much delegation, decided...nahhh....i'm gonna make this series just a slight bit longer, k? If that's all right with you of
course....please tell me if you have objections. If too many people object, I'll change this into the final chapter.
******
Sakura and Syaoran were poised on their toes, ready
to dodge at any instant. Drake laughed, and his eyes gleamed with
bottled power, the full charge of the Nothingness ready to be demonstrated.
But, he suddenly lowered down his magic.
" I find these physical contests a bore. Let us find
another way."
[ Speak.]
" I say we fight each other by wit, rather then
by strength."
[ Go on.]
" What say I create a planet that you must solve,
and if you do, you win."
" Wait!" Sakura stood forward," What will stop him
from cheating?"
" Let us choose an environment to begin our battle.
I don't suppose this would be the perfect place."
Sakura and Syaoran turned to each other in shock.
They'd forgotten. This wasn't a good spot to battle, because of all the
people.
[ All right, then, Nothingness. Create a suitable
field. But, don't be all day with it!]
" Min! What are you doing? He'll cheat."
[ You're right. He will. He'll use every dirty trick
in the book. But this time, I'm ready.]
" Do I detect a little over confidence?"
[ We cards are not as you humans. We do not declare
ANYTHING, until we are absolutely sure. Which I am. I am the
Assassin after all. I've been following my instinct for years.]
The world around them melted, and a new one appeared. It was a dark cavern, the floor made of navy swirled marble. Panels lined either wall with beautiful little seraphim statues standing there. And in the center of it all, at the far end, was a red panel, and tied to it...Sakura?? Min hissed in anger.
[ What trick is this? Were you not suppose to battle?
You are a coward!!!]
" Tsk, tsk, Assassin. I need not battle physically.
All that is required is to kill you, and my mission is complete."
[ In all the years, never have I seen a card as
yellow as you!!!]
" Yes. Well, this first task is simple. Save you
comrade!"
Syaoran growled and began to walk towards Sakura, who was tied, but not gagged. Suddenly, Min realized a trap too late.
[ Syaoran! Wait! Don't cross!]
Syaoran turned, and suddenly felt a sharp pain. He
looked down and saw a feathered dart portruding from his arm. Sakura's
eyes widened.
" No! Syaoran! Don't go!"
There was a streak, and immediately more darts came
flying out. Sakurea closed her eyes, but they opened unwillingly to let
her watch him suffer. But, he was not alone, of course. Min wrapped
her silver body around Syaoran, protecting him from the
needles until they were safely back. Min screeched angrily as she looked
at the many arrows sticking to her sleek length.
Syaoran began to help her remove them, but Min refused.
[ Don't touch them, they are poisoned.]
Syaoran immediately reached over, and wrenched the one out of his arm. He stared at it in shock, but Min smiled.
" He didn't poison that one. It was the first warning shot. He knew I wouldn't see it. That's why he gave me a second. Dishonor upon me. I deserve to die for not seeing it sooner. He is mocking me..."
The sound of laughter echoed throughout the cavern.
" Yes, Assassin. That is one of the many details I neglected to mention about this scenario. There will be others..."
Sakura could only stare helplessly. What was she
to do? She couldn't just stay here while the love of her life and her friend
were risking their lives to save her. No...
******
[ I must go alone. You stay here. You cannot die.]
" No, Min, I won't leave you to sacrifice..."
[ I will not be burdened by another! You stay!]
Syaoran watched in silence, as the Assassin took
the first slithering step into the line of fire. Phwip! Another added to
the
collection on her back. She hissed softly, but inside, her human form
was screaming, the poison beginning to take its effect. Her
eyesight began to swirl, but she shook her head and continued. More
darts, more pain. But still she continued, slithering down
the aisle of torture towards Sakura. It seemed like forever as the
hiss of fired darts continued, and the interminable sound of the
sharp points imbedding themselves in Min. At last, she reached the
safety point of the other side, and shook herself free of the
darts. But, that would help her little, as their 'gift' had already
been deposited, and was working its way up her body at this
minute.
[ Sakura, I have been observing the pattern of these
darts. Now, I want you to trust me. No matter what, do not stop or turn,
understand?]
" But, Min..."
[ Do you understand?!!]
Sakura nodded solemnly. Min pushed her into position
- on her butt - and before she could protest, shoved Sakura across the
slick marble. Darts whizzed past, but they were too high to be of any harm.
Syaoran was at the other side, and he wrapped her in a hug as she shot
into his arms. Meanwhile, Min slithered as low as possible towards them,
and the trio was reunited at the other end, but this would only start their
adventure through the puzzle board. What dangers would they peril?