Thank you for never giving up on me. I promised to complete this story and I plan on abiding by that promise.
If you are looking to enjoy the full experience of the chapter with its accompanying music, go onto Youtube and play the KNB Ost Winter Cup when you see my signal of three italicized dots towards the end of the chapter (...)
Akashi-God of Royalty, King of the Gods, Of Power, Art, the Future
Murasakibura-God of Plenty (agriculture, harvest)
Aomine-God of War, God of Heroism, Adventure
Midorima-God of Wisdom, Knowledge, Fortune
Kise-God of Beauty, Fantasy, and Romance
Akashi narrows his eyes. "What about the Phantom Sixth God, Shintarou? If my memories are correct, we'd agreed to never tread upon those waters again."
"I have discovered an ancient incarnation that may turn Kuroko back," Midorima deadpans, watching Akashi's eyes suddenly light up with unnerving passion.
"When the others return, inform them to come to the lagoon at once."
Immediate reports from lesser deities informed that the symptoms of the plague died down almost immediately. Kise announces with a humble cheer that Ogiwara had awoken from his slumber and was eating the food his father brought him.
Within hours the kingdom of Kirisaki Daiichi was reduced to ashes, infiltrated by spiders that once thrived among town in human flesh.
Murasakibara hands Akashi a glass jar with a large black spider inside. "Aka-chin, here is the most vile creature in the world."
"Thank you, Atsushi."
The gods, the wind, the heavens could feel a tremor through the atmosphere as Akashi's graceful fingers gripped the jar.
Within moments the jar had disintegrated, leaving the spider to be crushed into dusty powder as it roast alive, each one of its legs twisting in abominable direction. From that moment on, the bits of Hanamiya spread across the four corners of the earth, for the spiders had become the punishment from the gods to mankind.
A dark look still rests on Akashi's face as Kise and Murasakibara brings back the Kuroko statue from Seirin temple. They place it in the Teiko library.
"There you go, Kurokocchi. You would have liked this place," Kise says with a sad look.
"Shintarou, you must tell us how to free Tetsuya at once."
"All along, the truth had been hidden in plain sight," Midorima mutters, "Which is why it must have escaped our notice. Interesting...the low presence must have been inherited." He unravels a bandage off his left pointer finger and dips it into the lagoon, creating a series of counterclockwise ripples.
The lagoon trembles, and an image begins to take place but it was not of any presently-known villages. Midorima clears his throat.
"A long time ago, Teiko was created by the First Emperor of the Gods, an immortal whom we knew as Shirogane Kozo. Shirogane, who had aged considerably due to his impossibly complex creations, had stepped down from his throne and was training Sanada Naoto to reign over a new generation. At the same time, Shirogane was also training a group of advisers for Sanada, who would later become known as Kiseki no Sedai, or the Generation of Miracles."
"Yay, we're in Mido-chin's story," Murasakibara mumbles between a mouthful of ambrosia.
Midorima throws Murasakibara a dirty look before clearing his throat once more. "Shirogane wanted the Kiseki to protect Sanada unconditionally for eternity; therefore, he shared with them his most ancient secrets and magic. Soon enough, rumor had it that the Kiseki no Sedai became even more powerful than Sanada and Shirogane themselves."
"I hardly doubt it's a rumor," snorts Aomine.
"Daiki, quiet."
"Shirogane did not mind, for he wanted a reign of peace and prosperity through his golden years. He bit back all lengths and boundaries for the Kiseki's power, all the while he himself began fading into obscurity. Eventually he became known as the Phantom Sixth God.
Now, Sanada was not particularly fond of the Kiseki's power. In his eyes they were more of a threat than protection, and although he knew it was in his best interest to let them be alongside him, he did not particularly trust any of them. In order to become more powerful himself, he had started practicing the act of human sacrifice. He ordered his worshipers to slaughter young men and women every full moon, growing more and more ruthless alongside his power. This decision was met with disdain by the other gods, including Shirogane. But Sanada would not relent."
All heads turn to glance at Akashi, whose expression morphs into something between a smirk and a tsk.
"This created a rift between the gods, a divider if you will. Naturally, difficulties on Teiko equaled to difficulties for the human mortals. There just so happened that there lived a boy called Nijimura Shuzo, who grew up in a poor cottage with no family but his father. One day his father fell deathly ill, and Nijimura began praying nonstop for the gods to heal his ailing father."
The god adjusts his glasses before continuing further.
"Now, it was well-known among Teiko that Sanada was, for the lack of a better word, foolhardy, particularly in the delicate art of decision-making. All gods harbor somewhat of an ability to heal human diseases, the simple decision of who to spare lying in the palm of their hand. Although the Kiseki came to an unanimous agreement to heal the ailing mortal, Sanada had strictly forbidden ill humans to be cured at the hands of the gods. The fiercely loyal Nijimura then began to offer himself as a sacrifice in his prayers, vowing to do whatever it takes to save his father, causing Sanada to become even more relentless regarding the act of healing.
While a brew raged on in Teiko, the Phantom Sixth God Shirogane could not stand by any longer. With swift diligence he visited Nijimura's cottage, not only healing his father but directing father and son to a mine ridden with gold. Nijimura and his father thus built a temple in honor of the Phantom Sixth God. This acted as a bridge between them and the gods, whom had accepted Nijimura as an honorary member of Teiko."
"I remember Nijimura-senpai, ssu~!"
"Hell yeah, he was a cool kid."
"He even taught us many things, Aominecchi!"
"I could see Niji-chin being one of us."
A moment of silence passes before Midorima continues. "But all was not well on Teiko, for Sanada became livid once he discovered Shirogane's disobedience. Swiftly he stripped Shirogane of power through trickery of weakening potion and proceeded to banish him to the mortal world."
"I remember that," someone whispers darkly.
"As one could imagine, the reactions were immediate. In the Kiseki's fury, they combined their powers and stripped Sanada of all power and immortality. They ended up vanquishing him- no trace of him would ever be heard from again. But just the same, once someone is banished to the human world, they will never be able to return to the world of the gods. Such was a thing to happen to Shirogane, who became an aging mortal.
The Kiseki did everything they could to bring him back, but this was one thing the universe could not bend for them. They wanted to help Shirogane in any way they could, but thus having lost most of his immortal memory after his plight, Shirogane wandered off into the valleys. Due to the linger of his phantom-like presence, he was incredibly difficult to find. It wasn't until many years later that they found out he'd married a peasant woman and lived the last few years of his mortal life doting over their young daughter.
The Kiseki weren't able to watch over Shirogane's daughter until the lagoon was created in Teiko, a difficult process when one takes into consideration the responsibility left to the Kiseki by Shirogane and Sanada. Fortunately they were able to unanimously follow a new leader, and thus a new era was born."
All heads turn to Akashi, who gives a solemn nod as if to say don't stop now, Shintarou.
"Shirogane's daughter grew up quickly and married a man by the of surname Kuroko. However, due to the chaos at the time and ruthless famine, they had no choice but to abandon their baby son at the steps of a temple. They had been overworked and starved to death by the time the Kiseki installed the lagoon. The baby, due to having inherited his grandfather's low presence, was unrecognizable to them at this time."
However, Kuroko Tetsuya's devotion to the gods and the the lagoon's magical properties eventually led Teiko back to him, the boy who grew up in the temples of Seirin.
The rest is history. You all know what happens next," Midorima finishes, his tone soft.
The Generation of Miracles allow another moment of silence to reign over them, reflecting on every aspect of Midorima's accounted history.
"Mido-chin, I have a question." All eyes turn to Murasakibara, who is the first one to speak. "Why did you refer to Kiseki no Sedai as they in your story? We all know it's us."
Midorima clears his throat, pushing up his glasses. "It's for the purpose of narration, Murasakibara."
"I suppose such accuracy deserves its merits," Akashi finally speaks up, "But tell me, Shintarou, what purpose does this serve to aid us in getting Tetsuya back?"
"I was just about to get there, Akashi." Midorima's glasses glint with his perspiration. "Before Shirogane was banished, he told me of a powerful spell that he was almost finished brewing. It used up much of his energy and power, but he was determined bring upon its existence. At the time it was created, he thought it to be the most powerful spell in the universe. The spell of reincarnation."
"And how is it that you have come to be so far with Shirogane's spells?" Akashi's voice is pleasant, yet carries the iciest of chills.
"I have done adequate research after observing Kuroko closely," Midorima replies carefully, constructed. "And ultimately put together his resemblance to Shirogane."
"Kuro-chin does seem to be just as invisible as Shirogane-sensei," Murasakibara chimes in.
"So does this mean that Tetsu's like a demigod or something?" Aomine demands, an eyebrow up in suspicion.
"Yes, as a matter of fact," Midorima replies. "Although Kuroko's body functions as a mortal, a faint trace of immortality may exist among his veins." He pauses. "It would ultimately be vital, should Shirogane's spell be activated, to stir whatever immortality there is left."
"Shintarou," Akashi says, "Are you inquiring that the trace of immortality flowing through Tetsuya's veins holds the key to restoring him to life?"
"Precisely," Midorima confirms, though he gravely adds, "But there is a cost."
"What cost?" Akashi demands sharply, immediately.
At that, Midorima meets him squarely in the eye. "A high cost, higher than one could ever imagine." He adjusts his spectacles with an air of unnerving. "First, all parties activating the spell must not have blood that is one hundred percent descended from mortals. Since Kuroko is the descendant of Shirogane, that covers that, but it is only the beginning.
"The spell contains elements from various powerful sources used to create the universe, therefore it was essentially made to honor the art of creation. In its process, the spell will reincarnate its parties through many different lifetimes. The parties will live these lifetimes without previous immortality or memory. After each lifetime ends, the parties will be reborn into different bodies, and the cycle begins anew.
The reincarnation is set for about 18 lifetimes for each party, although the equity itself is not that simple. Akashi, say that you and Kuroko decide to endure the spell. There exists no guarantee that you two will meet in every single lifetime, nor is there a pre-determined destiny that declares you two ending up together in each lifetime."
"I see."
"Furthermore," continues Midorima, and all of the world may as well be dead to the Teiko gods at the moment, "Shirogane wasn't able to explain the full extent of the spell to me before his departure. From what I conclude, the 18 lifetime-cycle is a very loose guarantee. The spell is alive with an essence of its own-and I am afraid it may dictate your course on its own accord."
"I beg your pardon, Shintarou?" A thin, bitter smile spreads over Akashi's lips. "I thought I heard the word 'dictate' among your words. Do explain."
"Because it harbors that much power, the spell lives with soul of its own. It can sense your destination, your glory, your triumph, your sorrows..." Midorima clears his throat, feeling the cool stare of Akashi directed at him. "If it sees that the 18 cycles surpasses your needs, or in the event where it decides more cycles are necessary, it will add more involuntary lifetimes."
"And what purpose will that serve, pray tell?" hisses Akashi. "What prospect does this tomfoolery wish to resolve in its endgame?"
"The ultimatum remains that at the end of all its cycles, all parties of the spell will be reincarnated into the same universe as they started in, only the purest, most idealistic version of themselves. Individuals whom would have made it through all lifetime cycles and levels will be rewarded not only with immortality but self-actualization once more. In other words, you would gain back yourself and more."
It takes a moment for this to sink into Teiko.
"So, if Akashicchi wants to get Kurokocchi back, he and Kuorkocchi will both have to go through reincarnated lifetimes again and again for about 18 times until they end up back in this universe?!" exclaims Kise.
"For once, your observational skills do not seem subpar." says Midorima ("Meanie!" Kise whines). "But yes, that is correct. Each lifetime will be a level of sorts, a test in itself. A deity may not use the spell for the purpose of amusement or any self-satisfying means. It must be used at least between two individuals, and the usage of the spell must involve a goal. You must make it clear that you have called upon it for a worthy purpose."
Akashi runs his tongue across his dry lips, heterchromatic eyes gleaning with desire. "Why, that is such a simple task. What else but love, of course? The one thing that I have yet to taste."
"Akashicchi is such a romantic!" Kise all but squeals, which earns him a hard jab from Aomine. (Teiko then proceeds to ignore Kise's yelp).
"Akashi..." Midorima hesitates. "You claim that is your purpose, but I ask that you consider it carefully. Once you have chosen a purpose for the spell, it will recognize that as your ultimate endgame. For instance, if you decide to go with 'love', then it will revolve your levels and success rates around that goal. There is no change, no going back. And for the sake of temptation, it does not allow you to choose more than one purpose."
"Wait, wait, hang on a second," Aomine interrupts, "So each lifetime in this spell is like one level, right? And you're saying that if Akashi decides he wants himself and Tetsu to fall in love or something for the goal of the spell, and if they don't end up doing that during one of the lifetimes, they won't pass that particular lifetime? If they don't pass just one level/lifetime, does that mean they can't reach their endpoint?"
"Not necessarily," Midorima states, trying to wrap his head around Aomine's choice of grammar, "Should Akashi choose love as his purpose, then yes, the spell will ultimately revolve around him and Kuroko falling in love. The spell will reincarnate them with adjustments for the two to head off toward that path. But falling in love - especially in each different lifetime - is entirely up to them.
This is a highly complex explanation, but each level's success - and the success of the overall spell - does not depend on the quantity of lifetimes that they end up together in. You lot may not understand, but love is not just about ending up together. It's a different visceral for everybody, and sometimes..." Midorima squares his shoulders, thinking that nobody noticed when indeed the Generation of Miracles did. "It's also about sacrifice, nanodayo."
Because ultimately, even an ancient spell isn't an opponent powerful enough for fate, he adds to himself.
"Hang on, everybody! I just realized something!" Kise exclaims. "Isn't love with Kurokocchi a totally different thing than bringing Kurokocchi back?! Midorimacchi says you can only pick one goal, right?! But what if picking love and going through all those lifetimes and all that trouble, Kurokocchi still ends up being reincarnated into a statue at the end because the spell was focused on love, not turning Kurokocchi back into flesh?!"
"Fool," Midorima says, "If you had been listening this entire time, you would have known that regardless of whatever purpose it is used for, all parties who pass through the levels of the spell will be granted with immortality. Regardless of which goal Akashi picks, if he and Kuroko make it through all the cycles, Kuroko will not only no longer be stone but he will become immortal. Even in the very first lifetime, Kuroko will be reincarnated into something other than stone, that much I can guarantee."
"Damn, how come I've never heard of this spell before?" Aomine says.
"After we agreed to speak little of the past, my memories regarding Shirogane were not as sharp as they used to be," says Midorima, "I had to do quite a bit of research in our library, compared with my own wisdom and insight."
"Quite the modest one you are," Aomine mutters.
"I have a question, Mido-chin," Murasakibara speaks up, taking a pause from his mouthfuls. "We all know that Aka-chin has to have a goal for activating the spell, but what if, and don't get mad at me Aka-chin, I'm just speaking hypothetically, but what if Aka-chin and Kuro-chin somehow don't pass every level?"
"Love is a broad term," Midorima says very slowly, for he fears rash words could lead to angering Akashi, "It exists on a different spectrum for every individual. If Akashi and Kuroko were to hypothetically not pass a level, the spell could move them onto the next one. The continuum of cycles is specifically designed not to last forever. If they were to not even meet in a lifetime, they will not spend 24 times in that same one until they 'get it right'.
Moreover, the prospect of not meeting or ending up together is also not considered 'failing' a level. The spell understands that nothing in the universe is ideal, and so it will simply reincarnate them into what it considers to be 'better' setting next time."
"It's more second chances than anybody could ever ask for," Murasakibara says dreamily. "Aka-chin and Kuro-chin could definitely pass."
"However, the spell itself has its flaws," Midorima says, and the graveness in his voice has grown quite severe at this point. "There may very well come a point where it will think that the current lifetime suits you the best. There is no black-and-white list for those requirements, as the spell has a soul of its own and thinks on its own. But if that happens, you will be trapped forever in that universe, and all of history will be rewritten to accompany that version of the universe."
"No way," Kise gasps among the wide-eyed looks, "So Akashicchi and Kurokocchi could get stuck in an alternate reality forever?"
"That alternate reality would then become the reality," Midorima says softly, something striking his vocal chords.
"And we...?"
"Everything we have ever known would become part of that reality then. Including us."
"Oh, well at least then everybody would get to be together, ssu~!"
"Not necessarily," Midorima says, "It's a courtesy of the spell to attempt to set Akashi and Kuroko up for success. Should they get stuck with a new reality, we will join them in that reality, yes, but there is no guarantee that we will meet again as a group. After all, our memories of this world would be wiped clean."
"So we'd all be mindless idiots?"
"You're a mindless idiot, Aomine!"
"OI! Damn old carrot!"
A vein throbs on Midorima's forehead at the umpteenth interruption. "As I was saying," he mutters, "Our memories would be wiped clean and instead filled with memory of the alternate world, as if we'd always been a part of it. None of us would know any better. None of us will remember. Including Akashi and Kuroko. With each new lifetime comes a new start, meaning neither of them will retain any memory of this world or any previous lifetime as they are cycling through.
Before any of you asks, each lifetime is designed to last as long as an average mortal's, nanodayo. I don't know which alternate realities the spell would choose, nor do I know any of the alternate realities that exist. But I believe in their existence because Fate has told me so.
There is also another possibility. The spell does not like unrequited love, but it offers many a second chance to counter that. However, it would be less than forgiving if either of you were to fall for someone else. Hypothetically." He adds to counter the glint of Akashi's golden eye.
"The whole purpose of the levels is for you and Kuroko to prove your affection towards each other. If you fall in love, genuinely in love with someone else, well then... the spell would end. Both of you would disappear from existence after your current lifetime was over."
"Disappear?!"
"Yes, Kise. They would not be coming back to this reality or any reality. Our time would be unfrozen and we would go on living in this world - except without either of their memories. Their very existence would be wiped clean." He pauses to take a breath, to let all of that sink into them before continuing.
It was perhaps the coldest night that Teiko had seen in a long, long time.
"So Akashi, after hearing all of that, would you still be so confident as to say that you want to activate this spell for the purpose of 'love'?"
"I find it remarkable that you would question my confidence, Shintarou," Akashi says, though his tone sounds less than remarkable. "After everything we have been through, after all I have said. I am absolute in everything I say. I will battle fate and come out victorious. Nothing in this universe can take away what rightfully belongs to me."
"You would risk your immortality - your divinity - your legacy - for this mere mortal?!" Midorima asks in a voice painted with disbelief, several pitches higher.
"I would," Akashi bemuses with an unimpressed look on his face. "Because I, Akashi Seijuro, Emperor of the Gods, do not lose. I do not back down from challenges, and it would be rather distasteful for me to leave such an impression for my friends to harbor any amount of doubt..now wouldn't it, Shintarou?"
"If you say so, then," Midorima murmurs and closes his eyes briefly, for by this time he was exhausted. "Then tomorrow we can begin the spell at the break of dawn."
"You are all dismissed. We meet here at the break of dawn." Teiko disbands, the lingering effects of Akashi's cool words having nothing in comparison to Shirogane's last gift.
"Ah, Shintarou. I thought it was you whom approaches. Come, join me."
The moonlight spikes a path up the smooth century marble of Teiko's great library, spanning across its elongated porch. A curtain of mist showers over the lone statue, where the lone figure is illuminated by a solitary beam.
Akashi gives the approaching Midorima a wry smile. "What brings you here tonight?"
Midorima brings a hand to push up his glasses. "I would have thought you already knew, Akashi."
"Indeed I do," replies Akashi, "I wanted to give you a chance to explain yourself further, but it seems as if you have already disclosed all that you have wanted to say." He stops there, leaving the linger of hesitation to spin entirely in Midorima's hands.
"I have never been one to outshine himself with words alone," Midorima speaks slowly, emphasizing each word with particular meaning, "But I have come to give you one more instance of reconsideration. Picture the world as if you have already made the solemn choice. Do you move forward with no regrets? Can you trade immortality for the life of a mortal, throw your existence on the line for a human?"
Akashi's voice is calm, though Midorima detects within it a sliver of enigmatic concealment. "Shintarou, many a time I have answered your continuous cycle of similar question, and none of my answers have ever changed. I do not take action without careful consideration beforehand. Do you presume that I have been mistaken in any way? Do you really harbor that little faith in me?"
"I...it is not that I have no faith in you, Akashi. It is that fate itself has given me little reason to believe it is merciful."
Akashi's smile is cold, as if he was detached from all things of this world. "Then I shall have to change that in regards to fate, do I not? After all, I am not to be defied, even by fate."
"Toying with fate is a dangerous game, even for the Emperor of the Gods," Midorima whispers. "Fate is a force to be reckoned with, even by gods such as ourselves."
Akashi tilts his head with a morbid curiosity, his golden eye positively piercing with fanatical glee. "Shintarou, is this undying inhibition perhaps related to Kazunari?"
Midorima visibly jolts at the mention of Takao's name. Akashi's smirk only widens as his affirmations are confirmed.
"You need not to worry that Tetsuya shall suffer the same fate," his voice is soft and tender, and laced with a cutting edge at the same time, "I understand your disdain for the inevitability, but the spell will render Tetsuya immortal. And I shall be granted with greater power, as in my right as Emperor of the Gods.
Shirogane and Sanada were both beings of immaculate power, and I hold it personally to respect both of them. However, their weaknesses have become my strengths, my learning points. I will make no mistakes; I will let no force take my power."
"Then perhaps the one whom you love is power, not Kuroko."
The air holds it breath as Akashi turns his full gaze from the statue to Midorima. His smile never stops, and Midorima feels an erratic jump in his nerve. As far as he knew, no one spoke to the Emperor of the Gods in such a tone.
"Shintarou, there is one thing I do not understand. Clearly you stand against my decision to revive Tetsuya, yet you are the one whom opened the doors of possibility. Why?"
Although Akashi's question is more of a demand in nature, Midorima is nonetheless keen to answer his question. "Although I hardly consider there to be a camaraderie between the Gods of Teiko, I have served you for centuries. From Shirogane to you, the world as we know it cannot afford to lose another emperor...especially one such as yourself."
The temporary silence that lingers this time bears a trace of warmth to it.
"Ah. Shintarou, I can imagine your sentiment for Kazunari," Akashi's voice softens into a tone less belligerent. "But you can rest assured that history will not repeat itself."
"Akashi." When Midorima closes his eyes, his lashes brushing against the rim of his glasses. His hands clench at nothing. "I will perform the spell for you tomorrow at dawn." He turns to head for Shuutoku Temple, to spend one last night among the gifts and the coffin he could not give up.
"Shintarou," Akashi says quietly. Midorima pause in his tracks. Akashi's voice is solemn, unrelenting. "Do you have any regrets?"
It only takes a second of initial shock before Midorima swallows the dry lump in his throat.
"No," he finally whispers, his voice hoarse and broken, "Even now, I still would want to have known him, a thousand times over."
"I see." Akashi's voice sounds pleased. "Good night, Shintarou."
"Godspeed." Is Midorima's response before he takes off.
I hope you will have no regrets, Akashi.
...
The sun takes its time rising over the Great Kingdom of Teiko, but its inhabitants have already gathered at the lagoon.
The water swims with variations of color, already prepared by Midorima and the thick book to cast Shirogane's ancient spell. As directed, the Generation of Miracles stand in a circular formation surrounding the lagoon.
The air is filled with the fresh scent of morning and a tension that thrills and touches upon each individual God. The silence is so thick that one could cut through it with a breath.
And the God of Romance does just that. "Akashicchi, you're really going through with this, huh?"
Midorima pauses his concentration to direct his glare towards Kise. "Fool. Silence was necessary to expand our concentrations."
"But the silence was so tense," Kise says in a surprisingly tone devoid of whine, "I just wanted to reminisce this moment for a second. After all, it's going to be a long time before we're altogether like this again!"
"Yes, but the next time I see you, I shall possess Tetsuya back at my side," Akashi states simply, "My departure will not be eternal. Time will stop while I set history back on its course. Upon my return, you will not have missed much."
"I already miss Kurokocchi so much!" Kise couldn't hold it in anymore. "Take him back to meet us, please, Akashicchi?"
"Oi, Kise, stop wiping your face on my shirt! It's gross!"
"Aominecchi, meanie! Your clothes always smell pretty gross anyway!"
"Aka-chin, will you have enough corn to eat? Do you want to take a harvest or two?" Murasakibara chimes in. "Maybe I can come too, and help you when you need it."
"This is a journey in which I will have to embark on alone with Tetsuya, but I do appreciate the offer, Atsushi."
"Any time, Aka-chin."
Midorima clears his throat. "Since our attention became so divided, let us skip the recommended meditation period and proceed."
And suddenly all of them remember why they are there, and their faces grow solemn with a kind of immortal unity mere mortals could never hope to understand.
The air resumes its tension once more, so much that the entire world seems to suddenly be swathed in fog and cloud. A glow emits from each of the Gods in their respective colors, and the waters of the lagoon turn warm and unsettling hues of vibrant crimsons, yellows, pinks, and greens.
The energy from each God glows brighter and brighter until they become the sun, until they become the center of the universe. And in that moment, chaos is reborn again, for the Generation of Miracles has sealed their oath. The Doors of Fate had been opened.
The lagoon vortexes into a hungry whirlpool, its waters bright and hissing angrily. Akashi moves to stand atop the water, the universe growing restless under his feet as the Generation surround him with their synchronized energy.
With one last solemn glance at the world in which he had a large part in creating, the black hole splits open and swallows the Emperor of the Gods into another dimension.
As you probably guessed, the GOM "placing an oath" around the lagoon parallels to them swearing to an oath at Teiko after their graduation ;)
Your reviews have made my day every single time I read them over the past few months. These were some difficult months for me but noo matter how much time has passed, they have always managed to make me smile. Thank you for helping me believe in my writing :)
The next update won't take this long because I already have the next chapter written out! I believe many of you will be familiar with this Au actually, as it is from another beloved anime. It will be the first of many to feature Akashi and Kuroko reincarnated into a different universe.
When I first started out, I had planned for this from the very beginning so I would have an excuse to be able to write multiple Akakuro AU's in the same story ;) If YOU have any AU that you would like to see, I'm always open to hearing your ideas! I'd be very happy to hear from you! (Reviews mean the world to me and are so much love 3)
If you want to just talk about other fanfics, KNB, Akakuro, or anything in general feel free to message me at anytime! If you don't want to use fanfiction you can also find me on:
Instagram & Ao3 as KNBSnkLover
Tumblr as inglenookpoetry (I have the Of Akakuro & Karmagisa blog)
Below is a recap of the spell for anyone who is a bit lost! (which again you can ask me if anything is unclear).
Recap:
-Once the spell is activated, which it is by the end of this chapter, Akashi and Kuroko will go through multiple lifetimes and reincarnations. Time would pause for everyone else, although the Teiko gods may appear in some of the lifetimes as part of that reality. The spell basically creates alternate realities that could have existed instead of this one.
-Since Akashi's purpose is love, the spell's goal is to get both of them to prove their affection in each lifetime. That's what it takes to 'pass' that lifetime.
-Each lifetime is also considered a 'level', and the levels are numbered. The standard is 18 lives each, but if the spell feels like they need more chances it will add more lifetimes.
-There is no way to determine successfully "passing" a level/lifetime. The spell is the only one that decides, and even then neither Akashi or Kuroko would know because they do not retain their memory of their previous lifetime.
-If there were 18 lifetimes, for example, then successfully reaching the endgame wouldn't be something like passing half or more levels. The spell is very visceral, and it only ends after they go through its intended number of lifetimes for them. Then the spell itself decides overall if their love is true or not. It is mostly determined by instinct and feeling alone, and not numerical in any way.
-The spell may decide that making them stay in an alternate reality is ultimately the best way to go. In that case, history would rewrite itself. Immortality or not would depend on which world they get stuck in, as everything adapts to fit that new world.
-Unrequited love in a single lifetime may count against them, but it's not a dealbreaker. However, if the spell senses that either Akashi or Kuroko fell in love with someone else in a lifetime, that's when they would both disappear from existence. No second chances.
Preview of the next chapter:
"Akashi-kun, why are you doing this?" he asks, searching deeply into said man's eyes.
Though his expression harbors unyielding complexity, Akashi's answer is simple. "For us."