Of Angels and Vampires

Chapter 11

The Harvest

And
The Gods

By Fallon

Crowds of people ran through the streets of Kyoto, screaming. Hanako slashed her sword through a man, then stabbed her sword through a woman. She looked around and saw the scattering of people. She held out her hand, causing her sword to disperse in black smoke. She formed a whip from the thick smoke and threw it back. The whip wrapped around a man's neck. The man's soul tore out of his body, and he dropped dead to the ground.

Hanako's eyes burned a fiery red as she threw her whip back and caught a few more people in its grasp, tearing their souls out one by one.

Yukinari and Shurii ran to the streets as people frantically ran past them, brushing by them.

Mayura and the five council members stood side by side together. Suzumi and Kasumi held hands as they watched the chaos stirring before them. Takeshi stood next to Suzumi, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Hanako turned to notice the group standing there; she cracked her whip and stared at Yukinari.

He approached her, holding his hand out. "Hanako, it's me."

She furrowed her brow. "Foolish Vampire, you will pay for disobeying our Master! Darkness shall prevail!" She drew her whip back, then threw it forward.

Yukinari held his left arm up, but Mayura blocked it with her staff.

She threw down her staff and looked at Yukinari. "It's hopeless, Yukinari, let her go!"

"No! She can break through the Devil's control—"

"There's no way she can, she's lost!"

Suzumi grabbed Yukinari. "Come on, Father. Let's return to the palace to figure out a plan."

Hanako looked at the group and laughed maniacally as they began to walk away.

Yukinari looked back at her. Ever since she took my place…I wonder if there's a way to get her back.

He watched her disappear into the dark abyss portal.

"Okay, what's our plan?" Takeshi asked, sitting between Kasumi and Suzumi.

"We can't summon Seiryuu because he got pretty banged up with the zombies. We'll have to find an alternative," Suzumi replied.

Demitri stood up. "Maybe if we get Tsukasa and his army here to help us?"

Mayura shook her head. "We could use someone like Tsukasa, since he was close with Hanako."

"Maybe if we called upon the God Hyperion, he could help us," Leiko said.

"Yes, getting the Gods to help us is one thing, but how?" Azar asked.

"Some of us will have to go to Mount Olympus to ask for help. Zeus might be able to help also," Mayura replied.

"We need Apollo for his ability of Light to break Hanako of the darkness that surrounds her," Odin said.

"And Athena for her wisdom of justice and war," Mayura added. She waved her hand, and a portal appeared. "Anyone that wants to come with us better go now."

Hanako knelt before her master, bowing her head.

He touched her head with his claw and chuckled.

You are accustomed to your new powers, Hanako, I'm impressed.

Hanako nodded. "Yes, master, it's everything I could ask for."

Reap the harvest, my Angel, and bring me more souls. And bring me back Yukinari, alive.

"As you wish, Master."

Mt. Olympus

When the group of Angels and Vampires reached the gates of Mt. Olympus, they were able to pass through without comment. Takeshi looked at Suzumi, grabbing her hand.

Mayura approached a man in gold armor. "We wish to speak with the gods Zeus and Apollo," she said.

The man in gold armor bowed slightly. "I will let them know you are here."

He disappeared from sight through two double doors.

"Send them in," a voice boomed.

The doors flung open and the man in gold armor stood aside to let them pass.

There, on a white marble thrones, sat Zeus and his wife Hera. The Council members knelt on one knee with hands over their hearts and their heads bowed.

"Hail Zeus, mighty God of weather and ruler of the gods," Mayura spoke firmly.

"Hail Zeus!" The other Council members spoke in agreement.

"What brings you here today, my daughter of Gaia?" Zeus asked.

"We seek help from you and the god Apollo and goddess Athena. Our former sister, Hanako, was banished from Gaia and sold her soul to the Devil. Now she is under his control and is wreaking havoc upon the humans," Mayura replied, lifting her head.

"Why did she sell her soul?" Zeus asked.

Yukinari stepped forward. "It was because the Prince of Darkness is my Master. He wanted my soul in return for my release from Hell."

"Hmm, so she took your place instead. That's very interesting," Zeus said, sighing. "Well, there must be a balance between Light and Darkness, therefore I can't help you much. I am sorry."

"Is there a way we can get help from Apollo and Athena?" Mayura asked.

"Yes, I don't see why not," Zeus replied, pointing in the direction of Apollo and Athena's temples.

Yukinari's Palace

Shurii and Leiko both stood outside the palace. Nightfall had come. Leiko lifted her head up, looking at the stars.

Shurii touched his cheek where the female zombie scratched him.

"I wonder if we can find a cure for you, Shurii," she said.

Shurii shrugged. "I'm not sure. Is there an existing antidote for curing zombies?"

"I'm sure there is. not unless we ask a healing from the gods., Leiko replied, looking at Shurii.

"So, I've always wondered what it's like on Gaia. What can you tell me?"

"Well, it's beautiful. If you've ever been to Greece, it looks a lot like that. We are surrounded by fields and water-lakes, if you will-and as you can see, we are ruled by our Council. They are our government and we worship the Gods."

"What kind of Gods do you worship?" Shurii asked, intrigued.

"I worship the Goddess Athena. She represents war and justice. Hanako used to worship Athena and Aphrodite-the goddess of love-before she was banished," Leiko replied.

"It makes me happy to see Lord Yukinari back to his old ways again. He was a different man after his first wife Satomi died."

"Who was Satomi?"

"Satomi was a kind woman. Yukinari fell in love with her the moment he saw her. They met at a Gathering when they were young. They married and had Suzumi, then Aya came into the picture. She was Satomi's assistant, much like Asashi, except with more anger in her heart. Aya was a jealous woman. You could always see it on her face.

"One day, Aya had served Satomi and her friends tea, and little beknown to us at the time, she had poisoned Lady Satomi. It was an absolute shame to watch her suffer from her sickness. We didn't know what to do and this left Yukinari feeling helpless. Watching his wife die was like losing your sister."

"How old was Suzumi when her mother died?" Leiko asked.

"Suzumi must have been ten, since this was during the Edo period of the 1800s. She later died at the age of sixteen."

Leiko responded with a "Hmm," looking at the stars again.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful, Leiko?" Shurii asked, looking at her and smiling.

Leiko looked surprised. "Well, no, actually. You're probably the first person to tell me that."

"In that case," Shurii said, taking her hand and holding it inches away from his lips. "Leiko of Gaia, I think you are a beautiful woman. You deserve to be blessed by the Goddess Aphrodite."

"Nonsense, I serve Her Defensive Alliance. When do I have time for love?"

"Well, maybe it's time someone protects you instead of you doing all the work."

"Are you saying..." Leiko trailed off, blushing.

Shurii nodded, "Yes, my lady, although I can't touch you. Once we find a cure, I will be your protector."

Temple of Apollo

Mayura and her Council members with the four Vampires stood in front of the God Apollo. The Council members knelt down and said in unison, "Hail the God Apollo!"

"What brings all of you here?" he asked, looking over the Gaians and Vampires.

"We seek your help in getting our former sister Hanako back." Raziya said.

"Former sister? Was she banished?"

"Yes, my lord. She broke the rule of falling in love with a vampire," Mayura replied.

"In love with a Vampire?" Apollo was surprised. He looked at the Vampires again and looked at Yukinari. "It seems as if Hanako will bring balance to the war between Light and Darkness."

"How is this possible?" Mayura asked.

"Although she's not the only one," Apollo replied, looking at Kasumi.

Kasumi laughed nervously, blushing.

"If Kasumi is the peace maker, then doesn't that make Hanako the balance of Light and Darkness?" Takeshi asked.

"Indeed. But I think the one who can explain that better is Athena," Apollo replied.

Temple of Athena

Apollo led the group to Athena's temple. Athena was practicing her sword skills as sweat poured from her brow. She thrust her sword in the air, bringing it in an upward motion. She stopped and looked at Apollo and the group. The Council members knelt, and Athena motioned her hand for them to rise.

"What's going on, Apollo?" she asked.

"These Gaians and Vampires need our help," Apollo replied.

Athena looked at the group. "What kind of help? Speak," she said firmly.

"Our former sister, Hanako, sold her soul to the Devil. Now she is bringing death and destruction to the humans," Mayura said.

"Hanako? Yes, I recall hearing that name. She is my daughter. I remember hearing her prayers asking for wisdom and strength before she went into battle."

"Will you help us, Goddess Athena?" Xavira asked.

"Yes, I will. What about you, Apollo?" Athena asked, looking at him.

"Of course," he replied, nodding his head.

Yukinari stepped forward. "May I ask a favor, Athena?"

"Yes?"

"When this is over, may I ask for your blessing in marrying Hanako?"

Athena approached Yukinari, putting her hand on his shoulder. "That is something you will have to ask the Goddess Aphrodite. I'm sure she will give you her blessing."

Yukinari nodded as Suzumi stood next to him, smiling and taking his hand in hers.

Raziya looked at Mayura. "My lady, if we want more help, we better go get Tsukasa."

"Yes, that will be your job-to go check on things and bring Tsukasa with you."

"Yes, my lady."

Gaia

Raziya exited the portal to see Tsukasa standing outside the council chambers, waiting for one of the Council members.

"Tsukasa, we need your help," she said.

"It's about Hanako, isn't it?"

"Yes, she sold her soul and is bringing chaos among the humans. Come with me, quickly!"

She opened up the portal and they quickly ran through.

Kyoto, Japan

Hanako walked through the streets, holding her hands out and extending her dark wings. She saw the people beginning to run as her black sword appeared in her hands. As she slashed her sword, suddenly a bright light descended from above. She looked up and there appeared Apollo and Athena dressed in golden armor, their swords drawn.

Yukinari and Suzumi appeared beside Athena, while the Council members stood side by side of one another.

Hanako laughed. "So, you brought the big guns?"

Athena stepped forward. "Hanako, my daughter, you have been blinded by the Devil's control. We are here to free you."

"No! My Master has given me great power that will even defeat you!"

Hanako charged at Athena, clashing her sword with her black sword. She shoved Athena back, sending her into Mayura's arms.

Athena stood up. "That's one shove. We'll have to come up with a plan," she said, looking at Mayura.

The portal opened up, and Raziya and Tsukasa came running through. "We tried to get back as soon as we could!" she said.

Tsukasa looked at Hanako, observing her smoky black wings and her fiery red eyes. She had her hair pulled back like she had it before, and she wore a black skirt with a blood stained shirt.

He stepped forward. "Hanako, what happened to you?" he asked.

She stood in fighting stance. "I serve the Lord of the Underworld...he wants your soul."

She slashed his arm. Tsukasa withdrew his sword with his left hand, holding it to block Hanako's next attack. "I'll hold her off, while you guys come up with a plan!" he shouted, blocking her sword.

The group moved closer towards Apollo and Athena. "I have an idea," Apollo began as everyone gathered around him. "I need someone to hold her down while I cast a light spell to cast out the Devil's control over her. Yukinari, I think you're the man for the job. Mayura and Athena, I need you two to distract her while Yukinari tries to grab hold of her. The rest of you, watch each others' back."

Athena and Mayura stood side by side. "Are you ready, Goddess Athena?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, smiling.

Tsukasa slashed Hanko's hand, knocking her sword out of her hand. She grabbed her hand, growling at him.

"Hanako, why did you sell your soul? You're much smarter than that!" Tsukasa said as he turned around and knocked her down with the hilt of his sword. She laid on the ground and then jumped to her feet. She formed black smoke in her hands, and her whip appeared. cracking the whip.

"Tsukasa!" Mayura shouted, catching his attention.

Tsukasa turned and seen Mayura and Athena stand by his side.

The three of them moved closer to Hanako. Yukinari appeared behind Hanako. "Wait for it!" Athena shouted. Hanako threw her whip back and it lunged forward toward Tsukasa. He threw his sword in the way, blocking the whip. Yukinari waited for them to get Hanako close enough to wrap his arms around her.

Tsukasa still had his sword wrapped around the whip. He yanked it out of her hands, giving Yukinari the chance to grab Hanako and hold her tightly in his grasp.

Hanako screamed, "No! Let me go!"

"Now, Apollo, do it now!" Yukinari yelled.

Apollo held his hand in from his face, "I call upon the forces of the light! Banish this darkness!" A bright light shot from his hand and the light surrounded Hanako and Yukinari. She screamed and shut her eyes. Her black feathers formed around the couple and Hanako's whole entire body turned to golden light.

The light disappeared and she fell back into Yukinari's arms. He caught her and looked at her.

"Hanako, are you all right?" He asked, touching her cheek.

Her eyes fluttered open, "Yu-Yukinari..."

Athena and Apollo appeared at her side, while the Council members gathered around her.

She looked around and smiled at Tsukasa. "Tsukasa, you're here too."

"Of course, Hanako. We had to snap you out of your trance because you were under the Devil's control."

"Goddess Athena, God Apollo..."

Athena knelt down beside Hanako, taking her hand. "My daughter, I'm glad to have you back. I have waited to see you to tell you that I have heard your prayers. Now we must go get your soul and release the others that are held captive."

Hanako nodded. "Yes...but what can I do to get out of the Devil's grasp?"

"Don't worry, we'll take care of that," Apollo said.

"I will take her back to the palace to rest," Suzumi said.

"We'll bring your soul back, love," Yukinari said.

"Be careful, Yukinari."

"I will make a way back to you, my love." Yukinari pressed his lips to Hanako's.

Tsukasa watched Yukinari kiss Hanako, and he turned his head.