Chapter Seven

Somewhere far away from the palace of Nirvana, deep in the darkness of the oddly moonless night, a shadow walks. No light shines in this place, and nothing can be seen beyond the pitch-blackness.

The leaves rustle under the movement of the shadow, and a branch of a tree crashes loudly to the ground. Then an animal screams out in the emptiness, and the sound echoes of objects unknown.

The shadow screeches out an eerie sound, and the animal’s scream gurgles as it’s silenced. The shadow laughs wickedly.

************

Tomoya Touya, Madison, and Yukito leave the palace with Trinity early in the morning before the King and Enchantress Queen awake. Trinity casts the spell that opens a portal to the dark castle, and they all meet there in the darkness.

“Ow!” exclaims Madison tripping over something in the dark and falling to the floor.

“Madison?” asks Tomoya Touya, “Are you okay? Where are you?”

“I’m on the floor,” says Madison.

“Solok guran kito me!” exclaims Yukito carefully drawing his sword and lifting it into the air. Flames form around his blade and illuminate the room.

Trinity looks at the fiery sword and chuckles. “Yes… Yes, I forgot… You are the true Tribunal. We have learned to live here in darkness because none of us could make it light. This castle was once the Castle of Lumos. It would shine brightly even through the night, but when the evil came, the castle was surrounded in darkness, and its light was snuffed. Come with me, I will show you to the most useful tool the Tribunal possesses.”

“What tool would that be?” asks Tomoya Touya as she helps Madison to her feet.

“The Pool of Radiance,” says Trinity.

“The Pool of Radiance? What is that?” asks Yukito.

“It will show you whatever you need to see,” says Trinity leading the way down a hallway, “the past… the present… the future…”

Yukito follows behind Trinity holding his sword up to shine light on the hallway.

Madison and Tomoya Touya follow close behind Yukito.

Trinity takes them out of the castle through an exit in the dungeon and through a long, damp tunnel before she shows them out into the stone-strewn garden where the glowing pool shines its light. “Yukito… you wear no ring. Why not?”

“I gave my ring to Tomoya, and she gave her ring to Madison,” says Yukito.

Trinity turns towards Tomoya Touya. “You have a ring, as does Madison, but Yukito still needs one, and it is in your possession.”

“I only have one ring,” says Tomoya Touya slightly puzzled from the accusation.

“The other ring is still in your heart. You have given Madison a token of your love, but you haven’t given one to Yukito. It is still within your heart,” says Trinity, “Use the power that you have to remove it.”

“How?” asks Tomoya Touya.

Trinity steps up to Tomoya Touya, and she whispers into her ear.

Tomoya Touya closes her eyes and holds both her hands up to her chest. She pulls them away and looks at her hand. She sees a ring within the grasp of her right hand. She gasps. “I don’t understand how this could happen!”

Trinity smiles. “Your heart is strong.”

Tomoya Touya turns to Yukito.

Yukito smiles and blushes as Tomoya Touya slides the ring into place on the ring finger of his left hand. He pulls her into a kiss. “Tomoya…”

Tomoya Touya smiles at Yukito. “I love you, Yukito.”

Yukito looks at the platinum ring on his finger. He sees the small rubies circling an odd shaped crest consisting of a dark circle and a white eye. “Trinity, would you happen to know what this symbol means?”

Trinity takes Yukito’s hand and looks at the ring. She shakes her head. “I don’t, but the pool could probably tell you.”

Madison looks at the ring on her left hand. For the first time she notices the emeralds in the heart formation on her silver band. “My ring’s a heart.”

Everyone looks at Tomoya Touya.

Tomoya Touya looks at her ring, a gold band with tiny sapphires surrounding a triangular shield. “A shield… This is the ring of strength… The Ring of the Body.”

“Mine in the Ring of the Heart,” says Madison, “And Yukito’s is the Ring of the Mind…”

“But why does it have an eye on it?” asks Yukito.

“Ask the Pool of Radiance,” says Trinity, “The pool knows everything. It is connected to the life force of our world. It is timeless. It knows the past, the present, and the future, and it can show us clearly what is to be.”

“I’m tired of your riddles!” exclaims Tomoya Touya angrily. She steps up to the side of the pool and thrusts her left hand out over the water. “We must be strong of body! We see all!”

An ocean blue ray of light flows from Tomoya Touya’s hand down into the water.

Madison and Yukito step up beside Tomoya Touya and hold their hands out over the water.

“We must be strong of heart! We hear all!” exclaims Madison, and a grass green beam of light emanates from her hand falling into the water.

“We must be strong of mind! We know all!” exclaims Yukito, and a flame red light emerges from his palm and shoots into the glowing water.

“We are the Guardians of Nirvana! We are the Tribunal! We defend the weak! We protect the strong! We fight against the evil that threatens to destroy our world! We will protect Nirvana until our deaths!” exclaim the three people as the beams of light from their rings dissipate into the water. They look into the water of the pool.

“Show us what we wish to know!” exclaims Madison.

An image starts to form in the water, showing Yukito’s ring.

“It’s my ring,” says Yukito, “And… what’s it doing? It looks like I’m reading that person’s mind!”

“It’s the Ring of the Mind, Yukito, so you may be!” exclaims Tomoya Touya.

“So… now that I have shown you the Pool of Radiance, there is only one other thing that I can do to help you,” says Trinity, “I will help you train for the fight that lies within the near future. The evil that the Tribunal has faced time and time again it returning to our world, and you must stand up against it soon. I will help you train for the fight.”

Tomoya Touya nods.

Madison kneels down and touches the water. She reels back and covers her eyes as the pool’s gentle glow transforms into a blinding flash.

Tomoya Touya spins and hides her face in Yukito’s chest.

Yukito holds his arm over his eyes.

Trinity clamps her eyes closed and spins so her back faces the pool. She opens her eyes and looks back in the direction they had come from. She gasps. “Look at the castle!”

Everyone looks at the castle and sees the black stone break away into a wonder of brilliantly white marble.

Tomoya Touya steps backwards in awe and stumbles into the water.

A second blinding flash of light flares as the cool water touches Tomoya Touya’s bare ankles.

The ground around the pool comes to life with bright colored flowers and rich green grass.

Tomoya Touya steps out of the water quickly. “This is amazing!”

“You can say that again, Tomoya!” exclaims Yukito.

“This is amazing!” exclaims Tomoya Touya spinning in a circle and looking all around her.

“But look at the sky! It’s still black as pitch!” exclaims Madison standing up.

Yukito bends down and cups some of the water into his hand. He closes his eyes as a radiant light flashes from the pool.

Above them all, the sky changes color to become a rich sapphire blue with the sun shining brightly in the sky.

“The Castle of Lumos has once again returned!” exclaims Trinity, “You needn’t hide in darkness! You have the Light! You have the Light of Love! That is what you have that no other Tribunal has ever had!”

“Trinity… How about we start training tomorrow?” asks Yukito.

Trinity nods.

“In the meantime, I have a favor to ask… of the High Priestess Aurora. Would you conduct the ceremony to wed Tomoya and I?” asks Yukito.

Trinity looks at Yukito. “I would be honored to.”

“Great!” exclaims Tomoya Touya.

************

Over the coming weeks, everyone trains harder and longer than they ever have before, especially the former princess, Madison.

“I can’t go on, Trinity!” exclaims Madison falling to her knees on the grass. She breathes deeply. Her dress has been traded in for a pair of mottled brown breeches and a long-sleeved pale blue tunic. She wears knee-high brown boots to complete her ensemble. “I have never done so much in my life!”

“Your tutors spoiled you!” exclaims Trinity laughing, “But I suppose we can take a break! You have sealed every doorway that I have opened, and your enchantress spells are quite formidable! Your mother taught you well!”

“Thanks!” exclaims Madison lying down on her side. She breathes in deeply.

Trinity sits down on an iron bench. “I’m afraid though that they didn’t give you enough exercise, so we’ll continue with that after our break.”

“Physical exercise! Oh, no!” moans Madison.

“You do not want to endanger Tomoya Touya and Yukito because you cannot keep up with their pace,” says Trinity.

“Oh, you’re right, but I still don’t like the idea of this exercise!”

Trinity laughs.

“What’s so funny?” asks Madison propping herself up on her elbows and glaring at Trinity.

“I remember! I remember when I was your age and Triad and Trio were forcing me to do everything I am now forcing you to do!” exclaims Trinity, “I wasn’t that active either, but I had to tone my body… sculpt my muscles… I hated it just as much as you! I remember being in your place!”

Madison climbs to her feet. She walks over to the glistening Pool of Radiance. She looks into the water. “Hey, Trinity… could I use the pool without the others? Just to check on them and see how their training is going?”

“I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way… not for any Tribunal before,” says Trinity, “But you’re welcome to try!”

Madison stares into the water. “Show me the way… with the strength of my heart! Show me the one I love!”

The water glows and swirls for a moment before an image appears in it.

“There she is! Trinity, come look!” exclaims Madison looking into the water.

Trinity stands and hurries over to look into the water. She sees Tomoya Touya in the water practicing with her long sword against a practice dummy. “You did it.”

“Tomoya is really getting into this training,” says Madison with a sigh, “It’s time that I do the same!” She turns towards Trinity aggressively. “What do I do now?”

“Let’s go for a run to strengthen your leg muscles. Then after that… we will do some climbing exercises to strengthen your arms,” says Trinity, “Shall we begin?”

“I’m ready!” exclaims Madison, “If Tomoya and Yukito can keep up a rigorous training schedule, then so can I!”

Trinity grabs Madison’s hand and starts to pull her at a jog around the castle.

Madison laughs as she releases Trinity’s hand and runs as quickly as she can away. She sets an even, but rapid pace, and she runs around the castle. She runs until she can’t run anymore, then she collapses exhausted on the front steps of the castle.

Trinity runs up to Madison breathing heavily. “I haven’t run like that in ages!”

“Tell me about it!” exclaims Madison, “Oh… Pretentia would have a fit if she saw me like this!”

“Pretentia? She was your etiquette teacher, wasn’t she?” asks Trinity.

“Yes!”

“Stuck up snob! That’s who she was!”

Madison laughs.

“Perhaps, we should find the others and have lunch before we continue with your training,” says Trinity.

“That would give my legs a chance to rest,” says Madison, “When I saw Tomoya in the water, she was in the dining room, I believe.”

“The perfect place then!” exclaims Trinity. She holds out her hand to Madison.

Madison takes Trinity’s hand so that she can help her to her feet. She releases the hand quickly and leads Trinity into the castle. She walks briskly to the dining room and enters. She smiles when she sees Tomoya Touya and Yukito still hard at work ripping their practice dummies to shreds.

“Hey, mine lost its head again!” exclaims Tomoya Touya as her sword strike knocks the wooden ball from the top of the practice dummy. She wears black breeches and a sleeve-less cream-colored tunic just like she used to wear as Touya. She wears knee-high black boots.

Yukito ducks as the head flies towards him. He laughs. He wears the same outfit as Tomoya Touya only his clothing is solid brown. “We should get you a stone opponent!”

“Hello,” says Madison, “We were wondering if you wanted to break for lunch!”

“Lunch?” asks Yukito perking up at that idea.

Tomoya Touya looks at Madison and smiles. She sheathes her sword. “Great idea!”

Yukito sheathes his sword. “So what would we like for lunch?”

“Let me decide that!” exclaims Madison with a sly expression. She runs out of the room towards the kitchen.

“We’d better follow her,” says Yukito nodding to Madison.

“Just what I was thinking,” says Madison with a nod.
Yukito and Madison hurry out of the dining room and follow Tomoya Touya.

“You are wonderful people,” whispers Trinity, “The new Tribunal… You will save the world once and for all! I know you will! Madison Triad… She was a princess who loved Touya and was trained to be an enchantress and a diplomat, but after realizing that Touya was actually Tomoya, she has remained in love. Lucky girl. She is strong of heart! Tomoya Touya Trio… She was an orphan whose personality was split in two by magic effectively giving her a twin brother that she never saw. She loves both Yukito and Madison and would do anything for either one of them. She is strong of body! Yukito Trinity… The only son of the High Priest, he is in love with Tomoya. He is strong of mind!” She shrugs her shoulders as she heads off to join the others in the kitchen.

************

Tomoya Touya draws her long sword from the sheath at her waist and looks at Yukito. “Are you sure that I’m doing this right?”

“Well… not really, but it is the way Trinity told me to do it,” says Yukito smiling, “Okay, focus all of your energy on your sword.”

“Focus all of my energy,” says Tomoya Touya taking a cleansing breath. She closes her eyes. She feels her energy within her body, and she pushes it with her mind, trying to force it to move into her sword. Her entire body begins to pulse with a strange pale blue glow.

“You’re doing it, Tomoya!” exclaims Yukito happily.

Tomoya Touya opens her eyes. “I can feel my strength flowing around me like a waterfall!”

“I wish I had a mirror! You could see it too!” exclaims Yukito.

Tomoya Touya looks at her hands that grip the hilt of her sword, and she sees the blue light emanating from her body. She looks at Yukito and smiles.

Yukito draws his sword. “Now attack me!”

“I don’t know if I can, Yukito!” exclaims Tomoya Touya.

“It was easy for you to fight with me when you were Touya!” exclaims Yukito.

“Yeah, but if you hadn’t noticed, I was a little insane then! I had two completely separate personalities!” exclaims Tomoya Touya, “And I honestly believed that Touya was my twin brother… a brother I never saw! I was so stupid!”

“No! You weren’t! It was probably written into the spell that you would believe that way!” exclaims Yukito, “You were deceived by a powerful Enchantress. It wasn’t your fault that you believed her! Now, please, Tomoya… as the woman I love, attack me! You’ve always been really strong. I just didn’t notice before.”

Tomoya Touya juggles her sword in her hand, letting the hilt slip completely from her grasp only to clasp it tightly the next second. She jumps towards Yukito and strikes at him with her sword. “I love you!”

Yukito blocks Tomoya Touya’s blow. Strike after strike he blocks, but he can’t attack because she doesn’t give him time to attack.

Tomoya Touya’s body glows brighter as her speed quickens. She strikes out at Yukito over and over again watching him block her attacks. She doesn’t notice her getting faster. It seems to her that Yukito is moving in slow motion. She continues her strikes and when she sees him move to block an overhand attack, she pulls her sword around to point at his chest. “One small thrust, and you’re dead.”

“How could you move so fast?” asks Yukito backing away from Tomoya Touya’s sword. He sheathes his own long sword.

“I don’t know.” Tomoya Touya shrugs her shoulders. “I just… I just did!”

“I could barely see you. You were so fast.”

Tomoya Touya sheathes her sword. She smiles. “How fast was I?”

Yukito pulls Tomoya Touya into his embrace and forces her down upon her knees onto the floor with him. He buries his face in her neck as he kneels in front of her. “So fast I was scared… scared that I wouldn’t be able to block and that you would be the one to cause my death.”

“I would never… I hope I would never… I can’t train against you anymore,” says Tomoya Touya, “Not unless I use a padded sword. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I suppose that will have to do,” says Yukito holding Tomoya Touya tightly.

“Am I still glowing?” asks Tomoya Touya.

Yukito pulls away from Tomoya Touya and looks into her eyes. He smiles. “Just a little.”

Tomoya Touya takes a deep breath, and the light dissipates from her body.

“We should continue training. You can practice against that hideous statue we don’t like!” exclaims Yukito standing up. He pulls Tomoya Touya to her feet and kisses her quickly. “I should practice myself, but I’m going back to the dining hall to practice with the wooden dummies.”

“Yes… I’ll go check on Madison before I continue my training,” says Tomoya Touya.

Yukito nods.

Tomoya Touya and Yukito head out of the ballroom and turn in opposite directions.

Tomoya Touya hurries outside and finds Trinity standing alone on the front steps of the castle. “Hello, Trinity! Where’s Madison?”

“She’s climbing,” says Trinity pointing at a tall tower.

Tomoya Touya looks up and sees Madison along the surface of the tower, climbing up the rope that is her only safety precaution. She stares at Madison. “How is she doing?”

“Well, she’s getting much stronger. She’ll do just fine I think,” says Trinity smiling.

“And the strength of her heart? Is she learning to control that as well?”

“Yes… I would say that she has already mastered that. She was using her powers before I even approached you three… not much, just a little… but she had already learned that the key to controlling the power of her heart was through her desperation. Just like controlling the power of your body is through your heart and your love,” says Trinity sitting down, “She has been able to do amazing things with her power since I took over her training. How is your training with Yukito going?”

“I’m too fast for him,” says Tomoya Touya, “I can’t practice with him anymore. He might get hurt.”

“So one of your powers is speed? I thought as much. Trio was really fast too.”

Tomoya Touya looks away from Madison and turns to look at Trinity. “You miss them, don’t you? Trio and Triad?”

“Yes… I do… They were my friends.”

“Did you love them?”

“No… I never got that chance. We barely knew each other beyond us being the Tribunal together. We were together often, but we didn’t talk about who we were before. Before the trouble… before the pain… before we became the people we were meant to be… never meant to be.”

“Before you became the Tribunal?” asks Tomoya Touya.

Trinity nods. “Yes… They never knew that I was the High Priestess Aurora. They never even knew my name. I was only Trinity to them. I knew as much of them. I didn’t know their names or anything about them. I didn’t even know if they feared anything. None of us had ever loved before… I… I gave Trio his first kiss as he lay dying in my arms.”

“I’m sorry, Trinity,” says Tomoya Touya sitting down beside Trinity, “I don’t mean to make you think of such sad thoughts.”

“Yes… you do. You see, when you know of the past that was, you will make the future that will be. You, Tomoya Touya Trio, will not make the same mistakes that Trio had made. You will love with all your heart… I have foreseen it!” exclaims Trinity. She pats Tomoya Touya lightly on the head. “You are a good girl.”
Madison slides down her rope and stands in front of Tomoya Touya and Trinity. “So there, Trinity! I climbed all the way to the top and now I’m back in record time! Hello, Tomoya! How’s your training going?”

“Pretty good! I was just coming to ask you the same question,” says Tomoya Touya.

Madison unties the safety rope and sits down in front of Tomoya Touya and Trinity. She sighs. “I’m tired and sore, but I’m okay. I’m improving, I think. This training is very helpful! So what were you talking about before I showed up?”

“Trio and Triad,” says Trinity, “The other members of my Tribunal.”

“Oh,” says Madison sullenly.

“But that isn’t important. We are meant to remember the past so that we do not make the same mistakes, but it is in the past,” says Trinity, “Nothing can be done about it now. I would not change a moment of my life with Trio and Triad.”

“Nor I,” says Madison smiling at Tomoya Touya. She blushes.

“Enough of this!” exclaims Trinity standing up, “Madison, you have more training to do! The power of your heart is strong, but the power of your body is still weak! There is still much you have to learn and much training left to do! And you as well, Tomoya Touya! You also have much to do!”

Madison stands up and holds out her hand to Tomoya Touya. “So… Tomoya, how about a race around the castle? You and I in a foot race around the palace!”

Tomoya Touya takes Madison’s hand and stands up. “I accept! Then I will know for sure just how much you have progressed! I would love to race with you!”

Trinity stands up. She sighs. “I suppose I will have to moderate the race!”

“Thank you!” exclaim Madison and Tomoya Touya in perfect unison.

“On your marks!” exclaims Trinity.

Madison and Tomoya Touya release each other’s hands and get ready to run off around the castle.

“Get set!” exclaims Trinity.

“I’ll beat you, Tomoya. I have to be at least as strong and fast as you and Yukito are so that I won’t be a burden to you!” Madison smiles. “I’ll beat you!”

“I won’t let you win, but I hope you’re right!” exclaims Tomoya Touya smiling at Madison.

“And go!” exclaims Trinity.

Madison and Tomoya Touya run off as fast as they can. They stay neck and neck for most of the race, but in the last few yards as they approach Trinity again, Tomoya Touya takes the lead and maintains it.

“And Tomoya Touya is the winner,” says Trinity as Tomoya Touya collapses onto the ground.

Madison falls onto her knees.

“I… don’t think… that I will… win next time,” pants Tomoya Touya. She breathes deeply for several moments. “I almost couldn’t beat you, Madison!”

“Well then… I’ll have to challenge you to a rematch!” exclaims Madison, “Another time… after I’ve recovered!”

“As soon as you are recovered from the race, Madison, we will continue your training with climbing the tower from the inside using the stairs,” says Trinity.

“Running up stairs? Oh, no! Please, no!” exclaims Madison falling onto her stomach.

Tomoya Touya stands up shakily. “I will leave you to train then. I have my own training to do.”

“What are you training with?” asks Madison, “The strength of body?”

“Yes…” Tomoya Touya takes a deep breath. “I am learning to control that power. I am coming along, but I am nowhere near mastering it. I have much to learn still, but I am trying to learn it all. I have become good at summoning up my power.”

Madison pushes herself up onto her elbows. “Prove it!”

Tomoya Touya closes her eyes and concentrates on her energy. She feels her power bursting forth in her body as she starts to glow faintly. Her glowing aura grows when she draws her sword.

“You are powerful,” says Madison, “I can read your power easily. You are the true strength of the Tribunal! Without you, we couldn’t exist.”

“You didn’t need to read my power to tell you that,” says Tomoya Touya smiling, “I’m the strongest because of my love for you.”

Madison stands up. She quickly moves to hug Tomoya Touya. “Yes… I know that! I know that, Tomoya!”

Tomoya Touya’s glowing aura dissipates as she drops her sword to hold Madison gently. She kisses her lips once.

Madison smiles as Tomoya Touya moves away, lifts her sword, and starts into the castle.

************

Late that night, Yukito sits beside the fireplace in the Great Hall drinking a cup of warm ale. He hears the footsteps echoing quietly throughout the room. “Am I to assume you couldn’t sleep, Trinity?”

“How did you know it was me?” asks Trinity stepping forward and taking the chair across from Yukito’s.

“Your perfume. Madison smells of roses. Tomoya smells of oak trees. You smell of freshly cut lilies,” says Yukito before sipping his ale.

“As to your question, no… I couldn’t sleep. You?”

“Same… Madison and Tomoya are both completely exhausted. They fell asleep quickly, but I couldn’t get to sleep,” says Yukito, “I thought a cup of warm ale might help, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. Would you like some?”

“Thank you,” says Trinity taking the cup from Yukito. She lifts it to her lips and pours some of the warm, thick liquid into her mouth. She swallows and looks at Yukito. She sighs. “I have something for you. It’s something I wanted to wait to give you, but I think you’re ready for it now.”

“What is it?” asks Yukito.

“Would you come with me, Yukito? For a short walk through the castle,” says Trinity standing.

“I suppose. Just a short walk,” says Yukito standing.

Trinity passes the cup back to Yukito as she leads him out of the Great Hall. “This castle has many secrets that you will discover as you have need of them. At least you get to live in light… When I lived here with the others, everything was always dark. We fought in darkness and lived in darkness.”

Yukito follows Trinity from the large room, but he deposits his cup on a table just inside the door before he leaves the room. “So where are we going, Trinity?”

“To the Trinity room of course,” says Trinity, “The room where you rule, and your power is greatest.”

“The Trinity room?” asks Yukito, “And you said there was a gift for me… Is it in the Trinity room or is the room itself my gift?”

“It is inside the Trinity room,” says Trinity stopping in front of a statue of an old woman, “This woman was the very first. She was the first Trinity of the Tribunal. Trinity was actually her real name. That is why every person in the Tribunal reincarnations who are strong of mind are named Trinity now.”

“She was… old,” says Yukito, “How old was she when she joined the Tribunal?”

“I believe she was over a hundred,” says Trinity, “You see, she was quite the enchantress, and she had the ability to prolong her life. Her magical abilities could not prevent her from being killed however, so she was slain in battle. She might not have died otherwise.” She reaches out her left hand and gently takes the left hand of the statue that sticks out slightly as if to allow a gentleman to take her hand to kiss.

The stone statue comes to life and blinks at Yukito. It slowly walks to the side out of the way of a small, dark tunnel and it curtseys to the two people before it.

“How did you do that?” asks Yukito staring at the statue in shock.

“I took her hand in mine. My ring… the Ring of the Mind that I wear awakened the statue. The ring is the key to opening the doorway,” says Trinity smiling at Yukito’s surprise, “You see… This is the entrance to the Trinity room. Trinity, who was strong of mind, guards it, and the Ring of the Mind is the key to granting you access.”

“The ring brings the statue to life! For how long?” asks Yukito.

“She is not really alive. She is just mobile. And now she will not move again until you leave the Trinity room and take her hand again. Then she will return to her place guarding the entrance.”

“And what is inside this room?” Yukito looks at the dark tunnel.

“Follow me, and find out.” Trinity steps into the tunnel.

Yukito swallows hard and walks into the tunnel. He walks slowly with his hands on both walls. He emerges into a well-lit circular chamber with only a stone table in the center. He looks around him and spins in a circle as Trinity steps over to the table. “Wow!”

Trinity giggles. “That was my reaction as well when first I saw this room!”

“What is this room for?” asks Yukito.

“Practice, really… It is meant for you to have a place to expand your power,” says Trinity, “Your power is strongest here. The room itself amplifies your power, so that if you work in here to break down your limitations, then you will and you’ll become stronger outside of the room as well.”

“It sounds almost too good to be true. It’s rather unbelievable,” says Yukito.

Trinity looks down at the table in front of her. She looks upon the sword, but she doesn’t touch it. “This is the gift I wish to give you, Yukito.”

Yukito steps up to Trinity and looks at the sword on the table. “A sword? I have a sword!”

“True, you do have a sword, but this isn’t any sword. This is my sword. This is the Sword of Aurora. I have never touched this sword, and I cannot now or else the enchantment upon it will wither away to nothingness,” says Trinity, “However it was still meant to be my sword. I now give it to you, Yukito Trinity. This sword will guide you through the darkness, and it will almost always hit. It is also supposed to be indestructible although I do not know whether or not I trust the mage’s skill with invulnerability spells. Go ahead and take the sword, Yukito. It is yours now. Use it well.”

Yukito reaches his hand out for the jewel-encrusted hilt. He lifts the long sword instead by the bejeweled scabbard. He pulls the sword from the scabbard and blinks as the light shining from the blade reaches his eyes. He holds the sword up into the air and squints at it as he reads the ancient runic symbols on its side. “Aurora’s Light!”

“That is the proper name of the Sword of Aurora,” says Trinity, “because there was a permanent Enlighten spell cast upon it. It will always shed that light. Your mother cast a protection spell upon that blade. She was a fine priestess.”

“Thank you, Trinity… Thank you very much, Aurora Trinity,” says Yukito looking over the blade in his hands, “It is a fine weapon. I will use it well. Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Yukito,” says Trinity, “You are welcome.”

Yukito sheathes the sword in the jewel-laden scabbard.

“Now… I think that perhaps I might be able to get to sleep now,” says Trinity, “and I would very much like to try.”

“I should go to bed as well,” says Yukito, “Tomoya would be worried if she woke to find me gone from our room.”

Trinity walks out of the circular room into the dark tunnel and emerges in the hallway again.

Yukito follows Trinity out with the sword and scabbard in his hands. He takes the statue’s hand with his left hand.

The statue nods its head and moves back in front of the tunnel. It positions itself again and all movement stops.

“Good night, Yukito,” says Trinity.

“Good night, Trinity.” Yukito turns and walks away. He heads back to the room where Tomoya Touya and Madison sleep in a large bed. He deposits his new sword with his clothing, and he climbs into the bed.

Tomoya Touya rolls over into Yukito’s arms and cuddles up to him. “I missed you, Yukito… I love you.”

“I love you, Tomoya. Good night,” whispers Yukito holding Tomoya Touya close to him. He strokes her gently and closes his eyes.

“Good night, Yukito,” whispers Tomoya Touya.

************

Somewhere in the night, the darkness grows, and the evil within it rises up to the challenge and increases as well. The hideously wicked laughter sounds out in the night, and it echoes eerily through the emptiness.

An animal screams out a warning, but the warning comes too late. Nothing survives the wrath of the shadow.