Chapter 6

By this time everyone was starring at Tsukasa, who was looking at the stranger in a mixture of confusion and recognition all at once. Tsukasa swallowed, "Do I-

"Know you?" The stranger finished smiling, "Well, kind of. Our meeting was somewhat....misty. Hello," she held out a hand, "I am known as the Prophet, in this 'world', perhaps some of you have heard of me."

Subaru's eyes widened considerably; Bear, Crim and the Silver Knight dropped to their knees. BT looked at the stranger in curiosity while Sora's grin just widened.

"You," Subaru had trouble getting the words out, "you are the Prophet!" Her voice squeaked.

The stranger nodded. "You mean you're the one that claims mysticism in the game, and that also," Sora looked at Tsukasa, "defies the rules. You are a living legend in 'the world', known for your strength and power but recently disappeared....it was thought to be permanently." His eyes flickered back to the cloaked stranger, his gaze filled with interest. "It was also said that you could predict the future."

The speaker smiled," Very good Sora, I imagine that of all of you, you would know the most about me." Sora began to grin. "At least information wise, that is." She broke in, causing Sora's grin to fade and become a pout, "I have actually met with both Bear and Crim before. But perhaps the one who should know me best is, Tsukasa." Her eyes stared deeply into the wave masters eyes and everyone's gaze turned. Tsukasa stared boldly back, a bit unnerved to have everyone looking at him so weird.

The stranger went back to addressing everyone," It is true that I have been absent awhile, matters of important business I'm afraid, but I'm back and better than ever!"

Bear looked up at her, "But how-

"That," she cut in, "will be saved for another time. Right now I have more important matters." She turned to face Tsukasa, her eyes, even in shadow, were worried. "I need to speak with you."

He looked at her; he just...couldn't remember, but her voice...was so familiar.

The Prophet's smile faded and she walked over to him, "I'm afraid, " she murmured to him, "that I do not bring you good news. I've seen a little too much I think, but I've come to help you and to save this 'world' as well as the real one."

"What...what do you mean?" Asked Tsukasa, deep indigo eyes meeting darkness from the shadow of the hood. "I don't understand how can the real world be affected by a game?"

The Prophet sighed, rubbing her temples, "Yet there is no time to explain, " she murmured fervently. She opened her eyes, in that instant, Tsukasa thought he saw the color of the iris' but no. For a moment she just stared at him, openly, then sighing closed her eyes again. "Tsukasa," she began, "do you think you are important?"

"I...I don't know." His voice wavered. 'Am I important...no I...I can't be.'

She smiled, though bitterly, "You are the key. Tsukasa you are the key, don't forget that, you are the key. You matter, you ARE important, to this world and the next, what happens to you happens to everyone, don't let anything harm you, try to protect yourself. Danger is lurking everywhere and people, no, THINGS want to hurt you. I will be watching to make sure you are ok but I can't always save you..... you matter Tsukasa. There is death written across the very stones of the earth, I have seen it! Humanity, society, and the balance are all at stake here."

"But how? How can this happen?"

The stranger sighed; Tsukasa could sense that she had closed her eyes. Then she began to speak, "I cannot tell the entire tale now but..there was a little girl once, a girl with incredible destructive power, and for four- hundred years she ravaged the earth, chaos destruction and madness ensued. Carnage and death reeked the land and it was feared that she could never be stopped. You see," she opened her eyes, "it was all just a game for her, a giant monopoly board and all the people were her pieces and when she lost...everyone lost. Then there was a....a young sorceress, " she scoffed, "that one day decided to attempt to kill the girl....she won and the girl was put into a deep sleep never to be revived again. It seemed that her body could not be destroyed because the girl was not mortal. The girl was installed into a new game, an online game that no one would suspect of danger. She was placed into 'the world' and was never seen or heard of again. And now here stems the problem." The Prophet opened her eyes, "She's back and this time she might not be stopped."