Hikaru and Ascot entered the great amphitheatre located in the lower part of the place. The great meeting hall was filled with people of every race and region. They took a seat near the back, neither wanting to talk to anyone. Hikaru spotted many people, whom she recognized from her adventures, but no one whom she was particularly interested in seeing.

The two youths slumped down into their seats and directed their attention to Fuu, who appeared on the stage.

"Please take your seats and we will begin shortly," Fuu rummaged through the papers she had her presentation notes on. She had never told anyone this and she tried not to show it, but Fuu had terrible stage fright. She adjusted her glasses and began,

"I have called you together because as you all know, Cephiro is once again in trouble. Monsters run rampant across the countryside killing people and destroying towns and villages. When the final pillar of Cephiro (she was careful not to mention Hikaru by name), made her decision as to the extermination of the previous system of rule, she was not aware that such side effects would come into play."

Hikaru grunted from her seat, but no one seemed to notice. Her gaze caught Fuu for a moment, but the brunette jerked away from her stare and continued organizing her papers.

"We all know that this land is now being rightfully lead by the hearts of its people. Unfortunately, we also know that no human's soul can be utterly pure."

Memories of Emeraud and the madness she was driven to washed over every member of the congregation.

"The last pillar did not know the consequences of her actions, however, one of her predecessors did."

A murmur passed over the room.

"I have found and translated an ancient document giving accounts of Cephiro long before any of us were born. It states that when the cycle is broken and there is no longer a pillar, three young men must be located. They are to be the men with the strongest will in the country. The land will grant them magic and power and they will fulfill their calling as the Magic Guardians by protecting this realm from whatever plagues it, be it famine or invasion."

The people of Cephiro didn't even bother to hold back their conversations now. The room erupted with yelling and arguing.

"Isn't that asking the same thing that we hated about the pillar system, only from three people? Who and where are these guardians? How will we be able to tell when we find them and meet them? I don't understand, how could someone that old know of our future?" These were only some of the confused cries that rose from the room.

"Please calm down." Fuu said, still as levelheaded as ever. "I do not know who they are, where they are, or how we will recognize them, but I am asking everyone in Cephiro to join in the search for them."

A dark-skinned man with the wrinkles of many years embedded in his face stood up raising a crooked wooden staff. He was dressed in tattered robes of a fabric, which neither Hikaru or Fuu recognized.

"I have traveled from the far reaches of this country to represent the city of Garkon. It is said that we are on the edge of reality because of the misty hot springs that lie on the other side of a nearby mountain range. It used to be a romantic spot for star crossed lovers, but lately the hot springs have been generating an aura of evil, and that evil is growing. A shadow is gathering there, and I fear it is growing beyond the control of any of us."

Hikaru rubbed her eyes and looked at the old man. He seemed to be glowing but faintly. His figure was being surrounded by darkness. Suddenly…

**FLASH**

Where the old man had been standing, a tall slender pale-fleshed woman loomed over Hikaru, menacingly.

"I have come back, my beautiful darling daughter, and, soon, we will be together again," said the mysterious woman.

"Debonaire!?!?" Hikaru stared up at her old nemesis, horrified…

**FLASH**

"Hikaru, are you alright?" Hikaru turned to see Ascot looking at her with concern. She realized what had happened and frantically scoped out the room, but found nothing but an old man rambling on about his problems. She wiped the beads of sweat from her brow and turned back to Ascot, "I saw her, Ascot. She's come back."

"Who," Ascot leaned in closer.

Suddenly, Hikaru was interrupted, as the door to the meeting hall was flung open with a burst of air. Everyone turned to look at the two new arrivals. A strong but slender green-haired warrior entered the chamber closely followed by a young maiden with blue flowing locks. The duo went hastily to the stand, at which Fuu had been speaking to the crowd, and Fuu backed away sensing urgency.

Umi held her self tall and addressed the group, "This is one of the three, which we must locate to ensure the future of this land." She motioned towards Ferio, and the whole crowd stood up in applauding…