If you are with me, then I will go gladly
unto my death and to my rest.
Ah, what a pleasant end for me,
if your dear hands be the last I see,
closing shut my faithful eyes to rest!
BWV 508: Bist du bei mir ("If you are with me")
─Johann Sebastian Bach
Days passed.
The Priest silently, and patiently waited for the Ghost to come out of the confessional, but he never did.
Until one day, the Priest heard a gentle knocking inside.
"My friend, is that you?" The Priest asked, anxiety filled his heart.
"Yes, Father. Please meet me here tonight. I am ready to make my confession." The Ghost spoke, with a trembling voice. He refused to show his face, for he was overwhelmed with shame.
"My first...and last confession. Would you kindly listen to it?"
"Gladly, my friend. Tell me everything. Tell me the truth."
It was midnight. Karamatsu walked to the church, holding a candle. As promised, Todomatsu did show up at the confessional. The candles on his head were lit by eerie, purple flames.
"Tell me everything. Tell me the truth." Karamatsu spoke, after both of them entered the confessional.
"Father, I have sinned." The Ghost nervously whispered. Karamatsu could hear his heavy breathing from the other side of the confessional. "I'm ready to tell you everything."
"I was born in this village─they were calling it the 'Southern Village' back then. I heard that the Northern Village chief's daughter was the first victim of the deadly disease...which was spreading across the country later. The plague was also spreading to our village."
"It was horrible, Father. People dropping down to the ground like birds falling down from the sky...blood pouring from their mouths. The sounds of hoarse, almost barking fits of cough was not unusual to my ears. The smell of decaying, rotting corpses littering the streets was normal for me. I felt so natural that it scares me, until this day, Father."
"I also caught the disease. It was painful. It hurts so much, I couldn't breath. I kept coughing blood whenever I opened my mouth to speak. My father, my brothers...were all dead from succumbing to the plague. Then, a group of cult was formed. They believed that an offering of a soul would appease the gods of plague, and stop the disease. They were wrong. They were so stupid, Father."
"My mother died shortly after she contracted the disease─I was the one who infected my disease to her. I was the only one left. I was all alone. The loneliness was too painful for me, that I decided to offer my life as the sacrifice to the cult members. They were all agree, and I was sacrificed."
"The ritual was held here, right inside this church. I was tied onto a table, my clothes were stripped off of me. My body was convulsing in pain. The disease was slowly taking my life away. Then, the cult members were all chanting in unison. They prayed to the gods, as they drilled my skull with burning candles...and─"
Todomatsu stopped speaking. He broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Karamatsu asked worriedly. "If you're not comfortable to continue your story, let's just stop."
"No, I'll be fine. Please...let me continue..." Todomatsu swallowed his tears, his voice was shaking.
"I...I was violated. They were forcing themselves into my body. They did what they would do to women...to my body. It was so painful. I begged them to stop...for nothing. I regretted my decision to be sacrificed, and the ritual went awry. I wasn't able to endure all the pain, and my soul became this─rotten, standing in the thin line between life and death."
"Wait, I remember one thing...right before I died. It was a Grim Reaper. He did cut my spirit from my mortal body, but my soul survived...and was bound to this place. The ritual's magic forced my soul to stay here. I can't leave this place for two hundred years."
"I also realized that my existence was fading away. I found out that absorbing the living human's life force would sustain my soul from fading. I don't want to die yet. No, not yet. I want to live. That's what I thought."
"So...that's why you bit me everytime we met." Karamatsu spoke, almost quietly.
"I'm so sorry, Father...I'm so sorry. I'm such a coward, rotting soul. I couldn't accept my death. I was afraid of death. So, I..."
"Meet me outside of the confessional, Todomatsu."
The priest coldly walked out of the small room. Todomatsu followed his steps, fearfully. The ghost wiped his tears of blood from his cheeks, facing Karamatsu's stiff expression. Karamatsu held out his arms, hugging the confused Todomatsu.
"Father...?" He could feel a tremor from his throat, choked by his own tears. Karamatsu patted his back.
"I forgive you." The priest spoke, his tone was strangely warm. "You've made a mistake, and it's only human."
Abruptly, Karamatsu stepped forward, taking Todomatsu to his back. It was Ichimatsu, brandishing his silver scythe.
"Step aside, Father Karamatsu." The Reaper hissed. "I won't make any mistake this time. I'll definitely reap his soul for real."
"Father Soki?! What are you doing?!"
"The name's Ichimatsu. I'm not here to play some clerical duties with you. Move, or I'll whoop your ass with this scythe."
"It's...him..." Todomatsu yelped in fear, cowering behind Karamatsu's back. "It's the Grim Reaper..."
"It's been two hundred years, eh...brat? Don't worry, I'll collect your soul properly this time." Ichimatsu grinned. "Don't run away from me, now. It's my responsibility to save lost souls such as yourself."
"N─no! Please..." The ghost whimpered, clutching Karamatsu's stiff arms.
"Stop whining. Move it, priest. I'm not coming here for you." The Reaper sharply glanced at Karamatsu. However, said priest won't budge. He was trembling, but he won't move.
"I SAID MOVE, YOU SHITTY PRIEST!" Ichimatsu was losing his patience. He nearly swung his weapon to Karamatsu, before an angel stopped the attack.
"Don't do it, Ichimatsu! You'll kill the priest!" Jyushimatsu held the Reaper's arms. "Let me help you solve this problem."
The angel bowed, smiling widely to the terrified Karamatsu and Todomatsu.
"Y─you're...God's Messenger? An angel?" Karamatsu mumbled in awe, witnessing Jyushimatsu's gentle glow lighting the entire dark room.
"I'm sorry. This guy's very temperamental. Now, where's the poor soul? Heeey, ghost! I'm here to help you!"
"Wh─what do you want with me?" Todomatsu slowly emerged from behind Karamatsu's back.
"I've heard everything from Ichimatsu. I want to help you break free from this place." Jyushimatsu cheerfully patting the ghost's head. "Hey! Are these real candles? They're amazing! Amaaazing!"
"I was bound to this place by a strong magic. Can you help me free from it?" Todomatsu asked, which was replied with a nod from the angel.
"That's easy! Here." Jyushimatsu joined his hands, emitting a gentle light. Suddenly, Todomatsu's gloomy body changed into brighter color. The candles on his head was falling apart, without any pain following. He felt overwhelming warmth emanating from the angel's presence alone.
"Now that the magic has been dissolved, how are you going to help him, exactly?" Ichimatsu asked, his face was darkened.
"If he want to, I can arrange for him to get reincarnated. But he must agree to follow me to Heaven first." The angel held the ghost's transparent hands. "Not to worry, you won't feel any pain."
"Now, we must go. Take my hand, I'll show you how to reincarnate." Jyushimatsu smiled, offering his hands to Todomatsu.
"But, I..." Todomatsu glanced at Karamatsu, who was smiling sadly.
"Go on. Don't worry about me. I'll be happy if you joined the Lord's Kingdom."
"No...I can't." Todomatsu sobbed. "I'm filthy. I'm rotten. I don't deserve to go to Heaven...I..."
"You're lying." Ichimatsu snarked. "You just don't want to be separated from that priest."
Todomatsu ran towards Karamatsu, throwing his arms around the priest's chest.
"I don't want to go. I want to be with you."
"It's okay, Todomatsu. Do as he says."
Slowly, Karamatsu took the ghost's hand. He guided the ghost's hand to the angel's hand.
"I promise, I'll meet you again..." Todomatsu tearfully smiled. "...Karamatsu."
Days passed. Seasons changed.
The Priest continued his peaceful life, alone.
He felt his life went dull and much more quiet than before,
"But I will be fine," he said.
"He's happy to be free, that's what matters most to me."
The Priest continued his preach─
─until a gentle knock on the church's door was heard.
"All's well that ends well!" Jyushimatsu cheerfully laughed, sitting at the church's rooftop with Ichimatsu.
"I wouldn't say that ends well for me." The Reaper gritted his teeth in ire. "I lost my target because of that goddamn priest. You too, for interfering with my job to collect that stupid soul. Damn it."
"Now, now, don't say that! At least, Totty can become human again, right? And your responsibility to reap that one remaining soul is no more! Yay!"
Ichimatsu sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll let it slide. Next time, there'll be no mercy..."
"Scaaary...you're the type that holds grudges so well, Ichimatsu..."
"Speaking of which...the Devil didn't show up that time. It makes our job easier, though...so I don't mind." Ichimatsu scratched his head. "That's strange. I guess he's just bark and no bite, huh..."
"Yeah. But, Ichimatsu...I think he did those things because he's lonely. He just want to have friends."
Ichimatsu stared at Jyushimatsu. He couldn't believe the angel's sincere words to be true. "Him? What a bullcrap...but yeah, whatever. I'll be going for now."
"Hey, Ichimatsu! Where are you going?"
"I'm going to the lake of the eastern region...to meet Choromatsu." The Reaper stood up, before jumping off the rooftop. "Want to come along?"
Jyushimatsu's eyes were shining in joy and excitement. "Yes! Of course! It's been a loooooong time since I last met him! Let's go meet Choromatsu!"
"Yeah, let's go." Ichimatsu looked back at the church. "Besides, my job here is done already..."
"Is it true, Father Karamatsu? That you will leave the clergy?"
The bishop asked curiously, while watching Karamatsu holding a baby within his arms.
"I'm really sorry, Bishop. I had to..." Karamatsu smiled bitterly. "I've decided to raise this child."
"Where did you find this child? Is he your son?"
"No, no! Of course not, Bishop! Father Soki was the one who found him, and brought him to me...ah! About Ichi─I mean, Father Soki─where is he, Bishop? Did you see him?"
"Father Soki? You must be confused, Father Karamatsu. We don't have any person called Soki in our clergy, as far as I know..."
"...oh...I see...nevermind, Bishop. I must have been mistaken."
"But really, this is so sudden. Would you care to explain your reasons to raise the child, Father?" The bishop stroked his chin, looking at the young priest with wonder.
"I want this child to see the world outside─beyond this church's door. I want to show him how vast the world is, and I want to travel around the world with him. Because someone wishes to do so..."
"Very well." The bishop nodded. "I won't ask questions anymore. This church will feel a bit empty without you, but I guess it can't be helped."
Karamatsu grabbed his belongings, and took the baby along with him. He said his farewell to the bishop before leaving the church.
"May the grace of our Lord be with you." The bishop smiled. "You can come here anytime if you want. This church's door will always be open for you."
"Thank you, Bishop. Until we meet again."
The young man looked up to the blue sky adorned with white clouds. He squinted his eyes from the blinding sunlight. The baby within his arms snored. With a bright smile, he took a step forward.
"Let's go...Totty." He said. "Let's go see what the world looks like!"
At the top of a hill, a sharp-dressed young man stood menacingly. He gritted his teeth, feeling ire and envy overran his callous heart.
"...lonely? Me? Huh, what a joke..."
The man sprouted a pair of black wings from his back. The clacking sounds from his sharp teeth resounded through his heavy, wrath-filled breath.
"That idiot angel. Don't act like you really know me, you stupid ass of an angel. Let me tear your fucking wings apart...how would you like it, huh? Slooooow and steeeaaaaady? Huh? Rip and tear, rip and tear! I'll rip your fucking guts out, and chew and spit it to your idiot fucking face!"
He snapped a twig into two, and stomped it with his feet furiously.
"And that boring, useless reaper! I'm gonna break his fucking limbs, shove that freaky scythe up his asshole and make him beg for it! I'll make him beg to stop! Huh, what's that? You want me to stop? Fuck that, I AIN'T STOPPING! I'LL FUCKING TEAR YOUR EYES OPEN AND FEED YOUR OWN EYEBALLS TO YOUR FUCKING FILTHY MOUTH! WHAT IF I CUT THAT CRAZY ANGEL'S HEAD WITH YOUR BIG FUCKING SCYTHE, HUH?! FEELING HIS BLOOD OOZED AND DRIPPING IT TO YOUR FUCKING FACE! DRIP, DROP, DRIP, DROP! HOW'S THAT, HUH?! HUH?!"
"That stupid priest is also fucking annoying! I want to stomp that stupid bible shit to the ground! Stomp, stomp, stomp! How's that?! Naaaaah, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH! I'M GONNA RAPE THAT STUPID FUCKING KID! THAT STUPID, TRAUMATIZED, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING KID! THAT IDIOTIC HUMAN CHANDELIER! I'M GONNA RAPE THAT KID RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM! I'M GONNA FUCK HIM REEEAAAAL HARD! AND THEN I'LL JAB THOSE STUPID CANDLES RIGHT INTO THEIR FUCKING EYES! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU ALL! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOOOOOUUUU!"
The Devil gasped, giggled, and chuckled maniacally.
"Ahhhh...what a mess...what a mess, what a mess!" He laughed. "I wonder, what kind of face that priest would make if he heard that I─the Magnificent Me─was the one who instigated the village's fucked up ritual and shit? What kind of face that reaper would make if he heard that I was the one who orchestrated the notorious Great Plague? I wonder...what kind of game should I play next?"
A horrifying wide grin flashed across the Devil's face. He flapped his wings, soaring high to the darkened sky of dusk.
"Hey! You there! This isn't over yet, you hear me?! I'M NOT DONE YET! THIS STORY ISN'T OVER YET, SO YOU BETTER WATCH OUT! HERE COMES THE REAL SHIT! Heeheheheee...hahahahahaaaaa..."
Long time ago, there was a prosperous country. The land was fertile, and the people were happy. However, the joy didn't last long. The country was soon afflicted by a plague. Countless people's lives were taken from the disease.
The Great Plague spread its wing across the country─to the north, south, west and east of the land. Its vicious fangs drew more and more blood, killing left and right mercilessly. The once prosper and fertile country was changed to a barren, horrid land of the dead.
The Great Plague left its mark in the pages of history, staining the country with the red of people's blood. Days, months, and years passed peacefully afterwards. Seasons changed swiftly, as fast as the wind changes its course.
Everything changed. Fresh greens were blooming on top of the once arid grounds. The deserted villages, once devoid of life, was rebuilt again by people moving from another country. Laughter and joy resounding throughout the land once again.
The pain, the sorrow, and the thick smell of death was no more. New life emerged from the scars left by the Great Plague.
The Young Priest, now left the clergy to wander with the Child...to see the vastness of the world with their clear, unclouded eyes. They were the new lives blooming from the ground, striving to live from the ashes of sorrowful past. He was singing this song as a traveling bard, along with a child by his side.
This song, about how new lives are born after immense destruction.
This song, about the circle of death and resurrection.