Wow, two in two days, I'm impressed with myself. This one is quite long too, seven pages. I also had to reread this entire story, seeing as I haven't updated since last years mutters. This story is a year old and not finished, which's far too long. My goal for the summer is to finish it, so be looking for more updates soon. It's reaching its climax, and after that it's all downhill from there. So I hope you're not too steamed at me for slacking on this update, and I hope it's worth the wait! I can tell you the upcoming chapters certainly will be!

Chapter Ten: Journeys

With the ceremony over, Umi could be free for awhile. Castellum showed her to her rooms, which were in the Palace. She quickly learned that not everyone was graced with rooms inside the Palace walls, that those were reserved for the most powerful Keepers, the Keepers on the Sacred Council. It was a council that consisted of thirteen members, and they made decisions in the Village (as much as their power allowed) and judged cases that could not be judged in Cephiro. She was to be a part of this council.

When she was finally shown her rooms, she ran her hands lovingly over her saddlebags before she opened them and began to unpack what little she'd brought with her. She had barely begun unpacking when there was a knock on the door.

She glided over to it and opened it to reveal the new Keeper of the Night, "Um…hello," she mumbled, and he nodded and attempted a smile.

"I am supposed to speak with you," he informed her. "Veneficus sent me. You and I will work closely together."

"Okay…" Umi looked him over. He was a boy about her age, or seemingly about her age, with dark black hair but bright golden eyes that differed from Noctis', or Blade's, deep black ones. His body was less mature, and his features didn't seem as weathered, nor his tone as bitter, but he had been trained. He'd lived in the Sacred Village for a longer time than she, and he could show her the ways here.

"I know you must be nervous, being thrown into this so quickly, but really, it comes almost naturally once you've passed the tests. At first your powers will be automatic, at least until you've learned. The more you learn, the more you get to understand what you're doing and the more you get to bend your powers to your Will," he explained, and Umi sighed, a great weight lifted from her shoulders. "As a gift to you, the Council has passed on a few of your powers to other Keepers, but this will only last for a short time."

"Other powers?" Umi inquired.

"With your new Title, you inherit two powers. Yours are mind reading and intuition," he explained, and Umi gasped. He pretended not to notice and continued on, "Your gift of intuition was passed to Affectus, the Keeper of Emotions and your mind reading was simply returned to Mentis, the Keeper of the Mind."

She nodded and thanked him softly. Certainly having premonitions and hearing people's thoughts would not be a pleasant first day.

"Affectus will return your power in two days, Mentis will return the other in a week, that's all they're able to hold them for," she nodded her understanding. "Is there any other questions you have that I might help with?"

She shook her head and thanked him meekly before he departed.

She fell onto the bed and looked up at the canopy. Atop it were small white stars that she knew if she reached up to touch would sear her hands. She held back the tears that seared her eyes and tried to push away any thought of him. Before she knew it, the effort of controlling her tears had put her to sleep.

§§§

Fuu and Hikaru slumped near the fire, barely able to move.

Blade watched them warily from nearby, shadowing himself in the swiftly approaching night, "Wonder how Calder, Noctis, is doing," he mumbled, and Hikaru lifted her head to listen to him.

"Well night's come, so I suppose he's doing all right," she smiled, and he laughed and shook his head.

"There's so much more to night than you think."

"What more is there than darkness?" Hikaru inquired, and he pointed upward.

"There's the alignment of the stars, the position of the moon, the phase of the moon. There are the creatures that live in the night, though that falls mostly on Bestia's shoulders. There are the clouds in the sky, the dew on the grass. Everything has to be just perfectly so, especially the moon, because the tides rely on the moon," he answered, and Hikaru blinked rapidly, then shook her head.

"I never even thought of all that. I just took it for granted all this time, that all those things come with night," she sighed heavily and tried to imagine all that she'd been taking for granted all these years. Things these people were being punished for to bring her, things they were losing so that Cephiro, the world, could be beautiful.

"Don't fret over it Fire Knight, it comes with the job," a female voice called behind them, causing Blade to leap to his feet and bound toward her.

"Alianore," he whispered and swept her into his arms.

"Blade," she mumbled against his neck before they pulled away to look at the other two. "They look weak," she whispered, and he nodded.

"They are," he muttered. "The new Water Knight has already been summoned, and they feel the strain."

"We should take them to the Palace, this is not their quest."

"I was planning on it," Noctis turned his back to the two. "How is she?"

"She is…" Quies stopped. "She will do well, only…it should not be the position she is in. Yet, I can do no more, not at the moment."

"We will think of something."

"I hope so," Quies looked to the moon and laughed slightly, "It just shifted," she whispered, and Blade groaned and threw his hands upward to the sky.

"If I've told him once I've told him a thousand times! You must rotate the moon constantly so that it does not seem jerky!"

This caused the other three to laugh while Blade just muttered and began to pack up their saddlebags.

§§§

"What are we to do about Clef?" Presea asked the other anxiously, but they all shook their heads.

"What are we to do about Alliandre?" Ascot demanded angrily. "She still does not believe us! Why?"

"Easy," Eagle muttered, and they all turned to him. "Because the other two have not accepted it yet. She won't see the truth until they've been brought to the palace," here his eyes turned to Lantis and Ferio.

"We will go," Lantis volunteered, and Ferio lowered his head. He knew it would hurt his Wind Knight to be brought back to a palace that was empty of the Water Knight she knew and loved, but for her own sake, and for the sake of his country, it could not be helped. He nodded along with Lantis.

"We'll leave in the morning," Ferio added, and they all thanked them softly and turned their gaze back to the fire. They tried not to shudder at the thought of only two Magic Knights returning.

§§§

Clef sighed angrily and threw the book down, "Nothing! There is nothing!" he shouted.

Silvius appeared before him and picked the book up, folding the pages back into their proper position, "Nothing about what Clef?" he inquired, flipping through the book.

Clef summoned the book to him, snatching it from Silvius' hands and shook his head, "Nothing for you to worry about. It is a problem of my own Silvius. We all must have our secrets."

The other mage growled but did not protest. He knew when to bow down to someone who had more power than he, though, he did not have to be happy about it. "Whatever you wish, Master Mage."

"What do you have planned for Selece?" Clef whispered greedily, and Silvius grinned and took a chair near him.

"We will wait for Fuu and Hikaru to return. We cannot attempt anything without them. Alliandre will not realize she is the Magic Knight of Water without them. Then, when they have returned, we will convince them to abandon the new Knight in search of a way to save their beloved Umi. The new Knight will be vulnerable, but we will let her summon Selece. Then, outside the Water Temple, we'll spring. Both of them will be weak, the new Knight with ignorance and Selece with hidden grief. That is the best chance we have. With our combined powers, vengeance will surely be ours."

Clef smiled sickly and nodded, "Yes, we will do that, perfect," he muttered, and Silvius grinned at him and shook his head.

"Yes, it is perfect," he whispered and turned his eyes back to the moon. His eyes narrowed, had it just shifted? No, it couldn't be, but…he couldn't take any chances. "Clef, something's just come up."

"Something? What something?"

"We all must have our secrets," he answered before he disappeared. Clef watched him vanish and nodded to himself.

"Secrets."

§§§

Every step nearer the palace they came the more energy seeped back into their veins. By the time they were outside the gates, they were themselves again.

"Are you sure this is where we'll find Silvius?" Hikaru inquired. "It's awfully close to the palace."

"He'll want to monitor it," Alianore assured her, tightening the Willing spell carefully. Their Wills were insanely strong, and at the end of the journey she was exhausted. The Willing spell didn't control them exactly, just pushed them in the right direction. She knew they wanted to go back to the palace to see the men they loved, but their duty to Umi was stronger, so she played on that and turned their Will more to their loved ones, convincing them it was for duty. The spell convinced them that returning was for duty while their Will pushed them back to the palace. It was a helpful little trick, but uncannily difficult on these two. Stubborn, she thought to herself.

Sounds like someone else I know, Blade laughed in her mind, and she turned in her saddle to glare at him. They'd discovered during the night that Veneficus had also granted them mind-speech. It was a signature of the Keepers, but fortunately, not a very known one.

As if on cue, Lantis and Ferio came tearing out of the palace on horseback. They'd not ridden a hundred meters before they realized they were riding past the things they sought and headed back to the other two.

"Fuu!"

"Hikaru!"

They reigned their animals next to the group, and Alianore released the spell, sighing heavily. Thank you, she muttered in her mind, and Blade gave her an encouraging smile. He'd seen the toll it was having on her, but he also knew it was necessary.

"Ferio!"

"Lantis!"

"What are you-" Hikaru began.

"You tricked us!" Fuu shrieked, turning her eyes on Alianore.

"I-" she shook her head, trying to explain. "You would have died, and we need you alive! They need you alive!"

Fuu had no protests to this logic, but she couldn't help but grumble. There was an illogical, yet extremely passionate rage in her stomach, even with Ferio there to ease it.

"The new Water Knight has been summoned," Ferio kept his eyes on the pommel of his saddle, toying with the reins aimlessly. "She needs you two to tell her, or she won't be convinced."

"We have to tell her what happened?" Hikaru inquired softly, meeting Lantis' eyes. Even he was forced to turn away from them, and her exile hit her. He'd turned his eyes away like this before…once before. The darkness clouded her memory, but she shook it away. She had time to reflect later, now Cephiro needed her. Already, she thought bitterly, already I've forgotten about Umi and turned my eyes on Cephiro.

"It's the way it has to be for now," Alianore whispered, attempting to console them. "We will return to you as soon as we have news."

"Why?" Fuu demanded angrily to her back, tears of bitterness springing to her eyes. Both she and Blade turned back to the Knights. "Can't face him?" her tongue lashed at Alianore, but she continued despite. She wanted to accept, but something in her wouldn't allow it, "Can't face the man you destroyed? You won't come and look the Master Mage in the eyes and tell him how his love is? You won't tell him what happened to her in there, how she passed the tests and won't return for many years? Why not Alianore? Why not!?"

"Fuu!" Ferio kicked his horse into a gallop as she urged her mare forward, blindly running toward the palace.

"Fuu-chan!" Hikaru pushed her horse forward as well, galloping after the two.

"Quies, Alianore, whoever you call yourself," Lantis allowed himself only a few words. "You may yet live to regret your decision," then he too turned his animal around and headed after the remaining Magic Knights.

Blade pulled his horse near the now sobbing Alianore and wrapped his arms around her, but not even his warmth could console her, "I already do," she whispered through her tears. "As much as I love you, I already do."

"So this is the sickness that drives Keepers mad," he muttered and looked to the heavens, praying for help, from anyone.

§§§

"So you see…" Hikaru turned her eyes downward. "We need you."

Alliandre looked at the small girl, and the confusion vanished from her eyes. "Oh," she mumbled. She wished to ease the girls' pain, yet there was nothing she could say that would help. She knew loss. Her parents had both died when she was young. She'd lived in an orphanage her whole life, in fact, that was who she was with when she was sucked into Cephiro. She couldn't help but be thankful for the change; yet, it seemed she wasn't exactly wanted her either. "I'm sorry."

"You don't-it's not your fault," Fuu managed to choke through her tears. Umi-san!

Umi-chan!

"Fuu, Hikaru," Clef's voice was clear and crisp as he entered swiftly, black robes flashing behind him. "Alliandre," the new name stung on his tongue. "Magic Knights," he forced himself to address them.

"Master Mage," Fuu and Hikaru stood formally, and Alliandre jumped to her feet after them. He looked her over, everything about her contrasted with Umi. Her hair was golden and curly; her eyes were a simple but elegant brown. She was shorter than Fuu, by only a hair, yet shorter all the same. Her features were resolute but not with the same stubborn pride that Umi possessed, more with a reserved determination- one that she would only display when she needed it. She was quiet, not nearly as outspoken as his angel. Stop it, his mind scolded. You need to focus on the job at hand. That returned him to his point.

"I wish to speak with you, only…" he turned his eyes away from Alliandre. "Only you two."

They took one last glance at the new Water Knight before they turned and headed back with the Master Mage.

§§§

"Ah ha," Silvius laughed, appearing before the two. "I thought it might be this."

"Silvius," Blade hissed, moving his horse in front of Alianore.

"I saw the moon…shift…last night, and guessed it might be a new Keeper. You wouldn't slip up like that Blade. I assumed that was the case, since Alianore was forced to serve time. Yet, I didn't think either of you would choose Banishment. You were always so fond of your duties. But, I suppose that's the way life goes. Unfortunately, something about being mortal, is that, you can die," he threw out a hand and magic fell onto the two.

"No!" Alianore screamed and threw up a shield before the magic could touch Blade's flesh.

Arigato, he sighed in her mind.

No problem, she answered, smiling weakly.

"Aw, how cute," he mocked cruelly, and the two turned their attention toward him.

"What are you doing Silivius? You can't match both of us," Blade taunted, and he glared angrily.

"Can't I? How do you know? You haven't lived in this world as long as I. You don't even know what the limits of your magic are, don't know how much you possess, how much Veneficus would grant you. Well, I was able to grant myself quite a lot when I left. The only one who could equal me now is Clef, and he's safely on my side, so, I would worry children. Yet, you did bring them to me, a necessary part of my plan, so I think I'll leave you alive for a little while longer, at least until I have the Master Mage to fight with me."

"Clef?" Alianore's eyes widened in surprise, "What do you mean-"

"Ta ta," he waved childishly and disappeared.

"Well that's curious," Blade growled deep in his throat, and Alianore clenched her fists with the same sentiments.

"He wouldn't…he's spent so long protecting this place…"

"But it seems he would."

"Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions Blade; I'm pretty sure he's got something up his sleeve. He's trickier than Silvius thinks."

"Or maybe you're overestimating him," Blade muttered angrily.

"I don't think so," she pondered. "Somehow, I don't think so."

§§§

Umi looked around her worriedly. Where was she? She knew she had just been in the Palace of the Keepers, so now where was she? Everything was dark, except for glittering lights in the distance. She danced over to them and smiled blissfully. She felt oddly…free. It was the first time she didn't feel like dying since she'd gained this God-awful cloak. Her fingers trailed down the silk sadly. If only…no, she scolded herself. Things are not different, and you have a job to do, so you're going to do it to the best of your ability. Deal with it.

She nodded and set her jaw; she would do her job. She just needed to figure out what it was first.

As if something unseen had heard her thoughts, she began to float closer and closer to the lights. As she approached, she realized each light was a different person, and each person was asleep. Some were fuzzier than other ones, while some were bright illuminating her with a blinding light. Those were the ones she headed for first. Something in her told her the brighter the light the closer the person was to sleep. Those that were barely visible were going to be sleeping in the future. This way, she could plan dreams ahead, allowing herself time to breathe, because, inevitably, someone was always dreaming. That was why she could never fall in love. Hm…curious…I wonder what that voice is. She sighed to herself and guessed she didn't need to know before she set off to her work.

So she went about her work. She would enter the mind of every person and plant a seed. Sometimes, she would bend down and look what was in the seed, but it was always vague and confusing, and other times she would just trust that strange knowing voiceless voice that was leading her forward. She did this to all the people that were blazing, then moved to those who were just faintly glowing. She gasped when she saw that Clef was one of those.

"No," she begged the voice that was controlling her. "No, please don't make me do this." Yet, it was her job, so she reached forward and entered his mind just like every other person, as if he was no different. This time though, she pushed herself into the seed and was able to watch the dream as it happened.

"Umi!" he shouted, throwing himself toward the Knight whom was fading in his arms.

"Gomen nasai Clef," she whispered softly, blood staining her lips. "I'll see you soon…"

"No," he begged, crying gently into her soft blue hair. "Damn you Selece! Damn you! Why do you take her from me over and over again? Why!? Why must you torment me?!"

She ripped away from the dream and backed up. Strange, why was the voice sending Clef this dream. Again, right on cue, the voice pushed her forward into him once more, where she planted a second seed. This time, the dream was much different.

He laughed warmly as she exited the Sacred Village. It faded behind her, but everything looked the same. They were just the same, though their eyes showed years of wear. She bounded to him, throwing her arms tightly around his neck as he showered her with kisses.

"I will never let you go again," he vowed, and she let her first tears of love fall in a hundred years.

"I pray you won't ever have to."

An ultimatum? She pondered the idea. Why would Clef be given two different roads to travel? But, before she could examine it further, the strange voice, yet not voice, pushed her on. There was more work to do yet this night. She looked back once more at the faintly glowing image, taking deep breaths to control her sobs.

§§§

"Fuu, Hikaru, I need to tell you something," Clef told them, taking them into his study.

"What is it Guru?" Fuu inquired worriedly. Something about the rings around his eyes was not right; something in his body screamed…displaced. She knew he would be hurting about Umi, but this was different. This was…not him…almost.

"I, I might have done something that could endanger you, and all of Cephiro," he answered her question while he contemplated the ground.

"What do you mean?" Hikaru cocked her head to the side, while Fuu's eyes narrowed. Endangering Cephiro? He'd suffered so long for Cephiro, why would he choose to endanger it now but for…vengeance…she tried to keep the thought hidden, but as soon as she had it the surprise showed on her face, and Clef knew she knew.

"Listen to me, I don't have much time to explain; you'll just need to trust me. Can you do that?"

Fuu wanted to scream no, but Hikaru had already quickly agreed to do as he said. Knowing that the only way to protect Hikaru was to stay with her, Fuu nodded stiffly.

"Good, now, you must not go with Alliandre on her journey to revive the Water Dragon. You must instead go to a city called Foret de la Neige. There's a great library there, and in it you may find an answer to the Keepers Code. There's something that controls them, something even above the Will of Cephiro, above Mokona. If you can find out what it is and persuade it to help Umi, we may be able to save her and all the Keepers."

"Will Alliandre be all right to travel on her own?" Hikaru questioned.

"She will be fine, I'm having Ascot go with her, and if something happens I'll be sure to contact you right away," he assured them, and Fuu watched his every action with a careful glance. He was up to something, she just didn't know what.

"We will do whatever we can to save Umi-chan, Guru," Hikaru vowed, clenching her fists, and he smiled, looking relieved, and thanked her quietly.

"Fuu?" his eyes turned to the Wind Knight who was snapped out of her contemplation.

She nodded, "I go wherever Hikaru does. It would not do to lose another one of my friends," she caught Clef's eyes and held them dangerously, warning him not to try anything that would harm anymore of her loved ones.

"I know precisely how you feel," he answered her eyes, and she nodded, the truce made, and the two turned to leave for their journey.

Dun dun dun, I know you have questions, grins I actually had to dig through my brain to remember what I wanted to do with this story, but I figured it out, eventually. Um…if you've read this chapter and decided that I'm worthy of your time, even after all this time, I bow down to you and thank you very much for your reviews! New chapter soon! I promise! Arigato! .