Chapter 13

The three girls from another world continued on their journey to revive the remaining Rune-God, with Mokona as their guide. They were so proud of themselves and thought they had made good progress thus far. Just one step away from becoming true magic knights. They hoped that there wouldn't be any more delays. That was beginning to get old. They glanced at the sky, and noticed how dark and gloomy it looked. They stopped to rest for a minute.

"What's the matter, Hikaru? What's on your mind?" asked Umi, noticing Hikaru's grim expression.

"I was just thinking about how beautiful the sky used to be when we first came here. Now it is so dreary looking," said Hikaru.

"Yes, I have noticed that as well," said Fuu.

"Yes. It used to be so lovely," Umi agreed. Suddenly, she felt angry. She knew why the weather had become so horrid...at least she thought she knew.

"This is all Zagato's fault!" shouted Umi.

Fuu and Hikaru were startled by Umi's outburst. They wondered what could have brought this on since she had been keeping her cool earlier.

"It is all because he kidnapped Princess Emeraude, turned Clef into stone and sent his cronies to do his dirty work for him! He's a real jerk! Wait till I get my hands on him!" vented Umi, balling her hands into fists.

"Calm down, Miss Umi. Such vehemence won't help," said Fuu.

"Yeah. Remember that we are not strong enough to defeat him yet," Hikaru reminded Umi. Secretly she didn't want to fight him, but she didn't want the girls to know that. Not with Umi this angry.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Umi begrudgingly. She was still angry about it, though.

Hikaru thought about what Caldina had told her and the other girls about Zagato possessing something more valuable than Cephiro. She was curious to know what this thing was. She decided that she would ask him the next time she and her friends crossed paths with him, which was guaranteed. Maybe she and the other girls could try reasoning with him. She knew that Umi wouldn't go for that, but she felt that convincing her and Fuu was worth a try. She really didn't want to do something that she would regret later. If there was good in Ascot, Caldina and Lafarga, then surely there must be good in Zagato as well.

Mokona hopped into Umi's arms. His forehead started to glow.

"Look, Mokona's forehead," said Umi.

The beam from Mokona's forehead projected an image of Mage Clef.

"Clef, how are you?" asked Hikaru.

"Are you all right, Mr. Clef?" asked Fuu.

Mage Clef didn't answer. His facial expression was stone-gray.

"Mr. Clef, what's the matter?" asked Fuu, worried.

"I believe that this is the last time I will communicate with you. I cannot suppress Zagato's magic any longer," said the trapped Mage Clef.

"You cannot give up!" said Hikaru. She had a tremendous amount of faith in him.

"Cephiro is continuing to crumble. Please hurry and become magic knights. I fear that before you are able to become true magic knights, Cephiro will crumble and you will be eradicated from this world," said Mage Clef.

The three girls didn't like the sound of that.

"Crumble?" repeated Umi. This made her even more angry at Zagato as well as more determined to become a magic knight. If the world crumbled before she and her friends were able to return to Tokyo, she would never forgive him.

"Eradicated?" asked Fuu.

"Young girls from another world...I have one last thing to tell you. The fire shrine is located..." began Mage Clef. Before he was able to finish his sentence, he disappeared.

"Clef, don't go!" said Hikaru. Though she herself was a bit angry with Zagato for the pain he caused, she was willing to forgive him. She vowed to find out his true motives after she revived the final Rune-God.

"Let's go, you guys," said Hikaru. She and her best friends went on their way.

In the castle, Princess Emeraude was still trying to reason with Zagato. As usual, his heart was unyielding, but seeing her in tears was almost too much for him. He clenched his fist and left the water dungeon.

Inouva entered the throne room, and bowed respectfully.

"What is the condition of Princess Emeraude?" asked Inouva.

"Exactly the same. Her heart has not wavered since the battle first began. Her tears have not stopped for a single moment," answered Zagato.

Inouva somewhat admired the princess' strong will, even though her objectives were different. He beseeched Zagato to give him one last chance to defeat the magic knights, but in his true form this time. He desperately wanted to repay Zagato for keeping him by his side, even if it was only because he was a gift from Princess Emeraude.

Zagato had his doubts about this. Inouva was not ordinary, but a creature with the highest magical powers. He reminded his servant that if he reverted to that form, it would be impossible for him to return to human form.

"I understand that, my lord. But this one chance is all I need," said Inouva.

There was one thing that puzzled the high priest. It seemed like Inouva was willing to sacrifice himself to defeat the magic knights. None of his servants with the exception of Dinah had such extensive loyalty to him before when it came to making him happy. He wondered what motivated Inouva's devotion.

"Why is it that you devote myself to me?" he asked.

"I have seen you beside the princess all this time, and I have seen you reveal your emotions to her as well. Cephiro is the land of the will, so there is no chance that your wish will not come true," said the second-in-command.

"You believe that, even if it is an evil wish that will destroy everything of value in Cephiro?" asked Zagato.

"Let them call you evil. It does not matter to me. I just want you to achieve your goal," said Inouva.

Zagato finally relented, and changed Inouva back into his original form, a wolf-like creature with a gem on his forehead. The cape he had been wearing in his human form came off. Inouva disappeared, and went to hunt the magic knights down. He stood on the edge of a cliff, waiting for them to fall into his trap. 'Those silly little girls will not be so lucky this time,' he thought.