W.I.T.C.H. Dreams of Lusteria
Chapter 09 Part IV: Skeletons in the Closet
Kimi wanted to scream but her voice was gone. Like a frog before a snake, Kimi was completely frozen from fear and shock. The creature loomed over her, staring with those glowing, red eyes. In all the times as a Guardian, she had encountered various dark and evil spirits, but none such as this creature—no, this monster.
The monster was one of the most frightening things Kimi had ever laid eyes on. It was both formless, solid, and grotesque at once. Its long, spindly limbs bent in the most unnatural manners imaginable. Its hide made of shadows that writhed and bubbled before flowing towards the edge and dripping onto the floor around Kimi like tar. A chill shot up her spine, it reminded her of something alive. The accompanying sight of blood and saliva dripping from its mouth wasn't helping. At first glance, it was hard to distinguish its head from the rest of its body. Yet, as Kimi and the monster made eyes contact, she could make out a faint shape of a skull beneath the writhing darkness.
The most revolting part is its dark aura. Never had Kimi felt an aura this evil. It radiates raw feelings of anger, hatred, despair, and death. She felt sick as its poisonous aura made her stomach churn. Whatever this monster is, it is truly the embodiment of a living curse. As disgusting and hideous the monster was, Kimi's eyes focused on a bloodied torn piece of cloth hanging from its mouth. She knew it belonged to Seiji, having seen it from his sleeves half an hour before. Kimi silently cursed herself for leaving him when she ventured out to search for Kyochi. With her cousin nowhere in sight and his bloodied sleeve dangling from the monster's mouth, she had to assume the worst. Kimi prayed that Seiji's death was quick and hoped that she wouldn't find his mangled body like most of the other victims in this village.
The monster growled as it turned its head to scrutinize her. Since Kimi's aura doesn't radiate darkness, it couldn't make out what she was. It leaned in closer to take a whiff of her hair, dripping bloodied saliva onto her face. Kimi gulped, stifling a desire to scream.
Don't scream! Don't scream or it will take you! Kimi thought.
She had to do something.
Her survival instinct kicked back in and she shot a bolt of light into the monster's face. It screeched and recoiled from her blinding light, its enormous form slamming and pressing against the walls. The more it struggled, the more it threatens to collapse the whole building. Kimi had never heard a cry so horrible but was glad that her legs were working again as she dashed under the monster for the door. A leg came down, blocking her path. Kimi quickly turned to face the monster, manifesting a naginata in her hands. The monster struggled to turn and snapped its teeth at her, its form simply too big to maneuver in the confined space.
At this rate, the cursed creature could bring down the entire building on them all. Kyochi was still lying downstairs, still weak from the effects of the monster's presence. She couldn't save Seiji, but she can still protect her brother.
The monster reared its head back and gave out a horrifying screech of frustration, causing a vibration that knocked Kimi back against the wall. Struggling to move, Kimi's mouth gapped open in surprise when the monster shrank to a more manageable size. While still large, it now can turn and face her. Struggling to get up, Kimi racked her brain, desperate for an idea. Not a moment too soon, her mind clicked and she knew that she had to get this thing to follow her outside.
Regaining her balance, Kimi rolled under the monster's body and plunged her naginata into one of its legs. The monster hissed and cried, swiping one of its free limbs at her but Kimi quickly dodged it. With her back now against the window, Kimi manifested a shield between herself and the grotesque creature. Tiny orbs of light sparkled in the air before being drawn into the shield by its master for endurance. Ferociously, the monster charged, its mouth opened to fire a dark orb of negative energy at her. It made contact with the shield and the entire room turned white.
The blast pushed Kimi through the window as she landed outside. Rolling and brushing tiny glass shards from her shoulders, Kimi ignored the pain as she dashed down the street. A roar erupted from behind, cutting through the silent night like a cold knife.
Kimi quickly glanced behind and sure enough, the creature was tearing through the streets after her, its bubbling hide of darkness left trails of black sludge in its wake. Kimi had no time to think about how disgust it was as she made a sharp turn and dove into an alley. Her aura magic flared, screaming that its claw was reaching out to grab her. Kimi snapped her fingers and webs of light burst from the walls. Kimi spun around to see the monster screeching in agony as it fought hard to untangle itself from the net. The seal she had placed in this alley earlier has activated magnificently. It wasn't a powerful one, but at least it was slowing the creature down. The more it struggles, the more it tightens.
Now to go back and get her brother—
SNAP!
Kimi's eyes widened. The monster twisted and writhed harder. As it pulled against the net, the threads of light hissed like flames before slowly dissolving into nothing. The trap wasn't powerful enough! Kimi turned on her heels and ran as the last of the netting snapped.
I have to find a more powerful trap! Kimi thought. At least the trap indicated that the creature can still be hurt by light. But how much does she need to contain and kill it? She'll have to keep luring it into the many traps she had laid out earlier with Seiji.
Turning another corner, Kimi coaxed the monster into following her before activating the seal on the ground. In an instant, the monster rammed itself into a six-inch thick wall of light. It tried to climb over but found its way blocked above and behind. The trap had turned into a box, forcing its spindly legs in.
"Nowhere to go now," Kimi smirked just as concentrated light appeared in her hand. One powerful blast should be enough to wipe this creature off the face of the planet. Nothing will be left, Kimi would make certain of it. It deserved to die for what it had done to this village…to Seiji.
Kimi barely was able to finish manifesting her raw power when the monster's form began to grow. To her astonishment, the monster was engorging itself, its hide and limbs pushing against the surface of its imprisonment. Kimi gasped. The monster knew that her light was burning its form, yet it was using all of its might to push through the searing pain in order to escape and kill her. This monster was relentless. Without realizing it, Kimi slowly backed away. Now the monster's fury was as large as its form and with one final push, its prison was destroyed.
Kimi cursed her luck as she ran.
One by one, she led it into other more powerful traps but none proved powerful enough to contain it. Her magical traps barraged the creature with various forms of light, from cages, spears, and arrows.
Damn it! Kimi cursed as she ran. The last trap had at least given Kimi more time to flee. Barraged by arrows of pure light, the creature had to stop momentarily to lick its wounds.
Why wasn't this working? Kimi seethed. The creature can only be affected by light! So why hasn't any of her traps proven useful? The various injuries she has managed to inflict on this thing has proven little effect. At worst, it had considered them nothing more than nuisances. Has too much time passed since its first carnage? Surely devouring on the life essences of all of these shadow-wielders has given it an advantage against her?
As Kimi came into the main street again, she quickly dove into an abandoned shop. From the abandoned tools and crates of stones, Kimi realized that she is in a silver-smithing store. The deceased workers must have worked with cutting and polishing jewelry and other precious gems. Kimi caught herself before tripping over a fallen box full of silver chains. The last thing she needed was for the monster to hear her hiding in here. She needed a moment to catch her breath and think of a plan.
Kimi closed her eyes and tapped into her auraseer magic. She could sense the monster's revolting aura of death in the next street. It was destroying another home several yards away. No doubt it was still looking for her. Luckily, the monster wasn't anywhere near their previous hiding spot. For now, the creature was unaware of Kyochi's presence.
A sigh of relief escaped Kimi's lips. She sank down to rest and began to think of her predicament.
Seiji was dead and Kyochi has been weakened and now lying unconscious in a building in the next street. He's safe for now, but for how long? Kimi was alone in this fight with nothing but her own light magic. This monstrous creature has somehow absorbed dark auras of not just the shadow-wielders but also from this entire forest, making it strong enough to withstand all of her light-infused traps.
Kimi hadn't been a Guardian for long. Even she knew her own limitations. If she keeps fighting, there is a higher chance that she and Kyochi will not make out of this alive. Should she try to get her brother and flee to Kandrakar? The idea of asking help from the Gemini Council wasn't appealing, but she was running out of option.
A thought came to her. Kimi glanced around and wanted to kick herself for her foolishness. Of course! Why hasn't she thought of it sooner? This is Shinrinkage, the village of shadow-wielders built within the depths of the Dark Forest! The monster had the terrain advantage over her from the beginning! Kimi has been fighting it with whatever light she could conjure but will need to draw upon outside light source for stronger attacks. The only light source that ever penetrated through these woods is moonlight. Curse her luck for the moon is nowhere to be seen tonight.
If only her inner light was strong enough.
Something soft but strong pulsated within herself. Kimi blinked as she clutched at her heart. She could feel the Jewel of Life beating like a heart. She glanced down to where her heart lies glowing softly.
The Jewel? Kimi thought. Could you be strong enough to help me?
Although it could not speak, Kimi felt a sense of warmth washed over her as if the talisman beating within was nodding with reassurance.
Kimi wasn't strong enough to exorcise the monster, but Jewel of Life is an ancient talisman. It carried the light of all things as well as the light of all of her predecessors. Yes, this could work. But once she faced the monster, she'll need enough time to summon all of the talisman's power and her own light to defeat it. But the dark creature was fast. It wouldn't give her the chance. She'll need a trap powerful enough to hold it in place, and so far all it has broken through nearly all of them.
"If the trap has more light sources to draw upon, then I would have a chance," Kimi whispered.
An idea came to her. She was sitting in a silver-smithing workshop! Quickly, she got to her feet and searched the crates, careful to be light and quiet as possible.
The crates contained various fragments of silver, gold, quartz, sapphire, pearls, and even diamonds. None of these were of use to her right now. Gemstones are wonderful properties that can absorb and store magical energy. Sages and priests have often used them. But the kind that she needs right now is nowhere to be seen.
Glancing around, Kimi noticed several jars sitting at a window. Holding her breath, she came closer and smiled. Most of them contained fined amethysts and cinnabars, but the last one contained exactly what she needed. Not wanting to touch the poisonous cinnabar powders, Kimi reached for the jar of mixed opal and moonstones. Kimi would have preferred sunstones, but sunlight barely shines through the Dark Forest. Even if she were to find some, they would be of little use to her. No, these opals and moonstones have been sitting here absorbing and containing moonlight for months. Even in the dim night, Kimi could see how they sparkle of silvery lines and flecks of an iridescent rainbow. Combining these gems with her magical trap, it should be powerful enough to contain the creature and give Kimi her chance to do away with it for good.
A roar pierced through the night. Clenching the small bottle in her hand, Kimi dashed out of the store. Running towards the sound of destruction, Kimi threw a bolt of light at the giant beast. Instantly, the creature appeared before her. Perfect, she has its undivided attention. Time to run and put her plan into motion.
Kimi ran towards the main square. Quickly, she made a sharp turn and dove into an alley before breaking out into the street. The monster screeched, contorting its body in an unnatural manner in order to squeeze through the confined spacing. Reaching out one claw, it made an attempt to grab her.
"You won't get me!" Kimi said. She was almost there! She can't be stopped now.
Quickly, Kimi undid the clasp of her cloak, allowing it to fly into the monster's face. As expected, the monster roared in annoyance with its view obscured.
"Come and get me," Kimi dared. Swiftly, she spun around and stopped as the blinded monster came closer.
The monster tore away the discarded cloak from its face. Looking up, its eyes burned a sickening red. It could see Kimi standing mere feet away like easy prey. Its dark aura flared furiously, saturating the air with evil intention. Underneath all that writhing darkness, Kimi could see the silhouette of a skull crackling with mad glee.
It pounced, ready for the kill.
Only it couldn't. Its legs were frozen in place. It had run straight into the magic circle drawn on the ground. Not only has Kimi lured it into her most powerful trap, but she had seized the opportunity to scatter the opals and moonstones before its feet. At Kimi's command, soft light pulsated from within, slowly becoming more intense with every second. Desperately, the monster shrieked and backed away from Kimi's light. It tried to ram itself out as it did before, but it was futile. The stones were infusing the circle with more of its light. Now the binding spell was powerful enough to hold the monster inside the ward.
"Now you're mine!" Kimi cried. Wasting no time, she manifested the Jewel of Life from her heart. It glowed brilliantly in the darkness, emitting a column of light into the sky where it could be seen for miles. Kimi had never felt so much power flowing through her. She felt light as a feather yet burdened with its intensity. It was simply overwhelming. She must release it or else risk being rendered unconscious.
The monster shriek and cried more furiously as Kimi came closer, magnificent and terrifying, her aim intent to kill.
"This is for Seiji!" Kimi snarled. Pulling in the pillar of light back into the palm of her hand, she aimed the ancient talisman at the monster and fired.
"NO!" cried a familiar voice.
In a fraction of a moment, a shadowy figure appeared between them holding out a mirror. Kimi's beam of light flew through the air and was instantly absorbed into its reflective surface. The mirror's master angled it away and the light reflected into the night sky.
Kimi's eyes widened. "Kyochi?!"
The Guardian of Darkness gasped and fell to his knees. It was clear that he was still drained and reflecting his sister's attack into the sky was taking an extra toll.
The monster shrieked, pounding against the barrier of its prison in an attempt to escape. The ward would not last forever. Once it used up all the collected light from the gemstones, the seal will lose its strength and the monster will easily break free. Kimi cursed her luck as she ran towards her brother to drag him away. She didn't know whether to be relieved that he was okay or angry that he intervened with her attack.
"Why are you here, Nii-san? I thought the creature drained your energy!"
Kyochi smiled weakly as he held up his mirror. Kimi realized that his talisman must have awakened and rejuvenated him enough to come after her.
"I'm the Guardian of Darkness. The Mirror of Moonlight Justice protects me from the severity of an adversary's attack."
Kimi frowned, now frustrated with what her brother and his stupid mirror just did. She had that monster in her grasp! "Why did you stop my attack?" Kimi demanded. "I almost had it!"
She could still do it. If she acts now, she can take out the monster for good. It would be a huge drain on her energy, but she has to take this moment before it's lost. Kimi let go of her brother and stood to face the creature again, but Kyochi sat up and grabbed her sleeve.
"No, don't!"
Kimi softened her frown. Her brother sounded exhausted. She kneeled next to him and rested a hand gently against his back to ease him. "Why, Nii-san?"
"The creature before us…it's all a deception, Kimi."
Kimi blinked. "What do you mean?" Kimi glanced back at the monster as it continued to pound viciously against the wall of light. The light was still cutting and burning against its hide. And all the blood spilled by it had all been real. "It's no illusion. I would have sensed it!"
"The Mirror revealed the truth to me," Kyochi said. He took a deep breath and slowly got to his feet. Kimi rose with him, ready to steady him again should he fall, but Kyochi gently brushed her aside. He took a few steps closer towards the enraged monster. "Now, Mirror of the Nymph of the Moon! Show my sister what you have shown me!"
At that moment, the cloud parted to reveal a sliver of moonlight. The glass surface of the mirror glowed brilliantly, softer than the intensity of the Jewel' light but just as powerful. With his guiding hands, Kyochi aimed his mirror to face the monster and bathed it in magic.
Kimi gasped as the wind howled around them. Being a Guardian of Light, Kimi's eyes are sensitive to a certain wavelength of light on the spectrum invisible to many. She could see more stars in the night, infrared and ultraviolet rays, and magic spells that travel within the invisible wavelength of the spectrum. Yet, after a year of being a Guardian, Kimi has failed to see what was right in front of her, but not to the Mirror of Moonlight Justice.
As it bathed the creature in its soft light, the slimy darkness began to sizzle into black mists while the rest dissolved to the ground. It was as if the Mirror was literally washing the darkness away. The bloodcurdling cry continued to reverberate through the air. Kimi could do nothing but watch in amazement. The monster's cry died as it shrank. As the last of the black sludge washed away, a human figure appeared. He screamed and fell to his knees, naked and stank of blood.
Kyochi lowered his Mirror as they both ran towards the prone figure. Kimi paused, hesitant to undo the seal should this man reverted back into his monstrous form. But a man! Her brother was right! It had been an illusion! The monster's true form is a human! But who would murder all of those people? Cautiously, the twins came closer. Manifesting a sword, Kimi pointed it at the naked man.
The man gasped, clinging to his hair as if in utter despair. He looked up and gazed at the twins with bloodshot eyes.
"Seiji?!" she gasped, utterly in disbelief.
A moment of silence fell upon the three of them. Seiji gazed at the twins and down at himself. His half-nude body covered in bloody wounds that Kimi had unknowingly inflicted upon him with her traps while sitting in a pool of black sludge. What was worse was the blood that he could not see but knew that he had spilled: the blood of those who had died here.
But how could all of this have happened? How could he have been the dark creature that plagued this village? And how long has this been going on? The attacks had happened for several weeks now. During those times, he hadn't recalled ever setting foot here until now. Yet, he had been plagued with fatigues and migraine to which he blamed on his political duties. Had those been warning signs of his moonlit activities as a murderous creature of darkness?
"It was me?" Seiji whispered, his voice raspy. "It was me all of this time?"
Seiji's hands trembled. He was soiled physically and spiritually. How could he ever show his face to his clan, let alone his nation? If the world knew, his wife and the Minamoto clan would be disgraced. There is no honor in what he has done. Tears welled up in his eyes. He had never felt so lost and alone.
"Seiji-kun?" said Kyochi, his voice concerned. "Seiji, are you all right?"
Horrified and disgusted by this revelation, Seiji screamed into the night, his aura flaring with agony and despair.
Recollecting herself, Kimi undid the seal that's locking him in place. Kicking the gemstones away, Kimi grabbed her cousin by the shoulders, forcing him to look at her. He tried to push her away but she held a firm grip.
"Seiji! Look at me! LOOK AT ME, DAMMIT!" Kimi swore. But it was of no use as Seiji continued his hysteria.
"Tainted…corrupted…soiled…It was me! I've killed these people!" He looked at the twins in horror. "And I almost killed the two of you! How could I have let this happened?!"
"Seiji, we hold no animosity towards you," Kyochi replied, kneeling in front of him.
"No. No, please. Do not give me your forgiveness! I do not deserve it!" Seiji moaned. He crouched down lower, touching his head to the ground and wailed.
Unsure what to do, Kimi gently held him closer to her breasts, undaunted by the fact that he's half-naked in her arms. All she could feel were his pain and despair.
"Seiji, it will be all right," Kimi whispered, trying her best to soothe him. In truth, she wasn't sure if this is true. "Kyochi and I are alive. We don't blame you for any of this tragedy."
The three of them sat there as Seiji continued to sob quietly.
"How did this happen?" Kimi asked, turning to Kyochi. "How is it possible that Seiji is the monster and no one, least of all him, knew of it?"
Kyochi did not answer at first as he lowered his gaze, pondering on her question. After a moment, Seiji finally tired himself and his sobs softened. He broke away from Kimi and Kyochi moved closer. Glancing at his cousin and without a word, held up his talisman and placed it against Seiji's chest. Kyochi mumbled something under his breath and the mirror gently illuminated as if to show its master what was in Seiji's heart. What was revealed were swirling mists and a curtain in the darkness at first before giving way to something small and hidden. Kimi couldn't make out what it was, but she noticed her twin frowning in concern.
After a moment, Kyochi lowered his mirror and turned to his sister. She didn't have to read his aura to know that it was solemn news. Still, she held her breath.
"What is it? What did you see?"
"I sensed a curse deep inside of Seiji's heart. Where it had come from, I do not yet know. It is a curse that has recently awakened. In time, it will consume Seiji and he will lose his grip on reality. He can only fight for so long until it consumes him completely. Under no circumstances will he win."
Kimi's hands clenched, her eyes narrowed. "Kyochi, are you suggesting that we kill Seiji?! There must be another solution!"
Kyochi shook his head. This was not the first time he had delivered grave news. Since his apprenticeship at the hospital, his most difficult duty was delivering bad news to his terminal patients and their loved ones. It never gets easier and he doubted it ever will.
"If there was one, then the effort in purifying a darkened soul at this magnitude may prove fatal to us."
"What of Kandrakar?" Kimi suggested. "We can take Seiji with us to the Fortress of Light and bring his case to the Council."
Before Kyochi could answer, Seiji grabbed Kimi's wrist. "Kill me."
Kimi blinked, shocked. "What?"
"Cousins, I beg of you! You must kill me!" Seiji's grip tightened.
"I will do no such thing—"
"Kimi, look at me! What I've done is nothing short of duplicitous! Such heinous crime would bring great shame to my clan and my wife! My parents' livelihood would be destroyed! The Minamoto would be ostracized for this! I beg of you, grant me an honorable death!"
"How can it be dishonorable when the fault is not yours?" Kimi challenged.
"It is my fault! Whether I was aware of my actions or not, it was I who spilled blood! It was I who nearly wiped this village off the face of the planet!"
Kimi shook her head furiously, reluctant to honor such a request. But a part of her mind realized that what Seiji said was true. What Seiji had done, whether it was truly him, is still considered murder in the eyes of Nihon's law and is punishable by death.
"Kyochi-san, please give me your tanto," Seiji said solemnly.
Kimi shot her brother a look of dismay. Seiji was asking Kyochi for his knife in order to perform seppuku, the ritual suicide.
Kyochi shook his head. "I'm afraid I've lost it in the scuffle."
"Kimi, give me your dagger. I know you always carry one!"
"No, Seiji. There has to be another way. Let us take you to Kandrakar!"
"Dammit, Kimi! If you don't put a stop to me, there is no telling what I will do next!"
Stubbornly, Kimi refused, struggling to drag this argument on as long as possible until Seiji could see her reasons. She was just starting to accept him as a family member. Their brief conversation revealed to her how kind and compassionate Seiji was. She could almost look to him as another brother. Was destiny so cruel as to deny her the chance to have someone that she could love and care about?
"I'm sorry, but I can't do this."
Frustrated, the darkness flared beneath him and his eyes flickered red for a moment. Seiji nearly struck her, but Kyochi caught his hand in anticipation.
"I know that this isn't the real you, but still, don't ever touch my sister like that," Kyochi warned darkly.
Seiji gasped and before he could apologize, an excruciating burst of pain erupted within him. Seiji screamed, kneeling over and clutching his heart in pain.
"Seiji!" Kyochi and Kimi gasped.
To their horror, the dark pool of sludge beneath them was coming together, slowing wrapping around Seiji. Seiji gasped and wheezed, struggling to breathe as his body began to emit a plume of black mist.
"Kyochi, what is happening?!" Kimi demanded. "I thought your mirror banished whatever is controlling him!"
Kyochi stood in front of his sister, arms out to prevent her from coming closer to help Seiji.
As Seiji struggled against this dark curse, Kimi could feel his desperation and despair. "This lingering darkness has now fully consumed me. I will eventually plunge our world into chaos. This is the destiny that I have brought upon all of you. I beg of you, grant me the mercy of death."
Before Kimi could answer, Seiji winced and when he looked at her again, his eyes were demonic black.
"Seiji!" Kimi cried, but Kyochi held her back. The creature bloomed from the swirling darkness, growing bigger with each passing moment until it was five times their sizes. Writhing and living darkness bubbled and swirl all over its body, including its face. Soon, a silhouette of a skull with burning crimson eyes emerged from behind that curtain of shadows. Its laugh sent shivers up the twins' spines.
Kimi stared in horror. She could feel Seiji's familiar aura growing dimmer with each passing moment. All she could feel now were mostly the negative emotions of despair and fury.
"Seiji…" Kimi whispered, but the monster doesn't seem to recognize its name nor cared to.
"The curse is overtaking him!" Quickly, Kyochi manifested his talisman.
To his surprise, the monster lunged at him faster than Kyochi had anticipated, grabbing his wrists with its grotesque arms. With its bloodshot eyes and sickening smile of glee, it leans in to absorb the Guardian's dark energy. Kyochi screamed and fell to one knee. He struggled to fight back but his energy was being drained. His own dark magic was like sustenance to this beast. Kyochi gazed up into his monstrous cousin's eyes and for the first time in a while, felt afraid. Afraid for his life and that of his sister's. Not many Twin Guardians lived through their first three years. Was he to be the first to barely last a year into his role?
A powerful beam of light shot over his head. It slammed into the monster squarely in the chest, knocking it back several yards. Kyochi turned weakly to see his sister by his side.
"Kyochi, all you all right?" she asked.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kyochi shook his head. He was so weak now, he could hardly stand. Had Kimi not attacked Seiji, Kyochi would have passed out as he did earlier.
"I do not have enough strength to stop him," Kyochi said through short breaths. "This curse or whatever it is that's consuming Seiji is eating at him faster than I had realized. He may not even survive through it another hour, even if we were to somehow bring him to Kandrakar."
Kyochi grunted in pain, causing Kimi to lean in protectively.
"Nii-san, don't move."
"Perhaps this is the end for us. We can't leave Seiji like this. You have to be the one to face him. Your light magic is the only thing that stands a chance. Seiji has the ability to sense and absorb all shadow-wielders' energy. My magic won't be of use to you while I'm here. Kimi, you need to make a decision, and it will be the most difficult one for you yet."
Kimi said nothing. Kyochi was right. He was at his limit and would be more hindrance than a help to her now. It would have to be her to put an end to this or die trying. Such is the fate of many Guardians. But first, she has to get Kyochi to safety.
"It's never been easy for us, Nii-san," Kimi said, finally standing as she glared at Seiji. "It's never has been since Mother died." Kyochi glanced at his sister, surprised. Since that horrible night over a decade ago, Kimi had never once spoken of their parents. He watched as she stood and brought her two forefingers together to weave a spell.
"Kimi, what are you—"
"Sorry, Kyochi, but unlike me, you have a brighter future waiting for you back home. This is goodbye."
"Kimi!" Kyochi cried, but the rest of his protest was cut short as he faded away.
Kimi stared at the empty spot where Kyochi sat before. A sound drew her attention back to the monster as it reemerged before her, teeth-baring and eyes glowing. By spiriting her brother out of Shinrinkage, Kimi could focus on her mission.
The monster lunged and Kimi manifested her sword to block its sharp claws.
"Seiji! I know you're in there!" Kimi cried but the creature didn't appear to hear her.
Its attack grew more frantic and unpredictable. It opened its jaw and fired a dark orb at her to which she blocked with a shield. Landing on her feet, Kimi glanced up in time to dodge another swipe but barely as it managed to knick her in the side. Yelping with pain, Kimi drew threw specks of dirt into the creature's eyes with the edge of her sword. A dirty trick but this was no time to be honorable.
Minutes dragged on like hours as Kimi spent the majority of her battle blocking and dodging the monster's attacks. Now with the knowledge of the monster's true identity, Kimi's attacks were less brutal. She doesn't want to hurt her cousin but this meant she was fighting twice as hard to stay alive as the creature has no sense of mercy in its current state.
I have to free him! There must be a way to save him! Kimi thought. She winced, her left hand quickly pressing against her bleeding side. It's a mere flesh wound, but it still hurts like hell.
The dark creature stood before her with red eyes glowing and teeth barring. Kimi's spine chilled as she watched the creature licked her blood from one of its claws. A dark chuckle escaped its mouth. It was hungry for more of her blood.
Unwilling to let her nerves falter, Kimi readied herself as it pounced. Instead of drawing up a wall like before to trap it, Kimi leaped into the air ready to plunge her sword down, hoping to at least a shallow cut on its side. So concerned with not trying to severely hurt it, Kimi didn't catch it turning and swinging its arms up to swat at her like an insect.
Stars bloomed through her vision as she slammed into a building. Ignoring the pain, Kimi quickly backed up. Just as she manifested another sword in her hand, the monster emitted dark energy orbs to unleash them on her. She dodged them as best as she could under the circumstances but one eventually found its way into her knee, knocking her to the ground. With her breath ragged and shallow, Kimi struggled to get back up. She could not keep fighting like this indefinitely. The previous battle against Seiji was already draining and now she was struggling to save both of their lives.
Something rancid made her nostrils flared. Kimi struggled to her feet as she watched the bubbling swirls of darkness on the creature's hide pouring to the ground. The monster raised its grotesque limbs and the black sludge and mucks rose at its command. The monster pointed at its prey and they flew at her. Kimi cursed and swung her sword, slicing them in the air while jumping back to avoid getting hit with the residues. It was like cutting through tar. The ones that still cling to her blade caused it to sizzle. Disgusted, Kimi abandoned her sword to manifest another one. If it's eating through her light construct, she shuddered to think what would happen if it made contact with her skin.
Slicing the last muck thrown at her, Kimi turned on her heels and ran with no doubt that the monster would follow. There was barely anything she could do. In time, she would lose her strength and stamina and the creature would win. The thought of dying without at least freeing Seiji from his curse plagued her thoughts. Even if she were to perish tonight, what would become of Seiji? He would most likely remain this way forever until Kyochi returns with help from Kandrakar. By then, it would have been too late to save either of them. News of his transformation would spread into the world and the Minamoto family and Kazumi would be shamed and devastated.
No, Kimi wouldn't allow such a thing. If there was even an ounce of his true self left in that monstrous creature, she would save it.
As if resonating with her feelings, a soft and warm pulse illuminated from her heart. Clutching it with one hand, Kimi made a turn when she came to another corner. There was one more trap left in this village that she had set up. If she could use it to immobilize the monster long enough to use the Jewel of Life, then perhaps the two of them would stand a chance of surviving this ordeal.
With the monster right on her tail, Kimi tried to muster as much of her reserved source of chi as possible. This was her last chance to put an end to this. The monster reached out a grotesque claw to swipe at her but missed. Kimi could see two dead trees several yards ahead, standing like a pair of silent guards in a field of tiny hills. She had managed to lure the monster out near the edge of the village and into its cemetery where the newly dead lay slumbering in the earth. The smell of blood and death saturated the air, causing the creature to falter. There were still a few dead bodies lying near them. There must not have been enough time to bury them from an earlier massacre. Whatever the case, the dead were doing Kimi a favor by distracting the monster. The lumbering creature sniffed the air, distracted by the smell of easier meal lying in plain sight.
A low growl emitted from its mouth as it crawled closer to a small corpse of a boy. Before it could reach for the dead child, Kimi cried for the spell's activation word, immediately trapping the monster a binding circle of light. She cried another word and wires of light burst out of the ground, binding the creature in place. The monster roared, struggling to break free. Kimi knew that she had to work fast. Without any moonstones to strengthen the trap this time, the monster would be able to break out in less than a minute. Quickly, she manifested the Jewel of Light, illuminating the place with its brilliance. The creature roared furiously, trying to shield itself from her light.
Free Seiji! Kimi thought. Banish this dark curse from him!
This time, she made her intention to the ancient talisman clear. The talisman pulsed softly as if it understood. Kimi inhaled deeply and focused. She began to mutter the exorcism incantation, fueling it into the Jewel of Life for good measure.
As if knowing what she was trying to do, the monster screech and fought even harder against its binding. Kimi came closer holding out the Jewel while muttering the incantation. Before her eyes, the darkness on the creature's face hissed and melted away to reveal a worn and exhausted human from within.
Kimi paused, hesitant. "Seiji?"
As if coaxed by her words, Seiji opened his eyes weakly. Seeing the Guardian of Light before him with the ancient talisman in one hand he whispered.
"K-kill me...please..."
"No! I'm using the Jewel to save you!" Kimi protested.
Lowering his head as if there was no more strength, Seiji's voice was barely a whisper. "I beg of you to please kill me while I'm still at your mercy."
"I can do this!" Kimi objected. "I can save you!"
"Don't make this harder for both of us. I can only hold back for so long until I break. Kill me."
Seiji's words were like a knife driven into Kimi's heart.
"You're the fool! You're the one who still has so much to live for! After all those nobles put you through, you persevered! You dreamed of unreachable things for this world! I—" Kimi's voice faltered. "I still think that you're a fool! But hearing you speak before, I felt as if I could believe you! I could believe that you can help all of us!"
Seiji said nothing. For a moment, he looked so sad and lost that Kimi hesitated, not realizing that she had lost her advantage. Sensing the light from her talisman wavering, the darkness erupted again, consuming Seiji into its embrace.
"No!" Kimi cried and held up her talisman.
Kimi tried to speak the incantation again but cursed herself when she misspoke a word. Quickly, she tried again but stumbled through her words. The wires of light flickered and died, freeing the monstrous creature to engorge itself against the barrier of the seal. With the last of its strength gone, the trap disappeared and the monster lunged.
Kimi cursed as she manifested a wall. She was too slow as the monster knocked the talisman away. Kimi gasped, her gaze following the Jewel as it bounced away. Had she been more composed, she wouldn't have tried to retrieve it, knowing that the talisman would instantly disappear and return back into her heart. Yet, her mistake was all that the monster needed to swipe at her as she turned away.
Stunned, Kimi couldn't immediately register the excruciating pain exploding on her back. The forces of its attack knocked her down hard. For a few seconds, she was unconscious. Eyes fluttering and ears ringing, Kimi struggled to breathe. Only then when something sharp went through her did she realize what just happen.
Kimi screamed, her blood pouring into the grass below. The monster had not only shredded her back, but it had also picked up her fallen sword and pierced through the spot near her clavicle bone before the sword dissolved away. She couldn't move. Her strength was waning. Everything hurts so much. Kimi could hear a disturbing chuckle of glee as she felt the creature turning her around so that she may look upon her killer.
Up close, the monster appeared more hideous and terrifying than before. Some of the writhing swirls of darkness parted from its face to reveal a skull-liked mask. Tar seemed to ooze out of its empty eye sockets while red lights glowed with life. Saliva dribbled all over Kimi's face as the creature bent down for the kill.
Was this what she was going to see before she dies? How could she have been foolish as to refuse Seiji's request? By hesitating, she had doomed herself and Seiji.
Kimi closed her eyes, refusing to look at her killer as an act of defiance. She tried to picture Seiji as he truly is, a boy laughing with Kazumi on his wedding day. A boy always on her uncle's heel, eager to learn the intrigues of politics. She even pictured Kyochi, standing in his junior doctor white coat as he turned to give her a smile. If she was going to die, she wants to see their happy faces.
What happens next was not very clear to Kimi at first. One moment, she could feel the hot breath of the creature's jaws and the next, it recoiled back, screaming in agony. Kimi's eyes snapped open in time to see warm blood splattering on her. Through her blurry vision, Kimi saw that a large black arrow lodged itself into one of the monster's eyes.
Get out of there, Kimi! said a voice.
Kimi didn't have to be told twice. Finding her strength again, Kimi rolled away, ignoring the pain from her wounds. The creature lashed and flailed all over the place. As the monster lurched its head back, the black arrow in its eye disappeared. A shadow construct? With one of its eyes injured, the monster glared at Kimi and pounced. Backed up against a tree, Kimi manifested another sword for defense but just as quickly, another black arrow flew past her and struck the monster squarely in the chest.
The monster let out one last deafening scream. Its fury and despair reverberated into the silence of the night. As its cry died, so has its monstrous hide. Not wanting to let her guard down, Kimi steadied her weapon out and watched as the dark sludge melted away to reveal Seiji. One of his eyes was closed, bloodied and gouged out by the first black arrow. The second arrow still protrudes from his check, a few inches away from his heart. A moment later, it also dissolved into nothing.
A voice echoed in Kimi's mind again. Make your decision.
Kimi glanced over her shoulder and spotted a figure in the distance. Squinting, she could see the familiar shape of her brother with a bow in one hand. Kyochi must have regained enough strength to return but within enough distance to avoid being affected by the creature's power.
"Kimi…" Seiji whispered, his voice so raspy and weak. "Please…"
Kimi returned her attention back to her dying cousin. Seething through her teeth, Kimi winced at the pain of her wounds and raised her sword at him. Seiji smiled sadly, nodding in approval. Kimi's hand was shaking. Why is she still hesitating? Kyochi had just saved her life again and bought her a second chance to put an end to this. Why can't she do it? She wasn't really close to any of her relatives, let alone this boy. So why is she so devastated for his eventual demise? Was it because Seiji had convinced her of his genuine kindness and determination to help her? Or was it because she cannot stand the thought of losing this battle against the tainted darkness?
Tears of frustration swell up in her eyes. Is this what it means to be a Guardian?
"Kimi?"
"I'm sorry, Seiji…" Kimi said, barely audibly. "I'm sorry it had come to this."
Seiji shooked his head. "No, I'm sorry."
Kimi was stunned. Even in such a state, Seiji exuberate such a gentle and genuine aura. Not wanting to see it consumed by the monster's corrupted aura again, Kimi took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Before she could even make the leap, Seiji lunged himself forward to grab her wrist. With his guiding hand, Kimi's sword pierced through Seiji's heart. Kimi gasped. The light of her sword pierced through Seiji's heart, and although it wasn't the Jewel itself, did its job to expel the darkness. A rush of whirlwind roared around them as the dark curse was banished from its host. The sword dissolved into sparkles of light, rising into the air to consume the last remnant of the curse.
"Thank you…" Seiji whispered and took his last breath.
Kimi caught him as they both sank to the ground. Silence returned as Kimi sat there, holding onto Seiji's body. For a while, she said nothing. She felt nothing.
She was nothing.
She couldn't save Seiji. She couldn't even kill him. What kind of Guardian was she when she had failed so miserably?
She glanced down at Seiji's face and with one hand, closed his eyes so that he would look as if he's asleep. It was the only thing she could do right now.
"May your next life be happy and prosperous," Kimi whispered.
Daylight finally broke through the horizon, most of its sunlight veiled by the misty clouds that plagued these parts of the woods. A voice cried her name in the distance but Kimi doesn't want to answer it. Instead, she reverted back into her human form. She was too tired. Her wounds still hurt. She just wants to sleep.
"Kimi!" Kyochi cried, kneeling next to his sister. He glanced down at his dead cousin and sighed sadly. Running his hand through Seiji's hair, Kyochi whispered a prayer for his spirit.
"I'm sorry," he said before returning his attention to his twin. She allowed him to inspect her injuries without complaint. Kyochi frowned as he tore a piece of his cloth to wipe at Kimi's bleeding wounds. "Kimi, are you all right?"
It was a rhetorical question. Of course, she wasn't. Her wounds were quite severe. He had watched her getting thrashed and nearly killed by the monster. Kyochi had his own difficult choice to make, to choose who was going to live or die. He chose his sister.
"You're still bleeding from where he stabbed you."
Kimi said nothing. Kyochi sighed. "I must get you back to Kandrakar. Lady Freyja can heal you faster than I can at the hospital."
"What about Seiji? And the rest of the villagers?" Kimi asked tiredly.
Kyochi shook his head sadly. "I will come back and give our cousin and the remaining deceased here a proper burial. Right now, I must ensure your wellbeing. And Kimi?"
"What?"
"Please don't send me away like that ever again. I know that you meant well, but I do not will to live out my life without you. I've lost too many in my life already," Kimi turned to see her brother smiling sadly, his gentle tone carrying the sad weight in his heart.
Leaning in closer, Kyochi repositioned his twin so that he could carry her.
"Wait," Kimi said. She reached out to hold onto Seiji's hand. "I am not certain if your dream for a better Nihon will ever come to fruition, but I promise that your death will not dishonor those that you love. I'll take the blame. I will lie. I will don your shame so long as the livings speak your name with reverence. Rest now and leave your pain behind."
Kyochi's widened. "Kimi, no! You shouldn't be the only one to bear this burden!"
His protest fell on deaf ears as Kimi closed her eyes and finally lost consciousness. Kyochi sighed heavily as he stood, carrying his sister into the dark portal that he conjured that would take them to Kandrakar.
Away from Shinrinkage.
Away from this sad place.
Away from where Seiji Minamoto died.
The tragic scene shattered like glass before dissolving into fined crystal shards. Will and her friends gasped for breath as if they had just woken from a deep slumber. They watched as the shards flew back into Kimi's palm, reforming itself into a bigger crystal, pulsating with the same dark glow of a memory.
The Guardians glanced nervously at one another, unsure of what to say after what they had just finished. Kimi took one last look at the memory crystal in her hands before letting it float away.
"So now you all know," Kimi said sadly. "I never managed to kill Seiji myself. And yet he somehow died by my hands and in my arms."
Kimi glanced at her friends and gave them a sad smile. "So now that you've seen the skeleton in my closet, one of my darkest secrets, do you think that I'm a monster, too?"
To be continued…
Author's note: Sorry for taking so long. At this point, I'm not even going to repeat myself. But the next chapter will hopefully be done quicker this time. I feel as if my writer's block is slowly lifting.