CH 12
"There's another gate," Tsukune said as he, Moka and Mariko stood looking down into the large crater that used to be a hill.
"I'll look," Mariko said. She paused and added in a hollow tone, "We lost a lot of people. For witches, me, Jade and Lin are it. None of the priests that came made it either, including Father Tappan. Nana should be told."
"Yeah," Tsukune agreed bitterly. Yukari was gone, and this time like Ruby, she wasn't coming back. "Anyone seen Kurumu?"
"No," Moka said, looking down into the crater. "Tsukune, we must rally those we have left. We mourn after the battle."
"I know. It's just hard to believe … so many gone in one day," Tsukune said quietly.
Liz came up to them. "Tsukune, I found Frank, he's in a medical tent down by the town. He and Lucy are the only two left from his group." They looked at her. With a wince she said, "Kanae … didn't make it either. Lucy wants blood."
"She shall have it, whether or not she wants it," Moka stated. "There is another gate open, and this time we have no idea where it is."
"They came out of a tunnel, miles back from the barrier," Tsukune said thoughtfully. "The gate must be down there."
"Lucy collapsed that tunnel," Liz said. She then paused and spit out, "Damn it! We sealed up their gate for them!"
"Or maybe they want us to dig down to find it so they can trap more of us," Moka countered.
Tsukune rubbed his forehead. It felt like they were loosing. Yes, the had won every battle so far, but at great cost. It would only take one lost battle to loose everything. Moka was right though, they had to keep going, no matter what. "Mariko, make sure we're still making those holy water bombs, that seems to be one of the few effective things we have to fight with. Contact as many churches as you can, we need all the holy water we can get our hands on. Liz, send out scouts and patrols, see if we can find anyone else who might still be alive. That hill blew apart all over the place, maybe some Witches lived through the blast with a personal shield or something. Moka, I need to know who we have left, and what they have to fight with."
They all set off on their tasks. Tsukune looked back at the mass of dead covering the ground for as far as he could see. He had to wonder how many more were going to die.
.
Kurumu lay where she'd fallen. It was still uncomfortable to breathe, but at least the sharp pains were gone every time she gasped for air. Tears of pain filled her eyes from her other broken bone and the crushed wing. She hurt bad, she was so thirsty her throat felt like the dry ground she was lying on. If the pain didn't kill her, she swore dehydration would. The sun was also going down, which meant the chances of anyone looking for her were also sinking rapidly.
"Tsukune," she gasped out in a weak cry. Why didn't he come?
She knew something had happened to create that blast that knocked her out of the air. She'd seen a big fireball in the distance. Had Tsukune and Moka been blown up? Was Yukari tending to them?
A terrible thought hit her. What if her whole family had been killed?
Kurumu closed her eyes and weakly shook her head. No! That couldn't happen to them! But maybe they needed help. She tried again to move and found out now she couldn't feel her legs at all. She did rise her head up enough to see blood all around her. She was bleeding from someplace, and it didn't look like it was stopping. Oh no, this was it. She really was going to die out here, all alone. She'd never see anyone she loved, ever again.
She was growing tired. Yes, when you lost blood, it made you weak. At least going numb got rid of some of the pains. Although her eyes wanted to close, Kurumu forced them open. With her remaining strength waning, her eyelids drifted shut by themselves. She forced them partway open, desperate to hang on just a little longer. It was getting dark, she desperately wanted it to be lighter so people could see her. To be able to cry out for help.
Kurumu's eyes slowly drifted shut. Above her, a light began to grow and got bigger. It was a bright light that seemed to fill her mind. She relaxed and let the light consume her. It made her sad she was unable to say goodbye to her family.
.
The search for anyone living was not turning out well. So far, search parties had mostly found pieces of burt people. A few bodies not ripped up by combat were charred, but identifiable. Yukari's charred head, most of her torso and one arm was found. Chris Tappan wasn't found at all.
Tsukune stayed by the crater, hoping Kurumu would be found alive. A dragon came to tell him no one had seen Kurumu after the blast. He knew she was in the air by a patrol, but when the blast hit, they were all busy trying to stay in the air. Tsukune thanked him for the information.
Letting our a heavy sigh, Tsukune sank to his knees. First Yukari, and now Kurumu. Was he going to see Moka die next? Or maybe she too would be killed someplace and all he would know is that she never came back. He wasn't the only one to suffer by far. Nana Tappan, the sweet woman that was always happy, had lost her husband. Lucy had lost her daughter. Many more he didn't know personally had lost loved ones today. He was really beginning to hate demons.
He did hold out some hope that Kurumu was only injured, or she was off helping someone and just couldn't come back. Then again, everyone that didn't show up so far, were found dead. The number of only wounded was very low due to the ferocity of the fighting. Not one shred of mercy had been showed by either side.
At least he hadn't lost any children … yet. Frank had a close call, but Liz had found him. Neither Frank not Liz were his kids, but he still felt a responsibility towards them. The rest of his kids were safe at home. That was, as long as home remained safe. If they lost here, that might not be true any more.
And here he thought Ruby's death was the worst he would see from this war.
.
"Kurumu," a soft, male voice said.
Kurumu opened her eyes. She was no longer in pain and was being held by a bright white figure. A hand that seemed to glow was laid on her head.
The one she was looking up at had to be an Angel. "Am I dead?" she asked weakly.
The figure smiled and said, "No, my dear child, you are not. I am restoring you with my own life force. You are going to have an important job to do soon. I am depending on you to finish this war once and for all."
Kurumu looked at the face of this glowing being. It was familiar, but it wasn't. "Child?" she asked, wondering why he called her that.
The figure nodded. "Yes, my child. My daughter. I must apologize for slapping you the way I did at Catherine Weaver's house. I let my fear get the best of me. You did not deserve that."
Kurumu stared at him. It took her a moment to recall the incident. "Apollo?" she asked in a squeak. "You're my father?"
He cast her a gentle smile. "I used to be Apollo, yes. I've been woken up to who I truly am. I spend a very long time on Earth as a material being. I had to know why living creatures were … the way they were. I found out so much more. Both the good and the bad. Until I awoke, I didn't even acknowledge I had hurt my own daughter. With the awakening, my pride is all but gone. I can say I was wrong, and ask your forgiveness."
Shocked at this revelation, Kurumu's mouth worked a few times before she got out, "Apollo … is my Dad? Why didn't anyone tell me!"
"It was agreed not to tell you. I am sorry about that also," he said gently. "I missed so much staying away, as did you. Will you forgive me?"
Kurumu nodded. "Yes, but … why hide from me?" she asked pleadingly.
"It was necessary. Sad, but necessary," he said softly. "As my living flesh, only you can help me win this war against evil. To help stop it forever. Will you help me?'
"Of course. People … my friends are dying, I will do whatever I can to stop it," she said sincerely.
"There is one thing you may not like," he warned. "Until the final battle is over, you cannot have sex. You will look like yourself, but will be partially in the heavenly realm. Any intimate physical contact will break that connection, and you will loose the power you need to compete your task." His hand on her head glowed brighter. The glow covered Kurumu.
He then put his hand to his chest over his heart and pulled out a glowing disk on a necklace. He put it on her chest and the necklace wrapped itself around her neck and clasped itself in place. "With this, you will be invincible. Nothing on Earth or from the Abyss will be able to harm you. You will see me again. That is when you must fulfill your task," he intoned.
"What do I do?" Kurumu asked.
"When you see me engage in tight grappling battle with the Devil, you must destroy that amulet. That will destroy the Devil, and he won't ever be coming back."
"Wait, if he's the Devil, how can anything truly destroy him?" she asked.
He cast her a tiny smile. "Perhaps destroy is the wrong word. It will bind us together and I will be able to force him back into the Abyss, never to rise again. I will hold him there for all eternity."
"Won't that damn you too?" Kurumu asked, mortified at the thought.
He nodded. "It will, but it will also save billions of souls. Kurumu, only we can stop this war. Only you can help me remove him from the material plane forever."
"But …"
He put a finger to her lip to quiet her question and said, "I have already accepted what I must do. I need you to accept it also. Perhaps that is why I could never tell you the truth before, to make this a little easier on you."
"Easier?" Kurumu whined. "I just found out you're my Dad and now I have to … condemn you to the Abyss?" she squeaked out. "That's just not fair!"
"Who said God's will is fair?" he asked. "Imagine a 12 year old Jesus being told that he is the savior, and to finish his mission of good will and teaching as many people as he can, then he is to be betrayed by a man very close to him and die a horrible, suffering death. Of course, he's given all the details. To do that to a half grown boy? That's not fair at all. I imagine the poor boy was scared witless! It had to be done, just as this has to be done. Kurumu, you must do your part. Everyone on Earth is depending upon you. For their sakes, and the sake of all those yet to be born, you cannot fail. When I am grappled with the Devil, you must destroy that amulet."
Kurumu gaped at him. In a sudden spur of emotion, she hugged him tight. "I don't want to!" she whined then started crying.
"I don't like it either," he said, petting her hair. "The die has been cast, we have no choice. Every breathing soul is counting on us, Kurumu. I know you will do what you have to when the time comes."
Kurumu collapsed to the ground, sobbing heavily. She noticed it was light out now. She was alone. Looking around, she was in the same spot she'd hit the ground when she fell from the sky. Her blood was still painting the ground red around her.
Had that been a wild dream? She sat up and saw nothing around her had changed. Touching her chest, she felt the amulet. It was now gold, on a gold chain. It wasn't a dream. She really had been saved by her true father, and now, she had to condemn him to a fate worse than death. Angry at him, God, the Devil, and everyone, she began pounding the ground with her fist, wailing out, "NO NO! NO! NOOOO!"
The dragon flying nearby saw Kurumu in her grief, and banked over to retrieve her.
.
Tsukune and Moka were happy that Kurumu had been found. Meeting her though, it was like something vital had been ripped from her. She did hug them, but her gaze was fixed on some far off thing.
Tsukune cupped her face. "Kurumu, what is it?" he asked gently.
Kurumu cast him a lost look. She hugged him, then holding his face in her hands, she said, "Tsukune, go home. Take Moka and just go home. I can't explain it, but I have to help stop this … evil intrusion. I don't want you or Moka hurt any more. Please, go."
Moka raised an eyebrow. She noted something was different about Kurumu, but couldn't place what it was. "Kurumu, what happened to you?" she asked.
Kurumu turned and hugged Moka tight. "Moka, my sister, make Tsukune go home with you." She let out a giggle that sounded half mad and said, "You can to nothing here except get killed. Please, go home, be safe. It is I who must face this."
"You are not the best at fighting," Moka told her.
"No, I'm not," Kurumu agreed. Casting Moka a serious look, she said, "This is not just a physical battle. It is much more. I've seen … something that at first, was unbelievable. It was a real shocker. He's right though, He and I must be the ones to finish this. I really don't want to, but I must."
"Kurumu, you're making me nervous," Tsukune said, eyeing her.
"Who is 'He'?" Moka asked.
"My Father," Kurumu stated. "He saved my life so we can save everyone. The task is ours, my sister."
"It almost sounds like you plan on dying," Moka noted.
Kurumu cast her a weak smile. "No, but it feels like it," she said, thinking about the 'no sex' rule she had to follow.
"We can't leave until we know the barrier is no longer in danger," Moka stated. "The Devil must not be able to break it open."
Kurumu thought about that and said, "He will. He will get through and come into our realm. We're not going to stop that." Seeing Moka eye her, she added, "Don't ask me how I know that, I just do. When he comes out, I'll be waiting. I want you and Tsukune far away when that happens. Please, take our husband and go home."
"Tsukune!" Liz cried as she ran into view, "We have reinforcements!" she yelled and pointed behind her.
On the far rim of the crater that used to be a hill, a mass of yokai appeared at the summit. Fang-Fang was there, with his strongest soldiers. Issa himself came with other vampire lords and their charges. In the middle between Issa and Fang-Fang, stood Queen Akasha. To the sides of the hill, the land was covered with yokai. Succubi, fox demons, siren, witches and sorcerers. By the looks of it, the High Council of Sorcerers had also come with their people as well. There had to be thousands, and they were all much more powerful than the orcs Tsukune had fought with.
"Lord Aono," Akasha boomed, "You have done an amazing job, but now it appears you need help. We will show the devil we are not going to let him take over our world!"
.
It didn't take Queen Akasha long to reform their defenses. Some sorcerers made the ground itself impenetrable by anything evil for miles in every direction. The barrier dome was also doubled by the High Council, and a magic circle was formed around it by six covens of witches to contain whatever was within if the barrier did fail. The wounded were healed, and iron golems were made to guard the area and the users of magic who were watching for any sign of activity from the barrier.
The crater that used to be a hill was filled in to be a flat field. On a solid foundation of magical stone, a palace was built to house all the nobles who'd come. The Aono clan got their own mansion in the sprawling palace.
With the arrival of the cream of yokai power, the residents left in the human city moved north. The strong aura of all the yokai was too much for them to take. For a hundred miles around, the area was devoid of humans except for Frank, who only felt some discomfort from all these yokai. He wasn't about to leave Liz here to fight without him.
The dinner put on for the yokai royalty was two long tables with many servants cycling about.
Although Kurumu wanted to keep up her own vigil on the barrier, Tsukune coaxed her to come with them. She even changed into a very becoming light blue evening gown for the occasion. Moka wore her black evening dress with the silver piping. Tsukune wore a black tux with silver trim and a red shirt.
Kurumu was still in her serious, introspective mood. She stayed on Tsukune's left arm, walking solemnly at his side.
Tsukune was worried about Kurumu. The bouncy, happy woman seemed to be gone. No smiles, no teasing at all from her was very strange. Yes, she would hug him and Moka, and accept kisses, but never asked for one. Not once had Tsukune suffered a breast-smothering hug. This was not their Kurumu. It had been days since she'd returned, and not one single 'ya-hoo,' had been uttered by her. If Tsukune didn't know better, he'd think the real Kurumu had been replaced by a fake. By the taste of her blood, and knowing her soul, Tsukune knew for a fact it was her. Whatever happened to her out there had been so bad, it changed Kurumu.
"Hey, you still with us?" he asked with a grin as they walked to Akasha's mansion
Kurumu cast him a brief smile. "I'm here. Just deep thoughts," she said.
"You've had a lot of those. That makes me worried, hon," Tsukune told her.
"I know, and I'm sorry," Kurumu said and hugged his arm. "I just know what's going to happen. I really want you and Moka to go home. When the underworld comes back, it's going to be horrible. I don't know if I can protect you both."
"Tsukune, she is probably under some kind of mind control spell," Moka said. "We should send her home."
Kurumu took on a look of alarm. "No! Moka, I must be here. I can't leave until the devil is driven away forever. You must believe me!"
Moka eyed her. "Will you let Ancient Mai look you over?" she asked.
"Fine, as long as you don't try to make me leave," Kurumu replied.
"We shall see, after Ancient Mai tells us what she finds," Moka said. Tsukune nodded in agreement.
Coming to Akasha's mansion, they were met by servants who showed them into a large dinning hall. Many people were already there. Their drink order was taken. Moka turned to her husband and sister wife and said, "I'm going to find Ancient Mai, don't let her out of your sight, Tsukune."
Tsukune showed he was clasping Kurumu's hand. "Not for an instant," he promised.
Tsukune stayed in the area of the room Where Moka had left them. Kokoa came by with her husband. Casting a smirk at Tsukune, she said, "I knew we'd have to come bail you out some day."
"I'm happy for the assistance," he told her, shrugging off the implied insult. She'd learn soon enough what they were fighting.
"Moka left you already?" Kokoa asked with a raised eyebrow.
"She's looking for someone. Kurumu's been acting strange, we want to find out why." Tsukune said evenly.
Kokoa chuckled and waved a hand at him. "Don't be offended, Brother-in-law. Vampires do go off on trysts now and then. I'm sure the harem you collected keeps you home though, am I right?"
"It's been nice seeing you, Kokoa." Tsukune said with a fake smile.
Kokoa cast Kurumu a wink and said, "Have fun with your playmate."
Tsukune expected Kurumu to rise to the insults. She only cast a brief smile at Kokoa and said, "Have a good evening."
Wow, there was something really off about Kurumu, Tsukune thought. Normally she'd be challenging Kokoa to a duel for what she'd said.
Not getting a rise out of them, Kokoa went on her way.
"Tsukune!" Fang-Fang cheered as he came over. He bowed and said, "You assistance was vital to us. Thank you for your kind support."
Tsukune returned his bow and replied, "You are welcome, my friend and ally. How could I not support a friend? I understand you are doing well in China?"
"I am, I even got out of being the new President!" Fang-Fang beamed. The President of Taiwan has taken that role, and she is doing very well. Plus everyone is happy that Taiwan is once again, part of China and things are looking up for us."
"That is good news indeed," Tsukune told him.
"Ah the famous Aono Tsukune!" a young blond vampire announced as he came over.
"That's me," Tsukune said, "And this is one of my good friends, Fang-Fang, and this is one of my wives, Kurumu."
The vampire cast a sly grin at Kurumu as he swept her body with his eyes. "Yes, Succubi are quite tasty creatures, are they not?" he moved to cup her face. His hand touched her skin. He howled and jerked his hand away, staring at her.
"A proper action for attempting to touch another man's wife," Fang-Fang said with a grin.
The vampire looked at his burnt fingers. "How … she's not a succubus, what is she!" he demanded loud enough to get other people's attention.
Tsukune looked at Kurumu, who was casting an unhappy stare at the vampire. What was that? To the vampire, he said, "I can assure you, Kurumu is a succubus as are her children. My question is, what did you try to do to her?"
"No," the vampire said, "No succubus ever burned me like that by touching her."
"A protection spell, perhaps?" Fang-Fang offered.
"Perhaps," Tsukune agreed. He had no idea if that was true, but for the moment, it was a good excuse.
Moka came through the crowd with Ancient Mai, who now looked like a young adult Chinese woman.
"Greetings Lord Aono," Mai said with a bow. "I understand you mate here is not quite herself?"
"Recently, no. We are concerned for her," Tsukune replied, returning her bow. "Usually, Kurumu is an outgoing, happy person. After she was recovered from a long crash to the ground, she has been very … introspective and reserved. Not like herself at all. Moka and I were hoping you can tell us why."
"I shall do my best," Mai said. If you could pull away for a moment, Lord Aono," Mai said.
Tsukune stepped aside. Kurumu stood in place with a neural gaze at Mai. Tsukune noted they were ringed by the curious since the vampire had howled in pain from touching Kurumu.
The vampire now said, "I just touched her, and she burned me!"
"A Succubus burning a male, how original!" someone announced happily.
A round of laughter went though the circle of onlookers.
"Quiet for a moment!" Mai barked at them. The levity died.
Mai concentrated on Kurumu. She raised her arms and whispered something. Her eyes then flew wide open and she stepped back. "Impossible!" she spat out.
"What? What's impossible?" Tsukune asked.
Mai glance at Tsukune and asked, "You were holding hands, how can you touch her?"
"Why shouldn't he be able to?" Moka prodded.
"I have never seen anything like this," Mai exclaimed with a shake of her head. "By the laws of spirits and Gods, she … she can't possibly exist like this! Yes, Kurumu is a succubus, so it's just not possible!"
"Mai, what is not possible?" Moka asked firmly.
Mai pointed at Kurumu and said," Kurumu, a succubus has … a strong holy aura the likes of an Angel!"
"WHAT!" Tsukune, Moka, and everyone else gasped out in shock.
"Yes, it is pure white and very strong," Mai declared. Motioning to the blond vampire, she said, "No wonder he couldn't touch her, but the bigger mystery is why Lord Aono can!"
"I've touched Kurumu also," Moka said. "Why didn't it affect me?"
Kurumu finally spoke. "Because I love you Moka, as I love Tsukune. Tsukune is my husband, you are my sister wife. That is why I want you to go home," she said gently. "I don't want you to be in danger any more."
Queen Akasha appeared and pushed a couple people aside to enter the circle. "Kurumu, is what Mai said, true? You have a strong holy influence?"
"I do, Queen Akasha," Kuurmu stated. "It has been given to me for a specific task." Her face crimping up, she said, "A task I wish didn't have to happen, but I know what is coming, so I must do what I was told. My Queen, the devil will breach all the defenses and come into our realm. I must be here when that happens to stop him."
Mai took on a knowing look. "I see. The last being in the world the devil will expect to have a holy aura is a succubus. It's the ultimate trap."
Akasha nodded slowly. "Yes, that means we cannot speak any more about it. Kurumu, you have been given a holy task then?"
"I have, my Queen," Kuurmu agreed.
"Then do your best to fulfill it," Akasha stated. "It only makes sense that heaven wants to stop the devil also. You are their instrument, Kurumu." Akasha then told Tsukune, 'Lord Aono, guard Kurumu well. She may well be our ace in the hole."
"I shall, my Queen," Tsukune said reverently.
"I shall also," Moka said. "I swear nothing is going to get near our Kurumu."
Kurumu cast Moka a pleading look. "Moka please, when it starts, take Tsukune and go!"
Tsukune clasped Kurumu's hand. "You know we can't do that," he said evenly. "We've already lost Yukari and so many others. We are not going to leave your side."
Kurumu bit her lip and looked down. "I know, and that makes me sad," she said, then hugged him tight. Tsukune enfolded his wife to the awe of everyone around them that Tsukune was able to hug a holy being.
.
"Oh yes," the devil said with a smile as he watched thousands of yokai come together to protect their barrier and fill the area that was being soaked with magic. Pleased they were doing exactly what he wanted them to do, he got ready to deliver hell unto them.
All the minor struggles were now a moot point. He recalled all his demons. His pack of powerful demons lead by the succubus Cruella, all his watcher demons, all his manipulators. He also called to the abyss side of the gate, every fire breathing demon, every strong and large demon, and all his winged and dragon demons. He also called all the lesser demons and even the souls who were burning and begging for release. He collected them all. In the abyss, he collected his army of millions.
Knowing just about every capable yokai was waiting for them, he planned the outbreak. Organizing his forces, he grouped them up for the break out. The magic would be cast hard and fast at the first ones to emerge. His fodder would rush out to absorb the spells. Then the flying demons would rush out with more fodder and keep his enemy occupied. He would personally go out with his strong demons to negate all the yokai magic, then the real power would emerge to begin the true battle.
By the time anything from heaven realized the trouble they were in, it would be too late to stop him. He would be standing in the material plane, and raise his own barrier to keep them out. That would give him time to turn all living creatures into his minions. There were billions now to be turned, and being living creatures under his control, they would multiply rapidly until he had a force so large, they could smother heaven with the mass of their bodies alone.
.
The Roman Catholic Church, the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, Orthodox Jews, and many smaller religions were sending their best to the shores of Israel and Lebanon to drive away the evil that was so strong, it was being felt around the world. They collected together as close to the powerful yokai presence as possible to gather in numbers to remove evil from the world in one fell swoop.
.
The devil saw this and laughed. How kind of them to come and not make him hunt them down! He had to concentrate to start his spells. There were three spells he had to have ready and release one after the other. He drew up all his power and began the first spell., the one to blast away that accursed bubble over his gate. The first of his horde were though the gate and into several tunnels dug in preparation, spread out like a spider's arms away from that bubble. Many demons packed these long tunnels, waiting to dig to the surface at the appropriate time and come up amid and behind the yokai spell casters.
Weaving annihilation, dispel magic, anti-gravity and terror together in his first spell, he stopped just prior to release, held it, and began his second spell.
He concentrated hard, for this was the beginning of Hell on Earth.