The palace had felt the first earthquake and had been reeling from the aftershocks all day. Ascot stood in the main entrance corridor and looked out upon the world that was shaking. As he stood, he wondered where Umi was right now. Suddenly, as another aftershock ripped though the earth, he saw Fyula in the distance and the tiny figure riding him.
"MASTER CLEF-SAN!" he yelled over the din of the earth moving. He watched as Fyula slowly moved into the entrance and Clef dropped down to the ground with a thump. Standing against all of the forces of the earth and steadying himself with his staff, he and Ascot walked down the long corridor to the main hall.
In there, stood all of the important palace inhabitants. Lantis (with Primera on his shoulder), Ferrio, Lafarga, Caldina, and Presia. They all looked puzzled and frightened at the earth and looked up hopefully when ascot brought in Clef. "Look! Master Clef-san!" said Ascot loudly. Clef winced. He hated it when people yelled, especiall when it was in this kind of din. Lantis stood after the aftershock passed and adressed the fomer court sorcerer.
"Master Clef-san" he began in his deep baritone voice. "You have come to us with information on the movement of the earth?"
"No, Lantis. I have not divined anything of the earth's quaking." Clef paused for a moment. "No, I have heard something."
"Well then, what is it?!" said Caldina. She bobbed her head imatiently as Clef looked down as if he were about to reveal a personal secret.
"I have heard the voices of the spirits of the earth cry out." he said softly. "They cried out in pain and loss for something they have lost." Clef stopped to choak back a tiny sob. "They have lost something that is so vitally important that if they do not regain it, the world will fall apart." He bowed his head so that his bangs would obscure his tears.
The others looked at Clef in astonishment. The most powerful sorcerer in all of Cefiro was holding back tears. Presia ran towards him and put her hands on his shoulders so that she could look into his eyes. She looked back in astonishment as she saw the first tear roll down his cheek. So the others wouldn't see, she wiped his face of the tear and saw that despite all this, he had willed himself to stop crying. Presea stood back and moved back into the circle.
Clef stood tall and began again. "The Land of Cefiro has lost something vitally important. I propose that we bring back the Magic Knights to help solve this problem."
A general gasp rose from the assembled people. "We CAN'T summon the Magic Knights without someone as powerful as the creator or the pillar!" said Caldina. "Even you can't!"
"But I can certainly try, can't I?!" he shot back. "Does everyone concur that we try to summon the magic knights and try to save Cefiro?" he asked in a tone that no one could mistake.
"Yes. I do" said Lantis.
"As do I" said Presea. The other's nodded their heads in agreement.
Clef looked at the others and carefully said, "I need all of you to lend your strength to me. I will have to call upon the Creator." The others formed a circle around Clef and began willing their strength to him. Slowly, Clef began to glow with the power of all of his friends. He began to chant "Magic Knights! Please come to Cefiro. I call upon the power of the Creator to bring you here!" Faster and faster he chanted as he drew all of his will in. Suddenly, from the horn on his headdress, a burst of blue-white light burst out from the circle and out through the palace. Clef collapsed as the power left his body. Breathing heavily he laid on the floor as the others crowded around him. Presea knelt beside him as he tried to stand. Supporting himself with his staff, he began to lift himself up. Presea began to help him but he suddenly collapsed into Presea's arms. He whispered so only she could hear, "I only hope this works."
