Disclaimer: Sheo tsumanai… ManKin not mine. Card Captor neither. Steel Angel Kurumi also. Lavi, Eah, Rione, Millie, Rune mine… tsumanai…
(In the background, Marion 'Mari' Phauna pouts and Yuuki Darren shakes her head in disapproval.)
("Sheo is ripping off Mari's lines…")
("It isn't the only thing he rips off…")
("Bad Yuuki…")
Previously, on "The Romancers"...
It´s been a long road, getting from there to here.
It´s been a long time, but my time is finally near.
And I can feel the change in the wind right now. Nothing´s in my way.
And they´re not gonna hold me down no more, no they´re not gonna hold me down.
I´ve got faith of the heart.
I´m going where my heart will take me.
I´ve got faith to believe. I can do anything.
I´ve got strength of the soul. And no one´s gonna bend or break me.
I can reach any star. I´ve got faith, I´ve got faith, faith of the heart.
It's been a long road…
This chapter is dedicated to fellow writer Nagumo, a Meene specialist whose ManKin work on this tragic girl has been so influential on me that I have drastically retooled my story's ending and possible sequel to incorporate new themes inspired by her stories. Her insights and ideas are just so good that I can't help but want to adopt some of them and see how my translation would come out. Thank you very much for giving me something new to live out.
The Romancers
Set One: Shaman King
By: Sheo Darren
Iron Maiden and Dowser Knight
Chapter Eleven: Towards The End
She watched the sunrise burst upon the skyline with an impassive face and a heart set in stone. There had been enough sunrises and sunsets she'd witness in her life– in both of her lives, old and new, the past and the present. She was lucky in a sense. Too many people would never see this dawn, would never live out this day to the utmost the way they should. She'd had a hand in cutting short so many of those promising lives, her once-white gloves stained deep in crimson with blood of the guilty and the innocent. She didn't like to see blood, but she saw it too often doing things that ended with blood on her and her victim and all around. She'd tried to stop caring, really tried once or twice or so many times, she'd forgotten already.
But she couldn't. She couldn't pretend not to care.
She simply and inexplicably kept on caring.
It was not as if she was tired of it all, or that she was emotionless. To her old companions she was a paradox that continuously awaited definition, a persona constantly evolving in ways they could never fully comprehend, an impossible clash of character but undeniably who she was: Herself. She was the kindest and the most normal of them, but at the same time she was the scariest and the darkest of them. She was fire and ice, sky and earth, angel and devil, Heaven or Hell, one and the other and both put together all at the same time.
She simply was.
She looked out to the city before her. The city called Tomoeda.
It was her destination.
It was where she would find them. It was where they would meet again.
She and three souls linked together in an indefinably mystifying loom woven together by Fate, they would meet again at last.
Marco.
Rune.
Lyserg.
Herself.
"Past and present," she mused once more.
Past and present… and the future…
Gathering herself together, she took up walking once more and headed towards the city.
It was a pleasant morning that greeted the waking occupants of the Daidouji Manor, a herald of a most promisingly lovely day–perhaps the best gift to the seven souls who would be undertaking the most critical and dangerous journey of their lives.
Today was the day of the rescue of Iron Maiden Jeanne D'Arc.
The X-Laws were all dressed up and ready for action. Weapons were cleaned, ammunition checked and loaded. They would be traveling lightly, carrying only enough water and rations for two days. Everyone was well rested and –if not in exactly good spirits– weren't under the weather, either. Even Rune seemed sunny enough (or at least less chilly than usual), for the moment leaving off her habit of antagonizing Marco, which everyone gladly gave thanks to God for. Marco for his part made no effort to be his customary scary self and kept off trying to pick a fight with Rune.
Indeed, the two senior X-Laws seemed to have set aside their differences ever since yesterday. There was even the suggestion of an entirely different relationship in place now– or was their rivalry just a cover, this new 'amiable' rapport actually the real deal between them? Was there more than met the eye? Rune did not entertain the few questions aimed her way, and when Eah timidly asked Marco about it, the man growled at him in a manner worthy of his moniker 'The Roman Lion'. Naturally, Eah retreated, and everyone wisely kept their opinions to themselves.
There were, of course, exceptions. Drake seemed stiff and sore and somewhat tired, but shrugged off Lyserg's inquiries to his health merely by attributing it to a bad hangover. His drinking companions didn't say anything to the contrary despite knowing that three beers are not enough to mess one up the way their friend was. They also said nothing of their suspicions that something just might have happened last night to him. Some secrets are meant to be kept, especially with drinking buddies.
Worse off was Vincent, who had not only downed half a liter of potent brandy last night but also taken one slug out of Eah Osborne's vodka. Result: The worst hangover ever to walk the Earth. Put in words: "Somebody please stop that damn giant jackhammer from busting my head, will you?"
Tomoyo took the matter in hand, making Vincent drink a curative tea that did wonders in removing the hangover, all the while humming a gentle song that somehow helped restore a hale feeling within the American.
"Was that magic?" Lyserg posed to her. Everyone had felt the faintest undercurrent of power while Tomoyo sang, but the girl in question only smiled mysteriously in answer, amusing Eriol with her accurate imitation of his best 'Clow Read face'.
"My own special magic, Lyserg, a little bit of both me and a special person who shares me, a power of words and music that is inherent in all song."
And they had to be content with that.
In absolute dissimilarity to the two X-Laws was Eah Osborne, cheerful and noisy and crazy as always, and who was also totally lacking even the trace of a shadow of a hangover despite emptying half a dozen vodkas. In direct contrast to the Filipino maverick pilot was his navigator Lavi, who was as usual somewhat pessimistic but resigned to the inevitable– and if you can't beat them, join them, the restrained but well-meant smile she bore evident.
Even Maestro worked hard to keep a pall off this day, keeping unobtrusively behind the others, toning his presence down as to almost be an especially humble and placid part of the background. Everyone ignored him; he in turn kept out of everyone's way.
Millie was perhaps the most striking of the lot aside from Marco and Rune. Gone were the shyness and the image of a frail helpless child she conveyed. The willowy waif seemed different somehow, more assertive, more mature and capable. She was still the same pretty girl who broke into song to hold her audience captive, still the same timid ash-blonde girl who had an immense crush on her team leader, still the same childish girl at whose adoptive side bounced Red, her adopted pet Haro. Yet there was no shaking the feeling that she was all grown up now, and she reflected this change in every small facet of her persona.
In fact, Marco would have sworn Millie was almost exactly Meene right now.
Finally, there was Lyserg himself. The handsome young dowser, leader of the X-Laws, bore a set of maps tucked within the crook of his left elbow, his right arm gloved, pendant held within. At his shoulder hovered Morphine, the faerie glowing both with its distinctive aura and unmistakable pride in her master, an emotion openly shared by the boy she swore herself to.
The Tomoeda bunch was fully represented. Tomoyo and Eriol were as usual together holding hands and being such a reticently sweet pair without their even trying. Happy-go-lucky Nakuru was carrying the composed Suppi in her arms, both Guardians positioned at the couple's left while Mizuki assertively took the spot immediately on their right.
There were also four new faces, a boy and a girl both about the same age as Tomoyo and Eriol, a young man, and a yellow-orange version of Suppi the black cat. The boy had unruly russet hair and light brown eyes and a grumpy but handsome Chinese face. The girl had short hair the same shade as her companion's pupils matched with emerald green eyes and a sunny nature paired well with her cute looks. The young fair-haired man wore spectacles and an effusive smile. The Sun Guardian –it had to be, it looked exactly like Suppi and ostensibly served the same role for the new girl– was a miniature kawaii winged lion that might have passed for a stuffed toy.
Eriol smiled genially at the assembled group. Elegantly gesturing to the newcomers, he began, "May I introduce you to Kinimoto Sakura and Syaoran Li, Card Mistress and Card Captor respectively, both very good friends of ours and fellow sorcerers who will help us cast the spell. Also, this is Tsukishiro Yukito who is my former Moon Guardian Yue, and Keroberos, my former Sun Guardian. Sakura-chan, Li-kun, Tsukishiro-kun, Kero-chan the X-Laws."
After greetings were exchanged, the preparations for the gate spell's casting commenced. Lyserg unrolled the maps he carried upon the ground and went to work, his crystal pendant held over them, the enchanted gem moving ever so slightly above the parchment in the manner of dowsers searching for lost items, his face a mask of calm concentration. On the world map, the pendant stopped over New Zealand. On the map of the country itself, it halted over the mainland.
"Here." Lyserg pointed to a spot on the map. "Here is where we go."
"Are you sure?" quietly asked Eriol.
He looked up to all of them, confident in himself and in the girl he sought. "My heart tells me so."
Taking Lyserg for his word, the blue-haired reincarnate set the next phase of preparation. The girl named Sakura took out the Cards that bore her name– the Sakura Cards that once were Eriol's as Clow Read. He selected just two of them: Time and Return. He laid them before him and turned to the X-Laws for an explanation.
"These are the Cards whose powers we will need to cast the Gate spell: Time, both halting and speeding up the passing of time for you and us; and Return, she who will come with you in order to bring you back to our world from the place you go to. These two Cards will form the dual base for our spell, the core components that will compose the Gate we will open.
"We sorcerers will cast the spell and provide the power to sustain it." Eriol became somber. "Me. Sakura. Syaoran."
A hush fell on the garden.
"Tomoyo."
Everyone looked to the heir of the Daidouji clan. She met their gazes with a peaceful one of her own, her eyes holding her fiancé peacefully, reassuring him and all the others even with this revelation that she was still Daidouji Tomoyo and that she would stand by them whatever follows next.
Syaoran spoke next. "Can we do it?"
First Tomoyo, then Eriol nodded.
"Yes. We have to."
Jeanne and Rione were immersed in last-minute arrangements of their own. At the moment, it consisted of choosing something for the Iron Maiden to wear.
"Mou, this will certainly not do at all! May mas gaganda pa kaysa dito! I know there is one! Basta, alam ko na mayroon!"
"Anou, Rione, maybe we shouldn't fuss too much–"
"Ah, but we have to, Jeanne-chan!" The counter was punctuated very effectively, Rione shoving her very determinedly obstinate face almost right into her friend's startled own. "Today is special! Today is the day you and Lyserg-kun will be reunited! Your true love story will continue! Your love storm will reach its peak! Your endless love will be consummated, winter sonata and summer scent and all others! You will go back to your meteor garden, your west side story, your truth! Go, girl, keep marching on to that happy place!"
(Anyone can plainly see in her choice of metaphors that Rione is a Chinovela and Koreanovela addict. Poor her, we must all pity her. Someone call Dao Ming Xi, please; she's getting really scary. )
Jeanne just had to give in. She even sort of felt it was her fault the Filipina was keying herself up to a fever pitch. After all, Rione was a dedicated friend who would stop at nothing to get what she believed was the best out of life for those she cared for. The Romancer worried a lot for Jeanne and did her utmost to help her out, going to the extent of 'kidnapping' her (Honestly, would Marco allow the Iron Maiden to go on break? The Romancers think not), springing a relaxing 'vacation' as a surprise, raining gifts and jokes and advice and friendship when needed and even when not, all just to encourage and reassure her.
She may have a weird way of expressing it, but Rione truly cared for her friend.
So, Jeanne simply waited patiently while the former plowed through piles and piles of clothes with reckless abandon. The running commentary turned up interesting tidbits about Rione, her organization, the owners of the house and various other topics.
"Rei might have been an expert Gundam pilot/mechanic/assassin/the works, but when it comes to fashion sense she unfortunately has a lot to make up for– a habit equally unfortunate in being shared by dear Kuya Quatre Raberba Winner. Lucky for her Rylan knows clothes and that blonde –Dorothy– takes it as a personal matter of honor to get her sister-in-law dressed all right. Heck, even I dress better than Rei, at hindi pa ako maarte sa pinipili kong damit! Kuso, we really need a fashion advising section for the Romancers! Kailangan na kailangan! Check memorandum! Kailangan sosyal at astig!"
After a while, Jeanne decided to tend to herself while Rione was still sorting things out. She studied her reflection in the mirror, observing the peacefully attractive features of the girl before the mirror, the girl who was supposed to be Iron Maiden Jeanne of the X-Laws. She could hardly believe it herself, she who was after all who she was.
That and a whole lot more.
Small hands gently pushed back the foremost of her long silvery-blue mane, letting the soft weight settle into place while she fastened a scarf on them, the lace that held all that in place tied up beneath her chin. The bandanna framed her soft angular face perfectly, her hair seemingly falling out from it like a gray curtain of rainwater spills down from clouds that bear it to the world below. She was reminded of Kyouyama Anna, who adopted much the same manner and gear. The girl sighed softly, wondering what the boy in her heart would say when they'd meet again at last.
Jeanne had a good idea about his answer.
"YES!"
Garments went flying into the air, a tee-shirt even ending up on top of one of the lazily-spinning ceiling fan's blades and staying there, the poor thing. But Rione couldn't care less. She brandished her find as if it was the most valuable thing in the world that had just fallen into her hands now, her golden-brown face decorated by perhaps the biggest victory smile Jeanne had seen yet on her.
"Miss Jeanne, I would like you to congratulate me. To quote Éclair from Kiddy Grade: Tah-Dah!"
So saying, she presented her one-in-a-million find.
It was a dress.
"Um, Rione?" Jeanne very delicately put it, aware that her friend might be offended but feeling that she just had to say it.
"Yeah?"
"It looks almost exactly like my Iron Maiden costume."
The Filipina's good spirits could not be dampened, not even by all the rainstorms and heartbreaks in the world. She grinned even more at Jeanne's off-hand remark.
"Exactly."
"NO WAY!"
Lavi was angry.
Wait. Backtrack on that one for a moment.
She was not angry.
She was not just angry.
Lavi was all the synonyms for the word 'angry' and any other metaphor or slang for that particular emotion put together into this gigantic mega-emotion (the English language lacks so many critical words…)
This lone sentence needs no further explanation. The readers certainly don't want to be scared. Lavi is scary when angry et al.
Now, why would she be in the first place?
Well, for starters, her pilot partner came up with another crazy idea of his.
'As usual', if we may say so ourselves.
"No way! Absolutely no way, Eah! You've come up with a lot of cockamamie ideas before, and I've patiently borne them out– even when we came close to getting our hides aired out permanently, and that happened in all of the cases we've been in! I've kept my peace for God knows how long so much, I think I'll apply for martyrdom or saint status because I've certainly earned it, no thanks to you! I feel like I'm sixty even though I'm just sixteen and feeling it especially because of you! You hear me? You are not leaving me here! Understand?"
Eah Osborne was genuinely puzzled. This was the most acerbic tantrum his navigator had ever thrown. Lavi was pure vitriol over the slightest of slights, a total inverse of Rione. This was her at her worst, and he honestly thought that reaction was totally uncalled for.
After all, he'd just said, "Lavi, sasama lang ako kay Lyserg, ha?"
Lavi, I think I'll tag along with Lyserg into kingdom come and receive certain death by oblivion, annihilation, incineration, disintegration and all the rest put together for good measure, okay? was how she had translated it. She buried her face in one hand and groaned at the thought.
"Ah…"
For a moment, she thought she was the one who said those words, muttering Eah's name under her breath like a curse. Then Lavi realized that it was Eah speaking.
"…Ito naman, o. Joke only. Hindi ka na mabiro, Nav."
She stared at him. He grinned sheepishly at her.
"Masyado kang tense at mainitin ang ulo, Nav. Nagbibiro lang yung tao, ganyan ka na mag-react. 'Kaw naman, you think I'll leave you with Orca Transport here?" Eah broke into his usual loco laugh, his intended gag now evident to all. "No way! Kay Eah 'ata yang er'planong 'yan!"
Lavi stared at him for a long moment, unable to react even as the impact of his words registered inside her mind, even as she realized she would not be left alone– her greatest fear in the world. Then, she broke into a swell of tears and tackled Eah violently, sweeping the unsuspecting Filipino into a bearish hug.
"Eh? Nav?"
"Sira," she sobbed into his clothes, totally soft and vulnerable and not caring a whit that she was showing it, the terrible memories of her past reaching for her once more, a time when she was lonely and without hope and life– until her new friend came along and brought her into the light. "'Wag mo akong biruin nang ganyan. Ayoko ng ganyang biro. Ayokong maisip man lang na maiwan akong mag-isa uli. Ayokong maging nag-iisa. Ayoko. Ayoko."
Idiot. Don't tease me like that. I don't like jokes like that. I don't want to even think of being left alone to myself. I don't want to be alone. I don't. I don't.
Eah blushed, sort of chuckled and patted Lavi on the back reassuringly. "'Dehins, Nav. 'Di kita iiwan. Peksman."
"Arigatou…"
"Can we cut your scene short?" That was Vincent, who was looking rather sour watching the drama play out. "I'm not exactly in the mood for sappy love stories like yours, so will you two stop emoting so much and–"
Seeing Eah irritably aim his AK at her and Lavi follow suit with a death glare –the latter's hand going to the trusty titanium tool that was her handy-dandy wrench for good measure– the X-Laws trooper decided to shut up before she got killed or worse.
"Wise decision," Maestro observed psychically. Vincent decided not to tell her teammate where to shove it.
"Muntik ko nang makalimutan, a." Remembering last night's teasing spree annoyed Eah. "Patay yang Fluff Inc na 'yan sa akin maya-maya."
"Leave some for me," Lavi growled in agreement, feeling happier now despite her effected grievance.
"Sure thing, Nav. Walang problema, sagot kita."
Marco and Rune very unobtrusively observed the X-Laws regard them with badly-disguised misgiving, as though they were going to die soon or start World War Three. They pretended to be ignorant of the stares and whispers going their way, speaking softly with each as not to be heard by anyone else except for them.
"Opinions, Minor? Conspiracies? Significance of Malloy and Granger gossiping like old women while aiming furtive glances at us?"
"Apparently, Testarossa, they are wondering what sickness or evil spirits had taken over us."
"Oh?" His ironic tone wasn't meant for her. "Really?"
"We aren't exactly acting like our 'normal' selves, remember?" The way she said the word 'normal' reeked of sarcasm.
"Or rather, we are our normal selves."
"Save they don't know."
"Point is made."
They let the others' chatter drift on for a few moments, letting wild imaginations take their frantic courses, wondering what improbable conceptions were coming and going like the wind.
"Do you think we should put an end to it?"
"None of it is true."
"That's exactly the reason why we should."
"Since when did you care?"
"I've always cared. And so do you."
"More than we've ever admitted."
"Yes."
He had to ask, but that didn't make asking all the more easier for Lyserg.
Millie was entertaining Red with a cheerful song. Though not as addicted as Drake was, the young X-Laws did like anime. As already previously mentioned, she was a fan of handsome ZAFT ace pilot Athrun Zara from Gundam Seed. The song was from one of her favorites, Steel Angel Kurumi. Haro did a pretty good job in following its mistress' lead, singing credibly enough for a toy prone to silly chirping. But it was Millie who carried the music and the song, Millie who gave it life.
Kiss shite mezmete onna no ko-tte uki uki (uki uki)HONKI de suki nara tamerawanai de neKoi wa byun byun ikou yoAnata no tame nara hi no naka datte atsukunai (atsukunai)Koori no kuni demo mizugi de ikeru yoUchuu datte OKAnshin shite ne hotto shite neItsudemo egao de iru karaFutatsu no mune no fukurami no nakaOTONA no HAATO ga aru kara
Kiss kara hajimaru Miracle!
Nachuraru sumairu wandafuru!
Awateru korogaru ukareru yume miru
Mi-ra-ku-ru-mi!
Mi-ra-ku-ru-mi!
"Hey," he greeted her. "Millie."
"Lyserg."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Me, too."
They tried smiling at each other, tried to feel welcome with each other despite last night.
"You know the interesting thing about the song?" She spoke in a rush, as if hurrying to get the words and the feelings they conveyed quickly out of her body. "The lyric Mi-ra-ku-ru-mi? It stands for several things at once. Would you like to know what they are, Lyserg?"
"Sure."
"Well, Mi-ra-ku-ru-mi can be translated literally as mira kurumi, 'Look, it's Kurumi'. But it can also stand for the English words 'Miracle me', which it sort of sounds like. It's a pun, you see; a play with words."
She smiled at him shyly.
"Miracle me, isn't it? I'm miraculous."
Lyserg swallowed his hesitation and went on with what he had to say. "The way you are right now, Millie–"
"I know." She shook her head at his somewhat astonished look. "I must be making you guys wonder, aren't I?"
"Yes…"
"That's funny, because onee-chan once told me the very same thing about her. How she made the guys –the old X-Laws– wonder about her, the way she acted, the way she simply was. She made them wonder, all right. She probably made them worry, too."
"Meene is a good person," Lyserg affirmed solidly.
"I know, and that's what's funny. She's a good person, and yet at the same time I know she did some very bad things. How could a good person do such bad things, you wonder?"
"She did those things to protect other people. She did them because they needed to be done, and only she could do it."
"Two wrongs don't make a right."
"Sometimes, it just does."
"Does it matter?" Millie smiled. "We can do all sorts of things in our lives, but we ourselves won't change. Good or bad or neutral, it's all a matter of perception. It's only we who decide what we are, we who choose and act as we wish. Not God or angels or devils or anything else can make us; they can show the way, but we must walk it.
"Only we can remake ourselves," she finished softly. "Only we can."
It was Eriol who called them, then.
"It's time."
It was time.
The X-Laws stood in the middle of the pentagram, at the very nexus of the sigil of sorcery drawn earlier by Eriol. Before the seven Soldados was the azure-haired sorcerer himself, Tomoyo held closely at his side, friends Syaoran and Sakura to his left. Behind them were Yukito, Nakuru, Kero-chan and Suppi– or rather, Yue, Ruby Moon, Keroberos and Spinel Sun, the last four transformed into the true forms. Beside the last were Lavi and Eah. Mizuki was at the door to forestall anyone who might see the spell being cast.
"Are you ready?"
There was no real need for Eriol to ask that, only a rhetoric comfort for tradition's sake. But the intentions were well-meant– and the implications vast. Once the answer was given, once the signal was approved, there would be no turning back. They were committed.
Lyserg nodded.
Eah flashed his buddy a thumbs up. Lyserg had to grin at that,
"Ingat! Go get 'em, 'tol! 'Wag kalimutan ang pasalubong ko, a!"
"Oo, I'll bring you some, don't worry!"
"Take care," Tomoyo bid them. "Be careful, and may you find Jeanne and all of you be safe and sound returned to us."
Even Eriol himself smiled faintly. "Good luck, Lyserg. Good luck, X-Laws."
"Thank you."
Then Lyserg and all the others got ready.
It was time, indeed.
"Now," Eriol said.
Sakura went first, the opening words of the chant to trigger her talisman already on her lips. "Key that uses the power of the stars, reveal your true self. I, Sakura, the one who has formed the contract with you, command you so."
Her emerald eyes snapped open even as she held the magical key in her outstretched cupped hands. "RELEASE!"
The key transformed into its true form, a baton with white wings flanking the golden star that was its emblem and centerpiece. Firmly Sakura grasped it with one hand, twirling the baton expertly and effortlessly as she revealed the Cards in her hands.
Sorcerers had long kept their existence hidden from the world in order to preserve their identities and way of life from both being changed by the world without and from altering the lives of those outside their own. This step was crucial to maintaining that secrecy.
"Illusion! Envelop this place in a semblance of normalcy and keep prying eyes from seeing what we summon!"
The entire Manor was wrapped in the protection of Illusion. If people would look at it, they would see it as it normally appears. The magical curtain kept hidden the otherwise easily visible spell they would next use.
In Sakura's hands, Time and Return appeared. It was time to cast the Gate spell.
"Key that uses the power of the darkness, reveal your true self." That was Eriol and his own magic, timing his warning for everyone's sake, preparing all for what would follow. "I, Hiiragizawa Eriol, the one who has created you, command you so. Release!
"Sakura, now!"
Time and Return shone brightly, even as the lines of the pentagram inscribed within the circle of power also flared to life, their white outlines rippling with energy. In Eriol's hands the Staff of Clow Read hummed, its wielder focusing his half of his previous self's power into the spell even as Tomoyo's voice rose through the crescendo of sorcery to set the rhythm this power would take, even as Sakura and Syaoran and all the rest contributed their own energies. Even Lavi and Eah helped in a way, urging X-Laws and sorcerers and even Cards with supportive cheers, praying that all go well for their friends.
Time seemed to both stand still and rush past them at the same time. It was an eerie feeling to think they seemed to be moving even thought they knew they stood stock still where they were. Hands found their neighbors and held on, finding reassurance in the warmth and presence. Marco had Rune's firmly in his, unconsciously Vincent's and Drake's met together, Millie held both Lyserg and Maestro as at her feet Red leaned upon her.
"Steady!" they heard Eriol pronounce through the storm of magic, the young man's voice now firm and awesome, Clow Read come once more. "Steady! Steady a while longer… NOW!"
Beneath their feet, a mirror sheen surface materialized, the sigil of sorcerers clearly engraved upon it, the sign they were waiting for. As it came alive, Return flared brighter than all and leapt into the sky, blazing a path past the clouds, into the heavens and the space beyond. The X-Laws turned into light and soared quickly after the Card.
The light died away. The sigil faded into nothingness. Silence returned.
The spell was done.
The die had been cast.
The X-Laws were on their own and in the hands of God.
Exhausted, Tomoyo sagged against her fiancé, even as Sakura and Syaoran managed to keep on their feet with each other's help. Both Suppi and Keroberos were down, and the drained Nakuru very nearly collapsed into the equally worn out Yue/Yukito's arms. Even Eriol, the most powerful of the group, was tired beyond measure like he had never been before.
Eah started a hesitant applause. "Galeng. Nagawa ninyo."
For a long while, no one replied or reacted to that. Tomoyo was the first to break the silence.
"Did it work?"
The fateful question one must ask but no one really wants to ask.
"It did." Eriol wearily nodded at the fact. "We've done what we can for them."
"But do you think we've done the right thing?"
He let out a sigh. Of what emotion it was, only Tomoyo knew, and she would not tell.
"Only Time and Fate will tell. Only they, and only when they choose to."
She made Kaho-sensei uneasy.
And not just anybody can unnerve Kaho Mizuki.
She had come out of the thin air, it seemed, materialized merely to ring the bell at the door. As planned, Mizuki answered the gate.
The woman looked pretty ordinary enough, with wheat-tan bangs and hair that hadn't seen a barber in some time. Her clothes were neither old nor new, grey-white fitting her comfortably. There was a slight militarily-inclined aura to her, and an even more indistinct touch of something observers would have a hard time describing. Though not supermodel beautiful, her face possessed its own special pleasance and frank charisma. She seemed somewhat familiar, but then again she could be anyone.
All in all, she was very much normal.
That was part of what made Mizuki uneasy.
Sometimes, what people seemed to be was exactly what they were really not.
"I'm looking for a man named Marco Innocenzo Testarossa. I've heard he was here."
Damage control was too late and futile in any case. This woman knew about the X-Laws. She was up to something. And it didn't seem to be a nice thing she was up to.
Mizuki had intentionally made the visitor wait, even planning to tell her off for a while, maybe ask to just come back a few hours later, anything to keep her away until Eriol and the others were finished.
Then the Gate spell burst into life.
It just had to be pure chance that the woman's gaze fell upon the very spot where the spell was cast. At least, that was what Mizuki was telling herself, what she was trying to make herself believe. Illusion shielded the Manor and everything that happened within from the sight of ordinary people outside, a veil of secrecy that no technology or unaided vision and senses could penetrate. No one could see what was happening there.
No one, that is, save for those blessed with the sight to see such.
Mizuki was one.
And so was this woman, too, it seemed.
She smiled very faintly, both at the spell and at her opposite number's consternation.
"Sorcerers," murmured the woman softly yet keenly.
She waited for Mizuki to let her inside.
That reaction, and the way this woman held herself and merely the fact that she was, made Kaho-sensei very uneasy.
The peaceful summer sky of New Zealand was parted by the silent thunderbolt of light that was Return, plunging down to the earth and bringing to reality in this end universe the Gate spell. Through the fading sigil and the dissipating light, the X-Laws emerged, slightly dazed but unscathed and their ranks complete.
Beneath and around them, the Gate died away. Return hovered briefly before them before it lost its sheen and went dormant. Lyserg caught it and held it close to him, their only way to get home.
They had made it through to the world they sought.
The X-Laws were all on their own now.
But they weren't as alone as they hoped to be, not by a long shot.
She was waiting for them already. The girl dressed in black, a delighted beamy smile on her handsome face, the strange mysterious girl who started it all.
Rione Asuka Hunter.
"Mister Diethyl, welcome back. We've missed you."
Lyserg Diethyl's guarded reply was:
"Where is Jeanne-chan?"
(On a side note, Marco did not go berserk and try tearing off Lyserg's head. He merely made a mental note to remind the boy just who he was talking about and that he should always show respect for her, especially in the way he called her. After all, Lyserg was the team leader now. He deserved some measure of deference, even from Marco and even despite his being very liberal with affectionate nicknames for Jeanne.)
Rione grinned pleasantly: "Right here."
She stepped aside with a flourish.
Lyserg was speechless.
"Hello, Lyserg," greeted Jeanne D'Arc, the girl who was once the Iron Maiden.
It was a few minutes later that Mizuki arrived, accompanied by a complete stranger who nevertheless seemed to know much about her and the others.
The sorcerers had retired to the garden in order to take a break. Tomoyo was resting against Eriol, asleep, regaining her strength in her peaceful nap. Her cousin Sakura had followed suit, her auburn-crowned head lain upon the somnolent Syaoran's lap for a quick siesta. Nakuru and Yukito were drowsily leaning against each other, trying but failing to keep awake, slipping in and out of dream and real worlds alternately. Suppi and Keroberos had already given up on such a struggle; back to their diminutive forms again, the two were audibly snoring from where they lay. It was up to Lavi and Eah, therefore, to try and help out by offering some cake and tea.
Eriol was very well awake despite his strenuous exertion just earlier. He caught sight of the woman and almost stood up in surprise, he was sure he recognized her– no, he did recognize her and knew she shouldn't be here by the fact that she was–
"Good morning, Hiiragizawa-kun," affably greeted the stranger. "Or should I say, Sir Clow Read?"
Mizuki looked at her, then at the affected Eriol, and then she worried anew.
"Please don't be surprised to see me, and don't ask me how I'm here. I don't know myself," the woman quickly admitted, "And I'm still trying to figure things out."
"You…" Disbelief marked his eyes for a fleeting second, a rarity of a response from the usually imperturbable sorcerer reincarnate. "You're–"
"–Myself and not myself, all at the same time, yes, but I'd rather not talk about it. Are Sir Testarossa– excuse me, I meant: Are Marco and the others here? The X-Laws, I mean?"
"They've left." Her eyes opening now, Tomoyo stirred herself awake, coming to face this intruder with her sincere serenity. "Only a while ago; you just missed them. They might not be back for a while."
She looked rather disappointed, but took it all in stride and seemed even– hopeful? Happy? Whatever it was, she was the unexpected happened to them, the quirk of Fate that She throws into her tapestry that is this world and this life.
The woman caught the curious looks her way and shrugged. "Then I will wait. I've waited a year for this; a while longer means nothing to me."
So saying, she sat down on a chair and gave them as relaxed a smile she could summon for someone so recently come back as she was.
And that made everyone worry.
Itutuloy…
Sheo's Notes: "One… more…" – Jacky Chan, Shanghai Knights
The eleventh chapter is done and posted now. Only one last chapter remains (or, if I feel like putting an epilogue as I usually am wont to do, one chapter and one epilogue remain.) Four days of working this makes me think that I might just finish this before classes start. Now that would be something to aim for.
This chapter focuses more on the Card Captor people. It's also sort of a teaser for my planned Eriol-Tomoyo/ET fan fiction, revealing the end results of that particular story early in order to whet curiosities and attract potential readers. Maybe by July or August 2004, I'd start posting it (and while I'm at it, I'll also have to do two other fan fiction simultaneously; I've got my hands full!)
The song Kiss Kara Hajimaru Miracle (Kiss That Started A Miracle) is from Steel Angel Kurumi. The translation of the quoted lyrics is as follows:
"A kiss can wake a girl" you said, and it makes me happy. (so happy)If you're serious about love, you can't hesitate...Love will leave you if you do!I would walk through fire for you... (just for you)Or go to a freezing country in a bathing suit!Even outer space is OK!Aren't you relieved? Are the burdens all gone?I always want you to smile.Something will swell up in our chests...And it'll sound like a heart.There is a miracle that started from a kiss...It's natural, it smiles and it's wonderful...It's confused and it's tumbling down, yet it still looks like a dream...Look, it's Kurumi! (Alternative: Miracle me!)
Look, it's Kurumi! (Alternative: Miracle me!)
Thanks a lot to Nagumo, to whom this chapter is dedicated. Adopting ideas from your story and coming out with developments moved by your ideas, I've come up with a new bitin na ending that should really make everyone who reads it demand that I continue. I'm sure of it, trust me. It'll be really good.
And no, Fluff Inc, it is still not Lavi-Eah. Within next week, I should be able to write the prologue of that original story I promised you. You'll finally know who Eah is paired with. Reminder lang: 'Wag kang iiyak masyado, ah? Malungkot kasi, e…
As to this mysterious woman? We will know soon enough who she is. (Hint: Please see the previous on Nagumo. It might just give you a clue. And if you have any guesses what it is, please keep it to yourselves. You can e-mail me privately if you really want to know. )
Until then, read and review! Domou arigatou! Maraming salamat sa inyong pagtangkilik!