Card Captor Sakura
"The Darkest Love"
By: Four of the Apocalypse
It was dark times when dark power had taken a rise. A rise that had shook fear into the hearts of many and had brought power and glory to those that had control over the dark arts.
White magic was scarce these days, and as Black magic continued to sweep over the lands, the light started to fade.
All things that had represented good had fallen, and when the pillar of Eira, King Hiro Devloshki IV was assassinated, hope had started to die within the people of the land that was once his. Since Hiro Devloshki had never had a child, no heir was ever produced to take his place as King. Thus, leaving the continent, Eira, Kingless.
Since the King had always governed the people, a government was never created. There had been no need for one. But as the last rays of hope faded to that of despair and desperation, new leaders started to arise within Eira.
It was only a matter of time when Eira, the single continent, had divided into five different countries.
To the South was Sedu, to the East was Levon, to the West was Conte, Northeast was Aldoan, and Northwest Sejest.
The five countries were now governed by new Kings. And to keep peace within the Continent, a treaty of peace had been established. All five Kings held one copy of the treaty as proof of the alliance, and the glorious day was named the Day of Five, and was celebrated every year on that day.
It was then that people had thought the Dark Times were coming to an end after two decades of rise, struggle, and fall of the Dark Arts. Soon, worries were forgotten, and hope slowly revived.
It was no later than half a decade later when a new pillar of Darkness was born.
It was only a matter of months when the word had spread all throughout Eira, causing panic to sink within Men, Women, and Children all throughout the land.
Hope became dim, but not to the point of fading as it had so many years ago.
When word of the new Pillar had reached the five Kings of Eira, white wizards, sorcerers, and witches were sent out to seek and destroy the new threat.
People had once again started to relax and return to their daily lives once word of the search parties was sent out. But after a decade of searching, hope faded……
9 Years Later…
A set of four large black Clydesdale horses with their black hooded riders stood aloft on a hill that over looked the small town below them. Dark clouds hung above their heads as they swirled and mixed with one another and released droplets of rain onto the riders and their beasts.
"This is where we will rest for the night. Any objections?" a gentle feminine voice said, before it waited a few seconds for a response from the riders around. And since none had voiced their opinions, the decision was made.
Slowly and without words, the riders had set their beasts to a slow walk towards the small town, where they would rest at a small cavern for the night and set off towards their destination early dawn.
***
A 19 year old boy with deep chocolate eyes and chestnut colored hair sat at a table at the far end of the cavern accompanied by his two friends. Discussing Dark Arts as they played with a deck of cards.
"I tell you, this sitting and waiting is starting to drive me insane. We can't continue to wait for something to happen like this. By time it does happen, it'll be too late for us to do anything about it! So I say we go hunt for them ourselves, what do you think, Eriol?"
Eriol, also 19, was a boy with dark navy blue hair and piercing icy blue eyes to match.
Eriol studied his cards before he tossed three down and continued the conversation.
"I really can't agree with you Syaoran. I still don't think we're ready for such an adventure. We're already low on money, and what good is it going out into the wild without the proper supplies?"
The girl next to Eriol spoke up.
"Well, you both would have had some extra pocket change if you didn't spend it all gambling last night. Besides, you both have some of supplies already. Such as your white magic. All you would really need to buy is food and something to sleep in during the nights. And I guess a few more arrows for your bows, just in case you need to hunt when you run low or completely out on food."
The girl was the same age as her friends, but she had stunning amethyst eyes with beautiful locks of purple.
"Besides, it's not the money or food I am worried about."
"Then what, Tomoyo?" Eriol gently asked, as he continued to eye his cards.
"I'm not sure if you're actually ready to go out to fight Black Magic. Especially if you run into the Pillar of Darkness."
Syaoran snorted. "Tomoyo, you worry too much. For once, don't worry, and let us handle this. As long as Eriol and I are together, then we'll have no problems what so ever."
Eriol sighed and shook his head. His cousin was always sure of everything. Even when the odds were stacked against them.
But to Eriol's surprise, Syaoran sighed.
"Who am I kidding? We have little chance, if not any, of winning a fight with the Pillar. Even I get tired of hearing my own mouth say these things."
Eriol chuckled. "Not to worry. You're just trying to get everyone to think positive, even if we have little chance of success. And if not for that, I'm pretty sure that we would of never have gotten out of those little messes that we've gotten ourselves into during the past few years!"
They all had to laugh at that statement. And it was true. They had done some pretty weird things in the past that could of gotten them locked up in jail for a few months, if not years.
But their laughter was cut off when the doors to cavern were suddenly opened.
The room continued to be just as noisy as before, with the exception of the still and quietness coming from the trios table.
Tomoyo looked at Eriol in concern.
"What's wrong?"
"Black Magic." he whispered, as he kept one eye on the group of travelers that just entered from slightly looking over his shoulder.
Syaoran did as well. But when the quartet of black hooded travelers took a seat at the bar, their magical dark auras were suppressed and with drawn.
"They can sense us." Syaoran mumbled, as he watched all of them order a pint of beer.
Eriol adverted his gaze from the travelers back to the game.
"They can suppress their auras, but they can't completely hide them." Eriol hinted.
Syaoran nodded. "We'll just wait till they leave."
Tomoyo sighed. "I wish I had magic too. Then I would know what you two were talking about all the time. I hate getting left out." she whined.
***
It wasn't much longer when the bar had closed up and all of the drunk men and women had retired for the day, as well as the mysterious hooded men. Leaving Syaoran and Eriol on clean-up duty while Tomoyo sat at the bar, watching them work away.
"Well, at least we can talk freely, without the worry of somebody eavesdropping in on our conversation." Syaoran stated.
Eriol nodded as he made his way towards the empty mugs that were left behind from the hooded figures.
"Eriol, what are you doing?" Syaoran asked, as he watched Eriol hover over the mugs.
"Just confirming our suspicions." he stated, lamely as his right hand hovered over the glasses closely.
"I can barely sense the ghosts of their auras. But what really surprises me is that only three of the mugs contain an aura. The other, blank. It intrigues me." said Eriol, as he mumbled the last part.
Tomoyo sighed. How she envied them and their ability to use and feel the aura's of magic. It must be a wonderful sensation!
"Damn them! And especially that damn Pillar! If only I was stronger, then I'd set out on my own and hunt down the bastard himself!" gritted Syaoran, as he started to grab a few buckets hanging off of the wall and an overcoat to protect him from the rain before he headed towards the well located outside.
Eriol nodded. He understood what his cousin was going through. Because he, too, had felt the same way so many years ago. How he had wanted to become the strongest sorcerer alive! To give the people a new hope to thrive on and crush the Dark Arts!
Eriol smirked to himself.
Yet, he was so young and naïve during those days. Always trying to be something he wasn't. Sometimes letting his mouth runaway, making promises he couldn't keep, then trying to fulfill them, but the only out come was failure. Now, he only laughed at his younger self. He was much older and wiser than before.
But there was still one promise he wasn't willing to break. A promise that he was going to fulfill. And it was to Destroy the Pillar.
***
Syaoran growled as he hooked one bucket to a hook that was tied to a rope, before tossing the thing down to the bottom of the well.
'If only I could do something about the unruly Dark Arts. If it weren't for them, then I could have had less worries than I do now. Not to mention the death of my mother. If it weren't for Black Magic, my mother would have been alive as well! One of the stupid Pillar's minions had killed her. And I swore revenge. And I'm going to carry my promise out. Even if it takes a life time!' Determined thoughts filtered through his mind as he started to reel the now full bucket up.
"Damn Bastard. If only I could get my hands on him…" Syaoran spoke to himself.
It wasn't an unusual habit for him. It usually occurred when he was alone, or deep in thought. And he didn't mind the odd glances that were sent towards him from other men and women that were usually passing by.
He sometimes wondered what went through their minds when they saw him talking to himself.
Syaoran hauled the water filled bucket out of the well and onto the ground as he prepared the other bucket.
This was going to be a long night…
***
A figure of a woman covered by the shadows of darkness, lay still and quiet to what might of looked like a peaceful slumber, when in reality laid a restless woman. A woman of great power. A power that many feared, yet she was hailed and worshiped by many.
The Pillar of Darkness slowly sat up.
'We should have been nearly there by now, if not for the lack of energy within the others. If only we had… could travel by night, it would only be a matter of days before we would reach our destination. Then, one of the Four Fates would have been released. But, as it seems, our dilemma will cost us a few weeks. But, no matter, a few weeks time will be considered nothing, when the outcome would only be the same.'
Gracefully, the Pillar slipped her feet over the side before she came to a standing position.
Perhaps a glass of water would help her sleep…
***
Eriol tossed down his towel onto the counter before he yawned and stretched. Once that was over, Eriol looked to Syaoran.
"I'll let you clean up tonight since I did yesterday. Well, I'm going to drop Tomoyo off now, then I'm heading home. Is that okay with you?" asked Eriol.
Syaoran nodded. "Sure. Anyways, it'll only take me a few minutes to clean up."
"Thanks. Now, shall we, dearest Tomoyo?" Eriol asked, as he extended his arm out like a gentleman.
Tomoyo smiled sweetly as she reached up and gripped his arm. "Of course, Love."
And then, as they headed out, Eriol flipped the light switch off and the two headed out into the night.
Syaoran sighed, as he placed a few mugs back into place and with a wet towel, proceeded to wipe the wooden counter clean of any sticky droplets of beer from spilled mugs earlier that night as he was left in the dark. The moonlight his only source of light now.
Suddenly, the sound of creaking wood caused Syaoran to look to the stairs located across the room, on the far left that led up to the guest rooms on the upper floor.
Slowly, a pair of pale white feet appeared, and slowly the mass grew. Soon, feet dissolved into black as a black dress appeared. Then came the upper body and arms, then the head of the person.
Syaoran continued to keep still and watch as the girl made her way down the stairs.
She had beautiful tail length auburn hair, evergreen eyes, and fair skin that put the fairest lily to shame.
Her gaze was downcast towards her feet as she watched them take one step at a time to the lower floor. When she finally ended her descent, she looked up, her gaze immediately falling onto Syaoran.
'This magic…' she thought, as she gazed straight into chocolate orbs.
Syaoran felt himself break into a nervous sweat.
Before him was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her eyes were deep, but didn't sparkle much, but her skin and hair glowed, even if she wasn't standing in the moonlight that was filtering through the window.
Finally, when Syaoran had found his voice and tongue, he spoke.
"M-Miss, the bar is closed for tonight." he stuttered.
She stared at him with her gentle eyes before she spoke.
"Then I suppose that I'm not allowed to retrieve a midnight drink, am I?"
Syaoran stood stalk still, mesmerized by her enchanting voice, as if he was placed under a spell. But a peaceful spell at that. How could such a creature exist? She was beautiful, graceful, seemed polite… she was everything any man would or could want!
"Very well." she said, when she didn't receive a reply from him.
She turned back to the wooden staircase to return to her room, but once Syaoran saw this, his eyes widened in realization that he had completely ignored her question!
"W-Wait!" he suddenly called out.
The Pillar stopped right before she placed one foot onto the first step, and turned to look at Syaoran.
"I mean, of course you can have a drink. Here, just let me get one for you." he said, hurridly, as he quickly fetched a glass and filled it with water from one of the water barrels sitting in the corner.
By the time he had finished, the Pillar had already taken a seat at the bar and was patiently waiting for him to hand her the glass.
Once he had placed the glass in front of her, he quickly wiped the counter clean and tossed the towel onto the rack before getting himself a glass of water and taking a seat next to her. Then, he started to try and strike up a conversation.
"So, you're staying here tonight. Did you arrive today?"
She nodded. And Syaoran slightly nodded as well.
"That's weird, I didn't see you walk in."
She continued to stare at the glass in her hands. "Sometimes, things can go unnoticed when you're preoccupied." she stated.
He nodded in agreement. "Well, I was preoccupied during most of the day, so I guess you're right."
The Pillar continued to keep quiet.
"So, have you heard the news?"
"News can travel fast, but sometimes, it reaches ears of those that it's not meant for." she replied.
Syaoran blinked. What was wrong with her? Instead of giving answers to questions that were asked, she gave advice instead.
"I take it you haven't."
"…"
"Well, it's been the talk of the town. Just in a few weeks, a friend of mine and I are heading out, to search for the Pillar of Darkness. We probably have little chance of destroying the Pillar, but luck usually seems to be with us. We might get lucky this time." he said, with a fake confidence. Hoping to try and impress her. "Since we're the towns only sorcerers." He added.
It usually wasn't like him to brag and try to impress any girl, but something inside just told him to tell her. Something he couldn't control very well.
But to his dismay, he didn't get the response he was hoping for.
"Fame and Glory can cause a man to do illogical things. Which may be the cause his own death."
Syaoran finally frowned. "Why do you continue to speak that way?" he asked, annoyed.
The Pillar slid off of the stool, her water untouched and left on the counter.
"I admire your courage, but the Pillar will not fall so easily. What you are planning to do is foolish. And as I've said, it may be the cause of your own death."
Then gracefully, she made her way to the staircase.
"It would be a pity to see a sorcerer as you fall." she added, but before she was no further up the stairs than a few steps, Syaoran called out.
"I didn't seem to catch your name. Would you consider it rude if I happened to ask?"
The Pillar stood still, thinking the question over before she answered.
"My name would be of no importance to you once I am gone, but if you wish to know, it's Sakura."
Then, she disappeared back into the shadows that creeped among the stairs.
'Sakura…' thought Syaoran.
* * * *
AN: Please don't forget to R+R!!!