Hope's Pure Light

Chapter 4: The Mission

Disoriented and confused, Syaoran opened his eyes slowly, trying to make sense of the fuzzy images surrounding him. Varying shades of green gradually came into focus. Within minutes, the scenery around him solidified, and he found himself in a peaceful garden. He lay on a small patch of dark, lush grass. Small trees sprouted up around him, displaying beautiful leaves of spring green. Close by, a small creek rushed fresh, cool water into a still, deep pool. Lilly pads with bright pink flowers blossomed on the surface, each nearly glowing with peaceful magic.
Exhausted and dazed, Syaoran sauntered towards the pond, breathing heavily. He kneeled next to the water’s edge, dipping his face towards the surface. His hands reached out steadily, cupping the cool water in his hands and splashing it onto his face. The clear liquid washed over his brow, freeing the stress and sweat that had built up throughout his test. After refreshing himself, he looked around once more. The aura was filled with a perfect balance and gave a sense of complete tranquility. He could only hear the rushing of the creek as the water slid over and under rocks before it swirled into the small pool.
‘Yin and Yang’ he thought with a smile. He breathed in slowly, feeling relief from the danger of the mysterious symbol and ancient tree. Syaoran concentrated on the steady beating of his heart and felt the Tao completely settle within him. For the first time, he could feel the scale between Yin and Yang balance in his body as it had balanced in the garden. His eyes opened, returning his gaze to the peaceful pool.
Syaoran gasped as he saw Sakura’s face vanishing into the darkness of the depths. He reached out, grasping for her hand as she reached up towards him. His hand quickly wrapped around hers as a power surged through him. He held onto her, refusing to let her drown and disappear from his life again. Regardless of how much strength he used to try to pull her out, he continued to fall into the pool as she dragged him under. The longer Syaoran held onto her slipping hand, the more he felt the rush of confusion and darkness. The inner balance in and around him began to tip as darkness overcame the light. He knew that he must choose between the eternal balance and the thing he desired most, and this realization hit him like a brick. Syaoran knew that the balance of the world was vital to survival, but his heart screamed out in protest to letting Sakura slip away. Moments passed far too quickly and he knew he had to make a sudden decision, and learn to accept the consequences. He had completely forgotten that this was nothing more than an illusion, a mere test and rite of passage for him to return to reality. Nothing mattered now but this final choice.
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When Syaoran opened his eyes again, he was once again standing in front of the masters in the stone, dark room. His eyes held reminiscent tears, and he strained to hold them back. Clothes hung loosely and damply on his shoulders, torn and rugged. His head hung sadly as sweat formed on his brow. It seemed that the Masters had already given the verdict and he would soon be returned to the only life he had known the last ten years. Sakura was nothing more than a wasted dream to him now, something out of reach. He wasn’t worthy of her if he couldn’t pass this test, and his failure was obvious. Syaoran couldn’t understand why he had made the decision he did, but he knew that he couldn’t have made any other choice with a clear conscience.
They stood around him gravely, stern lines spreading from their eyes like rivers and canyons. The Masters’ ages together would qualify as ancient, and their wisdom was beyond telling. Not a single smile had greeted him in his return; stone faces seemed to burn into his very soul.
“We hope that you have seen that which you needed to see. Throughout these years you have learned about the eternal balance and how sacred your duty is to protect it. Your heart will guide you as you now possess the weighing scale. Always protect those whom you love, and be sure to serve the balance. ”
Syaoran raised his head in disbelief. Had they not seen it? He was certain that they would be witnesses to his trial. Couldn’t they see that he had no choice? He couldn’t protect the one he loved and maintain the balance; a difficult choice had been forced upon him.
Relief poured over his body and he whispered a prayer of thanks. He had not known that his test would be a private matter, and after his battle between love and peace, he felt embarrassed at his indecision. It was commonly known that each trial was secretive and not to be shared. But Syaoran had surely thought that the Masters would have supervised his ordeal. He was thankful they had not, and code prevented him from speaking of it to anyone.
Syaoran’s eyes watered as he nodded stiffly and bowed before his masters. He
could barely believe that it was over. This very day he would walk out of the magical gates that had been closed to him for so long. Syaoran blinked away tears as he realized he could be with Sakura as soon as tomorrow. Everything he had ever wanted was within his grasp at this moment. Freedom was at his doorstep and the opportunity to pursue his dreams was upon him.
He smiled in relief as the Masters respectfully bowed back. Syaoran was now free to go, and he immediately turned on his heel to exit the chamber.
“Wait, Master Li.” boomed a deep, aged voice. Syaoran came to an abrupt stop and slowly turned back to face the elders once again. His eyes searched questionably among their faces for the answer of what was holding him back and why he must not leave. Surely he had spent enough time at this monastery, and surely they could not expect him to stay confined here forever.
“Times are dire. Normally, your first mission would come in 6 months, giving you time to get a civilian life in order. You have been one of the best students we have had the opportunity to instruct. Now we are forced to call upon you to succeed in this task.”
Syaoran stared in disbelief. How could they expect him to continue this lifestyle of servitude? Hadn’t he earned some time to put his affairs in order before he undertook a mission? The more he looked at the speaking Master, the more he filled with contempt and anger. His eyes shifted to the floor, unable to withstand the resentment that was building up inside of him. Regardless of his objection to such a request, he knew he could not deny it. In repayment of his training and years at the monastery, he was under oath to serve the order. Furthermore, he knew that helping maintain the eternal balance was a job worth performing. Morally, he could not reject this.
“I am ready to undertake this mission.” Syaoran replied crisply and detachedly. He could barely stand to say the words, knowing it would take him further from what he really wanted. The only optimistic thought he held was the knowledge that the end was in sight. Only one thing more stood between him and Sakura. The sooner he could finish this simple task, the sooner he would be free.
“We have sense a disruption in the balance in Japan. Though the balance has remained relatively normal in the past, in the last couple years it has declined drastically. The Darkness has begun to take over, slowly spreading its evil and threading out across the island. We have worked arduously to discover the cause of this problem and have traced the source of the corruption.”
Syaoran nodded, taking it all in. Perhaps he wouldn’t be far from Sakura at all. Following the trip he wouldn’t even have to return to China and he could immediately find her and begin a new life. So, Japan it would be…He questioned what could cause a disturbance great enough to evoke the action of the Masters. Through all his thoughts, Syaoran kept eye-contact, waiting for his final instructions. He eagerly anticipated starting this mission, and finishing it.
“Your duty is to find what is causing this problem, prevent it from continuing, and return the balance in Japan before it affects the rest of the world.” The old man slowly raised a thin, leather case, motioning for Master Syaoran to take it.
Syaoran’s arm extended slowly, apprehensive to take Fate into his hands. He grasped the wallet in his hand, feeling the worn smoothness crease against his fingertips. He held it securely, affirming to himself and the Masters that he would do what was necessary to complete the task.
“I hope you understand the seriousness of this task. The Fate of the World may lie in this task. We need not remind you of what could happen should you fail.” Syaoran nodded slowly and steadily at these words. He understood the gravity of this test, and was prepared to do what was necessary.
Feeling as if his time here was past and the Masters were finished, Syaoran bowed slightly, and exited the room, still gripping the leather-bound case firmly. His departure from the monastery was short, but seemed to take ages. He walked down the dirt walkway, his shoes shuffling along the grit and rocks. His eyes wandered across the yard, glancing at younger students learning and practicing techniques and vast spaces of empty grass. As he finally neared the gate, he took a final look at what had been his home for the last ten years. After a moment, he turned again and finally passed through the barrier that had once kept him locked inside. With his first step out, he slowly breathed in the air, feeling the change in the magical energy. Looking down, he remembered his mission and began opening the envelope. The leather bent at the creases, causing more crisp wrinkles and worn lines. A single piece of old parchment lay inside, folded against the aged material. Syaoran’s fingers reached for the think, soft paper, slowly lifting the thin sheet. Underneath the flap, written in clear, black ink was a single word: Tomoeda.