Chapter 25

Passing the Torch

Akira sat alone in Captain Fargo's ready room, staring out of the large viewport into the dark sea beyond. Sweat beaded on his leathery skin, which had turned ashen in just a couple of hours. A pod of dolphins swam back and forth across the viewport, looking into the Chimera at Akira in the dim light of the ready room. A weak, but satisfied smile graced Akira's lips as he watched the dolphins. "Patience, my friends," he mumbled to them. "It won't be long now." A broken cough erupted from his lungs that brought up blood. "Not long at all." As he spoke, Kagami entered the room.

"Dad, why are you sitting here in the dark?" she asked.

Akira swiveled his chair to face his daughter. "You already know the answer to that question, my precious daughter. My time is up."

Kagami gasped as she saw the specter of death in his face. Her face fell with her spirit into the abyss of dark despair. "No," she cried, rushing to his side and dropping to her knees at his feet. "You can't die, not yet! We still need you. I need you." Tears gushed forth uncontrollably. "There has to be another way!"

"Oh Kagami," he said softly, stroking her long soft hair as her head lay on his knee. "You don't need me. You never have. But now you must be strong, and let me go. My race is run, and the finish line is just steps away. I've cheated death long enough. Izanami has called me home. I must go."

"But Dad," Kagami bawled. "You are my life! What will I do without you? It's not fair!"

"I know," he replied. "Life is seldom fair. Good people die needlessly, while evil people live on perpetrating their hate against others. Our world is rife with it. But that is all about to change. The world as everyone knows it will be forever changed when this over."

"I understand that," she murmured. "I know we're going through the birth of a new era. But what will I do without you? I love you."

Akira sighed and embraced his daughter. "I love you, too. But you will do what you must, as I must. This is our way: the way of the diclonius. I can no more defy death than you can." He broke into a fit of deep coughing that set his lungs on fire. Akira clenched his chest in agony until the coughing fit ceased. Slumping in the chair, blood drooled from the corners of his mouth as his breath became more labored. Kagami held him until the coughing fit ceased, wiping the blood with a handkerchief. She tried to heal him, but saw his condition was beyond remedy. When he gained his breath to speak, he said, "You can do nothing for me, Kagami. Time has caught up with me. But know that I have always loved you. I loved your mother more than you could ever know. You were the greatest blessing ever to come to me. I never regretted what I did. However, now is the time for us to part. This will be your greatest trial. Never give up your faith in humanity."

"But Dad," Kagami whimpered. "How will I live without you? I'll be all alone."

"No, my precious daughter," Akira retorted weakly. "You will not be alone. You have a family you are completely unaware of. Your mother was Kohta's aunt. You and he are cousins. Fate has truly woven an intricate tapestry of our lives."

Kagami stared in utter amazement. "Kohta is my cousin?" she asked, mouthing the words to be sure she understood them.

"Yes," Akira reaffirmed. "So you are not alone. Your cousin will become the King of all Diclonius, and like you, he is a hybrid, so you are not alone. Did you ever wonder why you felt so comfortable around him, like you could tell him anything, like somehow he was family?"

Kagami wiped her tears and nodded. "Yes," she admitted. "From the moment we first met, I had this strange feeling we were connected somehow. Why didn't you tell me, Dad?"

A gurgling rose from Akira as he said, "Because you weren't ready for the truth. Now is the time when all veneers will be stripped away and the terrible truth of our world will be exposed. You are now ready for this truth. I've been preparing you since you were born for this day. Yours is a unique path. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Kagami stared at her father, floating in the realization that she wouldn't be alone. "I think so. But I don't want to lose you, Dad."

Akira took his daughter into his arms and gently embraced her. "You will never lose me, Kagami. What I am is inside you. Everything I am resides within your genetic structure, even my connection to the Collective. As long as you have your connection to the Collective, you will never lose me. Now, can I give you some advice?" She nodded. Akira cleared is lungs once again and said weakly, "Always follow your heart, wherever it takes you. You will not go wrong with Duncan. He will love and protect you forever. It's okay for you to be with him."

Kagami gasped, and then beamed with excitement. She lavished a grateful hug on Akira. "Oh thank you, Dad. Thank you. I was so afraid that you wouldn't approve of Duncan and I being together."

"Not at all, Kagami," Akira returned with a smile. "I have seen his heart and mind. He is wise beyond his years. From the moment he came to us, Duncan has been partial to you in particular. It is an honor for him to be your lover and sworn protector. But there is something else I want you to do too."

"What is it, Dad?" she asked. "Anything."

"I want you to trust Kohta and Lucy explicitly," Akira ordered softly. "They're your family, your very blood, and family is a power thing. Pay attention to them, but also watch Bandoh very carefully. He has an agenda known only to him. I am suspicious of his plan."

"You don't trust him?" Kagami asked.

"Absolutely not," Akira whispered hoarsely. "I fear he may betray our cause, so we must act as if he will. I have a plan of my own that I've not shared with anyone. It's time for me to share it. Can you go get both the captains, Dr. Ravenclaw, Kohta, Lucy, Charlene, Tao, Li Mei, Duncan, Draco, Phillip, Elle, and Saito? Bring them here quickly. My time is running out."

"Are you going to be all right, Dad?" Kagami queried in a concerned tone.

"I'll be okay. But you must be quick," Akira answered. "Kohta must be here for my final rites. Promise me something, Kagami."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Don't hold a grudge against Kohta when he performs my final rites," Akira said. "I wish to go out in this manner. Promise me."

"I promise, dad," Kagami whimpered, tears running down her cheeks. "I could no more hate Kohta than you."

Akira patted her on the hand. "Good girl…now go and bring them here." Kagami kissed him on the cheek and left. A rattling sigh escaped his lips. He felt his strength draining away as water down a sink. He turned his chair to the viewport, seeing the pod of dolphins still milling around the window, watching. One exceptionally large dolphin swam up to the glass and looked Akira in the eye. He stared back with a weak smile. "I know, my friend. Soon you will see the rise of a titan who will save us all."

Within minutes, Kohta and Lucy entered the ready room, seeing Akira leaning back in the chair, staring out into the dark sea beyond the viewport. "Kohta, Lucy, come in. Please, come in," Akira called out in a weak, broken voice.

Kohta and Lucy rushed to him. When he swiveled his chair around, both Kohta and Lucy recoiled in horror. Akira's features were ashen and sunken. His lips were blue, but his sunken eyes burned with an intensity that surprised Kohta and Lucy. "Akira, what happened to you? You look like you're one step above dead." Lucy asked.

"That's because I am, my queen," Akira replied. "As I told you before, since Yoshitora unleashed the Fury, I have been unable to counter the cancer that has been eating me alive. Now, it has about run its course."

"Is there anything we can do?" Lucy asked softly, kneeling down at his feet. She sensed the impending tragedy, and the loss of a great diclonius warrior.

"There is, my queen," Akira whispered in a hoarse voice. "The time has come for me to pass on my knowledge and piece of the Collective to Master Kohta. When I tell you, will you accommodate me, Kohta? Do not let me die without passing on what I know directly to you. Will you do that for me?"

Tears welled up in Kohta's eyes as he knelt down beside Lucy. He touched Akira on the knee. "I'd rather not kill you," Kohta murmured sorrowfully. "You're my friend, and more like a father to me than anyone I've ever met. But, if you insist, I will."

"Look at me, Kohta," Akira ordered. Kohta looked Akira in the eye. "You are not killing me, Kohta," Akira stated. "You're freeing me. This body is already dead. Within the hour, the cancer will end my life on this plane. It will be an excruciatingly painful death too. I do not wish to die that lingering death. Besides, Izanami has called me home. Only when I perform this last sacrifice will I get to go home to her."

"But how do I do it?" Kohta asked. "I've never killed someone with a vector before. I don't want to dishonor you with a messy death."

"Never fear, my son," Akira said. "I shall teach you." Akira sent out one vector that touched Kohta's frontal lobe.

Lucy tensed, but relaxed slightly when Kohta said, "It's all right, Lucy. He's just teaching me what to do."

"He'd better be," Lucy growled, ready to pounce.

"Never fear, my queen," Akira reassured as he pulled back his vector. "The fastest way for Kohta to learn how to do what I want is for me to impart the knowledge directly to his mind with my vector. I have done this many times. Do you know what to do now, Master Kohta?"

Kohta gasped Akira's hand firmly. "Yes, Master Akira. I do. Thank you for showing me how to do it. I feel much better about the mechanics of this process now, though I still don't feel right about doing it. It's my human side that objects to this."

"I know it does," Akira stated. "But you know it's the only way. Even now, I feel the cancer eating my heart and lungs. Even worse, the Fury is creeping up on me, and I have no way to counter it. If we wait until I die of natural causes, the Fury will take what I want to give you. We must not let that happen."

"I agree," Kohta murmured.

"Good, you understand why I'm asking this now," Akira replied. "I have always thought of you as a son, Kohta. But now I have something vitally important to tell you. When I am gone, I want you and Lucy to watch out for Kagami. She's feeling particularly vulnerable right now, and you're the only blood family she'll have left once I'm gone."

"We will look after her," Lucy promised. "You have my word on it."

"I really appreciate that, Lucy," Akira said softly after clearing his lungs.

"What do you mean?" Kohta asked sharply.

"Kohta, Kagami's mother is your mother's older sister," Akira declared. "Kagami is your cousin."

Kohta staggered as if punched in the belly. He reached out, grasping onto Lucy for stability. "Are you all right, Kohta?" Lucy asked.

"I don't know," Kohta whispered. Turning to Akira, he asked, "She's my cousin? How can this be? I thought I was all that was left of my family aside from Yuka."

"Your mother was the fourth of six siblings, four girls and two boys," Akira explained. "Your mother's sister, Kia, was the first-born and nearly twenty years older than your mother, Tasha. Tasha lost track of Kia when Kia moved out of Japan when she was seventeen. I met Kia in Singapore almost seventy years ago and married her. I loved her deeply, especially when she gave me Kagami. Kia died twenty years ago, just before you were born, Kohta. Because of Kagami, I began to monitor Kia's siblings, thus I became aware of both you and Yuka. I hoped to bring you together as a family at some point, especially after what happened between you and Lucy as children." Akira paused for a few moments, catching his breath and clearing is lungs again. "The point is I have been watching you since you were born, Kohta. I know how alone you felt. Kagami has felt the same way. But I want you to know that you are not alone, and you have a cousin in Kagami. She loves you as a brother, Kohta."

Kohta suddenly looked at Lucy. The shock on his face turned to a bright smile. "Did you hear that, Lucy? I have another cousin I didn't even know I had. We're not alone in this, Lucy! We have a family!" He swept Lucy up in a passionate embrace. "But you are my love and life, Lucy. Only in you am I complete. Thank you."

Lucy hesitated for a moment, and then responded to the hug. She could feel the love and excitement towards her and for finding an unknown family member bubbling out of him. It melted her icy heart further.

"See the power of humanity, Lucy," Akira said, noticing the love emanating from Kohta. "Let it embrace you and melt the icy fury of your heart. See how the love and life of Izanami causes the Fury to flee. Embrace it, my queen."

Lucy let go of her inhibition and embraced Kohta's excitement. Tears rose in her eyes, and a puzzled expression crossed her face. "Kohta, you have such love and life in you," she whispered. "I don't understand it, but I love you for it. You have saved me from my own dark hell. I wish to be…"

Kohta cupped her face with his hands, pulling her close until they touched foreheads. "Lucy, will you marry me. Fargo has the authority to do it. Will you marry me right now? I accept you as you are, no conditions. The past is gone. All we have is the now and the future. I can think of no one else with which I'd rather spend it."

Lucy's eyes grew wide. A gasp followed.

"We are destined for this, Lucy," Kohta continued. "We are both splendidly wounded, by each other and the world that rejected us. Only together can we heal our wounds and the world. Please say yes."

Lucy closed her eyes and clenched her head with her hands. A scream erupted as Kohta held her tight. Lucy went limp, having passed out.

"Lucy, Lucy!" Kohta called to her.

"She has switched personalities," Akira declared. "She couldn't handle the love you generated. You must go after her, Kohta. The time to heal her fractured mind is now." As he spoke, Kagami returned with Fargo, Guildo, Dr. Ravenclaw, Charlene, Tao, Li Mei, Duncan, Draco, Phillip, Elle, and Saito.

"What's wrong?" Fargo asked, rushing forward upon hearing Lucy's cry.

Before Kohta or Akira could answer, a mature voice rose from Lucy as she woke. "Lucy is still having trouble accepting Kohta's unrestricted love. He just asked her to marry him."

Kohta recognized the voice. "Kaeda, is that you?" he asked while helping her sit up.

Kaeda reached out, caressing Kohta's jaw. "Yes, Kohta, it's me. Lucy retreated because of your offer. She truly wants your love and will marry you, but you need to give her time. But because of what's going on, I took control so we may deal with the problem at hand. Help me up, Kohta." Kohta helped Kaeda to her feet.

"Why have you come forward, Kaeda?" Akira asked. "You've never let yourself be seen like this before. What has changed?"

"You have, old man," Kaeda said coolly. "You have served Izanami well, Akira. But now you're slipping away. You must fulfill this last task before the Fury takes you. I came out to make sure that you did as Izanami ordered."

"Is Lucy here too?" Kohta asked.

"Yes, Kohta," Kaeda answered. "I am here at her request, and so is Nyu and Lucy's Fury. They watch as this drama unfolds. Time is precious, Kohta. Akira needs to set his affairs in order now." Turning to Akira, "It's time for your plan, General. Reveal it so you can make the final journey to Izanami at Kohta's hand."

"So true," Akira murmured in a broken, raspy voice. "Now that you are all here, I can reveal the truth of what is happening." A deep silence dropped over the ready room, broken only by Akira's raspy breathing. "Bandoh is not to be trusted."

"I think we all agree on that assessment," Duncan stated venomously.

"But it's worse than you think," Akira stated. "Bandoh has the blackest darkness I've ever encountered. His life is filled with betrayal, anger, and hate. He doesn't know the power of love or friendship. As a result, he is a dangerous predator with allegiance only to himself. His hatred of Lucy is only surpassed by that of Yoshitora. The plan we agreed upon is a perfect chance for him to get rid of both his enemies at the same time."

"You suggest that he will betray us to the King, and kill whoever wins the fight. Am I correct?" Guildo asked.

"Yes, Captain Guildo," Akira answered. "I do. Therefore, we must act as if this is his plan and make a plan of our own."

"What do you suggest?" Tao asked.

"I have been planning for this contingency since Bandoh came to my attention," Akira wheezed. He coughed, spitting blood into a handkerchief to given him by Kagami. When he cleared his lungs, he continued. "We must use Bandoh's arrogance and hate as a weapon. We will follow the plan he suggested. But once we leave the Chimera, the other two teams will split up and come in on different approaches than what he suggested. Also, the makeup of the other two teams must change. I suggest that we let Kohta go in with one team and Lucy another. That way, we can avoid the possibility of both being captured at the same time. Is this agreeable?"

Kaeda's face fell at the suggestion, and then went blank for a few seconds as Lucy stepped back into control. "I don't like it," Lucy said bluntly. "We are more powerful together than separately." Akira noticed the change, along with everyone else present.

"And so you are, Lucy," Akira agreed. "But I have a wild card I'm fixing to play here. Kohta has no military experience. I, on the other hand, have eighty-seven years of it first-hand. The sands in my glass are about out. Kohta has offered me the final rites. When I do this, all my knowledge, power, and military skill will become his own, vastly increasing his power to a level nearly on par with your own, my Queen."

"Ahh, I see what you're doing," Fargo crowed. "Bandoh doesn't know about this. He will think that Kohta's still a novice diclonius hybrid."

"Indeed," Akira stated. "Moreover, Bandoh will not suspect Kohta's power level because when he takes my life and power, he will know exactly how to shield his power level from everyone. Bandoh will not expect this, so when he betrays us, he will have a rude awakening."

"You're laying a trap for Bandoh, aren't you?" Lucy asked.

"That I am, my Queen, and for Yoshitora," Akira stated. "Bandoh will know of the last minute change in team membership. He'll not be able to resist the temptation to spring his trap when you and Kohta are separated. When he does, Lucy, they will take you to Yoshitora. Don't fight them. If what I'm planning works, by time Bandoh springs his trap on Kohta, Kohta will have enough power to sway the lower level diclonius to our side with his very presence. Lower level diclonius will always migrate to the strongest diclonius power in a given area."

Lucy's lips slowly curled into a tight smile as Kohta asked, "How will I do that?"

"Everything you need to know about the plan will be passed on to you when I die," Akira stated. "Up until the time you and Lucy are captured, you must completely hide your essence from everyone. When the capture takes place, just as with Lucy, don't resist them when they take you to Yoshitora. When you get into his presence, then you reveal your power and every diclonius on the island who questions Yoshitora will turn on him, weakening him enough for you and Lucy to separate the Fury from Rayden. But you must work as a team to do this."

"And what will Bandoh do when he finds his plan wrecked?" Lucy asked.

"For the good of everyone, he must die," Akira replied bluntly. "But that is a decision I will leave to you, my Queen. His darkness is something that cannot be allowed to persist in combination with diclonius power."

"I will not kill him unless absolutely necessary," Kohta declared. "There has been far too much killing. It has to stop somewhere."

"I agree," Akira murmured, coughing deeply after speaking. "Like I said, I'll leave it to you and Lucy as to how best to deal with Bandoh. But know you have a strict timeline to do this. You must get in and out with Mayu before the reactor explodes."

"Right," Kohta said, feeling just a little more confident.

"Is there anything else?" Lucy asked coolly.

"One last thing for you, my Queen," Akira whispered, his voice cracking and growing weaker by the minute. "Before you land at the Institute, you need to go to the shrine at the headlands just north of the island. Two royals, Tanya and Dimitri, who were your enemies, have turned to you. They will assist you. Besides, both Bandoh and Yoshitora will not expect you to come in from the north." He coughed, spitting blood into the handkerchief. Looking Lucy in the eye, he said, "I know this is not what you hoped for. But I promise you one thing. If you and Kohta pull this off, you will never be hunted again and our kind will be finally accepted into the human world. Is this not worth the risk? Our only alternative is annihilation of all life on this planet. We cannot let that happen."

Lucy sighed. "I still don't like this. But like everyone else here, it seems I have no choice if I want to live."

"No one here likes this any more than you do," Charlene stated. "But we're all behind you. I believe Akira's plan may have a high probability of success."

"But no plan is flawless," Saito stated. "Everyone must be on their toes and ready to adapt if something goes wrong."

"Agreed," Guildo stated. "We will all be ready to do what we must."

"And I'm sure you will," Akira whispered hoarsely. "But I feel the reaper tapping me on the shoulder. I have one last thing to say before Kohta performs my final rites. Duncan, Kagami, please come here." Duncan and Kagami stepped forward and knelt at Akira's feet. "Duncan, I want you to take care of Kagami for me. I know you've loved her since you first laid eyes on her. She is yours, my son. When I am gone, be there for her and for Lucy and Kohta's family for Kagami is Kohta's cousin."

Gasps escaped the crowd as Duncan touched Akira on the knee. "It will be done, my master. I sincerely appreciate this declaration of love and family. It will be done as you have ordered."

"Okay, it is time," Akira whispered. He offered his hand to Kagami. "You may hold my hand, my daughter as I pass on to Izanami." He saw her tears and said, "Don't cry, princess. I will always be with you."

Turning to Kohta, he nodded. "Okay, Master Kohta. I'm ready." Looking at Lucy, he whispered, "Embrace your choice as he sends me to Izanami, my Queen, to help him disperse the rising Fury in me."

Tears rose in Lucy's eyes. "I want you to know that I see you now as the father I never had. Thank you, old man."

"You're welcome," Akira wheezed. "It's time to do it, Kohta. Do it now."

Kohta knelt down and held Akira's hands with Kagami. Lucy knelt down and wrapped her arms around Kohta while everyone gathered around them to witness the passing of a diclonius giant. Unknown to everyone except Akira, they were about to witness the rise of a new titan. The room became dead silent, as Kohta looked Akira in the eye. Akira nodded as Kohta said, "In accordance with your wishes, I release you, Master Akira Nariko. Go to Izanami and be at peace." Kohta's vectors plunged painlessly into Akira's brain, unhooking his pain receptors while shutting down the vital organs, followed by a severing of the main arteries feeding the brain.

"Thank you, my son," Akira whispered as he felt Kohta shut down his brain. In two seconds, his eyes glazed over, his breath stopped with his heart, and his body went limp. A peaceful look covered his face as grim death took him. Kohta withdrew his vector, and broke into sobs with Kagami. With tears in his eyes, Duncan reached out, closing Akira's eyes with his hand.

"So passes the greatest diclonius to ever walk since Izanami," Fargo said solemnly. "He will be sorely missed." He flashed a formal salute, something everyone standing around did.

Suddenly, a glowing mist began pouring out of Akira's nose and mouth, startling Kohta. Kagami recoiled, backing away. "The transfer is happening. Everyone back up!" When she saw Kohta shaking in fear, letting go of Akira's hand, she said, "It's okay, Kohta. Just accept his gift. Don't fear it."

"She's right," Lucy stated as everyone backed away from her, Kohta, and Akira. "This is what happens when we kill one of our own. I'm here to help."

Kohta felt his courage rise and grabbed Akira's hand again. The glowing mist then seemed to rise out of every part of Akira's body. It started flowing up Kohta's arm, enveloping him as Lucy backed off for a moment, waiting for the right moment to assist.

"Feel his energy, life, knowledge, and power as they enter you," Lucy whispered in Kohta's ear. "Let it fill you from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head."

"It hurts," Kohta growled, feeling the energy flowing into him. "I feel like I'm on fire, just like the time when I first manifested my vectors. God damn this hurts!"

"The more powerful the diclonius, the more it hurts when you absorb their power," Lucy said. "Believe me, I know. That's why I'm here."

Kohta's tears of grief became tears of excruciating pain. The glowing mist flowed into every part of him as it flowed out of Akira's body. Kohta's pain level grew exponentially until he let go of Akira's hand, collapsing on the floor. He curled up in a fetal position, crying hysterically in pain. The glowing mist kept coming from Akira for what seemed like an eternity to him.

Lucy saw the crescendo of the transfer fast approaching. She shouted, "Everyone back away and get down. When the release comes, it's not going to be pretty!" Everyone took cover at the edges of the room, getting down. Lucy saw the last of the mist flow from Akira to Kohta. She sat on the floor and dragged him into her lap, holding him tight.

"Freezing, so cold," Kohta moaned, "but I'm on fire…feel like I'm going to explode!"

"Release the Fury back to where it belongs," Lucy whispered in his ear. "It's like letting go of a rock. Let it go."

Kohta suddenly saw not only every bad thing that had happened to him, but every bad thing to have ever occurred to Akira. He clenched his eyes shut, but he still saw everything. Then he saw every horrible thing that occurred to every diclonius that Akira had dispatched in his 118 years of life. Tears poured from his eyes as a rumble of rage rose from his toes. As the rage was about to overwhelm him, every good thing Akira had done flooded in, showing his love and kindness towards humanity. Then Kohta saw Akira's piece of the Collective as it snapped into the piece given to him with Lucy's blood. Izanami's image fell into his mind. "Release the Fury of Ages and be one with Akira and us," Izanami said.

Kohta's eyes bolted open as he looked at the ceiling. A wailing roar rose from him, followed by a pulse of telekinetic energy that trashed the entire ready room, shaking the Chimera from bow to stern. Lucy held him tight, trying to help him disperse the ages of Fury built up in Akira. In thirty seconds, Kohta's scream subsided to a whimper. He lay in Lucy's arms, completely drained of strength. Fargo and the others approached and circled around him as he looked up into Lucy's maroon eyes. A hint of a smile graced his lips. "I understand now," he whispered.

"Understand what?" Lucy asked.

"Everything," Kohta murmured. "But I'm so tired."

"You should be," Fargo stated, kneeling down next to them and touching Kohta on the arm. "Master Akira was this world's most powerful diclonius until Lucy came along. You just absorbed 118 years of his life in a few minutes. I'm frankly astonished you survived it since you aren't a full-blood diclonius."

Kagami knelt down opposite of Fargo and held Kohta's hand. A smile futilely disguised her grief. "Are you all right, Kohta?" she asked, genuinely concerned for him.

"I don't know," Kohta admitted. "I'm feeling so much weirder than I did when I awakened to my vectors. But I do understand it all now. Your father loved you so much. I know I'd never be able to replace him. But you have a place in our family. We promised him that before everyone gathered. Didn't we, Lucy."

"Yes, Kohta," Lucy said, astonished at the growing power she sensed in Kohta. "We did." She then looked at Kohta, asking, "Were you serious about marrying me, no questions asked?"

"Sure was," Kohta stated, feeling his strength start to rise as Akira's knowledge, memories, power, and skills began to find their optimum position within him. "I want you, in more ways than one. We must be one in order to finish this. Fargo, could you marry us right now, if Lucy is agreeable to it?"

"I can," Fargo said. "But it is up to Lucy. What do you say, my Queen?"

"As much as I'd like to, now is not the time," Lucy admitted. "We have to rescue Mayu and stop Sixty-six. But as soon as we do, yes."

"Fair enough," Kohta said. "God, I'm tired."

"Why don't you take him back to your quarters, Lucy," Kagami suggested. "Let him get rested up for the mission."

"Good idea," Li Mei said. "I'm sure you can help him recharge in time for the mission."

Lucy nodded and rose, using her vectors to support Kohta. "Let us know when to get ready," she ordered.

"We will," Fargo said. "Now go and tend to Kohta. We can handle things here. We'll put Akira's body in the morgue. When we're finished with this sordid business with Yoshitora, we'll give Master Akira the burial he deserves."

"That's good," Kohta called out. "I need to be there when you do it."

"Absolutely, Master Kohta," Fargo stated.

"One last thing," Kohta said. "Akira's plan is not to leave this room. Bandoh is not to know of what transpired here. Is that understood?"

"I think we all can agree on that," Guildo stated. "Now go and rest up. We need you, Master Kohta."

Kohta nodded. Within seconds, Lucy headed out the door and back to their quarters.

When Lucy and Kohta were gone, Fargo asked Guildo, "Have you ever seen anything like that before, Captain?"

"No," Guildo stated. "What we just saw was unprecedented. I believe what we just witnessed was the passing of a giant and the birth of a titan. No human has ever absorbed the essence of a diclonius , much less one of Master Akira's caliber. Something miraculous is happening here, something that may change the fate of our enterprise for the better. Did you feel the power level in Master Kohta after the transfer? I've never felt that kind of power before. It's definitely comparable to the Queen's power."

"No arguments there," Dr. Ravenclaw said. "Master Kohta is something this world has never seen before. The only question is how quickly will he be able to make use of the power Master Akira gave him. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I must see to our departed friend."

Fargo nodded as Ravenclaw gently used his vectors to carry Akira's body away. Turning to Kagami, Fargo asked, "Are you all right, Kagami? I know how close you were to your father."

Kagami wiped the tears from her eyes before answering. "I will be," she murmured. "It's going to take time. Fortunately, I have good friends who can help me in my time of need."

"You're not angry with Master Kohta for killing him?" Guildo asked bluntly.

"No," Kagami answered. "Kohta merely exercised my father's final wish. I don't hate him for killing my dad since my father was going to die within the hour anyway. I'm at peace with that. But it doesn't make it any easier losing a family member. I'm going to take great relish in watching them destroy that King. He's the reason for my father's death."

"So are we all," Fargo stated categorically, putting a compassionate arm around Kagami. "Together, Lucy and Kohta will finish this madness forever."

"I hope so," Kagami admitted.

A/N: Please forgive me for waiting so long to get this chapter up. I've had a death in the family and been engaged in an archaeology field school for college that took up nearly all my time. But I hope this chapter makes up for the wait.

Akira finally passes the torch to Kohta, giving him the power and ability to take his place and arise as Lucy's true King. Akira also warns of Bandoh's possible treachery and shares his plan to deal with it with the core of the diclonius resistance aboard the Chimera. Will his plan work and catch both Bandoh and the King of Furies off guard, or will they have plans of their own to counter Akira's plot? Moreover, will Kohta be able to utilize the entirety of Akira's skills and knowledge he received in the transfer before they reach the Institute, or will Akira's essence be too much for Kohta to handle? The clock ticks and the storm prepares to break on the Institute and world, a storm that will shake humanity to its foundations. Keep reading to find out if the Bloodstorm will engulf the world, or if Lucy and Kohta can stop an extinction level event of annihilation.

Beowulf Caverias