Firestorm – Flame of Recca After War

War of the Ancient World

"No! Use your stronger right hand! You're smaller than others, so you must defeat them with your quickness."

"When you're a little stronger, you'll become a member of the Uruha. Fight with us to rebuild this broken society."

"Before that, you're not an orphan anymore... I'll take care of you like a brother."

"We could be like brothers..."

Episode 15 - In Utter Darkness

Kurei's Portal... 7:15PM

Tendou Jigoku was enjoying the moment he's having. Mori had just arrived. As the two looked at each other, they can sense absolute dominion served on a silver platter. "This is it." Mori announced. The moment of merging with Tendou Jigoku has come... and once they did, they would enter the portal... and everything that comes in their way will be crushed. It has always been Mori's passion to watch people suffer. For many years, he did it to Kurei. It is only as of recent did he nail the coffin. A foster dad killing a foster child. It was a crime, yet he didn't care. He stands above the law. In his mind, he is the law. As he chirp in joy waiting for the imminent to occur, he knew for certain that he is big enough to trample over the hand of justice. Mori extended his arms sideways, preparing the posture for merging. Tendou Jigoku stretched his arms as well. The two began floating, one facing the other.

From above, a bright light sparkled. The two were momentarily startled by the flash. As they turned to look at the direction from where it happened, a golden halberd crashed down to Mori and tore into his chest. Mori fell on his back with his chest bleeding in abundance. Tendou Jigoku switched his attention to his comrade. "What the hell?" Before he could move an inch, Kaoru dived down and kicked the madougu's face. It too crashed to the ground. "I won't allow you to go back to our time, Mori Kouran."

The zombies around the two rushed towards Kaoru. Picking the Adamantine Blade from the ground, he started slashing them one after the other. Mori slowly regenerated his wounds as he got up. "You're pathetic Kaoru. You could've saved your life if you didn't come."

Kurei? why do we have to rebuild this society?

Kaoru turned to Mori and launched himself towards the enemy. Mori stood motionless, intending to savor the moment as he slowly squeeze the life out of his aggressor. Kaoru stabbed Mori once more. Blood came out, yet Mori was unharmed. From the face of the billionaire shines a grin of absolute confidence. "What the hell was that?" Kaoru didn't seem to mind. He swings his weapon once more and it opened up more wounds.

Because there's so much evil in it.

Kaoru jumped up, hoping to add more power as he dives down to slash Mori. From below, Mori looked up, still smiling. "You just don't get it do you, Koganei?" Mori held his arm above his head, catching the adamantine blade before Kaoru could slash him once more. "You cannot defeat me, Koganei." From behind Mori, Tendou Jigoku extended its arm and it struck Kaoru's chest. Severely weakened, he immediately lost his grip from his weapon and was sent crashing to the ground several meters away.

Do you think we're strong enough?

Kaoru pushed himself up with great effort, struggling to get back to his feet. "Check this out, Kaoru." Mori held the Kougan anki from both ends. "Allow me to shatter all hope in you before finishing you off." With that, he broke the madougu in half... and the remains crumbled to the ground. Kaoru watched in silence as his weapon falls apart from the hands of the enemy. Mori laughed hysterically at the sight of his opponent. Without the Kougan Anki, the fight is less than child's play.

You don't need to be strong to reach your dreams. You need to believe. Only then, will the strength you need come.

Mori started walking to Kaoru who was still panting. As Mori closed in, Kaoru sends out his fist, targetting Mori's face. Before it could reach him, Mori caught his wrist and pulled it upwards, dragging the boy closer. He lowered his face to Kaoru's. "Still persistent?" Mori sent an uppercut to Kaoru's belly. The boy rose up a few inches from the ground and fell down on his back, blood streaming out from his mouth. He wrapped both his hands on his stomach in pain as he moan on the ground.

Kurei... do you believe in God?

Mori watches Kaoru writhing next to his feet, enjoying the agony his opponent is suffering. He kicked Kaoru's side, and Kaoru was thrown a few feet away. "Do you know why I wanted power?" Kaoru was silent. He struggles to stand back on his feet with one hand holding his stomach.

There's no God, Kaoru. If there is... why would He allow so much suffering in this world?

Tendou Jigoku rushed in from behind Mori and grabbed Kaoru's face. The boy was powerless to resist the madougu. Without the Kougan Anki, he has nothing left to defend himself. The madougu slammed Kaoru's face to the ground as Mori watches from the side, the smile far from wearing off. Kaoru tried to push himself up. His entire body now shaking as he poured out his strength that he might not stay flat on the ground. "I wanted power, Koganei... because with power, I can make everyone bend their knees to me."

Do you think that... maybe... just maybe... He allowed us to suffer in order that we might long to live in a perfect world that only He could provide?

Tendou Jigoku motioned the zombies to attack, and they did so. One jumped into him from his back. Kaoru ducked and kicked the zombie at its belly before it reaches the ground. Another rushed into him in front, fist aimed towards him. Kaoru dodged to his left and kicked the zombie at the back of its head. From the ground, two hands grabbed Kaoru's feet. Not again! A big zombie jumped into Kaoru from the front and pinned him to the ground. More zombies poured in, disabling Kaoru's movements as he lay flat on the ground. One zombie came in and started biting Kaoru's side. The boy screamed in pain as he struggled to break free. Another started biting his palm. Then another on his leg. Before he knew it, he is already being eaten alive.

Well... if that's the case, why doesn't He give it to us now?

Tendou Jigoku motioned the zombies to stop... and they did so, leaving Kaoru bleeding from all over his body. Mori picked up the boy from the foot. Kaoru was upside down facing Tendou Jigoku. The madougu began attacking once more with punches and kicks. Kaoru is losing the last fragment of strength he has. At this point, it is no longer possible for him to defend himself. He absorbed the punishment with his body. He would spit blood if his body would make him. With all the blood loss, he is beginning to lose consciousness.

Maybe because not everyone here in this world deserves to be there.

Mori dropped Kaoru to the ground back first and stepped on Kaoru's face, laughing sadistically. "We will disfigure your body beyond recognition... and bring your corpse to your friends waiting on the other side." Kaoru is almost motionless. He was breathing softly now. It could have been too late for him to realize that he was cashing himself in for a suicide mission.

Then how can I get there?

Mori picked Kaoru up by holding his jaw. Mori gazed at his opponent for a few seconds, enjoying the damage they had done. He then positioned Kaoru's small body next to his face.

If you would accept the forgiveness of God of your sins... then you can be part of His Kingdom.

"Kaoru Koganei..." Mori started. "You have tried so hard in stopping me, yet it all ends in vain. It is certainly a pleasure to see how your friends will react when they see your mangled body torn to shreds by the very man you all failed to defeat.

Kurei... when I die... I want to see you there. I want both of us to enjoy life in God's bosom... forever.

Mori opened his mouth. Torrents of light began forming from the opening. A few seconds later, he released a huge laser beam from his mouth that tore through Kaoru's body and burning a hole in his chest. The boy spewed out a mouthful of blood... and then he rolled his eyes up. "I'm sorry... everyone..." Shortly... his eyes were closed. Kaoru stopped breathing. He is lifeless...

End of Episode 15.

Author's note: Life isn't fair. We are not born equal. You and I enjoy the pleasure of the internet while millions out there long to enjoy what we do but are not given the chance to. In writing the segment on War of the Ancient World, I intended to portray a life which none of us wanted to experience, yet is a reality in many parts of Asia and Africa. I think we are so blessed to have food to eat and people who loves us. I do not go to medical missions and feeding programs. I would simply spend the entire day crying when I see kids with large bellies and skinny limbs. It is in times like this when we feel powerless to lift a finger, despite the reflex to help the poor kid, dying of famine. Without God, we don't have any objective point of reference for our worth. We live, we die, we vanish. Unless there is eternity that awaits us, life on earth is really a sorrowful stretch. Oh well, I think I wrote quite a lot. This fanfic will reach its conclusion in the Next Chapter. Please R & R :)