Pillar Tower
The mental shield around the castle was lifted, allowing the Autozam fleet to approach. They begin the meeting to hear the decision of the Pillar of Cephiro. A small aircraft landed atop the highest point of the Pillar Tower, and from it descended that stern-faced woman, Sphinx Marines, dressed in the commanding uniform of the Autozam military. She held a slender sword in one hand, and the echo of her boots striking the floor sent an intimidating rhythm through the air. Hikaru clenched her fists, bracing herself for what was to come.
"Pillar of Cephiro, General Albatross is awaiting your answer," Sphinx announced, striding haughtily toward Hikaru. Her voice held a sharp air of superiority, and with a mocking smile, she added, "He expects an answer as beautiful as you are, my poor dear." With a chuckle, she tilted Hikaru's chin, playing with it as if in amusement.
Hikaru steadied herself, her heart racing. She drew in a deep breath and, summoning every ounce of strength, declared, "I SURRENDER!" Her voice rang out, clear and resolute.
"Kneel, then."
She sank to her knees before Sphinx, who let a wide, triumphant smile spread across her face.
A shockwave rippled through everyone, awaiting her decision. They began to stir, struggling to believe that Hikaru had truly surrendered. They had been ready to die fighting by her side. Chaos followed in the wake of her words.
Umi gasped, a chill running through her fingers. Without wasting a moment, she flew toward the top of the Pillar Tower, followed by Lantis, who thought the same. But a large force of Autozam robots appeared, blocking their path before they could reach Hikaru. Eagle Vision barrelled through them with his FTO.
"HIKARU!" Umi screamed, her voice raw as she followed behind Eagle. "WHY?!"
"Destroy your fire gem," Sphinx ordered Hikaru next.
Hikaru stared at her. From the start, they planned to strip her of her powers as a magic knight.
"Destroy it!"
Forgive me... Seemingly, it is our goodbye, my friend. Hikaru removed the gem she used to summon her mashin, Rayearth. Hikaru unleashed fire from her hands. The gem shattered under the flames, and a loud lion's roar echoed across the land. A red light flashed and shot far away. Rayearth returned to the volcano. Everyone who witnessed it froze. Next, they were overcome with panic.
"How dare they! HIKARU!" Umi cried out again. Hikaru had lost her mashin powers. She was now almost completely powerless.
Meanwhile, Lantis fought with all his might, but the robot forces created a solid barricade, turning to attack them. Umi tried to break through the barricade. A battle erupted without command. The robots began firing their laser weapons.
Sphinx drew a sword from its sheath and pressed it against Hikaru's neck. Hikaru had already closed her eyes. Resigned.
Umi was terrified as she saw the Autozam woman raise her sword. "NO! DON'T DO IT!" More and more Autozam robots filled the skies of Cephiro...
"It will be quick..." Sphinx said. But before she could finish her sentence...
"I am the Pillar of this land."
"Hm?"
Hikaru glared at Sphinx with intense eyes. Her words were unexpectedly calm. What happened next was both shocking and horrifying. With one swift motion, Sphinx was sliced in two and fell. Blood poured everywhere. A blazing fire took shape in Hikaru's hand, forming a long, dazzling sword. Hikaru stepped over the lifeless body. "I won't surrender." She faced the sky of the thousand battle robots. She didn't bother to wipe the splatter of blood from her cheek.
From a distance, Umi gasped, her face drained of color. She was utterly shaken by what Hikaru had done. She felt this was not the Hikaru she knew. Her expression was harsh, twisted by hatred as she gazed up at the Autozam forces. Umi wanted to rush to her, but something strange held her back... It was beyond her comprehension.
A blinding light erupted from the Pillar Tower. Everyone was astonished. What was happening? They wondered. A massive wave of energy emanated from the Pillar Tower from Hikaru. The wave quickly swept across Cephiro, annihilating the robot forces and reducing them to dust and iron fragments instantly. Explosions adorned the morning sky, and the rising sun vanished from view.
Ferio, Princess Aska, and Princess Tarta rushed through the corridors, eager to discover what was happening. The colossal mental shield spread across the entire land, continuing to expand. Ferio remembered that the last time such a mental shield covered Cephiro was when Emeraude was still alive. "Could it be that Hikaru... No, it's impossible! The system had been shut down! She can't do this!"
Meanwhile, Master Clef, preparing to reinforce the castle's mental shield, was stunned. He fell to his knees, striking the floor with his fists. "Hikaru!" This defied everything he had believed about her. Why had she gone this far? Hikaru had reactivated the Pillar system in Cephiro.