TL: *squeals* This is the last and final chappy! *claps and applauds self*
SR: -_-;;; She's pretty pathetic, isn't she? Praising herself and all.
TL: Well, you've gotta be proud of me! I mean, this IS afterall my first angst!
SR: *shakes finger* Noooo, this isn't your first angst. It's only part angst. The other part is romance, and angst is only the secondary genre.
TL: *pouts* Well, well, so? Anyway, the ending cannot be very surprising for some one you who took my hint in the last chapter. I don't think any one of will walk away happy, but, you know, I could be wrong.
SR: So, until after the chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Way Fate Meant It To Be
Chapter 7-What Love Can Destroy
Hikaru gasped. What did he mean this was exactly what he intended? He wanted a fight to the death? "Eagle of Autozam! You are a fool and craze, you know that, do you not?" she demanded sharply, although the waver in her voice showed that she was choking back tears.
It hurt to have Hikaru call him a fool and craze. Didn't she know that he was doing this for her? Didn't he know that he was doing this for the good of both of them? Didn't she understand? "I am not a fool or craze as you call me, Magic Knight. I am doing what I believe is right, and I shall not draw back."
Why was he so cold to her? Why can't he just simply call her by her name? Why did he have to act like a stranger? Was it because he was ashamed of what had happened that night? Or was he trying to put the past behind him? "Then I will fight you for as long as I need to, because I will not give up the Crown of the Pillar easily."
Eagle almost laughed. Once, he had thought that Hikaru was deep and profound, and now, she was being rather ignorant. Didn't she realize already that he couldn't be the Pillar anymore? He couldn't even find the Path now! He was doing it for both of them. "You're very ignorant, Magic Knight. You have not realized the truth yet." He laughed coldly and activated his shield. "Enough time wasted on words! A fight! To the death!"
Umi flew from her position behind Fuu to in front of Hikaru. If anyone needed protection right now, Hikaru did. "Hikaru! Stay in back of me! I'll take care of that foolish idiot who wants a fight to the death!"
"No! Umi-chan! Let me fight!" Hikaru pleaded. It was her fight too. Besides, she couldn't just stand and watch as her friends got bombarded with missiles.
"Hikaru-chan, you can't fight! You were just hurt! You can't go back into battle so fast!" Fuu warned, backing up Umi. She was worried, very worried, about Hikaru.
"I want to! I have to! This is a fight that involves all three of us!" Hikaru answered back. It was true, though. It was a fight for all of them.
"When you are done fighting over who should fight!" Eagle commented with a false bored sigh. The way he had planned it, they should be creaming him by now.
"Fine! Hikaru, as a friend, I highly disapprove of your choice, but I will respect it. Eagle, we will all be involved in this!" Umi shouted at him. She drew out her sword and stood ready.
"Then let the battle begin!" Eagle raised his arm and a row of tiny missiles shot up, whizzing past the Umi, headed straight to Hikaru.
Unlike many others, Hikaru had fast reflexes and was prepared for any unfair play. She dodged it with ease and set a Flame Arrow at him.
Eagle dodged the attack as well, and sent more missiles at Hikaru. He didn't know why he was sending them all at Hikaru ,because she was the one that he loved, but his hands just sort of directed him. These days, he noticed, he followed his feet, hands, and heart more than his brain. Was it an after effect of love?
Umi intercepted, and set her Water Dragon on Eagle.
It came as a blast to Eagle. Having stopped in his tracks for a moment to think, he moved a little to late, and so, it hit him. The FTO shook and shuddered, but it stayed intact. "I'm not as weak as you all think I am, Magic Knights! I am, Eagle of Autozam, and I will keep my promise to fight to the death!"
All at once, a Water Dragon and Flame Arrow came at him. He turned on his shield and stood perfectly safe while red and blue light blazed all around him. He decided to surprise all of them and sent a launcher on Umi.
"Umi-chan!" Hikaru yelled. She wanted to step between the oncoming missile, but her mashin wouldn't move.
Fuu acted fast and sent her Guardian Wind around Umi, shielding her from the deadly missile.
Eagle was actually quite glad that Fuu had protected Umi. Afterall, his intent was not to kill the girls, actually, his plan was quite the opposite.
Fuu glared angrily at Eagle and charged with a sword between both her hands. "This is for UMI!!"
Eagle raised his shield, but the sword was so strong with Fuu's feelings, that it cut through the metal and destroyed some of the FTO's mechanisms.
Good, it was going well. "I'm not destroyed yet! You think one sword stroke can destroy me? Then you're quite wrong! FTO, go!"
The FTO zoomed past Fuu, and was headed straight for Hikaru, who was lingering behind Umi's back. He slashed out at her, and it cut her left shoulder. He felt so guilty, hurting the one who had helped him so much, but he could not love get in the way anymore, especially not here. His plan must work, and in order for it to work, some sacrifices must be made.
Hikaru winced from the pain. Why was he doing this? It was so pointless and stupid! What was the point of fighting to the death? Nothing would be accomplished, and the numbers were against him. What has gotten into him?
"Hikaru-chan! Are you all right? Why, I'll get him...that, that idiot who wants a fight to the death!" Umi glared darkly at Eagle and rushed at him. "This one's for hurting Hikaru!"
"Wait! Umi-chan! Don't!" But it was too late. Umi could not be stopped now. Hikaru instinctively sent out another Flame Arrow.
Umi struck Eagle the same time the attack sent by Hikaru hit Eagle. So, Eagle received two blows at the same time. It was quite a shock to him, though he was preparing for something like this. His FTO's warning blared, and the noise pounded in his head. He suddenly felt dizzy and saw spots all over the place. He lost vision of the Magic Knights for a moment due to those spots, but it cleared. He was starting to weaken. Then, of all the time he least expected it, he had a coughing fit. Blood dripped from his mouth onto his lap. Oh well.
Hikaru wanted to reach out to Eagle and help him, but then, it would just reveal their secret, besides, she was supposed to act as his enemy right now. Still, she felt her stomach turn inside out when she saw Umi's forceful stroke and her own Flame Arrow touch her love at the same time.
"It's not over yet, girls!" Eagle screamed. He felt refreshed, after that attack, and something like bloodwrath overtook him. He had a lust for battle, something most unlike him. He charged right into the middle of the group of three Magic Knights.
Umi, Hikaru, and Fuu slashed out with their weapons reflexively, and Eagle felt his FTO shudder again. It was failing. It would be over soon...he must fight. "For Autozam and my FRIENDS!!!" he lashed out with his long sword like a wild beast. It was everywhere at the same time.
The girls had a hard time dodging it, but it was also easy for them to strike back at him. A sword stroke here, a magic attack there, it was all it took for the already heavily damaged FTO to fail.
Eagle knew that time had come. The FTO was shuddering violently, and it would not stop. The siren was louder than ever now, and half the lights had gone out. Some of the mechanisms had stopped working completely, and the missiles would not come out of the launcher. He was going to fail soon.
Eagle saw Hikaru raise her sword for a final attack. He went straight at it, for it was the only thing left to do.
The sword went through the FTO and him as easily as pie. He felt a hot, piercing pain. He wanted to scream, because white fire was consuming his whole body, but he had promised himself that he would not die screaming like a coward. He would die honorably, so he clamped his mouth shut.
"EAGLE!" Hikaru screamed. What had she done? She had just stabbed him! Good lord! The tears that she had been holding back for so long all spilled over the brim of her eyes, and a sob tore reluctantly through her throat.
Umi and Fuu stared at her. Wasn't Eagle their enemy? Then why was she so sad? Was there something that they missed?
"It's all right, Hikaru. I failed to complete my mission for my father, so, I destined this for myself. There's nothing you can do! I am a dying man, though my life has not been wasted completely. Good-bye and thank you for teaching such a lesson that I might not have learned! Father! I am here to be with you again!!" Eagle shouted. Funny, the pain was no longer there. The wound didn't hurt that much anymore. Instead, he felt incredible lightness. It was as if he was sitting on a cloud that was speeding to some paradise that one could only dream about. He lost the lustful look in his eyes, and they misted over. He closed his eyes, and they remained closed. His spirit was drifting away, and away, and away...he was going away and away and away...
"EAGLE!" Hikaru yelled again. She was truly crying now. She had killed him! She had killed him! Painful memories of Princess Emeraude came back to her. She had killed her too! She was not innocent, but a guilty, guilty girl! She had killed them! "EAGLE!"
But Eagle did not answer. The FTO started to fall, increasing its speed every milisecond. It fell to the ground with a sickening thud, then...it exploded...and with Eagle's lifeless body inside.
"EAGLE!" Hikaru yelled, over, and over, and over again. He couldn't be gone! He was just alive ten seconds ago! She urged her mashin to descend.
But Umi and Fuu stopped her. They held on to her arms as she struggled wildly in a crazed frenzy. "EAGLE! EAGLE! You can't do this!" her hoarse voice croaked. She groped blindly for her sword, though her arms were pinned against her. "EAAAAAAAAAGLE!"
Umi and Fuu looked at each other uncertainly. This was not Hikaru behavior. When Emeraude had been killed, she had just sobbed and moped, but now, she was in a wild frenzy, trying to kill herself! Then, it hit them. They knew why Hikaru was acting like this. She loved Eagle. It was as plain as day was not night. She loved him, and she was grieving.
Hikaru couldn't stop crying. Why did he did this...too himself and to her especially? Why? WHY?! "You're a fool Eagle, to have killed yourself!" She tried to relieve Umi's and Fuu's hard grip one last time and collapsed. She was too tired to go on, so she simply gave up.
Fuu caught her before she could fall. "Umi-chan! We need to get Hikaru-chan inside, fast!"
Umi nodded, determined. "You hold on to that side, and I'll hold on to this side!"
Hikaru had returned to her normal form. She was no longer in her Rayearth form. Rayearth had left her body when she collapsed, but Umi and Fuu both stayed in their Rune-God's forms.
*
The noise of the battle had brought everyone in Cephiro's castle to one of its side entrances. Clef, Presea, La Farga, Ascot, Lantis, Caldina, Mokona, Primera, and Ferio had all been watching as they battle worn on, and as Eagle killed himself, and as Hikaru screamed and collapsed.
From what he saw, Lantis knew that Hikaru's love no longer lay loyal to him. Eagle had worked his magic on her. She loved Eagle now, not him. Why, though? Was he too ugly, too old? Why?
Clef had a worried expression on his face. Now that Autozam's leader had been defeated, did that mean that Autozam's warship will leave Cephiro alone? But if so, then they still didn't have a new Pillar for Cephiro. However, he was more worried about Hikaru. He had become quite attached to her, actually, after her first visit. It wasn't love, definitely not, just a fatherly relationship.
*
Fuu was first to spot the others below. "Look, Umi-chan! Everyone's down there! They've all witnessed the fight!"
"What?! They were all watching? Well, it's good, though. At least we'll have help. Let's hurry. We've got to get her inside soon."
They landed safely in front of everyone, most of who's eyes were still wide in amazement.
Ascot rushed to Umi's side. "Are you quite all right, Umi-chan? I was really worried!"
Umi patted Ascot's head fondly. "I'm all right, though I'm not too sure about Hikaru. Help me get her to a spare room, quickly!"
Ferio came to Fuu's side. "Fuu-chan! Don't ever do that to me again, all right? I was worried to death!"
Fuu smiled with big, troubled eyes. "I'm perfectly fine, Ferio...though we really can't be sure about Hikaru-chan here. She just collapsed in midair. We have to get her some medical help."
Clef walked up to the girls. He bent down, though not very far, to examine Hikaru. She looked exhausted, and tear stains were noticeable on her pale cheeks. Her skin was deathly white, though she wasn't dead, and the nasty cut on her shoulder had somewhat ceased bleeding, although there was still a small trickle of blood running freely down her arm.
"I think she will be all right for now, but we must get her some rest very soon, or she will be in critical condition," he finally said after looking at her intently for another ten seconds.
Everyone heaved a big sigh of relief. They had all gotten all so used to their little group, that even if one of them was gone, they would not feel complete, or very secure.
Ascot and Ferio carried Hikaru back to her room, where Presea washed her shoulder and stopped the bleeding. Caldina mopped Hikaru's sweaty brows, which were still formed in a frown, with a washcloth. They had no idea when she would wake, but when she did, everyone had been asked not to question her too closely, or she would fall into melancholy.
***
Eventually, Hikaru did wake. She woke on the third day.
Her vision was foggy and unclear. At first, she thought it was Eagle standing over her. She remembered that first day, when there were beasts all over the place, and she had fainted then as well. Eagle was the first person she saw after she woke up, but this time, this person wasn't Eagle...and memories of the fight came back to her. She sat straight up and panted as if she had just run a mile without stopping.
Presea, who had been dozing in her chair awoke with a start, then her mouth curled into a delighted smile when she saw that Hikaru was awake. But her smile lessened when she saw that Hikaru was panting and that she was sitting as straight as a washboard, like she had bolted up from a nightmare. "Hikaru! Are you all right? You should not have done that! But I am glad that you are awake."
Hikaru just looked at Presea with large, childlike eyes...desolate and forlorn eyes that seemed to search Presea's for an answer as to why it had to be her...she, Hikaru Shidou, who had to go through it all. In reality, though, Hikaru would rather take all the pain herself and let others suffer with her, but she wanted to know WHY it had happened .WHY Eagle had wanted death to come to him...it didn't make any sense to her.
Presea stared back...she couldn't avoid those sad eyes. "I'm truly sorry...Hikaru." Then, she moved forward and hugged Hikaru tightly. Presea let her tears fall too. No, she wasn't sad because Eagle had killed himself. It certainly was tragic, but it wasn't the reason why she was crying. She was crying because Clef would never realize that someone loved him. He would always be in love with...Emeraude and Umi. He would never really see her, because she could never be as pretty as Umi or the late Princess Emeraude.
When they finally let go, Hikaru was shocked to see that Presea, too, was crying. "Presea! You're crying! Why? Are you sad over Eagle as well? But you barely knew him! Presea, what's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"It's-it's nothing, Hikaru. Don't worry about me. I-I'm fine. I'll be all right. It's you we should be worrying about," Presea said quickly, brushing the tears gently away from eyes.
"No, you're not fine, Presea, it's about Clef isn't it? I've seen the way you look at him, you love him, don't you, Presea?" Hikaru pressed. She didn't feel like discussing Eagle right now. It still hurt.
"Hikaru, worry about yourself. Besides, you don't know if that's true." Presea panicked. Did she know? Was it obvious now? If it was, then she would be like a fool.
"But I can't worry about myself, because there's everyone else to worry about! Presea, you can tell me what's bothering you, can't you?" Hikaru pleaded.
Presea hesitated before answering. Was Hikaru truly curious? Or was she trying to-no, she couldn't think this way about someone she cared about. It was wrong. Hikaru probably just wants to comfort..."All right, then, since you're so intent on knowing. But it's a secret. It's unrequited love."
Hikaru smiled for the first time in a long time. She loved secrets, and what's best, the secrets between true friends! For a few minutes, she forget the troubles of the past, and she could be a normal child. "I was right! You do love someone...and it's Clef I bet!" she said excitedly.
"But you can't be sure, now can you, Hikaru?" Presea smiled her secret smile and sealed her lips.
"You have to tell me though, Presea!"
"But why do you think it's Clef I like?" Presea asked. Maybe, if she was lucky, Hikaru would just be randomly guessing.
"Because, Presea! You're not the type to love someone who is already taken! You know that Ferio loves Fuu, Ascot loves Umi, and Lantis...well, he was taken by me, so who's left? And oh yes, you can't have a crush on La Farga because you're not interested in that type of men. The only available person left is Clef!"
"But others have already stolen Master Mage Clef's heart, Hikaru. According to your theory, then I can't love him either, because his heart's already taken by another!" Presea said. It was true, he loved Emeraude and Umi.
"Who?" Hikaru asked sharply.
"Why, Umi and Emeraude, of course!"
Hikaru's eyes widened in surprise. Clef? Umi? It was just impossible! "But Umi's too...well, young for him! Plus, how could he be in love with Princess Emeraude? Afterall, she is dead, and...he was her mage. He only loved her, because he respected her, and he was her servant, he didn't love her in the sense that he wanted to be with her forever!"
Somehow, Hikaru's explanation made Presea feel more secure, and gave her more hope that Clef was still available. "But what about Umi, Hikaru? He could love Umi, and he wouldn't have to be ashamed of it."
"Ahem." Someone in the hall cleared his throat. Presea whipped around before one could blink. Did someone hear their conversation?
"Lantis! What a wonderful surprise!" she said nervously. "How long have you been standing there?" she added suspiciously.
"Not much longer than perhaps five seconds, if you really must know, Presea. Plus, I wouldn't dream of eavesdropping," he replied courteously. "May I have a moment alone with Hikaru?"
"O-of course. I am sorry, Lantis." Presea bowed her head and glided out of the room. She wasn't too sure about leaving Hikaru alone with Lantis, but how could she not refuse? Besides, Lantis wasn't dangerous or anything, she shouldn't be doubting him.
"Hello, Lantis," Hikaru said, almost as nervous as Presea had been, though for a different reason.
"Good afternoon, Hikaru," Lantis replied the greeting with his normal, deep tone, though he felt a sharp pang of hurt in his heart.
"Won't you sit down?" she invited.
Lantis awkwardly placed his bottom on a nearby chair and cleared his throat again. "I'll just get to the point right away..."
Hikaru nodded. She knew what he was going to say, and she was preparing in her mind how to reply to it that moment.
"Hikaru...Eagle Vision of Autozam was my best friend, and will always remain my best friend even in death. I was watching the battle, I think everyone was, and I noticed your affection for him."
"Lant-" she began, but he cut her off before she could start ranting away.
"I watched Eagle and you closely...perhaps because I felt jealousy, during his time in this castle, and although neither of you showed it, I could see something in those eyes of both of you. I know, now, for a fact that you love him, not me, and I will certainly respect your wishes."
"I am glad you know, Lantis, but I must comment on one thing you have said. You mentioned that I do not love you anymore, that my heart belongs forever to Eagle. However, that is not true." She looked at Lantis.
Lantis childishly crossed his fingers in hope that she was going to say that she only loved him, and it was only pity for Eagle that she felt, not affection. But he knew it was too good to be true. Hikaru had a big heart. She would not say that she did not like Eagle.
"I love both you, and Eagle. I just discovered that. I have a special place for both of you in my heart, though none beats the other in any way." Hikaru didn't like lying. She didn't love Lantis anymore, and she knew that she shouldn't have lied. However, she didn't want to break his heart just then, so she had said what she said. Maybe, perhaps soon, she'll tell him the truth. Perhaps, she'll tell him that it was Eagle, whom she truly felt that she belonged to, not him, though he would always remain a friend.
"You do? But how can that be? In Cephiro, a person may only love one other. If they declare their love for one, then they must cherish that other person for the rest of their lives, unless if they denounce that fact, then they may choose another. How can you love two, Hikaru? Is that an exception on your planet?" he asked credulously.
"The people in my world may love and cherish as many people as one wants. There are no limits to love in our world. However, there are also different kinds of love. Brotherly love, the love that comes from friendship, motherly love, there are so many different kinds that it's hard to name them all. I love everyone else in this castle, but it is not that feeling for that of a lover's, but that of a friend's. You must understand that."
Lantis nodded. So did she love him as a friend, father, or lover? She had said she loved him, but never defined it as a specific type of love. He knew for a fact, though, that she truly loved Eagle. "Hikaru, what happens when two people truly love each other in your world? What do they do?" (A/N: This is a question taken from the manga! Nothing inappropriate!)
Hikaru was rather startled at the question. No one had asked her that before, and she wondered why Lantis wanted to know. "Well, there's something called marriage. You see, when two people get married, they sort of belong to each other. They vow to love each other and nothing but death can part them. They must accept each other as their soulmate, then they're married."
"So...would can you marry two people?" (A/N: That's another line taken from the manga!)
"No...unless there's a law that says you can, but most people don't marry several people at once. In my country, it is considered a great shame to marry more than one person at a time."
Lantis nodded slowly and pretended to understand what she was saying. "Would you marry Eagle if you could?"
"Yes...I suppose I would, but I can't be sure. We've only known each other for such a short time that it's nearly impossible to determine that right now. Why do you ask?"
"I'm just...curious, I guess. Well, that's all I wanted to know. Rest easy, Hikaru, and take care of yourself...Good-bye." Lantis got up. That was it. In an unknown way, Lantis and Hikaru had broken up without words. He knew that she was lying when she said she loved him as well. Hikaru was no the lying kind. She couldn't lie even if her life depended on it. He could read her face clearly when she said that she loved him. It certainly showed no love.
And Hikaru knew that he knew. She knew that it was a mistake that she lied, and she knew that he would know immediately that he would find out the truth. She stared sadly at Lantis, but didn't bother to comfort him, or even to hug him one last time. They would remain, she supposed, friends, but never again would they acknowledge each other with the respect that of a lover's. Her life was shattered. She had lost her true love in a stupid battle, and now, someone she had held so special before was lost forever. Eagle was lost...in the space of time. Now he was a person of the past, and Lantis, he was a thing of the past too. He no longer existed in her life. "Good-bye...Lantis."
And he shut the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TL: ^_^ Well, that's that! I decided to end where I was, because first, if I went on too long, the chapter would be like a runon sentence, no exact point, and the title would be just meaningless. Plus, the chapter was already far longer than I had anticipated.
SR: It's sort of a weird place to end, but some authors are like that in real life...so, your ending wasn't that bad.
TL: Arigatou! Anyway, comments and constructive criticism is always welcome! Please include them in your reviews. Also, don't add anything irrelevant in your reviews, because then there's no point in reviewing the fic! And if anyone would like a sequel, please write it in your review! Ja!
SR: -_-;;; She's pretty pathetic, isn't she? Praising herself and all.
TL: Well, you've gotta be proud of me! I mean, this IS afterall my first angst!
SR: *shakes finger* Noooo, this isn't your first angst. It's only part angst. The other part is romance, and angst is only the secondary genre.
TL: *pouts* Well, well, so? Anyway, the ending cannot be very surprising for some one you who took my hint in the last chapter. I don't think any one of will walk away happy, but, you know, I could be wrong.
SR: So, until after the chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Way Fate Meant It To Be
Chapter 7-What Love Can Destroy
Hikaru gasped. What did he mean this was exactly what he intended? He wanted a fight to the death? "Eagle of Autozam! You are a fool and craze, you know that, do you not?" she demanded sharply, although the waver in her voice showed that she was choking back tears.
It hurt to have Hikaru call him a fool and craze. Didn't she know that he was doing this for her? Didn't he know that he was doing this for the good of both of them? Didn't she understand? "I am not a fool or craze as you call me, Magic Knight. I am doing what I believe is right, and I shall not draw back."
Why was he so cold to her? Why can't he just simply call her by her name? Why did he have to act like a stranger? Was it because he was ashamed of what had happened that night? Or was he trying to put the past behind him? "Then I will fight you for as long as I need to, because I will not give up the Crown of the Pillar easily."
Eagle almost laughed. Once, he had thought that Hikaru was deep and profound, and now, she was being rather ignorant. Didn't she realize already that he couldn't be the Pillar anymore? He couldn't even find the Path now! He was doing it for both of them. "You're very ignorant, Magic Knight. You have not realized the truth yet." He laughed coldly and activated his shield. "Enough time wasted on words! A fight! To the death!"
Umi flew from her position behind Fuu to in front of Hikaru. If anyone needed protection right now, Hikaru did. "Hikaru! Stay in back of me! I'll take care of that foolish idiot who wants a fight to the death!"
"No! Umi-chan! Let me fight!" Hikaru pleaded. It was her fight too. Besides, she couldn't just stand and watch as her friends got bombarded with missiles.
"Hikaru-chan, you can't fight! You were just hurt! You can't go back into battle so fast!" Fuu warned, backing up Umi. She was worried, very worried, about Hikaru.
"I want to! I have to! This is a fight that involves all three of us!" Hikaru answered back. It was true, though. It was a fight for all of them.
"When you are done fighting over who should fight!" Eagle commented with a false bored sigh. The way he had planned it, they should be creaming him by now.
"Fine! Hikaru, as a friend, I highly disapprove of your choice, but I will respect it. Eagle, we will all be involved in this!" Umi shouted at him. She drew out her sword and stood ready.
"Then let the battle begin!" Eagle raised his arm and a row of tiny missiles shot up, whizzing past the Umi, headed straight to Hikaru.
Unlike many others, Hikaru had fast reflexes and was prepared for any unfair play. She dodged it with ease and set a Flame Arrow at him.
Eagle dodged the attack as well, and sent more missiles at Hikaru. He didn't know why he was sending them all at Hikaru ,because she was the one that he loved, but his hands just sort of directed him. These days, he noticed, he followed his feet, hands, and heart more than his brain. Was it an after effect of love?
Umi intercepted, and set her Water Dragon on Eagle.
It came as a blast to Eagle. Having stopped in his tracks for a moment to think, he moved a little to late, and so, it hit him. The FTO shook and shuddered, but it stayed intact. "I'm not as weak as you all think I am, Magic Knights! I am, Eagle of Autozam, and I will keep my promise to fight to the death!"
All at once, a Water Dragon and Flame Arrow came at him. He turned on his shield and stood perfectly safe while red and blue light blazed all around him. He decided to surprise all of them and sent a launcher on Umi.
"Umi-chan!" Hikaru yelled. She wanted to step between the oncoming missile, but her mashin wouldn't move.
Fuu acted fast and sent her Guardian Wind around Umi, shielding her from the deadly missile.
Eagle was actually quite glad that Fuu had protected Umi. Afterall, his intent was not to kill the girls, actually, his plan was quite the opposite.
Fuu glared angrily at Eagle and charged with a sword between both her hands. "This is for UMI!!"
Eagle raised his shield, but the sword was so strong with Fuu's feelings, that it cut through the metal and destroyed some of the FTO's mechanisms.
Good, it was going well. "I'm not destroyed yet! You think one sword stroke can destroy me? Then you're quite wrong! FTO, go!"
The FTO zoomed past Fuu, and was headed straight for Hikaru, who was lingering behind Umi's back. He slashed out at her, and it cut her left shoulder. He felt so guilty, hurting the one who had helped him so much, but he could not love get in the way anymore, especially not here. His plan must work, and in order for it to work, some sacrifices must be made.
Hikaru winced from the pain. Why was he doing this? It was so pointless and stupid! What was the point of fighting to the death? Nothing would be accomplished, and the numbers were against him. What has gotten into him?
"Hikaru-chan! Are you all right? Why, I'll get him...that, that idiot who wants a fight to the death!" Umi glared darkly at Eagle and rushed at him. "This one's for hurting Hikaru!"
"Wait! Umi-chan! Don't!" But it was too late. Umi could not be stopped now. Hikaru instinctively sent out another Flame Arrow.
Umi struck Eagle the same time the attack sent by Hikaru hit Eagle. So, Eagle received two blows at the same time. It was quite a shock to him, though he was preparing for something like this. His FTO's warning blared, and the noise pounded in his head. He suddenly felt dizzy and saw spots all over the place. He lost vision of the Magic Knights for a moment due to those spots, but it cleared. He was starting to weaken. Then, of all the time he least expected it, he had a coughing fit. Blood dripped from his mouth onto his lap. Oh well.
Hikaru wanted to reach out to Eagle and help him, but then, it would just reveal their secret, besides, she was supposed to act as his enemy right now. Still, she felt her stomach turn inside out when she saw Umi's forceful stroke and her own Flame Arrow touch her love at the same time.
"It's not over yet, girls!" Eagle screamed. He felt refreshed, after that attack, and something like bloodwrath overtook him. He had a lust for battle, something most unlike him. He charged right into the middle of the group of three Magic Knights.
Umi, Hikaru, and Fuu slashed out with their weapons reflexively, and Eagle felt his FTO shudder again. It was failing. It would be over soon...he must fight. "For Autozam and my FRIENDS!!!" he lashed out with his long sword like a wild beast. It was everywhere at the same time.
The girls had a hard time dodging it, but it was also easy for them to strike back at him. A sword stroke here, a magic attack there, it was all it took for the already heavily damaged FTO to fail.
Eagle knew that time had come. The FTO was shuddering violently, and it would not stop. The siren was louder than ever now, and half the lights had gone out. Some of the mechanisms had stopped working completely, and the missiles would not come out of the launcher. He was going to fail soon.
Eagle saw Hikaru raise her sword for a final attack. He went straight at it, for it was the only thing left to do.
The sword went through the FTO and him as easily as pie. He felt a hot, piercing pain. He wanted to scream, because white fire was consuming his whole body, but he had promised himself that he would not die screaming like a coward. He would die honorably, so he clamped his mouth shut.
"EAGLE!" Hikaru screamed. What had she done? She had just stabbed him! Good lord! The tears that she had been holding back for so long all spilled over the brim of her eyes, and a sob tore reluctantly through her throat.
Umi and Fuu stared at her. Wasn't Eagle their enemy? Then why was she so sad? Was there something that they missed?
"It's all right, Hikaru. I failed to complete my mission for my father, so, I destined this for myself. There's nothing you can do! I am a dying man, though my life has not been wasted completely. Good-bye and thank you for teaching such a lesson that I might not have learned! Father! I am here to be with you again!!" Eagle shouted. Funny, the pain was no longer there. The wound didn't hurt that much anymore. Instead, he felt incredible lightness. It was as if he was sitting on a cloud that was speeding to some paradise that one could only dream about. He lost the lustful look in his eyes, and they misted over. He closed his eyes, and they remained closed. His spirit was drifting away, and away, and away...he was going away and away and away...
"EAGLE!" Hikaru yelled again. She was truly crying now. She had killed him! She had killed him! Painful memories of Princess Emeraude came back to her. She had killed her too! She was not innocent, but a guilty, guilty girl! She had killed them! "EAGLE!"
But Eagle did not answer. The FTO started to fall, increasing its speed every milisecond. It fell to the ground with a sickening thud, then...it exploded...and with Eagle's lifeless body inside.
"EAGLE!" Hikaru yelled, over, and over, and over again. He couldn't be gone! He was just alive ten seconds ago! She urged her mashin to descend.
But Umi and Fuu stopped her. They held on to her arms as she struggled wildly in a crazed frenzy. "EAGLE! EAGLE! You can't do this!" her hoarse voice croaked. She groped blindly for her sword, though her arms were pinned against her. "EAAAAAAAAAGLE!"
Umi and Fuu looked at each other uncertainly. This was not Hikaru behavior. When Emeraude had been killed, she had just sobbed and moped, but now, she was in a wild frenzy, trying to kill herself! Then, it hit them. They knew why Hikaru was acting like this. She loved Eagle. It was as plain as day was not night. She loved him, and she was grieving.
Hikaru couldn't stop crying. Why did he did this...too himself and to her especially? Why? WHY?! "You're a fool Eagle, to have killed yourself!" She tried to relieve Umi's and Fuu's hard grip one last time and collapsed. She was too tired to go on, so she simply gave up.
Fuu caught her before she could fall. "Umi-chan! We need to get Hikaru-chan inside, fast!"
Umi nodded, determined. "You hold on to that side, and I'll hold on to this side!"
Hikaru had returned to her normal form. She was no longer in her Rayearth form. Rayearth had left her body when she collapsed, but Umi and Fuu both stayed in their Rune-God's forms.
*
The noise of the battle had brought everyone in Cephiro's castle to one of its side entrances. Clef, Presea, La Farga, Ascot, Lantis, Caldina, Mokona, Primera, and Ferio had all been watching as they battle worn on, and as Eagle killed himself, and as Hikaru screamed and collapsed.
From what he saw, Lantis knew that Hikaru's love no longer lay loyal to him. Eagle had worked his magic on her. She loved Eagle now, not him. Why, though? Was he too ugly, too old? Why?
Clef had a worried expression on his face. Now that Autozam's leader had been defeated, did that mean that Autozam's warship will leave Cephiro alone? But if so, then they still didn't have a new Pillar for Cephiro. However, he was more worried about Hikaru. He had become quite attached to her, actually, after her first visit. It wasn't love, definitely not, just a fatherly relationship.
*
Fuu was first to spot the others below. "Look, Umi-chan! Everyone's down there! They've all witnessed the fight!"
"What?! They were all watching? Well, it's good, though. At least we'll have help. Let's hurry. We've got to get her inside soon."
They landed safely in front of everyone, most of who's eyes were still wide in amazement.
Ascot rushed to Umi's side. "Are you quite all right, Umi-chan? I was really worried!"
Umi patted Ascot's head fondly. "I'm all right, though I'm not too sure about Hikaru. Help me get her to a spare room, quickly!"
Ferio came to Fuu's side. "Fuu-chan! Don't ever do that to me again, all right? I was worried to death!"
Fuu smiled with big, troubled eyes. "I'm perfectly fine, Ferio...though we really can't be sure about Hikaru-chan here. She just collapsed in midair. We have to get her some medical help."
Clef walked up to the girls. He bent down, though not very far, to examine Hikaru. She looked exhausted, and tear stains were noticeable on her pale cheeks. Her skin was deathly white, though she wasn't dead, and the nasty cut on her shoulder had somewhat ceased bleeding, although there was still a small trickle of blood running freely down her arm.
"I think she will be all right for now, but we must get her some rest very soon, or she will be in critical condition," he finally said after looking at her intently for another ten seconds.
Everyone heaved a big sigh of relief. They had all gotten all so used to their little group, that even if one of them was gone, they would not feel complete, or very secure.
Ascot and Ferio carried Hikaru back to her room, where Presea washed her shoulder and stopped the bleeding. Caldina mopped Hikaru's sweaty brows, which were still formed in a frown, with a washcloth. They had no idea when she would wake, but when she did, everyone had been asked not to question her too closely, or she would fall into melancholy.
***
Eventually, Hikaru did wake. She woke on the third day.
Her vision was foggy and unclear. At first, she thought it was Eagle standing over her. She remembered that first day, when there were beasts all over the place, and she had fainted then as well. Eagle was the first person she saw after she woke up, but this time, this person wasn't Eagle...and memories of the fight came back to her. She sat straight up and panted as if she had just run a mile without stopping.
Presea, who had been dozing in her chair awoke with a start, then her mouth curled into a delighted smile when she saw that Hikaru was awake. But her smile lessened when she saw that Hikaru was panting and that she was sitting as straight as a washboard, like she had bolted up from a nightmare. "Hikaru! Are you all right? You should not have done that! But I am glad that you are awake."
Hikaru just looked at Presea with large, childlike eyes...desolate and forlorn eyes that seemed to search Presea's for an answer as to why it had to be her...she, Hikaru Shidou, who had to go through it all. In reality, though, Hikaru would rather take all the pain herself and let others suffer with her, but she wanted to know WHY it had happened .WHY Eagle had wanted death to come to him...it didn't make any sense to her.
Presea stared back...she couldn't avoid those sad eyes. "I'm truly sorry...Hikaru." Then, she moved forward and hugged Hikaru tightly. Presea let her tears fall too. No, she wasn't sad because Eagle had killed himself. It certainly was tragic, but it wasn't the reason why she was crying. She was crying because Clef would never realize that someone loved him. He would always be in love with...Emeraude and Umi. He would never really see her, because she could never be as pretty as Umi or the late Princess Emeraude.
When they finally let go, Hikaru was shocked to see that Presea, too, was crying. "Presea! You're crying! Why? Are you sad over Eagle as well? But you barely knew him! Presea, what's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"It's-it's nothing, Hikaru. Don't worry about me. I-I'm fine. I'll be all right. It's you we should be worrying about," Presea said quickly, brushing the tears gently away from eyes.
"No, you're not fine, Presea, it's about Clef isn't it? I've seen the way you look at him, you love him, don't you, Presea?" Hikaru pressed. She didn't feel like discussing Eagle right now. It still hurt.
"Hikaru, worry about yourself. Besides, you don't know if that's true." Presea panicked. Did she know? Was it obvious now? If it was, then she would be like a fool.
"But I can't worry about myself, because there's everyone else to worry about! Presea, you can tell me what's bothering you, can't you?" Hikaru pleaded.
Presea hesitated before answering. Was Hikaru truly curious? Or was she trying to-no, she couldn't think this way about someone she cared about. It was wrong. Hikaru probably just wants to comfort..."All right, then, since you're so intent on knowing. But it's a secret. It's unrequited love."
Hikaru smiled for the first time in a long time. She loved secrets, and what's best, the secrets between true friends! For a few minutes, she forget the troubles of the past, and she could be a normal child. "I was right! You do love someone...and it's Clef I bet!" she said excitedly.
"But you can't be sure, now can you, Hikaru?" Presea smiled her secret smile and sealed her lips.
"You have to tell me though, Presea!"
"But why do you think it's Clef I like?" Presea asked. Maybe, if she was lucky, Hikaru would just be randomly guessing.
"Because, Presea! You're not the type to love someone who is already taken! You know that Ferio loves Fuu, Ascot loves Umi, and Lantis...well, he was taken by me, so who's left? And oh yes, you can't have a crush on La Farga because you're not interested in that type of men. The only available person left is Clef!"
"But others have already stolen Master Mage Clef's heart, Hikaru. According to your theory, then I can't love him either, because his heart's already taken by another!" Presea said. It was true, he loved Emeraude and Umi.
"Who?" Hikaru asked sharply.
"Why, Umi and Emeraude, of course!"
Hikaru's eyes widened in surprise. Clef? Umi? It was just impossible! "But Umi's too...well, young for him! Plus, how could he be in love with Princess Emeraude? Afterall, she is dead, and...he was her mage. He only loved her, because he respected her, and he was her servant, he didn't love her in the sense that he wanted to be with her forever!"
Somehow, Hikaru's explanation made Presea feel more secure, and gave her more hope that Clef was still available. "But what about Umi, Hikaru? He could love Umi, and he wouldn't have to be ashamed of it."
"Ahem." Someone in the hall cleared his throat. Presea whipped around before one could blink. Did someone hear their conversation?
"Lantis! What a wonderful surprise!" she said nervously. "How long have you been standing there?" she added suspiciously.
"Not much longer than perhaps five seconds, if you really must know, Presea. Plus, I wouldn't dream of eavesdropping," he replied courteously. "May I have a moment alone with Hikaru?"
"O-of course. I am sorry, Lantis." Presea bowed her head and glided out of the room. She wasn't too sure about leaving Hikaru alone with Lantis, but how could she not refuse? Besides, Lantis wasn't dangerous or anything, she shouldn't be doubting him.
"Hello, Lantis," Hikaru said, almost as nervous as Presea had been, though for a different reason.
"Good afternoon, Hikaru," Lantis replied the greeting with his normal, deep tone, though he felt a sharp pang of hurt in his heart.
"Won't you sit down?" she invited.
Lantis awkwardly placed his bottom on a nearby chair and cleared his throat again. "I'll just get to the point right away..."
Hikaru nodded. She knew what he was going to say, and she was preparing in her mind how to reply to it that moment.
"Hikaru...Eagle Vision of Autozam was my best friend, and will always remain my best friend even in death. I was watching the battle, I think everyone was, and I noticed your affection for him."
"Lant-" she began, but he cut her off before she could start ranting away.
"I watched Eagle and you closely...perhaps because I felt jealousy, during his time in this castle, and although neither of you showed it, I could see something in those eyes of both of you. I know, now, for a fact that you love him, not me, and I will certainly respect your wishes."
"I am glad you know, Lantis, but I must comment on one thing you have said. You mentioned that I do not love you anymore, that my heart belongs forever to Eagle. However, that is not true." She looked at Lantis.
Lantis childishly crossed his fingers in hope that she was going to say that she only loved him, and it was only pity for Eagle that she felt, not affection. But he knew it was too good to be true. Hikaru had a big heart. She would not say that she did not like Eagle.
"I love both you, and Eagle. I just discovered that. I have a special place for both of you in my heart, though none beats the other in any way." Hikaru didn't like lying. She didn't love Lantis anymore, and she knew that she shouldn't have lied. However, she didn't want to break his heart just then, so she had said what she said. Maybe, perhaps soon, she'll tell him the truth. Perhaps, she'll tell him that it was Eagle, whom she truly felt that she belonged to, not him, though he would always remain a friend.
"You do? But how can that be? In Cephiro, a person may only love one other. If they declare their love for one, then they must cherish that other person for the rest of their lives, unless if they denounce that fact, then they may choose another. How can you love two, Hikaru? Is that an exception on your planet?" he asked credulously.
"The people in my world may love and cherish as many people as one wants. There are no limits to love in our world. However, there are also different kinds of love. Brotherly love, the love that comes from friendship, motherly love, there are so many different kinds that it's hard to name them all. I love everyone else in this castle, but it is not that feeling for that of a lover's, but that of a friend's. You must understand that."
Lantis nodded. So did she love him as a friend, father, or lover? She had said she loved him, but never defined it as a specific type of love. He knew for a fact, though, that she truly loved Eagle. "Hikaru, what happens when two people truly love each other in your world? What do they do?" (A/N: This is a question taken from the manga! Nothing inappropriate!)
Hikaru was rather startled at the question. No one had asked her that before, and she wondered why Lantis wanted to know. "Well, there's something called marriage. You see, when two people get married, they sort of belong to each other. They vow to love each other and nothing but death can part them. They must accept each other as their soulmate, then they're married."
"So...would can you marry two people?" (A/N: That's another line taken from the manga!)
"No...unless there's a law that says you can, but most people don't marry several people at once. In my country, it is considered a great shame to marry more than one person at a time."
Lantis nodded slowly and pretended to understand what she was saying. "Would you marry Eagle if you could?"
"Yes...I suppose I would, but I can't be sure. We've only known each other for such a short time that it's nearly impossible to determine that right now. Why do you ask?"
"I'm just...curious, I guess. Well, that's all I wanted to know. Rest easy, Hikaru, and take care of yourself...Good-bye." Lantis got up. That was it. In an unknown way, Lantis and Hikaru had broken up without words. He knew that she was lying when she said she loved him as well. Hikaru was no the lying kind. She couldn't lie even if her life depended on it. He could read her face clearly when she said that she loved him. It certainly showed no love.
And Hikaru knew that he knew. She knew that it was a mistake that she lied, and she knew that he would know immediately that he would find out the truth. She stared sadly at Lantis, but didn't bother to comfort him, or even to hug him one last time. They would remain, she supposed, friends, but never again would they acknowledge each other with the respect that of a lover's. Her life was shattered. She had lost her true love in a stupid battle, and now, someone she had held so special before was lost forever. Eagle was lost...in the space of time. Now he was a person of the past, and Lantis, he was a thing of the past too. He no longer existed in her life. "Good-bye...Lantis."
And he shut the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TL: ^_^ Well, that's that! I decided to end where I was, because first, if I went on too long, the chapter would be like a runon sentence, no exact point, and the title would be just meaningless. Plus, the chapter was already far longer than I had anticipated.
SR: It's sort of a weird place to end, but some authors are like that in real life...so, your ending wasn't that bad.
TL: Arigatou! Anyway, comments and constructive criticism is always welcome! Please include them in your reviews. Also, don't add anything irrelevant in your reviews, because then there's no point in reviewing the fic! And if anyone would like a sequel, please write it in your review! Ja!