A/N - Wow…  This story is really…going…places…  I'm slowly developing the plot, and the mirror things will get in here eventually, so until then…  I'm just watching what my mind can do when it gets bored…  Oh, don't you think glaives are cool?  ^_^

Chapter Five:  "Only one can stay…"

After an endless dream, in this world of nothingness
It seems as if our beloved dreams will lose
Even with these unreliable wings, covered in images that tend to stay
I'm sure we can fly, on my love

~Translated from Butterfly

          The transformation halted.  Someone was standing in Takato's body, someone that did not belong there.  Master!  You have awakened?  And so soon? 

          "Ah, yes…  I can again taste the air, after so many years of being locked away…  I am free once more, to destroy the world that locked me away…  You two…  You have done your jobs poorly.  I was expecting a strong body with a submissive soul.  What has gone wrong?" 

          Well, sir, something's different about this mortal.  When I was in control, he was very healthy and happy.  But now, that neither of us is guiding him, something seems to have happened.  Perhaps something about his soul is different from the average mortal? 

          "What?  Is this child, this valued body, imperfect?"

          N-no sir, not at all.  His being in ill health probably came from his soul's rejection of your presence.  Now that you are in control, I'm sure that you can right the body.  I was implying that there might be something special about this body.  Something that your past hosts did not have.

          "Hmm…  For a rebel to my cause, you certainly prove your worth now.  You are right, I sense a strong inner power for this body.  His soul, perhaps…" 

          Sire, please explain to us why these turn of events are so.  We were informed that you would rise in the sixteenth year of this body.  He is only in his fourteenth year.  Why?

           Oh no…  No, this isn't right…  Sir!!  We've encountered a major problem…  Please, hear me out!

          "Proceed."

          Sir, this body is…

            "What?"

          Cursed.  I don't know…  That's why the transformation is too early, that's why he is in ill health, that's why everything is wrong.  This body, that soul, we, you, none of this was meant to happen.

            "You mean this body was…"

          Yes. 

          "No…  Now everything is different…  No, this cannot be…  I have just been released…  No…  Agents!

            Yes, master!

          "We are going to proceed as previously planned.  Never mind this body, never mind that soul…  I will proceed as planned, and I will get this world.  And only one of you may accompany me.  Who is brave enough to come with me, Master of the Darkness?"  The creature laughed, twisting Takato's fragile features into grotesque parodies.  "Only one of you may stay."