Note: Prepare for some heavy drama for this sub-arc. Read it until the end and please review.
Note: This is an experimental style I'm trying out. It involves flashbacks in chronological sequence.
Note: See chapter 12 on what the Wandering Heart does.
Chapter 52: Snake of the Festival (part 1): The Serpent's Tongue
It was 10:58 in the evening. Shana and Hecate burst into the Haridan room with Wilhelmina right behind them. Everyone else had already gathered in the room, although they were still recovering from their injuries from their last battle. The only one not present was the Mystes of the Reiji Maigo, Sakai Yuji.
"So you found them," Ogata said. "This is really bad."
"He really went, didn't he?" Hecate said.
They watched a projection from the Wandering Heart, which had been repaired since the battle with Gemini and still had Yuji's hair inside it. The Mystes of the Reiji Maigo faced the army of a hundred Crimson Lords and Denizens all on his own. But even before such a great number of enemies in various shapes and sizes, he still stood bravely.
"He went to the party by himself just because he's the only one of us not in bandages," Margery said.
"That stupid idiot," Shana said as tears trickled down her cheeks.
"Alone Mystes of the Reiji Maigo Sakai Yuji?" said one of the Denizens at the front line of the army. "Are you that eager to die?"
"Are you?" Yuji said darkly. "A few minutes after midnight, you're all dead, that I promise."
"Do you seriously think you can defeat us all on your own?" said another Denizen. "Even if you did defeat the unbeatable Gemini, you still can't take on all of us."
"Especially since you only have less than a fourth of your power left," added another Denizen. "You would be killed even before midnight came."
"You wanna bet?" Yuji said. His eyes turned crimson red.
As the 23rd hour of the day came, Yuji charged at his enemies barehanded. His foes threw balls and missiles of fire at him, but they were all useless due to the Mystes' Anti Flame Ring.
Upon reaching the army, the Mystes leaped and grabbed a Denizen by the neck and tossed him hard into the next enemy. As he flipped and landed on his feet, he summoned Blutsauger, jumped forward again and plunged the huge blade into both Denizens' chests.
As the dead Denizens burst into flame, Yuji pulled his sword from the ground and devoured his fallen enemies' remaining Power of Existence.
"Did he just eat two Denizens?!" Eita exclaimed.
"From the weakest type of being, he's grown to become powerful enough to own Denizens within seconds and even feed on them," Margery said. "He's definitely not normal."
"But still, this battle seems one-sided," Khamsin said.
"Yes, it is one-sided," Kantaro said. "But not in the way you think."
"Yu-chan," Chigusa said worriedly.
A Denizen came at Yuji and slashed with its sword. Yuji held up Blutsauger's flat and blocked the attack. As the blades touched, Yuji channeled Power of Existence into his and caused several wounds to instantly hurt his opponent. As the Denizen flinched from the perfect counter, Yuji finished it off by splitting it in half with his massive blade.
The Denizens were now close to surrounding the Mystes. Realizing this, Yuji put his hand on the ground and tapped into his reserve of negative Power of Existence and froze the ground beneath him. Most of the Denizens either slipped on the ice or had their feet frozen to the ground, but some took to the air.
As one Denizen flew up to avoid his area attack, Yuji used the Snake of the Festival's power of Creation to instantly make a silver spear. He threw this spear at his enemy with great strength and pinned it to a wall. The Denizen died quickly after.
One Crimson Lord in the shape of a moth-man shot beams of energy from its eyes. Yuji shielded himself with Blutsauger's flat. At the same time, another Denizen flew low and came at the Mystes with a pickaxe.
Yuji thought quickly and reacted by jumping aside to evade the lasers of the enemy above him. He slashed at the oncoming attacker and stunned him with Blutsauger's unique ability. The Mystes' then grabbed the same enemy by the chest and raised him up over his head, using him as a shield from the moth-man's attacks.
His shield was pierced through the chest and died as Yuji fired a barrage of Aster beams at the moth-man. The Crimson Lord survived the attack, but he was left wide open. Seeing his chance to attack, Yuji flew up and split his enemy with his sword.
As those trapped in ice began to break free, more enemies came at Yuji in the air. The Mystes tried to defend himself as best he could, but one enemy saw an opening and knocked Blutsauger away before aiming a strong kick at him.
The Mystes of the Reiji Maigo fell back down to earth and was being surrounded once more by ground units. Using Creation, he caused two claymores to materialize in his hands. Combining a powerful forward jump with flight, he charged forward.
The Mystes slashed at several of his enemies as he flew passed them. But none of them had died from their wounds. That is, until Yuji turned back at them and, pointing with a sword, focused an Unrestricted Method onto them.
"Stigma!" he yelled.
The wounds of his enemies burst open and flames poured out like water from an open faucet. The Denizens all died at once.
"Wasn't that Sabrac's special Unrestricted Method?" Wilhelmina said. "How did he come to learn that?"
"And to use a super-accelerated version of it by focusing it in one small area," said Leanan-sidhe. "That Mystes is growing to become an extremely dangerous wizard of Unrestricted Methods."
Kantaro watched intently but stayed silent as those around him spoke of Yuji's new ability.
SnSnSnSnS
Long before Yuji had left to fight, he had called his father in the backyard of the mansion while those inside either planned or rested.
"Yuji, did you need to talk to me about something?" Kantaro said as he met his son.
Yuji had been staring at the red sky above as his father approached. "Yes, and no," he replied. He turned around and faced Kantaro seriously.
"I need to speak to Sabrac," the Mystes said.
Kantaro was very surprised at this, but he did not complain or argue. Enveloping himself with a rose-madder flame, he switched with the Destructive Blade.
"What do you want?" Sabrac said.
Yuji looked at him straight in the eyes and came closer.
"Teach me Stigma," he said.
SnSnSnSnS
A Crimson Lord hit Yuji in the chest with its staff and sent him flying into a building that was right next to a water tower. As Yuji picked himself up, enemies advanced towards him.
Thinking quickly, Yuji hacked at the supports of the nearby water tower and caused it to fall over the enemies in front of him. As the tower crushed one of the Denizens and water spilled over many of the others, Yuji charged up and released his silver lightning. Ten thousand volts of electricity burned through the wet Denizens and killed a few of the weaker ones. Most of the beings survived however.
Taking his chance to attack while his enemies were stunned, Yuji ran forward with his two blades. But some of his enemies recovered much faster than he expected and managed to counterattack.
As Yuji tried hard to parry a multitude of strikes from all sides, one enemy saw an opening and knocked away his swords. But Yuji reacted immediately by calling Blutsauger back into his hand and slew his attacker.
A giant Crimson Lord two storeys high came at Yuji with a great spiked club. The Mystes ducked as it swung its weapon. The enemies around him were hit by the attack in his place.
The Crimson Lord attacked again and smashed the ground. Yuji avoided the attack by flying aside. The Mystes then flew under the giant and slashed its leg with a fully charged Blutsauger as he passed through. Coming out behind his enemy, he cast an accelerated Stigma over it alone, and the wounds caused by Blutsauger's power ruptured and flames erupted on all sides. The Crimson Lord died within seconds.
As Yuji fired a storm of Aster rays upon the enemies that advanced before him, a female Crimson Lord began to cast a spell on the Mystes in an effort to immobilize him. But Yuji had felt it and quickly noticed. He aimed at her as he raised his great sword and hurled it. The massive blade impaled her in the chest and killed her before she could complete her spell.
While Yuji was still unarmed, a Denizen bravely attacked. The Mystes managed to evade its strike, then dodged another from a different Denizen, but failed to dodge the attack of a third. As Yuji flinched from the pain, one Denizen hit him hard in the gut with a strong fist and knocked the air out of him. A second blow sent the Mystes flying back.
Yuji recovered in midair and landed on his feet. Not now, I can't lose just yet, he thought. I just have to buy myself some time.
SnSnSnSnS
Earlier, Yuji sat on the roof of Konoe's mansion. He had just learned how to use Stigma from Sabrac, with the price being his sword Blutsauger. He had promised to give the sword after he had returned, and Sabrac had eagerly accepted.
Yuji lay down on the roof. His comrades below had agreed to give him some time alone, and even Hecate allowed him to block her out regarding their psychic link. The Mystes closed his eyes and went deep into thought. Before long, he heard a familiar voice.
Do you really think adding Stigma to your already great arsenal will improve your chances of winning against a hundred Crimson Lords and Denizens singlehandedly? it said.
Not really, Snake of the Festival, Yuji responded.
So you finally learned my true name, the Snake of the Festival said. Now that the other Mystes is still recovering and unable to interfere, I am finally able to speak with you uninterrupted. But that's not the only reason, is it?
Yuji was silent.
I am able to speak with you because you wanted me to, said the Snake of the Festival.
Yuji still did not reply.
I get it, you think I'm evil just because I'm the true leader of Bal Masque, the Snake of the Festival said. But what have I done here to deserve being thought of that way? Wasn't it my power which I so willingly gave you that defeated Gemini and saved Shana?
For a time, Yuji was quiet, then he spoke.
Why do you want to change the reality of both worlds? the Mystes asked.
Ever since the beginning, I wanted to create a world where humans were no longer consumed by my people, and where my people can associate normal with humans, the Snake of the Festival answered. Much like what you have done with the mixed group that you have formed, I want to have this peace spread out to everyone. My wish was to change the truth of the world into one where humans and Crimson Denizens could live with each other in peace.
Then why did Alastor and the Flame Haze stop you long ago? Yuji asked. A goal like that can't be wrong.
To them it was evil, the Snake of the Festival said. They thought it was wrong just because it not only risked the existence of both worlds, but that altering reality also had grave consequences and went against their laws. They also thought it threatened their purpose, since they would no longer have anything to fight against. But tell me, which do you think was more important, keeping their laws and purpose or going against them for the sake of eternal peace?
Yuji was still unsure.
Sakai Yuji, do you think my plan is evil? the Snake of the Festival asked. Do you think I am evil?
No, Yuji replied.
And what do you think of the Flame Haze? the Snake of the Festival said. If my plan was to create a utopia of peace and harmony, but they stopped it, just to selfishly preserve their purpose of hunting, then wouldn't that be evil?
You're right, Yuji said.
Why would they want to continue fighting if it could have all ended a long time ago? the Snake of the Festival said. Realize this Sakai Yuji, there will always be evil in this world, no matter how much you fight it or become stronger, no matter how many evil beings you put to rest, more will still come. Take the army that you will be fighting soon. No matter how powerful you are on your own, you can never defeat them.
Yuji was silent, but he listened intently.
That's just how it is, the Snake of the Festival said. But the Flame Haze don't understand that. They couldn't bring themselves to understand it because of their own selfishness and evil. They would rather fight a vain war for all eternity.
And Shana and Konoe-san will just keep fighting in the middle of that eternal war, Yuji said. Because of that, they got hurt.
But I have the power to end it all, the Snake of the Festival said, the power to create a world where the three of you no longer have to fight. You already heard what my plan was earlier. And only you can initiate it.
If it means ending all this useless fighting and violence, then I'll do it, Yuji said. I'll free you.
No, Sakai Yuji, my turn is already done, the Snake of the Festival said. But there is another way, a way where you are in full control of the plan. In that way, you don't even need to trust me in the return to Bal Masque.
What is it? Yuji asked.
Alastor is not the only one capable of coming into this world through his vessel and partner, the Snake of the Festival said. Let me merge and Synchronize with you come midnight. Let me become one with you and all my power, the power to end this war, the power to protect those you love from any enemy, even those just outside, will be yours.
Yuji considered this for a brief moment. The two of them wanted to end the war and the Mystes never wanted the ones he loved so much to suffer any more than they already have. He also didn't have a choice but to fight the army that would destroy them later, and he knew that by himself he couldn't protect them. He made his decision.
I'll do it, Yuji said. I will end this war.
I knew you would understand. I made the right decision when I chose you, said the Snake of the Festival. Indeed, it was never by mere chance that you possess the Reiji Maigo. It was because I believed that you were the right person to use such great power. Sakai Yuji, this is your destiny.
SnSnSnSnS
It was still some time until midnight. Yuji tried to hold out until then, when he could unleash his full power. The power that could protect everyone he cared about back at the mansion.
The Mystes was now fighting hand-to-hand. He parried fists, claws and blades using nothing but the martial arts skills Shana had taught him. But it still wasn't enough.
When he got the chance, Yuji struck a humanoid Crimson Denizen in the gut with a dagger-like hand. Then he raised the same enemy up with a single hand and crushed its neck. As it turned to flames, the Demon Mystes devoured its Power of Existence.
He knew that he had to do whatever was necessary to protect those he cared about.
He channeled all of his enemy's energy into his fist and wrapped his entire arm with silver fire. With a single punch to the face, he killed an oncoming enemy by blowing its head apart.
The Crimson Lords and Denizens began to gang up on him again. There were still so many of them, and he was weakening. He made an attempt to retreat and regroup in a safer area.
As he tried to fly, however, a Denizen grabbed him by the end of his coat, the gray long coat which Hecate had given him the day before.
Yuji fell back down as the Denizen gripped onto it tightly. Yuji saw that the Denizens decided to take advantage of this and were almost upon him. The Mystes hastily slipped out of his coat and got onto his feet. He then delivered a powerful palm strike though his coat and hit the Denizen behind it, causing his foe to fly back for a short distance.
The Mystes, now wearing only a black shirt and pants, relocated to a better area. He may have lost Hecate's coat, but he still had the red sash Shana had given him.
SnSnSnSnS
At 10:45pm, after secretly leaving his contacting bookmark, Yuji made his way out of the mansion. But before he reached the front door, Shana and Hecate got in front of him and blocked his way.
"You're not thinking of fighting that army on your own, are you?" Shana said.
"Of course not, I've already decided on it," Yuji answered. "I don't have a choice."
"Yes you do," Shana argued. "We can fight by your side."
"But you're still recovering," Yuji said. "I'm the only one still able to fight."
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Shana yelled. She suddenly staggered and would have fallen had Hecate not caught her.
"Please Yuji, don't leave us," the Priestess said. "At least take us with you."
"Fine," Yuji said. "Let me just get something in the shed for you guys. C'mon."
The two girls followed him to the shed at the back of the mansion. Hecate tried to link with Yuji again, but the Mystes blocked her out. Although the Priestess wondered why, she kept quiet and trusted him.
A moment after Yuji unlocked and opened the door of the shed, Yuji suddenly spun around and wrapped the two girls in a thick silver chain.
"What are you doing?!" Shana yelled.
"I'm sorry, but this is something only I can do," Yuji said.
He grabbed onto the chain and tried to get the girls into the shed. Both Hecate and Shana tried to struggle, but the Mystes was too strong for them. When the Mystes managed to push them into the shed they fell onto the floor.
"I'm sorry Konoe-san," Yuji said to the Priestess, "but I have to sever our psychic link. I don't want you to feel my pain anymore."
"Yuji, no!" Hecate wailed.
A tear fell down Yuji's cheek. "Please forgive me," he said. "But I care for you two far too much to have you risk your lives."
"Yuji you mega-idiot!" Shana yelled.
"Don't leave us!" Hecate cried.
Yuji wiped his eye. "I'll be thinking of you both as I fight," he said.
"NO!" Hecate screamed.
"Wait!" Shana yelled.
"Sakai Yuji, think of what you are doing!" Alastor said.
"Shut up Flame of Heaven!" Yuji said. The way he addressed Alastor alone was enough to surprise them all.
The Mystes closed the door slowly. "Goodbye Shana, Konoe-san," he said. "I love you."
"Don't go!" Hecate yelled.
"YUJI!" Shana screamed.
The door was bolted shut and locked by the Mystes outside. After ensuring the girls' safety, he left through the mansion's gates.
"So you're really going to do it?" said a male voice.
Waiting right by the gate was Keisaku. He pointed Trigger Happy at the Mystes' face.
"If you betray us, I won't hesitate to kill you," he said.
As Yuji passed by him, he whispered in reply.
"I'd like to see you try," he said.
SnSnSnSnS
Yuji still fought the army barehanded. Ever since he had killed the first dozen Denizens, his enemies had realized that the Mystes was definitely not someone to underestimate and fought with their best ability. It was a miracle that the Mystes had even survived for that long.
A Crimson Denizen managed to land a kick to Yuji's face just after he had evaded a slash from a claw. The Mystes flew backwards and landed on his face at a corner.
As Yuji struggled to get up, he saw his enemies get ready to gang up on him one final time. He also felt the Reiji Maigo pulse within him.
"I can't lose now," he said to himself. "I'll definitely protect Shana and Konoe-san. I'll definitely end all this fighting!"
As he got back on his feet, midnight struck.
