YAMI NO MATSUEI - DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS
APOCALYPSE RISING
Chapter Twenty-One –The Big Picture
Three hours before the Inquisition at the Hall of Candles, the remaining members of the Shokan Division gathered together and pored through all of the facts that they had in hand. Troy and Ashtarote were also present.
The ambiance inside the Shokan Division meeting room was mostly tense, with all of them scurrying to put together all the pieces of the puzzle as fast and as thoroughly as they could. Calm and focused were the facades that everyone mostly took, but each had his respective thoughts and feelings harbored deep inside…feelings that only Hisoka had an inkling of an idea and maybe Troy due to their psychic gifts.
As to Tsuzuki and Hisoka, the two had exchanged meaningful glances that remained undetected by the rest of their peers save for Troy and Ashtarote. The two demons exchanged glances of their own, their existence and experiences that spanned from eons giving them the hint that something deeper had recently gone on between the two shinigami.
Tatsumi and Terazuma were still deep in their grief and rage over the recent attack, and most especially over Watari and Wakaba's deaths.
Konoe, for the first time in his existence, felt weak in the knees whenever he thought about the loss of his staff. He looked across the table and acknowledged that the ones left behind…the ones who survived the attack…have the highest potential for true power. Part of him wanted to keep his men out of harm's way, most especially since he knew that all of them have been psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually traumatized over all the events that had happened so far.
Most especially Tsuzuki...
Unfortunately, none of them have the luxury of time, grieving, and healing. All of them have to respectively curb their feelings and focus.
There were mountains of facts that must be sorted out.
There was Watari's research. There was the folder that Tatsumi entrusted Watari which contained facts that Tatsumi had gathered during his employment at another Division in Enma-Cho. There were the facts gathered during Troy's retrieval in Kyoto. There were the deaths in Chijou and the maiming of Father Opava. There were clues that Wakaba and Terazuma had gathered during their undercover work at Holy Innocents' Academy. There were the clues that Hisoka, Tsuzuki, and Tatsumi had gathered since they have encountered Troy.
The group also added the facts that Troy's intelligence at Makai had gathered.
And now with the latest attack on Gensoukai, Enma's abduction, the primordial demons' possible awakening per prophecies and chronicles, Kinu and Gyokuto's respective awakening, and Muraki's involvement, the task of solving at least part of the puzzle before them became more monumental and intensely difficult.
After all of them took turns in giving his input about what had been gathered so far, they all fell silent.
Hisoka volunteered to do Watari's self-delegated job in writing details down on the white board during the entire meeting. This time, he added to Watari's notations on the board that the Lord of Death had disappeared and 22 members of the Shokan Division died during the last attack. Following the same pattern that Watari did, Hisoka wrote down each of the 22 casualties' names.
Once again, silence filled the room.
Tatsumi eyed on the board, then said after doing the mental math once he saw the pattern that Watari shared with them, "Thirty-three plus 22 is 55. The last deaths…which included Watari-san and Wakaba-chan…completed the sequence. Fibonacci – remember?"
Everyone blinked for a minute and then Hisoka finished the equation that he wrote on the board by doing the necessary addition. He then told Tatsumi, "You're right. But why is this sequence being followed? Watari-san mentioned that the Fibonacci formula held the secrets of the universe – all expressed in mathematical form. It doesn't make sense why one would use it."
Terazuma sighed, itching for a cigarette but he knew that he could not smoke inside the office. "It's sick. They're probably toying with us. The sick fucks want us to know that everything they're doing is precise…planned…"
"Preordained…prophetic…" interjected Troy.
Hisoka then looked at the numbers before him just as the others did and thought aloud, "I can't help but think about numerology – where all numbers are reduced to one digit, a range from zero to nine."
When he saw that the others were still trying to catch on, Hisoka explained, "If I take 55 and add the first and second five together, the sum is 10. Then if I take 10 and add 1 and 0, the sum is one…which is where the equation begins…0 plus 1."
"You're right. There are so many angles to go to with this equation. Look at the sums," said Troy.
The others looked at the first part that Watari wrote on the board days ago:
: Kataniwa Miya : 0 + 1 equals 1
: Kabuto Emiko : 1+ 1 equals 2
: Sanders Francis : 1 + 2 equals 3
: Pedroni Angelica :
: Mori Anzu : 2 + 3 equals 5
: Satou Kenji :
: Pedroni Anthony :
: Tanaka Koji : 3 + 5 equals 8
: Takeda Ryosuke :
: Itou Daisuke :
: Kouya Isa :
: Fujikawa Seimei :
Troy then proposed, "Let us just concentrate at the equation until the part where Fujikawa Seimei's name has been written down. Concentrate on the sums alone."
After he noticed that everyone was on that part of the board, Troy then continued, "There's one God. There's one missing right now – Enma. And based on what you told us about what happened in Gensoukai, Tsuzuki-san…you also count as one. Your decision holds the fate of all the realms during the Inquisition."
"There's the Trinity – three figures. If you count Enma, Kinu, and Gyokuto…that's three. The Inquisition acknowledges the mystical importance of the number. It gives a three-day wait after all arguments have been put on the table…emphasizing on presence of divinity during the entire proceedings."
"There are five realms – Heaven, Makai, Meifu, Chijou, and the Pits of Hell where the primordials exist. There are five points to a pentagram – one of the mystical symbols used by conjurers. Not counting the Gushoshin Twins since they technically work for Enma-Cho, there are only five members left in the Shokan Division after the attack…and that's Kacho, Tatsumi-san, Hisoka, Tsuzuki-san, and Terazuma-san. In elemental magic, there are five basic elements – water, air, fire, metal, and earth."
Konoe then interjected, following Troy's train of thought, "And we stop at eight is because eight represents completion…infinity. The Chaos star is an eight-pointed star. There are eight primordial demons.
Following the train of thought from the case file that Tatsumi handled in his pre-Shokan Division days, he shared with the others, "A majority of the victims also have been reported to have latent or active psychic abilities. Troy-kun confirmed that Father Opava has a gift. All the shinigami have supernatural gift. In the folder that I had entrusted with Watari-san before he died, all of the victims have supernatural abilities. The Twins are finishing the research on the victims in this recent rash of murders to see if the same patterns exist."
"I wouldn't be surprised if your observation is confirmed, Tatsumi," said Ashtarote, his frown deepening. He noted the same patterns as Tatsumi and the others have made. He then put together those observations along with the many discussions that Troy and he had been through about the case and Makai's internal investigation per Troy and his request. "My lord and I were discreet and thorough with our investigation. If the primordials ever awaken, the first realm in danger would be Makai."
After all in the room were silent for a while, Troy gazed at Ashtarote and then the others. His blood froze as a probability visited his mind, "What if these killings are a bloodletting...a ritualistic offering?"
"Bloodletting? For what?" asked Tsuzuki, still rather quiet as he kept contemplating about what Kinu and Gyokuto had told him in Gensoukai.
Troy then let out a sigh and replied to Tsuzuki, "When I put up the barrier on the Pool of Chaos so that no one could access it, I used the blood of countless Makai traitors as an offering. Muraki appeared in my dreams when I was unconscious…when I failed to reach you and Hisoka to pull you out. He asked me to break the seal that I've placed on the Pool of Chaos. I said no."
After Hisoka considered what Troy had said, he mumbled, "Those people… They must've been sacrificed to prepare the seal's breaking. With the way that the equation's working, with 55 deaths and how the equation breaks back down to the number one, it looks like that Muraki's work is already complete."
Tsuzuki then looked at Tatsumi, not being able to look at the secretary directly in the eye. How could he tell Tatsumi that the latter's lover Watari was now this devastating apocalyptic creature named Kinu?
Tsuzuki also could not gaze directly at Terazuma, for he knew how much the other was hurting over Wakaba's death and disappearance. He did not have the heart to tell the other that Wakaba became the vessel for Gyokuto – Kinu's counterpart.
Hisoka was quiet, his empathy picking up Tsuzuki's train of thought and sentiments. He felt the same way as his partner did, prompting him to mentally tell the other while everyone tried to add more to their brainstorming efforts, "We'll tell them tonight...after the Inquisition's first session."
"All right," was Tsuzuki's mental reply. "I just feel guilty not telling them about what happened back there."
"I know," thought Hisoka as his gaze landed on Tatsumi. "He's holding it very well on the outside, but deep down he's hurting. I'm also sensing something…dark, angry. Same suffocating aura…just like…."
Hisoka's focus then shifted to Troy, who in turn met Hisoka's stare with a tightlipped smile. He then added to Tsuzuki, "Just like him…and most especially you…"
"That's good," thought Tsuzuki with a light smile given to his partner. "And are you feeling all right? I'm still rather sore from what happened earlier with Kinu and Gyokuto, and I didn't take much of a beating as you did."
"I'm fine. I'll rest tonight. You should worry about you more than you worry about me."
Tsuzuki sighed and then smiled for a couple of seconds. "I'll always be concerned about you, Hisoka. You should know that by now. By the way, would it be all right if we spend some time tonight after the proceedings? That time together was too short, if you asked me."
After gazing at Tsuzuki for a couple of minutes, Hisoka said to the other with his mental words laced with the same openness and vulnerability that he shared with the other when they kissed at Gensoukai, "Yes…tonight…."
The large circular-shaped courtroom – the Inquisition Hall – was now filled with individuals representing Makai and Meifu. The noise inside the Hall was worse than a marketplace as the arguments had already begun among warring parties.
Open only when there were disputes between Meifu, Makai, and the Pits of Hell warrant for such a hearing, the Inquisition Hall had not been open to anyone's eyes for 500 years until now.
Although the air of cold dread was present in both venues, there were major differences in Enma's chambers and the Inquisition Hall. The first difference was the purpose of the proceedings. The second difference was the outcome of the proceedings.
The Lord of Death's chambers and the Inquisition Hall have raised dais where the judge would never been seen yet still be able to effective render his judgment with fear being struck down on the accused.
Enma's proceedings were meant to be a one-on-one between the departed's soul and Enma, with his decision affecting the soul's permanent residency – whether it be Heaven, Meifu, or Makai. His sentence was also irrevocable.
In contrast, the Inquisition Hall proceedings were meant to settle disputes between realms. The unknown and impartial judge was the sounding board for such squabbles that in reality gravely affect the realms. Each realm placing a claim before the judge had to present compelling evidence. For crimes, the judge would sentence the accused and grant the most aggrieved the right to punish the accused according to the boundaries that he would deem fair punishment. As to settling disputes, the judge's final words were more of an opinion and the ones must abide by the guidelines of how to best resolve the quarrel.
Tonight's Inquisition would have two types of proceedings. The first one was to determine Chief Satori's guilt on the charges of treason, murder, and accessory to murder among other things. The second part of the proceedings involved compounded complaints from Makai and Meifu against each other – one of those disputes including one named Tsuzuki Asato.
Aside from the matters known to be on the Inquisition's agenda, there might be surprises along the way as Troy, Ashtarote, and Enma already were aware of…unexpected matters on the agenda that Troy would not be surprised about but he was ready – his anticipation and calculating nature rather than his foresight being his allies.
Troy saw members of the Council – those loyal to him and those who were part of a greater conspiracy to cause Makai's instability. In the flickering light coming from the torches, his enemies saw as to how his eyes had glowed raging red…a promise that when the time was right, vengeance and the final word would be his.
Tsuzuki and Hisoka sat together in the row along with the others with Troy and Ashtarote sat on the bench row before them. Although the remaining members of the Shokan Division were glad that Troy and Ashtarote were there sitting with them, tonight became clear to them as to who Troy really was –- this was the first time that Troy donned the royal ceremonial robes and noble uniform that Ashtarote had insisted him to wear whenever he was with them.
Tonight was a night of many exceptions…and that fact caused a chill to travel down a suspicious Tsuzuki's spine.
Hisoka, on the other hand, was picking up the myriad of emotions via his empathy. As much as his threshold to handle emotional and psychic bombardment had greatly increased, most especially after he and Tsuzuki had worked on the case leading to Troy's retrieval, his limitations were once again tested. He did his best to suppress the trembling of his body, his nausea, and his lightheadedness. Due to those efforts to filter his powers, he broke into a cold sweat.
If Tsuzuki was not keeping an eye on Hisoka, he scanned the Inquisition Hall's layout. He noticed that the Hall's architecture had more marble than the Earl's judgment chambers which had more mahogany and oak. Nonetheless, both chambers had the same spine-chilling effect that would pierce through anyone's heart and soul. The many torches that provided illumination inside the Hall created a more soulful and eerier feel.
Terazuma's parasitic shikigami stirred inside him, reacting with the eerie aura that filled the Inquisition Hall as well as its host's grieving over his partner's death. It did its best to console its host, with it calming down a bit as Terazuma mentally told it, "I know, boy…. I miss her, too. The one who killed her, Watari-san, and the others will pay very soon. I'll make sure of it along with you. We will make everyone pay."
What provided the eeriest and most humbling sight, however, was the renowned Dais of Truth which was transfixed in the middle of the courtroom. For demons such as Troy and Ashtarote, the dais gave them more sadness than fright since the materials used to make the dais was a grim reminder of what they have lost after the Great Fall.
The sound of the wooden gavel reverberated throughout the Hall, calling everyone's attention and coaxing them to silence.
"Bring the accused," said the booming voice of the unseen figure sitting on the judge's bench, His view unseen by all in attendance.
Makai's flog masters dragged a cursing Satori in the courtroom, the flog masters wishing that the Great Duke Abigor had granted them permission to torture the man.
While Satori had been pushed to take his place at the dais, the treacherous members of Makai's Council kept their eyes on Satori as their anxiety rose.
As to Tatsumi, he clenched his fists as he saw Satori. He wanted to hear word per word on what Satori had to say…and how he wished that he could kill the bastard afterwards.
After the gavel had been heard to hit its mantle once more, silencing the whispers created from Satori's entrance, the invisible judge said, "Will those who lodge the accusations come forward and present their case. We shall first hear from Makai's Great Duke Abigor – the first one who had lodged the many complaints against the accused."
Tonight, Troy and Ashtarote were dressed just as other members of Makai's Royal Council were garbed…velvet cape of royal crimson and rich robes made from the finest silk as well as gold and silver threads minus their respective crowns that signified their rank.
Troy stood up and scanned the entire courtroom. He then worked logically and persuasively as he presented his case. He first disclosed all the facts that he and his intelligence had uncovered. His claims which were backed up by evidence pointed Satori as a spy who helped instigate conflict between Makai and Meifu in exchange for power and wealth. He had proven that the treacherous chief had been working with Muraki, Doctor Kawasawa, and members of Makai's Royal Council who wish to overthrow him and cause a civil war. He had also laid out the fact that his activities against Makai were in direct violation of the eons-old truce between Meifu and Makai. Lastly, he had proven that Satori's actions and involvement had caused the deaths of his many loyal agents as well as thousands of citizens.
"Is this all true, Satori?" asked the invisible judge, His intent eyes looking at the accused.
Although Satori did his best to cry out that Troy's accusations were a bald-faced lie, he froze in fright as he mouthed the words, "Yes, it's all true."
After the whispers rose to a level of disruptive noise inside the courtroom, the judge hit the gavel once more to call order within His chambers. He then asked Troy, "Great Duke Abigor, have you already said your peace regarding this matter? Tell us what you wish to have as retribution against the accused should he be deemed guilty?"
Without hesitation, Troy replied, "Satori is a small pawn to a larger conspiracy, Your Honor. My land, Makai, had been plagued with petty wars since the Great Fall. Your Honor had deemed the victor in Makai's many battles and wars as its worthy leader in one of Your Inquisitions. I have proven my worth by winning these campaigns in the name of those who wish to live in peace, following the tenets that You have established. I wish bring Satori to justice and those who he conspired with to destroy the peace that I've worked so hard to achieve for Makai. For treason, I ask the court to make these traitors pay with their existence. For Satori, I will choose an executioner on my behalf. For the traitors of the Royal Council, I will deal with them with my own hands."
"Your case has been heard, Great Duke Abigor," said the judge, the sound of papers heard from the now-silent courtroom. "I now call on the Shokan Division's representative to present its case against the accused."
This time, it was Tatsumi's turn to stand up and face Satori. He laid out the Shokan Division's findings which proved Satori's use of research that Doctor Kawasawa had done to design DNA-specific poisons and catalysts – the liaison being Muraki Kazutaka. He presented autopsy reports for Watari and Wakaba, tying those facts with Troy's laboratory analysis that the chocolates Satori had presented over the course of a year-and-a-half were laced with poison specifically aimed against Watari and Wakaba. He also told the court how obsidian demons from Makai infiltrated the Shokan Division, tried to kill Troy, and caused the deaths of 22 Shokan Division members.
"Do you know the reason behind the attack, Tatsumi Seiichiro?"
Tatsumi gazed at the judge's dais and replied, "No, Your Honor. We knew that there's a deeper conspiracy at work, but we don't know the real motive behind Watari Yutaka and Wakaba Kannuki's murders."
"Ask the accused. He is here before you for scrutiny."
The secretary's eyes glared at the Dais of Truth and the one in it. "Start talking, Satori. Why did you poison Watari and Wakaba? Who put you up to this?"
Satori was incensed, wanting to show anger while defending his innocence. However, due to the Dais of Truth's power, he fell on his knees and replied, "They just told me to keep feeding them with it... I was promised many things..."
When Satori fell silent, Tatsumi became angrier. As his shadows flickered and swirled like black lace flapping against the gusty wind, he demanded, "Who put you up to killing them?! Who?!"
At first, Satori had given the names of traitors sitting in Makai's Royal Council...with Troy and Ashtarote already having the list of names.
What was disclosed next froze everyone's blood and made Troy stand up from his seat in disbelief, his knees and fists shaking since he refused to believe what he and the rest had just heard.
"Who did you say they were again?" asked Tatsumi, also not believing Satori's statement.
The judge hit the gavel numerous times to call order after Satori yelled, causing a ruckus inside the courtroom, "The primordials! Muraki! Lord Enma, too!"
End of Chapter Twenty-One
Terminology
Gyokuto and Kinu– Jade Hare and Golden Bird, respectively. In the Gensoukai arc, Enma referred to these two creatures and as you know our lovely manga-ka left us hanging as to who they are. However, it is evident when Watari breaks into Mother – JuOhCho's computer system – that Watari has some involvement with these two figures. In that part of the story, Enma refers to Watari as Kinu and allows him to break into the system.
Kurikara - A fiery dragon / shikigami introduced in the Gensoukai / Kamakura story arc. The manga-ka has left fans hanging for more than a year, so there is no canon resolution regarding the outcome of Hisoka's quest...as to whether he "won" Kurikara as his shikigami. For the purposes of this fan fiction series, the Gensoukai / Kamakura story arc is over, Hisoka wins Kurikara, and he is Hisoka's most powerful shikigami to date.
Normal Disclaimer
Yami no Matsuei and its characters belong to Matshushita Yoko. I only own the original characters and this fanfic. The only profit that I make out of writing and posting it is the fun of weaving this story as well as the reviews that I get.