A/N: I have a request to those who were kind enough favorite DoA... Please review it instead of just skimming through! I'd love to hear from you! please try to review! It wouldn't kill you to do so!
(2/2/11)
Sunday...
Same day...
Minako ran to the bloodied stretcher, "Oh Auntie! Oh my God! She was so young! No, that's not right..." Minako muttered, "She was so beauti... She was so genero... She was so... So... We were related!" She tried to touch her, but the paramedics wouldn't.
"I wouldn't. She's pretty mangled up." The paramedic said, causing Minako to turn white.
"Real nice, fella." I said to the paramedic in disgust, "Real nice." I then herded Minako away. A pair of lawmen came up to her.
"I'm Detective Burkhardt and this is Detective Griffin, we want to ask you a few questions." He said.
"What, you aren't actually suspecting her, aren't you?!" I cried in horror, "That's her auntie for crying out loud!"
He shrugs, "We just want to narrow down the list. Did your auntie have anyone who wanted to hurt her and/or kill her?"
Minako took a deep breath, "Yeah, this is gonna take a while..." We invited them to the living room to discuss things. It took a while, but they eventually believed that someone else killed her aunt.
"I know it wasn't easy living with that hag, and I even tried poisoning her oatmeal once, but I really did love her-" she retches at saying it, "She took me in, after all."
Detective Burkhardt nodded grimmly and looked at Detective Griffin. He then puts away his notebook, "We believe you."
"But it would be much easier if we didn't see a note at the fridge that said 'Die Auntie love Minako'..." Detective Griffin muttered.
"Okay. Trust us when we say we'll get to the bottom of this." Detective Burkhardt said and motioned an officer to come closer, "Sergeant Wu, get the autopsy report and forward it to my desk."
"Right on it. Also, someone from child protective services is coming by to take Minako-san right now." Sergeant Wu said as a tall, lupine-looking man came by.
"Hey. My name is Monroe. I'm sorry about what happened to your auntie..." He said.
"S'okay. She wasn't easy to live with, and she also starved me at times-" Minako said as Monroe and everyone else became surprised.
"Why didn't you report this?!" Monroe cried.
"Well..." Minako blushed, "I have people who care about me... Living next door."
"Yes, well, you need to say goodbye pretty soon." Monroe said, "You'll be transferred to the nearest living relative."
"What?!" Minako cried, "You can't do that?! I'm practically an adult!"
"You aren't an adult yet, Minako-chan." Monroe said sadly, "We still need to do this. But... I guess you can stay with your friends until we make contact. However, if your relatives do take you in again, you may need to say your final farewells... Once again, my sincerest condolences. I'll be in touch." Monroe said as he politely said his farewells and left with the other officers.
Minako sighed. I thought for a while and remembered something. I grabbed Minako and snuck her to her house via Narda and grabbed something else.
"What the hell?!" She hissed, "We could get caught!"
"Minako, do you trust me? Will you follow me?" I asked quickly.
"Yes, but-"
"Then trust me." I grabbed her and went into the crime scene. No one was present. Good.
"Orpheus!" I used the Evoker to summon him. The stoic musician looked boredly at me. Minako grabbed me. She felt scared, but I reassured her.
"Master... What is your bidding...?" He said and looked at Minako intently. He seemed to smile.
"Why is that thing looking at me...?" She whispered, "It's creeping me out..."
"My apologies..." Orpheus said with an apathetic tone, "I sense the power and strength of my wife, Eurydice, inside you..."
Minako seemed to freak out. I hastily changed the subject, "Orpheus, you told me once that everything has an anima, and that inanimate objects remember things. Is that true?"
He nods, "My Lord, your memory is sharp. That is correct."
"Can you tell us what happened here?"
"I cannot." He said as we bowed our heads in disappointment, "However, I can show you." He plucks his lyre and began playing. A column of energy flowed through his lyre as we somewhat understood it through the music. We closed our eyes as the music painted a picture inside our minds...
"Please, no!" A hoarse voice cried, "Don't! Shigure isn't here!"
"For Elder." A female voice said, "I shall kill you!" Then, several blows were heard as cries from Minako's aunt were now gurgling blood.
The music ended as Orpheus bowed solemnly and returned.
"Gee, that was helpful." Minako said dryly, "Elder did it... what's new?"
"Minako, you're a genius!" I cried as I took Minako back to Narda.
"What?!" Minako cried as I dragged her upstairs.
When we arrived, I took the Dream Charms, "Minako, let's use the Dream Charms." I said as she nodded.
We sat cross-legged and concentrated as the world around us dissolved.
We were in a congregation of cultists. Elder was inducting six new members of the cult. Elder bellowed, "Why are you here?"
"Because we are the best of the best of the best!" The cried in unison.
Elder nodded, "Guinevere!" He cried as a lady with braided dark brown hair strode forward and knelt. I couldn't see her face, but she looked dangerous, her brown eyes gleaming, "Did you do your mission and kill the elder Arisato?"
She nodded, "Yes, Lord Elder."
He nods, "Good job." He hands her a black cloak, silver vambraces, gauntlets and a silver sabre, "Welcome to the family, Guinevere."
"Yes." She said as she donned her costume. Suddenly, Elder fell on the floor and began coughing.
Then, a member passed him a strange, metallic container that probably isn't from this world. He began heaving in it.
"Elder, learn to control it!" Sensei cried, his robes splattered with black bile.
"I... I can't..." Elder said, "It's... Too much-" he was cut off when he puked so much black slime, it overflowed.
When it made contact with the floor, there was a hissing sound as it became spiny, vitriolic and gooey. Everyone backed away.
"Tell me what is happening..." Elder wheezed.
"I shall." Sensei said, "You've nurtured such corruption and evil in your mortal shell that you cannot hold it anymore. As such, you are merely expelling the excess... There is no cure. That is why the Lords never use more than one power at a given time, let alone three!"
"Is there any cure for this...?" Elder wheezed, "I'm in pain."
"Other than Viktor's power, you are limited an hour that you expel your corruption." Sensei said.
"Only for an hour?" Elder said in surprise, his mouth dripping with black goo.
"Yes." Sensei nodded, "But I doubt that it can be cured without Viktor's powers. There is... One other way."
"Yes?"
"Messiah's power, Salvation, is the only thing that can cure you." Sensei said.
Guinevere stepped up, "I shall stop at nothing to help you."
"Good." Elder said, "I'm gonna need it. Tonight, we will welcome Minato into our ranks or end him."
The dream ended. Minako began to swear very profane and rather colorful caustic oaths before quietly breaking down. I patted her head and said, "I'm sorry, Minako... I'm so sorry."
She shook her head, "It's not your fault, fool." She sniffed, "I'm more sad about having to go away..."
I hugged her tighter, "I'll write to you every single day..."
Minako sighed, "I know. I know. And... Well, I don't want to go to another relative. I'd rather stay here."
"You're always welcome here." I said and we went down. Koromaru, Leah, Junpei and Akihiko were having breakfast. We joined them as a knock emanated from the door. It was Cato. We invited him in as he took a seat. He was paler than usual.
"Everything okay...?" I asked as I gave him a cup of tea.
He muttered thanks as he took a sip, "Looks like Elder is out to get us all..."
"What d'ya mean?" Junpei asked.
"My parents... were killed today." He said bitterly.
We were all shocked. Minako took a loud slurp from her cup, "Join the club. We have jackets."
"Minako!" I hissed, "Cato... I-"
"No." Cato shook his head, "I don't want your condolences. I'm asking you... If you're planning anything... I want in. I can provide you anything you need. Just say the word." He stood up, "If you'll excuse me... I need to prepare for a funeral. Minako-san... My condolences."
"Likewise." Minako said solemnly as Cato left.
"Man, this is gettin' out of hand." Junpei said, "This guy is getting scary... Minato, in my opinion, I think he's baiting you. You really need to preempt him."
Everyone looked at Junpei with awe, "Junpei, that's right! But where is he...?"
I then remembered what Zythos said... Only he who seeks him, but does not want his powers, may find him...
I willed myself to find out where the last one is... I felt a glacial... When I closed my eyes, I saw a snowy mountain. It looked familiar. Then, I saw several numbers in my mind... 40.6165 N... 140.8808 E...
I grabbed a map and boxed the coordinates in... Hakkōda Mountains.
I then grabbed a Japanese Atlas and looked at the Snow Country section. I immediately found my mark... Hakkōda Mountains.
I decided to go alone. I already risked my friend's lives several times. I don't want to risk it again for a suicide mission.
I began to get ready and kept my plans a secret. I practiced my swordplay and made plans. Since my door wasn't locked, Minako observed me for a while before making her presence known.
"Minato... I'm worried about you." She said.
I was still practicing, "What makes you," I slashed an Elder mannequin at the throat, "think that...?"
"You've been slashing and stabbing the air for hours now." Minako said as I stabbed and rolled away from Elder mannequin, "Will you please put that down...?" She sighed as I complied, "Minato... I'm really worried about you... We all are."
"I'm... I'm just trying to avoid any more deaths, Minako." I said, "Because I care about you all."
"We never asked that from you." Minako said, "I'd rather have you right here with us."
"Yes, but Elder will continually kill the people I love until there's no one left..." I said passionately, "And I won't allow it."
"Then let us help you, Minato." She said, "You need our help."
"I really appreciate your concerns and all... But I'm fine. I really don't need your help." I said rather curtly as I picked up my sword and began practicing.
She nods and begins to leave, "You know... Jesus had his Disciples, Moses had his people and Muhammad had his faithful..." she said somewhat bitterly, "Everybody needs help sometimes, Minato... Even the almighty Messiah." She said as she left.
I sighed. Women...
I waited until midnight and began to move out. When I reached the living room, I noticed a vile presence sitting by the couch. I readied my sword.
"There is no need for that." Elder said, putting both gloved hands up, "I, Elder, Bane of Life, humbly request an audience with Messiah, Redeemer of Man." He got on one knee with that.
I nodded dumbly, "Yeah, sure..." But I kept my guard up. If he made any sudden moves, I'd gladly slice his throat.
He walked towards me. I defensively put my sword up, "Not one step further, Slick."
"It'd be much easier to speak if you did not point that Holy Sword at my face." Elder sighed.
"I don't trust you." I said coldly.
Elder sighed, "Of course, of course." He drew himself up, "Messiah, you and I are two perfect beings. Demigods, if you will."
I mused on that, "I guess? Go on."
"But in your perfection, you do not realize exactly how imperfect and impure humans are!" Elder cried, "But I have awoken to it and shall gladly enlighten you..."
"Really?" I said dubiously, "Speak now."
He threw Lucifer's Blade on the floor and it became a snake, "They're like serpents, trecherous and spineless." He said darkly, then, several rats came forth from his longshanks, "They are as traitorous as rats, betraying and manipulating their closest friends to meet their ends." He grabbed a rat and into an apple and bit into it, "Like spiders, spinning webs of lies and deceit!" He made a spider appear in his hand before crushing it into a green pulp, then, he took a piece of candy and turned it into a cockroach,"Like cockroaches, they are a vermin to all, taking everything away for themselves!" He turned it back and ate it, "Delicious!"
"Quit it! That's just disgusting!" I exclaimed in disgust.
"Oh, they are far BEYOND disgusting!" Elder cried, "They're vile, wicked and malignant. They're a blight in our perfect world."
"Perhaps..." I muttered.
"Then we are in an agreement, yes?" Elder said eagerly.
"No." I said defiantly, "No matter how bad man is, it is for The Lord alone to decide what's best for man. He forgives them for their imperfections and so we must do the same. And it is my job to save them."
Elder put his hands to his face, "For all your talents, you are naïve..." He said forlornly, "Again, you force me to take extreme measures, Minato... Things I'd rather not do."
"Well, you've forced me to do things I really want to do." I spat back.
Elder looked confused, "That makes no sense."
"I know." I admitted, "But you're gonna die today."
"You cannot bait me into a fight!" Elder declared.
"What, scared that you moght get killed...?" I said mockingly.
Elder snarled, "Ha! I can kill you with my eyes closed!"
"Then how will you save yourself?" I said, "Without me, you won't find the last Dark Lord and without my Salvation, you will die."
He bared his teeth, "I will not die." He said, "Because I intend to live forever. I shall kill you quickly." He decided and raised Lucifer's Blade. It was at least two feet longer in falx version. He tapped on his wrist as a dark, shadowy shield materialized. It looked sinister and evil. To compliment it, he turned his falx into a Xiphos.
"A shield...?" I spat, "Fight fair!"
"Sorry, this is a bring your own equipment party." He said with a smile. The shield is gonna be a problem... Sure, there were benefits with fighting with both arms, such as speed and power, but shield gives you much greater defense and flexibility. More moves, more options and more methods of killing.
I tried making Deus Xiphos into a hammer, but I only succeeded in turning it into a halberd. Which is great, since the long reach and the battle ax would mean enhanced defense and offence, but not as much as a shield.
Elder lunged across the living room and nearly killed me with that charge. As I avoided that strike, his sword went underneath my arm and slashed my shirt, scratching my midsection. And since I wore no armor, it wounded me slightly.
I reeled back and swept the halberd as it found its mark at his leg. He slammed it away with his shield as I charged with the halberd, which he deflected with his shield.
"My, my... Is the Messiah out of practice?" He mocked, "How the mighty have fallen!"
"I'm not out of practice!" I snarled, "I'm conserving energy!" I smacked him with the iron tipped butt of the halberd, dazing him as I twirled the halberd and brought it down. He managed to erect his shield as I brought it down. It created a loud clang as he locked blades with me. I could feel our respective blades fighting, two opposite ends of a magnet forced upon each other.
I kicked him as I sliced the edge of his shield, but it glanced off hopelessly.
Elder knocked me down as Deus Xiphos cluttered away from my reach. Dissipating his shield, he advanced toward me and prodded me on my left side with Lucifer's Blade, an old scar that still hurt me.
"Gyaah!" I cried in pain.
"Your choice, Messiah." He growled, "You will join me, in peace or in pieces. You came back from the dead once, you can do it again. If you can't, I can do it for you. Now... JOIN ME!" He demanded.
"Never!" I cried.
He scoffed, "So be it." He raised his sword and it came down with a spark.
I closed my eyes.
A/N: Done at last! Please review again! The quota is in effect. At least 15-20 reviews if you want to see the rest. I can wait, of course, because your reviews matter!
Q/A:
DragOn: Correct! Elder did that to get to Minato and to bait him into fighting.
Sadly, Minako won't be staying with Minato. She'll have to move with a relative.
Kai: Uh, I didn't really know it was your birthday, but belated happy birthday!
FES: Happy Birthday!
And no... Minako does not move in. She'll have to leave... Maybe her relative is a secret member of Elder's cult? Not confirmed yet.
Little Frenchie: You know what will happen if you DO retaliate... Acid attack from the Prince.
Both. First. You insulted me, meaning you're covering your tracks. And second, you can't prove it because you're an anon reviewer.
Radaketor: Well, there were other people...
Yup! A frying pan! My favorite weapon if zombies invade earth! Also, Minako will not live with Minato. I'm sorry to have to say that.
Night: I was actually thinking of that, but it would seem less serious if he beat Elder with a frying pan... And there's a reason why Yukari wasn't there... Maybe she was being initiated...? Nah!
And the Queen... Queen of weather...?
Zombie: sure, call me dude if you like. And Yukari will definitely turn bad in the later chapters. I'm not sure yet, but keep reading, please!
Thefezbot: Nope. Minako is moving with a relative. Far, far away.
Blue: Well, she's still saddened. And Minato is definitely guilty.
Rose: yup! It works like a shield and a hammer, but it slips easily from bacon grease.
Inkling: with a relative.
Clueless: from the campsite. He got that there.