Chapter XX: Tooru's Death
Meanwhile, everyone was sleeping in Germany. Genzo, Kaltz, Marie, even Schneider slept. It had been a very long and hard day.
In his apartment, Genzo wasn't sleeping well, after Hyuga had called him (Oo), telling him the terrible news of Rairyuu's death. They had lost two of their allies. Genzo was in the middle of a nightmare, and at last he woke up, drenched in sweat.
-Aaaaaah!... Oh, man; if Hyuga hadn't told me that, I'd be sleeping like a baby…
He turned on the lamp on his night table and sat up straight on his bed.
"I need to sleep; I have to train as much as I can, but it seems I'll get up more exhausted than when I went to sleep."
Thanks to Ishizaki and Misaki, in the time he stayed in Japan, he had collected lots of information for his story, but there were holes in it, so it was blocked in that instant. He checked the time on his watch and fell on his bed once again; it was barely three in the morning.
-I need to SLEEP! –he exclaimed, annoyed, and after turning off the lights, he went back to sleep, with his back turned to the window.
But it was useless.
At last Wakabayashi decided to get up and go to the kitchen to have a glass of milk. There he went, and turned the kitchen light. He was blinded for a moment, but later he noticed an ugly roach scuttling on the kitchen floor.
-Gross me out… -Genzo focused his energies and tried to make the bug disappear. Indeed, the nasty roach disappeared in a puff of smoke, as if someone had scorched it.
After that, the Archangel of the Wind drank a long and cold glass of milk. His teeth hurt a bit because of the milk's low temperature, but he felt way better. He went back to his room and went to sleep again. That was much better. He closed his eyes, and after being in that state between asleep and awake, at last fell asleep, as much as he needed it.
On the other hand, Tooru was fast asleep. Although he had lost two of his greatest friends, Tooru knew there was no gain or use in crying over their deaths. Instead, he made his best effort in realizing what they couldn't: save the human race.
Of course, he had also talked with Wakabayashi, and it seemed that the Hamburg's goalkeeper had been more shocked than the Archangel of Ice.
He was still sleeping, and it seemed he wasn't dreaming. However, he never remembered if he dreamed or not.
However, he went to the bathroom, still quite asleep and a while later went back to his bed.
But he couldn't help feel a chill.
That woke him up immediately. Why was he getting the chills? The bedroom had a nice temperature, but he was shivering as if he were in Antarctica.
"What's happening with me? Have I caught a fever?" –the architect went for a thermometer, and placing it in his mouth, he waited three minutes, where he didn't even budge.
At last the one hundred eighty seconds passed (calculate it :P) and Tooru checked his temperature.
Forty degrees Celsius.
-I, I can't understand it. I rarely get sick, and I feel fine, but I have a high fever. What's wrong with me?
And he remembered, although foggily, that he had felt something burning in him when he went to relieve his bladder.
However, he remembered that when he was a kid and had a fever, he felt his urine burning when he went to the bathroom. However, what could he do?
He had no choice but to make a long-distance call; his mother knew what to do.
He dialed the number y and waited fro someone to answer, although he knew his mother was usually at home.
-Akuji Residence. Moroha speaking.
-Mom?
-Tooru? Is it you, Tooru?
-Yes, it's me. How are you?
-I'm fine, honey. And you?
-Have a fever, but I really don't know why. I called to see if you know what to do with this.
-Oh, honey, it's easy as pie. You remember what I gave you when you had a high fever running?
Tooru had to admit he didn't remember.
-Then listen to me and do what I tell you; cut a lemon in half and place each half in your armpits. When they get hot, change them.
-OK, mom. Thanks for your advice. Send my greetings to my father and a hug for Suma-chan and you.
-Bye, Tooru.
-Bye, mom.
The man hung up the phone and went to do what his mother told him. A while later he went to bed, not knowing if that would really work.
But it did.
Dawn broke in Europe, and Tooru woke up as fresh as a lettuce. He had to change the lemons about four or five times, but he felt much better now.
-Mom, I owe you one –he told himself. He got ready for a day's work, had a light breakfast and went on foot to his office, since it was a very pleasant day and his office was quite near to his apartment.
However, he met with someone he knew well.
-Hey, Wakabayashi-kun. How are you?
-I've been better, and I'd probably be if I hadn't had such a bad night –said the goalkeeper, who always went out to jog, no matter how tired he was.
-That's obvious. Don't worry; you'll sleep like a baby if you train hard today and go to sleep when you're really tied.
-I hope so; what happened has me in a state, you know.
-Why's that?
-Once by one the Black Archangels have fallen, and who knows… Maybe we'll all be dead in the end. I hope it doesn't happen.
-Hey, look a little on the bright side –said Tooru, popping a peppermint pastille in his mouth. –If you look on the bright side, I guess things will be better.
-You're serious?
-Have you ever seen a pessimistic person being successful?
-You've got a point.
-Oh, man! I have to go. Greetings from my mother. See you –and Tooru left, while Genzo resumed his jog home.
However, he met Kaltz when he went into the building where he lived.
-Herman! What's up?
-Hi, Genzo. You heard?
-No… What?
-Marie ran away from her house.
-What? Marie Schneider?
-Yes. It seems no one has been able to find her, and she didn't even leave a letter.
-Her parents must be terribly worried.
-Bingo, but it seems Karl didn't look a bit worried.
"It's no surprise, Herman. If you knew what's really happening… Hold on a sec! You do know!"
-Well, I'm afraid I know why Schneider didn't react with Marie's running away.
-What?
-And both Karl's Ice King charade and Marie's flight have too much in common.
-How?
-Remember what happened to me when I was fifteen?
-No! –Kaltz was in shock. –Angels again?
-Archangels…
-I meant that.
Genzo tried to make that long story short, leaving Kaltz completely speechless.
-So Schneider's taking your rival issue a little too seriously… isn't he?
-You could even say he sold his soul. However, he's not the only one.
-There are more Antiarchangels?
-Yes. There's Pierre, the French Soccer Team's captain, who already murdered one of us; Hino Ryoma, a Uruguayan-Japanese player who's turned into a killer too…
-I've heard of him.
-Carlos Santana, Brazil's star player and a being created from Tsubasa's wife complete the group
-From Sara… Sama…
-Sanae.
-I meant that. And, do you remember you talked on the phone with Marie once and she told you she was afraid of Karl?
-Sure do.
-Well, I guess she's afraid of him because of his iciness. I reckon he can feel the darkness that invaded her brother's heart.
-And Karl has always been a quite chilly guy.
-Yes. I think she was too afraid of her brother to stand seeing him anymore. We have to find Marie and take her to safety.
-And how are you going to do that without Karl knowing it?
-That, pal, is the thing I have to think about.
However, none of them noticed there was a not very common bug listening to them…
"So Kaltz knows it all too… None of them will survive."
The bug began to fly around Genzo and Herman, bothering them.
-More bugs? This building needs an exterminator –said Genzo, who hit the bug with his cap, making it hit the floor. Obviously, it was quite injured.
-What do you mean with 'more bugs?'
-This morning I went for a glass of milk and there was a cockroach in my kitchen.
-Gross me out…
-I thought the same, but I got rid of it.
-Just in the way I'll get rid of you –said a voice behind them. Schneider was there, although seriously wounded.
-Schneider!
-Karl!
-What a pity, Herman… I wouldn't like to see you hurt, but you know too much. It would've been better if you didn't know anything. And Genzo, why do you worry so much for my sweet little sister?
-Is there anything wrong with it? After all, you can't blame her for being sister of someone who sold his soul to the Devil.
-I don't like those jokes about the Devil.
-And what's Kuro then? Don't tell me it's a heavenly being.
That shut Schneider up.
-Herman, get out of here. You don't have anything to do here –said Wakabayashi in a whisper.
-But… And if Schneider tries to attack me?
-That's why I'm telling you to scram. I won't be able to defend you if you stay here, but I'll be able to if you go away. Do it.
-All right –and Kaltz began to run away, although Schneider noticed it and tried to attack Genzo's best friend, but the Archangel of the Wind's Hurricane Winds stopped him.
"May everyone be safe and sound... May Herman get out of here safe and sound… May no one remember this…" –Genzo made the barrier and rushed to stop Schneider, shooting his arrows like crazy. Although some of them struck Karl, he countered with his strange weapon, hurting one of Wakabayashi's wings.
-Rats… I claim at my fate for the burden give to me! Pacific Breeze!
-Heh, I forgot you're a healer too… But it'll cost you. Oblivion!
-Don't even dream about it! Frozen Blizzard! –Tooru had arrived on time, using his attack to deflect Schneider's.
-Gee… The Archangel of Ice. I wonder how you weaklings know when one of your friends is being attacked.
-There are some things you wouldn't want to know.
-Tooru-kun, shouldn't you be in your office? –asked the Japanese goalkeeper, his injured wing already healed.
-Does that matter now?
-Two against one… If you weren't as weak as a newborn baby, I'd think this would be foul play.
-Foul play? Don't make me laugh, 'cause I'm not in the mood –said Genzo. –You tried to attack Herman, who had no means of defending himself.
-He knows too much, and that's his fault.
-Thinking that I was once your friend and I taught you the best tricks for videogames makes me want to puke –said Tooru.
-Big deal… I'm too old for kiddy games –and Karl rushed to attack the Archangel of the Wind.
"He's obsessed with killing me… That's not good. If he only attacks me, I'm a dead man."
However, what could Genzo do? Counterattack? Defend himself? Wait for a miracle to happen?
There was only one thing to do: Fight to the very end.
He seized his bow, and pointed at Karl, focusing all his energies on that one. Hoping for a miracle, he shot, and my, wasn't he surprised when he saw that not only one, but myriads of arrows flew towards Schneider. He obviously couldn't defend himself from so many arrows, so he was quite injured.
-How did you do that? –asked Tooru, astonished.
-You want to know the truth? I don't have a clue.
-Not bad… Hey, not bad at all. I think I shouldn't have underestimated you… that much. But you can be sure you won't be that lucky.
-What? Is he ever gonna give up? –said Genzo, already tired.
-How could I? If Pierre and that stupid half-Uruguayan did their job, why can't I?
-Because we won't let you. Hurricane Winds!
-Frozen Blizzard!
As before, between Taro and Wataru, God bless his soul, the attacks of the White and the Black Archangels merged, forming an eagle that attacked Schneider directly. However, he resisted the attack as much as he could and countered with his Oblivion.
The attack hit Genzo, but for luck's sake, the collateral damage didn't work, while Tooru avoided the Oblivion easily, since he was still unharmed.
-You flee from my attack… Weren't you going to stop me?
-And you even think we're going to let your attack hit us? Man, you're stupid or what? –said Genzo.
-Mind your words, Wakabayashi. No one calls me stupid and gets away with it.
-And you mind your actions. I claim at my fate for the burden given to me! Glacial Fury! –Tooru used his freezing attack, sticking Schneider's feet to the floor.
-Good move, Tooru!
-What the heck are you waiting?
-Nothing… Hurricane Winds!
-Don't you think you'll beat me with my feet stuck in the ice. Oblivion! –and Schneider's dark attack countered Wakabayashi's wind power.
Sure, all this fighting had tired the Archangels, but Schneider was as cool as a freshly cut vegetable.
However, no one noticed that Kaltz was still there, and weirdly, he could see it all.
"Genzo, Tooru, don't give up. For God's sake, don't give up" –and of course, seeing his friends trying their hardest to save the Earth made him think he had to help out with something.
He'd go for Marie and save her from her evil brother.
"I wish you the best of luck, guys… Just as you're giving it your all, I'll do it too!" –and he ran to his house to get his documents; he'd have to make an urgent trip to save Marie.
Said and done; everyone was trying their hardest.
However, Schneider tried to crack the ice with the handle of his weapon, but it didn't work.
-What the…?
-If I were you, I wouldn't try to do it, Schneider. If you keep on hitting the ice that traps your feet, it'll spread all over your body. Who knows, you'd probably end up as an ice cube if you keep on doing it –warned Tooru, with an eerie smile.
-Tooru, stop smiling that way… It gives me the creeps –said Genzo ¬¬U.
-Oh, you'd wish! Oblivion! –but not even Schneider's attack freed his feet. Instead, his wings were freezing.
-Didn't I warn you?
-You'll see when I free myself from this ice… -and Schneider kept on fighting with his feet's icy trap. Meanwhile Tooru went to his injured friend.
-You OK?
-Could be better, pal. I'm glad that at least Herman got out of here safe and sound.
-Yes… -but Tooru looked really tired now.
-What happened?
-There's something I have to fess up –and Tooru admitted in a whisper that if his Glacial Fury was lasting that long was because he had to use up his energy to make it last.
-You'd better heal yourself; I can't hold him there much longer.
-You said it. I claim at my fate for the burden given to me! Pacific Breeze! –and both Archangels were healed, although their energy didn't recover. Tooru ended his control over the Glacial Fury and Schneider freed himself at last. He panted, but still had more power than the Archangels.
However, he wasn't going to let them go that easily.
Once he freed his wings from the ice, the Antiarchangel rushed towards Wakabayashi, although the White archangel evaded him. However, Schneider took impulse and flew to attack Tooru, who also dodged the attack, and attacked with his halberd, to finish it off.
However, that was a fatal mistake.
Schneider avoided Tooru's attack and attacked Genzo again, leaving him gravely injured. Of course, Tooru hurried to take his buddy out of there, and Schneider made something practically impossible in that moment: He used his Oblivion and attacked with his weird weapon at the same time, making an incredible final hit.
But Genzo wasn't the one who was hit by the final round.
-TOORU! NO! –Genzo shouted when he saw his friend's armor fly into pieces.
-Genzo…Flee… Now!
The Archangel of the Wind teleported behind Schneider and saw with horror that the Antiarchangel's weapon had pierced the body of the Archangel of Ice. Of course, when he took out the razor-sharp weapon from his opponent's body, Karl made even more damage, and smiling fiendishly, he tried to see if Wakabayashi was behind Tooru, but he had been tricked, since Genzo wasn't there, but he concentrated and attacked with his Hurricane Winds, with all the fury he had inside him, leaving Schneider unconscious.
Once Karl fell out cold, Genzo flew towards his agonizing friend.
-Tooru…
-This is… my end –Tooru barely mumbled, since his collapsed lungs made it very hard for him to breathe.
-Don't talk.
-Avenge… the ones… that died… And… use… the power… I… still… have.
-I told you not to talk, Tooru.
-Too… late, Genzo. Please take care of…my… fa… mi… -and Tooru wasn't able to end the phrase. The dead Archangel turned into energy and entered Genzo's magatama, making him… and his weapon change completely. From being a bow and an arrow, it ended up being a medieval mace; a heavy ball with spikes connected to a chain with a small handle.
"Now you are the true Archangel of the Wind, Wakabayashi-kun… With your power and mine… You'll defeat the Darkness."
-Tooru, I swear I'll even the score for you. I swear it by the most sacred thing there is in my life… Schneider, you can be sure you'll pay this, 'cause no one can hurt my friends –and Wakabayashi let a shout of fury escape his throat, a shout louder and stronger than any other he had let escape from his voice.
It was the shout of an Archangel hurt in the deepest part of his heart.