The disclaimer from the previous chapters applies to this one as well.
Tenchi Muyo!
-Odyssey-
Chapter Thirty-one
Götterdämmerung by William Nichols
It is an undeniable fact that this universe will end one day. Some beliefs claim that the end will be wrought by fire, whilst others claim oblivion will come by ice. Usually the end is brought about by the apocalyptic final battle between the forces of good and evil, light and dark. More modern beliefs have the universe expanding to the point of collapse, before being pulled into itself in a gravity-well. In all of these scenarios there is one constant, one undeniable truth that transcends all the variables. Life, as we know it, shall end. What happens after that is speculation.
* * *
"Is this place what I think it is?" Katsuhito asked as he swept his gaze across the devastated landscape. Little evidence remained of the former beauty or marvels that the realm had once borne. In the far distance the smoke of battle still hung in the air. Nearer by the devastation was more evident. The avenue they had descended upon had once been lined by majestic trees and gilded statues, no doubt of the heroes of the realm or various incarnations of the Megami. All that remained now were blackened husks jutting from their ruined planters. Katsuhito stepped forward and studied the broken statue that stood before him. The charred remains of the figure lay scattered at his feet, showing little of the soft face that it once bore. What could be deciphered from the ruin were the statues eyes. They still seem to be gazing off at point known only to the sculptor.
"Where are we father?" Nobuyuki asked as he fumbled around for his glasses. One of the lenses was cracked along the bottom, but beyond that he was just fine. "Oh my," he added as the full extent of the devastation dawned on him.
"A place of legend," Katsuhito spoke reverently. "That is what this used to be," the old priest sighed. "But now, I do not know."
"Your assumption weighs with the truth," D3 said as he materialized in a shimmer of light behind Sasami. His gold and crimson robes still bore the stains of battle, and Tokimi's blood. "Our realm has been laid asunder, and I fear it is only a precursor what's to come," D3 said gravely. "Lady Sasami you honor us with your presence," the vizier added bowing respectfully.
"Thank you," Sasami said rubbing the side of her head. Transporting everyone to the eternal realm had left her with a nasty headache. Never before had she exerted such an amount of power, not that it wasn't there to use. The bond between her and Tsunami was growing each day, but now that bond was in serious jeopardy. Sasami tried not to think of what might happen if Tsunami were to perish. It wasn't so much for her self that she buried this unpleasant possibility, but for fear of what would happen to her people. Without Tsunami Jurai would be nothing.
"Your friends have been seen after," D3 spoke, indicating to the people helping Mihoshi and Kiyone. The green haired GP had landed in a heap on top of her ditsy partner. Unfortunately Mihoshi took the brunt of the fall. "I take it that all is not well."
"No," Sasami said quietly. "It's not."
"What can we do?" Nobuyuki asked as young woman offered him some drink.
"Pray," was the response from Katsuhito. "Matters are beyond our control." The nods of dire agreement from Sasami and D3 sent Nobuyuki patting his shirt pocket for his crushed pack of cigarettes.
He was going to need them.
***
Ryoko watched Tenchi go through the motions of a sword routine she had seen him practice countless times before. Tenchi had explained to her once that the graceful sweeps and arching movements were intended to cleanse the soul and focus the mind. Sword and master become one, joined at the most intimate of levels. And as one implement, sword and master would then in theory, become unstoppable. Ryoko said a silent prayer to who ever might be listening for the safety of her beloved.
"I am ready when you are," Aescheron spoke as Tenchi drew his blade to the ready position. He too had finished a sword routine, focusing his dark energies towards Tenchi. The Champion is holding back on me. The Elder fell too easily, he thought. He had to have imparted his essence to this whelp.
"Then let us end this," Tenchi said. The Dark One nodded. With a ferocious howl Tenchi and Aescheron began the end.
The ground closed between the two combatants in a black and white blur as they charged headlong towards one another. The purplish black glow of Aescheron's blade arced towards the blue cutting edge of the Lighthawk sword in a seamless, fluid motion. The force of the meeting sent Tenchi and Aescheron backpedaling. Their footing's regained, the embattle pair pushed back off at one another.
"I'm tired of holding back," Aescheron hissed as Tenchi parried his half-hearted thrust. "What do you say boy? No more games."
"Agreed," was Tenchi's response as he brought his blade around once more towards the dark one. Sparks flew as Aescheron jumped back from where the Lighthawk sword sliced the ground where he had been. Bounding off the Shrine wall Aescheron landed a few meters away from Tenchi. The Champion did not wait for Aescheron to regain his footing. Sword angled back, Tenchi darted towards the demon. The Dark One grunted as he brought his blade up to deflect Tenchi's. The Lighthawk sword was knocked upwards in a wide arc by Aescheron's counter. Capitalizing on this opportunity Aescheron swung his glowing blade towards Tenchi's waist. It took all of Tenchi's strength and prowess to bring the Lighthawk sword back down in time to keep Aescheron from slicing him in two. The next series of exchanges were too fast for mortal eyes to follow. The attentive onlookers held their collective breathes as a series of black and blue burs swirled between Tenchi Aescheron. The crisp night air resonated with the hum of coalesced energy blades dispelling the atoms of the air as their masters wielded them.
After a brief test of strength, Tenchi vaulted away from Aescheron, who lowered his blade. "I know you can form more than that sword boy," Aescheron spat. His soulless eyes moved up and down Tenchi's torn field jacket and trousers. "Such garb is not befitting the crown prince of Jurai. Show me what that delectable power is truly capable of!" he howled. "Enough of this petty trifle!" the demon added with a wicked grin. "Show me." Tenchi chuckled and mirrored Aescheron's grin.
"What's he doing?" Washu asked Tokimi. Her gut told her something was odd about this. The crimson haired goddess/scientist had learned over the years of her research that no matter how cut and dry scientific methods may be, a gut feeling and instinct still held valuable insight.
"He is trying to force Tenchi's hand," Tokimi answered, eyeing Tenchi intently. "He can sense what I feel."
"What do you mean?"
"You have to feel it as well," Tokimi said cutting her eyes between Washu and Tenchi. "Tenchi has more power than our sister has given him." Washu glanced at Tsunami then back at Tenchi. She closed her eyes and reached out from within, feeling for what Tokimi meant. It had to be there, but where? Then it hit her. Washu's eyes shot open and her jaw dropped. "You feel it," Tokimi smiled. "I know you can."
"I don't believe it," Washu said barely above a whisper…
"Come on boy!" Aescheron howled. "Show me! Show me the true power inside of you! I can taste it in the air! Hell! Child, even the witch over there can feel it!" Aescheron reveled in wicked delight as he swept a hand towards Tokimi. "Show me," he pleaded almost desperately in a whisper opposite to the bluster of the previous demand.
Tenchi held the Lighthawk sword in one hand and materialized a second wing across his left forearm. "This will have to do," he said teasingly. Regripping the sword with both hands he darted towards Aescheron, blade angled back. The Dark Elder's eyes narrowed as the charging champion came within range of his blade. In a quick motion Aescheron swung his sword out in front of him, one handed. Tenchi leapt into the air right as the tip of Aescheron's sword snipped his field jacket. Pirouetting mid-air, Tenchi landed behind Aescheron and brought his sword down -- as Tenchi soared over head the Dark One spun on the ball of his left foot and firmly planted the right just in time to brace for Tenchi's strike -- Aescheron brought his blade up and blocked Tenchi's downward thrust. As quickly as the blades met Tenchi arced his around to the left in a counter-clockwise motion aimed towards Aescheron's midsection. Seeing this Aescheron rotated his wrists downwards and held his defense. Tenchi then brought his blade up to meet Aescheron's at eyelevel. Following a third attack from Tenchi, Aescheron parried the Lighthawk sword towards the ground and began his counter offensive.
As soon as Tenchi's blade touched the ground Aescheron pulled his sword up from the Tenchi's and sliced the air in a close arc towards Tenchi's neck. The Champion winced as Aescheron's blade buckled his hastily thrown up Lighthawk shield. Tenchi was now off balanced and holding onto the Lighthawk sword by one hand. Aescheron circled his dark blade back around towards the Lighthawk sword and struck with all of his formidable might. It took everything Tenchi had to keep his grip on his sword. Deftly the Dark Elder brought his blade up and caught the Champion's blade in a semi-defensive position. With a grin of evil delight Aescheron launched a blitz of attacks from all directions. His first attack was a wide circular cut from above, followed by a swipe from the left, then the right, finished by an upwards cut. Tenchi had skillfully evaded or deflected the first three attacks but the final blow caught him unprepared.
Tenchi's only defense was to call on the full extent of his Jurai powers and the Lighthawk wings. Right as Aescheron's sword arced upwards towards Tenchi's chest the Lighthawk wings erupted from his body. Electricity arced as the sword struck the center disk of the swirling tri-foil. Aescheron laughed wildly as his blade was dissipated by the new powers unleashed from within the Champion. The energies flowing from Tenchi was tremendous, and Aescheron reveled in it. "Good boy!" the demon delighted as Tenchi placed his hands on the Lighthawk wings and embraced their power. The wings washed back over him in a blinding flash. Tenchi's tattered dark green field jacket and khaki trousers were replaced by the gleaming armor of the Lighthawk wings. But this armor was different from the previous time he had summoned the Jurai power. Dark blue leggings and tunic materialized, on top of which the gleaming white breastplate and kotetsuban armor plates outlined in the richest of blues came into being. The three marks on his forehead glistened as a golden, scrolled headband materialized on top of them, before the marks emblazoned themselves on the headband. Finally around each of Tenchi's wrists scalloped bands of gold formed. Both bore the Lighthawk tri-foil in the most cerulean of blues. The gleaming white blade if the Lighthawk Sword reformed itself in his hands as Aescheron looked on maliciously.
"Now we can get serious," Aescheron announced with a twisted grin. The Dark Elder rolled his neck, popping a few vertebrae before he faced Tenchi again. "Now," he hissed, "you will see my full power!" Tenchi remained stoic as a black flame erupted from Aescheron. His muscles bulged grotesquely before the sinews returned to their former size. Aescheron's robes and hair fluttered as the dark energies radiated from him, scorching the flagstones of the shrine yard with his dark powers. Once again Aescheron held forth his hand and formed a ball of black energy. But this time when he reformed his blade, it was different. No longer did he call upon the energy saber, but now a broadsword of the blackest steel. Tendrils of silver snaked the length of the blade showing the countless times it had been doubled and redoubled when forged. A deep blood grove ran from mid-blade down to the hilt, which branched out into a wide guard in the shape of dragon wings. As Aescheron curled his pallid fingers around the hilt the blade began to burn with the same dark fire that engulfed its master.
"I am through playing," Aescheron announced without preamble. "Now," he said in a voice of many, "we shall see who is the stronger."
"You've already lost," Tenchi said as the blue glow of the Lighthawk sword illuminated his eyes.
"Confident, aren't we?" Aescheron chuckled.
"Yes, I am." Tenchi calmly stated; his eyes locked onto Aescheron's.
* * * * *
Funaho thrummed her fingers softly atop the Minister of Intelligence's desk. She has been watching the yellow triangles that represented the Tyran battle fleet on the projected holographic stellar map move steadily closer towards the black line representing the unknown wave for the past hour and a half. The Tyran fleet should engage the wave any time now, for all the good it's likely to do. But this is important; if the Tyran's have any success Jurai will launch its fleet towards another part of the wave, and hopefully the combined effort will deflect or destroy the shock wave. Funaho sighed. As much as she wished this to be, she knew that it would not come to be. She was fairly certain of the outcome of the battle that was about to take place.
"Can we monitor the Tyran's communication lines?" she asked as the yellow triangles inched closer to oblivion.
"Yes milady," a young officer replied as she busily typed away at her keypad. Funaho recognized the young woman as Seira Takai, a brilliant mathematician and linguist. Seira was a member of the class Funaho had personally recruited three years ago. "It's a little garbled, but we should be able to listen," Seira announced.
"Good. Find the command ships frequency," Funaho ordered tapping the triangle with the red mark in its center. "I want to hear their reactions." The officer continued to hack away until a hiss came over operation centers comm. system. Funaho cringed, as the hiss grew steadily louder.
"Sorry milady," Seira said sheepishly as she fine-tuned the eavesdropping equipment. Finally the hiss subsided and the signal came through.
"Jae ke…mToa…juK haQ…" came the broken, guttural voice of the Tyran commander as he barked orders to his fleet. Funaho frowned at the harsh and growling sound of the Tyran tongue.
"Boost signal gain," Funaho suggested as the young lady manipulated her control panel. "And activate the translation algorithms."
"Yes milady." A moment later a smile of success splashed across the Seira's face as she overcame the signal difficulties.
"Fleet formation Gamma-tau-niner," came the translated version of the commanders disembodied voice.
"Contact in one hundred thirty seconds," reported a junior officer.
"Weapons charged and online," reported another unseen crewman.
There was a tense pause before someone spoke again on the Tyran ship. "Contact in T-minus thirty!" exclaimed the same crewman who had announced the previous count. His voice, although a bit tinny due to the translation algorithm, echoed of the pure unbridled fear that was churning in Funaho's stomach. She pitied the lad, knowing he was about to die.
"For the glory of T'K'Mai and her chosen people!" the commanders barked heroically as Funaho watched the first Tyran "triangles" intercept the wave. Across the comm. line all hell broke loose. Multiple signals from all the Tyran battle ships overlapped one another, some in translation, some not. The sounds of battle back-dropped all of the broken transmissions. Klaxons, explosions, screams of terror and agony; Funaho held her hand to her mouth as a cry for someone's mother came across in translation before that line went silent.
"Can you isolate the command ship again?" Funaho asked Seira as triangle after triangle disappeared from the star chart.
"I'm working on it!" Seira responded. By now all eyes were on the stellar cartography projections showing the location of the battle. If this is what was in store of Jurai… "I've got it!" Seira exclaimed as the static and multiple signals and interference subsided somewhat.
"Hull breaches on decks nine through fifteen!" one frantic voice reported. The roar of twisting metal and the hiss of sparks overlaid the crewman's frantic call.
"Fire particle weapons!" the commander growled above the din. Immediately the sounds of weapons discharge feedback reverberated across the line.
"It's being deflected!" came a terrified scream from the ships bridge.
"Shields! Shields! Shields!" the commander ordered before the comm. line with silent. A murmur rose up from those gathered as the last triangles blinked from the projection.
"All traces of the Tyran fleet have been lost," someone reported finally breaking the silence.
"Effect on the wave?" Funaho inquired. If any damage was made to it, the sacrifice of the Juraian fleet may be called for.
"That is a negative," replied the Minister of Intelligence as he double-checked the data stream in front of him. "There are no indications of any diversion of the wave."
Funaho chewed her bottom lip as the black line continued to inch forward. "How long before it reaches the Jurai sector?"
"Contact with the Sol System…" Seira began as her voice trailed off. "In two hours local," she deadpanned.
* * * * *
Ryoko watched intently as Tenchi and Aescheron began to circle the shrine yard. Sidestepping fluidly Tenchi kept the Lighthawk sword at the ready, waiting for Aescheron pounce, or for any opening in his stance to appear. As Tenchi stepped past Ryoko she would have given anything to reach out and wrap her arms around him. Her love was only two meters away from her, but those two meters may have just as been twenty. The void was nearly unbearable; so close and yet an eternity away. All Ryoko wanted to do was protect the one she loved. But now he was protecting her. As her eyes followed Tenchi in his dance of death Ryoko caught sight of Ayeka and Marnot in the corner of her eye. The princes stood there in her pink and brown armor; arms intertwined with Marnot's. The Guardian's massive hand gently cradled one the princesses. Ryoko knew he would do what ever was necessary to protect Ayeka. Just as Tenchi would protect her.
That's what funny about love, Ryoko thought as Aescheron slinked into view, his massive black cloaked shoulders momentarily blocking Tenchi from view. To protect the one you love you will do anything, no matter how bad the odds are. All that matters is their safety. All that matters… As Aescheron slid past Ryoko Tenchi shot her a quick smile. Not a cocky smile, but one letting her know he felt just as she did. Ryoko nodded in return of Tenchi's sentiment. She knew he loved her, and she was more than willing to do the same. Aescheron snapped his neck around to see what the Champion was smiling about, briefly dropping his guard. Ryoko returned his look of mild confusion with an impish smirk.
As Aescheron glanced over his shoulder to see what Tenchi was smiling about, Tenchi launched his offensive. The dark Elder cursed as he brought his flaming sword up to block Tenchi's cross cut. After blocking Tenchi's next blow Aescheron bounded out of range of the third. "Nicely done!" he complimented Tenchi. "Oh yes, well played." Tenchi nodded in deference to the demons words. Wasting no time Tenchi returned to his offensive. His first cut was directed towards Aescheron's left shoulder, but the dark one gracefully blocked the effort. Then in a blinding arc Tenchi sped the Lighthawk sword towards Aescheron's right knee. Once again Aescheron's blade was in place to block Tenchi's. Aescheron forced Tenchi's sword away from his knee and in a single motion swung for Tenchi's head. Tenchi ducked and rolled away from the blur of black metal only to have Aescheron pounce on top of him. Sweeping a foot, Tenchi connected to Aescheron's ankle and sent the Dark Elder stumbling off balance. Jumping to his feet Tenchi brought his sword to bear. Once again Tenchi and Aescheron's blades locked on a test of strength.
"Aren't we full of surprises?" Aescheron asked as he pushed Tenchi back a little ways.
"More than you can imagine!" Tenchi grunted as he pushed Aescheron back to the vertical.
"Try me," Aescheron said with a sly gin. All Tenchi did was nod, before he disappeared from in front of Aescheron. All the effort he was pushing into Tenchi sent Aescheron stumbling a bit before regained his balance. "Where are you boy!" he howled as he scanned the shrine yard. All he found was the megami and the other pieces of refuse that were collected there. Aescheron grunted in disgust as Washu opened a small white fan with a Hinamaru on it and covered the lower half of her face. Returning to his search Aescheron's glare once again paused on Ryoko who was grinning sheepishly. "And what are you smiling about now?" he growled as Ryoko motioned to the sky above him. Aescheron deadpanned as he slowly craned his neck upwards. Cursing, he barely leapt out of the way of the falling Tenchi's attack.
Aescheron bounded across the yard in an attempt to get away form Tenchi, but the Champion stayed on the Dark Ones heels. "Having fun?" Tenchi asked Aescheron as the Lighthawk sword connected with Aescheron's sword once more.
"More than you can ever imagine!" Aescheron howled as Tenchi leapt out of his blades arc. "Stay still you insolent little worm!" Tenchi only grinned as he parried Aescheron's attack. Sparks flew as the blackened steel of Aescheron's blade scraped across the flagstone yard. Seeing an opening Tenchi brought the Lighthawk sword around in an attempt to catch Aescheron's flank, but this time it was the demon that vanished from sight. Tenchi spun around allowing the momentum of his swing to carry him. All of the others were scouring the sky and the surrounding area as well. Aescheron would not have surprise if they could help it.
"Tenchi! Behind you!" Ayeka screamed as Aescheron materialized behind him.
"I have you now!" he screamed as his fiery blade tore through the air towards Tenchi's neck. Tenchi ducked and brought his sword around to catch Aescheron's just as he was finishing his lateral arc. The Aescheron's blade was knocked upwards exposing his midsection, allowing Tenchi to land a solid punch to his solar plexus. Aescheron grunted as Tenchi drove his fist into his abdomen, but the Champion's victory was short lived. Tenchi's head snapped back as Aescheron's knee connected with his mouth and nose. The combatants jumped back from one another and regained their fighting stances. Tenchi spat, clearing his mouth of the fluid that had collected from bloodied lip. Traces of crimson trailed from his lip and nose. Aescheron nodded as his hand drifted from the certain bruise Tenchi had inflicted upon him back to his sword.
No words were spoken as the pair resumed their struggle. Holding the Lighthawk sword in his right hand Tenchi darted towards Aescheron and began to swing for his sword. Aescheron parried the attack in a close circle and brought his blade up in a short jagged motion. Lightning fast Tenchi brought his sword to bear in response to Aescheron's ploy. The next exchange saw Aescheron somersault out of Tenchi's range just as the Lighthawk sword ripped through the chilled night air. With a loud whoosh Aescheron swiped his sword towards, Tenchi sending a shock wave speeding towards the Champion. Tenchi formed a shield on his left forearm and braced for the wave. A wall of wind and debris roared past Tenchi, but he held his ground.
"Move it!" Marnot yelled as he grabbed Ayeka and pushed her out of the waves path. The two landed a few meters away as the blast ripped through the air. Marnot did his best to shield Ayeka with his body, before he realized Ayeka had thrown up a force field. Its purple dome rippled as the shock wave passed all around it.
"I've got it covered," Ayeka said as a slight blush creeped across her face in response to her and Marnot's current positions. Across the yard Washu nodded as her daughter phased back into being next to her. The former pirate grimaced as the shock wave slammed into the shrine office, demolishing the facing wall.
"Katsuhito won't be happy," Ryoko mumbled as she tried to perceive any signs of Tenchi from within the shock wave. To her delight the iridescent diamond of the Lighthawk Wings was holding fast in front of Tenchi.
There he is! Aescheron thought as the telltale glow of Tenchi's shield peaked through the blackened shock wave. In a flash he was on top of Tenchi, his sword cutting through the vapors of the shock wave. "Damn!" he cursed as Tenchi darted to the side. Aescheron spun on the ball of his foot and cut through the air again in an attempt to fell Tenchi, but his blade was countered this time. Wisps of black flame trailed behind Aescheron's blade as he brought it home against Tenchi's. The resounding clangs echoed across the rolling hills surrounding the shrine. Aescheron was skilled, probably more so than Tenchi, but the Champion was holding his own as they danced across the shrine. Each time Aescheron would see an opening Tenchi would counter the blow. Aescheron ducked as Tenchi's sword ripped through the spot his body had previously occupied. Vaulting up and over Tenchi, Aescheron landed behind the young prince and brought his blade around in a two handed swing. Tenchi barely had the time to spin around and ready a defense. Aescheron's blow loosened Tenchi's grip on his sword, a fact that Aescheron noticed. In a black and silver blur he brought his broad sword around in a blow close to the hilt of the Lighthawk sword. Tenchi winced as the impact of the blow stung his hands. At this rate, he was not sure how much longer he could maintain his grip.
"You're getting sloppy," Aescheron said with a wicked grin as he impacted Tenchi's blade again. Tenchi refused to dignify his insult with a response. Instead the Champion redoubled his efforts. "I can keep this up forever," Aescheron said in a voice full of boredom. "Can you?"
"You talk too much," Tenchi hissed as he focused his next attack. A blue streamer traced the path of the Lighthawk sword as Tenchi brought it around towards Aescheron one more time.
"Maybe so," Aescheron replied as he blocked Tenchi's blow and began his counter. "But I am definitely having more fun than you are!"
"How about if I turn it up a notch?" Tenchi asked as he effortlessly parried Aescheron's counter. Aescheron gritted his teeth as Tenchi launched a flurry of swipes at him.
"Impressive," Aescheron said nonchalantly as he took a step back from Tenchi's onslaught. "But I honestly thought you could do more?" Tenchi grinned wickedly as a second Lighthawk wing formed next to his right hand. Aescheron's eyes went wide as Tenchi spun on his right foot and grabbed the new wing with his left hand and formed a second sword. Taking another step back Aescheron scowled as Tenchi leaned back with one sword angled high and towards him and the other held up in defense.
"Will this work?" Tenchi asked almost playfully as Aescheron brought his blade back up to the ready.
"Oh yes," the Dark Elder delighted. "Oh yes."
"A second wing…" Washu whispered just loud enough for her daughter to hear her, but Ryoko was transfixed on Tenchi. Her jaw dropped slightly as the new sword materialized in his left hand and he brought it to bear towards Aescheron.
"Can he do that mom?" Ryoko inquired of the stunned universes greatest genius and goddess of Jurai. Washu blinked a time or two then cut her glance over to Tsunami, who was equally wide eyed. She just shrugged and maintained her 'beats me' expression.
"He can do it," Tokimi muttered as Tenchi eased back into his new fighting stance. "He is the light."
"But he can not turn back the darkness alone," Tsunami said returning from her momentary haze.
"I know…" Washu said softly as Tenchi and Aescheron began to circle one another again. All Ryoko and Urd could do was blink and wonder what the cryptic exchange between the three sisters was all about.
Aescheron's lips twisted in an evil sneer. This whelp is proving to be a nuisance. Oh yes…he thought. This boy is much more than the last champion. Could he be the one? He cannot be? Can he? Aescheron's focus was returned to Tenchi by the silver luminance of the twin Lighthawk swords. "I'm impressed boy," he spoke eyeing the twin blades. "But how well can you handle that blade?"
"Well enough," was Tenchi's response. He was not going to let Aescheron get under his skin. All of his training; his meditation; and practice would were going to guide him thru this. Believe in your own power, the voice of Tsunami from long ago whispered in his mind. The battle is first won in the soul; he remembered the voice of his grandfather. Once the soul has been won, make the blade an extension of the soul. Then victory is all but assured. Tenchi locked his eyes onto Aescheron's. I see clearly now… Then the voice of Ryoko played across his mind. Tenchi, she had said in all earnestness, kick his ass!
Tenchi grinned.
Aescheron scowled. "I will wipe that stupid smirk from your face!" he yelled as he made the first move. Tenchi readied his stance and as the dark one charged him head long with a ferocious howl.
Steady…Tenchi thought as Aescheron closed the distance between them. Tenchi was ready with his counterstrike when Aescheron started to bring his blade around, only to vanish mid-swing. Instantaneously Tenchi spun around to block the reappearing Aescheron's blow. Successfully blocked, Tenchi swung his free blade up to strike at Aescheron's head. Seeing this Aescheron ducked a few millimeters under the arc of Tenchi's blade. Tenchi's next flourish of attacks came from the right and the left simultaneously. It took all of Aescheron's skill to block or deflect the Champion's onslaught. Backpedaling, Aescheron sought any break in Tenchi's barrage. Finally Aescheron was able to catch both of Tenchi's blades and knock the young champion back a bit. Pressing his newfound offense Aescheron swirled his bladelike a fan, deflecting Tenchi's advances at ever angle.
"Very good," Aescheron growled as Tenchi caught his downwards thrust with both of his swords in a scissors. "But not good enough!" he screamed, planting a solid kick into Tenchi's gut. Stumbling backwards, Tenchi gasped and his arms flailed out. Suppressing his pain, Tenchi brought a blade back up to Aescheron's just in the nick of time. A second later and he would have been a head shorter. In a wide arc, Tenchi brought his free blade up towards Aescheron's shoulder, knowing it would be blocked. His other blade free, Tenchi brought it around to Aescheron's other shoulder. Frantically the Dark Elder knocked that blade away and went onto the defensive again.
With every move Tenchi made Aescheron became angrier and angrier. Angry with himself; angry at this insolent whelp; angry with the damnable Elder who imbued him with his power – his anger was all the same. His drive was now fueled by pure, unbridled hate. Damn him! Aescheron inwardly cursed. How can he…he mentally questioned as Tenchi pressed his attack even harder. Aescheron was starting to get sloppy. Each move of Tenchi's was becoming quicker and quicker, whilst his own defense was beginning to lag. I cannot…he will not…he thought as he harnessed his anger. A split-second break in Tenchi's onslaught allowed Aescheron to connect a swift backhand to Tenchi's jaw, providing that momentary opening he needed. Striking close to the hilt of Tenchi's second sword, Aescheron knocked it free from his left hand. The Lighthawk sword clanged on the flagstone yard before it returned to the immaterium. Quickly Tenchi brought his left hand back to his original Lighthawk sword and pressed on.
"This ends now!" Aescheron howled as he unleashed his attack. Tenchi ducked Aescheron's crosscut on one knee and brought his lone blade back up.
To everyone present what happened next seem to pass in slow motion. With Aescheron's blade arcing across the space above his head Tenchi thrust the Lighthawk sword upwards, catching Aescheron's chest. Aescheron's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in shock as Tenchi's blade pierced his ribcage, even with his cold, black heart. A collective gasp rose up from everyone present as the forward half-meter of the Lighthawk sword erupted through Aescheron's back.
"How did you…how…"Aescheron gasped as he struggled for his last breaths. Tenchi's expression was chiseled in stone. Resolute. Unyielding. Yet it was without malice. His chocolate orbs were locked onto Aescheron's of obsidian, showing no emotion whatsoever. True terror scribed itself into every line of Aescheron's face as he looked into the champions' eyes. "Oh my…" Aescheron muttered as he saw a glimmer in Tenchi's eyes. It was the same glimmer Ryoko had seen when he had awakened her. "You…are…the light…" he exhaled, his eyes rolling back and body going limp.
The Dark Elder had fallen for the final time.
The Odyssey shall continue…
Notes: A heart felt thank you goes out to Alighthawk and Di Long who perused this one for me and gave valuable feedback and insight. I'm proud to call you friends. Also thanks go to Trey Rush, who suggested the twin sword sequence. And to everyone who has read and reviewed this little tale o' mine: thank you ever so much. You mean the world to me. This chapter was for you. You've waited long and hard for this moment. I hope I did not let you down.
William Nichols