The Past Returns

Reckoning of the Elements

Please note;

I will be addressing Kero as Cerberus while he is in his true lion form but Sakura and Tomoyo won't. instead they will be addressing him as Kero, like normal. Only Eriol will address Kero by his true name of Cerberus regardless of form, as demonstrated in the TV series and movies. I am also going to address the woman from the first movie by her original name Madoushi and not Su Yung (her English dubbed name).

I will be continuing on this pattern.

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Reckoning of the Elements

Calista's eyes widened in shock, a cold realisation settling in her chest. Did she hear that correctly? Did this pesky little girl's mum really die, leaving her baby to grow up never knowing her? Or was it all a ruse, meant to tug at the heartstrings?

As Calista scrutinised the girl, searching for the tell-tale signs of deceit, Sakura slowly lifted her tear-stained face to meet Calista's gaze. Seeing the same raw pain mirrored back at her, Calista realised that in that moment Sakura was telling the truth and for the first time in a truly long time, Calista's heart broke.

Despite Calista's frosty exterior, Sakura sensed a subtle change in her demeanour—a softening, or perhaps a fleeting glimpse of empathy beneath her icy facade. The silent exchange between them spoke volumes, revealing a shared understanding of their pain.

With a gentle wave of her hand, Sakura worked to dissolve the ice's grip on the frozen statue that trapped Calista. As the ice melted away, movement returned to Calista.

"You're letting me go?" Calista asked with confusion, as the last of the ice melted away.

"I..." Sakura hesitated, her gaze steady as she met Calista's eyes. "I am. Yes."

"Sakura?" Tomoyo called, cautiously as she approached her friend. "What makes you think we can trust her after all that has happened?"

Ignoring Tomoyo's question, Sakura addressed Calista directly. "You lied."

Calista, caught off guard, protested, "What?"

Sakura didn't waver. "Liang. You lied about Liang."

"I did no such thing—" Calista began, but Sakura interrupted her.

"Calista," Sakura spoke. "It's okay. I understand why you did it. It has to be devastating to lose a child."

Calista's tears streamed down her face, each one a silent testament to her deep grief. Her posture sagged, and she kept her head bowed, her expression etched with resignation. With a tired gesture, she started to heal the battlefield's wounds. The chaos that had marked their conflict began to recede as her remorseful magic worked its quiet, restorative effect, gently restoring the torn and battered surroundings.

"I'm sorry for causing you and your friends so much trouble," Calista confessed, her words heavy with regret. "I was just so angry at my brother for so long and blamed him for the death of my son."

Eriol stepped forward, addressing Calista with a calm but earnest tone. "As the reincarnation of your brother, I can assure you that he was deeply tormented by the loss of your son. He did everything within his power to save him." Eriol paused, taking a moment to steady his words. "I'm truly sorry that despite his efforts, he could not prevent the tragedy."

Calista's eyes flashed with a mix of confusion and anger. "What efforts? I don't remember him doing anything!" she demanded, her head snapping up.

Eriol continued, trying to ease her frustration. "Since you were sealed away for so long, some of your memories may be fragmented or unclear. Allow me to explain and fill in the gaps for you."