Chapter 10

Lantis looked up at the ceiling from his bed. How could Eagle forget to mention the fact that he had a cousin? And why does he feel so suspicious towards her? The Magic Swordsman looked out the window and saw the woman he had been thinking about. She turned around and also saw him out the window. The two stared at each other and then she smiled and walked towards the window. When Pygmy got there, she opened her palm and managed to open the window without Lantis' help. Lantis looked on silently at her and didn't object to her coming in through the window. She closed it and smiled again.

"Kailu Lantis?" she asked.

"…" Lantis replied, "…Why are you here?"

Pygmy shrugged. "Oh, to see how Eagle got so attached to you. But then again, I already know…"

"What are you talking about?"

Eagle's cousin nodded at another window. Lantis' window overlooked that of Hikaru's, and the fiery red head can be seen standing near the window, face turned to a mirror. "That lady, she played an important role in both your lives, did she not? She's very attached to you…and how about you to her?"

This time, Lantis frowned at her. "What do you know? And why do you pry into my business? You shouldn't be nosing about with people's personal lives. Besides, Hikaru isn't from this world at all. She'll be leaving after she and her friends are satisfied."

"Yes, but you will miss her."

"Many people in Cephiro will miss the Magic Knights."

Pygmy sighed, "Ahh…so they're the legendary warriors thought to be in the land of wishes. But, that legend died down a few years ago, didn't it? That would mean she would have been a girl when she was a Magic Knight. I do wonder what you and Eagle saw in her then." Then she smiled, "But she did grow up to be a pretty young lady!"

Lantis gave up the act and finally asked her, "How do you know all this?"

The woman laughed. "Eagle and I were actually the last of our kind here in Autozam. We're what you would call Mages in your world. But, we're more than that. In Autozam, we're called Soul Seers. Eagle and I can see through each other's minds and recall each other's memories. Sometimes, I see even more than my cousin when it comes to sorting out his feelings. It's only between him and the people he's attached to, though."

"So, through that, you know about us?" Lantis asked, trying to remember what she's told him. "Then you know what's going on inside Geo's and Zazu's minds?"

Eagle's cousin nodded, grinning, "It's fun to blackmail poor Geo. Especially when that Chizetan princess was here some time ago."

Lantis looked on at Hikaru's window while he listened to what Pygmy was telling him. He saw Hikaru's eyes widen and she turned to her right, which was towards Lantis. She smiled and saw Pygmy then opened her window and waved at the woman.

Pygmy saw Hikaru and waved back. "I guess she saw me. Funny, she's not a bit suspicious towards me, is she? I mean, if I were in her shoes, and there was a woman in my man's room, I'd be jealous."

"Hikaru trusts too much, and she's sweet," Lantis retorted, defending Hikaru.

The woman nodded. "Then Hikaru's in safe hands, if you think that way. Best be going now, though. I've got a small tournament tomorrow."

As Pygmy turned to go out the window, Lantis stopped her. "Wait, why are you telling me this?"

"I suppose because Eagle lacked the time and energy to tell you in Cephiro," she said, thinking over her words, "And I knew he wanted you to know. I didn't think my cousin would let you in the dark that way, but I guess after he was…you know…and his illness…"

Lantis nodded, "I…see…but, when Hikaru and I met you in the stadium, you were cold to us. Why was that?"

"I…had a momentary lapse of suspicions. Well, like I said, I've got to go. I think your lady wants to speak with you. She's seen something in those visions of hers," and with that, Pygmy left, keeping the window open.

Hikaru looked at Pygmy, as she disappeared into the night. Then, after that, she sat back down, in front of the window, back to her dazed look. Lantis wondered what was happening, but he felt that he shouldn't bother her that night. Realizing how late it was, he decided to turn in and have a night's rest.

~~~

The Magic Knight looked at the mirror once more. Earlier, she had seen something that surprised her. She saw Pygmy Vision take something like the FTO and ram it into another contraption. Then, she found out that it was a Rune God, but it didn't look like any of what she's seen before. Who's Rune God could it be, then?

After her small vision, she'd seen Pygmy in Lantis' room through her window and shook that thought from her head. She had waved and watched the woman leave through the window. Now, Lantis went back to rest, and Hikaru sighed with relief, hoping that he wouldn't try to ask her what was wrong. The Magic Knight turned from the mirror and made to fix her bed. Her problems will have to wait until tomorrow. It wouldn't help if she kept thinking during that night. She'll only fill her dreams with nightmares. Goodness knows, she's done that before.

As Lantis and Hikaru rested, the figure of a woman stood in the dark, watching the two people sleep. Her cloak fluttered in the wind, and her amber eyes glowed like a cat's. With a last look at Hikaru's room, the figure turned and permanently disappeared in the area that night.

~~~

"Peon, where have you been?" A tall woman asked, looking at her cousin. "I have heard from Riruka that you went out for a walk?"

Aska's cousin nodded her head and smiled. "Is it a crime to want a breath of Fahren air? I've only been roaming the grounds, Kairi."

Kairi raised her eyebrow and continued to interrogate her cousin. "Then why didn't you take anyone here with you? What if you had been attacked by Aska's soldiers?"

"Your sister will not hurt any of us, even if you do oppose her," Peon said sternly, "I do wish you get that in your head."

The oldest Fahren sister shrugged and walked past Peon. "Remember, I'd keep a close watch if I were you. You don't know if my youngest sister would finally crack and send out her worst army. It happens. And, with a Magic Knight on her side, it will be a tough battle."

"You aren't talking about a war now, are you? In your own country? Do you know what devastation can be caused?" Peon asked, indignant. "This is not thinking like an ambitious ruler, cousin."

"But I'm not a ruler, am I?" Kairi smiled.

The last comment sent a shiver down Peon's spine as the eldest Fahren sister walked calmly away. Peon waited until she was out of sight, and then ran to her room, picking up a mirror. "Han, watch Kairi-san for me. Tell me if she's got something up her sleeves that I'm not aware of. Oh, and please do be careful."

The person in the mirror nodded and the mirror cleared. Peon placed her mirror on a small table and marched out of her door. Her brother stood before her. She smiled. "Why such an angry look, Solon?"

"Kairi has asked me to keep an eye on you," was his reply, "Her exact words were: 'Watch your sister, and if she does something funny, kill her.' Would you like to explain why our cousin would tell me such a thing?"

Peon tilted her head, looking bewildered. "Why, I had no idea she was planning to kill me! My question is why our princess would do such a thing, especially when I've supported her through all of this."

Her brother stared at her, already knowing that her emotions were nothing but lies. Solon shook his head, sighing. "You know, I could tell Kairi what you've been doing all this time and have you killed for treason."

"Oh, but treason is only when it involves someone betraying a king or queen," his sister replied, "And Kairi-san just told me she wasn't one."

"I fear for your life, Peon."

Peon patted her brother's shoulder. "I chose my fate, you chose yours. I just hope there is no clash between us. But, what is in store for the sisters of Fahren will be a great devastation."

~~~

Tarta looked at her sister, speechless. After a few minutes of silence, Tatra asked, "Any thoughts on your future brother-in-law?"

"Sister, sometimes I think that to have you run this country all alone would be dreadful. Yet, most of the time, your decisions are all wise and beneficial. But this marriage…"

The elder sister smiled. "I asked for an opinion of the man, not my decision, sister."

Tarta frowned. "Physically, there are no flaws. But, Tatra, I feel so much evil in him. Just by his look. Please reconsider. I don't want you hurt."

"I cannot, Tarta dear," her sister replied, shaking her head slowly, "For Chizeta and for the hope of changing his evil ways, I will go on."

Chizeta's younger princess sighed. "Then I was right in guessing that you—"

She was silenced when Tatra put her finger to her sister's lips. The elder sister nodded and gathered her skirts, smiling faintly. "I am glad you and Umi came along during this time. It truly does help."

Tarta sighed again, reluctant to argue anymore. It is no use. Her sister has decided. And even Jinkun Rikoteki knew it, too.

The young lord looked over his Chizetan surroundings. He shook his head. "Such a pity, her country is. So small, and so overpopulated. She should feel lucky that at least someone's decided to marry her even if it meant the problems of such a country. Don't you think so, Ankun?"

A figure rose from the corner of the room. "She's very beautiful, Jinkun."

"Pah! Beauty is nothing if your mind is nothing. I've seen women in this galaxy more beautiful than her. Smarter, too. Look at the state of her country. Such poor discipline!" was Jinkun's cold reply.

"What would you do, then? In her shoes, what kind of smart decision would you have chosen?" asked the figure.

Jinkun raised an eyebrow. "Why, I thought you would know, brother. I would merely kill off the old and dying to make room for the new. It is by far the wisest decision in her case."

His brother shook his head. "She does not see your philosophy as in the right."

"Ankun, your judgment is getting cloudy. Don't tell me you believe possible that a woman has any power of ruling? If you remembered Cephiro, their woman Pillar was unable to withhold a ruling power, no matter her strength of will. A woman is weak, brother, do remember that."

Ankun took a small bow and retreated to his corner, deep in thought. He noticed a third figure close by, listening to their every word. With a quick nod and glance, the figure retreated, leaving the two brothers in the room.

~~~

Pygmy strolled the garden, the center of life in Autozam. She toyed with a shimmering rock, one of great importance, and placed it on a marble pedestal situated in the middle of the area. She watched as it gleamed and disappeared into the marble. Engraved inscriptions became visible, and Pygmy traced her hands to read the message.

"Jewels of old to lead them be,
Prophets to tell of the visions they see,
Only then will the sources of power
Be opened. In direct numbers of three.

A trial is revealed at the end of the line,
One that will test their body and mind.
For the final source to be opened, a
Test they will face, passed by powers combined."

As Pygmy watched the words glow, she heard a rustling sound behind her. She smiled and addressed the person, without having to turn her back. "Hikaru, why are you not with your friends?"

"Oh! Pygmy! Um…" the red head looked around. "This place is beautiful! Zazu told me the power source would be here…"

The Soul Seer pointed to the pedestal. Hikaru approached it and read the inscription. "Jewels? Does that mean that my two friends would have to look for the jewel that runs the power source?"

"Don't forget your prophets," was Pygmy's answer. "I've already done you a favor and got you one of the jewels. Hmm…but the prophet thing…maybe it stands for someone you care for, like Lantis."

"What about me?" Lantis asked, coming from the bushes. "Hikaru, have you found the source?"

Hikaru nodded. "But we have to find the prophet in order to trigger it. Wait, I see another inscription!"

Lantis stooped down to read it. "When jewels of old align, the prophets of yore you will find."

Pygmy smiled. "So I guess the best thing for you two to do is wait for your friends to finish. I doubt their jobs are gonna be easy."

Hikaru looked up at the sky, thinking about her friends. She missed them, and really wanted to see them again.