Miaka and Yui grew up together and became best friends. Yui, as she was now called, read every book she could get her hands on in order to learn more about this world. She searched everywhere for the missing book, and it was when her transformation had reached the age of fifteen that she finally found it. It was actually nearby, in a large library that could be reached by train from where she lived. She read it and discovered that the story was about four gods, and that each used a priestess and the reincarnation of its seven stars to summon it. She found that since this book had fallen into the other, two priestesses had already fulfilled the legend. They hadn't caused too much damage. So, she came to the conclusion that the only way for this world to be destroyed was for all four legends to be fulfilled. If she went in and became the third priestess, then all she needed was a fourth... but who?
Why not Miaka?
No, I could never use her in that way, Yui thought. The mission was dangerous, most likely fatal to one who didn't posess the right powers. And through the years she had been in the book Miaka had been nothing but a best friend to her. Besides, Yui chuckled to herself, she's not the brightest star in the sky now is she? Could she handle it?
There was only one way to find out. And Yui could not think of anyone else that she could lure into the book as well as Miaka. Because she wasn't so bright she would never realize what was going on, and she would fall right in. It would be so simple.
It was decided. The next day she acted normal, if not a twinge more sweet, to her friend. She made sure that Miaka was happy, and when she casually mentioned that she had to return a book to the library Miaka agreed to come along. It was so easy. Too easy. Could people in this world really be that stupid? Miaka talked and laughed clearly having no idea that she was about to be thrown into another world, having no idea that there was another world in existence besides her own. If only you knew... well, you will soon enough.
As soon as they had entered the library Yui walked off, saying she would be back in a few minutes. When she was sure Miaka was no longer looking she slipped behind a bookshelf and transformed herself, this time into the vision of a great bird... the phoenix, Suzaku. She flew down from the top of stairs and Miaka looked up in shock, dropping some coins she had dug out of her pocket for the vending machines. She forgot her coins and began to follow the bird. All was going according to plan.
Then, something unexpected happened. Miaka turned her head at the sound of a voice, and Yui was shocked to see... herself. The girl talked to Miaka and told her that she was done, and Miaka said that she saw a great bird, and turned to point to it. But she had already disappeared from where she was flying and had changed back into her form as Yui, once again hiding behind the bookshelf.
The other Yui laughed at Miaka's claim that she had seen a giant magical bird in the middle of the library, but at her insistence followed her up the steps to a door with a sign that said "restricted" next to it. Then the girl turned in Yui's direction and smiled. For the first time her heart began to beat rapidly. This can't be happening. She had no idea why or how the other girl had appeared, but the fact that she was there meant something was horribly wrong. She had dealt with spirits that roamed the books and took on different forms, trying to wreak havoc in the story... but they mostly took on the forms of small animals. None were powerful enough to imitate a human. They couldn't be. But if it was one of these spirits, then that could only mean...
The Universe of the Four Gods was more dangerous than she thought.
"No!!" She cried, running out from behind her hiding place. "Miaka, stop! Don't go in there!"
But it was already too late. Her heart felt like it was being ripped to pieces when she saw an eerie red light burst from the crack under the doorway.
Why not Miaka?
No, I could never use her in that way, Yui thought. The mission was dangerous, most likely fatal to one who didn't posess the right powers. And through the years she had been in the book Miaka had been nothing but a best friend to her. Besides, Yui chuckled to herself, she's not the brightest star in the sky now is she? Could she handle it?
There was only one way to find out. And Yui could not think of anyone else that she could lure into the book as well as Miaka. Because she wasn't so bright she would never realize what was going on, and she would fall right in. It would be so simple.
It was decided. The next day she acted normal, if not a twinge more sweet, to her friend. She made sure that Miaka was happy, and when she casually mentioned that she had to return a book to the library Miaka agreed to come along. It was so easy. Too easy. Could people in this world really be that stupid? Miaka talked and laughed clearly having no idea that she was about to be thrown into another world, having no idea that there was another world in existence besides her own. If only you knew... well, you will soon enough.
As soon as they had entered the library Yui walked off, saying she would be back in a few minutes. When she was sure Miaka was no longer looking she slipped behind a bookshelf and transformed herself, this time into the vision of a great bird... the phoenix, Suzaku. She flew down from the top of stairs and Miaka looked up in shock, dropping some coins she had dug out of her pocket for the vending machines. She forgot her coins and began to follow the bird. All was going according to plan.
Then, something unexpected happened. Miaka turned her head at the sound of a voice, and Yui was shocked to see... herself. The girl talked to Miaka and told her that she was done, and Miaka said that she saw a great bird, and turned to point to it. But she had already disappeared from where she was flying and had changed back into her form as Yui, once again hiding behind the bookshelf.
The other Yui laughed at Miaka's claim that she had seen a giant magical bird in the middle of the library, but at her insistence followed her up the steps to a door with a sign that said "restricted" next to it. Then the girl turned in Yui's direction and smiled. For the first time her heart began to beat rapidly. This can't be happening. She had no idea why or how the other girl had appeared, but the fact that she was there meant something was horribly wrong. She had dealt with spirits that roamed the books and took on different forms, trying to wreak havoc in the story... but they mostly took on the forms of small animals. None were powerful enough to imitate a human. They couldn't be. But if it was one of these spirits, then that could only mean...
The Universe of the Four Gods was more dangerous than she thought.
"No!!" She cried, running out from behind her hiding place. "Miaka, stop! Don't go in there!"
But it was already too late. Her heart felt like it was being ripped to pieces when she saw an eerie red light burst from the crack under the doorway.