The Pillar's Brother

Author's Note: I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Keren Olivero, Ascella Star and Adiaskyfire for their helpful opinions.

Also many thanks to my fellow Rayearth fans in the rayearth forum .net, for the opinions regarding Ferio's character and also the Ferio and Fuu interaction.

A willowy figure clad in green was wandering alone in the spacious castle. She had a pair of stylish rimless spectacles over her tender and kind jade green eyes, her bobbed wavy blonde hair was fine and soft like golden feathers. Her sweet face was luminous with a soft, tranquil charm.

Fuu Hououji, Magic Knight of air was the one who prompted her friends to get their minds and bodies some rest so they would put themselves in top condition to prepare for what lies ahead.

But she was also the first one who found her heart too heavy for sleep, her mind too restless with thoughts that she and left the warmth of the bed to loiter alone in the castle, to comb out the tangled mess that was her thoughts. In order to avoid troubling her friends with all her tossing and turning, she went out.

She was supposed to sleep, there was so much going on that she should be tired out, it should not be possible to remain awake.

It made sense to sleep, why could she not sink in the warm cradle of slumber? why was that? Even the most logical teen genius felt confused, everything in her life made sense to her until she became a magic knight. Everything she did made sense, she applied logic and strategy to her everyday life. Then in Cephiro, her battles.

Everything seemed so logical, the events were clearly leading to what she expected f from countless fairy tales, stories and Role Playing Games. The story of the struggle between good and evil. An evil sorcerer kidnapping a beautiful and innocent Princess and they were told to overcome all obstacles to save her, which they assumed was to restore her rule.

Everythingwere safely cut out in black and white, and she was so used to the black and white morality that she never questioned it.

Then they received the biggest shock of their lives when they reached the beautiful Princess.

They found out that the terribly beautiful and ominous looking overlord harboured no malicious intent, he was the unfortunate victim of a sadistic choice, it was either his love, who turned out to be none other than the fair princess, or his country, the Princess also faced the same dilemma, with no third option open to the star crossed lovers. Fuu dreaded to think what would happen if she had to face that choice.

He fought the knights like any other person would have done when a loved one was going to be killed. Because the true purpose of their epic journey was to execute the Princess, not the overlord!

All of a sudden, Fuu and her friends realised there are always many shades of grey in between the black and white they were so used to.

A clap of thunder made her jump and drew her attention to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the castle.

The landscape was as dreary as her heart.

Fuu could recall how she exclaimed upon her first arrival in Cephiro, awe struck that she could never see such beauty and greenery and fresh air in Tokyo. But now, it looked like a bombsite. How could Cephiro restore its former beauty?

Fuu pondered, as far as she had been told, a new pillar is needed yet there was no Pillar candidate in sight!

Fuu felt her heart was wrought with pain, it was like watching a loved one languishing, getting closer and closer to death and the only known cure being out of reach.

"Only known cure? Is it true there is only one cure? Would there be a cure no one knew and no one bothered to seek? Simply because they are too used to the ways they know and they could not try and find out?" Thought the teen genius.

Suddenly Fuu heard a voice, a voice that that warmed her heart with love.

"Why aren't you sleeping, Fuu?"

The voice belonged to the boy Fuu missed greatly, she hadn't a chance to speak to him alone since her return, and she would really love to.

A roguishly handsome young man with choppy green hair and warm honey coloured eyes smiled warmly at her.

"Prince Ferio?"

"Please just call me Ferio."

Fuu blushed, her ivory visage turned as red as a beetroot.

"I guess, you are too hurt by the previous battle to rest. Fuu, I noticed that you look worn out and you lost weight"

Ferio said solemnly, "You, Magic Knights were the ones most badly affected by the battle."

Ferio's words described right on, the predicament Fuu was in.

She had not been eating or sleeping properly for days. Indeed, she forced herself to swallow food her family pressed her to take, hardly knowing what had she tasted. Every night, she would toss and turn in bed, because of the lives she ended at her hands. How she regreted that she had not used her analytical and rational mind to question what she was told. Or at least try and find out what the other side of the story was. She was known to be a teen genius, the aspiring systems engineer.

She could have seen things differently from the Cephirans and her friends as well.

If she tried, perhaps she could have helped. for all her intelligence, she was as young and naive as her friends. She had also jumped to uninformed conclusions without bothering to find out information from all sides. Just because she was used to the concept of opposition equals evil.

She regretted allowing herself to be led by information from one side and not try to find out the truth about the other side. "victims of circumstances" never crossed their minds.

Had she not learned at school?

In order to prove a theory, one must investigate all the facts before drawing a conclusion!

She thought right away she was doing Cephiro a favor, like her friends.

Fuu somehow felt she was even more accountable than her friends.

Why she did not raise any questions when Caldina told them that the overlord had no interest in ruling? Why did she brushed off a fact so important as if it didn't concern her?

The consequences being, the Prince here lost his cherished older sister and the Magic Swordsman lost his older brother.

Not only that she executed Ferio's sister. Fuu had wronged the boy she fell in love with in other ways as well.

Something Umi said came to her mind. " Even people designated as heroes of a story bear no qualms about using people or hurting them."

It was exactly what she did. She was one of the Magic Knight who saved Cephiro, but in the process, she betrayed Ferio's trust by using him through her charms and wits so her friends and her could have a body guard for free. Would her green haired Prince harbour any hard feelings for that?

"Ferio, I owe you an apology." said Fuu very politely, looking into the golden eyes.

Ferio raised an eyebrow in response and then smiled that boyish, carefree grin that was his chief charm.

"Fuu, I got no idea what you are talking about."

"It was really devious and mean of me by using you to act as our body guard in the Forest of Silence."

"Fuu, it is fine! You are stuck in strange place. You would have done anything to get a way out of a perilous place so full of monsters.

In fact, your presence of mind is amazing and your friends are so lucky to have you around.

Why do you think you used me? If you were as manipulative as you thought of yourself, you wouldn't have stopped me from intervening the fight between Alcyone and Hikaru by saying it is your own battle. That says a lot about your admirable, wonderful and lovely character."

Now that she said her apology and knew she was forgiven, she felt considerably more relieved.

Ferio looked at Fuu tenderly, "I think I got something you are looking for."

Ferio pointed to his ear and carefully took down a gold loop earring.

Ferio got both rings?

Fuu recognized it, a parting gift from Ferio when they said goodbye back in the forest of Silence. An object of the highest sentimental value that Fuu gave up for lost, thinking it slipped off during her many battles. She missed having it on her finger, she even berated herself for not being careful enough.

Turned out that It returned to its owner.

"Fuu, my sister took up the position of Pillar, and she was resigned to the fact that it was unlawful for her to fall in love.

So she gave me these rings. Asking me to give one of the rings away to my true love when I found her"

"Ferio, " said Fuu softly.

"Now, I have found my true love, Fuu, the magic knight of air. Meeting you is the best thing that happened to me."

Fuu blushed immediately like a beetroot hearing Ferio's confession. But she protested, "The rings are a gift from your only sister, it is too precious for me to have, for I am the one who killed your sister."

Fuu's voice was full of contrition.

"Even though, I missed you very much but sometimes I feel I don't deserve a selfless, kind and chivalrous person like you because of what I did." blurted Fuu. 'But I spent every waking moments in Tokyo being worried about you, wondering how hav you been, worried about Cephiro and all the people. I was so relieved that I found a way back, and to see you again. You know I was so happy and relieved to see you safe and sound.

"Fuu, I repeat, stop being so hard on yourself. What happened were due to circumstances. It got nothing to do with you as a person. Nothing in Cephiro, Earth, Autozam, Fahren, Chizeta,the entire Universe could go between us.

Thank you for thinking about me, by the way. I am so glad to hear I have been missed!

Please have it. My sister never had any true happiness when she was alive. She wished so much she could live happily with her true love in the beautiful Cephiro.

However, death was the only way for their love to bloom. Only In death, my sister could think of nothing but her true love.

I, her only younger brother should fulfill this wish for her. I am sure she would love me to be happy with my one true love in beautiful Cephiro. I hope the beauty would be restored."

Fuu noticed Ferio's head bowing and his eyes considerably saddened.

"Ferio", Fuu said softly.

"I could tell you have been through a lot after Princess Emeraude passed away and you still care for us and you also took your position so people could have someone to look up to in this time of great need.

From my first trip, I saw how scared the people would be when they saw one monster, I could only imagine how much worse they are feeling now in this time of unrest.

You tried very hard, very hard to act as if things are normal. You always smile so we won't be unhappy, but these are what I am worried about."

"Ferio, my own older sister Kuu got very worried about me when I was depressed about the deaths of Emeraude and Zagato. She has always looked out for me ever since I was little, she is a very good sister who cares about me all the time. I imagine it is the same way between you and Emeraude.

She said, one could find a way out to a problem if he or she shares it. It is incredibly painful to have to suffer alone.

Fuu offered, "is there something you wish to talk about?I am far from the girl I used to be, you don't have to worry about me. if you love me, you should trust me to tell me how you really feel, and not feel obliged that you must always keep a happy face in front of me. Nothing is too cruel for me to bear."

" Thank you Fuu." said Ferio. "I got something to show you."

Ferio lifted up his right hand. A splendid circlet adorned by green and blue jewels flew out of the gem on his glove.

" Princess Emeraude's crown?"

"Yes, the previous battle resulted in many people losing their loved ones. I lost my older sister, Lantis lost his older brother, I heard that the high priest and the Magic Swordsman were really close brothers. Master Mage clef lost his students, Zagato, Emeraude and Alcyone, who were as dear to him as his own children.

Master Mage Clef went back to the site of the Pillar's destruction and brought back objects that once belonged to the High Priest and Pillar and gave them to their respective younger brothers to keep. This crown and the ring, are the only mementoes I have of my sister. Lantis has what was left of Zagato's headpiece, which is now little more than the center of it."

Ferio signed as he remembered the other one who also lost a treasured sibling.

"I had tried to reach out to Lantis, hoping to offer my support too, but he won't talk to anyone."

But the way, Master Mage Clef, keeps Alcyone's magic wand."

Fuu looked at the tiara with full respect and bowed to it, her eyes misting over with tears.

"Zagato, Emeraude, Alcyone, we are so sorry!"

" I should have asked questions! I should not have assumed. I should also have found out the other side of the story. I was taught at school to do the same thing, to ask questions, to investigate other theories before jumping to conclusions, however, while I followed this instruction in my studies I failed to apply this to real life!

You know, Caldina has raised the question, why didn't' Zagato force Princess Emeraude to keep praying while he rules the world, but I just brushed it off

I let my hubris, my self satisfaction get to my head and judged others unfairly! Your sister died because of us, because I did not take the initiative to find things out.

And I am supposed to be the logical one. I could have helped! I could have put my intelligence to good use, to think of ways to help others."

Fuu told Ferio her thoughts.

"Please be assured that we learnt our lesson, if it makes you feel better. We cannot change the past, but we could change the future. We learnt the lesson now and will not let anyone die, because...because they all have loved ones that would be devastated if they lost their lives. I would talk with these invaders very carefully if I could meet them. It was still so rash of us to go charging into the fleet of Autozam in our mashins.

We learnt our lessons at the heavy cost of three lives, we must never repeat our mistakes, that is the least we could do."

Ferio shook his head and said,

" Fuu, I am fine, honestly. It got nothing to do with you and your friends. My sister chose to die and only in death, she could be relieved of her duties without any guilt and leave her gilded cage for good.

You were only doing what she asked. It was nobody's fault, you should not hold yourself responsible. If anyone could have stopped her, you will not even be summoned and I wouldn't have met you, let's think of it this way.

Emeraude did what she chose to, Zagato did what he chose to. I am sure neither of them would blame you."

"You don't have to worry that much about me. My sister has already been dead to me when she became the Pillar, I was very young then, and already had my share of grief.

Fuu, when I said dead, you could understand what mean?"

Fuu stared at Ferio for an instant, contemplated what he got in mind, and she understood what Ferio really meant.

" Yes, I know when you said dead, you are not saying in the sense you wanted to disown her because you hate her.

You still love her very much and think about her all the time, but as Pillar, not only that she is not allowed to fall in love. she must severe all ties with her loved ones, that includes family, right? Because a Pillar cannot love any other thing, any other creature, any being other than Cephiro."

Fuu stated her understanding about the horrors one must endure when a person becomes the Pillar and also the exact feelings Ferio harboured.

"It...it is horrible...if a person becomes the Pillar, that person died as a person to become the life support machine for the country. He or she has no family, no friends, no lover, no spouse except Cephiro.

The pillar is leading the most wretched existence! He or she is dead to the world, dead to himself or herself."

" Yes, spot on."

"She severed all ties with me when she heard the calling to become the Pillar.

She was in tears as we said goodbye to each other. Because she could not be allowed to love any other being more than Cephiro.

Back then I was the person she loved more than she loved Cephiro. So as to keep her mind focused on her prayers, she told me we could not see each other again. I could not face living at court afterwards. So I left and wandered about Cephiro as a commoner. Surprisingly, no one came looking for me, perhaps my sister though I would be better off that way.

She wanted me to forget about her, to cut her out of my life, so she would be the perfect Pillar, so she would be the life force for Cephiro that would never fail.

She thought...she thought...that it was an honour...it was worthy to offer herself as a sacrifice to maintain the country, the clement weather, the lush forests, the fertile soil, content and happy people. So, unwillingly, she forced herself to be separated from me, the image of her crying as we said goodbye is branded in my mind forever.

She sacrificed her humanity to become Pillar, her only family, her only friend, her only love was Cephiro. She became a goddess on a pedestal, divine, not a shred of humanity allowed."

All those about her could only be subordinates. She could only be a goddess, worshipped, not befriended. Men could adore her, but not love her. She must spread her love equaLly among everyone, it would not be lawful for her to love anything more than Cephiro."

Then when she resigned herself to being a souless, emotionless life giving device to Cephiro.

Ferio paused.

"Souless, emotionless, no one could be like that! Who could be alone? Who could be an island? How could love be weighted on a scale?

One day, she found herself unable to resist the man who was supposed to aid her in her prayers. No matter how much she tried to persuade herself she still loved Zagato and it was the same for the man. For that she had to be punished by giving up her life. "

A question came to Fuu's mind, as she couldn't help wondering why Ferio chose to help the knights, but she felt, it was really tactless to ask and she swallowed it.

Ferio went on.

"I left the court at a very young age. Too young to be informed of the legend. I only knew as much as you and your friends did. Like you I thought I was saving her and saving Cephiro from a power hungry overlord by helping you. I also believed that Zagato stole her away in the literal sense, and because Zagato "kidnapped" Emeraude Cephiro was in turmoil.

Like you I did not know the tRuth.

The whole thing was terribly complicated for everyone involved.

I took my position back, so I could comfort those in fear in the absence of my sister. The Prince would serve those the Princess left behind.

When I am alone, I coudln't help wondering what if I knew the truth?
I have asked myself that question many times and I cannot answer it. Some things are better kept in the dark. It is better I don't have to know. It was all in the past anyway.

When I met you, I knew nothing and it was indeed better that way. So I could carry out what my Sister really wanted and not face the sadistic choice like those around my Sisters did. It was fortunate I won't have to face the sadistic choice of either the girl I fell in love with or my sister."

Fuu thought of all that horrible implications and shuddered, the very thought of it was so scary that she would rather not think of it.

"Ferio, I really, really couldn't imagine fighting you."

Ferio responded, " Neither could I. I agree Zagato got a point, anyone would have stopped a loved one at all costs from committing suicide.

But there is also the point, death was the only way Emeraude could be released of her duties without guilt and be at peace. Only in death she could be happy again, she could be free to think for just herself and her beloved, without having to live with the guilt induced by the fact that, Cephiro would be threatened if she loved anything more than the country.

I don't know of any other way to release her.

Now she is released by leaving the mortal realm, I hope to find a way to let this tragedy be something we could learn from, I hope the system could die with my sister. Let my sister be the last Pillar and you the last of Magic Knights."

Ferio was alarmed to notice a waterfall of tears were falling fron the demure, gentle girl's bespectacled eyes, it pained him greatly.

"Fuu please...no, I am sorry, I don't want to see anyone cry, especially you! Tears don't suit you!"

Ferio gently held Fuu's shoulders.

"please don't let yourself be overwhelmed by sadness. Fuu, as far as I could remember. I never saw my sister truly happy. She was alway sad because of her situation as the Pillar, even if she always wear a sweet smile, yet I know because of the burden she bears, there's always a sadness in her eyes. Fuu, I wish with all my heart to see you smile, I wish whenever I think about you I could always see your smile. You would remind me to much of the day I parted with my sister if I see you crying.

Please, put all these depressing thoughts behind you. What happened is in the past, as you said, we got to change the future so the tragedy of my sister would not happenn again. "

"Ferio, I am crying because if Emeraude see the current situation, she will cry even more!"

"Uh?"

"I am sorry...I had just been thinking about things before you ran into me. I may sound very mean, would you get angry if I am to tell you what I feel now?"

"No, not at all, you just said, it is necessary to confide in people you love and trust, and you should share with me what is bothering you because I know I am the one you love and trust the most besides your friends."

Fuu bit her lip and proceeded to confide in Ferio her reasoning.

"Yes, there's no doubt Princess Emeraude got a heart of gold, like her beautiful long golden hair suggests. Her heart is as beautiful as her. Princess Emeraude believed in self sacrifice, she believed, she must give up her own will to keep Cephiro beautiful and perfect.

Princess Emeraude put everyone ahead of her. When she knew Cephiro was in jeopardy, she chose to commit suicide because her power to uphold Cephiro was compromised, she felt she didn't even deserve to live.

In short, the system dictates that, she must compromise her own well being in order to protect others' well being. She could not even think about herself for one instant. Princess Emeraude was made to live a life in which her tears would sustain others happiness.

Then what about her loved ones? You are the first to suffer, then Zagato, Clef and everyone who loves the Princess! This is where the horror lies!

Princess Emeraude was like a candle that burned itself away to bring light to Cephiro. Everyone in Cephiro lived a peaceful and blissful life, Cephiro's beauty is maintained at the expense of her. Her life was consumed by sorrow, that she effectively dissolved her life in tears, like a candle weeping wax tears as it burns out. The wax tears of a candle could only be dried as when the candle burns out, Emeraude's tears could only be stopped when she died. She was hoping to pass the torch to a new Pillar as the system dictates.

Then at the moment, there isn't a Pillar to keep the country going. No one knows when a new Pillar would come. We got no idea where could we find this candidate.

The country is now a bombsite! Everyone lost their homes, and goodness knows how many casualties occured when the country started to fall apart. It seems, whatever Princess Emeraudes chose, the country is still being threatened.

What will Princess Emeraude feel now if she sees this? She would cry even more because she thought her sacrifice would save Cephiro.

We are all aware that it is not justified for one person to forego his or her happiness and life to protect the majority. It is not right that to let the needs of the many outweighed the needs of one person. It is not justified for one person to have to choose either his or her fulfilment or the country, and in turn it is not justified for someone to have to choose either his or her loved ones or the majority, like what Zagato had to do, like what Clef had to do, like what you had to do.

I wish with all my heart she needed not take this path! I wish she could be here, alive and happy with Zagato. I wish you still have a big sister with you, a sister who would look out for you like mine. A sister who would rush to your side when you got into a scrape, or something of that kind.

Oh, P:rince Ferio, I could only do little for you, but I promise you and all those who loves me, I will keeping myself safe, healthy and happy so I won't add to your burden. I must love myself as much as I love you and my loved ones."

You are upset if you see me cry, you are worried when you saw me in danger and the same goes for those who cares about me.

And if they are upset and worried if they see me cry, what would happen if something bad happenes to me? They would be devastated! The suffering of the Pillar maksae those around him or her suffer in turn too, because no one likes to see a loved one cry and be in pain and ultimately, die! I don't want this to happen again!

Oh enough of this, Ferio, as much as you wish to see me smile, I want to see you smile too. So let us work together to find a way to let the system go. Maybe during those times, we cannot see any hope. But I have been told in this land, belief is power, so if we stick to this belief, and not give in to the ways everyone are used to, maybe we could work together to find a way. I vow never to waver from my belief ."

Fuu smlied warmly at her Prince, but there was still a veil of sorrow on her face. For one fleeting instant, Ferio thought he saw his sister. But no, this girl was a lot different from his sister, even though their colouring were similar. Because this girl would not believe in the detrimental path his sister took. Fuu, unlike Emeraude would not choose martyrdom like his sister. Fuu , unlike Emeraude would not become a dead saint to be mourned and missed. She would chose a future in which she would be there, alive and well for her loved ones, to live with her loved ones, to partake in their laughter, to share their burdens, to share their doubts, to share their tears.

His heart was broken when his sister disappeared from his life. But another woman came, the Knight of Wind, who is now seeking to heal it with her winds of healing and this woman would never choose to leave him like his sister did.

Ferio felt for sure, he would see this girl smile with true happiness, because she yearns for her happiness, and her smile could touch him and all her loved ones.

After his sister was deceased, this girl is the closest and dearest to him now, he was extremely fortunate to have met her and have her here again in Cephiro. The Knight of Wind is the one he should love and cherish with all his heart.

"Fuu, you are the reason why I am not grieving. With you by my side is all that I need. I will be here so nothing could harm you, I will put your tears behind you."

"If you want me to smile with true happiness. then let us work together to a new future, a future in which there's no pillar so no one needs to go through the sorrow your sister went through and the sorrow us went through. As you said, let your sister be the last Pillar."

"Yes, and I wish you would be the last of the Magic Knights, I don't want any to suffer like you and yout friends suffered. Also, as I said, I hope to be with you in a truly beautiful Cepiro, not just for myself, also I could accomplish my sister's wish."

The Pillar's brother and the Knight of Wind entwined themselves in a tender, warm embrace, the two soulmates were grateful for this reunion after many days of longing and pining on their parts.

"Fuu, my love, one day I will see you give me a truly happy smile, I promise."

"Ferio, I love you dearly and would never leave you."

Both believed with all their hearts that together, they could bring the winds of change to Cephiro, a new future where the countless tragedies that took place in the past would finally be laid to rest for good.