My Sun, My Supernova
Chapter 13
Unholy Sanctity
If you were to catch sight of Sanzo now, making his way ever westward on foot, you would probably think him a solitary traveler. You would, of course, be dead wrong in this assumption. If by chance your intent were to try to take advantage of his apparent vulnerability, you would discover that he is more than capable of defending himself. Most likely you would not even get close enough to see the deadly glint in his eyes, before you would find yourself the recipient of a fatal gunshot wound. And believe me, in his current condition, he can't be relied upon to let you off with just a warning, even if you are completely human.
On the other hand, it may be instead that you would come to realize that he is not alone, after all. This is even more unfortunate for you, because in this case your death will not be quick and easy. No, not at all, for you will find yourself set upon by the beast which is never far from the journeying monk's side. Your life will become but a temporary amusement for its bloodthirsty whims, and it will be angry, because you have ventured to trespass upon its own territory, which includes anywhere within the vicinity of wherever either it or its human happens to be passing through. Also, it will be savagely enraged, because you have committed the double transgression of daring to threaten the creature it has claimed as its very own.
If this describes your current situation, then your own screams of terror will be the very last thing you ever hear, and you will die at the feet of a priest who does not read sutras for the dead, but instead sings lullabies to a murderous beast with golden eyes.
XXX
Goku seems content to follow along in the path set by Sanzo, as he does not care one way or the other, or even know the meaning of the idea of a destination, or a goal. For Goku, there is only living, no matter where that may be. Living, and of course also killing.
Although he is usually not far off, Sanzo knows he is following. Occasionally, he will hear the animalistic howls and the shrieks from somewhere in the distance, which speak of his presence. Goku will pick up Sanzo's scent when he wants to return to him, and his keen ears are always tuned to the sound of potential danger. It thrills Sanzo to know that he is being stalked in such a way.
When Sanzo must stop to rest or to sleep, burdened by his human body as he is, Goku will often come sniffing his way over, curling up next to Sanzo with a purr, delighting in the contact, making sure to do a complete and thorough job of mingling their two separate scents together as he rubs up to his human, demanding to be stroked and caressed in all of his favourite places. And if Goku is in a playful mood, then Sanzo will find himself pinned and prodded and nipped, his body wickedly teased into submission by those sharp teeth and strong limbs. He will not let Sanzo leave their temporary nest until he has decided that this is acceptable, and he would use force to keep him by his side if Sanzo were to protest. But he does not ever take off without Sanzo, or force him to keep going when he needs to stop. He is surprisingly considerate of the needs of his mate.
Sanzo, for his part, is totally enraptured with this new Goku, entirely caught up in the wonder that a creature of such terrible beauty as this can exist, and at his side, no less. He is almost intoxicated with bliss, lost in the ecstasy of forbidden desires and dangerous union between man and beast. There is also the fact that at any moment, Goku could turn against him, and Sanzo revels in this knowledge as well.
Together, they are the very image of perversity, in all its gloriously wild abandon.
XXX
Hakkai and Gojyo travel together quietly, trying to take it easy so as to give their bodies as much chance to heal as possible before encountering their quarry.
Quarry.
It just feels so wrong to think of Sanzo and Goku in this way, but that is the hard and unforgiving truth at hand, and they have decided to do their best to accept the situation for what it is. If even one of them were to start expressing doubts and weakened resolve, they know they may very well break down and give up the chase altogether. But really, how could they give up? This would effectively mean abandoning their teammates, their friends, and they could never really consider doing this. What other options are there? What can they do besides either hunt them down, abandon them entirely, or…
If you can't beat them, join them.
A sinister whisper mutters so softly, so far back in the recesses of the mind, that they have not even really acknowledged or become aware of its presence at all. But still, they are demons, are they not? How difficult would it truly be to embrace this part of themselves? Isn't there some hidden appeal in the idea of the four of them running together as a pack of miscreant outcasts? The thought evades them still, only just beginning to strain at the shell that binds it tightly away within the darkest depths of the soul.
XXX
Hakkai and Gojyo continue on their original westward path in their search, not knowing for sure whether this is still the path followed by the other two, but for now it's their best bet, not to mention the fact that there aren't a lot of other options in the area they now find themselves traveling through.
The jeep rumbles along, engine roaring in a constant drone that they are by now so familiar with that they barely hear it. The vibration of the vehicle beneath them feels almost like a part of themselves, they have grown so accustomed to it.
Gojyo finds himself vacantly viewing the scenery as it passes by, sitting in the seat once reserved exclusively for Sanzo alone. He can still smell the monk's brand of cigarette, soaked permanently into the seat cushion. He finds himself wondering idly why Hakuryu doesn't come with a self-cleaning feature when in jeep mode, and allows himself a brief pretense of amusement at the thought. Suddenly, Hakkai slows the vehicle, bringing it to a dead stop.
"Hakkai?"
"I think we've just come across our first clue."
Gojyo follows his gaze, and then he sees it. Some distance from the track, the wagon that had belonged to the massacred family is parked quietly. They listen for a time, but no evidence of life makes itself known.
"Well, guess we should go check it out, eh?"
With these words, Gojyo jumps from the jeep, readying his weapon rather reluctantly. Hakkai soon joins him.
The two make their way over to the horse drawn vehicle, and as they approach they become aware of the presence of the horse, now dead.
"Holy shit. Something had fun here."
"Yes, and I think we know who it was all too well."
Gojyo turns to see Hakkai crouching on the ground, holding something in his hand.
"Hey, what did you…"
Gojyo's words die in his throat as he recognizes the object.
Goku's golden coronet, broken in half.
"Oh, double shit."
"I would have to agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment. But our next question is, what happened to Sanzo? Did this happen as a result of something happening to Sanzo, or… "
Gojyo finishes off the thought.
"Or did Goku change, for whatever reason, and then take Sanzo out?"
They stare blankly at the broken object for a time, and then Hakkai gathers himself to speak.
"We should do a thorough search of the area and see if we can come across any more evidence as to what may have occurred here."
Suddenly Hakuryu, who had been rooting around in the grass busily, begins to squeal excitedly, trying to get their attention. He has something small in his mouth.
"What do you have there Hakuryu? Let me see. Thank you. Oh."
"What the hell is it, Hakkai?"
"It's a bullet, and it's obviously struck a target. But... then why is it lying here in the grass, I wonder? What did Sanzo hit?"
"Let me see that thing."
Gojyo studies the bullet, not really expecting to make any discoveries from this seemingly pointless examination, but still…
An expression of doubt emerges on his face, and then moves on into one of alarm, and finally disbelief. He looks at the broken coronet in Hakkai's hands.
"Hakkai, you don't suppose…"
Hakkai follows Gojyo's gaze, deciphering his friend's thought processes.
"Sanzo… you think he did this… to Goku?"
"Guess the fucked-up bastard finally graduated from knives to homicidal monkey monsters."
"Gojyo…"
"Sorry. But if he had a death wish or something, why drag Goku into it? And where the fuck is the body? Goku should have ripped him to pieces. And Sanzo obviously didn't restore the monkey, or you wouldn't be holding that."
"I think all we can do now is continue searching. Perhaps, considering the lack of evidence, one or even both of them are still alive. Goku at least, probably is still out here somewhere."
"Man, I guess they'd just be making it too easy for us if they managed to kill each other off, eh?"
"Now, now, Gojyo, we can't expect them to do all the work for us."
"No, damn that stinking monk and his pet monkey, causing us so much trouble. But hey, what are friends for, eh, Hakkai? Guess we'd best camp out here for the night, just in case someone's still around, continue searching tomorrow."
"Agreed. Gojyo?"
"Yeah?"
Hakkai just looks at Gojyo, and the two share a wordless moment filled with all the myriad things that can never even begin to be said in a situation such as this. Blood red, emerald green, and in the middle, an entire ocean of unspoken truth.
"Nothing."
"Yeah. I hear you, Hakkai. Loud and clear. Loud and clear."
XXX
Sanzo's stomach is in knots from ingesting the raw meat that Goku brings to him. He does not even know if the flesh he consumes is that of some wild or domestic animal, demon or even human. He finds he does not care, although his body has ideas of its own as it violently revolts against this new diet. He is only human, and his body is becoming tired and strained. The wounds on his left arm aren't healing properly, and his muscles ache everywhere.
Tonight, a storm rages. Goku is off playing who knows where, and Sanzo finds himself approaching a small roadside temple, in undeniable need of some respite from his current lifestyle.
The monks huddle inside the building, listening to the crash of thunder as the wind rattles the old walls and rain pounds against tightly shut windows.
Visible in the illuminating flash of lightning, a young man appears at their gate, fair in appearance but wild and bedraggled looking, with eyes even more turbulent and intense than the storm. His blonde hair is soaked, plastered to his face. He wears only a pair of faded jeans, and a skintight black top with gloves to match. Wounds are evident upon the skin that remains uncovered. He looks dangerous. He looks unlawful. He almost looks insane. The monks are frightened, and would like to turn him away, but that is not a very compassionate or Buddha-like thing to do at all now, is it?
"Who are you?"
"Genjo Sanzo."
With these words, the young man flips back his hair to expose the crimson chakra upon his brow, and takes from a small pouch at his side a scroll, which he unrolls and drapes across his shoulders.
The monks gasp in sudden recognition. They can scarcely believe the truth in the young man's words, but the scripture and the chakra definitely speak for themselves.
With profuse apologies for not having realized immediately whom they were dealing with, the monks welcome Sanzo into their humble abode. He can barely restrain himself from the indignity of staggering across the threshold, and once inside he leans heavily against the wall, feeling sick and exhausted.
After his demands for stomach-medicine are met, and a much-needed bath, he allows his wounds to be treated, ignoring the rather concerned and puzzled looks of the monks as they wonder over the nature of the injuries. He ensures they do not ask questions by treating them to one of his more threatening looks.
Someone does risk a question, though, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Master Priest Sanzo, are you not traveling with three disciples? According to what we have heard, they are three very faithful followers. If this is true, we should have liked to have the honour of their presence as well. Perhaps it is merely a false rumour, then?"
Sanzo finds this more amusing than annoying, so he deigns to answer.
"I have but two companions. One is my own shadow, and the other is a beast of an entirely different nature."
"A… beast?"
"Never mind. The idea of absolute perfection is fundamentally beyond your understanding."
At such a response, the nosy monk decides it best to keep his mouth shut from now on.
Feeling much better already, and finally left to himself, Sanzo relaxes with a cup of hot tea, listening to the storm outside. He sighs, longing to satisfy a much-neglected addiction.
"I would kill for a cigarette right now."
He smiles at the idea, but for which part of the thought the expression is intended, either the cigarette or the killing, it would be hard to determine at this point.
XXX
Eventually, the monks gather together for the nightly chanting of the sutras, and Sanzo is of course invited to attend. He isn't sure why he agrees, but for some reason he finds himself sitting among the monks at worship, having been given a place of honour right up front by the image of Buddha. He does not participate, but merely lets the sound of the devout chanting wash over him.
Empty noise, that is all he hears. There is no truth here. No beauty. The only real truth lies in cleansing the soul of pain, utterly and completely and absolutely. There is no use in merely putting faith in religious devotion. The gods are not worthy of such trust, for they never grant such perfect freedom. He vows silently to himself that he will show the world the error of its ways. He will let the world taste from the cup of pure chaos, and watch as its sweet poison purifies the tormented and sorely misguided land.
He is not aware of how insane and disordered his thoughts have become, or how twisted his reasoning. He is only aware that the sound of the rain no longer haunts him, that he has finally been relieved of guilt, of sorrow, and that he feels free. He closes his eyes, focusing on the sounds around him. The chanting, the wind and rain, the thunder, the demonic shrieking.
Demonic shrieking?
He becomes instantly alert, though he does not open his eyes. Goku is coming to find him.
XXX
The chanting subsides around him as the ungodly howls continue, overpowering the voice of the storm, as the creature draws closer to the temple. The monks look around in alarm, some beginning to stand, looking frightened and uncertain.
Sanzo simply remains calmly seated, listening to the music contained within those shrieks, as Goku's song sings in his ears and in his heart.
Suddenly all goes dead quiet, except for the continuous clamour of nature, and Sanzo opens his eyes, gazing intently at the door. He calls out clearly to the gathered monks.
"Prepare yourselves for the ultimate blessing. The beast has arrived to bestow upon you his gift of perfect death."
The monks begin to stir.
"B-b-beast? What beast? What do you mean?"
In the next instant, the door comes crashing down, letting in the full force of the storm. Something else bursts its way through as well, something far, far more terrible.
For Goku has arrived in all his lethal glory.
Panic ensues, as the monks realize what is upon them. They try to escape. The old head monk is able to keep his wits about him a little better than the rest. He turns to Sanzo.
"You know what this beast is?"
Sanzo smiles.
"Yes. I was once his keeper, but the roles have since been reversed, and now, he will be your ending."
XXX
Sanzo watches Goku at play, as he gleefully slaughters his catch. When Goku is about to finish with his last toy, which happens to be the old head monk, Sanzo calls out to him. He has decided that it would be desirable if at least one survivor remained, to spread word of this miraculous occurrence. But he does not control Goku, he is not his master, and in the end it will be up to the demon whether or not anyone lives, Sanzo included. All Sanzo can do is try to divert his attention from the old monk.
Goku turns, his eyes flashing as he recognizes the one he is seeking. He leaves off of his victim, going instead to Sanzo's side. As always, Sanzo welcomes his approach, reaching out to accept the vicious thing. Goku's eyes glint again, and he grins deviously, before lunging at Sanzo and setting upon him with fervid greed. Sanzo's skin is torn as his clothing is shred to pieces beneath his demon mate's desire to demonstrate his affection and his possession. Sanzo screams and arches his body, accepting all that Goku wants to give, and offering all that he demands in return.
The old monk, horrified, thinks at first that he is witnessing the assault and violation of the most holy and revered figure of his faith, but as he watches, it soon becomes all too clear that the Sanzo priest is not in fact a victim, but a willing participant. The last thing the monk sees, before he wisely decides to make his escape, is an image that will haunt him until his dying day.
This is the sight of High Priest Genjo Sanzo, eagerly surrendering himself to a monster's lust beneath the stony gaze of the Buddha. High Priest Genjo Sanzo, chanting sacred words in a mockery of faith, punctuated only by his desperate cries of unholy pleasure. Genjo Sanzo, caught in an image of unearthly ecstasy and demonic delight.
TO BE CONTINUED