Chapter VI: The Locket

The door to her room opened. For the first time after almost 10 years, she entered that god forsaken part of the house. She was accustomed of seeing nothing but the dusty fireplace with only the pictures of the cursed family members resting above it. She looked around and saw the familiar frame on the wall covered with cobwebs and inch-thick dust. Since her family moved in this house, she has never bothered looking at this huge frame that took most of the space in her room. Yet, she can still perfectly picture in her head what could be seen in this big space. She looked around and saw her old drawer. She brought out a piece of dust cloth and as she did, a small pendant locket fell to the floor without her knowledge. She approached the big picture frame and wiped a part of it, revealing the beautiful face of a woman. She stared at it for a moment before sitting on the dusty bed in front of the big portrait.

She was about to start reminiscing her past when suddenly, a knock came from her door, making her look back and welcome whoever was there. To her relief, it was only Ikari.

"Mother," whispered the boy while looking at her. Isan stared back into his mismatched eyes with a smile. She could see her mother in him. Her poor mother, abandoned by her wicked and heartless father…

"Come, Ikari," she said with her arms wide open. "Come here, sit beside your mother."

The boy entered the room and approached his mother. He sat beside her with his head resting on her chest. She stroke his hair as both of them stared at the portrait of the woman before them. It was awhile before the boy decided to break the silence.

"Mother," said Ikari. "Who is she?"

"The woman before you is you're grandmother," replied Isan. "She was a very unlucky woman."

Ikari slowly removed his mother's hand from his shoulder and stood up. He went nearer the portrait and raised his arm to touch the picture.

"How can someone so beautiful be so unlucky?" he asked as he passed his hand over the face of her grandmother, clearing off the dust & cobwebs and making it look brand new.

"Your grand-père made her life miserable and wretched," explained Isan while looking around the room. She approached the closed windows and opened them. As she did, she saw the beautiful view of the wide sea with the moon shining over the waters, reflecting its radiance with a mysterious glow. After awhile, she looked at her son, and then she set her eyes on the dusty carpet, near her drawer, where she saw a locket lying on the floor.

"Grandfather?" asked Ikari who was running his long nails on the outline of the lady's face in the portrait. "Taki, wasn't it?" His eyebrows contracted and he felt his hand form into a knuckle as he said the name. This was something he wouldn't normally do.

"Yes," answered Isan while picking up the locket from the carpet. She again sat on the bed while examining the locket. It was very familiar. The emblem of the red jagan clan was on its cover. She closed her eyes and tried to remember to whom it belonged.

Ikari, whose eyes were still on the portrait, was waiting for his mother to continue with the story. When he did not hear her voice, he turned around and saw his mother lost in thought while staring at an old locket. He stood in front of her and held her cheek.

Isan who was close to remembering was suddenly jerked back to reality by her son's cold hand.

"Oh, Ikari," said a surprised Isan. "I'm sorry, I was thinking about this locket."

Ikari sat beside her and held her hand. "It's alright mother. Please, go on. I want to hear about Taki."

Isan smiled and placed her hand over his. She hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Ikari's eyes contracted for having held that way.

"You're so cold," said Isan trying to drive the conversation away from his father. "Are you always like this? Oh, wait here. I'll go get a spare cloak, well, if I find one."

She stood up anxiously, making the locket on her lap fall on the carpet. The boy was startled with the way his mother was acting. He wasn't used to this. He was 'darkness'. He wasn't supposed to feel anything. His mother was showing weakness, and this, he didn't like.

"You're starting to go soft, mother," he muttered under his breath. "If you go on like this, you'll surely end up as the loser." He bent down and picked up the locket with the red jagan emblem over it. He stared at it for a moment before looking back at the portrait.

"VOLTS will surely take advantage of your weakness," he said to the portrait. "You have inherited this woman's soft spot: compassion. The lines on her face tell me so. Though how tough you may seem on the outside, you're very weak in the inside. You easily let your emotions overcome you. Remember mother, emotions had conquered many of our clan and all of them ended up dead."

As he said this words, there was a part of him contradicting everything he had said. 'You know, you also have this compassion Ikari. You're human. You can't deny that fact. You may be taboo, but you also have what they call feelings and emotions. You won't forever stay like that. You listen and remember… the way you are right now is about to change…' Ikari tried to ignore his own thoughts when he heard something…

Ikari… Ikari… Come to me…

The boy looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. He searched the room for someone before realizing…

Ikari… Ikari… I know you long for more power…

"Show yourself!" he shouted across the room. He was already generating the electricity he copied from Raitei because of his anger. "If you don't show yourself… well…"

Ikari looked up and gave a horrible laugh. He was so mad that dark aura was starting to fill the room. Why was he so mad? He didn't know, maybe it was the voice which was too irksome for him.

"… I'll find you, and kill you," he whispered. "Don't play with me whoever or whatever you are. You'll regret it…"

Ikari… Ikari… Use me… I need you… and I can feel… you need me too… you're desire for power is…

"This one!... Damn this locket! You dare order me?" he shouted as he blasted the pendant, causing a small burn on the bed where he placed it.

Isan, who was halfway the staircase ran when she heard a blast coming from her room. She arrived at the room and saw a hole right through the wall opposite Ikari. She looked at her son who was shaking with fury. His eyes were like jewels, mirroring his anger and hatred.

"What happened…?" she said, putting down the cloak on the bed. "Ikari? Where's the locket?"

"A voice… I heard a voice…" whispered Ikari, anger still etched in his voice. "It was coming… from the locket…"

"Are you sure?" asked Isan who walked towards her son. "Ikari? Are you alright?" she added when Ikari clutched his forehead and fell to the ground on his knees. She ran towards him to support him when he suddenly started to twitch on the floor, one of his hands clutching his chest while the other, his forehead.

"Mother… St-stay away from m-me…" he said with so much effort.

"Ikari! Control yourself!" shouted Isan while retreating to the other side of the wall.

"I kn-know mother!" Ikari said through gritted teeth. "You should get out… Close the door… I'll get over this in a few minutes…"

"Are you sure you can do this alone?"

"I need to mother," replied Ikari. "Go!... and… and don't cry!" I don't want to tell you, but your emotions are making me sick… I don't need love… care… anything… all I want… all I want… is power! Yes… that's all that I need… or… is it… no…

Isan went out and closed the door. She pressed her ear on the door and heard her son screaming. Though her son told her not to cry, she couldn't help but shed tears for him. She knew she was being soft but she didn't care at the moment. She wanted to stay with him, to let him know that she cared for him… her only son. She slowly sat down, her cheek and hand on the door. She listened through it and what she heard made her heart break. He was screaming more than ever. The longer she waited, the more he screamed. It never subsided. She wanted to prepare Ikari for the battle to come… emotionless and formidable… yet… she herself was showing what he hated. Why? She cannot bear what was happening anymore. Emotions… though how much she tries, no creature alive can live without one… even cursed people… even death… darkness… even Ikari…

"IKARI!" shouted Isan as she forced her way in the room, without her son's permission. She saw him face down on the carpet. His head was turned sideways at the direction of the fireplace. She hurriedly carried him from the carpet and placed him on her bed. She laid the cloak under him to prevent dust from clinging on his cold skin. She saw how hard he was breathing. He looked as though he had run miles and miles, and she could see big drops of sweat trickling down his face. She got her handkerchief and wiped his forehead and neck, down to his chest and arms.

After awhile, Ikari seemed to have finally rested for she noticed that his breathing was back to normal though he was still clearly unconscious. She smiled and held his hand. As usual, it was cold and unbelievably unnerving, though he was her son. She was glad that he could protect her from her enemies and prove to be a perfect ally but she could not stop herself from feeling sad at the same time for his unnaturalness. He was taboo. Hated by everyone… Loved by no one… She had given her son a cursed life. It was a life that can never and will never be accepted by anyone, except for her. He was deprived of the happiness a normal adolescent would have. And it was his mother's fault… her fault… all her fault.

She stood up and tried to get a chair beside the fireplace when she felt something solid beneath her foot. She looked down and saw that she had stepped on the locket. Surprised, she picked up and examined it. She got the chair from the fireplace and sat near the head of Ikari. She saw the locket still perfectly complete and unblemished. She was astonished, for even her son, who was already very powerful did not manage to hurt or just scratch the pendant. His attack, she noticed, had even made the pendant more beautiful because the dust and dirt covering the locket had been all removed by Ikari's power.

You… the Sixth Eclextia… hear me…

"What?" answered Isan while looking around. "Where are you? Who are you? What, what are you?"

It is me… Taki… I have preserved my memory in this locket… Look here…

Isan stared at the locket and saw the emblem of the red jagan clan shine brightly, almost blinding her. The emblem turned into an eye, covering the front part of the locket. It was the red jagan eye. She flipped it and saw on the other side the blue jagan eye, giving an ominous glow.

You can see Isan, the combined powers of the jagan tribes. Give me to your son. He will need me.

The locket made a chain of dark silver which shined every time Isan looked at it.

"He doesn't need you," contradicted Isan. "You'll only give him pain and destruction. He's better off without this locket."

The voice from the locket laughed and laughed at what Isan said. The eye looked as though there was blood flowing in it for there was so much difference in the way it glowed. It thirsted of pain… and of death…

Stop making me laugh Isan, my dear. You're starting to sound like your mother.

"Shut up," retorted Isan. She was about to throw the locker when it spoke…

Get rid of me, for all I care Isan but I tell you, your son will always look for me. He will listen to my calling. Why? He longs for power. He doesn't like to remain weak. He won't let his emotions overpower him. Trust me dear daughter… He'll come for me… He thirsts for power… more power… and as long as he does… I'll be waiting, wherever I may be.

"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure, wherever you will be, I'll see to it that he's not going to set hands on grime like you," glared Isan to the locket before throwing it out the window. She saw the locket sink into the dark sea, the red jagan on it glowing crimson, slowly fading until it shone no more.

Isan… I know you'll change your mind. You won't let VOLTS defeat you, I'm sure. Think it over my dear daughter. You want Mugen City? Mugen City you will have, only if you unite me with Ikari… think Isan… think it over…

"Mugenjyou will be mine, Taki," answered Isan while looking at the dark sea, her nails digging on her palms. "Ikari will ensure of that… without your help." I know you want to unite with my son because you want him to go against me. You'll make him finish me after you've got Mugenjyou for yourself, but too bad dear father, I saw right through your plan. Taki Eclextia…

Ginji? Ginji-san? I'm sorry… I failed you… I was weak… I didn't know it wasn't you… but… it was you… I'm so confused… help me… help me Ginji-kun… I'll be waiting… I know, and I can feel that you have come back… Raitei's gone… for now… but… I know you will come for me… I know you will… Amano Ginji… Ginji-kun… Ginji…

"Ginji… Ginji… wake up… you're having a nightmare!"

Ginji suddenly opened his eyes while breathing hard. He felt huge beads of sweat trickle from his temple down to his chin. He could feel his body shaking and sparks of electricity were emanating from the tips of his fingers which were clutching Ban's shirt. He looked at his partner who was crouched over him, anxiety creeping on his face.

"Are you alright?" asked Ban who cupped his partner's forehead, feeling his temperature. "We were so worried. I think you overdid yourself last night during your fight. It's taken a lot of your energy. You're even having a high fever---"

"Makubex," cut in Ginji whose left hand was now over his mouth. "We have to find Makubex."

Ban pulled Ginji's hand from his lips and looked at him questioningly. He moved his glasses before talking to his partner.

"He's back," said Ban. "He came to check on you last night when you were sleeping. He looked pretty well. He only had a cut on his left leg. Ask Jubei if you don't believe me. I tell you, that kid's alright."

"He isn't. I know he isn't," contradicted Ginji. "Where is he now? He's not here." Ginji looked around the group and saw no trace of his friend. Jubei had his back on a tree, apparently resting; Shido was lazily stroking Win who was nibbling on his finger. A man he didn't know was sitting on the tree near Himiko's bike, with Kaisshin, whose torso was heavily bandaged, on his lap. He looked for Kadsuki, but like Himiko and perhaps, Dr. Jackal, he also wasn't around.

"Ginji!" said Ban while slightly shaking his partner. Ginji looked Ban in the eye and hurriedly looked away when he saw his partner's angst with the way he was acting.

"Stop being paranoid!" Ban whispered with a little impatience and anger to Ginji. Ginji was quite shocked to hear Ban's words, making him look at him again. Ban then stroked his partner's hair while smiling slowly. "Don't worry. He's back at quarters. He said so last night. He also said that you need not worry on anything. Besides, Thread Spool went to check on him, that's why he isn't around."

"I'm sorry Ban," Ginji said while burying his head on his partner's chest. Ban was quite taken aback with what Ginji did but all the same, he ran his hand on Ginji's back while resting his chin on his soft fluffy hair.

"It's alright. I just wanna know, what on earth we're you dreaming about? The last time you twitched like that during your sleep was when you thought Paul's chocolate cakes were starting to chomp on us both."

Ginji chuckled a little on his partner's chest, producing instead a muffled noise. It was about a minute before he lifted his head to look at the man who has treated him kindly like his little brother. Again, Ban saw sadness in his partner's eyes.

"In my dream," started Ginji, "I heard someone's voice. It was calling my name. The owner of the voice was pleading for my help. The voice… the voice was soft and childlike… but it was filled with grief and anguish. I was so sure… so sure that that voice belonged to Maku-chan. He's in danger. He needs us… he needs me."

Ginji again buried his head on his partner's upper body but this time, his hands were around Ban's waist, as though he was longing for help and protection.

Ban who was starting to feel awkward with the way Ginji was acting still managed to ruffle his hair jokingly just to calm the boy down.

"For the last time Ginji, he's fine. He's…" Ban thought of what Eclextia said… if he wants his boy back… tell him to meet me at the old manor near the seashore of Kanashi…

"…gonna be alright, I promise you that…" Ban touched Ginji's cheek and held his chin, making him look directly at his eyes. He leaned forward until…

"I'm sorry Ginji…" Ban muttered, whose lips were almost an inch from his. In that same moment, he hit Ginji's abdomen, making Ginji loss consciousness. He didn't use too much snake bite to avoid major damages. The limp body of his partner fell into his arms. He felt guilty for doing this to Ginji… to his Ginji but it was the only way to make sure he'll never lose him again. He was still starting to trace one long finger along the outline of his partner and best friend's face when a voice spoke from above.

"Ban?" asked Ito no Kazuki. "I think… I think we should go. She might get suspicious. It's past sunrise already and I think she knows it's not the type of Ginji to make his friends wait."

"I'm really sorry Ginji," whispered Ban to his partner's ears. "I promise you, I'll get back Makubex for you."

"Don't worry about Ginji," said Kadsuki. "Jubei will take care of him. He's not yet well so he'll be continuing his treatments."

Ban's throat was too dry to speak making him just nod at Kadsuki's words. He then lay Ginji down beside the tree where Jubei was sitting down.

"Tell me," said the man beside his partner. "How long will he be out cold so that when he wakes up I'll be here to make sure he won't run away."

"About half an hour, I suppose," replied Ban who just ran his hand over his spiky hair. "That's right enough for the both of us to get out of this place."

"Should we go back to Mugen now or should we wait for your return?" asked Shido who was now feeding Win. "I bet Hevn's having tantrums back there now. When I left her there last night she said we have to go back before daybreak. Besides, we also need to see if Eclextia's men are not around anymore, so with their stupid power plant."

Ban thought for a moment when Kadsuki was the one who answered the Beast master for him.

"I think you should," he said, his eyes pasted on Ginji's unconscious form. "Raitei will have his recovery faster if he's back there. We can call you anytime and tell you if we're back. If we can't contact you, we'll try Hevn so tell her to be always on standby."

"We don't want that, do we?" asked Ban who was now lighting his first cigarette for the day. "It's not like I don't want my partner to heal up but if he recovers fast, and I mean really fast, that'll just make him come after us."

"But his body's so wasted," murmured Kadsuki. "Even someone as strong as Ginji, will need a day's rest before he could use his energy again a hundred percent in battle."

"If he forces himself," added Jubei while pulling Ginji to the tree, closer to him. "It might kill him. We don't want that, do we?"

Ban was quiet as these words greeted him. He was about to drop his cigarette and step on it when he heard another voice come from the still dark inner forest. The owner of the voice stepped out of the darkness, carrying bunch of apples on her arms. The man with a black robe beside her had several knives drawn on several oranges.

"There you are," said Ban. He didn't get a chance to talk to her last night and thank her for saving his life. "I was about to ask Monkey Trainer here and Needle Head where you have been going."

"Ban," muttered Himiko while putting down some of the apples and giving Ban at least five of them. "Here, take this. Kanashi seashore is quite a drive. You haven't eaten breakfast yet. Kadsuki will need some, too."

Akabane handed the Thread Master some oranges which he gladly accepted. Kadsuki, and perhaps Jubei, were the only ones who didn't flinch at the sight of Dr. Jackal. Even Shido shuddered when he saw Kadsuki accept the oranges.

When Ban got the apples, he pulled Himiko towards him and gave her a one-arm hug. Himiko was slightly taken aback by the pull's suddenness but she managed to place one of her slim arms around Ban's waist. She smiled on his chest as Ban rested his chin over her head.

"Thanks," he muttered, just enough for her to hear. "Thanks for saving our lives. Thanks for everything."

"Stop talking like it's the end of the day," muttered Himiko. Again, she was trying hard to suppress a tear from trickling down her face.

"Don't worry too much," Ban said. "It's I who should be worrying about you."

"Why?" she asked, pulling her head slowly from Ban's resting chin. "I'm not the one talking about last goodbyes and risking my life or anything."

"As long as you're with… with Dr. Jackal," Ban said, his voice lowered and much softer. He wanted to draw the topic away from what he just said.

"I'll fear for your life. You may be safe with him but not from him. He might stab you in the back or give you his old J treatment or---"

Suddenly, Akabane was already behind Ban, his hat tilted to one side, making both his eyes stare at his back. Ban heard his bones creak even when he slowly faced the man behind him. He noticed sweat was trickling from his temples like fully-opened faucets.

"You were saying something Ban-chan?" Akabane asked with a smile. That smile… oh that smile… why was he seeing that smile…?

To be continued…