A/N: ::sighs:: I just noticed something. . . . In the past few chapters when "Fate" was mentioned. . . I was s'pose to write Hope not Fate!!!! AAHHH!!! Now I know I'm going crazy!!! ::winces:: Baka neck-cramp. . . I made SO MANY mistakes!!! PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU SEE ANYMORE!! Because my mind is going haywire these days and I can't think straight because of school and all. . . I am sorry for the confusion you must be facing. . . ::inhales deeply:: Well, let's get on with the long awaited chapter. . .but first:
*Disclaimer* I do not own CCS and I will never own CCS. . . baka CLAMP comes up with the best ideas! I wish I were CLAMP and that I owned CCS! But I own the made up characters in here. ::sighs:: Life sucks. . .
Oh and this chapter is longer (I think) then any other chapter that I have probably written in the past. . . I hope you enjoy. . .
And thank you to the 2 people who told me that a girl horse is a mare and that a boy horse is a stallion! You know who you are!
AND I'M SOOOO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING!!!
he Goddess of Light & The God of Earth
Chapter 15: Dameon*Demon of the Underworld
By: Azure Rosas
Sakura, Syaoran, Crystallight, Rage and Gem continued their journey that morning. The eclipse gleamed brighter then before. Heat imitted from it and pelted against their backs. The stallions and mares trotted on, their manes gleaming with sweat. Everyone's face was solemn, dark and pale, a hint of fear in their eyes. Cold shivers ran repeatedly up and down their spine. Something was near. . . something dark. . . something evil. . . Something they couldn't describe. Narrowing her eyes, Crystallight examined the world around them as it went by in a flash because of the horses' speed. Pulling the cloak on tighter around her, Sakura pulled the hood over her head. Coldness drenched her insides, and the heat of the eclipse penetrated through the coolness of the cloak. Not even the cloak made by a Goddess could protect her from the threatening heat. Syaoran's grip on the reins seemed to go tighter as his knuckles turned white. His eye brows were furrowed together as he kept his gaze forward, his amber eyes burning with intensity and fear.
Gem brought a hand around her pendant hanging around her neck. Wrapping it in her hands, panic and worry was in her eyes. -Oh dear. . . something is wrong. . . Something is coming. . . - Then she looked up at the darkened sky. -PleasE, protect us. - She touched her forehead, then her heart, and tapped her left then right shoulder, making the shape of a cross.
Rage's eyes scrunched up in a glare. He looked side ways and met Crystallight's gaze. She gave him the slighest nod. Pulling on the reins, he steered his mare to the front so that he blocked the other's passage. Everyone pulled their horse to a hault and stared at him questioningly, besides Crystallight who brought her mare to his side.
"Crystallight and I are going to go on ahead to see what awaits us," Rage explained. "Gem, you will stay here to watch Master Xiaolang and Sakura-sama."
She nodded her head. "Just be careful you two."
Giving them a smirk, Crystallight and Ryu clicked their heels against the horses' sides. "Don't worry. . . we will!" Crystallight called from over her shoulder as they got farther from eye sight.
Dismounting the mares and the stallion, Syaoran and the two girls slumped on the ground and rested their backs against the horses. Leaning her head back, Sakura sighed while closing her eyes.
-I wonder what that was. . . that feeling. . . That dark presence we keep on feeling?- she wondered silently to herself. With her fingers, she fiddled with the Star Key, that hung around her neck, absentmindedly.
Silence was over the trio, an intense air hanging about them. Syaoran inhaled deeply, then exhaled before he spoke up. "Gem. . . Tell us more about the Gods and Goddesses. . ."
Gem looked up at him and smiled. "Of course. . .Master Xiaolang. . . Well. . . There are many Gods and Goddesses. They each protect something, or guard it. So they're kinda like Guardians. Like us. . . we're like Guardians if you think about it. You, Master, guard all of Earth, you are Earth's protector. And you, Sakura-sama, guard the light, you guard all that stands for good. You are the protector of good. . . " Gem explained. Sakura and Syaoran listened with interest as they nodded their heads vigorously once and a while. "And all Gods and Goddesses draw their power from what they guard or rule over. And the Angels. . . well they stand for many things that we believe in. . . It's the Angels we look towards for guidance, and for faith and hope. They are like symbols. . . and are also like Guardians of us and Humans." Then she said, "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"Hai. . . " Sakura trailed off. "Ano. . . . In order to be in Heaven. . . Shouldn't you be. . . dead?"
Gem chuckled. "When you're alive. . . you can be a God. While living, you can be allowed into Heaven when ever you wish. . . And when death comes, Heaven becomes your permanent home."
A look of realization crossed Sakura's face as her mouth went into the shape of an '0' "I understand now. . . ." Then she asked, "My Okaa-san. . . is she. . . is she an angel?"
She shook her head gently. "Iie." A look of disappointment crossed Sakura's face. "But she is a Goddess."
Wonder now appeared in her features. "Really!? What about my 'tou-san and Onii-chan? And all of my other tomodachis? (A/N:that's how you spell it, ne?)" Sakura asked.
A mysterious glint was in her eyes, but Gem continued to smile. "They. . .I cannot say what has become of them. . . You will find out in the end. . ."
"Okay. . . ." Sakura's voice trailed off.
"So, Master? Is there anything you'd like to know?" Gem questioned, looking at Syaoran.
He blinked his eyes, as if snapping out of his thoughts. Syaoran looked at her. "Huh? Nani?"
Smiling, Gem repeated, "Is there anything that you'd like to know?"
"Yeah. . . " Syaoran's voice trailed off. "Why were we chosen?"
Her chest heaved up then slumped. "I am sorry. . . but I also cannot tell you why. . . It is for the two of you to figure out on your own. You already know the answer, but you just do not realize it. And in order to figure it out. . . you have to listen to your heart. . . and let it guide you." Though as she spoke, she looked sideways at Sakura, as if trying to send some kind of message through her by eye contact.
Tilting her head, confusion was in Sakura's emerald green eyes. -Hoe? Why is she looking at me that way?- she wondered in her mind.
Another intense air grew around them. Silence envoloped the group like a tidal wave washing over land. Time ticked by and once in a while Sakura would take glances at her watch. Anxiety and nervousness was etching in them, and it intensified as the time flew by. Where were they? Where was Crystallight and Rage?
-What's taking them so long?- the trio couldn't help but think to themselves over and over again.
Knitting her eye brows together, Gem looked down at her pendant (which she took from around her neck and kept clasped in her hands). It was a beautiful pendant. . . bright and brilliant. It was white and clear; oval shaped. In the center, engraved in silver was a cross, and at the center of that cross was a small crystal. That small crystal was a white-tannish colour. Rage and Crystallight had one similar to her's, except the crystal was a different colour to represent their element power. She gripped it in her hands, as she lifted her head up and looked towards the direction they last saw Crystallight and Rage ride off to. Then the sound of soft hooves hitting ground was brought to their ears. It came nearer, and nearer until they could see two specks. Those two specks slowly grew bigger and bigger and once it was in eye sight, they could see the stallion and mare of Crystallight and Rage. Flame and Hue dashed towards them at quick speed. The trio and the horses stood up and waited for the mare's and stallion's approach. As it came closer, they could see the panic and fright burning brightly in their eyes.
Flame and Hue finally made it to them. They moved restlessly about as they shook their heads and snorted. Gem walked up to Hue and grabbed the reins as she lied a reassuring hand between Hue's eyes.
"Sh. It's alright. . . " Gem said in a smooth, soft voice. "Calm down. . . ."
All of the mare's panic seemed to have left her, but she snorted once in a while as she stared into Gem's eyes. Some kind of message seemed to have passed between human and horse because Gem's face suddenly turned grave.
"Rage and Crystallight. . . They're in trouble. . . " Gem said as she turned to Sakura and Syaoran.
"Well we gotta help them!" Sakura exclaimed, worry in her eyes and voice.
"You two musn't go! You HAVE to stay here!" she replied, her voice holding urgency.
"But why?" Syaoran asked.
"We can't risk you two getting hurt. . . or even worse. . . killed," Gem said firmly. "You two are the world's last hope. So please! Just do as I say and stay here!!"
Syaoran and Sakura remained silent for a while. Then Sakura clenched her fists and calmly closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply before replying, "I'm going. And there's nothing you can say to stop me."
Syaoran nodded. "I'm going also."
Gem looked at the two helplessly. She let out a frustrated cry. "FINE! Get yourselves killed! Just don't say I didn't warn you. . ." Turning her back to them, she mounted her horse, Dusk.
Sakura and Syaoran mounted Jade and SilverFox as the trio set the horses at a fast run, Flame and Hue trotting ahead to lead the way. The world around them went by in a blurr as the wind whipped against their faces. Five minutes finally flew by when they saw Flame and Hue slowling to a hault. With the slightest tug on the reins, SilverFox, Jade and Dusk walked at a slow pace right behind Flame and Hue. The grounds they walked upon had a few scorch marks and craters about. This area of land seemed darker and a fog started to brew. Dark clouds formed over head and the eclipse glared brighter then before. Gem looked around and then her eyes landed on something as they widen. A gasp escaped her mouth. Dismounting her mare, she jogged towards Rage and Crystallight. They lied on the ground, obviously knocked unconscious. Their swords lied inches from them.
"Rage! Crystallight!"
Kneeling beside Crystallight, Gem gently started to shake her. Nothing happened. She made no move, or no sound. Sakura and Syaoran dismounted their horses and joined Gem by her side.
"Are they okay?" Sakura asked.
"I hope so. . . " Gem said softly.
"What could've done this?" Syaoran questioned, half to himself and half to the others as his eyes gazed at the world around them, looking for any signs of what or who was the cause of things.
A dark powerful surge of magic shot around them like haywire. Their senses immediately became alert and Gem's pendant took form of a sword as she stood up. Syaoran changed his pendant also and Sakura's hand shot up and wrapped around the Star Key as the three stood in a defensive position.
"Come out whoever you are!" Syaoran shouted.
"The eclipse has come. . . " a voice rang, "darkness arrived. . . The Lords have risen. . . Tell me Chosen Ones. . . What chance do you have of surviving?"
"More then you'll ever have," the God of Earth sneered.
The voice let out a cold chuckle. "Everything is against you. . . There's no way you can defeat the Lords. . . They are more powerful then you'll ever be. Come now Little Wolf, you surely don't believe you can defeat them, now do you?"
A low growl escaped from inside Syaoran's throat as the barred his teeth.
"You and the Cherry Blossom will perish if you try and face them. . . ." the voice continued. "Just give up and surrender yourselves. . . Then maybe we'll spare the others. . . and the world."
Gem glared at nothing. "Silence and be gone Minion of Evil! Your words cannot stop the two Chosen Ones from defeating Lord Zero and Hades!"
"Temper temper. . . " the voice taunted. "You really should butt out of other people's business you know that? Just because you're a Goddess, that doesn't give you the right to butt in. Now stay out!"
Gem's mouth opened to shout something back, but her jaws suddenly snapped together. Her eyes went wide as muffled sounds could be heard from inside her throat.
"Well, now that that's settled. . . . Where were we? Oh yes. . . Come now you two. . . There is no hope for Japan or the world. Even if you do kill off Lord Zero and Lord Hades, that cannot bring back the people and things already destroyed. You can't just bring people back from the dead and restore all of Japan, now can you?"
A feeling of despair gripped Sakura, but she kept determination in her eyes. She kept her hopes strong. Clenching her fists tightly, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Shut up and go to Hell, ass hole!" (A/N: Bad Sakura )
Syaoran looked at Sakura, a look of shock and suprise written on his face. "Sakura. . . "
She turned to him and gave him a confused look. "Nani?"
He fought to keep a straight face. "Nothing. . . never mind. . . "
The voice let out a laugh. "My dear CardMistress, I already live in Hell."
Rolling her eyes, she sneered. "Then go back and just leave us alone!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. My Lord has sent me to retrieve the two of you," whoever it was replied.
After that was said, a dark mist began to form infront of them. It swirled in circles and a pair of gleaming green narrowed eyes could be seen at the center. "Come to me Chosen Ones. . . "
Sakura's and Syaoran's pupils disappeared and their legs started to move forward. But inside, they fought to keep control. Gem came infront of them and tried pushing them back with all her might. She fought the spell that kept her mouth shut and once it broke, she took in gulps of fresh air through her mouth as she gritted her teeth. Gem started to slide backwards and she dug her heels into the ground, a strained look coming on her face.
"Fight it you two!" she shouted. "Fight it!!! Don't let him win!!!! FIGHT IT!!! YOU HAVE TO FIGHT IT!!! PLEASE! DO IT FOR YOUR FRIENDS! FOR YOUR FAMILY! FOR JAPAN! FOR THE WORLD'S SAKE!!!!"
Her words entered their minds, but yet it sounded so far away. . . and yet so near.
-I have to fight it. . . - Sakura thought.- I have to. -
-Come to me. . .- the voice continued to say in their minds as if trying to put them in a trance; which they were already in.
-Get out of my mind!- Syaoran shouted. -Leave us alone!-
Sakura and Syaoran struggled with the spell put on them. It seemed as if they were doing some kind of battle within them to regain control of their minds and body. They had to regain control. . . They just had to. . . because they were the last hope for the lives of many, and the world. Fighting for what's right is what they believed in, and they would do just that for their friends and family, and the people. Gritting their teeth, Sakura and Syaoran tightly shut their eyes, fell on their knees, and clamped their hands on the side of their heads. Throbbing pain shot in their head as they fought to push away the minion from gaining control of them. Their pink and green aura blazed brighter then anything as it intertwined like a blazing fire. A different colour envoloped the pink and green. Instead of its usual pink, it was gold, and instead of the usual green, it was silver. A shriek came from the misty foam as it was pushed backwards and fell to the ground. The mist took shape of a little tiny creature. It had legs and arms with claws, a tail, the tip an arrow-head shape, cat-like green eyes, pointy bat-like ears and wings, and its skin was a red-orange colour.
Sakura and Syaoran sat back, panting heavily as their chest heaved up and down. Their aura turned back to its regular colour and Gem let out a sigh of relief.
-THAT. . .was a close one. . . -
The tiny demon creature jumped up to its feet as it barred its fangs and hissed venomisly. Gem glared down at it.
"Who or what are you?" she asked, disgust mingling in her voice.
"I am Dameon, Demon of the Underworld. . . Minion of Evil," it replied in a high-pitched voice.
"What do you want?" Syaoran asked once him and Sakura regained their composure.
"To bring you and the Card Mistress to my Masters. . ."
Syaoran eyed the creature, then smirked. "You're barely a foot tall! You're not even worth the challenge."
Dameon tilted his head back and glared, but smirked in return. "Do not judge your foe by first glance Xiaolang. . . . Remember. . . Just because one may look small and weak in the out, doesn't mean they are not strong and powerful in the inside."
He snorted. Gem commented, "Master, he's right you know. Never misjudge your enemy."
"Whatever," Syaoran mumbled.
Sakura stared at the demon. She could sense his powerful magic, and it scared her. Shivers ran up and down her spine over and over again. She gripped her Star Key tightly. Dameon turned and looked at her and his smirk widen when he sensed her fear and fright.
-I guess it's time to use another of my tricks. . . - Dameon thought to himself as he locked eye contact with her.
More fear gripped her heart like an iron bar as she tried to tear her gaze away but failed poorly. She could feel something entering her body and it slowly started to take control of her. She couldn't do anything from terror. Everything in her was being taken over. . . her mind. . . her body. . . and her actions. She felt herself being pushed away, faraway to the back of her mind where she would probably be forgotten. Her pupils disappeared and her emerald green eyes turned blank and dull. Dameon's smirk turned into a triumphant grin.
"Now Card Mistress, kill that pesty girl and the others, but spare the Little Wolf," Dameon ordered.
Gem and Syaoran turned around and stared at Sakura, their eyes open wide. Sakura tore the Star Key from around her neck and slowly held it out infront of her. Her lips parted as she chanted in an emotionless tone:
"Key which holds the power of the stars
Reveal thy true form before me
I, Sakura command your under our contract,
RELEASE!"
The Star Key grew into the Star Staff. She gripped the staff and whipped out a card. Syaoran and Gem continued to stare at her in shock. Syaoran took a step forward.
"Sakura. . . What are you doing?" he questioned.
She glared at him. Flinging the card out infront of her, she forcefully brought her staff upon it. "SWORD!" Pink ribbons sprouted from the card and wrapped itself around the staff. Once the ribbons disappeared, it revealed a golden sword. Sakura held the hilt firmly in her clasped hand. Pointing it at Syaoran's heart, her glare intensified. "Prepare. . . to die."
Dameon's grin went wider so that you could see all of his pearly white fangs glinting under the glare of the eclipse. Gem eyed him suspiciously. -IHe took control of Sakura-sama. . . How are we going to get her back?/i-
"Sakura. . it's me! Syaoran!" Syaoran said, trying to get to Sakura.
"Syaoran?" Sakura repeated as if it had no matter. "I do not know a: Syaoran. . . Now enough stalling! Defend yourself and fight me Little Wolf!"
Syaoran furrowed his eye brows. -What am I going to do? I can't fight her. . .- He stared into her lifeless eyes. -There's no way she'll listen to me. . . I guess I WILL have to fight her. . - He brought his sword up and touched the blade against Sakura's so that the two swords made an X shape.
"Fine. . . I'll fight you," Syaoran stated.
"Make sure you don't kill him Sakura," Dameon called. "Lord Zero and Hades want him alive."
"Yes Master," Sakura replied.
A look of disgust came upon Syaoran's face. -I should've known! He has her under his command! That little creature can't even do things for himsel. -
"Fight," Sakura hissed.
And in no time at all, the two were locked in a sword-to-sword combat. Their moves and attacks were evenly matched. They moved at equal speed, and they fought with equal strength. Bringing her sword down horizantilly, she made a jab towards his heck. Raising his blade up diagonally, Syaoran blocked the attack in the nick of time. Withdrawing her sword, she brought it up then forcefully brought it down with a cry. Metal collided into metal, a loud ear-splitting CLANG rining in the air. The two pushed all their weight into the hilt as they tried to push the other back. Grinding his teeth, Syaoran dug his heels into the ground as he felt himself slide an inch backwards. Her lips twitched into a smirk as she put more strength in.
"Just give up Little Wolf," Sakura said, her voice sounding cold and menicing. "You cannot win.You cannot defeat me."
He sneered. "That's what you think." With new strength, he forced her backwards.
Sakura walked back, her eyes wide in shock. Slidding her blade against his, she moved his sword away. The two panted lightly as they glared at each other.
-I have to somehow get Sakura back without hurting her. . .- Syaoran thought to himself as the two warriors circled eachother. They plunged at each other and attacked. -IBut how?/i-
Jumping backwards to avoid getting stabbed at, Sakura pulled out another Sakura Card. Flinging it out infront of her, she tapped the card with her staff and called, "FIERY!"
The card took form and in its place was an elven like boy. His skin was that of almost a yellow colour with a band around his head. Spreading his bat like wings to its full extent, Fiery barred its fangs and hissed menicingly at Syaoran.
"Attack him!" Sakura ordered.
Flying towards him, a ball of inferno formed in the palm of Fiery's hand. He released it and it came flying towards Syaoran. Dodging to avoid it, the fire scraped against his shoulders. Wincing lightly, he brought a hand over his shoulder and narrowed his amber eyes at the smirking fire spirit.
"Fiery. . . Stop this!" Syaoran said. "Dameon is controlling your Mistress! You got to believe me!"
Feiry continued to stare at him intently, as if boring holes through his very soul. Silence was everywhere. Sakura's eye brow twitched and a vein popped in her forehead.
"Fiery! I order you to attack!" Sakura demanded in anger.
"Sakura wouldn't want this. . . " Syaoran said softly.
"Don't listen to him!" Sakura shouted, glaring daggers at the God of Earth.
"Dameon has her under his control. . . " he stated lowly.
Everyone waited anxiously as they held their breaths. Fiery just floated there, not making a single move. Syaoran continued to stare into Fiery's flaming eyes intently. He wondered what was going on in the creature's mind. The next thing was something Sakura nor Dameon was expecting to happen. The fire spirit turned around sharply and sent a pillar of fire at the little demon. Dameon's green eyes went wide as a shriek of anger escaped his mouth. Flapping his wings, he flew into the air to avoid being burnt to a crisp. Clenching her Star Staff tightly, anger raged in Sakura. She narrowed her lifeless eyes at the spirit and at Syaoran.
"You traitor!" Sakura exclaimed in furry at Fiery. "How can you!?!? I'm your Mistress!!! And I demand you at once to attack him!" She pointed a finger at Xiaolang.
Smirking, Syaoran crossed his arms. "He only obeys Sakura."
"I AM SAKURA!" Sakura practically shouted.
"Iie. You're not," Syaoran said, more like stated. "You're someone else. The real Sakura wouldn't order Fiery to attack me."
"And how do you know that?" Sakura questioned in a low hiss.
"I just do," he replied simply. "Now why don't you stop pretending to be someone you're not."
"I can't stop pretending because I really am her," was her reply.
"In the outside you are," he said, "but in the inside. . . you aren't because you are being controlled. If you really are Sakura, you wouldn't let someone else control you. You are your OWN person, not someone's slave! So fight it!"
She just stared blankly at him. "I know what you're doing, you're trying to stop your own destructioin. Well it's not working." She whipped out another card and kept it in between her middle and index finger. Then she turned it around to reveal the Earthy Card. "Prepare to meet your match. . . Li Xiaolang!"
While this took place, Gem looked up to see Dameon watching the two like a vulture. Seeing this to her advantage, she changed her sword back to her pendant and put it around her neck. Then she snuck around like a silent cat at night. She watched Sakura move gracefully as she flung her card infront of her. It spinned in place as she raised her staff above her head. Gritting her teeth, Gem plunged forward.
"Oh no you don't!"
She tackled a suprised Sakura to the ground and she strained to keep Sakura pinned to the ground. "Master! Get over here!!! I can't hold her much longer!!!"
Syaoran rushed to her aid as Sakura forced Gem off of her and stood up. Grabbing her arms, Syaoran brought them behind her back and wrapped his other arm around her neck. She struggled desperately as she kicked her legs.
"LET ME GO!"
"Hurry!" Syaoran said to Gem.
Placing the tip of her fingers on Sakura's forehead, Gem closed her eyes in concentration. Words barely audible above her breath escaped her mouth in a rapid unfamiliar launguage. A white light imitted from her fingers and encased Sakura in a warm bright whiteness. Her pupils flickered in her eyes and a dark shadow flew out of her mouth and evaporated in the sky. Her pupils went back and the life in her emerald green eyes returned. She blinked, then shouted. "WILL YOU PLEASE LET ME GO!?!"
Syaoran let her go. Letting out a sigh of relief, Sakura smiled gratefully at Gem. "Arigatou. I thought that would never end. . ."
Gem smiled in return. "You're welcome Sakura-sama. It was all in a day's work!"
"You gaki!" Dameon screamed. "It's all YOUR FAULT! NOW YOU'LL BE THE FIRST TO PERISH!!!" He pointed an accusing boney finger at Gem who eyed him.
"Eh? And prey tell what you're going ot do about it?"
Dameon growled dangerously. His eyes flashed a brighter red and slowly turned to a blood red. A red hue aura surrounded him. He started to grow much taller then his normal height. More skin was on him so that he didn't look skiny anymore. His fangs looked more like knives. Dameon was now a couple of inches taller then Syaoran himself. Everyone gaped at him in disbelief as his true power surged everywhere. Fiery narrowed his eyes as his hair stood at end. Hissing sounds escaped his mouth as his whole body shook. Sakura's grip on her Star Staff tightened until her knuckles turned white.
-He's powerful. . . - She thought. -To powerful. . . How are we going to defeat this demon?-
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Azure Rosas: END OF THIS CHAPTER!!! I would've ended this sooner but I thought I'd give you readers a long chapter for once. . . ^-^ And I would've continued on but I couldn't think of anything else to add. I hope there were no mistakes in here like mechanics. . .grammar. . .punctuation. . .names, etc. etc. There MAYBE other parts with awful use of language in the future chapters just to let you know. Oh and I would've made Sakura say #@$&^ instead of ass hole but I thought. . . 'nah. I'll just have her say ass hole.' Anyways. . .Are there any comments? Suggestions for future chapters? Flames? Well if there are. . PLEASE REVIEW!!!
*Disclaimer* I do not own CCS and I will never own CCS. . . baka CLAMP comes up with the best ideas! I wish I were CLAMP and that I owned CCS! But I own the made up characters in here. ::sighs:: Life sucks. . .
Oh and this chapter is longer (I think) then any other chapter that I have probably written in the past. . . I hope you enjoy. . .
And thank you to the 2 people who told me that a girl horse is a mare and that a boy horse is a stallion! You know who you are!
AND I'M SOOOO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING!!!
he Goddess of Light & The God of Earth
Chapter 15: Dameon*Demon of the Underworld
By: Azure Rosas
Sakura, Syaoran, Crystallight, Rage and Gem continued their journey that morning. The eclipse gleamed brighter then before. Heat imitted from it and pelted against their backs. The stallions and mares trotted on, their manes gleaming with sweat. Everyone's face was solemn, dark and pale, a hint of fear in their eyes. Cold shivers ran repeatedly up and down their spine. Something was near. . . something dark. . . something evil. . . Something they couldn't describe. Narrowing her eyes, Crystallight examined the world around them as it went by in a flash because of the horses' speed. Pulling the cloak on tighter around her, Sakura pulled the hood over her head. Coldness drenched her insides, and the heat of the eclipse penetrated through the coolness of the cloak. Not even the cloak made by a Goddess could protect her from the threatening heat. Syaoran's grip on the reins seemed to go tighter as his knuckles turned white. His eye brows were furrowed together as he kept his gaze forward, his amber eyes burning with intensity and fear.
Gem brought a hand around her pendant hanging around her neck. Wrapping it in her hands, panic and worry was in her eyes. -Oh dear. . . something is wrong. . . Something is coming. . . - Then she looked up at the darkened sky. -PleasE, protect us. - She touched her forehead, then her heart, and tapped her left then right shoulder, making the shape of a cross.
Rage's eyes scrunched up in a glare. He looked side ways and met Crystallight's gaze. She gave him the slighest nod. Pulling on the reins, he steered his mare to the front so that he blocked the other's passage. Everyone pulled their horse to a hault and stared at him questioningly, besides Crystallight who brought her mare to his side.
"Crystallight and I are going to go on ahead to see what awaits us," Rage explained. "Gem, you will stay here to watch Master Xiaolang and Sakura-sama."
She nodded her head. "Just be careful you two."
Giving them a smirk, Crystallight and Ryu clicked their heels against the horses' sides. "Don't worry. . . we will!" Crystallight called from over her shoulder as they got farther from eye sight.
Dismounting the mares and the stallion, Syaoran and the two girls slumped on the ground and rested their backs against the horses. Leaning her head back, Sakura sighed while closing her eyes.
-I wonder what that was. . . that feeling. . . That dark presence we keep on feeling?- she wondered silently to herself. With her fingers, she fiddled with the Star Key, that hung around her neck, absentmindedly.
Silence was over the trio, an intense air hanging about them. Syaoran inhaled deeply, then exhaled before he spoke up. "Gem. . . Tell us more about the Gods and Goddesses. . ."
Gem looked up at him and smiled. "Of course. . .Master Xiaolang. . . Well. . . There are many Gods and Goddesses. They each protect something, or guard it. So they're kinda like Guardians. Like us. . . we're like Guardians if you think about it. You, Master, guard all of Earth, you are Earth's protector. And you, Sakura-sama, guard the light, you guard all that stands for good. You are the protector of good. . . " Gem explained. Sakura and Syaoran listened with interest as they nodded their heads vigorously once and a while. "And all Gods and Goddesses draw their power from what they guard or rule over. And the Angels. . . well they stand for many things that we believe in. . . It's the Angels we look towards for guidance, and for faith and hope. They are like symbols. . . and are also like Guardians of us and Humans." Then she said, "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"Hai. . . " Sakura trailed off. "Ano. . . . In order to be in Heaven. . . Shouldn't you be. . . dead?"
Gem chuckled. "When you're alive. . . you can be a God. While living, you can be allowed into Heaven when ever you wish. . . And when death comes, Heaven becomes your permanent home."
A look of realization crossed Sakura's face as her mouth went into the shape of an '0' "I understand now. . . ." Then she asked, "My Okaa-san. . . is she. . . is she an angel?"
She shook her head gently. "Iie." A look of disappointment crossed Sakura's face. "But she is a Goddess."
Wonder now appeared in her features. "Really!? What about my 'tou-san and Onii-chan? And all of my other tomodachis? (A/N:that's how you spell it, ne?)" Sakura asked.
A mysterious glint was in her eyes, but Gem continued to smile. "They. . .I cannot say what has become of them. . . You will find out in the end. . ."
"Okay. . . ." Sakura's voice trailed off.
"So, Master? Is there anything you'd like to know?" Gem questioned, looking at Syaoran.
He blinked his eyes, as if snapping out of his thoughts. Syaoran looked at her. "Huh? Nani?"
Smiling, Gem repeated, "Is there anything that you'd like to know?"
"Yeah. . . " Syaoran's voice trailed off. "Why were we chosen?"
Her chest heaved up then slumped. "I am sorry. . . but I also cannot tell you why. . . It is for the two of you to figure out on your own. You already know the answer, but you just do not realize it. And in order to figure it out. . . you have to listen to your heart. . . and let it guide you." Though as she spoke, she looked sideways at Sakura, as if trying to send some kind of message through her by eye contact.
Tilting her head, confusion was in Sakura's emerald green eyes. -Hoe? Why is she looking at me that way?- she wondered in her mind.
Another intense air grew around them. Silence envoloped the group like a tidal wave washing over land. Time ticked by and once in a while Sakura would take glances at her watch. Anxiety and nervousness was etching in them, and it intensified as the time flew by. Where were they? Where was Crystallight and Rage?
-What's taking them so long?- the trio couldn't help but think to themselves over and over again.
Knitting her eye brows together, Gem looked down at her pendant (which she took from around her neck and kept clasped in her hands). It was a beautiful pendant. . . bright and brilliant. It was white and clear; oval shaped. In the center, engraved in silver was a cross, and at the center of that cross was a small crystal. That small crystal was a white-tannish colour. Rage and Crystallight had one similar to her's, except the crystal was a different colour to represent their element power. She gripped it in her hands, as she lifted her head up and looked towards the direction they last saw Crystallight and Rage ride off to. Then the sound of soft hooves hitting ground was brought to their ears. It came nearer, and nearer until they could see two specks. Those two specks slowly grew bigger and bigger and once it was in eye sight, they could see the stallion and mare of Crystallight and Rage. Flame and Hue dashed towards them at quick speed. The trio and the horses stood up and waited for the mare's and stallion's approach. As it came closer, they could see the panic and fright burning brightly in their eyes.
Flame and Hue finally made it to them. They moved restlessly about as they shook their heads and snorted. Gem walked up to Hue and grabbed the reins as she lied a reassuring hand between Hue's eyes.
"Sh. It's alright. . . " Gem said in a smooth, soft voice. "Calm down. . . ."
All of the mare's panic seemed to have left her, but she snorted once in a while as she stared into Gem's eyes. Some kind of message seemed to have passed between human and horse because Gem's face suddenly turned grave.
"Rage and Crystallight. . . They're in trouble. . . " Gem said as she turned to Sakura and Syaoran.
"Well we gotta help them!" Sakura exclaimed, worry in her eyes and voice.
"You two musn't go! You HAVE to stay here!" she replied, her voice holding urgency.
"But why?" Syaoran asked.
"We can't risk you two getting hurt. . . or even worse. . . killed," Gem said firmly. "You two are the world's last hope. So please! Just do as I say and stay here!!"
Syaoran and Sakura remained silent for a while. Then Sakura clenched her fists and calmly closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply before replying, "I'm going. And there's nothing you can say to stop me."
Syaoran nodded. "I'm going also."
Gem looked at the two helplessly. She let out a frustrated cry. "FINE! Get yourselves killed! Just don't say I didn't warn you. . ." Turning her back to them, she mounted her horse, Dusk.
Sakura and Syaoran mounted Jade and SilverFox as the trio set the horses at a fast run, Flame and Hue trotting ahead to lead the way. The world around them went by in a blurr as the wind whipped against their faces. Five minutes finally flew by when they saw Flame and Hue slowling to a hault. With the slightest tug on the reins, SilverFox, Jade and Dusk walked at a slow pace right behind Flame and Hue. The grounds they walked upon had a few scorch marks and craters about. This area of land seemed darker and a fog started to brew. Dark clouds formed over head and the eclipse glared brighter then before. Gem looked around and then her eyes landed on something as they widen. A gasp escaped her mouth. Dismounting her mare, she jogged towards Rage and Crystallight. They lied on the ground, obviously knocked unconscious. Their swords lied inches from them.
"Rage! Crystallight!"
Kneeling beside Crystallight, Gem gently started to shake her. Nothing happened. She made no move, or no sound. Sakura and Syaoran dismounted their horses and joined Gem by her side.
"Are they okay?" Sakura asked.
"I hope so. . . " Gem said softly.
"What could've done this?" Syaoran questioned, half to himself and half to the others as his eyes gazed at the world around them, looking for any signs of what or who was the cause of things.
A dark powerful surge of magic shot around them like haywire. Their senses immediately became alert and Gem's pendant took form of a sword as she stood up. Syaoran changed his pendant also and Sakura's hand shot up and wrapped around the Star Key as the three stood in a defensive position.
"Come out whoever you are!" Syaoran shouted.
"The eclipse has come. . . " a voice rang, "darkness arrived. . . The Lords have risen. . . Tell me Chosen Ones. . . What chance do you have of surviving?"
"More then you'll ever have," the God of Earth sneered.
The voice let out a cold chuckle. "Everything is against you. . . There's no way you can defeat the Lords. . . They are more powerful then you'll ever be. Come now Little Wolf, you surely don't believe you can defeat them, now do you?"
A low growl escaped from inside Syaoran's throat as the barred his teeth.
"You and the Cherry Blossom will perish if you try and face them. . . ." the voice continued. "Just give up and surrender yourselves. . . Then maybe we'll spare the others. . . and the world."
Gem glared at nothing. "Silence and be gone Minion of Evil! Your words cannot stop the two Chosen Ones from defeating Lord Zero and Hades!"
"Temper temper. . . " the voice taunted. "You really should butt out of other people's business you know that? Just because you're a Goddess, that doesn't give you the right to butt in. Now stay out!"
Gem's mouth opened to shout something back, but her jaws suddenly snapped together. Her eyes went wide as muffled sounds could be heard from inside her throat.
"Well, now that that's settled. . . . Where were we? Oh yes. . . Come now you two. . . There is no hope for Japan or the world. Even if you do kill off Lord Zero and Lord Hades, that cannot bring back the people and things already destroyed. You can't just bring people back from the dead and restore all of Japan, now can you?"
A feeling of despair gripped Sakura, but she kept determination in her eyes. She kept her hopes strong. Clenching her fists tightly, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Shut up and go to Hell, ass hole!" (A/N: Bad Sakura )
Syaoran looked at Sakura, a look of shock and suprise written on his face. "Sakura. . . "
She turned to him and gave him a confused look. "Nani?"
He fought to keep a straight face. "Nothing. . . never mind. . . "
The voice let out a laugh. "My dear CardMistress, I already live in Hell."
Rolling her eyes, she sneered. "Then go back and just leave us alone!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. My Lord has sent me to retrieve the two of you," whoever it was replied.
After that was said, a dark mist began to form infront of them. It swirled in circles and a pair of gleaming green narrowed eyes could be seen at the center. "Come to me Chosen Ones. . . "
Sakura's and Syaoran's pupils disappeared and their legs started to move forward. But inside, they fought to keep control. Gem came infront of them and tried pushing them back with all her might. She fought the spell that kept her mouth shut and once it broke, she took in gulps of fresh air through her mouth as she gritted her teeth. Gem started to slide backwards and she dug her heels into the ground, a strained look coming on her face.
"Fight it you two!" she shouted. "Fight it!!! Don't let him win!!!! FIGHT IT!!! YOU HAVE TO FIGHT IT!!! PLEASE! DO IT FOR YOUR FRIENDS! FOR YOUR FAMILY! FOR JAPAN! FOR THE WORLD'S SAKE!!!!"
Her words entered their minds, but yet it sounded so far away. . . and yet so near.
-I have to fight it. . . - Sakura thought.- I have to. -
-Come to me. . .- the voice continued to say in their minds as if trying to put them in a trance; which they were already in.
-Get out of my mind!- Syaoran shouted. -Leave us alone!-
Sakura and Syaoran struggled with the spell put on them. It seemed as if they were doing some kind of battle within them to regain control of their minds and body. They had to regain control. . . They just had to. . . because they were the last hope for the lives of many, and the world. Fighting for what's right is what they believed in, and they would do just that for their friends and family, and the people. Gritting their teeth, Sakura and Syaoran tightly shut their eyes, fell on their knees, and clamped their hands on the side of their heads. Throbbing pain shot in their head as they fought to push away the minion from gaining control of them. Their pink and green aura blazed brighter then anything as it intertwined like a blazing fire. A different colour envoloped the pink and green. Instead of its usual pink, it was gold, and instead of the usual green, it was silver. A shriek came from the misty foam as it was pushed backwards and fell to the ground. The mist took shape of a little tiny creature. It had legs and arms with claws, a tail, the tip an arrow-head shape, cat-like green eyes, pointy bat-like ears and wings, and its skin was a red-orange colour.
Sakura and Syaoran sat back, panting heavily as their chest heaved up and down. Their aura turned back to its regular colour and Gem let out a sigh of relief.
-THAT. . .was a close one. . . -
The tiny demon creature jumped up to its feet as it barred its fangs and hissed venomisly. Gem glared down at it.
"Who or what are you?" she asked, disgust mingling in her voice.
"I am Dameon, Demon of the Underworld. . . Minion of Evil," it replied in a high-pitched voice.
"What do you want?" Syaoran asked once him and Sakura regained their composure.
"To bring you and the Card Mistress to my Masters. . ."
Syaoran eyed the creature, then smirked. "You're barely a foot tall! You're not even worth the challenge."
Dameon tilted his head back and glared, but smirked in return. "Do not judge your foe by first glance Xiaolang. . . . Remember. . . Just because one may look small and weak in the out, doesn't mean they are not strong and powerful in the inside."
He snorted. Gem commented, "Master, he's right you know. Never misjudge your enemy."
"Whatever," Syaoran mumbled.
Sakura stared at the demon. She could sense his powerful magic, and it scared her. Shivers ran up and down her spine over and over again. She gripped her Star Key tightly. Dameon turned and looked at her and his smirk widen when he sensed her fear and fright.
-I guess it's time to use another of my tricks. . . - Dameon thought to himself as he locked eye contact with her.
More fear gripped her heart like an iron bar as she tried to tear her gaze away but failed poorly. She could feel something entering her body and it slowly started to take control of her. She couldn't do anything from terror. Everything in her was being taken over. . . her mind. . . her body. . . and her actions. She felt herself being pushed away, faraway to the back of her mind where she would probably be forgotten. Her pupils disappeared and her emerald green eyes turned blank and dull. Dameon's smirk turned into a triumphant grin.
"Now Card Mistress, kill that pesty girl and the others, but spare the Little Wolf," Dameon ordered.
Gem and Syaoran turned around and stared at Sakura, their eyes open wide. Sakura tore the Star Key from around her neck and slowly held it out infront of her. Her lips parted as she chanted in an emotionless tone:
"Key which holds the power of the stars
Reveal thy true form before me
I, Sakura command your under our contract,
RELEASE!"
The Star Key grew into the Star Staff. She gripped the staff and whipped out a card. Syaoran and Gem continued to stare at her in shock. Syaoran took a step forward.
"Sakura. . . What are you doing?" he questioned.
She glared at him. Flinging the card out infront of her, she forcefully brought her staff upon it. "SWORD!" Pink ribbons sprouted from the card and wrapped itself around the staff. Once the ribbons disappeared, it revealed a golden sword. Sakura held the hilt firmly in her clasped hand. Pointing it at Syaoran's heart, her glare intensified. "Prepare. . . to die."
Dameon's grin went wider so that you could see all of his pearly white fangs glinting under the glare of the eclipse. Gem eyed him suspiciously. -IHe took control of Sakura-sama. . . How are we going to get her back?/i-
"Sakura. . it's me! Syaoran!" Syaoran said, trying to get to Sakura.
"Syaoran?" Sakura repeated as if it had no matter. "I do not know a: Syaoran. . . Now enough stalling! Defend yourself and fight me Little Wolf!"
Syaoran furrowed his eye brows. -What am I going to do? I can't fight her. . .- He stared into her lifeless eyes. -There's no way she'll listen to me. . . I guess I WILL have to fight her. . - He brought his sword up and touched the blade against Sakura's so that the two swords made an X shape.
"Fine. . . I'll fight you," Syaoran stated.
"Make sure you don't kill him Sakura," Dameon called. "Lord Zero and Hades want him alive."
"Yes Master," Sakura replied.
A look of disgust came upon Syaoran's face. -I should've known! He has her under his command! That little creature can't even do things for himsel. -
"Fight," Sakura hissed.
And in no time at all, the two were locked in a sword-to-sword combat. Their moves and attacks were evenly matched. They moved at equal speed, and they fought with equal strength. Bringing her sword down horizantilly, she made a jab towards his heck. Raising his blade up diagonally, Syaoran blocked the attack in the nick of time. Withdrawing her sword, she brought it up then forcefully brought it down with a cry. Metal collided into metal, a loud ear-splitting CLANG rining in the air. The two pushed all their weight into the hilt as they tried to push the other back. Grinding his teeth, Syaoran dug his heels into the ground as he felt himself slide an inch backwards. Her lips twitched into a smirk as she put more strength in.
"Just give up Little Wolf," Sakura said, her voice sounding cold and menicing. "You cannot win.You cannot defeat me."
He sneered. "That's what you think." With new strength, he forced her backwards.
Sakura walked back, her eyes wide in shock. Slidding her blade against his, she moved his sword away. The two panted lightly as they glared at each other.
-I have to somehow get Sakura back without hurting her. . .- Syaoran thought to himself as the two warriors circled eachother. They plunged at each other and attacked. -IBut how?/i-
Jumping backwards to avoid getting stabbed at, Sakura pulled out another Sakura Card. Flinging it out infront of her, she tapped the card with her staff and called, "FIERY!"
The card took form and in its place was an elven like boy. His skin was that of almost a yellow colour with a band around his head. Spreading his bat like wings to its full extent, Fiery barred its fangs and hissed menicingly at Syaoran.
"Attack him!" Sakura ordered.
Flying towards him, a ball of inferno formed in the palm of Fiery's hand. He released it and it came flying towards Syaoran. Dodging to avoid it, the fire scraped against his shoulders. Wincing lightly, he brought a hand over his shoulder and narrowed his amber eyes at the smirking fire spirit.
"Fiery. . . Stop this!" Syaoran said. "Dameon is controlling your Mistress! You got to believe me!"
Feiry continued to stare at him intently, as if boring holes through his very soul. Silence was everywhere. Sakura's eye brow twitched and a vein popped in her forehead.
"Fiery! I order you to attack!" Sakura demanded in anger.
"Sakura wouldn't want this. . . " Syaoran said softly.
"Don't listen to him!" Sakura shouted, glaring daggers at the God of Earth.
"Dameon has her under his control. . . " he stated lowly.
Everyone waited anxiously as they held their breaths. Fiery just floated there, not making a single move. Syaoran continued to stare into Fiery's flaming eyes intently. He wondered what was going on in the creature's mind. The next thing was something Sakura nor Dameon was expecting to happen. The fire spirit turned around sharply and sent a pillar of fire at the little demon. Dameon's green eyes went wide as a shriek of anger escaped his mouth. Flapping his wings, he flew into the air to avoid being burnt to a crisp. Clenching her Star Staff tightly, anger raged in Sakura. She narrowed her lifeless eyes at the spirit and at Syaoran.
"You traitor!" Sakura exclaimed in furry at Fiery. "How can you!?!? I'm your Mistress!!! And I demand you at once to attack him!" She pointed a finger at Xiaolang.
Smirking, Syaoran crossed his arms. "He only obeys Sakura."
"I AM SAKURA!" Sakura practically shouted.
"Iie. You're not," Syaoran said, more like stated. "You're someone else. The real Sakura wouldn't order Fiery to attack me."
"And how do you know that?" Sakura questioned in a low hiss.
"I just do," he replied simply. "Now why don't you stop pretending to be someone you're not."
"I can't stop pretending because I really am her," was her reply.
"In the outside you are," he said, "but in the inside. . . you aren't because you are being controlled. If you really are Sakura, you wouldn't let someone else control you. You are your OWN person, not someone's slave! So fight it!"
She just stared blankly at him. "I know what you're doing, you're trying to stop your own destructioin. Well it's not working." She whipped out another card and kept it in between her middle and index finger. Then she turned it around to reveal the Earthy Card. "Prepare to meet your match. . . Li Xiaolang!"
While this took place, Gem looked up to see Dameon watching the two like a vulture. Seeing this to her advantage, she changed her sword back to her pendant and put it around her neck. Then she snuck around like a silent cat at night. She watched Sakura move gracefully as she flung her card infront of her. It spinned in place as she raised her staff above her head. Gritting her teeth, Gem plunged forward.
"Oh no you don't!"
She tackled a suprised Sakura to the ground and she strained to keep Sakura pinned to the ground. "Master! Get over here!!! I can't hold her much longer!!!"
Syaoran rushed to her aid as Sakura forced Gem off of her and stood up. Grabbing her arms, Syaoran brought them behind her back and wrapped his other arm around her neck. She struggled desperately as she kicked her legs.
"LET ME GO!"
"Hurry!" Syaoran said to Gem.
Placing the tip of her fingers on Sakura's forehead, Gem closed her eyes in concentration. Words barely audible above her breath escaped her mouth in a rapid unfamiliar launguage. A white light imitted from her fingers and encased Sakura in a warm bright whiteness. Her pupils flickered in her eyes and a dark shadow flew out of her mouth and evaporated in the sky. Her pupils went back and the life in her emerald green eyes returned. She blinked, then shouted. "WILL YOU PLEASE LET ME GO!?!"
Syaoran let her go. Letting out a sigh of relief, Sakura smiled gratefully at Gem. "Arigatou. I thought that would never end. . ."
Gem smiled in return. "You're welcome Sakura-sama. It was all in a day's work!"
"You gaki!" Dameon screamed. "It's all YOUR FAULT! NOW YOU'LL BE THE FIRST TO PERISH!!!" He pointed an accusing boney finger at Gem who eyed him.
"Eh? And prey tell what you're going ot do about it?"
Dameon growled dangerously. His eyes flashed a brighter red and slowly turned to a blood red. A red hue aura surrounded him. He started to grow much taller then his normal height. More skin was on him so that he didn't look skiny anymore. His fangs looked more like knives. Dameon was now a couple of inches taller then Syaoran himself. Everyone gaped at him in disbelief as his true power surged everywhere. Fiery narrowed his eyes as his hair stood at end. Hissing sounds escaped his mouth as his whole body shook. Sakura's grip on her Star Staff tightened until her knuckles turned white.
-He's powerful. . . - She thought. -To powerful. . . How are we going to defeat this demon?-
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Azure Rosas: END OF THIS CHAPTER!!! I would've ended this sooner but I thought I'd give you readers a long chapter for once. . . ^-^ And I would've continued on but I couldn't think of anything else to add. I hope there were no mistakes in here like mechanics. . .grammar. . .punctuation. . .names, etc. etc. There MAYBE other parts with awful use of language in the future chapters just to let you know. Oh and I would've made Sakura say #@$&^ instead of ass hole but I thought. . . 'nah. I'll just have her say ass hole.' Anyways. . .Are there any comments? Suggestions for future chapters? Flames? Well if there are. . PLEASE REVIEW!!!
