Chapter I: Go Forth Cephirian Children
Clef looked up as the tall black armored Magic Swordsmen strode into the room, an unreadable expression etched into his face. Lantis was the last to arrive, out of the select group of people whom the Master Mage had asked to meet with him in the Palace's inner chambers.
Clef cleared his throat as he brought his attention to the present assembly consisting of Ascot, Caldina, Ferio, LaFarga, and Lantis, who expectantly stood before him.
"Welcome, everyone," he began. A trickle of sweat ran down the side of his face as he contemplated his words. The intensity of his foreboding was weighing down on him and he felt he'd withheld the information he'd collected for far too long. He sighed and decided to address the circumstances.
"I have asked you all here because, for the last few days... I have discovered an odd presence that has been trying to, make-what I believe to be a hole out of this world."
A look of puzzlement and uneasiness filled each of their faces.
"A hole? Like a gateway?" Ascot inquired. "Where too?"
"Regretfully, I am not certain. That is why I must ask some of you to-"
"I'll go." Ferio rudely interrupted before Clef could finish. He knew where the Master Mage was heading and was more than willing to investigate. His eyes flickered with excitement. So long as it got him out of his duties he didn't care. He was about to get up, when Clef detained him.
"Not so fast. You must stay here, I'm afraid. As does LaFarga you guard and myself." Clef stated.
"Then why did you ask me here?" There was annoyance in the Prince's voice and disappointment in his face. He slouched in his seat until the ice glare LaFarga gave him forced him to sit upright again.
Clef closed his eyes for a moment and let out a sigh of exasperation. He noted to himself that he seemed to be doing that more and more around Ferio then continued. "I felt it necessary for you all to know. Ferio as Cephiro's only prince, it is important that you keep up to date with the current events of your own country." Clef declared as he looked over at the green haired young man. That answer seemed to satisfy Ferio's question. Though a groan escaped his lips, at the reminder of his status.
He redirected his attention to the Captain of the Guards, LaFarga. "I wish to ask you to step up security, see that the palace is well fortified and extend additional detail to the the cities."
Serious as always, "I'll see to it, once this meeting has adjourned."
That being said, Clef turned to the other three he had yet to speak to. "Caldina, Ascot, Lantis. It is you three whom I would have to investigate-"
"Sure I'll go," Caldina interrupted. Clef gritted his teeth and messaged the ridge of his nose betwixt his eyes. It was incredibly frustrating to be constantly interrupted and he made a mental note to try to keep Caldina and Ferio out of the same room from now on. "You're in too, right Ascot?"
"Uh, well...I guess I'll go. What about you Lantis?"
Up until this point his arms had been crossed and he appeared only minutely interested in the group. His hands fell to his sides. He'd heard all he need and turned to leave.
"I'll go..." Lantis said over his shoulder as he began to head towards the large double doors he'd only just entered moments before. "By myself."
"But, why?" Ascot inquired.
"You are not needed," His magic was strong and he'd felt the presence as well. Lantis could move faster own his own. He wasn't in the mood to be bothered with them and if he was to perform an investigation, he'd rather take care of it on his own. "You would be of better use assisting the Captain of the Guard."
"Are you implying that I am unable take care of the security procedures myself?" LaFarga asked as Lantis walked by him.
Lantis ignored his question and continued on. The Master Swordsman's look hardened at his discourtesy.
"Take Mokona with you at least!" Clef called. "He can assist you."
Lantis stopped a minute, looked over at Mokona who seemed incredibly happy and energetic, as usual. He nodded respectfully to Clef. Leaving the meeting room as abruptly as he had come. A "puu" escaped from Mokona and it hurried off in pursuit of Lantis.
"Sheesh! What's up with Mr. Moody? Has he been reading up on how to be a total jerk lately, or someth'n?" Caldina spat, breaking the silence, left in his wake.
Lantis had already made his way to the castle doors. He didn't bother with formal greetings for the guards on duty, or even make eye contact for that matter. Yet they stood at full attention as he passed by. Most soldiers knew very little about him or what his significance was. However, some, well informed, knew that he had been the Captain of the Guard before LaFarga had taken over that position.
No longer within the Castle's crystal base perimeter, he stopped and attempted to sense the direction of the disturbance. He heard a guard take a few steps towards him and he turned and glared. His piercing gaze instantly stopped the man and he went back to his post. Once again attempted to sense the presence the Master Mage had spoken of but was unable to narrow down a specific location. It seemed to flow out in waves and he realized why Clef had wanted Mokona to accompany him.
When Mokona finally caught up with Lantis; after taking a minute to catch it's breath, it started to hop in the direction they were obviously supposed to take. Lantis followed.
Lantis observed the area, sword held at the ready in case of a monster attack. Monsters... So long as People inhabited the land, it would seem that they would never fully disappear. Though there weren't half as many now as there had been when the Magic Knights of Legend had arrived in Cephiro. There were still a few that occasionally had to be dealt with. For the most part, the monsters stayed in the thicker forests where most people usually didn't venture anyway.
Lost in thought he was caught off guard when something landed on the crown of his head. His muscles tightened instantly ready to attack. Relaxed a bit when he realized it was only Mokona. Lantis gently, so as not to hurt it, grabbed and dropped Mokona on to the ground, "Stay off my head." Was all he said to the little ball of fluff.
"Puu! Puu." It said as it pouted, but decided to resume its hop.
Lantis' thoughts started to wonder a bit; thinking back on all the events that had taken place when those three girls had come to Cephiro for the second time...
The Magic Knights...They had killed his elder brother Zagato. His only brother. Zagato and him had been very close. Lantis had looked up to him, respected him. The brothers had been the best of friends. They could tell each other their deepest and darkest secrets, without one looking down on the other. So why was it that in spite of all that, he had no feelings of hate towards those girls? It was a question he always asked himself. Why did he not grieve over Zagato's death? In one way he felt as though he should have wanted revenge, and it bothered him that he did not.
But how could he blame those Magic Knights? They only did what they were supposed to do. Had he, himself intervened, perhaps things would have worked out differently... He could have fought on Zagato's behalf, to make his wish a reality. No. That wish was a horrible one. It was a decision made by a man he could not bring himself to call his brother. Cephiro's fate would have been doomed. Zagato didn't care what would have become of Cephiro.
Zagato had changed into a rather twisted and cynical person, He'd committed atrocities, some that probably no one still alive knew about. All Zagato did was bring pain and misery. It was dangerous to love the way his brother had. Lantis wondered though, had the circumstances been different. Had their rolls been reversed, and it was Hikaru in place of Emeraude, would he have stayed true to his convictions? It was very possible that he would have taken up those same actions...
He stopped walking abruptly.
Noticing that Lantis' footsteps had ceased, Mokona turned to see why. He veered off of the path and made his way over to a nearby stream to get a drink. The area they were in was nice enough. Tall, healthy trees surrounded them from every direction. The occasional chirp or whistle could be heard from birds close by. He bent down to scoop up the fresh water and sipped it. He then splashed some water on his face. It was a little warm today and it didn't help any that he was walking around in heavy, black armor.
Lantis starred at the water's ripples and a distant memory of the conversation he had had with Zagato before he'd originally left Cephiro began to slowly filter into his mind...
"So then Lantis, what will you do?" Zagato inquired.
Lantis was silent, what was he to say to that? He averted his gaze away from his brother. Conflicting thoughts and emotions were fighting each other inside him. He had no idea how to answer Zagato's question.
"Leave then," was the only thing his elder brother said.
Lantis looked up to meet his brother's eyes.
"Leave Cephiro."
Lantis stood pushing the flashback of the conversation with himself and Zagato to the back of his mind. Streaks of water ran down his face and down the back of his neck, soaking the clothing that was underneath his armor.
He looked around to see if he could find something to wipe his face with. Mokona, who had been drinking from the stream as well, noticed Lantis searching for something and cried out.
"Puu, puuu, Puu!" The little fluff ball cried out, as towel magically appeared before Lantis.
Lantis in turn, thanked Mokona. Then took the towel and dried himself off. Looking up to the sky, he raised a hand in front of his face. Shielding his eyes from the bright sun's rays. `dusk is approaching,' Lantis thought to himself.
Mokona jumped up on Lantis' shoulder, just as he was about to resume their journey.
"Hmm..." Lantis reached up and grabbed Mokona by the scruff of its neck-well where it's neck would be if Mokona had a neck-and dropped it onto the ground. "Enough," he ordered in mild annoyance.
"Puu!" Mokona protested as it stamped its foot on the ground.
"Which way do we go?" Lantis questioned overlooking Mokona's little tantrum.
"Puu. Puu!" It cried and ran off in the direction they had been walking previously.
Lantis then withdrew his sword out from behind his back, and summoned his horse. Mounting it, he rode off after Mokona.
Hey Fuu. How's America? Umi typed, as she elegantly glided her figures over the computer keys. Since you left on that student exchange. Hikaru asked me to tell you she say's `Hi.' She would send you an E-mail herself, but you know the Shidou family, I don't think they'll ever get internet.
I'm gonna try to get her over here more often so we can send you E-mails more often. I gotta go now. It's getting late. Ja! Umi clicked the send button and waited,
"Umi dear? It's getting late. You should be getting ready for bed should you not?" Her mother inquired. "You have fencing practice tomorrow morning don't you?"
"Yes mother, I know. I was just sending Fuu an E-mail." Umi explained as she shut the family computer down. "It's been two and a half weeks since she left. I just wanted to know how she's been doing."
"Fuu? Oh, yes that lovely young girl that comes over and sometimes helps you out with your homework?"
"Yeah, that's Fuu." Umi answered.
"She's very polite and well mannered." Her mother pointed out. "You could learn a little something from her."
"My manures are just fine!" Umi defended. Her mother just giggled. "I don't have to stand here and take this. I'm going to bed!" she announced. And headed towards her room.
"Good night Umi." Her father said as she passed by him.
"Oh, good night father."
How long had Hikaru been walking through this bleak hallway? Hardly anything was distinguishable. The doors on either side of her were blurry, translucent. They were not meant for her to open. Not yet at least.
She paused. Hikaru felt a pull and one of the doors solidified.
"Are you going to open it Hikaru?" A familiar voice inquired.
She knew who it was instantly. "Eagle, when did you get here?" Hikaru asked as she turned to face him.
His smile was bright and his tone cheerful as ever, "I'm always here when you wish me to be."
She redirected her attention towards the door. Slowly she raised her hand up to the doors' knob. She peered in through the opening and saw the beautiful country Cephiro; much like how she'd seen it when, Umi, Fuu and herself were summoned there for the first time by Princess Emeraude.
"This, is from when...I first went to Cephiro." Hikaru began, "Before...Before I killed Princess Emeraude and High Priest Zagato..." She darkened, as she remembered killing not only Zagato, the brother but Princess Emeraude as well, the poor girl who had been no longer able to bare being away from her beloved. Hikaru was never fully able to find peace with their deaths. There would always be a part of her that resented what she had done.
"These hands..." She said raising them up to her face, "will always be covered in their blood..."
Eagle came up behind her, "they look clean to me." he softly spoke as he embraced her from behind. "Please don't be so sad Hikaru, there's no sense in dwelling on the past. What you did could not be helped. It was out of your control, you had no choice. Lantis understands that."
"Thank you Eagle." She said smiling at him, "but I can't help the doubt I feel sometimes. I can't believe his ability to forgive."
"Don't underestimate Lantis. Never forget that he loves you." Eagle reminded her. He released her from his embrace, "Looks like you have to go…" Eagle stated. "I promise I'll visit you again Hikaru."
"Don't forget," Hikaru whispered. "Even if I don't remember."
"I'll see you later then, Hikaru..." Slowly Eagle faded away.
Hikaru's eyes opened. It was the dead of night. "A dream?" She muttered. It was disorienting. It felt significant but at the same time like her sleep held a secret from her. She would be up for a while now. Searching her mind.
Hikaru pulled back her blankets and raised her arms up to stretch them out. She stood and crept out of her room not wanting to wake her brothers. She then made her way to the kitchen to receive a glass of water. After bumping a few things on the counter, as she searched aimlessly in the dark, she finally came across a glass. She wondered if it was clean or not, but then remembered that tonight Satoru and herself had cleaned up the dishes. So the glass was undoubtedly clean. It was only when her other two brothers did the dishes together, that one had to wonder if they were really clean.
Hikaru held on to the glass as she walked over to the fridge, where a jug of water was usually kept. Satoru sometimes brought home spring water when he returned from grocery shopping. Sometimes she would buy water but only in the small bottles so she and her brothers could take them to school.
Deciding to go sit outside to drink her water and get some fresh air, she slid open the door and then closed it again once outside. She sat down beside her dog Hikari who had woken with her arrival.
"Hey Hikari!" Hikaru quietly greeted.
Hikari wagged his tail as Hikaru lowered her hand to stroke his soft fur.
Hikaru took a sip of water and heard the door behind her slide open. A tall young man stood in the doorway, looking down at her. Even if she hadn't turned around, she would have sensed whom he was. "Elder brother..."
"May I sit down?" Satoru inquired as he closed the distance between them.
"Of course." Hikaru politely replied.
Satoru sat down beside her and asked as he reached over to give Hikari a pet. "Why are you up so late?"
"I couldn't sleep. I'm sorry, did I wake you?" She said as she took another sip of her water.
"It's alright." Satoru began. "I couldn't sleep either. Were you having a bad dream?"
"Maybe..." Hikaru stopped playing with Hikari and hugged her knees up to her chest.
"What do you mean?" Satoru looked a little worried at his one and only sister.
"I don't remember," is all she said.
"Are you feeling alright Hikaru? You have been training a lot more seriously over the last few months," her brother stated. "Have you been wearing yourself out?"
Hikaru raised her head and looked up at Satoru, "Oh, No. It's nothing like that. I'm fine, really!"
Satoru looked as though he was about to say something else, but re framed from doing so. That was one of the reasons she and her brother got along so well. He didn't push, but always let her know in his own way that he was there for her if she needed him. Strict but kind, that's what made him a good brother and also a good Sensei. She held a great admiration and respect for him.
"It's getting late Hikaru," Satoru announced. "I suggest you go back to sleep."
"Yeah, I know." She got up and turned to go back to her room, "Thanks Satoru."
"Good night Hikaru..." Satoru said as he watched her disappear through the doorway and into the shadows. Which left him alone in the dark to ponder.
It was now well past sunset and Lantis had decided to stop for the night and continue on this little journey he was on the following day. He'd already eaten thanks to Mokona and was about to set himself up for sleepwhen Mokona used its power to create a small shelter right in the middle of the dense forest. The shelter was in a dome-like shape, with a door leading inside just to Lantis' right.
He stood there a moment, before deciding to go in.
As the Magic Swordsan entered the dome, he noticed there was a bed with a nightstand. Across from the bed was a couch and table. There wasn't a lot to the room, but it suited his needs just fine. He had never felt it necessary to have rooms filled with miscellaneous trinkets. The colour of the walls were white with a slight pink tint to them, much like the colour of Mokona's fur.
Willing his armor to disappear and return into his sword from which it had come, he sat down on the bed and drowsily began to undress.
'Lantis?' Clef's voice sounded inside his mind. The old Mage was speaking to him telepathically, an ability they both possessed.
'What is it Master Mage?' Lantis responded, sitting on the edge of the bed.
'How long do you suspect it will take for you to reach your destination?'
'A day or so more, most likely.' Lantis confirmed.
'Good. We should get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.'
'I agree...' He thought again of his brother and Emeraude. Quickly, he pushed the memory to the back of his mind before Clef could detect it.
'Lantis, is there something troubling you? You were exceptionally cold towards everyone today…'
'No. It's nothing.' Lantis abruptly answered. 'It's late. Good night.' Breaking the link between Clef and himself, he pulled back the sheets and climbed into bed.
It was then that Mokona chose to interrupt the silence. "Puu, Puu!" It chimed as it jumped up on the bed.
Lantis wasn't quite sure what Mokona had said, but it obviously wanted to sleep with him. Sighing, he rolled over to his side. His back to Mokona he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
A tall young man stood at a clearing. He held his sword up, enabling him to see his reflection in the sharp blade. "I'll get revenge for their deaths..." His deep voice declared.
He stood at an admirable height. His hair varied in colour; predominantly black but with varying blue highlights. He wore no armor, merely a standard black two piece suit. He felt no need to wear armor for his magic was strong enough to fend off any monster this now peaceful Cephiro may send him. There was a sense of pride and confidence in his aura that even the residents of Cephiro who possessed no type of magic would easily detect. He looked any where between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. However appearances were deceiving for he wasn't even that old.
"Have you been able to successfully generate a portal to Earth yet Master Sakuya?" A familiar feminine voice asked behind him.
"Very soon...I will be able to cross over to the parallel world..." Sakuya replied in a serious tone, without turning to face her.
"You are the only one of Cephiro capable of opening a portal to Earth." She softly spoke, as she moved closer to him. "Tell me, what do you intend to do when you arrive on Earth?"
"I will kill the murderer of my parents- I will avenge their deaths." He coldly answered.
"Yes, of course you will. That's the reason I've been training you hasn't it?" She paused a moment before continuing, "Don't forget. After you kill her, you will assist my Lord in obtaining the Organizations' goal."
"I know that. I shall stay true to my word, Umi." He said finally turning to look at her. Her hair was a long, wonderful dark blue, which always reminded him of the ocean. Her skin was a pale as usual. She was the only person from the Organization he could stand.
"You still have time to turn back, I tell you this for your sake. Once you kill her and fulfill your mission, you will have to help us destroy the four countries: Farhen, Chizeta, Autozam and your birth place Cephiro. So that these four countries will merge with Earth. You may end up indirectly killing many innocent people. I do not know what will happen to the inhabitants of these four lands… Knowing all of this, are you still willing to put your people in jeopardy for revenge?"
"They are not my people. I don't care what happens to these countries." His eyebrows narrowed. "My only wish is to kill that girl… Their lives will be worth the sacrifice." Sakuya softened slightly. "Please Umi, I consider you a friend. There is no need to address me so, Sakuya is fine."
"Indeed." She smiled warmly at him in return, "I hope that you will be safe on your journey. I'm afraid I must leave now, I am to report to General Drako." Pulling something out of her pocket, he heard a click. There was a flash of light and Umi was gone.
"Umi…"
To be continued…