I own nothing.
Adamo Dolor
Episode 1: The Death of Kayura
It was an idyllic world. A late spring day, adorned with blooming flowers, green trees, a cool breeze to temper the heat of the afternoon, and yes, birds. Five years ago, no one would have thought it possible for birds to live in the Demon World, and granted, these birds were larger and stranger-looking than any seen on Earth, but their song was every bit as lovely. Perhaps even more so, since it was a song never heard in the world of humans.
Five years. That was all it took to create Eden out of the desert. Such a task was not humanly possible. But then again, those charged with said task were not explicitly human.
Surrounded by a garden, the palace that had once housed the demon Arago now shone like a jewel. Overlooking a village in which happy inhuman villagers went about their daily business, it housed the country's empress, as well as her generals. Though there had once been a time when all of them had been feared more than death, since their return from the human world, they had been looked upon as saviors. It was through their efforts and strong but fair leadership that the country now had peace. The Empress, a wise and beautiful woman, was particularly loved.
But although she always appeared to her people with a confident smile and words of encouragement, her generals knew better. They saw the shadows in her eyes, the weariness in her bones. They also saw that she didn't sleep at night, but paced the verandas of the palace in silence. If they asked her what was wrong, she immediately put on the face she showed to the people.
This only served to frustrate and infuriate them.
It was Anubis who finally confronted her one night, catching her in mid-walk on the north veranda of the palace. "Kayura..." In public, they always addressed her as "Empress," or at the very least, "Lady Kayura," but in the confines of the palace, formalities were dropped. "We need to talk."
She said nothing, but she did halt in her path. Going to the railing, she put her hands on it and stared out at the gardens outside. Anubis stared at her a moment, giving her a chance to respond, then continued.
"The Masho have been discussing your behavior. If you're going to patronize the people with your bravado, that's fine. They don't need to see your weakness," he growled, moving next to her and turning his gaze out to the lantern-lit park. "But if you're going to continue treating us like fools, there's no reason for us to stay here. You won't let us help you, and you patronize us just as you do the brainless masses."
"Anubis..." Kayura murmured. "You still call yourselves the Masho?"
This time, it was the general's turn to be silent. Although he did offer her a grunt and averted his gaze.
She stared curiously at him, then again looked out at the darkness. "The people consider you angels more than demons, these days. But still...all this peace..."
"Does it trouble you?" Anubis asked, a wry grin appearing on his face.
Kayura looked back at him. "Does it trouble you?" He blinked, not comprehending. "Anubis...you and the others don't have to stay in this world if you don't wish to. I can see how restless you all are." A smile of her own appeared on her pretty face. "Peace doesn't really suit men like you, does it, Anubis?"
He hesitated before answering. The words she said were true. He in particular was going mad with the plainness of life in the demon world. In the beginning, he had been in charge of driving out the ones who still sought to create darkness in their world. It had felt good being a vigilante, and he had to admit, the respect and gratitude he received from those he defended had been sweet indeed. But while the respect had remained, the excitement had vanished. As for the other Masho, he knew their feelings were similar, although they didn't feel quite as strongly as he did about leaving.
"I appreciate all the help you have given me over the years, Anubis," the empress continued. "But if I keep you here, I feel like I am imprisoning you. Even I can see that this world is moving on. Before long, I too will be unneeded."
"Oh really?" he replied. "And what will you do then?"
Now it was the empress's turn to be silent for several moments. Finally, she answered. "I will leave as well. Depending on where you go, perhaps I will go there as well."
Anubis laughed, a jackal's bark. "You know where I was thinking we could go..."
She tilted her head. "Where?"
"Back to Earth."
One graceful blue brow raised. "Earth? Why Earth?"
He turned around and leaned back against the railing. "Even before Arago invaded, that planet was pure chaos. I doubt it's changed since then. Surely I can find plenty of ways to amuse myself in a world like that."
"And, worse comes to worst," Kayura continued. "You could always hunt down Seiji no Kourin."
"Seiji no Kourin..." Anubis mused. "You know Kayura...that's not a bad idea..."
The sun was beginning to rise. The empress backed away from the railing and turned her back on the general, intent on going back the way she had come. "Discuss your plans with Rajura and Naaza. If you need it, you have my permission to leave at any time. But if you do go, please don't without saying goodbye first," she remarked. "I'm tired. I'm going to go get some rest."
Anubis watched her go, but his mind was occupied with the possibility of living on Earth. Settling his score with Seiji no Kourin. And her...Nasuti...
So engrossed was he in his thoughts that it did not occur to him until much later that he never had solved the mystery of Kayura's behavior. And when he did, it was too late.
"You're sure this is what you want, Kayura?" Doubt was heavy in Rajura's eye as he scanned the empress's face for any sign of emotion. But Kayura wasn't about to grant them anything, and merely shook her head.
"What I want isn't important. Consider this your formal release from my service," she answered. "Release" was a term used loosely. Of course the Masho could have left at any time. Arago might have been gone, but the yoroi yet remained, giving the three men the power to move between worlds, as well as other abilities that had not faded over the past five years.
Now, dressed as civilians, they stood with her in the middle of the empty courtyard, darkness illuminated by a fat white moon. Kayura was dressed in a rather plain gown, which all three of the Masho found strange, considering the empress's affinity for beautiful garments. However, it could be assumed that she didn't wish to draw attention to herself and their doings on a night like tonight. Although the Masho had not appeared to the public recently, they were still beloved by the people as heroes, and no doubt there would be sadness in the land when Kayura broke the news of their departure the next day. A letter of farewell and a promise to return had been prepared for presentation to the public as well, but the three men knew it would still be work for the empress to soothe the country.
"Do you think you'll be following us soon?" Naaza asked, his expression one of a child who has just been offered something so wonderful it cannot be trusted.
"Who can say?" she replied. "I know there is work still to be done here, but even if I can't go with you now, you take my spirit with you."
Anubis snorted. "You're a funny one, Kayura. You know--"
He was cut off as suddenly the empress threw her arms around him. Shocked at her actions, Anubis's entire body seemed to freeze up. An amused smile crossed Rajura's face, and it was obvious Naaza was trying not to burst out laughing. But after she had released the burly man from her embrace, Kayura gave the same treatment to the other two Masho. Rather than panic, as Anubis had, Rajura hugged her back, and even went so far as to tenderly kiss her forehead. Naaza looked extremely uncomfortable, and fidgeted in her arms.
Finally, Kayura stepped back. "I can never thank you enough for all of the work you have done here, my Masho. Go now, and live your lives as you please. But if you ever wish to return here, do not hesitate. It was you that built this world, Anubis, Naaza, Rajura. It will always be home to you."
The three stared at her for a few moments, then, like dancers rehearsing steps, all three nodded at the same time.
Several more moments passed, then the first Masho turned away. "Well then...no point staying here," Anubis muttered. "Take care, Empress."
He vanished.
Naaza didn't even bother with words. He did, however, give Kayura a wicked little smile, and a devious laugh escaped his mouth. A cold feeling filled her. Even though Naaza had reformed, now using his knowledge of poisons to help people, and even serving as a doctor of sorts, there was still that streak in him. The disturbing, not-quite-sane streak that always made her wonder if he'd really changed his ways. But whether he had or hadn't, there was nothing to be dome about it now. Naaza gave her a salute, then also vanished.
Only Rajura was left, and there was no one Kayura wanted gone more. No one knew more about illusions, so no one was better at seeing through hers. Although he was more pleasant than the gruff Anubis or neurotic Naaza, Kayura still didn't trust him. He was the kindest to her, and the most likely to thwart her plan.
"Why are you doing this, Kayura?" he asked, voice low and full of accusation.
She turned her back on him. "This is what I want, Rajura. Now go do what you want. I have nothing more to say."
He was taken aback at the coldness in her voice. Memories of the puppet Arago had made of her filled his mind. They had all hated her then, and it had taken a long time to grow to trust her. And Rajura was sure he was the only one who gave a damn about the woman beneath the empress. Kale respected her, and Naaza...God only knew what Naaza thought of her. He either hated her, or was madly in love with her.
But as she said, there was nothing left now. Kayura had vanished into the shadows, and now, Rajura was alone.
"Goodbye."
The courtyard was empty.
The door to her chamber was barred shut. The guards outside had said nothing when she had entered earlier, but only seemed pleased that the Empress was actually going to sleep tonight, rather than wander around in solitude. It would not be until after the sun had risen that they would realize it wasn't weariness that drove her to her bed that night.
She was dressed in a simple white gown. She wore no adornments, no makeup, and her hair hung long and loose like a curtain over her back and shoulders. Her face was blank as it had been when she'd seen the Masho off.
Earlier, she had brought out the box that had not been opened in five years. Now, it lay on her bed. Her hands did not shake as she reached out and opened it.
The Sei Rei Ken lay glittering on their own bed of navy velvet.
One graceful finger reached out to stroke one of the blades. As she did, a shock of memory ran through her. Arago...Badamon...
"Shuten..." she whispered.
She slid the sword into her body.
"Kayura..."
A soft moan escaped her lips.
"Kayura..."
No, she could not be alive.
"Kayura..."
She did not want to live.
A hand stroked her cheek gently. Kayura opened her eyes to stare up into the face of a pretty woman. In her late twenties, she was dressed in a simple blue-green kimono that emphasized her hair, which was long and of a lighter shade of the same color. Although she was seated, bent over close to the empress, Kayura could still see that the woman was tall, a feature emphasized by her own petiteness. The only adornments she wore was a fang-shaped pendant on a leather thong around her neck, and a deep fuschia headband around her brow. But the most interest feature was the woman's eyes. At first glance, they were blood-red, but as she stared deeper into them, she could see they were actually dark pink.
"What happened?" Kayura whispered. She could not feel her body, but that detail didn't seem important right now. "Where am I?"
"My home," the woman answered. The empress tried to sit up, but she wouldn't allow it. "Please Kayura, you mustn't push yourself. Your body has taken a lot of damage. Those swords of yours did a nasty job on your chest."
"Swords?" Yes, that was it. The Sei Rei Ken. She had stabbed herself with one. Had she survived? It couldn't be! If the blade wasn't enough to kill her, surely the power in it...
"How?" Kayura murmured.
The woman stared at her a moment, then sat back in her chair. "You tell me, Kayura. Why should a woman who has everything she could ever desire wish for death?"
"Everything I desire...everything I desire?" Rage filled the empress. "What do you know about my desires? What does anyone? There is only one thing I want in the world, and that is the one thing I cannot have! And now that the world has taken what it needs from me, why should I bother living?"
Her hostess shrugged. "I see no reason. However, I can't help but wonder what single thing in the universe could be so wonderful that it would be your only desire?" She paused. "It couldn't be Shuten?"
Kayura's eyes widened. "How did you?"
She laughed. "Don't worry, Kayura. I'm not a mind reader. But I was present at your death, and I heard you whisper the name right before..." Her eyes fell on the empress's chest, covered by a blanket. There was no blood, but suddenly, Kayura knew that if she drew the blanket back, she would see the wound, wide and ugly. So she hugged the blanket tighter around herself. However possible her current situation was, the doubts were gone from her mind, she was dead.
But as final as the thought was, there was no fear in her now. Why should there be? She felt no pain, and this kind woman was here to provide company. She even seemed interested in Kayura's story. Her tongue loosened.
"Shuten...Shuten Douji...he died for my sake. Once, a long time ago, he had served my master, but he was the only one among us, the Masho and I, who could break free. And once he did, he came back to set me free. However...his life was the cost." She was filled with something heavy. "I...I was never able to thank him. And I always wondered, why did he do it? And I couldn't help but think that maybe...he...he might have..."
"He might have loved you?" the woman suggested.
Kayura blushed. "He had no reason to. We were enemies, right up until the end..." A gasp of surprise escaped her lips as the woman suddenly took her into her arms.
"My poor child...you have every right to feel sorrow. One of the most painful times to lose a love is before it has even begun."
Before it has even begun... The woman's words echoed in Kayura's head over and over. And before she knew what was happening, tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she clung tight to the woman. Those soft hands continued to stroke her hair, and the warmth of the long body seemed to embrace her as strongly as the lithe arms. And when the fit was over, Kayura continued to be held.
"Who are you?" she whispered against the woman's breast.
She didn't look up at her face, but she could tell she was smiling. "My name is Urami. I am your angel, Kayura."
Urami... "Am I dead?" she asked.
"Yes, child, you are. This place is my home, in the world of the dead. I brought you here, body and soul. The body was the hard part. There is a brief moment after you die when your soul is still bound to your body. I managed to catch your soul at that moment, and your body came along with. It is still dead, however, only animated by your soul. This is why you feel no physical pain, but why you are still awake," Urami explained.
Kayura raised her head and looked into Urami's face. The kindness there...yes, the woman had to be an angel. There was no other word for the aura of peace and comfort that surrounded her. "But...why? Why do you care so much?"
Urami hesitated a moment, then finally released the empress. Rising to her feet, she crossed the room and opened an ornate armoire. Ruffling through the clothes, she spoke with her back turned. "I have been watching you for a long time, Kayura. In this dismal world, there is nothing for me to do but watch the living. I was particularly drawn to you, because your troubles relate to the ones I had when I was alive." She lay a lavender gown on the bed. Getting the hint, Kayura rose and began to dress.
"What were your troubles?" She dared not look in the mirror until she was fully clothed, for fear she might see the hideous gash on her chest. Such a sight would drive her mad, she had no doubt.
The angel was lighting lamps now, illuminating the chamber. It was large and round, decorated with antique furniture. Vases with flowers were on every surface, and petals littered the wooden floor. In the very center of the room was a large round mirror. Kayura could see Urami's reflection in it as she spoke.
"I too had a love who was taken from me. They said it was an accident, which I suppose was true. But he was an innocent bystander, killed for the sake of a yoroi."
The last word made Kayura freeze in place. Urami turned around, crossed the room, and put her hands on her shoulders. "Kayura...you know in your heart why Shuten died. Why you had to suffer under Arago's control. It was because of the yoroi, wasn't it?"
"Urami..." Kayura murmured.
"It was!" the angel's voice was bordering on hysterical now. "You and I are the same, Kayura! If it weren't for the yoroi, we could have had peaceful lives. We would not have lovers ripped from us. Although we didn't die then, we too were the innocent bystanders. But now we are dead, imprisoned in this cursed place." She released Kayura and went to the mirror. Her voice was soft when she spoke again. "And the yoroi...where do you think the yoroi are, Kayura?"
The empress moved to the angel's side like one in a trance. In the mirror, she saw them. The five young men who had once been her greatest enemies. Rekka, Kourin, Suiko, Kongo, and Tenku. They were older, she noted. Time must pass differently in that universe. But all five were smiling, happy. A pang of jealousy shot through her.
"And if that's not enough, look how quick your Masho were to forget you," Urami continued. The faces in the mirror changed, and she gasped. There they were. Although it had seemed less than an hour since she'd seen them, the time that had passed in their new universe was clear. Naaza was in a nightclub, dancing with young people who looked every bit as odd as him, and occasionally, a pretty girl would come by and drape her arms around him. Rajura was sitting in a garden, reading, a look of peace on his face. And Anubis...Anubis made her look twice. Was that really Nasuti Yagyuu he was with?
"And these are the men who supposedly cared so much for you. Who served you so eagerly," Urami laughed bitterly. "But they too have found their own happiness, while you are forgotten."
Kayura was shaking. Urami's words were true. Why should those with the yoroi get such happy endings, while she died in torment? She thought of Shuten. He had rejected his yoroi in the end, and what had it gotten him? Death.
"It isn't fair..." Kayura hissed. "It isn't fair!" she cried.
Urami moved behind her and put her hands on her shoulders. "No, it's not," she soothed. "But...if you truly want...we can show them our pain."
"Show them?" she murmured.
The angel nodded. "We lost the ones we loved most to the yoroi. We can do the same to them. You still possess the Oni yoroi, yes?"
"Yes," the empress answered. She had not used it since taking her place as Empress of the Demon World, but the Kokoro no Tama was still in her chambers at the palace, locked in a box she stored under the floor beneath her bed. "But it's at the palace in the Demon World. You said we cannot escape this realm."
"We cannot. Only a person with a body can come and go as they please. And although your body is technically dead, it still exists. But if you were to go back to your world in your present condition, your soul would separate from it. It is only through my power that you are still bound to it now," Urami explained. "If you wish to return, you must let me infuse your body with my power. If you are in the world of the dead, just being around me can keep your soul adhered to your body, as it is now. But if you leave the world of the dead, my power will not reach you. It has to be joined, or else the bond won't be strong enough."
Kayura was silent a moment. "If you infuse my body with your power...will it give you control of me?" she asked.
The angel put a hand on her shoulder. "Kayura, I understand your concern. After Arago, I don't blame your desire to remain in control of yourself. However..." Urami dropped her hand. "There is no other way. If you wish to exact revenge on the yoroi, you will have to trust me."
The empress turned to face Urami. "Tell me the rest of your plan first. I can't make such a decision with so little information."
A smile crossed Urami's face. "Why, of course!" She pointed at the mirror, which revealed a group of women. "These are the Sailor Senshi. They do not exist in either the Demon world or the human world where the yoroi originate. They exist in a third world, though it's very similar to the human world you know."
"Continue..." Kayura's dark blue eyes scanned the mirror, examining each girl one at a time.
"The reason the two worlds are so similar is because they are counterparts. Mirror reflections of each other, if you will. And the power of these Sailor Senshi is the reflection of the yoroi. If their power is combined with the yoroi, it is completed. Likewise, if you were to pair a senshi with a given warrior, the bond between them would be nearly unbreakable."
"And you wish to break it?" she looked at Urami, who was still grinning.
"I would be the only one who could. We are in the World of the Dead, Kayura. This is the world between worlds, one of the few ways people can go from one world to another. If you agree to let me share your body, I can send you to the world of the Senshi. You kill them, and I can take them AND their bodies and bring them here. From here, I can deliver them to your human world."
"To the yoroi," Kayura nodded. "And once the bonds between them have been built..."
"They will learn the pain of losing a loved one. At the hands of a yoroi."
"Oni."
"Yes."
The empress thought hard. There was something sweet in the idea of tearing apart lovers with her loved one's armor. Something very sweet indeed. And it wasn't just for her own sake. Who else could carry out Urami's plan? She felt the woman's pain as surely as she felt her own, and no doubt there had to be others out there who felt the same. After all, the yoroi had been around for over a thousand years. Someone needed to act on behalf of the innocent ones.
"All right," Kayura said.
"All right?" Urami blinked, seeming somewhat surprised at the answer.
"You're right, Urami. How is it right that they live such joyful lives while others suffer for them?" Kayura asked. "Someone needs to take revenge for all of us, and I want it to be me."
The angel was silent a moment, then smiled again. "Very well."
She put a hand on Kayura's forehead.
"Now all ye lovers that faithful prove,
(The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall),
Pray for their souls who died for love,
For Love shall still be lord of all."