Chapter 7: Exposition
Devil… he was the demon who was born thousands years ago - when gods, demons and humans were all living on Earth. He was one of the three fearsome soldiers from hell, along with Death and Darkness. Devil had only one mission that time - a game set for the three of them by the king of hell - to collect the Ogon no Honoo, a powerful flame produced from a goddess' soul which was created to protect the humans from the war between gods and demons.
The king of hell was attracted to that flame and tried to steal it in a temple. It was untouchable by someone like him so he decided to alter its power by adding his own manna on it. The result was a blast that had made him weaken and the Ogon no Honoo had shattered into nine flames with different colours and flew in different directions.
Much to the king of hell's delight, the three flames unexpectedly fell on hell. He fused the three flames with his great three warriors. As new born demons, the king of hell announced to them the game to collect the remaining flames, kill each other, until only one of them remained, and became the next ruler of his dark kingdom.
Devil, the demon who received the red flame and was later called by humans Dave the Evil, enjoyed the hunt and killed everyone who crossed his path. The blood and screams of terror coming from his victims gave immeasurable pleasure to him. The battle was his life.
Everything changed when he faced in battle a white-haired goddess. He was defeated and expected that he was going to die that time. But the goddess only asked one thing to him - to change for the world - and left him alone.
With wounded pride he tried to kill the goddess many times but only left defeated at the end. The only thing change was how the goddess always helped him to heal his wounds before leaving him alone. It was confusing, but he started to look after the goddess. The tender she had shown him slowly filled the huge hole he had inside him.
A battle between two powerful furyokus awakened him from his reverie one day. He ran as fast as he can but he still came late. Death was there, holding the wounded white-haired goddess, his lips was on hers. Death let the lifeless body of the goddess fell on the ground after devouring her soul. He looked at Dave.
"That's the fourth flame I have now," Death blankly said.
Dave fought Death, rage enveloped his heart. But with only two flames inside him he had not gotten a chance to win. Death left him after that, promising he will kill him last.
The red-haired demon started to train after that. He hunted the remaining flames. He did everything to become strong. He forgot his emotions and revenge for the goddess. Until the only thing left in him was his selfish desire to kill Death.
Another battle happened between them, with the same numbers of flames inside them. Unexpectedly, at that time Death changed, wanted no more but to end the war. His orange eyes were missing.
They fought… their life forces were vanishing due to overused of their mannas. Dave promised that day that they were going to reborn again and will do everything to make Death's life a living hell.
Death's only wish was to become a human to experience those feelings they have…
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Dead silence welcomed him as he walked to a long hallway of an old inn, the place where they currently stay. It was dark as the moon which lit the place was hiding behind the clouds. Creaks from wooden floor disturbed the silence, but the sounds were ignored due to his mind was busy with thoughts.
Soon, Yoh seemed got tired with thinking and decided to rest. He stopped in front of one of the windows and looked at the starless sky. The whole inn was quiet, and he wondered if his friends were already asleep, after all it was already two in the morning. He sighed as he rested his elbows on frame of window and placed his hands on his hair as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. Yoh inhaled deeply, then exhaled… trying to calm himself. He looked once more ahead and then something caught his attention, or rather someone, as he saw an orange-haired guy on roof who was staring at endless sky – AshLee.
"Will you save her before the dragon totally devours her?" The words of Dave suddenly crossed Yoh's mind. He then remembered Anna's face while being pulled by flames and her sleeping form on Dave's arms. "Or will the princess die?" He closed his eyes bitterly and with one last look at AshLee he decided to leave the window.
"Isn't it late to stay here?" Yoh asked as he sat beside AshLee, making his self comfortable on the inclined roof. AshLee was surprised to see the brunet, yes he felt his aura earlier but he never expected Yoh to accompany him.
"I should say the same to you," the orange head's short answer.
Yoh gave a weak smile as he rested his palms on cold top of inn. "I can't sleep."
AshLee looked at him sadly before looking back at sky. "Me neither. No one can." And they fell silent, contemplating on their defeat, like the others in that house. Maybe they were also thinking of ways to defeat Dave. After all, it was not only Anna's life in danger but also the other girls. AshLee admitted to them that Dave will do everything to hurt him and provoke him just to awaken the demon inside him. And it means hurting the people AshLee cares, like the girls.
Yoh stretched his legs as he looked above, mimicking AshLee's action. "You seem fond with sky."
"It calms me… a lot," AshLee responded.
"I see."
The orange head shifted his gaze at the brunet, Yoh was still looking above. He then sighed and looked down at the grassy land of backyard.
"Asakura, aren't you angry at me?"
The brunet chuckled a bit which made AshLee throw a confused look at him. "You ask that question before, did you know?"
"Back when we were fighting… in training… when I tried to kill Manta." It was now Yoh's turn to look at him with surprise.
"You… remembered?"
"I was not possessed that time, Asakura. I remembered everything now. I was blinded with lust for battle and power," he admitted and smiled weakly as he put his legs together and rested his arms on them. His chin was over his arms. "There were times when I was in battle I became thrilled and forget everything. I just wanted to fight and that was all in my mind. I wanted to see blood."
"But… Anna said…"
"There were two demons inside me. The one has able to escape while the other is still asleep. No one can harm you other than me. True, Dave had controlled me before, but this time is different. Anna thought it was due to the demons effect in my mind and soul so she called it possession. I called it stupidity, a weakness I can't overcome. What I did is my inner desire."
Yoh sadly looked at his laps. Everything was slowly being clear to him now. He understand why AshLee ran earlier after their conversation, after the others told him that they should all work together to bring back Anna and defeat Dave, at how the orange head refused saying he was afraid and that he was weak… AshLee was not afraid to their enemy, but to his self…
Ashee was afraid to hurt his friends.
"Who are you?" Yoh silently asked that made AshLee threw again a puzzled look. The brunet has a calm expression, eyes closed.
"What?"
"I don't know you. Tell me who you are."
Confusion still enveloped AshLee's mind after hearing Yoh's words. He angrily stood up, brows furrowed. "What are you talking about? This is no time for your stupid jokes. We need to find a way to save Anna as soon as possible." AshLee did not mean to yell at the brunet, but his worry for the blonde girl was overwhelming inside him. And if those questions were meant as a test then he had no time either. If Yoh do not trust him he cared less. AshLee can always fight alone.
"I will save Anna," the resolve in Yoh's voice can be heard clearly that made AshLee stopped. Crimson eyes widened a bit when he saw brown irises were burning with determination. Still, Yoh's demeanour remained calm. "This day will end better. I will surely bring back Anna." Yoh then looked at him with smile that made AshLee felt uneasy. "Besides, if I don't do that she will surely kill me."
A chuckled came out from the brunet after that and he looked once more at the cloudy atmosphere. Without the brunet's gaze, the orange head guy became relax.
"The others will help me too even I rejected their helps, so things will be easier. And AshLee… I'm sure if he is here he will shove to my face that he can save Anna alone. He is so cocky actually, always saying he is better than me when it comes to Anna. Maybe at this time he has a plan, or already on his way to Dave." Those words made AshLee frown and the only thing left to him to do was to look down. "I really don't know him actually, he is really confusing. But one thing is for sure… he will do everything for Anna." Yoh then looked at the orange-haired guy whose eyes were hiding behind his bangs. "So, whoever you are inside AshLee's body, tell him I will definitely bring back Anna."
It was noticeable that AshLee's fists were tightly clenched in his sides. After a moment, those clamped loosened and his hands finally relaxed. "Che! You speak as if I have split personalities. It is annoying, you know." That made Yoh chuckled while AshLee sat again in Indian style, back facing the brunet. He rested his chin on his right palm; an annoyed looked plastered on his face.
AshLee wondered how Yoh could remain calm despite their dire situation. Dave was surely had the upper hand. But Yoh can still smile and laugh like everything will be alright in just a matter of time. While him, he easily overpowered by his emotions. He could not think clearly and always ended being annoyed to his self.
"You know we are the same in some way even our starts were different. You are a product of two combined soul while me a half of a single soul. But we are both hunted by our past lives." Yoh stopped as a thought crossed his mind then a small scowl spread on his face. Soon, a tired sigh escaped his lips. "Even though I think about this I can't see a reason why should we be affected by our past. After all, it is not us anymore. We are who we are now."
AshLee frowned after hearing that. "Maybe it is our destiny to suffer from our past."
"I doubt it. We are the one who do our own destiny. And I refuse to be pull back by my past. If we are really destined to face these trials, then I will do everything to change it and have a simple happy life."
For seconds, AshLee thought for what Yoh said, and then an amused smile formed on his lips.
Yoh was a simple-minded indeed. He was too optimist and not thinking for possible circumstances of his actions. He just moved forward and face whatever came. But still he knew who he is, and definitely knew his goals. Somehow, AshLee felt envious to him…
"You are… amazing…" a whisper escaped from AshLee as small smile crossed his lips. Yoh raised his brows, wondering if he heard the orange-haired guy right. "Totally annoying… but amazing. I now understand why Anna has chosen you."
It was that time that Yoh felt his cheeks grew warmer despite the cold wind around them. He never expected to hear those words from AshLee. That made AshLee smirked.
"Say, do you want to know my first meeting with Anna?"
That made Yoh blinked, and composed his self again. "Anna already told that to me, your meeting back in Grandma's Inn."
AshLee shook his head. "That was our second meeting. Our first meeting was in Mount Osore, when I was in my journey looking for some spirits who could help me to find my sister... back when Anna was abandoned." Seeing Yoh's interest, AshLee decided to continue. "Anna was freezing that time, leaning on bark of a dead tree, surrounded by demons. And her light was slowly vanishing."
"Light?"
"Yes. My sister told me that humans were born in darkness, in this dark world, like those stars in universe. Yet it never last, as people surrounding us gives light, sharing light with us, adding to the little light we have when we are born. Moments and memories with our love ones are like shining rays of sun, giving warm to our heart. But when that source is gone, there are times that a person loss in painful memories and slowly losing his light."
A sighed, and AshLee smiled sadly.
"That was what exactly happened to me. When I lost my sister I lost my light and let myself fall in endless pit of darkness. I let anger control me. But when I saw Anna losing her light that time I felt like I needed to do something. Maybe I felt pity with her so I decided to help her. Or maybe I saw myself in her. For three days we stayed in a cave, we can't go further because of the storm. Anna was so fragile that time. I tried… I tried to help her to gain back her light but… at the end I abandoned her too."
The statement made Yoh's eyes widened.
"I know I was the only reason why that four-year old blonde was still had faith that time, still believing that she will never be alone. But my five-year old self thought differently, he cannot help that blonde when he cannot help himself to gain back his own light. So, when I felt Kino-sensei's aura near us I immediately left Anna alone there."
A paused. Yoh did not make any noise, nor asked anything. He knew AshLee will tell more.
"It took eight years before I got courage to come back in Aomori. True, I went in Inn to ask help with Kino about the demons inside me but my real reason was to check Anna, to see what happened with her. It took me eight years to have guts to face her once more and finally help her to bring back the light. But I was late, someone already did that job, and he made that better than what I can do."
AshLee paused again, but this time he looked at Yoh with genuine smile.
"Yoh, I don't know what you did back then but thank you… thank you for saving Anna from that darkness which made by a scum like me. You became her light." AshLee closed his eyes, trying to suppress the tears threatening to fall. Guilt was reflecting on his face and Yoh knew the reason behind this.
"Don't say that, if you are really a scum as you are saying then you will never come back at the first place for her. But you did. And Anna never sees you as a scum. Besides, our meeting not only helped Anna to overcome that darkness, she also helped me." He paused, remembering the days back in Aomori with Matamune, the onis, and Anna. And based on AshLee's tale, Yoh realized something that made him smile brightly. "Anna is… my light in darkness."
AshLee took the silence, but for some reason the heavy atmosphere earlier had finally disappeared. And an overwhelming gentle feeling touched him. He sighed contentedly.
Yoh looked at him and smiled boyishly. "I guess I don't need to drag you to help us to save Anna. Welcome back AshLee."
AshLee looked at Yoh for couple of seconds. What a great light, so bright that can touch someone like me. And he was even unconscious about it, AshLee thought amusingly. But what made AshLee feel more astonish was when Yoh made him realized something unintentionally. That precious 'light' increase or disappear not just by help of others but also by helping yourself. By accepting the things happened and doing the next step to achieve the goal. That light will shine or vanish with your own decision. Yoh… you are annoyingly amazing…
"I told you not to talk as if I have split personalities, Yoh." He smirked as he stood and looked at Yoh with challenge. "You may be the reason why Anna was save that time. But as his Knight I will do everything to save her this time."
Yoh wanted to chuckle from AshLee's change of demeanour but he set it aside. At least the AshLee he knew already came back. He smiled, stood and met AshLee's gaze with his own challenging eyes. "Ah. I save Anna before but I don't have any reason not to save her this time. It is my duty not only as her Prince, but also as Anna's future husband."
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A small movement of hand and creased of brows, followed by silent moan: these were enough signs that Anna will regain her consciousness soon. Another cold liquid dropped on her face, the very thing which kept awakening her from deep slumber. Her senses finally came back and her eyes slowly opened, only being welcomed by darkness. For seconds she stayed in same position, her mind was still blank. When she felt the cold floor was giving her chills she finally sat up, catching her head with her hand. She cringed, trying to pinpoint where she was. Looking around was useless, it was totally dark and she can't even see herself. Her dress was wet, and she heard sounds of droplets echoing everywhere. The place was eerily cold despite no wind was passing in there.
A cave... the only assumption entered her mind, and she wondered how she end up in there.
Earlier events that day ran inside Anna's head. The training of Yoh and the other shaman; AshLee going berserk; Dave showing up after the training...
Anna's eyes widened then upon remembering Dave. The picture of the fire demon attacking her and pulling her with his flame from her room entered her mind.
"It took you time before remembering everything," the voice echoed around, followed by red fireballs suddenly formed around, floating and surrounding Anna. With light given, the blonde saw the enemy lying in his side comfortably on a boulder. His right elbow was planted on the stone and his right hand was balled into fist, supporting his cheek. His other hand was resting comfortably on his stomach. While his right leg was relaxed, his left leg was curled, forming a triangle. A big grin was plastered on Dave's face and his eyes were looking at Anna with great interest.
Being alerted, Anna stood and grabbed her necklace but her movements stopped immediately. She can feel her whole body was paralysed and her mind shouted curses to the entity in her front.
"Tsk. You are cursing me after helping you to see in this dark cave, I even created the warmest Oni Lantern to ease that chilled you feel." He lifted his left hand, pointing his index finger above and a fireball blindly went on the tip of that finger. "I will let you move, just don't do any funny movement."
Anna almost lost her balance when Dave lifted the spell he casted into her. She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to read his mind. Anna knew that she can also immobilize Dave's movement by one prayer she learned as an Itako, but it will be useless because he can read her mind before she can even uttered a single word and will stop her movements again.
"So why I am here?" Anna questioned even her mind already formed the answers. She crossed her hands and looked at him annoyingly.
Dave smirked, deciding to humour her he answered, "I and the others decided to play a game. The typical save the princess from the dragon. Lucky you, you have a prince and a knight to save you. The question is if they could come here before I kill you? Interesting right?"
Anna sighed and crossed her arms. "A lazy prince and a cry-baby knight, I am really lucky princess for having them." Sarcasm was clear with her voice but it only amazed Dave.
"Amazing, I can't feel any fear from you."
"Sorry to disappoint you but I am not the typical damsel in distress. I am not afraid to an evil dragon such as you."
Dave chuckled with Anna's antics. He moved from his position and sat. He leaned forward, resting his lower arms on his legs. "Does that mean you think this will end like the other typical stories? I will be defeated in the end?"
"Absolutely. Those two maybe idiots but I know their capabilities. They will save me and defeat you. Especially Yoh, as his future wife I have faith on him."
Dave grinned widely, and in a second was gone in Anna's sight. The blonde was surprised to feel Dave behind her. He leaned closer and whispered on Anna's ear. "Then I will make it different for you. I will make sure you won't get bored."
Anna tried to move away when she felt his tongue touched her earlobe, but Dave gripped both her shoulder and turned her around to face him.
"You are really interesting and I admire you for being brave. I can clearly see why AshLee likes you."
Anna disgustedly turned her head as Dave licked her jawline. She hissed and tried to free herself once more but Dave was stronger than her. "Let me go you bastard!"
Anna unintentionally released a painful cry as Dave grabbed her hair. He leaned closer to her face. "You are beautiful. But will it matter anymore if you are already dead?" He then captured her lips, forcing his tongue to enter into her mouth. Anna made disapproving sounds and tried her best to push Dave away. Slowly she felt her energy has being drained and her knees were giving up. Her nails dug on Dave arms finally loosened and her arms dropped in her sides. Her consciousness was slipping away from her.
Anna's body limply fell on cold floor, even a tiniest movement can't see on her.
Dave licked his lips, contented with what he got. "Sweet... I never thought a girl with dark past such as you will have a great taste." He squatted in front of her and push the strands of hair that covering Anna's face. "I promise this game will not bore you. You are the very reason why those two will die." His eyes then fell on Anna's black dress. He smiled wickedly and whispered, "You do not need that anymore..." A flame then emerged on Anna's clothes, slowly engulfing every fabric she has on.
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The sliding door opened and revealed AshLee's form. He looked around the room before slowly made his way to the window, the place Anna was last seen. His brows narrowed as he saw the forgotten apple on floor. He picked it up and examined the only bite it has.
"Why you didn't eat the apple?"
The questioned he made back when they were toddlers, back in Mount Osore, echoed in his mind.
"You promised you will come back for this. And it is my only companion."
And that what was little Anna will always answered.
Back then, whenever he will leave the cave they used as temporarily shelter and shield from storm, Anna will cry, asking him to never leave her behind. With his ability to use flame AshLee can withstand the storm even he was only a child, but he didn't know that time how to use it to help others. To stop Anna from crying he will leave an apple with her, saying he will come back for that fruit. When he returned with foods that he stole from others he will saw Anna near the mouth of the cave, holding tightly the apple near her chest. He will take the apple and will give her a new one. The apple became the symbol of their hellos and goodbyes. He will give it to her every time they depart and met. It was a simple way to say she was not alone and a promised that he will return.
Even after she left Anna with Kino that time, he put an apple in Anna's room in Kino's inn. It was a promised that he will return for her.
A fireball suddenly emerged outside Anna's window. AshLee's eyes narrowed and he put the apple on Anna's table.
A message had arrived...
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In the middle of his room, Yoh can be seen meditating. His eyes snapped open as a sigh escaped his lips. This was the umpteenth time his meditation was cancelled. He can't let go the uneasy feeling disturbing him.
He only had a short sleep, about two hours. Yoh hadn't fell asleep sooner after going inside his room. And when he did, he was only greeted by nightmares. He waked up with beads of sweat and heavy breathing. He has a nasty feeling that something happened to Anna, and he can't cast it aside.
"Master Yoh," Amidamaru's ghostly form emerged in his front. "AshLee is looking for you. It seems Dave finally sent a message."
Finally... Yoh thought, this was what they were waiting since last night. They tried their best to locate Anna but they could not found any clue where she was. Even Tamao said that there was something blocking her power whenever she will detect where the blonde was. Knowing it was Dave's doing, AshLee said that they have no choice but to wait for Dave instructions. Knowing the evil demon, he loves to set everything before taking action.
Yoh stood up, inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He looked at his ghost companion seriously.
"Amidamaru, please lend me your power once more."
The samurai gawked at first, but then bowed at his master. "You can use my power as much as you want Master Yoh. I will do my best to save Lady Anna."
Yoh smiled and bowed his head also. "Thank you."
When they approached the living room everyone was already there. A fireball was floating above AshLee's right palm.
"It's time," AshLee murmured as he looked at Yoh. The brunet only nodded.
AshLee released his own furyuko and created his own flame, merging with the red fireball. Soon, a reaction happened between the flames. It exploded and created a swirl of fire. Next was a dark chuckled can be heard coming from the flame-shaped-dragon. And then it was vanished and became a flat face with hallow narrowed eyes and mouth with sharp shaped teeth.
"Hello AshLee. Hello Yoh. My preparation is complete. I wish you could come to the party I set. Let's all meet at the cemetery of this Island, West part, this night. Please bring your friends. They said the more the merrier. Anna is in a great dress. She's very lovely. Please don't come too late or I may get bored. Oh! And prepare your coffin." The flame face chuckled darkly and vanished entirely.
AshLee balled his hand into fist. He looked at Yoh, "We need to go now. It only an hour before the sun set."
"I know." Yoh then shifted his gaze to Tamao. "Please take care of Manta." After the timid girl nodded, he then looked at his shaman friends. "Minna, I know you will come. I wanted to thank you in advance."
"Tell it after we save your scary princess," Horohoro said with big grin, arms crossed behind his head.
"Hmph. I am not here to help, I just wanted to have a rematch with that demon," Ren said as he turned away, blushing at the same time.
"Aww. Renny is sure not good in lying," Chocolove said while elbowing Ren. Horohoro joined the teasing with made Ren blush more. After getting annoyed, Ren punched them both and a rumble started between the three.
Yoh only chuckled. A big hand touched his shoulder and he looked to the owner. Ryu has a serious expression. "Master Yoh, we will do our best and bring back Lady Anna," he said with conviction, Faust was nodding in approval beside the pompadour guy.
"Thank you so much, Ryu." The tall man sobbed as he heard those words from Yoh. He hugged the brunet and started wailing.
AshLee was being puzzled as he watched the group of shaman. They were already celebrating even before the battle. He was confused and amazed at the confidence they have. He sighed and smiled, Anna sure found a weird set of friends.
"Sorry to disturb your little dramas but I think we need to move," AshLee said, crossed his arms around his torso and looked at them seriously. That made the others stopped and listened to him. "Let me warn you, Dave has the ability to copy your power by touching you. He can also immobilize you once you stare directly to his eyes, but I doubt he will use it against you."
"A minor details, but thanks anyway," Horohoro said. That made AshLee frowned at the bluenet. Horohoro only grinned widely. "Do not worry AshLee. We will save Anna."
"Let's go. We don't have much time," Ren added, walking to the door. Everyone followed him, leaving AshLee behind. Yoh stopped and looked behind.
"Come on AshLee, Anna is waiting."
A/N: A year and many months of gap between this and the previous chapter. I hope this will be enough even a little for my absence. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
