I felt my body stiffen in fear. I'd never been to the lower world so I'd never come face to face with one of these things. I'm sure that Goku could feel me shaking, from the way I was holding his hand. The others might have too since we were pressed so close together. All those disgusting monster were coming out of their confinement with drool falling from their mouths and their beady eyes fixed on us.
"Remember to leave a single arm my Natakus. We have to dedicate it to the army." At first I wondered what was going on but then I saw an understanding in those things faces.
"They can understand human speech?" Konzen gasped. It seemed so. These people were trying to make a creature that could pass as a god. It made sense that they would be able to comprehend our language. This was heresy. One of the things came at us. We jumped out of the way as one of it's enormous feet came crashing to the ground. I landed on my injured arm and screamed in pain.
"Kaguya!" Kenren yelled, appearing at my side and pulling me away just before the thing's claws came driving down into the air where I had once been.
"It's fast!" Tenpou called.
"This way!" Kenren helped me stand. My head was spinning, my arm was throbbing as I was sure I had ripped the muscle tissue in my shoulder wound. The pain was almost numbing. I was dead weight now. Kenren pulled me into a crack and held me close to him.
"Kaguya, look at me. Look at me sweety." He tried to make me focus but the pain...I'd never had to deal with injuries before so I had no idea such a wound would affect me this way. That and there was that weird vision of the death of my father and the Emperor.
"I...I'm okay." I was sweating so bad. The others had joined us. We were in a place the much larger monstrosities couldn't reach.
"Diving into a crack? Useless little rats!" Kamou laughed. Kenren ripped part of his coat and started wrapping my shoulder as best as he could. I bit my lip to keep from making too much noise as it really hurt.
"Kaguya?" Goku approached me with tears in his eyes. I tried to smile.
"I-Its okay Goku, just not used...to the pain." I said breathlessly. He didn't look convinced. A set of claws entered the crack and we backed up even further.
"What do we do now?" Konzen asked, coming to my side and taking me from Kenren.
"The only exit is behind that man and we can't there with just our swords." Tenpou muttered. There was silence for a few moments.
"I'll draw them out." The voice was Kenren's.
"No..." I said weakly, reaching out to the man in question. He smirked at me. How could he be so happy? No matter how good he was he couldn't kill all these things, there was no way. He'd have to stay behind for us to escape and that meant I'd never see him again. Tenpou seemed to understand this but his face gave nothing away. I didn't want to say anything either since I didn't want to upset Goku.
"Kenren..." He stepped towards me and grabbed my hand, kissing it.
"Just get to safety okay sweetheart? I'll be right behind you." No he wouldn't, he'd die here and it broke my heart. I'd known...I'd known when I left this morning that we would all fall in battle at some point but not now, not so soon. I loved Kenren, he was my best friend and I wanted to tell him everyday just how much he meant to me. I couldn't do that now and the pain of the time lost made my heart break. I placed his hand over my heart allowing a piece of myself to transfer to him. Maybe it would help if only just for a little while. I wouldn't cry, it was going to be okay. Kenren leaned next to my ear.
"I love you honey, live enough for me okay?" I wanted to break down as Konzen and Goku helped me stand. I wanted to scream, to cry. This was more painful than I'd ever imagined. Kenren made his way to the front and shot out at the beast keeping us pinned. It all happened so fast. We darted out around the general and there were cries as he stayed behind. I found enough strength to call out one last thing as we passed him.
"See you soon." I whispered, not sure if he heard or not. One of the creatures smashed Kamou into a wall, killing him. We ran through the door and closed it behind us one man short. We kept going and the adrenaline kicked in. My heart was numb as we rounded corners, killing only a few guards before moving along.
"Where are we now?" Konzen asked as we came out another door.
"The lowest under-ground level of the palace. Turn at this corridor and go straight on. The room with the entrance to the dimension gate is right there only..."
"Only what?" Konzen snapped, his grip on me tightening.
"The other side knows we're headed towards the underground gate as well. They'll be waiting for us." Tenpou said gravelly. More obstacles to overcome.
"What do we do then?" I knew the answer to that and as I looked at Tenpou he knew I knew as well.
"I've brought you this far. So my job has only one thing left to do." He held out his weapon. With Kenren gone I knew he'd do this. The two had been so close that they were practically brothers. If I hadn't known any better I'd have thought they were lovers. Tenpou took no time at all, that was just the way he was. He ran out into the hall and started slashing away. The soldiers yelled orders to one another and I cracked the door just slightly enough to see the former Marshal run by. He looked in at us, a smile painted on his face.
"Ten-chan!" I clapped a hand over Goku's mouth and shook my head. I couldn't hold it in anymore. The tears just kept flowing down my cheeks.
"K..Konzen, Kaguya?" Goku whispered. I removed my hand. The boy was sobbing.
"I didn't want this...Ken-nii...Ten-chan..." He rubbed the mist from his eyes and I took his hand.
"I feel your pain Goku but we have to keep going or we will never see them again." I explained. He nodded, trying to fight the tears streaming down his face now.
"We'll get through this together, neither of us will leave you." Konzen agreed. As soon as the footsteps passed the door we held our breathes for a few moments before running out towards the gate to freedom. We ran with Goku clinging to me. I think he knew I was next, that I would die. The pain in my arm had subsided for the most part, now it was just a dull throb due to my adrenaline rush. We needed get through now no matter what the cost. I was the only fighter left on the team really besides Goku who was untrained and shouldn't be trying anyway. We were unhindered until we reached the huge double doors that led to the gate to the lower world.
"Konzen...Kag..." I pressed a finger to my lips quieting the boy for a moment. Around the corner were only two guards. They'd have to be killed before we could get into the room they guarded. Goku yanked on me as I started forward.
"Let's stop this. If you guys apologize then they might forgive you right? If I can't go with everyone together I..." Goku was breaking again. Konzen bent down to his level.
"Don't give up. If you believe in Kenren and Tenpou, then don't ever give up on them or yourself." His voice was that of a stern parent. Goku looked upset but then the man held out his pinky.
"We all made a promise remember?" The boys golden eyes widened. Yes they'd made a promise, they were all going to be together one way or another. I smiled, kissing Goku's forehead before stepping out into the open. The guards saw me and raised their spears.
"Lady Kaguya!" One of them called. I stuck my hands in the air.
"I'm unarmed and alone. I'll surrender to you." I muttered, walking slowly over to the two men. I didn't stop until the spears were crossed over my throat. The guards looked a bit surprised when I suddenly ducked. One of the blade edges cut my neck but I ignored the sting punching one man hard in the gut while knocking the other off balance. I'd had enough of killing really, I was so tired of it all. So instead of adding to my pile I simply knocked them out. Konzen and Goku came out from around the corner as I began to push the door open. It was heavy so they helped me get it open enough to enter.
As we got inside I saw it. The gate was something I had heard about but never seen before. It was so tall it reached the ceiling. The archway had a red door with a coiled golden dragon emblazoned upon it. The reaching pagoda outcroppings of the arch were red and gold as well, ornate and beautiful. This was it, the gate that would take us to the lower world. We wasted no time. Konzen crossed the room to a large machine.
"This should be the device that opens the gate." He muttered taking out a plastic card from a pocket in his clothes. I knew this to be the way to access the dimension gate. We needed this and a password to open the gate. I assumed that Tenpou had given Konzen the password beforehand. I held tight to Goku as Konzen swiped the card. Almost immediately alarms went off. A big error sign came up on screen. We panicked, this had all been a trap. Konzen attempted to turn off the alarm, typing in the password multiple times but to no avail. Then they came, men descending on us from all sides.
"Konzen!" Goku screamed. My voice was lost in my throat. The blond came to us, wrapping his arms around both of us in a protective manner.
"Well how unfortunate, you were so close." I knew that voice. From the shadows stepped Li Touten, a fresh bandage covering the eye that the Seitan Taisei had gouged out. I snarled at the man, feeling wave after wave of disgust at his presence. He looked at me and smiled that evil smile.
"And you managed to bring Kaguya this far too, how nice for you." He'd always seen me a weak and feeble. How I'd love to prove him wrong.
"I'm afraid I've already changed the password so you won't make it through now." Li walked around us until he stood next to the gate as if marvelling in it's splendor.
"Long ago it was my family that built the dimension gate. I inherited the skill to control it over the generations so it was simple enough. It seems that even Marshal Tenpou or our Kaguya-hime did not know this much." Li's smirk was beginning to piss me off. It was because of him that my friends were dead somewhere, their bodies broken, their blood spewed all over the palace. My grip on Goku's shoulder tightened.
"The Jade Emperor didn't praise us for this great accomplishment. In fact, he feared that we would wield too much power and used his position to bring my family to ruin. This is my revenge, to elevate Nataku, the very essence of my families technical prowess, as the war god. In this way I set the stage for all of heaven's people who have been steeped in their lukewarm system of order, set the stage for revenge." Li walked around non-chalantly, telling us his plan as if he had already succeeded. He had managed a great many things but I would not let him leave this room alive.
"For something like that..." Konzen muttered.
"I suppose it isn't something that someone of your status would understand, however, it is not just us who wished destruction upon the heavens." He meant the creation of those Natakus. Without a higher official there would have been no way that they could have pulled it off. Then I suddenly saw the light.
"My father! You used my father's influence and connections to build that lab!" I screamed. Now I understood why everything changed. Tsukiyomi was the second in command. He had access to the world below, the the palace, and to the emperor himself. The thought made me sick to my stomach. He had betrayed me long before I even realized.
"Does it matter now? All of you, even Nataku were pawns in the ultimate plan to destroy heaven beyond repair and bring about a new order. You have all done so well in bringing that about so for that I thank you." It was all for nothing, just a scheme to further the ambitions of a greedy man who cared nothing for the lives of others. I wanted to drive my blade to the hilt in his throat.
"You bastard!" Konzen growled. Li merely laughed.
"That face… it is what I wanted to see. That look twisted I utter humiliation of those who had no power and yet strutted about with attitude due to an inherited authority." The guards closed in pulling me away from Goku. The boy freaked out and tried to reach for me only to be pushed away. They did the same to Konzen, restraining him.
"Stop it! What are you doing!" Goku cried in desperation. I wanted to tell him that everything was going to be alright but I couldn't. One of the men was practically choking me with the grip he had around my neck.
"Step forward boy." Li raised his cane and pointed it at Goku. No, they wouldn't have my son. I didn't fight though, not yet. I was a coiled viper waiting for the moment to strike. If my life was over I'd make it mean something in the end.
"What are you gonna do to Goku?" Konzen panicked. Li's answer was directed at the boy and not at either of us.
"You seem to wield strange powers, but if you put up any resistance I will cut off Konzen Douji's head and place the lifeless body of dear Kaguya at your feet. You however have nothing to fear, I won't kill you." Li threatened as he beckoned to Goku. My heart sped up but I had to remember to be calm, I had to keep myself under control if I was going to do this.
"Goku! Goku don't go! Forget about us and run!" Konzen earned a sharp smack to the gut which cut off his breath and caused him to go quiet. Oh these men were going to pay.
"Konzen!" Goku shouted seeing his master in pain.
"Seitan Taisei, a being that is neither human nor monster. If we use that body of yours perhaps we can rebirth the war god Nataku even more powerful than before."
"Nataku's...alive?" Goku seemed surprised.
"Yes, you'll be able to live together alongside Nataku just like you wanted."
"Don't listen Goku! All he wants is to use Nataku for revenge..." Konzen was throw to the floor this time, his face pressed onto the marble. Goku called out in alarm.
"I honestly expected that Kaguya would whine more, you surprise me Konzen Douji. I knew of you before, born blessed with everything and yet never ceasing with expressions of boredom. An aristocratic official whose only assets are his rank and pride…"
"Shut your mouth!" I couldn't stand listening to someone insult the man I loved. Li turned his attention to me.
"Ah and the holier than thou woman finally speaks. Don't tell me you care for this man?" He asked, walking towards me. Goku freaked but he was restrained.
"You bet your ass I do you filth. At least he has a heart." I spat. Li took out his cane and smacked me hard across the face. There were sounds of protest from Konzen and Goku. I spat out the blood that pooled in my mouth.
"You hit like a fucking sissy."
"Kaguya!" Goku was fighting the men who held him.
"Mark my words Seitan Taisei. If you resist I will have her life." He rose his cane again and the boy froze. Our struggle was stopped when a man ran in breathless.
"Li Touten-sama! I hereby report in the palace basement through the east wing of the 30th basement floor we have successfully subjugated the rebels Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren. During this mission Marshal Gamou, General Shou'u and the entire 4th regiment have been annihilated." And there it was. My two greatest friends were gone. I'd expected it and yet the blow to my heart still left me breathless. The pain seeped in but I fought it. Goku and Konzen were still alive, I had to focus on them. I looked over to Goku and saw the upset look on his face. He felt the loss as deeply as I did.
"For those men...my companions have been taken from me?!" Li Touten spat. Who knew he could feel even if it was just anger. I closed my eyes and took in a shaky breath. Alright what would Tenpou do in this situation? We needed to make it to the gate, to get Goku down to the lower world no matter the cost. This meant we needed Li who was the only one who had the password. I'd have to time this just right…
"NOOOOOOOO!" Goku screamed. There was the sound of cracking, the ceiling above us was beginning to cave. The soldiers looked surprised. They let go of me to get out of the way as the debris of the began to fall. Huge chunks broke free and began to slam into the floor. I did what I thought I should, zipping through the area and grabbing Goku. I shielded him with my body, summoning a thin shield over us as the entire ceiling came crashing down. Konzen was far enough out of the way to move so I'd chosen to protect Goku hoping that my assumption of my lover was correct.
"Kaguya! Goku!" I heard Konzen scream as the weight of the marble smacked into my back. The shield held back a good deal but many of the shards made it through cutting up my skin and most likely leaving large bruises. Goku was staring up at me with great concern, curled beneath me to where he couldn't get hit.
"Kaguya..." He whispered. I smiled, squealing a few times as the marble smacked into my back. The pain was immense again but I had to keep conscious or I'd fall and we'd both be crushed. I kept my head up, looking with reassurance into Goku's eyes. I wanted to say something but I was afraid that if I opened my mouth I'd scream. As the rubble settled and the loud noise disappeared. I took a sigh of relief.
"You...hurt?" I panted. Goku shook his head, tears forming in his eyes.
"Kaguya, don't leave me..." He whispered. I didn't get what he was saying until I saw the blood pooling at his side. One of the marble pieces had gone right through my side. Well shit.
"I'm...I'm not going anywhere Goku." I said breathlessly, pressing upwards until we were free of the debris that had been unloaded onto my back.
"Goku! Kaguya!" Konzen was with us in seconds. I was right, he had gotten out of the way. Blood poured down his forehead but he didn't seem too worse for the wear. Goku helped me out of the small hole. The room was silent. There was blood everywhere and the carcass of one of the giant Nataku creatures lay dead on top of it all. So that's what caused the cave in. Konzen wrapped his arms around the boy first but then he caught sight of me. I could barely stand, holding the hole in my side. He was careful as he pulled me to his level, pressing a kiss to my lips. I was too weak to respond.
"We're almost there Kaguya, almost there I promise. Just hold on for us." He whispered. Goku was already crying, holding onto what was left of my tattered kimono.
"We...need Li." I muttered, trying to get them to focus. As if on cue the clink of metal sounded behind us. From the rubble rose said man looking just as bad as I did. He pulled himself out only to be caught by Konzen who held a dagger to his throat. He dragged the man over to the machine that worked the gate.
"Enter the password." He growled. Li did as he was told and a beep went off. The dimension gate creaked and began to slowly open. Beyond it was light, a sweet shining light. I heard a scream and looked behind me to find that Konzen had cut of Li's arm. He ignored the man sobbing on the ground and made for us. I wasn't about to let it go though. Through the pain I saw Li reaching up for the keyboard.
"Kaguya come on!" Goku and Konzen had already made for the gate. I saw it before it happened, the gate sealing, and us trapped here.
"Run!" I yelled. Both men blinked as I gritted my teeth through the pain, standing up and going for the man who was slowly typing something in. There was a beep and a click before Li Touten fell back with a laugh. I found the dagger Konzen had dropped and took it up in my hands, running at the scum of heaven. His laugh cut off as I stabbed the blade deep into the man's stomach. He looked more shocked than I ever thought he would.
"If I'm going to hell then you're coming with me." I spat, twisting the blade which made him cough up a large amount of blood. There was a crunch as I cut upwards, leaving a huge gaping wound in his chest. He fell limp and I knocked him to the side.
"Konzen!" I heard a scream behind me but didn't have the strength to turn around and look. They had to have made it, please let them have made it. I collapsed upon the ground listening to the pounding in my ears. I was losing far too much blood, soon I'd be with Kenren and Tenpou. I could faintly hear Goku's screams from behind me but I didn't know what was going on for sure. I wanted to close my eyes, to give in to the darkness that was calling to me. Instead I fought to crawl across the uneven floor, to get to Goku one last time. My eyes were blurry but I could see him there, Konzen caught in the door. I reached for them. The dimension gate shut and Konzen became golden dust in the wind. Goku screamed, curling into a ball and beginning to sob horribly.
"Goku..." I whispered weakly, somehow making it to him. He looked down at me, tears sopping his face.
"Kaguya!" He called out, pulling me into his arms. It hurt so badly but I smiled.
"Thank...god...you're...okay." I whispered and let my eyes close. There I faded, my soul rising to join those I loved. And there they would be waiting with open arms…