Some time later,
Near the Li clan meeting room...
-H-hello! M-my name is Shinomoto Akiho! -Akiho shyly said while bowing, as she was still holding Momo in her hands. -...I-it's nice to meet you!
-Nice to meet you, Akiho-chan. -Sakura told her in a welcoming voice, as she gave her a light bow. -My name is Kinomoto Sakura. I hope we could be friends!
-Welcome to the Li clan, Shinomoto. -Syoran said in a calm voice, as he was secretly thoughtfully studying her. The way his mother suddenly left with Kaito was suspicious. -My name is Li Syoran. Glad to make your acquaintance.
None of them noticed the guardians looking at Momo,
Thoughtfully studying her up and down...
-...My name is Matthew D Williams...-Matthew said in a quiet voice, before pausing in sadness. If only he could remember anything else about himself...-...I have a mastery of defensive magic: I can break magical barriers, conceal others' presences, resist different kinds of magic and create an unbreakable barrier on one person of my choosing... -He explained still in a quiet voice, before bowing lightly. -...I am glad to make your acquaintance...And hope to be of help...
Sakura and Syoran turned to welcome him too,
As Touya was standing around and ignoring everything around him...
...
He was glaring at the door that Yelan and Yuna went through a few minutes ago,
Wondering what was so important that they didn't want anyone else to know about it...
...
What were they hiding...?!
At the same time,
Inside of Eriol's "mind",
It was eerily and awkwardly quiet...
-...Well, now that Shui went back...-Clow quietly said, looking concerned and slightly guilty. -...What do you suppose we should do...?
There was silence for a few seconds...
-...I didn't think that she would be this mad...-Eriol quietly said, as he sighed heavily. -...Are we really that oblivious and suicidal...?
Some time ago...
-...WHAT IN TIANSHENS NAME IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?! -Shui was yelling in outrage, as she glared between Clow and Eriol. -...FAKING YOUR OWN DEATH! TELEPORTING TIAN KNOWS WHERE! -She yelled as she shifted a death glare at Clow. -YOU THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE OKAY TO PLAY WITH PEOPLE'S FEELINGS LIKE THAT?! -Really, what a jerk! And he doesn't even see it as such! -...AND YOU! -She shifted a death glare at Eriol. -...YOU REALLY THINK THAT YOU DYING DUE TO MAGIC DEPLETION, EVEN IF IT'S TO SAVE THE WORLD, WOULD MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY?! DO YOU?!
She yelled some more,
Her voice vibrating thought the "chamber"...
...
There was uncomfortable silence for a few seconds...
-...Why did you two have to be so suicidal and oblivious...? -Shui said in an exasperated voice, before sighing heavily. -...Really, what is wrong with you...?
Eriol sighed heavily,
He was doing it a lot recently...
...
If Shui reacted like that to his "thanos gambit",
He shuddered to think how everyone else would if they knew...
...
They won't leave him alone,
And would probably start tailing him everywhere...
...
*If he survives that is...
...
-...It's not like there is much of a choice. -Clow suddenly said, in a reassuring voice. -It's either this...-He made a grave face expression. -Or everyone dying and their souls being absorbed...
-...They still won't accept it...-Eriol said in a quiet voice, as he looked into the portal window. -Even if there is no other way, they would never accept it.
There was silence for a few seconds,
As both Clow and Eriol thought about everyone's reactions...
...
Suddenly both of them felt a malevolent presence,
Which made them freeze up in horror...
...
Eriol sighed heavily...
-...Why now...? -Eriol asked out loud, sounding depressed. -...Why did the seal had to be broken now...? Why so recently after the last attack...?
-...Everything keeps going from bad to worse. -Clow said also sounding depressed, as he looked into the portal window. -...I hope that they are ready for what is to come.
The two exchanged understanding glances,
Thinking about what they had to do in the future...
-...I wonder who will die first. -Eriol and Clow simultaneously said, in an eerily calm voice. -...Would it be you, or would it be me...? -The two closed their eyes, before opening them with a look of resignation on their faces. -...Or would it be us both...?