Standard disclaimers apply. The creators, Clamp own all rights to the characters and series of Magic Knight Rayearth. I am just using them for a fiction of my own devising. I do claim ownership of all original characters, Rune Gods/Goddesses etc. © Sparkling Moon Phoenix 2006-2009
An ancient prophecy, preserved in mystical crystal, hidden through the ages, only to be revealed centuries later.
Three legendary Rune Gods: seeking their Knights, and the desire to once again form the covenant, to protect and nurture a pristine world.
The emergence of an enemy: one who should not have been forgotten or consigned to the annals of history.
The Magic Knights: who must ascend and mature in strength, if all are to be saved, answering the call of the First Pillar of Cephiro.
Chapter 8: the Dark is Waking
Situated approximately fifty miles from the crystalline Cephiro Castle, towards the northern mountains, was a medium sized village; almost large enough to be termed a town. The people dwelling there called their home 'Berrybay Village.' Before Cephiro had fallen into darkness, Berrybay had been known for the quality of medical potions and herb craft practiced there. Now that peace had returned; it was the citizens' fervent hope that they could, at last after so much turmoil, take up the mantle of their old lives, relegating the fear and uncertainty they had known to the pages of history. Where they felt it truly belonged. Harsh lessons had been learned from their recent experiences. They wanted to defend their home with their own hands. Hence the sentries at the village boundaries.
A loud, fatigued yawn punctuated the false dawn, as the night sentry fought back his need for sleep. It wouldn't be long until his shift was over and the daytime sentries could take over. The soldier walked over to the small brazier ensconced within a sheltered niche at the top of the sentry tower. Someone had recently placed a hot pot of an herbal stimulant there; one that would erase the effects of fatigue for a time. Just long enough for the weary scout to complete his shift. By then another sentry would take over and he could seek his bed for the rest of the day. Another yawn sounded as the sentry poured a cup of hot, liquid herbal tea.
He was about to imbibe the steaming concoction; when the kettle, upon its small table, began to rattle and shake furiously. The sentry backed away from the kettle as it toppled to the rough, planked floor of the lookout post. The sentry then realized what was occurring.
'Earthquake!'
The sentry dropped the clay mug he had been holding in his haste to let cry a warning to his fellow villagers. The message was carried upon the winds, as the other sentries shouted out the warning across the length and breadth of the village. Before the sentry even had a chance to vacate the tremulous refuge of the lookout post; the ground within the centre of the village exploded outwards. Eerie wailing split the air. What appeared to be living spectres erupted from the gaping hole.
A few magic users secreted within the buildings cast a few hasty spells, but to no avail. One of them whispered a short phrase. A miniscule crystal appeared within his fingers. Then it wavered and disappeared.
Cephiran Skies: Eden Castle:
Auraya sat within the centre of the Elemental Pillar Chamber, her grey eyes reflecting her thoughtful state of mind. Her long, creamy plume of a tail twitched restlessly, a sign of her inner agitation. She had left the Throne Room of the Pillar some time ago. The enchantment placed upon Hikaru was now proceeding under the watchful attention of Rayearth. The doors leading to the Throne Room had been sealed under a locking spell; a precaution against any human interference; no matter if it were benign or malicious. Auraya would brook no interference from any source at all. Her orders from the First Pillar had been explicitly clear; to let the spell take its proper course. Hikaru would eventually have to utilize the full capability of a Magic Knight; including having to serve as a living channel for Rayearth, the Lord of Fire.
Auraya released a sigh. The loss of knowledge was rather deplorable. Hence the instructions and the last augury ever spoken by her mistress had been captured within a Memory Crystal and left; for someone to find one thousand years later. And they had. There was much more to being a Magic Knight than the three currently residing within Cephiro knew about. The Spirit Rune Goddess felt rather unsettled. The task of the trio of the younger Magic Knights and the one to be was immense.
A bright flash knocked her out of her imposed trance. Auraya swiftly stood. The Rune Goddess could sense the dark energy of corrupted magic. As she pivoted upon all four paws; the Chaos Pillar inexplicably fused itself back together and vanished from the confines of Eden Castle. With a deep sense of apprehension, Auraya knew what this occurrence signified.
By the Cephiran Gods, he's free! Auraya began to growl.
Clef could feel the intensity of everyone's gaze. His fingers tightened upon the shaft of his Mage's staff as conflicting emotions warred within the depths of his mind. Caution and the desire to release knowledge; each had an equal voice clamouring for his attention. The silent urging to release the knowledge he had retained within him won. Clef straightened; regarding everyone that had come to his location to see what the commotion was.
'There is a matter of which I need to speak with all of you.' Clef said quietly. 'Eagle; you must come as well. This concerns you also; perhaps more than any of us realize. It also explains why I cannot unravel the spell sealing the Throne Rooms closed against any counter enchantment that I use.'
'Hikaru is changing?' Fuu asked softly. 'She hasn't been herself for the past few days. We've all noticed that. Even her ruby crystal has altered.'
With Clef's words, Eagle could feel the weight of the Shadow Ovum upon his hand. He ignored the question of the Wind Knight. With his other hand he swiftly pulled off the glove that veiled the ebony crystal from the sight of other people. The thin, metallic rim of gold that ran along its outermost edge caught the radiance of the lamps; causing the jewel to be awash with shimmering brilliance. Eagle lifted his hand; until Umi and Fuu could see what was attached to his pale skin. Umi's cobalt eyes widened when she glimpsed the dark Ovum.
'How did you get that?' Umi demanded sharply. 'Hikaru has one of those as well.'
Umi's eyes reflected suspicion. Fuu was looking at the Autozamian with curiosity. Her emerald eyes were a blank canvas; revealing nothing of the questions that swam through her thoughts. The alteration of Hikaru's scarlet focal crystal had intrigued her deeply. The Wind Knight had known something separate was occurring on Cephiro; despite the battle with Debonair. It seems as if she was correct in her assumption. Fuu sighed deeply; brushing away a few short strands of brown hair that had obstructed her vision.
'Umi, don't be rude.' Fuu chided her fellow Knight for an apparent lack of manners. 'Master Mage Clef has said he will explain everything. I would really like to know what is going on.'
'I'm sorry, Eagle, Clef.' Umi replied; her eyes downcast. 'I'm just tired. I'm really concerned about Hikaru. Channelling the powers of the Pillar wasn't an easy thing for her to do. Plus the fact that we're still here bothers me. All three of us should have returned home like last time.'
'There is a room nearby.' Clef turned; his mage robes twisting about his boyish frame. 'Eagle, you come as well. This also concerns you. The evidence of that is shining upon your hand.'
Eagle looked rather confused; but suppressed any questions that had arisen. After he had accepted Clef's offer to reside in the castle for one night, before departing on the long voyage back to his home planet; Geo had received orders from the Autozam High Council. Eagle had been appointed as the Autozam Ambassador to Cephiro; their intentions to begin peaceful negotiations between their two worlds after Geo had relayed back to the Council, Master Mage Clef's desire to help their stricken planet. The crew were to stay, to assist their Commander. Clef had promised to explain the enigmatic occurrences how happening within Cephiro. What he had not expected was to be so inextricably caught up in all of this. The small group headed for the chamber Clef had spoken of, when hurried footsteps approached from the opposite direction.
Lantis, his long black cloak flaring around him, stopped when he glimpsed the two Magic Knights, Master Mage Clef and Eagle.
'Master Clef, I sensed a great convergence of magic recently.' Lantis' expression was grave. 'The energy signature was unrecognizable; except it points towards a very powerful magic user.'
As a Magic Swordsman; he was sensitive to the currents of mystical energy that pervaded the entirety of Cephiro. For Lantis to notice the warping of the magical web that threaded through the girth of the planet, indicated that something was very wrong. Clef was about to give voice to a reply, when a brilliant swathe of radiance split the early morning skies. Umi bit back a cry of pain, as the light blinded her for a moment.
'What the hell was that?' The Water Knight's voice was rather shaky.
Umi ran to the nearest window and gazed upon the distant horizon. A thin, ash strewn plume of smoke drifted upwards lazily towards the pearly clouds; a hint that something had occurred within the early hours of the morning.
'Fuu look at this!' Umi beckoned to her companion Magic Knight. 'Something's gone on outside the castle.'
Lantis ran over to the window, his dark cloak flaring behind him with his hasty movements. He felt the slight weight of the Magic Sword bumping against his back, with his sudden movements. Lantis felt a slight ripple of dark, warped energy surge through his mind. A recollection entered his thoughts as a mental map of Cephiro came to his realization.
'Berrybay Village is near the castle!' Lantis pivoted upon his boots, moving swiftly through the corridor. He halted quickly in his tracks; gazing at Clef. 'Wasn't that village a site for a Polaris Seal during ancient times?'
Clef tightened his grip upon his staff of office. It seemed the events mentioned within the Memory Crystal were occurring much sooner than he had first anticipated. It was time to reveal a part of the truth that was necessary at this particular moment: part of the forgotten history of Cephiro. Known only to the Pillar and the order of magic wielders to which he had been initiated into as soon as the strength of his Gift had been discovered by the previous Master Mage.
'It was, Lantis.' Clef said his voice serious. 'It seems the Seal is broken.'
A/N: It's starting! Hope you are enjoying it so far! Chapter 5: Victory and Revelation Part 2 will be ready for upload by the end of Feb 2008!The story may have to go up to M rating! I really had to edit this chapter! Thanks for your patience!