Wherever You Are

By Okami

Fatal_Lightning@TheVortex.com

Chapter 2

*****************Konnichiwa, my lovely readers! Gomen nasai a thousand times for the delayed updates! You all have been so, so nice, and I've been so, so lazy…. -_-;; I'm sorry, again! Arigato gozaimasu, and I hope you enjoy!**********************************************************

Lantis made his way through the castle, moving with quick, long strides, his black cloak billowing out behind him. In his urgency, he didn't notice the tall, slim figure several feet behind him, following him like a shadow.

Lantis reached the doors to the throne room and pushed them open without breaking stride. The tall young man who'd been following him waited until Lantis had gone into the room before approaching the doors himself.

"…….don't understand how he could have done this on his own." Clef was saying, "There are ways of course, but he hasn't been training long, and---"

"Clef, please calm down," A gentle female voice said. Presea. "I'm sure he's alright. We'll just send someone to Earth to find him."

The young man, listening on the other side of the door, raised his eyebrows in interest.

Earth?

"Yes," Clef said. "That's our best option. Lantis, I would like you to go…you may want to form a small party to accompany you, but remember to be very discreet. It would do the people of Cephiro no good to know their prince was missing."

"He's missing?"

Clef, Presea, and Lantis turned to see the blond haired, green eyed young man standing in the doorway, suddenly, looking shocked.

Lantis sighed.

"Eagle, how long were you listening?"

"Long enough." Eagle replied, a sheepish little smile on his face. Then his expression changed to one Lantis knew all too well.

"I want to go to Earth with you." Eagle said.

Lantis grinned a little and shook his head. He'd known that was coming. Clef and Presea traded exasperated looks.

"Eagle," Lantis said patiently. "Did you forget that you are the prince of Autozam? How would it look if you left your country in search of the prince of Cephiro in an entirely different country?"

"It would look very diplomatic of me." Eagle shot back triumphantly. "Besides, my father is still the President of Autozam. I'm not the ruler, yet, as Ferio is here."

As if being reminded of something, Clef started and looked at Lantis.

"Have you been able to contact Emeraude?"

Lantis shook his head. "I am afraid not. She and my brother were thought to be in Chizeta, but no one can find them. Everyone is still looking, though."

Clef sighed. "Alright. Gather a small group and prepare to leave as soon as possible. Everyone should meet here in an hour."

Lantis gave a short nod, and swept out of the room, with Eagle close at his heels.

"Lantis, please let me come with you." Eagle persisted, matching his steps with Lantis'.

"I cannot."

"You already know I'm coming whether you want me to or not." Eagle said stubbornly.

Lantis glanced at him sideways.

"I know."

Eagle smiled as Lantis sighed. After a moment, Lantis glanced at Eagle again.

"Why do you wish to go to Earth?"

Eagle was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was soft.

"It's a mysterious place, and I want to know more about it. I've heard that there are some parts of that world that are highly industrialized like Autozam, some that are rich in culture and tradition like Fahren, some that are small and friendly like Chizeta, and some that are beautiful countryside like Cephiro…." He smiled up at Lantis. "I wonder if there is magic there, too."

Lantis grinned slightly.

"You seem to know more about it than I do."

Eagle's golden eyes widened. "Haven't you ever wondered about it? About Earth and what it's like?"

Lantis shrugged. "I don't feel the need to. Everything I could ever want is here in Cephiro. This is my home." He glanced at his friend. "Do you think you'll finally find what you've been looking for on Earth?"

Eagle looked up sharply, surprised by Lantis' question. He started to say something, but Lantis gave him a knowing look. Eagle looked away again, deep in thought.

"I…I don't know." He said softly.

An hour later, Lantis returned to the throne room with Eagle, the swordsman LaFarga, and the summoner, Ascot. Clef nodded his approval when he saw them and motioned to Presea, who handed him his staff and stepped back again.

"Alright, everyone," Clef said in a serious tone. "You all know that finding Prince Ferio is our first priority, but I want you all to be extremely careful. We don't know what dangers lie in that world….now. Everyone close your eyes and concentrate…."

Clef closed his own eyes and raised his staff in the air…….

Hikaru Shidou shifted the bag of pastries in her arms as she walked along the street. She was on her way to meet her friends, Fuu and Umi, and was, as usual, in a cheerful mood. She hummed a song to herself as she turned into an alleyway, taking a shortcut. She never worried about being attacked or mugged, since her parents owned a Kendo school and she and her brothers trained everyday. She could take care of herself and was never afraid, but that didn't stop her from jumping a little when she suddenly heard a sound behind her. Hikaru stopped walking and listened. There it was again…a muffled sound.

"Hello?" She called, turning and walking in the direction of the sound. Suddenly, she gasped and dropped the bag of pastries on the ground. A guy, a few years older than her, lay sprawled among a pile of cardboard boxes and garbage. His strange costume was dirty and torn, and his face was bruised and there was a bleeding cut over one eye. Hikaru knelt beside him, reaching out a hand and touching one of his.

"Hey," She said softly, worry clouding her expression. "Are you okay?"

He opened his eyes a little, but didn't seem to see her.

"I…shouldn't….have left…." H murmured hoarsely, then lost consciousness again.

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-----Sorry it's so short! I'll be adding another chapter this week. ^_^V Be ready for some surprises!--------