Chapter XIV: Vision
A Rather Long Authors Note: A dead story has been resurrected. It was around the time that I had posted chapter 12 or 13 that I discovered a story that CLAMP was working on: Tsubasa Reservior Chronicles. When I started looking at the manga I'd given up on Cross because CLAMP was doing a cross over event with all their series. Shows like Heroes and Fringe here in NA played with timeliness and alternate universes as well and I felt like Cross was an inferior work that lost its relevance when compared. But I never forgot about it. In all these years I've always had little tidbits of Cross playing through my head. I binge watched MKR a few weeks ago when I was between jobs and I read over Cross and thought 1, the writing is awful. 2 it's salvageable.
I revamped all the posted chapters. Particularly chapter 6 was finally condensed into one page and I cut a chapter out which can still be viewed through my mediaminor account. Annoying Authors Notes (save this one) have been removed. No story was lost it was just a bit too ridiculous. I cannot guarantee consistent updates but hope to actually complete the story of Cross.
The Story So Far:For those not interested in reading through the cleaned up chapters I'm posting an overview here. Bare with me. Lantis is having on going dreams about his brother. He investigated a strange disturbance with Mokona and was transported to Earth. Sakuya the cause of the disturbance also was transported to Earth. An organization that Sakuya is affiliated with is attempting to build paths to other worlds. He is overseen by an Eagle and Umi from another universe.
Hikaru's brothers find and take care of Lantis, interestingly never questioning his integrity or his lack of identification. Hikaru appears to have dreams about Eagle that she doesn't clearly remember.
The Ryuuzaki house has a visitor: Maxwell the son of Umi's father's friend is half American, half Japanese and is tentatively engaged to Umi from childhood. Fuu is overseas in America on an exchange program.
Eagle from another Universe is on various missions with the Organization but seems to be able to cross worlds as well. While the Umi of another Universe is stationed in a world that has been overwhelmed by the Org's forces. There she comes across a young man with red hair, red eyes and controls fire like his mother the Pillar of that world.
Clef is researching and coordinating with Mokona to either go to Earth or else summon Lantis back to Cephiro. Slowly it seems that magic is working its way to Earth as underlined by Umi and Fuu.
Cross Continues
The soul of Eagle Vision resided in a small pocket of Hikaru's mind, unnoticed by her consciousness. As far as a resting place for the afterlife went, he had no complaints. She had held a special place in his heart when he had been alive, it seemed only fitting that he held a special place in her as well.
How was it possible? He didn't even venture to guess. The last thing he remembered was pulling Lantis from the devil-god, Hikaru's anguished cry and then he was a part of her. He could see and feel what she saw and felt: He knew the extent of her rage over his death and her overwhelming love for Lantis.
Hikaru approached her shadow self Nova after defeating her. She spoke with the creature, forgave her, forgave herself. He felt Hikaru's heart accept the shadow and then Nova was there with him, absorbed into Hikaru's body and mind. Nova looked at him, he looked at her and then Hikaru's mind made paths to accommodate them. Their own 'rooms' a place for them to be without affecting Hikaru or the rest of her mind. There were other rooms of course; rooms that held her memories, paths that funneled her emotions and then there was the area in her mind that held her Pillarhood, her Magic and her deity Rayearth. He could not get anywhere near those elements of her. To try would be the eradication of his very soul. He knew that instinctively.
He knew almost all of her and it had made him love her more. Even if her heart beat only for his friend Lantis he could not deny his feelings. It was his love and her loneliness from being away from Lantis that allowed him to draw a piece of her subconsciousness to him. Talking to her gave him joy even if the awake Hikaru never knew.
She'd stopped coming to him since Lantis had moved in on her. The day Lantis had kissed her was the day a deep desire was released, as if there was a lion in her whose cage had been opened. She went from oblivious girl to sexually charged woman simply from the Magic Swordsman's touch. It didn't help the prim and proper Hikaru that Nova all the while whispered fantasies and dirty thoughts through the girl's mind. Nova could touch her mind in ways he could not. Perhaps because she was the uninhibited Hikaru, that was why her whispers could influence her so. He'd seen it happen once with a kendo match and it occurred to him then that if left unchecked she might be able to fully control Hikaru.
It was then that Eagle made it his duty to keep Nova at bay. She resisted him not wanting to be silenced.
Tonight she wasn't fighting him however, tonight she was standing in front of a doorway he'd never seen before.
What are you up to? He asked making his way to the doorway as well.
She's seeing. Nova explained allowing him to see only because she was so focused But it's not a memory. It's now.
There was someone tied to a chair and two people were making their way into the room.
Eagle could not believe what he was witnessing. What the?Hikaru doesn't need to see this-He turned to the shadow but Nova was gone.
The Colosseum was quickly filling with inhabitant's from all four countries. Today they would start the opening ceremonies. Many of the spectators had never seen magic before and the whole area was charged with excitement and it wasn't even until tomorrow that the real festivities would begin.
"So, how long have ya been in Cephiro?" The illusionist Caldina asked, reacquainting herself with her old Chezetan friend.
He wore pants with shoes that curled at the toes and a lightly colored vest; to offset the dark bronzed skin, common of their people. His name was Nissan and he had been one of Caldina's closest friends before she'd teamed up with Zagato years before.
He calmly stroked his long goatee. "Two weeks."
"So? What d'ya think of the place?" they were making their way to their seats.
"I can see why you didn't come back. I had no idea Cephiro was so spacious and beautiful. It's like a fairy tale."
She grinned proudly with hands on her hips, "Yeah I know what'cha mean."
"Who's your friend?" LaFarga asked as they approached the gate for their section. He was finally back from his errands with Clef, but he'd been put right back to work on security detail for the Prince and the other Royal families visiting.
She slung her arm around the newcomer's shoulder. "This here's an old poker buddy of mine."
"Nissan," the man offered. LaFarga stared him down.
Caldina sensed his jealousy. At that point she let go of Nissan and grabbed the Sword Master by his armor chest plate. "Now don't get all stoney on him, we're just friends." She wrapped herself around his and roughly pressed her lips to LaFarga making sure he got the message.
"I like you," she whispered, to him. "And have every intention of letting you know how much when I get the chance to spirit you away from Clef and the Royal Families."
"C-Caldina," LaFarga stuttered. He was completely scandalized. "We're in public!"
The pink haired Chizetan waved him off, as if that mattered to her. She pulled his arms around her leaning her back against him. "This fuddy duddy here, is my guy LaFarga."
There was a cough, someone from behind them cleared their throat. LaFarga released Caldina blushing furiously and turned to face Geo Metro.
"Sorry to interrupt LaFarga but the Master Mage is looking for you."
LaFarga straitened, "Thank you, I will take my leave then." He motioned to leave but Caldina caught him by the arm.
"Hold on now, aren't ya forget'n someth'n dear?"
Such public displays were not something he cared for but it seemed his absence had left his beloved wanting. He knew better than to turn her away after such an intense welcome moments before. She would not be satisfied with a meaningful glance and formal speak. Obediently he leaned forward and pecked her on the lips. He hoped that would be enough until he could get her alone.
She made a noise but accepted, "I suppose that'll do, for now."
Her friend smiled in amusement but wisely said nothing.
"Do tell Ascot that I send him my best wishes." LaFarga offered.
"Oh? And what makes ya think I'll be speak'n with him?" She said as she eyed him mischievously.
The summoners were in private rooms, guarded. They were to be left alone so that they could meditate before the various events were to start. LaFarga winked, "Let's just say I have every confidence in your ability to get past my security."
Caldina grinned back. "You know me."
Two figures stood over the rotting corpse. The man had died strapped to a chair, severe wounds clearly visible. The smell was enough to make the two of them vomit and it was from sheer force of will that neither of them did.
"Somebody knows we're here." The voice was feminine. She was holding something large and fluffy in her arms.
"He was tortured for information no doubt," a male voice spoke that time.
Focus shifted from the dead body to the man. He wore dark robes not native to Earth. He was slightly taller than his partner. His most prominent feature was the gem crown he wore, partially covered by his violet bangs.
He covered the lower half of his face with his robes, in an attempt to mask the scent. "How long would you say he's been like this?"
The woman met his eyes, "I wasn't that kind of doctor."
The puff ball wiggled out of her arms – a Mokona?
The woman sighed and continued, "Maybe a week? Maybe more? I'm not familiar with the stages of decomposition."
"Who ever it was," the man with violet hair said, poking through cupboards. "Only attacked the body. The apartment itself is intact. They may not have gotten all of our intelligence. We'll have to do a full sweep."
"What about the body?" The woman shivered.
"Mokona?" was all the man said.
"Puu." It shook its head, ears twitching. It turned away from the man wanting no part in this.
"I'm sorry," the woman said crouching and patting the creature's head.
The woman's stomach lurched at what she was about to say, "If Mokona won't help, we'll need to get plastic sheets, a saw for cutting, hydrofluoric acid. Lots of-"
'No!' a voice sounded in the woman's head. She froze and listened. 'I don't want to do that! This is wrong!'
The woman's lips trembled, "Clef!"
The way she called him he was on full alert, he dashed over to her. "What is it Hikaru?"
She shook all over, "It's Hikaru, this World's Hikaru! She's in my head!"
In an instant Hikaru was upright in her bed, covered in sweat and gasping.
Her shoji door slid open and a set of bare arms wrapped around her tightly from behind. She felt his essence, Lantis. "Beloved," he whispered, panicked. "what is it? Tell me."
Her mouth was too dry to talk, she turned into him burying her head in his chest. His mind prodded hers and she allowed him to see what she had seen. What? His arms flexed around her.
'There's another Hikaru, another me.' she affirmed this was no simple dream. She knew what she saw had been happening somewhere in Tokyo at that very moment.
There was a pounding of feet racing towards her room. They turned to see the three Shidou brothers shadowed by the hall light behind them.
Everyone was frozen in shock.
"Wuh, wah?!" It was Kakeru who broke the silence.
It didn't look good, Lantis wore only boxers in his sleep and without thinking he'd raced to her room when he'd heard her scream. Now here he was; nearly naked, his body drapped around their dear, visibly trembling baby sister and her in nothing but her night apparel.
"Geh- Get off of her!" Masara was about to charge when Satoru grabbed him by the back of his tank top.
"Wait," Hikaru began. Pushing away from Lantis. "It's not what it looks like-"
"Everyone," it was Satoru who spoke, he looked between Hikaru and Lantis. He was angry and felt stupid for not acting on what he'd thought he'd seen nights before. With as much calm as he could muster he ordered. "living room. Now." He grabbed his two younger brothers and ushered them out of their sister's room.
Umi was wide awake. She'd felt a spike of fear and horror and knew without a doubt that it had come from Hikaru. She hadn't been in-tuned with Hikaru's emotions since Cephiro, and hadn't felt her fellow Knight in such pain since Hikaru had had to reforge her sword which had nearly torn her own heart apart while battling Nova.
She jumped out of bed and dashed for her cel dialing the number without a glance at the keypad. "Come on, Come on pick up." She didn't care if she got Satoru or Masaru or even Kakeru on the line as long as one of them could confirm that Hikaru was okay.
When there was no answer. She swore. Called a taxi and quickly changed. She was heading over to the Shidou house determined to kick their door in if she had to.
Umi got the call that the cab was at her front gate and made it all the way to the property's front door before she heard someone call from the stairs. "Sneaking out? Never thought I'd see the day."
It was Maxwell. She didn't have time to deal with him. She turned and in the cleanest English she could speak she commanded, "Shut up! Go the fuck back to your room."
She grabbed the door handle and it broke off. She dropped it and headed out.
Maxwell stood there taken aback before he realized what he'd seen. He raced to the door touched it and flinched. It was bitterly cold. He looked outside for Umi only to see a car driving away from the Ryuuzaki property. He looked to the fallen door handle, it was covered in ice. For once in his life he felt real fear.
"Miss Hikaru," She whispered. Shock and horror etched her face. "Excuse me," Fuu said and dashed out of the movie theater quick as she could. She was overwhelmed feeling Hikaru's emotions deep in the pit of her stomach. She breathed the fresh air but it didn't help at all.
"Fuu? Fuu are you okay?" It was Terry that came running up behind her.
"I need to go," all politeness was absent. Fuu's priority was Hikaru and making sure she was alright. It didn't matter that in Japan it was the middle of the night. She had to make sure everything was okay. She ran off in search of the nearest payphone. She would apologize to Hikaru's family when they answered the long distance call. She prayed they would accept the charges and answer. Recounting her steps in her mind as she ran, she tried to remember where she'd last seen one.
At her top speed she reached one within a few minutes. Panting she dialed the operator. She didn't have her purse on her, she'd let Terry convince her to leave it at the house. The phone rang and rang and then the line went dead. Shocked and scared she hung up the phone and shook ready to cry.
"Fuu," Terry gasped as she slowed down. Her hands braced her knees as she leaned over still breathing hard for oxygen. Mini was closing in on them too.
Fuu stepped out of the phone booth. What could she do? She paced back and forth. In a fit of frustration she did something very un-Fuu-like. She made a fist and punched the glass of the phone booth. What no one expected was the gust of wind that picked up from her motion and followed through until her knuckles contacted the glass. There was a distinct boom and all of the panes of glass shattered and flew away from her.
Her friends gazed in terror.
Absently she heard one of the girls scream, "She's tripping out!"
Fuu looked on in amazement. It was her Wind. She knew without a doubt. But it didn't help her situation at all.
Then she heard it; faint, far off voice in the distance, as familiar to her as her own voice. Fly. It was Windam. With thine will and mine power, fly!
She turned to her friends and bowed, "Please tell your family there was an emergency and I had to return to Japan. They need not worry." Fuu turned away from Mini and Terry she crouched down. The ground under them shook. There was another boom, Fuu shot up into the sky and was gone.
Sakuya was busy plotting out his course, he knew where she was. He was awake the moment he felt her power tremble through the Earth. The one who had killed Emeraude and Zagato. It was the current Pillar that he was set on to kill. It was her scream that he'd heard in those dark days. The one that took full responsibility for the Princess and the High Priest's deaths. Two powerful entities were heading towards the young woman as well. Her fellow Knights no doubt. If he could take their heads too so be it. But he was only one and they were three if they came together.
He gathered some gear. In all likelihood he would need to do reconnaissance. He would follow their travel patterns but if he could ambush them and take them out in one large swoop he would not turn away from that possibility either. He tested his magic feeling it weakly. A few sparks came from his finger tips, a bolt shot out and hit a nearby lamp. He could muster nothing stronger. A pity. If the barrier between Earth and Cephiro had weakened more he could have possessed all his magic. He slid back the door of his closet. The sword he had and the handgun he'd procured from his torture victim would have to suffice.
TBC