I managed to continue this, but hell, it's taking a long time. Don't know why, it just is. I'm getting there, though. Okay, now I'm in turmoil. From now on, Krad's in italics. When he's speaking, obviously. And some question marks mayn't come up, butI hope we can work it out.Sorry about all this.

Warnings/Disclaimers: Does it really matter? I think we all know already.

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Chapter 6: Trial and Error

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There is a place called home, a place I once knew.

A place that was lost, never to be reborn.

Shattered souls found themselves lost in the midst of evil and there was nowhere to run.

An evil was awake.

And it would not fade.

000

:Satoshi-sama:

:Krad: that was a difference, having the blonde talking in an almost civil tone that didn't involve the usual hostility and sadistic rituals. The blue-haired boy had been up for most of the night and the whole day and wasn't in the most coherent of moods. :What is it:

:You were asking and questioning the Thief's whereabouts, correct: This seemed to arouse the boys interest and he sat up. :I don't think it takes a genius to work that out.:

:Well, it seems he's in another parallel world, or a complete different dimension.: Krad began slowly, wondering how he'd been able to get this information in the first place. :And the only way to get there is to use Opposing Elements against each other – in other words, a sacrifice.:

:And how are we to do that:

:Don't you see, Satoshi-sama? We can't do it.

We're missing the Darkness.:

000

In a land that was not my own, was not familiar, was... not home. It was a strange land, a land that would become my new home. But the yearning to return was strong, and I am at a lost.

There are others, many other, in that very position, but there is nothing that can be done about it. Nothing that not even the strongest person can do to change it.

There is no hope.

There is no life.

000

:So you're saying...: started Satoshi.

:The Opposing Elements ritual will only work if the sacrifice is in the power of Light and Dark.: finished the Krad simply. :And without it, there is no chance that anyone could make it to the other side safely.:

Silence.

:You see, there is no hope.:

No answer.

:Satoshi-sama:

:... Takada might know something.: the blue-haired boy began slowly:She was a Time Keeper, right? So the answer would lie with her.:

:Foolish boy: there was a mirthless laughter that hung around them, :The girl is the ONLY Time Keeper. When one lives, the other is non-existent. Why do you think that she is the only one of her... blood-line? Since that single mistake, she is the last child known to be the mix of both Hikari and Niwa. And what makes you think that she will hand over an answer? She hasn't done it before.:

Satoshi frowned at this, the light streaming into his room in the process. Just then, his alarm went off, but he paid no heed to it as he continued:What do you mean by that? And who says that she won't help. She's worried as well, isn't she:

Krad inclined his head at this before answering his host's questions, :A Time Keeper is one who holds both the blood of the Hikari and the Niwa. Because it is against all laws of nature, there is very few who have that blood – to put it simply, no one in this time, or the past time, or the time before that. Takada is the very last of the cross-blood and if she was to die, then the Flames would perish.:

:Like Dark and I, we aren't human.:

:... Are you saying that...:

:Correct. Like the rest of us, she is merely a Spirit in the end.:

000

It hurt so much, and there wasn't anywhere to run. The truth us too great to speak about, and yet it is there.

We can't run forever.

000

Akane looked around as students filed into the school and frowned: she couldn't find Satoshi anywhere. Not that it surprised her, he was the strange person in many ways.

But it was important, and, if anything, he HAD to be here.

No good wishing it though, she decided, hitching her bag up a notch. He must have been researching or something again.

Opposing elements...

The former Time Keeper sighed and entered the building, dreading of what would happen next.

Nothing was safe, as of now.

000

:A Time Keeper is an actual power, granted to those... type of people: Krad explained patiently, :Which also means that they cannot leave their post – home, if you will – and are completely isolated from the rest. It's very rare to see them out of that area.: he added as an afterthought.

:Then why were there others: asked Satoshi, finally bothering to get out of bed, even if he was too late to go to school:Why was she with Celes and those other people:

:Maybe she was an exception, who knows: the blonde shrugged it off without a care in the world. :But the consequence of leaving their post of usually death. What made this time any different:

The blue-haired boy stopped when he noticed that Krad was touching a more thoughtful topic that really meant he was musing out loud. But, then again, how come he knew so much about the history of the Time Keepers? Who were they in the first place? He frowned at this, but decided to think about it later.

Morning rituals... he was late for school. Satoshi scowled at this and decided that he best not go for that day. Instead, he went back to concentrating on his blonde enigma.

:Have you done mumbling to yourself: he asked.

:It depends.:

:Tch. This isn't like you at all.:

:You're wondering about how much I know about this ritual and the Time Keepers, correct: Krad had hit the nail on the head.

:Yes. Now will you tell me without going off track again:

:Fine. But it's not that exciting, now that I think about it.:

000

Scarlet smiled brightly, watching the Priestess as she went on her duties. Only five, the small girl was incredibly energetic and was constantly on the move, creating a commotion wherever she went.

There's a truth in every story.

"Scarlet! How many times do I have to tell you to stay put?" asked Celes in exasperation. "Oh, why can't you be a bit more calm at this time..."

"When do I get to see mum and dad!" demanded the younger girl, "Come on, Celes! You promised!"

There was an awkward silence, "They... they can't make it," replied the older one briskly, "Business plans."

"What!" the girl's voice hitched up a notch in indignation, "You lied!" Without another word, she ran off.

It was always the innocent ones who were hurt first. And then... it went downhill.

"Krad... of the Hikari. Correct?"

"How do you know me..."

"As the only one left of the Time Keepers, it's my duty to watch over those with this blood."

"..."

"You wish to know what a Time Keeper is?

Well, seeing as there isn't much time left for me, I guess it won't hurt. And Celes won't miss me."

000

The Hikari and Niwa clans were ancient families, passing on from generation to generation. Artworks, theft, magic, the beauty of it all was lost. Sealed in each clan was a 'demon', and that was what kept the balance.

But when the blood was mixed, they were considered a curse, more than the curse that the Hikari seemed to have, and it was one that could only lead to death. And yet, they were needed to keep the Time in place, as well as the other elements.

But no one but the Time Keepers knew it, and that was that. They were beings that lived on forever.

But when one was born, the other died. That was their fate.

Once in place, the child with the blood was sealed into a world that was not their own and kept there until another was born. And if they ever showed signs of rebellion or escape, they died. And with that, the Flame would consume the spirits around it, and then the worlds would cease to exist.

There is no escape, and no other option.

There was no hope in that life.

And yet, it was their fate.

000

:You see? Not even remotely interesting, and that was the shortened version of it.: Krad suddenly yawned to exaggerate that he wasn't going to do anymore. :If you want to ask more, I'll answer them some other time. Good night, Satoshi-sama.:

The blonde fell silent at that and left Satoshi to think over what he had just been shown. Not that the information surprised him that much, but Krad was right: How came Akane was able to leave the realm of Time and live here in the first place?

And there still wasn't a proper explanation on the Opposing Elements. And if Dark and Light had to be sacrificed...

In the end, it was just another confusing matter.

He could talk to Akane, but would she provide the answers wanted? Or would she avoid them, as always. Then something came back to him.

"But if you're willing to help me, I'll gladly accept."

That's what she'd said. And he was willing to help.

That meant she had to answer his questions now...

Right?

000

Standing here as winds do blow, I can hear you calling out to me. You want this to end now. It hurts, it hurts so much. I can feel your pain and I'm sorry.

I want to help, but I'm not strong enough. What can I do? I'm nothing, I'm useless. It's impossible.

Keep blowing, Winds of Balance, make your voices heard.

Maybe then they will hear you.

And then peace will come at last.

000

School had been more quiet than most, and the Harada twins were back, so the main focus was on them. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that made it seem out of place. Just a normal school with normal students and a normal life.

And yet, it was so unsettling.

Upon the arrival of the Niwa house, Akane sighed, wondering what she was getting herself into. It was insane, and she was going to go through a lot of hurt by the time it was over.

And Satoshi never came. So the other plan was not going to move anywhere.

Knocking the door gently, she was greeted by Emiko, who still looked pale faced. Reassuring the distressed mother, they went to the main living room and Akane muttered a few things under her breath.

By the time Celes arrived, everything was ready. Candles were placed on the floor, while a pure white circle was drawn in the middle and Akane was sitting there, cross-legged and biting her lip.

"So you came." She whispered.

"Scarlet, there is nothing more dangerous than you risking your life in a two person requirement ritual," the priestess said softly. It was clear that she was still in an unforgiving mood. "So. Shall we begin?"

Without hesitation, the girl nodded.

000

A dream to finally be free again, something in the impossible category. It's sad to think that way, but still...

Have we sunk so low?

000

The rest of the Niwa family were standing by the doorframe that connected the hallway to the living room, entranced at what they saw. It wasn't like they knew nothing of magic, but this ritual seemed to be fairly different than most.

Akane was the only one standing in the circle, arms placed before her as Celes did the chanting; magic was concentrated on feeding the candle flames and the remainder of the magic was trailed within the small space. Both girl's eyes were closed and the chanting was so soft that even the words could not be identified, like the wind that blew around them with no sense of direction.

The circle channeled more energy until Akane was completely engulfed by it and, for a moment, there was silence.

The priestess looked surprised, "Did it... work?" as the words left her mouth, there was a flash and Akane collapsed on the floor, panting for a moment.

"Ha... guess we failed," she commented lightly, getting up and walking past the Niwas, who were shocked. Emiko followed behind her closely.

"What about Daisuke!" she asked desperately.

"This wasn't the only way," replied Akane, "there's another. Don't worry, Mrs. Niwa, I know what to do." She then turned to smile at the other Niwas, "It'll be okay." She ignored Celes, but did toss the scroll in the girl's direction. "Thank you, Celes." Then she left.

"..."

"Her left arm," muttered Kosuke, "There was..."

"Blood," finished Celes lightly, "But this was not to happen."

"What?"

"If this ritual was to fail," the Priestess explained, "Then it requires a sacrifice. How she was able to escape it, I do not know. Now, if you will excuse me..." Without another word, she left.

"Sacrifice?" breathed Daiki.

"Oh, Daisuke..." Emiko whispered.

000

Ignoring the pain in her left arm, Akane managed to walk most of the way home without too much trouble. But when the after effects weren't something to be ignored and she winced. It hurt, but it was better then dying off completely.

Before Celes had come for the ritual – how had she known how it was performed without reading the scroll? – the redhead had managed to cast a basic, unreadable and practically faultless, which meant that the failure didn't end up killing her in the end.

But it wasn't like she got away without any sort of injury, as the blood seeped through her uniform and she stifled a pained sigh.

Opposing Elements.

Would it be possible?

000

"Takada."

"Eh?" Akane turned, "Hiwatari-kun?"

The next day and Satoshi had been standing by the gates entrance, obviously waiting. The girl seemed surprised at this, "Is something the matter?"

"I think you know the answer to that," the blue-haired boy replied, "You said that if I wanted to help, then you'd allow it, correct?"

She nodded.

"In that case, you have to answer some questions."

"... ah..."

000

"Hey, look! It's Hiwatari-kun!"

Some squealing fans of Satoshi rushed past the Harada twins, who were also nearing the gate. Riku inclined her head slightly – still in jet-lag mood – and didn't look too happy about the loud noises around her.

"Why can't they just keep quiet once in a while?" she muttered, "Almost as bad as the Dark fans..."

"Riku!" reprimanded Risa, "You should be more respectful about Dark-san!"

"What! He's a pervert!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Yeesh, whatever," knowing that there would be no end if they kept up the argument, Riku turned away, "But... I wonder where Niwa-kun is... he wasn't here yesterday."

"Maybe he isn't feeling too well," suggested Risa.

"..." The short-haired twin seemed thoughtful, 'No, that isn't it. He was fine when I met him, so why...

'Why do I keep getting this feeling that something's wrong? Something is terribly wrong...'

"Riku! Hurry up! We're going to be late!"

"Ah! Coming!"

000

Yeah, a lot of talking, strange happenings... you get the picture. Not much else to it really. We see Dark and Daisuke in the next chapter, though, so it's all cool.

Talkback:

Uh... well, no one's been really reading this, so I'll leave it at that.

But to Kosmic Kitty, thanks for reviewing and I'm so glad that you're reading my stuff, although... well, yeah. (insert self conscious musings.) Thanks a lot!