Why is there a city of the dead, when there is no city of life? Why is hell always the main topic of discussion, rather than heaven? It's because us, as humans, appreciate darkness over light. We do it absentmindedly, subconsciously, without thought. That is why the world itself is dark.
The breeze here sent a chill up my spine. It dashed across the horizon, carrying with it, feelings of unease. Before me, stood two women, their attire, like Razael's was dark, unchanging, unwavering. One of them opened their mouth to speak, she had auburn hair and beauty of that of a goddess.
"How pitiful." She said. "Has Razael said nothing of importance to you?" I shivered. Her voice was scary. She closed her eyes, then reopened them, revealing the red abyss.
I felt Okonayami clutch at my shirt. I couldn't blame her. These figures were unintentionally imposing and fear from looking at them tore at me. These weren't humans, nor demons or angels. What were they?
"Kyuzael. Teach them. I have no time for such filth." How could she talk to us like that? Weren't we her hope? Now what purpose did I serve. I figured came from a silky blackness that appeared beside Aesthaea.
It was completely black, with red eyes and long horns.
"Hello." It said. "My name is Kyuzael, Razael's younger brother. I'm here to teach you. Here to spread the darkness throughout your heart."
Silence fell over the group.
"What the hell are you talking about?! What darkness?!"
"Your fates had been decided from the moment Razael saved your life. You owe him, us. So, simply do as I say."
"No, I owe Razael." That had been the first time I've said his name. His name felt odd on my tongue. "So then, I'll only go if Razael asks."
"Then, I'm asking you to do as they say." A voice came. Beside the demonic figure, Razael was there as if he had always been.
"Razael why. . .?"
"Back in Erichin, I asked you that question. It's a do or die situation right now. Aesthaea's sin has erupted, Seikon and his men are going to war. We are looking at the start of world war two. You two, are not just our hope, but our last."
This was the first time Razael had ever spoken so much at once. Last hope? Why couldn't they try after the war ended?
"Alright. I'll do what you say, just. . .Leave Okonayami alone."
"I'm afraid we need her as well. The more of you, the better the chances of success."
"No! I won't let you touch her! Do what you want with me but leave Okonayami alone!"
"Senpai I. . ."
"She's just a little girl."
A little girl that had managed to take the lives of many people. A little girl that had been alone for such a long time. A little girl that managed to befriend the worst girl in the entire district.
But still I. . .
"I won't let you take her!!"
She was the little girl that never let go of my hand.
"We're not going to do her any harm. We only need your help in the fight against Seikon."
"Why would you need a little girl?! You're gods aren't you? Do it your damn selves!"
"That's not the way it works. We aren't exactly gods but fallen angels. We can't directly interfere with human-related activities!" The sound in Aesthaea's voice was growing impatient.
But so was I. It was either just me or not at all. Tears were falling from Okonayami's eyes. Why were they?
"Senpai, don't. It's okay."
There was a low grumble coming from the earth, but, instead, the three beings stared up at the sky. So did Aka. It was growing pale red.
"The gods are angry at this." Razael said. "Our time here on this earth is diminishing. We have to be on the move. Now!"
He came over to us and gripped his hand onto our shoulders. He was going to teleport us again. Kiero, whatever.
I could feel the energy being sapped from my body. They were going to take me back to Hirsugiminen for sure. And then, they'd turn me into some kind of monster. But, I felt a push against me. It was faint, but it grew harder, and I was shoved from Razael's grasp.
Mitsugan gates
2001
Seikon's camp
Seikon and his men were readying for war. Soon enough, there would be fire, blood and ash everywhere. But the bigger picture, Meirochi would have complete domination over the eastern region. It's resources, it's people, everything. And with such and extended reach across Japan, the samurai would form up and send Hirsugiminen back to where it belongs.
In hell.
His men had already gathered up with three others. A whole three armies and generals under one rule. The most formidable demon himself. Tenzen Seikon.
"Liutenant Hataro, liutenant Kenji, liutenant Grison, lead the troop around Kyugetsu at the bottom of the hill. Go, now!" One of the generals shouted.
"Yes sir!" They shouted at once.
"Meirochi district General Seikon, are you ready?"
"This is not the real battle men. Our battle against Hirsugiminen will be what's tough. A simple matter like this shouldn't be too hard. We should only focus on not losing too many men."
Sugiyura
2001
Sugiyura plains
For a moment, I laid there. Because I was sapped of my energy, I was unable to move, to speak. I had only the ability to breathe, to think. Okonayami had pushed me while Razael took her. He took her. Those words were enough to get me angry enough to not care about myself and get up. But my body couldn't keep up with my heart.
So I fell back down, and a while after, lost consciousness.
Kyegetsu
2001
Hakiriki's house
I woke up to the smell of herbs and low chanting. Upon seeing me slowly get up, the chanting stopped. My vision was blurry, and I was stopped drained of some of my energy. My clothes were no longer intact, despite Aka's skill. They were ragged and torn. Revealing a bit.
"What? Where am I?" I asked.
"So, she speaks." The voice of a man came. It almost didn't reach me but I had managed to comprehend them. "I found you lying in Sugiyura a week ago. Insects got to you before I did and ate off some of your clothes. Unfortunately, I have no women in my house thus I have nothing for you."
"Who-who are you?"
"Hakiriki. Machiro Hakiriki. It means 'doer of good'. And yours?"
"Aota. Todoroki Aota."
"What does it mean?"
"It means. Right now, I don't give a damn! Where is Hirsugiminen from here?!"
I didn't even care where I was, I just wanted to get to Okonayami. No matter what I had to do. After a week. Who knows what they had done to her?
"It seems that you have a goal, young lady. A purpose. There are only three ways to get into the city of death. One, is by the special technique that only a god or Giminen posses, called the Kieru. The second is by dying yourself. And the third, is by killing someone who is totally pure. Not that you'll find someone like this around here."
The man said and got up. He took some armor from a rack and a child ran in.
"So your journey right now shall end. You are nothing but a street rat now. You either steal or starve, kill or die. These words, use them. They'll keep you pressing on as they have me."
"Hakiriki!" He shouted. Like me, he seemed to call his father by name.
"What is it Tousen?"
"The people of Kyugetsu needs help with the evacuation. Stop loathing around you idiot!"
"Sorry, sorry. I'll be right there."
"Take care Aota. Watch your step as you leave my house. It's very damaged like almost every other building here since the attack. I'm going to the meeting point to help with the evacuation. Goodbye."
He said and left. By now, my energy was coming back. It seemed that the man had kept me well fed during my sleep. Before leaving, the child turned to me and said:
"Don't let father bother you. He's always like that, nice. And he makes other people follow him too. He never learns, but one day he will." He said and left.
I got up and I heard a clanging of a metal as I did. I took up the metal. 'Curtesy of Aka', was imprinted on it. I took it up and walked outside. I didn't care. I had already made up my mind. To get to Okonayami, and in doing so, I have to kill someone. I have to take their life.
I walked out the house and slipped on the worn out school shoes that were awaiting me there. This man, he really was sweet. Hakiriki, doer of good. I gripped tighter at the metal. There was ash and small fires everywhere. It seemed that Seikon had already started his attack. And in my sleep. It had ended.
I ran across the plain, stepping in scorching fires, kicking up ash on my face but I didn't care. I didn't stop. Sweat was running down my face and my chest hurt from the palpitation. I stopped behind a corner and looked around.
He was standing there. Wide open. This was a do or let Okonayami die situation. This man, Hakiriki, he had to die.
'Please forgive me'. I prayed.
Hirsugiminen
2001
Hirsugiminen's Sanctuary
\Okonayami/
"You bitch!" Aesthaea shouted and slapped me across my face. What was once my idol, my God, was no more than a demon before me. I didn't care what she did. After all, I was doing this for my senpai. My savior from the loneliness and this dark world. So, I was happy.
"Hurting her won't help." Razael defended. Aesthaea grit her teeth. "Kyugetsu is done for. Seikon is allying with every single samurai he can find in Japan to attack us. We must go now."
"But she hasn't been filled with darkness as yet." Kyuzael said grinning. "May I?" He asked. Aesthaea nodded.
"I'm going to look for Daizaiel." Razael said. "After that, I'll find Todoroki." Aesthaea shook her head and Razael disappeared.
"Come with me." The demon said. "I'll take you to a wonderful place called hell."
Erichin mountain pass
2001
Erichin plains
\Razael/
"I knew I'd find you here." Razael said to the figure sitting, crying beside a rock. "How can someone such as yourself, allow yourself to cry for a week over a fallen soul?"
The bear dried his tears and got up, avoiding the question.
"Have you done it?" Daizaiel asked, still staring at the sky.
"No."
"Good, they're good kids. This method you use. It's demonic. Turning these girls into demons. . ."
"Its Aesthaea's wish." Razael said simply. "Which means, it's our command. Let us go now, Daizaiel. We have no time to discuss unchangeable fates. We may be Giminen, but we're surely not gods."
Daizaiel shook his head and got up.
"Alright then. As is Aesthaea's wish. Let us kill this hybrid called Seikon."
Hirsugiminen
2001
Hirsugiminen's Sanctuary
\Okonayami/
I was led through many rooms, each unique, each dull and dreadful. Each having an eerie red light. Then, I was brought in front of giant gates with skulls, bones and demonic symbols written all over it. It was self definitive. I didn't have to ask where this gate led to.
"Are you ready?" The demon asked. "Let us have a look at hell." And the gates opened, revealing things that would never, even be able to leave my mind. This feeling. This feeling of being. . .
Possessed.
"Let her go!" A voice came. It was loud and determined, yet tired, tired from going through the despairing cycle of life. "Don't touch Okonayami. Because. . .Because she's mine." She began crying. "You hear that, you're mine Okonayami. I need you right now. Not just your presence, but your love as well. Okonayami! . . .O-Okonayami?"
"Kill it."
"Understood."
". . ."