*Hikaru lowers her sword to a less threatening position.*



Hikaru -



"For our own good? That's why you're attacking us?"



Lantis: "If he really was sent by Princess Emeraude, then he might be telling the truth."



"Erm, that's possible, but we don't know that for sure."



*Hikaru turns back to Inouva.*



"Did Princess Emeraude send you here? And for what reason - to destroy us, or just to stop us from reaching the castle? I am getting confused. Princess Emeraude called us here to Cephiro for us to rescue her from some unknown danger. I don't undertand why she would send you to stop us Inouva."

--Inouva



"It wasn't Princess Emeraude who send me here", I said to them, "But for because of her I was oder to stop you going to the Castle of Cephiro. Things are not what they seem to be. Whole situations needs to be rethinked. This is my masters message for you."

I quickly jumped ove Hikaru's shoulder. There was a creature looking half eagle and half lizard. I never thought that I was fighting for Magic Knights. After everything what has happend long time ago I should be bitter. Mayby I was, but I duty is to follow my masters oder and that's what I was doing. Even if it means that I have to die for the Magic Knights then I would. If that was my master's will. I admit that I was too hasty to attact on Lantis and need to make it up. My master made it clear that no matter what I need to stop them to go to the Castle of Cephiro.

Hikaru (to Inouva) -



"You weren't sent by Princess Emeraude? Then .."



Lantis: "Then that can only mean one thing - that my brother Zagato isn't dead after all."



Hikaru (to Lantis) "Zagato ... is still alive?"



*Umi and Fuu instantly stop fighting the monsters and stare at Hikaru upon hearing her words.*



Zazu: "Who is Zagato?"



Hikaru, Umi, Fuu: *Falls down*



Lantis: *shakes head side to side*

--Inouva



"I suggest that you you defent youself. Being ded you are no help to anyone!" I shouted after I finished with the creature. I understood their shock, but now wasn't the time. They have to get out of the Forrest of Silence.

-Alycione



"Zagato alive!" I fell down to my knees, "he can't be.He is.... He can't be alive." If Zagato was alive I would be harder for me. His power with the Magic Knights. They would be invincible. I would have a change...

OOC: I'm not sure if I'm doing this right - as in coming in at the right time and all. XP Please correct me if I'm wrong. ^^ Thanks. ^_^



IC: Clef (I guess he should be in the castle...^^)~



"..." A powerful force suddenly hit Clef. Though it wasn't enough to hit him onto the ground, but it caused him to lose his balance. Regaining his balance, he held tight to his staff. And then he proceeded to use his staff to create a small hologram of Cephiro. (OOC: He should know that the Magic Knights are here...^^;; It would be odd if he didn't know until now...I guess...) Where were they now?

OOC: Here's what's happend lately sortly: Alycione has capture Princess Emaraude and later her brother Ferio. So far the Magic Knights don't know that Ferio is captured. Alycione has taken over the Castle of Chepiro. Magic Kights, Zazu and Lantis were on they way to the thCastle of Cephiro when at the Forrest of Silence. There they meet with Inouva. Now Alycione has rose up monster at the Forrest. While trying to fight agains the monsters MK and other finds out that Zagato is alive. That comes a shock for them, specially for Lantis. And Zazu has no I idea who Zagato is...



I hope you understood that. I tend to make things sound really complicated...

_________________________________________________



--Alycione



I need to get a grip on my self. I can't give up now. If I fight harder I might defeat the Magic Knights. I stood up and looked at crystal ball. I had a feeling that some else was wathing them too. However this was my chance. It's Now or never. I stirred up whit a spell. The same spell that I used when I was fighting against Hikaru.



___________________________________________________



--Inouva



I saw the sky getting darker. It was Alyciones doings. She was taking advantage of the situation. I walked uo to Lantis. He refused to belive that his brother is still alive.

*Hikaru notices the sky as well.*



Hikaru -



"Erm, guys ... I don't like the looks of that sky up there. I think we ought to find shelter quickly."



Lantis: "We'll have to worry about Zagato some other time Inouva. I know where there are caverns near here."



Hikaru: "Then we should try to reach them soon Lantis."



*She turns to everyone else.*



"Come on everyone, the weather's getting bad. Lantis knows where there is shelter, so we can't stay here and fight the monsters any more."



*Hikaru jumps up on her horse and rides after Lantis. Umi, Fuu, and Zazu do the same, and Inouva also follows. Very soon though the skies open up and rain down small blades of icicles everywhere.*



"Acccck! This is Alycione's doing! How far are the caves .. Owwiees!!"



*Fuu uses her Winds of Protection Magic to shield everyone as they ride towards the caves.*

--Inouva



I knew that there were no time to change into my human form and I am lot quicker in this form. I ran by their side. Some of the monsters start to follow us. Icicles Started to fall from the sky. It didn't slow the monsters. I decided to stay behinde to buy us some time. Lantis Noticed that I that I wasn't there. Looked back and saw me runnigh towards the mosters. I noticed he was about stop.

"No, Lantis! Get them safe! I'll be right behinde you" I shouted to him. Lantis were looked unsure about it, but rode away from me. Now It was I and the Alycione's monsters.

OOC: Ooh...okay! =) Thanks for explaining it to me, Amber-chan! =^^= Don't worry, I understand completely. =) So...*blinks* Okay, I'll make Clef shift to...*blinks* ^_^ somewhere...O.o;;



IC: ~Clef



First, he left the castle for a little while (or maybe not...) and then Alycione comes into the picture and take it over. Next, the Magic Knights return (no, not a bad thing) and now Zagato is alive. What else is next? Clef was standing on a cliff, and in a distance he could see the castle standing there. Whoever said that he didn't want to go and rescue Princess Emeraude? Turning around, he thought to himself. But first, to seek whatever help that I can get...

--Alycione.



I felt a distraction. Some was going to come here. I though about for a while and then it suddenly hit me. Clef! I forgot him. I knew the things started to go bad when the Magic Knights came along. Now I have decided who is first to go. Or mayby not. I have Ferio loked down in the dungeon. Now it would be time to use him.

"Mamori no Kaze!"



I silently cursed myself as I felt my feet start to trip again. Why did I never listen to my parents and take a break from my studies to exercise? By this time, everyone was running at different paces, leaving me no choice but to expand the shield.



I began to pant. This was zapping my strenth, but I couldn't just let the barrier down. It is my duty to help my friends. They trusted me to protect them!



My vision started to blur in and out of focus as we continued to run. Almost there, just a little further...



Suddenly, I lost all feeling in my legs. What did I do? The ground quickly came up to meet me...Luckily the shield was still there after my impact with the floor. I felt so drained, what could I do? I had to save my friends, even if there was no hope for me...



There was only one thing I could do. In truth, I've never even tested it yet. I could only hope and pray as the icicles rained down...



I shook my head. This is no time for logic. I have a duty to do; I have friends to protect. I have to do what Ferio told me long ago - no matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how impossible the feat, I have to believe in myself!



"Midori no Shippu!" I cried out.



Luckily my theory worked! The winds picked up and carried the shield to continue to protect my friends. I smiled. I did my duty.



Suddenly, a searing pain rushed up from my arm. I dodged the next icicle, but the damage had been done. Then the horrible laugh rang in my ears...Alcyione!



I could just picture her malevolent grin...the horrible laughter...



I had but one more thing to do. Just one more spell...



I lifted up my hand to call up the spell when my vision focused in again, revealing to me Alcyione's outstretched arm, holding her scepter, prepared to cast a spell. I had to do this, now!



"I-Imashime...no...Ka...."



And then my world was plunged into total darkness...

~~Clef



He closed his eyes, trying to feel where they were. Their aura. Yes, something...but then, there was a sudden drop. Snapping his eyes open, Clef held his staff tightly. They're in danger. At that instance, he disappeared.

*Hikaru looks back and notices that Fuu has fallen.*



Hikaru -



"Fuu-chan!!"



*Hikaru stops her horse, jumps down and runs back to where Fuu is lying unconscious. Hikaru kneels down and holds Fuu up and tries to wake her.*



"Fuu-chan! Fuu-chan, please wake up!"



*Then Hikaru hears the laughter of Alycione. She looks up towards her.*



"It's you, Alycione! There you are at last! You leave Fuu-chan alone!!"

Clef~



As Clef reappeared in a distance, he saw who he had been looking for. At the same time, Alycione's laughter sounded in his ears. He wished that he could go after her right now, but that was not the most important matter at the moment. He saw Fuu lying not far away, with Hikaru by her side. Quickly, he walked towards them and bent down.

--Alycione



I saw Clef walking by Hikaru and Fuu. I needed to act quickly. I sude mind powers and let Fuu think what ever I wanted her to think. I thought a Ferio's death.



----------------------



--Inouva



That laughter. I hated that laughter. I whished my master would have let Alycione go to her own doom, by facing Magic Knights. But I understood that he had other matters to think and mayby some way Alycione could have been used.

Clef~



Fuu's face was pale, and through her painful expression, one could easily tell that she was under some sort of control. Placing a hand over Fuu's forehead, Clef tried to sense what was wrong with her. An image formed...a groan could be heard...but who was it? The figure was still not distinct enough for Clef to recognise it.

Hikaru -



"Madoushi Clef - it was Alycione. I am sure of it. For a moment I saw her here trying to take Fuu-chan, but she's gone now. She must have retreated when she saw you coming."



*Hikaru looks at Fuu again.*



"There must be something that you can do to break this spell Clef!"

Clef~



Upon hearing Hikaru's words, Clef immediately replied, "Yes, that's probably the case." He glanced over at Hikaru, in an attempt to reassure her, before going back to Fuu. Concentrating harder, Clef managed to see who it was. "Prince Ferio...dead?" A soft, low whisper escaped the mage's lips. "Impossible..."



Surprised by this finding, Clef quickly focused harder, trying to clear the illusion from Fuu's mind. But part of the effort must come from her as well...

Edited by: CE Yume at: 4/23/04 8:32 am

It was my world. In total darkness, I found myself. A soft light peered in and covered my world in white. Where was I?



A voice called my name. I was so soothing and calm, and yet...something about it made me cringe. It was a little too saccharine sweet - enough to make me feel like I was going to puke. Where was this coming from?



"Fuu," it called out from a distance, "Fuu, something bad has happened."



I jerked up my head. What was she talking about?



"Fuu," the voice teased. I cringed once more. I hated the way she said my name!



Suddenly, I gasped. Hatred? Hatred was never in my dictionary! What happened?



"Fuu, Ferio is dead."



My eyes fluttered open. What? It couldn't be! Ferio? Dead? I quickly sat up. My eyes clouded over, but that didn't matter. What was going on?



'Windam, speak to me. Tell me. What is going on?'



The green aura...Ferio! Windam was trying to warn me about Ferio! But what could happen to him in Tokyo?...I take that back. Anything could happen to him in Tokyo.



Oh Ferio...He...He can't be...could he?



No, I shouldn't listen to logic. Logic never gets anywhere when it comes to Cephiro and magic, but...Ferio...If he and Zazu could get through to our world, then so can...Alcyione!



Ferio, oh, Ferio...



A sudden image of Alcyione's laughter ringing with glee as her spell slashed Ferio to shreads made me lose all hope. The laughter was enough to make anyone's skin crawl, but to see Ferio so tortured...and to see him so hurt...Suddenly, the image stopped playing, leaving me with nothing but the scenery in front of me. Was Ferio all right? Was he alive?



Doubts flooded my mind. What could I do? I barely even noticed Hikaru-san, Clef-san, and Mokona-san softly "puuing" at my feet. All I felt was an absence of green...

Clef~



There was some response from Fuu, but as to whether it was positive or not, that was another matter. And then, Clef saw Fuu waking up. Good, at least she didn't get hurt...physically... But then, another matter entered Clef's mind. A worried look cast in his clear, purple hues. Next thing is Prince Ferio's safety...is he really dead?

Edited by: CE Yume at: 4/24/04 6:13 am

OOC: to see the description of this character find my last post in the Active Character List.



IC:

Gurmand watched the gathering from a concealed spot in a tree. {Majic knights huh.....I knew the Pillar was in trouble but I had no idea it was that bad. And Madoushi Clef. It is a rare event indeed that he's out of the castle. I don't know the others.....I'll just wait to see-} his thought is cut off as a monster rears up behind him. his eyes flash as be does a backflip off his brach, drawing his sword in midair, and cleaving the monster in two as he comes down. "HYAAAAAAAAA!"

he lands on ne knee, one fist on the ground and his sword held out in front of him, looking down at the ground. the sounds of the short battle reach the group around Fuu.

"Im all for removing dangerous weapons from the hands of fools. Let's start with Typewriters"~solomon short

Edited by: Seraph  at: 10/9/05 11:13 pm

The concern over Fuu's condition was momentarily interrupted by the sound of more crashing noises deeper in the forest.



"Oh great, just what we need, more monsters!"



Hikaru remarked somewhat annoyed. She stood up from Fuu's side and looked in the direction the the noise had come from. Drawing her sword, Hikaru turned to Clef ...



"Please look after Fuu-chan, I'm going to go and see what's out there Clef-san."



She requested from the Master Mage, but then added with a smile



"I know that she is in good hands."



Then Hikaru turned and began to prowl through the deep brush of the forest. She estimated that the sound had come from about a hundred meters away and had a good idea of the direction. She kept down and moved as quietly as she could through foliage. There were monsters everywhere in the forest Hikaru knew, but they seldom fought against each other so Hikaru was rather curious about the commotion. Soon she did come upon a monster, however it had already been dispatched and lay cloven in two on the ground, dead. Over it was standing a man that Hikaru had never seen before. He looked like a swordsman, like Lafarga, but was somewhat shorter in height. Their eyes meet as soon as Hikaru came out of the brush and stood upright.



"He looks friendly enough, but that doesn't mean he is. I still remember how Lafarga was controlled by Zagato, so I must be careful."



She thought to herself and then proceeded to the next step, an introduction.



"Hello sir, I don't think that we've met before, my name is Hikaru."



((OOC: This thread has been inactive for a very long time, and I wouldn't expect any of the original players to return. So we can take this story in a different direction if we want to.))

"No, we have not, Magic Knight Hikaru." he sheaths his blade, which you notice is the longer of the two. It is slung across his back to keep it dragging on the ground, while the shorter blade hangs at his waistline. "My name is Gurmand. I live on the outskirts of the forest." his voice is deep and strong, but not overbearing.



((OOC: sounds like a plan. any ideas?))

"Im all for removing dangerous weapons from the hands of fools. Let's start with Typewriters"~solomon short

After Gurmand returned his sword to its scabbard, Hikaru was relieved somewhat as this seemed like a friendly gesture. So likewise Hikaru returned her sword to the jewel in her glove.



"It's nice to meet you Gurmand-san."



she replied and bowed politely to him.



"You know about me being one of the Magic Knights, but I guess by now everyone in Cephiro does."



Hikaru chuckled slightly and smiled. Then an idea came to her.



"This is kind of short notice, but would you be up for an adventure of sorts Gurmand-san?"



Hikaru knew that it was risky asking a stranger to join up with her, but with everyone else being waylayed with Fuu's problem, it was equally dangerous for her to continue on to the Castle of Cephiro alone.

Edited by: Shiidou Hikaru at: 10/10/05 9:25 pm

he takes a measuring look at you, not saying anything for a long moment. {Her mission is none of my concern. But travelling alone in Cephiro these days is foolhardy. Especially for a young lady, magic knight or not.}



"Traveling in this land alone is dangerous." he says, and leaves it at that.

"Im all for removing dangerous weapons from the hands of fools. Let's start with Typewriters"~solomon short

Hikaru nodded to him in agreement.



"Yes, Cephiro is a dangerous place, but my business at the castle is also urgent. That's why I felt that I had to continue on alone."



She explained briefly. Gurmand looked like a strong and competant swordsman, but Hikaru knew that he had a life of his own and it would be unreasonable for her to expect him to just drop everything and follow along with her.



"You're probably a very busy person Gurmand-san, so I can understand if you have other committments to keep. Even though Cephiro is a dangerous place now, I'm pretty good at looking after myself. So don't worry, I'll be okay, but I need to be on my my way."



After bowing to him politely, Hikaru prepared to leave.



"It was nice to meet you Gurmand-san."



Ahe said to him with a smile and started to turn away.

he stood there for a moment. {My home.....can be re-built. I'm not the only able swordsman in town......certainly not the best....and despite what she says I know there are things out there she can't handle alone. Looks like I get an adventure.}



"Maj-....hikaru." he says, taking a few long steps until he's by her side. "I am not the only able swordsman in my town. They can manage without me for a time." he says, looking straight ahead

"Im all for removing dangerous weapons from the hands of fools. Let's start with Typewriters"~solomon short

Edited by: Seraph  at: 10/13/05 8:59 pm

When she'd heard his reply Hikaru turned back to Gurmand. It seemed to her like he might be interested after all.



"If you're sure that things will be okay, then we can continue together."



Hikaru responded with a smile, but it didn't last. Gurmand needed to know what he was getting himself into.



"Gurmand-san, I'm going to the Castle of Cephiro because something dreadful has happened there. The castle has been taken over by the evil sorceress Alycione. I don't know what she's done with Princess Emeraude, but certainly it can't be something good."



She sighed quietly and then continued.



"It's also possible that High Priest Zagato may also be involved in this because I have reason to believe that he's still alive. Although I don't know if he would stand for or against me at this point. Alycione has also done something to one of the other Magic Knights and afflicted my friend Fuu-chan with some kind of mind control or worse. So time is short and many lives are at stake. Strong enemies await me at the castle and others may await me along the journey there, but ... I cannot turn back. Too many in Cephiro depend on me, I have a responsibilty to them as a Magic Knight, even if it costs me my life."



After a short pause she looked directly at Gurmand



"Following me might cost you your life as well Gurmand-san. If you are prepared for that, then come with me now. I can't delay any longer."



Hikaru looked at him seriously, but in her eyes there was a slight hint of sadness. She knew very well that she might be leading yet another good man to his death. Always her responsibility came first and her own feelings second. Hikaru always did what she had to, that was how she had been raised in her family's dojo. What happened to her personally wasn't as important as her duty, and now Hikaru was asking another man to take the same road as her. Quietly Hikaru turned and started to walk back towards the road through the forest that she had been following before. Close around her she kept a vigilant watch for any sound or movement in the forest nearby.

even though his eyes never move from the path straight ahead, he notices the sadness, and determination, in Hikaru's eyes. He let;s the silence stretch after she is finished speaking, and then breaks it after a long moment.

"I accepted my death the moment I chose the path of the sword. My life means nothing to me. If the Creator chooses to take me from this world into the next......then so be it. I only hope that when He asks for my life, I will be able to put my death to good use. To better the lives of the Citizens of Cephiro" he too scans the surrounding forest with the eye and ear of the hunter.

OOC: okay.....this topic is kind of dead.....

((OOC: Yes, this did get left by the wayside unfortunately when I got caught up with so many other things. Now that I'm done with ezboard, I can breathe a little easier and go back and pick up some of the things that I've left behind.))

Hikaru had started to walk on her way, but she turned and looked back at Gurmand when he answered her. She bowed to him politely and thanked him in her own language.

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Gurmand-san."

Then Hikaru turned back to the path again and they started to walk onward together. She continued to keep a close eye out for anything that might surprise her, but what surprised Hikaru was how quiet Gurmand was. Even though he was much larger than she was, he didn't seem to make any noise at all while they moved through the forest.

"Gurmand-san must be very experienced at things like this. I'm not sure if we'll become friends right away, but it is comforting to have him here with me rather than going on my own."

She thought to herself and glanced back at him. However, Hikaru didn't speak of her worries aloud. She wanted to do her best to be confident, be a leader, to be someone that Gurmand would find respectable and not pathetic. But her thoughts distracted her and Hikaru almost didn't see a large, serpent-like creature crawl quickly out of the underbrush into the path in front of them. It was about twenty feet long and thin like a snake, but had shiny, leathery skin instead of scales and it crawled around on dozens of tiny legs like a centipede. Hikaru immediately stopped when she saw it. It growled manacingly at them and Hikaru hastily drew her sword.

(((OOC: Understandable. I'm just glad it didn't STAY dead ))

Gurmand immediately drew the shorter of his swords, dashed in front of Hikaru and stabs the thing, pinning it to the ground. he then draws his larger sword and using his small sword as a sort of starting block, leaps at the creatures head, slicing it off with a single blow. He hits the ground on the other side, and then walks back to pick up his other sword. He wipes both off with a rag he pulls from his blet pouch before erplacing them in their scabbards.

"A nasty breed. We have them in my village. They will entangle your legs, trip you up, and then strike with lighting speed. their bite is poisonus. best to kill them before they have a chance."

he says as steps over the body, continuing down the path.

Before Hikaru even had a chance to move against the creature, Gurmand had already dispatched it in a very professional manner Hikaru thought. Without saying anything she returned her sword to her glove jewel. Hikaru jumped over the dead carcass of the creature and caught up with Gurmand.

"That was very well done Gurmand-san, I mean how you stopped that monster. You're very good, thank you."

She said with a smile and then they continued to walk along together quietly. It wasn't much longer before they reached the edge of the forest. The trees stopped on a high bluff overlooking the sea down below. Hikaru recognized this place because she had been here on her first mission to Cephiro.

"Far out to sea and beneath its depths ..."

Hikaru pointed out to sea

"... lies the Sea Shrine and beyond it in the land of the far shore is the Castle of Cephiro. So to reach my destination, we must cross to the far side."

She told Gurmand. Hikaru started to look for a way down the bluff to the beaches below.

He accepts the praise with a nod.

"It was merely experience with the breed. I can tell by the way you hold your weapon you are no amateur."

he looks out to sea as well, his face pailing somewhat.

"My people rarely leave the village I was raised in...and even then we never venture far from the forest. We like the trees."

he remarks, staring at the sea. His gaze shifts to the welcome distraction of the bluff, searching for a path.
"There"
he points to a small goat track, barely big enough for them to inch along with their bodies pressed against the cliff.

Hikaru looked to where Gurmand was pointing and saw the narrow path down from the bluff. She went over and found that the footing was solid, so Hikaru started down first. This was one of the situations where her small size was an advantage, so the going was slightly easier for Hikaru. She kept a wary eye out for anything that might try to attack her and Gurmand in this precarious situation. About halfway down a large shadow passed over them. Hikaru looked out and saw that it was a large bird-like creature that had just flown from the land behind them out towards the sea.

"It hasn't seen us yet."

Hikaru whispered to Gurmand.

"We can't fight here in this place, so hopefully we'll be able to get to the bottom before it spots us. If not, I might be able to use magic on it, but we should hurry anyways."

She finished whispering and started going down the narrow path a little faster. The huge bird monster turned around when it reached the edge of the sea and started coming back.

"Apparently it's not interested in fish."

Hikaru thought to herself and watched the creature fly back towards them. A moment later it changed course and made a beeline for them.

"Uh oh, here it comes, I'll try my Flame Arrow attack as soon as it gets close enough."

She told Gurmand and set herself in postion with her back against the hillside, facing the vulture like creature as it approached. Hikaru held out her right arm and felt for the magic in her heart. As soon as it responded, she let out a shout

"HONOO NO YA!!"

And the blast of the flame arrow attack launched from her palm at the creature. It tried to avoid the attack, but its huge size would not allow it to and it was hit broadside rather than head on. It shrieked horribly as its feathers caught fire and the blast stunned it. Very quickly it plummeted to the sand of the beach below. The odor of burning bird feathers filled the air.

"Eww ... it smells horrible, but I'm not sure if it's dead or not, let's get down there and find out."

With that Hikaru started down the narrow path again towards the beach.

Gurmand nods and follows, taking care not to crowd Hikaru. when the bird monster dives at them, his muscles tense, but he never flinches. He does, however, give an involuntary exclamation of disgust as the smell of burning feathers hits him. He follows Hikaru down to the beach.

It didn't take much longer for Hikaru and then Gurmand to make their way down the remainder of the path. She covered her face with her gloved hand to avoid breathing in the noxious fumes of the burning monster bird carcass and walked over to it with her sword drawn. A couple of pokes with its point confirmed to Hikaru that the creature was indeed dead, so she walked away quickly towards the sea. She kept one eye on it anyways however because Hikaru was well aware that Cephiro was always full of surprises.

At the shoreline, the water was rather calm and the waves were only gently lapping the wet sand at the water's edge. Hikaru looked down the shore in one direction and then turned to look down it in the other direction somewhat puzzled.

"The last time that I had to cross the sea here, Mokona provided us with a winged saucer vehicle to carry us across."

she said somewhat absentmindedly, like she was talking to herself. But then she looked at Gurmand

"But there doesn't seem to be any sign of Mokona today. I may have no other choice but to ask Rayearth to bring us to the other side."

Hikaru concluded quietly. She didn't know how Gurmand would feel about being carried across by Rayearth and herself, or if he even knew what Rayearth was. So to overcome this awkwardness, Hikaru asked

"Gurmand-san, Rayearth is my friend, but he is also one of the Mashins. Have you heard of them before and know what they are? Would you feel okay to have one help us cross the sea?"

She did her best to be friendly with the inquiry, but Hikaru really didn't know how Gurmand would react to her suggestion.

A flash of surprise, quickly supressed, shows itself on his face.

"I...I would be honored"

he stammers, still not quite beleiveing it.'one of the legenedary Mashin! By the Creator himself.....' he thinks as he steps up beside Hikaru.

"any time you are ready, Hikaru"
he said, resuming his former stoic facade.

OOC: Sorry if this post is messed up - still a bit confused. ^^;

Alcione~

So they're making their way here...tsk, obviously I can't allow that. She still remembered the last time she fought Hikaru, it was not a pleasant experience. The raven-haired sorceress turned back to the creature, telling it to continue to follow the two, before letting it go.

She then proceeded to another room, where she peered through a hole in the door. Still unconscious... Closing the hole, she went to the opposite door and looked through, where she saw Princess Emeraude awake. She'll probably try to use her powers now, I must stop her. Following that, Alcione walked away.

EDIT: Clef~ ^^

Fuu was still unconscious, but at least the thought of Prince Ferio dead no longer haunted her. Clef glanced around as he thought that he sensed someone watching over them. Who else could it be but her? He thought to himself. But he knew that she would not strike them at the moment, it was Hikaru.

((OOC: This thread was inactive for a long time, so when Seraph and I revived it, we sort of left everyone else to look after Fuu while Hikaru and Gurmand went ahead to the Castle of Cephiro to try and defeat Alycione. At the moment they are at the seashore, the same place where Mokona had picked up Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu to give them a ride to the Sea Shrine. Now Hikaru will have to call Rayearth to cross the sea with Gurmand to get to the far shore where Alycione waits in the Castle of Cephiro..))

Hikaru nodded to Gurmand in confirmation and then gripped her sword. High above her head Hikaru raised it and in a loud voice called out his name

"Rayearth!"

Instantly in his dimension, Rayearth awoke to answer the call of his Magic Knight mistress. On the beach directly behind Hikaru he appeared and at the same time Hikaru transformed into her true appearance of a Magic Knight. A beam of light came down from Rayearth onto Hikaru and teleported her up to her place within him.

"Welcome back Mistress Hikaru."

Rayearth greeted her and she replied with a smile -

"It is good to see you again too Rayearth. There's nothing really exciting going on today, I just need to take Gurmand-san to the far shore with me."

She explained and then knelt down in the sand with Rayearth. Hikaru extended her hand down so that Rayearth's great hand set down, palm face up in the sand. Then she invited Gurmand to climb on.

"It's okay, I just need to pick you up."

Hikaru explained, doing her best to seem friendly in spite of Rayearth's intimidating appearance.

Gurmand's eyes are a bit wild, but other than that his face is impassive. He steps onto Rayearth's hand and sets feet to give him the greatest balance.

"So THIS is the legendary mashin......impressive...."

He mutters under his breath, examining what details he could see on the massive hand.

Being very careful, Hikaru picks up Gurmand in Rayearth's huge hand, although there wasn't much that she could do to make him more comfortable. Now standing upright and facing the sea, Hikaru calls out to Gurmand

"I'm ready now. I'll try not to fly too fast, but hold on tight Gurmand-san!"

After her friendly warning, Hikaru and Rayearth launched slowly but gracefully into the sky. Very soon they were out over the dark blue waters of the sea with no land in sight anywheres. The trip would take a couple of hours Hikaru guessed, but she knew that she couldn't fly at high speeds because Gurmand didn't enjoy the protection of being inside Rayearth as she did while they travelled across the sea.

"The wind and cold air must be rather unpleasant for Gurmand-san. Hopefully he is alright sitting out there in my hand like that. He doesn't seem to be the type that would complain about rough weather though."

Gurmand nods and grabs on as best as he can to one of Rayearts massive fingers, squinting his eyes into the wind. After only a few minuets, he sees something off in the distance, and growing larger.

now what could that be?......

he thinks to himself. He squints harder and leans forward, then curses softly.

"Hikaru! Watch out!"

he yells as he grimly draws his sword. A large bird resolves itself on the horizon, approaching fast.

"Keep going! I will take care of it!"

he yells as the bird gets withing range. At the right moment, he jumps, and catches hold of the birds back, clinging to it;s feathers and hoping that it slows down to give him a chance to fight it.

At first Hikaru is surprised that Gurmand would jump from Rayearth onto the bird creature.

"What is Gurmand-san doing?"

Hikaru thinks to herself as she watches Gurmand wrestle in midair with the bird creature.

"It's almost like he's trying to tame it and use it for a mount. Hopefully he will succeed because I can't attack now with sword or magic without hurting him as well."

She reasons with worry. As the bird creature flies onward with Gurmand, Hikaru follows at a distance just in case Gurmand wasn't able to tame the bird creature.

"This seems awfully strange to see a bird this far out to sea like this. It also looks much like the same one that I burned back there on the beach. It seems too strange to be a coincidence ... I wonder if they are being sent by someone to attack us?"

Hikaru wonders aloud to herself.

The bird finally slows enough so that Gurmand can get a good footing on it. He stands, and then immediately ducks to avoid the tail.
"hmmm.....perhaps this WASN'T the best of ideas....."
He stands again, readying his sword for a downward stab.
"Creator guide my blade...."
He silently prays as he goes to one knee, simultaneously stabbing his sword down into the birds head. He feels the skull give way with a sickening CRUNCH, and the bird gives a final squawk and goes limp, dropping out of the sky and skipping on the water like a stone. Gurmand grimly holding onto the sword still lodged in its head.

From where she had been following Gurmand-san and the bird creature, Hikaru saw them both make a sudden dive towards the surface of the sea below. Hikaru gasped -

"Nooo! Gurmand-san!!"

and then she dove after him with Rayearth. Gurmand and the now lifeless bird creature bounced once then twice off of the surface of the water before Hikaru and Rayearth were able to reach them. She drew Rayearth's great sword ...

"We need to be really careful Rayearth!"

Hikaru warned him. Just before Gurmand and the bird creature hit the water for the third time, Hikaru cleanly severed the head from the bird creature with the point of the sword and plucked it and Gurmand upon the flat of her sword from a third encounter from the sea. For a moment Hikaru and Rayearth stopped and hovered as she moved the end of the sword up close to her to examine Gurmand. He appears to still be extracting his sword from the bird creature's head.

"Erm, Gurmand-san? Are you okay?"

He finally wrestles the sword free, and stands there for a moment, breathing heavily from the adrenaline rush.
"I am all right, Hikaru. Though I don;t think I'll be trying that again. Let's go, we're losing time. Princess Emeraude won't save herself."
He straightens and sheaths his sword.

Hikaru breathed a sigh of relief once she saw that Gurmand was unharmed. Then she and Rayearth resumed their course to the far side of the sea.

"Erm, Gurmand-san that took a lot of guts to fight that bird creature all alone like that, but honestly, you really scared me out there. I'm just glad that you're okay."

She finished with a smile. Just then Hikaru saw on the horizon peaks of a jagged mountain range appear out of the sea and she knew that they were almost there. In about another half hour or so they arrived on the beach at the other side of the sea. In the distance above them loomed the mountains. Barren and forboding Hikaru looked up at them, she had been to this very place once before. Quickly, but gently, she set Gurmand down on the sandy beach, however Hikaru didn't transform back immediately. She had to take a moment to shake off the feelings that the memories of this place had brought to her again, the horrible tragedy of her first mission in Cephiro. Not desiring to have Gurmand see her anguish, Hikaru Just stayed within Rayearth until she had composed herself again. It only took a minute or two, which was all that Hikaru dared to take, Gurmand would become curious if she delayed too long.

"This time, there will be a happy ending ... Princess Emeraude."

Hikaru made her promise to Princess Emeraude in her thoughts and then appeared on the sand next to Gurmand. She bowed to Rayearth and he vanished, returning to his own dimension. Hikaru looked solemnly at the mountains ahead and then she turned to Gurmand

"The Castle of Cephiro is located deep within the mountains ahead Gurmand-san. Traveling there by crossing the mountains would be virtually impossible because the terrain is very difficult. Flying there with Rayearth would be too obvious, Alycione would see us coming too easily. However, there is another way, the way that I came last time. Near the base of the mountains, in the foothills, there is a hidden entrance to a tunnel that leads to the base of the castle. It is warded by powerful magic, but I can open it, because I am one of the Magic Knights."

Hikaru explained and looked to Gurmand to see if he thought as she did.

((OOC: If my posts are too short/long/out there, let me know. I've been told I have a tendancy to get too wrapped up in my character and have been known to look right past posts before. ^__^;;))

He nods.
"That would be the wiser path. I have heard of this Alycione. She is supposed to be one of the strongest sorcerers in Cephiro. And we both saw how well my LAST frontal assault worked."
he smiles down at her, internally chuckling at his own joke.