Part One
Five Years Hence...

(The following fanfiction piece was the originally meant to become the 
last chapter in the novel Mahoukishi.  However, we at The CLAMP Dojo 
- Manila have decided to make the ending of the novel a surprise.  
The names of the three members of the Mahoukishi sisterhood are the 
names that will be used for the novel proper:

Hikaru Shidou is Lucie Sheldon, Fuu Hououji is Anemone Hedge, and Umi 
Ryuuzaki is Marina Rassler.  Oh, and another thing, I've also 
Anglicized the names of Hikaru's brothers and Fuu's older sister. 
Thus, Satoru, Masaru, and Kakeru Shidou are Steven, Marvin, and Kevin
Sheldon and Kuu Hououji is Karen Hedge.  Plus, I've given Eagle Vision's 
father a name: the Lord High President of Autozam is Stalwart Vision.)  

Five years had passed since the day of the mighty battle.
	Nineteen-year-old Lucie Sheldon often found herself pinching 
herself in disbelief that everything had actually happened.  
	Now a pre-law sophomore at Grahamsfield University, she still 
paid a visit to the dimension she had won at least once a day.  She 
didn't have to wait for Anemone and Marina anymore; she had but to 
concentrate hard enough wherever she was when she felt like visiting 
Cephiro.
	This morning, as she didn't have any classes, she climbed up a
tree in the glade which surrounded the campus and closed her eyes.  She 
filled her mind with thoughts of the floating mountains, the Forests 
of the Elements and of Silence.  The loving smiles of Pharle Presea 
and the Lady Caldina.  The wise words of Guru Clef.  The brotherly 
affection she received from Anemone's sweetheart Prince Ferio.  The 
protection she got from the Kailu: Lafarga who treated her like the 
ruler she was supposed to be, and Lantis who stood by her side.
	But, most of all, her thoughts strayed towards the invalid in 
their midst.  Five years after the battle against the evil Debonea and 
her daughter Nova, Eagle Vision of Autozam was desperately trying to 
recover from the extreme exhaustion which resulted from the way his 
mental and physical energy were drained.  Eagle - dear, dear Eagle! - 
was still comatose after all this time.
	Lucie could feel the air shimmering like water around her, 
slowly enveloping her and taking her far, far away.  When she opened 
her eyes, she found herself in a cool, sunlit chamber where a fair-
haired youth lay asleep.
	Eh?  Is that you, Lucie?  
        Since it was quite obvious that he couldn't speak even if he 
wanted to, Eagle Vision communicated to those around him by way of 
his thoughts.  Unfortunately, very few people could communicate back; 
Lucie Sheldon was one of those few.
	"Yes, it's me, Eagle."
	The petite, red-haired girl walked in from the corner she had 
materialized in and stooped to kiss the young man's forehead.
	She pulled up a chair and held his hand in both of hers.  She 
said nothing, but let her thoughts speak for her, instead.
	How have you been?, she asked him.
	I'm okay, Eagle replied.  So, why are you early today?  Aren't 
you supposed to be in class?
	It's my free day, Eagle.  So, I decided to pay you a visit.
	Me?  Or Lantis?
	Lucie smiled and affectionately squeezed his hands.  Both of 
you.  And everyone else.  It's a Wednesday, so Cal's bound to have 
something sweet from her oven.  I'm sort of addicted to those sweet 
buns she's been baking.
        Mmm. Sweet buns, huh?  It's been ages since I've had any of 
those.  I was terribly fond of sweets when I was awake.
	When he was awake…  Those days were a bittersweet memory for 
Lucie.  Eagle had been the most powerful commander his homeland had 
ever had: brave, intense, wilful, but always willing to give himself 
up if it meant saving someone else.  His last sacrifice was uncalled 
for, but Lucie admired him because of it.  Lucie tried to blink back 
the tears.  Remembering how Eagle had been five years before always 
made her feel this way.
	Don't worry, she assured him.  The minute you're up, I'll take 
you to Earth and we could have all the sweets we want - chocolate bars, 
lollipops, cupcakes, chocolate frosting, and tea with lots of cream 
and sugar.
	Really?  That's really nice of you, Lucie.
	Lucie couldn't think of anything in reply to that.  Rather, 
she leaned over to press her cheek against his.  So are you.
	Eh?  There was a hint of mirth in Eagle's thoughts.  Why, thanks, 
Lu.
	The girl sat bolt upright and stared at him.  "Who told you to 
call me Lu?", she asked aloud.
	No one did.  I just felt like calling you Lu.  Eagle's thoughts 
suddenly became apprehensive.  Why?  Is it forbidden?
	"No one calls me Lu save for the other Magic Knights and my 
family!"
	Oh, my.  Eagle apologized immediately.  I'm sorry, Lucie.  It 
won't happen -
	Lucie groaned and tried her best to mend her mistake.  "Please.
It's okay if you call me Lu, Eagle.  We're friends, after all."
	Is it okay with you?  I mean, if it makes you -
	"I insist."
	Okay.
        Lucie sighed and pressed Eagle's cold, limp hands to her cheeks.
Five years ago, those very same hands had brushed away the tears she had
shed.  But now...
        Eagle was alone most of the time and the girl's heart hurt 
whenever she thought of him lying alone in his room with no one 
whispering words of encouragement to help him get better.
        "If only I could stay with you forever", Lucie whispered in a
very gentle tone, failing to control her tears.  "Then, you could never
be so lonely."

Guru Clef was in the library with the weaponsmith Presea and they were 
both hunched over an ancient-looking tome and they seemed to be 
studying what was written in it quite feverishly.
	They were so engrossed with what they had been reading that 
they did not notice that Lucie had slipped into the room, obviously 
seeking a few words with them.
	"And, thus, it shall come to pass that where there was One 
there shall be Two", Clef read aloud.  "Yet, these Two shall rule as 
One over The Place Where the Will Determines Everything, forevermore 
and evermore.  Such was foreordained before even the smallest of the 
small was ever brought into existence and such shall be the Fate of 
this Cosmos.  All hail the Twins, they whose fates have been entwined, 
they whose hearts are one, they whose minds are one.'  What does it 
all mean?"
	"Maybe the Creator is going to give in to my request", Lucie 
told them.  The Guru and the Pharle spun around to regard her sharply.  
"The Pillar should never rule alone.  There is no reason for that.  
It takes more than one person to build a world, or, in my case, to 
rebuild one."
	Presea rose and kissed the girl's cheek.  "Why, hello, 
Highness!  We weren't expecting you, but we're so glad to see you."  
She set the young Pillar in a chair.  "Here.  Now, did you just 
arrive?"
	"Around ten minutes ago, Presea", Lucie replied, politely 
inclining her head towards her mentors.  "I stopped by Eagle's chamber 
first."
	"Ah."
	Clef smiled.  Lucie never failed to come to Cephiro or to 
visit Eagle.  Sometimes, she even skipped school just to be in Cephiro!  
He would have scolded her for that, but the red-haired girl showed him 
such an excellent record of her academic performance that he saw no 
reason why she shouldn't be where she was needed the most.  Besides, 
Eagle needed all the encouragement he could get if he was to recover.
	"Well, well, well", the diminutive sorcerer leaned upon his 
staff and regarded the young Pillar with an air of amusement.  
"Would it be too churlish of me to ask why you're here, Lucie?"
	Lucie smiled.  "Of course not, Guru.  I wasn't doing anything 
at school, so I decided to pay you folks a visit."
	"Well, how long will you be staying?"
	"Um, since I don't have any classes today -"
	"Oh, yes.  It's the Midweek, Wednesday on Earth."
	"- could I please spend the night here?"
	"My dear Lucie, Cephiro is your kingdom.  You can do as you 
please."
	"I prefer to keep everything in its place."  The girl's face 
was set somewhat stubbornly.  "You are my advisers; I sort of want to 
make it a point to ask for your advice with all my decisions."
	"You seem pretty grumpy, Lucie.  Did you have a quarrel with 
Eagle?"
	Clef had been sly when he asked that.  Presea opened her mouth 
to retort, but held when she saw the twinkle in the Guru's eyes.
	Lucie, though, failed to take the hint.  She merely shook her 
head.  "Of course not!", she exclaimed.  "Eagle's the sweetest-
tempered person I've ever known; we couldn't possibly quarrel.  
I was just surprised because he called me by my nickname when I came 
to visit him earlier."
	"Eh?"  Clef and Presea seemed surprised by that.  "What did he 
call you?", Presea asked her.
	"Lu."  Lucie sat back and closed her eyes.  "I don't usually 
let people call me that, but we're so close that I want him to call me 
Lu."
	"You want him to call you that?"
	"Mm-hm.  It seemed so natural, so appropriate when he called 
me by my nickname."  When she opened her eyes, she was puzzled by the 
stares Clef and Presea threw at each other.  "Um, is something wrong?"
	"N-no!"  Presea laughed and waved the notion of something 
amiss off.  "We're just surprised by that, my dear Lucie.  Why, you 
don't even let Lantis call you that!"
	"By the way, Presea.  Where is Lantis?  Isn't he supposed to 
be the one guarding Eagle's chamber?"
	Clef was surprised by that; he actually dropped his staff to 
the floor with a loud clatter on the marble.
	"What?", he exclaimed.  "The Healing Chamber was unguarded?  
Are you sure, Lucie?"
	Bewildered, the girl nodded.  "Yes", she replied.  "Neither 
Lantis nor Lafarga was there."
	The Supreme Sorcerer of Cephiro looked grim.  So grim, that 
Presea and Lucie were taken aback.
	"The Healing Chamber should never be left unguarded."  
Lucie had never seen the Guru this upset; it scared her.  Something 
was definitely wrong.  "If even the slightest hint of Dark Sorcery 
enters that room, we may as well give Eagle up for dead."
	Presea placed an arm around Lucie who had gasped in horror.  
        "You're not serious, Guru!", the girl exclaimed, her voice 
nearly frantic with worry.
	"I'm dead serious, child."  Clef threw his cloak about himself 
and picked up his staff.  "Presea?"
	"Yes?"  The Pharle was immediately at his side.
	"Darling, please be so kind as to summon Zagato and Emeraude."
	"Just them?  Or would you like me to call for Ferio and Ascot 
as well?"
	Clef considered it, then nodded.  "Yes, please."
	Comfortingly, Presea planted a kiss on the sorcerer's cheek 
before she left the room.  She bowed before Lucie, then sped away to 
summon Cephiro's Prime Council.
	"Wh-what's going on?"  Lucie had paled and gripped the arms 
of her chair till her knuckles turned white.  Clef noticed this and 
came over to calm her.  "I don't understand, Guru!", she cried.  
"What's going on?"
	"We will find out soon enough, Lucie", Clef soothed her.  
"Until then, I think it would be best if you stayed calm.  I'm afraid 
that it's going to be a long day for all of us."	

The Prime Council, the group of advisers to the Most Holy and Most 
Beloved Pillar, was composed of ten people.
	At this urgent meeting though, only six were present with Clef 
and Presea heading them.
	Emeraude, former Pillar of Cephiro had been brought back to 
life by Lucie when she assumed the throne, was Secondary Yil of the 
Realm.
	Sol Zagato, who was brought back to life the same time as 
Emeraude, was restored to his former position of High Priest of the 
Palace of Glass.  He had recently married Emeraude - a fitting end to 
a romance that had cost them their positions and their lives.
	Prince Ferio was Emeraude's younger brother and was Chief Dal 
(A position akin to the Commander of Cephiro's army.) of the realm.  
He and Lucie were great friends and he was the "significant other" of 
Lucie's friend Anemone Hedge - the Magic Knight of the Four Winds.
	Ascot was Chief Bal - spirit summoner - of Cephiro.  Being 
Clef's nephew, he was now quite nearly as powerful as his uncle.  He 
was also a very good friend of Lucie's and was in love with another 
Magic Knight - Marina Rassler, the Magic Knight of the World's Waters.
	Also in the group were the two Kailu - the Pillar's personal 
bodyguards.  But the fact that neither the dark-haired Lantis nor the 
blond Lafarga were around was the main issue that the Council would 
discuss.
	They gathered in the Pillar's Hall of Crystal where Lucie sat 
on her throne in the middle of a huge mirror set in the floor.  The 
others sat upon couches set in alcoves surrounding the mirror.
	"You say that my younger brother actually left the Healing 
Chamber when he was supposed to be on duty?"  Zagato seemed baffled by 
that.  Lantis was his younger brother and it was a very serious 
accusation to say that both Kailu were not where they were supposed to 
be.
	"Her Highness was there", Clef told him.
	"Ah."  At once, the Sol walked over to the Pillar's throne and 
knelt, taking one of her hands in both of his, a gesture of apology 
among Cephiran nobles.  "Dear Lucie,  I should have told you this the 
minute Emeraude and I returned from our spiritual exile.  This isn't 
the first time it's happened."
	"What are you saying, Zagato?"  Lucie was filled with worry 
by what her High Priest told her.  "You mean…"
	Emeraude spoke from where she sat.  Her voice was soft and 
mellow, but there was a hint of suppressed rage.  
	"There was a plague a decade ago", she informed Lucie.  
"Zagato was stricken by it in a very severe form."
	"In the lungs, to be exact", Zagato murmured aside to the 
young Pillar.
	"Clef and I placed him in the Healing Chamber", Emeraude went 
on.  "I gave Lantis strict instructions to guard the room.  But he 
left for Autozam the day after I gave him the order."
	"Isn't the punishment for failing to obey the Pillar's orders 
death?", Lucie asked her.  "I seem to remember you telling me that, 
dear Emeraude."
	The tall, blonde princess nodded.  "Yes.  But Zagato told me 
not to."
	"Lantis had a reason for leaving Cephiro", Zagato explained.  
"He had been planning to leave for some time already when the plague 
struck.  I didn't have the heart to stop him, Lucie.  Something was 
eating him up deep inside; he really needed to go."
	"But what about what happened now?", Ferio joined in 
impatiently, slamming a fist upon the arm of his couch.  "I'm sure 
that both you and my sister have forgiven him, Brother Zagato.  But 
why did he shirk from his duties?"
	"And what Lantis did doesn't seem to have any bearing on why 
Lafarga disappeared as well", said Ascot.  "What say you, Aunt Presea?"
	Presea smiled and chided her lover's nephew for referring to 
her in such a familiar way at a Council meeting.  Then, her face went 
grim.  "He has a point, though", she mused aloud.  "Why would Lafarga 
leave the chamber door?"
	As if on cue, Lafarga bolted into the room, his blue eyes 
filled with horror.  He ran to Lucie and fell face down before her.
	"Highness!", he gasped.  "It's Lantis - he's left us again!"
	"What?"  Lucie suddenly stood up.  "What in blazes does he 
think he's doing?", she grated.
	"I've called upon the rulers of the other three Realms and the 
other members of the Mahoukishi to prevent him from entering their 
respective domains", Lafarga went on.  "I've also asked a contingent 
of Dals to guard Prince Eagle's room." 
	Emeraude and Clef suddenly rose to their feet as well.  
	"Sweet Creator!  Something's entered the Palace - something 
evil!", Emeraude screamed, her beautiful face filled with fear.  
Zagato ran up to her aid.  "Zagato!"
	Ferio jumped up and drew his sword in alarm.  "What is it, 
sis?"
	Lucie could feel a violent presence entering the Palace - and 
it was headed for Eagle's room.  She sent a piercing thought out to 
the comatose prince.
	Eagle!
	Eagle, though, had sensed it as well.  I've got it covered, 
he assured Lucie.  Don't worry about me.
	Don't say that!  You're in no condition to defend yourself!  
The ruby in the bracelet Lucie wore on her left hand glowed and from 
it she drew out the weapon she had used as the Magic Knight of all 
Raging Fires - her massive katana made of escudo.  
I'm on my way there!
	Surrounded by her Council, Lucie Sheldon ran down the hallway 
to the Healing Chamber.  To her horror, a dark, familiar figure stood 
at the door.
	"Why, hello, Lucie."  It was a tall, voluptuously sensual 
woman in tight clothing in the color of twilight.  She had milky skin 
and long, raven's wing-colored hair.  The expression on her face was 
cruel, cold, and blatantly triumphant.  "I see that you've come to 
see me kill your friend off.  For in his death, the Prophecies of 
Darkness shall prevail!"
	"Alcione!"  Lucie held her sword dangerously low.  "I…  I 
thought Lantis had killed you!"
	"Not quite, little Princess!"  The wicked sorceress pointed 
to the door of the chamber.  "The minute I blast this door open, you 
can kiss Eagle Vision good-bye!"  She laughed wickedly when she saw 
the blood draining out of Lucie's face.  "Why, Princess Lucie!", she 
cooed in a mocking tone.  "Perhaps it's because you've never kissed 
him?  On the cheeks, perhaps?  His sweet lips?  Or somewhere else on 
his virgin body?"  Upon seeing that Lucie looked shocked by her 
language, Alcione laughed even harder.  "My, my, my.  So you're still 
a virgin, too!  Isn't that nice?"
	"Well, she sure hasn't changed a bit!", Emeraude remarked 
dryly.  She smiled comfortingly at the pale Lucie and patted her arm.  
"Hey, little Pillar, will you please let me handle this?"  She glared 
at the suddenly wide-eyed Alcione.  "I've a score to settle with this 
witch."
	Remembering that Alcione had once hurt Emeraude over Zagato, 
Lucie nervously grinned.  "You'll be okay, won't you, Emeraude?", she 
asked the former Pillar apprehensively.
	"Trust me, child."  Emeraude drew her own sword from its 
scabbard and slowly moved towards Alcione.  "I've been waiting for 
this moment for years; I know what to do."
	Alcione stared at the grim-faced princess and suddenly drew a 
pair of daggers from the tops of her boots.  If Emeraude was prepared 
for such emergencies, then so was she!
	"Sweet Creator!", Presea moved between Lucie and Emeraude, her 
own saber in hand.  "Emeraude, you're being rash", she hissed 
underbreath.
	"Well, how am I supposed to deal with her, Aunt Presea?", 
Emeraude hissed back.  "Invite her to tea or something?  You've got to 
be kidding!"
	"Prophecies of Darkness?"  Lucie glanced inquisitively at the 
nervous Clef and Zagato.
	Zagato nodded.  "You heard her right", he told her.  "It's a 
book of oracles about the Pillar who would succeed Emeraude.  Like the 
ones the Guru and I are poring over, they talk about you.  But this 
Prophecy hints at the death of the person who's supposed to be your 
twin Pillar."
	Twin Pillar?  Lucie had heard Clef reading a passage that 
mentioned that earlier.  "Who is it supposed to be?", she now asked 
Zagato.
	"At this point in time, there are three possible candidates."
	"Emeraude is one", Clef chimed in.  "She technically regains 
her throne and has to share it with you.  But she's still thinking 
things over."
	"And the other two?"
	The two sorcerers looked at each other.  Then, Zagato shrugged 
as Clef turned away.
	"Lantis is one and Eagle is the other", Zagato said softly.  
"Those who are in favor of the Dark Prophecies are for my brother."
	"And our side?"
	"We are not partial to anyone, Princess.  Until the time comes 
again for the Creator to pose the Challenge, the whole idea is still 
up there.
	"Besides, we'd like you to decide for yourself."
	Meanwhile, as Emeraude and Presea advanced towards the vicious 
Alcione, the latter spun around, with her back towards them.  She 
raised her arms and focused her will upon the door.
	In a loud voice, she screamed out an unlocking spell: 
        Kasipra - jandena - naydis!
	A tremendous amount of energy blazed forth from her hands, 
engulfing the door.
        Lucie panicked and lunged forward.  "EAGLE!!!"
        Yet, Eagle froze her in her tracks with a piercing thought:  
Calm yourself, Lucie!, he commanded her.  Alcione's evil will NOT
prevail!!!
        To everyone's amazement, the spell backfired;  it could not 
burn down the door nor blow it inward.
        Alcione stared in disbelief at the door, then stared at her 
hands.  "Wh… what happened?", she babbled.  "It…  It was supposed to 
be a foolproof spell!"
	Then, Eagle addressed their minds in a strangely serious tone.
	I placed a ward on the door, he told them.  I knew that 
someone would try to kill me before I reawakened, so I took steps to 
take care of myself.  Kailu or no Kailu, that door is invulnerable to 
any form of sorcery save for mine!
        "Eh?"  Emeraude put a hand to the door.  She turned to the 
others in wonder.  "He's telling us the truth.  The door has been 
warded - and it's a sort of magic that I can feel from none of you…"  
Yet, strangely enough, her voice trailed off when she looked at Lucie.  
But Emeraude said nothing more.
	Instead, she turned on Alcione who now ran for her life.  
Emeraude, after all, had always been more powerful than she was!
	Everyone else looked on.
	"Aren't you going to stop her, Zagato?"  Lucie looked at the 
High Priest and saw that he had a nonchalant expression on his face.  
"Zagato?"
	He just grinned mischievously at her.  "And keep her from 
having fun?", he asked her.  "Your Highness!  You've got to be 
kidding!"