Dark flew into Krad at the exact moment that Mr. Hiwatari raised the axe and began to bring it down but in that instant time seemed to slow and then stop.
"Hiwatari, what's going on?" Daisuke asked, still on top of him from knocking him out of the spell.
"I don't know," Hiwatari looked around as both ignored their somewhat curious position. "There," Hiwatari pointed to the shimmering figure that was beginning to take form only a few feet away. It was impossible to tell what she really looked like because of the golden light around her but they could tell it was a woman and that she was very pretty. They could tell she had short hair that didn't even brush her shoulders and was wearing a floor length dress that hugged her upper body and slowly flared out in graceful folds.
"Who are you?" Satoshi asked slightly harshly. She said nothing and stayed where she was as she continued to study them.
"What do you want?" Daisuke asked quietly and almost gently.
"To help you. Both of you," her voice was soft as velvet rubbed the right way. Her eyes thought, they were deep and clear. They looked so full of knowledge and yet gentleness that both boys felt safe and relaxed almost immediately. "The axe will miss and break," they froze and watched her. "There is an art work that can help you. When the axe misses and breaks it will release a spell that traps everything around it. It stops everything except time."
"Then how can you help us?" Daisuke asked curiously.
"I can protect you from the spell. You would be frozen in here but I can remove you from this as well. Dark and Krad will be stuck here but you will both have your own bodies. You can leave. The spell is only temporary and will eventually break." She still hadn't come any closer. Satoshi gently pushed Daisuke off him and Daisuke blushed realizing why she had been reluctant to come closer.
"Will you come closer?" Satoshi asked softly. Slowly she approached them and sat down in front of them. "Are you the one holding time?"
"No, I called in a favor from an old friend. She cannot hold it much longer so I will explain quickly. When you are free you must find and enter the world of the statue."
"The world of the statue?" Daisuke leaned forward in interest. Satoshi looked confused and frowned.
"The statue I'm sending you to is a gateway to another world. You need to know that there are only two ways to exit once you're in. Either the mistress of the place releases you or one of you stays behind. Once this spell has broken Krad and Dark will both return to inside you. In that world they will have their own bodies but none of their magic. It will be prohibited. You have to get in and out on your own."
"Does," Satoshi hesitated before trying again, "Does the one who stays behind have to volunteer?"
"No, he simply must be the last to try to leave. The spell will catch him and hold him."
"Why are you helping us?" Daisuke was frowning now.
"I knew Krad once, a long time ago. He was once as kind and gentle as Dark but power consumed him and he became what he is now. Krad was once my friend," her voice wavered slightly.
"You loved him," Satoshi said and Daisuke looked stunned.
"I still do little friend. I was unable to help him back then but now I must do what I can to protect others. It would be what he would have wanted all those years ago. Will you accept this?" She waited as the two thought it out.
"What happens when we leave?" Daisuke asked after looking at Satoshi. She could see his concern for his friend but said nothing, Satoshi had seen that look as well.
"It will depend on what happens inside the other place. If things go well then you will each be given a gift. If not you will return in the exact same condition you arrived in just one person short."
"How do you know this statue will want to help us?" Satoshi frowned. He wasn't going to try something unless he was sure it would work but the gasp of pain that came from between the woman's lips surprised him.
"I don't have enough time to explain, I've been gone to long as it is." She was beginning to fade away. "The statue is called 'The Eternal Heart'." Then she was gone.
Time sped up again and the stranger woman's words proved true when Mr. Hiwatari's foot slipped and the dark axe shattered against the floor. Then something extraordinary happened, a bright flash of light blinded everyone.
Daisuke sat up and rubbed the back of his head before scrambling to his feet and over to Satoshi, "Hiwatari!"
"Niwa?" Satoshi opened his eyes and propped himself up on his elbow.
Dark? DARK? DARK! "Hiwatari, I can't feel of hear Dark," Daisuke's voice was filled with concern.
"I know, Krad is gone as well," Satoshi said as Daisuke helped him up. He froze, his eyes wide, as he stared at the sight in front of him. Daisuke looked over his shoulder and saw Dark and Krad frozen in a crystal. "She told us this would happen," Satoshi whispered.
"Hurry," they turned and she stood not far away, her voice was only a whisper. "You have only three days. Good luck my friends," then she was gone. Satoshi was the first to move but he nearly fell. Daisuke caught him and put an arm around his waist while pulling one of Satoshi's arms around his own shoulders. Satoshi smiled in thanks as the two slowly headed outside and then towards town.
"Uh, Hiwatari?" Daisuke's face was slightly red; "Did you want to stay at my house?"
"No, thank you but I think I'll do some searching on my own." Satoshi smiled at his friend and stood on his own. He nearly fell but when Daisuke reached for him he regained his balance and reassured Daisuke, "I'm fine." They stood in silence for several minutes before Daisuke spoke, "We have three days so we better get to work."
"Yes," Satoshi nodded in agreement.
"I'll call you if I find anything," Daisuke smiled and turned to run home. Satoshi watched him go with a faint smile on the edge of his lips before turning and heading off to do his own research.