Disclaimers: I do not own any of CLAMP's works and I definitely do not own the world of Cephiro. Every character is of CLAMP's creation except Pygmy, Peon, Riruka, Solon, Kairi, Jinkun, and all the other new characters that show up in the story.

Notes: Did you think I was gone for good? NOOOOOOOOPE! I'm still here! And after a year of writer's block I'm back and almost done with this fanfic! rejoices Sorry for those who've been waiting to finish Revival, I'm gonna try my best to finish this as quickly as possible this time! -

Chapter 11: The Unraveling

Clef looked on at the sky, shivering even when it was a warm day. His condition worsened after that little incident and he felt his power slowly fading away. Mokona hopped around him, worried and anxious. The master mage picked the little ball of fluff up. "I'm sure they've gotten there safely."

The door opened and Presea came in, holding a tray with a bowl of soup. She frowned when she saw Clef standing by the window. "You know, you're going to slowly weaken yourself worrying about them. You shouldn't be standing there, Guru Clef. Get back to bed, I have your meal."

"Just set it on the table, Presea," Clef answered, absentmindedly, "I'm fine, don't worry. Besides, I needed to see Cephiro."

The Chief Artisan sighed, "Yes, well, you shouldn't stay there for too long. You'll be worrying us half to death. Look, Mokona's a nervous wreck for goodness' sakes."

Clef gave her a forced smile, "Yes, I understand. But, I feel a little rejuvenated. I think one of the Magic Knights have found the power source somehow. I just don't know who..."

"That's great!" Presea said, giving a genuine smile for the first time in weeks. "At least we know they're okay. And, they stick to their promise, so you will be fine as well, right?"

The sorcerer looked out again, eyes sad, but he turned back and nodded to his friend. "Yes, I promised as well, didn't I?"

Once again, Mokona gave out a disgruntled "pu pu pu" and hopped onto Presea's arms. Primera came in, looking at the silent group. The little fairy stopped in front of Clef and felt his forehead. "Well, your temperature seems to be down. How about some hot soup Presea cooked up? It always makes me feel better!"

Clef smiled at them and walked away from the window, leaving another troubling thought behind as well. If one has already found the power source, then what is keeping the other two from finding the rest?

---

Fuu paced back and forth in her room, waiting for the arrival of dawn. After some sleep, the Magic Knight woke up in the dead of night, hearing noises that made her nervous. As the sun came up, Fuu quickly took a green cloak from one of the room's closets and sauntered out of the room. She hurriedly walked to the gates and opened them. Revealed was a city bustling at the crack of dawn. The Magic Knight watched with wonder as the people hurried to and fro, not minding each other but walking as quickly as they can to their destination. Some of them gave Fuu a small nod of hello and hurried past.

"Well, at least now I can take a look around Fahren without anyone noticing me," Fuu said to herself. "What a wonderful place!"

Some people looked at her with curiosity, simply knowing that she didn't belong around there, but they only stared at her until their attentions went back to their work. Fuu saw schoolchildren running about, and others sitting by an elder man's side, listening to what he had to say. One of the elder men who were telling the kids a story caught Fuu's attention.

"Yes, this legendary stone was to be placed in a pedestal at the center of Fahren and magical things were supposed to happen. However, children, that stone has been lost to us for quite a while. Nobody's known where it went, after the time of King Lorien XIV many centuries past. The only hint of where it could be found was this saying: 'I am not with royalty alone, two steps back and you'll find the stone.' Pretty interesting, isn't it?"

Fuu listened to some more of the people's stories, as her mind tried to solve the riddle. Somehow, she felt that finding this legendary stone would help her into the power source. Lost in thought, she felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped. Amber eyes stared back at her.

"What's gotten you all in a jitter, Fuu?" Ferio asked, "And why did you run off like that? Did you think of something?"

"Ferio, I thought someone had attacked me," Fuu said, relief washing over her. "No, I wanted to see the country, and I had been listening to some of the interesting stories around here."

The prince nodded his head. "Then mind if I go with you?"

The Magic Knight blushed and smiled feebly. "If you want."

The two walked around the village, looking here and there at the wonders of Fahren. After a while, the two picked up bits and pieces of information of the sisters of Fahren as well as the whole royal family, and about the commonly spoken of legendary stone. By the time the sun began to go down, Fuu and Ferio managed to almost get the whole family history and such. Leaving the village tired and content, the two began to set out for the palace.

Fuu glimpsed a few figures coming out of the castle. When they got closer, they saw Sang Yung running out, yelling at someone. Chang Ang and Aska weren't there. Ferio and Fuu glanced at each other and walked as quickly as they could to Sang Yung. The young man saw them as well. "Fuu! Ferio! They're gone! They took Aska and Chang Ang!"

"What? Who? Where?!" Ferio exclaimed. Fuu had been wondering the same thing and added, "How?!"

Sang Yung shook his head and looked down. "We didn't know that Kairi-san would go as far as abducting the first princess of the castle. She was taken. I couldn't stop them."

The Magic Knight placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. She smiled. "Don't worry, Sang Yung, we'll get her back. I'm sure they won't hurt her, as long as she doesn't denounce her title. Let's go, Ferio."

"Go where? We don't know exactly where they took Aska and Chang Ang!"

"I'll go with you," was Sang Yung's reply. "There is only one place they could take her. The center of the kingdom. They're taking Aska-sama to the power source...no...we've got to hurry!"

Green eyes stared at the young man with great curiosity. "Why? What's going to occur there?"

Sang Yung was desperate. "There has been a story passed on among the Fahren line. A story that involved the power source of the kingdom. It was said that 'should noble blood be spilt on Nataku's throne, the kingdom shall end and rebirth will take place.'"

Ferio quickly took action. The prince grabbed Fuu and Sang Yung's arms, dragging them as he ran into the now empty streets. It was already sundown.

---

Restless and filled with energy, Umi fidgeted about on her chair. It was finally the day of the wedding, and no one in the castle was in the mood for general conversation. Ascot, filled with information, couldn't find Umi until the time of the matrimonial event. The Palu hurried to her side, and whether or not his information was beneficial, it was forgotten as he stood there, watching her.

Umi was dressed in Chizetan clothing. However, since it was a special occasion, and Tarta ordered for each bridesmaid to wear something custom-made, the Magic Knight of water looked nothing short of beautiful in Ascot's opinion. The Palu stammered and blushed when sapphire eyes stared straight at him. "U...Umi...you...look...um..."

"Hmm?" Umi asked, giving Ascot a warm smile.

"You look wonderful," the Palu managed to blabber out. He shook his head, remembering that he had something important to tell her. "Oh, listen, I've kind of overheard some important stuff about Jinkun-sama."

Caldina came up to him, frowning. "Ye've been eavesdropping again, haven't ya?"

Ascot denied it, blushing, "No! I just happened to come by into his room when he had been talking..."

"Well, then, spit it out!" the dancer told him.

The Palu looked down. "Are you aware that Jinkun Rikoteki has a twin brother? With the exact face?"

Umi and Caldina stared at him with great surprise. Caldina's eyes became starry. "So, there are two of these handsome young'uns!"

"Caldina!" Umi frowned. "There's no time for this! Does Tarta know?"

"Of course I do!" the princess cried out, coming from behind. Her eyes were gleaming with anger. "Ascot told me earlier. Of all the nerve...that Jinkun..."

She was interrupted, when trumpets blared, signaling to everyone that the wedding is about to take place. The wedding trail approached them. Tarta looked for her sister in earnest. This holy matrimony must come to an end. It didn't take long for the younger sister to spot her elder one. Tatra was hand in hand with the Lord Jinkun, who walked briskly and without smiling to the crowd. Behind them were Tatra's servants, throwing flowers to the ground, and others were holding up the long dress Tatra was wearing. At the end of the wedding trail was a cloaked figure, walking with stooping shoulders and head bowed down. Umi pointed to the figure. She was curious as to who could that figure be. But the chain of events about to happen were occupying her more than anything, and the figure was put at the back of her mind when Tarta pushed through the crowd.

Tarta tugged on her sister, whispering something to her. The elder sister's eyes widened, and she looked carefully at Jinkun, who frowned at the sudden stop of the procession. "What's the meaning of this?"

"You're...you're not him..." was Tatra's whisper, as she backed away. "Where is he?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're saying—"

Umi looked on uncomfortably. Caldina was also watching the scene uncertain of what the whole thing was leading towards. The cloaked figure came up, and looked at the handsome, but selfish, lord. "She knows the truth, Jinkun."

"A bit too late, there," Jinkun's expression hardened, as dark red aura started to emit from his body. His purple eyes glowed with evil intent. "I'm still having my wedding."

Tatra took a step backward, but it was too slow for the groom. Jinkun snatched Chizeta's queen by her waist and ran towards his airship, which was already prepared for departure. Tarta and Umi ran after him, but the man had an uncanny amount of speed. Only the cloaked figure seemed to have been able to catch up. Umi watched the cloak and the man behind it disappear into the airship, along with her friend and the malicious Jinkun. She growled in frustration.

Tarta cursed loudly and grabbed Umi's arm, running back towards an empty platform. "Come on! We can catch up to them! I've still got my Djinn!"

"Let's take to the skies then!" Umi cried out, now intent on taking the queen of Chizeta back.

---

Hikaru twiddled with the little dial that Zazu handed her in Cephiro. Didn't he say something about turning this to signal that she had found the power source? Should she turn it now? Lantis watched her expectantly, though he didn't try to persuade her one way or the other. It was her decision whether or not to tell her friends that they had found the stone. He looked up towards the horizon. "I don't think they've found it yet. Or...at least, they haven't been able to get to it yet. Is there trouble in Fahren and Chizeta?"

"I hear the queen of Chizeta is getting married," Pygmy shrugged. "She must be marrying that horrible overlord. Not such a wise decision, if you ask me."

The Magic Knight of Fire stepped back in alarm. "Tatra marrying? Tarta never said anything about that when she was with us..."

Eagle's cousin didn't answer. She looked down at the pedestal, glowing red. It was hungry, searching out the rest of itself. Pygmy tried to pry the stone away from its place. Unfortunately, it was stuck in place. "How odd. It shouldn't stick to the pedestal yet. Not all three stones were placed in yet."

A cackle erupted from behind Hikaru. Pygmy spotted a shadowy hand trying to grab the Magic Knight, but she hurriedly tackled her, pushing Hikaru to the ground. Lantis grabbed his sword hilt, ready to strike, but the hand disappeared. All around them, the grass rustled. Suddenly, the greenery began to surround the pedestal. Trees sprouted up and covered the place around Lantis, Hikaru, and Pygmy. The Magic Swordsman took his sword and tried to slice a tree down, to no avail. He was countered with an electric field, throwing him into the ground.

"Lantis!" Hikaru ran to his side. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," he grunted. "But it seems we're stuck in here."

"Honou no Ya!" the Magic Knight screamed. Her flame arrow didn't make a dent in the shrubbery. She paled.

Pygmy cautiously examined the bushes. She looked closely and saw that the shrubs were sparkling with electricity. "It's a force field of some sort. I think it's to prevent anyone else from entering or getting out until the stone is taken out of the pedestal."

"Oh, great, so we're stuck here to wait for the other Magic Knights to find the stone and put it in the pedestal?" Lantis muttered, getting up.

"Looks like it..."

Hikaru turned towards the sky. Please, let them get there fast.