Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction ❯ Call of the Heart ❯ Realm of the Forgotten ( Chapter 4 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

STUDIO X PRESENTS

MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH:
CALL OF THE HEART

A Story by Miyu, Vampire Princess



Episode Four - Realm of the Forgotten




Sunlight poured into the room, bathing Emera's face in its early morning glow.
The girl wrinkled her nose, still half-asleep. She groaned rolling over in the
bed.

Only to fall on the floor.

'A bed as big as your bedroom and you STILL fall on the floor,' her mind
scolded.

Groaning even louder, Emera picked herself off the floor and crashed back onto
the bed. Mokona still slept soundly on one of the pillows. Emera sighed at the
sight. A four post, cotton soft bed with silk sheets should've been extremely
relaxing and comfortable. But Emera managed to toss and turn all night.

She was tired, so it couldn't have been that. Perhaps it was her mind racing at
a hundred miles a minute. She never slept well when she had a lot on her mind.
But what more was there to think about? She'd finally found her mother, met her
father, and saw her aunts alive and well.

What more could there have been indeed, her mind replied. There were still
questions to be answered. Like what was wrong with her mother and her aunts
that Clef couldn't cure them of so they could go home?

Or was it that they didn't want to go home? They had lives in Cephiro. Hikaru
even had a son. And her father was here. Maybe, just maybe....

Hush that, she told her mind. They told us yesterday very well why they
couldn't go home.

But she couldn't help but wonder.

And then there were the images. Things Emera had never seen before. She
wondered if it was because she was in a strange place, and that her imagination
was beginning to run away from her. But it was too weird, even for her
imagination. Machines, grand machines, standing in the midst of a cold fire.
At least, she thought it was cold, because she couldn't sense any heat from it.
They should've been familiar, her mind told her, but she couldn't figure out
from where.

A knock on her door made Emera sit upright. She rubbed sleepily at her eyes as
two servant women walked into the room. One carried a wash basin filled with
warm water and soap; a towel hung over her one arm. The second woman carried
another change of clothes for the young girl. Emera glanced quickly at the
small selection of clothes Caldina had left for her the day before, and wondered
why she needed another.

These were from her mother, the woman stated with a smile, lying the clothes on
the end of the bed.

Emera thanked them both as they left. Breakfast was in an hour, the servants
informed her, and she wanted to be on time. Punctuality was something her
mother -- and her aunt -- had always stressed.

After washing her face and scrubbing her hands and feet, Emera donned her new
attire for the day. It was definitely in different taste from Caldina, she
noted while regarding her reflection in a mirror. The loose fitting white pants
slid gracefully from her waist. She had to strap the gold chain-link belt an
extra notch to keep the pants up. And the green poet's shirt came to her waist.
The sleeves stretched a tad longer than her arms, but she folded the cuffs
neatly.

Skillfully, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. With a final nod to her
reflection, she turned on her heel. She put on the boots Caldina had brought
the other day and tried to wake Mokona.

"Mokona? Wake up."

The animal's eyes quickly lifted open. He smiled up at Emera, jumping into her
arms without warning.

"Puu pu puu."

Emera giggled, hugging him tightly. "Good morning to you to. Are you ready for
breakfast?"

Mokona jumped to the floor and nodded. He bounced towards the door, Emera close
behind.

They took the route to the garden. It was the center of the palace and easier
to find their way around. She hadn't seen but a quarter of the palace, but she
was hoping she'd get a chance to explore later in the day. She passed several
more servants, all of who greeted her with a smile and nod. She smiled in
return, her spirits rising from where they had been only a little while ago.

Bright light flooded the entranceway to the garden from the palace. Mokona
waved for her to follow before disappearing in the light. Emera quickly jogged
to entrance and tried to locate Mokona. She found him easily, bouncing by a
nearby fountain.

"Mokona, wait up," Emera said, hurrying over to the fountain. She didn't
realize that someone else was there until a young man came into view.

'So that's why Mokona ran for the fountain,' Emera reasoned.

The little animal bounced up and down happily in front of the young man. But he
seemed oblivious to their presence. He was tall -- although not as tall as Zan
-- with green hair and matching eyes. He was dressed in silver and blue robes
similar to the ones she had seen Master Mage Clef wear the day before. 'Perhaps
he's also a student of magic,' Emera thought. He appeared friendly enough, or
at least Mokona thought so. The creature kept bouncing up and down trying to
get the young man's attention.

"Good morning," Emera ventured.

The young man blinked once, twice, then turned his head to look down at Mokona
before glancing up at Emera. "Good...morning," he replied. After a moment he
smiled. It was rather charming. "You must be Lady Emera."

It was Emera's turn to blink in surprise. She blushed slightly, ducking her
eyes momentarily. "Actually, just Emera would be fine." She smiled. "And you
are?"

"Mathis," the young man replied with a small bow. "I am a student of magic
under Master Mage Clef." He stood again, still smiling. "It is a pleasure to
meet you."

"Likewise...I was just....Mokona, stop that," Emera said to the creature. He
just wouldn't stop bouncing. Finally she grabbed him as he jumped up, holding
him tightly in the circle of her arms. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.
I was just on my way to breakfast."

"Ah," Mathis said with a knowing nod. "Then you should hurry, or you'll be
late."

Emera nodded. "It was nice meeting you, Mathis." She set a now calm Mokona on
his feet and the creature bounced off. "Well...then, I guess I'll see you
later."

Mathis watched as Mokona led Emera into another part of the palace on the far
side of the garden. His prior thoughts gone, he turned back to look into the
water.

'She's the one Master Mage Clef was so worked up about,' he thought to himself
with a frown. 'She has power, no doubt about that. If properly nurtured, she
could become a Magic Knight and resurrect the Rune Gods." Then his frown turned
into a devious smile. 'Perhaps, she is the one I've been looking for.'




"Am I late?!"

The dining room Mokona had led Emera to looked more like a grand ballroom.
There was a large table in the center: a gorgeous wooden table lined with
delicately carved chairs. Candelabras sat at either end of the table, with a
huge bouquet of fresh flowers sitting in the table's center.

The table was only half full however. Hikaru and Umi were already sitting on
either side of the head of the table. Lantis sat next to Hikaru. Across from
Lantis sat Lafarga and Caldina. Neiven was seated next to her mother, a
depressed look on her face.

Was she still upset about Aunt Hikaru's suggestion, Emera wondered.

There was an empty seat between Lantis and Ferio. Fuu stood from her seat next
to Ferio, smiling at her daughter. Emera could see fine dark lines under the
woman's eyes. She looked exhausted, but it was still early in the morning.
Perhaps she just didn't get enough sleep.

Had she upset her mother that much?

Or was that the illness that Ferio had spoken to her about?

"No dear, you're still early," Fuu said motioning for Emera to come sit down.

The girl smiled, relieved that she was not late. As she approached the table,
Ferio stood. He smiled down at her. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, pulling
out a chair for her next to Fuu.

Emera nodded, flashing a brief smile. Save for the strange images she kept
getting in her dreams she hadn't slept all that badly. Of course, she wasn't
about to admit that she fell out of bed either.

As she sat down, Emera noticed that there were still some people missing.
"Where are Aarn and Zan? Training?"

"Aarn's just late," Neiven said, her expression dull. She tried to smile at
Emera, but failed. Miserably. "He's never on time."

"Zan's in lessons with the Master Mage," Hikaru spoke up. "He should be here
shortly."

The room fell silent for a few minutes until Aarn finally walked in. Zan
followed him into the room, taking the empty seat between his father and Ferio.
And behind him was a young man, dressed in green and white garments. The hat he
wore covered most of his head. His brown hair was long in front, his bangs
covering his eyes. He smiled and nodded to Emera.

"That's Ascot," Fuu whispered to her. Emera only nodded.

Then the Master Mage himself entered. He walked slowly into the room, or at
least it seemed that way. As soon as Clef was seated, kitchen servants began
bringing out the meal.

Little was said during the meal. The adults conversed lightly, sharing ideas for
the upcoming day. Well, Caldina did most of the talking. She was very
energetic as always. And while the adults chatted, the children were holding
staring matches.

Emera noticed that Neiven couldn't stop staring at Zan. 'She's got it bad,'
Emera thought with a mischievous smile. And Aarn was just as bad. He kept
looking in Emera's direction, much to her dismay. Emera tried to keep her own
eyes on the plate before her, but instead they kept sweeping down the table
towards Zan. She caught him looking at her once and stared at her plate for the
rest of the meal.

Once breakfast was over, Clef ushered Neiven, Aarn, Zan and Emera into the Great
Hall. There was something very important he wanted to discuss with them. The
adults gave no indication of objection, telling the children they would see them
once they were finished.

Emera trailed the pack into the Great Hall, Mokona bouncing after her. The
doors closed behind her with a soft thud. But the sound was so loud in her ears
that she jumped. Quickly she made her way towards the head of the room where
the others had already gathered.

"Master Mage, with all due respect...." Aarn began. But Clef raised a hand to
silence him.

"You can return to your studies when I am finished," Clef announced. He sat in
his chair, large staff in hand. He closed his eyes briefly, sighing. "I have
asked you here because I wish to ask a favor of the four of you."

Neiven was the first to step forward. "Anything, Master Mage."

"What is it you wish to ask?" Zan asked, one eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"To start, I will tell you about the new observations I've made of the Knights
and their illness." Clef looked up at Emera. "You have been made aware that
Umi, Fuu and Hikaru are ill, correct."

Emera nodded. "Father said you were close to a cure."

"Indeed," Clef replied with a nod. "But my efforts are being swayed. I have
tried everything I can think of, and then some." He paused, sighing. "There is
something standing in my way. And I believe I have discovered what it is, or
rather, what THEY are."

The four teenager looked at Clef as if he gone insane.

"They?" Aarn asked, confused.

"You mean someone's made them ill on purpose?" Zan added angrily.

"Who would do such a thing?" Neiven said, astounded.

"How horrible," Emera muttered, a thousand thoughts racing through her mind.

"Pu puuu," Mokona added, frowning sadly.

"Do not get ahead of yourselves," Clef said raising another hand for silence.
"I do not believe it was done on purpose. But I do believe someone is
intentionally keeping me from finding a cure."

"Who is it?" Emera asked.

Clef sighed again, closing his eyes. "Selece. Windam. Rayearth." He opened
his eyes to look at the teens. "The Rune Gods themselves."

The children stared at him, absolutely astonished.

"The Rune Gods?" Zan asked.

"Why?" Neiven asked.

Aarn blinked. "How?"

Emera remained speechless.

"I'm not sure yet. I want to look into the matter further," Clef said.
"But...this is where my favor from you comes in."

"You want us to locate the Rune Gods?" Emera asked.

The others looked at her as if she'd just said something bad.

But Clef smiled. "Yes. Only they can give us the answers we need."

There was a large swirl of purple mist in the center of the room. Clef motioned
for the children to turn and look at it. As they did, it began to take shape.
It formed a map, of sorts. Clef stood from his chair and walked up to the map,
his staff clacking on the floor with each step. Finally he reached it, turning
to look at the children.

"I have located three keys near the previous locations of the Rune Gods," he
told them. "The first is buried here, in the Realm of the Forgotten."

Aarn, Neiven and Zan gasped. Emera looked at them oddly, at a loss.

"What's the Realm of the Forgotten?" she asked innocently.

"A very dark and evil place," Aarn said. "At least it is now."

"It became a host for creatures of the dark, just after the pillar system of
Cephiro was banished," Zan explained further. "People disappear there, never to
be heard from again."

"Oh," Emera muttered, sorry she asked.

"Zan is not over-exaggerating either," Clef said with a frown. "It will be a
dangerous task. If you do not wish to go, I will not think any different of any
of you."

"Of course we'll go," Zan said, as if speaking for everyone. "It is for the
good of Cephiro." More softly he added, "And the Magic Knights."

Aarn and Neiven nodded their agreement instantly. After a brief moment, Emera
nodded her own agreement, although there was still something unsettling about
the trip.

Or perhaps it was her overactive imagination working overtime. Emera wasn't
sure.

"Then I want for all of you to go about your daily rituals and meet me here
tomorrow morning after breakfast," Clef announced. "We will discuss your trip
after supper."

"But why wait?" Aarn asked, confused. "Shouldn't we head out as soon as
possible?"

"It can wait," Clef said with a nod. "It will give you each some time to
reflect on the journey. You will still be allowed to change your mind."

"I have no inclination to change my mind, Master Mage," Zan said haughtily.

"Me either," Aarn said.

Neiven dared a glance at Emera. Emera could only stare back. She shrugged in
response to the unspoken question in the other girl's eyes.

"You are to return to your studies," Clef repeated. Slowly he walked back to
his seat. Once he was seated again he continued. "We will discuss the matter
further after supper."

"Yes, Master Mage," they all replied.

"Emera," Clef called as the others were leaving the room. "Would you mind
staying a little longer?"

"Of course not," Emera replied, turning several feet from the doorway and
walking back into the room.

Mokona bounced through the doorway, then stopped. When he realized Emera wasn't
following him, he bounced back into the room. He stopped at Emera's feet,
looking up at the young girl.

"Puu pu pu puu," he asked, tilting his head -- and nearly his whole body -- to
one side.

"Gomen, Mokona," Emera whispered to him, holding out her arms. Mokona bounced
into her arms happily, smiling.

Clef watched the interaction with a smile. "It is an extraordinary person who
can understand Mokona when he speaks."

"I think I've just learned it over the years," Emera replied shyly. She was a
bit unnerved being alone with the Master Mage. He wasn't going to do anything
to her, she knew, but she was still nervous. Cephiro was still all too new to
her.

Clef nodded, a tired smile on his face. "Hikaru was able to understand too
after a while. I think it took Umi and Fuu just a bit longer to catch on, but
they did."

Emera nodded, unsure where this conversation was going.

"Have you ever used magic before, Emera?"

The girl blinked. "No. Not that I know of. I've read a bit about the subject,
though."

"Then this may be easier than when I first met your mother and her friends,"
Clef replied with a nod. "I'm going to cast a spell," he warned. "Please,
don't be afraid."

Emera nodded, clutching Mokona a little tighter to her. She watched as Clef
closed his eyes. There was a strange glow coming from him. No, not from him,
she realized. The glow was coming from her. She blinked, confused. It wasn't
painful, or hurting her in any way. She stood, amazed.

Once he was finished, Clef opened his eyes. He smiled at Emera as the glow
faded and she examined herself.

"What did you do?" Emera asked curiously.

"Did I hurt you?" Clef asked.

Emera shook her head. "No. Not at all. But it feels...tingly. Like my limbs
fell asleep and are just waking up."

"I have merely awakened the magic inside you, Emera," Clef explained. "It will
help you, should you decide you still wish to travel with the others." He
paused, standing from his chair. "There is one other thing I have for you."

"What's that?" Emera asked, her voice fading as a bright light appeared above
them. It encompassed the entire ceiling of the room. The light was so bright
the Emera had to shield her eyes from it.

Slowly it lowered itself from the ceiling. Then it stopped just a few feet in
the air above Emera. The light slowly faded to reveal an object. Emera had to
squint to make it out at first. It looked like a sword, but the blade was
nearly twice her height.

"Your mother's sword," Clef answered Emera's earlier question. "It was the only
escudo weapon to survive the final battle with the Pharuks. It is yours now."

"Mine?" Emera asked, surprised.

The sword lowered itself to the girl. She set Mokona on the ground so that she
could grip the handle tentatively. Although the sword was twice her size it was
still light. After a moment, the blade began to shrink. Emera nearly dropped
it in surprise.

"What did I do?" she asked, frightened.

Clef chuckled. "You've done nothing, Emera. It is merely adjusting itself for
your use. Becoming a bit more manageable for you. That is what escudo does."

"Oh."

The sword shrunk to nearly a quarter of the size it had been. Emera was amazed
by how light it actually was, even in it's shrunken state. She maneuvered the
sword a bit, testing it. She was not a master with a sword, although she did
know a little about fencing.

"Are you sure you want to go with the others, Emera?"

Emera looked up, surprised by the question. "Yes," she replied, holding the
sword by her side. "If it'll help save my mother and my aunts, why shouldn't I
go?"

"I will see you after supper then," Clef said with a smile. "Enjoy the rest of
your day. Explore the palace."

Emera nodded. She looked down at Mokona, who smiled up at her. "Let's go find
momma."

"Pu puu!"




"I wonder what Clef wanted to speak to her about."

"Concentrate on the lesson, Aarn. I'm only going to go over this once more."

Aarn sighed, nodding. "Yes, Ascot."

Ascot sighed as well. The children were distracted as Emera walked along the
garden wall, chasing after Mokona. He smiled briefly, the returned his
attention back to his students. Aarn and Zan had both turned to look. Neiven
had the grace of mind to watch out of the corner of her eye, but her
concentration was broken as well. Only Mathis seemed unaffected.

"All right, that's all for today," Ascot said. "You have free time now until
Master Mage Clef begins his lessons."

Aarn and Neiven sighed happily. Zan merely picked up his things, ready to move
on to his next lesson. Mathis merely watched the other three.

"The Master Mage spoke with her personally?" Mathis asked curiously.

Neiven nodded. "But we don't know why."

"He wouldn't tell her something and not tell us," Aarn suggested. "Would he?"

"Doubtful," Zan replied. He caught one last glimpse of Emera before she
disappeared inside the palace again. There was a faint glow around her. One
that he recognized. Had she performed some type of magic? Or had the magic
been performed on her?

"Well I guess we'll find out tonight when we sit down with Clef," Aarn said,
stretching his arms above his head. "Ready for sword practice?"

Zan nodded, turning towards Aarn. "Lafarga is probably already waiting for us."

"Oh, I wanna watch!" Neiven chased after the two boys as they walked back
towards the palace.

Mathis watched them carefully. Emera's glow had not gone unnoticed by him. He
knew Clef had merely awakened the magic within the girl. And it was powerful
indeed. He smiled to himself, slowly following the others back into the palace.
Perhaps she was the one he was looking for after all.

Then he frowned. But Clef was speaking with the others in private. He was
positive he wouldn't get any information out of any of them, especially Zan.

He would have to play his hand carefully from here on out.



THE NEXT MORNING AFTER BREAKFAST...THE PALACE COURTYARD....


"Mother, please stop that."

"We'll be fine, papa."

Caldina smiled down at her son as she stepped away from him. "Mind your sister,
Aarn."

"And you," Lafarga said, tapping Neiven on the nose. "Mind you brother. And
stay out of trouble."

Neiven groaned. She hated being treated like a child. "We're going on a quest
for the Master Mage, papa. Of course, we're going to run into trouble."

"But nothing we can't handle," Aarn reassured, smiling.

Zan sighed, wanting to roll his eyes. But he knew it was impolite in front of
his parents, who would grill him for doing so. Well, at least his mother would.

"Are you sure you have everything?" Hikaru asked.

Zan nodded. His father had helped him to pack after all. "Enough supplies for
a week, and money for lodging should we come to a village or town. I have my
magic...."

"And your sword," Lantis said with a nod.

"Is everyone ready to go?" Fuu said as she, Ferio and Emera joined the group.

Zan raised an eyebrow. The girl was dressed in a pair of loose fitting pants, a
layered shirt and sturdy boots, ready for travel. Much more sensible than what
he had found her in, he thought with a grunt. She carried a sack easily over
her shoulder, and her mother's sword was strapped to her waist. Zan wasn't sure
what Clef was thinking giving her a sword. But he kept his doubts to himself.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Emera?" Umi asked, worried.

"I'll be fine," Emera replied with a smile. "Don't worry, Aunt Umi. We'll be
back before you know it."

"I'm still a little unsure about this myself," Fuu admitted with an embarrassed
smile. "But it is what Clef sees fit. I won't question his judgment."

"Yet," Ferio added with a smile of his own.

The children finished their good-byes, including a farewell to the Master Mage.
He walked them to the palace gates.

"I bid you safe journey," Clef said with a smile. "Mokona will be with you. He
can contact me if you need anything."

"Pu puu pu pu," Mokona said, hoping towards the children. He stopped at Emera's
feet before bouncing into her arms.

With one last wave, the children left the palace and headed south towards the
woods. Aarn and Neiven chatted most of the way, while Zan led the march. Emera
remained in the back of the pack, unsure of what to make of her new traveling
companions.

"So, Em," Neiven said, turning around to face her. She walked backward down the
path. "What's this 'tokyo' like?"

"I bet it's an even more magical place than Cephiro," Aarn said with a smile.

Emera smiled shyly. "I wouldn't say that. Tokyo is definitely different from
Cephiro, but...there's no magic there. At least, I don't think so."

"Then how did you get here?" Neiven asked curiously.

The other girl shrugged. "I'm not sure. One minute I'm with my schoolmates
inside Tokyo Tower. The next minute, I'm flying through the sky of a flying
fish."

"I've heard mother mention Tokyo Tower once," Zan spoke up. "She said it was
the doorway between Cephiro and your 'tokyo'. I always thought it was just a
story."

"I'd say it's not a story," Aarn said, dropping towards the back and walking
beside Emera. The girl blushed slightly under his gaze, looking down at the top
of Mokona's head.

"But she had to get here somehow," Neiven insisted, trying to think of a logical
explanation. "Perhaps Clef called her here."

"I don't think so," Emera replied, her eyes staring at the ground as she walked.
"He seemed pretty surprised I was here when Zan brought me to the palace."

"Maybe it was your desire to see your mother," Aarn offered. "Or your mother's
desire to see you again." He smiled. "Maybe both."

"That sounds logical," Neiven said, accepting the explanation. "You were all
she ever talked about. We were beginning to think that perhaps she had lost her
mind."

"She talked about me?" Emera asked, surprised.

"My mother as well," Zan spoke again. He turned his head briefly look back at
the others. "I thought she was crazy as well." He pushed forward. "I still
think she's crazy."

"Why?" Emera, Neiven and Aarn asked at once.

"It's none of your concern," Zan replied.

They continued to travel in silence, stumbling their way through the woods at
the south end of the palace. Once they made it to the clearing they stopped to
eat. Then they traveled towards the east, following the map that Clef had drawn
up for them. They started to get tired as they reached the end of the plains.
A steep cliff halted their journey.

"Is that?" Aarn asked, gawking.

"The Realm of the Forgotten," Zan stated with a nod.

Before them was a small valley. It was covered in a strange, thick blue mist.
They could barely make out the layout of the land in the dimming sunlight. It
looked eerie enough during the day. They were afraid to see it at night.

"It looks creepy," Neiven said, shivering.

"Yeah," Emera agreed, hugging Mokona tighter.

"We'll set up camp here for the night," Zan said, looking out over the valley.
Then he turned towards the others. "We'll move again at sun up."




Morning came too early, Emera thought.

After setting up camp -- or rather after the boys set up camp and the girls
settled into their little hut courtesy of Mokona -- Emera had a difficult time
falling asleep. Neiven was asleep within minutes, leaving Emera to stare at the
ceiling. Mokona laid at her head, snoring lightly. When she finally fell
asleep, it was only a few hours before dawn. It was still a surprise when Aarn
knocked on their door, telling them to get ready.

Both girls grumbled, stumbling out of bed. Neiven was washed and dressed in a
matter of minutes. She was smiling brightly when she left the hut, greeting her
brother and Zan, who were sitting around a campfire preparing what little they
could for breakfast.

"How'd you sleep last night, Aarn?" Neiven asked slyly.

Aarn rolled his eyes. "I slept just fine, Neiven."

Neither he nor Zan saw the point in sleeping in luxury. They had agreed to
sleep in the wood, just as a precaution, taking the watch in shifts. But he had
to admit, perhaps his neck wouldn't be so stiff if he had taken the girls up on
their offer.

"Where's Emera?" Zan asked, not looking up from the campfire.

"Right here," she replied, walking out of the hut. It had taken her a bit longer
to get ready than Neiven. She was carrying her bag, as well as Neiven's.
Mokona followed happily behind her.

Neiven took her bag with a smile. But the smile quickly turned into a look of
astonishment as the hut they had been sleeping in simply vanished. She looked
down at Mokona.

"Master Mage Clef was right," she said, patting the creature on the head. "You
are rather useful."

"Pu puu," Mokona replied with a smile.

Neiven stood, glancing at Emera. "What did he just say?"

"He said 'thanks'," Emera translated.

Zan raised an eyebrow, looking up from the fire. "You understand him?"

"Of course," Emera asked, hands on her hips. "Don't you?"

The boy merely huffed, turning back to the fire.

They ate quickly, then finished packing their things before walking down to the
valley. The blue mist had lifted slightly, mixed with a hazy golden glow. The
closer they got to the valley entrance, the thicker the fog seemed to get.

"Stay close," Zan ordered. "We can't afford to be spilt up."

Neiven smiled happily, latching onto one of Zan's arms. "Is this close enough?"
she asked.

Aarn laughed, shaking his head at his sister's antics. Emera smiled, but said
nothing. She walked side by side with Aarn, carefully keeping an eye on the two
in front of them.

The continued to walk well into the morning. They could see the glowing orb of
the sun as it rose higher into the sky. Yet, the temperature seemed to drop the
further on they went. They stopped once to pull their jackets and shawls from
their bags before continuing onward.

"I don't like this," Aarn spoke up. He and Zan had switched positions, Aarn now
in the lead. He turned to look back at the group. "Perhaps we should stop and
look at the map."

Zan nodded. He pried Neiven from his arm, reaching for his pack. He pulled out
the map, unrolling it in his hands. "It looks like we're on the right track."

"How can you tell with all this fog?" Emera asked. She stood opposite Zan,
looking at the map upside-down.

Zan looked at her, straight-faced. "See this glowing line?" Emera nodded.
"That's the track we've been traveling. If we continue on this path, we should
come to a set of cliffs...here."

"We can find our way around in the dark if we have too," Neiven said, looking at
the map. "But how much further do we have until we reach the cliffs? My feet
are KILLING me."

"It should only be a few more clicks," Aarn said, coming to stand on the other
side of Zan and looking at the map. "What do you think Zan?"

"The sooner we get there the better," he replied.

They continued walking, Zan in the lead followed by Emera, Aarn, and a now
depressed Neiven. She just couldn't stand to be more a few inches away from
Zan, Emera noted. The group stopped once more to check the map before reaching
the cliffs. Exhausted, Neiven sat on the ground.

"Okay, we're here. Now what?" she asked.

"The key is supposed to be around here somewhere," Aarn said, looking around.

Emera looked around, confused. "Yeah, but where?"

"Puu pu pu puu," Mokona said, shivering in Emera's arms.

"What's wrong with him?" Neiven asked.

"I'm not sure," Emera said, looking down at the creature in her arms. "He seems
upset about something."

"He's unsettled," Zan said. "Not that I blame him."

"So...what do we do now?" Aarn repeated his sister's question.

As if in answer, the ground beneath them began to shake. Aarn and Zan fought to
maintain their balance as Emera began to topple to the ground. Mokona jumped
from her arms, bouncing off into the fog.

"Mokona! Matte!" Emera said, barely managing to catch herself as she fell.

Then the shaking stopped as suddenly as it started.

"Is everyone all right?" Zan immediately asked. He's managed to stay standing,
but barely. He looked around cautiously, waiting for something to jump out at
him through the fog.

"Fine," Aarn replied. The other boys had dropped to one knee. He stood,
brushing off his pants. "Neiven? Emera?"

"I-I'm all right," Emera stammered, crawling to her knees. She looked over at
the other girl, who had managed to stand again.

"What was that?" Neiven asked, her voice nearly a squeal. "AAHHHH!"

Unexpectedly the ground opened up, swallowing all four children.




~~TO BE CONTINUED~~
40 Magic Knight Rayearth

Call of the Heart 43