Author's Notes: I'm stumbling into this blind so don't shoot me!
For every other series I've written for I've made sure to get a feel of the fandom before I started writing. Generally taking an active part in a fandom leads to the inspiration that spawns fanfiction.
In this case I have not read a single Cardcaptor Sakura fic. I've not discussed this on any forums, and have not discussed this series overly with any of my friends.
I'm a big fan, but I'm stabbing at this blindly.
But this inspiration is eating me. So ladies and gentleman have patience and persist.
And for anyone who bothered to read that (and all those who didn't!) I hope you enjoy this!
Incandescence – Prologue
"I hoped for happiness and light, but trouble and darkness came instead." Job 30:26
Sakura blinked, and rubbed her eyes sleepily.
She was standing in the centre of her bedroom.
Afterwards she wondered how she didn't realise she was dreaming, since last she could recall. She had been lying on her bed, and she didn't remember standing up.
The room was dark, and a dark glow filled it. It seemed as though the darkness itself was glowing. The blinds were pulled down over the window, so she moved towards it, knowing that even after the sun had set, the streetlights would illuminate her room once the window wasn't covered.
"Cardcaptor," called a voice behind her, with an air of authority. She turned slowly. Her dream self seemed to move as though time had slowed, and she saw every detail.
Behind her, standing against the wall and looking very out of place, was a tall man dressed in long black robes.
"Yes?" replied Sakura simply.
"Cardcaptor, you are in danger."
Sakura stared.
"You must listen closely, cardcaptor, for I do not have long. Do you understand me?"
She nodded.
"Then hear this; the darkness is coming. The darkness is coming, and it will consume your loved ones, eat your world, and finally it will devour you. The darkness is coming, and it will hunt you down, because you hold the key to light. Hear me well, cardcaptor, for this is why you were appointed. This was why I gave life to the cards."
She sensed the man's desperation, but did not understand. "I'm sorry," said Sakura. "I don't understand."
"Look outside your window."
Sakura reached for the chord, and the blind shot up.
The window was black.
Not just dark, but black. The whole world had been thrown into shadow. No streetlight shone, no house windows stood out against the darkness. The stars did not shine.
"What happened?" gasped Sakura, suddenly afraid.
But when she turned to face the man she could not see him…she could not see anything. The inky blackness had consumed her bedroom.
"The darkness, cardcaptor," echoed the voice. "It is coming…"
She stumbled forwards, searching with her hands. Though she stumbled the right distance, the desk was gone, and the bed, and the walls.
"You must save them, cardcaptor. You must save your world."
"But I can't!" she shouted. "I can't see!"
Sakura's eyes flew open, and light flooded in.