Chapter 28: Dea de Mortus
Kioshi stood at the lamp pole outside of his school, rocking back and forth on his feet and staring to the right. Usually Hope would appear around the corner and hold her arms out for a hug just as he came out of school. "Did… did something bad happen again?" He thought nervously, until he saw Akina come around the corner, with Hope and Nauthiz's briefcases in hand. "Sis Akina?"
Akina's ears twitched and she smiled brightly. "Oh! Kioshi that was SO cute!" she gave him a big hug. "How was that? Was that Hope quality hugging?"
Kioshi nodded. "Where is my big sis? And Nauthiz?"
She sighed and rubbed his hair. "Oh, you know, doing godly stuff what else?" Akina straitened her skirt out as she stood back up. "They must really have their hands tied up with it."
"Really?" Kioshi asked worriedly.
Akina was quick to correct herself with a lie. "By that I mean, they must've kicked some butt already or something like that… yeah, and they're busy with helping people fix… stuff…" She looked down at Kioshi, surprised that he was convinced. "I'll walk you home, I'm sure by the time we get there Hope and Nauthiz will be back."
"Okay!" Kioshi nodded eagerly and began to lead the way home, he wore a happy smile, but in his heart he was extremely worried for his sister. "Onee-san, please be okay…"
Meanwhile back on the war planet…
"Haahh…" Hope and Nauthiz dropped to the floor and leaned against each other's back for support. "So tired…"
"We're far away from Yggdrasil… and this planet doesn't have our secondary sources of energy…" Nauthiz sighed and was at least grateful that everyone in the room was asleep. "Over five hundred people we've healed today Miss Hope, you should feel accomplished."
She nodded. "But there's still so many more out there suffering." Hope grabbed onto a bed and forced herself up. "Uhn! I better get… Ooh…"
"Miss Angel? Are you alright?" the little girl she had healed first asked.
Hope looked over at her wearily, but forced a little smile. "Mm hmm."
She put a hand on Hope's head. "You feel hot, do you want some of my water?" she held her cup out to her, but Hope didn't accept.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Hope assured her as Nauthiz got back to his feet.
"I suppose Mr. and Mrs. Kira may be worried about you… we should look for them." The tired god suggested, and was startled when Kira appeared in front of him.
"What's with this 'Mrs.' Kira business?" He asked Nauthiz with a glare.
"I was referring to your wife, sir." Nauthiz looked over at Aura as she walked up next to Kira.
"Hmm." Kira nodded, still in a tone that made Nauthiz uncomfortable.
"Just call me Aura sweetie!" Aura laughed.
Kira glanced over at Hope and held her right arm for her support. "Tired?"
Hope nodded.
"Well… sorry to hear that but I've got someone you need to work your words of wisdom on, feel up to the challenge?" He received the Morisato thumbs up, right as she slumped towards the floor. "Um… right, come on." He picked her up and headed towards the door.
"Kira, can't she rest for a few?" Aura stopped them and held up Hope's right arm. "Look at her she's like a rag doll." She let go of her arm and they both watched as it fell down to her side. "Besides… you said we'd go home after this…" a cold glare in her eyes hinted.
"It's okay Aunt Aura, I want to talk to whoever is in charge." She looked up at Kira. "That is who you're taking me to right?'
Kira nodded then looked back at Aura. "This okay with you?"
Aura sighed. "I guess…"
"What?"
Aura gave him that certain look. "Just hurry, I want to get home soon."
Kira sighed with a grin and marched on out of the building with Hope in his arms. "We'll be back after a while."
"Bye!" Aura waved to them then looked over at Nauthiz. "So, my underground sources tell me that you have a sweet little thang on Earth named Akina." She snapped her fingers and a photo of Akina in her lingerie came to her hands. "Ooh! Not bad Nauthiz! LOVE her hair!"
Nauthiz's eyes bulged out of his head before he snatched the photo from her hands. "How dare you take such… SUCH photos of her!" He fumed.
"Hmm! Whatever…" Aura giggled as Nauthiz glanced down at it shamefully. "So, tell me a little bit about this girl. Seems like you care for her a lot." Aura sat down in mid air and rested her chin on the top of her folded hands.
Tell her about Akina? The beautiful white flower that stands out among all the cherry blossoms of Japan? Oh where to begin. Nauthiz looked to the side in a dreamed state, and smiled to himself. "Akina Fujimi, seventeen years old, her birthday is July twenty ninth… she'll be eighteen this year." He began. "She… oh… I don't know what about her I love the most…"
Aura was very intrigued, as were several other women as they sat at the foot of their beds to listen. "Wow, you were hit with every arrow in Cupid's bag."
Nauthiz nodded.
"But I'm curious, you seem more focused on Hope than your own girl…"
"Oh but you don't understand." Nauthiz sat down. "You see, Miss Hope is like… the red string binding Akina and I together. If it were not for her, I may not have met with Akina."
"Hmm." Aura nodded. "I guess."
"Miss Hope truly is the goddess of revolution, she changed my life in such a way that I could never fully repay her. I've learned so much while I've stayed on Earth, I've learned how wonderful humankind really is, especially…"
Aura grinned at him. "You love sick puppy!"
Nauthiz nodded at her. "I admit."
"So, how far have you two gotten in your relationship?" Her grin turned to one of Kira's evil grins.
Nauthiz's eyes widened again. "WHAT!? I couldn't possibly…"
Suddenly all the girls protested.
"Calm down ladies, he has plenty of time to give us ALL the yummy details." Aura assured, and looked back at the tomato red Nauthiz expectantly as they all cheered happily. "Continue Romeo."
Back at the Morisato house...
"Mrs. Morisato? Mr. Morisato?" Akina called out as Kioshi opened the front door and trotted inside to take off his shoes.
"Oh? Akina, Good Evening!" Belldandy smiled as she came out of the kitchen, rubbing her steam moistened hands on her apron.
"Momma!" Kioshi jumped up into the hall and gave her a hug.
"Kioshi, did you have a good day at school today?" She asked.
"Yeah, I drew a picture for Onee-sama, but Sis Akina said that Nauthiz and She left."
Belldandy looked up at Akina.
"Yeah, I'm not sure where they went though… I think heaven since Mrs. Tetsuya mentioned that 'program' Hope was in…" Akina said and held up Hope and Nauthiz's cases. "I brought their cases back for them." She handed them to Belldandy and looked at her watch. "Oh geez! I'd better hurry home and make dinner!" She bowed quickly to Belldandy. "Sorry, ask Hope and Nauthiz to give me a call when they come back please".
"I will, and thank you for walking Kioshi home." Belldandy smiled appreciatively as Akina began her jog back home. She wished she didn't live so far away from the temple, many thoughts ran through her head as she jogged, but one in particular made her legs slow down. "How did Mrs. Tetsuya know about that program?" She looked to the side and held up her index finger. "Maybe she looked in Hope's records… yeah!" She nodded and continued her jog with a skip. "But lately, it's just been too hard to convince myself with logical explanations…"
Kira walked silently through the rubble, with a stern look on his face, a sort of look that made him look as though he was going to burst. "I… I wanted to take Hope home, but why!? Why do I feel I have to do this!?" he thought. Then again, ever since he arrived on the warring planet, he had felt as though something was making him move against his will. Like a puppet.
"Why is this planet at war?" Hope asked, breaking Kira from his thoughts. "If it causes so much suffering for them all, why can't they sit together and try to talk out a resolution?"
He looked down at her; she was tiredly resting her head on his shoulder. "Give people one thousand years without order or an official government and you'll be surprised at what chaos they can render. They're oblivious to their enemies' pain, so they see no reason to stop fighting."
"That's not true… those people in the hospital were crying out to me… all of them around this world are. They want me to end their suffering, but most of all they want me to put an end to this war!" Hope said, shocking Kira.
"But why did you heal them all?"
Hope stared up at him in dazed confusion. "T-to end their suffering, but I can't go on healing everyone on this planet, I have to find some way to bring order."
Kira looked a little disheartened at her. "Hope, as your Uncle I guess it's about time I give you some advice." He looked ahead at the temple. "Even with this legendary power you posses, you have to realize that you can't always save everyone, you can't always be a hero."
"But, I don't want to be a hero I…"
"Just remember this." He interrupted her. "This planet can be saved in only one way, and I don't want you to be the one who saves it. Do you understand me?"
Hope looked down, and gave a reluctant nod.
Kira sighed heavily and continued his march towards the temple. "You may be seventeen but you still act like a kid."
"Hey…" Hope growled and glared up at him with a smile.
Kira chuckled evilly. "You know, maybe I should have just asked Sowilo if he wanted to sell his soul for a cookie?"
"Uncle Kira!" Hope laughed.
"What?" He looked up and licked his lips. "Mm! Soul Cookie!! It's a chocolate chip cookie if I remember right…"
"You're evil."
"Thanks."
Meanwhile on Earth...
"Leamen! I'm home!" A man called out as he opened the door to his home, only to be welcomed by darkness. "Huh… guess she's not back from work yet, guess I can chill her Pepsi bottles for her." He thought as he hefted his two grocery bags up in his arms so that he could quickly turn on the house lights. It was then he noticed the answering machine flashing. "Maybe she left me a message?" he thought aloud as he put the bags down on the table and pressed the play button.
#You have… TWO…NEW… messages, first message, Saturday 4:50 PM…. BEEEP…. Kenaz? I guess you're not home yet… listen honey, I'm going to be a little late coming home tonight. I need to go see Gramps. I…" There was a pause as Leamen took a breath and sighed. "I feel like something REALLY bad is going to happen today… and it involves my lil sis…"
"Hope?" Kenaz asked.
"So if anything, Gramps will know what's going on….I'll be home later, love you!....BEEP! End of New message… Saturday…#
Kenaz toned the second message out. "Well, at least she didn't ask me to come with her… that old wolf hates my guts!" He remembered Leamen's 'Gramps', such a name for such a beast seemed unfitting. "But even so I'd still go with her, it must be something pretty bad if she's going to see him and miss two new bottles of pepsi for."
Sowilo stood on the church alter, and looked over his soldiers with a heavy heart. All those strong enough to bear arms made up the army of the southern hemisphere. It hurt him greatly to see their disappointment when he told them that the legend of their goddess was a false one. Their sweet redemption would not come. "Forgive me men… your commander… your prelate has failed you. If there were some way that I could make amends, I would. However, there is nothing I can do, but ask that you renew your faith in me." He looked down shamefully, especially as his men, and his followers looked up to him with the same heart they had always had. "For now, I can only promise you victory over those whom thrown away what hope they had, that live in shame and sin!" He unsheathed his sword and held it high, glimmering in the light that poured off the statue of their goddess. "We shall destroy the Northern forces! We will bring an end to their tyranny and betrail and in doing so I can finally promise you paradise!!"
They all began to cheer out his name, all holding their weapons high until a clap of thunder silenced them, the bright white lit candles lining the walls burned out, and in their place, the black candles lit, flickering red flames.
Kotz Kotz Kotz Kotz was the only sound that echoed through the marble walls as Kira's steel toed boots stomped down on the floor slowly down the aisle.
"Stop this!" Hope's innocent voice begged. "Paradise does not come from war, only suffering and pain!" She looked up at Sowilo. "Is that what you really want!? To watch more of your people suffer?"
Sowilo glared down at them both. "Why are you still here?"
Kira shot Sowilo a glare, making the commander bite his tongue. "You will remain silent while she speaks or I'll cut that tongue out of your mouth to end your foolish banter!"
Sowilo tried to glare back at the demon, but who could match such a being that had the power to back up his threats? He then nodded to Hope to continue.
"I can't leave until I know that everything will be alright… And I won't leave until I have pacified this planet." Hope stated.
"Even if you did, years from now war would only erupt from our midst again!! Just as it has decade after decade!!" Sowilo barked, stepping down from the alter as Kira eased Hope down on her own feet. "Young goddess, I ask of you nothing… you are not the one to bring us paradise. So for the sake of the purity in your eyes… leave and forget us, just as Kami-sama has."
Hope shook her head. "I won't! I'm not like grandfather!" Her clothes disapated around the scar in her chest. "And I've seen far worse than this; I will never look away from any fight until it is done, no matter the cost."
Sowilo looked at her again, and shook his head. "For us, there is no end. Men, gather your arms, we attack at sundown." With his command, he walked by Kira and the astonished Hope.
Kira sighed then looked down at her as she began to tremble, surely with tears. "Come on Hope, I'll take you to heaven and we'll get an elixir to make you forget all this. I mean, what does this planet matter anyway? The people won't even listen to you, so just forget about them and go on with your own life." Though suddenly, he realized that she wasn't trembling with fear. Her hands clenched tightly into fists, and her teeth bore as her blue eyes grew cold.
"Don't you… walk away… from MEEE!!" The flames on the black candles burst in a fury, and the thunder rolled across the red sky.
Sowilo froze in his steps for a moment then continued on with his frightened men. "She knows nothing… there can be nothing worse than the fate we have suffered this past millennia…" He looked at his sword. His heart skipped a beat, for his blade lost its luster. "A sign?" he thought.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH!!!" Hope screamed out as she tried to run after him. Kira threw his right hand out and grabbed her shoulder.
"Stop it! What's gotten into you!!?" Kira shouted over her screams.
Hope quickly shot him a reddened glare, her face and the look she gave him sent a chill through his body, making him let go. "What the… WAIT!" He glared down at her shadow. Hope's shadow's arms reached up and grabbed her ankles, making her fall over on the ground. "STOP IT! What the hell is wrong with you!?'
"Let me go! LET ME GO!!"
"HOPE!!"
Small embers on the white candles began to glow.
She had a mortified look on her face, as she looked back at her Uncle, struggling to apologize. "I… I…"
Kira only shook his head, and watched as Sowilo's army marched away.
Back on Earth, deep within the forests of Japan, a goddess, with long blue hair that tufted into spikey bangs, and a blue tail to match, walked towards a cliff. This cliff was one of the few choice sleeping spots of her grandfather, a legendary white wolf. "Gramps, hey?"
The beastly sized white wolf she addressed raised his head and looked back at her with his golden eyes. He was Ulric, the very first of the wild creatures that once graced the earth. "Leamen, my granddaughter…" He got to his paws, standing four feet over her.
Leamen smiled at him as he lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers. "I missed you too Gramps!" She laughed as she gave his snout a hug then stepped back from him.
"So, have you finally chosen to live with the pack instead of that… demon?" He asked in a joking manner.
"You mean your grandson – in – law? No, we are quite happy in our little house thank you very much." She folded her arms and stared out with him over the cliff, watching the pack below.
"You are? Then… where are my great grandchildren?"
Leamen blushed. "We're thinking about it."
"That is good." Ulric nodded.
She stood there silent for a moment, not sure to ask him the question that was roaring in her mind.
"I know why you have come… and you were correct in assuming the worst." Ulric quickly answered. "I wonder how my old friend could condemn his own granddaughter into performing such a terrible task?"
Leamen looked at Ulric worriedly. "W-what do you mean?"
Ulric bowed his head down, and let out a heavy sigh. "Watch the heavens with me my granddaughter… and you shall see soon enough." He raised his golden eyes to the sky. "Why Kami-sama feared his own granddaughter… so long ago."
Kira watched as Hope slowly came to her senses. "Well…I've had more than my share of this planet… and I'll still make good on that elixir offer." He looked down at her apologetically. "Sorry Hope, but like I said, you're not the one to save this planet, and I'm going to make sure you don't remem…ah!?" suddenly he felt as though all of his power had been stripped of him. "RRGh…!" He fell to his knees.
Hope looked back at him. "Uncle Kira?" She put a hand on his back. "Are you okay?"
The feeling was gone. "I…" He stared at his hands. "N… Never mind, are you ready to go?"
She shook her head. "No, I need to stay, just a while longer…" She got to her feet. "I… I don't want to loose my memories of this place."
"Hope!"
"It's not fair to erase your pains from your mind and soul… these are burdens we must carry and learn to accept… or overcome." Hope touched where her scar was. "So please let me stay just a little while longer." Hope asked, before walking down the marble steps and down the paved path to the mountains.
"Hold on…" The feeling overcame Kira again.
Hope didn't hear him, she was trapped in her own world, leaving Kira behind at the temple where the black candles loomed over the white candles.
"My powers faultered!?" Kira asked in puzzlement as he stared after Hope. "Don't go Hope… come back…" He struggled to get the words out, he felt as though there were restraints all about him. "RRGGGH!! HOPE!!" Slowly the candles melted from their places and poured towards the demigod, forming chains around his wrists and ankles. "What the hell is this!?" The wax hardened and began to shine like metal, sapping Kira's strength. "AAAAAAAAGGGHH!!!"
Sowilo prepared his troops, they had all lined up on a hill, staring down at the Northern camp. "This is the day men!!" Sowilo called out as he raised his ominously dulled blade to the sky. "ATTACK!!"
Hope slowly staggered up the mountain path, when she reached the top she fell to her knees, sighing in exhaustion. "What… what's happening to me?"
"Feel it…?"
"What?"
"This rush? I haven't felt so alive in years…"
Hope looked down. "Why won't they stop fighting?"
"Because this is the only life they know, this is the only way they know how to solve their problems! And for that they must be punished!!"
"No…" Hope shook her head.
"Stop being so weak! You know that you are the only one that can save these people…"
"I want to… but they…" Suddenly it came, booming in her ears, tearing at her heart, racing through her mind. Feelings of pain and hatred!
"DESTROY!!"
"MY LEG!! OH GOD MY LEG!!"
"NORTHERN REBELS!!"
"BASTARDS!! ALL OF YOU!!"
"DESTROY THEM ALL!"
"I CAN"T SEE!! MY EYES!!!"
"DADDY!! MOMMY!!"
"SOMEONE!! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP MEEE!!! AAAH!!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH!!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGH!!"
Hope grabbed at her ears. "STOP IT!! STOP!! PLEASE!!" Tears ran down her face. "Their voices… their cries of pain! Their hatred… Make them stop!! Please…"
"… Uncle Kira was right, you aren't the one to save this planet… I am."
Hope's eyes widened. "…Despair?"
"That's right…" Hope felt as though she was in someone's embrace. "Don't be afraid, don't cry… let me answer their cries and I will end their suffering…"
She shook her head and continued her way up the path.
"Why? Why do you allow yourself to be hurt?"
The scar on Hope's chest burned.
"You keep all of your pain to yourself, because you don't wish to burden others?" Despair asked, but she couldn't help but roar with laughter. "Oh Hope, you never cease to amuse me!!"
Hope tripped, and clawed her hands into the end of the path. "Please Despair… just stop…"
"I wish that I could… but this planet calls over your voice, to me." Despair sighed. "Look…"
Hope forced herself off the ground, and stared over the mountain cliff in horror. Fires raged as the South ambushed the Northern camp. However they were met on with the war they desired. Each man roared out in primal fury with a look in their eyes that revealed their murderous nature. "AAAAaagh!" Hope covered her eyes.
"Even if you make yourself blind to it, it still echoes in your ears, in your mind, in your soul and heart!!" Despair shouted. "Hope! They are fighting a war that will never end!"
"How!? How do we make it stop!?" Hope's tears dripped through her hands.
"….I will end it…"
Aura felt a cold chill run down her spine.
"And that's how Miss Hope defeated the ninja Sushee." Nauthiz smiled as a group of children cheered.
"Nauthiz, it's time to go!" Aura grabbed his arm and began to tote him off.
"Mrs. Aura?" Nauthiz stared at her in surprise.
"I've got a bad feeling…" She looked back at him for a moment. "And when we get back to Earth I have GOT to do something about this uniform you're wearing."
"My uniform?" He asked.
Aura squeezed his arm. "Hello? Biceps! If you've got it, flaunt it."
His face turned bright red as she forced their exit through the hospital door.
"But that is a subject for later discussion, something's terribly wrong...AH!?" She saw Kira struggling and roaring out in the distance. "KIRA!!"
"HRNNGG!! GRRRAAAAAAH!!!" Kira tugged vainly at the chains that had held him down for an hour, and now he had had enough! His eyes flickered with silver flames as he pulled the chains with all of his might. "RAAAAAAAAAAAGGH!!" They finally broke as he set off into the air after Hope.
"KIRA!!" Aura slammed into him and pinned him back on the ground.
"…I break one restraint only to get another…" Kira sweat dropped then stared down at his wife.
"What's the big idea of masking your waves so I can't tell if you're in trouble or not!? And where's Hope!?" Aura demanded.
"One, you wouldn't have been able to break me out of those chains anyway, two, Hope was heading up to the mountains. We have to go after her before it's too late!!"
"I shall go!" Nauthiz was prepared to fly off in a noble manner but curiosity took him. "Too late for what?"
Aura got off of Kira, and the demigod got to his feet. "Just follow me!" He barked as he flew down the path.
Aura unfolded her wings and looked at Nauthiz. "This isn't good, Kira's never shown emotion like this except for when something terrible happens..."
Hope grabbed at her head; all of the soldiers' cries as well as the cries of those in pain were racing through her mind. "It hurts… Despair!"
"Enough… Hope, it's time." Suddenly she felt limp, but a strong will took over her body.
"What's happening… I feel…" Hope's hair began to grow long and dull. Blacker and blacker it became until it was as dark as an abyss, "… alive." Her back arched as two bumps formed, tearing through her seifuku to reveal two enormous white wings.
The fighting stopped, as all the soldiers stared over in awe at the sight of those wings. They were magnificent, and shined with a holy aura. With light they had not seen in years.
Sowilo, was even more shocked than his men. "All… all this time, she really was the one…" He smiled brightly as tears formed in his eyes. "She's finally arrived."
Kira arrived at the end of the path, staring at Hope in shock.
Slowly, she looked back at him, with lurid glowing eyes. "Uncle Kira…" She smiled. "I'm… I'm going to save them…"
"Hope… wait, you don't want to do this…" Kira held a hand out to her only to be shocked back.
"Perhaps not… but they want me to do it… their voices won't stop until I give them paradise…" She smiled as her sword came to her hands, and with a gust of wind, she flew off into the sky above the soldiers. "There's nothing more I need of you Uncle Kira… your purpose here has ended… and I'm sure Hope would be sad if I sent you, Aura, or Nauthiz to paradise as well." her heavenly white feathers slowly began to turn black.
"HOPE!" Aura called out.
Kira looked over his shoulder to see Aura and Nauthiz rushing to his side in panic.
"Kira what are you just standing here for!? We have to help her!" Aura begged.
"Miss Hope!" Nauthiz called out to her in vain.
"My purpose here has ended." Kira put his hands in his pockets and watched Hope for a moment. "Just like she said…."
"Kira?" Aura stared at him in shock.
He smiled down at her, sadly. "You think… Hope will forgive me?"
Aura's eyes glistened with tears. "For what? You know she loves you…"
Kira looked back up at Hope and sighed. "I think it's time to go. Man am I going to chew that old fart almighty out when we get back…" A shadow from Hope's massive wings became a portal back to earth. "Ladies first."
"But…" Aura looked up at Hope, then back at him.
"Go." He nodded towards the portal, and the succubus hesitantly obeyed as she stepped into the shadow and vanished. "You're next boy wonder."
"Miss Hope… what in heaven's name is happening to you…" He stared in shock.
Kira stepped into the shadows and glared up at Nauthiz impatiently. "You know, even though I'm immortal…" he exaggerated his last word. "… you wouldn't catch me living around here after what she's about to do… In other words, there's nothing we can do to stop her!!"
Nauthiz was completely frozen with fear and worry. "Miss Hope…"
Kira shot his claw armored arm out from the shadows. "GET IN HERE!!" He grabbed Nauthiz's ankle and pulled him in. Though with one last look, he looked back up at his niece. "… Please… forgive me." With that, he vanished into the shadows.
Hope floated in space, staring down at the planet. "I am she who decides fate with your emotions, your pain, is my pain, your sorrow, is my sorrow, your anger, is my anger, and your happiness, is my happiness. By your emotions I have decided your final judgment…" She held out her sword, slowly the hilt began to elongate until it formed a staff. Her blade snapped, and curved until her weapon became a scythe. "…I give to you the paradise you have been deprived over a millennia, freedom from your pain and suffering…" Her eyes narrowed as a devilish grin spread across her face.
"Finally men, the paradise I promised you… She's here." Sowilo's eyes brimmed with tears. "Dea de Mortus…"
"I GIVE YOU DEATH!!" Hope threw the scythe down, leaving a glowing red line through the middle of the planet. This line slowly branched throughout the oceans and landscapes of the planet, carrying the burning light until the power was far too much to take.
"Gramps…" Leamen looked at him, until she saw a bright glint in the night sky. "Wha-What was that…?"
"Silence…" Ulric said. "But wait…"
Hope floated in the cool darkness of space, staring into the nothingness that she had created. "Hmn… hmm hnn…" Her grin remained, as she released her scythe and held her face. "Heh… ahehe…"
"This feeling… it's more gratifying than when you killed Surt… to think you could bring such joy to people by bringing them death…"
Hope closed her eyes tight, then opened them, staring again into the darkness with her now pure sapphire eyes. "I… I…" She trembled in shock staring at her hands as if they were covered in blood. The scar on her chest, burned brightly as pain struck through to her soul. "Ah…Aggh…" Tears of blood ran down her face as she clenched her fists fiercly. "No …NO!!" She couldn't bear it any longer, and with a note higher than that of a choir of angles, Hope broke through the silence of space in an agonizing cry of despair.
On Earth, Keiichi was driving home from work, when suddenly he could hear Hope's scream ringing in his ears. "HOPE!?" He stared out into space.
VEEP!! VEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!
Keiichi's eyes widened, he had swerved into the way of a Volkswagen. "AAGH!" He quickly swerved to the left, crashing the beemer against the road railing, catapulting him from his seat.
Belldandy's eyes widened, she dropped a dish to the floor, ignoring the sound of its shatter as she ran outside, staring to the sky in disbelief. Suddenly she felt Keiichi's waves begin to falter, and Hope… all that remained of her was a scream that chilled her mother's soul, her waves had completely vanished. Tears formed in the corners of Belldandy's eyes as she held her hands to her face. "No…NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! HOPE!! KEIICHI!!!"
A Fan Author's Worthless Rant
Surprised? cricket chirp ehe ;; Well if you didn't already know, Hope's 'big sister' is none other than Leamen from Thally's 'Time Will Tell'. Also, due to some requests I've received, I'm not using fan fictional characters from COC or TWT because Thally or Adept asked me to. Their characters help in the story's future and are ones that I was around for them to give out ideas in the creation process. Also, Adept is now my editor (because I throw all my ideas out on him he'll be able to see if I'm messing up somewhere or not) and hopefully you'll have an easier read applause for Adept thank you for being my editor X3. clings to his legs so he won't move away X
HOWEVER... Because he is busy with moving and I didn't want to keep you all waiting for long, this chapter was edited by probably my number one fan Duo-san, or known on FF.net as Blind – Thaylien Give his stories a read why doncha? You'll love how vivid an image he'll paint for you ;3
Also, with the official unveiling of the mystery creature Ulric the wolf, and my constant use of the word paradise… does anyone get to thinking about 'Wolf's Rain'? My bad if that happened ;; unintentional (by the way watch that, EEE! An Anime about wolves and a soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno! What's not to like!?)
See you next time!
Kioshi stood at the lamp pole outside of his school, rocking back and forth on his feet and staring to the right. Usually Hope would appear around the corner and hold her arms out for a hug just as he came out of school. "Did… did something bad happen again?" He thought nervously, until he saw Akina come around the corner, with Hope and Nauthiz's briefcases in hand. "Sis Akina?"
Akina's ears twitched and she smiled brightly. "Oh! Kioshi that was SO cute!" she gave him a big hug. "How was that? Was that Hope quality hugging?"
Kioshi nodded. "Where is my big sis? And Nauthiz?"
She sighed and rubbed his hair. "Oh, you know, doing godly stuff what else?" Akina straitened her skirt out as she stood back up. "They must really have their hands tied up with it."
"Really?" Kioshi asked worriedly.
Akina was quick to correct herself with a lie. "By that I mean, they must've kicked some butt already or something like that… yeah, and they're busy with helping people fix… stuff…" She looked down at Kioshi, surprised that he was convinced. "I'll walk you home, I'm sure by the time we get there Hope and Nauthiz will be back."
"Okay!" Kioshi nodded eagerly and began to lead the way home, he wore a happy smile, but in his heart he was extremely worried for his sister. "Onee-san, please be okay…"
Meanwhile back on the war planet…
"Haahh…" Hope and Nauthiz dropped to the floor and leaned against each other's back for support. "So tired…"
"We're far away from Yggdrasil… and this planet doesn't have our secondary sources of energy…" Nauthiz sighed and was at least grateful that everyone in the room was asleep. "Over five hundred people we've healed today Miss Hope, you should feel accomplished."
She nodded. "But there's still so many more out there suffering." Hope grabbed onto a bed and forced herself up. "Uhn! I better get… Ooh…"
"Miss Angel? Are you alright?" the little girl she had healed first asked.
Hope looked over at her wearily, but forced a little smile. "Mm hmm."
She put a hand on Hope's head. "You feel hot, do you want some of my water?" she held her cup out to her, but Hope didn't accept.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Hope assured her as Nauthiz got back to his feet.
"I suppose Mr. and Mrs. Kira may be worried about you… we should look for them." The tired god suggested, and was startled when Kira appeared in front of him.
"What's with this 'Mrs.' Kira business?" He asked Nauthiz with a glare.
"I was referring to your wife, sir." Nauthiz looked over at Aura as she walked up next to Kira.
"Hmm." Kira nodded, still in a tone that made Nauthiz uncomfortable.
"Just call me Aura sweetie!" Aura laughed.
Kira glanced over at Hope and held her right arm for her support. "Tired?"
Hope nodded.
"Well… sorry to hear that but I've got someone you need to work your words of wisdom on, feel up to the challenge?" He received the Morisato thumbs up, right as she slumped towards the floor. "Um… right, come on." He picked her up and headed towards the door.
"Kira, can't she rest for a few?" Aura stopped them and held up Hope's right arm. "Look at her she's like a rag doll." She let go of her arm and they both watched as it fell down to her side. "Besides… you said we'd go home after this…" a cold glare in her eyes hinted.
"It's okay Aunt Aura, I want to talk to whoever is in charge." She looked up at Kira. "That is who you're taking me to right?'
Kira nodded then looked back at Aura. "This okay with you?"
Aura sighed. "I guess…"
"What?"
Aura gave him that certain look. "Just hurry, I want to get home soon."
Kira sighed with a grin and marched on out of the building with Hope in his arms. "We'll be back after a while."
"Bye!" Aura waved to them then looked over at Nauthiz. "So, my underground sources tell me that you have a sweet little thang on Earth named Akina." She snapped her fingers and a photo of Akina in her lingerie came to her hands. "Ooh! Not bad Nauthiz! LOVE her hair!"
Nauthiz's eyes bulged out of his head before he snatched the photo from her hands. "How dare you take such… SUCH photos of her!" He fumed.
"Hmm! Whatever…" Aura giggled as Nauthiz glanced down at it shamefully. "So, tell me a little bit about this girl. Seems like you care for her a lot." Aura sat down in mid air and rested her chin on the top of her folded hands.
Tell her about Akina? The beautiful white flower that stands out among all the cherry blossoms of Japan? Oh where to begin. Nauthiz looked to the side in a dreamed state, and smiled to himself. "Akina Fujimi, seventeen years old, her birthday is July twenty ninth… she'll be eighteen this year." He began. "She… oh… I don't know what about her I love the most…"
Aura was very intrigued, as were several other women as they sat at the foot of their beds to listen. "Wow, you were hit with every arrow in Cupid's bag."
Nauthiz nodded.
"But I'm curious, you seem more focused on Hope than your own girl…"
"Oh but you don't understand." Nauthiz sat down. "You see, Miss Hope is like… the red string binding Akina and I together. If it were not for her, I may not have met with Akina."
"Hmm." Aura nodded. "I guess."
"Miss Hope truly is the goddess of revolution, she changed my life in such a way that I could never fully repay her. I've learned so much while I've stayed on Earth, I've learned how wonderful humankind really is, especially…"
Aura grinned at him. "You love sick puppy!"
Nauthiz nodded at her. "I admit."
"So, how far have you two gotten in your relationship?" Her grin turned to one of Kira's evil grins.
Nauthiz's eyes widened again. "WHAT!? I couldn't possibly…"
Suddenly all the girls protested.
"Calm down ladies, he has plenty of time to give us ALL the yummy details." Aura assured, and looked back at the tomato red Nauthiz expectantly as they all cheered happily. "Continue Romeo."
Back at the Morisato house...
"Mrs. Morisato? Mr. Morisato?" Akina called out as Kioshi opened the front door and trotted inside to take off his shoes.
"Oh? Akina, Good Evening!" Belldandy smiled as she came out of the kitchen, rubbing her steam moistened hands on her apron.
"Momma!" Kioshi jumped up into the hall and gave her a hug.
"Kioshi, did you have a good day at school today?" She asked.
"Yeah, I drew a picture for Onee-sama, but Sis Akina said that Nauthiz and She left."
Belldandy looked up at Akina.
"Yeah, I'm not sure where they went though… I think heaven since Mrs. Tetsuya mentioned that 'program' Hope was in…" Akina said and held up Hope and Nauthiz's cases. "I brought their cases back for them." She handed them to Belldandy and looked at her watch. "Oh geez! I'd better hurry home and make dinner!" She bowed quickly to Belldandy. "Sorry, ask Hope and Nauthiz to give me a call when they come back please".
"I will, and thank you for walking Kioshi home." Belldandy smiled appreciatively as Akina began her jog back home. She wished she didn't live so far away from the temple, many thoughts ran through her head as she jogged, but one in particular made her legs slow down. "How did Mrs. Tetsuya know about that program?" She looked to the side and held up her index finger. "Maybe she looked in Hope's records… yeah!" She nodded and continued her jog with a skip. "But lately, it's just been too hard to convince myself with logical explanations…"
Kira walked silently through the rubble, with a stern look on his face, a sort of look that made him look as though he was going to burst. "I… I wanted to take Hope home, but why!? Why do I feel I have to do this!?" he thought. Then again, ever since he arrived on the warring planet, he had felt as though something was making him move against his will. Like a puppet.
"Why is this planet at war?" Hope asked, breaking Kira from his thoughts. "If it causes so much suffering for them all, why can't they sit together and try to talk out a resolution?"
He looked down at her; she was tiredly resting her head on his shoulder. "Give people one thousand years without order or an official government and you'll be surprised at what chaos they can render. They're oblivious to their enemies' pain, so they see no reason to stop fighting."
"That's not true… those people in the hospital were crying out to me… all of them around this world are. They want me to end their suffering, but most of all they want me to put an end to this war!" Hope said, shocking Kira.
"But why did you heal them all?"
Hope stared up at him in dazed confusion. "T-to end their suffering, but I can't go on healing everyone on this planet, I have to find some way to bring order."
Kira looked a little disheartened at her. "Hope, as your Uncle I guess it's about time I give you some advice." He looked ahead at the temple. "Even with this legendary power you posses, you have to realize that you can't always save everyone, you can't always be a hero."
"But, I don't want to be a hero I…"
"Just remember this." He interrupted her. "This planet can be saved in only one way, and I don't want you to be the one who saves it. Do you understand me?"
Hope looked down, and gave a reluctant nod.
Kira sighed heavily and continued his march towards the temple. "You may be seventeen but you still act like a kid."
"Hey…" Hope growled and glared up at him with a smile.
Kira chuckled evilly. "You know, maybe I should have just asked Sowilo if he wanted to sell his soul for a cookie?"
"Uncle Kira!" Hope laughed.
"What?" He looked up and licked his lips. "Mm! Soul Cookie!! It's a chocolate chip cookie if I remember right…"
"You're evil."
"Thanks."
Meanwhile on Earth...
"Leamen! I'm home!" A man called out as he opened the door to his home, only to be welcomed by darkness. "Huh… guess she's not back from work yet, guess I can chill her Pepsi bottles for her." He thought as he hefted his two grocery bags up in his arms so that he could quickly turn on the house lights. It was then he noticed the answering machine flashing. "Maybe she left me a message?" he thought aloud as he put the bags down on the table and pressed the play button.
#You have… TWO…NEW… messages, first message, Saturday 4:50 PM…. BEEEP…. Kenaz? I guess you're not home yet… listen honey, I'm going to be a little late coming home tonight. I need to go see Gramps. I…" There was a pause as Leamen took a breath and sighed. "I feel like something REALLY bad is going to happen today… and it involves my lil sis…"
"Hope?" Kenaz asked.
"So if anything, Gramps will know what's going on….I'll be home later, love you!....BEEP! End of New message… Saturday…#
Kenaz toned the second message out. "Well, at least she didn't ask me to come with her… that old wolf hates my guts!" He remembered Leamen's 'Gramps', such a name for such a beast seemed unfitting. "But even so I'd still go with her, it must be something pretty bad if she's going to see him and miss two new bottles of pepsi for."
Sowilo stood on the church alter, and looked over his soldiers with a heavy heart. All those strong enough to bear arms made up the army of the southern hemisphere. It hurt him greatly to see their disappointment when he told them that the legend of their goddess was a false one. Their sweet redemption would not come. "Forgive me men… your commander… your prelate has failed you. If there were some way that I could make amends, I would. However, there is nothing I can do, but ask that you renew your faith in me." He looked down shamefully, especially as his men, and his followers looked up to him with the same heart they had always had. "For now, I can only promise you victory over those whom thrown away what hope they had, that live in shame and sin!" He unsheathed his sword and held it high, glimmering in the light that poured off the statue of their goddess. "We shall destroy the Northern forces! We will bring an end to their tyranny and betrail and in doing so I can finally promise you paradise!!"
They all began to cheer out his name, all holding their weapons high until a clap of thunder silenced them, the bright white lit candles lining the walls burned out, and in their place, the black candles lit, flickering red flames.
Kotz Kotz Kotz Kotz was the only sound that echoed through the marble walls as Kira's steel toed boots stomped down on the floor slowly down the aisle.
"Stop this!" Hope's innocent voice begged. "Paradise does not come from war, only suffering and pain!" She looked up at Sowilo. "Is that what you really want!? To watch more of your people suffer?"
Sowilo glared down at them both. "Why are you still here?"
Kira shot Sowilo a glare, making the commander bite his tongue. "You will remain silent while she speaks or I'll cut that tongue out of your mouth to end your foolish banter!"
Sowilo tried to glare back at the demon, but who could match such a being that had the power to back up his threats? He then nodded to Hope to continue.
"I can't leave until I know that everything will be alright… And I won't leave until I have pacified this planet." Hope stated.
"Even if you did, years from now war would only erupt from our midst again!! Just as it has decade after decade!!" Sowilo barked, stepping down from the alter as Kira eased Hope down on her own feet. "Young goddess, I ask of you nothing… you are not the one to bring us paradise. So for the sake of the purity in your eyes… leave and forget us, just as Kami-sama has."
Hope shook her head. "I won't! I'm not like grandfather!" Her clothes disapated around the scar in her chest. "And I've seen far worse than this; I will never look away from any fight until it is done, no matter the cost."
Sowilo looked at her again, and shook his head. "For us, there is no end. Men, gather your arms, we attack at sundown." With his command, he walked by Kira and the astonished Hope.
Kira sighed then looked down at her as she began to tremble, surely with tears. "Come on Hope, I'll take you to heaven and we'll get an elixir to make you forget all this. I mean, what does this planet matter anyway? The people won't even listen to you, so just forget about them and go on with your own life." Though suddenly, he realized that she wasn't trembling with fear. Her hands clenched tightly into fists, and her teeth bore as her blue eyes grew cold.
"Don't you… walk away… from MEEE!!" The flames on the black candles burst in a fury, and the thunder rolled across the red sky.
Sowilo froze in his steps for a moment then continued on with his frightened men. "She knows nothing… there can be nothing worse than the fate we have suffered this past millennia…" He looked at his sword. His heart skipped a beat, for his blade lost its luster. "A sign?" he thought.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH!!!" Hope screamed out as she tried to run after him. Kira threw his right hand out and grabbed her shoulder.
"Stop it! What's gotten into you!!?" Kira shouted over her screams.
Hope quickly shot him a reddened glare, her face and the look she gave him sent a chill through his body, making him let go. "What the… WAIT!" He glared down at her shadow. Hope's shadow's arms reached up and grabbed her ankles, making her fall over on the ground. "STOP IT! What the hell is wrong with you!?'
"Let me go! LET ME GO!!"
"HOPE!!"
Small embers on the white candles began to glow.
She had a mortified look on her face, as she looked back at her Uncle, struggling to apologize. "I… I…"
Kira only shook his head, and watched as Sowilo's army marched away.
Back on Earth, deep within the forests of Japan, a goddess, with long blue hair that tufted into spikey bangs, and a blue tail to match, walked towards a cliff. This cliff was one of the few choice sleeping spots of her grandfather, a legendary white wolf. "Gramps, hey?"
The beastly sized white wolf she addressed raised his head and looked back at her with his golden eyes. He was Ulric, the very first of the wild creatures that once graced the earth. "Leamen, my granddaughter…" He got to his paws, standing four feet over her.
Leamen smiled at him as he lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers. "I missed you too Gramps!" She laughed as she gave his snout a hug then stepped back from him.
"So, have you finally chosen to live with the pack instead of that… demon?" He asked in a joking manner.
"You mean your grandson – in – law? No, we are quite happy in our little house thank you very much." She folded her arms and stared out with him over the cliff, watching the pack below.
"You are? Then… where are my great grandchildren?"
Leamen blushed. "We're thinking about it."
"That is good." Ulric nodded.
She stood there silent for a moment, not sure to ask him the question that was roaring in her mind.
"I know why you have come… and you were correct in assuming the worst." Ulric quickly answered. "I wonder how my old friend could condemn his own granddaughter into performing such a terrible task?"
Leamen looked at Ulric worriedly. "W-what do you mean?"
Ulric bowed his head down, and let out a heavy sigh. "Watch the heavens with me my granddaughter… and you shall see soon enough." He raised his golden eyes to the sky. "Why Kami-sama feared his own granddaughter… so long ago."
Kira watched as Hope slowly came to her senses. "Well…I've had more than my share of this planet… and I'll still make good on that elixir offer." He looked down at her apologetically. "Sorry Hope, but like I said, you're not the one to save this planet, and I'm going to make sure you don't remem…ah!?" suddenly he felt as though all of his power had been stripped of him. "RRGh…!" He fell to his knees.
Hope looked back at him. "Uncle Kira?" She put a hand on his back. "Are you okay?"
The feeling was gone. "I…" He stared at his hands. "N… Never mind, are you ready to go?"
She shook her head. "No, I need to stay, just a while longer…" She got to her feet. "I… I don't want to loose my memories of this place."
"Hope!"
"It's not fair to erase your pains from your mind and soul… these are burdens we must carry and learn to accept… or overcome." Hope touched where her scar was. "So please let me stay just a little while longer." Hope asked, before walking down the marble steps and down the paved path to the mountains.
"Hold on…" The feeling overcame Kira again.
Hope didn't hear him, she was trapped in her own world, leaving Kira behind at the temple where the black candles loomed over the white candles.
"My powers faultered!?" Kira asked in puzzlement as he stared after Hope. "Don't go Hope… come back…" He struggled to get the words out, he felt as though there were restraints all about him. "RRGGGH!! HOPE!!" Slowly the candles melted from their places and poured towards the demigod, forming chains around his wrists and ankles. "What the hell is this!?" The wax hardened and began to shine like metal, sapping Kira's strength. "AAAAAAAAGGGHH!!!"
Sowilo prepared his troops, they had all lined up on a hill, staring down at the Northern camp. "This is the day men!!" Sowilo called out as he raised his ominously dulled blade to the sky. "ATTACK!!"
Hope slowly staggered up the mountain path, when she reached the top she fell to her knees, sighing in exhaustion. "What… what's happening to me?"
"Feel it…?"
"What?"
"This rush? I haven't felt so alive in years…"
Hope looked down. "Why won't they stop fighting?"
"Because this is the only life they know, this is the only way they know how to solve their problems! And for that they must be punished!!"
"No…" Hope shook her head.
"Stop being so weak! You know that you are the only one that can save these people…"
"I want to… but they…" Suddenly it came, booming in her ears, tearing at her heart, racing through her mind. Feelings of pain and hatred!
"DESTROY!!"
"MY LEG!! OH GOD MY LEG!!"
"NORTHERN REBELS!!"
"BASTARDS!! ALL OF YOU!!"
"DESTROY THEM ALL!"
"I CAN"T SEE!! MY EYES!!!"
"DADDY!! MOMMY!!"
"SOMEONE!! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP MEEE!!! AAAH!!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH!!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGH!!"
Hope grabbed at her ears. "STOP IT!! STOP!! PLEASE!!" Tears ran down her face. "Their voices… their cries of pain! Their hatred… Make them stop!! Please…"
"… Uncle Kira was right, you aren't the one to save this planet… I am."
Hope's eyes widened. "…Despair?"
"That's right…" Hope felt as though she was in someone's embrace. "Don't be afraid, don't cry… let me answer their cries and I will end their suffering…"
She shook her head and continued her way up the path.
"Why? Why do you allow yourself to be hurt?"
The scar on Hope's chest burned.
"You keep all of your pain to yourself, because you don't wish to burden others?" Despair asked, but she couldn't help but roar with laughter. "Oh Hope, you never cease to amuse me!!"
Hope tripped, and clawed her hands into the end of the path. "Please Despair… just stop…"
"I wish that I could… but this planet calls over your voice, to me." Despair sighed. "Look…"
Hope forced herself off the ground, and stared over the mountain cliff in horror. Fires raged as the South ambushed the Northern camp. However they were met on with the war they desired. Each man roared out in primal fury with a look in their eyes that revealed their murderous nature. "AAAAaagh!" Hope covered her eyes.
"Even if you make yourself blind to it, it still echoes in your ears, in your mind, in your soul and heart!!" Despair shouted. "Hope! They are fighting a war that will never end!"
"How!? How do we make it stop!?" Hope's tears dripped through her hands.
"….I will end it…"
Aura felt a cold chill run down her spine.
"And that's how Miss Hope defeated the ninja Sushee." Nauthiz smiled as a group of children cheered.
"Nauthiz, it's time to go!" Aura grabbed his arm and began to tote him off.
"Mrs. Aura?" Nauthiz stared at her in surprise.
"I've got a bad feeling…" She looked back at him for a moment. "And when we get back to Earth I have GOT to do something about this uniform you're wearing."
"My uniform?" He asked.
Aura squeezed his arm. "Hello? Biceps! If you've got it, flaunt it."
His face turned bright red as she forced their exit through the hospital door.
"But that is a subject for later discussion, something's terribly wrong...AH!?" She saw Kira struggling and roaring out in the distance. "KIRA!!"
"HRNNGG!! GRRRAAAAAAH!!!" Kira tugged vainly at the chains that had held him down for an hour, and now he had had enough! His eyes flickered with silver flames as he pulled the chains with all of his might. "RAAAAAAAAAAAGGH!!" They finally broke as he set off into the air after Hope.
"KIRA!!" Aura slammed into him and pinned him back on the ground.
"…I break one restraint only to get another…" Kira sweat dropped then stared down at his wife.
"What's the big idea of masking your waves so I can't tell if you're in trouble or not!? And where's Hope!?" Aura demanded.
"One, you wouldn't have been able to break me out of those chains anyway, two, Hope was heading up to the mountains. We have to go after her before it's too late!!"
"I shall go!" Nauthiz was prepared to fly off in a noble manner but curiosity took him. "Too late for what?"
Aura got off of Kira, and the demigod got to his feet. "Just follow me!" He barked as he flew down the path.
Aura unfolded her wings and looked at Nauthiz. "This isn't good, Kira's never shown emotion like this except for when something terrible happens..."
Hope grabbed at her head; all of the soldiers' cries as well as the cries of those in pain were racing through her mind. "It hurts… Despair!"
"Enough… Hope, it's time." Suddenly she felt limp, but a strong will took over her body.
"What's happening… I feel…" Hope's hair began to grow long and dull. Blacker and blacker it became until it was as dark as an abyss, "… alive." Her back arched as two bumps formed, tearing through her seifuku to reveal two enormous white wings.
The fighting stopped, as all the soldiers stared over in awe at the sight of those wings. They were magnificent, and shined with a holy aura. With light they had not seen in years.
Sowilo, was even more shocked than his men. "All… all this time, she really was the one…" He smiled brightly as tears formed in his eyes. "She's finally arrived."
Kira arrived at the end of the path, staring at Hope in shock.
Slowly, she looked back at him, with lurid glowing eyes. "Uncle Kira…" She smiled. "I'm… I'm going to save them…"
"Hope… wait, you don't want to do this…" Kira held a hand out to her only to be shocked back.
"Perhaps not… but they want me to do it… their voices won't stop until I give them paradise…" She smiled as her sword came to her hands, and with a gust of wind, she flew off into the sky above the soldiers. "There's nothing more I need of you Uncle Kira… your purpose here has ended… and I'm sure Hope would be sad if I sent you, Aura, or Nauthiz to paradise as well." her heavenly white feathers slowly began to turn black.
"HOPE!" Aura called out.
Kira looked over his shoulder to see Aura and Nauthiz rushing to his side in panic.
"Kira what are you just standing here for!? We have to help her!" Aura begged.
"Miss Hope!" Nauthiz called out to her in vain.
"My purpose here has ended." Kira put his hands in his pockets and watched Hope for a moment. "Just like she said…."
"Kira?" Aura stared at him in shock.
He smiled down at her, sadly. "You think… Hope will forgive me?"
Aura's eyes glistened with tears. "For what? You know she loves you…"
Kira looked back up at Hope and sighed. "I think it's time to go. Man am I going to chew that old fart almighty out when we get back…" A shadow from Hope's massive wings became a portal back to earth. "Ladies first."
"But…" Aura looked up at Hope, then back at him.
"Go." He nodded towards the portal, and the succubus hesitantly obeyed as she stepped into the shadow and vanished. "You're next boy wonder."
"Miss Hope… what in heaven's name is happening to you…" He stared in shock.
Kira stepped into the shadows and glared up at Nauthiz impatiently. "You know, even though I'm immortal…" he exaggerated his last word. "… you wouldn't catch me living around here after what she's about to do… In other words, there's nothing we can do to stop her!!"
Nauthiz was completely frozen with fear and worry. "Miss Hope…"
Kira shot his claw armored arm out from the shadows. "GET IN HERE!!" He grabbed Nauthiz's ankle and pulled him in. Though with one last look, he looked back up at his niece. "… Please… forgive me." With that, he vanished into the shadows.
Hope floated in space, staring down at the planet. "I am she who decides fate with your emotions, your pain, is my pain, your sorrow, is my sorrow, your anger, is my anger, and your happiness, is my happiness. By your emotions I have decided your final judgment…" She held out her sword, slowly the hilt began to elongate until it formed a staff. Her blade snapped, and curved until her weapon became a scythe. "…I give to you the paradise you have been deprived over a millennia, freedom from your pain and suffering…" Her eyes narrowed as a devilish grin spread across her face.
"Finally men, the paradise I promised you… She's here." Sowilo's eyes brimmed with tears. "Dea de Mortus…"
"I GIVE YOU DEATH!!" Hope threw the scythe down, leaving a glowing red line through the middle of the planet. This line slowly branched throughout the oceans and landscapes of the planet, carrying the burning light until the power was far too much to take.
"Gramps…" Leamen looked at him, until she saw a bright glint in the night sky. "Wha-What was that…?"
"Silence…" Ulric said. "But wait…"
Hope floated in the cool darkness of space, staring into the nothingness that she had created. "Hmn… hmm hnn…" Her grin remained, as she released her scythe and held her face. "Heh… ahehe…"
"This feeling… it's more gratifying than when you killed Surt… to think you could bring such joy to people by bringing them death…"
Hope closed her eyes tight, then opened them, staring again into the darkness with her now pure sapphire eyes. "I… I…" She trembled in shock staring at her hands as if they were covered in blood. The scar on her chest, burned brightly as pain struck through to her soul. "Ah…Aggh…" Tears of blood ran down her face as she clenched her fists fiercly. "No …NO!!" She couldn't bear it any longer, and with a note higher than that of a choir of angles, Hope broke through the silence of space in an agonizing cry of despair.
On Earth, Keiichi was driving home from work, when suddenly he could hear Hope's scream ringing in his ears. "HOPE!?" He stared out into space.
VEEP!! VEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!
Keiichi's eyes widened, he had swerved into the way of a Volkswagen. "AAGH!" He quickly swerved to the left, crashing the beemer against the road railing, catapulting him from his seat.
Belldandy's eyes widened, she dropped a dish to the floor, ignoring the sound of its shatter as she ran outside, staring to the sky in disbelief. Suddenly she felt Keiichi's waves begin to falter, and Hope… all that remained of her was a scream that chilled her mother's soul, her waves had completely vanished. Tears formed in the corners of Belldandy's eyes as she held her hands to her face. "No…NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! HOPE!! KEIICHI!!!"
A Fan Author's Worthless Rant
Surprised? cricket chirp ehe ;; Well if you didn't already know, Hope's 'big sister' is none other than Leamen from Thally's 'Time Will Tell'. Also, due to some requests I've received, I'm not using fan fictional characters from COC or TWT because Thally or Adept asked me to. Their characters help in the story's future and are ones that I was around for them to give out ideas in the creation process. Also, Adept is now my editor (because I throw all my ideas out on him he'll be able to see if I'm messing up somewhere or not) and hopefully you'll have an easier read applause for Adept thank you for being my editor X3. clings to his legs so he won't move away X
HOWEVER... Because he is busy with moving and I didn't want to keep you all waiting for long, this chapter was edited by probably my number one fan Duo-san, or known on FF.net as Blind – Thaylien Give his stories a read why doncha? You'll love how vivid an image he'll paint for you ;3
Also, with the official unveiling of the mystery creature Ulric the wolf, and my constant use of the word paradise… does anyone get to thinking about 'Wolf's Rain'? My bad if that happened ;; unintentional (by the way watch that, EEE! An Anime about wolves and a soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno! What's not to like!?)
See you next time!