Chapter Nine
By Hayai Akurei
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Author's Notes: Gods, this took a long time! Writer's block is like the bane of my existence. Whew! But here it is! Possibly the longest chapter yet! And possibly the most action-filled. I hope you enjoy it!
I'm really sorry if this sounds a bit awkward and too much like "Oh, here's another random thing to toss in all at the very end." The end is almost here! Well…kinda. I'm debating on whether or not to tie it all off with this fic or carry it on into a sequel. Let me know which you would prefer in your reviews, and whichever seems to be most popular and seems to be the most reasonable course of action that I can pull off, will determine how this story ends. The next chapter is already written (sadly has been for the past three chapters), but I'm refraining from posting it just yet because of this reason, in case it needs adjustment. Or, I'll just tack on another short chapter.
So. Sequel or no? Don't forget to tell me, or I won't know what to do!
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Raindrops: I will! It's almost over! I know I should do this faster, but DANG writer's block sucks!
Lyless and lockesilver: EEK! (begging pose) Please don't kill me! But hey, being an obsessed fangirl from time to time isn't bad. Heaven knows I fangirl like crazy when it hits me.
Doxtater: Ain't stories like this fun? It may be a little confusing, especially in the light of the recent Tokyo chapters. And I'm glad you like it! My writing tends to be a bit confusing sometimes, so I'm glad it's all working out well!
Ametris: Fudduhpuhwha? Thanks a lot! Reviews help a lot, and feedback is wonderful!
bloodytwistedangel: Ooh! Thanks for all the reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! Beginning chapters are always so slow, and I have a hard time writing them, but thanks for bearing with me and my attempts to make a chapter story. Oh, and as for the 'blond' and 'blonde' thing…my computer is evil. With one of the words (can't remember which), you can't use a possessive form of it, so I used the other one, but when it's just by itself, I use the other one. I'll try to stick with one. AND OMG, OKITA SOUJI! I was reading "Kaze Hikaru" and I was throwing a hissy fit because I know of Souji's history because of "Rurouni Kenshin"! As for the KuroFai…we'll see. (evil grin)
BratCat: (grin) Cliffhangers are love. Sugar? I love sugar! Gimme gimme!
Citrus Newt: Yup! Chii is in! And thanks, I worry about whether or not characters are in character or not. Just let me know if they're beginning to stray too far!
Meowzy-chan: Yes, there is a reference to chapter 120. You've got keen eyes there, meowzy-chan. And it was a tiny one too. It's when Kuro's seeing his worst fear and Fai's missing an eye. But aren't the recent chapters so sad? Fai-angst lovers are having a heyday, I'm sure.
Wetheril: Yeah, I know there's not a lot of Fai/Chii love out there, but I tried to make it a potential couple in this one. I think their relationship is more of a master/servant or big brother/little sister or just friends. But someone asked for some Fai/Chii back when I first started this fic, and I wanted to oblige their request. I mean, they do look cute, but not in a lovers sort of way.
WhiteDenkou: Thanks so much! Hugs and cookies for you!
sevn.dust: A S/S lover! Aren't they just the cutest thing? (squeesh!) And thanks for the support! I'll do my best as a writer to make this a good fic!
peofun1: (hands her a tissue) Oh come on, please don't cry! (gets really nervous when people cry) The new chapter is up! And thank you for the wonderful compliments, I really appreciate them! Three cheers for Google!
Violet: Thank you! I hope that I won't disappoint you.
Darkangel36: OMG, hugs for you! And well, the smell was blood, and the voice…it's a secret…for now.
Cerulean Soul: I know! And the next chapter is already written, but I'll update that later! (tears) I really need to pace myself better…
Kai Angel: Uh…no, it's not. But you'll find out!
The Jenx: Uhm…the bandages thing…(it's a spoiler and yet it's not). But anyways, you're welcome! My sadistic side is getting her fix too. I dunno. Maybe I'll write more angst stuff. Or…dare I say it? Could I manage to whip up a sequel? Ooh! Curse you for making me think so much!
Evvy: Chii's too cute to die, dangit! (cuddles Chii and then thrusts her into Hideki's arms) Now stay there with the man you belong with!
Emmy-miester: Thank you! And Chii is still the only person we know who knows stuff about Fai in the manga, next to Ashura of course. And nice theory stab! Stabbing is nice. Well, just don't go stabbing PEOPLE.
R.S.Azalea: You're welcome!
Primeval Eidolon Scar: There, there…it'll all be over soon.
Phiso: Whoa…bloody long review! Let's see…well, with the boggart thing, it now makes your greatest fear become reality. In the previous chapter, the boggart was just kinda filtering around in Kurogane's head to see what his fear was. And thank you so much for being so patient with me. Writer's block is the worst. As for the KuroFai, ambiguity is fun from time to time. It makes people wiggle.
Aisu Dragoness: It's kind of funny to see people flail over "the voice." And don'tcha just love it when the hard-ass character gets all soft and gushy and emotional? I was a puddle of goo during chapter 124.
Soko: I wonder how much I'd have to write to get you to fall off the edge of your seat. (giggle) Thank you very much for your reviews!
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Syaoran blinked. Where had that voice come from?
"Do not be afraid," came the voice again. He turned. The voice seemed to be coming from…Fai.
The mage's skin had taken on a slight glow, casting a soft, ethereal light over the gathered group. Then, a pale white mist began to gather, culminating together to take on a somewhat human form. The entity became more solid looking, shapely, until the ghostly image of a young woman outfitted in flowing robes and battle armor floated before them.
"Y-Y-You…" Syaoran gawked, "You're the woman I saw at Kakei-sensei's house!"
"Yes," she said graciously, bowing her head shortly. "My name is Suu. I am the Celesian Goddess of War and patroness to my host, Fai D. Flowright."
The young man blinked, his eyes widening and he felt himself both gawk in awe and shrink back in fear. A goddess?
Kurogane scowled. "What do you mean, he's your host?"
"It's complicated," she said, "But simply put, there are many gods in Celes. And each one can only manifest themselves in the physical realm by finding a host human body, and after he or she passes on, their patron god finds a new host to use as their vessel." She smiled. "But enough of that for now; I'll explain more to you later. We must go."
"First, tell us what the hell is wrong with him!" demanded Kurogane, pointing to the still bleeding blonde.
His rant was interrupted by a sudden gust of wind. Immediately, Syaoran stood closer to Sakura, holding her close to protect her from the elements. Next to them, Chii whimpered in fright, her petite hands clinging to the fabric of Fai's clothes. Then, a small vortex began to form in the space in front of them, getting larger and larger. Slowly, a pale hand reached out from the world beyond, clad in long white sleeves.
"Get back," Suu ordered coldly, her eyes fixated at the swirling point, and they obeyed. Gently, Kurogane eased Fai into Chii's embrace, and stood with one hand on Souhi. In turn, Syaoran stood with his hand resting on Hien's handle, feeling the heat of the sword seep into his rapidly sweating palm. Sakura slid out of his arms and slunk behind him, a worried Mokona in her arms.
"He's coming," Kurogane said and Syaoran nodded in understanding.
Brown eyes narrowed as the figure stepped out from the vortex and the gust of wind ceased. Long hair black as a raven's wing slithered over broad shoulders dressed in a thick white cloak. Odd sapphire blue jewels graced his forehead like a crown, contrasting the dark golden eyes that rose to meet them, scanning over the little group as if studying them.
"Ashura," Kurogane spat. Syaoran shivered. He didn't like the feeling he was getting from this man. And it was evident that Kurogane-san didn't trust the man at all. Also, this…Ashura was wearing white, something that didn't quite put Syaoran at ease. The pure color seemed to try and hide something much darker and fiercer.
"Ah, you know of me," he said regally. "Wonderful to know that my reputation precedes me, even in other worlds."
The ninja frowned. "Just shut up."
"Anyway, since we can skip the formalities, let's get down to business. I have come for the wizard," Ashura said, brushing off Kurogane's hostility. "He is of no use to you, and he and I have issues to settle with one another. Please stand aside."
"Forget it!"
"He is but a mere stranger," he said smoothly, "What does his life matter to you? I just might be doing a favor by taking him off your hands."
They didn't answer, but stood between the wounded mage and his king. Ashura sighed a little.
"Come now, just hand him over. You did see his boggart, didn't you?"
"What the hell does that have to do with anything?" demanded Kurogane.
"But you did see it," he confirmed, looking at Syaoran. "The beast that shows you your greatest fear."
"How did you know about that?" asked Sakura.
"That boggart was you, you bastard," Kurogane interrupted. "And why does that matter? We're not giving him to you."
"On the contrary," Ashura purred, "It is you who has the wrong idea. And I know everything there is to know about him and everything that has happened to him, even though we may be worlds apart. Did you know that this man that you are trying so valiantly to protect is a harbinger of death? With his existence comes destruction. What better reason than to fear himself? What he suffers from is no disease, but from his own magic. Even ask his goddess, who knows everything there is to know about him, even more so than I."
"Wait," said the princess, confused. "You're saying that his magic is the cause of his suffering, not because of consumption?"
"Precisely."
Syaoran's mind raced back to the first day they had come to the land of Juillet, when he had first faced the monster in the cave. Memories flashed in a whirlwind of color and sound. His eyes widened at the truth in Ashura's words. The boggart's eyes had been blue. His gaze whipped up to face Ashura. The man's eyes were a hard, burnished gold.
"It's true." He frowned in concern and confusion. "The form of Fai-san's greatest fear had blue eyes."
The man's smile widened with a sinister upturn of his mouth. Sakura whimpered and clung to Syaoran's arm.
"You see? He fears himself above all else because of the death and destruction he brings, and I am the only one who can free him from his torturous existence. So…give him to me."
"No!" shouted Sakura, placing herself between the two men. "He's staying with us!"
Ashura snarled, his voice changing with an eerie ring. "Get out of the way girl. His life is mine." He made a move to force her out of his way, but Syaoran knocked the blow aside, guiding the princess away. Suu came up to stand beside them.
"Fuuma!" the goddess shouted, "Cease this pointless conflict immediately! This battle will be waged between Celesians alone! You will not involve others; you know that it is against the law to do so!"
"I know very well the rules of our forebears," Ashura replied, his voice no longer his own as his patron's voice met their ears. "You would do well to remember that as well, seeing as how you try to manipulate others to try and extend your host's given lifespan. It's so unlike you to become so attached to a mere human, Suu. He will die; you know that. Your interference is only prolonging his suffering, although that it doesn't go to say that I don't enjoy watching him do so."
He smiled maliciously, looking down at Fai, who was still cradled in Chii's arms.
"He's wasting away, Suu. Better find a new host."
"Hold your tongue," she spat venomously.
"You do realize that it is because of you that he's this way." Ashura looked positively wicked, a feral smile stretching across his lips. "He's practically decomposing from the inside. You must relish the fact that he's outstripped your other hosts by far in terms of magical strength, but this…this was not something I expected from the generous and oh so wise Goddess of War…"
"SILENCE!"
A blast of power whipped out at him from her fingertips, a sharp crack splitting the air and sending Ashura flying through the air. He crashed to the ground, Suu trembling with rage.
"Keep your own counsel, you heartless coward," she seethed, slowly calming as he stood back up. "I will not take advice from someone who lives to see people suffer. At the very least you could take the courage to show your face." The goddess frowned. "You disgust me, hiding behind your host."
"Now, now…" Ashura's voice echoed eerily, as he too took on a mysterious glow, revealing a tall, dark-haired man dressed in lavishly elaborate robes and armor. Although he towered over the young woman, she matched him in aggression point for point.
"…Let's not be irrational, Suu."
Syaoran clenched Hien tighter. The sheer magnitude of the power clashing between the two deities was an awesome sight to behold. But it was also the most frightening thing he had ever witnessed. This was not a squabble between mortals, but a war between two gods of another world. The destruction that these two could cause could devastate the entire country.
"Syaoran-kun?"
Beside them, Fai slowly opened his eyes, his focus bleary as he tried to sit up. "What's going on?"
"Lovely to see you again, Fai." Fai's face lost all trace of color upon recognizing the chilling voice. Ashura-ou and Fuuma smiled wickedly at the slight man. "How nice of you to join us."
There was a flash of light and Fai cried out, tumbling head over heels across the face of the rock from the blow. With a cry of alarm, Suu raced after him, catching him before he careened over the edge. Chii ran after her master, helping him sit up.
"What are you doing here?" he breathlessly asked the king. "Why have you come here?"
"For you, of course. You have a duty to fulfill."
"But why would you need me?" Fai questioned, his happy mask slipping into its customary spot on his face. "You're the host of the God of War. Go destroy worlds yourself. If you would be so kind, just leave me in peace."
"But your accumulated power is so much more effective than the everyday mindless pillaging and warring clans. And why must you always be such a lone figure, Fai? Are you afraid that you'll murder your comrades in the event of your death?" he asked. "They already know the truth, so at least they won't die ignorant."
What little color there was in Fai's face drained away as he looked at his traveling companions. His lips moved, but no words came.
"The time is ripe," Ashura said with a malicious chuckle. "Your destiny is finally coming to fruition."
Syaoran felt his heart plummet through his feet when he saw Ashura raise his hand, his palm glowing icy blue. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Fai panic.
"NO! DON'T DO IT!"
A lance of fear stabbed Syaoran's heart. He couldn't move, couldn't speak. All of his senses were screaming, demanding that he stand and defend himself and the girl he held dear, but the pressure from the deity's power grated at his nerves. All he could do at the moment was hold his princess to him and attempt to shield her from him.
"Bring this entire world to ruin," Ashura purred, "Despair, and watch them die."
All sound was drowned out as a chilling blue-white light burst from the man's hand and rushed towards them. Sakura squeezed his arm and he instinctively curled around her.
Protect her. Protect the princess. Protect Sakura.
In a single motion, he whipped Hien from its scabbard, a blast of flame soaring from the blade. It didn't matter if it was a pointless effort. It didn't matter that he was fighting a god, and that retaliation was futile. He had to protect his precious person at all costs.
Syaoran had a difficult time trying to explain what took place shortly after. All sounds had jumbled together in a meaningless garbled jumble, and the flashing images coupled with the blinding pain shooting through his blind eye scrambled his senses. But there was a rush of wind and then…
Black.
Kurogane crashed to the ground with a sickening crunch, blood spattering on the ground as he fell. Staring on in horror, Syaoran felt all power of speech and movement drain from his body. Beside him, Sakura was frozen in terror, unable to speak, her green eyes wide. The older man's eyes were closed. He wasn't moving…
"KUROGANE!"
The scream that tore from Fai's throat sounded like that of a wounded animal, as he rushed over to them, his goddess following.
"KUROGANE! KUROGANE!"
Syaoran's head cleared, his trance broken, fear starting to take over. He had drawn his sword to defend his princess, and Kurogane had stepped in the path of his blow in order to take the attack Ashura had intended for them. He had…he had just…
"KUROGANE-SAN!"
"KUROGANE!"
Immediately, Fai lifted the other man up, despite his own wounds, shaking him desperately, the children joining him at his side. "Kurogane! Wake up! Wake up! Please! Open your eyes, please, Kurogane!"
"Fai, you petty fool," Ashura scowled, "You see the suffering that you bring? It's because of you that they suffer. But it goes without saying that his was a fitting end."
"Just…just shut up."
Syaoran felt his heart lift at the familiar voice. Gingerly, Kurogane opened his eyes, sitting up and easing himself out of Fai's arms, looking very much alive, awake and pissed. The boy smiled, chuckling internally a little. Same old Kurogane-san.
The dark-haired man huffed, wincing as he wiped the blood from his face and clutching at the wound in his chest, glaring hotly at Ashura. "That was a dirty shot, you know…aiming for the kids like that, you bastard." Crimson eyes turned to stare down at the young boy. "And you. Watch where you're aiming next time. You almost killed me from behind."
"Kurogane…" Fai whispered, as if disbelieving that the man was still alive, before burying his face in his hands and bursting into tears. "Kurogane, you're okay!"
"Oh, now you start calling me by my actual name, you idiot!" Kurogane snarled, totally forgetting Ashura for a moment, as the veins in his forehead twitched madly, "And stop crying, dammit! I'm not dead!" All words were effectively silenced momentarily as the blonde latched his arms around his neck, clinging to him as tightly as his injured body would allow.
"I'm sorry! I just…I just…I was so worried! Am I an idiot for caring about you?" His shoulders shook with tears as he sobbed into the ninja's shoulder.
Kurogane opened and closed his mouth, as if he was going to say something, but thought better of it, looking extremely uncomfortable with the other man crying in his arms. "Just…stop crying, okay? I'm fine."
"But you were hurt!" exclaimed Sakura. "You're sure you're feeling all right?" Mokona bounded out of her arms to the ninja's side.
"Kuro-rin got hit!" he chimed, half-concerned and half-excited, "Kuro-rin must be made of steel if he's feeling okeedokee already!"
A flicker of blue caught Syaoran's eye as the princess and the white creature fussed over the older man. Kurogane grimaced, but paused, seeing the same tiny blue lights as they all looked on in fascination. Looking past the bloodstained fabric, they could see the ninja's wounds, wet with Fai's tears, coming together, the skin sewing itself back to its original state as small blue sparkles danced over the surface of Kurogane's skin. Within moments, it looked as if nothing had happened.
"Fai-san…" Syaoran whispered, awestruck by what he had witnessed.
Ashura sneered, unimpressed by the exchange.
"Touching," he grimaced, raising one hand. "It's enough to make a man cry."
Without warning, a bright roaring missile shot for them, and Syaoran drew Hien from its scabbard, ready to defend the others once more.
However, there was a deafening sound of an explosion, as the object shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces, disappearing in midair. There was a shimmer of blue in front of his face, and Syaoran's eyes widened as he reached out to touch the transparent azure surface. It chimed as his fingers brushed against it, sending little tingles up his arm.
Magic.
As the shockwave and the ringing in his ears passed, Syaoran's ears picked up another sound. Almost like a soft, thrumming whistle. Slowly, it faded away with the blowing wind.
"Enough," Fai hissed, standing up. "You came here to fight me, and you will. But you will leave everyone else out of this. You will fight me, as you wished."
Above him, the Goddess of War began to change, her body transforming. Slender limbs grew larger, lighter and her clothes melted away into nothingness. Her green eyes narrowed and her fingers elongated into feathers, her arms now a pair of powerful wings. Within moments, a majestic white bird hovered over Fai in Suu's place.
"The Holy Phoenix," Ashura said with a mocking smile. "This is a first…in many, many years. You're sure you wish to fight me? Even in your condition?"
"I will protect them!" Fai snapped back, blue eyes clashing with gold. "Even if it means hurting you, I'll die before I let you touch them!"
"And why would you do such a thing? Risk all that you have for mere strangers?"
"Because they are all that I have," replied the mage, his voice resolute. "I have grown to love them, although I fought to keep them from getting involved with me." His eyes bored into Ashura's skull. "With you. With us."
"Very well then."
Fuuma smirked, his own essence dissolving and shifting. Then, mirroring Suu's own actions, he soon transfigured his body into that of a lithe, twisting black dragon, his jaws snapping viciously.
"Let us begin," he said. No sooner than his words had left his lips, Fuuma rushed towards them, fangs glistening in the moonlight.
Fai opened his mouth, and a clear note sang through the air, a protective circle enveloping them all, Suu's avian sigil glowing upon its surface. Syaoran gazed on in fascination. He wasn't actually singing; it was a phoenix's song, awesome and unearthly as it filled the skies with a haunting echo.
With an angry trill, Suu soared into the air, attacking the dragon with deadly ferocity. Snarling, Fuuma darted around and rammed into her side, sending her tumbling through the air before a bright white light shot from his mouth to strike her in the chest. After a moment, Suu shook herself to her senses, and began attacking again.
"This is child's play," Ashura mocked. "Is this all that the Goddess of War has to offer to me now?"
Anger flashed across Fai's face at the open insult to his patron god, and Syaoran shrank back in fear. His hands shining, Fai began to manipulate a growing, writhing coil of white energy that emerged from his fingers and then took hold of it. The malleable substance stiffened and snapped into place, forming a deadly looking white spear.
"Prepare yourself, Your Majesty," he said, "As you said, it's been a long time since the two of us have fought, and I'm not confused anymore as to where my loyalties lie. I have people to live for now, and I will not let you emerge from this battle victorious."
Ashura said nothing, but frowned at the determination and sincerity in Fai's voice. Unflinchingly, he launched another barrage of energy at him.
"Fai-san, watch out!" Syaoran cried. He was about to run up to help him, but Kurogane held him back.
"This is his fight, kid," he said. "We can't interfere. Not yet."
With amazingly fluid grace, the mage danced around the glowing missiles, striking them back with the white rod in his hands with astounding accuracy. One of them hit home and struck Ashura in the forehead, and the onslaught stopped. The man remained still, didn't stagger under the blow he'd just received.
Fai stood his ground, the winds of their clashing magic slowly calming for a brief moment. Tenderly, Ashura touched one of the broken jewels, his face twisting into a snarl as some of the shattered chips fell into his hand.
Faster than Syaoran's eyes could follow, Ashura was suddenly standing in front of Fai, holding him two feet above the ground with one hand clamped around the blonde's neck. The wizard gasped, trying to pry the stone grip apart.
"You've angered me," he said, his voice grating. "That wasn't a wise idea. You remember what happened the last time you crossed me."
Blue eyes widened, roiling with mixed emotions. Fear, anger, guilt, and betrayal. With an angry scream, his magic roared to life once again, creating a maelstrom of light and wind.
"FAI-SAN!"
Syaoran was on his feet in an instant, Kurogane two seconds behind, his gaze trained on Ashura. With an angry shout, he let the flames of his sword come to life, guiding them towards the man who held his friend captive. Caught off guard, Ashura stumbled, dropping Fai, who knelt on the ground, gasping for air.
"Their deaths will not be in vain!" Fai shouted, despite his sporadic coughing, his hands fisting in anger. "The sacrifices that they made will not be wasted! I will never forgive you for what you have done!" The earth around him cracked and began to split. "Never again will you bring such destruction upon any more innocent people!" Shakily, Fai stood up, Suu floating above him.
"My friends…I won't let you touch them!"
The shield in front of them shone, growing greater in size and glowing brighter as it did so. With a violent shudder, the mage dropped to one knee, coughing up mouthfuls of blood, still holding the shield in place.
"Fai-san!" Syaoran cried, running to his side.
Blue eyes met his in calm reassurance, even as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "Don't worry…this won't kill me, yet."
"Fai!"
Chii rushed up to skid to a halt next to them, worry and fear written all over her face. Fai gazed at her sadly, taking a hold of her arm.
"I'm sorry, Chii," he said, "But I can't let you stay here."
"But why?" she asked, confused. Tears ran from her amber eyes and Fai reached out to pull her into a hug.
"You cannot die," he said, "Not here. Not now." Lifting her head up so that their eyes met, his voice dropped to a whisper. "Promise me that you'll live on. Promise me that. And that you'll pass on my story, do you hear?"
She nodded, sniffling as she wiped the moisture from her gentle face. "You will not be forgotten. Your name will be remembered." Leaning forward, Chii lightly kissed him on the cheek. "I promise."
Fai gently cupped her face, and drew a small glowing mark on her forehead. He whispered a few foreign words under his breath, Suu's sigil appearing before him. The ground beneath the girl's feet turned dark and opened up.
"Goodbye," she said, her ears flat against her head.
"Farewell." And with that, Chii sank into the earth, vanishing without a trace. Fai's knees buckled as he slumped to the ground, coughing violently. Syaoran knelt next to him, helping him sit up. Half-hidden beneath the man's long clothes, several of Fai's wounds bled faster, staining the bandages a deep red.
The boy was about to speak when the ground shook beneath their feet, the very mountain they stood on groaning like a living creature.
"What was that?" Ashura demanded. Sakura's face went white when a familiar screeching howl from the nearby mountains met their ears.
"Syaoran!" cried Mokona, his blue eyes wide. "Syaoran! It's the boggart! The boggart is here!"
The group watched as one entire side of the mountain crumbled to dust, the black creature stepping out from its den beneath the earth. Down below them, in the streets of the town, they could see the villagers gathering outside to see what all the commotion was about. Upon seeing the boggart, now several hundred times its original size, they raced back into the safety of their homes nestled in the rock.
"It's heading this way!" cried Syaoran. "And it still has the feather! It'll destroy the whole town!"
"Hurry!" Fai said, pushing them back towards the stairs. "Go! Go now!"
Kurogane picked Sakura up with one arm and started to head down to the village. "You heard the wizard! Let's go!"
Ashura scoffed. "Showing me my worst fear won't stop me. It'll take more than that to keep me from killing you and seeing you destroy everything you hold dear."
"NO!" Syaoran exclaimed, pulling Fai with them as they ran. No one was going to be left behind! "It can now make your greatest fear come true! It will destroy everything!"
Fai's face went white as he came to a halt. Behind his wide blue eyes, Syaoran could see hundreds of thoughts running through his head when something clicked.
The mage turned around, looking back up the way they had just come. "I have to go."
"FAI-SAN!" yelled Syaoran, as Fai ran back up the stairs. "Wait!" he called, running after him. With a curse, Kurogane followed. At the top of the staircase, Ashura was there to meet them.
"Finally accepted your fate, have you?" he asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes!" Magic shot from his fingertips as he charged on upward, catching Ashura off guard. The monarch gasped as the blow caught him in the ribs and knocked the wind from his lungs. He staggered as the group ran past him. Fai stopped at the edge of the cliff, the others at his side as they watched the boggart approach ever closer.
"We've got to stop it before it reaches the village!" cried Mokona. "What are we going to do?"
"I know," Fai answered, "And I'm going to put an end to all of this."
Syaoran's blood chilled, and he looked up at him. "Do you…do you mean to use your magic?"
He nodded.
"You can't!" the young man shouted, "You'll only make your wounds worse if you do! At this rate, you'll die!"
Familiar blue eyes met his, filled with that deep, gentle sadness that no words could convey. "There's no other way. I have to."
"No, you don't!" Sakura wept, tugging on Fai's sleeve. "Don't do it! Please! We'll find another way!"
Blue eyes creased in sadness. "Sakura-chan…"
"Don't leave!" she begged. "You don't have to fight anymore! Stay with us! Remember? We're all that we have! And you made a promise to show Syaoran-kun and I what snowmen are! Don't go!"
"I have to," he replied, a small, pained smile on his face. "So forgive me for this."
He pressed a fingertip to her forehead before she could protest. Immediately, the princess's eyes closed and she collapsed into Syaoran's arms.
"What did you do?" he asked, panic creeping into his voice.
Fai lowered his head. "I…I put her under a sleeping spell. This is something I do not wish for her to see. I've hurt her enough as it is." He turned to meet the boy's gaze. "Tell her that I'm sorry. I had hoped things would not end this way."
"What will you do, Fai?" asked Mokona. Picking the small creature up, Fai pet his head fondly as he looked off into the distance, where they could see the boggart lumbering through the forest, slowly making his way towards them.
"I will…" His voice faltered, but strengthened with resolve. "I will use the last of my power to get Sakura-chan's feather back, and destroy that monster."
"NO!" Kurogane shouted, grabbing the blonde's arm. "You mean to die saving us! I won't let you! There has to be another way! There has to!"
"Fai," interrupted Suu, floating up next to her host. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"
"I am." The goddess of war gazed at him sadly, before sinking herself back into his body. Syaoran felt his entire body tremble and his heart clench.
"Fai-san…"
Fai's eyes swam with tears as he beheld them all. They had become a large part of each other's lives these past several months, as closely knit as a family.
"Please, allow me this one chance," Fai pleaded, "When I die, my magic will be without a container, and it will obliterate everything in its wake. At least let me do it to save you." Several tears flitted down his face. "I don't want to hurt anyone anymore…"
"You won't," the ninja said, his voice almost gentle, "We won't let you. You won't hurt anyone anymore. No one will."
"If it were only so simple…"
"And why – "
Kurogane was cut off as Fai stood up on his toes and planted a chaste kiss on his lips. He immediately fell silent. Slowly, the wizard pulled away, his eyes overflowing with tears as he backed up, his body beginning to glow softly. He looked sadly at his shining skin.
"You see? My end approaches. Take care, all of you. And I pray that you will find Sakura-chan's feathers and get home soon," Fai said, the tears coming faster as he looked into Syaoran's eyes. "I pray that you will all get home, and safely."
The boy felt his heart ache, as Fai turned his gaze to Kurogane.
"…to Japan, and your princess."
Then, Fai's body began to glow brighter, and he began to float upward. Syaoran bit back a shout: it was just like the dream he had had so long ago, the same feeling of helplessness raging through him as Sakura was pulled away from him.
"Fai-san!" he shouted, unable to run after the older man as Sakura's added body weight held him down.
The wizard's eyes held his for a long moment. And then, he smiled. A gentle, caring smile that made his heart warm.
"Protect her. Live on, and find happiness."
"Fai!" wailed Mokona, trying to bounce after him. "Come back, Fai!"
He was so far now, a pair of glowing translucent wings appearing on his back. It made it appear as if he had become the white phoenix herself as he flew towards the boggart that was rampaging in the valley, coming closer and closer to the village. Even from such a far distance, Syaoran thought he could feel Fai smile as he closed his eyes one last time. The boggart roared, noticing the man approaching him, and snapped the wizard up in his jaws in one bite like a cracker, swallowing him whole.
Syaoran's heart shattered. "FAI-SAN!"
"FAII!" wailed Mokona, fat tears rolling down its face. "FAII!"
"NO!" Kurogane shouted, grabbing Souhi, "DAMMIT, NO!"
But then, the boggart's body began to glow from within, starting at a single point in his chest. The light grew brighter and brighter and the monster roared in pain as the brilliance began to consume him. His insides bulged as if he were inflating, as rays of light shone clear through his skin.
With a brilliant flash of light, the spike of power erupted, lighting up the night sky as bright as noon. In the thunderous echo of the explosion, Syaoran couldn't even hear himself scream the man's name, his heart tearing. And yet, he heard a soft whisper fade away as darkness once again took over.
"Goodbye…"
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Author's Notes: Please don't hurt me. And don't forget to tell me if you want it to end with this fic or if you'd like a sequel!