ally in Autozam. Their technologies will greatly compliment our magic and our magic will heal their sickness. Fair trade, I think."

Ryuuzaki waited, straining his ears to listen to the tiny metal clicks behind him as the soldiers and cadets drew closer and closer. "And what of the Protection Council? The Academy?"

Rajin's features turned black, the gleam in his eye lost as his head tilted down. "They will continue to serve their purpose."

"Tell me, did Councilman Lantis agree to-"

"Lantis has done nothing save flee," Rajin interjected. The gleam came back as his mouth pulled up in a smirk. "Councilman Innova has seen fit to protect all crucial players."

"Councilman Innova? There was to be no vote unless all Lords were present!" Ryuuzaki roared as he jumped to his feet. A heavy hand from the soldier behind him gripped his shoulder and arrested him. Ryuuzaki shot a death glare at the man and his hand recoiled. The man stepped back and hastily rearranged the last few pieces of the contraption in his hands, some sort of freakish helmet.

"And all were present three days ago," Rajin said as he got up and pressed his fingertips on the table. The other Lords shifted away from Ryuuzaki as lightning began to spark around his eyes.

Rajin didn't blink. He reached in his surcoat and withdrew a folded piece of parchment with the Cephirian royal seal, King Ferio's signature. He pressed it to the table under his hand. "Tenchi Ryuuzaki, evidence has recently been found that leads this Council of Lords to conclude that you yourself have created and upheld this myth of a Guru of Cephiro-"

Ryuuzaki opened his mouth to roar protest when the man behind him slammed the helmet down on his head and turned the switch. Gears and cogs turned then snapped into place. Ryuuzaki suddenly felt all his magic disappear. Two more soldiers grabbed his arms and pushed him down in his chair. The shock from losing his magic wouldn't let his mind register the iron shackles snapping shut around his wrists.

Rajin continued with ambitious zeal. "Manuscripts have been found in the former Councilman's bed chamber and similar documents have been recovered from your manor. The handwritings match! Tenchi Ryuuzaki, you are hereby judged guilty by your peers of falsifying evidence and attempting to establish yourself in a status that would eclipse the monarchy. In the name of King Ferio, you are hereby sentenced to hang from the neck until dead this evening."

Ryuuzaki couldn't speak. The whole scenario was too preposterous to acknowledge with a word. He watched Rajin stalk around the edge of the table, behind all the Lords with their heads bowed in shame. Two soldiers yanked Ryuuzaki up to his feet and stood him in front of Rajin.

Rajin grinned crookedly in Ryuuzaki's face. "Thank God we found you out before you could do any real damage," he hissed.

Ryuuzaki watched as Rajin's grin broadened then rammed his head in Rajin's face. Blood splashed in his eyes and metal rods slashed his forehead as the helmet broke from impact. His magic surged through his body, howling to match his roar as he unleashed lightning from his hands and struck the soldiers within range. The shackles disintegrated around his wrists.

Soldiers drew their swords and cast shields in front of them as they darted around the lightning, trying to form a perimeter. Ryuuzaki swung his arm out and a thick blade of pulsing white light sliced through the air. The soldiers dropped to their stomachs and covered their heads. The wave plowed through the trees; Ryuuzaki sprinted after it.

"AFTER HIM!!" Rajin roared. Blood poured down his face from the gashes in his forehead and around his eye. He yanked his sword from its sheath and lunged after Ryuuzaki.

Ryuuzaki reached the servant gardens and stopped abruptly. He threw his arm up as Rajin drew his sword back and swung. A blinding pharos swallowed Ryuuzaki and shot up into the sky as Rajin's sword cleaved the air where his neck had been.

Ever since her father had left, Umi struggled to find a comfortable position on her bed. The revelation that her reputation as a whore and a heavy flirt was the only way to characterize herself left her numb and restless. There had to be more to her than that! There had to be! But no matter how many times she told herself, her mind wouldn't believe it.

Clef couldn't have loved her if she was really that way. A man like him wasn't desperate. His only wish had been to find someone who could love him as he was. As an immortal, he had all the time in eternity to find that woman. He wouldn't settle for a harlot like her. He wasn't desperate.

She lifted her head out of the pillow, not seeing Death standing in the corner, watching her intently. She must have stared at the sunlit outline around her door for the longest time before she finally left her pillow on the bed and drifted toward the door. She was not worthy of what she was to do. She was not worthy to even think his name. There was simply no other option.

She glided silently through the hallways, aiming for her father's study. Her hand hovered over the handle, pausing. She glanced down at herself, seeing the hint of cleavage in the gap in her robe. She synched it in a mad flash, so tight it made her wince. She pulled the gap in her robes up to her chin. Absolutely no skin was allowed to show.

Finally satisfied with her robes, she left her vanity at the door and pushed the door open wide. Far across the room was all that was left of him. Sickly, pale, and slowly pulsing, the shard sat cushioned in a crystal bowl in the center of her father's desk. Only then did her chest tighten, her stomach clench, her heart burst into shreds in her chest. Clinging to the doorframe, she couldn't keep her feet. Slowly, her knees gave out, handing her to the floor. One hand still clutched the doorframe, the other reached out toward the desk. Tears burned her eyes and blurred her vision. Her body ached too much, the pain spilling out of her heart, to let her sob and wail. She could barely draw shrill gasps into her lungs.

Stretching her fingers toward the crystal bowl, pushing her body toward the desk, she crawled to the foot of the desk. Her fingers brushed the smooth wood finish, searching for the top. One by one, her fingers curled over the edge. One hand. Both hands. She pulled herself up, braced her weight on her knees, and brushed her fingers down the side of the bowl. Reverently, she gripped the bowl in both hands, brought it to her chest, and slid down the side of the desk. She curled her body around the bowl and braced herself against the desk.

A sob shook her so hard the force broke through her teeth. Snot and tears ran down her face. "Clef," she moaned as she traced her finger around the crystal sliver. "Clef… I'm-" She bit her lip, not caring if it bled. "I'm so sorry!" she whimpered. "I'm not like that. I only wanted to be yours!" She bit her lip again and her teeth sliced through. "Please," she squeaked, brushing her finger down the sliver. Warmth flared under her touch. "I need you. Come back… come back," she sobbed.

Sandara watched the pitiful display from the doorway. She shook her head minutely. Silly girl! Just as she opened her mouth to plunge the knife in deeper, she heard a faint humming.

Umi was babbling, making promises she couldn't have fathomed the consequences for. "I need you, please! Come back! I love you!! I'll do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to reach you!" She opened her eyes as a drop fell from her lips. The swirling mixture of blood and tears splattered on the crystal. "But…" she said quietly as she lifted her finger to wipe the blood and tears off. "If you can't come to me… let me come to you." Her tone was softer, less frantic. Perhaps her energy had finally bled out. Yet there was a confident undertone as she stroked the crystal. "I can fix this. All I need is you…"

Her mother and father's voices erupted from the hallway, screaming for her. She lifted her head toward the sound of their running footsteps. Her father's face shot into view.

Then all was white and fire.

A tiny crack, and the crystal burst into a supernova. The raw energy swirled around Umi, punching through her chest and eradicating her skin.

"UMI!!" Ryuuzaki screamed. He dove for his daughter. The white flames sucked into her, hastily avoiding Ryuuzaki. He gathered her in his arms. Lilia fell to her knees beside him. "Umi!!" Ryuuzaki screamed again.

Blackened and bloody, Umi lie unconscious in his arms, but her clothes hadn't been touched. Amidst the bloody and burnt tissue, nestled in her breastbone, was the gleaming, glowing remains of Clef, pulsing with new life.

Angry life.

The voice was painfully familiar. The flat, yet musical notes in the man's tone brought tears to her eyes. But an instinctual warning in the back of her mind told her not to open her eyes. He couldn't be there.

He was dead.

"Wake up," his voice commanded coldly.

Ghostly gray light flooded her eyes as her eyelids cracked open. A man's silhouette stood over her, blocking the light from a black sun. He nudged her with his boot.

"Wake up."

She raised her hand to defend her face. "Where am I?"

He snorted. "It speaks. That's a surprise."

She started to sit up, only to be kicked mercilessly to the ground.

"But it will not stand."

Had she somehow landed in Lord Rajin's manor? Who else would delight in being so cruel to her? The man walked around her. She followed him with the sound of his boots. They crunched over dry rocks that turned to powder under his weight. He stopped beside her head.

"Who are you?" she asked softly. His demeanor was like Lord Rajin's, but his voice was too much like someone else.

"Why don't you tell me."

She raised her eyes from his boots to his knees. Standard soldier uniform. A silver-tipped, black scabbard was alien to her. It had no cross guard beside his belt. His marred hands tightly gripped the handle, tempted to slash the blade from its resting place. Dried blood had been splattered across his chest and up the side of his neck. The definition in his chest hinted through his uniform. Lean and muscular, not an ounce of him wasn't devoted to his lethal stance. The black sun cast dark shadows across his face. But she instantly recognized his steely eyes.

"Zenosis!" she cried happily. She jumped to her feet and threw her arms around him. "Thank God!"

Two things happened at once, so fast Umi didn't know what happened first. "Wrong," the man growled. He jerked his sword out, punching her ribs with the pommel, drawing a malicious, hungry hiss from behind her.

She spun, holding her side, and screamed. A square, tarnished steel cage sat at her feet. The thin, black cloth covering the bars hid the creature inside. She could barely see its nightmarish outline as it paced about the cage. Its breath hissed through its teeth, claws anxiously scrapping over the steel floor.

"I am not Zenosis," the man snarled, demanding Umi's attention. She spun and he grabbed her face with his hand. "Nor should you thank God. Look around you!" He grabbed a fistful hair at the back of her neck and twisted her to face the edge of the cliff, already under her toes. "Look at what you've done!!"

Umi gasped. Not even in literature could a more devastating landscape have been depicted. Barren, jagged crags of rock pierced the sky, stretching beyond the horizon. Twisted trees with screaming faces in their bark cried to the sky in agony. No wind, yet the sky swirled, devoured by the black hole in the sky, the only source of light. For the endless expanse around them, nothing breathed. She couldn't hear so much as dust crumbling.

"This is all to your gratitude," he growled in her ear. "Look upon your garden, feast upon the fruit you've created."

"No!!" she screamed and tore herself away from him. She narrowly missed the edge as she ran. Dodging boulders in her path, she ran for anywhere else. That wasn't Zenosis. That was something else. Self preservation pushed her farther and farther into the hellish landscape. Instincts drove her past the point of exhaustion. There had to be an escape. There had to be a way out. She ran until she collapsed.

Okay... so what's going on here? I'll give you a while to digest this chapter. Reviews are appreciated and preferred. I'll need them to keep this story clear. It'll make perfect sense to me, but it's useless unless the readers can follow; then it's just no fun at all!