Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction ❯ Magic Knight Rayearth: Medieval Mystery Series ❯ Scaling the Cliff ( Chapter 8 )

Magic Knight Rayearth, Medieval Mystery Series...Part 8.

Note about Lantis and Kakeru: In this part of the story, I really feel sorry for Lantis. He knows what his brother is going to do, and is torn between his love for his brother, and his sense of right and wrong. At this moment, his righteous sense is winning, and he is knowingly searching out his brothers enemy, and possibly his death. From what I gathered by watching the anime, Kakeru and Lantis are very much alike, in that they both have very deep personalities. Kakeru's is a little less black than Lantis', however he also has less to worry about. I figured the two could probably be good friends, if they were to meet under different circumstances. I mean, who's to say that Lantis won't change his mind suddenly and decide to kill the Magic Knight as soon as he finds them...

C-chan.

(Actions)

Name: Thoughts.

Name: Speech.

*~*~*~*~*~*

(The Shidou family and Lantis, have all gathered inside the training hall. Master Shidou and Lantis kneel, facing the three sons, who are also kneeling. Hikaru and Mrs. Shidou watch from the side. Master Shidou has just finished explaining all of what Lantis has told him.)

Master Shidou: ...my sons, are you willing to face the test?

(Maseru, satoru, and Kakeru all nod in unison.)

Maseru: If it involves the fate of the kingdom, I will gladly try.

Satoru: I am not afraid of any test.

(Master Shidou looks at Kakeru, expecting him to say something. He says nothing. In fact, judging by his face, he's deep in some completely different thought altogether. From the sidelines, Hikaru watches with a worried face.)

Master Shidou (getting to his feet): Very well, we shall begin. Lantis, if you would...

(Lantis gets to his feet, and uncloaks the staff and the Escudo jewel.)

Lantis: This is a magic gem, belonging to the Magic Knight. No other may touch it without suffering grave consequences to their person. This is the test.

(Satoru and Maseru look on in shock.)

Satoru: That's it? That's the test?

Maseru: For a moment there I thought it would be something difficult. Whew, all we have to do is touch the gem?

(Kakeru stands up.)

Kakeru: Quite a gamble...

Maseru and Satoru: Huh?

Kakeru: If we touch it, and we are not the Magic Knight, then our lives may be forfeit. ... but ... we won't know until we touch it.

Maseru (sweating): ...our...

Satoru (also sweating): ...lives ... ?

(A silence fills the room as Lantis and Kakeru stare at each other. Slowly Kakeru approaches the escudo, and holds out his hand to it touch it. As he approaches it slowly, it starts to glow...)

Hikaru: Kakeru! NO!!

(Everyone in the rooms jumps as Hikaru's cry breaks the silence. She instantly covers her mouth, as it seems she didn't intend on saying that. They all stare at her.)

Hikaru: I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...

(Lantis furrows his brow, watching her every move closely.)

Lantis:...Impossible, she's just a girl...

Hikaru: I mean, what if it isn't you Kakeru, you'll be...and even if it is...you'll...

(Her cheeks turn red with embarrassment, and she stares down at the floor to avoid their gazes. Her mother tries to comfort her by putting an arm around her shoulder.)

Kakeru: It's alright, I wasn't going to touch it.

Satoru, Maseru: Huh?

Kakeru: I was simply trying to feel it.

Hikaru: Kakeru...

Kakeru: That light it gave off was a type of warning, even now, I feel the gem pushing me away...

(He turns to Hikaru and smiles.)

Kakeru: You don't need to worry, the gem does not belong to me. Nor, do I think, to Maseru or Satoru, the gem would have called out to them already...

Master Shidou: A wise observation Kakeru...

(A thoughtful silence follows, during which Lantis, Master Shidou and Kakeru all sneak glances at Hikaru. After a moment...)

Master Shidou: I'm very sorry Sir Lantis, it seems your search has led you down a dead end. I am truly sorry that we have wasted so much of your time.

(There's a slightly cold edge in his voice which Lantis notices right away. Lantis says nothing, but slowly, almost hesitantly, wraps up the Escudo once again.)

Lantis: Then I shall not waste any more of yours Master Shidou.

(He turns and bows to Mrs. Shidou and Hikaru.)

Lantis: Adieu...

Mrs. Shidou: Must you really leave so soon? I was expecting you to stay for dinner tonight. I had plans to make a large meal.

Lantis:...

(He considers this for a moment. Hikaru, once again her bouncy self, chimes in.)

Hikaru: Please Sir Lantis? Mother's the best cook in the valley, and it's hard to travel far on an empty stomach. Why not stay?

Kakeru: Hikaru, I'm sure Sir Lantis is pressed for time right now. We shouldn't delay him any longer.

(Kakeru glares at Lantis, his face appears calm, but his eyes are burning. The message, "She's not the Magic Knight, and even if she is, there's no way in hell I'm letting my little sister march off to war with the likes of you." Lantis gets the message. He turns to Mrs. Shidou and actually smiles.)

Lantis: Dinner would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Hikaru: Yay!

Mrs. Shidou: Wonderful! Well then, I'd best be getting to work. Just make yourself at home Sir Lantis.

(She turns to leave, and everyone shuffles out of the hall.)

Mrs. Shidou: Come on Hikaru, I'll need your help. Do you think you could run into town and get a few things for me?

Hikaru: Sure!

Maseru: I wonder if Sir Lantis will show us some of his swordsman ship...

Satoru: Maybe we should ask him, he is a knight after all. What type of school do you think he's from?

(Master Shidou is silent, and Lantis risks a glance at the silently fuming Kakeru. The look in Lantis' eyes say "So there." Kakeru just glares in return.)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(During the late afternoon of that day, Hikaru walks up the narrow mountain path carrying the groceries she bought for her mother. She seems deep in thought.)

Hikaru: First dreams, and now this...

(Flash image of Hikaru before the fire.)

Hikaru: ...and why did Kakeru seem to want Lantis to leave so badly...

Hikaru: ...Father too...

Hikaru: I shouldn't have yelled out like that when Kakeru went to take the test ... He's such a good fighter, I'm sure he's the Knight...

(She remembers her words just before Kakeru touched the jewel.)

Flashback: Hikaru: ... and even if you are...you'll...

(In the present Hikaru stops walking, on the verge of a revelation.)

Hikaru: Could he... maybe he stopped because he didn't want to leave. Maybe he didn't want to go because I'd be sad if he left.

(She suddenly starts running up the path)

Hikaru: That's not right. Even if I am sad, if Cefiro needs him...

(Tiny voice): Help!!

(Hikaru stops running.)

Hikaru: Huh?

Voice: Somebody, please!

(Hikaru looks around and spots the source of the voice. About 100 ft up a little girl is clinging to the side of a cliff.)

Hikaru (whispering in disbelief): Oh my god!

Hikaru (Aloud): Hang on! I'm coming!

(She drops the bag she was carrying and runs towards the cliff.)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Back at the Shidou residence, it's early evening, and Lantis and Kakeru are involved in a training match using shinai. (wooden swords) Maseru, and Satoru look on in amazement as Lantis scores a point on Kakeru.)

Master Shidou: Third point! Lantis wins by 1. Take a break you two.

(Maseru and Satoru clap politely as Kakeru and Lantis shake hands. They're both breathing hard and sweating.)

Satoru: That was excellent sir Lantis! Where'd you learn to fight like that?

Maseru: Yeah, no one's been able to beat Kakeru for a year now. Only Father manages to score a point on him now and then. That was amazing!

Lantis: It was a very good match indeed. It's rare to meet someone of such skill. You would be greatly appreciated at the castle, Kakeru.

Kakeru: Thank-you, but I am also greatly appreciated here...

(Suddenly Mrs. Shidou walks into the scene, the look on her face is distressed.)

Master Shidou: What is it dear?

Mrs. Shidou: It's Hikaru...

(Kakeru, Master Shidou and Lantis are suddenly all on high alert, )

Mrs. Shidou: I sent her into town almost five hours ago, and she still isn't back yet...

Master Shidou: Five hours ago you say?

Maseru: She must be getting slow, she usually does it in four... ... ... oh.

Mrs. Shidou: ...I'm probably just over reacting, I'm sure she's fine...

(She smiles a little to cover her worry.)

Satoru: Knowing Hikaru, she probably found some injured animal and decided to look after it.

Master Shidou (darkly): Or perhaps some animal has found her...

(He looks up at the sky, and sees it's starting to become dark, in the distance, a wolf cry is heard. )

Satoru: The wolves!

Lantis: ...No, it isn't wolves...

(Everyone turns back to stare at Lantis, who wandered away while they were talking. Now he carries the uncovered staff in his hand. Everyone stares in disbelief as he holds it out to them. In the very centre of the Escudo, dimly but clearly, Hikaru can be seen.)

Lantis: Master Shidou, It seems your daughter has taken a fancy to mountain climbing.

(Everyone is still staring in shock, trying to absorb the fact that the gem obviously belongs to Hikaru, and what this means. Satoru is the first to recover.)

Satoru: ...Well, what are we waiting for?

(Everyone comes out of their shock and they run of to the stables to get their horses.)