Never Eternal

by yumeneko

Disclaimer: As usual... Saiyuki is Kazuya Minekura-sensei's... I'm just using it for angsty stuff...

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Note: Wheee~! Finally, the epilogue chapter!!

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"Pages unfold once more and the tale is retold…"

Azrael compiled her report into one folder, careful not to accidentally make them fall off. Her hair gathered into a ponytail, she walked to Hades' throne room.

"So, Azrael… Do you have the report of the mission yesterday?" Hades asked, his dark armor making him look threatening.

"Yes, Hades-sama," Azrael bowed low, "Shall I dictate it to you?"

"Go ahead Azrael. Feel free to report your findings…"

"I shall begin now…" Azrael took a deep breath and read her report out loud, "The Terra were rampant around this certain village where the Sanzo-ikkou were staying at. As always, the townspeople tried to fight against these monstrosities. But as I've noticed, from the tracks in the battlefield, that what they were fighting against was no ordinary Terra. Older records file this type of Terra as 'Criminal Terra' a Terra who was a criminal while still living. They are described to have snakes attached to their bodies and eyes more terrifying than the 'Suicide' or 'Insane' Terra types. While 'Suicide' and 'Insane' Terra types are more build for speed, the 'Criminal' is made for heavy attacking, which would probably be why Cho Hakkai was able to shield Genjo Sanzo from him. But this also resulted in his death.

While I was doing my job, Kanzeon Bosatsu summoned me and commanded that I revive Cho Hakkai's body. She told me that his corpse could be found in the battlefield where he and the 'Criminal' have died. But when I reached the battlefield, all I could find was his soul. Evidence that the Terra were using the 'Criminal' to collect bodies and souls. But since it is Terra nature to collect both, I feel as if they had left Cho Hakkai's soul out for a reason. I suspected a necromancer to be behind this since Terra cannot do this kind of task. But I could have never suspected my own brother to be the culprit.

So I took the form of the soul, careful enough not to harm it. According to Kanzeon, she said that while I take the form of Hakkai, I would have to meet with Genjo Sanzo and send him to revive Cho Hakkai's soul by himself. So I met him. A soul can be revived in two ways, one is by using the corpse and reuniting it with the soul. Second is to go to the place of memory and change the past. Though the second maybe harder than the first, since the corpse was missing, we had to use it. Luckily, both Macabre and me knew how to open the portal. Not many necromancers and reapers know this kind of spell.

Although many hardships passed our way, we were finally able to destroy the leader of the Terra who was none other than the former Grim Reaper and my brother, Quietus. I believe that since Quietus is gone, we can dispatch the reaper squad to send the Terra back to the pool of souls. That is all I can report, Hades-sama."

"Well done, Azrael…" The dark god arose from his throne, "Send the reapers under you to retrieve the Terra right away. Tell Macabre to let his squad of necromancers accompany you in case that you find any mutated Terra."

"Yes, Hades-sama!" Azrael bowed before she walked toward the darkness of the hallways of Pandemonium…

And so, the story fades away into memory and everyone goes on with their lives. But somewhere in the distance an evil laugh echoes…

"Genjo Sanzo… You have revived Hakkai. But at the same time… You've revived me. Oh… I want to show my appreciation for all this, so I'll gladly bring you to heaven and hell the next time we meet. And when we do… I'll make you change your mind and give your heart to me. Mwahahahahaha!! Go to the west, my beloved morons!!" 

People who have heard this voice look towards the west and see a black-cloaked man who they say is just their imagination…

But we all know the truth, don't we?

"Someday… After I gain my revenge over you, Sanzo… I'll replace Cho Hakkai forever… and be your beloved… You'd have no other choice but to meet me again. Ah… I just can't wait until that time comes…"

Owari (or is it?)