Chapter 22

By the Light of Lucifer

Anthy sat alone in one of the spare rooms of the East Dorm, still unwilling to come out of her hiding place. After everything that had happened, after how much she had tried to take the burden of the Swords of Hatred, they had instead struck at her best friend. She could no longer bear the loneliness of the world, the loss of the only thing she had wanted. Happiness lasted for a moment, then was robbed of her. Then her best friend suffered beyond death, but was attacked by the Swords even after her passing.

Anthy wanted to cry, wanted to scream, wanted to do anything to right what she had done, but her heart could find no way. Chu Chu scurried up to her, crawling up her leg and sitting upon her knee, looking sadly at her.

"Oh Chu Chu, I don't know what to do anymore." She whispered to her little friend. "After everything I learned, about manipulating things, about controlling the world around me with magic, it's all useless!"

"Chu, chu chu!" Chu Chu hopped to her shoulder, patting her on the head.

"I know, but after everything I've done, why can't I change the world? How did Utena cause the-" She looked up, her eyes widening. "The Revolution! That's it! That's the missing key to all of this!" Scooping Chu Chu up in her hands, she rose from the seat where she had hidden herself from the world.

"If Utena already caused the Revolution, what is still in the Castle in the Sky?" Hurrying down the stairs, Anthy made her way to the Forest Dueling Arena, her feelings spurring her on as she got to the gate. Leaning over, she touched the pool of water behind the handle, sending ripples outwards and opening the beautiful gateway.

Instead of passing through immediately, she looked about at the fountains on either side of the path, up at the massive stone rose over the gate, and at the gate itself. She watched intently as the whole process unfolded, opening the way to the Dueling Arena.

"It has changed, and that can only mean-" Growing more determined, Anthy looked at her little companion. "Come on Chu Chu, we need to see a few things!"

She followed the long winding stair up to the platform in the sky, her gaze drawn to the massive castle that revolved slowly overhead, its spires ever pointed down to where the duelists fought their battles. She studied it throughly, looking over every detail, examining the towers, the spires, the walls, and the foundation. The castle's shadow fell across Anthy, the sun hidden from her sight. The sun shone across her again, but still she stood.

"What are you looking at?" Hope asked, looking up at Anthy.

She turned her gaze down at the little pink haired girl, surprised by her sudden appearance. "I was looking at the castle. How did you get here?"

"I came here to see you!" Hope's smile was infectious, bringing warmth to Anthy's heart.

"To see me? What for?"

"I wanted to show you something." Hope turned, scurrying across the platform to a walkway that hadn't been there a moment before.

"Wait! Don't go over there! It isn't safe!" Anthy hurried over, hopping across the small gap between the platform and the walkway. She ran down the path, trying to stop Hope from getting to the other side.

The little girl laughed like it was some sort of game, and raced to the end. Standing at the far side of the walkway, a great wooden door stood, covered in vines. It looked very old, and was sturdy enough to stop any force brought against it.

"Please, don't touch that door! If you do, the Swords of Hatred will come to consume us!" Anthy plead with Hope, who simply smiled in return. Gripping the big handle in her small right hand, Hope pulled.

"No!" Anthy lunged forward, trying to stop her from going any further. Terror ran through her as she saw the door inch open, until it stood wide before her. Stopping, she stared at the empty space, looking into the void upon the other side. "What? Where is everything?"

"It's gone silly! Eternity doesn't dwell here anymore." Hope giggled happily. "Eternity, the Swords of Hate, Dios, they're all free. Stuff doesn't work the same anymore."

Anthy stared in shock at the strange little girl, who simply smiled at her in return. "Who are you!? How can you know so much about all this!?" Anthy demanded, the icy chill of fear gripping her. It wasn't the fear of a thing, but the realization that she didn't know as much as she thought. All of her life, she had been the one playing the game, knowing what was truly going on, and everyone else stood below her. Now, she was the pawn, all of her power, all of her magic, was meaningless.

"Don't you recognize me?" Anthy started as Hope changed. She had become like Anthy's brother Akio, but kinder, younger, more true.

"Dios!? You're Dios!" She put her hand over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes at the appearance of her brother's old self. He wore a regal white uniform, his purple hair rippling along the sides of his head.

"I am." He responded. "Utena didn't know it, but when she freed you, I was released as well. Eternity and the Swords came with me, seeking new bonds to this world, so they might remain. I became a reflection of Utena, a pure one that had not been tainted by the sin of this world."

"Utena isn't gone, but the Swords have gained a foothold within her, and now they intend to make her their weapon. You must save her before it is too late." He looked firmly at her, his resolution giving Anthy strength.

"Alright. I won't fail Utena again." She replied.

***

In the quiet planetarium atop Ohtori Academy's tower, they sat upon the couches, facing each other. The snake was out of its cage again, staring levelly at the wolf from its perch on a small coffee table. The wolf hardly seemed to notice, sitting impatiently watching the hawks circling in the sky outside the high windows.

"You said you knew something that I wanted to know." Nemo stared firmly at Akio, who sat lounging on the couch across from where he sat.

"Yes, I was quite upset to learn that she had died." Akio's reply seemed to sweeten the air. "The problem is, I am not permitted to act out on this matter. There is no real evidence, nor can the culprits of her murder be found by normal people."

"I will do whatever it takes to bring them to justice." Nemo said, his anger burning deep within him.

"Good, but not perfect. You see, she wasn't killed by only one party, but by two." Akio said, his voice growing grave.

"Two? How is that possible?" Nemo demanded, his fingers digging into the cushion of the couch.

"She wasn't dead until the Swords came for her. Some force has awoken a great evil that threatens to overwhelm the world, and destroy Eternity. This evil is called the Swords of Hatred. They are exactly what they seem to be, the hatred of men focused until it becomes a tangible blade. On their own, the swords can't kill a victim who is strong of heart and will, but one who is weak, or weakened, can be slain by them. The ones who awoke this evil also turned them against Utena to finish her before she could recover." Akio explained, closing his eyes.

"Where can I find these fiends!? I will make them pay in blood for what they have done!" Nemo roared, his fury growing like a spark on fall leaves.

"They can only face you in the Dueling Arena, for they can not leave it. But they won't reveal themselves until you have something they want," Akio paused, looking over to where Cassandra sat silently upon the couch next to him, "like a Rose Bride. To get her, however, you must defeat Touga, the current Engaged."

"Fine!" Nemo growled. "If that's what it takes, I'll do it." Rising from his seat, Nemo strode purposefully to the elevator. The wolf walked away from its seat, a pair of fang marks upon its neck.

As soon as Nemo had gone, Akio turned to Cassandra with a smile on his face. "Very good, I think you deserve a reward for your behavior." He brushed her cheek. The wall reflected the shadows of two figures, a man tossing small pellets, and a dog catching them in its mouth.

***

Touga felt across the empty platform at Nemo, who stood with Ryan on the far side. Cassandra had been silent once again, telling Touga volumes about what was truly going on inside her. He felt the gentle tug as she approached and slid a red rose upon his jacket's left pocket. Nodding politely to her, he walked towards his foe, drawing his longsword slowly from the sheath at his side.

Nemo did likewise, refusing to use the blade that Ryan bore for him. As the two combatants approached each other, they rose their blades in salute to the other. Nemo, however, was filled with anger, his motions too snapped, too aggressive to be calm. Meeting at the middle, three paces separating them, both stopped.

"So, who's pulling your strings, Nemo?" Touga asked calmly.

"What are you talking about? No one is pulling my strings! I am perfectly capable of handling myself." Nemo replied angrily.

"I know, but you are not yourself either. Someone has told you something, and it is making you angry. If you act rashly, I cannot let you win." Touga said.

"Shut up!" Nemo snarled, lunging at him. Their blades clashed as Nemo pressed the attack, striking at Touga viciously. Deftly throwing the attack aside, Touga countered, throwing Nemo past him and to the ground.

"You are acting on your emotions. If you expect to win, you must come to terms with yourself." Touga allowed Nemo to rise, then jumped back, avoiding his quick turn.

"I don't need help! I know all that I need to!" Lunging again, Nemo's point threatened Touga, forcing him to avoid the skewering attack.

"Was it Akio?" Touga probed, turning the attack about and forcing Nemo to withdraw a few paces. For a moment, Nemo stopped in his tracks, alertness racing through his frame. "So it was Akio. Strange, but Cassandra has tried very effectively to throw this fight with you so she would come into your possession. If I were to say so, I would say they were working together to get you under his influence."

"Why would they try to do that?" Nemo was starting to recover his sanity, the anger bleeding off him like the sweat that started to flow from the fight.

"Did he tell you anything to influence you? Perhaps make you angry with anyone?" Touga questioned, knowing he was on the right track. So Akio, you tried to subvert him as well. Too bad I know all your tricks.

"He did." Nemo continued fighting, but their duel had become much more subdued, as two who were sparring rather than trying to crush each other. "He told me Utena had been murdered by the Swords of Hatred, and some force controlling them."

"Then I suppose it would help you to know that he is both afraid of the Swords of Hatred, and that he was probably lying to you about that as well." Touga explained.

"What should we do? If he is planning to use me as a weapon, how do we deal with him?" Nemo asked, his anger slowly redirecting at Akio for his deception.

"There is one thing that always throws off his plans." Touga said, his blade suddenly ripping forward, cutting the rose from Nemo's chest. "When the unexpected happens."

For a moment, Nemo tried to decide how to react to Touga's attack. A smirk formed on his face, nodding slightly to Touga. "Very well, you are victorious."

The bells clanged as they walked back to where Cassandra stood, open confusion written on her face. "I thought you were going to throw the duel, Touga. What happened?"

"A change of plans." He replied with a smile.

***

"Saionji! Saionji! Wait for me!" Anthy hurried to catch up as Saionji stopped. He turned to look at her, somewhat surprised at her reappearance.

"Anthy, where have you been? The others have been worried about you." He walked up, and upon seeing her agitated face, became concerned. "What's wrong, Anthy? Are you all right?"

"We need to find the others quickly! Utena is still alive, but we have to find her before it's too late." She said, her words bordering on frantic.

"What? She's alive, but how? We all saw her, are you sure of it?" Saionji asked, barely able to believe his ears.

"I'm sure, but if we don't help her soon, there won't be any hope of rescuing her." Anthy's tone told Saionji there was no time to lose. He thought about it for a moment, then took her hand.

"Touga said that he was dueling Nemo tonight. We can try catching them there!" They hurried off for the Dueling Arena as fast as Anthy could manage, both hoping they were not too late.