I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is a pigment of my weird imagination. I apologize in advance for all spelling and grammar mistakes.
The U Project: Supremacy
The Final Series
13
And Jesus commanded, 'Come forth Lazarus!'
The earth trembled
The trees swayed
The sisters watched
Surprised
Then tears
Out of the darkness of the tomb
Came Lazarus
---
Tonight will be the epitaph of all our sacrifices.
A figure was hidden in the darkness of the limousine parked a few meters away from the warehouse. Several men in black suit, silent and nondescript, guarded it, each carrying a firearm, fingers on the trigger, hidden and ready.
"Your word shall be done," The man of God whispered. A thick golden ring by his right hand, chained silver cross between his fingers, shone inside the emptiness of the car, signs of authority, of power.
Peter, the first disciple, started it all, the covenant between his followers to carry on the legacy of the 'will'.
A sigh.
The man brought his hands together and said a silent prayer.
And thus the 'Holy Council' was born. An elite group of men who was given the task to follow the last 'will' of Peter, the first disciple. To carefully see what others could not and would not, to diligently follow what was needed to be accomplished without question or doubt, to stain their hands with death so that they could give life, to prepare the way and pave all obstacles for the final judgment. For his final return.
A soft knock.
And in every eight centuries, in every significant rise of civilization, the 'Holy Council' made several attempts to look for the one true prophet – seer – who would give the sign. The knight crusaders brutally slaughtered villages looking for that one man. The Second World War Nazi soldiers massacred men and women in hope to see a single survivor – an allusion they all hoped for. All in futility. They all failed.
Until now.
It seemed that the 'Holy Council', after centuries trudging along the recesses of mankind's bleak and dark history, they have finally found him. The one man who had been given the final message of 'his' return. The man who had died and lived. The man who had been given the touch. Lazarus.
Keitaro Urashima.
Keyu Unetvicesima, the twenty-first.
The car door opened. An empty slit. The wind blowing inside.
A radio crackled at the background. This is blue team, over – surveillance cameras are all in standby, waiting for orders, over – subjects are about to engage, over – cameras are all red, heat sensors engaged as of twenty-three hundred hours, over – movements around the warehouse, a third is established, over – should we intercept? Over…
"Excuse me father. But I've been informed that… they're about to begin," said the newcomer behind the door, a radio receiver in his hand.
Crackling noise. Negative, we wait for further instructions – this is silver team, please be advised that target area is secured, all exits blocked, prepare to engage, over – copy that, over – this is blue team, surveillance cameras are recording, over…
The priest nodded.
This will be our final act. The final ordeal.
They would know if the U Project was worth all the 'Holy Council's' sacrifices.
"Tonight we will be the vanguard of Christian faith," The priest raised a hand, gave the sign of the cross and whispered gently, "Go with God my child,"
A pause. A bow.
"Very well father. It shall be done,"
---
Keitaro could feel something in the air. An odd intensity.
Steps in the dark.
Keitaro closed his eyes, smiled, bowed and whispered, "Karen, I appreciate the support you have given me. And I can not thank you enough for everything you have done for me. But I ask you one last favor and I hope with all my heart that you'd give me this chance…" A slight pause, "This is my battle now. From here on, I will face him alone,"
He bowed again without looking back. He knew that Karen would understand. He hoped that she would understand. Because part of him does not want to leave and face the unknown alone, but the other part was insistent. There was no other option. He has to end this tonight.
And so Keitaro walked towards the battleground.
Alone.
---
Karen watched Keitaro disappear into the darkness of the warehouse. The single light in the middle of the low ceiling was few meters away. She knew that on other end his opponent will be waiting.
I'm sorry Keitaro. Keyu have always been there for me. He saved my life several times. I can not let you die here. No matter what happen, I will not leave a comrade.
She gritted her teeth and nimbly walked towards the wall, hid herself behind the wooden frames, towards the light.
---
Mikael Undevicesimus, the nineteenth, grinned.
He leisurely reached for his sword leaning against the far wall. He raised it, admired the golden crest embedded in the scabbard, a dragon circling a templar cross, and with deliberate slowness, unsheathed the blade. He let the metal glisten in the dark; let the scraping sound of metal echo into the emptiness of the warehouse.
What am I? What is my purpose?
He heard footsteps getting closer to the single light in the middle of the warehouse. He knew who it was. And once again, he felt that eerie mixture of revulsion, hatred and envy crawling inside his body, voices eating his mind, and he could do nothing but smile at his certain madness.
I was brought back into this chaotic world with nothing but to kill.
Mikael shook, but he steadied and made his way towards the light.
WE WERE ALL DEAD! WE WERE ALL DEAD! WE WERE ALL DEAD!
Mikael smiled even wider. Insanity in his eyes. He whispered, "You're here,"
Behind the blanket of darkness, Keitaro's figure appeared. His face a visage of grim determination. He shouted, "IT WILL END TONIGHT!"
Mikael's eyes opened wide, his blood boiling with delicious anticipation. That thirst to kill, to see his enemy bathing in his own blood, to see that agony in his face, to hear him in pain. He could not control it anymore. The strategically inclined part of his mind, that calculating assassin was momentarily turned off, quickly covered with his manic savagery.
"Yes… let the show begin!"
He charged.
---
Keitaro felt his body move without thinking. It took him a few seconds before he realized what was going on. His mind was clear, registered everything in his surrounding. He had calculated his distance from the walls, the height of the building; he considered every single object on the ground and possible exits or escape routes.
It was a remarkable feeling. Something Keitaro had never felt before.
He felt… alive.
Keitaro saw the blade split second before he dodged it. He quickly sidestepped, swung widely around and delivered a blow towards his target. Mikael was pushed back.
---
Mikael shook his head. His initial rage has passed and replaced by an experienced killer. He could see Keitaro in front of him, ready and waiting.
That's right… how long has it been Keyu? Close hand-to-hand combat has always been your expertise. Weapons, short or long range means nothing to you for they are merely extensions of our bodies. It doesn't make any difference. In a battle of death like this one, one's own confidence in their skills is the key. Especially if you're in a duel with Keyu Unetvicesima, the twenty-first! Just like old times!
Mikael screamed and lunged towards Keitaro. His blade stabbing forward only to hit nothing but thin air, for Keitaro has already spun around Mikael in three rapid steps, blurring across him, delivering blows in the ribcage and right leg, forcing Mikael on his knees.
He gasped for air. But he quickly swung around; slashing the sword in a wide circle, forcing Keitaro to jump away.
Mikael laughed through his pain, "Well, well, well… you're still good as I remember, Keyu," A wince, "Too bad that it all have to end soon,"
Mikael disappeared; his afterimage remained for a second in front of Keitaro as he turned to catch Mikael behind him about to slash his sword down. But Keitaro dived to the side and avoided the whole length of the deadly blade by a hairline, a long wound on his shoulder.
Mikael licked his lips.
---
How in the world did he do that? What in the hell is he?
Keitaro staggered. He was bleeding. A trail of blood snaked around his arm towards the floor.
"You bastard," He whispered.
Mikael smirked, "Can you see it now Keyu? This is what it means to be a subject of The U Project… I'll let you feel you what it really means, my dear Keyu!"
"Stop calling me that…"
"Huh? What is it that you're upset about Keyu?"
"Stop calling me Keyu…"
"Does that bother you Keyu?"
"I am not Keyu…"
"Really now Keyu… don't get too upset,"
"I AM NOT KEYU!"
Keitaro vanished. Mikael was expecting retaliation but Keitaro's movement was too fast for his eyes to see, and before he knew it, Keitaro was already in front of him. His face, red with rage, his mouth in an ugly snarl like a rabid dog about to tear its quarry apart.
Keitaro delivered devastating sequence of punches and kicks. Mikael was lifted from the ground and then Keitaro jumped high into the air above him and dived down, burying a knee on his stomach.
They both crashed. Clouds of dust everywhere.
---
"Thank you so much for your help," Mutsumi bowed then flinched.
The noise of the powerful motor was painful to the ears.
Father Reniel reveled at the sight in front of him. It was an odd collection. A girl with long black hair carrying a sword, a petite one with short blue hair, a tall one with light brown hair, and another with long dark brown hair. All women, except for the pilot.
"I promise you that we'll do our best," Mutsumi shouted through the noise with a smile.
"Please give our regards to Keitaro. Good luck…" father Marcus shouted in reply with a slight bow.
Mutsumi waved her final farewell and ran towards her waiting rescue party.
There was a momentary pause as the wind pickup speed then the helicopter lifted off the ground and disappeared into the night sky. The calm silence returned.
"Will they make it?" father Marcus reflected watching the empty sky.
"They have to…" father Reniel answered.
---
The cloud of dust was thick.
A figure rolled out of the filthy blanket of dirt. He slowly knelt, shaking his head all the while. There were scratches all over his body, some bruises on his face. Sword wounds by his left shoulder, right arm, left leg and right shin.
Keitaro leered but held himself together. His whole body was aching, his vision bleary. He fought hard not to pass out.
Man… that guy is something. He's tougher than I thought… the more I hit him, the stronger he gets… what in the world is he? Keitaro thought as he watched a shadow emerge from the darkness of dusty air. He could see the sparkle of white teeth, glint of steely eyes staring at him with murderous intent. Mikael stood tall despite his obvious injuries.
Keitaro prepared himself for another attack only to wither in pain. He dropped onto the floor clutching his stomach, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. An ugly grimace was on his face as he struggled through blinding haze of excruciating pain.
Mikael spat. The lower part of his shirt was torn; a black whelp could be seen across his abdomen, but his face showed nothing.
"Is that all you've got Keyu? You disappoint me my dear Keyu," Mikael's voice was full of loathing and disgust, "I thought that after such union of your body and your soul you would have become stronger… there's nothing special about you after all… in the end you're as dead as the others,"
Something's different… I don't know what it is… but I can feel it. What's going on with him? "Why… why are you doing this?"
A pause.
Mikael replied with disturbing coldness, "It's my purpose…"
"Your purpose?"
"Yes… I was brought back into this chaotic world with nothing…" A brow twitched, "With nothing… do you hear me? WITH NOTHING! I HAVE NOTHING!"
Mikael stomped forward, but Keitaro managed to roll out of the way.
"Don't you understand Keyu? We're nothing! We're supposed to be dead! WE WERE ALL DEAD! WE WERE ALL DEAD! WE WERE ALL DEAD!" Mikael advanced with an eerie smile plastered across his nonchalant face. There were tears in his eyes, showing the immense confusion brewing inside his mind that was tearing him apart.
My God! He's going insane! Keitaro attacked with an uncanny speed, delivering blows after blows, using his arms and legs in quick succession, but Mikael deflected all of them with ease.
And it was all Keitaro could do to hold on. Most of his strength has dissipated his whole body at the brink of exhaustion. A fist ploughed into his stomach, his body lifted into the air and then he crashed onto the ground, bathe himself in a cloud of dust.
Keitaro's body has finally given up. He could not move anymore. Is this the end for me?
There was a loud crash.
A deafening noise came ringing into the night filling the empty warehouse with echoes. Doors suddenly filled with men in black overalls carrying automatic weapons, their faces masked with heat-sensitive goggles. There were red lines all over the place looking for targets.
Then the shooting began. The darkness was filled with flashes of light. Air suddenly hailed with metal. Bullets ricocheting everywhere, snatching death by a heartbeat.
Mikael quickly dove hard to the left side and rolled towards the empty wooden crates for cover, a trail of bullet holes followed him, sparks on the ground. There was a sudden outpour of bullets, disintegrating Mikael's temporary cover. He ran towards the metal rails in the right side, his head low under intense fire.
Keitaro watched all of this with a detached sentiment. His prone body lying on the ground as bullets pass overhead, wondering when would death finally arrive and take him away. Please let it be quick… Keitaro's eyes closed waiting for his inevitable end.
"KEITARO! KEITARO!"
A call.
Keitaro turned his head towards the voice and saw a figure behind a tall thick metal container placed by the wall. A single spark, a lone gun firing back at the enemy. The caller moved back as bullets hailed its cover then disappeared in clouds of dirt. Then the figure suddenly came out of the shadows, head low and ran towards Keitaro.
It was Karen.
"Can you stand?" Karen placed her hand underneath and roughly assisted Keitaro to stand low.
"Who are they?"
"Council soldiers,"
"What?"
"No time to explain… we need to get cover,"
Sparks came snaking towards them.
"MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!" Karen shouted as Keitaro summoned the last of his strength and slowly lumbered towards the safety of the metal container.
This is hopeless… Keitaro leaned against the cold metal wall. He watched Karen fire at the enemy and then drew back as hundred more shoot back at her. We have a single gun against what seems to be an army…
Then Keitaro reached for Karen, placing his hand on hers, causing her to turn towards him, gave her a small smile and whispered, "Thank you…"
Karen looked at him for a few moments then her face suddenly twisted into full rage, "ITS NOT OVER YET!" she screamed, loaded her gun and fire at the enemy with renewed determination, "WE"RE GOING TO GET OUT OF HERE ALIVE! YOU HEAR ME! WE WILL GET OUT OF THIS BLOODY MESS ALIVE!"
Then they heard an enormous explosion. The end wall of the warehouse close to Keitaro and Karen's cover burst into flames. Black smoke trailed the night sky as the roof ripped open caused by the powerful blast; walls reduced to rubbles. The firing paused. It seemed nobody has planned for this. Bewildered soldiers looking at the emptiness of the destruction in front of them.
Then they heard a foreign language. Some one giving orders at the background, echoes of feet marching in unison. Then shadows emerged from the blackness of the smoke. Men with dark skin in brown shirts and camouflaged pants, carrying semi-automatics, in tight battle order. They were wearing an unusual protective headgear covered with strange symbols topped with what seems to be a single peacock's feather. They paused, stared at the stunned enemy, then started shooting at them.
Who are they? Keitaro thought, his astonishment clear in his face and as if to answer his obvious confusion a shadow loomed over them. Karen quickly turned and pointed her gun towards the stranger but she dropped it in her surprise. Keitaro turned. He almost fainted.
"It looks like we made it in time…"
Looking down at them with a kind smile, wearing the same uniform as the men fighting behind them was a familiar face. The Molmol king whispered, "It's been a while Keitaro Urashima,"
"Yes…" Then Keitaro remembered, gave a low bow, "Your highness… Ramba Su,"
---
Mikael dug for the package buried underneath a shallow sandpit close to the edge of the warehouse. He took advantage of the confusion to sneak out. He could hear renewed intensity of fighting behind him now. Sounds of guns and bullets raging on, men groaning and screaming as metal graze through their bodies.
Echoes of death. Hell on earth.
We were supposed to be dead! Mikael fastened the last strap, a heavy vest around his chest. And then he covered it with a long black robe. He stood, the sword by his side and turned towards the warehouse.
I'll get my answer soon enough… time to play Keyu!
---
This is blue team, subject A on the left sidewall of the warehouse, on the move, over – this is silver team, unidentified troops has engaged the first battalion, awaiting for orders, over – this is HQ, please be advised of new strategy, silver team, prepare to withdraw troops, all injured will be given priority, first platoon will be the rear guard, provide covering fire, blue team, transfer all surveillance points to subject A, over – this is blue team, we copy that, over – this is silver team, we copy that, over…
---
"Kaolla went out to meet the others," Ramba helped Keitaro sit up.
The firing lessened. Upon the sudden arrival of Molmol battalion into the foray the enemy was taken by surprise, they were outmanoeuvred and outgunned. And in a matter of minutes, they started retreating, pulling the wounded with them as Molmol soldiers bore through their defensive screens. Karen gathered a couple of Molmol platoons and led them onto the enemy flank to finally pin them down and force them to a complete surrender.
Keitaro was feeling better at that time, his body was recovering quickly. "Huh? The others?"
Then Keitaro saw him. Staring back at him meters away outside, with the same wild eyes and eerie smile, Mikael turned and disappeared into the high stones that marked the edge of the cliff.
Keitaro stood.
"What are you doing?" Ramba gently tried to push Keitaro back down.
But Keitaro resisted, "I'm sorry Ramba… I have to settle a score,"
Ramba stared deep into Keitaro's eyes and he finally understood, whispered, "Break my sister's heart and I'll break you myself," It was both a threat and an endearment.
"Don't worry… I'll try my best not to,"
---
The moon was shining; clouds seemed to have given way to its brightness illuminating the land and sea below.
Wind blowing.
Keitaro stood before the high stones. He could hear the sea waves below crashing hard into the bay. Behind him was the wreckage of the warehouse. There was still intense firing distance away closer to the hills. Molmol soldiers have already rounded captured enemy troopers.
A shadow rose on top of one of the highest stone.
"You're ready to finally end this… my dear Keyu?"
Keitaro looked up, "It's over Mikael…"
"IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL ONE OF US IS DEAD!" Mikael dived towards Keitaro, his sword slashing down.
Keitaro jumped out of the way.
Cloud of dust.
Mikael stood slowly then charged again. Slashing his sword furiously in every direction but Keitaro avoided the deadly blade; then he stepped between Mikael's long arms and delivered a blow on Mikael's throat, causing him to stagger backward.
Mikael knelt, gasping for air.
"You were dead Keyu…" Mikael whispered his voice filled with deep resentment.
A pause.
"We were all dead…" Mikael stared back at Keitaro.
Then he vanished.
Keitaro's injuries slowed his reflexes; he turned too late and found the blade of the sword wounding his right shoulder in a perfect arc. Keitaro tripped and fell to the ground. He's too fast… damn it! He's way too fast!
"YOU ARE EVERYTHING I HATE KEYU! WHY KEYU? WHY? TELL ME WHY!" Mikael's face was alight with madness, red teary eyes, insanity has finally broken through; he stood before Keitaro, an executioner about to give the sentence of death, raised the sword high into the air, screamed, "WHY ARE WE STILL ALIVE? WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!"
I'm sorry everyone… perhaps… this is my fate. Keitaro closed his eyes, even if I kept on fighting him… it won't do any good… there's nothing much I can do after all.
"KEITARO! MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!"
Keitaro's eyes snapped open. The voice gave him an adrenalin rush. He quickly rolled to the side.
"AIR-SPLITTING SWORD!"
---
Motoko was the first to jump out of the helicopter when it landed in an empty field a few meters away from the warehouse. She quickly scanned the surrounding. She could make out the warehouse and noticed the flashes of light and scattered noise coming from it.
Kaolla was there to meet them. There were momentary greetings, silent nods and concerned inquiries. The girls were trying their best to come into terms with the tragedy that was unravelling right in front of them.
Then Motoko ran ahead of the others. On the way she passed a few wounded Molmol soldiers and captured enemy troopers. She did not bother to stop and ask because she knew Keitaro could not easily be injured, she knew where Keitaro would be - in the heat of the battle.
You idiot… Motoko thought, but she felt overwhelming happiness in her heart mixed with concern and anxiety.
And that anxiety grew worst when she failed to find him at the warehouse. She watched Molmol soldiers finally break through the makeshift barricades setup by the enemy troopers as they held on for their last stand.
Then she heard a voice, someone screaming with so much anguish that it crawled under her skin.
She ran towards it.
And when she saw Keitaro, she felt a sudden surge of energy ran through her whole body
Keitaro….!
"AIR-SPLITTING SWORD!"
---
A massive ball of energy sped towards Mikael like a bullet. Burrowing an enormous path on the ground as it shot its way towards the target. A devastating explosion followed. Blinding light, powerful winds, dirt and rocks scattered everywhere.
---
Motoko found herself inside thick smog. She could not see anything.
"Keitaro! Keitaro… where are you?" She shouted through heavy blanket of dirt suspended in the air.
"Over here…"
An answer.
A small voice.
Motoko walked towards the sound, tripping all while as she tried to locate where it was.
It wasn't Keitaro.
A sword came slashing down towards Motoko. She managed to deflect it with the Hina sword and it quickly drew back and disappeared into the smog. Motoko was left shivering. She could not slay back or blindly hack in to the thick clouds in fear that she might hurt the real Keitaro.
The sword came again, this time beside her. Motoko quickly ducked down and swung her sword wide upwards. She heard a groan. And the sword withdrew again. Then it came back slashing down right in front of her and Motoko blocked it just in time. Mikael's contorted face came into view.
"It's you again… pretty samurai chick!" Mikael's eyes were wide with lunacy. He licked his lips.
Motoko growled, "YOU MONSTER! LEAVE US ALONE!"
Motoko raised her foot and kicked Mikael in his stomach causing him to roll onto the rocky ground. She followed Mikael's body trying hard not to loose him again in the smog.
"Why… why are you fighting? Are you fighting for Keyu? Do you really believe that he's alive? Don't you know samurai chick… HE'S DEAD!" Mikael slashed his sword forward.
Motoko swept it aside. There was a steely glint in her eyes.
"He's not dead. He's alive. Keitaro is alive. It doesn't matter what he's been through or if you say he has died… what matters is that… he's here… that's all that really matters to me and to everyone else… he's here and he's alive…"
A pause.
Mikael closed his eyes. So that's what it is… "I have nothing," he whispered.
"Huh?"
Mikael stood and opened his long robe, revealing thick pads of explosives lining the heavy vest he was wearing. In his right hand was a trigger, a thin single wire connected it with the controller strapped across his chest.
Motoko's eyes were wide with absolute terror, "O my God!"
Mikael grinned, "IT DOESN'T MATTER! WE WERE ALL DEAD ANYWAY! YOU'LL JUST BE AN ADDED BONUS!" and he laughed hysterically about to push the button.
Then a figure blurred between them.
Keitaro.
"Motoko get down!"
Keitaro grabbed Mikael and carried him between the high stones and into the edge of the cliff. They both fell forward, towards the crashing sea.
"KEITARO NO!" Motoko shouted as she ran towards the cliff.
But she was pushed back by the powerful blast of the explosion that quickly followed.
Black smoke trailed the night sky momentarily covering the shining full moon.
---
The U Project
Supremacy: Closed
Next
The Conclusion
The U Project: Epilogue
Hei guys and gals. I'm terribly sorry for the delay of this chapter. Something extraordinary has been happening to me for the past three weeks and I can't seem to focus. It wasn't writer's block, because the story is right there in my head, I know how to end it and I can see how it would boil down to, problem is, I just can't find the mood to write it. It was very hard to get back on to my chair and type on my laptop.
Anyway, I'm back. I have finally finished the Supremacy series! And it was a very big relief to me. I have put as much action as I can in this chapter being as this is the pinnacle of the whole story. And I gave few hints on what's really going on. So I just hope you'll figure out some of the obvious ones on your own. Please don't hate me by the way I end chapters… because it's… uh… my trademark. I just thought a story like this should end up with a bang. Damn… what a lame pun!
Thanks again to all my readers! To all those who were kind enough to leave a note. I really appreciate your support. Please, once again I beg you to stay with me for one last chapter… and to all those who wanted a little bit of romance, I'll dish out all I can think of at the Epilogue to compensate the lack of it with the whole Supremacy series. Well… this is an action/adventure fiction… what do you expect? Sorry. Thanks again!
Cheers!
nivremous