Shiraga: sorry for the late update. Been kinda busy with college and the new part-time recently.
Chapter 17,5: The stronger the light casts, the greater the dark falls
"You, you will make sure that part of my legacy will go on."
"You're the next one in line, Burai Kudoku."
There was the bustling noise of many people running around just outside the door, and each of them seemed to be in quite a rush. But that wasn't the cause to him waking up. Slowly opening his eyes, he came to face with a wooden ceiling decorated with many luxurious and expensive-looking furniture. For example, the huge golden chandelier which was clearly made by a famous artisan.
"This place…the airborne castle?" as his consciousness was coming to him, Burai Kudoku slowly got up.
The room that he was in could easily fit a hundred people in and still have room for more. All the furniture, from the big to the small ones were all top class goods. Even the bed that he was resting on was as big as three normal beds combined. But why would he be in such a luxurious room?
"Finally awake, huh?" hearing the voice, Burai turned to his left and saw Izayoi sitting on an armchair while reading a book.
"Lad…How long was I out for?"
"About a day and a half now. You were the one who fought hardest after all, so you deserved a good rest. Especially after that…"
Two days earlier.
After the defeat of Azi Dahaka, when the entire force was celebrating, Burai and Izayoi was the only two who weren't. Partly because the result of the battle left them with many thoughts, another reason being the event that unfolded right after that.
"Guu…Guuh…! GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" along with his cry, an intense pain creeped up all over Burai's body, with the root of the pain clearly coming from his left arm. He tried to dispel the gauntlet, but it just won't listen and instead grew fiercer by the second.
"Oy, Burai! What's wrong?!" Izayoi called but Burai was in too much pain to give a proper reply. He held tightly onto his left arm and tried to make it obey him but his effort was for naught. In the next moment, the event which unfolded made everyone widened their eyes.
Black Geass Rolls were raining down from the sky.
"Abuse of Host Authority? Who and from where?!" as Izayoi looked around and tried to at least grasp on the situation, the Lapko Imp then relayed a message from Baron La Croix.
"Emergency message to entire force: target the newborn Demon Lord, Burai Kudoku and eliminate him immediately!" the situation was thrown into even further chaos.
"Burai…?" Izayoi then turned his gaze back to Burai to see that the aura emanating from his body was becoming bigger and bigger, resembling both the head and the body of a serpent.
"Even if he was a former comrade, will you be able to strike him down?"
That question of Garol, Izayoi did not give him a clear answer. And right now, he's at a total loss of what to do. He could easily take Burai out with the Aurora Pillar in his current state. Taking down a Demon Lord is equivalent to preventing the death and diverting many catastrophes in the future, by Little Garden logic that is the right thing to do. But it just doesn't sit right with him.
All of a sudden, the cry stopped and Izayoi saw him reaching his hand toward the sky, toward a falling Geass Roll.
"Is he going to initiate the Game?! I must stop him, but still…!" he was still hesitating. Meanwhile, the black Geass Roll was dropping down closer and closer to Burai. And when it was within reach, he grasped it tightly in his hand. Izayoi was bracing himself for anything. But no matter how long he waited, no Game was initiated.
"No…You're part of my power…You obey me!"clenching his fist, Burai crushed the Geass Roll in his hand and simultaneously all the other Geass Rolls disappeared one after another.
"Lad!" he then called for Izayoi.
"I'm trying to keep it under control, but not for long! Your pillar, your Light! Strike this Darkness down!"
Still hesitating for a bit, Izayoi bit his lips and summoned the Aurora Pillar. Taking his stance, Izayoi aimed for Burai's left arm.
"Here I come!"
"Do it, lad!"
As the Aurora Pillar struck the gauntlet, a pillar of light and darkness constantly clashing with each other shot up into the sky. The aura of the serpent was wiped out by the radiance and the gauntlet reverted back into the tattoo. That was the last thing Burai remembered before blacking out and collapsed.
"Yeah…I remember now…"
"Seriously, knowing you, you would probably be up and kicking after a good rest but it still had us all sweating bullets." As Izayoi said that, Burai looked to the rest of the room.
Yo, Asuka and Lily occupying the sofa; Kuro Usagi resting her head on the large table; at the end of the bed Yuugure and Yuuyake were sleeping soundly leaning on Yasuragi's shoulder; and right next to the bed was Leticia. After all that, all of them must be completely worn out, yet judging from all the medical kits on the table they must have stayed up until late after that due to worrying about him.
"I see…I made you all worried huh…" reaching out his hand, Burai brushed Leticia's fringe aside before gently patting her on the head.
"Sure as hell did." Izayoi then sighed.
"So then, lad."
"Hm?"
"What's with the guard outside the door? Are we expecting someone whose reception requires force, or are they keeping someone in?" hearing the question, Izayoi then closed the book he was reading. He knew that nothing could get pass Burai unnoticed, but because he knew that it's him there's no need to hide anything.
"I'd say it's the latter. As for the full detail,"
"I will answer that." Interrupting Izayoi's words, out of thin air an old man wearing a bowler hat appeared. No sound nor forewarning, he just appeared there before anyone could notice anything out of place. The tailcoat God who governs over the boundary of life and death, Baron La Croix.
"First time meeting in person, Burai Kudoku. I am Baron La Croix, a member and strategist of the original No Name and currently acting as the advisor of the new No Name." he introduced himself but his usual attitude was replaced by a sharp glare toward Burai.
"Like wise, Bowler Hat. But I guess the pleasure is of neither of us." Burai also responded in kind with a glare showing that he refused to back down.
"Correct. Frankly speaking, after witnessing what you pulled off two days ago, I have every urge to eliminate you while you're recovering. For the safety of my Community and everyone else." The eye behind Croix's monocle seemed to grow brighter and gave off more and more malice as he spoke.
"Oh really? Then it seems you missed your shot."
Izayoi was ready to jump in and intervene at a moment notice but Burai motioned his hand to stop him. The two stared at each other for a while, until Croix was the one to break the silence again.
"Come, we will take this conversation somewhere else as there are others who want to talk with you." Tipping his bowler hat, Baron La Croix disappeared just as abrupt as when he appeared.
"One whimsical fellow the original Community has." Getting down from the bed, Burai poked fun at croix.
"Nah, just now was rather monotonous. Wait until you see him cut loose completely." Izayoi added in, speaking from his experience. The two then quietly went for the door. Outside, Croix was waiting and the guard seemed to have been dismissed by him.
"Follow me." He said and started walking first.
The floor they were on was used exclusively for royalties of the Vampire, or the Draculea family. Its former glory had been restored somewhat by the red carpet and exquisite works of craftsmanship. As the three walked along the hallway, they came to a section where they can see the lower floors.
Because Kouen City was in no shape to be called habitable, the Airborne Citadel acted as a temporary refuge camp. Both the refugees and those who took part in the battle were currently having breakfast in the longue while chatting happily.
"Your contribution in the battle and how we all are still alive are undeniable. That I offer my sincerest gratitude." Without turning around, Croix spoke up.
"However, the fact remained that you overstepped into the Demon Lord realm. Your power alone is already enough to warrant the title, but the abuse of Host Authority was the final nail on the coffin."
"Overstepping into the Demon Lord realm huh…That idiot also did the same before going out in glory…" Burai was probably referring to Jack. Hearing that, Izayoi also clenched his fist and Croix just pulled his hat down slightly as a way to show his sympathy.
"Tell me one thing, Burai Kudoku. According to Izayoi-chan you shouldn't possessed any Host Authority. Then how?"
"Probably during that lizard's last moment. I will continue his legacy, that I'm the next one in line was his last will and the Host Authority is the proof of inheritance."
"So Azi Dahaka transferred his Host Authority to you."
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"Right now, this arm ain't exactly my flesh alone. The Host Authority was transferred to the Gift, the thing residing inside this arm. Rahu or that's what it called itself. In its current state, I am in control so it can't run rampage however it pleased."
"But if it had devoured enough Gift and grew stronger in power and hunger like what happened back then, it will break out of its shackle and start fighting for supremacy of the whole body."
"So that Gift is like a parasite. A vicious one."
"That's the short version, yes."
As the trio walked and talked, they have arrived at the destination. The room which was used as the command center during the battle. Two guards from Salamandra then opened the door when Croix nodded to them.
"We're here. Come in." the two followed Croix inside, and seated at the big table waiting for them were, beside the No Name, all the most powerhouses who took part in the battle against Azi Dahaka.
Floor Master of the East, Great Sage who Devastates Sea – Kouryuu.
Floor Master of the South, Leader of Draco Greif Alliance – Sarah Doltrake.
Leader of the Golden Garuda – Karyou.
With Sandra currently MiA and the Salamandra Community currently recuperating from the battle, the authority and jurisdiction of the Floor Master of the North was temporarily transferred to Croix.
As the door closed behind them, Croix walked to the seat of the Host and tapped his cane on the ground three times to signal the start of the meeting.
"Now, untitled Demon Lord, Burai Kudoku. Your contribution during the battle against the Last Embryo – Azi Dahaka was truly the most valiant. However, you have showed sign of deprivation into a Demon Lord. So, a compromise on how we should deal with you in the future is the purpose of this meeting."
"Oy Reaper, what's the meaning of this?!" Izayoi asked in a nearly shouting tone. Because no matter how you slice it, this situation is just absurd. Treating a comrade who turned Demon Lord like a criminal, disregarding all of their previous contributions. To the Outlanders like them, maybe. To those originating from Little Garden, not really. Then again, extraordinary is but a daily live ordinary in Little Garden.
"Calm down, lad. This is just for formality." Seated on the right of the two was Kouryuu who just spoke up.
"Formality?" as Izayoi was still a little bit dumbfounded, Sarah then joined into the conversation.
"It's true that the job of the Floor Masters is to deal with Demon Lords, but we still haven't stoop as low as to forget the meaning of gratitude."
"As I thought, it was all an act. Isn't that right, Bowler Hat?" when Burai asked, his and Izayoi's stare were both placed on Croix. Pulling his bowler hat down enough to cover his eyes, Croix was silent for a while before flashing a wide smile and raised his face.
"Kihahahahaha! I wanted to intimidate you two a bit, but it seemed the result was anything but satisfaction." Having his plan foiled, yet Croix's still raised his face up to the sky and laughed like a madman. Seem like 'whimsical' is but an understatement for someone like this Tailcoat Reaper.
"So, is that his not-monotonous self?"
"No comment on that. Anyway, since when did you see through his farce?"
"Since the moment he said he has every urge to eliminate me, but didn't do anything and let the chance slip by. A favorite saying of someone I know,"
"A good strategist will devise elaborate plan and tactic to achieve victory. A master strategist will eliminate any and all potential obstacle, to make sure even the simplest plan is infallible."
"The fact that he's the strategist of the former Community means he's on the latter, a master strategist. Then the only plausible explanation for his action is an act. Well, not like anything that he can dish out is going to work on me."
Croix's laughter went on for a good while before calming down. Finally, he cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention as if the reason the meeting got derailed wasn't caused by him.
"So, it is as you can see. In the first place we have intended to turn a blind eye on your case, but it is the task of Floor Masters to deal with Demon Lords so this meeting is just for the sake of formality."
"The reason we invited you here today is because we need to have a better understanding on the new Gift that you acquired, and the origin of the new Host Authority."
"You should be grateful. Never before has there been a Demon Lord who abused their Host Authority and still get to have a saying in deciding their fate." Said Karyou while exhaling sharply.
"Well then, enough with the chitchat and let's cut right to the main topic, shall we?"
"Alright." Burai then explained to them everything that he knows about the new Gift, Eater of Sun and Moon – Rahu. About its origin, working mechanism, applications, potential threat, and about the fact that the Gift will have its own sentient should its power and hunger grow big enough.
Being one of the nine major astronomical bodies Navagraha, its origin and other essential information can be found in the old Buddhism and Hinduism text and records. And with the help of the Laplace Little Demon, there are no piece of information that they cannot get a hold of beside a few exceptions.
The working mechanism and applications are rather simple for such a powerful Gift. Its power and hunger will grow bigger the stronger the devoured Gift is, and it can devour anything and everything be it material, astral or even concept as shown when Khvarenah, the Solar and Lunar Dragon were devoured without a trace.
Currently, the Rahu had displayed a total of three forms.
The serpent form when the needs to devour other Gifts arise in order to grow stronger. In this form, the Rahu takes form as a giant black serpent and can fight independently without Burai's instruction. As long as its hunger and power haven't grow too much, it seems that Burai has complete control and can order it to fight in tandem with him.
Gauntlet form, just like its name depicted the Rahu transforms into a black gauntlet with a serpent design motif covering Burai's entire left arm. In this form, it cannot devour anything that is three times bigger and above than Burai, but its power is more concentrated and is easier to control and to avoid collateral damage or unintended target.
The third form was after the two Solar and Lunar Dragon were devoured. Back then, the gauntlet seemed to have…evolved. It took on a more hideous appearance like a genuinely living serpent rather than just the motif. It was during this time that the Rahu started to fighting for supremacy of the whole body.
However, it was due to the antagonism of the Rahu with the Sun and Moon of the dragon's origin that it was able to grow that much in such a short time. So as long as it doesn't consume too many powerful Gifts at once, it should be under control.
Even then, the potential threats still exist. A Gift that will have its own sentient and fight for the supremacy of the whole body, and the fact that the Host Authority was transferred to it is currently the biggest problem to them. As seen back then, the Rahu will not hesitate to abuse the Host Authority when cut loose and should it on the off chance managed to take over Burai completely…
"I see. That Gift really is like a poison, one without a cure"
"And we can't really cut the arm off either. While that negate the chance of the main body being taken over, we can't tell how it will react in such situation."
"Leaving it as is isn't a choice either. This really is a headache." As the six of them were discussing, another voice joined into the conversation.
"Actually, I have suggestion for this." The door was then opened by the two guards standing outside, and one of them walked in, carrying in his hand the Laplace Little Demon, or Lapko Commander II.
"Lapko, do you have some solution to this?" Croix asked.
"I wouldn't call it a solution just yet, and it may sound rather crazy. But here's what I have in mind."
"Let him lend a hand on helping the Floor Masters deal with Demon Lords." Hearing Lapko's suggestion, everyone had their eyes widened.
"Can you elaborate on that?"
"Right now, we're only scratching the surface of this new Gift. Even I am lacking a lot of information on it. We have no method to get rid of it, while let it be until trouble break out and it would already be too late trying to fix it. So why not put it to good use?"
"As you all have seen, that firepower is a valuable asset to have. So instead of trying to restrain it, we will let it have some freedom while still keeping it under close watch. That way we can gather information to figure out the best course of action." they all let out a sound of admiration toward what Lapko had in mind.
True, locking a beast in a cage and its anger will pent up, then someday it will undoubtedly break free, releasing massive devastation. But let it be in the wilderness and who knows what kind of power it can amass. So the best solution is to let it be free within the range of one's observant eyes. As expected of the omniscient demon.
"Dealing with other Demon Lords, you say. Heh, not that I'm complaining, in fact I like it. Still, I got some conditions of my own."
"Reasonable. We need your cooperation the most in this so let's hear it."
"First, I have complete freedom of act."
"Accepted."
"Second, the information about the Demon Lord that is about to dealt with will be shared with the entire No Name."
"Reason?"
"The lot from Ouroboros that we encountered in Kouen City wasn't the ones who defeated the former No Name three years ago, based on that shitty brat's reaction. So it must be a different one, possibly from the higher ups. The faster we get hold of their identities, the faster we can knock them off their high horse. That the reason why the four of us were summoned, is it not?"
"Hm…A little demanding, but acceptable. Anything else?"
"One last thing, if I'm ever started to show sign of losing control, the lad will be the one to stop me."
"Elaborate."
"His power proved to be the bane of this thing existence. Back then it was the only Gift that was not devoured by the gauntlet even after consuming the Solar and Lunar Dragon."
"Accepted."
Shortly after that, the meeting was concluded and everyone then left the room, excepted for the duo who was summoned. Back there, Izayoi was really surprised but he held back. Now that there was no one left in the room beside them, he asked.
"Are you sure about that? Are you sure it's me?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Because it's you, that I can ask of this request."
Once again, Izayoi was reminded about the conversation he had with and the request that Garol asked of him. Strike him down? What he wanted is a duel, fair and square. Why is it him? Why must it be him? Is it because he's the Hero? Is it because of this destiny that he must bear, this torch with blinding light that he must carry?
Looking at Izayoi from the corner of his eye, Burai saw that he was making a complicated and somewhat pained expression. Thinking that the way he put it might have caused some misunderstanding, he rephrased his words.
"I'm not asking you to take me down or kill me though. I see death as an easy way out, so I will never ask anyone to end my live nor will I end it myself."
"If that's not the case, then what?"
"I'm asking you to have my back. Things that these eyes can't see, things that these hands can't reach, I need someone to ease those worries for me."
"So if there's ever a time when I'm too deep into the dark, I'll be counting on you to shed some light on me, okay?"
Ah…so it's that. Not a mission where he has to carry all the burden on his shoulders alone, but a request to share the weight together. Not by the work of some vague thing like a destiny that he must bear, but stemming from the comradeship that they have. This…is what he has always wanted. A favor based on trust between two on equal standing.
"Have your back, you say. Hahahaha! Alright, I accept your request! But I'll also have a condition of my own though."
"Of course, I do not intend to ask you to do it for free."
"From what a lot of people have been saying, I carry the torch, the light that will secure the future for humanity. But right now, to me this light is too dazzling, too blinding."
"When you're too deep in the dark, I'll shed some light on you. So in return, when the light is too dazzling, I'll be counting on you to be the shade where I can rest under." Speaking with an adamant tone, Izayoi reached out his clenched fist. Understanding the meaning of that gesture, Burai also did the same.
"Got it. From now on, we will have each other back."
And with a bump of their fists, the pact between the two of them had been formed.
The stronger the light casts, the greater the dark falls.
But without the shadow, everything will be scorched by the light
And without the light, the beauty of the night will never be known.
Constantly conflicting, but always in harmony.