Chapter XXVI: Oaths
Santana disappeared without leaving trace. Kai fled way from the place, seriously injured and terrified. Shinobu fell to the floor, his eyes full of raging tears, while Ishizaki, still in his armor, only thought about avenging the Archangel of Darkness.
But he wasn't the one with the worst injury.
Misaki lowered his head, back in the suit he had rented… And cried bitterly, his body moving jerkily.
He had seen two persons die in his arms now. One of his best friends… And now the only woman he had ever lobed.
He made no sound as the tears fell down his face, his heart completely turned to dust. He only thought about Jinko, Wataru, Wataru, Jinko… About the two people that had died in his arms… Until a shout full of terror, rage, angst and pain… All those things rolled into that single shout broke the silence that covered the place. Of course, he wasn't the only one who mourned Jinko's death. Shinobu cried too, since he was he only Black Archangel left, not counting the Kage no Tsukai. Luckily, the barrier was still working, but how much would it last?
A while later the guests came back already a little calmed out, but the party had lost its spark. Akira and Takanori noticed that Shinobu was crying for some reason, and the tears he shed weren't of joy. Ishizaki and Misaki were very gloomy too, or at least that was what Yukari noticed.
-And where's Jinko-san? –Yukari asked, as she only saw the soccer players there.
-I, I don't know –Misaki lied, completely heartbroken. –After the panic, I haven't seen her.
However, Yukari saw how shattered Misaki was. Not physically, but in heart and soul.
-Misaki-kun, are you OK?
-To be honest… No. I guess I should just go home.
-Wait. I'll take you home –Ishizaki interrupted, solicitous. –Yukari-chan, do you mind if I take him to his apartment?
-You'll come back?
-I'm not in the mood for a party right now, but I'll be here for you.
-OK, Ryou-chan.
Ishizaki and Misaki got into the first one's car and went to Misaki's apartment in a painful silence. At last they arrived and Taro thanked Ryou for bringing him.
-Hey, you'd better focus on overcoming this…
-Why?
-Don't you even dare to think that Jinko's death didn't hurt me. In spite of everything, she was a really great person, and was a true warrior. I admired her much.
-Ishizaki-kun, you're telling the truth… But there's something I have to do right now.
-What?
Taro's stare, at first inconsolable, now was surprisingly hardened. That couldn't be the real Misaki Taro.
-Here and now, I swear I will avenge the deaths of the ones who have sacrificed themselves to save us, to save this humankind… And this planet. For Wataru, for Rairyuu, for Tooru… And for Jinko. Kuro and his Antiarchangels will regret the day they decided to fight us.
There was fury in the Archangel of Water's voice. The sweet guy everyone knew was no longer here. A man hardened by tragedy and rage had taken his place.
-Misaki-kun, are you realizing what you're saying?
-I know what I said, Ishizaki-kun, and that's why I swore to avenge them all. His isn't going to be left this way. And though I die, I swear the Antiarchangels will pay for murdering the only woman I've ever loved in my life.
-If that's the case, then I owe Jinko and the others a huge one. They sacrificed themselves for this world, and though it sounds selfish, for us. In fact, I feel miserable for evolving because of Jinko's death. But I promised her that with our combined power I would defeat Santana and the others. That's why I too swear I will defeat them.
And both Archangels, one of them hardened because of the loss of his beloved one, and the other one in debt with his friend, shook hands in the middle of very hard times.
Meanwhile, in Europe, it was already morning, but a very gray one. Sure, summer was coming, but the day was so gray and wet it seemed winter was back.
Tsubasa was training with his team. Although almost everyone was overjoyed since they were leading the Spanish Soccer League, his brow furrowed more and more each day. Rivaul tried to ask him once again what was happening, but Tsubasa didn't want to talk about it.
He had had an extremely painful attack that morning, but he couldn't go to fight, since from very early hours (he had been awake from 5:30 AM approximately) he had been training not only with the Barcelona Soccer Club… But with Amaterasu's Sword.
Of course, the attack got him in the moment Jinko died.
Sanae had suffered the pain too, but Tsubasa was there in time to save her from hitting herself. She was really weak, but she never missed her Spanish classes or stopped doing her housework. Something inside her was missing, but encouraged her to fight her inner devils at the same time.
They still hadn't gone to the doctor to se if it was a boy or a girl, and you know Tsubasa is quite curious. But it wasn't the moment to think that.
He was practicing with the ball, when Rivaul drew near him, his face very somber.
-What happened, Rivaul?
-You have a call. And it seems it's urgent.
-Is it Sanae?
-I don't know, Tsubasa. Go and answer –and the Brazilian shoved his teammate towards the lockers.
Tsubasa got there and accepted the call. It was Ishizaki.
-Hello? Tsubasa speaking.
-Tsubasa, it's Ishizaki.
-What happened? –Ishizaki's voice didn't seem to have good news.
-Today… Today Santana killed someone.
-What? What did you just say?
-As you know, today was Shinobu's wedding, and we were in the middle of the party when Santana appeared.
-Don't tell me that…
-Shinobu's still alive and not very hurt thanks to some miracle, y Kai didn't come to the party. But…
Tsubasa's mood fell down with a thundering clunk. No. It couldn't have been…
-Then… Jinko was the one, right?
-To our dismay, yes.
-Misaki-kun must be disconsolate, Ishizaki-kun. He loved her too much.
-Disconsolate's too short a word; I'd say that Misaki's hardened out of fury. It's been two Black Archangels that have died in his arms. Wataru was first, and now the woman he was in love with.
-And… how did it happen?
-Santana was about to attack with an unbelievably strong Apocalypsis, and I was too hurt to move. Jinko was there and she pushed me out of the way just when Santana…
Ishizaki said no more, but Tsubasa understood it perfectly. He thanked Ishizaki for the call and hung the phone, his fury burning brighter than ever.
-This time Kuro has gone too far.
He thought of calling Sanae and tell her, but he knew that could affect her, considering her delicate condition. So he decided to wait and later tell the other two Archangels, Hyuga and Genzo.
He thought there was only one Black Archangel remaining—Shinobu. Some miracle must have protected him that day… Although it could've been too that he fought too little.
He thought about Kai, who tried to help and failed. The teenager must've been feeling extremely frustrated because he wasn't as strong as the others.
He thought about Daichi and Shiro.
He thought about those who weren't Archangels and were involved in the whole mess. That is, Azumi, Herman, Natsuko, and without knowing, Suma, Tooru's little sister, and Komichi, Kai's friend.
This couldn't and mustn't continue like that.
And Tsubasa knew they'd have to fight the Antiarchangels in the final battle very soon.
He didn't know how much time he stayed there, still like a statue, until Rivaul, went to ask him what had happened, miffed… And what he saw terrified him.
"Am I DREAMING? This can't be possible!" –thought the Brazilian soccer player, seeing that Tsubasa had grown wings, and he hadn't even realized it. Luckily no one else had seen that, but Rivaul thought he had gone crazy.
-Tsu… Tsubasa? What's wrong with you?
-No more. No more deaths, no more darkness. All of this has gone too far.
-But what the heck are you saying? –Rivaul was scared out of his wits. That wasn't Tsubasa's voice… And out of that, the Japanese young man was shining with a blinding light. –Tsubasa, snap out of it!
-for those who have died… For all them, and the people who depend on us without knowing… For all that people! For all of them… I swear I will destroy Kuro. I won't let it continue destroying this planet… And the ones I love. –and Tsubasa fell to the floor, the light gone, although the wings were still visible.
-Tsubasa! Man, what's wrong with you? –asked Rivaul, almost in panic. –Tsubasa…
-What…? Rivaul… -and Tsubasa noticed that his wings were out. –Rivaul… You saw it, right?
-I saw what…?
-You saw me in the middle of my fury… I couldn't control it… -and Tsubasa made his wings disappear. –I'm sorry, pal, but it's better for you not to remember anything.
-What do you mean? And where are your wings?
-It's better for you not to know.
-I think I have the right to know this. First you forgot part of your memories, and now all this. What are you hiding, Tsubasa? Do you have a power beyond anyone's imagination? Or what?
-Heh, you're right; you were there when I lost my memories. However, what I'm living is too dangerous for you, Rivaul. It's a mater of life or death and I can't let any more innocent people get involved in this.
-Innocent… people?
-You know too much. Don't ask anything else.
-Hey, Tsubasa –Rivaul was dead serious now. –Maybe we didn't get along quite well in the beginning, but I'm your friend and I'm in the right to know what's happening.
-You think I don't know that? That's why I want you out of this. Don't risk yourself, Rivaul.
-Too late.
-It's not too late –and Tsubasa closed his eyes, pleading to the heavens that Rivaul's mind was blank of what had happened moments ago. Once he felt his power flowing… -Rivaul, you OK?
-Tsubasa? What am I doing here? I'm somewhat dizzy.
-Well, I got a call and it was a long one, so you came to see what happened, but you lost consciousness for a moment.
Moments later, both Barcelona players resumed their training. But a storm was about to fall. It seemed Rivaul had forgotten what had happened, and the Kami no Tsukai felt quite relieved. The less people involved in this, the better. And yet…
-You are the Kami no Tsukai? –asked someone behind the two men. Tsubasa turned… And he couldn't believe that Sanae was there!
But that person couldn't be Sanae. She was at home, very weak. And besides… the dress the person behind him had on was too sexy; his Sanae would never use something like that.
-Sanae? What in the world are you doing here?
-My name is NOT Sanae.
-Tsubasa, isn't that your wife? –asked Rivaul, receiving no answer. Although Tsubasa tried to form the barrier, something stopped him from achieving it. It seemed there was a dark barrier around him, Rivaul and the other being.
"Man… I can't fight with Rivaul here, and I erased his memory already. What am I gonna do? What in the world am I gonna do?"
But there wasn't any time left to think, since that woman who looked like Sanae attacked him with a bladed yo-yo… Leaving a deep cut on his face.
-Tsubasa, you're hurt! –Rivaul exclaimed. -Hey, Sanae! Why do you hurt your own husband?
-My name is not Sanae! I am Kurai! –and she tried to attack Rivaul, but something stopped her.
Amaterasu's Sword.
-He's not your rival, Kurai, if that's your name. If you're going to fight, then leave Rivaul out of this!
-Why, if I want to destroy you both?
-Because I said so –and Tsubasa concentrated all his power… Making his sword shine. –I call upon the Gods for the responsibility handed to me! Amaterasu's Flash! –and after raising his sword and freeing the jewel, Tsubasa slashed the air vertically, creating a powerful light beam. It was his strongest attack, Amaterasu's Flash. Kurai couldn't dodge it, and at last she had sustained a great deal of damage, but she was smiling. It wasn't a sweet smile like Sanae's, or like the one Jinko had before dying; it was a dark, cruel smile, willing to destroy everything.
-That's all you can do, Kami no Tsukai?
-What?
-That attack merely tickled me. I am in-vin-ci-ble. Death Wave! –and the attack was directed to both Tsubasa and Rivaul. However, Tsubasa evaded Kurai's attack and rushed to take his Brazilian friend out of there, although this time he was hit by the attack but not squarely. The pain that got him was really excruciating, and the cut that was healing on Tsubasa's face opened again, dripping blood.
-Tsubasa! What, what the heck is happening here? –Rivaul shouted as he saw his friend hurt and bleeding.
-Rivaul… Go away.
-What?
-Go away!
Rivaul tried to go out of the barrier, but it was like a stone wall.
-Are you going to flee? Think twice! –and the lethal yo-yo flew towards Rivaul… But something stopped it.
A medieval mace connected to a chain with a handle.
-Leave this innocent man alone! –exclaimed the one who had just arrived: Wakabayashi. -Tsukai, you OK?
-You fell from the sky, dude.
-This isn't time for jokes –and Genzo hit Kurai with his weapon, whose chain wrapped his right arm. It seemed that the spiked ball was extremely heavy because of the noise it made when it hit the barrier or Kurai, but the Archangel of the Wind controlled it as if it was lighter than a feather.
Genzo's attack worked; Kurai was quite injured now. And yet…
-Tenebris Aeternam! –Kuro defended the creature it had made. -Tsukai, I can't believe you're so idiotic. Don't you know that Kurai is your wife too?
-What? –Tsubasa and Genzo exclaimed, while Rivaul was in shock.
-Look at her, Messenger of the Gods. Kurai is your wife too. Or do you perhaps think she is a separate entity?
-She can't be Sanae! –Tsubasa cried. –Sanae could never be like the Kurai you created.
-It's a shame you don't understand it, Tsukai. My dear Kurai is part of your wife, and while my brainchild grows stronger very day…
-…Sanae was losing her energies with every passing day. And if she and Kurai are the same person… it means that any attack Kurai received will affect Sanae too!
-Tsubasa-kun, what are you saying? –Wakabayashi asked, incapable of believing what he had heard and seen.
-Kuro's right. All of you are right. Kurai and Sanae are the same person, and since they're one, they suffer the same damage… But, why does Kurai become stronger while Sanae weakens every day? Answer me, Kuro!
-Idiot, hasn't your wife told you she's missing something?
-Don't answer me with another question.
-Doesn't the name of Kurai ring a bell?
Tsubasa shut up, but Wakabayashi answered immediately.
-Kurai is Sanae's dark side! Ying and yang… Light and darkness… That's why Sanae is weak now, as Tsubasa just said!
-What?
-Bravo, bravo, Archangel of the Wind. You're very perceptive for being a weak Archangel.
-Hey, coming from you, that's an insult –Genzo answered mordantly, but Kuro didn't reply back. It simply took Kurai in its arms and disappeared. Since barriers take time in vanishing, Genzo healed Tsubasa and went back to his original place.
Tsubasa went back to normal and asked Rivaul if he was all right.
-Tsubasa… What, what the heck was that?
-Something you should forget.
-I doubt I can.
"And I'm afraid you're right, Rivaul. I think it must be dangerous to erase someone's mind twice. You're another witness to my dismay."
-Rivaul, I need you to go to my house. Go at night, and alone.
-Why?
-Because of what has just happened. It's a very long story, so I have to tell it to you in a safe place.
-OK… But I hope it all makes sense after this night.
-It will. C'mon, let's train –and so they kept on doing their job.
Meanwhile, Genzo appeared in his team's locker room again, where he had been before suffering the pain attack and going to save his buddy. He was mercifully alone, since the others were training too.
"Kurai and Sanae are the same woman, just as I thought. Right now they're two separate people, but if Kurai suffers an attack, Sanae will suffer it too, and I guess it works the other way around. Man, as if the casualties we've suffered weren't enough, now Sanae is in mortal danger. Poor Tsubasa; knowing that his wife suffers the same damage Kurai does when she fights must be too hard for him."
And looking at each side so no one could see him, Wakabayashi took out his famous booklet, where now he had a huge amount of information about what happened many years before.
And yet now it seemed so unimportant, so trivial…
But Genzo had decided to narrate what happened with other words, so he knew he had to continue his project. And out of that, he had sworn to avenge the deaths of his friend Tooru and the other Black Archangels.
In Italy, Hyuga had felt the attack too, and was in the middle of his training with the Reggiana, so the trainer thought that Hyuga had suffered a heart attack. But seeing how Hyuga got up not very easily, relieve him. Quietly, Hyuga went to the lockers and sat down on the bench, exhausted. Once again someone had been attacked and he didn't know who.
He had isolated himself too much now… And his lack of information made him a very vulnerable target.
Wataru was dead. Tooru and Rairyuu were dead too. That was all what he knew. If the others had evolved, or if another Archangel had died, he didn't know it. But there was something Hyuga knew, and knew it very well.
He was going to make Hino and the others pay for the pain they had caused. He swore it in the bottom of his soul. And we know Hyuga is serious all the time.
Dead serious.