The pain came in waves. It was excruciating, their bodies were on fire, every fiber shaking with exhaustion as their hearts beat wildly; it felt as if they might burst apart at any moment. The fire in their flesh burned for an eternity, unending but for the brief moments when it became too much for their bodies to bear and for a time they couldn't feel anything.
The numbness was the worst part.
At least with the pain they were distracted from the disturbing images.
A wasteland of carnage stretched before them, bodies strewn in every direction. Futeki's corpse floated above it. So did Sango's. As did Rin's. Their children, their friends, all of the dead staring at them furiously.
No! They wailed, No, please stop! Make it stop!
Kohana and Ronuku had been connected, trapped in this dark world for what seemed like an eternity. They could no longer distinguish whose thoughts were whose.
Why? Why did they die? WHY?
Naraku! This is his fault! He killed them!
Bring them back! Please!
We have to stop that bastard! What did he do to them?
Hazy images came into view, pictures shrouded in shadow. Their hands shooting forward. Monks, trying to stop them.
Dozens.
Innocent men.
They looked down, their hands covered in blood. Blood they'd spilled.
Did we do this?
No, it was Naraku! This is his fault, we have to kill him! We have to get revenge!
Who were those men? Did they die?
The number of corpses in the field grew.
Another hazy image came into view. Someone with silver hair. Talking to them, trying to stop them. A furious white dog, they buried him. They destroyed him.
Oh god. Oh god no. Was that…Sesshomaru? We killed him?!
He deserved it. He didn't save Sango, he abandoned Futeki!
No. Nonono, not him not him! God no, what have we done?!
This was Naraku's fault, not ours! One more reason to stop him!
Their hearts raced faster and their limbs shook furiously. Naraku must die. They needed to kill, they needed to spill his blood and watch him suffer.
I agree, a silky voice spoke, someone that neither of them recognized, you must kill him. Nothing matters but your vengeance and destroying Naraku.
Was there a third person trapped in here?
Who are you? They asked.
Someone who shares your goals, the voice answered, I will help you. I will lend you my strength, all you have to do is continue to fight. Kill until there is nothing left; that is how you will destroy him.
Why should we trust you?
Take my assistance, the voice said, Do as I say and I will give you peace.
A sweet sensation washed over them, and all the pain seemed to ease at once. The faces that haunted them faded in the darkness, names forgotten and ties were erased. They didn't know who Naraku killed or why they mattered, that was no longer important.
Fight for me, the voice commanded, and I will end your suffering.
Yes, they agreed without a trace of doubt, the sweet freedom of peace too strong of a call. Tell us what we must do.
In order to stop Naraku you must take them all. Utter destruction is the only way to end this, I will show the way. Only then shall you be able to rest for good.
They had no arguments, couldn't think of a reason not to trust the voice.
They would follow its orders. Kill everyone, and then eternal rest.
That was all they knew.