*HA! I did it! I have defeated writer's block! Now it's just getting it all down between science and math that shall be the problem… oh well, here's the next chapter. ^.^*

Chapter Three: Betrayal

"Umi?" the hurt in Nori's voice went to deep, and my head was spinning. What was going on? Why was Clef so close to me? Why was his voice so…not passionate, angry…what?

"Nori this isn't," isn't what? My mind was screaming. Isn't what he thinks? Isn't what? "Isn't…"

"It's exactly what he thinks," Clef stepped in front of me. "I won't stand…" he didn't get to finish though because someone burst through the door.

"Umi!" fast on Clef's heels were Hikaru and Fuu; eyes wide and terrified.

My eyes darted from one Clef to the other. What was going on here?

"Umi, get away from him," the second Clef instructed.

"Why are there two of you?" my voice was shaky, and it didn't seem the time to be asking stupid questions, but I didn't know what to do.

"The other is an imposter," they said simultaneously, and both held up staffs.

"Umi-chan," Hikaru hissed, and I ran to them, taking shelter in them.

"What is going on here?" Fuu's eyes were narrowed.

I shook my head, "I'm so dizzy…"

"You're connected to him; you always have been. Maybe this is effecting your connection and therefore effecting your mental and physical strength," Fuu answered my statement softly.

I didn't have time to ask what she meant by that because they began to fight.

One of them, by this time they had circled so fast that I couldn't know which was which with my spinning head, shot a beam of white light from his staff.

The white made contact with the other, and the other was thrown against the wall. As he was thrown, the disguise faded and in front of us was almost an exact replica of me.

"What the hell?" Nori stepped back.

This girl was darker skinned and her hair was deep blue, much darker than mine. It fell in the same ways though; her body had the same curves.

"Damn you Clef," she spat. "I was just beginning to have fun too."

"Step away Uchiyama," Clef coaxed; his staff held out so that he was ready for attack.

"Why should I?" she demanded.

"Go back to where you came from; you're not wanted here," Clef told her.

"Exactly why I should be here. I came for my second half, so we can be complete," her eyes turned to me, and I stared in complete shock.

"W-What?" I stuttered.

"You won't have her!" Clef's voice was vicious as he shot a beam of white light from his staff and pulled her away from me. I fell to the ground, touching my ice-cold neck where her hands had just gripped me.

"Aw…how sweet!" the girl mocked and jumped over Clef. She came down upon me, and I screamed. I didn't know what to do; I couldn't think. Her hands were like ice; they froze every part of my body. The magic they poured into my soul was the most fierce I had ever felt. It was then that I realized the true power of the Master Mage of Cephiro.

His anger was fierce as he raised his staff and recited words in a foreign language; a tongue not of Cephiro, a tongue I recognized as Latin. He called upon his powers, and a beam of white light sent her shrieking to the ground, pulling her from me. My body was cold; I could feel and see but not speak. I was shaking, maybe having a conscious seizure, was that even possible?

"You won't get away with this Master Mage!" she hissed and jumped out of the window. The creature she rode was a horrible mutation; something not even Ascot could control. It was somewhere between a psychotic Unicorn and a Dragon.

My fever set in, the cold fever, and I felt gentle hands underneath me as Clef picked up my lifeless body.

"Umi-chan," Hikaru was sobbing; she and Fuu had been frozen. I tried to tell them that it wasn't their fault, but I could find the words. Nori was frozen still, in a corner, trembling.

"Pull together," Clef hissed. "Fuu," his voice was gentler for the Magic Knight of Wind. "Go find Ascot, I'll need some help."

"Hai," she nodded and ran down the hall.

"Hikaru," now Clef turned toward the Fire Knight, "you're going to need to go fetch Presea. Tell her that she needs to make you new weapons and armor; something that can be used against the Dark Lords. Tell her what happened; she will understand. She needs to be fast."

"Hai," Hikaru ran as fast as she could, tearing through the halls down to the armory where she would surely find Presea.

"Sh…" Clef put a hand on my head and felt the blazing fever. I screamed with his touch, and he pulled back.

"What's wrong with her?" Nori's voice was blurry; I couldn't stay conscious much longer.

"She has been held too long by the Dark Lord of Water," Clef answered.

"Is she going to be okay? Is there a hospital or something?" Nori questioned. "She needs medical attention!"

"No," Clef shook his head. "She needs strong magic; you may come with her, but you won't be allowed to watch the procedure."

"Why not? What do you mean magic?" Nori was frantic, and I was proud of Clef's patience.

"Magic is the medicine here, and I am the ultimate healer. You can't watch the procedure; you won't be able to bear it I'm afraid. I won't be able to bear it," he touched a hand to my head once more, and I felt a drop of warm liquid hit my cheek.

§§§~~~

There was a searing pain that made me pulse and scream in anguish. I threw my arms up at whatever was attacking me, but someone held them down. I screamed as I felt the blood fall down my body. I heard the words but couldn't understand. My tears fed me, but whoever held me was strong. My words were unable to be understood, but their meaning was clear; I was in pain.

I was sure that all of Cephiro could hear those cries, could hear those screams of anguish. There was no way to express the pain; it was like a strip of fire caressing every part of my body. The burning iron made its way inside and out. The fever was gone, but was only replaced by this horrible pain.

The one word that I was able to scream was unanswered, "Clef!"

"Sh…" there was a voice that was soothing, but the pain did not end. I must have sat in that torture for hours, screaming and crying, blood falling down all over me. The metallic smell haunts me still. It might have been seconds, minutes, but it felt like hours. When it was over I fell to the place where I lay and panted heavily. The thing that overcame me was loathing and anger as I opened my eyes and found that the Master Mage was panting as heavily as I was; his Palu had tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Gomen nasai," Clef whispered and passed out.

§§§~~~

When I could see clearly again I opened my eyes and looked around, when I moved I felt a sharp pain and fell back. I turned over and threw up in a bucket near the bed; someone had known that I would need it. When I was able to regain myself I turned back over and coughed. My chest felt like it was on fire, and I remembered only the pain. I remembered the pain and who caused it, and thought that he should die.

Ascot walked in the door and smiled at me weakly. He sat on the bed and touched a hand to my forehead, smiling when he realized that the fever was gone.

I couldn't speak, only question with my eyes.

"You won't regain full control of all your muscles for another few hours. You've been sleeping quite a while. We were worried that you wouldn't survive, but Clef said that you would. He knew that you were strong," with the name my eyes turned to hate.

Ascot looked down and played with his fingers, "He had to do it Umi."

I wanted to scream and tear him apart. I wanted to let him know what it was like, but I could barely move. The anger was forced to boil in my heart instead.

"You would have died otherwise. The woman who attacked you, she's the Dark Lord of Water. Her touch is deadly. She held you too long, and almost all of your body was paralyzed. You would have slowly been killed. He did the only thing he could do; he cured you. You can't be angry with him; he saved your life," Ascot explained, and I turned my head. My eyes filled with tears, and the pain was fresh in my mind.

"He didn't want to have to do it; you know he would never willingly hurt you."

I nodded and let Ascot go and tell Clef and the others that I was okay.

After he was gone I closed my eyes and tried to find sleep, but it wouldn't come. I was too worked up to sleep.

"Umi?" the voice was Nori's, and I managed a weak smile. He looked like he was sick; his face was gray and worried. "What the hell did he do to you?" he took my hands and kissed them gently. "I heard you screaming; it was the worst thing I've ever heard. I was so worried. I'm glad you're okay."

I gently raised my hand and ran it through his hair. He kissed the palm of my hand and looked into my eyes. There was a deep sadness lurking in his eyes that I didn't understand.

Nori was soon joined by Fuu and Hikaru who sat on my bed and gently tried to give me their sympathies. I nodded to them all and wished the person I wanted to really see would come.

"Everyone out," a stern voice instructed from the door and Fuu and Hikaru bowed to me, then bowed to Clef and scurried out.

"So you can hurt her again?" Nori stood and faced the Master Mage of Cephiro; his choice was not a wise one.

"Get out or I will make you get out," Clef warned, his voice dangerous.

I nodded to Nori, and he shook his head and kissed me, then left.

When Clef was sure he was gone he shut the door with a hand and put a seal on it. He sat on my bed and put his hands on my arms. I closed my eyes and waited.

'Umi, I'm so sorry.'

'I know,' I answered. 'At first I was angry, but Ascot told me what happened. I know that you wouldn't hurt me on purpose.'

'That was the worst thing I've ever had to do,' he admitted, and tears formed in his eyes. I reached up and brushed lavender hair from his face.

'I know that too.'

'Please forgive me,' he begged.

'I already do.'

'I don't know how you can,' he muttered. 'I don't know how anyone could survive that. She was so deep in you.'

'You helped me; you saved my life. Now I'm getting better, and I'll get her, don't worry. You know me, I'm one to get things that I want.'

He nodded, and sadness grew in his eyes.

'But Clef,' he looked at me and urged me to continue, 'how did you know her name?'

'She was…' he faltered, 'She was a student, a-a lover.'

My heart failed, and I couldn't breathe. Luckily, he released me, and I had an excuse not to speak.

"Get some rest, you'll need it," he kissed my forehead and left the room without another word.

§§§~~~

With rest and another few hours time I was up and speaking, with a few pains, but up all the same.

As soon as I got situated though Presea brought us all outside and onto the steps of the palace, "I've made you new weapons and armor," her face was pale, and her eyes were tired. We understood the effort she put into her creations and respected and cared for them. This time though it was something special; this time she had breathed life into the swords. "At some expense," she smiled weakly, "I have created the ultimate weapons."

"Expense?" Hikaru inquired.

She smiled sadly and shook her head, "All in good time, let me introduce you first."

I felt anticipation grow in my stomach; these were going to be amazing.

She raised her hands, and in a whisk of air and magic three new ovum gems hovered in front of us, "Fire," the ceremony in her voice made me squirm and swell with pride as Hikaru stepped forward hesitantly. As she came near Fire fell from the gem, longing to be with its owner. "Go on," Presea urged softly. Hikaru slipped her hand into the glove, and Fire engulfed her. When she came from the holds of the flames she was wearing all new armor. The white breastplate was ridden with Fire, reds, oranges and yellows. It protected only her right shoulder, but we all knew it would evolve, as she needed it to. A golden sun intertwined with a moon connected the breastplate to the back plate; there was silver all around the edge of the piece.

Hikaru reached down and touched it, "It's warm."

"It will indicate your life; when it gets cold turn back from the fight you're in," Presea smiled tiredly.

"Arigato Presea-chan," Hikaru hugged her, then stepped back, still fingering her new armor.

"Wind," with her summons Fuu stepped forward, shaking slightly, with anticipation or fright I do not know.

As she came forward a strand of Wind gently reached out and touched her hand, pulling her close.

She took a deep breath and let her hand plunge into the glove. She was pulled into a swirl of Wind. It held her close, seeming to cover every inch, like a distant lover finally coming in contact with its soul mate. She was trembling slightly in her new armor; her face was slightly flushed. She smiled blissfully at the feel of her magic around her, and only then did she look upon her new ensemble. It was spiraled and spotted with dots of white, green and gray Wind with a silver trim. The golden moon and sun were there as well. The same warmth was present in her armor as was in Hikaru's for the same reason.

My breath fell out and my heart clenched when Presea's deep blue eyes stared into my own and said, "Water."

I closed my eyes and took a step forward. The gem hovered nearby and would not reach for me until I was almost inside the glove. A small wave crashed onto my hand, and I was comforted as I put my hand completely inside.

The Water that pulled me into its embrace was warm and gentle. It refreshed me and made me smile. When it let me down I was more aware and stronger.

The armor I wore was lapped with blue, purple and deep black waves, the trim was silver, but the golden sun and moon were silver for me. I stared and questioned Presea with my eyes.

"Blessed," Presea responded softly and embraced me. "That's why."

"By who?" my voice was scratchy.

Presea raised her eyes toward the Master Mage, and I was shocked.

"Why?" I demanded.

"I owed you," he answered quietly and wouldn't meet my eyes. "I'll explain things…later…"

I felt a lump rising in my throat and butterflies in my stomach, so I nodded.

"Instead of just swords and magic I added to your weapons," Presea informed us when we had all stepped back.

"For the Magic Knight of Fire," she smiled as Hikaru looked up. She then clapped her hands, and we were awed at what was in front of us.

"F-for me?" Hikaru stuttered and pointed to herself.

Presea nodded, and Hikaru just stared, rightfully so. She slowly approached and took the weapon into her hand. It was a long twisted blade, shorter than her sword but longer than a knife by far. It was bright silver and was shaped like half of an oval. The hilt was much like that of her old sword, bright red with the few red spikes sticking out. She touched the ruby on the end and stared at Presea, almost drooling. She twirled it in her hands, and pulled a hair from her head. She dropped it onto the curved edge of the blade, and it was sliced in half. We all gasped, and Presea laughed, her voice was so tired.

"It is called a scimitar and is used by fighters on horses," she spoke of the weapon fondly.

"But Presea," Hikaru shook her head. "I don't know how to ride."

"You'll learn," I blurted out, and Hikaru giggled.

"You've been saying that quite some time."

"You will," I promised.

"Now for the Magic Knight of Wind," Presea snapped, and Fuu smiled impishly at what hovered near her.

"Arigato Presea-chan," Fuu bowed as she touched first the quiver of arrows. When she did twelve sharpened wooden arrows appeared in the leather bag. Each one had two green feathers and one white. The quiver was soft brown leather and had wild horses running on it. She stroked it before slinging it over her shoulder and pulling the bow into her hands. She smiled as she drew back and found it was perfect for her. It was light wood of the finest kind, the greatest Cephiran trees went into that bow. The grip was covered in a green colored leather; the silencers were frayed leather the same color. The wood was a gorgeous chestnut color, and a beautiful emerald was just above the grip, embedded in the wood. She smiled and nodded her absolute approval. She was glad to have a bow in her hands once more. She had fought with sword so long that she had forgotten the feel. She told us once before though that shooting was like riding a bike, after a few rounds it all came back.

Anticipation grew in my stomach as Presea called my title, and I carefully walked forward. I could see everyone yearning to know what my gift from the weapon master would be. She raised her hands and pulled them both down simultaneously. She pulled them into her chest and a knife appeared in her hands. The blade was swiveled almost like a winding river and was a solid black color. I had never seen a black blade before, but this was beautiful, with a small sapphire at the tip of the knife. The hilt was silver at the place where the blade was connected, but the silver streaked down into an ocean blue. Waves seemed to crash in my head when I picked it up. Something was storming in this weapon, something so powerful that I was speechless. All I could do was stare helplessly at Presea as she handed me a leather sheath with a single mustang running across it. It was an ankle sheath, and I stuttered a thank-you and attached the sheath, then put the knife inside it.

"Dagger is perfect for you Umi-chan," Hikaru snickered, and I was snapped from my daze. I hit her playfully, and she giggled.

"Now," Presea sighed, her energy seemed to be fading. "About swords."

"You didn't have to make us new swords Presea-san, the ones we have now are quite adequate…" Fuu didn't get a chance to finish.

"Hikaru, Magic Knight of Fire and Donner of Rayearth, come forth," Presea's voice gained a mystical air that chilled to the bone. Her eyes glazed over as she closed them and hummed softly. A sword appeared with a huge burst of flame when she clapped her hands. We all gasped as the ball of flame exploded and the sword floated down and hovered in front of Hikaru.

The broadsword had a fiery red handle, but instead of the infamous spider-like legs that Hikaru's old sword contained it held flames radiating from a wolf that was running and had its eyes on some unknown target. Hikaru turned the blade around in her hands and as she did the actual blade turned a bright yellow, and we realized that it had become golden as a ruby appeared in the tip of the sword and was outlined in gold. She stared and swung the sword. When she did there was a loud howl that echoes in my ears to this day. She gaped helplessly at the sword, and we saw her hands shake with the power of the instrument of death.

"This is…" she didn't have a word, these weapons were beyond words.

"It will come when you call, name it wisely," Presea told her softly and put a hand on the Magic Knight's shoulder. Slowly she bent down and kissed her cheek. "Take good care of her."

"I-I will," Hikaru nodded and kissed Presea back.

"They all have special evolutionary powers and magic that you will soon learn of," she added to all of us, and we nodded numbly. "Fuu, Magic Knight of Wind and Donner of Windam, come forth."

Fuu's knees trembled, this time most definitely in anticipation. Her eyes were sparkling as she waited for the sword to touch her fingers.

Presea crossed her hands over her chest and slowly pulled them away from her body, uncrossing them and letting them go in their separate direction. Her palms faced us and she pulled them together in a quick motion that created an elegant clap. In an explosion of Wind magic a sword was in front of Fuu. Her bottom lip quavered, and she took the sword slowly into her hands, firmly gripping the beautiful piece. The hilt was the same green as her last sword, but instead of the circle pattern there was a huge Phoenix staring back at you. It was perched on a mountain, and its wings were calmly spread, forming the hilt. Around it were small white and green spots of Wind. She touched it gently and then swung it. The cry that came from the sword was that of a giant eagle. The sound was mythical and beautiful, and it made my ears ring with that same sense of magic. As she swung it the blade turned bright silver and an emerald appeared at the tip of the sword; it was encased in elegant silver designs that wound like air around the jewel.

The jewel began to glow and in a flash of green there was a silver and emerald headdress around Fuu's head. The silver was almost like a necklace, with two small emeralds on the left and right side and a larger drop towards the middle of her head; it was much like a casual tiara.

Presea winked at Fuu and then grinned at Ferio who put his hands behind Fuu's waist and made her blush fiercely.

"Arigato Presea," Fuu muttered and stared at the weapon.

Presea nodded and turned to me with desperate blue eyes.

"I like my sword Presea," I found myself saying, speaking into those blue eyes. "I want to fight with it; I don't want a new weapon."

"Umi-san what are you saying?" Fuu's voice was almost scared at the warning in my voice.

"Presea I really don't need your gift, but arigato anyway," I turned, but Presea's quivering voice stopped me.

"Umi, Magic Knight of Water and…Donner of Celes…"

"No," I turned my head and tried to walk away.

"Come Forth!" she raised a hand straight up and pulled it down with a shattering crash.

I screamed, trying to stop her, "No!" but it was too late, and she hit the ground.

I looked at the thing, and my breath stopped. Light blue, only a bit darker than my hair, the sword was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. A dragon almost reared on the hilt; its wings spread in an angry position, its tail fell all the way down the hilt. Waves crashed in its eyes, and a stream of water fell across its body. Tears poured down my cheeks as I picked up the weapon and the blade turned that same black in my hands. It was too narrow for a gem like the others, so the sapphire appeared in the Dragon's stomach, cased in black obsidian. I threw it on the ground and as it was sucked into my ovum gem there was a roar that made the whole hall ring.

"Presea!" I sobbed and sat beside her crumpled body. "Presea wake up! Presea!"

"Presea-chan?" Hikaru's eyes were wide in terror.

"No," Fuu shook her head and fell into Ferio's warm arms, turning her head from the scene and sobbing into his chest.

"Presea-chan!" Hikaru screamed and tried to reach the girl, but Lantis held her back. Only I was allowed to lie there, next to the girl who had died for us. I stroked her soft blond hair and realized how labored her breath had been, her weak smiles. Why did she do this for us? Why?

"Clef do something!" I screamed and looked at the Master Mage who turned his head and stayed silent.

"Do something!" Hikaru begged. "Clef you must do something!"

"It's out of my hands," Clef whispered.

"No!" I wouldn't take it. Blood dripped where my hands were clenched so tightly together. "No I won't let this happen! No!"

"You're the Master Mage, you have to do something!" Fuu tried, coming towards Clef who just shook his head.

"It's out of my hands; she chose her path. She knew the consequences, and she knew that if she didn't sacrifice herself than no one else would be saved. She did the thing that she thought was best," a tear streamed down his cheek, and one of his best friends died in front of him. I didn't care how much pain he was in though.

"And another is going to die by our hands?" I demanded and stood, facing him with fire in my eyes. "Another friend to die because of the legend of the Magic Knights? By my sword I will not have it!"

"Umi there is nothing we can do," Ascot said softly, but I would not hear it.

"There is something! Tell me and I'll do it!" I pleaded with Clef; my voice was angry and scared. I turned my head toward Presea, and I felt sick. There had to be something; I would not let this happen. I would not let her die like this; not after all she had done for us.

"There is nothing…"

*Oooh! Is this another cliffhanger?!*

Tori Amos, Scarlet's Walk, Scarlet's Walk

"There was a time

When I thought that her destiny

Should have been mine

Big Brave Nation

But instead

Her medicine now forgotten"