Chapter Six: Six Faces
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A/N: Welcome to the sixth chapter: Six Faces, a.k.a. Sign of the Star. Please review more. ^-^ Please? Sorry for the late update but it's that or death at the hands of the superior. But I'm safe cause it's a holiday!
And thanks to all of you guys who reviewed! With some extra sugar for the ones who have reviewed a lot! ^ ^ And also to those who gave me more descriptions of Mary Sues, thankies and thank yous cause I finally got the complete meaning drilled into my head! ^-^
To all those Chinese out there, I have seen too may of those greeting ads and would like to wish you guys a Happy Chinese New Year! Even though it's a little late for that. -_-
Disclaimer: I. Ouch! Don't. Ouch! Own. Ouch! Saiyuki. Ouch! There I said it already now will you please. Ouch! Stop hitting me? *glares daggers at Minekura Kazuya with her purple paper fan*
By Yamamoto Kou
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The disease is one thing, but the coat of arms of Hell, is another.
The only gateway to Hell had remained a mystery to every living being. The gods themselves have no idea.
But the Ancient Heavenly Scrolls held the answer.
The Ancient Heavenly Scrolls were records of the time when Hell was in Under Heaven and when Heaven had to live and thrive on bloody wars. It was the time when the Emperor of evil himself walked and treaded the land. The North and South were dead and bitter cold. The East and the West were suffering greatly under the hands of the Emperor.
No one can find peace even in death because a special Light Tower immediately sucked all spirits through the Gate of Hell and they all come out as the corrupted armies. The light wasn't bright and warm but it was dim and cold. Everyone stayed away from it.
Heaven was considered safer and luckier but it was still like a bloody battlefield. Youkais and corrupted spirits attacked Heaven everyday. Everything lived in fear. Not one day passed when blood did not spill over the ground. This era was a living, breathing nightmare come true.
At least until something unexpected happen. For some unexplainable reason, a streak of black and red came by and destroyed the Light Tower. It disappeared through the gates of Hell. Suddenly, the Earth rumbled and gave way for the ground to split. Clouds of steam and poisonous gas surfaced, clouding everything from view. When it finally cleared, Hell was gone. Not even a single bit of debris is left.
Ever since then Hell has never been seen or heard from again. But it's name still strikes fear into the hearts of mortals and immortals alike.
Until now.
Haku: [What is happening down there?]
Being a part of the elements, Hell is just a faint suspicion away. But if his instincts do hit the jackpot as always, they can find out the source of the problem. It was the only clue and lead that they've got now.
God: *listens intently* So your saying that we have to travel through the world of the spirits and shadows? But that's impossible!
Haku: There is one way...
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It was night. There was no tsuki (please refer to the last chapter for this meaning) so everything was dark. The now green and slimy pond glows eerily in the absence of any other light.
Haku inwardly braced for impact. This was the first step of the plan. If he doesn't do it, then no one will. It's a tough job and someone's gotta do it.
Even if you have to suffer the consequences.
He then put his hand into the pond and tried to reach for something. No sooner than the one second, his entire arm felt numb. He couldn't feel anything with it.
This is gonna be a problem.
Haku hurriedly tried to move his arm around and grab something. After five seconds of confusing manoeuvres, he yanked his arm out.
It was not a pretty sight. His arm was not only pale due to lack of blood but black and blue as well. Gashes were strewn across his arm and streaks of blood flowed freely. His fingers were covered with cuts. Soon he was starting to get the feel of his arms back. But at least he got what he wanted.
Before he can return with it, he has to do something about his arm. He healed it as best as he could before picking up a dull chunk of iron and he soon returned to Heaven with it.
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All night, the trained blacksmiths of Heaven slaved over the piece of iron. They forged it into a magnificent medallion. On it was a six-sided star. It was known as six sided not because it has an extra leg on but because it was an ordinary five legged star with a triangle in the middle. It's not a hexagon because that's the sign of the Emperor and that made it a sign of evil. The six-sided stars was used during the dark days when they used it to mark the coffins of the dead in hopes that they will make it to the other world safely. It worked as long as it was out of the Light Tower's range. That's why it was crucial.
They handed they're newly shaped masterpiece over to Nataku after they slid a gold chain through the small slit on top. He will be taking a trip down to the underworld since Haku was needed for further assistance.
The journey was to start half an hour after Nataku received the medallion. Nataku had to calm and strengthen his wits. None of them knew what was down there. Not even Komyo because who stayed away. But the only things he could say was that it was terrible. He said that last word with a shiver.
Time went by fast. Soon, Nataku took those few steps towards the pond. Haku had been there to reinforce him. Step by step, Nataku descended into the pond.
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Nataku shivered a little as an odd feeling along with some familiar ones passed over him. Those to very familiar feelings. Desolate and lonely. It made you want to sigh out loud. He gripped his sword more firmly for assurance. The medallion hung from his belt and it swayed with every move he made.
Nataku: [Stay calm. You may be entering unknown territory but there's no reason to freak-] *train of thoughts were derailed as soon as something appeared before him*
In front of him was a dark, shady and foggy world. It stretched before him. But that was what made everything look out of place. But when he got closer, Nataku almost got himself knocked out in one second flat!
Nataku: *covered his mouth but the smell was still reeking in like ten garbage dumps surrounded with way too fermented cheese topped with really stinking cow dung* [With a smell like this, who needs Hell?] *squinted to see the source of the smell*
Bodies sprawled on the floor as far as the eyes could see even if it was not as much as fifty of them scattered among the ground. The closest one to him had no eyeballs left to fill his sockets. He, or she, (can't see clearly because the fog was clouding his vision) mouth was wide open. The teeth were all cracked and looked like something's been sawing them. Badly. Their bodies seem to be half rotten.
Nataku was about to poke it with his sword when he noticed the condition it was in. The blade that was gleaming only a little while ago is now a foul yellow. The edge of the blade is slightly blunt. Imagine: A smell that can really chip at cold steel. If this is just the stench, what's a close contact with the source gonna do?
But he didn't need to do anything. The empty sockets started decaying at the edges immediately. The bodies start to shiver, then swell. It was gruesome seeing rotten dead things swell and Nataku later wondered why he didn't die of fright on the spot. The purple-green veins can be seen as the bodies kept swelling. Soon, they all burst.
Pieces of rotting dead were flying everywhere. And the smell... it was overwhelming. Nataku didn't faint. He was mildly surprised at this. But only because the highly toxic fumes that would have sent his senses numb was overwhelmed by another.
It smelt strongly of fire, heated metal, burning things. But it had another smell to accompany it.
The smell of something raw.
From the coolness of the mist came a blast of hot air. The sound of splitting ground was getting louder and closer by the second.
Nataku stood his ground and readied himself for the encounter, hoping that his sword was enough to withstand the battle that loomed beyond the mist.
Nataku soon jumped up into the air as he saw the first signs of danger. Something that looked like vines had lashed out as fast as a cobra can strike.
But it wasn't fast enough to rival Nataku, Ex-Fighting God.
Ex-Fighting God. Nataku tested this title in his mind as he easily dodges the coming vines that headed for him.
Nataku: *gave the vines a mocking glare* You've gotta do better than that to defeat me! *slashed at the vines and watched disintegrated*
But the source of those vines was still in the fog. The air seemed still. There was no sound. All that could be heard is Nataku's breathing.
Whatever that source is, it's cunning. Hiding in the midst of the enemy, having the upper hand, watching every single movement by the enemy. Stalking. Waiting.
Nataku knew that strategy is involved now. With his enemy probably only a few feet from where he's standing, any move could prove either critical, fatal or useful. Nataku has faced many battles before and there is only one weakness in this strategy. That will be his goal.
The first one to be frustrated loses. Nataku stood still. His sword is poised to slash away at anytime. His muscles are half-relaxed and half-tensed.
Stillness and silence engulfed the area. The smell of fire and burning still hung around in the air, giving Nataku the strong sensation to twitch his nose. But he fights the urge.
Then Nataku made his move.
He blinked.
It was then that a thousand and one vines whipped through the air towards him. Nataku then used the fire dragon technique. The vines stopped in their tracks and let the fire sizzle over their moulted surfaces. But the fire did them no harm. In fact, the vines now seem to be strengthened. The cracks that were on the molten surfaces had now been filled with something like molten lava.
Molten lava... That was as close as he can get to compare with Haku's eyes when he removes his limiter.
Nataku smirked. If that thing can't get by him, what chance has it got against his best friend.
Nataku twisted his body just in time as the fiery vines lashed out. Nataku swung out his sword, sliced it and headed for the others. It was all done in a matter of minutes and his sword ended up smoking with a few nicks to it. He still couldn't get into the fog unless he wanted to die an unexpected death.
The ground shook once more. Whatever it is, it wasn't just frustrated. It was blinding mad. It had abandoned its plan in a fit of rage and lost the battle only to appear in the war.
The source of the veins finally came into view. Yellow eyes blazing, grey- red moulted scales gleaming in the dull light, teeth the colour of grey stone slabs and breath as hot as the furnace of the blacksmiths. The entire figure of this guy? A gigantic fish head complete with gills with its bottom half buried within the ground.
Nataku: *has never seen anything so disturbing* - -
They seemed to study each other for a while. One blinking at the sheer weirdness of the opponent and the other staring in disbelief at a LIVING god being in the spirit world. They had the same thoughts running through their heads.
Nataku/Fish Head: [Had I just entered a world where up is down and drama is funny?]
But the dazed feeling was soon left behind as the seriousness of the situation tugged at them the way an annoying three-year-old sibling would tug at their older brother's/sister's sleeve while asking why over and over again.
Fish Head: *opened its mouth as wide as it can go while sending the irritating smell of burning metal into Nataku's face*
Nataku: *suffering the full blow of the highly irritating smell and stumbles backwards*
It was then he noticed something even weirder than old Fish Head over there.
Instead of the usual slimy, saliva filled mouth, tonsils and insides, Nataku can see big black buildings and a very tall black tower spiralling upwards. Instead of having the almost neutral background of the spirit world, the background is that off fire rising and falling with a certain rhythm to it. He can also see little figures on the street, marching.
Nataku tossed himself aside as Fish Head lunges forward with more vines. He pondered for a few seconds why did all those things have to be in Fish Head's guts. And is Hell really in here?
Then it all made sense. Nataku realised it was so obvious.
No one said that the Gate of Hell was one of those big, black, iron gates. The Ancient Heavenly Scrolls never said that Hell wasn't in something that moved. And Fish Head here has an entire city right inside its guts.
So that means old Fish Head is the Gate of Hell. (?)
Nataku headed straight for Fish Head's open mouth and jumped. But Fish Head saw that coming. Nothing is going to get into Hell that easily.
As Nataku almost reached his target, a thick film of slimy flesh appeared and barred his way. Nataku thrust his sharp point of his sword and tried to cut an opening but he and his sword were sent bouncing off and out and headed towards some waiting vines.
Nataku recovered in a flash. He sliced the vines and prepared to make another lunge. This time, he used his fire dragon technique. The column of fire kept the slimy flesh from completely barring the way. Nataku made a run for it. He forced himself to throw his body through the fire that came from his very own sword, through the only hole in that ugly and almost invincible thick slice of flesh, to cross from a more than dead and grey place into the deepest of the deep and the worst of the worst.
Nataku felt himself falling through the air and he knew he's victorious. He opened the eyes that he never realised he had closed and concentrated on breaking his fall instead of taking in his surroundings.
Nataku flipped and landed with both feet on the ground. He looked around him to find the streets deserted. He listened for any signs of life but the only thing he could hear is the crackling of the fire. He remembered that all those marching figures headed towards the black tower.
Nataku set off at once. His feet prodding on smooth, solid ground. He looked closer to realise that the roads were made from polished rock, covered with red dirt that later on was revealed to be rust from some of the buildings. They crunched under the sole of his feet with each step he takes. The buildings were deserted so he didn't have to be worried about being spotted.
He was soon at the foot of the tower. It was black not just because it was iron. It was also covered with grease and soot. The tower spiralled up, its peak almost reaching the crust of rock that contained the city. It's surprising that there is no movement in the surroundings to show that Fish Head is moving.
He moved on to the huge doors. Hellish symbols were carved into it. Nataku pushed the heavy doors open and walked into the darkness.
Once inside, he treaded softly on the ground to keep his footsteps silenced. Any sound was bound to echo back in a place like this. No matter how small.
But his efforts were in vain as he suddenly sank through the ground and slid through a chute. He rolled out at the end. Nataku quickly regained his bearings.
In the dim light of the torches around him, all he could see is the rust on the ground and the shadows that hid the rest of the place. Soon the torches suddenly flared up and the room is flooded with dazzling light.
Nataku shielded his eyes. The strong light upon his eyes was not welcoming after adjusting to the dark. It took him a while to get used to it.
The whole place is clear now. He was in what looked like an arena. Thousands of seats surrounded the place. There was a special balcony in the distance with a satin covered cushioned seat. Columns and arches support the high ceiling. Despite the obvious, it wasn't a very good arena.
Nataku then turned. He heard the sound of feet thumping onto the ground. Soon the doors burst open by an entire army. Every single one of them was clad in black. They looked something like the ones used to attack Heaven and Under Heaven. They kept their mouths shut as they took their seats. Soon the arena was packed. Then there was only one place left. Nataku looked at the balcony and sure enough there was already a figure sitting on it.
Nataku squinted his eyes to see the guy better. But he got a nasty shock. He wasn't sure if it was a monster or just something made to serve this purpose. In this case, the guy who made it had a really funky imagination.
Every part of its 'body' is made out of rock. The 'head' is just a cube with a face on it. The smile on its face is pretty creepy.
Then this guy comes along and stands beside it. They talked for a while. Then the guy took hold of the 'head' and turned it several times, pausing every now and then to say something.
Each side has a different expression. And there seems to be six faces in all. The guy stopped turning when he got to the one with the sneer. Typical.
Six Faced Guy: *clears throat* It seems that we have a stranger in our midst. And he seems to be a god.
Nataku: [How pathetically obvious can this guy get?]
Six Faced Guy: And he's probably here to find a way to stop our 'special' unit from causing any more trouble in the world of the living. But I'm afraid that we will have to keep him from doing so. And at the same time, we can provide for ourselves a little entertainment. Shall we?
Audience: *nods*
Six Faced Guy: But first, *looks at Nataku* I have to make one thing very clear. Don't even try to escape. All we have to do is detach that six sided star of yours and you're history. That's why there are invisible guards stationed at every possible exit. Why don't we make a deal?
Nataku: How can I trust you? *lifts an eyebrow*
Six Faced Guy: Ahh. You should've known our reputation by now. *narrows his eyes* Hell may be an evil place but as long as there's a deal, we would keep to it. We always had. It's a shame but yet, it's effective. Most of these *gestures towards the audience* either sold their souls or lost the bet. Should we make a deal?
Nataku: What's the catch?
Six Faced Guy: Well, it's all simple really. If you win, all doors will be open for you, the guards will leave you alone and all traps will be deactivated. But if you lose, you betray everyone you know by helping us. Is it a deal?
Nataku: *hesitated and drew back but saw that it made sense and no matter what, he won't lose* All right.
Six Faced Guy: Very well. Let the fighting begin!
A panel nearby slid open to reveal the first challenger.
Six Faced Guy: First round is Nataku vs. Hachiman!
Audience: *claps as loud as they could*
Hachiman turns out to be an ogre that's ten feet tall, stinks, has way too many muscles, moss-grown jagged teeth, wears a loin cloth and some shackles and wields a big stick.
Hachiman: ME KILL YOU!!!!! *half runs, half stumbles forward*
Nataku: *sticks out a leg*
Hachiman: *trips*
Six Faced Guy: Oh. Did I forget to mention the rules? Looks like I did. First rule, the winner has to be the only one alive. AND every single piece of your opponents is to be thrown out of the ring. Not one piece left. Remember that.
Nataku: Sounds easy enough. *casts a very bored glance at Hachiman who tripped over some rust and is trying to get up again*
Six Faced Guy: *secretly deactivated the shackles by pushing the button on one of the arm of his chair*
The shackles on Hachiman dropped to the ground with a clank. Hachiman's already overgrown muscles become impossibly bigger and there's a new gleam in his eyes.
With a speed that's impossible for an ogre to ever achieve, Hachiman knocked Nataku's sword from the god's own hands and broke it with his teeth.
Nataku: What-
Six Faced Guy: Hachiman here is no ordinary ogre. He wasn't an ogre to begin with but we improved him more than he could imagine. We had also taken the liberty to enhance his ogre features and qualities. His intelligence is just as high as yours. Do not underestimate him.
Nataku: Why the shackles?
Six Faced Guy: To keep him from being too rash.
Nataku: *looked back just in time to see Hachiman giving him a head butt*
Hachiman: Without their most prized weapon, gods are nothing more that sick little puppies.
Nataku: *clenched his fist and gritted teeth* Are you saying you want a piece of me?!
Hachiman: Ya! Did it take you that long to get the message pipsqueak?!
Nataku: In case you haven't notice, you're no giant yourself pea brain!
Hachiman: You dare say that to ME!? I'm the one that's bigger here!!!
Nataku: *ramming headlong into Hachiman*
Hachiman put an arm in front of him to catch Nataku's head and crush it but Nataku simply used it to flip himself upwards. Once Nataku was in position, he gave a mighty kick and sent Hachiman flying out and over the audience of the arena. But Nataku had kicked him a little too hard in the head it seemed. As Hachiman flew through the air, blood splattered everywhere from the crushed face.
The arena is silent. Nobody cheered, nobody clapped, nobody booed and nobody jeered. Soon, Six Faced Guy spoke up.
Six Faced Guy: *flat toned* Looks like you know how to use you're bare hands to kill. Very well, send in the next challenger.
There was no opening in the wall because the opening is from above. The opponent dropped into the ring. The impact with the ground caused whatever rust and dirt in that arena to rise. It stung Nataku's eyes. He covered them. As soon as he felt it was safe to open them again, he looked at his opponent carefully.
There was only something round in front of him. It was like a boulder but it was smooth and judging by the way it glints in the light, it is, like a lot of things he had seen here, made of steel. But there a red patches on it. Rust? Fungus? He didn't have time to find out. His opponent was spreading out to reveal it's real form.
His challenger turned out to be a rather mutated aardvark crossed with a cooked lobster. It had the aardvarks back for a defence and the claws of a lobster for offence. It looked okay when it was rolled into a ball but the inside looked like it's been dunk into radioactive toxic waste more than a couple of times. The head looks half crushed with yellow pus oozing out of something that were pores but now looked like mini volcanoes. Pieces of its red crust like skin peeled and flaked off every time it moved. As for the red patches on its back, it's a combo that Nataku would like to call: Rust Fungus. With a touch of mould. It was wide as it was tall.
Six Faced Guy: Start the fighting!
Nataku: *launched a kick at it*
Ardster: *crosses claws and use them to block of Nataku and when Nataku came for one more, it squirted transparent liquid with a force strong enough to flip Nataku backwards*
Nataku tried to get up but found an agonizing pain coming from his ankle. He looked back to see the liquid, bubbling slightly as it burned the skin of his ankle and was eating at it raw. Besides that, it seemed that the liquid kept his leg on the ground.
Ardster planned on using its mighty heavy and big claws to bash, crush and/or rip Nataku to pieces. God or not, beings from Hell were able to destroy gods in about the same way youkai destroy humans and vice versa despite the differences. It all depends on who's better.
Nataku managed to roll to one side as one claw came flying down. Nataku is practically trapped now and it won't be long before it realises that it could use both claws at once. Nataku concentrated on wrenching his leg free.
Nataku: [Come on, come on.] *dodging to the left* [Got it!] *throws himself away from Ardster*
His ankle is visibly a living part of a corpse. Most of the flesh has been eaten away. Bones and veins can be seen. His leg also shook due to the injury. Nataku found waves of pain hitting against him, threatening to make him make one wrong move to end his life. But he was conscious, he can bear the pain but most of all, he can still stand. As long as he can stand, he can still fight. But since one leg is disabled, he'll have to rely more on his hands.
Ardster decided that it would end this once and for all. He curled himself up into a ball and started rolling. Nataku dodged. Now there was no way he could lay a finger on him. If his ankle wasn't damaged in the first place, this would have been better than soccer though shorter. But there is another way. He had a choice. Drain his energy or just dodge and wait for it to exhaust himself. Who knows how many challengers are there? But he might as well take the risk.
Nataku closed his eyes and concentrated on a move that he has recently read about but never tried. It was known as the Fire Fist. The user's hands become hotter than the united kindle of the flames of the furnaces in Heaven because it involved elemental powers. He hoped that he could do it because it was this or bust.
He kept his eyes closed because he chose to feel for his opponent. It was rolling towards him with rapid speed.
Any second now.
The feeling was getting stronger. Yes! But what's this? It wasn't from in front of him. It was above him. Its gonna turn him into road kill first. And the rolling figure is hurtling down towards him fast. It was now or never.
Nataku opened his eyes, which now has a red hue, and flung his arm at Ardster, not waiting for it to be close enough to spring out his tail. Just to be on the safe side if he does do it. Soon, Ardster was floating in the air. Nataku made the air around him hot so it would be light. Despite his back and his appearance, he was as light as a deflated balloon and the only way he could roll around like that was because he depended on being light. Nataku's hand was trembling already. He could feel his own energy drifting away though not so much of it. He forced his hand to close. Slowly but not too slow.
Ardster is now in mid-air, still spinning aimlessly but fire can be seen licking the armour that was his back. The fire grew as Nataku's hands closed. Soon Ardster is completely engulfed in the flames and Nataku's fingers haven't touched yet. Instead, he moved his arm towards the right, where the side of the arena is nearer. It was then Nataku closed his hand completely and Ardster is now a pile of soot on one of the audience's heads. A flicker by the door suggested that the invisible guards are doing something...
Then Nataku turned and looked at the remains of the liquid that had given him that injured ankle. It was gone. Under closer observation, there's a small hole on the spot. Six Faced Guy pushed one more button and more of that glue came pouring from the opening above. Nataku backed off.
Six Faced Guy: Meet you're next challenger, Ledios.
Nataku watched as something underground was moving and drilling holes. It seemed to be feeding on the liquid. But even when the liquid is finished, the opponent did not show up. Instead, it remained in the ground where Nataku can't really get to it.
Ledios is they're current trump cards. And they're last. All those he had chosen to fight were of the 'special' unit. And the good ones had all been sent to do another job while the bad ones stay to be trained. If they were lucky, they could keep him away long enough for them to their job. The guy came again to change Six Faced Guy's face into that of an exited killer's.
Nataku felt for Ledios's movements. But Ledios turned to be quicker than he thought is too fast. Nataku had to spend most of his energies on dodging and if this keeps up, his chances of winning are sinking.
It wasn't long before Nataku got cornered.
Nataku: [Damn! If I get back to Heaven, I'm trying out every single useful spell I find! If I did that earlier, I would probably be winning so fast that Six Face is gonna have to change that expression of his to the ones with tears. That face is probably reserved for grovelling. But isn't he the guy behind all this?]
But then Ledios is upon him and it finally came out of the ground. Ledios looks like an octopus that had been fed too much lard. It was wobbly and it seemed like there's no end to the layers of fat under all that tough skin. The only thing it needs to complete its octopus form is a bigger head. His head seems like a dewdrop compared to its body mass. The liquid it devoured is extorted out for a second mean of defence. Its legs were either above to fence Nataku in or underground for a surprise attack.
It looked like the end but at the last moment, the unexpected happened. Ledios suddenly flung itself sideways and into the nearest wall. Who knew that a jumbo-sized balloon of calories could do that? Nataku had thrown one of his last resorts at it. A good old-fashioned punch. All that fat should have killed it by now.
And he was right.
Ledios had lived in the ground because all the ground on each of its side kept the fat from getting out of hand. And letting all of it ricochet around you're insides is a lot more dangerous than it looks.
The guy barely had enough time to turn the stone face sideways. Six Faced was enraged. But there is one more left.
Nataku looked up to find the balcony bare. The audience were so silent that not even a few microscopic sounds were made. More invisible shuffling at the door. Where is he? He said that he will never break a deal. It was then he heard the faint pitter-patter of running feet. He expected it to be Six Face but a shadow loomed over him.
A gigantic cube in midair, Six Face's expressions all showing each side, and one of those expressions is particularly narrowing its eyes at him.
Six Faced: Well, well. You're in luck today. I seem to be the last of you're opponents. But I will not be easy. *immediately blasts the ground where Nataku should have been*
Nataku: K'so! *manages to dodge but is slammed into the wall by the shockwave and is also cursing because of his ankle*
Six Faced Guy: [I will not fail you! I swear upon my soul o mighty ruler of the dark!] *releases a jet of flames everywhere with every single one of his mouth*
The fire surrounded the walls, keeping Nataku away from them. It was so hot... Nataku fought to keep himself from giving into the heat. Meanwhile, Six Faced is spinning rapidly in the air, firing multiple fireballs everywhere. The whole army is starting to burn but they still made no move or action to suggest that they knew anything that's happening at the moment.
Nataku: [This is getting too weird. Six Faced is burning his own army! They're probably the ones that were to attack Heaven if I lose. Tough luck! But then, is that the price to pay for losing in Hell? Wait a minute! No one won yet!] *wipes away the accumulating sweat on his forehead* [Something's wrong here.]
Six Faced Guy: *laughing like a maniac using the mouth on the evil triumph face*
Nataku: I've just got one question stone face! Are you the guy in charge?
Six Faced Guy: *spun around to use the evil sneer face* What do you think?
Realization dawned upon him.
Nataku: *eyes blazing* You tricked me!
Six Faced Guy: Save it weakling. It was you're conclusion and I never told you a thing.
Do you know what really bugs everyone when they argue?
It's the fact that the opposition is telling the truth. No matter how evil or pathetic they are.
Nataku: *is really angry and is summing up more of his energy for another Flaming Fist*
By now the room temperature is soaring and it's hot enough as it is. But Nataku was using it to his advantage.
Nataku yet again engulfed Six Faced in more flames. Since the air is thick with hot air, everything keeps wavering so everything is a little blurred and the fires seem more vivid so Six Faced can't tell.
Six Faced Guy: *too wrapped up in his dreams of glory to notice and he blows more fire into the place*
By now, things are going overboard with the heat. By the time Six Faced notices, he was dropping on top of the audience. When he finally felt some heat, it was too late. He was crumbling and melting at the same time.
Six Faced Guy: *had his ferocious, bloodthirsty face facing Nataku* You!
Nataku: Guess I win the match! See ya! *running up the too hot stairs and trying to ignore the pain from his ankle*
Six Faced Guy: Not so fast! If I can't win, nobody wins! *starts blowing out blue flames*
The whole place is falling apart. Nataku can't stand the heat much longer. The stairs were giving way. Cracks were appearing around the place and hot air escaped from the cracks.
Nataku: [Hot air... Uh oh.]
Nataku realized that this place is built over a pit of lava and the whole place is going to plunge in and crack under the extreme pressure. He had to get out of the door quick! The journey is not gonna be easy. The pillars that had supported the arches overhead were falling and piling onto each other and the arches themselves were threatening to fall on top of him. And the heat... he feels like he's gonna pass out soon and be cooked alive.
It was hard work but he managed. Over, under, sideways and try not to touch anything. Nataku fell face-first onto the floor when he was safe. He stopped for a while to catch his breath and then continued. He was lucky to have won the deal.
Six Faced Guy: *still flaming the place* [As I have promised, I did not fail. I had succeeded in my task. But I can't face you're glorious face now. I may have won the war, but the battle had shamed me terribly. I cannot show my face in you're presence any longer. I give you my regards.] *fell into the lave pit along with everything else there*
If you're confused, here's the truth behind the scenes. They're aim was to distract Nataku as long as they can. The 'army clad in black' were useless temporary dummies. The so-called 'invisible guards' and their constant flickers were hot air from the lave pit coming up through some holes. There is one invisible guy though. An invisible goblin to be exact. But he only served as a messenger to report to the real mastermind when Six Faced had made enough time. Every available army had moved up to Under Heaven and Heaven to make a temporary camp and some of the 'special unit' has already gone on missions.
Nataku climbed the staircases to the top and he was exhausted and reached the top. If he counted the steps, he would have found about 9,700,654,000,316 of them. Nataku took in his surroundings.
Unlike the other floors, this one is an absolute treasure. Not like the floors below it. (From the first step away from staircase onwards are incredibly filthy places. E.g. The carpets and walls along with the doors are tattered and stink. The walls are badly graphitised and are all grimy and greasy and there's piss marks all over them. Same for the door. As for the carpet... it looked like over a few hundreds of bitches gave birth to puppies all over it a few seconds ago.) And more unlikely in Hell, this place is exceptionally cooler and smelt good. To think that Hell doesn't believe in air-conditioning or pine fresh. There are five doors in all on the top floor. The walls were erected with amber, opal, gold, jade and even more precious stones. The beautiful portraits and works of art that have been framed with such care into such elegantly carved frames hung on the dazzling wall and presenting itself in a splendour manner. Then there were some enchanting mirrors hanging between each portrait. A unique chandelier that would have become the centre of every masterpiece is dangling off the ceiling that was, in itself, a breathtaking spectacular to behold. Directly in the middle of the polished floors are velvet red carpets leading up to the large oaken door at the end of the room that is slightly ajar. Two special sort of Chinese dragons, one male and one female, stood on both sides of the door. These too had been made with an overwhelming flair of passion and genius, which gave them grace. A misted sort of white light streamed from the opening, giving everything a very humble and beautiful, but slightly mystifying feeling.
It was tempting for Nataku to just lie on the carpet, welcome the cool air, admire the surroundings around him and sleep. After all, all that heat made him yearn for it. But Nataku forced himself not to. But the softness of the carpet... the soles of his shoe had burned of and the texture of the carpet pampered his burned and blistered feet. For a moment, he was able to forget the throbbing pain on his ankle. He felt contented. All of this is bliss after all that fighting. All he needed now was a really nice bed with something cool to drink.
At that moment, one of the doors to his right, the one made out of beech, opened to reveal a large king sized bed in yet another work of art of a room. The difference was that there are quite an amount inspiring statues that had been placed at the right places against the wall and exquisitely unique, and in their own way, beautiful photographs replaced painted pieces of canvas. Instead of red, the velvet carpet is purple and beside the bed is a glass of iced water with a filled jug next to it for refills.
Nataku wondered if he was dreaming or if tall this was an illusion but no. This was real. It was all so marvellous and welcoming. So comforting. He started wondering why he didn't indulge himself into all this richness earlier. But then, what's with the slightly ajar door...
Nataku then broke into a run after standing on the same spot for fifteen minutes. He was running towards the door because he thought it could be the room for a dinning room that had its great table loaded with fine food and drinks. Who knows. There could be a private little bar at the other side of that door with some Manhattans ready for him. The pain of his ankle lay forgotten.
But as he stepped through the other side, he found it a little disappointing. It was a grand throne room with a beautiful and comfy throne and is decorated with all sorts of wondrous masterpieces but it was not a bar or a room filled with food. Just then, his knowledge of his mission and where this place is slammed into his brain like a truck slamming into a pile of sponge. The events that he had went though and pain of his ankle returned to him. This is Hell and he's suppose to get rid of the mastermind. Nataku could have slapped himself.
Just then, something shuffled behind one of the great statues. Nataku wanted to investigated closer and found a goblin. (It's the invisible one but it became visible again.)
Nataku: Where's the one in charge here?
Goblin: But aren't you going to hurry?
Nataku: What do you mean?
Goblin: Ever wondered why the place is guard free?
Nataku: You mean...... *realises that all available fighters are probably invading the world of the living* Damn it! *gets out of the door and (tried to) run down the stairs to get out of the tower and find an exit out of here*
As Nataku descended, the Mastermind (also known as Shadow's Owner in Chap. Three) stepped out of the shadows.
Mastermind: You have served me well. Now give this to the captain. *handed Goblin a rolled up parchment*
Goblin: *accepted the rolled up parchment* What about the intruder o greatness?
Mastermind: Leave him. He can suffer with the rest later.
Goblin: As you wish. *leaves using the secret chute to get downstairs*
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Nataku half fell, half tumbled through the door. If he had hurried, he would've caught sight of something very useful. The red rust bothered his raw ankle so he tore a piece of his robe off and bound it. Just as he bent down to tie it on, he caught sight of the star sign. It was starting to get out of shape. Must be from all that heat.
Then a nagging question bit him hard in the brain. How is he gonna get out of Fish Head over here. He looked up to see a small dim hole in the high distance. It's gonna take a lot of work to get up there. Nataku looked around for anything he could use.
CLANG!
Something dropped besides Nataku. It was a big iron rod. (Goblin dropped it in his urge for speed.)
Nataku: What's this for? *looks around for where it might have dropped from*
He couldn't find Goblin but he did find a hole on the ground. Out of curiosity, he stuck the end of the rod down the hole. At once he could hear something stretching. He looked up to see that the almost impenetrable layer of skin that kept his from going in earlier is stretching downwards, looking more like a cone.
Soon, Nataku was surrounded by slimy flesh. At least it doesn't stick. Just when Nataku thought he would have to climb up, he noticed a bump in the skin. Nataku stepped back. Whatever it was, it was coming in. The mound of flesh burst of the pieces of dangling flesh got dragged back into the walls of its origin. A really big tooth had grown. Nataku grabbed hold of it in an effort to pull it out but before he could start pulling, he found himself going up.
The wall of slimy flesh spiralled back up until it reached the top. Nataku let go at once and ran. Fish Head then shut his mouth as soon as he made is exit, turned away and swam (?) in the other direction in a bored sort of fashion. It apparently lost interest in this god.
Nataku was thankful that there are no dead bodies this time. He was not sure if he could survive Stink Wave 2. There was no reason for him to regurgitate whatever's left of his early breakfast so with a settled stomach, he treaded back to where he landed and looked up again. There was a film of murky black and greenish stuff above. The lake he supposed.
Just as he was about to decide what to do, something walked up to him.
A monster had just stepped into the dim light but Nataku can see quite clearly. He was meant to be smaller and more octopus-ish that Ledios but its head was half of that of a monsters. Which sorta means minus the fatness and the body mass with a big enough head. The other half that's a face is the only sign of human left on him.
(If you guys want to know, it's the kid from chap. 3. He managed to be incompletely transformed and go into hiding when the guy behind him made one last effort by chewing on the vines away with his teeth. Okay, so maybe some of my OC get a few more parts sometimes. Be warned. There could be more in the future.)
Octo Boy: I can help you.
The monster side of his face is terribly scarred but otherwise, presentable.
Nataku: What happened to you?
Octo Boy: The vines contaminated me.
Nataku: [So that's what the vines on old Fish Face were for.] You mean the others were contaminated in the same way?
Octo Boy: *nods*
Nataku: Is there someway-
Octo Boy: It's hopeless now. Just go. We needed to die again anyway.
Nataku: *solemnly nods and said no more*
Octo Boy: *folds his tentacles together and lowers them*
Nataku: *stood on top*
Octo Boy: *catapulted him up*
How Nataku understood and knew what to do is as mysterious as the dark side of the moon. But at least he got out. Nataku landed face first into the grass. He wasted no time and teleported back to Heaven immediately.
And got one nasty shock.
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AFN: A cliff hanger. Don't blame me. A lot of authors are doing it and I'm just taking to the trend. Tell me if it's okay or tell me if it's lame. One things for sure.
This is a longer story than the last.
Microsoft Word Count:
Pages: 20
Words: 8,085
Characters (no spaces): 35,967
Characters (with spaces): 43,816
Paragraphs: 252
Lines: 872
Including everything from top to bottom. Even the A/N and AFN.
Oo I scare myself.
It's gonna take a while to type and post the next chapter so standby. Expect it to be posted after two weeks (most probably more). Try not to expect quick ones because its taking most of my holiday time. T-T But hope for it. ^ ^
To authors: Good luck for you're stories and for more good reviews.
To readers: Good luck for finding more greater stories so you can do the four Cs. (comment/complement/criticize/complain)
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A/N: Welcome to the sixth chapter: Six Faces, a.k.a. Sign of the Star. Please review more. ^-^ Please? Sorry for the late update but it's that or death at the hands of the superior. But I'm safe cause it's a holiday!
And thanks to all of you guys who reviewed! With some extra sugar for the ones who have reviewed a lot! ^ ^ And also to those who gave me more descriptions of Mary Sues, thankies and thank yous cause I finally got the complete meaning drilled into my head! ^-^
To all those Chinese out there, I have seen too may of those greeting ads and would like to wish you guys a Happy Chinese New Year! Even though it's a little late for that. -_-
Disclaimer: I. Ouch! Don't. Ouch! Own. Ouch! Saiyuki. Ouch! There I said it already now will you please. Ouch! Stop hitting me? *glares daggers at Minekura Kazuya with her purple paper fan*
By Yamamoto Kou
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The disease is one thing, but the coat of arms of Hell, is another.
The only gateway to Hell had remained a mystery to every living being. The gods themselves have no idea.
But the Ancient Heavenly Scrolls held the answer.
The Ancient Heavenly Scrolls were records of the time when Hell was in Under Heaven and when Heaven had to live and thrive on bloody wars. It was the time when the Emperor of evil himself walked and treaded the land. The North and South were dead and bitter cold. The East and the West were suffering greatly under the hands of the Emperor.
No one can find peace even in death because a special Light Tower immediately sucked all spirits through the Gate of Hell and they all come out as the corrupted armies. The light wasn't bright and warm but it was dim and cold. Everyone stayed away from it.
Heaven was considered safer and luckier but it was still like a bloody battlefield. Youkais and corrupted spirits attacked Heaven everyday. Everything lived in fear. Not one day passed when blood did not spill over the ground. This era was a living, breathing nightmare come true.
At least until something unexpected happen. For some unexplainable reason, a streak of black and red came by and destroyed the Light Tower. It disappeared through the gates of Hell. Suddenly, the Earth rumbled and gave way for the ground to split. Clouds of steam and poisonous gas surfaced, clouding everything from view. When it finally cleared, Hell was gone. Not even a single bit of debris is left.
Ever since then Hell has never been seen or heard from again. But it's name still strikes fear into the hearts of mortals and immortals alike.
Until now.
Haku: [What is happening down there?]
Being a part of the elements, Hell is just a faint suspicion away. But if his instincts do hit the jackpot as always, they can find out the source of the problem. It was the only clue and lead that they've got now.
God: *listens intently* So your saying that we have to travel through the world of the spirits and shadows? But that's impossible!
Haku: There is one way...
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It was night. There was no tsuki (please refer to the last chapter for this meaning) so everything was dark. The now green and slimy pond glows eerily in the absence of any other light.
Haku inwardly braced for impact. This was the first step of the plan. If he doesn't do it, then no one will. It's a tough job and someone's gotta do it.
Even if you have to suffer the consequences.
He then put his hand into the pond and tried to reach for something. No sooner than the one second, his entire arm felt numb. He couldn't feel anything with it.
This is gonna be a problem.
Haku hurriedly tried to move his arm around and grab something. After five seconds of confusing manoeuvres, he yanked his arm out.
It was not a pretty sight. His arm was not only pale due to lack of blood but black and blue as well. Gashes were strewn across his arm and streaks of blood flowed freely. His fingers were covered with cuts. Soon he was starting to get the feel of his arms back. But at least he got what he wanted.
Before he can return with it, he has to do something about his arm. He healed it as best as he could before picking up a dull chunk of iron and he soon returned to Heaven with it.
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All night, the trained blacksmiths of Heaven slaved over the piece of iron. They forged it into a magnificent medallion. On it was a six-sided star. It was known as six sided not because it has an extra leg on but because it was an ordinary five legged star with a triangle in the middle. It's not a hexagon because that's the sign of the Emperor and that made it a sign of evil. The six-sided stars was used during the dark days when they used it to mark the coffins of the dead in hopes that they will make it to the other world safely. It worked as long as it was out of the Light Tower's range. That's why it was crucial.
They handed they're newly shaped masterpiece over to Nataku after they slid a gold chain through the small slit on top. He will be taking a trip down to the underworld since Haku was needed for further assistance.
The journey was to start half an hour after Nataku received the medallion. Nataku had to calm and strengthen his wits. None of them knew what was down there. Not even Komyo because who stayed away. But the only things he could say was that it was terrible. He said that last word with a shiver.
Time went by fast. Soon, Nataku took those few steps towards the pond. Haku had been there to reinforce him. Step by step, Nataku descended into the pond.
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Nataku shivered a little as an odd feeling along with some familiar ones passed over him. Those to very familiar feelings. Desolate and lonely. It made you want to sigh out loud. He gripped his sword more firmly for assurance. The medallion hung from his belt and it swayed with every move he made.
Nataku: [Stay calm. You may be entering unknown territory but there's no reason to freak-] *train of thoughts were derailed as soon as something appeared before him*
In front of him was a dark, shady and foggy world. It stretched before him. But that was what made everything look out of place. But when he got closer, Nataku almost got himself knocked out in one second flat!
Nataku: *covered his mouth but the smell was still reeking in like ten garbage dumps surrounded with way too fermented cheese topped with really stinking cow dung* [With a smell like this, who needs Hell?] *squinted to see the source of the smell*
Bodies sprawled on the floor as far as the eyes could see even if it was not as much as fifty of them scattered among the ground. The closest one to him had no eyeballs left to fill his sockets. He, or she, (can't see clearly because the fog was clouding his vision) mouth was wide open. The teeth were all cracked and looked like something's been sawing them. Badly. Their bodies seem to be half rotten.
Nataku was about to poke it with his sword when he noticed the condition it was in. The blade that was gleaming only a little while ago is now a foul yellow. The edge of the blade is slightly blunt. Imagine: A smell that can really chip at cold steel. If this is just the stench, what's a close contact with the source gonna do?
But he didn't need to do anything. The empty sockets started decaying at the edges immediately. The bodies start to shiver, then swell. It was gruesome seeing rotten dead things swell and Nataku later wondered why he didn't die of fright on the spot. The purple-green veins can be seen as the bodies kept swelling. Soon, they all burst.
Pieces of rotting dead were flying everywhere. And the smell... it was overwhelming. Nataku didn't faint. He was mildly surprised at this. But only because the highly toxic fumes that would have sent his senses numb was overwhelmed by another.
It smelt strongly of fire, heated metal, burning things. But it had another smell to accompany it.
The smell of something raw.
From the coolness of the mist came a blast of hot air. The sound of splitting ground was getting louder and closer by the second.
Nataku stood his ground and readied himself for the encounter, hoping that his sword was enough to withstand the battle that loomed beyond the mist.
Nataku soon jumped up into the air as he saw the first signs of danger. Something that looked like vines had lashed out as fast as a cobra can strike.
But it wasn't fast enough to rival Nataku, Ex-Fighting God.
Ex-Fighting God. Nataku tested this title in his mind as he easily dodges the coming vines that headed for him.
Nataku: *gave the vines a mocking glare* You've gotta do better than that to defeat me! *slashed at the vines and watched disintegrated*
But the source of those vines was still in the fog. The air seemed still. There was no sound. All that could be heard is Nataku's breathing.
Whatever that source is, it's cunning. Hiding in the midst of the enemy, having the upper hand, watching every single movement by the enemy. Stalking. Waiting.
Nataku knew that strategy is involved now. With his enemy probably only a few feet from where he's standing, any move could prove either critical, fatal or useful. Nataku has faced many battles before and there is only one weakness in this strategy. That will be his goal.
The first one to be frustrated loses. Nataku stood still. His sword is poised to slash away at anytime. His muscles are half-relaxed and half-tensed.
Stillness and silence engulfed the area. The smell of fire and burning still hung around in the air, giving Nataku the strong sensation to twitch his nose. But he fights the urge.
Then Nataku made his move.
He blinked.
It was then that a thousand and one vines whipped through the air towards him. Nataku then used the fire dragon technique. The vines stopped in their tracks and let the fire sizzle over their moulted surfaces. But the fire did them no harm. In fact, the vines now seem to be strengthened. The cracks that were on the molten surfaces had now been filled with something like molten lava.
Molten lava... That was as close as he can get to compare with Haku's eyes when he removes his limiter.
Nataku smirked. If that thing can't get by him, what chance has it got against his best friend.
Nataku twisted his body just in time as the fiery vines lashed out. Nataku swung out his sword, sliced it and headed for the others. It was all done in a matter of minutes and his sword ended up smoking with a few nicks to it. He still couldn't get into the fog unless he wanted to die an unexpected death.
The ground shook once more. Whatever it is, it wasn't just frustrated. It was blinding mad. It had abandoned its plan in a fit of rage and lost the battle only to appear in the war.
The source of the veins finally came into view. Yellow eyes blazing, grey- red moulted scales gleaming in the dull light, teeth the colour of grey stone slabs and breath as hot as the furnace of the blacksmiths. The entire figure of this guy? A gigantic fish head complete with gills with its bottom half buried within the ground.
Nataku: *has never seen anything so disturbing* - -
They seemed to study each other for a while. One blinking at the sheer weirdness of the opponent and the other staring in disbelief at a LIVING god being in the spirit world. They had the same thoughts running through their heads.
Nataku/Fish Head: [Had I just entered a world where up is down and drama is funny?]
But the dazed feeling was soon left behind as the seriousness of the situation tugged at them the way an annoying three-year-old sibling would tug at their older brother's/sister's sleeve while asking why over and over again.
Fish Head: *opened its mouth as wide as it can go while sending the irritating smell of burning metal into Nataku's face*
Nataku: *suffering the full blow of the highly irritating smell and stumbles backwards*
It was then he noticed something even weirder than old Fish Head over there.
Instead of the usual slimy, saliva filled mouth, tonsils and insides, Nataku can see big black buildings and a very tall black tower spiralling upwards. Instead of having the almost neutral background of the spirit world, the background is that off fire rising and falling with a certain rhythm to it. He can also see little figures on the street, marching.
Nataku tossed himself aside as Fish Head lunges forward with more vines. He pondered for a few seconds why did all those things have to be in Fish Head's guts. And is Hell really in here?
Then it all made sense. Nataku realised it was so obvious.
No one said that the Gate of Hell was one of those big, black, iron gates. The Ancient Heavenly Scrolls never said that Hell wasn't in something that moved. And Fish Head here has an entire city right inside its guts.
So that means old Fish Head is the Gate of Hell. (?)
Nataku headed straight for Fish Head's open mouth and jumped. But Fish Head saw that coming. Nothing is going to get into Hell that easily.
As Nataku almost reached his target, a thick film of slimy flesh appeared and barred his way. Nataku thrust his sharp point of his sword and tried to cut an opening but he and his sword were sent bouncing off and out and headed towards some waiting vines.
Nataku recovered in a flash. He sliced the vines and prepared to make another lunge. This time, he used his fire dragon technique. The column of fire kept the slimy flesh from completely barring the way. Nataku made a run for it. He forced himself to throw his body through the fire that came from his very own sword, through the only hole in that ugly and almost invincible thick slice of flesh, to cross from a more than dead and grey place into the deepest of the deep and the worst of the worst.
Nataku felt himself falling through the air and he knew he's victorious. He opened the eyes that he never realised he had closed and concentrated on breaking his fall instead of taking in his surroundings.
Nataku flipped and landed with both feet on the ground. He looked around him to find the streets deserted. He listened for any signs of life but the only thing he could hear is the crackling of the fire. He remembered that all those marching figures headed towards the black tower.
Nataku set off at once. His feet prodding on smooth, solid ground. He looked closer to realise that the roads were made from polished rock, covered with red dirt that later on was revealed to be rust from some of the buildings. They crunched under the sole of his feet with each step he takes. The buildings were deserted so he didn't have to be worried about being spotted.
He was soon at the foot of the tower. It was black not just because it was iron. It was also covered with grease and soot. The tower spiralled up, its peak almost reaching the crust of rock that contained the city. It's surprising that there is no movement in the surroundings to show that Fish Head is moving.
He moved on to the huge doors. Hellish symbols were carved into it. Nataku pushed the heavy doors open and walked into the darkness.
Once inside, he treaded softly on the ground to keep his footsteps silenced. Any sound was bound to echo back in a place like this. No matter how small.
But his efforts were in vain as he suddenly sank through the ground and slid through a chute. He rolled out at the end. Nataku quickly regained his bearings.
In the dim light of the torches around him, all he could see is the rust on the ground and the shadows that hid the rest of the place. Soon the torches suddenly flared up and the room is flooded with dazzling light.
Nataku shielded his eyes. The strong light upon his eyes was not welcoming after adjusting to the dark. It took him a while to get used to it.
The whole place is clear now. He was in what looked like an arena. Thousands of seats surrounded the place. There was a special balcony in the distance with a satin covered cushioned seat. Columns and arches support the high ceiling. Despite the obvious, it wasn't a very good arena.
Nataku then turned. He heard the sound of feet thumping onto the ground. Soon the doors burst open by an entire army. Every single one of them was clad in black. They looked something like the ones used to attack Heaven and Under Heaven. They kept their mouths shut as they took their seats. Soon the arena was packed. Then there was only one place left. Nataku looked at the balcony and sure enough there was already a figure sitting on it.
Nataku squinted his eyes to see the guy better. But he got a nasty shock. He wasn't sure if it was a monster or just something made to serve this purpose. In this case, the guy who made it had a really funky imagination.
Every part of its 'body' is made out of rock. The 'head' is just a cube with a face on it. The smile on its face is pretty creepy.
Then this guy comes along and stands beside it. They talked for a while. Then the guy took hold of the 'head' and turned it several times, pausing every now and then to say something.
Each side has a different expression. And there seems to be six faces in all. The guy stopped turning when he got to the one with the sneer. Typical.
Six Faced Guy: *clears throat* It seems that we have a stranger in our midst. And he seems to be a god.
Nataku: [How pathetically obvious can this guy get?]
Six Faced Guy: And he's probably here to find a way to stop our 'special' unit from causing any more trouble in the world of the living. But I'm afraid that we will have to keep him from doing so. And at the same time, we can provide for ourselves a little entertainment. Shall we?
Audience: *nods*
Six Faced Guy: But first, *looks at Nataku* I have to make one thing very clear. Don't even try to escape. All we have to do is detach that six sided star of yours and you're history. That's why there are invisible guards stationed at every possible exit. Why don't we make a deal?
Nataku: How can I trust you? *lifts an eyebrow*
Six Faced Guy: Ahh. You should've known our reputation by now. *narrows his eyes* Hell may be an evil place but as long as there's a deal, we would keep to it. We always had. It's a shame but yet, it's effective. Most of these *gestures towards the audience* either sold their souls or lost the bet. Should we make a deal?
Nataku: What's the catch?
Six Faced Guy: Well, it's all simple really. If you win, all doors will be open for you, the guards will leave you alone and all traps will be deactivated. But if you lose, you betray everyone you know by helping us. Is it a deal?
Nataku: *hesitated and drew back but saw that it made sense and no matter what, he won't lose* All right.
Six Faced Guy: Very well. Let the fighting begin!
A panel nearby slid open to reveal the first challenger.
Six Faced Guy: First round is Nataku vs. Hachiman!
Audience: *claps as loud as they could*
Hachiman turns out to be an ogre that's ten feet tall, stinks, has way too many muscles, moss-grown jagged teeth, wears a loin cloth and some shackles and wields a big stick.
Hachiman: ME KILL YOU!!!!! *half runs, half stumbles forward*
Nataku: *sticks out a leg*
Hachiman: *trips*
Six Faced Guy: Oh. Did I forget to mention the rules? Looks like I did. First rule, the winner has to be the only one alive. AND every single piece of your opponents is to be thrown out of the ring. Not one piece left. Remember that.
Nataku: Sounds easy enough. *casts a very bored glance at Hachiman who tripped over some rust and is trying to get up again*
Six Faced Guy: *secretly deactivated the shackles by pushing the button on one of the arm of his chair*
The shackles on Hachiman dropped to the ground with a clank. Hachiman's already overgrown muscles become impossibly bigger and there's a new gleam in his eyes.
With a speed that's impossible for an ogre to ever achieve, Hachiman knocked Nataku's sword from the god's own hands and broke it with his teeth.
Nataku: What-
Six Faced Guy: Hachiman here is no ordinary ogre. He wasn't an ogre to begin with but we improved him more than he could imagine. We had also taken the liberty to enhance his ogre features and qualities. His intelligence is just as high as yours. Do not underestimate him.
Nataku: Why the shackles?
Six Faced Guy: To keep him from being too rash.
Nataku: *looked back just in time to see Hachiman giving him a head butt*
Hachiman: Without their most prized weapon, gods are nothing more that sick little puppies.
Nataku: *clenched his fist and gritted teeth* Are you saying you want a piece of me?!
Hachiman: Ya! Did it take you that long to get the message pipsqueak?!
Nataku: In case you haven't notice, you're no giant yourself pea brain!
Hachiman: You dare say that to ME!? I'm the one that's bigger here!!!
Nataku: *ramming headlong into Hachiman*
Hachiman put an arm in front of him to catch Nataku's head and crush it but Nataku simply used it to flip himself upwards. Once Nataku was in position, he gave a mighty kick and sent Hachiman flying out and over the audience of the arena. But Nataku had kicked him a little too hard in the head it seemed. As Hachiman flew through the air, blood splattered everywhere from the crushed face.
The arena is silent. Nobody cheered, nobody clapped, nobody booed and nobody jeered. Soon, Six Faced Guy spoke up.
Six Faced Guy: *flat toned* Looks like you know how to use you're bare hands to kill. Very well, send in the next challenger.
There was no opening in the wall because the opening is from above. The opponent dropped into the ring. The impact with the ground caused whatever rust and dirt in that arena to rise. It stung Nataku's eyes. He covered them. As soon as he felt it was safe to open them again, he looked at his opponent carefully.
There was only something round in front of him. It was like a boulder but it was smooth and judging by the way it glints in the light, it is, like a lot of things he had seen here, made of steel. But there a red patches on it. Rust? Fungus? He didn't have time to find out. His opponent was spreading out to reveal it's real form.
His challenger turned out to be a rather mutated aardvark crossed with a cooked lobster. It had the aardvarks back for a defence and the claws of a lobster for offence. It looked okay when it was rolled into a ball but the inside looked like it's been dunk into radioactive toxic waste more than a couple of times. The head looks half crushed with yellow pus oozing out of something that were pores but now looked like mini volcanoes. Pieces of its red crust like skin peeled and flaked off every time it moved. As for the red patches on its back, it's a combo that Nataku would like to call: Rust Fungus. With a touch of mould. It was wide as it was tall.
Six Faced Guy: Start the fighting!
Nataku: *launched a kick at it*
Ardster: *crosses claws and use them to block of Nataku and when Nataku came for one more, it squirted transparent liquid with a force strong enough to flip Nataku backwards*
Nataku tried to get up but found an agonizing pain coming from his ankle. He looked back to see the liquid, bubbling slightly as it burned the skin of his ankle and was eating at it raw. Besides that, it seemed that the liquid kept his leg on the ground.
Ardster planned on using its mighty heavy and big claws to bash, crush and/or rip Nataku to pieces. God or not, beings from Hell were able to destroy gods in about the same way youkai destroy humans and vice versa despite the differences. It all depends on who's better.
Nataku managed to roll to one side as one claw came flying down. Nataku is practically trapped now and it won't be long before it realises that it could use both claws at once. Nataku concentrated on wrenching his leg free.
Nataku: [Come on, come on.] *dodging to the left* [Got it!] *throws himself away from Ardster*
His ankle is visibly a living part of a corpse. Most of the flesh has been eaten away. Bones and veins can be seen. His leg also shook due to the injury. Nataku found waves of pain hitting against him, threatening to make him make one wrong move to end his life. But he was conscious, he can bear the pain but most of all, he can still stand. As long as he can stand, he can still fight. But since one leg is disabled, he'll have to rely more on his hands.
Ardster decided that it would end this once and for all. He curled himself up into a ball and started rolling. Nataku dodged. Now there was no way he could lay a finger on him. If his ankle wasn't damaged in the first place, this would have been better than soccer though shorter. But there is another way. He had a choice. Drain his energy or just dodge and wait for it to exhaust himself. Who knows how many challengers are there? But he might as well take the risk.
Nataku closed his eyes and concentrated on a move that he has recently read about but never tried. It was known as the Fire Fist. The user's hands become hotter than the united kindle of the flames of the furnaces in Heaven because it involved elemental powers. He hoped that he could do it because it was this or bust.
He kept his eyes closed because he chose to feel for his opponent. It was rolling towards him with rapid speed.
Any second now.
The feeling was getting stronger. Yes! But what's this? It wasn't from in front of him. It was above him. Its gonna turn him into road kill first. And the rolling figure is hurtling down towards him fast. It was now or never.
Nataku opened his eyes, which now has a red hue, and flung his arm at Ardster, not waiting for it to be close enough to spring out his tail. Just to be on the safe side if he does do it. Soon, Ardster was floating in the air. Nataku made the air around him hot so it would be light. Despite his back and his appearance, he was as light as a deflated balloon and the only way he could roll around like that was because he depended on being light. Nataku's hand was trembling already. He could feel his own energy drifting away though not so much of it. He forced his hand to close. Slowly but not too slow.
Ardster is now in mid-air, still spinning aimlessly but fire can be seen licking the armour that was his back. The fire grew as Nataku's hands closed. Soon Ardster is completely engulfed in the flames and Nataku's fingers haven't touched yet. Instead, he moved his arm towards the right, where the side of the arena is nearer. It was then Nataku closed his hand completely and Ardster is now a pile of soot on one of the audience's heads. A flicker by the door suggested that the invisible guards are doing something...
Then Nataku turned and looked at the remains of the liquid that had given him that injured ankle. It was gone. Under closer observation, there's a small hole on the spot. Six Faced Guy pushed one more button and more of that glue came pouring from the opening above. Nataku backed off.
Six Faced Guy: Meet you're next challenger, Ledios.
Nataku watched as something underground was moving and drilling holes. It seemed to be feeding on the liquid. But even when the liquid is finished, the opponent did not show up. Instead, it remained in the ground where Nataku can't really get to it.
Ledios is they're current trump cards. And they're last. All those he had chosen to fight were of the 'special' unit. And the good ones had all been sent to do another job while the bad ones stay to be trained. If they were lucky, they could keep him away long enough for them to their job. The guy came again to change Six Faced Guy's face into that of an exited killer's.
Nataku felt for Ledios's movements. But Ledios turned to be quicker than he thought is too fast. Nataku had to spend most of his energies on dodging and if this keeps up, his chances of winning are sinking.
It wasn't long before Nataku got cornered.
Nataku: [Damn! If I get back to Heaven, I'm trying out every single useful spell I find! If I did that earlier, I would probably be winning so fast that Six Face is gonna have to change that expression of his to the ones with tears. That face is probably reserved for grovelling. But isn't he the guy behind all this?]
But then Ledios is upon him and it finally came out of the ground. Ledios looks like an octopus that had been fed too much lard. It was wobbly and it seemed like there's no end to the layers of fat under all that tough skin. The only thing it needs to complete its octopus form is a bigger head. His head seems like a dewdrop compared to its body mass. The liquid it devoured is extorted out for a second mean of defence. Its legs were either above to fence Nataku in or underground for a surprise attack.
It looked like the end but at the last moment, the unexpected happened. Ledios suddenly flung itself sideways and into the nearest wall. Who knew that a jumbo-sized balloon of calories could do that? Nataku had thrown one of his last resorts at it. A good old-fashioned punch. All that fat should have killed it by now.
And he was right.
Ledios had lived in the ground because all the ground on each of its side kept the fat from getting out of hand. And letting all of it ricochet around you're insides is a lot more dangerous than it looks.
The guy barely had enough time to turn the stone face sideways. Six Faced was enraged. But there is one more left.
Nataku looked up to find the balcony bare. The audience were so silent that not even a few microscopic sounds were made. More invisible shuffling at the door. Where is he? He said that he will never break a deal. It was then he heard the faint pitter-patter of running feet. He expected it to be Six Face but a shadow loomed over him.
A gigantic cube in midair, Six Face's expressions all showing each side, and one of those expressions is particularly narrowing its eyes at him.
Six Faced: Well, well. You're in luck today. I seem to be the last of you're opponents. But I will not be easy. *immediately blasts the ground where Nataku should have been*
Nataku: K'so! *manages to dodge but is slammed into the wall by the shockwave and is also cursing because of his ankle*
Six Faced Guy: [I will not fail you! I swear upon my soul o mighty ruler of the dark!] *releases a jet of flames everywhere with every single one of his mouth*
The fire surrounded the walls, keeping Nataku away from them. It was so hot... Nataku fought to keep himself from giving into the heat. Meanwhile, Six Faced is spinning rapidly in the air, firing multiple fireballs everywhere. The whole army is starting to burn but they still made no move or action to suggest that they knew anything that's happening at the moment.
Nataku: [This is getting too weird. Six Faced is burning his own army! They're probably the ones that were to attack Heaven if I lose. Tough luck! But then, is that the price to pay for losing in Hell? Wait a minute! No one won yet!] *wipes away the accumulating sweat on his forehead* [Something's wrong here.]
Six Faced Guy: *laughing like a maniac using the mouth on the evil triumph face*
Nataku: I've just got one question stone face! Are you the guy in charge?
Six Faced Guy: *spun around to use the evil sneer face* What do you think?
Realization dawned upon him.
Nataku: *eyes blazing* You tricked me!
Six Faced Guy: Save it weakling. It was you're conclusion and I never told you a thing.
Do you know what really bugs everyone when they argue?
It's the fact that the opposition is telling the truth. No matter how evil or pathetic they are.
Nataku: *is really angry and is summing up more of his energy for another Flaming Fist*
By now the room temperature is soaring and it's hot enough as it is. But Nataku was using it to his advantage.
Nataku yet again engulfed Six Faced in more flames. Since the air is thick with hot air, everything keeps wavering so everything is a little blurred and the fires seem more vivid so Six Faced can't tell.
Six Faced Guy: *too wrapped up in his dreams of glory to notice and he blows more fire into the place*
By now, things are going overboard with the heat. By the time Six Faced notices, he was dropping on top of the audience. When he finally felt some heat, it was too late. He was crumbling and melting at the same time.
Six Faced Guy: *had his ferocious, bloodthirsty face facing Nataku* You!
Nataku: Guess I win the match! See ya! *running up the too hot stairs and trying to ignore the pain from his ankle*
Six Faced Guy: Not so fast! If I can't win, nobody wins! *starts blowing out blue flames*
The whole place is falling apart. Nataku can't stand the heat much longer. The stairs were giving way. Cracks were appearing around the place and hot air escaped from the cracks.
Nataku: [Hot air... Uh oh.]
Nataku realized that this place is built over a pit of lava and the whole place is going to plunge in and crack under the extreme pressure. He had to get out of the door quick! The journey is not gonna be easy. The pillars that had supported the arches overhead were falling and piling onto each other and the arches themselves were threatening to fall on top of him. And the heat... he feels like he's gonna pass out soon and be cooked alive.
It was hard work but he managed. Over, under, sideways and try not to touch anything. Nataku fell face-first onto the floor when he was safe. He stopped for a while to catch his breath and then continued. He was lucky to have won the deal.
Six Faced Guy: *still flaming the place* [As I have promised, I did not fail. I had succeeded in my task. But I can't face you're glorious face now. I may have won the war, but the battle had shamed me terribly. I cannot show my face in you're presence any longer. I give you my regards.] *fell into the lave pit along with everything else there*
If you're confused, here's the truth behind the scenes. They're aim was to distract Nataku as long as they can. The 'army clad in black' were useless temporary dummies. The so-called 'invisible guards' and their constant flickers were hot air from the lave pit coming up through some holes. There is one invisible guy though. An invisible goblin to be exact. But he only served as a messenger to report to the real mastermind when Six Faced had made enough time. Every available army had moved up to Under Heaven and Heaven to make a temporary camp and some of the 'special unit' has already gone on missions.
Nataku climbed the staircases to the top and he was exhausted and reached the top. If he counted the steps, he would have found about 9,700,654,000,316 of them. Nataku took in his surroundings.
Unlike the other floors, this one is an absolute treasure. Not like the floors below it. (From the first step away from staircase onwards are incredibly filthy places. E.g. The carpets and walls along with the doors are tattered and stink. The walls are badly graphitised and are all grimy and greasy and there's piss marks all over them. Same for the door. As for the carpet... it looked like over a few hundreds of bitches gave birth to puppies all over it a few seconds ago.) And more unlikely in Hell, this place is exceptionally cooler and smelt good. To think that Hell doesn't believe in air-conditioning or pine fresh. There are five doors in all on the top floor. The walls were erected with amber, opal, gold, jade and even more precious stones. The beautiful portraits and works of art that have been framed with such care into such elegantly carved frames hung on the dazzling wall and presenting itself in a splendour manner. Then there were some enchanting mirrors hanging between each portrait. A unique chandelier that would have become the centre of every masterpiece is dangling off the ceiling that was, in itself, a breathtaking spectacular to behold. Directly in the middle of the polished floors are velvet red carpets leading up to the large oaken door at the end of the room that is slightly ajar. Two special sort of Chinese dragons, one male and one female, stood on both sides of the door. These too had been made with an overwhelming flair of passion and genius, which gave them grace. A misted sort of white light streamed from the opening, giving everything a very humble and beautiful, but slightly mystifying feeling.
It was tempting for Nataku to just lie on the carpet, welcome the cool air, admire the surroundings around him and sleep. After all, all that heat made him yearn for it. But Nataku forced himself not to. But the softness of the carpet... the soles of his shoe had burned of and the texture of the carpet pampered his burned and blistered feet. For a moment, he was able to forget the throbbing pain on his ankle. He felt contented. All of this is bliss after all that fighting. All he needed now was a really nice bed with something cool to drink.
At that moment, one of the doors to his right, the one made out of beech, opened to reveal a large king sized bed in yet another work of art of a room. The difference was that there are quite an amount inspiring statues that had been placed at the right places against the wall and exquisitely unique, and in their own way, beautiful photographs replaced painted pieces of canvas. Instead of red, the velvet carpet is purple and beside the bed is a glass of iced water with a filled jug next to it for refills.
Nataku wondered if he was dreaming or if tall this was an illusion but no. This was real. It was all so marvellous and welcoming. So comforting. He started wondering why he didn't indulge himself into all this richness earlier. But then, what's with the slightly ajar door...
Nataku then broke into a run after standing on the same spot for fifteen minutes. He was running towards the door because he thought it could be the room for a dinning room that had its great table loaded with fine food and drinks. Who knows. There could be a private little bar at the other side of that door with some Manhattans ready for him. The pain of his ankle lay forgotten.
But as he stepped through the other side, he found it a little disappointing. It was a grand throne room with a beautiful and comfy throne and is decorated with all sorts of wondrous masterpieces but it was not a bar or a room filled with food. Just then, his knowledge of his mission and where this place is slammed into his brain like a truck slamming into a pile of sponge. The events that he had went though and pain of his ankle returned to him. This is Hell and he's suppose to get rid of the mastermind. Nataku could have slapped himself.
Just then, something shuffled behind one of the great statues. Nataku wanted to investigated closer and found a goblin. (It's the invisible one but it became visible again.)
Nataku: Where's the one in charge here?
Goblin: But aren't you going to hurry?
Nataku: What do you mean?
Goblin: Ever wondered why the place is guard free?
Nataku: You mean...... *realises that all available fighters are probably invading the world of the living* Damn it! *gets out of the door and (tried to) run down the stairs to get out of the tower and find an exit out of here*
As Nataku descended, the Mastermind (also known as Shadow's Owner in Chap. Three) stepped out of the shadows.
Mastermind: You have served me well. Now give this to the captain. *handed Goblin a rolled up parchment*
Goblin: *accepted the rolled up parchment* What about the intruder o greatness?
Mastermind: Leave him. He can suffer with the rest later.
Goblin: As you wish. *leaves using the secret chute to get downstairs*
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Nataku half fell, half tumbled through the door. If he had hurried, he would've caught sight of something very useful. The red rust bothered his raw ankle so he tore a piece of his robe off and bound it. Just as he bent down to tie it on, he caught sight of the star sign. It was starting to get out of shape. Must be from all that heat.
Then a nagging question bit him hard in the brain. How is he gonna get out of Fish Head over here. He looked up to see a small dim hole in the high distance. It's gonna take a lot of work to get up there. Nataku looked around for anything he could use.
CLANG!
Something dropped besides Nataku. It was a big iron rod. (Goblin dropped it in his urge for speed.)
Nataku: What's this for? *looks around for where it might have dropped from*
He couldn't find Goblin but he did find a hole on the ground. Out of curiosity, he stuck the end of the rod down the hole. At once he could hear something stretching. He looked up to see that the almost impenetrable layer of skin that kept his from going in earlier is stretching downwards, looking more like a cone.
Soon, Nataku was surrounded by slimy flesh. At least it doesn't stick. Just when Nataku thought he would have to climb up, he noticed a bump in the skin. Nataku stepped back. Whatever it was, it was coming in. The mound of flesh burst of the pieces of dangling flesh got dragged back into the walls of its origin. A really big tooth had grown. Nataku grabbed hold of it in an effort to pull it out but before he could start pulling, he found himself going up.
The wall of slimy flesh spiralled back up until it reached the top. Nataku let go at once and ran. Fish Head then shut his mouth as soon as he made is exit, turned away and swam (?) in the other direction in a bored sort of fashion. It apparently lost interest in this god.
Nataku was thankful that there are no dead bodies this time. He was not sure if he could survive Stink Wave 2. There was no reason for him to regurgitate whatever's left of his early breakfast so with a settled stomach, he treaded back to where he landed and looked up again. There was a film of murky black and greenish stuff above. The lake he supposed.
Just as he was about to decide what to do, something walked up to him.
A monster had just stepped into the dim light but Nataku can see quite clearly. He was meant to be smaller and more octopus-ish that Ledios but its head was half of that of a monsters. Which sorta means minus the fatness and the body mass with a big enough head. The other half that's a face is the only sign of human left on him.
(If you guys want to know, it's the kid from chap. 3. He managed to be incompletely transformed and go into hiding when the guy behind him made one last effort by chewing on the vines away with his teeth. Okay, so maybe some of my OC get a few more parts sometimes. Be warned. There could be more in the future.)
Octo Boy: I can help you.
The monster side of his face is terribly scarred but otherwise, presentable.
Nataku: What happened to you?
Octo Boy: The vines contaminated me.
Nataku: [So that's what the vines on old Fish Face were for.] You mean the others were contaminated in the same way?
Octo Boy: *nods*
Nataku: Is there someway-
Octo Boy: It's hopeless now. Just go. We needed to die again anyway.
Nataku: *solemnly nods and said no more*
Octo Boy: *folds his tentacles together and lowers them*
Nataku: *stood on top*
Octo Boy: *catapulted him up*
How Nataku understood and knew what to do is as mysterious as the dark side of the moon. But at least he got out. Nataku landed face first into the grass. He wasted no time and teleported back to Heaven immediately.
And got one nasty shock.
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AFN: A cliff hanger. Don't blame me. A lot of authors are doing it and I'm just taking to the trend. Tell me if it's okay or tell me if it's lame. One things for sure.
This is a longer story than the last.
Microsoft Word Count:
Pages: 20
Words: 8,085
Characters (no spaces): 35,967
Characters (with spaces): 43,816
Paragraphs: 252
Lines: 872
Including everything from top to bottom. Even the A/N and AFN.
Oo I scare myself.
It's gonna take a while to type and post the next chapter so standby. Expect it to be posted after two weeks (most probably more). Try not to expect quick ones because its taking most of my holiday time. T-T But hope for it. ^ ^
To authors: Good luck for you're stories and for more good reviews.
To readers: Good luck for finding more greater stories so you can do the four Cs. (comment/complement/criticize/complain)