SINS OF EDEN
Chapter 21
*****
"What do you want with me?" asked Ranma as Shin pointed at him.
"Appropriate phrasing. Let's just say, I want you."
Akane squeezed Ranma's arm as if he were about to ripped from her.
"Tell me now!"
Shin snickered. "Temper now, or you won't get to know. I'd just like
to give a small rant before that."
Shin made Nui face him as he ran one finger down her cheek. "Isn't she nice?
My own, personal beauty."
Nui looked at him as if he was the most beautiful site she had ever
witnessed.
"Such a nice person, and a demon in the sack."
Akane let go of Ranma. "Nui, get away from him."
Nui barely spared a look. "Why should I? I love him."
Akane felt her breath leave her body.
"She loves me, you hear? I simply gave her what she wanted, and she gives me
all I need."
"Let her go Shin. Don't make me hurt you."
Shin smiled and shook his head. "No. She's mine. That's what she wants,
so you have no right in trying to control her life." He kissed her softly.
Ranma stared, wanting to attack, but not finding any good vulnerable point.
After the kiss, Shin let her go and faced Ranma again. "Well, back to
explinations. It's a long story, so I'm going to cut this short. As I
said before, I was cast here eons ago, but I was able to escape, thanks to
one mistake."
Shin walked around, hands on his back. "The univerese is a great big place.
Earth is bursting with life; so much in fact, that the elder council was
having quite the hard time to control it all. They had to take some
kind of measure to regulate it all.
"I was a calamity on the world for the longest time, but in the long-run,
I didn't have to be."
Ranma and Akane remained silent.
"Humans are a greater calamity than I ever was. A disease. The greatest
error I have ever seen. It was enough to make me sick."
"Shin, I'm not buying your lies."
"Lies!? I am by far the only one that tells the truth! You are the foulest
of beings! At least animals act out of instinct! You act out of pure malice!
You find pleasure in mysery, contentment in sorrow, and joy in death!"
"That's not true!" Akane shouted. "We aren't like that!"
"Oh yes you are. It's called human nature, Akane dearest." Shin sighed
heavily and shook his head. "It's enough to even bring tears to MY eyes.
You'd rather stomp your enemies and the innocent that get in the way,
rather than work out petty differences. You humans play with life
as if it were a toy that is easily broken. It's sad really. And so, I
decided I would put a stop to it all."
"Figured. Just another nutcase wanting to rule the world."
"Why is the goal of every madman in history to take over the world? I mean,
really? They really don't understand what it really means. Try handling
economical affairs at a global scale. Not to mention the destitution of
every political aspirant in the world. I mean, no human can do it, period.
"Well, as I was saying, no, I don't want the world. What I want, is something
of much greater vision."
Ranma readied his fist.
"Humans are mere mud-puppies to me. They are children, crying and screaming
when things don't go their way. They all need guidance." He stared Ranma
right in the eye, searing into his soul. "I will be that light."
Ranma shook his head, clearng out the unwanted intrusion of Shin. "You're no
leader. You're just an idiot."
"No I'm not. Have you ever heard the phrase: 'Knows more the devil for being
old than the devil'? It means that with age comes great wisdom, and no one
is older than me. I hold all the answers to your troubles. I can be, a
parent, to guide you all.
"I'll simply be a father to the world. And by taking away one of your most
precious gifts, much like a parent, I can make this world really a better
place."
"I thought so. You have this grand scheme of us dying and starting all over
again. Clean out the world and do it all again, is that it?"
"No, not at all. I said one of your greatest gifts, and if you think about
it, life doesn't really qualify. Lift a rock, you'll find life. Look into
the ocean, and you'll find it. It comes standard with birth. What I mean is
what makes the world what it is. Free will."
"What?" Ranma was a little confused.
"Simple. You all get the right to choose what kind of life you wish to live.
One big mistake. You don't learn from your mistakes, and in the end you
make even worse ones. Once I'm in the right position, that'll be that."
"We won't let- you actually think you can get away with it?" Akane said.
"You're still here? I forgot. You can go now." He waved his arm in the air.
Akane began to slowly disappear, but didn't seem in immediate fear.
"There, now it's just me, you and my lover. She understands, so her input
is just like mine. As I was saying, life. Humans don't value it, so I'll
simply make it the most important thing in all your lifes."
"Like it already isn't?" said Ranma.
"Is it really? You yourself value someone else's life over your own. You'd
rather die than to see that person suffer. Sounds to me as if you didn't
really want to live."
"Shut up! That's different!"
"Is it really, well, I'll leave that up to you. Nui?"
Nui took a few steps forward. "He wants what's best, and he knows what to
do. Just be a good boy and help out. Ok?"
Ranma shool his head. "Whatever it is you're planning, I wont have any part
in it."
"Ranma my boy, you misunderstand. Perhaps a visual aid will be of some use."
Shin snapped his fingers. Several images flasshed by.
War.
Famine.
Murder.
"This is what the world is today. I can make it like this."
A young couple sat on the edge of a cliff. Their eyes watching the ember
sunset, pure hope and ambition on their faces, overlooking a landscape
filled with green and blue. Peace and tranquility was evident everywhere.
"Is it so bad? This is my dream. This is my purpose. It took me centuries
to understand, but this is the way things were meant to be. I will give
this paradise to the world."
"Liar. I don't believe you," Ranma said.
"I have no need to lie. You simply see something wonderful, but would rather
trade it for mysery. It's the way of humans."
"NO! I don't buy it!"
"QUIET! You need proof of your true nature!? Fine!"
Again Shin snapped his fingers, only this time, he and Ranma were in a dark
alley in some city.
"Where are we?" asked Ranma.
"You don't need to know. Now watch."
Ranma looked around and saw a young man saying goodbye to whom appeared to
be his girlfriend. The man walked to alley. Something crashed from above,
and large pieces of glass rained onto him.
Ranma raced to push the guy out of the way.
"Don't bother," Shin said. Ranma stopped. "We're here only in spirit. You
can't interfere."
One of the pieces embeded itself into the mans' throat. He gagged and coughed
for air as he pulled the píece from his body. He sank to the ground,
bleeding badly.
"Sad, isn't it? Without immediate medical attention, he will die shortly.
Now watch."
The man spotted and ambulance parked at the other end of the alley, the
paramedics eating and laughing while leaning on the car. The man
struggled ot his feet and tried to run, but the loss of blood was heavy,
so he could only manage a crawl. They didn't notice him, but he was in
shouting distance from them.
"What are you doing!? You want a perfect world, buy you're letting him
die!?" Ranma yelled.
"I'm not doing anything. This is simply what happens sometimes. Now, here
is your test."
Shin put his hand on Ranma's shoulder. Ranma felt a slight stinging in his
right palm. A small flame had materialized in his hand. It's light
slowly went out.
"This is the fire of this man's life. If it goes out, he will die. You now
hold absolute power in your hand. The power to control life and death."
Ranma stared at the flame as if in a trance. He felt strange. As if he
somehow knew what this all meant.
"Now, if you keep the fire warm, the man will make it to the ambulance.
He will be treated and he will live."
"No contest. He lives, period."
"Not so fast." Shin circled Ranma slowly, a smile of triumph on his lips.
"What if I told you that this man is sick?"
"What'ya mean, sick?"
"Well;" he put his hand on his chin as he stared at the desperate man. "He
is afflicted with OCB(Obssessive compulsive behavior); borderline psychotic.
This is the last straw, and he will flip once better. He will develope
a fixation for pedofelia.
"Should he live, he will take over 50 small children to an early grave.
And he will never be caught."
Ranma felt the air leave his lungs. He couldn't believe his ears.
"Is one man's life worth more than 50? The heartbreak will be inmense."
"Why are you doing this!? Stop it now!!!"
"Oh, I'm not doing anything. This is not my deed. This is your show now."
"This man's life, is now in your hands."
"Should he live, or should he die" It's all up to you."
Ranma began to shake. This was his 'show' now? He was supposed to decide
if this man was to die?
If he lived, 50 children would die.
What could he do?
"I- I..."
"Quickly now Ranma. Time waits for no one."
Ranma took in some deep breathes.
He shut his eyes...
Gritted his teeth...
Turned his head away...
He knew what he had to do.
"I'm sorry..."
He closed his palm hard. The flame went out. The man choked a few times,
and finally collapsed. The paramedics heard his last breath, dropped their
meal and ran to him. One took his pulse, but shook his head in resignation.
Ranma fell to his knees as random tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I had to, I had to..."
Shin began to clap as the image faded. They were now back in the darkness.
"I must congratulate you. I didn't think you would go through with it, but...
I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you."
He put his hand on Ranma's shaking back.
"Don't be so down. You did what you had to do..."
"Get away from me!!!" Ranma screamed. He incorporated himself and pushed
Shin away.
Shin simply re-adjusted his shirt. "Don't be angry at me. I did nothing."
"You did this! It's your fault!"
"Is it now? All I did was give you the power to choose his fate. You made
a descition, so why am I at fault?"
"I had to... I had to...
"50 kids..."
Shin looked around as if confused.
"Um, pardon my asking, but..."
Ranma feared the next thing to be said.
"What kids?"
Ranam shut his eyes. He couldn't believe it. He was lied to.
And he believed it.
"NO!!!" Ranma rushed at Shin and grabbed him by the collar. "It's true!!!"
"No it isn't," Shin said calmly, even though in Ranma's powerful arms.
"Let me tell you of that man."
Shin disappeared from Ranma's hands and re-appeared behind him.
"He was to graduate from college in three weeks. He would have set up his
own succesful business and married the woman you saw him with. He would
have led a happy, meaningful existance. But no longer, thanks to you."
"NO! NO! NO!" Ranma fell to his knees, grabbing his head.
"Oh yes. You silenced an innocent because you thought you were right."
"You lied to me!!!"
"I did not lie. I simply made an assumption which you believed to the the
truth. You are the only one to blame here."
Ranma began heaving, trying desperately not to think at what he just did.
"Murderer."
*No...* Ranma thought.
"Now you know the power that one human alone can wield. You can finally
understand what I'm fighting for. Now you can finally know the truth."
Ranma stared at Shin, vengance the only thing on his mind.
"That's right, hate me. Loathe me. It's good to express your emotions. Other-
wise, I'd have no use for you."
"Shin, I'll kill you." Ranma's voice was filled with venom.
"Can't get enough? Not to worry. Let me give you your explination."
Ranma settled into his ready stance.
"Have you ever wondered how it is that I have such vast power? Not spiritual,
but human? People are not easy to convince, so I simply offered them a
deal. They pledge their loyalty to me, and I will give them dreams."
"What?" Ranma spat.
"Yes. Every wish, desire, fantasy; I can make it come true. And all that I
ask in return? Their loyalty to me. I barely even ask them to do anything,
yet still, more and more come."
"Lackeys huh. Figures, you bastard."
"Never underestimate the power of happiness. If dreams can make you happy,
does anything else matter?"
Shin turned to Nui. He hugged her; she appeared to be in heaven from
the look on her face. "Nui is different. most people just wanted fame,
wealth, happiness; the list goes on, but Nui wanted passion. She wanted
true love. So I gave it to her. I will love her until there is no more
eternity. That is ny gift and promise.
"I can bring true peace to a world of darkness."
"I don't care anymore about your stories. Just tell me what I want to know,
NOW!"
Shin shook his head at Ranma. "Patience is not one of your virtues. Very
well." He took in a few breathes.
"My power grows weary. Even when the grand-children of the youngest of my
loyals is gone, I will still be here, granting peace and happiness.
But alas, I am not forever."
Ranma cocked his head. Was that supposed to make sense?
"This body's power is amazingly vast, but in the end, limited. I need
someone else. I need someone who's power is limitless. You."
"I'm limitless huh? Cool, but I want out of this nonsense."
"It isn't nonsense honey," Nui said. "He really wants to be good. Trust
me, I know. But he needs your power to make it a better place, literally."
"She's right. With your power and my knowledge, I will be forever. I can
bring to you a world unlike any other. All I need is your help, and I
will be eternal."
Shin croosed his arms and looked up. "I will finally rise..."
"Above Eden..."
"And I will bring peace."
Ranma blinked. "Eden?"
"Yes. Eden. Don't worry if you don't know. No human knows. But the strangest
part of this is, that Eden is very much a part of everyones life."
"What is this - some kind of riddle or something?"
"You could say that."
Shin turned to Nui, kissed her once more, and then she vanished. He turned to
Ranma.
"I have just one more test for you."
Shin snapped his fingers. Once more, they switched location. They were now
in what appeared to be a forest.
"Now where are we?"
Shin chuckled. "The beggining. A place of nightmares. Where many lives
have ended." He turned dead serious. "One final test, Saotome. The
full answer is just ahead. Find it, and then you will know why."
Ranma lunged an attack, but Shin vanished into thin air.
Confused, Ranma began evaluating his options. He was lost in a forest
somewhere.
Check.
No food, water or meidcine.
Check.
"What the hell."
Ranma headed for the closest clearing he could see. He made his way slowly,
pushing aside large pieces of bambu, and earning a few cuts and scratches
here and there.
Finally, exhausted and slightly bleeding, Ranma emerged into the fading
light.
It only took one look for he past to come back and hit him in the face.
"Figures," he said as he stared from a cliff at the pools of Jusenkyo.
End of Chapter 21
A.N.
YAY! I'm still alive! Gosh it's been a while. Sorry, but I've literally been
living a soap opera lately. Here's a small recount. Taking a vacation
course to cut back a few months of class; got my butt kicked in training
by a few more advanced students; my best female friend angry at me for dating
another girl. How was I supposed to know she had strong feelings for me!?
Still working on that one. There's more, but I'd simply bore you all
to death.
The main reason I hadn't updated was a severe case of writers block. Finally,
I found the spark that allows me to be inspired once more, so I'll try
to update more frequently now. Thanx for staying tuned until this point.
'Till next time...
BlackDragon
Chapter 21
*****
"What do you want with me?" asked Ranma as Shin pointed at him.
"Appropriate phrasing. Let's just say, I want you."
Akane squeezed Ranma's arm as if he were about to ripped from her.
"Tell me now!"
Shin snickered. "Temper now, or you won't get to know. I'd just like
to give a small rant before that."
Shin made Nui face him as he ran one finger down her cheek. "Isn't she nice?
My own, personal beauty."
Nui looked at him as if he was the most beautiful site she had ever
witnessed.
"Such a nice person, and a demon in the sack."
Akane let go of Ranma. "Nui, get away from him."
Nui barely spared a look. "Why should I? I love him."
Akane felt her breath leave her body.
"She loves me, you hear? I simply gave her what she wanted, and she gives me
all I need."
"Let her go Shin. Don't make me hurt you."
Shin smiled and shook his head. "No. She's mine. That's what she wants,
so you have no right in trying to control her life." He kissed her softly.
Ranma stared, wanting to attack, but not finding any good vulnerable point.
After the kiss, Shin let her go and faced Ranma again. "Well, back to
explinations. It's a long story, so I'm going to cut this short. As I
said before, I was cast here eons ago, but I was able to escape, thanks to
one mistake."
Shin walked around, hands on his back. "The univerese is a great big place.
Earth is bursting with life; so much in fact, that the elder council was
having quite the hard time to control it all. They had to take some
kind of measure to regulate it all.
"I was a calamity on the world for the longest time, but in the long-run,
I didn't have to be."
Ranma and Akane remained silent.
"Humans are a greater calamity than I ever was. A disease. The greatest
error I have ever seen. It was enough to make me sick."
"Shin, I'm not buying your lies."
"Lies!? I am by far the only one that tells the truth! You are the foulest
of beings! At least animals act out of instinct! You act out of pure malice!
You find pleasure in mysery, contentment in sorrow, and joy in death!"
"That's not true!" Akane shouted. "We aren't like that!"
"Oh yes you are. It's called human nature, Akane dearest." Shin sighed
heavily and shook his head. "It's enough to even bring tears to MY eyes.
You'd rather stomp your enemies and the innocent that get in the way,
rather than work out petty differences. You humans play with life
as if it were a toy that is easily broken. It's sad really. And so, I
decided I would put a stop to it all."
"Figured. Just another nutcase wanting to rule the world."
"Why is the goal of every madman in history to take over the world? I mean,
really? They really don't understand what it really means. Try handling
economical affairs at a global scale. Not to mention the destitution of
every political aspirant in the world. I mean, no human can do it, period.
"Well, as I was saying, no, I don't want the world. What I want, is something
of much greater vision."
Ranma readied his fist.
"Humans are mere mud-puppies to me. They are children, crying and screaming
when things don't go their way. They all need guidance." He stared Ranma
right in the eye, searing into his soul. "I will be that light."
Ranma shook his head, clearng out the unwanted intrusion of Shin. "You're no
leader. You're just an idiot."
"No I'm not. Have you ever heard the phrase: 'Knows more the devil for being
old than the devil'? It means that with age comes great wisdom, and no one
is older than me. I hold all the answers to your troubles. I can be, a
parent, to guide you all.
"I'll simply be a father to the world. And by taking away one of your most
precious gifts, much like a parent, I can make this world really a better
place."
"I thought so. You have this grand scheme of us dying and starting all over
again. Clean out the world and do it all again, is that it?"
"No, not at all. I said one of your greatest gifts, and if you think about
it, life doesn't really qualify. Lift a rock, you'll find life. Look into
the ocean, and you'll find it. It comes standard with birth. What I mean is
what makes the world what it is. Free will."
"What?" Ranma was a little confused.
"Simple. You all get the right to choose what kind of life you wish to live.
One big mistake. You don't learn from your mistakes, and in the end you
make even worse ones. Once I'm in the right position, that'll be that."
"We won't let- you actually think you can get away with it?" Akane said.
"You're still here? I forgot. You can go now." He waved his arm in the air.
Akane began to slowly disappear, but didn't seem in immediate fear.
"There, now it's just me, you and my lover. She understands, so her input
is just like mine. As I was saying, life. Humans don't value it, so I'll
simply make it the most important thing in all your lifes."
"Like it already isn't?" said Ranma.
"Is it really? You yourself value someone else's life over your own. You'd
rather die than to see that person suffer. Sounds to me as if you didn't
really want to live."
"Shut up! That's different!"
"Is it really, well, I'll leave that up to you. Nui?"
Nui took a few steps forward. "He wants what's best, and he knows what to
do. Just be a good boy and help out. Ok?"
Ranma shool his head. "Whatever it is you're planning, I wont have any part
in it."
"Ranma my boy, you misunderstand. Perhaps a visual aid will be of some use."
Shin snapped his fingers. Several images flasshed by.
War.
Famine.
Murder.
"This is what the world is today. I can make it like this."
A young couple sat on the edge of a cliff. Their eyes watching the ember
sunset, pure hope and ambition on their faces, overlooking a landscape
filled with green and blue. Peace and tranquility was evident everywhere.
"Is it so bad? This is my dream. This is my purpose. It took me centuries
to understand, but this is the way things were meant to be. I will give
this paradise to the world."
"Liar. I don't believe you," Ranma said.
"I have no need to lie. You simply see something wonderful, but would rather
trade it for mysery. It's the way of humans."
"NO! I don't buy it!"
"QUIET! You need proof of your true nature!? Fine!"
Again Shin snapped his fingers, only this time, he and Ranma were in a dark
alley in some city.
"Where are we?" asked Ranma.
"You don't need to know. Now watch."
Ranma looked around and saw a young man saying goodbye to whom appeared to
be his girlfriend. The man walked to alley. Something crashed from above,
and large pieces of glass rained onto him.
Ranma raced to push the guy out of the way.
"Don't bother," Shin said. Ranma stopped. "We're here only in spirit. You
can't interfere."
One of the pieces embeded itself into the mans' throat. He gagged and coughed
for air as he pulled the píece from his body. He sank to the ground,
bleeding badly.
"Sad, isn't it? Without immediate medical attention, he will die shortly.
Now watch."
The man spotted and ambulance parked at the other end of the alley, the
paramedics eating and laughing while leaning on the car. The man
struggled ot his feet and tried to run, but the loss of blood was heavy,
so he could only manage a crawl. They didn't notice him, but he was in
shouting distance from them.
"What are you doing!? You want a perfect world, buy you're letting him
die!?" Ranma yelled.
"I'm not doing anything. This is simply what happens sometimes. Now, here
is your test."
Shin put his hand on Ranma's shoulder. Ranma felt a slight stinging in his
right palm. A small flame had materialized in his hand. It's light
slowly went out.
"This is the fire of this man's life. If it goes out, he will die. You now
hold absolute power in your hand. The power to control life and death."
Ranma stared at the flame as if in a trance. He felt strange. As if he
somehow knew what this all meant.
"Now, if you keep the fire warm, the man will make it to the ambulance.
He will be treated and he will live."
"No contest. He lives, period."
"Not so fast." Shin circled Ranma slowly, a smile of triumph on his lips.
"What if I told you that this man is sick?"
"What'ya mean, sick?"
"Well;" he put his hand on his chin as he stared at the desperate man. "He
is afflicted with OCB(Obssessive compulsive behavior); borderline psychotic.
This is the last straw, and he will flip once better. He will develope
a fixation for pedofelia.
"Should he live, he will take over 50 small children to an early grave.
And he will never be caught."
Ranma felt the air leave his lungs. He couldn't believe his ears.
"Is one man's life worth more than 50? The heartbreak will be inmense."
"Why are you doing this!? Stop it now!!!"
"Oh, I'm not doing anything. This is not my deed. This is your show now."
"This man's life, is now in your hands."
"Should he live, or should he die" It's all up to you."
Ranma began to shake. This was his 'show' now? He was supposed to decide
if this man was to die?
If he lived, 50 children would die.
What could he do?
"I- I..."
"Quickly now Ranma. Time waits for no one."
Ranma took in some deep breathes.
He shut his eyes...
Gritted his teeth...
Turned his head away...
He knew what he had to do.
"I'm sorry..."
He closed his palm hard. The flame went out. The man choked a few times,
and finally collapsed. The paramedics heard his last breath, dropped their
meal and ran to him. One took his pulse, but shook his head in resignation.
Ranma fell to his knees as random tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I had to, I had to..."
Shin began to clap as the image faded. They were now back in the darkness.
"I must congratulate you. I didn't think you would go through with it, but...
I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you."
He put his hand on Ranma's shaking back.
"Don't be so down. You did what you had to do..."
"Get away from me!!!" Ranma screamed. He incorporated himself and pushed
Shin away.
Shin simply re-adjusted his shirt. "Don't be angry at me. I did nothing."
"You did this! It's your fault!"
"Is it now? All I did was give you the power to choose his fate. You made
a descition, so why am I at fault?"
"I had to... I had to...
"50 kids..."
Shin looked around as if confused.
"Um, pardon my asking, but..."
Ranma feared the next thing to be said.
"What kids?"
Ranam shut his eyes. He couldn't believe it. He was lied to.
And he believed it.
"NO!!!" Ranma rushed at Shin and grabbed him by the collar. "It's true!!!"
"No it isn't," Shin said calmly, even though in Ranma's powerful arms.
"Let me tell you of that man."
Shin disappeared from Ranma's hands and re-appeared behind him.
"He was to graduate from college in three weeks. He would have set up his
own succesful business and married the woman you saw him with. He would
have led a happy, meaningful existance. But no longer, thanks to you."
"NO! NO! NO!" Ranma fell to his knees, grabbing his head.
"Oh yes. You silenced an innocent because you thought you were right."
"You lied to me!!!"
"I did not lie. I simply made an assumption which you believed to the the
truth. You are the only one to blame here."
Ranma began heaving, trying desperately not to think at what he just did.
"Murderer."
*No...* Ranma thought.
"Now you know the power that one human alone can wield. You can finally
understand what I'm fighting for. Now you can finally know the truth."
Ranma stared at Shin, vengance the only thing on his mind.
"That's right, hate me. Loathe me. It's good to express your emotions. Other-
wise, I'd have no use for you."
"Shin, I'll kill you." Ranma's voice was filled with venom.
"Can't get enough? Not to worry. Let me give you your explination."
Ranma settled into his ready stance.
"Have you ever wondered how it is that I have such vast power? Not spiritual,
but human? People are not easy to convince, so I simply offered them a
deal. They pledge their loyalty to me, and I will give them dreams."
"What?" Ranma spat.
"Yes. Every wish, desire, fantasy; I can make it come true. And all that I
ask in return? Their loyalty to me. I barely even ask them to do anything,
yet still, more and more come."
"Lackeys huh. Figures, you bastard."
"Never underestimate the power of happiness. If dreams can make you happy,
does anything else matter?"
Shin turned to Nui. He hugged her; she appeared to be in heaven from
the look on her face. "Nui is different. most people just wanted fame,
wealth, happiness; the list goes on, but Nui wanted passion. She wanted
true love. So I gave it to her. I will love her until there is no more
eternity. That is ny gift and promise.
"I can bring true peace to a world of darkness."
"I don't care anymore about your stories. Just tell me what I want to know,
NOW!"
Shin shook his head at Ranma. "Patience is not one of your virtues. Very
well." He took in a few breathes.
"My power grows weary. Even when the grand-children of the youngest of my
loyals is gone, I will still be here, granting peace and happiness.
But alas, I am not forever."
Ranma cocked his head. Was that supposed to make sense?
"This body's power is amazingly vast, but in the end, limited. I need
someone else. I need someone who's power is limitless. You."
"I'm limitless huh? Cool, but I want out of this nonsense."
"It isn't nonsense honey," Nui said. "He really wants to be good. Trust
me, I know. But he needs your power to make it a better place, literally."
"She's right. With your power and my knowledge, I will be forever. I can
bring to you a world unlike any other. All I need is your help, and I
will be eternal."
Shin croosed his arms and looked up. "I will finally rise..."
"Above Eden..."
"And I will bring peace."
Ranma blinked. "Eden?"
"Yes. Eden. Don't worry if you don't know. No human knows. But the strangest
part of this is, that Eden is very much a part of everyones life."
"What is this - some kind of riddle or something?"
"You could say that."
Shin turned to Nui, kissed her once more, and then she vanished. He turned to
Ranma.
"I have just one more test for you."
Shin snapped his fingers. Once more, they switched location. They were now
in what appeared to be a forest.
"Now where are we?"
Shin chuckled. "The beggining. A place of nightmares. Where many lives
have ended." He turned dead serious. "One final test, Saotome. The
full answer is just ahead. Find it, and then you will know why."
Ranma lunged an attack, but Shin vanished into thin air.
Confused, Ranma began evaluating his options. He was lost in a forest
somewhere.
Check.
No food, water or meidcine.
Check.
"What the hell."
Ranma headed for the closest clearing he could see. He made his way slowly,
pushing aside large pieces of bambu, and earning a few cuts and scratches
here and there.
Finally, exhausted and slightly bleeding, Ranma emerged into the fading
light.
It only took one look for he past to come back and hit him in the face.
"Figures," he said as he stared from a cliff at the pools of Jusenkyo.
End of Chapter 21
A.N.
YAY! I'm still alive! Gosh it's been a while. Sorry, but I've literally been
living a soap opera lately. Here's a small recount. Taking a vacation
course to cut back a few months of class; got my butt kicked in training
by a few more advanced students; my best female friend angry at me for dating
another girl. How was I supposed to know she had strong feelings for me!?
Still working on that one. There's more, but I'd simply bore you all
to death.
The main reason I hadn't updated was a severe case of writers block. Finally,
I found the spark that allows me to be inspired once more, so I'll try
to update more frequently now. Thanx for staying tuned until this point.
'Till next time...
BlackDragon