I'm back! Last time I uploaded 2 chapters in one day… I'm really trying to make up for all that time I went MIA because of finals and projects!
I do not own any Magi characters except for my own OC(s).
Not once did the four gather around the dining table without a meal and a smile on each person's faces. But like they all say, there's always a first to everything.
Hakuren sat in his usual spot beside Lucena. He can't stop fidgeting from nervousness. Lucena found the table surface very interesting, and her finger can't stop swirling around her long black hair. Hakuyuu remained passive, but today there's a tint of stiffness on his face. Yunan's eyes are closed, his staff laid still on his lap as he tries to think of the right words to say. No one said a word.
"I don't know where to start." Yunan was the first to open his mouth.
Lucena looked up. Her eyes met Hakuyuu's as she thinks of a good starting point. "How about on the night of the fire?" That certainly had everyone pay attention.
"Sounds about right. Let's see….."
On that fateful night 5 years ago, Yunan was about to return to the dark continent after a visit in Balbad when the rukh felt exceptionally strong. The rukh started tingling, twirling and spinning around the man, and all of a sudden, they all started flying towards one direction. As a committed follower of the rukh (as Yunan like to think), he did not hesitate in following wherever they choose to go. The phenomenon was strange to him. He's never seen the rukh behave that way. Something important must've happened?
As he thought of all the possible events that could have happened, something clicked; what if it's not a something, but a 'someone'…? At that thought the rukh around him reacted and started shining brighter than before. Yunan guessed he must've been on the right track…. He wonders what kind of 'someone' he will be meeting…
He flew and flew. As he started to be more aware of the surroundings, he realised he's in the Kou empire. Looking ahead, his eyes widen at the sight of fire and smoke. The palace is on fire! Is he going to save 'someone'? Did 'someone' start the fire to be noticed? He followed the rukh until he reached the burning building which was the sleeping quarters of the Haku family. As he observed servants and maids and soldiers trying to put out the fire and enter to safe the royals, he noticed a small blue light descend into the middle of the big fire. As he looked around, he realised that the only one who can see the light was HIM.
His eyes returned to where the light fell, and he noticed the gathering of white AND black rukh, but the black rukh were swallowed by the white ones, as three figures ascended from the fire up into the sky; but only one person caught his eyes: a young lady, with long, silver hair, eyes as blue as the ocean, silver scales that covered majority of her arms and legs - and he knew. That's the 'someone' he's waiting for. As he witnessed the girl calling the rain, he slowly realises that he's about to be dragged into a big mess. In the midst of that thought, the girl starts flying away with the two princes that she rescued. His brain is telling him to think before he gets himself deeper into the mess, but his heart screamed for him to follow them.
Heart over brain. Yunan followed after the girl, and soon notices he's being led towards somewhere he knows so well. He then realised. Even if he didn't follow the rukh, he is still destined to meet this person. Even if he went back to the Dark Continent instead of following the rukh when he did, the rukh would still have lead the girl to him.
The rukh led them straight to Yunan's home by the cliff. As soon as his foot touched the ground, he made his way towards the girl who now laid unconscious from using too much magoi. He brought all three sleeping people into his cabin and immediately started treating the two princes who are badly burned. Every once in a while, he would turn to the girl and give her a little bit of magoi while he watched the rukh do the rest. He's never seen the rukh help someone to this extent. She must be someone special…. But he'll have to wait until she wakes up.
Two days later, she woke. As if she only woke up from a long dream, she yawned cutely and stretched before jumping out of bed. After introducing herself as Lucena, she immediately ran to the older prince and started treating him. Of course Yunan wanted to speak with her more, but even he understood how important it is to keep the two princes alive.
It took the two almost the entire day to treat the injuries. After resting for a bit, the two talked. Yunan found out Lucena has no memories prior to the fire. He also found out that she was that small blue light that descended into the flames. Why, he doesn't know, but neither did she. Lucena suggested that they sleep on it, and after the exhausting day, Yunan couldn't disagree.
That night, Yunan had a dream. He had a dream about what he already knew – Alma Toran, King Solomon, Alba, Sheba, Ugo….. And finally, the great Mother Dragon. The Mother Dragon revealed to him the prophecy following Lucena, and that she's a descendant of herself, in human flesh. She is a being that was infused by the mother dragon's energy and power, and whoever she chooses to be king will be the one to restore peace in the world when she releases the powers Mother Dragon bestowed to her.
She was born to be the princess guardian, the one who will aid the one chosen king in bringing peace to all the lands. Ahead of her is a tough journey. She has made enemies with the biggest baddest group just for carrying that title. Al Tharmen is out to get her, and they would do anything to make sure she doesn't succeed. Mother Dragon has asked Yunan to do EVERYTHING to keep her safe until he thinks she's ready to face the real world. Yunan, completely understanding the situation, destroyed a small town near his house in order to make the perfect barrier to keep Lucena hidden from the eyes of the organization while hiding the fact that the two Haku princes are alive.
However, over the years the barrier has weakened. Lucena has grown in every way, but even though Yunan doesn't think she's completely ready yet, time is running out. Once the barrier goes down, it can't be restored again. To buy more time, Yunan has set up traps all around the outside of the barrier to keep people from getting close. He even went as far as asking Scheherazade to borrow gunpowder to make bombs that would explode when they're stepped on. Lucena became his family, and he is willing to do anything and pay any price to keep his family safe.
When Judal raised a dungeon not far from the barrier, Yunan had to go near the dungeon in order to access the situation. He went around the dungeon days before the Kou army arrived to consult the djinn of the tower. Being the clumsy man he was, he tripped over nothing and ripped his outer garments, but that did not stop him from using himself as a decoy to make Judal and Kouen believe he's shown up at the dungeon and left in the opposite way of the barrier in hopes the army would follow his tracks away from the barrier.
Yunan knew the task Lucena needs to complete before she can bring peace to the world is extremely difficult. She'll need to go to the heart of evil, the Kou palace, to obtain the scroll (the same scroll Hakuyuu has read when he was young) which holds a very powerful spell to seal away the darkness. He prayed to Solomon that Gyokuen is still unaware of the location of the spell, but to enter the headquarters of the organization will require lots of training and allies. Hakuyuu and Hakuren are both very promising partners, but that won't be enough to bring down Al Tharmen. Thank the gods Hakuyuu was on the same page as him on that account. Lucena will need to travel around to gather warriors who are strong enough to battle the organization. Although he has quite a few people in mind, it will be Lucena who chooses her army. The right thing to do would be gather allies then obtain the scroll, but there may not be enough time. Once the organization finds out about the scroll, it'll be close to impossible for anyone to go near it. She must get it before the organization, or else she will get hurt!
When she descended into the flames within the Kou palace, it was not by choice, but by fate. Fate has led her to the Haku princes who needed her help and would later on aid her in obtaining the scroll with the prophecy…. And the time has now come for her to fight back…
No one spoke a word. The table became more intense as everyone absorbs in the new information Yunan just told them. Hakuren was speechless with his mouth open. He cannot believe such a small girl is going to play such a big part in bringing peace to this world. Hakuyuu sighed. If only he kept the scroll with him after it fascinated him that much in his childhood days... he even got the permission from his father to take the scroll from the study, but something kept him from doing so. He looked over at Lucena who has her head down. No matter what…. Lucena I will protect you. You won't be alone in this!
Lucena looked down at her lap. I'm a what? Princess guardian? I'm supposed to find a scroll and chant a spell in order to destroy evil? Even worse, I have to choose a king and help him bring peace? How am I supposed to do all of that? Am I in danger as we speak? Am I ready for this?!
Sensing the confusion from Lucena, Yunan spoke. "Lucena, what I just said is a lot to take in I'm sure of it. You are not alone in this. No matter what happens. I will be on your side to aid you, and I'm sure I can speak for Hakuren and Hakuyuu as well that they will be there to help you no matter what."
Hakuren finally gathered his words and shouted, "Lucena! I'll protect you! Don't worry too much about it! With me and Yuu-nii and Yunan we can definitely bring peace to the world! After all, bringing peace and cleansing evil from the Kou Empire has been a dream of mine and Yuu-nii's ever since we were young! Whoever dare to hurt you I will make them suffer!"
Lucena muttered a small 'thank you' and suddenly she stood up. "I…..I need some time to think…!" She ran upstairs to her room and shut the door. No one stopped her. Everyone agreed that it was a lot for a small girl to take in and she needs some time to process everything.
Hakuyuu wanted to go after her. He hated seeing her face like that. He mentally cursed fate for giving her such a hard life, but he silently thanked fate for letting them meet. He clenched his fists tightly as he looked in the direction of her room.
What can I do for her at a time like this?!
Confusion, anger, betrayal. That's all Lucena can think of, how everything made her feel.
"So this 'home' is not really a home, but a cage made to keep me from the world?
.
.
Everything Yunan has ever done for me….. it was all for the sake of this?
.
.
Bringing Hakuyuu and Hakuren here…. Was it all planned out from the beginning?!
.
.
I…. I don't know what's 'real' anymore…"
For the first time in days, she felt cold. Curling up into a tight ball, Lucena hope to be warm again, but no matter what the coldness remained. She trembled as she tries not to think about everything that's happened in the last hour… but no matter what, she can't shake the uneasiness away.
She's never felt so helpless. The cost of saving the world… am I going to die…? I'm going to be all alone…
Ah. It's cold…
Someone…..
.
.
.
Help….. me…..
BAM!
The door was slammed open which made Lucena jolt up in shock.
"LUCENA! DON'T YOU DARE THINK YOU'RE ALONE IN THIS!"
"Wha- Haku…..ren…?"
The boy wasted no time in running to her side, pulling the trembling girl into his warm embrace.
"Don't think for even a second that you have to face your destiny by yourself..! Don't forget about us already! It sure sounds like you're gonna have it rough, but we're here for you! No matter what happens, I'll be here! Yuu-nii will be right beside you, and Yunan-san will be there for you when you need him! Don't give up just because the road ahead of you is not an easy one!"
"Hakuren….. you… you guys…. I'm…..WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
"L-lucena?!" At the encouragement of Hakuren, Lucena finally broke down, releasing every ounce of tears she's been waiting to let out.
"T-there there! S-stop crying already!" Hakuren blushed after realising he's terrible at comforting crying girls.
Hakuyuu smiled at the scene in front of him. Hakuren….. as silly as he may be, there's a side of him that he's rarely show to people, but he's always been the one to comfort our siblings whenever they're down. He is able to find the words they need to hear….
"Seems like your brother is one step ahead of you Hakuyuu~"
"Yunan." The blonde magi had to suppress his giggles.
"You probably wish you did that before your brother had his chance~ I can tell you wish you're the one comforting Lucena in your arms!"
"…" Dammit Yunan.
"I'm glad the two of you are here. Without you me and Lucena would have been a mess! *sob* *sob* I'm so glad you guys are here~~"
"o-oi Yunan…"
"WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
"AHH Yuu-nii made Yunan cry!"
"H-Hakuyuu you s-shouldn't!"
The two younger teens stopped whatever they're doing and looked at the two oldest members of their group. Lucena stopped her crying as she is now looking at Hakuyuu with a questioning look.
"I-it wasn't me!" Hakuyuu's never been in this position before he has no clue what to say or do.
.
.
.
"hehe!"
Everyone turned towards the sound of the giggles. Lucena who was crying not long ago giggled at the scene in front of her. Seeing the girl laugh, everyone else can't help but join in, laughing at the silliness of Yunan and the flustered Hakuyuu.
Of course Hakuyuu is embarrassed at this, but seeing that he made Lucena laugh, he didn't bother to hide the smile that's beginning to form. That's right, we're not alone on this, we'll always be together...
.
.
.always.
Thanks for reading! Much thanks for the follows/favorites/reviews! That's a lot of encouragement for me to keep writing!