Chap. 12: "Vengeance of lost souls"
Author's note: Hey. Sorry for not updating but hadn't the time to. I know that I said that this would be a mushy chapter or have some in it but I thought wrong. After reading it I can see that it's the next chapter. It's also were I'll be introducing some new characters. I hope you enjoy!
SulliMike23: is that freaky in a good way? LOL I hope so
Dafee Fanel: Thank you, thank you. I'm trying my best to improve on my writing!
Lildragongurl28:
I'm waiting for you to update! What's taking so long? LOL I love you story.
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"Mei Lin!" Takashi shouted running to her while Syaoran and Eriol went to aid Alex. Dropping beside her he saw tears streaming down her cheeks, fear filling her eyes. "Mei Lin" he whispered touching her shoulder, she stiffened but didn't look at him.
"She's dead," she repeated rocking a child that was there back and forth. "Those bastards killed her," she continued not wiping her salty tears away as she stared off in the distance.
"Mei Lin snap out of it" he barked turning her to face him. The life in her seemed to be gone, he glanced at the others only to see that they were having the same problem with Alex. Raking his hand through his hair he wondered how he could get through to her. When he opened his mouth to talk to her the dead child in her arms appeared. "Shit!" he cursed seeing her eyes staring off. This was not good, now he was seeing things.
"See what they did," Mei Lin whispered looking at the child. "Takashi" slowly her head turned to him but her eyes stared passed him. "They're coming," she whispered looking at the hills. He turned his head just in time to see what looked like a small army of men appears at the edge of the hill.
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"Alex!" Eriol shouted taking the chance he had to knock him off his feet. The man fell unto the ground with a thud, the air escaping his lungs. "Snap out of it" he snapped when he looked at him pushing himself up slowly.
"I'm sorry" he apologized rubbing the back of his head. Syaoran held out his hand and help him to his feet. "This town, something is wrong with it" he spoke when Sakura and Tomoyo walked over to them.
"Look" Sakura whispered pointing towards the hills. Everyone turned only to see the same small army.
"It's probably just our imagination" Syaoran spoke, they had seen tonight seemed to be just that. Tomoyo shook her head having a feeling that it wasn't just their imagination or just simple ghost.
"No, they are real" she whispered drawing their attention. "There's a lot, we have to go now" she spoke in a stern tone. Saying those words, she backed up slowly swallowing.
"Takashi, let's go" Syaoran called making his friend drag Mei Lin to her feet. When he took a step something sounded from the hill and the horsemen started down towards them. "Let's get out of here" they ran to their awaiting horses, the ground shaking beneath their feet. Mounting their horses they dared not look back.
"No we can't leave" Mei Lin cried looking at the little girl who was sitting in the same place. Takashi pulled her along ignoring her wails, practically flinging her unto the saddle he jumped on behind her.
When he rode off an arrow embedded itself in the ground where his horse had once been. "We can't go that way. The only way out of this town of through the them" Takashi pointed out when the large lake came into the view, mist falling over the black murky water.
"Shit" Syaoran cursed coming to a halt. He stared into the black murky waters before turning his horse around. "The only thing we can do is fight them off" he whispered drawing his sword that started to glow emerald. The others followed his example, when all of Asai's men came into view they saw that they were greatly outnumbered.
"Takashi" Mei Lin whispered knowing that the chances of them all making it out of something like this was very slim.
"It'll be okay" he hushed praying to the gods that they would be saved. Watching her got unto her horse, he prayed that she wouldn't be hurt. He knew that they were outnumbered eight to one at least and that was merely guessing. Thinking the same thing as well the others stared at the army before them.
"Let's get this over with" Sakura hissed knowing that it was a blessing that she had gotten her sight back because if she hadn't been able to see they would have had yet another disadvantage.
"Yeah"
Tomoyo agreed glancing at Eriol briefly.
He looked at the same time and smiled sincerely before looking away, the
grip on his sword tightening. Silence
fell over them, the wind ceased to blow, the soft chirping of crickets dead and
the waters behind them grew rough with waves.
She closed her eyes, swallowing…
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"Charge!" Asai's general shouted making the ground shake as the thundering sound of men running echoed through the dead town. They charged wildly at the small group that was preparing for them.
As they got closer Sakura and the others waited in anticipation. "Come" she whispered narrowing her eyes.
"Let's go!" Syaoran ordered riding off. The other gave a war cry and followed him. They headed dead on into the oncoming army, swords raised ready for battle. Tomoyo pulled and arrow and sent it flying.
It embedded in a man's chest sending him flying off his feet. Pulling another she sent it flying already getting another. Before they made impact they seemed to slow down, time stopped seconds before they met. "What the fuck?" Syaoran whispered in disbelief looking at his sword that stopped inches from a man's neck.
The man looked at him and gulped glancing at the green glowing sword inches from slicing off his head. "What's going on?" Sakura whispered in shock. Syaoran's scowled deepened as he tried to move to no avail.
The wind kicked up sending dust flying all over the place. Trees swayed, as howling sounds traveled from the lake behind them. The mist from the water, crashing towards shore, rose creeping its way unto land.
Whispers mixed in with the bitingly cold wind, Tomoyo winced when dust attacked her eyes. She tried to move her face but her body wouldn't heed her. "Ah this sucks" Alex growled suspended in mid air. He was thrown off his horse when he met the army. His eyes glanced at the ground that was at least ten feet below him. He gulped knowing that he had keep on guard or it would hurt when he hit the rocky ground.
Then suddenly timed resumed, they crashed into each other. Screams of agony filled the bloodthirsty winds. Tomoyo's head snapped around when she heard a familiar cry of pain. Her eyes widened seeing one of her comrade's falls. "Mei Lin!" she screamed letting another arrow off. She dodged a man and rammed him in the face with her bow. Before she got anyway she was knocked across the head with incredible force.
Standing in shock, she ignored the warmth of crimson covering her face and looked around hearing another scream. The world around her spun, she saw Alex thrown off his horse before numerous men attacked him. Sakura was having her own battle, "Sakura!" she screamed when her sister was knocked to the ground.
Turning she saw the others swallowed up by Asai's forces. When her eyes landed on Eriol, tears spilled from eyes watching her beloved embedded with a sword. "Eriol, no!" the heavens shook with her screams. She looked at the black sky that swirled around her, when she looked down she was met with a bat across the head. She knew she screamed as she fell to the ground the world becoming black…
"Tomoyo!" Her eyes snapped open, her breathing coming in short gasps. Her head snapped to Eriol who was looking at her worriedly. "What's wrong?" he asked in a concerned tone knowing they had to get ready for Asai's men.
"Nothing" she gasped shaking her head. They looked at her hands only to see them shaking with nervousness.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked in their ancient tongue. Sakura looked at the tears coming to her amethyst eyes. She couldn't believe she had seen their death. She had never had vision before; it was always Sakura who had them. Now she knew what her friend went through.
"I—saw—our" she swallowed not able to finished. Syaoran sniffed the air, his dragon senses coming alive.
"Death" he finished shocking Tomoyo. "I smell death," he whispered tightening his hold on his sword.
"What do you mean?" Alex inquired when they heard Mei Lin a whimper. Glancing at her, they held back their gasp of shock. "W—what the fuck?!?!" Mei Lin held back a scream watching the bony hand slither around her waist.
"Help" she cried in a soft voice. Takashi scowled looking at the skinless remains of a human sitting behind her on the horse.
"Get off" he hissed raising his sword. The skull snapped to him, empty sockets staring coldly at him. It grabbed a hold of Mei Lin by the shoulders and lifted her off the horse. A scream tore from her throat when it tossed her off over its shoulder.
"Mei Lin!" Sakura cried watching her friend disappear in the dark mist over the lake. Hearing her screams of fear they hadn't a clue what was going on.
"Charge!" Asai's general shouted, they could hear the thundering of men's feet heading towards them.
"Oh why me?" Mei Lin screamed standing waist deep in water. She held back a scream when another corpse appeared behind her. The waters around her started to glow, the waves calming down. "Ah!" she jumped when one brushed against her. she was a woman of war but this was just too much for her.
They were all men, it seemed like they were returning from some sort of battle. Swallowing hard, she knew she had to go help her friends. Taking a step, she bit her bottom lip holding unto her sword tightly. "You can do this," she whispered in a soft tone.
"What the hell is happening?!?!" Takashi cried worried about Mei Lin. They were staring at the battle was happening in front of them. They had watched corpses fly from the waters and intercept Asai's men.
"Men from the hundred year war" Tomoyo whispered in a soft tone. "They all died, this village was one that was massacred," she explained briefly, tears burning her eyes. "Let's get this battle under way" she spoke in a firm tone. It seemed as though even the dead could sense the evil spreading through the land.
"Yeah" Sakura agreed raising Aurora. "Fire" she screamed making her sword burn brightly. Her soul filled with anger toward Asai's men. They had caused so much pain. "Yay!" she kicked her horse and took off towards the ongoing battle.
"Let's go!" Syaoran shouted riding off behind his beloved. They charge into the battle ready to help in wiping out Asai's men…
"Oh this isn't happening" Mei Lin whispered walking slowly. Hearing a scream, she looked up only to see a man tossed over her head. It looked like one of Asai's men. The waters shot up and met him, dragging him under the water. A shudder raced through her shaky form, and she willed herself to continue.
Fighting down her shiver, she picked up pace. The water was cold around her body but she ignored the numb feeling and walked.
A bright light lit the endless black heavens, illuminating colossal gray clouds; "No" she started to run thinking that her friends needed help. Seeing the shore, she picked up speed moving her skirt out of the way.
She falls to the knees making it out of the water. Looking up the town seemed to be an inferno; her eyes grew wide hearing the howls of men. "No, Takashi, Sakura, Tomoyo" she cried pushing herself up. "No!" night changed to day and day to night before her eyes.
If she had been any other person, witnessing this would have scared the hell out of her but she was Mei Lin. A cry tore from her throat and she pushed her self to her feet. Raising her sword she ran towards the flames.
She wasn't going to be left behind. This was a fight for all, when she raced through the flames she was surprised to see that if didn't hurt. Men cried out in pain running wildly around her, she inhaled deeply. It hugged to every strand of her hair; it felt warm and soothing when it touched her exposed skin.
She was pulled off her feet as flames surrounded her body. Closing her eyes she drifted off as she was encased. Everything was drowned out, the cries, the pain and the revengeful laughs of the bloodthirsty spirits…
All the residents of Eastwood were massacred on the night of All Saints. The women and children were throwing a celebration in honor of those that had perished to respect their spirits. And to thank the gods for the few who survived.
But on that faithful night, Asai's army fell upon the residents. Not a soul was spared, all perished in the horrible fire that consumed the town. Those who weren't slain on the streets and in the fire were forced into the lake were most drowned from exhaustion when the tide rose.
It was never known if a single soul was spared. This town was thought to have died with those who lived in it. It was never rebuilt; it was left barren the land fruitless and the waters poisoned with blood…
The sun's harsh rays beat upon Mei Lin's face.
Frowning her eyes slowly opened, she hadn't a clue where she was. Looking at the cloudless sky, she pushed
herself into a sitting position. Her
mouth felt dry and her eyes strained.
Looking towards the village, she could neither scream nor look away at
the sight before her. "Oh my god" she whispered getting to her feet when the
others started to wake up beside her.
Facing the barren fields before, she looked at the crucified bodies of Asai's men lined up in five rows. They were facing the lake, their heads hung as blood soaked the ground beneath them.
Syaoran help Sakura to her feet as they stared in shock. "How?" someone whispered when one of the horse's pounded the ground with it's hoofs, and whined. Takashi looked at Mei Lin and walked towards her.
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly making her turn her eyes from the spot where the town had been. She looked at him and was relieved to find that he hadn't been harmed in anyway. Slowly she found herself shaking her head. "Good" he spoke before turning back to what was left of Asai's men.
"Let's get out of here. The souls have had their vengeance" Syaoran stated walking towards his horse. Tomoyo thanked the gods that her vision hadn't come to past. Walking off with Eriol she mounted her horse swiftly.
Glancing towards the waters edge at the sound of laughter she saw the same little girl laughing with a man and woman walking towards the opposite end. A smile touched her lips before she kicked her horse and rode off with the others.
Riding through the dead soldiers they refrained from staring. None looked back when they rode through the gate of East Wood. When they disappeared around the bend, the sign bearing the town's name disappeared leaving no trace that it was ever there.
Yelen…
"What does it say mother?" Yelen read the letter she had before looking at her daughter. She sighed sitting behind Syaoran's desk. This was one of the times she wished Syaoran was present.
"It says that we're to be on guard because there's activity in the area" Yelen answered placing the letter down. "Wei"
"Yes Yelen?" he said walking forwards. He helped her out while the masters were away. It was a shame that both of them were gone in such a warlike time.
"Tell all the men to be on guard for any suspicious activity" she got up from where she was sitting and walked towards the door. "Fiemie get your sisters together. We're going to warn the villagers to be on guard"
"Yes mother" Fiemie answered running out the door. Wei walked out the door behind Yelen who was silent.
"What are we going to do? He wanted the boys to leave. It's only smart to attack us when we're at your weakest state" she stated in a firm tone. She clasped her hands behind her back, a frown touching her lips.
"Do you want us to send a message to Master Li?" he inquired when they walked outside. She looked at her large backyard remembering once it was it tainted with blood, her husbands being one of them. It seemed that time was upon them again.
"No. His mission is far more important. The emperor will need his help in defending the nation" she answered like a true leader. "We'll do the best we can here" he shook his head knowing that she was a very cunning woman. She had something up her sleeve; she would never leave her people open to a slaughter.
Later…Syaoran
"I haven't been with ya'll that long but I vote that we avoid towns from now on" Alex spoke before taking a bit of an apple. They were currently slowly riding down a narrow mountain trail. Syaoran said they were heading towards Gita, it would take them at least a day and a half to reach the town after they passed through Heathen Brook. It would be the last stop before they reached the capital since, as he wanted to evade all other town.
"I agree with you" Mei Lin muttered pushing her hood back. Looking at her cold hands, she flexed them hoping she wouldn't loose feeling in them. She shivered from the ice-cold winds wishing they were back in Eastwood because it was a lot warmer.
"You know it's odd that we've lived in this land for so long and never has anything like this happen before" Eriol commented riding in front of Tomoyo. They weren't able to ride next to each other. They were doing boy girl boy girl just in case there was any trouble.
"Maybe it's because of Rakanis" Sakura muttered with a slight frown on her lips. "The souls he took are turning in their graves because of what he's trying to do" suppressing a sigh she wished this would all come to an end.
"We're almost at the end" Syaoran spoke getting their attention. When they rounded the corner he frowned slightly looking at the tavern in front of them.
"I thought you said there weren't any rest stops on this trail?" Tomoyo spoke looking at the building.
"Looks like it's abandoned" Eriol observed noticing that there wasn't smoke coming from the chimney. "What are we doing to do?" he asked Syaoran looking at their leader who was staring at the inn with a frown.
"We're not stopping," he answered firmly continuing down the trail. They followed him not saying anything. They were glad to continue because it seemed that whenever they stopped they always got in trouble.
They passed the tavern not looking at it. They would head into the forest that was behind it. When they rounded the corner it wasn't a good site. "No" Sakura whispered softly shaking her head in disbelief.
"Oh my god" Mei Lin gasp swallowing hard. She heard the squishing sound when her horse stepped in soggy snow, which was crimson in color. Before them was what remained of a traveling circus of some sort.
"What do you think happened?" Alex asked softly. They had to ride through it in order to get to the forest, which they would have to ride through to kill time. Syaoran frowned smelling the stench of death that was blown into his face by the winds.
"It's only females," Sakura whispered in disbelief looking at the bodies they found. She closed her eyes knowing that they had been ravished before being brutally beaten. "Asai's men" she spoke in anger.
"Shhh Sakura" Syaoran whispered knowing that her temper flared when women were hurt by anything. He looked around the massacred carriages. He didn't know why Asai's men would go killing every thing. It didn't make sense to kill so much people. At this rate there wasn't going to be anything for him to rule once this was over. "Let's burn their bodies and move on" he spoke getting off his horse.
"We need to hurry up it seems like a storm is brewing" Eriol said looking off in the distance. They looked at the dark clouds heading in their direction and knew that he was right. Before Syaoran took a step he saw something move in the corner of his eyes.
"Stop" he spoke making the others come to a halt. "Come out don't make me come after you," he shouted in anger. Sakura wondered what he had seen. She looked around as well when something fell to the ground making her turn her horse around. "Now"
"We don't want to hurt you. We're here to help" Tomoyo spoke knowing that Syaoran was probably scaring them. Two young girls came from behind a wagon; they held each other's hands tightly in fright.
"See there it's okay" Tomoyo said getting off her horse. Soon it seemed that they were coming from everywhere. They were of many ages even some adults. They looked at the people walking towards them wondering what had happened.
"Who are you?" Takashi asked to one of the few men. He could tell that they were some kind of traveling amusement.
"We're Algonians, our family was attacked last night" the man answered in an angry tone. Algonians were short, midget like people from the western mountains. "The children said that the men who hadn't gone hunting went crazy when another group of men entered the village. They almost killed everyone on site before moving on," he explained before his voice broke off. He was obviously in pain and couldn't continue.
"We're sorry to hear that" Sakura spoke in a sad tone looking at the women and girls. There were about six men in the group. "We're here to offer assistance in burial of the dead"
"That would be greatly appreciated. My name is Damien" he held out his hand to her and Sakura shook it.
"I'm Sakura" she smiled going to pull her hand back when the look in his eyes changed. Fear filled her eyes, "No," she screamed when a surge of electricity rushed through her body. Hearing her scream Syaoran rushed to her.
"Get away from her" he shouted pulling his sword. It came so fast that Damien hadn't a chance to block it. His head went flying off his body. His hand flew away from Sakura's making her fall to the ground. "Sakura" he whispered catching her.
"What the hell are you?" Takashi hissed pulling his sword at the little children that were backing up. He glared coldly at them taking a hold of Mei Lin's hand. "Stay close," he whispered making her shake her head holding his hand.
"We want your life," one a little girl laughed making the others joins in chanting an unknown song. Tomoyo frowned deeply knowing that song because she had heard it before.
"Why don't you show us your real form?" Tomoyo spat glaring coldly at them. The girl gasped looking at Tomoyo her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"I would but I would have to kill you" she replied watching Syaoran scoop Sakura into his arms. She took a step forwards only to have an arrow embed itself at her feet.
"I wouldn't. Let us leave or you'll be sorry. I could care if you were gnome or not" the girl scowled turning into her true form. "You murderer" she continued looking at her ghastly form. She wasn't the prettiest of beings.
"We killed them not. It was men on four legs that did it" though rough wrinkled skin had replaced her youthful appearance,, she retained her childlike voice, filled with innocence. " We just took what was left of their essence. You're friend, and you" she spoke looking at Sakura then Tomoyo. "Even he" she pointed at Syaoran who frowned. "Have much, give us some," she pleaded wanting to taste a little of their soul.
"Back off before I kill you," Eriol spoke in a cold tone. "We leave or you die it's your choice" he nodded his head to Syaoran who slowly started towards his horse.
"One of them for all your lives" she spoke pointing at Tomoyo, Syaoran and Sakura. Syaoran growled loudly glaring at them with reptile pupils. The girl looked surprised stepping back.
"Leave before I make dinner out of you" Syaoran spoke in a dragon like voice. He smirked wickedly knowing that his inner self would gladly eat them and be happy.
"Dragon" she spoke in shock stepping back. "We want no trouble with you. Leave our land but be aware that you'll face more of us if you pass through the woods" she hissed pointing towards the opposite direction. "Get of our feeding grounds" she screeched they didn't need to be told twice. Tomoyo looked at the bodies, regretful in having to leave them to these monsters but what choice did they have? They hadn't a clue how much more was hiding in the forest.
They bounded their horses and took off with Sakura who was still passed out. He was going to have to tell her not to be so friendly. "Are we going to go through the forest?" Alex inquired when the death site disappeared from their view.
"No we're going to ride around until Sakura wakes up" Syaoran answered softly holding tightly unto her.
Yelen…
She looked up from the paper she was reading when one of her daughters raced
into the room with a horrified expression. "What's the matter Fanfran?" she
inquired getting up from the chair she was sitting in.
"Mother!" she screamed when a man pushed her forward roughly. She fell to the ground, and almost growled pushing herself up. Crawling towards her mother she got up when Yelen walked from behind the desk. She looked at the imposter who hadn't said a word as yet.
"What do you want?" she asked making him smile wickedly.
"Why to wipe out the Li Clan of course" he spat trying to scare her but it wouldn't work. "Oh don't even think about it Yelen" he continued in a menacing tone. "My men have your village surrounded. There's nothing you can do but come with me"
"I don't think so" Yelen replied in a firm tone. The man growled walking towards her. He stopped short when an arrow pierced his back. He looked at it then turned slowly only to see a small female glaring coldly at him.
"Mother they are going to attack us. We have to move fast" Fiemie cried ignoring the man she had shot.
"I know. We're going to have hold them off a much as we can" Yelen spoke walking towards the door when the man collapses. "Get all the women and children to" she broke off when screams echoed through the halls.
"Mistress we're under attack. It's Asai's men" a soldier shouted running towards her. Yelen picked upper her skirts and ran towards her balcony with her daughters following behind her. Stopping on the balcony she looked to the heaven only to see smoke rising from the village.
"Good lord no," she prayed seeing people break through the woods. "Sonya!" she cried seeing her and Teko in the group of people trying to make it to the manor.
"Get them," a man shouted from behind the people who were trying to get to safety. Sonya looked back at the army trying to ignore the fear.
"Mom! I want papa," Teko cried in her arms. She hugged him tightly trying to pick up speed. A woman next to her cried out when she was shot in the back by an arrow. Ignoring everyone she focused on getting to the manor.
"No!" she screamed when she was shot in the side. "Please god no" she cried struggling on. She had to get Teko to safety. She could see Yelen and the sisters ushering people inside the house. She cried out feeling another arrow hit her in the back. Falling to the ground she threw her son so she wouldn't land on him. "Run baby mommies behind you," she ordered trying to push herself up but her body felt like heavy.
NO. We'll make it together" Teko said shaking his head stubbornly. He jumped back when an arrow barely missed him. Sonya cried out in pain pushing herself up, blood oozing from her wounds. Taking his hand she knew she had to continue on her way for his sake.
"Come" she spoke pulling him along. She was almost to the manor. The taste of blood filled her mouth but she swallowed. Her body cried out in gruesome pain praying for it to go away. When she took the steps arrows shot overhead killing the men who were after them.
"Sonya" Fuutie cried running to her. Sonya gave Teko to her when Fiemie and Yelen caught her before she fell.
"Come we'll get you help" Yelen spoke leading her towards the house. She had to get her people to safety. It was up to her because her sons weren't home. It was clear that Rakanis wanted them gone because he sent a lot of men to wipe them out. "Get inside all of you" she ordered her men.
They hurried get in and pulled the doors closed latching it.
"Torch the house," the man in charge ordered loudly making it echo around the large home. He had men stationed on each side. "Tonight we're going to have a barbecue" the men around him cheered wildly...
Author's note: Oh this isn't good. I
hope you like this chapter, I know this is the that was supposed to have a lot
of romance. It's going to be the next,
I kind of added wrong and forgot about the other. Anyways. I hope you like this chapter, remember to review. Ja. And I'm going to update faster since as
I want to get this story over with.
