“Going?” Sakura asked blankly as she looked at Dark Schneider. “Where are we going?” she asked confused.
“A tour. Of sorts. A tour of magic. And we’re your guides,” Urd explained patiently. “That is...” and she paused significantly, “if that is your choice,” she added quietly.
“Do you want to come with us Sakura?” Xellos asked cocking his head. “That is the choice before you. We will show you about the history of magic, of the powers and hierarchy that define it, of it’s hidden worlds, of the hidden mysteries and crafters of today...” and he paused briefly and glanced sidewise at Pluto, “... and of the future of magic and where it is going and perhaps even your own role that you might play,” he clapped his hands together and grinned. “Or not.”
“Your life is defined by your choices. Choose. And choose wisely.” Pluto snapped looking like she was busy and had a dozen other things she’d rather be doing.
Sakura looked down at her feet and scuffed the pavement. “I ... I ...” she stammered, “I’m afraid,” she whispered.
“Of course you are.” Schneider barked. “It’s rational. Logical. Sensible. Everyone fears the unknown,” he folded his muscular arms, “and well they should,” he said, baring his teeth in a snarled challenge. “If you cannot take the first step, if you cannot find the courage to face your fear, then you best forget about magic altogether girl, because magic is not rational. It’s illogical, insensible, impractical, impossible. It demands it. Thrives on it.”
“I don’t know about this Sakura,” Kero hissed in her ear. “I don’t trust them or their offer!”
“I wish Li was here.” Sakura murmured thinking about Li Syaoran, the descendant of Clow Reed who was a formidable magician in his own right and had unfortunately returned to China.
“You don’t need that kid! I’m here!” Kero announced proudly puffing out his nonexistent chest.
I still wish Li was here, Sakura thought mentally even as she smiled at Kero, albeit weakly. “Do you think I shouldn’t go with them Kero?” she asked seriously.
Kero hesitated. “It’s your decision Sakura, I’ll back you all the way.” He proclaimed. “They say that they’ll abide by your choice. And truthfully, I may have picked up some stuff over the years, but I’m no master or expert on magic either,” the plushie said solemnly as he folded his stubby little arms across his chest, “If you want to know more about magic, even that brat Syaoran is more trustworthy than this bunch. But—” and now Kero hesitated and then plunged in, “—the Li Clan is an Eastern family with knowledge about Eastern style magic. Clow Reed used it, but he combined it with Western style magic into developing his own unique and much more powerful style. He created the Clow Cards with it. Eastern and Western magic never crafted anything like it before. Or since.”
Kero fell silent for a long moment. Then he looked up, “They could give you some special insight or knowledge about magic that not even Syaoran could.”
Kero pointed at her necklace. “You can use the Key. You can use the Cards,” he pointed at her bookbag momentarily, “but casting a spell on your own?” and he shook his head in negation. “You don’t know how and I can’t help you there. I’m the Guardian of the Cards. That’s it.” and he swung his arm around to include the waiting Four, “They are sorceresses, magicians, mages, and whatever. They could teach you. And they’re right too Sakura. It’s your life, your future. You have to make a choice.”
All those times, all of those adventures, she hadn’t really wanted it, she had been forced into it by a nagging Kero, out of the guilt that she was responsible and the thought of innocent people who might be hurt or injured or killed, she had threatened by Yue, been manipulated by Eriol. She had never really wanted it. And she had never really been given a choice before. Now they were giving her a choice that would define her entire life? It wasn’t fair. It was too much. Too soon. She gulped. She looked downward towards her feet as if the answers to her questions were there.
What did she want, she asked herself.
She wanted to be stronger. Stronger than she was. She wanted to be powerful. And wise. And ... and she wanted magic.
“I ... I want to see magic,” she whispered and then her voice grew stronger, more determined, “I want to see it.”
She looked up at the Four and said, “I’ve made my choice,” she intoned, “I’ll go with you.”
Urd smiled and glanced at Xellos who nodded. Pluto turned away with a snort, fingering her staff absently. Sakura looked at the tall and brutal looking wild haired man who was standing stiffly apart from the rest of the group. Schneider looked down at her with a cold, almost disinterested expression on his face. Sakura swallowed nervously and felt like squirming but she didn’t. Instead she held her ground and returned his gaze levelly. Slowly, a corner of his mouth turned upward for a second, softening his face before it returned to it’s neutral impassivity.
“The question has been invoked,” Urd said solemnly.
Sakura wondered if this was some sort ritual that they were performing.
“And the decision has been made,” Xellos continued with an impish smile.
“Let the journey begin,” Pluto muttered.
“And the doors be opened and the path revealed,” Schneider growled.
Sakura cleared her throat tremulously wondering if she was allowed to speak, “Uh ... so where are we going again?”
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(Posted Wed, 22 Jun 2005 14:20)
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