All characters/abilities/weapon/and others marked with '*' are under the ownership of Emerald Sonata.
All casts from Clannad and certain elements from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, belongs to the production company of Key and Gainax respectively.
天元突破クランナドー
「Tengen Toppa Clannad」
The Eighth Lock:
'Hisashiburi da na…Moto no Hito no Ore…'
[It's Been A While…My Other Me…]
VVV
"TENGOKU-SAN!"
Akeppa leapt out of the way as a large truck was thrown straight at him. When it was a meter away from him, it automatically split itself into two equal halves. He rolled back, only to break into another jump as an arc of deadly energy sliced the air and shattered the ground after him. I braced against the shockwave of wind from the last attack, before casting my sights back onto the boy. He too cast a glare, only to the one that was attacking him.
A cloud of smoke billowed before the Agyle, concealing a tall, bulky, yet slender, figure. The smoke parted like curtains, revealing a humanoid machine of some sort. It was taller than an average human height, giant-like, but had the scale of one. It was clad in full body ash-grey armor with thick platings to its shoulders and legs. It was armed with a pair of silver katanas, gleaming for the thirst of blood. The most peculiar thing about it was the face it had…two faces.
One was the entire torso, a large fierce face with yellow eyes with dark blue pupils and a large fang-like jaw. The other was literally the 'head', a faceless one as it was donned in a samurai/knight-helmet with a large ring ornament.
"Who are you? What do you want?" demanded Akeppa, crouching.
"Have you already forgotten, impudent whelp…" muttered the grey armored giant, "I am Authorion-Slain, Enkuudaidu…And I am here to retrieve your corpse to my lord, Lazielghan-oudono!"
"Lazielghan?" wondered Akeppa, "So, he must be the head of the Niel Geizas!"
The one called Enkuudaidu aimed one of his katanas at Akeppa, "Wise deduction, Agyle, but nonetheless meaningless to keep in mind, as your time will end here today."
"Sorry, but there's no way I'm dying today! I still got a place to visit with Sakagami-san!"
"SHIZUMAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE,EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
["SILENCE!"]
Enkuudaidu was already onto Akeppa in a blink of an eye. A giant versus a young boy, the former lashed deadly strikes of his blades while the latter dodged them. Still, Akeppa could not help but to receive several grazes and cuts to his clothing and skin. The Agyle back-flipped into the air in order to kick off of Enkuudaidu's torso-forehead and flew back to gain distance. He thrust out his hands together, his right eye beginning to shine.
"AKEPPA! SPIN – ON!"
The neon green spiral of energy coiled fully within Akeppa's cornea. When he touched down, a faint glow of green coursed through out his body and white sparks danced over his left arm.
"Yakedo! Gurren!" He pushed out his left arm, instantly summoning his faced-shield launcher, and fired off sunglass-shaped projectiles.
"Such attacks are useless to me…" growled Enkuudaidu. I lost track of his blades as they zipped through the air before him, soon reappearing by his side. Amazing. In that sole second, he dashed every sunglasse into pieces, which turned into more fragments. With that, the Niel Geiza charged.
Akeppa grimaced, "Akete! Lagann!" His shield disappeared and it was replaced by Akeppa's special drill weapon over his right arm. The face across his shoulder pad sneered as its eyes shone green. Akeppa huffed, sliding his goggle-like sunglasses over his eyes, and charged.
The two forces collided, katanas locked with drill. Sparks wildly flared between their lock as they struggled for dominance. All I could do was just watch as the two fought each other like their lives depended on it. How fierce was this battle going to be? The two broke their lock with a snap.
Enkuudaidu flashed forth a flurry of strikes.
"EIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Akeppa countered with speedy thrusts of his drill.
"Rarararararararara~RARARARARAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The two struck out at each other again, sword tip versus drill tip. A blast of wind erupted from their exchanged of overwhelming strength, knocking me back a few steps.
"T-Tengoku-san!" I called out, but the wind gagged my voice.
"Heh," scoffed Enkuudaidu, "You're not as bad as I've been told…"
"Ha-ha," laughed Akeppa, "You're quite the opponent yourself…for a weird Niel Geiza with two faces."
"Tch…This helm that you are inquiring represents honor among us warriors, beyond your comprehension…I will make you eat your words for your impudence…"
"Like I would let someone walk all over me without a good fight! Guys like you have tried and now they're nothing but dust!"
The swords and drill struggled, shaking as they refuse to give in to either side.
"That is true…However…" Enkuudaidu's eyes narrowed, "All your wins…have been nothing but pure flukes…"
"Eh?"
The swords broke contact, slipping through the drill's guard with incredible speed and strength. The Agyle gagged and quickly evaded incoming blows. Slashes came at him from every corner and angle, within and out of his sights. More wounds appeared over his body as his drill was also beginning to chip.
"YOUR VICTORIES HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT SIMPLE LUCK!" shrieked Enkuudaidu, "YOU CAN NEVER REALLY COMPARE TO THE TRUE STRENGTH OF A TRAINED WARRIOR! AN ELITE SOLDIER! A MASTER SWORDSMAN!" The flurries multiplied by ten fold, overcoming Akeppa's guard and landing deadly injuries all over him. "YOU'RE NOTHING COMPARE TO ME, AGYLE SCUM! SO DIE LIKE THE DOG YOU ARE!" The Niel Geiza stopped his slashed, but spun about to slash a kick into Akeppa's stomach.
Speechless, the boy lurched over as he spat white blood out.
No…I shook my head…This…this can't be happening.
"GRAHAH!" Akeppa grinded into the earth, thrown across the ground like a useless rag doll. He tumbled to a stop, lying face down. His body must be aching beyond imagination, for it was quivering. The neon spiral in his eye began to wind down and his drill disappeared into a flash of light. As he struggled to return to his feet, Enkuudaidu was already ahead for his final charge.
"BEGONE!"
"TAIGA – QUEENU!"
SMASH!
"GREH!" A kick smashed directly into Enkuudaidu's cheek, twisting his face like a distorted painting. The force slipped him off his feet and he was sent pirouetting into the air. He crashed down to earth with a mighty thud, kicking up debris all over his giant grey body armor. He was left in a dazed heap in the middle of the small crater he made, before he struggled to roll about. "How…dare you…"
Akeppa was unable to believe it himself, "Sa…Sakagami-san?"
I landed to stand before Akeppa, brushing the dust from my right ankle before rising to my full height. I outstretched my arms and cast a stern gaze over this Niel Geiza.
"Stop this right now!"
Enkuudaidu rose back to his feet with a stagger, "A…human? What given right did you receive to intervene in our business?"
"No one."
"Sakagami-san!" Akeppa gagged from his pain, "R-run away! He's too strong!"
"I won't leave you alone, Tengoku-san…" I surprised him and I turned to smile at him over my shoulder, "like how you won't leave me…"
"Saka…gami-san…"
I turned back, my posture once again rigid as a monolith, "I ask of you to stand down and cease all hostilities!"
"If there is nothing more than I hate about humans, it would be a nosy one…" Enkuudaidu raised his blades, "If you value your miserable life, stand aside so I can kill the Agyle before I do the same to you!"
"I will not!"
The Niel Geiza was shocked, "What was that?"
I then stepped into a martial stance, fist gripped and knees bent, "If you wish to dare and lay your sinful hands onto Tengoku-san, then please pass through me if you can!"
"Oh?" Enkuudaidu huffed with amusement and folded his arms, "Intriguing…a human as my rival? That will be the day…"
"Ah, I forgot to tell you," I grinned, tapping a finger to my cheek, "you missed a spot."
"Huh?" Enkuudaidu touched a spot over his check. Unsure, he turned to stare into a nearby store window. He gagged. There was a deep engraving of a foot that melted into his cheek. His fierce jaw was slightly tilted off an angle and a majority of his armor was dented from that blow. I held back the urge to laugh…as the Niel Geiza seethed. With a clenched fist, he shattered the store whole.
"OMAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE,EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
I ducked under a pair of blades, which nearly scissor my head off if I reacted a moment too late. The Phantom Falhsgard hunted me down as I evaded his every blow. Like Akeppa, I too failed to avoid being unscathed as my uniform and flesh took its punishment. This Niel Geiza was indeed fast, his strikes extremely precise. He was beyond limitations of anyone I have ever fought.
"You will not pass!" I cried. I ducked under another swipe, but spun about in a low crouch and swung a kick upward, "TAIGA – KNIGHTO!"
My foot was instantly captured before it could touch its target. A gasp escaped my lips, my ears twitching to the sound of Enkuudaidu's laughter.
"I forgot to mention, human…SURPRISE ATTACKS ONLY WORK ONCE ON ME!" His gripped tightened and it nearly crushed the bones in my entire leg.
"AH!" I screeched, biting back the pain.
Akeppa cried, "Sakagami-san! No!"
"DISAPPEAR!" I was flung about from a mighty throw and I sailed through the air. I didn't know when, but the Niel Geiza suddenly reappeared before I could do anything. "THIS ONE'S FOR COMMODORE GHEIMBIU-SAMA!" He drove a metal-twisting knee into my stomach. The air just slipped out of my body like water. I couldn't even gasp.
"SAKAGAMI-SAN!"
THUD!
My body bounced off the ground, crumbling into a roll before stopping in a limp heap. I couldn't move…I lost all of my senses. I was sprawled face down across the ground, my body strewn like a rag doll would be and my hair splayed all over my body and face. My guess…I looked like a fresh corpse if I was not thinking right now.
Move…move!
No matter how harder I whispered my order in my head, my body failed to even listen. Everything…felt so cold and numb…It was terrifying.
A familiar armored foot stamped down before me. With all my strength, I could only glimpse up from the corner of my eye. I fought the urge to fall asleep, refraining from slipping over the brink of unconsciousness.
"How does it feel to be nothing more than a dying animal, human?" muttered the Niel Geiza.
Akeppa was horrified beyond imagination. Despite the pain that must have stung like lightning within his body, he tried to crawl towards me, "S…Sakagami-san…"
"Te…" I could barely breath…but the tip of my finger twitched as if to reach out to him.
"Hmph…" Enkuudaidu pulled back a katana, ready to give the final thrust. Akeppa saw this and frantically crawled faster…but he was too wounded and too far to make it.
"SAKAGAMI-SAN!"
"Though a despising human you are, you've proven me your worth as a noble fighter…for that, I shall give you a quick and painless death…"
The sun glinted off the raised tip of the katana, glaring into my eye. A single teardrop trickled down my face. Slowly, I closed my eyes…all the while whispering…
"Mother…Father…"
"May you rest in peace…" And the blade lunged.
SHIUECK!
Death was painless after all…surprisingly. However…I felt the urge to open my eyes. Why bother? I'm supposed to be…My eyes opened to a stunning sight that shook my body awake from this cloud of death.
"Wh-what?" I heard Enkuudaidu gasped.
I mustered my strength, to first reopen my single eye and then glanced up…It widened.
"Ten…goku-san…"
It was…unbelievable.
Akeppa was standing between my fallen body and Enkuudaidu…with a katana impaled through his raised left arm. Both the Niel Geiza and I stared at him, this boy, as the blade was sticking through fore-arm, the tip of the blade held back an inch from his face, and white blood flowing non-stop.
All the while though…Akeppa never even flinched as he had a steady glare.
"O…omae…" uttered Enkuudaidu.
"I – "
Akeppa gripped the blade…
"Won't – "
Squeezed it…
"Let you – "
Pulled it out halfway…
"Touch – "
Fractured the blade under his bleeding grasp and yanked it out entirely, with a…
"SAKAGAMI-SAN – PUUUUUUUU,UUUUUUNCH!"
WHAAAAAAAM!
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Enkuudaidu was sent sailing across the ground with his feet dragging across the ground, splitting open a pair of trails. He finally came to an abrupt stop by colliding back-first into a brick wall of a building, engraving his entire body's shape. With a bewildered complexion, he sported a deep fist-size dent into his other cheek.
"Te…Tengoku-san?"
Akeppa remained standing, his fist still lingering in the air. White blood had sprayed from the wound from his arm and splattered across his clothing, but he ignored it. He grasped his left arm, as it twitched with uncontrollably and mind-numbing pain. He bore against it with clenched teeth.
"Sakagami-san…" Regaining some strength, I was able to push myself up to look at the boy. While his burning skull-symbol faced to me, I felt a rising aura coming from within him, "Why…why did protect me?"
I blinked, "Wh-what?"
"Why did you risk your life to protect me?"
"Why?" I fell silent. It was not to find an answer…but to understand his question. With a sigh, my response was, "Because we're friends…"
Akeppa perked up his head, "F-friends?"
"Yes…To help one another…to share with one another…to protect one another…" I struggled a grin, "That's what friends are for…"
Silence lingered between the two of us. He then turned to me. I couldn't help a gasp.
He looked pale, light-headed even. The cuts and wounds all over his body was a stomach-churning sight…not to mention the endless drips of white blood bleeding from his wound that saved me. Like always, without a worry or care, he grinned.
"Then…I'll bet my life to protect you too!"
Enkuudaidu ripped himself out from his makeshift bonds. He stumbled, but regained his footing. With a crazed look in his yellow eyes, he gave us a twisted snarl.
"Kisama…What the heck are you?"
"Me? I'm just an Agyle…However…" Akeppa chuckled. Slowly, he strode forward, "I can be more than just that…"
"Tengoku-san," I breathed. He came to a halt, ignoring a batch of white blood spilling over his body from his arm.
"I kick all possible reasons into the curb…I defy all common logics that block my way…I surpass all the world's limitations to overcome the impossible!" Akeppa coughed, before he jabbed his left thumb to his heart, "This is who I am…and this is how I roll!"
Enkuudaidu whipped off the blood from his stainless blades and readied himself, "No matter how hard you will try Agyle…I will kill you…The power you hold now is far too insolent compared to any Niel Geiza!"
"Is that so…" Akeppa, twitched, before he struggle to raise his entire left arm into the air, clad in white, "This left hand guides the way for me to reach the beyond horizon…" he did the same for his right as well, lashing it out, "this right hand breaks down the obstacles that will overwhelm me…" Akeppa smirked, the neon glow in his right eye slowly coiling full again. "Together, united, they become the infinite spirit of limitless possibilities…"
"What?" growled Enkuudaidu. The neon spiral in his right eye grew stronger, and together Akeppa and I grinned.
"So…not only could I exceed the impossible with this power…but I can also ensure the everlasting safety of my only friend…Listen carefully, Niel Geiza…This…" Akeppa then readied himself, "IS MY POWER!"
The spiral in his eye spun full and the neon green strips of hair brightened, both glowing violently as Saint Elmo's fire.
"YAKEDO! GURREN!" The shield was summoned to Akeppa's left arm, its face grinning with blazing yellow eyes. "AKETE! LAGANN!" The drill was summoned to Akeppa's right arm, its faced-shoulder pads smirking with glowing green eyes.
"This…this power…" breathed Enkuudaidu, "it couldn't be!"
Then I heard the whisper of Akeppa.
"Hisashiburi da na…Moto no hito no…ore…" The two weapons pulsed a powerful source of light, soon venting out a green aura. Akeppa laughed with a wide and excited grin, fiercely bringing his two weapons together, "LET'S GO FOR IT! GATTAI DA!"
The drill of Lagann impaled straight through Gurren, however it didn't shatter like I thought it would. The eyes of both faced weapons flashed with power and they gave out a mute battle-cry.
A column of sparkling rainbow burst from under Akeppa and swallowed him whole.
"WHAT THE?" gagged the Niel Geiza.
The light was bright beyond my imagination, but I was blankly staring straight through it. I could see everything as clear as day.
All of Akeppa's injuries disappeared like they had never existed, his clothing instantly whole again and all of his white blood erased. Tendrils of swirling rainbow coiled around his arms, legs, torso, and head. His pants suddenly expanded, stretched by its length before reverting back into a pair of black and red one. His dark green jacket transformed with a wild stretch, shrinking back into a long red coat with black frames. The two weapons blew up and burst into a cloud of stardust that separated and grouped over his shoulders, legs, and arm. With a metal-grinding snap, shield like shoulder pads armed his shoulder and bore the boy's symbol; black iron grieves were strapped to his legs; and a pair of black gauntlets, with fingerless gloves, bounded onto his arms. His goggle-like sunglasses transformed into emerald-tinted ones, becoming the exact same pair that the skull on his back wore. His insignia of the burning skull reappeared over his new crimson coat, flapping across it like a righteous flag. His hair stood up on ends that curled back, the green streaks in his hair burning bright green. Even his right eye bled ghostly green fire. Finally, he smirked.
"PERFECT UNIFICATION – GURREN-LAGANN!"
The rainbow column shattered like stained-glass, showering magnificent rain of shimmering light around the newly formed Akeppa. His arms were folded, his red sunglasses glinting under the burning sun.
"SPIN – ON!"
Enkuudaidu staggered back, speechless, "What…what in the world are you, monster!"
"Didn't you hear me, two-face?" snapped Akeppa, "I'm no monster! I'm an Agyle! And like I said…" He jabbed his right thumb to his heart once more, "This is the power of my spirit…the raging inferno of my soul! Get in my path to achieve the things far greater than reality, and prepared to be toast!"
"I WON'T LOSE!" Enkuudaidu went in for a full frontal charge, blades ready for the kill.
"NAMENJANE!" roared Akeppa as he sent himself flying with a clenched fist.
I watched in stunned silence as the two forces dove straight for one another head on. But Akeppa was unarmed…how was he going to counter Enkuudaidu's blow? The next thing I knew, my question was miraculously answered.
"DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!"
"KURAE~EEEEEEEEEEE,EEEEEEEE,EEEEEEEEEEEE,EEEEEEEE!"
Enkuudaidu whipped his final attack, a deadly slash of his double blades. Akeppa, on the other hand…clenched his fist. A pair of drills materialized from the side of his sleeve, transforming whole and running the twin drills at maximum. The two iron weapons crashed and the victor was declared on contact.
Akeppa.
Enkuudaidu gagged with horror as his two blades were shattered like glass from Akeppa's strike. The drills went through everything and smashed straight through the helm across the top of the Niel Geiza's head.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Enkuudaidu reared back, from both the force of the blow and to minimize any more casualties. Instead though, Akeppa helped by giving him a…
"THE 'I-PROMISE-YOU-WON'T-TOUCH-SAKAGAMI-SAN-EVER-AGAIN!' KIIIIIIIIIIII,IIIIIIII,IIIIIIIIICKU!"
KERBLAMO!
The Niel Geiza was sent flying again, half of his armor cracked and torn before he collided upside-down into the same wall again. The helm spun in the air from the last hit, before it was captured by Akeppa as his drills retracted. The Phantom Falhsgard fell onto his torso's face, before bolting back up to his feet. Now, he had an extra welt of a foot-print in the middle of his nose, distorting his voice like a common cold.
"Impossible! How can an Agyle like him…be this powerful and get even stronger by the minute?"
"You want to know why? I'll tell you why!" I watched as Akeppa pointed his hand to the bright sky, along with the helmet in his grasp, "I'm the one who will rip apart the ensnaring darkness, and with my drill I'll smash open a hole for the lost light to return home! I am the rising knight of this world who will defend this place against all the odds that dares to challenge me, no matter what! I am Sakagami, Tomoyo-san's friend and I am beyond honoured to be one!" He pulled back the helmet above his head, "Ore wo dare da to omotte yagaru?" With that, he slipped on the helm; a perfect fit. "Ore wa…" The helmet automatically transformed, the grey color dissolving to be replaced by crimson and black. The ring ornament melted off the dark grey colors, painted over with blazing gold like a crescent moon. "AGYLE – GURREN-LAGANN!"
"Gurren…Lagann? Tch!" Enkuudaidu, "I won't let you be the end of me, Agyle!" The racks all over the Niel Geiza's body opened up, popping out a wide assortment of missiles. "OPEN FIRE!" Every single missile was launched into the air. Like a hydra, they rose up into the air with a screech and rained down over Akeppa and I.
"Sakagami-san!" Forgetting himself, he suddenly dove to my side and embraced me.
"Tengoku-san!"
A wall of fire and smoke hailed from their landing, consuming the entire street. As quick as it appeared, everything fell silent. I found myself breathing heavily, eyes shut tight. Then I felt something around my body tightened and I opened my eyes.
Once again, I found myself in Akeppa's arms. Back into his original form, he held me close, tight but gentle, as if to shield me from anything else thrown at us. What happened? I got a better look over his shoulder. The flaming skull symbol on his back was shimmering infrared colors, projecting a green-hued energy barrier around us. When the danger was over, it dulled out and the barrier disappeared.
"Sakagami-san…" whispered Akeppa, "Please tell me that you're alright…"
I couldn't help to hold back a laugh, "I'm fine…thank you…"
"Wait for me. I'll go finish up that Niel Geiza and—"
"But, he's gone."
"Eh?" Akeppa perked his head up and turned about.
True enough, the smoke cleared to show that Enkuudaidu was no where in sight.
"I guess he made a run for it during the chaos…"
"Ah darn it…I almost had him…"
The two of us parted from his one-sided hug, but I stopped myself mid-way. I found my hand was over the wound where Enkuudaidu's katana had pierced through. My heart skipped a beat. My hands curled, lightly tightening its grasp across his once pierced arm.
"Are you alright, Tengoku-san?"
He nodded, smiling like nothing happened, "Yup!"
I sighed with some relief…but not entirely, "Tengoku-san…"
"Ah-huh?"
"Don't ever use your body like that…" I surprised him and he stared at me, "Don't even try to sacrifice your life for me…I'll regret it if you were to die because of me…" He was quiet, blinking even. Then, he stunned me by bursting into laughter. "T-Tengoku-san?"
"Ha-ha-ha! But, Sakagami-san, I thought friends were supposed to protect each other." Now it was my turned to be surprised. "Besides, like I said before: I'll bet my life to protect you! You're my only friend…and if I lose you…" His smile faltered and he shyly looked away, "it would be a million times more painful than a sword through my body…"
My hand flinched over his former wound.
Why? Why was he always so selfless? All I could do…was just smile and laugh with him a bit.
"Let's go home, Sakagami-san…"
"Not yet."
"Eh?"
I looked straight at him, "I promised that I would take you to the sakura tree…"
"B-but you're…"
"I always keep my promises."
"…"
We gazed at each other for a long time. Silence kept us apart, but not entirely. Akeppa broke that barrier with a short chuckle, "Can you walk?"
"Of cour—" A sting of pain rattled my body and I didn't dare to move in order to bear against it. The next thing I knew, "Uh? Wh-what? Ah!"
Akeppa carried me up onto his back with a boyish grin, "How's this?"
"T-Tengoku-san!"
"Ah-ha-ha…gomen, it was a spur of the moment idea…" He shyly smiled, "Is this…alright?"
I was speechless again. My hands were resting across his broad and firm shoulders, my body safely carried against his back. He felt so warm…so strong…Even if he had barely survived from our recent fight with the Niel Geiza.
It's been a while…since I've been carried like this…Right, father used to carry me like this…It always felt good.
This time…the feeling was different.
Slowly, I curled my arms around his neck and clung onto him closely with a rest of my chin on his shoulder.
"Of course…" I grinned.
He chuckled, "Yokatta!" He then nodded to himself, "Yosh! Ikuze!"
["Alright, let's go!"]
In our laughter we carried on ahead towards our destination, with Akeppa leading the way and me on his back.
Never did I imagine…that a boy's back could be so soft, strong, and heart-warming at the same time…
Deep within my own heart, I whispered: Thank you…Tengoku-san.
[******]
"Akeppa…" Michael stared down from the top of the roof, watching the Agyle carrying the human away from the broken streets. He saw everything, all with narrowed eyes.
"He's regaining his powers…isn't he?" The Archangel turned to his side, seeing Gabriel by him, "The child's strength is growing as we speak…"
Michael huffed, "I was afraid of that…"
"Oh come on you two!" Ariel popped into existence by standing in between the tall men. She giggled, "I think it's a good thing that Akeppa has found a nice reason to fight for…"
"I agree," chuckled Gabriel, "The poor boy has been lonely for his entire life…To have a friend to be with and to protect…may be a nice change for him…"
"However…" interjected Michael, "if his power keeps growing without proper surveillance, I can't guarantee if it would be beneficial to anyone…namely the LORD."
"Oh come now, Michael," waved off Ariel, "the LORD knows what HE'S done. HE and the Prince have complete faith in him."
"Yes. We too should believe in this boy…after all, we are his Commanders and caretakers," added Gabriel.
"Then tell me what would we do if Akeppa was to regain his original self again?" snapped Michael, eyes blazing.
Gabriel and Ariel fell silent. They turned to look back at the Agyle, who started to fade into the distance.
"You…may be right…" uttered Gabriel.
"If we didn't detect a unbelievably strong power spike…I guess we wouldn't even be here…" pouted Ariel.
Michael grimaced, he too looked at the Agyle, "For everyone and everything's sake, we should keep a close eye on him…if worse comes to worse, we'll just have to restrain his power…"
"But then it would prove to be a difficulty for him to face the Phantom Falhsgard Niel Geiza…" said Gabriel.
"Do you want what happened before, happen again?" growled Michael.
Again, uncomfortable silence.
The head Archangel huffed a grumble, "Akeppa is different from the others…His strength now almost matches with the Heaven's Gatekeeper…if this continues…who knows what might happen…"
Together, the three Archangels sighed.
"Come on, we're going home," muttered Michael, "I'm hungry…"
"You always are," shrugged Ariel, "Well…it is almost my evening tea time…"
"Plus," smiled Gabriel, "Sister Jegudiel must be very anxious to know how Akeppa is…"
With that, they disappeared with a flash and a small cloud of shining feathers.
[******]
"Just through this trail, Tengoku-san, and we'll see it soon…" I whispered into his ear.
Akeppa gently hefted me higher across his back, "Okay."
We made it to the park where the sakura tree resided. It was quiet, but still there were a handful of people today. They gave both Akeppa and I weird stares, as one carried the other by piggy-back. I didn't seem to mind, surprisingly, like I never cared how others were even looking at me.
I think that the important thing was…that I was with Akeppa. This boy certainly had ways to make other's feel comfortable around him, even if he wasn't aware of it.
"HOH!"
I snapped out of my thoughts, "Wh-what is it?" I searched around me. Another Phantom Falhsgard? Other than people in the park, nothing peculiar. Then, I turned to see what Akeppa was looking at.
Oh…we've found it.
We were standing before the majestic sakura tree. The lovely cherry blossoms danced under the breeze, trickles of lively pink tears rain down like a maiden's tear. It wasn't in full bloom yet, but it was nonetheless a stunning sight to behold. Just looking at it gave me a good feeling, stirring old memories that I cherished deeply within my heart.
"This is it," I said, "a sakura tree. What do you think?" I waited for a response…none came. "Tengoku-san?" I looked at the boy…finding myself surprised.
Akeppa was blankly staring at the sakura tree. He was swallowed in awe, his body rigid like an eternal statue and his eyes wide with bewilderment. He said nothing, not even uttering a sound. He just stood there, carrying me on his back, and watched this ordinary tree in stunned silence.
"Tengoku-san? What's wrong?"
Akeppa finally found his voice, "K…Ki…Kirei…"
["Beautiful"]
The words were simple…but they told me everything. The very sight of this sakura tree, had taken away his spirit into the heavens. It told me that he had never before seen something so beautiful. It felt like a wonderful dream to him.
I used to come here by myself, never really seeing anything special about this simple tree. However…I guess I learned that there is something special about it…when I share it with a friend who was willing to sacrifice his life for me.
I grinned, quietly resting my chin back onto his shoulder. As Akeppa carried me, we stared at the sakura tree in long and peaceful silence.
つづく
