"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging the future but by the past"

Note: I'm just a fake!

Chapter Ten

Journey to the Past 2

In Present Cephiro…

Desma opened her eyes when she felt Lantis who had been holding her moved suddenly. The warm and peaceful feelings that Lantis' arms gives were gone and instead it was replaced by emptiness when he removed his arms around her. She had called Lantis to come to her and to confess everything he needs to know. After all, she had finally realized that there's no point for her to fight under Leodor's command anymore. When he arrived and saw the wounds in her arms and other parts of body, he thought that someone had tried to attack her, which Desma didn't try to correct. She still wants to savor the moment left for her with her most beloved man.

"What's wrong?" she asked gaping at Lantis who had totally forgotten where he is. Though the bleeding of her wounds has stopped and Lantis tried his best to treat those wounds somehow, Desma feels that her end is near. For a person like her, like the Cephirians, stays alive depending on her determination to live. It's their determination to live that makes their physical body stay strong. The determination could either be triggered by love or hate. And right now, she is slowly losing all the reasons that she had before to live.

Lantis turned to her and answered. "I can feel a threatening presence all around Cephiro and the palace is attacked by an unknown force…"

Desma could read between the lines. Lantis doesn't need to tell her that he's badly needed at the palace. "You may go… but before it, I have something to tell you before I die." Desma sat properly; totally leaving Lantis' arms. She could see the questions in Lantis' eyes. "You must listen because it's very important… before it's too late; I have to tell you everything..." Desma tried to smile at Lantis to show him she's okay. "I was not attacked by anyone… The truth is I have fought with Ferio." She continued. "Lantis, I was the one who almost killed Hikaru and Ferio! I- I was so angry then… at her. I was aiming for her death but Ferio interfered and that was how the fight begun. I'm sorry!" she apologized and bowed her head.

"Why?" he asked calmly. He has many questions to ask her but that was all he could say.

Desma tried to hide her uneasiness and answered. "Because I became selfish… I don't want you to fall for her again. I really loved you Lantis even though I'm not supposed to love you." She said while trying to avoid his eyes. She knows he hates her now.

"What do you mean you can't love me? Ands who really are you?"

"I'm one of Leodor's minions…" Desma answered. She bowed her head to avoid Lantis' eyes. She couldn't take it to see those eyes… Those eyes that was full of sadness since the first time she saw it. But she knows he couldn't be hers and soon he'll regain his memory and will totally forget her and will continue to love Hikaru. "Lantis, Leodor is planning to invade Cephiro. You must protect the pillar even with your life if you want to prevent it from happening."

Lantis looked at her with surprise. "Hikaru… she's in danger then! Tell me everything!" Lantis who had been debating within himself whether he'll believe Desma or not finally got his attention on something Desma have said.

Desma looked up at him, more than ready to tell the truth.

oOo

In the past…

It was Hikaru's third day and two nights at the past Cephiro. The sky was dark in that particular day; rain is starting to fall from the sky while a loud thunder with each lightning can be heard from the sky. Somehow, what's happening to the sky of Cephiro reminded Hikaru of the battle that took place when Princess Emeraude was gone.

"Master Racius, what is happening with Cephiro?" she asked. She stopped looking out on Master Racius office window and faced the mage who was sitting quietly on his desk. "I know it's not yet evening but look at the sky! It's-"

"There's nothing to worry Hikaru, probably the Princess has temporarily stopped praying to work for the endowment of her wish." He answered calmly.

"What do you mean? Isn't she worried of what will happen to Cephiro if this continues? What wish is it that she has to put aside her duties?" she asked again. Her face is full of concern and anger.

"Don't worry, for the other Princess, Zipporah won't let it happen, Hikaru. She won't stop praying for the sake of Cephiro." Master Racius answered.

"But for how long? Cephiro will be destroyed if this continues!" she argued. "I'll go talk to her! Please don't stop me!" Hikaru informed him.

"Why are you so affected with it, Hikaru? Even though you came from the future, you can't deny the fact that you're only a Magic Knight! Give respect to the Princess' decision!" Master Racius' words stopped her. "Or maybe you're more than just a Magic Knight…"

Hikaru couldn't speak as he almost guessed who she really is. She felt the mage walked near her. "Come to think of it, your aura is fearfully strong. You can even qualify as a Pillar!" the mage continued, telling her his new found knowledge. He stopped five steps away from Hikaru. "Tell me the truth, it is time that I know it… who are you, really? Did I make a mistake when I predicted that you're just a Magic Knight? Are you more than just a Magic Knight?"

Hikaru inhaled deeply. She has no choice but to tell him. After all, he already knows that she came from the future. "Okay…but promise me that you won't tell Princess Ziarah…" she said."

"You know I won't, Hikaru" the mage answered.

oOo

Umi and Fuu stood outside Princess Zipporah's room. They looked at each other and nodded. Umi raised her right hand to knock but stopped in midair. "What if she refuses?" she asked, facing Fuu.

"We won't know unless we ask her. We can't stay here any longer. We do not know how long we're gone in Cephiro, and I'm afraid everything would be too late once we come back. We cannot wait any longer for them to find Hikaru…" Fuu looked at Umi intently. Umi inhaled deeply before finally knocking on the door.

oOo

Princess Ziarah almost stopped breathing as she waits for the Holy Deity to speak. It really surprised her to see who the Holy Deity was; she didn't expect him to look that way, so strange…

"Are you the one who called me?" Princess Ziarah gulped her saliva first before answering. She didn't see the Holy Deity open his mouth, but she noticed the red orb on his forehead brighten when she heard his voice.

"Yes, Your most Holy Deity…" she answered bowing her head.

"The last time, a Pillar summoned me to have her wish granted, do you have the same purpose on summoning me, your Creator, here?" the Holy Deity asked. Princess Ziarah need not to answer for the Holy Deity has already read her mind. "What is it that you wish, Pillar?

"I wish… for the Pillar system to be reformed for the sake of the country and the inhabitants living in it." She answered. After that, the Holy Deity didn't speak which led to Princess Ziarah thinking that her wish will be refused and that the Holy deity is angry for her plan.

"Uhm… reform… Though, I have already know what you want as I was the most powerful Deity in this universe, I would still want to hear from you about this "reform" you are saying…" the deity requested.

"The reform that I was saying was to change the whole system of the Pillar. I want any Pillar, with me included and those who will be after me, to concentrate on praying only for the country, which means, she has to put away any feelings such as love for anyone, and love only the country." Princess Ziarah answered, making sure that the Holy Deity understands very well her point.

"Hmmm…" the Holy Deity fell into silence again, obviously thinking about the princess' wish. "I fully understand what you mean, Pillar." He began. "I decide for your wish to…"

oOo

"She did it! She really called the Holy Deity! She's so stubborn! How could she do something like this?! Oh, for pity's sake, why can't she understand me? All because of that stupid Marcus, she's ready to ruin Cephiro!"

Umi tried to calm Princess Zipporah from her outburst upon learning that her sister finally succeeds on summoning the Holy Deity. "Please calm down, Princess Zipporah; nothing will happen if you continue this way."

"What should I do? How can I stop her?" the princess asked and looked at the two girls, waiting for an answer.

"We do not know… and I don't think we can stop her… she has already called on the Holy Deity..." Fuu answered. She herself is feeling miserable from the news the princess told them.

"I have to go to that place. I must talk to her before it's too late!" Princess Zipporah declared suddenly jumping out of the bed where she's sitting with Umi and Fuu on her two sides. "Will you two, accompany me in going there?"

"Actually, we are planning to ask you to allow us to go the palace where the other princess stays, Umi and I came to a thought that Hikaru might possibly be there. So, there is no problem if you want us to come with you." Fuu told her their plan.

"And we'll make sure to help you in any way we can, right Fuu?" Umi butted in with a big grin on her face.

"Thank you so much" Princess Zipporah couldn't say more than that out of her emotions, knowing that the two girls are on her side.

oOo

Princess Ziarah went out of the summoning room. After going out of the room, it was only then that she had felt how tiring it is to summon a very powerful deity. She didn't expect him to dismiss her out of the room, reasoning that she should give more time about her wish and she couldn't help but to feel disappointed and afraid for that "time". Yeah, she's afraid that she may change her mind… She lay comfortably on her bed, hoping to have a good sleep...

oOo

Hikaru waited for the mage sitting in the chair in front of her to talk. She just finished telling him about her, everything.

"You are Cephiro's chosen Pillar, am I right? And you came here because of a book I have written?" Hikaru nodded in all of that. She followed him with her eyes when he stood up and went to a cupboard located near the entrance of his office. He opened it and looked for something. He went back to his seat, holding a familiar book in his hands. "Is this the book?" he asked her, showing the front of the book.

"Y-yes… that's the book! Master Racius, can that book help us go back in the future?" Hikaru asked wide-eyed. She stared more closely at the book and realized it was really the same book, only that it is newer than the one Master Clef found.

"I cannot answer that question, Hikaru. But I am telling you that this book is not yet completed. As the Master Mage of Cephiro, it is my duty to report everything that was happening during the government of the reigning Pillar in a book so that it will not be forgotten by anyone." The mage explained.

"Master Clef told us that he just found the book recently; right at the time that Cephiro was facing a grave danger…" Hikaru informed the mage. Silence took place.

"I do not know how that happened, Hikaru. For now all we can do is wait what happens next, it was then that we can know the answer to everything…" the mage told her. He looked outside the window. It was still dark outside, with rain falling from the sky and the murderous thunder ringing all over Cephiro.

"We have visitors." The mage said suddenly said.

"Who?" Hikaru asked.

"Princess Zipporah and two unfamiliar girls." He answered. "I have a feeling that you know who these girls are."

oOo

"I'd never change my mind, Zipporah. You are just wasting your time." Princess Ziarah said calmly but firmly to her sister.

"Face me Ziarah and tell me that you're not really changing your mind about that matter!" Zipporah demanded to her sister. Ziarah has her back facing on her. She waited for her sister to do what she said but she didn't. She had left Umi and Fuu in the meeting room and followed her sister who left them and went into her room. "You can't? I know it was hard to be hurt by someone you have loved so much… but don't you think you're becoming foolish by acting that way?" she told her sister.

"Please leave, Zipporah! I know what I am doing! I'm not just doing this because of this unsuccessful love affair I had, I am doing this for Cephiro's sake!" Ziarah said, still not facing her sister.

"I won't! It is also my duty to protect Cephiro! You can't just do this, especially without my agreement!" Zipporah insisted. "Have you forgotten already, sister?" Ziarah could not answer and remained silent. "I'll go and ask forgiveness to the Holy Deity, I'll tell Him you're withdrawing everything you've said!" she told her sister.

"Stop it, Zipporah! You don't have to do it! I won't retract everything I've said! Please, just this once, let me do this! I am not a child anymore…" Ziarah shouted on her face. She wasn't crying; her face was full of determination and unimaginable pain. "This is the decision I've come up with… not even you can stop me! If you disagree with it, leave!"

Princess Zipporah was taken aback by her sister's words. She didn't expect her to say such words, especially to her! "For pity's sake, why are you acting like that, my sister?" she asked tearfully. "You're not the same person that I've grown up with anymore! What you're doing will ruin Cephiro someday, can't you see it? A Pillar without love… without anyone beside her, not even a family or friend! You're turning into a selfish person! Why are you letting this madness get into you?" she said intensely.

"Everybody changes and I'm one of them… only for the better. Sister, how can I, as a pillar pray for the Cephiro if this heart of mine is full of grief and anger, how about the next pillars who'll fell in love? " Princess Ziarah told her sister. There was pain in her eyes seeing her sister cry. She's afraid it will affect their relationship fully. "Will you please come with me, sister?" she asked. Her voice was trembling and unsure, afraid of Zipporah's answer.

"Not every love, like yours, fails. I can't… I'm sorry." Zipporah said sadly. Her head bowed to the ground, not daring to look at her sister, her twin's eyes. "I should leave!" she said with finality in her words and turned her back on her sister.

oOo

Master Racius' description of the two girls accompanying Princess Zipporah sent Hikaru into a feeling of relief. It matched her two friends who she suspected also swallowed by the book. She immediately asked the mage where they are and went running to where they are.

She quickened her speed when she was near to the room where Master Racius said her friends were staying. "Umi! Fuu!" she called out the moment she stepped inside the room. Her two friends, surprised to hear Hikaru's familiar voice looked into her direction. A smile and relief curved into their face. Gladly, they stood up and went near Hikaru who was breathing heavily due to her running. "Thanks goodness! Both of you are okay!" Hikaru exclaimed after resuming her normal breathing. She hugged the two of them.

"We're so relieved to see you again, Hikaru!" Umi said after Hikaru let them go from her hug. "We're glad that you're safe."

"It must be the light that made you able to come here." Hikaru said. "I'm so sorry… because of me you were dragged here." She added with a gloomy face.

'Oh Hikaru, you don't have to be sorry. We were so worried; we decided to run to you and save you from that light that we thought as a danger, which is why we're here." Fuu assured Hikaru. Umi agreed with her which made Hikaru's guilty feelings to subside a little. "Don't worry; we can go back in the present once all of this is over… I believe that the book is only showing us everything that happened in the past." Hikaru and Umi nodded in agreement.

That night, Princess Zipporah decided to stay at the palace, still hoping her sister would change her decision. Umi and Fuu decided to stay at Hikaru's room. They fell asleep easily from exhaustion from the past events that happened too fast and too much for them to handle easily.

Inside Princess Zipporah's room, the princess couldn't sleep. She was thinking of what will become of Cephiro if her sister's wish is to be fulfilled and what she'd do after that. The princess lazily left her bed and went to sit at a nearby chair on her dresser not far from her bed and near her room's only window. She has a worried look on her face as she gazes at the scenery outside the window. As a pillar, she could feel how the whole of Cephiro is affected. It is unusually dark that night, there are lightning seen in the sky every once in a while followed by a loud thunder. The atmosphere is colder at night than she could remember and hotter at day. Several monsters appear on different places in Cephiro, especially at the villages where the residents lock themselves to avoid the danger of the monsters.

"I know it is not only because of my sister that all of these happen… I am as well is disturbed and so is the Cephirians… Oh Ziarah… I don't want the two of us to fight each other" she cried. She looked through the window and saw that that it was the thunder becoming louder. "Even if it takes with having to leave this land, I'll do every possible way to save Cephiro from farther destruction… If this is the destiny of Cephiro, of its people, of me and my sister, so be it. I have wish too and I'll fulfill that wish to save Cephiro..."

The princess silently went outside her room. Her heart filled with mixed feelings, she had decided to walk towards the path to save Cephiro and to fulfill her own wish...

My cousin thinks, I'm crazy because I love animes. I told her that I'm not. She's the one whose crazy because she loves cartoons and she's already twenty one years old!