Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Drama
Pairings: 1x2 main, other
Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words
Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, language, gross misuse of powers, reincarnation, evil Duo, cold Heero, Relena bashing (sort of), cruelty
Author's note: This is sort of based on Saiyuki (very, very loosely). I don't have a set-in-stone plot for this story, so if you have any suggestions or requests, I'm game. This is sort of a prologue, hope it's not too boring. On the side, another story is just what I didn't need. This is an idea that would not leave me alone, so I'm posting it now. Though I'm not always the best about updating, I really am trying to get better. Things are slowing down for me (although my grandma was in the hospital for almost a week, what a nightmare). So I will be able to update my stories better. I'm trying to finish "The King and the Shaman," which won't take me too much longer. Anyway, here's the first chapter, let me know what you think!
The Gathering
He was called Shinigami, though that was more a title than a name. It meant 'god of death,' perfectly fitting since that's what he was. He was one of the five Divine Deities, the five most powerful gods in the heavens.
Hiiroshino, God of Earth, Light, and Life.
Toroshondre, God of Beasts, the Hunt, and Secrets.
Quanatrios, God of Air, Moon, and Truth.
Warosche, God of Fire, the Sun, and War.
And Shinigami, God of Water, Darkness, and Death.
In the great halls of Athros, Realm of the Gods, the Lesser Deities gathered. Headed by Arriesce, Goddess of the Rainbow and Maidenhood, they sat in a circle.
"Thank you for coming," she began. "I know this could not have been an easy decision for you. But the necessity has finally superceded our personal comfort."
Each gathered deity looked extremely uncomfortable. Some looked downright terrified. Arriesce was barely better herself, feeling like she might lose the contents of her stomach. Ludicrous, since gods did not get sick. It was an altogether unpleasant sensation, and she could not wait until this was over and behind her.
"I'll get right to the point," she said. "You all know why we're here, even if none have said it aloud. Allow me to be the first. Shinigami."
A murmur went through her fellow deities. Most of them blanched the color of sour milk. Arriesce waited until it subsided a bit before continuing.
"We must be in agreement before we call him to Gathering," she said. "Will all of you stand with me?"
Nothing. No one responded. While she couldn't blame them, not really, she was still disappointed.
"Need I remind you of why you're all here?" she demanded, trying not to sound too harsh. "He is out of control. Cruel, vindictive, spiteful, vicious, bad-tempered, and plain evil. He destroys everything he touches with malicious glee. How many of you have had your temples despoiled, desecrated? He has no respect for anything. He kills on a whim, laughing at the pain he leaves in his wake. How many of you has he completely undermined?"
More murmuring, but this time she could tell they were getting angry. That was good. Anger was better than cowardice.
"Shinigami is powerful," she continued, "but against the united power of the Divine, he will be helpless but to obey their will. They will listen to us. Unlike him, they are just and benevolent."
One by one, the gods before her rose until they were all standing. They still looked nervous, but they were determined now. Made brave by their numbers and her confidence. Wishing she felt half as confident as she acted, Arriesce nodded. "Then I will summon him."
The Gathering. The very word made the Lesser Deities tremble. It was a very formal affair, but a hugely intimidating one. The five Divine came into the hall, each with a vastly different carriage. Hiiroshino came first, as he always did. He always wore white and blue, tall and powerful. His keen eyes were like cobalt glass, seldom did his face show what he was feeling. He was widely revered as the wisest and strongest of the gods.
Warosche followed him, Hiiroshino's height exactly. He brought with him the feeling that he could accomplish anything. Known far and wide for his iron-clad sense of justice, he was also called The Arbiter. He always wore gold and red, presence just as powerful as Hiiroshino's and probably more forceful.
Toroshondre came next, swathed in mystery and silence. His hair always hung across one eye, lending well to the air of secrecy. He rarely ever spoke, but his words always carried great weight. It was believed he knew all before it ever happened, and his startlingly green eyes carried great knowledge.
Quanatrios followed Toroshondre. Smaller of stature than his three companions, he looked like a golden-haired angel. His eyes were always warm with kindness and benevolence, and he smiled easily. He was beloved of the mortals, and they most readily prayed to him for whatever troubles they wished alleviated.
Last came Shinigami. He swept in like an arctic chill, frigid enough to freeze blood in the veins. His eyes held the malicious delight of one who knows you are in pain and relishes the fact. He only ever wore black, a stark contrast to his pale skin. An oppressive silence followed his in his wake, and all the assembled Lessers slowly edged away from him.
The other four Divine moved to the head of the hall, seating themselves on four gilded thrones. The one in the middle stayed empty, and Shinigami paced to the center of the room to face his four peers. He wore a dark smirk, perfectly unconcerned.
"Well, well," he sneered. "A Gathering has been called to judge me." He cast his eyes over the Lesser deities. "I can hardly believe you had the courage. Do you have any idea what I'll do to you for this?"
"Shinigami," Hiiroshino said mildly.
It wasn't a threat. It was barely a rebuke. But to the Lessers' amazement, the God of Death fell silent with a scowl.
The God of Life rose from his seat, looking to the many Lessers. "We will begin as soon as She arrives."
They didn't wait long. She soon materialized directly in front of the fifth empty throne, right between the four Divine. She was taller than any of them, with a powerful presence easily dominating any room. With hair that fell to the floor, it shimmered with every color imaginable. Sometimes a solid color, sometimes all of them at once. Never ceasing, ever changing. Just like Her. She wore a gown of the purest white, and Her eyes were as colorless and colorful as Her hair. She was called Queen of Athros, Mother of All, and Goddess of the Universe.
"Welcome, all to the Gathering," she said. "Eons have passed since the last. I have been told you wish for judgement against Shinigami, God of Death. Choose one among you to speak on behalf of you all, and I will listen to your grievances."
Arriesce stepped forward. She felt so ill she could barely swallow against the dread souring her throat. But this had been her idea, so she'd been chosen to speak for them. It was the least she could do, especially if this Gathering accomplished nothing and brought the wrath of Shinigami down on them.
She desperately hoped not.
So she began as calmly and objectively as she could. She outlined his cruelty toward the Lessers. The way he so gleefully destroyed their followings on the mortal worlds. The way he killed mortals without a thought, taking such delight in their demise. He wrought havoc and chaos wherever he went, seeming to revel in pain, suffering, and despair. And that this had been going on for eons.
"Why have you waited so long to call a Gathering if you feel so wronged?" She asked, frowning slightly.
Arriesce flushed. "Because we are afraid of him, Mother of All," she said. "He is spiteful, and he would make us pay if this Gathering did not bring judgement upon him. We have been too afraid to ask for justice."
By the look Shinigami gave her when she finished, he still very much intended to make her pay. Arriesce felt like she might faint. Most ungodly.
"Shinigami," the Mother said, "what have you to say in your defense?"
He spread his hands, giving her a grin not so much dark and cruel as cheeky. Even a little impish. Not an expression Arriesce had ever seen on his dark, beautiful face.
"I am the God of Death, Mother," he said. "What am I, if not the bane of mortality? All mortals fear death, and in turn they fear me."
"Do you take them before their time?" She asked.
Shinigami shrugged, still grinning. "As I decide when it is their time, I would say not."
The Goddess of All rose from her throne. "I have heard you both," She said. "Arriesce, it is not your place to call a Gathering. Shinigami is a Divine deity. His power comes from the fabric of the universe itself. And he is correct when he says as God of Death he chooses when mortals die. That is his job."
Arriesce felt like a noose was tightening around her neck. Unlike the Divine deities, she was not invincible. She was quite capable of dying. And she had no doubt Shinigami would kill her. Eventually.
"However," She went on, her endless eyes focusing on Shinigami, "it is not your place to toy with mortals. They were not created as entertainment for the gods, even the Divine five. You are to act as guardians and guides, and I have watched you lash out in spite against them many a time. Judgement will be passed on you, Shinigami. You are forthwith stripped of your godhood and banished to the mortal world Earth. There you will stay. I cannot turn one of the Divine mortal, but you will have no powers." In her hands appeared a golden cross on a heavy chain. "You will be imprisoned in the sacred mountain, immortal and unable to die, but absolutely powerless, until such time as you've learned a little humility."
The golden cross and chain vanished from her hands to reappear around Shinigami's neck. The Divine god looked stunned, eyes widening as far as they could. "You . . . you can't do this to me," he said, almost gasped, voice breathy and incredulous.
"It's done," She said. She blinked, and Shinigami disappeared. Turning Her attention once more to the Gathering, She let her displeasure show in Her stormy eyes. "This Gathering is adjourned. Shinigami may be powerless now, but I assure you if any of you seek him out with thoughts of retribution, my wrath will be swift and merciless. That is all." And She was gone.
Hiiroshino rose from his throne, face utterly expressionless. "I cannot believe you called a Gathering to complain about Shinigami," he said in a low, glacially cold voice. "You should have consulted us, the Divine four, first. You are all cowards." And with that, he swept from the room.
Warosche rose next, his ebony eyes carved from obsidian ice. "I agree with him. Next time, you will allow us to resolve this quietly? An unjustice has been served, and you are all to blame. Shinigami could easily have been brought under control by the four of us." And he strode from the room.
Toroshondre said nothing, but his single visible eye pierced every Lesser deity with extreme cold and displeasure.
Which left only Quanatrios. He rose slowly, facing the Lesser deities with a strange mixture of frustration, compassion, and anger. "I understand you were worried, afraid even. But Hiiroshino is right. The four of us could easily have brought him to task. Please, for your own sakes stay away from us for awhile. I don't want anything else to come of this."
When he left, an even heavier silence fell over the room. Arriesce felt like someone had carved her heart out and forced her to eat it. It could not have gone any worse.
The Lesser deities filed out, none so much as looking at her. She remained where she was, rooted to the spot, for a long, long time.