Chapter Five: Five Demon Knights
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A/N: Sorry for the long delay but at least I managed to get this chapter out. Is it just me, or doesn't anybody else think that this story is still a little weak? And thanks for the reviews!!! Hope you guys didn't forget me!!!! ^ ^ I'm not dead yet. -_-
Disclaimer: Never try to own Saiyuki. *looks down at ropes that are securing me to the chair then at Minekura Kazuya who is waving one out of over millions of googly, little kiddie tapes that include Tellytubbies, Barney, Sesame Street and more... ^-^;;;*
By: Yamamoto Kou
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Ever since that last attack with those corrupted spirits, Heaven decided to focus more on combat skills. But now they also have a new problem.
By now, 40% of the entire population of Under Heaven is critically sick. 3% died because of this mysterious disease in just one month. No one knows what's happening. It's not contagious. It just suddenly comes upon you as a tiger would leap out of its hiding place to kill a helpless fawn. Hospitals all over the Saiyuki world were struggling to keep track of everything when nothing seems to be able to help.
The symptoms were simple, yet effective enough to rouse panic. The victim will start to feel icy cold for one minute before dropping to the ground paralysed of movement. Their blood pressure will rise and drop unpredictably. Their eyes would start to turn glazy. Joints will also gradually start to stiffen. And mysteriously, dead victims always seemed to smell. Further dissection of the dead patients in an attempt to find the problem resulted to the discovery that the insides of the victim have completely rotted. All of them. What was even more mysterious was that the outside showed no sign of rotting and stay intact for five hours after death. It was not a pleasant matter. No one was safe.
Several tests conducted have proven that it's not the food or anything hygienic so they don't have to worry about that.
What was even more worrying was that it seemed to have some link with the corrupted spirits. If they can come into Heaven, so can that disease. The god that is in charge of healing was completely shocked to say that her powers had no effect on it.
Haku isn't going to work as quite an amount of co-workers at his company were to worried to come or had fallen into the hands of the disease. Homura had to close his theme park because of the crisis at hand. Homura and Rinrei will constantly come back to Heaven to train their fighting skills further for the corrupted spirits. So did Haku. They really wanted to be able to stop this disease but they can't help it for now.
It is not a happy time.
Haku: [I need to become stronger!]
These were his thought now a days but it always brought back memories of him as the starving saru at the back of the jeep. The one who got exited every time he met a worthy opponent.
He wonders sometimes.
Haku: [Is it right for me to change so much?]
He pondered over this with a sad smile on his face. So much had happened and he wasn't as close to Sanzo and the others as he was before. As much as it bugged him, he wanted a little bit of those days back. Just a little bit will do. That question was, to put in a single word, bittersweet. Just like chocolate.
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Haku placed his hand the ground. The earth heaved and parted to reveal a huge and dirty chest buried deep. He was just about to pull it out when a voice behind him seem to break through the silence of the calm and peaceful atmosphere in the Aomori forest.
"So someone came before me."
Haku didn't even have to look up. Kanzeon Bosatsu stepped out of the shrubs, hands on hips with an amused smile curling on her face for the first time in days.
Kanzeon: *amused tone* How long have you known?
Haku: Not long. *proceeds to tug at the chest and start pulling*
Kanzeon: *hands crossed over her chest* Interesting.
Haku: Instinct kept nagging at me. *manages to get the entire chest out into the open*
Silence seemed to be restored to the forest until she broke it again.
Kanzeon: Do you understand you're instincts?
Another lapse of silence ensued.
Haku: Sort of. Why the sudden urge for questions? *looks at her through the corner of his eye*
Kanzeon: You seem to understand more than you're let on to. *pause for a while* You remind me of someone. *has a far away look*
Haku: *tries to open the enchanted lock on the chest*
The jiggling of the lock was the only sound they can hear for the past few minutes. (I seem to be putting in to much pausing huh?)
Kanzeon: You're a tough nut to crack. You're not giving in to curiosity aren't you? Or do you already know?
Haku: *crushes the lock out of frustration* Yes to the first question, no to the other.
Kanzeon: You've definitely changed a lot.
Haku: I guess.
Kanzeon: My little brother Takeda.
Haku: *decided that it's better to listen to this first before opening the chest* Strange. You don't seem to have a brother.
Kanzeon: That was a long time ago.
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(The beginning of story.)
Back when Kanzeon Bosatsu had reached the age when she will look like a mortal teenager, she had a little brother called Takeda who was just born. But then their mother was soon transmigrated for not performing her duty on time for the tenth time.
Those were the days when the rules were strict and the chosen God was completely military like and very harsh. He didn't realised that he was overdoing it. But if he found out he wouldn't have changed anyway. All he ever wanted to do was avoid any feuds in Heaven and he made it too orderly that hardly anyone does not have a rule and a schedule to follow. Or any free time to do something that's NOT on the schedule.
The rules then were just simply: Follow the schedule. But of course, the kids were too young to have schedules so they can go down to Under Heaven and play all they want. God didn't think it was any important anyway. As long as they stay away and don't interrupt the older God's schedule.
Kanzeon's name then was Kanra (Trying hard to be original here. Especially when a lot of people are using the name Kannon for this stage. Please don't use this name.) Her father works hard to give his children a home. Kanra makes sure she excels in her grades to make her dad happy. They had managed to have time to raise Takeda. That was in their schedule. God didn't want a growing economy to die. When Takeda was three and had proven himself worthy to take care of himself, God changed Kanra and her dad's schedule back.
Takeda is a boy with a nice mop of blonde hair on his head. He's got those bright blue eyes that seem to melt people's hearts. The blonde hair was from his mom's side of the family. He also wore a purple bandanna around his neck that belonged to his mother.
Whenever she could, Kanra played with her brother when he was around. They mostly played hide and seek and young Takeda was sure to find her.
Kanra: How do you always know where I am? *chuckled* You haven't peeked have you?
Takeda: *puts on that cute little honest face* No I didn't! I've got instincts you know!
Kanra: Hontoni deska? *mocking him*
Takeda: Sou! I can understand it and when I do, I can find you/ It also brings me good tsuki. (Tsuki means 'luck'.)
Takeda often went out a lot and he doesn't come back till dinnertime but no one ever wondered why. But everyone did noticed that his progress rate was far faster than any toddler's. When he was just one year old, he could walk, talk, sit and stand and not to mention potty trained. By the age of two, he had managed to read and write perfectly. Everyone got wind of it. Even the current God. He was very impressed and said that by the time he becomes ten years old, he will make a fine secretary. Kanra and her dad were not really happy about this. It was the most boring job you can ever get. They think that he's just too good to be stuck in that position.
He was five when THAT happened. When they all realised that they haven't paid any real attention to his actions. Because he hid them almost perfectly. One day, God had a meeting with all the soldiers in Heaven. He said that they would go and attack the temple in the East (The Eastern Temple) and claim the sutra, which are after all, theirs. It wasn't that the monks won't give it. It's just that the five Demon Knights that had been there to protect the sutra at all cost and can't give it to them.
The Five Demon knights were the five most powerful demons that overrate even all of Heaven's godly soldiers. They were youkai but the term 'demon' was given to very powerful fighters. Thus showing that the gods are a bit jealous. They're names are Kochi, Kofu, Nagano, Gunma, and Iwate (These names are from the Tourist map of Japan. Yes. It's a map. It was the best source of Japanese names where I am. -_-). The last God had made a spell to bind them to their duty and make sure that they don't age. But they can still die. Unfortunately, there was a small mistake. The spell said to protect it and never give it to anyone. The Five Demon Knights were of course willing to hand it over but the spell keeps them from doing so.
No one knew that Takeda had made friends with them and constantly came to visit them.
Kochi had taught him a lot of things like magic spells and their properties and some stuff that he isn't suppose to learn at that age (Violence and that other stuff. He's gotta learn SOME day.). But he can't remove the spell since a god made it, and they can't do anything to spells cast by gods since they were only youkai. Plus, that god is known to have very powerful magic (even though he's also known to be a bad strategist and planner.). He doesn't really like the monks and the temple very much...
Kofu talked to him about what he thinks about his 'hell of a life' and was the best at telling him stories of the days that had made him strong enough to be one of the Five Demon Knights. He kinda envied those days and his former, younger, naive self. He also said that if they were gonna be stuck here for more than a thousand years, can't it at least be a place that is NOT religious (no offence). Or a place that has no contact with monks (for various reasons and I am NOT insulting them). With cable, cigarettes, sake, a fridge filled with REAL food, some comfortable couches and some nice warm beds. His brains, magic skill and fighting skills are all even.
Nagano was good with his instincts (the ONLY good trait on his part) and helped Takeda to sharpen his senses. Known to be the stupidest of the group. He goes chibi whenever they ignore him. Has the scratching trait of a dog. He may be a little clueless but at certain times, he can be reliable. His fighting and spell casting skills aren't the average stuff either. Sometimes. For example, he would be blasting out spells at one minute, and in the next, they would be backfiring.
Gunma was a bit quiet than the others but he voices out his opinions all the same. He taught Takeda how to use every single weapon he himself had laid a hand on. Spears, guns, bow and arrows, swords and more were soon passed through Takeda's hands and never leave those hands un-mastered. Doesn't use his brain as much as Kochi and Kofu but at least it's a little higher than what Nagano can ever manage.
And lastly is Iwate. Iwate can't talk and he doesn't move much. He was albino; his eyes were blue and like all albino guys, stay away from the light. He was also the youngest of the lot. Kofu told Takeda not to worry about him. He may not be much now, but he's way smarter, stronger, faster and better than all of them put together when in battle. If he could talk, he would've made a very good storyteller. But he can feel things up to a radius of one hundred metres tops.
What made their life seem even unfair was that the oldest of them, Kochi, was only twenty-one when he was dragged into this mess. All of them had a whole life to live ahead of them and this is what had to happen.
Kochi said that Takeda was able to catch up with all this complicated stuff was because he had an unusually high understanding rate. It was almost impossible for those his age let alone the older guys. It's a rare gift even among gods.
Now Takeda had decided to eavesdrop on the meeting when he read the piece of paper that was dropped by one of the soldiers. (It flew right into his face so how could he miss it?) And when he discovered what they were going to do, he decided to act fast.
His first idea was to stop them but he can't stop ALL of them. Even if he did, he's got to admit. The Five Demon Knights would still find themselves bored to death after the battle. They need freedom. The spell keeps them from leaving the temple as well. Takeda soon decided what was best. He was aware of the risks and he didn't have time to practice. Most of all, he doesn't want even the Five Demon Knights to know. He had a bleak future ahead of him anyway.
Takeda went down to Under Heaven and found a clearing north of the Eastern Temple. He was about to perform one of the greatest spells in history.
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(Continuation of story.)
It was night. Houses light up and those that reside in the temple had gone back to meditating. It was awfully quite here. Thousands of miles away from any noise or danger and so the monks have all lived a fully religious life. All was calm and peaceful.
This life sucks.
The Five Demon Knights thought that they might as well die and hope that they've got a more interesting afterlife. Doing suicide is a bit drastic. Besides, it's not much fun that way.
One wonders what are the steps to die of boredom.
But the only times when things seem to lighten up a bit is when Takeda came. He was youthful, happy and fun. What can they say; it was contagious when he was around. That was probably why they didn't die of boredom earlier.
Right now, they are in the temple gardens, under the big tree. Kochi wondered if they really will bring themselves bad luck and die by putting pictures of themselves in black frames and pretend to pray for each other as if they were dead. But the monks would go ballistic if that ever happened. Kochi sighed.
Kochi: *now trying to calculate how many more seconds before one of them loses it*
Kofu: *complaining about the monks diet (again) to anyone who would listen*
Nagano: *scratching behind his ear with his leg*
Gunma: *practised his spearing technique for who knows how many times*
Iwate: *under the tree and just sat there*
Suddenly, Iwate stood up and casually tried to walk away from the temple grounds.
Kochi: Where do you think you're going?
Iwate: *said something in sign language*
Kochi: You sure?
Nagano/Kofu/Gunma: *looked at them with rare interest*
Kochi: Iwate said that Takeda is north of here and is about to try something to break the spell over us. Do you think we should invite him over?
Everyone (except Kochi): *nods*
Kochi: Okay then. *uses his magic to get Takeda over here*
Takeda: *looks a little stunned sitting on the dirt with the Five Demon Knights around him*How did you guys know I was around here?
Nagano: It was Iwate who told us.
Takeda: *swearing inside* [How could I have forgotten about Iwate's sense of feeling things?]
Kochi: What were you doing anyway?
Takeda: Well, I was planning to try and break the spell. And since I'm a god, I have an advantage.
Kochi: You can't just go on and cast a spell just like that! There are risks you know! Besides, you're not old or strong enough to do a spell as big as that. You've got to wait till your older.
Kofu: Make that ancient.
Takeda: Sumimasen.
Kofu: The smart guy is right!
Nagano: I second that!!!! *grabs Takeda's leg* Let me help you!!!!!!!!
Gunma: No way! *points the spear at Nagano's throat* I'LL DO IT!!!! You can't even tell the difference between a magical formation from a wad of chewed gum stuck on someone's shoe! *throws down spear and grab one of his arms*
Nagano: *still on Takeda's leg* Oh no!!! I'm not gonna let you have all the fun!! Besides, who's the one who had mistaken a hairclip for a magical shrinking staff!??!
Kofu: You're all wrong!!! I'm better than any of you two and I say *holds Takeda's other arm really tight* I do it!!!
Takeda: Erm... Kofu. I can't feel my arm. *wincing*
Kofu: Oops. Wari! *loosens grips*
Kochi: What are you guys talking about!!!!! Have you all forgotten who's the best spell caster around here!? *gets Takeda in a headlock* IT'S ME!!!!
Soon, a dust cloud is formed and those four guys are fighting for that one- drop of excitement. They tried it but they weren't gods and they needed more power. The idea had never came to them until now. But of course, they've forgetting that all of them have to do it. But like I said, they were literally begging for danger, they were so bored out of their wits they'd risk and gamble anything they can to feel the urge that kept them on their feet. It was all too good for a miracle in their opinion.
Unfortunately, Takeda was still somewhere in that dust cloud.
Iwate reached a hand into the dust cloud and randomly pulled some one out. It was Takeda.
Takeda: *straightens himself* Arigatou!
Iwate: *nods and reaches into the dust cloud again*
This time he pulled out Nagano. And he put him back in again. Then he pulled out Kofu. He dropped him back in and reached in again. Nagano, Nagano, Gunma, Nagano, Kofu, Nagano, Nagano, and more Nagano...
Both Iwate and Takeda sweat dropped at this. Then Iwate finally pulls Kochi out. He talked to him in sign language. Thanks to Iwate's little reminder, they all finally remembered that all of them have to do this.
Nagano: But why is Takeda deciding to do it now?
Everyone (and amazingly even Iwate) looked at him.
Nagano: What? Am I having a bad hair day or something? *rubs hair on his head*
Kofu: Don't you realise that that was the most sensible thing you have done for over two hundred and fifty three years?
Gunma: And the last time you did one, it was about how you brought food when we were miles away from any of it.
Nagano: *question mark over head* I was planning to save it all for myself then but I knew you guys should have some too. Besides, do you mean the question about my bad hair day? *fondly pats the hair on his head*
Everybody else: - -;;; ......... [Baka!] *starts a real conversation while ignoring Nagano*
Nagano: *is now a chibi character trying to attract the others attention in the background*
Takeda: The guys from Heaven are sick of you guys for hogging the Sutra. Spell or no spell, they're bringing down they're entire force to get it.
Gunma: They would be easy! *uses his thumb to sharpen his sword*
Takeda: But all that fuss over a few scrolls of paper isn't worth it... Besides, all of Heaven will probably start destroying all youkais if you guys do that. Wiping out God and his army is a pretty big threat and that's no better than proclaiming war.
Gunma: Then why won't they break the stupid spell themselves?
Takeda: The spell was in the Ancient Heaven Scrolls! And those were buried and hidden somewhere by the God that put the spell on you guys for some unknown reason. Besides, all of Heaven promised not to break this stupid spell. The High God's Council all signed the contract even, which keeps all gods from doing so. It's legalised. But he never thought that the next God would want to reclaim it.
Kochi: But aren't you bound by that contract as well?
Takeda: It said to BREAK it. Not to HELP break it. Besides, I'm not officially bound anyway. Too young. You've got to be a little older.
Kofu: Right. But you guys DO know that what we are going to so is going to make the monks really freak right?
Kochi: Who cares? I'm gonna blast their heads off if I hear another religious sentence from them! *starts to mimic a monks voice* Oh, this is indeed evil! The Buddha will punish you! *starts to mimic another monks voice* Now you know that isn't allowed in here! *uses his original voice* It's not like I have no respects for the gods but this is going a little too far! It was just a pack of cards... *feels everybody staring at him* Okay. It was my bad. I know that monks restrict gambling of any sort...
Gunma: I agree. About the fact that the monks won't like it of course. But we'll have to find a more suitable place. This place is just not big enough... maybe we could just make the temple disappear for tonight.
Kofu: Like I said, the monks will freak! *imitates a very funny yet panicky sort of face*
Takeda: The clearing North of here looks big enough...
Gunma: Great. But how are we going to get there?
Everybody thinks. Well, everybody besides the still chibi Nagano who is still desperately trying to regain their attention by waving his arms about and having anime sweat drops about.
Iwate: *suddenly thought of an idea and tapped Kochi on the shoulder*
Kochi: *had his train of thoughts derailed* Huh?
Iwate: *starts using sign language*
Kochi: *nods his head at Iwate's suggestion* Right.
Nagano: *was preparing himself to jump on top one of them until Kochi said 'Right' and got all curious*
Kochi: Remember the old saying. If you can't come to it, then make it come to you.
Gunma: Now how are we going to do that? There's definitely not enough space here unless you wipe out the temple over here. Not that that's a bad idea, but you know... *starts to consider the possibilities*
Kofu: *looks somewhere and is starting to get the drift* Oh... *lets out some mischievous laughter* If the monks notice, they're gonna think it's the apocalypse! I like it!
Takeda: What is the idea anyway?
Nagano: I know, I know! We're gonna shrink right?
Kochi: No! *glares at Nagano* That didn't even have anything to do with what our ideas are. But it would've been a better opinion if it weren't for one teensy, little detail. Shrinking would mean that our powers will shrink with us and we do need full strength you know.
Nagano: Oops. I forgot.
Kochi: Look, those of you who don't get the idea, just watch. *prepares a very big spell*
The ground trembled a bit. Kochi starts to lift his arms slowly. The trembling soon stopped. Then Kochi started mumbling. Soon a great shadow was looming over them and the only light they have come from the temple. There were bits of things falling onto them. The thing had practically hidden the night sky from view. Kochi then put his hands down and stopped chanting.
That piece of ground was no right on top of them.
They all looked around and pricked up their ears for any sign of the monks noticing.
Nothing. Zip. Good. Since it is now over the temple, it'll be known as a piece of temple property.
And they all managed to get up there with magic of course. They scanned the floating piece of rock and dirt. The roots of the grass below them held the whole thing together.
Kofu: Well, what are we waiting for! *cracked his knuckles* Let's get to work!
Everyone else: Yosh!
And so everybody got busy. Soon a lot of symbols were on the ground. They twist and turned and when looked from above, will look like a tapestry woven from reeds, embedded with things that bore thorns and petals. A fury of lines and curves that wound it's way around the ground. It was very important for this stage.
Kochi: Next phase!
Everybody: *put they're arms in front of them facing the pattern*
Kochi: Everybody! NOW!!!
They all sent bursts of their energy to the centre. All the energies collided and the aftershock was amazing. It threatened to blow them off and plunge them down to the ground below. But they dug they're shoes deeper into the ground, their teeth gritting due to all the strength they're using just to stay there and keep focusing their energies. They're skin felt like ripping off and static was sizzling everything up there. It stung them and shocked them but still they concentrated on the task at hand.
The light from their focused energies was not blinding. It was dim. It just plainly looks like seeing through hot air that has a certain glow to it. But the pattern on the ground is now alive. The entire picture looked like it was all slithering and snaking along while not moving anywhere. The lines swayed and shook vigorously but never broke.
Below, the temple and its grounds seem to shimmer. And if you look at it from the right angle, it all looks like there's glass moulded around it. The glass seems to shiver a bit. Before zigzagging cracks started forming.
The spell was breaking but they are just stepping into the real hard part. The spell had reached the rate where it will become highly unstable. Anything can happen now. Horses can start growing mouse pads and guys would all be cross dressers -_-. This is when they have to keep their energies and powers focused as not to let them fly somewhere else and kill anything in its path.
One by one, pieces of glass like spell started to disintegrate.
Kochi: *mumbled under breath* Yes! It's working!
Just as the final shards of the spell started to dwindle, another force interrupted.
It took them all by surprise. They had put all their concentration and focus into the ball of mixed energies and they hadn't noticed their surroundings.
God was truly infuriated. A young god ling breaking the spell of the late God. He cannot tolerate it. He decided to spy on his target that night to work out a better strategy but found this! And since he doesn't know what position he was in, he simply made a ki ball and threw it at the mixed energies to stop them. He felt that it was his rightful duty to interrupt and butt in snobbishly and stubbornly despite the efforts of a hidden voice in his head telling him to stop.
The rest widened their eyes with shock. The spell had been completely deleted but now something was coming up. The pattern started to glow red and the lines moved around and rearranged themselves to form another pattern. The mixed energies just exploded and now uncontrolled raw power started feeding this unknown formation. Wind ripped upwards around them. The six fell forwards and watch with horror. The clouds parted and the tsuki (Tsuki had two meanings. A: Luck. B: Moon. This one means moon.) seemed to look on as a silent witness.
God's instinct told him that he had done something wrong.
God: [Impossible! *tried to wipe that alarmed feeling that had came from the back of his mind* I NEVER DO ANYTHING WRONG!! NEVER!!!] (The guy's got a high opinion of himself. He thinks that whatever he does will be flawless and perfect. Now if his ego never got into his head, this might have not happened. I wanted to add some serious cussing in this part but *points up* it ain't rated PG for nothing.)
But this smarty-pants of a god had done something wrong. No denial.
The wind blew upwards in a house-ripping torrent. The piece of ground and grass underneath them were beginning to fall apart and go with the wind. The sky seemed to heave and struggle but in the end gave way to the fury that had forced it. It seemed to rip a hole in the sky.
The pattern's glow grew furiously bright as the wind increased in its almost unstoppable strength.
God, Takeda and the five Demon knights tried to hold their place in order not to get blown off or into the hole.
The wind whipped though the trees and made a racket. The monks came out and looked around only to find something above them.
Monks: AHH!!!! IT'S THE APOCALYPES!!! *all become panicky and annoying* WE'RE DOOMED!!!!
High Monk/Priest (whatever you call the elder of the monks, I don't know): WE MUST MAKE SACRIFICES TO END THIS!!! COME INSIDE AND START PRAYING!!!!
And so they all did.
Takeda was forced straight into the middle formation because of the holes forming on where he stood. The formation then seemed to glint maliciously despite the burning glow. The wind seemed to have found itself a target. The upward torrents seem to stop.
But this was not meant to be.
The wind skimmed Takeda off the ground and into the air.
Kofu: TAKEDA!!! *tried to grab his arm but a seeming steel body of wind kept him from doing so*
Gunma: *punched his fist into the ground and caused a piece of it to fly off upwards*
Takeda was blown through the hole and while the wind was doing so, a faint red outline of a dragon seemed to smile before disappearing in an instant. The wind died down instantly as Takeda disappeared into the hole.
But the hole seemed to stretch itself bigger. The formation glowed so bright that it would've burned eyes out of their sockets. God covered his eyes but the Five Demon Knights watched as the hole. And they couldn't stop gaping at it soundlessly until the entire hole seemed to close completely. The formation had now disappeared. God opened his eyes.
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(Epilogue of story.)
Somehow, God and the High God's Council had soon planned and carried out their execution. Weirdly, the Demon Knights didn't struggle or say anything at all. They tried to keep their face expressionless.
Kanra wondered about this and before they're execution, managed to have a short chat with them.
Kanra: Is my brother really dead?
Kofu: *gave a weak smile at this* What do you think?
And that was the end of the conversation.
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(Back to the main story.)
Kanzeon Bosatsu: And I started wondering. I never blamed them. Wish they would stick around longer though. They would've made great company. That last God told it to his younger brother, which gave him a dislike for youkais. When that god died of unknown causes, his brother became the current God. It was a good thing you helped him loose his hate for youkai. The world would have been a more boring place.
Haku: *had been rustling through the scrolls and listening to the story* How do you know about this *makes a gesture at the chest* then?
Kanzeon Bosatsu: Dad saw that God bury it. He told me where but he never told anybody else. He died a couple of years after the execution while fighting in the Heavenly Army. The reason why that God buried it , none of us knows. Besides, the God died of an internal bleeding but he was healthy and there was no report of anything that would have caused this.
Haku: *turns to face her* I think I have found the problem. *holds up one of the scrolls and unrolls it*
The scroll fell to two pieces. The place where they should've joined was scorched.
Haku: That's not all.
He took out five more scrolls and they were in the same condition.
Kanzeon: So he hid them because they were damaged? *cocked up her eye brows*
Haku: Nope. *unrolls an undamaged scroll* See how this one is longer? *points to the slightly charred ones* these are a lot shorter. Which means that something burned a section of the scrolls off.
Kanzeon: *takes a closer look and sees that it is indeed so*
Haku: I think it could be done by the evil of Li Touten.
Kanzeon: I don't see your point.
Haku: Li Touten should be a kid around then right? But he still had evil in him. Let's say that evil wasn't as strong because it had not acquired a complete form then but it could have sneaked out of him and took those sections and hid them somewhere. It could have also easily killed that God you were talking about. {1} And *showed her yet another scroll* he tried to burn this part out too. *showed her the slightly charred line on the paper*
Kanzeon: You're right. We might as well bring this to the High God's Council now.
The chest was soon delivered to the main central for God and the council to make use of. But soon.
A random god: *bursts in to the room* The South of the city has been attacked!
God: *stands up* NANI!?
Haku: *quickly runs out towards the South* [That's where Sanzo and the rest are!]
Fire was everywhere. He got there just in time to see Sanzo using the Evil Sutra again. But this time, there were more spirits to replace to disintegrated ones. Sanzo is getting exhausted. All of the were fighting. Some of the army was already there trying to fend it off. Everybody tried to fend them off. But something was wrong with Kou and the others.
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Kou: *fighting furiously while trying to see Lirin* LIRIN! WHERE ARE YOU!?
Yoane/Doku: *were back to back and can't move any further with the spirits surrounding them*
Sanzo: *getting really exhausted*
Hakkai: *energy levels are decreasing because of the use of too may powerful ki balls*
Gojyo: *is having a though time fighting close range*
Rinrei: *using a staff with a large blade at one end and is trying to decrease the increasing number of corrupted spirits*
Homura: *fighting with his fire dragon and something caught his eye* LIRIN!!
Kou: *the yell of his sister's name caused him to look around more frantically until he finally saw her*
Lirin was tethering of the edge of the roof on one of the burning houses. She was badly wounded. She was tossed up by a spirit's attack. It head butted her roughly in the stomach that sent her up there and she was now coughing blood and will feel terrible pain if she moves. Especially when the porcelain tiles on the roof were roasting hot. Said spirit is currently on the roof trying to head butt the barely-able to-move Lirin who so far, just managed to dodge. But only just. The roof is covered with holes.
When she was at the edge, she had nowhere to run. Blood started dripping from her mouth. Her eyes were now hot with tears as she was pulled between consciousness and unconsciousness. The heat and the pain had made her sweat so much. She might have just died being fried by the heat or fallen off the edge and to her doom. Either those options or bleed to death and be head butted to death. The choices were not pretty.
Just as the spirit was about to snuff her out, it was gone as Haku slashed his Nyoibo-sword through it.
Lirin had already passed out from the heat by then and was about to fall of. Haku quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her up. He healed the wound on her stomach as fast as he could.
Haku: Humph. And you said you wanted to be stronger.
Just then, Nataku and Yosuki arrived along with more of the Heavenly Army on the scene. And Yosuki had something else with her.
Nataku: *starts to slash and burn spirits* HIIIYYYAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Yosuki: *holds up her gun and shoots*
The gun was like the one Zeon uses. Only a little more different in the make. (Can anybody tell me what's a sniper? Heard it is the guy who shoots the gun. But is it a type of gun as well?)
Rinrei: *now by Yosuki's side and still bringing down bad guys* And we all thought the dagger was you're favourite weapon.
Yosuki: Well, it's not. It's the key to my secret gun storage. *continues to fire*
Haku felt something. He turned to the direction of the South Gate. He quickly dashed towards it, after teleporting Lirin to the Heavenly Hospital. (Only name I could come up with now.)
But he had to stop as he saw the state Sanzo was in. He was now using his gun but he was panting very hard. The heat was almost unbearable by now. He had to get rid of all these spirits and the only thing that will permanently destroy them is the Evil Sutra.
Haku: Sanzo!
Sanzo: Ch! What is it now bakasaru? *shooting while trying to hide his exhaustion*
Haku: *he still doesn't like that nickname much* Use you're Sutra again! *starts slashing demons* I'm amplifying it's power!
Sanzo: *seeing as there was no time to object, he did as he was told and started chanting*
Just as the Sutra started flinging out, Haku amplified it by giving up half of his remaining energy, which is still a lot.
Sanzo felt more energy flow through his body and he channelled it into the Sutra. The Sutra soon spread farther than it's usual range and more spirits were eliminated. At once the whole place was rid of spirits. And the numbers were dwindling down to almost nothing.
Haku could feel the vibes that he had felt earlier was also dwindling. He quickly rushed towards the gate and looked around.
He saw it.
He quickly picked up the talisman that was burning quickly. He stared at the only thing on it even as the fire burned his fingers. After a while, he opened his hand and let the ashes drift through his fingers. The wind blew it all to no one knows where.
Time was short and plans need to be made. Fast.
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{1}: When impostor Li Touten said that he killed the original Li Touten and taken his likeness, it was when he had finally collected enough of the negative things in Li Touten to survive on its own completely. When he got out of a surprised Li Touten, it was not pretty....
AFN: So what do you guys think? This is a little longer than that last long one. (Yayness.) It will take a while to type and post the next one. Wishing everyone good luck! Well, at least you guys know about Yosuki's secret stash of guns. ^ ^
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A/N: Sorry for the long delay but at least I managed to get this chapter out. Is it just me, or doesn't anybody else think that this story is still a little weak? And thanks for the reviews!!! Hope you guys didn't forget me!!!! ^ ^ I'm not dead yet. -_-
Disclaimer: Never try to own Saiyuki. *looks down at ropes that are securing me to the chair then at Minekura Kazuya who is waving one out of over millions of googly, little kiddie tapes that include Tellytubbies, Barney, Sesame Street and more... ^-^;;;*
By: Yamamoto Kou
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Ever since that last attack with those corrupted spirits, Heaven decided to focus more on combat skills. But now they also have a new problem.
By now, 40% of the entire population of Under Heaven is critically sick. 3% died because of this mysterious disease in just one month. No one knows what's happening. It's not contagious. It just suddenly comes upon you as a tiger would leap out of its hiding place to kill a helpless fawn. Hospitals all over the Saiyuki world were struggling to keep track of everything when nothing seems to be able to help.
The symptoms were simple, yet effective enough to rouse panic. The victim will start to feel icy cold for one minute before dropping to the ground paralysed of movement. Their blood pressure will rise and drop unpredictably. Their eyes would start to turn glazy. Joints will also gradually start to stiffen. And mysteriously, dead victims always seemed to smell. Further dissection of the dead patients in an attempt to find the problem resulted to the discovery that the insides of the victim have completely rotted. All of them. What was even more mysterious was that the outside showed no sign of rotting and stay intact for five hours after death. It was not a pleasant matter. No one was safe.
Several tests conducted have proven that it's not the food or anything hygienic so they don't have to worry about that.
What was even more worrying was that it seemed to have some link with the corrupted spirits. If they can come into Heaven, so can that disease. The god that is in charge of healing was completely shocked to say that her powers had no effect on it.
Haku isn't going to work as quite an amount of co-workers at his company were to worried to come or had fallen into the hands of the disease. Homura had to close his theme park because of the crisis at hand. Homura and Rinrei will constantly come back to Heaven to train their fighting skills further for the corrupted spirits. So did Haku. They really wanted to be able to stop this disease but they can't help it for now.
It is not a happy time.
Haku: [I need to become stronger!]
These were his thought now a days but it always brought back memories of him as the starving saru at the back of the jeep. The one who got exited every time he met a worthy opponent.
He wonders sometimes.
Haku: [Is it right for me to change so much?]
He pondered over this with a sad smile on his face. So much had happened and he wasn't as close to Sanzo and the others as he was before. As much as it bugged him, he wanted a little bit of those days back. Just a little bit will do. That question was, to put in a single word, bittersweet. Just like chocolate.
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Haku placed his hand the ground. The earth heaved and parted to reveal a huge and dirty chest buried deep. He was just about to pull it out when a voice behind him seem to break through the silence of the calm and peaceful atmosphere in the Aomori forest.
"So someone came before me."
Haku didn't even have to look up. Kanzeon Bosatsu stepped out of the shrubs, hands on hips with an amused smile curling on her face for the first time in days.
Kanzeon: *amused tone* How long have you known?
Haku: Not long. *proceeds to tug at the chest and start pulling*
Kanzeon: *hands crossed over her chest* Interesting.
Haku: Instinct kept nagging at me. *manages to get the entire chest out into the open*
Silence seemed to be restored to the forest until she broke it again.
Kanzeon: Do you understand you're instincts?
Another lapse of silence ensued.
Haku: Sort of. Why the sudden urge for questions? *looks at her through the corner of his eye*
Kanzeon: You seem to understand more than you're let on to. *pause for a while* You remind me of someone. *has a far away look*
Haku: *tries to open the enchanted lock on the chest*
The jiggling of the lock was the only sound they can hear for the past few minutes. (I seem to be putting in to much pausing huh?)
Kanzeon: You're a tough nut to crack. You're not giving in to curiosity aren't you? Or do you already know?
Haku: *crushes the lock out of frustration* Yes to the first question, no to the other.
Kanzeon: You've definitely changed a lot.
Haku: I guess.
Kanzeon: My little brother Takeda.
Haku: *decided that it's better to listen to this first before opening the chest* Strange. You don't seem to have a brother.
Kanzeon: That was a long time ago.
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(The beginning of story.)
Back when Kanzeon Bosatsu had reached the age when she will look like a mortal teenager, she had a little brother called Takeda who was just born. But then their mother was soon transmigrated for not performing her duty on time for the tenth time.
Those were the days when the rules were strict and the chosen God was completely military like and very harsh. He didn't realised that he was overdoing it. But if he found out he wouldn't have changed anyway. All he ever wanted to do was avoid any feuds in Heaven and he made it too orderly that hardly anyone does not have a rule and a schedule to follow. Or any free time to do something that's NOT on the schedule.
The rules then were just simply: Follow the schedule. But of course, the kids were too young to have schedules so they can go down to Under Heaven and play all they want. God didn't think it was any important anyway. As long as they stay away and don't interrupt the older God's schedule.
Kanzeon's name then was Kanra (Trying hard to be original here. Especially when a lot of people are using the name Kannon for this stage. Please don't use this name.) Her father works hard to give his children a home. Kanra makes sure she excels in her grades to make her dad happy. They had managed to have time to raise Takeda. That was in their schedule. God didn't want a growing economy to die. When Takeda was three and had proven himself worthy to take care of himself, God changed Kanra and her dad's schedule back.
Takeda is a boy with a nice mop of blonde hair on his head. He's got those bright blue eyes that seem to melt people's hearts. The blonde hair was from his mom's side of the family. He also wore a purple bandanna around his neck that belonged to his mother.
Whenever she could, Kanra played with her brother when he was around. They mostly played hide and seek and young Takeda was sure to find her.
Kanra: How do you always know where I am? *chuckled* You haven't peeked have you?
Takeda: *puts on that cute little honest face* No I didn't! I've got instincts you know!
Kanra: Hontoni deska? *mocking him*
Takeda: Sou! I can understand it and when I do, I can find you/ It also brings me good tsuki. (Tsuki means 'luck'.)
Takeda often went out a lot and he doesn't come back till dinnertime but no one ever wondered why. But everyone did noticed that his progress rate was far faster than any toddler's. When he was just one year old, he could walk, talk, sit and stand and not to mention potty trained. By the age of two, he had managed to read and write perfectly. Everyone got wind of it. Even the current God. He was very impressed and said that by the time he becomes ten years old, he will make a fine secretary. Kanra and her dad were not really happy about this. It was the most boring job you can ever get. They think that he's just too good to be stuck in that position.
He was five when THAT happened. When they all realised that they haven't paid any real attention to his actions. Because he hid them almost perfectly. One day, God had a meeting with all the soldiers in Heaven. He said that they would go and attack the temple in the East (The Eastern Temple) and claim the sutra, which are after all, theirs. It wasn't that the monks won't give it. It's just that the five Demon Knights that had been there to protect the sutra at all cost and can't give it to them.
The Five Demon knights were the five most powerful demons that overrate even all of Heaven's godly soldiers. They were youkai but the term 'demon' was given to very powerful fighters. Thus showing that the gods are a bit jealous. They're names are Kochi, Kofu, Nagano, Gunma, and Iwate (These names are from the Tourist map of Japan. Yes. It's a map. It was the best source of Japanese names where I am. -_-). The last God had made a spell to bind them to their duty and make sure that they don't age. But they can still die. Unfortunately, there was a small mistake. The spell said to protect it and never give it to anyone. The Five Demon Knights were of course willing to hand it over but the spell keeps them from doing so.
No one knew that Takeda had made friends with them and constantly came to visit them.
Kochi had taught him a lot of things like magic spells and their properties and some stuff that he isn't suppose to learn at that age (Violence and that other stuff. He's gotta learn SOME day.). But he can't remove the spell since a god made it, and they can't do anything to spells cast by gods since they were only youkai. Plus, that god is known to have very powerful magic (even though he's also known to be a bad strategist and planner.). He doesn't really like the monks and the temple very much...
Kofu talked to him about what he thinks about his 'hell of a life' and was the best at telling him stories of the days that had made him strong enough to be one of the Five Demon Knights. He kinda envied those days and his former, younger, naive self. He also said that if they were gonna be stuck here for more than a thousand years, can't it at least be a place that is NOT religious (no offence). Or a place that has no contact with monks (for various reasons and I am NOT insulting them). With cable, cigarettes, sake, a fridge filled with REAL food, some comfortable couches and some nice warm beds. His brains, magic skill and fighting skills are all even.
Nagano was good with his instincts (the ONLY good trait on his part) and helped Takeda to sharpen his senses. Known to be the stupidest of the group. He goes chibi whenever they ignore him. Has the scratching trait of a dog. He may be a little clueless but at certain times, he can be reliable. His fighting and spell casting skills aren't the average stuff either. Sometimes. For example, he would be blasting out spells at one minute, and in the next, they would be backfiring.
Gunma was a bit quiet than the others but he voices out his opinions all the same. He taught Takeda how to use every single weapon he himself had laid a hand on. Spears, guns, bow and arrows, swords and more were soon passed through Takeda's hands and never leave those hands un-mastered. Doesn't use his brain as much as Kochi and Kofu but at least it's a little higher than what Nagano can ever manage.
And lastly is Iwate. Iwate can't talk and he doesn't move much. He was albino; his eyes were blue and like all albino guys, stay away from the light. He was also the youngest of the lot. Kofu told Takeda not to worry about him. He may not be much now, but he's way smarter, stronger, faster and better than all of them put together when in battle. If he could talk, he would've made a very good storyteller. But he can feel things up to a radius of one hundred metres tops.
What made their life seem even unfair was that the oldest of them, Kochi, was only twenty-one when he was dragged into this mess. All of them had a whole life to live ahead of them and this is what had to happen.
Kochi said that Takeda was able to catch up with all this complicated stuff was because he had an unusually high understanding rate. It was almost impossible for those his age let alone the older guys. It's a rare gift even among gods.
Now Takeda had decided to eavesdrop on the meeting when he read the piece of paper that was dropped by one of the soldiers. (It flew right into his face so how could he miss it?) And when he discovered what they were going to do, he decided to act fast.
His first idea was to stop them but he can't stop ALL of them. Even if he did, he's got to admit. The Five Demon Knights would still find themselves bored to death after the battle. They need freedom. The spell keeps them from leaving the temple as well. Takeda soon decided what was best. He was aware of the risks and he didn't have time to practice. Most of all, he doesn't want even the Five Demon Knights to know. He had a bleak future ahead of him anyway.
Takeda went down to Under Heaven and found a clearing north of the Eastern Temple. He was about to perform one of the greatest spells in history.
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(Continuation of story.)
It was night. Houses light up and those that reside in the temple had gone back to meditating. It was awfully quite here. Thousands of miles away from any noise or danger and so the monks have all lived a fully religious life. All was calm and peaceful.
This life sucks.
The Five Demon Knights thought that they might as well die and hope that they've got a more interesting afterlife. Doing suicide is a bit drastic. Besides, it's not much fun that way.
One wonders what are the steps to die of boredom.
But the only times when things seem to lighten up a bit is when Takeda came. He was youthful, happy and fun. What can they say; it was contagious when he was around. That was probably why they didn't die of boredom earlier.
Right now, they are in the temple gardens, under the big tree. Kochi wondered if they really will bring themselves bad luck and die by putting pictures of themselves in black frames and pretend to pray for each other as if they were dead. But the monks would go ballistic if that ever happened. Kochi sighed.
Kochi: *now trying to calculate how many more seconds before one of them loses it*
Kofu: *complaining about the monks diet (again) to anyone who would listen*
Nagano: *scratching behind his ear with his leg*
Gunma: *practised his spearing technique for who knows how many times*
Iwate: *under the tree and just sat there*
Suddenly, Iwate stood up and casually tried to walk away from the temple grounds.
Kochi: Where do you think you're going?
Iwate: *said something in sign language*
Kochi: You sure?
Nagano/Kofu/Gunma: *looked at them with rare interest*
Kochi: Iwate said that Takeda is north of here and is about to try something to break the spell over us. Do you think we should invite him over?
Everyone (except Kochi): *nods*
Kochi: Okay then. *uses his magic to get Takeda over here*
Takeda: *looks a little stunned sitting on the dirt with the Five Demon Knights around him*How did you guys know I was around here?
Nagano: It was Iwate who told us.
Takeda: *swearing inside* [How could I have forgotten about Iwate's sense of feeling things?]
Kochi: What were you doing anyway?
Takeda: Well, I was planning to try and break the spell. And since I'm a god, I have an advantage.
Kochi: You can't just go on and cast a spell just like that! There are risks you know! Besides, you're not old or strong enough to do a spell as big as that. You've got to wait till your older.
Kofu: Make that ancient.
Takeda: Sumimasen.
Kofu: The smart guy is right!
Nagano: I second that!!!! *grabs Takeda's leg* Let me help you!!!!!!!!
Gunma: No way! *points the spear at Nagano's throat* I'LL DO IT!!!! You can't even tell the difference between a magical formation from a wad of chewed gum stuck on someone's shoe! *throws down spear and grab one of his arms*
Nagano: *still on Takeda's leg* Oh no!!! I'm not gonna let you have all the fun!! Besides, who's the one who had mistaken a hairclip for a magical shrinking staff!??!
Kofu: You're all wrong!!! I'm better than any of you two and I say *holds Takeda's other arm really tight* I do it!!!
Takeda: Erm... Kofu. I can't feel my arm. *wincing*
Kofu: Oops. Wari! *loosens grips*
Kochi: What are you guys talking about!!!!! Have you all forgotten who's the best spell caster around here!? *gets Takeda in a headlock* IT'S ME!!!!
Soon, a dust cloud is formed and those four guys are fighting for that one- drop of excitement. They tried it but they weren't gods and they needed more power. The idea had never came to them until now. But of course, they've forgetting that all of them have to do it. But like I said, they were literally begging for danger, they were so bored out of their wits they'd risk and gamble anything they can to feel the urge that kept them on their feet. It was all too good for a miracle in their opinion.
Unfortunately, Takeda was still somewhere in that dust cloud.
Iwate reached a hand into the dust cloud and randomly pulled some one out. It was Takeda.
Takeda: *straightens himself* Arigatou!
Iwate: *nods and reaches into the dust cloud again*
This time he pulled out Nagano. And he put him back in again. Then he pulled out Kofu. He dropped him back in and reached in again. Nagano, Nagano, Gunma, Nagano, Kofu, Nagano, Nagano, and more Nagano...
Both Iwate and Takeda sweat dropped at this. Then Iwate finally pulls Kochi out. He talked to him in sign language. Thanks to Iwate's little reminder, they all finally remembered that all of them have to do this.
Nagano: But why is Takeda deciding to do it now?
Everyone (and amazingly even Iwate) looked at him.
Nagano: What? Am I having a bad hair day or something? *rubs hair on his head*
Kofu: Don't you realise that that was the most sensible thing you have done for over two hundred and fifty three years?
Gunma: And the last time you did one, it was about how you brought food when we were miles away from any of it.
Nagano: *question mark over head* I was planning to save it all for myself then but I knew you guys should have some too. Besides, do you mean the question about my bad hair day? *fondly pats the hair on his head*
Everybody else: - -;;; ......... [Baka!] *starts a real conversation while ignoring Nagano*
Nagano: *is now a chibi character trying to attract the others attention in the background*
Takeda: The guys from Heaven are sick of you guys for hogging the Sutra. Spell or no spell, they're bringing down they're entire force to get it.
Gunma: They would be easy! *uses his thumb to sharpen his sword*
Takeda: But all that fuss over a few scrolls of paper isn't worth it... Besides, all of Heaven will probably start destroying all youkais if you guys do that. Wiping out God and his army is a pretty big threat and that's no better than proclaiming war.
Gunma: Then why won't they break the stupid spell themselves?
Takeda: The spell was in the Ancient Heaven Scrolls! And those were buried and hidden somewhere by the God that put the spell on you guys for some unknown reason. Besides, all of Heaven promised not to break this stupid spell. The High God's Council all signed the contract even, which keeps all gods from doing so. It's legalised. But he never thought that the next God would want to reclaim it.
Kochi: But aren't you bound by that contract as well?
Takeda: It said to BREAK it. Not to HELP break it. Besides, I'm not officially bound anyway. Too young. You've got to be a little older.
Kofu: Right. But you guys DO know that what we are going to so is going to make the monks really freak right?
Kochi: Who cares? I'm gonna blast their heads off if I hear another religious sentence from them! *starts to mimic a monks voice* Oh, this is indeed evil! The Buddha will punish you! *starts to mimic another monks voice* Now you know that isn't allowed in here! *uses his original voice* It's not like I have no respects for the gods but this is going a little too far! It was just a pack of cards... *feels everybody staring at him* Okay. It was my bad. I know that monks restrict gambling of any sort...
Gunma: I agree. About the fact that the monks won't like it of course. But we'll have to find a more suitable place. This place is just not big enough... maybe we could just make the temple disappear for tonight.
Kofu: Like I said, the monks will freak! *imitates a very funny yet panicky sort of face*
Takeda: The clearing North of here looks big enough...
Gunma: Great. But how are we going to get there?
Everybody thinks. Well, everybody besides the still chibi Nagano who is still desperately trying to regain their attention by waving his arms about and having anime sweat drops about.
Iwate: *suddenly thought of an idea and tapped Kochi on the shoulder*
Kochi: *had his train of thoughts derailed* Huh?
Iwate: *starts using sign language*
Kochi: *nods his head at Iwate's suggestion* Right.
Nagano: *was preparing himself to jump on top one of them until Kochi said 'Right' and got all curious*
Kochi: Remember the old saying. If you can't come to it, then make it come to you.
Gunma: Now how are we going to do that? There's definitely not enough space here unless you wipe out the temple over here. Not that that's a bad idea, but you know... *starts to consider the possibilities*
Kofu: *looks somewhere and is starting to get the drift* Oh... *lets out some mischievous laughter* If the monks notice, they're gonna think it's the apocalypse! I like it!
Takeda: What is the idea anyway?
Nagano: I know, I know! We're gonna shrink right?
Kochi: No! *glares at Nagano* That didn't even have anything to do with what our ideas are. But it would've been a better opinion if it weren't for one teensy, little detail. Shrinking would mean that our powers will shrink with us and we do need full strength you know.
Nagano: Oops. I forgot.
Kochi: Look, those of you who don't get the idea, just watch. *prepares a very big spell*
The ground trembled a bit. Kochi starts to lift his arms slowly. The trembling soon stopped. Then Kochi started mumbling. Soon a great shadow was looming over them and the only light they have come from the temple. There were bits of things falling onto them. The thing had practically hidden the night sky from view. Kochi then put his hands down and stopped chanting.
That piece of ground was no right on top of them.
They all looked around and pricked up their ears for any sign of the monks noticing.
Nothing. Zip. Good. Since it is now over the temple, it'll be known as a piece of temple property.
And they all managed to get up there with magic of course. They scanned the floating piece of rock and dirt. The roots of the grass below them held the whole thing together.
Kofu: Well, what are we waiting for! *cracked his knuckles* Let's get to work!
Everyone else: Yosh!
And so everybody got busy. Soon a lot of symbols were on the ground. They twist and turned and when looked from above, will look like a tapestry woven from reeds, embedded with things that bore thorns and petals. A fury of lines and curves that wound it's way around the ground. It was very important for this stage.
Kochi: Next phase!
Everybody: *put they're arms in front of them facing the pattern*
Kochi: Everybody! NOW!!!
They all sent bursts of their energy to the centre. All the energies collided and the aftershock was amazing. It threatened to blow them off and plunge them down to the ground below. But they dug they're shoes deeper into the ground, their teeth gritting due to all the strength they're using just to stay there and keep focusing their energies. They're skin felt like ripping off and static was sizzling everything up there. It stung them and shocked them but still they concentrated on the task at hand.
The light from their focused energies was not blinding. It was dim. It just plainly looks like seeing through hot air that has a certain glow to it. But the pattern on the ground is now alive. The entire picture looked like it was all slithering and snaking along while not moving anywhere. The lines swayed and shook vigorously but never broke.
Below, the temple and its grounds seem to shimmer. And if you look at it from the right angle, it all looks like there's glass moulded around it. The glass seems to shiver a bit. Before zigzagging cracks started forming.
The spell was breaking but they are just stepping into the real hard part. The spell had reached the rate where it will become highly unstable. Anything can happen now. Horses can start growing mouse pads and guys would all be cross dressers -_-. This is when they have to keep their energies and powers focused as not to let them fly somewhere else and kill anything in its path.
One by one, pieces of glass like spell started to disintegrate.
Kochi: *mumbled under breath* Yes! It's working!
Just as the final shards of the spell started to dwindle, another force interrupted.
It took them all by surprise. They had put all their concentration and focus into the ball of mixed energies and they hadn't noticed their surroundings.
God was truly infuriated. A young god ling breaking the spell of the late God. He cannot tolerate it. He decided to spy on his target that night to work out a better strategy but found this! And since he doesn't know what position he was in, he simply made a ki ball and threw it at the mixed energies to stop them. He felt that it was his rightful duty to interrupt and butt in snobbishly and stubbornly despite the efforts of a hidden voice in his head telling him to stop.
The rest widened their eyes with shock. The spell had been completely deleted but now something was coming up. The pattern started to glow red and the lines moved around and rearranged themselves to form another pattern. The mixed energies just exploded and now uncontrolled raw power started feeding this unknown formation. Wind ripped upwards around them. The six fell forwards and watch with horror. The clouds parted and the tsuki (Tsuki had two meanings. A: Luck. B: Moon. This one means moon.) seemed to look on as a silent witness.
God's instinct told him that he had done something wrong.
God: [Impossible! *tried to wipe that alarmed feeling that had came from the back of his mind* I NEVER DO ANYTHING WRONG!! NEVER!!!] (The guy's got a high opinion of himself. He thinks that whatever he does will be flawless and perfect. Now if his ego never got into his head, this might have not happened. I wanted to add some serious cussing in this part but *points up* it ain't rated PG for nothing.)
But this smarty-pants of a god had done something wrong. No denial.
The wind blew upwards in a house-ripping torrent. The piece of ground and grass underneath them were beginning to fall apart and go with the wind. The sky seemed to heave and struggle but in the end gave way to the fury that had forced it. It seemed to rip a hole in the sky.
The pattern's glow grew furiously bright as the wind increased in its almost unstoppable strength.
God, Takeda and the five Demon knights tried to hold their place in order not to get blown off or into the hole.
The wind whipped though the trees and made a racket. The monks came out and looked around only to find something above them.
Monks: AHH!!!! IT'S THE APOCALYPES!!! *all become panicky and annoying* WE'RE DOOMED!!!!
High Monk/Priest (whatever you call the elder of the monks, I don't know): WE MUST MAKE SACRIFICES TO END THIS!!! COME INSIDE AND START PRAYING!!!!
And so they all did.
Takeda was forced straight into the middle formation because of the holes forming on where he stood. The formation then seemed to glint maliciously despite the burning glow. The wind seemed to have found itself a target. The upward torrents seem to stop.
But this was not meant to be.
The wind skimmed Takeda off the ground and into the air.
Kofu: TAKEDA!!! *tried to grab his arm but a seeming steel body of wind kept him from doing so*
Gunma: *punched his fist into the ground and caused a piece of it to fly off upwards*
Takeda was blown through the hole and while the wind was doing so, a faint red outline of a dragon seemed to smile before disappearing in an instant. The wind died down instantly as Takeda disappeared into the hole.
But the hole seemed to stretch itself bigger. The formation glowed so bright that it would've burned eyes out of their sockets. God covered his eyes but the Five Demon Knights watched as the hole. And they couldn't stop gaping at it soundlessly until the entire hole seemed to close completely. The formation had now disappeared. God opened his eyes.
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(Epilogue of story.)
Somehow, God and the High God's Council had soon planned and carried out their execution. Weirdly, the Demon Knights didn't struggle or say anything at all. They tried to keep their face expressionless.
Kanra wondered about this and before they're execution, managed to have a short chat with them.
Kanra: Is my brother really dead?
Kofu: *gave a weak smile at this* What do you think?
And that was the end of the conversation.
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(Back to the main story.)
Kanzeon Bosatsu: And I started wondering. I never blamed them. Wish they would stick around longer though. They would've made great company. That last God told it to his younger brother, which gave him a dislike for youkais. When that god died of unknown causes, his brother became the current God. It was a good thing you helped him loose his hate for youkai. The world would have been a more boring place.
Haku: *had been rustling through the scrolls and listening to the story* How do you know about this *makes a gesture at the chest* then?
Kanzeon Bosatsu: Dad saw that God bury it. He told me where but he never told anybody else. He died a couple of years after the execution while fighting in the Heavenly Army. The reason why that God buried it , none of us knows. Besides, the God died of an internal bleeding but he was healthy and there was no report of anything that would have caused this.
Haku: *turns to face her* I think I have found the problem. *holds up one of the scrolls and unrolls it*
The scroll fell to two pieces. The place where they should've joined was scorched.
Haku: That's not all.
He took out five more scrolls and they were in the same condition.
Kanzeon: So he hid them because they were damaged? *cocked up her eye brows*
Haku: Nope. *unrolls an undamaged scroll* See how this one is longer? *points to the slightly charred ones* these are a lot shorter. Which means that something burned a section of the scrolls off.
Kanzeon: *takes a closer look and sees that it is indeed so*
Haku: I think it could be done by the evil of Li Touten.
Kanzeon: I don't see your point.
Haku: Li Touten should be a kid around then right? But he still had evil in him. Let's say that evil wasn't as strong because it had not acquired a complete form then but it could have sneaked out of him and took those sections and hid them somewhere. It could have also easily killed that God you were talking about. {1} And *showed her yet another scroll* he tried to burn this part out too. *showed her the slightly charred line on the paper*
Kanzeon: You're right. We might as well bring this to the High God's Council now.
The chest was soon delivered to the main central for God and the council to make use of. But soon.
A random god: *bursts in to the room* The South of the city has been attacked!
God: *stands up* NANI!?
Haku: *quickly runs out towards the South* [That's where Sanzo and the rest are!]
Fire was everywhere. He got there just in time to see Sanzo using the Evil Sutra again. But this time, there were more spirits to replace to disintegrated ones. Sanzo is getting exhausted. All of the were fighting. Some of the army was already there trying to fend it off. Everybody tried to fend them off. But something was wrong with Kou and the others.
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Kou: *fighting furiously while trying to see Lirin* LIRIN! WHERE ARE YOU!?
Yoane/Doku: *were back to back and can't move any further with the spirits surrounding them*
Sanzo: *getting really exhausted*
Hakkai: *energy levels are decreasing because of the use of too may powerful ki balls*
Gojyo: *is having a though time fighting close range*
Rinrei: *using a staff with a large blade at one end and is trying to decrease the increasing number of corrupted spirits*
Homura: *fighting with his fire dragon and something caught his eye* LIRIN!!
Kou: *the yell of his sister's name caused him to look around more frantically until he finally saw her*
Lirin was tethering of the edge of the roof on one of the burning houses. She was badly wounded. She was tossed up by a spirit's attack. It head butted her roughly in the stomach that sent her up there and she was now coughing blood and will feel terrible pain if she moves. Especially when the porcelain tiles on the roof were roasting hot. Said spirit is currently on the roof trying to head butt the barely-able to-move Lirin who so far, just managed to dodge. But only just. The roof is covered with holes.
When she was at the edge, she had nowhere to run. Blood started dripping from her mouth. Her eyes were now hot with tears as she was pulled between consciousness and unconsciousness. The heat and the pain had made her sweat so much. She might have just died being fried by the heat or fallen off the edge and to her doom. Either those options or bleed to death and be head butted to death. The choices were not pretty.
Just as the spirit was about to snuff her out, it was gone as Haku slashed his Nyoibo-sword through it.
Lirin had already passed out from the heat by then and was about to fall of. Haku quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her up. He healed the wound on her stomach as fast as he could.
Haku: Humph. And you said you wanted to be stronger.
Just then, Nataku and Yosuki arrived along with more of the Heavenly Army on the scene. And Yosuki had something else with her.
Nataku: *starts to slash and burn spirits* HIIIYYYAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Yosuki: *holds up her gun and shoots*
The gun was like the one Zeon uses. Only a little more different in the make. (Can anybody tell me what's a sniper? Heard it is the guy who shoots the gun. But is it a type of gun as well?)
Rinrei: *now by Yosuki's side and still bringing down bad guys* And we all thought the dagger was you're favourite weapon.
Yosuki: Well, it's not. It's the key to my secret gun storage. *continues to fire*
Haku felt something. He turned to the direction of the South Gate. He quickly dashed towards it, after teleporting Lirin to the Heavenly Hospital. (Only name I could come up with now.)
But he had to stop as he saw the state Sanzo was in. He was now using his gun but he was panting very hard. The heat was almost unbearable by now. He had to get rid of all these spirits and the only thing that will permanently destroy them is the Evil Sutra.
Haku: Sanzo!
Sanzo: Ch! What is it now bakasaru? *shooting while trying to hide his exhaustion*
Haku: *he still doesn't like that nickname much* Use you're Sutra again! *starts slashing demons* I'm amplifying it's power!
Sanzo: *seeing as there was no time to object, he did as he was told and started chanting*
Just as the Sutra started flinging out, Haku amplified it by giving up half of his remaining energy, which is still a lot.
Sanzo felt more energy flow through his body and he channelled it into the Sutra. The Sutra soon spread farther than it's usual range and more spirits were eliminated. At once the whole place was rid of spirits. And the numbers were dwindling down to almost nothing.
Haku could feel the vibes that he had felt earlier was also dwindling. He quickly rushed towards the gate and looked around.
He saw it.
He quickly picked up the talisman that was burning quickly. He stared at the only thing on it even as the fire burned his fingers. After a while, he opened his hand and let the ashes drift through his fingers. The wind blew it all to no one knows where.
Time was short and plans need to be made. Fast.
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{1}: When impostor Li Touten said that he killed the original Li Touten and taken his likeness, it was when he had finally collected enough of the negative things in Li Touten to survive on its own completely. When he got out of a surprised Li Touten, it was not pretty....
AFN: So what do you guys think? This is a little longer than that last long one. (Yayness.) It will take a while to type and post the next one. Wishing everyone good luck! Well, at least you guys know about Yosuki's secret stash of guns. ^ ^