Azure Rosas: HII! Okay, I have to say this quick! Isn't it a surprise that I'm updating early? ^^;; Well, please enjoy the chapter! -running away from Animefreak242 and her "angry mob of readers."- THE CAST OF CCS DOES NOT BELONG TO MEEEE!!!
The Goddess of Light & The God of Earth
Chapter 25: A Soul Taken, A Heart Broken
By: Azure Rosas
_______
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. Sakura's eyes went wide as he dashed her way, anger flashing in his eyes. Her grip on her staff seemingly tightened. She wanted to move. But couldn't. She felt paralyzed and her legs didn't seem to obey her mind. Crystallight, being the closest to her, pushed her to the side and stood where Sakura once did. Standing in a defensive stance, her sword out before her, the Goddess of Water waited for Reaper until he was close enough. Once they were just a few inches apart, she raised her weapon, preparing to bring it down upon the wolf's head. But Reaper was fast, too fast for her. It forcefully swung its huge paw into her stomach, making her roughly slam side ways into the ground. Pain shot up her left arm when impact with the ground came.
"Itai!" Crystallight murmured. Using her sword for support, she was barely on her feet when Reaper rammed its head into her ribs. She went flying through the air and landed with a dull thud on the ground. Grinding her teeth, she stared at Reaper with firm eyes as she tried to get up.
"Crys'!" Gem exclaimed, worry mingling in her voice.
"Daijoubu desu ka?" Sakura asked with the same worry as Gem.
"I'm fine..." she replied, clutching at her throbbing ribs and stomach.
Rage's grip on his sword hilt went tight. His knuckles turned white and his blood boiled in anger when seeing Crystallight getting hurt by that "over grown wolf." He gritted his teeth, trying to control his rage. Syaoran looked at him from the corner of his eyes, seeing just how angry the Fire God was. He couldn't help but smirk. Rage's feelings for Crystallight were obvious. It was a wonder to him why he didn't see it when he first met them.
"You won't be fine when I'm through with you!" Reaper growled, making another charge towards Crystallight.
Acting fast, Sakura whipped out a card, flung it out before her, and slammed the tip of her staff upon it. "WINDY!!"
A gust of wind slammed into Reaper's side, sending him crashing side ways into the earth. Windy then began to spin around him. A white-tan tornado soon appeared with the wolf flying around in it. He started to howl and growl with anger as he slashed his claws at the wind, trying to hit the woman, who was spinning around creating the tornado, known as Windy.
"STAY STILL, WILL YOU!?!"
Pointing the tip of his sword at the tornado, Rage furrowed his eye brows and cried in a clear, commanding voice:
"King of all Fire,
Lord of all Dragons,
I, Rage Hurue,
Summon thee!
Fire Dragon, APPEAR!"
A sudden burst of flames erupted from his sword. It started to take shape of a dragon, a dragon made up by the burning fire. Sakura and Syaoran stared in awe at it as it parted its mouth and let out a mighty, dragon roar. Spreading his fiery wings, the Fire Dragon took flight and charged towards the tornado. It flew up to where the opening was, let out one last roar, and dived in towards Reaper. The tornado was soon turned to a flamming one, with Reaper's howls and cries of pain coming from it. Once the fire tornado spread out in different directions, the Windy Card flew to Sakura and she caught it. They all looked up to find Reaper's body falling from the sky. It landed with a loud thud. Silence enveloped the group, all they did was stare at the seemingly lifeless wolf.
"Is he...dead?" Sakura asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The silence was deafening.
"I don't know..." Syaoran replied as he cautiously and slowly approached the limp creature.
Smoke and steam was rising from him. A few scorch marks with blood here and there could be seen on his fur. Once he was close enough, Syaoran reached out a hand towards Reaper.
Sakura's eyes went wide when she saw his eyes suddenly snap open. "Syaoran...SYAORAN WATCH OUT!"
But her warning came too late. Reaper knocked Syaoran to the ground with a flick of his wrist. He was up on all fours in a blink of an eye and had one paw resting against the God of Earth's chest, pinning him to the ground. He applied more pressure, making the amber eyed boy gasp out. He struggled under the great being's weight, trying desperately to get away. It felt as if he were slowly being crushed!
"Oh no...Master Xiaolang!" Gem shrieked in horror.
"TAKE THIS YOU OVER SIZED WOLF!" Crystallight's voice rang out. A pillar of fire and water entertwining with each other flew towards Reaper. It collided into his side, knocking him off of Syaoran.
Syaoran clutched at his heart, panting as he pushed himself up. He looked at Crystallight and Rage, who was supporting her. They both had their sword pointed at Reaper and he knew that they combined their attack to get the creature off of him. "Thanks, guys."
"No problem, Master Xiaolang," Crystallight replied.
"YOU KIDS ARE REALLY STARTING TO TICK ME OFF!" Reaper cried out in a loud booming voice. He was up on all fours, slowly coming their way. He had about enough of them and wanted this over with quickly.
"Eh? And what are you gonna do about it?" Gem asked with an innocent look.
"I'm going to rip you all to shreds!" Reaper threatened in a low growl.
"To bad you won't get the chance," Gem commented. She stood before everyone else, facing Reaper with an even stare. Her lips tugged up into a smirk as she held her sword infront of her face, the point pointing towards the sky. Her aura flared around her, brightening with each passing second. Her sword started to change shape and lengthen into a spear. The strength of her power was stronger than before and it didn't have to be said that she had unleashed her Goddess powers. "It is time for you to say good night!" Lifting the spear up over her head, she started to chant:
"Winds across the ocean,
Come to me.
Breeze across the sea,
Come to me."
Wind started to blow around the group as Gem's powers started to rise slowly to its maximum. Her eyes glowed an eerie white and her lips were in a firm line.
"O Guardian of the Wind,
O Eagles above all,
I summon thee under thy name:
Gem Yukitoune!"
A small white-tan glow started to circle around above the tip of her spear. She pointed it at Reaper, who stared at it in amusement and wonder.
"With the powers vested in me,
I, The Goddess of Wind,
Summon thee!
King of Winds! Release!"
The swirling white-tan glow started to stretch out to make different shapes that connected as one being. A beak was formed, a pair of wings could be seen. It was an eagle made of nothing BUT wind. Its beak parted as it let out a cry of an eagle. Spreading its wings to its full extent, it started to beat them as it flew up into the sky. Its beak pointed straight at Reaper. Then, the next thing anyone knew, it was charging down at the wolf like an arrow being released from a bow. Sakura's eyes went wide at the speed it was showing. It looked more like a white thunder bolt; like a blur in the sky. Syaoran stared firmly at Reaper who kept his gaze on the charging Wind Eagle. He saw the wolf smirk and the Little Wolf knew that Reaper couldn't be defeated so easily.
-Gem's attack isn't going to work...- he thought grimly. -I just know it...-
It seemed as if the charging eagle was going to pierce through the creature's heart. But to everyone's dismay, and to Syaoran's least bit surprise, the wolf caught the attack between its paws. Gem's eyes widen in shock, she was obviously not expecting that. The Wind Eagle struggled in his grasp, letting out cries of protest and pain as Reaper tightened its grip. It continued to squawk and caw in agony. Then, it suddenly went...POOF.
"No..." Gem stuttered, her eye lids feeling heavy from the power drain. It took at least 3/4's of her power to do that one attack, simply because it was one of her most strongest of all. "It can't be...Impossible!"
"Nothing's impossible," Reaper snarled, a smirk forming on his wolf features. "And, was that attack suppose to phase me?"
Gem barred her teeth as her grip on her spear tightened. Sakura stepped up next to her and kept a firm look on Reaper. "Gem-san, let me take care of him."
"No," Syaoran intervined. "It's my turn to get a crack at him!"
"Alright..." Sakura replied, though reluctant. "Just be careful."
He sent a smirk at her. "I will." Twirling his sword in an arc above his head, Syaoran slowly lowered himself into a fighter's position. He glared that icy glare of his that would normally send anyone cowering under it. "I, Xiaolang Li, challenge you to a battle to the death."
Letting out what seemed like a chuckle, Reaper lowered himself into a pouncing position. "Then...I accept your challenge."
"May the strongest win and may the fittest survive," Syaoran remarked, his tone as cold as his glare.
"And that shall be me," Reaper said, sending his own glare at the Little Wolf.
Gem's spear transformed back to her sword as her power level decreased. She was immediately washed over with fatigue and Sakura caught her before she collapsed onto the ground.
"Gem-san, daijoubu desu ka?" Sakura asked her softly.
"Daijoubu..." she murmured in a low voice.
Looking up, Sakura's emerald green eyes watched Syaoran and Reaper. She could only pray that Syaoran would defeat the creature that was 3x bigger than he. -Oh Kami-sama, onegai...Protect Syaoran. I don't want him to get hurt.-
Letting out a mighty battle cry, Syaoran rushed at Reaper with his sword raised. The battle between wolf and Little Wolf...has begun. Jumping into the air, Syaoran managed to pull out an ofuda. Once he was right under Reaper, he smacked it against the his head and then tapped the tip of his blade against it.
"LIGHTNING, COME TO MY AID!"
A jolt of lightning suddenly encased Reaper in its grasp. Jolts of electricity rushed throughout his body, sending painful sensations from the tip of his toe and to his head. A howl escaped his mouth and once the lightning died down, steam sprouted from his fur. He sent a glare at Syaoran and wasted no time in charging. Dodging to the side, narrowly avoiding his claws as they came whipping through the air, he pulled out another ofuda.
"ELEMENT, FIRE!"
An eruption of flames came from that simple paper. Reaper was ready though for his attack. Swinging his tail, it collided into the pillar of fire, sending it back at Syaoran. Amber eyes widening in shock, he used a water ofuda to stop the blazing fire from hitting him. Sakura sighed with relief but let out a shriek of worry when Reaper suddenly appeared behind the distracted Syaoran and dug his claws into his back.
"Iie! Syaoran!" Sakura exclaimed. She would've ran in to stop the wolf if Gem hadn't stopped her first.
"Sakura-sama! We can't help him," Gem said. "This is a battle between two honorable warriors. It would bring shame upon the Li name to help Master Xiaolang."
A helpless and vulnerable look appeared in Sakura's deeply worried emerald eyes.
"I know you wish only to help. So do I. But you must understand."
Letting out an air of defeat, she watched as Syaoran twisted his face in pain. Grinding her teeth, she had to tightly clench her fists. It was hard for her to control herself. When he let out a cry of pain, she had to close her eyes and look away. -Syaoran...-
Removing his claws from Syaoran's back, the God fell on all fours. Blood seeped through new, freshly opened wounds on his back. He could feel his shirt immediately get soaked by it. The cuts sent stinging pains up to his brain.
"Already giving up?" Reaper taunted, drying his bloody claws on the dirt.
"You wish." Syaoran growled venomously, using his sword to help him up.
"You really should just give up, you know," Reaper suggested, slamming the back of his paw against Syaoran, making him slide across the ground. "It'll make life for you a lot easier." He approached the fallen teenager with slow, silent steps that made Sakura feel nervous as she watched Syaoran battle to stand up.
"I'm never giving up..." Syaoran gasped out. "As long as I still stand and breath, I'm never giving up."
Reaper landed four cuts across the God of Earth's left cheek with his claws. "You're a foolish boy for ever challenging me." His eyes flashed a crimson red and the next thing Syaoran know, he was floating higher and higher up into the sky.
Sakura's heart beat rapidly in her chest, a cold feeling forming in the pit of her stomach as a terrified expression appeared on her face. "Oh no...He's going to drop him!" She was about to run over there when Gem grabbed her, using all of her strength to hold the emerald eyed Goddess back.
"Sakura-sama! Onegai!"
"No! Let me go Gem! I have to help Syaoran!" Her words came out as desperate pleading ones, her eyes still on the hovering Syaoran. "REAPER! PLEASE! DON'T DO IT!!!"
The wolf turned his gaze to her, amusement and humor gleaming in his eyes when seeing her pleading emerald orbs. "And why shouldn't I?"
"YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT!!" Sakura begged. "DON'T HURT HIM! ONEGAI!"
Reaper remained silent for a while, his smirk never leaving his face. Then, his reply came, like a ton of bricks raining down on her. "...To bad. Hopefully the Little Wolf won't end up dying on me." He let out a hollow chuckle. "I'm s'pose to bring him back alive." His eyes flashed once again a crimson color. Syaoran seemed to float there for at least another minute, and then, he came crashing down to Earth.
Everyone's eyes went wide as they watched him plunge to the ground.
"NO! SYAORAN!"
"MASTER XIAOLANG!"
He was about to close his eyes and simply wait for the impact, but he mentally scolded himself. -Baka! Use your brains!- Pulling out another ofuda, he slammed the flat of his blade against it. "ELEMENT, WIND!" A bed of wind appeared under him, stopping his fall just centimeters above the ground. He let out a relieved sigh.
"GANBATTE, SYAORAN!" Sakura exclaimed, relieved beyond words that he survived.
Gem felt like fainting from relief! She smiled widely as her and Sakura embraced and started to jump up and down. Rage wiped the back of his palm across his forehead and Crystallight clutched at her heart. She could've sworn she was about to have a heart attack when he started to fall!
"That was a close one," Rage remarked.
"Yeah. Too close for comfort," Crystallight added.
"Won't you little brats EVER die!?!" Reaper exclaimed in anger as Syaoran stood, staring blankly at him.
"I'm afraid we can't do that or there would be people like you hurting innocent people," Syaoran replied as he cracked his neck and prepared himself to attack again. His gaze fell on the Wind Stone that was still securely strapped around Reaper's neck. A plan was slowly starting to brew in his mind. He just prayed that it would work.
Letting out a dangerous growl, Reaper charged the waiting boy. Anticipating this, Syaoran waited until the right moment. Once that right moment came, he fell onto his back just as Reaper came running over him. Reaching out for the Wind Stone, he grabbed it in his grasp and tore it from around his neck. Then he lifted his legs up and placed the flat of his shoes agains the belly of the wolf. With all of his strength, he managed to flip the wolf backward, or in Reaper's case, forward which ended up Reaper landing flat on his face and then rolling over onto his back. Flipping onto his feet, Syaoran glanced at the Wind Stone. He then noticed Reaper slowly starting to stand up.
"Master Xiaolang! Throw it here!" Rage called, waving his hands over his head wildly.
Just as Reaper saw Syaoran with the Stone, Syaoran threw it towards Rage with all of his might. Everything was happening to slow for everyone's comfort. Reaper started running after it as it flew straight to the Fire God. But then, to Reaper's dismay, Rage caught it. He grinned cheesily at the snarling wolf and waved the Wind Stone. "Hehe."
"Give me that Stone!!!" Reaper demanded as he chased after the running Rage.
"Ya have t'catch me first ya over grown wolf!" Rage taunted. "Crystallight! Catch!" He threw it over Reaper's head and to Crystallight who easily caught it. Reaper made a u-turn and started to run towards Crystallight.
"I demand you give me that Stone!"
"Sakura-sama! Here!" Crystallight then threw it to Sakura.
Giggling as Reaper's angry glare turned on her, Sakura started to run around in circles with Reaper hot on her heels. "This is SOO much fun! We should do this more often!!"
"Sakura-sama! Watch out!" Gem warned, but was unfourtanately...to late.
Sakura's foot caught against a rock and the next thing she knew, she lost her hold on the Stone and it shot into the air and then, her face came in impact with the ground. "Hoee...@.@"
All eyes were on the Stone as it plunged towards the ground, well...besides Sakura's whose eyes were currently facing the floor. Lucky for the gang, it was Gem who managed to get hold of the Stone. But she threw it towards Syaoran because Reaper was right beside her, reaching out for it. Catching it, Syaoran smirked at Reaper's annoyed look.
"You're not getting tired, are you?" Syaoran asked with mock-hurt.
"No. I'm just getting tired of YOUR LITTLE CHILD GAMES!" Reaper roared out, running towards him.
Pointing her sword at him, Crystallight started to summon some of her powers. Eyes flashing a bright aqua blue, Rage knew she was going to use her strongest attack.
"O King of the Seas,
I, The Goddess of Water,
Summon thee!
Serpent, STRIKE!"
A serpent made of entire water rushed at Reaper head long. Sakura lifted her head up as she got up onto her feet. Her eyes were wide with awe at the magnificent sight of the Water Serpent. It collided into Reaper, sending him crashing into the ground with the water beating harshly against him. Once it stopped, he forced himself up onto all fours, looking wet and badly beaten. It was obvious he was angrier than before. His whole body trembled with outrage. It was hard the describe the anger he was experiencing at the moment.
"I had enough of all of your games!" His voice was dangerous and low; dark and menacing. His eyes fell on Crystallight and a dull golden glow could be seen through his tightly clenched teeth. "Your soul will now be mines!" Right when his teeth parted, an orb of dull gold flew straight at Crystallight. It was too fast for anyone to see or for anyone to prevent. It entered her chest and her eyes suddenly went wide as another orb floated out from where the golden one entered. This one let out an aqua blue, glowing like the ocean. A soft blue and white could be seen, swirling around in the inside. It would at times change different directions. The color in Crystallight's face was gone, turning to a deadly white. Her body went limp and when Reaper had the blue orb clenched between his teeth, the Goddess fell with a dull thud to the ground. Everyone expected her to move. They all expected her to at least groan or something. But she made no more...or no sound.
"No..." Sakura murmured, realization slowly dawning on each and every one of them.
Tears stang Gem's eyes. "She can't be..."
Rage stumbled towards the limp body. His eyes were wide as he knelt by her and started to gently shake her. "Crys'? Crystallight...? Wake up...This isn't funny anymore..." He rolled her onto her back to see her eyes were closed. Feeling for a pulse, he found none. Checking for a heart beat, he didn't hear any. His face paled and it felt like a part of him was now gone. She was dead.
"I'll give you two days for you guys to make a decision," Reaper spoke up, the blue orb now in one of his paws. "It's either you hand me over the chosen ones, along with the other stones, and she gets her life back, or you don't bother to give me anything and I'll keep her soul. Think about it wisely...because once you make your decision...there's no turning back." He then disappeared with a blink of an eye.
"Syaoran..." Sakura whispered as he joined her side. "She's dead...." She couldn't hold back the tears anymore and she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Syaoran held her comfortingly in his arms, his face grim and dark.
Gem fell to her knees as she stared forward with blank eyes, her own tears trailing down her cheek. "Oh Kami...Why? Why Crystallight? Why did he have to take her soul!?"
Rage held Crystallight's body in his arms, never noticing that he was crying himself. All he knew was that nothing in his world felt right anymore; nothing in his world was the same; Without her...he didn't have a world to live in. "Crystallight...Come back...Please...come back. Why'd he have to take you away from me?" He started to sob pitifully, his body trembling. "Why? I never even got to tell you how I felt...I never had the chance to tell you that...I love you."
Syaoran stared with sympathy at the crying Rage. "Syaoran?" Sakura questioned, looking up at him with teary eyes. "What are we going to do? How are we going to get Crystallight's soul back?"
His hold on her gently tightened. "I don't know, Sakura...I don't know."
To be continued...
Azure Rosas: Isn't it weird how this chapter started off serious, then went to the humor part, and suddenly turned to depression and mourn? Welp, lemme thank these people for reviewing:
Litwolf689
sakurablossom star
Rubymoon
Kawaii-CherryWolf
Keetra
kawaiiaznangel36
Silvercherrywolf
Animefreak242
Arigatou minna-san! Anyway, please go easy on the reviews ^^; And on that note, please leave a review! Ja ne!
Chapter 25: A Soul Taken, A Heart Broken
By: Azure Rosas
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. Sakura's eyes went wide as he dashed her way, anger flashing in his eyes. Her grip on her staff seemingly tightened. She wanted to move. But couldn't. She felt paralyzed and her legs didn't seem to obey her mind. Crystallight, being the closest to her, pushed her to the side and stood where Sakura once did. Standing in a defensive stance, her sword out before her, the Goddess of Water waited for Reaper until he was close enough. Once they were just a few inches apart, she raised her weapon, preparing to bring it down upon the wolf's head. But Reaper was fast, too fast for her. It forcefully swung its huge paw into her stomach, making her roughly slam side ways into the ground. Pain shot up her left arm when impact with the ground came.
"Itai!" Crystallight murmured. Using her sword for support, she was barely on her feet when Reaper rammed its head into her ribs. She went flying through the air and landed with a dull thud on the ground. Grinding her teeth, she stared at Reaper with firm eyes as she tried to get up.
"Crys'!" Gem exclaimed, worry mingling in her voice.
"Daijoubu desu ka?" Sakura asked with the same worry as Gem.
"I'm fine..." she replied, clutching at her throbbing ribs and stomach.
Rage's grip on his sword hilt went tight. His knuckles turned white and his blood boiled in anger when seeing Crystallight getting hurt by that "over grown wolf." He gritted his teeth, trying to control his rage. Syaoran looked at him from the corner of his eyes, seeing just how angry the Fire God was. He couldn't help but smirk. Rage's feelings for Crystallight were obvious. It was a wonder to him why he didn't see it when he first met them.
"You won't be fine when I'm through with you!" Reaper growled, making another charge towards Crystallight.
Acting fast, Sakura whipped out a card, flung it out before her, and slammed the tip of her staff upon it. "WINDY!!"
A gust of wind slammed into Reaper's side, sending him crashing side ways into the earth. Windy then began to spin around him. A white-tan tornado soon appeared with the wolf flying around in it. He started to howl and growl with anger as he slashed his claws at the wind, trying to hit the woman, who was spinning around creating the tornado, known as Windy.
"STAY STILL, WILL YOU!?!"
Pointing the tip of his sword at the tornado, Rage furrowed his eye brows and cried in a clear, commanding voice:
Lord of all Dragons,
I, Rage Hurue,
Summon thee!
Fire Dragon, APPEAR!"
A sudden burst of flames erupted from his sword. It started to take shape of a dragon, a dragon made up by the burning fire. Sakura and Syaoran stared in awe at it as it parted its mouth and let out a mighty, dragon roar. Spreading his fiery wings, the Fire Dragon took flight and charged towards the tornado. It flew up to where the opening was, let out one last roar, and dived in towards Reaper. The tornado was soon turned to a flamming one, with Reaper's howls and cries of pain coming from it. Once the fire tornado spread out in different directions, the Windy Card flew to Sakura and she caught it. They all looked up to find Reaper's body falling from the sky. It landed with a loud thud. Silence enveloped the group, all they did was stare at the seemingly lifeless wolf.
"Is he...dead?" Sakura asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The silence was deafening.
"I don't know..." Syaoran replied as he cautiously and slowly approached the limp creature.
Smoke and steam was rising from him. A few scorch marks with blood here and there could be seen on his fur. Once he was close enough, Syaoran reached out a hand towards Reaper.
Sakura's eyes went wide when she saw his eyes suddenly snap open. "Syaoran...SYAORAN WATCH OUT!"
But her warning came too late. Reaper knocked Syaoran to the ground with a flick of his wrist. He was up on all fours in a blink of an eye and had one paw resting against the God of Earth's chest, pinning him to the ground. He applied more pressure, making the amber eyed boy gasp out. He struggled under the great being's weight, trying desperately to get away. It felt as if he were slowly being crushed!
"Oh no...Master Xiaolang!" Gem shrieked in horror.
"TAKE THIS YOU OVER SIZED WOLF!" Crystallight's voice rang out. A pillar of fire and water entertwining with each other flew towards Reaper. It collided into his side, knocking him off of Syaoran.
Syaoran clutched at his heart, panting as he pushed himself up. He looked at Crystallight and Rage, who was supporting her. They both had their sword pointed at Reaper and he knew that they combined their attack to get the creature off of him. "Thanks, guys."
"No problem, Master Xiaolang," Crystallight replied.
"YOU KIDS ARE REALLY STARTING TO TICK ME OFF!" Reaper cried out in a loud booming voice. He was up on all fours, slowly coming their way. He had about enough of them and wanted this over with quickly.
"Eh? And what are you gonna do about it?" Gem asked with an innocent look.
"I'm going to rip you all to shreds!" Reaper threatened in a low growl.
"To bad you won't get the chance," Gem commented. She stood before everyone else, facing Reaper with an even stare. Her lips tugged up into a smirk as she held her sword infront of her face, the point pointing towards the sky. Her aura flared around her, brightening with each passing second. Her sword started to change shape and lengthen into a spear. The strength of her power was stronger than before and it didn't have to be said that she had unleashed her Goddess powers. "It is time for you to say good night!" Lifting the spear up over her head, she started to chant:
Come to me.
Breeze across the sea,
Come to me."
Wind started to blow around the group as Gem's powers started to rise slowly to its maximum. Her eyes glowed an eerie white and her lips were in a firm line.
O Eagles above all,
I summon thee under thy name:
Gem Yukitoune!"
A small white-tan glow started to circle around above the tip of her spear. She pointed it at Reaper, who stared at it in amusement and wonder.
I, The Goddess of Wind,
Summon thee!
King of Winds! Release!"
The swirling white-tan glow started to stretch out to make different shapes that connected as one being. A beak was formed, a pair of wings could be seen. It was an eagle made of nothing BUT wind. Its beak parted as it let out a cry of an eagle. Spreading its wings to its full extent, it started to beat them as it flew up into the sky. Its beak pointed straight at Reaper. Then, the next thing anyone knew, it was charging down at the wolf like an arrow being released from a bow. Sakura's eyes went wide at the speed it was showing. It looked more like a white thunder bolt; like a blur in the sky. Syaoran stared firmly at Reaper who kept his gaze on the charging Wind Eagle. He saw the wolf smirk and the Little Wolf knew that Reaper couldn't be defeated so easily.
-Gem's attack isn't going to work...- he thought grimly. -I just know it...-
It seemed as if the charging eagle was going to pierce through the creature's heart. But to everyone's dismay, and to Syaoran's least bit surprise, the wolf caught the attack between its paws. Gem's eyes widen in shock, she was obviously not expecting that. The Wind Eagle struggled in his grasp, letting out cries of protest and pain as Reaper tightened its grip. It continued to squawk and caw in agony. Then, it suddenly went...POOF.
"No..." Gem stuttered, her eye lids feeling heavy from the power drain. It took at least 3/4's of her power to do that one attack, simply because it was one of her most strongest of all. "It can't be...Impossible!"
"Nothing's impossible," Reaper snarled, a smirk forming on his wolf features. "And, was that attack suppose to phase me?"
Gem barred her teeth as her grip on her spear tightened. Sakura stepped up next to her and kept a firm look on Reaper. "Gem-san, let me take care of him."
"No," Syaoran intervined. "It's my turn to get a crack at him!"
"Alright..." Sakura replied, though reluctant. "Just be careful."
He sent a smirk at her. "I will." Twirling his sword in an arc above his head, Syaoran slowly lowered himself into a fighter's position. He glared that icy glare of his that would normally send anyone cowering under it. "I, Xiaolang Li, challenge you to a battle to the death."
Letting out what seemed like a chuckle, Reaper lowered himself into a pouncing position. "Then...I accept your challenge."
"May the strongest win and may the fittest survive," Syaoran remarked, his tone as cold as his glare.
"And that shall be me," Reaper said, sending his own glare at the Little Wolf.
Gem's spear transformed back to her sword as her power level decreased. She was immediately washed over with fatigue and Sakura caught her before she collapsed onto the ground.
"Gem-san, daijoubu desu ka?" Sakura asked her softly.
"Daijoubu..." she murmured in a low voice.
Looking up, Sakura's emerald green eyes watched Syaoran and Reaper. She could only pray that Syaoran would defeat the creature that was 3x bigger than he. -Oh Kami-sama, onegai...Protect Syaoran. I don't want him to get hurt.-
Letting out a mighty battle cry, Syaoran rushed at Reaper with his sword raised. The battle between wolf and Little Wolf...has begun. Jumping into the air, Syaoran managed to pull out an ofuda. Once he was right under Reaper, he smacked it against the his head and then tapped the tip of his blade against it.
"LIGHTNING, COME TO MY AID!"
A jolt of lightning suddenly encased Reaper in its grasp. Jolts of electricity rushed throughout his body, sending painful sensations from the tip of his toe and to his head. A howl escaped his mouth and once the lightning died down, steam sprouted from his fur. He sent a glare at Syaoran and wasted no time in charging. Dodging to the side, narrowly avoiding his claws as they came whipping through the air, he pulled out another ofuda.
"ELEMENT, FIRE!"
An eruption of flames came from that simple paper. Reaper was ready though for his attack. Swinging his tail, it collided into the pillar of fire, sending it back at Syaoran. Amber eyes widening in shock, he used a water ofuda to stop the blazing fire from hitting him. Sakura sighed with relief but let out a shriek of worry when Reaper suddenly appeared behind the distracted Syaoran and dug his claws into his back.
"Iie! Syaoran!" Sakura exclaimed. She would've ran in to stop the wolf if Gem hadn't stopped her first.
"Sakura-sama! We can't help him," Gem said. "This is a battle between two honorable warriors. It would bring shame upon the Li name to help Master Xiaolang."
A helpless and vulnerable look appeared in Sakura's deeply worried emerald eyes.
"I know you wish only to help. So do I. But you must understand."
Letting out an air of defeat, she watched as Syaoran twisted his face in pain. Grinding her teeth, she had to tightly clench her fists. It was hard for her to control herself. When he let out a cry of pain, she had to close her eyes and look away. -Syaoran...-
Removing his claws from Syaoran's back, the God fell on all fours. Blood seeped through new, freshly opened wounds on his back. He could feel his shirt immediately get soaked by it. The cuts sent stinging pains up to his brain.
"Already giving up?" Reaper taunted, drying his bloody claws on the dirt.
"You wish." Syaoran growled venomously, using his sword to help him up.
"You really should just give up, you know," Reaper suggested, slamming the back of his paw against Syaoran, making him slide across the ground. "It'll make life for you a lot easier." He approached the fallen teenager with slow, silent steps that made Sakura feel nervous as she watched Syaoran battle to stand up.
"I'm never giving up..." Syaoran gasped out. "As long as I still stand and breath, I'm never giving up."
Reaper landed four cuts across the God of Earth's left cheek with his claws. "You're a foolish boy for ever challenging me." His eyes flashed a crimson red and the next thing Syaoran know, he was floating higher and higher up into the sky.
Sakura's heart beat rapidly in her chest, a cold feeling forming in the pit of her stomach as a terrified expression appeared on her face. "Oh no...He's going to drop him!" She was about to run over there when Gem grabbed her, using all of her strength to hold the emerald eyed Goddess back.
"Sakura-sama! Onegai!"
"No! Let me go Gem! I have to help Syaoran!" Her words came out as desperate pleading ones, her eyes still on the hovering Syaoran. "REAPER! PLEASE! DON'T DO IT!!!"
The wolf turned his gaze to her, amusement and humor gleaming in his eyes when seeing her pleading emerald orbs. "And why shouldn't I?"
"YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT!!" Sakura begged. "DON'T HURT HIM! ONEGAI!"
Reaper remained silent for a while, his smirk never leaving his face. Then, his reply came, like a ton of bricks raining down on her. "...To bad. Hopefully the Little Wolf won't end up dying on me." He let out a hollow chuckle. "I'm s'pose to bring him back alive." His eyes flashed once again a crimson color. Syaoran seemed to float there for at least another minute, and then, he came crashing down to Earth.
Everyone's eyes went wide as they watched him plunge to the ground.
"NO! SYAORAN!"
"MASTER XIAOLANG!"
He was about to close his eyes and simply wait for the impact, but he mentally scolded himself. -Baka! Use your brains!- Pulling out another ofuda, he slammed the flat of his blade against it. "ELEMENT, WIND!" A bed of wind appeared under him, stopping his fall just centimeters above the ground. He let out a relieved sigh.
"GANBATTE, SYAORAN!" Sakura exclaimed, relieved beyond words that he survived.
Gem felt like fainting from relief! She smiled widely as her and Sakura embraced and started to jump up and down. Rage wiped the back of his palm across his forehead and Crystallight clutched at her heart. She could've sworn she was about to have a heart attack when he started to fall!
"That was a close one," Rage remarked.
"Yeah. Too close for comfort," Crystallight added.
"Won't you little brats EVER die!?!" Reaper exclaimed in anger as Syaoran stood, staring blankly at him.
"I'm afraid we can't do that or there would be people like you hurting innocent people," Syaoran replied as he cracked his neck and prepared himself to attack again. His gaze fell on the Wind Stone that was still securely strapped around Reaper's neck. A plan was slowly starting to brew in his mind. He just prayed that it would work.
Letting out a dangerous growl, Reaper charged the waiting boy. Anticipating this, Syaoran waited until the right moment. Once that right moment came, he fell onto his back just as Reaper came running over him. Reaching out for the Wind Stone, he grabbed it in his grasp and tore it from around his neck. Then he lifted his legs up and placed the flat of his shoes agains the belly of the wolf. With all of his strength, he managed to flip the wolf backward, or in Reaper's case, forward which ended up Reaper landing flat on his face and then rolling over onto his back. Flipping onto his feet, Syaoran glanced at the Wind Stone. He then noticed Reaper slowly starting to stand up.
"Master Xiaolang! Throw it here!" Rage called, waving his hands over his head wildly.
Just as Reaper saw Syaoran with the Stone, Syaoran threw it towards Rage with all of his might. Everything was happening to slow for everyone's comfort. Reaper started running after it as it flew straight to the Fire God. But then, to Reaper's dismay, Rage caught it. He grinned cheesily at the snarling wolf and waved the Wind Stone. "Hehe."
"Give me that Stone!!!" Reaper demanded as he chased after the running Rage.
"Ya have t'catch me first ya over grown wolf!" Rage taunted. "Crystallight! Catch!" He threw it over Reaper's head and to Crystallight who easily caught it. Reaper made a u-turn and started to run towards Crystallight.
"I demand you give me that Stone!"
"Sakura-sama! Here!" Crystallight then threw it to Sakura.
Giggling as Reaper's angry glare turned on her, Sakura started to run around in circles with Reaper hot on her heels. "This is SOO much fun! We should do this more often!!"
"Sakura-sama! Watch out!" Gem warned, but was unfourtanately...to late.
Sakura's foot caught against a rock and the next thing she knew, she lost her hold on the Stone and it shot into the air and then, her face came in impact with the ground. "Hoee...@.@"
All eyes were on the Stone as it plunged towards the ground, well...besides Sakura's whose eyes were currently facing the floor. Lucky for the gang, it was Gem who managed to get hold of the Stone. But she threw it towards Syaoran because Reaper was right beside her, reaching out for it. Catching it, Syaoran smirked at Reaper's annoyed look.
"You're not getting tired, are you?" Syaoran asked with mock-hurt.
"No. I'm just getting tired of YOUR LITTLE CHILD GAMES!" Reaper roared out, running towards him.
Pointing her sword at him, Crystallight started to summon some of her powers. Eyes flashing a bright aqua blue, Rage knew she was going to use her strongest attack.
I, The Goddess of Water,
Summon thee!
Serpent, STRIKE!"
A serpent made of entire water rushed at Reaper head long. Sakura lifted her head up as she got up onto her feet. Her eyes were wide with awe at the magnificent sight of the Water Serpent. It collided into Reaper, sending him crashing into the ground with the water beating harshly against him. Once it stopped, he forced himself up onto all fours, looking wet and badly beaten. It was obvious he was angrier than before. His whole body trembled with outrage. It was hard the describe the anger he was experiencing at the moment.
"I had enough of all of your games!" His voice was dangerous and low; dark and menacing. His eyes fell on Crystallight and a dull golden glow could be seen through his tightly clenched teeth. "Your soul will now be mines!" Right when his teeth parted, an orb of dull gold flew straight at Crystallight. It was too fast for anyone to see or for anyone to prevent. It entered her chest and her eyes suddenly went wide as another orb floated out from where the golden one entered. This one let out an aqua blue, glowing like the ocean. A soft blue and white could be seen, swirling around in the inside. It would at times change different directions. The color in Crystallight's face was gone, turning to a deadly white. Her body went limp and when Reaper had the blue orb clenched between his teeth, the Goddess fell with a dull thud to the ground. Everyone expected her to move. They all expected her to at least groan or something. But she made no more...or no sound.
"No..." Sakura murmured, realization slowly dawning on each and every one of them.
Tears stang Gem's eyes. "She can't be..."
Rage stumbled towards the limp body. His eyes were wide as he knelt by her and started to gently shake her. "Crys'? Crystallight...? Wake up...This isn't funny anymore..." He rolled her onto her back to see her eyes were closed. Feeling for a pulse, he found none. Checking for a heart beat, he didn't hear any. His face paled and it felt like a part of him was now gone. She was dead.
"I'll give you two days for you guys to make a decision," Reaper spoke up, the blue orb now in one of his paws. "It's either you hand me over the chosen ones, along with the other stones, and she gets her life back, or you don't bother to give me anything and I'll keep her soul. Think about it wisely...because once you make your decision...there's no turning back." He then disappeared with a blink of an eye.
"Syaoran..." Sakura whispered as he joined her side. "She's dead...." She couldn't hold back the tears anymore and she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Syaoran held her comfortingly in his arms, his face grim and dark.
Gem fell to her knees as she stared forward with blank eyes, her own tears trailing down her cheek. "Oh Kami...Why? Why Crystallight? Why did he have to take her soul!?"
Rage held Crystallight's body in his arms, never noticing that he was crying himself. All he knew was that nothing in his world felt right anymore; nothing in his world was the same; Without her...he didn't have a world to live in. "Crystallight...Come back...Please...come back. Why'd he have to take you away from me?" He started to sob pitifully, his body trembling. "Why? I never even got to tell you how I felt...I never had the chance to tell you that...I love you."
Syaoran stared with sympathy at the crying Rage. "Syaoran?" Sakura questioned, looking up at him with teary eyes. "What are we going to do? How are we going to get Crystallight's soul back?"
His hold on her gently tightened. "I don't know, Sakura...I don't know."
To be continued...
Azure Rosas: Isn't it weird how this chapter started off serious, then went to the humor part, and suddenly turned to depression and mourn? Welp, lemme thank these people for reviewing:
Litwolf689
sakurablossom star
Rubymoon
Kawaii-CherryWolf
Keetra
kawaiiaznangel36
Silvercherrywolf
Animefreak242
Arigatou minna-san! Anyway, please go easy on the reviews ^^; And on that note, please leave a review! Ja ne!
