Chapter II: The Reality
The room was still dark but he could see a silver ray of light from the window in his bedroom. It took him five weeks before he could finally lie again on his soft bed. Many things have happened for the past few weeks. Fights and battles with the two opposing parties, the Eclextia and the VOLTS, have been very hard for him and for Ginji. That battle was one thing he could not ignore. He had to protect Ginji. He was his teammate so he was bound to do everything for his partner. The problem was that he failed to do so what he had promised. And the consequences are tough to handle -- to be isolated, deserted, alone, with no one to share your thoughts, adventures and smiles. For once in Ban's life, he was alone. Raitei was back and Ginji… he'll be gone forever…
His alarm clock rang. It was pretty late so he had to get up though it felt so good to be left lying on his warm bed just once. But it felt bad for he didn't have Ginji anymore as his great human alarm clock. Before, he would remember, this time in the morning, the boy would come running into his room shouting, "Ban-chan! Ohayou Gozaimas! Get up! Get up! It's time for a new adventure…" or if not talking about new experiences, about food and other stuff, "Ban-chan! The sun's up! Let's have a decent breakfast! Himiko-chan and Akabane-kun are coming later. We have to eat. Come on, please?" That was a month ago though. Everything's different now. He needed to get use again with his old alarm clock stored under the cupboard for almost two years since he met Ginji.
He was about to put on his slippers when someone knocked on his room.
"What again?...So early in the morning…Who's there?"
There was no answer from the back of the door. Ban then stood up and walked towards the door. He was about to open it when the door suddenly broke into pieces and a loud bang was heard. Smoke and dust covered Ban's face, making him unable to see who the rude intruders were. As he opened his eyes, he saw two blurred figures above him. One was clad in a black robe the other was in the same attire, only with a dark pointed hat. He knew who these people were but at the moment, his brain seemed to be unable to identify who exactly they are.
"Who are you?" asked Ban when the smoke finally vanished. "Don't go hiding under those cloaks."
But as he said this, a sweet scent filled the room. As he smelled the scent, his body started to feel weak. His eyes were again blurry and as he knelt on the floor, trying to balance himself, he saw the hand holding a bottle with purple liquid. The other man was holding neon knives in between his fingers.
"How nice of you t-to drop b-by," choked Ban. "…Dr. Jackal and Lady Poison…why have you come?"
Akabane knelt and looked at Ban's eyes. He positioned one of his knives on Ban's throat and smiled.
"Nothing personal Mido-san. It's just plain business…" answered the creepy man. "Now let's get down into business, shall we? First, tell us, how did 500 people disappear all at once a few days ago, without Eclextia's upper levels knowing about it?"
"Well I see you know about it now," Ban said with a laugh while picking up his shades near Himiko's feet. Their conversation had given him time to recover from the effect of the perfume.
"Stop playing games with us Mido Ban," spat the Lady Poison. "You don't want your throat cut, do you? Answer correctly and Isan might spare your life, you traitor!"
As the lady shouted these words, Ban attacked Akabane fiercely but missed. Instead, his snake bite got aimed on the floor where Akabane knelt a second before. He was about to launch another attack when he felt Dr. Jackal's bloody sword on his throat, ready to strike if any movement was made.
"Nice attack Mido, but you should move faster next time," said Akabane with a smile. His other hand had the neon knives pointed behind Ban's back. "Don't resist us anymore, because you know what'll happen."
Ban tried to use his evil eye on Himiko but it was a second later for he already felt Dr. Jackal's knives plunge into his back. He turned around and saw him smiling while pulling the knives from Ban's body. They were not stained with blood. He could not see any blood drip on the floor, but still, he felt his body collapse to the floor. The last face he saw was that of Ginji Amano. Why am I seeing your face Ginji? Why? He closed his eyes and knew no more.
"A waste…"
"No one would think that Central Gate's guardian is this weak…"
"That's not it, Lady Poison…"
"What do you mean, Dr. Jackal?"
"This is his plan."
"Plan? How—what?"
Before, Himiko thought that Ban was the strongest ally a team can have. A moment ago, she thought the opposite of it, for she saw how easy he fell under Akabane. But now, she sees who Ban is. The Ban Yamato always described… Strong. Agile. Cunning. Why does she think so? She did not know…
He heard voices far away, talking about a traitor… Was there a traitor among their midst? Who is he? Where has he fled? Until he remembers… and laughs… He was the traitor. He would expect them to finish him off because of what he did, but… well, he won't be killed that easily… He opened the bars restraining his freedom and as he did, blue eyes stared at him, and a familiar sensation filled his head… He was being pulled to his death… But why---? As he was thrown forward to a dark space, he saw infront of him clearly dead, eagle-spread on the invisible floor were his parents, Natsumi-chan, Paul Wan, Hevn-san, himself, and --- Ginji?... No, he said… I must run… This is impossible… How?
Mido Ban opened his eyes and saw blood red eyes stare at his deep blue ones. He tried to move himself but as he did, he felt cold chains cut into his wrists and legs, making them bleed a little. He then realized what was happening, where he was and why was he in such state. He was chained to two green pillars set on the middle of a big chamber. His arms were chained to the upper part of the pillars and his feet on the bottom. As he looked down, he saw the recognizable black carpet of Eclextia with 6 stitches embedded on every 1 meter of the lush rug, covering the path towards the king's throne. He slowly moved his head and looked at the usual seat of his Emperor, well that was before he decided to betray them, but saw no one seated. He decided to look down on his feet instead…
Cold fingers held his chin and held them up, leveling with the person who had blood red eyes.
"You…," said Ban with brows contracting slightly. "I should've finished you off with your men when I had the chance, Isan Eclextia." He had a hard time talking for he felt the pain caused by Akabane's neon knives earlier that morning. There was no wound though.
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" said Isan, without letting go of Ban's jowl. "You have irked me long enough that I should've killed you even before you had the chance to get the rank you are in now. But since you are very dear to me, I could not do such thing. Anyway…"
She let go of the man's chin and turned her back on him. Ban told himself, 'she will never kill me, though she says so'. Ban was about to say this to the Empress but a searing pain filled his cheek, as he felt Empress Isan's hand slap him across the face.
"What the heck---?" blurted out Ban, the impact was so strong that his glasses were thrown to the other side of the pillar supporting him.
"That is what you get for betraying a woman," said Isan, disgust etching every bit of voice. "I have met a lot of traitors in my time, but so far, you have been the most hateful of all, but ---…"
Her voice became softer and trailed away as she walked around the pillars.
"You have been the one I set my eyes on lovingly…"
Ban felt the pain on his cheek fly away as she said this. He was stunned. What is this woman saying? Him? Lovingly? He could not believe his ears… He was so shocked that the only thing he was able to say was…
"You're crazy… Yeah that's right… You're definitely mental…"
-------------
"Ei, Kadsuki-chan… wait up!"
"What is it, Makubex?"
Darkness was steadily creeping in as Makubex catched up Kadsuki and Jubei, and walked beside the two. He did not know what to do the moment he left Raitei alone. It was bothering him… The way his best friend talked. If only he could open up to his colleagues and tell them about their conversation, but he was too scared to break the trust Raitei had given him. This is just between us, don't let the others know… You're all important to me, I know… VOLTS, Mugenjyou, the people,… but…. You are the most important of all Makubex… Worrying the others won't do any good… Please… Maku-chan… Those were his words. I could never betray the Raitei… never…
"Makubex?"
"Huh?" said the kid while rubbing his eyes. "Sorry…"
"Sorry? Are you sure you're okay?" asked Kadsuki with concern. "I think you don't look well. Why don't you just let me and Jubei go to the Northern command for you?"
"No… I… let me… It's okay, I'll go with you. Kaisshin's probably enjoying supper with the other heads. I need to talk to Haruki-san by the way," answered Makubex. Kadsuki caight a glimpse of his rubbing of his eyes, making him place a hand on the kid's head.
"You are a kid…" whispered Kadsuki.
"Hnn?" asked Makubex, a little bit confused.
"Don't worry about Raitei. He's made up of stronger stuff than you think he is," Jubei said with a smile, while clasping the boy's shoulder.
"He won't like to see you crying you know…" said Kadsuki, bringing out a white handkerchief for Makubex to use.
"I'm. not. crying…," defended Makubex (but gets the hanky anyway). "The wind… just got dust particles on my eyes…"
"This Eclextia business just sounds so tough for you, but I tell you, we've met cases more difficult than fighting against a system like this," explained Kadsuki. "Raitei will make it, well, maybe with a few scratches if not markless… but really…."
Jubei shook Makubex's shoulder and said, "Believe him. He has never gone wrong yet with any of the decisions he made. You just need to trust him… That's all."
Trust… I'm scared… What if it'll be too hard for him this time? This case is outside the Infinite Fortress… His powers won't be very very strong outside Mugenjyou's walls…
"I'm still scared for him," Makubex said, now hiding his face in Kadsuki's chest. "What if because of this… because of this…"
"--- Ginji won't return?" asked Kadsuki with a smile. "Raitei mentioned this before to us before you arrived as a VOLTS king: 'Whatever happens, whatever you do, believe in yourself and never let fear & anger overcome the faith and trust you have deep inside you.' These words came from the Raitei's own mouth. He'll never lose himself…"
"Even Ginji?"
"Yes, even Ginji…"
"Don't make things worst for you Mido Ban," said Poison Lady. They were now in a dark room deep inside the fortress of Eclextia. The pillars where Ban was tied in the grand hall were gone. Instead, his hands were tied to a single pillar at the center of the room.
"The solution's easy Mido-san," said Dr. Jackal while twirling his bloody sword between his fingers like a baton. "Speak the truth, and no harm shall be inflicted upon you… for now."
"You'll never get anything from me…" spat Ban while closing his eyes. "How many times did I already tell you? I didn't betray anyone. I'm not siding with Eclextia nor am I on VOLTS side. I'm on my own side. I fight for myself, that's all. I'm not puppets like you guys who follow orders from crazy emperors."
"Watch your mouth Mido…" warned Himiko, the disintegrating scent positioned under his nose. "That's not the point. We're not talking about sides here. What Isan-sama was saying is about life. People's lives, to be specific. If you told her about the massacre the other party did, then those men could've lived a longer life and not die, wounded in their areas."
"I remember clearly the witch's orders: Guard the Main Access Gate of the Central command system. That's all. I didn't remember anything about reports and help to dying comrades…"
"Why you---!" said Himiko angrily, almost removing the cover of the disintegrating scent but was stopped by Akabane.
"Relax Lady Poison," the creepy man said softly. "There's no use talking to a man who knows nothing but himself…"
"Is that you Dr. Jackal?" asked Ban with sarcasm. "I believe you and I are just the same. We fight for ourselves not for anybody else."
Akabane took his sword and pointed it at Ban's throat, making him raise his head a little to avoid the bloody point. He tilted his hat backwards and looked at Ban with increasing repugnance.
"Yes, I suppose Mido-san but unlike you, I prioritize work. Work and self go together. Don't get me wrong Ban. Everything I am doing now is for the sake of work. I'm not trying to hurt you because of personal hate. Well, on some occasions I do want to fight you but now is not the time. It is merely for fun and I want to know who's better: me or you."
"Whatever," muttered Ban while eyeing Akabane with hate. "Tell me, what happens if the boy returns?"
"What boy?" asked Himiko. They don't know about the VOLTS King Makubex. Nice. I'll give them what they want and see what they've got to say… said Ban in his head.
"You want to get info from me right?" asked Ban with mock. "Fine I'll give you what you need. It was a VOLTS King who came and finished off Isan's men. It was not I who asked him to come. He came on his own will. If I'm not mistaken, he's the Northern Command's opposing head. He's my enemy for short."
"How can we trust you?" asked the Lady Poison with eyebrows meeting at the center. "A moment ago you were hesitating to tell us anything and now you suddenly---.."
"--- go on," interrupted Akabane. He thrust the bloody sword in front of Ban, paralleling with him. "Don't worry Poison Lady. If lies come out from his mouth, this sword will do the job for us… Right, Mido-san?"
Ban gulped and eyed the sword suspiciously but only for a moment. He did not want them to notice his reactions.
"Definitely. It was Makubex of Infinite City. As you can see, I did not betray anyone. I did my job by not letting him in the Central Access Gate ok?" My heart's beating so fast. Damn. It's hard to keep explanations not so detailed for god's sake…
"Very well," Akabane said, sitting on the chair opposite the pillar. Himiko decided to remain standing though another chair was vacant beside Dr. Jackal. She didn't want to go near the man as much as possible; though she was sure they were on the same side.
"Last question, Mido-san," Akabane said, now becoming more serious than ever. He still didn't budge his bloody sword. "Why did you not finish off Makubex when you had the chance?"
Ban's heart was hammering. Why? He asked himself. Why did he not kill the boy? Was it because he was just a kid? He knew himself, didn't he? He would never harm a child even if it is an enemy. He wasn't that young though, but still… or… maybe it was because he felt something in the boy… Perhaps his link… to Ginji?...
"He was just---," Ban hesitated. "No, I did not kill him yet so that… so that we can get information from him, about VOLTS. He might be able to give us important data about the enemy, especially their weaknesses…"
"Is that so?" was the reply of Akabane. "Where is the boy then? If that is your initial plan, why did you not bring back the boy here and not let him escape?"
"I…"
"Stop fiddling with our minds Mido," Himiko said. "You could have easily killed him if you wanted, just like what you did to Onisan."
"Don't involve Yamato in this matter!" glared Ban. "This is a different case Himiko. I would not kill someone without any important purpose!"
"What was your purpose then when you killed onisan? For fun? Sure. All of you love to toy with others feelings. You kill for fun and won't even care about what others would undergo!" spat Himiko.
"You're wrong…" said Ban calmly. "I ---,"
Ring… Ring… Ring…
"What's that?" asked Himiko, regaining a bit of her composure.
"A call," said Akabane. He looked at the screen and saw the name ISAN-SAMA. "I have to go. I need to answer this. And oh," he added, "you know what to do with Mido-san if you're through with him."
Akabane left Himiko and Ban in the room and closed the door with a loud bang, echoing through the dark room.
"Himiko…"
"Don't talk to me."
"About Yamato, he asked me ---,"
"WHAT?" glared Himiko, taking her disintegrating scent from her back and removing its cover. "to kill him? So, you're trying to say that Yamato asked you to finish him off. Is that it? I thought you were smart Mido, I didn't know you could come up with far-fetched lies like this. You can't even look me in the eye…"
"That's the truth!" said Ban, finally looking up and meeting Himiko's eye. For the first time, she saw a tear trickle from his penetrating azure eyes. "You know how important you two are to me. Can you not even understand that? I would have died before I do you any harm just for my own sake and fun. You're brother was in so much pain at that time. I was even half-paralyzed after seeing him sitting on the floor, leaning on the kitchen cabinet, pain showing on his face."
"I had to think twice… no not even just twice…I had to think about that a million times," said Ban, trying hard to keep another tear from falling. I hate this…I swear I'm not crying again, ever… "Do you really think that I killed him willingly? Is that what you're trying to point out!"
"YES!"
"Then you're wrong!" spat back Ban now feeling angrier than ever. His insides were squirming as though they wanted to come out and show Himiko the whole truth about Yamato's death.
"I know you wouldn't understand me, no matter how many times I tried to explain it to you," said Ban, calmly though his eyes were still burning with rage. "You need proof?... Then untie me…"
"What?" asked Himiko, incredulously. "Untie you? I'm not stupid Mido. And I don't need proof either. You being alive and my brother being dead is enough proof to show who's to blame here…"
"I need you to trust me," said Ban now talking slowly as though every word he uttered weighed a lot. "You can be sure about this one, Himiko. Besides, you're armed and I'm not."
Himiko shove dangerously the disintegrating scent below the nose of Ban. She looked at him with utmost dislike and slowly untied him.
"One wrong move Mido Ban and you're history," said Himiko threateningly. "There. You're untied. Sit. I listen, and you do nothing wrong, or else…"
"Yes, I know Lady Poison," said Ban reassuringly. "I'll be wiped from the face of the earth."
"And don't think of using your Jagan on me either," said Himiko.
Ban said nothing but pulled a badly crumpled letter from his jeans and handed it to Himiko. She did not take the letter. Instead, she shot him a suspicious look which clearly meant what am I suppose to do with that?
"It's a letter," said Ban. "From---"
She knew what was coming…
"---Kudo Yamato," finished Ban.
"It can't be…" said Himiko. "No… You're making all this up… You're lying!"
"No Himiko," said Ban, pulling her arms and made her hold the letter. "Read this. You'll see that everything I am telling you and have told you before is true."
Himiko would want nothing but leave the room but she was supposed to finish Ban after interrogating him. Just a little more, she said to herself. Just a little bit more, and everything would end. She opened the letter and saw that parts of the letter were smudged with what looked like dried tears. She began to read the letter, some parts to herself, while the others, softly, enough for Ban to hear. As she read the letter Ban leaned on the pillar where he was tied and lit a cigarette. He stole glances at Himiko and saw that as she read the letter, her eyes started to be filled with tears. He didn't know why he wasn't bothering to escape now that Lady Poison was off-guard. All he knew was his feet were glued to where he stood, unable to move. The weight of guilt filled his whole body and felt a pang of sadness suddenly fill him.
"… I ask for forgiveness for leaving you so soon Himiko. I know that even if I will be gone, Ban will never abandon you, and he'll protect you with his life. He'll be with you as he promised. Whatever happens is my will… No one is to blame but me. I love you little sis, and stay safe always for me, Love, onisan…" read Himiko, folding the letter and looking anywhere but at Ban.
"Himi---," started Ban but before he could finish, Himiko hugged him and buried her face in his chest.
To be continued…