Chapter Nine: Win or Lose?
Keisuke leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his forehead. Tetsuya cleared his throat and was about to read again, when Mrs. Yuki and Mrs. Hongo came in.
"Mom" Keisuke jumped up, "You said that you were working late tonight."
"So I came home early. What's going on? Mrs. Hongo wants to know too. Last we heard they had the found the stones. I kind of hoped that Miaka was home by now."
"Well actually" Keisuke looked at Tetsuya who was also standing up, "Miaka and Yui are sort of."
"Sort of what?" Mrs. Hongo said worried.
"Well um trapped needless to say" Tetsuya finished.
"Trapped?" Mrs. Yuki replied, "But how could that be they were just getting ready for the ceremony."
"Well something went wrong" Tetsuya said.
"What went wrong?" Mrs. Hongo asked.
"Uh we don't know" Keisuke continued, "All we do know is, is that the four priestesses, that includes Yui and Miaka, have all disappeared and ended up in some sort of game."
"Game?"
"A dangerous game" Tetsuya replied.
"Keisuke give me the book," Mrs. Hongo said holding out her hand, "I want to read now."
"No mom. Really I don't think."
"Give. Me. The. Book" she emphasized.
"Yes mam" he took it from Tetsuya and handed it to her.
Mrs. Hongo and Mrs. Yuki sat down in the living room and Mrs. Yuki opened the book. Keisuke and Tetsuya looked at each other then joined them. Mrs. Yuki took a deep breath and then began to read.
"The Priestess of Suzaku and the Priestess of Genbu ran for their lives away from the giant cat that was chasing them. A giant cat?" she stopped reading and looked at Mrs. Hongo concerned.
"Probably a large tiger" Keisuke suggested, "Keep reading mom."
(Next Scene)
Miaka and Takako ran as fast as they could. The giant striped animal was closing in on them, and they could barely move fast enough before it was right on their tails again.
"We got to find shelter from that thing!" Takako shouted to her companion as they ran.
"Got any suggestions? I'm open!" Miaka shouted back.
"Uh" Takako began to search around her, "Miaka look there!" she pointed to a large hole.
"Huh?" Miaka stopped as Takako pointed.
"We can duck in there! Come on!"
Miaka and Takako slid inside the hole that was large enough for both of them and crouched. The giant beast walked past growling, it's fangs bared and sniffing around for its prey. Finally it gave up and walked away.
"That was close" Miaka sighed with relief wrapping her arms around her knees.
"Yea" Takako added, "Too close. What kind of sicko is making us play this game anyway?"
"Good question. I think we'll find out in the end."
"How can we get to the end? We can't even get past level two."
"We have to Takako. We have to get to Yui and Suzuna. We have to get back to the warriors. Not to mention get the stones."
"That's true Miaka" Takako nodded, "But how do we get past that monster?"
"We might not have to" Miaka replied, "Look. There is something on the other side of this wall. We just have to crawl out. Follow me."
Takako and Miaka crawled out the other side of the hole and found themselves in a very technological looking place.
"Now where are we?" Takako looked around her as they stood up.
"Good question."
"Welcome to Level Three" the voice appeared once more.
"He's back," Miaka said angrily.
"Listen you!" Takako yelled, "We don't care for your games! Now give us back those stones!"
"That's not playing by the rules honey. You're cheating that way."
"Uhh" Takako grumbled.
"In order to get the stones back you have to win the game. Those are my rules take or leave it."
"All right" Miaka called, "We'll play your dumb game."
"Excellent. Although I should warn you that the other team is ahead of the game by one level."
"Team?"
"What do mean by that?" Miaka asked.
"The Priestess of Byakko and the Priestess of Seiryuu of course."
"Wait a second" Takako stopped him, "They are our friends. We're not against them."
"That's too bad. You chose to go in separate teams instead of going all together remember? This is the way you wanted the game played."
"But if we're teams, then only one group can get the stones and leave this place? Miaka said.
" That is unless by some miracle you find each other. Of course. But that won't happen. The next level is an absolute maze. You'll never find your way out. Or find the others."
"We'll take that challenge," Takako said.
"I like your style Priestess of Genbu. Just for that I'm going to give you a bonus."
"What bonus?" they asked.
A loud popping sound was heard and then two pairs of golden wings hovered before them.
"In order to get to the top of the third level, you either have to climb or fly. You get to choose of course."
"Fly?" Takako looked faint.
"But choose carefully for either way will be filled with many treacherous things and traps."
"You're really not going to make this easier are you? Miaka replied.
He chuckled.
"Now where would be the fun in that? Good luck. And I'll see you in the final round. Maybe."
"Good luck. Yea right like he means it" Takako snorted.
"Well which one are we going to do? Flying or climbing."
"Either way creeps me out. You pick."
"All right" Miaka replied thoughtfully, "I'd say we climb."
"Why?"
"Well would you trust anyone who would just give you a free bonus? Especially if he doesn't want you to get to the end. No. There's something wrong about that."
"So we climb" Takako looked up the tall iron mountain, "But that's a long way Miaka."
"So let's get started" Miaka said walking past the wings and toward the mountain itself.
"He said that Yui and Suzuna are already in this level" Takako replied as they started to climb, "Do you really think that there are that far ahead of us?"
"Doesn't matter" Miaka said catching her breath as she climbed, "Because in this level we will find them and move on. And we'll go to the fourth level together."
(Next Scene)
Yui looked straight up into the sky. It was turning a dark shade of navy blue. Nearby Suzuna was catching her breath.
"Where do you think he got the ideas for robots?" Suzuna asked.
"Probably from Ren Shigyou, that little jerk. I bet you anything that's where he got it from."
"You really don't like him do you?"
"No. He's far too cocky and other things. Things I really don't want to get into right now."
"How do you think Takako and Miaka are doing?"
"Good question. I don't know. But if I know Miaka I'm sure that they are in level three too."
"Do you think they avoided the wings like we did?"
"I hope so. We should have met up with them by now. The middle has got to be somewhere around here. Instead it feels like we are going in circles."
"It's like we're in a maze. A familiar looking one at that."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. It's like I've seen it before. Or maybe Suzuno has seen it before."
"Suzuno Osugi?"
"Mhm" Suzuna nodded. "It's very familiar."
"Well maybe it'll come back to you. We have to keep going. We promised Miaka that we would meet both of them in the center."
"What about what that voice said? About us being rival teams."
"Don't believe any of that. I don't. We have to trust Miaka, Takako, and ourselves. He's just trying to split us up. Make us hate each other. We can't let him."
"Right" Suzuna nodded, "I'm with you Yui. Lead the way."
(Next Scene)
Miaka and Takako barely avoided several obstacles climbing, but were thanking their lucky stars that they hadn't chosen flying. Lightening was striking in the sky and didn't look too inviting. They finally reached the top and saw the maze that stretched before.
"That must be what he was talking about" Takako said.
"Yes" Miaka nodded, "And Yui's in there too."
"How do you know?"
"I just know. I can sense her. Come on Takako we're so close. Let's go in.
"Right" they ran into the maze.
They had only been walking for a few minutes when they heard a loud scream. Takako and Miaka stopped dead in their tracks.
"That was Suzuna" Takako replied.
"They must be in trouble! Hurry!" Miaka ran forward.
They ran left, then right, then another right, and finally straightforward they saw it. Thousands of men with clubs and sticks. Their eyes were glowing bright yellow.
"What in the world?" Miaka said, "Yui!"
"Miaka" Suzuna ran over, "Yui's in the center of them all."
"What?" Miaka replied angrily rushing forward.
"Miaka!" Takako called.
The men were crowding around Yui tightly but as Miaka ran forward she started punching and kicking each and everyone of them to get to the center. They were quite easy despite their size, and it wasn't long before she saw Yui.
"Yui chan!"
"Miaka" Yui said slowly, "Help me!"
Miaka knocked the last one out and ran to her friend who was kneeling on the ground.
"Yui are you all right?"
"Miaka thank goodness. I've been so worried about you."
"Never mind that" Miaka said, "They're getting all back up."
Sure enough the men she had knocked so easily down were restanding.
"They're like puppets" Yui replied.
"Mmm. Puppets that are being controlled" Miaka added angrily, "Hang on Yui."
The men moved closer but then many were struck on the heads with large sticks. Takako and Suzuna were whacking them all as fast as they could with the sticks that had dropped from their hands..
"Takako?" Miaka exclaimed.
"Suzuna?" Yui added.
"Hey you said we're supposed to stick together right" Takako grinned knocking the last one cold.
"We are all Priestesses after all" Suzuna finished.
"Yea" Yui smiled.
"Good team work you guys" Miaka smiled as well.
"Now let's get to the fourth level and kick that guy's ass" Takako said grinning.
"Okay" they all agreed.
(Next Scene)
"Oh man" Keisuke replied, "My sister can sure kick some ass!"
"I think it's a little early to celebrate yet Keisuke" Tetsuya said, "I mean they just got to the last level."
"And watch your mouth" Mrs. Yuki added and turned back to the book.
"Right" Keisuke grinned sheepishly.
"The Four Priestesses exited the third level and found themselves right where they had started. The cliff looming before them, the city gone."
(Next Scene)
"What is this?" Yui replied.
"Isn't this where we woke up?" Suzuna said.
"What kind of game is this guy trying to play anyway?" Takako added.
"How could this be the last level?" Miaka replied.
"Congratulations" the voice said, "You have made it to the final level. All together I see."
"Was there ever any doubt?" Yui said angrily.
"Actually now that you mention it there was. But now that you have made it to the last level here is your final challenge. This is for the stones and for your return to the other world."
"What is your challenge?" Miaka asked.
"Before you is a cliff. A very dangerous cliff. The stones as you can see are hovering above it. My challenge to you Priestesses is this. "
The earth began to rumble and the ground began to split into separate pieces, and the four girls found themselves teetering on what was left. Miaka and Yui were on the largest pieces, near enough to reach the stones that had moved directly over their proper priestess.
"Human hearts are so easily swayed. I guarantee that at least maybe one or even two of you care more about yourselves more then you do your friends. You will notice to your right an hourglass with four kinds of sand. When the glass is emptied of your color, the rock, which you stand on, will crumble and you will be cast into the clouds below. The one with the biggest rock has the advantage. She can either run, snatch her stone. And leave this place the winner. Or she can sacrifice her life for her friend. So Miaka. Yui. What are your decisions?"
"I think there is no question?" Yui replied.
"That's right" Miaka added, "We'll save them."
"Tick tock. The clock is ticking. Not to mention. You have to figure out which girl you are supposed to save."
"What?"
"Sucks doesn't it."
"Why can't you stop being such a coward and show yourself?" Yui shouted.
"Show myself. There's no need. You'll know who I am soon enough."
"Miaka" Yui looked at her friend, "What do we do?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't give it to us simply. And we're the one's who have to figure it out."
"Well we had better figure it out fast" Yui said, "Or Takako and Suzuna are a goner."
"Yui."
"Hmm?"
"You go for Takako."
"What do you mean?"
"Just trust me. I'll go for Suzuna."
"Okay. Let's do it."
Yui and Miaka began to hop across the rocks to the other girls who were balancing the best they could on the rocks they had.
"Give me your hand Suzuna" Miaka held out her hand.
"Okay. But what about the stone that is floating above me?" Suzuna asked.
"Don't worry about the stone. Just give me your hand."
"All right" Suzuna reached for Miaka and leapt into her arms.
The rock that had been under her feet collapsed as the white disappeared from the glass.
"Now we'll never get the stone," Suzuna said as she saw it hovering over the dark clouds below the cliff.
On the other side Yui had pulled Takako back over, and once again the green sand disappeared and the rock crumbled.
"He wouldn't make it that easy" Takako replied.
"Yea" Yui nodded, "You're right. Miaka!" Yui started to run but the rocks beneath her feet began to shake, "What's going on?" she said scared.
"Yui look the blue sand!" Takako replied, "It's running out."
"What?"
"Hang on Yui!" Miaka and Suzuna ran over to get the two girls.
Suzuna grabbed Takako's hand and Miaka grabbed onto Yui's pulling them to their side. Yui fell into Miaka's arms in relief.
"Thank you Miaka," she gasped.
"We have no time for that" Miaka replied, "The red sand is almost gone."
"Well what are we going to do?" Takako said.
"The stones are floating over the cliff. All four of them" Suzuna replied.
"Hmm. The cliff. The dream" Miaka said.
"What?" Yui asked her.
"The dream of course. That cliff was in all our dreams right."
"Yea so?"
"So Yui put it together. In my dream we were all standing on the cliff. Takako what happened in yours?"
"Well we were looking up into the sky and we saw the beast gods."
"The stones" Miaka explained.
"Okay" they all nodded.
"Suzuna what about you?"
"My dream was the same, only we were all holding hands at the end."
"And Yui?"
"I don't want to say?"
"Yui come on," Miaka urged.
"We jumped. We jumped from the cliff. It was the scariest thing I had ever seen."
"We jumped? From the cliff?" Takako asked.
"Then that is what we must do," Miaka said.
"Whoa Miaka are you sure about this?" Takako replied.
"Yes. Don't you see? Those dreams were sent to us by the gods to help us. They knew that this time would come."
"So to beat this game before the red sand runs out" Yui replied, "We have to jump over that cliff holding hands."
"Sounds like it" Suzuna nodded.
Behind them the rocks were starting to break apart, making loud cracking noises that made them jump.
"Then we had better do it, before the sand runs out" Takako said running forward fast.
The other three girls followed her till they were at the edge of the cliff.
"Okay" Miaka said, "Hold hands everyone" she peered down into the mass of clouds below, "And take deep breaths."
The red sand neared the end. Miaka, Takako, Suzuna, and Yui closed their eyes and leapt from the cliff into the swirling mass. Above the skies turned black and lightening struck the earth.
"Damn them" the voice replied, "Damn them all!"
(Next Scene)
It was the next morning in the temple and Taka had gotten no sleep. All the warriors had remained praying that they would return. Chiriko and Hatsui ran into the temple all excited.
"Hurry up you guys there is something you got to see" Hatsui replied in a rush.
Every single one of the warriors followed them up the steps and outside. Before the temple glowing brightly in red, green, white, and blue, Miaka, Takako, Suzuna, and Yui stood, each holding the precious stones of the gods.
"Miaka?" Taka gasped running forward and snatching her up, "Oh Miaka. Thank god."
"It's okay Taka. I'm back. We'll never be apart again" she embraced him.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey everyone! Just one more chapter of book five! The next one is short!
Next Chapter: The Wrath of Tenkou
Another plan foiled! It's time for the Master to take matters into his own hands!
