Chapter 14
The Awakening
Solomon's Chambers
Seiryu gently shakes Mitsuru to try to wake him, but nothing works. Solomon, who is being supported by Suzaku and Byakko, looks at Mitsuru rather lost for words. Hades walks into the room carrying the bloody body of the ex-God Tatsumaru. Solomon's eyes open wide at the sight of the bloody mess that is Tatsumaru's body. "What happened to Tatsumaru?" the All-Father asked.
"By going through Mitsuru's most recent memories, I can tell you that this won't be pretty," Seiryu said. Genbu picks up the two halves of the Dragon Lance.
"This weapon looks very familiar," Genbu said.
"That's because it's Yaichiro's Dragon Lance; a weapon infused with the ability to take on any of the Elements. It was created by the Light, but it ended up serving the Dark," Seiryu said.
"But how did the Dragon Lance get here to begin with?" Suzaku asked.
"Yaichiro was using Lord Solomon's body as a host to learn of what was to befall Tatsumaru due to his divorce from Rose. After he learned that Tatsumaru was to be stripped of his Godhood, Yaichiro made sure that he had no powers whatsoever to protect himself from the Dragon's wrath."
"Tatsumaru wasn't supposed to be stripped entirely of all of his powers, just the ones that made him a God…" Solomon said.
"Yes, well, it didn't quite work out that way, Lord Solomon."
"And honestly speaking, he should not have been stripped of that power because of Rose's decision," Byakko said.
"I think we finally need to change some of our customs. Our ways are rather cruel and inhumane," Suzaku said.
"I agree with you there, Suzaku," Hades said nodding his head in agreement.
"Get Kisuke to heal Tatsumaru's wounds –" Solomon said.
"It is already too late for Tatsumaru. His soul is already in the Passing…" Hades said slowly. Mitsuru sits bolt upright at Hades' words. Then he staggers to his feet.
"NO! That cannot be true! Something can be done! Can't something be done?" Mitsuru asked.
"It is too late, Mitsuru, I am terribly sorry, but Tatsumaru is already making the Passing…" Hades said again. Mitsuru falls to his knees, devastation raking him, he sobs loudly.
"Why did he have to die? Why, when I love him so much?" Mitsuru asked in a devastated voice. Shun walks into the room followed by Ki, Weiss, and Vincent. Neji walks into the room quietly.
"Brother, do please calm down. There is nothing more that you can do for Tatsumaru," Shun said.
"He is dead. Yaichiro took him from me!" Mitsuru said painfully.
"His death was foretold in his Destiny," Neji said gently. Mitsuru stands up and approaches his youngest brother. He has become slightly deranged.
"You're the reason why he is dead!" Mitsuru said in a deranged voice. Mitsuru wraps his long-fingered hands around Neji's neck, choking him. Shun and Vincent pulls the deranged Mitsuru off Neji quickly. Neji rubs his neck where Mitsuru's hands just were.
"Granted if I had the power, I would bring him back for you. However, the Fire-infused Dragon Lance took his life. I cannot change anything caused by that blade," Ki said.
"He lived a memorable life none can doubt that," Vincent said. Mitsuru glares at Vincent as tears form in his bright yellow eyes.
"I could not change the course of events that led up to his death. I didn't even know Yaichiro was using Solomon's body… I just know that he died protecting the man he loved…" Neji said sadly. Mitsuru looks at Neji sadly.
"I would have been a father though…" Mitsuru said in a low voice.
"What do you mean, Mitsuru?" Solomon asked curiously. Mitsuru rounds on Solomon so suddenly that the emotional changes surprise Neji, Shun, and Solomon to a great degree. He is angry once more.
"Before Tatsumaru came here for his punishment, he and I made love to each other. He got pregnant, (I guess he has the ability to do so). His Dragon form had gotten pregnant. Moreover, when he was stripped of his Dragon powers, the egg dies immediately."
"But how did you know of the egg if it was dead?" Solomon asked still curious.
"Tatsumaru was clutching onto it in his cell…"
"Oh dear…" Solomon said.
"Where is the egg now anyway?" Seiryu asked. Devastation crosses Mitsuru's already pale face.
"Yaichiro destroyed it before killing Tatsumaru…" Mitsuru said. Hades lays Tatsumaru gently on Solomon's bed.
"Tatsumaru tried fighting for his life, but the wound was too great and he bled to death," Hades said. Mitsuru closes his eyes as tears stream down his sweaty face.
Mitsuru must have truly loved Tatsumaru. All he has been doing since he learned of the Dark Master's death is cry… I wonder if there really is something, we can do to bring Tatsumaru back to life… Shun thought. Mitsuru stands up and sways unsteadily on his feet. He wipes his face with his hands.
"I am going to go home and get some rest…" Mitsuru said.
"Go on, you need it, Mitsuru," Shun said. Mitsuru disappears from the All-Father's chambers. Shun turns to face the rest of the remaining Gods, a broad smile on his face.