The Precious Mirror: Discovery

"I don't believe you." Meryl snapped at Miaka. "All this nonsense about books, spells, and what-not. It's ridiculous!"

"Um. Meryl?" Millie tried to interrupt her partner's ranting.

"It's kind of hard to believe." Vash agreed.

"Uh. Mr. Vash?" Millie tried again to take part in the coversation.

"Even if you where telling the truth, what would we be able to accomplish?" Wolfwood added before taking a drag off his cigarette.

"Mr. Wolfwood?" Millie whispered as she tried to get his attention with no avail.

"It's true! I need you to help me find my friend Yui!" Miaka shouted loudly.

"I think I can help. I have the book you are talking about" Millie stated plainly, but was ignored by each person at the table.

"I have the book." Millie repeated louder.

"What?" They all turned and asked in unison.

"I said I have the book." Millie stated happily. "I found it in my bag this morning. I forgot I had it with me."

"You are trying to tell me that you have an ancient magical book in your bag?" Meryl asked incredulously.

"No. I have a book called Ssu-yuan Yu-chien. I never knew it was magic until today."

"How did you get it?" Miaka asked.

"It's been in my family." Millie added as she pulled a small black book from her bag. "Here it is."

Miaka looked at the book Millie had handed to her with disappointment. "This isn't the book." She sighed and lifted the cover.

Vash made a high pitched nervous squeal. Meryl groaned and rolled her eyes at the blonde outlaw.

After reading it for a few seconds Miaka closed the book. "This isn't the book that brought me here." She sighed unhappily.

"Oh," Millie smiled as she took the book from Miaka. "Well, maybe there is more than one copy of the book."

Millie stared at the cover of the book for a second, and a look of utter confusion crossed her face.

"The bookmark!" Millie shouted loudly as she rummaged through her bag. "It used to be attached to the binding of the book. But one of my brothers tore it off." She retrieved a thin red silk ribbon etched with Chinese symbols. She held it up so that everyone could see it.

Miaka reached for the ribbon. As her finger touched the bookmark resting in Millie's palm, the symbols began to change. The ribbon began to emanate a small red light.

"Please. Someone tell me that is NOT glowing!" Wolfwood whispered.

"The glowing red bookmark in Millie's hand is NOT glowing!" Vash hissed back.

Millie gasped and shook her head. "I feel funny…" she whispered.

"I'm going to regret doing this." Meryl said to herself as she snatched the bookmark from Millie's hand, and placed it in the book.

"Scary!" Vash screamed as he ducked behind his chair. An unusual wind entered the dusty bar and circled around their table. A dazzling red light began to radiate from the book.

"It's so warm in here…" Millie whispered as she stared at the book.

"Millie! Get away from the book!" Meryl shouted.

"Five warriors hold the key…" Millie reached for the book. "The key…"

"Millie?" Millie cried out. "Are you listening?"

"She's in a trance." Miaka shouted as the book began to grow brighter. A familiar warmth began to fill Miaka. Millie picked up the book and was enveloped in the light. Millie's voice filled the air as she read a passage from the book.

"The truth will be revealed to those who prove themselves worthy"

The moment Millie spoke the words the book burst into flames. Millie unfazed by the growing flames continued to read from the book. The others watched in amazement as the book changed shape in Millie's hands. As the flames died the remains of the book took the shape of a small crimson jewel.

As suddenly as the light came, it disappeared. While Meryl, Vash, and Miaka were visibly shaken, the other patrons of the bar seemed to act like nothing had happened at all. They looked at Millie. Her arms and hands seemed to have been untouched by the flames. Her normally clear blue eyes were cloudy and tinged with red.

"What the hell happened?" Wolfwood demanded.

"I don't know." Miaka stared wide-eyed at jewel that Millie clutched in her hands.

"I felt…a shift." Vash whispered. "It was like we were somewhere else."

"This is the book's true form. It is part of the Precious Mirror of the Four Elements. It's a key to other dimensions." Millie stated calmly.

"Millie, how do you know that?" Meryl whispered.

"That's not Millie." Vash whispered. "Someone is speaking through her."

"Who are you?" Wolfwood demanded.

"Don't you recognize me priestess?" Millie turned and looked at Miaka inquisitively.

Miaka gasped. "Suzaku?"

"Yes, priestess. I am able to speak through this one. She is pure of heart and mind. Trust her. She will guide you through your quest."

"What do you mean? What is this quest? Where is Yui? Is she on this world?" Miaka asked.

"No. She is lost in time."

"What does that mean?" Miaka cried.

"In the beginning of the second millennium, two girls blessed with the powers of the gods will free our world from this horrible curse. Separated by different worlds, and different times, they will face many dangers. They are the only ones who can find the celestial warriors who can summon the Four Pillar Gods. Only the Four Pillar Gods can control the Precious Mirror of the Four Elements, the gateway to dimensions, the key to other worlds. Then, and only then, the girls will be able to return home."

"I don't understand." Miaka said.

"You will. This jewel is the key to my power. Find the accursed soul with golden eyes. Priestess, please protect…"

Millie's eyes blinked rapidly, and she gaped wide-eyed at the others. "Hey! Were did the book go?"

End of Chapter 3

Auther's note: Whaddya think? Please R+R, emails are welcome