Author email: ibebexcoco@hotmail.com
Category: Romance, Drama and Angst (kinda)
Keywords: Clef and Umi and Eagle
Spoilers: none
Ratings: PG-13, but may go up
Summary:
Strong, what is more to describe the Water Knight? But appearances are deceiving. Can you really prove she is? Hidden behind masks, it's a routine. Strong, that's what you can use to describe Eagle. In a coma for so long he still lives and hope is always present. When he wakes everything changes. Strong, another word to describe the Master Mage but is he really? All these spell and powers, does it really make you strong? Hidden behind books, he doesn't need to pretend. Hidden between something they don't need to pretend... pretend that they are strong.
Disclaimer:
This story is based on characters created and owned by Clamp. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Authors Note:
Character Pairings include Clef/Umi/Eagle triangle, Hikaru/Lantis, Fuu/Ferio and more when needed.
And if you start to fall
Just keep reaching for your dreams
And you know you're gonna catch them all
With all your heart
I know you can do anything
With a little faith you can reach right up to
the highest star
There's no mountain you can't climb
Just look inside your heart you'll find the strength inside
All you have to do is try
With all your heart
-- With all your heart Plus One
Chapter Three: Believe
The palace doors closed and opened every second of the day until they decided to leave it open for the wounded villagers that seem to pour into the palace like waves. What is going on? Why are so much people here? These two questions have been running circles in Umi's head for the past hours. Everything was a mystery; Clef had locked himself in his room to research about something he doesn't even know about. It wasn't until late afternoon did a young male villager scramble in the palace doors clutching three gems. One was a dark blood red that seems to have been filled with blood of innocents and with a fiery personality to match it.
In his other hand was a dark swamp green that looked as if it was filled with trees beyond trees from a mucky swamp; it was silent and even when the man dropped it, it made no noise. The last gem held no shine even when the sun shined directly on it, it was a deep marine blue that looked almost black; as the gem moved from one hand to the other, it seem to entrance them to touch and when Clef did he felt a drowning sensation, suffocating him to death.
Quickly retrieving his hand he looked at the frightened man that glanced around him with fear. "Presea, take the gems from the man. Fuu follow me and we'll heal this man." Presea made a move forward to only be shoved aside by the villager. "No!" His beady eyes were moving around frantically, "She must not touch the Gems of Morganna! Only those who possess the other Gems of the Rune Gods will be able to hold it." Clef's face seems to tighten with each phrase the villager said. Everyone watched stun as Clef's hand shot forward and grabbed onto the man's collar. "How did you possess the Gems of Morganna?!" Clef snarled with anger, startling his companions. "Who gave it to you?!"
"Clef! Put the poor guy down, what are you so upset about the Gem of Morganna for?" Hikaru's voice echoed through the silent palace halls. With a sigh, Clef beckoned the others to follow into his studies and closed the door behind him, binding it with a spell. The man ran around the room, closing windows and curtains and finally sat in the middle of the room. "What is this about?" Ferio was deeply confuse, the Gems of Morganna? Where had he heard it from?
"Talk you! Where did you find the Gems of Morganna?!" Clef's snarling had returned and it earned disapproving looks. The man trembled and opened his mouth to whisper with a slight hiss. "I didn't find it! It found me!" Glancing around, he continued once he thought it was safe. "Morganna found me and told me to find the ones who were worthy of possessing it! She binded me to the gems." Taking a shaky breath, he huddled to himself. "She wants to be free once again. She wishes for her companion once more. I tried to destroy it, tossing it in the flames but I was burned until I took them out. I threw it in the ocean but I followed in. She is back and if I die, then another will take my place."
Umi looked at Clef for explanation. Their summoning was making sense to her now and she looked at Clef for the unexplained blanks. Clef stood up and paced around the room, deep in thought. "The Gems of Morganna was created by a sorceress, Morganna Lamort. She had a companion, who still remains unknown till this day, was another sorceress that had helped in creating the gems. There were originally four gems. One for her, one for her companion and two for those who she thought was worthy."
Rubbing his head with frustration, he closed his eyes. "The powers were threatening so the greatest mages locked up Morganna and her gem hoping that she won't be able to use the powers she possesses. Her companion was able to foresee it ahead of time and had escaped. Morganna is only able to be set free if her companion is willingly to give her the gem she possess. With two gems, the mage's spell would not be able to withstand such power and collapse. But the three gems remained a mystery of its where abouts. Some thought of it as a myth or a legend. But as you can see its not. Morganna wants her revenge and we will have to seal her again, or if possible, kill her."
"Then she is the one who created those monsters?" Fuu pushed her glasses higher as it slipped a bit, "Then how is she locked up?" Clef glanced at Fuu before facing the fire that licked at the logs before consuming it. "Her body is locked in this palace, but yet her spirit isn't. Come I will show you." Placing his staff on the portrait of the previous Pillars, the portrait glimmered and rippled.
"Only a mage is able to get through when trouble stirs."
He disappeared through the rippling waters and others followed. It was a cooling sensation to all of them except to the villager who was still clutching the Gems of Morganna in his hands. Clef cursed under his breath and ran forth to the villager on the floor, writhing in pain.
"It was set so that those who wishes to set her free for their own good would not be able to."
When at last the villager stopped squirming, they took a look around. They were in a maze.
"To buy time and hopefully lose those selfish souls in the maze."
Clef raised his staff higher and the walls faded away. Walking in a straight line, they reached a door. Tapping it three times with the staff, the door creaked and opened. It was dark and Clef's staff lit.
"If those made it successfully, the dungeons will trap them."
As they pass through yet another door, they were once more in a garden, everything was blooming, birds chirping and grasses green. Making their way to what seem like the center of it all, everything turned slowly dead and drooped.
"Her presence was a sign of death."
Hikaru looked around with sorrow, it disappeared as a figure loomed ahead. It was a woman in stone. She had one hand outstretched and the other was wrapped around something, holding it close to her heart. In the back of her was a pair of bat wings spread out wide, wishing to take flight. Her eyes were closed and her expression was one of frustration. Her hair was frozen in place and vines were wrapped around her legs. It was the only green thing around the woman. A circle with a cross was on her forehead.
"That is Morganna, the last Lamort Sorceress of her time."
Snapping his fingers, they were back in the palace at Clef's room. "Magic Knights, it's up to you now. If you wish to fight for us then the gems will be given to you. If not then you may go home. I do not want to pressure you for this battle had lost thousands of people, the best Mages-in-training years ago. Think about it tonight and return with your answers tomorrow."
Deep in the gardens, the symbol on her forehead glowed dimly.
"Hikaru!" The red haired girl turned to find her knight in armor making his way towards her. She smiled at his expression of worry. "Hey Lantis, what's with the look?" Lantis sighs, "It's not a time to joke around. This sounds serious Hikaru." Hikaru's cover up smile, turned upside down into a frown.
"You think I don't know that?! You think I'm fooling around at a time like this? I'm the group's bubble girl! It's my job to keep everyone's feeling at bay, I thought you knew Lantis."
Hikaru turned around to make a disappearance only to be stop by Lantis's arms around her. "I'm sorry Hikaru but I'm scared for you. I never saw Clef so serious in my life. This is dangerous and I'm scared of losing you." Hikaru grins and plant a kiss on his cheeks. "You'll never lose me."
"Ferio, please wait up." The prince turned to see his princess run up to him. It was a comforting sight and Ferio found himself smiling despite the current situation. Fuu stopped with her hands clasp on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Ferio looked at her with mirth and smiled more as Fuu blushed. "Why did you leave so fast Ferio? I wasn't able to catch up with you." Ferio's grin flickered as he was reminded of the current situation.
"Maybe you should go home Fuu, I don't want to see you hurt."
Tears shimmer in her eyes, sparkling slightly with sorrow. "You think I can't handle it?" Ferio quickly shook his head. "It's not that."
"Then what?!" Ferio sighs, taking her hands into one of his he wiped away her fallen tears with his available hand. "I don't want to see you get hurt or even worse, dead because of Cephiro." Fuu shook her head in sadness, her golden strands swaying gently. "You think I want to see you hurt or dead then? I want to protect you too, please don't make me leave you." Ferio could feel tears brimming, "I promise I won't ever make you leave me."
Eagle and Umi walked in silence, or more like comfortable silence for Umi and awkward silence for Eagle. "So Umi, are you going to stay?" Umi looked at Eagle weirdly, "Of course I will! I won't leave when Cephiro is in trouble and come only when it's at peace. What do you take me for?" Eagle sighs, it's now or never. "Just be careful Umi. You're the person I really care for right now and I don't want to see you be in pain or get hurt for Cephrio." Umi smiles, "You're the person I care about the most too and I want to make sure you won't get hurt, especially if I could have been there to save you."
"I'm your most important person?" Eagle stared at Umi with hopeful eyes, praying to Selece that she meant what he thought she meant. "Well, yeah. You're my best friend!" Eagle's hope shimmered down, she didn't get it. "Thanks Umi" Umi smiles and left to prepare herself before dinner, closing the door behind her. At least he was friends with her.
The sun had gone to sleep and the moon had risen into the sky for duty. The stars danced around the moon and clouds would occasionally block it from humans' eyes. The world was silent, at peace away from reality and into the soothing arms of dreams. In one specific corridor of the magnificent castle was a silver door with a blue gem on the handle. Inside a young maiden wasn't at peace, turning and twisting, squirming and writhing, sweat spotted her body with the expression of confusion. "Come to me Umi, hear my plea. Become one with me, let me be." The water knight woke up with a startled jump. Someone was calling to her.
Resting her head onto her arms, she tries to calm her beating heart. It was complete darkness and the words were echoing back and forth. Out of nowhere a pair of hands shot forth and tried to grab onto her. There was no place to hide.
Umi is everything alright?
Selece, her guardian, her Rune god, her friend.
'Everything's fine Selece.'
She could practically feel the Rune god relax.
Then I'll leave you to your peace.
Umi sighs and fell back onto her pillow hoping to sleep.
At the secret garden right out of the Master Mage's room, the symbol on Morganna Lamort's forehead glowed brighter. The vines curled around her legs loosen their hold.
"So Knights, what is your answer?"
"What do you expect Clef? Of course we accept!" Umi's enthusiastic reply had shocked the Master Mage. "You mean you'll all stay? To fight for Cephiro again?"
"Did we ever say no? We're the Magic Knights and we'll fight for Cephiro till the end!" The other two Magic Knights cheered at Hikaru's statement. "They make it sound like someone's party. They truly are the Magic Knights."
"Then hold out your hands and accept the Gems of Morganna." Each stuck out their hands without hesitation. Their original gems shined at the light. The villager, who they found out was called Runic in his village, walked up to Hikaru.
Giving each Magic Knight their respective gems, Runic stood away and his eyes opened in shock. "Runic?" He started to have what seemed like a seizure and he screamed in agony as he was burned alive and the ashes softly blew away out to the ocean.
"He died, Morganna had binded his life and when his mission was over, so would his life."
They hung their head in remorse. The Gems of Morganna began to glow, never shine. "Fight it, fight the greed!" That was all they heard before everything turned black.
"Hello?" Hikaru's voice echoed back softly in the void of darkness. Suddenly everything became sticky, dark crimson red stained her armor as motion became harder.
"Dear child, the Child of Rayearth, welcome to my home."
Turning in circles, Hikaru couldn't see anyone. Someone was here but where?
"Yes, I'm here but where am I? It's dark, so very cold like the inside of my heart.
She could hear her thoughts. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Revenge, they kept me here. I wanted to see light but they deny me life. Give me your soul, I promise power beyond your imagination."
Hikaru took a step backward, "Revenge? Are you Morganna?"
"I see you know me Child of Rayearth, free me and I will promise you the power, power that you won't even dare dream of."
Hikaru shakes her head, "No, what use is power if they hate you and fear you. I want power to come from love." Hikaru could hear the Lamort Sorceress scream in frustration.
Fuu found herself all wet and that the air had a foul smell to it. Trees hanged drooping down and looked extremely unhealthy.
"Child of Windam, come set me free from the injustice they put me in."
"Morganna!" Fuu looked around the eerie looking swamp, why was she here?
"You are here to free me and give me your soul dear Child of Windam."
"NO! My soul is mine and I will never give it up!" The reply was silent, no reply of any sort. Had she left? Walking a bit further, Fuu could make out light.
Water, that was the only explanation for her being all wet but everything was dark. Where's the light?
"Child of Selece, fear my name, return your soul to me."
Umi's head snapped up in shock, that voice; she had heard it before in her dreams.
"So you heard my calling? You are not like the others Child of Selece. Be one with me then and together we will rule once more."
"My friends aren't and neither will I Morganna!" Umi could feel the sorceress's amusement.
"Do you have no plans on your own? Why follow your friends when I can give you so much more?"
"Only when you experience friendship will you be able to explain." Umi felt the air around her lighten and a bright light enveloped her.
"We will meet again, that I promise.
Umi woke up to find the comfort of her bed. Sighing, she heard metal clashing with metal. Getting out of her bed she looked out of her balcony and found the others outside each battling creatures. Gasping, she found her legs jumping off the balcony to help her friends. Dragon wings sprouted from her back and Umi's armor swapped with her present clothes. Her sword appeared in her right hand and the glove of her left hand was slightly thicker and more detailed in designed. She was confused, what was she suppose to do now? "Believe in yourself" Something inside her blossomed causing her to yell out unfamiliar words. "Heart of Dragons" A huge watery dragon that looked remarkably like Selece came from her left hand. The dragon gave a glance at her summoner and flew off to the creatures that were overcoming Clef. The gem on the dragon glowed and it gave a tremendous roar distracting the monsters from its earlier task.
"Umi?" Clef squinted his eyes and stared at the lady floating in the darken sky. The Master Mage watched amazed at the watery dragon's attack. It had wiped out one-third of the creatures before disappearing. The powers from the Gems of Morganna were truly amazing.
Hikaru jerked up and ran out of the castle as soon as she heard the clashing sounds of swords being drawn. "I must help them!" A bright light came from the gem on the left glove. In her right hand held her sword and the gloves of her left were delicately designed with intricate images. A pair of fire wings sprang from her back causing her to gently float off the ground. "Heart of Lions!" A giant lion came forth from the Gem of Morganna. Giving a frightening growl it pounced on every creature, wiping out another third of the monsters. "Hikaru" Lantis whispered in awe.
Fuu opened her eyes gently and walked around her room, only to stop at the windows as she witness the fight outside. "Oh god" Fuu gasps as a pair of bird wings grew from her back. Her sword faded into view, taking a glance at the different glove on her left hand she flew out of her window and into the battlefield. "Heart of Phoenix" A big phoenix flew from her finger tips, screeching with justice it flew down into the battlefield without a second thought. The remaining creatures either fled or were quickly beaten by the phoenix. One quick glance at the phoenix confirmed Ferio's guess on who the mysterious girl was. "Fuu"
Floating gently onto ground, Hikaru and Fuu found themselves on the ground weak from the overwhelming powers. Umi however was still staring at the bloody battlefield in the air. "Something, something took my place and gave me strength." Landing on the ground Umi walked toward a black unicorn. Gently touching his horn, a light engulf the horned horse and it turned white. Blinking softly, the unicorn rose up on its hooves, it bend over into what looked like a bow and galloped off. "Umi?" Eagle could only found himself whisper, nothing more. The water knight smiling slightly before collapsing fully onto the ground, hearing faint voices calling her name.
A[N]- Like? Hope this is longer!