Chapter 24: The Wind Stone
By: Azure Rosas
Their hooves beat furiously and harshly against the barren grounds of Japan. Sweat beat down their brows, gleaming from the glare of the eclipse. Their breathing came out as heavy pants as they trotted on quickly and stealthily. All mares and stallions never stopped ever since they begun their trek to find the next stone. The riders gripped the reins firmly in their grasp, each one staring forward with grim and serious expressions. It was yet another odd weather. The temperature would drop and rise drastically over the hours. It would always be hard for them to determine how the weather was going to be. And, as Gem predicted, the Goddess of Weather, Jasmine, had no control over it from a dark force that blocked her and all other Gods and Angels above from ever aiding the weary adventurers.
Before bringing Silver Fox to a halt, Syaoran signaled for the others to stop. Tugging on the reins with the lightest of pulls, each horse came to an abrupt stop near the God of Earth.
"It's time we let the horses rest for a while," Syaoran said as he dismounted his stallion. "They've been running for hours and they need to gather more strength for whatever miles are still ahead of us."
They all nodded their heads in agreement as they climbed down from their horses. Sakura stroked Jade's mane as she smiled gratefully at her trusty mare. "You deserve your rest now, Jade."
Neighing softly and gently rubbing her wet nose against Sakura's cheek, Jade trotted over to her horse companions where they huddled up in a group and went down on all fours to enjoy a nap. The Gods and Goddesses sat in a circle to eat lunch that Crystallight conjured with her magic. While they were eating, Sakura couldn't help but smile at the delicious taste and aroma from the food. Once she was done, she pulled out the pendent that Hope had given them and her smile immediately fell as her face faltered. Everyone looked up and sent her a quizzical look when seeing her expression.
"Sakura? What's wrong?" Syaoran asked.
She looked at them with a dumbfounded look. "We've been traveling for hours! We probably at least covered more than 10 or 15 miles throughout that time…and yet…we're not even CLOSE to finding the Wind Stone!!!"
Their eyes shot wide with shock and Rage couldn't help but exclaim with disbelief: "Nani!?"
"Are you serious!?" Gem questioned, not able to believe what she just heard.
Sakura nodded her head, still not over her own shock of the discovery. She showed them the pendent and the gem that symbolized the Wind Stone, glowed more dim and faint than the last time they glanced at it. "It seems as if we're just getting farther away from it!"
"How can this be?" Syaoran questioned aloud to no one in particular as he furrowed his eye brows. "We couldn't have happened to pass by it, could we?"
"No, we didn't," Gem replied. "We would've at least sensed it."
"How the hell can this be happening!?" Sakura muttered to herself as she gnawed at her thumb-nail, starting to feel nervous and worried. "We were so close to finding all four stones! All we needed were the last two and now, we don't even know where one of them are!"
"Maybe it's broken," Rage suggested in a hopeful manner as he took the pendent and started to shake it. "Maybe it just…stopped working…" He started to bang it against the ground. "Maybe if I do this…it'll work again…" Crystallight placed a hand over his. He looked up at her and she shook her head.
"No, Rage. That won't help. It's not broken."
"Then what's wrong with this damn piece of shit!?!" Rage cried out with frustration.
Gem glared at him and scolded. "Language!"
"The Head Angel was the one that made it, remember?" Crystallight said. "So there's no possible way it can be broken." She took the pendent and handed it back to Sakura. "We must've passed by it, maybe that's the only solution."
"No," Gem spoke up, her voice dark and grim. "We didn't. Having the powers of Wind, I should've been the first to sense it. But I never sensed it throughout the trip."
Sakura fiddled with the pendent, staring at the tiny gem that symbolized the Wind Stone. Her thoughts were running wild with all sorts of reasons of why they couldn't find it. Maybe it was because they did pass by it but didn't know. Maybe it's somewhere deep down underground where it would be hard to sense it. Or maybe it was destroyed long ago? No, that couldn't be it. If it was, then they wouldn't be searching for it and the Gods and Angels would've probably known that. Then a question popped into her mind.
"Gem? Crystallight? Rage?" Sakura spoke up, though she kept her gaze on the pendent. "Who were the ones that created these Stones?"
The three glanced at each other and nodded. Crystallight stepped up and spoke for all of them. "Our ancestors created them. It was our great-great-great grandmothers, or in Rage's case, his great-great-great grandfather, that made them. Their names: Rhyo Hurue, Ming Ue Douhue, and Aldara Yukitoune. They were once the Three Elemental Gods that were ruled by the once God of Earth: Liang Li." Syaoran's head perked up at the mention of 'Li.'"
"Li?" Syaoran repeated.
"Yes, Master Xiaolang. Liang-sama was once apart of the Li Clan himself. Haven't anyone from the Li Clan told you about the sudden "disappearance" of Liang Li? The once future Leader of the Li Clan?"
Syaoran shook his head and Crystallight let out a sigh. "Well, he disappeared over 900 years ago to take his place as Head God."
"9-900 years ago!?!" Syaorane exclaimed in shock. "It couldn't have been 900 years ago! There's no way he could've been alive then!"
"Oh, but he was," Crystallight replied with an amused smirk. "Once you pass over from your Human life to take your "Godly Responsibilities," you become… immortal."
Sakura and Syaoran had a stunned look on their faces. Did that mean…when they were to go to Heaven and take on their "Godly Responsibilities," they'd become, immortal?
"But then," Sakura began, "if they were immortal, how come they aren't the Elemental Gods still?"
"Well, hundreds and hundreds of years ago, Lord Hades, God of the Underworld, risen and tried to reek havoc on those in Heaven and on Earth. Rhyo, Ming Ue, Aldara, and Liang all sacrificed themselves to save the world. It took all their power and will to lock Hades in the ground of the Earth. The Element Gods were spent on their powers, and with their last ounce of energy, they created the Four Element Stones that were scattered across Japan where Hades was sealed up. They created these Stones for future use just in case Hades were ever to awaken once more. And, so now that Zero has brought back his father, you two must gather the Four Stones and destroy the two of them…with our help of course." Silence enveloped the group and Crystallight turned her gaze to Sakura. "Why did you wish to know who created the Stones, Sakura-sama?"
"Because… I was hoping that maybe we could ask the creator of the Wind Stone where they hid it. But…after what you told us…that's quite useless," Sakura replied with a deep sigh.
"Don't the other Gods and Goddesses know where they're located?" Syaoran asked.
Gem shook her head solemnly. "I'm afraid not. No one saw where they disappeared off to."
"How do you guys know all of this?" Sakura questioned with curiosity.
"They told us," Rage answered while pointing up to the sky. When he said 'they,' he meant the Gods.
"I have a question," the Goddess of Light said. "Was there…another Goddess of Light before me?"
Gem shook her head. "No. You are the first. That was one of the Gods' faults and reasons that Lord Hades arose over 900 years ago. He controlled the powers of darkness, and without a Goddess of Light, they were quite vulnerable because no one could phase him without light. But luckily, the old Elemental Gods were able to defeat him. Anyway, once the Council of Gods and Council of Angels found out about Zero awakening his father, they realized that the prophecy was coming true. For you see, way before the two of you were even born, it was decided hundreds of years ago that you two would be the next God of Earth and Goddess of Light."
All of this information was just to much of a shock for the chosen ones. Everything to them was becoming clear and they were finally starting to understand things more. Syaoran looked at Gem, his amber eyes holding wonder and confusion. "But…Why us?"
"It's because of your – " before she could finish her statement though, Rage and Crystallight clamped a hand over her mouth. The Goddess of Wind's words were then muffled and went unheard.
"Excuse us, please," Crystallight said to Syaoran and Sakura as her and Rage dragged Gem off to a fair distance. "You almost spilled it out!"
"I'm sorry!" Gem exclaimed. "I didn't mean to! I kind of forgot…"
"Just be careful what you say around them," Rage pleaded with a sigh.
They then returned. Sakura and Syaoran eyed them, both wanting to know what Gem was about to say. All three couldn't help but sweat drop, wondering how they were going to keep it from the two very stubborn Gods.
"Well?" Sakura began.
"Aren't you going to tell us?" Syaoran inquired.
"Or are we going to have to make you tell us?" Sakura threatened.
Crystallight stared at them with dot eyes while Gem and Rage laughed nervously.
"I'm afraid we can't tell you…" Rage stated with a gulp.
"And why not!?" Sakura asked, her voice sounding impatient and annoyed.
"Because, it's for the two of you alone to figure it out on your own!" Crystallight snapped. "We can't tell you! The two of you must find the answer without us having to tell you. If we tell you…then…then…I don't know! It's just one of those things where you have to figure it out on your own."
"Actually, we can tell you," Gem remarked.
"You can?" Sakura asked in a hopeful way.
"Yes. We can tell you…only when you find the answer to controlling your Godly powers."
Syaoran's and Sakura's face fell in an instant. How were they suppose to figure that out?
"You guys, can't we just drop the subject now?" Rage suggested. "We have more pressing matters to tend to like: Where the fuck is the Wind Stone?"
Gem racked a fist not-to-gently on his head. "What have I told you about your mouth!?"
The day could find the group sitting around, trying to find some kind of possible answer to where the Stone could probably be. But no matter how hard they thought and whatever solution they came up with, none made sense. Sakura sat slumped on a fallen tree trunk. Syaoran sat in front of it with his back leaning against it.
"Sakura? What's today?" Syaoran asked, feeling bored out of his mind.
Glancing at her wrist watch, she sighed and said in a dull tone, "April 19th."
"It feels like a year passed by," Syaoran commented, peering forward with half opened eye lids.
"Yeah," Sakura agreed, another sigh escaping her lips. "I just can't wait until all of this is over with."
"You know…When I first was told that I had to protect the Card Mistress, I never expected to go on an adventure to retrieve the Four Stones and save the world."
"I never expected to go on an adventure, period."
Silence washed over them, and then Syaoran spoke up. "Isn't it funny? It seems as if it were just yesterday that we were home, never thinking about troubles or dangers or saving the world…and now…here we are. Saving the world."
"Yeah, it is kind of funny when you think about it. Two ordinary kids, well, as ordinary as kids with magic can get, off to save the world from the evil clutches of Lord Hades and Zero." She let out a low chuckle. "It is all just…unexpected."
They could see Flame, Hue, and Dust not to far off with their Masters on their backs. Gem held the pendent. All three were trying to locate the Wind Stone, trying to see if it would get more closer as they traveled farther. Once they covered at least a mile or two of distance, they would return to Sakura and Syaoran. There was no way they were about to leave the chosen ones alone for long with just Jade and Silver Fox there in case of any danger.
"Syaoran-kun?" Sakura's voice trailed off, her mind wandering to the dream she had not to long ago where the Goddess of Love visited her. "Can I tell you…about a dream I had?"
Pushing himself up, the amber eyed boy took a seat next to her. "Sure."
Furrowing her eye brows, she looked down at her hands and recalled her dream. "Well…it wasn't exactly a dream. It was more of…a visit."
He eyed her in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I was visited by Ai, the Goddess of Love."
"You were? What did she say?"
The words of Ai were fresh in her mind as if Ai herself were repeating them to her over and over. Opening her mouth, she spoke the words that ran through her mind:
for your heart holds the answers.
Ignore what your mind tells you,
for it tells not but lies.
When you find the answer,
to the secrets from your heart,
may you unleash your true powers,
and save Earth.
When you find the answer
to the secrets from your heart,
may you tell the one,
how you truly feel.
Only then when you unlock the secret,
will you be able to control your powers.
Only when you find the answer,
then you shall find true happiness."
She looked up at him once she was done. "So? What do you think it could mean?"
He pondered over the words for a while. Then he came up with a conclusion. "I'm not exactly sure…but…I think she wants you to find the answer to your own question through your heart, and not by your mind."
"But, what question?" Sakura murmured aloud. "I have so many questions that needs answering!"
Syaoran kept silent. It wasn't his place to go telling her. He knew it was one of those things where she just had to figure it out on her own. Then again, he knew that little "riddle" was also for him. He didn't know why he felt that way, he just knew it did. And he knew exactly what Ai was trying to tell them. But, like he figured it out on his own, Sakura was going to have to do the same. There was something that confused him though.
-I don't get it…If I already know the answer to my own question, then how come I still don't have complete control over my powers? How come I can't summon it at my own free will?-
"MASTER XIAOLANG! SAKURA-SAMA!!!"
They were both snapped out of their thoughts by Gem's shout. They could see Flame, Hue, and Dust dashing towards them at a fast rate. Gem, Crystallight, and Rage had a look of panic on their faces and at times, you'd see them sending glances over their shoulders. Once they reached them, the three horses came to a quick stop.
"We have to get out of here!" Crystallight exclaimed immediately.
"Why? What's going on?" Sakura asked, confused.
"No time for explanations, just HURRY!"
Instantly mounting their mare and stallion, the horses were dashing madly right away. Jade kept in beat with Dust and Sakura had to shout to be heard. "What's going on!?"
"It turns out that one of Hades' minions is after us! And it has the Wind Stone!" Gem answered, also having to shout.
-So THAT'S why we couldn't find it…- Sakura thought to herself in realization.
"YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER!!!" A booming, loud voice roared behind them. "I'LL CATCH YOU! JUST YOU WAIT!"
Sakura chanced a glance over her shoulder. Her eyes widen in horror at what she saw. It was HUGE! It looked like…a bigger version of a wolf. It's eyes gleamed a bright green and it pounded wildly on all fours. It's fur was the darkest of blacks she had ever seen and its claws were the most sharpest looking ones she had ever behold. The wolf was at least 9 feet tall in height, 7 feet in length, and 4 to 5 feet in width. And dangling on a string strapped around his neck, was a round looking object that let out a white-tan glow and swirled like wind. -The Wind Stone!- she exclaimed in her mind.
"What the hell is that thing suppose to be!?" Syaoran asked with obvious disbelief.
"That thing is suppose to be a wolf," Crystallight answered, looking forward with the most serious expression. "And it goes by the name of Reaper, the Soul Thief."
Sakura or Syaoran didn't ask any more questions, for nothing else needed to be asked. His name told everything there possibly could be said about him.
Reaper was getting nearer to them by the second. The horses neighed loudly, trying to outrun the evil creature. They were frightened out of their wits and it was because of this fear that allowed the horses to ride on far and fast. But how long would they be able to run before the horses finally grew tired? The riders whispered encouraging words into their ears, hoping it would keep them going on for sometime. They just prayed that Reaper would grow tired first. But each time they glanced at the huge wolf, he showed no signs of fatigue and only more determination appeared on his angered face. It was obvious that he was getting angrier because they were trying to escape him.
"I can run on for days! Your petty attempts of outrunning me are useless! No one can outrun the Reaper forever!"
His voice made them shudder and tremble. He sounded like a mighty lion, a veerryyy angry mighty lion.
"OKAY! THAT'S IT! ENOUGH OF THIS FOOLISH GAME! IT'S THE END OF THE ROAD FOR ALL OF YOU!!!!!"
With one forceful push, Reaper was running more quicker than before. He was in front of them in a blink of an eye and what seemed like a smirk crossed his face when seeing their wide-eye expressions. The horses tried to stop themselves and turn around to run the other way, but it was useless. He raised a paw and smacked the back of his palm against them. The riders fell off from their sitting position and rolled across the ground. The mares and stallions fell to the ground with a loud thud.
Syaoran and the others forced themselves up onto their feet, and so did their horses. Gem pointed off into the distance and stared at the mares and stallions with a commanding look. "All of you! Get out of here!!!"
They neighed in protest.
"NOW!"
With reluctance, Jade, along with Silver Fox, Flame, Hue, and Dust, all trotted off to where Gem pointed at. Once she was satisfied that they were far enough in safe distance, Gem turned and glared at Reaper. "Give us the Wind Stone!"
"Never," he growled in a taunting voice.
"Then we'll just have to TAKE it from you!" Syaoran declared as he tore his pendent from around his neck and changed it to his sword.
Removing her star key from around her own neck, Sakura held it out in front of her and chanted:
Reveal thy true form before me.
I, Sakura, command you under our contract,
RELEASE!"
The key then turned into the Star Staff and Sakura gripped it tightly in her grasp as she eyed their enemy firmly and dangerously. "You will regret your decision, Reaper."
Crystallight, Rage, and Gem called upon their own swords and all five readied themselves to fight. Reaper eyed their weapons with amusement. To him, their swords, and Sakura's staff, looked like little tooth picks that could easily be crushed with a single squeeze of his paw. "And you really think those weapons are going to stop me?" He snorted. "Well then, you are all mistaken!"
"These weapons are going to be your downfall!" Crystallight snarled, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Do you really think that a little puny girl like you can defeat me?"
The Goddess of Water shook with outrage. One thing she couldn't stand was being mocked at like the way Reaper was! Her grip on the hilt tightened until her knuckles turned white. Rage, knowing exactly what she'll do when she gets angry, tried to calm her down. "Crys'! Keep your cool!"
Inhaling and exhaling, she glared daggers at the wolf. "How am I suppose to keep my cool when he keeps on taunting me!?"
"Let ME silence him!" Sakura said as she whipped out a Sakura Card and flung it out before her. Bringing her staff down upon it, she shouted in a loud, clear voice: "SILENT CARD! SILENCE REAPER!"
Nothing seemed to happen. All was just…silent. Reaper had a look of confusion on his face, wondering what was going on. Then, he opened his mouth to laugh, thinking that whatever she did, didn't work. But when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. He blinked, and then an outraged look appeared on his face. He opened and closed his mouth rapidly, as if speaking and commanding her to return him his voice. Syaoran smirked and had to stifle a chuckle and the other three just stared blankly, never really knowing what kind of powers some of her Cards possessed.
"What just happened?" Rage asked.
Sakura grinned proudly. "I used Silent to keep him quiet!"
They sweat dropped. Reaper glared at Sakura as he advanced towards her, mouthing curses and demands. Laughing nervously, the Goddess of Light scratched her cheek. "Ano…What did you say? I can't hear you."
Reaper's expression became more and more angrier and his mouth closed and opened rapidly.
"You seriously have to speak up because I can't hear you…"
He mouthed more things and the next thing anyone knew, his voice returned to him. " – HURT YOU IF YOU DON'T!" He blinked, and then smirked at Sakura's stunned and dumbfounded expression. "Ah…I got my voice back. I guess I was strong enough to break through that little spell of yours…" He barred his teeth and growled lowly and venomously at Sakura. "You will pay for that, you little brat!"
He lowered himself into a crouch, looking like a tiger that was about to pounce its prey. Everyone started to tense up as seconds turned into minutes. Reaper stayed in the same position, unmoving. He watched them like a predator, eyeing and observing his prey. And then…he pounced.
To be continued…
Azure Rosas: Ahhh!!! I left a cliffy!!! Gomen! I didn't mean to!! Honest! I just wanted to get this chapter posted before my brother came home and kicked me off the computer ^.^;;; -gulps- Sorry! Also, I can't believe that I got over 100 reviews! I guess I have Keetra-chan to thank for that! –hugz Keetra- Thank you soo much for reviewing every chapter! And, speaking of thank you's, lemme thank these people for reviewing:
Keetra (of course)
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Arigatou minna-san! 'n'-e-who…please leave a review! And if ya wish to be contacted whenever I update, ask me in the review or just leave an e-mail address! ^.^ Ja ne!
