Chapter 49: Venomous Minds

******

A flash of light on the opposite end of the forest and a sudden stillness indicated that the duel between Li Syaoran and Hiiragizawa Eriol had come to an end. Erika and Eron both glanced up, unsettled by the blast of aura so intense that they could feel it as acutely as it were directly next to them, not kilometers away. Erika shuddered at the impact. Who had fallen?

“Syaoran,” Sakura whispered, face pressed on the earth, knowing she had to stand but finding her body movement no longer within her control, bound by the Obedience. Had he fallen? If so, there was no hope left for her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see glimpses of cherry pink floating on the river, drifting down with the current. She had to retrieve them, but no longer had any strength left in her. Furthermore, her sealing key was gone; she was helpless without it.

“This is the Sealing Key—from today on, you are Card Captor Sakura, and it will be your duty to collect the Clow Cards,” Cerberus, Guardian of Clow Book, had told her, as he presented her with a pink key with a winged red ornament at its head, which could be released into a sealing staff.

That had been more than five years ago, one spring day when Kinomoto Sakura stumbled across an old book in the basement of her house and accidentally released all the Clow Cards sealed within it except the Windy. From an ordinary schoolgirl, at that time merely ten years old, Sakura had been hurled into the world of Clow Reed and the mysteries of the past. The road to becoming Card Mistress had not always been easy, but she had no regrets. She had learned a lot, been discouraged, gathered hope and overcame the odds. It had been so difficult collecting all the Clow Cards, facing Yue’s Judgment, converting the cards into the power of the star and facing the new dark forces, yet she had always had her sealing staff with her. Now, under the bidding of the Obedience, she had thrown them all away into the stream, all in a matter of minutes. As Card Mistress, she couldn’t even protect her cards from the dark force.

Without your staff and Cards, you are no longer Card Mistress, but no one, said a hypnotic voice inside her head, the Obedience. Accept surrender. The Dark Ones are bound to win. Don’t get up. Don’t fight back. Just sit quietly for what will happen will happen. There’s nothing you can do about it.

No, I’ve got to stand up again. I’ve got to gather my cards. I can’t give up like this, retorted a tiny, suppressed voice deep in the back of her mind somewhere.

Her entire body trembled as the Obedience clamped tighter in her mind, stifling all logical sense out of her. I can’t listen to that voice, Sakura reminded herself desperately. I can’t just be controlled like this. I need to get to Syaoran before it’s too late.

A voice cut through her concentration. It was in the real world.

“I asked you Erika, what’s going on?” Eron said to his twin, able to concentrate on what was happening before him. He stared hard at Sakura, clothes soaked in mud, hair stringy and hanging in her eyes, which had a vacant, distant glaze.

“Just watch, Eron,” Erika replied, hands on hips, walking over to where Sakura lay on the ground. “It seems dear Syaoran has fallen—there’s no chance that he’ll come rescue you now.” She smirked. “Listen Sakura, you are a failure as Card Mistress. The two things you should have guarded with your life, which gives you power, are gone. You threw away your staff and cards with your own hands. I’ve always stated before, you are weak Sakura, clearly inferior to the Dark Ones. Right, Sakura?”

“I am… inferior to the Dark Ones,” Sakura repeated, her tongue moving unbeknownst to herself.

“The Obedience?” Startled, Eron glanced at his twin and asked, “When did you…”

“While you were sulking about being beaten up by Syaoran,” Erika replied smugly. “I thought I might cheer you up a bit.”

“I told you I wasn’t beaten up,” Eron muttered grouchily. His eyes narrowed, watching the rose-colored Sakura cards drift down the stream—the key had already been carried away by the current and was nowhere in sight. Was this really it for Sakura? Show me what you have, Sakura. This is nothing to you, isn’t it, just another silly dark force. Prove to me that you have in you more than this pathetic sight you present to me at this moment.

“It’s almost too easy, isn’t it?” Erika asked, staring at Sakura distastefully.

I need to get up. I need to do something, Sakura repeated in her mind, struggling to her feet. Why, oh why isn’t my body moving the way I tell it to? Every time I lift a limb, it’s like a thousand razors are slicing through my skin.

“She’s still struggling,” Eron murmured watching the beads of perspiration roll down Sakura’s forehead. “She’s fighting against the Obedience in her mind.”

Frowning, Erika said, “It’s surprising that Sakura is still conscious—she should no longer have her own mind after this long. After all, the longer one is under the control of the Obedience, the more impossible it becomes to break free. Even the strongest would become delirious after a while.”

Eron finished off, “And the eventual result is losing your soul and becoming a dumb puppet of the Obedience.” It’ll be so much easier to just submit to the Obedience and shut out her own mind, Eron thought. Yet, why is she fighting back so hard? It’s not visible, the battle in her mind, yet I can feel the aura, the clash between the light and dark.

Chuckling, Erika stated, “At this rate, little Cherry Blossom won’t last until Syaoran comes—that is, if he can come at all.”

“That’s right. Where’s Syaoran?” Eron asked. “It’s rare to catch the Card Mistress all alone.”

“Oh, he’s very occupied,” Erika replied, gazing in the direction of the woods. “In a duel against the once Greatest Sorcerer of the East and the West. I’m not sure if he’ll last it out. That immense aura we felt a while ago makes me rather doubtful upon his safety. I hope Eriol-kun wasn’t too hard on him. It’ll be a pity for the Little Wolf to miss out on the little surprise I have prepared for him.”

“You’re not serious, are you? Why did Li Syaoran fight Eriol?” Eron demanded. So that was the great blast of power from the other side of the forest, earlier on. Never had he felt such a chill from a single explosion of magic.

Shrugging, Erika said, “Eriol seems to have something up his sleeves again. I don’t now. He said he’s bored. Anyway, the timing worked well with my plans and that’s all that matters.”

“Be careful of Clow Reed’s reincarnation,” Eron said somberly. “He’s not to be trusted.”

“As long as he doesn’t interfere with our plans, I care little about him,” Erika replied flippantly. “Anyway, I didn’t do anything. It was the idiotic Wolf-boy who recklessly challenged Eriol to a duel.”

Raising an eyebrow, Eron asked, “Why would he do something as stupid as that? I knew Li Syaoran was foolish, but not that brainless.”

Sakura lifted her head upon hearing Syaoran’s name. Her limbs felt like lead and her mind was fuzzy, as if she was intoxicated in poisonous fumes. Syaoran… Why would Syaoran challenge Eriol-kun? I still don’t understand. But there are so many things I don’t understand about him, anyway. But I can’t worry about him now. I need to stand up and fight this dark force.

“So you deliberately caught Sakura when Syaoran was occupied with Eriol.” Eron looked reflective for a second. “Very clever, Erika.”

“Well, it’s clear that Sakura is useless without her staff and cards, and more so without Syaoran and her friends,” Erika commented lazily. “Hence such a boring fight.”

Eron tapped his twin’s arm and pointed.

“Huh?” Erika’s eyes widened and she blinked twice. Why was Sakura standing up again? Hadn’t she had enough?

Slowly, Sakura staggered towards the twins, hair hanging loose around her pale face. She shivered in the chilly early evening wind which seeped right through her clothes—she had left her blazer back at the library, and her school uniform clung to her skin, damp.

“I forgot how persistent you are,” Erika commented, lips twitching, aggravated. “You never learn do you, Sakura? Everything in life is prewritten and there are certain courses of action that are inevitable. In the name of the Dark Ones, I swear to make you suffer. The more you resist, the more you will suffer. Of course, in the end, it will only be a gain on our part. No, don’t speak.”

Instantly, Sakura’s mouth clamped shut but her eyes were blazing, different from a moment ago when they were blank and lifeless.

“Now listen. We have been going easy on you because my twin seems to have lost focus for a while, but no more of that,” Erika continued. “Get the ridiculous notion that we can still be friends out of you head.” This, she directed to Eron as well as Sakura. “I realized this the day when Syaoran beat up Eron.”

“He didn’t beat me up,” insisted Eron, indignant.

“You’re going to have to pay two-fold for being you as you are, Kinomoto Sakura, and the descendent of Amamiya Hayashi,” Erika stated, disregarding her twin. “The first step to take may be to have you go on your knees and beg for forgiveness.”

Kneel down, Sakura, the Obedience whispered in her mind. Sakura’s knees buckled.

“Now beg for forgiveness,” Erika said, gripping Sakura by her hair near her scalp and shoving her face into the muddy ground.

“I-I can’t ask for forgiveness… without knowing the reason why I should be sorry,” Sakura said in gasps with all her might.

“What?” Erika mashed Sakura’s face into the ground again. How does she still have the willpower to talk back? Obedience, suck the last sense out of her and make her suppliant.

Half suffocated, Sakura struggled to keep her consciousness. I can’t breathe. Just beg for forgiveness. No… I won’t. I can’t by sorry without knowing what wrong I did. If I give in now… I mustn’t give in. The two voices in Sakura’s mind clashed again.

“Why? Why, you ask.” Erika laughed harshly. “Silly girl. You ask why? Because we’re the Dark Ones and you’re the Card Mistress, and you chose to fight against us. Because you’re always getting in my way. Because Syaoran beat up my twin brother for no reason.”

“I said, I punched him a few times too,” protested Eron.

“Oh, I forgot, there was a reason.” Erika feigned sudden realization, ignoring her brother. “It was over you, I believe. Your existence makes my life miserable. Do you need more reasons?” Her pretty face was contorted with hate now. “It’s because Amamiya Hayashi murdered Ruichi-sama.” A hand rested on her shoulder. Erika turned around, realizing that she was short of breath.

“Don’t say anymore, Erika,” Eron said quietly, eyes cast down.

Heedless, Erika shoved off Eron’s hand and venomously lashed out, “They say, the deepest pit of hell is reserved for betrayers, and that nothing is worse than being betrayed by a friend.”

“I said, stop it Erika,” Eron cut his twin off, and pulled her off from Sakura. “You’re going to suffocate that girl to death.”

Welcoming the rush of fresh air in her lungs, Sakura sputtered and took a deep breath in, only to realize she didn’t even have the strength left to stand anymore. What is Erika talking about? What is she saying about Hayashi Amamiya-sama and Chang Ruichi-sama?

Sakura collapsed onto the ground, welcoming the sharp bits of rock and gravel cut into her skin. Her scalp ached from Erika’s tight grip on her hair. I’ve always wondered what I’m fighting for. I’ve always believed that standing up and fighting back was the right choice, that I am doing the right thing. Yet, as Clow Reed said, there is a reason for everything. There must be a reason why the Dark Ones came to be, and the reason may be my ancestor, who I know nothing about. So then, what is my reason for retaliating, for fighting back, when the fault, the sin may be on my side, of my bloodline?

“Did she faint?” Eron asked, bending closer. Sakura lay crumpled like a flower stepped on and crushed.

“No, she’s still breathing,” Erika replied, kicking Sakura’s side with the tip of her boots. Her fingers were laced with loose strands of Sakura’s long golden brown hair from pulling so tightly. The color of His hair. She flung them aside. “Get up now. How much longer are you going to crawl on the ground, like a slug?”

Sakura winced. Another bruise didn’t matter anymore—she’d been hurt worse before. No, the problem was her mind. The lapses between the Obedience taking over her consciousness and her being able restore awareness were decreasing, with the Obedience gaining reign over her mind as more time passed. My body won’t hold me up anymore. I just want to close my eyes and sleep, wake up in the morning and find that I’m back to being ten year old Kinomoto Sakura, with no special powers and no care about the past, just an ordinary school girl.

“It’s seems like she didn’t learn her lesson from the Obedience yet,” Erika said, lifting up by a limp arm. “I said, get up!” She slapped Sakura’s face hard. Up till this moment, she hadn’t realized how much she hated this girl. The stinging of her palm was nothing compared to the abhorrence she felt towards Sakura. Still, Erika knew that any other girl at this moment would be bawling; but Sakura bit her lips and endured the pain and degradation.

“Erika…” Eron looked away, unable to watch anymore. “Let’s stop this Erika. It’s no fun when the opponent can’t even fight back.”

“You’re always weak when it comes down to Sakura,” Erika sneered. “Well, you stay out of my business, this time.” Abruptly, she let go of Sakura’s arm, letting her roll over into the mud and slime like a lifeless doll. “I wonder how much longer it will be until the Wolf-boy shows up. That is, if he is in any condition to be standing after the duel.”

Even as she said this, Erika looked around her. Any moment now. He should rush over to save his beloved Sakura.

“Well, I’m glad to keep you from waiting any longer.” A strained, enraged voice, came from behind the twins. In a dangerously low tone, he commanded, “Let go of Sakura, now.”

“My, my who is this here?” Erika smiled without turning around. He came, after all. Good. “Don’t tell me that the battle with Eriol is already over? It must have been a rather quick victory on Eriol’s part. Well, I guess he didn’t take it all the way, and you’re alive after all. What a pity.”

I’ve heard that voice before. Many times. Why is he here? He’s supposed to be elsewhere. Where? I don’t remember. Sakura steadied her weight on her hands and tried to sit up, straining her arm muscles. Dirt streaked her face and clothes and her knees were scraped. Her mouth was full of sand and her hair was a tangled mess. I need to get up. Yet I can’t move my body. I feel like my mind is being ripped apart every time I try.

Leaning is weight against a tree trunk, panting, Syaoran glared at the twins standing before him. Beads of perspiration, mixed with streaks of blood dripped down his forehead and temple, and his deep forest-green battle outfit hung in tatters. He wasn’t in his best condition, since he had run nonstop to this location, right after his battle against Eriol. In fact, he could barely stand upright. And he couldn’t bear to bring his gaze to dirt-covered, bruised Sakura, crumpled on the ground. Not for the first time, an uncontrollable fury rippled through his body, unleashing the beast inside him, shredding through all logic and rational thinking. Sakura, Sakura, what have they done to you? I won’t forgive them.

The chill rage he felt at this moment, upon seeing Sakura tormented so, was nothing compared to the wrath he felt last time, against Eron. If he could, he would rip off the limbs of the twins this very moment and end it all, but he couldn’t lose his temper. His rational self regained control, as he reminded himself that losing his temper in this situation was not the best tactic. Struggling to keep his voice from shaking, Syaoran repeated, though knowing the twins lacked all logic themselves, “I said, what are you doing to Sakura? Let go of her now.”

“What if we don’t want to?” Erika asked, blinking prettily and walking up to Syaoran. Stopping in front of him, she titled her head up, eyes narrowed challengingly. “Save her if you can.”

******

Far across the other side of the woods, the only remnant of the Duel of the Sun and Moon was the slightly uneven ground with clumps of dirt kicked up and scorched patches here and there. Dark splatters on the ground indicated where blood had been shed.

“Are you sure you can stand now?” Miho asked, supporting Eriol’s weight as they walked away from the battle spot. “Don’t strain yourself, it’s okay. Tomoyo’s bodyguards are going to come pick us up in the van.”

“I’m fine now,” Eriol replied, smiling. He picked up his broken glasses and slipped them back on.

“You don’t look fine,” Miho said, her brows creased as she dabbed Eriol’s mouth with a handkerchief. She had never seen Eriol perspire, let alone be injured in any way. After all, he was the invincible Hiiragizawa Eriol, who wouldn’t lose composure even in the face of hell. Even after defeat, he looked mildly irritated and amused at worst.

“I’d be more worried about Syaoran-kun, if I were you,” Eriol commented blandly, looking up to Cerberus and Yue.

“Why? He’s going after to save Sakura, isn’t he?” Miho stated. Then she frowned. She had forgotten about Sakura amidst her shock at seeing the infallible Eriol fall by Li Syaoran’s sword. The situation she had left Sakura in had not been good, to put things mildly. But with Syaoran, it would be okay.

“What do you mean, Eriol?” Cerberus asked, knowing Clow Reed better.

Letting go of Miho’s arms, Eriol stood up straight, dusting off his clothes. Though the loser in the battle, he still looked a lot better off than Syaoran did, with only a few minor cuts and bruises here and there; his clothes were at least in tact. “I’m not sure how Syaoran-kun plans on fighting the Dark Ones and saving Sakura-san, without any power left in him,” he continued, suppressing a thin smile.

Cerberus’s mouth dropped. Miho and Tomoyo stared at each other in dismay.

“No power?” Miho squeaked.

Glancing into the woods, Eriol said, “That’s right. I only recovered so quickly because Syaoran used an imperfect form of the Shen-lung Tai-feng on me. He had wasted a lot of his power throughout the battle, and he used his last drop of magic in drawing the dragon out. Had he been able to draw out the full dragon attack…” Eriol paused, recalling the blinding, terrifying blue-white light. “I wouldn’t be able to stand right now. In fact, I’m not sure if I would have recovered at all.”

Gulping, Cerberus stated, “Then that idiotic Brat—he ran off to save Sakura-chan without having any power left in him? What is he planning to do?”

“What happens if you run out of magical powers?” Tomoyo asked, frowning. It was just like Syaoran to recklessly run off to save his loved one without thinking out a plan beforehand. But he would be okay. He always managed fine. More importantly, Sakura always pulled through safely, no matter what. Tomoyo had watched all her battles till now, and she had that much faith in those two.

“It depends. Ki, as it’s called in Japan, chi in China, magic in the West, whatever you call it—it’s like blood. It runs in your veins, it’s a part of your body. It’s rare that magicians use up all their powers, but when they do, they have to wait a couple days, longer depending on the circumstance, for their bodies to replenish it. It’s not that big of a deal unless you’re in the middle of a battle,” Eriol said. “Of course, there are cases when people can go beyond the extent of recovery—meaning they eat into the inner level of power storage, their life supply. It’s comparable to human blood. Humans have a lot of blood—they can lose a certain amount and still be able to function. Yet, if they drain more than what keeps the body from functioning, to circulate the blood to the vital organs in the body, the results can be devastating and tragic.”

“Meaning you die if you use more power than the extent you have?” Miho demanded, shuddering.

“Well, yes,” Eriol replied. “But that’s rare. Usually, the mind’s natural instinct is to shut down the body before a magician foolishly draws upon his or her life supply for power.”

“So, that’s what was happening back when Sakura was making Sakura Cards,” Tomoyo said. “Yukito-san, I mean, Yue-san was disappearing because Sakura couldn’t sustain both Kero-chan and Yue-san with her magical level.”

“That’s right—instead of yielding more power to sustain Yue’s existence, Sakura’s body was constantly worn out, a side-effect from using all the energy to convert the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, and Yue’s existence was at risk,” Eriol said.

“Until Sakura’s brother gave up his powers to Yue-san, so that he wouldn’t disappear,” Tomoyo ended. “I don’t understand, though. If magical power is like blood, then isn’t there a limit to it? If so, how come Touya-san regained his powers and Sakura is no longer tired, but can sustain Yue-san and Kero-chan, and on top of creating new cards out of dark forces?”

“Well, in that case, magic is a little different from blood,” Eriol said. “There is a limit to how much blood a body can contain, and to a certain extent, there is a limit to how much magic a body can contain. However, there is room for development, control and growth. More like human muscles. There is also a final limit to how much strength and capacity a muscle can gain through hard training and effort, but the difference between the beginning and the final results can be drastic. Sakura-san is such a case. Her magical powers more than five years ago were trivial and undeveloped. She has evolved from a Level 4 magician to Level 2 magician in a short period of time, through the training and strengthening of her inner force. Without doubt, her capacity and threshold has increased as well.”

“That makes sense.” Tomoyo looked reflective, realizing that some people used their powers freely without every pausing to think of these things and the consequences. “In the beginning, I used to think all of Sakura’s powers were vested in the staff and the Clow Cards. Before she converted from the power of darkness to the power of the stars. Then, I realized that the power lies within.”

“You’re right, Tomoyo-san,” Eriol replied. “In the beginning, Clow Reed lent her some of his powers in the form of the Key of Darkness, to enable her to become Card Captor and capture the Clow Cards. At that point, it would have been impossible with just her own strength. Yet, she proved in Yue’s Final Judgment that her powers had expanded, and that she was worthy of becoming the new Clow Card Mistress; thus she also graduated into her own level of magic, the power of the stars. She no longer needed Clow Reed’s aid, the Key of Stars being a symbol of her advancement.

“Centuries ago, magicians discovered that it is easier to borrow power from different energy sources instead of relying solely on their own body. For example, I borrow the power of the sun, the brightest of all heaven and darkness, the strongest and steadiest of all forces. Syaoran uses the power of the moon and also that of various elements in the form of ofudas. (Recently, he learned to call for elemental power without ward papers, as he showed in the battle today). As for Sakura, it is rather rare for magicians to successfully draw upon the power of the stars, yet Sakura has succeeded. Of course, there are other forces one can borrow powers, such as various different elements, other people, spells and contracts, and even objects, like the staff of the Five Force Treasures. The possibilities in practical magic are unbound, and left to the imagination and potential of the user.”

“It’s rare to be gifted,” Miho said softly. “I wonder why some people are born with it and some people aren’t. And some are born with more of it than others. It’s not quite fair.”

“It’s partly genetics, partly fate,” Eriol replied. “Some people from magically gifted families are nonetheless born without it, while others from relatively unrenowned bloodlines have a surprising capacity of it. And there’s nothing you can do to change this. If you have it, you can either embrace it or deny it. And if you don’t have it, it’s a blessing in disguise. For magical powers, coveted by many, is nonetheless a curse, a burden.”

Recalling Meilin, who desperately wanted to have special powers, for the sake of her clan, Tomoyo said, “I don’t know. Some people who do anything for power. And possessing magical powers has clear advantages. It enables you to become stronger and protect the ones you love.” Images of Sakura and Syaoran, fiercely fighting against dark forces, Touya passing his own powers to Yue, to keep him from disappearing, Kai, naturally mixing his specials powers into his display of tricks as the Kaitou Magician, and Eriol, with his dark robes and sun staff, always having control over the situation, flitted through her mind. “It’s truly a gift, not a curse.” In this battle against the Dark Ones, I can’t help, even if I want to. All I can do is watch.

“I don’t get it, Eriol,” Miho said, puffing up her cheeks. “You said that though those with special powers have room for improvement, there is always a final limit to what the body can hold. But Clow Reed…”

“A Level 2 magician has mastered all his or her potential skills and has reached his or her maximum limit. What separates a Level 2 and Level 1 magician is, Level 1 magicians break the barrier and exceed beyond the limit,” Eriol said.

“But I thought you said that those who exceed beyond the limit, use more power than their body can contain, will face death.” Miho blinked her round gray eyes.

Eriol replied grimly, “That’s why they are Level 1 magicians—they can break the threshold and still survive. Most fail in attempt; thus, Level 1 magicians are rare.”

“Like Clow Reed,” Tomoyo murmured.

“Clow Reed was an exception, a freak of nature,” Cerberus said solemnly. “There will never again be one as powerful as him. It’s no surprise, since he had the blood of two of the Great Five, not to mention great resolve and a genius mind.”

“But in the end, Clow was only human, and he chose death,” Yue spoke quietly, for the first time since the duel ended. “Though why he chose to reincarnate himself, I do not know.”

“Wasn’t it to train a new Card Mistress?” asked Miho, glancing up at Yue in wonder. Beautiful words like serene, frosty, godly and glacial came to her mind whenever she saw Yue. That’s why he’s not human, she had to remind herself.

“He said he wanted a second chance to live life, no longer as the most powerful sorcerer in the world,” Ruby Moon stated, fluttering her black butterfly wings.

“I thought it was merely to suit his sadistic temperament,” Spinel Sun corrected. “To see his successors squirm and struggle like nothing before.”

“Who knows what went on in Clow Reed’s convoluted mind,” Cerberus said, golden eyes fixed upon Eriol. “Meanwhile, I’m more curious about why Eriol accepted Syaoran’s challenge.” He didn’t know about Eriol, but Clow Reed never engaged in futile action.

Tomoyo looked up. Indeed, why had Eriol fought with Syaoran? By now she knew that there was always an ulterior motive behind all of Eriol’s actions.

Yawning, Ruby Moon stated, “Well, are we going to help Sakura and Syaoran or what?”

“That’s right,” Cerberus exclaimed. “We have to go help out Sakura! That stupid brat—it was foolish of me to listen to him and stay. Hurry Yue, let’s go.”

“You can go ahead,” Yue said quietly. “I’m not going.”

“Not going? Sakura-chan is in danger! As her guardians, we have a duty to be by her side.” Cerberus growled.

“Our Card Mistress did not call for us. And the boy said that he has things under control,” Yue replied.

“But he doesn’t have any power to save her now!” Cerberus paced up and down.

“Let’s see what he will do,” Eriol said, smiling brightly to well disguise his cynical humor. “We’ll have some faith in Li Syaoran and his abilities.”

Cerberus scoffed, “Good riddance. Have faith in that brainless Brat? Who would be stupid enough to challenge the reincarnation of the greatest sorcerer in history and use up all his powers—he’s completely useless now!”

“But he won,” Miho reminded.

“I can’t just wait like this!” Cerberus exclaimed, reverting to his small form. Then, Kero-chan sighed. What could he do? His mistress had not called for him.

“We’re not going to follow?” Miho-chan asked Tomoyo, who was no longer videotaping. “Don’t you have a battle outfit prepared for Sakura-chan as usual?”

Gazing at Eriol, who had an unusually distant expression, Tomoyo shook her head. “This time, I don’t think my place is by Sakura. We just have to trust Syaoran, like Eriol-kun said.”

“You’re nothing but a hindrance in the end,” Eriol murmured quietly. His midnight blue eyes glimmered under the shadow of the trees. “Prove me wrong if you can, Li Syaoran.”

Always quick to catch onto Eriol’s words, Tomoyo shivered. Could I have possibly fallen for a more evil guy? Yet, even this side appeals to me. Maybe I’m the strange one.

******

A surreal world. I am shrouded in darkness. It’s like that time with the Dark card, back in fifth grade, in the middle of the Sleeping Beauty Play. Strange. I can hear voices. That voice. I thought I was mistaken before. A little more. I can hear him. He’s near by. With all the strength she could muster, Sakura reached out with shaking hands.

Watching Sakura’s arm twitch out of the corner of her eyes, Erika commented to Syaoran, “Your battle with Eriol ended quicker than I expected. Unless of course, you ran off in the middle of it.”

“I should have sealed the Obedience when I had the chance,” Syaoran said flatly. To his relief, he realized that Sakura wasn’t completely consumed by the Obedience yet. He wasn’t too late.

“You couldn’t. Only Sakura can seal new dark forces, remember?” Erika said. “Oh yes. She can’t anymore because she no longer has the Sealing Staff.”

“What are you talking about?” Syaoran asked. The Sakura Cards drifting downstream explained the situation quickly.

“Sakura threw her Sealing Key into the river, (under the command of the Obedience of course),” Erika replied. “All her cards too. She’s no longer Card Mistress.”

“Why, you…” Syaoran reached out to strike her but restrained himself. He had yet to figure out her game. Think calmly—what is her objective this time? This is the first time the Dark Ones have actually made a full frontal appearance in battle. Erika could have finished off Sakura ages ago, but she didn’t. What does she want?

“Why won’t you hit me?” Erika demanded. “Because I’m a girl? Or because you don’t have any strength to fight right now? It’s silly of you to come to this site, completely drained of all your powers. You knew you were walking into a trap, weren’t you? By now, you must have figured out the set-up, a collaboration between Eriol and me.”

“I don’t know when you and Eriol became so intimate, however, yes, I figured a little too late your scheme of attacking Sakura when I was occupied with the duel against Eriol. And you took it a step further, figuring I would show up to save Sakura even when I am completely exhausted and have used up all my strength in the battle with Eriol.” Syaoran paused, looking at Erika straight in the eye. “You’re right. I’m an idiot who would try to save that girl even when I’m powerless. I’ve faced such a situation many times before. During Yue’s Judgment, the Final Confrontation against Eriol, against the Fate… But…” A half-smile played upon the corner of his lips. Even as he said this, he was realizing what an absolute idiot he was, for showing up in such a state. “But many times she proved me that she does not need me. After all, she is the chosen Card Mistress. She has many commendable qualities that I do no posses. It’s only my selfish desire which keeps me by her side, time after time. It’s not for her that I am here. It’s for me. I can’t stand watching her face danger alone.”

Why? Why is he so self-sacrificing when it comes to Sakura? Why would he give up his prestigious title of Chosen One, his family, his pride, for the sake of being by that girl’s side, even when he acknowledges he doesn’t have to be here? Erika pursed her lips. Prove him wrong. Prove that he is a hindrance to Sakura, that he truly is worthless, that he made a mistake to stay by her side. Make him watch his precious Sakura suffer. Make him suffer. That’s what I want the most. A steady hand pressed against her arm. She spun around. Eron.

“Erika. Don’t put yourself under strain,” Eron said softly.

“You stay out of this,” Erika snapped. Out of anyone, she knew how much Eron despised Li Syaoran, yet he was holding back. Was he that concerned about Sakura? “Obedience! Full attack is on!”

Instinctively, Syaoran’s hand moved to his sword hilt.

Grasping a clump of dry grass in her hand, Sakura squinted her eyes. Her vision blurred and her skull ached. She could now see a faint silhouette of a person holding out a sword. Syaoran… Syaoran… Are you standing there, in front of me?

The voice of the Obedience interrupted her thoughts once more. Attack him. Attack him now.

Attack him? Attack who? A chill went down her spine. Sakura shook her head. Go away. I’m not listening to you anymore.

Stand up. Attack Li Syaoran, now! Against her will, Sakura found herself standing up, knees trembling, yet her legs moved forward. She lunged forward, kicking out a leg at Syaoran’s hand, knocking his sword out his hand. Why is my body moving this way? Why am I attacking Syaoran? Automatically, she bend down and picked up the fallen sword then staggered. It was heavier than it looked. Why am I picking up the sword? Steadying the sword with both hands, Sakura leaped forward and swung at Syaoran, who jumped back.

“Fight me, Li Syaoran!” Who’s voice? It’s my own voice. What am I saying? She lifted the sword up, parallel to the ground, and pointed the tip at Syaoran’s neck.

“Sakura…” Unfazed, Syaoran stared at Sakura, controlled by the dark force, pointing his sword at him. Her hands trembled so much that the tip wobbled dangerously near his throat. He did not step back nor cower away.

“I said, fight me, Syaoran,” Sakura repeated, lifting up the sword and swinging it clumsily at Syaoran. He did not move, and the sword sliced off a lock of his brown hair.

Clumsy girl. You missed. Strike again, the Obedience whispered in Sakura’s mind.

Stepping forward, Sakura struck down at Syaoran. Again, she missed.

The Obedience hissed, Where are you swinging at? Hit him. Aim for him. Bring him down. “This is your end, Syaoran!” Sakura exclaimed, rushing towards him in full force, having lost all control over her body now.

Syaoran stared at Sakura, pale faced, reminding himself, No, that’s not Sakura speaking. It’s not Sakura who’s trying to kill me now. It’s not Sakura.

“Why aren’t you dodging? Why aren’t you fighting back?” Sakura demanded, sword raised in the air, hands trembling. And electric shock ran through her brain as she balanced the sword vertically, midair. Run Syaoran, please. Don’t make me do this. Please Syaoran, run away from here. Can you hear me?

“Why isn’t he reacting?” Erika muttered, frowning at the expressionless, motionless Syaoran. Was he too stunned? Dismayed? “He’ll really get killed at this rate.”

“Maybe he’s paralyzed with fright and shock at his dear Sakura saying such words, attacking him like that.” Eron replied dryly. So this was what his twin had planned. Finishing off Syaoran through his most beloved one’s hands. It was pure malice, this tactic that had been used before. If watching was this unnerving, what would it be like for Syaoran, watching his dear Sakura try to kill him? “Isn’t everything going as you planned, Erika?”

“This is your end Li Syaoran!” Sakura shouted. She lunged forward with expert agility, sword positioned to pierce straight into Syaoran’s body. Her mind screamed, Go, Syaoran! Don’t stay here anymore! I don’t have control over my body or mind. Tears streamed down her eyes, despite a cold expression masking her face. This is it… I can’t do anything. Her arms automatically thrust the sword forward towards Syaoran’s heart. RUN SYAORAN!

Three steps, two steps… she’s coming. Syaoran’s held his breath as Sakura leaped forward, pleading emerald eyes betraying her precise movement.

“He has two choices—he can either dodge or fight back,” Eron said, glancing behind Syaoran. I see now. Even under the Obedience’s command, Sakura planned this attack, assuming that Syaoran would dodge, which would result in her colliding into the tree behind him, so that she won’t be able to attack Syaoran anymore. She still has some consciousness left in her.

There were only two choices for Syaoran in this situation. If Syaoran dodged, Sakura would collide head-first into the tree standing behind him, because she wouldn’t be able to stop the intense momentum from the attack. This could result in serious injury on Sakura’s part. Or, Syaoran could fight back—since he was weaponless, this would involve martial arts skills. He could kick the sword out of her hands—a risky moved judged by the speed Sakura was approaching, or he could knock her out with his fists. Either way, she would be injured—it was a no-win situation. Eron grimaced. What will you do, Li Syaoran, to prevent Sakura from getting hurt? See what it is like to be really helpless.

Eron and Erika’s eyes widened as Sakura ran up to Syaoran with sword extended in a deadly thrust.

“What…” Eron trailed off. The third choice.

Syaoran neither dodged nor ducked the blow. Instead, a strange and unexpected spectacle unfolded in front of them. Without blinking an eye, Syaoran stepped towards Sakura, unafraid of the gleaming blade flying his way. With his bare left hand, he gripped the blade near its base where it was dullest, stopping the attack, and with his other hand, he grabbed her wrist and drew Sakura towards him in a close embrace. For a second, Sakura struggled against Syaoran, trying to draw the sword free from his tight grip. Crimson blood dripped from his palm and onto the cold silver metal of the blade, then onto the ground. Then pain from the cut was enough to keep him levelheaded.

“Don’t, Sakura,” Syaoran said softly into her ear. “I know you can hear me, somewhere in the depths of your mind. I can hear you calling for me. You’re telling me to run. But I won’t run. I will never run from you again. Can you hear me Sakura? I’m here. So return, Sakura. I know you can defeat the commands of the Obedience. I’m not going anywhere until you do.”

“What is she going to do?” Erika murmured, in grudging awe that Syaoran was not afraid of his blade. It seemed as if Sakura calmed for a moment.

He’s in front of you. Attack him! The Obedience commanded in Sakura’s mind again.

No, I won’t, I can’t! I’m going to beat you. Yet Sakura’s inner voice was stifled and she felt that helpless sensation again, as the dark force in her mind sent her body different signals from what she desired. With redoubled fierceness in her attack, she yanked the sword out of Syaoran grip, slashing right through his palm in two deep, horizontal cuts from the doubled-edged blade. Then, she struck down on Syaoran’s shoulder blade with a loud crack. It took all of his self-control not to make a sound at the impact, and Syaoran crumpled onto his knees, wind knocked out of his lungs.

“Why aren’t you avoiding the hits?” Sakura demanded coldly. “Why aren’t you defending yourself?”

Stifling a moan, Syaoran gripped his left shoulder—judging from the pain, the collarbone had been broken. The dark force was making Sakura twice as powerful—he doubted she could swing his sword about so easily in her regular state. Yet, she was not completely gone yet. There still was hope. Just a little harder. He asked gently, “Then why do you have tears in your eyes?”

With trembling fingers, Sakura felt her cheek. It was wet. Why are you crying? What are you crying for? The Obedience jeered at her.

Syaoran, Sakura replied through her inner voice. What am I doing? Why am I attacking Syaoran? How could I have injured him? I’ve got to stop this!

Again, Sakura lifted up the sword. Why doesn’t my body listen to me? I can’t trace the source of the Obedience since it’s inside my mind. What can I do to stop this insanity? Go away Syaoran, go away. I’m begging you!

As Sakura swung down the sword ruthlessly, Syaoran shut his eyes. A blunt sword, ineffective at clean slices, called for a long, prolonged death. But if this was what would call Sakura back, he could endure it.

Once it entered in your mind, the Obedience was a difficult force to draw out in its true form. Inner strength to fight out the manipulating voice was important. Another was intense shock, which often briefly brought the victim back to his or her senses. This is it. He could sense the gleaming high above him, even with his eyes shut. His father’s sword.

“What is trying to do? Become a human sacrifice?” Erika hissed, horrified at Syaoran’s ambivalence as he kneeled on the ground, hands folded in front of him. She couldn’t bear to watch anymore. This is his end then. The blade slashed forward.

Yet, the blow never came. Syaoran opened his eyes. Sakura, with all her might had hurled the sword away, in the guise of stabbing him. The straight blade rotated midair several times and embedded itself deeply in a tree trunk off to the side. Her entire body was shaking uncontrollably, but her eyes were glowing with a new intensity.

“What happened?” Erika demanded shrilly. “Why did Sakura throw away the sword?”

“There’s an unseen battle going on inside her mind right now,” Eron replied, gazing at Sakura keenly. Truthfully, he had never seen that girl under so much strain as she was now. Not even when she was fighting the Stalker, nor the Whip, nor the Fate. For this time, it was a battle with the mind.

“Sakura…” Slowly, Syaoran staggered forward, grimacing at the sharp pain in his shoulder.

“Stay away!” Sakura said sharply.

Agitated, the Obedience demanded, Why won’t you listen to me anymore? Aren’t you in pain right now? The pain will stop if you listen to me again.

Confidant that the Obedience couldn’t manipulate her mind any longer, she told it, You’re an imposter. I won’t forgive you for making me attack my friends and injuring Syaoran. But I know it’s my fault. It was me who was too weak to fight you off. I am a failure as a Card Mistress. But I won’t always be a failure. I’ll improve with my own two hands. Sakura’s mind was in havoc, as if unseen hands were squeezing her brain, but she could sense her inner voice becoming stronger.

Impossible. You cannot throw me out of your mind. You shall obey.

No, I will break barriers if that is what will enable me to become a sufficient Card Mistress. Sakura staggered to stand straight. I won’t be stopped by the likes of you.

What kind of Card Mistress doesn’t have cards? The Obedience sneered. Now, stop this foolishness and resume your attack on the Little Wolf.

“NOOOOOO!” Sakura shouted with all her might, the first words of her own she uttered since her attacks on Syaoran began.

A golden-white blazed around her and her skin glowed pearl-like. One by one, the dozens of cards floating down the river rose up, and floated to her, surrounding her in a circle of rose-colored Sakura Cards, completely dry and undamaged.

“She called all the cards back to her,” Eron murmured, shielding his eyes from the light. “They came to her, knowing that she wanted them. Indeed, she is their true mistress.”

“But what good are the cards without the staff?” Erika said, still taking a step away.

“Look,” Eron said, voice hushed. Sakura’s entire body was alight, and a new rush of power radiated out of her. The golden twelve-pointed star symbol of the Sakura Cards appeared at her feet, etching its mark wide across the forest ground.

“Sakura!” Syaoran shouted, amber eyes widened. What was happening?

Raising her hand, Sakura called out, “Woody! Create a barrier around me!” Upon command, one of the brightly glowing cards that had been circling around her levitated into the air and sprouted into the lithe, leafy formed Woody which grew thick vines all around Sakura like a cocoon, concealing her from the onlookers.

“She just released a card without her staff,” Eron murmured in wonder. “How is that possible?”

“What is she doing?” Erika gulped, staring hard at the igloo like enclosure which Sakura had trapped herself and her cards in, using the Woody.

“I see. She’s entrapped herself in order to prevent herself from attacking Syaoran anymore. The Sakura Cards will do her bidding and follow her orders only, not the biddings of the Obedience, a fellow dark force. The Woody will not dissemble as long as Sakura has a grip of her inner mind, and she’s separated herself from the outside world, so she can carry on the mental battle against the Obedience without any interferences or the risk of Syaoran being involved.” Eron smiled grimly. “Once more, our little Cherry Blossom surprises us.”

Why does he seem pleased about it? Erika thought, glancing at her twin. He’s actually relieved that Sakura didn’t completely crumble. Then, she looked up at Syaoran, noticing how pale and shaken up he was for the first time. It wasn’t surprising, considering he must have survived a grueling, humiliating defeat against Eriol, only to face being attacked by his most important one. After all, he had missed being splintered in two by a hairline. There was a large gash near his temple—the blood hadn’t completely ceased to flow yet. His tattered and ripped battle costume was covered in so much blood and dirt that it was impossible to identify its original color. Without strength left to stand, he knelt by the Woody’s barrier, clutching his left shoulder which was skewed in an awkward angle—from the looks of it, a bone must be broken. Yet, what was that expression on his face? Not one of concern, anguish, nor defeat, but with a triumphant gleam in his eyes as he watched a blazing light gleam inside the cocoon of vines that Sakura had surrounded herself in.

Starting to falter for the first time, Erika walked over to Syaoran. With a snicker, she asked, “Aren’t you worried about her? Why aren’t you doing anything? Oh wait, I forgot. You’re powerless right now. Silly of you to use up all your energy on that futile battle against Hiiragizawa Eriol when you were going to lose anyway.”

Slowly standing up, Syaoran tilted his chin up and stared down at her with narrow eyes, replying, “Having fought by Sakura’s side for all these years, I know my strengths and her strengths. I have confidence in her abilities, and I can assure you of her willpower to overcome the Obedience.”

Hands crossed behind her back, Erika said innocently, “I know you were able to repel the Obedience with ease, but surely you know that it is a lot more difficult to discard it once it enters your mind than to simply block it from entering from the beginning.”

Unfazed, Syaoran replied, “I do know. That is why I know Sakura will be able to defeat such a dark force, when many others will fail. I myself don’t know how I would have been able to handle that dark force if it entered my mind—that is why I repelled it from the beginning.”

“If you know you’re useless, than why did you show up, in such a state?” Erika demanded, wishing Syaoran didn’t sound so sure.