Author Notes: See I told you to expect Chapter 2 soon ^^ Anyway this is the longest passage I've ever wrote, it's above 5000 words and is ten pages on Microsoft Word!! On to the story...
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Chapter 2
Fuu walked quietly beside Ferio, they were almost done the tour or so Ferio kept on telling her, she stared ahead of them. It wasn't everyday she got to have a tour of a palace with a prince but she couldn't make herself start a conversion.
"Miss. Fuu may I ask you a question," She looked up at him a sudden idea floated to her mind.
"Of course but I am allowed one question of you then." She rose a delicate brow and tilted her head to the side.
"Very well, my question is, please don't think I'm rude but why did your family give you away as if you were something material?" She frowned at his question and looked down to the ground, the prince noticed this and reached his hand to her chin gently rising it so that their eyes met "You don't have to tell me , I won't force you." She smiled and pulled her head away from his grasp, he found that his hand lingered in the air for awhile.
"No you deserve the truth, and honestly I don't quite understand the way their minds work. All I know is that we are somewhat as a peace offering. I know they feel sorry for doing this to us and I know that they still love my sisters and I. When our parents died my eldest brother who you met, Satoru, was quickly thrown into being the head of the clan even though he had been studying the formalities, he somewhat still wasn't prepared." She paused "So for the answer to your question, I truly do not know. I am sorry." She looked up at him through intelligent eyes.
"Now it's my turn for a question." She laughed at his expression, it was one that was getting prepared to create a good enough answer for this silent young woman.
"Does this castle have a library or a garden?" Ferio blinked.
"Uh yes it does, we have to go through the garden to get to the library though." Fuu clapped her hands together in excitement.
"I love gardens!" Ferio chuckled whole heartily, causing Fuu to blush once again in his presence. Offering his arm once again he smiled at her.
"I find myself liking you more and more Miss. Fuu!" Fuu's blush deepened which caused him to laugh again. They made their way to the gardens slowly and once again were surrounded by a cloud of silence, Fuu kept on thinking about what Ferio meant when he said he was liking her more and more, and she didn't like the way her heart jumped at the thought of him or seeing his smile directed at her. They had just met that day!
"Here we are," She gasped as she took in the garden in front of her, every single breed of flower was in that garden, she looked from the garden to Ferio and back gaping the entire time, as she looked at Ferio a last time she saw a smirk plastered on his face "I knew you'd like it," She ran forward to the sunlight 'beautiful!' She started to run once again towards the flowers.
"Fuu Watch Out!" She looked back at Ferio and quickly turned the other way still running and she turned right into something.
Opening her eyes she saw Ferio bent over her.
"Are you okay?" Concern filled his voice.
"I'm fine what happened?" He smiled at her tenderly.
"You ran into Mage Clef," Standing up he looked at the mage a confused look in his eyes "What are you doing anyway?" Fuu stood up shaking somewhat, as her vision cleared she saw what was making Ferio so confused, their in the mage's arms was a very red Umi.
"Umi!? What happened?" Rushing to her sisters side, Umi described how she had fainted and Mage Clef, who she called plain Clef, was taking her to the Hospital Wing of the Castle. Umi smiled at her sister.
"I learned magic Fuu, Hikaru will be very jealous," Fuu laughed with her sister, but then the maternal side of her turned on.
"Umi this is no time for jokes, I mean what would have happened if you didn't wake up? Hmm tell me that!" Umi just smiled again "I'll take her the rest of the way Mage Clef, I'm sorry Ferio you must show me the library later, come on Umi." Umi was slowly released by Clef only to have her arm draped around her sisters shoulder and Fuu wrapped her arm around her shoulder.
Ferio watched as the girls left before turning to Clef.
"You taught her magic?"
A shrug was what he received.
"Ascot hasn't even talked to her yet but he told me there was something about her he liked," He muttered.
Clef's eyes left the path the girls had taken.
"If you're insinuating something Prince then you are badly mistaken, we are just friends." Clef turned and left leaving Ferio with his thoughts.
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Hikaru walked aimlessly around the halls, her stomach was growling because she hadn't eaten anything since she got to the palace except that candy she had had in her room. Wandering deeper into the unknown passage ways, she found her feet guiding her towards nowhere but this nowhere was filled with the sounds of metal hitting metal. Her pace quickened forgetting she had Mokona in her hands and Hikari at her heel. She stopped in front of a large wooden door, it was a least a third taller then her, somewhat weary she opened the door as she did so the sound of metal became louder.
Her eyes widened at the sight before her eyes, her feet instantly moved her to the swords, gently picking one up she put both hands on it, unaware of the attention she was gathering from the men practicing against one another, the sword she had chosen wasn't light-weight but it wasn't heavy-weight either, it was directly in the middle and perfect for her.
"Do you fight?" The question seemed to bounce off her as she continued to be mesmerized by the weapon in her hands.
At her silence she received a small whine from Hikari which brought the young maiden back to reality and to the man beside her, flustered she apologized for ignoring him and asked that he ask the question again.
"I've learned to but I wouldn't like to say I was 'that' good." The man rose a brow in her direction, before bringing his sword quickly to her left. Hikaru quickly parried it with her own.
"I'd like to see your skill," Hikaru smiled at the challenge "But lets make it a little interesting, If I win I shall receive your name and one dance at the ball this evening fair enough?" Her smile grew.
"And if I? I will receive your name and use of this sword to practice when I feel like it agreed?" The mystery man nodded and handed her something to protect her face, he himself putting the guard on. Leading her to the arena they both got into a stance to their liking, a good enough sized crowd already formed around them.
"First to disarm the other wins! You should know I've done this for awhile being a knight does mean you have to practice." She smiled once again knowing the man saw her smile even if it was covered.
"And you should know that where I come from my brothers are the best swordmans and I have their skill and strength combined into one!" And then it began. Both stood still waiting for the other to move. Hikaru took the initiate and jabbed to the mans left with such speed, the man parried it and started to circle his opponent, Hikaru watched him moving in a small circle herself.
He lunged forward and she guarded, the sounds of two lone swords were what filled the air in the room now.
"You're fast!" the man announced, Hikaru laughed before taking his pause to her advantage, lunging forward she hit his side she stopped staring at what she thought to be a wound.
"Did I hurt you?" It was his turn to laugh.
"Do you always ask your opponents if their okay?" He slash to her left, she spun in a circle and easily evaded the attack swinging to his left as she did. She paused catching her breath. The man took this time and jabbed forward causing her to lose her breath and fall backwards, he smiled.
Hikaru looked up at him, he thought he had won, she smiled to herself 'how wrong you are mystery man' she jumped to her feet and charged at him, surprising both him and the crowd. As she drew closer she suddenly stopped and hit her sword to the right.
A sound of flying metal was heard and landed with a small clank to the ground.
"I think I won!" She smiled.
"What's going on here?" Hikaru froze and looked to where the sword fell, standing there was the prince that had chosen her, a teal haired girl holding his arm and a shocked expression lingered on her face. All the men in the room bowed except the two duelers, Hikaru should of curtsied but her legs wouldn't move.
The man turned and pulled off his mask, sandy blonde glimmered because of the badly lit torches that surrounded the perimeter of the room.
"Just a friendly duel Lantis my dear friend," She stared at him they were friends? The man turned to her "You won and so you shall know my name, I am Eagle Vision. Knight and head of the Prince Lantis's guard though he doesn't need a guard, and as promised you may use the training room whenever needed." She nodded her head in agreement "But I'd still like that dance at the ball!" Eagle announced smiling, his opponent nodded.
"I would like that.." She reached up and pulled the mask from her face her fiery locks falling back into place, she turned to the prince "If it okay?"
Lantis stood amazed, the petite woman who had arrived at the castle that very morning had beaten his best friend and guard in a duel, it seemed quite unbelievable. He nodded in consent.
"Thank you… oh Sir Eagle my name is Hikaru Shidou, I had fun dueling against you!" Her eyes closed and one of the brightest smiles he had ever seen lay on her face and he felt graced to be on the receiving end of it.
"Why does she need your permission Lantis?" The crowd seemed to draw it's attention to the teal haired maiden on their Princes arm. Besides her long flowing teal hair, the princess was quite beautiful, wearing a equally stunning rose colored gown edged in gold adorned her body. Topaz like eyes shined like the jewel they resembled.
"It's nothing, what would you like to see next Princess Primera?" She brought her finger to her lip in thought.
"The Ballroom!" he nodded.
"Eagle," Eagle returned with a curt nod.
"I should be going to meet my sisters too, it was nice meeting you Sir Eagle, we didn't exactly meet but it is nice to meet you Princess!" She ran past them her foot catching on some of the hard stone flooring "ow!" she muttered as she pulled herself off the floor, laughter reached her ears, she looked up to find the laughter came from the princess.
"Who are you, some servant who escaped kitchen duty?" Hikaru laughed with her, not seeing anything wrong with the situation, never noticing the worried looks she received from everyone in the room except the Princess.
"I'm a guest if you must know and I guess it was kinda funny!" She laughed to herself, bringing her small hand to her lips. Primera looked down at her, she had expected the girl to be crying at her rudeness but she was laughing along with her 'that isn't supposed to be what happens!' She screamed in her head "Well I best be going," and she ran down the halls back to her room. With that over Primera started leading the Prince out of the room her fun ruined and the prince's gaze on Hikaru's retreating form.
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Umi lay quietly in her bed, head resting to the side, since she had fainted and brought directly to bed from the hosipital wing, her sisters had informed her that they would pick a gown for her since she was unable to walk that well, and when tried her legs collapsed under her. She hated not being able to choose her gown and had pouted for quite sometime after they left but now found herself quiet and content, I small knock at the door brought her from her thoughts.
"Come in," As the door slowly opened she saw the Prince walk in. She noticed that he looked somewhat nervous and had his head facing down.
"I was thinking that maybe you'd like some company and since we haven't really properly introduced one another to the other this would be the perfect time to do so?" Umi smiled in his direction and motioned for him to sit on the bed across from her, making his way he sat down.
"Now you know more about me then I of you, so I would like to get to know you first," he nodded "okay I know your names Ascot and I'm guessing you are a summoner or something like?" He nodded slowly as if she had asked a uncomfortable question.
"I am a summoner and am friends with the creatures I summon… most find that odd." She looked at him through caring eyes and reached out her hand resting it on his shoulder.
"Everyone deserves friends no matter what form they take! I think it's inspiring that you're friends with the creatures because it shows us to not be so scared of the monsters that could attack us during rides or walks through forests and mountains," He beamed at her, glad that she had accepted the fact about him that so many had felt disgusted about. "How old are you, you and your brothers that is?"
"Ferio and I are eighteen, while Lantis is twenty. Zagato is 24," Umi stared.
"The King is the same age as my eldest brother yet he rules such a prosperous land!" Ascot frowned his eyes taking on a sadness that surprised her in some way.
"Zagato was thrown into becoming King when our father died and I know as much as my brothers that he would never betray this country but.. he has now found something that if found could destroy him." Umi looked out the window to the stars, feeling as if she could reach out and grab them.
"High Priestess Emeraude," He gasped.
"How do you know? Please don't tell the queen!"
"The reason I lay here now is because today I was given magic by Mage Clef the experience made me faint, as I still was in conscious he told me about the king," Ascot looked at the maiden lying in the bed for a few minutes before giving his head a quick shake.
"What element did your magic take?" She rose her hand and made a movement as if it was riding on water, understanding Ascot spoke again "One could probably guess you would receive the power to control Water Miss. Umi. It seems to shine within you… doesn't your name mean the sea?" She nodded turning to face him a smile present.
"Umi we found.. oh!" The two looked to the door to find the two younger sisters slowly making their way out of the room, Umi smiled laughing softly they turned back to face their sister.
"It was nice talking to you your Highness!" He nodded his head slightly before standing and heading to the doors, bowing to her sisters as they curtsied. Just as he got to the door he looked back to the sea haired maiden.
"Please allow me a dance at the ball Miss. Umi?"
"Of course!" He smiled a bright smile before leaving the room completely. Once he was gone she turned to her sisters. They were holding something behind their backs and looked quite the suspicious two. After a couple minutes they ran to her bed a conversation started even before they reached her.
"Umi do you think you'll be able to go to the ball?" Fuu questioned, Umi sighed.
"I hope so, I'd hate to disappoint Prince Ascot." The two nodded knowing full well how she would feel since they too had made a promise to another for a dance.
"Well we should get ready then!" Hikaru bounced up and showed Umi the dress they had chosen for her.
"It's beautiful!"
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A small knock at the door, told the three young woman that their escorts for the evening were waiting for them outside the door. Standing Umi did a little spin, before meeting the eyes of her sisters.
"It looks beautiful on you Umi!" Fuu continued to praise the dress as Hikaru clapped silently "We shouldn't keep them waiting, I guess," she continued. Heading towards the door the three curtsied to the three men. Prince Ferio offered his arm to Fuu as a sandy blonde man offered his to Hikaru, whispering something to her as he did so. Whatever it was Hikaru nodded and they made their way.
"Eagle Vision, head of my brother's guard. Probably since Lantis couldn't escort your sister himself, he asked Eagle to." Umi turned to Ascot who offered her his arm.
"You look beautiful Miss. Umi," She tried to hide her blush by turning the other way, she had to compliment her sister's on their choice for her. The dress was a smooth gentle sapphire silk that flowed like streams of water over her body, with the gathered neckline and extended sleeves it made her look even more surreal then as she usually did. Along with the full skirt and the deep sea blue over-bodice, it accented her slim figure and height amazingly, a narrow silver circlet lay gracefully atop her head, a small blue gem imbedded into it that made the whole design shine. Her hair ran straight down her back as always though for the occasion a few scarce ringlets flowed down in front of her face, matching perfectly with her sea blue eyes.
"Ascot, what does the High Priestess look like?" Ascot looked at her through admiring eyes. To him no beauty could compare to the one that walked beside him.
"The Priestess… She has the face of a child and the soul of one, her hair is a gold as the sun, her skin as fair as the moon, and her eyes are a soft sea green color that rivals the sea itself, just like yours," She smiled up at him, pleased with his explanation and compliment.
"The way you describe her, it's as if you have the same feelings the King has," The Prince lost his air of royalty at that comment and suddenly took on a nervous appeal, shaking his head vigorously he calmed down.
"She is like a sister to me nothing else Miss. Umi!" Umi chuckled to herself.
As the two entered the ballroom, the young woman couldn't help but gape at it's beauty. It was still like the rest of the castle yet different. For starters the floor was now a soft marble, and the walls looked a bit darker then the rest of them. But what really drew her attention was the crystal chandelier hanging directly in the middle of the high ceiling.
"Prince Ascot of Cephiro and Lady Umi of Clan Shidou." Once their names were announced the two made their way down the entrance staircase, eyes followed their every move. Umi shifted uncomfortably under the many stares till she met one that calmed her instantly. A pair of deep murky blue met her sea colored ones and they met with such ease. Umi allowed herself a smile in the Mage's Direction before turning to Ascot who was currently leading her to the dance floor.
Once there he grasped her hand, as she did his and slowly they began to sway along with the music. Talk and laughter could be heard from the two.
"Miss. Umi you should know that in two days time we will be leaving for our individual kingdoms," She stared at him through shocked eyes that held sadness.
"I knew I would have to leave my sisters soon but I didn't realize how soon…" She trailed off looking downwards at the floor.
"You will be able to write to them, my brothers and I are not that cruel." Ascot wanted to see the maiden in front of him happy. To become her friend, for she was the only one who seemed to understand him besides, his thoughts drifted off not finishing themselves.
"I don't think you're cruel! Whatever gave you the impression that I did?" She looked up at him and met his eyes. They were glazed over, lost in thought. She smiled to herself and left her question unanswered. Slowly the song ended. The two stepped apart from one another, a curtsy on one side a bow on the other.
"Miss. Umi may I have the next dance?" They both turned, Umi found herself once again lost in the murky depths of the mans eyes "If it is okay with your partner?" Ascot nodded and excused himself from the two. Taking the Prince's place the two began to dance as the next song started up. Umi found herself so quiet and lost just by staring at the man in front of her. He smiled.
"I assume Ascot told you about your departure in two days?" He questioned. Umi looked a little surprised that Clef knew about that. Smiling wryly she opened her mouth to reply.
"It is best not to assume too much Mage Clef but yes he did." He nodded
"I thought I told you that you could call me by my first name no formalities needed?" She smiled back at the most powerful mage of Cephiro.
"I know!" He laughed a deep yet quiet laugh.
"Then do you know about the three kingdoms that will divide the trio that is you and you're sisters?" With a shake of her head Clef continued.
"The three kingdoms are one of the mountains, one of the ocean, and one of the forest. Lantis owns the Kingdom where the mountains reign, Ferio the calm but intelligent forest and Ascot owns the serene Kingdom of the Sea. Each kingdom is unique." He paused to look at her attentive gaze.
"Lantis's kingdom's uniqueness is that, the village and palace are under a dome like exterior, where when inside it is always Spring or Summer, why? Because the rough mountain terrain is too well rough to grow and harvest food and the weather is always at an extreme whether it be blazing warm or freezing cold."
"Ferio's kingdom lies directly in the clearing of a forest, a material that looks like wood yet doesn't burn forms a palisade around the village for safety measures, The palace is airy and open, and is filled with gardens that most visit just to see."
"Ascot's kingdom sits calmly on a large island, a ferry is almost always ready to take you in and out of it. Besides the uniqueness of being on a island, half of his kingdom is made of underground rooms and homes, all having windows peering out into the sea, from the windows in the palace you can see the ruins of a old temple, that many often wonder what used to live there or what did they pray there for, none of these questions have been answered."
"And so now you know what do you think Miss. Umi?" Umi breathed in the air that was dancing around the halls. Looking around observing everyone around her, wondering about it all. Finally she turned back to Clef.
"I don't know what to think of it all to be utterly honest, but I am glad that Ascot's kingdom is that of the ocean," He chuckled.
"I knew you would, you seem a child of the sea Miss. Umi!" Her face reddened a bit.
"Clef… just curious but do you ever visit the kingdoms?" He looked surprised at her question, it was the first time she had seen him look anything but wise and mysterious.
"I do, for one week each month I visit a palace to check up on the Prince to see how their kingdom is faring. Then the next month I do the same but with the next kingdom and I continue that line of visits."
"So the Princes get examined to see how their doing every three or two months correct?" He thought about it for a moment, seeing his look of concentration the young maiden couldn't help but giggle a little.
"In a way you could put it that way." He finally answered.
As the evening drew closer to a end Umi found herself constantly switching between Ascot and Clef as dancing partners and maybe once or twice with another noble form Faeithlon. As the crowd quieted when the King rose Umi had once again just finished dancing with Clef.
"What is going to happen?" She whispered loud enough so that he could hear her yet quiet enough so no one else could.
"He will be thanking everyone for coming and to please make their way to the Dining Hall for Dinner." Clef whispered back.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming and hope you all had a pleasurable time, if you would please make you way to the dining hall your a meal to end the night off with joy!" Umi laughed quietly her hand resting on her lips.
"See I told you." Clef whispered as they too made their way to the dining hall. Umi noticed Ascot trying to make his way over to them and guided herself and Clef to him.
"Miss. Umi, I am to show you to your seat in the Dining hall," Umi nodded following him. As they drew farther away she stopped, turning around she looked for Clef.
"Thank you for the dances Mage Clef!" She politely said on finding him. He bowed his head.
"It was my pleasure."
Ascot led Umi to her seat, she noticed that he had been oddly quiet since he had begun. Thinking about it he had been oddly quiet to her since after their first dance. Pulling out her chair for her she sat and quietly thanked him as he made his way to his own seat at the high table. Looking around she noticed to her right was Fuu but she was currently in a daze of some sort and didn't seem to want to be interrupted from it, looking to her left she found Hikaru and Eagle talking away as if they were lifelong friends.
Realizing she wasn't going to get anything out from her sisters she looked around the room. Most of it was filled with Faeithlon nobles but looking towards the high table she noticed a few familiar faces and ones not so familiar but she knew of anyway. Starting from the right she saw Ascot who was at the time talking to Ferio, who was to his left. Following Ferio was the Princess of Faeithlon Primera who Hikaru had told her and Fuu about, followed by Lantis who was staring at… Hikaru?!
Umi looked to her sister who was completely oblivious to the stare she was receiving from the prince. Something triggered in Umi's mind 'odd, I am going to the ocean; my choice to be, and Fuu and Hikaru are going to their choices, being the garden filled haven and the warmth of the rocky mountains… coincidence?'. Putting the thought to the side she continued her observation.
To the left of Lantis was who she guessed was the Queen Alcyone, then came the King Zagato, who was talking to The King of Faeithlon but his eyes were on the person beside the other King who was laughing along with something the blonde who she guessed was the Presea woman Hikaru had met had said 'so that's Emeraude, she's beautiful!'
Her eyes met with Clef's who sat next to Presea, and he nodded softly.
"PUU?" Umi's head dropped and stared at a pale yellowish creature on her lap, stifling a scream, Umi pulled her chair back a little. The sound made of a chair backing up caught her sisters attention.
"Mokona!!" Hikaru looked surprised at the thing. The thing bounced on Umi's lap. "It has a name?" She bit out through gritted teeth, this brought laughter from Hikaru. "Of course, all living things have names even some non-living things have names!" The living yellow ball of fluff stared at Umi as she glared at it.
"PUUU!" The thing bounced up and kissed her squarely on the lips, she stared at it her brow twitching. Suddenly the small creature was puuing in pain as Umi stretched his ears as far as she could.
"Umi you're drawing attention to yourself." Umi stared at Fuu.
"She speaks!" Fuu blushed and looked down at her hands in her lap. Leaning over the blonde male stared at the bouncing creature.
"So you're the infamous Mokona known for destroying Presea's study eh?" The demon creature as Umi had just nicknamed it bounced into Hikaru's lap.
"Presea made me his caretaker when we met, supposedly Clef found him one time on one of his research projects or something…" Umi turned to Clef who was staring at Mokona not meeting her eyes.
Suddenly like a glass goblet had been dropped and smashed to pieces Umi was upright.
"Did you feel that?" Fuu nodded as did Hikaru. Just as soon as the feeling came all the lights went out.
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Hikaru panicked but restrained herself from screaming like the other nobles a red light danced in front of her eyes and she felt her eyes grow heavy.
Hikaru, we haven't met yet but I am Mage Clef, I'm talking to you through Mokona to your heart. As you may know Umi has already obtained magic from me and now it is your turn, I do not know what is happening now but I feel you should be prepared…
She felt a warm hand reach out and softly touch her forehead.
Bestow Magic! Like a towering inferno a fire lit within her heart, she felt as if she was engulfed in flames, it was amazing! The feeling the power that came with it. She breathed in allowing the fire to flow down her throat, through her entire body. In her blood, in the air she breathed in…Fire.
She opened her eyes to find the room still in blackness.
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Fuu stared warily at the green light that was embracing her, she had heard the sound that Mokona made and then this light had appeared and enveloped her in it's cold embrace. Her eye closed she felt like she was floating lifelessly in the sky, sitting peacefully on a white cloud.
Fuu… we have met, It's I Mage Clef, as you know Umi has the ability to do magic that circles around water. Hikaru now has magic that circles around fire. Now it is your turn. I am communicating with you through Mokona and into your heart
A hand rose from the undisturbed clouds the pale hand rest softly on her forehead.
Bestow Magic! She fell from her roost. As she fell the wind ran over her body acting against her fall, saving her. She felt as if for rescuing her the wind was in need of a gift opening her mouth she gave the wind it's gift… a home. Speeding down her throat, her eyes turned up in their sockets waiting for the pain to end. Air flew in her blood she could feel it, treasure it, embrace it. She could save the ones she loves with this power.. this magic.
Her eyes opened with a speed unknown to her, she looked around to find everything still cloaked within the darkness, screams were heard.
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Umi stared into the darkness just mere seconds ago Fuu and Hikaru had been engulfed in different colored light and she had feared for the worse. Quickly reaching out to the light she was pushed back with so much force that she was pushed from her chair and slammed against the wall.
Upon seeing the two of them slowly float back to the safety of their chairs she let out a sigh of relieve. Screams were heard throughout the hall many calling out to loved ones. In the time that it took her to breathe a scream was heard. It was higher then any of the others though just as it started it ended just like that.
"EMERAUDE!!" Umi gasped that voice was the King's own.
"Mokona shed light!" Clef's voice rang in her ears. Suddenly a golden light shone from the demon creature Mokona's gem that lay resting on it's forehead. She looked directly to High Priestess Emeraude's chair… It was empty!
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Author Notes: Nothing to say again...
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