Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Mysterious Games
Anne: Last episode…not much happened.
Nick: Not true! The whole first season happened!
Chris: He has a point…
Janna: Ok, not much NEW happened.
Jeff: There was some foreshadowing…
Max: Oh, yeah, "the adventure was not over." I could have told you that!
Kat: Nobody asked you.
Luna: Well, all we can do is wait until something happens…
Episode 22: Nikutai no naka no shinigami (The Spirit of Death within the body)
(Anne walks out of the museum, to the waiting car. The door opens, to reveal her little brother Jon.)
Jon: Hi!!!!!!!
Anne: (tiredly) Hello, Jon-Jon.
(Anne climbs slowly into the car. Her father sits in the driver's seat, and her sister Berit sits in the front passenger seat. Anne's Dad starts up the car)
Anne's Dad: (driving) So, how was it?
Anne: It was fun.
Berit: Is that it? Surely you have more to say than "it was fun."
Anne: It was fun.
Jon: Annie, you're boooooring.
Anne: I'm sorry, I just feel really tired right now.
Anne's Dad: Tired? Are you feeling all right?
Anne: I dunno…
Berit: You're tired? How can you be tired? You went to a museum for three hours!
Anne: It felt like much longer than that.
Jon: Gosh, what did you see at the museum for three whole hours?
Anne: Well, there was this great Chinese exhibit…
Jon: Were there any Chinese swords?
Anne: Um…I don't think so. There was a suit of armor, though.
Jon: Cooooool!!!!!
Berit: (hinting at something) So, Annie, you want to study tonight after dinner?
Anne: Oh, shoot! I promised Berit I'd study with her this afternoon! Oh, Berit, I completely forgot! I was supposed to study with you, right?
Berit: (glad that Anne remembered, but still a bit annoyed) It's ok; you had something else to do. So, you wanna study after dinner?
Anne: Uh…I was thinking I'd just eat dinner and go to bed. I'm really tired. Can I study with you tomorrow afternoon
(Berit's face falls, but she nods.)
Anne's Dad: We should take your temperature when we get home. It's not natural for a girl your age to be this tired.
(The car pulls up in front of Anne's house, and the four get out. It's a crisp spring afternoon, but Anne only feels tired and sore all over. Berit opens the door in front of Anne, and she walks slowly into her house, dropping her backpack down.)
*************
(Katherine sits in front of the computer, clicking at almost a steady beat. It's a Google search for the key words of "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho." Katherine clicks past pages of matches for "Ten" and museum exhibit reviews)
Katherine: This is really not working…
(Suddenly, her eyes widen as she sees a page that appears to match.)
Katherine: "The Universe of the Four Gods"…hello!
*************
(Luna sits, bored as usual, but still plugging away at homework. The phone rings, and she picks it up, rather boredly.)
Luna: Hello.
(There is a laugh from the other side, and Katherine's voice sounds.)
Katherine: You sound like you're having fun.
Luna: Oh, yeah. Math homework; loads of it.
Katherine: OK, get this. I was doing a web search on the "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho," right?
Luna: Um…yeah?
Katherine: Apparently, there's a religion associated with that name. It's old, and Chinese, and worships four gods!
Luna: (boredom lifting) Really? What else did it say???
Katherine: Um…nothing. It was on a general site about ancient Chinese religions.
Luna: Well, that's something, I suppose.
Katherine: You can still come to the library tomorrow, right?
Luna: Yeah, as long as I can get picked up.
Katherine: That won't be a problem. Besides, now we have somewhere to start searching.
Luna: OK! Call Anne, and we'll get this settled!
*************
(Anne's Mom opens the door to Anne's room. The lights are turned off, her backpack sits against her bed, and she is tucked under the covers. Anne's Mom frowns, and then turns to close the door when Anne stirs.)
Anne: …mom?
Anne's Mom: Oh, I'm sorry to wake you. You have a phone call from Katherine.
Anne: …really? Ok…I'll take it.
(Anne's Mom gives her the phone and then turns on the light.)
Anne: (sleepily) Hello?
Katherine: Hi, Anne!
Anne: Hi…
Katherine: Anne, are you OK? You sound like you just woke up.
Anne: I just did.
Katherine: Um…it's 8:00 on a Saturday night. Why are you asleep?
Anne: I'm not sure…I'm really tired.
Katherine: OK, whatever. Listen, I talked to Luna, and we're good for the library tomorrow.
Anne: That sounds good.
Katherine: Can you come?
Anne: I think so…I'm not doing anything.
Katherine: OK, we'll pick you up at 12. OK?
Anne: …sure.
Katherine: Wow, you do sound like you need some sleep.
Anne: (beginning to wake up) Sorry. I don't know why I'm so tired, really.
Katherine: Who knows? Maybe it was the trip home?
Anne: But, you aren't tired, are you?
Katherine: Not as tired as you seem. In fact, I've been busy searching the web about that book.
Anne: Did you find anything?
Katherine: There's one site that refers to an ancient Chinese religion…but that's it.
Anne: Oh, that's too bad.
Katherine: Well, at least we have a place to start…anyways, I'll let you sleep whatever you've got off, and I'll see you then.
Anne: Thanks. Good night.
Katherine: Good night.
*************
(Nick sits at his computer as well, but instead of research he is IM'ing. He's talking to Chris, when Jeff signs on)
Nick: (opening a chat window) Hey, Jeff.
Chris: Hi Jeff!!!
Jeff: Hey. You guys want to do something tomorrow?
Nick: Sure! I've got my homework done, so I can.
Chris: I don't…but why not?
Jeff: Yeah, I'm going to Max's. We can go to the computer place and play Diablo.
Nick: Good idea!
Chris: I'll be there.
Jeff: Alright. Hey, can you guys get on Diablo?
Chris: Be right on.
*************
(Anne drifts somewhere in the limbo between sleeping and waking. Her surroundings are pretty hard to define, but she doesn't mind. From somewhere, a woman sings a beautiful, but sad song.)
Anne: Who's there? Who's singing?
(The song grows in both beauty and intensity, soaring upwards and downwards and taking Anne along with it. But Anne cannot see who is singing.)
Anne: Who are you?
(In response, the song slows and becomes a dirge. Anne's surroundings slowly begin to materialize into a light purple haze.)
Anne: Purple…why purple? And where is this?
(From the purple haze, a silhouette of a woman appears. The song slowly becomes a mournful lullaby.)
Anne: Who are you? Why can't I see you?
(Anne moves towards the woman, but is soon met by a wall of purple. The singing abruptly stops, become a keening wail of despair.)
(Anne sits up in bed, panting in both exhaustion and fear, even though she can't explain either of those emotions. The bright sun streams through her window, and she looks at her bedside clock. It is 11:15.)
Anne: Oh, no! I've grossly overslept!
(Anne quickly gets dressed and washes up, and runs downstairs for breakfast. Her sisters Berit and Ingrid are at the table, eating lunch. Anne's Mom stands at the sink, washing some dishes. Anne grabs the plate of food that's on the counter, and sits down to eat hurriedly.
Ingrid: Anniiiiiiiieeeeee, youuu got up laaaaaaate.
Anne: I know, I have to eat in about 15 minutes and then Katherine's picking me up.
(Berit narrows her eyes.)
Berit: Anne, you were going to study with me this afternoon.
(Anne's eyes open wider as she realizes she has forgotten twice.)
Anne: Oh, Berit, I can't now. I'm really sorry, but this trip to the library is important.
(Berit says nothing, but her lips form a thin line.)
Berit: Fine. Have fun at the library.
Anne: I'll study with you when I get home, I promise.
Ingrid: Really? Study with meeee???
Anne: No, Ingrid. Not with you.
(Ingrid's lower lip sticks out in a childish pout, and Anne is about to reassure her, but then the doorbell rings.)
Anne: That's Katherine! I have to run. I'll see you all later this afternoon.
(Anne leaves the house in a hurry, leaving Berit, Ingrid and her Mom in her dust.)
Anne's Mom: She really seemed in a hurry to leave…she didn't even tell me she was going.
(Ingrid's eyes widen in manipulative glee)
Ingrid: Ooooh, Anne's going to be in trouuuuuble…
(Berit simply stares after Anne, apparently lost in thought.)
*************
(Max opens his door, to reveal Chris, Jeff and Nick.)
Max: About time you losers got here.
Nick: It's nice to see you too.
Max: I've spent three weeks too much with you guys. Cut me some slack.
Chris: You wish. Let us in.
(The guys enter Max's house and proceed to the living room, where they sit down.)
Jeff: Are we going to the computer place?
Nick: Aww, do we have to walk?
Max: We can ride bikes.
Chris: Good idea…assuming none of us gets hit by a car.
Jeff: The odds of that happening are so slim, it'd be impossible.
Max: OK, let's go. You guys have money?
Nick: Yep! Onward to victory!
(There is silence for a second.)
Chris: Victory against what?
Nick: The girls! I told them I'd outresearch them on the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, and I will!
(More silence)
Max: Um…you other guys are going to play, right?
Jeff+Chris: Yeah…
*************
(The car door opens, and Anne, Katherine and Luna step out of the car.)
Katherine: OK, we'll call when we want to get picked up.
Luna: Are you sure your Mom's OK with this?
Katherine: Of course! If it's for a school project, anything's ok.
Anne: Um…Katherine, this isn't for a school project.
Katherine: A minor detail.
(The girls enter the library, and proceed immediately for the Chinese area. There, they
ask a librarian about ancient religions.)
Librarian: (pointing) The ancient Chinese section is over there. There should be some books on religion there.
Luna: OK, thanks.
(The girls mill around until they find the Ancient Chinese section, and then comb it for books on religon.)
Katherine: Hmm…Ancient Chinese cooking, Ancient Chinese culture, Ancient Chinese architecture, Ancient Chinese Mafia roots…
Anne: Not working?
Luna: Here are a few. "Ancient Chinese Religion for Dummies", "The Idiot's Guide to Ancient Chinese Religions," "The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Ancient Chinese Religions"…it's too bad Nick isn't here. The first two fit him perfectly.
Anne: OK, three books…surely there's something in there.
Kat: OK, we'll each take one. I'll take the-
Luna: You can take the "Idiot's Guide", Anne will take the "For Dummies", and I'll take the "Comprehensive Encyclopedia".
Anne: Thanks.
Kat: …fine. Come on, "Idiot's Guide!" I believe in you!
(The three girls sit down to research when Luna's phone rings. Luna fumbles in her pocket, and answers it.)
Luna: Hello?
Nick: HIIII LUNA!!!!!
(Nick's voice screams through the cell phone, bowling Luna over)
Luna: Nick! God, you scared me!
Nick: It's a gift.
Luna: Why are you calling me? I'm trying to do research here in the library.
Nick: Yeah, I was calling about that. I love research. In fact, I've been doing some of my own.
Luna: And…your point is?
Nick: Have you found anything?
Luna: No, we've just started.
Nick: OK, look up Ssu Ling.
Luna: What?
Nick: Just do it!
(Anne and Katherine are now staring at her.)
Luna: Hey, Nick says to look up "Ssu Ling."
Anne: Um…Ok…
(The three girls look up "Ssu Ling" in each of their books as Luna holds her phone far away. Surprisingly, each of them find a mention of them. And what's more amazing is what they are.)
Katherine: (reading) "The Ssu Ling were the foundations of Ancient Chinese Mythology."
Anne: (reading) "The Ssu Ling were four spiritual animals that ruled the four compass directions." Wow, this sounds familiar.
Luna: Hmm…there's a large amount on Ssu Ling in here, but nothing on Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Looks like you're out of luck, Nick.
Nick: Fine! Give the phone to Anne.
Luna: What?
Nick: Trust me.
(Luna hands the phone to Anne.)
Anne: Hello? Nick?
Chris: Nope, not Nick. Do you remember that book from Shijuen?
Anne: What book?
Chris: The one that almost landed me in jail.
Anne: Oh, the book you stole!
Chris: I didn't steal it!!!
Anne: Fine, what about it?
Chris: Um…I was thinking, and maybe if we look up that author we'll find something. Nick found something online with the same name, but there was nothing on the web.
Anne: Um, what was the name?
Chris: Einosuke Okuda. Apparently he had something to do with the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho in Japan.
Anne: (to Luna and Katherine) OK, Chris says to look up Einosuke Okuda. (to Chris) Has Nick checked the net?
Chris: Yeah, but we've got nothing.
(Katherine coughs politely after flipping through pages)
Katherine: Found him.
Anne: Really? What about it?
Katherine: It's in one of those "Did you know" tidbits. (reading) "A certain Einosuke Okuda of Japan is one of the stranger elements of fanatical belief in religion. A madman for certain, he believed that his daughter entered a book and became the Priestess of Gui Xian, the northern Ssu Ling. After this, he reportedly killed his daughter and himself, demonstrating the depths of his madness."
Luna: Gui Xian…could that be Genbu? And is it possible that he's telling the truth???
Chris: Whoa, he actually exists? That's so cool!!!
Anne: Is there anything about him in your book, Luna?
Luna: Um…nope.
Katherine: Hmm…you've got the most informative book, Luna. How can you not find stuff?
Luna: Um…I've looked for "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho", "Einosuke Okuda," and "Ssu Ling", but I haven't found anything about us.
Chris: Did she look up "Universe of the Four Gods"?
Anne: Dunno. Luna, have you looked up "Universe of the Four Gods"?
Luna: Oh! Good idea.
(Luna pages through the index. There is one page.)
Luna: Found it!
(Luna flips to the page, and quickly reads the passage. As she does, her eyes begin to widen until she makes a strange sound in her throat, between a cough and a gulp.)
Katherine: Um…Luna?
Luna: (worried tone) Oh, no. No way. Anne…did you make three wishes to Byakko???
Anne: What? Why?
Luna: (snapping) Just answer my question!!
Anne: Uh, I thought I did. But, now that I think about it, it could have been one wish.
Luna: (sighing in relief) Oh, thank god.
Katherine: (dryly) Which one?
Luna: No, listen. "The belief in the Four Gods, and their parallel Universe, has long been considered a heretical religion. Once the "Priestess" of each god summons the god, she is granted three wishes. But by granting these wishes, the god completely consumes the Priestess, wish by wish until after the third the Priestess ceases to exist."
(Anne listens in shock, almost dropping the cell phone. Luckily, Katherine catches it in time.)
Anne: Oh, my god. Then…if I had made all three wishes…
Katherine: Wait, you made one wish only, right? Then, could that be why you're so tired?
Anne: It would make sense…
Chris: Hold it! Is Anne going to be OK???
Luna: Assuming she doesn't make her last wish, she should be fine. But I don't see why she'd need to make a second wish; we're never going back into the book.
Chris: That's true…here, let me tell the guys about this.
(Katherine puts the phone down onto the table. Anne is still digesting the information.)
Anne: I was so close…thank god I'm out. Wow. Wow.
Luna: Well, this library trip sure was informative…but it's getting pretty late in the afternoon. We should get going; I still have stuff to do before school tomorrow.
(The clock already says about two-o-clock.)
Katherine: (picking phone back up) Hey, Chris, I'm gonna hang up. I have to call for our ride.
Chris: OK. I guess we'll talk to you guys later?
Katherine: Yeah. Bye.
(Katherine terminates the call, and then calls her Mom. Luna and Anne sit patiently as Katherine talks to her Mom, but then Anne sits up straight, her eyes wide)
Luna: Anne? Are you OK?
Anne: That…singing…
(Anne looks around, trying to hear the source of the sound. It sounds exactly like the beautiful singing from her dream. Katherine and Luna look at each other.)
Luna: Anne, I don't hear anything. Do you, Katherine?
(Katherine shakes her head as she hangs up the phone.)
Katherine: No…Anne, are you all right?
Anne: Yeah, I'm fine.
Katherine: Um…my Mom won't be coming to pick us up. Is that OK?
Luna: Then, how are we going to get home???
Katherine: Anne's Dad is coming to get us. It'll be OK, we'll just have to wait at Anne's for a while until my Mom can come and get us.
Anne: (absently) Oh, OK. Hey, the singing's gone.
Luna: Anne, there was no singing.
Katherine: Did you take your pills?
Anne: No, really! I heard somebody singing.
Luna: Suuure….maybe that first wish took more than your strength from you.
Anne: Hey!!!
*************
(The car pulls up in front of Anne's house, and the girls get out, followed by Anne's Dad. The three walk into the house, and sit down in the living room. Almost immediately, Ingrid runs down the stairs, jumping onto the couch where Katherine sits.)
Ingrid: HIIIII!!!!
Katherine: Um…hello, Ingrid.
Anne: Ingrid, don't bother Katherine.
(Ingrid looks at Anne, the picture of innocence)
Ingrid: I wasn't! Really!
Anne: Ingrid, where's Berit? I should tell her I'm home, and that I can study with her as soon as Luna and Katherine leave.
Luna: What's this about studying with Berit?
Anne: Oh, I told her I'd study with her yesterday, but we…were at the museum. And then I said I'd study with her now, but we went to the museum.
Katherine: Ouch.
Ingrid: I dunno where Berit is. I saw her earlier, but I dunno where she went.
Anne: Hm…I better talk to her.
Ingrid: Annnnnnnnnnniiiiiieee, you're in trouble…
Anne: I am not. Maybe you're in trouble?
Ingrid: I am not! Not, not, not!
(Ingrid runs out of the room.)
Katherine: It would be great to have younger siblings.
Luna: Uh…no. No, it wouldn't.
(Anne's Mom walks through the door, and smiles at Luna and Katherine)
Anne's Mom: Hello, girls.
Luna+Katherine: Hello.
Anne's Mom: Anne, why didn't you tell me where you were going?
Anne: I…didn't?
Anne's Mom: No, you just rushed out of the house.
Anne: Oh…I'm sorry. I was really rushed and tired.
Anne's Mom: That's all right…we'll talk about it once Katherine and Luna leave. By the way…have you seen your sister?
Anne: Ingrid? She went upstairs.
Anne's Mom: No, Berit. I can't figure out where she's gone.
Anne: Well, I'm sure she's upstairs somewhere. I have to go look for her anyways.
Katherine: Hey, if you're going, we're coming with you.
Luna: We are?
Katherine: Yes, we are. I don't want to sit around, and if Berit's mad at you maybe we can help reason with her.
Anne: Thanks.
(Anne, Katherine and Luna walk upstairs, and peek into Berit's room. Nobody is there. In Jon's room, a person-shaped lump sleeps under the covers.)
Luna: Wow. Jon sleeping. That's gotta be a first.
Anne: Hmm…where is Berit?
(Katherine opens the attic door)
Katherine: Berit?
(Luna opens a closet)
Luna: Berit?
Anne: You two aren't helping at all!!!! This is kind of worrisome, actually.
Luna: Maybe she's in your room.
Anne: I don't see why she would…but it's the last place up here we've checked.
(Anne, Luna and Katherine walk into Anne's room. A quick look around the room reveals, surprisingly, no Berit.)
Katherine: Well…maybe she's in the basement.
(But then Luna notices something on the bed)
Luna: Anne…what book are you reading?
Anne: Book? I'm not read-
(Anne looks at the book lying open on her bed, and she inhales sharply. Sitting on the bed, open, is none other than the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho.)
Anne: Oh. My. God. No.
Luna: Is that…
Katherine: …the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho?
(Luna and Katherine look at each other, not reaching Anne's conclusion)
Luna: Why is it here?
Katherine: And why is it open on Anne's bed?
Luna: Anne, did you steal from the museum?
(But Anne does not answer, for she only sits on the bed, staring off into space.)
Katherine: Anne, we have to look for Berit.
Luna: Oh well. Let her take a break. We'll look for Berit.
(Katherine and Luna go SD, running around the room. Katherine looks under the bed)
Katherine: No Berit here.
(Luna opens a dresser drawer)
Luna: Berrrrriiiiittt….come out, come out wherever you are…
(Katherine and Luna resume their running around until they run into each other.)
Katherine: Couldn't find her.
Luna: Me neither. Where could she-
Anne: Don't you two get it????
(Anne's sudden outburst shocks Katherine and Luna out of SD.)
Anne: The book! Look at this!
(Anne picks up the book, and begins to read)
Anne: "The Priestess of Suzaku recuperated in her room after her discovery of the third Star of Suzaku." Suzaku! Get it? Berit is the Priestess of Suzaku!!!
(Katherine and Luna stare at her, and then move their eyes to the book, and then look back at Anne)
Luna: Oh…damn.
Katherine: This isn't good at all. We can't just wait until she gets back, can we?
Anne: Aaah…I don't know. (sits back down on the bed) I don't know. She's in the book; we can't change that. Who knows how she got in? Heck, who knows how the book got here! I…don't know what to do.
Luna: Ok…we have to think this over.
Katherine: I really don't want to go back into that book. Really.
Anne: I know…and really, neither do I.
Luna: We don't even know if we have to go into the book anyways! We don't even know how we would get into it, which is a big problem.
Anne: …why? Why would Berit go into the book?
Katherine: No offense, Anne, but we can't worry about that right now. We have far bigger problems. Listen, let's call the guys and Janna. They'll have something to say.
(Katherine runs and grabs Anne's phone, calling Nick's cell phone. Luna takes out her cell phone and calls Janna.)
Katherine: (into the phone) Nick? Hi. Katherine here. Listen…we've got a problem.
Luna: (into the cell phone) Hi, Janna. It's Luna.
(Katherine and Luna quickly explain their predicament.)
Nick: (to Katherine) Holy….this is not good at all.
Janna: (To Luna) What are we supposed to do? We can't just leave her in the book!
Katherine: (To Nick) Do you guys have any ideas?
Luna: (To Janna)That's why we're calling you.
Janna: Good; don't call the guys, they'll only give bad ideas.
Luna: Um…
Katherine: So? Anything?
Jeff: Hey, Katherine, it's Jeff. What's up?
Katherine: Berit is in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho! That's what's up!!!
Jeff: Oh. Uh…Bummer.
Janna: Well…we've got two choices. Go in and get her, or don't.
Luna: Smart!!!
Katherine: No, Janna's right. We have to weigh the pro's and con's of each one.
Anne: You know…Katherine…Luna…everybody…I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I didn't go in.
(Katherine and Luna look at Anne, as she slowly stands up)
Anne: It's just that…she's my younger sister. She's only 15. She's not able to take care of herself, especially not in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. She needs me; I need to go to her. Besides…I've got to stop her from summoning Suzaku completely. I don't…want her consumed.
(There is a moment of silence, and then Katherine closes her eyes.)
Katherine: I knew it would come to this…I just knew it. Well…I don't really want to, but I'll go if you do.
Luna: You know I'm behind you 100% of the way, right?
Janna: (from phone) No way you're leaving me out of this!
Jeff: (from phone) I'll go. Nick is completely enthusiastic…big surprise. Chris won't be left behind either. Max…doesn't want to go if Nick is, but he will.
Anne: You guys…thanks. This means a lot to me, really.
Katherine: So, then, it's final? We're going back into the book?
Anne: Yes…yes we are.
(There is silence once again. Eventually, Luna clears her throat)
Luna: Um…one question. How are we going to get back into the book?
Anne: I…I think I have an idea. Remember that book from the library? About the summoning, and how the Priestess is consumed? Well…I've only made one wish, right?
Katherine: Anne…you don't mean…to make another wish???
Luna: No! You can't! If you do…you'll…
Anne: Don't worry; it's only one wish. It might hurt a bit, but it won't be the third wish. No matter what, I won't make that wish. I promise.
Jeff: (from phone) All right! Let's go!
Janna: Ok…Anne, whenever you're ready.
(Anne nods her head, and closes her eyes. On her forehead appears the strange, complex white symbol of Byakko. A white circle appears on the floor around her, sending up tiny white sparkles.)
Anne: (strong, determined voice) Kai-jin!
(To Anne, the entire world fades into white. From everywhere and nowhere, Byakko's voice sounds to Anne)
Byakko: What is thine wish, o one who hast summoned me?
Anne: I wish…send myself and my seven Warriors back into the world of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho!
Byakko: Thine wish is my command.
(Anne's vision whitens even more, until she has to close her eyes.)
Anne: Hang on, Berit…we're coming for you!
Jeff: Well…that certainly started out with a bang.
Nick: I liked it! I really liked it!
Chris: Once I find something you don't like, I'll eat my shoe.
Nick: Um…I know! You!
(Chris doesn't say anything, knowing he's been zinged)
Janna: Wow, that was pretty good.
Luna: Chris, you really got told.
Chris: Um…Shut up!!!
Anne: (shaking her head) Well, it looks like our adventure hasn't really ended after all.
Max: What a surprise. The next episode is called "Nukumori o kanjite".
Katherine: Or, "Feel the Warmth."
AN: I revised Chapter 21. Go look at it. NOW!!!! Also, I realized that I didn't really specify how old the characters are, directly. I gave Berit's age, and said that Anne's one year older than her, so I technically did tell you…I assume that they are in their Sophomore year of high school, with the story taking place in spring in the real world. So, if you bother with the Zodiac signs you can figure out how old each is! I'm not going to, because I'm too lazy ^_^
I'm a bit skeptical about the whole "Ssu Ling" thing, and if it's really the correct term and all. I got it off this official-looking Buddhist website, though, so I'm not going to doubt that's it's true too much. is the address, if you wanna look it up.
Did you like the plot twist? I liked it a lot! Trust me, we have a long ways to go, children! Better hang on tight, cause it's gonna be a ride to remember!
This weekend I have a fencing thing that'll take me out of the state, so I won't have time to write. Consider this chapter a quick but satisfying whetting of your appetite. The next chapters will be coming out faster than the late first season chapters, I promise. Now that I'm really in the writing swing, I'm definitely gonna write all I can. So, wait and you shall see…er, read.