Dragon's Eye, Phoenix' Wing

Chapter 8

The banquet was merry. Syaoran was reminded of how banquets probably were in Italy. Everyone was dignified and had a rank. Lords, duchesses, dukes, counts, countesses. All were dressed elegantly. All had magical powers.

Hitomi borrowed one of Millerna's dresses just for this banquet because she was reminded of the stares she received on the first day she came back. Syaoran was content with the stares. He briefly wondered if they knew he was who he was. They probably thought Van was the Phoenix Dragon-but then Van was famous. He's the only one there that looks like...a stranger.

Kero ate at his leisure. Yue refused everything unless Syaoran or Hitomi and company wanted to taste something. Hitomi thought that Yue was being more kind to Syaoran then he did to Sakura. Perhaps because they share something in common. Briefly Hitomi wondered about herself. She was the reincarnation of Sakura, or so the others said. She now had the Clow Book-correction, the Hitomi Book. That might not last long, but she was content with that. As long as everything will be alright again.

What will happen to Syaoran after this? Hitomi thought for a while. Even if he did survive, where would he go? He has no family. Would he stay on Gaea, or will he come with her to Japan again? What is his fate afterwards?

" That's the Phoenix Dragon?" She heard a whisper. Lorenil, as Kero had described her to look, nodded.

" He's so young," Syaoran heard people murmur. " Poor child."
" How could Hilderna do this?" He heard a sorceress whisper. He looked up to Yue, who was also looking annoyed.

As was the rule, Van, Chid, and Lorenil were seated as honored guests. Syaoran found himself sitting between Yue and Lorenil. He felt afraid of Lorenil. She was a powerful sorceress. But with Yue beside him, Syaoran felt reassured. Yue will protect him. Yue always had.

The King of Akstrone rose and the hall quieted down.
" Greetings, friends and comrades!" He announced. " I am pleased to see that you have all made it. This banquet was made to honor the arrival of the Phoenix Dragon, who came from the Mystic Moon to help us defeat a great evil. A toast to his health!"

Syaoran paled. He recognized the King. Long golden hair...those eyes...

The Dark Phoenix...

Swallowing and forcing a smile, he stood up and lifted his cup. Everyone did the same and drank. Syaoran tasted the wine. Nothing wrong. At least the Dark Phoenix didn't try to poison him yet.

As the " King" went on, Lorenil closed her eyes and focused her thoughts toward Syaoran.

Child.
Sorceress.
You seem afraid.
The enemy is in the crowd of friends.
You mean the King.
I am in peril. We are all in peril.
Are you afraid?
Should I be?
You must tell us the Phoenix's weakness.
Somehow it is linked with Escaflowne, based on my instinct. Who are you?
My name is Lorenil Romen. I am the Head Priestess of Akstrone. Do not be afraid.

Syaoran smiled and nodded to the others and picked up his fork.

I don't care what you do to me.
Do not think like that, child. We will not harm you. We only wish to protect Gaea, and you as well. Tell us of the Phoenix' weaknesses.
I am scared.
I know. But just see what you can remember.
...

Syaoran whispered something to Yue. Yue frowned in thought. Then he whispered back. By now the banquet had begun.

He can't seem to take surprises.
Oh?
When I transformed into my Phoenix form, he ran away.
So the Dark Phoenix is a coward.
There are also rumors that say he is not resistant to spells...spells like sleeping spells, but I don't know if it's true.



Lorenil tried to think again, but the " King" turned to her and smiled. Lorenil abandoned her thoughts and proceeded to smile and act as if she had no idea that the King was a false one, or the frightened child was beside her.



After Syaoran ate enough to satisfy Yue, he got up and excused himself. He went around to Allen, who was sitting a little more to the middle. There a bunch of sorcerors greeted him, but though they were smiling their voices sounded serious and sympathetic.

" What do you know of the Dark Phoenix?" The magician from Harloir asked while offering him one of the fancy dishes, which Syaoran politely accepted.
" Not much," Syaoran answered, chewing while talking to hide the words, " He's almost invincible."
" You came from the Mystic Moon?" Asked a sorceress from Lauria.
" Hai." Syaoran answered.
" Do they have magic on the Mystic Moon?" She asked.

Syaoran paused. " Hai, but I'm not sure where I can find the sources. I'll have to check soon."

The sorceress nodded. " Two days from now," She said carefully, trying to viel her words and actions from the crowd and the King, " At midnight, we will stop time here. You can return to the Mystic Moon with the new Card Mistress."

Syaoran blinked. They had that kind of power? Well.
" Arigatou. I will do so." He answered.



" Why don't you go out and play?"
" Play?" Syaoran blinked.
" Oh," his aunt smiled sympathetically. " You have so many cousins and friends who want to meet you. Here, I'll lead you to them."

Syaoran blinked. He was unuse to the idea of playing just for the fun of it. Following his aunt nervously, he saw a group of children stop whatever they were doing and stare at him for a moment. Then they all shouted and ran over.
" Is this the Dragon Phoenix?" One of them asked.
" He's called the Phoenix Dragon."
" Dragon Phoenix!"
" Phoenix Dragon!"
" Children," His aunt patted his head, " Don't start that nonsense now. He's both a dragon and a phoenix, but he's not both quite yet. Now I want you to behave yourselves and don't get him into trouble. He's quite new to this place."
" We will!" The children chorused. There were many that were older than Syaoran, and a lot that were younger. Syaoran suddenly felt right at home.
" Come on Syaoran!" Cried one boy, suddenly grabbing his wrist. " Leo's the seeker. Do you know how to transform?"

Syaoran blushed. He did not.
" I'll show you, but first, we have to find a place to hide. Count to fifty, Leo!"

" One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,"
" Hurry," The boy smiled at Syaoran. " They always begin skipping numbers after ten. Let's go!"
" But how am I supposed to hide?" Syaoran asked.
" Don't worry!" The boy dragged him behind some trees. " I'll show you!"



" Earth hasn't changed much." Syaoran's voice was quiet as he walked along the streets of Tomoeda. " Lost some of its former air though."

Hitomi walked beside him, suddenly silent.
" There use to be a playground over there." Syaoran stopped. " What happened to it?"
" I don't know. I don't live here." Hitomi answered quietly.

Syaoran nodded and stared at the building that took the area that was once the site where his friends use to meet. He stared at the building for a long time before continuing on.

" Touya ought to be sixty seven now, or sixty eight, if he's still alive."
" He should be."
" Do you think he'll welcome me?" Syaoran asked.
" Of course he will!" Hitomi sounded surprised.
" Somehow I feel scared."

Hitomi reached out and took the boy's hand. Syaoran said nothing.

For a while they walked, Syaoran leading. Hitomi followed, clutching the book in her hands and watching Syaoran. The boy looked up.
" There's the Kinomoto Residence." He paused. " I still feel an aura about that place. Maybe Touya's still in there. Who knows, maybe Fujitaka's still alive too. He'll be like ninety years old now."

The child went up the steps, Hitomi following.


Ding Dong.

" What are you doing here?" Touya asked, opening the door and blinking at Syaoran. He had stopped calling the boy gaki ever since that phone call. " What happened?"

Syaoran hesitated, body trembling. " Sakura." He barely managed to whisper. " She's dead."


Ding Dong.

" I'll get it!" A child cried, and opened the door. " Huh? Who are you?"
" Is this the Kinomoto Residence?" Hitomi asked before Syaoran could run.
" Hai. Who are you?" The little girl asked again.
" Is there someone named Touya in there?" Syaoran asked unsteadily.
" Hai. Ji-chan? Hai."
" Sakura, who's there?"

Syaoran studied the girl. She did look like Sakura, or at least, the eyes made her look like Sakura. But her hair was black and curly.

" Someone." Sakura turned around. Hitomi thought the child was around seven years old, more or less.

An old man, though he did not lose all of his vigour, went over to the door. He studied Syaoran, looked him up and down.
" Syaoran?" He blinked.
" Touya?!"

Syaoran thought he would faint. This was Touya. This old, merry looking man. He knew he should be expecting a lot of changes in fifty years, but in his mind he always pictured the brother of Sakura as a young, quiet, dark looking boy with an odd smirk and glaring eyes. This old man was nothing like that. His features were soft and wrinkled. His eyes held a merry twinkle. He was bent over, not tall and straight like the Touya he remembered.
" Syaoran! Well, a blast from the past! I thought you were dead!" The old man laughed and scooped the child into his arms. " I am so glad to see you! Though I daresay you haven't changed much. Did you go to sleep like that guy in A Wrinkle in Time, or what was that?"
" Hai, sort of," Syaoran was almost dumb with emotion. Touya kissed the child's hair and set him down.
" Come in! Come in!" He encouraged. " It's been so long. Who's your friend there? Come in, both of you. The slippers are over there.

Syaoran took off his shoes and put on the slippers. Hitomi did the same. They followed the old man into the living room where an older man was sitting on a couch along with a younger but still old woman. The older man stood up.
" Kinomoto-san?" Syaoran recognized. He should have remembered that Fujitaka would be old too, but like Touya he had imagined the father to be tall and young, with merry eyes and a smile on his face. This old man was worn with age.
" Huh? Who called?" Fujitaka asked, and his voice was raspy and shaky.
" Don't mind him." Touya took Syaoran's young hand in his. " He can't remember much, unfortunately. Alzheimer's."

Syaoran stared at Fujitaka. Then his eyes turned to the old woman.
" That's my wife. Noriko, meet Syaoran. He's a childhood friend of mine-childhood, get it?" The old man laughed. " Syaoran, meet Noriko."
" Good heavens, the child kept his youth!" Noriko laughed, stretching out her thin and wrinkled arms. Syaoran wrapped his arms around her neck briefly. He really should have bowed, as was the Japanese custom, but it was obvious that Noriko wasn't too into bowing.
" That's my son, Yusuke." The old grandfather gestured to a young looking man, who had green eyes and black hair. If it weren't for the green eyes, he would have looked like Touya when he was young.
" Konnichiwa, Yusuke-san." Syaoran bowed this time, aware of the blank stare.

After many introductions, things started with Hitomi.
" She's..." Syaoran didn't know how to put it. " The reincarnation of..."
" Sakura?" Touya asked, looking at the young girl. " What, how quick! Only fifty years and already she's been reincarnated? That's great! What is her name?"

After introducing her, everyone sat down and Syaoran played with the grandchildren. But he couldn't help but feel a deep despair in his heart. It seemed like he came from a world that no longer existed. In his mind he remembered Eriol and his smirk, but he was a child. Sakura and her lovely smile. Touya and his glare. Yukito and his buns. Fujitaka and his glasses. And all of the sudden he came here to find no Eriol, no Sakura, but instead Hitomi that had no memories of being Sakura, Fujitaka ill with Alzheimer's so he could not possibly remember anything, old and worn, and Touya, an old grandfather already, with a proud son and grandchildren. Yet what did Syaoran have? Nothing. He was still the same Li Syaoran in a different world. Still eleven years old. Still without a family. Touya already retired. Syaoran remembered when he was just going to college. Fujitaka was at death's gate. Syaoran remembered when he was still a young father of a ten year old.

So much change.

Touya helped them a lot, getting all the books he could from the library that was still in the basement that was relevant to Syaoran. And the child kept his sorrow to himself, buried in his heart. He studied Touya. An old man. His walk use to be filled with vigour. Now it was much more heavy and weak. Touya was wearing glasses to read. Touya's skin felt dry. Touya was losing his hair.

Touya seemed to jump from a young teenager to an old man.

Syaoran was pampered. Touya treated him like a grandson, and Syaoran hated that. He wanted Touya to treat him like a brother, not like they are generations apart. And yet...

Now they are.

Hitomi received a lot of attention, so she didn't notice. But when the two of them finally left the Kinomoto residence, promising to visit soon, it was nighttime. And the Phoenix Dragon fell to his knees before the Card Mistress, and began to cry.



Merle licked her wrist. " Where's the lizardboy?" She asked Van.
" On the Mystic Moon." Van answered without turning around. " Miss him already?"
" Iie. Just wondering." Merle yawned. " When is he coming back?"
" Soon." Van answered.
" Tonight seems so long."
" The sorcerors stopped time. It is going to be longer to us."

Merle purred.

After a few minutes Merle raised her head.
" Van-sama?" She asked.
" Hai?" Van answered.
" When is Syaoran coming back?"



The Dark Phoenix stood up and watched Hilderna closely.
" So far only Shirin seems to be involved." Hilderna answered. " This time freezing thing. But probably all the sorcerors are involved. I don't know."

The phoenix was silent.

" Why don't you go after the boy?" Hilderna asked.

She is a fool. The Dark Phoenix thought. It's obvious the child will return.
" He will return. I will wait for him." The phoenix answered.
" Are you sure?" Hilderna asked.

What a fool.

" The child already knows of your plans, Hilderna." The immortal began. " And of mine. So do all the sorcerors. It would not be wise to proceed as before."
" Then how shall we proceed?"
" We cannot earn their trust. But they can do nothing about it." The phoenix smirked. " You will block all exits out of Akstrone. Then I will release my wrath."



Syaoran entered his room and sighed.
" Here." Hitomi put the books on the table. " I'll go look for Van and the others. You stay here."
" Alright. I'll begin looking." Syaoran answered tiredly.
" You sure?" Hitomi suddenly blinked. " You seem tired. Why don't we put it off till tomorrow?"

Syaoran blinked and paused. " Not much time." He said, as time resumed on Gaea. " Go get Escaflowne and the others."
" Escaflowne?" Hitomi blinked.
" Van." Syaoran answered absent mindedly as he began with the first book by the candlelight.

After a few minutes the door opened.
" Konbonwa, Escaflowne." Syaoran couldn't see very well.

Van paused. " It's late. Yue's here. We'll look at the books for you. You won't mind us staying in your room, right?"

Syaoran blinked. " I'm alright. But...I'm fine. I can look too."
" Nonsense." Allen answered as he took the child by the arm and led him to bed. " You're only eleven years old. You need your rest."

Yue smiled at the scene.

" But-"
" No buts." Yue broke in. Allen tucked the child in, and soon the little one was sleeping deeply.



" Talks about some twins." Van flipped a page. " Amazing. I wish I could use that spell to help me decipher all those ancient runes."

Yue smiled. He would have laughed if Syaoran wasn't right there. The child was too exhausted, the guardian observed. Much too exhausted for an eleven year old.

" Do I have magical powers?" Van was asking Yue. Yue thought for a minute.
" Perhaps you do. You are a Draconian, but I'm not so familiar with such beings. Judging from your control over Escaflowne, I think you do, even if your magic is different from mine."

Van turned a page. " This one says something about amulets."
" That's over." Yue answered. " Those amulets were long destroyed."

Allen was silent for a minute.

" Is this the Dark Phoenix?" He asked.

Van and Allen looked at the picture.

" Looks rather handsome." Van blinked. " Too handsome for an evil person. Lacks the malice."
" That was him when he was still a Dragon." Yue began to look troubled. " Oh Kami-sama..."
" Nani?" Van blinked.

Yue was looking at the ceiling while thinking.
" Dragon to Phoenix. That's impossible, because Dragon's water, and wind, while the Phoenix is just fire. It wouldn't make any sense..."
" What are you talking about?" Allen asked.

Yue stared at the book. He wouldn't answer. " Nothing important. Go on."
" Doesn't say much about him." Van answered. " Says he's the son of another dragon, and some of his powers."
" He's afraid of chickens?" Allen cocked an eyebrow.
" I thought dragons eat chickens." Yue said thoughtfully.

Cough. Cough cough cough cough cough.

" They have chickens in the immortal realm?"
" I doubt it. Chickens are too stupid."
" What if they are immortal chickens?"
" Is there such a thing?"
" Quiet, you two!" Yue shushed them. " The child."

Syaoran sighed.

There was a hushed silence. The child went on sleeping.

" They had chickens up there?"
" Don't start."

" Water crystals can be made with a little bit of salt..." Van add a tad bit of salt, " Some sugar, a lot of water, and some moon magic."

Yue was a little reluctant. " Syaoran has some moon magic."
" But the child will wake up."
" I know. I have a feeling that if worst comes to worst, I might be the only one who can save him, and if I do this I have less of a chance."
" What do you mean?" Van asked, incredulous. He never known Yue to be selfish.
" He means that he's made of magic. Get it?" Syaoran was awake, still lying on the bed. " It's like donating blood. His blood is moon magic. Get whatever it is here. I don't use moon magic anyway."
" Syaoran!" Allen blinked. " How did you wake up? Did we-"
" Iie." Syaoran answered. " The spell did. Get it over here."

Van handed the bowl over and Syaoran deposited some of his moon magic. Twenty large blue crystals, all glittering and shining, gathered in the bowl.
" We each take one." Yue instructed. " As long as we have this, the Dark Phoenix can't harm us. It looks like even being dark he's weak against water of any kind."
" What, we throw this at him and he dies? How's this little thing going to protect us?" Syaoran blinked. " Sounds like nonsense."
" I don't know. But the book says that all phoenixes, no matter what, are afraid of these crystals, and in their presence will not be able to use their powers."
" Sounds like Superman."
" But Superman is fake. This is real."
" Superman?" Van looked at Allen.

Syaoran looked at Yue. " I don't feel very safe with this, but if improving me psychologically is going to benefit my well being, I guess this is better than nothing. There's another problem. I lose my powers too."
" Because you're half Phoenix." Yue answered. " But I think this is worth it."

Syaoran thought for a while.

" I heard." He suddenly said. " If the Dark Phoenix is half dragon..."
" He's not half dragon anymore." Allen answered.

Syaoran looked doubtfully at Allen. He said nothing.



Hilderna entered the chamber.
" Water crystals." she laughed. " Hai, that might work for the poor man, but not for me. Alas!" She said sarcastically. " Lenra! Comi! Get over here!"

The priest and the priestess entered the chamber.

" Call the guards to start." Hilderna ordered. " Comi, stay here. Lenra, order the soldiers. We begin to attack tonight."

The priestess bowed, and retired. Comi remained in the room.

" Come, Comi." Hilderna began. " Let us call upon the spirits of the dead."




Hitomi woke to the sound of thundering footsteps outside in the hall. Kerberus started up in alarm.

" What was that, Kero?" Hitomi asked.
" Nothing good!" Kero transformed into his true self. " Get your cards, Hitomi. I don't think we're going to win this without a fight."

There were shouts. A door was banged down and sounds of whimpering were heard.

" Millerna!" Hitomi blinked. She looked at Kero. " What do I do?"
" Summon the staff!"

Hitomi blinked. " Summon the staff? What staff? How do I do that?"
" Just do it!" Kero cried. Hitomi turned to the door as the footsteps became closer.

Cards, help me, She begged, and suddenly words began forming in her mind.

" Key of the Star!
Surrender to your true form!
I, the spirit of Sakura the Mistress,
Command the forces old and worn,
Release!"

The door broke down just as Hitomi swung the staff forward. She drew a card without looking and struck.

" Release and Dispell!" She shouted, remembering the words the young card mistress once said. There was a bright light, and a shriek from the soldier that entered the room. Kero growled, and it was a terrible growl, deep, powerful, and deadly. There was a sudden heat, and Hitomi saw fire. Windy stood at the doorway, her eyes deep and thoughtful. She returned to her card form.

More soldiers came at the door, but they were more cautious now.

" Surrender now," One of them ordered, " And there will be no trouble."
" Oh really?" Hitomi glared, her old spirit rising. " I believe you've already caused trouble."

Kero bared his fangs. A ball of flame was beginning to form in his mouth.

" Halt!"

A woman dressed in robes stepped front.

" Card Mistress." Lenra addressed. " Surrender now. You cannot defeat me."

Hitomi narrowed her eyes. In silence she drew a card.

" Sword Card! Power Card! Combine to make one!"



Syaoran raised his head as he heard shouts come from the other side of the dwelling.

" Hilderna raised an attack." He stood up. " I don't think this is good at all. And Millerna and Hitomi!"

Allen and Van jumped to their feet, but Yue held them back.

" Millerna will be fine." He told Allen. " They want nothing from her. As long as she cooperates with them, they will do nothing. Hitomi I'm not so sure. I know Kero is with her, and she has the cards..."
" Hitomi is older than Sakura." Syaoran answered. " She has more imagination. We have to hide the books. Quick!"

Yue hid half in the mattress and covered it. Syaoran pushed the books through the ceiling so it was inside. Then the child spread his phoenix wings and his eyes flickered for a moment. He was ready for battle.

The door creaked as the shoulders slammed into it. Syaoran's body trembled, his eyes were filled with fear and anger. Suddenly there was a crash and the door burst into pieces. Syaoran straightened his wings, then cringed.

Hilderna smiled. " Ah, my apologies for intruding so rudely, but I'm afraid there is something that requires your presence."
" Apology not accepted. What is that something?" Syaoran answered.
" I'm sure you know, young one." Hilderna smirked.

Thwack!!

Hilderna dodged in alarm as a dagger stuck fast to a wall.

" I am no fool." Syaoran seemed to glow with darkness, his eyes beginning to burn and his voice getting exceedingly powerful. " Think you that I would bother with your petty tricks? Be off! And leave my friends alone!"

Hilderna was visibly shakened by the sudden change in the sweet child and she was forced to take a step back. Syaoran drew his sword and stabbed forward. Hilderna dodged.

Syaoran's movements were lightning quick. Hilderna felt the wound at her side like a brand. She fell back and thrust her hands forward, creating a barrier. Syaoran was thrown back. Yue wasn't fazed though-he shot an arrow, and it wounded one of Hilderna's guards just as he charged to capture the child.

Comi closed his eyes and began to chant the spell. Wraiths began to form out of shadows, their blind eyes blinking, soft moans circling around the living. Syaoran stared around him, amazed. The ghostly beings stood up from the darkness, their transparent bodies flickering in the candlelight. From the many wounds that covered them, Syaoran could tell that they were prisoners, who suffered much torture before they died. And as he turned back to look at Hilderna, he saw their tormentor, and the child, despite himself, began quivering in fear.