Upon A Dream

Author’s Note – Oh wow, another one that hasn’t been updated in a very long time. I can only say that life has not been very kind and has kept the writing urge down to an absolute zero. That isn’t the best way to relieve stress, which has been running very high for me lately. To be honest, I nearly pulled this story but was convinced to continue it. The ending has changed though, with the possibility of a sequel appearing once it’s finished. Weird how stories change over time and influence. Life is like that, very much a thing in constant motion. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always in motion and actively changing. Okay, enough with the philosophy.

I have a lot of thanks to give out. For those who have been waiting oh so patiently and even hunted me down on AIM or a certain group to ask if I was continuing this tale, you have my sincerest thank you. To my heart family, thank you for your love, understanding, and guidance through the changes in my life. All of you are incredibly special to me and dearer to my heart than you will ever know. And to my heart-sister, Silvershadowfire, for being such a wonderful person and beta reading all of these chapters.

Disclaimer – I do not own Yugioh or Magic Knight Rayearth. The genius Kazuki Takahashi owns the sexy ones of Yugioh, and the goddesses of Clamp owns Magic Knight Rayearth. Lucky people!!!

Chapter Four – Explanations

Clef slipped through the door, very much aware of the eyes that were focused on him as soon as the occupants of the room became aware of his presence. It was a bit disconcerting to be the center of attention, but he pushed that aside as he allowed his awareness to sweep over the people.

Most of the people in this room held power of some sort. It was a type of magic the mage had never come across before, but it radiated from certain ones in powerful waves that tingled across his awareness. Some of it was muted, as if held under restraint, which told him that a few of them had yet to awaken the power that lay waiting for them to free it. It piqued his curiosity, and Clef hoped that he would have time to explore more about this when the opportunity arose.

Mokuba led him to a chair, which he was glad to sink down upon. His injuries were throbbing, especially the ones that had been sutured closed. He was not one to be patient with his own weakness and certainly was unhappy with what he was physically feeling now. The urge to retreat to his workshop was ruthlessly clamped down upon, knowing that it could be a long time before he could go back to that haven again. It was a pity, especially considering the fact that he could really have used some of his special remedies to alleviate the pain and speed up the healing process.

The one called Seto Kaiba broke the silence after a few moments of silence, introducing everyone in the room and giving him enough time to memorize faces and names. Given his age and experience, he had learned the trick to this long ago and it had served him well in the past.

After a few well placed questions from both Seto and Yami, Clef began to share about what had happened. Even now, there had been little to no information as to who the invaders had been or what they had wanted. The Magic Knights and the others had been scrambling to stay on the defensive and none of the reconnaissance teams had come back, so information had been scarce.

More questions came about Cephiro, the Magic Knights, and the magic used back on the world he called home. Clef patiently told the story about how the Magic Knights had been Summoned to Cephiro and how, later, they returned to make their homes there. The other questions were explained without going into too much tiresome detail.

The others listened to all of this in silence, wondering in amazement about the answers the newcomer had provided to the queries. It seemed unreal that another world existed, and the stories and descriptions were incredible. The idea of magic like this appealed to some, and it spurred their imaginations into thinking about what could be done with powers like that.

The group split up to get ready for dinner, leaving Clef alone in the room for a while. Given the aches and pains, he had no wish to move until it was absolutely necessary for him to do so. As he sat in his chair, his eyes grew thoughtful and distant as he contemplated the recent turn of events.

As he had told the others, the invaders had literally come out of nowhere, catching the citizens of Cephiro off guard. Even though Hikaru’s plan had been for the people of Cephiro to keep their world steady, the protection should have been in place and had failed, which should not have happened. The magic set by the Pillar’s will and reinforced constantly with the people’s focus should have been more than enough to keep anyone with ill intentions away from the mage’s home-world.

The various lines of defense, thought of by the Magic Knights and their loved ones, had sprung into action and had been scattered viciously. The Mystic Council then stepped in, fighting alongside the Legendary Magic Knights and their Protectors. So many of them had fought until near magical exhaustion before apprentices and others had dragged them off the battlefield to rest. Too many had simply lost their lives, including ones that Clef had called friend since he had first been taken as an apprentice so long ago. With each loss of life, something inside of him grew cold as his heart had no time to mourn their loss.

To be honest, the Master Mage had no idea if the Magic Knights would be able to repel this adversary. For once, it seemed as if the powerful Rune Gods had met their match and according to ancient legends, that was never supposed to happen. The beings that had spun the three Rune Gods into existence, knowing what the future would hold, had ensured that nothing would be able to be equal with them.

Before the battle that had somehow sent Clef here had begun, messages had been dispatched to their allies. He could only hope that Chizeta, Fahren, and Autozam responded quickly and dispatched help.

“You’re worried about them, aren’t you?”

Sapphire eyes opened to lock onto amethyst. The young man’s name sprang to mind, and Clef nodded.

“I am, Yugi, very much so. All of the Magic Knights and their Protectors have looked up to me as a teacher and guide. My absence will not be taken well, especially given how badly things were going.”

Yugi tucked a leg beneath him, curling up in his chair.

“I wish we could get you home right now, but it’ll take a while to figure out what to do. Yami-chan is very strong at Shadow Magic, as are Kura-chan and Marik. I’m sure they’ll find a way to get you home, Clef.”

Clef nodded before asking about something that had sparked his curiosity. The term the teenager had used was one he was not familiar with at all, and the scholar in him was interested in sating his curiosity.

“Shadow Magic?”

“A very old and volatile magic that was sealed, released, and sealed again. It’s a very long story, and a lot of it isn’t mine to tell.”

Now his curiosity was definitely aroused and looking for answers.

“Oh?”

Yugi nodded, looking down at the Puzzle he wore. Despite the fact that Yami could use it, he refused to wear it unless absolutely necessary and insisted his hikari keep it in case of emergencies.

“Yeah. Most of it belongs to Yami-chan and Kura-chan. Of all of us, they lived the most difficult parts of that story. If you really want to know, then ask one of them.”

Clef leaned back in his seat, thinking over the various things that had happened since he’d woken up in that bedroom upstairs. He would definitely ask the two about this Shadow Magic. At least it would give him something else to think about instead of worrying himself sick over the fates of those he called friends.

“I’ll do that.”

Before Yugi could answer, Mokuba literally bounced into the room and cheerfully informed them that dinner was ready. The hikari helped Clef to his feet, despite the fact he was considerably shorter than the mage and then walked with him to the dining room as Mokuba led the way.

“Is he usually so energetic?”

Yugi gave a soft giggle as he answered the quietly spoken question. Mokuba was definitely in a good mood today, despite the picnic being cut so short.

“When there’s nothing serious to focus on or worry about, Ookami-chan can be very exuberant. He can be as playful as a wolf cub but just as aggressive when someone he loves is threatened. He’s probably more protective of Seto than Jou is, which says a lot considering how much Jou loves Seto.”

Clef remembered how Seto had introduced the boy and nodded. As an only child, he’d never had anyone he could have considered a sibling but he could understand why the little one would be so protective.

“Brothers usually can be that way, I am told, so it doesn’t surprise me to hear that.”

Malik had joined them in the hallway as the they continued towards the dining the room. The blond haired hikari heard Yugi’s next question and waited silently for the answer, curious about this newcomer.

“What about you, Clef? Any family?”

It took a moment before the Master Mage answered the question and the response was softly given.

“I am an only child. My mother was a healer, and my father was a fisherman. They were killed while I was serving as an apprentice, and the one who had done it was never caught. To this day, I don’t know who did it or why.”

Saddened, Yugi slipped his hand into Clef’s and squeezed comfortingly.

“I’m sorry. I hope that you’ll find who did it one day and bring that person to justice so that pain can heal.”

Sapphire eyes narrowed slightly as he looked down at the smaller form. This one was either empathic or just very sympathetic to others to have been able to figure that part out. Not even the few friends that knew about his parents’ deaths knew that he was still searching for an explanation for their tragic demise. Yugi’s insightful comment had taken him by surprise.

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, Clef. Just try to relax as much as you can while you’re here and allow yourself to heal. Seto’s offered the use of his home until we’re able to find a way to send you back to Cephiro.”

That was kind of the older Kaiba, especially considering there was really no way of knowing when a way would be discovered to send him home. Pillars only knew how long that would take.

The Master Mage paused near the doorway of the dining room, eyes distant as he sent a thought to those he called friends, hoping against hope that they would hang on until he could return to them.

Emeraude, keep them safe please was his last thought before someone called his name and drew his focus back to what was going on around him.


Author’s End Note – It was rather introspective in a way, but it’ll help me get things back into gear. My muses call this the reviving the bunny chapter, and I think that worked. We’ll have to wait and see. Please leave a review and an email address where I can place you on my update list if you haven’t done so already. See everyone again soon!