Hikari clan strikes back
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN KRAD ATTACKED YOU?!" roared the head of the Hikari clan.
"Syaoran has deserted us for the enemy. He transformed into Krad and went on a rampage. We have reason to believe that he was the one who killed the two sent to take the girl."
"How the hell could he turn on us?! We are his blood and he can't escape his fate. He is doomed to fight the Niwa clan until he dies."
"About that…" started the Hikari.
"What happened now?!" growled the leader.
"Several survivors claim that Krad turned into the legendary Silver Guardian. We haven't found any proof of this, however."
"It's impossible for a Hikari to transform into the Lunar Guardian; only a Niwa can!"
"Like I said, we haven't found any proof of this, but they are sticking to their story…"
"There is a way to see if this preposterous claim is true…but we'll need the majority clan to do it," said the leader.
"Sir, you're not thinking of…"
"Yes, it's our only option. With Syaoran turning traitor and siding with the enemy, we must kill him. Gather all of the Hikari who can perform magic or turn into the Guardian. We move out at dawn."
"I have a bad feeling…something or someone is coming," said Yue.
"Yue, I've been meaning to ask, but why haven't you and Syaoran switched places yet?" asked Rune.
"He is waiting for your father to see this…"
"Might as well turn back now, I can see him from the house. Your wings shine too much when hit by direct sunlight," griped their father.
"Gomen…I'll turn back now."
Syaoran appeared out of the silver wings and Yue was back in his subconscious. He turned toward Rune and said, "We need to do a joint reading, soon."
"Why? Is something wrong?"
"I've got a bad feeling. I think the Hikari clan is plotting something."
"Father?"
"Go. If Syaoran says the Hikari clan is up to something, I believe him."
Rune and Syaoran headed straight for the circle. Fate appeared before they started the chant.
"Syaoran, if you want to have an accurate reading, turn into the Silver Guardian. His magic will cleanse the circle of any previous readings."
"Very well…"
Yue once again reappeared. He had only one question to ask Fate.
"Is tonight the full moon?"
"It will rise shortly. I am well aware that your powers are stronger under the moonlight. Wait 5 minutes before you start," said Fate.
With the window letting the moonlight hit the circle, they began the ritual. Yue lead the chant, for they didn't need cryptic warnings.
Oh moonlight and sky, show us the light and give us your sight! Kai!
Yue and Rune were literally teleported to the Hikari temple. They could hear every word said and quickly became alarmed. The Hikari clan were gathering for an all-out attack on the Niwa clan! But Yue waited a while longer; he had to find out something.
"I can't believe that fool Syaoran joined the Niwa clan!" exclaimed one of the clan.
"I still can't understand why he killed his own kin!" said another.
"Hey, have you heard the news? They say that we should kill the witch and Syaoran in one strike before the attack!" cried someone.
"NANI?! First they send people to capture her and now they want her dead? Will they make up their minds already?!" griped the fighters.
"I heard that Syaoran can no longer transform into Krad…"
"The rumor is that he's become the ancient Silver Guardian of legend," said another.
"Yeah right! Next you'll be hearing about the women turning into Guardians to join us in battle!" retorted the speaker.
"Shush! The leader is about to speak!"
"My fellow Hikari clan, we are preparing to strike the final blow on the fools who dare oppose us, the Niwa clan! Our best assassins will sneak in and take out the heart of them, the retched Fortune-telling witch! She is the same wench who murdered Rath, our strongest Guardian! We march toward the enemy at dawn; leave no Niwa alive, and that includes the traitor Syaoran!"
The roar was deafening. Five men walked up and received their weapons from the leader. Then they flew into the night sky, heading for their victims…
Yue had seen enough. They had to tell Dark and the others immediately! He silently broke the circle and they were back in the Niwa mansion.
"I can't believe that they're sending five men to kill me! What do we do Syaoran?!" exclaimed Rune.
"First we need to warn the others. Then we'll work out a battle plan!"
"WHAT! The Hikari clan is coming here?! We need to gather the others!" growled their father.
"Hold on a minute. We don't need the entire clan to defend, only the ones who are adept at magic. And we definitely need to take care of the 5 assassins that are coming here shortly…"
"Agreed; Rune, we need you and Syaoran to find a safe place to hide."
"I agree to with you on the getting away from the mansion part, but we won't be able to hide without causing a stir!" said Syaoran.
"What makes you say that?" asked Dark.
"I know the five men coming here; they're the most experienced hunters in the clan. If we try to hide, they'll find us before the main force arrives!"
"What do you recommend we do then?" asked the Niwa leader.
"We need to find a place with an absolute defense, where we can attack without fear of return fire."
"I think I know of a place that they won't suspect…but Rune won't like it."
"YOU BETTER NOT BE TALKING ABOUT THERE!!" roared Rune, with a strange look on her face.
"Fine, but will you at least hide there as a last resort?"
"Only if we have no other choice…" growled Rune.
"Where should we go, Dark?" asked Syaoran.
"Rune, Syaoran, go get your things and follow me. We're going to a hard to reach spot…"
An hour later, Syaoran was preparing the defenses. Rune was madder than hell at Dark's spot. Dark had taken them to the weirdest and easiest to defend location. They were surrounded by two rivers on either side, plenty of tree cover with more than enough room to aim, and it had a natural defense against magical attack from any air, ground and water assault. In short, perfect for their plan. The reason Rune hated it was because it was the same place she was betrayed by Rath…
"Have you got the circle ready?" asked Syaoran.
"Of course; it's surrounding the entire island, even the river, until it reaches the other shore."
"You two ready? 'Cause I think I can see them now…" said Dark.
"How many?" asked Syaoran.
"Three of them…where are the other two?"
"Rune, are you sure the circle extends to the other shore?"
"Yes, on both sides…why?"
"Because they're going to attack from both front and back."
"Three where we can see them easy, two to attack from behind…clever, but not smart enough."
"Rune activate the Barrier card in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…NOW!" shouted Syaoran.
"I call upon the barrier created by the rising moon; protect us from the coward's tricks! KAI!"
The Barrier card took effect faster than they expected. A split second after it surrounded the island, they heard an audible…BOOM!!!
"How did you…?" asked Dark.
"How did I know they would attack at that precise time? I know their tactics well; they attack exactly one minute after we spot them."
"So what happens next?" asked Rune.
She never heard his reply, as the water not protected by the circle hit the barrier with tremendous force!