The Burning Dawn
The first shadow struck fast, lunging at Tranquility with clawed hands. He barely had time to react before the Sun Peridot blazed within him, golden light bursting forth like the first rays of dawn. The creature recoiled, shrieking as its form wavered.
Reiko and Syaoran moved in unison, the Earth Gem pulsing between them. With a single motion, Syaoran slammed his foot into the ground, causing jagged stone to erupt from beneath the shadows, while Reiko followed with a burst of green energy, shattering their enemies into dust.
Endymion wielded the Golden Crystal with precision, his movements controlled yet powerful. A single wave of his hand sent golden arcs of energy slicing through the advancing horde. Kunzite was a storm of silver and steel beside him, cutting down anything that got too close.
But the shadows kept coming.
Tranquility gritted his teeth. The Sun Peridot burned within him, demanding more. He reached deep, calling upon its power. Light erupted from his hands, forming a blazing barrier around his allies. The creatures howled, their forms flickering like dying embers.
Clow observed from a short distance, his eyes unreadable. Then, with a flick of his fingers, he traced a glowing sigil in the air. A pulse of ancient magic rippled outward, disrupting the creatures’ forms.
“They’re not ordinary enemies,” Clow said calmly. “They’re feeding off something.”
Syaoran’s eyes narrowed. “Then we cut off their source.”
Reiko turned her attention to the forest around them, scanning the shifting shadows. Then she saw it—a faint glow deeper in the woods, pulsing like a sickly heartbeat.
“There,” she said, pointing.
Without hesitation, Tranquility surged forward. The others moved with him, cutting through the last of the shadowy figures as they raced toward the glow.
As they approached, the energy in the air thickened, pressing against them. The source of the disturbance became clear—an ancient-looking stone, dark and cracked, pulsing with corrupted energy.
Endymion clenched his fists. “A shard of Metallia’s power.”
Clow nodded. “If we leave it, more will come.”
Tranquility stepped forward, feeling the Sun Peridot stir. He didn’t hesitate.
He placed his hand on the stone, and golden light exploded from his body. The Sun Peridot flared brilliantly, burning away the darkness. The stone let out a final, shuddering pulse before shattering into nothingness.
The oppressive energy vanished.
Silence fell.
Tranquility exhaled, staggering slightly. The Sun Peridot dimmed, its power settling once more.
Syaoran placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “You alright?”
Tranquility nodded, though his heart still raced. “Yeah... just wasn’t expecting that.”
Endymion studied the spot where the stone had been. “This wasn’t random. Someone placed it here.”
Kunzite’s expression darkened. “Which means they’ll try again.”
Clow turned toward the others, his gaze sharp. “This was only a test.”
Tranquility tightened his grip. He could feel it too. The real enemy was still out there, watching, waiting.
And this was just the beginning.