Happy Thanksgiving!!! And this year i am thankful for....All you people who are soo nice and are still reading this story. I'm soo happy! Ah, yes...new thank yous! A happy thank you to vale-aqua and Petite Carnatla. soo kind. Okie dokie, here's a gift to celebrate. And a happy thanks to CLAMP who created CCS. YAY!
Chapter-8 Lessons
He hastily looked her way, unsure if she was serious.
"Onegai (please), Eriol-kun. I must learn. Train me." He knew she was right and just nodded his head.
"Come then, we'll begin now." They stood up and walked into the garden. "I'll teach you as much as I can, but are you sure you're ready for this Tomoyo. I cannot go easy on you, you realize this right?" he looked at her worried, hurting Tomoyo would have to be an obligation if she accepted.
"Hai." They squared off and the lesson began. Both took up their keys and called upon their staffs of power. For a while they just stood facing each other, but then Tomoyo let out a wave of color. Her eyes were closed in deep concentration as the colors of the sea gathered slowly.
"Sea-Green! Wave Tumult!" (A/N: Sea-Green; wave tumult: another one of the many hidden attacks of a color mage. A mix between color and element attack, it is among the unique moves of the magic folk. There is such an attack for each of the colors elementals. It builds into a dense form of the color and shape chosen). The body of color barreled down on Eriol. Yet instead of evading, he raised his shield, which easily did away with her attack.
"Drat." Even though she was disappointed that he had deflected her blow so easily, she breated sigh of relief, thankful that she hadn't hurt him.
"That was some attack Tomoyo." Said Eriol. She grinned at him, and received a smirk in return. A look she found slightly disturbing so she braced herself, anticipating his counter attack.
"ELECTRIC STORM!" He shouted. Tomoyo's eyes widened as a set of four lightning bolts rapidly made their way toward her, cutting trenches into the ground as they went. Backing up a step she raised her wand and set up a defence.
"Red Vengence-Spirit reflection." She managed to say. (A/N: Red Vengence-Spirit reflectionthe defensive maneuver of a color mage. According to color summoned, a shadow of a guardian of great power surrounds the mage, forming a barrier against certain powers) A wall of red flames shot up around her. The guardian of fire swept higher and higher. Eriol's bolts smashed against her defense. And though the brunt of the attack was fended off, it was not enough to effectively protect Tomoyo from the after schocks and her wall fell around her. Eriol ran to her side. She lifter her head slightly, signaling that she was okay. He nearly collapsed with relief and rushed over to her in haste.
"You little idiot. Never forget to look for the weakness in your opponents attack. True, fire is powerful, but electricity can still slip through it. Next time use an earth guardian. Come, that's enough for today." He began to pick her up, but she stopped him.
"Wait, Eriol. Let me try something first." He was surprised, but complied with her wishes and set her down again. Tomoyo's eyes closed and her hands lay at her side. Gathering her power she chanted. "Crystal prism-healing light." Eriol watched in amazement, as the room was awashed in light and a myriad of rainbows reflected off their bodies. (A/N: Crystal prism-healing lightone of the most powerful spells of the color mage. Using the power of the object that dons and reflects all colors, together with the element that creates all colors, a task of benefit will emerge, according to what the mage wishes; in this case, Tomoyo choose healing.) Eriol could only stand as his fatigue slowly ebbed away, and Tomoyo's singed skin, returned to their smooth nature. Eventually the colors faded, and Tomoyo opened her eyes, satisfied with herself.
"Shall we go again?" He shook his head disbelievingly, then smiled and nodded.
"Guard." Thus the fight began anew.
Day after day went by, and still they practiced. By the end of the season, they had become the strongest of the magicians. They were ready for Kuroikumo, or so they thought. It was winter, the perfect season for his nature. At any time, they knew he could attack, so they were always on their guard. Of course, with all that training, both improved beyond any expectations. Here's a brief status on their power levels:
Eriol Hiiragizawa:
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Title: Master Magician/Former Clow Reed
Level: 9 (on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the highest) He is considered one of the most dangerous magicians on the planet. He gets by through charm and wit, and a sense of calm loyalty that cannot be broken.
Attacks:
Electric Storm
Cannon Reaper (an attack that cuts a whole within the air, leaving nothing in its wake)
Fire Ball Assault (a shower of flames that hurtle toward the opponent)
Hypnosis Dream (used to put a person to sleep, erasing their memory)
Silent Wind (an attack using the element of surprise, taking the breath out of the opponent for awhile)
Pummel Fury (Much like a whole bunch of fists punching the opponent from all different sides with speed that exceeds the human eye)
Shadow of Illusion (a defensive technique that shrouds the surrounding area with a power so dense, it is almost that of shadow, only the one who cast the spell can see in it)
Beam of the Angels (one of Eriol's strongest attacks, sending a white light so pure, only someone with an equal purity to the attack can withstand it), also slight control over elements and has a shield of the clow
Special Attack: Sacrificial Hope-Ultimate technique (????????)
Strengths: Protection, Willingness to die for someone close to him, a calmness that is rarely broken in battle, keeping a cool head
Weaknesses: Tomoyo Daidouji
Tomoyo Daidouji
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Title: Champion Color Mage
Level: 8 (yet has the potential to raise dramatically in battle depending on the situation)
Attacks:
Crystal Prism-light
Essence Flair
Sea-Green; Wave Tumult
Red Vengence; Spirit reflection
Red-Orange; Fire Tunnel (elemental color attack, throws a rapidly spinning fire tunnel at the oppenent locking them in heat)
Violet-purple; Cosmic Blast (A blast of bubbles aimed at the opposing person, explodes on contact)
Yellow-green-Blades of sin (a defensive attack according to evil level)
Sky-blue; Purity Explosion (The joys of the color-mage is turned into a bomb, that is set off the minute it touches evil)
Aqua-Sapphire; Tears of Rebirth (a virus type attack, coming directly from the color mage, the beads of water gather and enter the heart of the opponent, corrupting their karma)
Golden Shock; Spirit reflection (the guardian of lightning and thunder)
Crystalline Enhance: Spirit reflection (the guardian of light)
Midnight Dance: Spirit reflection (guardian of darkness)
Sierra Earth: Spirit reflection (earth guardian)
Silver Lace: Spirit reflection (guardian of mist and winds)
Paints of Belief (one of the most powerful attacks of a color mage-marking the opponent with the colors of their will and striking them down with their own self control)
Special Attack: Shards of a Broken Soul (???????????)
Strengths: A strong understanding of those around her, amazing perserverance, a strong bond with Eriol Hiiragizawa, master magician, versatile magic.
Weaknesses: The vulnerability of others
(A/N: Okie dokie, back to the story)
"Daidouji-san," Eriol whispered, "are you sure about this? It's going to be very dangerous, and I don't want to see you hurt." Tomoyo turned over to look at him across the mattress.
"I know that Eriol-kun. But I did not go through all that training, just to sit here while you go off on your own. No sir. Don't worry so much. If I die…" Tomoyo never finished because Eriol had covered her mouth with his own. He stuck to her forcefully, as if afraid if he let go, she'd utter those words he wanted the least to hear. Finally he had to come up to breathe as she took the moment to stare at him amazed.
"Never say that, never again Tomoyo. Never… I can't…" This time it was she who silenced him.
"Gomen ne Eriol. I promise never again. But you must remember, I can and I will fight." She looked at him softly though sternly. He could not say no to her and nodded a little reluctant. For now he contented himself with holding her form close, smelling her scent to calm him self down. Night surrounded them and both drifted off.
It was to be their last night of peace for upon waking the next day…
"BOOM!!!!!!" The skies clouded over, and night overshadowed day. The two sorcerors quickly roused from their slumber, fetching the battle costumes Tomoyo had made for them. Eriol had on a bluish violet, type of cloak, made of rubber. His pants were long and like that of a karate master's. He had a white bandana tied around his hair. The shirt that hung over him had a sun and star shape upon it and was black in color. Tomoyo stood on the side of him. Her costume was a sleeveless violet shirt. Her belt was lavender in color, and smooth as silk. She too had on baggy pants, though hers was a dark blue. Upon her hands, she wore white cuffs. Her cloak was clear, with hints of white. To top it off, her hair was pinned up in curls, held up by lavendar ribbons given to her by Eriol. Each one had a kanji symbol on it. One stood for strength, the other for belief.
They looked toward each other, and made ready to summon their wands.
"I call upon the powers of the day and the night. Sun and darkness, unleash your might, RELEASE!" cried Eriol.
"From the colors of both heaven and Earth, Aurora the staff of wisdom, commences your birth." Tomoyo voiced right after. Each then tore off for the nearest town. Kuroikumo had begun his attack.
It wasn't hard to spot the huge cloud, currently hovering over the city of London, but his size was the same thing holding them back.
"I think he got bigger from the last time we fought him, what do you think, Tomoyo?" Eriol asked his companion.
"I think you may be right."
"Are you ready?" Tomoyo nodded her head quickly, her shock turning into determination.
"Okay, let's do this. Silent Wind." His attack stealthly made its way to Kuroikumo, who was currently busy gathering every human he could get his clutches on. When Eriol's attack hit, the humans were jostled from Kuroikumo's hands.
"Silver Lace: spirit reflection." Tomoyo called upon her wind guardian to keep the people from falling to their deaths, while Kuroikumo floated, recovering from Eriol's attack.
"Nice Catch Tomoyo." Eriol called over his shoulder. She grinned at him.
"Nothing to it." She replied. Their amusement was short lived, however, since Kuroikumo began his next move. The ground seemed to disappear as Kuroikumo sent his clouds throughout the city. Eriol moved toward Tomoyo, coming back to back with her. The clouds were like water on the bodies of the two sorcerors, and it was only Tomoyo's plastic material that kept them dry. The two narrowed their eyes in anticipation, as the clouds became a dense fog.
"I can barely see anything." Eriol whispered fiercely. Tomoyo nodded in agreement before her eyes widened. Eriol could only watch as the cloud picked up Tomoyo's light body and hurled her through the air. "Tomoyo!" But Eriol's call was lost as he was answered by the gathering of more clouds.
"Are you worried Master Magician? Don't worry, I'll attend to your fallen angel soon enough. Right now I think I'll just play with you." Eriol swung his staff through the air, trying to make contact with the demon. "Hm. You are truly amusing Magician, but that won't do anything to me. You should know that a cloud cannot be thrwarted by a mere stick." With that the wind picked up and the clouds created a cyclone around Eriol. Kuroikumo's laugh rung through the air as Eriol put up his shield.
"SKY-BLUE; PURITY EXPLOSION!" Eriol looked up, triumph written on his features. Kuroikumo gasped "What?!" A second later, a series of blasts took place as the clouds around Eriol began to recoil. With the beast distracted Eriol took up his wand to begin his own attack.
"FIRE BALL ASSAULT!" Unfortunately the only thing Eriol's attack managed to do was light up the area, allowing them to see the face of Kuroikumo. As Tomoyo's attack had brought down much of Kuroikumo's defenses, the cloud had not erected his mask, allowing them to see his true face. Horror beyond anything they had ever experienced crept its way through them.
The face that peared at them was hardly even recognizable as a face. The eyes were stretched back, no eyebrows or lashes visible anywhere. The bones protruded out, the outline only blurred by the veins that were scattered randomly. It seemed like there was a nonstop flow of blood, yet it didn't seem to affect the smile that was wretchedly plastered on his face.
"I told you already, Clow master, you cannot defeat me as you are now. Blind is your heart, and torn is your companion's mind. And you realize none of this. How wise are you now, blue mage, when you are being bested by the likes of me?" The voice of Kuroikumo was wise are cunning as he taunted his opponent. Anger flashed in Eriol's eyes briefly, and Tomoyo crouched low, both ready to strike.
"Blind? I wish I were, then, I would not have to see your, less than tasteful face. Too bad, I think my eyes are working perfectly. Though if you prefer to really make me blind, just keep staring." Eriol responded to the monster's taunts with his own verbal assault. But, to no avail. The grin stayed perpetually plastered to the demon's face.
"Fools." With that, Kuroikumo sent out a rush of air that slammed into both Eriol and Tomoyo. Fortunately, at the last minute, Tomoyo sent out her own attack.
"Sierra Earth: Spirit Reflection! Red Vengence: Spirit Reflection! Multiple Spirit Protection Technique!" A rock wall shot up and successfully fended off most of the air and the excess was engulfed in the flames. The two were fine, though the strain was beginning to show on Tomoyo's face. Her stamina had indeed improved over their days of training, but it seemed she was losing power faster now that she was facing Kuroikumo. Even so she managed to turn enthusiastically toward Eriol.
"You okay?" She asked.
"Yeah. Awesome job, Tomoyo." He congratulated her. "Shall we take this beast down?"
"Of course we can. May I ask for assistance though?" He nodded, and chanted "Cannon Reaper." Out of his staff came a small marble-like bullet. Slowly the black sphere began to grow in shape. In a matter of seconds it had cut its way through a bulk of Kuroikumo's clouds. Eriol grinned in triumph. Then he heard laughing.
"Surely you don't think that "nothing" can beat "nothing". Your Cannon Reaper is useless on me." Eriol shook his head slowly.
"Who said I was looking at attacking? That was just a distraction. I don't only have looks, I was blessed with brains too, oh mass of hot air." With that, wind from Eriol's staff made its appearance. Tomoyo could barely be seen on top of its towering height and her attack came immediately and undetected.
"Paints of Belief: Loyalty periwinkle, Fierce yellow, Fated white, Hope pink! Strike, Ei!" The Kanji for Eternity is written by Tomoyo's colors, and her final stroke brands the forehead of Kuroikumo.
"Bang!" Succumbing to the explosive power of Tomoyo's attack, he was down before the color mage even landed. She landed safely on a crumbled building and gave a thumbs-up to Eriol. She smiled with pride, but it was quickly wiped from her face when she saw a look of terror on Eriol's face.
"WENCH!" Tomoyo swerves around in time to see a pissed Kuroikumo, before she is thrown down to the ground. The shock of the fall caused her to ricochete off the cement and plummet back down. Eriol rushed to her side, his longs legs pushing him toward the danger, but at that point it didn't really matter. "TOMOYO!" He shouted. Kneeling besider her, his hands cradled her head.
"Tomoyo? You're gonna be fine right? Ne, Tomoyo-san?" Slowly her eyes opened, as Eriol let out a sigh of relief, a single tear slid down his face before it was caught by Tomoyo's pale hand.
"Arigatoo Eriol. Daijoubu (I'm fine). Crystalline Enhance: Recovery." The tear fell from her hand and onto her lips. She tasted the salt before dropping into unconsciousness. The spell would heal her, but since she was weak, it would take awhile for her to fully heal. Meanwhile Eriol watched this scene with heartbroken eyes.
"Tomoyo." He whispered. Brushing his lips over her own tear moistened ones, he cluctched her closer to his chest before settling her down gently. When he came back up, his eyes burned with the no longer concealed anger. His facial expression teetered on the rail of insanity as his power flared.
"HOW DARE YOU HARM TOMOYO! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER! BEAM OF THE ANGELS!" At first nothing happened. Then lights of day shone through Kuroikumo's clouds. The monster's eyes widened. 'What is this? Could he have finally figured it out? But… so quickly!" were Kuroikumo's thoughts before a wave of light came barreling toward him.
"Not bad master clow, but we'll see how well you fare next time I come for you." Carefully hiding his shock, Kuroikumo skillfully gave one last taunt before he dissapitated. Slowly, Eriol made his way toward Tomoyo. Picking her up he brought her face to the crook of his neck, where her steady, warm breath calmed him down. Clutching her tighter, he turned all his attention on the breathing Tomoyo, as he made his way home.
A/N: Oooooo longer chapter…lol…okie dokie..me updated now…byes..Happy holidays, and to you too, little review button, hope ya get lots of visits this holiday.