Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura. Sue me not.
Summary: It is the story about a girl called Sakura who falls in love with a boy who saves her life (Syaoran). Unknown to her, Syaoran has a secret! By daylight he is the cold, handsome boy Syaoran, but by nightfall, immersed in the enchantment of moonlight he becomes the mysterious white wolf of the forest. Will Sakura learn of Syaoran's secret before all hope is lost?
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DM: Okay, first a bit of house- keeping:
1. Thankyou to the reviewer who kindly alerted me to the fact that I've been misspelling 'Fujitaka' all this time …heheh oops- I shall render that immediately! *poof!* Done!
2. I don't mind receiving constructive criticism as long as it really is CONSTRUCTIVE. Arguing with me about the EXACT shade of green of Sakura's eyes is pushing it a little (You know who you are! ^_^). Some writers will put "emerald" green, others might write "jade" green or "moss" green but that doesn't mean I have to as well, okay? TURQUOISE sits well with me! *pouts*
3. But apart from that, I love ALL reviews, thankyou everyone!
Special thanks goes out to LiL DuDeTtE, Black Spark and heheangel kisses; my most diligent reviewers, and all the nice people who hoped my cold would get better- it has!! *smiles*
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Chapter 5:
Beyond the Gate of Lehn,
Shalt dream and power rise,
Its sacred threshold if shalt thee pass,
The truth in shadow lies…
The Key Lies in
Seven Precious jewels,
Set upon God's noble crown…
'…Here be the Jewel of the Sun…'
Syaoran traced a finger gingerly over the runes engraved into the warm basalt wall; its unearthly ancient markings casting obscure shadows in the pale flickering light of his oil lamp. He then opened the leather- bound book on his lap and compared the runes to those illustrated in pale blue ink on its pages. The markings were the same.
"I've found it." Syaoran murmured as he snapped the book shut.
It was only a small book with worn patches on its black leather dust- jacket, fragile yellowing rice- paper pages and the symbol of a star printed in fading silver ink on the spine. Despite its damaged and weathered appearance, Syaoran had a paid a fortune for it; seven- hundred titanium- gold coins and a pint of beer to be precise, to a shifty- eyed traveller in the Shadow District who had supposedly "borrowed" it from a dying archaeologist.
Perhaps it had been unwise to pay such a price, especially on the word of a nameless stranger in the Shadow District. But Syaoran was desperate.
He would pay a million titanium- gold coins over and over to each of Eem'lee Pikolor's lies and dicey 'acquaintances' if it brought him only a fraction closer to the truth beyond. Brought him closer to Eriol.
Now it seemed his perseverance had finally paid off.
Syaoran stood up and placed the oil lamp on the rough basalt floor of the cave. It was an underground cave to be precise, settled beneath the warm underbelly of a sulphurous dormant volcano. Mt. Jhuls was the volcano whose rocky foundations became the base upon which Jasm'ynn and other small mountain towns were built. Nonetheless it had taken Syaoran a good four days to trek down its steep slopes and into the bottom of its wide mouth before he had found the cave; so small and insignificant was its entrance that one would mistake it as a mere crevice in the wall of the volcano.
Syaoran chanted the incantations that he had long since memorised from the pages of the book:
"Powers of the Guardian of the Sun,
I, lowly earthen- bound Seeker of the Key,
Evoke thee!!"
In an instant, the ancient runes inscribed upon the chalky basalt walls began to glow; hot red at first, as the fiery surface of a branding iron. Suddenly, the solid forms of the runes began to fizzle into obscure blobs of searing fire and hot, molten magma began to push through the very wall of the cave, oozing slowly from the engravings, down the wall and across the floor toward Syaoran, inch by steaming inch.
A thundering sounded from beyond the wall, a deafening rumbling that shook and rattled the entire mountain and caused rocky debris from the cave's shallow ceiling to rain down upon Syaoran. His eyes widened in horror.
"Oh Shit!!" He cursed.
Without another thought, Syaoran picked up his back- pack, lamp and the leather book and ran panic- stricken through the semi- darkness toward the mouth of the cave.
The sharp sound of rocks exploding from somewhere behind, told him that the back wall of the cave had just given way and that the fiery magma from beyond would soon pour through its jagged- opening to fill the entire cave. If Syaoran did not make haste, he would surely be engulfed!
Syaoran threw himself headfirst through the narrow opening of the cave and into the dazzling, bright light of the day. He did not stop running, across the wide expanse of the volcano's blackened pit until he had reached the far wall from whence he had initially come. He grunted with effort as he leaped onto the nearest ledge and gripped the dusty, creviced wall for support. He swung his legs safely off the charred, blackened ground.
A fraction of a second later, a scarlet ocean of sticky, searing lava burst through the earth's surface, demolishing the cave's miniscule entrance and engulfing the entire floor of the volcano's pit in its fiery, thick ooze. He could feel wafts of hot steam rising from it, dampening his clothes, hair and skin.
At that moment, blindingly hot white light exploded from within the very core of the volcano and Syaoran clenched his stunned eyes shut. When he finally opened them once more he stared down at the churning molten lava pool that simmered just feet below him. There, beneath its bubbling flaming surface, a bright spherical silhouette glowed and flickered. As Syaoran stared, the silhouette unfurled its spherical form and began to rise to the surface of the lava.
It soon became clear that the ball of light that Syaoran stood watching was in fact, not a ball at all but…an animal? Was it even possible for an animal to withstand the extreme heat of a volcano?
A single head emerged from the blazing pit. Head became neck, shoulder, body, four legs and tail of a magnificent, colossal creature; glowing in all its ethereal beauty. Syaoran would have thought it a kind of lion with its shining golden fur, its muscular body and piercing golden eyes, all but for the strange ornamental armour of silver that it wore on its head and back, and the fact that its radiating form was being lifted slowly into the humid air by an enormous pair of white, feathery wings. This truly, was no ordinary creature.
The winged beast regarded Syaoran with its steady golden gaze, its white wings flapping slightly as it floated at level with Syaoran's rocky ledge.
"I am Cerberus, Guardian of the Sun," the beast rumbled, "Why have you summoned me from my sleep?"
Syaoran returned the creature's steady gaze and raised his chin with defiance. "I want to claim the Jewel that you possess."
Cerberus's golden eyes widened with surprise. "You wish to claim the Jewel of the Sun? That is under my Guardianship, and I will not give that over to anyone."
Syaoran cockily raised an eye- brow. "Not unless I defeat you."
The winged- beast growled and narrowed his eyes at Syaoran with immediate suspicion.
"Yes, that is the prophesy."
At that moment, Syaoran's scrutinising amber eyes flickered to the ceremonial head- piece clamped to the creature's forehead. The large round ruby encrusted into the silver- plated armour glittered in all its magnificent, crimson glory. Cerberus followed Syaoran's gaze and snarled.
"If you can pry the Jewel from my grasp, than you shall have it," Cerberus growled, "But it will not be an easy task for you, and perhaps you shan't survive."
Syaoran suddenly felt his confidence falter. He threw another fleeting glance at the scorching pit of fiery lava beneath his ledge and subconsciously gulped. He took a deep, calming breath before he responded, his calm demeanour returned.
"I know the conditions."
"So let us begin." Cerberus commanded as he flung itself higher into the air with a powerful thrust of its wings.
Syaoran barely had time enough to leap onto an adjacent ledge out of harm's way, as the golden beast opened his massive fanged jaws and sent a furious blast of flames through the air toward him, charring the surrounding rock.
Cerberus circled the circumference of the lava pit before launching into another aerial assault, sending a column of flame down upon his challenger. Again, Syaoran ducked the fiery attack and dove onto another nearby platform. This time the hem of his cloak was singed.
And attack after fiery attack rained down upon Syaoran as Cerberus circled the volcano pit and sent blazing fire balls hurtling dynamically through the air, narrowly missing his opponent.
Syaoran was beginning to panic. The beast floated above him at an obvious advantage in its air borne vigil while here he was trapped along the wall of the volcano, weapon-less, defenceless and about to be fried extra- crispy!
Syaoran could only dodge Cerberus's attacks for so long before the beast's sense of aim finally reached full accuracy or he himself fell to his death into the flaming pit of lava below. None of those options were looking particularly good right now. It was time to turn the tables!
Syaoran waved his arms up and down and whooped arrogantly at the still-circling Cerberus above him.
"You call yourself a Guardian?! Is that really the best you can do?!" Syaoran crowed.
For the first time, the mighty Cerberus actually laughed, almost as though he were truly enjoying himself. "No. This is."
And with that, the winged lion plummeted through the air toward Syaoran, determined to knock him off his rocky ledge and into the sweltering lava flames forever.
Syaoran prepared himself. Just as Cerberus hurtled rapidly toward him, colossal jaws opened once more as he released another scorching column of flame, Syaoran leaped from his rocky out-crop of the volcano wall, onto the back of the powerful winged beast.
"Arghhh!!" Syaoran howled in pain as he clutched his right arm and the nauseating smell of burning flesh reached his nostrils. It had been caught in the flaming strike whilst he was leaping from the stone ledge. Still he clung tightly around the golden beast's neck, willing himself to not let go.
Cerberus, who didn't know what had hit him, wildly beat his enormous wings and bucked like a furious stallion, trying desperately in vain to unseat his unwelcomed rider. He then took to soaring through the air in loops, hoping that exhilarating speed and some creative spinning would dislodge him. It did not however, and Syaoran continued to cling tightly to the winged- beast's neck.
Finally, Cerberus plummeted fifty feet toward the ground, headed straight toward the Forest below. If animated flying didn't remove the boy, perhaps a rough ride through the dense scrub and foliage would! And for a time, it had succeeded. Syaoran's already injured right shoulder had slammed into a thick tree branch and had thrown him violently from Cerberus's back, across the hard, snow- covered ground.
Syaoran moaned softly as he rolled over onto his back, still clutching his burnt, bruised and now possibly dislodged right arm. A number of small cuts and welts had opened on his face and his lip was bleeding quite severely.
Cerberus stretched his impressive wing span triumphantly. "You have lost, human. Time to die."
Another soft moan escaped Syaoran's damaged lips before he weakly raised himself on his arms and gazed quietly at Cerberus.
"I'm not human." He replied simply.
The winged golden beast watched in horror as every welt and cut on Syaoran's face and body began to heal and close, every bruise disappear, every tendon and torn muscle repair itself. The only injury that remained it seemed, was the severe burn on his right arm.
"Y- you are IMMORTAL?!" Cerberus roared, incredulous.
Syaoran smiled kindly. "As you know, you can only harm an immortal soul through magical attacks …but even then, you certainly cannot kill me."
"This is IMPOSSIBLE!!" Cerberus cried. With that, the infuriated beast lunged at Syaoran.
But Syaoran had been quicker. In a split second his fingers had fallen upon the oil lamp that still hung from his belt buckle and he had hurled it at the advancing form of the beast.
Cerberus roared in pain and surprise as the glass lamp exploded at its feet and sent flames and shattered glass into its massive paws and face. (It's okay everyone! Cerberus cannot die either! ^_^)
Syaoran took advantage of the Guardian's brief distraction and stepped forward to grab hold of the ruby Jewel encrusted into its head armour. He gave it a purposeful tug and the shimmering stone fell free.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!" roared Cerberus as Syaoran stumbled backwards clutching the Jewel.
The Guardian beast began to glow; hot, glittering blue and its enormous white wings began to wrap and encapsulate the beast's entire body. Another blinding shaft of hot white light, much like before, exploded from beneath the wings and Syaoran found himself, closing his eyes once more.
The light faded and Syaoran slowly opened his eyes.
The powerful, impressive form of Cerberus was no longer. In its place, lying unconscious and vulnerable on the forest floor was the tiny form of a small kitten- sized animal with soft yellow fur, large bear- like ears and a tiny pair of white wings. Syaoran understood that he was looking at the recessive form of Cerberus. (Yay! Kero rocks!!! ^_^)
Gazing intently at this powerless, tiny creature, Syaoran immediately felt remorse for having fought the creature in the first place and rendering it to this state, though it truly needed to be done.
Syaoran bent down and gently scooped Kero into the palm of his hand. Perhaps it could live with him? He had after all, destroyed its home…
And with that, Syaoran wrapped Kero's frail furry body in his handkerchief and placed him in his back- pack. (I have a feeling Kero's gonna be a tad pissed- off when he wakes up ^_^ mwahahaha). He then stared at the Sun Jewel, glittering crimson as the setting sun overhead. It felt warm in the palm of his hand.
He put his other hand into the small suede pouch tied to his waist and felt his fingers close around two small, smooth objects. He placed them beside the ruby one in the palm of his hand.
One of them, the glorious golden- yellow Jewel, unlike the ruby, felt cool against Syaoran's skin, almost like the mellow breeze at sea.
The other; the pale white Jewel was like ice to touch and it shimmered like the opaque, pearly moon in the darkness of the night.
The Key Lies in
Seven Precious jewels,
Set upon God's noble crown…
Syaoran sighed deeply as he watched the last of the day's dying light fade into the Western hills. He smiled as realisation dawned upon him. He had now collected three…
Syaoran sank exhaustedly to the cold leaf- littered ground, drowsiness finally claiming him. Darkness called to him. And he obliged.
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Syaoran opened his eyes ever so slightly; two, eight, maybe eighteen hours later…he really couldn't tell…
"Syaoran?"
A soft voice had spoken; so sweet…so familiar…
Someone gently touched his face.
The darkness of Syaoran's vision shifted slightly.
Two soft, concerned turquoise eyes swam somewhere above him before he sank back into oblivion.
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DM: Uh-oh, our little Syaoran has passed-out until the next chapter!
And whose eyes did he see just before he loses consciousness? Like we even need to ask! ^_^
Well, I hope nobody minded the severe lack of S+S fluff in this particular chapter but I thought it was an important one that addressed some key issues in this story, namely about Syaoran's quest.
Like, WOAH-HOLD THE PHONE- Syaoran's immortal??!!
What exactly are the Seven Jewels? Why is Syaoran searching for them? And is he really any closer to finding Eriol??
One thing I CAN say is that a full- return to S+S fluffiness is due in the coming chapter. You shall not be disappointed *wink wink*
But if you wanna see it, you gotta SUBMIT REVIEW!