Chapter 5-Eriol
Given that according to the carvings, Syaoran has a choice of life and death, the odds with each other, we all grew a little more hopeful. But Syaoran broke down, even the stone couldn't save him.
Yue, having heard voices in his head in the beginning and then stopped, began hearing them again. He didn't really freak out like he almost did before, because instead of questioning his capabilities, the dead told him what to do. So instead of haunting Yue, they began to haunt Syaoran in his dreams, telling him that he must live, that he must, or else he will face dire consequences. A threat towards the good. But Syaoran couldn't handle that.
The poor child looked horrible. Yue did the best he could. And the child wouldn't let anyone near him, except Sakura, Yue, Xuyan and me. He shrank from Tomoyo as if she had a gun, from Kaho as if she was a witch. He cringed and always sought Yue's protection.
Something had terrified the boy, something powerful, but he would mention none of it. I heard him once, mumbling, sobbing to Yue of why they had gone back to the cave in the first place. Yue knew I was there, but Syaoran didn't. And the guardian and father gave me a pleading look, asking me what to do.
I honestly didn't know.
Vacation was over for the college students. On the second week of April,
Yukito had to go back. Xuyan had to go buy groceries; Syaoran could no longer do
that. He might have went over to Sakura's if Sakura was at home, but she and
Touya went out, Fujitaka had went on a trip, and quite frankly, I was the only one
left. I couldn't let him come over, it would be just stupid-he would have to face
Spinel, Nakuru, and Kaho. So I went over to his.
He was in a sad state, almost like he had been abused, but it was all pure fear,
terror at something I did not know.
" Ohayo, Syaoran-kun." I called. After all, it was morning.
He didn't answer, just stared at me cautiously, then looking behind me, as if
afraid I'd bring someone harmful and dangerous with me.
" Hey, calm down, I came alone." I said. Getting him and Sakura together is getting
ever the harder. I thought. With all these diversions.
" Do you want some ice cream?" I asked. I knew it was awkward-I shouldn't be the
one asking that. But Syaoran was like a little child, small, weak, pale. The stone
glowed faintly, starting to warm up. There was one time at the soccer practice when
that stone had burned me. Ouch.
He didn't answer. He had gone completely mute. I took his wrist; he flinched
at that, and felt his pulse. It was going too fast. Very bad.
" Ay, my cute descendant, what happened to you?" I asked tenderly. He use to hate
that nickname. Now, he didn't respond.
I went to get him some ice cream. Chocolate, both Yukito's and Syaoran's favorite. I gave him a big bowl, and handed to him. I scooped some for myself.
He ate slowly, watching my every move, and every time I made a motion he flinched. I wondered, what happened to him?
" So what's going on around here?" I asked. He was silent.
" Syaoran?" I tilted my head. He was not speaking.
And all of the sudden, the way I hated it most, the childish frustration washed
all sense of logic out of my head.
" Syaoran, you can't keep hiding yourself like this." I began. " If you're going to
heal, you have to tell us what you're feeling, and what's happening to you."
" They won't stop."
I should have cheered, finally getting that boy to talk. But his words confused
me.
" Who's they?"
" They won't stop." It came out as a sob. " I'm so tired."
I hesitated. " I know you're tired." I began carefully, feeling that this is a very
delicate thread we're standing on right now. " You have to keep trying."
" I can't."
" Why not?" I asked, very frustrated now.
" I can't Eriol!" Syaoran cried. " I can't stand it anymore, they won't stop. I try to
make them stop, they won't stop," And then he started crying.
Voices of the dead, they won't stop. I thought for a minute, watching Syaoran
over there, crying. For a moment my mind is blank. Then I woke.
" We're heading for the cave."
" Iie!" Syaoran immediately cried, his eyes full of horror. " Iie! You can't do that,
Eriol-"
" We're going to the cave. You're coming with me."
" Iie! Onegai-" Syaoran cringed back and fell. There was a sharp shattering sound,
and Syaoran was in his robes.
" Get up." I lifted his hand and forced him up. " You're coming with me. Something
in that cave is haunting you. I want to find out what it is."
" But-"
" No buts." I told him. " Iie. It's going to be okay. I'll be here, right beside you, and
if anything is going to hurt you, if you hear anything, any threats, or feel anything,
tell me, alright?"
" I don't want to go-"
" You have to. Now come. Do you trust me Syaoran?"
It was a very important question. If Syaoran doesn't trust me, I can't help him.
" I-" Syaoran trembled slightly, his tears dry. " Hai."
" Then come." I held out my hand. " Come. Trust me. This is for the better."
Now that I think of it, I couldn't believe I actually knew what I was doing.
In daylight, the cave looked even more old, less haunting but ancient.
Syaoran cringed, freezing in terror. I rubbed his shoulders, the poor child, scared by
something unknown. Encouraging him, we stepped in.
There was a woosh, and the entrance closed behind us. Syaoran gave a choking cry and covered his head, ducking. I held on to him. Gosh, what happened to that guy? I thought.
No time. I held on to Syaoran's hand, just to let him know I was there. And then I think I did the stupidest thing.
" Alright." I called out into the empty cave. " Tell me what you did to him. Tell me what you did to him that night."
There was no answer, of course. Just a drip of water, and that was all.
" Are you going to answer me?" I called. " You're supposed to protect him. Are
you going to abandon him?"
This time, to my surprise; I hadn't expected any answers I was simply frustrated, there were whispers, whispers, deep within the cave.
I tugged at Syaoran's hand, and Syaoran followed me as I went deeper.
" You all know who I am!" I called. " I am Eriol Hiriingaziwa. Reincarnation of
Clow Reed."
More whispers, quiet, silent.
" Something in this cave has frightened him, has followed him out and haunted him." I called. " Something in this cave is destroying him."
No answer.
" Well? Are you going to help him or not?" This time, I knew there was something in that cave besides walls and carvings, and us, the two living beings. " He is the half mortal of this year. The present. The accident. The child that deserves life. Do you want to kill him? Do you want to leave him in the dark void of the dead? Answer me! Show me what you have done!"
There was no answer. It was simply quiet, as quiet as the full moon.
Frustrated, I took out the key. " I call upon the powers of the day and the night-"
When the key turned into a staff there was a flash up ahead, a sharp, hard light, pale white. I set the staff down, displaying my identity.
" If you're going to hurt him, you might as well give up on him, and all of us." I called. " Because none of us are going to let him go down the wrong path. If you wish to stay with him, then help us! Help us protect him! Tell me what you have done!"
And then, as if those words were what I needed, Alakazam! A flash of light, a cry from Syaoran, cowarding next to me, a dim form of a human being, faceless, formless, nameless, flowed, glowed, floated and hovered in the cave in front of me. Large, dark blue eyes opened and stared into mine, a nameless hand reached out, stretched far, stretched, clasped Syaoran's neck, as the poor child gasped and choked. The hand lifted him up, until he touched the ceiling of the cave. I watched in horror, as the dead voice, now audible to my ears, repeated over and over again,
You are too weak. You are too weak to live and love at the same time, and when you stop loving, the dead shall rise in your body, and you too, will become cursed with living death...