I want to know what is in my file. It is my file, yet I don't know where it is, and what is inside. My file is the basis for all levels of institutions and officials to judge, assess, and control me. If my file is lost, it means my disappearance in this society.
Mou Sen
Note: I'm just a fan of this anime.
Chapter Twelve
Lantis' Memory Came Back!
"We were back inside the Room of Ages." That was all Hikaru could say as she looked both at Umi and Fuu. "Everything happened so fast…"
"I agree with you… any way how can we get out of here? From what I could recall we haven't entered this room through a door!"
"I'm glad that you girls are alright." They heard Master Clef's voice behind them, Presea was there assisting his wavy walk.
"Master Clef! We already know everything!" they head Hikaru's joyful voice as she approach the weakened mage.
"What do you mean Hikaru?" Presea asked. Master Clef was already in his seat so there was no need for Presea to assist him.
"We have learned the reason how the Pillar System four before had started." Fuu's answer came. Umi remained silent and was still trying to avoid contacting Master Clef's eyes. She continued to listen as Hikaru and Fuu told them about their experience in the past through the old book, "Secret Chronicle of Cephiro".
On the other hand, Lantis arrived in the palace and went straight to Clef's study but he wasn't there, only Caldina and Ascot.
"Lantis! Where have you been? Don't you know that the palace has been attacked a few hours ago?" she said as an introduction. There was a hint of irritation in her voice but was trying to suppress it to avoid flaring Lantis' temper.
"I know but I couldn't go for a very important reason. Desma died just a while ago…" he started to say. A startled look came on Caldina's and Ascot's face.
"Oh, I apologize, Lantis… I didn't mean to…" that was all she could say.
"Cut it out Caldina, you don't have to apologize. Where are Master Clef and the Magic Knights, even Lafarga?" he said without any emotions on his face.
"Lafarga came to inspect the attacked village while Master Clef was in his room, resting..." Ascot answered him. "As for the magic knights… they're not here."
"What do you mean they're not here?" he asked, his voice rose a little bit but still in control.
"They've gone to some place… Maybe you have to ask Master Clef about that. He could explain well about it." Ascot just said, avoiding Lantis' eyes and from other questions he's sure he couldn't answer on his own.
Without even bidding goodbye, Lantis left to go to Master Clef. Ascot and Caldina was left there, surprised by the Magic Swordsman's strange behavior. "It was the first time I've heard him talk for a longer time than he did to us most of the time." Caldina told Ascot who nodded in agreement.
oOo
Presea, together with Hikaru, assisted Master Clef lay to his bed as another migraine attacked him a while ago which sent the Magic Knights in a jolt of worry.
"He's been too exhausted for the reason which I do not know and he won't tell me." Presea helplessly reported as if seeking any comfort they could give.
"Maybe, he has been thinking too much about the current danger Cephiro is facing." Presea added as Hikaru went near her and hugged her slightly.
"Danger?" the three Magic knights said at the same time. Their faces with alarm and confusion.
"A few hours ago, soldiers from that battleship from Gastonia arrived and attacked us. Some of the soldiers who weren't ready from the attack died." She told them with a grim look on her face. "I don't understand what their reason on doing that… Are they planning to invade us?"
"But you were able to defeat them, right?" Hikaru asked. "Where are Lafarga and the others? Were they hurt?"
"Lafarga wasn't here until now. Caldina and Ascot and the rest of the guards went to fight those monsters. As for Lantis, he isn't there. We've been trying to contact him but he didn't come for us." Presea answered.
"Lantis didn't come even though the palace was attacked?" Umi said, surprised at what Lantis' odd behavior. "I believe he has too much concern for Cephiro and protect it with his own life! How could he-" she said angrily and forgetting Hikaru was listening. She wouldn't have stopped if Fuu hadn't told her that Hikaru was almost near to tears, probably hurt by Umi's taunting words. "Oh… I didn't mean it, I- I was just angry that's all. Well, you know me when I'm angry…" she tried to explain but Hikaru just smiled at her.
"It's okay, Umi. I don't mind at all. Even I was questioning what he did." Hikaru guaranteed her friend that she was not angry at all.
"Ummm…" they heard Fuu was mumbling something. They looked at her, expecting to hear what she'll be saying. "May I excuse myself from here?" she said.
"Why, Fuu?" Umi asked worriedly. "Is there something wrong with you?"
"Oh no… I just want to go check on Ferio's condition that's all." She said, her cheek turned rosy under their teasing stares. "So, if you may…"
"Oh, I remembered, I have to talk to someone so I also need to leave." Umi said. She thought it was a good opportunity to escape from Master Clef's presence. Without letting anyone noticing the real reason of her leaving, she jogged beside Fuu and held her arms. "Let's go, Fuu." She said smiling and tugged at Fuu to follow her at the door.
When the door opened automatically, a bulk figure stood just outside the room. He was all clad in black, his violet orb directed at Hikaru.
"Lantis." Master Clef called out as he open his eyes. "It's you… What brought you here?" he said without trying to get himself up.
"Forgive me for disturbing your rest but important information is with me and needs to be known by all of us before it is late." He said.
"Important information? Is it about Gastonia?" Hikaru guessed, gathering all her courage to look directly at Lantis' eyes.
Lantis fully entered the room with Umi and Fuu giving way for him. "Yes, it is." He confirmed looking at Hikaru's eyes.
"I have learned that to control Cephiro is the real reason for Gastonia's battleship residing at our atmosphere." He said. Umi and Fuu totally forgot leaving the room, standing not far behind Lantis who is situated at the foot of Master Clef's bed. "It was Leodor, the Prince of Gastonia who is leading the army."
"But why? Is it because of the internal war happening inside the country just as what Lafarga has told us before?" Umi asked directly at Lantis. Lantis nodded.
"Lantis, how did you know all of this?" Master Clef asked.
There was a long pause before Lantis could answer. "It was Desma who told me everything. She was serving under Leodor's command."
Another long pause took place before one of them could speak. Presea and Master Clef, shocked at the painful truth upon knowing that someone from Cephiro could do it. Umi, Fuu and Hikaru looked into each other, their suspicion about the girl was proven.
"How could that happen? A Cephirian, willing to betray her mother country?" Presea said with a heavy heart, her right hands placed in her chest.
"She's not from Cephiro. She is a full-blooded Gastonian. One of the most powerful warrior in their planet but unfortunately… she died just a while ago, right after telling me everything I've told you." He said, his voice has a shade of sadness.
"Died?!" Presea said more shocked. Umi and Fuu gasped audibly while Hikaru could only look down, her eyes misted with tears.
"How? How did she died?" they heard Fuu asked. "Was it Ferio's fault? Did he fight with her too much?" she asked, her voice quivering, afraid of the guilt that will fall upon Ferio's cheerful disposition.
"You could say that but the true reason was…" Lantis voice faded, his eyes narrowed as though it was hard for him to continue. "It's a hard thing to do… explaining everything. When Leodor found out what Desma did to Hikaru… he was so angry he wanted her dead. She was able to escape though. She hid herself in her house, contacted me to come to her. She told me everything."
"But why would he kill her for hurting me? He should be glad instead because I was one of the Magic Knights!" Hikaru said almost to herself. She was starting to blame herself for Desma's unfortunate fate. "Why, Lantis? Tell me… I don't understand why he'd do that!"
"Because he needs Hikaru, am I right Lantis?" Master Clef interrupted. The rest of them looked at him. "Because of the power Hikaru possesses and of the crown which she rightfully owns." He even added.
"That is true. He couldn't have Gastonia all for himself because of her sister, Princess Aura, the full authority of the country. It was there that everything started. To have Gastonia, he is going to control Cephiro, to fight against his own country." Lantis said.
"What a cruel man! He truly is!" Umi said. "Hikaru, you have to be more careful. Leodor must not have you!"
"I know it, don't worry about me… I will take care of myself." Hikaru assured them.
oOo
Lantis watched as Hikaru stood under the tree where he usually takes his afternoon nap. Hikaru was not in her usual self lately. He knows because he has been following her since they went out of the room. She never smiled after she left her friends outside Master Clef's room and went straight outside the palace despite danger that awaits her.
Getting bored by it, he decided to approach Hikaru who was still oblivious of his strong presence. He stood at the right side of Hikaru. Hikaru felt him finally that she abruptly looked up at him. "Lantis…" he heard her said his name but didn't continue talking any farther. She looked down again but Lantis still caught a slight blush on her cheeks.
Without asking for her permission, Lantis took his seat beside the startled Hikaru who couldn't stop him from doing so. When he had taken his seat comfortably, he rested his back on the tree's strong trunks and didn't say anything even though Hikaru was looking at him strangely.
"What are you doing?" Hikaru asked Lantis who was probably planning to take a nap. "Why are you here? Don't you have anything important to do?" she continued asking when she received no reply from the silent swordsman.
Realizing he does not plan on talking with her but strangely napping beside her, she kept silent. In the arms of silence, she couldn't help but to blame herself again from what happened to Desma. Different images of her dying in Lantis' arms, covered with bruises and blood ties her throat in knot, she couldn't breathe!
"Are you okay?" she suddenly heard Lantis' voice and she couldn't help but to jerk away from him. "You're pale…" his eyes sparkled with something she couldn't comprehend. Is it concern?
"I'm fine. There's nothing for you to worry." She said not bothering to face him. Lantis didn't press on her and came back to his napping form. "Uhm… Lantis, are you sad?" she asked suddenly.
"Why do you ask?" he asked instead of answering her question.
"I was wondering what you felt now that Desma's gone… I'm worried for you. It was because of me that she died…" Hikaru said in a pained voice. "Maybe, you're angry with me, am I right?" she turned to him.
Lantis sit straight before speaking. "You mustn't blame yourself for something your not at fault…" he said. "Desma knew it will anger her master if she hurts you and yet she still did it. When Desma died she asked me to tell you she's asking forgiveness for hurting you…"
"Really? But I'm not angry with her anymore! I don't think I could still feel it especially now that she's gone…" she explained. "Lantis, how about you? Are you angry with me?"
"There's no reason I could be angry with you. You're so important to me, I can't think of hating you…" Finally, Lantis was able to say it. The sentence that could start a more intimate conversation between the two of them.
Hikaru looked at Lantis with questioning eyes. "I loved you Hikaru and I still love you." He said and watch Hikaru's eyes widened with surprise and unbelief.
"But you said before that you don't love me anymore in case you don't remember!" she informed him. "Don't kid with me Lantis, it would really hurt! And I'm not used with it!" Hikaru said with an angry tone. Her eyes were looking suspiciously at him. When she motioned to leave, Lantis quickly grabbed her hand to stop her.
"Please, let me go. I don't have time to believe everything you say!" she said trying to remove Lantis' strong hands holding her wrist. "Let me go, Lantis! She demanded when she failed removing Lantis' hands. But he only stared at her as if commanding her to stay. And she did. It was her heart who decided it…
"From what I remembered, I only said that I couldn't remember telling you that I loved you." He said softly as he finally let go of her hand. Hikaru couldn't say anything after that, realizing she has misinterpreted Lantis' statement because of being too emotional at that time.
"No! There's another that you have said! You said that you're not sure if you could still love even if you memory comes back! Isn't that a very painful statement?" Hikaru said as her face flushed out of desperation to get back at him. Lantis couldn't give any reason after that as silence took over between them.
"What I said before was just a possibility that could happen if I regain my lost memory." He said. But it only flared Hikaru's fiery temper. Without saying anything, she stood up and left Lantis.
"Oh! Please stop Lantis! Don't bother me again. I've been hurt enough by you. I can't take anymore heartbreak, I'd die this time!" she shouted helplessly at Lantis when she saw him came tailing after her. Umi and Fuu who were also looking for Hikaru heard this and hid themselves from the two quarrelling couple. They heard everything Hikaru and Lantis said and the two could only laugh at this.
"Hikaru, I'm not going to hurt you!" he said in front of her, oblivious with everything around him but Hikaru. "Listen to me, please." He begged for the first time in his life. "I've already recovered my lost memory!" he told her.
"What?" Hikaru asked, astounded. But her heart was rejoicing. Umi and Fuu covered their mouths to avoid the loud gasps that almost came audibly from them. They too, were surprised but overjoyed.
"I've regain my memory. And now, I've realized that I still love you… I'm sorry if I have hurt you but I promise not to do it again." Lantis said solemnly.
"Lantis… I don't know what to say. I'm very sorry also for being narrow minded!" Hikaru finally gave in and came to embrace Lantis which in turn the silent swordsman returned.
Deciding to leave them for privacy, Umi and Fuu left. Fuu decided to go and accompany Ferio in his rest and Umi went to Ascot who was having the most memorable time in his life with Umi.
oOo
Inside Gastonia's battleship…
"They think the Holy Deity will always be at their side?" Leodor laughed at this thought. The death of one of his most powerful fighter didn't even affect him! Everything he had planned is going on smoothly as it is!
Even without presence of anyone inside his throne room, he walked proudly like a successful king towards the large window across his royal seat where he could overlook clearly the entire palace. The structure of Cephiro's palace is indeed an amazing structure, much more beautiful and regal than the one they had in Gastonia. At the thought of Gastonia, Leodor's face turned red and his eyes narrowed, her mind was filled with evil thoughts.
"You are such an ambitious, young man! You're not the right person to hold the throne!" In his mind, he could still hear the king's angry voice repeatedly in his mind making him angrier. "Never will the crown choose someone as evil as you! For those that have the wickedest heart has the weakest heart, even weaker than the heart of the most coward being here in Gastonia!
"I will prove to you father, I'm strong! And I will someday become the most powerful of all!" he whispered angrily to himself. "Cephiro will be my gateway to have that position!" and he looked sharply at the proud standing palace of Cephiro…
Hay… I'm glad Hikaru and Lantis problem has been solved… But how about Umi's? Hmmm, who do you think should she choose to love? And how about Ferio and Fuu… their relationship is going on smooth surface, what if something bad happens on one of them? Next up on the remaining chapters!
