Chapter Twenty-Eight

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

Behind an able man, there are always other able men.

~ Chinese Proverb

When the magical barrier that protected the Forbidden City was destroyed, Sheng felt a change within the City itself. He sat still for a while trying to sense what was out of place. He leapt to his feet. The beast! Sheng could no longer feel Harmless' barrier holding it and it was only a matter of time before it realised it was free.

A tremendous roar emanated from the heart of the City, shaking the very columns that supported it. Sheng clenched his jaw, his eyes closing briefly. It was already too late. It was an intelligent creature and the threat of him harming Sakura was the only thing that had controlled it the last time. He huffed. The Guardian Beast would have to wait. He had more pressing matters to handle. There was a small twitch at the corner of his lips.

Leave it to Enlai to pick such a crucial time to die.

Sheng ran down the steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and in one great leap, he soared into the air and landed on the wall of the City. He ripped his sword from its sheath. It glinted in the sunlight; a warning to all that should oppose it. Raising his free hand, he focused with all his might on the imperial soldiers. One by one, he felt himself rapidly connecting with them akin to the way a puppet master would connect with his toys by their strings.

He had hundreds of them now. Sheng fisted his hand and his eyes widened. He pulled his hand inwards and in an instant, the soldiers were uprooted and went sailing into the enemy ranks. Once more, Sheng grabbed onto the imperial soldiers and sent them crashing into his band of warriors. The third time, he grew ambitious. Sheng attempted to take hold of thousands. He felt his brain throbbing, but he ignored it. The soldiers careened into his men again who quickly took advantage of the imperial soldiers' predicament and sunk all manner of weapons into their flesh.

Sheng fell to his knee. He thumbed away the blood at his nose and sniffed. He was a little rusty but soon he would not be. He could see Harmless and Eriol still locked in battle below him. It was a strange yet satisfying sight to see the magician so ill at ease.

Sheng's gaze caught Yue's and he glared at the general. He was thinking of whether or not to engage Yue when the hairs on the back of his neck rose to attention. His head snapped around. A long arrow whooshed past his temple and nipped the tip of his ear.

"Yukito."

Yue's brother was standing in front of the throne, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. He already had another arrow sailing through the air. Sheng twisted gracefully out of the way. The colour of his red eyes intensified. He flexed his fingers and slowly flames wound around them. Yukito released yet another arrow but Sheng deflected with his sword.

A great flame flared up in the palm of his hand and Sheng took aim at Yukito.

"What a shame," he said, though Yukito could not hear his words. "I never hated you."

The flame spiralled towards Yukito so fast he merely had time to turn his back before being engulfed by it. Sheng looked back down at Yue who was in the middle of several enemy soldiers. They were keeping him busy. Sheng was about to join them when something caught his attention through the corner of his eye.

The flames he had produced had cleared away. Instead of a charred body, Sheng was greeted by two great white wings. They parted to reveal the Guardian Beast and a shocked Yukito.

Before Sheng could blink, the beast's mouth had opened, and a great fire issued from it. Sheng raised his hand to defend himself, but the force of the fire was overwhelming, and it knocked him backwards. He flipped mid-air and managed to land on his feet. A sword struck his armoured back and he spun around. The armours of the men nearest him were of imperial design. Sheng grinned. He could not have landed at a better spot.

Xiao Lang, come out come out, wherever you are.

Over an hour had passed since the battle had begun. The ground was littered with bodies. Yet men stepped on and over them, attacking the enemy without pause. There was nothing majestic about what was happening. It was no heroic story to tell children at night. It was pure sweat, blood and gore. Men slipped on the blood and brains of their friends as they themselves fought to survive.

Loyalty to their leaders was the last thing on the men's minds. The immediate thought was to live. Now all of them were scattered about and it was more dangerous than ever. As one fought with a single enemy, there were three more at his back. Blows that once came strong and swift had slowed, and men's knees weakened but still the blows came so there was rest for none.

Amid it all stood Harmless, staring down at a wounded Eriol. The Chief Magician could barely move and there was a thin sliver of blood at the corner of his lips. A mouthful of it lay near his head. His breaths were laboured, and he clawed weakly at the armour over his chest as though it were crushing him.

Yue had seen Eriol fall. He had seen Harmless return his swords to his back and raise his hands for one last fatal attack. Yue raised his own hand unleashing a horde of silver crystals. Harmless made an X with his hands to protect himself but the crystals tore at his arms and thighs. He slid back a few paces.

Before he could recover fully, Yue was in front of him bringing his jian down upon his body. But Harmless was quick and dodged the strike. Now his wrath turned upon Yue. Forgoing his swords, Harmless raised his palms and a burst of energy shot out, rushing to Yue who raised his own hand and formed a temporary shield with his energy.

Harmless made a quick series of intricate hand movements before sending burst after burst of dark energy at Yue. Yue was forced to move back as Harmless continually advanced, a look of utmost concentration in his eyes. Yue gritted his teeth. The assassin was powerful. He could not keep up the steady dome of energy that shielded him for much longer. His wings appeared at his back and he soared into the sky.

Just then, a searing pain ripped through his right wing and he dropped a few feet. An arrow had caught him. Yue's left wing flapped fast, trying to keep him airborne but it was not possible. His wings faded and he hit the earth with a sickening crunch. In an instant he was on his knees, his eyes searching for Harmless.

The man was running towards him. Yue dropped his sword and released his magic bow and drew one of his blue arrows. He let the arrow fly and Harmless raised his hand to defend himself, but it was too quick and hit his shoulder. He tumbled back in pain.

Yue notched a magic arrow to his bow a second time. Harmless was shaking and his face was covered in sweat, but he was on his feet. Yue took aim. Then blinked. Harmless had vanished. Then the assassin was behind him. He spun around only to collect a kick to the stomach. It did not hurt. His armour protected him. However, the general's pride was wounded.

His eyes turned white as his equally white hair flew into the sky, wild and free. Harmless' eyes glowed violet and a great wind whipped around him. The earth shook as both men prepared to unleash their powers on the other.

Men nearby fell and scrambled out of their way. Yue and Harmless' body glowed with their magic - one of the Moon, the other of Darkness. Yue raised his bow, channelling all his energy into the arrow that he drew. Harmless drew his swords, swinging them in his hands in an intricate pattern. Just as Yue released his arrow, Harmless crossed his arms and struck the two swords together unleashing a silver burst of light.

The immediate vicinity was enveloped in their magic. It was like the Sun itself was swelling and all things, living and dead, flew back as the force of their attacks manifested in a devastating explosion.

Syaoran was on his feet, pouncing on enemy soldiers like a hungry wolf who had acquired the taste for men. He wasted no time by striking armour. Instead he chose to take limbs. Heads, legs, arms - they were all welcomed. All about him war raged like a rogue fire that spread faster and higher with each passing wind. He had developed some malevolent intent to the point that he left all command to his generals; all he could think about was the next life in his sight. It was fascinating the way he dictated the fates of these men and with each kill his blood lust grew.

A soldier made a blow to the back of his armour knocking him forward. Syaoran grit his teeth. He pulled out a dagger and spinning around, buried it in the man's left eye. Howling, the man fell back. Syaoran made to finish him when a pair of red eyes met his. Lu Sheng, the annoyance, the curse, the bane of his very existence was standing before him. In an instant, both men ran towards each other, but there were soldiers between them. They pushed and slashed and pushed some more trying to make contact with one another.

Then, a great light swelled up on the west of the battlefield. It grew and grew, and men momentarily stopped their attacks, gazing at it in wonder. All of a sudden, the light ruptured, and they all went careening backwards. Syaoran's cheek hit the ground hard as he skidded across it. Blood flooded his tongue.

He took off his helmet, his ears ringing. As men began to regain their brief loss of consciousness, they resumed where they had left off, albeit a bit slower and more confusedly. Syaoran swayed on his feet. His sword was still clutched firmly in his hands. About ten feet away from him, Sheng was rising to his own feet. He was not wearing a helmet to begin with and there was a bloody spot on his temple.

Syaoran raised his sword. Sheng saw him and raised his as well. On full alert, they crossed over the fallen men to each other, their eyes locked. Sheng gave a cunning smile.

"Xiao Lang."

"Sheng," greeted Syaoran, his tone cold.

The men rushed towards each other. Swords struck; they swivelled and struck again. They were matched stroke for stroke and they both hated it. Syaoran brought his blade down with such strength, it was as if Sheng was a nail and he was attempting to hammer the thing. Syaoran's feet left the earth as he threw his weight into each strike.

Sheng's defence was remarkable. He countered each stroke and his success might have been due more to intense attention to Syaoran's movements and will more than anything else. He took a leap back, drew a deep breath and pelted towards Syaoran. Their swords struck so hard, the blades trembled in their hands. Simultaneously, they gripped their shaking hands and glared at each other. They took two breaths, then sprinted to each other once more.

It was not so much a fight between men but that of animals; desperate, untamed, crazed animals. The fight was dirty. They slashed, blocked and sank fist and foot into any exposed flesh they could find. Sheng collected a blow to his face and enraged, he made a swipe at Syaoran, his fingernails etching three blazing cuts across the prince's face.

As their rages grew, the earth shook. Horses raised onto their hind legs, kicking their front limbs in a frenzy. Years of domestication were forgotten, and they ran wild through the soldiers, some lurching forward and crashing headfirst into the ground. It was pandemonium.

Sakura and Nakuru stared at the light that had shot into the sky. Even the soldiers and servants who were left behind were captivated by the sight. A chill ran through them as it ruptured, creating a harsh gust of wind that seemed to touch the ends of the earth.

"What was that?" asked Sakura, a bad feeling welling up in the pit of her stomach.

"That looked like the climax of a fight between magicians," said Nakuru, surprisingly serious, which struck fear into Sakura.

"This is why I wanted to go," said Nakuru. "Waiting here is torture. What if Touya was there in the middle of it? What if-?"

Sakura's heart pounded hard against her rib cage as a heart-breaking thought sprang to life inside her. Her hands flew to her mouth to hold in a sob. Nakuru, who was dressed in a small armour she had managed to find, turned to Sakura, a firm look in her eyes.

"I'm going."

"But onii-chan said-"

"I don't care what he said!" shrieked Nakuru. She took a steadying breath when the soldiers looked at her. "I'm sorry but I have to go."

"I'm coming with you," said Sakura.

"You can't," said Nakuru. "He'll kill me."

"He's my brother."

"You have no training."

"I have magic."

"Still. You have no training."

Sakura grabbed onto Nakuru.

"Eriol trained me a little. I don't intend to fight. I know that's ridiculous. I only want to be closer to him. To all of them. Like you said. Waiting is torture."

Nakuru shook her head.

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan."

Sakura took a step back.

"Then I'll wait for you to leave. Then I'll follow you. No one else here has magic. They won't be able to stop me or follow for that matter. Please reconsider, Nakuru-chan."

Nakuru looked into the distance then back at Sakura. Her shoulders heaved.

"Your son? He's a prince. He's not too young to have enemies."

Sakura smiled. She had been testing out the Cards Eriol had given her that morning.

"I can think of something."

They went into her tent, and Sakura lay her son down on the cot and wrapped him in his blankets snugly. She rummaged about her things and found what she was looking for - a simple, black hanfu. She threw off the heavy one she was wearing and dressed in it.

"Where are your Cards?" asked Nakuru.

Sakura handed them over to the woman and she shuffled through the deck, picking out the ones she thought would be useful.

"Illusion, Firey, Watery, Sword, Fly, Jump, Shield."

Perhaps it was because the dark clouds hung threateningly over them in the sky, but some internal force guided Sakura's hand, and she picked out the Light card. Then, she was left to stare at the Card that followed.

"Mirror."

She took it from Nakuru's hand.

"Watch this," she said.

"Key concealing the power of the stars, reveal thy true form before me. By our contract, I, Sakura command you! Release!"

She welcomed the familiar weight of her staff. She threw the Mirror out before her and brought the head of her staff down on it. It became pink like all her other cards she had made herself.

"Mirror!"

A blue lady emerged from the card and smiled politely at her. Sakura smiled back. This Card was the most formal one yet.

"I believe that what you do is take the forms of other things. Is that true?" she asked it.

Mirror nodded.

"Can you take my form?"

The Mirror closed its eyes and became an ambiguous shape. Little by little, Sakura saw a girl beginning to take shape and soon she was gazing into her own green eyes.

"Hoe... amazing…!"

The Card giggled shyly.

"Can you watch over my son?"

Turning to the boy, Mirror gave a firm nod. Sakura trusted Mirror but it was hard to part with her baby. This was a magical being, she reminded herself. He would be safe with it.

"I'll use the Shield over this tent."

Mirror returned her gaze to her Mistress. She shook her head.

"You'll be fine without it?"

Again, Mirror nodded.

"Then I'll be back soon."

Mirror smiled. Sakura was reminded of Harmless who did not speak, except she never saw him smile. She gave her son a kiss on the forehead.

"I love you," she whispered in his ear.

Sakura could not imagine what Syaoran would do to her if he knew what she was up to. She comforted herself with the knowledge that in the end he would excuse her choice when she explained her reasons to him.

Nakuru returned Sakura's Cards to her and Sakura made sure that the Erase was not among them. Then, she threw out the Illusion before her.

"Illusion, when the soldiers look at me, let them see a servant."

There was a rush of breeze and she looked down at herself. She appeared no different, but she felt magic in her veins. She steeled herself, and she and Nakuru walked out into the sunshine.

"You!"

Sakura and Nakuru froze. She panicked when she caught sight of Nakuru reaching for her sword. One of the two soldiers standing in front of her tent looked at her.

"I didn't see you go in."

"Neither did I," said the other one.

"Then she must be doing her job properly," said Nakuru. "Is she not supposed to be invisible?"

The soldiers clearly did not like being talked to in such a manner by some foreign woman, but one peeked inside Sakura's tent and turned back to her and nodded.

"Fine. Be on your way."

Sakura's mouth fell open, but she quickly closed it and together the women sped away before the guards could get another word out. Nakuru pulled her behind a tree. Large, pink and blue butterfly-looking wings appeared at the woman's back and her attire beneath her armour changed to a long white robe with intricate, pink and navy designs. Her locks had become a maroon hue and so were her sharp eyes.

"Onii-chan told me you had another form," said Sakura in awe. "Ruby Moon."

Suddenly, Nakuru became starry-eyed.

"He talks to you about me?!" she squealed. She raised her arms in triumph. "Yes! I knew he loved me!"

The striking new image of Nakuru was fractured as the woman clasped her hands together, her eyes glistening with romantic thoughts. She was able to get over the moment though without Sakura's intervention.

"Now sister-in-law, use you Fly Card."

Sakura released the Fly. Almost immediately she was twirling around in mild shock. It was not every day you had wings at your back. The wings twitched and she gasped. She had no time to get use to the strange sensation because Nakuru took her hand and soared into the sky.