Wow, this story hasn't been touched in years. This story had been tossed to the side really, but I really want to finish it. I believe that it has potential. It was a story when I first started writing. Hopefully I have improved a little bit! HA! We shall see.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MAGIV KNIGHT RAYEARTH NOR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
Chapter 3- Remembrance
Hikaru walked along beside the others as they headed for the banquet hall. A feast had been prepared for them to welcome them back to Cephiro. Everything had changed so much. The castle had been rebuilt and there were beautiful murals of the many islands of Cephiro.
When they made it to the banquet hall, Hikaru stopped. She looked up in awe at the large wall framing the backside of the hall. There was a stunning painting of Princess Emeraude. She was painted in a field of beautiful flowers of all colors. Her hands held a blue orb that represented the pillar.
"That's..."Hikaru said, a little confused by the representation of the pillar. They had tried so hard to abolish the pillar system, so it seemed weird to have a representation of it.
"Don't worry, it isn't what you think." Lantis informed her. He pat her shoulder. "The pillar system may be gone…but the history of what was done for Cephiro can never be forgotten. The sacrifices that were made will forever be remembered." He said and looked up at the painting.
Umi looked up and wiped a tear from her eye. "I understand. I mean it makes perfect sense. Princess Emeraude loved her country and did everything for her country." She said. She gently touched the pale blue dress on the painting and smiled, having her own silent memory of the princess.
Fuu looked over at Cliff. "It's a wonderful painting." She said and then looked back up into the eyes if Princess Emeraude. "Every time we ever saw Princess Emeraude…she was crying. She was suffering for the love that tore her apart. Her innocent love that she had every right to…so I am so glad to see a smile on her face in this picture." she whispered.
Hikaru nodded, it made complete sense in that aspect. She too was glad to see a portrait of Princess Emeraude smiling. It brought peace to her heart from so reason. She only wished that she could have given her that happiness while she was still alive.
Cliff looked up at the painting in peace. "Yes...it was actually the idea of the people's. The people of Cephiro never truly grasped the responsibility of the pillar until the last war with Debonair…they chose to honor her and all the other pillars." He said with a smile.
"Wait that means!" Umi said and turned and looked around. She smiled big and her face went to awe. "Hikaru look!" She said, pointing to the wall where the door was behind them.
Hikaru turned to see a flame red wall with her on it. She had the flames of Rayearth behind her and she held the sword of the pillar to her chest. Her expression once again surprised her. Her face was full of despair. Her eyes were crying and clung to the pillar sword. The shape that was chosen for her as a pillar being her flaming sword.
Cliff smiled. "Don't misunderstand, Ms. Hikaru. This depicts the sacrifice of yet another pillar. The heavy hearted task that had to be done in order for peace to be restored to Cephiro. The tears of the pillar in this picture are of the sadness of letting a loved one go in order to restore peace. There is no greater sacrifice than ones heart." he said.
Hikaru was stunned by it all. "Wow…I don't know what to say." She said. She held her hand over her heart. "To me, it was the people who made the greater sacrifice."
Cliff smiled at Hikaru. She was still as humble as she always was. All three of them were so mature and grown now. They grew into fine young women. "Let's feast." He said.
The girls nodded and took seats at the table beside one another, the others sitting down with them. Even Lantis sat with the group, which was unusual. This didn't go unnoticed by Hikaru.
"What's this? Finally got over your eternal lone wolf phase?" Hikaru teased and bit into a piece of meat. "That's good, finally connecting with people, Lantis."
Lantis cleared his throat and took a sip of his freshly squeezed grape juice. "And you still haven't gotten any taller." He tossed back.
Hikaru's cheek puffed up and she bit into another piece of meat. "Yeah, yeah." She said, the other two laughing.
Lantis gave a small smile and also began to eat. He typically didn't like to eat in front of others, but he had tried to take Hikaru's advice to heart when she talked to him about it last time. He had even been able to make the alliance between Autozam. It was a lot of work, even after Eagle's sacrifice, they still couldn't forget what had been done by Autozam.
Umi looked to Cliff. "I can't wait to see the rest of Cephiro." She said and looked down. "Well there is no telling how long we will get to stay this time."
The table went quiet and the magic knight's faces were full of concern. "That is true…and more importantly, why were we summoned once again?" Fuu asked. "Is there trouble in Cephiro?"
Cliff looked at the three. "I too, am very confused as to why you have returned. Cephiro has only had minor country issues, but none that warrants the need of the Magic Knights. Don't get me wrong, we are grateful for your presence. We have always wanted the return of you three." he said, his eyes flickering to Umi for a moment.
Fuu tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Maybe it was by our hearts again." She said. "I remember feeling a strange desire to go to Tokyo tower." she said.
"Yeah, us to." Hikaru said, looking to Umi who nodded in confirmation. "We hugged for old time sake, and then we fell into the ocean the next minute." She said. "We wanted so badly to see the changed Cephiro…I guess by the wish of our own hearts, we are here again."
Fuu had a hunch as to why they had returned, but wasn't going to bring it up here in front of everyone. Her eyes went to Ferio. She had wanted so badly to meet him again, to share the new Cephiro with him. She knew the other girls felt the same way towards Lantis and Cliff.
Umi smiled. "Who cares how and why we got here, I am going to enjoy it while I can!" she said, brushing her long blue hair behind her ears. "I'm going to make the most of my time here…Cliff could you show me around the palace?" she asked, looking directly at him.
Cliff gave a nod and smiled. "Of course." He said, thrilled inwardly that she had asked him directly. He was going to offer, but much later after the meal.
Lantis looked at Hikaru. "Autozam would like to see you. Geo and Zazu ask about you a lot. If you had returned or not. I have been ordered to bring you to them once you had. We could also…visit Eagle's grave if you would like. It is in the palace's cemetery."
Hikaru nodded slowly and gave a soft smile, one that Lantis had not expected from the girl. She used to be such a tomboy, but now she was refined and polite. "I would love that…I hated not being able to say goodbye." She whispered.
Lantis smiled. "You will get your chance." He said. "We can stop by the garden and pick some flowers." He remembered their last time in the garden. It was burnt to a crisp and the rubble had buried the remaining flowers. It was now luscious and ever growing.
Hikaru nodded. "Sounds like a plan." she said, looking into his dark eyes. Yes, this is why she had returned to Cephiro.
I am at work so that is all I can do for now! I hope you guys like it! Hopefully it seems more slowed down and believable. Ugh forgive my teenage self for writing such garbage in the first two chapters. I am going to try and do it better from here on out! Thanks again! Please review and tell me how you like it!