A Test of Faith
Disclaimer: I do not own Magic Knight Rayearth. This is a work of fan fiction. All original characters and story belong to CLAMP.
Author's Note: Wow, it has been quite a long time, and I am so sorry about that. I have a break off work and suddenly, I remembered that I still have this to finish. So, here it finally is. The last chapter!
Fuu's POV
In her dream, she was talking with Katzu.
"Katzu, listen to me. He forgives me. I don't hate myself and I don't hate you." Katzu's eyes started to water as the girl jumped into Fuu's outstretched arms. The dream suddenly shifted to where Fuu was standing at the two paths again. This time, though, she was no longer confused. She started walking down the left path again. The right one saddened, but, at the same time had a feeling of understanding.
"You have chosen wisely Wind Knight."
"Thank you Windam." The giant green bird appeared in front of Fuu.
"Be warned, the danger is not yet over. Call my name when you are in trouble. Now awake Wind Knight, your loved ones are worried."
Fuu awoke to stormy green eyes gazing over her. "Ferio!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck, thus enabling him to lose his balance and fall on top of her.
"Nice to see you're feeling better," he laughed as she trailed kisses along his cheek.
"What happened after I fainted?" she asked the blushing man.
"Well, we saw Katzu disappear. The Aunt Gia suddenly fainted as well. Forrest and I carried the two of you back to the house." Thunder crackled outside, reminding them that the storm was still raging on.
"Why did Gia faint?" Fuu asked, worried. Ferio unlatched her arms from his neck so he could sit beside her.
"She used too much of her power. From the looks of things, she isn't doing too well," he said, eyes searching the cracks on the floor. Fuu sprang up from the bed to go check on Gia, but quickly realized that was a bad idea as her world started spinning. "Whoa there, you fainted too, remember?" Ferio said as he caught her and laid her back down on the bed.
"But…!"
"No buts. You need your rest too. I will come back in a little while with some stew," he said as he kissed her lightly on the forehead and started for the door.
"Can you send in Forrest?" she asked. He gave her a look, but nodded and closed the door.
There was a hesitant knock on the door a few minutes later. "Come in!" Fuu said as Forrest opened the door carrying a steaming bowl of stew.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, giving her the bowl and a spoon.
"Yes, thank you." Forrest seated himself on a chair beside the bed and watched her eat. Once she was finished, he placed the bowl on the table and faced her.
"I know what you are going to say, but, please don't say it. I just want you to know that I understand. You had to make a choice and I honestly believe you made the right one. I do really like you Fuu, but Ferio loves you. I have my whole life ahead of me to still find my one. To him, you are his one."
Tears softly fell down her cheeks as she smiled up at him. "Thank you, Forrest. I really like you too," she said as she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Blushing, he left her to rest.
The storm was still rampant outside when Fuu awoke a second time. Silently, she crawled out of bed and tiptoed into the living room. A light emanated from Gia's room. She hesitantly opened the door to find Gia awake in bed and Ferio sleeping in the chair across the room.
"Come in child," Gia said, noticing Fuu standing in the doorway. She crept into the room and knelt beside the bed. "Don't worry about me, dear. I just couldn't sleep with all hell breaking loose outside."
"I'm sorry Gia, for all the trouble I've caused you, your son and nephew." Gia just shook her head.
"Nonsense! They didn't mind one bit. You gave them something to live for. Forrest will find the right one for him someday, so don't you worry too much about him." A loud snort broke their conversation, making Fuu giggle. "Snores just like his father," Gia remarked as Fuu fixed the blanket up to Ferio's chin.
"Was Ferio's father your brother?" Fuu asked, kneeling back down beside the bed. Gia nodded and gazed toward the window.
"My brother was always the brave one out of the two of us. He would hunt dinner with father while I practiced magic with mother. Then one day, he met her. He looked at her the way Ferio looks at you. She never told him she was royalty. He had died before she could. She begged Clef to bring Ferio to me due to his uncanny resemblance to his father. She knew that the palace life was not for him."
"Did she come visit him?'
"No, she passed away shortly from a broken heart." Fuu felt warm tears roll down her cheeks.
"How tragic." Gia nodded grimly.
"Ferio was a changed man after that. Emeraude had erased his memories, but he still felt the sadness in his heart. The day he met you and the other Magic Knights, he came back with determination in his eyes. In a way, you saved him and I am ever grateful for that," she said, smiling down at Fuu.
"You make it sound like I was some poor, lost, little boy, Aunt Gia," Ferio replied, making Fuu jump. Gia simply laughed.
"He also has his father's wit!" she said, winking.
"What is with this storm? It hasn't stopped since it started yesterday," Ferio remarked, looking outside the window. Suddenly, there was loud rapid knocking at the front door. Fuu ran to see who it was. She opened the door to find a very wet and grumpy Umi. She stalked inside, followed by Clef, Ascot and Forrest. Fuu hurried to get blankets and hot bowls of stew.
Once everyone had dried off and warmed, Clef went into Gia's room to examine her illness.
"Did you find where all the fish were?" Ferio asked Umi and Ascot.
"They had just migrated to warmer waters," Umi said.
"When did the rain hit you?" Fuu asked.
"Right when we entered the Balter Forest." Fuu and Ferio shared a look.
"So the rain is only in the forest?" Ferio asked, looking confused. Ascot nodded.
"Why is it only raining here?" Fuu wondered, getting shrugs from the others.
"It's because Gia is dying," Clef stated, emerging from Gia's room. "She created this forest to protect herself and her family. In a way, this forest is dying as well." Fuu looked worried. She didn't know what to do and wished that there was something that could save Gia and the forest. Suddenly, a deep voiced sounded in her head.
"I can save the forest, but not the old women. It is her time." Fuu then knew what she had to do. She jumped up from the couch and ran out into the storm, ignoring the shouts from the others. She ran blindingly to the meadow amidst the pouring rain. Standing in the center, she pulled her sword from her glove. Pointing it to the sky, she cried,
"Windam!" The giant green bird appeared in front of her. "Please save this forest," she whispered as the bird spread its wings and glowed. Fuu closed her eyes as she felt the warm healing magic around her. The rain stopped and soon she felt the sun heating her skin. She opened her eyes and saw that the world had returned to normal and the bird was gone. "Thank you," she said to the light breeze that ruffled her curls.
"Fuu!" Strong arms wrapped around her and hugged her close. "What the hell were you thinking? Running out into this hell storm, you could have been killed!" Ferio yelled, anger and worry flashing in his eyes.
"I stopped the storm and saved the forest. Now Gia is free." Ferio looked at her, puzzled. "The forest wasn't going to let Gia go without a fight. So, Windam helped it to set her free." Ferio wiped away a tear that trickled down her cheek. She hasn't realized she was crying.
"Thank you for easing her pain," he whispered in her hair. She stood there, crying into his chest, relieved of her worries.
They buried Gia in the middle of the meadow where it is said that the flowers are constantly blooming. The Magic Knights returned to their homes in Tokyo, their jobs finished. With the promise of return still on their lips, they each went their own ways. Another adventure surely awaits them in the magical land of Cephiro.
The End!
Holy Cow! I can't believe it is finished. I hope yall enjoyed it and thank you for your patience. Hope to see yall soon with another story of who knows what. Thanks again!