A Promise of 500 Years

"Stupid human," Hao's voice echoed on the walls of the cave. The cave was eerily lit by the light of Ren's unstable spirit. He had yet to complete his transition from human to spirit, and no one, not even shaman, was supposed to be able to see his wandering soul, but somehow, not only was Hao able to see him but had trapped Ren, bounding him within his perimeter. It was another display of just how frightening and unimaginable Hao's power could be.

"Why do you protect my other half when you know you are powerless," a slight hint of frustration audible in his usually composed voice.

Ren hovered in the space above Hao. He was unafraid though fully aware of his helplessness before the fire shaman. He answered frankly, voice unwavering,

"I won't let you harm someone important to me."

"…"

Hao was silent for a moment. Ren's sharp golden eyes bore onto him as he seemed to contemplate, but he was no where serene like a calm thinker. Hao seethed under his breath as his shoulders tensed up. He put the usual smirk on his face except this time a few extra wrinkles were etched between his brows. He muttered in a low and dangerous tone.

"Then I'll make sure you shall never be with him again."

A silence.

"I will bound your soul to me."

Ren made no gesture of shock or remorse. Hao continued.

"I will make you suffer."

The boy was calm. He was too calm for someone who just found out he will never be with his friends again and will be trapped forever with someone he loathed. Mature understanding and acceptance radiated from the young boy and it drove Hao's tolerance to the end. Hao hated those who went against him and he hated those who did so with full confidence.

"Why are you so calm?" he almost spat, losing more of his composure.

"Have you broken down from grief because you will be there to witness when I eradicate all humans from this world?" A grin broke across his face as he considered the favorable possibility of the second question. However his enjoyment was cut off by a prompt 'No' from Ren's direction.

"No, I am not sad because I have trust in humans." Ren answered, eyes never falling from Hao's murderous gaze.

"They will find a way to defeat you..."

"…just as they did 500 years ago."

Hao was beyond infuriated. His eyes told Ren he wouldn't mind killing him a second time if it were possible, but he chose to turn away. Hao closed his eyes and breathed out in an uneven and heavily forced breath of air. He thought to himself that soon he will attain the Great Spirit, that the words of this insignificant boy was hardly valuable. Opacho went out searching for the path to the Great Spirit for a while. His trusted follower will be back soon.

Soon.

Hao smirked smugly again.

"Very well, then we shall see."

Aw, poor Ren, stuck with Hao. he, he, Hao lost his cool. Now that I think about it, should this be called a death fic? But Ren technically didn't die yet. His soul just got separated from his body. hmm…oh well. I don't want to think of Ren as 'dead' anyway. Looks like Yoh is Ren's only hope. Will he be able to save him? Stay tuned for more angst coming your way : )