Keroberos' eyes widened. "It's confused! Quickly, Sakura! You are its true Master!"

"I know, but..." Sakura began to falter. The Windy chose him... I was its true Master, and I failed to bring her back! That moment of weakness sealed the fate; the card began to materialize above Darian's staff once more, and the Firey was captured.

"Ah, two Elementals. Not bad for the day," Darian said as Sakura fell to her knees. The Watery returned to its Card form and fell to Sakura. "It won't be long.. Soon I will have them all."

The two new Nova Cards slipped into the Book Darian carried with him. He then summoned the Jump card, and the black wings appeared on the heels of his shoes. Saluting them once more, he flipped backwards out of the window and disappeared. Syaoran ran to the window, clenching his teeth as he watched Darian jump away with ease. He slammed his fist onto the window sill, before turning to Sakura.

"What happened? You let him get away! With Windy, and Firey no less!" he demanded, but Sakura only sat there. She looked up at him, her eyes half open and her eyebrows forming an upside down 'v' above them. Syaoran immediately stopped, realizing what he had said. "Sakura, I-"

Sakura looked away, and Keroberos came to her side, transforming back into his false form. Yue stood there, staring out the window, as if the scene in front of him were not actually happening. Kero placed a paw on Sakura's shoulder. "It's alright, Sakura. Something will work out, I'm sure of it!"

Syaoran looked away as well, feeling ashamed of himself. Without anything else to say, unable to muster an apology, he walked out of the room.

It was not far from the Li Mansion that Darian was forced to stop. He was very much weakened, and if he did not stop, he would have fallen from very high when the Jump ceased to manifest. He landed with a soft thud, turning it into a roll when he hit the grass. The Li Mansion was near a small forest, making hiding both easy and difficult at the same time.

Darian grabbed a low tree branch and forced himself to stand, breathing heavily with the effort. He was exhausted; that battle took a lot of his energy. Despite his fatigue, he smiled, and looked at his Book of the Nova. "I have them.. two of the most loyal cards at my disposal.." The words were said between breaths, and Darian slid back down the trunk of the tree, unconscious.

Sakura was back in bed shortly after the battle. Yue had carried her there, and Kero lay beside her while she slept. Yue continued to stand guard over the Book of the Star, and the remaining Cards, as well as their Master and Guardian. The moon had risen, but it was only half full. Syaoran had not come to bed, instead he stayed elsewhere, training. It had been a long time since he had fought, and though he continued to practice martial arts, he needed something to take his mind off of the recent events.

Tomoyo also stayed nearby. She told Kero that she did not have to return to her job for a few days.

"I want to help Sakura," she said to him. "I'm worried about her, and the Cards. I'll help out around here as best I can!"

"Thank you very much, Tomoyo," Keroberos returned.

Yue turned to look at Sakura as she slept. His eyes were narrowed. Why didn't the Windy obey me? Or Sakura? The Windy is under the power of the moon.. I should be able to command it. Keroberos had no power over the Firey either. Yet neither Thunder nor Watery seemed to have a problem obeying Sakura's command.

The Guardian put a hand to his head. "What's wrong..? I feel.. dizzy all of a sudden.." Yue began to fall backwards, and in a flurry of feathers, disappeared, revealing his false form, Yukito. The magic circle appeared beneath Yukito and lowered him gently to the ground, where he slept soundly.

Darian opened his eyes in alarm, and sat up from his lying position. He put a hand to his head and groaned.

"I wouldn't sit up so fast, young man," and elderly voice said. Darian looked up to see an old traveler smiling down at him.

"Who are you?" Darian demanded of the man.

"No one.. Just a traveler. I enjoy walks through the forest, and happened upon you. It was getting late so I brought you here for the night. Oh," the man turned around. "A young girl about your age came looking for you. Real pretty; long brown hair."

Darian smirked. "Nakuru," he said. "She is here?"

The old man nodded. "Yep. Doesn't seem to sleep, that one. I'll send her in."

"Thank you. For your hospitality as well," Darian said as he stood up. "But I believe we'll be going. Tell me, I had a book, and a key with me. Do you have them?

"Hmm? Ah yes.. The book and key, they're on the dresser," he pointed to them. "Quite an odd pair you have. Are you a collector?"

Darian walked to retrieve his items, and smiled. "Of sorts," he answered. The old man raised an eyebrow, but shrugged it off, beckoning Darian into the main room.

"If you're feeling well enough." As they entered the living room, the young woman turned around, and when she saw Darian, her eyes brightened and she smiled.

"Darian!" she said, flinging her arms around him, to which he cleared his throat in response. Nakuru released him and backed away, crossing her arms. "I come all this way to retrieve you and this is how you repay me? Fine!" Darian rolled his eyes, then turned the old man.

Bowing, he said, "Thank you once again for your hospitality. If you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way." With that, Darian turned and left the house, Nakuru skipping after him.

The old man shrugged, "Young folk these days," he muttered, then returned to his quiet life.

"Come on, Darian! Don't be that way!" Nakuru said as they walked through the forest.

"Be quiet!" Darian commanded, to which Nakuru immediately silenced.

"How long are we gonna be here, huh?" she asked after she stayed as quiet as she could, which was about three minutes. Darian finally stopped.

"We'd be out of here a lot faster if you'd help, Nakuru." Nakuru shrugged, then smiled, power gathering around her. Her shadow began to morph and warp, as her body changed. Darian smirked again.

AN: The end of the two-part battle! I divided the battle up for two reasons: One, because my previous chapter seemed incredibly long compared to all the others, and two, because I thought it would leave you with a wonderful cliff hanger at the end!

XD Hope you enjoyed! Thank you so much for reading!