disclaimer- i do not own any of the characters to Yami no Matsuei. all rights and whatnots belong solely to the original author. plus i don't make a penny from this
Chapter 23: The Awakening
Lord Enma watched the two Guardians of Light attacked the devil and demon. He was impressed with their skills but he also knew that they would not win the battle in their current state of mind. It's not to say they couldn't win but with all of them there. They unknowingly put the two angels in a disadvantage because he knew they were worried about their safety. He was sure Kazutaka was worried about his husband and child. But, there was nothing he could do now. The demonic barrier around them would not let them leave. He sighed unhappily. The lord of Meifu knew that in order for the two unawakened angels to win, they needed to return to their true selves of Damien and Damia. They needed to become the angels of destruction and chaos once again. Suddenly he felt a chill go down his spine. He would be here soon. He could feel it in his soul. He stared at the dark maw of the gate and frowned. Something flew out of the gate to attack both Alicia and Kazutaka.
It slashed Alicia across her left side and Kazutaka across his back sending them crashing to the ground. They looked up to see a devil holding a long handle sickle. Their blood dripped from the sharp blade. It glared down at its white winged enemies. "I am Talos. I am herald to the master. He comes. All who does not bow to the master will die."
"You know. I am getting tired of getting sucker punched by you assholes," snarled Alicia as blood trickled down the corner of her mouth.
"You dare insult Beelzebub's herald." The devils eyes flashed red. "You shall be the first to die whore of heaven." The devil raised its sickle and flew towards the injured Alicia.
Before the devil could hurt her or her brother, the two guardians began to sink into the shadows beneath them. Both started in shock as they reappeared under the protective shield with the others.
The devil stopped in mid air to sneer at the two angels. "Hiding behind your shield." He snorted. "I expected better from two of Michael's most feared warriors." Then he laughed. "But I guess it is to be expected. You are too much of a coward to do what we have done."
"Oh, you mean damned myself to be trapped within hell for all eternity," snarled Alicia. "That does not prove you are brave. It proves that you are insane. Just like your vile, moronic, bastard of a master."
"Bitch!" he shrieked with flaming red eyes. He would have attacked but a roar split the air.
Everyone turned to the gates and saw a three-headed lion step out into the night. "No," whispered Kazutaka in horror. They watched as large wings sprung from its back and it took to the air disappearing into the night.
"This can't be happening," said Alicia.
"What is it?" asked Oriya. Suddenly more demons started to leave out of the gate. But unlike those that stood around the gate waiting. These demons spread out to the four corners of the world.
"Dammit!" Alicia pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. Quickly punching in some numbers, she raised the phone to her ear. "Subaru, get the old man, now." She watched with a heavy heart as more demons left the gate. She also noticed that several of them were Originals. 'Waht a mess.' She became frustrated and angry. "Dammit, where the hell is Michael and the others? Surely they must know the gate is opened.'
Suddenly the voice of Master Takakura. "We have a Code Orange-Omega 13." Alicia frowned. "Yes, it's finally happened. You should awaken the sleepers immediately."
"Yes, it is bad. There are Originals in the mix."
"No, we do not need help here. We can handle things on this end."
"Okay. Take care of yourself, old man." Then she hung up her phone.
"The demons and devils are starting to leave hell," said Kazutaka. "We must close that gate before anymore escape or . . ." He let his voice trail off.
"Or what?" asked Tsuzuki.
"Or before Satan comes out. If he comes out it will be very difficult to get him back inside," said Alicia biting her bottom lip.
"You do realize," said Enma, "that in your present condition. There is no way for you to defeat either Ragnos or Raylene. Not to mention the thousands of demons that are waiting for their lord master to come out."
Alicia turned to glare at the masked figure. Then she looked away to glare angrily at the ground.
"We do not want that," Kazutaka said hesitantly. "It would mean we would . . ." He raised his head to stare at Enma. "You understand what it is you are asking of us?"
"I do. I understand better than you think. But knowing that the people you love are safe is a sacrifice worth taking. Don't you think?"
Both Kazutaka and Alicia looked up at Tatsumi and Tsuzuki first, and then they looked at the others. Alicia thought about all her friends in the Kurenai Village and those living in her apartment complex. Kazutaka let his gaze fall over the people he consider his friends. Then he turned his gaze back to his pregnant beautiful husband and smiled.
"You're right. The sacrifice would be well worth it." Kazutaka turned to his sister and smiled. "It's time we returned home."
"Are you sure brother?" asked Alicia frowning as she turned to look at Tsuzuki, and then she turned back to face him. "If we go through with this it would mean letting go of everything."
"What do you mean?" asked Tsuzuki coming to stand beside his husband. "What sacrifice are you two talking about?"
"Alicia," said Tatsumi walking up behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders. "Please talk to us. What sacrifice is Lord Enma talking about?"
Alicia sighed and looked to her brother. The elder angel turned to face them. "What Raylene said about us is true. It was Alicia who sunk Atlantis and I was the one that caused Mount Vesuvius to erupt destroying Pompeii."
Everyone gasped in horror.
"My brother and I weren't always the sweet and kind people you see before you," said Alicia smiling sadly. "We were arrogant and selfish because of whom our father was. We cared not for the Guides that were assigned to us. We did nothing to protect them. We left them in the mist of danger always with the excuse of they died because they were too stupid to run and hide. Damien and Damia are awful beings but . . . but it seems that the only way we might be able to salvage this situation is if we become what we were before."
"I still don't understand," said Watari. "Aren't you still the same person."
"No, our personalities are different. What you see now are Kazutaka and Alicia Muraki," said Kazutaka.
"Have you forgotten the laws of reincarnation," said Lord Enma. "All memories and personalities are sealed so the soul can start over again. Although the Guardians of Light and Life can unlock the memories of a reincarnated soul, only a Guardian of Life is permitted to do so and only if they get permission from Gabriel."
"If we unlock our soul's memories we will release those personalities that are Damien and Damia," said Alicia.
"So, what happens to the Kazutaka and Alicia identities?" asked Hisoka.
Both turned away as they could not say it. Therefore, it was up to Lord Enma to tell them the rest. "The new identities will be replaced with the original identities. This means they will not remember any of you."
It was like someone driving a stake through each of their hearts. Tsuzuki clutched at his swollen stomach as he stared at his husband.
"And . . . and you two have decided to go through with it," said Oriya. Their silence was their answer.
"No," said Tsuzuki as tears fell like rain from his lavender colored eyes. "I won't let you. What about me and the baby?" Kazutaka turned away. He did not want to see the tears staining the eyes of his beloved. "Are you just going to abandon us behind?"
"Asato, stop it," said Lord Enma. "Believe me when I say, he knows exactly what he will be giving up. It's either return to being Damien or watch as Satan and his arm destroys all he holds dear."
"Well, what about Michael?" asked Oriya. "Shouldn't he and the others be here trying to close the gate themselves? Is Michael so afraid of facing Satan again that he has to let two of his people, who doesn't even remember who they truly are, try to stop him? What kind of angel is he?"
"That will be enough Oriya," said Kazutaka. "Alicia and I have always followed his orders. In fact, we would become angry when he gave a particularly difficult case to someone else. When we went on assignments we never accepted help from anyone nor did we want help." He sighed. "Perhaps, this is Michael's way of giving us a chance to atone for all the wrong that we have committed." Then he turned back around to face his beloved. Raising his hand, he cupped Asato's wet cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears. "Beloved, I must do this for you and our child. He will come after you. He will force you to watch as he lay waste to world. He will rear our child to be as evil and depraved as he himself. He will completely destroy your gentle soul and that is something I will not allow."
"I don't understand," said Tsuzuki staring up at his husband with pleading eyes. "Why are you talking in riddles. What is going on? Why would the greatest evil known to man want my child?"
"What is it you are not telling him?" asked Hisoka coming to stand beside his partner.
"Alicia, do you know what your brother is talking about?" asked Tatsumi.
She sighed as she turned her gaze to Lord Enma. "Don't you think it's about time you removed the mask and told your child the truth." The same sad smile she had on her face before reappeared. "He deserves to know the truth. Besides, it may be the only chance you have to tell him the truth before his father comes."
Everyone turned to Lord Enma frowning in puzzlement. The lord of Meifu sighed and looked down at the ground contemplating his decision.
"Sir?" Watari asked hesitantly.
Sighing again, Enma raised his head and lifted a hand up to the animal mask covering his face. His hand clasped the mask and slowly he removed it from his face. Everyone, except Alicia and Kazutaka gasped in shock. It was Tsuzuki's face, but it was older. His long flowing hair was the same soft brown color as the lavender eyed guardian. However, instead of having violet eyes like Tsuzuki, his eyes were dark brown. To Tatsumi, Enma looked to be in his early thirties. He guessed this is what Tsuzuki would have looked like if he had lived.
"I am Enma, the youngest brother to Michael and Gabriel." More gasps were heard from the men. "And I am also one of the Fallen Angels." Suddenly a pair of shiny black wings unfurled from his back. Then he walked up to the startled Tsuzuki and cupped the man's face. "You are my beloved son, Asato."
"No, this . . . this can't . . . but how," the violet-eyed guardian choked out as tears fell from his eyes.
"Ssshhhh." He placed a kiss on Tsuzuki's forehead. "I will explain everything to you later. I promise."
"But that still doesn't explain why Satan would be after Tsuzuki," said Hisoka.
"Tell him the rest," said Alicia. Enma's head snapped up to glare at her. "You have no choice but to tell him who his other parent is yourself or he will tell him when he arrives."
"What does she mean?" Tsuzuki asked. "Who is this 'he' Alicia is talking about?"
"What she means is that your father has been locked away in hell for centuries every since his fall from heaven. Or maybe I should say his defeat by the hands of Michael."
Tsuzuki's eyes widened in horror as he realized whom his other parent is. "No no no, it's a lie. I cannot be his child."
"I'm sorry. I never wanted you to know this."
"What is it?" asked Watari becoming worried. "Who is his other parent?"
"Satan," said Tatsumi having realized himself whom Enma was talking about. "Tsuzuki's other parent is Satan, himself."
"Oh God," gasped Hisoka covering his mouth with his hand in horror.
Watari stared at Lord Enma in shock. "You mean, you and Satan . . . and Tsuzuki is his child?"
"Yes, he is my mate," said Enma. He pulled the folds of his robes away and turned to show them his back. On his left shoulder blade was a large black X.
Tsuzuki covered his swollen stomach protective with his hand as he let everything that was told to him sink in. He could not believe it. Lord Enma and Satan are his parents. 'I think I am going to be sick.'
"It's time for us to go," said Kazutaka.
Snapping out of his shock Tsuzuki growled, "No," as he turned to face the silver haired angel clutching him by his coat collar. "I won't let you do this. I won't let you leave us behind."
"I don't want to go." Kazutaka held his husband tightly in his arms as tears fell from his silver eyes. "I want to stay here with you. I want to be here when our child is born. I want to watch him grow up, go to school, make friends, and fall in love. I want to be here with you forever. But what I want most is for you two to live in a world that is safe from the evil of the Fallen Ones."
"Then take me with you."
The silver haired guardian sadly shook his head no. "Where I go you cannot follow."
"But Kai . . ." Before he could say anything, he gasped and placed his hand on his stomach.
"What is it?" Kazutaka asked worried. "Is it the baby?"
"Yes." A smiled spread across the violet-eyed man's face. "He kicked."
A smile spread across his face as Kazutaka placed his hand on his husband's swollen belly and felt the tiny nudge against his hand.
"May I?" asked Alicia. Tsuzuki smiled as he took her hand and placed it on his stomach. She smiled when she felt the tiny life kick against her palm. She fell to her knees and rested her ear against Tsuzuki's stomach. "You're going to be a feisty one, aren't you." She said to the child inside his safe haven. "I'm your aunt Alicia." She felt another kick to her cheek. "Promise me, that you will take care of your mother," she whispered as tears fell from her eyes. "He's going to need you once your father is gone." As though to answer her plea, the child kicked twice. Then she stood up and turned to face Tatsumi. "I want you to know that I love you Seiichiro Tatsumi. I love you very much."
"I love you also, Alicia Muraki," said the secretary taking her into his arms. "I will love you until the end of time." He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips against her lips in a passionate kiss.
"Promise me," said Kazutaka stroking Tsuzuki's cheek. "Promise me that you will live and move on with your life. I love you dearly my beloved but I do not want you to spend the rest of your afterlife mourning over me. Promise me that after you have grieved that you will smile and be happy again." A small smile touched the corner of his mouth. "You know that sad look does not suit you."
Tears fell from Tsuzuki's eyes as he stared into the sad silver eyes of his husband. "Kai."
"Please tell our son about me. Tell him that I love him as much as I love you." He pressed his lips against those of his husband.
"Are you ready big brother?"
Kazutaka pulled away from his husband and smiled at his beloved. "Good bye." Then his wings unfurled from his back. He looked at the others and smiled at them. "Please take care of him."
Tsuzuki collapsed into the arms of his father as he watched with a heavy heart as his husband walked away from him.
Alicia stopped and held out her hand. Her staff appeared in her hand and she turned to face Tatsumi. Tossing the staff to him, the elder man caught it. She smiled. "Take my staff to Hokkaido and go to Nayoro. There is a forest that the people considers to be haunted. The village is protected by a magical mist. Just wander through the forest and you will come upon the village. When you come upon the sentry, tell them that the Southern Star has fallen. They will take you to Master Takakura." She smiled at him as her wings burst from her back. "Tell the old man thank you for caring for me as though I was his child. Tell him that even though my memories of them will be sealed away that I will love him and everyone else forever." She looked at the others and smiled as tears fell from her eyes. "I guess this is good bye. Take care of yourself guys."
"We will," said Watari smiling sadly as tears welled up in his eyes.
"See you around, you little troublemaker," said Oriya. She poked her tongue out at him.
Then she turned back to face her blue eyed lover. "Take care of yourself, Tatsumi." She placed her hand against her lips and blew him a kiss. The secertary could do nothing but watch as his love turned away from him. Then the infamous dragon twins of heaven turned and stepped out from under the shield.
xxxxx
Raylene and Ragnor watched as the two silver haired angels stepped out from under the shield. Raylene smirked. "So, have you two finally decided to come out and play." He laughed. "I hope you do better this time than you did the last time."
"Oh, we shall," said Alicia. She stretched her right hand out and it began to glow blue.
Kazutaka smiled at the devil. "And by the time we are through with the both of you. You will wish to God that you had killed us when you had the chance." He stretched out his left hand and his began to glow blue also. The light began to extend from their hands to form swords. Clutching the hilts, they raised the swords to the heaven.
"COVER YOUR EARS!" They heard Lord Enma yell to the others.
When Kazutaka and Alicia opened their mouths to recite the spell, it was like nothing any of them had ever heard. Instead of words, the sound was like a million angry birds all shrieking at the same time. Plus, the volume of their voices nearly shattered their eardrums. And as suddenly as it began, they had ceased. Everyone stared at the angels hands. Instead of swords, what they held were two keys made of pure light.
Suddenly Kazutaka and Alicia turned to face each other and smiled. "Good bye, Kazutaka."
"Good bye, Alicia." Suddenly keyholes appeared where their hearts were.
"Since the beginning of time," they spoke in unison as their voices boomed and echoed around them. "The past has been bound. With the keys to the soul." They raised the blue keys and shoved them into the key holes over their hearts. "Let the past step forward and the present step back. We, the Guardians of Light, invoke the spell of Awakening." Suddenly a shaft of light tore through the cloudy night sky to engulf the two angels. "I Kazutaka and I Alicia release the twin dragons of heaven." They took one last look at their loves and friends and smiled. Then they turned back to face each other. "Damien! Damia! Awaken!" As they turned the keys counter clockwise, the light became blinding as a thick bolt of lightning came from the heavens to strike the siblings. There was a huge explosion as everyone was knocked from their feet.
Several seconds had passed before the light finally disappeared. Once they were able to see again, everyone jumped to their feet. No one had noticed that the shield was gone. They slowly walked over to where the two silver hair angels were standing. They wanted to see if the two survived the spell. As the dust cleared, everyone breathe a sigh of relief as the two silver haired angels slowly stood up. Only lord Enma, Raylene and Ragnor could see the change in the two.
"At last, they have truly appeared," said Raylene smiling. "Damien and Damia, the twin dragons of heaven."
