SUPREME QUEST
© Rory V. Pascual
GURU CLEF PROLOGUE:
"Guru Clef, we know your service has been invaluable to the Pillar. But we feel that you should have your own life after all these years. We are releasing you from your duties and obligations towards us. You are free, Guru, to live and to love."
Guru Clef walked in stunned disbelief through the dark hallways of the Royal Palace of Cephiro, these words still ringing in his ears. He was completely oblivious to his surroundings. The Supreme Yil hardly noticed an equally poleaxed Lantis walk by him, mumbling "I can't believe it! I still can't believe it!" over and over again. He didn't acknowledge the greetings of Lafarga and Caldina. Neither did he notice them pause to stare back at him quizzically.
"Yahoo"? Did I say that? the Guru asked himself once more, recalling the earlier incident when he practically jumped for joy at the pronouncement of Luce Shidou and Eagle Vision, the Twin Pillars of Cephiro. Groaning, he shook his head forlorn. Oh, what did I just do? I didn't mean to say that! What am I going to do now? I devoted my whole life to Princess Emeraude, the Magic Knights, the Kingdom!
Then, the beautiful, smiling face of Presea, the Pharle of Cephiro, tantalizingly crossed his mind. But he quickly dispelled the image.
She couldn't still love me, he argued inwardly. Not after all these... Clef stopped himself from saying the word "years". Because it hasn't been just "years". It's been centuries! If a love could die in a year or two, what more for seven and a half centuries!
The Supreme Yil breathed in deeply, choking back a sob. He knew he longed for the day when he would be freed from his duties. But now, he found the burden of his newfound liberty harder to bear. Guru Clef felt he was unimportant, that he was no longer needed. Why would anyone need him anyway, in this time of peace? Luce and Eagle were doing a fine job as the Twin Pillars. At their side, they have Zagato and Emeraude, Anemone Hououji and Ferio, Marina Ryuuzaki and Ascot. Of course, not to be forgotten were Lafarga and Caldina. Lovable Mokona. His own beloved Presea. And there's Lantis...
Guru Clef grimaced at the thought of Sol Zagato's younger brother. Grinning to himself, he muttered, "Well, there's always an exception."
Shrugging off his melancholy, Clef straightened his poise in a firm resolve. Very well! If I'm not needed here anymore, I'm going on a vacation. A broad smile formed on his very young face. For a seven hundred fifty year old man, he still looked like a ten-year old boy. Yes! That's it! I'll go on a little trip! And maybe I could find myself a new woman...er...love! Maybe even two or three!
With a skip and a whistle, the Supreme Yil then rushed off to his workroom.
"I'm telling you, Presea! Guru Clef looked so down in the dumps!" chattered Caldina to the Pharle. "I mean, he didn't even notice ME!"
Lafarga barely suppressed his giggle. His voluptuous little wife was not used to being ignored by the opposite sex. Caldina looked at him with irritation showing on her face. She elbowed her husband hard in the belly that a loud "Oof!" escaped the Kailu's lips.
"If what you say is true, I'm actually surprised that he's acting this way now," Presea said in obvious concern. "When Luce told him that they freed him of his duties, he practically leaped up to the ceiling. I thought he was happy about it. I know I am."
Lafarga looked at her curiously. "You are?"
A rosy flush went up the pretty armsmistress' cheeks. "What I mean is...er...uh..."
"Just what DO you mean?" prodded Caldina, raising a quizzical eyebrow.
The Pharle sighed in resignation. "Oh, all right! Guru Clef is my fiance. We were supposed to get married. But with all the things that happened, our duties had to come first."
"And how long ago was your engagement?" queried Lafarga.
Presea frowned, pouting as she tried to remember. Sheepishly, she replied, "Maybe a couple of centuries ago. Maybe even three. Or was it four?" Then her eyes widened. "What are you driving at, Lafarga? That maybe Clef doesn't love me anymore?"
"I think it's the other way around," he suggested. "I think the Guru has gotten it into his head that YOU may not love HIM anymore."
"But that's preposterous! I love him very, very much!"
Caldina crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't you think you should tell him that?"
Presea smiled. "You know what? I believe I will!"
Saying this, she went off to find Guru Clef.
"That looks nice! That looks VERY NICE!"
Guru Clef was in his workroom. He was peering through the portal he conjured, gazing at the white sandy beach and the clear blue sea. Eagerly, he ogled the lovely young women walking on the sand in their skimpy underwear.
The Supreme Yil made sure that his little magic pouch was tied securely to one end of his staff.
Why is this thing heavy? he wondered. Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, he said, Oh, well! It's probably just the beach umbrella!
Donning a pair of Rayban sunglasses, he exclaimed, "Now, time for some R and R. Keep the sand warm, ladies! The Guru is on his way!"
Keeping his concentration fixed on his chosen location, Clef made a determined step through the portal.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a deafening bang as Presea entered the room, calling out his name at the same time.
His concentration broken, Guru Clef saw the portal before him flicker wildly. However, that one crucial step has been made. Before the Pharle could reach him, Clef toppled through the doorway...falling...falling...falling...
Then, he landed with a soft thud amidst some tall shrubs. Dazed and in pain, Guru Clef was about to utter a groan when he quickly stifled it. As his eyes grew round like saucers, a lascivious grin slowly began to form on his young face.
Peeking through the bushes, the Supreme Yil of Cephiro found himself staring at a pair of the most shapely legs he has ever seen in his entire life!
CONTINUED...
