Disclaimer:
Not mine, not even the plot! These are just translations.
Summary:
We now enter the main part of the story. It continues from Natsuki's promise in their previous lives to be the one loving Shizuru. We now move to a somewhat Mai-Otome world with a magical twist. Do however, keep in mind this is an Alternate Universe (AU) so do not be surprise if things are different from Mai-Otome.
Note:
I've taken the liberty to include remarks to clarify certain scenes for those who are confused or would like details. (Please ignore if your imagination managed to fill in the gap because these remarks are just my own deductions and might not reflect the author's original intent) These sections are marked with (-#-); refer to bottom of chapter for details.
Entangled Love
Chapter 7 - Eternity (Part 5)
Authored by asuka
Translated by glowie
The moment Shizuru opened the office door, she saw Natsuki standing before the window, her back towards her, shoulders slumped in dejected loneliness; a far cry from her usual demeanor of strength and confidence.
Gaze of the crimson orbed beauty fell upon the teapot which was placed on the table.
"Natsuki..."
The blue-haired figure turned about as she heard her name. She seemed much calmer now.
With urgent strides, she marched up to her and drew Shizuru into her strong arms.
"Don't ever leave me Shizuru. Don't leave me. I cannot afford to lose any more!"
"Hai! I will never leave you. Do not worry, Natsuki."
Returning the gesture, she held the slightly shaking body as she continues to ease the younger woman's worries and grieve by continually repeating words of reassurance.
"Mai's dead... she's dead! Why? Why is she so silly"
After a slight hesitation, Shizuru spoke. "... Natsuki, although this doesn't seemed to be a good time but I feel you should know... Mai... she has always"
"No! Don't say it! Shizuru, you need not continue... I know. I've always known. But I've chosen to be oblivious to it for my heart only belongs to you and you alone. Towards Mai, I can only say that I owe her."
"Sigh... Natsuki..."
"You want to tell me not to mind you. Am I right?"
Distancing slightly, Jade green orbs peered intently into their crimson counterpart.
"Unfortunately... from the very moment I've laid my eyes on you, my fate has been sealed; my destiny written. You are to be my fall."
Gazing lovingly towards the person before her, her hands gently caresses the face of the one who occupied both her heart and mind. Just as Natsuki was about to capture her lips with her own, Shizuru gently pushed her away.
"Natsuki... we're not alone."
Only then did Natsuki notice the presence of a small figure behind Shizuru. She was looking at her with a mixture of awe and shyness.
"She is?"
Natsuki is not unfamiliar with her face; she had been often seen lingering around Shizuru. "Shizuru-sama, Shizuru-sama" she'll address her while circling around excitedly. She's one of the many whom Natsuki had liberally labeled as little pesky flies. But why is she here? More importantly, why did Shizuru brought her here, especially at this critical time?
"She's the new Column of Fire."
Natsuki's body stiffens at the words that rolled casually out of Shizuru's mouth. Never had she heard word so repulsive especially when they came from her beloved lips.
Why? Why is she so quick to accept? Doesn't she feel sad at all?
Her mind knows this has nothing to do with the girl but emotional wise, she could not accept, it's too soon, this replacing of Mai's position.
"Good day, Gakuenchou."
She had almost the same hair color as Mai but hers is a darker orange. The girl greeted Natsuki politely.
"... From this day onwards, you need not address me as Gakuenchou. Your current position allows you to address me directly."
At those words, she turned her back towards the girl, jade green orbs unwilling to linger a second further upon the red uniform she now wore instead of Mai."
"Oh no, I dare not." The girl exclaimed hurriedly, "I... I'm Arika." she stuttered. If what she had towards Shizuru is admiration, her take towards Natsuki is nothing short of awe. She was exhilarated beyond words of her new position but more so because she could work alongside her idol.
The ever-sharp Shizuru felt Natsuki's displeasure and quickly stopped Arika from continuing.
"Natsuki should rest while she can. Our time is limited. I do not know how long my kekkai can last, we need to find Zeitlos before it falters."
She nodded her head wordlessly.
Taking this opportunity Shizuru quickly lead Arika away.
Weakly, Natsuki slumped unto the couch within the room which was once again filled with deafening silence.
Natsuki wasn't sure if she managed to get some sleep or does she knows how long had it been. All she knew was while her mind was running aimlessly in a series of jumbled thoughts, a messenger came in to notify her of the High Priest's summon. Of which she immediately responded by rushing over to the meeting room.
Once there, she found the whole team waiting, including the new girl. She was the last to arrive.
Akane's eyes are still red from crying; wordlessly she sat in a corner. The new girl was sticking closely to Shizuru and Shizuru, graceful as always, was smiling warmly and answering with gentle patience to whatever questions the girl had.
This scene before her caused her somewhat calmed emotions to stir like troubled waters before the coming of a massive storm. But she held her demeanor and sat grudgingly in her seat out of respect for the High Priest.
"I think everyone is painfully aware of the fact that Mai is no longer with us..."
The voice of the High Priest seemed to have aged overnight. Mai, Natsuki and Shizuru were brought up by him and he has always treated them as though they are his grandchildren. Mai's untimely departure was a great blow to him.
"I can't help but think, maybe I was wrong to have taught all of you the forbidden spell... but most of all, I blame myself for being so near yet I am unable to save her."
At that time, the High Priest was inside the academy whereas Mai was in the outer defense forts. In terms of distance, he was the closest at that time.
"No, teacher. Please don't do this to yourself. Mai... did it on her own free will. It was nobody's fault. She did it to protect us all. She sacrificed herself to buy us time. Furthermore, it happened so fast and so sudden. So... please teacher, don't blame yourself."
"Yes, Shizuru's right. It's not your fault teacher. If there's blame to be claimed, then we each own a share."
"Sigh... you are all good kids..."
Why does fate have to be so cruel to these kids? Sigh... sad to say, time is of the essence, I mustn't allow myself to wallow.
"I'll be assigning the tasks. Akane, you will stay back and defend the academy in case of another attack. Your earth element is well balanced for both offense and defense. You will be able to support the kekkai in case of emergency. Arika, you've just inherited the power and have no experience in using them yet. You too will stay back in the academy. That leaves..."
The High Priest's gaze fell upon the two.
"The task to find the guardian lies solely on you two. Natsuki, Shizuru."
"Hai! We will do our utmost to accomplish our mission."
Looking intently at his two favourite students, he said. "Promise me, no matter what, you must survive, you must come back to me! I do not allow any of you to simply give up your life!"
"Hai!"
Shizuru and Natsuki look at each other and nodded their head in agreement.
After declining Lazuli and her men's offer to accompany them Shizuru strengthen the academy's kekkai before turning around to face jade green orbs. Squeezing her hand tightly around hers, they left for the sacred grounds.
Both of them furrowed their brows as their eyes revealed to them the severity of the situation.
Although they know the events that had taken place, they didn't expect the influence of the black fog could be so far and wide. Surveying the aftermath from their dragon's back, they could clearly see the masses of turned victims wandering aimlessly in search of something to destroy.
"Shizuru, where do you think the guardian will be?"
"It seemed to be badly hurt and couldn't have gone far. From my speculations it should be around the perimeter of the sacred grounds."
"Agreed. We will start our search from there then."
Suddenly, Shizuru's face paled. "Oh No! The kekkai on the sacred grounds had been broken!"
As if to prove Shizuru's findings, a column of black fog shot up into the sky before them. It quickly expanded, filling up the skies with its black color-red claws, forming a huge black-colored cloud blocking out the sun. A heavy stench of blood overwhelmed them as the wind blew their direction. The two, protected by Shizuru's kekkai were pretty much unaffected but their dragons weren't so lucky.
Maintaining a constant kekkai around a moving object requires a lot of concentration and a constant flow mana (-1-). In addition, Shizuru had upped the kekkai to the highest level for maximum protection. The most she could cover is herself and Natsuki. Running out of options, they had no choice but to abandon their dragons and proceed on foot.
While on foot they had to concede with having skirmishes here and there with the groups of turned victims they encountered on their way. Fortunately most of them are in small groups and Natsuki could handle them easily.
Finally, they approached their destination. The already thicken black fog obstructing their vision, they could barely see where they were going.
Just as they set foot upon the sacred grounds, a sudden swirling of black-colored fog appeared before them. The swirling quickens and it gradually solidifies as more and more fog was drawn in forming a growing, surging ball of energy; Glowing from within an eerie reddish light of blood red.
"-- My my... what do we have here? It's been a long time."
Surprised that the ball of energy could speak they were slightly taken aback but quickly recover. The low cold voice reeks of devious intent eliciting a sense of uneasiness from within the two.
Natsuki instinctively stepped in front of Shizuru, jade green orbs never leaving the unknown entity.
"You know us?"
"Yes I certainly do, Columns of Ice and Wind. You are among the HiMEs who had me sealed in this place. However, you longer hold that part of your memories."
"... What exactly are you?"
"Me? I am the HiME star who once bestowed upon you powers but was later betrayed by you and your fellow HiMEs and sealed in this place."
"I do not understand what you mean but your accusation of my betrayal is something I will not allow myself to be associated with. Moreover, looking at your handiwork, I do not think we will ever stand on the same side."
Shizuru stepped from behind Natsuki and stood beside her.
"Curses! Like your previous lives, you've chosen yet again to defy me?!"
The ball of energy glowered dangerously; sparks of magical energy crackles loudly signaling its anger.
Following immediately after is a series of lightning quick attacks. Rays of pure dark energy shot out of the ball homing in on the two, incinerating anything in their path.
Luckily, both of them were prepared and managed to avoid the deadly rays and escape the surprise attack unscathed.
Failing its initial attack, the angered HiME star continued its assault, following it up, with another stronger attack, wider in range, ripples of energy flared and tore up chucks of rocks from mountain walls and shattering them into mere dust.
A startled cry attracted their attention.
-- There's someone here?
Natsuki and Shizuru both looked towards the direction of the cry.
"Arika !?"
Appearing not far behind stood the supposedly stationed in the academy new column, Arika.
The HiME star, making full use of this distraction, smiled deviously while he sent another wave of his attack; Aiming not only at Natsuki and Shizuru but also the little girl who should not be here.
Everything happened in an blurring instant.
Blood splattered across the mountain walls...
A powerful hit found its mark, Natsuki was hit hard and she was hurled high up into the air and fell into the bottomless chasm.
The moment when she fell disbelief filled jade green orbs; embedded into her mind the image of Shizuru's back as she left her behind and rushed over to Arika's side.
The instant before the attack hit, Shizuru had released the kekkai protecting her and had it transferred to Arika to protect her.
Has it finally come to this? Have I lost even the title of being the "most liked"?
The pain of her severed arm was drowned out by the pain of her heart being shredded into pieces.
Tears of anger and contempt filled her eyes and flowed out of jade green orbs; leaving in their wake a lonely streak of tearful sorrow as she fell hard both physically and emotionally deep into the chasm.
In the midst of her despair she seemed to hear that person calling out for her but shrug it off as her wishful thinking.
Darkness. Everything around her seemed to be engulfed by this endless darkness, leaving nothing visible in its wake.
Am I dead? Is this where one goes to after death?
'You are not dead.'
Is it now? Guess I must be really lucky.
'But you will be if left alone.'
That's alright. I do not have anything to live for anyway.
'Wake up... Awake! Oh, Column of Ice.'
No! Don't call me! I don't want to think! I don't want to care!
'Are you in so much pain?'
Yes! So, please... leave me alone. Leave me be.
'I am sorry but I cannot allow you to die like this.'
Suddenly, a strong light cut through the darkness, like a sword through silken veil.
Appearing before Natsuki is a creation of indescribable majestic beauty.
"I am Zeitlos, the Guardian Beast of the Seal Stone."
"... What irony, we've searched far and wide for you and here you are... when we least expected."
"I do not have much time left. I need you, Column of Ice."
"What do you mean?"
"Our power transferring process is somewhat like yours but with a slight difference. For yours, the power freely chooses its new owner but for ours, the guardian beast gives birth to ours upon our dying day. This once in a lifetime event signifies our coming of time. Upon the birth of our replacer, we will transfer all our powers as well as our memories, passed on from the very first guardian, into the new vessel. After which, the old will pass away. This is how things should be but... this time around... the HiME star's surprise attack caught me off guard. I will die before I could give birth to my successor. I no longer have a successor for my powers. Look... my powers are dissipating as we speak."
True to its words, sparkles of soft greenish glow could be seen slowly dissipating into the air from the magical beast.
"You mean, you want me to inherit your powers?"
Natsuki catching the guardian's intention from the conversation asked.
"Yes."
"But I am a human; will I be able to do that?"
"No, you cannot. The eternal loneliness accompanying my task will drive any human crazy. Even guardians such as us who are not capable of emotions could not endure this eternal hell. This is why, even as we are of immortal bodies, we still need a successor every few hundred of years. This is something a human, capable of various emotions and needs, will not be able to withstand."
"Then why are you asking this of me?"
"There is a way. However, this might seemed cruel to you. Because of this, I will give you a choice. You may choose to reject."
In all serious solemness, the beast's fiery gaze locked firm unto Natsuki's jade green.
"Please, do tell."
"I will remove all emotions from you. I will sever all ties that bind you to this world. From then on, nothing from your previous lives or your current life will matter to you. You will no longer remember and with a body void of emotions and needs, you will be my replacer and be the new guardian of the seal stone."
Upon hearing this, Natsuki fell silent.
Severing all ties... no longer being bound with Shizuru. No longer being able to remember her...
At the instance when she fell... even though she had promised herself to not care anymore but is it really true? Can she really let go? Why then is her heart still pained? The suffocating pain that filled her being whenever she thinks of her? Can she really let go? Does she want to let go?
"Shizuru... Shizuru..."
Natsuki repeatedly called out her name, the name of her most precious, the love of her life.
Looking at Natsuki, the Guardian beast sighed.
"You and that person had been caught in the web of entanglement for your past 3 lives. To be fair, I'll restore your past lives memories so you can decide for yourself."
As its voice subsides, wave after wave of past memories flooded her mind. As waves of tides surging into the coastline, pieces of past memories slowing falling into place.
"Kun, do you like the hot cakes I've made?"
"Hai! Kiyone's cakes are the best!"
Sitting on top of the picnic mat, both hands holding still steaming hot cakes, nodded her head earnestly as she answered her friend's question with all seriousness.
Upon hearing this, her beautiful crimson orbs danced with contentment while she smiled happily.
The warm scene changed abruptly and what she saw next was her own bloodied body lying limply in pools of blood.
The pair of crimson orbs is filled with pain and despair as drops after drops of burning hot tears found their way onto her now lifeless face. She called her name again and again but she was no longer able to reply.
Carrying her body, crazed crimson orbs seeks to rain down her pain as flashes of her red steel cuts down all things living until... a white-haired maiden's arrow found and tore through her already shattered heart.
In the next instant, gone are ear splitting sounds of deafening cries but a beautiful garden.
She saw herself, hands reaching out to a little flower, fingers curling in around about to crush what little life it held within with her very hands.
"Beautiful flowers are to be protected because they are doing their best to bloom in the short life they're given."
Such a familiar voice! Looking up, she saw that mesmerizing figure, capable of captivating hearts and souls leaving one seeking even in their dreams.
"Ahh!!"
As her scream echoes, crimson orbs dimmed in response.
The killing begins, she herself being the reason yet again.
The kiss before the final end, filled with tenderness, filled with memorable memories.
Holding each other in content as they vanishes together into the air.
Why?! Why were they resurrected?
That me who said she is no longer in debt to you.
Destroyed within the fiery fire of that day; another of their painful end.
I remembered, I remembered it all, each and every scene, each and every moment!
So much we have forgotten, so much we have suffered, entangling each other for so, so long.
Heart no longer filled with sadness but with exhaustion, tired of their helplessness in their fate.
Enough... it is enough.
"Have you thought it through? Have you made a decision?"
"I am willing to accept your powers and become the new guardian."
I have decided to let go, I'm releasing you from this unending entanglement. From now onwards, our lives will no longer be crossed. Thus, you can have happiness; you can finally find someone who is able to you happiness. Let me be the one to put a stop to our entwining fates. Let me be the one who will put a cap to our unending suffering.
"Are you sure you won't regret?"
"No regrets."
A streak of blue colored column shot through the sky.
I guess I must be the first and the last person who saw their own transfer of power while being alive.
I wonder what would she think when she saw this?
Time however did not allow her to ponder upon this for long, for in the next instant, all her memories as the new power surges into her were being swept away.
The Guardian of the Seal Stone has resumed its place, the HiME star sealed, the mysterious black fog dispersed and everything seemed to have gone back to their designated paths.
Sounds of laughter graced the land once again. However, within the walls of Garderobe, the blue-haired figure could no longer be seen.
She doesn't know why that person kept coming every day. Always standing just beyond the sacred grounds; looking silently at her.
It won't be until the sun sets would she allow herself to be dragged away by an orange-haired girl. However, only to return yet again the next.
Day after day, year after year.
3 years had passed, each and every of those 3 years; she had become accustomed to her presence.
Her responsibility and task is to ensure nobody set foot into the sacred grounds. A fact the other person seemed well aware off because never once did she crossed the boundary, always lingering just beyond.
She had a pair of beautiful crimson-colored eyes. Mesmerizing like the precious ruby. Draped upon pale purplish clothing; a white-colored cloak. Her brown-colored tresses would dance softly in the wind whenever it blows. Such is a picturesque scene.
Whenever crimson orbs fell upon her, she could see her mouth moving, seemingly to form 3 syllabuses, "Nat-su-ki". What does it mean? She does not understand.
All she knows is it couldn't be calling her for her name is Zeitlos, Guardian of both a moment and eternity for time has no meaning for one such as her.
Did something held her up?
Suddenly Zeitlos felt she missed that person but it was only for a fleeing moment for guardians are not capable or should they have emotional urges.
As the sky darkens and the day slowly comes to an end, from afar, a figure could be seen approaching but... that wasn't her.
It's that orange-haired girl. Zeitlos had seen her before because most of the time, it was her, who would drag that person unwillingly away.
She walked towards herself, crossing the boundary without stopping.
"Halt! Do not proceed any further."
Ignoring the warning, she continued to approach the guardian.
Creasing her brow, she flick her wrist sending a beam of energy towards her, it shot across and graze her face, leaving a thin red line.
Finally she stopped. Not caring about the wound but just stood there staring at herself.
"Step down! Intruder."
"I am one of the five columns, the Column of Fire, Arika. I apologize for trespassing but please, allow me to finish what I have come to say. I will leave immediately once I have finished."
Zeitlos considered for a moment before nodding to give her approval.
"... She remembered... everything. The moment you heartlessly severed the ties that binds the both of you... she remembered. But you've forgotten about her. Since you've chosen to forever escape from your intertwined fates, she too has chosen to never return to the wheels of life. She'd asked the High Priest to seal her forever in eternal slumber.
"Column of Fire, I do not understand of what you've said."
"Of course you don't. You have abandoned all your memories. How could you then understand? I am here just to notify you. It doesn't concern me whether you understand or not."
With that, she placed a package she had been holding on the ground before turning around to leave.
She stopped abruptly after some distance and as if contemplating something before she said. "I do not know if you still hated her when you've decided to let go. I only want to let you know the reason she saved me. The five columns are able to be the pillars for the people because of its indestructible existence. Whenever a column dies, another rises to its steed. However, there is an exception that will cause the destruction of a column. When a new column is chosen, he/she needs time to fully absorb its full power. If this vessel dies before this can happen, the power of that column will be lost forever. This secret is known and is safely guarded by her and the High Priest alone. However, I can't help but think... if she had remembered... I believe she'll rather lose the power of the Fire Column forever than to see you hurt! But... it is all too late..."
With that she continued her trek and eventually out of Zeitlos's sight.
Bending down to pick up the package, she opened it. Contained inside is the white-colored cloak which she usually wears; safely tucked within, a silver necklace with a pendant of blood-red ruby, the color of her eyes.
It is said that Garderobe's 23rd Gakuenchou, Arika is a very weird person. She never stays in the room; situated on top of the tower, which was designated for the Headmistress but only goes in there once a month; year after year.
Upon her death-bed, she called in the new Headmistress and had a private talk with her. Nobody knows what it was about. What is known however is from then on, the tower has been marked as sacred and forbidden. Nobody is allowed entry. This rule has been passed from generation to generation and was continually kept even after the real reason was long lost.
From the top of the tower regardless of day or night a soft light purplish glow continues to shine. Its glow had a calming effect upon all who looks upon it and slowly it become a holy monument.
Legend has it that there exists a Guardian of the Seal Stone, the immortal guardian was rarely seen but to those lucky few who had, could only describe her as beautiful beyond words. She had only one arm and is always seen wearing a white cloak. She had hair of raven-blue and a pair of jade green eyes.
But her gaze is always cold and devoid of any emotions.
However, unknown to all whenever her gaze fell upon the high tower, that purplish glow will always able to soften those jade green orbs and warmed her supposedly stone cold heart.
Impervious to the passing of time, the movement of the stars; Forever, eternally they stayed together yet apart. One will never know and the other in eternal slumber.
Together yet without ever knowing... forever and ever.
Until the ends of time.
FINISH
Notes:
Decided its best to upload the whole of last chapter in one shot. I want to live so I'm not stopping at where I initially intended to. (GUESS WHERE)
Sorry for the delay though... the surprise (AKA peace offering #1) is harder than I thought and in the end I had to resort to a more crude method. As it is not a fic but a comic strip... I can't upload it here. Click on my homepage for it. I hope it can fluff you up a bit. I know it did for me. -grins-
(btw... can someone teach me how to show links in my picture gallery unto my LJ main page? Thanks)
Errmm.. I do HOPE you guys are ok after this piece. I'm also working on my 2nd peace offering... hopefully that can help a bit as well. No hard feelings k?
Hrmm... This is the most ANGSTY piece I have translated. The part where Natsuki felt betrayed by Shizuru has to be the PEAK for Angstyness (for me at least). The scene kept replaying in mind my for days. Gah! Coming in close would be Shizuru's "remembering". THAT gotta hurt. As you can see, most of the pieces I've translated don't really dwell deep in the emotional part with words but allow the readers to fill it in themselves. Reason being, I'm never good with details and it would HURT too much. (Undisclosed by Sayosi comes to mind. Gah! I just love hate that piece!)
Opps... I've gone on rambling mode again. To cut this short (readers: -sweat drop- "We dare not imagine what your long is..."), I love this piece for its originality, the twist where Natsuki is the one loving Shizuru, I applaude the creation of the scene where Natsuki was abadoned by Shizuru (I can totally picture it!), Shizuru's realisation of their past and what she had done (It's like Shizuru herself drove a stake through Natsuki's heart and not having the chance to explain or ask for forgiveness), the picture of being together yet apart, never to know again for eternity and of course, the linking of 3 lifetimes.
AND I ABSOLUTELY HATE ARIKA! GAH! DOESN'T SHE KNOW SHE WAS THE REASON WHY THEY ENDED LIKE THAT?!
-whew... ok.. i feel SOOO much better now-
FYI, the author is still working on the 1st lifetime. Remember the part where Natsuki received her memories? The first part is their 1st lifetime (Kun and Kiyone), set in the time of the carnival 300 years before My-HIME. It's still in the works, once it is finished I might translate that as well to complete this piece. Or maybe not... depending on how angsty is it. -grins-
Lastly, I want to thank you all for continuing on this PAINFUL journey with me. Hopefully you (somehow) enjoyed this story. Again, reviews are greatly welcomed and I hope to "hear" your take on this piece. Thanks.
Regarding the feedback from Who Cares? (I cant reply since its anon so I'll post it here, plus they are good questions.)
1. I didn't mark it as complete because the author is still working on their 1st lives. But the story is complete... in a sense. Should I mark this as complete and when put their 1st lives as a separate story? Maybe that's a better idea. Plus, i really don't know when the author would finish it.
2. As for being more descriptive... most of the pieces I choose carries such style. Meaning, they have very few words but paints a really strong picture and allows the readers to explore themselves. Most of the chinese community writes like this... in fact some are outright cryptic and often times these are the best... but i myself had trouble understanding them least to translate them. So little words they use yet... Gah... Another reason I've avoided translating descriptive works is bcos I avoid most of them because they makes me dizzy due to the many words I don't understand. -blush-
But I know what you mean, I'll learn to pay more attention to details and hopefully I'll eventually be able to overcome this weakness of mine. Thanks.
3. I like An Investigation report more too. I think it's mainly because the author manages to keep an intense pacing from the start till end. It has a more complete feel to it and most of all... a bitter sweet ending. Whereas this piece leaves one... unsatisfied, undone, feeling incomplete... wanting so much for them to have happiness... -sigh-
If it's any help... I keep telling myself, Natsuki would have collapse after 300 years since guardians themselves could only hold so long let alone a human... thus the HiME star would be released to wreck havoc again and that leaves both of them dead and having a 4th lives. Which eventually ends in a 'happily ever after' senario. Woot!
(I LOVE MY IMAGINATION -hugs innerglowie-)
4. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll do my best to continue bringing good chinese works to this community.
Update #1
Ok... I feel like DIGGING a hole in the ground and GO bury myself in SHAME... I am SO sorry I missed SUCH A GLARING mistake. I bet most of you had to cringe OVER and OVER again at my messing up SACRED for SCARED huh? I cannot thank Soulasylum enough for FINALLY enlightening me on this error. Well... better late than never... I've corrected the mistake but wow... it sure is BELATED. blush
Remarks:
1. Mana - resource for magical powers. Akin to stamina for physical powers.