Last time, after viewing Doc Chopper's results on the biots and Naz'riak, Caleb suggested to Elyon that Phobos might know something about the enemy. Elyon flatly refused at first, but agreed in the end. On with the show!
Chapter 15: A Brothers' 'Love'
"Are you sure you're up for this?" asked Cornelia. "No," said Elyon, "But what choice do we have? If there's anyone who can shed some light on this situation, it's my former brother. Bring him in!"
Elyon and Cornelia, along with Naruto, Luffy, Caleb, Vathek, Will, Saske, Sakura, Zolo, Nami and about 50 guards were waiting in the main reception room of the castle. In the center of the room was a lone chair next to a small table.
Within a few moments Phobos was brought into the room. He had his hands bound and was flanked by another 20 guards. "Elyon!" said Phobos with a sly smile, "I was so surprised that you invited me back here. To what do I owe the honor of visiting you?" "You're here for one thing and one thing only Phobos," said Elyon sternly, "I need information."
"Ah yes," said Phobos, "So many children have been abducted. And if I'm not mistaken, the people are on the verge of chaos." "The situation with the people isn't what you're here for," said Will, "just answer the questions truthfully." "Assuming he's capable of telling the truth." Said Caleb.
"What makes you think I'll even bother to answer your questions, dear sister?" asked Phobos. "Do you enjoy spending the rest of your life in an 8 x 10 cell?" asked Elyon, "Assuming your answers help with the present crisis, I can arrange for better treatment for you: more comfortable living conditions; reading material; better food; just to name a few."
Phobos sat in the chair before speaking, "You know Elyon, if I were still in charge, something like this would have never gotten to where it is now. I would have relentlessly hunted down the demons and slaughtered them." "Oh please!" exclaimed Vathek, "You don't give a damn about the people! You would have sat by and watched, laughing no doubt."
"You have no right to judge me, traitor!" exclaimed Phobos. "Traitor? Against what?" asked Vathek, "Against a tyrant who pleasures in the suffering of his people?" "That's enough Vathek!" exclaimed Elyon, and Vathek backed off. "Now Phobos," said Elyon, "You have two choices: either you can help us and earn some creature comforts; or I'll make sure that you spend the rest of your life in darkness and silence."
"It'd be in your best interest to accept her offer," said Sakura, "Living out your life in sensory deprivation is one of the worst experience ever." "The first thing you'll lose, aside from your sight and hearing," said Saske, "Would be your sense of time. A few moments can seem like hours. Your mind would slowly become unstable; you wouldn't know reality from hallucination. Eventually there'll be nothing left but an empty shell."
"Then I have no choice but to accept your generous offer," said Phobos, "What do you want to know?" Naruto walked over to the desk, and placed several of the face like stones left by the Naz'riak. "What are these?" asked Naruto.
Phobos held up one of the orange stones for a better look. He studied it for several moments before saying, "I may not be sure, but this might be a Behelit." The very word seemed to ring with evil in Will's ears. "And what is a Behelit?" asked Elyon. "It is the symbol of The God Hand." Responded Phobos. Again, the words ringed with evil.
"And what is The God Hand?" asked Elyon. "They're a group of upper-level demons," responded Phobos, "Five creatures of unimaginable power from the depths of hell itself. There are few reliable facts on The God Hand, most of what I know is myth and rumor. But what is for certain is their overall mission: total chaos in all realities.
"These stones here, the green, orange and yellow Behilts, they are usually carried by acolytes of The God Hand. But a red one, that's very rare indeed. Sometimes called 'The Eggs of the Kings,' red Behelits are much more detailed, with the facial features distorted. But when the right circumstances occur, and don't ask me because I don't know, the facial features shift into a proper face. When that happens, and the eye markings open up, the holder of the red Behelit has the power to summon The God Hand directly to his or her dimension."
There was silence in the room before Will spoke, "What about The God Hand themselves?" "As I said," said Phobos, "The God Hand is made up of five upper-level demons, always five. Every now and then a member leaves the group for some reason or another. But someone else soon fills in the empty spot. I've heard a rumor that the newest member was human once, a man who betrayed his friends and comrades to demonic sacrifice." "Can they be killed?" asked Zolo.
At Zolo's question Phobos laughed heartily. "If they can be killed," said Phobos, "I do not know how. Is there anything else you want to know?" "Why are the Naz'riak taking children?" asked Will, "What does The God Hand want with innocent children?" "That I cannot tell you." Said Phobos. "Can't or won't?" asked Caleb grimly. "It could be for a number of reasons," said Phobos, "It could be for a sacrifice, or to make more demons. Your guess is as good as mine."
"Is that all you have to say?" asked Elyon. "Just one more thing," said Phobos as he looked towards Will, "That is to say, if you Guardians are to contend with The God Hand. I won't lie about your chances, but, you have my sympathies." At this Phobos smiled.
"I think we're dome here," said Elyon, "Guards, escort Phobos back to his cell. If his information helps with the present crisis, he is to have better living arrangement." As Phobos got up, he said, "There is one more thing I wish to say to you, Elyon." "Then say it and leave!" said Elyon.
"Despite all that I have done," said Phobos, "Despite what I tried to do to you, we're still family. I only hope that in the future, you'll think better of me." Elyon glared at Phobos, as if ready to order his head cut off, but then said, "I'll consider it. Now go!" At this, the guards surrounded Phobos again and they left the room.
"What a creep!" exclaimed Luffy. "I feel dirty just being in the same room as him." Said Sakura. "Am I the only one who thinks he was lying to us the whole time?" asked Cornelia. "Weather or not Phobos was lying," said Will, "One thing's for certain; If this God Hand is behind the Naz'riak and their empress, then this conflict just kicked up a few notches.
The end of chapter 15. Please note that the terms 'Behelit' and 'God Hand' belong to the anime/manga 'Berserk,' a very cool manga/show. Bloody and extremely violent, but still cool. Next chapter, the Naz'riak return, and for one ninja, it may be his last battle. See you next time!
