http://clampfix.fanworks.net/kenichi/rayfic05.txt </head><body><pre>"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction." ---ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPéRY, Wind, Sand, and Stars Chapter Four: Blade I lay awake on my bed. Three days since I had fallen from the Tokyo Tower, and into the world called Cephiro. Three days since my entire concept of reality was turned upside down. I constantly looked at the gauntlet that Clef had given me. The Guru was still at a loss to explain why my armor was different; The entire matter was weighing on his head heavily. Rafaga was no help; He remained as cold and indifferent as ever. Presea encouraged me to practice with the weapon she forged. Somehow, I didn't think that was wise --- The only one who I could practice with was Rafaga, and I wasn't in a hurry to find out just how good he really was with that sword. I thought of Hikaru. Her cheerful demeanor helped her to adjust better to Cephiro than I did. That same gentle attitude brought Fuu and Umi together as a team. Me? I was a solo act. Nobody followed me in, and almost nobody here could help me out. Clef puttering about without answering my questions... I smirked as I pictured a squat caricature of the Guru gaggling here and there across the great hall, like some broken wind-up toy. Clef had questions to ask, but held them back. Why? Was he afraid to find out the truth, as I was? =================================== I strode out of the room with a vengeance. Clef may be right about me being a Knight, but that didn't mean he was right about everything. Oh sure, he knew a lot, but that didn't mean he was absolutely infallible. I came across Clef in the great hall, speaking to Mira. What of, I wonder? The temptation to eavesdrop came to my mind, but I quickly shoved it away. Clef was either going to open up, or... The Guru then saw me. He was most welcoming in his gestures. I could see Mira's little face blush. She probably doesn't see many boys her age, I guess. I sat in the adjacent chair and promptly went down to business. "Guru Clef, I remember you saying that you had questions to ask me, three days ago. What were they?" Mira's bluish-green eyes stared at me balefully, while small hands fidgeted in her lap. The Guru looked up into my eyes. "Questions that have long been answered. You needn't worry." "Answered? I don't get it. By whom?" Clef's staff tapped at my glove. "This orb..." Clef paused to catch his breath. He was evidently in awe of its properties. "...It is made of Escude, and yet it has properties which I cannot normally find in Escude. It... Remembers..." Clef bowed his head low. "Rafaga felt it the second you entered the palace. This Escude is not an ordinary gem. The Guru looked me in the eyes once again. "It is a spirit crystal. In it is the spirit of the one who calls you in your dreams. He who wanted you to come here." Realization dawned on me. "Sol Zagato." His memories. Of course. Why Rafaga despises my presence. The visions. The memories. The power to defy all. The damned orb was like a blasted data backup. The reason why I was stuck here in the first place. Furious, I tried to tear the orb off of my left hand. "Ken! You can't separate the Escude from your armor now... you...!" A charge lanced all over my right hand. Yelping, I withdrew my palm. My entire right hand was searing with pain. I fought it unsuccessfully. The mind-set I practiced in Wushu was not working as well as it should. I fixed my eyes on my hand. The wounds I recieved from smashing the vase had reopened into festering sores that crawled over my hand. "The Escude is not only part of your armor..." Clef's voice trailed off momentarily, but returned just as quickly. "...It is a part of the Knight himself. You can no more separate yourself from the Escude in your armor than you can love without a heart." I spat invectives in Mother's native Fookien that, thankfully, Clef did not understand. "Sol Zagato. The bastard used me..." Mira stood up and slowly wandered to my chair. "Guru Clef, may I be permitted...?" The maturity in her voice surprised me. Clef nodded, and she gingerly lifted my wounded hand in hers. Mira whispered arcane mutterings that were as alien to me as my Mother's Fookien was to them. I felt a warm, gentle feeling enveloping first my hand, then creeping up my arm and my whole consciousness. I let the calm envelop me. I opened my eyes to see that my hand had healed completely. I looked at the back of my hand, and then the palm. Nothing. No scars. I looked at Mira and her suddenly tired eyes. "How did you...?" I blurted, but could not finish, as Mira slumped into me in a faint. A bit concerned, and very much embarrassed, I picked up her resting form and lay her in her seat to rest. The serene smile she had captivated me. I turned my attention to Clef for an answer. "She is a Nar, a healer. Probably one of the very few." I nodded. "A healer.." "She uses a lot of her heart's will in healing people. It took a lot; She really didn't need to heal your hand fully." I looked at Mira's sleeping form and couldn't help but smile. That's twice I owe you, little lady. =================================== Clef and I kept watch over Mira. In the meanwhile, I managed to wrangle quite a bit of info from the Guru. About Dis, and his sons, specifically. "Dis was a powerful warrior-magician of court. It is said that he taught Zagato all he knew of Magery, and to Lantis all he knew of Swordsmanship." Knowing Lantis by reputation and Zagato by nature, I admitted that this Dis was certainly very skilled. But what else? Clef picked up the story. "On the day Zagato and Lantis were first assigned to the protection of Emeraude, Dis just disappeared, if you pardon the pun. It seemed he and his elder son had a bit of an argument. Lantis did not know of why; Zagato never told anyone of it. It was as if Dis never existed." Clef sighed deeply. "And now, here is this thing that claims to be Dis." "---'Claiming'?" "We cannot say for sure. The way it communicates, it is like one mind lashing at another." I groped about for a question. "What of their mother?" Clef rested his chin on his clasped hands. "I have never known of their mother..." I fingered the orb on my glove. Zagato. Join with me... The eerie bitter voice still trailed in my thoughts. His memories were mixed with mine. Yet as hard as I tried to recall what he remembered, I always drew up a blank, or a garbled image at best. The only way I'll know the truth is if I follow this storm through. =================================== Presea came a bit later in the day to pick up Mira. She was fairly amused when Clef told her the reason, and agreed to watch over her. I, in the meantime, had mustered enough courage to try and wander the corridors of the palace on my own. Rafaga, I had not seen at all during the day, and Clef told me to be ready; I would begin my voyage tomorrow at dawn. It soon became evident that navigating within the castle was about as easy as falling off a log... Unfortunately for me, the log in question must have been tacked to my shoes. A few steps out of the great hall and I was hopelessly lost. About an hour of literally walking around in circles, I chanced upon a slightly open door. Curiosity got the better of me as I peeked inside. Rafaga. Kneeling on a kind of pew, as if in worship. In front of him was a small table, a white object atop it. I was about to dismiss the whole thing as a man engaged in his religion, when I heard a rhythmic murmur coming from his large frame. I listened closely, and I felt like a first-class heel. Rafaga was crying. Sobs shook the big man's body like tremors from the earth. The white object on the table was a pair of shoes. Dancing shoes. Zagato's memories came to the fore like the uninvited guests they were. Caldina of Chizeta. Dal Rafaga's lover. I turned away, so as not to see any more. Without any conscious thought, I reached my room but minutes later. In a sudden fit of anger, I ploughed my gloved fist into the door. =================================== Door. I muttered to myself. Why does it always have to involve the same blasted door over and over again? You'd think Zagato would have had a bit more originality in these dreams he sends me... Once again my hands rested on the knob. Same room. Black mists and red sky. Same figure. Zagato, standing ahead. "We have to stop meeting like this, Ken." My right eyebrow arched. Zagato making a joke? The dark form continued by what seemed like an apology. "I thought that humor would help calm your nerves. After all, the last time..." "Last time you tried to kill me!!!" Like the smoke, he floated toward me. "Nothing of the sort. I wanted to put my thoughts into your mind, so that you would understand better..." "If you hadn't noticed, planting a steel-jacketed hand on a person's forehead is hardly the friendliest way to do that." Zagato scoffed lightly at my remark. "And how do you intend for me to let you know everything?" "On my planet we call it talking. You should try it someday." A motion under the cloak. I could just imagine him folding his arms akimbo under that mess of cloth. "...I cannot let you know more until you accept it." "Accept what, Damnit?" I was spitting expletives like a machine gun gone wild into Zagato's face. "You're the one who isn't telling all of the story!" Even without knowing what they meant, From his face I was sure that he got the message. "Piao See Deeh!!!" Mother would blush at those words. Zagato turned away. "On the contrary, Ken. It is you who are not willing to know the truth. Perhaps I should wait until you mature enough to use your abilities." I was frazzled out of my wits from the stringed cursing. "What is THAT supposed to mean?" Zagato clapped his palms in resignation. "You will learn soon enough. Clef will see to that." A flash, and the room was gone. =================================== I found myself looking at the ceiling of my room. Somehow, after I made my way back, I fell asleep on the bed. Great. What do I do next? I picked myself up and decided to risk strolling down the hallways again. Wish Clef would finally let me out; the palace's spiral monotony was driving me absolutely nuts. And Rafaga. No wonder he was so cold and icy. I remember how mother was at father's funeral. She kept a cold, calm exterior to prove that she was strong enough to survive, with a young son to take care of. But every night, I knew, she would cry herself to sleep. Rafaga was no different. The Dal still showed a strong and hardy facade to other folk. But his deeper, emotional side was left for his lost love. I had these thoughts in mind when I bumped into Rafaga... literally. That brought the number of times I collided with Rafaga to two. He looked at me coldly. A defense that has helped him survive. "Presea says that you have not trained with the weapon." Nod. "Then, I wish to see you downstairs in a little while, about an hour if you will. That is where we will spar. You CAN find your way around by now, I assume?" Another nod. "Good." I noticed a little glimmer in Rafaga's eyes as he strode past me. Apparently, he'd been waiting for this... Best to start looking. It might take me an hour to get there. My room began to look like a fairly attractive place right now... Minutes of wandering got me stuck in the middle of nowhere. I really should have asked where it was. With a sigh of defeat, I threw my hands into the air. A giggle came from behind my back. I turned to see little Mira, giggling with her little hands to her face. "What's so funny?" Mira stopped her mirth long enough to speak. "Guru Clef says that you're a Magic Knight. How can you be one if you can't even find your way around the palace?" Her little body then convulsed in laughter once again. Apparently, she's lost quite a bit of her shyness... "I'm not lost! I'm just..." I paused a second. "...I'm... Wandering!" Damn, I'm making a complete idiot of myself. I started to walk away. Mira, still shaking with her giggling, caught up to my stride. "Hee...I'm sorry... It's just that..." I was boggled by her. One second she acts like a little child, the next, she's like a young lady... Then again, she's only three years younger than me. As I was three years younger than Hikaru. Mira looked up at me. "Magic Knight Ken, do you know any of the other Magic Knights?" Magic Knight Ken. What am I, a Barbie doll spinoff? Oh well. It could have been worse. "I'll tell you, but promise me something." "What is it?" "Stop calling me a 'Magic Knight'. From now on, just call me Ken." She nodded. "Tell me who of them you know..You know, of Magic Knight Umi, and Fuu, and of course Magic Knight Hikaru!" The last name brought a pang of hurt to my soul. "Uh... Okay. They ARE fine, right where they are. They..." What do I tell her? "...are doing very well. Especially Hikaru-Chan." Mira's little eyes widened. "Do you know her? She is my favorite!" I smiled as gently as I could. How could I explain? "I'm sure she would be happy to hear that." As we walked, Mira went on to explain how Hikaru saved her from a monster when she was younger. Never forgot that moment. "I want to be like her. That's why I'm learning from the Pharle herself. She won't let me learn swordsmanship just yet, though." "Pharle? Oh, you mean Presea." Mira grinned slightly. Right now, the childish side of her is more in charge. I wondered... How often does she act serious? "Magi... I mean... Ken, How well do you know Hikaru?" I wish I could say myself. "Enough to know that she has a kind heart and a gentle soul." And at times acts childish. Just like the little woman beside me. It was then I felt it. As if Hikaru herself were at my side. But the thoughts left quickly. I had more important things to do. Like how I could get out of here. And even more pressing; How I expect to live after Rafaga cuts my head off in combat. =================================== I asked Mira where the room Rafaga mentioned was. She blithely pointed to a door in front of us. The large doors swung wide open as silently as the rest. It was as large as the great hall, but without the pillars or trappings. Rafaga was waiting inside, his sword drawn. "Draw your weapon, Magic Knight." I did as told. The lance raced out of my glove like water from a spout. Mira stared behind me, unaware of the reasons Rafaga came. "Dal, what's going on?" I nudged Mira gently with my free elbow. "Rafaga wants me to train well with this lance." I turned to her and feigned a nonchalant smile. "Mira, please don't interfere. You could get hurt." She obviously did not want to play the part of bystander, but agreed and stepped towards the wall. Rafaga's eyes seemed to have a new life to them. "When one practices, he must practice as if it were a real battle." It sounded like something father would have said. I nodded and went into an on-guard stance. Rafaga's swift first stroke almost cleaved my head in half. Instinctively, I brought the lance up to block the blow. Rafaga's sheer force still knocked me down. The lance clattered to the floor. "Idiot! You PARRY blows like that, not meet them head-on!!!" I cursed as I picked the lance up once again. Mira stood in the corner, her small hands balled into tight fists. The trouble with Wushu, especially Chang Quan or Long fist style, is the fact that it is practiced mainly as an art form, like ballet, rather than as a combative art. Indeed, I had never, ever, gotten into a fistfight before. Blast, recall your spear training! Rafaga wasn't even working up a sweat. The look in his eyes was apparent now. It had been some time since he had been in combat. I glanced over my shoulder. The look on Mira's face was stern and unapproving. The lance pointed to Rafaga. I let myself loose in my mind, allowing reflex to take over. Hope this works. "KYAAAAAAHHHHH!" Rafaga's scream seemed to tear into the very fabric of time and space. I swung one end of the lance at the sword. Again, I lost control and droped the lance. Rafaga's face, first a mask of indifference, was now showing signs of pent-up anger. "Once again!!!" I picked up my lance once more and resumed. Fifteen crashes and a clatters later told me I had failed miserably, as Rafaga easily disarmed me and now had his sword at my throat. Rafaga's face was a torrent of rage and disappointment. "This is pathetic! I can't believe you were selected as a Knight! You can't even fight! I've never seen anyone so useless in my entire life!" Something in Rafaga's tone of voice, or just what he said. I don't really know. But something deep inside me just snapped. My right hand snaked out and struck the Dal in the wrist. It would not hurt him, but it gave me enough time to drop and roll away. In the same movement, I retrieved my lance. I whipped into a ready stance just in time to see Rafaga's face. The Dal seemed to be moving in slow motion as he brought the heavy blade of his sword down upon me. Almost instinctively, my body twisted to meet the blow. The flat end of my lance met Rafaga's sword- hilt at full force. Almost at once, my left hand released the lance and I planted the palm into Rafaga's chest. The Dal toppled backward, unbalanced by my tactic. I followed up by swinging my leg forward in a sweep, effectivley knocking him down. I spun my lance around to get a better aim. Rafaga was on the floor, disarmed, his face in complete surprise. I put my full force into the one, final thrust. I barely heard Mira's scream. "Ken! Don't!!!" The tip embedded itself in the floor an inch from the Dal's cheek. I wasn't out to kill Rafaga. I'm not like that. I'm not a blasted cold-blooded killer. Rafaga's shocked eyes traveled from the bladepoint to my face. He let out a nervous snicker. "If that's how you are when you're angry, then I'd hate to be your enemy." The snicker turned into a full-fledged howl. I couldn't help but laugh with him. Mira ran over in fear of Rafaga's life, only to find the two of us laughing like a pair of tickled hyenas. She was the only person in the room who didn't find it funny, though. I helped Rafaga up with my left hand. The great warrior seemed gentler, more trusting, now that I had matched blades against him. Somehow, it seemed that a great weight had been lifted off the man's shoulders, as he started to act more and more like the Rafaga of old. The Rafaga who Zagato knew. Mira fussed over our condition, but was pleased to know neither of us was hurt outside of the usual cuts and bruises. Nevertheless, she insisted we call it a night, something Rafaga or I was not about to disagree with. =================================== I took a warm bath later, but the adrenaline was still active in my body, making it difficult to sleep. After minutes of tossing and turning in bed, I decided to walk a bit, to calm myself down. Just in case, I etched my initials on the door. Clef might have a fit, but it was better than wandering aimlessly among the halls all night. A few steps outside, I noticed Mira. She was clothed in a long frock that covered her entire body like a cloak. Her head was tucked in her folded arms, looking out one of the porthole windows of the palace. She spared me a glance and went on to look outside. I trolled slowly beside her and looked out the same window. "It's a beautiful night out." She nodded. I was afraid she might still have a grudge against me. "Mira, I'm sorry about awhile ago. Guess I should have warned you." Without looking back, she replied warmly to my apology. "It's not that surprising. Dal Rafaga hasn't been that happy in a very long time." I was tempted to mention Caldina's name, but kept my tact and silence. I propped my arms on the windowsill. This was so much like the Tokyo Tower in its breathtaking view. "Where I come from, the city lights don't let you see many stars..." "It must be sad to live where you do." "Not really. But there are times..." I turned my head and saw Mira in the same position as I, looking out contentedly into space. "...There are times I wish I had someone to talk to." The little girl within Mira laughed. "You're talking to me, aren't you?" Her head turned to face me. "I'm glad that you're not a scary as I first thought." "Scary? Me?" "Because of those funny-looking clothes." I stifled my laugh. Observant and innocent at the same time. The good cheer gave me a feeling of warmth that was most comforting. Without her knowing it, Mira was already like Hikaru. We stayed up most of the night, just looking at the stars. Two of us just enjoying the view. Dawn would come soon. This may be the last night sky I may see in peace...</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>