YAMI NO MATSUEI - DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS

APOCALYPSE RISING

Chapter Thirty-Eight - Salve Nos

As soon as Tsuzuki materialized in Meifu, his blood froze once his gaze landed at the rubble which used to be the majority of the infirmary. He first thought that came across his mind as he instinctively clutched on to an unconscious Oriya, "Hisoka…."

Tsuzuki then ran as quickly as he could towards the still-standing portion of the infirmary with Oriya in tow. His heart pounded rapidly once more as he thought about that split-second lancing pain in his ribcage when he was at Oriya's home.

Was it a sign or a forewarning?

The first ones that Tsuzuki's gaze rested on were the Gushoshin Twins, the elder of the two instructing Tsuzuki once he saw Oriya, "Here, Tsuzuki-san… Use this bed for him."

As Tsuzuki laid Oriya on the bed, he asked, "Where's Hisoka?"

When Tsuzuki saw the twins' grim and worried faces, his eyes scanned and followed where the twins' eyes were respectively gazing towards. He then ran towards that direction and left Oriya under the twins' care, with him going through a series of long hallways.

Finally, Tsuzuki's sprints stopped in front of one of the infirmary rooms once he saw a tired and sad-looking Konoe standing outside the room. He then took a subtle yet deep breath before asking, "Kacho…what happened?"

"Kurosaki's badly wounded, Tsuzuki," was all that Konoe could manage to say. He did not stop Tsuzuki from entering the room, believing that there was nothing left to say…

Nor did Tsuzuki need to hear more. He went inside the room and saw a quiet Tatsumi sitting in the chair by an unconscious Hisoka's bedside, the latter's grave gaze not removing from his partner. His heart clenched as he saw the evidence that his worries about Hisoka were warranted - fresh-looking bandaging now soaked in blood from what seemed to be a gaping wound in the middle of Hisoka's stomach.

Tatsumi did not need to turn to know that it was Tsuzuki, and so he told Tsuzuki without removing his gaze at Hisoka, his tone sounding so sadly distant since his mind's eye kept replaying the events in an infinite loop, "That monster…. Yutaka and I had beaten it…removed it from Nagare-san's body. I didn't know that Yutaka and I failed. It was still in Nagare-san's body and when he died, that monster came out. It attacked Kurosaki-kun."

As Tsuzuki was now by Hisoka's bedside and stood across from Tatsumi, he asked while he affectionately swept away strands of blonde hair away from Hisoka's face, "Monster? Where is it now?"

"A snake god that plagued Kamakura ages ago, most especially Kurosaki-kun's hometown. It put a curse on the Kurosaki clan. It took hold of Kurosaki-kun's father. Kurosaki-kun destroyed it with his offensive powers. Kacho and I tried to stop him, but we were too late. He destroyed it, but it gravely wounded him before it was destroyed."

Tsuzuki rested a hand on Hisoka's forehead, closed his eyes, and channeled into his powers. He felt how weak Hisoka's aura was now and that the latter's state of existence was dwindling fast. He then reached deeper into his being, harnessing his energies to share it with Hisoka. His partner had done it for him before at Nagasaki when Muraki's Ooryu dragon had gravely wounded him. He knew that Hisoka's situation was graver than his was in the past because most of Enma's shinigami had been reduced to a near-mortal state.

After many minutes of silence, the worry reflected in Tsuzuki's eyes was more prevalent once he opened them. Held-back tears which were fueled by a myriad of emotions beaded at the corner of his eyes as he shifted his gaze at Tatsumi and told the secretary, "I can't heal him. I'm not able to reach out to him."

"Kacho and I have also tried. Our efforts didn't work, either," said Tatsumi with a countenance that became sadder. He knew from Tsuzuki's tone that there was not only an element of worry and panic from Tsuzuki, but the tone was laced with trust and desperation. It was as if Tsuzuki was asking him for guidance that he felt he was not capable of giving.

"Troy…I mean Abigor… Where is he?" asked Tsuzuki, wondering if Abigor would be able to offer them a solution that he and the others have not yet explored.

"He was given retrievals. He said that before he returned to Meifu, he would go to Makai. He wants to address the Royal Council and the Demonic Army along with Lord Ashtarote."

Tsuzuki's gaze then returned to an unconscious Hisoka. He then held his partner and lover's hand and tried to each out through their mind link, telling him, "I won't let you die. I'll find a way. I have to go for now, but I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise. Please hang in there. I love you. I don't want to lose you. I won't lose you."

Sadness took deeper root within Tsuzuki's being as he felt no response coming from Hisoka. He then added the thought, "Please hang in there, Hisoka, even if it's just for me. Remember how you loved saying those words to me when things get rough?"

Then Tsuzuki's focus shifted to an exceptionally-quiet Tatsumi. The two men remained quiet for a while, with Tatsumi unable to look directly into Tsuzuki's eyes and Tsuzuki able to sense that Tatsumi's mind and heart have been barraged with these recent turn of events especially upon Watari's death.

And so Tsuzuki told Tatsumi, "I brought Oriya Mibu here. Please take care of him. Keep him alive. I have to go somewhere…figure out a way to save Hisoka."

Tatsumi nodded and then informed Tsuzuki, "See if you could find a cure for Terazuma-san as well, please. The shinigami are doing their best to help him. He had improved, but there have been times that his road to recovery had been curtailed. By this time, all of us save for you and Abigor have lost the ability to heal. We're as vulnerable as human beings now."

Letting out a subtle yet deep sigh, Tsuzuki approached Tatsumi. He knew Tatsumi well in this regard. It was mostly Tatsumi who offered consolation towards him - not the other way around.

Once he stood beside Tatsumi, Tsuzuki rested a gentle and consoling hand on the secretary's back and then crouched before the secretary. "I'm sorry that I'm not being very much of help, Tatsumi. However, you're not alone in this either. I'll do everything that I can to help Hisoka and Terazuma. Please watch over Hisoka. Don't worry about Terazuma for now. The twelve shiki will take good care of him - that, I guarantee you."

Tatsumi then lifted his gaze, those equally-sad azure eyes of his meeting Tsuzuki's amethyst eyes. "I gave you my word that I would watch over Kurosaki-kun. It hasn't even been three days and I've already broken my word. He's now hurt because I didn't protect him well enough."

Tsuzuki clasped Tatsumi's hand affectionately and reassuringly. "This incident along with everything else is not your fault. I trust you, Tatsumi. Always have and always will…."

The secretary reciprocated Tsuzuki's affectionate hold on his hand. "Tsuzuki-san…thank you. Please take care. I don't want to lose anyone anymore. Please promise me that."

Tsuzuki's chest constricted from hearing Tatsumi's words. He gave the other a smile, kissed the other on the cheek, and then said as the other's eyes closed to embrace the comfort from that chaste kiss on the cheek, "I promise, Tatsumi."

Tsuzuki then rose and patted Tatsumi's back before he walked towards the door, stopping momentarily to look at and stand beside Konoe. "I'll be back for tonight's meeting, Kacho. Please take care of them. Please take care of each other. If Abigor and Lord Ashtarote arrive, ask Abigor if he could help Hisoka."

Konoe nodded then held Tsuzuki's hand with such fatherly reassurance and care, the conversation between him and Tsuzuki was loud enough for Tatsumi to hear everything. "You take care as well, Tsuzuki. We'll wait for your return."

Then in one of those rare occasions since Tsuzuki's arrival in Meifu and his employment as a shinigami under the Shokan Division, he embraced Konoe just as a grateful son would hug a loving father. This time, Tsuzuki allowed a couple of tears to escape from him.

The chief could feel Tsuzuki's tears on his skin, especially when Tsuzuki tightened the hold on him. In turn, he rubbed Tsuzuki's back just as a father would to console a child while whispering in the other's ear, "I believe in you, Tsuzuki. You may have all these extraordinary gifts, but you are still very much human. Don't forget your true nature…the one that your heart dictates it to be."

Tsuzuki's hold became tighter still and then seconds later, he gently tapped Konoe's back. As much as his near-crumbling composure rendered him speechless, his expressive amethyst eyes reflected his deep-rooted appreciation and love that he had for the chief who had been his father figure most of his existence.

Before he lost the rest of his composure, Tsuzuki gave Konoe a tightlipped nod before turning his back and dematerializing to head towards his still-undeclared destination. He went to the void with a heavy heart as he sadly thought that unlike Tatsumi, he was not a man of honor or a man of his word.

In the dark dungeons underneath the Hall of Candles, Enma's serpentine form lay coiled at the center of the large crystal prison which held him. As much as he had tremendous power embedded within his being, the cells were guarded by the same forces which empower the Inquisition Judge - thus making his and everyone else's magic null until tomorrow night's deliberation proceedings.

There were footsteps that echoed against the cold marble floor, those sounds reverberating against the walls and through the hallways leading towards the cell where Enma was imprisoned.

Enma's form shifted, acknowledging that someone had just arrived to pay him a visit. His serpentine form slithered so that he could face the entrance of the chamber.

Seconds later, Enma's crystalline cage dematerialized per the visitor's request.

As the owner of those footsteps approached, Enma changed into his human form. His glowing ruby eyes were focused at the dim light coming from the entrance. He then asked the new arrival in a quiet yet intent tone, "So, have you finished whoring your body to Caer?"

Once Abigor entered the chamber, he calmly replied, "Isn't that what you wanted to happen? Isn't that what you've been waiting to happen so that you could feel justified in your anger?" After a brief pause, his voice became more composed as he added the question, "Or do you have a deeper agenda to cover up from all of us you've used as pawns?"

The Lord of Death did not say anything as Abigor's calm yet piercing gaze rested on him. He did not say anything when Abigor told him, "You've played a dangerous game with the primordials and Muraki. Many people are dying in Chijou, but they cannot move on to the afterlife because of you. All along, you knew who Tsuzuki-san truly is yet you chose to keep that a secret. You had him tightly wrapped around your finger along with the Shokan Division men."

Enma's tone was even when he said, "Those matters don't and shouldn't concern you. It doesn't affect your realm and your people."

"You're mistaken. Everything is affected. Makai, Meifu, and Chijou lost many of lives - all for a tug-of-war for power and need between the realms. This must stop now. You should've seen the many mortals suffering from the pangs of death yet deprived of rest. You've unleashed Kinu, Gyokuto, the primordials, and Muraki upon Chijou. If you wanted to get your revenge against me, pour your vengeance on me alone."

Then the two estranged lovers fell silent, with Enma deadpanning many minutes later after he let out a subtle yet contemptuous snort, "Is that what you came down here for-to tell me that I'm wrong? To tell me that I'm evil?"

Abigor's face was sad and rueful. Although his body quivered from the volatile flow of psychic energy throughout his body as well as the emotional, mental, and spiritual instability it caused, he did his best to keep his composure intact. He slowly approached Enma, closed his eyes, and kissed the Lord of Death. As much as his body ached for intimacy and affection, the kiss that he initiated was not laced with lust but rather of understanding.

And that kiss pierced Enma's heart. He wanted to avoid it…to push Abigor away…but he could not. He could not help but touch Abigor's face as he reciprocated the kiss, closing his eyes as he basked in those emotions that he had for his long-time love.

Abigor finally drew away, the sadness reflected in his charcoal gray eyes being so deep. "I ruined you. I should've heeded my visions from eons ago. We needed and loved each other. I knew that we would bring the worst out of each other if we ever got together. Yet, in spite of all the forewarnings, I still heeded with my feelings and love for you…what I hoped for us… And for that, I'm sorry."

"Sorry that you fell in love with me?" was the question that Enma dreaded to ask but did so anyway.

"No… I'm sorry that I couldn't be how you wanted me to be. I'm sorry that I could not love you the way that you want me to love you. I'm sorry that I have to walk away from us. This is the only way to save you from yourself. This is also the only way to save what is left of me. I'm not sorry that I fell in love with you. I'm not sorry that I still love you. No matter how much it hurts, I'll never be sorry about loving you."

Enma's sad eyes had a flash of insatiable anger as he slapped Abigor hard across the face. He told Abigor in a quiet tone that heavily dripped with such venom of hurt and hatred as his hand trembled, "I've never forgiven you for hurting me so many times! I'll never forgive you!"

The two were silent for a while their gazes met - one sad yet calm, the other enraged.

Soon, Enma found the words for his unfathomable anger as he told Abigor through gritted teeth and with tear-filled eyes, "You will never find peace. You will never belong to anyone. I will destroy everything that you richly cherished. I will destroy everything that had made you who you are. I started with Chijou. Makai will be next. You will spend the rest of eternity having no place to go. Heaven, Makai, and Meifu's gates will be barred shut from you. Your beloved Chijou will remain in ruins. The only place for you to go is the Pits of Hell…and when you do, you will lose everything that you are. The very people who you cherished, defended, and protected just to spite me…my men…will destroy you. You will be the very instrument that would destroy all you have cherished. Mark my words on that."

With calm certainty, Abigor told the Lord of Death, "I never feared any harm against me. As I said, I'm sorry that I could not love you the way that you wish it to be. I will do what I must do, especially by tomorrow night."

After many minutes of silence between them, Abigor said, "I will see you tomorrow at the proceedings, Enma."

Enma's body shook with such tearful anger as Abigor turned around and left the chambers, his glowing red eyes dripping with such hatred aimed towards the one who he unequivocally believed had insulted, hurt, and stripped him bare…only to be left behind once again.

As Abigor disappeared, Enma's angry tears liberally flowed from him. His heart and fists clenched as he thought, "You and everything you have cared about will suffer. You will suffer as everyone and everything suffers."

A tightlipped Abigor, on the other hand, became worse in terms of being unable to get a firm grip of his latent powers running amuck deep inside him. As his tears flowed freely from him and his body quivered from near-overload while crossing time and realms, he silently prayed once more and asked Him, "Please don't turn Your back from me just as I did with You. If You need me to fulfill my path, please show me the way. I ask You to guide me - not for my sake, but for the sake of the people and the principles I hold dear. But please tell me…is there an end in sight to all of this?"

Tsuzuki materialized in Chijou, now walking out from the void that he came from and setting foot on Oriya Mibu's home. Once there, he immediately looked for Muraki.

Oriya's home was now empty, prompting Tsuzuki to think, "It's too quiet. I hope that he's still here."

The amethyst-eyed shinigami then stepped out into the large garden outside, finding two individuals sitting on a stone that everyone normally used as a resting place for smoking a pipe, whiling time away with a cigarette, or just simply relaxing while basking under the sun or admiring the moon's presence.

Muraki, however, was nowhere in sight. Caer was there along with someone that Tsuzuki had never met before. Yet there was something that stirred within Tsuzuki - something similar to what had stirred for him when he first landed his gaze on Naiaca.

Caer and the one with him glanced sideways, the two giving Tsuzuki a faint smile and not being perturbed that Tsuzuki could not do the same for them.

The one sitting beside Caer had his gaze rest on Tsuzuki, the faint smile warming up as if wonderful memories were being stirred and relived inside him. All those warm feelings radiated and made known through his emerald-green eyes and handsome oblong face, that warm smile escaping from supple lips…the hue of life hinted on his cheeks, lips, eyes, and skin having a more mesmerizing ethereal glow from the way the silver-and-crimson moonlight veiled upon the three of them.

Tsuzuki stopped for a minute as he tried to gauge his feelings. For the first time since everything started going from bad to worse so quickly for all of them did he find time to stop and sense that he was getting more confused about his role in all of these events…that for some reason, he started feeling lost.

The ones before Tsuzuki were the enemies, yet he could not figure out why he remained calm and civil with them especially when he exchanged gazes with Caer's companion. He could not understand why he did not flinch or move away when Caer's handsome companion stood up and came to greet him.

Caer's companion had a tall and regal frame which reminded Tsuzuki so much of Sohryu. He wore thin and long robes of black donned over silky white cloth and silvery threads. His straight long light-brown hair remained untied and reached to his calves. As the pale crimson-silver moonlight played its light over the garden, the true mesmerizing beauty of his eyes became more prominent for the specks of gold were clearly noticeable with the gem-like hue of his green eyes.

Tsuzuki could most especially not understand why tears began to well and bead at the corner of his eyes once as he uttered, "Tellix…"

"Yes, Brother," said Tellix as the smile became more of empathy and longing. He had his hand rest on Tsuzuki's cheek while he coaxed Tsuzuki to slightly bow down, promptly planting a gentle kiss on Tsuzuki's forehead. He then hugged Tsuzuki, pouring out all the love and longing that he had for his long-separated younger sibling.

Caer looked on, letting out a subtle sigh as he saw his two brothers finally reunited. In the back of his mind, however, he was thinking about another person and had been waiting for the night to grow deeper…to see if the one in his mind would fulfill his word and return to him tonight.

Tsuzuki then looked into Tellix's eyes and then said, "Hisoka's hurt. Help me lift the curse from Enma-DaiOh-sama's absence from the throne."

"He is simply Enma to you. He is not your lord nor is anyone lord over you…always had and always will," said Tellix in a calm yet matter-of-factly tone. "Plus, I do not think that Muraki would be pleased about you showering your affections toward that boy."

Tsuzuki then froze as Tellix added, "If you want to save the boy…your lover…you know what you need to do. You need to embrace who you are and reclaim who you have rightfully been and had abandoned all this time. From there, you could save whoever and whatever you wish. However, once you do, you need to move on."

"There's not enough time. He's dying. I can't heal or share my energies with him…or anyone," said Tsuzuki as he looked at Tellix. Part of him could not understand why he could not get angry. He could also not understand as to why the mode of conversation between him and Tellix was unfolding the way that it had been. He was expecting more of a spiteful and hate-filled banter - something similar to what he and Muraki would normally have…not something wherein he was having a calm conversation with someone he had never laid eyes upon until now.

Nor did Tsuzuki expect for Tellix to help, but there was something in him that wanted to try. When he left Meifu, he wanted to talk to Muraki and force the evil doctor to give him a way to save Hisoka…maybe fling the doctor hard against the wall for causing all of this mayhem…maybe this time around kill the doctor and make sure that the other stayed dead.

Caer told Tsuzuki, "You are the only one who could help him…you or Abigor… That is if neither one of you would be stubborn enough to accept what needs to happen."

Tsuzuki then replied, "Then I'll return to Meifu. All of us are supposed to meet there tonight. There's no reason for me to stay here."

"Verus…"

Tsuzuki turned around and then looked at Tellix, hearing Tellix tell him, "We have all missed you, Brother. Please come home to us. I will be in the Inquisition tomorrow evening along with the others. We do hope that you make the right choice."

All that Tsuzuki could do was manage a sad smile.

Without any verbal or non-verbal response to Tellix's comment, Tsuzuki turned round and disappeared for Meifu with a heavy and conflicted heart…all while remembering that brotherly embrace that Tellix had just given him, or wondering why he instinctively responded when he was called by a different name, or pondering on why and how he could have such mixed feelings especially at such a crucial time.

Tatsumi shifted, realizing that he fell asleep while watching over a still-unconscious Hisoka. He cleaned his glasses with his handkerchief before putting them on, giving the new arrival a soft smile as he asked, "Since when have you returned?"

"I heard that the kid is hurt. I don't want him to miss our meetings. I have to return to Gensoukai after this, though," said Terazuma, his left arm now in a sling and his movements showing that he was still in pain.

There was something different about Terazuma.

It took a while before Tatsumi managed to ask as Konoe joined them with the Gushoshin Twins - the Chief holding a tray with a pot of coffee and a couple of cups, "Terazuma… You…."

Terazuma immediately knew what Tatsumi was referring to. The prominent dark lines underneath his eyes were now gone as well as the pointed ears. Frankly speaking, he felt bare and incomplete. "It's only temporary, Tatsumi-san. Kuro still needs a lot of healing, so the shikigami separated us from each other temporarily until one of us is well enough. They said that we'd heal faster that way. Neither Kuro and I liked the idea, but we have no choice."

Tatsumi sadly nodded. "I see. I'll accompany you to Gensoukai once the meeting is over. You've left your defenses wide open by leaving the shikigami protection without Kuro, but I could understand why…so thank you for coming here."

"How's Kurosaki doing and where's Tsuzuki? Where's everyone else?"

"Tsuzuki went on an errand to help Hisoka. Abigor and Lord Ashtarote are expected shortly. As to Kurosaki-kun, we're all hoping for his condition to turn around and improve."

Once Tatsumi said those words, a portal opened and out came Ashtarote and Abigor.

The two demons went by Hisoka's bedside, with Abigor still looking rather pale and physically unstable.

After Tatsumi explained to them what happened, Abigor held Hisoka's hand and closed his eyes. He was silent for a long while, with him trying to reach out to Hisoka and make sense of what was actually going on with Hisoka and how bad was Hisoka's condition. His hand was still quivering and he was suffering pain as well because of his latent powers seeping and filling his being, but he ignored it best he could to help Hisoka.

Abigor then opened his eyes and then sadly said, "I have seen this before. Aside from the severe wounds, there is a huge amount of poison in his system. It is damaging his body and mind. He is slipping away. If his regenerative powers as a shinigami were present when the injury happened, then maybe he would ultimately be fine. But at this rate…."

The others watched Abigor close his eyes once more. The dark Lord of Makai reached within the innermost core of his being and did what he dreaded to do. He opened up those powers that he kept tightly lidded and at bay, offered it up to append whatever little psychic energy Hisoka had left, and then let a good amount of his powers flow within Hisoka.

Shortly thereafter, Hisoka and Abigor were psychically linked. Abigor worked on allowing his regenerative energies flow down to Hisoka and at the same time leech out the poison from Hisoka's system.

And so the process continued while the others stood quietly, this time with Tsuzuki arriving and being relieved that Abigor was there to help Hisoka.

When Ashtarote sensed that Abigor's physical instability was getting worse as the quivering of the latter's body became worse, he approached Abigor and rested a hand on Abigor's shoulder.

Finally, Abigor moved and he rested his head on Hisoka's bed. He was drained on all aspects of his being…so drained that he was not aware that his muscles involuntarily twitched. His chest hurt and it felt as if his lungs burned every time that he took in air.

Without lifting his face and doing his best not to let the others know how sick he felt, Abigor told Tsuzuki in his mind, "I cannot heal him. I tried, but something is blocking it."

Tsuzuki froze as his features became grimmer.

Abigor lifted his face and clasped Hisoka's hand for a couple of seconds. He then felt a comforting hand rest on his shoulder…a gesture that he reciprocated by having his hand rest on top of that hand.

Ashtarote smiled inwardly as he felt the affection behind that hold, even though Abigor's quivering hand was physically cold. He then looked down at Abigor when the latter leaned against the chair and rested the weary head against his body. His free hand instinctively stroking Abigor's hair. His smile became a rueful one as he saw Abigor's eyes close, for he knew how drained Abigor had been from trying to help Hisoka.

So many things, however, were still left in the open….

There was still the discussion that needed to take place on how the day had gone for each shinigami.

There was still the decision to be made as to what punishment would be administered against Enma and who would be administering the punishment.

There was still the long-overdue talk between Tsuzuki and Abigor as to what would their respective decisions be for tomorrow's proceedings.

And then there was Terazuma's well-being and Hisoka's life both hanging in the balance, with Hisoka's life slipping farther away from them for each passing minute.

Although the night was still young, there was so much to do and so little time left.

Tsuzuki then moved by Hisoka's bedside, with him standing opposite to where Abigor was. He sat on the chair that Tatsumi occupied a couple of minutes ago. He held Hisoka's hand and closed his eyes, his heart and mind not willing to lose this battle or his lover. "Whatever price that I need to pay, I'll be willing to give anything up. Just please grant me a way to save him."

It was a long meeting where all of them sat in the infirmary so that they could keep an eye on Hisoka while in essence having the unconscious shinigami included in the meeting.

After the meeting, Tatsumi and Terazuma went back to Gensoukai for the evening. Konoe, Ashtarote, and the Gushoshin Twins watched over Hisoka and promised to inform Tsuzuki and Abigor if there would be any changes to Hisoka's condition.

And so Abigor followed Tsuzuki to the break room, the two intending to have their long-overdue talk about what they needed to decide on by tomorrow night.

"You hungry?" asked Tsuzuki in a semi-cheerful mood as he grabbed a couple of bowls and utensils from the cupboard. He took a deep breath, smelling the wonderful aroma of beef stew coming from a crock pot.

Abigor eyed Tsuzuki suspiciously as he toasted some bread in the mini-oven. "No offense meant, Tsuzuki-san, but did you cook the stew?"

"Kacho did," was Tsuzuki's reply as he handed Abigor one of the two bowls filled with stew. As they sat down, he asked, "Why did you ask?"

Smiling apologetically, Abigor told Tsuzuki as gently yet as honestly as he could, "I have tried your cooking before, Tsuzuki-san. Remember when you stayed at my house with Hisoka, Tatsumi-san, and Watari-san?" You have given a whole new definition to chicken curry. Unfortunately, it was not a good-tasting definition. However, I did appreciate the effort you poured out in cooking for us that night."

"So mean," mumbled Tsuzuki with a child-like pout shortly before he took a spoonful of stew, his pout turning into a smile as the warm and hearty food pleased his palate.

Abigor nodded in agreement as he enjoyed the stew. He and Tsuzuki were quiet for a while as they enjoyed half of their meal in much-needed peace and comfortable silence.

Abigor eventually placed his spoon down and leaned his back against the chair that he was sitting in. He told Tsuzuki, "I visited Enma in his cell today."

"How is he?"

"Not very happy to say the least," said Abigor as he gazed at Tsuzuki. After pausing for a little bit, he let out a subtle sigh and added, "I ended my relationship with him. I confirmed to him that his accusations now have some merit after all these eons of flinging them at me."

Tsuzuki's eyes squinted as he stared back at Abigor. "I understand the part where you broke up with him, but I think I just missed something here."

"I slept with Caer, Tsuzuki-san."

It took Tsuzuki a while before he could get rid of the lump that formed in his throat and manage to ask, "How did that happen?"

Abigor ruefully chuckled, turning a few shades of red. "Come on, Tsuzuki-san. We are not born yesterday. Do I really need to spell out what happened and how things were done between Caer and me?"

Tsuzuki leaned forward then shook his head, blushing a bit. "That's not what I meant, Abigor. What I meant was that I didn't expect you to give in."

Blinking a bit as he continued gazing at Tsuzuki, Abigor asked, "Why?"

"You love Enma-DaiOh-sama. You're fiercely loyal."

The Lord of Makai was tightlipped as he let out another sigh. This time, the sigh was a burdened one. "Enma and I weren't meant to be, Tsuzuki-san. I ignored all the visions and the signs. Many of my loved ones suffered. Many of your loved ones suffered as well as everyone else's. I did not heed those warnings. I brought out the worst in him. You all knew what was going on with me. I have been losing my grip on these powers, so Caer saw that as an opportunity. I took Caer's invitation as an opportunity to help me have a better hold of these powers and get even with Enma. Caer offered. I took the offer. He and I ended up in bed. It was something that Caer had been wanting to happen for so long. It was also something that I have been avoiding to happen, yet there has always been a part of me that was curious."

After the two fell silent for a long time, Abigor said, "It is either you or me, Tsuzuki-san. If Caer would have his way, he would want both of us to go. You are needed, here. Hisoka needs you here."

Tsuzuki did not like Abigor's tone, for it sounded as if the other one was giving up. "You have a realm of citizens depending on your leadership. You have friends…us…wanting for you to stay here. You don't belong with them."

"And you do?" asked Abigor, his voice quiet yet intent. His stare rested on Tsuzuki.

"What happens if we both choose not to go?"

As Tsuzuki returned his stare, Abigor replied, "They will destroy all the realms, starting with Makai and Meifu. Then they will destroy Chijou as quickly as they can. Afterwards, they will take the war to Heaven. They will reap as many allies as they could get from Makai and Meifu to wage war with them against Heaven."

"And if one of us goes?"

"Then whoever chooses to go will most probably not only turn his back from everyone being left behind. He will most probably also turn his back from all the memories associated with it. Between the two of us, you would have better luck in keeping your memories intact. But as I said, you are needed here. You cannot just turn your back from everyone. Think about Hisoka."

Tsuzuki fell silent as he let his index finger ghost over the rim of his drinking glass.

Abigor watched Tsuzuki, his empathy picking up traces of Tsuzuki's feeling. He then picked up one of the thoughts that had been bothering Tsuzuki, making him comment, "So now you know your name when you were a primordial…Verus…."

When Abigor softly and knowingly smiled, Tsuzuki asked as he reciprocated the smile, "What?"

"I know that all the primordials existed before any civilization began, but even your primordial name reflects who you really are. From the very beginning, you have been destined to control the shape of how everything will fall into place."

Giving Abigor a probing gaze, Tsuzuki dared inquire, "What do you mean?"

Abigor cradled his chin on his hand, now also leaning a little forward as the conversation between two primordials who were far different from the others became more involved. "In Latin, Verus means true, real, genuine. It comes from the root word Ver which means genuine, true, reasonable, reality, right…depending on how the word is used. As much as most of the usage of that root word brings about the definitions I have just told you, there is another set of meanings that come about."

Tsuzuki blinked and then his brow furrowed, "And what's that?"

"It also could mean likely, probably, however, ironically, but…"

While Tsuzuki gave all his focus on Abigor, the latter told Tsuzuki, "Out of the eight, you were the one who left and stood for what you believed in. You are a good man. Your soul is pure. The power of choice lies in you, Tsuzuki-san. For the sake of all the realms, please choose wisely. And if there ever comes a time that we fight for opposite sides, do not hesitate to strike me down when you see an opening. Tell the others to do the same. For if the tables are turned, I will destroy you and anyone else without any qualms."

Tsuzuki's expression turned grim. "Why do you sound as if you're giving up?"

"It takes one to know one, Tsuzuki-san."

After the long pause, Abigor added, "This battle is not clear-cut good versus evil. You have met all of them already. The more of them you meet...the more that you talk to them...the more you get to know them, the harder it is for you to draw the line. Caer gave me the honesty that I have been so wishing for Enma to have. In the process of opening up to Caer, I have hurt Enma and Ashtarote."

"Lord Ashtarote has been such a good ally and friend," said Tsuzuki after he took a sip from his glass.

"He wanted to be more than an ally and a friend. I am just so fucked-up with everything that is going on right now. I do not want to ruin Ashtarote. I do not want him to become like Enma because of me. If I leave, he would be the only one who I could entrust with Makai. Right now, Makai is in civil unrest. That mostly has something to do with the destructive rumors that Abraxas and the others have stirred. Although Abraxas was destroyed and most of those in alliance with him have stopped, the poisonous rumors have already done its damage. It already poisoned the citizens' minds. They are now blaming many things against all that I have done and stood for, including the alliance with Meifu which brought peace to both our realms for eons. They say that I have grown weak and refused to make Makai's enemies pay. They said that instead of doing what is right, I whored myself to the enemy. Enma did not see the sacrifices that I have made to make our relationship work. The people never saw what happened behind closed doors with Enma and me for their sake. Ashtarote did not see that, either..."

Then Abigor fell silent, for remembering the talk that he had with Ashtarote inside the church made his heart clench and tears bead at the corner of his eyes. He could not finish what he had to say about Ashtarote.

Tsuzuki empathetically smiled as he saw Abigor stare down at the table. He reached out and rested his hand on Abigor's hand. "You've loved - that's the important part. You've loved all of them. You've told and showed them what you needed to tell and show them."

"I..." mumbled Abigor and then he fell silent for a minute, trying to get his feelings out in the open. He eventually managed to say as his fist clenched, "I just wish that things were so clear-cut for me...just like how things are between you and Hisoka...or Tatsumi-san and Watari-san. Ashtarote is the only one that I have known and has known me all this time who I can trust, and I am hurting him from everything that is going on with me. I cannot keep hurting everyone around me. I cannot lose another loved one. I cannot...will not...lose Hisoka... I refuse to give up!"

With a tightlipped smile, Tsuzuki replied, "I know. I know how you feel."

"There are a couple of ways to cure Hisoka, Tsuzuki-san. One of them is to bring Enma back to the throne. The other way is for one of us to unleash his fullest power. There is another way, but I would rather not dare propose something that has a chance of backfiring and destroying him rather than making him whole."

The two then continued talking. Soon, they were able to arrive at their decision for what they were going to say during the Inquisition proceedings...their respective decisions bound to change between now and the time that the judge would ask them the crucial question.

As a servant brought a tray with a teapot filled with hot tea as well as two cups inside the room where Terazuma was supposed to sleep in, Tatsumi came inside the room shortly thereafter and saw Terazuma staring at the crimson-veiled view before him.

Kuro slept on the left side of the bed where Terazuma was supposed to sleep, master and servant sharing a bed since they have been separated from each other. It let out a soft whimper of pain along with its subtle snore, the wound in its obsidian body still visible and fresh.

Tatsumi looked at Kuro and could not help but feel sorry for the shikigami, the latter in deep sleep yet its breathing indicated how much pain it had been enduring. He should know it fully well for Terazuma seemed to be in a lot of pain as well. He then stepped outside and joined Terazuma at the balcony, with him asking Terazuma as he noticed the focus of Terazuma's attention, "How long have they been watching?"

"Very long, I guess," was Terazuma's grim reply. "They're sitting there as if they're taunting us - ready to strike any minute from now."

Terazuma and Tatsumi were referring to Kinu and Gyokuto, the latter two sitting on a tree branch and watching over the Imperial Palace for hours since Kinu and Tatsumi parted ways. The two looked even more angelic behind a background of a gorgeous-looking aurora against a crimson-veiled night sky.

At another room inside the Imperial Palace, Sohryu and Kurikara stared at Kinu and Gyokuto as well. Earlier, the thirteen shinigami took turns looking at the two invaders and anticipating a strike from them.

"Who are they waiting for, you think?" asked Kurikara as he kept his arm crossed over his chest.

Sohryu let out a soft sigh and then replied, "The Golden Emperor, probably. If the prophecies are correct, he is to arrive very soon."

"We do need as much help as we can. I have to see the Golden Emperor with my very two eyes before I believe that he exists. The fabrics of Gensoukai's existence are now unraveling at their seams. It will be a matter of days…weeks even…before all us shikigami cease to exist - that is if Kinu and Gyokuto do not destroy us first."

After thoughtfully sweeping the hair away from his face, Sohryu told Kurikara, "Faith is all that he have left, my friend. Just because we do not see it means that it does not exist. It is all that we have left, so what do you have to lose by believing in salvation from someone who you do not see?"

Kurikara then shifted as he saw a clearer evidence of the digital world breaking down - an accumulating mass of swirling energy showing off its rainbow-like glow akin to an aurora borealis. As beautiful as it looked, each shikigami could feel the slow but certain deterioration of their home. "The last thing that I want to see is blood flowing over our lands once again…just as we did before. Do not think that I embraced your belief that the Golden Emperor is good and that he exists. He was the one who wanted to bloodshed to happen. I hope that your beliefs about the Golden Emperor and his benevolent nature are true…for the way he was made him no different to what the primordials want to do with all creation. Any deity who wishes to destroy a race of beings is not benevolent or a means of salvation."

Sohryu stared at Kurikara, but this time there was no anger coming from Sohryu especially when Kurikara said, "If I believe in anyone, it would be Tsuzuki and Hisoka. I believe in them more than I ever believed the Golden Emperor. Tsuzuki has to decide tomorrow. I do hope that his decision will lead to our salvation. I do wish that he chooses to stay."

"You and all of us wish for the same…that he would stay… We will know tomorrow what the outcome would be," said Sohryu as he gazed at the aurora before closing his eyes. His mind drifted to thoughts of Tsuzuki and their dying world as he held on to the last strings of hope and faith left within him.

End of Chapter Thirty-Eight

Normal Disclaimer

Yami No Matsuei (Descendants of Darkness) and its characters are copyrighted properties of Matsushita Yoko. This fan fiction and the original characters that appear within this fan fiction belong to PJ Zatken.