Impossible Decisions
Ch. 5: Rise Again, Pillar
Hikaru felt a wave of nausea pass through her body as soon as the words escaped the messengers lips. The teenage girl brought her hand up to her mouth and gasped for air. Her mind ran through the scenes she had seen in Kiata, and she could only imagine what other city had been destroyed.
Guru Clef arose abruptly and he demanded, "What?!? Which town?"
The young boy gulped, "The small town of Jeik on the outskirts of the Forest of Silence."
Presea, who had been still with shock, dropped her fork and blinked numbly. "Jeik… Jeik… Another one…?"
Clef waved his hand, motioning for the young messenger to leave. The boy bowed and obeyed the Guru's orders, quickly scurrying off to tell his friends the news. The violet haired Guru slowly sat down and closed his eyes, folding his hands in front of him. "I don't believe this. Cephiro should be protected from these creatures. It makes no sense!"
Aska had been sitting quietly, as shocked as everyone else. She suddenly looked up and spoke out in a clear, official voice, "We have a question."
Clef slowly turned to Aska, as if he just realized that he wasn't in the room alone. "Lady?"
"We must know if the Pillar system is still broken."
"Yes, it is. The people control this world."
"But stronger wills still prevail, yes?"
The Guru nodded, "Of course. Hikaru's will is the strongest, followed by Eagle's."
"We wonder if there is an evil man. We are curious to know if a strong willed, evil man could do evil things on this planet. Such as releasing monsters on an innocent town."
Everyone, including Sanyun and Old One stared at Aska in surprise. Clef quietly let this idea sink in. "I-I suppose. Yes, it is possible. Especially if the strongest wills were distracted by something. If they were disturbed." He gave a quick glance in Hikaru and Eagle's direction, as if trying to tell them something. "But even if they weren't, yes, a being with a wicked, yet determined, will could do these things. But there is no reason for them too."
"You are wrong, Guru. We, Chizeta, and Autozam had motives. There is no reason other planet's wouldn't. Now they know they can control this planet, whether the Creator chooses them or not," replied Aska, rather matter-of-factly.
Clef stroked his chin. "Yes, yes, that's true. But someone would have surely noticed them."
"Unless wills were disturbed, yes." Aska seemed rather calm, as she had started eating again. She continued to talk in a commanding voice, one of confidence and wisdom. "And I have noticed that not all of our strongest warriors are at peace."
Clef shifted uncomfortably, as did many others at the table. "Well, I suppose that could be true…"
"No. Not could. Is. Warriors are disturbed, and like a Fahren samurai that is in love with a whore, I sense that love is a great factor in the anxiety of everyone's soul." Aska sipped her tea. "Am I right, Old One?"
Old one, who had been watching Aska in silent awe, suddenly snapped to attention. "You are correct, Lady Aska! And Samurai warriors must never find themselves disturbed in the midst of a war. Which is why I suggest, Lady, that we offer Fahren's alliance against this villain."
"Do not talk with such valiance, Old One. We need not offer our alliance." The Lady smirked, "It was granted the day we chose to fight Autozam. Are we correct?"
Old One nodded, although a bit hurt from the first remark. "Of course, Lady, of course."
Eagle added to the conversation. "And of course, as I promised the Princess of Cephiro, this is one war where Autozam will only be an ally." Geo and Zazu looked at Eagle admiringly, as they knew what a formidable enemy their commander could be.
Tarta banged her fist on the table. "Hey! You two aren't the only countries out there! Tatra and Tarta, the princesses of Chizeta give you a pledge of our undying alliance!" Tatra nodded in agreement.
Despite the panic that had set in his mind at hearing about the town's destruction, Clef couldn't help but feel gratified at their neighboring countries alliance.
"I thank you, our wonderful allies. I fear we may come to need your help. Thank you, and now, if you'll excuse me…" Hikaru bowed her head in a Cephiro style way of thanking her comrades, and gracefully left the room. As soon as she left the sight of her friends, silent tears flooded her face. The idea of yet another town's end shook her to her very core. She quickly rushed past, so that the servants wouldn't notice her tears. Pushing open her grand doors, she stepped into her room.
Hikaru slowly closed her door, being sure to lock them, and made her way to the balcony. The tears had subsided, but a great grief still clutched her soul. 'I…just don't understand. This just isn't fair!'
A cold, strong wind blew onto her face just then, making her shudder. She turned to leave, when a great, booming voice stopped her. "Magic Knight of Rayearth!" Hikaru knew that voice, and she once again faced out in to Cephiro's land. Her face tilted up, her eyes searching for the small, puffy body that belonged to the voice.
"Mokona?!? Are you there? Will you help Cephiro once again?"
For a second, she received no answer, and she wondered if it was merely her desperate mind playing tricks on her. Then, the voice responded. "I will grant you, Hikaru, one wish. Because you are my friend, and I entrust Cephiro to you."
A single tear slid down Hikaru's porcelain face, and she replied, "I was wrong, Mokona! I made a mistake, again. I did something I regret now. I regret ridding this world of the Pillar system. I was wrong. I want the Pillar system back, Mokona-sama! I'll do anything!"
"…"
"Please! Mokona-sama, you said you would grant me any wish at all!"
"…Hikaru, lovely Hikaru. If this wish is granted, I can no longer be your friend."
The redhead's eyes widened. "But why?!? Do you mean I can't befriend anyone?"
"Not openly."
She gulped, and her eyes lifted to Heavens once more. "I know you said one wish, but could you possibly grant me something else?"
"Perhaps."
"…Grant me void from all emotions. Love, especially! Give me only a sense of business."
Hikaru could almost feel the sky rumble as the Creator considered this. "It would be cruel to make the same mistake I did before.
I…Agree…"
The sky's shook with a terrible fury at these words. The sea's sapphire waves pounded their shores mercilessly, as if pleading the Creator to stop. But if Mokona realized this, he made no motion to show it. The entire being that was Cephiro moaned in agony, and only disgust was played upon the features of the country. Time stood still for a few minutes, at least to Hikaru.
Hikaru's body felt torn, as if it's arms and legs were being forced away. The Knight gasped and her body moved on it's accord, shaking and twisting, refusing to lose what had been part of it forever. Yet it could not win, and it realized this as a figure arose from Hikaru's body. A golden shadow shook itself free of Hikaru and flew towards the sky, being pulled away from it's owner.
The Knight fell to the ground as her emotions left her. But the empty hole in her soul was quickly filled in with…
Power
Yes, the power of the Pillar. She had complete control of the world now, and no one would be able interfere…
Ever
Only a sense of business, an idea of what her job was, remained. Yes, the rest of her was merely a…
Shell
No emotions, whatsoever. One would think she'd be sad, but the emotion no longer remained. Not even…
Love
Hikaru slowly made her way out of her room and walked down to a meeting room. Her new power and refined senses told her that this was where everyone one was… All of her…
Acquaintances
Yes, acquaintances, not friends. She no longer had friends. She no longer had a lover. She would forever be…
The Pillar
And that was all she would be.
The door opened without making even the smallest sound, as if it understood the amazing power she now held. No, it wouldn't dare disobey her.
"Hikaru!" Eagle rose abruptly, "You're back. We're discussing plans to protect the towns, right now. Would you like to know what we've done?"
"It is no longer necessary, Vision of Autozam." Hikaru blinked, slowly. Her blank eyes stared into Eagle's surprised gold ones. "I am now the Pillar."
"WHAT?!?" Umi's outburst reflected everyone's feeling, as the rest stared at her in mute horror. "But, but… You can't love as a Pillar! You're only… a ruler! Nothing more!"
"That is why I requested the Creator to give me shelter from my emotions." Her answer was bleak, indeed emotionless. That was when the desperation of Hikaru's heart sunk into everyone. This was how much she loved this land. This land that wasn't hers. She would adopt it, give up all else. But why? What drove her to love this planet so much?!?
Eagle nodded, slowly. Biting back his own heartbreak, he replied, "I'm not sure I understand why, Pillar. But I accept your answer as the truth and the solution to this problem." With that, he wordlessly glided past her.
Hikaru felt a small tinge of emotion for a second, but it was quickly stolen away by the Creator.
~*~
The Creator moved restlessly in his throne, as he gazed down upon his dear friends. The golden emotions of Hikaru, having taken on the form of a young angel, sat next to him. "Is that who I belonged to?" she asked, her love shining through at that moment. Jealousy quickly triumphed, "She's not that pretty! I'm so much more beautiful!" Then, her anger, "Why did she abandon me? It doesn't make sense!" And then love again, "But she is such a gentle girl, she must have only had her friends and people in mind!"
The Creator didn't respond, as it continued to watch Hikaru anxiously.
Anthea, which is what she named herself, studied the Knight critically. "She's so short!" Then caring filled her eyes, "Oh, I hope she doesn't ever get hurt!"
~*~
Lantis rode up to the palace doors, eager to see his beloved Hikaru again. His stony face held no love though, only his eyes did. The guards quickly let him past, and wondered why he arrived a week earlier than intended.
Primera fluttered around his head, thoroughly annoyed at the idea of seeing Hikaru once more.
Lantis was especially anxious to see her, as he had heard of the terrible attacks. And as he had entered Cephiro, he felt a disturbing change in the atmosphere. The country looked the same, but it held an eerie warning.
Authors note: Geez, wait till he finds out about Hikaru! O_O Man, I didn't know all this would happen! I expected it to be a short, sweet, innocent romance triangle story. Not all this. And am I the only one confused by Anthea? Doesn't matter, she's not an important character at all.
Oh, and remember the whole 'Fahren samurai who has fallen in love with a whore' thing. It'll be important later, and I'll detail the fictitious tale then. Completely made up by me, I assure you. But important nonetheless, as it will show you a little more about our dear Aska.
