Chapter 3

Hikaru turned to find three figures standing in the doorway. "Geo! Zazu! Tarta?"

The princess of Chizeta smiled. "It's good to see you again, Hikaru. But where are Umi and Fuu?"

"Where is Tatra?" Hikaru asked, forgetting that she was asked a question.

The princess smiled and looked at Geo, who turned red. "I decided to move into Autozam and get to know the people more. Eh, Geo?"

"Huh? Oh, right," Geo answered, clearing his throat. Then he brightened, "I found out a way to cure that disease! Well, Zazu and I found a way to cure it. But, we're going to need lots of magic energy. And we need to have it stationed in the three countries: Autozam, Chizeta, and Fahren."

Looking lost, Hikaru glanced at Clef, who was also listening intently. The Master Mage turned to them, questioningly, "If you think you can do this, then please let me be one of them who goes to one of the countries. I would like to help."

Zazu shook his head, "Oh, no, Master Mage. You are needed here. We need to center the magic energy from the three countries into Cephiro to cure your sickness. Otherwise, this mission is lost."

Shrugging, Clef nodded, and walked inside his room, "If you need me, tell Lantis."

Hikaru sighed, gaining her smile back. "Can we tell Fuu and Umi? They went out of here and are probably in the palace somewhere."

"We're right here, Hikaru-san!" Fuu cried out, waving happily. Umi was rushing towards Tarta.

"Tarta! What brings you here?" Umi asked, surprised, "Aren't you supposed to rule Chizeta with your sister?"

The princess frowned, "Tatra can take care of herself, though she is a bit of an airhead…"

Umi was shaking her head, confused. "You confuse me…"

Fuu stood up, "Aren't we going to discuss the proposition of saving Clef from ultimate death?"

"My goodness," Geo commented, "You are a bit in a hurry."

"That's because we can only stay a few days here, and traveling to a distant country will take longer."

Zazu nodded in agreement, "Good point there, but you should remember, you have your Rune Gods to help you. And, we have the NSX as well."

"NSX…" Hikaru whispered, remembering her dream and the machine that came up, "The FTO…"

"I'm afraid we couldn't salvage the FTO from its damaging battle against Debonair. I couldn't remake another one…Eagle's machine is quite original," Zazu said, sighing. "I don't think I'll ever be able to make another FTO."

Nodding, Umi looked hopefully from one face to another, "Can you cure Clef?"

Geo and Zazu looked at each other and nodded at her. Tarta, for once, smiled widely, "See, with the help of my Djinn, and Autozam's technology, we have been able to discover many things that link magic and machinery together as one. With that, we could get many uses. And as Cephiro is a land of will, it is very fortunate that both magic and machinery work here."

Clapping his hands, Zazu raised a fist in the air and let out a great big cry, "So, let's get to it! We have to get all three of you and your Rune Gods into the countries. Any preferences?"

"Chizeta!" Umi said, her hand shooting straight up.

Fuu cleared her throat and smiled, "If you don't mind, I would like to visit my friends at Fahren. They will be happy to see me as well."

"Well then," Geo nodded, "That leaves Hikaru with Autozam, are you okay with that?"

Hikaru bobbed her head, joyfully, "Of course! I wanted Autozam anyway! But, is it safe to split the three of us up that far away? I don't really think it's a good idea…"

Tarta and Geo looked at each other, and Tarta snorted in her haughty way, "Well, it's the only way, if you look at it this way. You either do this or you don't. That's your decision."

"You're too harsh, Tarta," Geo muttered under his breath.

Thinking it over, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu looked at each other and each of them nodded. "We'll go."

Tarta clapped her hands with joy. "Great! Umi, I could accompany you to Chizeta! I've been wanting to see my country for a long time now!"

"Fuu, it's not good to travel alone," Ferio said, "That's why I'm going to Fahren with you."

"How about Clef? Doesn't he need you here?" Fuu asked, relieved and concerned at the same time, "I mean…if you leave, Lantis and Presea would be the only ones in the castle…"

"Puuuu!"

Umi made a face, "Don't forget Mokona and Primera."

Mokona bounced up and down in front of Umi, who was getting ready to throw a fit at the ball of fluff. "Pu pu pu!"

"Mokona!" Hikaru cried out, holding her hands out so that Mokona could jump on her, which the creature did, as it was crying out its one-syllable conversation. "It's so nice to see you again as well!"

Lantis came in the room, and looked around. He nodded at Hikaru and turned to Geo. "I, too, shall be going to Autozam. I have…business to take care of there."

Geo frowned, "And what is that?"

"It's nothing that you should be concerned of," Lantis answered, "Let's just say that I'm going back for Eagle's sake…"

"What about Clef?" Hikaru and Umi asked at the same time.

The Master Mage's image appeared in front of them, his figure transparent. "Don't worry about me. I can hold on to life as long as possible. Presea will be here, and I still have much magic in me."

Umi looked on, concerned, "Are you sure?"

"Don't baby me, Umi," He said, a bit cross, "After all, I've been living for more than 700 years."

Umi cringed, "Oh, right, I forgot."

Zazu took something out of his pocket, and gave each of the Magic Knights a small dial with a circular handle at the bottom. "When you get to the designed spot or area, which is the power source of the castle, then you turn this handle and a signal will appear from the sky. When everyone is fixed at the appointed place, the next phase will start. Geo will explain after we get you to your destinations. Good luck Magic Knights. This might determine the fate of Cephiro as much as it will determine Clef's fate."

"Big talk for a small boy," Tarta muttered.

"You got anything dumb to say about my intelligence?" Zazu retorted.

"Who ya callin' dumb, boy?!" the princess of Chizeta burst out without thinking.

Geo whispered to Umi. "They've always been fighting like this. Thank goodness Tarta is going with you."

"DON'T YA START TOO!"

"Pu!"

"COME ON! UMI, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE ALREADY!"

Umi looked distressed, and then nervously looked at her two friends. "So, this will be the first time for the three of us to really be far apart like this, right? I hope none of you will get hurt. Well, I have to go now."

Hikaru and Fuu hugged their friend in turn and parted with her, as Tarta and Umi left the throne room. Outside, they waved good-bye to their friend and to each other, as Geo decided to leave as well. Now only Fuu and Ferio were left. The prince whistled and a gigantic bird came to him. He smiled at Fuu. "Don't bother with Windam. I have our bird friend to show us the way."

"Oh, I don't think I could summon Windam at all," Fuu finally said, remembering. "Clef-san didn't renew our powers…"

Ferio shook his head, "Fuu, this is Cephiro. If you wish it, your powers will come back to you. You really don't need the Master Mage to do it for you."

"If you say so," Fuu answered, getting on the bird, "Let's go!"

Clef watched the Magic Knights leave the palace, face stern. "Good luck to you, girls from another world. I only hope you save Cephiro first before you save me…it won't last long without a Pillar to support this world."

~ My next three chapter will be a bit difficult to write, so it's gonna be a bit different. Of course, I'm still working on them, so you're going to have to wait! ~.^