Chap. 11: "Mei Lin's torture, loss of sight"
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Author's note: Hey. Don't have a lot to say other than I hope you enjoy this chapter. And happy New Year though it doesn't feel any different.
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"No, no" Sakura cried in her sleep, "No" she twisted trying to push something away. Syaoran's eyes opened hearing her moaning. The look on her face told him right away that she was having another nightmare.
"Sakura, wake up" he whispered shaking her slightly. She whimpered at his touch, "Sakura, come on wake up" he ordered shaking her a little more strongly. Her eyes snapped open, wide terror filled emerald orbs stared into his.
"I don't want to see it anymore" she spoke in a whisper. "I don't want to see it anymore. I don't wan to feel the pain, or hear them" her voice cracked, as tears escaped her eyes. Syaoran reached down and wiped them away as Sakura started to fall asleep. "She said I should come to her, she wants me to go to Norwood. We have to go see her, she'll help me"
"Who?" he asked raising his brows at her. She whispered something but he didn't hear, slowly her eyes dropped and she was asleep. Frowning he watched her slowly her breathing came evenly. "Who is calling you?" he asked even though she was asleep. Lying back beside her, he pulled her tiny body over to his.
Sakura cuddled to him seeking warmth, he pulled the covers over them and closed his eyes. Sleep didn't come to him right away; instead he lay there for hours thinking about the town of Norwood.
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Mei Lin lay in a sound sleep; beside the bed was Takashi on a makeshift bed. He had always given her the bed to sleep in but never left the room. She sighed turning unto her back, her brows furrowed in concentration, "Mother" she whispered a faint red glow started from her form. "No, don't leave me, please" she whimpered softly clenching her fists. A sigh escaped her lips, "Giya" she whispered in a soft broken tone.
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Morning…
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The innkeeper looked up when Syaoran walked towards him. "Can I help you sir?" he asked in a kind manner.
"Yes. How far is Norwood from here?" the innkeeper seemed to pale hearing the name come from his lips.
"Norwood? Why would you want to go there?" he squeaked glancing around him nervously. Syaoran frowned wondering what was happening to him. "Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what?" He frowned glaring coldly at the man. He didn't like to be kept in suspense. He wanted to know where the town was since as Sakura was mumbling it in her sleep earlier in the morning. When she woke up, she had no recollection of saying that to him.
"It was burnt to the ground about two nights ago. Mostly everyone there was killed, only a few survived. Some people from here have tried to go there to help out but they were attacked" he answered finally in a hushed tone. "It's like they've all gone mad" Syaoran didn't like the sound of that.
"Where is it?" the innkeeper looked at him like he was foolish. "Where?" he demanded making the man gulp.
"To the south of here, you can't miss it" he stuttered pointing in the direction. Syaoran turned and walked off leaving the poor man. When he came to the table where everyone was eating he sat beside Sakura. He knew about her nightmares, and he wanted to come to the bottom of them. Looking at her now, no one could tell that she was having them every single night.
"There's a change of plans. We're going to go to Norwood then head out towards the capital" he announced making everyone look at him.
"Why?" Takashi asked before taking a bite of bread. He knew how badly Syaoran wanted to reach the capital and now they were going to take a detour. Whatever the reason, he knew that it must be important.
"I was told that something bizarre happened there a couple days ago," he answered simply making everyone shake their heads. "We'll leave right away after we eat" Sakura looked at him remembering him ask her about Norwood. She knew that him going there had something do with her. Eating silently she tried not to frown as she thought about what might be in Norwood waiting for them.
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Rakanis…
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He sat in his chair; surrounded by darkness the only sound was that of his finger making contact with the stone chair. A frown touched his lips; there was something that needed to be done about those blasted Komisars. "Yes" he whispered softly closing his endless black eyes. A cruel, forbidding smile touched his lips as an idea struck him. "I'll see how strong they are" a loud sickening laugh tore from his chest, echoing through the grimy dank lair. "Come forth, my seed of hatred" the whisper traveled through the cave as an image of Mei Lin walking down the stairs appeared.
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Mei Lin hurried down the stairs knowing that they were waiting for her. She couldn't believe she had forgotten her cape. Her foot was just about to touch the dirty floor, when an unbearable pain shoots through her frame. She cried out falling to her knees, those around her stopped what they were doing and watched as she curled into a ball. "What's wrong child?" a woman asked but Mei Lin screamed out, tightening her ball in answer.
"Gods, it's happening to her!" someone yelled making people jump back in fear. They had seen the same thing happen to people who tried to get into Norwood. They didn't know what it was; all they knew was that it came with excruciating pain.
"Somebody help her!" another shouted but no one made a move to do so. They stood around Mei Lin who was crying out in pain.
"Please" she screamed holding her stomach. She couldn't see straight, when she opened her eyes it was nothing but darkness. Sakura and the others ran into the inn hearing screams, when they saw her on the floor they gasp. Takashi was the first to take off, he drop to his knees beside her body.
"Mei Lin!" he shouted trying to pull her unto her back. Mei Lin writhed at his touch, it seemed as if he were burning her.
"No!" tears streamed down her cheeks, "Kill me, please," she begged when Sakura and Tomoyo dropped beside her. "Please it hurts so badly"
"What's wrong?" Tomoyo asked worriedly when Takashi, using all his might, was able to pull her unto her back. Eriol and Syaoran had to hold her down because she was struggling and it was hard for Takashi alone to hold her in place.
"Inside me, it's inside" Mei Lin screamed, her head tossing as tears fell from her face soaking the floor. Sakura stared at her friend in shock, she didn't know how to save her.
"What's wrong with her?" Syaoran shouted getting to his feet. He glared at the people that were standing around them. "Answer me dammit"
"She has the same virus as the people of Norwood. It's driving her mad" a man answered not looking at Mei Lin but at the floor. Syaoran ran his hand through his hair trying to block Mei Lin's horrible, agonizing screams out.
"How can we save her?" Sakura cried also on the verge of tears. She hated to see another sister in pain when there was nothing she could do about it.
"You have to go to Norwood, pass through the town at the other side there's a wise woman there. She'll be able to help you but you must go through the town to get to her hut" an old woman answered walking to the front. "It'll do you no good to go around" Syaoran looked at the short stubby woman in front of him.
"Why?" he asked eyeing her suspiciously. The woman smiled making her silver eyes sparkle; she glanced briefly at Mei Lin.
"Because one cannot make short cuts" she answered simply before walking away. Syaoran thought she was just some crazy old woman.
"Takashi pick her up, we're going to Norwood" Syaoran said to his friend. He looked at the expression on Takashi's face and wondered if he was reading them right. Shaking his head, he knew he was seeing things because Takashi was married to Sonya.
"Right" Takashi said quickly scooping Mei Lin into his arms. She cried out and grabbed a hold of his shirt, curling herself into his chest.
"Please" he glanced at her face that was covered with sweat as he carried her out the door. He knew what she was begging for but he wasn't going allow her to have it.
"Hold on, Mei Lin" he whispered hoping she could hear him. "We're going to make you better, I promise" he assured stopping at his horse. Handing her quickly to Eriol, he mounted his horse swiftly.
"You have her?" Eriol asked lifting her up to him. He shook his head getting a secure hold on her. He hated to see her in such pain, he wished there was something he could do to make it all go away.
"Let's go" Syaoran called out and they rode of. The people walked out of the inn and watched him go. Some shook their heads in sadness knowing that they weren't going to make it out of Norwood alive.
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They rode like the wind; none could endure Mei Lin's cries of pain. She kept on begging for release while Takashi worked to calm her down. "Takashi, please" she begged slipping in and out of sanity.
"No just a little longer" he replied softly. "Just a little longer, hold on for me" he begged when they came to a fork in the road. They stopped seeing the sign that said Norwood.
"Let's go around it's shorter" Syaoran said knowing that they had to get the old woman or Mei Lin would go insane.
"But she said we couldn't" Tomoyo cried in panic. She couldn't take Mei Lin's screams; they were getting to her to soul. She felt like she wanted to break down and cry to beg the gods for help in making her share the pain.
"It's too long" Syaoran shot back. They decided that he was right but when Takashi started in that direction Mei Lin screamed out loudly, her body stiffening in agony.
"No. Please Syaoran" Sakura cried desperately. "We have to go through the town, look at her" he looked at Mei Lin who cried out louder whenever the horse moved closer to the path that he had chosen.
"Please oh god. Please" Mei Lin begged in and out of consciousness.
"We're loosing her. We have to hurry" Takashi shouted turning his horse around. Not waiting for them to decide he took off passing the sign that said Norwood. They were shocked to see him disappear after passing the sign.
"Gods" Eriol whispered in disbelief. Syaoran frowned slightly turning his horse around. He moved to the other side and went through. He didn't care what was on the other side because his friends were there.
Sakura watched Tomoyo and Eriol go in. She was the last to ride through. When she entered the other side of the portal was night, she looked back only to see where reality broke off. On the other side was daylight. "What the fuck?" Syaoran whispered looking around, they couldn't see shit.
"Takashi?" Eriol shouted wondering what had happened to them.
"We're here" his voice traveled to them but they couldn't see him. Sakura pulled out Aurora; in the distance she could see Takashi. From the light given off by Aurora they slowly moved down the path. Owls could be heard, and in the distance a lone wolf howled at the moon that wasn't there.
"Stay close to each other" Syaoran whispered making his senses heighten. He thought something was fucking off when they came here to find that it was night. There wasn't a star in the sky. Sakura's horse jumped when a loud growl came from the woods surrounding them.
"Tomoyo stay close to me" Eriol whispered going to reach for her hand. She took it and held unto him tightly. He stiffened sensing danger, "Do you hear that?" he whispered softly drawing their attention.
"I don't hear anything" Takashi spoke from in front of them. Syaoran had caught up to him. He wanted to be there just to make sure he had defense since as he was carrying a whimpering Mei Lin.
"Exactly—it's" out of the bushes something large flew through sending branches and leaves flying everywhere. Eriol's sentence was cut off, and the horses whined going on their hind legs.
"Ahhh!" Sakura screamed when something lunged at her horse. They spun around only to see her horse lying dead on the ground, blood soaking the ground. There was no sign of Sakura; looking at the bush they saw a wide gap, like something large had bounded through it.
"Sakura!" Syaoran shouted getting off his horse. He ran to the hole only to see a trail of fire heading directly towards the town. "Sakura!" he yelled worry filling his soul. He should have been beside her to protect her. "Dammit, Sakura!!!"
"Syaoran!" her screams echoed back to him. He spun around and jumped unto his horse. Taking off the others followed behind him. They rode like the wind heading towards the village. When it finally came into site they saw that a fire was lit in the heart of it.
The buildings seemed to loom over them; there wasn't a single light to be seen except for the one in the center. Riding slowly, Tomoyo pulled her arrows getting ready as Syaoran and Eriol pulled their swords. "This was a trap," Eriol whispered tightening his hold on his sword.
"I don't care as long as we get Sakura back and find the woman to help Mei Lin" Syaoran spat icily. Kicking his horse he rode in front of them, his pupils turning dragon like. FIND HER he ordered, FIND HER smelling the air, he picked up her scent. "She's this way. Stay with Takashi, I'll go" he ordered riding off.
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Sakura's eyes slowly opened, everything was blurry. She reached to reach up to hold her thumping head but it was useless, her hands were banded. "What's happening?" lifting her head that felt like a ton of bricks she glanced around. The stench of smoke burned her nostrils; it was then she noticed what was one fire. "Oh my god" she gasped seeing that she was surrounded by fire; it burned away her clothing but didn't sear her flesh.
Looking up, her eyes widened at the site in front of her. Surrounding her were zombie like people, they bodies thin and pale. Clothing hung on their limbs; some went without shirts exposing their pale flesh that sucked to their bones. "Come on" she begged the fire wanting it to consume her so that it would burn the rope off. "Come on!" she screamed making it echoes through the courtyard.
The flames jumped widely covering her body. Syaoran rounded the corner right when she screamed. His heart stopped seeing her body consumed by the fire. He instantly forgot that she could withstand the heat. "No!!" he shouted jumping off his horse.
The people who captured Sakura spun around and took notice of him. Syaoran landed on all fours, he looked up and steam escaped his nostrils. Some moved slowly towards him, wanting to attack but they froze when his body started to grow large.
His clothing ripped around his large frame falling away. In the distance he could see something large heading towards him. The earth beneath him shook, as it got nearer, when it finally came into the light he noticed that it was some kind of hairy beast.
The beast's big yellow eyes left him and fell upon the fire. Syaoran growled noticing that it wanted Sakura. A loud rumbling sound erupted within him, and his mouth opened making a large fire ball shot out.
The creature sprung into the air but the flames covered half it's body. It cried out in pain landing on its feet. Growling at Syaoran, he lunged at him but Syaoran swung his tail around and knocked it directly in the chest.
The possessed cannibals surrounding the fire jumped back in fright. Some took off into the surrounding houses. Syaoran walked towards the beast ready to take it out. Quickly it got to its feet, claws outstretched it attack Syaoran's side.
He tried to get him off but he just dug more. A growl erupted as he struggled against the animal was tore at his scale. Finding it hard to get it off he took off into the heavens, flapping his great wings he looked at one of the houses. Diving from the heavens, Sakura watched him. She screamed in fear when debris flow everywhere, and a loud crash sounded from the impact. "No Syaoran!" her copper hair surrounded her frame as she grabbed a hold of Aurora.
Fear consumed her soul seeing that something in the dust was moving. Relief filled her seeing the beast thrown into a building. A loud rumbling sounded and fireball shot towards the house were the beast laid overwhelming its body. "Syaoran" she whispered breaking into a run.
She stopped when the cannibals surrounded her. They snarled at her ready to devour her at the slight movement she made. Sakura held aurora high, she didn't know what would happen when the first of them was to bit her. "Come on" she hissed but instead of her stricking them down they were surrounded by fire.
She heard their wretched screams, their bodies writhing from the pain. Walking past them and out of the fire, she saw Tomoyo running towards her. "Oh Sakura" she cried thinking that she was hurt in somewhere. She had been terrified seeing Syaoran attack Sakura with fire but she realized that he was saving her.
"I'm fine" Sakura whispered when Tomoyo gave her a shirt and pants. Putting them on fast, she barely had on her shirt before she ran towards Syaoran. Slowing down, she looked at his large frame. She had never seen him this close in his dragon form. He was incredible she thought watching his brownish gold scales glistened from the flames. "Syaoran" she whispered going to touch him but a growl sounded making her pull her hand back. "It's me," she begged her voice low.
"Sakura, we must go. He'll follow" Eriol shouted taking command. "Trust me" Sakura shook her head and ran towards her horse. Getting up, she knew he was right. The fire spread from house to house, and the heavens rumbled telling them that a storm was brewing.
"Syaoran, please follow' she whispered riding off with the others. Mei Lin's cries sounded no more because she had long lost consciousness. Takashi knew she was alive because her grip on him would tighten.
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Sakura looked around as they passed the houses, she watched for any unwanted movement. It seemed as if time had stopped for this town. She stiffened when people started to appear out of the houses. "What the fuck" Eriol whispered hoping they wouldn't cause trouble.
"Don't do anything" Tomoyo whispered surprising him. They watched in awe when the people's bodies started to glow, and a faint white light left their bodies. Following the faint glow towards the heavens, the dark rumbling clouds parted allowing the suns fading rays to peak through.
Syaoran soared above them circling the spiral of spirits. "He freed them" she whispered a soft smile touching her lips. Mei Lin's cry of pain snapped them out of their trance. Takashi looked at her face thanking the heavens that she had regained consciousness. "Come on, we must go" She said when the last of the spirits faded. The bodies dissipated into nothing, and the dark cloud was lifted off the village.
As it went, the town seemed to fade. They didn't move but their horses grew uneasy, deciding to continue they slowly started to ride.
"Takashi" Mei Lin whimpered in his chest. He tightened his hold on her; he wanted her to know that he was there. "Help me" he couldn't take the pain in her voice. He looked up when Syaoran flew over them before making another circle.
"Look!" Tomoyo shouted pointing at four houses up ahead. They were the only ones that hadn't faded with the town. Picking up speed, they reached the houses when Syaoran landed off to the side. Resting on his belly, he watched for any threatening movement.
"Hello? Is anybody here?" Eriol called out getting off his horse. "Stay" he ordered the others not wanting to take any chances. He stopped when a large ogre like man walked out of one of the houses. He looked at him, as a smaller well-built guy appeared from behind him.
"What do you want?" his deep voice rumbled. He eyed the new comers in silence; he was about to bark another question at them when the same old woman from the last village walked out of the middle house.
Eriol and the others stared at her in surprise. They couldn't believe what they were seeing, was she some kind of sorceress? "I've been waiting for you" she spoke in a soft tone making her way to the front of the men.
"Can you help our friend or not?" Takashi asked desperately. The woman smiled shaking her head, she glanced towards Syaoran who was watching them. The two men hadn't look in his direction but when they did they had to rub their eyes and look again.
"It's ah it's" the smaller one stuttered making Sakura smile faintly. She needed to get him clothing but only after they found out if this woman could help Mei Lin.
"Bring her inside. I shall tell you how to make her better" she turned and walked off leaving them to follow. "Alex close your mouth" she chided to her younger son who instantly closed his mouth; he ran his hand through his short black hair. Sakura got of her horse while Eriol helped Takashi with Mei Lin. She watched them enter the house and gestured to Tomoyo that she was going to get Syaoran dressed.
"Okay" Tomoyo said following the guys inside the small house. The two men followed behind them and closed the door. She looked at the sun's rays that pilfer through the hole in the roof making a large oval patch on the ground.
"Place her in the middle" the lady said softly, her tone kind. "Do you know what's wrong with her?" they shook their heads. They hadn't a clue and they didn't care as long as it went away.
"The seed of evil wants to consume her soul" the lady answered making their eyes snap to hers in disbelief.
"What do you mean?" Tomoyo whispered wanting to know more. "How can we stop it?" she pleaded watching Takashi wipe Mei Lin's forehead. She knew that he cared about her, it was obvious by the way he acting.
"She's fighting it. She's a strong one" the lady continued ignoring Tomoyo's question. She made mixtures talking as if she was waiting for something. She turned finally when Sakura and Syaoran walked into the room. "Take a seat around the light" she said to them.
"What tricks are you up to old woman?" Syaoran asked eyeing her suspiciously. Sakura took his hand and pulled him to sit beside her.
"No tricks chosen one" she replied softly making his eyes snap to her. "One shall share her pain, one shall feel her torture" were the words that left her mouth. "One shall share the burden, the evil to banish it" she placed the mixtures down beside Mei Lin's head. "She's barely hanging on"
"Then what are you waiting for?" Takashi snapped loosing his cool. The lady ignored him and wiped the sweat from Mei Lin's forehead. Dipping her hand into the mixture she rubbed it unto her forehead. The stench made their stomachs churn it smelt like death.
"For you" she answered like it was the most obvious thing. "You have chosen your path, join her" Takashi raised a brow at her. He hadn't a clue what she was talking about; he hated how she was speaking in fucking riddles. "Lay beside her boy!" she commanded loudly making him shake his head.
Taking off his jacket and sword, he got into the light and lay beside Mei Lin body. He could hear her soft whimpers she had fallen yet again into darkness. The others sat around and watched feeling helpless for there was nothing they could do. "You are going to take her pain, it's going to be hard but I have to get it out of her. And she needs to be awake"
"How she's unconscious" Sakura pointed out wondering why the lady was taking so long. The lady smiled at her, she didn't like the smile.
"Come Fire Wielder, make her wake up" Sakura got up not having a clue what the woman meant. Moving over to her, she ignored the stench of the black, oozing liquid. "Place your hands on the side of her head, see what she's seeing" Syaoran didn't trust the woman as he, Eriol and Tomoyo sat and watched.
Sakura did as she was told but didn't feel anything. Takashi winced when the old woman started to rub the same bad smelling potion on his forehead. At first he felt nothing but slowly the pain started, building faster. He growled to hold the pain in, "Takashi" Tomoyo whispered fearfully holding Eriol's hand.
The lady rubbed her hands together. Closing her eyes, she placed them on Mei Lin's stomach. She trembled slightly; "Mother" the larger of the man, whispered moving behind her. Alex stood on the side watching the visitors with a weary look. He knew that they were going to fight in the battle, and he wanted to go as well.
"I'm fine but get ready" she whispered before her mouth started to move in a wordless chant. She frowned at her brows furrowed deep in thought; her forehead glistened from sweat forming. Sakura watched her not knowing what was going to happen, when Takashi cried out form pain her sight when black.
She screamed feeling herself being pulled into darkness. "Sakura" she heard Syaoran yelled before everything went dead. Before her eyes visions flashed, cruel sickening sights of torture pure evil. She tried to close her eyes but found that they were stuck.
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Syaoran was about to move but Tomoyo and Eriol held him back. Tomoyo looked at Eriol and he moved to Takashi's side. Taking his friends hand he winced in great pain trying block out Takashi's pain filled growls.
He looked into Eriol's eyes and clenched his teeth to hold in the pain. His eyes begged for it to end but the words never left his lips. If this was what Mei Lin was going through, he wanted to feel all of it.
The woman's hand trembled, and her skin became clammy and white. "Now." she choked and her son pulled her away and over to the corner. They could hear her throwing up; Sakura and Takashi were still stuck. He was feeling Mei Lin's pain, and Sakura was having the vision.
With a scream Sakura stumbled back in pain. Syaoran rushed to her side, and scooped her into his arms. "Make it stop, please make it go away" she pleaded struggling with her words. Her tiny hands gripped his shirt, and he could feel her pain.
"Sakura" he whispered wiping her forehead.
"Syaoran" she cried tightening her hold on his chest. "Syaoran, I can't see, I can't see" fear consumed his soul because her eyes were open.
"No" he whispered in disbelief. He wouldn't believe it, it was not happening to his Sakura. Tomoyo dropped at their side, and tears flooded her eyes as she looked on having heard Sakura's cries.
"I can't see, please it's so dark" she screamed struggling against his hold. "I can't see!"
"Sakura" Tomoyo cried holding her hand but when she looked at her and her once emerald poles were now covered with white coats her heart stopped. Syaoran's temper soared as he shook his head in disbelief.
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What'd you do to her!" he shouted angrily, pain overwhelming him as he stared at his beloved…
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Author's note: I'm sorry if there are any mistakes. It's really late and I'm very tired. I just wanted to upload it. Sorry again, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Whelp Ja..
