Rokuro's POV
Two years ago
It was dark, and silent, I could barely hear a thing, but I liked it that way. I somehow felt at peace with this silence. It had been a week since I survived the Hiinatsuki incident, for the pass week I wish I hadn't, I wanted to die with them. Ryougo and the others tries to connect to me, but I kept pushing them away. It's not like I don't want them, but I couldn't explain what happened, no matter how much I want to. I knew the consequences for revealing the Dark Arts, people may used that taboo like Yuuto did. It was then I heard a knocking on my door.
"Rokuro? Rokuro? Ro-Ku-Ro, are you in there?" questioned the voice behind the door, I didn't even recognise the voice.
"…Just leave me alone, Ryougo." I replied softly, but the person behind the door heard me.
"It's not Ryougo. It's me, Mayura, Mayura Otomi. Don't you remember?"
"Mayu… ra?" I weakly said.
"Can I come in?" I didn't answered, I just held my knees close to me. Mayura didn't care about my response, she entered the room and light came through. What she saw had shaken her to her bones. My room wasn't just in a mess, it was completely wrecked. Curtains were torn, tables were broken, floorboards shattered, it all represented the state I was in, complete despair, a broken twelve year old boy. "Rokuro… what is… all this?"
"…it's just my room… leave me alone."
"Rokuro, this isn't healthy for you! You need help!" Stated my concerned friend.
"…I don't want help… I want to die… I deserve to die." what I said awoken something in Mayura. She turned me towards her, and in that instance, I felt my cheek stinging in pain.
"Rokuro! Don't say stuff like that!" yelled Mayura, holding my shoulders. "You been through a bad experience, you watched all your classmates die! And you expect me to leave you alone like this?! DON'T GIVE ME THIS CRAP! All your friends were my friends too! I don't want to lose any more friends! Please let me help you!"
"YOU'RE NOISY! LEAVE ME ALONE!" I pushed Mayura away in rage, but the moment I did, all my wrath was instantly replaced with regret. I've killed many of my friends, I didn't want this.
"…Sorry, I'll leave you alone." said a depressed Mayura, before she went for the door. I felt my heart stop, without thinking I held onto her, as though she was about to disappear. She widen her eyes, and her cheeks suddenly flushed, which instantly faded when she felt my tears.
"…It's not you who should apologize. I'm sorry… I hate noise… but… I HATE BEING ALONE EVEN MORE!" I cried, Mayura seeing that I was vulnerable, she hugged back, and stroke my hair.
"…Rokuro, it's okay. I'm here, hold onto me for as long as you want. You're alive, it's all that matters."
"IT'S NOT OKAY!" I yelled almost instantly. "THERE NO WAY IN HELL THAT IT IS ALRIGHT!"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't deserve to be alive!"
"Why? I'm sure everyone wanted you to-." Mayura was saying what she can to comfort me, but it wasn't working.
"They can't! They wouldn't!"
"Why Rokuro? Why wouldn't they want you to survive?"
"BECAUSE IT WAS ME WHO KILLED THEM!" I yelled in rage and sadness, I couldn't hold it in anymore. Mayura didn't believe it.
"Rokuro… you didn't kill them-."
"I DID! Because… if I hadn't… they would have killed me… and everyone else." Tears flowed out of my eyes even more, I couldn't keep secret in anymore. Mayura's eyes widen in disbelief.
"…What… do you mean? Why? Why would they…?"
"…" I stayed silent, trying to figure out how to tell her. Mayura released the hug and placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Rokuro, it's okay, you can tell me.' smiled Mayura, I could tell it was forced.
"…Can you… keep it secret? Only the higher ups knows about this." I questioned, with a serious expression. She nodded and I explained from the beginning. She widen her eyes as I told her about Yuuto, the corruption, and how I got my arm. She wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't shown her the scar on my right arm, it was evidence my arm was ripped off.
"…Rokuro…I'm… I'm so sorry." Sniffed Mayura, she couldn't hold back the tears pouring from her eyes.
"…You have nothing to apologize for." I stated, as I talked, I tighten my grip, and the rage within me just build up. "Everything that happened was my fault alone. It was me that failed to save them… it was me that killed them… IT WAS ALL BECAUSE OF ME! I SACRIFICED MY ARM TO GAIN STRENGTH! I WAS WILLING TO KILL THEM SO THAT DIE AS THEMSELVES! I DID IT ALL SO THAT I COULD STOP MY FRIEND, SO WHY COULDN'T I SAVE ANYONE OF THEM?! WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ALL THOSE SACRIFICES IF THEY ALL HAD TO DIE?!"
"Rokuro?!" Mayura watched as my wrath took over me. It scared her that someone like me can turn into this.
"Why? Why did it have to me? Why couldn't it be someone else? WHY DID I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO THAT SURVIVED?! THEY WERE THE ONES WHO WORKED HARD TO BECOME SOMEBODY, SO WHY DID I SURVIVE?! I… I… I DON'T WANT THIS STUPID ARM!" I yelled and smashed my fist to the ground.
"ROKURO!" yelled my concerned friend. She watched me constantly smash my arm to the ground, there were cracks my bones, there was blood that spilled, there was pain that I brought, but I didn't want it to stop, I wanted it to be gone.
"THIS ARM IS NOTHING BUT A CURSE! IT IS NOTHING BUT PAIN! IT IS NOTHING BUT A REMINDER THAT I AM A MURDERER!"
Mayura grabbed my arms and embraced me. I tried to push her away, but she had a tight grip. I could stop myself, and I cried into her shirt.
"…why did it have to be me? Why couldn't they be the ones that survived?" I sobbed, I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know what the point of living was anymore. "It would have been better. Masato could have been a chef, Takumi could have been with you, Keito could have turned five in two years, Tetsuji could have been my partner, Ami could have grown up with me. Why? Why did they have to die?"
"…Rokuro, you didn't do anything wrong. You did your best to save everyone. There was… there was nothing that you could have done." stated Mayura, she didn't know what to say to me, but it doesn't change the fact that she couldn't leave me alone.
"…I know, but… how could I just accept what happened? How could I accept that my family had to die?" I questioned. "HOW COULD I EVER ACCPET IT?!"
"…I don't know… but… I do know this. If you continue to be like this, all that tragic past will bring you to your death. Your friends, our family said it, didn't they? 'No matter what happens, you have to live'. I'm pretty sure of it, that our beloved ones don't want you to be dragged down by them. Ami, Tetsuji, Takumi, they all want you to be happy."
I widen my eyes as I remembered my friend's words, their wishes they gave to me. I felt my face being lifted, by soft warm hands.
"…Mayura?" I stared into her eyes, feeling both lost and free.
"Rokuro, listen. I wanted to grow up with everyone at Hiinatsuki, when I heard they all died, I felt alone, it felt like the day my parents were divorced, that I would never see mom or dad together again. Rokuro, remember this, no matter what happens, you're never alone. You can feel sad anytime you want, just don't let it blind you from anything. Rokuro, I want you to continue live as well. No matter what happens, if you feel lost then talk to me, if you feel like you need help I'll be there. So please, don't say stuff like you should die ever again, okay?" smiled Mayura.
"…Yeah. I promise! I promise I will continue to live!" I cried.
Present time
I was surrounded by darkness, but I remembered that memory. It was two years ago, after I the night I destroyed my room in shortly after I transferred to Seika, my sister helped me see the way. I felt like I was being shaken, sunlight began to burn into my eyes. I heard someone, screaming my name.
"Rokuro! Rokuro! Wake up, Rokuro!" yelled Benio, she slapped me in the face. I felt my face stinging too much.
"Ugh, what?" I muttered.
"Rokuro, we're late! We're late for school!" yelled Benio shaking my entire body. I didn't sleep well last night, I was dreaming too much about Hiinatsuki, not to mention my body was still recovering from the Basara incident. The word 'school' brought opened my eyes to the fullest, we had fifteen minutes to freshen up, eat breakfast, pack lunch and travel to school. Benio was running all over the house grabbing her school books and lunch money, with a food in her mouth, I did the same. I kept hearing Benio screaming all over the place, for once I was thankful, her noise helps to keep me awake.
"My Talismans! Where are my Talismans?!" shrieked Benio. "We need to get to school on time! Where is my Skanda Talisman?!"
"Too much attention!" I barked, I pulled out my bicycle from the garage. "Get on!"
"E-EEHHHH?! R-Rokuro, Th-that's-!"
"You're noisy, hurry up." I growled, passing her a helmet. Benio was flushing, being on a bike with a boy paddling for her, the streets will be even noisier for me. Benio shook the thought and got on my bicycle, as soon as she was ready I began to paddle.
'Kuso, damn Mondays!' I thought angrily, my anger faded when Benio rested her head on my back. She noticed me flinching.
"S-sorry, I'm… just a little tired." muttered Benio.
"…" I continued to focus on the road, and trying to keep myself awake by doing math in my head. When Benio laid her head on her back, I couldn't help but feel guilty. The discovery of Yuuto having a sister, who lives in my house, I had a mix feelings of guilt and regret.
'…Benio Adashino, will I… will I be able to tell her? Should I even tell her?' I thought in my mind, no matter how much I try, I can't stop these questions to appear in my head. 'Well, for now I need to focus on getting to school, I don't want to be in an accident. Not to mention every Exorcist in the world would be after my head if something happened to the Head of the Adashino Family, especially the ones in Kyoto.'
Lunch Period
Lunch didn't work out so well, at the moment I was being kidnapped, along with Benio. There was a hand on the back of my school jacket, pulling me and Benio towards the Janitor's closet. We could have broken free from the kidnapper with Talismans, but we were sure that we didn't want that. The kidnapper had every right to be mad at us, and guilt had gripped our hearts, and that kidanpper was sister, Mayura Otomi. The door to the janitor's closet slammed behind us, and in front of us, were the flames of rage that couldn't be put out.
"Rokuro! You are really a Suicidal Maniac aren't you!" scolded Mayura. "I can't believe you! You and Benio couldn't participate in PE today from a sore body and an injured leg! You have been exorcising again, haven't you?!"
"…yeah." I replied honestly. "…Benio was late for dinner and… I got worried."
"…I see, you were just looking out for her, weren't you?" stated Mayura.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been breathing." Stated Benio. "A second later I could have been crushed by a Basara-."
"A BASARA?! YOU FOUGHT A BASARA?!" screamed Mayura.
'You're really noisy, Benio.' I thought in rage.
"M-Mayura that's-!" Benio tried to protest but couldn't.
"Fighting Impurities is one thing. But fighting a Basara?! You two are lucky to be alive!" scolded Mayura, it didn't take long for her to point at me. "And you! Why are you always trying to be a hero?! Are you really planning on dying?! Are you really serious on breaking that promise?!"
"…I just… I don't want anymore regrets." I replied.
"Rokuro." I looked into her eyes and saw tears on the verge of coming out. "JUST DO WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT! YOU CAN DIE FOR ALL I CARE!"
I watched my sister walked out of the closet in rage. I tried to reach for her, but I stopped myself. I knew at the moment, I had no right to face her. Guilt grabbed my heart, as I almost broke promise twice.
"R-Rokuro?" said Benio.
"…you're noisy… leave me alone." I replied, I didn't bother to face her, there's a lot in my mind at the moment.
'First it Benio has an evil brother I've killed, then I hurt Mayura from my actions. What am I supposed to do?!' I thought as I clenched my fist. 'Do I keep it secret? Do I tell her? Do I keep my promise? Or do I want to fight? I… I don't know anymore.'
Benio's POV
Today in school was different, my leg was still hurt, so I couldn't run as fast, but that wasn't the thing that bothered me today. Sure the class was teasing us that the engaged teenagers had entered class together, but there was something different about Rokuro. He's quiet, but more then usual, I didn't think it was possible. There was also this look in his eyes, he… I don't know, he looked kind of… sad. I kept asking him about it, but he acted as though he didn't hear me, he even walked away from me. Not even Mayura knew what was up with her brother. When Mayura noticed Rokuro's body aching like hell, she questioned about him about him becoming an Exorcist again. She pulled the both of us into the janitor's closet and yelled at the both of us, mostly him about putting his life on the line too much. Rokuro stated that he did it to save my life, and that the Basara was almost too fast to escape. Mayura understood why Rokuro did it, but then she glared at me. I could that she felt that I'm responsible for Rokuro becoming one again. I can't help but feel responsible for what happened. Me and Rokuro were on the way to Seika Dorm before heading home, we wanted to know more about the sword that suddenly grew bigger. There was some Tension between me and Rokuro on the way.
"Oh, Benio-sama! What a surprise! Do you want some Ohagi?" greeted Granny, before I could replied she made a frown and pointed a spear at Rokuro. "You! Why are you here?!"
"…to see Gramps." answered Rokuro.
"Oh, I see." smiled Kinu, that grin scared the both of us. "So you are here to see the man who gagged me, and the man who taught you how to HOGTIE A GIRL AGAINST HER WILL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER! I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU TO BE HER HUSBAND, LECHEROUS DEMON!"
"…" Rokuro just stood there, uninterested in her complaints.
"Granny! Rokuro is not that bad!" I exclaimed. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him!"
"…alright. I'll admit, I'm grateful for you saving her twice. Thank you, Rokuro Enmadou." Bowed Granny. "But remember, if you do anything to her, I will have your head!"
"…" Rokuro nodded and walked inside Seika, I noticed the look on his face, when Kinu threatened her. For a second, Rokuro had a face of guilt. It was then that I was convinced he felt guilty for Nii-sama.
"Granny, he's going through a lot at the moment." I stated. "He's… he knows about Nii-sama."
"…I see, has he told you anything yet?"
"No, but he promised to talk to me about it tonight, along with the others at Hiinatsuki."
"Okay, if anything happens, call me immediately, alright?"
"I will, Granny." I replied and walked inside. I saw Rokuro sitting on his knees having some tea with Zenkichi.
"Oh, Benio-sama, come in, have some tea." Greeted Zenkichi. I was about to sit on my knees, but Rokuro stopped me.
"…is your leg alright?" asked Rokuro.
"Yeah, it's fine." I answered, trying to make them not worry.
"…you told me it was hurting this morning, and you were slower in PE." Stated Rokuro.
"Is that true Benio-sama?" asked Zenkichi.
"Th-that's… true." I replied honestly.
"Hold on a moment, I'll get you some extra pillows." Stated Zenkichi, walking towards the closet. I glanced at Rokuro, he was facing the garden.
'Rokuro… I guess he wasn't avoiding me as much. I wished I could do something for him.' I thought. Zenkichi gave me an extra pillow for my leg. I sat down and listened to him.
"So, I've heard from Rokuro. You two wanted to know more about the truth about the Sousei no Omyouji, is that correct?" asked Zenkichi. Rokuro nodded.
"Yeah, we have many questions about it. About this new power we obtained, about the Sousei, about everything." I explained.
"I see, I knew I had to tell you at some point, but I never imagined that I have to tell you so soon." Stated Zenkichi. "Yes, it's true. You two are not the first Sousei no Onmyouji. For the past thousand year, there had always been two young teenagers, curse upon the fate of being the Sousei. I apologize for not telling you this sooner, but I wanted you two to enjoy your life as kids before shouldering the responsibility of humanity itself. I do not know the details, but for every three generations, the Basaras hunted down the Sousei, and kill them before the Miko is born, and stole their immense Enchanted Powers. Not only in order survive, but in order to gain strength. I do not know the details of how they knew, however it doesn't change the dire situation we are in. As you know, the longer the Basaras live, the stronger they get as they consume the hundreds of Exorcists, meaning that the longer the Miko isn't born, the harder it is to end the war between our worlds. You kids are the tenth, Sousei no Onmyouji."
"…so if we don't fulfil our mission as the Sousei no Onmyouji, there may be a chance that even Miko won't end the War?" asked Rokuro.
"That I cannot say. All we can do, is pray that the War will end." Replied Zenkichi.
"Well, in any case, it just means we have to get stronger, right?" I exclaimed. "I don't care how many Basaras will come, I will get stronger! And I will one day exorcise that one Basara! And I will one day I will become the strongest Exorcist and cleanse the world from Magano!"
"…" I didn't notice Rokuro facing the ground, having doubts, but Zenkichi understood.
"I understand Benio-sama, Kinu had told me about you traumatic past, and your family." Stated Zenkichi, Rokuro squeezed his legs slightly tighter. "Speaking of powers, you two also wanted to know about the new abilities you had when you faced the Basara. It is the power only the Sousei could master, it is a technique that combines and multiplies the powers of two Exorcists, and that called 'Resonace'."
"Resonace?" we both asked.
"It works when the two Exorcists hold hands, and focuses their enchanted powers to a single attack. However, as you two use that amount of Enchanted Powers, you will quickly run out of stamina, so it's recommended you don't use to too often." Explained Zenkichi.
Rokuro and I remembered the time we used Resonance on the Basara, the information fits in the story.
'Holding hands and focusing, it doesn't seem too hard.' I thought. 'All I have to do is hold… hold his… hold his hand?!'
I blushed at the thought, but then my face cooled down as I remembered Rokuro was upset with me. I faced the ground feeling terrible.
"…I see, thank you for the info gramps. I'll be heading home." stated Rokuro going out the door. I stayed behind reflecting about me and Rokuro.
'I doubt he want to see me now. He might not tell me about Hiinatsuki yet.' I thought in my mind.
"What's wrong, Benio-sama?" asked Zenkichi.
"…I kinda of mess things up. I accidently told Mayura about the Basara fight, she's really mad at Rokuro at the moment. I'm not sure how to apologize." I explained.
"I see, but if you really feel sorry, what do you think you should do?"
"…I …I got to see him!" I got off the ground, wanting to catch up to Rokuro and apologize. I ran towards Rokuro, I didn't really care about me being slower then before, I just had to see him. It took me awhile to catch up to him, before I knew it, we were at the place where we first met. "Rokuro!"
"…" Rokuro didn't bother to turn, he was staring at the waters.
"Rokuro! Listen to me!" I yelled. "I don't care if you call me noisy! I don't care if you're upset! I don't care if you forgive me! I just want you to know I'm sorry!"
"…You're really noisy. It's not you I'm mad at." said Rokuro. I was about to say that I didn't care if he forgives me or that he calls me noisy, but when I heard what he said, I widen my eyes in confusion. "…I'm just mad at myself. I have a lot in my mind."
"…like what?"
"…I don't know …I don't know whether I want to be an Exorcist again." Rokuro stated. "…and …everyone at Hiinatsuki …are they really okay with me becoming one?"
"Why wouldn't they? You did try to save them, didn't you?" I questioned, I noticed Rokuro lowering his head, facing towards the water. It was then it hit me.
'I've commited a sin …one I couldn't atone for… while in search of strength. That's why… I've lost my right to be an Exorcist. Will you do anything to become the strongest? Even if it means sacrificing something you've care about?'
'If I can save someone, I'll accept whatever sins I'll commit, that's not a bad line. I… wish it were true.'
'I don't have everything, I lost friends, my family, and my home. I could still hear them every night for the past two years, 'why didn't you save me', 'why did I save you', 'I hate you', 'I wished never you existed'. That's why I'm weak, that's why I hear them.'
'…I've …falied to save my family.'
'…Is he …feeling guilty? Is he feeling guilty that he could save them? That he couldn't save my brother?' I thought.
"…Rokuro, you have nothing to be ashamed of." I smiled, standing next to him, facing the waters like he was. "In my opinion, you should fight, not because you're strong, but because you care. The look in your eyes when you were saving your brother, told me that you would to anything to protect your family. I understand if you feel scared, or that you feel guilty, so you don't have to fight if you don't want to. Either way, I want to fight, I lost my family because of the Impurities, I don't want anyone to suffer like I did. I want people to live the life with their love ones, and without having to spend their days fighting. Also… there's actually one place I want to go."
Rokuro turned towards me, confused what I meant by that.
"To be honest, I wasn't born in Kyoto, I was born and raised on The Island." I explained.
"…The Island?"
"Yeah, it's actually the Tsuchimikado Island."
"…the perverted underwear bastard's Island?"
"…yeah, it's the Exorcist group's headquarters, it's also the frontlines to the war against the Impurites. It the homeland of the strongest Exorcists. It pretty much explains how I got to be the strongest in Kyoto. Of course, it's not on any map, we don't want anyone in the crossfire."
"…that explains a lot. When Yuuto came to Hiinatsuki, he always talked about how he was the strongest in class, because he was from the Island. I was eight, so I didn't really understand what he meant, but I wanted to beat him."
"Heh, I bet you couldn't even beat him." I smiled.
"…yeah, that's true, but… he wasn't able to beat me either." Rokuro gave a small laugh. I widen my eyes for a moment, I rarely seen Rokuro like that.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"…back then, we always fought, not just with Exorcism, but with Education as well. We always competed with each other, but we always ended up in a draw, so we always end it up playing Janken."
"You never cease to amaze me Rokuro!' I laughed. "…Also there's another reason why I want to be the strongest."
"…?"
"…kids on the Island need strong parents to have citizenship on the Island either that, or that they have proven my strength to the Japanese Government …when my parents died, they were buried on the Island, but… as I lost citizenship, the Kyoto Adashino family took me in. I… haven't been able to visit my parent's graves for six years." I watched Rokuro widen in eyes in shock.
"…sorry, it must be hard for you." stated Rokuro, facing the ground. "…so you've been trying to grow stronger, so that you could return home, and see them."
"Well, that's just one of the goals, before I left for Kyoto, me and Nii-sama took one last look at the graves, and we made a promise to become the strongest Exorcist, for ourselves and for them." I smiled.
"…Benio, why are you telling me this?" asked Rokuro, I felt my face heat up and turned away from him.
"…W-well… I-I just thought you should know. S-since you were c-confused about becoming an Exorcist again. I just… I just wanted you to know my reasons for fighting." I explained, I cursed myself for stuttering. I wasn't even sure what was wrong with me, my face was heating up, my heart was beating slighty faster, and I had butterflies in my stomach.
"…I see, thanks for telling me." replied Rokuro. I blinked in surprise, for some reason I knew it was coming but I felt it was something different when it came to him. He looked at me with serious eyes. "…I'm not sure how to teach, but I'll help you get stronger."
"…thank you, Rokuro." I smiled.
"…Benio, I-!" before Rokuro could finish his sentence, I widen my eyes. Rokuro suddenly gripped his right arm and fell on his knees. I couldn't tell what was happening, all of my instincts were telling me to rush towards him. There was pain rushing towards his right arm. It was then we heard a scream, we turned and saw a mother, looking for a child. We both widen our eyes, in fear.
'What's going on?! Did the child fell?! Or was he pulled into Magano?!' I thought in panic.
"…Impurities." gasped Rokuro, still in slight pain. "…I could tell …it's a strong one …almost like …a Basara!"
I pulled out a Kaimonfu, before I chanted I looked at Rokuro. Wondering whether he should fight.
"Rokuro, I'm going to Magano, are you going to come or not? You don't have to if you don't want to!" I asked. Rokuro hesitated to answer, but he nodded. In that second, I began to chant. "Though it be unthinkable, I ask for passage through the gate of the gods. With humility and respect in my plea, I beg your peaceful and willing aid. Magano Gate, OPEN!"
No one's POV
Rokuro and Benio entered Magano, the homeworld to all Impurituties, with enchanted gear on them. Rokuro equipped a Gaihou Goura as well. The two searched the area, looking for the missing child. They went back to back, watching each other's blind sides. They had a doubts about what they were facing, not just because they were dealing with a possibily Basara, but something that didn't add up to begin with.
"Where is it? Where is the Impurity?" questioned Benio. 'It's strange, too unusual! Impurities don't often come to our world and kidnap people. First it was the two siblings when I first met Rokuro, next was Nagitsuji three days later, and now it's a random kid. Back in Kyoto, the number of people being taken to Magano was about once a month average. Could it be that the Impurities are getting stronger? What's really scary is that while even if we do finish the job, Impurities could drag others into this world any time of this week. Also, Rokuro was able to sense the amount of enchanted powers of the Impurity. Is it because of his arm? In any case, we need to save that kid!'
"…" Rokuro stood there, looking left and right. 'Oi, noisy arm! Are you serious?! Is there really something as strong as a Basara here?!'
'Yeah, of course I'm serious! I wouldn't joke when it comes to controlling you.'
'You are just as noisy as ever, I'm just here for the kid.' Thought Rokuro, holding on a Kaimonfu. 'If something that strong is here, we have to be quick about it. We just need grab the kid and dash out of hell!'
A large shadow covered the the two teenagers, Rokuro widen his eyes at the sight of it, in fear. What he saw… was worst then he imagined. Benio acted on instinct and pushed the Rokuro and herself out of the way of the large Impurity charging at them from the sky. A large crater was formed, and the winds pushed them towards the walls. Benio quickly got up and looked at the large Impurity, it was three storeys tall, yellow hair, solid black skin, a horn, and it glowed green.
"Are you okay, Rokuro?!" asked Benio, she widen her eyes. Rokuro was alright physically, but his breathing heavily, he was sweating, and trembling. 'Why? Why is he afraid? Is that Impurity really that strong?! No, that thing's not as strong as a Basara, but something's different!'
Benio to look at the Basara one last time, she saw the Kuji-kiri on the Impurities torso, they weren't the normal yellow lines, they were green. Benio also saw the child in his arms, in that second she dashed for the crying arms, but the Impurity was strong, fast, almost like the male Basara she fought. Rokuro just knelt in fear, the green Kuji-Kiri was effecting him mentally and emotionally. Time had stopped for him, the boy just sat there, paralysed, remembering everything, his friends, his family, his home, all burning to the ground, because of him.
'NO! I DON'T WANT TO BECOME AN IMPURITY!'
'ROKURO! DON'T DO IT! YOU'LL KILL HIM!'
'WHY?! WHY KEITO AS WELL?! SHE'S JUST AN INFANT!'
'I JUST WANTED TO SAVE THEM! WHY DO THEY HAVE TO DIE?! WHY AM I WEAK?!'
'WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!'
'ROKURO! YOU'RE ONE OF THEM! STAY AWAY!'
'KILL ME! PLEASE KILL ME ROKURO!'
'ONLY YOU CAN LET ME DIE AS MYSELF!'
'ROKU! ROKU! PLEASE! KILL ME!' ROKU! ROKU! ROKU! ROKU! ROKU! ROKU!'
All the voices, all the memories, all the hate, melancholy, held his mind prisoner. 'Why? Why?! WHY?! WHY IS THERE A FALLEN HERE?!'
'If you're a Corrupted Surivor …it means that you either fought and survive Basara… or is it… you commited a Taboo?'
'Did he do it? Did that Basara do it?! DID HE TURN HIM INTO A FALLEN?! Why? Why?! WHY?! WHY?!' Rokuro thought in rage.
"ROKURO!" screamed Benio, Rokuro snapped back into reality, but confused, uncertain of what he has to do. "GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!"
Benio was having trouble fighting, even with six enchanted gears equipped. Benio got on top of the large Impurity. The Imprurity's back began to glow, and unleashed large amounts of enchanted powers towards Benio. There was so much one of Benio's swords disintergrated.
'He fired off enchanted powers?! This Impurity is capable of doing this?!' thought Benio in fear. 'Is it because this Impurity has a green Kuji-Kiri? Is this why Rokuro is afraid?!'
Benio landed on her feet, but her left leg was still recovering, she fell on her knees. Benio cursed herself for being so weak. Rokuro and Benio widen their eyes, as the child was about to get eaten. The one who was mostly affected at the sight, was none other then the sole survivor of the Hiinatsuki tradegy. Rokuro's memories flashed before his eyes, he felt as though history was repeating itself.
'SAVE ME! ROKU!' yelled the voice inside Rokuro's memories. The survivor remembered every detail of that night, he remembered trying to reach out for the arm of his classmate, while she was in the mouth of a Fallen.
'Hikari… What am I doing?' thought Rokuro, as his rage and fear had build up inside of him. 'Tch, of all the times my mind has to be noisy! Why am I sitting around doing nothing?! WHAT AM I DOING?! HURRY UP AND MOVE!'
"WHAT THE HELL AM I DOOIIIIIIIING?!" screamed Rokuro, charging towards the Fallen. Benio widen her eyes from Rokuro's voice, she hasn't seen Rokuro this desperate, not even when he save Nagitsuji. "SKANDA TALISMAN: HITEN SHUKYAKU (SOARING HEAVENLY LEGS OF SWIFTNESS)! KYU-KYU NO RITSU RYO!"
Rokuro's Red Arm made contact with the Fallen's face, but it wasn't enough to kill him. The second the child fell out of the Fallen's grips, Rokuro caught him and dashed towards Benio. The young child held onto him, fearing for his life. 'Yes! I've got him! Now we need to get out of Magano!'
Rokuro quickly pulled out an exit portal, and was about to leave, but not without a certain prideful Exorcist.
"Benio! Hurry up! We're dashing out of here!" Rokuro demanded, he widen his eyes, when Benio didn't even try to escape.
"I don't run from a fight!" yelled Benio.
"What are you saying?! We got the kid! Hurry up already!"
"Rokuro! If we don't beat this thing when will we ever will?!" yelled Benio, charging towards the Fallen. Rokuro didn't hesitate pushing the boy to the portal back home, but him going home by himself, was a totally different issue.
'Tch, if I leave her here she'll get killed! We barely survived the Basara attack, my arm barely made a dent on him! How are you going to exorcise, yet alone survive that?!' Thought Rokuro in rage. 'Benio doesn't even know it, but that thing… used to be human. If she does defeat it, she'll… become a murder. Kuso, WHY DON'T YOU EVER RUN, NOISY OHAGI GIRL?!'
Rokuro charged at the Fallen, not wanting Benio to suffer like he did. His arm began to smile, feeling as though he may finally possess the boy he's attached to. Benio and Rokuro fought the Fallen, but it seems that their attacks were not effective enough, no matter how many times they cut, no matter how many punches they throw, it doesn't feel enough. Rokuro made contact with the Fallen's fist with his own, but the Fallen's other arm knocked Rokuro through several buildings.
"ROKURO!" yelled Benio, feeling concerned for her partner, it wasn't long before she herself was sent flying away. Benio rolled against the rocky surface, and landed next to the other Sousei.
"Are you alright, Benio?" asked Rokuro.
"I'm fine! This is nothing!" replied Benio, standing up. "Rokuro, let's try Resonace!"
"…" Rokuro nodded, hesitantly. Rokuro kept trying to convince himself he is capable of killing a Fallen. 'It's not human anymore! It's not human anymore! IT'S NOT HUMAN ANYMORE! I HAVE TO KILL IT!'
Rokuro grabbed Benio's sword, trying not to shake hesitantly. The sword began to glow, and it grew bigger, like it did with the fight with the Basara. The two launched themselves towards the large Impurity. Benio was determined to get stronger, but Rokuro had doubts in his mind. Before they made contact with the Impurity, the sword suddenly transformed back to its original state. The attack had no effect on the Fallen, and the two were sent flying away, crashing onto walls.
"Why?! Why didn it, work?!" questioned Benio, she turned and face Rokuro. She widen her eyes as she saw Rokuro, hammering the ground, and all she saw in his eyes were rage and fear.
'It works when the two Exorcists hold hands, and focuses their enchanted powers to a single attack.'
'Rokuro… he's scared. Why? Could it be-?!' Before benio could finish thinking, the Fallen charged at them. Benio acted on instinct and pushed Rokuro away, while taking most of the attacks from the Fallen. Rokuro widen his eyes, in shock, it all happened so quickly. The last thing he saw, was two arms, pushing him away, and the eyes of a girl, fading away. The smile Benio made, shook his bones, for a second, and in that one second saw a young girl who died in his arms. He recalled every detail, the young girl had tears, unruly hair, and a hat. She held onto Rokuro two years ago, and her body disintegrated into nothingness. Rokuro evoked the last thing she said, the last thing he heard from the girl's voice.
'Sorry, Rokuro. Thank you… I love you.' the last smile that girl made, the last smile Rokuro remembered made him want to reach out for her, causing him to scream.
"AMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" screamed Rokuro, tears formed in his eyes. Rokuro forcing his arm to reach for the girl, but she went beyond reach, before Rokuro knew it a large arm smashed his stomach. Rokuro coughed out in pain and was thrown against the wall, creating a large crater. Rokuro blacked out, and his unconscious mind, he dozed into memories.
2 years ago
Rokuro's POV
Ryougo and the others were out again, doing exorcism. Me and Mayura were playing around at Seika Dorm. I felt as though I was returning back to normal, I even thought I was going to become and Exorcist again.
"Rokuro, I got to home to see my father, see you tomorrow!" waved Mayura.
"Yeah, see you soon." I replied. I walked back into the kitchen, and I noticed some stuff on the dinner table. It had all of my old stuff in it, Talismans, and a two ended glaive, it wasn't enchanted yet, but it's still cool. I stared at it for a moment, recalling the time I burned most of my Exorcism stuff after I recovered. 'Guess I never got rid of everything. Ryougo was lucky he hid some stuff before I burned them.'
I noticed something on the floor, it was a small charm and a pentagram on it. I picked up and analysed it.
'What's this? I've never seen it before. Does it belong to Mayura?' I thought, it was then Gramps came throught the door. "Hey, gramps. What's this?"
"Rokuro! That's-!" panicked Gramps, I didn't understand why.
"I think it belongs to Mayura. Gramps, what's-?!" before I could ask, gramps grabs my shoulders. I got scared, and then my fears had worsen.
"Rokuro! That charm's meant to protect Impurities from coming after Mayura!" yelled Gramps.
"Eh?! What do you mean? Why would Impurities come after her?!" I questioned, with a hint of fear.
"Mayura has enormous amounts of enchant powers, not even Ryuogo can be compared to her! Impurities hunt down for those who contain enchanted powers to become stronger! If she's without it, Mayura will be in danger!" explained Gramps.
"What?!" I exclaimed in fear, I quickly grabbed all the enchanted gear I could carry, and dashed out the door.
"You need to hurry! Rokuro!"
"I know!" I answered as I ran for Mayura, I pulled out a Skanda Talisman. "Skanda Talisman: Hiten shukyaku! KYU-KYU NO RITSU RYO!"
I ran as fast as I could, hoping that I could make it in time. I began to recall the Hiinatsuki incident, all the regrets I made, all the pain I've caused. 'I lost my family once! I won't lose another!'
I widen my eyes as I heard it, the sound of Mayura screaming. Mayura was already found, something was grabbing her with tentacles, it was pulling her into the shadow. I saw it all, the fear on her face, the tears in her eyes, and her arm reaching out for me.
"MAAYUUURAAAA!" I yelled out of fear and rage, and I stretched out my arm as I dashed, trying to reach her hand.
"ROOKUUUROOOO!" screamed Mayura. In that second, I almost had her, I almost felt her, but I was too late, she was pulled into the shadows. I crashed into the wall, but I ignored all of the pain. I searched everywhere, and had no idea where she went.
"Where?! Where?! WHERE ARE YOU MAYURAAAAAA?!" I yelled, it was then it clicked into me, the stories of the homeworld of Impurities, Magano. 'is she really there?! Is she really in Magano?! I can't think of anywhere else! I need a Kaimonfu, but only strong Exorcists can enter there, even if I was I don't have one!'
"CHIIKUUUSHOOOUUUU!" I screamed from the top of my lungs and crashed my right fist on the ground. I stared at my arm, my inhuman arm, my Impurity arm. "Th-that's it! The Seisougenpu (Star Revealment Talisman)!"
I search my pockets and pulled out my Black Talisman, and began to chant. "Cleanse! Purify! Kyu-Kyu no Ritsu Ryo!"
My arm was formed, and I heard it's laughter, roaring across the streets. I didn't want to hear it's voice again, but I had no choice.
'Yo! Rokuro Enmadou, do have another snack for me?'
'Enough of your shit! You're an Impurity aren't you?!' I yelled in my mind
'Hm? Who do you think you're talking to?! Even so, what do you want?'
'Take me to Magano! You're can do that can you?!'
'Yeah, I can but do you really want to? You can die you know.'
'I don't care! I need to save Mayura! She's my family! I need to go to Magano now!'
'Heh, fine. Don't blame me if you regret it!' yelled my Impurity Arm, he opened a crack in reality, it pulled me in like a vortex. As I entered the crack, I felt all of humanity's negative emotions rushing towards my mind. I held onto my head really tight, trying to block it all out, rage, hatred, envy, melancholy, all of them flowing into my head, I felt as though my head was going to explode, like the time I first got my cursed arm. It was almost too much for me, and seconds later I crashed into hell. I felt dizzy, trying to regain consciousness, having all of humanities dark desires could have turned me into something else.
"NOOOO! LET ME GO! FATHER! ROKURO! SOMEONE HELP ME!" my eyes shot straight open, and I ran towards the voice. Fear and rage took over my mind as I saw it, Mayura being held by a tall Impurity, many arms were pulling her in. I acted on instinct and launched myself towards it, a loud boom shook Magano as my fist made contact.
"GET YOUR FLITHY HANDS OFF HER!" I yelled, breaking the face of the Impurity. The Impurity shattered into countless pieces, and my arm began to smile. I landed on my feet, but it wasn't long my arm did it's business.
'Not bad, kid! Now… FEED ME!' laughed my arm. He opened his mouth, and the countless pieces rushed into my arm. I felt it, the amounts of enchanted powers flowing into my arm, I felt stronger, but… if it's too much there will be consequences. I didn't care about it at the moment, I was more worried about my friend.
"Are you okay, Mayura?" I asked, she quickly held onto me. She was traumatized, if I had been second late, she wouldn't be here right now.
"Rokuro! You're here! You're really here!" cried Mayura. I embraced her, she needed comfort, but we need to get home.
"It's alright, Mayura. I'm here, you're safe now. I'm here." I assured her, a minute later I released her from the hug and looked at her serious in the eyes. "Come on, we can't stay here. We need to get home."
"Yeah!" replied Mayura. She faced my Impurity arm, and so did I figuring he knew how to get home. "Rokuro, is this…?"
"Unfortunately, it's my arm at the moment." I answered. "Oi! Arm, can't you get us homw?!"
"No, I can't do that." replied my Arm.
"Why?! You brought me here! You have to get us out! Hurry up and get us home!" I demanded.
"Hmph, even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
"What do you mean?! Explain already stupid Arm!"
"...I only have the power to return to my home, if Impurities could really go into the Human world as they wish, we would have conquered it a long time ago. Besides, I doubt you could withstand the cracks again, and neither can she."
"No way! Doesn't that mean we're stuck here?!" exclaimed Mayura. "NO!"
"…it's okay, Mayura. I'll protect you, and your father will be here any minute."
"Really?" she fearfully asked, grabbed her shoulders and looked at her in the eyes.
"Yeah, absolutely!" I answered, I watched her small for a moment. She then widen her eyes as she saw an army of Impurities behind me, I turned and looked at the crowd. "Stay safe, I'll deal with them!"
I charged towards the army with only a few Talismans in my pockets. As I exorcise… no, kill Impurities, countless pieces of these demons were sucked into my arm like a blackhole. I felt my arm growing stronger as I kill, too strong. I felt myself losing my humanity, it wasn't long before my arm started to hurt, it was trying to take over me. I fell on my knees and grabbed my head, I felt it's mind growing stronger, my eyes were beginning to change. My right eye now had a black sclera and a golden iris. I breathed in heavily, trying to control myself, but even if could surpress it, there were still Impurities coming after me and Mayura.
"Rokuro stop! If you continue like this, YOU WILL LOSE YOURSELF!" screamed Mayura.
"Even so, I have to protect you! You're my family! I can't stop!" I yelled as I killed another Impurity, more powers flowed into my arm. It was then I felt tentacles grabbing onto me. "LET ME GOOOOOO!"
I screamed as I broke free of the Impurities grasp with my arm alone. Demons were entering me left and right, and I felt myself losing consciousness… no, losing control! My arm was beginning to possess me, but I didn't care, I need to protect her.
"ROKURO! STOOOOOOP!" Mayura ran towards me, she couldn't ignore me anymore. It was then I realized the chaos that was about to be unleashed… by me.
"MORE!" yelled my Arm. "MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE ENCHANTED POWERS! I WILL GET STRONGER, AND SOON I'LL BE FREE!"
Mayura stopped when she heard the laughter from my Red Impurity Arm. "Rokoru?!"
"Now… I wonder if she will be enough!" smiled my Arm, both of my eyes turned black, with golden Irises.
'I-it can't be!' I panicked in his mind, I tried to speak, but someone was stopping me. "Ma… yu… ra! R… u… n!
"Rokuro?!" Mayura widen her eyes when I looked at her in the eyes. I felt my body moving on its own, towards her. Mayura was horrified, that something like this could happen to someone she loves.
"MAYURA! RUUUUUUN!" I screamed in fear, I tried to warn her, but she was too close. My arm had almost full control over me, but enough for him to try to kill her. It wasn't long before everything faded into darkness.
Present time
I was beginning to wake up from that memory, that nightmare. Although it was in my mind, my nightmare wasn't over yet. I widen my eyes inshock, Benio was not moving at all, her mask was shattered, and all of her enchanted gear had vanished. I shut my eyes and tried to hear her, anything from her, her voice, her breathing, her heartbeat, anything. Although I was several meters away from her, I heard it, her heartbeat. It was weak and she was unconscious, but she's alive. I didn't had time to feel relief for a second, the Fallen was closing in on her. I tried to get up, by my body gave up on me. My legs, my arms, nothing in my body had the strength to help stand up. As I watched the Fallen move closer to Benio, I felt my heartbeat booming my body, my fears taking our me. I felt it happening all over again.
'Kuso! Kuso! KUSO! MOVE! GOD DAMN IT MOVE!' I mentally screamed, I watched Benio being lifted up, the Fallen's mouth began to open. 'PLEASE! DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN! I'VE LOST TOO MUCH ALREADY! WHY WON'T YOU MOVE?! BENIO!'
'…do want to save her?' asked my arm, I widen my eyes as I heard his voice. 'I'll ask again, do you really want to save her? I can give you power, I can give you strength, I can help you kill him!'
'…Yeah!' I said it with determination, remembering what Benio said to me.
'If I can save someone, I'll accept whatever sins I have to commit!'
'If I can save someone, I'll accept whatever sins I have to commit! I don't care what happens to me! Take away the fear so that I can fight! Give me the strength to save her! GIVE ME THE POWER TO REACH THOSE IN DANGER, UDE (ARM)!'
'Very well, Rokuro Enmadou! I'll grant you my power! Now… FEED ME WITH POWER, ROKURO ENMADOU!' yelled my arm. I felt myself growing stronger, I felt my eyes turning black with Golden Irises, and I felt my humanity fading from my mind. My arm began to glow darker, anyone who looks at it will run. My mind had nothing but a killer's instinct, hungry for power. In a blink of an eye, my Red Impurity Arm made contact with the monster's face, releasing Benio from his grip. The Fallen had been forced many meters away, but it got back up, it's not dead yet. Right now I wasn't myself, I was someone else, I was something else, I was a Corrupted Survivor! Negative emotions took over my mind, Rage for the Fallen attacking Benio, Hatred that a fallen was here, Sadness that I had to kill a human, all those emotions controlled my mind, and I roared across Magano.
"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" My voice had shattered glass, winds were formed, and I charged my fist towards the Fallen. Our fists had made contact, causing craters and winds to be formed. The Fallen raised it's other arm, but I rolled against the hard ground, towards the Fallen while dodging the attack. I pulled my arm back, and lauched my fist to the torso of the Fallen. As I watched him get pushed back, an imaged popped into my head. For a second, I saw the image of the man before he became a Fallen. I shook the image out of my mind, trying not to hesitate.
"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Kill! Kill! KILL! KILL! KILL! KIIIIIIIIIIILL!" I screamed as I launched my self towards the Fallen's face. I kept punching his face every hald second, I was out of control. Time seem to slow down as I continuously attacked the Fallen. I kept watching his face, being punched by my fist, I watched him feel pain, I watched him winced in agony. I felt my mind having a war, both sides of my mind trying to take control.
'What am I doing?!'
'Kill him!
'Why does he feel pain?!
'Don't hold back!'
'Why am I hesitating?!'
'He's an Impurity!'
'He's a Fallen, a human!'
'A former human, kill him now!'
'What do you mean by kill?!'
'He's killed many people!'
'Why do I want to kill him?!'
'We can't let him live!'
'Do I want to kill him?!'
'Yes! He's hurt Benio! Kill him!'
'Why am I doing this?!'
'Because you want to!'
'What did I want?!'
'To kill him!'
'What do I do?!'
'Keep killing him!'
'What did I want to protect?!'
'Doesn't matter! You have to kill him!'
'Why did I want power?!'
'Power is everything!'
'Do I really want this power?!'
'Shut up and end him!'
'Is it really okay?!'
'We can't let him live!'
'Who?!'
'That monster!'
'Who… am I?'
'Stop asking questions!'
'What… am I?'
'You are me! And I am you!'
'Why… do I want to cry?'
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I slammed my fist in the Fallen's torso, winds were formed, and the crater got deeper. As I attack, I yelled in rage, I screamed in fear, I roared in hatred, I cried in sadness. Although it was a Fallen, I could picture it, the blood splashing onto me as I punch him, and the walls and the ground covered with crimson liquid. I could see the blood continued to splash onto my face, even though there wasn't any. I didn't know why, but tears were flowing out of my eyes. I felt as though I was I forgotten something important, I can't remember. Every second continued to pass, as time continued, my mind was fading away. 'What am I doing again? Why am I doing it again? Where am I? What am I? Who… am I?'
'…Good Rokuro.' smiled my arm. 'Soon I will take control. Soon you will no longer be human. Soon I will be free!'
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I raised my fist and continued to pound him. I kept hearing it, the sound of the Fallen in agony. I couldn't control myself, a part of me wanted to end it quickly, silence the noise, but the stronger part of me didn't want to stop.
'Why?' I raised my fist.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" I smashed my fist into his gut, I heard the bones breaking in his body.
'Why?!' I raised my fist higher.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" I watched his mask break apart, I was shattering the inside of his body, but his body wasn't being exorcise, or being killed.
'WHY WON'T YOU JUST DIE?!'
"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I roared in frustration, unable to stay silent. It was taking to long, how many more punches before he dies?
'PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR SCREAMS ANYMORE!' my left eye was crying tears, but the other eye had only wrath inside.
'HURRY UP AND DIE SO THAT I COULD HAVE MORE POWER!'
I kept attacking the Fallen, I felt my bloodlust taking control of me, I felt something telling me to let go, that it was alright, that I was fine. I wasn't thinking for myself, I didn't want to think for myself, all I wanted to do was kill. For a moment, I didn't care who I was, all I wanted to do… was feel free. And yet… for some reason, when I heard her… my body, my mind, my emotions had stopped.
"Roku…ro." I heard a whisper, I turned and face the girl, half conscious.
"…who?" The second I heard her, the moment I saw her, I couldn't help but stare at her, wondering in thought. "…who is that girl? …what am I doing? ...why am I doing this? …Am I…really okay like this?!"
'You're strong, Rokuro Enmadou! You're so kind despite being quiet! You're brave enough to save others, despite the fact you've lost the right to fight, that's not a coward! I… I want you to know that the Rokuro Enmadou that fights is acceptable, no matter what sins he had caused!'
"Rokuro… Enmadou… What am I doing?! I… I… I…!" before I knew it my arm became angry, I felt the rush of pain in my arm, it was worst then usual.
'Rokuro Enmadou, have you forgotten what you should be doing?!' his voice echoed in my mind.
'Tch, you're really the Noisiest Impurity!' I barked.
'Heh, looks like that girl is going to wake up soon. You know what happens if she does, right?'
It was then it hit me, if she does wake up, she'll try to exorcise the Fallen. She'll be stain with human blood without realizing it. When she realizes it, she'll become like me. I have to kill the Fallen before she wakes up. It was then I heard a voice, I didn't recognise it, it was weak and silent, but I heard it, I heard him.
'…kill …me.' I turned and faced the Fallen, I widen my eyes as I saw his face. He was crying, tears were flowing out of an Impurity's eyes. It was then I realized the voice was from the Fallen.
'He can talk?!' I thought. '…no, he's voice in my head. His mind was still alive, but as every second passes, his voice grows weaker. Soon he'll be a complete Impurity, but saving him was too late for a long time.'
'…kill …me.' that quote kept repeating in my mind, I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it, but as I saw tears, I knew he yearns for peace.
'Now, kill him. One more should do it. End his pain. Save your girlfriend. Consume his powers. Give me power! SERVE ME MY MEAL!' demanded my arm. A large part of me wanted to spare him, try to find a way to turn him back to human, but the main part of me knew I had to do it. It was then tears flowed from my eyes, as I made a decision. I pulled back my arm, I was determined to save his soul.
"…you've suffered enough already. Return to the stars." I told the Fallen, my fist made contact with his Kuji-Kiri, and his body slowly shattered. I watched his body disintegrate into countless pieces, and my arm laughed.
'Now, feed me! LET ME CONTROL YOU!' yelled my Arm, but I had other plans.
'…you will not devour his soul!' I stated in my mind, pulling out a Tranquility Spell Talisman.
'That Talisman! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!' panicked my Red Impurity Arm. I quickly placed the Talisman on my arm.
"Exorcist Enchantment: Tranquillity Spell Talisman! Kyu-Kyu Nyo Ritsu Ryo!" I chanted, it was then that chains surrounded my right arm and compressed it. It prevented him from taking more enchanted powers, but in the process I felt as though my arm was shattering, by the Talisman, and by him. I grunted in pain, trying block out the pain.
'You-! WHAT ARE DOING?! THE ENCHANTED POWERS! ARE YOU THAT SCARED THAT I WILL CONTROL YOU?! UNDO THE CHARM AND FEED ME! ROKURO ENMADOU!' yelled my arm, his voice rumbled my mind, but I continued to block it out.
'Maybe! But… I don't want his soul to suffer! He's been killing Impurities and Exorcists for who knows how long! If his powers get inside my arm, HOW CAN HE REST IN PEACE?!' I argued, it was then I felt my neck being crushed, by my own right arm.
'YOU BRAT! IF ONLY I KILL YOU NOW! IF YOU HAD ONLY LET YOURSELF BE A FALLEN! IF ONLY YOU LOST CONTROL! I WOULD HAVE BEEN FREED! I WOULD HAVE-!' I listened to his noisy yell, but we both widen our eyes and stopped fighting. We both felt it, the Fallen's enchanted powers being absorbed, not by us, but by someone else. We both turned towards where the enchanted powers were being sucked into to, we saw a boy with a ragged cloak. His left arm, was just like my right arm, except that it was a blackish blue. I couldn't see his face, but I saw his smile, as he received an enormous amount of power.
'Who is that?! A Basara?! No, he has a human face. It can't be! He's another Corrupted Survivor?!' I thought in fear and shock.
'The amount of enchanted powers he has is beyond me, even before he stole my meal, he has more powers then that of the Basara we fought. Even I want to avoid fighting him.' Stated my arm. I watched the cloaked figure move his lips, I widen my eyes as I heard it.
"…weak!" it was all he said, in a blink of an eye he was gone. I would have gone after him, ask him some questions, but I couldn't, I was too slow. I turned towards the remains of the Fallen, and I saw it, his human form, or what's left of it. His skin was solid black, the Kuji-Kiri was still on him, but it wasn't glowing, his eyes were black with golden Irises, and his lower body was completely gone. I felt sick, I turned and fell on my knees and my lunch came out. I didn't want to feel it, the guilt of killing another human again. I curse myself, it wasn't my fault that he became a Fallen, but I couldn't help but get mad and blamed myself. I noticed something on the ground, and I grabbed it. It was a wallet, it looked like it belonged to the Fallen, before he got corrupted.
'Tooru Fushihara.' His wallet had blood on it, I felt guilty for him. I noticed a photo inside the wallet, I opened it and I began to cry. It wasn't just any famly photo, it an image of him and his wife, she was pregnant with his child. 'I killed a father. That child's going to grow up alone. What would I say to his wife? What would I say to his child? What have I done?'
'…you should have let me consumed him.' I gritted my teeth at the sound of his voice, at the words he chose.
'SHUT UP! HOW COULD YOU STILL CARE ABOUT THAT?!'
'…it might have been better if his soul was inside you, rather then the other guy.' stated my Arm. I widen my eyes at his statement, he said soul instead of enchanted powers. He might have been right, it would have been better.
'…why are you telling me this?'
'…it can't be helped, I am born from your negative thoughts, which includes guilt.'
'…I see.' I noticed Benio about to wake up. My mind began to panick, as the corpse was still there, with the Kuji-Kiri. I pulled out her Flame Talisman and pointed it at the corpse. 'She can never know!'
"Flame Talisman! Kyu-Kyu No Ritsu Ryo!" I chanted and the corpse bagen to crumble into ashes. I felt guilty destroying the body of a father, he could have had a proper funeral, he could have been buried, now his family has to bury an empty coffin. Benio woke up after the flames went out, the problem was, what do I tell her?
"…Ugh. What happened?" asked Benio, as she saw the red sky, her eyes were shot wide opened, remembering the fight. "Rokuro?!"
"…" I didn't bother to turn and face her, my mind was wrapped up in guilt. She felt relief seeing me stand, but she didn't realise I was feeling regret.
"…thank goodness, you're alive." Benio stood up, if it wasn't for the Gaihou Goura, she wouldn't have been able to stand, she walked towards me. At the moment, I wasn't sure whether it was a good thing that I was alive. "What happened to the Impurity?"
"…I killed it." I answered, the rage build in me.
"…I see." Said Benio, it was then she said stuff I didn't want to hear, and she didn't realise it. "You're really strong! But if you didn't hesistate we could have ended him quickly. I could have killed that monster myself, but well, what can you do? That Impurity was strong, is it because of the green Kuji-Kiri? Are there more of these things? I can't wait to grow stronger then these monsters. When I become the strongest Exorcist, I will wipe out these Impurities and-?!"
I had enough of her pride grabbed her mouth tightly. She fear grabbed a hold of her as I lifted her in the air with my right arm alone. It was still in an Impurtiy form, my hand was big enough to wrap my fingers around her neck. She couldn't help it if she didn't know what I went through, but what she said broke the anger sealed within me. Both her hands grabbed my arm as she panicked in horror.
"YOU'RE NOISY! SHUT UP!" I yelled in rage. I didn't bother to look at her, my arm and my voice alone was enough to scare her. She suddenly quiet down, she wasn't panicking anymore, she was confused as she saw tears falling from my eyes. I released my grip on her, and she fell on her bum. She was still shocked from my actions, I couldn't blame her.
"…sorry." It was all I could say, but I didn't face her. I released my Impurity arm and pulled out a Kaimonfu and walked out of Magano, and so did she. When we entered the Human World, it was cloudy, it looked like it was about to rain. It almost made me forget the blue sky today. I began to walk, but not towards home.
"Rokuro!" yelled Benio, I stopped in my tracks and listened to her concerned voice. "What happened? You were crying just then! What happened in Magano?!"
"…" I wasn't sure what to say to her, but I knew in the end, she'll feel guilty.
"Answer me, Rokuro! Please! I want to help you!" exclaimed Benio.
"…I have to report a dead body." I answered, I didn't have to look back to know that Benio was shocked. "…another Exorcist came to help us, he fought the Impurity, and he had been eaten. There's nothing left of his corpse now."
"…What…do you mean?" choked Benio. "Is it… is it my fault? Is it my fault that he died?"
"…Even if we weren't there, he would have fought the Impurity as an Exorcist. It was too late to save him." I stated, but Benio still felt guilty. I couldn't tell her about about him being a father, there was no need for more noise. "…I won't be coming home tonight, don't wait for me."
I heard Benio fell on her knees, but I didn't bother to help her. The reason I didn't look back wasn't because I blame her, but because I felt as though I didn't have the right to help anyone. Once a killer, always a killer. It didn't take long for the rain to start pouring on me. I felt the water, the guilt, the sadness, all of it. I felt as though I haven't changed at all. I looked at the grey clouds, it reminded me of that day, the day I lost my rights to fight.
Two years ago
I was surrounded by darkness, but then images flashes into my mind. I kept seeing them, the face Mayura made when she cried, the fear in her eyes, because I attacked her. I kept praying it wasn't real, it was then I woke up and saw the sky, covered with grey clouds, I was back in the human world. I felt pain on my head, like something or someone knocked me out. I looked around scanning the area.
'Is this place…?' I wondered, it was then everything that happened rushed into my brain. 'That definitely wasn't a dream! MAYURA!'
I turned and panicked, trying to search for Mayura. I felt my worries desipate, I saw her alive and well, there was another man. It was Mayura's father, my master, Seigen Amawaka.
"Mayura? Seigen?" I said, feeling both confused and yet, relieved.
"Oi Brat! What are were you doing in Magano?! Are you really planning on dying?!" questioned Seigen. I felt hurt by that, but I didn't care, all I cared about was that Mayura was safe.
"…I'm sorry, but thank goodness." I smiled and walked towards Mayura. "Mayura, I-!"
I widen my eyes in shock, Mayura was scared, terrified, she hid behind Seigen. I couldn't belive my eyes, every step I took towards her, the tighter she gripped onto her father's leg.
"…Mayura?" I said, I felt fear growing inside me.
'She's afraid? W-why? We both survived, Seigen is here, why is she scared? Why is she looking at me like that?' I thought in panic. It was then her grip hit my mind. 'Is it… is it me… is she scared of me? W-why?! I tried to save her! I-!'
It was then I remembered, the images I had in my brain, they weren't a nightmare, they were memories. As every image were flashing in my mind, the more fear grabbed a hold of me. I kept telling myself it was a lie, that I never hurt my family, but I knew the truth, I… tried to kill her.
"It seems you remember, what happened in Magano! You know what his means, right?" Seigen didn't say it in his neutral tone, he sounded as though he was mad at me… no, he wanted to get rid of me. I watched him walked closer to me, I couldn't move. I saw the rage in his eyes, it was worst then the Amawaka Death Glare he taught me, I had no right to tell him not to look at me like that. I watched his fist move closer to my face, but I didn't bother to dodge. I felt the sting before he hit my cheek, that was how much it hurt. I landed on the hard concreate, I didn't bother to stand up, but I turned and faced my former master. "You're arm is dangerous! Furthermore it's an Impurity! As you exorcise… no, kill Impurities, you absorb their powers, but because your arm gets stronger, you become less human! Your Arm isn't something that saves people, it is something that kills everyone you see, like when you attacked my daughter! Rokuro Enmadou, you're smeared with sin and Impurity, so as of today, you have no right to be an Exorcist!"
Every word he said stung my heart, everything he said about me was true. I didn't want to believe any of it, my cold arm was nothing a curse. I didn't want to accept any of it, I tried to reach out to Mayura, but I stopped as I saw her moved back. I felt my whole world collapsing again, all I want is to have a family, all I want was the power to protect them, is that too much to ask?! I felt every connection I had being cut away from me, all because I survived. I couldn't bare the pain, I couldn't bare the thoughts, so I cried and ran. I didn't look back, I didn't want to see them fearing me anymore, I didn't want to hear their hatred towards me. I didn't know how long I ran, I didn't know how far from home I was, I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't care, I wanted to escape, escape from guilt, escape from fear, escape from pain. Eventually I tripped and fell, and the rain poured on me. I turned around, and saw no one there. Mayura didn't try to reach out to me, Seigen didn't bother to kill me. Everything Seigen said echoed my mind, I couldn't help but scream and hammered the ground.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
'WHY?! WHY DID I THINK IT WAS ALRIGHT?! WHY DID I THINK IT WAS ALRIGHT FOR ME TO LIVE?! USING AN ARM THAT KILLED MY FRIENDS TO SAVE SOMEONE?! WHO AM I KIDDING?! I… I TRIED TO KILL HER, I TRIED TO KILL HER JUST LIKE WHEN I KILLED THEM! WHY DID I SURVIVE?! WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST KILL ME?! I… I… I WANT TO DIE!'
"I-I'm sorry." I choked, as I couldn't hold it in anymore. "I'm sorry, Mayura! I'm sorry everyone! Ami! Tetsuji! Hikari! Yuno! Ruri! TAKUMI! KEISUKE! SHIZUKU! EIKO! KEITO! YUKI! TSUKASA! MASATO! SHUNPEI! CHIEKO! KACCHAN! TATSUYA! I… DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE AN EXORCIST, AND I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT LIVE!"
'I… I'm really a monster. Corrupted Survivor, that name really fits me.' I thought as I cried. 'Where do I go? Where can I be? Is it… really okay for me to live? This arm, is nothing but a curse! It made me what I am! It makes me want to kill! Seigen, why did you bother to save the Fallen who tried kill your daughter?! WHY DO HAVE TO BE ALIVE?!'
Present time
I found myself drifting in that memory, it's hard to forget a day like that. In the end, I haven't changed at all, I'm still a Corrupted Survivor, I'm still a murderer, and my Arm is still a curse. I found myself at Seika Dorm. I had once last look at the wallet before entering, I knocked on the door, and my brother came. When he saw me, I could saw his face in concern.
"…Rokuro? Are you alright?" asked Ryougo, concerned with the look in my eyes.
"…" I couldn't bring myself to say it, how can I? A father had been killed, and I'm responsible for it. I could tell what Ryougo was thinking, I had the same look in my eyes, when I first came to Seika after the Hiinatsuki incident.
"Come in, you'll get sick." instructed my brother, pulling me inside. He passed me a towel, I slowly dried myself. It didn't take long before everyone was gathered. "Rokuro, did something happened?"
"…something really bad must have happened if the strongest in Tokyo is like this." Stated Shinnosuke.
'The strongest in Tokyo, is that really a good thing?'
"Don't worry about it, he just probably got into a fight with his wife." joked Atsushi, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hmph! If he did, then he probably lost to Benio-sama." stated Kinu. "Serves him right, Benio is much stronger than him, of course he feels this way after she won."
"Oi, that's going too far!" stated Ryougo.
"Rokuro? If you really want us to help you, you have to tell us what happened." Stated Gramps.
"…I have to report a dead body." I answered, everyone widen their eyes in shock, Atsushi regretted making a joke. Kinu felt sorry for trying to prove Benio was stronger at a time like this. I pulled out the bloody wallet from my pocket and placed it on my table. "His name was Tooru Fushihara, I watched him die in Magano."
