"Three Jewels Enchanted: Rise of Darkness"
by: Seventh Faythes
Raimundo: Waaaahhhhh! Get me out of here! Too…much…schoolwork…(faints)
Robin: He totally said it. Especially at the university…I don't even know how I got the time to join this…
Jezareth: Like we've been saying for the past few chapters, schoolwork's got the best of us and we've not even had the chance to buy the supplies yet!
Xiu Ying: School really sucks! Can't vacation last for one more month?
Disclaimer: Seventh Faythes do not own any CCS characters that all belong to marvelous CLAMP ladies. Though Jeza and I agree that owning Syaoran would be quite a dream….This fic is also based on the uber-cool tele-fantasya (television Fantasy show) here in the Philippines, Encantadia, which, by the way, is sweeping us by storm.
Jezareth: Before we all forget, thanks to the people who helped us get an over 70 number of reviews. You guys are totally awesome, and Senritsumon-sama, thanks for reviewing all our chapters! We totally relate to your virus problem. I suffered that too. Which is why we're using Xiao Lei's laptop this time.
Seventh Faythes: On with the fic!
+Rise of Darkness+
KWINNN!
SBRAMMM!
Silver-blue orbs surrounded Syaoran's fists and his eyes glowed in light of the same color. He aimed his fist at Agate and unleashed a powerful celestial beam. Agate evaded it, barely escaping a hit to her side.
"Pretty strong, Syaoran. But not strong enough!" Agate attacked by planning to hit the king on his head with her sword. In one quick move, Syaoran used his own sword to shield himself.
The sudden attack had caused quite a large havoc in the castle. Guards and goblins stormed into the main ballroom. The ornaments that took a whole week to prepare were ruined in an instant. The maids, youth and ladies were immediately taken away. All of them except Ruby Moon and Jenith, who have bravely decided to join the battle, ignoring their long gowns.
"Haaaaaa!" The princess launched an attack on an unsuspecting goblin, but tripped on the hem of her skirts and fell down. The goblin raised its sword and attempted to strike her but Yue got between them and killed the foe.
"Sei'sa, I would suggest that you go with the people who are currently escaping. It is not safe for you here. Your attire is…inappropriate."
"I shall not! And if you are judging my skills through my attire, then-" Jenith stooped down and grabbed the hem of her skirts. Then she ripped them off until her skirts only reached a few inches above her knees. She threw away the torn parts and faced Yue.
"Watch out!" The princess threw her long staff toward her guardian barely missed his cheek. To the young Transiva's surprise, the attack was not for him but for a goblin who was poised to strike him.
"S-s-shalmatah, Sei'sa (Thank you, Princess)," he stuttered, blushing profusely as he tried to pry his eyes away from the girl's silky smooth legs.
+back with Syaoran+
The king successfully avoided another attack from his foe. He had torn off most of his clothes as well, leaving only his white shirt and pants. He was moving pretty quick now but Agate managed to rival him.
"Still the same boy with quite the temper. You are no different from your dead father." Agate got inside his defense and hit him squarely on the head with the hilt of her sword. She did it with such force that Syaoran was pushed back by the magnitude of the force, as if he jumped off a motorcycle running on a thousand kilometers on the freeway.
He hit the ground and bounced a few times before he slammed on the hard marble wall. Agate approached the spot he hit, which was still shrouded by a cloud of smoke. Without thinking twice, Agate reached down and pulled him up by his hair. She was obviously taller than him, and her gesture caused him to be a few inches above the floor.
A wound on Syaoran's forehead was bleeding generously. Half of his face was soaked in the red liquid. His clothes were torn at random points, and most of his bones were already broken. Syaoran's breathing was very labored; his chest rose and dropped with each gasp for air.
"It has been a well-known legend that Faeries are immortal, and can only die by the decision of Bathala. But now I shall prove those legends wrong." Agate held her sword against his throat that it made a cut in his flesh. "Faeries can die by the sword."
"Agate! Lihgtin (stop)!"
Agate bit her lower lip. Her facial features obviously showed aggravation. With a exasperated, "Hn!", Agate threw her opponent away. His head hit the floor first and bounced once before he lay flat at Agate's feet. His eyes were open, but his amber pupils were overwhelmed by the white space.
"Kudaaa!" Jenith screamed, trying to rush to her fallen brother. But Yue grabbed her by the wrist and tried to calm her. Eriol was not far from them, and was trying his best to calm himself as well. His grip on his stilettos was getting tighter by the moment, and his lip was slightly bleeding from his bite. The two of them wanted to do something, but they were helpless. They were all surrounded by goblins and their allies have all fallen.
A figure suddenly appeared from behind Agate and slowly started walking toward her. The figure was in a black cloak, but was also dressed in royal clothes in the shade of ebony.
"As you wish, karmlathana (your highness)," Agate muttered.
Jenith immediately stopped trying to escape from Yue's grasp when she heard it. "Karmlathana…the goblin king…" she whispered lowly. She glanced at Yue, and saw him nod once.
"Do not kill him yet. His powers would do us much help. All we have to do is to absorb the strongest celestial stone from him. Allow me," the king spoke in an echoing voice that sent chills to one's bone.
The king bent down and reached out his hand. He was about to touch Syaoran's forehead when the boy's body began to glow and in an instant there was an unearthly growl resonating around the room.
Sharp teeth came out of the blue and clamped themselves to the goblin king's arm. The king backed off, but he did not show any signs of being startled. He did not even seem hurt by the attack.
"Hm…So this is the famed Wolf of the Moon. Useless." He simply threw the wolf away. The animal skidded down the floor and crashed through the window. The wolf fell to the ground below.
"Syaoran…That was Syaoran!" Eriol yelled as he attempted to run after his transformed brother. But Agate suddenly appeared before him and punched him right at the stomach. Eriol yelped in pain before dropping to his knees, clutching his stomach.
"The moon!" Jenith pointed to the moon enlightening the whole scene. Everyone gasped as slowly a red color tainted the silver moon. All were surprised except for the goblin king. He walked over to the smashed window and looked out.
"Be prepared, Agate. For the real battle shall occur now."
"The real battle?"
The goblin king did not have to speak. Right that moment, something bright red glowed from down below. Everyone watched breathlessly as clouds hid the moonlight and everything was submerged in darkness. The red figure floated up to the same height as the ballroom. It was the wolf.
Right before their eyes, the wolf's hair stood up and slowly grew longer and sharper. So did his fangs and claws. His silver eyes turned into blood-red orbs.
"The hour of darkness has come! And now, all of Fantasya shall be mine!" the goblin king said, raising his hands high and laughing. Suddenly four paper talismans with black characters written on them appeared all around him. Each erupted into a certain element. One was surrounded by bolts of thunder, another became submerged in water, another was surrounded by gusts of wind, and the last one was surrounded by embers of fire.
"What is the meaning of this, your highness!" Agate screamed.
"This, Agate, is our way to power. Syaoran has reached the peak of his powers, but he is also at his most vulnerable. Once I absorb him, his powers shall be mine!"
"NOOOOO! KUDAAAA!" Jenith run to strike the goblin king, but to her surprise he turned around with a sword in his hands. There was no time for her to escape the stab.
"Jenith!"
All of a sudden she saw a white blur go before her. A pair of arms wrapped themselves around her tightly and she could feel the tip of the sword go through the figure and almost touch her.
The goblin king smirked and pulled the sword harshly away from the wounded figure. Jenith was dragged down by the weight of her savior. It was only then did she find out who had taken the blow for her.
"Yue!"
Her guardian was unconscious. His white robes were soaked in blood especially around the spot where he has been stabbed. The sword had gone right through him. Jenith embraced him tightly as she burst into tears. "Yue! Please wake up! Forgive me! Yue!"
Jenith placed both of her hands on his wound and tried to heal him, but she was almost out of energy. The farthest she got was slowing down the pour of blood. Still she tried putting all her strength into her healing. The blood stopped pouring out, but the princess fell unconscious as well, landing over her mortally wounded guardian.
"Fools! This is what happens when one offers his life to save another! And now, that is what will happen to you as well, Agate!"
The woman addressed stepped back. "W-what do you mean, your highness! I am a loyal follower! Why would you do such a thing to me!"
"I only gave you the celestial stone for you to keep it warm. You are not its true holder! You are only another fool who will be its host. And now it has fed off all the energy it needs. Now it is time for it to return to its true owner."
The goblin king stretched out his hand. Agate was surrounded by a black force which ripped through her body, causing her to scream. Then she dropped lifeless to the ground. The dark force gathered on the goblin king's hands and turned into the Celestial stone of Darkness.
"At last! Now it is time to use this!" With that the goblin king took off his cloak.
Eriol, who was the only Fairy left conscious, would have died that instant when he saw the goblin king's face. It was like he was staring into his own face, only older. But he could recognize all the features.
"F-father…H-how…could you d-d-do t-this t-t-o us….?"
The goblin king turned to him and laughed. "Oh Eriol! You must have mistaken me for Clow Reed! But worry not. I am not him. I have long vanquished my older twin brother."
"T-twin b-brother….?"
"Yes, young Eriol. Your father has a twin. And that twin is me, Fei wong Reed! The throne should have been mine! If only Clow had not exposed that the stone that I held was the stone of Darkness. He banished me from the kingdom and assumed the throne. I should be king, not him! And now, by absorbing your brother, I shall absorb the stone of the moon, and be the ruler of all of Fantasya!"
"N-no…" Eriol tried to stand up, but he was too weak to do so. He could not even speak another word. All he could do…was watch.
Fei Wong absorbed the dark stone. Then he glowed in a dark aura that could have rivaled Syaoran's. His eyes glowed in a combination of black and purple. Then he turned to Syaoran.
"Well, little wolf. Let us see how strong you are in your ultimate form!"
The wolf-Syaoran-growled and charged at him. But Fei Wong only evaded it. The wolf turned back to him and growled again. Lightning came from one og the talismans and tried to hit him. Then he attacked with the fire talisman. Both attacks did nothing to Fei Wong.
"Why do we not take this outside?" Fei Wong said. He shot a couple of black beams at the wolf, which allowed him to manipulate it. He flew outside with Syaoran and fought there.
Meanwhile, Eriol staggered up while the goblins guarding him were distracted. Then he gathered most of his energy and unleashed a last attack. His attack managed to stun the goblins. Being stronger than his sister, he was still able to stay conscious. He staggered to the open window and looked out.
Fei Wong and his brother were already fighting. Syaoran was using the power of his four talismans, attacking with any of the four elements at his aid. But Fei Wong was still a formidable foe. His power was strong as well. Eriol was betting that his brother would win, and for a moment, it seemed so.
Syaoran had attacked with four elements at the same time. That managed to take Fei Wong off his feet. He crashed into the thick maze bushes. For a moment it seemed that he was knocked out. And Syaoran thought so.
The wolf carefully approached the fallen man. It glared icily at him. Then, making sure that he was truly unconscious, Syaoran turned around.
Fatal mistake.
Fei Wong leapt up and touched the wolf's head. A surge of electricity ran through his body. He howled in pain, but soon, he fell unconscious, turning back into his human form. The talismans lost their powers and faded into dust.
"You are as vulnerable as the rest. And for that, you shall pay with your life. Now, the Celestial stone shall be mine!"
Fei Wong thrust his hand into Syaoran's chest. It passed right through his flesh. Syaoran's chest rose as if something was paining him. But his face showed obvious unconsciousness.
But a silver lightning stung Fei Wong's arm. Syaoran was still fighting even subconsciously.
"You are tough, Syaoran. Well, then, I shall just have to make you willingly surrender the stone to me."
Fei Wong thrust his hand into Syaoran's chest again, and closed his eyes.
+Syaoran's mind+
Syaoran was wandering around aimlessly in a dark place. He could not hear or see anything. He groped around like a blind man. Then, he heard a voice.
'Syaoran…'
"L-Luna?" he stuttered. "W-wait…did I just talk?"
Luna appeared before him. 'You are not dreaming, young one. You are able to speak. At least, in this place.'
"Where is this place?"
'This is a void place. A place of revelations.'
"Why am I here? All I remember was Agate and-"
'Shush, young one. I am here to show you the future. What you aim to see.'
"What I…aim to see?"
'Yelan…Rishao…Eriol…Jenith…and even, Sakura.'
"Sakura?" he said, surprised. He was not only surprised at the mention of her name, but also at how his face contorted into a semblance of a surprised expression. It has been years since he felt his face change.
'Yes, young one. Sakura, your beloved. I could show you your future.'
"Our…future?"
At once their surroundings changed. Houses appeared, and Syaoran felt he had been here before. Then it hit him.
This was the world of mortals.
He heard something behind him and turned around. He saw a house's door open, and two children came out. The younger one, a girl with light brown hair, looked vaguely familiar to him.
"Onii-chan! Wait for me!" the girl screamed as the older boy with grayish hair zoomed out the gate.
"Ha! Not gonna happen, Nadesico! You have to catch me first!" The boy taunted Nadesico by sticking his tongue out as he locked the gate from outside.
Nadesico pouted and soon broke into a cry. "Waaahhh! Mama! Touya is teasing me again!"
A woman in her early thirties came out, wearing an apron around her waist. She had long brown hair and green eyes and a calm expression. She patted Nadesico on her head and bent down to wipe away her tears. "Touya! You mustn't tease your sister! She's still young!"
Touya pouted and placed his hands behind his head. "Fine, mom! I won't"
"Well, then, Nadesico. Your brother will walk you to school now. And if he ever teases you again, just call mommy, okay?"
Syaoran watched the two children bid goodbye to their mother and walk off while she stayed at the door. "Why are we watching this?"
'Did I not tell you that I shall show you Sakura's future, and yours as well? This is Sakura's future. The woman you see at the door is her. And the two children came from her womb.'
Syaoran turned back to the woman. Indeed, she resembled Sakura in every angle. Only, her hair was longer. Syaoran felt that throbbing in his chest again. He clutched his chest and breathed deep. "Sakura…she has children. Then, she has gotten married?"
'Yes. She already has a spouse. And he is coming out now.'
"Sakura?"
Syaoran spun around to see someone reach out from inside the house and lock Sakura in an embrace. "Morning, hon."
"Good morning to you too," she replied, returning the embrace. "Had a nice sleep?"
"Yeah. Coz' you were beside me. What's for breakfast?"
"Bacon and eggs."
"How about you?" he said, tilting his chin up to meet his eyes. Sakura smiled.
"You flatterer!" Then she gave him a light peck on his lips.
Syaoran felt like his heart shattered into a million pieces. This was not their future together. That man was not him. He had a grayish hair, a light complexion, and a pair of glasses. Obviously, he was not Syaoran.
"Come on, Yukito. Let's go in." Sakura pulled the man by the wrist and led him in, closing the door behind them.
Syaoran stared in disbelief. His hand, which has been clutching his chest, fell limply to his side. He then felt his eyes tear up. A moment later, a crystal tear fell down his cheek. "S-Sakura…"
'The man's name is Yukito. She has loved him long before she met you. This is how her future will be. She has returned to her home and she shall never return here. She is happy where she is now.'
"But what about…me?" Syaoran bowed his head and clenched his fists. "I was not even able to say…what I feel for her. I never had the chance…She was the first one who showed me how to love…and I am to lose her forever?"
Tears went down his cheeks and dropped to the pavement. His once unbreakable aura shattered into a million pieces, and for once in all these years, he was able to let go and cry.
'Failure in love is indeed painful and unforgettable. But one will soon be able to get over a broken heart.'
"I do not know…Luna, I doubt if I shall ever love again. Is this really Sakura's future?"
'Perhaps a look at her present will clear your doubts.'
Luna waved her hand and everything changed again. Syaoran looked around and saw metal beasts-cars-charging at him. But they merely passed through him like he was a ghost.
"Where are we?"
'Avert your gaze and see.'
Syaoran looked around and saw a scooter heading straight for him. Syaoran saw a familiar gray-haired lad on it. When the scooter passed through him, he caught a momentary glance at the second passenger.
Sakura.
She was holding on tightly to Yukito, pressing her cheek against his back.
"Sakura…has she forgotten all about me?"
'I am afraid so, young one. She is with Yukito now.'
Syaoran stared at his hands. Sakura's scarf appeared and he held it to his chest with one hand. It had been with him all throughout the battle and the wedding. Using magic, he had kept it within his own body.
'Pain envelopes you, young one.'
"Yes, Luna. Everything…all of me hurts…I feel like I could die…"
'There is a way to rid yourself of this pain. And you shall forget Sakura as well.'
Syaoran's head shot up. "W-what way is that?"
'Renounce the stone of the Moon. Return it to me, and all your memories shall be gone. You will live happily with your brother and sister once again. Sakura shall be erased from your mind and you will no longer be…in pain.'
Luna offered her open hand to Syaoran. He looked back and forth between it and her.
"And what would happen to me?"
'Absolutely nothing, young one. You shall only be granted peace of mind and the happiness that you truly deserve. You must let go of all your pain. This would be what your parents would want you to do.'
Syaoran thought about his parents and sighed. Then he straightened up and nodded. "What should I do?"
'Think only of releasing yourself from your bonds. And the stone shall willingly detach itself from you eternally.'
Syaoran followed what she said and thought hard. Then silver light came from his chest and out came the stone of the Moon. Luna held it in her hand. The last thing Syaoran heard and saw was Luna cackling as he fell down….and down….and down…
+Fantasya+
Fei Wong Reed's laughter echoed through the empty garden as the heir of the Moon lay at his feet. Syaoran's skin has turned pale, and his pupils completely turned white. He was holding a silver fabric to his chest, but Fei Wong did not bother to think of it.
"S-Syaoran…" Eriol muttered as he dragged himself down the hall leading to the garden. When he got there, a horrid sight met him.
There, on the grassy field, lay his brother.
Dead.
And Fei Wong Reed was cackling triumphantly, holding up the stone of the Moon.
+Wakas+
Xiu Ying: Noooooooooo!
Xiao Lei: Man! You can scream!
Jezareth: Dundundundun! Another cliffhanger!
Danny: Jeez! You can really excite someone and then bring them down, huh?
Jezareth: Well, that's only my part of the script. After all, you guys had to type in the fight scenes! To those who think that this chap is really an action load, that's all thanks to my bros here! And putting Fei Wong Reed in was my idea. As for the Yukito/Sakura ending, blame Xiu Ying.
Xiu Ying: Especially to Lenny! He's the one responsible for the darkness of the fic!
Jezareth: The end is nearing folks! Clue: there are only less than 5 more chaps to go! We're hoping you'll still stick around! Please?
Preview:
Syaoran is gone…his siblings are powerless…and Fei Wong now holds the two strongest stones of them all. Fantasya is doomed. Redemption is such an impossible feat. But one savior still remains….
R & R