A/N Sequel to "The First Murder"
...
How many millennia had passed since the night light and darkness forever parted, Kana cared not to count. She was more focused on reaping the souls of humanity. In the beginning she could not stomach the screams of agony and hate the souls created when they were reaped, yet overtime she slowly became numb to it. She knew she deserved this punishment not just for murdering her own brother but also dividing her mothers forever.
Although she was immortal and did not experience the flow of time similar to a human, Kana could feel the pain building up with each second. She tried so many things to end her misery, even using her own scythe against herself, but her mothers curse remained unbroken and left her in more agony than before. Thus she had no choice but to resign herself to her fate and drown herself in her mission as death. Until s he received an invitation one fateful night.
…
It was the night of a new moon, Kana the reaper of humanities' souls had just reaped the souls of two homeless children who had died from malnutrition and hypothermia on the streets. Kana looked at their frozen and lifeless bodies, noticing they were holding hands just like they had in life. She was about to move on to her next target when all of a sudden the pitch black alley was illuminated by a source of fire. Kana turned around to see a giant red horse with flames for a mane and tail. The muscular horse was clearly not of this world and, based on its eyes burning with hatred, it was unmistakably her dark mother's creation. Riding on the horse was a slender woman with short black hair and faded violet eyes. She also wore the armor of a gladiator which complemented her intense glare.
"Kana, I presume?" The woman asked. "I can tell by your scythe, however I was ordered to see your face."
The truth was, over the centuries, Kana had taken to wearing a hooded cloak to hide her shameful self under. Unlike an ordinary cloak, hers allowed her to become one with shadow. It was a convenient tool to hide her tears from the souls she reaped and especially from both her mothers. As such she was very reluctant to reveal her face.
"What do you want with death?" Kana asked.
"The Queen of darkness wishes to meet with you in her realm," the woman said.
"Why?" Kana didn't hesitate to ask.
"She did not care to reveal the details to us until you were present," the woman said.
Seeing as this was the first time her dark mother had wanted to speak to her since her time as death began, Kana saw she had no choice.
"Fine, I accept," Kana said.
"Then we shall be on our way," the woman said, "but first you must reveal your face so I may confirm you are indeed her daughter."
Hesitantly, Kana removed her hood revealing her long curly pink hair and violet irises that reflected her sorrow. The woman nodded before patting the horse's back to invite her to ride. Kana morphed her scythe into a ring and took a seat.
"The Queen of darkness mentioned she would send servants to help do your work while you're away," the woman said.
"It's unneeded," Kana said. "My shadows will take care of it."
It was true, for after the amount of souls in the world went beyond Kana's control, she created shadows of herself to help with the excess of souls that needed to be reaped. They were like copies of her, except they were connected to her subconscious which made them more of extensions of herself. So if her dark mother planned to manipulate the destination of reaped souls, Kana's shadows would stop her.
"You are a clever child," the woman said. "Just like her."
The woman hit the horse's neck forcing it to bolt forward. It powerfully galloped through the silent streets before leaping into the ground. When Kana blinked, she found herself riding across a frigid river that echoed with the regrets of souls. From there the horse leaped to a bank made human bones which broke into dust under its strong hooves. The horse destroyed even more bones as it raced past the bank and into a blazing crimson dessert. Within the hot sand, Kana could see humans desperately trying to crawl out only to sink in deeper. Of course the horse was unaffected by the sinking sand and easily galloped forward. It ran faster and faster before leaping over a wide canyon full of fire and the sounds of agony. On the other side, all sorts of hideous creatures, conceived from human nightmares, roamed around in a treacherous jungle. The creatures moved out of the horse's path, however the fearful humans lost in the jungle were not as fortunate. By the time they left the jungle, Kana witnessed so many cruel mawlings. She grew ever more weary of her decision to visit her dark mother in this hellish domain. Fortunately the ride was just about done when she spotted a castle of jagged stones emerge over the horizon. As they drew closer she could make out humans lifting heavy boulders to expand the castle.
"Do not be revolted by your mother's domain," the woman said. "The humans you see were sent here for a reason, you of all people should know."
"I know," Kana said.
"We've arrived," the woman said.
The horse slowed down to a stop before two grand monochrome doors. Without assistance, the doors opened and the two dismounted. As soon as they both stepped in, the doors slammed shut and lamps illuminated the hall. Kana followed the woman, not caring to look at the paintings on the wall that most certainly depicted more human torture.
Overview of Junko's history after the breakup. After growing bored in hell, she seeks new companions or rather underlings to help in her new grand plan. Since the hall was torturously long, Kana decided now was a good a time as any to ask the woman's name.
"Who are you?" Kana asked.
"Your mother calls me Mukuro," the woman replied, "but before that I was only ever known as War."
"War?" Kana asked.
"Allow me to explain" Mukuro said.
…
Since the first forms of life began to fight for resources, war existed. She was the fire in every beast's heart that made them fight beyond their pain and morales. Although she had no physical form in those days, sparks of her could be seen in the eyes of warriors. War did not think, she only was, until the goddess of Darkness summoned her into a physical form.
It was nightfall after an intense battle between two ironclad armies. Neither side showed no mercy and ultimately both perished. Blood and sweat dripped from their mutilated bodies into one great pool in the desert sand. From the pool and surrounding weapons, the goddess of Darkness created a Demi human.
The moment Mukuro realized she was trapped inside a scrawny body of flesh, she tried to attack the goddess. However, she was swiftly beaten by the goddess's power. She tried again and again, baring her teeth and swiping her claws, but to no avail. The goddess, growing sick of her, sighed.
"Are you done yet or are you going to keep trying to kill Darkness herself?" Junko asked. "Don't be afraid to speak."
"Why shackle me to this pathetic body?!" War glared at her.
"Honestly, I'm so lonely," Junko said. "And since a lot of your followers end up in my kingdom of despair, I figured you'd be an understanding friend or little sister."
"Sister?" War asked.
"In your terms and allie," Junko said. "More than that, a commander."
"You are quite strong and you are the goddess of Darkness," Mukuro said before bowing, "very well, I War shall serve you."
"Great, but refer to yourself as Mukuro from now on," Junko giggled, "that is my first order as your big sister and commander!"
"Understood," the newly named Mukuro nodded.
"Stick with me Mukuro and soon you will be charging ahead in the greatest war this universe has ever seen!" Junko smiled.
After that first encounter, Mukuro followed Junko down to Hell. There she learned how to fight in her new body. A part of her still existed in the physical world and informed her on every fighting strategy and techniques on the planet. While her skills grew sharper and sharper, her love and dependency on Junko grew stronger. Afterall, Junko was the only other entity in the universe that could understand and appreciate her merciless nature, no one else. Thus she fully accepted her role of Junko's younger sister and personal defender even if the almighty goddess of Darkness didn't need it. Nothing would stop her from serving Junko.
…
"So you see, my master and I are connected," Mukuro said. "She has promised me great wars and has never failed to keep her promise yet."
"Mother was always good with promises," Kana said.
"I suppose if my master is your mother, that would make me what human's call an 'aunt'," Mukuro said.
"It would," Kana said.
"Then as your aunt, it should be my duty to train you," Mukuro said.
"Thank you, but I'll pass," Kana said. "I'm unkillable."
"Even Achilles had his heel," Mukuro said.
Before Kana could rebuke her aunt, something ripped through the hallway and pounced on her. Kana opened her eyes to see a dark skinned women fused with a lion's pelt standing over her. The women sniffed her and was about to take a bite out of her neck when Mukuro pulled her by the tail.
"Rawr," the woman howled in surprised. "What's the big idea?"
"This is a guest, not your meal, Akane!" Mukuro said.
"But… I can smell she can't die, so one bite then some regeneration wouldn't hurt." Akane said. "I could find out what light and darkness taste like in one bite!"
"You'll taste a sword first if you so much as lick her," Mukuro said.
"That does sound very tasty and rich in iron," Akane started drooling.
"Ignore this beast of a woman," Mukuro said to Kana as she helped her up. "She is the manifestation of Famine, so she's always trying to eat everything, even her own steed."
"Now that you mention it, where did my little zebra buddy go?" Akane asked. "He's literally just skin and bones, but that's how they make veal taste so good."
"Junko has told you repeatedly not to eat the steed she gave you!" Mukuro said.
"Then can I eat yours?" Akane asked. "She's so big and muscled like an elephant and I'll bet her fired mane makes her meat very warm."
Kana had reaped her fair share of gluttonous souls in the past, but the incarnation of Famine was gluttonous beyond words. While one would think a gluttonous person such as her would be tremendously fat, Akane was scarcely close to skin and bones Once Akane accepted she wasn't allowed to eat anyone's steeds, she turned her attention back to Kana.
"Sorry I pounced on ya," Akane said. "You just smell soooo nice. Overall a salty scent like tears with a subdued sweetness. Here I thought death would smell all bitter and moldy."
"She wasn't born from the concept of death like we were born from War and Famine," Mukuro said. "She was born directly from our master."
"Ohhhh," Akane said," That explains it. the boss talks a lot about you. Is it true you killed your own brother?"
"Yes…," Kana sighed.
"Did you eat em afterwards?" Akane asked." That's what I would've done."
"No," Kana said. "I don't want to talk about it."
"That's strange cause usually the boss would talk a lot about the people she tortures," Akane said. "That and how she hates anything to do with the goddess of light."
"You really need to learn when to keep your jaw shut," Mukuro said.
"Whoops again," Akane gulped. "I'm not too good at this "socialization" thingy, unless it's about food."
"We have a ways to go before we see the master," Mukuro said. "Akane, why don't you try and explain your origin to our guest."
"I forgot," Akane said the which Mukuro rolled her eyes.
"I suppose I'll explain it," Mukuro said.
…
Similar to War, Famine always existed as long as there were stomachs growling for sustenance. Famine gave the living strength to kill, however, unlike War, she made their minds very weak. So many times a creature with a growling stomach and a weak mind ate their own kin. Famine did not care by what means she was sustained, she only cared for the tastes. Yet despite countless centuries and even more tastes, never was Famine full. Even in the stomachs of kings she growled ruthlessly for more.
The night the goddess of darkness summoned her was one of the coldest in the savannah. In that cold bitter night, a lion, once proud and mighty, starved to death. Before he died, the lion had mauled and eaten the cubs of a widowed lioness. She retaliated with her sisters and drove him out by force. In the scuffle, the lion's jaw was broken meaning he could no longer eat. He suffered for days on his own, attempting to take down prey by himself only to find it impossible. Finally on this night, his body surrendered to death.
From the remains of this starved lion, the goddess of darkness summoned Famine into a more human form. Now she had the face and torso of a human, but the rest of her body was made from the lion. Her long and unruly brown hair was suitable for a lion's mane and her giant paws excellent for catching prey. The moment she became conscious in her body, she attempted to pounce the goddess of darkness. In return the goddess dodged and spoke to her.
"Easy," Junko said. "I'll feed you, just be patient."
Akane, completely ignoring her, rushed off to eat a bird she heard. Junko grabbed her by the tail and scratched her own hand. From Junko's wounds, a dark inky substance oozed out. To any normal living thing it would have smelled repulsive, but to Akane it was the most delicious scent she ever smelled.
"Now I'm going to let you have some of this," Junko said. "But you have to listen to me. Understood?"
Akane nodded and sat like a dog, her tail flicking from side to side. Junko extended her bleeding hand to her.
"Just lick!" Junko commanded. "If you don't, I won't give you any."
Akane agreed and tenderly licked the dark matter from the palm of Junko's hand. For once Akane felt the urge to enjoy every taste slowly and without rush. Now that she was in a physical form, the taste felt like it truly belonged to her. Soon she was purring in delight.
"If you want more, you will have to obey me," Junko said as she retracted her arm. "Understood?"
Akane nodded excitedly as her tail flicked about.
"Very good, Akane" Junko scratched her behind her lion ear.
Akane eagerly followed Junko down to her domain, much like a dog follows its master. There, Akane could eat whatever she desired from human limbs to lava. Her stomach was stronger than iron so nothing was off limits, except Junko's blood. If Akane wanted a taste of Junko's blood, she would have to learn to speak and act more human instead of animal. She didn't really like it, but if it was for a single drop of Junko's blood, she'd gladly learn to read even the most difficult of readings. While her fellow being Mukuro saw Junko as a sister, Akane saw her as a leader. In Akane's eyes, Junko was the king of her pride and she was the Kong's loyal huntress. Without Junko and her strong leadership, Akane couldn't imagine living under any other ruler. Or off of any other taste.
…
"So you see, Akane is essentially your mother's pet," Mukuro said.
"No way, I'm her beta," Akane said. "Do you see a collar on me."
"Your lucky she taught you to speak." Mukuro said.
"Yeah, or else I'd roar in your face all the time," Akane laughed. "By the way, when are we gonna spar again?"
"Ask the master," Mukuro said.
"She doesn't wanna admit it, but I totally beat her last time," Akane whispered to Kana.
"I was distracted," Mukuro said.
"Sure," Akane snickered like a hyena.
Eventually the three reached the final stretch of the hall. They were about to reach a pair of grand scarlet doors when a voice called out.
"Oh my goodness," a feminine voice called. "Is today the day my beloved's daughter comes to visit."
Kana turned around to see a woman with messy lavender hair. She was dressed in dirty rags and all four of her limbs were wrapped in rotting bandages. Upon her head was a magnificent silver crown that greatly contrasted from everything else she wore. At once she ran forward and smothered Kana in a hug.
"Oh I'm so happy to see you," the woman said. "You look just like your mother and you even have lavender eyes just like me."
Kana tried to ask for the woman's name, only to be kissed repeatedly on the forehead. These were no ordinary kisses though as Kana realized the kissed skin began to sting and fester like it had made contact with acid. Kana was used to pain, so it didn't really hurt.
"I've been rotting away just waiting for you to come visit," the woman said. "You're so cute and frail, I could just sink my poison into you."
"How many times must I warn you underlings that the master's daughter is off limits," Mukuro growled and took out a metal sword that burned with fire.
"If she's Junko's daughter then that makes her my daughter too," the woman said before squeezing Kana's cheek.
"Hey I might not know a whole lot, but even I know your just the boss's main squeeze, Mikan," Akane laughed.
"When my beloved Junko finds out you said that about me," Mikan snapped. "She'll skin you alive and we'll dine on top of your pelt!"
Mukuro sighed heavily and grabbed Kana away from Mikan's toxic grip. Kana looked at Mikan and then to her aunt.
"If you're wondering, your mother is intimate with this foul woman," Mukuro said.
"Good for her… I guess," Kana sighed.
"Oh don't worry Kana, I promise I'll be a good step mother to you, that's what humans call it anyway," Mikan said. "You can call me mommy and I'll teach you about all the illnesses and injuries that kill humans. Won't that be fun?"
Kana didn't want to answer. Without knowing it, she clung to her aunt's arm.
"Just call her Mikan," Mukuro said, clearly noticing Kana's discomfort. "Otherwise known as Pestilence incarnate."
"Yes, I am everything from toxic gas to infected wounds," Mikan giggled. "But I'm not that bad. Compared to your stone cold aunt, I'm as gentle and sweet as a poisonous mushroom."
"I ate one of those once," Akane interrupted. "It was okay."
Mikan glared daggers at Akane to get her to shut up. Then she looked back at Kana with a purish smile.
"I bet you're curious how your lovely mother and I came to meet," Mikan said. "Isn't that right my little monarch butterfly?"
"I don't care," Kana said.
"It all happened a long time ago," Mikan ignored her and carried on with her story.
…
Pestilence was an inevitable consequence of life. She was the venom in a spider's fang, the foam of a rapid rat, and the turnor in a poor man's lungs. In the early centuries, none could oppose her. She claimed twice as many lives as War and Famine combined, but did so without prejudice. Whether it was a strong man or a helpless baby, she could kill without hesitation. Her deadly bacteria could seep into their skin or she could persist as a fatal recessive gene in a family tree. Whichever way she manifested, humanity despised her. No matter how many times they cursed her name, the illnesses she brought never ceased. Prayers and potions were powerless against her, but she foolishly underestimated the persistence of humanity.
It happened slowly at first. Humans would evolve their remedies and change their hygiene habits. With each century humanity evolved their cures and precautions. Her power weakened, for unlike War and Famine, humanity actively sought to destroy her. Soon many of her forms became less common. Wounds were cleaned to prevent her infection, tools were created to remove her parasites, and families grew cautious of their genes. Everyone turned on her and managed to diminish her power slightly. It was a violent attack she would not ever forget once she had physical form to remember with.
The night the goddess of darkness gave her form, the air reeked of horrendous odors only a decaying corpse could create. Thousands of flies swarmed around the pit overflowing with decaying bodies of men, women, and children. From the rot of the collective corpses and by the breath of the goddess of darkness, pestilence was given form. She formed inside the pile of decaying bodies and had to climb out of them. Once she managed to crawl out, her eyes fell upon the goddess of darkness glowing from the moonlight shining down on her.
"Who… are you?" Mikan asked meekly.
"I am your goddess of darkness," Junko smiled.
"Did you… do this to me?" Mikan asked.
"You mean give you form?" Junko asked. "Why yes, yes I did."
"Why?" Mikan asked. "Don't you know how ugly I am?"
"Maybe to the humans that have been desperately trying to destroy you, but not to me," Junko said. "I understand how your illnesses and parasites grow to decorate living things, that's why you grow strongest in my darkness. I'm quite an admirer of you and your work."
Without realizing it, Mikan blushed. Never before had anyone, let alone a goddess of creation, complemented or appreciated her work. She felt her newly formed heart beat faster as the goddess of darkness walked closer.
"My dear pestilence, I see no one has ever said the things I have said, but I don't want to be the last," Junko said. "If we work together, eventually we will make humanity quiver before you completely powerless once more. As it should be."
Junko took Mikan's hand into her own. Mikan looked down and gasped upon realizing both her arms and legs were as black with rot as an old tree. She clenched her teeth once she realized her rot began to spread into Junko's tender hand. Desperate, Mikan tried to swipe her hand away to spare Junko, but the goddess of darkness refused to let go.
"I am not afraid to rot by your beautiful hands," Junko said as she looked right into her eyes. "Unlike those wretched humans, I do not succumb easily to your gifts."
"Please, you must let go," Mikan whimpered. "I don't want to ruin you."
"Very well, then I have a compromise," Junko smiled.
Junko pulled out long white bandages from her dress. Tenderly, she wrapped them around Mikan's rotting arm till not a hint of it showed. As she bandaged her arm, Junko looked into Mikan's eyes. Mikan could see the strength in Junko's frigid blue eyes, but also a fair bit of loneliness seemingly akin to her own. When she looked at her wrapped arm, she was stunned by how well it was done. She looked back at Junko and noticed the rot had cleared away from her hand.
"See," Junko said, holding Mikan's wrapped hand. "Nothing can stop me from holding your lovely hand."
"You think… my hand is lovely, even though it's rotting?" Mikan asked.
"Yes, I can see and admire the turning shades of black and the intricate cracks," Junko said before looking back into her eyes. "To me, it is beautiful."
"Beautiful," Mikan smiled.
"If you would allow me, I would like to give you a name more fitting of this beauty," Junko said.
"Of course," Mikan nodded.
"Mikan," Junko said with a smile. "How does that sound?"
"I love it," Mikan said without hesitation.
"Then my dear Mikan, I have one last thing to bestow upon you," Junko said.
Releasing Mikan's hand, Junko used both her hands to summon something that sparkles like moonlight. In her hands she held a porcelain crown decorated with countless jewels that sparkled under the moonlight. Mikan had seen crowns grace the heads of kings and queens she poisoned, but none of them compared to this crown.
"If I may, I would like to place this crown on your head and make you my queen," Junko said. "Together we can rule a place where your gifts will be truly appreciated. What do you say?"
"Yes," Mikan smiled ear to ear and cried tears of purple venom.
Hand in hand, Mikan and Junko descended into Hell. There Mikan was met by hordes of people cheering her name and showering her with love. She felt like a fairytale princess as Junko picked her up and place her on a white steed with a horn and a long mane and tail made of poison. Junko led her to her new home, the castle of spikes. There they would seal their love in bed. As Junko caressed her bare rotting skin, she never once looked at her with disgust. In that moment Mikan knew with all her heart Junko loved her and she loved her so much in return. Once their love was known throughout Hell, Mikan never strayed from her beloved's side. She showered her beloved with more gratitude and affection each day. However, as the days passed, she began to notice something in her beloved. Despite being at her side at all times and lovingly embracing her in bed, that loneliness in Junko's eyes never diminished. Once when they were together in bed she heard her beloved cry out the name "Chiaki". When she asked, Junko told her the truth of her past love. It made Mikan's venomous blood boils with anger and envy that any woman would love and hurt her beloved like that. That was when she vowed to work even harder to be the greatest lover her beloved had ever known. So much so that her beloved could one day forget all about Chiaki and the pain she caused her. Till that day came, and even long after, Mikan would remain loyal and loving to her dear beloved who showed her affection when no one else did.
…
"See, I know what it's like to be despised by all living things, just like you," Mikan said. "I was so alone until my beloved Junko came and gave me a home, a purpose, and most importantly love!"
"Sounds like you're just a slut for the boss's attention," Akane snickered.
"Shut up you curd!" Mikan snapped. "I'll rot your fangs away for such insolence!"
"Hey I know my place," Akane said. "But if you forgot yours you might be dumber than me, and I know I'm not the sharpest claw on the paw."
Mikan's hair rose in fury as she unwrapped one of her bandages. Kana could see and smell the rot on Mikan's arm.
"That's enough," Mukuro put a hand on Mikan's shoulder. "Leave the fighting for later."
"Didn't think I'd hear that from you of all people," Akane said.
"Unlike Famine, War is much more precise and planned," Mukuro said. "That is how I am able to beat you every time."
"Show off," Akane huffed.
"Fine, I'll punish this beast later," Mikan wrapped her bandage up. "But only because it's what my beloved would want."
"As for you young master," Mukuro looked over at Kana. "It is time to see your mother again."
Had Kana possessed lesser nerves, she would have gulped. Although her hand shook a bit, she kept her stoic face even as Mukuro pushed open the doors.
Past the doors, Kana saw several exotic dancers, both men and women, dancing before a throne hidden in shadow. Despite the dancers wounds and bruises, they danced as elegantly as flower petals in the wind. Together they formed the shape of a flower from which once dancer emerged. The central dancer opened her eyes to reveal a pair of soft pink irises. Suddenly the room shook violently from a loud growl. From the shadows a large crimson dragon emerged with flaming breathe. It catapulted its long neck like a serpent and snatched the pink eyes dancer in its jaws. The dancer screamed as the dragon crushed her rib cage with its fangs and burned her skin with its flames. While all the other dancers shriveled with fear, Mukuro and Akane watched expressionless. Mikan however was quite enthralled by the dragon torchering the dancer. Eventually the dragon grew bored and tossed the dancer over to the wall like a broken doll. Then it lowered its head down to the dancers, breathe still burning with fire.
"Next time you give me a dancer that resembles her in any way, I'll tear you apart, slowly, joint by joint," The dragon growled.
"Yes your majesty," the scared leader frantically nodded. "It won't happen again."
"Get out," The dragon snorted.
All the dancers fled through the door like mice, leaving their gravely injured partner to suffer alone. The dragon noticing it's other guest, smiled and shrunk back into the darkness. From the darkness, Junko emerged dressed in an elegant black and red dress. Her frigid blue eyes fixated on Kana. Kana held her breath, her mind racing back to that awful night in her field. The last time she had seen her mother, Kana had been damned to reap souls all alone. Just as Junko drew closer and Kana was about to release all the emotions and pure anxiety she had pushed down during her time in hell, she felt warmth. Her mother placed a surprisingly warm hand on her cheek, not to slap her, but to soothe her.
"Oh my dear sweet little Kana, it's been too long!" Junko said as she squeezed her daughter tight. "I almost didn't recognize you under that depressing black cloak."
Kana was at a loss for words as she stared into the pair of eyes she hadn't seen in millennias. Junko, picking up on her daughter's negative emotions, pushed her forehead against Kana's.
"There there, you have nothing to fear, your mother is here," Junko said. "I didn't call you here to punish you, it's the exact opposite."
Kana couldn't speak, tears started to well up in her eyes.
"After so much time apart, I've reflected on that night and you know what, I've decided I am about ready to forgive you," Junko said.
"Forgiveness". The one thing Kana could only dream of during those long nights alone in her dying wheat field. Although she knew she never deserved it after the things she had done, she had still hoped and wished for it nonetheless. Now that it was in her grasp for the first time, she gained the courage to speak again.
"Why?" Kana asked.
"Because you are the fruit of my loin, a precious child of the night," Junko said. "You are my daughter, Kana."
"...I see," Kana said.
"Hey perk up kit, your mom finally acknowledged you after all these millennia," Akane interrupted. "The least you could do is smile."
"Shut up you insolent cat!" Mikan shouted at her.
"Relax Mikan," Junko said. "And Akane, my daughter can decide if and when she wants to smile. Since she is my daughter, you must treat her like you treat me."
"Yes darling," Mikan nodded. "You always know best."
"Right, boss," Akane said.
"Now, since you're here, why don't we feast like we used to," Junko said.
"I'm okay," Kana said.
"How about a show?" Mikan asked.
"We could race our horses," Mukuro suggested.
"I'd prefer dinner," Akane drooled.
"Actually, I want to know more about why you summoned me," Kana said. "Is there something you want me to do to earn your forgiveness?"
"Haha, that's my girl, so perspective just like me," Junko laughed. "Fine, since you asked, I will tell you. I want you to work with me on a little project."
"Armageddon!" Akane roared gleefully only to be punched in the throat by Mukuro.
"What?" Kana asked.
"I guess the cat dragged the other cat out of the bag," Junko sighed, "and I was going to build it up so much."
"What is Armageddon?" Kana asked
"Well, you know how me and your other mother don't see eye to eye at all?" Junko asked. "The Armageddon will essentially be a last test between the two of us to prove once and for all whose ideals are right."
"You're going to challenge mother?!" Kana asked.
"One of these days, yes," Junko said. "But before then I have to get her attention."
"This is where… we come in," Akane still managed to speak.
"You know how easy it is for your mother to ignore all the sin and despair scattered throughout the world," Junko said. "That's why in order to grab her attention, killing just a few thousand humans won't do. We have to kill all of them till humanity in its entirety is wiped clean from the earth."
"But that could never happen," Kana said.
"Sure, if I was working alone," Junko said, "but that's why I created these three and summoned you."
"We are eternally grateful to you," Mikan smiled.
"Together with your combined powers of war, famine, pestilence, and death, you can eradicate every last human in less than a month," Junko laughed.
"Why?" Kana asked.
"Because I'm sick of humans and your mother," Junko said. "Both of them despise all of us and pretend we don't exist. The humans waste their lives away on pointless things then blame one of us whenever something goes wrong. They fear my night, but they praise your mother's daylight. And why? Because we are an unavoidable truth about the universe. That truth being life is futile."
"Do you want me to use my powers to kill people and hurt mother?" Kana asked, placing a hand over her scythe ring.
"Don't think of it like that," Junko said. "Think of it as retribution for all the pain you had to endure because your mother fled to a world you couldn't follow. Plus it's retribution on all humans who curse your very existence despite how important it is."
"I don't kill people, I just reap their souls from their dead bodies," Kana said. "I could never take another life again."
"Do you?" Junko asked. "Or are you lying to yourself."
"What?" Kana asked.
"Remember, unlike your little brother, you were carried in my womb, therefore you are a clearer reflection of me," Junko's smile disappeared. "It is in my nature to enjoy the kill, thus that trait was also inherited by you. That's why your mother blamed me when you murdered your brother. It's why I knew you could handle reaping souls and seeing their deceased bodies up close."
"No…," Kana said.
"It is only natural," Mukuro said. "Each one of us here feels it. It gives us pride to conquer over another."
"It makes me feel so bubbly," Mikan giggled. "Though it pales in comparison to you dear Junko."
"Not only do we enjoy it, but animals enjoy it too, especially humans," Akane said. "The rush of adrenaline when chasing and ensnaring your prey just makes them taste better. Aghhh I'm drooling just thinking about killing a human and eating them."
"See it's just as they say," Junko said. "It is a natural instinct many creatures share, including you and me."
"No," Kana shook her head. "I promised I wouldn't kill after Kibou."
"Fine, you don't want to kill the innocent, that's fair," Junko said. "But humans are far from innocent, even their young aren't free of sin."
"What do you mean?" Kana asked.
"Ladies," Junko looked at the others. "Care to give a few examples?"
"A child is naturally born to be greedy and think only of themselves," Mukuro said. "They'll take their desires resources, even out of the hands of others."
"Even if a baby is full, it still cries for more," Akane said. "That gluttony is nurtured by their parents so effortlessly caving to their insufferable cries."
"They don't care for working and just laze about in pure sloth," Mikan said.
"See humans don't just start being sinful," Junko explained. "From the moment they are conceived, they sin. Yet they have the gull to blame us rather than themselves."
"All humans have wrath," Mukuro said. "War doesn't instill it in them, it just gives them an excuse to let it out."
"Pride is what makes them devour the weak," Akane said. "Yet unlike the animals, they cheat to get their food."
"Their zeal makes them poison the objects of their envy," Mikan said. "They'll gladly unleash pestilence on their enemies and watch them decay away."
"You'd think their populations would be corrected by natural selection, but their lust for each other and control keeps raising the numbers." Junko said. "Haven't you noticed the plants and animals shrinking away as humanity grows stronger?"
"Yes, but-" Kana tried to speak up.
"You know Kana, how when one tree goes so big and grand that it blots out the sun, it devours the dying trees underneath it," Junko said. "That is why humanity must be destroyed!"
Kana was speechless.
"If you're still unsure, just give it one little try," Junko said.
Junko snapped her fingers and summoned a circle of flames in front of Kana. When the walls of fire dimmed, they revealed a muscular man in the center. He was dressed in rags and had blood permanently stained on his hands. When he refused to bow to the goddess of darkness, Mukuro slashed his legs to make him bow.
"Now this man right here is a fine piece of human scum," Junko said. "Not only is he a pedophile who claimed 13 young victims, a thief who steals from small establishments to pay for access to his victims, but on top of all that, when his younger brother caught him in the act and tried to save the poor young girl… well I'll let him tell you."
"I killed the bastard before he could tell!" The man growled. "I strangled him with my bare hands, watched the light drain out of his eyes, and then once I knew he was dead I went back to my business."
"You're the real bastard, hurting kids and your own blood," Akane growled even louder.
"I didn't ask to be born like this," the man said.
"Typical excuse," Mikan rolled her eyes. "They classify their sin as a disease but ignore the steps to correcting it."
"Any last words before our young master kills you?" Mukuro asked.
"You bitches can su-!" The man tried to shout obscenities only for Mukuro to cut his back.
The man cried out until Mikan caressed his face with her bare hand.
"There there," Mikan smiled sinisterly as she watched the poison seep from her hand into his flesh and turn the infected skin purple.
"Ah I've never eaten poisoned bastard before," Akane said before slicing off his left arm with her claws. "The poison gives it much more flavor."
Watching the three women torment the sinful man, Kana felt a strange sensation from the depths of her heart. It grew like weeds inside of her and made her light. As much as her thoughts tried to deny it, she was enjoying the torture. Her heart instinctively skipped at every scream the man produced. Before she realized it, she summoned her scythe and raised it to his neck. She got one look into the inky darkness swelling in his eyes before she sliced off his head in one swing. Yet even though he was beheaded, her body desired to torture him more. Without thinking, she sliced his corpse into hundreds of meaty chunks. All the while her head was screaming to stop.
"That's my girl," Junko laughed. "I told you the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Eventually, Kana regained control of her body. Overcome by the sight of blood, flesh, and bones before her, Kana dropped to her knees and screamed. For despite her countless centuries of strict conviction not to kill, she still succumbed so easily. If she had the weaker constitution of a human, she would have vomited from her transgression. When she lifted her head, she found she was the only one horrified by the sight. The rest of the women including Junko only smiled at her with approval.
"You have so much potential Kana," Junko said. "Don't waste it on silly made up rules when your true nature is far darker than you would like to think."
"I'll… consider your offer," Kana said as she recollected herself. "Give me… time to think."
"Alright, you're excused," Junko said. "Mukuro show her the way out."
"Yes master," Mukuro nodded.
"See you around kit," Akane smiled, bits of poisoned flesh stuck in her fangs.
"I'm going to miss you so much," Mikan cried poisoned tears.
Kana walked slowly and uncomfortably to the door. Before she could walk out, her mother called her name, forcing her to look back.
"Don't forget Kana," Junko said. "Your true nature is in the darkness, just like me."
Kana didn't reply and just kept walking.
She reassured herself, she would be out of hell soon.
…
Once Kana returned to the living world, she laid in a grassy meadow and let her shadows continue to reap the souls of the dead for her. Within the soft blades of grass, she closed her eyes and fell asleep, even though she didn't need it. A while later, she was awoken by a soft voice.
"Kana?" A familiar voice asked.
Kana opened her eyes to see Kibou standing over her. He was dressed in a white robe that complemented his snow white hair and glowed in the daylight. In his hands was the wooden cane their mothers had gifted him, similar to Kana's scythe. When Kana looked up into her younger brother's blue eyes, she smiled just a bit.
"Hi," Kana said.
"How did it go?" Kibou asked, taking a seat next to his sister.
"Just as I expected," Kana sighed.
"That stinks," Kibou sighed alongside her.
"I wanted to hope she called me because she really changed her mind, but she hasn't. She just wants to use me to hurt humans as revenge against mom."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"It's okay. If anyone has to deal with mother's darkness, it should be me. If she trusts me, I can help prevent what ever catastrophe she's planning with War, Famine, and Pestilence."
"I heard about them. What were they like?"
"Strong, and almost as spiteful as mother. I'll figure out their weaknesses the more time I spend around them, but right now their powers rival an angel's."
"That's not good, but then again they are war, famine, and pestilence so we shouldn't be surprised."
"But even though they are those things, I don't think they themselves have to be evil. As distasteful as their natures are, they provide a form of balance in this world. They teach valuable lessons through dire consequences and sometimes that's the only way a person can learn."
"I wish I could think like you."
Kana looked over to her brother and saw a single white feathered wing stretch out of his back. Following him, Kana stretched out her own wings, one a white wing like her brother's, and the other, a black scaled wing like a dragon's.
"You're not afraid to be in the middle," Kibou said. "Balancing between light and darkness."
"I owe it to the souls I reaped," Kana said. "Whenever I reap a soul, I can see their whole life. All their hopes, all their despair. Each soul is rich with knowledge far different from the last. If I knew mother never intended for me to see my curse as a gift, I would thank her."
"You're so wise."
"And you're so compassionate. During all those long nights in the dying field, I never would have dreamed you'd come see me again after all the pain I caused you and our mothers."
"I will admit I was a bit scared so it took me a few centuries to muster up the courage. Even more centuries to slip out of heaven without mom noticing. But it was worth it to see you again. You looked so sad, that when I embraced you that day, I knew right away I never wanted to abandon you again."
"What did I ever do to deserve a young brother like you?"
"You were a strong older sister."
The two siblings laughed together and smiled, temporarily forgetting the reason for the meeting. Each one took turns telling shared childhood stories from when light and darkness were one. Eventually however, the subject re-emerged.
"Kibou?" Kana asked, looking out at the in the sky. "If somehow mother makes me lose these precious memories, please remember them for me."
"What are you saying?" Kibou asked.
"I can't explain it, but I feel the darkness inside me grow when I'm around her and I know she knows it. If I'm consumed by that darkness and become as merciless as she is, I'm afraid the light inside me will go out and I'll forget all those happy memories. It'll be just like that awful night all over again."
"Don't say that! You're way stronger, especially now!"
"I thought I was, but then I tortured a human soul."
Kibou froze at her words. Slowly, tears welled up in Kana's eyes.
"I don't… want to be that monster again…," Kana sniffed. "I don't want to cause more pain than I already have. So I need you to promise me one more thing."
"What?" Kibou asked nervously.
"If I succumb to mother's darkness, please stop me."
Kibou had no words. Eventually he did manage to nod his head in agreement, Then, just like on the night he forgave her, Kibou wrapped his arms around Kana and hugged her.
"No matter what," Kibou said. "We'll always be together. Not even our mothers of light and darkness can tear us apart."
"Thank you," Kana smiled.
For a long time the two siblings sat in their embrace and watched the sun. Then out of nowhere, a dog barked loudly. Kana and Kibou both turned their heads to see a black dalmatian with white spots running towards them, tail wagging like crazy. The dog leapt at Kana and tackled her to the ground before licking her face.
"Someone's happy to see you," Kibou laughed.
"Ink, you're supposed to be in heaven," Kana said as the dog kept licking her.
"I might have left the door to the physical world open just a bit," Kibou said.
"Fine, I guess he can stay before I have to go see mother again."
The dog, named Ink, was a gift from Kibou to Kana a long time ago. Originally an angelic guard dog, Ink was Kana's loyal companion to keep her company and to help comfort younger reaped souls.
"I'm gonna miss you when I go back," Kana sighed as she rubbed Ink's belly.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him in heaven," Kibou said.
"You are the animal expert," Kana said.
"And you're the plant expert. Though I think Ink loves you way more. You're his master after all, plus dogs are a good judge of character."
"True, whenever I reap souls that owned dogs, most of them go to heaven. Same thing happens when they have cats."
"Yeah that explains why dogs and cats don't reincarnate like other animals."
Kana laughed, the last of her tears dried and licked away by Ink. She took a deep breathe to absorb the moment.
"I promise I'm going to stop whatever mother is planning, so we can be like this again," Kana said
"Same here," Kibou smiled.
"Sure life is filled with despair for humans and all living things, but it's that despair that makes hope shine brighter and vice versa," Kana said.
"Agreed," Kibou smiled.
Ink barked in agreement as well making the siblings laugh. For although the night had been so dark and cruel, it made Kana appreciate the small time with her brother in the sun much more. Even if she had to return to the dark in order to foil her mother's plans for the apocalypse, nothing would take this hopeful memory away from her.