Chapter 9: Echoes
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Seiko led Sakura and Tomoyo down the narrow hallway of the Prism Bar, leaving behind the warmth and vibrant noise of the main room. The further they went, the cooler and more tense the air became, almost as if the space itself was infused with magic.
They approached a door, and Seiko paused before opening it, her usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious. As she pushed the door open, the room inside felt like a different world—a heavy contrast to the bar outside. The atmosphere was thick with an unseen power, and standing at the far end were two striking women who radiated that very force.
One wore a gown of deep, flowing black, her hair the color of pale moonlight cascading down her back. The other wore brilliant white lace, her hair as dark as midnight. They stood side by side, but it was clear that despite their physical closeness, something between them and Sakura had long since been severed.
"These are the ones I told you about," Seiko said quietly. "Meet the owners—Light and Dark."
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Sakura's breath caught in her throat as she saw them. There was something disturbingly familiar about the two women, but she couldn't place it. She felt the pulse of their magic deep within her, stirring a long-forgotten part of herself, but it was distant, like a song from another life.
Light, dressed in black, was the first to speak, her voice soft but with an edge of pain. "We have waited a long time for this meeting, Sakura."
Dark, clad in white, was more direct, her tone cold and bitter. "Too long. You abandoned us."
Sakura flinched at the accusation. Confusion filled her chest as she tried to understand. "I—I don't understand... What do you mean?"
Light's expression softened slightly, though her eyes carried the weight of old wounds. She stepped closer, her gaze never leaving Sakura's. "Once, we were connected. We were part of you, tied to your magic and your soul. But that time ended when you left us behind."
Tomoyo, sensing the tension, stepped forward, standing closer to Sakura. "She didn't leave you on purpose," she said, her voice steady, but there was a protective edge to her tone. "What are you talking about?"
Dark's gaze shifted to Tomoyo, her eyes as cold as ice. "She doesn't even remember us," she spat, her lips curling into a smirk. "How tragic."
--
Sakura's heart pounded as she tried to grasp what they were saying. Her memories, fractured and hazy, were failing her. She felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if something crucial was slipping away, just beyond her reach. The words they spoke stirred something deep inside her, but it was hidden behind a veil she couldn't lift.
"We are part of the magic you once controlled," Light said, her voice calm, though filled with sorrow. "But you left us behind. You abandoned us, and now... now we're lost to you."
Dark's lips twisted in bitterness. "You severed the bond, and it's never coming back. We're nothing to you now, just as you're nothing to us."
Sakura's head swam. She thought of the cracks in Mirror, of how her magic had been fading—how everything had been slowly falling apart. "I didn't mean to leave anyone behind. I don't... I never wanted this."
Light and Dark exchanged a glance, and though they were physically close, it was clear to Sakura that they were intertwined in ways that went far beyond mere companionship. There was a depth to their connection, something intimate and unbreakable, even in their bitterness toward her.
--
Tomoyo's eyes narrowed. She was still trying to make sense of the situation, her protective instincts in full force. "What happened? Why do you feel this way?"
Light's voice softened as she answered. "The magic you held over us—over all the cards—was strong. But when you abandoned the cards, when you left that life behind, you left us, too. And now we are severed, permanently."
Dark's gaze sharpened. "You didn't just leave us behind. You forgot us. And now, you pay the price."
Sakura's heart raced. She felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, though she couldn't fully understand why. "I didn't want this," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I never wanted to forget."
--
The conversation turned, and Light's voice took on a grave tone. "It's not just about forgetting. You've been running, haven't you? From the pain, from the memories... from what happened in Hong Kong."
At the mention of Hong Kong, Sakura's breath hitched. Flashes of that time flickered through her mind, disjointed and incomplete. Her chest tightened, and the edges of her vision blurred as she struggled to breathe.
Tomoyo noticed, stepping even closer, placing a hand on Sakura's arm. "Sakura-chan, are you alright?"
Light's gaze softened further as she regarded Tomoyo. "She doesn't have much time left. If she doesn't face what happened in Hong Kong, the magic that holds her together will shatter."
Sakura felt the weight of the words sink in. She had been running. But from what? The memories were so fragmented, so broken, she didn't know where to begin.
Dark's voice was biting. "You can't hide forever. The magic is dying, and when it dies... so do you."
--
Seiko, who had been silent, subtly reacted to the tension building between Sakura and the two women. She shifted uneasily, glancing between Light, Dark, and Sakura, as if weighing the situation in her mind.
Finally, she spoke, her voice quiet and measured. "Sakura, I may know where the person you're looking for is. But you're not ready yet. You need time."
Tomoyo and Sakura both turned to look at Seiko, surprised by her words. Seiko's usual teasing demeanor was gone, replaced by something far more serious.
"You should come over to my place later," Seiko continued, keeping her tone calm. "We'll talk more then. There's... more you need to understand before you face them."
--
Light and Dark, standing side by side, radiated power as they gave Sakura a final, cold ultimatum.
Light's voice, though softer, carried undeniable weight. "You must face what happened in Hong Kong if you want to save yourself. If you keep hiding from the truth, your magic will die, and so will you."
Dark's gaze, sharp and unforgiving, locked onto Sakura. "The cards are still out there. They've been waiting. But they won't wait forever."
Sakura swallowed hard, fear and confusion swirling in her chest. The weight of the decision hung heavy.