Author's note:
Thanks to Milieva and trin-nyaLove for helping me with the Clef and Umi interaction.
"Umi, why are you still up? Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" asked a surprised Clef.
" Sorry for disturbing you, Master Mage Clef. I couldn't sleep, and saw a light here." said the girl with long silken shiny blue hair, Umi Ryuuzaki, Knight of Water, her eyes were as blue and clear as the pristine oceans of the Cephiro under Princess Emeraude's reign and she was as fair as a water nymph.
Clef remembered when he first saw Umi, she was a very vivacious, spunky and feisty girl, even a little selfish, her volatile temper was noteworthy, like the volcanoes that are buried deep within a calm ocean. She demanded to go back to Earth on her arrival in Cephiro because the idea of becoming a Magic Knight was wholly unwelcome to her, she wasn't keen at all in leaving the comfort of her own world to get involved with the problem of another planet.
This girl snapped at him giving no regards to his positon and authority. Saying if they had any magical powers, they would have got themselves out of this strange world right away.
Then she accused Clef of being a pervert when he touched Hikaru's skirts to check if they were equipped for their journey, he hadn't been aware that was a taboo in where the knights come from. Umi retaliated immediately by forcefully tugging on Clef's elaborate robes, embarassing him in front of the other knights, hoping to make him feel how a girl might feel when the skirt was being tugged.
But still, however unwillingly, the girl became the Knight of water and soon took up her responsibilities like a duckling to water.
Umi became firm friends with the other girls like all young girls would and always looked out for them, that cold, snobbish veneer soon cracked to reveal the warm, protective spirit underneath. She showed how kind and compassionate she could be. She demonstrated a fierce loyalty to her friends, how she would risk her life to save her friends from harm.
Her kindness and hidden wisdom also touched Ascot, who decided to leave Zagato after Umi slapped him and telling him to take the responsibility and courage to stand up for his friends, rather than passively offering his service in return for shelter. Her courage to voice and stand up for what she thought was right, her loyalty and frankness enabled her to pass the test to rouse the dragon Selece from his slumber.
Now she looked so sad, the girl looked much softer and more womanly than ever, she changed so much! Her melancholic face pained Clef, strangely, the melancholy served to make the girl even more beautiful.
It seemed the Umi and her friends would not feel happy ever again, and it was all because of me! Pondered the ancient mage. Oh no! What have I done!
"Could I stay for a little?" asked Umi.
Somehow, Clef felt comforted when he saw the Knight of water. He had never felt more alone since Princess Emeraude and 2 of his most cherished students passed away, and the remaining one, Lantis became icy and distant, withdrawing into an impenetrable shell
The rest of the citizens are more inclined to relying on him than really understanding him and sharing his burden. They were all like sheep without a shepherd, living in fear and unrest.
He couldn't identify with Emeraude more, for at that moment he was also in that situation, liked, admired, looked up to, but not understood, not treated like someone to talk with, laugh with, cry with. How he missed his students! He wAs just as strained as everyone else, on top of it, he was grieving for his students and the pillar who passed away. But to who he could show it? He couldn't risk showing his weakness to anyone as he was concerned that would aggravate the fears the people already had.
Still, he was glad to be have company, and displayed his welcome by conjuring up a chair.
"Please take a seat, Umi." Clef said with a warm smile.
As Umi made herself comfortable, Clef asked.
" How are your friends?"
"Guess they are still sleeping." Little did Umi know, everyone was restless that night.
"Why not I get you a drink or something that would help you sleep?"
"Master Mage Clef, the reason I came was because I have always wanted to apologize for my rudeness." Came the unexpected reply.
Clef raised an eyebrow, "What do you have to apologize for?"
"For being a spoiled brat! When I first came to Cephiro, I couldn't understand the concern you had over Cephiro, that you got a crisis to solve, a duty to fulfill. All I thought was myself. I just thought that why I got this bad luck? I snapped at everyone, it was a wonder that Hikaru and Fuu still wanted to stick by me and even get hurt for my sake.
But this whole thing turned out to be one of the most memorable things in my life, I got to know people I never would have known had I stayed on Earth. I am so happy to have met Hikaru and Fuu, you and Cephiro's people. However...there was the biggest tragedy I encountered! I don't really understand what a tragedy is until I came here. I assumed I would never have to face these things.
Then, I got to see 3 lives so catastrophically ended at my hands, Zagato, Emeraude and also Alcyone, the lady I killed with my new found water magic, and it was because I assumed her to be an evil witch! Her life ended unfairly at my hands!
After I went back, I wondered if Alcyone fought us not just because she was helping Zagato, I remember now, she emphasized to us that she was the sorceress who attended to Princess Emeraude! Why did she say that to us?
Did she fight us not only out of love for Zagato, but also to protect Emeraude too? Just as I attacked Alcyone relentlessly because I wish with all my heart to protect my friends, Master Mage Clef, did...did Alcyone attack us with the same motive I had? We were all protecting people or things we hold important, weren't we? Was she much more than what she appeared to be?
There are so many questions that are unanswered.
It is might sound senseless that I am saying this...I wish...I wish...they were still here...maybe...I would get to know them, I would even get to be friends with them, like we befriended Caldina, Ascot and Larfarga. Who knows? It was such a shame we never got to know them! From the last battle, I learnt the hardest way, just because we see someone reacting to one circumstance in a particular way, does not mean they would do the same under another circumstance. "
Clef stood still for am instant, and was amazed to see how emphatic and mature the young lady had become, and it was an uncanny coincidence that she was also thinking of the people who passed away because of the system and the legend.
Clef felt the urge to comfort Umi, one of the Knights who had been irreversibly hurt by his manipulation, it was the least he could do for the knights.
"I am dreadfully sorry..." Umi's head was downcast. Her eyes teared up, " For failing to consider how catastrophic this battle was for everyone involved! I also need to apologise for murdering your students and the Princess!"
"Umi, you don't have to feel bad,"
Clef heard himself, finally opening up to the girl. " Look, ending up in a strange place, and forced to participate in the problems another planet encounters. Suppose I got sent to Earth, and was told to save the Earth. I might feel the same too. I might have snapped back! Or slap the person who told me so! " Clef could not help making a small smile as he recalled the Umi before she became so afflicted by the battle.
Clef went on, his voice very soft and soothing on the Magic Knight's ears.
"Umi, don't be too hard on yourself. I wasn't exactly helpful to you and your friends, in fact I only told you to go on a mission, believing you were to save a fair damsel in distress, only to find out from the maiden herself you were commiting a murder.
On top of it, I put your lives in jeopardy, then stand aside and leaving you to it. Never explained things clearly to you, wilfully deceiving you, are you not angry at me for withholding the truth and manipulating you girls?"
Umi saw Clef's tenderness, but it could not lift up her mood, it wasn't because Clef did not try hard enough to lift up her spirits, it was...
"Clef...what you said Isn't true! You...you got nothing to apologize for! If you must take our hands as we walked, we would not become the mature people we are now, growing is a painful process. Besides, we got Mokona, it provided everything for us. It showed us ways to places we should go. You were the one who sent us Mokona, and you kept communicating with us through Mokona, bestowing magic on us, you helped us a lot already.
You love your country to the core, just like Princess Emeraude did! Why blame yourself? I ...I know this feeling of holding something so dear that you would do anything, even at the expense of others and pay any price to save it.
It was why...yes, it was why I murdered Alcyone to save Hikaru, and then I blew Zagato up thinking he was an evil overlord I must kill to save the beautiful Cephiro that I grew to like, we are the ones who should feel bad, not you!
Then when everything were revealed, we killed Emeraude who was in floods of tears begging us to bring her to Zagato's side. You lost 3 of your pupils...you must be...you must be very very upset about that! Not...not to mention as Master Mage you got to uphold the castle and protect everyone from these invasions!
Oh! How useless and selfish I am, I am still turning to you without realizing you...you must be way more upset than I am! What have I done except getting all depressed? I know this, but failed to bear this in mind when I came to you. I am like a baby, crying in front of you without thinking about you! If you have something bothering you, I will be here to lend a listening ear if needed, even if I could be only of little help, at least let me stay by you and please regard me as a friend, if you wish."
Umi was obviously very touched by Clef's gesture.
Clef, likewise felt the same, for a change, someone was looking out for him!
Could he answer Umi's questions? Tell Umi everything? It was not just for himself to vent out his grief. The truth must be disclosed, in order to right a wrong.
Maybe, the girl would feel sadder to hear the true story, but Clef trusted her to have the strength to handle it, she had suffered, she had been depressed, but not defeated. She was much much stronger and robust than the girl he first met. She was far from those frightened civilians. She was not here looking for someone to comfort her, she was looking for more. She had known such pain that she could hold others' and she was prepared to.
"I would die in place of her! I would give my life to save her" Clef remembered how the tearful Alcyone was prostrate on the floor pleading for Emeraude's life.
" I prayed and prayed, many nights I prayed, let all the punishment for this forbidden love fall on me and me alone. I prayed, don't destroy Cephiro, don't destroy Emeraude, destroy me instead!" Clef remembered Zagato's confession, how he wished for the system to change, so everyone could be Pillars to the country so Emeraude could be free. If there is a way to acheive this without jeopardizing Cephiro, he would have given his own precious life for that.
The memories of the ruined Alcyone and Zagato, came to his mind again. They also loved this country as much as Clef did, as much as the Magic Knights did. They would have given their lives to save both Cephiro and Emeraude, yet, this option was cruelly denied from them, yes, Clef knew, the Magic Knights must know of this, how a good man and a good woman turned to high treason.
It was only fair to bring to light the events leading to Zagato and Alcyone's rebellion, he had made monsters out of them, and it is only right he let this magic knight, and subsequently, the other magic knights know the truth, it is something he could do in the honour of his deceased students.
"Umi, do you want me to tell you the answer to the questions you just raised up?
Two pairs of blue eyes looked straight into each other.
"Clef! You don't have to! Only if you are comfortable telling me! You have been through enough, I can't add to your stress!" Come the reply.
"I will be fine. Umi, don't worry about me. You deserve to know the truth if you want to."
"Master Mage Clef, I want to, but only if you are comfortable."
"Yes, Alcyone fought you, with the same motive you had. Princess Emeraude was to her, like Hikaru was to you"
Clef paused, while Umi clapped a hand to her mouth trying to register the fact.
"Alcyone, Emeraude's attendant, fought you not just because she wanted to help a man she loved, she made the decision to fight the legend, immediately when she saw Emeraude summoning you. All because she cared for Emeraude, she believed Emeraude should not have to sacrifice for Cephiro, she said Emeraude was her best friend. Even in the full knowledge that Emeraude, was who Zagato was in love with. She told me, even if they were technically rivals, she would never hate Emeraude and would never wish Emeraude dead! She turned against Cephiro, she frankly and bluntly said, she was a simple woman, who wished happiness for her friends.
To this day, I got no idea why neither Alcyone or Zagato disclosed the truth to you...but maybe, they thought they would rather let you and your friends, being so young, die thinking you are heroines or, they wanted to take all the blame upon themselves so Emeraude would remain that immaculate and perfect Princess. Let me tell you what really happened when Zagato and Alcyone became traitors. I ask again, do you want me to go on?"
"Yes please do, Master Mage Clef, I must face the facts. Even I would be upset, but I must face the truth, the consequences of us all letting the identitiy of a Magic Knight get into our heads. Because I need to be strong. I need to be strong to save this country that Emeraude gave her life to protect." Umi's eyes gazed at clef. Strong, steadfast and unflickering.
Clef decided to let Umi know his flashback. en if he had to retrieve that bottomless bottle of the bitter drink ftrom his cellar of memories.
But this time, as he uncorked the bottle, someone was there to share it.
Umi's shoulders were shaking and her knuckles turned white as she heard Clef's memories, as she drank her cup of the bitter drink. Unbearable though it was, she drank everything.
"So, the fault lied in no one except the system! Yes, they did it only because no options were left except by sacrificing Emeraude? But we thought they were complete monsters, especially the lady Alcyone, I killed her for doing her job! We belw Zagato up for doing his job, they worked with the Princess, were friends with the Princess, so they fought us to defend te Princess! They fought us to defend Emeraude as a person. Emeraude as a person is in dire conflict with Emeraude as the Pillar. Both sides make sense. Clef, my friends and I fought to follow the Pillar's orders, we had a cause to save Cephiro. Zagato and Alcyone had their causes too. They fought to protect Emeraude as any other person who was entitled to freedom, happiness and life. Unfortunately, both sides got their own causes, both sides fought for what they believed was right, both outcomes would inevitably hurt someone else in the end."
Umi wept, " It was what was keeping me awake...oh dear, Clef...I was such a heartless maniac! It is very true that when I thought I was a heroine, I might be a villain in others' eyes! Now, I am here, and I saw that, what have we acheived except getting a foolish power trip? The Pillar passed away, Cephiro is crumbling, many people lost their homes...and they lost their beloved Princess Emeraude. What was the difference I made? "
"Umi, what nonsense you are saying. You made a big difference already. You, being here. The very fact, I can see you again here. The very fact I can thank you in person, everything you and your friends did. Thank you for coming back here and thank you for looking out for me too."
"Master Mage Clef...may I ask, do we really want a new Pillar to turn up? Do we want another person to be the sacrifice to maintain this land? The Pillar is nothing but a sacrifice to maintain this land! No, it is not fair. It is not right that someone has to give up everything for the majority. "
"Umi, let me tell you. I don't want to either...if possible, I don't want a Pillar to appear, but Princess Emeraude gave everything to save this land and she trusted me to look after everyone. So, we must restore the beauty of this land. I don't know of any ways other than getting a new Pillar"
"All these work is taking too much out of you, Master Mage Clef, you are like taking over Emeraude's role! You are like the Pillar, can you think about anything else besides how to maintain this castle? Would you be worried that paying attention to me and talking to me would make this castle crumble?
I know there are other people helping you, but how about them?
Will they have to think about nothing but this castle and the people day and night also? Will giving a thought to their family and friends have dangerous effects on this castle? Would they have to turn their own family and friends away because they are worried this castle would shake and monsters would turn up if they spare a thought for them? How would their family and friends feel in turn?
I hate to see you going through this ordeal! I could tell, you are under extreme stress when I came back here. You are also feeling bad for us! But you and those with you, of all people, is working ceaselessly to keep everything going. We got a place to stay, thanks to your efforts, but the civilians took your team for granted, just as they took Emeraude for granted!
We must think long and hard about getting the new Pillar. We need to think about it. Maybe there will still be a way to save this country without finding one. We don't want Zagato, Emeraude and Alcyone to die in vain, that alone is bad enough! If we are to do something for Princess Emeraude, we should eliminate the system that caused her to suffer, that caused you and those around her to suffer and even die to defend her."
Clef looked at the girl, she is now trying to make another difference.
"Maybe we could work towards it? I don't believe a Pillar is necessary. If we get more people to believe in not getting a Pillar, maybe the problem will be solved. " A voice that came from one of the strongest heart that had experienced the tragedy the system incurred.
It was refreshing to hear another voice, not the voices that Clef heard countless times of whether a new Pillar would come soon to save the day. It is a voice of will, strength and independence. Not many people could still remain brave at this point. Clef could testify, with the country slowly falling into pieces. He was anxious and wrought with worry himself about the people, he saw too many faces filled with panic. Monsters were even appearing inside the castle because of the peoples' fears, and Prince Ferio, Caldina, Ascot and LaFarga volunteered to be sentries, they remain vigilant all the time to protect the civilians.
The presence of the Knights, who remained so calm in the face of danger, renewed his faith and strength greatly. They showed love and care and concern, not fear. This really helped.
Coul they save Cephiro once and for all?
There is another person not believing in depending on the Pillar, could the day come, when everyone could be Pillars? So no one need to suffer under the Pillar system anymore?
There is no Pillar anyway, would it be possible to give a try at changing it? So those who died would not die in vain?
Could something good come out of the tragedy?
Clef reached for Umi's hand, she did not flinch, even as she saw Clef's hand approaching hers, before they knew, Clef held Umi's hand in his.
'Umi, I will give it a thought, in this land of will, will controls everything. We could change things by will. We need to be strong for everyone, like you said. I will be strong, I will not waver, for you and for everyone."
Umi nodded.
"Umi, I know how much you care about everyone, promise me, give some care to yourself too. I need you, Umi." Clef heard himself saying this words, he has always been strong, he had been through the loss of people he cherished, but still, he must admit, it was a human need not a weakness for needing someone to walk with , Princess Emeraude refused to have someone to walk with her, she refused to have the people to walk with her, she even refused to have those who knew her very well to walk with her. Resulting in the most immense distress towards the people closest to her when she chose to punish herself with death when she could not take it anymore, and two of those closest to her turned against the country for her sake.
Clef realized he should not follow Emeraude's footsteps. For himself and everyone.
"Umi, please look out for yourself. Think about your safety. Love yourself, you must love yourself, no one could do it for you. This place is perilous on its own, for obvious reasons. and there's Autozam, Fahren and Chizeta ready to lay hands on Cephiro. Thus, you are given the armor and weapons and magic, not only to defend others, but also yourselves. I wish you and your friends would smile again, and I wish no harm would come to you. Please, don't be too hard on yourself. No one blames you. Emeraude and Zagato had now crossed over and are happy in the other side, forever. Alcyone choose to defend Emeraude with her own free will, with full awareness of the outcome, so I hope she is at peace now. In the knowledge of this don't be depressed anymore, would you? Oh, I forgot about the potion I promised. You must go back to bed after this."
"Thanks Master Mage Clef. I will do what you said." Said a smiling Umi. Clef felt comforted seeing Umi's serene and calm smile, like the sea on a fine day, the days of the former Cephiro. Clef could see the beautiful oceans he remembered in Umi's eyes. She cradled the hand Clef just held.
She felt so much better after apologised and having the chance to talk through things with Clef. Yes, she could promise, from that moment on, she would no longer be depressed. She could face all he battles to save the country not just from the invasions, but also in finding a way to bring a new future to the country.
"Not at all, Umi. Thank you and take care."
Like a plant ravaged by drought and then brought to the side of a stream that would never dry up. Clef felt his strained soul consoled and revitalised by the visit of the Knight of Water. He knew he could face tomorrow, and countless tomorrows in these days of uncertainty, even in the face of the country crumbling. Words could not express his gratitude towards the Magic Knights from another world.