Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction ❯ Among Gods ❯ chapter 4 ( Chapter 3 )

I was just rereading what I had up, (and realizing I have A LOT of revising to do, sorry for all the mistakes) and the fire was rekindled. I have a new spirit to continue writing this. It should be over in maybe three or four chapters if I make them long enough. Six at the most.

 

So, without further ado, “Among Gods”.

 

OoOoOoO

 

Zephyr was left to stand gazing out a large window to the court yards. He would leave soon to retrieve the twins; they had no place on mortal soil. If it had been up to him, they would have been placed in a locked cell for the remainder of their lives. Devia and Felix then choose that moment to make an appearance.

Bowing, they offered their greetings.

“Crown Prince Zephyr. It is an honor for you to grace us.” Felix led his twin to a seat and stood behind him.

Prince Zephyr was to take the place when his father stepped down, most believed he would refuse the throne and it would then pass to Azsaruu, spelling turmoil for the future.

“I have summoned you to tell me the outcome of the fight. I've no doubt mother won, but at what cost?” Turning he faced them, his eyes locking with Devia's. “It would ease my trip greatly to know what I am to descend upon.” Felix flexed his hands on Devia's shoulders, and Devia offer Zephyr a cheeky smile, and mock bow.

“As my lord commands me, I so do.” Felix frowned at Devia's flirts, mentally rebuking his twin.

`Forgive me my brother, but I had long forgotten just how handsome and attractive Zeph had been. He has only grown more appealing over these long years, and I will be the first to willingly admit when I find someone greatly attractive.' Felix's frown deepened before a dark gleam appeared in his eye.

`Do not fret my love, all will be forgotten, once I remind you who you belong to. You will pay for your thoughts later.' Devia broke out in a large grin, and a visible shiver coursed through his body. Zephyr rolled his eyes.

“Would you two please keep your recreational activities to your selves.” Both twins looked up at him with somewhat confused and shocked looks. Zephyr just lightly tapped his temple and turned away.

“If you can tear away from each others thoughts for a few moments, would you please do what I've asked?” He waited expectantly as Devia bowed again and drifted off into a haze. His eyes changed from pale violet to bright teal in the blink of an eye. His eyes followed something as if it stood before his own finger tips. After a few seconds his brow furrowed, he gave a small cry, arching off the chair and tumbled back into his own consciousness. His breathing was heavy and his face tired looking.

“I am sorry Prince, something has been placed over her, I can not find her, I am blocked by a force field, and it hurts to touch.” He then shivered, but this time it was out of fright, not arousal. Felix looked up from Devia.

“May we go?” he demanded, his hands clutching at Devia's arms. Zephyr waved them of before turning to look out the window again. Soleil and Luna ran about kicking a ball around, while Eclipse watched them. Luna met his eyes and gave a wide smile, returning to here game immediately. He would leave her here. The mortal world could be harsh and unforgiving; no place for a child like her, her innocence was no price to pay. He would then leave from the mortal realm right to his domain. Luna deserved to grow up around her family, who was he to take that from her. It would hurt him greatly, but it was for the better for her. He quickly left for the mortal realm in a flourish of lightening, and an overly loud crack of thunder, his heart already aching. Luna reacted instantly to the sound of the thunder, swing around to stare where her elder brother had been moments ago. She followed bodily, the streak of lightening that dashed across the sky, shooting to the ground.

“Zephyr!” She screamed, dropping to the ground in a fit of sobs and tears. Her siblings just stared at her, allowing her, her tantrum. Eclipse could easily recall the memory of the same tantrum when his eldest brother was leaving. Soleil had still just been a babe, too young to even recall the thought that Zephyr had left. She did not even know her eldest brother. Even then, Luna was too attached to Zephyr, it was stifling sometimes.

 

The doors slammed open of an invisible force, cracking hard on the coinciding walls. I could hear the lightening god from rooms away. Electricity tossed around on the air, bouncing off of everything. Father was still yelling, with Zeph throwing remarks every now, Mother was calling for Zeph, and yelling at father in the same sentences. Zephyr reached my room, and everything stopped. My door slowly opened. Zephyr had always been aware of how we were feeling. Luna and I were tucked under my covers, quivering, when Zephyr entered the room quietly his foot falls nothing on the wind. Luna was so scared the air stood in it's toes, waiting to take a breath.

“Eclipse, Luna? Stay in here till morn. Father should be calm by then. I don't know when I will be back or when I will see you again. I wish you two the best of luck. Love you.” He then turned and the door closed with a click. The darkness spilled in from every corner, eating up the light from the hall.

“Zephyr! Wait, Zephyr!” Luna screamed at the closed door having tossed the coverlets back. She started scrambling to get out of my bed. I clung to her arm, wrenching her back to the bed.

“You idiot! He told us to stay here. Father will surely hit you if you get in his way. Stay here. Luna! You little spoiled brat do as we say!” Luna continued to struggle from my grip, finally tearing free and slamming into the door from a skid. She tore the door open and lifted her night gown up from her feet, running down the hall after the retreating back of Zephyr, all the while screaming his name. I swear she woke the dead. Whatever hadn't been woken by the fight was now woken by a little six year old.

`Surely mother and Father have heard her, mother will fetch her.' My gut told me other wise. Mother and father had no hand in fate. Fate dealt them events, and they twisted them to suit their likings. She (fate) was dealing something now that could change us all. As I chased after her, I nearly collided with Azsaruu and Azelea. They were calmly walking towards the kitchen.

“Where'd Luna go?” They just kept walking, and I kept jogging. The dark sky night flashed, blinding me as the hall was illuminated.

`Court yard.'

It didn't take long to locate them, and what I saw horrified me. My mother has told me time and time again that I am the most intelligent out of all of us, that it is my given gift from the universe. I can do the most extensive math problems in a matter of seconds in my head, I can read a 900 page tomb in an hour, I can easily analyze a situation or problem and find a solution within minutes, but I could not wrap my head around what was happening before me. Zephyr and father were fighting, their powers flaring around them. Zeph's lightening was like a snake, precise timed attacks, striking like a cobra. Father's fire was all over the place, consuming all the air, and burning everything it touched. Where was mother? She could stop them, but she was no where to be found. A yelp drew my attention to Zeph. He cradled a shoulder with his right hand, his teeth visibly grinding together, his body shaking with the effort of the pain. He struck again and something about the way he fought didn't fit right. When mother and he trialed each other, he would use his lightening to protect himself, only striking when he saw a weak spot or opening. Now he carelessly threw his strikes to the center field, creating a dome like structure. He was leaving himself open for attack, and he wasn't even trying to hit father. It wasn't like him at all. Through the cracking of the lightening, and the roar of the flames, nothing could be heard. Zeph's strike then luminated a shadowy hunched over form in center field. When father's flame neared too close, the figure gave a scream, calling out to mother, then Zephyr. It hit me hard in the gut. Zephyr was protecting Luna from getting hurt, focusing all his strength on the shield protecting her. My mind set to work, figuring out a way to get Luna through this alive. I took off, placing myself next to father.

“Stop! Please stop! Luna's out there! Father, please! Listen to me!” He shoved me over, stating I would get hurt if I intervened. I screamed, and cried, beating at him, just to be pushed down again. Luna screamed again when fathers flame made contact with Zeph's shield. It cackled loudly, protesting the fire's entrance. My head was spinning; it felt as if this fight was going on forever, when in reality it had only been just near minutes. My head became stuffy, like it was filled with cotton, and I rose up. The breathe coming out of my lungs was icy, chilling my lips, and creating a cloud as I exhaled. Inhaling burnt my lungs, sting and smoking. My fingers became ice cold, and I shivered as I felt my body temperature drop several degrees. Father had obviously felt the drop in temperature because he looked at me through the corner of his eye. He glared, preparing to raise a hand to me. I guess he was seeing me as a threat. A flame shot towards me head on, there was no stopping. I crossed my arms in front of my face like Zephyr showed me, making a shield with my arm. I waited for the flame, for the fire, for the burning pain. It never came. Opening my eyes, I hadn't realized I closed them. Father stared at my incredulously. There before me about eight inches in front of my face was a sheet of ice about an inch thick that had stopped the fire attack short. The sudden reprieve from the on slaughter of attacks had given Zephyr enough time to get to Luna, scooping her up in his arms. She clung to his neck, greatly shaken, her eyes wide and fearful. If father stacked him now, he wouldn't be able to defend them. Neither of his arms was free, both holding residence under Luna's knees and around her shoulders.

“Zephyr put her down, if you must go, go alone.” Mother's voice sounded behind me. Still momentarily shocked from the rising of my powers I did not even drop my stance when father dropped his. He gave a great heave and melted the ice block away.

“No! Zephyr! No! Don't go! Don't leave; I don't want you to leave!” Mine and father's attention was drawn to Luna crying and kicking about on the ground.

“Luna stop it. Luna, you have till the count of three.” Mother was angry. Luna stopped her screaming, giving mother a dark glare.

“Get up and go to your room. You can not get everything you want, that is life. If you think other wise, I'm grieved to same I raised a spoiled brat who has no compassion or manners.” Mother had never been this angry before. Luna was on the verge of tears when father spoke up.

“Tris, leave her. Don't be so harsh.” His voice sounded different, older. He always favored Luna. Mother whipped around to face him, stormed up to him and slapped his across the face, hard.

“Do have any idea just how stupid you are? How dare you threaten any of the children! Have you lost all sense? You told Zephyr to leave, why did you fight him? You've hurt him, and had he not been looking out for Luna, she probably would have been dead!” Father took the lashing with his head down not saying anything till she was done, and even then his mutter was unheard to me. Mother then turned to Zephyr, stating that he was not to go anywhere till he had someone look at his wounds, and she would not here otherwise. He calmly looked her dead in the eye and told her he would leave tonight, that he was no longer welcomed in this place as a home. Mother told him she would deal with him in a minute.

“Eclipse, come here.” Zephyr summoned me over. He placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Congratulation Eclipse, you have gained your power. I only wish it could have been on better terms. Today is a day to be celebrated and yet I fear it will be overlooked. Never forget who you are. I am counting on you to look after everyone. Luna and Soleil especially.” He bent down to hug us both, and upon rising, Luna wrapped her arms around his neck, and she hung there.

“Luna, you must stay. Your place is here.” Zephyr was calm as always. He was untouchable, a true god. Luna sobbed into his chest.

“Why can't you stay? I want you to stay! Please don't go!” He pet her hair, tsk-ing as he did so. He pried her from his neck and set her on the ground. It was only then did I get a good look at his shoulder. The skin had turned black, and was flaking off into dust, leaving behind the raw pink and red muscle.

“Have courage. All will turn out well. If I stayed, you and the others would never find peace. It is regretful to say, but father and I just can not live under one roof.”

“How can we have courage if you are not here!? We will be lost! Who will stand up for us when father is angry? Who will cover for us when we do something wrong? Who will we have to sneak us fruit in the middle of the night? Who will we have to tuck us in at night, or teach us to fight, or how to control our powers? Who, can you tell me?” Luna and I piped up different ideas one after each other. My mind was going to work again, adding and subtracting, connecting pieces of a long worked on puzzle. Why was it that Zephyr and father couldn't live together? It was our fault; he took the blame for everything we did. We went to him with all our problems, and he went to father to bring the problem fourth as his own. We were the ones who left the mess of fruit and sweets at night, and yet, Zephyr some how always got the blame.

“Sorry.” He stared at me as I whispered the apology.

“What for? You have done nothing wrong.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I guess the burn hurt more then he would let us know. Untouchable, unreachable, perfect. He was everything a god was, and we were not him.

“Father is angry at you because of us. It is our fault you have to leave.” The back of my eyes pricked and stung. I didn't realize I was crying till he wiped his finger across me cheek.

“The fault is not yours. When you are older, you will understand a great deal more. But for now, I must leave…”

“Take me with you then!” Luna shouted at him. He gave her a stern look before shaking his head. He stood, and I had to hold Luna back while he walked away. Mother came to us, kneeling down to hug us as Zephyr prepared to leave. I reached up, a split second late, trying to pull him back. I came up with his ribbon which held back his long hair. It didn't faze him a step, though his dark hair now surrounded him like a cloak, blowing fiercely in the newly risen wind.

“Zephyr! Please!” Luna screamed, crying again. Mother let her be, knowing Zephyr would not take her.

He must have said something telepathically to her because she then screamed,

“I don't care! Please! Don't leave me!” He looked unbelievably sad, his eyes downcast. His power built on the air, standing the hair on the backs of our necks. Mother stepped away from us to go to father. It was if she knew something was to happen. Father just glared at the ground. Zephyr met mother's eyes and said to her

“Mother take care, I only wish I could have been around for the young one, he will need lots of care.” Mother looked perplexed.

“How did you…” He just smiled. Father looked shocked but dropped the face instantly. Still smiling, Zephyr did something I wouldn't have expected of him. He held his hand out for Luna, beckoning her to him. The shock was so great, I let her go. Father yelled, and I could feel the heat at my back, but it never reached me. I later found out that mother had shielded me from his fire. Zephyr pulled Luna to him the minute she had reached his hand and they were gone in a flash of light. I would not see them for five long years.

 

OoOoOoO

 

After a light sleep, Tristis was back on her feet, wondering the halls looking for some source of information to tell her where her children might be. She turned a corner to run smack into another moving body. Losing her footing she titled backwards, but was pulled close to the other body so that she didn't fall. Looking up she was met with the soft face of the Autozam general. She offered a smile.

“Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. It seems over the years, Young Clef has changed the halls around. I can not seem to find my way.” Removing his hands, he offered her an arm.

“I would be glad to escort you to your destination, not that I know my way about this place to well either.” She smiled again, hiding a giggle under her fingers.

“Why thank you, I am in search of the great hall, or Clef. Which ever we so happen to find first.” He smiled and led them off down a hall, chatting about everything and nothing in particular.

 

OoOoOoO

 

“Tell me.” He made a face, and sighed.

“I told you, I can not. Firstly it is not my place to say, and secondly, it is a danger to those who know.” Umi glared at him.

“I have the right to know. I know you're hiding something.” She was sitting on his desk, glaring down at him.

“Umi I told you. I can not. Not I `will not', I can not. Why has this got you so tense any way?” He rubbed a hand up her arm, feeling all the muscle tense and bunch before relaxing.

“She just pulls at my nerves. Something about her isn't right. Can you tell me this at least, how old is she?” She waited expectantly. He gave her an uneasy look.

“About 2,000 years old.” Umi's jaw dropped.

“You're joking right?” Clef just shook his head no.

“When any of her children gain their power, they can choose what age to appear as. She has chosen to appear as an eighteen year old. Her husband is much older.” Umi just looked shocked, her brain trying to reel in this information.

“So, just how many kids does she have?”

“As many as the world needs.”

 

OoOoOoO

 

It had taken them twenty minutes to find their way around, having gotten lost three times.

“I must say Eagle; it is so much better being lost with you than it is being lost alone.” Eagle was about to respond when there was a loud roll of noise in the air and sparks shot off the walls.

Tris and Eagle hurried to follow the noise.

They met up with Clef, Umi and Ferio along the way.

“What was that?” The clang and clash of swords could be heard. Umi eyed Tristis suspiciously. She was oddly calm for a woman whose children tried to kill her. They reached the hall where the battle took place. Lantis was pressed against the wall, sword drawn, by a tall man with dark hair. They had their swords jutted up against each other, and now all it was, was a battle of strength, which could last the longest. Ferio drew his sword, placing it softly on the man's turned shoulder. Eagle made to draw his when Tris placed her hand on his arm. Azelea and Azsaruu came calmly walking, Thao between them.

“Well now isn't this a party. The crown prince has graced us with his presence. Oh, mother, I really think you should come back now. Father has sent Zeph.” Azsaruu drawled, picking up Thao, who squirmed to run about. The two men pressed in duel did not so much as flinch, but keep their stances.

Tris stepped foreword.

“Zephyr, lower your weapon. We have no fight here.” Her voice was as soft as a canaries singing. The dark haired man lowered his sword which disappeared as it was of no use now. He turned slowly, bypassing his siblings to look at Tris. He looked at her through his eyelashes, not yet sure if he could defy her yet. And there she stood, after five long years. Her strength could be seen in her eyes, and she held herself with dignity, and grace. She was straight out beautiful, so doll like he wanted to reach out and touch her to see if her skin was made of glass. He knew instantly why his father had chosen her as his own.

“Hello mother. It is a welcomed sight to see you so well.” She smiled at him then.