20 Years of Longing

by anitfa

History repeated itself when the Pillar of Cephiro and her guardian knight fell in love. Hikaru and Lantis knew they wouldn't meet the same fate as Zagato and Emeraude, yet new enemies disrupted the peace. Their devotion to Cephiro led to a long, painful separation. After 20 years of longing, will love reunite them? A sequel to Rayearth 2: Invasion of Three Countries.

22. A New Day without Its Sun

Everyone in Cephiro remembered the past three years as the Autozam-Cephiro War. The war left behind countless mysteries. The world map changed with the disappearance of the two countries, Chizeta and Fahren. The surviving people of Chizeta and Fahren were welcomed to live in Cephiro. The three princesses were given residences along with their people. Likewise, Eagle Vision from Autozam was granted a place with the people of Autozam who came with him. Ferio eventually became king of Cephiro, and the three nations are now under Cephiro's protection.

Because of the war, a significant change occurred in Cephiro with the disappearance of the Pillar, with some saying she had died. No one could decide whether this was good or bad, but it was difficult to wipe away the grief and guilt from the departure of the Pillar, Hikaru. The mourning atmosphere was hard to dispel. The people eventually understood the meaning of the hope the Pillar had conveyed when she was alive among them.

You will believe, as you always hope,

The future will bloom with sincerity.

You will see smiles, as you wish to see,

The beauty of the land in serenity.

A new day awaits to be awakened,

By brave souls with visions pure and bright,

A world where love and kindness thrive,

Together, strong, forevermore.

A new day had come. Knowing that the Pillar sacrificed herself to protect Cephiro, for the first time, they were determined to rely on their strength. Driven by the desire to correct the mistake of leaving the Pillar to fight alone, the country was rebuilt over the years, and the people slowly returned to their normal lives. Cephiro grew and became known as the "Land of Four Nations."

A significant change also occurred in Autozam. The Runes people, who had once been mere slaves to the Autozam people, rose. Although they were few in number, their strength, combined with the magic swordsmen, became formidable. They rebelled and brought nightmares to the people of Autozam. Their mission to reclaim their land and seek revenge against Autozam was brutal. The magic swordsmen eventually returned to positions of power, led by Nair Shin-Re, the Pillar of Runes and their king.