Sakura gasped, causing both Syaoran and Tomoyo to come over. "Wh-what?" It was about this time that Yue and Keroberos appeared at the door. Kero had transformed into his smaller form, but Yue stayed in his true form. It seemed Yukito appeared less and less, but the last time Sakura had spoke with him, he said he did not mind.
Sakura's attention was turned back to the phone. "What did you say, Eriol?"
"Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun. They are acting strange. Irritable, more so than usual. It's odd."
"I see..." Sakura said.
"Sakura. I don't need to remind you what happens if the Star Cards end up released, or in the wrong hands. Apparently someone is indeed alive who can manipulate my magic, and yours. You need to find him and stop him. Before-"
"Before what?" the young woman asked, but she was met with a broken line. "Eriol? Eriol!" When there was no answer, she slowly hung up the phone, before turning to Syaoran. "I think something's happened to Eriol. But I know that whatever is happening here, in Hong Kong, is happening at Eriol's place in England."
"This man must be very powerful."
It was then that Sakura took notice of Kero for the first time since the Guardians had come. "Kero-chan? Why are you in that form?"
Kero flew over and rested on Sakura's shoulder, sighing. "To tell you the truth, I'm finding it difficult to stay in that form all the time. I think it has something to do with the Cards.. Before you had captured them all, I could not access my true form. I could not stay in it permanently or switch back and forth willingly until after all the Clow Cards had been transformed. Now that they're being stolen.. it's like my magic is being stolen too!"
There was a bit of silence, and then Kero rolled over on his back, swinging his arms and legs in the air. "Aw man this is such a pain I want to be back in my body!" Sakura turned to look at Yue.
"Yue.. you too?" Her only answer was a soft nod.
"But I can keep my form easier than Keroberos."
Sakura looked down. "I need to find this man, and find out why he's doing this!" However, it did not appear that she would have accomplished anything, for almost as soon as she said that, she swayed. This time, Tomoyo braced her. "Thanks, Tomoyo," Sakura said.
"You need more rest, Sakura," Syaoran said as he helped Tomoyo lead her to the bed. Sakura gave no objections as she climbed in, Kero flying in to lay beside her head.
The red-haired man sat at a table, his head resting on his folded hands. His long, dark hair was, as usual, pulled into a loose ponytail, and draped over his shoulder. Beside him lay the Nova Book, as well as the Staff of the Moon. The silver crescent blade that held the black, upside down star seemed as menacing as its master. The man stared into a bowl filled with clear water, and he smiled as he saw the image of Sakura fall asleep.
"Yes, my friend. The one person who probably could have helped you is no longer reachable. I hope you do not mind."
He waved a hand over the bowl, and the image changed. The Book of the Star came into view. Grinning, the man pointed to the clasp, which suddenly opened, and the book revealed the remaining Star Cards. With a laugh, he said, "This is too easy!" He slowly lowered his hand into the bowl, as if reaching for the cards. He almost reached the top card, The Firey, when the spell was interrupted.
Suddenly, the Firey seemed to be released, and the nymph swirled around his hand, burning him, and forcing him to pull back with a cry. Then, it sank back into the bowl and the book, and Yue's face appeared, his cold eyes glaring at him before the image went blank.
"M-Master Darian?" came a voice behind him
"What is it?" Darian demanded, turning around and holding his burnt hand.
The servant shrank back. "I-I apologize for disturbing you.. but.." The woman seemed more afraid of the silhouette behind her than of her master. Darian narrowed his eyes, but then he grinned.
"Welcome to my mansion, O Great Master," he said, with a lavish bow and mocking words.
The person behind the woman gently pushed her to the side, stepping in front of her. He was incredibly tall, with short hair and round glasses. The look on his face would have made normal people, such as the woman behind him, cower in fear. Eriol stepped forward again, his staff appearing instantaneously.
"I am quite surprised you could find me, especially in that amount of time since the phone line was disconnected, but they did not call you the most powerful magician for a reason," Darian said with a shrug as he picked up his own staff.
"Crossing dimensions is easy enough," Eriol said in a low tone.
Darian laughed. "So it is. But you cannot kill me; you are no longer the most powerful sorcerer, remember? That darling girl took half your magic away, so now you are as useless as that brat with the sword!"
It was Eriol's turn to laugh. "Useless? Me? Syaoran either. Do not underestimate any of us, Darian Li."
Darian sneered at that. "You've done your homework. But Li is not my name; perhaps one day, or perhaps I should instead take the name Reed! I am Darian Hale, until that day comes."
"But that day won't come," Eriol threatened, and the circle appeared beneath him as he prepared. At the same moment, a black circle appeared beneath Darian, a warped and twisted version of Eriol's. Then, two more figures appeared behind Eriol; a woman with wings, and a large winged beast.
Darian smirked. "It will come sooner than you think, Reed."
AN: Alright, chapter four done! I hope you're enjoying it so far! I know I am!