Chapter 7

Stripped

City of Heaven

Council of the Gods

Noon the following day

Tatsumaru is on his knees, hunched in front of Solomon as if beaten severely. His hands are chained together in front of him. His head is bowed low, not daring to look at those behind Solomon. Rose, who is six months pregnant, is standing next to Tatsumaru on his right with Ryuzaki on her right. Mitsuru appears and takes his seat silently. His gaze is on Tatsumaru's bowed head. Shun appears shortly after Mitsuru. He spots Weiss in his own seat. Shun takes his seat silently.

This may not bode well for anybody when everything is said and done… Shun thought. Solomon looks around the large circular Council Room before he begins speaking, lifting his hands from his sides.

"Two of our Gods have been married for centuries. Now, Rose has asked me for a divorce from her husband, Tatsumaru," Solomon said. Rose looks at Solomon steadily and silently. Ryuzaki rubs Rose's belly with his left hand with a broad smile on his face. Tatsumaru looks up at Mitsuru pain, horror, and shock in his gray eyes. His face is bruised as well. Mitsuru again studies the scars overlaying Tatsumaru's eyes. He looks at Seiryu.

"Seiryu, what happened to Tatsumaru's eyes?" Mitsuru asked.

"Tatsumaru and Inumaru had regained their eyesight using minor Alchemy," Seiryu answered.

"However, when Rose found out that Tatsumaru was spying on her while she was with Ryuzaki, she scratched out his eyes until he was once again blinded," Genbu added.

"Tatsumaru didn't tell me that part of the story…" Mitsuru said.

"He did not want you to worry about him that's why," Shun said.

"But I'm worried anyway, and even more now than before…" Mitsuru said.

This side of Mitsuru that I thought I would never see as long as I lived. Shun thought.

"As is our custom, the Dragon God Tatsumaru will be stripped of his Godhood," Solomon continued.

This is so very wrong. Why does this have to happen now? Mitsuru thought. Silvery magic forms around Solomon's raised hands. Slowly, he touches Tatsumaru's chest withdrawing all of his powers and forming into a silvery orb. Tatsumaru's body slumps to the ground in front of Solomon. His face is not far from the All-Father's feet. Solomon looks at Tatsumaru with a disgusted look on his face.

Poor Tatsumaru, nothing seems to be going his way anymore… and to have been beaten severely by Solomon upon his return here yesterday was wrong as well… what is going to happen next…? Nothing good, I know that for sure… Seiryu thought.

"Byakko, Suzaku, bring the ex-God to the Hellbound Cellar below where he will live out the rest of his wretched life," Solomon instructed. Byakko and Suzaku come forward, carefully lifting the ex-God's limp form between them, and then leave the Council Room.

"WHAT?" yelled Mitsuru in sheer outrage. This is so wrong and something must be done to correct it. Solomon ignores Mitsuru's sudden outburst. He looks at Seiryu.

"Seiryu, do please come forth," Solomon said. Seiryu moves to stand in front of the All-Father. Solomon gently pushes the silvery orb into Seiryu's body, giving him his Godhood back.

"Did you have to put him in the Hellbound Cellar? I mean, he has done nothing wrong to warrant imprisonment…" Seiryu asked.

"That is our custom. He will stay there until he dies," Solomon said nonchalantly.

Solomon, you wretched bastard! You will pay for this some day! I guarantee you that! Mitsuru thought. Mitsuru slips out of the room unnoticed by the others except Hades Dahrksyde. Hades watches Mitsuru's actions carefully evaluating his own move.

So Mitsuru deeply cars for Tatsumaru? Let's see if I can help him in any way possible. Hades thought. Rose faces Ryuzaki and kisses him tenderly on his lips. Seiryu turns his head away from the sight.

Tatsumaru had become a mere shell of himself ever since he found out that Rose cheated on him with Ryuzaki while he was away… he started coming out of his withdrawal when it came to Mitsuru and hopes of a fresh beginning… and now look what has happened… will this madness ever end? Seiryu thought as he looks down at the floor where Tatsumaru had slumped after his powers were drained.