Author's Note: I do not own Saint Beast. Credits go to the original creator.
Characters: Seiji, Yuda, Luca, Goh, Rei, Gai, Kira and Maya
Notes: Oh Yeah! I just bought a new wireless mouse (colored pink, yay!) so I am feeling good in starting this story right away!
And I am really sorry for all the back logs…I am trying my best to finish this story as best as I can, please understand that I have work and I need to sleep as well…just so you know, I am human after all. So, yeah. (_ _)/
If you see this (*), the definition can be found at the bottom, on the additional notes section.
This is the start of Chapter 4!
Please enjoy!
Gai has never been known to keep quiet that long so after a few seconds, he started looking around to amuse himself or ease his boredom.
That was when he noticed that Seiji disappeared. His eyes widen.
"Gaaaah!" He pointed at the air where Seiji was floating a few minutes ago. Maya, Kira and Rei were startled with his sudden outburst. Kira got angry immediately.
"What the hell?! What is it now?!" Maya is trying to reign Kira's anger. Gai pointed at something in the air.
"S-Seiji-sama!" The trio looked at where Gai was pointing and saw nothing. Maya got confused.
"Where?" This time, it's Gai's turn to get angry.
"That is what I am saying! He's gone!" Kira got angry again, this time, for a different reason.
"Hey! Don't shout at Maya!" Maya is back once again in holding his brother down before he lunges at Gai and do bodily harm on the smaller blonde.
Out of the blue, Kira and Gai both got smack on their heads.
"Ouch!"
"Hey!"
The two blondes both look at the offender and saw a very pissed off Rei. His lance, the Suzaku, on hand, he is trying to regain composure.
"You two block heads! If you do not stop that, we will miss Shin's revival!" Gai panics once again, forgetting the pain and the forming bump on his head.
"Rei! We have a problem! Seiji-sama is missing! See?" He pointed again at something in the air. If you are near Rei, you can hear faint cracklings in the air, indicating that he is REALLY angry. He bonks Gai again with his lance, which made the smaller blonde angry.
"HEY! Why are you do-" Rei pointed at something behind him.
"Seiji-sama descended a few seconds ago and is now talking to Yuda. Now, I will leave you here and will care no more!" Rei then angrily marches off, leaving the three behind. Following where Rei is headed, Maya did see someone with white hair.
"Oh! There's Seiji-sama! Kira – Nissan! Hurry! Gai, let's go!" Maya then runs after Rei. Kira wordlessly follows, still massaging his head. Gai frowns and massages the growing bump on his head as well.
"Sheesh! He could have just said so without bringing out Suzaku…ouch!" He winces as he reluctantly follow the others.
When Gai got there, he saw serious and unhappy faces. He then looked at the new comer.
"Uhm, so, whassup Seiji-sama?" Gai is not sure what to say first on the most intelligent person in Heaven. Floating a little above the ground, Seiji looks at him. He looks just like any old man: small frame and a little bit taller than Gai, he has unruly long, white hair with an equally long white beard. He wears a gray colored robe fasten with a simple knot on the waist. And he is holding onto a simple staff, more like a long, slim bark directly taken from a tree.
"Ah, Byakko no Gai. Obnoxious as ever but clueless as well. I am doing fine as you can see." Gai is unsure of the comment so he then looks at his companions. They are all very quiet and seem to be thinking of something. Even Maya is quiet. This just made Gai curious.
"So, uhm, when can we revive Shin?" Seiji looks at everyone and shrugs.
"When everyone has decided so." Gai does not understand.
"Uhm, decided on what?" Seiji just shrugs and arrange himself in an Indian sitting position and began floating upwards. Gai is becoming more and more confused.
"Okay! I am not understanding a thing you just said! Can we just revive Shin now?!" Seiji closes his eyes.
"That is not for me to decide." He then becomes quiet and left Gai wondering in the dark. Gai then looks at Yuda.
"Yuda, what is going on? What is this old geezer saying?" He then received his third bonk in the head, this time, from Seiji himself, who conveniently puts back his staff on his lap and acted as if nothing happened. Gai is now questioning the authenticity of the old man. Yuda only sighed and pats Gai's head.
"Well, he did said Shin can be revived." Gai appreciates Yuda's comfort so he quieted down. What he does not understand is Yuda's seeming reluctance to revive Shin. There is something more to this that he is not getting yet.
"But?" This time, Luca answered as Yuda looked far off, in deep thought.
"Seiji-sama said it is possible and he went to the Fates to have Shin restored back. But the Fates refused." Gai's heart stopped. They knew the Fates are the ones who presides over the life and death of all living beings. That includes the humans, all types of animals and even the angels. The Gods decide for themselves when they can have their eternal peace.
"What? They…refused? Why?!" Gai could not believe what he is hearing.
"Apparently, reviving Shin will upset the balance of all things so they refused the request. The ancient magic to revive a fellow angel actually involves the Fates approval. If they approve the request, the angel is immediately sent back to the living. If not, well…" Luca stopped talking and become quiet again. Gai could not believe this.
"No, this can't be! There must be another way!" He got another pat on his head. When he look up, it was Goh. The brunette looks at him with comforting eyes.
"There is another way." Gai's hope suddenly went back. He clings to Goh's arm, expectant.
"Really?! Then, let's do that then!" Goh released a soft sigh as ruffles his brown hair. Gai knew the habit as frustration, something that he rarely sees on Goh.
"Yeah, that is the hard part. The Fates themselves gave this suggestion to Seiji-sama. The other way is to have Shin be 'reincarnated'." Gai looked confused at the word.
"What? Re-in-car-nated? What is that?"
"It means to have Shin assume a completely different life. Have him reborn as a different species." Gai is still not following and looks at Goh with a blank face. Goh pinches the smaller blonde's nose.
"It means Shin will be reincarnated as a human!" Gai was about to protest Goh's action when he stopped upon hearing that.
"Shin…will be reborn as a…HUMAN?" Happy that Gai finally understood, Goh made a nod and release his hold on the small blonde's nose. Gai was silent for awhile.
"Okay, so let's do it then!" Goh retracts what he said earlier and look incredulous at Gai.
"Do you understand what will happen?!" Gai made a nod which only made Goh even more frustrated.
"Yes. So, reviving Shin as an angel is a no-go so we just have to have him be reincarnated! Easy! Let's go do it!" Goh is seriously considering giving Gai another bonk in the head when Rei speak up.
"That is, if he qualify to be an angel after his human death." Gai looks at him. Gai thought he already cleared the confusion in his head but Rei threw him a curved ball.
"What do you mean?" Rei gave an exhausted sigh.
"Seiji-sama said that Shin will be reincarnated as a human. Now, humans normally do not become angels after their death. There are…'criterias' before you become one." Rei emphasize the word criteria. That, Gai understood.
"I never knew there was some sort of selection process. What criteria are they looking for?" Rei is regretting stepping in earlier.
"Like, staying pure until the time of his human death; the body has to stay untainted. And he must have absolute reverence to our Creator; he must be extremely religious." Gai nods.
"Those are simple! Shin can do those without a cinch!" Rei's face says otherwise.
"Yeah, the thing is, when Shin gets reincarnated, he will not remember any memories of us. Of his life in Heaven. He will start as a blank slate, clean. He will not even know he was an angel before!" Now Gai understand why Yuda was reluctant before. A Shin who does not remember them? Does not remember being an angel? Does not even remember Yuda?
"No way…" He then looks down. Are they going to push through with this?
"Not only that but Pandora and Shiva failed to meet the 'criteria' thus they are forever reborn as humans. Same goes for Cassandra. They will no longer come back here. Ever. And the same thing could happen to Shin! We do not have control on how he will live his life as a human!" Rei seem hysterical as the odds are counting more and more against their favor.
"W-Why not?" Gai does not understand why Shiva and Pandora were inserted in this talk. He does not even know what happened to Shiva or why he no longer sees him. He thought he is Yuda's shadow, he follows the red haired everywhere.
"Humans are given free will. This is where they can do anything with their lives and we, angels and Gods alike, cannot help them but only watch! That is the most frustrating part! We will not be able to help Shin when he needs it most! Can you imagine that?!" Rei feels even more upset than ever. Luca hugs him to calm him down.
"Sshh. Rei, it will be okay." It is not stopping Rei's emotions running wild.
"It's not okay! The whole reason we are doing this is to make Shin come back to us! Why?!" Rei slumps on the floor, bringing Luca down with him. The silver-white hair angel hugs the smaller man tighter, whispering comfort. Everyone was silent, Rei voiced what they are all thinking inside: why does Shin have to undergo this? Because of some balance? Why is there a possibility of him not becoming an angel? Why does it have to be this hard? Gai looks sad at Rei and understands his feelings. Now he understand the groups' quiet atmosphere.
The Fates refuse to revive Shin so they present a different option: reincarnate Shin as a human. Shin must meet the criteria so that when he met his human death, he will come back as an angel. But the criteria is hard to achieve as Shiva, Pandora and Cassandra all failed to meet this and thus are forever reborn as humans.
"It's like a gamble…" Maya and Kira were both quiet and has not spoken since. Gai approaches Maya.
"You think we should do it…?" Maya looks at Gai, trouble thoughts in his head.
"Well, if that really is the only way to go. But, is there really nothing we can do? I mean, we will just watch and that's it?" Kira can see where Maya is going with this question.
"Is there anything that, I don't know, maybe assist Shin in making the correct decisions?" Seiji opens his eyes.
"Of course, that is the responsibility of his Guardian." Goh perk up upon hearing the word.
"Oh yeah! Each human is assigned to a Guardian, one who will keep the human safe." He then looks at Yuda.
"Yuda, will you be Shin's Guardian?" The red haired gave a nod.
"Of course. The least I can do for him is make sure he is safe always." Maya then approaches Seiji.
"What we mean is, is there nothing we can use to make sure Shin-niisan makes the correct choices? Like to avoid his body from being tainted?" Seiji looks at Maya. After a few seconds, he pat his head, amused.
"I have not seen such an innocent angel as you, child." Kira huffs, looking proud.
"Of course! Maya is th-" He was not able to finish his statement because Seiji interrupted, much to his annoyance. Seiji stares at Maya, as if considering something.
"Well, my child, if there is, your Goddess will be the one to provide it to you." Maya brightens up.
"So there IS such thing!" Seiji smiles as he pats Maya's hair.
"Yes, child. We wait for your Goddess for that." As if on cue, Goddess Yuki materialize in her throne with Pinky beside her. Yuki immediately slumps in her seat, she looks extremely exhausted. Before anyone could move, she handed something to Pinky and disappears.
Pinky then approaches the group and handed seven pendants in the shape of a tear. Yuda took it and examine the pendants. Everyone looks at it.
"What is this?" Maya asked.
"Those are the Goddess Yuki's tears." Pinky answered.
"Seriously?" Now that Yuda noticed it, it does look like tears. It is small enough to fit in Maya's hand. It is transparent and has smooth texture. Each of them took one.
"How do we use this?" Goh asked as he turns the pendant over and over again.
"The Goddess Tear can be used to intervene ONCE in a human's life. The Goddess asks that you use it wisely as Shin will have to stay as a human for twenty-one years." It seems the Goddess also talked to the Fates and was given critical information.
"Oh? Just twenty-one years? Great! This will be easy!" Pinky looks at Gai admonishingly. It seems that Gai easily forgets or is easily distracted. Pinky thinks it's both.
"Gai-sama, please know that a lot can happen to a human in a single day; that is 24 hours or 1, 440 minutes or 86, 400 seconds. What more if it is for twenty-one years or 183, 960 hours or 1.104e+7 minutes or 6.623e+8 seconds?" With all the numbers, Gai's mind stopped working after hearing the minutes. As always, something bothers Kira. Something about Shiva.
"So, I can understand if Pandora and Cassandra no longer coming back as they died here. But what about Shiva? What happened to that creep anyway?" Everyone looks at Yuda. Yuda looks at them and then at the pendant he is holding.
"I killed Shiva. He disguised himself as one of the low-ranking Guardian, Ayumi. He knew he can get near Shin if he assume this identity as they are friends. One night, he attacked Shin and nearly killed him. I sensed what he was doing so I rescued Shin. And, well, I was still bad back then so I threw him to Hell's Second Circle (*). He was alive when I threw him there but that part of Hell does not take the living…too well." Yuda was quiet afterwards. He does not want to keep any secrets from anyone. Be it bad or good secret.
"Yes, that is indeed what happened. And since Shiva is still considered as a high ranking angel, his spirit was given the chance to be reincarnated as human. But, yes, he failed in that portion as well. So, if ever you saw any of them: Shiva, Pandora or Cassandra; remember: they have no memory of you so please set aside any of your feelings for them. Right now, they are humans and will remain as such." Said Seiji.
"Oh, so that's what happened." If Kira thought revelations have ended, he was wrong. Seiji feels everyone has a good understanding of what is to happen and now requires an answer.
"So, about reincarnating Shin. What say you, Leader of the Saint Beast?" Seiji looks at Yuda. Yuda looks at the Sage and then down.
"I am no longer its leader. Goh has replaced me a long time ago." He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He saw it was Goh and he is smiling warmly.
"Hey, we are not Saint Beast if we are not complete. I only assume the role of the big brother in the group while you were gone. There is only one leader in Saint Beast." Goh's words warmed Yuda's heart.
"So, what say you, Yuda?" Seiji asked again.
"I just want to make sure this is clear. We are going to have Shin reincarnated as a human. For him to come back to us as a fellow angel, he has to meet the requirements: the body has to stay untainted and that he must be religious. Until he reaches the age of twenty-one, these requirements must be followed. Am I correct so far?" Seiji gave a nod.
"Yes." Yuda then continued.
"Once Shin is reincarnated, he has no memory of any of us or his memory of Heaven. I delegate myself to be his Guardian. Then," he looked at the Goddess Tear. "With the Goddess assistance, she gave us each a chance to help make sure Shin becomes an angel with the help of the Goddess Tear. Can only be used once so we have to only use it when it really is necessary." Pinky made a nod, confirming that he is correct. Yuda then looks at the group.
"I want to hear your answer on this. We will make the decision as a group, not just me."
"I want Shin back. And do not forget to thank the Goddess for these." Goh raises the pendants. Everyone gave a nod. They decided to do it later, after Shin has been reincarnated.
"I agree with Goh. It is risky as we are not sure he will come back as an angel, but if there is a way, I will take it. So, I want Shin back as well." Said Rei.
"Yup, Shin has to come back. No way around it!" Said Gai.
"I want Shin-niisan back as well. I miss him already…" Said Maya.
"I want him back as well. He taught us many things so I owe him a lot. I will help in any way I can." Said Kira. Yuda made a nod and looks at Seiji.
"I want Shin to come back as well. We will do whatever it takes to bring him back." Seiji nods, seeing their determination.
"I see. Well then, let us start." He then floats towards where Shin's spirit is. Everyone formed a circle around the sage, watching for the first time the reincarnation process. Seiji stretches his hand towards the spirit.
"Come child, everyone wishes you back." The spirit floats towards Seiji's hands. Seiji closes his eyes and cites a mantra using a language no one understands.
"What language is he using?" Gai asks Maya. Maya shrugs.
"I do not know. I have never heard of that before."
"Shhh! Quiet you two!" Kira whispers his warning.
"Sorry…" The both said at the same time.
After citing the mantra, the spirit glows with unearthly white glow and a strong gust of wind surrounds it. As they wait for Seiji, Rei had a stray thought.
"Hmmm, so Shin in a human form will pass away at the age of twenty-one…I hope his death is not that painful." For some reason, he found himself worrying about a new issue. Rei feels he is creating his own problems.
"We cannot guarantee that. All the Fates has informed me is that he will die at twenty-one. They never mentioned, how and why." Rei looked annoyed at Seiji's back.
"I am starting to feel that these Fates and I will never get along." Luca smiled a little and places a gentle hand on Rei's shoulder.
"Well, as a human, they have free will therefore I believe the Fates does not know either how or why Shin will die as it will all be decided by Shin himself. Am I right, Seiji-sama?" Seiji only gave a nod. Rei pouts.
"Hmph!" Luca's had slides down to hold Rei's hand.
"Don't worry, we will watch over Shin." Rei looks at him and gave a nod.
"Yes." Maya then speaks up.
"How long is twenty-one years?" Kira just shrugs and crossed his arms.
"I do not know but I am very sure it will be short. Humans have a very short life span. Even shorter than some animals I know." Maya looks up to his brother.
"Oh? Like what?" Kira starts counting with his hand.
"Well, there is the Ocean Quahog who lives for 400 years (*), the Bowhead Whale lives for 211 years and the Galapagos Turtle that lives for 177 years. There are many more if you want me to continue." When he finished talking, he was met with silence so Kira looks at Maya. He saw his little brother stare at him with amazement.
"Wow! How did you know so much?!" His eyes are practically shining. Kira blushed in embarrassment. Gai huffs.
"He probably learned that from Shin." His embarrassment was replaced with anger towards a certain small blonde.
"Yeah, so what? At least, what he thought me was retained in my brain, unlike YOU! Monkey brain!" Gai got flustered.
"What did you say?!" Maya had to serve as the rock between two raging rivers as Kira and Gai tries to grab each other's throat.
"Do you want to get another healthy dose of bonking in the head?" There is a growing vein on Goh's head, indicating he is going to get angry soon. Gai and Kira immediately stopped and faced different directions, arms crossed and huffs in annoyance.
"Seriously…" Goh looks helpless as the two avoid each other. Seiji stops his mantra and Shin's spirit glows even brighter. He addressed Yuda.
"By the way, Yuda. I can't help but noticed to see a dark aura floating around you." This statement startled everyone, especially Yuda.
"Dark…aura?" Seiji gave a nod, he is looking carefully at Shin's spirit.
"Yes. A very powerful curse has followed you here. And it appears it will be fulfilled sometime soon." This just made Yuda all the more confused.
"A curse?" Seiji shrugs.
"Well, that is all I can tell you at this point. I do not see who cast it on you but…" He then looks at Yuda.
"Be very careful. It is powerful and will not be lifted. Once it takes effect, no one will ever stop it. Not even the Goddess." He then raises his arms up.
"Genbu no Shin, member of the distinguished Saint Beast and ranked as a High Ranking Angel. As the Fates have allowed it, you are allowed to be reincarnated as a human. Go! And find the most suitable womb for you!" The spirit lifts from his hands and with lightning speed, it descended towards Earth. It was so fast that it took them seconds to figure out that it has been done.
"Wow, that was sort of…anti climatic." Gai wondered aloud. Seiji gave him a bonk on the head with his staff as he walks slowly towards the Goddess throne. No wonder he preferred to be floating, he has trouble moving around
"What? You expect fireworks and confetti's flying and a marching band? That ain't happening boy." When he reached the foot of the stairs leading to the Goddess' throne, he again sits in an Indian sitting position and starts floating upwards.
"My work is done. Just call on me if you need consultation." The group bows in front of Seiji, except for Gai who is nursing another growing bump on his head. When he vanishes, Gai explodes in anger.
"Can he not say that without inflicting hurt on someone?!" Goh pats his head in comfort.
"Yes, yes. Let us go now." Gai looks displease as Goh brushes away his indignation.
"Goh!" Everyone moves to leave the Palace. Maya looks at him worriedly but Kira pushes him forward, leaving him with no choice but to move. Goh waves a dismissive hand in the air.
"You had it coming." Gai huffs in annoyance and marches off, following the others.
A few days passed by and everyone, except for Rei and Luca, sits on the spring where Shin usually plays his harp. The area is quiet with only small birds chirping and the soft wind blowing. The fish swam quietly on the spring as Gai pokes the surface with a twig.
"Man, I hate waiting." A small fish checks the twig he had poked on the surface. Gai moves it slightly and the fish swam away. He gave a long sigh to emphasize his boredom. Yuda leans on the tree where Shin usually sits and Goh is sprawled on the green grass with his hands behind his head, watching the clouds. Maya is sleeping quietly on Kira's chest as both brothers sleep beside Goh.
There was a movement in the air and Yuda knew Luca and Rei are coming. He looked at the open greenery field and true enough, Luca and Rei landed gracefully. After that they run towards the group, excited. It seems Yuda's prayers has been answered. Finally.
"Shin has finally chosen a womb!" Rei says excitedly.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Additional Notes:
(*) Hell's Second Circle (Lust) – according to Dante's first writing, The Inferno, sins are punished according to their classification. In the second ring, these are sinners where lust has been the cornerstone of their faults. Here, their souls are blown back and forth by the terrible winds of a violent storm, without rest. [Author's note: This is the closest for me if I were to classify Shiva's sin.]
(*) – These are some of the longest living animals according to Discovery. I thought the Koi would be one of them but it did not even meet the top ten. =='
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