"No passion so effectively robs the mind of all its powers of acting and rerasoning as fear"

Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

I've been gone for a long time. Now I'm back to continue this.

Chapter Fourteen

Aura, Clef and Umi and Gastonia

The silence was so deafening. Even a single drop of water, if there is, can be heard.

"Wake up."

Amidst the silence, she heard that voice. It was cold. It was scary. It was so deep. An echo follows each time she utter the words. Yet, she couldn't distinguish who owns the owner of the voice. Is it of woman's? Or a man's?

And then the silence was gone. It was swallowed by the evil laugh. And it was deafening.

"Who are you? Where are you? Where am I?" she asked but she couldn't open her eyes so she had no idea where she was. Was she surrounded by darkness just as she was surrounded by silence earlier? Is she dead?and she's in inferno? She couldn't fathom it. But there's one thing she's sure of. She is slowly being engulfed by her fear. What if she is indeed being surrounded by darkness?and she is alone? No... she is afraid of being alone...and she never considered herself as a fan of darkness. She needs to get out before she runs out of breath...Run! But she's afraid...She's dreading the moment she opens her eyes...What will she see?

No! She has to throw that thought away! She should be strong! She should never doubt her heart! It couldn't be! She couldn't be that weak!

"My God, I need help... I guess I wasn't strong enough...everyone...where are you?"

oOo

Presia, Ascot and Master Clef looked, surprised at Umi as she hastily entered Clef's study.

"Are you okay, Umi?" Presia asked.

"Yeah." she answered but her appearance said otherwise. She looked so worn-out that it's impossible to hide it anymore. " I hope you know what happened already"

Clef nodded. He was also troubled by everything that is happening. ''Everything is happening so fast. We couldn't act on it on time."

"We found Fuu in a nearby forest, west of the village, Viscon. Lantis left after that and I haven't seen him since. Oh, Clef! Fuu's till unconscious! I'm worried!"

"Umi, you should calm down. Fuu is in good condition when you found her. It is you who we should worry about. Look at yourself!" Master Clef told her.

"You can leave everything to us here for now. Please rest Umi. I can accompany you to your room." Ascot gestured to hold Umi's shoulder but the blue knight refrained from him. "I am fine. I can rest later. After Fuu wakes up and and Hikaru's found.

"We understand that you are worried about Hikaru's safety but Umi think of what their reactions will be if they discovers that you've been neglecting your body of what it needs the most! Come on, Umi!" Presia was trying to convince her. Her voice was a little note higher and she looked irritated of her stubbornness.

"That hardheaded girl! I just hope she's ok or else I'll punch her until she sleeps for a long time. That way, we won't be worrying for her like this! I should have known how stubborn she was! To think I even trusted her to take care of herself. She's not better off herself!" Umi busted in anger. She was so worried but there isn't anything she could do but wait!

"Umi..." Ascot could only mumble her name. Is there anything she could do to comfort her? It seems there is none...

"Master Clef... can you explain to us why Leodor won't hurt her?" Umi suddenly asked. The others were puzzled by her query. "You told us before, right after we came back from the "journey to the past" that Leodor won't be able to hurt 'cause he needs her. Why?"

"I've been asking that myself too... why? What does he need from her..." Master Clef started. "It seems all the answer could be traced back from that small war that erupted from Gastonia..."

"What do you mean?"

"That country is a land of Magic and everything is also a product of their will. They also have the kind of ruling system that is way different from our own Pillar System before. Their pillar has a free will to choose her own happiness. They are free to love and be married and share the responsibility to the spouse. But how do they choose their Pillar?" Master Clef paused before continuing. The others went still, waiting for him to talk. " It is the same as ours. The crown searches for the one who has the strongest will in the country. The next pillar doesn't necessarily has to be the children of the current pillar...The former Pillar Gastonia had two children. The older one was known as Leodor and the younger one was named Aura."

"You mean, Master Clef... that Leodor here and the one in that battleship is the same one?" Presia asked.

"Yes...When the crown chose Aura as its rightful owner, Leodor couldn't accept it...he was blinded by the power of the pillar it could give him...he formed an alliance against her own sister. Rumors were spread about the unfairness on the choosing of the pillar. Those ignorant ones chose to believe these rumors and it has put the land in turmoil. The Pillar has the strongest will, however, a great mass of will from the people against her was powerful enough to put the palace in chaos. Despite it, there is still no one that could hurt the pillar...no one in the country can hurt her. And maybe..."

"It is the reason why Leodor is here now! He learned of the confusion that is arising here. Who is the pillar of Cephiro? None. Because Hikaru was in another world! Am I right Master Clef?" Umi continued.

"But, Hikaru is the one recognized by the crown. How will Leodor convince it to be its owner?" Ascot spoke up before Master Clef could answer Umi's question.

"That remains a big mystery to me. But I have a feeling that he is thinking of using it against Aura..." Master Clef said.

"Aura..." They heard Umi whispered.

"Aura is Gastonia's princess remember?" Ascot reminded her. He thought Umi had forgotten it.

"I-I know..." Umi answered back. "but it sounds familiar...that name...that's it! It was the name of that beautiful woman in the mirror where "Master Clef" is talking to!" She was fully absorbed by her thoughts that she was already not aware of the curious looks her three companions in the room were giving her.

"Umi, speak up. What is on your mind? You seemed lost for a moment there..." Presia talked to the girl in a trance.

Master Clef could see the surge of different emotion that was being reflected on her face. At first, she looked lost, just as Presia said. But for a moment, she could see pain in her eyes.. then it was replaced by...

"Clef." For a moment, Umi looked down on the floor, hindering his view on her face. Then, suddenly, she looked up and looked at him directly in his eyes. Her eyes was cold and for a moment, he didn't know what to do.

"Is there any way we can do to contact her? The princess of Gastonia? She might be able to stop Leodor from his plans." Umi asked. There was a gleam of stubborn determination in her eyes saying, "answer me, or, else...".

It created questions in his mind. Is it possible that Umi knew there is something he is keeping from them? Something about his past? Impossible! No one knows about it, except his former teacher!

"Why? Shouldn't we be talking to Leodor instead of Aura?" Presia said.

"We, the Magic Knights won't just advance in a battle without knowing what it is really about." she started. "I know Fuu and Hikaru would agree to this. Since it is impossible for us to talk Leodor out of his plan, we should be better off asking Princess Aura. She should have responsibility on what is happening to us now. She did not succeed disciplining that brother of her. We might understand more if we ask Aura directly. And Hikaru is in Leodor's hand. If Hikaru is fully in her consciousness, I am sure she is now asking Leodor why he is here. Let's leave that task to her. We'll know it after we rescue her. So Clef, how do we talk with Princess Aura?"

Master Clef didn't know what to say. He felt like there is a big stone in his throat, stopping him to answer. How? The answer to that is already destroyed...and he doesn't want to talk nor see her anymore. That's the only way to forget her... But he couldn't tell this to Umi. She doesn't know and maybe, she won't understand.

If she only knows...

"Master Clef...?" he heard Presia's voice calling him.

"I don't know of anything that could let us communicate with her." he answered. He saw disbelief in Umi's face.

"I couldn't believe it! You should have a way! Just as there is a way we can communicate with Autozam, Fahren and Chizeta and to other planets! You are lying!" Umi accused him furiously. " Oh, Clef! I could kill you for lying to me! Why can there be no way? I've even saw you talk to her in that big mirror!" Umi thought but she couldn't reveal it to him and also tell everyone there about what she saw. How will she prove that? And for what reason?

"There really is no way, Umi. Gastonia is a very peaceful country before and they rarely let anyone contact them or get inside their barrier." Master Clef confirmed. "Go. Ask Lafarga and Lantis if you want."

"Damn you! And you think I'll believe you? Why do you have to hide her from us? Me? What's in your love affair?" Umi was so furious now. " I don't believe you!"

"Umi, I-" Master Clef started to say but someone talked before he could continue.

"Cut it out Umi." Ascot said. "Master Clef said there isn't so there isn't. Why can't you believe him? Is anything wrong with you?"

"All right. If we cannot contact them we'll go to them." Umi said to the amazement of everyone there. "And no one can stop me! Not even you, Clef! So, lend me something that I can ride on! But if you don't give me one, I'll just ask Zasu and Geo for help!"

"Umi... you really never know when to rest your case." Clef said, upset. "All right you can go there if you want but how about Cephiro?"

Umi smiled, her brows creased. "I am doing this for Cephiro. As I said, maybe she can help." she said.

"If that's the case, I will go with you." Ascot presented. "You can't stop me also, Umi." he added before she could protest. "I want to make sure, you'll be alright."

"Fine. But the castle will be short of guards." Umi said. She's trying to discourage him.

"No. Let him go with you." Master Clef Agreed. "That way, I would be less worried of you."

"Thank You." Ascot could only say.

"Geez!" Umi turned her back, to hide her blushing face. Somehow, it made her happy that Clef worries for her. But she was afraid of the time she swould be seeing Aura face to face... What is she to Clef and what is Clef to Aura?

oOo

Aura shifted her gaze from the book she's reading to the small crystalline ball in her side. It was creating a blinding light, enough to give light to her darkened prayer room. She was having her rest on that very room. The very room where shewas "imprisoned" for a few years now... Yes, a few years now... Her parents are now dead. And her only family was so far away from her...Where is he?

She is hurt. Because she is all alone. Recently, the only man he loved left her. "Left" is the word even though they've never been with each other for a long time...They promised to love each other even though they're apart... Their responsibilities were keeping them apart... Gastonian needed her and Clef was needed at Cephiro.

If only. If only.

If only, she wasn't chosen as the Pillar! She could go to him and his only brother won't leave her side. They could have been happy together without any worries. Oh! She couldn't stand it anymore!

She stood up from where she is sitting and approached the small crystalline ball...

Inside the ball, she could see outside of castle. The dark sky. And an unfamiliar ship.

Aura sighed. "Are they going to invade us now? Now that they know we are in turmoil?" she asked to no one in side the room. The crystalline ball is her window to the future. Not only through her prayers can she keep the peace in the country but through the ball that shows her of what will happen.

"I can feel this country slowly weakening. And even the powers vested on me won't keep this land any longer... if only I could restore what was lost..." Aura said as tears made its way through her rosy cheeks. She was a damsel in distress with no prince to save her...

"What should I do?" she had also asked that to her self many times before.

When she realized she was in love with Clef, she asked "What should I do?". When she was chosen as the Pillar and Clef was planning to return to his home planet, she asked herself, "What should I do?". When Leodor formed an alliance and rumors about her were spread, she asked herself, "What should I do?"...and now that everything is gonna be destroyed, she couldn't help asking her self again...

"What should I do?"

She is so confused. And Fear is slowly eating her...

end of chapter

Whoah...i hope some more people will appreciate this...goodbye...thanks for those who reads this... don't forget to give comments.

ABout the spellings and grammars, I'm planning to do something about it. don't worry.

Bye bye...

Hint: Umi decided without thinking...what will happen because of it? Poor Umi...she just jealous, you know but tries to ignore it....

truly yours,

zini-ya

I've been thinking how I'll write the next chapter...I haven't started it yet....