"No!" Why can't you come with us?! It'll be easier to fight with the whole group together!" Syaoran exclaimed.
Sakura and Itonami's reunion was cut short when they had to return to Pangea. When they got back, Sakura immediately announced that she would not be traveling with them to Galatas Kingdom.
Sano scratched his head, "That'll be a hard blow on us. Kurogami, Kenshin, and Basara will also be leaving. All the powerful people will be gone…"
Chie elbowed Sano, "They are not obliged to protect Lady Izumi since they aren't here as mercenaries the first place. And besides we are doing a pretty good job."
"That may be true but the last time we fought against the Queen, we barely got away. What if they come back?" Yuuko asked. Even she is worried about Sakura leaving.
"That won't happen." Basara stood behind Sakura but because of his tall built, he could easily look over her head. "Galatas Kingdom has an internal conflict. A rebel has already started to rise against the Queen. She will not be able to bother you if her goal is to rule the kingdom. Her hands would also be full of Phantoms too."
"But there is also Sicar-" Sakura interrupted Syaoran by grabbing his hand.
"Let's speak alone." She pulled him away from the crowd. After they were far enough so that the others could not hear, Sakura stopped and turned around with a serious face.
"Syaoran. I have to go find Eiyu. You should send Lady Izumi back and return home too." She placed one of her hand on his cheek and caressed it.
"Isn't there some other way…? I feel like once I let you go, I would never be able to see you again." He pulled her into an embrace and whispered sadly into her ears.
She hugged him back, "I also do not wish to separate from you but it is what I must do."
He pulled away from the hug with his hands on her shoulder as an idea suddenly came to him, "I'll go with you!"
"No." Sakura replied and his face immediately fell. It hurted him even more that she didn't even bother to ponder about it.
His hand slipped off from her shoulder. He began backing away as his as his face became emotionless, "Do you even like me?"
Those words came to her as a surprise and she was shocked that he asked that, "Whaa...what are you saying? Of course I d-."
"Oh really?" He asked sarcastically , "Then how come it doesn't seem like that's the case? You were planning on leaving from the beginning, weren't you?"
Sakura fell silent and looked down. After the appearance of the Primeval God of Water, she knew that she had to leave them someday. And that day just became today.
Syaoran covered his face with a hand and released a self-deprecating laugh, "Not even bothering to tell a lie to make me happy. You really played me for a fool." He turned around and began walking back.
"No, Syaoran! It's not like that!" To his surprise she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and held onto him. "It is just that I have to go. Yue already sent Phantoms to protect the temple but I just know...I know that Sicarius will somehow unseal Reiton. By that time, my only hope is that Eiyu, Tadao, and Sora will also be around to stop him. I don't want you to go through what I've been through before."
Hearing her desperate cry, Syaoran's disheartened mood started to melt. His hand unconsciously covered hers and squeezed them as if giving her support. He then turned around and pulled her into a hug again. "An urgent message arrived from the Li Kingdom. Mei Lin read the message and said Shiraishi has been gone for few weeks. No one knows her whereabouts so father requested me to return to see if she'll appear at my arrival. I'll come back to you after I find her."
"Hmmm…" Sakura thought for a bit, "Shiraishi, your childhood lover?"
Syaoran frowned, "She was not my lover. Nothing started between us. It was only a mere crush."
"You are returning now. Some spark might appear once you see her again. Or maybe your father will force you to marry her. Or -"
"My heart is with you. That is all that matters. If my father force me to marry her then I'll just leave. I do not care if the title of prince is stripped away from me. I am already use to living the life of a mercenary. And besides, my eldest brother, Fang, is still there to succeed the throne. My disappearance will not change anything."
"But still, I feel like Shiraishi is obsess-." Before she could finish her sentence, Syaoran crushed his lips onto hers.
It was a quick kiss. He pulled back slightly and whispered next to her ear, "Enough about her. The one that should be obsessive about me is you."
Once again his lips covered hers. This time he gave her a long passionate kiss. A kiss that will hopefully make up for the future days they wouldn't be with each other.
He withdrew and saw Sakura with half lidded eyes filled with lust. He covered her eyes with his hand and sighed, "Don't let anyone see that expression."
His left hand held her hand inside while his right hand played with the pink lacrima necklace. "We need to return now. I don't know when the next time I see you will be but I'll always be thinking about you. If you ever miss me you can look at the lacrima."
Her eyebrows furrowed together with sorry. As if knowing what she's thinking, Syaoran gave her a kiss and did not release before biting her.
She winced from the light pain and Syaoran flashed her a mischievous smile.
"You don't need to give me anything. I'm happy just knowing that you're mine." He grinned.
Her face flushed red and pushed him away, "Who...Who's yours?!"
"You." He replied straightforwardly.
"Nope." She turned around and began walking toward the main road, "I am not yours, but you are mine."
Syaoran's laughter echoed through the quiet forest, "That works too!"
They came back in time to see Kasumi clinging onto Faust and crying out loud, "I am going with Faust!"
Faust couldn't help but continue grinning as he comforted her. He was happy that Kasumi was so in love with him.
Lady Izumi sighed, "Kasumi! This is a serious issue. Faust is not playing around and Sakura have important things to do. She cannot bring you along and protect you all the time."
Hearing her mother's words, Kasumi's grip only tightened.
"Kasumi." Faust faced her, "You should go with Lady Izumi for now."
Kasumi got depressed when Faust did not help persuade. But the next words that came out of his mouth apparently made today the happiest day of her life. Faust's face beamed as he spoke, "I promise I will come to get you. And by that time, I will make you my bride."
The group stood rigid, stunned to the point of being speechless.
Ryder choked on the water he was drinking and began coughing non-stop, "Our..cough...pri...cough cough...princess engaged?"
The girls recovered from their shock and squealed with delight.
Lady Izumi remained silent. She may have rejected their relationship before but knowing that he is a prince changed her views. Both of them are royalties from two different kingdoms and there is no better marriage than this.
Faust took of his necklace that was hidden under his clothing. The string was made with strong leather that purposely forged to prevent the strings from breaking. And hanging off of the string was a silver medallion with a detailed carving of a hawk. Its wings spread out with its talons at the front, ready to capture its prey. Its eyes were made of rubies, making the hawk more fearful. And behind the medallion was engraved with his name 'Faust Bonaparte of the Castanea Kingdom'.
"..." Ty stared at the medallion, already recognizing what it is.
"Is that…?" Yamonosuke whispered."
"Yea." Eriol responded without Yamonosuke finishing his question, "It's a jewelry made solely for the royalties of Castanea. A necklace that is worn at the day of birth."
"I've read it before in a book too." Tomoyo said astonishingly, "If Faust is giving something that important to Kasumi then he must be really serious about her."
Kenshin looked away. He knew he should stop Faust from giving it away however he could not bring himself to intervene.
"We should leave now." Basara interrupted, "If we begin departing now, you guys will be reach a city before sunset so you won't need to camp in the woods." He leaped onto a horse and waited for rest of them to get on.
Apparently Basara and Kenshin got their own horses while Faust will be riding with Sakura, and Ito will be riding with Kurogami. With them riding a horse, they'll be able to reach the Primeval God of Water faster.
"Let's go." Ty said as Ryder helped Lady Izumi get on the carriage.
Watching Lady Izumi's group disappear, Sakura finally left.
Faust thought he was already use to traveling but until today, he finally know how it feels like. They have been traveling the whole day and the only time they stopped were for food or a short break. It was much more different than traveling with Lady Izumi since they had to make constant long stops for Kiyoshi and Kasumi's sickness.
Everyday around evening, Faust would start nodding off on the horse. His head would back and forth, or right to left. His body fell backward into Sakura's chest and they would hear him softly snoozing.
Kenshin stiffened whenever he saw it happening since Faust was leaning against Sakura's chest. The first few times Kenshin nervously asked if she wanted Faust to ride with him.
Sakura just laughed softly and said it was fine. To Sakura, Faust is still a little boy and Faust, himself was not disturbed by such contact. To him, Sakura is a teacher and like a mother.
Since they were constantly traveling, within four months they reached the border that separated the Northern and Southern countries.
After successfully passing through the two gates, they entered the Kingdom of Katin.
Right away, they already notice that majority of the population is made up of halves. All of which were wearing chokers on their neck that signifies slavery. The chokers were trackers and electrocutors that slave owners can set off.
The group went into a restaurant and quietly ate their own meal while eavesdropping the surrounding conversations.
(Imagine a conversation between two men.)
"I heard the Queen of Galacta was killed. It turned out that she confined the king."
"Heh." Another man chuckled, "To be controlled by a woman. Galacta must have a weak king. A weak king breeds weak country."
"Jeez don't you know? People say the Queen is part of Sicarius."
"Sicarius? What is this? The Chaos Era? Come on man. Be serious. As if it still exist."
"Haven't you heard? The Demon Wolf Clan and Phantoms intervened. That's why the Queen couldn't get away at all."
"What?! The Phantoms? Really? The Queen is a dead meat. The mysterious Lord Yue of Accera rarely intervenes. If he sent Phantoms out on the open like that then it must be serious."
"That's exactly what I'm thinking too. Other than this, there's also the attack that happened during the tournament at Xonasen. I was there when it happened. The Nine Tail Fox demon was the largest and strongest demon I've ever seen in my life. So many fighters were killed that day. Also when the hyena demon died he said 'Sicarius shall rise again.' Everyone was terrified but nothing serious happened after that so everyone just thought that it was some work of a powerful demon who tried to use Sicarius' fame."
Faust beamed as he spoke, "I'm glad Kasumi's father is safe now."
Sakura nodded, "Roy and Nekare must have got there in time to help. And Yue dispatched the Phantoms immediately after hearing the Queen's relation with Sicarius."
After resting for a day, they finally headed to the port. When they got there they realized that most of the ships were used for trading. There were only a few that allowed passengers on board and they were already packed.
Sakura sighed, "We don't have much time. This is bad."
"I'll go ask around." Kenshin left the group.
"What are we going to do now?" Faust was bored since there was nothing much to do in the town.
Sakura looked to the side as she spoke, "It can't be helped. We'll just have to find another wa-. Umphh."
She walked straight into a half aqua demon. His gills flared out, not from anger but from surprise.
The half with his head down immediately froze. Without lifting up his head the half bowed numerous time. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" He apologized in one breathe, apparently afraid that something will happen to him.
Before Sakura could answer, a loud voice rang out from behind the half, "What are you doing standing around?! Hurry u-!"
The owner of the voice came up from behind the half and was about to yell at the half until he saw Sakura. It was a handsome man with an aura of royalty. His long hair ied half way with the other half neatly rested on his shoulders. The fan on his right hand smacked on his left palm, causing it to close. His eyes twinkled brightly at the sight of the beauty in front of him, "I hope this slave of mine did not harm you. Please forgive me for not teaching my slave correctly."
The half stiffened at his words. And Sakura could read his horrified expression. The man's meaning of teaching was 'punishing'.
Sakura released a soft smile, "It is not his fault at all. I was the one that was not keeping my eyes on where I'm walking."
The man smiled, knowing that she is trying to defend the half. And just because that he could tell she is from the North. But that did not matter to him because the gentle feelings she have for the halves gives him a nice fresh feeling in a woman.
"We will take our leave now. Good bye." She continued and grabbed Faust's hand. She started to walking pass the man when the man went in front of her, forcing them to stop.
"Does miss need to get on a ship? I have a personal one. If needed I will greatly help you and your friends."
Kurogami pulled Sakura back annoyingly, completely ignoring the fact that she almost stumbled. Itonami held onto Sakura before she fell. Both did not say anything since they were already use to his attitude.
He opened a map and pointed at the middle of the ocean. "We need to get back within two weeks or less. Can you do it or not?"
Hearing Kurogami's rude tone, the man's servant on the side yelled out, "How dare you!"
The man raised his fan and the servant went quiet. He smiled at Kurogami, not feeling offended at all. "Please come with me."
"Kenshin!" Faust yelled and he came back quickly. He glanced at the man but did not ask any questions.
They began following the man but the group was walking slowly so the distance between them and the strange man increased.
Their foot reached the sand on the way to the shi. Kurogami felt something crush below his foot and he ignored it.
The next few steps scorpions popped out of the sand, right next to his feet. He picked up one of it on its tail. His brows furrowed and dropped it back into the sand.
"You two. Come here." He walked to an isolated place with Basara and Kenshin. Kurogami appeared later on while Basara and Kenshin disappeared.
"What happened?" Ito whispered quietly.
Kurogami's grimaced, "Sicarius and demons are working together. They're on the move. We'll talk more later."
Sakura and Faust reached the ship before the couple so the man decided to strike up a conversation.
It turned out that he is the only prince of Katin, Delos. Everytime he spoke he always had a smile on his face and his eyes were glued to Sakura. Faust just rolled his eyes while a wry smile was pasted on Sakura's face. She wanted to get away really badly but it would be rude especially when he is helping them.
To Sakura's dismay, Delos end up giving them a tour around his grand ship. Kurogami and Ito longed excused themselves. Faust also wanted to leave but Sakura glared at him and silently threatened that if he leaves she will not teach him magic for a week. Faust of course end up staying and followed behind. He don't even know how many times he yawned. And when Delos finally decided to leave them alone, it was already night time.
After dinner, Faust plopped onto the bed and Sakura went to the elf couple's room. By the time she got there, they were already waiting for her so she quickly sat down in front of them.
"I got message from Clementine that the demons and Sicarius is working together to unseal Reiton. Yue already sent Phantoms to protect the Temple of Chaos but I sent Basara and Kenshin there incase." Kurogami explained the news he got from the scorpion he picked.
Sakura's hand tightened to a fist, "Do...Do you guys think they'll be able to defend the temple before we get there?"
It's lip tightened to a line. They all knew, if Sicarius is prepared to do something then they really are prepared. Especially when it is something as serious as unsealing Reiton. Even if all the members of Sicarius die, they will succeed. And with such ambitions members, it is hard to conclude that the even the Phantoms will be able to defend.
"It takes three days to get to the temple on horse." Kurogami did not answer her, "But if you teleport there it'll probably be fast. After we get Eiyu, we will head straight there."
"Mhm." came Ito.
Sakura just nodded and reached for a cup of water to drink.
"There is one thing I do not get." Kurogami said. Both girls looked at him surprisingly. Is there something that even Kurogami do not know? He ignored their stares and continued, "I found out that 5,00 years ago, Reiton sealed the Mother of Demon behind the Black Orb."
The lid on the cup in Sakura's hand cluttered as her hand shook from surprise.
Chi, the Mother of all Demons is an ancient creature that existed before the Chaos Era. It is said that the life force of any creature with a trace of demon blood is directly connected to her. Therefore, she cannot be killed and can only be sealed. The only way to kill her is if every demon and half in the world is dead.
However, the news of Chi is not what shocked them. It is the fact that Reiton was the one who sealed her, and not only that. None of the Gods even knew about it! But how is that possible? The battle of two powerful beings, with magic that rival the gods, must have shook the heaven and earth!
Ito recovered from the shock, "If Reiton battled Chi, there is no way he would get out unharmed. If that is the case then when he is fighting us…" She spoke out the next words uncertainly, "...he was injured."
Is that possible? But Kurogami's information is never wrong so it must be true. Sakura shivered when she thought of the battle with Reiton. Even when he is injured he was still able to put up such a grand battle and almost put all five of them in their death beds. The question in Sakura's mind is that if Reiton never battled Chi, would that have meant that the five of them would not have won the last battle?
Sensing Ito's discomfort, Kurogami pulled her onto his lap. He completely ignored the fact that another person was also sitting across the table. Seeing this, Sakura can't help but wonder if Kurogami ever feel embarrassed. Sakura just awkwardly looked away while Ito silently protested.
Kurogami's ability to stay composed is just amazing. Ignoring the flustered woman in his arms and the awkward woman across the table, Kurogami stated, "The past is the past. What I'm worried about is why are the demons working with Sicarius? Number 1, Reiton sealed their Mother. Number 2, Sicarius enslaved and tortured many demons in the Chaos Era. The one that wants Sicarius completely obliterated is most likely the demons. Is it just to find the Black Orb? It is just too unreasonable."
Something flashed across Ito's mind, "Of course the demons would not unseal their enemy. But what if their enemy has something they want?"
Sakura instantly got it. Sicarius has something the demons want. No, not Sicarius but Reiton. Reiton is the one that has what the demons need and he is probably the only one that has that information or thing. Discovering this just made Sakura even more exhausted. She signed, "It'll be good if Sora is here. We won't have to think that much."
Sora was a former General and returned being a mercenary after Sicarius' first annihilation which led to the fall of the city he lived in. He was a strategic general and was very skillful in predicting his opponents' moves. That's why he does most of the thinking in the group and the other four gods obligingly follows his lead.
Kurogami's lip formed a straight line as he spoke out unwillingly, "I will go find Clementine after we return to the shore."
~ Scene. Change. Three Days Later. ~
The sun shone brightly above Sakura's head. She stood at the edge of the ship with one arm resting on the rail. Her eyes were glued to the gentle waves but anyone who sees her will know that she is not paying attention to the beautiful ocean at all. Her mind wandered off to Sicarius and the demons. Once again, humanity risk extinction.
"Miss Sakura." Sakura jumped from the sound. She didn't even hear anyone coming at all. She turned around to see Ushio, the half standing there. "Oh it's you. You scared." She placed her right hand on her chest to calm her heart beat down. "Do you need something?"
He looked down shyly and blushed under her gaze. Being a half from the South, rarely would anyone treat them properly especially someone as beautiful as Sakura. The last few days he realized what type of personality she have which makes him respect her even more.
Prince Delos wanted to punish him but Sakura will always end up saying something to defend him. And since the prince does not want to look bad in front of her, Ushio would end up getting away without punishment. And because of this, he is full of gratification.
He thrust a coat in her arms, "It is windy out here. You should wear a coat if you stay outside."
Sakura didn't even realize how cold and stiff her fingers were. She happily accepted the coat and thanked him as she wore it.
"What are you guys doing?" Delos came up from behind Ushio. Sakura could read that he was dissatisfied that she was chatting nicely to a half. When his gaze met hers, his frown was instantly replaced with a bright smile.
Sakura returned with a force smile. Before she could answer, a large thunk shook the whole ship. She lost her balance and fell forward. Delos took advantage of this as she fell into his chest and he wrapped his arm around her waist.
He was proud of himself as if he saved her from a dangerous situation at first. But his air of complacency did not last long when a second attack broke the huge ship in half. Everyone near the edge of the ship fell into the water from the second rattle. Some were standing in the middle of the boat clung onto whatever was closest to them while others did not react in time and end up sliding down the ship and end up landing in the water. No matter how much they struggled to survive it was all a vain because the whole ship quickly sank.
Sakura wasn't afraid of drowning since she could swim and not to mention, her ability to manipulate water. Her only worries were the others. Her mind first flew to Faust. She swam around to look for others but it took a while because because of the large ship and its broken parts. When she saw they, Faust was already protected by Kurogami and of course Itonami was with them.
She did not have time to get close to them because she felt something pulling her back. She looked back and her heart almost leaped out. It was not a half nor a demon. It was a whirlpool! No matter how strong her magic is, she can not defy nature! People call her a god but in reality she is still just a mortal woman.
Before she could react, a hand slipped around her waist and she was immediately pressed against a broad chest. Her eyes squinted because of the strong water current but she could still distinguish who it was; Ushio. She was surprised that he is trying to save her and not his master. But she immediately figured it out. Ushio never liked Delos because how he treats the halves. If they were to die, of course Ushio would choose to save the person that sincerely treats him nicely.
All her thoughts dispersed when she felt the water currents stronger. Ushio was trying to swim out quickly but the pressure was pulling them back. The speed of the whirlpool increase and everyone was swallowed into the vortex.
Sakura started to control the direction of the water. But she instantly panicked when she found out that her magic didn't work at all! Her mind quickly flash through various possible reasons and there really aren't many. Her body is recovered so the problem should not be her. So the only reason is that the magic composition of the water is changed. And the one powerful enough to control the whole ocean is the Primeval God of Water.
She began struggle for air and her nose quickly burned from inhaling water. It was at this moment when she felt the water disappeared. She instantly coughed and breathed in air.
When she finally noticed her surrounding, her line of sight landed on the Primeval God of water that was sitting on a throne.
The large room is completely made of water. She was surprise that it is able to keep up its structure but think again, it is afterall a god's castle. The throne was placed on a platform one inch above the ground. The middle of the room was a long white rug, creating an aisle.
Itonami and Kurogami were also in the room however the rest of the group were gone.
Sakura's brows furrowed because she didn't see Faust but her worries disappeared immediately because Primeval Gods does not interfere with human lives, which means they will not kill humans.
"Ah~" The water god smiled at Ito, "Another beautiful goddess freed." Kurogami did not bother to hide his resentful glare and pulled Ito behind him. That action only made the water god chuckled.
"I won't keep you guys here for long." The water god held his palm up and a miniscule cube appeared. The size of the cube increased and he threw it in front of the three.
BAM. The human size cube hit the ground.
Sakura and Ito neared the cube. They leaned closer to peeked in and saw Eiyu frozen inside. He was sitting as if he was leaning on a wall. His back was hunched with his head hung down. His bangs fell in front of his eyes but they could still see that his eyes were closed.
Both of his hands fell lifelessly beside his body. The bandages wrapped in hsi arms were all torn, leaving visible bloody wounds. But that injury compared to the wound on his stomach was nothing. There were three large fist size hole and they could literally see through it.
Ito stood up and asked, "May you melt the ice so I can heal him?"
The water god leaned his head on his arm and yawned, "Sakura's power returned. She can do it."
Without waiting for them to respond, he already yelled out to the servants outside. "Bring all of them inside."
The door opened and the first one that was pushed inside was Faust. Behind him was Prince Delos, his servants, and several crew members that sailed the ship.
"You guys wasted too much time here." The water god spoke dispiritedly. His face and voice showed how disinterested he was but Sakura did not fail to see the slight glint in his eyes. It was only a moment but she saw it. Which means something interesting will happen and will keep him entertained. "It's already too late. I'll assist you a bit."
"What do you mean too la-." Sakura did not even get to finish her question and a rush of water pushed them out of the room instantly and into the ocean.
Sakura closed her eyes and held her breath. The strong water current dragged them further into the ocean. Seconds later she felt the weight of her body increase. She opened her eyes and found out that everyone shot out of the ocean like cannons, however it did not stop there. Their bodies continued flying toward one direction in an amazingly fast speed. Everyone was spread but they were heading toward the same direction. Those who are not fighters were screaming with all their might while others just stayed in a daze. The only ones that were able to think rationally are probably the three from the ancient era.
Sakura was thinking that the water god just wanted to send them back on land. But she got confused when the shore flashed past them. Just where is the water god sending them to?
And then shortly after, they heard a loud roar. The roar sent shivers down to the cores of their bones. Every strand of hair stood up and Sakura's body automatically reacted to the sound. She is too familiar to the sound. The sound which brought back painful memories of the battle field. The sound which could not be forgotten once heard. A Dragon's Roar.