Of Angels and Vampires

Chapter Nine

The Imprisonment of Yukinari

By Fallon

Yukinari awoke with his wrists bound by chains. He hung close to the wall in a cross-like position. His body was covered in blood from the many lashings he received from whipping by a gargoyle. His master stood watching intently as he asked the questions about Hanako.

Why did you disobey me?

Yukinari furrowed his brow as he stared at Lucifer. "I love her. There's nothing that is going to change that."

Lucifer waved his hand as the gargoyle threw the whip back and struck Yukinari from behind. Yukinari groaned as he tried to fight off the sting from the whip.

I can give you the power to destroy the Angels if you are bound to serve me fully. I can make you a great ruler, Yukinari.

Yukinari lifted his head, chuckling. "I don't want power and control, Master. I want Hanako."

Still fixated on the Angel, I see. I'm sure by now they've sentenced her to death for betraying her own kind.

"What? No! She can't be dead!" Yukinari shouted.

Just see for yourself.

Lucifer waved his hand, and an image of Hanako's lifeless body hanging by a noose appeared.

"NO! You're lying!" Yukinari yelled, trying to break free of his chains. Lucifer laughed.

You belong to me now, and you are my prisoner forever.

"NO! Damn you, Lucifer!"

Yukinari watched Lucifer disappear into the darkness and he screamed. He sank to his knees, choking back his tears. "Hanako," he whispered.

Hanako and Leiko passed through the gates. Cereberus, the hound guardian of Hell, growled at them as they passed. They could hear the screams coming from the realms of Hell and see the fiery pits burning in the dark abyss.

There stood a demon at a cross roads, fingering through a large book. He had no face, just a grey hooded cloak. He looked up to see the two women standing there. "State your business, Gaian," he spoke to Leiko.

Leiko stepped forward. "I bring forth a prisoner," she said, looking at Hanako.

"Ah, a traitor, I presume?" he asked smoothly.

"Yes," Leiko replied.

"I shall send someone to escort her to the ninth circle," he said, continuing to flip through the pages of the book. He looked in Hanako's direction, exhaling. "Hanako, tried for treason for falling in love with the Vampire Lord Yukinari—ah yes, I saw him pass through for the same fate."

Another demon came and grabbed Hanako by the arm, leading her away from Leiko.

"Wait!" she said, putting her hand up. "I will escort her to the ninth circle."

The grey hooded demon looked at Leiko. "That will not be necessary, Angel. This is far as you go."

"It is ordered by the Council of Gaia that I escort her," Leiko said firmly.

"Very well," the demon said, waving at the other demon to release Hanako.

Leiko grabbed Hanako by the arm, leading her in the direction towards the first circle.

They passed under the signs hung above each circle of Hell, all of them numbered with Roman numerals and displayed in bold letters.

Leiko and Hanako finally reached the ninth circle, passing by the mortals who were trapped in ice with only their heads above the surface. Hanako looked around and didn't notice Yukinari among the many heads. "Where is he?" she asked, looking at Leiko.

Leiko then withdrew an arrow from her quiver and extended her bow and arrow in her hands.

They entered the deepest part of Hell, where they could see cells lined in a circle around a large arena. In them there were emaciated figures, beaten and bloody. One woman sobbed as she reached out to touch Hanako's skirt. "Get me out of here, please!" she pleaded. Hanako backed away from the cell and saw many more like them.

Leiko positioned her bow to the next cell they passed as they looked upon a man with his head hanging as he hung from his chains. He slowly lifted his head and then Hanako recognized him.

"Yukinari!" she exclaimed, grabbing the bars of the cell.

Yukinari looked at Hanako with his left eye. "Hanako, is it really you?" he questioned.

Hanako nodded. "Yes, my love. We have come to rescue you!"

Yukinari's left eye widened. "No, you are making a terrible mistake!" he cried. "Get out of here! If my Master finds you here he'll—"

Yukinari stopped as he saw the red cloaked figure appear behind Hanako, grabbing her arms and holding them behind her back.

Ah, I knew you would be alive, my dear.

His other hand touched her cheek and Hanako gasped.

"Let her go!" Yukinari shouted.

Leiko's bow and arrow were taken from her by two demons. A third demon caught her in his grasp, grabbing her wrists.

And what cost are you willing to give to let her live, Yukinari?

Yukinari looked at Hanako. "Let me out of here and I will challenge you to a sword fight."

Suzumi and Kasumi sat in the main hall, conjuring a plan together to form a peace treaty with the Angels.

"Let us send a message to Mayura, the head councilwoman," Suzumi said, looking at Kasumi. "You are going to be sent to Gaia to discuss the peace treaty."

Kasumi laughed nervously. "You're sending me on a mission to talk to the Angels?"

"Someone has to do it, Kasumi, and that's why I have chosen you," Suzumi said.

Kasumi sighed. "Okay, but you have to let me see my friends," she said.

Suzumi nodded, smiling. "Of course, I wouldn't keep you from your friends. Besides, they're always entertaining."

Kasumi brought out a pen and paper and waited. "Where do I begin?"

"First, start off by saying, 'Gaian Council, I know there has been a long history of a war between Angels and Vampires. I come to bring an offering of peace: peace between us as a diverse nation of supernatural beings.'"

"What if they protest this?" Kasumi asked.

"They cannot kill the messenger. You serve as the peace maker between Angels and Vampires."

Kasumi looked at Suzumi and continued writing. "Why don't we say, 'This peace treaty will bring forth harmony and unity amongst Angels and Vampires'."

"And 'The Japanese Vampires swear to not kill or harm any humans for any purposes.'"

Suzumi and Kasumi sent a letter towards the sky, asking for permission to enter Gaia. A letter was returned to them as a purple portal opened up. Kasumi was surprised. "Wow! Whaddya know, access granted!" She walked through the portal as Suzumi and Takeshi watched her go.

Kasumi entered into a world where the universe was the sky. She saw the golden gates glimmer as they opened for her. A male Angel with golden-colored wings and armor stood at the entrance.

"Halt!" he barked. Kasumi froze.

"What brings you to Gaia, Vampire?" he questioned.

Kasumi forgot she was a Vampire in this realm; it was taking her a while to get accustomed.

"I bring a peace treaty to discuss with the Council," she replied, showing him the parchment that she and Suzumi wrote.

"Hmm," he said, looking at Kasumi, then at the parchment.

"You seem harmless. Please see the assistant at the front." He moved aside to let her pass.

Kasumi entered through a building to where a woman sat a large desk, filing papers.

"Excuse me, where can I find the Council?" she asked.

The woman dropped the perfectly filed papers and shifted her eyes towards Kasumi. She pointed in the direction of two double doors. "They are expecting you," the woman said.

Kasumi entered through the double doors to a room containing a large conference table in the shape of a horseshoe. All six council members sat in their chairs awaiting Kasumi.

She stood in front of the Council and cleared her throat.

"You are here to discuss a peace treaty with us. Is that correct, peace maker?" Mayura asked, looking at Kasumi intently.

Kasumi nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"Read us what you wrote, my dear," Mayura commanded.

Kasumi unraveled the parchment and began to read.

"Our Empress Suzumi humbly requests to form a peace between Gaian Angels and Japanese Vampires. We, the Japanese Vampires, do not want to hurt or kill any humans. Our source of blood comes from animals and blood banks. We wish to make peace with the Angels in harmony and unity as a diverse nation of supernatural beings. Empress Suzumi hopes you agree to this treaty, as it is truthful and loyal to every word."

Mayura looked to Odin, then to the other council members. "We will discuss our decision in private. Please wait outside."

Kasumi nodded, then bowed as she backed away. She sat outside the council chambers. Although the large doors to the Council's chambers were firmly closed, she could hear the conversation between the council members become intense.

"I say no to the treaty!" Odin yelled, slamming his fist on the table.

"I agree with it. We could ask for an apology from Yukinari for General Ria's death," Xavira said.

"That's like asking for an apology from the Nazis for the Holocaust," Raziya said.

"It's worth a shot. Since we exiled Hanako, he would have to apologize," Demitri said.

"He may have a change of heart, thanks to Hanako," Azar said.

"All in favor of the treaty say aye," Mayura said.

Azar, Xavira, and Demitri and Mayura stood up. "Aye," they agreed.

"Those opposing?"

"Oppose!" Both Raziya and Odin spoke in unison.

"Four ayes and two opposes," Mayura said, looking at Raziya and Odin.

"If we agree with this treaty, I am resigning my position as a council member," Odin said coldly.

Mayura nodded her head. "If that is how you feel, there is no one stopping you, Odin. Therefore, the majority rules that we will agree with this treaty."

The doors flung open and Kasumi entered, standing before the Council once more.

"Peace maker Kasumi, we will agree with this treaty only under one condition," Mayura said firmly. "We will ask as a united nation of Gaia that Yukinari sincerely apologize for the death of General Ria."

"I will be sure to carry out this request to Yukinari, ma'am." Kasumi bowed.

"By the way, where is Yukinari?" Mayura asked.

"Um, I don't know really know how to put this... he's in Hell right now. Hanako and another angel are down there trying to rescue him."

"Angel?" Mayura said.

"You don't think it could be Leiko?" Azar questioned.

"It was Leiko, sir," Kasumi answered. "She came to the palace shortly after Hanako came."

"There's no way those two could fight the Devil alone!" Raziya said.

"We have to save them." Odin stood up.

Mayura was shocked. "Yes, we are the only ones who can defeat Lucifer."

The Council gathered around Kasumi. Mayura opened a portal, revealing the gates of hell.

"Everyone stay close," Mayura said as she held her staff in her hands.

Shurii sat outside the palace, standing guard. He noticed in the short distance a large crowd inching closer and closer to the palace grounds. He squinted his eyes and noticed a blonde woman leading an army.

"Aya," he whispered.

Running into the palace, he closed the large doors. He called for other guards to come help him before racing to the lookout's post.

"Open the gate! I have a bone to pick with Yukinari!" Aya yelled.

"He's not present at the moment!" Shurii yelled back.

"Why not?" she asked.

"He was taken prisoner to the gates of Hell!"

Aya threw her head back and laughed. "Serves the old fool right! He deserves to rot in Hell!"

"What do you want, Aya?" Shurii asked.

"I want to rule the Japanese Vampires. Since Yukinari is absent, I will gladly take over."

"Not without a fight, you won't."

"Oh, really? Well I accept your challenge, Sir Shurii."

Shurii disappeared from above. Seconds later, one side of the large door opened to reveal him. He withdrew his sword from its sheath and stood in fighting stance. "In order to get to the palace, you'll have to go through me."

Aya laughed. "I will easily defeat you, Shurii."

She withdrew her own sword and ran towards Shurii, leaping into the air. Their swords clashed with a clank!

Yukinari fell to the ground, dropping his sword. He's too strong, he thought, struggling to get up.

Hanako and Leiko sat together as two demons stood in front of them, making sure they wouldn't escape.

Yukinari rose to his feet, holding his sword. He ran to Lucifer at top speed, clashing his sword with his inferno sword. Lucifer pushed Yukinari back, sending him ascending through the air. Yukinari landed on his back.

Lucifer formed sharp rocks with his mind, quickly sending them flying towards Yukinari. Yukinari quickly rolled out of the way before the sharp rocks could touch him. He leaped to his feet and lifted his sword over his head, clashing his sword once more with the inferno sword.

Yukinari tried with all his might to overpower Lucifer.

Give it up, Yukinari, you will never win!

Yukinari looked at Hanako, her brown eyes welling up with tears.

"YES, I WILL!" he shouted, pushing Lucifer on his back.

The Prince of Darkness rose to his feet, tossing his inferno sword aside. He lifted his hands up, mentally grabbing a hold of Yukinari and bringing him closer. When Yukinari was within reach, Satan grabbed his throat with his strong, clawed hand, blocking his airway.

Foolish Vampire, your soul belongs to me!

Suddenly a light appeared in the darkness. The demons that held Hanako and Leiko captive screamed as the light made them disperse.

The Council members fluttered and folded their wings as they stood in a line, side by side. Kasumi stood behind Mayura, frightened.

Mayura's three wings fluttered softly as she held her staff in front of her. She took a great leap and hit Lucifer in the face with her staff. He dropped Yukinari, who coughed as he tried to catch his breath. Hanako came running to him, tightly embracing him.

Lucifer fell to the ground, looking up at Mayura.

Councilwoman Mayura, what a pleasant surprise.

"Let them go, Satan!" she spat.

You can have the others, but the Vampire belongs to me!

"No, you will release him or face dire consequences!"

Is that a challenge?

"Bring it on!"

Lucifer jumped to his feet, his inferno sword appearing in his hands. Mayura stood ready. Azar stood beside her as did Odin on her other side, both men holding their swords in their hands. Xavira and Raziya stood by Leiko and Kasumi. Yukinari and Hanako held each other.

Lucifer laughed.