Author's note: I wrote this chapter several weeks ago, but due to complications, I had to rewrite the whole chapter all over again from scratch. So sorry if the update took absolutely forever, this was hard to write second time around, but I try not to make a habit of leaving something I started undone. Now for the part of why we have come: Saitou starts to discover strange phenomena afflicting the people of Tokyo. Nick gets down to work when his research requires field observation. Problem is that now he has to confront Saitou in a duel and unbeknown to him, the Dark lord Mekros has come as well...
By the way, standard disclaimer applies. I own the story, Nick, Juno and Mekros, but not the RK character, blah blah blah to whatever disclaimer god I must appease before continuing this fic without unnecessary retribution.
I'm going to put up a final disclaimer for this fic at the end so you won't
be seeing one of these for a long, but you probably know that already.
RK Insomnia
Chapter 10: One King to rule them all...
Not too far away, Sano was strolling down the street. Many thoughts racked his brain. Mostly about gambling tricks, but he also thought about what happened to Yahiko. Sure, a dream about a power mad Kaoru would make even the most vicious manslayer quiver with fear but the last part was starting to bug him. So instead of trying to reach Katsu and the others, he changed direction to see Misao and Soujiro about it.
The sorcerer was holding his staff as a samurai would a sword. Both combatants were like statues waiting for the other to make the first move. A cold breeze howled, setting the scene for the looming skirmish at hand. Saitou darted towards his opponent sword pointed first. Nick stood his ground, watching the gap close between them. At near point of no return, Saitou slashed the deadly steel ... but what he cut was only air. Saitou stood puzzled for a split second and then turned about, expecting an ambush. "That was fast, boy, but you're in over your head."
"Who said I was in over my head? I'm over yours at best." A voice greeted the wolf from above. Saitou looked up and found Nick standing on air with a smirk on his face. "Your techniques are useless if they can't even hit the target."
"Brave words from a chicken." Saitou replied. "Come down here and take it like a man."
The black-clad youth floated down gently towards the ground, his eyes focused on Saitou. "If you think I'm your average troublemaker... you're sadly mistaken!" Nick swung his staff towards the ground, creating fissures of thunder that racing down the road towards the police officer.
Saitou jumped just as the fissures neared him, they continued onward until fizzling out. "Nice trick, but you'll need more than cheap tricks." The Wolf taunted. "I'll have your head for that, vermin."
Nick merely stood ground again. Saitou held his sword out wards, placing his left hand on the flat of the blade. This was the beginning stance of the Gotatsu. The target's eyes flashed for a second, then Saitou became a blur, it was too late to try an disappear. The young sorcerer dodged what could have been a sword through his shoulder, but felt the blade slice open a gash on his left arm. The wolf grinned in satisfaction, for the advantage was now his. "Not so tough when fighting man to man, are you?"
In spite of his pain, Nick was smiling. "Maybe... but you just made a big mistake:" Nick drove the head into the ground, this time, a deadly blade snaked its way from the top, as well as a long spear head, turning the staff into a deadly scythe. Saitiou's eyes twitched with caution as he saw Nick swinging it an expert flourish "Are you ready for round 2?"
The next order of battle turned from darting speed attacks to a hack and slash affair Saitou began a relentless offensive, but Nick blocked each blow with his scythe. Upon finding an opening, the sorcerer fought back, using the long range of his weapon to put some distance between Saitou and himself. Steel clashed upon steel as both the wolf and his upstart enemy continued to battle furiously.
Not too far away, Sano was figuring out a trick to help him win his next gambling venture when he heard the sounds of battle. Hearing the familiar cursing of his hated rival, the ex-fighter-for-hire hurried towards the direction of combat.
Saitou cursed inwardly again: His opponent's disappearing tactic was starting to get on his nerves. "Damn it, where are you??" He looked around with his katana gripped tightly. There was an unearthly silence, the more it dragged on, the more annoyed Saitou became. ...
"...Over here!" Nick called out. Saitou turned towards the voice ready to swing, but the latter beat him to the punch with pounding his head with the bladeless end of the scythe.
Mekros was perched on the roof of one of the houses, watching the two below battle like two great oxen. He began to muse his options, should Saitou be victorious, his plans would have one less road block to worry about but if Nick defeated the officer, he would strike him down on the spot. A win-win situation.
Saitou was beginning to gain some ground once more. Nick cursed himself on account of his wound: The cut wasn't threatening, but the small loss of blood that followed meant the loss of an arm and with it, efficient use of his deadly sickle.
"You shouldn't have come here to cause trouble in my town." Saitou shouted to Nick. "Now you will pay for your arrogance."
"Why should I go to prison when I've committed no crime? Nick replied. "This battle is foolish. If you don't let me continue my investigation, it will mean disaster for us all!"
Saitou chuckled evilly. "It's too late to surrender, my credo is to destroy evil and you shall fall for your wickedness!" "Saitou started an overhead slash while Nick made a swing towards the waist. Before either katana or scythe made contact, someone yelled
"Knock it off!!!"
Both attackers stopped dead in their tracks, after what seemed to be an eternity, they both found Sano standing between them, the latter beginning to wish he kept his mouth shut: Saitou's katana was a few inches away from his nose whereas Nick's scythe was barely touching his shirt.
"What do you think you're doing here, Rooster??" Saitou spat unceremoniously. "I hate your amateur hide enough when you're not interrupting my duels!"
"Can you actually get your head out of the clouds and call for an armistice?" Sano asked irritated. "Something really weird is going on."
"... Do you remember what happened exactly?" Nick asked as he bandaged his wound.
Sano nodded.
Saitou rolled his eyes in disdain. He never thought he'd be listening to a street punk of a rooster head. "I doubt you could have anything intelligent to say. The people are being terrorized by something that's very good at hiding."
Something seemed to struck a cord with Nick, for he now had a haunted look in his eyes. "...Terrorized you say? Sano, I want you to go to the dojo and bring your friends to the house. Something wicked hangs over this town."
Mekros watched as the three walked down the street. After they were out of sight, he flew down from his perch and landed on the ground. His tiny crow disguise was no longer needed so instead of feathers, the dark lord now wore black robes hidden underneath his purple cloak, it was fastened underneath metal shoulder pads. His face completely darkened by a fearsome helmet, save for malevolent topaz eyes that blazed from within. "Yes, show me the way to the vessel... I have all the time in the world, Nicodemus." Grinning his thin lips, Mekros began to follow the three...
The residents of the Kamiya Dojo continued to slumber, blissfully unaware of the preceding events. And in the main bedchamber, Kaoru was sound asleep in a sugared dream...
Karou has having a wonderful day; the dojo was full of new students eager to learn the art of the sword. With Yahiko helping the stragglers and Sano sweeping the courtyard, one would hardly imagine life otherwise. Satisfied to leave her students with Yahiko, the assistant master goes out to the courtyard to find a certain red haired wanderer.
Kenshin was busy attending to a fish roasting on a fire. The heavenly aroma adding to the serenity in the now peaceful dojo. As he prepared to turn the fish over he felt a pair of hands creep around his neck.
"AAH!! Miss Kaoru, you know I don't like it when you do that." Kenshin said meekly to the raccoon girl.
"I know." Kaoru smiled. "That fish smells really good."
"It sure does." Kenshin commented. "It should almost be ready to eat, that it should."
The afternoon sun began its descent into the horizon, painting the skies a beautiful crimson dusk. As the two sat on the roof, Kenshin felt a little tinge of pink on his face.
"Miss Kaoru, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you."
"What is it, Kenshin?"
Kenshin slowly reached a hand into his gi. "Well, it's been a long time since we met, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has."
Kenshin felt his face begin to blush slightly. "Kaoru-dono, you've made me feel like the luckiest man in this town every since we met. Every moment I spend with you have filled a void in my heart that started 10 years ago."
Kaoru was speechless. "You mean you felt empty even as the Battousai?"
The ruroni nodded. "Kaoru I was meaning to ask you..."
"Yes?" Kaoru's beautiful sapphire eyes lit up.
"Karou-dono, will you-"
Everything shattered like a giant piece of glass before her, where the once was the dojo was now a black nothingness. Kaoru felt time stand still for a moment or two, she found herself feeling cold.
"Kenshin? Yahiko?... Where is everyone?"
Karou walked aimlessly in the darkness. With each passing moment, she began to feel her fear eating away at her. Then after darting around, her eyes found something.
"Kenshin?" She asked. ....
There was no answer, yet she could swear it was coming towards her. As this figure moved closer, Kaoru felt the blood in her veins freeze. She started to walk away from the mystery being but she soon began to run. To her dismay, the creature was fast, and the closer it got, the larger it became. Kaoru's skin turned pale with fright as she beheld the dark features and ran as much as her legs would allow her, but pair of thin, spider-like hands were reaching out towards her. Kaoru managed an ear- piercing scream as the hands trapped her in their cold grasp...
Kaoru awoke with a shriek and shielded her face with her hands, but when she opened her eyes there was only the familiar objects and surroundings of her room in the gloom of the night. "... A bad dream?" she said to no one in particular. "that was terrible." As Kaoru got off the floor, she heard someone trying to open the door. Fearing it might be a burglar, Kaoru grabbed a vase and waited, poised to strike.
The door slid open, she could only make out a shadow, but once she saw it had stuck its head inside, she brought down the vase hard on the intruder.
"AAAGGHH!!!!!" came a familiar scream of pain.
Karou's expression changed from fear to worry as she discovered whom it was she hit: Not an evil robber but a scarred samurai with a crimson ponytail and swirly eyes. "Ororororo...."
"Oh my god, Kenshin, are you all right?" she asked shaking the fallen wanderer back to consciousness.
"Hello, my name is Samonouske, that it is..." the wanderer mumbled non- coherently. Brain damage was not a pretty thing, and with Kaoru, that threat dangled menacingly over Kenshin's head. It took about 10 minutes, but Kenshin's brain cells were able to rearrange themselves again. "Is something the matter, Miss Kaoru? I heard some kind of scream."
"It was so horrible." Kaoru began. "I never though something so scary was possible..." her fears returning, she began to trail off into tears. Kenshin felt a compassionate smile work on his face. He began to put his arms around the weeping Kaoru. "Everything's all right, Miss Kaoru, that it is. Why don't you tell me all about it?"
"It was a horrible dream. I thought something was trying to get me." Kaoru began. "I never felt so afraid in all my life."
".... Something was trying to get you?" Kenshin asked with a whit of confusion. "Miss Kaoru, I think you might be stressed out about something."
The latter was too tired to take offense at the remark, her eyes began to stare into Kenshin's: Those warm, welcoming violet eyes; she would often lose herself in them. Kenshin found himself doing the same thing as Karou. Both the assistant master and wanderer began to think the same thought, their faces inching towards each other their hearts beating faster. They closed their eyes anticipating the sweet joy of a kiss...
Unfortunately for them, Sano and Yahiko were in close proximity when they went to tell them the news.
Yahiko felt deep revoltion at seeing what he thought of seeing Kaoru and Kenshin lip wrestle. "Ugh! Kenshin, I can't believe you're doing what I'm seeing you doing!" He immediately left to find a place to purge his swelling disgust.
The disdainful outburst caused both Kenshin and Kaoru to go wide-eyed and say "Oro!?!?!??!?" Sweat drops fell like waterfalls on backs of their heads.
"I don't know if this is going to sound weird compared to this," Sano exclaimed, "but that Nico- whatever-his-name-is wants us to head over to his place right now." The rooster left them alone. Both Kaoru and Kenshin turned beet red with embarrassment before they mentally agreed to follow. If either of them have them have turned around, they would have notice a small glob of slime growing out of the ground...
It was quarter past 1:00 am as Misao found herself rushing from one end of Juno's house to another, fetching various archaic instruments for Nick's research. Yahiko and Kaoru were dozing off, leaving Kenshin, Sano, Saitou and Soujiro awake to ponder this premature summoning.
"Do any of you know what's going on?" Kenshin asked.
"Not yet." Saitou began "But from what we discussed earlier, it's got the Crow boy worried."
"'Crow Boy?'" Kenshin and Sano repeated quizzically.
"I believe Mr. Saitou has given Nicodemus an animal name." Soujiro joked.
"It seems rather appropriate, but that's not the point." Saitou continued. "He's been in that room ever since our interrupted duel."
Kenshin's eyebrows creased in annoyance. He didn't like the idea of someone picking fights during a dangerous time, Saitou or Sano in particular. "You haven't changed at all, Saitou."
As the conversation between the guys wore on, Misao found it aggravating, agitating, and infuriating that she was the only one doing the work. As she was passing Yahiko, she kicked the apprentice swordsman in the face to wake him up.
"OWWW!!" the latter yelled angrily. "Who dares to kick my face?"
Almost as if she were awake, Kaoru buried her right fist into Yahiko's skull.
"But I didn't call you ugly this time!" Yahiko objected. That proved to be a poor choice of words as Kaoru instantly woke up and they continued their sibling-rivalry squabbling anew. Misao grinned from ear to ear as she continued her labors.
Nick felt the heat of 3 suns beat upon him as he toiled with his experiments. Having taken a sample of Juno's vital fluids, he set up a crude microscope and put it under the glass.
"Here's the last one." Misao said as she laid a load of books to the floor. "What is that thing?" She asked as she looked at the small device Nick was looking into.
"This is a microscope." The sorcerer continued without looking up. "It allows you to look at tiny things up close and personal."
"Hey, let me see." The weasel asked. Nick stepped aside as Misao put her eye to the device. "Ewww, these look like tiny little bugs!"
"Those little bugs run around your entire body." Nick answered sternly.
"AHHH!! GET THEM OUTTA ME! GET' EM OUTTA ME!!!" Misao screamed as she jumped around in a panicked frenzy.
Nick couldn't help but laugh at Misao's predicament. "Relax. That's your blood."
Misao stopped in midpanic and a question mark popped over her head.
"These round little "bugs" as you call them," the sorcerer began, "Are actually blood cells. They race throughout out your entire body delivering air, there's so many of them, they are what makes your blood so red. But this actually came from Juno. Since Juno is technically a golem, his vital fluids are kind of bluish, but since my blood courses in his veins as well, it's almost violet." He reached into a coat pocket and took out a folded handkerchief and opened it, inside was the mysterious slime recovered from one of the terror-struck families' homes.
"If what Saitou says is true, this little thing should give us some answers. Misao, could you get some writing material? I need you to document the findings as I say them out to you."
"Sure thing." Misao acknowledged.
Nick resumed his post at the microscope after applying the sample to Juno's blood. He sat still, daring not to even breath until something happened. "... Nothing yet.... Wait a minute, the slime cells are being attacked by antibodies."
Misao had to rush in order to keep up.
Back in the lobby, the once abandoned mahjong game was cleared out for a game of Shogi. Saitou was pondering his next move, eyeing a sudden smug Sanouske.
"Come on old man, we're not getting any younger, ya know." Sano taunted.
Saitou silently took a piece and moved it forward, leaving Sano bug-eyed and annoyed once again. "You lose again Rooster." Came the manslayer's reprisal, "You stink at everything."
Sano felt a familiar vein in his forehead pound. "-T-t that's it: No more Mr. Nice Guy. I'm taking you out in the next game!"
Kenshin and Soujiro watched the game and the play-by-play comedy of Sano's newest losing streak.
"Mr. Sanouske sure doesn't know when to quit." Soujiro commented.
"You got that right." Kenshin nodded "He tried to drag me into his gambling one time, that he did."
"Did he think you could help him?"
"Yes, but he lost even more than humanly possible that day."
Sano froze almost immediately at said response. Soujiro found himself laughing uncontrollably, Kenshin joined him soon after. Once again, Saitou felt his jawbones clenching as he let out a slight chuckle to himself, this game just kept getting better and better.
"What are you smiling at?!?!" Sano thundered at the wolf.
"Just how horrible your luck, let alone, your life really is!"
Poor Sano... but before Kaoru and Yahiko could marshal their own laughter against him, the door to Nick's laboratory opened and all fell silent. Misao came out with a scroll in her hand and the young sorcerer soon after.
"...How is Juno?" Kenshin broke the dead silence.
"I have the results right here." Nick said as he began to read. It was about a minute or two after when he finished. "Something appears to be invading Juno's blood stream, possibly the strange slime that's suddenly appearing."
"So there's a correlation?" Saitou asked.
"Maybe." Came the sorcerer's answer. "But I need to do more research before I can be sure."
Kaoru had left the group to find some quiet when she came across Juno's room. As she started to pass, the door creaked open, beckoning her inside. The room was quiet as a tomb, save for the gentle breathing of the stricken fortuneteller in his slumber. Kaoru slowly put a hand on Juno's brow.
"...He's burning up." Kaoru said to herself. "A fever?"
Juno turned over his sleep, and Kaoru saw that he was holding a folded piece of paper. At first she was hesitant, she carefully tugged the paper out of Juno's hand and opened it slowly. She began to scan through the writing hastily...
"EVERYONE!" A shout followed shortly. All heads turned towards the point of origin. Kaoru emerged from the room with the paper.
"Is something the matter, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin went to meet her. She only nodded, then she handed the parchment to Nick.
"What is this?" he asked. Kaoru only motioned to it. The sorcerer opened up the paper. A long silence followed for he soon began to read...
"'To Master Blackwyvern, my assistants, and friends of the Kamiya Dojo.
"'By the time you read this letter... I will no longer be myself. I had hoped that my current condition wasn't anything to worry about, but after what had transpired earlier today I cannot ignore this curse any longer.
"Master Nick, I know I haven't been on this earth for very long, but at this point I can only rely on you to help me in this time of need. Even as I write this letter, I pray that you can find a way to stop Mekro's curse.
"'But if there is a chance that I cannot be saved... I leave it to you and the others to kill me....
Disbelief and shock seized everyone by their throats at the last written statement.
"K... he wants us to kill him?" Yahiko stuttered.
".... That's what it says." Nick said. "There's more:
"' I can already picture the disbelief in your eyes, but I would rather let myself be destroyed than have that monster use my skills for destruction.
"'I was glad that I have met you all, it makes me sad that at the rate I'm going I won't be able to see the fortunes I predicted come to be, nor will I be able to pass on my knowledge of potions and fortune telling to my assistants.
"'Master, I conclude this will by saying that at this point, I leave everything in your hands and Mr. Himura's. Whatever your decisions decide, I will hold nothing against you. I am happy enough knowing that life is worth living, even if as a golem.
Farewell, -Fortuneteller Juno.
P.S: If Hiko comes around, tell him that no, I did not bequeath my entire stock of Sake to him. He has to pay for it like everyone else!'"
The letter fell out of the sorcerer's hands and his eyes became fixated on the floor.
"What are we going to do?" Misao asked. "There must be some way of avoiding something so grisly, is there?"
"... I wish there was, Misao" Nick sighed heavily. "But it will be hard to begin when we don't know what's wrong."
"And if this curse is as bad as it sounds," Kenshin added, "Death may only be a blessing for Juno, that it might."
"Kenshin, how could you be so pessimistic?" Kaoru scoffed at the latter. "There has to be at least something we can do!"
Sano cricked his neck before finding something to say. "I have to agree with the little missy, but like the Crow said, we have to figure out what's wrong."
"If it weren't for the fact that you were serious about that," Nick eyed the rooster dangerously, "I'd have to curse you myself!"
Yahiko felt forlorn the most. Of all the strangers he met, Juno was the only one who motivated him in a way that his goal was worthwhile. He gazed at the dull katana the fortuneteller gave him not too long ago. Feeling a sense of resolution welling inside him, the apprentice stood up tall and focused. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to help."
All eyes were focused on Yahiko; it was rare that he had moments like this.
"All you guys sitting on your butts moping, Juno wouldn't want to see you like this. He'd want to see you all trying to bend Heaven and Earth before giving up!"
"Wow, look at Yahiko trying to sound cool." Sano remarked with a sly grin.
"What was that??" Yahiko thundered. "I dare you to say that again!"
Kenshin was impressed at Yahiko's sudden surge of spirit. "It seems that Yahiko has a point, that he does. It's a bad idea to give up when we haven't even started."
Nick stood there with the letter in his hand, listening to Kenshin and the others murmuring in agreement.
"... You're all a bunch of fools, you are." Nick said.
At this comment, many confused eyes turned towards him.
"Anyone who tried to defy Mekros' powers has got to be a fool. ... I like it: count me in!" Nick's frown turned into a grin.
"... And what simple-minded fools you all are..." A evil voice boomed out of nowhere.
Nick felt the hairs on his end; he turned towards the front door. Standing in the open threshold stood a figure out of shadow. Dark robes, topaz eyes and a fearsome war helmet distinguished him like something out of a bad dream.
"What the heck is that?" Karou asked, startled by the imposing stranger.
"I am called the Dark Lord Mekros." The stranger answered. "And soon now, I shall rule this backwater country."
Nick's face was one of cold fury. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"
Mekros smiled at his enemy's anger. "I have come to claim your golem."
Immediately, Kenshin, and Saitou laid their hands on their swords.
"Is he in by any chance?" the warlock taunted.
"You're not allowed to see him." Nick answered. "Not before I make you pay for his torment."
Mekros laughed a slow, hallow chuckle. "Even after all this, you still oppose me? I commend you for getting this far in eluding me, but this game of cat and mouse is about to end."
Nick was slowly reaching for the scythe on his back. "What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the last time we met? I vowed that you would suffer for your defiance. Now I've come to collect."
"I'll never let you take him!" the younger sorcerer answered flatly.
Mekros chuckled again, this time, causing his shoulder plates to tremble a little. "Who said I was going to kidnap him? Perhaps you should ask him yourself."
"Indeed, Mekros..." A scratchy, sinister voice came behind everyone. "I am entitled to my own say in this matter after all". From the gloom of the bedchamber, Juno emerged. The young fortuneteller lifted his hooded head slowly, gazing towards the assemblage with the piercing blood-red eyes that had haunted them earlier. "You are late, Mekros." The scratchy voice hissed.
"Forgive me, my lord. I was sidetracked for a bit." The dark lord nodded slowly.
"'My lord?' "Nick repeated. "What have you done to my son?" His grip on the scythe tightened.
"After you bested me last time, I began to plot my revenge." Mekros began. "I knew that the only way to return the favor was to target the thing you loved most. Then I found a secret kept hidden by the ancient druids of the heavens. A forbidden ritual that no one had dared attempted for fear of angering the gods."
Nick's features went white with recognition. "No! Not the-"
"-Yes!" Mekros' eyes flashed with a malevolent insanity "The Ritual of the Avatar!"
Kenshin and his friends found themselves a little lost, but judging by the reactions between Nick and Mekros, this sounded serious.
"What's an 'avatar'?" Soujiro asked no one in particular.
"I'll be happy to tell you." The demonic entity grinned an evil grin and turned towards the ex-Juupongatana leader. "A sorcerer who invokes this ritual can call forth powerful beings and become hosts for them."
Nick felt his blood boil as he stared at Mekros. The warlock was enjoying this moment immensely.
"In other words," The dark lord continued, "This power turns any mortal into a living god."
"But why Juno?" Nick asked. "You could have made yourself the vessel."
"Very true." Mekros said. "But I wanted you to see you suffer. You already see the slime generating, haven't you? It's a sign that my plan has been working."
"Just what is this you're scheming?" Saitou asked. "The people tell me they keep seeing a demon of some kind."
"Got it all in one, Saitou." The demon Juno sneered. "For you see, Mekros has struck a deal for power if he was able to provide me a pure body for my vessel.
"...I've heard enough." Nick took out his scythe. "Reverse the spell right now, Mekros."
The dark lord was not too impressed. "Such savagery is unbecoming to a promising sorcerer like yourself."
With a yell, Nick launched himself towards Mekros, ready to cleave off his helmeted head. But the warlock raised a hand and fired off a sphere of dark energy. The impact sent Nick flying into the wall...
"Impetuous fool." Mekros towered over him "Think you I would be defeated by such feeble tactics?"
"Enough stalling, Mekros." Demon/Juno ordered. "The time of the incantation has come. Fail me now and the deal is off."
Misao threw a single kunai at the dark lord, taking him by surprise as well as a piercing on his right hand. "You are a spirited one to attack me so boldly... "Mekros admitted with no hint of pain. "...I hate that." He pulled out the kunai, revealing that the hand was metal and not flesh. "Anyone else want to try to be a hero?"
Yahiko moved forward but Nick motioned him to stop.
"What are you doing?" The apprentice-swordsman objected.
"Mekros is someone you don't want to mess with." Nick stated. "Take your friends and get out of here."
"There's no need for that." Demon/Juno waved an index finger in a disapproving way. His red eyes flashed a blinding light in the room. When the light dimmed, everyone including the warlock and the possessed fortuneteller were outside. "You may begin the incantation anytime now."
Mekros felt the winds of triumph upon him. The demon's spell had his opposition completely immobilized, meaning that no one would be able to interrupt him. "You all attempted to oppose me? Now you shall bear witness to the rebirth of the world's true master!"
The helmeted tyrant took out what looked to be an ancient parchment. He took a moment to revel in the helplessness of his would-be nuisances. But as his eyes scanned their features of frustration and fear, he found a pair of sharp violet eyes staring at him sternly from what he thought was a washed up samurai in dire need of a hair cut. "And what are you looking at?"
"I've seen some very strange things in my life, but this concept of magic is the most mysterious of them all, that it is." Kenshin spoke. "I can see that you are afraid, in spite of your power. If you release Juno from your curse, I will allow you to leave peacefully. Otherwise, you are going to wish you never set foot in this land."
Mekros was silent for a minute as his face slowly twisted into a sadistic grin. Then he began to laugh like a madman. "Ha ha ha ha! You're joking, aren't you? What can you, a mortal samurai do to me that would make me feel fear??" The laughter turned into mad glee as Mekros began to hover to the sky. "Normally, I would kill someone who had your insolence myself, but you shall be the first to suffer before the true master of the world this night!"
Mekros held out his metal hand in a dramatic fashion, glowing with dark energy, Mekros began to recite the words upon his parchment:
"Ee-mo-sen, kra-mo-ten,
The time has come, the place is now....
Abro-sha-clack-to-din,
I call thee forth from the world beyond...
The dark blue skies were gradually blotted out by billowing storm clouds, thunder rumbling in the distance. Mekros uses his magic to etch out an unholy pentagram in the sky. Demon/Juno began to take to the skies as well, floating over Mekros' evil rune.
"Muu-kai-shou, crau- fyen-go,
ancient spirit, come forth to me.
Tre-quan-xa, ma-ho-ryu,
Take this shell as your flesh,
and this dew as your blood...
Down in the streets, the slime that permeated in the homes of the victims was gathering into a large blob below and soon covered the possessed Juno and hardened in to a large crystalline shell.
Misao tried to struggle against the spell but to little success. "Dammit, this magic is too strong! I can't move a muscle."
"You're pretty smart to figure that out so quickly." Sano growled sarcastically. "Of course that doesn't matter now since we're all gonna die."
"I don't think now's a good time for arguing, Sano." Nick said to the rooster. "We've already got enough on our hands, damn that Mekros...One way or another, he'll pay for messing with my son." In spite of his words though, Nick could do not, but feel helpless as well.
Soujiro and Yahiko were ignoring the arguments, their eyes fixed on the ritual above that would spell their doom. Kaoru was becoming fearful at the hopelessness of their situation.
Kenshin was becoming frustrated at this point, his struggling was only allowing his fingers to twitch and his anger at Mekros' insanity was pumping adrenaline through his body. But he soon felt something faint beginning to crawl out from his subconscious...
The shell around Juno was starting to crack and the pentagram burning as Mekros was nearing the final incantations, his eyes twitching with mad anticipation.
"Po-ku-ru, Wa-xu-lin,
Awaken now from your eternal sleep
And build a new empire upon the land.
Rule this world with pure dark sin,
RISE NOW SUIDRAS, SHADOW KING OF NIGHTMARES!!!!"
The shell and pentagram exploded with the force of a thousand cannons. The clouds began to unleash a fury of lightning bolts upon the streets. As the dust settled, half of Tokyo found itself in eternal darkness. The source came in a giant form shrouded in a great black cloak. A pair of great horns towered from his great demonic head among a mass of almost-limp gray hair. The creature worked his mouth open revealing glistening white fangs. His eyes were next to open, they were a pupiless blood red as when he took control of Juno, only now this was a hundred times worse..
Mekros was laughing in mad triumph as he turned his attention again to the flies in the sandpaper. "Tremble in terror before the wake of your new masters!"
Suidras turned to the megalomainical warlock. "A little over the top, but well said, Mekros."
Kaoru felt a scream coming on but she was too petrified to even attempt it. Misao beat her to it, though.
The demon king took in a deep breath of the air. "The scent of freedom is a wonderful thing. And look over yonder. My first meal in over a thousand years..."
It was at that sentence that Kaoru began to whimper in fear again. Kenshin could only struggle as he watched the monster inched towards Kaoru.
"Do not be so worried, little one." Suidras assured the frightened assistant-master. "You've already given me strength to rise earlier this night, your fear is a rare dish I prefer to take in slowly."
Kenshin's blood was now boiling as Suidras reached out a spidery-clawed hand towards Kaoru. He cursed himself inward for being unable to do something. But then, something happened. He could feel his bonds loosening and his heartbeat growing stronger. He knew that something was changing inside him: his eyes had turned to golden yellow...
-End of Chapter 10
With the resurrection of Suidras, Mekros now seems unstoppable. But something happens that the great warlock has not counted on: A shadow of the past returns to clash with this new threat. Soon afterwards, Nicodemus begins to plan a countermeasure, but with Suidras' wrath set on Tokyo, will a manslayer's rage be enough to turn away the darkness? Next on Kamiya Dojo Insomniacs, "Concerto of Chaos."
Whew! Another chapter done at last! Doing something like this seems to get harder and harder every time.. but it's a challenge worth undertaking. This is my first time writing an actual (if short,) battle scene and fluffy moments, by the way. Next on my list is continuing my RK Whose Line fic so it will probably be a while before I start on chapter 11. See you in the review pages!
By the way, standard disclaimer applies. I own the story, Nick, Juno and Mekros, but not the RK character, blah blah blah to whatever disclaimer god I must appease before continuing this fic without unnecessary retribution.
I'm going to put up a final disclaimer for this fic at the end so you won't
be seeing one of these for a long, but you probably know that already.
RK Insomnia
Chapter 10: One King to rule them all...
Not too far away, Sano was strolling down the street. Many thoughts racked his brain. Mostly about gambling tricks, but he also thought about what happened to Yahiko. Sure, a dream about a power mad Kaoru would make even the most vicious manslayer quiver with fear but the last part was starting to bug him. So instead of trying to reach Katsu and the others, he changed direction to see Misao and Soujiro about it.
The sorcerer was holding his staff as a samurai would a sword. Both combatants were like statues waiting for the other to make the first move. A cold breeze howled, setting the scene for the looming skirmish at hand. Saitou darted towards his opponent sword pointed first. Nick stood his ground, watching the gap close between them. At near point of no return, Saitou slashed the deadly steel ... but what he cut was only air. Saitou stood puzzled for a split second and then turned about, expecting an ambush. "That was fast, boy, but you're in over your head."
"Who said I was in over my head? I'm over yours at best." A voice greeted the wolf from above. Saitou looked up and found Nick standing on air with a smirk on his face. "Your techniques are useless if they can't even hit the target."
"Brave words from a chicken." Saitou replied. "Come down here and take it like a man."
The black-clad youth floated down gently towards the ground, his eyes focused on Saitou. "If you think I'm your average troublemaker... you're sadly mistaken!" Nick swung his staff towards the ground, creating fissures of thunder that racing down the road towards the police officer.
Saitou jumped just as the fissures neared him, they continued onward until fizzling out. "Nice trick, but you'll need more than cheap tricks." The Wolf taunted. "I'll have your head for that, vermin."
Nick merely stood ground again. Saitou held his sword out wards, placing his left hand on the flat of the blade. This was the beginning stance of the Gotatsu. The target's eyes flashed for a second, then Saitou became a blur, it was too late to try an disappear. The young sorcerer dodged what could have been a sword through his shoulder, but felt the blade slice open a gash on his left arm. The wolf grinned in satisfaction, for the advantage was now his. "Not so tough when fighting man to man, are you?"
In spite of his pain, Nick was smiling. "Maybe... but you just made a big mistake:" Nick drove the head into the ground, this time, a deadly blade snaked its way from the top, as well as a long spear head, turning the staff into a deadly scythe. Saitiou's eyes twitched with caution as he saw Nick swinging it an expert flourish "Are you ready for round 2?"
The next order of battle turned from darting speed attacks to a hack and slash affair Saitou began a relentless offensive, but Nick blocked each blow with his scythe. Upon finding an opening, the sorcerer fought back, using the long range of his weapon to put some distance between Saitou and himself. Steel clashed upon steel as both the wolf and his upstart enemy continued to battle furiously.
Not too far away, Sano was figuring out a trick to help him win his next gambling venture when he heard the sounds of battle. Hearing the familiar cursing of his hated rival, the ex-fighter-for-hire hurried towards the direction of combat.
Saitou cursed inwardly again: His opponent's disappearing tactic was starting to get on his nerves. "Damn it, where are you??" He looked around with his katana gripped tightly. There was an unearthly silence, the more it dragged on, the more annoyed Saitou became. ...
"...Over here!" Nick called out. Saitou turned towards the voice ready to swing, but the latter beat him to the punch with pounding his head with the bladeless end of the scythe.
Mekros was perched on the roof of one of the houses, watching the two below battle like two great oxen. He began to muse his options, should Saitou be victorious, his plans would have one less road block to worry about but if Nick defeated the officer, he would strike him down on the spot. A win-win situation.
Saitou was beginning to gain some ground once more. Nick cursed himself on account of his wound: The cut wasn't threatening, but the small loss of blood that followed meant the loss of an arm and with it, efficient use of his deadly sickle.
"You shouldn't have come here to cause trouble in my town." Saitou shouted to Nick. "Now you will pay for your arrogance."
"Why should I go to prison when I've committed no crime? Nick replied. "This battle is foolish. If you don't let me continue my investigation, it will mean disaster for us all!"
Saitou chuckled evilly. "It's too late to surrender, my credo is to destroy evil and you shall fall for your wickedness!" "Saitou started an overhead slash while Nick made a swing towards the waist. Before either katana or scythe made contact, someone yelled
"Knock it off!!!"
Both attackers stopped dead in their tracks, after what seemed to be an eternity, they both found Sano standing between them, the latter beginning to wish he kept his mouth shut: Saitou's katana was a few inches away from his nose whereas Nick's scythe was barely touching his shirt.
"What do you think you're doing here, Rooster??" Saitou spat unceremoniously. "I hate your amateur hide enough when you're not interrupting my duels!"
"Can you actually get your head out of the clouds and call for an armistice?" Sano asked irritated. "Something really weird is going on."
"... Do you remember what happened exactly?" Nick asked as he bandaged his wound.
Sano nodded.
Saitou rolled his eyes in disdain. He never thought he'd be listening to a street punk of a rooster head. "I doubt you could have anything intelligent to say. The people are being terrorized by something that's very good at hiding."
Something seemed to struck a cord with Nick, for he now had a haunted look in his eyes. "...Terrorized you say? Sano, I want you to go to the dojo and bring your friends to the house. Something wicked hangs over this town."
Mekros watched as the three walked down the street. After they were out of sight, he flew down from his perch and landed on the ground. His tiny crow disguise was no longer needed so instead of feathers, the dark lord now wore black robes hidden underneath his purple cloak, it was fastened underneath metal shoulder pads. His face completely darkened by a fearsome helmet, save for malevolent topaz eyes that blazed from within. "Yes, show me the way to the vessel... I have all the time in the world, Nicodemus." Grinning his thin lips, Mekros began to follow the three...
The residents of the Kamiya Dojo continued to slumber, blissfully unaware of the preceding events. And in the main bedchamber, Kaoru was sound asleep in a sugared dream...
Karou has having a wonderful day; the dojo was full of new students eager to learn the art of the sword. With Yahiko helping the stragglers and Sano sweeping the courtyard, one would hardly imagine life otherwise. Satisfied to leave her students with Yahiko, the assistant master goes out to the courtyard to find a certain red haired wanderer.
Kenshin was busy attending to a fish roasting on a fire. The heavenly aroma adding to the serenity in the now peaceful dojo. As he prepared to turn the fish over he felt a pair of hands creep around his neck.
"AAH!! Miss Kaoru, you know I don't like it when you do that." Kenshin said meekly to the raccoon girl.
"I know." Kaoru smiled. "That fish smells really good."
"It sure does." Kenshin commented. "It should almost be ready to eat, that it should."
The afternoon sun began its descent into the horizon, painting the skies a beautiful crimson dusk. As the two sat on the roof, Kenshin felt a little tinge of pink on his face.
"Miss Kaoru, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you."
"What is it, Kenshin?"
Kenshin slowly reached a hand into his gi. "Well, it's been a long time since we met, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has."
Kenshin felt his face begin to blush slightly. "Kaoru-dono, you've made me feel like the luckiest man in this town every since we met. Every moment I spend with you have filled a void in my heart that started 10 years ago."
Kaoru was speechless. "You mean you felt empty even as the Battousai?"
The ruroni nodded. "Kaoru I was meaning to ask you..."
"Yes?" Kaoru's beautiful sapphire eyes lit up.
"Karou-dono, will you-"
Everything shattered like a giant piece of glass before her, where the once was the dojo was now a black nothingness. Kaoru felt time stand still for a moment or two, she found herself feeling cold.
"Kenshin? Yahiko?... Where is everyone?"
Karou walked aimlessly in the darkness. With each passing moment, she began to feel her fear eating away at her. Then after darting around, her eyes found something.
"Kenshin?" She asked. ....
There was no answer, yet she could swear it was coming towards her. As this figure moved closer, Kaoru felt the blood in her veins freeze. She started to walk away from the mystery being but she soon began to run. To her dismay, the creature was fast, and the closer it got, the larger it became. Kaoru's skin turned pale with fright as she beheld the dark features and ran as much as her legs would allow her, but pair of thin, spider-like hands were reaching out towards her. Kaoru managed an ear- piercing scream as the hands trapped her in their cold grasp...
Kaoru awoke with a shriek and shielded her face with her hands, but when she opened her eyes there was only the familiar objects and surroundings of her room in the gloom of the night. "... A bad dream?" she said to no one in particular. "that was terrible." As Kaoru got off the floor, she heard someone trying to open the door. Fearing it might be a burglar, Kaoru grabbed a vase and waited, poised to strike.
The door slid open, she could only make out a shadow, but once she saw it had stuck its head inside, she brought down the vase hard on the intruder.
"AAAGGHH!!!!!" came a familiar scream of pain.
Karou's expression changed from fear to worry as she discovered whom it was she hit: Not an evil robber but a scarred samurai with a crimson ponytail and swirly eyes. "Ororororo...."
"Oh my god, Kenshin, are you all right?" she asked shaking the fallen wanderer back to consciousness.
"Hello, my name is Samonouske, that it is..." the wanderer mumbled non- coherently. Brain damage was not a pretty thing, and with Kaoru, that threat dangled menacingly over Kenshin's head. It took about 10 minutes, but Kenshin's brain cells were able to rearrange themselves again. "Is something the matter, Miss Kaoru? I heard some kind of scream."
"It was so horrible." Kaoru began. "I never though something so scary was possible..." her fears returning, she began to trail off into tears. Kenshin felt a compassionate smile work on his face. He began to put his arms around the weeping Kaoru. "Everything's all right, Miss Kaoru, that it is. Why don't you tell me all about it?"
"It was a horrible dream. I thought something was trying to get me." Kaoru began. "I never felt so afraid in all my life."
".... Something was trying to get you?" Kenshin asked with a whit of confusion. "Miss Kaoru, I think you might be stressed out about something."
The latter was too tired to take offense at the remark, her eyes began to stare into Kenshin's: Those warm, welcoming violet eyes; she would often lose herself in them. Kenshin found himself doing the same thing as Karou. Both the assistant master and wanderer began to think the same thought, their faces inching towards each other their hearts beating faster. They closed their eyes anticipating the sweet joy of a kiss...
Unfortunately for them, Sano and Yahiko were in close proximity when they went to tell them the news.
Yahiko felt deep revoltion at seeing what he thought of seeing Kaoru and Kenshin lip wrestle. "Ugh! Kenshin, I can't believe you're doing what I'm seeing you doing!" He immediately left to find a place to purge his swelling disgust.
The disdainful outburst caused both Kenshin and Kaoru to go wide-eyed and say "Oro!?!?!??!?" Sweat drops fell like waterfalls on backs of their heads.
"I don't know if this is going to sound weird compared to this," Sano exclaimed, "but that Nico- whatever-his-name-is wants us to head over to his place right now." The rooster left them alone. Both Kaoru and Kenshin turned beet red with embarrassment before they mentally agreed to follow. If either of them have them have turned around, they would have notice a small glob of slime growing out of the ground...
It was quarter past 1:00 am as Misao found herself rushing from one end of Juno's house to another, fetching various archaic instruments for Nick's research. Yahiko and Kaoru were dozing off, leaving Kenshin, Sano, Saitou and Soujiro awake to ponder this premature summoning.
"Do any of you know what's going on?" Kenshin asked.
"Not yet." Saitou began "But from what we discussed earlier, it's got the Crow boy worried."
"'Crow Boy?'" Kenshin and Sano repeated quizzically.
"I believe Mr. Saitou has given Nicodemus an animal name." Soujiro joked.
"It seems rather appropriate, but that's not the point." Saitou continued. "He's been in that room ever since our interrupted duel."
Kenshin's eyebrows creased in annoyance. He didn't like the idea of someone picking fights during a dangerous time, Saitou or Sano in particular. "You haven't changed at all, Saitou."
As the conversation between the guys wore on, Misao found it aggravating, agitating, and infuriating that she was the only one doing the work. As she was passing Yahiko, she kicked the apprentice swordsman in the face to wake him up.
"OWWW!!" the latter yelled angrily. "Who dares to kick my face?"
Almost as if she were awake, Kaoru buried her right fist into Yahiko's skull.
"But I didn't call you ugly this time!" Yahiko objected. That proved to be a poor choice of words as Kaoru instantly woke up and they continued their sibling-rivalry squabbling anew. Misao grinned from ear to ear as she continued her labors.
Nick felt the heat of 3 suns beat upon him as he toiled with his experiments. Having taken a sample of Juno's vital fluids, he set up a crude microscope and put it under the glass.
"Here's the last one." Misao said as she laid a load of books to the floor. "What is that thing?" She asked as she looked at the small device Nick was looking into.
"This is a microscope." The sorcerer continued without looking up. "It allows you to look at tiny things up close and personal."
"Hey, let me see." The weasel asked. Nick stepped aside as Misao put her eye to the device. "Ewww, these look like tiny little bugs!"
"Those little bugs run around your entire body." Nick answered sternly.
"AHHH!! GET THEM OUTTA ME! GET' EM OUTTA ME!!!" Misao screamed as she jumped around in a panicked frenzy.
Nick couldn't help but laugh at Misao's predicament. "Relax. That's your blood."
Misao stopped in midpanic and a question mark popped over her head.
"These round little "bugs" as you call them," the sorcerer began, "Are actually blood cells. They race throughout out your entire body delivering air, there's so many of them, they are what makes your blood so red. But this actually came from Juno. Since Juno is technically a golem, his vital fluids are kind of bluish, but since my blood courses in his veins as well, it's almost violet." He reached into a coat pocket and took out a folded handkerchief and opened it, inside was the mysterious slime recovered from one of the terror-struck families' homes.
"If what Saitou says is true, this little thing should give us some answers. Misao, could you get some writing material? I need you to document the findings as I say them out to you."
"Sure thing." Misao acknowledged.
Nick resumed his post at the microscope after applying the sample to Juno's blood. He sat still, daring not to even breath until something happened. "... Nothing yet.... Wait a minute, the slime cells are being attacked by antibodies."
Misao had to rush in order to keep up.
Back in the lobby, the once abandoned mahjong game was cleared out for a game of Shogi. Saitou was pondering his next move, eyeing a sudden smug Sanouske.
"Come on old man, we're not getting any younger, ya know." Sano taunted.
Saitou silently took a piece and moved it forward, leaving Sano bug-eyed and annoyed once again. "You lose again Rooster." Came the manslayer's reprisal, "You stink at everything."
Sano felt a familiar vein in his forehead pound. "-T-t that's it: No more Mr. Nice Guy. I'm taking you out in the next game!"
Kenshin and Soujiro watched the game and the play-by-play comedy of Sano's newest losing streak.
"Mr. Sanouske sure doesn't know when to quit." Soujiro commented.
"You got that right." Kenshin nodded "He tried to drag me into his gambling one time, that he did."
"Did he think you could help him?"
"Yes, but he lost even more than humanly possible that day."
Sano froze almost immediately at said response. Soujiro found himself laughing uncontrollably, Kenshin joined him soon after. Once again, Saitou felt his jawbones clenching as he let out a slight chuckle to himself, this game just kept getting better and better.
"What are you smiling at?!?!" Sano thundered at the wolf.
"Just how horrible your luck, let alone, your life really is!"
Poor Sano... but before Kaoru and Yahiko could marshal their own laughter against him, the door to Nick's laboratory opened and all fell silent. Misao came out with a scroll in her hand and the young sorcerer soon after.
"...How is Juno?" Kenshin broke the dead silence.
"I have the results right here." Nick said as he began to read. It was about a minute or two after when he finished. "Something appears to be invading Juno's blood stream, possibly the strange slime that's suddenly appearing."
"So there's a correlation?" Saitou asked.
"Maybe." Came the sorcerer's answer. "But I need to do more research before I can be sure."
Kaoru had left the group to find some quiet when she came across Juno's room. As she started to pass, the door creaked open, beckoning her inside. The room was quiet as a tomb, save for the gentle breathing of the stricken fortuneteller in his slumber. Kaoru slowly put a hand on Juno's brow.
"...He's burning up." Kaoru said to herself. "A fever?"
Juno turned over his sleep, and Kaoru saw that he was holding a folded piece of paper. At first she was hesitant, she carefully tugged the paper out of Juno's hand and opened it slowly. She began to scan through the writing hastily...
"EVERYONE!" A shout followed shortly. All heads turned towards the point of origin. Kaoru emerged from the room with the paper.
"Is something the matter, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin went to meet her. She only nodded, then she handed the parchment to Nick.
"What is this?" he asked. Kaoru only motioned to it. The sorcerer opened up the paper. A long silence followed for he soon began to read...
"'To Master Blackwyvern, my assistants, and friends of the Kamiya Dojo.
"'By the time you read this letter... I will no longer be myself. I had hoped that my current condition wasn't anything to worry about, but after what had transpired earlier today I cannot ignore this curse any longer.
"Master Nick, I know I haven't been on this earth for very long, but at this point I can only rely on you to help me in this time of need. Even as I write this letter, I pray that you can find a way to stop Mekro's curse.
"'But if there is a chance that I cannot be saved... I leave it to you and the others to kill me....
Disbelief and shock seized everyone by their throats at the last written statement.
"K... he wants us to kill him?" Yahiko stuttered.
".... That's what it says." Nick said. "There's more:
"' I can already picture the disbelief in your eyes, but I would rather let myself be destroyed than have that monster use my skills for destruction.
"'I was glad that I have met you all, it makes me sad that at the rate I'm going I won't be able to see the fortunes I predicted come to be, nor will I be able to pass on my knowledge of potions and fortune telling to my assistants.
"'Master, I conclude this will by saying that at this point, I leave everything in your hands and Mr. Himura's. Whatever your decisions decide, I will hold nothing against you. I am happy enough knowing that life is worth living, even if as a golem.
Farewell, -Fortuneteller Juno.
P.S: If Hiko comes around, tell him that no, I did not bequeath my entire stock of Sake to him. He has to pay for it like everyone else!'"
The letter fell out of the sorcerer's hands and his eyes became fixated on the floor.
"What are we going to do?" Misao asked. "There must be some way of avoiding something so grisly, is there?"
"... I wish there was, Misao" Nick sighed heavily. "But it will be hard to begin when we don't know what's wrong."
"And if this curse is as bad as it sounds," Kenshin added, "Death may only be a blessing for Juno, that it might."
"Kenshin, how could you be so pessimistic?" Kaoru scoffed at the latter. "There has to be at least something we can do!"
Sano cricked his neck before finding something to say. "I have to agree with the little missy, but like the Crow said, we have to figure out what's wrong."
"If it weren't for the fact that you were serious about that," Nick eyed the rooster dangerously, "I'd have to curse you myself!"
Yahiko felt forlorn the most. Of all the strangers he met, Juno was the only one who motivated him in a way that his goal was worthwhile. He gazed at the dull katana the fortuneteller gave him not too long ago. Feeling a sense of resolution welling inside him, the apprentice stood up tall and focused. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to help."
All eyes were focused on Yahiko; it was rare that he had moments like this.
"All you guys sitting on your butts moping, Juno wouldn't want to see you like this. He'd want to see you all trying to bend Heaven and Earth before giving up!"
"Wow, look at Yahiko trying to sound cool." Sano remarked with a sly grin.
"What was that??" Yahiko thundered. "I dare you to say that again!"
Kenshin was impressed at Yahiko's sudden surge of spirit. "It seems that Yahiko has a point, that he does. It's a bad idea to give up when we haven't even started."
Nick stood there with the letter in his hand, listening to Kenshin and the others murmuring in agreement.
"... You're all a bunch of fools, you are." Nick said.
At this comment, many confused eyes turned towards him.
"Anyone who tried to defy Mekros' powers has got to be a fool. ... I like it: count me in!" Nick's frown turned into a grin.
"... And what simple-minded fools you all are..." A evil voice boomed out of nowhere.
Nick felt the hairs on his end; he turned towards the front door. Standing in the open threshold stood a figure out of shadow. Dark robes, topaz eyes and a fearsome war helmet distinguished him like something out of a bad dream.
"What the heck is that?" Karou asked, startled by the imposing stranger.
"I am called the Dark Lord Mekros." The stranger answered. "And soon now, I shall rule this backwater country."
Nick's face was one of cold fury. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"
Mekros smiled at his enemy's anger. "I have come to claim your golem."
Immediately, Kenshin, and Saitou laid their hands on their swords.
"Is he in by any chance?" the warlock taunted.
"You're not allowed to see him." Nick answered. "Not before I make you pay for his torment."
Mekros laughed a slow, hallow chuckle. "Even after all this, you still oppose me? I commend you for getting this far in eluding me, but this game of cat and mouse is about to end."
Nick was slowly reaching for the scythe on his back. "What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the last time we met? I vowed that you would suffer for your defiance. Now I've come to collect."
"I'll never let you take him!" the younger sorcerer answered flatly.
Mekros chuckled again, this time, causing his shoulder plates to tremble a little. "Who said I was going to kidnap him? Perhaps you should ask him yourself."
"Indeed, Mekros..." A scratchy, sinister voice came behind everyone. "I am entitled to my own say in this matter after all". From the gloom of the bedchamber, Juno emerged. The young fortuneteller lifted his hooded head slowly, gazing towards the assemblage with the piercing blood-red eyes that had haunted them earlier. "You are late, Mekros." The scratchy voice hissed.
"Forgive me, my lord. I was sidetracked for a bit." The dark lord nodded slowly.
"'My lord?' "Nick repeated. "What have you done to my son?" His grip on the scythe tightened.
"After you bested me last time, I began to plot my revenge." Mekros began. "I knew that the only way to return the favor was to target the thing you loved most. Then I found a secret kept hidden by the ancient druids of the heavens. A forbidden ritual that no one had dared attempted for fear of angering the gods."
Nick's features went white with recognition. "No! Not the-"
"-Yes!" Mekros' eyes flashed with a malevolent insanity "The Ritual of the Avatar!"
Kenshin and his friends found themselves a little lost, but judging by the reactions between Nick and Mekros, this sounded serious.
"What's an 'avatar'?" Soujiro asked no one in particular.
"I'll be happy to tell you." The demonic entity grinned an evil grin and turned towards the ex-Juupongatana leader. "A sorcerer who invokes this ritual can call forth powerful beings and become hosts for them."
Nick felt his blood boil as he stared at Mekros. The warlock was enjoying this moment immensely.
"In other words," The dark lord continued, "This power turns any mortal into a living god."
"But why Juno?" Nick asked. "You could have made yourself the vessel."
"Very true." Mekros said. "But I wanted you to see you suffer. You already see the slime generating, haven't you? It's a sign that my plan has been working."
"Just what is this you're scheming?" Saitou asked. "The people tell me they keep seeing a demon of some kind."
"Got it all in one, Saitou." The demon Juno sneered. "For you see, Mekros has struck a deal for power if he was able to provide me a pure body for my vessel.
"...I've heard enough." Nick took out his scythe. "Reverse the spell right now, Mekros."
The dark lord was not too impressed. "Such savagery is unbecoming to a promising sorcerer like yourself."
With a yell, Nick launched himself towards Mekros, ready to cleave off his helmeted head. But the warlock raised a hand and fired off a sphere of dark energy. The impact sent Nick flying into the wall...
"Impetuous fool." Mekros towered over him "Think you I would be defeated by such feeble tactics?"
"Enough stalling, Mekros." Demon/Juno ordered. "The time of the incantation has come. Fail me now and the deal is off."
Misao threw a single kunai at the dark lord, taking him by surprise as well as a piercing on his right hand. "You are a spirited one to attack me so boldly... "Mekros admitted with no hint of pain. "...I hate that." He pulled out the kunai, revealing that the hand was metal and not flesh. "Anyone else want to try to be a hero?"
Yahiko moved forward but Nick motioned him to stop.
"What are you doing?" The apprentice-swordsman objected.
"Mekros is someone you don't want to mess with." Nick stated. "Take your friends and get out of here."
"There's no need for that." Demon/Juno waved an index finger in a disapproving way. His red eyes flashed a blinding light in the room. When the light dimmed, everyone including the warlock and the possessed fortuneteller were outside. "You may begin the incantation anytime now."
Mekros felt the winds of triumph upon him. The demon's spell had his opposition completely immobilized, meaning that no one would be able to interrupt him. "You all attempted to oppose me? Now you shall bear witness to the rebirth of the world's true master!"
The helmeted tyrant took out what looked to be an ancient parchment. He took a moment to revel in the helplessness of his would-be nuisances. But as his eyes scanned their features of frustration and fear, he found a pair of sharp violet eyes staring at him sternly from what he thought was a washed up samurai in dire need of a hair cut. "And what are you looking at?"
"I've seen some very strange things in my life, but this concept of magic is the most mysterious of them all, that it is." Kenshin spoke. "I can see that you are afraid, in spite of your power. If you release Juno from your curse, I will allow you to leave peacefully. Otherwise, you are going to wish you never set foot in this land."
Mekros was silent for a minute as his face slowly twisted into a sadistic grin. Then he began to laugh like a madman. "Ha ha ha ha! You're joking, aren't you? What can you, a mortal samurai do to me that would make me feel fear??" The laughter turned into mad glee as Mekros began to hover to the sky. "Normally, I would kill someone who had your insolence myself, but you shall be the first to suffer before the true master of the world this night!"
Mekros held out his metal hand in a dramatic fashion, glowing with dark energy, Mekros began to recite the words upon his parchment:
"Ee-mo-sen, kra-mo-ten,
The time has come, the place is now....
Abro-sha-clack-to-din,
I call thee forth from the world beyond...
The dark blue skies were gradually blotted out by billowing storm clouds, thunder rumbling in the distance. Mekros uses his magic to etch out an unholy pentagram in the sky. Demon/Juno began to take to the skies as well, floating over Mekros' evil rune.
"Muu-kai-shou, crau- fyen-go,
ancient spirit, come forth to me.
Tre-quan-xa, ma-ho-ryu,
Take this shell as your flesh,
and this dew as your blood...
Down in the streets, the slime that permeated in the homes of the victims was gathering into a large blob below and soon covered the possessed Juno and hardened in to a large crystalline shell.
Misao tried to struggle against the spell but to little success. "Dammit, this magic is too strong! I can't move a muscle."
"You're pretty smart to figure that out so quickly." Sano growled sarcastically. "Of course that doesn't matter now since we're all gonna die."
"I don't think now's a good time for arguing, Sano." Nick said to the rooster. "We've already got enough on our hands, damn that Mekros...One way or another, he'll pay for messing with my son." In spite of his words though, Nick could do not, but feel helpless as well.
Soujiro and Yahiko were ignoring the arguments, their eyes fixed on the ritual above that would spell their doom. Kaoru was becoming fearful at the hopelessness of their situation.
Kenshin was becoming frustrated at this point, his struggling was only allowing his fingers to twitch and his anger at Mekros' insanity was pumping adrenaline through his body. But he soon felt something faint beginning to crawl out from his subconscious...
The shell around Juno was starting to crack and the pentagram burning as Mekros was nearing the final incantations, his eyes twitching with mad anticipation.
"Po-ku-ru, Wa-xu-lin,
Awaken now from your eternal sleep
And build a new empire upon the land.
Rule this world with pure dark sin,
RISE NOW SUIDRAS, SHADOW KING OF NIGHTMARES!!!!"
The shell and pentagram exploded with the force of a thousand cannons. The clouds began to unleash a fury of lightning bolts upon the streets. As the dust settled, half of Tokyo found itself in eternal darkness. The source came in a giant form shrouded in a great black cloak. A pair of great horns towered from his great demonic head among a mass of almost-limp gray hair. The creature worked his mouth open revealing glistening white fangs. His eyes were next to open, they were a pupiless blood red as when he took control of Juno, only now this was a hundred times worse..
Mekros was laughing in mad triumph as he turned his attention again to the flies in the sandpaper. "Tremble in terror before the wake of your new masters!"
Suidras turned to the megalomainical warlock. "A little over the top, but well said, Mekros."
Kaoru felt a scream coming on but she was too petrified to even attempt it. Misao beat her to it, though.
The demon king took in a deep breath of the air. "The scent of freedom is a wonderful thing. And look over yonder. My first meal in over a thousand years..."
It was at that sentence that Kaoru began to whimper in fear again. Kenshin could only struggle as he watched the monster inched towards Kaoru.
"Do not be so worried, little one." Suidras assured the frightened assistant-master. "You've already given me strength to rise earlier this night, your fear is a rare dish I prefer to take in slowly."
Kenshin's blood was now boiling as Suidras reached out a spidery-clawed hand towards Kaoru. He cursed himself inward for being unable to do something. But then, something happened. He could feel his bonds loosening and his heartbeat growing stronger. He knew that something was changing inside him: his eyes had turned to golden yellow...
-End of Chapter 10
With the resurrection of Suidras, Mekros now seems unstoppable. But something happens that the great warlock has not counted on: A shadow of the past returns to clash with this new threat. Soon afterwards, Nicodemus begins to plan a countermeasure, but with Suidras' wrath set on Tokyo, will a manslayer's rage be enough to turn away the darkness? Next on Kamiya Dojo Insomniacs, "Concerto of Chaos."
Whew! Another chapter done at last! Doing something like this seems to get harder and harder every time.. but it's a challenge worth undertaking. This is my first time writing an actual (if short,) battle scene and fluffy moments, by the way. Next on my list is continuing my RK Whose Line fic so it will probably be a while before I start on chapter 11. See you in the review pages!