Kingdom Knights Rayearth

[monster_san]

[With the world reshaped and reformed, there had been no reason to think that Hikaru and Fuu would find anything but their friends when they visited Cephiro. Nor any reason why it would be fine to go without Umi, who had a very Earth-like flu the day of their planned visit.

But when they arrived in the castle, they soon learned otherwise. Something had broken in from another world. A lot of somethings, small and shadowy, terrifying the citizens into their homes and forcing anyone with combat skills to employ them.

So now Fuu and Hikaru found themselves equipped with armor and glove, making a familiar trek towards the most logical place to start: Windam's shrine in the sky. The Rune Gods will know what to do, right?]

Dear me... I thought that we had finished with this sort of thing.

Comments

[godkaru]

[It's wrong. None of this should be happening, they saved Cephiro, they remade the whole system. It should be protected by the people of Cephiro and the other countries now free to come and go. Seeing these small shadows roaming and scaring everyone - it's like the first time they came, except now she's angry.

Hikaru grips her fist, glove on hand.]

We should have. We have to find out where these things came from. You really think Windam will know?

[monster_san]

The Rune Gods knew about Fahren and Chizeta and Autozam. So I think there's at least a good chance.

[She shares Hikaru's anger, though it's further from the surface. Cephiro had enough trouble, and it had cost them so much to not just restore it but repair it. It had cost Hikaru especially.]

Even if they don't, it would still be good to join them again. Maybe we can find and close the door that these creatures have come through.

[These days, there is a path--sort of--to the shrines of the Rune Gods. Really it's those mobile platforms that Mokona liked to summon, just sans himself. The one to Windam's shrine sits at the cliff edge, ready to wing its way up to the floating mountain. Fuu steps onto it, hoping that her supposition is correct.]

[godkaru]

[While Hikaru is always partial to Rayearth (hers, Her Rune God), Windam was always a good choice for knowledge and... well, wisdom. She follows, letting Fuu take the lead here. But she's on edge, still ready to strike if anything happens.]

I want to know why they're here and who opened that door, too.

[monster_san]

Yes... I have to wonder what could motivate someone to do something like this. The other countries wanted to control the land of Cephiro... but what purpose could these creatures possibly serve?

[She's heard one or two rumors that they steal people's hearts. Fuu doesn't know if that's just panic or if there's any truth to it. They'll find out momentarily...]

Windam! It's us, Hikaru and Fuu--

[Or... not.]

Windam...? [He's never not responded to her call... Fuu steps cautiously towards the mouth of the cave and gasps.] Windam! What happened to you?!

[He is shaped like Windam. But it looks for all the world as though he has been bleached. He turns one lazy golden eye on them and then resumes staring into space. Fuu just manages to stop herself from rushing in, reminding herself that whatever did this (whatever 'this' is) could still be here.]