AN: A new story! Most of the characters belong to CLAMP. Otherwise, they belong to me. Yay!
Memory 0: The Fool
I weakly opened my eyes. They revealed to me a darkening sky; clouds gathered as they covered the sun. I just lay there in the open field with my back to the grass. A water droplet landed on my nose. A magic water droplet, that is. That was all it took for me to remember.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you!" Her soft voice became a screeching sound disgusting to hear, bringing shivers down my spine. "You destroyed my mother, now I'll destroy you!" I closed my eyes, as the memory enveloped me: the sight of her throwing dark energy to them, the sound of their heart wrenching screams… "Anita!" … The smell of burnt flesh, the taste of blood… "Help us, Anita!" was their whimper…
What had happened to them? The girls who were prophesized to change the world? My eyes snapped open and I sat up abruptly. A wave of pain washed over me; a cry escaped my lips as I placed a hand to my head to ready myself. Panic hit me. I am not supposed to feel pain.
"What the-?" was the unanimous question. They didn't understand why they were fighting. "Hikaru, what's going on? We're your friends, remember?" Still, Hikaru attacked with murderous eyes. "I'm not going to let her kill us then,"Amaterasu had said, getting into fighting position. The others dodged Hikaru's attacks, trying to avoid hurting her, and at the same time try to make sense of Hikaru's actions.
Never mind the pain. The girls are more important. My eyes swept over the field and the sight nauseated me. Blood was everywhere. One way or another they were hurt: burnt, stabbed, bruised… I knew that each person had given everything they had, magically or non-magically, in this battle. But I refused to believe that they were dead.
"Give me the cards!" Hikaru demanded Adeline, attacking her at close range. Yet Adeline refused to fight back and hurt Hikaru. Lethal energy was prepared to kill Adeline, but Hikaru stopped when an arrow hit her shoulder. Turing around, Hikaru switched targets: from Adeline to Seline, she electrocuted the other girl. Adeline had no choice but to fight. The girl looked sorrowful when she called upon her key. "RELEASE! I don't know why you're doing this Hikaru, but I can't let you hurt others anymore."
"Finally you're awake to see what you've done, Anita!" I turned to see the large winged lion. He, too, was badly hurt. A wing was bent the wrong angle and blood matted his fur.
"Windy! Turn into the chains that bind!" Powerful elemental magic swept around them as wind, with only one focus. "NO! Let me go!" Dark energy overpowered the magic, and the blond was free. She narrowed her eyes. "You'll pay for that," Hikaru darkly said. In her hands she gathered a fireball and aimed. "Watch out!" one of the called. Kayla was luckily pushed away, but her savior was not so lucky. "Onii-chan!"
"What I've done?" I echoed, the words sounding strange in my mouth. I racked my head to remember how the battle had ended.
"No," I said softly, watching the blond and the auburn take the fight to the sky. I was too far to hear, but I could tell that they were chanting their final spells. Helena and Seline, who were forever on Adeline's side, took to the air also. The three of them, Adeline, Seline, and Amaterasu, called Clow's Deities by legend, were the only ones who could save Fayet-Sorall from such a threat like Hikaru. The three combined their magic to defeat the blond, Hikaru, their friend-- but as their spells collided in midair, the spells of three against one, there was an explosion.
With a sinking heart I remembered what I had done…
"No!" I shouted in horror as the blast knocked the four of them plummeting to the ground. I couldn't just watch and let them fall to their death. A burst of white light -my magic- snaked its way to them and slowed the fall. "I will not let you die," I vowed. With this promise a swirl of white lights encircled all six of the fighters: the three fated ones, the blond, the boy, and the other girl. Then my eyes started to roll to the back of my head and I knew I was going to fall into darkness. "If only you could forget…" was all I said before I fainted.
Rain started to fall. Slowly at first, but eventually gathered in power and fell faster. In seconds my dress became soiled, nearly transparent because it was white. Puddles grew larger by the minute, making mud. My clothes became heavier as the weight of the mud and rain, as well as the weight of my actions, pressed against my shoulders.
"Give me the cards!"
"I've forced them to forget…" was all I could say. What an unforgivable thing I have done…
"I don't know why you're doing this Hikaru, but I can't let you hurt others anymore."
A growl escaped from Cerberus. "Yes. Now do something before we drown in this weather!"
"You destroyed my mother, now I'll destroy you!"
With a great deal of effort, I stood. I gazed at the dark sky, feeling the rain fall upon my face like needles. "And the Cards are angry for what I have done…"
"I'm not going to let her kill us then."
An impatient rumble came from the guardian's throat. I turned to him sadly. I lifted the soiled dress, showing him my near transparent feet. I was beginning to look like the spirit I really was. "I don't have enough time, Cerberus."
"RELEASE! "
"Then make do," he snapped. "They are nearly dead-" A moan escaped fro him as he tried to stand, but failed.
"NO!"
With great urgency, I created a plan that would keep them all safe. It was very risky and many things could go wrong. Like becoming all spirit and losing my corporeal form, for example. I rushed to Cerberus. I healed his wounded leg, knowing very well that using my magic would only speed the race fro physical to spirit even more. But there were things more important. "Can you stand?"
"We're your friends, remember?"
He did, though he winced at the wound at his side. He also knew there were things at the moment that needed to be sacrificed. "What do you want me to do?"
"If only you could forget…"
I brought my forehead to his, telling him to an instant the answer to his question. Then I pulled back. "You want to spare Hikaru?" he asked.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you!"
"Yes," was all I said.
"I will not let you die."
I hope that I made the right choice.
List of Characters
Wasureru Inn, in Ayano of Fayet-Sorallé
Sakura Hotaruko- 17, maid. Ayano. Has green eyes and short auburn hair. Earliest memory is when she met Chie, her surrogate mother, 7 years ago.
Touya Hotaruko- 24, manager. Ayano. Has blue eyes and black hair. Has the ability to see the spirits that watch Wasureru Inn, which qualifies him to be an enchanter, but never took the Qualifying Exam.
Rika Hotaruko- 19, the Younger Mistress. Originally from Sorallé . Has brown eyes and short brown hair. Became Chie's daughter 9 years ago.
Renji Hotaruko- 19, concierge. Sorallé . Has brown eyes and dark brown hair. Is Rika's twin brother. Both twins have ties to the Royal Palace.
Naoko Yanagisawa- 18, maid. Fayet. Has brown eyes and short dark brown hair; wears glasses. Wants to become a famous writer. Started living at Wasureru 6 years ago.
Chiharu Miharu- 18, maid. Sorallé . Has brown hair and shoulder-length brown hair. Became an orphan when her parents died in a flood of the Great Catastrophe 7 years ago, and lives at Wasureru ever since.
Takahashi Yamazaki- 18, chef. Sorallé . Has black hair and eyes. Is a great cook and started living at Wasureru 7 years ago. Is engaged to Chiharu.
Kero (Cerberus)- The false form of Cerberus, the legendary Guardian, stays with Chie.
Chie Hotaruko- 89, Elder Mistress. Ayano. Has gray-white hair and black eyes. Is the owner of Wasureru Inn. Is a level two magician (witch).
The Royal Palace of Fayet-Sorallé , in Sorallé of Fayet-Sorallé
Yoshiyuki Tereda- 32, Emperor of Fayet-Sorallé . Has brown hair and eyes. The public believes he is a sorcerer, but only those who work in the Palace know that he has no magic at all.
Miyami Furiya- 32, Empress of Fayet-Sorallé . Has blond hair and blue eyes. Is known as a sorceress, but it is not known what her true level of power is.
Tomoyo Daidouji- 17, Moon Mage. Has violet hair and eyes. Blames the empress for her mother's death. Is known as a sorceress, but is in actuality a level three magician (enchantress).
Eriol Hiiragizawa- 19, advisor. Has blue hair and eyes. Was the previous Moon Mage's (Sonomi Daidouji) student. Is a level three magician (enchanter).
Nakuru Akizuki- 23, Tomoyo's guardian. Has dark brown hair and eyes. The false form of Ruby Moon, the legendary Guardian. It is not really known what her level of power is.
Li Estate, in Fayet of Fayet-Sorallé
Syaoran (Xiaolang) Li- 19, heir of Fayet-Sorallé . Has brown hair and amber eyes. Is to be the next Emperor when he turns 20. Is a level two magician (magus), and is about to be promoted to sorcerer.
Meiling Li- 17, Sun Witch. Has black hair and ruby eyes. Is Syaoran's cousin, best friend, and advisor. Is a level three magician (enchantress).
Yukito Tsukishiro- 23, scholar. Has gray-white hair and brown eyes. Is Meiling's tutor and a close friend to the Wasureru family. Is the false form of Yue, the legendary Guardian. It is not really known what what his level of power is.
Amamiya Manor, in Ayano of Fayet-Sorallé
Nadeshiko Kinomoto- 33, mage. Has dark hair and green eyes. Came to the Palace seeking help from her cousin, Sonomi, 8 years ago, but fell into a coma shortly after. Her grandfather, Masaki Amamiya, nurses her sleeping body.
Fuutie Chang- 21, student. Has long brown hair and brown eyes. Used to study under Sonomi, but now Masaki Amamiya teaches her. Is a level four magician (witch) but is about to take the Enchanter Qualifying Exam.
Tsukimine Shrine, in Ayano of Fayet-Sorallé
Kaho Mizuki- 28, High Priestess. Has long auburn hair and brown eyes. Serves as a diplomat between Fayet and Sorallé , and is good friends with Xiefa. Is a level two magician (mage).
Xiefa Li- 25, maid supervisor. Originally from Fayet. Has brown eyes and long brown hair. Lives at Tsukimine Shrine, but works at Wasureru. Is a level two magician (mage).
Fujiwara Mansion, in Ayano of Fayet-Sorallé
Miyako Fujiwara- 18, Sorceress. Has golden yellow hair and blue eyes. Is Syaoran's fiancée. Claims to be The Sorceress and own the Clow Cards. She is, however, a level one magician (sorceress).
Miya De Franc- deceased, sorceress. Had yellow hair and blue eyes. Hikaru's mother.
Hikaru Mizuki- 17, magician. Has yellow hair and blue eyes. Disappeared 7 years ago.
Spinnel Sun- Is the legendary Guardian, disappeared 7 years ago.
Fanren Zhang- 23, guardian. Has brown hair and eyes. Is Miyako's guardian/parent. A fire magician, but because she never took any Qualifying Exams (like her sister) it is not known what her level of magic is.
Fuutie Zhang- 23, guardian. Has brown hair and eyes. Is also Miyako's guardian. Is Fanren's younger twin sister, and sits in a wheelchair. A herbs specialist and an earth magician.
Clow Reed was the only royal son of Fayet-Sorallé . In an attempt to join the two countries, Emperor Landon Reed of western Sorallé married Princess Reline, the next queen of the eastern country Fayet. Through this alliance, they only produced one son to be the heir of the united countries. Throughout his years Clow proved to be worthy of his inheritance.
Because of his mixed heritage, young Clow was exposed to both sides of the world. Clow learned the differences, strengths, and weaknesses of each country. Fayetians and Sorallé ns both loved this young child alike. However, what saddened Clow the most was that even though both countries were tied together through the ruling of his parents, the cultures and people of each country did not mix. Clow hoped to bring the two countries even closer together when he was to inherit the throne.
By his parents, Clow was taught the magics of both countries. Clow excelled in using complete control over both very distinct magic practices. By the age of 10, Clow became the youngest magician, a term referred to all people who practice magic, to be promoted to sorcerer, the highest title granted to the most powerful practitioners. Clow became known as The Sorcerer.
At the age of 18, Clow was allowed to be an advisor at the Royal Palace. There, Clow was able to actively take part in making decisions concerning Fayet-Sorall by helping his parents. By the age of 20, Clow inherited the throne.
Clow appointed Maki from Fayet and Madoushi of Sorallé to be his advisors. Maki and Madoushi were not also fellow sorcerers, but rising legends as well. Maki became known as the Sun Witch of the East because of her unrivaled magic of earth, which follows under the sun. Madoushi became the Moon Mage of the West because of her famous visions with water, an element under the moon. This set up the design of today's government: the emperor must have an advisor from Fayet to be the Sun Witch as well as a Sorallé n advisor to be the Moon Mage.
Under the leadership of these three sorcerers, they succeeded in making Fayet and Sorallé prosperous. However, Clow's dream to have the two countries more united did not come out as well as he hoped. Many Sorallé ns refused to have any relations with Fayetians, and vise versa. There were few who thought differently, but both countries shunned those who did.
Around the 15th year of Emperor Clow Reed's reign, Fayet-Sorallé acquired the northern country Ayano. Although Ayano had no government of its own and a very little population growth, it was famous for its scenic beauty. The people who believed in Clow's dream settled in Ayano. These people became known as the true children of Fayet-Sorallé , while others still referred to themselves as Fayetians or Sorallé ns.
When Clow was 40, he still refused to marry. He ignored the other advisors' advice to marry either Maki or Madoushi. In an attempt to get the Emperor to marry and produce an heir, they brought in the beautiful Princess Vide Vací o from the southern country Karthac. The advisors, save for the Sun Witch and Moon Mage, told him that his marriage would create a helpful alliance between Fayet-Sorallé and Karthac. Clow still refused. That same night, Princess Vide tried to seduce the Emperor, but was immediately punished by the Sun Witch and Moon Mage. Humiliated, the princess was sent back home.
However, a year later, Karthakis stormed the palace, led by Princess Vide. This started the epic battle called the Ten-Year War between Fayet-Sorallé and Karthac. However, because Fayet-Sorallé was never fully unified, Karthac won many victories. In the end, Clow had no choice but to surrender all of Fayet, Sorallé , and Ayano to Karthac. Queen Vide allowed Clow, Maki, and Madoushi to live out the rest of their lives in the palace, guarded by Karthac soldiers, as the new palace of Fayet-Sorallé was located in Karthac. Now, Fayet-Sorallé was under the strict dictatorship of Karthac.
It was rumored that while under house arrest, Clow tamed 52 elemental spirits and bound them into cards. They became known as the Clow Cards. It was also rumored that Clow created 3 keys to control the cards: one for him, one for Madoushi, and one for Maki. While his bird key could control all the cards, Madoushi's moon key could only direct elements under the moon, and Maki's sun key could only rule those elements under the sun. Clow created two guardians, Cerberus and Yue. Maki created Spinnel Sun, and Madoushi created Ruby Moon. These four guardians were said to protect the cards and the ones who would own it. Eventually, all three Sorcerers died.
100 years later, the people were tired being oppressed by Karthac. The Li Clan, a clan that claimed to be heirs of Clow, led a rebellion composed of Li Clan warriors to the Karthac palace. Though many warriors died that day, it did not stop the Fayetians and Sorallé ns to join the Li Clan and fight back. It was a year battle called the Li-Karthac War. Throughout the battle, the different countries fought side by side and finally called themselves Fayet-Sorallé ns. In a desperate attack, the Karthakis destroyed the Li Estate and killed most of the Li Clan. It was called the Great Fire, and it also killed the rebellion's leader, Xiaolong Li. Kazumi Tereda took up leadership and led the final raid to the Karthac palace. King Rylan De Franc, the Karthaki king, surrendered by drinking a potion called the Death Sleep, killing himself. The remaining Karthakis were sent to the dungeons forever.
Kazumi Tereda was crowned the first Fayet-Sorallé Emperor for nearly 100 years. However, he promised that its leadership would return to the line of Clow. As soon as the Li Clan was able to produce a suitable heir, this prince would be the next emperor. Since then, Fayet-Sorallé has been living in peace.
However, old habits die hard. Fayetian and Sorallé n culture has not been mixed and Fayet-Sorallé is not as tied together as Clow hoped it would be. Though leaders are working to achieve Clow's goals, many people believe it will take Clow's heirs to reach it. And still, the people of Fayet-Sorallé are waiting for Clow's heirs.
"My heir will be the successor of my magic. She will be known as The Sorceress as I have been called The Sorcerer. Guided by the Guardians, she will face many challenges to protect Fayet-Sorallé . With the Key in one hand, and the Cards in another, she will be able to do what even I was not able to. I do not know how she will do this, but I know she will not be alone. With the Sun Witch and the Moon Mage at her side, my daughter will be able to bring Fayet-Sorallé what it was meant to be. Loved by all, she is the greatest hope of Fayet-Sorallé ." -Emperor Clow Reed, from the last page of his journal
---From the drafts of The Life of Emperor Clow Reed, by Naoko Yanagisawa
AN: I live for reviews.