YAMI NO MATSUEI

RAGNAROK DESCENDS

Chapter Twelve: The Ties that Bind All - Part Four

Author's Note About this Chapter

This chapter, along with the first two that bears the same title, was mentally and emotionally taxing to write.

Don't' get me wrong – I loved writing it just as much as I did each chapter of every fanfic that I have written…yet this chapter holds a special part of my heart as I hoped to capture all that I can in this chapter.

The hope of achieving redemption in impossible circumstances has always been one of my favorite themes…that and how relationships morph as everyone works towards that goal.

This multi-part chapter – The Ties that Bind All - is not only meant to be a brief summary or recap (through the interactions of the characters) of what happened thus far since Kyoto Files Revisited (KFR) and most especially Apocalypse Rising (AR). It is also meant to hit home to the very struggles of those who reside in Hades and especially our beloved canon characters – particularly Tsuzuki Asato.

It is in my hopes that you, the reader, will understand what I mean when you finish reading this chapter. Let me know what you think thus far either by PM or reviewing this chapter. I would love to know what you think.

For those who have shown so much love for this three-story-arc series (KFR, AR, and finally with RD), I am so humbled and honored. Yes, your Private Messages (PMs) and emails warm my heart. Thank you for your patience as I do my best to balance my real-life struggles of time and health with my virtual life as an author who wishes to impart happiness and enlightenment through the stories that I write. Your messages of support, constructive criticism, encouragement, and expressions of appreciation are treasured.

For those who have just discovered these stories of mine…enjoy!

To the Reader

Thanks for your patience in waiting very long for this next story update.

Yami no Matsuei is a shounen-ai series (boys' love, guy / guy relation, or insinuations of guy / guy relationships other than friendship). Ragnarok Descends is a sequel to Apocalypse Rising.

As much as one can read this story as a stand-alone, some of the characters and situations contained in this story unfolded in Kyoto Files Revisited and Apocalypse Rising as well as other stand-alone YnM fics such as The Shadows of My Past (a Tatsumi-centric, first-person POV fic which explores Tatsumi's life before the events portrayed in the manga series).

Ragnarok Descends will continue to explore darker themes and heavily-debated issues. Just like its predecessor fics, Ragnarok Descends will have violence, gory scenes, and angst.

Yes, plenty of angst….and yes, there will be much more of Muraki Kazutaka in this story.

To everyone, happy reading! Let me know what you think via reviews (especially if there are things that can be improved for the subsequent chapters, or things that you would like to keep or see as the story progresses.

Disclaimer

I do not own Yami no Matsuei and its lovable characters. However, I do own this fic, Troy Tsuuri (and the depiction of Abigor and Ashtarote in all my YnM fanfics), Asukawa Mako (Tatsumi's mentor and father figure from long ago), Chief Satori, and other original characters that have made an appearance in my YnM fanfics.

Location: Konoe Minoru's Home

Meifu

"Kacho, with all due respect, why is he here?" Watari asked, his eyes narrowing so viciously as he laid eyes on a very unexpected and much-hated visitor in Konoe's home.

Tatsumi, who was seething along with Hisoka, was too angry to verbalize his feelings…his shadows flickering dangerously like flames ready to lap and destroy upon command playing around his feet and legs.

"Everyone… Muraki is our guest," explained Konoe to his staff as they were all closely gathered in one spot of the living room, his eyes momentarily glancing at Abigor and his lips becoming more pursed as he took in a deep breath. "I gave Abigor and the primordials permission before they extended the invitation to Muraki. As soon as you six return from your journey, you will all need to immediately leave for Makai. By that time, Abigor needs to be reserve his strength to open the gates from Meifu to his castle in Makai. To make sure that happens, Muraki and the rest of the primordials have to be here waiting. It'll save everyone a trip or two, and Abigor much psychic strength. So please, as hard as it is, let's all be patient."

Ukyou and Oriya were the first ones who welcomed Muraki, with Ukyou giving him a warm hug which conveyed her affection for him. Oriya, who was standing behind Ukyou, then embraced the doctor.

Although Ukyou and Oriya were the initiators of the loving gesture, Muraki was the one who reciprocated through pouring more warmth and feelings into the embrace…most especially the embrace that Muraki and Ukyou exchanged, with Oriya fully understanding and without jealousy watching the two people he loved most.

When Tsuzuki saw Ukyou, Oriya, and Muraki, he was momentarily taken aback…even a tinge jealous. Yet when he saw and felt the warmth between the three long-time friends, his jealousy was replaced by a warm feeling of understanding that swelled in his chest. He felt a sense of peace veil over his platinum-haired lover to the point that even though he knew that Ukyou and Oriya were more than just friends to Muraki, he welcomed the two for bringing Muraki happiness.

"Brother Verus, Muraki," said a gently smiling Caer as he rested a hand over Tsuzuki's back, "We need to start our journey…."

"Understood," Tsuzuki replied to Caer, and with Muraki acknowledging his understanding with a nod.

Muraki excused himself from Ukyou and Oriya, and then approached Tsuzuki.

"Kazu…" Tsuzuki then whispered to Muraki once he turned to the latter.

With Muraki's blue eyes focused on Tsuzuki, he asked his amethyst-eyed lover with a soft smile gracing his lips, "Why do you look so sad?"

"I don't want to part yet, but this is important," replied Tsuzuki, with him touching Muraki's hand which was now on his cheek.

"I know… I'll be here waiting for you, Asato... As you see, I won't be alone here…not anymore. Your siblings and Abigor made sure of it. I have you to thank for all of this."

The Shokan Division men, most especially Hisoka and Tatsumi, were respectively amazed as they watched Muraki and Tsuzuki. It was as if they were watching two different people, particularly Muraki. If they did not have a great amount of misgiving against the evil doctor, they would either think that the one before them was not Muraki, or Tsuzuki catalyzed a good transformation within Muraki.

Before those around them, Tsuzuki and Muraki shared two kisses. The first kiss was chaste and fleeting, and the much-longer second one was infused with the love and passion the two of them had for each other. Although it was Muraki that initiated the loving gesture, it was Tsuzuki who paved the way for the more open expression of their mutual meetings for all to see…a fact that shocked the Shokan Division men, and had additionally affected Hisoka, Tatsumi, Oriya, and Ukyou in different ways and in varying degrees.

Abigor and the primordials gave Tsuzuki and Muraki the time that they needed with each other, with Abigor putting forth much patience since he empathized Hisoka and Tsuzuki's respective feelings in spite of the fact that the two original lovers' feelings seem to be hurtfully conflicting – most especially for Hisoka.

At the same time, Abigor had developed some level of empathy for Muraki which lay mutually exclusive from his loyalty towards Tsuzuki and Hisoka. He recalled the recent conversation that he had with the doctor, and in his heart he knew that he meant every word that he uttered. It was not total forgiveness or even a remote semblance of forgiveness, but he knew that he was at an emotional, mental, and spiritual place that he could accept the harms done against him and not allow those feelings to affect his heart or decisions. He just wished that Hisoka and Muraki would respectively be in such a place of reason – a place that might not be perfect, but at least it was not suffocating or blinding.

The primordial siblings watched, focusing and knowing that their brother Verus…Tsuzuki Asato…was genuinely happy.

Tsuzuki drew away from the kiss he shared with Muraki, and then had the two of them rest their foreheads against each other. He closed his eyes, taking in the platinum-haired doctor's familiar scent of light cologne and cigarettes and allowing his senses to soak in his lover's presence. During that time, the two held each other's hand. To Tsuzuki and Muraki, the moment felt like mere seconds while the rest – most especially for Hisoka, Tatsumi, and Oriya – the time the two showed their affection in front of everyone seemed like an eternity of heartbreak. "I'll be back, Kazu. Take care while you wait for me."

"Be careful. I'll be fine here," said Muraki with a small smile, worry still lightly veiled on his face. "Your siblings are here, and so are my two long-time friends. They, along with everyone, will keep me company."

"All right," Tsuzuki told Muraki as he completely drew away from the latter. He then joined the rest who were led by Abigor and Caer…with all of them giving subtle gestures of farewell as Abigor mystically lifted the veils leading to the Pools of Chaos.

Soon, the void swallowed Tsuzuki, Hisoka, Tatsumi, Abigor, Caer, and Lumys...the party of six crossing from Meifu on to another realm.

Location: Path to Pools of Chaos

Realm between Meifu, Makai, and Pits of Hell

Although the travel only began an hour ago, the heady psychic aura where the Pools of Chaos were located made the trek seemed like an eternity.

As the rest were left behind in Meifu at Konoe's home, the trekkers continued their way to the destined location. Abigor, Caer, and Lumys took the lead as Abigor and Caer held hands. Tatsumi, Hisoka, and Tsuzuki walked side by side a few feet behind the first batch, with Tsuzuki holding hands with Hisoka.

The expanse leading to the Pools of Chaos was located in a realm between Meifu, Makai – specifically at the area where Abigor's castle was located, and the Pits of Hell. Since the realm existed in an expanse undefined and unfettered by space and time, supernatural beings that possess great amounts of psychic energy were the only ones who could gain entrance. Moreover, even greater amounts of power were needed in order to linger here even for a few minutes…and even if the supernatural being had enough power to open the gates and linger in this realm for a few minutes, greater demand for power must be given to allow company in a journey in its psychically-taxing expanse.

Abigor and the others could feel the strain of entering the realm, but the greater brunt of the expanse's demand for power was on the one who would open its gates…and so Abigor was feeling the heavy toll as each passing minute went by.

If the expanse itself posed such a huge threat to anyone who dared enter, the danger was exponentially multiplied whenever even a touch of water from the Pools of Chaos was involved…and the more water was involved, the greater and wider the contact was in its waters, the higher the danger against the risk-taker's well-being if not his existence.

Hisoka could not help but think back on how Tsuzuki had said goodbye to Muraki in front of everybody. Jealousy along with other murky emotions ate him from the inside, making his body wish to shudder every time that his mind's eye showed him flashes of how his love and his mortal enemy exchanging a kiss and an embrace that would normally be reserved for lovers.

Tsuzuki, feeling the flow of emotions coming from Hisoka, glanced at the emerald-eyed shinigami. He gave the other a kind smile laced with warmth and reassurance, coupled with holding the other's hand with tighter affection.

Tatsumi continued walking, his mind filled with so many matters, people, and causes. He closed his eyes from time to time, doing his best to have his heart remind him of the loving kiss and embrace that he shared with Watari before they parted ways in Meifu.

After what seemed to be a long journey, everyone followed suit as Abigor stopped…the Pools of Chaos now before them.

"Please stay behind. Wish me luck, everyone," said Abigor as he then quietly walked approximately 50 feet away from the rest.

Abigor raised his right hand, having three glowing platinum tomes materialize from the ether…with each thick tome having its pages furiously flip, and then stopping once it reached a particular page.

Each tome then glowed more brightly, its writings lifting from the pages and merging along with the other two tomes…the letters forming a fourth tome which glowed even brighter than the three.

The Lord of Makai's eyes glowed ruby red, the fingers of his right hand moving as if he was flipping the pages of the newly-created fourth tome.

Abigor then closed his eyes, focusing within to gather every ounce of strength that he could muster…and then loudly chanted, his voice echoing throughout the expanse…

Oh earth, air, fire, metal, spirt, and water,

North, south, west, east, between, under, and over;

Light, darkness and all that lie in the middle;

I call upon all for keys to thy riddle.

00000

Arcane magic above, under, out, and in,

Every land, realm, and its mysteries within;

From seen and unseen future, present, and past,

I invoke all to bring matters clear at last.

00000

I humbly implore before Forbidden Tomes,

Grant passage to all secrets within thy homes;

Let thy strength and knowledge—merge with me as one,

Imbue now and all thy gifts—let it be done!

Lumys' eyes went wide as he fully realized what Abigor was aiming to accomplish, telling Caer mentally, "He is…"

Knowing what Lumys was thinking, a grim-looking Caer mused as he confirmed Lumys' fear, "It is The Forbidden Tomes, Brother Lumys…. Abigor has mastery over them. He has become much stronger since then. He asked both you and me to trust him…and so that is what we will do…."

"Brother Abigor nearly destroyed himself before, and this was not even the spell that he invoked at that time! For his sake, Brother Caer, stop him!"

Caer grabbed Lumys by the arm, and then shook his head. "No!"

Lumys' eyes narrowed as the worry and sense of urgency inside him grew stronger for each passing second. "We need to stop him!"

"If you do, you will destroy yourself and him!"

Lumys, pulling his arm away from Caer, mentally spat the words, "Brother Abigor's incantation is an upfront challenge to each guardian of every magical domain! Should he fail against one guardian, he fails the entire challenge! Once he fails, his body and soul will be destroyed! He will cease to exist!"

"Do you not think I know that?! And I tell you that we must stay put!"

Lumys was stunned, his eyes glued on Caer as if he could not breathe. "Then why are you allowing this? Why?"

Seeing the struggle reflected in Lumys' eyes forced Caer to see his own internal strife. He felt as if his heart was about to crumble for seeing the tears pool at the corner of his normally-detached brother's eyes…tears of confusion, anger, and frustration. His heart further clenched when he made his brother see his own misgivings by admitting, "I gave the one I love my word. I can now see why he is doing everything this way. He is helping Meifu through this, but he has other motives that benefit both him and all of us primordials. We must do what we promised him. He must do this alone. We must trust him. We help only by saving ourselves and everyone else if something goes wrong. His safety and existence are not included in that consideration. He could not be any clearer than that."

Abigor, who braced himself for a while as his body, heart, mind, and soul had undergone such sheer torture and pain, eventually let out a long, agonized yell which filled the entire expanse. Every part of his body felt as if it was being squeezed and then ripped apart. The tears of pain generously streamed down his cheeks as he gritted his teeth. He wanted to fall down on his knees thinking that it would give him some leverage or allow him to endure everything at a greater capacity and for a longer period of time…yet he was transfixed in his standing position. He felt and could hear his bones crack and his muscles and tissues pulled apart, making him grit his teeth even harder.

From the beginning of Abigor's mystical trials, a bright light shone above him…the light changing hues marking that he succeeded a trial and another one took its place. Everyone's eyes were transfixed on him, with each one anticipating and hoping for him to succeed all the trials with as minimal pain as possible…their hearts clenching in empathy and their bodies shuddered when they hear and see Abigor's agony. Each of them fought his desire to rush and rescue the Lord of Makai, only to be held back by the oath he had given.

After what seemed to be infinity, the light that currently shone above him became brighter still until it filled the expanse with its blinding rays…then it slowly reverted to its original strength, lingering as such for a good long moment until it weakened and eventually died down.

Once the last of the mystical lights disappeared into the void, Abigor fell face-down on the ground.

Tatsumi, who was closest in proximity to Abigor, was the first one to run towards the Lord of Makai. He stopped dead in his tracks when Abigor, who was now struggling to be on all fours, weakly raised his hand for Tatsumi to stay put in spite of being in great pain.

Tsuzuki, Hisoka, and the primordials ran and then stopped to where Tatsumi stood, on standby to offer any assistance.

"Abigor…?"

The Lord of Makai could not lift up his head and look at the emerald-eyed shinigami. Instead, he used the psychic link between them and said, "I will be all right, Hisoka. Just weak and hurting right now... Give me a little time."

Hisoka mentally said, his empathy picking up the sheer agony that Abigor had gone…and was still going through, "Give me your hand when you're ready. I'll help you up when you're ready."

Minutes later, a crouching Abigor reached up for Hisoka's hand. "Thank you…. There is still much work to be done. We need to be done by midnight…in time to conduct the Rites of Passage between Tatsumi-san and Mako-san."

Abigor got up with Hisoka's help, with Hisoka feeling a substantially stronger potency in Abigor's power even though the latter was still in so much pain.

Hisoka saw Abigor's face, his heart clenching as he said, "You're bleeding…."

A tight-lipped Abigor told Hisoka, his entire being still undergoing spasm and pain due to his ordeal, "I got what I came for. Now it is time to help Tatsumi-san."

"Will you be fine to do the second spell on your own?" asked Hisoka, his eyes showing the concern that he had for Abigor.

"I will need your help, Hisoka. Let me link with you, so that I can perform the spell through you."

"All right…" was Hisoka's reply, mustering as much emotional and spiritual strength in preparation for what was about to happen.

The Lord of Makai then wiped the blood off his nose with the back of his hand. He took a deep breath before facing the rest. With his gaze fixed on Tatsumi, he asked, "Tatsumi-san, are you ready?"

Tatsumi nodded.

Abigor then explained to Tatsumi, "Hisoka will serve as my conduit for the spell. I will use my dominion over what is lost to find your mentor. Once we find his bones and soul, you begin the Rites of Passage. I will keep the gates between realms open for you, and grant you access to the incantations for the Rites. Afterwards, you alone must pass the Rites through your own strength. The gates will remain open for you, no matter what happens. We will be here in case you need us – not to aid you in succeeding the rites, but to save your life."

"Understood…." An intent-looking Tatsumi told Abigor, "I won't fail. I refuse to fail."

Abigor nodded his head, his expression grim as he took a deep breath to ease his nerves. "Good luck, Tatsumi-san…."

With those words, the Lord of Makai walked away to take his place and start his shared task with Hisoka and Tatsumi.

"Kurosaki-kun…. Tsuuri-kun…."

Abigor stopped and then turned, being called by his human name striking a poignant chord inside him.

The secretary and now interim Chief of the Shokan Division gave Abigor a soft smile, his blue eyes reflecting the depth of his feelings which was now laced behind his words. "No matter what happens, no matter whether you are Lord Abigor or Tsuuri Troy…I thank you…."

With a smile of his own which showed his relief as well as the joy that he now shared with the shadow master, Abigor said, "In my eyes, it is I who should forever thank you and the Shokan Division for many reasons. It starts with the kindness you have shown to my son, Hisoka, and then the sacrifices you all have made to save me when I was still human. When I was still Tsuuri Troy…."

Abigor's gaze did not leave Tatsumi as he continued, "If there is anything that will fuel this magic, it will be the ties that you and Mako-san have shared in the human world and beyond. Let that be our light and guide. Please endure as much as you can, Tatsumi-san. Our success lies with you."

"Do you want me to stand beside you?" Hisoka asked.

"Take my hand, and come with me. I will then stand behind you," was Abigor's instruction.

Hisoka then looked up to Tsuzuki, telling the latter, "I'll come back. I need to help them."

"Be careful," said Tsuzuki with an empathetic smile, drawing Hisoka close to him and enclosing the younger shinigami in a heartfelt embrace. The amethyst-eyed shinigami and primordial closed his eyes, as if he wished to immerse himself in Hisoka when he told the latter in a near-whisper, "I'll wait for you."

Abigor watched the two lovers, smiling inwardly and wishing once more that all would go well for them after all these trials and tribulations that they were all undergoing. Moments later, he locked gazes with Caer…with Caer communicating his concern and support not only with his ice blue gaze but also through the mental link that the two of them shared.

The Lord of Makai then turned to everyone else, his eyes communicating a request that came from the bottom of his heart though the words, "I need your help, everyone. Reach within and open yourselves. Tap into the desire of seeking and finding what has been lost to you. Think about those who you share bonds with. Let your entire being fill with your feelings for those you hold dear. Those feelings will greatly help me. Please, everyone…lend me your strength."

Abigor turned to Tatsumi once more, and then stole a glance towards Hisoka. "This applies most especially to you two, Tatsumi-san…Hisoka…"

Tsuzuki, Hisoka, Caer, Lumys, and Tatsumi all nodded…the sight of them each giving their consent and trust made Abigor's heart feel lighter, the pain that he endured and continued to suffer feeling more bearable being reminded that he was not alone. "All right…. Stay still, everyone…. Hisoka, please come with me."

Caer motioned to the two men behind him and Lumys, "Brother Verus, Tatsumi… Please come and join us."

Tsuzuki's eyes reflected such warmth as he accepted Caer's invitation with a nod, feeling comfortable in standing beside his primordial brothers.

Tsuzuki then glanced at Tatsumi, feeling rather bashful when his eyes met to shadow master's gaze…the exchange stirring emotions as well as trying to free lost memories within Tsuzuki.

Hisoka and Abigor walked side by side until Abigor stopped walking.

"Let us stay here, Hisoka. Are you ready?"

A tight-lipped Hisoka nodded.

Abigor stepped behind Hisoka, and placed his hands on the latter's shoulders. He closed his eyes, focusing his energies and tapping into his powers…picking up and soaking in the collective aura from those around him, having those merge with his own powers and amplifying them.

Soon, Abigor's psychic efforts created a continuous cycle wherein power flowed back and forth between Abigor and each one present…with each cycle making the combined powers more potent. The surge of power circling between Abigor and Hisoka was far greater, with Abigor doing his best to ease the burden on Hisoka while the latter opened himself to serve as the best conduit for the task.

Hisoka braced himself, feeling sick and on near-overload due to the continuous bombardment of psychic and magic powers. He was grateful, however, that the short training and meditation that he earlier did with Abigor prepared him so that his psychic endurance and capacity have been enhanced even a little.

Tsuzuki could feel the continuous flow of psychic energies coursing through him, his chest tightening. He felt pain lance through him at first, and then wrap around him as if it was a boa constrictor…with him feeling as if he was being filled to the rim, only to have the life squeezed out from him.

Tatsumi's shadows lapped around him, being stirred as if the dark energies that their master was being fed with was feeding and provoking them at the same time.

Caer and Lumys respective kept their eyes closed, feeling the link that they have shared with Abigor wrap around them from head to toe…the two feeling such foreign psychic energies merge with their own and become one, with them sensing the unique powers coming from Abigor and Hisoka as well as the Pools of Chaos.

Determining that the right time and conditions finally arrived, Hisoka – as Abigor worked through him – opened his eyes and well as the palm of his right hand.

Seconds later, light emerged from the ground…the area where Abigor and HIsoka stood being the epicenter of the two concentric circles. It was as if an invisible finger began drawing symbols of bluish light…the symbol consisting of twenty small circles varying in size, and each shape strategically arranged inside and around a rectangle. The upper line completing the rectangle was adorned with a wavy line that intersected it, and the right-hand end of that upper line ended with a triangle.

A hexagram then formed, and along with it the emanation of heat and strong gusts of wind. As the two triangles forming the hexagram and the ancient inscriptions spun around them, the action transforming it into another symbol, the clothes that Abigor wore began to change – the all-black outfit consisting of leather jacket, jeans, and turtleneck transforming into the ceremonial robes of his station as Lord of Makai.

Hisoka's eyes, just like everyone else's, was glued on Abigor and the seal that formed below their feet….making the emerald-eyed shinigami muse, "It's his Seal. I haven't seen it since that day."

The influx of psychic energies flowing between Abigor and each one present increased exponentially as the symbol – the Seal of Abigor – and its master had completed its respective transformation.

Then Hisoka, achieving the momentum and the rest that he needed to sustain the rest of the spell, began chanting as Abigor worked through him….

Spirits and guardians of all those who seek,

From strongest of strong to the very meek;

Reach out deeply inside my heart and mind,

To see all the things that I wish to find.

00000

I, who possess dominion over thee,

Now ask all of you through a fervent plea;

Lend me thy strength and reveal all to me,

Let me gaze what only thine eyes could see.

00000

Listen, guardians, to each tale of a broken life,

I offer them all in behalf of those in strife;

Grant mercy and offered wisdom as I implore,

Please restore them as close as they were all before.

00000

Through lasting darkness and mystical light,

Sweep the dark veils and reveal in plain sight;

Show the one sought succumbed to unknown plight,

And pave the way to settle matters right.

The bright bluish light that formed the Seal of Abigor shone brightly into blinding white. Such bright light flooded the entire realm…then got engulfed in darkness.

Then after the seemingly eternal darkness, a small red light began to shine at the far corner of Abigor's left, as if it was the remnants of a dying star.

That red light then shone brighter and brighter.

Tatsumi gazed at Abigor, with hope swelling in his chest but wanting assurance. When he saw Abigor look back so that he could glance at him, the gesture was affirmation that the spell had indeed worked. Following the non-verbal gesture given to him by Abigor, he began approaching the two.

The Lord of Makai then turned and gratefully smiled at Hisoka. "Thank you, Hisoka. If it were not for you, the spell would have not been successful."

"I'm glad to help," was Hisoka's quiet reply.

Abigor gave Tatsumi a nod, telling him, "Come with me, Tatsumi-san…" He then glanced behind him, giving all the same hopeful gesture and welcoming them to accompany Tatsumi and him.

Tatsumi and Abigor walked side by side, with the others not far behind. The two followed the light which led all of them to a pit.

Hisoka stayed and waited for Tsuzuki. Once reunited, the two walked together with the others.

The Lord of Makai, the one who held domain of all that was lost, raised his hand once more. He then stopped after looking down into the pit, his gaze fixed.

With a small smile, Abigor told Tatsumi, "Slight change of plans, Tatsumi-san. I could do it, but I would like to give you the honors. We need to get him out of the pit. The Rites of Passage will be postponed. We need to figure out together what we will do from here."

In a split second, Tatsumi commanded his errand shadows to reach down the pit and retrieve Mako…the others now stopping as they now stood nearby Abigor.

A minute later, the shadows – continued to be guided by the red light – placed its precious retrieval with such reverence before Tatsumi's feet…with their master's eyes going wide with disbelief.

Tatsumi threw another glance towards Abigor, the latter telling the shadow master, "Go ahead, Tatsumi-san…."

Tatsumi's shaky right hand reached out and touched the side of Mako's neck.

There was a pulse…

"What…how…?" was all that Tatsumi could manage to say.

Abigor closed his eyes, as if he was seeking an answer as well. He then opened his eyes and quietly explained to Tatsumi, "For now, let us thank that he is back…and we owe it all to you for never giving up on him. The bonds you two share are so strong that it exceeded what we hoped to achieve. We hoped to retrieve bones and to send his soul to rest. Instead, we got him back alive and well."

Tatsumi got startled as the one who had just been retrieved opened his eyes, asking in a near-whispered voice, "Seii-kun…?"

A teary-eyed and overjoyed Tatsumi nodded, with him having no reservations as he embraced Mako just as a child would do once a long-absent and much-loved father had returned home…clinging on to the elder man as if his existence depended on him not letting the other go from his grasp. He rested his head by the crook of Mako's shoulder as he allowed the tears to stream down his cheek…his heart finally releasing all the pent-up emotions now that he had closure over Mako-san's whereabouts and fate from 50 years ago.

Mako, equally overwhelmed as evidenced by the abundant tears that flowed from him, enclosed Tatsumi in a protective and fatherly hug just as he had always done ever since he entered Tatsumi's mortal life. "My boy… I'm so sorry for being away for so long. I've missed you so much…"

An exhausted Abigor glanced sideways towards the direction where Caer and Hisoka now stood, managing to smile brightly even though the arcane ordeals that he had undergone had rendered him physically and psychically spent. He closed his eyes, thanking God that he had accomplished part of his mission and been allowed to see the father and son…mentor and student…be reunited after being cruelly separated for half a century.

Once the tears have been shed, Mako took in a deep breath and kissed the crown of Tatsumi's head with fatherly affection. He then glanced at his surroundings, and his eyes spot a familiar face. "Tsuzuki-kun…? Is that you?"

A teary-eyed Tsuzuki smiled, telling the elder shadow master, "Yes, Mako… It's me…"

Caer, Lumys, Tatsumi, and most especially Hisoka stared at Tsuzuki. Abigor's tight-lipped smile became warmer as he closed his eyes, giving thanks for yet another result which exceeded his expectation.

Hisoka asked, "Tsuzuki… Do you…." He then paused for a while, his eyes staring at those amethyst eyes of the other as he finally managed to complete his thought by asking, "Do you remember me…us…?"

The tears that pooled at the corners of Tsuzuki's eyes now streamed down his cheeks, with Tsuzuki feeling as if his heart was about to burst upon gazing at Hisoka – all while he quietly nodded his head as his response.

"Tatsumi-san, there is another development that you should know. This specifically concerns you and me. I need to go to Makai sooner and so do you, depending on your answer," said a now grim-looking Abigor, evident to the others that he was barely restraining himself.

Once he knew that everyone, particularly Tatsumi, gave his undivided attention, Abigor added, "The seeking spell also uncovered Enma and Satori's whereabouts. They are both in Makai. Now that you have Mako-san back and all is well, what do you wish to do now? Do you still wish to exact revenge on those two?"

End of Chapter Twelve