CHAPTER LV: BOUND FOR HELL
DISCLAIMER: I claim NO OWNERSHIP to ANY of the characters in this story except (for in this chapter) Tojiro "Neo" Ankoku, Ryu Kaze, and Kasumi Moriko. They are my original characters and thus owned by me. All other character NAMES (since there are no other appearances in this chapter) belong to their respective creators/owners.
The finale to the five part "Last Days" Arc reaches its climax. This night truly belongs to the Nightshade. One final meeting between friends is all that defines the meaning of Chapter 55 here. Tojiro has but only one ticket and no possible way back. He either ends Hell or Hell ends him. The time for the end of time's greatest legend of evil begins now...
Saichouji Temple, 11:45 pm
Dressed back in his normal attire, Tojiro heading for the front of Saichouji Temple. His plain black t-shirt, his baggy black cargo pants, and a pair of large black shoes to make it complete. Tojiro walked towards the temple doors, snapping his fingers in the process. A mist of black surrounded him, giving him his cloak back, as well as changing himself into his repaired human form. Tojiro pushed his way through the doors, taking a slow pace into the main room. A dreary mist of gray swarmed down from the ceiling, forming on the wooden floor in front of the Cloakmaster. Crossing his arms and expecting the obvious, Tojiro watched the mist dissipate to reveal Ryu Kaze.
"As if you were to arrive early, eh?" first spoke the Demigod of Death.
"True enough. Have you made the necessary preparations?" responded the real Nightshade.
"You have no reason to ask such a question. You already know the answer." barked the serious demon, unfolding his arms.
"And Yoko's with Ikko and the other nuns, correct?" asked the deathly demon, adamant to confirm something.
"Indeed they are. They're all with Miyako right now. You shouldn't have no worries."
"Good. That's good." responded the delirious Cloakmaster, turning his back to Ryu and walking out the front entrance.
Ryu hurried after him in a desperate walking motion. Tojiro walked onto the gravel, dragging his feet, much to Ryu's keen eye to notice things.
"So am I wrong to be worried right now? Or is it simply just me? Hmm, Ryu?" grumbled forth the Cloakmaster, actually turning around to face the real Nightshade.
Ryu halted by Tojiro's side, nodding his head. "I would say yes. Why? Are you actually concerned?" wondered the god, taking a quick glimpse at Tojiro.
"Not entirely…but somewhat. Why? Does that demoralize your logic? I'm not concerned for anyone but…" trailed off the Cloakmaster in confusion.
"You may give them your earnest goodbyes if you wish. It's not a curse to say farewell to friends. This you should at least be able to agree with, yes?" explained the god.
"So telling Yoko I'm going to Hell is being tender? Don't be so damn foolish, Ryu. I refuse to speak such a thing to her." responded the infuriated Demigod.
"Why only mention Yoko instead of the others? Hmmm?" pondered Ryu, making Tojiro far more annoyed.
"Keep that determination up and, I'll make sure you remain in Hell forever."
"Isn't it one of your famous beliefs to share and speak a dreadful truth than telling a useless lie? I thought you hated lies?" Ryu pondered at Tojiro's perspective, showing no mercy.
"This time's quite different…it's just that you're too damn blind to see them." said the Cloakmaster of Darkness, walking away from the temple.
Ryu was swift to follow after him by simply hovering inches off the ground. Tojiro held his hands out. In a small flash of red, an orange box decorated with beautiful dragon carvings appeared. Ryu curiously stopped, hovering off to look at the box from an angle. Tojiro held the box in his left hand, "Take this for a moment." he demanded, forcibly shoving the box at Ryu.
He took hold of it, taking it from Tojiro's hand. In silence, Tojiro reached down his shirt to remove the skull necklace he had been wearing for so long. He then dug his right hand into the right pocket of his cloak, taking out his very dear journal. He busily wrapped the necklace around the journal, leaving the skull icon on the front. Tojiro held out his left hand, expecting Ryu to respond. The ancient god placed the orange box back on the demon's left palm. Tojiro flipped the box open with a flick of his thumb. It opened up in a quick motion. Tojiro took a solemn and distressful glare at his journal.
"It's been a many thousand centuries since you've been able to show such more care for this world. Including humanity itself, you have truly changed my friend. I must give you my respects for being so noble. Ryu stated in honesty.
Tojiro, without no final regret, placed the journal in the box then sealed it shut. "Nobility has nothing to do with my broken soul, Ryu. Believe it or not, I've strived to force humanity to answer its own problems. However…" the Demigod trailed off again.
"However?" Ryu insisted curiously.
"…I've never thought my own humanity would be at risk. Up until now…I just discovered that truth. It leaves a rather distasteful flavor in my mouth if I think about it for too long." willfully stated the shady demigod.
Ryu chuckled at his response. Tojiro held the box up, using Chaos Control on it. Without another thought to choose another path, the box had vanished without a trace. Tojiro slowly lowered his left arm down by his side, flipping his hood over his head to blacken his face, hiding the Cloakmaster's expression. Ryu and Tojiro faced forward, away from the temple.
"I have to say…you made getting these weapons a real pain. You do realize that, right?" questioned Tojiro without uncertainty.
"They will be needed to complete this quest, my friend. The blunt and unimaginable power of the Nightmare Scythe is unfortunately not enough to defeat the minions of Hell. Right?" the god retorted, managing his laughter under control.
"Never mind the past, Ryu. The journey begins here."
"So it shall. You have indeed came far, Cloakmaster Tojiro. I believe you will do what must be done." enacted the ancient god.
The two beings began to step forward, letting the eternal shine of the moon glow upon them. "Let the next Great Pilgrimage…begin." Tojiro quoted with determination and sincerity.
His very spirit ravaged by the flames of his past, the memories of today forgotten, the storm in the future readying to explode and shine upon humanity; so began the final stage for the Cloakmaster of Darkness in his saga of pain and regret. Everything he has done…would be settled on this final day. The coming of the age would begin with one step towards a bleak, unimaginable world.
Tojiro and Ryu left the temple grounds. For the Demigod of Death, it would be the final chapter to settle his nightmares all at once, once and for all. The path to his dark tomorrow awaited him on this road that seemed to illuminate with the ever watching moon above him. Nothing else could stop him…nothing else would cease him from achieving the life source that gave him reason to fight; vengeance. And on this day, he would finally begin its forgery.
Midnight had came. Tojiro and Ryu walked with patience towards a large cave in the distance. A long caged door ran in front of it. "This is it. The Danda Cave." Ryu awakened in a strict tone.
"It's one of the very few places closest to Hell. There's suppose to be a portal inside at the end, right?" urged the Demon Demigod.
"Indeed there is. One of the Chaos Hell Portals. They're only located in distinct places that host a sense of dread and evil." Ryu explained further.
"Then let us begin." Tojiro said, quickly running towards the cave.
As he ran, the hand of a being stuck out, aiming at the unaware Cloakmaster. A fierce stream of blue shot out from the hand. A pointed spear tip shaped on the front of the Chaos energy beam. Ryu quickly turned around, swinging the Golden Dragon Staff once to completely dissipate the beam. Tojiro heard the ringing noise that shrieked from the impact. Ryu held his legendary staff in his right hand, not surprised by who he saw. Tojiro watched as Ryu cleared Tojiro's line of vision, revealing Kasumi. She was dressed back into her priestess outfit and with her right hand extended out; her sweating face sent the Cloakmaster a disappointed glare.
Kasumi and Tojiro; two of the same civilization. Two people that have lived since the day they were born, and neither have failed life once. Tojiro remained with in a still stance, fully turning his way around to face the far away priestess. Kasumi in a fray charged directly at Tojiro, letting her long raven blue hair drift across the wind.
"Kasumi…why did you have to be so determined?" mumbled the Cloakmaster.
Kasumi sprinted by the silent Ryu without even looking at him. Kasumi stopped right in front of Tojiro, throwing a Chaos Punch at him. He surprisingly raised his right hand forward to halt it, dissipating the blue Chaos energy that revolved around her fist.
"You…you…why did you have to be so arrogant?" stuttered the grieving priestess, hiding her expression by keeping her head lowered.
"Lies have never been my strong point. That's why I never make promises." Tojiro said, feeling off topic.
"YOU LIED!" screamed the tear strained priestess's face. Tojiro's face was left blank, yet left with sorrow on the inside.
Kasumi let her tears run freely, her grit tightened with anger, and her motive true.
"You can't go through the Nine Circles now! You…you still have to train! You have to train…with your Nightmare Form! That's what! You still need training!" she convinced herself, tugging Tojiro the other way.
He didn't move an inch, causing Kasumi to lose grip of his cold right hand. Tojiro retracted his arm back by his side, continuing to look at the saddened priestess.
"Kasumi…don't be so foolish." stated the Cloakmaster.
Kasumi was left with her heart drained of all moralities. It was as if someone beat it like a drum until no more sounds would echo out. She was left lifeless and cold, frozen by Tojiro's honest words. Kasumi completely turned herself to face the last Cloakmaster.
"I can tell how desperate you are to keep me here on Earth…but this is it. No more training. No more fear. No more regrets. I'm going to Hell Kasumi. You shall not stop me. I deeply…give you my apologies." gave the Cloakmaster in deep seriousness, hinting at no emotions.
The sadness gave to her legs, forcing Kasumi to drop to her knees, tears of ever-growing sadness pouring from her eyes.
"I…I…then, I'll come with you! I'll follow you to Hell! Just as long as-" she stopped, succumbing to the thought that whatever she would say would only be of a pointless and impossible dream.
Kasumi placed her hands on the ground, appealing to her overwhelming pain that forced it's weight upon her heart. She cried and hiccupped in the darkened night of tomorrow, her cheeks flushed, mixing with the demeaning tears that symbolized how successful her life truly was.
"Just don't go! Do you even know…how many people you're letting down? How much disappointment you're bringing them! EVERYONE! They've trusted you the very moment you met them! Yoko! Tsukune! Kokoa! Moka! Kurumu! Simon! Hakufu! Kan'u! Gentoku! Ryomou! Haruhi! Yuto! Himari! Naruto! My father! ME! All their dreams; YOU'RE DESTROYING ALL THE TRUST AND LOVE WE GAVE YOU!" screamed forth the crying girl, rising to her feet.
Tojiro's orange pupils were left widened in sheer disbelief. He was left dumbfounded for how the Shade Priestess knew so many names of so many kind and amazing people he met in the past.
"Kasumi…"
Kasumi ran right into Tojiro, embracing the much taller Cloakmaster. She gripped his ebony cloak, keeping the right side of her face pressed against it. Her eyes were struck with devastation, and no matter how hard she tried to seal her eyes; sadness still managed to slip through.
"I refuse to lose someone like you! You and I are the only true survivors of the Great Shade Empire, right? You said it yourself! You lied about that too, you made me that promise! You believed in me…and I believed in you!" she ruthlessly shouted, refusing to open her burning eyes.
Hesitation was only a convenience in his arsenal now. No power in his mind, body, or spirit could reprehend this situation.
"Kasumi…I want you to hear my final words…they're only meant for you to hear." the Demigod of Death proposed willingly.
"I WON'T! I'll close my ears before I hear anything else from you! You big…failure!" screeched the suffering priestess.
Ryu fully turned towards the pair, astounded by Kasumi's bravery to keep Tojiro here…with her. Tojiro was left with a darkened gaze. No sign of affection was hinted on his face. Tojiro kneeled down, slowly embracing the priestess into his arms. Kasumi slowly descended into a calming state, her arms lowered down by both her sides.
"Hell is a place for evil people like me to belong in. In fact, if you ever wandered into such a world, I can for sure state that it would be completely purified by the light of your heart." Tojiro opposed with a enduring voice.
"You have surely left a mark on me that will remain within my spirit forever, Kasumi. You can believe that…I promise."
"Tojiro…" voiced Ryu's thoughts, amazed by such duty to protect Kasumi's heart.
Tojiro broke apart from Kasumi, grabbing her right hand with his right, holding her delicate hand with his metal clawed fingers.
"Remember me for yourself. Everyone else shall do the same. For no matter what card of fate I'm dealt with…I'll deny the bad ones…and make my own peace. In the end; no light will burn brighter than the Fire of Retribution. Take great care…to remember my words. Shall you or shall you not?" enacted the Cloakmaster of Darkness in his most serious tone.
Kasumi was left with guilt ridden marks of sadness. Her soft eyes blinking several times. She shut them once more, jumping into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. With that action, she valiantly shouted; "I shall always treasure your dreams of peace! Tojiro Ankoku!" In a final fleeting moment, Tojiro rose up to his feet, flipping his hood over his head to darken his expression from being seen.
Ryu hovered over to the gates that blocked the way into the Danda Cave. With a single wave of the Golden Dragon Staff, the gate swung open. Stomping the staff down once more, a small sphere of red formed inside the few first steps into the overwhelming darkness. It exploded into a large red Chaos Portal with a whirling black buzz saw shaped vortex in the center. Tojiro's hand remained holding Kasumi's.
"Sayonara…Kasumi Moriko." muttered the helpless Cloakmaster.
His hand left the priestess's grip. She outstretched her hand, but all she could do was watch him walk towards the massive portal that filled the entire front entrance of the cave. Kasumi mournfully watched his silhouette step closer towards it. Ryu quietly passed on through the portal to Hell, leaving Tojiro to be the last one.
Tojiro extended his right arm out to the right. One symbol that would define itself as his last action on Earth. It would be his true goodbye to his dear friend, Kasumi. His thumb raised up; a sign of luck, a sign of motivation, a sign…that voiced his final goodbye. As he drifted into the Hell Portal that would bring him to the Blind World; the setting for where everything in his past…shall come to rest in peace.
つづく
To be continued
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW
-On the shore of Acheron, Tojiro and Ryu Kaze look to the massive vessel given life; Charon.- "Hell," -Tojiro falls towards a platform surrounded by veils of fire.-
"The Blind World, The Living Inferno of Sin. This is Tojiro's mission. To destroy the Nine Hell Gods." -Tojiro looks to Julius Tsuiho as he releases a spiraling beam of black and white.- "His greatest challenge starts at Acheron to which Tojiro must board Hell's ferryman." -Julius is launched high above Acheron by a vile blast of blue Chaos energy.-
-Tojiro stares up at a fearsome Asterian Beast, spewing fire from its mouth.- -From the side of Charon's humongous head, two huge metal Chaos Cannons fire beams of purple Chaos energy.-
"To save the world, to bring his vengeance into stage one he must defeat the will of Limbo's Hell God," -Tojiro's hair turns silver as he slams against the two merging beams of purple Chaos energy in an epic light show of power and dominance.-
"And it's own King of the Damned..." -Julius Tsuiho awaits the Cloakmaster of Darkness as the shadow of King Minos rises behind him.- -The Judge of the Damned throws his fist down at the battle ready Demigod of Death as Julius leaps into the air to destroy Tojiro for all time.- "So begins, the Second Great Pilgrimage..."
NEXT TIME!
The Nightmare Wars
"The Second Great Pilgrimage" Arc begins!
CHAPTER LVI: SPEARHEAD:
TOJIRO ANKOKU VS. JULIUS TSUIHO
