-1Magic Knight Rayearth
Left in Cephiro
Chapter II: Cephiro crumbles! The one who was left behind!
Cephiro, the land of the will, once a beautiful country supported by the prayers of its Pillar, continues to crumble after the loss of Princess Emeraude. New, more frightening monsters has begun to appear as fear and uncertainty overwhelm the hearts of the people in this now bleak and desolate land.
Set atop the remains of the cliff where Master Mage Clef met the three Magic Knights, stands a luminous crystal palace, the last symbol of hope and the only place of sanctuary left in Cephiro. The prodigal son of Cephiro, who had long left to wander the worlds beyond, has returned and has since been helping to evacuate the survivors caught in the decay and crumbling of Cephiro. His return comes with many mixed feelings.
Lantis, the younger brother of High Priest Zagato, enters the castle carrying a strange looking young girl. The blue fairy Primera, another whom Lantis rescued, darts over towards him and attempts to wrap her tiny arms around his upper arm in a rather pathetic, pixyish glomp. Her loving embrace misses, as Lantis swiftly evades her, not so much as even acknowledging her presence.
"La-La-Laaaaaaantiis!"
"Hm?"
Seeing the dark magical swordsman not as enthused to see her as she is to see him, Primera turns her attention to the weird girl in his arms. Even she can tell that everything about this peculiar girl is strange and foreign. However, the question as to how someone like her wound up in Cephiro is something the little fairy cannot begin to answer.
"That sure is a weird girl you've found this time, Lantis. She sure doesn't look like anyone from around here," Primera comments.
Lantis merely nods ever so slightly at her remark. From the first instant he saw her; he could easily tell that she came from another world. After some silent reflection, Lantis finally remarks, mostly to himself, "Yes, that appears to be the case."
Lantis continues his walk while still carrying the very unusual girl from another world. He enters the Recovery Wing of the palace and sets the young maiden on an unoccupied bed. The Recovery Wing had been established to house and treat those recently rescued from outside the safety of the palace walls. Only a few survivors are still currently receiving rest and treatment in the room.
Lafarga, Captain of the Guard whose duty once was to protect Princess Emeraude, spots Lantis as he enters the Recovery Wing. After seeing him enter the room and set down a rescued victim onto one of the beds, he approaches him, a look of mistrust and suspicion ever apparent in his eyes. Primera immediately senses his presence and darts in front of his face, her lips in a pout.
"What do YOU want?!" Primera tarts, sensing Lafarga's enmity towards Lantis.
Lafarga begins to open his mouth to tell the tiny little pest of a pixie that is none of her concern when he suddenly notices who the girl Lantis rescued is. His eyes widen in recognition of the young Magic Knight who had saved Cephiro. Lantis turns around, and notices the look in Lafarga's eyes.
"I take it that you are already acquainted with this girl?"
"I do," Lafarga answers slowly, "she is one of the legendary Magic Knights."
Lantis nods as he looks back upon the unconscious maiden. He suspected as much. However, from what he can tell concerning the events that took place before his return, there should be no more need of the Magic Knights, and that their return to their own world being guaranteed after the death of the Pillar.
"The Legendary Magic Knights should no longer be in Cephiro," Lantis remarks.
Silence ensues as answers elude them and questions abound. They both come to the silent conclusion that the only individual who might have the answers to their questions, the only person that they should consult with concerning all matters pertaining to the Magic Knights, is Master Mage Clef. However, Lafarga's lack of trust where Lantis is concerned forces him to stand his ground, not wanting to let him out of his sight if at all possible.
/Master Mage Clef?/
/Lantis? It's been some time since last we communicated as such. What is it that you see fit to contact me in such a way?/
/The Magic Knights…/, Lantis begins to elaborate.
/The Magic Knights? What of them?/
/I rescued a peculiar young girl not that long ago and brought her to the castle. Lafarga has identified her as one of the Magic Knights that Princess Emeraude summoned./
/What,/ the Master Mage exclaims telepathically, /Impossible! The Magic Knights should have long returned to their own world! How can this be? How can it be possible that even one should still remain?/
/I do not know,/ Lantis answers bluntly.
Master Mage Clef touches the bridge of his nose with his left hand, his eyes closed. He shakes his head, pondering the message communicated to him. He focuses his power on his next message to the prodigal son of Cephiro.
/I take it that she is safe in the Recovery Wing, is she not?/
/You are correct. Lafarga is here as well,/ Lantis responds.
/I shall be there shortly,/ the Master Mage informs his former pupil.
/Understood./
/And Lantis, if I may inquire, how is she?/
/She's unconscious. She hasn't stirred once since I came across her. She appears to have nothing more than a few bruises…however, I sense something rather unusual about it. I'm not sure what it could be. It does not appear to be of any magic I am familiar with,/ Lantis informs.
/Something unusual? Hmmm…I'll have to examine her for myself. Thank you for letting me know, Lantis./
Master Mage Clef makes haste, leaving his study to go to the Recovery Wing where one of the Magic Knights lays unconscious. Lantis, after his communication with Clef over, turns to look at Lafarga.
"Master Mage Clef is on his way," he states simply.